Showing posts with label 音乐,电视. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 音乐,电视. Show all posts

Tuesday 13 February 2024

Vir Das

最近,我为Vir Das疯狂。

知道这一位艺术家(是的,我认为他是艺术家),只不过是2024年1月初的事。闲聊时Sasi谈起了他在Netflix上的stand up,我某周末夜里有点儿空闲时间,到Netflix搜寻了一下,一口气依时间秩序把他在Netflix上的四个special都看了一遍:Abroad Understanding (2017),Losing It (2018),For India (2020),Landing (2022),(当时没看Outside In (2020),因为当时还没搞懂,看见zoom call就skip了)

Abroad Understanding的概念很好,同一个单口喜剧,分别在New Delhi的体育场及纽约某地下室里,对着一万印度人和200个美国人,说着一些民族主义、全球主义、种族歧视等课题,然后把两场剪辑在一起。

Losing It 则是在San Francisco观众前说这自己的故事,他带着最温暖的笑容,说着最冒犯的话(政治、宗教、社会),引发观众笑而深思。

这两个Netflix special我都看见了他的智慧与幽默,喜欢他那些有深度的故事,但表演上感觉有点儿用力过猛。


然后,我看了For India。这就惊为天人了。

 

For India是真正的艺术表演。没有舞台,只有简单的一扇蓝色门,而Vir Das就坐在门口台阶上娓娓道来,从印度四件小事切入到正题。观众席是半片pizza(Vir Das在访谈中这么说的),观众座位下面设有灯泡,灯亮起时,观众就是单口喜剧演出的一部分。非印度籍观众坐在设有红色灯光的位置上,说到一些非常到底印度的梗时,红灯亮起,Vir Das会给他们(我们)慢慢解说。整个表演的结构和完整度真诚又充满诗意。

在For India里,Vir Das的台风自然得特别有吸引力,有梗又有深度。整场表演还有几个callback简直了(看了几年脱口秀大会,倒是学会了不少单口喜剧的术语)。表演结束,Vir Das拿起Parle-G,而饼干掉在茶里,这简直是电影级别的艺术处理了。

他说故事的感染力一流。这儿举个例子,他提起孟买袭击事件导致他的亲友去世的悲剧,短短几分钟内,说着人性的可恶,也道出人性的可爱。通过他的喜剧处理,我除了感动,更从绝望中生出力量。



最后,才看了Landing。当时,感觉上我还是更爱For India一些,但这场演出又再一次看到了他深沉的爱,看他把自己的脆弱感放在笑料里,看他对世界充满无限希望而又淡然。 (虽然Landing已经是2022年的作品,但我身边听说过Vir Das的朋友很少,我不想“剧透”,这里就不说Landing的艺术概念了)他在好几个场合口口声声说他总不会收尾,开玩笑,他肯定是全球最会收尾的单口喜剧演员!很难想象看一场单口喜剧,看到最后居然还有点热泪盈眶。


把Netflix上这四场特辑看完后,我开始疯狂地把Youtube上所有找得到的video都看了一遍(当然也Subscribe了Vir Das COMEDY)。然后到Spotify上把所有他有关的访谈都搜了出来,在上下班的路上听完了。接着又到Prime Video一口气把Jestination Unknown看完(看完了好想去印度)。最后,再到Instagram follow了他然后也把他所有的post都看完了。现在天天祈祷他快点公布他到马来西亚表演的日期

(好可惜没在Covid MCO期间喜欢上他,那期间他的各种搞作尝试多得很!现在才看虽然也不迟,但当时一定更有代入感)

我一直喜欢Jimmy O YangRonny Chieng,当中很难排除文化上归属感与代入感的影响。

而喜欢Vir Das和喜欢Trevor Noah一样,我明明和他们没有太多文化上的共同点,但我特别爱听他们说故事。Trevor Noah比Vir Das多了份天真,Vir Das比Trevor Noah多了份诗意。


如果我诱起了你的好奇心,我的建议如下:

首先,请你先看For India。(如果For India不是你那杯茶,那你可以直接跳到Ten On Ten。)

接着,你一定要看I Come From Two Indias。你会为他的勇气感动。你会理解他的爱国。你会珍惜他的深度。你会为印度有这样的声音感到忌妒。

然后,就必须看Landing了。看了I Come From Two Indias,你会更appreciate Landing 里头的真诚。我看了I Come From Two Indias再重看Landing,就更能理解当中的喜与悲,就明白了它为什么得奖了。(For India也获Emmy提名,但Landing则最终让Vir Das抱回了 International Emmy Award)。

可是,仅仅那几个Netflix Special,当然不足以明白我为什么疯狂地着迷。接下来,请你到Youtube看一下他在Covid期间做的Ten On Ten。(第一集:Religion vs comedy; 第二集:Who has Freedom of Speech?;第三集:Is the West More Privileged?;第四集:Jokes for the Dead;第五集:Tribalism and Cancel Culture vs comedy;第六集:Brother vs Others。)每一集都选了个沉重的题材,有点儿像好笑的Ted Talks,有点儿像朋友在“吹水”分享自己的哲学思想……

 Ten On Ten Play List


如果你看了Ten on Ten也喜欢上他,我也不必一一介绍了,你一定会和我一样,自己慢慢地寻宝。

如果你看了Ten on Ten还是没喜欢上他,那不好意思,我们喜欢的Stand up comedy不一样。


Vir Das是我心目中在内容尺度上拿捏得最好的单口喜剧演员。可他又不是单口喜剧演员这么简单……
他是个读书人。我喜欢他细心推敲的用词,喜欢他幽默的类比,喜欢他用最幽默的方式发出最洪亮的声音。
他是个破釜沉舟办大事的人。我喜欢他的process,他说他总是先宣布他要世界巡演了,海报也设计了,宣传短片也出炉了,巡演国家也公布了,这才慢慢找场地、写题材。
他是个艺术家。For India、Landing,甚至他在The Field Dream里“What is the Sound of India”的概念,都细腻深刻得叫人感动。
他唱歌、演戏、写剧本、写专栏、监制、导演,还有个名叫'Weirdass Comedy'的Production House。


