Happy X'mas

It is almost the end of 2008, in less then two weeks time, we would say farewell to 2008 and embrace 2009.

To myself and many many people around the world, it is a year to be remembered and for some it is a year to forget. The Society and myself have underwent so many ups and downs in many aspects in life. Yet, at this moment, we still stay firm!

A song went up my mind, which I would like to share with my friends and readers of my blog, it is by John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1971:-

http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=hb2YSAVHmIE

So this is Christmas And what have you done

Another year over And a new one just begun

Ans so this is Christmas I hope you have fun

The near and the dear one The old and the young

A very merry Christmas And a happy New Year

Let's hope it's a good one Without any fear

And so this is Christmas For weak and for strong

For rich and the poor ones The world is so wrong

And so happy Christmas For black and for white

For yellow and red ones Let's stop all the fight

A very merry Christmas And a happy New Year

Let's hope it's a good one Without any fear

And so this is Christmas And what have we done

Another year over And a new one just begun

Ans so this is Christmas I hope you have fun

The near and the dear one The old and the young

A very merry Christmas And a happy New Year

Let's hope it's a good one Without any fear

War is over over If you want it

War is over Now...

Hope everyone have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in 2009. Let's strive through the Financial Tsunami.

Grand Architect of The Universe

We as human beings always ask who created the Universe, if there is no Supreme Being who did the creation who can make everything run so smoothly?

I remembered once there was a piece of writing on the RICS* Journal, guess its more then a decade ago, which illustrated a joke about Surveyors.

In the beginning of the Universe, God created human beings. Among them, He created Architects, who were gifted with talented minds to draw beautiful things, give beautiful ideas. However, they failed in building things up, as their designs are impractical.

In light of such, God then created Structural Engineers, who were gifted with talents in calculations and they could help to calculate how many forces were required to sustain the beautiful designs created by the Architects.

However, the more the numbers of Engineers and Architects, the meetings became very difficult and the first problem began with how many numbers of chairs were required for each meeting. So, God created Surveyors, who were responsible to count the numbers of chairs for meetings, while in the meantime, help to manage the meetings and make sure the Engineers and Architects are able to complete their works on time and within budget. So count your chairs, fellow Surveyors.

Human beings always want to do things to try to make themselves God, even for only a moment. As you can see from the picture, the Venetians' created a sky of their own, where they may act light God, which turned the sky dark when they dim the lights, but they may never change people's mind and ask them to spend more in the casino or in their malls. However, God can, he build on what he crashed and make it even stronger.

The new masonry are to be done in a perfect craftsmanship, only to do better with the guidance of the square and compasses, freely and acceptable by all.


Say Grace to The Grand Architect of the Universe!!!

* RICS - Royal Institute of Chartered Surevyors

Three Chemicals

What is health? When I was a kid, I drank 4 to 6 pints of milk a day and believed it will make me healthy as it is said to be high in calcium and protein.

Nowadays, when milk, one of the so called health drink for human beings to be toxic, I would like to ask everyone what is still safe to eat and drink?

Alot of people said, calcium, potassium, vitamin etc. are the chemicals that good for your health.

To me, I believed in 3 other vise versa chemicals, caffeine, alcohol and nicotine. As most of my friends know, I drank 4 coffees, some pints and a cigar everyday, which added up to maintain balance of my own body system.

I am health enough to do my daily work as well as attending harsh trainings in karate. So, why these so call vice are able to maintain my health?

I believed that a healthy mind keep your body well. No matter what you eat, what you drink, if you are an unhappy person, nothing can make you health. However, if you are a happy person, even junk food makes you well.

Feel well and think positive my friend, if you do so, you will be strong as an Ox. In the meantime, I will sit back to smoke my Bolivar.

飄渺間往事如夢情難認。百劫重逢緣何埋舊姓，夫妻斷了情，鴛鴦已定，烽煙已靖，我偷偷相試她，未吐真情令我驚。

This is an abstract of the famous Cantonese Opera, which I do not listen often. However, some recent things happened and reminds me again about it.

