Amazing.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
My Sweet 100: Day 29
It's a big day for my strongest pot.
I transplanted it to a big pot. In the bottom of the pot I placed some rocks to stabilize it. I also set up a tomato cage for the vines to grow along.
I brought back two cages all the way from Japan. They cost 200 Yen each. What a good deal! I don't know if and where I can get cages of any sort in Hong Kong.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
My Sweet 100: Day 24
Two more seedlings have merged from the soil today. That brought the total number of germinated cherry tomatoes to 7.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Chang Long Circus Show (Part 1): on Chinese People
The Chang Long Circus show located in Guangzhou is the most famous circus show among Hong Kong people and mainlanders. Last week, I went there to see it. The performance was spectacular. No doubt about that. But that's not what I want to talk about.
The show made me think about a lot of things. The first thing is the manner of Chinese people, especially those from mainland China.
At the very beginning of the show, the following rule was announced repeatedly in three languages - Mandarin, Cantonese and English:
The message is very clear. No flash - or someone will get hurt.
No matter how selfish you are, if someone will get hurt or even die because you use the flash, I believe you will just turn off the flash or even better put your camera away for a while.
However, when the acrobats were doing dangerous tricks in the air with all lights turned off, I saw a lot of flash blinking everywhere. I mean everywhere.
Chinese people are notorious for having no respect for rules of any kind. Yes, I know that. But we are talking about lives of human beings here! Mainlanders, what were you thinking when you were taking those photos? Everything has a limit. Selfishness is no exception. But you mainlanders have set an unprecedentedly high standard there.
Shame! Shame on you! Shame on you - those photo-takers. You make me ashamed of being Chinese.
The show made me think about a lot of things. The first thing is the manner of Chinese people, especially those from mainland China.
At the very beginning of the show, the following rule was announced repeatedly in three languages - Mandarin, Cantonese and English:
"During the show, please do not take pictures with the flash as this will put the life of the performers at risk when they are doing acrobatics in the air."
The message is very clear. No flash - or someone will get hurt.
No matter how selfish you are, if someone will get hurt or even die because you use the flash, I believe you will just turn off the flash or even better put your camera away for a while.
However, when the acrobats were doing dangerous tricks in the air with all lights turned off, I saw a lot of flash blinking everywhere. I mean everywhere.
Chinese people are notorious for having no respect for rules of any kind. Yes, I know that. But we are talking about lives of human beings here! Mainlanders, what were you thinking when you were taking those photos? Everything has a limit. Selfishness is no exception. But you mainlanders have set an unprecedentedly high standard there.
Shame! Shame on you! Shame on you - those photo-takers. You make me ashamed of being Chinese.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
My Sweet 100: New arrangement
My Sweet 100: Day 21
Their growth is slower than I expected. That is probably because it has been raining for the past two weeks and there was not enough sunlight.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
地產霸權
霸權是霸回來的嗎？霸王是霸回來的嗎？武林霸主是霸回來的嗎？
霸權其實是形容其權力之龐大，其尊橫跋扈，其壟斷的力量。
施永青，我佩服你......嘅霸氣。
http://www.am730.com.hk/article.php?article=64984
霸權其實是形容其權力之龐大，其尊橫跋扈，其壟斷的力量。
施永青，我佩服你......嘅霸氣。
http://www.am730.com.hk/article.php?article=64984
C觀點 - 施永青
土地業權的源起
(2011年07月18日)
地產霸權的說法易為人們受落，是因為土地最初都是霸回來的。不過，香港地產商的地都是以真金白銀買回來的，並無霸的成分；若有人想靠人多勢眾，聲大夾惡，以低於市價的方式，獲得土地上的權益，這才是霸權。
上帝製造土地，卻沒有劃界分配。近水而肥沃的土地必然引起爭奪，輾轉由強者得之。個人再強，也比不上一個氏族，一個氏族再強，也比不上能把眾多氏族聯合起來的侯王。能集結的力量越多，能霸佔的土地就越大，佔了就不怕被人搶走。
霸地成功全靠領袖，故土地全屬領袖所有。古語有云：「普天之下，莫非王土。」外國的概念也一樣。領袖自己稱王，然後把部分土地賜封給在霸地戰爭中的功臣，餘下的就讓自己的子民耕種，每年交租就可以了。中國古代行井田制，即收穫中九分之一要交租。
初時，人少地多，不是所有的地都有人耕種，餘下的就成為公地，人民平時可自由放牧，貴族可以打獵消閒。後來，人口增加，生產力上升，土地就愈來愈有價值。在歐洲，曾有一段時期，由於羊毛價升，養羊的利潤高，可供放牧公地不足，於是出現了圈地運動。有權勢者以籬笆、欄柵、壕溝等，把公地也圍起來，據為己有，不許他人放牧。
公地本屬國王，但山高皇帝遠，中央政府一時管不到，以至惡勢力愈圈愈狼，不但霸佔公地，進而驅趕佃農，並威嚇自耕農平價把田地也賣給他們。令大量農民喪失耕地，無法生活。湯瑪斯．摩爾曾稱此為羊吃人時代（羊毛貴弄到農民流離失所，甚至性命不保），農民於是群起暴動。
