Monday, November 18, 2013

[Day 28] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 28
About this poem
 I was required to use these words: Cliché, shark, shock, brush, shook, shriek, trash, and lass.

Cliché
Sharks shock and they brush.
Cliché?
Sharks shock and they shook.
Cliché?
Shark Shock shrieks.
Cliché?
Shriek sharks and Shock trashes
And they brush.
Still a cliché,

Miss? (A-lass)

Saturday, November 9, 2013

中文這個科目

中文, 可能對大多香港人來說, 是一個厭惡的科目。這個科目是很多中六學生的「斷頭台」。 「時辰已到,按法處斬 !」是我們已進大專的學生體驗過的經典情節。有部分同學會在這句話之前, 被突如其來的聖旨救回一命, 有些便會等待著黃泉鬼差接應, 然後在被斬首後示眾。要是去過考場, 經歷過一試定生死, 便知道死者甚多, 運者其少。至於筆者是否避過此劫, 皆看吾文筆可知。

我現在就讀於並不是本地大專而是一間美國藝術大學。由於英語能力有限, 我被安排至英文特別班裡上課。每天聆聽, 寫作和閱讀都是英文, 別無其他。在日積月累的課堂下, 我對英文生厭, 反之對中文充溢著濃厚的興趣。我覺得中文在我生命中很是重要, 是一種不可缺少的藝術。每天上課的休息時間, 我會看著韓寒的散文。回家後都會開著電腦一邊聆聽喜歡的音樂, 一邊閱讀金庸的作品。我對中文的倏然熱愛, 使親朋戚友感到疑惑: 一個對中文反感的女生, 為何會愛上看中國文學甚至中文寫作?

一切結果乃有其起因, 尤其是對一樣曾經並不討好自己的東西產生正面情感 。起初我以為中文只是殺人不眨眼的劊子手, 把所有英文專長但中文平庸的學生斬首, 使刑場充斥著血腥味, 彷如致身於滿缸紅的戰場上。但其實它不是如眾所想, 這個劊子手都有感性的一面。

中文這門學問, 比英文這個國際通用的語言更加多元化。單是成語疊詞造句, 之乎者也那些古代用詞, 比英語古文白話文複雜得多。簡單來說, 一個英文生字在中國裡可能有四個不同的詞語或成語來解釋其定義。有的簡潔易明, 有的則深不可測。例如stingy這個形容詞, 在中文裡除吝嗇之外, 一毛不拔, 斤斤計較和錙銖必較也可以用來詮釋此詞。在個人立場來看, 中文的成語或古文, 充溢著藝術性。金庸描述其書中的人物時心思熟慮, 栩栩如生, 讓人看得如痴如碎。經典的例子最不過就是形容<<倚天層龍記>>的女主角趙敏的氣質:
美麗無比,嬌美無限,猶似曉露中的鮮花;巧笑嫣然,美目流盼,如花似玉,花容月貌,當真是觀世音菩薩下凡;十分美麗之中,更帶三分英氣、三分豪態,同時雍容華貴,自有一副端嚴之致,令人肅然起敬,不敢逼視;瀟灑飄逸,容光照人,風華絕代,美艷傾城,靈頑活潑,俏而不俗。華美絕世又嬌憐楚楚,一身柔馨恬靜又超凡傾世之氣韻,讓人失足沉溺在她那如夢似幻的仙境之中。

儘管趙敏被形容至「觀世音菩薩下凡」有點誇張, 但唯美與淒美並存於這段文字, 文筆尖銳, 讀者看完過後都應該佩服金庸先生有神般想像創作力。中文彷若一件文藝復興時期的雕塑, 極其真實且袖摺分明, 仔細無比, 看似要廢寢忘食才能完成的藝術品, 絕非閒等之輩能夠掌握領悟....



Wednesday, October 16, 2013

[Day 27] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 27
Troubling Thoughts

Every book
tells me that
the more intelligent you are,
the more troubles you'll get.

I incline to not agree.
Smart people,
especially the intelligent of them all,
should have less troubles troubling them.

They have seen more, known more, learned more, and thought more
than any of us combined.
They are able to decompose the troublest trouble,
so why would they have more trouble?

The least intelligent people would not have trouble,
or not as many as others,
since their mind have no room
for any troubling thoughts.

It is the people in between
that suffer the most.
They are capable of identifying troubles,
yet they are no near at a place that gives them power to tackle them.

Sigh.
This will be a problem that will live with the eternity,
as long as the human race still stands tall,
troubles will come after us all.

Monday, October 14, 2013

[Day 26] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 26
Challenging The Bottom Line

Politeness can
open a lot of doors,
no?
But your impertinence has surely closed
quite
a thousand.

I not know your past,
neither do you,
but neither will you.
I thought having proper manners
is proper.

