一連兩天，接二連三諸事不順。
第一天，首先是原先到手的活動臨時被通知取消，接著與上次承接活動的單位有酬勞糾紛，原本希望能夠藉由與朋友的聚會排解一整天的不愉快，正準備開車出門，發現車子沒電，根本不能發動，頓時真想躲在家裡算了，但是不想讓朋友們失望，借了老媽的車依照原定計畫赴約。到了現場，慶幸我沒有在家鬱悶一夜，因為與好朋友相聚以及數小時的歡笑的確讓我忘掉不開心，深夜回家之後立即進入夢鄉，一夜好眠。
隔天一早起床，差一點點睡過頭，趕著上九點半的熱瑜珈，上了公車又昏睡過去，公車過站不停，害我從長庚醫院急忙走到環亞，只剩五分鐘課程即將開始。今天學生人數超少，一隻手就數完，老師決定此時多給一點個別指導，不知這是好處還是壞處，下課後，我一身腰酸背痛的離開教室。
到家之後，決定先把車子的電池處理一下。這時候必須說一聲台灣真的什麼都方便，打電話請附近的修車廠來幫忙充電，電話一掛，不到五分鐘服務人員就到。充電約十分鐘之後，他告訴我最好讓車子引擎繼續跑個半小時，讓電池充滿；付了一百塊錢，我便開車出門兜風，四十分鐘後，想說電池應該已經充電完畢，因此我開到COSTCO，順便採買一番。
沒料到，我以迅雷不及掩耳的速度採買完畢，車子居然又沒電。正在想到底應該怎麼處理，靈機一動，我鼓起勇氣走進COSTCO的輪胎中心，希望能夠尋求協助。這地方平日應該沒啥女性光顧，因為我一踏入，五位男性服務人員同時對我行注目禮，十隻眼睛頓時停留在我身上。等我解釋完我的困境，他們各說各話，各自有不同的看法和建議，但是沒有人願意提供協助。突然，有個聲音：「如果妳願意等我下班，我可以幫妳。我一點鐘下班，還有五分鐘。」
頓時，目光從我身上轉移到一個高大的年輕人，穿著藍色的連身工作服，戴著眼鏡，靦腆的微笑著。
「妳開什麼車？」其中一人問道。
「凌志」
「330？」
「嗯，再大一點，430」
「哇，他幫不了妳喔，他的車才1.6，不要抱太大希望，妳還是打電話叫拖吊車比較保險。」
眾人七嘴八舌，熱烈討論，此時這年輕人早已去打卡，準備下班。
原來，公司規定他們不能在上班時間幫顧客做這樣的服務，即使他們有賣汽車電池，但是沒有我所需要的尺寸，再加上服務中心並沒有充電器，他們愛莫能助。
年輕人開著他的車，從停車場向我示意招手，我起身向外走出去，眾人仍在我背後議論紛紛：「可別抱著太大希望，他的車可能救不了你‧‧‧」
我的車停在地下二樓，原本停車時還想說如果車頭面向車道，到時候比較方便離開。但是看到牆上貼著警示，提醒顧客以車頭向內，以便搬運貨物。真是一念之隔，果然我的車頭向內，前方及左右都有車子，我們只能耐心等待任何其中一位車主出現。
「妳有買生鮮食品嗎？」
「妳有趕時間嗎？」
「妳會不會熱？坐進來車子裡吹冷氣吧。」
這年輕人真是體貼的不得了！
我們開始閒聊打發時間，因為根本不知道這些車主何時才會出現。
「你都這麼早下班喔？」
「現在放暑假啊，開學以後就恢復晚班了。」
「還在唸書嗎？你今年幾歲？」
「二十。」
我的天啊，我有沒有聽錯？二十歲而已？？？
「哇，好年輕，那你覺得我幾歲？」
「二十幾吧。」
是幾多啊？比較接近二十五的二十幾還是接近三十的二十幾？
「其實我很接近三十六，再兩個月。」
他的眼睛瞪得好大，我想他明天上班一定會跟同事提起這件事。
「哇，那妳真的保養的很好，看不出來實際年齡。」
是嗎？是否因為我今天穿得很休閒，一件連身寬鬆的棉質洋裝配上一雙夾腳拖鞋讓我顯得年輕？在此，我要藉由這個機會感謝我的祖父母、我的父母和過去半年教導我熱瑜珈的諸位老師，謝謝你們。
一位阿伯出現在我們眼前，看著我們倆坐在車裡吹冷氣、聊天，他推著一整車的商品繼續前進。阿伯，你是否忘記車子停在那裡呢？
過了五分鐘，阿伯又出現了，原來他的車就在我旁邊，終於可以開始充電。五分鐘後，車子不能發動；十分鐘，還是沒啥反應；十五分鐘，好像快可以發動。我們索性讓車子一次吃個夠，天南地北的聊起來。
「為什麼COSTCO的停車場永遠滿滿的都是車子？那來這麼多人要採買？」
「殊不知，內湖店在全世界的COSTCO總業績排行中，可是名列第二名呢！」
「妳是做什麼的？」
「現在是自由業，從事媒體的工作，涉獵過廣播、電視、電影、電視購物、雜誌、翻譯、主持等」
一個小時過後，我的車子終於可以發動了，謝天謝地！
這個不求回報的年輕人讓我感受到陌生人的溫暖，我留下他的電話，一定要請他吃飯，以示謝意。因為如果不是他伸出援手，我還真不知道該怎麼辦才好。
雖然我不認識你，但是我真心的謝謝你！
離開COSTCO之後，我直接把車開到就近的保養廠，一經檢查，才知道日前老爸剛換的汽車電池不適用這輛車，所以車子發不動。換過原廠電池，服務人員細心回答我這個汽車白癡的問題。
「新電瓶壽命多長？」
「如果不常開，一年就報銷。」
「我老媽不喜歡我太招搖，所以車子不常開。」
「對啊，妳長的這麼漂亮，家人應該很擔心。」
‧‧‧‧‧
謝謝你在我這麼不順遂的一天，說出如此令我驚喜、開心的話，尤其今天的我還真不是普通的邋遢。
雖然我不認識你，但是我真心的謝謝你！
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
老師滿街跑
在台灣老師滿街跑！練瑜珈，有瑜珈老師；去算命，有命理老師；看電視，選秀節目的評審每一個都是老師；連去洗頭，小妹都要喊設計師一聲「老師」。到底被人稱為老師需要什麼樣的條件和氣度呢？
日前主持某國片的記者會，一開始的流程是請導演、五個主要演員、參與原聲帶的製作人某老師和配唱的樂團出場拍大合照，轉場之後要將桌椅搬出來，讓導演和五個主要演員坐下來聊聊幕後花絮，導演和五個主要演員退場之後，再請製作人和樂團出場談音樂製作，並且請他們現場清唱主題曲。
