中國現時國情並不如表面看來那麼穩定。貧富懸殊，地方官員腐敗等等的問題令人民不滿的壓力悄悄地積聚。看看反日示威時民眾攻擊日本房車，那裡是反日情緒的表現？我看是憎人富貴一擁而上而已。對此，中國政府不是不知的。對能挑起情緒的消息及報導可免則免是絕對可以理解的。
是對是錯？政治那有對錯之分！有的只是是否合適。
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Monday, May 30, 2005
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Jog Log
May 25 night, I went for a 23 mins jog, covered approx. 2500m. Havn't do that for maybe more than 6 months, so my legs were not in a very good shape. The muscle ached for the last 2 days, and I decided to rest one more night before I will jog again tomorrow night. The muscle ache is minor, and I know from experience I can overcome it after my first 5 mins jogging. But there's no point pushing to the limit.
OTOH, I decided to keep a jog log so that I can push myself stick to it.
OTOH, I decided to keep a jog log so that I can push myself stick to it.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
More on Maglev
10 billions for a 35km line, RMB50 per trip, top speed at 430km/hr, take less than 10 mins for the otherwise 45 mins bus trip. How's that sound?
Although it's a train line connecting the Pudong airport and the MTR line, it only operates from nine to five. So it's certainly not meant to solve the transportation problem of the airport.
Although it costed 10 billions to build and don't-know-how-much to maintain, the ticket is relatively cheap at RMB50. So it certainly can't make money.
Although it travels extremely fast, it covers only 35 km. So it certainly can't save much time.
Although it's the most advanced technology, it's by German. So it certainly can't show-off China's technological know-how.
Although it's co-built by China and German, the German almost certainly would hide-away their most important data and technology. So it's certain that China can't learn much in the technology 'transfer'.
So what is the Maglev?
Naked am I
Naked am I, in the cool breeze of the empty night.
Naked am I, by the broken arms of the already died.
Naked am I, on the colorless street painted by the halogen light.
I’m cold; I’m depressed, and I’m lost.
Where am I? Who am I? And what am I?
He has everything. He has nothing
A true story told by my uncle:
There was a doctor in the States married a rich woman who own the houses of a whole block. The doctor is rich, but his wife is much more rich then he, and always feel to command everything of the doctor's life because she thought her husband was using her money. The marriage resulted in devoice.
Decades later, the doctor was still un-married. He was very careful in his money and investment after the devoice, and retired rich.
Having nothing to do, he studys gambling, and do a nice job by constantly winning in the Vagas casinos. He owns a lot of properties, but he still leases out the empty rooms of his own house because he want to cover the the installment with the rental. His mistress is a lady who rented one of the room, and he immediately leased out the mistress's room after she moved into the master room and sleep with him. He never married again because he refuses to give half of his fortune in case of another devoice. Being a VIP of the casinos, he check-in the free hotel room provided by the casinos, and he always bring a large bag to collect all the pajamas, soaps and shampoos when he check out from the hotel. He can't use them all so he just stocks all the hotel collection in his closet.
He is a weird and rich old man.
He has everything; and he has nothing.
There was a doctor in the States married a rich woman who own the houses of a whole block. The doctor is rich, but his wife is much more rich then he, and always feel to command everything of the doctor's life because she thought her husband was using her money. The marriage resulted in devoice.
Decades later, the doctor was still un-married. He was very careful in his money and investment after the devoice, and retired rich.
Having nothing to do, he studys gambling, and do a nice job by constantly winning in the Vagas casinos. He owns a lot of properties, but he still leases out the empty rooms of his own house because he want to cover the the installment with the rental. His mistress is a lady who rented one of the room, and he immediately leased out the mistress's room after she moved into the master room and sleep with him. He never married again because he refuses to give half of his fortune in case of another devoice. Being a VIP of the casinos, he check-in the free hotel room provided by the casinos, and he always bring a large bag to collect all the pajamas, soaps and shampoos when he check out from the hotel. He can't use them all so he just stocks all the hotel collection in his closet.
He is a weird and rich old man.
He has everything; and he has nothing.
