曾經是個室內設計師嘅獨立作者

尋晚瞓瞓吓覺，凌晨三點幾醒咗，突然間諗起好想寫⋯

唔經唔覺已經去到九月，短短幾個月離開咗室內設計師嘅行頭，除咗上堂教書嘅時候之外，慢慢都識得當自己係一個獨立作者(indie author)，書架上嘅室內設計資料亦都慢慢下架，變成各式各樣同寫作、繪畫、攝影相關嘅嘢。

為咗講得出做得到，係收山後再次推咗三個室內設計工作(應該係最終回啦)，終於第一次夏天唔洗落地盤，尤其唔洗帶住口罩係地盤＂濕洗同乾蒸＂，真係舒服好多。以前成日坐係部大電腦面前用Autocad畫圖，用photoshop執sample board, 用word打文件；見客，傾電話，出電郵，落地盤，見師傅，傾電話，出地盤指引⋯ 而家就係另外一張工作檯用兩部細 iPad 寫書，搵資料；一大堆水彩顏料畫公仔，同埋幾本字典查生字；再返去大電腦度執相，執位，出版，網絡宣傳發送⋯

最大分別嘅係冇乜電話，可以全日好靜，如果冇開住音樂，有時由坐低直至第一次離開工作枱 (因為對眼開始攰或者肚餓，又或者口渴 :p )原來已經六個幾鐘。如果唔係要上堂同返教會，其實我真係唔多知道今日係星期幾？又或者係乜嘢節日假期。如果儲夠糧食，可以五日唔出門口，日寫夜寫，幾時瞓都得⋯生活上嘅改變都真係唔少；初時唔多適應，覺得仲攰過做設計工程，我諗，係因為冇＂時限＂嘅關係。

無論點都好，要改變就要學習，做乜都係咁，唔向前行，就會退步，所以我都可以話係踏上一條不歸路。當有朝一日，室內設計慢慢係我嘅專業知識層面上生疏甚至流逝嘅時候，希望相對地係寫作方面會有進展，咁我就可以寫下一個系列：做個...的獨立作家！

做個放下的設計師

2021年4月18日，星期日，晴，11:00 a.m.

 

將最後一個地盤handover 俾客人，係最後一個，正式係我卅多年嘅室內設計生涯劃上一個句號！離開地盤嗰一刻實在有唔少感觸，不過同時又有D輕鬆、興奮同迷惘嘅感覺，心情都好複雜吓；畢竟係畢業之後第一份同唯一一份職業。

呢個收爐計劃始於2017年(乜咁早？)，係呀！我嘅壞習慣，因為大決定我一定要一個較長嘅過渡期。仲記得當時好友勸我，駛乜咁決絕話唔接就唔接(室內設計工作)？又唔係冇經濟需要，接吓D相關嘅工作，例如淨係做設計，唔做地盤；又或者做畫圖都可以吖…

老實講，如果你都係行內人，你一定會明白，做室內設計係冇得做D唔做D嘅，尤其我又唔係乜嘢出名大公司。而且淨係做一部份，個成品係好難做得完整嘅…你明啦！更重要嘅係，唔完全放低，就冇辨法係人生下半場開始另一個新體驗~畫公仔書。

2017年基本上已經開始做半職設計師，同步兼職教書；係2019年正式開始畫公仔書，一切由頭學起。最諷刺嘅係我越係準備引退就繼續有客，結果都係堅持只接親戚朋友屋企，限時至2021年一月一日為止(原定時間)…終於總算勉強如願。

人生就係咁㗎啦，唔決絕就會拖拖拉拉，搞不好到死嗰一日又話有D乜乜物物心願未了云云…其實乜嘢都係自己決定；我好清楚＂了結＂咗我嘅專業會換嚟乜嘢，有好有壞，有可以或唔可以承擔嘅狀況…不過好肯定嘅係…無悔！(加，唔能夠唔承認嘅不安全感)。

如果你問我，咁而家寫網誌呢一刻已經差唔多＂收山＂左大半個月有多，係唔係好寫意咁畫緊公仔書，享受人生呢？梗係…唔係啦！只可以話係正式開始斜槓族嘅低/冇收入生涯，希望七月份會有個暢順D嘅工作流程啦。不過今日，我已經冇唔捨得離開我嘅事業嗰個感覺(雖然有時仲諗緊以後填表要係職業嗰欄度寫乜？)，反而係呢段短短嘅時間裏面，除咗順利完成第六本公仔書之外，

