譚新強﹕美國人和兒童可扮天真 中國人不可以
美股仍然一枝獨秀,大幅跑贏所有其他市場,但領袖指數已從納指轉到較代表傳統行業的道指。美國非製造業ISM指數61.6,千禧年以來最強勁,WTI油價升至每桶76美元,聯儲局主席鮑威爾(Powell)對美國經濟超樂觀,明示情況容許明年繼續加息多次,所以10年債息突然跳升至近3.2厘,美匯指數DXY亦升至近96。這些發展都是新興市場的災難,不幸包括港股,A股則仍然放假。
如無意外,道指將再次超越恒指,更可悲的是日經也靜悄悄地逐漸追近。上一次道指和恒指的時間已經是2003年香港經歷SARS時。過去15年中國GDP平均增長率,最少是美國的3倍以上,但竟然美股仍能遠遠跑贏中國A股,甚至超越港股。 單只這一點,中國就應該檢討所有經濟政策,包括財政、貨幣、外管、稅務、金融監管等。
內地AI公司技術交流單向
整體來說,中國人不算是一個天真的民族,不少年紀很輕的人已經老誠持重,年紀稍大的更不少是老謀深算。但近日我的確留意到好幾個「太過天真」的例子。
兩三個月前,我見過一家全中國數一數二的AI公司,臉孔辨認技術,尤其領先全球,據稱準確程度遠勝蘋果百倍以上。這家公司增長非常快速,員工人數已過千,博士級科研人才超過百人,他們號稱為最重要的資源。AI公司最重要的資源竟然是人,似乎有理,但又覺得有點矛盾。
這家公司的博士很多都是留美海歸,且非常驕傲他們跟MIT有多方面的合作。但當我問到他們公司有沒有僱用外國人時,他們的直接答案是「當然沒有」。我覺得有點意外,既然經常去美國交流甚至「取經」,為何不能僱用外國人,人才是沒有種族和國界限制的。我即時的感覺是這樣的「單向交流」是不可持續的。
在美國總統特朗普芸芸已執行或考慮針對中國的政策中,影響最深遠的就是禁止中國籍學生到美國留學,因為懷疑他們會進行蒐集情報行動(可能有點抬舉現在一般青年的志向和能力)!這毒招是由非常年輕的極右白宮顧問米勒(Stephen Miller)提出,我很久以前已在文章中提醒過大家要留意此君。
米勒曾提出禁中國生到美留學
早前引起極大爭議的禁穆斯林入境令,和更殘忍的分隔禁錮非法移民和他們兒童子女等政策,也是出自他手筆!他的政治理念接近Neo-Nazi,但他本身卻是東歐猶太裔,非常諷刺,更加無良心。據報道在一次oval office激烈辯論中,美國駐華大使、前愛荷華州(Iowa)州長、中國的老朋友Terry Branstad極力反對,明知不可跟特朗普講道理,就只可動之以財,指出中國留學生帶來每年數百億美元的服務業順差,有助對冲製造業貿易逆差。結果特朗普「高抬貴手」,暫時仍然容許中國學生到美國,但似乎仍在考慮應否禁止攻讀理科。
最近特朗普指控中國企圖干擾美國中期選舉,周四晚副總統彭斯或有所宣布。特朗普最喜歡信口開河,我絕不相信有此事。另外,剛剛又見到彭博新聞報道一家公司Super Micro,是全球有數最大的伺服器motherboard(主機板)製造商之一,被發現主機板上藏有細小微型晶片,似乎是在中國廠商製造過程中被硬體黑客加上去(比軟體更厲害),可用來蒐集各種情報。被滲透機構包括亞馬遜、蘋果,甚至美國國防部。這件事影響可能非常深遠,逼使美國加速強迫整個電子產品供應鏈遷離中國。鴻海、聯想、廣達、研華等主板和伺服器製造商都受影響。據說這調查已進行了3年,此際突然曝光,是偶然還是故意呢?
中國黑客晶片或加速美供應鏈遷離
此舉正中班農(Bannon)和納瓦羅(Navarro)等人下懷。有人問過Bannon對中國的end game是甚麼,他的答案正是最起碼逼使各個行業的供應鏈離開中國,最好回歸美國。老實講,這麼精密的微型晶片,是否真的中國能製造到都很難說,誰把它放進去都不知道,賊喊捉賊都絕對有可能。
唯一中國真正做過的是在Iowa的最大報紙《The Des Moines Register》登過一個4頁的廣告,力陳貿易戰的各種壞處,是一個必導致兩敗俱傷的錯誤做法。Iowa是個農業大州,更必首當其衝,受到中國對美國農作業徵收關稅所影響。這番說話語重心長,非常有理,但瓜田李下,有必要在這個時間登出來嗎?在上述中國留學生爭議中,Branstad已幫了中國一把,又何必要在他老家的報紙登呢?