Back in 1991, when Andy Lau (A Hong Kong Actor) participated in a movie, Lee Rock, featuring the most corrupted police officer in Hong Kong back in the 50's to 70's.

There was one scene that he met his former wife after many years of separation and the both of them sang the above. Which to me is quite touching.

For me, sometimes, you will miss those people you are not going to see or may not be able to see again, especially when the one is your love.

Yet, I believe in fate, if there is fate and fate brings you separation, accept it, however, if you two still have fate to be together, fate will bring you two back. There may be twist and turns, but if you have faith in a relationship and is you two have enough fate, he/she will be back in your arms.

I am so happy here to announce that I am again back to my love one and life to me is just so happy, just like the flower blossom in the picture shown. : )

Around the World in 80 Days

Watched the musical recently in Hong Kong and think of myself, being Phileas Fogg.
I have the luck of having the best travel partner, even better then Passepartout.

Over the last 2.5 years joining my present company, I been constantly on the road, although it is more easily to travel around the world then centuries ago, but we are still human being and still able to feel tired.

Now, my heart felt the tiredness, my body sores, guess it's time for me to go and have a break.

I am writing this post in the airport of Taipei after a week's trip to Manila and Taipei and I think this is my final tour of duty for my present employer.

However, I think I shall summarise my present feelings using General MacArthur's famous quote when he leave the Philippines: "I came through and I shall return."

See Ya!!!

Thanks Larry!!

Our Boss in Redwood Shores, merge be your name, your empire grow, your will be done, in Asia as in the US. Give us today our daily meal. Forget about our existence, as we forgive those who acquired us in Asia. Do not bring us to the sale and deliver us from being sack.

Amen.

Hail Safra, full of guts, Larry is with thee; blessed art thou among all CFOs, and blessed is the highest paid CFO in the world. Dear Safra, queen Midas , leave us alone, now and at the hour of my last days.

Amen.

My Fellow Colleagues, even I left, please still remember to say a prayer for Larry and Safra after you sign your corporate plastic. Au revoir!

一切有為法，如夢幻泡影，如露亦如電，應作如是觀

一切有為法，如夢幻泡影，如露亦如電，應作如是觀。《金鋼經》
這是佛教中非常有名的四句偈，也是非常強而有力的警句。

This is a classic Buddha teaching, yet, do you know what it really means?

I have such luck and honour to have a chance to read 5 books by a Taiwanese writer, 吳九箴, who have written a series of books about teachings of Buddha in a new dimension and new angle.

Alot of us always thing Buddhism is a teaching, which taught us to hide in the mountains, meditating, praying and fasting for the whole day and even the whole of your life.

However, in Mr Wu's book, he bring new dimensions, which ask us to go into the 'world' enjoy what is around you, love and hate, sweetness and bitterness, fame, fortune and poor, as even Siddhārtha Gautama had gone through all these things before he understand that there is a need to find out the ultimate truth and the true meanings of life, eventually become a Buddha.

I really wish some more people could have such chance to read the book from Mr Wu and eventually understand (悟) what is the true meanings of life.

You and I are Buddha in nature, we need to find our own way (not follow the same path of anyone, even Siddhārtha's), as everyone have their own path of understanding (悟道). My fellow Buddhas, please work hard and work with your heart.

Here is Mr Wu's Blog, wish that could help you on your path as well:-

http://blog.yam.com/samadhi

I am not a Schemer

The following is what Joker told Harvey Dent in the latest Batman Movie, incidentally, I am Harvey, seems all these words are being spoken to me:-