You say what you want,
you peel slices
off the fruit of friendship
when it is not even
ripe.

The day comes
when I choose to be silent,
do not question about me.
Do it onto yourself.

Sunday, October 13, 2013

[Day 25] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 25
Mind Reader

I am not a mind reader, my friend.
If I were (which I am not),
I would have made a thousand friends
on Facebook.

I should make it clear
that implication is not my forte.
If I am that good at picking up traces of implication,
I should be a modern day Sherlock Holmes.

I do not pick up signals,
like a robot.
Please suit yourself with a
radar or radio.

I do not do hints.
What I do do is direct communication.

I prefer clarity.
I prefer sincerity.

I implore in advance:
Please do not expect much,
for you will end up losing all that you hope for.

It might be me,
it could be you.
It is both of us.

We are two,
and never one,
so keep that in mind.

What makes us think so differently?
The role that we are playing in the society?

I am not seeking answers.
Not from someone
who would most likely ignore them
in the first place.

[Day 24] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 24
Misunderstanding

Misunderstanding can lead to a disaster.
One disaster is enough for the mind,
I dare not think that I am
able to handle more than one.

It happens with the lack of clarification.
No one would know it.
At least we should try to make
ourselves very clear,
clear to the bones.

When a disaster steps in,
no one should fight back,
because no one will leave a winner.
Both sides are bound to be hurt.

Shut up and try to fix this mess.
That's all the advice I'd give.

Friday, October 11, 2013

[Day 23] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 23
My Casket


I once had a casket,
in it stored a treasure,
people who come forth
see different things inside.

But one thing
is in common:
that the thing is
full of honesty.

Now I
don't want to keep it
anymore.

I gave it up to the bottom of the sea,
where
no one will ever find them or seek
treasure from it.

[Day 22] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 22

Friendships Wreck

Ay ay my friend.
We set sail to the sea of history.
We met, we dine, we dance.
I lost myself in trance.

I welcome you everyday
with a feast
and pour my heart into
your porous glassheart.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

[Day 21] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 21
Here, My Hands

My right hand was an evil,
it brought me earthly pleasure.
While my left one is no angel,
it never tried to reach for closure.


Until one of them was damned by the sea
or lava.
From the mountain of curses, you see?
It should be over.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

[Day 20] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 20
Knowledge-sucking Creatures


The more intelligent you are,

the more amount of blood you have.
That will draw the fangs
of the offsprings of Dracula of Wisdom.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

[Day 19] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 19
You Shall See

A little ginger girl,
with a pumpkin print on
her daffodil attire--
walking on a meadow
under the boundless sky,
near a brisk river stream--
holds tight a purple heart;
soothes her half broken soul.

Her long-lost line of beauty
depends upon your stretching
this to a radiant curve.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

[Day 17] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 17
A Musical Murderer

After a romantic reunion
in bed,
the satisfied man seemed to be sleeping
sweetly and soundly.

The reckless woman,
driven by drinks,
committed something that created
irrevocable consequences.

Clip
Clip
Clip
"What are you doing?"

Still holding the nail clipper,
the woman smiled
like a silly billy.
"Ha, ha…" 

Clink
Clank
Clunk
Shattered bottle of champagne was now wrung.

Bam
Wham
Lam
(Dayum) Her destiny was doomed.

The next noon,
news headline read:
Guitarist Murderer Still At Large.
(A man with his three fingernails on his right hand clipped or he who can play guitar well could be the suspect.)

Friday, October 4, 2013

[Day 16] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 16
...I Existed

Countless dawns
and
dusks have
gone like droplets
of water
in the river of no return.

No longer will I
utter
a word.

Soon in
heaven,
will I
perch.

I shall seize
every fighting chance,
to walk among young
strange souls.

Sigh
with sophistication,
hoping they would
realize I existed
when I'm gone.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

[Day 14] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 14
Musical Mobiles

I was like a baby being
put in the cradle, or whatever.
I don't fancy being strapped into a seat
and then ready to be amused by the chilly wind.

That center pulling and pushing forces
really made me want to vow--
meet the devil.

The soothing notes
no longer soothed my soul,
instead, they knocked on my stomach
and expected the grand opening of my mouth.

Can't do it anymore.
I'm done for tonight.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

[Day 13] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 13
Souls and Spirits

Lively souls in a spirited shack
in came a bunch of men of guts,
including my friend and I,
except that I was not bold enough.

Breath
by breath--
pieces of my soul got--
sucked away.

My two reactions:
Remained silent,
which badly upset the souls'
expectation.
Laughed,
but again a question was thrown at me.

Though we were all of the same kind,
Makeup was where the difference laid.

Shall I have the chance,
I might have a try again.

