Saturday, October 27, 2007
Along The Ridge
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Prague – Bits and Pieces
The public transportation network in Prague is excellent. The metro, trams and buses are well linked and punctual to schedule. No difficulties at all to understand the operation. A 15-days unlimited pass costs only €12. The underground metro is quite deep, probably that is the reason vibration is not felt on the surface.
Czech cuisine is quite similar to Germans' – smoked pork, grilled pork knee, potato dumpling etc… of course not to miss the goulash. An average meal in the restaurant costs around €6. There are many Chinese restaurants in the city, offering the cheapest foods (value to money) in general, around €4. A local said, it happened once that the authorities found dog meat in the fridge in a Chinese restaurant, since then rumours were spreading and shaking their trust 'cause they are not sure what is served on the dish.
Likewise in Kyustendil (place where I'm staying presently), many Vietnamese were around in the last decade. My local colleague said ever since their settlement in the town, the amount of stray dogs and cats were reduced drastically… I thought he was joking, probably I could link up both cases. Well, no comment, I never try dog meat.
Czech beers are good.
Hospitality
In the pub, I could feel certain coldness against Asians (not hostile). So as when I was in the shopping mall and railway station, my questions had been responded in Czech language without a hint of smile on their face. I'm quite annoyed to such attitude. Maybe I was wrong, could have categorized them individually instead. During this short trip, I didn't really mingle much with the locals, couldn't judge better the general attitude of Czech to Asians. Don’t get me wrong, my trip was fun and enjoyable, and met many helpful people too.
Snow Clad Mountain
First Snow
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Prague

Friday, October 05, 2007
Laying Off
This morning I handed over a pair of brand new safety shoes to him, I could see his happiness blossomed. But the moment we announced our decision, a glimpse of upset surfaced. Personally I feel sorry for him, he is lacking of self confidence and fresh to the society. I understand everyone must be given chance to learn and experience new things, somehow working environment is uncompromising. Who would like to be fired? Hope this won't shake his confidence.
He regained his composure, and we shook hands, exchanged a few formal sentences. The feeling was unpleasant for both of us. Good luck boy!
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Transformers
Longing and carrying big hope to recall my childhood's biggest idol, but something has gone wrong somehow. Possibly my expectation was too high, the movie does not satisfy me. The computer graphic is no doubt exciting, but the screenplay is weak. Too much unnecessary comedic touch but not humorous; the relative size of the transformers are varying from one scene to another; civilians were running wild in the midst of battling scenes; the sound effect was not "roaring" or forcefully compact; and and and……Internet Radio
Tuning in to the internet radio is the first thing I do after booting up my computer lately… and of course I occupy the bandwidth… feel a little bit guilty, hehe,… a good example of technology abuse…
The link below displays lists of available radio stations in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.
http://live-radio.blogspot.com/
Friday, September 28, 2007
Inventor of Corruption
Sorry for this lady for giving such irresponsible cum unprofessional statement in the public. Being a reputable senator, her statement only shows that she is ignorant and unqualified to be a leader. Absolutely groundless and non-sensible. She is trying to put China as the scapegoat to the deep rooted corruption culture in Philippines. Her bet is destined to fail (she will apologize to the Embassy of PR China on this issue), but for sure it has bought her some fanatic support from the grass root level.
Years ago, a Filipino friend gave me the same comment. I thought it was only his personal foolish opinion. Guess I'm wrong, some of them do have this idea in mind.
Just want to say… we couldn't force someone to do something against his will.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
The Bourne Ultimatum
This movie is marvellous! The action packed scenes keep me holding breath throughout. The close combat and car chasing stunt are pleasing. The screenplay has been slightly modified from the original novel of Robert Ludlum. The trilogy of Bourne ("The Bourne Identity", "The Bourne Supremacy" and "The Bourne Ultimatum") are the best stories he has written. Rest of his books are not really remarkable.Matt Demon, one of my favourite actors, stylish as usual. But I prefer his other drama like "The Talented Mr.Ripley" and "Good Will Hunting".
Friday, September 21, 2007
James Blunt – All The Lost Souls
Veliko Tarnovo

Goshhh… beautiful! The city is based along a ridge above Yantra River, which winds in a horseshoe bend between 4 hills. The old quarter is neat, packed with shops and alfresco café. Felt kind of simmering in medieval atmosphere.

At the end of old quarter, over the corner, a magnificent view of Tsarevets Fortress display in front of us. The size is not big, it was destroyed when fell to the Turks in 1393. Mostly ruins remain nowadays, while the Royal Palace is under renovation.

