Finally catched the movie About a Boy. I have been holding off reading the novel, just hoping that I can get the story from the movie first. And it was a pretty good movie. People have been telling me that I have the "peter pan syndrome." There are several things that I can identify with the main character, Will (played by Hugh Grant). There are times that I think being a bachelor is hip and true to oneself. Maybe, my idea was re-inforced after seeing so much people got tight up by relationships and marriages. But then again, I guess I have been seeing just one side of the coin. As what the movie said, men strikes for meanings while spending their lives, rather than simply consuming time like expendable "units." The meanings often involves "endorsement" by other people...


For those who enjoy Nick Hornby's works, see also works from Tony Parsons like One for My Baby and Man and Boy. They are also good reads along similar line of thoughts.

Ever think of being a CIA agent that got thrown into a mission in HK? Most likely, you will be briefed during your flight with this info. Now, I know Hong Kong is "six times the size of Washington DC" and its tagged as "a hub for Southeast Asian heroin and regional stimulants trade..."! (-_-!)

The Octopus Card, a radio frequency activated smartcard, has been wildly adopted by the Hong Kong for electronic transactions. Pretty handy when you are taking a bus or the subway and find out that you haven't carried any changes. The standout point of this smart card is that its contactless. As far as its within the range of the card reader's radio frequency effective proximity, transaction can be done. So its not neccessary to reach for card from your wallet and inserting it to the reader at those charging stations. Adding an extra level of convenience to the "time-is-money" minded Hong Kongers.



What's also interesting is that the technology is actually developed by Sony. While its far less popular in Japan than in HK, they are applying the technology on electronic transactions through internet. Some of the Sony VAIO computers can be purchased with this card reader. And there are websites that support transactions thru this smartcard service called Edy.

Franc franc is a life-style/furniture chain in Japan. It bears some interesting mix of euro-japanese design goods. I especially like those 80's retro-look home appliances (a microwave oven shown below)







There is one in Osaka Umeda area. Here is a map

"���S" (Uoshin) is my favorite sushi place in Osaka. They got things backward: the sashimi (raw fish) portion are much larger than the rice. Because the sashimi is too big, they actually prepare a brush for you to "apply" the soy sauce onto your sushi. Its yummy and its inexpensive. There are several shops in the Kansei area (Osaka - Kyoto - Kobe). Check out their website for direction to the restaurants!

Dropped by the local Blockbuster yesterday and rented a copy of the Enemy Mine DVD.



First time I watched this movie was in the highschool days in one of those huge theatre in the Mongkok area. It left me a deep impression. Similar to other sci-fi hungry nerds, I was tricked by the marketing campaign then and went in expecting to see another "Star Wars" or "The Last StarFighter" (hey, the alien definitely looks *very* similar). Instead, I learnt my lesson of tolerance and friendship.

Rewatching it didn't bring me any new surprise, though. The set was well designed and I like the alien Dracon as much as I did. Pace-wise, I admit that I am spoiled by the ultra fast pace of latest Hollywood movies. I actually fell asleep twice at the last 15 minutes of the movie.