2026-11-13

A serendipitous encounter

 



Sopa House

 




獨處

學會獨處,而不覺孤獨。

Learn to be alone without feeling lonely.

Aprende a estar só sem te sentires solitário.


2026-11-11

人間故事

A Story of Life


Amid the hum of the airport lounge, I sat quietly and overheard two friends chatting nearby.


They spoke of an elderly friend in her eighties, who lives alone. Her children have settled in Spain and England, separated by vast oceans and unable to tend to her in person. With advancing years, her self‑care has grown harder, and her memory fades bit by bit. She spends most days confined to her home, coping as best she can. Within their means, the two friends check in on her each day and offer what comfort they can.


Then they sighed and agreed that we ought to savour joy while it lasts.


This casual snippet of conversation, overheard while waiting for a flight, invites quiet reflection. Time pauses for no one; we cannot count on endless chances to meet and be happy. Loneliness and frailty in old age are one of life’s sober truths.


We so often put life aside for “later”, unaware that time will not wait. To savour joy in the present is not reckless indulgence. It is to cherish the companionship and days we still hold.


人間故事


機場候機大廳人聲熙攘,我靜坐一旁,聽見鄰座兩位友人閒談。


他們談起一位年逾八旬的舊友。老人家獨居,子女分別定居西班牙與英國,遠隔重洋,難以近身照料。年華老去,她的自理能力日漸衰退,記憶也慢慢消散,多數時候獨守家中,凡事只能自求多福。這兩位朋友在能力所及之內,每日都會探問她的情況,送上關懷。


話說到這裡,二人慨然:人生,要及時行樂。


不過是候機時偶然聽來的一段閒話,卻引人深思。歲月從不為誰停留,相聚與歡愉,都沒有無限的預留。晚年的孤獨與無助,是漫長人生裡一份沉重的真實。


人總習慣寄望於以後,卻忽略時光不待人。這裡說的及時行樂,不是縱情放逸,而是把握當下,珍惜尚且可以擁有的陪伴與時光。

Let go

放下所愛。適時退場。

Let go of what you love. Know when to step away.

Deixa o que amas. Sabe quando te deves retirar.

《喀耳刻》(Circe)

 Circe, written by Madeline Miller, is a breathtaking literary retelling of ancient Greek mythology. Centered on the infamous witch of Aeaea, this novel reshapes a well‑known mythic villain into a powerful, deeply human heroine, exploring themes of loneliness, growth, female empowerment and the true meaning of freedom.


In traditional myths, Circe is merely a cruel enchantress who turns men into beasts. Miller completely rewrites this stereotype. Born as an overlooked, weak‑sounding daughter of the sun god Helios, Circe is ignored and belittled by her cold divine family. After discovering her forbidden gift of witchcraft, she is exiled alone to a deserted island by Zeus. For centuries, she endures total isolation, faces visiting heroes, monsters and sailors, and slowly masters her own power. From a vulnerable outcast, she grows into a fearless, self‑sufficient woman who controls her fate rather than being controlled by the gods.


What makes this novel extraordinary is its profound emotional depth. Miller contrasts hollow, eternal divine immortality with warm, fragile mortal humanity. Gods live forever but remain petty, cruel and unchanging; mortals fade fast yet experience love, pain, growth and devotion. Circe’s final choice—to abandon endless immortality and become mortal for genuine love—becomes the most courageous decision of her life. It reveals a touching truth: eternity without meaning is empty, while a limited life filled with love and autonomy is truly noble.


The writing style is elegant, lyrical and immersive. The pacing is steady and reflective, allowing readers to witness Circe’s slow yet striking transformation from insecurity to quiet strength.


Overall, Circe is more than a mythic story. It is a timeless journey of self‑discovery. It teaches readers that true power does not lie in immortality or status, but in independence, kindness and the courage to define oneself. I highly recommend this inspiring, beautifully crafted novel to every reader who appreciates classic mythology and emotional growth.


