Ray and I went to a trail running event called Trail Running Extravaganza on Saturday 20th August. It was at Riverhead Forest. Ray ran the 9km medium course. I ran the 4km short course.
The trail was muddy at places. There were a few times that my feet were stuck to the mud and I had to pull them out with a lot of effort. In fact, Ray said that he once pulled his leg up and found his foot was out of the shoe and the shoe was stuck in the mud. Our shoes were covered and soaked with mud when we finished the run. [I should put a picture here. I will post it later]
The track I ran is shown on the map in this link.
It was a fun event instead of a competitive event. A theme was to dress up in 80s retro outfit. Some participants did dress up. There were a few men wearing the short shorts, not the type for running. I think they were called stubbies shorts. The runner who got the most attention was a lady who wore a vibrant two-piece. She looked great and she won the best retro outfit prize. And she ran the shortest time for all participants of the 9km course. Ray says now he doesn't believe in having the best gears. The lady is a proof that you can wear an outfit that's not designed for running and still run faster than everybody else. :)
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Aotea 廣場的台灣夜市
前兩天週五週六在 Aotea Square 有個台灣的夜市。現在這些亞洲食物在奧克蘭已經比較常見，沒那麼稀奇了。週五下午去逛的時候我看到最特別的事情是居然是 Hone Harawira ，他是離開毛利黨然後自己組了 Mana 黨的那位國會議員。他穿著一件寫著 Lincoln University 的外套，在攤位區域走，看起來純粹是路過，來這邊看看。有個毛利人看到他，表情驚訝，伸出手跟他握手，講了兩句話之後 Hone 繼續前進。我去問了那個毛利人剛才那人是不是 Harawira 議員，他說就是。我還滿好奇，Harawira 常常表達強烈有民族主義的意見，一直招激進的毛利人的民意，不知道他對於這個場景有什麼感覺。廣場有個毛利名字，是歐洲人建造的，而亞洲人在上面擺攤賣飲食。
這次活動有一小區的台灣童玩，有夜市的打彈珠和射氣球，有捏麵人和扯鈴。最特別的有放了幾尊布袋戲偶，可惜沒有人表演布袋戲。
六點鐘的時候有個紐西蘭的台灣年輕人的樂團表演，一開始先唱了三首比較柔的音樂，原來是吉他手和貝斯手遲到，也許這也是表現台灣文化的一部分？團員到齊以後開始唱搖滾的歌，海角七號那首「無樂不作」。
後來晚上是跟朋友們逛到覺得天氣好冷，結果去隔壁的 Starbucks 喝一杯熱咖啡，坐著和朋友聊天。沒有遮蔽、沒有座位和要排隊會驅散我這種對吃東西很懶惰的人呀。
這次活動有一小區的台灣童玩，有夜市的打彈珠和射氣球，有捏麵人和扯鈴。最特別的有放了幾尊布袋戲偶，可惜沒有人表演布袋戲。
六點鐘的時候有個紐西蘭的台灣年輕人的樂團表演，一開始先唱了三首比較柔的音樂，原來是吉他手和貝斯手遲到，也許這也是表現台灣文化的一部分？團員到齊以後開始唱搖滾的歌，海角七號那首「無樂不作」。
後來晚上是跟朋友們逛到覺得天氣好冷，結果去隔壁的 Starbucks 喝一杯熱咖啡，坐著和朋友聊天。沒有遮蔽、沒有座位和要排隊會驅散我這種對吃東西很懶惰的人呀。
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Go Karting
I went go karting with friends on Sunday. That was my first time kart racing. The steering is different from a normal car. As Ray said, it doesn't have power steering. So it takes more effort to turn. I didn't realize that in the beginning so I bumped into the side of the track in the first lap. Another difference is that it is able to turn much more sharply than a normal car. So it's actually possible to accelerate towards a corner and turn without stepping on the brake much. And it goes faster than I expected. The outdoor extension of the track has a long straight section. I drove really fast there. It was rather bumpy to drive the kart, though.
Apparently I got my best lap time early in the race. It might be because I hadn't figured out that you need to step hard on the brake to decelerate. Also, there was once I was taken by Jest. Then I followed behind him. He was quick around the corners and I didn't manoeuvre well and I drove directly into the fence. My knee hit the kart and it hurt. After that, I drove quite cautiously for a few laps. Maybe that's why my later laps were slower.
I got third place out of six drivers. Not bad, as I don't see myself as a fast or sophisticated driver. The result showed that Jest was the fastest. Although he probably was more skillful as this was the third time he did kart racing this year, we thought he was inconsiderate/沒品 in the manner to get the win. He often bumped other people's karts. He also kept speeding and overtaking when the staff put on the yellow light to signal an incident and required the driver to slow down. Or maybe we're just sour losers :P
That was exciting and fun. However, it was expensive. Luckily we had vouchers so we paid $25 for 20 minutes of racing. The original price was $55, which we probably wouldn't have gone for it.
Apparently I got my best lap time early in the race. It might be because I hadn't figured out that you need to step hard on the brake to decelerate. Also, there was once I was taken by Jest. Then I followed behind him. He was quick around the corners and I didn't manoeuvre well and I drove directly into the fence. My knee hit the kart and it hurt. After that, I drove quite cautiously for a few laps. Maybe that's why my later laps were slower.
I got third place out of six drivers. Not bad, as I don't see myself as a fast or sophisticated driver. The result showed that Jest was the fastest. Although he probably was more skillful as this was the third time he did kart racing this year, we thought he was inconsiderate/沒品 in the manner to get the win. He often bumped other people's karts. He also kept speeding and overtaking when the staff put on the yellow light to signal an incident and required the driver to slow down. Or maybe we're just sour losers :P
That was exciting and fun. However, it was expensive. Luckily we had vouchers so we paid $25 for 20 minutes of racing. The original price was $55, which we probably wouldn't have gone for it.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Matakana Day Trip
We had a day trip in Matakana on 6 August, 2011. We went to Matakana Farmers Market in the morning.
