Monday, April 4, 2005
I haven't seemed writing anything I wanted.
Will be going to Nagoya again for the EXPO. Tried to contact someone I knew through the net who live nearby to see if we can meet up at Nagoya. Still haven't got the reply yet. I wonder where I can go in Nagoya.
Rented a car on last weekend. Saturday we dropped by at my Japanese teacher's house. She is a mystery to me, even now. For all the while she only weighs 29 kg, was born in America may be about 70 years ago because of her mother was sent to America at that time. I didn't ask the reason as we were sort of in a rush. Then the husband brought out some baked apple for us.
It was lovely. Later we headed to a friend's house who partied for us on celebration of Shion's birth. There we had lots of wine and lots of food.
I Wish Someone Were Waiting For Me Somewhere
Monday, April 4, 2005
I Wish Someone Were Waiting For Me Somewhere. Originally French short stories, by Anna Gavalda. Read it in Japanese. Good. Recommended. She is good in story-telling I think. And her observation of life is interesting as well.
Wished I could read French.
Spring is In Her Full Blossom
Tuesday, April 5, 2005
Two weeks ago, I was trying to get the kids to do some gardening at our small and cozy veranda. Now the plant is in her full blossom.
Getting the kids to put the seed into the soil was easy, but they just threw almost the whole package in it at the end. And—from the picture, as you can see—it seems so packed in the tiny bucket. Got to spread it out into other buckets, I guess.
And I also fogot what seed I bought.
Well, Just for fun. If it comes out right, we will have it on the dinner table, if not, let's just enjoy spring!
Cherry will in her full blossom on the weekend.
She is Always There For Me
Wednesday, April 6, 2005
On my way to the office this morning, there was a sakura tree in front of a primary school. This tree has been the first sign for me to know when the cherry blossom. It's been doing its job for 6 years since I know its existance, silently. When the season comes, I know school is going to start its new year, for many kids, and for myself.
I wonder how long will this lasts.
She's the One
Sunday, April 10, 2005
She's the One (1996), by Jennifer Aniston (Friends), Maxine Bahns, Cameron Diaz, and Edward Burns (also director of the film). This movie gives me an image of, it is best viewed on a lazy late afternoon or on a weekend, when one doesn't have much things to do, trying to kill time.
The story isn't romantic, the best part of the whole movie may be is in its conversation. It reflects perhaps a generation, but not a contemporary one. The characters aren't real, but it's just nice to be viewed as a less than 2 hours movie at home.
Plum Wine
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Last year in June, I homemade plum wine.
Technically, there wasn't much creative work. Everything you can get at any local supermarket. They even have a special corner so that you don't have to run around to look for it, all in one.
I haven't drunk it yet until recently. While trying to get some wines for friends but couldn't afford to buy good ones, so I decided to get two bottles and filled with my own plum wine. As a gift, I think it means much more than the wines that I can get from stores.
Wines are difficult. I still cannot really figure it out what sort of wine is considered good and what is not. Experience counts, may be.
Personal Interest on Journalism
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Just found the site recently. For I have no clear definition of journalism, it is hard to say anything. But, there is something I have been wondering all the while. The difference between the thinking of "truth" in English and Japanese. To make it ratehr complicated, the thinking in Chinese is different.
All it bases on is, the culture behind the people who uses the languages. I might need to figure out what I think of journalism first.
Fried Beehoon, Filemaker, and Bali Island
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
I cooked fried beehoon. This was in last January on a weekend. The office I paid a visit to was a friend of mine who I knew through Filemaker mailing list, a database software. They helped me a lot in learning the software, and also to understand the concept of database. I wanted to do something in return, so I decided to cook. I learned also that there aren't many restaurants or places to get food on weekend nearby the office. That's why I fried beehoon for them, and chicken curry as well.
We had a long long chat. I questioned a lot; how to sort the digital photos with filemaker, how to do some automation with calculation etc.
For instance, when I see a photo, there is a date shows when it was taken. And I want to know how old is my kid at that time. That's why. When kids are still little baby, the culculation of age basically "month-old" rather than year-old. But the thing is, each month has different days, that's why it makes the calculation a bit complicated. Anyway, I still need time to sort it out.
So, at the office, there was a part-time girl—young but married though—who are very good in geography, apparently. So, they were talking about which is bigger between Japan and Malaysia. And later, the conversation went on to the question of where Bali island locates.
"Isn't it between Sumatra and Jakarta?" I questioned, that was what I thought, so I said as I thought.
