I go where the fate leads me.
After today, I had another role change in my job. I still hold the same title and work in the same team, but the role that I am responsible is completely changed.
There had been some priority changes to the team because of the latest budget cut. It was unfortunate given I just joined the team on 18th October. I was told I would be reuniting with Linda, whom I worked for in 2007, to give her a hand more like 6 months. Good old days. I am happy frankly, after reuniting with Paul earlier. It's like the old team's back now.
Since I'll be working on premier again, I am going back to my comfort zone, which is also positive to certain extent as I am still adjusting from being in a branch role to this more IT-oriented one, getting back into the comfort zone would help in this transition too.
Perhaps this is fate. Many many times I said I do not believe in god(s), I do believe in fate however. After 6 months, who knows what's going to happen. Right?
2010年11月10日星期三
2010年11月6日星期六
Blog entries pending...
I have now got about 10 entries pending to be posted on this blog. They are my travel journals with photos. So far, I have posted just one of them. Sometimes it's just hard to get my mind straight and finish all these pending tasks. Body is tired. Mind is exhausted.
Even now, I have time to write these things because I am travelling on an MTR train! Watched 'The Social Network' this morning. Was hoping I were same young as those folks... Had the time to work on those interesting business ideas and stuff... But I am not like that now.
But is it because I am just 10 years older than them then I lost all the energy? Don't think so. It's more like about motivation. Gotta get those out. I want to switch my old mode back. Not the one I look like now. Someone please help.
Even now, I have time to write these things because I am travelling on an MTR train! Watched 'The Social Network' this morning. Was hoping I were same young as those folks... Had the time to work on those interesting business ideas and stuff... But I am not like that now.
But is it because I am just 10 years older than them then I lost all the energy? Don't think so. It's more like about motivation. Gotta get those out. I want to switch my old mode back. Not the one I look like now. Someone please help.
New start...
Again, it's been another while since I last updated this blog, since I came back from Europe.
Well, this is almost the exactly same cycle I went through every time I switched to a new role. Yes - I have just started a new role after I came back from Europe.
Remember I mentioned in my blog that I can now update my blog while I am travelling to or from work. The weird thing is, now, I don't have to travel much. My team is pilotting an agressive way of home working. We are required to come in the office only twice a week. We can stay and work at home for the remaining 3 days. So, the chance of me updating the blog while travelling is diminishing.
I have started my new role for 3 weeks. However, I met my teammates 6 times. How weird is that?! I am still adjusting myself to it with limited progress. The benefits of home working to my personal life is obvious. At least, I go to gym 2 times a week in the morning. Quite a healthy way of living I guess. Work-wise, I am not sure - it's hard to concentrate for 8 hours in a row at home. That's where I need a bit adjustment.
We'll see to that.
Well, this is almost the exactly same cycle I went through every time I switched to a new role. Yes - I have just started a new role after I came back from Europe.
Remember I mentioned in my blog that I can now update my blog while I am travelling to or from work. The weird thing is, now, I don't have to travel much. My team is pilotting an agressive way of home working. We are required to come in the office only twice a week. We can stay and work at home for the remaining 3 days. So, the chance of me updating the blog while travelling is diminishing.
I have started my new role for 3 weeks. However, I met my teammates 6 times. How weird is that?! I am still adjusting myself to it with limited progress. The benefits of home working to my personal life is obvious. At least, I go to gym 2 times a week in the morning. Quite a healthy way of living I guess. Work-wise, I am not sure - it's hard to concentrate for 8 hours in a row at home. That's where I need a bit adjustment.
We'll see to that.
