Wednesday, December 20, 2006
New Year Resolution?
Almost three months passed since I returned to Taiwan. Many remained unchanged and many more has changed or evolved. Sometimes, past memory stirs; nevertheless, clock keeps ticking just as usual. How will I look at myself around this time next year? Stepping into my thirties...
Thursday, October 05, 2006
German Cuisine
Thought it was fish, rather it's more like a dumpling with meat, mushroom, and vegis.
Mini sausages
德國豬腳
Hamburger
Pork Chop
圓球狀的甜點, 有各種味道
Austrian Cuisine
Standard Breakfast
What's special is how to eat eggs. Open a hole on the top and scoop it.
Budget traveller's companion, lunch box from a supermarket. 3.5 euro
A seafood chain store
Beef Schnitzel.
Fried thin slice of beef
Beef Gulasch
從匈牙利傳入的燉牛肉
Sacher Torte
水杯上的湯匙不知為什麼都是這樣擺的
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Czech Cuisine
Breakfast in Pension Denny in Cesky Krumlov
And a large basket bread is also included
Cheese, Bacon, and Chicken
Roast Duck
Rumpsteak
Meat Palette
Dumpling是麵糰子, 吃起來像發糕
Roast Beef with Dumpling
加了紅莓醬和鮮奶油, 搭配蠻奇怪的
This one is cheaper
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another famous stuff is Pilsner Beer
Monday, September 25, 2006
Finally-Europe Trip
回家前的最後旅行
Sep 4~6: Alan & Barbara's place
7: Chester
8: Stratford upon Avon
9: Moved out from Warwick
10~21: Czech, Austria, Germany
Day 1: London-Prague
一大早的easyjet班機, 前一晚就到了Gatwick機場待命, 有24小時商店和舒服的椅子, 是個夜宿機場的好地方, 飛行時間2小時, 一走出布拉格機場, 馬上感到歐陸和英國不一樣的熾熱陽光, 換著公車和捷運到了住宿處休息一下, 照著地圖的推薦來到一家像酒吧的餐廳吃了傳統料理, 喝比水還便宜的啤酒
喝飽吃足後順著new town的大街走向old town, 觀光客應該比當地居民多得多, 建築是都很美, 但沒有預期的那麼動人心絃, 經過布拉格廣場後來到查理橋, 短短的石橋有雕像, 小販, 街頭藝人, 晚上看了黑光劇, 有點不知所云, 最後在黑暗中成就了補眠, 也因為多花了這1000克朗, 剩下的兩天過著嚴格的糧食配給生活, 還好布拉格物價只比台北稍貴, 要找便宜的食物也不難
Day 2: Prague
上午的目標是布拉格城堡, 慢吞吞的晃著卻也正好趕上衛兵交接, 音樂和服裝頗有前共產國家的味道, 城堡是塊很大的區域, 裡面有教堂, 王宫, 還有卡夫卡的故居在條黃金小巷中(巷子從前住的是鍊金術士), 從城堡居高臨下可以看到整個市區及紅屋瓦, 接著在猶太區晃晃, 發現了budget traveller的好夥伴:超市, 果然買到便宜的烤雞, 晚餐吃了牛排和鴨胸, 總之這裡有名的就是肉類料理, 雖然不見得精緻, 但能吃得很爽
Day3: Prague-Cesky Krumlov
在公車總站一片混亂中上了車, 感覺就像外國人來到台北看著統聯, 飛狗等等不知到底要去那買票, 不過抵達後一切都是值得的, Cesky Krumlov是小河環繞的中世紀小鎮, 比布拉格少了過度的觀光渲染, 走在街上十分舒服, 如果有時間還可以去泛舟和騎馬
Day 4: CK-Vienna
早上搭公車到Ceske Budejovice換火車前往維也納, 一過國界換成奧地利的火車, 舒適度馬上提升, 維也納的大眾運輸非常方便, 寬敞的車廂對照著倫敦那古老, 悶熱, 狹小, 不時停駛的underground, 還有方便的路面電車和腳踏車專用道
晚上在Golden Hall (每年元旦維也納愛樂新年音樂會的場所) 聽了穿著古典服裝的莫扎特音樂會, 聽眾多為觀光客, 比正式的音樂會多了點講話聲和閃光燈, 但氣氛也輕鬆得多
Day 5: Vienna
先去熊布倫宫, 豪華度雖不比凡爾賽, 有趣的是路易十六老婆, Franz-Joseph, Sisi王妃的故事, 中午在市議會的地窖餐廳吃了本行最貴的一餐, 炸牛排和燉牛肉, 接著經過維也納大學, 佛洛伊德故居, 吃了Sachertorte, 逛街,
Day 6: Vienna
搭船遊多惱河, 三小時的航程太久, 再來去了分離派展示館, 只有一件Klimt的作品,晚上去Brahms Hall聽Vienna Boy's Choir, 讚