因受舞台場地限制、主題內容不同，讓導演和五個主要演員先談拍片趣事，只好請製作人和樂團在一旁等待。當我請工作人員去請製作人和樂團stand by要出場時，得到的答覆是：「老師和樂團走了。」
走了？走去那裡？記者會還沒結束ㄟ，他們是音樂製作的重點，下一個就是他們出場。工作人員解釋，因為沒位子坐，所以他們先行離開。言下之意就是他們很不爽，決定先閃人。等待十分鐘，有這麼嚴重嗎？其實戶外有涼亭可以先等待，抽煙﹙我就不信你們不抽煙﹚，十分鐘抽一隻煙的時間剛剛好。別說我不尊重，但這可是「電影」記者會，不是「音樂新專輯」發表會，搞不清楚狀況啊。你是Quincy Jones嗎？人家可是Michael Jackson的Thriller的製作人，Thriller目前還是全世界銷售最多的音樂專輯，賣出上億張，但也沒聽說過要叫Quincy Jones老師啊！
有趣的是，活動結束之後居然沒有半個記者問說：「老師呢？怎麼沒有再出現？」所以，老師真的沒啥重要的嘛，真的是太給自己面子，壓力太大。
這裡是台灣，老師滿街跑，什麼樣的老師都有，任君挑選，我也被人家叫過老師，學生從幼稚園到小學、高中和大學，我全身雞皮疙瘩掉滿地。被稱做老師有這麼了不起嗎？真不懂你在耍什麼大牌，老~師~
日前主持某國片的記者會，一開始的流程是請導演、五個主要演員、參與原聲帶的製作人某老師和配唱的樂團出場拍大合照，轉場之後要將桌椅搬出來，讓導演和五個主要演員坐下來聊聊幕後花絮，導演和五個主要演員退場之後，再請製作人和樂團出場談音樂製作，並且請他們現場清唱主題曲。
因受舞台場地限制、主題內容不同，讓導演和五個主要演員先談拍片趣事，只好請製作人和樂團在一旁等待。當我請工作人員去請製作人和樂團stand by要出場時，得到的答覆是：「老師和樂團走了。」
走了？走去那裡？記者會還沒結束ㄟ，他們是音樂製作的重點，下一個就是他們出場。工作人員解釋，因為沒位子坐，所以他們先行離開。言下之意就是他們很不爽，決定先閃人。等待十分鐘，有這麼嚴重嗎？其實戶外有涼亭可以先等待，抽煙﹙我就不信你們不抽煙﹚，十分鐘抽一隻煙的時間剛剛好。別說我不尊重，但這可是「電影」記者會，不是「音樂新專輯」發表會，搞不清楚狀況啊。你是Quincy Jones嗎？人家可是Michael Jackson的Thriller的製作人，Thriller目前還是全世界銷售最多的音樂專輯，賣出上億張，但也沒聽說過要叫Quincy Jones老師啊！
有趣的是，活動結束之後居然沒有半個記者問說：「老師呢？怎麼沒有再出現？」所以，老師真的沒啥重要的嘛，真的是太給自己面子，壓力太大。
這裡是台灣，老師滿街跑，什麼樣的老師都有，任君挑選，我也被人家叫過老師，學生從幼稚園到小學、高中和大學，我全身雞皮疙瘩掉滿地。被稱做老師有這麼了不起嗎？真不懂你在耍什麼大牌，老~師~
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
尋情歷險記﹙八月28日上映﹚：愛情與婚姻是兩回事
早在今年二月，我原本有機會欣賞紀錄片「尋情歷險記」，活動主辦人還跟我說：「妳今年紅鸞星動，很想結婚，這部片子是特別挑給妳看的！」但是因趕著去參加下一個派對，而錯失了機會。上個月我終於在華納的試片室看完「尋情歷險記」，只覺得這部片子的內容和我預期的不太一樣，而且不懂朋友當初為什麼推薦給我。
「尋情歷險記」紀錄十對夫妻的故事，而他們的姻緣要歸功於一個女人，片中她自稱陳顧問，每次上鏡，她都穿得非常亮麗，總是以一朵花做裝飾，可能插在頭上，或是別在胸前，是個花枝招展、堅決強識、個性鮮明的人物。讓我覺得很有趣的是，陳顧問在輔導這些單身公害的善男信女時，一直告訴他們，「先結婚再談戀愛」，太荒謬了，這和古代的媒妁之言有什麼差別？反正都是先上再說。更令人驚奇的是，這些凡夫俗子居然都被說服了，在半推銷半強迫的狀況之下完成終身大事。
如果按照陳顧問的論點「先結婚再談戀愛」，那以我過去二十年來豐富的戀愛戰績，我應該已經結過無數次婚、也離婚N百次，是吧？
我覺得，兩個相愛的人在一起不見得要結婚，如果要生小孩，那就非得名正言順，結婚是一定要的啦！交往是希望能夠互相了解，有的適合當情人，有的只能當朋友，能當另一半的嘛，我還在尋找當中，稍安勿躁。雖說談戀愛呢，學校沒教，爸媽也不懂，所以最佳的方法就是邊做邊學，每失戀一次，繳一次學費，經驗的累積非常的寶貴。
其實，我最近在想，再兩個多月我即將36歲，是否就從交往過的對象裡找一個最疼愛我、最照顧我、最關心我、最了解我、最能接受我的生活方式的男人結婚，所謂的The Best One So Far，幸福與否很難說，這是一場賭局。但這是否也表示我已經放棄尋求The One，決定妥協，因為白馬王子根本不存在，這樣算是settling嗎？
如果和所謂的The Best One So Far結婚之後，我才遇到The One，那該怎麼辦？離婚嗎？為了追求幸福，一切在所不惜。那麼當初結婚的動機又是什麼呢？不管做什麼，跟幸福有關的一切似乎都在得拿自己下半輩子的幸福當賭注！
另一方面，如果我繼續尋找理想情人，也許四十歲前就遇到，也許花個五年十年都沒進度，那要怎麼辦？到底應該找到何時？
所以，我終於了解，不是沒有人要娶我，是我還在尋尋覓覓，無法定下來。所以，我需要一個有力人士來說服我，不知道陳顧問有沒有興趣？
「尋情歷險記」紀錄十對夫妻的故事，而他們的姻緣要歸功於一個女人，片中她自稱陳顧問，每次上鏡，她都穿得非常亮麗，總是以一朵花做裝飾，可能插在頭上，或是別在胸前，是個花枝招展、堅決強識、個性鮮明的人物。讓我覺得很有趣的是，陳顧問在輔導這些單身公害的善男信女時，一直告訴他們，「先結婚再談戀愛」，太荒謬了，這和古代的媒妁之言有什麼差別？反正都是先上再說。更令人驚奇的是，這些凡夫俗子居然都被說服了，在半推銷半強迫的狀況之下完成終身大事。
