莫言作品【蛙】:人文關懷“把自己當罪人寫” (2009)

“蛙”以計劃生育這一敏感題材為背景﹐塑造了鄉村婦產科醫生﹑計劃生育幹部姑姑這一典型形象。在姑姑身上﹐既有聖母般的光環﹐又有地煞般的猙獰﹐是亦神亦魔的合體人格。姑姑晚年生活在地洞中﹐以捏泥娃娃表達懺悔的心理﹐是莫言對人在歷史場域中的自我擔當自我懺悔意識的呼喚。

莫言把小說命名為“蛙”﹐乃是取“娃”﹑“媧”的同音之意﹐其圖騰的意味十分明顯。 這部號稱“醞釀十餘年、筆耕四載、三易其稿”的小說，無論從出版的時間來看，還是從試圖表現“鄉土中國六十年”的創作意圖來看，都可以被理解為是作家嘗試用自己的創作對共和國歷史進行清理和反思的嘗試。

莫言的小說《蛙》深刻的剖析了人性，雖然是在寫家鄉的故事，但是仍然深刻的表達出了一部人性的故事。

X-Men: First Class (2011, Movie)

This is the prequel to the" X-Men Trilogy". This story looks at X-Men/mutants before the mutants were enemies with one another. Set in the early 1960s during the Cuban missile crisis, the viewer is introduced to two powerful mutants. this story explains why Xavier is in a wheelchair, how Magneto becomes Magneto, how Magneto got the helmet he wears, and why Mystique sides with Magneto and not Xavier. It's a good comic book movie. 

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013, Movie)

The film is similar in style to such franchise films as Underworld and others, but it very heavy on special effects and less so on style and story. The film is violent and the witches are killed in various and sometimes outlandish ways, but the action is non stop and unrelenting. Definitely it is not a children's movie either.

青 鳥 (青 い鳥) (Blue Bird) (2008, Movie)

日本直木賞作家重松清的短篇小說《青鳥》所改編成的電影。校園霸凌，倒不是是受害者的角度來看，而是從被欺負的野口同學轉學之後，學校、全班同學的反應來看待霸凌事件。欺負別人的人並沒有意識到對方的痛苦，以為是一種好玩，所以正造成了霸凌行為。這種以自我為中心的毛病，通常是比有意識的作為更令人寒心阿。

口吃的老師說:「欺侮的行為……並不是因為討、討厭才變成欺侮的。也不是因為人數眾、眾、眾多，才演變成欺侮的。把人踐踏在腳下，讓他感到痛、痛、痛、痛苦，卻沒察、察覺自己造成他人的痛、痛、痛、痛、痛苦……對於他痛、痛、痛、痛苦的呼喊聲，充、充、充、充耳不聞的話，才是欺侮的行為……。」

這是一部劇情簡單的電影。

IAI at Providence plus vacation

Providence has a unique culture that draws some of its best elements from being a seaside port, a historical landmark and Boston's southward neighbor. This year, IAI (International Association of Identification) Conference was held there. Tagged along with Wu-Liang, besides Providence, we spent totally 12 days in Boston, Newport, Cape Cod and New Bedford.

30 July 2013

LAX, South West Air, Chicago Airport, Providence, Hampton Inn and Suite

Parked at Hilton, LAX as usual and took the shuttle to fly South West Airline en route Chicago Midway to Providence. Dinner was done at Chicago Midway close to 9 p.m. and most of the shops were closed.

By the time we arrived at Hampton Inn, it was early in the morning. Luckily, it is adjacent to the airport and provides hot breakfast daily. It saved us a lot of trouble and money. Surprisingly, everyone was friendly & helpful from the manager, to chauffeur, cleaning help, to those just walking by to their jobs. It must be the eastern culture. They claim their duvets and sheets are cleaned daily. Believe or not!

31 July, 2013

Budget Rental, Newport Mansions, Legal Seafood

We got a Nissan Rogue which doesn’t have good sound proof. Then we headed out to Newport for their famous Mansions. This fancy city charges pay toll road $4 each way. Therefore, we must get the most of our time to visit mansions and we made four of them!

