2019日本之旅-博物館篇

出發之前一早已購票去吉卜力，那是極受歡近的一個旅遊點，臨飛前才即興找找有沒有展出書法的地方，得知東京國立博物館正在展出清代早期書法，介紹提及鄭板橋及八大山人的作品，雖然和年初展出的「國寶級」顏真卿書法級數相差很多，以六美元的入場費也值回票價有餘，當天去到發現原來還展出了順治康熙乾隆三帝的墨寶，我也由此認識了康熙朝內一位清官陳鵬年的行草作品，深得我心！再欣賞了一會唐代佛像後就離開了東洋館（此館專展出亞洲其他國家的藝術品）到展出日本本身藝術品的「大婆」主館，今期主館重點展覧無獨有偶也是佛像（來自奈良大和四寺），之後欣賞了日本刀（包括長刀Naginata, 寫樂牌墨水筆筆尖即以此命名！），以及日本書法。

左上順時針：順治，乾隆，康熙墨寶，日本長刀

左上起（順時針）：佐藤一齋，春浦宗熙書法，伊藤若冲畫，陳鵬年書法

和前者不同，日本棋院是我嚮往多年，一直想參觀的地方，該處算不上是旅遊點，像我這樣的棋迷主要是想逛逛Gift shop吧，去到才知地庫有資料館/名人堂，展出了很多珍貴的物品，包括本因坊道策「原版」棋譜，本因坊秀哉引退戰的剪報等等！而Gift shop當然就是主打兩位日本「當紅」棋士：張栩和井山裕太，我的戰利品是一把吳清源的扇子。

2019日本之旅-東京篇

作為全世界最大城市之一，東京市內的旅遊點自然極多，今次旅程只去了以下：
新宿：我們住的Airbnb Domo S就在此區的「韓國城」，在這裡主要是飲飲食食：拉麵烏冬韓烤等等

御茶之水：那裡的二手樂器店相當有名 

淺草：淺草寺和雷門當然是必定要拍照的地標，寺中一對聯的字相當有氣勢，寫的是：
実相非荘厳金碧装成安楽刹　　
真身絶表象雲霞画出補陀山 
◎ 安樂剎，即極樂世界。《文殊發願偈》：「願我命終時，滅除諸障礙，面見彌陀佛，往生安樂剎。生彼佛國已，滿足我大願。阿彌陀如來，現前授我記。」 ◎ 補陀山亦稱普陀山，是舟山群島其中一島，面積近13平方公里，有「海天佛國」、「南海聖境」之名，是觀音菩薩道場。與山西五台山、四川峨眉山、安徽九華山並稱佛教四大名山。 
淺草寺旁商店街也很值得逛逛。 

上野：阿美橫丁是著名的商店街，上野公園亦是一大景點，一落車就見站裡出售熊貓公仔，據爸爸說我小時候他帶過我們去上野動物園看熊貓！不過我們主要目的是公園內的國立博物館 

秋葉原：我從小就知這是全世界最有名的電器及電子產品「聖地」，電飯煲、無線電話、相機、音響及手錶等等都深受遊客歡迎。時至今日，大部份功能（除了煲飯）都由一部智能手機所提供，個人認為秋葉原的吸引力已今非昔比，雖則如此，我們只用一小時逛Yodobashi Akiba, 也覺走馬看花。 AKB48和Gundam Cafe當然也是打卡點。

銀座：這裡應該是全世界最頂級的商業區，即是中環置地及曼克頓第五大道的級數，我想我們看的東西比較冷門：筆和酒杯，可惜適逢賣杯的店星期四休息！ 

吉祥寺：數本村上春樹小說提過此區，我們前往展出宮崎駿作品的三鷹吉卜力博物館時經過這裡，據說頗多出售潮物的商店。

From Top Left Clockwise: 淺草寺，上野公園（東京國立博物館），御茶之水二手樂器店，秋葉原Gundam Cafe

嘆vs歎

寫遊記時要「晒命」，可是不知應該寫「嘆世界」還是「歎世界」，結果找到這篇文章，結論是：

與悲傷有關的用「嘆」字，與喜悅有關者用「歎」字

曹操的兵器

根據小說和歷史，曹操有以下兵器：
其一是大名鼎鼎的倚天劍；羅貫中《三國演義》中寫「曹操有寶劍二口。一名倚天。一名青釭。倚天劍自佩之。青釭劍令夏侯恩佩之。」金庸小說中黃蓉鑄倚天劍，相信是以此劍為藍本。
其二是槊，這是騎兵用的八丈長矛，蘇軾《赤壁賦》說曹操「釃酒臨江，橫槊賦詩，固一世之雄也。」認真有氣概！

順帶一提，釃酒可解左斟酒或濾酒，估計古代的酒有渣，要隔掉才能渴吧！就像本人家中一支陳年白蘭地，木塞因年代久遠，在開酒時不能避免地弄碎了，所以斟酒時必須濾去渣滓。

釃酒和橫槊這兩句在元代被詩人阿魯威借用在【雙調．蟾宮曲】〈詠史〉：

問人間誰是英雄？ 有釃酒臨江，橫槊曹公。
紫蓋黃旗，多應借得，赤壁東風。
更驚起南陽臥龍，便成名八陣圖中。
鼎足三分，一分西蜀，一分江東。

趙敏哥哥和丈夫

倚天的讀者都應該知道王保保是汝陽王之子、紹敏郡主的哥哥，在小說中他型像精明勇武，是蒙古王室和軍中的利害角色；原來和史實也相差不遠！擴廓帖木兒（王的蒙古本名）是察罕帖木兒的外甥兼養子，元亡時和朱元璋徐達打過多場硬仗，在朱老四軍隊攻陷大都後還成功反攻，那朱老四有甚麼計策？就是把王保保被俘虜的妹妹觀音奴（蒙古名）嫁給自己次子秦王朱樉以「釋出善意」！沒錯，這就是歷史上「真正」的趙敏，可惜朱樉不是無忌，網上也有文章指蒙古人臉圓眼細鼻扁腳短，和陳鈺琪相差甚遠，可能因此對這個蒙古太太（正印）零感情，朱樉39歲死後，王妃還被拿去陪葬！朱老四麾下大將鄧愈（小說中說他英氣勃勃，曾和徐大哥一同去救無忌）的女兒也嫁了做秦王的次妃，朱元璋祭文中提到“偏妃鄧氏，因妒忌被責，自縊身死”，既然正印失寵，次妃如何會犯下妒忌之罪？網上找到此文指秦王為她造給她穿「后服」，這個暗示秦王本人也想登大寶，當然大逆不道！不過朱老四只找了「家嫂」祭旗，史書還說他在鄧氏死後要兒子善待敏敏，而朱樉沒有照做。
說回王保保，明代有人（包括朱老四）認為他本是漢人，因為做了察罕帖木兒的養子才改個蒙古名！這個論點在1990才被正式徹底推翻。那年洛陽東郊鄺山南麓帽郭村附近, 考古工作者發掘出一座元代墳墓——賽因赤答忽墓。根據墓誌：賽因赤答忽的妻子是乃蠻人，和他生有三個兒子，長子名叫擴廓鐵穆爾（帖木兒的另一種翻譯），幼年多疾卻才能出眾，因此被舅舅察罕帖木兒收養，視如親生兒子，並養於家中。
賽因赤答忽是蒙古人，他的妻子是乃蠻人。他的妻子是察罕帖木兒的妹妹，因此察罕帖木兒自然也是乃蠻人。至於王保保，父系為蒙古，母系為乃蠻，根據習慣應該是蒙古人，絕對不是漢人。

2019 Indy 500

今年好像過得超快，上星期眨下眼就見電視打Indy 500的廣告，也見到兩屆F1總冠軍艾朗素對車隊表現表示不滿的新聞，星期日錄了來看，發現不見艾朗素的踪影，還記得上次他首度出戰成績不俗，只是被壞車拖累無法完成賽事，但今年竟然排位賽也未能出線！實在令我大跌眼鏡，此報導說了Indy Car賽事對F1（分站或總）冠軍車手也不是那麼容易（雖然從F1過江耀武揚威的車手也大有人在，立時想到的就有Nigel Mansell, Juan Pablo Montoya）而今年Indy 500的冠軍車手Simon Pagenaud其實也是來自歐洲（法國），曾在那邊的初級方程式賽事打拼過，我估他也曾有未能一㘣的F1夢吧。如今他擁有一屆IndyCar總冠軍及一次Indy 500冠軍的榮譽，總算名留賽車史。

WhatsApp Stickers

看完2019版倚天實在太沉迷了，從此帖找到以下WhatsApp stickers

敏敏1：https://whatsticker.online/p/161842McomUyB/HK

敏敏2：https://whatsticker.online/p/16269930dMmZX/US/zh

芷若：https://whatsticker.online/p/161859EdMi7Bw/US/zh

並根據此文學了自製WhatsApp stickers! 如果已有PNG格式的檔案，基本上只需下載一個app: 'Personal Stickers for WhatsApp' 在使用此app時建議先把特別要來做stickers的PNG檔放在同一檔案夾，在加進WhatsApp時只加這組stickers就可以摒除不想要的圖了。

倚天1994

最近瘋狂追2019版倚天接近尾聲，發覺被改動得體無完膚，禁不住罵了一句「黐線」，網友肯定說劇情暴走了。

不過無意中看了這一集1994台視拍的（對，就是2019滅絕演1994她徒兒芷若），我才真的啞口無言：

我以為2019的丁敏君已真不吸引，原來台版更嚇人！我想大家比較下兩版娥媚弟子就會同意整容不是罪過了。
喜歡書法的朋友記得留意16分鐘左右有宋青書的墨寶，喜歡詩詞的朋友更要聽聽老闆介紹杜甫詩哀江頭
看本集編劇作了一個新角色，是個愛宋青書的村姑，她的下場真慘呀！
最後想提的是2019版由周華健主唱的主題曲，原來是他重唱自己1994版的歌！

Silicon Valley Open Studios 2019

Where can you get free drinks and snacks and having interesting conversations during the weekend? Well, for 3 weeks in the year, you can count on Silicon Valley Open Studios. This weekend I visited several studios in Palo Alto. These are some of the artists whose work I found most interesting:
Michael Endicott: he is a photographer and he showed two pieces that he "overlaid" his images on top of canvas/background created by another painters.
LaRhee Webster: she did many painting that I called "Western style" (think cowboys)
Cathy Zander: she showed her works in several different media. She told me her parents suggested her to become an art teacher if she loved to do art for a living. So she actually got formal training (Master in Art Education) and thus very versatile. I was most impressed by her watercolors.
Hedda Hope: she has some impressive realistic flower paintings and even more interesting are the two paintings that she "magnified" the details of flower to the point that it looks more abstract than realistic.
Melanie Christie: her works use glass as the primary material and mosaic is her main technique. I haven't seen too many art works like hers.