I'm not into buying food from stalls. Nevertheless, I ate a very sugary crepe after waiting for 15 minutes or so. Then I bought a bottle of feijoa & apple juice after tasting a small glass of it. We then went into some shops selling exquisite goods. One that particularly interested me was a stationery shop. There was a man drawing a fairly large piece of paper with a pen. The lines of the drawing looks like they're printed instead of drawn. The man stopped and talked to customers when they were standing besides him and gazing at his work. I think that's quite a special job. He keeps alternating between drawing and explaining.
When we were about to leave the town centre, we walked past this sign and I suggested that people could plank there. Maybe I shouldn't mention that?
Ray got on it and a guy came out of nowhere and posed for the picture. He then told us that he'd plank another way.
After I took the photo, he crossed the road and got back in the car in the petrol station where his mate was waiting. Then they drove away. So he really came over solely for planking with Ray. hehe.
We went to Brick Bay Vineyard and had lunch there. The lunch was a few platters of 下酒菜. We had a bottle of white wine with it. I don't have a photo of that. I was hungry and I just wanted to eat. The food tasted nice but it wasn't filling. So I was light headed because of the alcohol in my still quite empty stomach.
There is a sculpture trail in the vineyard. Friends walked and I staggered (exaggeration) the trail after lunch. There were a few cute ones but not many big spectacular sculptures.
After we left the vineyard, we drove to Warkworth and had a short walk along the river. Then we went back to North Shore.
I'm not into buying food from stalls. Nevertheless, I ate a very sugary crepe after waiting for 15 minutes or so. Then I bought a bottle of feijoa & apple juice after tasting a small glass of it. We then went into some shops selling exquisite goods. One that particularly interested me was a stationery shop. There was a man drawing a fairly large piece of paper with a pen. The lines of the drawing looks like they're printed instead of drawn. The man stopped and talked to customers when they were standing besides him and gazing at his work. I think that's quite a special job. He keeps alternating between drawing and explaining.
When we were about to leave the town centre, we walked past this sign and I suggested that people could plank there. Maybe I shouldn't mention that?
Ray got on it and a guy came out of nowhere and posed for the picture. He then told us that he'd plank another way.
After I took the photo, he crossed the road and got back in the car in the petrol station where his mate was waiting. Then they drove away. So he really came over solely for planking with Ray. hehe.
We went to Brick Bay Vineyard and had lunch there. The lunch was a few platters of 下酒菜. We had a bottle of white wine with it. I don't have a photo of that. I was hungry and I just wanted to eat. The food tasted nice but it wasn't filling. So I was light headed because of the alcohol in my still quite empty stomach.
There is a sculpture trail in the vineyard. Friends walked and I staggered (exaggeration) the trail after lunch. There were a few cute ones but not many big spectacular sculptures.
 |
| Ray checks what card is at the bottom. |
After we left the vineyard, we drove to Warkworth and had a short walk along the river. Then we went back to North Shore.
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
Captain America: The First Avenger [film]
Retro, simple and enjoyable
Nice retro setting. I like the romance between the leads. It's also fun to watch Tommy Lee Jones and Stanley Tucci's characters. The story is quite simple. It's fun and enjoyable. Plenty of action with good pace. Not too fast or has too many explosions like some other movies :P
LC rates: 4 stars
看過電影才讀以下的意見
Ray 你不用去健身房了，學 Captain America 可以速成，不過你可能會長到比姚明還高。
盾牌可攻可守超好用，像迴旋鏢總會飛回來或彈回來。
二戰時期的科技比現在還進步，一堆光束槍把人瞬間炸成灰。
我其實還滿喜歡 Captain America 當藝人。(唱一首「唸你」吧)
Hugo Weaving 又演看不到臉的角色，至少這次不像 V 怪客那次完全沒露臉。
這種電影裡，科學家太容易死啦！
這種電影裡，主角的好朋友太容易死啦！自從好朋友再度出現，我就擔心他撐不到結局，果然提早收工。
結局是法櫃奇兵？
Captain America 硬闖正門與一堆敵人纏鬥被捉住，結果隊友用繩索輕鬆破窗而入？
Captain America 到處硬闖，堡壘、基地、飛機都蠻力攻進去。
LC rates: 4 stars
看過電影才讀以下的意見
Ray 你不用去健身房了，學 Captain America 可以速成，不過你可能會長到比姚明還高。
盾牌可攻可守超好用，像迴旋鏢總會飛回來或彈回來。
二戰時期的科技比現在還進步，一堆光束槍把人瞬間炸成灰。
我其實還滿喜歡 Captain America 當藝人。(唱一首「唸你」吧)
Hugo Weaving 又演看不到臉的角色，至少這次不像 V 怪客那次完全沒露臉。
這種電影裡，科學家太容易死啦！
這種電影裡，主角的好朋友太容易死啦！自從好朋友再度出現，我就擔心他撐不到結局，果然提早收工。
結局是法櫃奇兵？
Captain America 硬闖正門與一堆敵人纏鬥被捉住，結果隊友用繩索輕鬆破窗而入？
Captain America 到處硬闖，堡壘、基地、飛機都蠻力攻進去。
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Squash, Food, Coffee
OK, I blog it with a bit of the style of twitter/microblogging, and some location "check-ins".
Played squash at the National Squash Centre in Unitec. I'd only played twice before in UoA and that was years ago. It's a much quicker game than I remembered. It was good that there were 5 of us so we could take turns to rest. Maybe I just hadn't played a racquet sport for sometime so I wasn't used to quick bursts of movement.
Dinner at Canton Cafe in Kingsland. It's an old restaurant but it's the only time I've been there. Several dishes tasted quite similar. The portion was quite large and filling. Good for ending the hunger after the squash game.