如果按照陳顧問的論點「先結婚再談戀愛」，那以我過去二十年來豐富的戀愛戰績，我應該已經結過無數次婚、也離婚N百次，是吧？
我覺得，兩個相愛的人在一起不見得要結婚，如果要生小孩，那就非得名正言順，結婚是一定要的啦！交往是希望能夠互相了解，有的適合當情人，有的只能當朋友，能當另一半的嘛，我還在尋找當中，稍安勿躁。雖說談戀愛呢，學校沒教，爸媽也不懂，所以最佳的方法就是邊做邊學，每失戀一次，繳一次學費，經驗的累積非常的寶貴。
其實，我最近在想，再兩個多月我即將36歲，是否就從交往過的對象裡找一個最疼愛我、最照顧我、最關心我、最了解我、最能接受我的生活方式的男人結婚，所謂的The Best One So Far，幸福與否很難說，這是一場賭局。但這是否也表示我已經放棄尋求The One，決定妥協，因為白馬王子根本不存在，這樣算是settling嗎？
如果和所謂的The Best One So Far結婚之後，我才遇到The One，那該怎麼辦？離婚嗎？為了追求幸福，一切在所不惜。那麼當初結婚的動機又是什麼呢？不管做什麼，跟幸福有關的一切似乎都在得拿自己下半輩子的幸福當賭注！
另一方面，如果我繼續尋找理想情人，也許四十歲前就遇到，也許花個五年十年都沒進度，那要怎麼辦？到底應該找到何時？
所以，我終於了解，不是沒有人要娶我，是我還在尋尋覓覓，無法定下來。所以，我需要一個有力人士來說服我，不知道陳顧問有沒有興趣？
Monday, August 17, 2009
聽說﹙八月28日上映﹚：無聲勝有聲的精彩演出
認識鄭芬芬導演已經超過兩年的時間，當初因為協助她的第一部電影長片「沉睡的青春」跑宣傳而結緣，一直很佩服芬芬精準的文字能力，甚至想叫她把握青春，趕緊轉行寫小說。
昨天看完「聽說」﹙8月28日全省上映﹚，發現她的專長在這部新片發揮到最高點，110分鐘內，我時而大笑，時而落淚，但是「聽說」絕對是會讓你看完之後，帶著愉快的心情走出戲院。
「聽說」是由鄭芬芬的第二部商業電影，由她自編自導，前置作業時，她壓力大到以致滿臉冒出痘痘﹙可想而知，當導演真不是人幹的﹚。國片預算本來就不多，但是和第一次比起來，這次資金比上回充裕。「沉睡的青春」僅花了18天就拍完，這次「聽說」拍攝過程一共26天，這也算是一種進步。
芬芬很多的創作靈感源自新聞，暑假國中生去戲水，結果一個溺水而死，另一個被及時救上岸，獨自存活，這則新聞「沉睡的青春」的起源；「聽說」也是從新聞中得到的靈感，加上下個月即將在台北市舉辦的聽障奧運，此時推出一部以聽障人士為主題的電影，最適合不過了。
「聽說」男主角彭于晏和女主角陳意涵的組合很清新，其實從一開始芬芬即鎖定彭于晏，他雖有合約官司纏身，在看到劇本之後也表示高度興趣。之前看過彭于晏主演的電影「基因決定我愛你」，理應是喜劇類型，有大笑女王之稱的我居然沒有展現實力。彭于晏的陽光男孩、頗具喜感、愛耍寶的形象，與「聽說」中的天闊不謀而合，他的古靈精怪加上豐富的臉部表情和肢體動作，因為他在電影中的表現，第一次讓我真心喜歡上這個大男孩。在我的臥房裡掛著「沉睡的青春」的海報，可能因此要換成「聽說」﹙抱歉啊，孝全﹚。天闊這個角色討喜，但我也想不出來台灣演藝圈還有那個男演員可以擔任這個角色。
雖說女主角陳意涵最近因為「痞子英雄」紅了，她之前拍過的幾部電影也沒有留下太深刻的印象，不過她也是經過試鏡才得到這個角色。為了「聽說」，無法用言語溝通，只能比手畫腳，巴掌大的臉蛋，水汪汪的大眼睛，她活像個漫畫裡走出來的完美女孩，惹人憐愛。可以預見的是全台灣的宅男會愛上她這般模樣，尤其是那些去漫畫博覽會買漫畫美少女人形抱枕回家的男人，會無可救藥的瘋狂迷戀她。
綠葉襯紅花，有時綠葉的表現比紅花好上千百倍，比如「海角七號」，每個綠葉的角色鮮明，有戲劇的張力，反而是男女主角的演出令人坐不住，想要逃離電影院。芬芬說在確定「聽說」的男主角之後，認為天闊的父母也應該是樂觀幽默的個性，敲定羅北安和林美秀飾演天闊的爸媽，這兩位資深舞台劇出身的演員天生愛演、渾然天成的喜感，只要他們出現在螢光幕前，我便大笑不已。
「聽說」中男女主角活潑可愛的表情和逗趣的動作像桃花眼一樣，會四處放電；芬芬原本擔心手語溝通的劇情佔了七成以上的時間，觀眾會只盯著字幕而忘了看電影，我倒是覺得這樣反而讓觀眾能夠更專心的注意演員的表現，一步步的跟著他們無聲的演出走進電影裡。
今年景氣比去年更差，台灣電影感覺更蕭條，今年陸續推出的國片似乎抓不到觀眾的口味，國片市場一直期待能夠重覆去年暑假的海角奇蹟，也許就靠「聽說」，一部讓你又哭又笑的商業片，沒有芭樂情節，沒有滿地狗血，沒有批評，沒有不滿，令人意想不到的電影結局會讓你會心一笑；即使生活上有不完美，工作上有不如意，「聽說」提供一個愉悅的觀影經驗，也許因此你學會如何感恩惜福。
昨天看完「聽說」﹙8月28日全省上映﹚，發現她的專長在這部新片發揮到最高點，110分鐘內，我時而大笑，時而落淚，但是「聽說」絕對是會讓你看完之後，帶著愉快的心情走出戲院。
「聽說」是由鄭芬芬的第二部商業電影，由她自編自導，前置作業時，她壓力大到以致滿臉冒出痘痘﹙可想而知，當導演真不是人幹的﹚。國片預算本來就不多，但是和第一次比起來，這次資金比上回充裕。「沉睡的青春」僅花了18天就拍完，這次「聽說」拍攝過程一共26天，這也算是一種進步。
