12/04/2007

《布拉格練習曲》Empties

我一直都很喜歡捷克片,我所看過的幾部片都給我留下很深刻的印象:逗趣的對話和異想天開的想法。我曾經在捷克自助旅行了兩個禮拜,深深感覺到這個國家的人民是如此的愛好歡樂,而首都布拉格更是熱鬧的不像話。可是離開了首都或是觀光景點,我所見到的又是未整修的道路、老爺巴士以及扔在路旁任由生鏽的汽車,這種矛盾存在於同一國家讓捷克對我特別充滿了吸引力。

因為跑錯電影院,當我坐下的時候已經開始十分鐘左右,錯過開場。一進去就聽到觀眾哈哈大笑,想必這也是部超爆笑的電影。外型酷似史恩康納萊(Sean Connery)的男主角是位退休的學校教師。但是人老心卻不老,老伯伯卻不安於室,老想往外跑。這種心態讓他的妻子非常的不悅。一天,老伯發現一件讓他心動不已的差事:快遞員。布拉格的地勢有高有低,而且有許多大石子路,要在這裡騎腳踏車可需要一點技巧。而老伯卻想跟年輕小伙子比賽,在這個追求速度的快遞業裡爭奪第一!老伯的太太說他瘋了,可是卻一點也不減少他調整腳踏車的勤勉,準備明天騎上鐵馬征服布拉格快遞業,這種雄心壯志真不輸給小伙子。穿上禦寒衣物在積雪的道路上疾馳,老伯拿著對講機遞送著一件又一件的任務。一切似乎很順利的時候,老伯騎著車下坡,卻一不小心飛了出去!我想導演在這裡有點誇大吧,老伯飛出去還把路旁的欄杆都撞倒了,因此一隻腿打上石膏,他的夢想也破滅了。

一心不服老的老教師過不久又活蹦亂跳的吵著要出去,這次夫妻倆去超級市場買菜。但這下可好了,老伯去回收玻璃瓶的時候看到了要徵回收櫃台人員的消息,於是馬上去應徵,隔天就上班了。老伯在這裡可以接觸到許多人,他也樂得跟許多人交朋友,甚至還為他的同事 殺妻未遂又沈默寡言的軍官 撮和了一段姻緣。這位月下老人深怕自己功力減退,竟然又為自己剛離婚的女兒撮合,這次的對象是以前學校的副校長。這些種種的趣事,都是因為在回收櫃台做事而發生,這裡成為老伯的生活重心,也更惹的太太抱怨不斷。

不認老的伯伯在回收台時有位總穿著低腰褲或群子的辣妹來退瓶,而在辣妹右邊髖骨上有著一條條,類似計數的符號。老伯一邊欣賞辣妹的身材之餘,一邊與一個年輕同事猜著那記號是什麼意思。結果兩人達到一致答案,那是辣妹男朋友給她高潮的次數。從這開始,終於點出了老伯不服輸的真正目的,他想證明自己還能“辦事“。他要他前女婿給他一些藥,可讓他再雄糾糾的出征,所以戴上了檢測儀器。而一天下午,辣妹又來了,而記號的數量又增加了。這更令老興奮不已布以,便靠在櫃台上欣賞著上門的女顧客她們透過陽光照耀而從薄裙後若隱若現的臀部與美腿。而他每晚的春夢的內容愈來愈豐富,但每每在重要時刻就醒了,讓他難過萬分。這一天,他到女婿那裡去看檢測報告,女婿說他很正常,可以作戰他便等著機會來臨。有一天機會來了,學校老師說很想他,想跟他單獨見面。他準備鮮花、美酒到了女老師家門,按下電鈴,開門的卻是他先生!!自此,他終於放棄了。

老伯在超市裡發展自己的長才時,他太太則在家裡教德文。一位在市公所做事的員工每天只學著如何正確的講“我愛您“。結果,竟然發現他的對象正是老伯的太太。王先生(市公所職員)說她是“優雅又嚴肅“,這真是形容的好。對我自己來說,德國的事物正是優雅又嚴肅,完全符合我內心對德國的定義。