Had a flat white at Circus Circus in Mt Eden. A cosy place.
Played squash at the National Squash Centre in Unitec. I'd only played twice before in UoA and that was years ago. It's a much quicker game than I remembered. It was good that there were 5 of us so we could take turns to rest. Maybe I just hadn't played a racquet sport for sometime so I wasn't used to quick bursts of movement.
Dinner at Canton Cafe in Kingsland. It's an old restaurant but it's the only time I've been there. Several dishes tasted quite similar. The portion was quite large and filling. Good for ending the hunger after the squash game.
Had a flat white at Circus Circus in Mt Eden. A cosy place.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Notes
AA Traffic - Roadwatch
http://maps.aa.co.nz/traffic/roadwatch
Map with information on congestion, incidents, roadworks etc.
Mapnificent. Auckland
http://www.mapnificent.net/auckland/
A map to estimate how far you can go by public transport within a certain time.
----
Txt a phone number to 300 to find out whether the number is on the same network. It's a free service. This works on 2degrees and Vodafone NZ. Not sure about Telecom. Numbers can be ported between networks nowadays so the 021 or 022 prefixes don't always match the networks.
http://maps.aa.co.nz/traffic/roadwatch
Map with information on congestion, incidents, roadworks etc.
Mapnificent. Auckland
http://www.mapnificent.net/auckland/
A map to estimate how far you can go by public transport within a certain time.
----
Txt a phone number to 300 to find out whether the number is on the same network. It's a free service. This works on 2degrees and Vodafone NZ. Not sure about Telecom. Numbers can be ported between networks nowadays so the 021 or 022 prefixes don't always match the networks.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
The Reluctant Infidel [film]
The Reluctant Infidel (在有些地區命名為 The Infidel) 是個有關宗教、種族的英國喜劇片。好像不算主流電影，在播藝術電影的戲院才有放映。
電影演一個中年男子是不怎麼虔誠的回教徒，有一天他發現自己是被收養的，而且自己的生父母是猶太人！身份錯亂。一方面想學著當猶太人去見生父；另一方面兒子要結婚，他要表現成虔誠的回教徒給基本教義派的親家公看。
整片一直在搞笑。我自己是覺得比較淺的身份混亂的橋段滿好笑的。可惜的是我對回教和猶太教不熟悉，有一些跟這兩個宗教相關的特定符號和刻板印象的笑點我就不太懂了。
LC rates: 3 stars
電影演一個中年男子是不怎麼虔誠的回教徒，有一天他發現自己是被收養的，而且自己的生父母是猶太人！身份錯亂。一方面想學著當猶太人去見生父；另一方面兒子要結婚，他要表現成虔誠的回教徒給基本教義派的親家公看。
整片一直在搞笑。我自己是覺得比較淺的身份混亂的橋段滿好笑的。可惜的是我對回教和猶太教不熟悉，有一些跟這兩個宗教相關的特定符號和刻板印象的笑點我就不太懂了。
LC rates: 3 stars
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 2) [film]
Finally it all ends
After a somewhat slow part 1, part 2 is very eventful just like it is in the book. A lot of things happen. Hogwarts turns into a battleground. People die, probably more than you expect from a "children's book". Secrets are revealed. It's hectic. I guess non-fans probably don't understand bits and pieces in this fast-paced finale. Nevertheless, it's a satisfying conclusion to the film series.
Again, the strong element of the film is that it visually presents the magical world. There's the shield they weave around Hogwart, the deep vault of Gringott, the hidden storage room, and the battle between the good and the evil.
Finding the Horcruxes are relatively easy to understand. Interestingly, Harry has the ability to hear and sense the Horcruxes when he's near them. He doesn't have that ability in the book. In the original story, Dumbledore told Harry the objects that were likely to be Horcruxes.
The fights between Harry and Voldemort are harder to understand. The outcome is clear. But it's hard to explain what exactly happens and why.
The film adaptation and the books
Maybe the Harry Potter story as a whole is unsuitable to be adapted as eight 2-hour films. Maybe a 60-hour TV series would be better ;-) In the film series, a lot of the backstories are absent. The books have more stories about the older generation, including Harry's parents, Sirius and Remus. Voldemort's upbringing is detailed in Half-Blooded Prince. And we learn about Dumbledore's less honourable past in Deathly Hallows. The person who gets the most backstory explained in the films is Snape.
Some themes and emotional struggles that I really enjoy in the books are not shown in the films, either. There simply isn't room for that. It's also harder to present those visually than the writing Harry's thoughts in precise words. There is the theme of race relations between wizards, muggles, (house) elves, goblins, giants and creatures in the Dark Forest. Some are mentioned in the movies but most are not deeply explored. In Half-Blooded Prince, Dumbledore's lessons to Harry includes an element to mentally prepare Harry to voluntarily fight against Voldemort. I was really impacted by that part when I read it, but it was left out of the movie. Those are some of the good parts of the story in my opinion. You have to read the books to find them, though.
Random talk
- The basilisk's teeth are so handy.
- Neville with a sword is pretty helpful too.
- A good question from my friend: Why is the Room of Requirements full of old furniture?
- I like the scene with the fire in the Room of Requirements.
- Bellatrix's final duel looked too short. She was the second biggest villain but it didn't feel like a big thing.
- Who are those people that are on the evil side but are not Death Eaters?
- FYI. Luna and Neville are not a couple. I think that's what Rowling said.
- It's the end!
- Where's Dudley?
LC rates: 4 stars
After a somewhat slow part 1, part 2 is very eventful just like it is in the book. A lot of things happen. Hogwarts turns into a battleground. People die, probably more than you expect from a "children's book". Secrets are revealed. It's hectic. I guess non-fans probably don't understand bits and pieces in this fast-paced finale. Nevertheless, it's a satisfying conclusion to the film series.