我又唔經唔覺咁重拾放低咗好耐嘅平面設計，哈哈！雖然係義工，不過真係超級＂大滿足＂。

所以世事難料，鼓起勇氣離開安舒區，為自已編織新一頁，呢一刻，仍然期待！

做個遲多少少先引退嘅設計師

原來都有好一段日子無寫網誌了，可能係全球疫情期間有好多其他鎖碎事要理，又或者我真係唔想特登停落嚟。

唔經唔覺已經去到九月入秋，我嘅引退計劃亦都展開咗一段日子啦。家居工作室入面一箱箱嘅室內設計物料，俾我反轉再反轉，希望可以俾人或者回收，因為做呢行嘅朋友都知道，D物料好多都好鬼靚；而且有D係好難先攞得到，要丟去垃圾站，始終有D吾捨得，成日同自己講：或者第日會有用呢？結果即使唔係要引退，擺吓擺吓都擺咗好多年；到今日，都係要清走…

原本立定心意2021年1月1日會唔再叫自己做室內設計師，點知…竟然俾我遇到最後一個工程，而係無理由唔做嘅，仲要係由今年跨年到2021年中。或者係命運安排，希望好頭好尾啩😅

於是前幾日過開香港區，就順便行去久違咗好耐嘅洛克道。話說嗰日天氣極悶熱，兼且係下午兩三點，照計咁嘅環境之下條材料街冇乜人都係正常嘅，但係，嗰日俾我嘅感覺要用＂蕭條＂同＂死寂＂嚟形容。

我個人習慣係舖頭門口快速望入去，見到有吸睛嘅＂料＂同＂人＂先會再入去仔細＂尋寶＂，不過…我見到嘅係冇開嘅舖、冇執同冇更新嘅貨丶冇表情嘅人、冇坐出嚟嘅貓.…整體感覺係好多塵嘅＂灰色＂！

結果，原本諗住發掘吓有咩新料/產品嘅我，只係慢速沿住洛克道由銅鑼灣行去灣仔方向落埋港鐵回歸九龍⋯

冇錯，過去年多，全球變化真係好大，特別係香港；由社會運動，疫情到全球國家宣示主權等等，全部都衝擊住每一個人。要我哋係咁疲倦嘅環境之下提起精神，有時真係講就易；冇經濟壓力同下一代嘅人都有擔心，何況係有下一代同手停口停嘅小市民呢？所以我見到嘅情景，一D都唔出奇，只係無奈。諗番起舊時嗰種人多車多，條街爆滿出貨入貨；舖頭員工同時又要照顧有無限問題嘅街客同埋，差唔多日日都見住嘅師傅.…嗰種熱鬧得嚟又有D混亂嘅good old days!

又係老鬼心態，睇完料搵間茶餐廳，強勁冷氣下一邊歎奶茶油占多，一邊八掛吓隔離嗰枱師傅呻D乜；雖然係咁細嘅空間入面，你一句我一句，嘈到拆天，但係總可以專心聽到一D趣事；呢種＂特異功能＂其實都係做呢行嘅＂收獲＂⋯又係另一種令我有DD懷念嘅日子。

講咗咁多，都係要返回現實；或者今日、今個月甚至今年、明年，大環境都未必有乜大改善，但係就正如我地幫人設計裝修咁，殘舊破爛嘅地方始終會變番完整同靚，只要肯付出同行動；所以係我寫網誌嘅呢一刻，我仍然深信，好老土咁講：希望在明天！

地球人，一齊努力啦！加油！

不想做個"機關"算盡的設計師

啱啱教完上一季嘅興趣班, 同學們例牌會問嘅問題係: 
1) 係房起個地台擺嘢好唔好? 
2) 升高張床下面做衣櫃書枱好唔好?
3) 張睡床摺上摺落好唔好?

通常我都會答: 
如果唔好收埋咁多無謂嘢, 善用空間, 上面三個問題嘅答案就梗係"唔好" 啦!

不過時而世逆, 可能因為"納米樓"嘅出現, 以後想唔好都唔得啦!

前排係會展見到一個展覽, 其中一D室内空間運用亦係因為住屋面積愈嚟愈少而設計嘅. 例如張睡床要行完好多級唔啱人體工學嘅"儲物樓梯級"先可以去到. 又話者你哋係電視上都會見到嘅"厠所浴室門共用"方案; 梳化下面暗藏浴缸(當然係放係客廳啦)...等等. 將來我哋呢行嘅前景(以住宅設計而言) 就會變成設計"機關" 主導.

我諗新嘅物料, 家具小五金用嚟整"機關"嘅配件, 空調抽風系統亦都會相對革新. 短期内應該會令市場有D新鮮感, 甚至會造就好多主打呢類樓盤嘅新興設計師; 不過無論係對用家同設計師嚟講, 長遠嚟睇絶對唔係好事.