多虧老伯,他的同事結婚了。證婚的正是那位崇尚德國精神的王先生。參加婚宴時,老伯先回去了超市一趟,發現新裝了一部回收機器,老伯黯然的辭職離開。因為這樣就再也無法和大家聊天、打屁,而只能待在冷冰冰的機器後收拾殘局。回到婚宴,他看到了辣妹,也發現其實她腰上的記號竟然是計算啤酒數的,老伯的美夢又破碎一個,玵看到王先生正在和太太高興的跳著舞,他卻無來由的忌妒起來。老夫老妻的結婚四十週年即將來到,老伯帶著太太去搭熱氣球。原本是一個美好的禮物卻陰錯陽差的出了紕漏,兩人飄向天際不知會到哪裡。樂天的老伯不斷的安慰著太太,而太太卻不斷的說他們要死了。這段旅程似乎是電影的真正目的,想表達出老伯其實深愛的還是自己的老婆。盡管有這麼多誘惑,有這麼多機會,老伯還是覺得自己活了這麼久,最愛的永遠還是她太太。熱氣球之旅很好笑,但也很溫馨。

電影尾聲,老伯又做起觀光列車的查票員,帶著老婆以及孫子在車上觀光。這場景跟他的春夢場景一模一樣,最後,老伯左顧右盼的進入一間有女人的車廂,並拉起廂門。似乎忠實的心之外,肉體的慾望永遠是蠢蠢欲動、不受控制的。

《惡童當街》Tekkon Kinkreet

這部動畫片的氣勢磅礡配樂讓我很感動,感覺像是再看一部歌劇片。有交響樂為背景再加上重節奏的電子樂,讓我覺得是一部不看影像也可自我想像出一個充滿幻想與不實際的寶町

一開場是小黑(Kuro)的獨白,高高的站在高塔上讓我好奇導演 Michael Arias會用哪種方法來處理小黑的特異行動力。我隨著那用交響樂交織而成的磅礡開場配樂,目不轉睛的盡量抓取那充滿許多色彩、建築、招財貓以及河流的寶町。導演的節奏非常的快,但每一個畫面卻是如此的豐富,如果可以我真希望可以暫停一下畫面讓我好好看看每一個畫面的仔細構成。隨著日哥哥與夜弟弟的出場,導演植入了自由路跑(parcour or free running)的元素,讓小黑、小白(Shiro)可以迅速地爬上爬下,而那個五點的作戰計畫,其進行的畫面讓我想《企業戰士》的開場,以最短的時間爬上一座大樓集合看日出。可是這部動畫片等待的卻是千手象神的出場!

這一點讓我驚訝萬分,因為在整個充滿歐洲風味建築的寶町、鐘樓出現的應該會是由齒輪牽動的木偶,述說寶町的歷史或是節慶。沒想到出現在眼前卻是一個由蒸汽推動的千手大象神,那種不和諧感應該是非常極端的,可是不知為什麼我可以接受這種不合理。我想這可能是因為Neko(貓,也就是KuroShiro兩兄弟)那種超人般的移動方式讓我覺得這就是一部非常奇特的電影而毫不覺得怪異。

隨著故事發展,大約可以了解寶町是一個什麼樣的地方,以及它所面臨的危機。這個被河水包夾的島嶼(個人覺得像是放大版的巴黎西堤島,但卻又有威尼斯的繁複水道,或許是個綜合體?)程區大部分都已經老舊,而人口不斷擴增更讓這裡飽和。所以,資本主義進駐,這裡必須要蓋大樓、建新的遊樂中心來賺取利益。可是黑社會老大老鼠面對要拆除紅燈區的念頭卻猶豫不決,反而因此跟老闆意見不合。老鼠是一個喜愛這個城市的過氣頭目,小黑也喜愛這個城市,而且以實際行動來捍衛這座城市。因此不斷的與黑社會動手。

如同他的名字,小黑所代表的一種暴力美學。他與烏鴉一起出現的舐血行動成為令打手聞風喪膽的報應,因為小黑堅稱寶町是屬於我的城市。而小白則不同,他雖然也有著驚訝的行動力,可是他的思想是潔白純潔的。他常常幻想著到一個清澈的海水中游泳,也夢想著蘋果樹迅速的長大。童心未泯的小白看到了小黑(也或許是我們?)所看不到的,也就是一切事物的光明面。他總是懷抱著希望在這個混濁的土地上生活著,或許這也就是他的生命力如此旺盛的原因。