在這種情況下，封建統治者不得不介入以穩定局勢。統治者開始意識到，必須制訂適當法律，有效地管理好土地的業權。一切有關土地的權益，都得有白紙黑字的法律文件，清楚說明業權的來源，如賜封、承繼、購買、租賃、抵償等。而業權的始源必須來自國王的授權，如果沒法追溯到合法源頭的，就等同業權無法確立。
政府為了安撫農民，讓耕者有其田，按農戶的實耕面積，把土地正式批租給他們，並簽定長租約，好讓他們安心，以保障國家的糧食供應。
至於已被圈的土地，在某個年代之前的，就當被逆權侵佔算了，由政府確認，補發契據，在某個年代之後的，則視作向政府租借，要繳交租金，並在租約期滿後把土地交還政府。
此後，所有土地使用者，都有某種形式的土地來源。私有產權的出現，令市場經濟的效益大大發揮，人類今天的繁榮亦拜此所賜。
香港地產商手上的財富，基本上都是循這套當時制訂的遊戲規則而得來的。反地產霸權的人，是否認為這套以私有產權的遊戲規則不妥？他們是否能夠提出一套更公義、更有效益的規則？社會是否能承擔得起這樣的轉變？大家可要想清楚？
Sunday, July 17, 2011
My Sweet 100: Day 15
5 out of the 10 pots have germinated now! The germination rate is higher than I had anticipated.
I placed all 10 pots at different locations. Those which have germinated have one thing in common: They receive more sunlight than the others. The one that germinated first was placed indoors by the window that receive sunlight in the morning.
This has confirmed that sunlight is one of the key factors in the growth of cherry tomatoes.
I placed all 10 pots at different locations. Those which have germinated have one thing in common: They receive more sunlight than the others. The one that germinated first was placed indoors by the window that receive sunlight in the morning.
This has confirmed that sunlight is one of the key factors in the growth of cherry tomatoes.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Corporate stupidity
Today is the last day of a summer intern on my team. As a friendly gesture, someone bought a farewell card. Everyone signed it. Our manager presented it to him before end of day.
I haven't really spoken to him since he joined. But I signed the card too. That reminds me of a typical email message that I would get from HR whenever a new joiner comes on board. It goes something like this:
"XXX has joined our big family of YYY team today. Please give him a warmest welcome..."
I always find email like this ridiculous. Especially when the "family members" actually hate each other, and the warmest welcome is nothing more than a cold handshake.
I haven't really spoken to him since he joined. But I signed the card too. That reminds me of a typical email message that I would get from HR whenever a new joiner comes on board. It goes something like this:
"XXX has joined our big family of YYY team today. Please give him a warmest welcome..."
I always find email like this ridiculous. Especially when the "family members" actually hate each other, and the warmest welcome is nothing more than a cold handshake.
My Sweet 100: Day 13
Above is a photo of the leaves taken in the morning today: Day 13.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
More on the annoyance of Roadshow
This is a sequel to my previous blog.
A picture a worth a thousand words. A video clip is worth millions. So, I decided to shoot one to prove how noisy and annoying Roadshow is, especially to morning commuters who desperately need a nap on the bus.
Quite a lot of people in Hong Kong took it to the street and participated in demonstration on 1st July every year. They did it to demand more democracy and respect for human rights from the government.
Human rights are not something intangible. I just want my most basic human rights back - I just need a quiet environment to take a nap on the bus!
I believe if we have enough people demanding the government to do something to stop Roadshow's inconsiderate and barbaric behavior, we will have our most basic human rights back.
We need a serious outcry to make this happen.
Stop Roadshow from torturing us any more! Join me!
A picture a worth a thousand words. A video clip is worth millions. So, I decided to shoot one to prove how noisy and annoying Roadshow is, especially to morning commuters who desperately need a nap on the bus.
Quite a lot of people in Hong Kong took it to the street and participated in demonstration on 1st July every year. They did it to demand more democracy and respect for human rights from the government.
Human rights are not something intangible. I just want my most basic human rights back - I just need a quiet environment to take a nap on the bus!
I believe if we have enough people demanding the government to do something to stop Roadshow's inconsiderate and barbaric behavior, we will have our most basic human rights back.
We need a serious outcry to make this happen.
Stop Roadshow from torturing us any more! Join me!
Yahoo blog vs. Google's blogger
I am a big fan of Google.
Yet, before I decided where I should start my blog, I did compare Yahoo blog and Google's blogger.
A lot of people in Hong Kong use Yahoo's blog. I never understand why. First, Yahoo search just doesn't work. Period. Second, their blog doesn't offer a format customized for mobile phones. Nowadays, a lot of people browse the web more often on their cell phone than on their computer. Doesn't offer a mobile format in this age? It's a joke to me. Third, it may be my prejudice but Yahoo's Auction is very buggy and so I thought its blog may be too.
Google's blogger is the opposite. Best search engine in the world. It offers a mobile format. And I trust the reliability of Google services.
That explains why I am using blogger now.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
企業霸權 vs. 官僚主義
I work in Central, and I commute to work by bus everyday.
The bus fare isn't low. It costs me $40 each day.
What kind of service would you expect when you pay so much to a bus company each day? A comfortable bus journey? I expected that too but what I actually got is - a noisy journey created by KMB's Roadshow. I am writing this one while being annoyed by this noisy and low-taste TV programs on the bus.
I once filed complaints about it by calling up KMB and writing to the Transport Department.
Calling KMB was completely useless. They said they would follow up on my complaint but they never called me back.
Writing to the Transport Department was an eye-opening experience. The experience taught me that you can do a crappy job while getting extreme well paid. The response below from TD reveals how the government's bureaucracy allows big enterprises like KMB to do whatever they want with HK citizens to gain unrealistic profits.
Roadshow continued to torture passengers like me with its no-content TV programs at the maximum volume after I received following letter from TD:
============================
Dear YYYY,
[ Complaint about Audio-visual Broadcasting on KMB Buses ]
Further to my acknowledgement dated xxxxxxxx, I would like to inform you that we have received a substantive reply from the Transport Department (TD). I hereby convey it to you below. TD replied that they noted your concerns on the TV broadcasting system on buses. They have requested KMB to investigate into the buses so as to ensure the volume of the TV broadcasting system is close to the ambient noise level of a bus. To improve the situation, they have been working with bus companies to take the following improvement measures:
(a) to adjust the volume close to the ambient noise level of a bus;
(b) using a compressor to narrow the variations in pitch; and
(c) to designate a quiet zone at the back portion of the lower deck
and allowing only one speaker to be turned on at the lower deck. TD will also regularly conduct survey on buses to check the sound level of TV broadcasting system. They would continue to monitor the operation of the system and review with bus companies where appropriate.
Thank you for bringing the matter to our attention.
Yours sincerely,
(Miss Ma Hiu-kwan)
for Executive Secretary
Transport Complaints Unit
=============================
The bus fare isn't low. It costs me $40 each day.
What kind of service would you expect when you pay so much to a bus company each day? A comfortable bus journey? I expected that too but what I actually got is - a noisy journey created by KMB's Roadshow. I am writing this one while being annoyed by this noisy and low-taste TV programs on the bus.
I once filed complaints about it by calling up KMB and writing to the Transport Department.
Calling KMB was completely useless. They said they would follow up on my complaint but they never called me back.
Writing to the Transport Department was an eye-opening experience. The experience taught me that you can do a crappy job while getting extreme well paid. The response below from TD reveals how the government's bureaucracy allows big enterprises like KMB to do whatever they want with HK citizens to gain unrealistic profits.
Roadshow continued to torture passengers like me with its no-content TV programs at the maximum volume after I received following letter from TD:
============================
Dear YYYY,
[ Complaint about Audio-visual Broadcasting on KMB Buses ]
Further to my acknowledgement dated xxxxxxxx, I would like to inform you that we have received a substantive reply from the Transport Department (TD). I hereby convey it to you below. TD replied that they noted your concerns on the TV broadcasting system on buses. They have requested KMB to investigate into the buses so as to ensure the volume of the TV broadcasting system is close to the ambient noise level of a bus. To improve the situation, they have been working with bus companies to take the following improvement measures:
(a) to adjust the volume close to the ambient noise level of a bus;
(b) using a compressor to narrow the variations in pitch; and
(c) to designate a quiet zone at the back portion of the lower deck
and allowing only one speaker to be turned on at the lower deck. TD will also regularly conduct survey on buses to check the sound level of TV broadcasting system. They would continue to monitor the operation of the system and review with bus companies where appropriate.
Thank you for bringing the matter to our attention.
Yours sincerely,
(Miss Ma Hiu-kwan)
for Executive Secretary
Transport Complaints Unit
=============================
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
My Sweet 100: Day 10
Today is the 10th day since I sowed the seeds of my cherry tomatoes - sweet 100.
I checked on the pots before I left home for work. To my disappointment, nothing came out from the soil. Absolutely nothing. So for, I have been watering them every day before I go to bed. Is it wrong? I don't know. I hope it's just my impatience.
Looking forward to seeing some greens coming out this weekend.
Monday, July 11, 2011
My Sweet 100: Day 1
Sowed the seeds of cherry tomatoes - sweet 100 - in ten little incubating pots on 2 July 2011. Hope I would see some greens coming out of the soil soon.
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