早前有位領導告訴一班金融界外賓他看過《Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri》,一部去年的奧斯卡得獎電影,所以非常理解特朗普支持者的感受。我也看過這電影,其實也有同樣感受。但據聞這些外賓竟然反覺得這位領導太過「離地」,以為看過一些電影就理解美國情况。《Three Billboards》這電影講述的是美國小鎮中低下層人民的生活,經常面對貧困、酗酒、疾病和暴力等問題。但如今美國已變得經濟蓬勃,自我感覺良好,對中國態度簡直有點咄咄逼人,所以不願意聽到中國人「同情」貧窮的美國人。他們有興趣的是中國有沒有方法幫助解決中美「冷經濟戰」問題。
這兩天最熱烘烘的話題,當然是范冰冰被罰稅款8億元人民幣的新聞。一下子整個國內娛樂圈變得人人自危。除此之外,國慶假期間連去韓國走水貨的代購微商都在上海機場被海關嚴打,輕則罰款,重則坐牢。此舉對AMOREPACIFIC和其他韓國化妝品公司將有一定影響。我知道國家債務問題嚴重,某些地方政府財政緊絀(但絕對不是上海),所以非常緊張防止逃稅。但就算把所有藝人的欠稅都收回來再加罰款,估計無非數十億人幣(范爺級的明星沒幾個)。嚴打水貨客也無非最多帶來數十億額外稅收,主要目的應是鼓勵人民留在國內消費。
比防止逃稅 更需鼓勵國內消費
但數十億根本不管用,中國需要的是大幅減稅數千億甚至數萬億,藉此刺激生育和消費,認真加速經濟轉型,才能勉強抵消美國對中國不停增加的「冷經濟戰」壓力。近日有傳聞假期後將宣布有關增值稅的重要改革,希望見到大幅減稅,例如取消16%級別的增值稅。
套用電影《教父》裏的一句經典對白:「Women and children can afford to be careless, men cannot.」我把它改為:「美國人和兒童可以扮作天真,中國人不可以。」
(中環資產持有亞馬遜的財務權益)
同時也有19部Youtube影片,追蹤數超過80萬的網紅果籽,也在其Youtube影片中提到,|挪威森林貓|溫順好奇的親善大使 神話中為愛情女神拉車的巨獸 擁有優雅的長毛髮和蓬鬆的尾巴,牠就是挪威森林貓。在古老的挪威神話中,有兩隻外形像獅子般的貓咪,拖着愛情女神弗蕾亞的神車飛馳天際。相傳這兩隻貓咪強壯而且身形巨大,跟現代的挪威森林貓非常相似。不過這個傳說長久以來只是口耳相傳,直至1835年,...
中環 娛樂 徵 才 在 Gregory 河國榮 Facebook 的精選貼文
我是國榮。來自澳洲昆士蘭省,讀中學時成績非常好,分數已足夠在大學選讀任何一科。當時我希望成為一名醫生,因為可以幫助他人。我在新南威爾斯大學讀醫科,第一年是住在雪梨北區一個朋友家中,第二年入住大學國際宿舍,宿舍規定最少有半數是留學生,不是澳洲人。最先兩年結識了不少香港、新加玻、馬來西亞的朋友,與他們很合得來,不過最重要是入住宿舍後,便遇到了香港的流行歌曲。有一天我行經走廊時,聽到一些很悅耳的音樂,我便問同學這是甚麽歌曲及可否借給我欣賞,他便借了給我。我已忘記是Leslie還是Alan的歌,但肯定是其中一位。因為很喜歡這些歌曲,便到唐人街購買,後來一邊聽歌一邊看歌詞,因此慢慢地學識了很多中文字。
因為喜歡唱歌,所以在大學的同學活動,開始演唱中文歌,也曾參加香港學生會舉辦的歌唱比賽,參賽歌曲是「愛的根源」,結果獲得亞軍。我很清楚記得,國際宿舍為了文化交流,每年舉辦一次國際晚宴,希望不同種族的學生可以表演和分享文化。Leslie在一九八五年 唱Monica獲得獎項,那是一首我很喜歡的歌曲,所以在文化交流晚會我便選擇唱Monica。當時同學覺得很驚奇,我怎可能唱Monica。我是跟着錄影帶,學習他的舞步和唱歌技巧。我不停地在公眾地方練習,其他同學看到我很用心練習,也過來幫助我。在台上表演時有幾位同學為我伴舞,當晚演出非常成功。
一九八五年Leslie和幾位香港天皇巨星,來澳洲開演唱會。演唱會的主辦公司,需要義務司機,朋友問我能否當義務司機。我答應了,後來知道是當Leslie的司機。有一天他放假不用排練,我們便駕車往坎培拉,當日天氣多雲有微雨,甚麽也看不清楚,喝過咖啡後便離開,回程是Leslie駕駛,他的英語非常好,途中我們愉快地暢談,這次旅程對我來說是很重要的事情。
一九八六年Alan到來澳洲,我又當了他的司機。在他入住的酒店,介紹人在偶像面前,誤把我的名字說成河詠麟,當時在偶像面前我也不懂怎樣矯正。大約有兩年很多人以為我是河詠麟。他的四位女和音,知道我懂得唱他的歌,所以告訴了他,在排練那天他叫我上台一起唱。認識Leslie 和Alan兩位巨星,對我的影響很大,聽到他們的歌,和看到觀眾的反應,我開始對香港的歌唱發展很重視。
因為常常想着唐人街和唱歌,沒有用功讀書,因此醫科的第三年考試不合格,需要重讀,在一九八六年重讀了三個月便決定退學。
後來做了三份洗碗碟工作,還做了個多月砌磚的工作,我把工作一年多,所得工資儲起來,買了一張單程機票和帶了一千澳元,便到來香港發展。唯一的準備是問一個朋友能否到他的家中居住。他的父親很勉強地答應,但需要收租金。我甚麽準備也沒有,只是刻意買了一張單程機票,是因為不想遇到少許困難便放棄,返回澳洲。
初到香港時甚麼都不認識,沒有計劃,也沒有朋友。我最先是住在廣播道,但我的朋友不是在那裡居住,因為他還在讀書。初來時沒有事做,所以在外面逛了幾天,有一天意外地行到紅磡體育館,中門外有四名男士在吸煙,他們竟然叫我河詠麟。原來他們是Alan的樂隊成員,在一九八六年見過面,但相隔一年,竟然還可以記起我,這就是緣分。當時Alan正在為演唱會排練,他們帶我進去體育館,這樣便再見到Alan。一九八七年的演唱會是三十一場,我看了三十場。本來打算看足三十一場,但是有少許問題出現,因為我住的地方有規定,晚上十時半後便會關門,不會再讓人進出。但演唱會是不會這麽早便完場,每晚看完演唱會,我會行去尖沙嘴,然後再步行回廣播道,然後在公園外的石椅小睡,到五時公園開門便進去睡覺,但最終因捱不住,有一晚沒有去看演唱會。有一次Alan突然問我,今晚可否上台唱歌,我說當然可以,便成為他的嘉賓。我第一次表演Alan十分開心,但第二次他在台上介紹,有一個外國人,唱他的歌十分出色,當他呼喚河詠麟出場,因為我不在場,所以沒有出現。後來他問我為何沒有出現,我便向他解釋原因,他便安排我入住酒店,直到演唱會完結。所以便有第三次呼喚我上台,這是我第二次成為嘉賓跟他一起唱「朋友」,真是十分興奮。到八月他的生日會也有邀請我做嘉賓,其實每一件發生的事情都是有關係的。
