Photos around hk

Photography is one of my hobbies, that I like to do whenever I have time. Have been getting b&w lately. Abit strong on the contrast but it makes it more superior.I feel.

A King's Speech

Saw 'The King's Speech' last night, and it was very good. Colin Firth was excellent, but I found Geoffrey Rush even better. Like 'The Fighter', which is another excellent film, it was not what I expected. What I expected (of 'The King's Speech') was something more dramatic, and serious. But what I experienced was a very entertaining and enjoyable film. Its the sort of film, that you can easily get into. Most of the enjoyment comes from the performance of Geoffrey, who manages to turn serious matters into his character's comical attitude to life. Both actors are very convincing, Colin, whose stammers are so real, that you actually feel his stammers, and Rush, who is so good, he could have been practicing his methods part-time for extra cash. Helena also gives a very good performance,, though not involved as much, she makes us understand and makes us feel the problems that King has to face. She makes us sympathize for the king. One thing I also noticed was how well Timothy Spall looked as Winston Churchill. Timothy Spall, doesn't have the looks, but he is a very good actor, no matter how big or small his parts are in films. I respect his attitude and professionalism. 

Now how I mark a excellent film is quite easy, after leaving the cinema, I ask myself...'Would I want to buy this on DVD?'...and the answer here is definitely YES.

Kids today....eh?

During Chinese New year, my family came over for 3 weeks for a nice holiday and that included my very young nieces. Being so young, at ages 3 and 5, you wouldn't have guessed that this was their 2nd and 3rd time here. And even now, looking at the photos I took of them when they were here the time before I coudlnt believe how fast they were growing in looks and attitude and especially how clever they become. I'm not talking the cleverness of knowing how to do things, or how fast they react to certain thing, no, this was manipulation on a scary scale, the scale that criminals worked on. and before you start accusing me of calling my nieces criminals, believe me, its not with a sordid name calling but of a admiration for how they be do that at such a young age. It really does make being a parent a even frightening prospect (!) When it comes to getting what they want, or exactly how things they want, the kids really show no mercy. My nieces are gorgeous, big cute eyes and looks of princesses. But delve deeper and you will find clever minds at work, already working on how they can get their uncle to buy them that new nintendo game, or watch their favourite programes without caring what you would want to watch.

When I was at their age compared to them now, I would be the small kid in the corner away trying to hide away from their sight...yes...of course I am over exaggerating, but not to be funny, even their parents have to question their every motive and action." Not hungry for dinner?..hmm..maybe they saw that cake I bought and was saving for tomorrow..." ...'Mom, its ok, I know you can't afford to buy me that toy, but I know Uncle can...'..(the second sentence REALLY happened but not exactly like that...

Having not seen them for 2 years it was fascinating to watch them. Being the Uncle, I would be wise to their every action, and while I would be proud to show my wisdom with words, the rest of my family would shrug and know all too well, there was a alternative motive...and watched me being taken in like the proud sucker in a con.

After the first 10 days, I grew into their excuses and knew where they were coming from, and knew exactly when and how to reward them the way I wanted. Easy. no more getting their own ways. No more expensive things but simple activity books. Yep. This uncle was no longer a a sucker. but a more wiser and helpful uncle.

Its always amazing how time flies when you are on holiday. It seemed like they was only here a week instead of 3. After seeing them off at the airport, I went back to the flat, after they left, checking if they had left anything behind, and I noticed that the flat was covered in little stickers that you get with those colouring books etc. The Uncle then realised that the little devils had deliberatly stuck these stickers all over the place knowing the uncle had to remove them one by one....sometimes the feeling of not knowing you were suckered is better than knowing.

Xmas time again.

I know its been awhile but I will try to write as much whenever I have time. So its Xmas time again. The time of giving and helping and giving some more. What better way to help the economy. When people just forget all sense of reasoning and just do what they like. Don't get me wrong, I love Xmas. But sometimes the thought of Xmas shopping just scares me...a lot. Before when I was young, it was great. All I had to think of was what did I want. But now, the thought of what to get, and where, isn't as fun. Luckily I don't get many presents this year, as I didn't really plan so far ahead. The thought of what to get my gf on our first Xmas together was a much harder task.
For times like this, the first time, I know it had to be special, because this is one of those times when you know you have to 'produce the goods' otherwise you will never live it down. The thought of sharing conversations with friends about what gifts was exchanged on your first date, or anniversary, was running through my mind.'so, what did you get your gr on your first Xmas?'...'oh some bath lotion and some perfume,...actually they were some very nice perfume.' Looks of amusement rebounded around. The truth of the matter is, gfs usually don't want something nice or expensive as long as its memorable and special. A subject matter for your gf and her friends to giggle at over dinner or coffee. what better way to do that then to think of something creative. Something that you actually put effort and work into. It's not the price but the effort and thought. This is said easier than done.
After wrecking my brains over what shall I make her, I decided to do something that I was good at. It makes sense, dosen't it?
I love drawing, so I thought I would do a drawing of her. I found out after hours of drawing, being naturally talented was not enough, I needed practise. After several hours of drawing a face, which I thought was a acceptable. I decided to give myself more grief by thinking it was not enough. So to be safe, I some simple origami, (sounds fancy,but believe me the most easiest things to fold took me a while.) And to be be extra safe, I bought her a nice necklace from a local designer, which meant you cant get these everywhere. Now I was ready to face the music. As Xmas day dawned on me, the time of gift exchanging came. After she opened my gifts, she had a nice surprise as the picture I drew really did surprise her. I could tell that I had to persuade her that it was her. Now even I know that if a picture of someone needed to be convince it was that person, then it really wasn't any good. Gfs being gfs, always show support, even though they know it won't do any good.'that's really nice' somehow I think she forced those words....'look its this picture I drew from, I was really trying to show some sort of insane reasoning for the drawing. Once you knew it wasn't worth it, you can pretty much stop talking. Luckily the origami proved more successful and you really can't go wrong with jewellery.
She smiled and she knew the effort I had put into the presents. I feel that Xmas really isn't about gifts or pleasing people, instead its about thinking of other people and letting them know that. This Xmas may not be the most memorable in the great sense but hey at least I tried. So what did she get me? Not something expensive, not something pretty but something meaningful so I am now content.