2010年10月19日星期二
France & Iberia trip - day 1
我終於有些空閒寫這篇西歐旅程day 1的entry了，其實今天已經是day 6，此刻正身處由巴塞羅那往塞維爾的高速火車上，還有三個半小時才到達目的地，正好讓我重整一下這幾天的旅程。
我們在歐洲的第一站是巴黎，一個我從未到過的地方，倒是candy來過一次。
我們住在巴黎一個叫做le Halle的地方，與龐比度藝術中心只是兩條街之隔，雖然酒店簡陋，但論位置卻有一百分。亦因為地利之便，我們便先到龐比度一走，當日是星期二，博物館都沒有開放，我們只是在門口前拍照留念罷了，不過龐比度出格的建築風格依然讓人留下很深的印象。
累了，由大清早到埗一直到傍晚，加上時差影響，也太辛苦了。
我們在歐洲的第一站是巴黎，一個我從未到過的地方，倒是candy來過一次。
我們住在巴黎一個叫做le Halle的地方，與龐比度藝術中心只是兩條街之隔，雖然酒店簡陋，但論位置卻有一百分。亦因為地利之便，我們便先到龐比度一走，當日是星期二，博物館都沒有開放，我們只是在門口前拍照留念罷了，不過龐比度出格的建築風格依然讓人留下很深的印象。
從龐比度往塞納河方向走，先經過華麗的巿政廳，然後過橋便能看見聖母大教堂。wow! 果然有令人眼前一亮嘅感覺，而參觀嘅人亦都唔少，我哋仲見到對喺度影婚紗相嘅疑似香港情侶呢，相信效果一定很不錯。
 |
| 市政廳 |
 |
| 像HMV一樣可以試聽，很前衛。 |
一直沿河走着走着，碩大宏偉的羅浮宮出現在眼前。因為那天是星期二，博物館都關閉了，羅浮宮當然也不例外，不過我們也藉此機會，趁着這天人流不多而拍了不少不錯的照片。平時羅浮宮人頭湧湧，那天有此機會亦屬難得。
從羅浮宮出發，我們沿著香榭麗舍大道往凱旋門方向走。很難說那是否一個錯誤決定，路很長就是了，一走便走了應該有超過三十分鐘的。途中經過了騎士凱旋門、杜樂麗宮、協和廣場和購物街等景點，所以，也不能說是錯誤，有點累倒是對的。
碰巧當日有些儀式在凱旋門進行，不能到凱旋門的頂層好好的看看巴黎的規劃。我們只好在拱門下方欣賞一下如斯壯麗的建築了。也沒什麼辦法，明天再來好了，從艾菲爾鐵塔過來也不遠呢。
累了，由大清早到埗一直到傍晚，加上時差影響，也太辛苦了。
第一天應該要好好地休息的！
2010年10月18日星期一
France & Iberia Trip Summary
Finally, we are back!!!
Still haven't got the time to manage the 1000+ photos I took during the trip. In the meantime, let me try to get a summary of the cities we travelled here:
1. Paris
2. Marseille
3. Avignon
4. Arles
5. Barcelona
6. Seville
7. Cordoba
8. Madrid
9. Toledo
10. Lisbon
It's hard to imagine how we visited 10 cities in 11.5 days. Definitely not easy and it was also hard to cover the whole city with limited time. But we managed to see as much as we can, while taking some time off for some great lunches and dinners. This is why I am proud of ourselves.
If we have some leisure time in Europe later, very likely we will visit some of the cities soon. :)
Still haven't got the time to manage the 1000+ photos I took during the trip. In the meantime, let me try to get a summary of the cities we travelled here:
1. Paris
2. Marseille
3. Avignon
4. Arles
5. Barcelona
6. Seville
7. Cordoba
8. Madrid
9. Toledo
10. Lisbon
It's hard to imagine how we visited 10 cities in 11.5 days. Definitely not easy and it was also hard to cover the whole city with limited time. But we managed to see as much as we can, while taking some time off for some great lunches and dinners. This is why I am proud of ourselves.
If we have some leisure time in Europe later, very likely we will visit some of the cities soon. :)
2010年10月4日星期一
15 hours to France
On my way to the airport now.
Just finished my blog entry of my taiwan trip when riding the airport bus. That's why I hail the success of mobile blog device. It did help kill the hour of travel time...
For this trip, Candy and I are carrying a 65L backpack, a hand-carry sized suitcase and 2 handbags. I realised just now how long time I haven't used my bakpack... Probably since my trip back from the baltics tigers in 2008. Sinc then I haven't really been on any rough trip at all. Of course, my coming Europe trip is not gonna be a rough trip. However, it will take us travelling across several cities. A backpack would be more convenient.