最后,给你分享他在Knox College Graudiation上的致辞。大智若愚的可爱。

Thursday 21 October 2021

科幻和哲学

最近迷上“老高与小茉”和“脱口秀大会”。(关于脱口秀大会,我改天写一篇再说说。)

这“老高与小茉”的YouTube Channel是薇介绍给我的,她说:“老高常说一些我很小的时候你给我说的事儿,那些我小时候没听懂的故事……”。薇开始时发了Spotify的link来,但我因为忙,没有机会好好认真的听。后来她又发了个YouTube video的link来,我正好有点空余时间,看了,就爱上了。

当年,爸爸因工作从槟城搬到怡保,我们从住在热闹的大家庭搬到个近乎举目无亲的环境。那首几年,感觉特别孤单(妹妹要等我差不多读完一年级了才出世),书籍也因而成了我最好的朋友。我们虽是小康之家,但妈妈在于买书订杂志给孩子这事儿上非常慷慨。(我们小时候资讯有限,别说没有互联网,即使是电视台、电台也就那么几个台 -- 也因此我可是非常热衷于用sw收听外国电台的。不看书的话,也实在没有太多其他选择)。开始时是以故事书为主,可是小孩子的故事,来来去去那几种变化,我很快就厌了,开始收集非小说故事类的书籍,就是自那时候开始看了很多如The Bermuda Triangle、Atlantis等的传说,学了一堆什么第四度空间、Schrödinger's Cat等词汇,又迷上了天文地理历史等。有阵子妈妈订阅读者文摘,偶尔也会看上了读者文摘的广告而买了一些精美的画册书籍。什么《十万个为什么》、《中国神话故事精选》、《历史悬案》等。在认识“卫斯理”之前,我已经是非常天马行空,脑洞大开的人了。

接着,我又疯狂的迷上科幻小说和电影。好的科幻,必定会丢一堆好的哲学问题。我就是在成长路上受到这些科幻小说丢出的问题影响,自问自答,和自己辩论,然后成了无宗教信仰但相信有“神”的这么一个人。

年纪再大一些,我绝对崇拜物理学家。总觉得他们都是最接近真理的人类。Einstein、Hawking、Feynman等无不是天真烂漫调皮有趣的灵魂。你想想,所有的物理理论,全始于科学幻想,爱因斯坦不就是靠想象写了相对论吗?而所有的物理理论,再深究下去,必定要碰及哲学思考。

而老高这频道,题材五花八门,人文社会、自然科学、未解之谜、世界趣闻轶事、悬案、都市传说、阴谋论等各种故事与传说。他每星期上载一个十多二十分钟的影片,天马行空,非常精彩。在过去的两个星期内,我一口气看了他过去几年的影片,喜欢得很。以后再忙,也可以每星期看一段十多二十分钟的影片,然后好好思考。

好多人说老高好多内容都不对,但我觉得,在天桥底听说书的讲故事,首先说书的必须把故事说得有条有序,再来故事必须精彩绝伦,听完故事的人意犹未尽,回味无穷,引发了无穷的想象与思考,回家再去查查看他所说的,再开阔视野(连看书都得“尽信书不如无书”,更何况是天桥底听故事)。而小茉更是扮演了天桥下听书者的角色,时而打岔,时而发问,时而调侃,有趣得很。 

据说老高以前每晚必须给小茉讲睡前故事,为了每晚的故事,每天都要收集各种有趣的奇闻异事,久而久之收集许多资料,最后干脆将收集的资料做成谈话型视频频道。大家有空可以到他们的channel去看看。

这儿先分享一个绝对会让你以豁达的心情面对生老病死的影片:

Wednesday 22 September 2021

用一首音乐,诠释我的青春岁月




用一首音乐,诠释我的青春岁月
(我在一九八九年六月四日告别童年
却总没理清究竟何时是青春岁月)

奇幻的音乐飘渺虚无
(说不出是怎么样的一个开始)

从莫高窟的壁画飘逸而出
(所以戈壁    折射    口笛般的广袤辽阔)

用生命摸索试探
(所以鸣沙    模仿    木鱼般的袅袅娜娜)

用芳华飞展绚烂
(所以阳关   飞扬    弹拨乐般的灵巧活泼)

渐趋热闹却迷恋起安详肃穆
(所以石窟   恢复    泛音般的清冷寂寞)

合奏一曲太仓促
(谁的青春余音缭绕如怨如慕)



你可以这样解读:
奇幻的音乐飘渺虚无
从莫高窟的壁画飘逸而出
用生命摸索试探
用芳华飞展绚烂
渐趋热闹却迷恋起安详肃穆
合奏一曲太仓促



我可以这样阐述:
说不出是怎么样的一个开始
所以戈壁    折射    口笛般的广袤辽阔
所以鸣沙    模仿    木鱼般的袅袅娜娜
所以阳关    飞扬    弹拨乐般的灵巧活泼
所以石窟    恢复    泛音般的清冷寂寞
谁的青春余音缭绕如怨如慕

Sunday 8 August 2021

偷闲加油站:张学友"A Classic Tour"世界巡回演唱会2019香港站再见篇

从小,到香港红馆(香港红磡体育馆)看演唱会一直是我的梦想。

我们小时候,资讯不发达,我通过录影带看的第一场完整的演唱会是许冠杰相识廿载演唱会'87,就是那时候,我才认识了红馆。(许冠杰正好是第一位在红馆开演唱会的歌手,演唱会为《总督许冠杰演唱会》)那些年,红馆好像是很神圣的所在。当时怎样衡量一个歌手是否当红?看他能在红馆开几场演唱会。

而,看一场张学友演唱会也正好在我的bucket list里头。

(我愿意去看的流行歌手演唱会不多,大多数,免费送我票我还害怕浪费我的时间呢。哈哈!)偏偏,张学友的却次次都抢不到票。张学友虽然不是每个人的偶像,但是,上个世纪受香港娱乐文化熏陶的人,很少会不喜欢张学友的。他一副好好先生的模样,演技好,唱歌更是大家公认的好。我身边,他的歌迷可不少。我不敢说自己是歌迷,但他的歌绝对是青春岁月里头的一大部分。

这次遇贵人,Bong送了我这份大礼,一箭双雕。还“喷”到了薇。(她就是个货真价实的歌迷!)