一個原本可以簡單舒適嘅家會變成好複雜同忙亂, 例如突然覺得凍想攞件衫都可能要: 先執番枱面D嘢, 摺番埋張枱, 泊番隻浴室門, 同衣櫃(如果仲有的話) 前面做緊其他嘢嘅家庭成員貼身調換位置之後, 先去到其實只係距離不到6呎嘅目的地完成"任務"......要返回原位繼續工作.....(請自行逆轉動作一次)......希望呢個惡夢唔會成真.

what a year !

city rhythm 08_tranquility

year after year...day by day...

Kowloon City...

never change !

 

葉壹堂

葉壹堂 - 這是我所認識的Page One. 
很喜歡它的中文名, 帶點古早味.

差不多所有設計人都是這裏的常客, 而自從它進駐香港之後, 書店文化及室内設計上也有很大的改變. 

年初時, 競成美術用品+書店(Keng Seng)結業; 我帶着沉重的心情逗留了幾小時, 帶回最後的幾本書回家. 想不到今個月, 剛從葉壹堂帶回來的兩本書 
The Fox and Star  及 The Paris Winter 仍未看畢, 卻原來是"告別之作".

又一城分店的設計書架, 是我的靈感泉源及工作伙伴. 而它的Fiction 書架 , 更是我的"避難所"; 毎當心情差或有大堆不能解決的問題時, 只要在此處逗留一會, 煩惱盡消.

兩年前, 好友送了一張書卷給我, 開始了看傳記及古典系列. 一直放在書店内心儀的Classic 書, 本打算在"餘生"遂本買下, 好好"享用", 只可惜等不到了!

或許你會説, 這間結業往另一間買便可以, 何需"哭喪"似的?  説真的, 我確實有"好友離世"的那種心情. 書店是心靈及精神上的另一個家, 這是網上書店或電子書不能替代的. 而毎一間書店所帶給我們的感覺及書種, 眼界, 思維空間, 回憶，也是獨特的. 

PageOne / Dymockｓ / Swindon / Keng Seng / Prologue /  商務印 / 中華/ 大衆/ 誠品/三聯.......其中的體驗, 各不相同.  一間好的書店,你會流漣忘返; 否則,只會被一些沒有生命的書籍重重圍繞及壓逼下,不得不奪門而出.

無論如何, 別了! 葉壹堂! 感謝您為我的生命添上無限精彩, 正如您的格言：

every book begins with PAGEONE !!! 

做個重新上路的設計師

＂有人辭官歸故里，有人漏夜趕科場！＂我諗，我正處於呢個狀態。

可能好多人都會有同感，尤其係做設計嘅人：做到想轉行，但係又唔知轉邊行好？始終一個做到上哂手，累積咗大量經驗，人脈及相當收入嘅工作係好難放棄嘅。不過時移世逆，越嚟越多嘅工種因着科技及需求而改變。

零售租約愈縮愈短， 流動辦公室嘅工作模式， 住屋空間愈嚟愈細， 師傅人工愈加愈貴...... 等等，仲有各式各樣嘅原因都令我覺得係時候準備辭官歸故里。

所以係另一邊廂，就想試吓可唔可以趕入設計布藝這個＂科場＂？！

其實早係十年前已經嘗試係Spoonflower設計布欵（因為成日揾唔到一D啱心水嘅布欵俾客人用），但係一方面當時佢哋 啱啱成立冇幾耐，支援好少； 而我哋又忙緊正職，所以只係隨意設計咗十幾欵就擺低， 估唔到呢粒種子到今時今日又可以重生。

十年人事幾翻新， Spoonflower 今時今日已經發展到好大，唔少平面／布藝設計師已經係常客，而我，就係一個初哥！雖然因為從事室內設計會對布料及製作軟件有一定認識， 但係今次當我認真對待嘅時候，就發覺要設計一D市場受落又唔太＂行＂嘅布藝，係當中大有學問……所以， 呢個就係我要重新投入同學習嘅一個教室。

雖然要投放嘅時間，資源同心機肯定唔少， 但係身為設計行業嘅人，唔多唔少都會有份勇氣去嘗試同發掘新可能性嘅心態；期望有一日可以擁有一個CocoaDesignLife 品牌嘅＂可可布館＂，設計出一D較有個性嘅室內布藝。或許，呢個都係另一個職場上嘅延伸都未定？

短短半年嘅時間，令我對網上銷售有多D了解； 重新再強化自己嘅攝影技巧，平面設計，混合媒體及至Photoshop 嘅運用係必需嘅。所以話世界上永遠冇學得完嘅事物，亦唔可能會悶，只要你肯向前行出一步，奇妙旅程又再度展開！

可可布館

浴德池 - The vanished spa

不少香港人都曾經享受過日式溫泉, 但澡堂呢? 又或者是在香港的上海澡堂呢?對這間已成記憶的上海澡堂, 相信大家可能有些少印象, 因為當它遭拆卸前, 不少傳媒也佈道過.

