2007-05-31

再遇《東尼瀧谷》

去年九月,看了市川準導演,改編自村上春樹同名小說的《東尼瀧谷》,認為是水準以下之作,並說自己不大可能重看這部電影。

觀影讀書流水賬 24/9
《東尼瀧谷》基本上是「演述」原作

然而,我始終對自己為何不喜歡這部一般評價甚高的電影感到好奇。

昨天,我與東尼瀧谷再遇。

總的來說,評價依舊。重看本片,對其在攝影和場景下的功夫加深了解,今次亦較留心電影偏離原著的較有暖意的結局。

不喜歡的原因有二:
- 簡約藝術,真實大都處心積慮,步步營造,對受眾是疲勞轟作。《東尼瀧谷》是這類簡約藝術的表表者。
- 拍不出「村上春樹」感,亦即是說,「樹上作品不可能成功改編為電影」的論據仍未被推翻。

我仍然堅持,村上看了這部電影後,相信不大可能再讓他的作品登上銀幕。

2007-05-30

一個懶人的生活及寫作

我是大懶人一名,並以此為榮。我夢想中的自傳,開首一句,是這樣寫的:

懶,是我這輩子最大的缺點,也可能是這輩子我最大的資產。

這句是抄自得道懶人舒國治的,懶得稍作修改,我想,他應該懶得告我吧。

● 舒國治 一個懶人的生活及寫作:(上)|(下)

Trip planning: Pisa → Berlin Schoenefeld → Rome Ciampino

4/9: Pisa (Galileo Galilei Airport) to Berlin (Schoenefeld Airport)

8/9: Berlin (Schoenefeld Airport) to Rome (Ciampino Airport)

The only airport in Pisa, Galileo Galilei is just a short train (1 km, 5 minutes, 1.1 Euro) or bus ride to/from Pisa Central Station. Florence is directly accessible from the airport by train (via Pisa Central Station but without having to change train, 80-100 minutes, 5.2 Euro) or coach (8 Euro one way). Direct train connections are infrequent, so you may have to buy a ticket which involves changing train at Pisa Central Station, at the same price.

Schoenefeld used to be the East Berlin airport in the pre-unification days. You have a choice of Airport Express RE train (under 30 minutes to/from the Hauptbahnhof main station) and the S-Bahn for city connections. Costs 2.1 Euro.

Tripadvisor.com: Inside Berlin: Arriving and Departing

Getting to Miniloft

While Fiumicino (or Leonardo da Vinci) Airport is the main one for Rome, Ciampino is used by many budget airlines. The easiest way connecting Ciampino and the city is by taking the Terravision airport coach, which takes you to/from the main station Stazione Termini (14 Euro return).

Italy Heaven: Rome Ciampino Airport

2007-05-29

Preliminary itinerary (revised 29/5)

20/8 (Mon) Late arrival in Milan (Milan)
21/8 (Tue) Milan (Milan)
22/8 (Wed) Day trip to Verona (Milan)
23/8 (Thu) Day trip to Lake Como (Milan)
24/8 (Fri) Day trip to Bergamo, evening sightseeing in Milan (Milan)
25/8 (Sat) Morning train to Cinque Terre (Cinque Terre)
26/8 (Sun) Cinque Terre (Cinque Terre)
27/8 (Mon) Pisa Airport pickup. Train to Florence
28/8 (Tue) Florence (Florence)
29/8 (Wed) Florence (Florence)
30/8 (Thu) Afternoon pick-up of car, drive to Tuscan farmhouse (Tuscany)
31/8 (Fri) (Tuscany)
1/9 (Sat) Day trip to San Gimignano and Volterra (Tuscany)
2/9 (Sun) Day trip to Siena(Tuscany)
3/9 (Mon) (Tuscany)
4/9 (Tue) Drive to Pisa. Pisa Sightseeing. Fly to Berlin (Berlin)
5/9 (Wed) Berlin (Berlin)
6/9 (Thu) Berlin (Berlin)
7/9 (Fri) Berlin (Berlin)
8/9 (Sat) Morning flight to Rome (Rome)
9/9 (Sun) Rome (Rome)
10/9 (Mon) Bus to Sorrento (Sorrento)
11/9 (Tue) Amalfi Coast (Sorrento)
12/9 (Wed) Amalfi Coast (Sorrento)
13/9 (Thu) Bus to Rome (Rome)
14/9 (Fri) Rome, perhaps a day trip to Orvieto/Assisi
15/9 (Sat) Rome
16/9 (Sun) Depart from Rome

Confirmed flights (revised 29/5)

13/8 Brisbane-Hong Kong (CX102 13:10-20:05)
20/8 Hong Kong-London (CX257 09:45-16:00); London-Milan (Alitalia243 18:50-21:45)
4/9 Pisa to Berlin (EasyJet4576 15:25-17:15)
8/9 Berlin to Rome (EasyJet4683 7:05-9:10)
16/9 Rome-Hong Kong (CX292 12:50-06:25[+1])
28/9 Hong Kong-Brisbane (CX103 23:30-10:05[+1])

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13/8-20/8: 6 full days in Hong Kong
20/8-16/9: 23 full days in Italy (In: Milan; Out: Rome); 3 full days in Berlin
17/9-28/9: 12 full days in Hong Kong

A crazy idea - a side trip to Berlin!