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Not on a weekend...

As I was surviving through my working week. I couldn't help but start to feel abit dizzy. I admit that prior to the start of the working week, I had gone on a very nice boat trip with some very nice people. To backpack it was the perfect day, not too hot, some breezes, great atmosphere and to top it off, a nice seafood dinner. So what went wrong? It was easy. The boat trip back. Little did I know that we were going for the Guinness book of records for the quickest time back to go from lamma island to hk. We must have been travelling at warp speed (if there is such a thing, and this would be it. I know it.
Even those sitting down had to hold onto anything they could get their hands on. It felt,like survival of the fittest. We made it back in what seemed like 15mins. a quarter of the time it usually tool. my dinner held down by the thought of getting back to my beloved tv.
Now back to now, and it felt like the dizziness of the boat trip had not gone as thought. The most obvious thing would be to get some rest and let my mind balance itself out. A few more days passed and still the dizziness was there. Weaving itself in and out of my mind. Wednesday. I decided to take another dose of parnadol and see if it would this time. Friday, this was no good.Though the dosage of paradox helped abit, I felt it would be better to see the doctor tomorrow. Now, Hong Kong is a place where things don't closed, unless it goes bankrupt. so my plan is simple. wake up amdd then breakfast then the doctor's. I realised that the times may be different then the weekday, So I would take things easy as there was no rush. After I had done my small things, I decided to go to see my Chinese doctor. I got there at just 1pm. To my astonishment, my doctor had just left, and wasn't back to Monday. Great. I had just missed him by a couple of minutes. But I found out that he had actually left 15mins before he was supposed to leave. So even if I got there 10 mins before, he still would have not been there. Great. No problem. I will just nick down to my western doctor round the corner. I got there and with the big closed sign outside, it was no problem because he would usually be back a few hours later. On closer inspection on the timetable. he would not be back till Monday. GREAT. Is this the efficiency of medical around here? To my amazement, other doctors had the same similar times."closed from 12" or
"1.30". At this stage I really didn't feel like chasing doctors all around town. It was back to my "Good old though sometimes not efficient Panadol" but at least I know I can count on it whenever I needed to. Now whenever I plan ahead, I also carry a copy of the doctor's timetable with me. both of them

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How many?

How many newspapers do people need to read in the morning on the way to work?....In the morning, there are free newspapers for people to read. There is about 4 or 5 different types.
What amazes me is how people grab them like hot cakes. Being newspapers they must have the same content, so why do people grab them all?... hmmmm..

Whats that place called with all the books??

Why is it when I go for a coffee, either Starbucks or Pacific Coffee. Its full of students with their laptops "studying" there. I say "studying" because it what they seem to be doing but how can you study when people around you are chatting and enjoying themselves? There is so much that puts you off. It begs the question, 1) Surely a place like home or somewhere quiet is better suited for studying? 2) And how much space do they really NEED? and 3) can they really do any studying? I know that I probably couldn't.

To be honest I know if I go to a coffee shop to study, I'm actually just posing...looking intelligent, and saying 'hey, I'm very professional because I can work while I'm surrounded by all these people, and also I look good doing it, and one more last thing whatever I'm doing its important'.

Obviously my age is showing because I swear that there's a really good place, I know that not only is it quiet but also if you need answers, this place has it, This place is called a LIBRARY.
Are the days of going to spend a few hours in the library gone? Is the coffee shop the 'new' library now? or is it the new trend?

The next time I go to into one of those coffee shops I might have to bring a text book along so that I can look intelligent not to mention also also fashionable.

Train packed full of crazy fed up commuters= normal rush hour

Every working morning I get up, do the same things, clean, brush, change, and leave the house facing the next hour that could determine how I feel for the whole day. Yes, that hour is the rush hour like so many hard and happy working commuters.

At first I actually enjoyed being in with the 'hard-working' lot, but after 2 years of shoving , pushing, and 'everyone' for themselves..it began to look not so pleasant.I still don't understand how people can think they can get onto the train when there is no room....I'm always amazed how even though they are at the front of the queue, they cannot wait 1 minute for the next train, which is not long but also they will be the first ones on...sounds like a win-win situation....but somehow there must be a 'special' challenge or initiation that everyone takes to be a 'proper' commuter. I've seen it happen so many times but it still amazes me. It really does like more ridiculous than those images you see of Japanese rush hour.

I believe that once you leave home for work, you catch a 'bug' that transforms your mind into believing and acting in a 'herd' like trance during the morning rush hour.You don't realise it but once you start to get close to fellow commuters, a strange thing happens, you become part of a herd, acting in the same way they do and that you all have one objective and one goal...to get 'green fields of home' on time, no matter what it takes.

Another thing I noticed is every time I go to work there seems to be more and more people, which is quite bizarre assuming that HK is in still in some sort of economic depression, nevertheless it makes it more and more of a challenge to push and fight my way to work .
I look at some of these commuters and think these are loving family members, fathers, brothers, mothers, and daughters who don't really want to be here more than me, so I always remember how commuters are like those people who are nice until they get behind the wheel of a car, and then they become complete raving nutters....especially the quiet ones...

So how has commuting affected me? I have to say I do push and shove my way through the jungle called the rush hour, not caring for everyone else except for myself, unashamedly, but thats only from monday to friday.