Hunter House:

This 1754 Georgian Colonial House is a pearl in the crown of Newport's architecture & history. It is said that this house far surpasses the mansions to be seen on Bellevue Avenue in Newport due to its historical significance and furnishings. Hunter House has been meticulously restored and stocked with some of the finest pieces of Townsend-Goddard furniture as well as paintings by Gilbert Stewart, Cosmo Alexander and Samuel King. It gives you an idea of how the Newport Captains of the triangle trade lived and prospered.

The Breakers:

We were amazed by the creativity and craftsmanship on display from the opulent Gilded Age. This one belonged to the Vanderbilts and was constructed and furnished in great style. The self-guided tour is extremely informative and interesting. 

Marble House:

So much marble! The original owners built each as summer "cottages", all rival or exceed the most lavish European castles. The Breakers and Marble House are simply over the top in the way they are decorated. If you want to view an ostentatious, opulent, and lavish home, then by all means, go to the Marble House. The name says in all!

Rosecliff:

Rosecliff was custom built for parties, with an almost hotel like feel upstairs, still very opulent. The Great Gatsby, True Lies and Amistad were all shot here. Loved that the name came from the collection of roses and that the house is finally in good hands!

1 August, 2013

Charlie Card (MBTA). Harvard, MIT, Rangzen Tibetan Restaurant

Drove to downtown Boston then took MBTA to Harvard. We took the tour since the guides are actual Harvard students, always super energetic, full of quirky details and some fun tales! One of the legends was about John Harvard's statue and whether its likeness was another person. One thing moved us most was that Harvard builds Memorial Church and Memorial Hall to give memories of alumni soldiers who gave their lives in wars. Then we bought T-shirts and magnets as most of the tourists do.

MIT is one of the world's leading educational institutions, with an emphasis on math and sciences. It is also known to have the best pranksters for all universities. Cambridge is a pleasant and easy place to walk through. The view walking along the river was beautiful.

2 August, 2013

Hyannis, Cape Cod, Lobster Pot, Race Point Beach National Park

Gee, this was a long drive. Hyannis is the largest port on the Cape, and where John F. Kennedy Museum is. And we only passed by, even missed the Duck tour due to the crowds. Then we proceeded to the tip of the Cape, Race Point. It is an unbelievably beautiful beach.

We tasted the wonderful lobster roll at Lobster Pot! Yummy.

3 August 2013

Boston Common, MBTA, Freedom Trail, Charlestown Navy Yard, Pepper Skys

We took a self-guided Freedom Trail walking tour, starting from Boston Common visitor center with a free map from the National Parks Service in hand.  It took you to several great locations, including the inside and top of the Bunker Hill Monument, the USS Constitution, the site of the Boston Massacre, etc. It was also a great form of exercise. We got to learn about American history while discovering the city at the same time.

The Charlestown Navy Yard is home to the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship at 215 years old. The dry dock is an impressive site, especially considering how old it is. Walking around the Battleships are great experiences too.  

4 August 2013

Whaling Museum, Omni Hotel

We took the liberty of last day of rental car to visit Whaling Museum in New Bedford. There’s a great history of art of whaling and everything about it. This museum is truly one of a kind. They had exhibits regarding whaling, maritime trade, and even a ship inside the museum.

Finally, we got to our 4-star Omni Hotel after returning the rental car. From then on, we solely reply on foot! The hotel room was modern and spacious. It’s connected to Convention Center and also to a very large mall Providence Place, which is a nice diversion. 