芬芬很多的創作靈感源自新聞，暑假國中生去戲水，結果一個溺水而死，另一個被及時救上岸，獨自存活，這則新聞「沉睡的青春」的起源；「聽說」也是從新聞中得到的靈感，加上下個月即將在台北市舉辦的聽障奧運，此時推出一部以聽障人士為主題的電影，最適合不過了。
「聽說」男主角彭于晏和女主角陳意涵的組合很清新，其實從一開始芬芬即鎖定彭于晏，他雖有合約官司纏身，在看到劇本之後也表示高度興趣。之前看過彭于晏主演的電影「基因決定我愛你」，理應是喜劇類型，有大笑女王之稱的我居然沒有展現實力。彭于晏的陽光男孩、頗具喜感、愛耍寶的形象，與「聽說」中的天闊不謀而合，他的古靈精怪加上豐富的臉部表情和肢體動作，因為他在電影中的表現，第一次讓我真心喜歡上這個大男孩。在我的臥房裡掛著「沉睡的青春」的海報，可能因此要換成「聽說」﹙抱歉啊，孝全﹚。天闊這個角色討喜，但我也想不出來台灣演藝圈還有那個男演員可以擔任這個角色。
雖說女主角陳意涵最近因為「痞子英雄」紅了，她之前拍過的幾部電影也沒有留下太深刻的印象，不過她也是經過試鏡才得到這個角色。為了「聽說」，無法用言語溝通，只能比手畫腳，巴掌大的臉蛋，水汪汪的大眼睛，她活像個漫畫裡走出來的完美女孩，惹人憐愛。可以預見的是全台灣的宅男會愛上她這般模樣，尤其是那些去漫畫博覽會買漫畫美少女人形抱枕回家的男人，會無可救藥的瘋狂迷戀她。
綠葉襯紅花，有時綠葉的表現比紅花好上千百倍，比如「海角七號」，每個綠葉的角色鮮明，有戲劇的張力，反而是男女主角的演出令人坐不住，想要逃離電影院。芬芬說在確定「聽說」的男主角之後，認為天闊的父母也應該是樂觀幽默的個性，敲定羅北安和林美秀飾演天闊的爸媽，這兩位資深舞台劇出身的演員天生愛演、渾然天成的喜感，只要他們出現在螢光幕前，我便大笑不已。
「聽說」中男女主角活潑可愛的表情和逗趣的動作像桃花眼一樣，會四處放電；芬芬原本擔心手語溝通的劇情佔了七成以上的時間，觀眾會只盯著字幕而忘了看電影，我倒是覺得這樣反而讓觀眾能夠更專心的注意演員的表現，一步步的跟著他們無聲的演出走進電影裡。
今年景氣比去年更差，台灣電影感覺更蕭條，今年陸續推出的國片似乎抓不到觀眾的口味，國片市場一直期待能夠重覆去年暑假的海角奇蹟，也許就靠「聽說」，一部讓你又哭又笑的商業片，沒有芭樂情節，沒有滿地狗血，沒有批評，沒有不滿，令人意想不到的電影結局會讓你會心一笑；即使生活上有不完美，工作上有不如意，「聽說」提供一個愉悅的觀影經驗，也許因此你學會如何感恩惜福。
Happy Birthday to Cassie!
Cassie turns 25 today. I remember turning 25. I thought, Gosh I'm ancient! I'm already a quarater century old. Look at me now, closer to 36 than 35 and I'm still full of optimism, love and energy! So, 25 is really just a beginning for the finer and better things for the rest of your life!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Rebecca & Kevin's Wild Hog Birthday Party
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WARNING: If you are vegetarian or easily get offended by photos that might be subjected to animal rights, my advice is not to browse through the following pictures.
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Friday, August 14, 2009
The Man Who Can’t Get Over A Breakup
Thanks to Facebook. It has put me in touch with friends from elementary school, high school and college, including the boys who took me to school dances and asked me out on dates. Today I’m even in contact with the man who dated my sister. Why? Beats me! Initially when I saw the friend request the only mutual friend is my sister. So I figured that there’s no harm and accepted the request.
Man: “How are you this evening?”
Me: “It’s the morning for me. I’m in Taiwan.”
Man: “I’d wish I had the chance to meet you when you’re in upstate NY. Your sister said it was a great time.”
Me: “Yes for one week it was fun.”
