Showing posts with label general. Show all posts
Showing posts with label general. Show all posts

2010-02-21

Insights from David Culver

David Culver, a successful Canadian businessman who founded CAI, a leading private equity firm which helps fund growth and corporate transition in companies through out North Americas, came and share his insights for being a successful leader. Here's a few notes that he has mentioned in the talk.

Believe in happenstance - delightful surprises may happen in your life beyond your imagination.

The three secrets of happiness:
1. take pleasure from small things
2. have alternative
3. set short term goals and achieve them

Corp with the inevitable

2010-01-16

Walk Away From Your Mortgage!

Published: January 7, 2010


White has argued that the government should stop perpetuating default “scare stories” and, indeed, should encourage borrowers to default when it’s in their economic interest. This would correct a prevailing imbalance: homeowners operate under a “powerful moral constraint” while lenders are busily trying to maximize profits.

2010-01-15

Dream for the Best

You don't have to dream if the whole world act according to you wish. You dream because something like a star shining bright in the midst of the dark night. It is distant and illusive, you can see it but without the physical sense of its existence. You question: "Am I being deceived by its beautiful appearance?"


You raise your hand trying to grab the image projected in your vision. It is too far for your finger tips to even touch the its fuzzy light travelling through the space. You are confused. "Do I mean to achieve something so far from my reach?"

You raise your hand again. It is closer but only like a water drop in the ocean. "I have to do better than that."

You start walking toward it. It is the most you can do to build your effort of moving one step forward upon the previous ones you have made. It is speeding up your pace, you become confident about doing more steps along the way.

You are getting closer and closer, until you realize the star originally shinny and bright is dimming as time goes by. The every step you move can only do so much to deceive yourself that you are progressing, but the truth is the star, your wish, is leaving you at a greater speed.

Discouraged. You stop. The star, like a spotlight, points at you and continues to dim. A voiceless sound running through your ears saying how stupid you are spending all these time to achieve something that do not mean to be achieved.

You are stuck. You don't know what to do. You would be in an absolute darkness if the star leaves you in the middle of nowhere.

"Just give up?" you asked. "For what?" you asked again.

You don't really know the meaning behind the dimming star in your lonely path, but you don't see the point accepting the pathetic reality by standing still neither. "Perhaps," you thought. "I can really reach the star!"

Unlikely, but you don't have a better alternative. The little hope, or dream, start moving your feet toward the dimming star again. You dream about the star would stop and award you for the continuous effort you have made. You dream about the star would answer all the questions you have along lonely path you are walking through. You dream, and dream... and the star continues to dim.

You are tired. After a long way reaching to the star, you find yourself no different from the beginning, except it is now all dark surrounding you. You have tried, but no, the dream did not come true. Your chilly little friend did not stop leaving you alone in the dark. It left no note, no message, no answer. You are by yourself in the infinite emptiness...

Suddenly, there's light shining from your back. It is not the chilly little light. Rather, it is an absolute illumination lighting up the sense so brightly that you can't keep your eyes opened.

You barely open up your eyes and see that it's the sun lighting up the world around you. You don't see the star you were chasing. Even if it's here, its light is not strong enough to be seen under the sun. The star did not give you answers to your questions; it was not mean to be able to give you answers.

"Why?" you asked. "What's it for running behind the star who is out of my reach?"

You feel something at your feet. It is pressing at your ankle rubbing intensively with its shinny fur. Before you manage to turn your head, you hear an soft but dominant voice, like grumping where you have been for all this while. A pair of arms are thrown around you from the back, pressing your body to her chest.

All of sudden, you think you found it. Your chilly little friend is not there to give you answer. It only lights up the path to where your heart is long for. It is where you started and where you were lost along the way. It's your home.

Dream is distant and illusive, but it lights up the answer in your hearty journey. Welcome home.

2009-08-03

The half blooded prince Imax

Harry Potter: the half blooded prince 3D Imax is awesome! Only 20 minutes is featured with 3D, but the large screen for the rest of the movie still worth the price! Ultimate experience!