Day 7: Vienna-Hallstatt
旅程往西進入鹽湖區, 到了Hallstatt的小小火車站後還得坐渡輪才能到鎮上, 本來要去鹽礦, 但在山中迷了路, 錯過了最後一批導覽, 因為是budget traveller, 也沒有吃之前妄想的鳟魚大餐, 不過在這樣的小鎮, 閒晃享受湖光山色也就夠了
Day 8: Hallstatt-St.Wolfgang-Salzburg
湖區內的交通以postbus為主, 到St.Wolfgang主為是為了Shafberg登山鐵路, 可以到1700多公尺的山上享受360度視野, 火車頭是在車廂的後面用推的, 感覺下山比上山還難, 小鎮本身一樣是湖光山色, 沒什麼便宜的食物, 只買了包甜甜的花生, 晚上繼續往Salzburg, 第一次住dorm形式的青年旅館, 還蠻乾淨, 不過一樓的pub真是很吵
Day 9: Salzburg-Rothenburg
有條精緻的小街, 沿路商家都用鑄鐵招牌, 許多景點和莫扎特有關, 另外就是真善美的拍攝地, 照著旅遊書找了幾個, 也偷聽旁邊日本導遊的講解, 不過實在太久沒看電影, 看到了也沒什麼印像, 可能有看到唱doremi的花園, maria的修道院, 和最後躲藏的墓園, 下午下了場大雷雨, 廣場上本來有類似慕尼黑啤酒節的帳篷和遊樂設施, 遊客也隨著雨勢躲入了四周的教堂, 商店...傍晚前住下一站-德國
Day 10: Rothenburg-Heidelberg
浪漫之路上的中世紀小鎮, 二戰時損毀的東面城牆, 是世界各地的人集資修護, 所以可以看到一塊塊刻有贊助人名字的磚塊, 市政廳混合了哥德和文藝復興風格, 旁邊還有個建築在整點時會出現喝酒的市長人偶, 傳說他一口喝下3.5公升的酒而使本城免於戰火, 鎮上有精緻的聖誔裝飾商店, 不過大概只有日本觀光客買得下手, 還有種特殊的雪花圓球甜點
Day 11: Heidelberg
去了城堡, 有世界最大的啤酒桶, 大概4,5個人的高度, 海德堡大學的建築則散落市區各地, 跟其他地方比, 德國城市的主要大街就沒什麼好逛的, 不過看到家超大体育用品店, 本想買件Bayern Munich球衣, 太貴退而想買帽子, 但帽子是紅色的...這樣下去會不會以後只能穿彩色的? 橋頭有個有趣的拿著鏡子的狒狒像 http://www.jas9.com/archives/literal/000218.html
還有哲人小徑和學生之吻咖啡店, 晚上終於吃到德國豬腳
Day 12: Heidelberg-Frankfurt-London
不同於前兩個小城, Frankfurt有許多高樓大廈, 中午時許多上班族就站著解決了一餐, 由於時間有限, 只去了歌德故居, 原來他是上流貴族, 所以家裡也十分上流
要回倫敦時發生小插曲, 一直以為Frankfurt只有一個機場, 到了才發現還有一個Frankfurt Hahn airport, 而且在車程2小時之外的距離, 完全趕不上, 只好坐明早的班機回倫敦
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雖然只是流水帳也是寫得很累, 有空再補美食篇
Sep 4~6: Alan & Barbara's place
7: Chester
8: Stratford upon Avon
9: Moved out from Warwick
10~21: Czech, Austria, Germany
Day 1: London-Prague
一大早的easyjet班機, 前一晚就到了Gatwick機場待命, 有24小時商店和舒服的椅子, 是個夜宿機場的好地方, 飛行時間2小時, 一走出布拉格機場, 馬上感到歐陸和英國不一樣的熾熱陽光, 換著公車和捷運到了住宿處休息一下, 照著地圖的推薦來到一家像酒吧的餐廳吃了傳統料理, 喝比水還便宜的啤酒
喝飽吃足後順著new town的大街走向old town, 觀光客應該比當地居民多得多, 建築是都很美, 但沒有預期的那麼動人心絃, 經過布拉格廣場後來到查理橋, 短短的石橋有雕像, 小販, 街頭藝人, 晚上看了黑光劇, 有點不知所云, 最後在黑暗中成就了補眠, 也因為多花了這1000克朗, 剩下的兩天過著嚴格的糧食配給生活, 還好布拉格物價只比台北稍貴, 要找便宜的食物也不難
Day 2: Prague
上午的目標是布拉格城堡, 慢吞吞的晃著卻也正好趕上衛兵交接, 音樂和服裝頗有前共產國家的味道, 城堡是塊很大的區域, 裡面有教堂, 王宫, 還有卡夫卡的故居在條黃金小巷中(巷子從前住的是鍊金術士), 從城堡居高臨下可以看到整個市區及紅屋瓦, 接著在猶太區晃晃, 發現了budget traveller的好夥伴:超市, 果然買到便宜的烤雞, 晚餐吃了牛排和鴨胸, 總之這裡有名的就是肉類料理, 雖然不見得精緻, 但能吃得很爽
Day3: Prague-Cesky Krumlov
在公車總站一片混亂中上了車, 感覺就像外國人來到台北看著統聯, 飛狗等等不知到底要去那買票, 不過抵達後一切都是值得的, Cesky Krumlov是小河環繞的中世紀小鎮, 比布拉格少了過度的觀光渲染, 走在街上十分舒服, 如果有時間還可以去泛舟和騎馬
Day 4: CK-Vienna
早上搭公車到Ceske Budejovice換火車前往維也納, 一過國界換成奧地利的火車, 舒適度馬上提升, 維也納的大眾運輸非常方便, 寬敞的車廂對照著倫敦那古老, 悶熱, 狹小, 不時停駛的underground, 還有方便的路面電車和腳踏車專用道
晚上在Golden Hall (每年元旦維也納愛樂新年音樂會的場所) 聽了穿著古典服裝的莫扎特音樂會, 聽眾多為觀光客, 比正式的音樂會多了點講話聲和閃光燈, 但氣氛也輕鬆得多
Day 5: Vienna
先去熊布倫宫, 豪華度雖不比凡爾賽, 有趣的是路易十六老婆, Franz-Joseph, Sisi王妃的故事, 中午在市議會的地窖餐廳吃了本行最貴的一餐, 炸牛排和燉牛肉, 接著經過維也納大學, 佛洛伊德故居, 吃了Sachertorte, 逛街,