其實我曾經差不多每天也路過這裡, 也曾多次想入內探索; 但每次從外面厚厚的花玻璃望進, 總怕一推門而入, 會從幪朧的紙皮石圍牆背面走出一個赤條條的大漢來?! 再加上玻璃門總是貼著"不設女賓"膠牌一個; 所以廿多年來也沒有入內, 回想起來, 實在有點可惜. 因為話說當它拆卸時, 一些有心人特別留守, 取回一些很有歷史價值又富上海風味的室內擺設, 而浴池的水龍頭就是其一了.

也許時代的變遷留不住昔日繁華的印記, 但我想告訴你, 那藍白色的霓虹招牌, 在深藍的夜空下,
我的腦海中, 仍然很美!

Most of us did familiar with Japanese spa or onsen, we don't have spring water in Hong Kong but a Shanghai style public hot water bath, which was once a deluxe leisure activity for businessmen to gather around, well, of course talking business or,  just relax.
浴德池 - an already demolished public bath pool, became famous and widely reported by media, just before it was gone years ago.

Truly speaking, I passed this "huge bath tub" almost everyday when it was still there. I did try to enter may times before, but whenever I looked inside through those thick etched pattern glass, nothing was there besides mosaic walls; I was thinking if I pushed the door opened, would there be a naked big guy behind and telling me that, couldn't you see the note on the glass door outside " Gentlemen Only"? So, I didn't remove the veil and it's a bit too late by now.

Because there are news from the reporters afterward, said that some "Old stuff lovers" waited outside while it was demolishing and successfully grabbed some "treasure" = Very aged Shanghai stylish interior decor, like a special designed faucet for the main pool, which was worth to be reserved.

Well, may be we can't freeze the golden age while we are moving on, lots and lots of valuable 
architecture, furniture or designed fixture that reflects a specific period of our history have to disappear; but I would like to tell you that, I will never forget it's bluish white neon sign hanging right under the clear deep blue sky, in my memory...they are gorgeous!

原裝可口可樂

相信冇咩人會唔認得可口可樂個樽，即使係８０後或９０後也好，都應該對呢個咁有代表性嘅產品有所認識；至少要知道大樽裝好飲過罐裝呀！

最得意嘅係無論“世界怎麼變”．．．屹立在澳門嘅呢個大樽都冇變，係啲人唔得閒去理呢定係冇人想改變呢？

始終由細飲到大嘅可樂，真係會令我哋多少有啲親切感，就算而家有檸檬味，無糖，又或者曾經有過嘅呍呢拿，車厘子味等，都比唔上呢支原裝可口可樂．

所以話廣告效力強大，一啲都冇誇張，最緊要仲係由細灌輸入“口”，咁到佢長大成人之後，仍然會係你嘅忠實ＦＡＮＳ．雖然有啲無良，不過都係搵餐晏仔姐：Ｐ

久違了的煙仔檔 The Lost Cigarette Stall

也許真的有朋友從未見過這東西,已不記得這是那個年代的自家製作? 雖然我不吸煙, 但仍覺得這個小檔很精緻, 尤其當它放滿了五顏六色的煙仔盒時. 還記得當時比較盛行的有555, 萬寶路, 駱駝, 紅雙喜, 健牌, 還夾雜着一些可自行包裝的煙葉及煙紙...等.

當時的煙販檔沒有太多其它東西售賣, 似乎這小小的一盤生意巳經可養活一家. 煙仔盒上也沒有所謂的"吸煙危害健康"標貼, 是人民沒有這個意識呢? 還是根本煙民全都一早明白但他們需要的卻只是一刻鐘的自由自在, 於願足矣!

看着這個早巳身處填田區的木檔口,  對比着現今我們在街上看見大得足可比娓一間小型便利店的報紙+汽水+煙檔時, 應該驚歎生活的進步? 還是慨歎心靈的退步?!

I am sure there must be some people who don't ever have a chance to see this stuff in their life in H.K., a DIY cigarette stall...I wonder which century it belongs to? Although I am a non-smoker, as far as I've remembered, this tiny stall always attracts me, especially when it was fully displayed with colorful cigarette packages. 555, Marlboro, Camel, Double Happiness, Kent, even with some small yellowish paper for customers to fill in their favorite tobacco leaves, then roll up to form a interesting "tobacco stick".

Besides of the above + matches / lighter, there are not many variety of products you can find here, but it seems the hawker can still earn a living for their family through this small business. Also, you will not find any "Government Warning" of "SMOKING CAUSES XXXXX DISEASES" on the cigarette package, guess whether the smokers don't have any idea of health care or simply they are willing to exchange for a moment of mentally freedom?

