Have been away for a while, and will be away for another while. Will need to straighten out some real issues in life before I can come back and truly enjoy the leisure.
Have been studying these musics with children lately, please enjoy:
Mozart Piano Concerto K.488 Adagio
- particularly suiting my emotion at this moment - one of the most beautiful, emotional and peaceful pieces of all time. Son just learned the Allegro (Movement 1), can't wait to hear him play this Movement 2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB9R-wy62_w
Beethoven Spring Sonata
- All time favorite violin sonata, Beethoven rocks! I still love you even though I favor Mozart's beauty and simplicity a bit more as I am getting a little older.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fzik6m2gdY
Mozart Violin Sonata K.302
- Written by the young Mozart at age 23, this piece is youthful and energetic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBQiHLeaeMU
Monday, September 29, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Checking in
It's been a few months that I have not been able to write anything here. Hope everyone is well and our prince is well. I am well, just busy with kids and trying to recover my health and strength.
Found a wonderful website to share for the parents:
http://www.sonlight.com/
Although it is mainly a homeschooling website, I fount it very helpful for me to find supplement materials for my kids, especially on Singapore Math, history, reading and Language Arts (Wordly Wise Series).
So long, take care ... with much love!
p.s. Just read Flowerbossa's Imagina blog entry :
Found a wonderful website to share for the parents:
http://www.sonlight.com/
Although it is mainly a homeschooling website, I fount it very helpful for me to find supplement materials for my kids, especially on Singapore Math, history, reading and Language Arts (Wordly Wise Series).
So long, take care ... with much love!
p.s. Just read Flowerbossa's Imagina blog entry :
http://flowerbossa.blogspot.com/2008/07/excerpts-from-flix-magazine-2008-august_27.html
Love these words :
…. Many members of the family are not only mesmerized by his acting, but by BYJ himself. Perhaps they see something in him that cannot be found in the men around them, and consider him an ideal man of sorts. From that perspective, we come to respect him highly for his extraordinary thoughtfulness and graciousness. We cannot hide our disbelief in the fact that such a man exists in this cold world.
...
Bae Yong Joon, a special actor “who possesses his own words, and speaks in his own words”. We will still not be able to take our eyes off him in the years to come.
Love these words :
…. Many members of the family are not only mesmerized by his acting, but by BYJ himself. Perhaps they see something in him that cannot be found in the men around them, and consider him an ideal man of sorts. From that perspective, we come to respect him highly for his extraordinary thoughtfulness and graciousness. We cannot hide our disbelief in the fact that such a man exists in this cold world.
...
Bae Yong Joon, a special actor “who possesses his own words, and speaks in his own words”. We will still not be able to take our eyes off him in the years to come.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Surviving from Earthquake 本文中以下信息能在地震中挽救生命!!!
My thoughts and prayers go to Sichuan, China, where 7.9 earthquake occurred and took 12,000+ lives. I hope the people who are suffering will recover from their loss, be strong and hopeful, move on to build better life in the future. Following is a message I received from a friend, hopefully it is helpful information.
***********************************************************************************
My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of
the American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world's most
experienced rescue team. The information in this article will save
lives in an earthquake.
我的名字叫Doug Copp。我是世界上最有经验的救援小组---美国国际救援小组(ARTI)的首席救援者，也是灾难部的经理。本文中以下信息能在地震中挽救生命。
I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue
teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries,
and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries. I was the
United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation (UNX051 -UNIENET) for two
years. I have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985,
except for simultaneous disasters.
我和曾经来自60多个不同国家成立的各种救援小组一起工作过，曾在875个倒塌的建筑物里爬进爬出。在联合国灾难减轻(UNX051
-UNIENET)小组中我担任了任期两年的专家。从1985年至今，除非同时发生了多个灾祸，我几乎参与了每一次重大的救援工作。
In 1996 we made a film which proved my survival methodology to be
correct. The Turkish Federal Government, City of Istanbul, University
of Istanbul, Case Productions and ARTI cooperated to film this
practical, scientific test.
在1996 年，我们用我创立的而且被证明是正确的方法制作了一部电影。土耳其政府、伊斯坦布尔市、伊斯坦布尔大学、及ARTI联合制作了这部科学研究性的影片。
We collapsed a school and a home with 20 mannequins inside. Ten
mannequins did 'duck and cover,' and ten mannequins I used in my
'triangle of life' survival method.
我们人为地摧毁了一座学校，和一个里面有20 个人体模特的房屋。十个人体模特用"蹲下和掩护"的方法，而另外十个模特使用我的"生命三角"的求生方法。
After the simulated earthquake collapse we crawled through the rubble
and entered the building to film and document the results.
模拟地震发生后，我们通过倒塌的碎石慢慢进入了建筑物，并拍摄和记录了结果。
The film, in which I practiced my survival techniques under directly
observable, scientific conditions, relevant to building collapse,
showed there would have been zero percent survival for those doing
duck and cover. There would likely have been 100 % survivability for
people using my method of the 'triangle of life.' This film has been
seen by millions of viewers on television in Turkey and the rest of
Europe, and it was seen in the USA, Canada and Latin America on the TV
program Real TV.
在一个在可直接观察到的而且科学的条件下，这部电影拍摄了我使用的求生技术。结果显示那些用"蹲下和和掩护"方法的人存活率会是零，而那些使用"生命三
角"的人能够达到100%的存活率。上百万的人已经在土耳其和欧洲的其他地方，还有美国、加拿大和拉丁美洲的电视节目里看到过这部片子。
The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico
City during the 1985 earthquake. Every child was under their desk.
Every child was crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could
have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was
obscene, unnecessary and I wondered why the children were not in the
aisles. I didn't at the time know that the children were told to hide
under something.
我曾进入的第一个建筑物是 在1985
年墨西哥地震中的一个学校。每个孩子都在课桌底下。每个孩子都被压扁了。他们如果能在走道里挨着他们的课桌躺下，就有生还的希望。我不知道为什么孩子不在走道里。那时，我不知道孩子们被教导要躲在某物体的下面。
Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings
falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects,
leaving a space or void next to them. This space is what I call the
'triangle of life'. The larger the object, the stronger, the less it
will compact. The less the object compacts, the larger the void, the
greater the probability that the person who is using this void for
safety will not be injured.
简单地说，当建筑物倒塌时，落在物体或家俱上的屋顶的重力会撞击这些物体，使得靠近它们的地方留下一个空间。这个空间就是被我称作的"生命三角"。物体越
大，越坚固，它被挤压的余地就越小。而物体被挤压得越小，这个空间就越大，于是利用这个空间的人免于受伤的可能性就越大。
The next time you watch collapsed buildings, on television, count the
'triangles' you see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common
shape, you will see, in a collapsed building. They are everywhere. I
trained the Fire Department of Trujillo (population 750,000) in how to
survive, take care of their families, and to rescue others in
earthquakes.
下次，你在电视里观看倒塌的建筑物时，数一数这些形成的"三角"。你会发现到处都有这些三角。在倒塌的建筑物里，这是最常见的形状。几乎到处都有。我培训
Trujillo (人口约为750,000的地方)的消防部门，教导人们如何求生，如何照顾他们的家人，以及如何在地震中援救他人。
The chief of rescue in the Trujillo Fire Department is a professor at
Trujillo University. He accompanied me everywhere. He gave personal
testimony: 'My name is Roberto Rosales. I am Chief of Rescue in
Trujillo. When I was 11 years old, I was trapped inside of a collapsed
building. My entrapment occurred during the earthquake of 1972 that
killed 70,000 people. I survived in the 'triangle of life' that
existed next to my brother's motorcycle. My friends who got under the
bed and under desks were crushed to death [he gives more details,
names, addresses etc.]...I am the living example of the 'triangle of
life'. My dead friends are the example of 'duck and cover'.
Trujillo消防部门的救援总负责人是Trujillo大学的教授。他陪伴我同行，他说："我叫Roberto
Rosales，我是Trujillo的首席救援者。我11岁时，我被陷在一幢倒塌的建筑物里。就是发生在1972年的那场地震中，当时有70,000人
死亡。我利用我哥哥摩托车旁的"生命三角"保住了生命。我的朋友们，那些躲在床下，桌子下的人都死了。（他列出了这些人的姓名、地址……）。我可以称作是
"生命三角"的活生生的例子，而我那些朋友是"蹲下和掩护"的例子。
Tips from Doug Copp:
Doug Copp的提示：
1) Everyone who simply 'ducks and covers' WHEN BUILDINGS COLLAPSE is
crushed to death -- Every time, without exception. People who get
under objects, like desks or cars, are always crush.
当建筑物倒下时，每个只是简单地"蹲下和掩护"的人都被压死了，每次，毫无例外。而那些躲逃到物体，如桌子，或汽车下躲避的人也总是受到了些伤害。
2) Cats, dogs and babies all naturally often curl up in the fetal
position. You should too in an earthquake. It is a natural
safety/survival instinct. You can survive in a smaller void. Get next
to an object, next to a sofa, next to a large bulky object that will
compress slightly but leave a void next to it.
猫，狗和小孩子在遇到危险的时候，会自然地蜷缩起身体。地震时，你也应该这么做。这是一种安全的本能。而且你在一个很小的空间里就可以做到。靠近一个物
体，一个沙发，或一个大件，它仅受到了略微的挤压，但在靠着它旁边的地方留下了一个空间。
3) 3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in
during an earthquake. The reason is simple: the wood is flexible and
moves with the force of the earthquake. If the wooden building does
collapse, large survival voids are created. Also, the wooden building
has less concentrated, crushing weight. Brick buildings will break
into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries but less
squashed bodies than concrete slabs.
