Jinyu Liu

《风从哪里来》 by 青衫湿透

2011-06-13T21:09:00.000-07:00

当两个男孩情起年少的爱情遭遇残酷的生存压力时，是一番什么光景？
《风从哪里来》告诉你
惨烈绝望通彻心扉
是啊，当1万块的矿难赔偿被看得高于人命，
当那片贫瘠的土地除了贫瘠之外还要加上艾滋、蝗灾的蹂躏，
谁还能侈谈什么爱情，什么纯洁，什么尊严
奢望什么地久天长
所以《风从》里那些男男女女没有一个人获得了爱情
星星点点的两情相悦全都成了贫穷的祭品
疯的疯，死的死，那没死没疯的为了活着而行尸走肉
那跳出了山里的有了车有了房，却失去一生挚爱
筑起无形的城堡，圈起了对爱人的思念
残忍二字不足以道尽那些伤心
只有绝望瘟疫般蔓延
这个文啊，看得我内伤

The Hanging Tree (吊人树）

2011-05-17T15:47:00.000-07:00

Amy's new favorite song. Creepy...
汗一个！

Are you, are you coming to the tree?
Where they strung up a man they say murdered three.
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be, if we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.

Are you, are you coming to the tree?
Where the dead man calls out for his love to flee.
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be, if we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.

Are you, are you coming to the tree?
Where I told you to run so we'd both be free.
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be, if we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.

Are you, are you coming to the tree?
Wear a necklace of rope side by side with me.
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be, if we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.

15th Wedding Anniversary 结婚15年

2011-04-17T22:05:00.000-07:00

水晶婚了么？记得那年大四，青春年少的两人，漏夜登泰山看日出，好像就是昨天！过往经年，只在那一双儿女。
Has it really been fifteen years? Wasn't it yesterday that we-much younger,in our last year of college-climbed up the long and winding stairs of Mount Tai at night and watched the magnificent view of sunrise on the mountain top together?

兰花展Orchids exhibit

2011-03-26T17:35:00.001-07:00

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Bad movie day.

2011-03-23T23:42:00.000-07:00

Had a mother-daughter movie date today. Amy did not want to see Limitless, which was my choice; and I didn't want to watch an animated movie. So as a compromise, we chose Red Riding Hood. Bad choice! Pale story-line, weak character construction, random were-wolf presences...Felt like an underdevelopment Twilight movie. There was some promising suspense at the beginning, but was resolved in highly unsatisfactory and abrupt (and somewhat comical) ways. Acting was all right, although the way the plot evolves did not really leave much room for the actors to fully develop their characters. Max Irons was easy on the eye. That was about the only thing that I may remember in a few days...

食在我家 Home cooking

2011-01-29T13:56:00.001-08:00

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Allen's new pastime

2011-01-23T10:46:00.000-08:00

putting coins back to the piggy bank (or to his mouth)... Amy shot the video. Shooting videos of Allen is Amy's favorite pastime nowadays.

Amy, Allen, and cousins (Kevin and Jerry) 2010

2011-01-23T10:06:00.001-08:00

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惊春谁似我... Finally my own copy of the Peony Pavillion

2011-01-14T11:56:00.000-08:00

弟弟来我家，带来宝贝。去年他在香港休假，有幸看到白先勇版《玉簪记》，给我买到全套白版《牡丹庭》。

千里德州行 a trip to Texas 2011年1月4日－11日

2011-01-12T16:56:00.001-08:00

德州离我们青城镇（Greencastle， Indiana）大约1200英里，20个小时的开车路程。决定不飞，一路开去，一来因为半途（Kansas）可以去看丁艳和Daniel，以后要是他们去了上海，见也不易；而来因为小弟只有一岁，出门带着大批家当（尿不湿，瓶瓶罐罐，无数换洗衣物，等等），坐飞机又不方便又扰民，（很记得Amy小时候坐飞机，不但烦死我们，还骚扰了周围一众乘客），所以就千里驱车了，创造了家庭历史上很多第一次：是我们有史以来四个轮子方式最远的一次，是我们一家四口第一次大长途，是小弟的第一次真正意义上的旅行，路上见到到最多同学（包括多年不见的金苏平和徐薇薇一家），在南方享受了一个星期的温暖阳光，风雪归途则是出乎意料最具冒险性的一次旅程。不虚此行！

从北向南开，越来越温暖，越来越阳光；回家的时候正相反，到了德州北部，因为普降大雪，一贯温暖的南方又没有除雪工具，也没有撒盐；有的路段倒是撒了沙子，但是沙子和冰结合之后形成一片一片的冰疙瘩，颠簸无比，也没能减轻路滑，所以车速极慢，高速公路成了龟速公路。过了德州到了阿肯色，有一段路处理得极好，速度一度恢复到70－80英里。好景不长，又滑又颠的路重现，在I-30上有一段看到多辆翻车，结果堵了5个多小时，偶尔挪一挪，平均时速1英里。从天亮堵到天黑，好在我们车上有充足的水粮，油箱满满，不冷也不饿，只是小弟扭个不停，想出去。Amy狂打Angry Birds。（后来看报纸，有人堵了8个多小时，无粮无水，悲惨啊！）周围多是大卡车，司机等得无聊，竟堆起雪人。到了快半夜，好不容易队伍开始挪动，慢速开出最近的出口，投宿，竟是家家客满，指点我们去6里之外的出口找出路。到了之后发现全镇只有一家旅馆还有5个房间，匆匆赶去，运气不错，几乎是拿了最后一间double room。第二天（1月11日）看新闻，我们昨天算是把I-30上最艰难的一段熬了过来，那一段情况还是没有缓解。上路后，从Akansas到Illinois一路还好，天晴，温度零上，路不算滑。进了Illinois不久，漫天飘雪，北方的天气来了，温度不停地降，路面开始令人不安，有一次甚至连车上的电子平衡机制都自动启动了，车身扭了几次，大家出一身冷汗，幸好当时周围都没有其他车辆。路上滑进沟，撞了栏杆的小车大车颇有几辆，心惊！进了印第安那州，路面明显撒过盐，但是心有余悸，本着安全第一的原则，只以40里的时速前进。10点多平安归家！

We drove to San Anatonio, Texas Jan. 3-4, passing through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, before eventually arriving at Texas. It was a long drive but not without fun, especially since we got to see Daniel and Ding Yan, our old friends, in Wichita, Kansas. Believe it or not, the landscape in the mid-west and the south make us have more faith in the States: The country is blessed with resources, space and strong agriculture!

While in Texas, we got to see Suping and Weiwei, their families, and their beautiful houses. We enjoyed the wonderful home cooking, but above all the conversations, which brought back interesting memories of our teenage years!

My presentations went well. Got some really good questions!

The trip back home, however, was kind of scary, and sometimes even frightening.Due to heavy snow, the road was icy, bumpy and extremely treacherous. We inched along on I-30 at the speed of 1 mile per hour for over 5 hours! We are so grateful that we are home safe and sound. But it makes the trip all the more memorable, and more adventurous than we intended it to be.

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Allen's First Birthday 12-30-2010

2011-01-01T14:50:00.000-08:00

Magical candle 吹不灭的蜡烛

Happy Halloween 2010

2010-10-26T11:44:00.000-07:00

Drawn by Emily for Amy, featuring (a happy and drooling )Allen

Amy's birthday party at the Indy Zoo

2010-10-15T22:18:00.001-07:00

Amy turned 10 in October, 2010. Amy10岁啦！真不感相信一转眼已经10年了！

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Amish contractors

2010-09-09T20:26:00.000-07:00

家里换屋顶，Amish工号称这次一下可以管用35年！
The Amish contractors have started to work on our roof. There are three reasons why I like them:
They don't play loud music while working;
They are fast and efficient;
Amazingly, they are less expensive than the contractors in town.
喜欢Amish人，以前有个post

Grandparents July 2010 爷爷奶奶来到美国乡下，深度体验美国乡村生活

2010-09-01T20:12:00.001-07:00

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A quote from Jacob Burckhardt (1818-1897)

2010-05-10T20:06:00.000-07:00

"We shall never be rid of antiquity as long as we do not become barbarians again. Barbarians and modern American men of culture live without consciousness of history." (From "Judgements on History and Historians, transl. H. Zohn, Boston, Beacon Press, 1958, p.24. First published in German in 1929, taken from lectures delivered 1865-1885.)

Baby Allen growing up day by day 小弟眼看着就一天天长大

2010-04-04T13:38:00.000-07:00

Click here for more of Allen's pictures (更多照片).

Allen playing with Amy

Allen在吃草。

Friday, Movie night： Dragons (3/26/2010)

2010-03-26T20:06:00.000-07:00

I took Amy and some of her friends to see "How to train your dragon"《驯龙记》，《驯龙高手》today on its opening night. Among all the PG movies that I have seen with Amy lately (of course I'm stuck with PG movies), I actually enjoyed this one. Great animation, tons of action, nice music: it was a movie for the kids as much as for me (I like vampires, and werewolves; but active dragons also work for me). Vikings with Irish accent, nice touch! Unfortunately, we were watching the 2D version rather than the fabulous 3D version. If I get a chance, I would want to see the 3D at an imax.

