2021/05/02

我與布魯塞爾的距離

Poster of Ghost Tropic
今天終於有些時間,坐下來靜靜地寫網誌。翻查觀看香港國際電影節的網誌,原來並沒有寫第43th 及44th界的紀錄,回想一下,為什麼呢?還記得在第43th和朋友一起看由Robert De Niro 及Gérard Depardieu 在大館上映的1900 ,上下集全長五個多小時;再加一套The Eyes of Orson Welles, 也似乎我是有打算為它們寫一篇觀後感的,因為圖片也預備好,而兩套戲也實在好看.…不過,應該是"忘記鳥"足足兩年多😅

而第44th 呢?應該是因Covid-19 而取消了。 今年,HKIFF45雖然有實體場,我還是在網上購票觀看,也只選了這一套 Ghost Tropic (Director: Bas Devos);不知是否因為疫情關係,多少也影響了片源,能吸引我的不多;幸好沒有失手,又是一套好戲。
 
由 Saadia Bentaïeb 主演的一個中年穆斯林婦人,因為夜班工作在回程的布魯塞爾尾班車上睡過頭,結果要步行回家。一小時廿五分的劇情,差不多全由主角一手包辦;全套戲稀有的對白,夜靜的街角,便利店,大宅,醫院…遇見的人、物、狗… 隨着燈光、場景、配樂,彷如置身其中,和 Khadija (主角名字)一起在寒冷的夜空中遊走,很靜,很靜… 感受她的疲憊、失望、關注、擔憂、無奈、放下…

當她終於疲累地回到住所,我的思絮仍被"今夜"發生的一切事情牽動著,良久…才入睡,但天色已是魚肚白!

2021/05/01

愛美麗狂想曲

"行者無疆、始於足下" ~ 何等令人嚮往!


昨晚剛剛播完大結局的愛美麗狂想曲, 是一套整體上營造了一個"夢幻世界"而令人產生無限幻想的電視劇. 失婚婦人為生計重投社會工作, 認識了一班中產階級, 互相構建了一些理想和感情線. 中產公關國際級CEO, 富二代畫家作家 咖啡店、畫廊、酒吧、甜品店 

不羈的"浪漫"最終, 主角由"師奶仔"脫變成旅遊攝影作家, 發揮潛能, 實現夢想!


已經好一段日子沒有值得我花時間追蹤的電視劇了, 四十五分鐘讓我稍為逃離現實, 帶我進入似乎認識卻又有點陌生的世界, 再折返人間. 我是一個可以很專注又投入劇情/電影情節的觀眾, 因為這樣才能嚐到劇中人物所感, 從而進入另外一個時空, 這是我享受的。


現實中, 全球處於不平衡的狀態之下, 先別說追夢, 單是求生, 在這一兩年變得格外困難. 不論是香港、緬甸、印度、美國、歐洲 或許正因如此, 這套電視劇帶回一些久違了的"美好時光" - Belle Époque! 在每一個人心中, 總會有或曾經有憧憬, 應該會是美好的一面罷, 即使在此時此刻的現實中難以成就, 我想, 還是該先藏於心底, 誰知有一天不會如王麗美(劇中女主角)般"重生"呢?


雖然你或許會說王麗美之所以能重生, 畢竟在際遇上遇到兩位愛慕她的伯樂; 但不能否認的是在失意時, 她只是有限度地停留在傷痛和自憐的境况; 在沒有自信時接受朋友的鼓勵, 很快可以振作起來重新出發; 在迷惘時, 仍能理性地作出一些重要的決定 改變現况, 始終離不開一些自強和樂觀面對的特質, 但願住在地球村的我們, 無論處於那一個國度, 面對着什麼困境, 仍能譜出屬於你的"狂想曲".