"How can it be? It's on the right of Jakarta." Said the expert.
Somehow someone said, "Malaysian should know better than you."
Well, thank you, but, the fact is I have no idea.
So, there comes the google. And the map, and Bali island. Oh, damn it, move left Bali! Arrrrrrhhhhh. Hitting my body on the wall, I wished I could be a ninja. Or let me camouflaged into the floor.
The girl was nice, she tried to follow-up by saying, "Perhaps if you have went there before, at least you have an idea where it is."
Banging my head on the wall harder, I said, "Even if I have been there, I don't think I can tell." The fact was, I have been to Bali. Arrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhh. The next question, if it were to asked about draw them a map of Malaysia, my, a second before I already got an appointment.
"Excuse me, I just realised that I got an appointment, and I really have to go now, immediately. Bye." And jump out of the office, into the sky like a superman.
I still wonder sometime. Why my secondary school geography teacher always gave me a headache.
She Starts Her Community Life
Friday, April 15, 2005
So, last Monday was Erin's first day to kindergarden. Ceremony. Suit. Tie. Tension. And some uncertainty.
When asked to sit in the hall, she has no friends, only a boy who lives next door. She is very sociable anytime anywhere. But, my, was she nervous on this day, I could tell. All the parents were to stand at the back or at both sides of the hall, she thought we had gone home leaving herself there, crying as if I just passed away. I couldn't let her just "learn to grow" on herself, went hug her and tried to be with her for the whole ceremony. That was a moment of pain, seeing her crying. It really hurts parent's heart. Seeing the kids have to learn to struggle to survive in a society—though that's the way it is and should be—but still. She has such a long battling-field ahead.
I am not sure what that sort of pain is categorised, somewhat, it continued for a couple of days in me. Thinking of the kids growing up fast, and one day all these memories are going to fake out with the friction against time, it depresses me.
Perhaps, it is some "growing pain" for a parent.
The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain
Monday, April 18, 2005
That's really a damn long one title. Well, the title tells the whole story already. But, it's worth a see. I like the wittiness, the little little jokes that aren't obvious but only those who know will know.
A movie by Hugh Grant in 1995. A review by Janet Maslin in New York Times writes,
. . . Yes, Mr. Grant is here and he's predictably agile and winsome. But this is a film he agreed to make before "Four Weddings and a Funeral" turned him into box-office catnip, so it's not the star vehicle that might be expected. Very much an ensemble film, "The Englishman" features Mr. Grant in his stammering, blushing, button-down mode, bumping into ceiling beams and playing more of a milquetoast than suits his prospects as a matinee idol. Before comparisons of Hugh and Cary Grant became current, there were Ralph Bellamy roles on this actor's resume, and this is one of them.
. . .
Populated by offbeat minor characters with names like the Twp Twins (Tara FitzGerald plays the shady Betty of Cardiff, brought in to provide the Englishmen with maximum distraction), the film could have had more dash than it does. Mr. Monger, who based his screenplay and novel on a story told to him by his grandfather, keeps it modest and small. His comic timing is short of fine-tuned, with emphasis not always placed where it would work best. Much of the film depends on mannerisms that are overworked after the characters first make themselves known.
Confidence
Monday, April 18, 2005
The movie starts with Ed Burns narration,which I think is a bad idea. Why? He has a voice that is not good for an actor. Not convincing.
To be an actor or a director? I just watched She's the one the other day, so from his performance, I think there may be more ideas for him to do with New York-related theme than go for such hollywood movie. Some says there is no need to have two Woody Allen. But, I think that's not true. There should be more of the type for varieties.
Anyway, so Confidence isn't a great movie. It has a storyline that keeps you entertained till the end, though not an exciting one. Excitement has gone when too much of explanation about how a con[fidence] works.
Something's Gotta Give (2003)
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
I kind of like this movie though I haven't found the right words to express what I feel about the movie. Anyway, will keep that for future.
Written and directed by Nancy Meyers (I need to find out more about this lady). Casts are Jack Nicolson, Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves, Amanda Peet.
Gift From the Sea
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
This is a book I encountered really coincidentally at a bookstore. Author Anne Morrow Lindbergh is really something.
Anne Morrow Lindbergh, the widow of aviator and conservationist Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr., was a noted writer and aviation pioneer.
Born June 22, 1906 in Englewood, New Jersey, Anne Morrow Lindbergh was the daughter of businessman, ambassador, and U.S. Senator Dwight Morrow and poet and women's education advocate Elizabeth Cutter Morrow. Her family spent summers at the seashore: Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod and later on the island of North Haven off the coast of Maine. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Smith College in 1928, and married Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr., on May 27, 1929.