[Day 12] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 12
Whole Day Walking

Walked for a whole day,
my legs were so sore and tired.
I shall walk on hands.

Monday, September 30, 2013

[Day 11] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 11
Sorry for You

You choose to hang on to what you want to believe
I dare not imagine what you have become.
I feel sorry for your
Difficulty in trusting people.

Why so dubious?
You are willing to fall
to cradles of misleading information,
Embrace the man of judgmental.

Your wife would be the sensible one
Were she ever informed this matter.
Your son would cast you
an eye of disapproval.

[Day 10] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 10
Your Words No Longer Haunt Me

Your words no longer haunt me
more than the joy Ellen's videos bring me.

Words can be hard like rocks,
and piercing like spears.
But yours were--
dusts and air particles.

This shall be the proof,
of me lingering no more
on the impact (if there was)
of your impertinence.

Now I have no patience
to stay victim of yours.
I make my own
destiny.

Friday, September 27, 2013

[Day 9] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 9
My Way

I am choosing a way
unplowed,
this
is my way.

You will see
my spreading seeds
of my own special kind
that's never been seen.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

[Day 8] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 8
Dry Quarrel

No clapping can be made
with one hand.
No quarrel can be made
with one mouth.

I must confess,
I am no good at this.
You are a master
of the Art of Quarrel.

Many a time,
I was led by your piercing questions
that were essential
to your winning.

I dodged no one bullet
from you.
I lost my voice,
and the quarrel.

We both lost.
We both lost.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

[Day 7] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 7
On Your Way

Walking onto this strange land,
I saw at far stood a man,
waving at me,
so I went near and see.

Thought you were a shepherd first,
but then you seemed a man of thirst.
Before you started,
I already in you trusted.

I told you everything.
You responded nothing.
Prolonged silence was your answer
to my humbly honest prayer.

You don't even know
which way to go.
I'll tell you now,
follow the way to the cow.

[Day 6] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 6
Tomorrow, Tomorrow

Wish I was Annie,
then I could write tomorrow,
instead of today.

Monday, September 23, 2013

[Day 5] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 5
"Number Withheld"

"Number Withheld"
Who is calling?
No one can tell.
The buzz's vexing.

Buzzing
Thinking,
Finally I've--
made up my mind.

I shall let it buzz,
I don't give a fuss.
Only nuts will pick up
your delusional call.

So long, farewell.
Goodbye, forever.
Unnamed sucker.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

[Day 4] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 4
Walking onto This Platform

Walking onto this platform,
I saw many brave souls.
Before the train arrived,
the sound of their conversations is the most unbearable of all.

 When thinking carts arrived,
all the souls board,
yet,
I stayed.

When the platform was occupied by
no one, but--
myself,
I burst out laughing, crying, screaming.
I am,
the genius of the silenced.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

[Day 3] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 3
Uncalled For

I really should
I really want to
hop on a plane
and see you in no time.

I've received your email,
and your friend's as well.
I know what you're planning to do--
surprise us all.

But I can't be there,
though I really wish I could.
Please believe me,
I really want to be by your side.

I am standing outside of your fence,
overseeing you and your friends
at your splendidly held
garden party.

I am not going in,
because I am not qualified.
Though you are kind enough
to have invited me.

Friday, September 20, 2013

[Day 2] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 2

My Runny Nose

O, please stop running.
That'd be embarrassing.

You're sensitive in the morning
to the passing of Miss Breeze.
You're sentimental out on the street
to the endless fighting of Mr. Summer and Mr. Winter.

When             will
you             stop
bothering             me?
When             will
you             stop
annoying             me?

Thursday, September 19, 2013

[Day 1] 365 Days of Poetry Writing

Day 1

...Until the End of Time

You were my Rose,
I was your Jack,
or
so I thought.

I would put you on the iceberg,
and let my body fight against
the piercing coldness
the ocean had brought to me.

But that did not even
amount to your eyes,
So hauntingly beautiful,
yet so killingly icy.

When you rejected me,
pieces of my heart started to fall
under the bottom of sea
along with your deafening words.

You know what I am going to
do.
I would endure all the heart-stopping
coldness.

I would go down to the sea bed
and collect the pieces of me.
I would put them on arrows,
and shoot them through your heart (if you have one).

Now you must know how I felt,
or I will not stop 
until
the end of time.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

[Day 0] Creative Writing Project: 365 Days of Poetry Writing


Recently, I have been taking THE a Creative Writing course. The instructor told us all, basically, that geniuses are made by the effort they paid. It might take you 1000000000000 hours/times/days of practicing your craft and that of honing your skills, which can then bring you to a higher level of better writing. That's why I would like to propose (to myself) to start a chain of posts doing writing exercises, writing a poem every day, for 365 days.