Man: “I think Saratoga Springs is the best place on earth.”
Me: “No way. What are you smokin’ tonight? C’mon you can’t be serious. I will be bored to death if I’ve stayed longer.”
Man: “Your sister and I dated. She told me that you’re coming to visit.”
Me: “Is that right? That’s news to me.”
Man: “How can you not know? I’m all over her FB photo albums!”
Me: “So? Is that something worthy to be bragged about? Besides I don’t really have the time to go through everyone’s photo album. Just keeping up with my own FB is busy enough.”
Man: “You should care.”
Me: “Whatever. It seems like you & she is something in the past. You should get over it.”
Man: “It still makes me sad.”
Me: “Life goes on and obviously she already moved on. So should you. The next one is always better. Life doesn’t stop after one breakup.”
Man: “Your sister was really special to me. I was crazy about her. If she never mentioned me to you then that tells me something.”
Me: “I wouldn’t read too much into it. Besides we don’t talk about our dating exploits. It’s not you, it’s us. Seriously you need to move on with your life. You’re getting too sentimental for my taste.”
Man: “I’m half German and half Irish. I can’t help being sentimental.”
Me: “Dude you’re killing me and you’re not helping yourself either. One tip for you about us the Yang girls: we’re tough cookies and it takes a real man to hang with us.”
Man: “I’m more of a man than most men.”
Me: “That’s not for you to say. We’ll be the judge.”
Man: “Breakup or not I’m still crazy about your sister.”
Me: “And that doesn’t change the result, does it? It’s over, no? Final words of wisdom for you – grow up, be a man and do the right thing – get on with your life already and I can tell that she already has! Don’t dwell on the past.”
Then he signed off suddenly. Ouch. Please don’t cry. There is nothing I hate more than a grown man crying about a breakup. Keep you head up, hold your chin high and walk out there like you own the world!
Man: “How are you this evening?”
Me: “It’s the morning for me. I’m in Taiwan.”
Man: “I’d wish I had the chance to meet you when you’re in upstate NY. Your sister said it was a great time.”
Me: “Yes for one week it was fun.”
Man: “I think Saratoga Springs is the best place on earth.”
Me: “No way. What are you smokin’ tonight? C’mon you can’t be serious. I will be bored to death if I’ve stayed longer.”
Man: “Your sister and I dated. She told me that you’re coming to visit.”
Me: “Is that right? That’s news to me.”
Man: “How can you not know? I’m all over her FB photo albums!”
Me: “So? Is that something worthy to be bragged about? Besides I don’t really have the time to go through everyone’s photo album. Just keeping up with my own FB is busy enough.”
Man: “You should care.”
Me: “Whatever. It seems like you & she is something in the past. You should get over it.”
Man: “It still makes me sad.”
Me: “Life goes on and obviously she already moved on. So should you. The next one is always better. Life doesn’t stop after one breakup.”
Man: “Your sister was really special to me. I was crazy about her. If she never mentioned me to you then that tells me something.”
Me: “I wouldn’t read too much into it. Besides we don’t talk about our dating exploits. It’s not you, it’s us. Seriously you need to move on with your life. You’re getting too sentimental for my taste.”
Man: “I’m half German and half Irish. I can’t help being sentimental.”
Me: “Dude you’re killing me and you’re not helping yourself either. One tip for you about us the Yang girls: we’re tough cookies and it takes a real man to hang with us.”
Man: “I’m more of a man than most men.”
Me: “That’s not for you to say. We’ll be the judge.”
Man: “Breakup or not I’m still crazy about your sister.”
Me: “And that doesn’t change the result, does it? It’s over, no? Final words of wisdom for you – grow up, be a man and do the right thing – get on with your life already and I can tell that she already has! Don’t dwell on the past.”
Then he signed off suddenly. Ouch. Please don’t cry. There is nothing I hate more than a grown man crying about a breakup. Keep you head up, hold your chin high and walk out there like you own the world!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Sherry's 35th Birthday
It was a night of red wine, whiskey and followed by shots and shots of hard liquor and then there was a yummy chocolate cake plus lots of shiskabobs for everyone!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Corum Watch Launch Party @Barcode
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Rule #1 of attending any fashion party is to GO STRAIGHT TO THE BAR and get loaded up on free drinks and finger food. It's also the best spot for people watching. I had the chance to try on a watch that's worth NT3.2 million (USD $100,000)on my wrist and it felt like feather!
Saturday, August 08, 2009
The Man Who Spends His Money All On Me
The rumor has it that he is making good money this year despite the economic downturn. He is 38 years old and acts like a high school boy. The only difference between he and a high school kid is that he’s a kid who holds a full-time job.
On the way to the airport I ask him what he does with the money he makes. He replies laughingly, “I spend it all on you!”
Ain’t that the truth? From the day we met he has taken me to some of the nicest restaurants that this town has to offer. He’s a big spender when it comes to wine n’ dine and I’m usually the beneficiary. He’s not only into fine dining but he’s also an excellent cook.
For someone who literally studies food as well as he does, I just assume that he goes out to eat very often. According to my secret source and the man himself, he only goes out to eat when I’m around. No wonder he tells me that he spends serious money on me. But why? Why me?
He always offers to pick me up from the airport whenever I return from a trip. Even though I don’t always go to him first, but every time I need a ride, he makes himself available nonetheless. And he always takes me to eat before dropping me off at the airport – ‘cuz he says no one should get on the plane feeling hungry – and treats me to a feast as soon as I land – ‘cuz “you must be hungry and dying for some good food after that horrible meal on the plane!” he says.
On the way to the airport I ask him what he does with the money he makes. He replies laughingly, “I spend it all on you!”
Ain’t that the truth? From the day we met he has taken me to some of the nicest restaurants that this town has to offer. He’s a big spender when it comes to wine n’ dine and I’m usually the beneficiary. He’s not only into fine dining but he’s also an excellent cook.
For someone who literally studies food as well as he does, I just assume that he goes out to eat very often. According to my secret source and the man himself, he only goes out to eat when I’m around. No wonder he tells me that he spends serious money on me. But why? Why me?
