The Unbearable Lightness of Being

I watched this film again yesterday and still found it extremely refreshing. It is interesting that the film actually cut out a lot of the details from the novel, to an extent that it could be viewed as a separate story, with a different focus. The book put a lot more focus on politics, while the film focused a lot on love and the private life of Tomas and Tereza's feeling towards her husband's attitude of casual sex.

While there were nude scenes, they were treated non- erotically. I thoroughly enjoyed the music and the acting by Julie Binoche. It somehow made me think again the meaning of true love and sex.

Ex-Boss

I had a really good relationship with my ex-boss. He taught me quite a lot. I have a lot of respect on him.

Now I have moved into a different department. I am dealing with a case which brings us together, but on the opposite side of the game. I rarely disagree with him and this time, because of our different positions, confrontation seems to be inevitable. It was difficult for me to disagree with him and it seems that my normal reaction is suddenly gone.

Don't want to face it.

Eleven Minutes

This is the latest book I read by Paulo Coelho. His most famous book is of course, The Alchemist. This one talks about sacred sex and the meaning of love. Some ladies told me that they couldn't really put it down. For me, it is quite an enjoyable reading experience but it is not the best of Coelho. I still like "The Alchemist" best.

Weird Behaviour

I have been asked by Ruth and Cuckoo to disclose my weird behaviors. I haven't got much, but here they are:

i) Buying all the books related to"Hell"

ii) Go to 2nd-hand CD shops and buy many CDs that I haven't got a chance to listen to. And I can own up to 15 versions of one symphony, sometimes the same conductor but different recordings.

iii) Only wear socks of one brand and they are always in the same colour.

iv) Chew gums all the time - but only one piece in the morning and once piece in the afternoon.

v) Always thinks other people's food are more delicious than mine.

《白蛇新傳》

My highschool friend is writing the music of this musical.

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遺恨於因果輪迴
纏綿於生生世世
最終不過一夕風流

屢創本地音樂劇場新高峰、囊括舞台劇獎多項殊榮的本地劇團演戲家族，將為家傳戶曉的民間故事《白蛇傳》再譜傳奇色彩。
白素貞幾歷人世間種種愛恨恩仇，從雷峰塔下被釋放後，一切從新開始。獲得重生的素貞，儘管歷盡遍體鱗傷，仍然執迷不悔，要與許仙再續前緣。前世今生，漸漸已分不清……
2006年2月4-5, 9-11日香港演藝學院歌劇院
音樂總監 / 作曲 / 編曲：高世章
導演：彭鎮南
編劇：李于仁
填詞：岑偉宗
演出：劉雅麗、譚偉權、林小寶、陳曙曦
粵語演出，附中、英文字幕
香港藝術節委約
演戲家族：http://www.actorsfamily.com/

HMV

The classical section of HMV is getting smaller and smaller. I once asked their staff about the reason. One of their staff told me that classical music CDs do not bring much profit to the shop, so they are making room for other music that sells better. I told the staff that classical music fans are among the few that would still buy CDs nowadays and they generally would not download from MP3 sites. So they should enlarge the section and treat us better. He said he understood the issue and regrettably said that it was the truth and a fact of life that they would continue to make the classical section smaller.

I do not go to HMV for shopping very often, but I think they should at least maintain the current size of the classical music section.

Gathering

Went out with one of my best friends last night. He came back from Shanghai for a short holiday. I drank a lot of beer and went home completed exhausted. Tonight there will be another gathering and I am expecting another late night.

Amazon Hoax

I received the following email and I thought it was really from Amazon. I input some of my personal information but then I thought it can't be true. I then cancelled my credit card immediately (this is my first credit card and I can only remember this card's number among my cards) and changed my password in Amazon. I know it is quite standard and I don't know why I was not alert enough to ignore it. Perhaps I received so many confirmation mails (real ones) from Amazon before and I just turned my brain off last night!

What a shame! How stupid I was!!

Mind the hoax! The mail really looked like a real one!

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Greetings from Amazon Payments.