令和時代第一天

本身不算是日本歷史迷，不過也認識幾個日本使用的年號，包括「明治」「昭和」（昭和棋聖正是中國圍棋迷最推崇的吳清源大師）以及剛成過去式的「平成」。原來明仁天皇今天起讓位給德仁太子，成為二百年來首位在世讓位的天皇；改元「令和」，而令和二字不是由日本皇室挑選的。其實因為早前網上熱傳一些關於新年號的書寫，我才知有此事！

忘記我自己Fingerstyle

和各位本blog讀者（如果有的話）「久別重逢」第一個帖當然齊集我至愛的topics: 音樂、Hana，還有結他；介紹一條令我拿起已完全走音結他來彈的片：

再談倚天

上次提過新修版倚天，無意中看到有網民把舊版（即報紙連載版）也一拼拉來討論，方知舊版中周芷若是反元軍領袖曾經稱帝的周子旺女兒！而在和張無忌回京找謝遜看到皇家巡遊時，還有這麼一段：

周芷若道：「我也不是強要你做皇帝，但若天命所歸，你推也推不掉的。你待我這麼好，我自當設法圖報。周芷若雖是個弱女子，可是機緣巧起來，說不定我便能助你做了天子。我爹爹事敗身亡，我命中無公主之份，卻又有誰知道我不能當皇后娘娘？」無忌聽她說得熱切，笑道：「皇后娘娘未必及得上峨嵋掌門之尊。好了，明兒一早咱們還要趕路。我的皇后娘娘，請駕回宮，早些安歇吧。」滿天愁雲慘霧，便在兩人中一笑之間，化作飛煙而散。

其實這個背景下，她熱心去實行滅絕任務就合理得多。

倚天熱

自少（小五左右）我就是金庸迷，每一套小說都讀完再讀，依然津津有味；當然，十多年前推出的新修版，又為一眾金迷注入新的動力：比較新舊版及品評金老所作的改動是好是壞！

其實這十多年來兩岸電視台把金老多部名著拍完又拍，不過年前才開始「再度」追劇，所以趕上2019的倚天熱，發現買了多年的新修版倚天原來未讀完！於是趕快「刨書」，由於新修版之前一版（即「新版」）讀過太多次，金老的改動不難察覺，大部份都令情節更合理，唯一不喜歡的只有結局：我認為寫得太著跡了。對於沒時間做比較的朋友，可以看這懶人包。

至於2019版的電視劇，我想最為人討論的話題是這兩個：（一）周海媚由年青時飾演周芷若到今天「升呢」飾演師父滅絕，（二）女主角們大「撞樣」，我花了不短時間才分得開芷若和趙敏！原因不難想到。

模棱兩可

這句成語相信無人不識，正因為如此常用，我想反而不太多人會深究其出處！最近讀了一首唐詩「正月十五」，模棱兩可一詞正來自該詩作者蘇味道：他是武則天時代的官，文采是高的，但做官及為人就認真不算高明高尚，他既喜歡阿諛奉承，又往往立場不定，意圖面面俱圓，想不到做騎牆派也出事，他曾因為對武則天選繼任人模棱兩可而被責難；而他對武則天男寵張易之擦鞋，在武還政李唐後就被算帳，貶官外放至死。

誰害了王昭君？

在中文世界長大的朋友多數知道王昭君是史上四大美人之一，不過我是最近讀《元曲故事》一書才知「昭君出塞」故事的詳情，原來故老相傳王昭君因為不肯賄賂為她畫像給皇上選妃的畫師毛·延壽而被忽略冷落，以至在漢元帝為求兩國和平時要把宮中女子嫁給匈奴王（正確名稱為單于）為后時自薦出塞！連詩仙李白都有一首詩《王昭君二首之一》提及這個典故：

漢家秦地月，流影照明妃。
一上玉關道，天涯去不歸。
漢月還從東海出，明妃西嫁無來日。
燕支長寒雪作花，蛾眉憔悴沒胡沙。
生乏黃金枉圖畫，死留青冢使人嗟。

有兩點值得討論：首先，這對昭君真的是壞事嗎？單于乃係打得漢朝「買佢怕」的傑出領袖，昭君由一個無地位的妃嬪晉身一國之后，還為單于繼後香燈（雖然要跟隨番邦蠻俗在單于死後再嫁給其子！）其次，有網民質疑漢代未有畫到像真人的技術（甚至連畫紙有否得用也成問題！），皇上不像會倚賴畫師選妃呢。試比較一下：與其花時間看幾十幅圖，倒不如一次過集合候選人看著真身來選吧。

Suunto watch

I have been a long-time Garmin user who has spent several years on Vivoactive and Forerunner tracking my biking and hiking activities (some running and swimming too) I can't say I am a big fan: the sync mechanism is not always reliable. Need 3rd party app (dwMap) for GPS navigation on the Vivoactive and it kills the battery fast (no more than 5 hours) My original Garmin HR belt that came with the Forerunner died finally so I figured it's time to try out a wrist-based HR fitness watch and I decided to go with Suunto this time. It is known for its long battery life and somewhat accurate wrist HR (with the slimmer Spartan Trainer model)

Obviously there is a huge learning curve when it comes to switching brand, which I can still handle for now (not sure about several years down the road :P) Here were a few things I ran into during the first week of using it:
1) The software running on the watch itself requires update right away. Otherwise it won't sync with the Suunto App on your phone via Bluetooth.
And the way to update is via a piece of software called SuuntoLink on your PC/Mac (and the USB cable) SuuntoLink syncs to Suunto's own portal: Movescount.com.
The odd thing is that Suunto App and Movescount use separate login!
And the latter is supposed to be obsoleted by the development of the former so they are NOT entirely compatible (see the point about sports mode later.)
Sounds complicated? Oh well.

2) I previously paired a Wahoo RPM Cadence sensor to my Garmin via ANT+. This Suunto watch does not support ANT+. Fortunately the Wahoo also works with Bluetooth. On the Suunto this is under Bluetooth and "Bike POD"

3) It can display the moonphase on one of the watch face. I am obsessed with this feature even though I have absolutely no use for it.

4) I had a whole bunch of my own routes saved on MapMyFitness. And I rely on it to search for interesting routes done by others. It's relatively easy to sync those routes to my watch. I just need to export the route in the GPX or KML format and then import to Movescount and sync the watch via my PC.
This link explains GPX vs KML

5) I got WhatsApp notification displayed on my Suunto ONCE (oh yeah, it can display Chinese unlike the Garmin) but no more.
I think it has to do with running the app in background but too much trouble to figure it out.
I gave up on this feature for now.

6) Even after I paired my Wahoo RPM Cadence sensor as a Bike POD on the Suunto via Bluetooth, the cadence is not shown while riding with both existing biking "sports mode". After sync-ing the exercises to the phone, the cadence is not shown in the app either. Turns out only Movescount.com shows it. However, one can create a brand new Sports mode and customize the fields displayed on the watch. So I created a "custom biking" mode with several screens of cadence and other stuff I care (like the current time! I haven't figure out how to see the current time while using a "sports mode" to record my exercise yet) It is capable of showing more fields than my old Garmins for sure.
However, I do need to warn that once you created Sports mode on your Suunto App on your phone, you cannot create Sports mode on Movescount anymore. I am not ready to give up this yet (I am an old schooler who prefers using computers to phones)

7) The biggest selling point to me is the long battery life while using the watch's GPS for navigation. Of course that's one of the first feature I tried! I found there are 2 ways to get into the navigation "mode": simply choosing navigation from the main menu (this will NOT record your exercise). Alternatively, while recording your exercise (say with the "custom biking" sports mode), one of the automatically displayed screen is the navigation screen, which has a menu that you can open using the bottom right button. You can choose an existing route using the menu option.
This is a route I uploaded and rode:

Compared to the Vivoactive and the Forerunner, the Suunto Spartan Trainer certainly looks cooler (less dorky) The UI is intuitive enough (once I got used to it since it's very different from Garmin) I need to do a really long ride to test its navigation capability. So stay tuned for my next review.

奧斯卡爵士樂

繼2017年的La La Land之後，又有一套和爵士樂有關的電影在奧斯卡頒獎禮大出鋒頭，就是贏得本屆最佳電影的Green Book。一如既往，電影甫獲獎即惹來議論紛紛，以下幾點值得一提：
荷里活被指「左膠」當道，傾向頒獎給題材和少數族群如黑人或同性戀者相關的作品，Green Book似乎也符合以上「條件」：故事主線是黑人音樂家Don Shirley到美國南部巡迴演出時僱用一位白人司機Tony Vallelonga（也有Shirley和白人同性戀者好事被撞破後被補的情節）
有人批評故事老掉牙，倒過來是白人音樂家僱用黑人司機之類的題材，肯定沒有掌聲。
也有「相反意見」指電影焦點放在白人司機多於黑人音樂家，即是「不夠左膠」？
而Don Shirley後人指先人當年在南部根本未有受到幾多歧視，和司機也沒有建立起友誼，有誇張失實之嫌（不過Vallelonga的兒子則力指電影以事實為主）

各位請欣賞一下Dr Shirley的演奏：

大地之歌

老友今日傳來這張CD封套的照片：

我記得多年前讀過馬勒這套《大地之歌》的相關資料，知道馬勒當年迷信，害怕寫第九首交響曲後就要歸天，所以在完成這首交響曲不敢將之命名為《第九交響曲》（不過他後來發表《第九交響曲》，之後始終無法完成《第十》！）我也知道德文歌詞源自唐詩，當中有李白的作品，就沒有再深究；近年醉心讀唐詩，所以對《大地之歌》的唐詩原作十分好奇，方知雖然#1, #4, #5&#6樂章一早被考究出原詩，#2&#3的原作卻是迷團重重。直至作品誕生差不多九十年，學者才對兩者有較深入的研究，#2被斷定是錢起的《效古秋夜長》，#3則有可能是德詩所參考的法文詩集作者受李白詩啟發，大部份屬自由發揮的創作。維基百科有德詩和唐詩的對照表，值得一讀。

火燒圓明園

在我們年代成長的朋友大多聽過火燒圓明園這件歷史事件，就算不像我這樣對中史有興趣的，起碼也聽過同名電影吧。其實上課學中史已是三十年前的事，現在關於火燒㘣明園聽得最多的是IG流傳那張爸爸叫兒子承認火燒㘣明園的笑話圖片（題外話：原來那張圖是「政治正確」的「淨化版」本，「完整版」諷刺性強得多）當然已不記得原來圓明園被燒兩次，也不記得課本有無提及中國人也有份參與搶掠，最近看到這篇詳細考證第一次火燒㘣明園的文章，值得一讀（如有興趣也可看看其他關於鴉片戰爭的新看法）

侯門一入深如海

這句詩相信大家都聽過，今日才知乃係唐代文人崔郊的作品《贈婢》，收錄於《全唐詩》，全文如下：

公子王孫逐後塵， 綠珠垂淚滴羅巾。
侯門一入深如海， 從此蕭郎是路人。

打算和友人分享一下這個故事， 於是Google一番，得到的結果多是簡體字，而少數繁體字文章卻都加油添醋，找到最好的是直接引用《太平廣記》及《全唐詩話》原文的這一篇。我姑且簡單在此講講該故事，話說崔郊愛上了姑姑的一名精通音樂的婢女，可是姑姑在不知情下以四十萬將該婢女賣了給高官于頔，崔郊唯有趁寒食節該女出外時送以上的詩給她。有嫉妒崔郊之徒將此事告知于頔，于頔於是召崔郊入府，于被評為「凌上威下，驕橫不法，朝廷姑息，無可如何」大家想想：怎會有好事發生？誰知結局極出人意表！于頔竟然說四十萬算不得甚麼，崔為何不早點讓他知此事？好得早日有情人終成眷屬，又贈予嫁妝！

此舉符合了于氏另一個評語：「善待士人，以市聲名」！

魏碑與行楷

自學習于右任標準草書後，也開始欣賞他較早期的行楷：

原來早年他研習魏碑，例如《龍門二十品》（介紹，詳解，二玄社出版的書）及《石門銘》。

而練習鋼筆書法的話，可以參考《實用鋼筆書法自學教材》中的一章，作者盧中南先生提供了練習用的千字，他介紹大家可從文字較小的墓誌銘入手，例如《元懷墓誌》及《張黑女墓誌》。