在地震中，木质建筑物最牢固。木头具有弹性，并且与地震的力量一起移动。如果木质建筑物倒塌了，会留出很大的生存空间。而且，木质材料密度最小，重量最
小。砖块材料则会破碎成一块块更小的砖。砖块会造成人员受伤，但是，被砖块压伤的人远比被水泥压伤的人数则要少得多。
4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply
roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed.
如果晚上生发了地震，而你正在床上。你只要简单地滚下床。在床的周围会形成一个安全的空间。
5) If an earthquake happens while you are watching television and you
cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down
and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair.
如果地震发生了，而你正在看电视，不能迅速地从门或窗口逃离，那就在靠近沙发，或椅子的旁边躺下，然后蜷缩起来。
6) Everybody who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is
killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the door jam falls
forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the
door jam falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway. In
either case, you will be killed!
当大楼倒塌时，很多人在门口死亡了。怎么回事？如果你站在门框下，当门框向前或向后倒下时，你会被头顶上的屋顶砸伤。如果门框向侧面倒下，你会被压在当
中，所以，不管怎么样，你都会受到致命伤害！
7) Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different 'moment of
frequency' (they swing separately from the main part of the building).
The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into each
other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The people
who get on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the stair treads
- horribly mutilated. Even if the building doesn't collapse, stay away
from the stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be
damaged. Even if the stairs are not collapsed by the earthquake, they
may collapse later when overloaded by fleeing people. They should
always be checked for safety, even when the rest of the building is
not damaged.
千万不要走楼梯，楼梯与建筑物摇晃的频率不同（他们和建筑物的主体部分分别晃动）。楼梯和大楼的结构物发生不断地碰撞，直到楼梯发生构造问题。人在楼梯上时，会被楼梯的台阶割断，这是很恐怖的毁伤！就算楼梯没有倒塌，也要远离楼梯。楼梯就像大楼的一样会被损坏。哪怕不是因为地震而倒，还会因为承受过多的人群而坍塌。所以，我们应该始终首先检查楼梯的安全，甚至建筑物的其他部分并没有被损坏。
8) Get Near the Outer Walls Of Buildings Or Outside Of Them If
Possible. It is much better to be near the outside of the building
rather than the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside
perimeter of the building the greater the probability that your escape
route will be blocked.
尽量靠近建筑物的外墙或离开建筑物。靠近墙的外侧远比内侧要好。你越靠近建筑物的中心，你的逃生路径被阻挡的可能性就越大。
9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above
falls in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly
what happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway.
The victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their
vehicles. They were all killed. They could have easily survived by
getting out and sitting or lying next to their vehicles, says the
author. Everyone killed would have survived if they had been able to
get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them. All the crushed
cars had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had
columns fall directly across them.
当发生地震时，在车内逃生的人会因路边坠落的物体砸伤，这正是Nimitz Freeway的路上所发生的事情。San
Francisco地震的无辜受害者都呆在车内。其实，他们可以简单地离开车辆，
靠近车辆坐下，或躺在车边就可以了。所有被压垮的车辆旁边都有一个3 英尺高的空间，除非车辆是被物体垂直落下。
10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices
and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact.
Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper.
我发现，在报社或办公室里堆有很多报纸的地方，通常会好些，因为报纸不受挤压。你在纸堆旁可找到一个比较大的空间。
***********************************************************************************
My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of
the American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world's most
experienced rescue team. The information in this article will save
lives in an earthquake.
我的名字叫Doug Copp。我是世界上最有经验的救援小组---美国国际救援小组
I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue
teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries,
and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries. I was the
United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation (UNX051 -UNIENET) for two
years. I have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985,
except for simultaneous disasters.
我和曾经来自60多个不同国家成立的各种救援小组一起工作过
-UNIENET)小组中我担任了任期两年的专家
In 1996 we made a film which proved my survival methodology to be
correct. The Turkish Federal Government, City of Istanbul, University
of Istanbul, Case Productions and ARTI cooperated to film this
practical, scientific test.
在1996 年，我们用我创立的而且被证明是正确的方法制作了一部电影
We collapsed a school and a home with 20 mannequins inside. Ten
mannequins did 'duck and cover,' and ten mannequins I used in my
'triangle of life' survival method.
我们人为地摧毁了一座学校，和一个里面有20 个人体模特的房屋。十个人体模特用"蹲下和掩护"的方法
After the simulated earthquake collapse we crawled through the rubble
and entered the building to film and document the results.
模拟地震发生后，我们通过倒塌的碎石慢慢进入了建筑物
The film, in which I practiced my survival techniques under directly
observable, scientific conditions, relevant to building collapse,
showed there would have been zero percent survival for those doing
duck and cover. There would likely have been 100 % survivability for
people using my method of the 'triangle of life.' This film has been
seen by millions of viewers on television in Turkey and the rest of
Europe, and it was seen in the USA, Canada and Latin America on the TV
program Real TV.
在一个在可直接观察到的而且科学的条件下，这部电影拍摄了我使用的
角"的人能够达到100%的存活率。上百万的人已经在土耳其和欧洲
The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico
City during the 1985 earthquake. Every child was under their desk.
Every child was crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could
have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was
obscene, unnecessary and I wondered why the children were not in the
aisles. I didn't at the time know that the children were told to hide
under something.
我曾进入的第一个建筑物是 在1985
年墨西哥地震中的一个学校。每个孩子都在课桌底下
Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings
falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects,
leaving a space or void next to them. This space is what I call the
'triangle of life'. The larger the object, the stronger, the less it
will compact. The less the object compacts, the larger the void, the
greater the probability that the person who is using this void for
safety will not be injured.
简单地说，当建筑物倒塌时，落在物体或家俱上的屋顶的重力会撞击这
大，越坚固，它被挤压的余地就越小。而物体被挤压得越小
The next time you watch collapsed buildings, on television, count the
'triangles' you see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common
shape, you will see, in a collapsed building. They are everywhere. I
trained the Fire Department of Trujillo (population 750,000) in how to
survive, take care of their families, and to rescue others in
earthquakes.
下次，你在电视里观看倒塌的建筑物时，数一数这些形成的"三角"
Trujillo (人口约为750,000的地方)的消防部门，教导人们如何求生
The chief of rescue in the Trujillo Fire Department is a professor at
Trujillo University. He accompanied me everywhere. He gave personal
testimony: 'My name is Roberto Rosales. I am Chief of Rescue in
Trujillo. When I was 11 years old, I was trapped inside of a collapsed
building. My entrapment occurred during the earthquake of 1972 that
killed 70,000 people. I survived in the 'triangle of life' that
existed next to my brother's motorcycle. My friends who got under the
bed and under desks were crushed to death [he gives more details,
names, addresses etc.]...I am the living example of the 'triangle of
life'. My dead friends are the example of 'duck and cover'.
Trujillo消防部门的救援总负责人是Trujillo大学的
Rosales，我是Trujillo的首席救援者。我11岁时
死亡。我利用我哥哥摩托车旁的"生命三角"保住了生命
"生命三角"的活生生的例子，而我那些朋友是"蹲下和掩护
Tips from Doug Copp:
Doug Copp的提示：
1) Everyone who simply 'ducks and covers' WHEN BUILDINGS COLLAPSE is
crushed to death -- Every time, without exception. People who get
under objects, like desks or cars, are always crush.
当建筑物倒下时，每个只是简单地"蹲下和掩护"的人都被压死了
2) Cats, dogs and babies all naturally often curl up in the fetal
position. You should too in an earthquake. It is a natural
safety/survival instinct. You can survive in a smaller void. Get next
to an object, next to a sofa, next to a large bulky object that will
compress slightly but leave a void next to it.
猫，狗和小孩子在遇到危险的时候，会自然地蜷缩起身体。地震时
体，一个沙发，或一个大件，它仅受到了略微的挤压
3) 3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in
during an earthquake. The reason is simple: the wood is flexible and
moves with the force of the earthquake. If the wooden building does
collapse, large survival voids are created. Also, the wooden building
has less concentrated, crushing weight. Brick buildings will break
into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries but less
squashed bodies than concrete slabs.
在地震中，木质建筑物最牢固。木头具有弹性，并且与地震的力量一起
小。砖块材料则会破碎成一块块更小的砖。砖块会造成人员受伤
4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply
roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed.
如果晚上生发了地震，而你正在床上。你只要简单地滚下床
5) If an earthquake happens while you are watching television and you
cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down
and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair.
如果地震发生了，而你正在看电视，不能迅速地从门或窗口逃离
6) Everybody who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is
killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the door jam falls
forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the
door jam falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway. In
either case, you will be killed!
当大楼倒塌时，很多人在门口死亡了。怎么回事？如果你站在门框下
中，所以，不管怎么样，你都会受到致命伤害！
7) Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different 'moment of
frequency' (they swing separately from the main part of the building).
The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into each
other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The people
who get on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the stair treads
- horribly mutilated. Even if the building doesn't collapse, stay away
from the stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be
damaged. Even if the stairs are not collapsed by the earthquake, they
may collapse later when overloaded by fleeing people. They should
always be checked for safety, even when the rest of the building is
not damaged.
千万不要走楼梯，楼梯与建筑物摇晃的频率不同（他们和建筑物的主体
8) Get Near the Outer Walls Of Buildings Or Outside Of Them If
Possible. It is much better to be near the outside of the building
rather than the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside
perimeter of the building the greater the probability that your escape
route will be blocked.
