重看星聲夢裡人～La La Land

Written & Directed by Damien Chazelle

 

今天是農曆新年初二, 説真的, 假期對我們這些自由工作者來說和平日是沒有太大分別的, 正如一個朋友年卅晚問我, 我也是一樣的回應. 但畢竟, 地盤是收爐了, 課堂仍未開始, 疫情下沒什麼聚會, 街頭上也相對冷清… 除了可以專心寫作, 寧靜地渡過節日也是幸福！

適逢最近電視重播明珠930～還記得是我多年前每每不用加班便在家追看的節目. 昨晚重播 La La Land 星聲夢裡人, 其中一部我較喜愛的電影. 它的"名氣" 不用我多説, 有齊電影賣座的元素, 而電影中的歌曲實在好聽. 主角  Ryan Gosling 及Emma Stone 把我們帶入如幻似真的追夢之旅, 原創歌曲 City of Star 是百聽不厭, 他們的演譯, 爵士樂演奏和舞姿也是細緻和優美.…

第二次重看, 卻被一場講述 Emma Stone 試鏡時所唱的一首歌深深吸引, 非常可能, 它會取代City of Star 在我心中的位置… 對了! 正是 The Fools Who Dream (節錄如下)

 

一個唱出來的故事, Mia ( Emma Stone) 劇中角色, 一心夢想成為演員; 述說姑姑在巴黎塞納河 的一次 ‘瘋狂’ 行為...

“Leapt without looking 

And tumbled into the Seine

The water was freezing 

She spent a month sneezing

But said she would do it again

Here’s to the one who dream

Foolish as they may seem

Here’s to the hearts that ache

Here’s to the mess we make...

... A bit of madness is key

To give us new colors to see

Who know where it will lead us

And that’s why they need us...   “

(Song:Justin Hurwitz/ Lyrics: Benj Pasek & Justin Noble Paul/ Performed by: Emma Stone)

無論對追尋成為純爵士樂手的 Sebastian (Ryan 電影中角色) 還是演員的Mia 而言, 對他們內心的爭扎, 還能有更貼的形容嗎? 追夢似乎是愚不可及, 尤其當我們山窮水盡, 生活拮據之時, 我們會懷疑自己的能力, 不確定的所謂才華, 甚至可能枉費了的時日.…但這裡卻再次告訴追夢者

 

追夢的瘋狂正是令你生命不再一樣的鑰匙 !   

 

你願意和我們一起瘋狂嗎 ?!

 

Petite Fleur

 

It's easy to find a garden you like anywhere in Paris, there will be one nearby, the well known: Jardin des Tuileries, Jardin du Luxembourg, Jardin des Plantes, Parc du Champ de Mars (the one next to Eiffel Tower); or Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, Parc laVillette...,etc.Some others are more private, like this one inside Musée Rodin, or the one in Maison et Jardins de Claude Monet. But from time to time when I pass the streets, other forms of "garden" can be found.

Here they are, somewhere near the Saint Paul's Village, so cool, right? Looks like an unfinished painting on canvas, more to go & imagine!Or, most of the times, you will find small flowerbeds are right next to your appartment, along the street or at most of the Parisian's balcony. It's difficult for me to miss any of them because they are so flourish and attractive. 

And you will never be disappointed because, here in Paris, people not only create their own garden wherever possible, but take great care and keep cultivate, that's why they are always look amazing. If the same theory applies to the secret garden in our heart, I am sure it works 101%, too! Wish you can find yours in this Merry Christmas ;)

Jardin du Luxembourg

22 October 2019, Day 10

A super cold and foggy morning, I am in the Luxembourg garden right now, it's on the Left bank in 6e, a bit larger than Jardin de Tuileries; more trees of maple & chestnut, beautiful fallen leaves...

Here is the "postcard" shot in my guide book that attracted me, although quite difference due to the weather, I am glad that I do come to have my Vienna chocolate inside...being their first client of the day. 

My original plan do not include Luxembourg because I tend to spend more time in the Louvre, but unfortunately...& fortunately I have extra days due to the limitation of my museum pass, and that's my reward in return, I am so so lucky.

Walking in Luxembourg, the feeling is quite different from that in Tuileries; Tree vs Flowers, which is my favorite,?...both? I guess. But I think the location do affect a bit of my impression because Luxembourg is located in the Latin Quarter, a student area, whereas Tuileries is in the Louvre & Les Halles district, an epicentral; in addition, Shakespeare & Company bookshop is nearby, that's why, here, is more tranquil & poetic. 

Flower arrangement here is also have it's own style, not as "romantic" as that in Tuileries, but still very well planned and delicate. Their idea of Mosaic-culture to create a plantation promenage, feel free to enjoy...

...& feel free to explore!

This is the only photo that I can record to let you know where I was. I've just sneak into a huge store, behind a pair of white painted closing doors, there are two levels of platforms for the storage of orange trees; it's very interesting, because they are quite large actually, may be around 3 meter high, but look  like they are "babies"; well protected to keep them warm with sufficient air vent above, and just having their breakfast...

I do want to walk closer to smell and touch them, but the store keeper who is watering somewhere in the dark corner discover me, so...I failed...but still excited, ha ha!