Frankly, my poetry sucks is not up to par (and it doesn't mean my prose writing is any good, sigh). I need a platform to practice my craft. This blog presents itself as the ideal place to write, because that is why this blog was started in the first place (HA!). I am unwilling to abandon this blog because I started to spend less time on here writing, or even reading other wonderful posts that my wonderful blogmates have written.

For a second I thought I could maybe also write flash fiction or some very short short stories. However, I soon threw away that thought to my "mind trash". I don't wish to write too long and the reason for that is because I will easily get lost and I will have to sometimes go all the way back and read from the top of the page and start again. That doesn't mean writing poetry is a piece of cake, I never said that.

One should always start from writing in a condensed form to learn the use of language wisely. I learned that when I finally picked up the first book of the Lord of The Rings trilogy. At times I was jaw-dropped to see how gifted Tolkien was when I was reading his poems in the book. How much work must he have put into each poem.

A poem can be composed of a few lines, with or without an apparent rhyming scheme. For me, I can be more focused on revising a single draft for a few times during the day, before I finally roll it out on the blog. What I aim to achieve is, 1) Wise use of words, and, 2) Experimentation with forms.

Anyway, this could be a turning point in my writing path. As I have been talking how much I love writing stories and daydreaming about how it would look like one day when I could see my book on the shelf (I told that to a friend of mine, and she said she would definitely buy it. *feeling so warm right now*).

Side note 1: I don't know if I want to do another series of posts sharing what I experience in class, be it a difficulty encountered or a great thought triggered/provoked. I'll see if I really want to or if there's someone who is interested in creative writing and wants to know more about how it's like to be in a class of such (you know: been that, done that.).

Side note 2: Hopefully this poetry writing series will draw similar minds who would, out of curiosity, to come, not only to read a newbie's poems, but also to share theirs as well (the more the merrier).

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Life Journal : Music about Life

Talking about music, what we are always thinking of is K-pop or pop-icons such as One Directions, Taylor Swift. When it comes to soul or relaxation, people would mention Adele. Rock and Hip pop, people might come up with Muse or Eminem. But to me, I would like to mention gothic metal stuff or another special genres, that would make me think deeply about life.

For example, Lana Del Rey, a singer you know if you get in touch with billboard or some US movies soundtracks. Although her music has been criticized a lot, I reckon she is a good song-writer. She writes something about her life, her story. Most of her music videos are abstract but quite artistic, it indeed attracts audiences' eyes. "RIDE" is my favourite, melody of the song would bring you to the desert or temple or places where are holy. Listening it is like a dream , her story is beautiful.



To me, it is quite French style because it makes you enjoy music as if you are watching French movie and enjoy every shots of it. Moreover, it inspires me a lot, I have some ideas for my screenplay about values and talks between two very best friends. Also, I would like to go for a trip to antelope canyon for photo-taking after this song, it reminds me desert and antelope canyon.

Friday, August 16, 2013

熱情, 淡化

(前一篇文覺得自己寫得有點不理智, 所以我給它刪, 重新再寫過。)

有什麼東西關於「情」字,友情, 愛情, 親情, 熱情....有強烈的一天, 亦有淡化的一天。它們是濃是淡, 視乎你如何對待, 亦要看對方的態度。在我這個年紀, 基本上什麼「情」都遇上過。當中以熱情最為廣泛。在我社交圈子裡, 很多人都有對著一方面的熱情: 對偶像的熱情, 對運動的熱情, 對繪畫的熱情, 對音樂的熱情....有眾多的朋友都有他們的偶像, 喜歡的歌星演員, 我亦都有自己的偶像, 鐘愛的歌星演員。

近幾個月, 我有一個頗喜歡的演員, 欣賞他的演技。他在內地台灣頗有名氣, 但在香港認識他的人屈指可數。他頗低調, 加上不會做一些令你厭惡的事, 所以我便加入他的粉絲團。後來他的柔弱而不懂拒絕的性格, 其粉絲對於我的辱罵, 使我儼然覺得活在他粉絲團的圈子甚至繼續欣賞他, 在短期內, 是一件不可能的任務。因此我選擇當個路人粉, 明察無言。他使我沒有那麼熱衷於觀看內地的電視劇, 使我再次尊注投入於歐美媒體裡。

在那個時侯, 我在重溫去年奧運認識一位運動明星。她不能說是一個眾所周知, 但在她球類運動的論壇裡, 她很是出名。但她仍然選擇低調, 沒有公開的推特臉書或其他聯絡方法, 有關她的消息全是由第三者得知。這成為我欣賞她的其中一個原因。再者, 她享受生活, 低生活素質的性格使我覺得她是我一個學習榜樣。在場上吃著口香糖的她, 有時會很火爆,可能會因對方連續得分而說粗口, 有時會很冷靜, 跟隊友講述戰術。種種人性都給展現出來, 使我覺得她這個人很真實。雖然可能只限場上, 但至少她不會給我一種虛偽的感覺。(不過她快要退役, 她已三十二, 亦要有自己的生活。她已經說過她不會再回去打里約奧運。這是難以接受的事實但我衷心希望她日後生活愉快, 能找個好男人結婚生子!)

