520 individual production™

大大驚！PSP Go 流出！？（含影片）

2009-05-29T09:13:00.008+08:00

正當小編在跟老師的論文翻譯搏鬥之際，突然在主站上面看到了這個驚人的事實（？），PSP 的下一代 PSP Go 還真的是長那樣！（嗎？）上圖那個具有下滑出的按鍵區域的那個東西，就是傳說中第一台砍掉 UMD 的 PSP Go 嗎？

目前除了從 Qore 這本雜誌影像雜誌提前流出的照片、影片之外，聽說這傢伙將會內建 16GB 的記憶體，同時還支援藍牙傳輸、以及目前尚未流出規格的記憶卡擴充（Sony 有打算要佛心嗎？還是 Memory Stick HG-Micro 給他催下去？），而根據消息指出，這東西將會在秋天上市，而且聽說沒有要跟 PSP-3000 對尬的意思，也就是說 PSP Go 上市後，PSP-3000 還是會活的好好的；定價部份則還沒有消息傳出。

總之，沒幾天真相就會大白了，各位就先參考一下圖庫吧！（連影片都有了！不過是採訪 Sony 某位大佬介紹 PSP Go 的影片；不知道可以撐多久就是...跳轉後請收看！）

Update
A few more official specifications are flowing from the full Qore video (pardon the sync issues). Here's the dirt:

* 3.8-inch display (resolution is undisclosed)
* 43 percent lighter than the PSP-3000
* 16GB of Flash storage
* Bluetooth built-in; supports handset tethering and BT headsets
* No UMD drive
* Memory Stick Micro slot
* New Gran Turismo, Little Big Planet and new Metal Gear Solid (!) on the way
* Full PlayStation Network support (movie and TV rentals / purchases)
* Integration with PlayStation 3 (works the same as the PSP-3000 does)
* Sony views each of its products as "10-year lifecycle products," so the PSP "needs to live on."

Source: Engadget 中文版

Add to Technorati Favorites

Eurovision 2009

2009-05-17T03:31:00.001+08:00

The Eurovision Song Contest is nearly upon us, so I have taken the bullet for you and watched videos of all of this year’s entries on the BBC Eurovision website. If you visit the site, do take a look at some of the breathtakingly sincere contestant biographies - for example this gem from Russia.

If you want detail and musical insight, I’m going to limit myself to a sentence or two for each. I’ll also try to avoid commenting on the videos as we’d be here all night (some of them deserve posts of their own), but it’s hard not to let my view of the songs be swayed by them.

By way of introduction, I should add that, in this hyperconnected modern world, it’s possible that at least one of the entrants might Google for themselves and end up on this page only to find me being less than positive, so: if you catch me being mean about your song, don’t take offence - everyone else in Europe might like it.

I apologise in advance for my limited critiquing vocabulary, which will likely result in the overuse of some words and phrases, in particular: catchy, OK, nothing special, fun, dull, enough, Europop, forgettable, key change, better than X’s usual standard.

The Good
The songs that caught my eye, in alphabetical order:

* Estonia - Some nice strings, effective backing vocals and a strong rhythm drive this atmospheric track. A dark horse. (10th favourite on Betfair.)
* Germany - Germany goes swing and ends up with their best Eurovision song in goodness knows how long. Not a fan of the silly bit in the middle, but there’s a key change!
* Greece - What’s this? Sakis Rouvas is back! 2004’s third placed Greek entrant (he was robbed) and 2006 co-host is once again representing Greece. It’s a fairly standard dancy pop track - I prefer Shake It from five years ago - but not worse for it. Could be in with a chance (and it’s the 2nd favourite on Betfair).
* Hungary - Sakis is given a run for his money by Hungary’s own dancy pop from Zoli Ádok, which is a little catchier (although possibly only because the version on the BBC site was about a minute longer than it’s allowed to be on the night). Oh, I know I said I wouldn’t comment on videos but Hungary’s is the campest of the lot.
* Norway - Habitual Eurovision failures attempt to claw back some credibility with a child-faced male Norwegian Vanessa Mae. Alexander Rybak wrote the theme tune and sings the theme tune and I can see it getting lots of actual points. (Bookies’ favourite on Betfair.)
* Slovenia - More strings, with Quartissimo - a string quartet Il Divo - centre stage with Martina Majerle. It may be a bit of a gimmick but when did that ever cost you votes at Eurovision?
* Sweden - You will see further down that I diss pop opera when Bulgaria did it, but Malena Ernman kind of pulls it off. Will be interesting if it catches the imagination of the audience, ‘cos if it does… (8th on Betfair.)
* Ukraine - And nestling away in the penultimate position was this pleasant surprise. A fresh sounding production for a strong song. (5th on Betfair.)

Also worth a mention here are Belgium (with a traditional Belgian Rockabilly track that’s strangely endearing), Croatia (pretty good, as sweeping Eurovision ballads go), Ireland (girl guitar pop delivers Ireland’s first decent song in years), Montenegro (unexpectedly upbeat, energetic and fun), and Spain (another nation’s strongest song in some years, La Noche es Para Mi is a down-the-line euro dance thing so there’s something stiff competition for the down-the-line euro dance thing bloc)

The Bad
The trend for there to be relatively few abysmal entrants continues (disappointly). Nevertheless, there are some:

* Czech Republic - First (and only?) properly off the wall act of the year. Alas, can’t see this having any success.
* Denmark - Denmark’s answer to Ronan Keating turns in a song that’s only slightly more interesting than your average Ronan Keating track. (The correct answer to Ronan Keating is “Sorry, there’s no-one here at the moment.”) And after making that observation, I learnt that this song was actually co-written by Ronan Keating. That. Explains. Everything.
* Netherlands - OK, so whose idea was it to squeeze some permatanned middle-aged men who seem strangely familiar but who you know you’ve never seen before into white suits and give them a silly light ray special effect on their hands? And let them record a song? And then put Obama in the video? Sheesh.
* Serbia - I think there may have been an administrative mix-up. The Serbian entry appears to be a Two Ronnies sketch. (OK, it’s not that bad, but this section would be quite threadbare without it.)

The Boring
Some songs don’t particularly have anything wrong with them, but you still want them to be over please:

* Bulgaria - I am not, in turns out, a fan of pop opera. Sorry, Bulgaria. I’m as disappointed as you are.
* Israel - Just as you thought we might be spared Eurovision’s traditional outbreak of lyrical peace, love and understanding, Israel saves the day. All very worthy but I’ll be checking my watch for the next act with sequins.
* Lithuania - Oh, it’s another worthy ballad. Next.
* FYR Macedonia - Macedonia’s Bon Jovi fail to grab the attention with their dreary rock song.
* Poland - My lazy comparison for Poland’s Lidia Kopania is Christina Aguilera. Dull ballad.
* Portugal - Nice to see the band enjoying themselves. I wish I could say the same for myself. Still, nice to see an accordion out in public.
* United Kingdom - The moment you’ve all been waiting for, where I try to be polite about the UK entry. It’s not dreadful. The afraid of/made of couplet is probably the best bit. But while Jade Ewen puts in a good performance, it’s rather shrill, all a bit one note (despite there being lots of notes in it) and, yeah, a bit dull. (6th on Betfair.)

The Rest
The rest were neither particularly good, nor particularly bad, not dull enough to be in the third group. Here are comments on a few:

* Albania - Catchy enough, although the lyrics are pretty bland. Better than Albania’s usual standard.
* Armenia - Starts well (is this what eastern European dance music is like?) before descending into cliched “everybody move your body” fare.
* Azerbaijan - Very Europop. Catchy and not the first with a Shakira vibe, but ultimately forgettable. (But don’t take my word for it: it’s the 4th favourite on Betfair.)
* Bosnia & Herzegovina - Nice little song that repeatedly hints that it’s going to take off into something great but never quite does. (Tipped by Popbitch to give Norway a run for its money, it’s 9th on Betfair.)
* Finland - Self-proclaimed 1990s style dance pop. Which is just what the world needs more of. Does what is claims.
* France - After surprising the world with a very good entry last year, France have returned to safe territory with this ballad. Still better than many of their entrants, with a Patricia Kaas giving it a bit of Piaf.
* Iceland - Sweet and nicely performed but unremarkable. Best they don’t win anyway - could they afford to host it?
* Moldova - It’s bouncy, I guess. I admit that I was starting to flag at this point. I imagine this song (”Dance of Moldova”) will have some Moldovan dancing on the night. (You can have that prediction for free.)
* Russia - Unfortunately named singer Nastya apparently won Russia “Star Factory” competition, one of several reality TV graduates in this year’s Eurovision. It’s a plague. It’s certainly more catching than this song which demonstrates only intermittent virulence in the chorus, but not for lack of effort from Nastya.
* Slovakia - Nice enough little duet with more of the increasingly popular string backing and a dutifully include key change.
* Turkey - A typically competent entry from Turkey but I suspect this won’t achieve much. (I expect to have egg on face for saying that as it’s 3rd on Betfair and I’ve seen much more positive comments about it.)

So who’ll win? While I’ve based my comments on the videos, much of what happens on the nights (the semi-finals are on May 12th and 14th; the final is on the 16th) will depend on whether the performers do the songs justice and the spectacle of the performances, which can make a song memorable amongst a crowded field. I hope it’s not stating the obvious to say the outcome of the final will also depends on who gets through from the semis: will there be one big dance number for votes to coalesce around, or will they be made to split between lots of similar songs?

That said, Norway must be the favourite for winning the Eurovision 2009

Update

Winners: Norway's Belarus-born singer Alexander Rybak's song "Fairytale" has received 387 point has been voted the winner of Eurovision 2009

Second: Iceland - Yohanna will sing Is It True

Third: Azerbaijan - AySel & Arash will sing Always

Add to Technorati Favorites

癮 Youtube：你知道嗎？

2009-05-09T04:57:00.018+08:00

即使你在中國是百萬中選一...
仍然有 1300 個人和你一樣強。
中國即將成為世界第一大會說英語的國家

印度 IQ 最高的前 25% 的人數，比全美國的總人口還高
即：印度名列前矛的小孩，比美國小孩的總人數還多
2010 年需求量最大的前十個工作...
2004 年根本不存在
現在的學生，正在為根本不存在的工作做準備
使用還未被發明的新技術...
來解決還不是問題的問題。

美國勞工局估計，今天的學生到了 38 歲時，將換過 10-14 個工作
四分之一的員工在現職上的任職時間少於一年...
二分之一的員工少於五年。

去年結婚的情侶中，八分之一是在線上認識的
MySpace 上的註冊使用者人數超過兩億
如果 MySpace 是個國家的話，那它的人口會是世界第五大（介於印尼和巴西之間）
寬頻普及率第一高的國家，是百幕達，美國排第 19，日本 22
(p.s. 小薑查到的資料，第一名是摩納哥，美國 19，台灣 26，日本 27）

我們活在一切以指數增加的時代
每個月在 google 上的搜尋數達 310 億次
2006 年時，這個數字是 27 億
在有 google 之前，這些問題我們都是問誰的？

第一封商用簡訊在 1992 年 12 月發出
今日，每天收送的簡訊總數，超過全球的總人口

達到 5000 萬使用人數所花的時間：
收音機 - 38 年
電視 - 13 年
網路 - 4 年
iPod - 3 年
Facebook - 2 年

1984 年全球可上網的裝置的總數是 1000 個
1992 年是一百萬個
2008 年是十億個

英文有大約五十四萬個單字
是沙翁時代的五倍

據估計，紐約時報一周份量的報紙所包涵的資訊，比十八世紀時一個普通人一生接觸到的還要多
同樣估計，今年全球將產生 4 x 10^19 的資訊
這比過去 5000 年的總和還多
新技術資訊每兩年就會加倍
對就讀四年技術學院的學生來說，這意味著讀到第三年時，第一年學的東西有一半已經過時了。

NTT 日本成功地測試了一條每秒可以傳輸 14 兆位元的光纖
這相當於每秒 2660 張 CD 或 2.1 億通電話
這數量每六個月就變為原來的三倍，並且預計未來 20 年為持續以這樣的速度增加
到了 2013 年，一台超級電腦的運算能力會超過人腦的運算能力
預測是到了2049 年，一台 1000 美元的電腦的運算能力，都會超過人類整體的運算能力相加

在這整部影片進行的期間...
有 67 個新生兒在美國出生
274 個新生兒在中國出生
395 個新生兒在印度出生
還有 694,000 首非法下載的歌

這一切代表什麼？

Source: Engadget 中文版

Add to Technorati Favorites

愛上了商務機

2009-04-30T00:30:00.008+08:00

上星期曾經在Facebook透露過對HTC Diamond2有興趣，雖然只是$4500左右，以他的價值來說不算貴，但對我而言，用三千大元以上買一部電話是一件浪費的行為，始終$4500已經夠我買一部notebook了。

近來發現自己手機已經用了兩年，而且有間歇性故障，再加上工作需要，我有點想換新手機，種類都是先以商務為先，方便我每天行程紀錄。最後我看中了早一段時間前推出的Nokia E71（嗯，又是Nokia），就是貪他只賣2500，但已經有qwerty keyboard，320萬像鏡頭，運行S60系統，已經完全滿足我所需，比我初初心想的blackberry更便宜，而且不知何解我突然對這種肥大機身的手機充滿了興趣，嘿，看來我應該是選這了。

H3M

2009-03-15T03:12:00.032+08:00

H3M到底是什麼意思？是「好好好味」！是「好好好賣」！又可能是「好好好Music」！這絕對任由大家想像！Eason新碟以此貼題，已經先付予大家想像力，聽下去，到底有沒有想像呢？

主打歌是「Allegro Opus 3.3am」，不知道各位知不知道怎去讀這火星文，如果不懂的話，請去Youtube找H3M的宣傳片，那裡有火星文翻譯的，很先進！再說回這歌，我只能用四字去評價．．．「曲詞俱佳！」，加上Eason的演繹，更能表達到這首歌的多樣性及玩味。歌詞主要是歌頌填詞人，詞及演繹雖然跳脫輕快，但又不失歌頌及致敬味，而走在潮流前端的我已經被誠邀到K房試唱過了，很好玩的一首歌，萬分適合表現自己用（有興趣請到加Ｘ紅試玩這遊戲．．．抱歉，是試唱這歌，還會有七百年後及於心有愧，即日開始！）。其次第二主打是「七百年後」，大家有看電影「Wall E」的話，一定會想到詞是跟著這電影走的，跟你說是主題曲也可能相信，如果單單看了電影還不能想像七百年後的世界，請聽聽這首歌，它用了細膩的歌詞配合起來，聲畫同步，相信能帶給大家想像了。不過，官方的MV絕對是一個感人的愛情故事，感覺是告訴你七百年不變的感情。之後要說說由Wyman填詞的「沙龍」，一直以來我很喜歡Wyman的風格，而且他特別疼錫Eason，每次都填出一流歌詞，這首也不例外，雖然配上的是很陳奕迅（他自己寫的曲）的曲，但平凡的曲配上歌詞後，又是一連串光影從腦海中閃過，因為這歌的意思是相片能留住一切時光、一切人物，但不能留到永久，你只能回味。聽後你腦中那些光影，很有可能就是你每次拍照的一刻，以及你的相片，還有你的回憶，在全碟中我可以說最愛這首了。

陳奕迅在宣傳片中說過想把十首歌都Plug，是一個很貪心的念頭！但事實上每首歌都很精彩，特別在你細味後，聽第一次可能感覺普通，聽了第二次你會想去repeat，在聽多數次後，你會欲罷不能，我相信這張碟都很對上大家的口味，特別是Eason迷，要細味才更有味道，不枉是一張等了一年的廣東大碟，從班底看出誠意，從結果看出了認真及努力。（如果閣下還停留在我的快樂時代那專輯的年代，你可能會不喜歡這張碟，免得被人說我不夠中肯）。

01. Allegro, Opus 3.3 a.m.
02. 還有什麼可以送給你
03. 於心有愧
04. 今天只做一件事
05. 一個旅人
06. 七百年後
07. Life Goes On
08. 太陽照常升起
09. 不來也不去
10. 沙龍

Taipei Performing Arts Center by NL Architects

2009-03-09T07:08:00.011+08:00

This design was proposed by NL Architects in a design competition for the Taipei Performing Arts Center to host a variety of large-scale performances.

There is something really amazing about the aesthetics of this project that I love yet can't quite put my finger to it. Perhaps it is the fact that I like large void spaces. I just love how the structure is actually a simple white cube with its inner volume subtracted, like a mouse eating in a cube of cheese with square teeth.

In the end, Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) won the competition as other pragmatic concerns, such as the poor acoustics in such a huge structure, took over.

