Such a rare sight...

Look what I spot in Target earlier today - this is like the 2nd time since last November where I actually see them in stock...

Harry Potter 7 - Done!

Yup - done.

Finished the book in a single reading, and it took me approximately nine and a half hour. I think the book is really good, better than the Half Blood Prince - the plot is fast-pace and tense, not too many dull moments throughout the book. I think mainly because there are a lot of grounds to cover in the book. It would also make a very good movie even if they only cover the major battles. There were couple times when I caught myself thinking that I'd love to see this scene in the movie.

Quite a few characters died and i will spare you from any spoiler (at this moment...ka ka ka) Many of them i felt indifferent actually, but when one of the characters died toward the end I was quite sad to see he/she/it/whatever go.

Knowing that there will be no more Potter coming kinda saddens me, but if that's what Rowling planned, I guess we'll have to be content with it. It's been like, 10 years (?) of Harry Potter, like many reviews out there, I too felt that the Deathly Hallow is indeed a good closure.

P.S. Now I just have to find my Book 5 and 6. I know I bought them, but just couldn't find them.

P.P.S. I kinda feel sorry for the Starbucks - for less than $6, I pretty much sat there all afternoon/evening (230 - 9). XD

What a laundry day...

Four loads of laundry and still one left to go - totally not energy efficient :P

I actually don't have a lot of clothes that needs to be washed. The problem is that I separate them out into pretty small loads. I think I am one of the few people that actually uses all the care cycle available with the washer: delicate for my tees; color for my jeans and other shirts; white for linens... also after the "discoloring" fiasco I had last year (or the year before), I really make the point of separating out the colors: brown can go with black, but absolutely not blue; depending on the shades of blue, it could go with off white tees but not the nicer white ones; if it's a new shirt, it's either going with the black ones (unless it's a lighter color) or it's going to be washed by itself (see how energy "inefficient" i am...XD)

Anyway, one more load to go for tomorrow (just because I run out of space to hang dry them - and yes, my tees don't go into dryers)

Got my life back!

Finally have time to blog!

The phase 1 deadline was over earlier this week so I can finally have a life again. Things got pretty "intense" starting last weekend. Pretty much all I did was work and sleep. Well, a lot of work and not enough sleep. I logged at least 10 to 14 hours a day in the past week, but the actual time I stayed in my office was actually much longer (since i didn't count my sanity breaks...kakaka) One reason for all the madness was because the deadline was on the 5th (our deadline is always at 8am). Since the 4th is a public holiday, it pretty much meant that we have to get everything into QA by the 3rd. Yikes. Fortunately all my projects went into QA on time so that's a relief. Yesterday (or Thursday) was the first time in a week that I can see the sun setting instead of rising when I got off work - such a beautiful scene. XD

Easy to spend a day, especially when...

you didn't get up until 4:15... in the afternoon... wakaka

Even though last week was only a 4-workday week, it still felt exhausting by Friday: Helped my TS troubleshoot a customer problem (which probably means more work for me next week), helped another group with the dashboard project (at least this should be live to a few pilot users), my own projects which are due July 5th...

DNA was planning to come up to Chicago this weekend. I was to drive down to Chicago to meet up with him. Unfortunately the plan was called off due to the high gas price. I was a bit surprised when I heard the gas price in Indy was 3.69/3.79/3.89. I think locally the gas prices are around 3.35/3.45/3.55 - 34 cents cheaper! Anyway, I guess we'll just have to meet up later the month then.

Memorial Day Weekend

Nothing really special happened - pretty much like any other weekend. However, the extra day off is rather nice since I really can relax on Sunday (instead of shopping around for grocery, tidy things up, etc).

We tried a new Italian restaurant, Tutto Pasta Trattoria, in Middleton Friday night. We chose to sat outside which might not be the best idea (at least for me). It was still okay when we sat down, but as time went by it got a bit chilly. The food was good and wasn't too pricey (except for MyEvilInsideYou and Karthik who ordered a 5.95 side salad and a 6.95 "special" soup). Overall I will definitely put it in my restaurant list for Friday night dinners.

Also came across the Cafe/Wine bar right across from Tutto, Barriques. King Snort and I bought a bottle of white for the night - pretty much because the bottle's label is funny (note to self/King Snort: I am keeping the bottle!) Apparently they do wine tasting every Friday/Saturday night. Something I am interested in. From their online site, they also have a chocolate club - how intriguing.

On Sunday I went to an outlet close to Wisconsin Dells, hoping to pick up some Memorial Day deals there. Unfortunately there wasn't any eye-popping deals. A lot of shops does have some specials going on, but nothing really interested me. I did pick a pair of running shoe from Adidas and a shirt from Old Navy, but that's pretty much about it.