2009-03-01

DKLM

Word of the month: DKLM

朋友與仆街


朋友可以在不同的時候認識,仆街亦可以從錯綜複雜的關係中撘上,
牠可以是朋友的女朋友,亦可以是朋友的妹,
但是仆街的本相仍然是不變。

2008-07-14

轉轉



Nana 與 Hachi 搬到 Chiefswood 老家已經一段日子,由原本擔心老媽老頭會不習慣家中有小動物,到現在他們都習慣了 Nana 與 Hachi 作為家中的一份子。

老媽伏在地上跟 Nana 說話,老頭到超市買 Hachi 的食糧,這些都已經開始習以為常。今天,老媽又作了一件令全家人都捧腹大笑的事。

話說老媽到藥材店買藥,店中飼養了一隻貓。

聽老媽的形容,這隻小貓兒身是黑色的毛,腳上是白色的掌,面貌有點像 Hachi 的模樣,應該是頂可愛的吧。

初時,老媽沒有留神到貓兒的存在,差點兒踏在他的腳掌上。老媽立時避開,再俯身看看貓兒有沒有受傷。

貓兒好像不單沒有受傷,並且未見受到驚嚇,還是安然地伏在地上。

老媽還是輕輕地安撫著貓兒的背部,還自然地慰問他有沒有受傷。

看見貓兒沒有大礙,老媽好像想要求一個答覆一樣,很平常地說了一句︰「轉轉啦!」

「轉轉」其實是老媽老頭見到 Nana 與 Hachi 由心而發既動作指令,事因 Hachi 很喜歡在地上轉圈,而不知怎地,Nana 亦由搬進老家開始喜歡在廚房的正中央打轉。久而久之,老媽老頭見到 Nana 與 Hachi 伏在地上時,就會叫他們表演「轉轉」。

話說回到藥材店,老媽驚人地對初見面的小貓發出「轉轉」這個獨有指令,聽時我已經哭笑不得。最奇妙的,是小貓兒真的在店鋪的地上作了個兩圈的打滾,就像回應著老媽,表示沒有大礙一樣。

或許,老媽真得學懂了貓話……

2008-07-11

事在人為無問題

唔好唔開心,已過去的就讓它過去,
明天要面對的是事在人為,際遇唔好唔係妳的問題,
放鬆點,妳的能力從其他地方已經得到肯定,
一次的污點會隨著妳的能力與結果而被淡忘。

2008-05-24

生命中不能乘受的蠢

他問有什麼可以幫忙,需要時卻不會動其孅孅玉手。
恭敬的說話說了很多,飯桌上的禮貌卻盡可或忘 。
播放的不是粵語歌,難道國語歌就是擾人俗音?
別人說笑他以為真,話人無腦又受不了口舌之爭。

我蠢故我在,蠢的人在世上當然存在,
我美故我傻,自以為大美人當然會唔癲唔喪。

2008-05-17

Tapas at Montreal

滿地河之旅的第一晚,我來到名叫 Tapeo Bar 的西班牙餐廳。

Tapeo Bar 的地方比較細小,餐牌上的 tapas 沒有英文,想落單的 Sangria 沒有 Bottle 裝,只可以單一杯 order。最嚴重的是,雖然天氣還是相當清涼,但餐廳裡卻是非常炎熱。食物還可以,比多倫多的花巧,但未見得與別不同。

或者,我只是免強在滿地河尋找曾與妳在多倫多從食物中有過的味道。或者,我是找錯了地方。又或者,當妳不在時,我的味蕾亦隨著妳的不在而變得沒有知覺。

一顆獺的墜落

獺的水鄉之旅,正式為其下墜的殘輝展開序幕。

運數明顯已經離牠而去,但會否還有其他的變數?大家晰目以待。

2008-05-11

人車誌

昨天把車賣了,心情並沒有想像中的不捨。

六年前買車時,妳不在多倫多,當時每天都期盼著妳回來,一同駕著新的「掃把佬」傲翔我們的天地。

車賣了,妳也不在我身邊。

貶了的車價加上已付出的利息,其實賣到的數千元並沒什麼值得慶賀,但最後賣得比市價好,都總想與身邊的人一同分享。

身邊的人叢中,我觸不到妳。

六年的車在路面上行走十二萬公里,開始出現機件問題或許是無可避免。七年的感情乘著自我亂衝亂闖,要為生活而分隔兩地,或者也只是現實難奈。

車有著我們的回憶,沒有的卻只有妳。

車舊了,問題開始出現。我想 ,回憶中的車永遠都是四軀有力,觸一無二,但無奈現實裡的機件故障,卻令人不勝負荷。是回憶開始淡忘,還是現實難以阻擋?我不知道。

或者,我是知道的,我要的不是回憶,而是妳那天真得尤如低B的笑容。

2008-02-14

Happy Valentine!

Happy Valentine!

-??-

2008-02-04

時間有限亦同時過得太慢

要做的事太多,在時間中只可以沒完地做下去。
正要停下來時,在空氣中卻又找不著妳的存在。
想要加快腳步,多跑了的路卻沒有叫時間加快。
想要加倍努力,期望的成功卻使妳我距離更遠。

不想為際遇而付出過多,
又怕到頭來要付出更多,
反問自已究竟想要什麼,
結果可能只是想得太多。

2008-01-25

一年一劫

看來要來的總要來,一年一次的劫或大或少都是避不過的。

2008-01-24

今天?明天?