I would love to be inside this space. Looking up, peering down to the performances held within.

via designboom

抑鬱的

2009-02-10T07:54:00.007+08:00

近來看到不少比較少見的朋友，可能是新年的關係吧，大時大節的約會總是比較多。看到的朋友大多都認識了一段時間，只是比較少見面，溝通還是有的。不過未知是否受到經濟低迷影響，大部份人都是愁眉苦臉，事實上，當中有失業的，亦有失戀的。遇到這些情況，很多時都愛莫能助，並非無能為力，只是你也可能是他們其中一份子，與其互舔傷口，倒不如忘卻傷口，及時行樂。

經常都說香港人是很壓抑，可能是世界上眾多城市中最數一數二，應該還比不上東京那些。香港人每天工作十多小時，由你早上出門到你回家的路上，四處都是人，總言之，你一天沒回到家，你是享受不到私人空間。如果放工後有娛樂的話，你只可量力而為，要work hard,play hard嗎？除非你是老闆，又或者明天是你期盼已久的假期，甚至你放你自己一個假。但你明天是假期又不代表每個人明天都是假期，到最後大家還是不能盡慶，又再走進這種鬱鬱不樂的尷尬。好，那決定回家躲起來，享受一套電影或遊戲，但那刻，你又會發覺自己離人群很遠，又或者會覺得乏味。我不知道香港實際有幾多個人是過這樣的生活，但最少大部份都是這樣，不論年青的，已成家立室的也好，只是所做的事會有所不同，但結果大家都是做著一些沉悶的事。

這種抑鬱情緒只有大城市才會有，但香港更嚴重的原因有很多，例如社會競爭激烈、人際關係複雜、物慾過盛、地少人多等．．．大部份打工的每天都是擔心：「到底錢夠不夠用？怎能發達呢？老闆上司今天的心情如何？」，而學生每天就擔心：「又要考試了，還沒溫好呢，到底要選擇怎樣的前路？啊，功課太多，還沒完成呢！」，有些人可能會擔心自己的伴侶是否還愛自己、那位這位到底喜歡誰？通通都是煩惱。

不去想的話，可能會比較好，但自小又可能被教育成「不應該逃避」，到這時，又會增加一種煩惱稱為矛盾。在香港，真的沒多少人能得到自己想要的，「種瓜得瓜、種豆得豆」這說話在香港是最難表現出來，在複雜社會中，可能影響你人生的元素有太多。幸運的可以走上一條簡單的路，但沒有運的，走上一條路後，又會發現有很多分支，這些分支有些可能是死路，有些可能是有更多分支，甚至在一直繞圈圈。

我不在意這些，不過當身邊人是這樣時，你能承擔分享嗎？

「我們那麼年輕死，所以我們永遠都那麼年輕。」

2008-08-04T05:10:00.010+08:00

「我們那麼年輕死，所以我們永遠都那麼年輕。」屠中秋－香港製造。

如果有人問我最喜歡的港產片的話，我可能會選「香港製造」，最好的就不知道了，我還沒找到我認為最好的。當年看這片是在朋友家中，是看VCD的，還是新鮮出爐，剛剛推出時，但其實在它在戲院上映時，我已經有留意，因為就是「香港製造」這四個字吸引了我，不過當年我對電影的興趣，未濃厚到什麼也到戲院看（現在也不是，但最少我希望再入場看這套）。那時，跟幾位損友是被內裡的疑似黑社會背景吸引，相信大家都記得那些年，古惑仔是多麼盛行，要Label的話，就是MK年代。

那時，我不會分什麼是商業或非商業片種，我只抱著一般心情去看，起初時看了幾幕，有點不習慣，心想：「怎麼男主角（Sam Lee）的演技這麼差？」，慢慢習慣了，已經不去顧及演技這部份了，開始真正投入去看這電影時，我才感到那種幼嫩的演技就是真實，是青少年才會有的青澀，就算你找梁朝偉是演不出來的味道，雖算不上是演技，但這就是最貼近觀眾的真實，在我們幾個同樣是青少年的學生眼中無限放大。那時，戲裡的每一幕深深打進我的心胸，帶給了我最貼身的震撼，我隨即完全進入了電影的世界，第一次走進了這麼寫實的香港。其中，有一位朋友在放映前曾說過，這套電影可能會悶的那種，但看後我說了一句話：「原來電影可以這樣。」

那年的香港金像獎我有看，當知道「香港製造」被提名最佳導演時，就知道我一定要看到它得獎。最後結果，就如我所願，陳果就憑它第一次染指金像獎。就在那時「香港製造」這電影開始變成較知名了，我就不斷推介給朋友說一定要看，而我自己亦忘記了看過多少次了。

「我們那麼年輕死，所以我們永遠都那麼年輕。」這句對白，我很深刻，因為簡單易明，沒有任何伏筆隱喻。在我看後，電影的哀樂在我腦海中飄盪了好幾星期，而這句對白，我甚至一直都沒忘記，並不是我對對白含義的認同，只是我第一次明白到死是多麼緊貼伴隨自己。

The Incredible Hulk

2008-06-11T19:24:00.023+08:00

I guess everyone has a little mean streak in us, and anger's something that we have to control lest we flare up and hurt people, physically or otherwise. In the 1960s, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby fused atomic energy with that emotion, and gave us a very tragic, misunderstood hero in the form of a grey coloured Hulk. I still recall when I was young, reading a reprint on the origin of the angry monster, where a scientist in an act of selfless sacrifice, helped a young boy evacuate from a ground zero site, therefore exposing himself to deadly doses of radiation from an army bomb test. The rest as they say, is history, and a pop culture icon was born.

Other than the comic books, I was weaned on stories of the green Hulking monster who appeared during the last 5 to 10 minutes of a television series starring Bill Bixby as scientist David Bruce Banner, who journeys from town to town, encountering different folks as he tries to etch a living and find a cure for his violent condition, but almost always transforming into his alter-ego to right some wrongs. And as a young boy, we just waited and waited, until it was time for some action when Lou Ferrigno was allowed to flex his muscles in green body paint and a bad haircut, shoving people and objects around with aplomb, in slow motion and low grunts.

Lee Ang was a surprise decision when roped in to make a movie version of the Hulk. With the success of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man in 2002, the Marvel movie franchise was set abuzz overnight and every character which could possibly be made into a movie, was considered a gold mine. To the layman, having the Hulk in an all out action movie was a no-brainer, so I guess everyone was taken aback when Lee Ang was appointed to helm the movie. It did decently at the box office, but wasn't the smash everyone had been hoping for. For me, I liked his version of it because it didn't take the easy way out and neither did it choose to dumb down a lot of things. His version of Bruce Banner was cut as a more tragic character, and some time was spent in building up his backstory. Action wise it was adequate, though everyone was clamouring for more classic Hulk-like moments from the comic book panels. The panels were delivered, but only to irk some movie goers that they were unnecessary. So with the way it ended, questions to whether a sequel would be made, were dangling for some time, especially whether the director or lead actor Eric Bana would return.

As we now know, Louis Leterrier was appointed, with pedigree coming from the Transporter series, so he has some credentials in the making of pure action fests. Edward Norton stepped into the role of Bruce Banner, replacing Bana, and it looked more like the movie would seem like a reboot of sorts with no ties to the earlier Lee Ang version. With Norton having a hand at the screenplay, I guess everyone's curious as to how this story would match up against its predecessor. In one fell swoop of the opening credits, it wiped the slate clean. We have a new Bruce Banner in a new gamma-test gone awry, we have a new General Thunderbolt Ross played by William Hurt replacing Sam Elliot, and we also have a new Betty Ross, with Liv Tyler stepping into Jennifer Connelly's heeled shoes. The Hulk became an immediate by-product of a botched experiment, and we have the usual military coverups and simultaneous hunting of the green monster, which had eluded them for more than 5 months.

The crowded streets and cluttered housing on the streets of Rio De Janeiro provided some reminiscence of Jackie Chan's Police Story, where you could be sure of a chase scene zig-zagging the streets to take advantage of the wonderful opportunities presented for an exhilerating chase. And Leterrier doesn't try not to provide action junkies plenty of action-smashing moments as we root for Bruce Banner to hulk up, unfortunately of course, to satisfy our lust for some unadulterated action where everything in the way of the Hulk, gets smashed. However those expecting action from the get go will be disappointed, as there were only a small handful of action sequences, though of course they include the classic moments that comic fans had been baying for since 4 years ago. So I guess most will be left happy as we see some nifty moves by the Hulkster, which will leave a smile on your face, despite being used in limited doses. But I note though that the story cum action, looked a little bit like Superman II with the seeking of a cure and the deliberate loss of power to be with the lady love, and the duking out between super-beings on equal footing (here being gamma-powered), with a tinge of Cloverfield like moments too.

While there will be those who will gripe about the transformation mainly done in the dark and in shadows, it does prove to be effective in building some anticipation and heightened tension as to when he will finally appear in full glory. The mainly military attacks on the big guy again brought out some back to basics adversary with Thunderbolt Ross trying to capture the Hulk, and in fact I'd appreciate that this movie didn't divert too much away from this primary objective, although it might be more of the same from the first movie. But while the Hulk has an aura of invulnerability, somehow The Incredible Hulk provided me at least, an emotional pang when he gets hurt bad, as we remember that this is a guy who just plainly wants to be left alone. And the angrier the Hulk gets, the bigger and more powerful he becomes too.

And it's not all serious here too, with well meaning humour peppered in the right places, making numerous references to the television series and characters from the Marvel universe. You'd often wonder how his pants stay on before-during-and-after transformation, well, it gets addressed here with humour. Memorable lines such as "don't-make-me-angry-you-wouldn't-like-me-when-I'm-angry" gets punned away, even the late Bill Bixby got a cameo, together with Lou Ferrigno who reprises his security guard role, and Stan Lee who's possibly in the most unmemorable cameo apperance ever. The much touted Tony Stark appearance will bring whoops of joy from newly converted fans of Robert Downey Jr, while I suspect in line with the rumoured Avengers movie, the universe now seemed more streamlined again with the references to SHIELD, and stupid me thinking that Mr Fantastic would somewhat be featured in this too. A WWII super soldier project and serum was referenced and formed the basis for Tim Roth's Emil Blonsky turned Abomination, but Captain America? I'll leave that to you to find out.

But what I really liked about The Incredible Hulk is not the action sequences, nor the references mentioned made. It was the central love story between Bruce Banner and Betty Ross. In Lee Ang's version, we don't see much of the romance between Bana and Connelly because the story didn't really call for it, save for a rescue scene, and at a juncture where the Hulk was stopped in his tracks by his lady love. And that was precisely the winner for me. The Hulk, for all his power and unstoppable rage, could be brought under control by his lady love, and that was used to great effect here. Beneath the green invulnerability lies the heart of a mild-mannered man who yearns to be with the love of his life, but unfortunately cannot due to the curse that Fate had brought upon him. Both Norton and Tyler managed to bring out this chemistry of lovers torn apart, one who can only admire the other from afar, and the other finally never wanting to let go of someone who had disappered from her life for her own protection. And ths version of Betty does sport a bit of a temper and feisty too, and is not really your classic damsel in distress.

Granted that most supporting characters were rather one-dimensional, The Incredible Hulk somehow managed to straddle between its intense whack-all-destroy-all moments, and tender ones when the lovers are left alone to their own devices. As with the Marvel movies to date, the doors are left wide opened for follow ups and team-ups, and here there are no less than three avenues where the next story could develop further from, and sowed the seed for other movie franchises to be developed too. It drained a little bit from the cerebral department in order to amplify the romance, and let the action go into overdrive. Hulk Smash indeed, this time likely to make a huge dent at the summer box office, for fans and non-fans alike to be won over, just like how Iron Man did.

Rating: 6/10

Director: Louis Leterrier
Cast: Edward Norton (calm, angry, repeat), Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt, Robert Downey Jr.
Release Date: 2008 June 13
Studio: Universal Pictures

iPhone 3G 親手把玩

2008-06-09T04:42:00.013+08:00

不好意思，我們玩的到但拍不到照片，以下是更多 iPhone 3G 的細節：

* 我們快速進行速度測試，EDGE iPhone 傳輸速度為 104Kbps，3G iPhone 為 215Kbps，多了兩倍之多還滿不賴的。
* 確實有 3G 訊號開啟/關掉的裝置，不過被埋在很多層的選單底下。沒有自動轉換的選項，蘋果假設你會開啟3G。
* WiFi 依然是 802.11b/g，沒有 n。
* GPS 是 A-GPS。
* 相片能作地理定位，這點很棒。但因為在室內，沒辦法確實定位以及知道抓到衛星的時間。
* 螢幕表現和第一代一樣，但因為機子很新，感覺有亮了一點，這沒什麼重要。
* 失望！相機和第一代一樣，也沒有前列視訊相機。
* 感覺確實比較厚，不過有點 Treo 的樣式以及削邊的作法，使得iPhone 3G和第一代感受其實挺相近的。背部圓曲線的設計，可以讓你無聊時在桌上旋轉 iPhone 3G 玩轉轉樂。
* 背部是塑膠，但仍然有一定質感，不會有廉價的感覺。組裝感覺也相當扎實，也是指紋機一枚。
* 電源器非常誇張的小，就好像包裹一個 USB 接頭那樣大而已，插頭設在另一端。不錯的是，這個插頭也可為 iPod touch 和第一代 iPhone 充電，想買的朋友可以額外購買。
* 選購的新基座和電源器要價29美元（還沒完全確定）。
* 複製/貼上和 MMS 的功能沒確定有沒有（應該沒有）。
* iPhone 3G 似乎不能插上舊的小基座，新基座看起來更小更服貼 iPhone 3G 背部的曲線。
* 耳機接孔的問題完全解決，想用什麼耳機就用什麼耳機！
* 舊事已去，不會有第一代iPhone了，大家開始懷念鋁背吧！

看來 iPhone 3G 似乎真的更好，如果電池續航力真的如官方規格所提的話，確實有機會在企業市場上攻城掠地，縱使打不贏黑莓機的話，199美元的漂亮價格也是相當具殺傷力的！

三十期的呂布十年光輝

2008-04-02T16:23:00.015+08:00

一個英雄走到末路要多少時間？我不知道。
但呂布的末路就走了三十期，我說的是漫畫「火鳳燎原」（下稱火鳳）中的呂布。

火鳳我由第一期開始看，由「不是人」開始，我已經是陳某半個粉絲，所以當知道他所寫的三國傳奇再次建立於新書中時，我是蠻興奮的。甚至直到現在仍不離不棄，每期都買，而且曾經在漫畫節排了個多小時去拿陳某簽名。

起初覺得火鳳燎原這名字有點奇怪，但其實意思是字面可解釋的，火鳳是指「司馬懿」，而燎原就是指已經幻化成趙雲的燎原火。而且火鳳有劫火重生的意思，主要是去形容司馬懿苦心積累去謀朝篡位的過程。根據陳某作風，他的三國史是虛構加上大量三國背景，運用其想像力用漫畫刻劃出新的三國演義。

剛一直描寫的，主要是由討伐董卓聯合軍開始，所以很著重描寫了呂布這個三姓家奴。雖然他在史實及演義都是個背信棄義之人，但我一直都是很喜歡他這個歷史人物，原因就無它的，我最喜歡天下布武的人，不需理會什麼義理或謀略，武力就是一切，嘿！就連陳某自己都說過，三國中他最喜歡呂布及趙雲了，所以很早就知道他會用很長時間去寫呂布，只是沒有想過他用了三十期！

很多漫畫三十期都沒有，就算到三十期，都可能差不多快到尾聲了，但在火鳳中，這個三十期再剛開始，因為陳某自己說過要寫到在第一期出現過的結局畫面（就是滿頭白髮的趙雲衝去殺死坐著曹芳的司馬懿那場面），那麼要計算距離多久才完結嗎？由開始到呂布吊死白門樓是三十一期，在歷史中這裡是剛好十年（188-198），那麼到曹芳是幾年呢？是公元235年！算算看，他最少要寫120期！天啊，何時才會完啊！

不過我相信我的命比陳某長！

Source: The First Dimension

狗仔队非逼得谢霆锋张柏芝离婚才甘心？

2008-03-01T07:43:00.016+08:00

艳照门已经越来越像一部真实上演的连续剧一般，每一丁点的风吹草动都能吸引足眼球。而媒体们尤其是狗仔队们更是幸福异常，如此精彩劲爆且能够保证阅读量的新闻恐怕是百年难遇，于是每天有关于艳照门的实时动态都会以最快的速度传播开去。只是各种消息真真假假，为了博版面，狗仔队们也顾不得那么多，平时无风都能掀起三尺浪，更别说在这样的特殊时刻了。

作为艳照门中名气最大的女星，张柏芝就始终是狗仔队们重点关照的对象，谁让她还有一个同样名气不小的丈夫谢霆锋呢？更何况两人新婚燕尔麟儿初诞，加上谢霆锋的父母谢贤和狄波拉本来也是狗仔队们的最爱，以及谢霆锋、张柏芝、陈冠希三人之间复杂地堪比小说的关系更是活生生地上演了一部情感伦理剧。于是当张柏芝从被卷入艳照门开始就一直没有能够逃脱狗仔队们的关注。

谢霆锋和张柏芝到底有没有婚变？两人到底有没有离婚是目前大家最关心的问题之一，从目前的报道倾向来看，至少媒体们似乎更希望两人最终还是离婚。从“据说谢霆锋张柏芝已经分居”到“据说谢霆锋怒摔婚戒”，从“据传谢霆锋偶遇陈冠希挥拳欲打”到“据传谢霆锋打算休妻”，狗仔队们用他们的敬业精神直播着一场“据传”的演出。谢霆锋张柏芝若是也有心情天天上网看新闻的话，恐怕连他们自己都相信自己都已经离婚了。李连杰说，艺人千万不能上网看有关于自己的新闻。因为如果看到说自己好的新闻，自己会开心一个礼拜；如果看到说自己坏的新闻，自己就会难过一个月，就这样艺人成为了别人笔下的奴隶。如今的谢霆锋和张柏芝就是这样一对狗仔队笔下的奴隶。

有道是劝和不劝分，但狗仔队们的思维逻辑似乎并不是如此。相比起谢霆锋张柏芝情比金坚共度难关起来，他们更喜欢看到两人劳燕分飞妻离子散家破人亡。顺便再上演一幕小甜甜布莱妮似的夺子大战，若是张柏芝也不堪压力精神崩溃那就更完美了，狗仔队们更像是那恨透了嫖客们的太监一样，看不得人家过的爽。试看看有关于谢霆锋张柏芝离婚的新闻，其中多用的是猜测语气，根本就没有真凭实据，顶多是捕风捉影一些有的没的的内容添油加醋一番就成了隔日的头条新闻。笔者就纳闷了，原来你们天天潜伏在人家家里用摄像头监控人家的一举一动，就连人家的心理活动也洞悉的一清二楚啊？说到底一切都是想当然——谢霆锋作为一个男人怎么可能容忍自己的妻子给自己戴绿帽子？出了这么大事夫妻两个人怎么可能关系一点影响也没有？于是一篇篇重磅炸弹就这么出炉了。只是，就算真把谢霆锋张柏芝俩逼到离婚了，狗仔队们，你们又有多爽了呢？

簡單才恆久

2008-02-27T08:32:00.010+08:00

以下是今天明報的一段專訪新聞，應該能給不少創業人士或想創業的朋友一些啟發。他那不太傳奇的半生包含了無數經驗。

【明報專訊】都說人生如戲、戲如人生。89年從演藝學院導演系畢業的方家煌（Henry），踏出社會後的頭十年曾歷任編劇、監製、唱片騎師、市場推廣，就是沒怎麼當過導演，「點解？我都唔知，無人請掛。」

結果他去做生意，97年尾將當時默默無聞的「葡撻」從澳門帶到旺角。最高峰的時候，人龍由山東街伸延至3個街口後的麥花臣球場，要勞煩警方維持秩序，傳媒爭相報道這位「葡撻大王」；最低谷的時候，在台灣被朋友兼生意伙伴出賣，眼睜睜看著一手創辦的店舖招牌被拆下、取代，在異鄉無人無物，只有一身巨債，以及賴以度日的「一杯」硬幣。

由天堂到地獄，相隔不到一年時間。「導演負責調度事情的發生，而做生意就像以自己的人生，去拍一場無法預演的戲劇」。明報記者林茵

十年後的今天，Henry經營食品批發，7-11便利店的三文治便是由他供應。土瓜灣平實不起眼的食品工場，沒有讓他名成利就，但至少不愁衣食，閒時還可以重拾他喜歡的戲劇創作。經歷葡撻一役，見證港人熱情來去如風，Henry坦言﹕「我寧願做個唔係太成功的人。」

