今天很平靜

 2022年7月1日

上午8:00

香港

狂風大雨仍是三號風球

吃過早餐之後，原本打算聽收音機，聽了第一句新聞報導便關了機，就這樣決定今天不上網、不看媒體，倒在風雨飄搖的日子換來平靜的一天。

或許是習慣，每天手機接收着或多或少的無謂訊息，少看一天是難以想像的生活，以為就此會坐立不安，怕世界發生了什麼事而自己得不到第一？或二手資訊而被人視為脫節；但事實上，卻是必需的短暫抽離，或至少應該檢視一下值不值得去＂追逐＂這些所謂的貼身資訊。

已經不是第一次作這＂短暫抽離＂行動，始於＂盲搶鹽＂的年代。無論是由官商富豪，專家政要，各國領袖以至某某關注組的市民⋯所發放的N個資訊；再由從不手軟的傳媒、網媒及小民群眾無限轉發＂forward＂，終於令我開始覺得＂短暫抽離＂行動的重要性，就等同電腦需要定時Defragment 重組一樣，否則似是而非混亂不堪的內容終有一天會令電腦死機！

行動於翌日（即現在寫網誌的今天）完結了，一覺醒來仍是八號風球的籠罩之下，沒有什麼大改變，甚至有時更加橫風橫雨；但是經過＂執機＂之後，不單平靜了，頭腦也清醒了多些，應該可以繼續迎接新一波的訊息轟炸，放馬過來吧 :D 

寫於2022年7月2日

下午3:25分

香港

風平浪靜的八號風球下

I love Haussmann

Okay, I know this is a bit weird to have all these cross over below :P  but let me explain something:-

I am really obsess to the Haussmann architecture, especially the Attic floor. Well, you may think it's the smallest, least luxurious, most of all, it's usually for the maids... but, it has the best view overall! Don't you think it's quite difference from the concept, like us who live in Hong Kong? Lots of people are willing to pay extra to live in a penthouse of a high rise residential. What a contrary ? 

Of course the reason is quite simple indeed, even thought the highest Haussmann building is only six levels, without an elevator in the good old days, there is no way for the bourgeois to climb so high, no matter how stunning the view is.  In addition, how could they ask their VIP to climb stairs for gathering day & nights!That's why the construction concept behind is to have the best floor on level 2, which did make sense; regarding the stunning view? any where you see in Paris are "stunning" why restricted to the window views of your apartment? 

Back to the modern time, I will be 100% excited to live in a Haussmann building on the 2nd level, but as a tourist, it's also interesting to stay for a while on the Attic floor, which usually has a sloped ceiling, with a small balcony open wide to enjoy your daily sunset... you can find it in some B&B rentals, and I am sure I will go for a try next time. 

center page in the book of Exquisite

In the mean time, what I can do is to draw a nice picture of her, to share with you in my new book & hope you will like it, too. But this is not the end, see what I've discover...

Ha ha! I am building a virtual Paris in Sim City! in my leisure moment, of course. A game I've found accidentally after returned from the trip, there are a lot to be developed, although it's not 100% real with so many restrictions, the Haussmann building are not bad, what do you think?

The night scene do imitate some of the mood in reality, I don't know how long will I continue to play for the expansion until a "longer La Seine" can be made, let's see.

Finally, I would like to share with you the photo below, a real scene of my beloved architecture I took viewing from the Center Pompidou. One of my favorite view, neat & decent; not for the bourgeoisie only, but for everyone who love to stay. 

Exquisite - Book Ten Of Petit Paris

Click to enlarge

This is the most difficult book I’ve written in Petit Paris series, why? It seems there are so many elements that I can use to express “Beauty”, but is it the only thing that I want to say? No, I’m quite sure.

Writing book is always for the public but at the same time also personal I shall say, and this is my own feeling during these few years, that’s why you may love it or not; but beautiful things created by artists, designers, architects, craftspeople …and the final piece are always dominated by commercial, religious or even political reasons in most of the time. Take it or leave it, getting rich or broke, being famous or no one ever knows…now or in the future!

My thought was complicated while writing “Exquisite”, there are tensions between beauty ~long lasting ~preserve ~transform ~handmade ~technology…too many want to incorporate, too little can be captured, cos’ Beauty always has two faces, exterior & interior.

I was a commercial interior designer, I knew the struggle inside to convert “the beautiful thing in your eyes” to the one in “their eyes”. It’s even harder for us to produce & complete them even we may not think it is good enough or even ugly…but it has to be done, no matter how. For the truly beautiful things can be demolished/ vanishing just by a simple decision from some powerful people/unit who knows nothing about beauty at all! Weird but it’s the reality.

I think this is the reason to explain my excitement when seeing beautiful things that were preserved so well in Paris. Which also lead me to think of those behind who created and made them long long time ago. 