可能這就是命運, 命運使我知道什麼是真實, 什麼是虛假。人性最真實的一面, 在娛樂圈極少可能看見, 特別在那些當紅花旦小生(演員們); 反而球場上為自己國家出賽的運動明星表現他最真實的一面。祟拜偶像可能是件好事, 也可能是壞事。當你慢慢知道他和他粉絲的質素時, 你便知道他是否值得你去用你自己的熱情來喜歡他。


I Was There (Part 3)

Click here to read I Was There (Part 1)
Click here to read I Was There (Part 2)


Her name was Claire, and we used to be childhood friends when we were kids. We would go to each other's house to play board games, we hung out but we never saw ourselves as a couple, at least we did not. Also, we went to the same primary school and secondary school, people always thought we were in love, but no, we never were. Perhaps we were too young and innocent to grasp the idea of love, and being in love; we remained two best friends for a few good years, until that day. Last year, one day in May, she did not go to school, and she never came back.

Now that we were face to face, she did not seem to be in the mood for a reunion, she got up and hastened her way out of my sight, sprinting into distant darkness. Once again, she disappeared without saying another word. All I had got was her saying my name a few moments before: "Will?" Her voice had a mix of familiarity and strangeness, which left me relieved and perplexed at the same time.

I dragged myself up with some effort. Now she was gone, and I was the one that left behind. I stepped on something, a rock perhaps, I moved away my right leg and a rock was revealed. I was going to kick it away, but then I noticed it was more than a general piece of rock.

At first sight, it had a shiny surface, like a crystal. When I examined it, held it to be exact. I could not tell what color was of the rock because it was too dark to tell. It didn't seem to matter because the rock seemed to contain wonder. The rock itself changed. First there was something swirling inside the rock, like what we would do to a coffee with a spoon, instead the thing inside the rock appeared as if it was some gas, or cloud. Second, there was a very dim white light in the very center of the now translucent rock. I was fascinated by what I was holding right in front of my eyes. Was it some kind of a toy? Or, was it magic? I wasn't sure how to explain what I was now grabbing tight in my right hand. Anyways, what else was I sure of?

Soon enough I heard another wave of running resonance, from my far right, but this time it was a group of people running. Their steps were much heavier and more intimidating than Claire's. I had a feeling that they were actually after her, because of what, I didn't know. She wasn't my top priority. What I needed to do was to get up and find a way out. 

A sudden rush of vein drives me to look at the rock I found, as if there was an alluring voice whispering to my ear, and I had no reason whatsoever to refuse his/her request. I had one good look at the rock, then I felt my body was being run over by waves of invisible tides. I was brandished by thrusts of waves and I reluctantly fell backward. I had difficulty breathing. Within seconds, I lost my consciousness...

When I regained my consciousness, I found myself lying on the ground, untouched by a drop of water. I eyed forward, and I started to notice something familiar--the door to my flat.


- End of Part 3 -

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Portlandia: A Constant Giggle-Invoking Comedy

(On the left) Carrie Browstein; (on the right) Fred Arminsen
To be honest, I've never watched any shows from the IFC channel and have only heard its name until I checked out Portlandia. The geniuses behind the show are Fred Arminsen and Carrie Brownstein. To me Fred (yes, I call him Fred) is a familiar face because ever since I have been watching Saturday Night Live, he's been on it (and he's been GREAT, now raise your glass--clink). Carrie is a new face to me, and she is a Portland resident. In some interviews, they told the reporters they came up the ideas by sitting outside of a coffee shop, and then just looked at passers-by, like, really observed what they were doing, who they were talking to on the phone, somehow, those people inspired them for a new sketch.

I'd say this comedy show is funny in its peculiar way: its quirkiness, geographical uniqueness, and cast.



The show features Fred and Carrie as characters throughout many stories, and these pieces of stories will make up for each episode. 

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

致某位剛升格為導演的信(English)


Dear Madam,
 In many words that I ever known, I would use "prominent" and "incredible" as the best adjectives to describe your career nowadays. You are not only a  famous actress and singer, but also being a renowned director. Your movie has topped the box office in mainland and got a satisfactory rate from IMdB. You become a role model of mine, who are going to study Film and Television.