後來我在北角僑冠大厦租了一間劏房居住,有一次從北角行到中環,看到一間職業介紹公司的招聘啟示,我便前往應徵。當時職員說我可以教英文,但我不是教師,他認為沒有問題,便介紹我到一間補習社工作。在補習社工作了幾個月,有一位同事看到一張電視台的海報,需要招聘 一個西方人,但要懂得說中文。我致電應徵,他是一位獨立經紀,我說沒有經驗和廣東話也不是很好,他說沒有問題。我便去見一位電視台女監製,她給我一段英文劇本,要我讀出來。因為很緊張,五分鐘都不能出聲,我跟自己說,不嘗試會後侮一生。那一段對白是警官責備下級,責備人一定是很大聲的,所以我便很大聲說出來。當時她正在做自己的事,沒有再理會我,但我的叫聲使她大吃一驚。因為沒有其他外國人給她選擇,她無奈地聘請了我,這套劇集需要兩個西方人,另外一位是當主角,從那時開始,便在電視台工作了二十年。
二零一四年九月我在N o w T V的一個音樂節目做嘉賓,在一間音樂室裡我和三位節目主持人,唱歌和談論音樂。到最近才知道,他們三位是100毛的老闆。到聖誕100毛找我拍攝雜誌封面,我不知為何找我拍攝封面,原來三位老闆是認識我的,只是我自己不知道。
二零一五年八月他們聯絡我,他們有一首歌,問我會否願意演唱,那首歌曲我很熟悉,歌詞十分口語化,應該可以學到的。但當時是星期五,表演是在星期日,只得兩天時間作準備,所以我很用心練習。舞台是有電視屏幕可以看到歌詞,但我盡量避免看電視屏幕,只是有需要時才看一看,便可以放心地唱。能夠上台非常開心,我可以扮了演一個角色,唱一首悅耳和有趣的歌,觀眾很熱鬧和興奮,真是十分難得。我知道這是一生一次,這不是自己可以做到,是他們給我機會。那首歌很受歡迎,而且登上了流行榜。聖誕節前他們聯絡我,表示將會舉辦總選,問我會否參加,我便欣然答應了。當天每位表演者,會有兩首歌曲,在十二月廿六日接到新歌,我從沒有聽過那首歌,是一首說唱歌曲,而且歌詞很陌生,對我來說十分困難,所以我不停地練習了四百多次。當晚表演由Now T V直播,有七十萬人觀看,想不到自己能夠獲得香港區最受歡迎男歌星獎,當宣佈我的名字時,極度開心,無人能想到,唱出真香港的歌曲,是由一個西方人唱出,可以感動到別人。這是天時地利人和,超乎現實,簡直是一個奇蹟。因為那首歌不是我揀選,是別人給我的,練習這首歌時眼睛常常都會充了滿淚水和很感動。
西方人在香港發展演藝事業是十分困難的,機會不多,只能扮演一些無關重要的角色,但我從來沒有想過放棄。五年前我計劃灌錄一張唱片,因為胃酸倒流,把聲帶灼傷,使我聲音變得沙啞,這件事使我非常懊惱,因為辛苦練習多年,卻發生了這個問題,後來我矯正了唱歌方法,問題得以改善,可以繼續唱歌,現在準備為唱片再進行錄音工作。
最近有很多關於少數族裔的事情出現在我身上 ,現在我為一個港台節目做旁白,是關於少數族裔在香港。他們在本地娛樂圈發展是十分困難,因為在一個有九成是同一種族的地方,看電視或電影,也是會看自己的種族,未必會看少數族裔。如果他們幾個人合作,做一個節目,然後在網上發放,是有機會成功。香港有很多少數族裔居住,有些人的中文比我好,他們也愛香港。
我心目中的香港人,是要做香港人做的事,吃香港人吃的食物,關心香港,不看膚色,希望他們也能說廣東話,最重要是覺得香港是自己的家,這便是真正的香港人。
I am Gregory. I hail from Queensland, Australia. During my high school years, my grades were excellent. They were good enough for me to enroll in any subject that I wanted to in university. At that time, I wanted to become a doctor because I could help others. I studied Medicine at the University of New South Wales. In my first year, I lived in my friend’s home located in North Sydney. During my second year, I lived in International House at the university. It was a rule for the school campus to have at least 50 percent overseas students. They cannot be Australians. I met a lot of Hong Kong, Singaporean and Malaysian friends in my first two years. I was able to get along with them very well. But what is most important was that after living in International House, I came across Hong Kong pop music. One day I was walking along the corridors and overheard beautifully melodic music. I asked my classmate what music he was listening to and if he could lend me the music to listen to. He leant it to me.
I have forgotten whether it was the music of Leslie or Alan. But I am sure it was one of them because I really liked that kind of music. I went to Chinatown to buy it. Eventually, I listened to the music as I read the lyrics. In turn, I slowly picked up a lot of Chinese characters.