Patriarch's Church (extensively restored) is standing on top of the complex. The exterior of this small church is nothing attractive, but the interior is truly impressive. The walls are fully decorated with modern arts murals, which outline Bulgarian history in the 14th and 15th centuries (of course I couldn't understand it). Such painting is very uncommon in any church, was deeply obsessed.
We didn't stay long because there was another 5 hr drive back to Kyustendil. Definitely I would like to visit again during winter to see this once capital (3rd in history) of Bulgaria in snow coating.
Veliko Tarnovo is my #1 pick in Bulgaria, till now.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Black Sea Trip
Grabbed the opportunity of having 4 straight days off, 2 colleagues and I made a trip to Black Sea – Varna. The climate didn't turn out sunny, windy chill instead. Anyway our program was simply too packed to relax ourselves on the beach.
The beaches on Varna are disappointedly narrow and far from first class standard. Sunbathers moved further out of the city to find better beach and cleaner sand. After all we came here for fun, foods and entertainments were important to us.

Rest of the tourist spots like Roman Thermae does not catch my interest.

Striptease show is legal business in Bulgaria. We took the chance to explore a bar named Playboy. The beverage expenses are not high indeed, say double the charges of disco plus entrance fees of €2.50. Atmosphere was sexy, with hip-hop music background, the performers staged and danced seductively but not lusty. The strippers didn't remove the last piece of cloth around their hips.
Without invitation, one fairly stocky lady (compared to my body size) sat beside me. She offered to dance with me, or dance for us. Hey, I know well each dance will charge additional on our bill. Politely I turned down her offer and said, "I just want to stay here and watch nice ladies."
"This club does not offer only for watching," she answered and left us alone. Did she imply that we must be more initiative and give more orders, or she meant we are not generous? I didn't care. ½ hr later, another real good looking lady approached us and offered the same. Again, we turned down her offer.
Out of curiosity, while checking the bill, we inquired the "service charge" of the lady. The manager gave us their rate of €100 per hour!!! Goodness! This is equivalent to the monthly salary of a local labour in Bulgaria.
Balchik