5 August 2013

Independence Trail walk

This is a day of my own choice, to walk the 2.5 miles famous Independence Trail, just follow the green line. In 2011, the City of Providence and the State of Rhode Island painted a green stripe on the sidewalk and called it The Independence Trail. At first, I was a little skeptical, but then I realized that not only is this a great, low-cost way to showcase Providence's history to visitors, but it's a great refresher for the locals as well.  It goes through downtown Providence that covers over four centuries of history and features 75 sites ranging from a place where George Washington slept to a statue of Civil War General Ambrose Burnside, whose distinctive facial hair coined the word 'sideburns.'  You just follow it until you see an emblem on the sidewalk that says "Independence Trail." These are located at points of interest, and when you call the number and punch in your location code, you get a mini history lesson about where you are standing. Unfortunately, I only encountered 3 emblems on the whole walking path and two of them is ‘under maintenance’. What a drag! It’s a tiring experience though.

6 August 2013

Ellie's Bakery, Water Place Park and Riverwalk, First Baptist Church in America, Roger Williams Memorial, Brown University

Water Place Park and Riverwalk is a picturesque walk, especially during water fire, which we had to miss. It’s a very nice place for me to take a midday stroll.

First Baptist Church is the archetypal colonial church, and a required photo stop when visiting Providence. It is also called the First Baptist Meetinghouse, the current building dates from 1774-75, though the congregation is much older: Roger Williams founded it in 1638, and it is the oldest Baptist congregation in the U.S. A tour guide showed me inside which is very plain, representing the thinking at the time. Not even a cross can be found there. She told me that is the primordial thought for Baptists.

My hubby and I made our first visit to the Roger Williams National Memorial in Providence.  The Memorial consists of a park and a small Visitors Center. I guess it’s the smallest National Park in the U.S.

My hubby insisted on visiting Brown University to complete the circle of Harvard and MIT. Its architecture is the most attractive and historically interesting in Providence. This is an Ivy League school that celebrates the individuality of its student body, and has a faculty that cares about their work and those that they are teaching. Thayer St is the place where students hang out. We enjoyed our Korean to-fu bowl there.

7 August 2013

Experience Rhode Island Tour, R.I.S.D.

It’s a 2 hour journey touring the city.  It’s both entertaining and memorable Rhode Island-only tour excursions which I enjoyed for part of a day. At the end, we were treated for a delicate dessert.

The Rhode Island School of Design museum is an excellent resource for the family and the many local artists in RI. The have ancient art, impressionist paintings, contemporary art, and a lot more. It has a lot of hidden gems. I especially enjoyed their students’ works, bold and impressionist. At the end, I bought a colorful tape dispenser for myself.

8 August 2013

Federal Hill, Korean BBQ

I spent my hard journey for the famous Boston Cream Cake and Lobster Tail (a dessert). Finally, in a small bakery in Federal Hill, there it is the ugly Boston Cream Cake. I bought one piece home for buddy to satisfy his curiosity.

9 August 2013

Providence Place, Sushi Café

What’s the best choice in a rainy day? The answer: the mall. That’s the destiny for both of us to shop our favorite Macy’s and ate sushi in the food court. Definitely a great place for a rainy day.

10 August 2013

Shuttle to airport, Southwest Airline, LAX

We strolled around the city one more shot before we departed. We even found Chinese soups at Midway airport. While enjoying the soups, we almost missed our connecting flight. Alas, we came home safe and sound. Say goodbye to the 12 day vacation.

The Expendables (2010, Movie)

The Expendables is a simple action movie that delivers. The story is weak, the acting is bad, and there's no soul here. 

Cloud Atlas (2012, Movie)

A very complex multi-threaded movie, where the language is sometimes difficult to understand due to the accents and poetic styles used. This is six loosely connected tales, with settings ranging from the nineteenth century to the post-apocalyptic, all utilizing the same base group of actors for each story.  I just don't think it is effective to put them all in the same movie. Cloud Atlas tries to mystify you with its cinematic chicanery while constantly reminding you that you're not paying attention to what's truly going down. 

Usually I do like sci-fi movies. But this one is just not my favorite genre, and I was lack of patience to ponder.

By the way, I could not see any Buddhist thought of reincarnation though. As a whole, if a movie doesn't really begin to tie things together half way, then it's just too much work of somewhat stunning-looking web of confusion.