自2016年启动的学友‧经典世界巡回演唱会《A CLASSIC TOUR》已经走过了美洲、欧洲、亚洲、大洋洲,最后回到香港,来个《學友 · 經典 - 香港站 · 再見篇 A Classic Tour》唱足233场。我们有幸来这儿和大家一起凑热闹。


从地铁走出来,有一点嘉年华的热闹气氛。大家都朝着同一个方向走去,都是喜滋滋充满期待的。靠近红馆时,卖荧光棒的、卖各种演唱会‘必需品’的,比比皆是。

红馆外的广场,全是歌迷,等着演唱会开始

雀跃的等待演唱会开始

红馆,我终于来啦~




在香港看演唱会的好处是,不必听那些把广东歌翻译为华语歌的歌曲。我从1985年开始听张学友唱歌,听了三十多年,他的这演唱会,老歌,新歌,流行的,冷门的,全都唱了一些,我竟然首首会唱,有点不可思议。最兴奋的是,他竟然唱慢慢、不经不觉、春风秋雨这几首不怎么流行,但是绝对是我心头爱的好歌。

多好听?对不起,那没法子和你分享。但视觉上的享受做得如何?倒有一堆照片可以show off一下。











我们从还没开场high到encore完毕,然后随着大家到体育馆外头等学友出来说再见,再目送他的车远去。然后一块儿哼着学友的歌曲,一路亢奋回酒店。完美。

Wednesday 21 July 2021

从新迷上诗歌

过去几个星期,也不知怎的,问题特别多,日子过得特忙的。当工作上的某一件事终于告第一个段落时,我跟恩说:“帮我找Loki连续剧,我需要一些不用用脑的娱乐”。于是,在剧终前的那个周末,我们俩一口气看了五集。

看了Loki,自然而然就会在网上看些memes啊,讨论啊等等的。也不知怎的YouTube竟然介绍起“30 minutes of poetry with Tom Hiddleston”。一听,喜欢呢!

而几天后,当我们终于看了我期待万分的Loki Finale,老实说,我可失望了。我跟薇说:“listening to Tom Hiddleston reading poems is more exciting than the finale” 

也不知怎的,就把对Loki Finale的不满,化为到YouTube上找艺人朗诵诗歌的动力。就这样子,生活不再只是眼前的苟且,我还找回当年对诗歌的那种莫名情意结。

Sunday 24 January 2021

The Good Place

 

痴痴的等了近一年,Netflix Malaysia终于在上周六半夜十二点正放了完整的 The Good Place Season 4。我们姐弟俩用两个晚上把整季追完,然后现在正式堕入“看完好剧后的空虚”。

其实,我好久没写关于电影呀电视呀之类的了,一来忙(好像是借口),二来这部落格被撇在一旁好一阵子没什么兴致了。为了弥补我目前的空虚状况,为了这是近年来最好的一部Sitcom,我决定写一写The Good Place。(台港澳译为《良善之地》,新马译为《善地》)

美国剧最惹我讨厌之处,就是要么见不赚钱就突然喊停没头没尾的,要么就不懂得见好就收搞得虎头蛇尾的。这些年来我爱上的电视剧,好像没有哪几套我是由头看到尾的。(我其实很少追剧,所以看过的美国电视剧也不多,偏偏在这些为数不多的名单里又绝大多数看不下去的,我的失望可想而知)The X-Files, CSI, ER, 24, The Big Bang Theory, Scrubs, House........都是开始时新鲜有趣的,可是一做就做了十多年,再好的概念也经不起十多年的剥削榨取吧?这些我曾经爱看的电视剧没有一套是我看得完的。(比较特别的是Heroes,第一季精彩万分,结果第二季看得想砸电视……没怎么浪费到我的青春。哈哈)即使是The West Wing,我应该也只看了四季吧?Malcom in the Middle也实在对结局没印象,应该是也没看完的。(当然,mini series不算。Mini series 通常一气呵成,没有上面所说的毛病。当年的Taken, Band of Brothers, 甚至是近期的The Queen's Gambit都不错)。我只能祈祷我目前还在追的Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Mandalorian, Stranger Things, Star Trek Discovery, The Umbrella Academy等可以见好就收。尤其是Stranger Things, season 4 应该是极限了,再演下去就没意思了。

话说回来,The Good Place用四季谈生死,谈善恶,谈哲学,谈道德,谈生命的意义与归宿……(别怕,我的部落格不会有剧透的。你可能会觉得,喜剧也怕剧透?是的,这部喜剧怕剧透)

向来Michael Schur的作品丢出来掷地有声,这次The Good Place把这么严肃的课题弄成喜剧已经是很厉害,更厉害是写的角色个个讨喜,偏偏还有本事找了一批好演员,互不抢镜,互补相持,要是有TV Best Ensemble奖,我真希望他们获奖。他们的群戏,既好笑又感人。

通常,看喜剧我最讨厌的就是低智商的角色,总觉得特别做作,刻意写一些无聊的笑话。然而这部戏的低智商却意外的讨喜,可能是这位演员的喜剧感和comic timing很好,可能纯粹是大伙儿的chemistry使然。反正,这些年来看了这么多美国的电视喜剧,这还是第一次碰上每个主要角色我都喜欢的。还有哦,那些客串的演员或是出境比较少的演员都极度精彩,(我大爱Marc Evan JacksonMaya Rudolph!)

因为不想剧透,这里就不多写了。我只想告诉大家,这部剧,极!力!推!荐!