傳統中國武術vs現代格鬥技

今日看新聞見到「格鬥狂人」徐曉冬再次擊敗「武術高手」，這次對手是一位名田野的老師傅，這場「比賽」相當一面倒，可觀性甚低，如大家還有興趣可看看這視頻。還是去年對詠春丁浩那一場比較有趣：

作為業餘愛好者的我和朋友，只看此片段已看到幾點值得一提：

• 中國功夫欠缺抗打訓練 
• 中國武術衫亦是弱點，鬆身容易被人拉住衫領打頭 
• 主持說結果是平手，真是「假到無朋友」（不過徐和主辦單位則似乎甚有交情，對此沒有異議） 
• 拳手落地即停止進攻，對詠春相當有利，不用在地面抵擋巴柔的殺著。

在網上還找到（似乎是）懂詠春的人寫的分析，以及當日裁判的訪問，也提到以上幾點呢。

神遊歷史

今天和朋友在網上閒談，不知不覺東拉西扯看了多個話題：

• 祝枝山和唐伯虎兩位才子之間甚多趣事，例如唐伯虎為青樓女子題字。
• 祝枝山草書《美女篇》
• 唐伯虎不識秋香
• 蘇舜欽（字子美，和梅堯臣合稱"蘇梅"，同為宋詩"開山祖師"）飲酒的故事
• 蘇舜欽的書法極受推崇，米芾認為懷素自敍帖首六行由曾經收藏該帖的蘇氏補寫過
• 黃庭堅著有《薄薄酒》（薄酒可與忘憂，醜婦可與白頭） 其親筆書法收錄於《鳳墅帖》中
• 諸葛亮妻位居中國十大醜女之列

由明朝到宋朝再到三國，真是「大玩特玩」了。

回到以前

再介紹一下我很欣賞的Hana菊梓喬，她之前曾以Haley XC為藝名，是樂隊Pleasure Garden的成員：

去年推出的「回到以前」是她在Haley XC年代在SoundCloud發表過的作品（部份歌詞為配合劇集改動過），另一首「轉」亦相當出色。

Hana曾用真名陳曉怡參加台灣的歌唱比賽，14年就有人點名讚賞過，此文有她當年的視頻。

下一站天后

寫這篇文章，預了給人家說我是打手，就當我是打手好了。是緣上星期六無線頒了勁歌金曲最受歡迎女歌手給我目前最喜愛的女歌手Hana菊梓喬，之後各大小專欄作家論壇網民紛紛撰文批評，看得最多的是「誰是菊梓喬？」其次是「怎能和梅艷芳比較？」還有「她在其他頒獎禮沒有獎」我姑且逐一回應。
不知何時開始，人們開始以無知為榮？「忘記我自己」一碟曾登上唱片銷量榜冠軍，如果真心有留意香港樂壇，總會聽過碟中作品吧？
我要承認我很喜歡梅姐多首作品，而她天后之名實至名歸，但大家要明白她當紅那個年代大眾娛樂不及今天的多，電視台影響力亦大得多，如果說Hana深受無線力捧，靠劇集歌上位，其實大家又記得梅姐當年也是一樣？其唱片公司華星和Hana所屬的星夢一樣是無線之附屬唱片公司，梅姐第一首作品「心債」就是電視劇主題曲，其後大紅作品「赤的疑惑」「交出我的心」「飛躍舞台」等皆是（Hana第一兩首派台歌反而不是）。以歌論歌，Hana首兩張唱片18首歌沒有一首我不喜歡；反而梅姐的作品當中有部份我是一聽必轉台的。客觀地說，梅姐出道三年首奪勁歌金曲最受歡迎女歌手時，她已唱過「似水流年」及「夢伴」這些經典中的經典級數作品，得獎的「含金量」無可否認是高的，不過我相信當時也有人會說她江湖地位不夠吧。
最後想講講其他頒獎禮的認受性（BTW，新城頒獎禮Hana有一曲得獎），近年叱咤算是比較有代表性，不過也有網民數這個獎（及商台）多年以來的「罪狀」。其中我最想講的是商台95年的（中文）原創歌運動，連中文歌壇泰山北斗黃霑叔也曾作出以下評價：

需求忽然增加，求過於供，水準就會低降。香港市場狹小，創作人才本來就不多，市面上忽然每年需要，多於平時一兩倍，歌曲水準自然難以保持。其實，創作是不需要鼓勵的。有創作天賦的人，自然有不能遏止的創作衝動，非滿足了之後不會停下來。作品量多，很可能，質就降低。在短期效果看，市場需要，忽然激增，創作人自然收入頓升。但作品多了而水準下降，時日一長，就會變成惡性循環，令顧客停止享用不夠水平產品。以今天的香港市場狀況，回顧當天，本文作者敢說，95、96 年商台的「原創歌運動」，頗有椻苗助長之嫌，後果接近「好心作壞事」。

無論怎樣，作為一個樂迷及業餘獨立音樂人，好的音樂我一定繼續支持，不會受來自那間唱片公司影響。

分食制vs合食制

2019第一帖，是我很少寫的話題：「食」，對我來說飲食不是太值得多花心機研究的課題，不過今天在連登看到有人討論為何中國人用筷子而西人則用刀叉，其中一個回應指中國人以前和西人一樣一人一份自己食（原來有個專有名詞叫「分食制」），圍桌一起分享餸菜的合食制是外族（該ching說是清朝）引入的；後來查證，那是隋唐已有的習俗（和滿州人無關）。想起來我們朋友間自中學以後也有兩個詞語形容這兩種模式，就是「隻揪」和「群揪」也！

低莊

這個詞語屬於「識講唔識寫」一類，今日終於「的起心肝」去查查，到底是「低裝」嗎？還是「低莊」呢？搜尋「低裝」結果找到幾篇批評衛生防護中心的文章。

搜尋「低莊」就找到這個「爛爛地」但頗好笑的笑話。

既然在中文大學的網頁找到後者，應該是正字吧。

The sad story of the First Responder Bowl

As a football junkie, I try to catch as many college bowl games as I can (when I am in the country, of course) However, during my 20+ years of watching college football, I don't remember any bowl game that was cancelled, until today: lightning in the Dallas area where the First Responder Bowl was held. After delaying the games for hours, the weather is still bad (and dangerous to play under) and the game was cancelled! It will show up as "no contest" on the teams' official record. No stat from the game would be counted. At least it resulted in this satirical article. All commenters played along too!

How China works?

今天無意中看了探索頻道這個節目的一集"Network Nation"，老實說，作為矽谷IT人的我對中國大陸科網發展的認識不算深，這個節目真令我大開眼界。節目中提到福州一家NetDragon以網上遊戲起家，掌舵人眼光遠大把業務擴展，應用全息視像技術(hologram)於教育，例如把霍金「帶到」四家國內大學演講。另一項更令人驚嘆的，是靠著貼在腦袋的感應器探測並解讀腦電波的技術，中風的病人可經腦電波控制電極從而令已癱瘓的半身活動！節目又介紹了國內把無人機應用在農地勘察以至耕作，絕不是航拍過癮玩玩而已。當然也有應用在玩樂的科技，就是虛擬現實，我想比北美更為普及。最後想提的是國內網上直播內容的多樣化，節目中介紹了果殻網直播科學實驗的解說，可見在中國對這類題材深感興趣的民眾實在不少。

Guitar jazz

After several years of immersing myself in saxophone music, all of a sudden several new releases by jazz guitarists in the 2nd half of the year caught my attention. That included:

• Alex Skolnick Trio - Conundrum: I have been singing praises for this guitarist for years. He is one of the very few guitarist who shines in both metal and jazz. This is his trio's first new release in years though and it certainly didn't disappoint. As usual, he blended jazz with different genre including classical music (Erik Satie's Gymnopedie) and country (Culture Shock) Django Tango obviously pays tribute to the late great Django Reinhardt.
• John Scofields - Combo 66: the last album with him that I listen to was the one from the "supergroup" Hudson, which I moderately enjoyed (not a big fan of the vocals) I think I will stick with the ones with him as leader, like this Combo 66.
• Al Di Meola - Opus: Spotify doesn't have all of his albums. Too bad as I am very interested to hear his interpretation of the Beatles' music, recorded in the legendary Abbey road studio! So I am very surprised that two of his 2018 releases are available. Opus features his signature sound which has elements from Flamenco and other world music. Check out the tracks where he collaborated with keyboardist Kemuel Roig.

世界風景照片

幾個月前買了一支Amazon Fire TV，經常用來睇片，實在物有所值；不過，除了影片其實還有一樣很值得欣賞的東西，就是screensaver播放的世界各地風景照片！一直不知出於何處，今天終於按捺不住好奇心，原來是來自Amazon Collection, Fire TV 的部落格把全套貼了出來，真是很正！

台灣魚池鄉的日出

Classical New Release of Castelnuovo-Tedesco

Thanks to Spotify, this is the very first time I heard of the composer Castelnuovo-Tedesco, who migrated from Italy to the States because of his race and became a prolific Hollywood film composer. What I found most interesting though, is that the Naxos recording of his Concerto No.3 only features a violin and a piano. I googled quite a bit and there isn't much info (or other recordings) about this piece and seems to be written for 2 instruments intentionally.

古代科學家是窮人嗎？

今天和朋友討論科研的問題，今時今日科學家在大學取得教席及開創新公司都可獲可觀收入，友人以為古代科學家如Newton或Kepler均家境清貧，事實並非如此：Newton父親是一位擁有農地及動物的農夫，而Newton曾當教授再轉職皇家鑄幣廠至該處首長之位，相信不會是窮人吧。至於Kepler的確出身寒微，而他第一位結婚對象是一位繼承了已故丈夫遺產的年輕寡婦，她父親（未來岳父）亦曾因為Kepler太窮而反對婚事，直至他出版第一本著作為止，可見書中真有黃金屋！

後話：Kepler這位夫人後來也不幸因病去世，他為續弦花了不少心思，總共考慮了十一位女士！看看此文解釋，說穿了就是選擇困難症吧，可幸的是他最終選的五號帶給他一段美好的婚姻（本人應該會選四號:）

UEFA Nations League

I was not sure making up yet another soccer tournament/competition for European nations is a good idea. The author of this article thinks so: 

The Nations League has already shown plenty of positives though including, in my opinion, the lesser noticed League D. The 16 teams split into four groups of four in League D are European soccer’s lowest-ranked nations – but it is surely the most intriguing league.
The format gives these teams – used to being group whipping boys in traditional qualifying – a real test against an opponent they have a chance of beating or at least competing with. And, incredibly, it shows European soccer’s underdogs an unlikely route to the finals in two years.

Classical New Release by Vienna Reed Quintet

One thing I like about Spotify is the curated playlists, for example, new releases from different genres. I came across this album named "4 Woods + 1 Sax play Rameau, Mozart and Ravel" which is very interesting. Indeed, the music sounds fresh with this unusual instrumentation.
Check out their bio.

Home data center

My coworker presented his latest project and described the data center setup. I cannot understand most of the equipments he planned to use but I was thinking it would be (figuratively) cool (and nerdy) to have a rack at home. I think most homes can use some reliable network storage. Check out some guys' setup.