我覺得其中有一個場面很有趣,小白洗完澡,夢想著騎著大象繞圈子,導演就真的畫了一隻大象。這場面讓觀眾笑了出來,但這可能是暴風雨來臨前的最後一刻寧靜。

飛行,是這部片其中一個元素。取代老鼠進行肅清地盤的蛇老大是個怪異的男子。他那詭異的笑容背後藏著黑暗的心。他成功地利用高科技快速地把建立遊樂中心的地盤肅清乾淨,遊樂中心很快的開始動工。可是,他卻無法逮到。他為此請來了三人職業殺手,高大的身軀卻行動靈敏,讓我想到七龍珠的賽亞人。最重要的是,他們具有飛行能力。他們在接獲命令消除貓之後,便從高塔跳了下去,而他們並未墜地身亡反而如帶有噴射器般的往前飛行執行任務。由於這三個人又是怪異的語言,不禁讓我以為他們是外星人。我沒看過漫畫裡這三個人的背景是什麼,但我覺得似乎也有些矛盾。竟然他們會飛,可是他們的死法也都太平常了,一個被火燒死而另兩個則是被刀箭刺死。但似乎不該這樣想,如果他們不這樣死的話,真的要變成七龍珠那樣冗長了。

殺手的追殺讓小黑與小白正常的日子產生嚴重的變化。他們得時時小心殺手的攻擊,還得想法維持自己正常的生活。但該來的還是來了,小黑面對殺手的攻擊招架無力,受了傷並帶著也同樣受傷的小白在寶町裡閃躲殺手的攻擊。殺手就像打不死的蟑螂尾隨著兩兄弟,小黑與殺手像賽亞人那樣從天墜落到地面上,所看見的是殺手的頭重擊地面而流出一灘血,原以為就此可以結束打鬥,但殺手真的就像打不死的蟑螂那樣站起來抓住小黑準備結束他的生命。但只見一把火,自小白手中掉下的火柴點燃被澆了一身汽油的殺手,殺手一命嗚呼。這場打鬥給予小白的精神打擊太大,因而精神恍惚。在一次落單的情況下,小白受了致命傷也因此讓小黑決定離開他自己進行復仇的行動。小白則在警察的照顧下,每天畫著圖在安全的環境下渡過。但是兄弟倆雖然不在一起,心靈卻是相通的,時時惦記著對方。小黑除了殺戮之外,已經成了一個失心瘋的少男。一天晚上,小黑帶著假想為小白的布娃哇到了遊樂園,在這座開啟一切紛爭的嬉戲樂土上即將上演最後的廝殺。

殺手追到了遊樂園,面對意識不清的小黑,他們快速的將弓箭射進小黑體內。正當小黑面臨生命垂危之際,另一位更厲害的殺手“黃鼠狼“出現拯救了小黑。他熟練的戰技閃躲過了弓箭,並在不到兩秒鐘(?)的時間內解決掉兩位身形比他高大還穿著愚蠢盔甲的殺手。看到目前為止,我覺得我的頭有點痛。因為導演使用了許多簡短片段,讓電影內容的情景跳來跳去,跳的好快。幾乎在這場打鬥之前的情景都是如此,我有點想抗議,這樣看得好累。看完這電影,覺得這部片可以分割成好幾集來播放也不成問題。可是導演在這時換了一種手法,以非常長的時間來詮釋小黑與黃鼠狼的內心抗爭。黃鼠狼想把小黑拉入黑暗的世界稱王,可是卻為心中那一點點殘留的純潔而內心交戰。他們處在想像的空間中,抽畫圖案與融化的幾何圖形再加上刺耳的配樂,讓這一段的場景成為可怕的惡夢。但最後,小黑還是成功抗拒了黃鼠狼,成為一個把黑暗力量封存在體內的鬥士。

電影的結尾,是小白夢中的情景,但這一次他們真正的在海邊嬉戲。小黑坐在高聳礁岩上跳水,而小白則再次運用想像力在海岸上堆疊出一個珊瑚礁世界,在他的世界頂端是一個小天使:愛的象徵(?)

我想這部電影所要強調的應該是希望我們保持希望吧?在這個充滿怪異亂象的世界上,似乎只有保持著想像與天真,只有可能獲得藍天白雲,遠離一切奢望。雖然頭痛,但還是一部好看的電影。