Again, the strong element of the film is that it visually presents the magical world. There's the shield they weave around Hogwart, the deep vault of Gringott, the hidden storage room, and the battle between the good and the evil.
Finding the Horcruxes are relatively easy to understand. Interestingly, Harry has the ability to hear and sense the Horcruxes when he's near them. He doesn't have that ability in the book. In the original story, Dumbledore told Harry the objects that were likely to be Horcruxes.
The fights between Harry and Voldemort are harder to understand. The outcome is clear. But it's hard to explain what exactly happens and why.
The film adaptation and the books
Maybe the Harry Potter story as a whole is unsuitable to be adapted as eight 2-hour films. Maybe a 60-hour TV series would be better ;-) In the film series, a lot of the backstories are absent. The books have more stories about the older generation, including Harry's parents, Sirius and Remus. Voldemort's upbringing is detailed in Half-Blooded Prince. And we learn about Dumbledore's less honourable past in Deathly Hallows. The person who gets the most backstory explained in the films is Snape.
Some themes and emotional struggles that I really enjoy in the books are not shown in the films, either. There simply isn't room for that. It's also harder to present those visually than the writing Harry's thoughts in precise words. There is the theme of race relations between wizards, muggles, (house) elves, goblins, giants and creatures in the Dark Forest. Some are mentioned in the movies but most are not deeply explored. In Half-Blooded Prince, Dumbledore's lessons to Harry includes an element to mentally prepare Harry to voluntarily fight against Voldemort. I was really impacted by that part when I read it, but it was left out of the movie. Those are some of the good parts of the story in my opinion. You have to read the books to find them, though.
Random talk
- The basilisk's teeth are so handy.
- Neville with a sword is pretty helpful too.
- A good question from my friend: Why is the Room of Requirements full of old furniture?
- I like the scene with the fire in the Room of Requirements.
- Bellatrix's final duel looked too short. She was the second biggest villain but it didn't feel like a big thing.
- Who are those people that are on the evil side but are not Death Eaters?
- FYI. Luna and Neville are not a couple. I think that's what Rowling said.
- It's the end!
- Where's Dudley?
LC rates: 4 stars
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1) [film]
I read the book and felt that the first half of the 7th book was rather slow. I'd hoped that they put more stuff in the part 1 film but they didn't. So the film has the same feeling of "I see them going to places but they don't seem to get anywhere".
I don't think anybody who hasn't watched the previous movies can understand what's going on in this movie. In fact, I wonder if people who haven't read the book would enjoy it.
The Good:
It visually present the world of magic. It's more vivid than reading.
The Bad:
Even though it's more than 2 hours long and it only deals with the first half of the book, it still feels it's compressed. I guess it's because the book is complicated in the first place. So the story is very condensed.
There are so many rules, spells, and objects in the magical world that are unusual to us. It is hard to understand everything that happens unless you've read the book thoroughly or you have really good memory and watched all the previous films carefully.
And then by the end, it feels unfinished. Because it is really setting up for part 2.
The WTF moment:
Harry and Hermione dancing in the tent… What was that about? No, it isn't in the book.
LC rates: 2 stars
I don't think anybody who hasn't watched the previous movies can understand what's going on in this movie. In fact, I wonder if people who haven't read the book would enjoy it.
The Good:
It visually present the world of magic. It's more vivid than reading.
The Bad:
Even though it's more than 2 hours long and it only deals with the first half of the book, it still feels it's compressed. I guess it's because the book is complicated in the first place. So the story is very condensed.
There are so many rules, spells, and objects in the magical world that are unusual to us. It is hard to understand everything that happens unless you've read the book thoroughly or you have really good memory and watched all the previous films carefully.
And then by the end, it feels unfinished. Because it is really setting up for part 2.
The WTF moment:
Harry and Hermione dancing in the tent… What was that about? No, it isn't in the book.
LC rates: 2 stars
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Cube [film]
Most people probably have never heard of the film Cube. I read its synopsis many years ago and I was interested. It's like this. Six people wake up and find themselves in a giant maze. The maze consists of many interconnecting rooms. Each room is a cube that has a door on each of the six faces. The doors lead to other rooms. The trapped people include a policeman, a doctor and a mathematics student, etc. They have to cooperate to find a way out. They also have to avoid the death traps in some rooms and try to keep their head cool. Yup, that looks like a geeky sci-fi movie that has some brainwork involved.
It's not a mainstream film so I don't see it on TV or see it mentioned. Surprisingly, I saw the sequel of Cube on TV in Taiwan. The sequel "Cube 2: Hypercube" is one of the worst films I've ever watched. It makes no sense at all. I easily give it my lowest rating: 0 star.
Anyway, I rented the original Cube movie and see if it satisfies my geeky curiosity. Although I'm not a fan after watching it, I find it engaging and interesting. The puzzle solving is geeky enough. The mathematics make sense (I think) and the correct decoding can lead them a escape route. The characters also surprise me when they reveal their hidden sides over time.
I am disappointed of the ending, though. It comes out of nowhere. I feel the twist is just there to make it more shocking. However, I feel that the story is less believable because of it.
LC rates: 3 stars
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A note on Cube 2: The original Cube focuses on figuring out how to escape and the conflicts between the trapped people. Cube 2 focuses on presenting unusual rooms and death traps. The puzzle has no significance and makes no sense even when the story ends. It just kills people again and again. The movie is so terrible and disappointing that I'll always remember it.
Films with numbers in the title
I've written my thoughts on Super 8, District 9, and 500 Days of Summer. I was going to write about 3 Idiots next but I haven't watched it. Never mind. I'll just break the streak of films with numbers in the title and talk about what I've watched.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Salesperson at My Door
A salesperson came to my door recently. I've got some thoughts as I reflect on this event:
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Originally I wrote out what the salesperson was selling in detail. Then I thought it wasn't necessary. So I put it here as an "appendix". So I don't throw away my writing… :P (Although a lesson from Project Runway is that editing is critical.)
