Saturday, September 10, 2005

終身成就

日本動畫導演宮崎駿週五在威尼斯影展獲頒終身成就獎,他表示,他對於作品只在國內造成轟動卻無法在海外獲得迴響,一點也不在意。以害羞聞名的他,今年跟其他幾位亞洲導演都面臨必須對作品在西方國家票房欠佳做解釋的窘境。

宮崎駿至今仍親自動手作畫以構思童話影片,最出名的作品是心思刻畫細膩、劇情感人的奧斯卡得獎片《神隱少女》,該片跟《神奇寶貝》之類單純天真的日本動畫形象大異其趣。在被問到為何他別具風格的影片仍無法在海外大賣時,他回答記者說,「每個人都有他的偏好,這無所謂。像我從來不打高爾夫或網球--我就是不喜歡這些運動。」

滿頭白髮的宮崎駿1941年生於東京,在威尼斯麗都飯店領獎時,受到熱淚盈眶的觀眾起立鼓掌致敬。其實他認為終身成就獎是「給退休老人的玩意」,原本打算缺席。但是他聽說Clint Eastwood以Million Dollar Baby贏得奧斯卡獎之前也領過終身成就獎,於是改變心意。

宮崎駿承認他喜歡卡通短片,做長片「只是為了賺錢」。

備: 喜歡他的老實,不做作,不來就不來,不需要特別因由,也可以為一無關的小事而改變初衷!我相信,也只有那些真正喜歡的,才會在他的工作上不停追求至善,為找尋新靈感而苦思難眠,人生的確是需要這點兒的執意,令空洞無聊的生活添加色彩!

- 路透威尼斯電 Sept2005-

Thursday, September 08, 2005

椰子樹

某週末跟老爸去行商場買家庭電器, 走了數間店子還是不合他的心水!無辦法,唯有打道回府,皆因本小姐好無鬼用,行街兩步已經覺得有點累!不過這一趟也不至白行的,皆因我一眼觀七,要買的沒看中,沒關事的卻是熱心得很,特別是這玩意!那些店子除了是賣家庭電器的,都有一共同點—椰子樹!在左近便有盆一人高度的椰子樹,白色盆子, 盆口有個半球體,唔駛問阿貴, 一看便知是椰子啦, 高高瘦瘦的莖很是有力,末了有數片大椰葉散開,看似粗枝大葉但很是清雅,難怪難怪, 難怪每一角要放一盆,夏天吧,要消暑消暑!

看見了,又怎會放過呢?(雖然早十幾廿年前已看過也知道)
女: 老豆,好得意咿, 椰子樹哦!
爸: ??? 係呀, 室內品種一個人高啦,經常見呀,有問題咩?
女: 無呀, 不如我地都整盆玩下呢
爸: 吓?女,咪玩野, 又種?
女: (抽起顆椰子樹) 你睇?好易咋,唔駛點淋水, 唔駛點打理,就可以有顆樹啦!
爸: 你話咋?邊位打理呀?
女: 我囉, 我來我來,種呀種呀!
爸: 唔得架,無時間呀,我地打道回府啦!

兩天後,老爸從街市買了個椰子回來, 興奮地告訴我那老闆幫他要了個最好的,
女:最好的? 最好的=多少銀兩?
爸:十五元,平否?
女: 老豆,呀樓下李超人間店也有椰子賣哦, 人家賣六元咋!
爸: 六元?不可能呀, 全街市也是一價錢,難道人家一起騙我乎?
女: 好明顯,重駛問阿貴?
爸: 我這個好過那李超人的幾倍架!
女: …………………..

椰子倒也是入了土,安於白盆內!不可不讚老爸,他倒是比我更勤,天天淋水,細心照料,或者是想証明一點---[我這個好過那李超人的幾倍],未幾. 芽發了, 莖慢條斯理地生長,今天長了點,明天又長了點,咿?有葉哦,椰子葉哦!老爸很高興,看?這一種才是種植的,價錢當然有出入啦!咁,咁,李超人的難道只是用來放和等人買乎?@@

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Get Out of This Room

I have tried this game before and made it but now I am again trapped in the room and have no idea how I have my way out last time. So, am I clever or stupid? @@

Notes:
There are 13 items hidden in this room in order to let you get out of this room. If you found:

0-6 items, your IQ is very low, total idiot
6-8 items, Low IQ, u r an idiot
9-10 items, u r normal
11-12 items, your IQ is high, above the average.
13 items found and get out of the room, there are less than 4000 people in the world can do it.

The only clue I will give is "1994". Get out of the house!
This will drive you mad!

There are less than 4000 people in the world who can escape this house I don't believe this, but it sounds good. So have a try

-

日語自遊行

假若給你選擇學習一種外語,很多人都會選擇日語,就當下我們的衣食住行好像也離不開日本文化的衝擊和洗禮! 我們代步的車子日本入口的佔大部份,時下的家庭用品,電器數碼經已和日本寫上等號, 身上的衣物服飾都不能幸免,姐妹們的化妝用品也有源自日本製造,還有,今晚去吃魚生還是拉麵? 他說要去東京迪士尼,她說剛從北海道回來,還有還有,你我他愛看日劇,漫畫,宮崎駿電影,那些不能細數但伴我成長的卡通片, 你不會告訴我你不知道叮噹吧?

在此聲明,我並不是祟日分子,也支持抗日活動要日本正待歷史!但事實歸事實, 我們生活好像已離不開日本文化,或者適量的知識對我們生活也是一種方便,身旁總不乏懂得兩句的朋友仔,打打招呼,看看說明書!

學習外語?有人會去上學,學習正規的語音,再一級級的考試!當然也有人純為興趣,自我學習消磨時間,一個人學習有時的確寂寞,不如e-learning module來得有趣,原來香港日本文化恊會早和和港台便合辨[日語自遊行]這e-learning module玩意,專業教授旅遊日語,務必令你在日本旅遊更方便,玩得開心! 有興趣者這裡請便,努力努力!

Friday, September 02, 2005

The Rainbow Connection

Why are there so many songs about rainbows,
and what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
and rainbows have nothing to hide.

So we've been told, and some choose to believe it;
I know they're wrong; wait and see.
Some day we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
the lovers, the dreamers, and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard and answered
when wished on a falling star?
Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it;
look what it's done so far.

What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing,
and what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
the lovers, the dreamers, and me.

All of us under its spell, we know it's probably magic

Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same.

I've heard it too many times to ignore it.
It's something that I'm suppose to be.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
the lovers, the dreamers, and me.

la da da dee da da do la la da da da de da do

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

The Way We Were

Mem'ries light the corners of our mind
Misty water-colored mem'ries of the way we were

Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we gave to one another for the way we were.

Can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line
If we had the chance to do it all again, tell me, would we, could we

Mem'ries may be beautiful and yet
What's too painful to remember we simply choose to forget
So it's the laughter we will remember
Whenever we remember the way we were.