I attended many different functions to perform Cantonese songs in university because I really liked to sing. I also attended a singing competition organized by the Hong Kong student association. The competition song was ‘Root of Love’. In the end I won second runner-up. I clearly remember International House wanted to organize cultural exchanges so they held international banquets each year. Their hope was for students from different ethnic backgrounds to perform and share their culture.
In 1985, Leslie won an award for singing ‘Monica’. It was a song that I really loved. During the international cultural exchange banquet, I chose to sing ‘Monica’. At that time my classmates were very surprised. How can I sing ‘Monica’? I followed the videos to learn the dance steps and singing techniques. I kept on practicing in public. Other students witnessed how hard I was practicing and came over to help me out. A few classmates became my accompanying dancers as I danced on stage. The performance that night was extremely successful.
Leslie and a group of Hong Kong superstars visited Australia to hold concerts in 1985. The concert organizer needed a voluntary driver. My friends asked me whether I wanted to be the voluntary driver. I accepted the offer. In the end I found out that I would become Leslie’s driver. There was one day when he was on break and did not need to rehearse. We drove to Canberra. It was cloudy and there was light rain on that day. We could not see clearly. After having a coffee, we left. Leslie was next to drive. His English was very good. During the journey back we chatted happily. The trip was very important to me.
In 1986, Alan came to Australia. I was also his driver. Our mutual friend misread my name as “Ho Wing Lun” in front of my idol during his stay at the hotel. I was not able to correct him at the time because Alan (“Wing Lun”) was my idol. Many people thought I was called “Ho Wing Lun” for around two years. His four back-up singers knew I was able to sing Alan’s songs. That was why they told him about it. During rehearsal day, he told me to sing with him on stage. Knowing superstars like Leslie and Alan had a great impact on me. To be able to listen to their songs and to witness the reactions from the audience led me to become interested in a singing career in Hong Kong.
I did not put in a lot of effort in my studies because I always thought of Chinatown and singing. Consequently, I failed my medical examinations in my third year. I had to re-take my subjects. In 1986, I re-took my studies for three months but then I decided to quit school.