2021/04/05

Sing Hallelujah to the Lord

 

Magnificent huge organ in Sacré Cœur in Paris

I am in the Sacré-Cœur, walking around, admiring the grande architecture, huge organ above...then an “angel” voice awoke me....click to listen

Hallelujah hallelujah
   Hallelujah hallelujah
Hallelujah hallelujah....

(Sorry for the noise in the background, feel the volume of the interior...isn’t it amazing?)

Open my eyes in a panic mode, I am already trapped or better say I was buried by a crowded of tourist from my “motherland” simply because they squeeze for a glance to the priest who will start the mass quite soon. A few ladies notice my shock, although I’m sure I can see from their eyes, they are a bit of embarrass & feel sorry to interrupt but, my best viewing angle is absolutely un-replaceable, so I am totally “under-covered” within the next two minutes.

I am not sure whether I should force to escape but at the same time I do feel embarrassment, too, because Hong Kong had already returned to China, therefore.... you know what I mean :P , but miracle happens, I close my eyes, besides of

Hallelujah  hallelujah

Hallelujah hallelujah

Hallelujah hallelujah....

Nothing more but peace & joy, that’s all.
A moment that I’ll never forget, a gift from God! Hallelujah!

Back to the angel voice, I just can’t stop to hear more & more, one voice after the others...I was “trapped”! There is mass ready to be carried out, so I sit down on the bench nearby, bow down my head, close my eyes, listen to the lovely voice, so tranquil & peaceful...so...so...”Dark”!!! I am short of my breath...

2021/03/29

My King James

King James bible with timber cover

Why King James Version and what is it? 
If you have one, by comparing with the following words, you will know what versions it belongs to.

For example:-  Genesis Chapter 1:1  
heauen (original Hebrews typeface) - 1611 version
heaven - 1769 version as well as in Modern English version

You can easily find the details in WiKi and also www.kingjamesbibleonline.org ; worth to check it out. Basically it can be known as:-

The King James Version (KJV), or
The King James Bible (KJB), or
(AV) The Authorized Version.

It is one of the most accurate English translation of the Christian Bible to be read in the Church of England under the authorized of King James, translated by 54 translators worked for 7 years. 

What I am having should be a 1769 standard version because 1611 version was using the archaic English language in the Elizabethan & Jacobean era; whereas the 1769 version is more “readable” and still reserve it’s poetic feeling with a flow of rhythm, so when you read out loud, they sounds beautifully.

Letter inside King James 1769 standard version bible

  














Some other words like: remoone (1611), remove (1769  and modern version) in Corinthians 13:2 
It’s quite easy to identify and of course you will also find a letter "To the most high and might prince James" at the front page of the bible, too.

Back of Timber cover King James bible with etching of Jerusalem wording

My King James Bible was a wonderful gift from my husband during his “flying” to Israel yearssss....before. The timber cover (walnut or sycamore may be?) is sooooo....special & human.
I choose to use the “ancient” verses in KJV for the highlight im my Point Zéro which are exactly what I wish my reader could read them loud to enjoy the "classic breeze", that’s why here they are, I hope you’ll love it! Enjoy!


P.S.: stain inside page are due to deterioration only.

2021/03/22

Where are the hearts?

The Church of Saint Germain l’Auxerrois in Paris
The Church of Saint-Germain I'Auxerrois

It may be a good time to write this book cos’ we are in the shadow of Covid-19 in the whole world, but while I am completing book 5 and ready to release, vaccines brings us a small light beam....a little hope, at least.

To recap some of the sceneries while the early explosion of the pandemic, some people thought it’s only a matter of life & death, so they just don’t care and reject any protection act but “Freedom of their own” not others who also has “Freedom to survive, being free from affection by others.”

Not until the reality force everybody on earth to face it’s cruelty, we’ve already lost millions & millions of life, thousands & thousands of families became fragments.

Sometimes, I was thinking, isn’t it a similar scenario to our religious belief? 