Since I need to do a drop off at the Pisa Airport in the afternoon of 4/9, I suddenly had a crazy idea. Could there be cheap flights to a great European city, departing from Pisa and returning a few days later? It would be even greater if I can return to Rome to continue my last two legs of the Italy trip (Rome and the Amalfi Coast) before flying out on 16/9.

After browsing through Ryanair, EasyJet, SkyEurope and some others, I found a great package to Berlin (a city I have been looking forward to visiting). For just under 80 Euro, I'll fly with EasyJet to Berlin and returning in an early morning flight to Rome on 8/9.

An opportunity too good to miss. Flights booked.

Now I need to re-work my itinerary.

2007-05-28

The ladies' man

Life of a ladies' man (Sarah Hampson, Globe and Mail, 26/5/07)

"I got this rap as a kind of ladies' man," he says lazily and without irony, at one point. "And as I say in one of the poems, it has caused me to laugh, when I think of all the lonely nights" at the monastery. "As if I'm the only guy who ever felt this way about women," he continues, with a smirk. "As if I'm the only person who ever had some sort of deep connection with the opposite sex."

"Believe me, what you want is someone to have dinner with," he advises on having a relationship later in life. "Sleep with from time to time, telephone every day or write. It's what you set up that is defeating. Make it very modest. And give yourself permission to make a few mistakes. You know, blow it a bit. Have a few drinks and fall into bed with somebody. It doesn't have to be the final thing."

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(From Telegraph)


Read also Cohen - with a dash of honey (Telegraph, 26/5/07)

Listen to Cohen-Anjani duet of Never Got to Love You and Whither Thou Goest (both from Leonard Cohen Presents Anjani Warsaw Concert, courtesy of Heck of a Guy).

You can also watch a video of them singing the same two songs at New York's Joe's Pub concert (from downtownTV.com). Youtube has quite a number of unauthorised videos of the concert.

2007-05-27

雅士一身銅臭味

「富人廳堂」「兩小時濃縮雞精」版昆劇《牡丹亭》,新近在北京「皇家糧倉」內長期駐演,最低票價五百八,最高票價據說過萬。

所謂,「貴有貴賣」,只要有人願買,你情我願,各得其所。

不過,據明報報導,中國藝術研究院非物質文化遺產研究保護中心主任田青稱:「我是當成文化行為來看的,沒有商業怎麼養藝術?崑曲是雅文化,廳堂版《牡丹亭》定位小眾的路子是對的。」

啊,原來崑曲《牡丹亭》=雅,雅=小眾,小眾=貴。

觀影讀書流水賬 27/5/07

今週忙於為八月中起程的意大利之旅籌劃行程,購買機票和搜集資料,觀影讀書交白卷!

書其實讀了不少,但都是旅遊書或各式資料冊子(例如《DK Eyewitness Travel:Italy》,《DK:Top 10 Tuscany》,《Fodor's:Escape to the Amalfi Coast》,《The Regions of Italy》,《Mook自遊自在:義大利》,《陳志華:意大利古建築散記》,《張耀工作室:托斯卡納的藍》,《讀行天下:托斯卡納秘境》...)

正在讀但恐怕完成無期的,是余英時的《文化評論與中國情懷(上)》。書的頭四分一,是余英時五零年代初在香港新亞書院求學時期出版的《到思維之路》的選輯。那是一本由二十出頭的余英時寫給其他年青讀者,介紹「思維之路」的哲學入門書。

原來大師也有半熟時!

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(增補)

下午寫完流水賬後,晚上看了Olivier Marchal的《36 Quai des Orfèvres》。本片屬「警匪|警警」類型,不算(我看過的)法國片的典型題材。

雖然故事不涉卧底,但《36 Quai des Orfèvres》給我很濃烈的《無間道》感覺。同樣描述警察內部正邪人魔難辨,風格同樣陰沉冷靜,同樣由最知名的演員擔綱(Daniel Auteuil+Gerard Depardieu)。但以戲論戲,仍是《無間道》較優(儘管《無間道3》較前兩部失色,拉低整體評分)。

我說過,《無間道》在其所屬片種中,應是首屈一指,中外無敵手。《36 Quai des Orfèvres》固然在《無間道》之下,Martin Scorsese的《The Departed》雖是奧斯卡嬴家,但卻只能算是流暢之作,不算這類片種的佳作,不算Martin Scorsese的佳作,也不算近年荷里活佳作。

(7/10)

Trip planning: London Heathrow → Milan Linate

London Heathrow

CX flight from Hong Kong arrives at Terminal 3 of London's Heathrow Airport (16:00), while the Alitalia flight to Milan departs from Terminal 2 (18:50).