能者無所不能

剛剛和朋友討論當世能人異士，談到「能者無所不能」，例如我推崇的文學家柳永和辛棄疾，朋友問起秦觀又有甚麼艷史呢？找到此文：

所謂“生命誠可貴，愛情價更高”。秦觀與青樓女的艷情，只不過是為了消遣時光而已。
    《茹溪漁隱叢話》引《藝苑雌黃》說了秦觀的一件風流事。秦觀在紹興的時候，由當地最高長官太守接待，住高級賓館蓬萊閣。一日，在席上看中一個歌妓，於是賦《滿庭芳》，開頭一句是“山抹微雲”，後來就是“銷魂，當此際，香囊暗解，羅帶輕分。漫贏得青樓，薄幸名存”了。此詞流傳甚廣，蘇軾曾戲稱秦觀為“山抹微雲秦學士”。
    明代的蔣一葵在《堯山堂外紀》中則透露了秦觀的另兩次艷事。“秦少遊在蔡州，與營妓樓婉字東玉者甚密”，他專為情人寫了一首《水龍吟》，還費心地將樓東玉的名字寫進去，“小樓連苑橫空”、“玉佩丁東別後”就是謎面。而“花下重門，柳邊深巷，不堪回首。念多情，但有當時皓月，照人依舊”是說他們幽會情景的。
    秦觀還有過一位叫陶心兒的情人，他曾贈一首《南歌子》給這位名妓，末句的“天外一鉤殘月，帶三星”，就是為陶心兒的“心”字打的啞謎。
　　才情都用在妓女身上，實在有（失）體統。俗話說，勸賭不勸嫖。作為朋友，黃庭堅看不下去，寫了一首詩勸告他，其中有“才難不易得，志大略細謹”的句子，秦觀看了很不高興。

Deep Learning Fundamentals

I have recently completed an online course on Deep Learning. The training videos are available on YouTube for free. I highly recommend anyone in IT take a look. After this you can use the keywords and make yourself sound like an expert!

「愛」這一個字

今天無意中學了「愛」的小篆體（見圖），該字原來包括三部份：
最頂部份原是「欠」，代表開口傾訴。
中間部份是「心」，不用解釋。
最底部份是「奔走」，即為愛的人辦事！

自古至今，愛都是這麼一回事。
(詳見此頁）

下垂

我們中學同級同學在WhatsApp開了一個大group，上週末未被香港打大風話題佔據之前，在LA的同學問了一個孩子中文班的問題：
用「下垂」一詞做句。
他立即想到的是：腦下垂 :D
我提供的是：熟了的果子讓樹枝下垂
另一位同學提供的是：別離淚始終要下垂

大家應該都知出於那一首歌吧？

辛棄疾「中藥」詞

中國文學博大精深無奇不有，有一首「靜夜思」以中藥名貫穿全詞，相傳是宋代詞人辛棄疾的作品：
雲母屏開，珍珠簾閉，防風吹散沉香。 離情抑郁，金縷織硫黃。 柏影桂枝交映，從容起，弄水銀堂。 連翹首，驚過半夏，涼透薄荷裳。 一鉤藤上月，尋常山夜，夢宿沙場。 早已輕粉黛，獨活空房。 欲續斷弦未得，烏頭白，最苦參商。 當歸也！茱萸熟，地老菊花黃。

認識這首作品也得拜《BB來了》一劇所賜，當然又是出自「浪漫」中醫師長青的台詞！

沈vs沉

在寫上次提過的柳永離別難時，發現有些網頁寫「夜沈沈」，有些寫「夜沉沉」，直覺認為後者才對，因為多年來讀文章形容深沉的都會這樣寫。不過到底兩字是否相通？Google找到李碧華的分析：沈乃正字也；我想我跟李碧華不會錯到那裡去吧？

柳永．離別難

上星期寫了一篇提到無線電視劇中一位「讀書人」用了幾句柳永的詞來讚他心儀的一位女性心地善良，到底那位女角有甚麼反應呢？

答案是大罵了前者一頓，說自己根本不善良。

如果她知道這是一首悼亡詩，而主角更很可能是風塵女子，相信會出手打讀書人才是。讀書人（即是編劇）應先看看這位網民的解讀呢。

花謝水流倏忽，嗟年少光陰。有天然、蕙質蘭心。美韶容、何啻值千金。便因甚、翠弱紅衰，纏綿香體，都不勝任。算神仙、五色靈丹無驗，中路委瓶簪。

人悄悄，夜沉沉。閉香閨、永棄鴛衾。想嬌魂媚魄非遠，縱洪都方士也難尋。最苦是、好景良天，尊前歌笑，空想遺音。望斷處，杳杳巫峯十二，千古暮雲深。

雖則如此，詞中主角應屬美女，網上找到此文，作者為柳永多首詞中美女配上圖片，很有心機！

落霞與孤鶩齊飛 秋水共長天一色

在網上隨意看看書法相關文章看到沈鵬書王安石孤桐一詩（老實說很不喜歡王安石，因其變法害人不淺，雖然他是基於一種對政經改革的熱誠，出發點不壞；他以此詩明志，頗有自讚品格清高的味道）由此再連到以下作品 原來出自有名的《滕王閣序》（無獨有偶，上期提過的蕭老也介紹過此名作，質疑非唐代王勃十四歲的作品），搜尋「落霞與孤鶩齊飛」一句時，又找到此奉勸大家不要亂引古詩文的文章，作者不無道理，其實我更欣賞該頁採用的圖片，是本文標題最佳寫照！ 

再扯開一點：提到說話常常引古詩詞，我竟然想到無線劇集「BB來了」的中醫（長青），引柳永詞來讚MK妹（朗朗），認真對牛彈琴！

中文字對錯

今天阿股提出這個話題：「線」和「綫」兩字好像一樣，Google一下出了這篇文章，解釋了十對意義相近的中文字，相當有趣。「線」和「綫」都算正體，互為異體吧；不過自己習慣上用線多於用綫。

所謂誠其意者，毋自欺也

老實說我不是蕭若元先生的粉絲，不過見老友開心些牙以下視像，對標題頗好奇下看了，竟然巧合地回應了發生在另一位朋友身上的事情！  
原來標題出自大學，且看此文詳解。

當代草書大師

讀了一篇內容農場講關於今人寫草書的挑戰的文章，很好奇看看沈鵬的作品到底是怎樣的，找到榮寶齋網頁上他的作品，包括這一篇：

以我粗淺的功力，看得懂的字只有幾個，多得偉大的Google才知道寫的是西晉詩人左思慨歎史上當政者經常用人不當的《詠史詩》（上半部）：

鬱鬱澗底松，離離山上苗． 以彼徑寸莖，蔭此百尺條． 世冑躡高位，英俊沈下僚．

無巧不成話，上個星期正在學鬱（及其他林字首草書）的寫法！

Magazine Jazz

This is another post in my recent "Blah blah Jazz" series. Every now and then I would visit the local bookstore and read some magazines, which almost always include Jazz Times because of its extensive review section. I listened to the following albums reviewed in the latest issue:
Still Dreaming: this is the name of the album as well as the name of the group led by saxophonist Joshua Redman, who paid homage to his dad Dewey Redman,  and Ornette Coleman, who has collaborated with the senior Redman. The review implied this album sounded more conventional than expected. Well, to me, it has just the right amount of "un"conventionalism. Or I might as well listen to Dewey and Ornette themselves!
Adam O’Farrill’s Stranger Days - El Maquech: As the grandson of Chico O'Farrill, you would expect to hear Afro-Cuban jazz. It certainly has those elements but there are more! I recommend reading NPR's interview with him regarding this excellent album.
Dave Holland - Uncharted Territory: this is a collaboration of the versatile bassist with avant garde saxophonist Evan Parker. If your last name is Parker and you play jazz, you'd better play something that break away from the tradition, like Charlie Parker and William Parker did! (I did manage to find one album with both William and Evan) The first track is totally misleading in the sense that it sounded "conventional" but I can reassure you the rest is not. Very challenging material.
JD Allen - Love Stone: I have read magazine articles mentioning this saxophonist before but never really listen to his music. However, with Liberty Ellman on guitar I figure you can't go wrong. I expected something adventurous to be honest but this album is all about standard ballads, played in a refreshing way though.
Buster Williams - Audacity: finally, an album that I expected to be conventional and sounded conventional indeed. This is straight ahead jazz at its finest. You can't go wrong if you are a fan of jazz.

San Franciscan Jazz

This is sort of part 3 of my latest jazz "series" and this time I will write about my "backyard" SF. As a SF Bay Area resident for over 20 years, my go-to place for jazz is still Yoshi's in Oakland. For SF, the go-to place has gone through many many changes: it was Jazz At Pearl's near China town years ago. I went a few times around 2001 before it went out of business. Then it's Yoshi' SF, which also went out of business because of the high cost. Savanna Jazz got a lot of good reviews but it had to leave the expensive SF for San Carlos, which is further down South on the Peninsula. Fortunately the SFJAZZ center seems to be here to stay 'coz I think that's the type of institution the social elites like to associate with. I did "discover" a few new venues this year:

Black Cat: this club has definitely booked quite a few quality acts and with many show times weekly. The most recent one I saw was the group Beekman from New York, which has just released a new album named Vol 3: live in San Francisco (so I count this as San Franciscan Jazz :P)
Even though I heard good music both times I went, I need to give it thumbs down: for people going there just for music like me, the only place to sit is at the bar, which has limited number of seats, one-side facing the stage and the other side back to the stage! Besides, most people went there to talk to their friends, with jazz as the background. I actually don't understand the rationale. If you just want jazz as background for chit-chat, you don't NEED to go to a jazz club. And the neighborhood is not exactly where I like to hang out at my age :P

Mr. Tipple's Recording Studio: to be honest, one big reason I wanna go was the name. It just sounds too interesting. After being there once though, I can tell you the place has absolutely nothing to do with a recording studio. It's just a bar with live music. I do have to give it thumbs up for allowing people like me (drink only and didn't reserve table for dinner) to sit close to the stage. Yes, most people there are talkers too but at least I can still hear the music, performed by this fine jazz quartet:

The sax and piano solo were impressive. They definitely have their own sound.

Bird and Beckett Books and Records: this is a relatively small local store in the SF Glen Park area. No cover charge (suggested donation is $10) and no talker! Everyone in the audience truly appreciate the music of Adam Gay Quintet last time I went.

丹布朗小說

作為一位（偽）文青，實在不應承認自己讀過丹布朗如此商業化的作品，原來他寫過七部小說，我竟然讀了兩本半（《達芬奇密碼》、《地獄》、及正在閱讀的《起源》，亦認識了他的創作公式：
必以某個歐洲名城為背景：包括達芬奇密碼的巴黎，地獄的佛羅倫斯，起源的巴塞羅娜。
必和某個歐洲著名博物館建築物有關：包括巴黎的羅浮宮，佛羅倫斯的聖約望洗禮堂，畢爾包的古根漢藝術館。
必以某驚世秘密開始，然後花極多篇幅兜圈及放大此秘密。
必定雷聲大雨點小般結束。
所以，每本書首本部都讀得停不了手，然後50-75%有點等待完結，最後25%是因為已經讀了很多而覺得棄之可惜才讀完；直覺《起源》也會是這樣，且拭目以待！

French Jazz

After writing about Croatian jazz, of course the next topic is French jazz! I actually experienced it in person at the Duc Des Lombards jazz club in Paris years ago. And we all know quite a few American jazz musicians spent a lot of time in France. The most famous one is probably Dexter Gordon. However, I wanted to listen to French musicians and found these two saxophonists:

This one by Richard Raux sounds more traditional
while this one by Celine Bonacina sounds more modern
And here is a good article about French Jazz on Vinyl.