The way we were.

Notes: Words and Music by Marvin Hamlisch. Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman title song from the movie 'The Way We Were'.

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Blowing in the wind

To friends of mine here..

How many roads must a man walk down,
before they call him a man?
How many seas must a white dove sail,
before she sleeps in the sand?
How many times must a cannon ball fly,
before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind.
 
How many years can a mountain exist,
before it is washed to the sea?
How many years can some people exist,
before they're allowed to be free?
How many times can a man turn his head,
and pretend that he just doesn't see?
The answer is blowing in the wind.

How many times must a man look up,
before he can see the sky?
How many ears must one man have,
before he can hear people cry?
How many deaths will it take till he knows,
that too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind.
The answer is blowing in the wind.

Yesterday is a history. Tomorrow is a misery.
And friends, what we have is today. Treasure and work hard!

Sunday, August 28, 2005

My Interest

Still remember what Snoopy mentioned she likes to learn drawing but chose piano for her interest even so while she was young. And? No that serious to the degree of regret but she gets feeling of sorry towards her drawing and thinks to learn it few years later? And I encouraged her to start now.

It’s long time no picking up my pen since my Secondary. I still remembered that I had joined Art Club in schooling since Form I and attended a weekly class doing nothing. It just liked a type of gathering with fun. We spent time in drawing, painting, potting, stage design, photographing, more and more. Memory fades when time goes by and what it left is 5-years record staying in Art Club but no a piece of outstanding production. That exactly like what a Chinese proverb commented “armed with lots of knife but none of can cut meat”!

Sometimes, I just doubted myself. May it be good to learn a musical instrument like violin etc., so at least I can still play a nice piece for joy? And now I learn flute for compensation. That’s exactly similar to the thought of Snoopy in someway. Somehow, knowledge and skill have time to accumulate via years practice. I am sure myself no the one gifted and needs hard work to acquire. And after going through the learning process, you may get more ideas which aspect you are good at or much interest in.

Last Friday, it’s Uncle Bill’s birthday and I have been invited to dinner. He is a retired police but carries a funny appearance and character. Try to imagine that an elder who is short, fat and bald but smart and greet you a smile always. Just thought I have to do something for him and finally picked my pen again. I drew his appearance a night before according to my memory stored. Hope it no too bad. And he told me he loved it!

What type are YOU?

It's a psychological test from 程霜. A self evaluation testing again but just a click on the shape you find most appealing. It's easy.

It comments me : Analytical trustworthy self-assured

You appreciate high quality and things that endure. Consequently, you like to surround yourself with little "gems," which are often overlooked by others.

Culture and tradition are important to you.

You have found your own personal style, which is elegant and exclusive, free from the whims of fashion.

Your ideal, upon which you base your life, is sophisticated pleasure.

I have done alot recently. Is it valid this one? @@

- What type are YOU? -

Friday, August 26, 2005

郵差騎馬送信

加拿大郵局規定,郵差可駕自己汽車送信,政府會提供用油補貼,一名女郵差為了省錢而騎馬送信。

由於近年汽油價格飆升,加國安大略省史密斯市郵差貝耶最近發現,以目前一公升汽油價格超過加幣一元的情況,開自己車送信獲得的油資補貼根本不夠用,她等於送信還須自己貼錢。按規定,加國郵局可對油資補助每公里0.44加元。於是這名郵差將自己的車賣了,買一匹馬送信,一方面節省開支,一方面也向郵局抗議車油補助不夠。

史密斯市的郵局對於貝耶的抗議行為不置評。但郵局承認,自前年設定每公里補貼0.44加元資補貼以來,汽油價格已上升了一倍。

- 要返工又要還須自己貼錢? 那不如留在家中什麼也不做? 真係世界難撈呀! -

Pandas

Four giant pandas drink water at a pool at the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Centre in Wolong, southwest China's Sichuan province, August 26, 2005. Taiwan experts will arrive in Wolong Friday night to take part in the selection of two giant pandas as gifts of the Chinese mainland to Taiwan.

- CHINA OUT REUTERS/China Newsphoto -

Thursday, August 25, 2005

情是如何滋味,既酸亦苦也甜!

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

What is Love?

What is Love?
Is it bitter-sweet?
Is it a god or goddess, like Aphrodite and Eros? Is love the need for reunion of the split halves of a single creature? Is love spiritual aspiration, or is it sexual passion?
Tell me if you know it :)

The Piano Man

Remember? He was found wandering on a beach in Kent in April and he would not speak a word. The one thing the apparently traumatised man did was to play the piano beautifully. Or did he?

After four months of feverish speculation about the real identity of the man "washed up" on a Kent beach, we have the answer we didn't want.

A collective sense of anticlimax, maybe even a sense of being cheated, prevails as the mystery unravels around the haunted-looking stranger who suddenly appeared in our midst.

He isn't the tortured genius people willed him to be; he could speak all along; he wasn't a pianist of even moderate skill. And, we're told, he wasn't autistic.

Instead he is a 20-year-old Bavarian, named in reports as Andreas Grassl, who has flown back to Germany. And with him goes both the Hollywood ending and the magical possibilty that something would remain unsolved in a world which likes to explain everything.
People tend to dream in the way they desired but most of time is disappointed by the fact. In fact, it isn't too. That's life!

- News Reporting 24Aug05 -

Sunday, August 21, 2005

The Shaw Prize 2005

The Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences 2005
Biographical Note of Shaw Laureate

Andrew Wiles (b. 1953) is a professor at Princeton University. He earned his B.A. from Oxford University (1974) and Ph.D. from Cambridge University, UK (1979). Following in the footsteps of his father, Professor Wiles went on to become an assistant professor at Harvard University. In 1982 he became a lecturer at the Institute for Advanced Studies and professor of mathematics at Princeton. In 1994 Professor Wiles was appointed Eugene Higgins Professor of Mathematics at Princeton.

He astonished the world's mathematical community in 1994 when he unveiled his solution to Fermat's Last Theorem. In 1996 he was awarded the Common Wealth Award for Science and Invention, and elected as a foreign member to the National Academy of Sciences of the United States.

Research Contributions - Fermat's Last Theorem
The equation
x**2 + y**2 = z**2
has infinitely many solutions for which x, y and z are positive integers. The smallest such solution is
3**2 + 4**2 = 5**2
which has been known since antiquity. In 1630 Fermat (1601-1665) conjectured that the more general equation
x**n + y**n = z**n, for n = integer > 2,
has no integer solutions. This was later called Fermat's last theorem. It remained the most famous unproven conjecture in mathematics for more than three centuries until 1994 when Wiles completed his long and difficult proof, which uses powerful mathematical ideas and insights developed in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Being a scientist is dull in appearance sometimes but it charms in intelligence. They bring life into advance benefiting human being in many countless days and nights working hard alone. They are nameless benefactor to all of us.