In Paris, there are numerous église = cathedral/ church, some were built centuries before (like the one above was found around 7th Century), a truly historical monument. They are breathtaking especially when you’ve entered, to experience the atmosphere of  its’ holiness, remember Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre? Or église St-Eustache near Forum des Halles? Although there were mass held every week or even daily, a place for the faithful hearts, in fact, Catholic or Christian who still attending regular mass or Sundry services are rare nowadays in this country, why?

Stunning interior of the Basilique du Sacré Cœur
Basilique du Sacre-Cœur

I was quite surprised when I knew it, meaning the flourishing of église doesn’t reflect the flourish of spiritual lives. 

Would the Bohemia life style can bring us some hints? a life style that attracts me, too; or, if we really living in this way, when facing the question of life & death again one day, not only on earth but above, could we be “vaccinated”? 

...I’m afraid the answer is no!

 

2021/03/15

Start from Point Zero

Notre Dame in Paris inside hoarding

I still remember the moment when I was watching the news in Hong Kong, one day just a month before my departure...

Notre Dame was on fire!

Originally I though it was some archived report, but NO, the nightmare is right NOW on 4 Sept., 2019. Followed by the faces of the citizens appeared on Tv, I feel their sadness, too... no one would or willing to accept the reality because Notre Dame, like many other heritages in France, she is unique & non-replaceable!

Notre Dame is a Gothic style cathedral built in the year of 1163, located in île de la cité of Paris. Bell tower above 400 steps, magnificent rose window, gorgeous ornate flying buttresses or the “mysterious” gargoyles; one of the largest 7800 pipes organ in the world, royal treasure collections...all are worth to visit; plus...

Point Zéro des Routes de France: the bronze star, the “kilometre zero plaque” which indicated the calculation starting point of road distance in France. Besides “Raft of the Medusa” in the Louvre, this is my second goal in this trip, but now, it’s vanishing, I do feel disappointed & trying to figure out what to do? cancel the trip? change my itinery? 

Experts expect a four to five years recovery is required, at least; so, I am thinking how about to go, say “hello”to her, bring her some“comfort” may be, or at least a blessing from Hong Kong... sounds great?

I am sure I’ll finally have my chance to complete my goal some years later, although the originality may not be the same, we can view from another angle, as my beliefs always; no matter what, it’s our choice to locate the Point Zero after all!

New release book - Point Zéro by Oiseau Distrait
click to enlarge
Cést parti ! 
follow me in Point Zéro - book Five of Petit Paris.



2021/02/28

Free the "bottleneck"

Yesterday, I've decided to remove the price tag to Pont Neuf, my first book, i.e.: e-book version will be giveaway from now on. Why? well, just want to, while I am writing the 6th book, which is almost 50% of the whole Petit Paris series, I think it may be a good time to do so & make it.

Experienced writers advised newbie like me, there is always a bottleneck when you've written in the middle of the book, if you can overcome it, you will most likely to complete the whole; otherwise, may stuck and failed to finish at the end, because it's a lonely job & easily get frustrated.

Although I am writing in some what 30 to 60 pages of each only, it can be combined as one whole book, which is also my original idea. By dividing them into 12 mini books, there are some advantages indeed:

- I can reduce my pressure to complete a 600 pages book all in one time

- they can be written in separate topics to cover a lot more issues discovered in the trip

- less stress by extending the production time from one year to three as a whole, meaning I can    still have time to work on other jobs between the writing intervals

- to practice and improve my writing & drawing skill one after another 
  (hopefully it did work :p)

- Best of all : I can draw 12 different book covers - sounds amazing ?!

click to enlarge

In fact, I do need space for me to learn, review, revise & achieve a lot more improvement, which is the most valuable experience and enjoyable process as being a self published writer. 

I am looking forward to a date in 2022, December may be to complete this series, wish you can walk with me to the destiny of this petit journey!





p.s. - Be my guest to enjoy your Pont Neuf copy from Google Books or Apple books