Monday 18 December 2017

余光中走了

2017年12月14日,余光中教授于台湾逝世,享年89岁。



没想到,隔了七个月终于再拜访自己的部落,为的,就是余光中。如果不是无意间在Facebook上看见朋友写一段“忆余光中”,我也没发觉我爱的诗人离开了……

我认识余光中,从罗大佑开始。“乡愁四韵”里,罗大佑用最平静的曲调,余光中用最浅白的汉字,叫我血液里的黄河咆哮(余光中曾写道:我的血系中有一条黄河的支流)。然后,我就爱上了余光中。(爱上罗大佑,是更早的事了)





《乡愁四韵》——余光中

给我一瓢长江水啊长江水
酒一样的长江水
醉酒的滋味
是乡愁的滋味
给我一瓢长江水啊长江水

给我一张海棠红啊海棠红
血一样的海棠红
沸血的烧痛
是乡愁的烧痛
给我一张海棠红啊海棠红

给我一片雪花白啊雪花白
信一样的雪花白
家信的等待
是乡愁的等待
给我一片雪花白啊雪花白

给我一朵腊梅香啊腊梅香
母亲一样的腊梅香
母亲的芬芳
是乡愁的芬芳
给我一朵腊梅香啊腊梅香



余光中的诗,当然不只是《乡愁》,可偏偏对于我来说,余光中的诗,就是乡愁。一种最纯朴、最真实、最直白,又带着丝丝无奈的乡愁。

《乡 愁》
小时候
乡愁是一枚小小的邮票
我在这头
母亲在那头

长大後
乡愁是一张窄窄的船票
我在这头
新娘在那头

後来啊
乡愁是一方矮矮的坟墓
我在外头
母亲在里头

而现在
乡愁是一湾浅浅的海峡
我在这头
大陆在那头

余光中老先生,谢谢您。一路走好。

Saturday 18 February 2017

就是个不断寻找自己的过程

我记得刚开始做工的那十多年,我每天早上都带着兴奋、期待的心情去上班。我对那些学不完的事儿充满好奇,天天兴致勃勃地学习。那些满足感、贡献感像鸦片一样,工作即使排山倒海,拍拍身上尘土、抖掉身上水珠,又是往前冲的一条好汉。

后来,组织换了一种我无法理解似有若无的理念,汪峰的《觉醒》成了最真实的写照。我漠视那个已经不再熟悉的环境,把心思放在团队里的新一代,用我的绵力为社会训练一批专业,就为了心底的骄傲和光明。

再后来,我幸运。突然间生活不止眼前的苟且,还有诗和远方的田野……我过着悠然而往清静无为的生活(无为不是无所作为,不是无所事事,而是不做无效的工作。不该干的不能干,该干的必须干)。

宇宙忙着给我捧上无限的可能,我的导师以一个Law of Least Effort让我欣然接受了送上门来的责任。

五天过去了,我遇上了无数的挑战,却也同时为无数人带来了新希望。The Law of Giving and Receiving教我the process of circulating joy and affluence in life。我再次每天带着兴奋、期待的心情去上班。笃定地,莫听穿林打叶声,何妨吟啸且徐行……只愿这颗跳动不停的心永远慈爱。




第三极 
原唱:许巍
填词:王海涛
谱曲:许巍
编曲 :王文颖(贝贝)

何必管一片海
有多澎湃
何必管那山岗
它高在什么地方
只愿这颗跳动不停的心
永远慈爱
好让这世间冰冷的胸膛
如盛开的暖阳
旅人等在那里
虔诚仰望着云开
咏唱回荡那里
伴着寂寞的旅程
心中这一只鹰
在哪里翱翔
心中这一朵花
它开在那片草原
旅人等在那里
虔诚仰望着云开
咏唱回荡那里
伴着寂寞的旅程
我就停在这里
跋山涉水后等待
我永远在这里
涌着爱面朝沧海

Monday 14 November 2016

SSO Gala: Yo-Yo Ma & The Silk Road Ensemble



事隔六年,我再次为了马友友而到新加坡。这一次,仍然是为了马友友,为了The Silk Road Ensemble,为了支持一种理念……
“I’m always trying to figure out, at some level, who I am and how I fit in the world, which I think is something that I share with seven billion other people,” Mr. Ma says early in the film. That curiosity led him to assemble the Silk Road Ensemble, a collective of some 50 musicians and other artists from across the globe. 


兴奋地等待音乐会开始

当灯光暗下,台上只有吴彤吴蛮、和几个敲击乐手。吴彤以嘹亮的唢呐作开场,把大家带到熟悉又陌生的地方……当晚,一定有人和六年前的我一样,就这样子,成了吴彤的乐迷。

当然,Sandeep Das的tabla,Kayhan Kalhor的kamancheh,Kojiro Umezaki的shakuhachi,吴蛮的琵琶等,无不叫人心醉的……(当然,我必须称赞一下Esplanade Concert Hall的 acoustics设计,吴蛮在台上弹下第一声琵琶时,我们都吓了一下,这么清晰,仿佛就在身旁!)

The Silk Road Ensemble做得最棒的是,用音乐打破了文化与种族的隔阂,剩下的,就只有最单纯的感动。

当晚,我最爱的曲目,便数马友友及吴桐演奏的大提琴与笙双协奏曲《度》。(请容许我很肤浅的说一句:马友友在台上泰然自若地用大提琴‘唱歌’的模样实在是帅爆表!)作曲家赵麟取材于玄奘法师所著的《大唐西域记》,全曲分为《相》、《喜》、《悟》三个乐章。笙的空灵、悠扬与大提琴的厚重、哀叹形成鲜明的对照。当中的优美奥妙,文字无法形容,请你到土豆看:http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/ia9UA_6tEnU/,自己感受。

音乐会以Ascending Bird作为结束。此曲子重编,与SSO来个交响大合奏。这波斯民歌描绘灵魂的蜕变,在大合奏下依然是从灵魂深处放肆的奔放!