11/25/2007

《大吉嶺有限公司》The Darjeeling Limited

看過《海海人生》後,發覺 Wes Winders 的幽默似乎就是如此的讓人搞不懂頭緒。他的笑點就像是搔癢,讓你笑了出來卻不知道為什麼會笑。
片子的開頭有部短片,說的是一個離開家鄉在巴黎騎士旅店 Hotel Chevalier 住了好長一段時間的衛傑克的故事。一開頭,我就覺得有點好笑。傑克用流利的法語點餐,可是卻不知“起司三明治“怎麼說,於是用“英文“問櫃台應該怎麼說。而櫃台也告訴他是“Sandwich fromage“,表示櫃台也是會說英文的。哈哈,這或許就是 Winders 的幽默之一。或許傑克每天點的都一樣,但今天點了新的 Sandwich Fromage,也或許說明傑克想以說法文來獲得一種身份認同?
女友的意外拜訪,讓傑克非常的驚訝,因為他是刻意躲避所有人到巴黎來的。兩人這麼長一段時間不見,自然渴望身體的高潮,可是傑克卻很無情的說分手後,他再也不想跟她做朋友,澆下一桶冷水。短片以兩人在陽台看風景結尾。這部短片似乎與片子並無很大關係,卻算是提早透露出魏傑克的心情故事。
Bill Murray 在開頭出場,以追趕不到火車帶出了片中主角衛彼得(Andrien Brody《戰地琴人》) 及片名。然後鏡頭拉過整列火車,從猶如集中營的髒亂、簡陋的低等車箱到臥鋪(這裡可以看見捧著PowerBook用一隻手打字的布蘭登)到餐車再到了預定的車廂。一打開車門,看見了不陌生的傑克,以及出了車禍的法蘭。三兄弟失聯很久,一見面必定有許多事情要抱怨,不過大哥法蘭一開始就訂下協議,就是為了避免這種事情發生?三人同意後,到了餐車去喝酒、聊天。在這一餐中,顯露出三兄弟的個性:法蘭事業很成功,是個很愛指使旁人去做事的有錢人,但缺少與人的互動(這一點後來發現是遺傳至媽媽);彼德是個個性很固執的性情中人,雖然表面喜歡故作冷酷(老是帶著爸爸的墨鏡,似乎可以遮蔽自己的真實感情)卻是一個最具有感情的人;傑克是個作家(好像家族裡的老么都比較會從事這類工作?),沈默寡言、猶豫不決,但是個獨立的 Love Child(他對性很直接,有很多的情感急於向別人宣洩,但love child也是個私生子,看不出傑克是受誰影響,所以有此猜測)。
三兄弟輪流述說近況,彼德“搓搓臉“(Robby,傑克為彼德取的綽號)吃了頭痛藥,接著傑克也拿了感冒藥出來,法蘭則拿出超強止痛藥,三人索性交換吃藥,以求最大止痛效果惹的鄰桌的兩位健壯德國女人白眼。之後的對話,則是幽默中帶著濃濃的敵對味道,令我不禁懷疑三兄弟能不能完成這趟“心靈之旅“。傑克拿出他最近寫的一個故事,內容並未向觀眾仔細陳述,但是會在片子接近結束時以一種回憶的方式來呈現這個故事。彼得看了,跑到廁所裡偷哭,而法蘭之後看了也覺得寫的很好。這個故事寫的是三兄弟參加父親葬禮前所發生的事。聲稱自己是父親最愛的彼德堅持要到修車廠拿老爸的車子參加葬禮,在與車廠老闆爭執的同時,法蘭接到電話獲知母親無法參加葬禮。這個插曲也就造成了這次心靈之旅的主要目的:尋找母親。
Wes Winders 的獨特風格在列車上以及千牛殿裡展現無疑,荒謬的事件曾出不窮,而充滿衝突與矛盾的對話也令我在心中不斷的揣測其中的含意。而最主要的則是,如同《海海人生》,看他的電影就是參加一場解迷之旅。他可以讓我完全專注在現有的劇情,不會想要去猜測劇情會發展成如何,真實呈現出一個人的生命成長。過多的猜測都是無用的,事情就是這樣發生的。
在經過打破香水瓶、抽煙、毒蛇、吃藥許多荒謬事件後,列車長把三兄弟趕下車,還有一大堆行李箱。傑克的露水情人,瑞塔則給了傑克一袋子藥,患有禿頭症的布蘭登小精靈也辭職,便與列車消失在黑暗中。三兄弟失望之下,做出決定結束這場心靈之旅,分道揚鑣。在路上看到同樣也是三兄弟的當地小孩渡河,卻不幸墜落急流中(但我覺得這條河應該很淺)魏氏兄弟奮不顧身的前去搶救,彼德不幸與其中一個小孩被急流衝到下流。彼德流著血抱著身軀冰冷、沒有氣息的小孩上岸,讓彼德很傷心。被趕下列車的魏氏兄弟決定結束心靈之旅,沒想到心靈之旅卻在這時展開。彼德的心情降到了谷底,他這時也放下了冷酷表情,流露出真實情感以及未能拯救小孩的愧疚。參加小孩的葬禮讓他們想起父親的葬禮,這時便上映了三兄弟(雖然傑克一直說故事中的主角都是虛構的)參加葬禮之前的故事。這時,我又得拿來和《海海人生》比較,Wind Wenders 似乎以死作為電影旅程的轉淚點。《海海人生》中以 Zizou 船長私生子的死亡而堅定了一定要尋獲五彩鯊的念頭,而這部片則以小孩的死亡來決定三兄弟一定要見到母親的決心。
三人到了喜馬拉雅山,母親的修道院。這裡,Wes Winders 又用了一個巨獸(《海海人生》中是五彩鯊)吃人虎來增添荒謬性。三人見到了失聯許久的母親,就在他們認為這一切都要有答案的時候,母親又離他們而去。魏氏兄弟們或許認同了前一晚母親所說得話,過往不究,也對母親這一次的離去比較釋懷了。三兄弟在早晨以孔雀毛祈願之後,總算開心的結束這場旅程。Wes Winders 的結尾似乎就是這樣雲淡風輕,儘管歷險過程是如此的荒謬與不可信,結果卻是如此的令我信服。在真實的人生中,我非常認同這種淡淡的結尾。這樣讓人更覺得電影是接近我們的。
旅程結束的途中,傑克唸出了電影開頭的短片故事,不同的是傑克不再否認這次故事中的主角是虛構的。傑克總算下定決心,結束這段感情。結尾又回到了車站,這次還是一樣沒追趕上火車,三兄弟和三、四個行李員拿著行李箱在後追趕火車。傑克說,「父親的行李箱這次趕不上火車了!」接著,三兄弟就拋下一堆象徵對父親的記憶的行李箱,開心的面對嶄新的未來:布蘭登可能回到法蘭身邊繼續工作、彼得高興的準備當爸爸(雖然,他買的嬰兒服在行李箱裡)而傑克則丟下了感情包袱。最後有一個鏡頭是在拍所有人在一列火車上,每個人的生活,很有趣。發現彼得的毒蛇沒死,而在列車長的房間裡、Bill Murray 趕上火車了、Natalie Portman 則在義大利等著傑克⋯⋯。
很喜歡 Wes Winders 的這兩部片(另外一部是指《海海人生》),雖然一開始不想提到《海海人生》但似乎一直想要作比較。《海海人生》只有DVD,不過應該很好找。相較起來(又再比較了!),《大吉嶺有限公司》有更多的笑點,而《海海人生》的荒謬性更多。但兩部片子都把死亡作為一個帶有正面鼓勵力量的事件,這就是導演的風格。傑克說故事中的主角都是虛構的,但我認為 Wes Winders 的片子多多少少影射出他自己的人生。