Day 6: Vienna
搭船遊多惱河, 三小時的航程太久, 再來去了分離派展示館, 只有一件Klimt的作品,晚上去Brahms Hall聽Vienna Boy's Choir, 讚
Day 7: Vienna-Hallstatt
旅程往西進入鹽湖區, 到了Hallstatt的小小火車站後還得坐渡輪才能到鎮上, 本來要去鹽礦, 但在山中迷了路, 錯過了最後一批導覽, 因為是budget traveller, 也沒有吃之前妄想的鳟魚大餐, 不過在這樣的小鎮, 閒晃享受湖光山色也就夠了
Day 8: Hallstatt-St.Wolfgang-Salzburg
湖區內的交通以postbus為主, 到St.Wolfgang主為是為了Shafberg登山鐵路, 可以到1700多公尺的山上享受360度視野, 火車頭是在車廂的後面用推的, 感覺下山比上山還難, 小鎮本身一樣是湖光山色, 沒什麼便宜的食物, 只買了包甜甜的花生, 晚上繼續往Salzburg, 第一次住dorm形式的青年旅館, 還蠻乾淨, 不過一樓的pub真是很吵
Day 9: Salzburg-Rothenburg
有條精緻的小街, 沿路商家都用鑄鐵招牌, 許多景點和莫扎特有關, 另外就是真善美的拍攝地, 照著旅遊書找了幾個, 也偷聽旁邊日本導遊的講解, 不過實在太久沒看電影, 看到了也沒什麼印像, 可能有看到唱doremi的花園, maria的修道院, 和最後躲藏的墓園, 下午下了場大雷雨, 廣場上本來有類似慕尼黑啤酒節的帳篷和遊樂設施, 遊客也隨著雨勢躲入了四周的教堂, 商店...傍晚前住下一站-德國
Day 10: Rothenburg-Heidelberg
浪漫之路上的中世紀小鎮, 二戰時損毀的東面城牆, 是世界各地的人集資修護, 所以可以看到一塊塊刻有贊助人名字的磚塊, 市政廳混合了哥德和文藝復興風格, 旁邊還有個建築在整點時會出現喝酒的市長人偶, 傳說他一口喝下3.5公升的酒而使本城免於戰火, 鎮上有精緻的聖誔裝飾商店, 不過大概只有日本觀光客買得下手, 還有種特殊的雪花圓球甜點
Day 11: Heidelberg
去了城堡, 有世界最大的啤酒桶, 大概4,5個人的高度, 海德堡大學的建築則散落市區各地, 跟其他地方比, 德國城市的主要大街就沒什麼好逛的, 不過看到家超大体育用品店, 本想買件Bayern Munich球衣, 太貴退而想買帽子, 但帽子是紅色的...這樣下去會不會以後只能穿彩色的? 橋頭有個有趣的拿著鏡子的狒狒像 http://www.jas9.com/archives/literal/000218.html
還有哲人小徑和學生之吻咖啡店, 晚上終於吃到德國豬腳
Day 12: Heidelberg-Frankfurt-London
不同於前兩個小城, Frankfurt有許多高樓大廈, 中午時許多上班族就站著解決了一餐, 由於時間有限, 只去了歌德故居, 原來他是上流貴族, 所以家裡也十分上流
要回倫敦時發生小插曲, 一直以為Frankfurt只有一個機場, 到了才發現還有一個Frankfurt Hahn airport, 而且在車程2小時之外的距離, 完全趕不上, 只好坐明早的班機回倫敦
-------
雖然只是流水帳也是寫得很累, 有空再補美食篇
Sunday, September 03, 2006
The United Kingdom Parliament
The House of Commons
The House of Lords
-------------------------
國會每年有固定時間開放導覽參觀, 學生價5鎊, 我覺得超值得, 內容包括:
Central Lobby:
往北和往南分別是連接往下議院和上議院的走道, 開議期間議員會在此遊說, 據說就是"lobby"這個字的由來
Westminster Hall:
現存最古老的國會建築, William Wallace, Guy Fawlkes, 查理一世曾在此接受審判
Royal Gallery:
有歷代君王的肖像和雕像, 有兩幅巨大的畫是描述Battle of Waterloo and Battle of Trafalgar, 每年國會開議(State Opening of Parliament), 女王會從白金漢宮搭馬車來到國會, 在Robing Chamber穿戴Robes of State and Imperial State Crown, 然後穿過Royal Gallery來到上議院(註一), 在圖右上角的王位上發表女王演說, 宣示未來一年的執政方針(內容是行政部門擬定的)
House of Lords:
Members are unelected and unpaid, 成員包含26名英國國教的主教, 還有一些世襲的成員, 用以前的說法就是貴族, 集會的場所較豪華, 用紅色為主色(註二),雖說是上議院, 其實權力不大
House of Commons:
即一般所指的國會, 也就是平常電視上看到Blair被質詢的地方, 執政黨及內閣成員坐在議長的右手邊, 主要在野黨則坐在左手邊, 職責主要在立法及監督政府
---------------
註一: 為何在上議院舉行? 查理一世在1642年曾率兵到下議院意圖逮捕五名國會議員, 但當時的議長拒絕了這項要求, 從此立下君王不得進入下議院的傳統
註二: 據說英國沒有天然的紅色染料, 所以紅色比綠色高級
Saturday, September 02, 2006
British TV
Spent 30 pounds for a 2nd-hand TV and 90 pounds for a 3/4 year of license. Because I use an indoor-antenna, I don't have signal for channel 5. What remains are: BBC1, BBC2, ITV, and Channel 4.