"Do I really look like a man with a plan, Harvey? I don't have a plan. The mob has plans, the cops have plans. you know what I am, Harvey? I'm a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught one. I just DO things. I'm a wrench in the gears. I HATE plans. Yours, theirs, every one's. Maroni has plans, Gordon has plans. Schemers trying to control their worlds. I am not a schemer. I show schemers how pathetic their attempts to control things really are. So when I say that what happened to you and your girlfriend wasn't personal, you know I'M telling the truth"*Gives Dent Gun*"It's a schemer who put you where you are. You were a schemer. You had plans. Look where it got you. I just did what I do best-I took your plan and turned it on itself. Look what I have done to this city with a few drums of gas and a couple bullets. Nobody panics when the expected people got killed. Nobody panics when things go according to plan, even if the plans are horrifying. If I tell the press that tomorrow a gangbanger will get shot, or a truckload of soldiers will get blown up, nobody panics. But when I say one little old mayor will die, everyone loses their minds!! Introduce a little anarchy, you upset the established order, and everything becomes chaos. I AM AN AGENT OF CHAOS. And you know the thing about chaos, Harvey. It's fair"

People always have planning of everything, some even said that they have planning for their lives, but is all planning work out the way it should be or the way you plan?

You can't always get what you want, even our old friend Rolling Stones told you so. Christian believe, so call God will arrange the best for you. Others believe it is Kama, anyway, life is not perfect, that's why you need to embrace the imperfect life.

I think the best way to counter this ever changing life is "ANARCHY", liberate yourself!!!

Routine Life is Crab??

Most adult lived a routine life, day in day out, 8, 10, 12 or even 14 hours of work a day. Although I do not need to follow the same pattern, since my work life is 7 x 24.

However, did you ever sit down and think about is this right? Is this the life you wanted?

I watched the movie 'Wanted' yesterday, which is about a poor accountant who lived the same kind of routine life and life is so crab to him that he even need to rely on pills to live.

Suddenly, a woman came to her and introduced him to a different life, so free, so exciting, so unfamiliar. He became an assassin in 6 weeks' time, living a life he could never imagine as an accountant. He follows the order from the Fraternity on a piece of cloth and kill the target.

Yet, this is where I found the problem, it is exciting, it is so free, but how long will you get use to all these, make all these familiar and eventually, all these became routine and life become crab again?

What is life for, when we think of break free, actually, do we really free? It is our heart which is not free, our soul which is not free or it is all imagination within our own that we are being trapped by the routine? Shall we think of fixing our wild heart in the first place or does the action of breaking free from time to time help you out.

But, have 6 weeks of excitement then go back to routine seems to be fun. : )

In God We Trust

A lot of us believed in Supreme Being, Allah, Buddha or Jesus, depends on how you name Him. We cry for His saviour, we praise Him and there are even some people who die for Him.

When bad moments turn up in life, a lot of people will turn to their God and hope the Messiah could safe him/her from the difficult time, overcome the situation he/she is in at the moment.

Did we ever think who God is? Some people regard him as a Supreme Being, The Freemason called Him Grand Architect of the Universe, Christian and Catholic called Him Jesus, Messiah, Muslim called Him Allah. Rastafari called Him Jah. However, we only know He is supreme, but do you know who he really is?

Bob Marley in ‘Get Up and Stand Up’….. most people think Great God will come from the sky, take away everything, make every people feel high’ is this what is in your mind as well?

In Christian/Catholic, we believed that there is Jesus Christ, high up in heaven, who will come us Messiah, in accordance to the Bible, to save His believers, judge the good and the sinners, separate the sheep from the goat. His followers will go to heaven, enjoy the happiness with Jesus. While the sinners will go to hell and ‘grilled’ by eternal fire and suffer forever. We now lived in a world that there are a lot of sufferings, sins, pains, diseases, sickness, etc. Most people would wish that Jesus could come to save us from all these. Christians/Catholics go to church every week and pray for the return of Jesus, but how many of you are ready for his return?

Meanwhile, I do like to remind that Bob is a Reastafari, who believed in Jah, who accepts Haile Selassie I, the former Emperor of Ethiopia, as God incarnate. He is also seen as part of the Holy Trinity as the messiah promised in the Bible to return.

I don’t know how you think about Emperor of Ethiopia is the incarnation of God, but there are over one million people believe in this, about five to ten percent of Jamaicans identify themselves as Rastafari.