Comparing between this outlet mall with the one I normally go to (Johnson Creek), this one is well covered, kinda like an indoor mall; the one in Johnson Creek feels a bit bigger (but I don't think there's really that much difference). It has both A&F and Hollister, but lacks CK and Aeropostale (which has became one of my favorite outlet stores recently). So I guess right now, they are tied in my book.

Working Holiday Program in.....Singapore?

雙城記又一章 星向港人招手
(明報) 05月 20日 星期日 05:05AM

【明報專訊】新加坡政府昨日公布一個吸納人才計劃─「工作假期計劃」，由今年12月起，澳洲、法國、德國、日本、新西蘭、英國、美國、香港等8個國家及地區，年齡介乎17至30歲的大學準畢業生及畢業生，可以在新加坡旅遊半年期間，找工做掙錢，之後可以選擇是否繼續留在新加坡。

Full post from Yahoo! News HK

One of my friends has been doing a "Working Holiday" in Australia and New Zealand. I never thought Singapore would implement a similar program as well. If I don't need to worry about my financial responsibilities, a "Working Holiday" program does sound very intriguing. However, would I pick Singapore? Probably not. Perhaps because of all the "competition" between Singapore and HK throughout these years which each city tries to edge the other, I never have a very good impression on Singapore. I know it's a nice place, but it just doesn't feel as vibrant as HK. :P

Should have bought the game...

when I saw it in the store at the mall. *Sigh*

Originally planning to buy DS Game #14 today. It's an old-style RPG dungeon crawler called Etrian Odyssey. I saw it at the mall the other day (I think Wednesday or Thursday, can't remember) but didn't buy it at the time. The main reason being I don't like GameStop/EB Games/Software Etc (same parent company) that much and was hoping to get my copy from BestBuy (not to mention trying to get more points for my BestBuy Rewards). Yesterday after work, I went to all the "big" electronic/toy stores in town (BestBuy, Circuit City, Toysrus...) and none of them carry them game. So I gave in and hope to get my copy from GameStop. I was kinda in shock when the guy told me that he sold the last copied yesterday! I thought old style RPG weren't that popular these days. Do people know what they are buying really???

I guess it's Amazon next then.

Go Liverpool

Though I am not an Liverpool fans, but I dislike Chelsea more. So I have to root for the lesser of two evils - Go Reds! They are down 0-1 from the previous leg so they need to do some catchup. Hopefully they can make it. Otherwise, it would be interesting to see Man United playing against Chelsea in both FA Cup and Champions League. Also add to that the Premiership race between the two. By the way, you should root for Arsenal on May 6th to drive the nail in the coffin. In short, cheer for red teams, not blue if you can't figure out between Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United (all reds).

上表! 上表呀!

I finally found it, albeit it's only mp3 and not a movie file, the seventh act in the Chinese opera 帝女花 - 上表. I remembered seeing this act (probably on TV from one of its re-runs) when I was small. However, in recent years, the 帝女花 that I've seen didn't include this act (even in the DVD that I got from someone, this scene's been cut). I am suspecting maybe it doesn't fit the 2-hr slot if the full version is broadcast? Or all 8 acts won't fit on a single DVD? If something has to go, I have to agree that 上表 is the only act that can be cut without affecting the story line (In case you are curious, the acts are 樹盟, 香劫, 乞屍, 庵遇, 相認, 迎鳳, 上表 and 香夭). I mean, you really can't jump from getting married in 樹盟 to finding the princess's dead body in 乞屍. =P

Although it's not as well known as 香夭, in my opinion, it's still a very fun act to watch and contains a feisty act between 周世顯/長平 and 清帝.

上表

（周鍾，寶倫「著明裝」分邊上相對顧盼自豪介）

（周鍾台口詩白）彩鳳門前新面目。

（寶倫詩白）眾官齊集御酒房。

（周鍾寶倫白）有請皇上。

（御扇宮燈伴清帝上介中板下句）開基創業話興亡，北望煤山微有哭聲響。不悼崇禎悼海棠，安民未掛招賢榜，懷柔先借個一朵帝花香。（滾花）筵開百酌買人心，好待新官舊爵同觀看。（埋位介）