Swan Lake

Swan Lake, for which Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky composed the music, is a dramatic ballet receiving worldwide attention and applause for it’s excellent composition.

- Story -
The fairy-tale plot of Swan Lake revolves around love between Prince Siegfried and a beautiful Princess Odette. The Princess is under a spell cast by the wicked sorcerer Rotbart: she will be transformed into a swan everyday and reassumes to human form at night. Only the absolutely faithful love of a man can break the spell, and at the end Siegfried's love for Odette triumphs over the forces of evil. The lovers are united in life after death.

However, even such great piece of ballet it failed when it was first staged in Moscow in 1877. Later Lev Icanov and Marius Petipa then choreographed a new version. Their Swan Lake was first performed in 1895 at the Maryinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg.

The piece of Swan Lake: Theme of the Swans gets good melody and sounds great played by various musical instruments. I did it today with my flute at home with a very slow rhythm but a light sorrow feeling comes up? Just doubt it’s my mood plus the outside rain. Maybe I have to practice more in order to catch the tone of theme soon. Once a week?

Dog cloned

According to the journal Nature, the Korean team led by Professor Woo Suk Hwang transplanted more than 1,000 embryos into 123 bitches. The cells were taken from the ear of a three-year-old Afghan hound called Tai and were then placed in an unfertilised egg from a female labrador. The egg was treated with electric current to begin its transformation to an embryo before it was put back in the labrador's womb.

The result was just three pregnancies. One miscarried and another died from pneumonia after three weeks. And now Snuppy is 14 weeks old which is the world's first cloned dog.

It’s expected that news of Snuppy's birth bring a flood of inquiries from dog-lovers who want to clone their pets. However, Professor Woo says cloning pets is not the point of his research. He said: "Our goal is to find cures for debilitating diseases and illnesses."

Being a scientist, he/she should have ethical awareness and be considerate of the research impact towards human being as a whole rather just a profit earning.

- The Sun/20Aug05 -

下雨天

天文台今晨起發出之雷暴,山泥傾斜等警告,有效時間至晚上,預料香港有零散狂風雷暴。這表示香港廣泛地區已錄得或預料會有每小時雨量超過30毫米大 雨,且雨勢可能持續。結果?錄得每小時雨量超過250毫米大 雨!!!

昨天黃昏, 天文台已經發出暴雨警告, 預料香港將會有零散狂風雷暴。雨便自昨天黃昏開始下個沒停,本以為雨下了一夜,雷公會收歛下, 雨後天氣特別爽, 應該放睛吧! 誰知道長命雨一直落,沒完沒了,時急時緩,夾著風,吹得你沒處可躲,由頭到腳都是-哎呀~~

要不是約了人吃早餐?我那裡也不去,身穿的牛仔褲已全濕,那對鞋更不用提,已成了水鞋,街上人不多但是狼狽得很!整早完全沒建樹,趕著去吃早餐,吃完餐後躲雨,等雨較細時又趕著回家去,睇?落到好似瀑布咁,有乜辦法不全軍覆沒呀 @@

Saturday, August 20, 2005

Blog Tag - 怪癖

史路比Ruth點中, 指名要玩 Blog Tag (怪癖) 這玩意,有點兒似以前的 chain email, 玩完之後要點選五個人接下去, 聽說這玩意現在流行得很,今早係大雄處看見, 想不到這麼快就到了我這裡, 詳細規則請參考冬冬的,係史路比眼中, 原來風信子乃一夾雜著一點成熟,一點的孩子氣的女孩子, 我會有什麼的怪癖呢?

風信子的怪癖:
1.低溫症,經常性地好凍,無論春夏秋冬天氣,一坐低就要著多件衫,著完個身好暖,但感覺依然好凍,熱飲只能暫時止寒,無乜實質效用,最多可頂十五分鐘,冬天時得十零度,成日覺自己係時候要去冬眠!
2.考試溫書最好的地點是自己間房,去到邊樹都係假,每次去圖書館溫書?習慣係訓四個鐘溫四個鐘,然後返屋企吃飯再訓過!
3.睇書好快,也都明白,短暫記憶很強,但睇完隔數日可以完全忘記!
4.很少調較鬧鐘睡覺,每次調較鬧鐘到某時,往往都會係鬧鐘未響之前的半個鐘至三個字內自動醒過來!
5.喜歡種植,常種的不常種的我也種過,我唸都應該無人好似我咁,係十四樓種西瓜掛?

好,輪到我點人啦,哈哈哈!哎呀,我識既都已經玩過啦,點算?不如點我心水果五個作補償啦!好在史路比沒有在連結處下咒語, 如果唔係都幾幾…

史路比: 多愁善感既佢,樣樣事都有點兒自我見地,我肯定佢既怪癖多籮籮
圓圓: 簡簡單單但心思細膩, 唔多唔少都有點怪癖掛
Ruth: 同是天秤座的她, 怪癖會否和我相近乎?
冬冬: 好動樂觀的她,吃喝玩樂間應有不少怪癖的
大雄: 叮噹里大雄既怪論多多籮籮,現實中五個對他來說會否太少呢?

集齊五位啦,都算係咁啦 ^^

Monday, August 15, 2005

我的bear bear夢

上一回圓圓話會將佢以前親手製做既熊bearbear公諸同好,實行攞出來晒一晒咁話! 嘩,好開心,好少聽見有人肯用心去學整毛公仔,重要好好保存到而家? 以前細個成日都唸住學整熊bearbear,見過芳間幾百蚊既course,三堂就可以學曉,上完堂重可以帶佢地返屋企, 講下一年又一年,始終都重未去上,點解?唉,家姐囉, 撥我冷水,話我三分鐘熱度,交幾百蚊,整餐死,隻隻醜醜樣樣咁, 一次重要帶三四隻返屋企,同我訓覺咩?轉頭咪又擺咪一二邊,不如實際的,俾錢買隻靚的既,就算俾左錢都覺得物有所值呀!我既bearbear夢就咁就俾家姐踩碎,碎左!@@ 我唸佢永遠都唔會明白, 親手用一針一線整隻熊bearbear既滿足感有多大,可能我整出來係有點肉酸,但我真係好俾心機去整架…

等左圓圓好耐,頸都長埋,今日見到啦,終於見到啦,個兩隻野傻傻地,呆呆地,好可愛呀!唔知道係咪燈光效果呢?我覺得好warm呀, 好想走去好好抱一抱, 搣搣佢地既面珠!