Approx. 30km north of Varna. Jokingly I refer it as the short form of "Bulgarian Chic". I endow a new meaning to this name but it doesn't convince me to return for 2nd visit. This town is much quieter than Varna. It has no good beach either, but packed with tourists seeking relaxing atmosphere, no short of good hotels and restaurants. The Summer Palace of Queen Marie and Botanical Gardens are the main attractions, but they are small and not exceptionally beautiful.
Albena
Claimed to be the most organized resorts in Bulgaria, the beaches here are clean, dotted with hotels constructed during the communism era, and in similar design. Plenty of retirees join cheap tour packages from western Europe. The nightlife is less lively compared to Varna, not my cup of tea.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Job Offer
After Work
2nd Letter From My Sponsored Kid
Busy
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
Islamic State / Secular State
The recent announcement of the Deputy PM cited that Malaysia indeed is an Islamic state. What is his intention to bring up this issue while Malaysia is going to celebrate the coming 50th independence anniversary? Being one of the most respectful politicians in Malaysia, his statement for sure receive resonant echo from the fanatic voices. Meanwhile, our PM, as of his common practice, does not interfere to silence the dispute, guess he would let this issue boiling for a longer period. In case of the protest is mild, Malaysia would be crowned as Islamic state officially. Otherwise the present status being recognized as secular state would be remained for a slightly longer term and does no harm to the majority Malay ethnic.
Probably this is another dirty trick of politics to divert the concentration of non ruling parties from the more desperate crucial topics like NEP (New Economy Plan).
2 week ago former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan publicly praised Malaysian government for their efficient effort in managing the multi racial society, which should be consider as a successful model to other countries. He must be blind(folded) and did not see the real event. What should we expect to hear from this Diplomat? If he doesn’t know the background, pls shut up!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Professional
Friday, July 06, 2007
1st Reply
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Irresistible
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Survey
The main idea I planned this trip was to experience and understand the site works, would be useful to manage the project.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
The Satanic Verses
I read the controversial novel "The Satanic Verses", frankly I have stopped flipping the pages after going through 1/3 of the book. The story was so dull (do not expect any commercial element). A simple topic occupied pages to describe the details. Secondly my English level is simply too poor to understand his powerful vocabularies, causing me losing interest on it.
P/S: I do not know which part of the novel has committed blasphemy against Islam…
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Minimum Wages
Highest : Luxembourg (€1570), Ireland (€1403), UK (€1361)
Lowest : Bulgaria (€92), Romania (€114), Latvia (€172)
I do admit the life in Bulgaria is cheap (comparatively), therefore it is advisable to travel to the east bloc countries before the living standard soaring high.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
粤剧
今天上网看到了这熟悉的名字-唐涤生,察看了他的资料。原来他对粤剧影响重大,可惜在四十三岁就逝世了。我只对两段粤剧有兴趣-《帝女花之香夭》以及《紫钗记之剑合钗圆》。曲词皆佳不落俗套。
《帝女花之香夭》
女:落花滿天蔽月光 借一杯附薦鳳台上
帝女花帶淚上香 願喪生回謝爹娘
偷偷看 偷偷望 佢帶淚帶淚暗悲傷
我半帶驚惶 怕駙馬惜鸞鳳配
不甘殉愛伴我臨泉壤
男:寸心盼望能同合葬 鴛鴦侶相偎傍
泉台上再設新房
地府陰司裡再覓那平陽門巷
女:唉惜花者甘殉葬
花燭夜 難為駙馬飲砒霜
男:江山悲災劫 感先帝恩千丈
與妻雙雙叩問帝安
女:唉盼得花燭共諧白髮
誰個願看花燭翻血浪
唉我誤君累你同埋蒘網
好應盡禮揖花燭深深拜
再合巹交杯墓穴作新房
待千秋歌讚註駙馬在靈牌上
男:將柳蔭當做芙蓉帳
明朝駙馬看新娘
夜半挑燈有心作窺妝
女:地老天荒情鳳永配痴凰
願與夫婿共拜相交杯舉案
男:遞過金杯慢咽輕嘗
將砒霜帶淚放落葡萄上
女:合歡與君醉夢鄉
男:碰杯共到夜台上
女:百花冠替代殮裝
男:駙馬珈墳墓收藏
女:相擁抱
男:相偎傍
合:雙枝有樹透露帝女香
男:帝女花
女:長伴有心郎
合:夫妻死去与樹也同模樣
《紫钗记之剑合钗圆》
李益:雾月夜抱泣落红,险些破碎了灯钗梦。唤魂句,频频唤句卿须记取再重逢。叹病染芳躯不禁摇动,重似望夫山半崎带病容。千般话犹在未语中,心惊燕好皆变空。
(喊白)小玉妻。
小玉:处处仙音飘飘送,暗惊夜台露冻。雠共怨待向阴司控。听风吹翠竹,昏灯照影印廉拢。
(序白)雾夜少东风,是谁个扶飞柳絮,
李益:是十郎扶你,
小玉:生不如死,何用李君关注。
李益:愿天折李十郎,休使爱妻多病痛。
(序白)剑合钗圆,有生一日都望一日呀,
(续唱)并头莲亦有根基种,权势尽看轻只知爱情重,与你做过夫妻胜梁鸿。
小玉:坟墓里可尽失相思痛,憎哭声,喊声将霍小玉叫回俗世中。
(序白)生生生,我虽生何所用呢,
(续唱)你再配了丹山凤。把白玉箫再弄。则怕你红啼绿怨,由来旧爱新欢两边也难容。祝君再结鸳鸯梦。我愿乞半穴坟,珊珊瘦骨归墓冢。
李益:云罩月更迷濛,是谁个误泄风声播送,瑶台未有奇逢。
小玉:你既非负心,胜业坊与太尉府只是一街之隔,你胡不归来。
李益:泪穷力竭严如落网归鸦困身有玉笼,一朝翅折了怎生飞动。
小玉:谁信你,想你见我变卖头上紫钗,已知我今非昔比,我想那卢家小姐,
(接唱)佢在你乘龙日半绕盘龙髻,插玉燕钗腰肢款摆上画阁中,投怀向君弄髻描容,佢斜泛眼波,微露笑窝,将君轻轻碰。指玉燕珠钗不惜金买来耀吓威风。
(白)你又可知新人髻上钗,会向旧人心上刺。
李益:郎未变爱,针锋相迫刺郎未免阴功。
小玉:我典珠卖钗,以身待君,盼君望君,醉君梦君,你到今竟再婚折害侬。
李益:盟誓永珍重。我未负你恩义隆。枕边爱有千斤重。大丈夫处世做人,应知爱妻兼尽忠。
小玉:真既,(接唱)既尽爱何以未洁身自重。
李益:咪再错翻醋雨酸风,当知衷心隐痛。
小玉:侯氏报消息那有不忠。
李益:经拒婚摧恶梦。
小玉:未信君你入赘绣阁,敢拒附凤与攀龙。
李益:十郎未惯同床异梦,更忆小玉恩深重。
小玉:柳底问有摺摺薰风,且听君将在颂。
李益:日挂中天格外红,月缺终须有弥缝。
(序白)千差万错,错在我吹台赋诗,有不上望京楼之句,
(续唱)佢便借诗中意谣言惑众,有心逼我乘龙。玉燕钗又再相逢,我誓死不向遣贵附从,吞钗拒婚拚命送。
小玉: 十郎十郎, 你可曾為我吞釵拒婚, 不慕權貴.十郎, 若是真情以釵還我, 自釵燕失春風, 憔悴不出眾,我再將紫釵弄漸露笑容, 玉潔冰清那許有裂縫, 今宵壓髻有紫釵用.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
The Italian
The little actor is truly adorable, but the director has endowed the character a far matured thinking. This Russian movie is not bad.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
WiTricity
Yesterday the newspapers worldwide reported that the scientist at MIT has successfully demonstrated this significant breakthrough based on the concept of magnetically coupled resonance instead of electromagnet radiation. They have dubbed it "WiTricity".
When this technology turns matured and commercialized, that's the time I have to look for new job.