Soaps and Sit-com: unlike some hit U.S. programs we usually watch in Taiwan, British soaps and sit-coms are more down to earth, more subtle and maybe more sophisticated. Settings are usually in a family or between friends. It's more like watching your neighbours or fellow classmates. There's no fancy background music, no canned laughter, no variations of camera angles. A book says watching soaps is like being allowed to peer through the hidden life of neighbours.
Variety show: A famous one is the X-factor. Text-message votes and a panel of judges decide who can proceed to the next week's show. Good performers may earn themselves a record conract and become famous.
台灣的類似節目和毒舌裁判大概也是學這個的
http://www.xfactor.tv/
Reality show: The Apprentice. Several contenders strive for a job under Sir Alan Sugar with 6-figures pay. Each week they are assigned a mission, and at the end, Sir Alan decides whom to be fired. The last man/woman standing gets the job. Once you see the opening of the show, you'll know Alan is not the kind of boss you wanna come across, though u may learn a lot indeed from him. "YOU'RE LIGHT-WEIGHT, YOU'RE FIRED!!"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice/board/index.shtml
Quiz show: 謝震武那個節目可能是抄英國的吧, 連音樂,燈光都一模一樣
News: Yes, it looks like news. Nothing could be weirder than Taiwan's.
Sometimes the proceeding in the Parliament is live broadcasted. Everytime I watch that, I feel this country is really civilised.
Others: 有把家中骨董或收藏品拿來拍賣的節目, 園藝節目, 烹飪節目, 像discovery頻道的節目(這類的節目特有水準), 今天才發現一個用日常生活講解經濟學原理的節目, 講到info asymmetry, and how 'credible' signals work to alleviate the problem.
Soaps and Sit-com: unlike some hit U.S. programs we usually watch in Taiwan, British soaps and sit-coms are more down to earth, more subtle and maybe more sophisticated. Settings are usually in a family or between friends. It's more like watching your neighbours or fellow classmates. There's no fancy background music, no canned laughter, no variations of camera angles. A book says watching soaps is like being allowed to peer through the hidden life of neighbours.
Variety show: A famous one is the X-factor. Text-message votes and a panel of judges decide who can proceed to the next week's show. Good performers may earn themselves a record conract and become famous.
台灣的類似節目和毒舌裁判大概也是學這個的
http://www.xfactor.tv/
Reality show: The Apprentice. Several contenders strive for a job under Sir Alan Sugar with 6-figures pay. Each week they are assigned a mission, and at the end, Sir Alan decides whom to be fired. The last man/woman standing gets the job. Once you see the opening of the show, you'll know Alan is not the kind of boss you wanna come across, though u may learn a lot indeed from him. "YOU'RE LIGHT-WEIGHT, YOU'RE FIRED!!"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice/board/index.shtml
Quiz show: 謝震武那個節目可能是抄英國的吧, 連音樂,燈光都一模一樣
News: Yes, it looks like news. Nothing could be weirder than Taiwan's.
Sometimes the proceeding in the Parliament is live broadcasted. Everytime I watch that, I feel this country is really civilised.
Others: 有把家中骨董或收藏品拿來拍賣的節目, 園藝節目, 烹飪節目, 像discovery頻道的節目(這類的節目特有水準), 今天才發現一個用日常生活講解經濟學原理的節目, 講到info asymmetry, and how 'credible' signals work to alleviate the problem.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Behaviour Codes
1. Home rules:
Nomatter how small, the British likes to have a tiny patch of green in front of their house. The front garden acts as a public face, tidy but never actually used; whereas the back garden, surrounded by fences, is where they sit and relax.
Their houses are notoriously hard to find. There are at least 60 synonyms for 'street', and these names are usually carefully hidden, which may reflect their obsession with privacy. A home is like a castle where you can seclude yourself by moat and draw-bridge. Since it's your own territory, you've got to furnish it with your own taste.These territorial-marking behaviours can best be seen from their passion on DIYs.
2. Road rules:
Reading is a way to avoid eye contact with strangers. Exceptions to these denial attitude include: being polite, asking for info, amd moaning about traffic disruptions. Both in public transport and driving context, English politeness can be observed in queuing and drivers' courteous conduct. Seldom a horn is honked.
---------------
reference
Kate Fox, "Watching the English."
Nomatter how small, the British likes to have a tiny patch of green in front of their house. The front garden acts as a public face, tidy but never actually used; whereas the back garden, surrounded by fences, is where they sit and relax.
Their houses are notoriously hard to find. There are at least 60 synonyms for 'street', and these names are usually carefully hidden, which may reflect their obsession with privacy. A home is like a castle where you can seclude yourself by moat and draw-bridge. Since it's your own territory, you've got to furnish it with your own taste.These territorial-marking behaviours can best be seen from their passion on DIYs.
2. Road rules:
Reading is a way to avoid eye contact with strangers. Exceptions to these denial attitude include: being polite, asking for info, amd moaning about traffic disruptions. Both in public transport and driving context, English politeness can be observed in queuing and drivers' courteous conduct. Seldom a horn is honked.
---------------
reference
Kate Fox, "Watching the English."
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Coversation Codes
1. Weather Talk
Talkling about weather is always the start of conversation. It functions as:1. simple greeting 2. ice-breaker 3. when u have nothingelse to say.