A salesperson came to my door recently. He first told me that Vodafone has upgraded the lines in this neighbourhood and they'll upgrade our modem. This confused me. We didn't use Vodafone for our ADSL Internet. Anyway, he tried to sell me a Vodafone Internet plan. He kept emphasizing the new modem. That rubbed me the wrong way. He wanted me to sign up right that moment. I told him that Orcon had a cheaper deal for the same data cap. Then he said if I wanted to sign up Orcon, he can do it too. He doesn't represent just one Internet company. Apparently he can get customers for a variety of companies. What?! It was weird.
Anyway, he kept trying to make me sign up something. I got irritated after 15 minutes or so. I was just about to go out when he came to our door. I told him that I can get all these information myself. I haven't made a decision to switch ISP. I don't want somebody to come to my door and push me to make a decision this moment.
Eventually we settled on that I'd think about it for a day. He would come back the next day. But he didn't.
- Several times after I refused him, he asked me "what's your concern?", "what's on your mind?" I think that's a pretty good sales tactic. Whatever I say, he can then respond to my answer and suggest why his service is better.
- On the other hand, I probably should answer as little as possible. Maybe just say I'm happy with what we use now.
- I stayed firm and didn't succumb to pressure. I told him that I can get all these information myself. I haven't made a decision to switch ISP. I don't want somebody to come to my door and push me to make a decision this moment. Good on me. 我好欺負可是我更摳，不要來叫我付錢。
- Mum answered the door first and she let him took a step inside the door. That made it a bit more difficult to make him leave. Otherwise I'd just shut the door.
- It's a pity that I wasn't rude to him. I should learn some swear words that I can yell out but won't get me sued. It's a chance to direct all my anger in life towards the guy without feeling guilty. :P
---------
Originally I wrote out what the salesperson was selling in detail. Then I thought it wasn't necessary. So I put it here as an "appendix". So I don't throw away my writing… :P (Although a lesson from Project Runway is that editing is critical.)
A salesperson came to my door recently. He first told me that Vodafone has upgraded the lines in this neighbourhood and they'll upgrade our modem. This confused me. We didn't use Vodafone for our ADSL Internet. Anyway, he tried to sell me a Vodafone Internet plan. He kept emphasizing the new modem. That rubbed me the wrong way. He wanted me to sign up right that moment. I told him that Orcon had a cheaper deal for the same data cap. Then he said if I wanted to sign up Orcon, he can do it too. He doesn't represent just one Internet company. Apparently he can get customers for a variety of companies. What?! It was weird.
Anyway, he kept trying to make me sign up something. I got irritated after 15 minutes or so. I was just about to go out when he came to our door. I told him that I can get all these information myself. I haven't made a decision to switch ISP. I don't want somebody to come to my door and push me to make a decision this moment.
Eventually we settled on that I'd think about it for a day. He would come back the next day. But he didn't.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
500 Days of Summer [film]
"It is not a love story," the film itself says so. Well, it isn't a formulaic Hollywood romantic comedy. It's still a story about love, though. The film follows a young man, Tom and his memory of his time with the girl he loves, Summer. Tom believes all the romantic notions like love at the first sight etc. Summer doesn't have much faith in love.
Even though Tom's younger sister doesn't have a lot of screen time, I like her character. She seems older than her age and makes Tom look naive. While Tom insists that Summer is the love of his life. His sister tells him that she may not be his best match. And I agree with her. Maybe I just think more like Summer.
One interesting aspect is the story isn't told in chronological order. The film uses a number to indicate which day it is since Tom has met Summer. Sometimes the film jumps forward and back to different days to show contrast on the different stages of their relationship. It's quite unusual that the audience is shown that they're going to break up early in the film.
The film uses various styles in some scenes. There is a sequence that shows Tom's expectation and what actually happens in two split screens. There is a sequence with singing and dancing. There is a scene that turns into a hand drawn sketch. Besides the plot, the various styles keep the movie interesting.
I enjoyed it. Though I probably don't relate to Tom and Summer's relationship as much as some other audience does, I like the story, its style and its pace. I like the female lead, too. Zooey Deschanel has lovely eyes.
LC rates: 4 stars
Even though Tom's younger sister doesn't have a lot of screen time, I like her character. She seems older than her age and makes Tom look naive. While Tom insists that Summer is the love of his life. His sister tells him that she may not be his best match. And I agree with her. Maybe I just think more like Summer.
One interesting aspect is the story isn't told in chronological order. The film uses a number to indicate which day it is since Tom has met Summer. Sometimes the film jumps forward and back to different days to show contrast on the different stages of their relationship. It's quite unusual that the audience is shown that they're going to break up early in the film.
The film uses various styles in some scenes. There is a sequence that shows Tom's expectation and what actually happens in two split screens. There is a sequence with singing and dancing. There is a scene that turns into a hand drawn sketch. Besides the plot, the various styles keep the movie interesting.
I enjoyed it. Though I probably don't relate to Tom and Summer's relationship as much as some other audience does, I like the story, its style and its pace. I like the female lead, too. Zooey Deschanel has lovely eyes.
LC rates: 4 stars
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
District 9 [film]
In the movie District 9, the aliens don't come to destroy life on Earth. They are not a natural loving tribe like the Na'vi in Avatar, either. The aliens are refugees that live in a segregated area, District 9. It's a chaotic place. It's run-down and full of trash. There's even a gang of human who reside there and take advantage of the aliens. The idea is interesting to me. It has some social implications, too.
Of course, human is greedy again, just like in Avatar. They want to use the alien weapons instead of mining this time, though. The main character is much more unlucky than the guy in Avatar. He accidentally becomes the most wanted subject. He runs and hides and loses everything he once had.
I guess whoever produced this movie like to play with makeups and special effects. There are gruesome alien body parts and exploding people. When the alien weapons are at work, they zap people. Zap, zap. Explode! Juices flow!