11/08/2007

克羅埃西亞

兩個月的歐洲之旅已經結束很久了,我的遊記卻遲遲無法完成。每每一早起來想要寫的時候,卻要為了趕火車又出門。不然就是有一堆雜事,阻礙了我寫遊記。就我這次的旅程來看,我想先從科羅埃西亞這個國家開始寫好了。希望不久就可以有結果了!!


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11/01/2007

被肢解的樹木

最近常常看到荒謬的事情,其中之一就是行道樹的修剪。
本來是不會注意這些事情,可是我家陽台外嚇得一片小樹林,這幾天卻被砍掉了,成了光禿禿的枯木。本來是不會注意的,不過有一天早上在陽台清貓砂的時候卻發現了這片難看的景象。原本家裡的貓在坐在陽台邊欄上專心的看著樹林裡的鳥,那裡可是一個賞鳥的好地方。因為那片小樹林大概快三層樓高,每每早上和黃昏都有許多麻雀在林間嬉戲。貓兒就坐在陽台上或窗台上,讓眼睛隨著鳥兒的飛行搖頭晃腦,煞是可愛。因為卡羅莎颱風的來襲,社區不知道啥時故人把樹林砍了!我想貓貓們應該會傷心一陣子。
上班途中看到仁愛路上的樟樹也遭到了「修剪」,醜陋的樣子畢露更讓我覺得荒謬。颱風早已過了,可以熬過如此強風的樹幹必定是強壯有韌性的。可沒想到卻要在颱風過後如此久的時間後被養工處人員砍伐,真是可笑。我總覺得修剪樹木也是一種學問,不是隨便拿著樹剪或電動鋸對樹幹動刀就好。畢竟,隨便一根粗壯的樹幹都要花費好幾年才能長成,而且可以有效阻擋強風。我們要作的應該是時時記錄樹木生長狀態,適當修剪而不是有颱風來了,趕快把樹枝都鋸下來。這只能解決眼前的急迫問題,而無法面對長久的威脅。應該要做到,不管颱風何時來都已做好準備的作法。