Croatian Jazz

I made a Spotify playlist named "England!" since they made the amazing run at the World Cup. Oh well. It's all over now so I gotta start listening to some Croatian musicians, which I am completely ignorant about. This is a good article about the Story of Croatian Jazz. The most famous Croatian jazz musician is vibraphonist Bosko Petrovic, who has also founded the legendary Croatian jazz club, BP Club. I am checking out this album which contains his best known composition: "Green Lobster Dream"

陽奉陰違？

眾所週知，香港電視台一台獨大，也是建制的護航者；不過所謂上有政策下有對策，間中也有節目內容諷刺政府，就如幾個月前的劇集《翻生武林》；而早前播出的一集《學是學非》，梁嘉琪的角色就對由麥美恩飾演的機械人拒絕回答其母語是甚麼而作出批評，明顯就是針對五月份特首林鄭指詢問其母語的議員問題太無聊一事！

陳奕迅國語歌速成法

我對陳奕迅音樂的認識其實僅限於頗舊的歌，而且是廣東歌，除了最近聽的我們：
不過他多首廣東歌有國語版（多謝網民提供資料）
裙下之臣＝煙味
白玫瑰＝紅玫瑰
黑澤明＝月黑風高
富士山下＝愛情轉移

歲月如歌＝兄妹
明年今日＝十年
打回原形＝寂寞讓你更快樂
Lonely Christmas＝聖誕結
粵語殘片＝白色球鞋
不如不見＝好久不見
最後的嬉皮士＝第一個雅皮士

歌名一樣的有：
低等動物
Ｋ歌之王
Shall We Talk

「鬥」「鬪」「鬭」?

去年開始練書法大師于右任的標準草書，今週寫到這個「鬪」字，即使未正式學過卻也估到意思和「鬥」一樣，上網查證一下才知「鬪」就是「鬥」的俗寫；另外更有一個兄弟「鬭」！詳見此文。文中有圖可見甲骨文的「鬥」字真是忠實反映兩個人對打的形像，而後來「鬭」和其他同屬「鬥」部首的字基本上也可寫作「門」，至於我最關心的草法，該文亦影了《中國書法大字典》，可參考董其昌及草書韻會的寫法。

金庸小說人物姓名考

無意中讀到一篇文章講金庸小說中人名之出處，當然部份可能作者聯想力太豐富，不過總算有趣。有些事件本來我也不知，包括金庸射鵰在台灣因為書名引人聯想起曾在其詞中寫過「彎弓射大雕」的那位「名人」；以及慕容博慕容復兩父子也有點影射蔣公父子。

風流何罪，無榮無辱無咎

早前友人在都柏林一中國餐館牆上見到草書的裝飾，細看方知是鄭板橋詩『新竹高於舊竹枝，全憑老幹爲扶持』，引起大家研究鄭的生平及作品的興趣，鄭是真名士自風流，以下一則實在值得分享（原文出自揚州晚報）： 

鄭四十多歲時納了饒五娘為妾，此事在鄭板橋《揚州雜記卷》中頗為詳細，開頭是“揚州二月花時也。板橋居士晨起，由傍花村過虹橋，直抵雷塘，問玉鉤斜遺跡，去城蓋十裏許矣。樹木叢茂，居民漸少，遙望文杏一株，在圍墻竹樹之間。叩門徑之，徘徊花下，有一老媼，捧茶一甌，延茅亭小坐，其壁間所貼，即板橋之詞也。問曰：‘識此人乎？’答曰：‘聞其名，不識其人。’告曰：‘板橋即我也。’媼大喜，走相呼曰：‘女兒子起來，女兒子起來，鄭板橋先生在此也。’”接下來是會面、書寫《道情》、老媼作筏、贈詞為訂。是年鄭板橋43歲，饒五娘17歲，艷福不淺。 此樁風流雅事中鄭板橋可稱道者，他不急於成親，只許諾：“若成進士，必後年乃得歸，能待我乎？‘媼與女皆曰‘能’，即以所贈詞為訂。”饒五姑娘尤可讚譽的是，第二年板橋成進士，滯留京師。饒家益貧，不僅花鈿服飾拆賣略盡，宅邊小園五畝亦售人。有一富商，欲以七百金購饒五為妾，其母心動，女兒則說：“已與鄭公約，背之不義。七百兩亦有了時耳，不過一年，彼必歸，請待之。” 正在這為難時節，出了個拔刀相助之人，此人為江西茶商程羽宸，一直仰慕板橋文才，那日至揚州，問板橋，在京，且知饒氏事，即以五百金為板橋聘資接饒氏。第二年，板橋歸，覆以五百金為板橋納婦之費。 饒五娘成了板橋愛妾，兩人如膠似漆，後來在山東還生了個兒子，板橋十分珍惜，要饒氏帶著兒子回興化老家撫養，不意到了6歲，兒子又死了，饒氏回到板橋身邊，直到臨終。

按：本文標題出自鄭板橋念奴嬌莫愁湖一詞

Is hot dog a sandwich?

Not sure if I've heard this debate before but a Ford pickup commercial mentioned it. In the commercial the guys ask "Alexa" (the voice-activated assistant made by Amazon) integrated to the truck whether hot dog is a sandwich. Alexa replied yes. However, I got different answers from Google! I guess either side has supporters and valid arguments. To me, hot dog deserves its own category.

歌詞：飛蛾撲火（菊梓喬）

對你好無需原因 緣份捉緊迷失情感
圓月總有明暗 人生會有遺憾

待你真緣淺情深 伴隨又相分留低餘温
情未可以自禁 何解要我看君半晌便已誤了一生

夜已深 段段情話耳邊穿梭纖纖身軀撲火
花花世間百轉千彎只等你再經過
誰來寵愛我 無法再幫助
夢太深 虛假與真再分不清猜不到怎結果
刻骨銘心晚想朝思在生命蠶食我
祈求不要太辜負我

舊記憶歷久常新 擁抱過的身如給囚禁
留下一個烙印 何解要我暖多半晌又再度要傷心

夜已深 段段情話耳邊穿梭纖纖身軀撲火
花花世間百轉千彎只等你再經過
誰來寵愛我 無法再幫助
夢太深 虛假與真再分不清猜不到怎結果
刻骨銘心晚想朝思在生命蠶食我
祈求不要遺下我

夜已深 自問情願也都甘心不惜飛身撲火
花花世間涉水攀山只等你擦身過
誰來取替我被愛這寶座
夢太深 燈光與火再分不清根本不知痛楚
貪嗔愛癡各種犧牲是真誠還是錯
無人可以再阻擋我

神劇：翻生武林

一向不大欣賞大台作風的我，近年由於沉迷馮盈盈，她有份主持的《後生仔傾吓偈》固然盡力追，連她客串了三個鏡頭的《溏心風暴》也看足全劇，而她作為第三女主角的《果欄中的江湖大嫂》更是以最快速度收看！順便也看了同期播出的《翻生武林》前香港小姐冠軍陳凱琳古裝扮相出奇地吸引！程度比得上果欄中的小狼女。收視率比不上《果》，相信和劇情充滿政治諷刺有關，始終不及後者容易吸引C9觀眾。不過如此出位的內容，惹來不少回響（1，2）基本上既踩擦阿爺鞋的建制派，也踩無甚作為的犯民。以維穏見稱的大台竟容許如此結局，也令我大跌眼鏡。

Astrophotography

早一陣子寫過關於太空及天文學的帖，而朋友之中有幾位都是好此道者，昨天首次借來一支望遠鏡嘗試觀「星」，第一目標當然是最容易找的月亮！從鏡中可清楚見到月球凹凸不平的表面，看友人提供的星圖可知月亮右邊是雙子座；金牛座及北斗七星亦不難用肉眼可見，從望遠鏡看這些星也只是一個稍大的點。再試試用GoSky Cell Phone Adapter Mount接上手機鏡頭拍攝但不成功，最成功的是裝了免費的SkyView手機app，靠手機GPS及鏡頭即可知所觀看星空位置然後顯示星座！

經過昨晚，我也躍躍欲試，找到以下有用帖子及網站：

Space.com介紹平價望遠鏡

如何拍攝銀河

用基本器材拍攝仙女座星系

關於Nikon D3200鏡頭的討論

天文攝影入門 作者介紹了幾幅作品都只是用相機不需望遠鏡拍的：Orion and Taurus, Milky Way
能把多張天文照片合成的軟件
十大適合新手觀看的天體

灣區最佳觀星地點（2，3，4）
四月份看甚麼星？

希望在可見將來有成果再在此分享！

Sports lowlights: 有線61足球台變身662體育2台

想當年為了Euro2000在家中裝了有線電視，18年來從不間斷地看61台（因為聽聞畸寶服務永遠無法終止！）今天早上四時在播放緬恩斯對慕遜加柏上半場臨完場時，機頂盒更新，61號頻道消失，由662接手，然後在六時正見證了logo由「足球台」轉為「體育2台」這個歷史性的一刻。

RIP有線61足球台

Derek Jeter

I heard this during the broadcast of the 2018 MLB season opener Cubs vs Marlins. The focus was of course on the new Marlins owner Derek Jeter and the fact that he has to deal with a team in complete rebuilding mode: all 3 outfielders from 2017 were gone (first time in MLB history) In comparison, the team W-L record of Jeter's career is 500 games over .500! And throughout his career, he has only played in 1 game that the Yankees have been mathematically eliminated from playoff. That's incredible stats!

削球手

我的小學時代最瘋魔各級學生的活動我想非乒乓球莫屬！每當小息大家就會衝去操場的球枱開波，由於球枱數量有限，當然以球技決定誰有得繼續打誰早早出局離場，老實說我打的機會不多，所以長大後很珍惜有得打的時候，看電視轉播也津津有味，香港有線電視體育台經常播出中國及世界的乒乓球比賽，旁述解釋得相當不錯，也令我認識到一類型打法獨特的球手，就是削球手：

削球手的打法是消耗戰，任你狂攻猛打，他慢條斯理，好整以暇的一一化解，以柔制剛，一分球打上十多廿板是等閒事，戰至酣時，來回數十板亦有之，對進攻球手的體力消耗，可想而知......藉着技術和膠皮的性能，削出的球時而帶有千斤沉重的下旋，時而帶有輕飄飄令對方容易出界的上旋，這都是本身沒打球的觀眾難以察覺的。

Pie rule

自問玩了多年棋類遊戲，不過去年才首次認識到pie rule這個規則。捉過棋的朋友都知道，下第一手的多多少少總有點著數，尤其是雙方棋力旗鼓相當，不少棋類都會由擲毫決定誰下第一手，變得有點幸運成份。於是有人想出用pie rule: 此例可以兩人（甲乙）分餅來說明之，無論由誰來切，難保會有偏差：給自己的一半大一點，相對地對方就蝕底了，最公平的方法莫過於由一位（例如甲）負責切，但乙有權選要那一半！運用在國際象棋，就是甲執白先行一步，乙方可選擇：（1）執黑繼續下，（2）轉為執白，讓甲方轉為執黑繼續下；理論上甲第一步不會選對白或黑棋特別有利的走法。這玩法有趣吧！

現代天才：尼采

之前介紹過Netflix的天文學相關紀錄片，此外也有很多文史哲的，早前看過介紹佛祖、蘇格拉底和孔子的Genius of the Ancient World，再接再勵看了講馬克思、尼采和佛洛伊德的Genius of the Modern World，想透過本帖分享一下尼采(Nietzsche)幾個我認為相當有啟發性的理論想法。首先，我和尼采一樣都不是基督教徒，當然我的思路和他的層次相差太遠，「反對」宗教的能力及程度也有很大距離，他指出基督教教義中心思想是天堂永生，在人世過得很苦的人可因此有所盼望，可以忍受此苦，例如封建社會無法脫離奴隸階層的群聚，尼采認為這不是提升人類水平的途徑。他提出「超人」的概念，那是指做人有目的，為達到目的排除萬難包括受苦，會得到真正快樂。俗語有云：「天才與白癡在一線之間」，很不幸地發生在尼采身上，他44歲就精神病發，人生餘下十二年都沒有再復原。他最後的重大著作包括Will to Power更被希魔濫用為自己獨裁霸權的理論基礎。其實尼采對未來世界的預言甚為準確，他在病發前已對自己的理論有所保留，明顯擔心被野心家曲解；他又擔心不再被宗教主導的現代社會世人會甘於安樂不求進取（他稱之為last man）照照鏡子不就有這樣的人嗎？