尽量靠近建筑物的外墙或离开建筑物。靠近墙的外侧远比内侧要好
9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above
falls in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly
what happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway.
The victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their
vehicles. They were all killed. They could have easily survived by
getting out and sitting or lying next to their vehicles, says the
author. Everyone killed would have survived if they had been able to
get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them. All the crushed
cars had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had
columns fall directly across them.
当发生地震时，在车内逃生的人会因路边坠落的物体砸伤
Francisco地震的无辜受害者都呆在车内。其实
靠近车辆坐下，或躺在车边就可以了。所有被压垮的车辆旁边都有一个
10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices
and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact.
Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper.
我发现，在报社或办公室里堆有很多报纸的地方，通常会好些
Monday, May 12, 2008
May 11, 2008 - Special Day
Today's News:
Opensea posted this on the Talk Box of BYJ's official home.
May 11, 2008, a special day - it is both Pentecost and Mother's Day.
May 11, 2008, a special day - BYJ attended Mass. So did I.(So happy!!!)... I've always been hoping HRH will take the Eucharist once in a while, as often as possible. It is such a treat to read that he did, especially on this special day. I am sure he did that not only for the Pentecost, but also for his mother, on this beautiful Mother's Day, so far away from home. Again, on this Mother's Day, I would attribute this special song, one of my favorite Marian song to YJ's mother:
Again, dear YJ, I wish you find a gentle woman to love you, support you, accompany you throughout your life, as loving, strong, peaceful and wise as your mother.
Opensea posted this on the Talk Box of BYJ's official home.
'Yon-sama' BYJ in Washington (DC)
[US Joongang Daily]5/12/08'Yon-sama' BYJ in Washington (DC)
Talent BYJ, taking rest in US after finishing drama 'TWSSG', visited Washington on 11 and serve a mass for Grand Celebration Day for Descent of Holy Spirit at DC Joomingonghyeon Catholic Church with family of his acquaintance.
BYJ left for New York on that day, after taking commemorative phototaking with believers.
May 11, 2008, a special day - it is both Pentecost and Mother's Day.
May 11, 2008, a special day - BYJ attended Mass. So did I.(So happy!!!)... I've always been hoping HRH will take the Eucharist once in a while, as often as possible. It is such a treat to read that he did, especially on this special day. I am sure he did that not only for the Pentecost, but also for his mother, on this beautiful Mother's Day, so far away from home. Again, on this Mother's Day, I would attribute this special song, one of my favorite Marian song to YJ's mother:
Gentle woman, quiet light,
morning star, so strong and bright,
gentle Mother, peaceful dove,
teach us wisdom; teach us love.
You were chosen by the Father;
you were chosen for the Son.
You were chosen from all women
and for woman, shining one.
Gentle woman, quiet light,
morning star, so strong and bright,
gentle Mother, peaceful dove,
teach us wisdom; teach us love.
Blessed are you among women,
blest in turn all women, too.
Blessed they with peaceful spirits.
Blessed they with gentle hearts.
morning star, so strong and bright,
gentle Mother, peaceful dove,
teach us wisdom; teach us love.
You were chosen by the Father;
you were chosen for the Son.
You were chosen from all women
and for woman, shining one.
Gentle woman, quiet light,
morning star, so strong and bright,
gentle Mother, peaceful dove,
teach us wisdom; teach us love.
Blessed are you among women,
blest in turn all women, too.
Blessed they with peaceful spirits.
Blessed they with gentle hearts.
Again, dear YJ, I wish you find a gentle woman to love you, support you, accompany you throughout your life, as loving, strong, peaceful and wise as your mother.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
April Poem
Latest news: Pope just left New York, He is in. Happy to think that we are breathing the same air, watching the same sunrise and the same moonlight in the same time zone (Thank you Gosijo for expressing it so nicely). Heard there will be bae fans gathering at the airport to greet him. I am happy that he has an "extended" family that makes sure he is always greeted by someone when landing at any airport in the world.
Some sisters are having April snow this year in Canada, even in Vancouver as Coco reported. Isn't is rare to see snow in Vancouver? Isn't it super rare to see snow in April in Vancouver? Isn't it because our HRH is stepping on the North American ground? Well while he is walking on the American ground at the east coast, the west coast is echoing with pure white snows. Generally speaking, on the east coast, we are having sunshines, blooming flowers, chirping birds, a beautiful spring to welcome our prince. A poetic April for he is here!
The joys of having children is that one will never stop having fun of learning new things. One of the things I learned recently is that April is American's National Poetry Month. Excuse my ignorance, I just got to know there is a "National Poetry Month" through my 6-grade boy. Looking back a month, now I started to see why he got a language art writing project starting in March creating, designing, assembling a booklet of 8 self-composed poems.
One March day at one of our afternoon piano lessons, while it was the time for the older boy to having lessons, the younger one would do his homework, and that day he was staring at the picturesque scene through the sizable window of our teacher's house situated in a peaceful woods, and murmuring out the words like "nature's flawless beauties...". I was thinking, wow! what poem is he making? This sure sounds like describing our prince ...
Weeks later, when in the early April, his poem booklet was back, with teacher's comment "I love it" and a full mark on the poem of which I heard ... "Nature's flawless beauties..." I was curious to see what he wrote. There I found the page that holds that little poem, with his hand-drawn illustrations.
Naturally I asked him, why was the poem written in a staggered way. Then one more thing I found that I learned was - this poem's style is called "stair peom", in which you are required to write the poems in stair forms, one line beneath the other, each line shifted left to make up a four level stairs. The first line is a summary of the object. The second line is where and/or when about the object, the third line has to consist 3 adjectives describing the object, and the last line will be the name of the object. My son, growing up and fascinated with woods, wrote these little verses:
(I have a hard time to format it correctly as it should be in the stair poem format. This is the best I can do with this blogger. Just imagine that it is in the format as illustrated in the above picture.)
It's a simple poem, but somehow it sticks to my mind. The more I think about it, the more I am feeling it was written to my prince HRH. The more I savor on it, the more I think about HRH and tend to do a little mod to suit my feelings:
Thinking one step further, I tend to connect the trees in son's poem with our HRH in the mod version. In my mind, BYJ is just like a unique tree we found in the woods, a tree that we decided to give extra care for, a tree that we watch intently, to anticipate it growing healthily, happily, prosperously. Our love is like the soil, that the tree draws strength, courage, inspiration from.
Thinking one step backwards, I recall an old post I did for the book I read "The Little Prince". In there you'd read the Little Prince has a special rose to take care of. Here I realize that I have a special tree - BYJ.
Some sisters are having April snow this year in Canada, even in Vancouver as Coco reported. Isn't is rare to see snow in Vancouver? Isn't it super rare to see snow in April in Vancouver? Isn't it because our HRH is stepping on the North American ground? Well while he is walking on the American ground at the east coast, the west coast is echoing with pure white snows. Generally speaking, on the east coast, we are having sunshines, blooming flowers, chirping birds, a beautiful spring to welcome our prince. A poetic April for he is here!
The joys of having children is that one will never stop having fun of learning new things. One of the things I learned recently is that April is American's National Poetry Month. Excuse my ignorance, I just got to know there is a "National Poetry Month" through my 6-grade boy. Looking back a month, now I started to see why he got a language art writing project starting in March creating, designing, assembling a booklet of 8 self-composed poems.
One March day at one of our afternoon piano lessons, while it was the time for the older boy to having lessons, the younger one would do his homework, and that day he was staring at the picturesque scene through the sizable window of our teacher's house situated in a peaceful woods, and murmuring out the words like "nature's flawless beauties...". I was thinking, wow! what poem is he making? This sure sounds like describing our prince ...
Weeks later, when in the early April, his poem booklet was back, with teacher's comment "I love it" and a full mark on the poem of which I heard ... "Nature's flawless beauties..." I was curious to see what he wrote. There I found the page that holds that little poem, with his hand-drawn illustrations.
Naturally I asked him, why was the poem written in a staggered way. Then one more thing I found that I learned was - this poem's style is called "stair peom", in which you are required to write the poems in stair forms, one line beneath the other, each line shifted left to make up a four level stairs. The first line is a summary of the object. The second line is where and/or when about the object, the third line has to consist 3 adjectives describing the object, and the last line will be the name of the object. My son, growing up and fascinated with woods, wrote these little verses:
(I have a hard time to format it correctly as it should be in the stair poem format. This is the best I can do with this blogger. Just imagine that it is in the format as illustrated in the above picture.)
Wondrous Woods
Nature's Flawless Beauties
In parks and forests, year round
Majestic, Lofty, Ancient
Majestic, Lofty, Ancient
Trees
It's a simple poem, but somehow it sticks to my mind. The more I think about it, the more I am feeling it was written to my prince HRH. The more I savor on it, the more I think about HRH and tend to do a little mod to suit my feelings:
Marvelous Man
Nature's Flawless Beauty
In image, in voice, in spirit
Majestic, Lofty, Timeless
BYJ
Nature's Flawless Beauty
In image, in voice, in spirit
Majestic, Lofty, Timeless
BYJ
Thinking one step further, I tend to connect the trees in son's poem with our HRH in the mod version. In my mind, BYJ is just like a unique tree we found in the woods, a tree that we decided to give extra care for, a tree that we watch intently, to anticipate it growing healthily, happily, prosperously. Our love is like the soil, that the tree draws strength, courage, inspiration from.