The theater was not as crowded as the opening night of Alice in Wonderland or Arvin the Chipmunk Squeakquel. Huge lines for Arvin the Chipmunk Squeakquel; we were a little bit late and had to sit on the front row! Imagine that.
今天《驯龙记》首映。带了Amy和她的朋友赶首场。梦工厂的作品果然不负期待。造型可爱，音乐迷人，音效震撼，搞笑与感动并重。爱尔兰口音的维京海盗（the Vikings）很可爱。（梦工厂好像很喜欢爱尔兰口音哦。）剧情和葛连蕾韵熙达·柯维尔蜜（Cressida Cowell）的同名儿童图书并不完全相符。话说在鸟不生蛋的远方，维京们时受各种龙等的骚扰，动辙就来抢羊放火。肌肉发达的维京壮汉以屠龙为光荣。据说维京头领幼齿之时便能手刃龙只，于是赢得滔滔不绝的敬仰。肌肉发达大块头的维京头领有一子，名Hiccup（直译“打嗝”），手不能刃，肩不能提，身板有如豆芽菜（用剧中话直说是fishbone“鱼骨头”），全无乃父风范。头领多有失望。然“打嗝”头脑另类，爱好钻研，自创捆龙机，捆住传说中的夜暴龙（night fury）一只。只是被缚的夜暴龙落入丛林深处，不为大家所见，无人相信“打嗝”捆龙机的功效。而“打嗝”和尾部受伤的夜暴龙成了朋友，取其名为“无牙” （Toothless）。从无牙处，“打嗝”领会到龙们其实并不可怕，而且还有许多罩门。这些秘诀让最弱的“打嗝”得以在屠龙课上以头名冒出。与此同时， “打嗝”还发现龙们时来抢掠，是因为它们自己也受制于一条尺寸不明的巨龙。这个巨龙在食物链的最顶端，连龙也吃。“打嗝”试图相维京们解释这一切，但维京头领大怒之下，甚至与他断绝父子关系，锁了无牙，率船队浩浩荡荡去龙巢剿龙。深藏洞穴的巨龙受扰，维京完全无还手之力。此时，“打嗝”与几个年轻同伴骑龙而来，与巨龙周旋，最终以智取胜，掌握时机，无牙在巨龙张口的一刹那喷火入喉，巨龙五内俱焚，葬身火海。（这一段的战斗场面，天上地下的打斗精彩已极。）而无牙的尾部着火，失去平衡，无牙和骑在身上的“打嗝”都坠入火海。旁观的维京们无不咋舍震惊（电影院里的小骇子们紧张得直叫“oh，no，no！”）。已经满心悔悟的维京头领伤心不已。不过电影当然是幸福结局：无牙张开翅膀露出昏厥的“打嗝”；维京们重返家园，开始和平的生活。环境依然平淡，然而大小龙们成了维京们生活的一部分，因了它们的存在，维京们的生活添了好多滋味！（忘了说一句，“打嗝”当然活着，不过装了只假铁腿。）

Math Bowl Champion

2010-03-13T18:08:00.000-08:00

Representing TZ intermediate of Greencastle, Amy's team won the Indiana State Math competition for Class 3. Go champions!

A record setting 447 teams participated in the March 11, 2010 Area Competition, which included 6,949 students. The results can be found here http://www.iasp.org/iace/MathBowlResultsClass3.html. Amy's team scored 27, missing only one problem. Only two teams in the entire state scored a perfect 28. TZ was 5th overall of all teams in all classes.

Amy's dad thought the problems were kind of easy; but again he has always been very quick in math. (I didn't go see the competition because of the baby.) I'm just glad that they got some serious math. Since it was a team competition, I don't think Amy was all that nervous. She still wore her lucky necklace to the game.

For local news report, see http://www.bannergraphic.com/story/1618207.html

Amy's winter piano recital (Dec. 13, 2009)

2009-12-15T11:17:00.000-08:00

Amy played First Dance (by Kabalevsky), Chit Chat (Kabalevsky), and Flamenco (Gillock) at her fifth recital (Dec. 13, 2009).

Hawaii in December 十二月夏威夷

2009-12-06T08:37:00.000-08:00

New pictures from my brother

Chongqing City 重庆

2009-11-26T17:59:00.000-08:00

I wasn't born in Chongqing but spent a chunk of my childhood there. My brother was born there but never spent much time there. After I left that city, I have never re-visited it. My brother was luckier. He got invited to visit it and the Three Gorges as a "Canadian expert in computer science." Here are some of his pictures.

It looks like a stunning place. But none of these images were in my memories of that place.

'The Calculus of Friendship'

2009-09-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

Correspondence between a mathematician and his high school teacher (Mr. Joffray). Sounds mighty interesting, especially since I'm teaching Cicero's and Pliny's letters this semester.

The correspondence's exclusive focus on mathematics is particularly interesting, considering the long-term friendship between the two and the many up-and-downs including family disasters that they experienced.

This comment coming from the author is also intriguing: "Mr. Joffray made me feel like I could teach him."

Poor Cicero

2009-09-06T12:24:00.000-07:00

sed iam tempus est me ipsum a me amari, quando ab illis nullo modo possum.

But it's time for me to love myself, as I will in no way be loved by them. (56 BC)

An interactive map of vanishing employment across the country

2009-08-14T09:14:00.000-07:00

Click the arrows or calendar at the bottom to see each month of data. Click the green play button to see an animation of the data.

天鹅堡

2009-08-03T13:10:00.000-07:00

（新）天鹅堡在德国的南部，由巴伐利亚国王Ludwig二世建于1869-1886年。立于小山头上，在一片绿色间、清澈湖水边。从外至内，都如童话般梦幻，恰是迪斯尼标志城堡的灵感来源。新天鹅堡(Neuschwanstein)相对与天鹅堡 (Hohenschwangau) 而言。Ludwig二世国王在旧堡长大，但旧堡无论是在设计装饰上还是内部结构上，都难以满足Ludwig宏妙的想像力和艺术气质。Ludwig在音乐艺术品味上钟情的是瓦格纳，有些不羁和放纵，有天马行空跃于实境和幻境间的想象力，又追寻绚烂的色彩和大自然的美妙。（说起来，巴伐利亚的人们，上至公子王孙，下至农夫牧人，在诗一般的田园山林中长大，知道怎样最完美的结合鬼斧人工和田园风光。）

我们去的那天，天气太好，所以拍不出烟雾缥缈，若隐若现的效果。

富丽堂皇的殿内，拜占庭风格。这个王冠状的大吊灯其重无比，站在下面有些战战兢兢。（这位国王一生未婚，死得也蹊跷，尸体现于在湖里，不知是自杀还是他杀。也算是历史上一宗谜案。这堡其实一直未竣工。看到堡内的奢华和精妙，想来都是民脂民膏。王之不得人心也可猜测一二。）

天鹅堡内外各色天鹅无处不在。

2009-08-02T14:46:00.000-07:00

idque apud imperitos humanitas vocabatur, cum pars servitutis esset. (Tacitus, Agricola 21)

Truly sharp or no? The question is: why did Tacitus think he could position himself above those whom he called imperitii (inexperienced, unskilled, ignorant)? What if those so-called imperitii were the ones who were truly peritii in playing either a 'Don't say, don't tell' or a win-win game...

A Chinese Kunqu opera classic: Peach Blossom Fan 1699

2009-07-30T12:38:00.001-07:00

昆曲：孔尚任《桃花扇》
A love story between a high-end escort and a promising young scholar that was complicated by dynastic loyalty, personal political positions, etc. (Couldn't think of a Roman equivalent.) Happened at the end of the 17th century, when the Ming dynasty was taken over by the Qing dynasty.
I first saw the performance about 12 years ago in Nanjing. The singing, music, dancing, and the plot were all superb. 大约是97年或98年时在南京的兰苑剧场看过石小梅、胡锦芳的版本。虽然不是唯美的青春版，但是词曲清丽、唱作俱佳，感人至深。《桃花扇》不是普通的才子佳人故事，胜在气节二字。胡老师的李香君柔中见刚，凌然令人起敬。连看两场，一直不能忘怀。

【鴈过声】萧然，美人去远，重门锁，云山万千，知情只有闲莺燕。尽着狂，尽着颠，问着他一双双不会传言。熬煎，才待转，嫩花枝靠着疏篱颤。
【南鲍老催】想当日猛然舍抛，银河渺渺谁架桥，墙高更比天际高。书难捎，梦空劳，情无了，出来路儿越迢遥。

KFCs outside the States

2009-07-27T19:31:00.000-07:00

We saw McDonald's in many city centers in Europe. In Milan, for example, there is a McDonald's right opposite to the grand Cathedral. While we were driving in Germany and Austria, we loved to stop by McDonald's, not because of the food but because of the free high-speed internet it offered. But we didn't see a single KFC in the European places which we visited. In contrast, KFC has flourished in China, and has become seriously localized. The Chinese KFCs sell, among others, boiled sweet corns, (Catonese style) rice soup with cured eggs (known as the thousand-year-old eggs) and pork (皮蛋瘦肉粥), and fried twisted dough sticks (油条)。The KFC versions of these things are pretty good. Even the traditional KFC stuffs like the spicy chicken wings and fried chicken legs taste way better than those in the American KFCs. The Chinese KFCs are not cheap at all, but cater to the (upper) middle class families and the trendy youth. The dining atmosphere, therefore, feels quite different.

Amy's first recital December 2006

2009-05-11T20:42:00.000-07:00

Amy played simple pieces after her first semester of piano lessons. (Thompson Recital Hall, DePauw University, Dec. 2006). (She is growing up so fast; I miss the chubby, sweet little girl. Not that she is no longer sweet...)

Amy的第一次钢琴表演。那时才上了一个学期的课，曲子比较简单。现在的曲子复杂多了，但是Amy没有那时侯那么放松了。

Happy holidays 2009!

2008-12-24T18:44:00.001-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

For Amy's eighth birthday.

2008-10-24T23:57:00.000-07:00

We can't believe it has been eight years.

Make a Smilebox photobook

The Letter by Amy

2008-10-21T14:59:00.000-07:00

One day I got a letter.It was from my friend in Rome.I wondered why I got the letter. I opened the letter out fell 3 plane tickets...to Rome! How was I supposed to break it to my parents?!? Well,I did and went by myself. When I got to Rome I was scared. What if I didn't find my friend?!? To be continued.

温总's gravitas

2008-09-30T19:28:00.000-07:00

My favorite quote from PM Wen's interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria

"...in the veins of the economist, we should see the blood of morality."

Amy: September 14, 2008 Greencastle

2008-09-14T14:10:00.000-07:00

The wind
by Amy

Today I was super scared because the wind blew really hard. It blew branches off ,too. I could hear the wind blowing from inside. Now you can get why I got scared. I told my mom that I got scared,but she said “ It was okay”. Then I kept on hearing “Whoosh,Whoosh…”. I leapt on to my bed and curled up into a ball. Then I peeked out from my ball to see if it had stopped and …,it hadn’t!I was to(o) scared to even talk.To me it felt like a tornado or a hurricane but it really was just a little wind. I could hardly even walk, my legs were num(b)! A tree branch falling almost hit our widow! Our sunflowers fell,too.Believe me ,it was not sunny. One sunflower got pulled out of it’s roots! Our tomato(e)s fell,too.This day was hard for me I will remember it always.
The end.

The Olympics ceremony that you did not see on TV

2008-08-16T10:18:00.000-07:00

This is just what I suspected. The Swedish (does it matter?) director for the Chinese version of the TV broadcast gave too many up-close shots, which weakened the integrity of the show. See below for images that the TV broadcast failed to capture.

The pictures are linked from various websites.

No dilemmas there

2008-08-11T01:08:00.000-07:00

Amy was a bit confused about which side to cheer for: team China or team USA. Sometimes, she cheered for the Chinese athletes louder than we did. But when we were commenting positively on the non-US swimmers, she gave us "cold" looks and shushed us. Her loyalty to both China and the US is so strong that she often flip-flops on her priority on grounds that are not clear (or not clearly articulated) to us. It's really interesting to see the identity dilemma at work. To save her some struggle, I simply "advised" her to transcend, to cheer for anyone who did their best. They do not have to be American or Chinese or even medalists. This is my philosophy, at least.