In a certain extend, I agreed with them, as God is a supreme being, He should be appeared in any specific form, it is also a mistake to use the word ‘He’ to describe him, but that is the limitation of English.

In Buddhism, Buddha is a status, which any people can achieve after awakened or enlightened in life or simply able to understand the real meanings in life. In such understanding, you and I are Buddhas, yet, we still not able to figure out the true meanings of life. Did you ever ask the question, why am I here? Do I come here for a reason? At this moment, I still not able to figure these out, if you did, please tell me how.

For those who believed in God (in all forms, figures and names, single or even multiple), yesterday is past, it is only a good memory, tomorrow you never able to figure out, cause it is yet to be happened. Treasure ‘NOW’ the only moment you have, you will not have ‘now’ anymore, as it will become the past before you realised.

John Lennon once sang:-

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

I wish you to treasure ‘now’ and don’t make it become your regret in the future.

The Rolling Stones

I am always a fan of Classic Rock, The Rolling Stones, is definitely my all time favourite, no matter how bad Mike is behind the stage, he is always the kind of lead singer you look for in a rock band.

There is a saying: Beatles Out, Stones In, Sir Paul McCartney Sucks，Sir Mick Jagger Rocks. Now, I think I totally agreed, especially when you compare Mike to Paul nowadays, who sucks, who rocks, I think you can tell easily.

My iPhone is always filled with: Jump'in Jack Flash, Play with Fire, Angie, You Can't Always Get What You Want, Paint It Black, etc. These songs always keep me awake and fresh when I feel down or merely too tired, especially during business trips.

So many people will find me a bit strange interested in such kind of 'old' songs, but this is a fact, I had to admit, I really love them. May be if there is really something called resurrection, I think I must have been lived in those days.

Canton Pop, I don't really know what you are? You are just never seem to be right for me, or it is me that is not right for you?

Mojito

Mojito, a traditional Cuban drink, a delicious cocktail and of course one of my personal favourite among all cocktails.

The recipe of Mojito is very simple, merely combining rum, sugar, lime soda and mint, which I would say is one of the world's most refreshing alcholic drink. In a certain extend, it taste like toothpaste mixing with Listerine. Which I am very sure that will keep your breath fresh till the next morning.

In most of the cases, alcholic drinks gave you a bad breath the next morning. Imagine, it would be very embarrassing talking to someone next to you after a hang-over with such a poor breath, especially, you only met her last night, isn't it? However, if both of you were drunk after several rounds of Mojito, I would personally guarantee that both of you will not scare off your each other the next morning.

Smokers like myself adore this drink, as it is far much enjoyable to have a glass of Mojito to cure your breath than a chewing gum, at least personally I find it more elegant.

One of the best Mojito I have recently is in a restaurant in Jakarta, but if you need to have one tonight, I would suggest you to go to Havana Bar & Gill in Soho, Central, Hong Kong.

So, please be remembered, there shall be no excuse for having a bad breath after hanging out...have a 'Wild' night out then.

Keep Walking

Personally, I enjoy walking very much,no matter when I am in Hong Kong or traveling to other countries.

After a hard days work, it is very relaxing to have a short walking before going home. I happened to live from an half an hour walking distance from my office, making such simple enjoyment of life possible.

People walked in different pastes, different directions, it is such a fascinating thing that you meet up with one another. Even, I took the same way home, most of the week (if I am heading home directly after work), sometime, you meet up with your friends, a beautiful girl, a cute lad, a nice car or some times a beautiful flower. But you never know what you gonna see on your way.

Walking, or in a way, living, is more or less the same thing, even we are heading to the same destinations (we lived to let die) and while we may took the same old way everyday, you may end up face different things on our way. Sometimes it could be good and sometimes it could be bad, but remember, enjoy both good and bad and what you gonna face and always KEEP WALKING!!!