轉批發7-11三文治「簡單才恆久」

從前誓要引入最新奇有趣的食物，到現在售賣最普通最「down to earth」的三文治，這個故事給大家的教訓，大概就是「唯有簡單事物才能恆久長存」的簡單道理。

葡撻大王變成三文治廠長的故事，是這樣開始的——96年的某一天，Henry正參與排練舞台劇《我和春天有個約會》，一位澳門朋友帶來幾盒茶點探班。打開，是一個個疑似蛋撻物體，香氣撲鼻，但蛋面有數處烤焦；咬下去，外皮比蛋撻酥化，餡料是半焦的焦糖、奶油與雞蛋，混合成既香口又creamy的多層次口感。 Henry一嘗之下但覺是人間極品，連忙向朋友請教，得知這叫「葡撻」，在澳門路環區安德魯餅店有售。在忍不住鯨吞6個葡撻的同時，一個念頭在 Henry腦中揮之不去﹕「為什麼香港無人識？無得賣？咁好食，香港一定要有得賣！」

於是，從沒有正式營商經驗的Henry與拍檔 Helen便一起過大海，到澳門安德魯餅店「朝聖」。負責人安德魯在他們的熱誠感動，答應分享獨家秘方，並讓他們以「安德魯葡撻」的商號在香港開業。首間店舖選址旺角山東街。「那裏多人多到嚇死人，亦注定是製造潮流的地方，只要產品有實力，短時間即可一舉成名」。

這塊黃金地段，100呎舖面每日租金4000元，連同裝修、聘師傅、買機器，共投資百多萬，但山東街沒有令Henry失望，開業兩、三個月生意就已經回本。

「其實沒怎麼宣傳，只是大家食過覺得好食，慢慢就有人排隊，一有人排隊便有傳媒約訪問，再惹來更多人排隊，最後便排到成3個街口咁遠。」Henry說，有段日子要勞動警察公共關係科來商量如何疏導人流，但大家都束手無策。「始終舖頭細，當時最多只可以每半個鐘出一轉、每轉有270個葡撻，每日做十幾小時，賣 6000幾個葡撻，仍然供不應求。」

平均每7秒賣出一個葡撻的盛世，持續大概半年，到底賺了多少錢？Henry想了一會，失笑說﹕「真係唔記得，太短時間內賺得太多，賺到無鰦感覺，只見數字不斷咁升，應該有7位數吧。」急速冒升的財富讓他志得意滿，親友提議他儲錢買樓鋪後路，他心裏想的只是要令生意做得更大，於是「安德魯葡撻」在尖沙嘴開了第二間分店。

台灣開分店遇人不淑倒蝕7位數字

這時候，一名台灣朋友致電Henry，說希望合作擴展生意到台灣，「當時真係太雄心，恃住自己識講國語，就覺得去台灣都難唔到我」。Henry指那位朋友介紹他認識當地娛樂圈的大哥，然後談好條件，一人出一半錢。對方幫手找舖位、落訂、買材料，他則負責製作技術，「他是我的舊同學，我很信任他，所以沒有簽約」。

台灣分店開幕，反應像香港一樣理想。可是幾星期後，Henry 和Helen開始發覺不對勁﹕賺的錢很多，但全都不到他們手。未幾，香港分店的師傅告訴Herny，他朋友以5萬月薪、送大屋和台灣戶籍，想挖他過去幫手；Henry即時乘飛機到台灣跟舊同學對質，「他沒有任何解釋，只係喊住同我講，『我都要生存，我都係身不由己……』，好似演員咁。」

更令他「歎為觀止」的，是對方夜裏偷偷派人到舖頭，數他們用了幾多隻蛋、幾多盒奶，企圖掌握安德魯葡撻的獨門秘方。那一刻Henry才發現，無簽約，無人幫到他們；當地律師和警察都勸他們不要追究，跟對方和解。「在台灣什麼也講關係，無勢力人士撐腰，就算簽約也沒用」。

「最記得有一晚，對方約我和Helen在葡撻店對面的茶餐廳談判，然後一邊call貨車來拆招牌，我們被一班人夾在舖內，眼睜睜看著自己的招牌被拆下來，再換上對方的新招牌。」Henry苦笑說，「當時腦中一片空白，覺得好像電影情節，太荒謬；Helen更忍不住在敵人面前哭了，兩人都好無助。」

店舖沒了，Henry的投資、盈利一分錢也得不到；等待他的，只有追討欠款的員工和債主。當時Helen留在台灣善後，窮得只靠「一杯」硬幣過活。「有一日她哭著打電話告訴我，很餓，無錢吃飯了；我忽然想起，從前風光的時候只用紙幣，找回來的硬幣都擱在一個紙杯裏，便叫她找來用，結果她每天用幾蚊買豆漿饅頭，捱過了回港前的最後一星期。」

「所有人都會買三文治永不會被淘汰」

但回港不等於噩夢終結，當時香港分店的生意也開始走下坡，每日只賣出幾百個葡撻，根本支持不了昂貴的舖租，「明明還是一樣的葡撻，以前大家好鍾意，突然就無人再買、無人再來排隊了」。98年尾， Henry與 Helen決定關閉所有安德魯葡撻分店，變賣機器、遣散員工；埋單一算，不止將高峰期的7位數字蝕盡，還欠債幾百萬。

跟做戲不同的是，劇中主角走出谷底，只需打出「十年後」的字幕，數秒之後便重過幸福快樂生活。但在真實生活裏，Henry與Helen還要一步步捱過去。葡撻店結業後，他們靠好友作擔保人，再向銀行借錢做食品批發東山再起，但因為不熟悉退貨條款，頭一年多還是不斷蝕錢，幾年後才轉虧為盈還清債務。

不過，亦因為時間逐分逐秒過去，才讓人有機會思考、沉澱。「後來我見到泰昌餅家賣普通蛋撻，賣幾十年仍有人排隊，便明白香港人最喜歡的始終是些平凡事物，譬如車仔麵、奶茶、菠蘿油、火腿通粉，永恆地好賣，大家追求的是一份由細食到大的回憶，發現味道不變，就覺得安全、滿足，於是一再光顧。

「從前常想引進乜乜物物，再fusion再特別，人家也只是試幾次就夠；有人問我『淪落』到整三文治委不委屈？我反而覺得好開心，我做緊的是所有人都會買會食，是最core的，永遠不會被淘汰。從葡撻到三文治，其實我的想法已進入另一階段。」

那麼，葡撻讓他經歷過這些大起大落，還喜歡吃嗎？「好奇怪，開舖之後便沒再吃過，喜愛的食物變了商品，就提不起興趣；現在，每5年吃一次吧。」難道有陰影？「唔係，只不過……葡撻真係好肥膩！咁好食當然有原因啦，落咁好多糖同奶油，比蛋撻肥好多倍！」

長江七號前瞻

2008-01-24T12:25:00.008+08:00

還有一星期，萬眾期待的長江七號就會上映。雖說是前瞻，但沒什麼劇透，要說這是前瞻，不如說是平反。在著筆前都在想，那有人戲未上先平反，但實際上，我的目的就是為了讓會看此戲的讀者先作一些心理準備。

一聽到周星馳的名字，普遍香港人都會認為他是笑匠，拍的戲就是笑片或喜劇。但這次大家不要那麼期待好了，「長江七號」這套戲主線是打家庭溫情章法，用一隻外星生物去帶過一個父子的故事，不明白的話，可以想像這套是外星科幻奇趣版「父子」。那麼，內裡有笑料或周氏無厘頭式演出嗎？答案是有，但你最好想像成是一套普通電影都會有的有限笑位，最起碼比前作「功夫」更少，而且周星馳的戲份不多，可能加起來不到十五分鐘。他仍然堅持有的笑位，只是為了服務一眾為了看他的笑片的部份觀眾，其實大可以省略。

如果有聽商台節目，就知卓韻芝看了首映，而她評價就只是「失望」二字。她沒有說錯，也不是要求高，只是期望太高罷了，而且真的沒有想像過周星馳會有如此大轉變。在前作「功夫」，其實已經明顯看到周星馳想完全退居幕後，而且劇種或導演手法亦在轉變，所以「功夫」的評價也是好壞參半，壞的一半人，大部份就是為了看周氏式無厘頭，但卻失望而回而給予此評價。可能到今天很多人仍然不知道「功夫」這套戲是一套致敬作品，主要是向香港武俠片及粵語長片致敬，更是向他所崇拜的李小龍最高致敬。除此以外，他的導演手法明顯在此戲中進步了，可能戲份減少，可以專心做幕後工作的關係，不論鏡頭運用，又或是特技應用方面都比「少林足球」好太多了，應該是我看到周氏最大轉捩點之一。

而今次的情況有如「功夫」，但這次不算是什麼致敬作，純粹只是他以前看了史提芬史匹堡的「E.T外星人」後，就一直想拍一套外星生物作品。但為什麼要用外星生物帶過一個父子故事呢？我相信，是因為周星馳想挑戰自己，他想轉型，第一步就是要向別人證明他能處理最難令人拍案叫絕的溫情片，還要是用上演技不可能太純熟的小孩。如果要看周氏的進步，相信在戲中看這些部份應該會看得出來。而他所處理的笑位已經去爐火純青的地步，都是大家看慣那種，只是不會出現太多。

不少人在看預告片時，都認為「長江七號」的特技及CG是小學生水平，這一個問題，應該是最令人詬病，但如果了解周氏，就知道他很支持香港電影，雖然近三套作品都是「哥倫比亞電影公司（亞洲）」投資，是一間外國公司，理應特技水平會很高，但周星馳一直仍堅持運用香港公司去處理CG鏡頭，目的就是為了支持香港電影，並沒有持紅忘本。被荷里活以金錢堆砌的CG特技嬌縱的香港人，一定會看不慣它內裡的特技了，不過，各位，就當是支持港產片吧，不要那麼執著了。

其實「長江七號」可能破不了「功夫」的票房紀錄，不過還是建議大家入內觀看，但不要抱太大期望，始終我認為這套戲，只適合三類人看。第一種是周氏的死忠粉絲們，第二種是小孩，第三種就是真正看電影的人。如果你還是抱有看舊有周星馳式的無厘頭片的觀念，你一定會失望而回，破口大罵，甚至完場時向它的海報吐口水。真的要看無厘頭片的話，你還是乖乖在家中看「唐伯虎點秋香」吧。

從門縫間俯瞰

2007-12-15T07:29:00.007+08:00

「高處不勝寒」．但蠢人和有錢人都喜歡站在高處，我，絕對是前者。
每夜吃飽後，我一定出外頭走走，走到大廈走廊，從高處往下看，看看走過的人群，有時會數數有多少輛車走過。

晴天時，會望向遠遠的地方，我很喜歡這種人造的星河，雖然虛偽，但至少是看得到的光亮。間中，會發現附近大廈有同類人，跟我一樣走出走廊站著，但對方多數是眾人，而我就是孤身一個。

雖然說有錢人喜歡高處，但假如我是有錢人的話，我可能會回歸到地上，因為我愛獨立屋，高樓大廈感覺叫人冷漠，石屎森林中感受不到自己是活著的感覺，那份緊繃的空間感叫人呼吸困難。

我並非討厭熱鬧，只是我更愛靜，石屎森林中的熱鬧不會令人寂寞，但相對地這份熱鬧會造成煩擾。

除非我會飛，否則，我可能不會繼續當蠢人去俯瞰風景。

American Gangster

2007-11-01T08:31:00.008+08:00

审查在匆忙：

美丽/暴力美国强盗拥有丰富的人才背后的摄像头，在总Ridley Scott的，但电影的主要角色是Denzel Washington 。它的表演蔚为壮观，因为他的前面和中心，在这近3个小时，基于对现实的故事，一个大的时候，七十年代哈林沉重，他们首创贩运海洛因。

更大的画面：

Frank Lucas （华盛顿）开始了他暴徒生活作为一个保镖，为哈林区最古老的mobster ，但巧妙超越他的权力和影响力。他回避， parried与把手伸得太长摒弃了刑警，与意大利的暴民，要站得高一点，因为其中最大的海洛因交易商在20世纪70年代。什么是他的秘密吗？那么，我们不想搞糟电影非常有意思的，但卢卡斯成功，不被浮华和购买，直接从制造商。

他可能会被超级苍蝇在里面，但他仍然是所有业务。没有花俏的哑弹，并没有暗示他的大pimpin ' 。华盛顿扮演卢卡斯，因为聪明的人在房间内，它的高炉蔚为壮观，在现场后，现场的，尤其是像他的两旁是由一个强有力的自由组合，好莱坞的最好的性格演员： Chiwetel Ejiofor ， Josh Brolin ， Ted Levine和Ruby Dee 。

他的其中一个线索是，必有侦探 Richie Roberts （ Russell Crowe ），和他的工作进展缓慢，也是电影的主要弱点。当然，克劳轮流在另一个表现稳健，但他的角色大多为周围等待，希望他得到一个幸运打破赶上新国王的纽约。

最后40分钟是一个火药桶的暴力行为，但不要混淆，这对于一个行动弹簧。如同任何伟大的犯罪戏剧，真正的紧张是背后的弹雨，结束了在相互钦佩（和对立），卢卡斯和罗伯茨都为对方。

180第二个意见：

Frank Lucas认为，在激烈的不是常委会，所以这是一个badass强盗，他们不会来随时随地近Scarface作为一个流行文化的象征。对不起， Denzel 。

Rating: 5/10

Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard，讓台灣也豹在一起了

2007-10-26T08:44:00.008+08:00

盼了好久，Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard 終於開賣了，台灣的Studio A 搶先辦趴與美國同步。而在店家門口，在晚上六點前，除了該店的工作人員外，連媒體記者都不准至店裡拍攝，把關之嚴堪稱滴水不漏；而在明天，在各大水果行就可以買到這套軟體了。而今天排隊參加預購的前五十名，即可參加 Leopard 的免費課程，並填完意見表後就可以換取Leopard T-shirt。~~(因為活動已經結束了～所以各位可以省點力不用趕去啦！XD)~~至於販售的價格，則是跟之前癮科技所報導的相同，單一授權版為 NT$ 4,390 元，家庭版(五個授權)為 NT$6,890 元。接下來，就看看現場的實況照片囉．．．．．晚上五點多，在東區的信義商圈便看到排著一條長長的人龍，他們全都是來搶前五十名的課程名額～重點更是那件 Leopard T-shirt 啦！為了迎合與美國同步的計劃，所以店家特地在下午四點時便開始封關準備；在現場，除了店家人員外其它人員一概謝絕進入。這位仁兄不畏寒風(其實一點也不冷)，搶到了前五十名的 ~~Leopard T-shirt~~ 保障名額，開心地拿起號碼牌拍張照片。~~先生～只剩 S 號了喲！~~在五點五十五時，店家人員一一叫號前五十名，正式開放排隊民眾入場，與美國同步銷售這款Mac OS X Leopard。購買民眾不分男女老幼、也不分黑白藍綠，反正現場許多排隊的人手上大都空空如也，就是等著直接在櫃台結帳把 Leopard 帶回家。放了好幾天的扛棒．．．．．．遠遠看很像X-MAN的招牌～XD台灣的朋友們～我們終於豹在一起了！這位小妹妹是該店的工作人員，除了身著 Leopard T-shirt 外，還戴上豹耳飾及加裝豹尾巴～很可愛吧！

Nokia N81 8GB来袭！预装N-Gage游戏试玩

2007-10-23T15:40:00.007+08:00

告诉各位Nokia fans一个激动人心的好消息，Nokia N81全球同步发售啦！税前无补贴价，2GB microSD版360欧元/515美元（RMB 3865）；8GB闪存版430欧元/615美元（RMB 4615）。因全新的N-Gage平台尚未上线，N81预装了3款游戏的试玩版，分别是FIFA 07、Asphalt 3: Street Rules以及Space Impact Light。今年晚些时候服务上线后，这三款游戏也可通过HSDPA（可怜我们国内最高也只有2.75G用，和人家还差0.75G）免费下载试玩版。虽然Nokia说的是"全球同步发售"，但这款4波段GSM手机仅支持2100MHz的WCDMA，尽管已通过FCC认证，仍难以在北美市场有何作为。

唱片封套怪談之唔落樣

2007-10-22T10:14:00.002+08:00

音樂工業已經今時不同往日，老早過了動輒幾多白金銷量的年代，以前marketing那班曱甴(某前輩的形容詞，即係無好過有的害虫，但生命力又最頑強，死極死唔去嗰隻)可以logo大細都跟你周旋半天，現在，學周星星話齋：螻蟻都尚且偷生! 曱甴都終於覺悟，知道唱片公司個logo再大，歌手封面照再close-up再靚仔靚女也未必能令銷量起死回生。換言之，唱片封套在創作上的限製已經比以往少，因為某些唱片公司覺得橫死掂死，偶然有幾招出奇制勝中到幾班怪客都未頂。於是本地流行歌手，都開始有唱片封套選擇「唔落樣」，但「唔落樣」都未必一定有好報，為唔落樣而唔落樣，等於為特別而特別，比close up大頭相更多舊魚。
以上唔落樣CD cover幾個，效果如何自己判斷。不過陳奕迅的新大碟，恕我斗膽用核突來形容，幾天前還急不及待走去唱片舖，但賣相實在醜惡，把唱片拿在手左看右看，那件莫名其妙的衫仔(為甚麼是衫仔?關《Listen to Eason Chan》啥事?)、那些不堪入目的字體。我再支持陳奕迅，也接受不了要掏百多元出來買一件甚至不能穿的衫仔，越看越火滾，最終一走了之。其實不單單只是一個唱片封套，觸目所見的東西都越來越難入眼，客戶容度大了(姑勿論是出於甚麼原因)，做創作的反倒不爭氣，這才是最令人意難平，「俾張好牌你都唔識上」大抵就是這意思。

台湾双十国防展示主调加入联合国

2007-10-10T10:05:00.007+08:00

在加入联合国的主调下，台湾今年的国庆节举行了十六年来首度的国防展示，展出包括台军自行研发的陆海空军各式武器。

与十六年前台湾举行双十节阅兵不同的是，这次的国防展示并没有正规部队踼正步接受总统校阅，仅有小部份全副武装特种部队在运兵车上展示武力。

国防展示一开始先由各式直升机越过总统府前上空拉开帷幕，其后列队通过空中的包括雷达预警机，以及法制的幻影与美制的F16等各式战斗机。

在空中分列式后随即进行的是地面部队的检阅，参加检阅的包括各类装甲车，通讯车，工兵车，以及各式导弹及其机动发射车辆。

展出的导弹包括了美制的爱国者二型导弹，复仇者导弹，拖式导弹等，其中最受瞩目是台军自制的"天弓三型"以及"雄风三型"导弹。

据国防展示介绍，由台军方中科院研发，天弓三型导弹为一可垂直发射的地对空导弹，雄风三型导弹则使用台湾自制的引擎，是一种超音速的反舰导弹。

原本台湾军方也预定由空降部队表演在总统府前跳伞，但此一项目因为天候不佳而取消。

入联主调

总统陈水扁在国防展示时，与应邀至台湾观礼的邦交国元首以及立法院长王金平在主席台上全程观礼，但他并未如往年在典礼上致词。

陈水扁于国防展示前在总统府内举行的中枢典礼上说，今年的观礼台与往年不一样，多了"牵手护台湾，加入联合国"的巨幅标语，表示台湾入联不会因一时的困难而停止，政府将坚定推动下去。