In the end I juggled three dish washing jobs and also many months of brick laying work. I saved up a whole year of my salary and bought a one-way ticket to Hong Kong. I also carried $1000 Australian dollars on me. I then went to Hong Kong to develop my career. I only asked my friend whether I could stay at his place as preparation to living in my new homeland. His father reluctantly agreed but had to receive rent. I did not have anything equipped or prepared. I only purposely bought a one-way ticket because I did not want to easily give up when I encountered minor difficulties and return to Australia.
When I first arrived in Hong Kong, I did not know anything. I did not have any plans. I also did not have any friends. Initially, I lived in Broadcast Drive but my friend did not live there because he was still studying. I did not have anything to do at first. That was why I hung around Hong Kong for several days. One day, by coincidence, I came across Hung Hom Coliseum. At the entrance, there were four men smoking. They noticed me and surprisingly called out “Ho Wing Lun”. They were, in fact, members of Alan’s band. We have first met in 1986. Surprisingly, they remembered me after a whole year. That is called fate. At that time, Alan was preparing for his concert. The four men brought me inside the Coliseum. I saw Alan. There were 31 shows in his 1987 concert. I watched 30 of them. I intended to watch all 31 shows but there was a slight problem. There were rules at my guest house. After ten thirty each night, the door to the home will be locked. Nobody was allowed to enter or leave the house. But concerts do not end so early. So, after watching each concert in the evening, I would walk to Tsim Sha Tsui and then walk back to Broadcast Drive. I would sleep on the concreate seats outside the park. When the park opens at five in the morning, I will go in and sleep. Eventually, I was unable to handle it. One night I cannot watch a show. Once Alan asked me “Can you sing on stage tonight?” I told him “Of course I can.” I became his special guest. Alan was extremely happy when I first performed. By the second show, he announced that: “There is a westerner who can sing my songs very well.” He called out my name “Ho Wing Lun!” But because I was not at the scene, I did not show up. Eventually, he asked me why I did not show up. I explained my reason to him. He then arranged a hotel for me to stay at until the end of the concert. That was why he was able to call me out the third time! That was my second time as special guest singing “Friends” with him. It was exhilarating. In August, he introduced me as a special guest at his birthday party. Actually, everything happens for a reason and everything is interconnected.
Soon after, I rented a tiny flat at a building in North Point to live in. I walked from North Point to Central once. I came across a recruitment agency looking to hire. I went in to give it a shot. At that time, the staff said I could teach English but I was not a teacher. The staff said it was not a problem and introduced me to work at a learning center. After working there for a few months, a colleague saw a TV station’s poster. They were looking to recruit a westerner but that person needs to be able to speak Cantonese. I called to give it a try. The person who answered was an independent agent. I told that agent I had no experience and my Cantonese was not very good. The agent told me it was not a problem. I went to see the TV station’s female producer. She gave me an English script and wanted me to read it out. I was so nervous that I did not utter a word in five minutes. I told myself, if I do not try, I will regret it for life. The dialogue depicted a police telling off a subordinate. When you tell someone off, you must be very loud so, I read my lines out very loudly. At that time, the female producer was doing her own work and did not care about me but because I was so loud, I frightened her! As there were no other westerners for her to choose from, she had no choice but to hire me. The TV show required two westerners. The other westerner played the main character. From then onwards, I worked at the TV station for twenty years.
In September 2014, I appeared as a guest on a NowTV music program. I was in a band room with the three show hosts. We sang and discussed music. Only recently, I found out that they were the Founders of 100 Most. When it was Christmas, 100 Most invited me to appear on the cover of their magazine. I did not know why they wanted me to do it – only to find out that the Founders of the magazine already knew who I was! It was just me who did not know that.
In August 2015, 100 Most contacted me and asked me whether I wanted to sing this particular song. I was very familiar with the song lyrics. The lyrics were very colloquial. I should be able to learn it. It was Friday. The performance was on Sunday. I only had two days to prepare for it. That was why I practiced very hard. The stage showcased the lyrics. But I tried my best not to look at them. I would only glance at them when I needed to. I felt more confident and assured as I sang.
I was extremely elated to be able to perform on stage. I can play a role singing a wonderful and amusing song. The audience was super warm and excited. It was a moment to be treasured. I know this can only happen once in my life. It cannot be done by myself. It is because I was given a chance by 100 Most. The song was very popular and hit the charts. Before Christmas, 100 Most contacted me and expressed that there would be a final election of the songs. They asked me whether I would like to participate. I was more than happy to give it a try. On the day of the show, each contestant would have two songs.
On the 26th of December, I received the new song. I have never heard of the song before. It was a rap song. I was very unfamiliar with the lyrics. I found them very difficult. That was why I kept practicing it for more than four hundred times. The show was broadcasted live by NowTV. Around seven hundred thousand people watched the broadcast. I cannot imagine winning the Best Hong Kong Male Singer. When my name was announced, I was extremely delighted. Nobody can imagine that a westerner was able to sing a song about ‘real Hong Kong’. It can touch people. It was something that happened at the right place and at the right time. It was also surreal and a complete miracle. It is because the song was not selected by me. It was given to me by others. My eyes were often wet from practicing this song. I was very touched.