（眾白）萬歲萬萬歲。

（清帝白）平身。

（眾白）謝。

（清帝口古）周老卿家，何以不見宮主與駙馬還朝，有累百官在御階盼望。

（周鍾口古）皇上，駙馬持有宮主嘅親筆表章，候旨在午朝門外，至於長平宮主，而家仲住響紫玉山房。

（清帝不歡介口古）唏，我叫你去請鸞鳳還巢，並不是叫你去請宮主寫表，今日鸞鳳和鳴，重有什麼表章可上呢。

（寶倫口古）嘻嘻...皇上，我想宮主上表，無非係拜謝皇上再生之德，此乃先朝 嘅沿例，宮主對宮規儀範都未敢稍忘。

（清帝轉怒為善介白）內侍臣，傳前朝駙馬周世顯上殿。

（內侍臣白）皇上有旨，傳前朝駙馬周世顯上殿。

（世顯「駙馬身」捧表章上白）來呀。（滾花下句唱）藺相如能保連城璧，周駙馬能保帝花香。拼教頸血濺龍庭，衝冠壯志凌霄漢。（入並不跪半揖白）前朝駙馬周世顯向皇上請安。

（清帝見世顯不跪怒介望群臣轉回笑容介白）平身。

（世顯白）謝。

（清帝口古）周駙馬，試問歷代興亡有幾多個新君能夠體恤前朝帝女呢，我好想知道如果你地宮主見到香車迎接 嘅時候，相信佢一定喜從天降啦卦。

（世顯冷笑口古）皇上，歷史上雖無體恤前朝帝女之君，卻有假意賣弄慈悲之主，難怪宮主見香車驚喜交集。

（清帝起身問白）下，此話怎解。

（世顯續口古）無錯，宮主所喜者，乃是福從天降，所驚者，乃是驚皇上借帝女花沽名釣譽，騙取民安。

（周鍾寶倫大矛介）

（清帝冷笑口古）周駙馬，孤王有覆滅一朝之力，豈無安民之策，小小一個前朝帝女，重不過百，試問能有幾多力量。

（世顯口古）皇上，所謂取一杯之水，不能分潤天下萬民，借帝女之花，可以把全國遺民收服，宮主雖然弱質纖纖，年方十六，若果論佢權衡輕重，可以抵得十萬師干。

（清帝不能言介白）哎呀...

（周鍾插白）你說話要小心呀...

（清帝喝白）周駙馬。（開拉大滾花下句）你出言縱有千斤重，好在我有容人海量都未能量。你見否殿前百酌鳳凰筵，後有刀槍和斧杖。

（世顯大滾花下句）唏，你殺人不在金鸞殿，可以一張蘆蓆把屍藏。倘若殺身恰在鳳凰台，銀廓金棺難慰民怨暢。

（周鍾眾人白）皇上開恩...皇上仁慈...

（清帝不敢發作埋位口古）周駙馬，你既然持有長平宮主嘅表章，內侍臣，你快些要他速呈龍書案。

（太監上前跪向世顯欲接表章介）

（世顯捧住表章退後一步口古）且慢，皇上，我想宮主表章究竟都是女兒文墨，恐怕有污龍目，佢再三囑咐，要我遞表之時，為佢朗誦於朝房。

（清帝怒介口古）嘿，我雖身為清帝，未懂漢例，唯是翻開漢史，又幾曾聽聞過表章用口朗誦得咁怪狀。

（世顯口古）皇上，你睇你朝中嘅大臣，多半是宮主舊臣，皇上以仁慈取天下，佢所寫者，不過都係感恩之語唧，皇上既無虧德處，那怕遺臣誦表章。（內場起暗湧聲）

（清帝怒至手震震指住世顯白）周駙馬...你...你...你一字一字你要謹慎的念來。

（世顯白）好呀...

（周鍾一路震長滾花下句）一字繫安危，禍福憑汝降，勸君莫惹下泉台浪，莫向陰司叫無常，我一心欲把紅鸞傍，哎呀誰知傍錯你個少年亡。

（寶倫長滾花）一字重千斤，人命輕三兩，縱使你有心毀碎齊眉案，須防寶殿有刀藏，一命難銷故國讎，恐怕累到三百遺臣同落網。

（世顯冷笑詩白）六代繁華三日散，一杯心血字七行。（反線中板唸表章下句唱）臣不可佔君先，父不能居女後，此乃倫理綱常。既念帝女花，何不念先帝遺骸，尚寄在茶庵，未入皇陵葬。帝女縱堪憐，太子是前朝骨肉，問清帝何以重女薄兒郎。我欲受皇恩，哭君父流浪泉台，憎見舊宮廷，掛上鴛鴦榜。我欲謝隆情，痛骨肉仍歸臣虜，羞牽鸞鳳帶，怕對合歡床。（催快）新帝慈悲人間罕，劈開金鎖放弟郎。（滾花）佢話先安泉台父，後釋在囚人，然後百拜入朝共舉齊眉案。

（清帝震怒介）

（周鍾寶倫級低紗帽一味震介）

（清帝開位搶表章欲撕介「內場食住暗湧」連聲收埋表章滾花下句）孤都未作捕蛇人，點知雙蛇蟠棍上，休說女兒筆墨無斤兩，內有千軍萬馬藏，鳳未來儀先作浪，帝女機謀還比我強。強顏騙取鳳還巢，重新再露慈悲相，哈哈...

（周鍾白）皇上仁慈...

（清帝奸悲白）孤有主意。周駙馬，好啦，孤皇惟有准宮主所奏，佢縱使要取天邊月，為皇都替她摘下來，我從宮主所求就是。

（世顯口古）皇上，你何不速頒下詔書，先把先帝安葬皇陵，再把太子在宮主婚前釋放。

（清帝口古）唏，你請宮主先入朝，再行下詔，庶民都尚可以一言九鼎，何況我是一國 嘅君王呢。（白）駙馬，你代傳口諭，快傳宮主上殿。

（世顯白）領命。（台口傳旨）呔，皇上有旨，長平宮主衣冠朝見。

（長平「鳳冠霞珮」上介台口引白）珠冠猶似殮時妝，萬春亭畔病海棠，怕到乾清尋血跡，風雨經年尚帶黃。（拉腔入拜白）前朝帝女長平宮主向皇上請安。

（清帝重一才仄才關目白）平身。

（長平白）謝。（用目一掃前朝舊臣，舊臣俱俯首自愧介）（長平放寬面口突然露齒一笑介）

（清帝覺奇介口古）宮主，駙馬入朝之時，面帶愁容，眼中有淚，何以宮主入朝，反會一笑嫣然，未有些微 嘅悲創。

（長平口古）皇上，我在未入朝之前，曾與駙馬相約，我話若不能先安泉台父，釋放在囚人，帝女今生都永無還朝之日，適才聞駙馬代傳口諭，可見皇上你都有憐惜之心，帝女亦寧無感激之意呢，想今日在五百群臣之中，屬於哀家舊臣，都總在三百以上，如果佢地見到哀家笑，就會對皇上你心悅誠服，但如果見到哀家喊呢，就會對皇上心懷怨對，想長平一生善解人意，寧敢不以笑面報君王。（向群臣露齒而笑介）（舊臣俱強笑介）

（清帝暗驚長平之詞令奸笑介口古）宮主，你聰明即是聰明，你與呢個憨駙馬都大有天淵之別，難怪崇禎在生對你痛愛。好啦，孤王願替崇禎將你終身撫養。

（長平強笑白）謝皇上。（故意關目口古）噯，皇上，我都經已拜上金階，何以未見你頒下詔書，更未見你劈開金鎖呢，哎呀皇上，我而家不禁悲從中起，我的眼淚都忍唔住咯，我一喊親，怕只怕會震朝房。（欲哭介）

（清帝愕然略驚向長平搖手介）

（周鍾口古）皇上，係呀...係呀...我地宮主真係笑緊都可以喊架，你何不頒下詔書，以慰的遺臣所望呢。

（寶倫口古）係囉，皇上，想太子年方十二，縱使潛龍出海，亦未必會騰達飛翔。

（清帝快滾花下句）今朝莫說前朝事，只求撮合鳳諧凰。

（世顯大滾花下句）先皇未葬弟霸囚，宮主呀你何妨悲聲放。

（長平哭白）罷了先王，君父，母后呀。（快中板分邊向群臣哭著下句唱）哀聲放，帝女哭朝房，血淚如潮腮邊降，且向乾清再悼亡，憶舊讎翻血賬，遺臣三百聽端詳，當日賜紅羅擲在金階上，母后與袁妃痛懸樑，劍橫揮，血濺黃金帳，殺得個昭仁宮主怨父王。（滾花）你地莫戀新朝棄舊朝，我再哭鳳台聲響亮。（執世顯哭叫白）罷了先王，母后，駙馬。（當長平唱時，內場有沉痛反應暗湧介）

（世顯白）宮主...

（清帝向向周鍾寶茅介白）拉開佢地...（周鍾寶倫分邊拉開長平世顯介）

（清帝白）好啦。（滾花下句）我忙忙寫下安陵詔。（交太監，太監即下）我怕你哭聲向外揚，宮主一哭撼帝城，我忙把前朝世子放。

（太監帶上太子上介長平世顯分邊跪擁太子，太子亦居中跪下快哭相思）

（長平痛哭滾花下句）弟郎你投懷莫聚倫常愛，且去杭州會福王，自有香魂一縷暗追隨，你在離懷莫向宮庭望。

（清帝白）沈卿家，你帶前朝世子去上駟院吩咐兵部派人馬，護送此子杭州便了。

（昌齡攜太子什邊下，太子下時一路哭叫王姊）　

（清帝口古）嘻嘻...長平宮主，你所要求嘅事我都同你做完叻，你應該與駙馬立刻成婚，免負兩旁 嘅儀杖。

（長平口古）唉，長平仲焉敢再逆皇上諭旨呢，難得你答允我，將花燭筵設在月華宮外，個處雖是花無並蒂，但係樹有含樟。

（清帝點頭答應白）孤皇自當准奏，吩咐動樂。

P.S. I think Google just gave me the answer! The one I saw when I was young probably was the 76 version by 龍劍笙 and 梅雪詩. And the ones I saw in recent years were the 59 version by 任白.