Thinking one step backwards, I recall an old post I did for the book I read "The Little Prince". In there you'd read the Little Prince has a special rose to take care of. Here I realize that I have a special tree - BYJ.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Beijing Morning Post 03-31-2008: 姜在豪:埋葬在裴勇俊的1999年
Sapphire pointed to us another article from Beijing Morning Post dated 2008-03-31. It's about BYJ's Have We Really Loved, my favorite drama. Here is the original post.
《我们真的爱过吗？》里的姜在豪就像困死在松脂里的小虫，但不是一个无奈的失误，它是美丽珍贵的琥珀。
那一夜，看裴勇俊主演的《我们真的爱过吗？》(又名:来世还等你)，看到姜在豪因为失去了苦心经营的蟹行工作而失声悲嚎，不停地回忆往日的不易和曾经的安慰，不停地喝酒流泪，我也跟着他哭，哭得很伤心。
哭的时候，我想起自己的一件往事。那是工作几年以后，我跟单位里最大的头儿起了冲突，得了个留职察看的处分，我真想一走了之。我妈妈说，你有多大把握再找到合适的工作？稳定下来不容易，忍一忍吧。我夜不安眠地想来想去，想起的全是这些年的不易，终于忍过去了。
现在这件事我们单位里的人也都淡漠了。只有我自己，冷暖自知——姜在豪，轻而易举地勾起了我一些隐藏在生命深处的灰暗而感伤的回忆。
《我们真的爱过吗？》中的姜在豪，出身贫寒但很自尊，白天读书，晚上去蟹行辛苦工作（像咱们的海鲜摊贩），只是想把自己和妹妹弄得体面点儿。但这样的生活 让他觉得很累，所以他想追求到一个富人家的千金，好让以后的日子不这么辛苦。他的想法卑微得令人心酸——车是二手车，名牌表是水货。但裴勇俊赋予了这个角 色高贵的气质，即使在被富家女友识破了贫穷的真相时也让人不觉得他可怜委琐，反而感慨人生对他真是不公啊!
裴勇俊演的姜在豪，像上帝的弃儿!
当在豪被朋友害得失去了辛苦多年攒下的生计，最疼的妹妹也不理解他，满腹伤心无处诉说时,他只能去找自己默默爱恋的女教师信英。在校园里的一处台阶上，他 低声对信英说：“给我一杯茶吧。”那一刻,姜在豪,或者说裴勇俊,像一个受尽委屈的小男孩终于来到了妈妈面前，脆弱、无辜又透着隐忍着的自尊和不自觉的爱 情。戏中的苦难和裴勇俊的表演皆如静水深流，看似波澜不惊，却有让人窒息的疼痛，无声而惊心。
喜欢看裴勇俊演《冬季恋歌》的李民亨、 《情定大饭店》的申东贤，但那都是混出头的人了，他们的苦难和失意都是戏。你知道是一场戏。坐在台下看人演上吊，哭肿了双眼，心里依然可以有迷离婉转的音 乐。可是在豪无论怎么痛苦挣扎，却总像在那一束舞台追光照不到的地方。你看见他身上覆盖着真实的暗影，最终以死亡留下一摊难以收拾的破碎，想起的全是自己 真正有过的困窘和伤心。
看舞台上美丽的天鹅之死和回忆自己曾经养过而终于没养活的小金鱼，感觉完全不同。
裴勇俊演姜在豪的经历和体验，所付出过的代价和品尝过的失败苦涩，恐怕也是唯一的，难忘的。
1999 年，裴勇俊以辞演KBS的《纸鸢》为代价，执意出演这部戏，渴望在演技上有真正的突破，为此他遭到了KBS长达三年的封杀。适逢韩国经济萧条，这部沉郁的 悲剧，如今在裴勇俊的影迷中仍被公认为极具艺术价值和思想深度的代表作，在当时却收视低迷。此后裴勇俊在韩国演艺圈消失两年……
姜在豪似乎被彻底埋葬了,犹如剧情中一样死去了。他埋葬在裴勇俊的1999年，也埋葬在我的观剧记忆里。这部剧我只看了一遍，至今不敢重温。
但是，这是一种不忍触动的静默，与遗忘和忽略无关，却有着真切的痛楚和深刻的珍视。
我大学里读当代文学史时，老师讲到朦胧诗的鼻祖北岛的一节。很多人津津乐道于他的《回答》、《迷途》，可我却独独爱上了他那首冷僻的《岸》：
陪伴着现在和以往
岸，举着一根高高的芦苇
四下眺望
是你
守护着每一个波浪
守护着迷人的泡沫和星星
当呜咽的月亮
吹起古老的船歌
多么忧伤
我是岸
我是渔港
我伸展着手臂
等待着穷孩子的小船
载回一盏盏灯光
在世界的无数角落总有那么一些穷孩子，独自困苦的时刻，都在竭力存活。他们会戴上格外坚硬高傲的面具，以抵御外界支撑自己，想在与命运的撞击中博取一些温暖或甜蜜的馈赠，来溶解人生的寒苦。
在豪这艘穷孩子的小船，也是那样勉力地寻找和追随着属于他的几星灯光。接近了，又错过，得到了，又被风吹灭。当最后一盏红纱灯终于飘落在他的船头时，他找得太疲倦的双眼却永远地闭上了……
但在豪需要人可怜吗？
我摇头。如果这样，他一生的自尊会一起来抗议。就像看到困死在松脂里的小虫，你会有敬意。它不是一个无奈的失误，它是美丽珍贵的琥珀……在戏的最后，他失明，失聪，灵魂却被卸却了一切世俗的枷锁，怆然而恬然地立于上帝的面前，他死的时候，脸上带着婴儿般的表情……
在裴勇俊的所有演出中，在豪最让我对他的演艺生涯充满敬意。他赋予生命的不是一个角色，而是一种灵魂的历程。
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Translation: Fairy I - Purity :: 童话 (一) - 纯洁
You must have read Jaime's recent writing about fairy tale and BYJ. Following her Manet series and Photographic Art series, here comes her fairy tale series. Beautiful!!! I can't resist to translate it into Chinese.
童话 (一) - 纯洁
随着时间的流逝, 我们的心灵渐渐地被现实生活的琐事和艰辛所缠绕.我们再没有时间给美梦和幻想,因为我们会忙于满足我们的物质需求和社会义务. 很多姐 妹们都感到在发现了裴勇俊之后,我们迷失已久的纯真与梦想又再次苏醒.这里我想尝试从童话幻想的角度来探索裴勇俊现象.
始自神话学,童话(仙境)象征一种使人着魔或是进入心荡神怡的状态,一种使人进入梦幻的力量,一种能给人带来祝福的人所具有的能力.在布里塔尼半岛(现法 国西北部), 冰岛,和斯坎地那维亚这些大部分自然美景还没有被损坏的地区,人们依然保持着相信童话传说的热情.童话的存在浸透着对第四维空间的向往,使 人从物质定律所限定的时间和空间中解放出来. 结合于万物有灵论, 一种人为花草,树木,湖泊,山脉和水晶都赋有灵魂的信仰, 童话景观在这些自然能量高度聚集的地区显现这样的话语在悄然蔓延.
童 话以她迷人的美丽,快乐,感召,幽默和调皮而著称.她将现实萦绕上一层虚幻,重建一个人类和童话共存的王国. 如果我们留心放慢脚步,启用我们所有的感 官,要么欣赏花瓣上滴下的露珠,要么呼吸熏衣草园飘来的阵阵花香,或是聆听花园中落日彩霞的细语.我们又会对童话的美妙和神秘所痴迷 --- 就象一线涟漪,一屡轻风,或是一片未经侵扰的静谧.童话唤起我们天赋的智慧和纯洁,令我们的灵魂同自然产生共鸣.
我的愿望就是将清纯的勇俊同美丽无邪的童话世界联系在一起. 我们迷人王子散发的纯洁品质,渗透着他的青春活力,纯正无邪,交织着他的高贵和真诚,使他的美光芒四射.让他再次成为我们窥入梦幻奇妙王国的窗口.
童话 (一) - 纯洁
还记得小的时候在妈妈怀中听妈妈唱着摇篮曲或是讲着童话故事,你慢慢地进入梦乡?我们幼小的脑海中洋溢着公主,仙女教母,美丽的女孩和奇妙的魔术.有趣的 是,无论我们在世界的哪个角落, 不知怎么我们都会听到象Cinderella, 白雪公主,睡美人这类同样的故事. 童话故事真的已经成为我们成长过程 中珍贵的一部分,不是吗?
随着时间的流逝, 我们的心灵渐渐地被现实生活的琐事和艰辛所缠绕.我们再没有时间给美梦和幻想,因为我们会忙于满足我们的物质需求和社会义务. 很多姐 妹们都感到在发现了裴勇俊之后,我们迷失已久的纯真与梦想又再次苏醒.这里我想尝试从童话幻想的角度来探索裴勇俊现象.
始自神话学,童话(仙境)象征一种使人着魔或是进入心荡神怡的状态,一种使人进入梦幻的力量,一种能给人带来祝福的人所具有的能力.在布里塔尼半岛(现法 国西北部), 冰岛,和斯坎地那维亚这些大部分自然美景还没有被损坏的地区,人们依然保持着相信童话传说的热情.童话的存在浸透着对第四维空间的向往,使 人从物质定律所限定的时间和空间中解放出来. 结合于万物有灵论, 一种人为花草,树木,湖泊,山脉和水晶都赋有灵魂的信仰, 童话景观在这些自然能量高度聚集的地区显现这样的话语在悄然蔓延.