他表示，以台湾的名义，用新会员身份加入联合国，表明台湾无意挑战联合国的2758号决议文，也无意与中华人民共和国争取中国代表权。

虽然台湾双十节的由来是"中华民国"的国庆，但今年除了总统府以"台湾加入联合国"来取代有关"中华民国国庆"的标语外，陈水扁在演说中也避开了使用中华民国的字眼。

陈水扁在演说中表示，面对中国越来越严重的文攻武吓，他就任总统以来释出无数的橄榄枝，但却换来中国对台湾"矮化"，"边缘化"，"地方化"，"去政府化"，"去国家主权化"的"五化打压"。

他说，目前三通的球在中国那边，只要中方有诚意推动，尽快完成货运包机便捷化协商，许多问题都可以迎刃而解"。

蓝军抵制

相对于去年台湾的国庆典礼上，泛蓝政治人物纷纷身着红衣倒扁，今年泛蓝抵制总统府前的国庆典礼，而在国民党执政的台北市与台北县，自行举行升旗典礼。

以中华民国创建者与传承者自居的国民党，对于这次台湾双十节上淡化中华民国的色彩，一直以来就有许多不满。

该党总统参选人马英九在升旗典礼后说，中共打压台湾的国旗，而民进党在台湾却与他们唱和，双方是连手打击中华民国；他会全力地捍卫中华民国，强力对抗要消灭中华民国的人。

在泛蓝人士没有出席的情况下，虽然今年总统府前的典礼上出现零星的倒扁人士混入观礼台闹场事件，但很快就被安全人员架离。

去年发动倒扁运动的施明德在数名幕僚人员的陪同下原欲直闯典礼，但主办单位临时发给贵宾证，最后其在贵宾席上平静地参加了典礼，未有激烈抗议倒扁之举。

Superbad

2007-09-14T03:13:00.007+08:00

什么的,它说明:
一个熟悉的前提：三名oddball高学质押欢送他们的青春期与booze燃料党，并最终实现抱负的一些性感的时候忽视女同学。但有一个问题：他们的社会急需和既缺少现金和胡须，以获取宝贵的毒物。美国线索大饼式的毛出的时刻和污言秽语颜色作为其夜奇妙本案疯狂即将来临。

好处是什么呢:
考虑到脚本开始生活在手中的一个13岁seth氮，笑话击中马克与惊人地一致的准确性。加上，不像类似努力的贾森比格斯和肖恩威廉斯科特时代，一切都是糖胺大增真正化学之间者提供他们。证据场外画面友谊是常数，虽然此事是无可浅，它强调不断强调重要性的友谊。

有什么不好呢:
不可避免地运往邪教喜剧地位上一级播音员和拿破仑，你可以假装在游乐过度吟诵线的岁月。

判决书:
虽然撞倒了，证明氢较能提供杀手线， superbad确认他的身份，作为一个有趣的作家近年来的一个关键数字，在造型稚气新浪潮高中喜剧。最好笑的电影年。

Rating: 7/10

Director: Greg Mottola
Cast: Jonah Hill (chubby), Michael Cera (average), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (skinny), Seth Rogen (mustachio’d)
Release Date: August 17th, 2007 (wide)
Studio: Sony Pictures Releasing

神鬼認證3: 最後通牒 (The Bourne Ultimatum)

2007-08-07T23:19:00.009+08:00

劇情簡介：
失去記憶的傑森包恩(麥特戴蒙)在受到美國情治單位的孤立之後，成為一個沒有國家也沒有過去的獨行俠，但是幸好他並沒有忘記曾經受過的嚴格訓練。他曾是中情局訓練出來最頂尖的職業殺手，現在則成為中情局最難追捕的對象。自從上次他的摯愛瑪莉(法蘭克波丹特)被職業殺手一槍斃命後，他就展開一場跨國的報復行動。當他終於找到了兇手，也完成了這場驚心動魄的報復行動，他只想從此永遠消失，並忘記他被奪走的人生和過去，但是當一份倫敦報紙的頭版新聞揭發他的存在之後，他又發現自己成為暗殺對象。負責訓練出超級職業殺手的高機密絆腳石計劃早已被取消，中情局這次和國防部合作，進行一個被稱為「黑薔薇」的計劃，目的是訓練出新一代的職業殺手，讓政府在國內外進行高機密的暗殺行動。對他們來說，包恩是最大的心腹之患，他們必須不擇手段消滅他。對包恩來說，他們則是和他急欲忘卻的過去的唯一聯繫。這次包恩被逼得走投無路，於是他決定完全豁出去，不再手下留情，他將運用他的高超本領和敏銳直覺揪出幕後黑手，把他們完全消滅。他這次的行動將從莫斯科、巴黎和馬德里，一直到倫敦和丹吉爾，一邊逃避黑薔薇計劃派出來的殺手、聯邦探員和當地警方的追捕，一邊企圖找出在他腦海揮之不去的問題的解答。

Rating: 7/10

Director: Paul Greengrass
Cast: Matt Damon, Joan Allen, Julia Stiles, David Strathairn, Paddy Considine, Edgar Ramirez, Joey Ansah, Scott Adkins,Daniel Fredenburgh, Scott Glenn, Albert Finney, Trevor St. John
Release Date: August 03, 2007
Studio: Universal Pictures

皇帝駕崩

2007-07-26T08:39:00.007+08:00

就於日前九龍皇帝曾灶財因心臟病辭世，引起不少社會迴響，今日的蘋果日報更以頭版報導，盡顯皇帝生前的地位。各方市民紛紛討論這位自稱皇帝的現代藝術家，追悼回憶，但他生前的墨寶有多少人會去欣賞？甚至有部份人認為這是神經漢妄想藝術，甚至是破壞。它的離去會是文化界的新啟發嗎？

用梵高去比喻曾灶財未免太抬舉，但兩人的背景卻是如此相近。皇帝畢生在四處塗鴉寫上族譜，更要港英政府還他一個確實名份，不論是否屬實，在他身體仍然健康時，他不論風雨，都會拿起他的大筆四處書寫他的狂亂書法宣示主權，由起初眾人發現他這行為藝術時，相信反感總比好感多，可能覺得他是有趣，但只會認為他只是一個「傻佬」。直到他身體不再自如地讓他四處奔走，他的墨寶被清洗得七七八八時，眾人就開始懷念這位皇帝，懷念他的輕狂，他的執著，他的一手黑墨字。直到他辭世，這些追憶聲音更為強烈，有如梵高一生不如意，他追求的藝術在他生前是不受眾人欣賞，他建立的不朽直到他長眠的那一刻才成為真真正正的不朽。這種對先人的珍重、懷念，是在藝術界常見的。
現在還不排除有少數人認為他的並非什麼藝術，可能連次文化都談不上，但你能否定他是一個集體回憶嗎？有如梁文道所說：「無人未看過他的作品，絕對是港人的集體回憶，亦啟發我們重新思考何謂藝術。」，用近代一點去形容他的藝術，我會認為這是graffiti，是塗鴉，一種不能持久，一種犯罪，但確實是藝術，不論行為上的滿足，還是藝術品中帶出的含意，曾灶財的作品早已滿足一切要求，不考究是否懂得欣賞，但這確實是受到一定認同。

對曾灶財而言，這可能並非他原先所想的，他不需要什麼藝術家銜頭，不需要眾人的讚嘆，他不像歌德，不像梵高去追求不朽，更沒有想過有如米高安哲羅流芳百世，可能以上提及的藝術家也沒有想過流芳千秋萬載，於他們在生時所想到的只是藝術，只希望有人會欣賞，所希望的是在生帶給他們的光榮，而不是後世人的讚美，不朽只是一種對永恆的追求，當你追求到的時候，你早已成為塵土，並非一種實際的渴求。但無可否認，就連曾灶財與他們所走的一生，也只是一種對藝術的堅持，單單這種都市人所缺乏的執著及信念，已足夠眾人去懷念追悼。

他牆上的墨寶很難流傳於永恆，建築是會拆下來，風吹雨打總會磨滅，他的一切只能存於相片，少量親筆手紙及回憶中，但他應該無憾，這一些非永恆的存留，終能成為香港藝術文化的一種不朽。

Source: The First Dimension

虎胆龙威4 (Die Hard 4.0)

2007-06-22T17:13:00.009+08:00

虎胆龙威4：虚拟危机剧情介绍
这是《虎胆龙威》系列特别营造的一个惯例：约翰·迈克莱恩总是在错误的时间出现在错误的地方，然后被迫卷进一系列的麻烦之中。话说不知道是哪一年的7月4 日，恰好是一个周末，虽说纽约警察约翰·迈克莱恩正在度假中，可是他还来不及和他那已经上大学的女儿露西道别，就被总部的电话叫走了，他接到一个任务：逮捕黑客马特·法莱尔，然后送到FBI那里接受审讯……怎么看这都是一件稀松平常的案子，可是你不要忘了约翰那天生吸引麻烦的体质。约翰刚刚抵达马特的公寓，就像触动了什么机关似的，各种各样的混乱接踵而来。

　　在马特的帮助下，约翰那不太灵光的脑袋终于开始慢慢理解自己身边为什么发生了这么多事情。原来，不知道来自于何方的一股攻击力量，正在侵蚀着美国的计算机系统，一旦成功，整个国家都将陷入停顿的可怕状态。当然，这个计划背后肯定有一个神秘人物，只是FBI没办法确定这位神秘人的具体位置。

　　制造这场混乱的幕后黑手就是托马斯·加布里埃尔，他为约翰准备了一大堆机关障碍，包括绑架他的女儿露西。目的只有一个，就是避免这个警察插手自己一手策划的惊天大计划。要说计算机啊网络啊，可都是约翰的死穴，虽然不至于一窍不通，也八九不离十了。好在虽然一路连滚带爬，约翰却没忘记自己的任务，将马特牢牢地带在自己身边，于是这位年轻的黑客小伙子，就成了这一次约翰身边最得力的帮手。

虎胆龙威4：虚拟危机花絮
《虎胆龙威》上一集是1995年上映，距离现在已经11年，威利斯今年51岁，还要在大银幕上再度演绎孤胆英雄。是否能够重振当年雄风，还是一个未知数。 11年后再拍续集，剧情上也要跟上时代步伐。电影讲一个犯罪组织破坏互联网，导致国家陷于危亡，威利斯饰演的警察约翰·麦克连也变成一个已经退休的老警察，但是危急时刻，重出江湖，铲除邪恶。香港名模MaggieQ也会在片中惊艳亮相，化身为世界一流的电脑骇客，与男主角布鲁斯·威利斯对戏，这也是她首次在好莱坞电影中担任反面角色。
麦克兰这次勇斗恐怖分子的地点在美国首都华盛顿一带。影片导演莱恩·怀斯曼曾执导奇幻动作片《黑夜传说2：进化》，他在谈到《虎4》中的英雄主角时透露：“他将倾尽所能让坏蛋们尝尽苦头。我们的反面角色这次采用的是高科技犯罪手段，但麦克兰对付他们的手段却还是‘低科技’的。拳手仍然能解决很多问题。 ”
怀斯曼还指出，第四部将是“一部更具史诗气质的电影”，“场面更大，其中恶势力的威胁也更大———威胁到了整个国家。”威利斯此次赶上了今年动作片续集大回归的热潮———此前，史泰龙已再度领衔主演《洛奇6》；哈里森·福特也开始筹划《夺宝奇兵4》。而《虎胆龙威》系列的赚钱能力一点也不比前两者差，其前三部已在世界范围内收回7.39亿美元的票房，这个数据还不包括DVD的销售盈利。

虎胆龙威4：虚拟危机精彩对白
Matt Farrell: Why are you so calm? Have you done that kinda stuff before?
马特·法莱尔：你为什么这么冷静？你以前做过相似的事情吗？

Matt Farrell: Shouldn''t we call for backup or something?
John McClane: Makes too much sense.
马特·法莱尔：我们是不是应该请求支援？
约翰·迈克莱恩：说点更有意义的建议。

Matt Farrell: [running to a bleeding John McClane] You okay?
John McClane: [pause, panting] I''ll let you know in a minute.
马特·法莱尔（向流血的约翰·迈克莱恩跑过去）：你还好吧？
约翰·迈克莱恩（不停地大喘气）：一分钟之后告诉你。

Matt Farrell: You just killed a helicopter with a car!
John McClane: I was out of bullets.
马特·法莱尔：你刚刚用一辆轿车击落一架直升机！
约翰·迈克莱恩：我没有子弹了。

Matt Farrell: [large explosion] Did you see that?
John McClane: Yeah I saw it, I did it!
马特·法莱尔（看着一场巨大的爆炸）：你能看到吗？
约翰·迈克莱恩：是的，我当然能看见，那场爆炸是我弄的。

Matt Farrell: What''re you gonna do?
John McClane: I''m gonna go kill this guy and get my daughter. Or go get my daughter and kill this guy. Or kill all of ''em!
马特·法莱尔：你会怎么做？
约翰·迈克莱恩：我会杀了这个人，然后救出我女儿；或者救出我女儿然后杀了这个人；再或者把他们都杀了！

The Warlock: [to Matt] Why did you bring a cop to my command center?
John McClane: [laughs] It''s a basement!
The Warlock: [angrily] Who is this man?
"魔术师"（对马特说）：为什么你把一个警察带到我的指挥中心来？
约翰·迈克莱恩（嘲笑）：这只是一间地下室！
"魔术师"（大怒）：这个男人是谁？

Thomas: Do you wanna say somethin''?
John McClane: Yippie-ki-yay, mother...
托马斯：你想说些什么吗？
约翰·迈克莱恩（大骂）：*#@*￥$#%……

Thomas: I''m doing America a favor.
托马斯：我只是帮了美国一个忙。

Thomas: [talking to McClane on walkie-talkie] Mr. McClane, I need you to behave.
Lucy McClane: [hands walkie-talkie over to Lucy] Daddy?
托马斯（在对讲机中对约翰说）：迈克莱恩先生，你最好守规矩点。
露西·迈克莱恩（接过对讲机）：爸爸？

Thomas: Officer McClane, you have no idea what I''m capable of!
John McClane: You sound like a very scary guy.
托马斯：迈克莱恩长官，你根本就不知道我会做什么！
约翰·迈克莱恩：听起来很恐怖。

John McClane: [mercenaries attack John and Matt] Jesus, is the circus in town?
约翰·迈克莱恩（受到雇佣兵的袭击）：上帝，这是马戏团？

John McClane: [after covering a webcam] Freddy, can you trace these guys?
Thomas: Mr. McClane covering the camera does not turn off the microphone.
约翰·迈克莱恩（盖上了摄像机之后）：弗莱迪，你能追踪到这些人吗？
托马斯：迈克莱恩先生盖上了摄像机，却没有关点麦克风。

虎胆龙威4：虚拟危机幕后制作
【真的死不了？】

　　“在我生命中剩余的时间里，只需要时不时地拍一部《虎胆龙威》--相信我，这个角色对于我来说是非常容易演的。光靠这一个系列，我就能维持现在的好生活……很长一段时间，我都对制作一部布鲁斯·威利斯式的标准动作电影感到兴趣缺缺，可以说我对此感到厌烦了，相信观众也和我有着一样的感觉。”--这就是布鲁斯·威利斯在2003年说过的话，绝对地有的放矢，话中透出了对自己未来充分的自信，同时也是对既定命运的公然挑衅，体现出说话者浑然天成的一身正气……然而，仅仅过了不到一年的时间，威利斯貌似不经意的一句“我很愿意接演《虎胆龙威4》”，就让这一切都变成了一堆狗屎。

　　虽然2004年就让你看出了苗头，但影片最终却是在去年9月正式开拍的，“约翰·迈克莱恩”这个名字还是绝对的金字招牌，这期间导演倒是兜兜转转颇经历了一番波折，出现了一系列真真假假的名字：弗朗罗·斯利、安东尼·福奎阿、吕克·贝松……但这些名字加在一起都不若《虎胆龙威》系列第一集和第三集的导演约翰·麦克蒂尔南的出现让人为之一振。怎奈这个老头太不争气，去年4月，FBI就一件好莱坞私人侦探窃听的案子找他调查情况，结果麦克蒂尔南因做假证已经被正式起诉，难免一场牢狱之灾……所以导演的位置最终落在了经验值相对不足的伦·维斯曼身上，他只有34岁，娶了个好莱坞美女凯特·贝金赛尔当老婆，惟一的作品是两部《黑夜传说》。

　　随之而来的，就是影片副标题的传闻满天飞：什么“战争中的男人”、“4.0”、 “重新启动”……最后它们统统为“为自由而活”扫清了道路，这个标题来自于美国新罕布什尔州政府大厅里的名句--如果你去过《虎胆龙威4》的片场，就知道这个标题根本就是电影公司一厢情愿的垄断行为，因为摆在监控器面前的导演椅背上，一直贴着“重新启动”的Logo。拿钱的才是老大，这是自古以来恒久不变的真理，不过也正是因为有了20世纪福克斯这种大老板在背后撑腰，鉴于新奥尔良被飓风亲密接触，伦·维斯曼才能眼睛都不眨地删掉了已经拍好的洪水来袭的场景。

　　【错误的时间出现在错误的地方】

　　众所周知，《虎胆龙威》系列一贯以“拳拳到肉”的实战型动作戏标榜自己，拒绝使用如今已经在好莱坞盛行到平常事的CG特技，再加上约翰·迈克莱恩碎嘴的冷嘲热讽，已经成为动作电影领域一个屹立不倒的旗帜，是现代流行文化中最坚强、最可爱的英雄人物之一。

　　正好影片所遵循的“实战主义”也与布鲁斯·威利斯的想法不谋而合，而他似乎早就预计到自己迟早会重拾约翰·迈克莱恩，一个曾经重新定义了好莱坞动作英雄的标志性角色，他表示：“这里最让我感到兴奋的，就是约翰并非一位超级英雄，他没有特殊的力量和能力，只是一名大街上随处可见的普通警察。虽然我们在动作场面上也下过不少功夫，让这个故事一集比一集精彩，但在我看来，这个系列影片真正吸引观众的，还在于约翰本人那种吸引麻烦的能力和与众不同的幽默感。这么多年来，《虎胆龙威4》一直都是大家关心的话题，但只有在约翰具备了两个最重要的特性时，拍摄这部影片才有意义：约翰确实非常爱他的家人和国家，但他更恨那种对弱者下手的无耻之徒。虽然一直存在，不过到了第四集，约翰的这种性格可能会变得尤为突出。”