Example:
A: Cold, isn't it? (hello, I'd like to talk to u)
B: Yes, but at least it's not raining.
2. Grooming Talk
No-name rule:
Hello, I am Bill, fom California (Ok, you're American)
Goodbye, eh..I didn't catch your name...Oh, I am Bill, by the way (Umm, you're British)
Guessing-game rule:
It's not allowed to ask directly, What do you do? Instead.....
A:The traffic was terrible, do u drive to work.
B: Yes, but I work at a hospital, at least I don't have to get in to the town centre.
A: Oh, you're a doctor, then (guess the highest status one)
Female bonding (Counter compliment rule)
A:Oh, I like your hairdo. I wish I had a straight hair like yours...
B:No, my hair is terrible. I wish I could have it short like you...
Male bonding (Mine's better than yours rule)
Long goodbye rule:
Well, see u soon...Oh,yes, we must..goodbye...thanks again...lovely time...must leave, traffic...Fine, really...you must come around to us next time...I'll email u tomorrow...
(God, I thought they were never going to go)
Humor rule:
serious but not solemn, sincere but not earnest. Never take one thing too seriously.
key words: irony, understatement, self-deprecation
Language and class:
upper-middle lower-middle
----------------------------------------
loo toilet
sorry pardon
napkin serviette
lunch dinner
sofa couch
sitting room living room
pudding sweet
3. Pub talk:
Bar counter is a place where normal rules are abandoned. It's accepatable to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger. You won't see an orderly queue for drink, but all customers and staff are aware of each person's position in the invisible queue.
Rule of argument:
A: What?
B: I didn't say anything
A: Yes, u did.
B: No, I didn't!
A: U did, u said it's my round.
B: I didn't say anything, but now u come to mention it, it's your round!
A: Bull shit! it's Joey's round.
B: Then why are u hassling me about it, eh?
A: I'm not, u started it!
B: No, I didn't
A: Did!
---------------
reference
Kate Fox, "Watching the English."
Talkling about weather is always the start of conversation. It functions as:1. simple greeting 2. ice-breaker 3. when u have nothingelse to say.
Example:
A: Cold, isn't it? (hello, I'd like to talk to u)
B: Yes, but at least it's not raining.
2. Grooming Talk
No-name rule:
Hello, I am Bill, fom California (Ok, you're American)
Goodbye, eh..I didn't catch your name...Oh, I am Bill, by the way (Umm, you're British)
Guessing-game rule:
It's not allowed to ask directly, What do you do? Instead.....
A:The traffic was terrible, do u drive to work.
B: Yes, but I work at a hospital, at least I don't have to get in to the town centre.
A: Oh, you're a doctor, then (guess the highest status one)
Female bonding (Counter compliment rule)
A:Oh, I like your hairdo. I wish I had a straight hair like yours...
B:No, my hair is terrible. I wish I could have it short like you...
Male bonding (Mine's better than yours rule)
Long goodbye rule:
Well, see u soon...Oh,yes, we must..goodbye...thanks again...lovely time...must leave, traffic...Fine, really...you must come around to us next time...I'll email u tomorrow...
(God, I thought they were never going to go)
Humor rule:
serious but not solemn, sincere but not earnest. Never take one thing too seriously.
key words: irony, understatement, self-deprecation
Language and class:
upper-middle lower-middle
----------------------------------------
loo toilet
sorry pardon
napkin serviette
lunch dinner
sofa couch
sitting room living room
pudding sweet
3. Pub talk:
Bar counter is a place where normal rules are abandoned. It's accepatable to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger. You won't see an orderly queue for drink, but all customers and staff are aware of each person's position in the invisible queue.
Rule of argument:
A: What?
B: I didn't say anything
A: Yes, u did.
B: No, I didn't!
A: U did, u said it's my round.
B: I didn't say anything, but now u come to mention it, it's your round!
A: Bull shit! it's Joey's round.
B: Then why are u hassling me about it, eh?
A: I'm not, u started it!
B: No, I didn't
A: Did!
---------------
reference
Kate Fox, "Watching the English."
Friday, August 25, 2006
British Food - (3)
Fish and Chips
Seafood from Oban in Scotland
在蘇格蘭西海岸吃到的新鮮海鮮, 不過英國好像沒有所謂的百元快炒, 海鮮也是水煮的
Pork and Guinness Sausage with Colcannon
混了青菜的馬鈴薯泥配上香腸
Irish Stew
愛爾蘭傳統庶民食
More on Sports
Besides football, popular sports in the UK include rugby, snooker, tennis, motor racing, cricket....
The most popular event for rugby might be the six nations tournament held between February and March. The six nations are England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, and Italy. Can't say much because I'm totally not familiar with them. Only the agility and power in a game seem so cool.
World Snooker Championship is held at Sheffield. It's not much like the 9-ball we used to see in Taiwan, the table is larger and holes smaller, which suggest the more precision needed. I only followed some games casually. It seems a good player needs to be patient and mentally strong cuz a frame can last up to an hour when complicate strategies involved during each play. A single miss shot or wrong decision can ruin your game. In the final, Graeme Dott withstood the fight back from Ebdon and won the Champion. Can see how huge the pressure was on him after he finally grabbed the victory and showed his emotion.
Needless to say, Wimbledon is the biggest event for tennis. Will go to London next month and probably see one or two Taiwanese players.
There's also a F1 GP to be held in June. Alonso keeps doing well this season, Schumacher is catching up recently. Though Michael is the record setter, Ayrton Senna's accident on circuit possibly left him as the best ever, at least in some people's mind.