A scene from Peony Pavillion: an intimate moment in Madam Du's dream

2008-07-26T22:10:00.000-07:00

Apparently, one can dream about anything. See below a scene from the famous Chinese Kun opera "The Poeny Pavillion" written c.400 years ago.

In this scene,tired from the stroll in the family garden, Liniang (or Madam Du, the sixteen-year old daughter of a high magistrate) falls asleep in her chambers and dreams that she returns to the garden, encounters a young man under a plum tree and has an intimate moment with him. Awakened from the dream by her mother, Liniang feels that her real life is aimless and confined. She yearns for her lover and falls ill; after a while she dies of lovesickness. The young man in her dream was Liu Mengmei, who later made his way to the capital to take the imperial examination. He meets Liniang's soul in Plum in Blossom Nunnery and agrees to help her return to life by reuniting her soul with her body. They are successful and live happily ever after.

【山桃红】
则为你如花美眷似水流年 Time passes by like flowing water as I have been looking for you
是答儿闲寻遍在幽闺自怜 while your flowery prettiness is withering away as you are lost in sadness in boudoir
转过这芍药栏前 Let's go there around the railings of herbaceous peony
紧靠著湖山石边 Leaning against the rocks by the lake
和你把领扣松 untie our necklines and dresses
衣带宽袖 with sleeves in the corner of mouth
稍儿揾著牙儿苫也 have an sweet and intimate moment together
则待你忍耐温存一晌眠 The scene is so familiar with solemn
是那处曾相见相看俨然 Is it better for us
早难道这好处相逢无一言 to meet but not to say any words?
这一霎天留人便 At the moment the day comes into dusk
草藉花眠 Grasses and flowers are falling asleep
则把云鬟点 Let me comb your hair
红松翠偏 as your hairpins of pearls and flowers are in a mess
见了你紧相偎 You lean on my chest with such a tenderness
慢厮连恨不得肉儿般团成片也 that I would rather hug you with all my strength
逗的个日下胭脂雨上鲜 Your face with rouge is now watered with sweat like flowers in the rain
妙我欲去还留 What a great day!I'm really reluctant to part

(originally posted by zjlzz)

Adventures of Aniana. An original story created by Amy

2008-06-18T15:45:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, a little girl named Aniana III found a magical mushroom. Aniana ate the mushroom and became a talking cat! But Aniana didn't know she was a talking cat until she saw her reflection as a talking cat in a window. "Oh, no," she said "I'm a cat!" Aniana went home and said "Ay, yiyi." Her mother gasped when she saw that her daughter was a cat! What to do...

Aniana returns!
Aniana mom tried everything to change Aniana back to a human.But nothing worked.Then Aniana's mom thought of something she hadn't tried, eating the mushroom again!It worked!

(All rights reserved. And we mean it!)

碧云天，黄花地

2008-06-17T23:54:00.000-07:00

【元】王实甫，《西厢记·长亭送别》

（端正好）碧云天，黄花地，西风紧，北雁南飞。晓来谁染霜林醉？总是离人泪。

我teenager的时候很是着迷这一段，每次念一遍，自己感动得不行。现在想来，那时候其实如此无忧无虑，迷恋这样depressing的美文实在是有些为赋新词。现在旧曲重拾，只想着黛玉说得还是对：西厢记读来还是满口余香。

烟淡淡兮轻云

2008-06-17T23:04:00.000-07:00

昆曲《玉簪记》。
那（尼姑）陈妙常和潘必正的罗曼故事，这段词概括了：“（必正）听她一声两声，句句含愁恨。看她人情道情，多是尘凡性。（妙常）你一曲琴声，凄清风韵，怎教人不断送青春！那更玉软香温，情儿意儿那些儿不动人？她独自理瑶琴，我独立苍苔冷。分明是西厢行径。” 早先看过江苏省昆剧院石小梅和胡锦芳老师的《琴挑》一折。石老师穿蓝衣，倜傥小生，一出场满台生辉，唱“【懒画眉】月明云淡露华浓，欹枕愁听四壁蛩。伤秋宋玉赋西风，落叶惊残梦。” 当时我就不知道自己姓什么了。

【朝元歌】你是个天生俊生，曾占风流性。看他无情有情，只见他笑脸儿来相问。我也心里聪明，（适才呵）把脸儿假狠，口儿里装做硬。我待要应承，这羞惭怎应他那一声。我见了他假惺惺，（嗳）别了他常挂心。看这些花荫月影，凄凄冷冷，照他孤零，照奴孤零！

一个叹青年无妻，一个扮寂寞广寒嫦娥...
（下面词有些出入）
（生）仙姑弹得好琴！（旦惊科）仙郎何处入帘栊，早是人惊恐。（生）小生得罪了！（旦）莫不是为听云水声寒一曲中。（生）小生孤枕无眠，步月闲吟。忽听花下琴声嘹呖，清响绝伦，不觉步入到此。（旦）小道亦见月明如洗，夜色新凉，故尔操开丝桐，少寄岑寂。欲乘此兴，请教一曲如何？（生）小生略知一二，弄斧班门，休笑休笑。（生弹科，吟曰）雉朝雊兮清霜，惨孤飞兮无双，念寡阴兮少阳，怨鳏居兮旁徨。（旦）此曲乃《雉朝飞》也。君方盛年，何故弹此无妻之曲？（生）小生实未有妻。（旦）也不干我事。（生）敢请仙姑，面教一曲。（旦）既听佳音，以清俗耳。何必初学，又乱芳声。（生）休得太谦。（旦）汗耳、汗耳。（作弹科，吟曰）烟淡淡兮轻云，香霭霭兮桂阴，喜长宵兮孤冷，抱玉琴兮自温。（生）此《广寒游》也。正是仙姑所弹。争奈终朝孤冷，难消遣些儿。

昆曲《百花记· 赠剑》Kun Opera: The Princess Floret

2008-06-16T01:30:00.000-07:00

This is so flirty. Love it!

About the play:
http://www.china-fun.net/kunqu/Jumu/20061002/031324.shtml

百花公主：浙昆名旦张志红

海俊：温宇航

勃拉姆斯《德意志安魂曲》 Brahms, Ein deutsches Requiem

2008-05-20T22:37:00.000-07:00

5月20日晚在卡耐基音乐厅听勃拉姆斯的安魂曲 (http://www.oratoriosocietyofny.org/scheduleMay.html)。在这个充满悲伤与心痛的五月，纯净而充满期盼与力量的合唱是最适时的抚慰。

《德意志安魂曲》的唱词来自于路德派德语《圣经》，切入点不是死亡的震颤和地狱的恐怖，而是对永生的期盼和对生命价值的肯定。作品虽然题名安魂曲，但歌唱的着力之处并不在于往生者而在于慰藉哀悼中的生者。合唱的第一句直译来就是“悼念的人有福了，因为他们会得到安慰。” 合唱的最后一句回到逝者身上：往生者有福了，他们得以从劳苦中安息...

以下是德语、英语和中文的对照本。英文来自詹姆士王版本英文圣经。
第一乐章
Selig sind, die da Leid tragen, denn sie sollen getröstet werden.
(Math. 5, 4.)

Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.
(Matthew 5:4)
哀恸的人有福了,因为他们必得安慰。[马太福音5：4]

Die mit Tränen säen, werden mit Freuden ernten.
Sie gehen hin und weinen und tragen edlen Samen, und kommen mit Freuden und bringen ihre Garben.
(Ps. 126, 5.6.)

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
(Psalm 126:5,6)
流泪撒种的，必欢呼收割。那带种流泪出去的，必要欢欢乐乐的带禾捆回来。[诗篇126：5,6]

第二乐章
（先是德语，然后是英中文对照。）
Denn alles Fleisch ist wie Gras und alle Herrlichkeit des Menschen wie des Grases Blumen. Das Gras ist verdorret und die Blume abgefallen.
(Petri 1, 24.)

So seid nun geduldig, lieben Brüder, bis auf die Zukunft des Herrn. Siehe, ein Ackermann wartet auf die köstliche Frucht der Erde und is geduldig darüber, bis er empfahe den Morgenregen und Abendregen.
(Jacobi 5, 7.)

Aber des Herrn Wort bleibet in Ewigkeit.
(Petri 1, 25.)

Die Erlöseten des Herrn werden wieder kommen, und gen Zion kommen mit Jauchzen; ewige Freude wird über ihrem Haupte sein; Freude und Wonne werden sie ergreifen und Schmerz und Seufzen wird weg müssen.
(Jessias 35, 10.)

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away.
(1 Peter 1:24)
因为“凡有血气的，尽都如草，他的美荣，都像草上的花。草必枯干，花必凋谢。”[彼得前书 1：24]
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandmen waiteh for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
(James 5:7)
弟兄们哪，你们要忍耐，直到主来。看哪，农夫忍耐等候地里宝贝的出产，直到得了秋雨春雨。你们也当忍耐，坚固你们的心，因为主来的日子近了。[雅各书 5：7,8]
But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.
(1 Peter 1:25)
“惟有主的道是永存的。”所传给你们的福音就是这道。[彼得前书 1：25]
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
(Isaiah 35:10)
并且耶和华救赎的民必归回，歌唱来到锡安，永乐必归到他们头上，他们必得着欢喜快乐，忧愁叹息都逃避。[以赛亚书35：10]

第三乐章
（这是我最喜欢的乐章。男中音和合唱团以无比美丽的声音唱出希望。）
Herr, lehre doch mich, daß ein Ende mit mir haben muß, und mein Leben ein Ziel hat, und ich davon muß.
Siehe, meine Tage sind einer Hand breit vor dir, und mein Leben ist wie nichts vor dir.
Ach, wie gar nichts sind alle Menschen, die doch so sicher leben. Sie gehen daher wie ein Schemen, und machen ihnen viel vergebliche Unruhe; sie sammeln und wissen nicht wer es kriegen vird. Nun Herr, wess soll ich mich trösten? Ich hoffe auf dich.
(Ps.39, 5.6.7.8.)

Der Gerechten Seelen sind in Gottes Hand und keine Qual rühret sie an.
(Weish.Sal.3, 1.)

Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.
Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee....
Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
(Psalm 39:4-7)
耶和华啊，求你叫我晓得我身之终，我的寿数几何，叫我知道我的生命不长。你使我的年日，窄如手掌，我一生的年数，在你面前，如同无有，各人最穏妥的时候，真是全然虚幻。世人行动全係幻影，他们忙乱，真是枉然，集蓄财宝不知将来有谁收取。主啊，如今我等什么呢，我的指望在乎你。[诗篇 39：4,5,6,7]
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them.
(Wisdom of Solomon 3:1)
然而公义的灵魂乃是由上帝掌握，并再不会有悲伤，痛苦袭来。[选自旧希腊文圣经：所罗门智慧书 3：1]

第四乐章
Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen, Herr Zebaoth! Meine seele verlanget und sehnet sich nach den Vorhöfen des Herrn; mein Leib und Seele freuen sich in dem lebendigen Gott. Wohl denen, die in deinem Hause wohnen, die loben dich immerdar.
(Ps.84, 2.3.5.)

How amiable are they tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee.
(Psalm 84:1,2,4)
万军之耶和华啊，你的居所何等可爱。我羡慕渴想耶和华的院宇，我的心肠，我的肉体，向永生神呼吁。[诗篇 84：1,2,4]

第五乐章
Ihr habt nun Traurigkeit; aber ich will euch wieder sehen und euer Herz soll sich freuen und eure Freude soll neimand von euch nehmen.
(Ev. Joh. 16, 22.)

Sehet mich an: Ich habe eine kleine Zeit Mühe und Arbeit gehabt und habe großen Trost funden.
(Sirach 51, 35.)

Ich will euch trösten, wie Einen seine Mutter tröstet.
(Jes. 66, 13.)
V
And ye now therefore have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
(John 16:22)
你们现在也是忧愁，但我要再见你们，你们的心就喜乐了，这喜乐也没有人能夺去。[约翰福音 16：22]
Ye see how for a little while I labor and toil, yet have I found much rest.
(Ecclesiasticus 51:27)
仰望我：苦痛只是短时的；劳苦归我；而且我已找到最后的安慰。[选自古希伯来文西来亚本圣经：传道书51：35]
As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you....
(Isaiah 66:13)
母亲怎样安慰儿子，我就照样安慰你们，你们也必因耶路撒冷得安慰。[以赛亚书 66：13]

第六乐章
Denn wir haben hie keine bleibende Statt, sondern die zukünftige suchen wir.
(Ebr. 13, 14.)

Siehe, ich sage euch ein Geheimnis: Wir werden nicht alle entschlafen, wir werden aber alle verwandelt werden; und dasselbige plötzlich, in einem Augenblick, zu der Zeit der letzten Posaune. Denn es wird die Posaune schallen, und die Toten wervandelt werden. Dann wird erfüllet werden das Wort, das geschrieben steht: Der Tod is verschlungen in den Sieg. Tod, wo ist dein Stachel? Hölle, wo ist dein Sieg?
(1. Korinther 15, 51-55.)

Herr, du bist Würdig zu nehmen Preis und Ehre und Kraft, denn du hast alle Dinge geschaffen, und durch deinen Willen haben, sie das Wesen und sind geschaffen.
(Off. Joh. 4, 11.)

For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
(Hebrews 13:14)
我们在这里本没有常存的城，乃是寻求那将来的城。[希伯来书 13：14]
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
...then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is they sting? O grave, where is they victory?
(1 Corinthians 15:51,52,54,55)
我如今把一件奥秘的事告诉你们，我们不是都要睡觉，乃是都要改变，就在一霎时，眨眼之间，号筒末次吹响的时候，因号筒要响，死人要复活成为不朽坏的，我们也要改变。这必朽坏的，总要变成不朽坏的，这必死的，总要变成不死的。这必朽坏的既变成不朽坏的，这必死的既变成不死的，那时经上所记，死被得胜吞灭的话就应验了。死啊，你得胜的权势在哪里？死啊，你的毒钩在哪里？[哥林多前书 15：51,52,54,55]
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
(Revelation 4:11)
我们的主啊，我们的神，你是配得荣耀尊贵权柄的，因为你创造了万物，并且万物是因你的旨意被创造而有的。[启示录 4：11]

第七乐章
Selig sind die Toten, die in dem Herrn sterben, von nun an. Ja, der Geist spricht, daß sie ruhen von ihrer Arbeit; denn ihre Werke folgen ihnen nach.
(Off. Joh. 14, 13.)

...Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
(Revelation 14:13)
我听见从天上有声音说，你要写下，从今以后，在主里面而死的人有福了。圣灵说，是的，他们息了自己的劳苦，作工的果效也随着他们。[启示录 14：13]

中国地震 China Earthquake

2008-05-17T22:20:00.000-07:00

As a mother, my heart aches so much every time I see images of perished, injured, orphaned, or hungry children. Amy has now learned how lucky she is... She also donated all the $23 she has saved.

pax cum omnibus.

天天看新闻，心痛不已。自己帮不上忙，只能捐款。祈望家国兴旺、世界平安。

香港作的专辑：A special series by Hong Kong media

哈德逊河畔的纽约

2008-03-06T02:29:00.000-08:00

Cai Guoqiang's exhibition at Guggenheim

2008-03-06T02:08:00.000-08:00

蔡国强作品展
March 2nd, 2008 (Crowded, and long queues...)

It seems to me that Cai's artistic inspiration is deeply rooted in post-1949 Chinese culture(s). The "Rent Collection Courtyard" is so powerful in presenting social tensions, human sufferings, and all the unfairness in human conditions that I was virtually moved to tears. Although the artistic creation of these clay statues did not originate from Cai, I am grateful that he stroke such positive note in introducing the so-called "propaganda art." In using his Chinese-ness to market himself to Western donors and audience, Cai seems to have managed to retain some integrity in terms of what he wanted to communicate. (Maybe I'm wrong on this. Maybe the selling point of this piece simply lies in a historical exoticism not commonly present in modern art in the West.)

It's also truly amazing to see so many utterly familiar, everyday idioms such as 草船借箭 (and perhaps 虎死不倒威) presented in very Guggenheimlische ways. To me, what this exhibition brings out are the explosive power, the propensity to extravaganza, and the contrast between expansive and restrictive forces that are innate in the Chinese culture, or perhaps in human nature in general.

My favorite picks are the "Rent Collection Courtyard," the 99 galloping wolves crashing against the wall, and the fire-works (videotaped). I'm not a huge fan of the paintings created with gun-power explosions, though the idea of the artistic taming/use of gun-power, which is now commonly associated with destructive force, quite appeals to me. I'm sold on this symbolic aspect, rather than the products.

Although the exhibition is rallied under Cai Guoqiang's name, all the exhibited pieces are apparently results of huge collective endeavors. On of the boats on exhibit was excavated by villagers of a Japanese village, who were persuaded by Cai to take up the project. Cai impresses me as a lobbyist, an entrepreneur, a man of idea, and an international trader who successfully banked on both his Chinese "debt" and baggage since he started flying the friendly and unfriendly skies worldwide in 1986.

Amy had fun floating on a yak raft on a man-made curvy stream.

No photography is allowed. So we didn't take any pictures:)
The website:
http://www.guggenheim.org/exhibitions/exhibition_pages/cai.html

粤曲《打金枝》李龙（生）苏春梅（旦）

2008-02-06T00:07:00.000-08:00

旦: 帝女尊贵实无价今夜伺堪遭责骂　
生: 不该恃骄恃傲帝女花不守家规你礼貌有错差　屈膝遵礼要华堂奉茗茶　　
旦: 要金枝叩倒实在笑话　
生:哦你尊姑敬翁都未笑话　
旦: 凤凰玉女那堪拜倒在你家　　
生:堂上礼未许作罢你分明嚣张有心应该责骂　
旦: 傻驸马乱讲兼乱骂我难作罢　要我跪拜听你话君臣岂容淆混胡乱判高下　帝女傲气惊宇宙岂有跪拜贬身价　　
生: 你纵是龙苗凤裔已为臣民嫁　　
旦:玉女来仪凤驾你至纳福为驸马咋　你重胡言乱吐都令我咬碎银牙　　
生: 既是莲并蒂共订佳话媳妇下跪叩翁姑何算得是笑话名份系你在下你是我枕边人　又焉能为君臣名义把常礼罢　　旦: 贵贱要分明岂有玉叶拜臣下金枝玉拜臣下　　
生: 你肆无礼规都惹人骂　　
旦:尊卑不配堂前奉茗茶　　
生: 你既是帝女尊荣有身价咁为甚要婚嫁　嫁与呀匹夫似寒鸦　　
旦: 你语语相迫我气怎下我不是民间女我不说民间话　
生: 你入得我门便成我家下岂到你乱说根芽说甚君臣　
旦: 君臣名份难搁下你是我国中臣不过得月里天仙嫁　贵贱悬殊辱没了声价怎让云掩月光华　　
(歌词转自音魁网 www.inkui.com）

[白话般的唱词，倒也可爱。苏春梅和李龙的搭档堪称完美。这一段百听不厌。目前的粤剧旦角里面苏春梅扮相嗓音台风都拔尖的很。高音清亮，气息自如。]

埃及的纸草文书 Papyri

2008-02-01T16:19:00.000-08:00

阅读纸草, 书写历史 = Reading papyri, writing ancient history /
Yue du zhi cao, shu xie li shi = Reading papyri, writing ancient history
by (美) 罗杰·巴格诺尔著; 宋立宏, 郑阳译. Roger S Bagnall; Lihong Song; Yang Zheng

Book
Language: Chinese
Publisher: 上海三联书店, Shanghai : Shanghai san liang shu dian, 2007.
ISBN: 9787542624949 7542624946
OCLC: 166244937

Source: worldcat

有空再多写，方家评述请见
http://www.cawhi.com/show.aspx?id=2695&cid=7

色空的咏叹 - 昆曲《思凡》

2008-01-21T01:33:00.000-08:00

《思凡》一折有大段唱腔和水袖身段，一个旦角独自撑场半个多小时，要保持体力和气息，又要不忘词，实属不易，所以历来有女怕《思凡》的说法。单听《思凡》，正显得昆曲风月无边。个人最喜欢“一个儿眼倦开，朦胧的觑看我”一句。要是放在全本《孽海记》中就没那么有趣了，无非是讲些因果报应，动了凡心的和尚尼姑来世遭罚云云。

早先听过上海昆剧院倪泓的全本,妩媚娇俏，把思春的二八小尼姑唱得很是传神。不过没找到录像。下面是youtube上郭晓庄女士10多年前的录像，很是大方。

This piece of Chinese opera (kunqu) features a bored Buddist nun, who eventually flees from the mountain where her temple is to return to the secular life. In the long but rather pleasing chant, she first laments her parents decision to give her up to the temple, and then gets stirred up by erotic desires. While taking a walk in the gallery space where the 18 Lohans (Arhats)are displayed, she feels that they are flirting with her. No longer able to bear the loneliness and the torture of desires, she tears up her Buddist outfit, and decides to leave the temple once for all. The nun's name is Se Kong, which means "devoid of sexual desires". Ha, how ironic!