　　布鲁斯·威利斯还认为，影片对于他来说，也是一个拔高的过程：“我天生就一名赌徒，所以我愿意相信我们能够在《虎胆龙威4》中续写一个伟大的故事，我希望它能够像第一集那样出色。”马克· 伯姆贝克(Mark Bomback)是剧本的主要撰写者，至于故事则是由他和大卫·马可尼(David Marconi)共同创造的，大致讲述的是：这一次，给约翰·迈克莱恩捣乱的是两名惯用计算机搞事的恐怖分子托马斯和他的女友梅，他们都曾是美国政府的特工，打算借着毁掉整个国家的计算机系统来让美国瘫痪。
　　虽然这个剧本引起了布鲁斯·威利斯的高度兴趣，但他仍然持保留意见，直到导演伦·维斯曼确定执导影片，他才放心地重新穿上那件代表正义的汗衫。威利斯已经看过了维斯曼执导的最新作品《黑夜传说2：进化》，并对影片中特别的视觉震憾力感到印象深刻：“我完全被吸引住了，我认为维斯曼能够给《虎胆龙威4》带来新鲜的元素，而他真的做到了。”

　　伦·维斯曼则将能为《虎胆龙威4》当导演看成是一个预言的实现：当他还是一名高中生的时候，和几个朋友一起制作了一部以《虎胆龙威》为灵感的“影片”。维斯曼回忆那个时候的自己：“我爱死了这部系列电影，但其中最让我感兴趣的，还是约翰·迈克莱恩那有缺陷的个性，他是一个总会被推进危险境地的普通人，他对此感到不太高兴，可是也没有办法。 ”维斯曼将角色和故事融入到一起，就变成了《虎胆龙威4》，对于他来说最重要的，还是如何真实地还原约翰·迈克莱恩。在这个基础上，维斯曼与布鲁斯·威利斯、马克·伯姆贝克还为这个角色做了一些额外的补充，维斯曼说：“约翰开始面对全新的挑战，而我也想将这个角色提升至另一个层次：当女儿受到生命威胁时，他会做何反应？家庭和爱情会带给他什么样的影响？对于约翰来说，这可能是一场终极任务，因为身为老派警察的他，却要面对最新科技方面的难题。”

　　布鲁斯·威利斯也明白，新一集的故事绝对不能对时间的流逝置之不理：“我们不能假设现在约翰·迈克莱恩和第一集故事中的还是同一个人，显然，他老了，他的女儿露西--第一集影片中的小女孩，如今已经是一名大学生了，约翰也不可避免地更加愤世嫉俗。最重要的一点是，约翰从没把自己看成是英雄过。”

　　【片场拾零】

　　好莱坞往南，大约40公里处的圣佩德罗有一个巨大、通风良好的仓库，这里是《虎胆龙威4》的第26个场景地，摄制组将会在这里拍摄半个月的时间，它将会在影片里出现大约10分钟的时间……这里被设置成为恐怖分子托马斯和梅的秘密基地，满是计算机的监控器、成打的枪械弹药、忠实的追随者以及一辆巨大的卡车，这辆卡车内部经过了改造，是托马斯的移动指挥中心。

　　片场的监控器旁边，粘着一只妖精小玩具，这是伦·维斯曼的妻子凯特·贝金赛尔送给他的圣诞礼物，它内置一个录音设备，可以记录一些简短的话语，并用妖精的嗲声播放出来。维斯曼偷偷录了一句布鲁斯·威利斯在片场中最常说的一句话，只要按一下妖精脚下的按钮，它就会发出抗议的叫声：“维斯曼，我们再来一次。”光听这语气，就知道维斯曼在大自己18岁的威利斯面前是多么地“没地位”了，不过这也正是他想要的--在片场营造一种虚心的快乐环境。确实，像维斯曼这种年龄的美国男人，大多是伴随着约翰·迈克莱恩的孤胆气质成长起来的，他知道影片中的每一句台语、每一个场景……所以在维斯曼第一次看到剧本的时候，差不多30页的地方描述了这样一个场景：约翰走进FBI大楼，说：“看看，有什么是我能帮忙的？”他当时就说：“这不是约翰·迈克莱恩，真正的约翰·迈克莱恩并不想待在这里，他不是一个心甘情愿去拯救别人的英雄，却总是成为惟一一个能做到的人。”

　　要说伦·维斯曼没有压力那是吹牛，毕竟《虎胆龙威》系列在动作电影的领域，已经达到了一个无人能及的高度。而且距离上一次完成任务，约翰·迈克莱恩“休整”了整整12年，这段时间，大部分观众已经被像伊桑·霍克或杰森·伯恩这样的新动作偶像洗脑了，想让他们重新接受约翰·迈克莱恩，不拿出点真功夫来谁还买帐？对于维斯曼来说算是一个任重而道远的过程，好在他手里有大把的资金可供挥霍，只要钱花到位，再加上故事和角色的定位准确，让经典“重生”也不是不可能的事情。

　　【提前曝光之火爆动作场景】

　　场景一：一辆轿车从空中向着约翰·迈克莱恩和马特·法莱尔飞了过来，在它砸向行驶的汽车，然后反弹到他们身上之前，两人只有几秒种的紧迫时间逃命。

　　场景二：约翰的警车就像是一枚导弹一样在空中飞向一架直升机。

　　场景三：约翰和托马斯·加布里埃尔的女友--电脑黑客梅之间爆发了一场残暴的近距离肉搏战，地点是在一个垂直扎进电梯、摇摇欲坠的汽车里，包括你来我往的直拳和脚踢。

　　场景四：托马斯手下的另一位电脑黑客兰德--由法国著名的动作明星西里尔·拉菲埃利(Cyril Raffaelli)饰演，横越过一座建筑物，落在一个空调的外置排风上，然后他跳向了防火梯，随着绳子下到另一个防火梯，然后如法炮制又跑到了第三个防火梯上……这些都是没有NG一气呵成拍摄出来的，这在以前的影片中还没有人敢尝试过呢。

　　场景五：在一个高速公路上的汽车追逐

虎胆龙威4：虚拟危机一句话评论
布鲁斯·威利斯饰演的这位性情乖戾、脾气暴躁的纽约警察，就像一个你许久不曾想起的老熟人……他可能更老、更秃了，穿衣的品味也下降了，可是他仍然能够带给你无限的惊喜

Rating: 6/10

Director: Len Wiseman
Cast: Bruce Willis, Timothy Olyphant, Maggie Q, Jeffrey Wright, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Justin Long, Allen Maldonado, Yancey Arias, Yorgo Constantine, Chris Palermo, Jonathan Sadowski, Cliff Curtis
Release Date: June 27, 2007
Running Time: 129 mins
Studio: 20th Century Fox Distribution

Vintage 1967 Rolex | Adidas X-LAB Trainers | Polaroid Sunglasses

2007-06-18T23:46:00.007+08:00

Vintage 1967 Rolex Oyster Watch

Since time has a habit of rolling on and on and on, a watch is a purchase that’ll always come in useful. So why not go for a classic that’ll last a life time and mark you out from the drones.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adidas X-LAB Change Trainers

These trainers offers a revolutionary way in which to customise your own footwear and will be found in Foot Locker from the 28th May.

The X-LAB Change allows you to personalise your sneaker with a system of interchangeable plugs. These heel plugs slide into the sole of the shoe offering a customised cushioning effect. Each sneaker comes with 2 plugs: gold and silver and additional plugs can be purchased to adjust the sneaker to your own unique look.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Polaroid Sunglasses

Though you might associate their name more with your sneaky collection of 'private' ex-girlfriend snaps, the people at Polaroid also knock out some top-notch sunnies. Their latest collection of stylish peeper protectors see some classic designs take on some innovative modern twists.

House Of The Gods T-shirts | Adidas Gumball 3000 | Nike Sports Watch

2007-05-03T23:29:00.007+08:00

House Of The Gods T-shirts

A new collection of T-shirts and vests featuring collaborations with iconic musicians like Bowie, ROXY music, Blondie and the Rolling Stones. Available in a selection of different prints also in hard rockin’ black.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adidas Gumball 3000 Collection

Attention speed demons: this year's real-life Wacky Races kicks off at the end of April. To celebrate the annual Gumball 3000 Rally, Adidas have paired up with Foot Locker to make these motor-inspired trainers. Available in blue and black.

Available to buy from April 28.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oregon Digi Nike Timing Sports Watch

Chunky but stylish timepiece with all sorts of useful features. With three alarms, camouflage strap, LCD display and 100m water resistance, watch for it on the wrists of the sleepy, jungle explorers and the deep-sea divers.

Get it: 0870 7000988

苹果电视台棍-无效贵warrenty风格

2007-04-06T06:53:00.009+08:00

Apple TV hacks - Void your warrenty in Style

硬盘升级(如何打开案件).
Upgrade the hard drive (and how to open the case)
开办XVID电影.
Run Xvid movies.
附上键盘和鼠标.
Attach a keyboard and mouse.
令SSH.
Enable SSH.
远程安装的VNC桌面.
Install VNC remote desktop.
来自苹果的USB驱动靴电视台.
Boot Apple TV from a USB drive.
变成Web服务.
Turn it into a web server
安装OS X.
Install OS X
安装星开放源码的VoIP系统.
Install the Asterisk open-source VOIP system
Source: Wired

300

2007-03-16T23:15:00.007+08:00

记得那时,你几乎窥见了6套镜后一种abs爆破小时,在健身房? 忘记. 拥有更多的古铜色肌肉比货架充满施瓦辛格boxsets , 300很快就会让你知道,其实你稍一垃圾. 幸运的是,它还将招待你的袜子干净过,布特经过一番超时尚ゥ和上衣值得引号. 但是,如果它的曲折,复杂的故事情节,把你的电影石头过, 您可以把多重感觉一点点失望. 同积低于平均贵老人的膀胱控制,药物失去了大量的风格. 还有歌迷创新dismemberings ,剑术菩萨,赵长春, 男人在皮革speedos正处于时代的生活.

Rating: 8/10

Director: Zack Snyder
Cast: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, Michael Fassbender, Vincent, Regan, Dominic West, Tom Wisdom, Andrew Pleavin, Andrew Tiernan, Rodrigo Santoro, David Wenham, Giovani Antonio Cimmino, Stephen Mchattie, Greg Kramer, Alex Ivanovici
Release Date: March 09, 2007
Running Time: 116 mins.
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution

Run Vista without activation - legally

2007-03-14T23:30:00.007+08:00

微软已建成别墅,让任何一个功能扩展操作系统的激活期限不仅仅是三时代,但很多倍. 同一线指挥,无形中眼界的活化期限为120天可无限次数首先改变了注册键0至1.

这不是一个骇客有机可乘. 它不需要任何工具或任何事业. 微软公司甚至记载注册键,虽然偏执,它的Technet网站.

但不诚实可以利用个人电脑销售商安装程序十万份,然后卖给机心境界作为消费者或企业合法激活副本. 这当然违反境界欧拉, 但消费者可能没有意识到,他们买电脑开始,直到这个要求激活,否则-个年后.

以下描述这牵涉Registry key.
While running a copy of Windows Vista that hasn’t yet been activated, click the Start button, type regedit into the Search box, then press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.

Explore down to the following Registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \ CurrentVersion \ SL

Right-click the Registry key named SkipRearm and click Edit. The default is a DWORD (a double word or 4 bytes) with a hex value of 00000000. Change this value to any positive integer, such as 00000001, save the change, and close the Registry Editor.

Start a command prompt with administrative rights. The fastest way to do this is to click the Start button, enter cmd in the Search box, then press Ctrl+Shift+Enter. If you’re asked for a network username and password, provide the ones that log you into your domain. You may be asked to approve a User Account Control prompt and to provide an administrator password.

Type one of the following two commands and press Enter:
5.1: slmgr -rearm or
5.2: rundll32 slc.dll,SLReArmWindows
Either command uses Vista’s built-in Software Licensing Manager (SLMGR) to push the activation deadline out to 30 days after the command is run. Changing SkipRearm from 0 to 1 allows SLMGR to do this an indefinite number of times. Running either command initializes the value of SkipRearm back to 0.

Reboot the PC to make the postponement take effect.

To extend the activation deadline of Vista indefinitely, repeat steps 1 through 6 as necessary.
Source: liveandbeyond.com

Taking about: Zimos - 在明信片JOURNAL (Zimoz - Blogging in Postcards)

2007-03-13T00:09:00.008+08:00

电子邮件、网志是太无聊太乏味?

Zimos引进. 一创办,总部设在圣卡洛斯,钙. 美国和印度孟买,会让你与你的朋友分享丰富的飞!

等待这不就是博客是被?

不错,博客也让你与你的朋友分享等内容是否电子邮件、但并不是每个人都有时间和电子邮件保持博客不花钱. Zimos为利基市场,而将用户想要与朋友分享丰富极少需要时间和努力去创造.

Zimos为什么?

他们显然不满意,他们以前的名字,于是决定自己挑选宠物青蛙姓名Zimos会做就好了. 有趣的名字::

还好,现在自己的网站和服务:

该网站是容易的,眼睛是精美. 报名的过程比较简单,经过简单、但年龄需得到活化电子邮件传送,从而阻碍你的设置经验. 我猜想这是为了防止银帐户,从这一点出发,但精彩的特技. 网站布局,清新干净的界面. 移动网址::整个来说,似乎在荷兰,其中网站负荷洪峰平稳快速未经麻烦事. 一切负荷用力,旌旗巧妙配合工作首位-很高兴航海经过. 你有什么事您随时形迹如小幽默、比特钻头确实增加了经验. 明信片本身就是创造实际使用方便,用Swish, 已拖了整个负载工具、工作出色funtionality下降. 你可以增添各种媒体如图片、文字、旗帜或夹艺术即使你的视频明信片; 在魁北克以外的朋友,目前他们已经派我周围的人一个美丽的视频城市,这的确增加了经验明信片.

你能做什么你不相上下明信片--它的活力、易于使用, 连最新手用户可以利用它很少或根本没有问题. 这可以说这个网站还没有完全打磨场外有几个环节中这里那里有点出位、混合富文本和HTML风格文但是那只是一小部份的整体经验. 你可以节省,分享,并删除您发表明信片、谨防小朋友也您也可以从报告和滥用别人的明信片如不装设一个性质 .

有一个社会网络元素. 创作概况容易就Zimos主页,展示最新公feaured明信片. 太受欢迎,新成员列. 这套明信片让你可以浏览他们贴上标签,并经. 您还可以开拓新的明信片及评论,评论的形式景点. 你可以在任何地方留下点明信片情绪图标. 他们可以隐藏. 你也可以用明信片回答'加古道』功能.

Zimos是使你你自己创造了新的内容,并于飞送朋友分享或轻易它虽然取得与朋友Zimos哦等待他们所谓Zimozians?

Zimos开幕β年年二月,目前已50-46+意见/月.

Source: liveandbeyond.com

30GB iPod Sells for $1,525 : eBay bidder fake or hacked?

2007-02-23T01:39:00.008+08:00

A normal 30GB iPod selling for $1,525? Diamonds not included!

“This iPod is brand new, the box has been opened but the iPod has not been unwrapped from the plastic or turned on, and all accessories are included and unopened. This is a brand new iPod Video 30GB (not refurbished or second) .”
Picking up the story from TechEBlogI decided to have a look at the Auction Page.The winning bidder is leah0811.This Brit has a good positive feedback score of 92.6%. Nothing out of the oridnary you may say but if you look at the feedback history there is activity till December 2006 with good positive feedback. There is no activity or feedback in the month of Januray 2007 but by Febuary there is a lot of activity and feedback, all of which are negative.

Here are some of the negative feedbacks from the bidder’s page:

“FAKE BIDDER AVOID!!!!”

“Complete bloody scammer. Cocked up my auction by overbibdding. P*ss off.”

“Fraudulant!!! Bidded ridiculous offer and never paid and never heard from them”

This got me thinking, why would someone with a really good feedback score and history go berserk in Feb. with no activity in Jan.? I think this person’s eBay account was hacked and is now being used to place fake bids all over.