要抓緊的是今天還是明天?
明天是垂手可得還是遙不可及?

2006-10-12

流行曲之記得篇

流行曲

歌手:林海峰 | 作曲:Eric Kwok/Jerald
填詞:林海峰 | 編曲:Eric Kwok/Jerald

清唱 一開口用喉嚨聲清唱
這樣 才會令你為我拍掌
扮偶像派係我理想

感動 段段歌詞要寫得感動
能夠 講鼓舞及明日理想
一淺白易明人就唱 wo

假音 唱到第二段嚟個假音
震音 震爆個尾音至夠壓場 wo
慘情 我愛你抵死冇好收場
煽情 必兩粒眼淚情緒高漲 wo

去到 chorus chorus要易記易唱 wo
記住要 重複 重複 我為K迷著想
仲要 repeat又repeat 這旋律先算最強
流行曲 要大眾 隨時隨地唱

點唱 手機響用和弦聲即唱
這樣 日與夜我會到處響
日播夜播就最理想 wo

和音 要大量和住咪我走音
懶音 好有風格人人會跟得上 wo

去到 chorus chorus要易記易唱 wo
記住要 重複 重複 我為K迷著想
仲要 repeat又repeat 這旋律先算最強
流行曲 要令到 全場大合唱

再上再上 呢段要越唱越搶
再上再上 呢段會越唱越娘
爭住唱 你記住要出我份糧 冇錢點唱

再上再上 乸實塊面唱做樣
再上再上 一定會斷氣內傷
三連音 三連音 三連音
三連音 三連音 三連音 音

wo chorus chorus要易記易唱 wo
記住要 重複 重複 我為K迷著想
仲要 repeat又repeat 這旋律先算最強
流行曲 唱就唱 咪求其是但唱

我首流行曲 一定中 一定爆
爭住點唱 攞硬獎

※ ※ ※

林海峰的《流行曲》︰一首描述香港流行樂壇絕頂抵死的地道作品。當我第一次留意這首曲的歌詞時,真的想一面捧腹大笑,一面在地上打滾。怎可能在短短數分鐘的歌詞中道盡香港樂壇商業歌曲內所有原素?一首歌擁有這些原素並沒有問題,但當每一首歌,不論樂曲歌詞獨特與否,凡擁有這些原素便會成為至Hit新歌時,這表達主流聽歌者的口味千篇一律,留於膚淺的地步;唱片公司為了滿足廣大客戶的要求,而繼續商業化地生產同類型的歌曲。這是否一個問題?見仁見智啦,你有你的享受,佢有佢的市場,算是互利互惠,各有所得。

再聽劉浩龍的《記得》,更顯林海峰對流行曲分析之細膩。曾對婷提及這首歌,她的看法可見下面的Blog。

記得…流行曲

有人說劉浩龍學陳奕迅,我不以為然。自《思覺失調》後,劉浩龍多少有自己的唱腔(如果不是風格),他唱的現代悲情歌(非三十年前的「未了情」),持別有味道。但我有一個疑問,究竟《記得》有幾悲情呢?因什麼原因要用那「悲悔莫及」的感情來演繹這首歌?應該是因為主角有很多事唔記得,從而忽略了身邊的女友。但如是這樣,又如何叫自己「記得」讓女友「明白」其實主角是「盟誓未背棄」和「輸不起你」呢?(註︰方法很簡單,就是在 chorus 的尾段加插「Ah~~~~~~~」這叫聲,問題便應刃而解了。)

Wyman 的歌詞,很多我也喜歡,難得的是可以把很複雜的事件描述寫成歌詞,又或將難明的概念用比諭放進歌詞當中,這功力可算是難能可貴。至於《記得》這首歌,其實他亦交足貨。試想想,講到尾唱片公司都要謙錢,講到明這首歌要究商業化,寫到清楚要怎樣才算一首熱賣流行曲。Wyman 做到這樣,可算如大眾所願。要重複有重複,要易記有易記,要嘔心瀝血有嘔心瀝血,重可以點?