He always offers to pick me up from the airport whenever I return from a trip. Even though I don’t always go to him first, but every time I need a ride, he makes himself available nonetheless. And he always takes me to eat before dropping me off at the airport – ‘cuz he says no one should get on the plane feeling hungry – and treats me to a feast as soon as I land – ‘cuz “you must be hungry and dying for some good food after that horrible meal on the plane!” he says.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Happy Hour
Years ago when I first moved back to Taipei Asia was the most happening place. Many overseas Chinese from all around the world returned to their roots for greener pastures. A few socially-minded youngsters decided that it was time to form a network for these not-so-Chinese and yet not-so-foreign generation. It was designed to allow these English speaking 20 something to meet people with similar backgrounds and upbringings who were also new in town. It was a bonding / moral support group. However the most important function was for business networking. After all they came here for one reason: to find prosperous opportunities in the new gold mountain and hopefully cash in for promising future.
Soon the monthly happy hour became the hottest spot in town for those who would like to see and be seen. It became so popular that it went from a local event to regional and surprisingly a global event. Obviously there’s a need for it.
I can count with one hand how many times I’ve made appearances at the monthly gathering. Don’t get me wrong. I do believe in the cause of such an organization. It’s meant to serve a purpose and that is to help better the life of every overseas Chinese living in Taiwan and eventually lead them to greater business opportunities. There are two types of people who would show up at the happy hour on a regular basis: business cards collectors and meat market seekers. I have nothing against them but it seems like these people failed to learn the basics of etiquette for social situations.
The business card collectors are very goal oriented – they’re out to meet, greet and connect with people who can broaden their social network and further advance their careers. They will approach strangers, make small talks in order to find out what their professions and decide if it’s worthy their effort to exchange business cards. They hit and run when they meet people who cannot be beneficial in a business way. Throughout the two hour they will work their way through the crowd and collect business cards from all the newbies of the night. Soon enough they realize that they run out of people to collect business contacts from because it’s the same old crowd that shows up every time. The happy hour turns into a mutual friends’ monthly gathering.
As for the meat market seekers the happy hour event is convenient for them to scout about for the opposite sex. They hunt their preys like serial killers stalk their victims. Once they lock in their targets they just follow every step of the way like a nightmare – clinging and strangling. As a result some people stop coming because they’re tired of being harassed by the meat market seekers.
A few meat market seekers are such amateurs that once they get close to me I just want to show them where the door is. The other night a six month pregnant female friend and I bumped into each other at the happy hour event. We’re excited to catch up in person about my recent trips and her upcoming birth of son.
A very geeky looking Chinese guy comes up to my friend and says awkwardly, “I didn’t know pregnant women are supposed to come to the happy hour event.”
My friend pauses for a second and then turns to me. She says, “What does that suppose to mean?”
“You’d better rephrase what you just said or it’s gonna get ugly.” My voice is calm but I’m giving him a dirty look as I speak.
His face turns red instantly and all of a sudden his eyes are lit up as if he’s just discovered a new gold mine. “Oh I think I’ve met you before. You used to one of the organizers for the happy hour event. Ha, your name…I think I know your name…well my name is…”
My friend certainly has more manners than I do because she is still smiling. I, on the other hand, cannot take it anymore, Grrrr!
“Dude. I’m only going to say it once and you’d better listen up. You don’t know her name and we don’t care for yours either. Don’t waste our time. Just leave us alone. Obviously you’ve got no game. So, go on home now and don’t turn back. You have exactly one month to sharpen your social skills and practice your game. Okay? Now go!”
This happy hour event needs to be revamped and a possible facelift. If it aims to achieve the purpose of networking, whether business or social, there’s gotta be a better way for profiling members. Can we just drop the losers already?
Soon the monthly happy hour became the hottest spot in town for those who would like to see and be seen. It became so popular that it went from a local event to regional and surprisingly a global event. Obviously there’s a need for it.
I can count with one hand how many times I’ve made appearances at the monthly gathering. Don’t get me wrong. I do believe in the cause of such an organization. It’s meant to serve a purpose and that is to help better the life of every overseas Chinese living in Taiwan and eventually lead them to greater business opportunities. There are two types of people who would show up at the happy hour on a regular basis: business cards collectors and meat market seekers. I have nothing against them but it seems like these people failed to learn the basics of etiquette for social situations.
The business card collectors are very goal oriented – they’re out to meet, greet and connect with people who can broaden their social network and further advance their careers. They will approach strangers, make small talks in order to find out what their professions and decide if it’s worthy their effort to exchange business cards. They hit and run when they meet people who cannot be beneficial in a business way. Throughout the two hour they will work their way through the crowd and collect business cards from all the newbies of the night. Soon enough they realize that they run out of people to collect business contacts from because it’s the same old crowd that shows up every time. The happy hour turns into a mutual friends’ monthly gathering.
As for the meat market seekers the happy hour event is convenient for them to scout about for the opposite sex. They hunt their preys like serial killers stalk their victims. Once they lock in their targets they just follow every step of the way like a nightmare – clinging and strangling. As a result some people stop coming because they’re tired of being harassed by the meat market seekers.
A few meat market seekers are such amateurs that once they get close to me I just want to show them where the door is. The other night a six month pregnant female friend and I bumped into each other at the happy hour event. We’re excited to catch up in person about my recent trips and her upcoming birth of son.
A very geeky looking Chinese guy comes up to my friend and says awkwardly, “I didn’t know pregnant women are supposed to come to the happy hour event.”
My friend pauses for a second and then turns to me. She says, “What does that suppose to mean?”
“You’d better rephrase what you just said or it’s gonna get ugly.” My voice is calm but I’m giving him a dirty look as I speak.
His face turns red instantly and all of a sudden his eyes are lit up as if he’s just discovered a new gold mine. “Oh I think I’ve met you before. You used to one of the organizers for the happy hour event. Ha, your name…I think I know your name…well my name is…”
My friend certainly has more manners than I do because she is still smiling. I, on the other hand, cannot take it anymore, Grrrr!
“Dude. I’m only going to say it once and you’d better listen up. You don’t know her name and we don’t care for yours either. Don’t waste our time. Just leave us alone. Obviously you’ve got no game. So, go on home now and don’t turn back. You have exactly one month to sharpen your social skills and practice your game. Okay? Now go!”