Source: liveandbeyond.com

情人节

2007-02-14T00:43:00.007+08:00

意大利发现“骷髅情侣” 恋人一抱就是五千年
2007-02-08 09:29:03中国新闻网

意大利考古学家挖出一对人类骨骸，这对男女成相互拥抱的姿态，这一抱就是至少五千年。

意大利考古学家近日挖出一对人类骨骸，这对男女成相互拥抱的姿态，这一抱就是至少五千年，成了永恒的拥抱。

据香港《大公报》报道，这两具骨骸发现的位置位于意大利北部曼图亚(Mantua)工业城瓦达洛的一处新石器时代遗址，两人面对面双手、双腿弯曲交叠拥抱。躺在左边的是男性，背部脊椎部位刺有一根箭，女的则是在头部侧边被射了一箭。

考古学家分析，这两人之所以呈现这种姿势，一个原因是男的被杀，女的跟着殉情，期许来世作伴，如同罗密欧与茱丽叶的故事，只不过结局不同。

挖掘工作负责人之一梅诺蒂说，“我对这项发现感到非常兴奋，我们之前从未发现男女拥抱的人类骨骸，这是独一无二的发现。”

她说，之前挖出很多女性抱小孩的遗骨，但是从来没发现过情侣拥抱的，“我做这行二十五年了，挖过庞贝城，这些有名的地方，但是从来没有这么感动过，因为这是很特别的发现。”

这对千古情人现在被考古学家昵称为“瓦达洛情侣”，梅诺蒂说，“初步检验显示，他们似乎都还年轻，牙齿都还很完整”，但是确实年纪以及存在年代都还需要进一步鉴定。

可惜你早已远去消失在人海
后来终于在眼泪中明白
有些人一旦错过就不再

--后来

"我想可以抽完这支烟就忘记
"我想可以喝完这杯酒就忘记
"我想可以听完这首歌就忘记
"我想可以不闭上眼就不想起"

--2月14(圣瓦伦丁的玫瑰)

101不同的说法'我爱你』

2007-02-01T03:12:00.007+08:00

Afrikaans - Ek is lief vir jou
Albanian - te dua
Alentejano (Portugal) - Gosto De Ti, Porra!
Alsacien (Elsass) - Ich hoan dich gear
Amharic (Aethio.) - Afekrishalehou
Arabic - Ana Ahebak / Ana Bahibak
Armenian - yes kez shat em siroom
Assamese - Moi tomak bhal pau
Assyr - Az tha hijthmekem
Bahasa Malayu (Malaysia) - Saya cinta mu
Bambara - M'bi fe
Bangla - Ami tomakay bala basi
Bangladeschi - Ami tomake walobashi
Basque - Nere maitea
Batak - Holong rohangku di ho
Bavarian - tuI mog di
Belarusian - Ya tabe kahayu
Bengali - Ami tomake bhalobashi
Berber - Lakh tirikh
Bicol - Namumutan ta ka
Bisaya - Nahigugma ako kanimo
Bolivian Quechua - Qanta munani
Bosnian - Ja te volim (formally) or volim-te Turkish seni seviyorum
Bulgarian - As te obicham
Bulgarian - Obicham te
Burmese - chit pa de
Cambodian (to the female) - bon saleng oun
Cambodian (to the male) - oun saleng bon
Canadian French - Je t'adore ("I love you")
Canadian French - Je t'aime ("I like you")
Catalan - T'estim (mallorcan)
Cebuano - Gihigugma ko ikaw
Chamoru (or Chamorro) - Hu guaiya hao
Cherokee - Tsi ge yu i
Cheyenne - Ne mohotatse
Chichewa - Ndimakukonda
Chickasaw - Chiholloli (first 'i' nasalized)
Chinese - Ngo oi ney a (Cantonese)
Chinese - Wuo ai nee (Mandarin)
Corsican - Ti tengu cara (to female)
Corsican - Ti tengu caru (to male)
Creol - Mi aime jou
Croatian - Volim te (used in common speech)
Czech - Miluji Te
Danish - Jeg elsker dig
Dutch - Ik hou van jou
Dutch - Jeg elsker dig
Ecuador Quechua - Canda munani
English - I love thee (used only in Christian context)
English - I love you
Eskimo - Nagligivaget
Esperanto - Mi amas vim
Estonian - Ma armastan sind / Mina armastan sind (formal)
Ethiopia - afekereshe alhu
Faroese - Eg elski teg
Farsi - Tora dost daram
Filipino - Mahal ka ta
Finnish (Minä) rakastan sinua
Flemish (Ghent) - 'k'ou van ui
French (formal) - Je vous aime / Je t'aime
Friesian - Ik hald fan dei
Gaelic - Tá mé i ngrá leat
Galician - Querote (or) Amote
Georgian - Miquar shen
German - Ich liebe Dich
Ghanaian - Me dor wo
Greek - agapo se
Greek - S'agapo
Greenlandic - Asavakit
Gronings - Ik hol van die
Gujarati - oo tane prem karu chu
Hausa - Ina sonki
Hawaiian - Aloha au ia`oe
Hebrew - Ani ohevet ota
Hiligaynon - Guina higugma ko ikaw
Hindi - Main tumsey pyaar karta hoon / Maine Pyar Kiya
Hmong - Kuv hlub koj
Hokkien - Wa ai lu
Hopi - Nu' umi unangwa'ta
Hungarian - Szeretlek te'ged
Icelandic - Eg elska thig
Ilocano - Ay ayating ka
Indian - Mai Tujhe Pyaar Kartha Ho
Indonesian - Saya cinta padamu ('Saya', commonly used)
Inuit - Negligevapse
Iranian - Mahn doostaht doh-rahm
Irish - taim i' ngra leat
Italian - Ti amo/Ti voglio bene
Japanese - Anata wa, dai suki desu
Javanese (formal) - Kulo tresno marang panjenengan
Javanese (informal) - aku terno kowe
Kannada - Naanu ninna preetisuttene
Kapampangan - Kaluguran daka
Kenya (Kalenjin) - Achamin
Kenya (Kiswahili) - Ninakupenda
Kikongo - Mono ke zola nge (mono ke' zola nge')
Kiswahili - Nakupenda
Konkani - Tu magel moga cho
Korean - SA LANG HAE / Na No Sa Lan Hei
Kurdish - Khoshtm Auyt
Laos - Chanrackkun
Latin - Te amo
Latvian - Es mîlu Tevi
Lebanese - Bahibak
Lingala - Nalingi yo
Lithuanian - As Myliu Tave
Lojban - mi do prami
Luo - Aheri
Luxembourgeois - Ech hun dech gäer
Macedonian - Jas Te Sakam
Madrid - lingo Me molas, tronca
Maiese - Wa wa
Malay - Saya cintakan mu / Saya cinta mu
Maltese - Inhobbok hafna
Marathi - Me tula prem karto
Mohawk - Kanbhik
Moroccan - Ana moajaba bik
Nahuatl - Ni mits neki
Navaho - Ayor anosh'ni
Ndebele - Niyakutanda
Nigeria (Hausa) - Ina sonki
Nigeria (Yoruba langauge) - Mo fe ran re
Norwegian - Jeg elsker deg
Osetian - Aez dae warzyn
Pakistan (Urdu) - May tum say pyar karta hun
Pandacan - Syota na kita!!
Pangasinan - Inaru Taka
Papiamento - Mi ta stimabo
Persian - Tora Doost Darem
Pig Latin - I-yea Ove-lea Ou-yea
Polish - Kocham Cie
Portuguese (Brazilian) - Eu te amo
Punjabi - me tumse pyar ker ta hu'
Quenya - Tye-mela'ne
Romanian - Te ador (stronger)
Romanian - Te iubesc
Russian - Ya tyebya lyublyu
Samoan - Ou te alofa outou
Sanskrit - tvayi snihyaami
Scottish Gaelic - Tha gra\dh agam ort
Serbo-Croatian - Volim te
Setswana - Ke a go rata
Shona - Ndinokuda<
Sign language - Spread hand out so no fingers are touching. Bring in middle &
ring fingers and touch then to the palm of your hand.
Sindhi - Maa tokhe pyar kendo ahyan
Singhalese - Mama oyaata aadareyi
Slovenian - ljubim te
South Sotho - Ke o Rata
Spanish - Te quiero / te amo / yo amor
Sri Lanka - mame adhare
Surinam - Mi lobi joe
Swahili - Naku penda
Swedish - Jag älskar dig
Swiss-German - Ch-ha di gärn
Tagalong - Mahal Kita / Iniibig kita
Tahitian - Ua here au ia oe
Taiwanese - Wa ga ei li
Tamil - Naan Unnai Khadalikkeren
Telugu - Nenu Ninnu Premisthunnanu
Thailand - Khao Raak Thoe / chun raak ter
Tunisian - Ha eh bak
Turkish - Seni Seviyorum
Ukrainian - Yalleh blutebeh / ya tebe kohayu
Urdu - Mea tum se pyaar karta hu (to a girl)
Urdu - Mea tum se pyar karti hu (to a boy)
Vietnamese (Females) - Em yeu Anh
Vietnamese (Males) - Anh yeu Em
Vlaams - Ik hue van ye
Vulcan - Wani ra yana ro aisha
Welsh - Rwy'n dy garu di
Wolof - Da ma la nope
Yiddish - Ich han dich lib
Yoruba - Mo ni fe

How does the £425 PS3 really stack up?

2007-01-25T19:06:00.007+08:00

Source: Edge - Videogame Culture

You knew on Monday, of course, that Sony will be launching PlayStation 3 in Europe on March 23 at £425, a price that has caused some consternation among its potential user base, and not only because it is not a direct conversion of the hardware's Euro tag (€599, which in market terms translates as £395).

Certainly the £425 UK price compares unfavourably with rates in North America, where a PS3 can be purchased for the equivalent of £305. And those expecting a UK PS3 price reduction sooner rather than later will be disappointed, since the hardware is already being sold at a considerable loss, while cost reductions on components will be slow due to their complexity.

What of those hoping to buy into PS3 gaming via its stripped-down 20GB iteration, which officially retails in Japan at just ¥49,980 (£210)? This option simply will not be available to European consumers at launch, with SCEE stating that it will 'follow later in the year dependent on demand' – in other words, possibly not at all. But the negative buzz surrounding PS3's European price is largely informed by Microsoft's decision to sell Xbox 360 at below £300. What you're not getting in a £280 Xbox 360, though, is a like-for-like feature set, something which Sony has, to date, appeared reluctant to communicate.

To bring an Xbox 360 more in line with a 60GB PS3, the shopping list reads thus:

Xbox 360........................................£280
HD DVD Player...............................£130
Wirless Networking Adaptor.........£_60
1 Year Xbox Live Gold Memebership.................................£_40
Play & Charge Kit..........................£_15
Total..............................................£525

(Updated: Let's have some caveats before the comments section heats up unnecessarily: there's no suggestion that PS3's online gaming setup is currently as comprehensively featured as Xbox Live – or indeed that it ever will be – and don't forget that you'll want to purchase a better-than-composite AV lead for your PS3 (component and HDMI leads will cost £18 each); then add in a Bluetooth headset (£15) – plus two games (Amazon value: £76) and an additional joypad (£35) in order to match the content of Microsoft's £280 package deal – all of which gives an ultimate PS3 cost of £569 (bear in mind that we cannot add in the cost of an additional 40GB of hard drive space or card readers for Xbox 360, since such things do not exist.) However, take into consideration the newly mooted £500 PS3 bundle including game and additional joypad (are you keeping up?) and you’re facing £561.)

Ultimately, though, it isn't price that will hold back some from buying a PS3 at launch, but the shape of its game library at that point. Certainly PS3's debut line-up will better PS2's (whose day-one Euro range consisted of Ridge Racer V, Silent Scope, Smuggler's Run, FIFA 2001, Tekken Tag Tournament, SSX, TimeSplitters, ISS, Fantavision, Ready 2 Rumble Round 2 and Orphen), partly because it will make use of PlayStation Network to deliver games via digital download. How will it compare to Xbox 360's launch line-up? Have a look at the official game list and decide for yourself:

PS3 launch titles (retail):
Resistance: Fall Of Man, MotorStorm, Genji: Days Of The Blade, Formula One Championship Edition, Ridge Racer 7, Call Of Duty 3, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Tony Hawks Project 8, Gundam - Target in Sight, Full Auto 2: Battle Lines, Sonic The Hedgehog, Virtua Fighter 5, Virtua Tennis 3, World Snooker Championship 2007, NBA 2K7, NHL 2K7, Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWll, Enchanted Arms, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent, The Elder Scrolls lV: Oblivion, Def Jam: Icon, Fight Night Round 3, NBA Street 4 Homecourt 2007, Need For Speed Carbon, The Godfather: The Don's Edition, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007, Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom, F.E.A.R.

PS3 launch titles (via PlayStation Network):
Tekken: Dark Resurrection, Lemmings, Go! Sudoku, Go! Puzzle, Blast Factor, Flow, Super Rub'A'Dub, Gripshift.

Apple Challenges Bloggers Over iPhone Screenshots

2007-01-14T00:36:00.006+08:00

Posted by pr0xy k1ll3r at January 14th, 2007

Source:As written on OmniNerd by tomtolman. The iPhone GUI on the right in question (courtesy :http://www.techcrunch.com/

Left screenshot: On the windows Mobile Phone

Right screenshot: On the Original iPhone

“Since the iPhone announcement earlier this week, Apple has enjoyed a massive wave of free publicity from bloggers. Engadget’s live reporting alone had 10 million page views. Turns out Apple is not happy about all the publicity. Someone has created a skin for Windows Mobile phones that looks very similar to the new iPhone user interface. Shortly after Paul O’Brian posted a link on an xda-developer forum to the interface, he got a cease and desist letter from Apple’s lawyers. The lawyers warn, “The icons and screenshot displayed on your website are copyrighted by Apple, and copyright law explicitly prohibits unauthorized display and distribution of copyrighted works. Apple therefore demands that you remove this screenshot from your website…”

Michelle Arrington of TechCrunch has accused Apple of going after the wrong person, “If Apple wants to go after the guy that made the Windows Mobile skin that looks like the iPhone, fine. But to bully bloggers who are simply reporting on this is another matter.” Arrington speaks from personal experience. In August Apple challenged him for embedding a YouTube video link to Mac OS X 10.5. In addition, Apple’s challenge raises a question if bloggers are permitted to post screenshots of the iPhone as thousands have done without concern from Apple’s lawyers. This news comes as Cisco is suing Apple for using the iPhone name which they claim to have trademarked in 2000.”

pr0xy k1ll3r from liveandbeyond.com

“I don’t think Apple is winning any goodwill by doing this. They do have the right to be protective about their product but not in this manner. Why not send a cease and desist letter to Google, as Google does link these blogs through it’s search engine?

Go after the creator of the Skin and ask him politely to remove it and not bully or harass bloggers who talk about or link it. Can these bloggers dissolve the product that is already uploaded on a server they have no control on?
Shame Apple.. Shame!”

24 Season 5

2006-11-07T01:09:00.007+08:00

他们说:
Jack Bauer’s第五郊游中,他必须阻止恐怖分子发动致命的神经毒气,在市中心天下

我说:
当你以为这是安全的计划,你的社交日历,第五和岳父最好的一个赛季动土实时行动巨星24日已抵达消耗你的每一个小时醒来.我们以前从未发现自己完全沉迷于一个系列,有我们的快乐酒吧取消旅行造成接近危险水位3:6后,通过自己不懈深夜行动马拉松.

对自己的,开包插曲足以真正预知情节曲折有你上钩瞬间.如果不采取行动来霏霏,而且很大程度上归功于实时格式,可以勉强维持可信的一种方式或James Bond Ethan Hunt绝不会有.可能唯一的缺点是投资于框定是不可避免和无法忍受等待六个赛季.

Stars: Kiefer Sutherland, Kim Raver, Carlos Bernard, Gregory Itzkin

修心，齐家，治国，平天下

2006-09-11T01:42:00.007+08:00

近日来突然对《大学》里的哲学很感兴趣，《大学》是儒家经典--《四书》之一：

古之欲明德於天下者，先治其國；欲治其國者，先齊其家；欲齊其家者，先修其身；欲修其身者，先正其心；欲正其心者，先誠其意

““三纲八目”的连贯性，由个人之"明明德"做起：格物，致知，诚意，正心，修身；发挥到“新民”：齐家，治国，平天下，以达到“止于至善”的境地。

所谓的“三纲”指的是三个纲领：1）明明德 2）新民 3）止于至善。

所谓的“八目”指的是八个条目：1）格物 2）致知 3）诚意 4）正心 5）修身 6）齐家 7）治国 8）平天下。

“格物”就是研究事物。“致知”就是达到真知灼见，把正确的答案找出来，增加知识。“诚意”就是要意念真诚，表里如一（所以要慎独），不虚伪，不自欺欺人。“正心”就是要端正自己的心灵，消除邪恶之心。“修身”就是把自己的身子（包括思想言行）培养好。

“齐家”就是整治其家，在伦理上要父子有亲，长幼有序，使家庭亲亲和蔼。“治国”就是把国家治理的好，除了教化，还须政令。“平天下”就是奔驰天下（包括许多国家），主要是用政令来平。

整个大纲的意思就是在于把自己灵明的德性能够彰明出来，在亲爱民众，使人人革新，以达成至善的境界。要想使人能彰明自己的明德，先要治好自己的国家；要想治好自己的国家，先要治好自己的家庭；要想治好自己的家庭，先要修养己身；要修好己身，先使自己的心平正；要想使自己的性情得当，先使自己的意念真实无妄；要想使自己的意念真实无妄，先增加自己的知识。要想增加自己的知识，在于能做到即物穷理。””

郑渊洁语录

2006-08-03T19:14:00.007+08:00

100分把童年变成100岁。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第16卷

当当官的乐趣不在于说对了部下听，而在于说得不对部下也得听。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第9卷

如果一个国家的孩子说大人话办大人事，这个国家的大人准说孩子话办孩子事。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第27卷

不会摇尾巴的狗在这个世界上是无法生存的，除非你不当狗。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第10卷

电视台如果说真话就是光临观众家的天使，如果说假话就是夜入民宅的小偷流氓强盗。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第11卷

孩子把玩具当朋友。成人把朋友当玩具。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第15卷

人类中凶恶的人比最凶恶的动物还凶恶。人类中善良的人比最善良的动物还善良。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第29卷

没有距离就没有崇拜。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第8卷

腰缠万贯是另一种穷。一贫如洗是另一种富。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第19卷

过去，是从土地里找财富的时代。现在，是从人的大脑里找财富的时代。从人的大脑里挖掘财富的最好方法就是使用科学的教育方法开发学生的智力。哪个国家的教育方法科学，哪个国家就占了便宜，它的经济发展速度就会比别人快。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第30卷

女性有两个特点：衣服再多，也觉得自己没衣服；姿色再少，也觉得自己有姿色。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第1卷

合格的教师和父母的标志：发现孩子的优点，告诉他什么地方行。不合格的教师和父母的标志：发现孩子的缺点，告诉他什么地方不行。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第5卷

飞机是穿梭在天上的十字架。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第14卷

有人高兴，就必定有人痛苦。有人痛苦，就必定有人高兴。这就是人类。这就是生命。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第3卷

越是丑陋的人，越怕别人说他丑陋；越是完美的人，越爱说自己不完美。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第14卷

差生是差老师和差家长联手缔造的。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第16卷
从某种意义上说，大学是把简单的道理往复杂了说、把听得懂的话往听不懂了说的场所。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第28卷

从生态平衡角度看，小草和人类一样重要。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第7卷

铁饭碗的真实含义不是在一个地方吃一辈子饭，而是一辈子到哪儿都有饭吃。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第6卷

达到极限后再提速，只有死路一条。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第24卷

有关饮食的种种清规戒律不会危害人，除非你一一照办。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第23卷

判断一个国家有没有前途，就看这个国家的孩子是不是真心喜欢上学。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第22卷

吝啬的真实含义不是舍不得花自己的钱，而是舍得花别人的钱。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第21卷

时间能消除一切仇怨。在时间面前，世间的一切仇恨都显得微不足道和软弱无力。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第13卷

太阳的伟大之处在于它把光明撒向人间的同时不让任何人接近它。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第18卷

在游戏规则不健全的地方，最不保险的事就是买保险。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第25卷

标榜自己淡泊名利的人本身就是在捞取名声。摆出捍卫真理架式的人捍卫的绝对不是真理。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第17卷

写回忆录的本质是自己给自己整理遗容。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第18卷

老虎没有虎性就不吃人的。人没有人性就吃人了。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第16卷

生的时候自己用哭声宣告问世，死的时候别人用哭声为你送行。悲剧是贯穿人生始终的主旋律。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第25卷

如果好人怕警察，这国家就出毛病了。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第4卷

有没有国家承认的学历不重要，重要的是有没有国家承认的能力。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第26卷

可以分享别人的喜悦，不可以分享别人的成就。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第13卷

拥有大学文凭的真正含义是好找工作，而找工作的真正含义是给别人打工。因此，大学文凭实际上是加入打工族的特别通行证。没有大学文凭的真正含义是不好找工作，不好找工作的真正含义是逼迫自己创业当老板。因此，没有大学文凭实际上是进入老板序列的特别通行证。
摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第26卷

撑死的鱼比饿死的鱼多。涝死的花比旱死的花多。富死的人比穷死的人多。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第21卷

生命以无限循环的形式在宇宙中生存。有神论者管这叫轮回转世，无神论者管这叫物质不灭。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第2卷

最难过的，是好日子。最容易过的，是苦日子。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第27卷

真理在刚刚问世的时候都是胡说八道。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第25卷

如果全是老姜，将是一个何等辛辣的社会。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第27卷

地球是行驶在宇宙中的泰坦尼克号。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第32卷

没有军队可能就没有和平，有了军队可能就有了战争。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第31卷

实行地方保护主义的最佳手段是推行廉政。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第33卷

鼓励能将白痴变成天才。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第32卷

"理屈词穷"已经过时。如今是理屈词富的时代。越是没理的人越喋喋不休。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第33卷

当官的品质富有，老百姓的钱包才能富有。当官的品质贫穷，老百姓的钱包肯定贫穷。
--摘自《郑渊洁童话全集》第31卷31卷

the notebook

2006-07-24T18:20:00.008+08:00

Miracles

Who am I? And how, I wonder, will this story end?
The sun has come up and I am sitting by a window that is foggy with the breath of a life gone by. I’m a sight this morning: two shirts, heavy pants, a scarf wrapped twice around my neck and tucked into a thick sweater knitted by my daughter thirty birthdays ago. The thermostat in my room is set as high as it will go, and a smaller space heater sits directly behind me. It clicks and groans and spews hot air like a fairytale dragon, and still my body shivers with a cold that will never go away, a cold that has been eighty years in the making. Eighty years, I think sometimes, and despite my own acceptance of my age, it still amazes me that I haven’t been warm since George Bush was president.