曲终,全场激动万分,大家拍烂了手掌,也来了个standing ovation,又“安哥”不停,最后,还是没盼来安哥曲目。马友友以他一贯的幽默风趣温文儒雅安抚了大家,说他得赶飞机去了。



我们在曲终人散后,在外头等着吴彤、Sandeep Das和Mark Suter的签名会。CD和其它与The Silk Road Ensemble有关的商品都卖完了,我们只能硬着头皮拿着音乐会特刊找他们签名拍照。

我们拍了照、签了名,一直迟迟不愿离去。最后,当他们给所有乐迷们都签了名字,薇问吴彤:“我可以和你自拍吗?” 吴彤说当然可以,还把同伴都叫来了。感动!好想告诉吴彤,除了他的笙和巴乌,我也好爱听他唱歌……


Monday 17 October 2016

西安·许巍·旅行

我爱旅行,不收集纪念品,专收集那些来自骨子里最莫名的感动。

我爱旅行,更多时候不是追求地理意义上的跋涉,而是渴望漫看云卷云舒的境界。

因为已经去过西安,做起功课来没那么积极,然而关于西安的故事啊什么的,最近倒还是读了一些。这才知道,原来许巍、郑钧、张楚都是西安人。看来,经过漫长的岁月洗礼和深厚的文化积淀,盛世长安不再,却还留下几个摇滚乐手在围墙内外孤独呐喊。(郑钧说,摇滚就是现代的秦腔。) 

我一直喜欢许巍。可能骨子里有着执拗而坚韧的生命力。歌词写得特好。质朴。可以让一切喧嚣走远。

 

许巍 《旅行》
许巍作词、作曲

阵阵晚风吹动着松涛
吹响这风铃声如天籁
站在这城市的寂静处
让一切喧嚣走远

只有青山藏在白云间
蝴蝶自由穿行在清涧
看那晚霞盛开在天边
有一群向西归鸟

谁画出这天地
又画下我和你
让我们的世界绚丽多彩
谁让我们哭泣
又给我们惊喜
让我们就这样相爱相遇
总是要说再见
相聚又分离
总是走在漫长的路上

Friday 14 October 2016

Designated Survivor


Because of Kiefer Sutherland, I decided to watch Designated Survivor. (I think Kiefer Sutherland is an adept performer and he has a gift for projecting resolve and decency. I spent a few years of my life watching a few days of Jack Bauer's life. Seeing him save the country is believable)

Though I have only watched 4 episodes so far, I think this political drama is fast-moving, reasonably believable, intriguing, and is a ton of fun. Seth Wright (Kal Penn) is my favorite character so far. (As of now, Josiah Bartlet is still my favorite fictional President of the United States onscreen. We shall see if  the mild-mannered but firm Thomas Kirkman could surpass him.) 

Anyway, this blog is not about the TV series. 

After watching the pilot of the TV series, I googled Designated survivor. Apparently this TV series premise is based on the real practice which is governed by the Presidential Succession Act. The concept of a “designated survivor” first arose sometime during the Cold War, but become more serious after 911. There have been two designated survivors — one Cabinet member to rebuild the executive branch and one member of the congressional leadership to lead a new legislature. Since this designated survivor may have the possibility to become the president, the designated survivor candidate must be at least 35 years old and a natural-born citizen. (Of course, the designee doesn’t automatically become president. If another administration official higher in the line of succession happens to survive, he or she would take office instead.)  So, in the event of an attack that wiped out the nation's leaders, there is a functioning government within a week of an attack. 

Out of curiosity, I want to know what happens if this happen in Malaysia? Since we inherited British system, I googled and found this: What Happens if the British Government is Wiped Out? Apparently, Britain doesn't have procedures in place. In short, it means outside of a very tight inner circle, nobody knows exactly who would be in charge once the bombs start dropping. The reasoning: "Britain is relatively well placed to deal with it because of our strong governmental institutions. If your governance is pretty good then government departments can go on automatically for some time.” 

Unfortunately, we inherited British system. In a rough equivalent to Designated Survivor, that Parliament was attacked during the Parliament Opening, we are doomed. 

Friday 30 September 2016

Break-up and Make-up

Sheldon has kept The Big Bang Theory interesting for all these years in large part because his own evolution is interesting, thus resulting ShAmy's interesting evolution. They aren't perfect for each other just because they are the two biggest weirdos on the show, they are perfect because Amy has shown endless patience for Sheldon and Sheldon has shown willingness to try new things and try to make Amy happy.

However, like any relationships, they have their struggles. Finally, we see their love's roller coaster ride, just like everyone else.

Firstly Amy wanted to "take a break" and it turned into an actual breakup when Sheldon being selfish and immature. So what happens when a man with an IQ of 187 gets his heart broken? As it turns out: He acts just like an average person. Sheldon wallowed and whined; got angry, and petty. Sheldon continue to try to woo Amy instead of respecting her space......

After the anger / confuse period, he tried to move on. He took up fencing, he asked women out, and he got his heart broken again.....

1) They break up!!



2) The good way to move on



3) Heartbroken




Then, they tried to be friend again. They had such a great time together and it reminded Amy of all the good things between them. She wanted to be his girlfriend again but Sheldon said he can't. "Amy, I excel at many things, but getting over you wasn't one of them," he says. "I think I need to just be your friend."

4) Sheldon and Amy Try To Be Friends



5) Amy wants to get back together




Finally, Sheldon came into his realization. He needs Amy in his life. She makes him a better man. At first, it doesn't seem Sheldon learned much in the time he and Amy were broken up. But he finally learned to be able to more clearly express the way he feels, and learned to recognize the way he feels.

6) Sheldon and Amy Get Back Together




7) Special Gift
"Intimacy in any form has been challenging for me, but I'd like to show her how important she is, and it feels like now might be the right time." ~ Sheldon

Sheldon picked the best gift, again! "Amy's birthday present will be my genitals."

So Sheldon and Amy finally spent their first night together. There’s unfiltered joy and happiness. I love the "before scene", where Amy and Sheldon are quiet, tender, and adorably nervous. The writing is smart, the acting is perfect, and everything comes together just as it should.




We shall wait and see what happens next.....



Monday 26 September 2016

The Only Conclusion Was Love

Amy and Sheldon have been the most interesting couple on The Big Bang Theory. They are both outcasts, both awkward. These two outcasts continue to build a life together, find solace in each other, and they can at least rely on each other.
From defining Amy as a girl who is his friend but not his girlfriend, to the relationship of the minds, Sheldon finally evolved into someone that actually involved in a romantic relationship.