童 话以她迷人的美丽,快乐,感召,幽默和调皮而著称.她将现实萦绕上一层虚幻,重建一个人类和童话共存的王国. 如果我们留心放慢脚步,启用我们所有的感 官,要么欣赏花瓣上滴下的露珠,要么呼吸熏衣草园飘来的阵阵花香,或是聆听花园中落日彩霞的细语.我们又会对童话的美妙和神秘所痴迷 --- 就象一线涟漪,一屡轻风,或是一片未经侵扰的静谧.童话唤起我们天赋的智慧和纯洁,令我们的灵魂同自然产生共鸣.
我的愿望就是将清纯的勇俊同美丽无邪的童话世界联系在一起. 我们迷人王子散发的纯洁品质,渗透着他的青春活力,纯正无邪,交织着他的高贵和真诚,使他的美光芒四射.让他再次成为我们窥入梦幻奇妙王国的窗口.
参考书目:
1. A Complete Guide to Faeries & Magical Beings, Cassandra Eason, Judy Piatkus (Publishers) Ltd., 2001
2. Faeries, Brian Froud and Alan Lee, Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Publishers, New York, 1978
3. The Book of Faeries, Francis Melville, Barron's Educational Series, Inc., 2002
4. The Little People - Stories of Fairies, Pixies, and other Small Folk, Neil Philip, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2002
5. The World of Fairies, Gossamer Penwyche, Sterling Publishing Co., Inc, New York, 2001
鸣谢:
1. 谢谢亲爱的jillie姐姐上传音乐.
2. 有些图片借用了Korachan 和 Amadienne 的艺术创作.请允许我在这里感谢你们.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Study Notes: BYJ Classics - Scenes::Love Story
It's this Bae-ry quiet period again. And we don't know how long it will be. Every Bae sister's patience, endurance and elegant neck are growing stronger and longer. Fumi-san just wrote an article on JOB describing this scenario - all eyes are on BYJ's any tiny move. Where is he? What is he doing now? What is his next project? Every other day, there comes news about him visiting Gorilla, or beauty salon, or he has cut his hair (then maybe not), or he is going to perform in this movie or that drama... As eager as we can be, we found ourselves back to the old familiar routines - repeatedly watching his DVDs, relearning his personality through his past interviews and fan articles, circulating his news and VOD/photos, the lucky Korean and Japanese fans can even dine out in his restaurants, or attend his concerts, watching his dramas together in the theaters. Desperation is the mother of creativity. Here is one more thing that we can do to decipher him through his recent product offerings - BYJ Classics The Scenes.
Two years after his first offering to his fan-family the first series of his favorite classical music collections - BYJ Classics Hero 34 (released when he was 34 years old), now we are in the spring of 2008. What do we get this year? Not "BYJ Classics **** 36", but the "BYJ Classics The Scenes". A bit Surprised first, but think twice, it makes so much sense. Being a professional in drama making field, AND a music lover, is it fair to think that combining the classical drama scenes and music masterpieces into a series of music albums offers a perfect vehicle to communicate part of his inner world to us.
As we recall from the Dong-gam (Sympathy) Vol. II album, BYJ represents "Love", see Dong-gam(Symapathy) vol. 2 Making film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kS5gnAzLRk
It seems so natural that in this music series, one of the four themes shall be about love - Love Story. So let's start from this album first.
Thanks to flowerbossa, I got the movie/music list of the CD from her recent posting for Love Story. Let's see what movies and musics HRH likes and perhaps recommends to us.
1. Dvorak's Symphony No.9 "From the New World" (from the film “Clear and Present Danger”)
I don't seem to fine the theme "love" in this movie summary. Guess I need to watch the movie to find the "Love Story".
Movie : Clear and Present Danger (1994)
Wikepedia Info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear_and_present_danger
IMDb Profile:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109444/
Smart, tight, utterly convincing and believable and well executed, this is that rare brainy "action" film that does get you involved and hanging on the edge of your seat.
Music: Dvorak's Symphony No.9 "From the New World"
Youtube: Dvorak - Symphony No. 9 "From the New World" - 4th movement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vlci-kCEaKE
Marvelous!!! One of my favorite symphonies!
2. Puccini's 'Turandot, Nessun Dorma' (from “The Killing Fields”)
There! At least I see the word "love" in Dith Pran's journal when he was imprisoned.
Movie: The Killing Fields (1984)
Wikipedia Info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Killing_Fields
IMDb Profile:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087553/
A great movie, of an awful moment in human history. If we have any chance of overcoming man's sorry past, it will be because movies like this one get made once in a while.
Music: Puccini's Turandot, Nessun Dorma
Youtube: Pavarotti - Nessun Dorma - Turandot, Puccini
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr5vpHtJIlg
Breathtaking!!! Of course, one of my favorite opera songs!
3. Beethoven's 'Piano concerto No.5, Emperor'. (from “Immortal Beloved”)
Movie: Immortal Beloved (1994)
Wikipedia Info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immortal_Beloved_(film)
IMDb Profile:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110116/
"The music is wonderful here and tries to explain the emotions behind the man."
Music: Beethoven Cencerto No. 5, Emperor
Youtube : Beethoven: Concerto 5 movt. 3 (by Claudio Arrau, never before published)
Claudio Arrau is one of the best Beethoven performers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G7nwZCKkr8&feature=related
Mitsuko Uchida is also one of my favorite pianist, want to compare her performance on this movement?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLQxYThWZoM&feature=related
Now since you are looking at Mitsuko Uchida and piano concertos, please please please watch this clip, one of my favorite favorite favorite piano concertos, my son is haunted by this piece too! It's Mozart Piano Concerto No. 20. Just recently I found out that this is widely rated as the No. 1 of 100 greated piano concertos in history. No wonder!
1st movement part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3ymJGV5_lI
1st movement part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpYlUI5HTpM&feature=related
2nd movement http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyMNDHaMb2w&feature=related
3rd movement http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDQ-S7lD6E4&feature=related
Uchida is usually rated as one of the best Mozart piano performers. The reviews said she plays Mozart the best, but lesser on Beethoven pieces. To me she is good enough.
4. J.S. Bach’s Harpsichord Concerto in D Major (from “Love Story”)
Movie: Love Story (1970)
Wikipedia Info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Story_(1970_film)
IMDB Profile:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066011/
"The music was also terrific in this movie. I think it's, beside the acting, one of the most important points to make this movie timeless."
Music: J.S. Bach’s Harpsichord Concerto in D Major
Youtube :
Bach - Concerto No. 3 in D Major for harpsichord (BWV 1054)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brmmJhaLbsU
5. Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.2 (from “Brief Encounter”)
Movie: Brief Encounter (1945)
Wikipedia Info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brief_Encounter
IMDb
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037558/
"Brief Encounter" is the perfect encapsulation of a very specific time in both women's and British history.
How about just leave it like that and you can figure out the rest of the "Love Story". Watch this line, I love it!
"See this film to witness how it was once possible to make films about love without bedroom scenes. "
Music: Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.2
Youtube: Rachmaninov piano concerto No.2 by Weissenberg & Karajan
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZRbko3UsnQ&feature=related
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx_XfNWkf_s&NR=1
Such a touching piece! Rachmaninov is so talented isn't he? Karajan was the conductor. Pianist Alexis Weissenberg did a great job!
IMDb Profile:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0211915/usercomments?start=0
"In my opinion, it is an outstanding film in film history for its cinematography, the music, the story, but above all the overall atmosphere ... The atmosphere is also supported by the magnificent music by Yann Tiersen who has composed 19 songs in 15 days for this movie. The principal motive appears in many variations somehow being joyful, yet at the same time sad - slow and sometimes fast and activating. The music supports every moment in the film and becomes the sound of a fabulous world."
Music: Barber's "Adagio for Strings"
Actually never heard this before. Thank you BYJ for introducing a beautiful piece to me!
Youtube :Samuel Barber - Adagio for Strings, op.11. Uncut
A nice pace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV3SHBFyDZM&feature=related
A singing version, hauntingly beautiful ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkObnNQCMtM
Wow, no wonder we all love HRH! He has such good taste for arts. These movies and musics are all so very beautiful and meaningful! Thank you HRH for introducing this CD to us. I find it rather educational too! For the lucky sisters in Japan, especially Jaime, enjoy the BYJ Classics Scenes concerts!
Two years after his first offering to his fan-family the first series of his favorite classical music collections - BYJ Classics Hero 34 (released when he was 34 years old), now we are in the spring of 2008. What do we get this year? Not "BYJ Classics **** 36", but the "BYJ Classics The Scenes". A bit Surprised first, but think twice, it makes so much sense. Being a professional in drama making field, AND a music lover, is it fair to think that combining the classical drama scenes and music masterpieces into a series of music albums offers a perfect vehicle to communicate part of his inner world to us.
As we recall from the Dong-gam (Sympathy) Vol. II album, BYJ represents "Love", see Dong-gam(Symapathy) vol. 2 Making film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kS5gnAzLRk
It seems so natural that in this music series, one of the four themes shall be about love - Love Story. So let's start from this album first.
Thanks to flowerbossa, I got the movie/music list of the CD from her recent posting for Love Story. Let's see what movies and musics HRH likes and perhaps recommends to us.
1. Dvorak's Symphony No.9 "From the New World" (from the film “Clear and Present Danger”)
I don't seem to fine the theme "love" in this movie summary. Guess I need to watch the movie to find the "Love Story".