最後bearbear熊當然學唔成啦,但家姐唔知道我其實私底下走左去學整洋娃娃,重要一次帶左五隻返返屋企,隨口同佢話隔離街大平賣云云!個次連佢都話好可愛,睇來我呢位係ArtClub呆左五年既都唔係浪得虛名噢! 話說回頭, 個五個洋娃娃而家去左邊樹?失禮晒,搬屋時搬晒俾人囉,哎~~~~

Sunday, August 14, 2005

熱帶風暴

天文台星期五發出今年首個一號戒備信號,熱帶風暴「珊瑚」,根說是歷年風季最遲發出的風球。星期五晚天氣開始轉壞,風勢逐漸增強,部分地區更出現狂風驟雨﹔「珊瑚」昨日較後時間將於廣東省東部地區登陸,其外圍環流將直接影響本港天氣,預計天氣將進一步轉壞,天氣漸趨不穩,狂風驟雨大增,不排除會改發三號強風信號。

可能是壞天氣的關係,大家都不約而同地談起天氣來,各有所感。我較喜歡秋高氣爽的藍天白雲, 天氣乾爽得來有點兒涼快!艷陽天不是不好,但悶熱難於叫人集中,總是忍不住要去會一會周公子,有時曬得過了火,街道就如一火爐般要人不安,好像有什麼事情將要發生,很不好受!間中的一場過雲雨,就像久違的甘露,給心下下火!大自然有其規律,四時運作自有定時, 如風球也有其最基本的四步曲! 狂風,驟雨,行雷,閃電經已是必然的, 天氣很壞, 行雷電閃不停時,我最想家, 最喜歡留在家里,那兒也不去, 也因為只有家才能給我那份安全感。

大自然的魅力好難以筆墨形容,大家的當下心情與觀點各異,Ruth感是自然的力量,史路比用雷電交響樂來形容,圓圓會擔心窗關好沒有,我?怯於詞窮,不如貼一圖大家各自心領意會吧!

Saturday, August 13, 2005

Get Well


Every day caring thoughts are with you. Bringing hope that each tomorrow is a little brighter!

Dear friend, catch the bug and bounce back. Hope you get well soon!

Friday, August 12, 2005

忘了, 忘不了!

六十年了! 六十年可以是一個人的大半生甚至一生, 上一甲子的今天正是抗日戰爭勝利,這是一段令人不敢回憶卻未能忘懷的血淚史! 八年抗戰的歲月是由血與淚寫成的,經歷家仇國恨, 經歷生離死別, 見證驚心槍決戮死,目睹開膛剖腹實況, 曾經長江染成血紅,日軍在江邊燒屍,黑煙蔽日不散。這一幅幅動魄的圖片, 感受如雷殛的震撼,一切恍如隔世!

終戰後60年,留下的不止是一段段難書的血淚史,還有永難撫平的傷口和無以彌補的恩怨情仇!縱使今天看似一切如常,但美麗背後依然背負住那一不為人道的苦難!今日,有人選擇忘記, 有人選擇寬恕,有人要正視歷史, 以此為鑑! 有人甚至乎迷上了上一代的一場大屠殺?為那巨大苦難考證,把真相紀錄,卻自我迷失於南京大屠殺的資料記憶里,再沒有走出來的殉道人

歷史的十字架又豈是我們可以話擔當就擔當的,她確實太沉重了!
過去的? 忘了, 忘不了!

一名中國女孩8月10日手持菊花,行經北京中國國家博物館門口,裡面正舉辦「侵華日軍南京大屠殺史實展」,有逾600幅圖片與753件文物展出,以紀念中國抗日戰爭勝利60週年。

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

A hug can help

A simple snuggle can help lower blood pressure and reduce stress, a new study suggests.

Thirty-eight couples participated in the study, which measured blood pressure, stress levels and oxytocin before and after they discussed a happy moment together, watched five minutes of a romantic film and shared a 20-second hug.

The result, according to an article in the latest issue of the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, was lower levels of the stress hormones cortisol and norepinephrine and higher levels of oxytocin in both men and women. Those shifts all contribute to cardiac health. Women were found to be more responsive to warm partner contact. Dr. Karen Grewen, a psychiatrist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and lead researcher, said oxytocin and the female reproductive hormone estrogen were closely related, which may be why women were more responsive to the hormone than men were.

"Not all marriages appear equally protective," Grewen reported. "The quality of the marital relationship seems to play an essential role in health outcomes." While the sample size was adequate to show a role for oxytocin, it was too small to suggest anything about causation, Grewen said. The study also lacked a comparison group that didn't receive warm partner contact.

"The bottom line from this study is that social support and, really, the whole emotional and psychological interaction show that the heart and mind are really connected."

- WASHINGTON/Aug05 -

Note: give me a hug while my sensation frustrating and a warm hug as well shows your care, please!

竊取天然氣

中國地大物博, 奇怪事件多的是,頭髮鼓油假雞蛋,工業食油大頭嬰孩,我唸以下這件事不算特別吧!

河南省濮城一名男孩8月9日將偷來的天然氣裝在大塑膠袋中,以三輪車搭載。當地農民經常違法竊取油田中的天然氣。

- 路透/China Newsphoto/Aug05 -

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

花生漫畫

今年是花生漫畫五十五週年,故事裏的人物,如:史諾比、查理布朗、胡士托等都是大家所熟悉的,陪著無數小朋友及家庭一起成長,為我們帶來無限歡樂和溫馨。霽霽企業有限公司為慶祝花生漫畫/史諾比五十五週年紀念特此推出這一套限量版的<史諾比五十五週年心思心意郵票珍藏集>,香港郵政是指定銷售代理,產品將於二零零五年八月九日起在39間集郵局公開發售,售完即止。

珍藏集內涵:
郵票小版張:載有多款史諾比造型的"心思心意"郵票小版張;不同創新造型的史諾比及花生漫畫卡通人物精印在十六枚本地郵資"心思心意"郵票(愛與關懷及紀念誌慶之設計)的旁邊。
紀念封:史諾比五十五週年紀念封乙個,貼上一枚附上史諾比飛機師造型的本地郵資“心思心意”郵票(紀念誌慶之設計),並以二零零五年八月九日的GPO-1郵戳蓋銷。
史諾比:趣緻郵差造型史諾比乙個,為您每天準時派遞郵件
胡士托:精巧小小郵差胡士托乙個,造型特別,令您愛不釋手!
史諾比紀念章:迷你郵筒連史諾比紀念章小吊飾乙條,方便掛於電話邊,令您的電話與眾不同
Q版郵車:史諾比Q版郵車乙架,帶您和史諾比暢遊四周

雖則不至於超級fans, 但這一珍藏集的確好靓,淺藍色包裝的確有殺傷力,online 拍賣炒到hk$168,我已擁有一套了,睇來有人要快手囉,手快有手慢?........

Monday, August 08, 2005

打油詩

喜歡打油詩, 生鬼得來也重韻律, 總覺得好的打油詩需要點鬼急才才行, 以下兩首皆有趣味,來原不詳, 看完不到找我晦氣,有言者留言處 :D

Sunday, August 07, 2005

Teddy in Munich

You already know their names: They are Fluffy, Monkey and Bear … Sometimes they are simply called Felix, Paul or Emma or sometimes even just "Teddy".