Besides the unusual setting, the story itself is rather simple. However, it does intrigue me to think about how people would react if we do have this type of migrants of outer space. Also, how are the refugees in the real world treated by the countries that accommodate them? Are some people afraid of them and some try to advantage of them?
I enjoy the film. However, because it has been compared with Avatar, I feel it is overshadowed by Avatar visually. I guess it's also because I watched District 9 on DVD instead of in the cinema. That made the zapping less impressive. :P On the other hand, I do feel that the story of District 9 is more original. The Hollywood heroism and love story in Avatar makes it more sensational but it's also more conventional. The ordinary and not always selfless protagonist in District 9 is somewhat more believable.
LC rates: 4 stars
Of course, human is greedy again, just like in Avatar. They want to use the alien weapons instead of mining this time, though. The main character is much more unlucky than the guy in Avatar. He accidentally becomes the most wanted subject. He runs and hides and loses everything he once had.
I guess whoever produced this movie like to play with makeups and special effects. There are gruesome alien body parts and exploding people. When the alien weapons are at work, they zap people. Zap, zap. Explode! Juices flow!
Besides the unusual setting, the story itself is rather simple. However, it does intrigue me to think about how people would react if we do have this type of migrants of outer space. Also, how are the refugees in the real world treated by the countries that accommodate them? Are some people afraid of them and some try to advantage of them?
I enjoy the film. However, because it has been compared with Avatar, I feel it is overshadowed by Avatar visually. I guess it's also because I watched District 9 on DVD instead of in the cinema. That made the zapping less impressive. :P On the other hand, I do feel that the story of District 9 is more original. The Hollywood heroism and love story in Avatar makes it more sensational but it's also more conventional. The ordinary and not always selfless protagonist in District 9 is somewhat more believable.
LC rates: 4 stars
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Super 8 [film]
Watching Super 8 feels like watching a movie when I was 12 years old. The setting is in the 1970s and the atmosphere has that vintage feeling. There's danger looming in the background. You don't know what it is. There are human stories involving the young characters and their parents, though some are simplistic and a bit of a cliché. Overall, it was an exciting cinematic experience. I kind of wish I were a 12 year old, though. I would be more fascinated by the movie. It'd be like watching Jurassic Park when I was a kid.
The story focuses on a group of kids in the 1970s. They are at a small train station to film their zombie movie using a Super 8 camera one evening. While they are shooting, a train derails. Lots of explosions and large flying objects remind us that it is actually a 2011 movie. Since this incident, strange things begin to happen in this rural town. Strange things… I better not spoil it. I'll leave you to watch it.
One thing that added to the thrill was that changes may happen abruptly at anytime during a scene. There were times when a character was speaking, a loud noise of some sorts cut the speech in mid-sentence. It then led to the next sequence. It made the pace exciting and made it feel more real too. (Note to the final film of Harry Potter, I expect something similar from you!)
The fast pace has its downside. Sometimes it felt like it was too easy. Especially because the main characters are 12 year olds, they seemed to have accomplished a lot in a short time while avoiding the adults and the danger. But it's a minor issue. It's fiction. Use a bit of imagination. And I'm sure I wouldn't find it odd if I'm 12 years old. Ah, I'm wishing I were young again.
Some scenes reminded me of Jurassic Park. There were weird noises and objects thrown into the air. You knew the danger was nearby but you didn't see it yet. I wished somebody would ask "where's the goat?" and a T-rex would appear. It didn't happen.
*spoiler alert*
The ending was the main thing that I felt let down. It was a Spiderman ending. Yes, I knew it was explained that they could do telepathic communication. But still… a Spiderman ending just made me feel that the situation was resolved too easily… sigh.
While I'm still in the spoiler section, I should take the chance and babble some more.
How unlucky can the sheriff be? By the way, his scene at the petrol station looked like Jurassic Park. Hehe.
"Drugs are so bad." Hahaha. That line made it even more like an old movie that was giving a lecture to the young audience.
One thing in my mind wasn't answered when I left the cinema. Where's Lucy? Did they find the boy's dog, Lucy?
*spoiler alert ends*
By the way, stay behind when the movie ends. The kids' zombie movie is shown when the credit rolls. Also, that kid who likes explosives is pretty funny for the whole movie. Hehe.
LC rates: 4 stars
The story focuses on a group of kids in the 1970s. They are at a small train station to film their zombie movie using a Super 8 camera one evening. While they are shooting, a train derails. Lots of explosions and large flying objects remind us that it is actually a 2011 movie. Since this incident, strange things begin to happen in this rural town. Strange things… I better not spoil it. I'll leave you to watch it.
One thing that added to the thrill was that changes may happen abruptly at anytime during a scene. There were times when a character was speaking, a loud noise of some sorts cut the speech in mid-sentence. It then led to the next sequence. It made the pace exciting and made it feel more real too. (Note to the final film of Harry Potter, I expect something similar from you!)
The fast pace has its downside. Sometimes it felt like it was too easy. Especially because the main characters are 12 year olds, they seemed to have accomplished a lot in a short time while avoiding the adults and the danger. But it's a minor issue. It's fiction. Use a bit of imagination. And I'm sure I wouldn't find it odd if I'm 12 years old. Ah, I'm wishing I were young again.
Some scenes reminded me of Jurassic Park. There were weird noises and objects thrown into the air. You knew the danger was nearby but you didn't see it yet. I wished somebody would ask "where's the goat?" and a T-rex would appear. It didn't happen.
*spoiler alert*
The ending was the main thing that I felt let down. It was a Spiderman ending. Yes, I knew it was explained that they could do telepathic communication. But still… a Spiderman ending just made me feel that the situation was resolved too easily… sigh.
While I'm still in the spoiler section, I should take the chance and babble some more.
How unlucky can the sheriff be? By the way, his scene at the petrol station looked like Jurassic Park. Hehe.