# Many other airlines also fly to Milan out of London's Stansted, Gatwick, Luton and City airports. I think the hassle (time- and money-wise) of rushing from one airport to the next for the connecting flight is just not worth it.



"On arrival in Terminal 3 follow the signs for Flight Connections Terminal 1 & 2. Board the transfer bus to the Flight Connection Centre, which will take approximately 20 minutes. There you will go through security. Walk across the Flight Connection Centre where at the far end you will see two escalators, take the right hand one down to the departure level of Terminal 1, and the follow the sign to either the Terminal 1 gates or to Terminal 2."

"If you are transferring through Heathrow to an international or UK connecting flight, you can have baggage tagged through to the final destination." There is no need to clear immigration in the UK.

"If your bags are NOT checked through you will need to go out through T3 security and then transfer to T2 landside. Once you have your bags, go through the green "nothing to declare" line and follow the signs to T2, which is through a tunnel and takes about 10 minutes of walking."

Milan Linate

At Milan's Linate Airport, "StarFly" coaches connect to the Central Station on the 5th and 35th minutes of the hour, from 6am until midnight. Ticket is €3 each.

There is also a Bus 73 (running until midnight) going to Piazza S.Babila, the city centre. Ticket is €1 each.

--- Buses from Linate ---

Otherwise, take a taxi to go direct to the hotel. Should cost less than 20 Euro excluding supplements.

# Milan is served by 3 airports. Malpensa is the international gateway, with bus and dedicated rail (Malpensa Express) links to the city. Linate is closer to the city and mainly used for domestic and short-haul international flights. Bus links only. Budget airlines tend to use Orio al Serio Airport in nearby Bergamo. Bus links only (unless you go first to Bergamo city, then travel by train to Milan).

Trip planning: Day trip to Bergamo (from Milan)

The lower town (Citta Bassa) is the modern part of the city, while the upper town (Citta Alta) is the old, walled hilltop town where most tourists go to.

At the heart of the old town is Piazza Vecchia. Sights include Palazzo della Ragione, Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore and Cappella Colleoni.

Even higher up, and reachable by a second funicular, is San Vigilio, a small hilltop settlement which offers several pleasant and panoramic strolls. The main attraction is the Castello, a grassy ruined fortress with superb views to the mountains.

Eat

Il Fornaio on Via Bartolomeo Colleoni at Citta Alta (pizza, foccacio, etc.).

Cafe Funicular at Citta Alta's funicular station.

La Colombina

From Milan to Bergamo

Trains run at least once an hour from either Milano Centrale or Milano Porta Garibaldi to Bergamo.

The trip takes an hour or less, depending on whether there are stops or changes.

Single journey ticket costs around 4 Euros.

Milano Centrale or Milano Porta Garibaldi are close to each other and connected by Metro.

The road connecting Milan and Bergamo can be very congested.

To Citta Alta

Take bus #1 or #1A from the train station to the funicular station at the foot of the hill, and make the free ascent to Citta Alta.

Bus #1A continues on to Citta Alta.

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Bergamo and its province
Italy Heaven: Bergamo

2007-05-26

Preliminary itinerary

20/8 (Mon) Late arrival in Milan (Milan)
21/8 (Tue) Milan sightseeing (Milan)
22/8 (Wed) Day trip to Verona (Milan)
23/8 (Thu) Day trip to Lake Como (Milan)
24/8 (Fri) Day trip to Bergamo, evening sightseeing in Milan (Milan)
25/8 (Sat) Morning train to Bologna (Bologna)
26/8 (Sun) Bologna sightseeing; afternoon train to Pisa (Pisa)
27/8 (Mon) Airport pickup, car pickup, drive to Lucca then to Tuscan farmhouse (Tuscan farmhouse)
(7 nights in Tuscan farmhouse; visits to Florence[2-3], Siena, St. Gimignano etc.)
3/9 (Mon) Drive to Pisa, return car, then sightseeing (Pisa)
4/9 (Tue) Airport drop off, train to Cinque Terre (Cinque Terre)
5/9 (Wed) Cinque Terre (Cinque Terre)
6/9 (Thu) Morning train to Orvieto (Orvieto)
7/9 (Fri) Day trip to Assisi (Orvieto)
8/9 (Sat) Day trip to Gubbio or Perugia (Orvieto)
9/9 (Sun) Train to Rome (Rome)
10/9 (Mon) Rome (Rome)
11/9 (Tue) Bus to Sorrento (Sorrento)
12/9 (Wed) Amalfi Coast (Sorrento)
13/9 (Thu) Amalfi Coast (Sorrento)
14/9 (Fri) Bus to Rome (Rome)
15/9 (Sat) Rome
16/9 (Sun) Depart from Rome