It is very difficult for westerners to develop their artistry in the entertainment industry. Chances are slim. They can only play roles that are irrelevant and unimportant. But I never thought of giving up. Five years ago I planned to record my own album. But because of stomach acid reflux, my vocal chords got damaged. My voice became hoarse and coarse. It brought me a lot of frustrations because I have worked hard for many years. Then this happened. I then amended my singing techniques and the issue improved significantly. I was able to sing again. I am now working on re-recording my new album.
A lot of ethnic minority issues materialized around me as of late. I am currently the voice over for a RTHK program about ethnic minorities in Hong Kong. It is very hard for them to develop their career in the local entertainment industry. It is because when 90 percent of the people share the same skin color comes together in a particular place, those watching TV or film will tend to watch people of their own skin color. They may not watch ethnic minorities. If a group of ethnic minorities work together to create a program for the web, it may work out. There are a lot of ethnic minorities residing in Hong Kong. Some of their Chinese is better than mine. They also love Hong Kong very much.
‘Hong Kongers’, to me, are people who need to do things ‘Hong Kongers’ do. Eat Hong Kong food. Care about Hong Kong. And do not look at skin color. I hope they can also speak Cantonese. Most importantly, they should regard Hong Kong as their home. Then, they are ‘real Hong Kongers’.
中環 娛樂 徵 才 在 BennyLeung.com Facebook 的最佳貼文
【BBC中文網】從皇都的沒落說起 - 鄒頌華
最近一周有一宗新聞引起筆者的注意,就是位於香港島東區北角的地標皇都戲院及相連的住宅物業,半年來一直被一地產商收購。按照現有的法例,超過五十年樓齡的樓宇,只要發展商收購到八成業權,餘下的兩成就可過強制拍賣業權。
筆者在北角土生土長,曾在該區住了三十多年。小時候對這座1952年落成的北角地目標背景認識並不多,只記得戲院外曾是小學校車站,一年也會去看幾次電影。到1997年戲院停業,卻一值沒有拆卸,才開始注意到,這也是都市奇葩,竟然沒被地產商盯上,全港唯一的包物線形巨型飛拱支架和具現代主義的建築特色,在急速的社會變化中仍得以保存。可是,直到今年夏天,這座沒落了的戲院(連同相連的住宅樓宇)終於開始有人打它的主意,近日也引起了社會對戰後歷史建築保護的聲音。
建制陣營內難談保育
皇都戲院是香港現存最古老的戰後戲院建築物,在1952年落成當時名為璇宮戲院,是中上流社會人士的娛樂場所,其開幕典禮由當時的匯豐大班摩士爵士主持,可見它曾是某個階層的身份象徵。而建築本身是由香港影業巨子歐德禮(Harry Odell)為首的萬國影片公司集團所興建,歐德禮更是其後1962年中環大會堂落成的功臣。在未有大會堂之前,皇都是香港重要的音樂表演場地,其後也是西方電影和粵劇的重要表演場地,曾見證過1950至1970年代北角的「小上海」光輝歲月。北角曾是上海人的聚居地,隨他們在國共內戰時南來的還有夜總會、遊樂場,但這些娛樂場所大多敵不過歷史的洪流,唯皇都戲院仍殘存著。
一棟相當有社會及建築價值的建築物,雖受到專家的肯定,但卻一值被人遺忘,就連平日關心歷史建築保護的團體和市民,也看漏了眼,最後終於到今年新世界為首等財團大規模的收購,才引起一點點聲音,也是一個奇怪現象。論皇都的價值,絕對不比灣仔街市和剛拆卸的同德押低。但後兩者面臨拆卸前,民間有不少反對聲音,但皇都卻有點孤立無援,為什麼?