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10/23/2007

the worms is coming out

days later, i was back at home, still thinking about the trip in the country and trying to figure out where i had been to. i lost diary on the way back. i think i left it on one of the tables in the airport cafe. i had lots of things to carry and i must have forgotten to take the notebook with me. i didn't notice when i arrived at home. it was a pity, for i kept entrance tickets and any i randomly picked from the street in the diary. i was so angry with myself for losing such an important log to the journey. i searched in my backpack and only found the pebble from Prague. it's the only thing that reminds of the city and that morning. i did remember exactly where i picked the pebble, but my description of the day were kept in the diary and the diary is gone.
i am completely forgetful of things when i returned home. it was just like a match that has been extinguished. all of a sudden, the light went off and my memory seems to flee from me. it is also terrible that the dream i had during that afternoon's sleep came back to me so often. so often is the dream that it occupies all my mind. the worm's outline is especially in my mind. no sometimes it seems to appear in my eyes. from my fleecing memory, i can still remember that just recently, hmm... five minutes ago, when i wash my face. i used my hands to splash my face. just as i open my eyes, i seem to see a worm's tail disappearing from my eyelid. no, i think it's inside my eyelid. shockingly, i turn around my eye balls, trying to feel any discomfort in my eyes, but there seems to be nothing. i feel no pain in them.
perhaps that worm is coming out from the cage from my head. it is a terrible thought to think of the possibility that there is a worm roaming in my brain. and that vicious worm is fed on my memories. i am throwing up, hoping to drive the worm out of it.


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10/18/2007

the worms in my head

what a lovely morning that i love. the sun is not as hot as in the summer, and not so cold as in the winter. it is what i called a vacation sunshine. bathing in the sunshine brings me back to Prague, where i spent two weeks traveling around some cities. i was in the Old Town Square, breathing the Prague air and a little coldness into my lungs. the dove were just flying by and the street cleaners were beginning to clean up the street. the pebble paved roads are easy to be walked on. and they always gave me a sense walking into the ancient times. i picked up a pebble and shoved it into my pocket. i specially chose the pebble it was located right before the Franz Kafka Museum on the corner of the square. i sensed the weight of the pebble in my pcoket and i felt this morning has become even more precious because of the pebble. the connection among me, the pebble, Prague, and Kafka has made me remember the morning.
i walked off back to the apartment i rented for the two weeks' visit. it was a small but really functional unit. i brushed my teeth and drew the curtain, putting the pebble over my head closet. i got too early, and it was time for a makeup sleep.
i slept tightly, curled up in the bed. the wind blew open the door, i got up to close it. as i turned,strangely, i noticed that the pebble had gone. i went searching for it and looked all over, but only in vain. i wanted to give and go back to sleep. after all the pebble wouldn't flee away, it doesn't have feet. i lied down, yawning and stretched my legs. as i prepared to close my eyes, i noticed that the pebble was atop the closet how strange? i didn't notice. but even more stranger was that it began to move. just like a transformer robot, the pebble stretched out its legs and tail! i narrowed my eyes and wonder what the pebble would become. was it a worm? but suddenly it jumped in the air and hit my head.
i woke up in sweat. it was a dream, but a realistic one. i turned around the see the pebble in full suspension. but there it was, it was right there. i grabbed the pebble and threw it into my backpack. i shouted at it and then later, went to sleep.


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10/16/2007

the latest Mac OX is coming out ...

i believe everyone, definitely those Mac manias, has noticed the homepage of apple.com. it says "add a new Mac to your Mac", and there is a countdown counter below. the big day is next friday. hmm, let's get a Mac.