Movie : Clear and Present Danger (1994)
Wikepedia Info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear_and_present_danger
IMDb Profile:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109444/
Smart, tight, utterly convincing and believable and well executed, this is that rare brainy "action" film that does get you involved and hanging on the edge of your seat.
Music: Dvorak's Symphony No.9 "From the New World"
Youtube: Dvorak - Symphony No. 9 "From the New World" - 4th movement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vlci-kCEaKE
Marvelous!!! One of my favorite symphonies!
2. Puccini's 'Turandot, Nessun Dorma' (from “The Killing Fields”)
There! At least I see the word "love" in Dith Pran's journal when he was imprisoned.
Movie: The Killing Fields (1984)
Wikipedia Info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Killing_Fields
IMDb Profile:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087553/
A great movie, of an awful moment in human history. If we have any chance of overcoming man's sorry past, it will be because movies like this one get made once in a while.
Quotes:
Dith Pran: [in his journal while imprisoned] The wind whispers of fear and hate. The war has killed love. And those that confess to the Angka are punished, and no one dare ask where they go. Here, only the silent survive.Music: Puccini's Turandot, Nessun Dorma
Youtube: Pavarotti - Nessun Dorma - Turandot, Puccini
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr5vpHtJIlg
Breathtaking!!! Of course, one of my favorite opera songs!
3. Beethoven's 'Piano concerto No.5, Emperor'. (from “Immortal Beloved”)
Movie: Immortal Beloved (1994)
Wikipedia Info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immortal_Beloved_(film)
IMDb Profile:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110116/
"The music is wonderful here and tries to explain the emotions behind the man."
Music: Beethoven Cencerto No. 5, Emperor
Youtube : Beethoven: Concerto 5 movt. 3 (by Claudio Arrau, never before published)
Claudio Arrau is one of the best Beethoven performers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G7nwZCKkr8&feature=related
Mitsuko Uchida is also one of my favorite pianist, want to compare her performance on this movement?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLQxYThWZoM&feature=related
Now since you are looking at Mitsuko Uchida and piano concertos, please please please watch this clip, one of my favorite favorite favorite piano concertos, my son is haunted by this piece too! It's Mozart Piano Concerto No. 20. Just recently I found out that this is widely rated as the No. 1 of 100 greated piano concertos in history. No wonder!
1st movement part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3ymJGV5_lI
1st movement part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpYlUI5HTpM&feature=related
2nd movement http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyMNDHaMb2w&feature=related
3rd movement http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDQ-S7lD6E4&feature=related
Uchida is usually rated as one of the best Mozart piano performers. The reviews said she plays Mozart the best, but lesser on Beethoven pieces. To me she is good enough.
4. J.S. Bach’s Harpsichord Concerto in D Major (from “Love Story”)
Movie: Love Story (1970)
Wikipedia Info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Story_(1970_film)
IMDB Profile:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066011/
"The music was also terrific in this movie. I think it's, beside the acting, one of the most important points to make this movie timeless."
Music: J.S. Bach’s Harpsichord Concerto in D Major
Youtube :
Bach - Concerto No. 3 in D Major for harpsichord (BWV 1054)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brmmJhaLbsU
5. Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.2 (from “Brief Encounter”)
Movie: Brief Encounter (1945)
Wikipedia Info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brief_Encounter
IMDb
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037558/
"Brief Encounter" is the perfect encapsulation of a very specific time in both women's and British history.
How about just leave it like that and you can figure out the rest of the "Love Story". Watch this line, I love it!
"See this film to witness how it was once possible to make films about love without bedroom scenes. "
Music: Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.2
Youtube: Rachmaninov piano concerto No.2 by Weissenberg & Karajan
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZRbko3UsnQ&feature=related
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx_XfNWkf_s&NR=1
Such a touching piece! Rachmaninov is so talented isn't he? Karajan was the conductor. Pianist Alexis Weissenberg did a great job!
6. Barber's "Adagio for Strings" (from “Amelie”)
Movie: Amelie (2001)
From the reviews, it looks like a must-see. Wow HRH, thank you for bring this to my attention. I am so ignorant!
Wikipedia Info:
IMDb Profile:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0211915/usercomments?start=0
"In my opinion, it is an outstanding film in film history for its cinematography, the music, the story, but above all the overall atmosphere ... The atmosphere is also supported by the magnificent music by Yann Tiersen who has composed 19 songs in 15 days for this movie. The principal motive appears in many variations somehow being joyful, yet at the same time sad - slow and sometimes fast and activating. The music supports every moment in the film and becomes the sound of a fabulous world."
Music: Barber's "Adagio for Strings"
Actually never heard this before. Thank you BYJ for introducing a beautiful piece to me!
Youtube :Samuel Barber - Adagio for Strings, op.11. Uncut
A nice pace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV3SHBFyDZM&feature=related
A singing version, hauntingly beautiful ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkObnNQCMtM
Wow, no wonder we all love HRH! He has such good taste for arts. These movies and musics are all so very beautiful and meaningful! Thank you HRH for introducing this CD to us. I find it rather educational too! For the lucky sisters in Japan, especially Jaime, enjoy the BYJ Classics Scenes concerts!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
"Shadow is the Proof of Sun" by Saphire