Up until now, your Teddy was a silent partner who was always at your side and who helped you deal with life's ups and downs. When you had exams, he gave you strength. When you were lovesick, he comforted you. Teddy helps you go to sleep and sometimes he is an important companion, who you cannot do without - for example, when you have to go into hospital. With a constant friendly peace, Teddy was simply always there!

Don't you think that it is now time to say "Thank You" to your Teddy? Give Teddy a little variety and send your soft toy on holiday!

Teddy in Munich is a campaign brought to life by two dedicated people, Christopher Böhm and Elke Verheugen. Both loves Teddies and all other cuddly toys that have a character and a soul.

This partner offers a service as follows,
1. With your cuddly toy, we really visit the most interesting places in Munich with certificate.
2. We prepare for your cuddly toy a high quality Travel and Photo Album, so that it can show you what it experienced in Bavaria.
3. Your cuddly friend is continually looked after by the team leader on all of his excursions. We guarantee that we will treat him with the greatest of care.
4. Your cuddly toy will have "full-board" and will enjoy a V.I.P status, e.g. being brought to bed lovingly). The travel group will be a maximum of 12 participants.
5. Your talisman will be accommodated in a lovely apartment in the heart of town.

The price for a 7 day trip to Munich is
- 99Euro for Teddys, coming from Germany
- 129Euro for cuddly friends, coming from Europe
- 149Euro for cuddly toy's, which comes from far away
All overnight stays, full-board, and all trips and specials are included in this price. There are no extra costs! In addition the price includes the high quality and individual photos and travel documentation, which we will give your Teddy to take home with him. The offered journeys of teddy in munich.com can be taken up only by cuddley toys with the dimensions 50 x 50 x 50 cm and = to 5 kg.

We will carry the costs for returning Teddy to you.
- News from ANANOVA / Teddy in Munich -

Note: No sure my "chung-head" wants to join the campaign or not, it seems fun but ~~ I take it to Lamma Island on holiday!^^

愛‧回家

上畫時沒有去看,只知道是一感人的韓國片,拿過不少獎!昨晚拿著搖控轉來轉去,卻給我轉了出來! 說兩婆孫的故事,婆婆是啞的,所以全片也沒有太多的對白,身體言行意會了,同時也留下好多的思想空間任觀眾去發揮!
某年暑假,媽媽把小霸王Sang-Woo(俞承豪飾演)放逐到深山外婆處,來到這個比想像中更落後的鄉下,除了悶,什麼也沒有!但日子一天一天的過,77歲外婆(金乙粉飾演)的愛護與容忍,外孫和婆婆的關係似乎變得好了,還有他的小女孩海姘的出現,一切都變得多麼的令人懷念!外婆手上拿著一封媽媽寄給她的信,外孫知道走了。離開前的一晚,外孫趁外婆睡了,替她穿上了所有的針線……

片中揭示了不少橫跨老少兩代的文化衝擊,給每一位觀眾一種有趣和清新的感動。片中的對白不多,但婆孫間的感情卻是濃濃的。

其中一幕:剪髮
小霸王要剪髮,手里卻拿著鏡子藉反射捉弄婆婆,看見婆婆躲避不及開不了眼的樣子,竟自覺高興起來?才肯乖巧地坐著等剪!

孫:我要剪小小,只係小小!
婆:想剪剩小小?只係小小?

婆婆手起刀落,真的剪剩小小,耐不住的小霸王竟中途會周公子去也,忘記了要監督這回事,結果?哎!哭啼於事無補,唯有想想如何補救,竟給他想到包頭巾這玩意,效果?竟出乎意料之型仔哦,哈哈~~


備注:媽子說我小時候也難乖到那裡去,放暑假時到婆婆家住,也是小霸王,經常嚷著要回家,還自備袋子,將婆婆買的生果等放進去,打算帶回家去,結果?走時太興奮,連自備袋也忘得一乾二淨 @@

Saturday, August 06, 2005

大雄

習慣了看大雄的日記,我想大概有一年吧? 日記里大雄會時不時提起他的靜宜來,也會心血來潮地寫寫情詩,告知靜宜,思念令寒冬也覺得溫暖,因為她世界不再死寂,而是期盼! 大雄真的很是大雄, 心地善良, 喜自顧自玩耍說話!當然, 他也較野比大雄長進, 不須叮噹恊助, 不會動不動便大哭, 也不至滿網錯別字教他人頭昏,寫的情詩也是句句珠語,很有心思! 近日, 大雄與友人吃飯, 又談起他的靜宜來! 看來大雄也開始著急了…

適是叮噹三十五週年,生果日報也來揍熱鬧,開始了慢長的換叮噹電話繩日子,一套十款,有叮噹, 大雄, 靜宜,阿福,技安等人物, 還嚴格規定不可更換,且每人每日最多只準換五款, 不可異議?傻架? 用就免了, 不過儲藏確實不錯! 就是如此,老爸便負起換繩之大責, 偶爾也會因為重複而動氣苦惱,的確好好笑!

大雄,我已為你找到了靜宜,看? 好相親!你那端也要努力,碰到你的靜宜便不要放她走啦!加油加油~~

杏仁茶

忘記在那裡看過,吃甜對低落的心情有若干的幫助!

我好熱食,所有冷凍之物非我首選, 每當好忙挨夜之時,我會為自己叫一碗香而滑的黑芝麻, 黑芝麻活血養顏, 益肝、養血,乃上品也!而當心情極之惡劣時,也只有它可以給我安慰!可惜芝麻卡路里甚高,間中淺嘗可也! 自從上一回於陸羽茶室吃晚飯,試過那碗飯後甜品 -杏仁茶, 便不能自己! 奶白色杏仁糊內飄散著一絲一絲的蛋白,入口香滑, 淡淡杏仁餘香盈腔,那感覺很是滿足!

最近便自家里學煮杏仁茶,找老爸做我的白老鼠!
材料:熱水,杏仁粉,一至兩隻蛋白!
製法:將水煮沸,加適量杏仁粉攪拌至輕糊狀,細火煮十分鐘,打蛋白放下,轉大火二至三分鐘便好,關火局它一分鐘,香滑杏仁茶便可!
備注: 放心,縱然廚藝不精,此茶也可入口,且看來甚具水準,可混水摸魚也! ^^

是怕寂寞 還是愛我

當你說你喜歡我,其實你是否清楚?你是想替心靈找一份寄託,還是樂意將心靈付託給我?是我不夠自信,或是你給我的信心不夠多,請你告訴我。

告訴我,你在甚麼時候會特別想我?是在風和日麗的下午,還是在煙雨霏霏的晚上?是在人來人往的銅鑼灣,或是在荒涼僻靜的沙頭角?是在興高采烈之際希望與我分享,抑或在心情低落之時盼望我能替你分憂?