（色空上。）
色空（诵子）昔日有个目莲僧，救母亲临地狱门。

借问灵山多少路，有十万八千有余零。
（白）南无阿弥陀佛！

（念）削发为尼实可怜，禅灯一盏伴奴眠。

光阴易过催人老，辜负青春美少年。
（白）小尼，赵氏，法名色空。自幼在仙桃庵出家，终日烧香念佛；到晚来，孤枕独眠，好不凄凉人也。
（山坡羊牌）小尼姑年方二八，
正青春，被师傅削了头发。
每日里，在佛殿上烧香换水，
见几个子弟游戏在山门下。

他把眼儿瞧着咱，

咱把眼儿觑着他。

他与咱，咱共他，

两下里多牵挂。

冤家，怎能够成就了姻缘，

死在阎王殿前由他。

把那碾来舂，锯来解，把磨来挨，

放在油锅里去炸，啊呀，由他！

则见那活人受罪，

哪曾见死鬼带枷？

啊呀，由他，

火烧眉毛且顾眼下。

（白）想我在此出家，非干别人之事吓！
（采茶歌牌）只因俺父好看经，俺娘亲爱念佛，
暮祷朝参，每日里在佛殿上烧香供佛。
生下我来疾病多，
因此上，把奴家舍入在空门为尼寄活。
与人家追荐亡灵，不住口的念着弥陀，
只听得钟声法号，不住手的击磬摇铃擂鼓吹螺，
平白地与那地府阴司做工课。
《多心经》，都念过；《孔雀经》，参不破，
惟有《莲经》七卷，是最难学，咱师傅在眠里梦里都叫过。
念几声南无佛，哆咀哆，萨嘛呵的般若波罗，
念几声南无佛，恨一声媒婆，娑婆呵，嗳！叫，叫一声，没奈何！
念几声哆嘴哆，怎知我感叹还多。
（白）越思越想，反添愁闷。不免到那回廊下，散步一回，多少是好。
（采茶歌牌）绕回廊散闷则个，绕回廊散闷则个！

（白）你看两旁的罗汉，塑得来好庄严也。
（哭皇天牌）又只见那两旁罗汉，塑得来有些傻角。
一个儿抱膝舒怀，口儿里念着我。
一个儿手托香腮，心儿里想着我。
一个儿眼倦开，朦胧的觑看我。
惟有布袋罗汉笑呵呵，他笑我时儿错，光阴过。
有谁人，有谁人肯娶我这年老婆婆？
降龙的，恼着我，
伏虎的，恨着我。
那长眉大仙愁着我，
说我老来时有什么结果！
（香雪灯牌）佛前灯，做不得洞房花烛。
香积厨，做不得玳筵东阁。
钟鼓楼，做不得望夫台。
草蒲团，做不得芙蓉，芙蓉软褥。
奴本是女娇娥，又不是男儿汉。
为何腰盘黄绦，身穿直缀？
见人家夫妻们，一对对着锦穿罗，
啊呀天吓！不由人心热如火，不由人心热如火！

（白）今日师父师兄，多不在庵。不免逃下山去，倘有姻缘，亦未可知。有理吓，有理！
（风吹荷叶煞牌）奴把袈裟扯破，
埋了藏经，弃了木鱼，丢了铙钹。
学不得罗刹女去降魔，
学不得南海水月观音座。
夜深沉，独自卧，
起来时，独自坐。
有谁人，孤凄似我？
似这等，削发缘何？
恨只恨，说谎的僧和俗，
哪里有天下园林树木佛？
哪里有枝枝叶叶光明佛？
哪里有江湖两岸流沙佛？
哪里有八千四万弥陀佛？
从今去把钟鼓楼佛殿远离却，
下山去寻一个少哥哥，
凭他打我，骂我，说我，笑我，
一心不愿成佛，不念弥陀般若波罗！
（白）好了，被我逃下山来了！
（尾声）但愿生下一个小孩儿，
却不道是快活煞了我！
（色空下。）

严凤英 Master of Huangmei Opera

2008-01-10T00:37:00.000-08:00

严凤英版女驸马

一个精灵般的艺人，游走于戏梦人生间。英年早逝，可惜了。

小时候，千辛万苦搞来一盘《天仙配》磁带，翻来覆去，覆去翻来，听到磁带完全无用。段段会唱，句句记忆犹新，还在学校联欢会上唱过《路遇》
“上无片瓦不怪你，
下无寸土自己情愿的”
喜欢极了七仙女的洒脱。

依我看，严凤英的表现张力最集中的体现在下一段：

“来年春暖花开日,槐荫树下把子交,
　　　　不怕你天规重重活拆散,
　　　　天上人间心一条！”

这一段唱得真是痛彻心肺，感天泣地，想起来都心酸呢，后来都不大敢听了。

汉译拉丁警句 Chinese translation of Latin mottos.

2008-01-07T07:53:00.000-08:00

Dum spiro, spero.生命不息，希望不止。
Dux vitae ratio. 理性领导人生。（直译：理性是人生/生命的领导.)
Sapiens qui prospicit.智者前瞻. (直译: 向前看的人是明智的.)
Audio sed taceo.听而不言。
Aliena nobis, nostra plus aliis placent 他乡月更圆，或者人家的饭更香，等等（直译：我们更喜欢别人的东西，别人更喜欢我们的东西。）
Alter ipse amicus 知音如己（直译：朋友是另一个自己。）
Altissima quaeque flumina minimo sono labi 深藏不露或者深水无声（直译：最深的河，流动时发出最小的声音。这里labi是个不定式，因为这句话是引文indirect statement。minimo sono是第五格。）
Magister artis ingeniique largitor venter (直译：venter est magister artis et largitor ingenii，最直白的意思是肚子，这里指最基本的生活要求，或为稻粱谋，是艺术的老师，和天才的赋予者。）
corruptissima re publica plurimae leges (Tacitus, Annals 3. 27)
腐政多律（直译：政府最腐败的时候法律最多。）
Ignis aurum probat, misera fortes viros.火练真金，逆境出真英雄。
Calamitas virtutis occasio est.患难见德行（直译：灾难是美德的机会。）
Videre est credere 眼见为实
Vincit qui se vincit 胜己者胜（战胜自己的人赢）
Vive vt vivas 活着就是为了活着
Militat omnis amans, et habet sua castra Cupido 恋人如兵士，爱神自有营(这是罗马诗人奥维德 Ovid《情诗》Amores I.9的开篇名句；直译：所有的恋人都战斗，丘比特有他自己的军营。这是讲情色的诗，但用的都是军事语言。）
carpe diem 把握每一天
Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori 为国而亡光荣
aurea mediocritas 黄金中庸
Verba volant scripta manent 口述无凭，文字为据。（字面上的意思：说的话转瞬即逝；而写下的文字固留。）
Sed hoc primum sentio, nisi in bonis amicitiam esse non posse. （西塞罗曰）我觉得友谊只可能存在于君子之间。【这个Boni其实不太好翻译。字面意思是“好人。” 但是在西塞罗那个年代的罗马政治文化下，boni其实有特定的含义，指显贵，但有时又限于显贵中的贵族派（optimates）。总之，boni不仅仅指人品也强调社会地位和家庭出身，甚至政治观点。】
Nihil simul inventum est et perfectum. 没有任何一样东西一经产生就是完美的。
Veritas nihil veretur nisi abscondi 真相只怕被隐瞒。（字面翻译：真相什么也不怕，只怕被隐瞒。）
Dum loquor, hora fugit. (罗马诗人Ovid奥维德）说话间，时光飞逝。
Semel emissum volat irreparabile verbum. （罗马诗人贺拉斯Horace）话一经出口便覆水难收。

(自娱自乐的翻译.欢迎引用转载,但请注明出处.)

Happy New Year!

2007-12-29T14:53:00.000-08:00

Make a postcard - it's easy!

林肯中心版牡丹亭

2007-12-28T16:08:00.000-08:00

这两天一边写字，一边看1999年林肯中心陈版牡丹亭。是送给自己的新年礼物。当年演出的时候，自己虽然在纽约，但是既没时间也没太多的余钱去看这个加长版。慕名已久，现在只能看DVD。
对于陈导的创意和众人的合作，我是尊敬的。但是，也许我对昆曲以及牡丹亭有太多先入为主的印象，这个版本总的感觉的是南橘北枳，中国民间艺术大杂烩,单单缺了昆剧的幽香.

杜丽娘的形象怎么看像疯癫的怨妇, 经常像是<烂柯山>中的崔氏,那个怀春少女大家闺秀呢?

服饰上，色彩太浓重（bold)，经常有大紫,明黄那样的亮色,缺了淡雅. (其实明黄本身不是问题,<长生殿>等宫廷戏中就得用,但是放在<牡丹亭>中有些突兀.)

舞蹈动作太癫狂.昆剧中上等的舞蹈应当是流动飘逸,风情万种,旖旎无边。（胡锦芳和石小妹的《桃花扇》中有一折十分钟我的意）.

生和旦的念白和唱腔, 缺了缱绻. 倒是觉得白先勇的青春版还比较有意境. 特别喜欢张继青老师唱出来的杜丽娘. 也看过一个梅兰芳的版本,梅虽然是京剧大师,昆曲的造诣很是不容忽视呢.
（现在忙，过一阵子再补足。）

配乐配器也有些问题，是我的耳朵有问题，还是有太多京剧和粤曲的因素在里面，还有川剧？

还有那个英文解说,为什么他总是说Liao梦梅而不是柳(liu)梦梅.

观众好像很多。外国人看到了什么？见纽约时报的评论
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E5DE143CF93AA35754C0A96F958260

Amy's drawing Amy的画

2007-12-19T19:09:00.000-08:00

快乐的小姑娘

Amy's Poetry Amy开始写诗了

2007-12-04T16:55:00.000-08:00

Trees (April, 2010)

Trees everywhere,
Swaying your branches,
Oh so high, making me
Dizzt at every goodbye

Summer 夏天 (12/4/2007)

Summer's thee is to be.
From the fluttering butterfly to the stinging bee,
Let them roam free into the tree.
Flowers blooming is so grooming.
Their colors blind me from behind.

(Amy wrote this poem for her homework today).