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10/14/2007

marie antoinette

i went to see the movie Marie Antoinette played by Kisten Dunst. this movie portrays the life of the the French queen of Louis the 16th.
what i think about the movie? i think this movie is really entertaining. ha ha ... to say the movie is only entertaining means it's not that worthy of movie ticket fees. in Taiwan, this movie can be listed in the rosters of second-round movies, when seeing two movies with the price of a latte. however, to do the movie justice, i would say that sofia coppola has achieved something great. the scenes are great, all shot in Versaille and Paris. the costumes are also spectacular. the gowns, the hairdos, i think this movie has paid a perfect attention to every detail except the mischief pair of Converse sneakers! yes, it is right there, when Marie is sick of the boredom in the Versailles and decides to spend fortune on luxuries. the pair of bluish Converse sit comfortably, as if it's forgotten, before a feet stool. it appears for two seconds or so, but i think that's hilarious enough. i laughed in the theater, and everybody looked at me for this impolite laugh. well, i think they didn't see it.
movie manias go to this movie cannot but notice the modern rock soundtrack of the movie. i think coppola has intentionally dubbed the movie with rock music. since for a such young girl like marie, she would only care for rock music. however, it is obvious to notice marie's distaste to courtesy and manners. she alway displays her true emotions, her playfulness, and her innocence. her gay temperament has affected people around her. her life at the Petite Trianon has showed her desire for peace and simple life, and maybe a little love affair.
the encounter with a Swedish military officer, Count Ferson, represents the end to marie's happy life. her childlike innocence has gone with this handsome man to america. thus, sad days come as the finance of france has weakened because of war. marie was often criticized by the people for her extravagant life, one rumor has it that when marie hears that people have not bread to eat, marie replies "let them eat cakes!" this demonstrates the image of marie in the hearts of people of france.
as we might have known, the story ends up with Marie being beheaded. but the movie does not show the scene. i was quite surprised to see that, as i thought the movie talks about the life of marie antoinette and how is it possible to skip the final days of her life? maybe coppola has run out of budget. i did remember the scene when marie left the Versaille. she once asked her husband to watch the sunrise with her. but he didn't. for now, they would never have the second chance to watch the sunrise. when they left the Versaille, the story also ends. i was surprised by marie's insistence in staying with Louis the 16th. from the luxirious life showed in the movie, i thought that she would run away fast with her friends. however, it is not so. her courage and courtesy has impressed me. as i look into the documents of marie antoinetter, she seemed to be a very good example of royal elegance.
the movie is good, but from the beinning to the end, i can't get what the director is trying to say. i now know the story of marie antoinette, but what's the point of making a movie that has a neutral stance? if not for the costumes and music, the movie is not special, but if not for the theme of marie antoinette, the film is just a rock MV. maybe i will try seeing coppola's another film lost in translation.


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10/13/2007

i am sad

i feel sad,
cause i couldn't save a little blind kitten.
he has be abandoned in the wild.
to be eaten, to be poked at.

i feel sad,
for my weakness in heart.
for i should have left him when i heard him meowing.
he should have to be deserted by his damned owner.

i feel sad,
cause no one want to take him.
it become clear to me that
being cruel is sometimes the best plan.
turning away your eyes is always easier to accept the responsibility.

i feel sad,
for i have the feeling that
saving a stray cat with mercy
is one stupid thing.

i feel sad,
cause i can't keep this blind cat.
i have no choice but to abandon him again.
leave in the cold, unseen world.


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it's autumn, no?

last night it was raining.
this morning it is windy.
i set my foot to the market,
want to buy some veggie
people wear jacket
and i ask myself why i am so quirky?
cause i don't think it's chilly.
and I'm even sweaty.

i sat at a breakfast diner,
ordered some hot buns from a steamer.
i rolled a cigarette and took out my lighter.
the lighter gave out a fainted fire
my breathed in the unbearable smoke, quicker
than i used to before.
this made me wonder.
i sense the wind is harsher
and the sky is dimmer
i ask the one in my inner
is it autumn yet?


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10/12/2007

i don't know what to do

hey, you, what are you doing?
actually, i have no idea what i was doing in this afternoon.
i have no case to report, no translation to do, well, it's a very easy afternoon. and believe me, i don't feel guilty of doing nothing. what happen to me? i want to be actively in work, but since this is not what i had thought. everyone says if you had nothing to do, just msn or hang around. but i know they might rat on you. so maybe it's better to keep on pretending. seems nobody cares. that's pathetic.
it's raining, how sad. what a gloomy friday to live.