又或者,唔《記得》,可以唱《缺德》。

※ ※ ※

缺德

你有說過 我要缺德
以後 誰人才是聽眾
唱爆喉嚨是自己的自由

我答應過 我會缺德
回去 如常熱愛工作
填詞沒人論高手

天生 缺德 缺德 缺德 難自棄
天生 缺德 缺德 缺德 K王時期
忽略承諾直到滿足你
唱盡世上既分離
應該 缺德 缺德 缺德 唔願理
應該 缺德 缺德 其實說好了為你
不分中間界填比你
沒需要嘔心交屁

你告訴我 我要缺德
留意難明是個警告
要簡單才是班高

天生 缺德 缺德 缺德 難自棄
天生 缺德 缺德 缺德 K王時期
忽略承諾直到滿足你
唱盡世上既分離
應該 缺德 缺德 缺德 唔願理
應該 缺德 缺德 其實說好了為你
不分中間界填比你 或可使你

明白我是缺德
沒有話盟誓
其實全是放屁
諒我暫時 是等錢洗 先寫比你
AH~~~

天生 缺德 缺德 缺德 難自棄
天生 缺德 缺德 缺德 K王時期
忽略承諾直到滿足你
吐淡氣 別再谷氣

應該 缺德 缺德 缺德 難受理
應該 缺德 缺德 其實說好了為你
不分中間界填比你
或者算 交足比你

※ ※ ※

2006-10-02

Business is Customers, Not Ideas

Top ten geek business myths

A good list to go thru if you have or want to have a business mind.

2006-08-28

水獺阿李

從前,有一隻名叫阿李的水獺,耳大禿頭,闊眼粗眉,天生一副異相。牠喜歡解決問題,因為每當牠解決一個問題,便有更多更難的問題要去解決。牠自信,牠會成為世界上解決問題最多的水獺。

有一天,一向係鄉間生活的阿李要到市區上班。這是因為某某公司,想興建一個私人水閘,聽聞牠有經驗,所以遠道由鄉間請牠出山。

阿李從來未踏足過城市,當然亦未起過混凝土造的水閘。但牠相信,以牠解決問題的敏銳觸覺,一定能夠解決「用混凝土製造興建水閘用之樹枝」這個無人能解的難題。

阿李聽說城市比鄉間多很多法律條文,就連走出家門也要遵守什麼交通法例。遇到這個問題應如何解決呢?「有了!」牠想:「總之人地唔做我唔做,人地做我先跟住做咪得囉!」打好如意算盤,不日就動身來到城市。

其實,要到聘請阿李的公司,進入大路一直走就差不多可以到達,只是中間經過一條河,平常駕車的人都會繞河而行的。

阿李走呀走,很快就到達河邊,要解決牠到任前的第二個問題 – 點樣過對面岸呢?牠想︰「市有市法,鄉有鄉規,睇左咁耐都無人游過去,城市一定係唔比人游水的。」有見及此,阿李立刻轉身,要到對面街去找路走。

說時遲,那時快,一輛高速駛近的汽車收勢不及,將橫過馬路的阿李拋到河裏去。阿李十分驚恐,大聲呼叫救命。

此時一個途人經過,發現阿李狀似抽筋,立即跳進河裏救阿李。

河中雖無大浪,亦有波濤。這個途人幾經艱苦,才將這驚慌過度的阿李拉上岸。救得阿李,這個途人已衣衫盡濕,渾身是水。途人摸摸身子,唉哎!身上的錢全都掉進水裏,辛辛苦苦涯回來的工錢全都泡湯了!望望身邊剛剛出死入生的阿李,只好安慰自己︰「總算救了一隻畜生。」

阿李回過神來,終於講出第一句說話︰「我無事架可?」

途人對牠說︰「你已回到岸邊,無事的了,你的抽筋好了沒有?」

阿李續道︰「我無抽筋呀。」

途人就開始摸不著頭腦,問︰「你既是水獺,又沒有抽筋,那為何在水中呼救?」

阿李回答途人︰「我唔係唔可以自己游返上岸,但我怕在市中游水會犯法比警察拉,所以惟有叫救命,等人黎救呀。」

這時,途人不知是疲倦太甚還是怒火中燒,提起他濕透的步伐,垂著胸離開這禽獸都不如的畜生。

時至今日,這故事給予我們兩個日用的成語。

當我地要形容一個人,做事多餘,無個樣整個樣,自己身痕重要攪到人時,我地稱之為「禿李過街」。

相反,當要形容一個人,因為一時的惻隱之心,而對自己做成重大損失,我地則稱之為「掉銀救李」。

iPod - the smaller, the better... flush

Last Tuesday, there was an airport scare in Ottawa. To put it short, a plane was grounded, passengers were evacuated and questioned, all because of one small electronic - an iPod. read

The LOL part? The person putting up this big title on the news post the whole story online. It is not on the news, rather it is on World of Warcraft forums, a fantasy online game forums for gamers. read

After reading it, I found that there's actually no bound to a Lord in Warcraft. They do have the power to create a big mess in reality.