This happy hour event needs to be revamped and a possible facelift. If it aims to achieve the purpose of networking, whether business or social, there’s gotta be a better way for profiling members. Can we just drop the losers already?
Monday, August 03, 2009
Random Thoughts from Hot Yoga
In recent months I started taking hot yoga classes. I wouldn’t call myself an avid fan but I do try to take at least one class a day. It’s rather interesting to see people of all sizes and shapes, mostly women, are sweating their butts off in an over-heated oven. Let truth be told - it’s not sexy at all, especially the hot yoga classes. Imagine being in a room temperature between 100 and 107 Fahrenheit; within a few minutes into the class you’ll be soaking wet and the sweating won’t stop until the class is over. That’s not sexy. That’s stinky!
I remember taking my very first hot yoga class. The instructor is a muscular Indian male. He stands by the door and greets everyone as they walk in. As soon as he starts addressing the class I panic. It may seem like he’s speaking English but I have troubles understanding it. It’s a cross between Indian and English – a whole different language on its own. It sucks being a newbie in the class because I have no idea what’s going on whereas everyone is familiar with the routine. It’s frustrating already since my body can’t perform such seemingly simple poses and even more frustrating to find older women in the class who can do all the movements so gracefully. My body is tired after the class. And some of the older ladies I’ve seen in the yoga studio take 2 or even 3 classes a day! How in hell do they have all this energy? It makes no sense at all. They certainly are living the fabulous lifestyle. They take a morning class, shower afterwards and then off to a light meal with friends. Then they return in the afternoon for a mid-day session. Don’t they ever get tired and burned out?!
So, what’s up with this craze for yoga in recent years? I think that people turn to yoga for various reasons. Some aim to lose weight and get in shape. Some do it as a daily workout regimen. Others practice yoga for the purpose of meditation.
As for me I include it in my daily schedule and make it an important part of my life just like eating, sleeping and enjoying life. To me it’s a form of self-discipline, a practice to stay focused and a training to make a person humble. Daily yoga exercise allows me to be in touch with my own body and through the practice of each movement I become more self-aware of tension and stress. In other words I discover muscle groups that I didn’t know about and teach myself about my own anatomy.
Once upon a time the health club was a good place to meet potential prospects. Maybe yoga studio is the new meat market. I once dated a guy who ended up marrying a woman he met in a yoga class. That’s just beautiful. So he bent down, looked up and all he saw was her bootylicious rear-end. He went up to her after the class, got her digits, asked her out and the rest is history. That’s not really what happened. I just made it up.
The reality is that it’s rare to even spot men in yoga classes and when they show up they are usually accompanied by their girlfriends/ wives. So this fallacy about meeting dating potential in a yoga class is giving false hopes to the wishful thinking women. However, if you’re a single man and you enjoy yoga, you’ll be treated as the endangered species and all the ladies can’t wait to get their hands on you so that they can nurse you with tender love care.
On the other hand there are a lot of male yoga instructors. If women set out to meet prospects they will be the ones. And often times women will hover around their male instructors before and after classes. Back in the good old days there used to be endless scandals between personal trainers and their clients. I wonder if anything steamy ever occurs between male yoga instructors and female students.
The most interesting thing I’ve noticed in yoga class is that women do come in all kinds of odd sizes and bizarre shapes – this is beauty in its purist and unique form because no two bodies are exactly alike. And after seeing various body shapes I’ve become more forgiving about my own. This is the real world. I’ve seen an older woman with the most elegant upper torso but her bottom is so wide and round that Sir Mix-A-Lot will be singing on top of his lung: “Baby Got Back!” I’ve seen a young lady with a gorgeous face and slender legs but her overflowing breast can help feed the hunger children around the world.
Now I’m a firm believer in the art of dressing up. Flaws can be forgotten if you know how to flaunt your assets successfully. When you walk into a yoga class all covers have to come off and there’s no place to conceal your not-so-flattering attributes. This is the naked truth. What struck me the most so far is this young lady with bad acne on her buttocks. I’m just curious, how does she pop those zits?
Here comes an issue that quite a few of my non-Taiwanese guy friends have brought up with me. There has been complaints about Taiwanese women don’t shave their pubic hair and it’s growing to be the Amazon rainforest down there. That makes oral performance very challenging! Let’s face it. SHAVING is not something we learn in school. I see lots of women in yoga classes with bushes in their armpits and long body hair on their forearms and legs. To them it’s absurd to shave because no one ever teaches them to do so. I have a friend who has body hair phobia and he’ll probably go nuts if he ever visits my yoga class where 75% of the women do not embrace shaving as personal hygiene.
So, I wonder, since when did women start shaving their legs, underarms and bikini areas?
I remember taking my very first hot yoga class. The instructor is a muscular Indian male. He stands by the door and greets everyone as they walk in. As soon as he starts addressing the class I panic. It may seem like he’s speaking English but I have troubles understanding it. It’s a cross between Indian and English – a whole different language on its own. It sucks being a newbie in the class because I have no idea what’s going on whereas everyone is familiar with the routine. It’s frustrating already since my body can’t perform such seemingly simple poses and even more frustrating to find older women in the class who can do all the movements so gracefully. My body is tired after the class. And some of the older ladies I’ve seen in the yoga studio take 2 or even 3 classes a day! How in hell do they have all this energy? It makes no sense at all. They certainly are living the fabulous lifestyle. They take a morning class, shower afterwards and then off to a light meal with friends. Then they return in the afternoon for a mid-day session. Don’t they ever get tired and burned out?!
So, what’s up with this craze for yoga in recent years? I think that people turn to yoga for various reasons. Some aim to lose weight and get in shape. Some do it as a daily workout regimen. Others practice yoga for the purpose of meditation.
As for me I include it in my daily schedule and make it an important part of my life just like eating, sleeping and enjoying life. To me it’s a form of self-discipline, a practice to stay focused and a training to make a person humble. Daily yoga exercise allows me to be in touch with my own body and through the practice of each movement I become more self-aware of tension and stress. In other words I discover muscle groups that I didn’t know about and teach myself about my own anatomy.