Duckosarus

標題是我為歷史頻道網頁介紹的一隻新發現的「怪龍」所創作的名字，如有雷同，實屬巧合:) 去年Nature發表了關於此恐龍的文章：研究人員推測這貌似鴨的恐龍七千五百萬年前生活於蒙古戈壁沙漠，這是第一隻被發現的兩棲類恐龍，能在水和旱地生活。早一陣子無線電視節目「後生仔傾下偈」請來嘉賓盧思穎，談及她小時候的夢想是研究恐龍，我想能發現如此奇怪的化石肯定是該領域專家最大樂趣。

土耳其首都.音樂.足球

剛剛在FB看史檔介紹伊斯坦堡，作為一個歐洲史及藝術史的學生，對該城的重要性當然略有認識，但現代土耳其共和國的首都其實是安卡拉(Ankara)伊斯坦堡竟然不是土耳其的首都！原因何在？Google輕易找到多個相關網頁。定都伊斯坦堡的顎圖曼帝國可算是現代土耳其的前身，在第一次世界大戰戰敗後，伊斯坦堡被盟軍佔領；後來領導土耳其重新獨立的Mustafa Kemal Ataturk（此姓氏由後來土耳其國會贈予，意為土耳其人之父！）以較接近國家中部的安卡拉作為基地，成功後就定都於這個新政權勢力龐大的地點，並無把首都遷回伊斯坦堡，也有和舊政權劃清界線、破舊立新的意義。寫本文時當然也找點土耳其音樂人的作品來聽聽，我介紹以下兩位：
Tahir Aydoğdu玩的是傳統土耳其箏

Ozan Musluoğlu則是一位爵士低音提琴手
無獨有偶，前幾天在有線電視BeIN台看了半場土耳其聯賽賽事：勁旅費倫巴治對阿克希薩爾竟然輸波；又在意甲賽事羅馬對拿波里看到前者的新晉土耳其射手Cengiz Under大顯光芒。

有色雕像

有去開藝術館的朋友，可能一想到雕像，會想到白色的石像；羅浮宮的勝利女神，費羅倫斯的大衛，雖然歲月留痕不是全白，總是很難想像古代雕像可能是有顏色的！不過有學者研究過好些古代雕像上殘留的化學物質，發現有顏料的跡象；三藩市有博物館辦過以「有色雕像」為題的展覽及出版相關書籍，各位可以看看此帖，內有一些專家推測作品未褪色前可能的原來模樣。

貝多芬第九首演

去年在圖書館發現了一本由History電視台出版的The Greatest Music Stories Never Told，由於要出門無暇閱讀，所以等到上月才去借，由公元前1400年講到2007年，共一百個音樂故事，第一個就是之前寫過的"The Oldest Known Piece of Music" 而我認為最感人的故事要算是貝多芬親自指揮他的第九交響曲首演，由於已經耳聾，他指揮得比樂團演奏慢了一點，當全曲已奏完，台下觀眾拍爛手掌之際他還繼續，是女歌手Caroline Unger走到他面前請他轉身，接受歡眾的讚美！

Conquering Dystopia

From the YouTube video of the bassist Hugo Doyon-Karout, I "discovered" another band Conquering Dystopia. To my surprise, it is an instrumental death metal band (which has released their album via crowdfunding!) I suppose guitarist Jeff Loomis is probably the most famous musicians in the band 'coz he also played guitar in Arch Enemy and Nevermore. Bassist Alex Webster is from Cannibal Corpse, who really showed off his chops. Check out their album on Spotify. Kinda reminded me of the good old days (late 80s) that shredding was popular.

Beyond Creation

I think it has been a while since I last recommended metal bands. I listened to way too much Canto/Mandopop lately so I have to balance with some metal. Spotify recommended a track by "Beyond Creation" based on the Death song I just listened to. Like Death, the band is very technical, lots of opportunities for the instrumentalists to shine, even including the bassist (Hugo Doyon-Karout) The band has released two albums so far. The latest was "Earthborn Evolution" from 2014. Really looking forward to their upcoming release. In the mean time, ​check out this YouTube playlist with lots of awesome bass playing:

達摩，少林，武功

我喜歡觀看各種體育項目，當中除了球類，也包括格鬥；十幾年前更親身練過一點太極，又曾「試班」跟少林師傅學過一套復興拳；一直對天下武功出少林，而少林武功則由達摩祖師手創的講法深信不疑！現今網絡資訊發達，要求證及找更多資料實在容易，讀完此文方知完全不是那樣一回事。文中提到以下幾點：

• 達摩不會武功，基本上沒有任何史書傳記記載他會武
• 達摩不是少林僧，由梁武帝撰寫的「禪門第一祖菩提達摩大師碑」說達摩畢生，只是一個遊方和尚，「莫知其所居，未詳其姓氏」，最終圓寂，也不是在少林寺，而是在「洛州禹門山」。
• 少林武功和禪學思想關係不大
• 有名的少林棍法其實由明朝名將俞大猷所授，少林原本的反而有所不及
• 易筋經很可能由道士所寫，主旨是壯陽術

我想我讀得太多武俠小說（尤其是金庸的）了！

星之源

曾幾何時我對天文學極有興趣，那是在我對電腦移情別戀之前！去年整理香港的舊物時找到小時候視為寶物的天文書籍：崑崙出版公司印行，董時新編譯，Herry Sherwood原著的「無線電宇宙」，售價為HK$3.2；年少無知的我，對書名固然感到有趣，相信更引人入勝的是副題：「來自宇宙間智慧生物的訊息！！」不過除了看過書中的星雲圖片，其他內容基本是不明所以，三十年後才真正地讀一遍（當然不是全部看得懂）基本上是介紹用無線電「望遠鏡」可從太空各處（太陽系內外）接收到的各種電波，以及由此對宇宙星球所增加的認識，不過全書沒有提到從電波成功解讀任何來自宇宙間智慧生物的訊息！無獨有偶，在此之前在書店見到一本The Jazz of Physics, 作者是一位玩爵士樂的物理學家，書中提及他曾經研究宇宙起源，包括Big Bang theory等等；在Netflix也看了好幾套和天文有關的紀錄片，例如：
Edge of the Universe : 這個系列提及用無線電望遠鏡尋找太陽系以外類似地球般有機會孕育生命的行星。
The Farthest Voyager in Space：介紹七十年代發射的兩隻太空探測船
Secrets of the Solar System：探討太陽系一些未解之謎，例如木星這類gas giants如何誕生

有趣的是，由於這些都是舊片，提到「未來」太空探測船可能會有甚麼發現，而2018年已經是那「未來」！2011年出發探測木星的Juno已經接近木星多次，提供了大量出人意表的數據；而Voyager一號更是第一次有人類製造的物件離開太陽系，進入Interstellar space（也是爵士巨匠John Coltrane一張唱片名稱，印證jazz和physics關係不淺呢！）

後記：去年寫過的天宮一號回歸地球事件，昨天又有新消息，最新預測的回歸日期是3/25-4/17之間。

Sports highlights: the All-Star games, Torrey Pines

By now I am used to NFL Pro-Bowl and NHL All-Star game happening on the same day (at around the same time too) I didn't really plan to watch either game (especially after NHL has chosen Kid "Loud Mouth" Rock as the guest performer) but ended up watching both. The Pro-Bowl started rather lopsided with NFC having a big lead but the AFC came all the way back under the leadership of Derek Carr (yeah, we still like the Raiders in this household) Glad we watched the game. For NHL, I did watch some of the semifinal (skipped the show) and the pre-recorded final. Also glad to see "our" division, the Pacific, winning it! However, the most exciting event of the day was probably the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines GC in San Diego. Of course the reason I watched was it was Tiger's first PGA Tour event after his long break. By the time I tuned in (after the Pro-Bowl has started), 4 players tied at -11 on top of the leaderboard. (Tiger was done with -3 and even for the last round) Then all of them went down hill from there and three ended up going to the playoff. After the first playoff hole, two left but couldn't break the tie for the next few holes (Former world #1 Jason Day wasn't able to convert a few relatively short putts for victory) The playoff has to continue on Monday! Then it was decided only after 1 hole: Alex Noren's ball spun back from the rough around the green into water. Tiger's next tournament won't happen 'til Feb. And NASCAR is coming in Feb too. That's what off-season is like for me.

Naxos唱片：三十年成功之路及新作介紹

作為香港人又是古典音樂愛好者，對本土品牌Naxos著實引以為榮，早一陣子在第四台廣播聽到去年是該公司成立三十週年紀念，可算是一直陪伴我聽古典音樂之路，以前聽Naxos其實是因為他們的CD特別便宜（五美元左右），那是由於Naxos找來錄音的主要是名氣稍遜但水準絕對不弱的樂手樂團（很多來自東歐），後來曲目比價錢成為更值得支持Naxos的理由：Naxos出版了不少現代音樂家的新作（又或者是「老字號」作曲家比較冷門之作）去年為紀念三十週年推出的三十碟套裝又是賣大包之作（Amazon只售$43.75）

回顧完過去，是時候推介一些去年㡳今年初方推出的「熱辣辣」新作：

本碟是Naxos現代音樂錄音一個好例子：女作曲家Narbutaite來自東歐立陶苑，家人深受當年鐵幕下的政治迫害，反映於這幾首作品之中，詳情請見Naxos官方Podcast介紹（BTW，值得各位古典迷subscribe）。

聽過沉重的作品，轉轉口味聽Romantic Viola Sonatas，拉過中提琴的我聽得特別有感情。

The oldest known piece of music

This is my first post of 2018! And I would like to talk about music written (many many) years ago. According to this article, hymn honoring the Sumerian ruler Lipit-Ishtar was found on a 4000 year old clay tablet which includes instructions and tunings. And there is another "not quite" old Greek tune called “Seikilos Epitaph” from first century A.D. which is complete enough that modern musicians were actually able to perform! This is a beautiful rendition played on harp.

Best Jazz Albums of 2017 Part II: the Top 5!

I have finally sampled all (and deep-dived a few) of the Best of Jazz 2017 I posted earlier. And I really dig the followings:

• Akua Dixon - Akua's Dance: This one is probably the most mainstream among all the recommendations even though she played a non-mainstream jazz instrument (cello). After all, she did cover Sade's The Sweetest Taboo, which I actually like (the original too, of course)  Her music reminded a little bit of Regina Carter. I also enjoy the acoustic guitar works on this album. It would have been perfect without that lone vocal track IMHO.
• Binker and Moses - Journey to the Mountain of Forever: I wouldn't expect a duet of sax and drums can sound so exciting. As you know, it's challenging even for a sax trio with bass and drums as the rhythm section without a chordal instrument like piano or guitar to supply the harmony. I admire their ability to pull this off. Of course, it featured more band members in the later part of the album and those tracks are as good. 
• Tony Allen - The Source: this is one funky album that is growing on me.
• Harriet Tubman - Araminta: there are only 2 tracks available on Spotify for this album but you get an idea of what this guitar trio plays: jazz that really rocks. 
• Camilla George Quarter: she is yet another exciting (female) sax players that I hear in the last few years. Again, the vocal track is the only "distraction" for me.