This stall should have already been crashed in the landfill, compare to what we can see on the street now a day, those "full-function" newspaper stall , not only cigarette, but soft drinks, snacks, umbrella..etc, etc. what a tiny 7/11 they are. Should we amazed by our improvement of living ? or regret to our "black-hole" that can never be fulfilled deep into our heart!

迷失於澳門凱悅 Lost in Hyatt Regency Resort

不知離開了多少個年頭, 每次重回舊地, 都會待在這裏好一陣子, 今次也不例外, 只是若有所失!

澳門急速的發展令這間位於氹仔, 一向以擁有太白渡假村為特色的凱悅酒店也靜靜地起了變化. 名稱巳變成麗景灣酒店, 入面太白渡假村面積縮少了, 我想, 有四分一罷, 周邊被高樓及其他以招呼賭客為首的酒店包圍着, 要看藍天白雲只得往某個特定方向望過去.

酒店內部翻新了, 大堂變得昏暗、中國化, 自助早餐不再有"陽光", 食物變成不中不西; 錫紙包裝的沐浴露不再散發着"渡假式"的清幽, 如果離開泳池旁邊這段長廊, 踏出了太白的範圍...真的, 我所熟識的渡假酒店巳在退變, 漸漸地消失.

從大堂的酒店發展模型可見, 為着成就新加入的賭埸設施, 眼前的一切將會再進一步改變, 這段富有萄葡牙及少少Art Deco 設計風格的建築還能保留多久呢?位於泳池邊, 已停止運作的水中酒吧仍能佔據所緊餘的空間嗎? 最愛的芥茉黄, 湖水綠, 松綠, 紅鶴粉紅...簡樸天然的素材...仍能看見嗎? 要留住這 一切, 似乎不可能, 只願, 仍有"惜花者".

5 years. 10 years....I can't remember when was my previous visit, but every time, it's for sure I will stay as long as I can in this lovely veranda, relaxing and enjoy the wind breeze...but this time, I am "lost".

Regency Macau was originally named as Hyatt Regency located in Taipa island of Macau, it was a resort built in Portuguese style with a touch of Art Deco, you can see all the familiar color combinations of Flamingo red, Turquoise, pine green, mustard yellow + white, of course...with those natural interior materials. But, the truth is, how long can these elements been reserved? 

The rapid growth of "casino culture" in Macau is intruding into this hotel. It has been renovated not long before and it's not difficult to be identified the changes of it's dark interior in lobby, the greenery at pool side area was reduced in almost 1/4, what you've got around are high rise and casino oriented hotels; if you want to enjoy a bit of blue sky, please, fix your view angle and ignore the surrounding.

The "fast food style" buffet cuisine, the replacement of bath kits in sachet,  paper lantern instead of sun light as your breakfast companion, etc...all reminds you the resort is no longer exist. The transformation is still in progress, there will be a new casino facility in this "Taipa resort", you can imagine what's up?!  Hopefully, some one will remember this  forgettable pool bar which deserved and worth to be here.

除夕夜 New Year's Eve

過多幾天便要踏入2012年了, 不少人巳經安排好各式各樣的倒數活動, 又或是再次狂歡, 甚至一年一度的懺悔及自省時段.....最後一擊的發橫財之旅也是不少人的除夕夜節目. 令我想起在澳門拍下的一幅照片, 說起來, 這些五光十色的霓虹招牌不知從何時開始, 漸漸在香港的街道上一個一個地消失.

雖然我不鼓勵賭博, 但無可否認這些發財招牌實在頗有本土文化特色, 尤其當成行成巿之時, 互相"輝映", 復古味很濃又帶着繁華鬧市的縮影, 十分有趣. 特別是光管的顏色總令人覺得仍有一絲希望似的, 也許這也是不經意的色彩運用所帶來的一種假象罷!

今年除夕夜, 又有多少人會被"吸引"呢?


預祝大家新年快樂, 做個開心快活人 :)


 3 more days to countdown, we will be in the year of 2012. New Year's Eve is quite an important night for most of us, I believe you've already arranged your party to celebrate with friends or family; may be attending the countdown event at Times Square , lots & lots of wine and cocktails again as an extension of Christmas; may be an once a year end confession...how about a billionare dream trip to Macau or Las Vegas?

This reminds me of a photo taken  sometimes before in Macau, the colourful neon sign of those "Fat Choi" pawnbroker that lines up all along the street, which create a picture that full of local culture, attractive colour combination of oldies and the air of a metropolitan city; their warm tone brought you a virtual feeling that seems chances exist everywhere. 

I am definitely not encourage any of you to buy your dream by gambling, but these pawnbroker signage do really reflects the success of colour combination, no matter whether they did it in purpose or not.  I wonder how many people will once be mis-leaded again by these bulbs  in this New Year's Eve?