I do love carrying my backpack for travel. It gives you the feeling on being on a adventurous trip and a bit of nostalgia. Simply put, it feels great! Hope I will use it more often afterwards :)
Just finished my blog entry of my taiwan trip when riding the airport bus. That's why I hail the success of mobile blog device. It did help kill the hour of travel time...
For this trip, Candy and I are carrying a 65L backpack, a hand-carry sized suitcase and 2 handbags. I realised just now how long time I haven't used my bakpack... Probably since my trip back from the baltics tigers in 2008. Sinc then I haven't really been on any rough trip at all. Of course, my coming Europe trip is not gonna be a rough trip. However, it will take us travelling across several cities. A backpack would be more convenient.
I do love carrying my backpack for travel. It gives you the feeling on being on a adventurous trip and a bit of nostalgia. Simply put, it feels great! Hope I will use it more often afterwards :)
台北pre-wedding行 - Day 3
由於我們在前一天已經累壞了，這天我們只想輕鬆地過，就簡單吃些好東西，然後到藏愛把照片挑選完，就這樣好了。
計劃的確是這樣的，可是我們並沒有想到挑選照片共用了我們差不多五個小時，三時開始，到離開時已差不多九時了。大概因為我們拍的照片多吧，要從五百多張照片中挑一百張，每張都是五選一，很難吧。我們也只是複檢了幾遍便已經天黑了，只能怪光陰似箭吧...
照片挑完了還要修相，把拍得不好的東西都修掉，什麼眼袋、黑眼圈的東西都弄淺一些，諸如此類的。還要等兩個星期才能看第一次修相，檢驗完畢便要修第二次，修畢後還未完，還有相簿的編排，這麼看來，到看得見製成品時，可能已經是聖誕了。
台北四天就這麼過去了。台灣食物依舊保持水準，我們也依舊買了不少圖書，這次我覺得台灣的旅遊書籍水準不錯，很適合Candy的，雖然我還是lonely planet的fans...
下一個trip是法國、西班牙和葡萄牙，兩個星期，不錯吧！:)
計劃的確是這樣的，可是我們並沒有想到挑選照片共用了我們差不多五個小時，三時開始，到離開時已差不多九時了。大概因為我們拍的照片多吧，要從五百多張照片中挑一百張，每張都是五選一，很難吧。我們也只是複檢了幾遍便已經天黑了，只能怪光陰似箭吧...
照片挑完了還要修相，把拍得不好的東西都修掉，什麼眼袋、黑眼圈的東西都弄淺一些，諸如此類的。還要等兩個星期才能看第一次修相，檢驗完畢便要修第二次，修畢後還未完，還有相簿的編排，這麼看來，到看得見製成品時，可能已經是聖誕了。
台北四天就這麼過去了。台灣食物依舊保持水準，我們也依舊買了不少圖書，這次我覺得台灣的旅遊書籍水準不錯，很適合Candy的，雖然我還是lonely planet的fans...