1) Sheldon Cooper kisses Amy Farrah-Fowler.
Sheldon Cooper kisses Amy Farrah-Fowler.
On the lips.
And likes it.

Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik acting are always fun to watch when the writers decided to show some softer side of Sheldon and Amy. In this episode, I love how Sheldon kiss with Amy initially "came out of anger" and enjoyed it once he got there. I also love how Amy doesn't know what to do or prefer not to do anything with her hands.
The kiss was only made better when Sheldon asked Amy to go with him to see the train's engineer. He finally noticed that she is as important to him as his other interests, and he wanted to share them with her.


Sheldon kisses Amy



2) Sheldon says I love you to Amy
Here was how Dr. Sheldon Cooper first told his girlfriend that he loves her.
“There’s no denying I have feelings for you that can’t be explained in any other way,” he said. “I briefly considered that I had a brain parasite, but that seems even more far-fetched. The only conclusion was love.”
This confession was so shocking, coming from Sheldon. Sheldon doesn't say what he doesn't mean. The fact that Sheldon finally could recognize that he loves Amy is another milestone in his crusade of ever becoming a better partner for her.


I love you too




3) Sheldon bought the perfect gift
Like I said earlier, Sheldon always give the most enthralling and tantalizing gifts, even when he was trying to 'seek revenge against his girlfriend'. His plan was to surprise her with the gift and make her feel guilty for not getting him anything. "I hope you treasure this as much as I treasure you."

It has to be perfect



4) Sheldon and Amy announce they are getting a turtle
Sheldon and Amy hold hands to announce some significant news! Break out the champagne and congratulate the happy couple—Sheldon and Amy are getting a turtle! “We care so much about each other, there’s enough left over for an eight ounce reptile.”


Who would’ve thought you two would be the first in our group to start a family



5) Our kids will be Martians
Sheldon was applying to be one of the first people to colonize Mars but he neglected to tell Amy about his application. Amy told him that what she wants is “for us to be planning our future together.” Ultimately, Sheldon got the hint that Amy is hurt and they gently found a way to work through it and talked about their future together.


If I'm going to a barren, lifeless planet, I want you there with me



6) Shamy's Fort
Sheldon and Amy building a fort together on date night, doing what they can to counteract the years of neglect they suffered as kids. And to our surprise, Sheldon suggested they suspend the date night parameters so Amy can stay later. Amy negotiated a sleepover, and she got a G-rated sleepover!


Saturday 24 September 2016

Paradigm Altered

We finally see more of the softer side of Sheldon when Sheldon and Amy finally started their "relationship of the minds". Throughout this boyfriend / girlfriend relationship, Sheldon showed small gestures from time to time, progressed really slowly, and I found that sweet and heartwarming. I love how the writers are trying to find a logical, yet organic way to develop this weird little romance.


1) I would not object to us no longer characterizing you as not my girlfriend

Sheldon asks Amy to be his girlfriend


Relationship Agreement



2) The Tiara!!!
Sheldon and Amy encountered their first problem in their boyfriend/girlfriend relationship. When Amy got upset after Sheldon showed no reaction to her article making the cover of a prestigious journal, he turned to Leonard and Penny for advice on how to be a better boyfriend.


The Tiara!



3) Amy's Campaign
Amy has embarked on a campaign to increase Sheldon's feelings for her. Their "romantic dinner" was a unique and successful one, at least for Amy. However, my favorite part is when Sheldon confessed to Leonard that he was having affectionate feelings for her and kept thinking about her at inappropriate times. The way Sheldon explained how the random particles morphed into Amy's dandruff on her slightly humped shoulders is just sweet. 


Shamy's Romantic Dinner

Sheldon engages in the tradition of whining about his woman 



4) Sheldon holds Amy's hand
Perhaps the greatest leap forward in Sheldon's willingness to show his softer, more emotional side to Amy is when he voluntarily, without any prior prompt from Amy, held Amy's hand while Howard's Soyuz capsule was being launched into space.


Sheldon holds Amy's hand



5) Sheldon romantic speech to Amy
Of course Sheldon will express his feelings this way. I can imagine him feeling awkward, don't know how to express the feelings that are new to him, and opted for hiding behind the Spiderman and gave that touching speech. The strength of Jim Parsons as an actor makes his words believable.


Sheldon romantic speech



6) Sheldon taking care of Amy
Many people like this episode because of the hint of "kinkiness" but I like the fact that Sheldon did it because “I made a commitment in writing to comfort you in times like this. And additionally, you are my girlfriend and I care about your well-being.” Sheldon doing almost anything that is justified in the name of science or reason. In that case, she was sick enough that she needed to be bathed; she needed to have something rubbed on her bare chest. (by the way, the bloopers from this episode are really cute)


Sheldon taking care of Amy

Jim and Mayim Bloopers - TBBT Season 6



7) Amy is now comfort to Sheldon
Initially the pair took on more of an academic, personal relationship than a romantic relationship, gradually, the barriers started to drop, as Sheldon overcame his touch aversion. And before Sheldon noticed, Amy has become a comfort to him. Sheldon needed to be held and consoled by Amy when he is very upset about Kripke

Sheldon needed a hug



8) Amy is Sheldon's emergency contact
Sheldon always give the most enthralling and tantalizing gifts. Even before he started to really show some effort in being romantic in later seasons, he already showed his potential in gifts giving in Season 6 Valentine's Day episode. Amy is now his emergency point of contact at the university. (Well, I thought, if I have a stroke or a kidney stone, who would I want to share that with?)


Amy and Sheldon's Valentine's Gifts



9) Sheldon reveals if he will ever sleep with Amy
This is one of my favorite scene (both story wise and acting wise). I was shocked and thrilled to hear Sheldon admits that he is quite fond of Amy, that he’s working on his lifelong aversion to the physical contact that comes naturally to others, and that potentially, somewhere down the line, he could see himself actually sleeping with Amy. Sheldon’s honest admission shows that he may not always realize when he’s doing/saying something wrong but he is working on improving himself. Amy and Sheldon both give just as much to their relationship, they just do it in different ways.