假如我們去東京旅行,你想和我一個人去,還是召喚更多的朋友?假如我們在森林中並肩漫步,黑暗忽然襲來,你伸手找不著我,你會先想到自己的安全,抑或和我一樣,先擔心你的下落?假如我們流落在荒島上,我們形影不離;但在五光十色的都市裡,你是否願意和我相依為命?

在寒冷的時候,我會為你沏一杯茶,呵一口氣,讓你把腳掌擱在我的肚子上。 在你不快樂的時候,我會放下工作,陪你借酒澆愁,陪你胡亂shopping。 在你怫鬱的時候,我會不辨是非地給你發洩,讓你如孩子般無理,讓臂膀給你咬個痛快。
但是,當我心情低落的時候,當我呆頭呆腦的時候,你會願意去理解我嗎?其實你是愛我,抑或只是愛著我對你的好?

我不會問如果有一天我瞎了跛了蕩產傾家了,你會否依然愛我。 我只想知道如果有一天我們分開了,你會否很快便能愛上另一個? 是非我不可,還是恰巧遇上了我?是真的愛我,還是害怕寂寞? 

- 李牧童 -

Thursday, August 04, 2005

The Sound of Music

It’s coming. The Sound of Music is a musical movie that I have watched many times since I was young. I love its picturesque background while the movie taken in Austria, amazing voice that I never can be as well lovely kids in the family. Now, we get chance to experience in Hong Kong as it comes ~~~

The Timeless Classic Every Family Should Share
THE SOUND OF MUSIC is the enchanting story of Maria, a spirited young novice who – unsure of whether the monastic life is her true calling – leaves the abbey to become a governess. Endearing herself to a family of seven motherless children and warming the heart of their stern widowed father, Maria discovers that the power of music and the magic of love may be all she needs to find her way.

Details information
Venue: HKAPA – Lyric Theatre
Date&Time: 23 Sep-23 Oct 2005 at 8pm
Remarks: Matinee Show on Sat&Sun at 2:30pm / Recess on Mon
Official Link : www.thesoundofmusic.com.hk

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

My Flute Experience

Attracted by its beautiful sound and elegant posture, I have once rushed myself into a flute training course few years ago. While that period of time I was quite keen on flute learning and persistently learnt from the level of beginning to advance. I played no bad really and felt confident to play some favorite songs, just like my love one – Memory. Just don’t want to tension myself, I did not apply for flute examination or attend any advanced training after the class finished. However, I still keep my practice at home while weekend evening sometimes.

Maybe I am too lazy or memoryless while the time goes by. I have lost some of my memories already and forgot how to play those difficult songs as well. My dad even complaint me poor skill sounds like “pig killing”! What a shame? Recently see a course promotion for flute training. Or may it’s the time to pick up my skill and maintain the momentum of practice weekly.

Flute

Flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike other wind instruments, a flute produces its sound from the flow of air against an edge, instead of using a reed. Flute sounds are typically open and hollow as a result of relatively weak upper partials. As a result, flute tones are sweet in character and blend well with other instruments. The flute's timbre, pitch and attack are flexible, allowing a very high degree of instantaneous expressive control.

In ancient origin, wind instrument formerly made of wood but now of silver and other metals. The word flute was used indiscriminately to denote both types during medieval times, but in the baroque period flute or flauto specifically meant the end-blown recorder. The modern flute is descended from the German (transverse) flute. Whereas today it is cylindrical in bore, stopped at one end, until the early 19th century it was conical. The player's breath sets in vibration the column of air inside the tube. Acoustically, the tube acts as an open one; the mouth-hole serves to prevent its acting as stopped and thus sounding an octave lower. The body orginally had one thumb-hole and from four to eight finger-holes. The first key was added in 1677, the second in 1726 by Quantz, flute teacher of Frederick the Great. The great flute virtuoso of the Bavarian Court Orchestra, Theobald Boehm, used an eight key flute, but revolutionized the instrument in 1832 with his 'ring key' system.

In 1847, he produced a fifteen hole metal instrument with 23 keys and levers.

- From the Oxford Dictionary of Music –

Tatty Teddy

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Sunday, July 31, 2005

花火

曲/詞:梁詠琪

來吧伴我飛  不休不睡去飛
來盡力忘記  兩腳降落何地
若記憶憑據  到某一天告吹
回望即使太蠢  都相信我做得對
原來風雪可以使我堅壯使我堅強
假使敢夢與想 假使天真地唱
我也會笑容漂亮
原來歲月太長可以豐富可以荒涼
能忘掉結果 未能忘記遇上

長路若太短  花火生命更短
雙手可觸及你 有眼淚仍是暖

Thursday, July 28, 2005

Google搜尋器

科技日新月異, 新花樣層出不窮, 網上搜尋器Google繼地球衛星照片之後, 又有新花樣了, 這次更把搜尋範圍擴大到我們只可遠觀的月球去了。最新玩意叫Google Moon, 此服務可以讓使用者看到月球表面的照片,還標示美國太空船阿波羅6次登陸月球的位置,有興趣的可點入任何一個地點,就可以看到該次任務的時間,參與的太空人等相關資料。

為使用者提供新服務之餘,Google Moon 亦不失幽默,只要將月球照片放到最大,便可一清二楚!

Google Moon

有玩過Google網上搜尋器既朋友,相信也試過使用其服務, 找尋自家的地球衛星照片, 公司附近高空下的景觀,或是將自己既視野擴濶至曾留跡的地球角落, 有甚者跑到居住在外的朋友家上空轉一圈,看看他家附近的城市規劃,周圍的自然環境,那感覺好像探了他一訪,很是親切!科技無疑拉近了人與人之間的距離,但是否縮短心與心的差距?則留待各人造化!

友人家上空地球衛星照片

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Picture Concatenation

As requested by Snoopy, here I would like to have a ‘chicken demo’ how to concatenate pictures in a piece for blog display. It's easy. Are you ready? Let’s go !!!