Wish you all to have a wonderful New Year with 
Joy & Smiley faces :)

一毫子的價值 -Ten Cents

一毫子郵票機,對今日的我們來說實在沒有什麽親切感,但卻又是我們的一件恩物, 至少是正在塞滿你柜桶內一大堆亳子的歸宿. 但話說回來, 不知從那日開始, 毫子變得沒有價值, 尤其是一毫子?是物價高漲令它扁值呢? 又或是人類忙這忙那變得沒時間去招呼這一大堆"散銀"呢?

小時常會從這種售賣機買郵票, 因為覺得它很美, 十分典雅.  逐個毫子放進去等待郵票緩緩彈出, 一點也不覺時間消逝, 總覺得它和紅郵筒給我有異曲同工的感覺 : 令人期待. 也許你會說, 太誇張了罷, 買幾毫子郵票何來這麽多"感受"呀!

我想, 感受是隨着事物的變遷而產生的, 現在要找到這欵郵票機巳經不容易, 也許有一天當一毫子也從我們生活中消失時, 你才會明白它留給我們的不止是"一毫子"的價值.

A ten cents coin stamps vending machine...what a good old days product, not much meaning to us now, especially nobody is willing to accept ten cents coin when we suddenly woke up one day in the morning. But infact, this machine is the destiny of all your coins stuck inside your drawer right now. Is the reason of economy growth to lower the cash value or we are too busy for this & that, so we can't afford to deal with all this "tiny little things"?

I used to buy stamps from this elegant vending machine when I was young, love to wait aside, insert the coins one by one until a tiny stamps roll out - a desire of waiting to be happened, just like the feeling of insert the letter into a red post box. Well, well...how come so emotional for just buying a few stamps, you may say!


May be it's due to the change of things around us, truly speaking, it's not easy to find such kind of vending machine in Hong Kong now; one day, may be not too long, ten cents coin will also vanish in our life, at that moment, you will understand what its really worth of......for sure, not only it's ten cents value, but more!

Book store? 此情不再

也許失去的東西總令人懷念, 貼滿招紙的大石柱, 重量十足的鉄趟閘, 用木衣夾吊起一本一本舊雜誌, 不知第幾手的舊小說,  爛竹籮內各式其式的讀物; 伯伯用來休息的舊籐椅......

曾幾何時, 每逢假日店舖休息之際, 總會在街上見到這類舊書攤, 真是環保生意的始祖. 是昔日多些人愛閱讀? 還是生活較簡單, 可以騰出多些時間去享受書中樂趣?

Facebook, Twitter, Myspace... 令我們這一代可足不出戶和朋友聯系着. 同樣e-book, online magazine 亦使我們不用手持一本實體書, 便可以從網上閱讀來自世界各地的小說雜誌. 如果你只可以有一個選擇, 你會保留實體書還是網絡世界上的電子書呢?

很難選擇罷! 一本印刷精美的書刋, 紙質的觸感, 油墨的立體感是電子書不能替代的. 但相反電子書的龐大書庫所提供的選擇性和方便程度, 卻又遠遠超越前者. 可能重點並非在硬件上, 但求有多些朋友肯花時間去享受一段文章或幾篇創作, 用那個渠道並不重要, 因為我想, 只有肯閱讀並思考的人, 才經歴得起現今時代急速的變遷.

A vanishing scenery in Hong Kong, second, may be triple hand book/ magazine sale outside shop on an old street. What we've missed are those antique stone ad post, heavy metal sliding gate, their special display method: product hung up by wooden clothes clip or just loosely drop inside a torn basket, plus the "coffee break" rattan chair aside...

This kind of mobile book store was nothing special in the old days, they were the real master of  the recycle industry. I wonder whether we, people had more leisure time to enjoy reading the day before we crash into our massive media source from the internet world?

Facebook, twitter, Myspace...bring us to our friends within seconds, same as e-books, online magazine, how long have or haven't you been visiting a real book store? or, buy a real magazine? If you can only have one choice, you will go for a book in your hand or a virtual one?

Too difficult to choose? the personal touch of paper & printing from a good quality book/ magazine are non replaceable, but on the other hand, the infinity source and convenience that we can get from electronic world are also attractive. I think may be it's not the matter of how we read, but keep Reading ! take time to read a great article, enjoy and being inspired; to conquer the rapid change of the world avoid being drown.

上海街 Shanghai Street

一個夏午, 走進久遺了的上海街, 昔日繁榮不再, 只餘下寥寥幾間繡莊, 押店, 涼茶舖及麻雀館. 樓上茶居巳不復見, 上海食館, 百貨店皮鞋店也在逐漸消失.