I can never understand how cricket works....
The most popular event for rugby might be the six nations tournament held between February and March. The six nations are England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, and Italy. Can't say much because I'm totally not familiar with them. Only the agility and power in a game seem so cool.
World Snooker Championship is held at Sheffield. It's not much like the 9-ball we used to see in Taiwan, the table is larger and holes smaller, which suggest the more precision needed. I only followed some games casually. It seems a good player needs to be patient and mentally strong cuz a frame can last up to an hour when complicate strategies involved during each play. A single miss shot or wrong decision can ruin your game. In the final, Graeme Dott withstood the fight back from Ebdon and won the Champion. Can see how huge the pressure was on him after he finally grabbed the victory and showed his emotion.
Needless to say, Wimbledon is the biggest event for tennis. Will go to London next month and probably see one or two Taiwanese players.
There's also a F1 GP to be held in June. Alonso keeps doing well this season, Schumacher is catching up recently. Though Michael is the record setter, Ayrton Senna's accident on circuit possibly left him as the best ever, at least in some people's mind.
I can never understand how cricket works....
Wimbledon 2006
草地網球的聖地溫布敦,想進入中央球場或第一球場,要靠運氣抽籤,或在ebay上買叫價數百磅的票,不然就是前一天晚上來排隊買保留給當天出售的少許門票,對廣大的平民觀眾而言,就只能買ground ticket入場觀看第二球場的站位和其他周圍球場的比賽,我們一早走出地鐵站沒多久,就看到工作人員指引我們去排隊,沿路還有人發送報紙,水,果汁,開始排隊後就會領到一張印刷精美的queue card(就像號碼牌),早上九點多已經排到3700多號,等到入場已經11:30了,正好趕上12點開始的第一場比賽
王宇佐 vs. Oliver Marach:
兩個人的排名都是世界九十幾,但王的表現明顯較好,底線和網前的處理都很好,調小球的成功率又超高,也很少非受迫性失誤,6-1,7-6連拿兩盤後,對手就越顯無力,場邊還有幾十個台灣加油隊在助陣,還唱起吉米加油歌和國歌,跟別國球迷只會喊些come on,台灣加油隊顯得特別引人注目,第三盤結果6-0,王晋級第二輪(第二輪輸給第八種子James Blake)
p.s. 李昆霖的旅遊日誌,內有溫布敦照片http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~kl217202/wimbledon2.html
看完第一場後,晃到第一球場外的大草坪,可以看大銀幕轉播中央球場或第一球場的比賽,因為大家都為英國希望Henman加油,所以就被稱為Henman Hill,半路上看了一下Daniela Hantuchova,是身高180的斯洛伐克辣妹,接著看到了Paradorn Srichaphan,亞洲第一高手的斯里查潘今天打了五盤後落敗,只能說他超壯的,比王宇佐整整大了一號,感覺比較像歐美球員,有強力發球和正拍
接著我們去第二球場,進場後正進行著Mark Philippoussis的比賽,從2004年後走下坡的他,現在排名跌到200多,觀眾還是一面倒的幫他加油,來到最後搶七僵持不下時,加油詞從you can do it, you will do it, you should have done it各種時態都出來了,最後打到14-12
最後的重頭戲: British No.1 Greg Rusedski vs. Former World No.1 Marat Safin, 發球時速240km的魯塞斯基就不多提了,還是趕快交棒給Murray吧,帥氣的Safin理了個小平頭,比起Sampras或Federer,我更喜歡Ivanisevic和Safin,暴起暴落的情緒和傷癒復出的奮戰才像是human being
離開前看了一下盧彥勲的比賽,很可惜的輸了,若是獲勝下一場他就會在中央球場遇上第二種子Nadal,今天台灣選手還有詹詠然和謝淑薇都在第一輪出局
以下轉錄自蕃薯藤運動網:
http://sports.yam.com/show.php?id=0000043648
〈網球〉冠軍盃的價值
翁子婷
01-14 14:30
台灣好手盧彥勳本週在印度馬德拉斯舉行的舍奈網球公開賽(Chennai Open)和德國名將舒特勒成功的擊敗對手，攜手拿下生平第一座ATP雙打冠軍盃。盧彥勳新春的印度大捷，除進帳1萬4400美元，他的單、雙排名也都可順利的擠進世界前100名內。
這是一個讓人振奮的新聞，也是讓所有台灣網球人所引以為傲的一件好消息。盧彥勳的成功，讓更多體育人來注意網球運動，也讓政府單位更重視網球選手的真實力。但這股熱潮可以持續多久，一年，半年，還是又只有曇花一現呢？
有時候我真的很替這些正在打拼的台灣網球選手們很抱不平，因為他們真的很拼，也真的很爭氣，但有誰真正的關心，又有誰在乎呢？體育相關的那些大官員們，還是永遠搞不清楚狀況，還是永遠只知道照顧那些所謂重點項目之選手，而常常忽略了另一些不被列為重點項目，卻有傑出表現的選手們。台灣的網球選手一直都很優秀，但是相較於其他項目，網球選手向來資源貧乏，只能自立自強，而網球相關單位是不是應該要為這些優異的網球選手們多爭取一些資源或給予更多的協助才不負其職呢？畢竟職業網壇這一條路，沒有走過就很難能了解其中的艱辛與美好，我們現役的小選手們的努力，真的值得更多體委會與網球協會的愛護！
盧彥勳的成功，告訴了我們，網球已經不再是像以往一樣只是歐洲人或美國人所能從事的運動。現今的網球，未來的網球世界，東方人絕對能擁有一片天的。但如果我們的體委會，我們的網球協會這些執權者，不支持也不去在乎的話，我想，這一切都還是空談，因為選手的力量真的有限。
拿下生平第一座ATP雙打冠軍獎盃，並打破台灣男網界30年以來的歷史紀錄，應該是要很開心的。但奪牌選手盧彥勳在專訪中卻指出：「在我的國家，政府只贊助有奪牌希望的運動項目或選手；私人企業有興趣贊助的是有人氣的運動，例如棒球。」這段話道出了很多無奈，也道出了選手們內心深處隱藏已久的聲音。
請別讓一個很有理想，很有希望的選手，最後卻淪落為必需要爲下一站的比賽經費而煩惱，因為經費不足而無法去參加比賽，也請別讓他們對大環境真的徹底的失望後，而去放棄了圓夢的機會。
盧彥勳這位國內男網界第一把交易的男選手，真的很棒！我欣賞他的直言，也欣賞他在網球路上的執著。我想，我們現在能做的，除了是給予他無限的祝福及鼓勵之外，我們還可以一起來呼籲國內體育相關單位，拿出更專業的態度與支持來看待選手的努力！
--------------------------
The Wimbledon tournament is winding down to the semis, and few games are played on outside courts. May be for this reason, there were no queues for tickets anymore. I showed up at 10:30 and tickets for No.1 court are still available! What's luckier is someone just returned his centre court ticket to the box office and I am the lucky one to get his ticket. Centre court tickets for the final 4 days are all presold so the 77 pound ticket really worths it.