- Find photos that you would like to concatenate
- Open both with Paint separately
- Ctrl+W to stretch the photos to 20% vertically and horizontally
- Open a new file from Paint in blank (now you have 3 interfaces of Paint)
- Copy pictures to new file one by one and concatenate them as desired
- Highlight the area of interest and copy to file for storage
- To the location saved, your desired picture is ready for you

Steps are shown as follows for illustration

See? You make it! ^^

Sunday, July 24, 2005

Little Prince is Depressed

in a crowded city
there is a depressed little prince
he is suffering from the “emotional’ flu...
he cries
in his eyes
the world is not the same anymore...
he feels that he is being pushed by things around...
he feels that he is the loneliest person in the world...
he hopes there is someone who can help him but he is afraid...
where is the blue sky?
you might have met depressed prince!
kindly offers him a hug or care
it helps

Depressed Little Prince’s Journey

Saturday, July 23, 2005

機械人王國

下午無聊,湊巧無記應暑假檔期播放多啦A夢大電影之機械人王國!好久沒有這種閒情,卻令我看得津津有味!
故事大綱:
大雄眼看小夫的寵物機械人羨慕不己,自己也想擁有一隻。於是,從多啦A夢的「後備百寶袋」裡拿出未來百貨公司通訊販賣機,喚出他想要的機械人,當中混入了從時空間來到的機械人少年波仔。為了幫助受傷的波仔,多啦A夢他們向波仔的世界,機械人王國出發!一場緊張刺激的冒險旅程即將開始……

喜歡看卡通片,叮噹和大雄都是陪我成長的常客之一,看過的不下百集,假日的大電影雖不會追但會看!已經習慣了叮噹的機智愛幫忙,大雄的懦弱但善良,靜宜的溫柔嫻淑,阿福喜炫耀也怕事,還有技安那欺善怕惡! 生活於同一天空下但性格各異,卻能互助互愛!是我習慣了叮噹,不喜歡多啦A夢這名稱,總覺得少了什麼似的,老是不自在!也不喜歡叮噹的結局,現實得有點殘酷,連我這個大朋友也接受不來!

卡通片旨為兒童帶來樂趣及無窮想像,我願意相信童話是美好的,王子和公主從此快快樂樂生活!雖然大雄有很多缺點,但也能找到他的靜宜來~~

大雄遇難事時大哭的樣子,大雄家的屋頂,還有大雄媽媽,是否很親切呢?

Zodiac Personality

Discover your Zodiac Personality
Discover your Zodiac Personality @ Quiz Me

410,170 people have discovered their zodiac personality.
And 27,473 were libra just like you!

Friday, July 22, 2005

藍與綠

喜愛藍色
總覺得藍色迷人
好淺藍色感覺乾淨舒服
藍天白雲的組合一望便傾心
愛湖水藍看似深沉卻令人心安靜
碧波湖光的風景霎是好看
鐘情海軍藍是粗獷又是簡樸無華
簡簡單單已可穿出個人味道來
衣櫃里數最多的便是藍與白
買東西也不自覺地找藍
連我的電腦也是藍的
這是否病態了點?

常言道
喜歡藍色的人
是個很有理性的人
面對問題常常臨危不亂
在起衝突時總是默默將事情化解
等到該與以反擊時
一定會以很漂亮的手段讓人折服
乍看之下應該人緣不錯
不過卻不擅與人交際
常因堅持信念而受人尊敬
但堅持己見?或是固執?見人見智
應多採納旁人意見
行文處世才可如虎添翼
Find out your color at Quiz Me!

我是綠?
我是綠?
是我不夠了解自己?
還是我根本沒有藍的洒脫不羈?
亦或是獨欠那絲憂憂鬱鬱的神縕?
綠是什麼個性?




綠色者
基本上是一個追求和平的人
不過卻害怕獨處
喜歡群體的生活
也因此你擅長與周圍的人保持良好的和諧關係
總是給人親切溫和的印象
而周圍的人也對你十分信賴跟崇拜
不過
因為對每個人的態度都差不多
所以有時候也容易讓人誤會
認為是個八面玲瓏的人
喜歡綠色的人十分上進
但因為不喜歡在團體中太過突出
所以也會要求周圍的人一起奮發向上

追求和平, 害怕獨處, 重視和諧關係?沒錯,這不正正是天秤個性嗎?不就是我嗎?好藍色者愛自由獨立,理性,但有時會流於自我,堅持己見?天蠍特性,吾亦有之!周旋於感性與理智間的性個,既互融也相衝,很是矛盾!藍太寂寞,碰上和顏的綠或許是好事!誰說青山不見綠水,藍天沒有白雲,會是一幅好風景?

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

我的種植史

自小喜愛種植,涉獵的品種多不勝數,說出來也自覺嚇倒他人!不是戰績過分彪炳,只是…

小學上了科學堂,知道豆會長出芽來,心以為芽菜便是如此由來, 拿了媽子的豆發芽去了! 廚房里發了芽的蔥頭曾幾何時乃我的恩物! 偶然下拾到一顆枇杷種子,找一塊空地埋了,我信我信它會長出枇杷來,發芽了,第一塊葉, 第二塊葉,從此再也沒長高了! 曾經種過幾回仙人掌,貪它只管看不管花神,無獨有偶,它們皆歸西矣,遺下的只有一嗅皮囊!夏天好吃西瓜消暑,見一粒粒的黑豆豉,眼也發了青光,日日辛勤,竟給住在十四樓的我種出瓜來?那種興奮莫名,連姊姊也對我另眼相看!用心種過文竹,喜愛其細細翠綠如雲的枝蔭,自覺放在窗枱旁富有詩意,隨著秋意日濃,它也快快地換了上黃衣裳,走得連片雲彩也來不及帶走!

友人處拿了數塊紫羅蘭的葉子,便自家里起了製造工場來,一二三四五,連老爸也看不過眼,叫我轉讓他人,花是開了,卻也惹了一群飛蟲,一盆也不能留!貪婪桔梗花美粗長,合香港氣侯,不問由來,在窗旁種了起來,其乃桔梗科植物,卻爬牆過了鄰家去,自知理虧,一待花淍謝便急急地清理事發現場,後才知道其乃中藥, 根狀似人參, 可袪痰、鎮咳等療效!街旁買了盆墨西哥鐵樹,喜歡其名字--好型, 鐵樹?果然鐵樹, 不喜水份,一年來絲毫無變,害得蓮姐也禁不往問我,這是真的嗎?其他的?還有很多很多,不能在此一一細列!

不過數我最愛的—乃風信子也! 風信子原產自歐洲, 球科植物, 球莖飽滿結實,可栽培於庭園裡,也可切下來供放瓶中、擺於室內!每年二三月, 一個個洋蔥頭似的風信子便隨處可見, 花期時一叢叢的小花開遍花莖的每一寸, 霎眼看,還以為一花柱也! 高峰期曾擁五盤風信子,紅,白,藍,黃,粉紅等等! 個人較喜歡藍和白的,粉紅色?含苞待放時也不錯!

相傳藍色風信子是「幸福」的象徵 ; 凡是受到這種花祝福而生的人,人生洋溢著生命力。願你我如是!