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10/11/2007

the loneliness among people

what is the beauty of being alone?
for my current situation, i think the beautiful point about being alone is do anything i want, without any obligation and duties. going to lunch alone, hanging in the night market alone, traveling alone and always taking photos without myself. that's the beauty of loneliness. i have cats but i can't talk to them. how is that possible to think that cats (or pets) can be one's companions after thinking that these cats might just eat your corpse if you had a sudden death. you flesh is their companion, the best canned food they can find.
do i resent being alone? no, it's been a while that i enjoy the total solitude, to myself only, and accept it. drinking coffee alone in the cafe and enjoy the happiness of being neglected, enjoy the crowd, and imagine the scent of a pretty woman that has arousing legs. that's the essence of being alone. living alone is not that you hate others or vice versa, it's an attitude inside you.


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10/10/2007

what does it take to be a good translator?

i love doing translation work, and i have studied in this field for almost a decade. and sometimes i still don't think my learning is sufficient for me to be a worthy translator. while i am doing my translation job in the company, i keep thinking are there other possibilities that i can refine my translation skills? the answer might be fuzzy, since the only way i can think of is practice. and practice makes perfect, isn't it? no so, after i reflect all these years in the field.
what does it take to be a good translator? personality does matter.and the most important thing is not to consider myself as a translator, rather i should pretend as a students in the university of society. yes, learning is the key to be a better translator, but keep learning is what it takes to be good at playing with words.



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10/07/2007

颱風過後

颱風肆虐,留下一地屍體
許多樹木不堪強風攻擊,連根的失去土地的保護
倒在路旁奄奄一息,等待人類的救援
可是倒地的樹木就像發生車禍的人類,沒有人當作一回事,沒有人緊急處理
因為肇事者已經逃逸
上班尖峰的時刻,汽機車照樣呼嘯而過,行人繞道而行
而清潔隊員則在鄰近的仁愛路上修剪行道樹
切割樟樹已吹斷落地的屍體
風不吹,樹木沈靜不語
這個星期一的早晨很悲傷
我為樹木哀悼!!


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10/04/2007

再聽聽樹在說啥?

看完夏曼‧藍波安的《航海家的臉》,我似乎開始對草啊、樹的有更多的關注。
強颱即將來臨,剛剛走在辦公大樓第十四層往下聽著樟樹在起鬨。
因為中午去買午餐時,看到副總統官邸周圍的警察說:有線報說這裡有爆裂物。
一邊買著午餐一邊看著警察神色焦急的搜查停在周圍的汽車,將臉貼在車窗上,好似小偷。
買回午餐,買樓下看發現有更多警察和保安人員在四周圍走動,真是放假前的好戲。
讓我看的不亦樂乎!

樟樹被風吹拂,或許在嘲笑這些人,根本只是虛驚一場。
他們在笑著,叫著看著這些警察,希望颱風大一點把官邸吹倒,那就更有好戲看囉!



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風在說話

颱風又要來

早上在上班的路上,聽見仁愛路上的樟樹跟我說話
叫我打起精神來,不要被生活的的無奈壓倒
雖然生命是毫無意義的,可是只要還活著就要好好讓自己過著有異議的日子
樟樹這樣跟我講
無情的大風把他的頭髮吹亂了
也吹的他彎下腰來
希望颱風過後還可以看過他
聽他說的話




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9/27/2007

科學新知

最近科機網站紛紛報導有關 space tether 的新聞,關心一下科學的進程吧。
clipped from sa.ylib.com
太空飛行纜索
應用基本物理定律產生的動力,
乘著纜索即可在太空飛行,
火箭推進將不再是唯一的選擇。

 blog it

9/23/2007

街頭霸王搞歌劇?

超喜歡街頭霸王的音樂
真希望我也可以去看這場西遊記


歌劇《西遊記》曼徹斯特國際藝術節上大受好評
http://big5.china.com.cn/culture/txt/2007-07/15/content_8527633.htm

四天連假

中秋節的四天連假
感覺應該是可以好好休息的
可是沒想到,似乎事情也是很多的
首先要擦地拖地,這可能只會耗去一個小時
可是當你有兩隻貓拼命追著掃把和拖把跑的時候,這就很累了
有時候,地板還沒乾,貓咪衝過來攻擊拖把
結果滑倒,撞翻了自己的水盆和飼料盆,反而又得再重新掃
這樣子掃地其實很累呀

然後,還要去買菜買水果
上網下載影片,看書,寫東西,發呆,聊天
更煩的是還有兼差翻譯稿和更新兼差的履歷
一大堆事情,其實四天的假期並不多
說不訂有些人玩了四天,說不定比上班的時候還累
所以呀,到底為啥要放假呢?



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