The Magic of Mushroom

最近在Netflix介紹下看了一套以題目為名的紀錄片，大家不要以為和迷幻有關，只是科學吧。一直以為菇是植物，原來生物學中fungi自成一類，在植物和動物之外，反而比較接近後者！本片用鏡頭特別放大拍攝菇類靠孢子由一處彈到另一處繁殖，實在有趣；而在我們吃菇看到的「帽」之下，原來有延申極廣的根網絡，深入其「寄主」（例如樹）後，從後者吸到水分，同時又為其提供礦物質（如氮）。這個也是菌類分解有機物的機制，本片指出其重要性，如沒有此機制，地球上會堆積更多廢物！除了以菇類製成抗生素，片中又提到發明家利用菇類根網的特性，把木屑和菌放在模內，可製成類似發泡膠的物料。此外，大家都會聽過一味中藥：冬蟲夏草，其實也屬菇類，醫學界正研究以此藥抑壓癌細胞擴散。本片實在值得一看。

宋詞. 菩薩蠻·花明月暗籠輕霧

今天介紹一首很香艷的詞：李後主描寫他的美女情人小周后和他偷情又驚又喜的心態（其姐大周后時為李後主皇后）；全文（此頁有註釋）：

花明月暗籠輕霧，今宵好向郎邊去。剗襪步香階，手提金縷鞋。
畫堂南畔見，一向偎人顫。奴爲出來難，教君恣意憐。

薪火相傳

家中孩子放假太多空閒時間，要他上網學點東西，例如寫網頁之類，才發現我一直極少用Mac OS X的TextEdit，試用了一會，第一件事要Format做Plain Text（否則default是Rich Text Format)，而打double quote會自動被轉換，又要修改設訂，總之麻煩重重；還是開個Terminal使用慣熟的vi或emacs好了，就這樣新一代emacs用家後繼有人了。

（後記：在IT老友介紹下找到Atom這個較為現代的Code Editor ，emacs體驗之旅暫時告終）

玩筆

上半年沒有購入甚麼新筆，下半年終於不再忍手，購入數支各有特色的筆：

• Delike New Moon w/ Bent Nib: 在FB見到人家用Delike示範書法，寫得很好（當然功力比硬件重要），而筆外型和我支Kaweco Sport有九成相似，更有書法尖（又名美工尖）！年幾前買的英雄牌書法尖墨水筆是漏墨王，經已放棄；決定再試一次書法尖，在eBay找到一支比仿Kaweco Sports款更漂亮的New Moon，好不容易等到從國內寄抵我家，拿上手比照片看來高貴呢。這支書法尖做出來的粗幼效果比英雄牌要含蓄一點，但出墨順暢無漏墨問題，性價比相當高，是每天都用得著的筆。
• Duke Emerald Black Barrel Guan Yu Calligraphy Bent Nib: 寫書法尖寫得上癮，決定試試另一極端，在Amazon找到這支可以很粗可以很幼的「大關刀」，十分好玩。
• Noodler's Ink Konrad Flex Nib Clear Demo: 早一陣子在eBay買了「無間」Rhodia迷你記事簿，賣家是網店Goldspot，自此每週收到他們的宣傳電郵，大減價相當吸引，上個月終於「落搭」購入一個Noodler's的特價筆墨套餐，包括此筆和兩隻墨（一黑一白！）是自從去年賣掉我的Namiki再寫flex nib, 依然喜歡。 

Comcast X1 box English audio

As a long time soccer fan (and a sports junkie), I try to watch as much as I can on TV. In US, that means often I would watch channels that broadcasts in Spanish. I knew some programs actually have English commentary "as a second language" on Comcast but I just couldn't figure out how to listen to that, until today. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Click the Xfinity button on your remote, then choose the Settings icon, then choose Language, SAP Language. And in my case, choose English.
Step 2: Back to the program you are watching, click the "Down arrow" button, toggle on SAP, it will switch to English (which was chosen in Step 1)

Best Jazz Albums of 2017

又到了一年一度樂壇回顧的時候，和去年一樣也是連結別人介紹的最佳廿張唱片算了，我正在由第19位慢慢開始聽（略去第20位因為是vocal），這位作者的口味實在比較獨特，有前衛的，有New Orleans原始風味的，有World Music元素的，就是沒有Straight ahead的，讓我接觸一些平日較少聽的音樂實在是好事；廿張之中我只聽過#12 Ambrose Akinmusire – A Rift In Decorum: Live At The Village Vanguard，也算喜歡；從Spotify有得聽的砌了這個playlist:
 
其實2017年的新作我實在聽得不多，無獨有偶，最「主流」的要算是Chris Potter樂隊的The Dreamer is the Dream，多得ECM終於肯在Spotify「上架」！其餘喜歡的都算比較另類: William Parker Quartets的雙唱片集Meditation/Resurrection及Cuong Vu 4-Tet的Ballet(The Music of Michael Gibbs)。有空的話再寫寫其他種類音樂的2017精選。

貴咖啡

昨天和朋友（別號「奶茶王」）說笑要開店賣頂級咖啡，首先想到的是「藝妓咖啡」(Gesha)，其實以前我認識的貴價咖啡只有「貓屎咖啡」，不過上個月讀了香港的明周又認識了似乎更高貴（貓屎相對有點不雅？）的Gesha，在香港某家咖啡店賣四百港元一杯！好在我不太懂欣賞這些精品，在本地咖啡店如Sightglass, Ritual等等喝杯四十港元左右的cappuciano經已十分滿足！

後記：無巧不成話，今天又看到台灣大學電子系碩士成為冲咖啡世界冠軍的故事。

Orchard Field

單看名字會想到種滿果樹的果園吧？和朋友聊天，問起他的旅程，他回覆說在ORD，雖然工作關係我輸入過一大堆airport code，竟然想不起ORD是那裡，原來是芝加哥O'Hare! 為甚麼縮寫為ORD？其實該機場歷史悠久，二次大戰期間是道格拉斯為軍方生產軍用運輸機的工廠，名為Orchard Place，道格拉斯徹走後改稱Orchard Field，為表揚戰時出色軍人O'Hare又改名，韓戰期間美軍再徵用該機場，後來才轉型成為民航機場。這段歷史頗為有趣！

詩經. 月出

雖然我也有臨何紹基集字唐詩及鄭耀津老師的療癒隸書習字帖，總覺得用唐詩宋詞練習隸書有點不合時代，還是比較喜歡抄詩經，最近抄了這首「月出」
〈陳風〉 
月出皎兮，佼人僚兮，舒窈糾兮，勞心悄兮。 
月出皓兮，佼人懰兮，舒懮受兮，勞心慅兮。 
月出照兮，佼人燎兮，舒夭紹兮，勞心慘兮。 

主旨很簡單，就是月下美人令作者羅羅攣吧。

土星任務

早幾個月前帖了一文關於中國太空站天宮一號將於2018年初以「特別的方法」回歸地球，負面報導不少；剛好在那時又有關於美國太空船卡西尼將於九月中在土星「結束探險任務」的新聞，由於撞的是土星（而且是大氣層）不是地球，倒不見甚麼負面報導，反而有這篇介紹此任務的重大發現。其實我比較好奇的是：土星當地的傳媒對此有何感想？

ECM on Spotify!

上個星期爵士古典界最大的「新聞」可能是經典唱片品牌ECM終於破禁：讓旗下作品在網上各大收費音樂平台串流播放！以往讀到任何讚賞ECM唱片的樂評，除非在圖書館借到，否則只有概歎緣慳一面，所以這是對我來說期待已久的好消息！ECM毋庸置疑是唱片界奇葩：獨立不群又能取得商業上及藝術上的成功，即使是同一位樂手為ECM及ECM以外的公司出碟，細心的樂迷都很容易聽出分別！ECM就有一種前衛知性的味道。我在同一天在FB分別讀到兩篇介紹ECM必聽作品的文章[英文link][中文link] 我又特地重讀過去N期音響雜誌專找介紹ECM唱片的樂評，在此分享一下聽了的作品:

1) Keith Jarrett, the Koln Concert: 這張可能是ECM最著名的唱片！全碟均為即興爵士鋼琴獨奏，獨愛鋼琴的姐姐十分喜歡此碟，我就一如過往嫌Jarrett夾雜在琴聲中的招牌「吟唱聲」

2 ) Paul Bley, Solo in Mondsee: 此亦是一張爵士鋼琴獨奏，可以聽到點點藍調的味道，亦有姐姐的stamp of approval

3) Vijay Iyer Trio, Break Stuff: 這個鋼琴三重奏兩張前作我經已十分欣賞，而樂評人認為此碟更上一層樓

4) Chris Potter, the Sirens: 自從2013年起，我最欣賞的色士風手之一的Chris Potter的作品都在ECM發表，這是第一張。2015及2017的我還未開始仔細聽呢。

5) Bill Frisell, Small Town: 接著的都是結他手領軍（或獨奏）的作品，本碟是一支結他加一支bass，構成的音樂空間比想像中的廣濶。

6) Ralph Towner, My Foolish Heart: 忽發狂想：以古典結他作品聞名百年的Francisco Tarrega如果還在生，或許會彈得像Towner。

7) Dominic Miller, Silent Light: 除了流行曲cover Fields of Gold一曲略為cheesy之外，其餘的都彈出清新嶲永的味道。

8) Avro Part, Arbos: 也來一張（現代）古典音樂，有合唱，有銅管樂團，有小提琴大師參與，俗一點我也要說：「抵聽」

Decaf?

I became a coffee lover last year and drinks mostly decaf these days just to avoid the stimulant. I had no idea it's association with that infamous "party" though. The most interesting facts I learned from the linked article though, was that the method they extracted the caffeine actually left poison in the drink! Hmmm...... what about the current method? Hopefully it won't suffer the same fate.  

Sports highlights: NASCAR Championship weekend

As a big fan of NASCAR, I knew there will be a 3+ month break after this weekend that seems like forever but still I was really excited about this. The truck race was without much drama: Christopher Bell wasn't really challenged during the whole race. The Xfinity race was more competitive: William Byron's car was strong during most of the race but Elliot Sadler was equally if not stronger at various times during the race too. (Daniel Hemric's car had a failure that took him out of the equation and Justin Allgaier's car couldn't find speed, even with the help of 7-time championship winning crew chief, Chad Knaus, in his pit) Sadler was leading the final stage of the race and had a good chance to win the championship. However, he was held up by Ryan Preece, who could have just let Sadler go. And William Byron seized the opportunity to use Preece as a "pick" and passed them both. That was THE championship winning move. Sadler bumped into Preece as a desperation move and hit the wall which made it even less possible for him to catch up to Byron. Sadler was really mad at Preece at the end of the race. After all, looking at the history of the series, this year might have been the closest one where an "old dude" (Sadler was a full time driver at the top level for about 10 years before moving "back down" to this series) win it all. When I look at the list of champs starting from 2001, 6 of them moved on and won championships at the next level. For some reason this series favor young guns.

The cup series championship featured even more drama: all 4 drivers had their moments that look promising for them to win it all. Keselowski's car was the weakest among them (which kinda proved his point that Toyota had an unfair advantage over other manufacturers.) I kinda rooted for Martin Truex Jr who was the only one among the final 4 who has not won a championship yet but was the winningest driver this season (and he has shown huge improvements in the past few years) and have been dominant on 1.5 mile race track like this one in Miami. It seems that he has lost his magic here though. Busch's car has been the strongest, especially in long runs. In situation like this, it's only natural that Brad K's team would play the strategy game by going off sequence, i.e, pit early and try to gain ground with new tires while hoping to get lucky. Harvick and Truex's team followed suit but Kyle Busch's team decided to stay out and pit normally, which would have been the winning strategy if there was no more cautions since his 3 competitors all need to pit one more time then him. However, luck was not on his side. The caution was brought out by none other than his older brother Kurt! Talk about sibling rivalry! So Kyle's car ended up behind Truex's and like Sadler he was held up by another driver with nothing to win: Joey Logano (who was certainly no friend of Busch) but unlike Sadler his car was strong enough to eventually pass Logano but he admitted later he used up his car doing that and was not able to pass Truex even though he got really close.