Here is a citrus in another corner of the garden to compensate my lost, what a lovely orange hue in the autumn leaves with slight refreshing aroma, too.

Well, maple, chestnut trees, fountains, sculpture, mosaic-culture planter beds, orange tree, hot choclate, museum...,etc; you name it, or even more are the treasure of Luxembourg for the Parisian & tourist.

The locals have their unforgettable childhood memories in this garden, and as a tourist, I find mine's too, guess what? 

I hope you do enjoy to walk with me today, Au revoir!

 

If only if...I can...wait

 18 October 2019 , Day 5

Early in the morning at 0830, I am walking towards Jardin des Tuileries, it seems "someone" would like to be my companion, what a lovely moonlight in the morning, Bonjour! 

If you still remember, my hotel is at a superb location, it takes within half an hour to reach my destination, walking relaxing in the blue; a bit cold and wet due to rainy night but refreshing aroma of the streets, I can still remember clearly at this moment. 

Art Nouveau  Metro is always my favorite; may be it's week day, people are crowded under ground but not in the garden, so it's all mine, bravo!

It's almost 0927, inside Tuileries, thick cloud replace the morning blue, as far as I can see the sun ray behind, I am sure to wait just for a little longer, everything will be clear and brighter, because I am longing for the beautiful garden in a sunny weather, just like those photos in my travel book, keep waiting...I tell myself...for a little longer...

Sometime Wishes may not always come true, I am a bit disappointed to see all the gorgeous flowers are covered under the shade of grey...should I wait further ?! 

It may be a good idea to take sometime visiting Musée de I'Orangerie first, then Jeu de Paume, follow by Petite Palace, and to finish up by Grand Palace...may be the Sun will come out in the afternoon...I tell myself...

It's not as smooth as I think, because my museum pass do not allow my access to Jeu de Paume & Grand Palace, and I've decided to walk the whole way back to hotel from Champs-Elysée. While walking through  Jardin desTuileries again, miracle happens...or I should say, Wishes come true!

"All things bright & beautiful, all creatures great & small....."  

Voila! I am with them now, enjoy!

P.S. - where have all the flowers gone?....gone to pages in my book :P

Jardins Secret - our secret garden

click to enlarge

It's over a years time since I've been returned from Paris, time flies. I hope I can still remember every moment that moved my heart in those days and record them in details before I forget :P

As scheduled, last book of the year (4th book of Petit Paris) Jardins Secret is ready to be released on 25 December 2020 -  the best time of all.

Talking about beautiful garden, Paris may not be "Number One" in the world, but it must be one of a kind . Whether for those belongs to the memories of the Parisians in the good old days ,  Jardin du Luxembourg;  the royal garden,  Jardin des Tuileries; or those artistic related private ones of Rodin and Monet ...they are absolutely beautiful and romantic, I have to say!

When I started to select photos for this book, "family & friends" are two words that came into my mind; it may therefore will disappoint some readers (hopefully not), because not much related to the "must see spots" have written but it's so true that family & friends are what I've seen while walking along in the garden, so...I write down to share with you. 

Unless we live in our own in an isolated island, otherwise we' ll bond to our family & friends; the relationship is strong and deep but fragile as well. We may build by our greatest effort but destroy unintentionally...

I am forgetful but not in these two issues, although it may be a disaster some how that trap myself, and unless I go back to cultivate my petite garden again,  it may gone forever... So, sometimes it do need a bit of courage to face the fact... & Act!

Year 2020 will end after a few more weeks, it's a harsh year to all of us in the whole world, if this little book can evoke some one who you love or care, call him/her...

How are you my dear? 

Wish you well and Merry Christmas !

 

 

 

 

這是希望

 今天早上吃完自家早餐後，本應該按原地計劃開始新一天的工作，但剛才從窗邊往外看到的情景，令我不得不停下來寫這篇網誌。

跟平常不同的是，今早來到街上的清潔工是一位青年人；瘦削的身形穿着新簇簇又很不合身的工作服，啡紅的短髮及閃亮的手錶，卻沒有配戴任何清潔手套或防晒帽。當他停在不銹鋼的回收箱面前，除了例行收取垃圾之外，他把回收箱推離地鐵站的牆邊，把藏在縫隙的垃圾也一併清理。

也許是新手關係，時兒在思索應如何處理不同的垃圾：先挪移又長又大卷的橫額？掃出來散佈在地上隨風飄揚的垃圾？仍在深處不肯＂離場＂的鷄毛掃.…還是先把回收箱移回原處？

決定隻身把回收箱位置還原，才知道那長長的鋼箱並非如想像般容易對付。左邊回位時，右邊已壓着掉在地上的掃帚，推回右邊救起掃帚，左邊又回彈...一來一回重覆兩三次，好不容易費勁地完成，見他仔細檢示着掃帚頭的損毀…收拾工具，又在繼續下個＂站＂！

我站在窗前看着這一切，良久…口罩遮擋了青年人的表情，也許疫情下令他不得不投身這個行業，是無奈？不願？還是有幸仍可以工作？我想我永遠不會知道。但從整過過程，我卻看見是忠於所托，就這麽簡單，直接；也就是我所認為仍然有的希望！

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！