"Drugs are so bad." Hahaha. That line made it even more like an old movie that was giving a lecture to the young audience.
One thing in my mind wasn't answered when I left the cinema. Where's Lucy? Did they find the boy's dog, Lucy?
*spoiler alert ends*
By the way, stay behind when the movie ends. The kids' zombie movie is shown when the credit rolls. Also, that kid who likes explosives is pretty funny for the whole movie. Hehe.
LC rates: 4 stars
Sunday, June 12, 2011
The King's Speech [film]
我一直覺得英國王室很可憐，一出生下來就注定一輩子被大家關注。感覺起來很不自由，沒有什麼自己的選擇。不能穿著拖鞋到便利商店買茶葉蛋。
之前全世界放映威廉王子和凱特的婚禮，我覺得他們結婚也要結給全世界看真是辛苦。
The King's Speech 這部片更是印證我的想法，英國王室的成員沒有權力，沒有自由，孤獨。戲裡幾句話精簡地點出他們的無奈：沒有權力收稅，沒有權力指揮軍隊，只有責任在一些公眾場合講講話，看起來體面，就像是演員一樣。
主角 King George VI 就是這麼衰，生在王室，唯一的工作就是偶而在公眾場合講講話，偏偏他口吃，就是做不好這唯一的工作，而他也不能像平民自由換工作。
太太 Bellatrix 看 Mr Darcy 演講這麼吃力很想幫他忙，所以找了 Captain Barbossa 來幫他治療。[1] 喔，角色搞錯了，不過這部戲還真的有一堆在別的電影裡出現的英國演員。其他還有演 Dumbledore 的，還有 Guy Pearce。連 BBC mini series 版本的 Pride and Prejudice 裡的女主角都來了。Colin Firth 和 Jennifer Ehle 隔了十五年又合演一部戲。我都懷疑讓他們碰面的那一幕是編劇故意放進去給我們這些 Pride and Prejudice 的 fans 看的。
Anyway，這部戲真的主要就是看 Colin Firth 和 Geoffrey Rush 演戲。故事本身簡單、溫馨。不過由於主角口吃，有時會覺得步調慢，要有耐心。
國王總算有個平民好朋友讓我覺得溫馨。皇后一路支持國王也真是好妻子呀！(按個讚)
香港翻譯片名叫「皇上無話兒」真是會讓人聯想到別的東西。
是齣好電影，不過我不覺得特別好，我自己是不會選它為奧斯卡最佳影片啦！
LC rates: 4 stars
Notes:
[1] Bellatrix 是 Harry Potter 的角色；Mr Darcy 是 Pride and Prejudice 和 Bridget Jones's Diary 的角色；Captain Barbossa 是 Pirates of the Caribbean 的角色。
之前全世界放映威廉王子和凱特的婚禮，我覺得他們結婚也要結給全世界看真是辛苦。
The King's Speech 這部片更是印證我的想法，英國王室的成員沒有權力，沒有自由，孤獨。戲裡幾句話精簡地點出他們的無奈：沒有權力收稅，沒有權力指揮軍隊，只有責任在一些公眾場合講講話，看起來體面，就像是演員一樣。
主角 King George VI 就是這麼衰，生在王室，唯一的工作就是偶而在公眾場合講講話，偏偏他口吃，就是做不好這唯一的工作，而他也不能像平民自由換工作。
太太 Bellatrix 看 Mr Darcy 演講這麼吃力很想幫他忙，所以找了 Captain Barbossa 來幫他治療。[1] 喔，角色搞錯了，不過這部戲還真的有一堆在別的電影裡出現的英國演員。其他還有演 Dumbledore 的，還有 Guy Pearce。連 BBC mini series 版本的 Pride and Prejudice 裡的女主角都來了。Colin Firth 和 Jennifer Ehle 隔了十五年又合演一部戲。我都懷疑讓他們碰面的那一幕是編劇故意放進去給我們這些 Pride and Prejudice 的 fans 看的。
 |
| Top: The King's Sppech (2010); Bottom: Pride and Prejudice (1995) Picture source: here |
Anyway，這部戲真的主要就是看 Colin Firth 和 Geoffrey Rush 演戲。故事本身簡單、溫馨。不過由於主角口吃，有時會覺得步調慢，要有耐心。
國王總算有個平民好朋友讓我覺得溫馨。皇后一路支持國王也真是好妻子呀！(按個讚)
香港翻譯片名叫「皇上無話兒」真是會讓人聯想到別的東西。
是齣好電影，不過我不覺得特別好，我自己是不會選它為奧斯卡最佳影片啦！
LC rates: 4 stars
Notes:
[1] Bellatrix 是 Harry Potter 的角色；Mr Darcy 是 Pride and Prejudice 和 Bridget Jones's Diary 的角色；Captain Barbossa 是 Pirates of the Caribbean 的角色。
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Karangahake Gorge Day Trip
We went to Karangahake Gorge on the 14 May, 2011. It was a beautiful place and the weather was sunny too. Nice!
When we met up. We had two surprise guests, Jack and his girlfriend Ivy. We told them that we were going on this day trip. But we didn't expect Jack to actually turn up. As somebody said, Jack starts showing up when he's about to leave for another country.
Karanagahake Gorge is near Paeroa. There are a number of tracks in that area. The Karangahake Historic Walkway may be considered as the main track. It takes 2 hours one way. We had three cars so we could park cars at both ends of the track so we didn't need to walk the same way back. However, we still hesitated to take such a long walk. So instead, we started with the Tunnel Loop Walk which took about an hour.
