October: Two weddings & a funeral.

calm down

算了吧，布什总统要颁奖给达赖喇嘛，让他颁吧，中国实在不需要如此激烈，说出中美受损的重话。

中国外交部措词非常公式化：，西藏是中国领土不可分割的一部分，西藏事务纯属中国内政，中方坚决反对任何国家、任何人利用达赖问题干涉中国内政。达赖几十年的言行表明，他是一个打着宗教幌子，长期从事分裂祖国活动的政治流亡者。

问题是，达赖喇嘛从来就没有主张西藏独立。他只要高度自治。中国应该灵活些，敞开谈判的大门。何必大动干戈？十四年的中英谈判如此艰巨，都谈成了结果。区区一个达赖喇嘛，有什么不能谈的。邓小平在世的时候，就一直主张要跟达赖谈。这样灵活的政策，应该延续下去。胡先生要明察。

既然西藏已经受中国管辖，领土完整就不再是一个大问题。达赖喇嘛要当省长也罢，教皇也罢，特区行政长官也罢，都行。实在犯不着为了区区小事要跟美国闹别扭。大问题是台湾。子弹要留起来，省些用。

北京奥运在即，中国没有动怒的本钱。如果台湾的问题不能妥协，这个可以理解。那么，在其他发面就应该高度克制。

李安的色戒裸露场面太多，不符中国国情，本来上不了。中国电影局主动找李安谈，表示诚意。李安也理解，并愿意自己再剪接一个可以接受的版本。中国现在最迫切需要的，就是这种灵活的手段。

The funniest FAQ I have ever read.

Malaysian government set up an official website for the astronaut. If they are determined to send a man to the space, you would imagine they could afford to spend some money to write some professional content for the official website. But no, they have a FAQ that sounds like the targeted audience is standard 1 students. ( http://www.angkasa.gov.my/welcome/angkasawan/faq/faq.php )


Q1. What is the total cost of Angkasawan Programme?
A1. Angkasawan progamme Programme is an offset project given by Russian when Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) purchased Sukhoi fighter SU-30 MKM. In other word, this project is free.
My comment : In other word, this project is part of the cost of buying fighter jet. It ain’t no free.

Q2. What is the benefit of this programme to the country?
A2. From this programme, we hope that new generations especially students can develop interest in space education, also can gain knowledge transfer and experience from other countries.
My comment : Okay, now that everyone is interested in space education, what next? By the way, you are right, Russia would be pleased to share with you all the cutting-edge technology

Q3. Is the astronaut going to the moon?
A3. No, our astronaut is not going to the moon but to the International Space Station (ISS)
My comment : Don’t flatter yourself. Nobody would be so naïve as to think that Malaysian is going to the moon. The last time mankind set foot in moon was 1969. And China plans to be in the moon in 2018.

Q4. Where is the ISS?
A4. International Space Station (ISS) is built by ISS partners. The station will be in an orbit with an altitude of 250 statute miles with an inclination of 51.6 degrees. This orbit allows the station to be reached by the launch vehicles of all the international partners to provide a robust capability for the delivery of crews and supplies. The orbit also provides excellent Earth observations with coverage of 85 percent of the globe and over flight of 95.
My comment : More importantly, is Malaysia an ISS partner?

Q5. Will the astronaut get to go outside the space station?
A5. No. Going outside space station require EVA.
My comment : I’m not interested in whether he would do a space-walk. What I’m more concerned is what he does inside the spaceship. What's his official duty up there?

Q6. How long will he be there?
A6. Angkasawan will is there about 6 - 8 days. Our Angkasawan will be in the space station about 6-8 days. He will do scientific research.
My comment : Just name one scientific research that he would do. Just one.

Q7. Is this safe?
A7. Yes, it is. The condition in ISS is same as our room except there is no gravity there. We will float.
My comment : This is so incorrect. The risky part is not whether you could pee properly in the ISS. The real danger is when the space shuttle is taking off, with immense heat being generated. I’m not going to get into the Columbia disaster but it suffices to say going to the space isn’t as easy as taking a train.

Q8. What is minimum qualification to be a Malaysian astronaut?
A8. First requirements to be Malaysian Angkasawan is must a Malaysian citizen, 21 years old and above and have first degree in any field
My comment : Hello I’m 21st year old, and freshly graduated from Sedaya College with a B.A degree in English. My hobby is playing guitar and MSN with friends. I have no problem going to the space.

广告随想录

世界上最恶俗的广告，莫过于打温情牌的商业广告。

Diamond 的广告 ：我上个月赚了十八千，最重要的是给我的爸爸妈妈更好的生活。我妈妈。。。
余仁生的口号 ：一人一元一华小， 感恩的心。

OGAWA登了整版的照片: 名模谢莉萍买了一张按摩椅给爸爸。

不知道会不会真的有人看了这些广告而受感动，甚至付诸行动，把产品买下。事实上，最高兴的不是我们的爸爸妈妈，而是Diamond老板的爸爸妈妈。拿温情来消费，以达到经济利益，是这些商家的一贯手法。

世界上最奇怪的广告，莫过于钟洁希的广告。

钟洁希，一个变性人，拥有一间健康食品公司。他们的卖点是自然（Natural）。让人匪夷所思的是，广告的代言人竟然是钟洁希本人。既然钟洁希改造了自己身体结构，难道还符合自然的形象吗？

世界上最有效的广告，莫过于Osim的脚按摩器广告。林志玲娇娇爹爹地不知道说了什么东西，然后show 一show 修长的大腿，效果完全出来。至少Osim 诚实，不搞温情牌，就是摆明要俗到底，反倒可敬。