Your bank has contacted us regarding some attempts of charges from your credit card via the Amazon system. We have reasons to believe that you changed your registration information or that someone else has unauthorized access to your Amazon account Due to recent activity, including possible unauthorized listings placed on your account, we will require a second confirmation of your identity with us in order to allow us to investigate this matter further. Your account is not suspended, but if in 48 hours after you receive this message your account is not confirmed we reserve the right to suspend your Amazon registration. If you received this notice and you are not the authorized account holder, please be aware that it is in violation of Amazon policy to represent oneself as another Amazon user. Such action may also be in violation of local, national, and/or international law. Amazon is committed to assist law enforcement with any inquires related to attempts to misappropriate personal information with the intent to commit fraud or theft. Information will be provided at the request of law enforcement agencies to ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

To confirm your identity with us click here:

@@A link was included here, which directed me to an "amazon-like" website and required me to input various personal details@@

After responding to the message, we ask that you allow at least 72 hours for the case to be investigated. Emailing us before that time will result in delays. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause you and we would like to thank you for your cooperation as we review this matter.

Thank you for your interest in selling at Amazon.com.

Amazon.com Customer Service
http://www.amazon.com

This message and any files or documents attached may contain classified
information. It is intended only for the individual or entity named and others authorized to receive it. If you are not the intended recipient or authorized to receive it, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately then delete it from your system. Please also note that transmission cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free.

妙手仁心 III

This is actually quite entertaining. Although some characters are played by people that I don't like, the plot is quite good. Enjoyable if you've got nothing to do at night.

HKD1,000,000

How long does it take for one to save HKD1M after he/she graduates?

Brahms Sym No.1

I never like Brahms as much as Beethoven, Mahler, Bruckner, at least for symphonies. But last night when I listened to his Sym No.1 under Karajan's baton, I started to have a different feeling. Got to listen to him more...

How much does an average mid-30s male earn nowadays?

This question was discussed in a recent happy hour session among men. The figure was HKD35,000 per month. Do you think it is a reasonable figure?

Possible movement

My customer in Beijing dined with me and raised a possibility that I go and work for them. They fully understand that asking me to join their company represents a risk for me. Although no package was discussed, I remained open to this option. The issues are:

i) It is a much much smaller company compared with my existing company, which is a large international bank.

ii) I may have to station somewhere else, e.g. Beijing, Vancouver, etc.

iii) Leaving the friends in HK.

I don't mind moving but it depends on what I will get in return for the risk involved.

The package would be made known to me by the end of Aug. I am anxiously waiting for it. Although I tend to think the chance for me switching job is quite remote, it is good to know that I am being demanded in the job market. That at least indicates that I am a capable guy!

Beijing Trip

Just got back last night after a 4-day trip to Beijing. Lots of good food (roast Lamb, Peking Duck, dumplings, etc). Walked a lot in the past few days (forbidden city, summer palace, great wall, etc), which is pretty exhausting for me. We went to "Beijing Books City" yesterday. I bought quite a lot of books and nothing is more satisfying.

"Urgent Thirties"

I came across this "term" during my trip to Beijing. One of my friends heard about it when they talked about ladies who have not yet got a boyfriend after they have reached the age of 30. We laughed about it. But then, I find this term pretty offensive. In fact, I find many ladies who have no boyfriends but are really nice people. I just think the guys are not attractive enough to become their boyfriends!

My highschool friend talked about the same subject the other day. As he is in financial planning field, he said that this market possesses enormous potential as these ladies normally would plan for their future and would subscribe to lots of insurance plans and investment plans. I bet he is right. And I wish him well because he is considered "handsome".

Beijing

Planning for a trip to Beijing with several friends this weekend. One of my ex-customers is kind enough to offer their van for us to go around in Beijing. This would save us a lot of hassle in taking taxi or renting a car. Sometimes these little convenience help a lot. And you don't know why they are treating you like this because I am no longer looking after their account. I guess I am just a friend now...

Impatient

I am such an impatient person. I get frustrated easily - traffic jam, not able to pass a traffic light, saw people doing things that I don't like, etc. I have been like that since I came back to HK 10 years ago. I don't know what's wrong with me. My emotion would dictate my reaction to these events. I don't like it at all. I want to change.