A Daily Briefing on Iran
Randomly browser other blog in blogspot, and find out this blog which is documenting the Iran people's rise against the regime. I am not particularly interesting in the politics of Iran, but that's how a blog can be used.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Photo album for Shanghai and Harbin trip completed
Here it is!
One photo to summarize my feeling about Harbin:
Super fine weather, super blue sky. On my way back from Harbin to Shanghai, I have the luck to sit at a window seat. With thousands of miles of plain, the plane is flying relatively low. The weather is good and air is clean, and I can see the spectacular view of the rich land: the golden reflection of river delta against late afternoon sunlight; miles of farmland; solitary highway.... Too bad I put my camera in the luggage compartment ;-(
One photo about my feeling of Shanghai:
Modernize and western life style; against the fading tradition of Chinese culture. Distasteful mingle of west and east, and the defected Shanghai old-good-value. I was there 6 years ago, and was impressed by Shanghaiese's avocate of beauty and art: I can see people practice Chinese band and Chinese calliography at the parks, a lot of people going to the library, museum, and art center... . I don't see any of these in this trip; but the dismantling of old good traditional food avenue, the ugly Haagen Daze in Yue Yuen and the stupidly expensive-to-build Maglev Train. Maybe my half day walk was not enough. Anyway, Shanghai is still a very good city.
One photo to summarize my feeling about Harbin:
Super fine weather, super blue sky. On my way back from Harbin to Shanghai, I have the luck to sit at a window seat. With thousands of miles of plain, the plane is flying relatively low. The weather is good and air is clean, and I can see the spectacular view of the rich land: the golden reflection of river delta against late afternoon sunlight; miles of farmland; solitary highway.... Too bad I put my camera in the luggage compartment ;-(
One photo about my feeling of Shanghai:
Modernize and western life style; against the fading tradition of Chinese culture. Distasteful mingle of west and east, and the defected Shanghai old-good-value. I was there 6 years ago, and was impressed by Shanghaiese's avocate of beauty and art: I can see people practice Chinese band and Chinese calliography at the parks, a lot of people going to the library, museum, and art center... . I don't see any of these in this trip; but the dismantling of old good traditional food avenue, the ugly Haagen Daze in Yue Yuen and the stupidly expensive-to-build Maglev Train. Maybe my half day walk was not enough. Anyway, Shanghai is still a very good city.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
串燒晚餐
在哈爾濱的第二個晚上，被一家地道小店門內的串燒室吸引了。店內人客極多，除了提供很多不同的串燒肉類外，還有以麻辣湯鍋灼熟的各式肉類及菌類。點菜都是以串為單位，由五毛錢至兩元不等。味道好極，加一支哈啤三個大男人埋單只是五十三大元。抵！
門外的燒烤室。都是燒碳的。不怕中毒嗎？
麻辣鍋
串燒羊肉
燒羊鞭。很硬的不好吃。
很北方的一個串燒。腐皮內包著的都是大蔥、蒜等重口味。
燒辣椒。Yummy!
門外的燒烤室。都是燒碳的。不怕中毒嗎？
麻辣鍋
串燒羊肉
燒羊鞭。很硬的不好吃。
很北方的一個串燒。腐皮內包著的都是大蔥、蒜等重口味。
燒辣椒。Yummy!
Saturday, May 21, 2005
鄉村小館
哈爾濱一家很有意思的飯店！全店均是以文化大革命時期的農村生活為主題，店中放了很多文革時期的物品，所有侍應都穿成文革知青模樣，吃的都是粗糙的農家食物，還有文革歌曲的表演。全店氣氛極為熱鬧，所有食客還一同高唱革命歌曲。
哈爾濱人，你們還懷念文革嗎？
見到林彪的名字及要文鬥不要武鬥的呼籲有甚麼感覺？
粗糙的農村食物，味道還不錯。注意粟米不是美國品種，很硬的不好吃。
作文革知青打扮的服務員。
哈爾濱人，你們還懷念文革嗎？
見到林彪的名字及要文鬥不要武鬥的呼籲有甚麼感覺？
粗糙的農村食物，味道還不錯。注意粟米不是美國品種，很硬的不好吃。
作文革知青打扮的服務員。
Friday, May 20, 2005
Phone card - episode III
I called the customer hotline for my pre-paid phone card (it's a different centre to the SH Unicom hotline), and understand that there should be a nationalwide refill card for my use, and should be available in every major cities in China. Okay. Try again.
