Dad's return

Dad returned on Apr. 8,his 60th birthday. Total 10 years he spent in the country that was hot all year long. I guess I only meet him 3 or 4 times during these 10 years. It is great that he has been back but why I am still a bit sad. I don't know why we both desire to explore till we become exhausted. I feel a bit tired but I can't stop. What I need is just a break and some hugs.

Stephan Chow

Stephan Chow and Tony Leung are two popular HK actors during the similar period. While Tony Leung is famous for his charm and perfect annotation of the character's personality, Stephan Chow is well-known for his unique expression of humor. There is no better or worse between them. However, one thing sure is that one can't play the other's role well. I can't imagine Stephan played the role in the "Lust Caution". Maybe he can but it is not a suitable role for him.

Personally I like Stephan Chow a lot. His craze for acting and directing and his creativity and personality greatly attract me. I like his exaggeration and his cheesy jokes. You may not like it but it definitely leaves you deeper impression than many serious movies. When people criticize Andy Lau for his similar personality in each movie, the same group applauded at the vivid but similar personality of Stephan Chow in each of his movie. They believe it is a fashion.

philosophy

All philosophies originate from man’s curiosity of three fundamental questions: Where does the universe come from? Where does man come from? Where will man go to? All philosophies are evolved from myth, which is an imaginative and easy answer to the questions above. However, some people are not satisfied with the explanation and their further explorations create two branches of subject: Philosophy and Science. In my view, they are not conflicting but complementary. Scientists regard the universe comprehensible and separable while philosophers look at the world in a more holistic way.

Philosophy is a research to explain the law of the nature while later people develop the philosophy to understand the society and the relationship, which is a way to keep a harmonious environment.

Religion is a sub-branch of philosophy but it more serves the purpose of controlling people’s minds by telling them that the universe is created and controlled by a holy figure. Christ is a typical example. Different from Christianism, Taoism involves no cult of personality, which makes it more a traditional philosophy.

English

One thing I don't need to worry about is to write in formal English. Actually I can't tell the difference between formal and informal English because all I have learnt from school is formal English. When natives are struggling not to use slangs and colloquial languages in their essays, I spent those time translating my thoughts from Chinese into English.

Yesterday I went to MOMA, a place I can always get some inspirations. Two artists impressed me: Tim Burton, of course, and Maria Abramovic, more an uncanny figure.

Tim Burton is a legend that can manipulate the shape of objects to serve his fascinating thoughts. His pieces can vary from a combination of different animals to a girl with her head in the hand to a blind man with the living eyes. However, most of them suggest a kind of darkness and black humor. The message in his picture or movie can always makes me think deeper or laugh from the bottom of my heart. I admire his imagination and creativity. In my view, his pieces is a vivid exhibition of the exaggerated reality and the exploration of human's weakness in lust and fear in death. In the small exhibition room, you can hear no less than ten exclamations," He is amazing. That's cool!" I can't agree with them more. I am saying to myself, " He is a character."

Maria Abramovic is an artists that I am still trying to understand. She explores the extreme of the human's physical and mental endurance. I should say I have almost reached my extreme when I watched her pieces, especially when I walk through two real naked humans and saw one naked lady hanging in the wall. It is an experience to me.

Union Square is a place full of fun. Today I bought the cranberry apple cider and tasted the red wine made by farmers from the upper NY state. Both taste fresh and unique. Walking in the sunshine along the booths reminded me of my childhood. When I was young, I could spend hours watching salesmen selling fish and vegetables and often forgot to buy the spring onions for mum. Today is a bit special. You can see bunch of people carry pillows. Hah. There comes the "pillow fight", which is probably a festival. You know, NY is never quiet. People always figure out something exciting to spend time.

郁闷中

九局下半