 It has been long time ago that I first know you in the TV, I remember you always played as a leading role in the TV series when I was very little. Your one of the TV series was also one of the very first TV series that I ever seen in my early age. I saw that when I was 6 and scene of your "dad" hitting you by a horsewhip has been impressing me a lot. I cannot forget it because it seemed so real and you looked really painful, yet i have to admit, it scared me and my mom switched off the TV because of that. All in all, this was my first time to learn about who you are.

 12 years passes, I am 18 right now and preparing my life towards university. Time files, you have changed from actress to director, from single to being a mum and from degree to master. With a coincidence, I saw your movie "So Young" while watching that "horrible" TV series via the Internet again, in a recent day. Despite sleeping when watching, I personally reckon it is satisfactory for your very first movie. In my very subjective opinion, a story plot is fine but a bit boring and i cannot integrate with them, unlike You're apple in my eyes. A story seems to be torn into two parts and they are unlikely to have any connection.It is somewhat strange and uncomfortable for audience to enjoy this movie. I always think that some "commercial purposes" should be added into movie to entertain the audience, just like Giddens using playful and funny method to convey his high school's and university's life, for making the audiences laugh. Entertaining audience is very important for making movie because it is essential purpose for producing movie.For instance,Life of Pi used brilliant visual effect, awesome cinematography and impressive adapted screenplay to win the applaud from audience and movie viewers. Pulp Fiction becomes classic in movie world by its way of illustration of a story, amusing art direction and a story with dark humour. Thus, a successful movie requires to waste money and produce. That is why producers are so important to a movie.

Lastly, I am really fascinated about your roles in mainland. Directing and producing movie with just a person is difficult and I think that you have done a good job. But I personally think that it can be done better as you can. It is nice to see you to have such a prosperous career.

Yours faithfully,
Kayla



Monday, July 15, 2013

[戲迷‧迷戲] 傲慢與偏見 電影 VS 電視劇

電影版 PRIDE & PREJUDICE


還記得年多之前聽電台主持盧覓雪 (Michelle) 談到PRIDE & PREJUDICE電影版(2005)及PRIDE AND PREJUDICE電視劇(1995),她說到電視劇比電影版有過之而無不及,而且還提出各種論點。當時我非常不認同,或者只是我當時還沒有看電視版本,於是將電視、電影版各看了一次。結果: 我心服了...

電視劇 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Michelle的分析就不多提了(因為忘了),唯有寫下自己的感受。

電視版: 共有6集,每集約長55分鐘
電影版: 約長127分鐘

首先說我看電影版的感覺:
女的美,男的型,加上風光明媚,整套戲看起來就好似一幅幅畫,甚有詩意。還有那些英式口音,噢,我已經被迷到了。女主角Keira Knightley真的很美(我也很喜歡有她演出的電影,幾中一部戲叫Atonement,十分推薦!),我亦喜歡看到她的角色的說話智慧。男主角Matthew Macfadyen亦都表現得很冷酷,他的轉變也很好看,由高傲、有偏見,到他向女主角表白的害羞男。所有角色的英文聽落都很優美,禮貌得來用字又美。

最特別的就是攝影手法,不時看到廣闊的景,細得像豆的Elizabeth 在山上,再配上背景音樂,還有再美、再壯觀的鏡頭嗎?另外一處就是Elizabeth在類似秋千的物體上坐著自轉,鏡頭就由她的視覺出發,不停360度地轉動,身邊的景物就不停在四季中交替,用意是交待時間的流逝,在短短的時間裡盡量拉長故事的時間,嘗試引出感情隨時間沉澱而更深刻。

最愛的那一幕(其實有兩幕)就是一開始Elizabeth手拿著書,在草坪上行。另一幕就是下著雨,Mr. Darcy跟著Elizabeth到某個地方對她表白心跡,然後被Elizabeth狠狠拒絕的那幕,很美。

對上一次看電影都要數幾年前了,而最近第一次嘗試看電視版,原因有三:

  1. imdb 評分高達9分(10分滿分)
  2. 有COLIN FIRTH(自從THE KING’S SPEECH就很喜歡他的戲了)
  3. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 的任何製作都有興趣
看完電視版後,感受如下:
好看的原因首先是因為片夠長,能夠包括較多的情節,有更多場景去塑造角色性格,自然地,觀眾更加能明白角色的深入描寫,明瞭角色的心態。比較上來,風景的拍攝沒有像電影版一樣攝人。女主角Jennifer Ehle在劇中更能顯得Elizabeth Bennet的聰慧,她的對白加上嘴角的微笑,她的智慧就已經在彎彎的眼角呈現出來,不多也不少。相對之下,Keira Knightley的Elizabeth就比較少了這方面的描寫,不是說沒有,就硬是覺得演得不到位、或是礙於片長關係,對Elizabeth較深入的描寫就省了。Colin Firth演的Mr. Darcy一開始令我看得怪怪的。因為始終首先是看Matthew Macfadyen 的演出,心裡面總會偏一偏了心。之後,也因為電視劇的時間長了,我對Colin Firth 的Mr. Darcy認識也深了。看他慢慢對Elizabeth的傲慢漸漸變成愛慕,是最令人看得舒服的。還有他後半段在家附近游泳完畢,返家途中巧遇Elizabeth時的羞澀臉容,令我看到另一面的他。

另外,不知道有沒有人也覺得,Jennifer Ehle和Meryl Streep 長得很像呀,不對嗎?