We walked along the river. The scenery was beautiful. After sometime, we reached a bridge that leads to the tunnel. The tunnel is an old railway tunnel. It is about 1.1 km long. It's a really long tunnel to walk! We walked into this dark, chilly and damp place. It was quite eerie. Thinking back, I'd be scared to enter the tunnel if there were fewer than four people in our group. There were nine of us so I felt fine. We had about five torches so we could see enough to walk ahead. After a few minutes, it started to feel endless. We just kept walking and walking and the end of the tunnel didn't seem to approach us. A common estimate of walking time is 15 minutes per kilometre. So we probably walked more than 15 minutes in this dim tunnel. Eventually we emerged into daylight again. Too bad Ming wasn't left behind. :P
After we returned to the world with daylight, we took a break and had our lunch and snacks. We walked back to the car park after lunch and decided to do another short walk. Yay~ The second walk was the Windows Walk. It took about an hour round trip too. The "windows" refer to the small openings in a few locations along the tunnel in this walk. Gold mining was in this area in the early 20th century. There were remnants of the gold mining on the Windows Walk. At first, we walked along a tramway track. Somehow, Ray sat in this old metal basket/tram.
We then went into the tunnel section. It was dark. You really need a torch to walk inside. After walking for a couple of minutes or so, we reached this window. Here is what it was like to look outside. You can see a path on the other side of the gorge. We walked that path later and appreciated the nice scenery.
After we went out of the tunnel, we continued on to find a nearby "underground pumphouse". We didn't know what it was. It turned out to be a few short, interconnecting tunnels that led to a chamber with old equipment. I suppose that was used for pumping. The equipment was locked behind bars so we could only view from a distance. Mind you, the chamber was pitch black. We could only use our torches to light it up dimly. In this dim light, we saw… Ray impersonating a zombie, like it's a shooting video game. He looked too happy to be a zombie, though. I've never seen a zombie that wears glasses, either. I don't know why. Anyway, there was a another surprise in the dark. We saw a few glow worms on the ceiling when we switched off our lights.
After we finished Windows Walk and returned to the car park, we set Owharoa Falls as our next destination. We drove there, and it took us less than a minute to walk to the waterfall after we parked. The waterfall looks quite short, doesn't it?
I'd been directing the group pretty much all day. I then drove onto a nearby unpaved road/driveway and led our group to Victoria Battery. It was a site that remained from the age of gold mining. There was this abandoned structure. Somehow, Ray stood on top of it. The copycat Jack climbed up too. But the kitten was scared of heights and he was stuck up there. Ray came down first and he messed with Jack. He initially thought Jack was just acting. After a long while, Jack finally came down. The structure really wasn't very tall, you know.
That was pretty much it. We drove in the sunset and headed back to Auckland.
When we met up. We had two surprise guests, Jack and his girlfriend Ivy. We told them that we were going on this day trip. But we didn't expect Jack to actually turn up. As somebody said, Jack starts showing up when he's about to leave for another country.
Karanagahake Gorge is near Paeroa. There are a number of tracks in that area. The Karangahake Historic Walkway may be considered as the main track. It takes 2 hours one way. We had three cars so we could park cars at both ends of the track so we didn't need to walk the same way back. However, we still hesitated to take such a long walk. So instead, we started with the Tunnel Loop Walk which took about an hour.
We walked along the river. The scenery was beautiful. After sometime, we reached a bridge that leads to the tunnel. The tunnel is an old railway tunnel. It is about 1.1 km long. It's a really long tunnel to walk! We walked into this dark, chilly and damp place. It was quite eerie. Thinking back, I'd be scared to enter the tunnel if there were fewer than four people in our group. There were nine of us so I felt fine. We had about five torches so we could see enough to walk ahead. After a few minutes, it started to feel endless. We just kept walking and walking and the end of the tunnel didn't seem to approach us. A common estimate of walking time is 15 minutes per kilometre. So we probably walked more than 15 minutes in this dim tunnel. Eventually we emerged into daylight again. Too bad Ming wasn't left behind. :P
 |
| That's a long tunnel ahead. |
After we returned to the world with daylight, we took a break and had our lunch and snacks. We walked back to the car park after lunch and decided to do another short walk. Yay~ The second walk was the Windows Walk. It took about an hour round trip too. The "windows" refer to the small openings in a few locations along the tunnel in this walk. Gold mining was in this area in the early 20th century. There were remnants of the gold mining on the Windows Walk. At first, we walked along a tramway track. Somehow, Ray sat in this old metal basket/tram.
We then went into the tunnel section. It was dark. You really need a torch to walk inside. After walking for a couple of minutes or so, we reached this window. Here is what it was like to look outside. You can see a path on the other side of the gorge. We walked that path later and appreciated the nice scenery.
 |
| View from one of the "windows" |
After we went out of the tunnel, we continued on to find a nearby "underground pumphouse". We didn't know what it was. It turned out to be a few short, interconnecting tunnels that led to a chamber with old equipment. I suppose that was used for pumping. The equipment was locked behind bars so we could only view from a distance. Mind you, the chamber was pitch black. We could only use our torches to light it up dimly. In this dim light, we saw… Ray impersonating a zombie, like it's a shooting video game. He looked too happy to be a zombie, though. I've never seen a zombie that wears glasses, either. I don't know why. Anyway, there was a another surprise in the dark. We saw a few glow worms on the ceiling when we switched off our lights.
After we finished Windows Walk and returned to the car park, we set Owharoa Falls as our next destination. We drove there, and it took us less than a minute to walk to the waterfall after we parked. The waterfall looks quite short, doesn't it?
 |
| This photo looks badly composed and fake. That's why I put it up. Ha |
I'd been directing the group pretty much all day. I then drove onto a nearby unpaved road/driveway and led our group to Victoria Battery. It was a site that remained from the age of gold mining. There was this abandoned structure. Somehow, Ray stood on top of it. The copycat Jack climbed up too. But the kitten was scared of heights and he was stuck up there. Ray came down first and he messed with Jack. He initially thought Jack was just acting. After a long while, Jack finally came down. The structure really wasn't very tall, you know.
That was pretty much it. We drove in the sunset and headed back to Auckland.
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