It seems the word Craftspeople is a bit old fashion nowadays, for everything takes time to complete may not suit in our new age, less and less youth are willing to take part in this sort of careers but not totally. Japan is a good example which did an excellent job in this field, recently in Hong Kong, there are also some young craftspeople who start to realize handmade items and to preserve rather than replace are valuable; furniture, book, glasses, cheongsam, leather goods, architecture…hopefully there will be a lot more in the future.

It’s quite simple in my theory, whenever people is willing to spend time into a certain thing, to make it nicer, to bring joy to someone, he/she has a kind heart, the beauty inside. 

Forgotten Chap - 01

INSANE

The land of mine…

no one knows why

they were there

long long time ago

arrogant of a human nature

who dare 

The people of mine…

no one knows why

not from your womb

not being tied

nonsense of a human nature 

like you

Creation of God

that is the truth

the master who own

you, too

 

 

Oiseau Distrait

24 April 2022

Geisha - 超市中的藝伎

在短短數年間，香港的咖啡文化已經發展得很不錯，如果不是疫情限聚的關係，差不多任何時段，總會見到坐在小咖啡店的客人，悠閒地享受與朋友、或一杯咖啡的獨處時刻。

對於我來説，在這些文青感十足的咖啡店，或是在大街小巷老式茶餐㕔，甚至是一些港式＂仿古＂茶餐㕔內喝咖啡，感覺大不同。除了是豆的品種，混合及冲煮方式的分別之外，環境氣氛當然也有一定程度的影響。這些年間，每天早上在家中以一柸熱騰騰的即磨咖啡來展開新的一天，也是人生幸福的一大樂事。

有機"藝伎種"咖啡豆, 淺至中度烘培, 日曬乾燥

還記得幾年前參加一個咖啡活動時認識了Geisha 這個品種，當年的我完全不懂欣賞，也喝不出任何特色所在. 而且當年這個品種剛流入香港，由於產量少, 是有特色的衣索比亞 (Ethiopia)原生種, 售價相對較高，並要在特定的咖啡供應商才能買到。我從來認為生活享受，應該是任何人可以輕鬆享用的，所以也就把這件事放下了。

大部分時間，我還是會在周邊的超市內購買咖啡豆，今年意外地也見到Geisha，於是便買回來一試。以下是一個十分業餘人的試飲報告😅

粗研磨

由於Geisha 屬於單品咖啡，所以打算用手冲方式，即使未磨，豆香已撲鼻：淡淡花香是特色之一，混雜著蜜糖般的甜、果實的香，在研磨之後仍然散發著，甚至有少少酒香。

萃取開始

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

用了98度，17.6g 冲泡，約兩分鐘內完成。

冲泡後的Geisha 仍能保留淡雅的茉莉花香，士多啤梨的果實

及蜜糖般的甜味。柔滑而且平𧗾，輕輕的回甘…不知是否屬於帶果漿日曬？（因為包裝只説明是日曬）這樣才能製造出這般自然的甜味，真的頗特別，跟耶卡雪夫（Ethiopia Yirgacheffe) 那種橘子花香不同，有另外一番風味。

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

就這樣，輕鬆地享受了一柸假期咖啡，當你下次在超市遇見時，不妨一試！

Spring Shower - Point Zéro

click to enlarge

 

Hi, hi! 

Spring is coming...already came? how about having a Spring Shower to read a free copy of Point Zéro , just for a limited period of time 15 to 22/4/2022. 

Simply go to my Oiseau Distrait page & grab from the book link, feel free to leave a comment or star, if you like it :D

Happy reading in Happy Easter!

Happy rainy days

Unexpectedly shower is the norm in Paris, locals told me “never leave home without an umbrella” and it’s absolutely true. They said the weather here may drive you nuts sometimes, the extreme cold & wet days in Winters continue for a whole week, it makes them feeling emotionally sad. That’s why whenever the sun comes out, everyone gather in the park, along the Seine & café . I did experience a few times here, a great hug by the warmth of the sun was wonderful, relaxing joy & laughter’s around the place, so enjoyable.
 
And if you know this norm, to explore under the rain on street is interesting, too. Unlike Hong Kong, due to the lower Haussmann building skyline here, I will always feeling there are more spacious even walking on a street or alley; if you are not in the busy office hours, the momentum is much slower, people rarely in their rush mode, except in metro station. So, I can enjoy the water color like scenery in rain…j’adore !
 
That’s why I choose to record this moment in my book, although the painting is not good enough as I think, I start to enjoy painting rainy day for its neon like color way , hopefully I can practice more & more to finally create my perfect rainy day.
 
In the meantime, wish you can walk with me with lots of imagination! :D