First thing this morning is to buy a refill card. First I decide to try the so-called "mobile phone supermarket" nearby. No luck. They only sell mobile phones and do not carry any type of refill cards. Why in the hell so many people buy new mobile phones?
Then I walk 15 mins to a nearby China Unicom Shop. No luck again. They only carry the Shanghai area refill card. The shop managetress is very nice and helpful. Guest what she suggest? She said the refill card is actually available in every newspaper stands and small phone kiosks on the street! And she's right. On my 15 mins way back, I find at least 5 spots selling the nationalwide refill card.... and the smallest kiosk is just a 4 ft table with a cardboard read "we sell refill cards".
Finally I get one )$(%^$)^$#*)$#
Lessons:
- DON'T TRY TO BE SMART. The answers are always right under your feet.
- TRUST PEOPLE. I always worry small kiosks selling fake refill cards, and I was wrong.
- LEARN BEFORE USE. The prepaid phone cards all started with 13X, and 130-135 are all nationalwide prepaid accounts. I just have to tell the kiosks I am using 131 number, and they will give me the correct card.
- READ THE MANUAL. I didn't read the manual much and don't have it with me when I try to buy a refill yesterday.
OK.... IT'S ALL MY FAULT.
First thing this morning is to buy a refill card. First I decide to try the so-called "mobile phone supermarket" nearby. No luck. They only sell mobile phones and do not carry any type of refill cards. Why in the hell so many people buy new mobile phones?
Then I walk 15 mins to a nearby China Unicom Shop. No luck again. They only carry the Shanghai area refill card. The shop managetress is very nice and helpful. Guest what she suggest? She said the refill card is actually available in every newspaper stands and small phone kiosks on the street! And she's right. On my 15 mins way back, I find at least 5 spots selling the nationalwide refill card.... and the smallest kiosk is just a 4 ft table with a cardboard read "we sell refill cards".
Finally I get one )$(%^$)^$#*)$#
Lessons:
- DON'T TRY TO BE SMART. The answers are always right under your feet.
- TRUST PEOPLE. I always worry small kiosks selling fake refill cards, and I was wrong.
- LEARN BEFORE USE. The prepaid phone cards all started with 13X, and 130-135 are all nationalwide prepaid accounts. I just have to tell the kiosks I am using 131 number, and they will give me the correct card.
- READ THE MANUAL. I didn't read the manual much and don't have it with me when I try to buy a refill yesterday.
OK.... IT'S ALL MY FAULT.
China Unicom phone card
Remember I bought a China UNICOM phone card before I came to Shanghai? I won't say it's crap, but the China UNICOM sales network is really bad here in Shanghai. The phone network is ok, even in Harbin. But When I need refill the value of my SIM card, I have a big problem buying the value card here!! There is UNICOM add-value card for sales in convenient shops, not bad. But I can't use it on my SIM... they are for Shanghai area UNICOM SIM card only.
I need to find a UNICOM offical network in Shanghai tomorrow to get my SIM refill... but that's very rare here. Althogh only 2 network provider in China, but most of the Shanghaiese use China Telecom. The business of UNICOM is poor here.
I need to find a UNICOM offical network in Shanghai tomorrow to get my SIM refill... but that's very rare here. Althogh only 2 network provider in China, but most of the Shanghaiese use China Telecom. The business of UNICOM is poor here.
Harbin 3 days, back to Shanghai now
Been to Harbin for 3 days. What a poor city! The city had go through very difficult history during WWII, and Jap 731 troop was there and killed tens of thousands. Now many big cities in China had been developed for some years, but Harbin is still un-developed and people is relatively poor. It's actually a very good area of China - tens of thousands sq. miles plain, rich earth, good natural resources... all in all very suitable for heavy industry and agriculture.
I only go for a walk for a few hours, but the city is quite beautiful in early summer. Stay-tune and I will update my blog and web-gallery with new photos when I'm back to Hong Kong next week.