以筆者在區內的觀察,要在這區搞文物保護,確比其他區困難。北角的七個區議會議席中,就有六個由建制陣營在毫無競爭下自動當選。對傳統建制陣營來說,文物古蹟或歷史建築的保育從來不在其議程上,他們也不用以此爭取選票,甚至視之為社會發展的阻礙。
此外,這區是建制陣營的「票倉」,莫說缺乏反對聲音,連真正關心地區發展的壓力團體也不存在。舉個例,「中西區關注組」、「西環變幻時」、「樂活鲗魚湧」、「灣仔好日誌」等民間組織和網上群組,也是近年來掘起的地區力量,關注區內不同的議題,歷史建築的保護也是其中之一,儘管未必次次也能力挽狂瀾,但能夠結集到民間力量,也是公民社會發展中重要的一步。反觀「票倉」北角區,就完全沒有這種制衡的聲音,連走出來要保護皇都的,也不是區內人。
還有一個關鍵,就是皇都戲院坐落的地點--北角,並非如灣仔中環般,是一般人會前往上班娛樂蹓躂的地方,除非你住在該區內。因此,有不少關心文物和古蹟保護的人,而且很多是八九十後,根本連香港有這麼一座有價值的戲院也不知道。
備受忽視的戰後建築
但遲發現總比由得財團靜悄悄地收購好。皇都的命運,最近終於引起古物諮詢委員會(下稱古咨會)的關注。
皇都是尚未評級的建築,但就引起了數日前古咨會召開集思會,探討擴展至為1950年代戰後建築全面評級的可行性,其中就有委員提出以1975年為界,意味評級範圍涵蓋1950年至1975年落成的歷史建築,理由是此時期的建築採用花崗岩等建材,反映當時身處經濟起飛前的現代建築特色。
但評級並未能徹底解決問題。首先,古咨會現在才即將完成確認戰前的1,444幢歷史建築的評級,而戰後建築評級清單就有234項,當中只有70多項完成評級,進度緩慢,皇都戲院恐怕在獲得評級前已難逃一死。
此外,就算獲得評為一級歷史建築(共有三級)並不等於獲得尚方寶劍。在香港,只有獲評為法定古蹟才會受到《古物及古蹟條例》所保護,不得拆卸。如果用拆卸天星及皇后碼頭為香港保育潮的起點,那在過去十年間,無論已獲評級或還未來得及評級就灰飛煙滅的歷史建築,數量其實不少。灣仔碼頭和同德押,還有何東花園就是其中幾個例子。就連古咨會主席林筱魯也承認,目前的法規只能鼓勵業主保育,這是評級制無力的地方。
那未來的走向又可如何呢?香港大學建築文物保護課程主任李浩然指出,由上而下的評級機制已不合時宜,外國有不少由民間--即由下而上主動要求保育,可反映這些建築與人民的關係。
凡事非不能也實不為也。當發展局可在數年前繞過古咨會,把落成只有十數年的志蓮淨苑推舉列入中國世界文化遺產預備名單,做法引起非議時,卻未有正視香港保護歷史建築的條例和機制的落後,未來恐怕還有許多有價值的建築(尤其戰後建築),難逃被拆的厄運。
中環 娛樂 徵 才 在 果籽 Youtube 的最佳解答
|挪威森林貓|溫順好奇的親善大使 神話中為愛情女神拉車的巨獸
擁有優雅的長毛髮和蓬鬆的尾巴,牠就是挪威森林貓。在古老的挪威神話中,有兩隻外形像獅子般的貓咪,拖着愛情女神弗蕾亞的神車飛馳天際。相傳這兩隻貓咪強壯而且身形巨大,跟現代的挪威森林貓非常相似。不過這個傳說長久以來只是口耳相傳,直至1835年,有民俗學家和詩人編撰了精選的挪威民間故事和民歌,才令挪威森林貓廣為人知。
有指挪威森林貓的祖先很可能是在史前時期,遷徙到挪威的南歐短毛貓。經過進化之後,存活下來的貓咪變得能適應嚴寒的天氣。現代的挪威森林貓仍然保留了這些身體特徵﹕牠們擁有兩層的毛髮,外層長毛有防水功能,就算下雪也不會潮濕,而底毛則有保暖的作用;腳趾間亦長有毛髮,方便在冰雪上行動;尾巴長得像狐貍的那般,長度接近體長,可以用以捲着身體保暖。Village Vets獸醫村莊的Dr. Boris Yeung補充指,挪威森林貓有多種花色,但以黑色和啡色等深色系為多。「牠們喜歡玩耍,而且運動量都比較大。牠們適合四處狩獵、去走走,不喜歡只躺在家中睡覺。如果你說牠經常看窗外、當你開門時就會衝出去,可能牠就是喜歡探索四周的東西,你就可以選擇要不要讓牠外出。」不過Dr. Boris提醒外出會有某程度的風險,建議要杜蚤杜蟲及戴上牽繩。
https://hk.appledaily.com/lifestyle/20210523/3N5F5SE43NEPLJ6OIXJEUYXMVI/
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中環 娛樂 徵 才 在 果籽 Youtube 的精選貼文
|BMW M550i試車|132萬寶馬隱形殺手放Tesla星星 5系低調M家族基因跑Highway最爽
近年寶馬車系出現了一個十分有趣的系列,那就是一向標榜「低調高手」作風的M Performance。這種大隱隱於市的高性能車款,讓不少喜歡「Sleeper」的車迷都非常着迷,M Performance的最新傑作,就是M550i xDrive。有別於正規M Power M5所採用的闊體車身,M550i的車身只跟標準版5系如出一轍。跟M5張牙舞爪的氣勢不同,M550i的實力與低調的外形比M5來得更有驚喜,特別是那只有真正車迷才會留意得到的特徵,可謂「扮豬食老虎」。
