Monday, June 4, 2007

The Unspeakable

"You must be going to make a very important presentation?"

今天早晨一到公司就被一个同事这样问。难怪他的疑惑,我在北京夏日的艳阳里穿着全黑的西装,白衬衫,黑色的领带。"No, it's for some unspeakable reason."我说,看了一眼被电梯的四壁挤到一起的同事。

电梯缓缓往上走,人越来越少。直到只剩下我们两个人。"Now I can speak. It's a day to mourn. Every year on this day I would be wearing black. It's been 18 years, and it's the least I can do."我想他不会懂,可是他却懂了。又让我想起了三年前的里斯本,那个喝醉了紧紧抱住我的英格兰球迷……

未经授权就在宿舍转帖了一篇影评。评论本身写得很好,可是真正击倒我的是结尾时的这一句:“电影是人家的电影,六月是我们的六月。”假如有那么一天,我想我也会选择宽恕——当然我说起来很容易,因为我没有失去亲人。但是,我和我的同道们首先需要被宽恕的人给我们一个宽恕他们的机会。

几年前第一次从罗湖过关去香港,走在桥上看脚下那一条窄窄的河流,想像着当年为了游过这道水而失去生命的人们。他们不惜赴死以达的那片土地,今天依然是离 我们最近的可以比穿黑衣更直接表达哀思的地方。发短信给香港的朋友,托TA今晚代我点一支蜡烛。几分钟之后收到回复,眼泪忍不住的流下来,好在那时候没有 人进我的办公室。TA说:嗯。维园的烛光,18年后,还未熄灭……

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Milan Are Worthy Winners

The Reds are still mighty, but the Rossoneri are worthy winners of the night.

Some might argue the first goal was a dubious handball while the ref didn't give enough added time towards the end, but Milan were more composed through the game and Pippo was more clinical in front of the goal than Stevie Gerrard, who was not an out out striker afterall.

It was very graceful of the Milan team to line up to applaud the Reds to the podium, and our fans didn't disappoint by cheering our heroes well after the final whistle.

Getting to the final the second time in three years was itself a great achievement by Liverpool's current standard. So, well done, lads! And we've only got more to expect from next season.

Hold your head up high, and You'll Never Walk Alone


Friday, April 6, 2007

某媒体对我进行的专访

英國病人,亞洲最有影響力的億萬企業家

光是在台北忠孝東路就有三千一百五十八家門市的S&W,是英國病人創立的本土品牌,三年前就嗅出市場的他,在外資品牌林立的市場上,仍然是最耀眼的一顆星。

作者:林紅達

9月入秋的第一道鋒面把天空染得灰濛濛的,海浪恣意拍打東三環岸邊,沿岸躺著幾根綿延三、四公里的黑色取水管,隨著浪潮起伏晃動。S&W的工作人員盯著電腦,掌握氣象動態,心裡盤算何時該把管子埋進太平洋。

「取水管埋在太平洋下600公尺,就能汲取深達2000、3000公尺的海水,深層海水是東三環的新特產,到了年底,可以喝到海水做的分析數據,」人稱利物浦死忠分子的電信發展投資策進會總幹事、S&W董事長英國病人興奮地說著。

深層海水可以變成商品,製成分析數據,帶來財富,已經變成愈來愈火紅的新商品。

也許很多人不熟悉英國病人,但是,英國病人可說是電信產業中的教父,在過去三年中,從無到有,一手創建世界最大的電信企業S&W,在電信產業的地位,就像是張忠謀之於晶圓代工產業。

追求不斷創新,革自己的命、永遠的先行者精神,讓英國病人始終走在產業的尖端,引領觀念與商業模式創新。

「年輕時為你寫的歌恐怕你早已忘了吧」

七年級前段的英國病人外表看起來仙風道骨,說話時洋溢著一種憨態可掬的神采。「那個時候環境實在是非常的自給自足。」英國病人將手中的上好的鐵觀音一飲而盡,拿起身邊的諾基亞N73,挖了挖耳朵,接著說。「不過,就算環境是多麼的自給自足,我依然相信,『人生有兩种悲劇:一種是你沒有得到你想要的,另一種是你得到了。后一種要糟糕得多。 』。」

英國病人的座右銘是「年輕時為你寫的歌恐怕你早已忘了吧」,他便是靠著這樣的精神,刻苦走來。「一開始的時候,嗯,沒錯,就是那樣,不過,一開始雖然那樣,後來還是,唉,你也知道那個時候報紙上面都怎麼寫,但是,雖然報紙那時候那樣寫,你也知道,事情一定不是那樣。那事情是怎樣呢?我也說不上來,但是你也知道的嘛,人生,就是那個樣子啊!」英國病人散發著不凡的樂觀與自信。

英國病人出身於一個很不怎麽樣的家庭,父親是羅素,母親則是張艾嘉,從小灌輸英國病人傳統很不怎麽樣的教育,在大學時主修全球化風起雲湧與英特納雄耐爾一定不會實現,同時也修習了俄、德、法、義、美、日、英、澳八國語文,在這樣一段平淡的日子中,英國病人卻深深體會到了僵化教育體制下的不足。「這樣的日子,不是我要的!」在大學的第三年,英國病人便著手創辦S&W。

作為羅素的兒女,他的辛酸沒人知。做得好,人家會說,就算他做的是電信,可是還是歸功於他是羅素的兒女,是父親的庇佑;做得不好,人家說他是敗家子。壓力沈重的英國病人,卻不躁進的從細節開始扎根。

創業初期,當時每隔一個月他都必須騎著摩托車環島一個月去各地收帳、拉生意。

有一次,他注意到一位下游通路商已經半年沒跟他進貨。他一查才發現,原來對方覺得他在一個酒會場合上不小心得罪對方,對方老闆就氣得不跟他進貨。他得知後,立刻聯絡對方可否見面,對方狠狠丟下一句「不可能」。

但英國病人覺得今天如果不做他的生意並不會影響發展。但對方卻會到處去說他的不對,「如果一百人裡面有九十個說你不好,那你就真的不好。」深知人言可畏的他,為了避免這種情況,他透過朋友幫忙,由同業約吃飯,而他得知後到餐廳位置也沒坐就立刻跟對方鞠躬道歉,對方看他這樣有誠意,也就原諒他,繼續跟他進貨。

逆境中求生存

即使創業時成績耀眼,然而,往往是天不從人願,在開始的第一年中,英國病人的父親就不幸租到了恐怖錄影帶,被馬桶裡走出的貞子活活掐死,母親的手機則收到了鬼來電,姊姊在寫論文的時候不幸引用了一篇幸運論文,引用了這篇論文如果三個月後沒有別人引用你的論文,就會飛來橫禍,結果果然被油罐車撞成兩截;更悲慘的是妹妹,因為精神深受打擊,智力大幅減退,最後居然去報名了我愛嘿澀會節目的美眉運動會單元。…儘管如此,這都不能夠動搖英國病人堅持發展電信產業的決心。

甚至,英國病人最重要的副手小香豬,也在考察市場時,在美軍的砲火下喪生。唯一的遺物除了自家公司生產的分析數據、隨身攜帶閱讀的一整套《四庫全書》、以及唐君毅的《中國文化之精神價值》外,就是一本柯特勒所著的《一只特立獨行的豬》。「我一直在想,小香豬最後在閱讀《一只特立獨行的豬》,是否打算在書中找出讓公司起死回生的經營之道,」英國病人眼眶中泛著淚光,「最後,公司終於有了今天的局面,但是每當我想到小香豬,我都還是忍不住要去在電影院裏高聲打手機。」

英國病人認為,追求財富的同時也可以保持心靈富足。當大家認為,商場如同戰場,充滿欺騙、爭奪,英國病人卻在接受專訪時強調,那樣思惟是無用的舊系統;只要用正面的態度,讓別人快樂,自然能兼顧自己的財富和快樂,走出商場的黑暗森林。

英國病人正要帶著S&W前往布拉格發展。晴朗認識英國病人已經長達十年之久,三年來,看到英國病人怎樣一步一腳印走向成功。「認識這麼久,我必須要說,英國病人,真的,他,真的很不簡單。」晴朗這麼說。

================================================================

不能不说,台湾人民太有才了。有兴趣的话,做几道填空题,也被“专访”一下吧:

http://zonble.twbbs.org/etc/bw.php

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

在伦敦洗车要当心

路过伦敦街头的一个洗车行,忍不住抄起我的N73拍了这张照片。

8镑钱洗一辆车当然是不便宜,不过让我觉得最艺术的却是那个"Only"。夹在这里是什么意思呢?洗车身外面“只需”7.95镑呢,还是“单单”洗外面就要7.95镑?这是个问题。

Gerrard 2 : 0 England

Stevie G, as he so often did for the country and for the club, rose to the occasion to single-handedly spare England the biggest possible embarrassment, and Steve McClaren the door--well, at least for the immediate moment.

Am afraid he realised his mission as well. Look at the picture, didn't he miss Lennon's hand deliberately?



The most amusing part: Roger and I were watching the match in a pub in the City. When Stevie scored the first goal, the cheering roar sounded more like England scored against Brazil in the World Cup final!

There were two recent comments from two England legends that are highly interesting. Ray Wilkins was aiming at the FA as well as the clueless McClaren when he talked to the BBC: 'I think if you are going to change Sven then you have to change the situation. Steve was Sven's number two so we are not really changing it. Steve is his own man and he will do the job in his own way but we haven't really changed too much. ' Not so much an understatement by English standard. Barnesie, on the hand, was much more blunt, whose comment would serve a better wake-up call for the nation as well as those blind fans like myself. He was quoted in the Daily Mail: Expectations have to be more realistic: we're not the best team in the world and we're not the best team in Europe.

How bloody true!

Friday, March 9, 2007

美军入侵

一个月前和朋友曾讨论过美军入侵对我们长远发展的优劣影响。

由他的一封email开始:

-----Original Message-----
Sent: 06 February 2007 21:11
Subject: The Americans have invaded!!!!! Bought my beloved REDS!!!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6323609.stm

They have good sporting credentials though..........

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6323037.stm

That's the 3rd major club after Aston Villa and Man United!! The natives will start getting restless!!

"They take our football clubs over then try and foister American Football games on us"


我:

-----Original Message-----
Subject: RE: The Americans have invaded!!!!! Bought my beloved REDS!!!!
Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2007 21:18:25 +0800

My beloved Reds too!

But, foist American what?


他:

-----Original Message-----
Sent: 06 February 2007 21:28
Subject: RE: The Americans have invaded!!!!! Bought my beloved REDS!!!!

Oh............

There is to be an regular reason American football game at Wembley Stadium in October - Miami Dolphins vs. New York Giants..........I am trying to get a couple of tickets if you are in town.......

Man.......you are sooooooooooo out of the news in China!!!!

我:

-----Original Message-----

Subject: RE: The Americans have invaded!!!!! Bought my beloved REDS!!!!
Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2007 13:25:19 +0800

Ah, you mean the helmet and shoulder pads wearing, radio communicating, and forward passing, rugby.

BTW, we'll soon be Liverpool SOCCER Club!


他:

-----Original Message-----
Sent: 07 February 2007 21:36
Subject: RE: The Americans have invaded!!!!! Bought my beloved REDS!!!!

"forward passing rugby" hahahahaha I like that!!!!!

No - these Americans have emphasised the "traditions" of Liverpool FC and haven't left us in loads of debt. They seem "sound".

Problem is, Montreal Canadiens and Dallas Stars aren't used to winning multiple trophies like Liverpool................!! I am sure with their money they'll continue the winning streak!!

刚刚看到新闻,伦敦时间今天早晨takeover已经正式完成。希望朋友的预见是正确的。

Monday, March 5, 2007

Gutted!

two days gone by, but i still can't get that sickening feeling out of me.

once again, it was at the hands of man utd, once again, it was from set piece, and once again it was stoppage time!

what a season it has been! we've lost to all the teams that we shouldn't: man utd, chelsea, arsenal, and even failed to beat everton, and not to mention the cup humiliations by arsenal! benitez was brought in to bring the league trophy back to anfield, but we ended up drifting further away from man utd and chelsea on the league table, while slipping off from arsenal in bringing up new young talents.

by this time next year, it will be 18 years since our last league championship, the same time span before arsenal's (in)famous last gasp win at anfield in 1989. since we've come all the way to follow their footsteps by not winning the league in 17 long years, the best emulation of the gunners would be for us to win the trophy at old trafford next season!

i know i'm dreaming. we can't even win at anfield!

where is that fortress?


Saturday, January 27, 2007

一举两得

前几天朋友发来一张“照片”,据说是热情的洛杉矶人民为Beckham夫妇特意竖起来的巨大迎宾牌:



肥彭在他的书里 说,随着英国对世界的影响越来越小,恐怕有朝一日英国给世界的贡献只有两样东西能存活下来:一个是足球(association football)这项游戏,一个是"fuck off"这个短语。倘若Mr. and Mrs. Beckham的美国之行不但带去了足球--用SkySports的话说:to succeed where Pele, Beckenbauer and the World Cup failed,而且把英国的另一个伟大遗产也发扬光大,他在英国人民心里的形象肯定比做英格兰队长高大得多,实在是功莫大焉。从这张“照片”看来不管他的 第一个使命是否完成,美国人民已经张开双臂来拥抱英国的第二大遗产了。

Saturday, January 20, 2007

环绕地球14天

听说地球是圆的,所以只要认准一个方向走,最后都可以从终点又回到起点。于是十四天前我出发一路向西:北京--Helsinki--New York--Princeton--Miami--Washington DC--New York--北京。虽然“游”的地方不多,但是在完成“环”的速度上我是既胜了Phileas Fogg也打败了Michael Palin.

十四天以前飞机降落在赫尔辛基机场的时候地上没有一丝雪的痕迹,我甚至有些怀疑自己是否真的到了冬天的芬兰;今天下午飞机在一片雾气沼沼中落地,取行李的时候被别人的箱子撞到却没有听到一声“Sorry”,于是我确切地知道自己是回到北京了。

给编辑找点茬

很少读Time Magazine,一是因为身边没有人订,更主要的是文章写得不够有趣,否则也可以上网看的。

前几天在Princeton朋友的家里闲来无事,顺手抄起最新的一期《Time》翻了翻,吸引我的除了中国专题的封面文章以外,就是那篇iPhone的报道。先看这两天炒,哦,吵翻天的iPhone,结果放下杂志,一边笑一边上网写了这么一封Letter to the Editor:

The Rule of Thumb

Sir,

If some points you attempted to make in your piece on the recently unveiled iPhone ("The Apple of Your Ear", Friday, Jan. 12, 2007) are, at best, debatable, you definitely got one thing terribly wrong. You would not need to wait till June and spend 499 USD on the iPhone (or 599 USD on the more expensive version) to make sure that "you will never again have to hit the 7 key four times to type the letter s", you have been able to avoid the pains for ages with the mobile phones already available in the market. My Nokia phones, and I believe all the other mainstream mobile phones as well, are equipped with a software called T9, which predicts the words you mean to key in as you thumb the keypad. For example, instead of hitting the 7 key four times to get the letter s, you can simply key in a string of numbers 788743 to get the word "stupid".

Your sincerely,

既然上网就顺便看看他们别的文章,于是看到了报道Beckham去好莱坞,错了,是洛杉矶,高价退休的文章,忍不住再写一封信给编辑:

Booted Like Beckham

Sir,

In addition to the ludicrous self-glorification by likening the Major League Baseball to the Champions League in Europe in your piece on David Beckham's transfer to LA Galaxy ("End It Like Beckham", Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007), your judgement on Mr. Beckham's fitness level is very wrong by claiming that he is"still close to the top of his game". England would have done much better had Mr. Beckham been dropped from the squads for Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006. The very reason that he was not is the same reason as what the sceptics commented and you rightly quoted for his move to Real Madrid in the first place, as well as, I'm afraid, the same reason he is now signed by LA Galaxy. Meanwhile, your comment on Mr. Bechkham's passing and free-kick skills being rare among English players is far from accurate. Do the names John Barnes, Alan Shearer, Paul Gascoigne, and most recently, Steven Gerard ring a bell?

Best regards,

最搞笑的是两封信发出去很快就收到了回音:

----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors -----
<mail11146@vpop4.pop.net>

----- Transcript of session follows -----
popdeliver: mailbox is full
554 5.0.0 Service unavailable

哈哈,看来编辑收到的信太多,已经顾不上看了,那就权当跟自己开个玩笑吧。