Thanks to HRH, things seemed impossible before are happening now. Through him, I got to know so many beautiful souls, so many artistic, creative, articulate sisters. Different talents all for expressing the same love - the love for beauty and the love for love. Some are good at expressing with artwork, some are good at expressing with words. Saphire is one of them who are good at words. March 17, 2008, her writing about BYJ and her thoughts on the meaning of fandom, was published on the newspaper "Beijing Morning". Have always been a fan of her writing because I hear echo in my heart from many of her articles - she can express the feelings that I have more precisely and clearly that I can never do it myself. Here is the copy I read on baidu.com BYJ Forum. I am translating with my snail pace.
编者按:
本版不是追星心路!
这些被我们发掘出来的文字里寄托的真实情感,在被我们关注之前已经默默地存在很久了!它们的执著,真诚,纯洁让我们吃惊并且感动,早就高于一般意义的追星。
作者之一“蓝宝石别墅”为她的偶像写过一句话:“在世界的某处，有那样一个人的身与心的全情盛开，惊动远方！”
我们愿意成为又一个被惊动者！惊动于这些毫无功利色彩的情感！惊动于他们笔下那些因为偶像而生的美好文字和意境……
用影子证明太阳的存在
蓝宝石别墅
许多年前的一个春夜，我曾因为在电视里蓦然看到一位已故歌手的醇美吟唱而被触动，在夜色里,感动低回于心。
更远的许多年前，我曾在一个晴朗的午后走过学校后面的小书摊，买了本杂志，上面有一篇文章是写一位我不熟悉的演员的，题目是：无尽的理想。我爱上了这个题目，尽管我还是忘了那位演员的容貌和名字，但我喜欢看见这几个字的午后。
在这些记忆里我总是能一次次明了自己是个爱美的人，有时会对生活的尘嚣微微地侧转过脸，在心的片刻寂静中倾听我心中花开的声音。那时候我还不知道世界上有个叫裴勇俊的人，不知道有一天我会成为这个人的影迷。
(小标题)记忆和照片是两回事，记忆并不需要具体的样子。
有一天早上在巴士上看新闻，说北京下了好大的雪，一时站在那里有点恍惚，电视画面里的雪景竟让我觉得温暖，有一种熟悉的亲切感就像雪花一样，在内心深处那个柔软的角落轻轻飘洒……想起《冬季恋歌》中的裴勇俊。他在初雪中微微仰头展颜一笑，那个短暂的镜头，如今常在这平淡的岁月流光里明灭不已。
忘不了那个初见他的夏夜——我一个人躲在静夜里看《冬季恋歌》。看着他在雪中点燃一支烟，回头一笑纯如孩童：“惟真小姐……”仿佛有长长的白云在空中断裂，遥远无声而惊心动魄，一颗心不知是迅速沉落还是飘摇上升。窗外似有残余的天光受了惊一般蓦然远逝。在深夜关上影碟机，泡了一杯咖啡，独自在暗暗的香氛和流逝的时间里，回味的心情竟是欲仙欲死。
有一天家里来了客人，是我先生的朋友，一位五十多岁和蔼的妇人。她很喜欢我女儿，一直逗她玩，说：“这样大的孩子最好玩了，半懂不懂的。”说着她抬起头，有点茫然地笑着：“我儿子这么大的时候是什么样子的？呵呵，我已经记不清了。”
当时我有点讶异。我看着女儿想：她现在的样子，以后我会记不清吗？
后来我自己走在小区里，看到特别可爱的小宝宝，忍不住也去逗他玩，问：“多大啦？”说是五个月了。我忽然想：我女儿五个月时是什么样子？
一些可爱的影子蹒跚而来，可是，哪一个是她五个月时候的？于是想起那位妇人的话，再一次有点讶异。
晚上得空时没忘记心里这回事，就拿出相册翻看。照片下方都有时间，于是我找到小孩五个月时六个月时一个个时期的清晰的影像。真的，我记得，我记得捏住她小手小脚时肉乎乎的感觉，我记得小婴儿身上特有的体香，也记得在她还不会坐时，我竭力张开手掌托着她后背抱起她时的那种小心翼翼和柔软心怀……一切一切，像一潭温泉，全在我心里，可是，她穿什么衣服什么鞋子一个个具体的样子，真的记不分明了。
原来，记忆和照片完全是两回事；原来，常常，记忆并不需要什么具体的样子。
(小标题)偶像的意义，就像用影子证明太阳的存在
多次重温这个贴在裴勇俊官网上的美丽故事：
几年前，一个裴勇俊的影迷生癌，她想在离开这个世界前能亲眼看看裴勇俊。她写了一封信而且亲自去了韩国。那时裴勇俊的人气正风靡整个亚洲,她知道想要和他见面是不可能的了。
然而有一天，当她打开宾馆的房门时看到的竟是裴勇俊！他是百忙之中抽空来看她的。他买了水果给她，用英语和她交谈，他很自然地伸出手来握住她……这位影迷活了过来。她说：我真心实意地感谢他，为他那颗仁慈善良的心。
也许，一千个人喜欢裴勇俊会有远远不止一千个理由,他有着优美雅致的外表，有孩子般纯真温暖的笑容，他是个优秀敬业的演员，曾扮演过无数观众眼中最完美或最独特的情人……但我相信最终都会认同这句话：为他那颗仁慈善良的心。
我们寄寓在自己心中并期冀于这个世界的理想，可以有各种各样斑斓的翅膀，但最终能无尽追寻并永不放弃的，不正是那样一种人性的光芒吗？
我相信人的一生都是需要偶像的，只是年龄不同，要求不同，方式也不同，只看有没有那么一个合适的寄托对象出现。偶像的意义，就像用影子证明太阳的存在，他不是你身边的血肉之躯，却时常伴随着你，并且告诉你天空的晴朗和温暖。
裴勇俊拍了电影《外出》后，我做出了以前自己根本无法想象的事。那是在２００５年的１１月，我千里迢迢地从上海到北京，参加了他的电影《外出》的首映式。
我站在首都剧场，于千万声欢呼中默默注视舞台上依然沉静儒雅的裴勇俊，听他用并不流利但咬字标准的中文说出他对每一位影迷的感谢和祝福，我知道，此生我已不会把这个高大温美的异乡人忘记。与他有关的一切，终于成为我内心情感和人生旅途的一部分，如一朵莲，如一片叶，在远离裴勇俊的地方生长。
(小标题)对童话背后真相的分析使我们失去了连忧郁也明亮着的纯真年代
也曾经不止一次地被别人问过：你究竟为什么喜欢裴勇俊？你了解他吗？你知道日常生活中真实的他到底是什么样的吗？你爱他什么？他的那些照片？他演的那些虚构的人物？他在舞台上视频里表现给你看的那些样子？你说他那么好，到底有什么确实的根据？
是的，我不认识他，我不知道他的一天一天怎样度过。我能知道的其实都只是我自己单方面的事情。很像一个人坐在月下喝酒，自己摆下一桌盛筵，想盛情款待的那位嘉宾，一直也没有到场。我，自斟自饮，一个人有了醉意，甚至兀自起舞弄清影。
可是，我看到的月色，闻到的酒香，分明不是虚妄的。举杯邀明月，不正是一种古已有之的美丽情怀吗？那些心里的滋味，从来就是属于自己的真实，一点也没有虚假。
我们在红尘中渐渐长大，一点点地学会了计较，学会了分析，计较感情的付出是不是值得，分析有过的悲喜是不是正确；计较繁华过后寂寞的代价，分析童话背后冷漠的真相。也正是在这样的计较中，终于失去了自己连忧郁也明亮着的纯真年代。
记得很小的时候，听说国际饭店很高很高，我非常好奇，终于趁一次下楼去倒垃圾的机会，飞奔到与居处隔了几条街的南京路上，又沿着南京路一阵狂奔，跑到国际饭店跟前，仰头看了一眼。哇！真的好高。然后，再转身沿着原路飞奔回来，气喘吁吁地回到家里，偷偷地乐着，想：我看到国际饭店了！
只稍稍长大一点，到国际饭店门前来来往往就变得不稀奇了。可是那幼年的激情狂奔，傻吗？不值得吗？应该是吧。但我为什么要那样去批判那颗年幼的心？我只会记得，有过这样一个快乐而有趣的经历。
长大以后，想起那些童话故事，孙悟空、匹诺曹、神笔马良……依然会发自内心地微笑。它们本来就没有真的实现过什么神奇，不能忘的，只是那种快乐和梦，陪伴过我们的成长。
编者按:
本版不是追星心路!
这些被我们发掘出来的文字里寄托的真实情感,在被我们关注之前已经默默地存在很久了!它们的执著,真诚,纯洁让我们吃惊并且感动,早就高于一般意义的追星。
作者之一“蓝宝石别墅”为她的偶像写过一句话:“在世界的某处，有那样一个人的身与心的全情盛开，惊动远方！”
我们愿意成为又一个被惊动者！惊动于这些毫无功利色彩的情感！惊动于他们笔下那些因为偶像而生的美好文字和意境……
用影子证明太阳的存在
蓝宝石别墅
许多年前的一个春夜，我曾因为在电视里蓦然看到一位已故歌手的醇美吟唱而被触动，在夜色里,感动低回于心。
更远的许多年前，我曾在一个晴朗的午后走过学校后面的小书摊，买了本杂志，上面有一篇文章是写一位我不熟悉的演员的，题目是：无尽的理想。我爱上了这个题目，尽管我还是忘了那位演员的容貌和名字，但我喜欢看见这几个字的午后。
在这些记忆里我总是能一次次明了自己是个爱美的人，有时会对生活的尘嚣微微地侧转过脸，在心的片刻寂静中倾听我心中花开的声音。那时候我还不知道世界上有个叫裴勇俊的人，不知道有一天我会成为这个人的影迷。
(小标题)记忆和照片是两回事，记忆并不需要具体的样子。
有一天早上在巴士上看新闻，说北京下了好大的雪，一时站在那里有点恍惚，电视画面里的雪景竟让我觉得温暖，有一种熟悉的亲切感就像雪花一样，在内心深处那个柔软的角落轻轻飘洒……想起《冬季恋歌》中的裴勇俊。他在初雪中微微仰头展颜一笑，那个短暂的镜头，如今常在这平淡的岁月流光里明灭不已。
忘不了那个初见他的夏夜——我一个人躲在静夜里看《冬季恋歌》。看着他在雪中点燃一支烟，回头一笑纯如孩童：“惟真小姐……”仿佛有长长的白云在空中断裂，遥远无声而惊心动魄，一颗心不知是迅速沉落还是飘摇上升。窗外似有残余的天光受了惊一般蓦然远逝。在深夜关上影碟机，泡了一杯咖啡，独自在暗暗的香氛和流逝的时间里，回味的心情竟是欲仙欲死。
有一天家里来了客人，是我先生的朋友，一位五十多岁和蔼的妇人。她很喜欢我女儿，一直逗她玩，说：“这样大的孩子最好玩了，半懂不懂的。”说着她抬起头，有点茫然地笑着：“我儿子这么大的时候是什么样子的？呵呵，我已经记不清了。”
当时我有点讶异。我看着女儿想：她现在的样子，以后我会记不清吗？
后来我自己走在小区里，看到特别可爱的小宝宝，忍不住也去逗他玩，问：“多大啦？”说是五个月了。我忽然想：我女儿五个月时是什么样子？
一些可爱的影子蹒跚而来，可是，哪一个是她五个月时候的？于是想起那位妇人的话，再一次有点讶异。
晚上得空时没忘记心里这回事，就拿出相册翻看。照片下方都有时间，于是我找到小孩五个月时六个月时一个个时期的清晰的影像。真的，我记得，我记得捏住她小手小脚时肉乎乎的感觉，我记得小婴儿身上特有的体香，也记得在她还不会坐时，我竭力张开手掌托着她后背抱起她时的那种小心翼翼和柔软心怀……一切一切，像一潭温泉，全在我心里，可是，她穿什么衣服什么鞋子一个个具体的样子，真的记不分明了。
原来，记忆和照片完全是两回事；原来，常常，记忆并不需要什么具体的样子。
(小标题)偶像的意义，就像用影子证明太阳的存在
多次重温这个贴在裴勇俊官网上的美丽故事：
几年前，一个裴勇俊的影迷生癌，她想在离开这个世界前能亲眼看看裴勇俊。她写了一封信而且亲自去了韩国。那时裴勇俊的人气正风靡整个亚洲,她知道想要和他见面是不可能的了。
然而有一天，当她打开宾馆的房门时看到的竟是裴勇俊！他是百忙之中抽空来看她的。他买了水果给她，用英语和她交谈，他很自然地伸出手来握住她……这位影迷活了过来。她说：我真心实意地感谢他，为他那颗仁慈善良的心。
也许，一千个人喜欢裴勇俊会有远远不止一千个理由,他有着优美雅致的外表，有孩子般纯真温暖的笑容，他是个优秀敬业的演员，曾扮演过无数观众眼中最完美或最独特的情人……但我相信最终都会认同这句话：为他那颗仁慈善良的心。
我们寄寓在自己心中并期冀于这个世界的理想，可以有各种各样斑斓的翅膀，但最终能无尽追寻并永不放弃的，不正是那样一种人性的光芒吗？
我相信人的一生都是需要偶像的，只是年龄不同，要求不同，方式也不同，只看有没有那么一个合适的寄托对象出现。偶像的意义，就像用影子证明太阳的存在，他不是你身边的血肉之躯，却时常伴随着你，并且告诉你天空的晴朗和温暖。
裴勇俊拍了电影《外出》后，我做出了以前自己根本无法想象的事。那是在２００５年的１１月，我千里迢迢地从上海到北京，参加了他的电影《外出》的首映式。
我站在首都剧场，于千万声欢呼中默默注视舞台上依然沉静儒雅的裴勇俊，听他用并不流利但咬字标准的中文说出他对每一位影迷的感谢和祝福，我知道，此生我已不会把这个高大温美的异乡人忘记。与他有关的一切，终于成为我内心情感和人生旅途的一部分，如一朵莲，如一片叶，在远离裴勇俊的地方生长。
(小标题)对童话背后真相的分析使我们失去了连忧郁也明亮着的纯真年代
也曾经不止一次地被别人问过：你究竟为什么喜欢裴勇俊？你了解他吗？你知道日常生活中真实的他到底是什么样的吗？你爱他什么？他的那些照片？他演的那些虚构的人物？他在舞台上视频里表现给你看的那些样子？你说他那么好，到底有什么确实的根据？
是的，我不认识他，我不知道他的一天一天怎样度过。我能知道的其实都只是我自己单方面的事情。很像一个人坐在月下喝酒，自己摆下一桌盛筵，想盛情款待的那位嘉宾，一直也没有到场。我，自斟自饮，一个人有了醉意，甚至兀自起舞弄清影。
可是，我看到的月色，闻到的酒香，分明不是虚妄的。举杯邀明月，不正是一种古已有之的美丽情怀吗？那些心里的滋味，从来就是属于自己的真实，一点也没有虚假。
我们在红尘中渐渐长大，一点点地学会了计较，学会了分析，计较感情的付出是不是值得，分析有过的悲喜是不是正确；计较繁华过后寂寞的代价，分析童话背后冷漠的真相。也正是在这样的计较中，终于失去了自己连忧郁也明亮着的纯真年代。
记得很小的时候，听说国际饭店很高很高，我非常好奇，终于趁一次下楼去倒垃圾的机会，飞奔到与居处隔了几条街的南京路上，又沿着南京路一阵狂奔，跑到国际饭店跟前，仰头看了一眼。哇！真的好高。然后，再转身沿着原路飞奔回来，气喘吁吁地回到家里，偷偷地乐着，想：我看到国际饭店了！
只稍稍长大一点，到国际饭店门前来来往往就变得不稀奇了。可是那幼年的激情狂奔，傻吗？不值得吗？应该是吧。但我为什么要那样去批判那颗年幼的心？我只会记得，有过这样一个快乐而有趣的经历。
长大以后，想起那些童话故事，孙悟空、匹诺曹、神笔马良……依然会发自内心地微笑。它们本来就没有真的实现过什么神奇，不能忘的，只是那种快乐和梦，陪伴过我们的成长。
Monday, March 03, 2008
Yonsama and Manga "Drops of God"
Bae-land has been excited about the BOF message confirming that HRH is deeply interested in the TV production of Japanese manga "Drops of God", refer to bb's blog "on that manga again".