曾幾何時這是一條十分有 "上海風"的街道, 不少洋貨及高品質的國貨衣飾也能在這裏找到. 每逢夕陽西下之後, 華燈初上, 踏進這條街, 總會有種走進異國夜市的感覺.紅紅黄黄的繡莊招牌, 店舖愈大招牌愈是搶眼. 洋傘也好, 綢緞也好, 甚至花式多多的暖水壺也是一些有質量而市民又能負擔的優良產品. 今天, 我們收入水平高了, 但一般人能夠負擔的貨品, 質量卻相對下降; 就連居住環境, 空氣質數, 生活節奏也隨之而改變, 或應說是犧牲.

對於從未有機會接觸過那個時代的80/90後來說, 每天只能擠進愈來愈沒有特式的鬧市街頭, 又或是千遍一律, 毫無生命的商場來說, 實在可惜; 不過, 也許至少比我們只能懷緬的人心理上活得輕鬆. 你呢? 會選擇做那一個年代的人?

Afternoon, in Summer, once I've been step into this street - Shanghai Street, in Hong Kong. Oops, what a colour tone of the past, the colour of wash out. Only a few fabric shop, ma-jong shop& Chinese herbal tea shop were found; Cantonese tea house up stairs, Shanghai restaurants, Chinese department stores, book stores were gone, ...all gone.

It was once a street full of Shanghai culture, lots of imported daily goods could be found here, well, in high quality of course, even though they were from mainland China at that time. Whenever the twilight falls, neon sign flash everywhere especially the red & yellow one for those fabric shop, which sale high quality silk, damask or tailor made wedding wear; the larger the signage, the larger the shop. I still remember, living in those years, we could buy affordable good daily stuff, like umbrella, thermal vase, black leather shoes, a "heavy" duty cotton blanket + salted Chinese ham to wait for the Winter to come. " A foreign night market" was the picture in my memory.

Today, we earn more, but our living standard drops, how come? not even we have to pay more of having an up to standard consumer product; we sacrify our living environment, air quality or even life pace.

For those who can only be part of the crowd in our liveliness district or shopping mall, the 80's & 90's, it is a regret; but compare with us who know the past and can only be a chase in memory, which era will you prefer to be?

藍 Blue

從舊相片堆中找到它, 是遙遠的菲林時代拍下的一張照片, 令我着迷的藍.

自少也喜歡藍色, 天空的藍, 彩鳳雀鳥身上羽毛的藍, 深海的藍, 黄昏與入夜交替的藍, 邁亞美的藍...從來沒有一種令我失望的藍色.

這是一個在赤柱餐廳外的裝飾欄桿, 海浪圖案配上夏日的藍色, 很美,令人心情舒, 很想立即可以跳入海中暢泳. 今天, 它還保留着嗎? 也許巳變了沒有色彩, 沒有情感的玻璃組件, 我不知道!要是真的, 我仍會懷念着它昔日的美貌.

顏色牽引着情感, 尤其是自然界的色彩, 總令人讚歎! 下次, 當你要為自已的創作着色時, 不妨參考大自然所給你的提示, 也許你可以和我們分享你所戀慕的紅.

Blue - so attractive, can't run away from this lovely balustrade that was found ages in Stanley, H.K. I remembered, those were the days of 135 camera, what a good old days.

I love blue, any kind;  sky blue, feather blue, blue of deep sea, blue of twilight zone, Miami blue......"blue" a never disappointing hue.

Sea wave, sea shell, Summer blue...I wish I can dive into the sea right now. Is this balustrade still standing outside that small cafe in Stanley? I am not sure, or, it has been replaced by modular glass panel already? so cold & dead? If so, I will miss her "forever beauty".


Colour - a special link to your emotion, especially colour from nature. If you aware of it's existing, you can tell how amazing they are. Feel it, whenever you need a touch of colour to your life, may be you can share with us next time : how is your romantic red means so much.

A Whisper of May

   

"Hey, is that you, pink bird?"

"No, no."

                

"I 've heard someone talking; is that you?"
 

"We don't speak until dawn...well, if you are not asking!"

"Is that girl in front of us? what is the time now?... 9:30 already, she should be somewhere in the hotel spa or bar,or bed, why is she here?"
 

"It seems she miss us a lot ?!"

Almost 10 years, I've not been visited these little guys so long, I miss you all so much, how are you? Can still survive in this "last resort"? the last piece of tranquility in Macau? Please stay, don't give up even I know there will be a casino here very soon...Bye!

"Hey, she's left!"

"Can't anyone hear what she said?"

"No, no! but I know she will be back someday if only if we are still here."

PIXAR - 彼思動畫25年

自從上次看完達文西展覽後, 巳經很久沒有吸引我們注目的展覽了. 直到有一次上facebook, 由朋友個wall post 上發現 PIXAR 在香港搞展覽, 即時令我們提起興趣, 不得不往沙田香港文化博物館走一轉.