算了,還是用中文寫吧, 總之正好有人退票, 票亭的人問我要不要買, 猶豫了一下就出手了, 畢竟今天可以看到男子前四強...
中央球場沒有想像中的大, 坐在快最上面還是看得很清楚, 觀眾大概有三分之一是穿正式服裝, royal box裡面的更是人人西裝, 過程異常安靜, 只有play和play之間會有觀眾的加油聲, 只有球員休息的時間觀眾才能走動, 飛進觀眾席的球也不能A走, 簡直像古典音樂會
第一場是Federer vs Bjorkman, 費天王果然神, 穿著他的白西裝外套走入場內, 一面倒的過程簡直像不同level的人在比賽, 老比克留在底線也是死, 上網8成被穿越, 自己失誤也多, 費天王打出神奇好球就像吃飯一樣容易, 77分鐘過後比賽結束, 天王穿回西裝外套, 不知流了多少汗?
第二場的Nadal vs. Baghdatis 精采多了, 觀眾也重燃熱情, 幫賽浦路斯男加油的還挺多的, 面對西班牙左手像鞭子一樣揮出的topspin, 巴格達提斯還能糾纏蠻久的, 雙方都不時為自己的精采表現振臂喝采, 隔壁帶著女兒的胖媽媽熱情大喊加油, 女兒本來還跟她媽說大家都在看妳, 媽回說"I don't care", 到後來女兒也開始大吼
王宇佐 vs. Oliver Marach:
兩個人的排名都是世界九十幾,但王的表現明顯較好,底線和網前的處理都很好,調小球的成功率又超高,也很少非受迫性失誤,6-1,7-6連拿兩盤後,對手就越顯無力,場邊還有幾十個台灣加油隊在助陣,還唱起吉米加油歌和國歌,跟別國球迷只會喊些come on,台灣加油隊顯得特別引人注目,第三盤結果6-0,王晋級第二輪(第二輪輸給第八種子James Blake)
p.s. 李昆霖的旅遊日誌,內有溫布敦照片http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~kl217202/wimbledon2.html
看完第一場後,晃到第一球場外的大草坪,可以看大銀幕轉播中央球場或第一球場的比賽,因為大家都為英國希望Henman加油,所以就被稱為Henman Hill,半路上看了一下Daniela Hantuchova,是身高180的斯洛伐克辣妹,接著看到了Paradorn Srichaphan,亞洲第一高手的斯里查潘今天打了五盤後落敗,只能說他超壯的,比王宇佐整整大了一號,感覺比較像歐美球員,有強力發球和正拍
接著我們去第二球場,進場後正進行著Mark Philippoussis的比賽,從2004年後走下坡的他,現在排名跌到200多,觀眾還是一面倒的幫他加油,來到最後搶七僵持不下時,加油詞從you can do it, you will do it, you should have done it各種時態都出來了,最後打到14-12
最後的重頭戲: British No.1 Greg Rusedski vs. Former World No.1 Marat Safin, 發球時速240km的魯塞斯基就不多提了,還是趕快交棒給Murray吧,帥氣的Safin理了個小平頭,比起Sampras或Federer,我更喜歡Ivanisevic和Safin,暴起暴落的情緒和傷癒復出的奮戰才像是human being
離開前看了一下盧彥勲的比賽,很可惜的輸了,若是獲勝下一場他就會在中央球場遇上第二種子Nadal,今天台灣選手還有詹詠然和謝淑薇都在第一輪出局
以下轉錄自蕃薯藤運動網:
http://sports.yam.com/show.php?id=0000043648
〈網球〉冠軍盃的價值
翁子婷
01-14 14:30
台灣好手盧彥勳本週在印度馬德拉斯舉行的舍奈網球公開賽(Chennai Open)和德國名將舒特勒成功的擊敗對手，攜手拿下生平第一座ATP雙打冠軍盃。盧彥勳新春的印度大捷，除進帳1萬4400美元，他的單、雙排名也都可順利的擠進世界前100名內。
這是一個讓人振奮的新聞，也是讓所有台灣網球人所引以為傲的一件好消息。盧彥勳的成功，讓更多體育人來注意網球運動，也讓政府單位更重視網球選手的真實力。但這股熱潮可以持續多久，一年，半年，還是又只有曇花一現呢？
有時候我真的很替這些正在打拼的台灣網球選手們很抱不平，因為他們真的很拼，也真的很爭氣，但有誰真正的關心，又有誰在乎呢？體育相關的那些大官員們，還是永遠搞不清楚狀況，還是永遠只知道照顧那些所謂重點項目之選手，而常常忽略了另一些不被列為重點項目，卻有傑出表現的選手們。台灣的網球選手一直都很優秀，但是相較於其他項目，網球選手向來資源貧乏，只能自立自強，而網球相關單位是不是應該要為這些優異的網球選手們多爭取一些資源或給予更多的協助才不負其職呢？畢竟職業網壇這一條路，沒有走過就很難能了解其中的艱辛與美好，我們現役的小選手們的努力，真的值得更多體委會與網球協會的愛護！
盧彥勳的成功，告訴了我們，網球已經不再是像以往一樣只是歐洲人或美國人所能從事的運動。現今的網球，未來的網球世界，東方人絕對能擁有一片天的。但如果我們的體委會，我們的網球協會這些執權者，不支持也不去在乎的話，我想，這一切都還是空談，因為選手的力量真的有限。
拿下生平第一座ATP雙打冠軍獎盃，並打破台灣男網界30年以來的歷史紀錄，應該是要很開心的。但奪牌選手盧彥勳在專訪中卻指出：「在我的國家，政府只贊助有奪牌希望的運動項目或選手；私人企業有興趣贊助的是有人氣的運動，例如棒球。」這段話道出了很多無奈，也道出了選手們內心深處隱藏已久的聲音。
請別讓一個很有理想，很有希望的選手，最後卻淪落為必需要爲下一站的比賽經費而煩惱，因為經費不足而無法去參加比賽，也請別讓他們對大環境真的徹底的失望後，而去放棄了圓夢的機會。
盧彥勳這位國內男網界第一把交易的男選手，真的很棒！我欣賞他的直言，也欣賞他在網球路上的執著。我想，我們現在能做的，除了是給予他無限的祝福及鼓勵之外，我們還可以一起來呼籲國內體育相關單位，拿出更專業的態度與支持來看待選手的努力！