Confirmed flights

13/8 Brisbane-Hong Kong (CX102 13:10-20:05)
20/8 Hong Kong-London (CX257 09:45-16:00); London-Milan (Alitalia243 18:50-21:45)
16/9 Rome-Hong Kong (CX292 12:50-06:25[+1])
28/9 Hong Kong-Brisbane (CX103 23:30-10:05[+1])

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13/8-20/8: 6 full days in Hong Kong
20/8-16/9: 26 full days in Italy (In: Milan; Out: Rome)
17/9-28/9: 12 full days in Hong Kong (side trip to China)

2007-05-25

Key dates of my Italy trip

13/8 Brisbane-Hong Kong
20/8 Hong Kong-London; London-Milan
16/9 Rome-Hong Kong
28/9 Hong Kong-Brisbane

I am planning to visit Milan/Lake Como/Bergamo, Verona/Bologna, Tuscany/Florence/Pisa, Cinque Terra, Assisi/Orvieto, the Amalfi Coast and Rome.

Hopefully, I can squeeze in a short China trip during my second stopover in Hong Kong.

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Although I've been to Europe a number of times before, this coming trip will be my first encounter with European summer.

Late August must be a busy time for air travel. Both the Australia-HK and HK-Europe legs were very full and expensive. Took quite an effort to finalise a reasonably priced flight plan.

2007-05-22

葬花吟

人稱鳳姐的好友在其網誌談到她遊園賞鳳凰木,見火紅的花朵飄到路上,為免鮮花被踐踏,逐一將路上的花瓣拾起,擺放在草叢上,並說「「花落花飛」,「紅銷香斷」,原是大自然生態,林妹妹何必為之傷感。」

鳳姐處理落花,原來跟寶玉一路。話說寶玉在桃花底下讀《會真記》,一陣風,桃花落得滿身皆是。「寶玉要抖將下來,恐怕腳步踐踏了,只得兜了那花瓣,來至池邊,抖在池內」,落花於是隨水流出大觀園外。但肩擔花鋤,鋤挂花囊,手拿花帚,楚楚可人的林妹妹卻說抖在水裏不好,因為一流出去,「有人家的地方髒的臭的混倒,仍舊把花遭塌了。」她認為不如把花埋在花塚,「日久不過隨土化了,豈不乾淨。」後來黛玉在一次傷心之時,一字一淚地吟了那「花謝花飛」、「紅消香斷」、「儂今葬花人笑痴,他年葬儂知是誰」、「一朝春盡紅顏老,花落人亡兩不知」,家喻戶曉的葬花詞。


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自稱沉迷《紅樓夢》而悟的劉再復,認為先知先覺,大徹大悟的黛玉的葬花詞,不僅寫出大悲傷,而且寫出大蒼凉和生命宇宙境界。在他眼中,葬花詞是一首美麗生命的輓歌,「輓歌的一般境界是淒美,高一些的境界是孤寒,最高的境界是空寂。葬花詞由低入高,最後抵達絕頂處」。

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讀《紅樓夢》而處處見空,就如同讀之而處處見色一樣,都是一種觀點,各有所感。另一種觀點,是處處見情。黛玉哭吟葬花詞一節,乃是書中橫跨三回,寶黛又一次「和好-誤會-傷感-和好」循環的高潮。這一段「少男少女猜情尋」故事,寫得極好,不只前無古人,我認為至今無人能及。下面是我只刪節不改寫的簡要版:

寶玉走入〔瀟湘館〕,只見湘簾垂地,悄無人聲,耳內忽聽得細細的長嘆了一聲道:「『每日家情思睡昏昏。』」寶玉聽了不覺心內癢將起來,再看時,只見黛玉在床上伸懶腰。寶玉在窗外笑道:「為甚麼『每日家情思睡昏昏』﹖」一面說,一面掀簾子進來了。

林黛玉自覺忘情,不覺紅了臉,拿袖子遮了臉,翻身向裏裝睡著了。黛玉的奶娘說:「妹妹睡覺呢,等醒了再請來。」剛說著,黛玉便翻身向外,坐起來,笑道:「誰睡覺呢﹖」黛玉坐在床上,一面抬手整理鬢髮,一面笑向寶玉道:「人家睡覺,你進來作什麼﹖」寶玉見她星眼微餳,香腮帶赤,不覺神魂早蕩,一歪身坐在椅子上,笑道:「你才說什麼﹖」黛玉道:「我沒說什麼。」寶玉笑道:「給你個榧子吃!我都聽見了。」

二人正說話,只見紫鵑進來,〔準備為寶玉倒茶〕。寶玉笑道:「好丫頭,『若共你多情小姐同鴛帳,怎捨得疊被鋪床﹖』」林黛玉登時撂下臉來,說道:「二哥哥,你說什麼﹖」寶玉笑道:「我何嘗說什麼。」黛玉便哭道:「如今新興的,外頭聽了村話來,也說給我聽;看了混帳書,也來拿我取笑兒。我成了爺們解悶的。」一面哭著,一面下床來,往外就走。寶玉不知要怎樣,心下慌了,忙趕上來,笑道:「好妹妹,我一時該死,你別告訴去!我再要敢,嘴上就長個疔,爛了舌頭。」

正說著,只見襲人走來說道:「快回去穿衣服,老爺叫你呢。」寶玉聽了,不覺打了個焦雷一般,也顧不得別的,急忙回來穿衣服...

林黛玉聽見寶玉去了,一日不回來,心中也替他憂慮。至晚飯後,聞聽寶玉來了,心裏要找他問問是怎麼樣了。〔到了〕怡紅院來,只見院門關著,黛玉便以手扣門。誰知晴雯和碧痕正拌了嘴,沒好氣,也並不問是誰,便說道:「都睡下了,明兒再來罷!」林黛玉素知丫頭們的情性,因而又高聲說道:「是我,還不開麼﹖」晴雯偏生還沒聽出來,便使性子說道:「憑你是誰,二爺吩咐的,一概不許放人進來呢!」

林黛玉聽了,不覺氣怔在門外,越想越傷感,也不顧蒼苔露冷,花徑風寒,獨立牆角邊花陰之下,悲悲戚戚嗚咽起來。自覺無味,便轉身回來,無精打彩的卸了殘妝,倚著床欄杆,兩手抱著膝,眼睛含著淚,好似木雕泥塑的一般,直坐到三更多天,方才睡了。

林黛玉因夜間失寐,次日起遲了,聞得眾姊妹都在園中作餞花會,恐人笑痴懶,連忙梳洗了出來。剛到了院中,只見寶玉進門來了,笑道:「好妹妹,昨兒可告我不曾﹖教我懸了一夜心。」林黛玉便回頭叫紫鵑道:「把屋子收拾了,下一扇紗屜;看那大燕子回來,把簾子放下來,拿獅子倚住;燒了香,就把爐罩上。」一面說一面仍往外走。寶玉見她這樣,還認作是昨日中晌的事,哪知晚間的這段公案,還打恭作揖的。林黛玉正眼也不看,各自出了院門,一直找別的姊妹去了。

寶玉因不見了林黛玉,便知她躲了別處去了,想了一想,索性遲兩日,等她的氣消一消再去也罷了。因低頭看見許多鳳仙、石榴等各色落花,錦重重的落了一地,因嘆道:「這是她心裏生了氣,也不收拾這花兒來了。待我送了去,明兒再問著她。」說著,便把那花兜了起來,登山渡水,過柳穿花,一直奔了那日同林黛玉葬桃花的去處。猶未轉過山坡,只聽山坡那邊有嗚咽之聲,一行數落著,哭得好不傷感。

寶玉聽了,不覺痴倒。先不過點頭感嘆;次後聽到「儂今葬花人笑痴,他年葬儂知是誰」,「一朝春盡紅顏老,花落人亡兩不知」等句,不覺慟倒山坡之上,懷裏兜的落花撒了一地。

那黛玉正自悲傷,忽聽山坡上也有悲聲,心下想道:「人人都笑我有些痴病,難道還有一個痴子不成﹖」想著,抬頭一看,見是寶玉,便道:「啐!我當是誰,原來是這個狠心短命的……」剛說到「短命」二字,又把口掩住,長嘆了一聲,自己抽身便走了。

寶玉連忙趕上去說道:「你且站住。我知你不理我,我只說一句話,從今後撂開手。」「有一句話,請說來。」寶玉笑道:「兩句話,說了你聽不聽﹖」黛玉聽說,回頭就走。寶玉在身後面嘆道:「既有今日,何必當初!」林黛玉聽見這話,由不得站住,回頭道:「當初怎麼樣﹖今日怎麼樣﹖」寶玉嘆道:「當初姑娘來了,那不是我陪著玩笑﹖ 憑我心愛的,姑娘要,就拿去;我愛吃的,聽見姑娘也愛吃,連忙乾乾淨淨收著等姑娘吃。一桌子吃飯,一床上睡覺。丫頭們想不到的,我怕姑娘生氣,我替丫頭們想到了。我心裏想著:姊妹們從小兒長大,親也罷,熱也罷,和氣到了兒,才見得比人好。如今誰承望姑娘人大心大,不把我放在眼裏,倒把外四路的什麼寶姐姐、鳳姐姐的放在心坎兒上,倒把我三日不理四日不見的。誰知我是白操了這個心,弄得我有冤無處訴!」說著,不覺滴下眼淚來。

黛玉耳內聽了這話,眼內見了這形景,心內不覺灰了大半,也不覺滴下淚來,低頭不語。寶玉遂又說道:「我也知道我如今不好了,但只憑著怎麼不好,萬不敢在妹妹跟前有錯處。便有一二分錯處,你倒是或教導我,戒我下次,或罵我兩句,打我兩下,我都不灰心。誰知你總不理我,叫我摸不著頭腦,少魂失魄,不知怎麼樣才是。就便死了,也是個屈死鬼!」

黛玉聽了這話,不覺將昨晚的事都忘在九霄雲外了,便說道:「你既這麼說,昨兒為什麼我去了,你不叫丫頭開門﹖」寶玉詫異道:「這話從哪裏說起﹖我要是這麼樣,立刻就死了!」林黛玉啐道:「大清早起死呀活的,也不忌諱!你說有呢就有,沒有就沒有,起什麼誓呢。」寶玉道:「實在沒有見你去。就是寶姐姐坐了一坐,就出來了。」林黛玉想了一想,笑道:「想必是你的丫頭們懶怠動,喪聲歪氣的也是有的。」寶玉道:「想必是這個原故。等我回去問了是誰,教訓教訓她們就好了。」黛玉道:「你的那些姑娘們也該教訓教訓,只是論理我不該說。今兒得罪了我的事小,倘或明兒寶姑娘來,什麼貝姑娘來,也得罪了,事情豈不大了!」說著抿著嘴笑。寶玉聽了,又是咬牙,又是笑。 二人正說話,只見丫頭來請吃飯,遂都往前頭來了...

----------

When someone demands justice,

or seeks, appeals for, or prays for, or whatever, you can be sure that all he/she wants is R E V E N G E.

2007-05-20

觀影讀書流水賬 20/5/07

觀影:

金基德 《3-Iron/Bin-jip》 (7/10)
Woody Allen 《Match Point》 (7/10)

讀書:

Alex Kerr 《Dogs and Demons: The Fall of Modern Japan》 - 曾堯角落:日本印象與現實
Bryan Magee 《Popper》 - 温故

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金基德是個天才痴人。《3-Iron》中文譯作《感官樂園》或《空屋情人》,其實,本片是金基德的《幽靈人間》。電影的後半部,金基德稍嫌痴得過火,破壞了電影的整體成績。

可參考黃香瑤對《3-Iron》的簡介和評論。

A map of Italy

2007-05-19

日本印象與現實

朋友都說我經常遊日本。約兩年一次東瀛遊,能否算「常」客,見仁見智,但我得承認,我真的頗喜歡日本這個旅遊地的。

不同人對旅遊有不同要求。對我來說,旅遊=閒遊。一個地方,如果沒有可觀之處,當然不值得去,但可觀是不足夠的,如果不能讓我安心「閒遊」,該地也不怎麼值得去。

閒遊度高不高,主要取決於旅遊地的民風是否純樸友善,交通是否通達高效,食物是否對胃,市容衛生治安是否達標...


舉個例說,中國可觀度高,但閒遊度超低,而日本可觀度僅屬中上,但閒遊度世上無出其右。

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我們常說,日本在保護文物和環境方面,成績突出,與中國相比時,更有天壤之別,是以有「看中式古蹟,到日本去」的說法。

但不是所有人都持此見解,如長居日本的Alex Kerr就為日本在破壞山川和摧毀文物方面的「罪行」感到痛心疾首,著書筆伐日本的墮落。

-- 日本全國113條主要河流中有110條被嵌入U型水泥槽,河上修起2800多座大大小小的水壩並計劃再修500座;至20世紀末,被混凝土覆蓋的海岸線超過60%﹔1997年日本就有43%的天然闊葉林被樹種單一的人工針葉林取代,致使山溪斷流,花粉症困擾10%的日本人;對古蹟山川不加愛惜之餘,只知興建更多的主題公園紀念館塔碑之類取代... --

(Alex Kerr - Dogs and Demons: The Fall of Modern Japan | 阿列克斯·科爾著 周保雄譯 - 犬與鬼:現代日本の墜落)

# 書名Dogs and Demons,是用了《韓非子》“犬馬難描鬼魅易畫”的典故,意謂日本迴避根本的、長期的、艱巨的「治國」方案,只滿足於以顯見的、易辦的、炫人耳目的工程充撑。

他其實在較早期的,先以日文寫成其後英譯為Lost Japan的書中,已開始探究現代日本緣何迷失方向。


-- Alex Kerr網站 --

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旣為遊客,只能走馬看花,浮光掠影,談不上對遊地有實質的了解。就以我為例,讀Dogs and Demons時,初期强烈感到他筆下的日本與我所認識的,相去甚遠。後來細想一下,(一)以自己對日本的皮毛認識,根本不足以判斷Kerr的論據是否正確;(二)他的某些論點,其實也與自己的觀察吻合,只是作為遊客如我者,在遊走於景點之間時,一般都對周遭視若無睹,很快從記憶中抹去。

----------

Kerr在結論一章中指出,現代日本的墜落的深層原因,是與jitsu(実)漸行漸遠,務虛作假,沉溺於manga(漫画)現實。

諷刺的是,日本的不「実」,固然令京都、祖谷等地顏面漸非,但卻在另一方面卻提升了日本的「吸引力」。不容否認,今天到日本的觀光客,不少是慕主題公園和主題館之名而去的。日本的流行文化特色,正正就是不「実」,而東京就是世上獨一無二的不「実」之都!

2007-05-18

知馬力

六四血腥清場,幾近18年前一個清晨的事。以俗語說法,當年的死者即將又是一條條活生生的好漢了。

18年,一段好長的日子,中國有2億左右的人是在六四後出生的,對那「風波」不甚了了,不足為奇。即使是耳聞目睹的人,也有各種可以理解的原因「只想忘掉,不願提起」。即使提起,不少人也寧可選擇含糊其辭,模稜兩可。

所以,從這個角度看,馬力是個「可敬」之人。18年來,他沒有改變觀點,也沒有迴避問題。路雖遙遙,我們至少是知道馬力的:當年的馬力是這樣,今天的馬力仍是這樣,立場站穩。

歷史會找馬力算賬,那批被他「輕佻」過的「好漢」也會的。

----------

馬力說,「我是對屠城說法有質疑,但沒有說過沒死人,但當中有些做法,現在用常理去推測,(屠城)會否出現呢?又如解放軍入城後燒屍?」

沒說過沒死人,但認為屠城、燒屍、肉餅之說,不合常理。

換言之,死去的,全都死得合乎常理。

The Interpretation of Murder

I am a sucker for novels with Sigmund Freud as a character. Some months ago, I wrote about a few of such novels which I had read, and listed a few more which I hadn't, one of which being Jed Rubenfeld's "The Interpretation of Murder".

Now, Cathy has read it and liked it. "The Interpretation of Murder" is now on my "must-read" list.

2007-05-15

Good Read 070515

You Economists Don't Get It, Do You? (Economist's View, by Mark Thoma)

"Economists suck."

"I hear that a lot. What'd we do to you?"

"Globalization. Outsourcing. Immigration. You guys don't get it. ...

2007-05-13

觀影讀書流水賬 13/5/07

觀影:

● Claude Chabrol 《Bridesmaid/La Demoiselle d'honneur》 (6/10)
● Francois Ozon 《See the Sea/Regarde la mer》 (5/10)
● J.J. Abrams 《Mission: Impossible III》 (5/10)
● Davis Guggenheim 《An Inconvenient Truth》 (7/10)

法國電影界真可謂今非昔比,我已有很多年未遇過稱得上傑作的法國影片了。Chabrol雖老尚能飯,《Bridesmaid》有板有眼,但卻並無驚喜。

話說男主角與妹妹婚禮中的伴娘一拍即合。她神秘、性感、慵懶,並一臉正經地告訴男主角,愛情若是堅貞時,應該願意為愛人去殺一個人。她說她願意,希望他亦如是。她不過在開玩笑吧?後來,他看見報上一宗命案死者的照片,頗像她非常討厭,常在她家前窩居的流浪漢,於是他洋洋得意地向她表示,我已經為妳殺了那討厭的人。誰知過了幾天,她一臉正經地說:我今早也為你殺了你以前提過,很討厭的那個人...

法國無大將,Ozon遂被捧為大師。他的早期作品《See the Sea》只能算是不錯之作,而從他其後的電影看,他只能算是個略有天份的導演罷了。

- World Movies Channel現正播放一系列Ozon電影,專題名為Ozon Layer

讀書:

● Bernard Bastable 《Too Many Notes, Mr. Mozart》 (低水平偵查小說,講的是鋼琴「老」師(七十幾高齡的)莫札持如何解開英國皇室企圖殺人事件)

行程編排

D1 24/11 (六) | 宿:大阪

08:25-11:00 | Brisbane→Sydney (JQ 18)
12:00-20:00 | Sydney→關西空港 (JQ 17)

空港→JR或南海大阪難波駅

D2 25/11 (日) | 宿:大阪

京都紅葉銀杏

D3 26/11 (一) | 宿:德島

8:15-10:37 | JRなんば駅→徳島駅
7:15至21:15,每小時1班 | 車程:2:22 | 車費:¥3,600 | JR四国バス

早、午德島市觀光。晚上於阿波舞會館觀阿波舞表演(8時開始)

D4 27/11 (二) | 宿:小豆島

德島→高松→小豆島 | 小豆島觀光、寒霞谷賞楓

D5 28/11 (三) | 宿:高松

小豆島→高松 | 高松觀光

D6 29/11 (四) | 宿:高松

高松/琴平/金刀比羅宮

D7 30/11 (五) | 宿:祖谷温泉

高松→池田 | 觀光巴士遊大步危、葛橋。祖谷温泉脫隊

D8 1/12 (六) | 宿:高知

祖谷温泉→池田→高知 | 高知遊覽

D9 2/12 (日) | 宿:高知

高知週邊遊覽

D10 3/12 (一) | 宿:松山

高知→松山 | 松山、道後温泉觀光

D11 4/12 (二) | 宿:松山

內子町/宇和島一天遊

D12 5/12 (三) | 宿:岡山

松山→岡山 | 倉敷觀光

D13 6/12 (四) | 宿:岡山

直島一天遊

D14 7/12 (五) | 宿:岡山

淡路島一天遊

D15 8/12 (六) | 宿:廣島

岡山→廣島→宮島 | 宮島觀光

D16 9/12 (日) | 宿:廣島

廣島觀光

D17 10/12 (一) | 宿:大阪

廣島→大阪 | 大阪逛街

D18 11/12 (二)

21:200 - 07:15(+1) | 關西空港 - Brisbane (JQ 18)

2007-05-04

Two major trips to plan

Just when I thought I should start planning for the upcoming Italy trip (late August-mid October), I learnt that Jetstar, the budget subsidiary of Qantas, was offering deep discounts on some of its routes. Essentially, they were offering two-for-the-price-of-one tickets.

To my surprise, the newly established Brisbane-Kansai route was included (Jetstar is basically a domestic airline with only a few international routes).

To me, it was too much of an opportunity to miss, so I immediately booked two return tickets for the 24 November to 12 December period, at a total cost of less than A$1,000!

I haven't decided where I am going to visit this time, since I have been to Japan many times and visited the Kansai area only late last year.

At the moment, I shall concentrate on drawing up an itinerary for the Italy trip and shall worry about the Japan trip only later. My preliminary thought is to visit the Okayama/Kurashiki/Shikoku region for 7-10 days before flying to Hokkaido for another week.

Lots of travel planning to do.

2007-05-03

馮天瑜十六講

馮天瑜的《中國元典文化十六講》,其實應正名為《馮天瑜十六講》或《馮天瑜論中華文化十六講》。這很重要,因為身為武漢大學中國傳統文化研究中心主任的馮天瑜自稱素有「概念癖」,喜歡對名稱問個為甚麽,弄不清楚不安心。這本書載有馮天瑜的十六個關於中華文化史的演講,講的卻不全是與元典文化有關。嚴格來說,與元典文化扯上關係的章篇不多,出版商將書名定為《中國元典文化十六講》似有誤導讀者之嫌。

十六講中,我最感興趣的是關於外來詞匯如何譯介至中國的幾篇。外來詞匯譯介至中國的第一個高峰,是由佛教傳入中國,大量翻譯佛經帶起的,而第二個高峰,則是千多年後西方文化强勢進入中國的產物。雖然利瑪竇等傳教士為直接引進西洋術語作出很大貢獻,但在中國的流通面和接受性畢竟不高。西洋詞匯的大量進口,其實始自19世紀後半,而且是經由日本以漢字翻譯西洋詞匯再流入中國的。與之相關的章篇,都是涉及漢字文化圈在漢字文化上的互動關係。

此外,馮天瑜的幾篇論及「封建」的演講亦頗有可讀性。將秦至清這一段二千多年的中國稱為「封建社會」合理嗎?究竟「封建」是甚麼意思,為甚麼很多人又會將「封建」與「落後」等同?

曾堯角落:翻譯再雜談(2):經濟

馮天瑜的網上文章:
中國近代術語的形成 (即收入書中的第2講)
中西日文化对接间汉字术语的厘定问题
張之洞及其《勸學篇》
东亚智慧与可持续发展

論馮天瑜的網上文章:
“封建”名实析议——评冯天瑜《“封建”考论》 (李根蟠)
“歷史文化語義學”:理論與實踐 (余來明)

2007-05-02

齒冷兼頭暈

看《Babel/巴別塔》,何只令人齒冷,更會頭暈:

(明報 2/5/07) 在日本,電影《巴別塔》發行商警告觀眾,觀看電影時可能會出現頭暈的情況。

《巴別塔》在日本於4月28日上映以來,至少15名觀眾投訴,在觀看電影時感到頭暈。

由於電影中的日本女演員菊池凜子罕有地獲得奧斯卡最佳女配角提名,增加日本人對電影的興趣。菊池凜子在電影中,進入一間夜總會時,閃光不斷,維時約一分鐘,有觀眾投訴感到頭暈。

發行商在全國300間戲院,貼出警告告示,要求觀眾小心該情節,可能引起頭暈。

10 Rules of Lomography

1. Take your camera everywhere you go and whenever you go.
2. Use it any time - day or night.
3. It is not an interference in your life, but a part of it.
4. Shoot from the hip.
5. Approach the objects of your photographic desire as close as possible.
6. Don't think. Be fast.
7. You don't have to know beforehand what you've captured.
8. You don't have to know afterwards, either.
9. Don't worry about the rules.
10. Forget about Lomo - a cell phone camera serves you better.