小改款後的M550i採用一副編號N63的4.4公升Twin Turbo V8引擎,雖然跟小改前的版本都是同一副引擎,不過小改後的N63猶如吃了補品般,馬力由460匹躍升至530匹,峯值扭力亦都由651Nm暴升至750Nm。如此強悍的數據以往只會在超級跑車才能找到,但如今出現在一部看似普通不過的5系,戰鬥力實在是不容小覷。
https://hk.appledaily.com/lifestyle/20210519/QVA36Y3YABBMLEQGDK4NXUS3EQ/
影片:
【我是南丫島人】23歲仔獲cafe免費借位擺一人咖啡檔 $6,000租住350呎村屋:愛這裏互助關係 (果籽 Apple Daily) (https://youtu.be/XSugNPyaXFQ)
【香港蠔 足本版】流浮山白蠔收成要等三年半 天然生曬肥美金蠔日產僅50斤 即撈即食中環名人坊蜜餞金蠔 西貢六福酥炸生蠔 (果籽 Apple Daily) (https://youtu.be/Fw653R1aQ6s)
【這夜給惡人基一封信】大佬茅躉華日夜思念 回憶從8歲開始:兄弟有今生沒來世 (壹週刊 Next) (https://youtu.be/t06qjQbRIpY)
【太子餃子店】新移民唔怕蝕底自薦包餃子 粗重功夫一腳踢 老闆刮目相看邀開店:呢個女人唔係女人(飲食男女 Apple Daily) https://youtu.be/7CUTg7LXQ4M)
【娛樂人物】情願市民留家唔好出街聚餐 鄧一君兩麵舖執笠蝕200萬 (蘋果日報 Apple Daily) (https://youtu.be/e3agbTOdfoY)
果籽 :http://as.appledaily.com
籽想旅行:http://travelseed.hk
健康蘋台: http://applehealth.com.hk
動物蘋台: http://applepetform.com
#試車 #寶馬 #BMW #5系 #Tesla
#果籽 #StayHome #WithMe #跟我一樣 #宅在家
![post-title](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BBoKxk2CgVg/hqdefault.jpg)
中環 娛樂 徵 才 在 果籽 Youtube 的最讚貼文
Debi於27歲確診乳癌,癌細胞擴散至左邊腋下淋巴,最大的腫塊達5公分,體積跟乒乓球差不多。她為化療剃光頭,1歲兒子哭着推開說不認得。經歷8小時手術切掉左邊乳房再重建,左胸和肚皮留下了兩條又長又大的疤痕。面對威脅外觀及性徵的疾病,婚姻更經歷不了考驗,但她娓娓道出接二連三的噩耗,卻沒有流露半點悲情。
「如果人生早已安排好這些關口,也是上天看得起我,才讓我在短短兩年內把痛苦都經歷一遍,然後重新活一次。」現實再殘酷,也就只像吃即食麵,「熱水一泡3分鐘,一嚥而下就能果腹,不是很好嗎?我來得及在身體健康的時候創業、生仔,康復路上遇見共患難的同路人和醫護,還能看清楚身邊人,來一場關係斷捨離,所以乳癌是我生命裏最好的禮物之一。」
https://hk.appledaily.com/lifestyle/20210429/R53YVSB4M5HEBGCPDEGUHSBPJ4/
影片:
【我是南丫島人】23歲仔獲cafe免費借位擺一人咖啡檔 $6,000租住350呎村屋:愛這裏互助關係 (果籽 Apple Daily) (https://youtu.be/XSugNPyaXFQ)
【香港蠔 足本版】流浮山白蠔收成要等三年半 天然生曬肥美金蠔日產僅50斤 即撈即食中環名人坊蜜餞金蠔 西貢六福酥炸生蠔 (果籽 Apple Daily) (https://youtu.be/Fw653R1aQ6s)
【這夜給惡人基一封信】大佬茅躉華日夜思念 回憶從8歲開始:兄弟有今生沒來世 (壹週刊 Next) (https://youtu.be/t06qjQbRIpY)
【太子餃子店】新移民唔怕蝕底自薦包餃子 粗重功夫一腳踢 老闆刮目相看邀開店:呢個女人唔係女人(飲食男女 Apple Daily) https://youtu.be/7CUTg7LXQ4M)
【娛樂人物】情願市民留家唔好出街聚餐 鄧一君兩麵舖執笠蝕200萬 (蘋果日報 Apple Daily) (https://youtu.be/e3agbTOdfoY)
果籽 :http://as.appledaily.com
籽想旅行:http://travelseed.hk
健康蘋台: http://applehealth.com.hk
動物蘋台: http://applepetform.com
#乳癌 #單親 #癌症 #化療 #鋼管舞
#果籽 #StayHome #WithMe #跟我一樣 #宅在家
![post-title](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/E7DogwaQOIc/hqdefault.jpg)