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The Wimbledon tournament is winding down to the semis, and few games are played on outside courts. May be for this reason, there were no queues for tickets anymore. I showed up at 10:30 and tickets for No.1 court are still available! What's luckier is someone just returned his centre court ticket to the box office and I am the lucky one to get his ticket. Centre court tickets for the final 4 days are all presold so the 77 pound ticket really worths it.
算了,還是用中文寫吧, 總之正好有人退票, 票亭的人問我要不要買, 猶豫了一下就出手了, 畢竟今天可以看到男子前四強...
中央球場沒有想像中的大, 坐在快最上面還是看得很清楚, 觀眾大概有三分之一是穿正式服裝, royal box裡面的更是人人西裝, 過程異常安靜, 只有play和play之間會有觀眾的加油聲, 只有球員休息的時間觀眾才能走動, 飛進觀眾席的球也不能A走, 簡直像古典音樂會
第一場是Federer vs Bjorkman, 費天王果然神, 穿著他的白西裝外套走入場內, 一面倒的過程簡直像不同level的人在比賽, 老比克留在底線也是死, 上網8成被穿越, 自己失誤也多, 費天王打出神奇好球就像吃飯一樣容易, 77分鐘過後比賽結束, 天王穿回西裝外套, 不知流了多少汗?
第二場的Nadal vs. Baghdatis 精采多了, 觀眾也重燃熱情, 幫賽浦路斯男加油的還挺多的, 面對西班牙左手像鞭子一樣揮出的topspin, 巴格達提斯還能糾纏蠻久的, 雙方都不時為自己的精采表現振臂喝采, 隔壁帶著女兒的胖媽媽熱情大喊加油, 女兒本來還跟她媽說大家都在看妳, 媽回說"I don't care", 到後來女兒也開始大吼
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Westminster Abbey
Like Rome, a historical place was not built in a day. It's the heritage that shines the abbey. There are tombs of kings and queens, countless memorials to the famous and great. Since William the Conqueror, almost every king and queen was crowned here.
© Dean & Chapter of Westminster Abbey 2003
It's the coronation chair, which has been used in almost every coronation since 1308. The Stone of Scorn, kept in Edinburgh Castle now, will be put under this seat in the next coronation.
The New York Times: Chien-Ming Wang Interview
Picture taken from the New York Times
By TYLER KEPNER
Published: August 13, 2006
Interview:
http://0rz.net/b21Kx
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Shakesperience
The newly built Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon
The Stage is very close to most of the audiences.
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Henry VI, Part I
Could hardly understand the lines. Basiclly, it was about the war between England and France. After the coronation of the infant Henry VI, France, led by Joan of Arc, exploits the fierce power struggles happening in England and battles to reclaim the French lands lost to Henry V.
Though the stage itself is quite small, they fully utilized the whole space available, hanging in the air, stairs, under the stage, even showing up in the aisles.
Was excited in the beginning, but after 30 minutes, I was so sleepy but can't sleep because I am too close to the stage. So I moved to the back low after the interval, and napped until the death of Joan of Arc. Maybe choose another play next time....
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