A number of sources confirmed that this comics series is very popular in Asia. Another interesting trend is that lately Asia is coming up on appreciating wine culture following the European tradition. Taking into account that our HRH is a well-known wine lover, I think taking on a role in the drama "Drops of God" is a great project for him, especially it looks like a rather safe one concerning wuri yong joon's health. Talking about HRH's interest in wine, an old bb's post came to mind - "wuri yong joon & wine..." posted on June 11, 2006.
Thanks to die-hard fan Judy, who forwarded us this piece of posting that really gave us a good sense of the popularity and potential of this manga series. When talking about potential, I do mean business potential. Wouldn't this drama fit perfectly to our HRH who has all the charming elements plus the shrewd business mind? The only concern I have is which of the two major roles he is going to pick? I am wildly thinking why don't they modify the script a bit to make the two brothers as twins, so that wuri HRH can take on both roles, that would be a new challenge our prince loves, well he'd better get double pay, but boy we are gonna see him double chances in each episode, fans are going to have a blast.
Here enjoy the article:
A number of sources confirmed that this comics series is very popular in Asia. Another interesting trend is that lately Asia is coming up on appreciating wine culture following the European tradition. Taking into account that our HRH is a well-known wine lover, I think taking on a role in the drama "Drops of God" is a great project for him, especially it looks like a rather safe one concerning wuri yong joon's health. Talking about HRH's interest in wine, an old bb's post came to mind - "wuri yong joon & wine..." posted on June 11, 2006.
Thanks to die-hard fan Judy, who forwarded us this piece of posting that really gave us a good sense of the popularity and potential of this manga series. When talking about potential, I do mean business potential. Wouldn't this drama fit perfectly to our HRH who has all the charming elements plus the shrewd business mind? The only concern I have is which of the two major roles he is going to pick? I am wildly thinking why don't they modify the script a bit to make the two brothers as twins, so that wuri HRH can take on both roles, that would be a new challenge our prince loves, well he'd better get double pay, but boy we are gonna see him double chances in each episode, fans are going to have a blast.
Here enjoy the article:
Divine drops
By SOPHIE HARDACH
An unusual comic series about fine wines is the toast of the wine-drinking lot.
THE aroma is like a rock concert, with notes of butterflies dancing over a pond and an aftertaste of Jesus Christ and his disciples.
Wine reviews with a twist are a speciality of Kami no Shizuku (The Drops of God), a manga series that has taken Japan by storm, is conquering South Korea and China, and has boosted European wine sales along the way.
Written by a brother-and-sister duo of wine enthusiasts, the manga combines a mystery plot with a playful introduction to European wines. Think The Da Vinci Code set in a Tokyo bar.
“The minute it was translated into Korean, we had calls from three importers,” said Basaline Granger Despagne, whose family has grown wine near France’s Dordogne river for 250 years. Their Chateau Mont Perat 2001 Bordeaux appears early on in the manga.
“When it was translated into Chinese, people called us from Taiwan saying, ‘I bought some Mont Perat and sold 50 cases in two days because of the manga,’” she said in a recent phone interview.
In South Korea, businessmen drop names from the serialised book into chats with reporters and shops display “Drops of God” signs.
Wine industry experts believe part of the manga’s appeal is that it teaches readers enough about wine to understand the drink and impress their friends, but does so in an entertaining way.
The main character of the manga, a young man called Shizuku Kanzaki, discovers the beauty of wine after his father, a famous wine critic, dies and leaves an unusual will: a description of 12 wines he considers to be the best in the world, comparing them to Jesus Christ’s disciples.
The first person to find these “disciples” will inherit the father’s wine collection, a contest that pits Shizuku against his adoptive brother, Issey Tomine, who works as a sommelier.
It rocks!
Their quest to find the “Drops of God” is illustrated by double-page manga graphics visualising the heavenly wines.
A dark, dark forest with a pond and the aforementioned butterflies depicts the taste of one “disciple”.
Shizuku’s first sip of Mont Perat, on the other hand, triggers a vision of blurred faces, guitar-strumming musicians and raving fans.
“I know what you mean – it’s like Queen!” Shizuku’s friend, a barman, exclaims, referring to Freddie Mercury’s rock band. They go on to compare the wine’s acidity to Mercury’s voice, wrapped in the thick sound of guitars and drums.
Yuko Kibayashi, who writes the scenario for the manga with her brother Shin under a pen name, said the idea for the series came to them when they tasted a Burgundy wine that impressed them so much they turned into wine aficionados.
In an e-mailed exchange recently, she said the manga is not sponsored by anyone and they choose the wines based on their own independent research, including trips abroad and tastings.
“We mention wines that we’ve actually drunk and felt were delicious,” Kibayashi wrote.
“The kind of ‘betrayal’ of writing that a wine we didn’t like is delicious would pose the danger of destroying the manga.”
Kibayashi’s view is reflected in the manga, where wines costing 1,000-2,000 yen (RM27-RM55) spark just as much excitement and colourful visions among the characters as pricier liquids.
The thirst for wine
Umberto Cosmo, an Italian wine producer, was thrilled when his family’s much-loved Colli di Conegliano Rosso Contrada di Concenigo appeared in the manga. The Cosmos drink their Colli di Conegliano red with meals at home, and that’s how it was presented in the manga: a good, moderately-priced table wine for everyday enjoyment.
Speaking by telephone from Italy, Cosmo said sales of the wine jumped some 30% after the manga came out.
Drinking wine the way the Cosmos do – in a relaxed setting, with friends or family, accompanied by simple food – is a familiar concept to most Europeans, but not to many Asians.
Wine remains an expensive status symbol in much of Asia, to be savoured in a top restaurant complete with a haughty sommelier as stiff as the starched white tablecloths.
Japan probably has the most developed wine scene in the region. At a recent wine-tasting in Tokyo’s Grand Hyatt hotel, row after row of Japanese wine lovers were expertly slurping, spitting and taking notes as German sommelier Markus Del Monego explained what they were drinking.
“In Europe, wine is a piece of grown culture. Europe has been shaped by wine for centuries,” said Del Monego, a former sommelier world champion who frequently travels to Asia.
“In China, the wine scene is just emerging. It consists of a very small part of society that’s very price-oriented, because it’s in an exploratory phase. That phase has already passed in Japan,” he added.
Early next year, The Drops of God will be published in French, possibly followed by Italian. The original book series is expected to continue for another five years or so, and there is talk of a film.
All this is likely to further stimulate the thirst for wine.
Supply, however, may hit a natural limit: there is only so much high-quality wine any given territory will yield.
And wine producers may not even want to sell that widely – Basaline Granger Despagne said her family had been approached by distributors in mainland China but had so far found no one to whom they felt comfortable selling their wine.
In the meantime, the search for the manga’s remaining “disciples” – only three have been identified so far – will keep manga fans, wine importers and vintners on their toes. – Reuters
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