下一個trip是法國、西班牙和葡萄牙，兩個星期，不錯吧！:)
2010年10月3日星期日
看罷狄仁傑之通天帝國 After watching Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame
昨天早上看了電影狄仁傑之通天帝國
感覺上還可以
五星標準來評，它大概是三星的水平吧（雖然Candy覺得有四星）
以偵探故事來說不算曲折
電腦效果算過得去
動作效果就差了一些，都是些簡單的跑跑跳跳和拳來腳去的動作
對狄仁傑的刻劃算深刻，不過對其他人就相對一般
不過這些都不值得我去寫一篇網誌
我覺得有興趣的是戲中對唐朝、武周的描繪
戲中故事發生在神都，即武周稱帝後所遷到的洛陽
我認為有電影裏有兩點是花了不少心機和資源去描繪的
第一點是唐朝、武周的文化多樣性
戲中除漢人外，還有大量的外國住民及使節，甚至連大秦（即羅馬帝國）的使節亦東來訪問，反派沙陀尋下也有非漢人。洛陽裏亦建有印度風格的廟宇，亦曾出現過印度虎和印度的舞妓等等……
這些明顯的刻劃顯然是別有用心，令人覺得唐朝國勢極盛，文化多元。固然，唐朝胡風很盛行，連將來安史之亂中的安祿山也是胡人便可見一斑，而自漢唐以來，史書亦有記載中國使節與印度和波斯及西域諸國相往來，可是，如此過分、突出的渲染卻只能達到反效果，令可信性降低，試問如果大秦真有使節來過，史書又豈能無記載呢？
第二點是洛陽之繁榮。
這點與第一點也有關連
洛陽為隋朝起興建的大運河之中心
水運發達，這也在戲中深刻地表達了
戲中出現的大船何止數百？！
而且戲中的皇城還被大運河所包圍呢！
戲中的皇爺在洛陽城的山上遭伏而亡，他死前曾遠眺洛陽
洛陽的景觀真的非一般的美，還有好幾座異國的寺廟呢
究竟洛陽是否如此繁榮呢？這個我倒是相信的
當然，通天浮屠即使曾經存在，經過兵荒馬亂的年代，今天肯定是找不到了
話說回來，
武則天遷都洛陽後，洛陽在南北大運河的支持下，定位倒似是國內的大都會，
而舊都長安則一直是絲綢之路的起點，這方面在遷都之後應該不會有太大轉變
所以洛陽繁榮我是同意，不過論文化多元，是否長安的代表性更高？
另外，既然談到唐朝胡風甚盛
我也在wikipedia做了一些資料搜集
原來安祿山，即剛才提到發起安史之亂的叛將，以胡人的身份官拜節度使
但所謂的「胡人」究竟有幾「胡」？
原來唐朝有所謂的昭武九姓國，為西域的幾個小國的統稱
安祿山便是昭武九姓國中的康國人
一查之下原來康國竟然在今天烏茲別克的薩馬爾罕
今天你可能接受我們歷史上有匈奴人、蒙古人
但是應該沒想到有烏茲別克人吧
不過如果說是突厥人你又可能有另一種想法
這就是我們人類認知的有趣地方了……
感覺上還可以
五星標準來評，它大概是三星的水平吧（雖然Candy覺得有四星）
以偵探故事來說不算曲折
電腦效果算過得去
動作效果就差了一些，都是些簡單的跑跑跳跳和拳來腳去的動作
對狄仁傑的刻劃算深刻，不過對其他人就相對一般
不過這些都不值得我去寫一篇網誌
我覺得有興趣的是戲中對唐朝、武周的描繪
戲中故事發生在神都，即武周稱帝後所遷到的洛陽
我認為有電影裏有兩點是花了不少心機和資源去描繪的
第一點是唐朝、武周的文化多樣性
戲中除漢人外，還有大量的外國住民及使節，甚至連大秦（即羅馬帝國）的使節亦東來訪問，反派沙陀尋下也有非漢人。洛陽裏亦建有印度風格的廟宇，亦曾出現過印度虎和印度的舞妓等等……
這些明顯的刻劃顯然是別有用心，令人覺得唐朝國勢極盛，文化多元。固然，唐朝胡風很盛行，連將來安史之亂中的安祿山也是胡人便可見一斑，而自漢唐以來，史書亦有記載中國使節與印度和波斯及西域諸國相往來，可是，如此過分、突出的渲染卻只能達到反效果，令可信性降低，試問如果大秦真有使節來過，史書又豈能無記載呢？
第二點是洛陽之繁榮。
這點與第一點也有關連
洛陽為隋朝起興建的大運河之中心
水運發達，這也在戲中深刻地表達了
戲中出現的大船何止數百？！
而且戲中的皇城還被大運河所包圍呢！
戲中的皇爺在洛陽城的山上遭伏而亡，他死前曾遠眺洛陽
洛陽的景觀真的非一般的美，還有好幾座異國的寺廟呢
究竟洛陽是否如此繁榮呢？這個我倒是相信的
當然，通天浮屠即使曾經存在，經過兵荒馬亂的年代，今天肯定是找不到了
話說回來，
武則天遷都洛陽後，洛陽在南北大運河的支持下，定位倒似是國內的大都會，
而舊都長安則一直是絲綢之路的起點，這方面在遷都之後應該不會有太大轉變
所以洛陽繁榮我是同意，不過論文化多元，是否長安的代表性更高？
另外，既然談到唐朝胡風甚盛
我也在wikipedia做了一些資料搜集
原來安祿山，即剛才提到發起安史之亂的叛將，以胡人的身份官拜節度使
但所謂的「胡人」究竟有幾「胡」？
原來唐朝有所謂的昭武九姓國，為西域的幾個小國的統稱
安祿山便是昭武九姓國中的康國人
一查之下原來康國竟然在今天烏茲別克的薩馬爾罕
今天你可能接受我們歷史上有匈奴人、蒙古人
但是應該沒想到有烏茲別克人吧
不過如果說是突厥人你又可能有另一種想法
這就是我們人類認知的有趣地方了……
2010年9月29日星期三
新聞剪報：香港能夠精確打擊高房價四大因素
午飯時在網上看到了這篇從內地學者角度出發的評論
雖然我們香港人依然覺得港府的Ｘ式Ｙ招效用不大
但原來內地人反而覺得香港打擊精確有力，值得借鑒
可想而知，內地房地產市場真的有點混亂和過熱了
話說回來
其實香港政府又真的如文中所說
我們過去處理樓市的經驗和整體的系統配合都有過人之處
也許一眾市民真的不用太悲觀
鼓起信心，面對逆境吧！
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
(內容由新浪北京提供。未經授權,不得轉載。)
雖然我們香港人依然覺得港府的Ｘ式Ｙ招效用不大
但原來內地人反而覺得香港打擊精確有力，值得借鑒
可想而知，內地房地產市場真的有點混亂和過熱了
話說回來
其實香港政府又真的如文中所說
我們過去處理樓市的經驗和整體的系統配合都有過人之處
也許一眾市民真的不用太悲觀
鼓起信心，面對逆境吧！
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
香港能夠精確打擊高房價四大因素
2010-09-06 中國周刊
港府為何能夠精確打擊高房價
同樣的政策,為何在香港可以精確打擊高房價,在內地卻舉步維艱,阻力重重?
李永剛 南京大學教授
為了應對平均樓價快速上升引發的公眾不滿和潛在經濟威脅,近日香港特區政府凌厲出手,聯手財政司、金管局、香港按揭証券公司,以及香港運輸及房屋局等相關機構,一舉推出多項政策,主要包括:禁止炒賣一手樓花等投機交易,提高首付比例,提升按揭供款對收入的比率等。久經樓市調控考驗的內地百姓,對這些舉措毫不陌生。但令人疑惑的是,同樣的政策,為何在香港可以精確打擊高房價,在內地卻舉步維艱,阻力重重?
基于直觀經驗的偷懶答案可能是,香港乃彈丸之地,只有700萬人口,每年供應的新樓才數千個單位。而內地情況複雜,人口眾多,單是北京平均一年的房產交易量就有27萬套。管小家易,治大國難。不過,我們可以暫時抑制"國情特殊論"的無可奈何心態,深入樓市治理的諸多環節去探究比對,也許仍能得到有意義的啟示。
首先,港府並沒有急切的土地財政壓力,在經濟社會的協調穩定發展中掙錢才是主導觀念。經過數十年的現代化起飛,香港已經走過了財政焦慮和收入飢渴的歷史階段。由于城市化早已成型,需要大手筆開銷的建設項目相對較少,因此,不僅在理財方面持穩健取向,不輕易擴張赤字;在斂財方面更是十分小心,總的思路是量出為入,以正常的民生需求來估算,夠用就好。在此背景下,如何吸引資本和人才進來,保持競爭優勢,才是政策優先考慮的著力點。土地供給的多與少,則可以跳出入賬的自利考量,使其真正成為調控價格的杠桿。相對而言,內地的地方政府在現行分稅體制下,財政汲取能力不足,而土地收益點石成金,又能夠自主支配,當然不會輕易放過。主管官員受經濟發展績效考核的壓力約束,又被城市建設的巨大投入或空前債務所牽引,無論是出于積極的私心盤算,還是被動的填充窟窿,都很難自我約束。
其次,港府有過樓市崩盤的切膚之痛,相關政策部門對打壓過高房價有基本共識,能夠同心同德,鼎力而為。1997年以前,香港享受了與房價持續走高相伴隨的經濟繁榮。但亞洲金融風暴忽然來襲,之後泡沫破滅,此後又經歷了美國9‧11恐怖襲擊造成的傳染性低迷,以及2003年SARS的打擊,香港經濟飽受折磨,房價十年踏步不前,切膚之痛記憶猶新。港人意識到,盡管土地收益仍是港府重要的收入來源,但保持經濟發展、市場活力和民心安定,才是更為根本的利益所在。當樓市高位運行時,政府有強烈意願出手幹預。在內地,樓市自2003年開始大漲以來,其間只有小小起落,地方政府不僅沒有經歷過慘痛挫敗,反而賺得盤滿缽滿,防範意識明顯不足。再加上地區發展的不平衡效應,超級都市樓價飆升的同時,二、三線城市才剛剛起步,各地並沒有達成調控共識。
再次,港府有卓越的城市管理經驗,基礎數據扎實,配套政策完善,投機者不容易鑽空子。窺一斑可見全豹,有心人只要認真閱讀港府公開的各類統計報告,就不得不佩服他們在"數目字管理"方面所下的硬功夫。不誇張地說,99%的港人擁有多少和多大房屋,位于哪里,價格幾何,港府都能清晰羅列。不僅是房價的整體和局部走勢,甚至連成交個案,也能被公眾知曉。與此相關的是,在精細的稅收監管系統中,越是高收入的人,越被嚴密監察;低收入階層則能獲得小到綜合援助,大到廉租屋和居屋的體恤照顧。在內地,由于跨地區交易和灰色收入的廣泛存在,許多重要數據要麼殘缺不全,要麼背離常識,無法提供有力的決策支持。強勢利益階層還能左右輿論,在政策夾縫中來去自如。
最後,港人有完善的社會保障體系,有豐富的多元投資渠道,不會把寶都壓在住房上。住多大的空間,是否要擁有住房產權,價格能夠承受,主要是通過計算家庭負擔來權衡的技術問題。反過來說,當公共服務匱乏,教育負擔沉重,醫療費用高昂,抗風險能力低下時,民眾對住房及其價格的極度較真,就會成為一個關乎生存權利和利益分配的政治問題。
Poor Russians - Outrageous price of iPad in Russia
At a premium of 46%, with the news of new iPad-like devise from Blackberry and Samsung, will the Russians be interested in getting the not-so-new gadget from Apple?
Holding an iPad looks cool for sure, but at 46% premium?! It'll just heat up the black market I guess...
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-29/apple-to-sell-ipad-in-russia-at-46-premium-next-month-vedomosti-reports.html
Apple to Sell IPad in Russia at 46% Premium, Vedomosti Reports
By Ilya Khrennikov - Sep 29, 2010 1:24 PM GMT+0800
Apple Inc. plans to start selling its new iPad touchscreen computer in Russia on Oct. 11 via retailers including M.Video and Mediamarkt, Vedomosti reported.
The devices will retail for as much as 37,000 rubles ($1,220), or 46 percent more than in the U.S., the Moscow-based newspaper said today.
Holding an iPad looks cool for sure, but at 46% premium?! It'll just heat up the black market I guess...
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-29/apple-to-sell-ipad-in-russia-at-46-premium-next-month-vedomosti-reports.html
Apple to Sell IPad in Russia at 46% Premium, Vedomosti Reports
By Ilya Khrennikov - Sep 29, 2010 1:24 PM GMT+0800
Apple Inc. plans to start selling its new iPad touchscreen computer in Russia on Oct. 11 via retailers including M.Video and Mediamarkt, Vedomosti reported.
The devices will retail for as much as 37,000 rubles ($1,220), or 46 percent more than in the U.S., the Moscow-based newspaper said today.
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