《喀耳刻》(Circe),作者瑪德琳·米勒,是一部動人的文學重寫本,取材自古希臘神話。書中把傳說裡惡名昭彰的艾亞島女巫,從單純的反派形象,重塑成一個飽含人性、一路自我覺醒的女主角,探討孤獨、成長、女性力量,以及自由的真義。


在傳統神話裡,喀耳刻只是一個會把男人變成野獸的殘酷巫師。米勒推翻了這個刻板印象:她是太陽神赫利俄斯備受冷落的女兒,在冰冷的神族之中一直被輕視、貶低。當她發現自己擁有巫術這份禁忌力量後,宙斯將她流放至荒島,獨自度日。漫長歲月裡,她飽受孤獨,陸續遇見各路英雄、怪物與航海者,慢慢掌握自身力量。從一個自卑、無助的邊緣者,蛻變成能夠掌握自己命運、堅定自持的女性。


這本書最動人之處,在濃厚的情感層次。作者對比了空洞的神之永生,與溫柔卻脆弱的凡人生命。諸神長生不死,心胸卻狹隘、殘酷、一成不變;凡人生命短暫,卻能感受愛、悲傷、成長與忠誠。喀耳刻最後的選擇——放棄永恆的不死之身,成為凡人,去換取真實的愛,是全書最勇敢的決定。它道出一個動人的道理:沒有意義的永恆只是空虛,有限卻能夠自主、充滿愛的生命,才更珍貴。


文筆詩意優美,節奏從容沉靜,讓讀者細細感受喀耳刻由不安走向內在堅定的漫長轉變。


總括而言,《喀耳刻》不只是一則神話故事,更是一場永恆的自我追尋之旅。它告訴我們,真正的力量不在長生或地位,而在獨立、善意,以及勇於定義自己的勇氣。推薦給喜愛古典神話、重視心靈成長的讀者。

一場巴士小插曲,看盡人情百態

A Small Bus Incident That Reflects Human Nature


While riding Bus 101 today, I witnessed a subtle yet thought-provoking incident that perfectly mirrors the diverse sides of human character.


Shortly after I boarded the bus, a young woman occupied two priority seats designated for senior citizens. She did so solely out of necessity, as her bulky luggage required extra space. At that moment, an elderly woman approached her in an impolite tone, reproaching the young woman for taking reserved seats and insisting that she immediately give them up. The young woman remained completely unresponsive, either confused by the sudden confrontation or choosing to stay calm amid the unreasonable blame.


The awkward atmosphere soon drew attention from other elderly passengers. Surprisingly, another senior woman spoke out fairly and gently. She pointed out that rude accusations did no honour to older people. True respect, she said, comes from polite communication, not from acting presumptuously because of age. Age never equals privilege. Her reasonable words were immediately echoed and supported by other elderly passengers, who agreed that kindness and courtesy should always come first, while also kindly reminding the young woman to offer her seat when feasible.


This ordinary yet touching episode offers a profound lesson about humanity. People’s manners and tolerance are never defined by their age. Some carry years yet lack grace, while others grow older with wisdom and gentleness.


In just a brief moment on public transport, I once again witnessed the countless faces of life: sharp-tempered impatience on one side, and forgiving understanding on the other.


今日搭乘101巴士,途中遇見一場微小卻耐人尋味的生活插曲,短短數分鐘,便映照出最真實的人情百態。


上車不久,車廂內發生一段小小的爭執。一位獨自乘車的年輕女生,因為攜帶大型行李,一時佔用了兩個長者專座。其實她並非刻意霸位,隻是行李體積龐大,一時無處安放。


此時,一位年長長者上前,語氣不友善地責備女生,直言她不該佔用長者優先座位,要求她立刻讓位。面對長者的嚴厲責問,年輕女生並沒有爭辯,也沒有明顯反應,或許是來不及反應,亦或只是沉默應對。