4Cs

Four 'C'?! I am not talking about diamond, as it is only women's best friend and I am a guy. The 4 'C' I like to talk about is the four things the French said as four of the most enjoyable things in life:-


1st C = Coffee

2nd C = Cheese

3rd C = Cognac

4th C = Cigar


I have addictions of 3 of the 4C above, which already cost me a fortune, but if life is harsh and tough most of time, I think we should at least pursuit some forms of vice, just to add a bit of colour to your life and make it a bit more enjoyable. Life is short, why not go out and get what you really want, one day when you noticed you are already too old, rather then sitting back to regret of what you have not done, you may just enjoy the wonderful memories of your youth and your pursuit of happiness, of course together with the 4C s above will be more enjoyable.

Don't waste time on thinking about the past, as it is only for the elderly. Go out and grab what you really want and hold it really tight. Once, when the ingredient to cause the happening gone, you will never be able to turn back to it. So enjoy every moment you have. 4C s is all about enjoying and it is not a sin to enjoy life!

Tattoo 紋身 (刺青)

許多人對紋身都有著負面的印象, 尤其是中國人。原因是紋身傳統上在中國文化上, 與黑社會幫派或是三教九流(泛指古代中國的宗教與各種學術流派，是古代中國對人的地位和職業名稱劃分的等級。在古代白話小說中，往往含有貶義)人物有著不可分割的關係。

在古代秦朝時代就有關於紋身 (刺青)的記載, 當時叫做黥刑, 是中國古代的一種刑罰，在犯人的臉上或額頭上刺字或圖案，再染上墨，作為受刑人的標誌。

但慢慢刺青已演變成個人裝飾的一種在一些群體當中，刺青是一種勇氣的表現，刺青能得與同儕認同，有關紋身的記載在水滸傳至少就有三個身滿刺青的重要角色: 九紋龍史進, 花和尚鲁智深和浪子燕青。

隨著社會風氣的開放，大家逐漸能接受紋身這種表現身體的型式, 紋身的圖案亦被視為藝術品，有名的刺青師傅也被視為藝術家。

我個人是 Miami Ink (NOW Channel 213) 的Frans, 很喜歡看紋身店內各人因為不同的原因, 紋上不同的圖案, 圖案色彩豐富, 刺青藝術家 (Tattoo Artist) 技巧熟練, 實在十分有趣。

我喜歡的圖案是日本浮世繪等有民族代表性的圖案, 他們的刺青圖案精細, 色彩豐富, 有的更加好像一件 T-Shirt, 十分引人注目。

Zen and Sin

I think a lot of people have heard what is Zen. It's a kind of meditation method....well, not fully....it's kind of spirtual thing...well not completely. So, what zen is really about?

To me, Zen is a way, a way which when we are able to make human beings better, to be more internally complete, to understand more of your own inner self. Humans like us struggle a hard life for whatever reason, even if you are rich, there are problems that you cannot solve with your richness, such as health, love, family, aging and eventually death. Through the way of Zen, we could understand why we need to face all these in life and we could embrace each day we live and even each breath of air.

Zen also taught us one important thing, which is called reason and result. Every result comes with a reason and vise versa. We did bad deeds, we have bad results and vise versa. The more sin we gather on earth during our life time, the worse it is going to be. Every people do certain kind of bad deeds daliy, whether on purpose or not, so you know what is the result?!

So, I wish everyone whom had read this wordings start to think positive (+ve) and do good deeds or else your Sin will come with you and you will taste the bitterness of it.

COFFEE

I am a serious coffee drinker, I mean once every 4 hours, like taking medicine.

Most of the time, I like it black, with no sugar and milk. The first one of the day, I took it before I leave home for work or just going out, since it make me awake from whatever last night happened. Also, if I don't have it, I will have a terrible headache.

The second one, I took it before lunch. The reason is that after several hours emerge yourself in the heavy workload, you just need to have some refreshment. I started this habit when I work for the French.

The third one, I took either during lunch or as afternoon tea. The afternoon coffee reminds me of the good old days in Newcastle, where have a bit of snack, a coffee and a good smoke....wow...what a wonderful life it is?!