Nicholas Sparks

I wonder if this is how it is for everyone my age. My life? It isn’t easy to explain. It has not been the rip-roaring spectacular I fancied it would be, but neither have I burrowed around with the gophers. I suppose it has most resembled a bluechip stock: fairly stable, more ups than downs, and gradually trending upward over time. A good buy, a lucky buy, and I’ve learned that not everyone can say this about his life. But do not be misled. I am nothing special; of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts, and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough. The romantics would call this a love story, the cynics would call it a tragedy. In my mind it’s a little bit of both, and no matter how you choose to view it in the end, it does not change the fact that it involves a great deal of my life and the path I’ve chosen to follow. I have no complaints about my path and the places it has taken me; enough complaints to fill a circus tent about other things, maybe, but the path I’ve chosen has always been the right one, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Time, unfortunately, doesn’t make it easy to stay on course. The path is straight as ever, but now it is strewn with the rocks and gravel that accumulate over a lifetime. Until three years ago it would have been easy to ignore, but it’s impossible now. There is a sickness rolling through my body; I’m neither strong nor healthy, and my days are spent like an old party balloon: listless, spongy, and growing softer over time. I cough, and through squinted eyes I check my watch. I realize it is time to go. I stand from my seat by the window and shuffle across the room, stopping at the desk to pick up the notebook I have read a hundred times. I do not glance through it. Instead I slip it beneath my arm and continue on my way to the place I must go. I walk on tiled floors, white in color and speckled with gray. Like my hair and the hair of most people here, though I’m the only one in the hallway this morning. They are in their rooms, alone except for television, but they, like me, are used to it. A person can get used to anything, if given enough time. I hear the muffled sounds of crying in the distance and know exactly who is making those sounds. Then the nurses see me and we smile at each other and exchange greetings. They are my friends and we talk often, but I am sure they wonder about me and the things that I go through every day. I listen as they begin to whisper among themselves as I pass. “There he goes again,” I hear, “I hope it turns out well.” But they say nothing directly to me about it. I’m sure they think it would hurt me to talk about it so early in the morning, and knowing myself as I do, I think they’re probably right. A minute later, I reach the room. The door has been propped open for me, as it usually is. There are two others in the room, and they too smile at me as I enter. “Good morning,” they say with cheery voices, and I take a moment to ask about the kids and the schools and upcoming vacations. We talk above the crying for a minute or so. They do not seem to notice; they have become numb to it, but then again, so have I.
Afterward I sit in the chair that has come to be shaped like me. They are finishing up now; her clothes are on, but still she is crying. It will become quieter after they leave, I know. The excitement of the morning always upsets her, and today is no exception. Finally the shade is opened and the nurses walk out. Both of them touch me and smile as they walk by. I wonder what this means. I sit for just a second and stare at her, but she doesn’t return the look. I understand, for she doesn’t know who I am. I’m a stranger to her. Then, turning away, I bow my head and pray silently for the strength I know I will need. I have always been a firm believer in God and the power of prayer, though to be honest, my faith has made for a list of questions I definitely want answered after I’m gone. Ready now. On go the glasses, out of my pocket comes a magnifier.

I put it on the table for

The Notebook

a moment while I open the notebook. It takes two licks on my gnarled finger to get the wellworn cover open to the first page. Then I put the magnifier in place. There is always a moment right before I begin to read the story when my mind churns, and I wonder, Will it happen today? I don’t know, for I never know beforehand, and deep down it really doesn’t matter. It’s the possibility that keeps me going, not the guarantee, a sort of wager on my part. And though you may call me a dreamer or fool or any other thing, I believe that anything is possible. I realize the odds, and science, are against me.
But science is not the total answer; this I know, this I have learned in my lifetime. And that leaves me with the belief that miracles, no matter how inexplicable or unbelievable, are real and can occur without regard to the natural order of things. So once again, just as I do every day, I begin to read the notebook aloud, so that she can hear it, in the hope that the miracle that has come to dominate my life will once again prevail.

And maybe, just maybe, it will.

Ghosts

It was early October 1946, and Noah Calhoun watched the fading sun sink lower from the wraparound porch of his plantation-style home. He liked to sit here in the evenings, especially after working hard all day, and let his thoughts wander without conscious direction. It was how he relaxed, a routine he’d learned from his father.
He especially liked to look at the trees and their reflections in the river. North Carolina trees are beautiful in deep autumn: greens, yellows, reds, oranges, every shade in between. Their dazzling colors glow with the sun, and for the hundredth time, Noah Calhoun wondered if the original owners of the house had spent their evenings thinking the same things.
The house was built in 1772, making it one of the oldest, as well as largest, homes in New Bern. Originally it was the main house on a working plantation, and he had bought it right after the war ended and had spent the last eleven months and a small fortune repairing it. The reporter from the Raleigh paper had done an article on it a few weeks ago and said it was one of the finest restorations he’d ever seen. At least the house was. The remaining property was another story, and that was where he’d spent most of the day. The home sat on twelve acres adjacent to Brices Creek, and he’d worked on the wooden fence that lined the other three sides of the property, checking for dry rot or termites, replacing posts when he had to. He still had more work to do on it, especially on the west side, and as he’d put the tools away earlier he’d made a mental note to call and have some more lumber delivered.
He’d gone into the house, drunk a glass of sweet tea, then showered. He always showered at the end of the day, the water washing away both dirt and fatigue. Afterward he’d combed his hair back, put on some faded jeans and a long-sleeved blue shirt, poured himself another glass of sweet tea, and gone to the porch, where he now sat, where he sat every day at this time. He stretched his arms above his head, then out to the sides, rolling his shoulders as he completed the routine. He felt good and clean now, fresh.

His muscles were tired and he knew he’d

Nicholas Sparks

be a little sore tomorrow, but he was pleased that he had accomplished most of what he had wanted to do. Noah reached for his guitar, remembering his father as he did so, thinking how much he missed him. He strummed once, adjusted the tension on two strings, then strummed again. This time it sounded about right, and he began to play. Soft music, quiet music. He hummed for a little while at first, then began to sing as night came down around him. He played and sang until the sun was gone and the sky was black. It was a little after seven when he quit, and he settled back into his chair and began to rock. By habit, he looked upward and saw Orion and the Big Dipper, Gemini and the Pole Star, twinkling in the autumn sky. He started to run the numbers in his head, then stopped. He knew he’d spent almost his entire savings on the house and would have to find a job again soon, but he pushed the thought away and decided to enjoy the remaining months of restoration without worrying about it. It would work out for him, he knew; it always did. Besides, thinking about money usually bored him. Early on, he’d learned to enjoy simple things, things that couldn’t be bought, and he had a hard time understanding people who felt otherwise. It was another trait he got from his father.

Clem, his hound dog, came up to him then

The Notebook

and nuzzled his hand before lying down at his feet. “Hey, girl, how’re you doing?” he asked as he patted her head, and she whined softly, her soft round eyes peering upward. A car accident had taken her leg, but she still moved well enough and kept him company on quiet nights like these. He was thirty-one now, not too old, but old enough to be lonely. He hadn’t dated since he’d been back here, hadn’t met anyone who remotely interested him. It was his own fault, he knew. There was something that kept a distance between him and any woman who started to get close, something he wasn’t sure he could change even if he tried. And sometimes in the moments right before sleep came, he wondered if he was destined to be alone forever.
The evening passed, staying warm, nice. Noah listened to the crickets and the rustling leaves,thinking that the sound of nature was more real and aroused more emotion than things like cars and planes. Natural things gave back more than they took, and their sounds always brought him back to the way man was supposed to be. There were times during the war, especially after a major engagement, when he had often thought about these simple sounds. “It’ll keep you from going crazy,” his father had told him the day he’d shipped out. “It’s God’s music and it’ll take you home.”

He finished his tea, went inside, found a book,

Nicholas Sparks

then turned on the porch light on his way back out. After sitting down again, he looked at the book. It was old, the cover was torn, and the pages were stained with mud and water. It was Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman, and he had carried it with him throughout the war. It had even taken a bullet for him once. He rubbed the cover, dusting it off just a little. Then he let the book open randomly and read the words in front of him:
This is thy hour O Soul, thy free fligh into the wordless, Away from books, away from art, the day erased, the lesson done, Thee fully forth emerging, silent, gazing, pondering the themes thou lovest best, Night, sleep, death and the stars. He smiled to himself. For some reason Whitman always reminded him of New Bern, and he was glad he’d come back. Though he’d been away for fourteen years, this was home and he knew a lot of people here, most of them from his youth. It wasn’t surprising. Like so many southern towns, the people who lived here never changed, they just grew a bit older.

zz Words Women Use

2006-06-13T01:33:00.008+08:00

just can't help smiling while reading the following lines.:)
Words Women Use:
Fine:
This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

Five Minutes:
If she is getting dressed, this means half an hour. Five Minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

Nothing:
This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

Go Ahead:
This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

Loud Sigh:
This is actually a word, but is a non -verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing(refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing).

That's Okay:
This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

Thanks:
A woman is thanking you - do not question or faint. Just say you're welcome.

Whatever:
Is a woman's way of saying _ _ _ _YOU!

Don't worry about it, I got it:
Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking, "what's wrong." For the woman's response, refer to # 3.

Share this to the men you know, to warn them about arguments they can avoid if they remember
the terminology. Share this to all the women you know to give them a good laugh, cause they know
its true! ^_^

崔永元逗老外逗出的震撼

2006-06-03T19:04:00.008+08:00

据查，是2000年5月14日的《实话实说》节目。我没看过那一期《实话实说》，但看过这一篇文章，当时就被深深地感动，其实重要的不是他是哪一国人，而是在这个物欲社会中安于清贫、坚守自己做人的良心、坚守自己理想的精神。
丁大卫是个美国人。我认识他是在电视上。这个美国人带给了我深深的感动。我受到深深感动的这天是中央电视台《实话实说》节目组请到了丁大卫。我打开电视，就听到丁大卫在与崔永元唠嗑。崔永元老笑，而丁大卫很诚恳的样子。
丁大卫的故事是这样的：5年前，美国青年丁大卫来到中国。他到了中国一所最普通的郊区小学教学。这个美国青年因为做人与教学深得人的喜欢，后来居然当上了校长。大概是1998年底，想到中国西部去看一看的丁大卫到了甘肃兰州。他到西北民族学院应聘当大学教师。丁大卫不是一个能侃的人，机智的崔永元是这样“套”丁大卫的。
“丁大卫，你去大学应聘的时候，是不是这样说的：‘我曾是一名小学教师，积累了一些教学经验，所以来你校应聘大学教师？’”没想到丁大卫这样回答:“大概就是这样的。”大卫的话让现场很多观众都会心地笑了。
更有意思的还在后头。学校给大卫定的工资是每月1200元。大卫去问别人，1200元在兰州是不是很高了？别人说，是算高了。于是，大卫主动找到学校，让人把工资降到900元。学校一再坚持，大卫不让，说：怎么也不能超过1000元。最后，学校给他每月950元。这段经历本来很好笑，但是我注意到现场没一个人笑。
崔永元问：“大卫，你每月工资够用吗？”大卫说：“够了，我每月的钱除了买些饭票，就用来买些邮票，给家里打打电话，三四百元就够了！”
我听见观众中有不少人“哇”地一声发出惊叹。我知道是有人灵魂受到触动了，而这种触动是我们的教科书和父母的教化所达不到的。而真正让我感动的还是以下一幕：
别出心裁的编导在做这一期节目时，让丁大卫带来了他所有的家当. 一只还不及我们平常出门旅游背的那么大而“内容”丰富的帆布袋。而让我们怎么也想不到的是，这便是一个美国青年在中国生存5年积累下的我们肉眼看得到的财富。崔永元让丁大卫向大家展示一下他的家当，大卫的脸红了一下，打开了他的帆布袋，里面的东西是这样的：
1、一顶大卫家乡足球队的队帽。他戴着向人展示时，我看见了他眼里的骄傲。
2、一本相册。里面是他亲人、朋友，还有他教过的学生的照片。
3、一个用精致相框镶好的一家人温馨亲昵的合影（大卫从包里掏出时，相框面上的玻璃被压碎了，大卫的脸上露出不易察觉的心痛的表情。不一会儿，节目组的人把一个赶着去买来的相框送给了大卫。中央台这一着似平凡的举动令我感动和叹服，它是那么及时地体现了善解人意的内涵和我们对外国友人的尊重）。
4、两套换洗的衣服，其中有一件军装上装。那是大卫爸爸年轻时当兵穿过的，整整40年了。大卫向观众展示时，很有些骄傲地说：因为它漂亮啊！
5、一双未洗的普通的运动鞋。那甚至不是一双品牌球鞋，大卫将它拿出来的时候，说什么也不让崔永元碰一下，他说：“这鞋很臭的！”
6、几件以饭盆、口杯、牙刷、剃须刀为阵容的生活必需品。
7、一面随身带着的鲜艳的五星红旗。
当美国青年丁大卫将一面中国国旗打开，向现场的观众展示时，偌大的演播厅里鸦雀无声，现场乐队深情地奏响了《我的祖国》的旋律。崔永元问大卫：你怎么会时时将五星红旗带在身边？丁大卫说：我时时带着它，就是为了提醒自己，我现在是在中国，我要多说美丽的中文，有人到我房间里来，看着墙上挂着的五星红旗，也会缩小我们之间的差距。再说，看到这面国旗，我就会告诫自己：你现在是一位中国教师，你要多为中国教书育人。
丁大卫的普普通通的话，让我从另一个角度认识了我们的国旗，也让我的眼泪不听话地掉下来。当崔永元问丁大卫在中国感觉苦不苦时，丁大卫说，很好的，比如这次你们中央台就让我这样一个平凡的人来做嘉宾，而且还让我坐飞机，吃很好的饭菜。我看见崔永元有些不好意思地脸红了，他幽默地说：“我觉得你挺像我们中国的一个人？雷锋！”丁大卫想了想，说：“还真有点儿像。”大伙儿“轰”地一声善意地笑开了。“只是，雷锋挺平常的，他只是一个凭良心做事的人，这样的人不应该只有一个，每个人都应该做得到的！”他认真地补充道。没有人再笑了，就连崔永元的脸上都显出了小学生的表情。节目快结束时，崔永元对丁大卫说：“丁大卫，你听到过人家对你的评价吗？”丁大卫笑笑说：“没有！”崔永元说：“好，现在我们就让你来听听。”我们于是看到了这样一组外采镜头：
许多丁大卫的同事，丁大卫教过的学生，以及学生的家长在镜头前交替着出现，他们一一地说着丁大卫的可敬与可爱之处，有的人情到深处时，甚至泪盈于眶。一个大学女孩对着镜头说：“丁老师从来没骂过我，但我真的好怕他啊，因为我怕看他因我而失望的样子！”而最后我们看到的一个镜头是：丁老师教过的那所小学的孩子们，一个个争着抢到镜头前流着泪喊：你回来教我们吧！
我们看见，丁大卫不敢再看大屏幕，他深深地把头埋下。一个美国青年，却在中国得到了人世间最珍贵的东西，我的心为之一颤。朴素的平凡的甚至不很英俊的丁大卫，给我们上了最有教益的一课！这样的一课，我们的课本上是没有的。

外国摄影家镜头下壮丽的北京

2006-05-06T07:05:00.009+08:00

found some pictures of beijing taken by foreign photographer, which are so fabulous.

An Unfinished Life (2005)

2005-12-06T08:15:00.008+08:00

一个似乎平淡的美国故事，一段40年的友谊，一个为了生活辗转的女人
几个寂寞的人，和一头伤害过他们的寂寞的熊。在时间里，仇恨变成了宽恕这样的人，这样的故事，在中国很难重复，却是我向往的对生活的态度

[大话西游]里有一段不出名的台词，为什么爱一个人只有短短的几十年，而恨一个人却要几百年，几千年的延续下去

周华健的[旧伤新痕] 里也有一段歌词，爱的旧伤能不能不再心痛如果无怨无忧会不会再添新痕这样一颗心反反复复热与冷随着人海浮浮沉沉也许爱过的人总要带一些伤痕是否幸福的路难免有一些坎坷如果这一切都是过程。。。。

一段痛苦的煎熬，终于可以原谅曾经伤害过自己的人。忘了从什么地方看到的一句话，如果你还恨她，说明你还在意她。不喜欢这句话，这样的宽恕，更多是淡忘吧

"An Unfinished Life" is one of the four best surprises of 2005 (the other three being Jane Fonda's return to the big screen in "Monster-In-Law,"the darkly superb "Star Wars: Episode III," and the intelligent thriller "The Exorcism of Emily Rose," ironically released on the same day).
A gruff rancher, Einar Gylkison (Robert Redford) reluctantly takes in his daughter-in-law Jean (Jennifer Lopez) and her pre-teen daughter so they may be able to escape her abusive ex-boyfriend. As the movie unfolds, we find out just why Einar is so bitter towards Jean and we see his struggle to accept and forgive her.
The scenery is gorgeous, complete with a terrifyingly beautiful bear. The plot is executed near-perfectly. The characters act like real people. The problems are not solved overnight, and maybe not completely solved at all. But they show the general steps people have to take to overcome the grudges, guilt, anger, and bitterness they hold inside of them.
Redford is exceptionally convincing as the cold rancher who still holds his painful past inside of him. He passionately shows his character's insecurity, pain, and spirit. Lopez, arguably, does a fine job as well as a woman struggling to take care of herself and her child, face her own hurts, and mend tattered relationships while staying clear of the abusive hands of her ex-boyfriend. Josh Lucas and the rest of the supporting cast are great as well.
But the true knockout performance here is Morgan Freeman's role as the sidekick Mitch struggling with his own issues of forgiveness and healing. He shows us Mitch's frailty and dignity and becomes one of the most adorable and memorable characters of 2005. True Oscar material, if you ask me.
This film may get mixed reviews, partially because of Miramax's two year release delay and partially because Jennifer Lopez is in it and no one is satisfied with anything she is doing at this point in her career. Don't listen to them. This quietly beautiful film about forgiveness (because of its limited release) may be the best kept secret of 2005.