I only go for a walk for a few hours, but the city is quite beautiful in early summer. Stay-tune and I will update my blog and web-gallery with new photos when I'm back to Hong Kong next week.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Can't reply to comments until May 22
Thank you all for your comments about the cheap price of CD and DVD in China. Too bad I can't leave comments because of the strange Internet blocking in China.
For you-know-what-reason, PR C government did block some internet sites. I can understand why the blogspot domain (where my blog hosted) was blocked - there maybe someone black-mouthing PR C at blogspot. But I can login to blogger.com and add new blog. Why not just block both domain cause they are actually for the same group of users?
For you-know-what-reason, PR C government did block some internet sites. I can understand why the blogspot domain (where my blog hosted) was blocked - there maybe someone black-mouthing PR C at blogspot. But I can login to blogger.com and add new blog. Why not just block both domain cause they are actually for the same group of users?
Monday, May 16, 2005
Still in Shanghai
Came to Shanghai last night, and will have another flight to Haribin tomorrow morning at 0845. Sorry, no night life, no bar, no nothing. Just watched a DVD here.
It surprised me that I can but the DVD for "Danny the Dog" here, official version. It cost only RMB 9.5, and I get it in a big department store. I also get some Sarah Brightman; Norah Jones and some other Jazz CD, also official and quite cheap. Only RMB 29 for hot CDs like Sarah Brightman and Norah Jones, and cheaper (17-18 RMB) for not so hot jazz compliations.
Hong Kong record companies: why in the hell you think your identical HK version CD should cost 4 times more?
It surprised me that I can but the DVD for "Danny the Dog" here, official version. It cost only RMB 9.5, and I get it in a big department store. I also get some Sarah Brightman; Norah Jones and some other Jazz CD, also official and quite cheap. Only RMB 29 for hot CDs like Sarah Brightman and Norah Jones, and cheaper (17-18 RMB) for not so hot jazz compliations.
Hong Kong record companies: why in the hell you think your identical HK version CD should cost 4 times more?
Saturday, May 14, 2005
中港如意通
過了大半年沒有用那電話卡，今天拿出來一試，打不通了。打去客戶服務一問，原來sim卡已於上月期滿，連電話號碼亦已收回。又冇百幾銀！
由於明天要用，走去問了幾間不同的電訊公司。沒有太多一卡兩號的服務，有的都是要收月費，而smarttone 亦要另加月費才可以直接飛線到國內電話......最後還是乖乖再付 $120 大元再買多一張如意卡。
由於明天要用，走去問了幾間不同的電訊公司。沒有太多一卡兩號的服務，有的都是要收月費，而smarttone 亦要另加月費才可以直接飛線到國內電話......最後還是乖乖再付 $120 大元再買多一張如意卡。
O' My Wheel!
O' my wheel! You'd been running on the fast lane for years.
O' my wheel! You're now rusting and decaying with weeds and wild flowers.
O' my wheel! You're still in the usual smooth shape and health tyres.
O' my wheel! Lube yourself. Repaint yourself. And get on the lane. Again.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Spray it!
To make it more stealth for snap shots, I taped my FA*24/2 with black tapes. But there is a big problem with the silver color lens hood. It's just too attractive with the hood on, but the hood does offer a great protection for my lens. The contour shape of the lens hood make it difficult to apply black tape on it, and I am sure it won't last. Solution? I just use a dull black spray paint.
The result is great! May be I should also consider spraying the lens with paint as well!
引路的燈火
遠處的一點燈火亮起了，像在為我引路。
然而路是那麼的漆黑，途上有沒有陷阱？
是不是應該勇敢的踏出那一步；不顧路上的危險？
還是應該繼續轉圈，在無盡但細小的原地上踏步？
受傷才會怕痛，
怕痛才會猶豫，
猶豫便會不前，
不前傷不能好。
那是命運的咀咒，要打破便得向前，要向前便需勇氣。
去吧！
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
The sensor format debate
It is a big debate between the a 135 full-frame sensor and APS size sensor use in nowadays DSLRs. People for the full-frame sensor saying that a bigger sensor always have the advantage of lower photo-diode density, lower noise, more pixels, more resolution... so on and so on. The current blead of APS size CCD/CMOS sensor using in Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Minolta are transitional products because of the high production cost of full frame sensor... blar blar blar.