The last one of the day, normally goes with my dinner, I prefer a white one with sugar, the reason is that it is my believe that one should end a day with sweetness before going to their dreams.

There are a lot of different coffee shops, pacific, starbucks, cova, pret, you name it, but never able to forget the express I have in Geneva.

un espresso.....merci.

HARVEY 的香港102 最佳餐廳 (Version 08.3.20)

常常想寫一些有關吃的東西, 現在試試寫 102 家我愛的餐廳o

希望大家試試, 記住吃是講心情, 打開你的心吧!!!!

西環
1. 源記甜品專家
2. 權發飯店
3. 歡樂餐廳

中環
4. 金華燒臘麵家
5. Jimmy's Kitchen
6. 港式茶餐廳
7. La Pampa Argentinian Steak House
8. M at the Fringe
9. Habibi Café
10. Chippy
11. 南蛮亭
12. 滿漢居
13. Schnurrbart
14. Gunga Din's Club
15. 蓮香樓
16. 中國會

金鐘
17. Dan Ryan's Chicago Grill
18. Triple O's Hong Kong
19. Cafe Too
20. Cova Ristorant & Caffe
21. 夜上海

灣仔
22. 祥利飯店
23. 波士頓餐廳
24. 清真惠記

銅鑼灣
25. 太平館餐廳
26. 泉章居
27. 一門
28. Outback Steakhouse
29. 泰簡單
30. 千秋樂
31. 有骨氣火煱專門店
32. 南翔饅頭店
33. 和三昧
34. 翠華餐廳 (景隆街)
35. EL CID
36. 鍾菜
37. 利苑粥麵專家
38. Anytime
39. 鳳城酒家
40. Lawry's The Prime Rib Hong Kong
41. Tott's - Talk of The Town
42. 何洪記
43. 蛇王二
44. 香河越南餐廳
45. 魚翅城酒家
46. 竹八日本料理
47. Dicken's Bar
48. Inn Side Out
49. Pret A Manger
50. 新吉士
51. Das Gute
52. 梁山泊
53. Cafe One
54. 南亞餐廳1964
55. 原澗
56. 聘珍樓
57. 備長
58. 霞飛路
59. 紅樓
60. 柏寧酒店大堂酒吧
61. 蘭芳茶餐廳
62. Pacific Coffee Company (利園3樓)
63. 越色牛肉粉餐廳銅鑼灣
64. 陶源酒家
65. 龍華燒臘茶餐廳
66. Statement
67. 百樂潮州酒樓

跑馬地
68. 銖記海鮮飯店
69. 譽滿坊
70. 祥興咖啡室
71. 正斗粥麵專家
72. 上海弄堂菜肉餛飩
73. Brown Restaurant and Bar

山頂
74. 峰景餐廳
75. 太平山餐廳

天后
76. Pumpernickel
77. 華姐清湯腩
78. 天后叻沙
79. SaVoye Bistro
80. 新釗記粉麵專家
81. 祥利冰室

北角
82. 雪園飯店
83. 東寶小館
84. 香港老飯店
85. 蛇王良

側魚涌
86. Belgos East
89. Cafe Einstein
90. 屋台屋
91. East End Brewery

筲箕灣
92. 恆河咖喱屋
93. 越華會

尖沙咀
94. Ruth's Chris Steak House
95. Rice Paper
96. 糖朝
97. Stone Grill
98. Biergarten
99. Felix

佐敦
100. 太湖海鮮城

旺角
101. 利苑酒家

太子
102. 金牌鴨店茶餐廳

Valentine's Day

I have experience sending flowers to girlfriends on Valentine's day for years. Yet, what is the reason of sending flowers to your loved one?

Frankly speaking, I don't really know, but to me, I truly believe that this is a way to make your love one happy.

This year is a bit special, as I have no one to send to. Tend to be a good way to save some money, but male is so stupid, as you will feel unhappy not being able to have someone to send to.

Any how, I wish to take this chance to wish everyone who have the 'significant 1/2' to send to, please do send her a bunch, she will be happy.

Wish everyone have a good one.