就在氣氛略顯尷尬之際,車上另一位長者主動出聲調解、出言公道。她坦然表示,同為長者,更應懂得體諒與禮貌,讓位從來不是義務,更不是長者恃年齡優勢的理所當然。與人相處,以禮待人、溫和溝通即可,無需動氣指責,更不該有「長者大晒」的心態。她直言,動氣責備的舉動,反而讓長者群體失了體面。


這番通透溫柔的話語,立刻得到車上多位長者乘客的一致認同。大家紛紛附和,認同體諒、禮讓、溫和溝通,才是人與人之間最珍貴的相處之道。


一場小小的巴士風波,瞬間平息。


世間人情,從不分年齡、不分身份。

有人倚老、執著己利;亦有人通透善良、心存體諒。


原來真正的修養從不在年歲長短,而在人心寬厚。

一樁平凡小事,讓人再次看見:人生百態,冷暖自知,善解與包容,永遠最動人。


Raise Me High @ HK airport 2026.11.11

 



2026-11-10

Line dance - Amazeballs

 


《克拉克森的农场》

Clarkson’s Farm

Clarkson’s Farm is a popular British reality documentary streaming on Amazon Prime. It follows Jeremy Clarkson, a well‑known TV presenter with no real farming experience, as he tries to run his own large farm in the countryside.

Expecting a relaxing rural life, Clarkson soon faces endless troubles. Bad weather, expensive machinery, complicated official rules and uncooperative animals keep causing trouble. With help from his young farmhand Kaleb and land agent Charlie, he struggles with sowing crops, raising sheep and opening a farm shop. Even after hard work through the whole year, he barely makes any profit.

This series is full of funny moments, yet it shows the harsh reality of modern farming. It lets audiences see how risky and tiring farmers’ work is. I really enjoy the natural humour and real‑life stories. The only small downside is that some farming policy details may be confusing for foreign viewers.



《克拉克森的农场》

英文:Clarkson’s Farm,亚马逊高分纪实真人秀,也有同名书籍。

故事梗概


主角杰里米·克拉克森,是知名汽车节目《Top Gear》的主持人,完全不懂种田。他在英国乡下买下一大片农场(Diddly Squat,戏称“一毛之地”),原本雇别人打理;原农夫退休后,他决定自己亲自经营农场一整年,全程拍摄记录。


他本来想象浪漫田园生活,现实却是一地鸡毛:


1. 种地处处踩坑:买昂贵兰博基尼拖拉机却不会操作;播种遇到特大暴雨、春天大干旱,又碰上疫情;辛苦忙活一整年,全年净赚仅144英镑,几乎白干。


2. 饲养动物状况百出:养羊、养猪、养蜂,羊乱跑、猪越狱、蜜蜂追人;要接生小羊、剪羊毛,经常被动物折腾得哭笑不得。


3. 团队搭档:


• 年轻本地农夫 凯勒布:懂农事,经常吐槽克拉克森的外行操作;


• 土地经纪人 查理:天天提醒法规、预算,疯狂泼冷水;

几个人一边吵架一边合伙硬撑农场。


核心讲了两件事


1. 打破都市人的田园美梦

田园不是悠闲治愈,农业极度辛苦,要看天气、受市场、政府法规层层限制,投入巨大,利润微薄,失败是家常便饭。


2. 欢笑之下看见真实农民处境

用搞笑的外壳,讲英国现代农业困境:极端气候、官僚审批、物价成本上涨、补贴政策、环境保护和农耕之间的矛盾,让人笑完又会同情普通农民的难处。


后续季发展


一季又一季,他继续折腾:开农场商店、想开餐厅被政府驳回、接手乡村酒吧、尝试高科技农机,不断碰壁,但仍然坚持经营这片农场。


简单一句话总结:一个有钱的外行大佬下乡当农民,不断翻车、爆笑,同时揭开农业残酷现实的纪录片。

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A tiny dust in the universe.