Her view on the American women is something makes me think a lot as well. Conservative yet modern.
The Ladykiller
Thursday, April 21, 2005
The Ladykillers (Touchstone Pictures/Buena Vista). Starring: Tom Hanks, Irma P. Hall, Marlon Wayans, J.K. Simmons, Tzi Ma, Ryan Hurst, George Wallace, Diane Delano, Stephen Root.
For I have not seen Tom Hanks's movie for a while, this reminds me of him how wonderful his acting was. The way he laughed, so devil and funny.
A note on the English. At the beginning, when he wanted to rent a room, he mentioned, I saw there is "rooms to let" sign here blah blah... I thought "rooms to let" was typical British. So, it's not totally so, huh?
Besides Tom Hanks, I think Irma Hall who plays Mrs Munson is wonderful. I start to like the veteran actors/actresses.
Cafepress.com
Thursday, April 21, 2005
There are people who are so crazy about the site. Trying to upload each of their photos and buying at each others' stores. My goodness. Well, the site seems to have done a very good job where it gives all the details they can imagine what the people want and wish for. That makes sense it has become so popular, I guess. Even I thought of put out a shop myself.
The thing is, I have got nothing to sell.
Addicted to Movies in Spring
Sunday, April 24, 2005
DVD is getting cheap from time to time. But, not all of them, of course. Those titles that I want still ranging high.
I am not sure if I will start DVD collections as I don't have the space. Besides, I still think movie is just like index. If you want to know the story in detail—and if there is an original—I will prefere to have the book somehow. Or I most likely will not own it. Well, always the case, perhaps one or two.
Today, I came across a few DVDs, which on a whim, I think of buying it. Not that the movies are outstandingly great, it might due to the spring though, that I decided to pick up You've Got Mail (1998), and Addicted to Love (1997). It was done out of pure caprice, just to tell the truth.
In spring, DVD is my good partner at night on weekend.
Vegetarian Cats
Monday, April 25, 2005
We planted some vegetables at our veranda. Apparently, not only are we looking forward to it, the cats seem to like it.
But, they do have their preferences as well.
They don't like mizuna. Red turnip is their favourite though. The way they chew it, my, I tell you, we might not have our share if we don't act fast.
Catch Me If You Can
Thursday, April 28, 2005
I mistakenly presumed this movie Catch Me If You Can (2002) was a comedy, and also I thought it was "based on a true story" (which wasn't, but inspired by a true story, to be precise) that I refused to see the DVD when it came out.
Somehow, turned out it wasn't a comedy, and in fact a rather serious movie than I imagined, thus the mood to watch a comedy couldn't get handled well and so I needed a drink to really stick my bottom to the cough. It made me feel like a sicked man.
You are supposed to feel, sentimental if not sorry, for the hero. And I swear to god, I have never really think Cappuccino, err, excuse me, DiCaprio is good, but I think with his pathological kind of look—whether it comes from his real family influence or not I have no idea—he does play the character well. I would say good if not excellent.
Comparatively, he is even outshine Tom Hanks to me. I don't mean Hanks isn't great, perhaps it takes some time to catch his expression. Or the way of life he plays in the movie is a generation where I cannot catch well, that's the American family. Or it might also due to my age. Yes, I am still young.
Sue me if you want.
And I recalled when the DVD came out, I was questioning why there are so many people who loves "based on a true story" thingy. How time flies.
The Invisible Circus (2001)
Thursday, April 28, 2005
The Invisible Circus (2001). It's just too hard to understand. What was worth was, the mood that the movies captures of the European classics.
Too invisible that I cannot catch it, may be.
Cameron Diaz, Jordana Brewster, Christopher Eccleston, Blythe Danner, and Camilla Belle (Phoebe, Age 10-12). Belle acted in Practical Magic as well.
Fixed the Blogroll and Want to Add XML, If There is One
Friday, April 29, 2005
I wanted to fix my blogroll, and add "if there is xml."
From Doug Miller's recent post, Fixing the Blogroll, I managed to fix my own blogroll and sort it as I like (as shown on the left corner). It was very helpful.
Now, I would like to add an xml link to it if the site provides it. I have no idea about scripting, so I posted my question to TinderWiki as well.
I created a string attribute for xml, but the XML attribute doesn't work like the URL attribute. Or perhaps my "if statement" is wrong.