老實說, 我對這個展覽館沒有什麽好感, 明明座落在一個環境優美的地段, 卻日久失修,昏昏暗暗, 每次也不明白為何一些好的展覽總不介意在這裡展出? 好了!廢話少講. 我們刻意避開半價日(星期三), 所以當天不算太多人, 加上今次對"到此一遊"的影友及"電話友"管理較嚴緊, 所以還是可以靜靜地把所有展品看完.

展品除了有模型, story board, 電影角色構思, 造型, 光暗埸景分析之外; 更有不少手稿由各式各樣的畫家, 動畫師, 建築師, 平面設計師等, 用他們各自專長的技巧, 如油晝, 水彩, 電腦繪圖, 手辨製作, 炭筆素描, 拼貼等; 把各個故事構思及研究表現出來......對! 是研究, 十分專業及仔細地從各方面搜集資料, 加上創作, 修飾, 再值着拍攝動畫技術才在銀幕上表現出來.

在此特別推介"五星級大鼠"的背景及"怪獸公司"阿Bu的角色造型創作. 記得預留時間到5號展館欣想一段動畫短片, 色彩感十分豐富. 其他你們喜愛的角色如巴斯光年, 大眼仔, Nemo...就留待你們自行慢慢欣賞了.

電腦科技從來都不應該是現今單一的技術, 要是沒被真正專業的畫家或設計師所應用, 它仍是一件沒有生命的科技垃圾.

本地高清Local HD

每次經過深水埗, 總會被這個招牌吸引, 我們常說: 這間店舖老闆一定是很用心經營, 至少他很認真設計自己店舖的門面; 與我們現在在街上常見的大幅大幅banner 招牌, 即噴繪布板= "走佬檔招牌"有很大分別.

清楚易睇色彩分明的凸字店名, 一看便知賣什麽的天線樣辨, 大方對稱構圖, 再加精緻彩色燈泡串作裝飾; 即使算不上一流設計, 我個人認為絕對是有本土特色及誠意之作. 如果大家有時間, 不妨入內參觀, 售賣的電視配件並不過時. 如果遇上未開店, 不要緊, 趟閘上也有傑作, 姑且待你們自行發掘.

A really interesting shop found in Sham Shui Po in Hong Kong, I use to stay for while whenever I pass by, not shopping inside but the shopfront first. 

You can simply told by it's local DIY design that TV antenna and related parts are selling here.   The 4 texts above meaning "High definition electrical appliances", 麗光 : the large red 3D fonts is it's name, whereas those tiny colorful light bulbs....yes, not LED, but very traditional light bulbs are the eye of attractive. We have to give an applause to the owner, everything here reflects his dedication to his shop, sincere and creative; what a big contrast to those laser print banner type signage all around shops in Hong Kong recently, we call them " Come & Go signage".

If you have a chance to be there, have a visit inside,too; it's not old fashion, the product sole are quite update & practical. Or even if it's not the right opening time, there is still some interest for you to be discovered on their sliding gate, keep searching and hope you will enjoy.

曾幾何時 Somewhere someday...

從牆上撕下貼到發黃的一幅影印...很喜歡這一幅"直切面圖", 是什麽地方?想不到罷?卻又有點熟悉?....The Kowloon Walled City published by Iwanami Shoten, 九龍城寨是也!

有趣的是這幅圖畫是由日本人畫的, 很細緻, 值着繪畫出室內環境, 反映當時居住在這裏的居民生活上的點點滴滴. 雖然我不是住在那裏, 卻也令我對它的消失有點懐念; 令我憶起香港六、七十年代市民辛勤工作為一家大少奮鬥的景象, 為着的就是一小片瓦頂...辛勞卻很温暖. 今日, 九龍城寨巳清拆, 人們生活改善, 豪宅會所隨處可見, 心靈上是否亦可隨之而安頓下來呢?!

This is one of my favourite drawing, which has already fade out when I took it down from the wall surface. A very lovely "vertical section" of an interior, where is it? not familiar? ...The Kowloon Walled City published by Iwanami Shoten : a place in Hong Kong, famous in it's crowed living environment. It's complicated building arrangement incorporated varies kind of neighbourhood, all were low expenses local service like "one man band" salon, Chinese herb + Chinese doctor clinic, food store, local coffee & cake shop,...etc.

But the most attractive thing is, this drawing was published by a Japanese, the content is fine and very detail, it reflects what I've missed so much, the daily living of people over there, especially in the 60's-70's, people worked so hard for only a small piece of land for their family to live, to survive...nothing more but "warmth". Today, there is no more Kowloon Walled City, what left behind is a park and continue developing of  club house and "grand" residential, the living standard of people are improving without doubt, and how about our soul? is there a place to settle yet?!

Full image of the drawing.