Distance the farthest away on the world

2005-11-15T22:17:00.008+08:00

The furthest distance in the world
世界上最遥远的距离
Is not between life and death
不是生与死
But when I stand in front of you
而是我就站在你面前
Yet you don't know that I love you
你却不知道我爱你

The furthest distance in the world
世界上最遥远的距离
Is not when I stand in front of you
不是我就站在你面前
Yet you can't see my love
你却不知道我爱你
But when undoubtedly knowing the love from both
而是明明知道彼此相爱
Yet cannot be together
却不能在一起

The furthest distance in the world
世界上最遥远的距离
Is not being apart while being in love
不是明明知道彼此相爱却不能在一起
But when painly cannot resist the yearning
而是明明无法抵挡这股思念
Yet pretending you have never been in my heart
却还得故意装作丝毫没有把你放在心里

The furthest distance in the world
世界上最遥远的距离
Is not when painly cannot resist the yearning
不是明明无法抵挡这股思念
yet pretending you have never been in my heart
却还得故意装作丝毫没有把你放在心里
but using one's indifferent heart
而是用自己冷漠的心对爱你的人
To dig an uncrossable river
掘了一条无法跨越的沟渠
For the one who loves you

This poem was written by famous poet Rabindranath Tagore who was named as "prosodist"!

A very meaningful (and so true) artical

2005-10-05T23:48:00.008+08:00

Adultery happens when you start looking for what you don't have.
"Wow, this girl in my office is a real looker. I'm crazy about her because she's also understanding, intelligent, tender - so many things that my spouse is not."
Somewhere along the way, you'll find a woman or a man who will be more charming or sensitive.
More alluring.
More thoughtful.
Richer.
Have greater sex appeal.
And you will find a woman or man who will need you and pursue you and go loco over you more than your spouse ever did.
Because no wife or husband is perfect.
Because a spouse will only have 90% of what you're looking for.
So adultery takes place when a husband or wife looks for the missing 10%.
Let's say your wife is melancholic by nature. You may find yourself drawn to the pretty clerk who has a cherry laughter.
Or because your wife is a homebody in slippers and pyjamas, smelling of garlic and fish oil, you may fall for a fresh-smelling young sales representative that visits your office in a sharp black
blazer, high heels, and a red pencil-cut skirt.
Or because your husband is the quiet type, your heart may skip a beat when you meet an old college flame who has the makings of a talk show host.
But wait! That's only 10% of what you don't have.
Don't throw away the 90% that you already have!
Add to your spouse's 90% the 100% that represents all the years that you have been with each other.
The storms you have weathered together.
The unforgettable moments of sadness and joy as a couple.
The many adjustments you have made to love the other. The wealth of memories that you've accumulated as lovers.
Adultery happens when you start looking for what you don't have.
But faithfulness happens when you start thanking God for what you already have.
But I'm not just talking about marriage. I'm talking about life!
About your jobs.
About your friends.
About your children.
About your lifestyles.

Handbook for bloggers and cyber-dissidents

2005-09-02T23:36:00.009+08:00

Taken from: Reporters Without Borders

Blogs get people excited. Or else they disturb and worry them. Some people distrust them. Others see them as the vanguard of a new information revolution. Because they allow and encourage ordinary people to speak up, they’re tremendous tools of freedom of expression.

Bloggers are often the only real journalists in countries where the mainstream media is censored or under pressure. Only they provide independent news, at the risk of displeasing the government and sometimes courting arrest.

Reporters Without Borders has produced this handbook to help them, with handy tips and technical advice on how to to remain anonymous and to get round censorship, by choosing the most suitable method for each situation. It also explains how to set up and make the most of a blog, to publicise it (getting it picked up efficiently by search-engines) and to establish its credibility through observing basic ethical and journalistic principles.

The Island

2005-08-18T07:22:00.008+08:00

Just released in the UK, The Island is your typical summer sci fi action movie, similar in style to I, Robot and Minority Report (in fact they'd make a great triple DVD boxset). It stars Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson as two clone's on a voyage of discovery.

The basic premis of the movie has our two clones, Lincoln Six Echo (McGregor) and Jordan Two Delta (Johansson), discovering that the world in which they live in has been created soley for the purpose of keeping them docile until the real versions of themselves need a replacement body part or ten. As Lincoln gradually becomes aware of the lie being woven around him, he convinces Jordan that they must escape the compound in which they live before they too are harvested for body parts. What follows is a high octane run, drive and fly for freedom, filled with fantastic special effects, some real brutality (hence the 12A) and the occasional one liner.

I'll freely admit I went into The Island with lowered expectations after hearing it was getting pretty average reviews. I'd also heard there had been some dispareging remarks from the film's producers cast the way of McGregor and Johansson regarding their performances in the movie. Now to be honest, I thought they did their jobs well. This movie ain't Schindler's List and that script wasn't Shakespeare, so I don't know what the f*** the producers were expecting from them.

At the end of the day, this is a very enjoyable movie. It's not going to set anyone's world on fire and people who'd rather analyse a film to death instead of enjoying it for what it is might really hate it. As for me? I had a really good time with it and that's really saying something considering I was in a cheap a** cinema with a mucky screen (don't forget folks, "Cinema, it's the experience that counts!").

p.s. Ladies should note that Sean Bean also stars in the movie (and what a suprise, he's the bad guy!).

Watch the trailer: The Island

Watch the trailer: I, Robot

Watch the trailer: Minority Report

Rating: 7/10

26个字母的起源(上)

2005-07-28T01:22:00.008+08:00

法，但比较常见的讲法（根据Funk《Word origins》一书）是起源于希伯来语。应该讲这个讲法是有一定依据的。因为《圣经》是西方文明的根源，而《圣经》所记录的正是犹太人（希伯来语）的历史。而现在英语的二个重要语源希腊及拉丁语的祖先也是“希伯来语”。希伯来语本身就是象形文字。因此，现代英语中大量词汇隐现出象形文字的特征。如A表“牛头”，暗示“尖，锋利”，如此引伸出“ace”尖，“aciform”类形，“acid”酸等各种表示“尖”的词汇。但随着历史的不断发展，文明的不断提升，文字也融入大量文化的内涵。因此，许多现代英语词汇已无法单纯从象形文字上推得，如“apogee”这地点，这个词，就由二部分组成“apo”表示“远离”+“gee”表示“土地”，其中apo来自于“阿波罗太阳神apollo”，表示“远征，远离”。以下将26字母起源简析，及举例：

A a
如同汉字起源于象形，英语字母表中的每个字母一开始都是描摹某种动物或物体形状的图画，而这些图画最后演变为符号。但这些符号和原先被描摹之实物的形状几无相似之处。谁也不能肯定这些象形字母原先究竟代表什么。我们的解释只能是学者们基于史料作出的有根据的猜测。一般认为希腊字母乃西方所有字母，包括拉丁字母的始祖。其实希腊人的字母又是从腓尼基人那儿借过来的。约在3000年前，在腓尼基字母表中字母A读如aleph,写起来形似字母V，中间再加一横，代表牛头或牛角。以后希腊人将它倒过来写。对于古代腓尼基人来说，牛意味着财富，吃，穿，耕作都少不了它。这也许就是A被列为第一个字母的缘故吧。
B b
和一样，字母B也可以追溯到古代腓尼基。在腓尼基字母表中B叫beth,代表房屋，在希伯来语中Ｂ也叫beth，也含房屋之意。字母B原来形似原始社会的两室房屋，小写字母b是后来从大写字母B衍变出来的。在今约旦河西岸有一犹太教，基督教圣地叫Bethlehem。该词中至今还包含着 beth 这一成分。B在字母表中之所以排在第二位也许是因为对人类的生存来说住的重要性仅次于衣食。
C c
字母C在腓尼基人的文字中叫gimel，代表骆驼。它在字母表中的排列顺序和希腊字母I(gamma)相同，实际上其字形是从后者演变而来的。C在罗马数字中表示100。
D d
D在古时是描摹拱门或门的形状而成的象形符号，在古代腓尼基语和希伯来语中叫做daleth，是“门”的意思，相当于希腊字母Δ（delta）。
E e
E是英语里用得最多的字母。在腓尼基语和希伯来语中E是代表窗的象形符号，叫做he，相当于希腊字母E(epsilon)。
F f
F（英语字母表中的第六个字母）源自腓尼基语的第六个象形字母，该字母形似今日之英语字母Y，代表木栓或木钉(peg），在腓尼基语和希伯来语的名称为waw。中世纪重罪犯felon)的左颊常被打上F的印记，以示惩戒。
G g
在古代腓尼基语及希伯来语的字母表里，G是描摹骆驼的头和颈之轮廓的象形字母，其名称为gimel。以后希腊人借用了该符号，作Γ（gamma）。其实字母G与字母C系源于同一腓尼基字母。原拉丁字母表里本无字母G，含g音和含k音的词都以字母C为表示。公元3世纪以后，古罗马人根据C创造了G，自此C表示k音，G则表示g音。
H h
像其它字母一样，H也可通过拉丁语和希腊语的字母表，一直追溯到腓尼基语字母表。在腓尼基语中和H相应的字母有两条横杠，它代表篱笆或栅栏，字母名称叫heth或cheth。
I i
第九个字母I源自腓尼基语中叫做yod / yodh的象形字母，该字母被认为代表人的手指。最初小写字母I并不带点。I上面的点是11世纪以后抄写员为区分字母I连写（如filii）与字母u才开始加上去的。此外，在19世纪以前i和j的书写或印刷形式是可互换的，词典也不将它们作为两个不同的字母来对等。如在Samuel Johnson(1709-1784)所编的《英语词典》中，iambic排在jamb和jangle这两个词的中间。英语的I相当于希腊语的I(iota)。
J j
字母J是莎士比亚时代后（post-Shakespearean times）,，约在1630年产生的，和V并称英语字母表中两个最轻的字母。英国国王詹姆斯一世于1611年颁行的《圣经》钦定英译本中就没有J或j这一字母。正如G是基于C构成的，J是由I衍生而来，即在I上加一尾巴构成。然而，直至19世纪I，J的书写形式或印刷形式一直可以互换，并未完全分家。
K k
字母K之根源也可追溯到古代腓尼基语。在腓尼基语字母表里，K乃象形符号，代表人的手。希伯来语把它叫做kaph，即“手（掌）”之意。希腊人借用后作K（kappa）。古罗马时期，犯诽谤罪者的前额被打上K之印记，K代表kalumnia，即相当于英语calumny(诽谤)。
L l
在腓尼基和希伯来字母表中，L叫lamed / lamedh，是表示刺棒（oxgoad）或鞭子的象形符号。希腊语中的相应字母是A(lambda)。
M m
如同别的字母，M也可一直追溯到古腓尼基语。腓尼基人勇于探险，以海上贸易著称，航行曾远至西班牙海岸。M在腓尼基字母表里是表示海浪形状的象开符号。希伯来语把它叫做mem，即为“水”之意。希腊语的相应字母为M（mu）。在中世纪凡犯人罪（manslaugter）者左姆指上往往被烙以M之印记。M在罗马数字中表示1000（拉丁语作mille）。

26个字母的起源(下)

2005-07-27T23:13:00.008+08:00

N n
字母N在埃及象形字里呈波浪形，在腓尼基语中叫做nun，意为“鱼”而希腊语的相应字母则为N（nu）。
O o
许多语言都有形似O的字母，而且都代表人的眼睛。在一些古老的字母表里有的O当中还加了个点，表示瞳孔。在腓尼基语中O叫cayin，意为“眼睛”，在古英语里O叫oedel，意为“家”。
P p
P，英语字母表的第16个字母，古代腓尼基人和希伯来人称之为pe，意为“嘴”。希腊语的相应字母为II(pi)。16世纪有一位名叫Placentius的多明我会修道士(Dominican friar)写了一首题为Pugna Porcorum，由253个六音步诗行组成的诗，诗中每个词的首字母均为p。这恐怕是亘古及今绝无仅有的。
Q q
Q，英语字母表的第17个字母，系由腓尼基语和希伯来语的第19个象形字母演变而来。Q的形状有点像垂着尾巴的猴子。无怪乎腓尼基语把该字母叫做qoph，意思就是“猴子”。在英语中Q后面几乎总跟着U，它绝少出现在词尾，除非是外来语。
R r
R<，英语字母表的第18个字母，系由腓尼基语和希伯来语的第20个象形字母演变而来。腓尼基人称之为resh，意为“头”。从古罗马时代起，R一直被称作dog’s letter或snarling letter，因为R的发意颇似狗的嗥叫声r-r-r-r或gr-r-r-r。英国剧作家，诗人 Ben Johnson（1572—1637）1636年在其所著《外国人用英文文法》(English Grammar Made for the Benefit of All Strangers) 一书中这样写道：“R is the dog’s letter, and hurreth in the sound; the tongue striking the inner palate, with a trembling about the teeth.”在莎翁的《罗密欧与朱丽叶》一剧中，朱丽叶的保姆和罗密欧谈及他的姓时说，Romeo和rosemary（迷迭香），一种常与婚礼相联系的花，两者都以字母R开头，并称R为dog-name。
S s
在腓尼基语和希伯来语中，S叫shin / sin，意为“牙齿”，字母形状颇像今天的W，而现在的字形则是在它进入拉丁语之后逐渐演变成的。希腊语的相应字母为ε（sigma）。
T t
今日的字母T系由腓尼基语的象形寂母变化而来。早先的字形恰似如今的字母X，叫做taw，意为“记号”（mark）。基于此符号形成的希腊语相应字母为T(tau)。
U u
字母U系由字母V派生而来。在19世纪以前的数百年间，这两个字母就如I和J，一直可以换用，在英语辞书上一直不加以区分。例如在16和17世纪出版的图书upon常拼作vpon，而have常拼作haue。甚至到了1847年，伦敦Henry Washbourne公司出版的《英语词典》(A Dictionary of the English Language)仍在沿用这一做法。
V v
V乃英语字母表中两个最年轻的字母之一（加一个为J），它于莎士比亚时代以后，约1630年出现。但V同时又是U，W，Y等三个字母的祖先，甚至连F也可以说是从V派生出来的。V源于约公元前1000年腓尼基字母表中的第6个象形字母，该字母酷似今日之英语字母Y，叫做waw，意为“木栓”或“木钉”。公元前900年以后，希腊人借用了该字母，并由此衍生出两个字母，一个后来演变为英语字母F，另一个则演变为V和Y。在19世纪以前V和U这两个字母原来是不分的，可以互换的。V在罗马数字里表示5。
W w
和U，Y一样，W亦由V派生而来，其实W系双V连写而成，本应读作double V。W之所以读作double U是因为在19世纪以前的几个世纪U和V一直不分，可以互换。V既是V又是U的符号，即使发U也常写成V，如upon往往拼作vpon。法语的字母就读如double V。
Xx
英语字母表的第24个字母，相当于希腊字母表的第22个字母X(chi)。其实前者系借自后者，而后者则源自腓尼基语中一个代表“鱼”，读如samekh的象形字母。 X在罗马数字中代表10，在代数学和数学中 X通常被用以表示未知数。当代数学从阿拉伯传入欧洲时，阿拉伯语中表示“未知数”的 shei一词被译为 xei，于是首字母X就成了未知数的常用代号。关于字母X的由来，还有这样一种说法：X原为表示接吻之象形符号，若写如 x，看起来确有点象两张嘴在亲吻。这种解释可能出自民俗语源。
Yy
Y可以说是从V派生而来，但若究起根源Y可以追述到希腊语中被称为毕达哥拉斯字母(the letter of Pythagoras)Υ(upsilon)。在代数中Y常被用以表示第二个未知数。
Zz
Z在英国英语中读如Zed，在美国英语中则读如zee，但在古英语中则读作izzard。Z源自希腊语的第6个字母Z（zeta），而希腊语的Z又是借自腓尼基语。Z的基本意思表示宇宙之主——宙斯。

I was bored when I wrote this...

2005-06-13T01:31:00.010+08:00

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. For hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbours to come over and help him. They each grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.

At first, the donkey realised what was happening and cried horribly, then, to everyone's amazement, he quietened down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer looked down the well, and was astonished at what he saw.

As every shovel of dirt hit his back, the donkey did something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed, as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off.

Words we should really learn - by heart

2005-06-13T00:56:00.005+08:00

520 individual production™

大大驚！PSP Go 流出！？（含影片）

Eurovision 2009

癮 Youtube：你知道嗎？

愛上了商務機

H3M

Taipei Performing Arts Center by NL Architects

抑鬱的

「我們那麼年輕死，所以我們永遠都那麼年輕。」

The Incredible Hulk

iPhone 3G 親手把玩

三十期的呂布十年光輝

狗仔队非逼得谢霆锋张柏芝离婚才甘心？

簡單才恆久

長江七號前瞻

從門縫間俯瞰

American Gangster

Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard，讓台灣也豹在一起了

Nokia N81 8GB来袭！预装N-Gage游戏试玩

唱片封套怪談之唔落樣

台湾双十国防展示 主调加入联合国

Superbad

神鬼認證3: 最後通牒 (The Bourne Ultimatum)

皇帝駕崩

虎胆龙威4 (Die Hard 4.0)

Vintage 1967 Rolex | Adidas X-LAB Trainers | Polaroid Sunglasses

House Of The Gods T-shirts | Adidas Gumball 3000 | Nike Sports Watch

苹果电视台棍-无效贵warrenty风格

300

Run Vista without activation - legally

Taking about: Zimos - 在明信片JOURNAL (Zimoz - Blogging in Postcards)

30GB iPod Sells for $1,525 : eBay bidder fake or hacked?

情人节

101不同的说法'我爱你』

How does the £425 PS3 really stack up?

Apple Challenges Bloggers Over iPhone Screenshots

24 Season 5

修心，齐家，治国，平天下

郑渊洁语录

the notebook

zz Words Women Use

崔永元逗老外逗出的震撼

外国摄影家镜头下壮丽的北京

An Unfinished Life (2005)

Distance the farthest away on the world

A very meaningful (and so true) artical

Handbook for bloggers and cyber-dissidents

The Island

26个字母的起源(上)

26个字母的起源(下)

I was bored when I wrote this...

Words we should really learn - by heart

台湾双十国防展示主调加入联合国