這套電視劇影響力大到連英國民眾在一項投選活動中,認為Mr. Darcy跳入湖中那一幕濕身DARCY最叫人印像深刻,於是便造了座雕像出來,看看這篇報道的節錄:
屢屢被改編、翻拍的文學經典名著《傲慢與偏見》,繼女主角伊莉莎白在改編作品《傲慢與偏見與殭屍》中,化身安潔莉娜裘莉一樣的性感喪屍剋星後,還能有什麼花招呢?答案是:不遑多讓的男主角達西先生,也搭上巨人熱潮,其巨型雕像站在湖裡,陪遊客共享甜蜜的游泳時光。 日前在倫敦的新電視台「戲劇 Drama」所舉辦的票選活動中,達西先生跳入湖中「濕身」的橋段,被英國民眾選為「最有記憶點的戲劇一景」。這讓電視台決定耗資打造這座由玻璃纖維製成,近四公尺(12 呎)的達西先生雕像,讓經典橋段原汁原味,在倫敦海德公園湖中重現,以此作為電視台上線的宣傳。
儘管雕像神情有點呆呆,但是濕身的Mr. Darcy,就我記得的他,雕像「突顯」的部份在劇中好像只是若隱若現呀,沒有那麼明顯吧⋯⋯還有就是,我想對Mr. Darcy說句:「達西先生,還在水裡嗎?小心著涼呀?」XD 看到他的眼神有點像是在猶豫好不好上水的樣子,很有趣。


* *

最近再把電影版看了一次,心酸且失望了⋯⋯電視劇太好了。不過電影也不是太差,比較深得我心的便是原聲大碟了,很輕快很舒服很激昂!很想買!!

不得不說,在IMDB上看到Jennifer在Colin主演的The King's Speech這套戲入面也有演出。剛巧電視上有重播,立即坐定定去期待Jennifer的出現。看到她的老妝容,立時心酸,慨嘆歲月老人的狠心呀~~~~

Colin Firth的戲是愈成熟愈有味道,而最近他就是和Nicole Kidman在拍Before I Go To Sleep    這部戲,好像是2014頭會上映。戲改編自作者S. J. Watson同名書。故事說到Nicole演的角色Christine因為意外,每天起床都會失憶,每天她的丈夫Beb(Colin Firth)都會照顧她,告訴她的身分。Christine 之後收到Dr. Nash(Mark Strong)的電話,慢慢嘗試找出失憶真相……(好期待)





引用網站:
http://daman.cool3c.com/node/69626

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

[拿我的生命嘗試] Etsy 大家的 手作+古董店 混合體!

魔戒加持下的蘋果,這是我的 LordBook~

其實沒那麼嚴重啦~只是最近嘗試了在ETSY上買了張STICKER來粉飾一下自己的蘋果。ETSY是一個買賣平台,有手作區和古董區,這一次我嘗試了手作區的買物體驗。結果是真的非常滿意呀~

這一次其實都選了很久,因為實在是太多選擇了!最後縮窄了範圍到THE LORD OF THE RINGS(魔戒)、HARRY POTTER(哈利波特)、還有就是IRON MAN(鐵甲奇俠)。

最後選擇了魔戒,接著就是要選店舖了。不同的店舖標價都不一樣,方便的是,一個按鈕便能夠把它們好好分類。驟眼看,一張貼紙的價錢大約要HK$30-90不等。因為第一次光顧,純粹地想嘗試一下,心想民間工藝的水準應該又不會比官方的差太遠,況且我也沒有見過有相類似的官方商品發售過。因此這些民間小店能夠生存的其中一個原因就是任何貨品都有可能提供給你,只要他們有技術做得到。(見過有魔戒的首飾,比官方的還要便宜幾倍,而且像真度超高! 那當然用料一定沒有官方的好啦,但絕對可以滿足到沒有錢但是又想擁有那些PRECIOUS的小戲迷們\[*0*]/)