I honestly don't see the point of clinging to the so-call full-frame format and worship it. A lot of discussion had been on this issue, and pointed out problems of a full-frame DSLR based on the existing lens mount system. The CCD and CMOS design cannot take incident light at a great angle, and therefore will post vignetting problem when using traditional design wide-angle lens. Yes, you may redesign the wide angle lens; but then you will be limited by the physical size of the lens mount, which is barely bigger than 135 full-frame size. Tests like this has proved the D2X actually perform better 1DsMKII. See the vignetting picture in the test and you will be surprise how badly the 1DsMKII and hte 17-40/4L lens combo performs.
If you are avocate of 135 full frame DSLR. Don't be disappointed. 36x24mm sensor size is actually the next wave of DSLR and will be popular in the foreseeable further. Just don't expect it to take you old 135 lens. It will be a 120 DSLR.
I honestly don't see the point of clinging to the so-call full-frame format and worship it. A lot of discussion had been on this issue, and pointed out problems of a full-frame DSLR based on the existing lens mount system. The CCD and CMOS design cannot take incident light at a great angle, and therefore will post vignetting problem when using traditional design wide-angle lens. Yes, you may redesign the wide angle lens; but then you will be limited by the physical size of the lens mount, which is barely bigger than 135 full-frame size. Tests like this has proved the D2X actually perform better 1DsMKII. See the vignetting picture in the test and you will be surprise how badly the 1DsMKII and hte 17-40/4L lens combo performs.
If you are avocate of 135 full frame DSLR. Don't be disappointed. 36x24mm sensor size is actually the next wave of DSLR and will be popular in the foreseeable further. Just don't expect it to take you old 135 lens. It will be a 120 DSLR.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Completion - Tansy and Dennis's wedding
Today is Tansy and Dennis's wedding day. As the brother of Dennis, I understand that the couple have been very good to each other for years. Wish they a happy marriage for enternalty!
More photos here.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
CCD 清潔記
由於要為弟弟的婚禮拍攝, 又剛巧見到有使用AA電池及附有長吸管的小型吸塵機, 便膽大妄為地買下來試一試為我相機中的CCD 來一個吸塵. 一如所料, 玩具即是玩具: 不能吸塵不特已, 還將大片塵埃噴到CCD上!! 怎樣用氣泵吹也吹不走. 50% CROP 的測試圖:
天呀, 會不會是我不小心弄花了CCD 前的Low-pass filter? 細心檢查測試圖, 發現所有的黑點都是圓型的, 並不似是刮花痕跡. 於是花了數百元去買了一套 CCD 清潔套裝. 由於第一次試不敢用太大力度, 最終花了四支清潔棒才勉強完成.
在最小光圈及加大反差下仍可見到有小量塵埃. 但試了幾次也不能完全清走, 小清潔棒亦十分昂貴($380/12pc). 在不要過份抹CCD 的前提下, 還是就此算了.
天呀, 會不會是我不小心弄花了CCD 前的Low-pass filter? 細心檢查測試圖, 發現所有的黑點都是圓型的, 並不似是刮花痕跡. 於是花了數百元去買了一套 CCD 清潔套裝. 由於第一次試不敢用太大力度, 最終花了四支清潔棒才勉強完成.
在最小光圈及加大反差下仍可見到有小量塵埃. 但試了幾次也不能完全清走, 小清潔棒亦十分昂貴($380/12pc). 在不要過份抹CCD 的前提下, 還是就此算了.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Windstopper at $400
Relocation sales, $400 for a windstopper jacket. Bargain? I really don't know. But I'd been wanting a windstopper jacket for some time. Although this one is not a Windstopper Polartec, But still worth give it a try.
Monday, May 02, 2005
大長今熱
連商場也要直播大結局以作招徠, 真的很熱!
劇好看嗎? 我覺得好. 最少沒有了低能的對白及刻意掐死嗓子的演員; 亦沒有把行山背囊當作逛街一般垂到臀部作行山訓練的學警; 看過以後沒有想死的感覺.
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