The other "winner" that I must mention is this year's brand new point system! I think it did make the races prior to the championships more competitive.

關於錯字的新詩

今天在FB「跟安妮寫手趣」頁看到一首有趣的新詩（節錄）：

下輩子 我要變成一枚 印錯的字
錯降在一首 完美的情詩裏
讓你微微詫異
讓你認真思考
我存在的意義

作者是徐珮芬，全文可在此找到。（提示：之前兩段更淒美）

解憂節目

上次香港之行，心情沉重，幸好自癒能力算是頗強，想到善用醫院兩個探病時間的空檔，先是去了銅鑼灣誠品書店，買了兩本好書，一本探究草書，另一本細數宋詞；繼而闖闖中環大會堂，看看畫展，聽聽香港小交響樂團音樂會「藍月夜」該下午演出曲目包括：

• 舒伯特 B小調第八交響曲，D759，「未完成」
• 莫扎特 降E大調第九鋼琴協奏曲，K271，「茱諾姆」 （由年輕女鋼琴家Sophie Pacini負責獨奏）
• 荀伯格 《昇華之夜》，作品4

三者由城市維也納連結起來，雖然勉強也無所謂。最特別要算是最後一曲伴上前衛現代舞。其實這首算荀伯格前期還未很「難聽」（指應用前衛音樂理論）的代表作，我聽過頗多次，卻不知原來此曲源自一首詩，而詩的主題是一個女子在月夜下向她的男人告白：她和別人有了BB，此段當然心情激動，清楚地反映在舞者的動作中，其後獲得諒解，並決定共同開始新生活，三個階段分別由三位女舞者演譯，而男主角則是由始至終同一人。非常慶幸沒有錯過如此別具特色的演出。

除了音樂會，竟然也去了戲院看電影（訪港極少看電影，之前較有印象的是去看「那些年」和The Lego movie而已）看的更是極少看的日本電影！皆因在Pokka Cafe看到「解憂雜貨店」的宣傳品，那是改編自近年讀了很多的作家東野圭吾的小說，下機當晚睡不著才讀完全本「真夏方程式」呢！「解」是東野首本集奇幻與推理情節於一身的温情作品，我反而未讀過原著而先看電影版。由於喜歡此作家，對電影自然也愛屋及烏。故事圍繞一家已結業的雜貨店，當年老闆歡近人家來信詢問疑難，他會一一細心解答；老闆過身店也結業多年後，有三個少年在犯事之後無意中闖入，適值時空交錯，收到多年前多封詢問信，他們這幾位以未來人身份回信，改變了好幾段人生。有影評說由於要講的事太多，人物的刻劃有點片面，可能也有道理，總之我就十分喜歡。

Sports highlights: NASCAR "semifinals"

All 3 NASCAR series will have their final races of the season that determines the champion this weekend. And the 4 finalists for each series were determined by last weekend's race which made the races extra interesting, with a few notable crashes involving those fighting for playoff spots. During the truck race, the 4th final spot holder at one point, Ben Rhodes, tried to cut in front of his closest competitor Austin Cindric at a restart and was wrecked. Rhodes' crew chief was very upset about that but the announcers didn't think it's the fault of the latter, who got that final spot eventually, as a beneficiary of the crash of course. Similar issue happened to #48 Brennan Poole of the Xfinity race when he tried too hard to gain around on other competitors. Once he crashed out, the 4th spot came down to either Daniel Hemric or Cole Custer. Custer tried his best to overtake Hemric but just came up short. Another unfortunate #48 was Jimmie Johnson, who also had to fight for that 4th spot for the Cup championship at the bottom of the final 8. And that's not the only drama: Denny Hamlin was leading for a long time and looked promising to get that 4th spot. However,  remember he wrecked Chase Elliott at Martinsville and ruined the latter's chance to win the first Cup race of his career (and more importantly, advance to the championship)? So, no surprise that when Hamlin lost his top spot from the pit and restarted near Elliot, the latter would take revenge (after all, his only chance to advance was to pass everyone else, i,e, win the race to got into the championship 4) Last but not least, Matt Kenseth won his first race of 2017 (by overtaking Chase Elliott for the top spot) which would also be his final season in NASCAR. It's cool to see him going out on top.

書體和音樂

早一陣子去了一個「俾面」音樂會，百無聊賴練字，胡思亂想中文書法各種書體和西洋音樂似乎也可拉上關係：
楷書：不用說，當然是流行音樂！夠大眾化，人人都會。
草書：我認為和爵士樂頗相似：既有法規，也有很大自由度，各家寫出來的很不同，很有即興味道。
行書：令我聯想到古典音樂的浪漫派，創作及演繹浪漫派音樂，均加入很多個人感情，誇張也無所謂。
隸書：這樣說有點籠統，但隸書感覺上比較一板一眼，很有巴哈的巴羅克音樂的味道。
篆書：簡樸原始味重，Gregorian chant一類中古時代西洋音樂大概可以相比。

機上娛樂：狂睇紀錄片

上次香港一行在機上看了好幾套紀錄片，可能因為有興趣的劇情片已看完，亦可能想靠紀錄片入睡！無論如何，也覺得值得介紹一下（我特地把片名記在筆記簿嘛）：

In Pursuit of Silence 老實說，看完差不多兩週經已印象全無！只記得是講現代人生活很多噪音，走到深山享受寧靜對身心有益云云。我想有點道理，不過沒有音樂會比較悶吧。

Yarn 本片講了世界各地幾位以針織作為媒介的女藝術家的故事，這個算是相當冷門又女性化的媒介，題材的確極有新鮮感。

Obit 這是一套介紹報紙訃聞版記者的紀錄片。不知現代人一般有幾多機會閱讀報紙訃聞？我印象中的訃聞主要是地區免費報刊出關於本地人士去世那些，到底是收費廣告嗎？香港報紙的當然是，皆因我家去年就登過。這些當然和本片談及的有所不同：後者都是有記者採訪家人搜集資料然後寫出介紹生平的文章。原來以往訃聞部乃係報館把記者「流放」的部門！其實他們責任重大呢，出起錯（例如主角未死！）後果頗嚴重吧。

Sports highlights: NASCAR, EPL, Bundesliga, Champions League, World Series

It has been two really intense weeks back home and I missed quite a bit of playoff actions from NASCAR and Major League Baseball in the States. Glad that I was able to catch Game 6 and 7 of the World Series. Thumbs up to the Astros winning it all. Any pro team from Texas winning a championship is always welcome, especially beating a team from So Cal, my #2 "disliked" team LA Dodgers. The road to WS victory was definitely a tough one even though they played very well in the regular season, they were almost eliminated by the Yankees in ALCS. And if they didn't mount a big comeback in Game 5 of WS, LA just needed to win one of the next 2 games at home to win the series!

I didn't bother to record the 3 NASCAR races I missed but relied on Comcast's On-demand "condensed race" replay of Talladega 2, Kansas 2 and Martinsville 2 (the first race of the Round of 8.) I guess I still watched most of the highlights, e.g. key passes and crashes :P The race at 'dega featured a tons of the latter as expected. And I've finally understood how the new point system works! So basically there are 3 different types of points: the "original" points drivers used to get based on their finishes at the end of each race, the "stage" points that were given to drivers finishing in Top 10 at the end of each stage, and the "playoff" points that were given to stage and race winners. Additional playoff points were awarded based on the end of regular season standings. And playoff points came into the picture during the playoff (obviously!): these points are added to each driver's total points after the point reset for each driver at the beginning of each playoff round, and carried over through out every round and every race in the playoff (except the final race) So drivers have incentive to win stages and races to accumulate the playoff points which would help getting to the final race.

The interesting matchups during the past few weeks in Champions League for me are Real Madrid vs the Spurs and Manchester United vs Benfica. Looks like it's finally time for Real Madrid to have a down year: only able to tie the Spurs at home and lost 1-3 away. The first Man U-Benfica match was a thriller: Man U scored a lucky goal but the 2nd win seems more convincing. (Oh yeah, their victory over the Spurs during the past weekend was a good one too!)

Bundesliga is the only domestic league that my dad followed and Bayern played Leipzig again right after they met in the German cup (which went to extra time) The latter had a player sent off for both games and lost both. (Also lost their Champions league match to Porto!) I guess the team is still not ready for too much spotlight.

富亨食好西

十月底臨時趕返港探家人，出發前先下載了Motopark這個找停車場手機app，因為知道由大埔的家出發，開車必定最省時。星期一一早先開車到屋苑百佳熱熱身重拾揸右軚車的觸覺，好不容易等到探病時間即開往醫院，醫院停車場爆滿，在外已有七八部車等人走，Motopark就派上用場了：即到最近的頌雅苑停車場，那可能是全香港最易泊的停車場：經常找到前後皆吉的位，由後位直入到前位，不用倒後泊位！從停車場出來，見到搭過無數次的老朋友271，原來這裡正是「傳說中」的富亨邨，即271巴士總站也！此後連續十幾天都泊在這裡，順便醫肚，基本上街市商場每一間店也幫襯過了（除了大家樂及文具店！）本帖為大家介紹一下：

• 點心仔：此店有車仔麵及涼茶坊兩個舖，我在前者幫襯過兩次煎釀三寶（每次四件都要釀茄子）、車仔麵、腸粉、糯米雞，後者兩次燒賣及豆腐花，全部都便宜及有水準。
• 太子美食：這是街市內典型「乜都有」的茶餐食肆：有燒味有碟頭飯有早餐有菠蘿油有奶茶......我幫襯過乳豬飯（普通）、金菇肥牛湯飯（正），魚香茄子飯（掂），雞扒早餐，菠蘿油、奶走等等。這是你想不到吃甚麼也可以先入去的店。
• 香港仔魚蛋王：魚餃墨丸牛腩均不俗。（當然和尖沙咀九記有點距離）
• 和食：即街市版吉野家，味道不錯。
• 真意小食：小丸子好味抵食。
• Q點心：菜肉包和鵪春蛋燒賣均美味。
• 百份百：很健康地點了西蘭花炒魚柳。
• 桃園粥麵：很不健康地點了梅菜扣肉煲，不過另一次則點了蒸肉餅，兩者皆有水準。
• 麵包先生：除了提子包這些標準野，也吃了它的老婆餅，有意外驚喜。
• V28: 同是麵包店，我比較喜歡麵包先生。

我想今後要在開車在大埔揾食，富亨必然是首選！

Python

I read some where that Python is one of the "in demand" language for those looking for programming jobs (also for data scientist!) As a life-long computer enthusiast, I gotta be curious about this language, which seems to be successor to the "throne" of backend scripting language, i.e., Perl. I needed to write a quick and dirty program so it's the best opportunity to learn a new language. And I found that OS X has Python 2.7 pre-installed! Basically I learned how to write my first program entirely from StackOverflow (the for loop, if-then-else, functions......)

Next, I'm interested to see how it compares to PHP when it comes to building web app. So I found a free host that support Python and good old CGI: HelioHost. I changed one of my "idle" domain bought from GoDaddy to use HelioHost's name servers.

天災人禍

這幾個月美國真的禍不單行，繼多個颶風肆虐南部各州，又發生史上傷亡最嚴重的拉斯維加斯槍擊案，最新的則是北加州酒鄉山火，當真是親者痛仇者快！希望憑著這個地方一貫頑強的生命力，大家能共同渡過難關；就如紐約洋基棒球隊在落後兩場下也能挽回劣勢晉身下一輪季後賽！