Sunday, July 17, 2005

失魂小狗跳窗

德國科隆一隻慣於跳窗出外的頑皮狗,忘記了主人最近已經搬家,由原來位於地下的住宅搬到6樓的新居,日前如常跳越窗口出外,幸而跌落3樓另一住戶的陽台,奇蹟地沒有受傷。狗主夫婦聽到跌下陽台的寵物拳師犬TJ悲鳴,但因該戶住客出外旅行,無法取回愛犬,只好報警求助,由消防員架雲梯救下頑皮狗。

貝克爾說﹕「我們搬來這新公寓只有一個星期,但TJ這幾天都要爬樓梯回家,我們還以為牠已習慣了,沒想到牠會如過往般跳窗往花園。」

-17Jul05/明報專訊-

備註: 看到這篇報導,令我想起甘甘, 姊姊由六樓搬到三樓的新居, 露台較之前的開放,高度亦較低,曾與姊姊開玩笑式說著, 門口是起跑點,客廳是個不錯的起跑道,越過露台門便是欄位,可以一誇而下, 甘甘會否抄襲?學劉翔奪奧運金牌乎?或是表演笨狗跳真人show? 原來這可不袛是一個笑話,可以係事實!
甘甘睇住呀 @_&

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Join Forces to Transform Fraud-Detection Market

That's really a great move!

SAS, the leader in business intelligence, and HSBC Holdings plc, one of the largest banking and financial services organizations in the world, today announced a long-term partnership to transform the payment card fraud-detection market.

Each year, banks and financial organizations across the world lose more than $2 billion annually to payment card fraud. Over the last decade, as banks have developed improved processes and systems to identify and stop fraud, fraudsters have also adapted. Today most banks rely on fraud-detection systems, but the types of fraud threats faced by card issuers evolve rapidly. HSBC recognizes the need for a new generation of fraud detection that includes more sophisticated analytic intelligence, real-time decision making at the point of sale, and complete integration with anti-fraud measures - such as chip and PIN - across the industry.

"We chose to work with SAS primarily because of its technology assets, extensive R&D capability and industry leadership, and its ability to support us across the globe. We are impressed with SAS' understanding of our business goals and its flexibility to meet our demanding requirements," said Siddharth N. Mehta, chief executive officer at HSBC North America Holdings Inc.

"By combining our proven ability to deliver robust and innovative predictive analytic solutions with HSBC's banking 'know how' we have the ability to change the way the industry looks at its fraud detection solutions," said Dr. Jim Goodnight, CEO of SAS.

With a credit and debit card portfolio of well over 100 million cards, HSBC is one of the world's largest plastic card issuers. The new SAS® solution will be implemented in all of HSBC's major card businesses worldwide. In addition to reducing potential losses, the project will lower the operational costs of fighting fraud and will create a more flexible fraud platform so that HSBC can respond faster to new threats as they arise. SAS and HSBC are also cooperating on developing a strategy to extend the technology into other transaction monitoring applications.

"The SAS partnership will help HSBC stay at the forefront of the industry in protecting its customers and its business from fraud. Since fraud prevention and detection is a shared goal across the financial industry, SAS is already working with a number of other institutions to build a broader consortium in conjunction with HSBC," said Ian Manocha, director of the worldwide fraud practice at SAS.

About HSBC Holdings
Headquartered in London, HSBC Holdings plc is one of the largest banking and financial services organizations in the world. HSBC's international network comprises over 9,800 offices in 77 countries and territories in Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, Middle East and Africa. With listings on the London, Hong Kong, New York, Paris and Bermuda stock exchanges, shares in HSBC Holdings plc are held by around 200,000 shareholders in some 100 countries and territories. The shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange in the form of American Depositary Receipts. Through an international network linked by advanced technology, including a rapidly growing e-commerce capability, HSBC provides a comprehensive range of financial services: personal financial services; consumer finance; commercial banking; corporate, investment banking and markets; private banking; and other activities.

About SAS
SAS is the market leader in providing a new generation of business intelligence software and services that create true enterprise intelligence. SAS solutions are used at more than 40,000 sites - including 96 of the top 100 companies on the FORTUNE Global 500® - to develop more profitable relationships with customers and suppliers; to enable better, more accurate and informed decisions; and to drive organizations forward. SAS is the only vendor that completely integrates leading data warehousing, analytics and traditional BI applications to create intelligence from massive amounts of data. For nearly three decades, SAS has been giving customers around the world The Power to Know®. Visit us at www.sas.com.

Copyright © 2005 SAS Institute Inc. Cary, NC, USA. All rights reserved.

Sunday, July 10, 2005

羊群效應

為何用「羊群心理」來形容盲目跟風?土耳其東部的凡省,最近就上演了代價沉重的例子。一群牧羊人任由一千五百多隻綿羊,在山頭吃草,然後轉頭去吃早餐,突然一隻綿羊不知為了甚麼原因,一躍跳下十五米高的懸崖「自殺」,正當牧羊人目瞪口呆之際,其餘綿羊亦爭相仿效,一一跳崖,演成一次場面壯觀的「羊群集體自殺」事件。

450隻摔死
幸好並非全部綿羊都自殺成功。最初跳崖的綿羊,固然硬生生摔死,但後來綿羊屍體愈愈高,變成一大堆棉花一般,將後來跳崖的綿羊衝力抵銷,結果最後只有壓在最底的四百五十隻綿羊摔死,其餘都撿回一命。

損失約58萬
這群綿羊是由凡省小鎮蓋瓦什二十六個家庭擁有。這次「羊群集體自殺」,令他們總共損失約五十八萬港元。在這個人均國民生產總值只有大約二萬一千港元的國家,這是個龐大損失。其中一個養羊家庭的成員巴伊汗說:「我們都束手無策。牠們全部浪費了。」

生活將很艱苦
另一村民哈扎爾說,本來每個家庭平均飼有二十隻綿羊,但現時只有少數家庭擁有綿羊,「我們的生活將會很艱苦」。

-美聯社/路透社-

Sunday, July 03, 2005

恐龍化石展

太古城中心由即日起展出8具恐龍化石及10件屬恐龍年代的動、植物化石標本。並設「恐龍初接觸」活動,讓參觀者觸摸「天府峨嵋龍」的股骨﹔逢周六、日舉行專家研習會,由四川自貢恐龍博物館的恐龍考古專家,親自回答觀眾問題。

日期﹕即日至7月31日
時間﹕每日早上9:00至晚上10:00
地點﹕太古城中心二樓舞台、中橋及一樓
費用﹕全免

Friday, July 01, 2005

當愛在靠近

曲:潘協慶 詞:潘協慶/李宗盛

真的想 寂寞的時候有個伴
日子再忙 也有人一起吃早餐
雖然這種想法 明明就是太簡單
只想有人在一起 不管明天在哪裡

愛從不容許人三心兩意
遇見渾然天成的交集 錯過多可惜
如果我是真的 決定付出我的心
能不能有人告訴他 別讓我傷心

每一次當愛在靠近 感覺他在緊緊地抱住你
他搔動你的心 遮住你的眼睛
又不讓你知道去哪裡

每一次當愛在靠近 都好像在等你要怎麼回應
天地都安靜 唯一不安的是你的決定
天地都安靜 唯一不安的是 你的決定







音樂連繫