這是我光顧的店Perfectly Aligned,由一對美國夫妻打理
很快就選了這間叫PERFECTLY ALIGNED的店,店主是來自美國的一對夫妻,老公喜愛漫畫、電子遊戲、科幻東西,老婆則喜愛弄剪貼簿、拍攝、做手工。有時間我建議看看賣家的簡介頁面,讓你了解一下他們的背景、理念之類的東西之餘,也許會令你對他們產生親切感。另外一個重點就是要到訪賣家的評價頁面了。在那裡你可以看到賣家的評價指數(這間是100%的喔!)
5" 魔戒精靈語貼紙,讓你隨處貼(當然, 決定好才貼)
我選擇了魔戒精靈語貼紙(還記得把魔戒燒熱,戒指內環會出現的精靈語嗎?) 看了幾間店,好像只有這一間才有金色,所以幾乎不用再想就把這間店鎖定了。這個貼紙有兩種尺寸,分別是5"和6"。本人懶得找尺子量度,也不想兩種尺寸的貼紙也買回來,所以只好選擇較便宜的那種買下了。


正面,上面滲一點光在ELVISH CIRCLE的邊邊,效果特佳!







6月10日下單,14日寄送,到20日在郵箱收到。心想幸好沒有摺痕,貼紙只是有些微捲曲。其實貼起來就已經沒事了。貼的方法在YOUTUBE都可以輕易找到一大堆教學影片, 而我就是這樣貼的:

  1. 首先把白色底的那一面撕掉,然後慢慢量度好位置才放下整張貼紙。
  2. 隨便找透明貼紙的一個角慢慢揭起,直到整張透明貼紙完全撕走。
  3. 完成 - 魔戒貼紙很妥貼地在我的手提電腦蓋面上了。

完美側面
這次的費用是 $48(產品價格)+$18(運費)=$66。

整張貼紙在燈光底下看會明顯看到亮面的金色,在白色背景的襯托下絕對能夠突顯魔戒那種皇者氣派呀~~(發夢中)










總結: 這次的購物體驗滿意,有機會會再嘗試。除了貼紙,銀包也是不錯的選擇,有很多款式供顧客選擇,但是價錢相對地多元化= =" 雖然這次沒有接觸古董,有興趣的網友可以查看一下,然後在這裡 或 我們的FACEBOOK專頁留言告訴我們~


亮燈儀式


Thursday, June 27, 2013

A Great App for Language Learners (Like Me!)

Owl - Duolingo Mascot
Duolingo is a fun, intriguing, and a rich-in-content language learning platform combining interactive language learning and translation games, it might even help you pop the BIG question to your beloved one!

Translate-text question
How does it work?

After you've signed up, simply go to the language page you want to study. There are 5 languages if you are using English to learn it:
1. Spanish
2. German
3. French
4. Portuguese
5. Italian
Pick one then start a lesson. For each lesson, you'll be given 3 hearts, meaning that you can make at most 3 mistakes before you have to start the lesson again. When you have finished the lesson, you'll have 10 points, and the hearts you can keep serve as bonus points, which will all add up to the points that are necessary to get a level up.






Mark-all question

Types of "games"
I call it games because it IS! I just love the sound effects for every correct answer and every completed lesson. You won't get bored because the games are easy enough to play and each lesson doesn't take long to finish. There are various games so you will be tested through different skill sets.

  1. Translate-text: Choose the correct translation by clicking on the words in order. Can it be more obvious?
  2. Mark-all: Read carefully because there might be more than one correct answers.
  3. Listen-and-type: just read it again, no explanation needed, right?
  4. Recording (Web only): If you're accessing via PC/Mac, you can do the recording exercise. But I tried it a while ago, I got kind of frustrated because I always failed to get it right. Maybe you can be the one who always gets it right, justmaybe.




Keyhole offers 3 attempts only



Do you think you can SKIP?
If you think you're good enough to skip many chapters, then the KEYHOLE is the best place for you.
However, wait for it...just imagine Gandalf is standing in front of you, trying to warn you of the upcoming danger...ready? YOU ONLY HAVE 3 ATTEMPTS. If you used up the attempts but still can't pass the test, you will have no choice but to go back to the last lesson and finish them all.



Tailor-made lesson plans = a marriage proposal!?
The below is the latest blog entry on Duolingo's official blog:
A few weeks ago we got a very sweet email:
Dear Duolingo Team,
I am Italian and my American girlfriend Kate is in love with Duolingo… she’s learning my own language and she enjoys it so much that I’m wondering if I could ask you to set up an exercise for her that would lead to the big question:
"Will you marry Flavio Esposito?"

She would die if she saw this! Thanks so much for your time and consideration ;)

Best regards,
Flavio
Who could resist that? Excited to help, we worked with Flavio to come up with a special love lesson that Kate would see the next time she logged in:

Languages you can learn



In a way, Duolingo can offer more than just a language learning platform. Anyone wants to try this feature and pop the question to your boyfriend/girlfriend?

Pass page


New words you've learnt
Number of lessons varies

Profile page
Useful links: