24/11/2008
每逢佳節倍思「它」
每逢聖誕新年,我都很想念童年時,少年時的……
可口可樂的聖誕節廣告
及
萬寶路香煙的農曆新年廣告
小時候,沒有特別慶祝節日,但只要看到上述廣告,就可以感受到濃厚的節日氣氛。
I’d like to teach the world to sing a perfect harmony.
I’d like to buy a world a coke, and keep it company.
很懷念!
22/11/2008
戒奶
今期「壹週刊」有一篇關於飲用牛奶會產生毒素上腦,破壞腦細胞,甚至與自閉症及精神分裂症有關的文章。
我想引用以下某幾段(斜體引用自壹週刊):
「牛奶是重要的毒素來源,因為奶裡面的動物蛋白很難消化,不單造成腸胃敏感問題,還會製造一種叫酪蛋白嗎啡(Casomorphins)的毒素,令腦部發炎,出現幻覺,很多人戒奶就無事…驗尿就知道有無呢種毒素,但香港無得驗,要拎去美國做。」
「大量的霉菌(Yeasts)有很大的破壞力,當它鑽入腸,會炸爛腸,出現腸漏,令毒菌可以入血上腦……」
「近年愈來愈多兒童有自閉症問題,上網發現原來生物醫學療法有幫助,…… 發現自閉症近十年升十倍,每八十七人就有一個有問題,專家找新醫治方法,都發現戒奶(Casein Free Diet)有幫助……」
「暢銷書《你可以不飲牛奶》中,指牛奶和很多疾病,包括哮喘、敏感、濕疹、情緒不穩、便秘和肥胖等有關,牛奶的動物蛋白和脂肪構造和人類有別,很難被人體吸收;而另一種成分乳糖亦很難被分解,直接進入腸胃後,更會導致肚脹、腹瀉等問題。」
我想引用這篇文章,是因為我一直想知道為何西方人(美國人)患自閉、哮喘、各類敏感、heartburn、甚至帕金遜及老人痴呆病的比率比亞洲人高。
當然我不是指牛奶是萬惡之源,但我一直相信東方人跟西方人的飲食習慣,與我們的身體健康有重大關係。正如中國人常吃煙燻食物,較容易患喉癌、鼻咽癌,西方人飲牛奶高脂食物較容易患乳癌等。
我本身是一個乳糖不耐症(lactose intolerance)患者,自小有記憶以來,我都不吃喝任何奶類製品;但長大後知道乳糖耐受性是可以慢慢建立的,所以過去幾年我都會偶爾冒著肚痛肚瀉的危險,喝杯奶茶/咖啡,或吃幾塊Pizza(昨晚我就吃了Pizza,跟著整晚胃隱隱痛)。
我相信我還會偶爾喝奶茶/咖啡,但對於不能吃喝奶製品,我已經不再感到缺失及失落。不論這篇文章是否屬實,起碼我知道我現在沒有患自閉、哮喘、各類敏感、heartburn等病患,我亦希望這情況可繼續下去。
19/11/2008
冬天到
終於降到攝氏0度以下,昨晚最低零下攝氏1.6度,日間亦只有攝氏7-8度,天氣預告今個星期的氣溫也只是得幾度,還有機會落雪。
兩星期前還覺天氣和暖,轉角冬天已到。
最沮喪的是,在這裡沒有可能打邊爐。首先這邊沒有邊爐煲賣,其次是沒有切好的肥牛、羊肉賣(除非我自己買切凍肉的機,再買一大塊牛肉自己切),新鮮魚蝦更莫妄想。更重要的是老公嫌麻煩,不喜歡打邊爐,所以即使購物的問題解決了,也沒人陪我。
以前在香港,一個人在家時,我也會買些肥牛、茹、菜及烏冬打一人邊爐,但那是容易買一人邊爐物資的香港啊!現在在鄉下地方,打邊爐變成不可能,你說我是多沮喪!
冬天將會更漫長啊!
兩星期前還覺天氣和暖,轉角冬天已到。
最沮喪的是,在這裡沒有可能打邊爐。首先這邊沒有邊爐煲賣,其次是沒有切好的肥牛、羊肉賣(除非我自己買切凍肉的機,再買一大塊牛肉自己切),新鮮魚蝦更莫妄想。更重要的是老公嫌麻煩,不喜歡打邊爐,所以即使購物的問題解決了,也沒人陪我。
以前在香港,一個人在家時,我也會買些肥牛、茹、菜及烏冬打一人邊爐,但那是容易買一人邊爐物資的香港啊!現在在鄉下地方,打邊爐變成不可能,你說我是多沮喪!
冬天將會更漫長啊!
14/11/2008
回到家,仍健在
星期四晚契妹載我回家。
到契媽家的主要原因,是她想教我駕駛。
來美後我一直沒有學習駕駛,因為老公的車除了是我討厭的棍波車外,更是一輛沒風油駄,沒後鏡(中置引擎蓋過所有後景),很貼地的跑車,所以我一直沒有動力及一輛正常車輛去學習駕駛。
契媽比我還心急,指令我到她家,用她的自動波車學習。
所以過去三天,我就跟她及契爺學習駕駛。
由學校停車場、墳場,到住宅區的街道,今天正式到較繁忙,有燈位的街道實習,最初有點緊張,幸好沒有任何驚嚇的情況。契媽想我下星期繼續。
其實我在廿年前曾在中學完成駕駛課程,可能駕駛就像騎單車一樣,學了不會忘記吧。
到契媽家的主要原因,是她想教我駕駛。
來美後我一直沒有學習駕駛,因為老公的車除了是我討厭的棍波車外,更是一輛沒風油駄,沒後鏡(中置引擎蓋過所有後景),很貼地的跑車,所以我一直沒有動力及一輛正常車輛去學習駕駛。
契媽比我還心急,指令我到她家,用她的自動波車學習。
所以過去三天,我就跟她及契爺學習駕駛。
由學校停車場、墳場,到住宅區的街道,今天正式到較繁忙,有燈位的街道實習,最初有點緊張,幸好沒有任何驚嚇的情況。契媽想我下星期繼續。
其實我在廿年前曾在中學完成駕駛課程,可能駕駛就像騎單車一樣,學了不會忘記吧。
11/11/2008
6/11/2008
The Future of the Republican Party
隨意寫下這篇,不想費神翻譯,希望別介意。
The race is over.
The Democratic Party won the Presidency by a landslide, and will lead the Congress in majority.
The analysis implied it could have been worse for the Republican Party, and I agree. I don’t believe the Obama tsunami has cost the lost of those seats in the Senate and the House. I believe it was the candidates themselves, and the GOP itself, which led to their own defeat. I also believe for the years to come, if the GOP doesn’t realize what cost them, and only blames it on a mixed race American with a funny name, or the economy, they will have more defeats lying in their doorstep.
Let me begin by asking this question: after their presidencies, where did the GOP presidents go? Where was Ronald Regan? Where was George Bush 41st? And you can pretty much assume where George W Bush 43rd will be.
No where. They retire. They retreat back to their secluded upper class comfort, surround themselves with their old pals.
And where are the Democratic presidents? Jimmy Carter is still out there fighting for humanity and human rights in different parts of the world. Bill Clinton, other than having highly paid speeches to help pay off his attorney fees, also finds time to build the Clinton Global Initiative. And albeit being just the vice-president and experienced a well-known defeat of the presidential bid , Al Gore is still out there devoting himself into something he believes in, which also has something to do with the welfare of the world.
You know what I’m trying to say?
No, it’s not about whether the Democratic presidents have actually achieved anything after they left their offices.
It’s about why people get into politics in the first place, may it be a Republican or a Democrat. And why it will be gloomy for the GOP future.
Those who are at the top tier of politics are no doubt ambitious, and get ego boost from recognition. But some want the top job because of what the job entails, and others, like most of the GOP top dogs, just want it because it IS the top job.
You know the type. The kid who wants to win every game, the same kid who wants to be an eagle scout, the homecoming “king”. Why does he want all that? Because that’s what the culture tells him, that’s what his peers tell him, and of course that’s what dad tells him. Be at the top or be gone. I call them “icing chaser”. And what’s better icing than the number 1 job in the world?
That’s where the problem lays. He could be gloomed by poppa or uncles who have been in power, or he could be self-made billionaire who can’t be satisfied by his fortune and need to find the next ego fix. Whatever the reason, the GOP protégés go into politics for the wrong reason.
That’s why once they got the job, the job is over, because the whole job is just to get the job! If there is anything done right in their presidencies, it’s usually because of timing and coincidences (Regan taking the praise for the end of the cold war), not because they actively pursue to solve any problems and to make the world a better place.
And that’s why once the presidency is over, they disappear from the world, because there is no higher job to obtain, it’s the end of the icing chase.
The Democratic presidents? Of course they have ambitions too, and huge egos. But at least their intellect and discipline fit their ambitions. They couldn’t just barely make it to college (McCain, Bush 43rd), because they would need to be top of the class to get the scholarships to finish school. They didn’t have dads and grandpas paving the paths for them (except for Kennedy). They didn’t have time or second chances to screw up their young lives.
Instead of using their intellect to make millions, they have a greater sense of purpose, they want to serve. They don’t get the ego boost simply by getting the job, but by doing the job well. They want to be recognized by all, not just their peers and papas.
That is also why there is no end to their paths, because they are addicted to serve. I can’t imagine seeing Carter or Clinton retiring in a ranch.
The irony to this particular presidential campaign is…. if McCain was not raised by generations of 4-star admiral, he would have made a good middle ranking Democrat. He wasn't called the "maverick" of the GOP for no reason! He will continue to serve, we should give him some credit. Imagine if it was Mitt Romney running!
The future of the Republican Party lies in the composition of the party, and where they find their new bloods. If they continue to run in an inner circle of old school blue blooded elites without taking consideration of their intellects and sense of purpose, they will continue to fail. Believe it or not, enough Americans are still smart enough to know if you want their votes for the RIGHT reason.
Elites they do need. Just elites not by blood, or money, but by caliber, and by virtue.
But then, who has caliber and virtue in his/her right mind would want to join a party that is against pro-choice, against gun control, against stem cell research, against gay rights?
Beats me.
The race is over.
The Democratic Party won the Presidency by a landslide, and will lead the Congress in majority.
The analysis implied it could have been worse for the Republican Party, and I agree. I don’t believe the Obama tsunami has cost the lost of those seats in the Senate and the House. I believe it was the candidates themselves, and the GOP itself, which led to their own defeat. I also believe for the years to come, if the GOP doesn’t realize what cost them, and only blames it on a mixed race American with a funny name, or the economy, they will have more defeats lying in their doorstep.
Let me begin by asking this question: after their presidencies, where did the GOP presidents go? Where was Ronald Regan? Where was George Bush 41st? And you can pretty much assume where George W Bush 43rd will be.
No where. They retire. They retreat back to their secluded upper class comfort, surround themselves with their old pals.
And where are the Democratic presidents? Jimmy Carter is still out there fighting for humanity and human rights in different parts of the world. Bill Clinton, other than having highly paid speeches to help pay off his attorney fees, also finds time to build the Clinton Global Initiative. And albeit being just the vice-president and experienced a well-known defeat of the presidential bid , Al Gore is still out there devoting himself into something he believes in, which also has something to do with the welfare of the world.
You know what I’m trying to say?
No, it’s not about whether the Democratic presidents have actually achieved anything after they left their offices.
It’s about why people get into politics in the first place, may it be a Republican or a Democrat. And why it will be gloomy for the GOP future.
Those who are at the top tier of politics are no doubt ambitious, and get ego boost from recognition. But some want the top job because of what the job entails, and others, like most of the GOP top dogs, just want it because it IS the top job.
You know the type. The kid who wants to win every game, the same kid who wants to be an eagle scout, the homecoming “king”. Why does he want all that? Because that’s what the culture tells him, that’s what his peers tell him, and of course that’s what dad tells him. Be at the top or be gone. I call them “icing chaser”. And what’s better icing than the number 1 job in the world?
That’s where the problem lays. He could be gloomed by poppa or uncles who have been in power, or he could be self-made billionaire who can’t be satisfied by his fortune and need to find the next ego fix. Whatever the reason, the GOP protégés go into politics for the wrong reason.
That’s why once they got the job, the job is over, because the whole job is just to get the job! If there is anything done right in their presidencies, it’s usually because of timing and coincidences (Regan taking the praise for the end of the cold war), not because they actively pursue to solve any problems and to make the world a better place.
And that’s why once the presidency is over, they disappear from the world, because there is no higher job to obtain, it’s the end of the icing chase.
The Democratic presidents? Of course they have ambitions too, and huge egos. But at least their intellect and discipline fit their ambitions. They couldn’t just barely make it to college (McCain, Bush 43rd), because they would need to be top of the class to get the scholarships to finish school. They didn’t have dads and grandpas paving the paths for them (except for Kennedy). They didn’t have time or second chances to screw up their young lives.
Instead of using their intellect to make millions, they have a greater sense of purpose, they want to serve. They don’t get the ego boost simply by getting the job, but by doing the job well. They want to be recognized by all, not just their peers and papas.
That is also why there is no end to their paths, because they are addicted to serve. I can’t imagine seeing Carter or Clinton retiring in a ranch.
The irony to this particular presidential campaign is…. if McCain was not raised by generations of 4-star admiral, he would have made a good middle ranking Democrat. He wasn't called the "maverick" of the GOP for no reason! He will continue to serve, we should give him some credit. Imagine if it was Mitt Romney running!
The future of the Republican Party lies in the composition of the party, and where they find their new bloods. If they continue to run in an inner circle of old school blue blooded elites without taking consideration of their intellects and sense of purpose, they will continue to fail. Believe it or not, enough Americans are still smart enough to know if you want their votes for the RIGHT reason.
Elites they do need. Just elites not by blood, or money, but by caliber, and by virtue.
But then, who has caliber and virtue in his/her right mind would want to join a party that is against pro-choice, against gun control, against stem cell research, against gay rights?
Beats me.
5/11/2008
男人大丈夫
一個男人,事業有成,腰纏萬貫,要風得風,要雨得雨。
一個男人,有兒有女,與妻子捱到第一桶金,高調追求明星港姐,成為全城鬧劇。妻子最後下堂求去,更不幸早逝,剩下年輕兒女跟著這男人。
一個男人,以金錢,以魅力,左擁右抱,當眾齊人,你生一個,我生一個。怎料多少個限量版Hermes仍擺不平,男人家事再度成為鬧劇。
一個男人,以為有錢萬能,有錢可以要女人,有錢可以趕女人,容許感情家事不受控制,連累身邊女人,連累無辜兒女。
這個男人,枉為人。
一個男人,有兒有女,與妻子捱到第一桶金,高調追求明星港姐,成為全城鬧劇。妻子最後下堂求去,更不幸早逝,剩下年輕兒女跟著這男人。
一個男人,以金錢,以魅力,左擁右抱,當眾齊人,你生一個,我生一個。怎料多少個限量版Hermes仍擺不平,男人家事再度成為鬧劇。
一個男人,以為有錢萬能,有錢可以要女人,有錢可以趕女人,容許感情家事不受控制,連累身邊女人,連累無辜兒女。
這個男人,枉為人。
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