Another poem另一首诗 posted on New York Public School "PSpoem" website
"I Wonder," Amy Gong, Second Grade, PS 173M
I wonder the wonders of the the world
From the Great Wall
to the Taj Mahal
Wondering on their majesty
all that I see.
I wonder about the animals
in the jungles
as well as the animals in the sea.
All the wonders I wonder!
Walking around the world
I ponder
what the world would be like
if there's nothing to see?

罗马起源的传说

2007-12-02T19:30:00.000-08:00

右图：Musei Capitolini，摄于2006年夏。孪生兄弟是后加的。

灯柱上的狼头和鹰：现在罗马城里还是到处有狼和鹰的“影子“。

在罗马人自己的叙述中，罗马城的起源可追溯到特洛伊战争的最后一年。特洛伊城中了木马计之后，遭到屠城和焚城的命运。在一片大火中，特洛伊英雄之一半人半神的Aeneas肩背老父，手拉幼子逃离灾难。Aeneas在地中海漂零多时之后来到意大利，娶了拉丁姆地区国王的女儿Lavinia为妻，并在该地区建新城Lavinium。Aeneas的儿子又在附近建新城Alba Longa。经过多代之后，Alba Longa城里发生内变。王弟Amulius觊觎王位，废黜王兄Numitor，并将侄女Rhea Silvia任为维斯塔贞女，以断这一支的后嗣。然而，Silvia蒙战神马斯临幸，怀孕并诞下孪生兄弟。Amulius得知后命将孪生婴儿处死，奉命执行命令的人将婴儿丢弃在正处于泛滥期的台伯河岸边。有母狼经过，不但未伤害婴儿，反而哺乳他们。后来，孪生兄弟被一牧人发现并抚育成人。兄长取名为罗慕路斯(Romulus)，弟弟名为Remus。因一起偶然的事件，兄弟得以与祖父Numitor相见，身份得以揭示。他们合力去除Amulius之后，Numitor得以复位。兄弟俩决定在他们获救的帕拉丁山脚建立新城。然而，兄弟在选址等问题上起了争执，各占一地观看天象预兆以做决断。罗慕路斯见到12只鹰而Remus只看到6只。罗慕路斯因此成为罗马城的建城者并为罗马城划定城界。接下来的变化颇具戏剧性，Remus嘲讽性地跳过城界，被视为凶兆，而Remus被罗慕路斯当场击杀。（而史载西罗马帝国的最后一位皇帝也是罗慕路斯，奥古斯都路斯，既小皇帝之意。传说中罗慕路斯在和其孪生兄弟罗姆斯等待天降预兆时，看到12只鹰飞过。而罗马城从建城起到最后一位皇帝被黜，恰好12个世纪。）

卢浮宫的罗马文物 Roman Antiquities at Louvre

2007-11-26T15:39:00.000-08:00

卢浮宫的罗马文物在印第安纳展出

待续

古代地中海地图 Tabula Peutingeriana

2007-11-26T13:30:00.000-08:00

在维也纳展览

分段图（Numismatic Gallery）

手稿分段图

互动图（高清）

The Tabula Peutingeriana现藏于奥地利国家图书馆，可算镇管之宝，已入选联合国的世界文化遗产清单Unesco's Memory of the World Register。其名得自早前的收藏者,德国文艺复兴时期的人文主义者Konrad Peutinger.

这个长达7米的羊皮卷手稿来自中世纪，但学者普遍认为是罗马时代地图的复本。理由很简单，主要因为这个地图的中心是罗马。罗马城被明确圈出，人格化的城市带着王冠，凸现其地中海中心地位。周围伸展出多条道路，代表条条大路通罗马。地图上还显示了罗马军事重城Aquileia, 这个城市在公元452年被蛮族摧毁.

这个地图和现代地图有很大的不同。地图很长但是很窄，只有34 厘米宽。地中海被压挤成长长的一条，要不是有文字标注，一下子根本看不出就是地中海。所有的地区都被拉长,压扁. 地区与地区之间的相对位置并不总是准确.图上的红线代表主要的道路，路上有标志标出驿站等等。图上有些建筑还有大的庭院，代表比较豪华的寓所。而中世纪的地图不会显示这些，而会强调教堂等基督教建筑。

至于这幅地图的功能，学者历来有不同意见。一些学者认为这个地图完全没有实用价值，要不就是满足主人的好古的情趣, 要不就是副艺术作品, 或是反映帝国的意识形态(ideology)；另有学者包括奥地利国家博物馆善本的主任认为这个地图是供罗马帝国的行政官员、信使等使用的。

如果有兴趣花时间仔细看的话,倒是一幅饶有趣味的地图.这个互动图（高清）帮助不小:

http://www.euratlas.net/cartogra/peutinger/inde

刘津瑜编译转载请注明出处

罗马共和国演义 Roman Republican History

2007-11-25T23:46:00.000-08:00

看到一篇精妙演义

写得生动，到处被转载，现是在这里看到(http://www.hanhuncn.com/Html/Lssj/20060623215125348.html)，考古了半天，好不容易找到源头。

没提到的八卦：
据普鲁塔克（Plutarch）马略传载，有一次马略腿上生了大疮，得做手术。这个马略了不得，别人做这种手术都得绑起来，马略不要，伸出腿，就任医生这么割呀切呀，一声不吭，面不改色。绝对赶得上关公的刮骨疗伤。不过，马略还挺实在，医生跟他说再开另一条腿时，马略不答应，甩了一句“我看不值受这些痛来治这些个伤。“
在我看来，马略（Marius)无论在性情上还是本事上都和关公有一拼，只不过马略没有主公或结义的兄弟罢了（盟友换了几茬，也都是无法无天崇尚暴力之徒。这也难怪，共和晚期，有几人是不沾暴力的？那时的公民大会可热闹了，武斗不过是家常便饭。）

母狼和罗马建城者：帕拉丁山的新发现

2007-11-24T16:47:00.000-08:00

母狼和罗马建城者：帕拉丁山的新发现
刘津瑜编译

2007年11月20日，意大利文化部发布一项考古“新发现”，并附有一组洞穴的图片。有考古学家相信这个深洞就是传说中母狼哺育罗慕路斯和罗姆斯兄弟的地点，也就是罗马人祭奉罗马建城者的圣地（Lupercale/Lupercal）。这个洞穴高7.1米，直径6.5米，发现于罗马第一个皇帝奥古斯都在帕拉丁山上的宫殿废墟之下。照片显示洞穴内部顶端呈穹顶形，拱形的中部画着一只白色的鹰，而鹰正是罗马帝国的象征。洞穴内有保存良好的彩色马赛克和贝壳装饰。意大利文化部长Francesco Rutelli在罗马的新闻发布会上称 "我们有理由认为这个洞穴就是见证罗马神话的地点。”

圣地Lupercal的名字来源于“wolf”（lupa）。每年2月15的牧人节（Lupercalia）也和罗慕路斯兄弟的身世和建城神话联系在一起，罗马人自己的说法是牧人节的庆祝地点lupercal就是母狼孕育两兄弟的地点。牧人节的传统一直延续到公元494年，也就是基督教成为罗马帝国国教之后的一个世纪。

这个地点是一批为罗马城文化遗产部门（Department of Cultural Heritage of the Rome Municipality）工作的考古学家在修复奥古斯都宫殿时偶然发现的。2007年1月就曾由帕拉丁山和附近的广场考古项目的负责人Irene Iacopi报道过。Irene Iacopi采取比较谨慎的措辞和态度，并没有确认洞穴就是lupercal。意大利最享有声誉的考古学家Andrea Carandini一直坚信有关罗马早期历史的神话有可能具有历史真实性，这一发现让Carandini十分兴奋。他认为“这是有史以来最重要的发现之一。”“这个圣地在奥古斯都的寓所之下很有意义，因为奥古斯都重建了罗马，在某种程度上他自己也是一个罗慕路斯，并且在同样的地点重建了罗马。” Irene Iacopi同样认为“这个圣地（Lupercal）在奥古斯都的政策中占有重要地位。他自视为新罗慕路斯。”

意大利考古学界对这个发现反响强烈。几天来，众多学者在媒体上亮相讨论这个“新发现”。但是这个发现的确定性在也并非毫无争议。迄今为止，还没有人进入过洞穴。一切结论得自于高科技拍摄到的图片。Iacopi称很快要进行新的挖掘以发现这个洞穴原先的入口。有考古学家指出进一步发掘的障碍，由于洞穴的位置在帕拉丁山的底部，山上有众多的罗马遗址，有不少都不是很稳固。而且洞穴本身在阿波罗神庙和圣阿娜斯塔斯亚教堂之间，进一步的发掘可能会对其他古代遗迹造成破坏。

虽然官方态度乐观，但现在就对洞穴的功能下定义似乎为时过早。

英文及其他语言的报告和图片，可参见以下链接：
MARTIN G. CONDE (2007), II. ROME - ARCHAEOLOGICAL NEWS: Palatino:
il Lupercale, Lupa e Romolo e Remo, ecc. / Palatine Hill: Sanctuary
of Rome's 'Founder' Revealed. (20.11.2007). = NEWS REPORTS, MIBAC
CONFERENCE FOTOS (MAPS, PLANS, DIAGRAMS), ETC.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/imperial_fora_of_rome/sets/72157603251450933/detail/

Martin G Conde (2007). II. ROME - ARCHAEOLOGICAL NEWS: Palatino: il Lupercale, Lupa e Romolo e Remo, ecc. / Palatine Hill: Sanctuary of Rome's 'Founder' Revealed. (20.11.2007). RAPPORTO PRELIMINARE - ROMA - COLLE PALATINO (MIBAC/SAR 16.02.2006). =
http://www.flickr.com/photos/imperial_fora_of_rome/sets/72157603251450933/

Shedding light on the myth of Rome's birth
By Peter Kiefer, Tuesday, November 20, 2007.
Copyright © 2007 the International Herald Tribune All rights reserved.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/11/20/europe/rome.php?WT.mc_id=rssfrontpage

Sacred Cave of Rome's Founders Discovered, Archaeologis
Maria Cristina Valsecchi in Rome
for National Geographic News
January 26, 2007
UPDATE (NOVEMBER 20, 2007)
See a new photo of the cave's ornate interior.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/01/070126-rome-palatine.html

秋风起，木叶落

2007-10-31T13:37:00.000-07:00

空山新雨后，天气晚来秋。
　　唐·王维《山居秋暝》

10月中去Vermont看红叶，开车很久，还是看不到震撼的遍山绚烂，满是失望。
上图是Vermont的国家森林。往年这时，色彩的层次应该更深重些。假如看到那样山色，就好借用宋·杨万里《秋山》”只言山色秋萧索，绣出西湖三四峰“。

　　

Broadway Musical: Wicked 百老汇音乐剧

2007-10-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

"Defying Gravity": image from the show

星期四（09/27）和Amy一起去看Wicked。在比较新的Gershwin剧院，居然是满座。It was wittier and more visually opulent than we expected.

中秋 Mid-Autumn

2007-09-30T23:31:00.000-07:00

星期五凑热闹参加纽约大学和哥伦比亚合办的中秋晚会。美女如云啊！规格也不低。大使馆的头头脑脑和纽约大学VP一级人物颇来了几个捧场。人群熙熙攘攘，哥大人也来了一堆。节目很是专业呢！
我们一家扎在学生堆里感觉很奇特。80后的年轻MM闲话里问我哪个系的，做什么营生。回答间就感觉过去10年轻烟一般，没感觉地飘了。
Amy运气不错，抽奖拿了两个奥运福娃。（好几百号人呢。得奖的不过5个。）上台领奖看她还挺正常，下来说她在tremble.

源头难辨

2007-09-23T22:41:00.000-07:00

我所知道的世界是一个藤缠树，树缠藤，枝枝蔓蔓，剪不断，理还乱的世界。怎么解？有西西里为证. 先来了腓尼基人,希腊人,公元前3-2世纪,迦太基人(腓尼基人一支)和罗马人大战3次,败了,迦太基城最后也给平了. 夹在意大利和北非之间的西西里岛首当其冲的成了罗马人的战利品.其后几百年, 奥林匹斯诸神神庙多多.渐渐的,基督教地下墓穴多了起来,神庙也给改成了教堂.罗马帝国不济了后, 穆斯林的影响也到了. 西班牙王管了一阵. 罗马人的斗兽场成了采石场,石头拿去修了城墙.拿破仑也伸了手. 到19世纪下半叶,西西里成了推动意大利统一民族国家的动力车之一.可很快又成了**党的代名词. 世界上这样的多文化多种族强烈冲击下的地区不胜枚举.

再说艺术（fine art)。公元前4世纪时亚历山大大帝率马其顿大军东征，大碗喝酒，瞪着眼睛砍人，一路打到阿富汗（时称Bactria）。不多时，大帝酒喝多了，酒伤发了，年纪轻轻薨了，帝国分崩了。就是这短暂的接触，希腊语和希腊艺术还是渗入了Bactria。甚至那里的佛像也颇有希腊雕像之风。

日本史上的浮世绘戏看尘世，情趣无边，色彩斑斓。远漂重洋，就入了梵高一班人的法眼。从这些欧洲名手的画中可以看到浮世绘对色彩的戏弄。

再说戏剧。歌舞伎够日本吧。但是坂东玉三郎的《杨贵妃》源自梅兰芳，而梅兰芳的《贵妃醉酒》的渊源又在昆剧。人说梅兰芳是京剧大师，但其人昆乱不当,昆曲闺门旦唱得很是旖旎大方。粤剧很广东很香港么？是，又不是。就从曲牌来说，粤剧里用的曲子杂取各地百家。比如有名的“香夭”来自箫/笛曲“状台秋思”。“紫钗记”中的一个名段套用了琵琶筝曲“春江花月夜“ （我是很敬仰唐涤生的，不过这个曲牌全盘照搬到这一折中不太应景呢。）

再说男女。自古至今世，无论西方还是东方，女形男扮是为常态。个人以为从艺术的角度上有理。想来经典文学中的女性形象10个有9.9个是男人或意淫或同情或怜惜或愤怒的产物，源自于男人的想象和构造，于是这些纸上和舞台上的女人们就成了情绪的符号，而能最深曾重现这些想象和情绪的不是作为女人的女人，而是男人或抽取了“女人意识"的女人。"霸王别姬"和日本电影"娘道成寺.蛇炎之恋"都有对角色错乱的理论探讨,角度有不同,个人更欣赏"娘道成寺"的角度: 男旦角怎样来玩美诠释女人? 剧中富太郎选择忘记男身,训育女弟子忘记女身,把清姬演绎成飞翔的符号. 这样的男中有女,女中有男. 如果性别都可以这样交织错乱,还有什么是不可以的呢?

kabuki 歌舞伎

2007-09-22T21:08:00.000-07:00

坂東玉三郎(Bando Tamasaburo)果然是大师，动静传神，举手投足间不经意地流动或哀怨或无奈或窃喜或羞怯的情绪，如诗入画，精妙不可言。Tamasaburo is indeed a master of the art of Kabuki. His seemingly effortless body movements create a poetic image on stage. The exuberant costume and the picturesque dance provide luxurious visual carnival. At the same time, the emotion-rich music as well as the well-controlled facial expressions effectively convey all kinds of mood.

坂東玉三郎鷺娘变装 Simply fabulous.

歌舞伎剧目中充满了内心饱受煎熬的女性形象，“道成寺“中的清姬犹如希腊悲剧中的美狄亚（Medea)，激情如火，不容背叛。清姬焦急地追赶和尚安珍，在激情地驱使下失去人形，化为喷吐烈焰的大蛇，焚烧了隐藏在道成寺钟下的安珍。美狄亚在丈夫伊阿宋决定抛弃别娶之际，杀死两个幼子。在这些类似的作品中，女人是不理智的化身，被激情驱使，煎熬，毁灭。

姹紫嫣红开遍 stage images

2007-09-20T19:21:00.000-07:00

果然是如花美眷，不过更喜欢张继青的咬字，旖旎的折子还是吴音有韵味。

彩雲開，月明如水浸樓台

2007-09-20T14:04:00.000-07:00

06-16-2007 at St George church, Flushing, New York

《西廂記》"佳期" A Sweet Rendezvous-- a scene from The Western Chamber

彩雲開，月明如水浸樓台。
See how the iridescent clouds have opened,
And the moonlight, like cool water,
seeps into my chamber!

（小姐來了麼？呀啐！）
Is my beloved here at last?
Oh, how disappointing!

原來是風弄竹聲，只道是金佩响。
Why, it is only the flirtatious breeze teasing the bamboo trees!
And here I am, mistaking it for the tinkling of her trinkets.

月移花影，疑是玉人來。　
O how as the moon turns,
so turn the shadows of the blossoms,
Leading me to think my lovely damsel is come!

意孜孜双業眼。
急攘攘那情懷，倚定門兒待。　
Pray pity my eyes strained with eagerness,
And my heart twitching with anxiety.
But all I can do now is by the door wait.

只索要嚴打孩，青鸞黃犬信音乖。
Truly do I feel like a worthless laddie,
sentenced to this unbearable agony,
As no sign of angels seems forthcoming
to announce the coming of my darling lassie!

汪班翻译。translated by Ban Wang.
(posted by mydovegetwell)

movie

2007-09-20T01:14:00.000-07:00

Mr. Bean's Holiday is a brilliant movie. Saw it with Amy and a friend. The entire theater laughed hysterically.

Catullus 罗马诗人

2007-09-09T19:32:00.000-07:00

我偶尔在网上看到一个有拉丁文又有中文翻译的博客。我留了一个Catullus 85 的翻译

Odi et amo. quare id faciam, fortasse requiris.
nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior.

且爱且恨兮，

汝诘何以至此。

不可言表兮，

然感之受之,

寸心如煎。

Amy眼中的启蒙老师

2007-09-09T18:37:00.000-07:00

Amy每天涂鸦，最近画很多勤劳愉快的劳动人民。左图：
快乐的数学老师。

Oxford 匆匆牛津

2007-09-09T16:08:00.001-07:00

到希斯罗机场时是伦敦当地时间早上7：30。一下飞机感觉满眼的印度人，“大英帝国”的感觉一下子鲜活了起来。一下子来的国际航班很多，排队入关折腾了很久，维持秩序的都是印度人。排了2个小时的队，问话盖章不过半分钟。排队的时候刚好碰到从多伦多来的一个同行，他当年是牛津的博士，对此地交通甚为了了。出了机场后一起坐大巴去牛津市里，一路光顾聊天了，也没看到什么风景。本来大巴应该在我住的地方附近有一站，不巧当天有封路，所以没办法去了。只好下了车后在打的。司机也是印巴人。看着人在车子右边驾驶，路左边开车，有些不习惯。

盛名之下的牛津，生财的招数也是层出不穷。假期校舍出租，许多学院想要进去一览便要留下买路钱，又有各种大型国际会议。各个学院还出售无数种纪念品：校景、校史、校友，样样都可以拿来换英镑。这个会两年前就收了会费（80英镑），几个月前交了住宿费， 7天360磅（大约是760美元， 5500人民币）。单价不能算贵，但是和在美国开会的条件比起来就差不少。我的房间在会议指定住所之一的St. Edmund Hall（圣埃德蒙德学院），房间倒是不小，但是除了简单桌椅橱柜和一张很窄的单人床之外什么都没有了（自大学毕业以后还没睡过这么窄的小床呢），没有卫生间和淋浴，也没有空调、电视、吹风机。浴室在走廊的一头，颇不方便。在哥伦比亚时导师是牛津出身，曾经听他絮叨过下雨天打伞去另外一幢楼里卫生间的琐事，当时我不知道是出于何等心态觉得还挺浪漫，现在才体会到他果真是在抱怨。浴室没有窗户，天气又不冷，倒开着暖气，洗了一会儿，几被闷死。回房间想开窗来些对流，不过这窗是老旧的铁窗，涩得很，还有里外两道，开也难关也难。又没有纱窗，开了一小会儿，招来几只飞虫，赶也赶不走。人都说我们印地安纳是乡下，跟这里比起来倒成了摩登世界了。更大的问题是噪音，我的房间面临最繁忙的High Street。各色车辆川流不息，喧嚣繁杂，犹如置身飞机场。好在第一天来我比较疲倦，所以睡眠也没受什么影响。

第一天下午自己款待自己去The Rose吃了顿饭。（从来不对英国的烹调抱什么期望，但是这几天来发现这里无论小吃还是正餐，口味都好得很。和欧洲其他国家一样，面包做得远胜美国。）饭后去步行街逛街。各色人等，摩肩接踵。买了一个插座转换头，竟然花去9个英镑；一瓶水，1镑（在家里可以买一扎了）。这两天的最大感慨莫过于此：英国物价本来就高，再加上当下美元不济，英镑花起来流水似的，挡都挡不住。好在后面的早餐中餐是免费集体就餐。

会议日程安排得很密集，我是好学生，要在会上听，所以做观光客的时间并不多。空闲时间去了Ashmoleum博物馆，正在整修，东西很不齐整，但是宝贝很多。带我们去的是古典部的主管，才从大英博物馆应聘到这里，曾经写过关于两本关于“埃及艳后”克娄巴特拉七世的专著。另外我专门去了Magdalen学院和牛津的大教堂。Madgdalen学院历史上出过7位诺贝尔奖得主。最早的一位是Charles Sherrington爵士（医学， 1932），最近的是Seamus Heaney（文学，1995）。学院的合唱团十分之有名，五月庆典的时候会在高高的塔楼上唱拉丁语圣歌。可惜我没有听到歌声。学院的教堂是一景。里面有一幅部15世纪时达芬奇“最后的晚餐”的复制品。学院不临街的一边是一条小河，有玲珑小桥连接学院和对面的大草坪和鹿苑。鹿苑里大约有60头鹿，据介绍，最初的一批鹿出现于1705年。

牛津的大学教堂圣母玛丽亚教堂The University Church of St. Mary the Virgin和Magdalen学院一样临High Street。教堂的历史可以追溯到14世纪，当初不但是个宗教活动的中心，也是学术活动的场所和图书馆的所在地。花2.5镑可以踏窄窄的124阶石梯登高高的塔楼，从塔顶上可以俯瞰大半个牛津和不远处的丘陵。教堂里的祈祷版上贴满了各种祷告，来自世界各地，各种语言。也颇有一些中文的。大多希望世界和平，家庭幸福。

不过印象最深的倒不是这些，而是小胡同（alleys）。牛津的主要街道狭窄而拥挤。建筑物也很密集，　很多小巷窄得无法通车。但是里面却大有洞天，藏着许多有名的大小餐馆　和酒吧。和同行７人去一家叫Chiang Mai的泰国餐馆吃晚饭，在一个不大的房子里，桌子窄，　空间小，又没空调，但是挤满了饕餮客。我们没有预约，幸好楼上有座。老板和侍者都是泰国人，　推荐我们来个大拼盘然后再各点各的。我后来要了个菠萝饭，　味道倒是不错，但是比美国的泰餐馆贵一倍。

有个哥伦比亚时的同学在牛津工作，她是意大利人嫁了个土耳其人。一天晚上到她家吃饭，　见识一下牛津人的居住状况。她们租一个窄窄的town house，离她的学院大概５站路左右。倒是有两层，但是每层面积都不大。房间也不少，每层有两间，再加上厨房和卫生间。但是每个房间都不大。不过两个人住也不挤。月租金接近９００英镑（２０００美元左右），还要替房东付房产税。牛津虽然是小城，但是因为学校的缘故，租金不比伦敦或纽约便宜多少。　

Sites and Images: the Ancient Mediterranean World

2007-08-27T21:59:00.000-07:00

Cool Slideshows!

来自地中海世界的片段与瞬间。
罗马帝国的残垣断壁、凝固了的庞培城众生相、沉寂而故事累累的千年古墓、张狂而自信的裸体雕像、无处不在的古剧场、矜持的千千岛屿散落在地中海永不褪色的深蓝画布上。

Amy2007之夏

2007-08-27T21:03:00.000-07:00

Cool Slideshows!

则见风月暗消磨

2007-08-01T23:57:00.000-07:00

【颜子乐牌】则见风月暗消磨，画墙西正南侧左。〔跌介〕苍苔滑擦，倚逗着断垣低垛，因何蝴蝶门儿落合？原来以前游客颇盛，题名在竹林之上。客来过，年月偏多，刻画尽琅玕千个。咳，早则是寒花绕砌，荒草成窠。怪哉，一个梅花观，女冠之流，怎起的这座大园子？好疑惑也。便是这湾流水呵！
（旦）这等真个盼著你了。
【耍鲍老】幽谷寒涯，你为俺催花连夜发。俺全然未嫁，你个中知察，拘惜的好人家。牡丹亭，娇恰恰；湖山畔，羞答答；读书窗，淅喇喇。良夜省陪茶，清风明月知无价。
【滴滴金】（生）俺惊魂化，睡醒时凉月些些。陡地荣华，敢则是梦中巫峡

From Latin to English

2007-08-01T23:26:00.000-07:00

Putamus te bene valere. (CIL XI. 6123)
This Latin quote comes from an inscription found in Italy and datable to the 2nd century CE.
Translate: We wish you well.

Sounds like certain expressions have never changed.

The Amish Country

2007-08-01T00:25:00.000-07:00

I have always romaticized and idealized the Amish life style. I'm drawn to the bucolic landscape they are able to create and maintain, as well as the philosophy of a simple life, a life that stays away from the modern frenzy over fashion, fancy appliances or i-phones. I got a peek into their world last weekend. After all, we are spending our summer in Ohio, which has the one of the largest Amish populations.

We got quite excited when we spotted the first buggy with a young family with a newborn baby on it. But then, we saw many more of them at the local Walmart (Millersburg). Yes, they do go to the groceries. In fact, that Walmart has a parking space for buggies.

We bought a basket, hand-made by an 11-year old boy, from a bare-footed girl. Amy had a good chat with her and got to know that she was one of 9 children: she had 4 brothers and 4 sisters. One of the baskets that she was selling was made by another brother of hers, and he was only 8. Their craftsmanship, however, is impeccable.

The roads were steaming hot. But most of the Amish kids, except those who were feeding the animals, were bare-footed. They mingled so well with the animals, all kinds of them. Handsome horses roamed around the green slopes. If deprived of the smells and the flies, all was just poetic.

People go to Provence and other Mediterranean places to explore countryside that evokes nostalgia of some kind. I suppose we don't need to travel far to find that. In the heart of the Ohio State, there is such peaceful and scenic country that reminds the viewers of the pastoral painting of old.

I don't think the images attached here do sufficient justice to the landscape. Oh, well, we were just using a dummy-proof camera.

July parade 小镇风情

2007-07-31T22:22:00.001-07:00

I had never imagined living in a small town before we moved to GC three years ago. But we found ourselves growing fond of the life style here.

"帝女花之香夭"与"妆台秋思"

2007-07-31T21:53:00.000-07:00

"帝女花之香夭"虽是源于"妆台秋思", 两支曲子的心境却大相径庭. 笛曲"妆台秋思"悠远细腻, 带一丝惆怅, 一些淡淡的忧伤, 但基调是平静而旷远的. 也许正是因为这首曲子大家闺秀的气度, 唐涤生选了它来做长平公主和驸马的绝唱. 对我来说,"香夭"是最华美最动听的粤剧折子. 辉煌的布景, 鲜艳华丽的婚服和死亡主题形成最强烈的对比, 烘托千层万面的"情"与"义". 驸马毅然决然地和长平一同赴死("寸心盼望能同合葬"), 对此, 长平有一些愧疚 (" 唉我误君累你同埋蒘网"), 有深深谢意(" 待千秋歌赞注驸马在灵牌上"), 更有缱绻的长情("地老天荒情凤永配痴凰", "合欢与君醉梦乡"). 这样的场景理应是悲伤的, 但悲伤并不是"香夭"一折的全部. 殉国的长平和驸马坚毅而冷静地选择" 泉台上再设新房,
地府阴司里再觅那平阳门巷." 编剧唐涤生的高明就在于他可以轻松地把这些复杂的情绪编织得天衣无缝.

我听过"香夭"的版本计有任白的, 梅雪诗龙剑笙, 梅雪诗陈宝珠, 还有汪明荃张国荣的一票.
任白的版本还是上上选, 不温不火, 收放自如, 百听不厌. 任剑辉有一些吐字的处理上有独特之处: 比如 "泉台上再设新房"的"泉台"短促而坚决, "地府阴司里再觅那平阳门巷"的"那"字轻轻带过,我听到的是对死亡的轻蔑.

Jinyu Liu

《风从哪里来》 by 青衫湿透

The Hanging Tree (吊人树）

15th Wedding Anniversary 结婚15年

兰花展Orchids exhibit

Bad movie day.

食在我家 Home cooking

Allen's new pastime

Amy, Allen, and cousins (Kevin and Jerry) 2010

惊春谁似我... Finally my own copy of the Peony Pavillion

千里德州行 a trip to Texas 2011年1月4日－11日

Allen's First Birthday 12-30-2010

Happy Halloween 2010

Amy's birthday party at the Indy Zoo

Amish contractors

Grandparents July 2010 爷爷奶奶来到美国乡下，深度体验美国乡村生活

A quote from Jacob Burckhardt (1818-1897)

Baby Allen growing up day by day 小弟眼看着就一天天长大

Friday, Movie night： Dragons (3/26/2010)

Math Bowl Champion

Amy's winter piano recital (Dec. 13, 2009)

Hawaii in December 十二月夏威夷

Chongqing City 重庆

'The Calculus of Friendship'

Poor Cicero

An interactive map of vanishing employment across the country

天鹅堡

A Chinese Kunqu opera classic: Peach Blossom Fan 1699

KFCs outside the States

Amy's first recital December 2006

Happy holidays 2009!

For Amy's eighth birthday.

The Letter by Amy

温总's gravitas

Amy: September 14, 2008 Greencastle

The Olympics ceremony that you did not see on TV

No dilemmas there

A scene from Peony Pavillion: an intimate moment in Madam Du's dream

Adventures of Aniana. An original story created by Amy

碧云天，黄花地

烟淡淡兮轻云

昆曲《百花记· 赠剑》Kun Opera: The Princess Floret

勃拉姆斯《德意志安魂曲》 Brahms, Ein deutsches Requiem

中国地震 China Earthquake

哈德逊河畔的纽约

Cai Guoqiang's exhibition at Guggenheim

粤曲《打金枝》 李龙（生） 苏春梅 （旦）

埃及的纸草文书 Papyri

色空的咏叹 - 昆曲《思凡》

严凤英 Master of Huangmei Opera

汉译拉丁警句 Chinese translation of Latin mottos.

Happy New Year!

林肯中心版牡丹亭

Amy's drawing Amy的画

Amy's Poetry Amy开始写诗了

罗马起源的传说

卢浮宫的罗马文物 Roman Antiquities at Louvre

古代地中海地图 Tabula Peutingeriana

罗马共和国演义 Roman Republican History

母狼和罗马建城者：帕拉丁山的新发现

秋风起，木叶落

Broadway Musical: Wicked 百老汇音乐剧

中秋 Mid-Autumn

源头难辨

kabuki 歌舞伎

姹紫嫣红开遍 stage images

彩雲開，月明如水浸樓台

movie

Catullus 罗马诗人

Amy眼中的启蒙老师

Oxford 匆匆牛津

Sites and Images: the Ancient Mediterranean World

Amy2007之夏

则见风月暗消磨

From Latin to English

The Amish Country

July parade 小镇风情

"帝女花之香夭"与"妆台秋思"

粤曲《打金枝》李龙（生）苏春梅（旦）