It's a possibility



10) Love Spell
This is a lovely episode which managed to address character dynamics in believable fashion while throwing us the usual geeky entertainment with style.
Sheldon and Amy got physical in the context of Dungeons and Dragons. What maybe is a small step to other people, is as big of a step to these characters. Sheldon and Amy's frank discussion of what their relationship is illustrated that progress beautifully. Amy understands Sheldon. Sometimes she does want more from him but she also understands why their relationship is what it currently is. Despite Sheldon's issues, Sheldon gets Amy. While their progress toward intimacy has been moving at an incredibly slow pace, progress has been made—which shows that Sheldon is trying and that he does truly care about her.


Keep rolling


Friday 23 September 2016

悟空

看“中国新歌声”,听见单良在盲选时的“悟空”,觉得他完全唱不出这首曲子的内涵,于是我又上网把戴荃给找出来了。

在中国好声音第二季时,庾澄庆组的《妹妹你大胆地往前走》已经让我喜欢上戴荃(那时好像没看过他的盲选,到了PK赛才见到戴荃,哈林选了蘑菇兄弟,我好庆幸汪峰把戴荃给救了)。

到了“中国好歌曲”,这‘大师兄’简直就叫人惊艳了!《悟空》的歌词对人物刻画和角度不太一样,很特别,而且他不仅仅是把戏曲的腔调揉进了歌里,还把戏剧惯有的曲折冲突体现在歌词上,很叫人震撼。“叫一声佛祖,回头无岸”,听得我泪都流了……

这一棒,叫你灰飞烟灭。

他音乐底子好,文化底蕴深厚,最重要是他对于自己的文化和音乐有着浓浓感情。在大家都哈日哈韩、崇拜西方文化的世界里,中文流行乐坛上需要这样一号人物。



《悟空》
原唱:戴荃 
填词:戴荃
谱曲:戴荃
编曲:戴荃


月溅星河,长路漫漫,
风烟残尽,独影阑珊;
谁叫我身手不凡,谁让我爱恨两难,
到后来,肝肠寸断。

幻世当空,恩怨休怀,
舍悟离迷,六尘不改;
且怒且悲且狂哉,是人是鬼是妖怪,
不过是,心有魔债。

叫一声佛祖,回头无岸,
跪一人为师,生死无关;
善恶浮世真假界,尘缘散聚不分明,
难断!

我要这铁棒有何用,
我有这变化又如何;
还是不安,还是氐惆,
金箍当头,欲说还休。

我要这铁棒醉舞魔,
我有这变化乱迷浊;
踏碎灵霄,放肆桀骜,
世恶道险,终究难逃。
这一棒,叫你灰飞烟灭。

Wednesday 21 September 2016

我看Stranger Things

我最近有点儿闲,但我还是尽我所能避开电视连续剧。我怕自己上瘾,然后一发不可收拾(如The Big Bang Theory),叫我自己郁闷。

可是我最近还是看了两部,一是Master of None(才5小时,甭怕!),另一部就是Stranger Things了。



我第一次看见Stranger Things的poster,我就有想看这部电视剧的冲动了。虽然我对它一无所知,但那海报有种熟悉的八十年代的味道……

那,最后,我怎么会下定决心看这部电视剧并喜欢上它呢?

第一:只有八集
小舅到我家,我问他看了Stranger Things吗?他说好看!才八集。正合我意,不就是我八小时的人生嘛。不怕挥霍掉。而且,看完了这电视剧后,发觉八集刚刚好。这种supernatural的故事,太长就有点儿拖泥带水了。

第二:八十年代
八十年代初的浪漫以及Steven Spielberg式的天真单纯是我的死穴。戏里浓浓的八十年代怀旧情意结是我的死穴。而这剧从小孩的视觉出发,唤醒了我们孩提时对未知的强烈好奇心。那,是我的八十年代。

第三:一流选角
除了让Winona Ryder勾起我们的八十年代记忆,他们还找了一班很棒的演员,特别还有几个出众的童星。(你看他们几个小瓜怎么在Emmy ’16里抢尽镜头就知道什么叫魅力了)
我最爱小胖Dustin(Gaten Matarazzo饰演)。有时候很害怕童星长大,但是我们看着他在戏里渐渐发育变声,可爱不减。小瓜大有来头,从舞台剧出生,演Les Misérables呢!我忍不住,follow了他的Instagram
Finn WolfhardCaleb McLaughlinNoah Schnapp也都很棒。不知道以后会不会像Stand by Me的演员们一样,叫人一见就想起童年。

第四:Eleven
更重要的是,我们现在认识了Millie Bobby Brown。这小妹妹再次肯定了我一向来的看法:演技和明星魅力是可以与生俱来的。戏里她只有几句对白,可是她深度地表达了悲伤、恐惧、疑惑、爱、对友情的渴望,让我们随着她的情绪起伏屏息紧张轻叹……

第五:娓娓道来(别怕,我的部落格不会有spoilers)
故事叙述倒也没有辜负一流选角。作为悬疑剧,气氛营造得很好。因为是从小孩的观点出发,所以观众很容易被带入其中。老实说,我个人觉得故事多多少少有点儿空洞,欠观众太多解释(可能他们早决定要拍续集)。但是,作为娱乐节目,这剧的叙述法值得我花上八个小时。

 

只是哦,对于Stranger Things还有续集,我真的有所保留。好莱坞总是贪得无厌,不懂得见好就收,因而毁了好多好戏。以前Heroes叫我惊艳万分(Sylar还是我心目中电视史上最有型的反派!),然后越拍越不像样,像Sheldon所说:“Heroes gradually lowered the quality season by season till we were grateful it ended.”;我再爱24,也就看到season 5就放弃了;当我觉得Prison Break概念不错想要开始看时,一听主角逃狱了四次(共四个seasons)我就没兴趣了。

希望好莱坞别毁了Stranger Things。

Tuesday 20 September 2016

Master of None



I have no idea who Aziz Ansari is when I decided to watch Master of None. Now I completed watching all his shows on Netflix Malaysia.