Once upon a time the health club was a good place to meet potential prospects. Maybe yoga studio is the new meat market. I once dated a guy who ended up marrying a woman he met in a yoga class. That’s just beautiful. So he bent down, looked up and all he saw was her bootylicious rear-end. He went up to her after the class, got her digits, asked her out and the rest is history. That’s not really what happened. I just made it up.
The reality is that it’s rare to even spot men in yoga classes and when they show up they are usually accompanied by their girlfriends/ wives. So this fallacy about meeting dating potential in a yoga class is giving false hopes to the wishful thinking women. However, if you’re a single man and you enjoy yoga, you’ll be treated as the endangered species and all the ladies can’t wait to get their hands on you so that they can nurse you with tender love care.
On the other hand there are a lot of male yoga instructors. If women set out to meet prospects they will be the ones. And often times women will hover around their male instructors before and after classes. Back in the good old days there used to be endless scandals between personal trainers and their clients. I wonder if anything steamy ever occurs between male yoga instructors and female students.
The most interesting thing I’ve noticed in yoga class is that women do come in all kinds of odd sizes and bizarre shapes – this is beauty in its purist and unique form because no two bodies are exactly alike. And after seeing various body shapes I’ve become more forgiving about my own. This is the real world. I’ve seen an older woman with the most elegant upper torso but her bottom is so wide and round that Sir Mix-A-Lot will be singing on top of his lung: “Baby Got Back!” I’ve seen a young lady with a gorgeous face and slender legs but her overflowing breast can help feed the hunger children around the world.
Now I’m a firm believer in the art of dressing up. Flaws can be forgotten if you know how to flaunt your assets successfully. When you walk into a yoga class all covers have to come off and there’s no place to conceal your not-so-flattering attributes. This is the naked truth. What struck me the most so far is this young lady with bad acne on her buttocks. I’m just curious, how does she pop those zits?
Here comes an issue that quite a few of my non-Taiwanese guy friends have brought up with me. There has been complaints about Taiwanese women don’t shave their pubic hair and it’s growing to be the Amazon rainforest down there. That makes oral performance very challenging! Let’s face it. SHAVING is not something we learn in school. I see lots of women in yoga classes with bushes in their armpits and long body hair on their forearms and legs. To them it’s absurd to shave because no one ever teaches them to do so. I have a friend who has body hair phobia and he’ll probably go nuts if he ever visits my yoga class where 75% of the women do not embrace shaving as personal hygiene.
So, I wonder, since when did women start shaving their legs, underarms and bikini areas?
Saturday, August 01, 2009
拒絕擁有提款卡的女人
在我看來，我們楊家女性其實是很有個性的，從我那生命力特強的阿嬤到我那八個年事以高的姑姑，都具有非常直率開朗的性格。
住在吳興街的姑姑、早已當阿嬤的她，最近又有一樁笑話，話說她老人家走進銀行，填好提款單，領取號碼牌，和大家一樣靜靜的等待。猛然看到一旁有銀行提供的免費報紙，反正還有十多號才會輪到自己，索性拿起報紙開始閱讀，這份水果日報可是平常在家看不到的。
櫃台小姐：「67號。」
今天的娛樂版面的內容越來越精彩，姑姑看的津津有味，八卦新聞正要漸入佳境，居然就輪到她了，她緩緩的走到書報架，依依不捨的把報紙放回去。
還沒走到櫃台，只聽見「動作這麼慢，真是的！」抬頭一看，那櫃台小姐一臉的不耐煩，姑姑伸手將提款單交給沒好臉色的櫃台小姐。
櫃台小姐：「領這麼少，妳直接去外面的提款機領錢。」
這是什麼態度？現在的銀行不是都講求顧客第一，服務至上嗎？
姑姑：「為什麼？」
櫃台小姐：「妳才領一萬元，外面的提款機不用排隊，而且迅速有效率。」
姑姑：「我沒有提款卡。」
櫃台小姐：「那現在就辦一張，以後去提款機領錢比較方便。」
櫃台小姐真是狀況外，再好脾氣的人都會想要開罵。
姑姑：「小姐，我沒有要辦提款卡，我要領錢，我沒有聽說過櫃台領錢有金額限制，妳再囉嗦，我就把一萬塊分做十次領，一張提款單只寫一千元，把你累死，反正我有的是時間。妳要知道，如果大家都去提款機領錢，那妳就可以回家吃自己的了！動作快一點啦！」
住在吳興街的姑姑、早已當阿嬤的她，最近又有一樁笑話，話說她老人家走進銀行，填好提款單，領取號碼牌，和大家一樣靜靜的等待。猛然看到一旁有銀行提供的免費報紙，反正還有十多號才會輪到自己，索性拿起報紙開始閱讀，這份水果日報可是平常在家看不到的。
櫃台小姐：「67號。」
今天的娛樂版面的內容越來越精彩，姑姑看的津津有味，八卦新聞正要漸入佳境，居然就輪到她了，她緩緩的走到書報架，依依不捨的把報紙放回去。
還沒走到櫃台，只聽見「動作這麼慢，真是的！」抬頭一看，那櫃台小姐一臉的不耐煩，姑姑伸手將提款單交給沒好臉色的櫃台小姐。
櫃台小姐：「領這麼少，妳直接去外面的提款機領錢。」
這是什麼態度？現在的銀行不是都講求顧客第一，服務至上嗎？
姑姑：「為什麼？」
櫃台小姐：「妳才領一萬元，外面的提款機不用排隊，而且迅速有效率。」
姑姑：「我沒有提款卡。」
櫃台小姐：「那現在就辦一張，以後去提款機領錢比較方便。」
櫃台小姐真是狀況外，再好脾氣的人都會想要開罵。
姑姑：「小姐，我沒有要辦提款卡，我要領錢，我沒有聽說過櫃台領錢有金額限制，妳再囉嗦，我就把一萬塊分做十次領，一張提款單只寫一千元，把你累死，反正我有的是時間。妳要知道，如果大家都去提款機領錢，那妳就可以回家吃自己的了！動作快一點啦！」
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