I didn't know anything about the show either. I was expecting for a lighthearted goofy comedy, but it turns out to be more of a drama with some comedic elements. All ten episodes are basically short films of themselves, bringing largely unaddressed issues of sex and race into a mainstream comedy. 

I binged this 5 hours show in one evening! It is entertaining, and at the same time, thought-provoking to me.

If you read the synopsis, it says it follows a 30-year-old actor who has trouble making decisions, navigates life in New York City. You change the age and city, this synopsis is applicable to everyone of us. At least, it fits me well. "Jack of all trades, master of none". That's me! Approaching 40 and I still haven't figured out anything about myself, not to mention Dharma.

Dev’s dad sums up what may be the greatest blessing but also the biggest curse Dev and all of us face: “You realize fun is a new thing, right? Fun is a luxury only your generation really has!”

(One of my favorite episode, "Parents" won Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series at the 68th annual Emmy Awards.)

Monday 19 September 2016

A girl, a friend, but not a girlfriend

Watching the first 3 seasons of TBBT, you would think that Sheldon would never, in a million years, have a girl friend. (When most people characterized Sheldon as narcissistic, I do think he is more of content in his own way than being narcissistic) Then, the writers present us Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler, Ph.D, and this is the starting point of Dr. Sheldon Lee Cooper, B.S., M.S., M.A., Ph.D., Sc.D slowly growing into a more affectionate, open-minded person.



1) How it started 
We really have to thank Howard and especially Raj, for making the effort.





2) You've Got a Friend in Me
Sheldon and Amy started to develop a very sweet friendship, spending the next four months communicating with each other on a daily basis since they first met. I am sure they found each other fascinating since they are more similar to each other than anyone else. They know how each other thinks, they have logic that is very obvious to both of them, and only to both of them (see how they play Counterfactuals)

Sheldon's new friend Amy 

Sheldon's first date

Their Counterfactuals Game



3) The first 'break up'
Of course, in any healthy relationship, we argue, we disagree and we fight. For Sheldon and Amy, their friendship 'outlived its utility' when Amy belittled Sheldon's occupation as a theoretical physicist. Sheldon terminated their friendship and adopted 25 cats as a substitute for Amy. Of course, this problem was easily solved by Mrs Cooper, using reverse psychology to make Sheldon offer to reconcile with Amy.

The fight

Reconcile



4) Amy held Sheldon's hand
Then, their friendship started to evolve. We see Sheldon's first sign of jealousy.
Sheldon preferred to assume that Amy has contracted an alien parasite than the reluctant conclusion that Amy is sexually aroused by Zack. Of course, to our relief, Amy chose Sheldon's intellect over Zack's looks, and even held Sheldon's hand. I like the idea how Sheldon did hold her hand back and uncharacteristically did not pull his hand away and he let his hand be held.

The Diagnosis

The Experiment



5) Fun together, as friends
They have lots of fun together as friends. They conducted social experiments (Look at you, getting me to engage in the social sciences. You're a vixen, Amy Farrah Fowler.), they danced, they kissed. Of course, Sheldon may not want to cross the line of being just friend so they agreed to treat their relationship like a "crashed computer" and restored it to the last point it worked for both.

Amy getting Sheldon to engage in the social sciences

Amy and Sheldon dancing

Amy kisses Sheldon



6) Sheldon got jealous
However, no matter how Sheldon wishes to deny, still, we do know that he has feelings for Amy. When Leonard told Sheldon that he had a great time with Amy, Sheldon karate hit him on the shoulder and angrily retorts "She is not for you. Not for you!"

She Is Not For You



7) They cuddled
When Amy got really upset, and not returning any of Sheldon's various digital attempts to contact her (I tried email, video chat, tweeting her, posting on her Facebook wall, texting her, nothing), Sheldon came into her rescue. Amy made clear what Sheldon could do for her: “At this moment, I find myself craving human intimacy and physical contact.” So, even though Sheldon is uncomfortable with human physical contact and has germophobia, they cuddled......

Sheldon And Amy Cuddle



8) Sheldon wanted to win her back
When Stuart asks Amy out on a date, Sheldon seems to not mind though it becomes obvious later on. He friended Stuart on Facebook to find out how they date, he tried to make Amy jealous by trying to ask Penny out for a date. Even though Sheldon still insists that Amy is a girl who is his friend but not his girlfriend, he wanted to know what are the ways to get her back.


Saturday 17 September 2016

Guilty Pleasure

Watching The Big Bang Theory every now and then is definitely a guilty pleasure for me.

I am still trying very hard to make sure I continue to learn new things, to grow, to be, to live a balance life. However, sometimes, I need a break.

Blame this smile!
Recently, because I am slightly more free than usual, because TBBT Season 10 is coming up real soon, because I start to follow Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik on Instagram, when I need a break, I watch The Big Bang Theory clips online.

I know. I'm hopeless sometimes. Blame Sheldon and the gang!! Mainly, blame Sheldon! Oh, and blame Jim Parsons blue eyes!!

Oh, and I definitely going to blame ShAmy, my favorite TV couple.

Amy and Sheldon relationship is not what normally people think relationships are supposed to be. Sheldon being Sheldon, taking those tiny steps, doing those small gesture, and truly believes he is in the best relationship ever. To me, that relationship is actually more intimate than anything else on TV to date.


The Evolution of ShAmy:


Tuesday 6 September 2016

Why I Can Relate to Sheldon Cooper - Acoustics Sweet Spot

真不好意思,近来又被Sheldon Cooper给迷住了,刚才一提起Waitomo Glow Worm Cave的acoustics,我又忍不住想起Sheldon的acoustics sweet spot:




其实,发烧友们在自己家装speakers时,必定会千方百计设计好沙发为sweet spot地点;爱音乐的去固定的音乐厅听音乐会多了,也必然知道选哪区的坐席最好。

Sheldon Cooper的执着我明白,我只是没有他的勇气而已……



Why I Can Relate to Sheldon Cooper: