It is funny and amusing , when I started learning Mandarin 4 years due to the COVID lock downs. I wondered if it would be possible to connect with someone who speaks Mandarin and has similar like minded planetary (earthly life); a wild and fanciful idea, it is a big unknown (scary ?) world out there hahaha
It turned out to be the Empress of Chiwi; You, who has a great sense of humor with thoughtful journal entries explaining the digital nomad life. This is pure gold, you should bottle this and think of a brand name and sell at exclusively at Zhongguo luxury stores.
What transpired was Perfect really ! this of course was impossible to have predicted a few years ago.
Many thanks CY for your wild, interesting and unpredictable adventures.
What have you in store for 2025 ? will it be a blast ??? LOL
Thank you CY, I am sure 2025, the year of the wooded snake you will go to new fertile grounds in new environments for new reflections and feelings -- perhaps re-visioning your old history for new paths to discovery - viewing things in not thought of new perspectives. We are of course always growing and accumulating knowledge.
I will have to read the rest of you post later - in particular the new trend in Zhongguo; the Middle Kingdom , as I am absorbed and enjoying reading the novel by Arturo Perez-Reverte: The Dumas Club, and wondering what transpires in Toledo and Sintra for the protagonist; the well read book sleuth and antiquarian. Of course Portuguese castles are very alluring too.
I use to be like you very restrictive for my fiction/non fiction reading preferences.
But no longer, I do not apply old filters of yesteryear. I will read just about anything that presents itself to me. I widen the lens. You can call it the opening and flowering of my reading the same with listening to music. For instance a few days ago, I chanced upon hearing a piano piece, Claude Debussy: La Cathédrale Engloutie" (The Sunken Cathedral) published in 1910
Interestingly it was based, I learned, of the Breton Myth according to the legend, the cathedral rises from the sea on clear mornings when the water is transparent, and sounds of chanting priests, ringing bells, and organ music can be heard across the sea. The cathedral emerges then disappears.
WOW! This was too much for me ... LOL
Debussy won me over, I need to listen to more of the Debussy Oeuvre — something about his compositional style that I an attracted too. I got a big kick out of how Debussy translates visual and narrative ideas into music, creating an evocative and atmospheric piece.
And as usual, I starting composing a new piece for classical guitar on a Cathedral theme too. Over several mornings, in a interactive approach, refining the melody and harmony; when I could not proceed I had an afternoon siesta (I have adopted the Southern Mediterranean practice last few years since COVID and has been a surprising boon for my creativity). I called the piece The Gothic Cathedral and it nothing like Debussy piece
So if I was restrictive and did not widen the lens, would this creation have been possible to trigger a new inspiration ? I have to say: Nope
You are right, when you create something and it is put out in the world. You have no control of its interpretation. But what if it is not put out there ? That is, you do not publish, it is only for your eyes and ears, so only you know on how you felt when you created it, the emotion and memory it is like a your personal emotional snapshot.
That is why for me not all my works are publishable for that reason. I feel if I did the
the muse will desert me, the creative flow would disappear. I do not want that.
Great start to reading in 2025 CY and TV series viewing.
I starting reading Atsuhiro Yoshida book: Goodnight Tokyo, first book in English ( he has written 40 novels and I never heard of him before - I am a fan of Murakami, but I did not like his latest book POV - it dragged on .... ) .
Yoshida's short stories collection are really really bizarre but with a underlying happy vein ... and are all interconnected. I liked the Japanese night life.
Saw the last episode of Dune Prophecy ( based on Sisterhood of Dune book ). You do want to mess around with these sisters ! Can't wait for Season 2 and also Final season of Andor and Ahsoka.
I saw a fascinating post between two Chinese thinkers: xunzi and mengzi
Xunzi 荀⼦ wrote: “Human nature is bad“.
Mengzi 孟子: Human nature is good
Have to read more to make up my mind -- what is going on here CY ?
Happy New Year Empress of Chiwi, if you going to spend all year in Zhongguo will you write about your amazing experiences for all the village you visit in 2025 ?
You have certainly racked up a lot kilometers traveling globally. Maybe you need to rest and catch up , refresh and rekindle old friendships ? are your legs tired ?
Hey, Melbourne has a booming Korean town, which I did not know about. We already have Chinatown and the Hellenic precinct. It looks good, Melbourne is the food capital of Australia.
I must go and check out the food ! Melbournians are riding the Korean Wave :)
I like this: Guzheng player: Mindy Meng Wang calls Melbourne home
https://www.theage.com.au/culture/music/playing-a-guzheng-is-hard-enough-finding-europe-in-melbourne-forget-it-20250103-p5l1xu.html
ps
I will be doing a guzhen workshop soon.
this is very very interesting. I have to be very highly selective where to travel now.
its official !
https://www.wired.com/story/boring-cities-are-bad-for-your-health/?ref=thefuturist
I imagined what the life of a digital nomad is like and then this poem somehow formed in 15 minutes Haha
.
I tried writing it in Mandarin or like a Tan Dynasty poem style , but thought better of it , perhaps later when my skill levels improve.
The Digital Nomad
I heard typing at the keyboard
your fingers were dancing to a song
Maybe it was a Sichuan city square dance
where lots of people listened
and moved in circles to the broadcast music
after completing their day's shopping.
Then you paused and added sugared water
to an emerald vase of blue iris and white lily
Satisfied at way the light beams glimmered
off the long blue and white stems.
You squeezed a perfume atomizer
and puffs of scent clung like due on your hair
The blinds were drawn up and you could see jasmine
climbing near the windowsill as you gazed and day dreamed.
Light beams too danced in your eyes
The bouquet and aroma smelled great.
You had reserves of potential energy now
And did not feel like pumping iron today
You fingers resumed a new silent song
and you were a beautiful master portrait sitting there
ready to be photographed and hung framed in the hallway
Typing away time stood still
It must be writing about Toledo and Sintra
I thought, all that Portuguese sunshine
pouring into the alley ways of street cafes.
Or all that walking that you plan to do soon.
You removed a red Moroccan leather diary
unlocked it with a brass key chain
that looped around you neck
You wrote as short entry and then locked it.
Then placed the diary into your backpack
by the door next to your packed suitcase.
Always beyond inspired. Grateful for your work- and its evolution- Camellia! 🙏 to each new day
Thank you! Happy New Year!
No I am 感恩！
It is funny and amusing , when I started learning Mandarin 4 years due to the COVID lock downs. I wondered if it would be possible to connect with someone who speaks Mandarin and has similar like minded planetary (earthly life); a wild and fanciful idea, it is a big unknown (scary ?) world out there hahaha
It turned out to be the Empress of Chiwi; You, who has a great sense of humor with thoughtful journal entries explaining the digital nomad life. This is pure gold, you should bottle this and think of a brand name and sell at exclusively at Zhongguo luxury stores.
What transpired was Perfect really ! this of course was impossible to have predicted a few years ago.
Many thanks CY for your wild, interesting and unpredictable adventures.
What have you in store for 2025 ? will it be a blast ??? LOL
Yes! 2025 gonna be a great year! Happy New Year haha!
Thank you CY, I am sure 2025, the year of the wooded snake you will go to new fertile grounds in new environments for new reflections and feelings -- perhaps re-visioning your old history for new paths to discovery - viewing things in not thought of new perspectives. We are of course always growing and accumulating knowledge.
I will have to read the rest of you post later - in particular the new trend in Zhongguo; the Middle Kingdom , as I am absorbed and enjoying reading the novel by Arturo Perez-Reverte: The Dumas Club, and wondering what transpires in Toledo and Sintra for the protagonist; the well read book sleuth and antiquarian. Of course Portuguese castles are very alluring too.
I use to be like you very restrictive for my fiction/non fiction reading preferences.
But no longer, I do not apply old filters of yesteryear. I will read just about anything that presents itself to me. I widen the lens. You can call it the opening and flowering of my reading the same with listening to music. For instance a few days ago, I chanced upon hearing a piano piece, Claude Debussy: La Cathédrale Engloutie" (The Sunken Cathedral) published in 1910
Interestingly it was based, I learned, of the Breton Myth according to the legend, the cathedral rises from the sea on clear mornings when the water is transparent, and sounds of chanting priests, ringing bells, and organ music can be heard across the sea. The cathedral emerges then disappears.
WOW! This was too much for me ... LOL
Debussy won me over, I need to listen to more of the Debussy Oeuvre — something about his compositional style that I an attracted too. I got a big kick out of how Debussy translates visual and narrative ideas into music, creating an evocative and atmospheric piece.
And as usual, I starting composing a new piece for classical guitar on a Cathedral theme too. Over several mornings, in a interactive approach, refining the melody and harmony; when I could not proceed I had an afternoon siesta (I have adopted the Southern Mediterranean practice last few years since COVID and has been a surprising boon for my creativity). I called the piece The Gothic Cathedral and it nothing like Debussy piece
So if I was restrictive and did not widen the lens, would this creation have been possible to trigger a new inspiration ? I have to say: Nope
You are right, when you create something and it is put out in the world. You have no control of its interpretation. But what if it is not put out there ? That is, you do not publish, it is only for your eyes and ears, so only you know on how you felt when you created it, the emotion and memory it is like a your personal emotional snapshot.
That is why for me not all my works are publishable for that reason. I feel if I did the
the muse will desert me, the creative flow would disappear. I do not want that.
My opinion of course and it works for me.
Best wishes for the New Year.
我很高兴发现了你。你是一个罕见的灵魂
感恩！谢谢！
hey CY, I remember reading a while ago your excellent thoughts on Sisyphus !
and saw this: the sisyphus treadmill ..and the memories came back LOL
https://dariusforoux.com/sisyphus-treadmill/?ref=refind
Great start to reading in 2025 CY and TV series viewing.
I starting reading Atsuhiro Yoshida book: Goodnight Tokyo, first book in English ( he has written 40 novels and I never heard of him before - I am a fan of Murakami, but I did not like his latest book POV - it dragged on .... ) .
Yoshida's short stories collection are really really bizarre but with a underlying happy vein ... and are all interconnected. I liked the Japanese night life.
Saw the last episode of Dune Prophecy ( based on Sisterhood of Dune book ). You do want to mess around with these sisters ! Can't wait for Season 2 and also Final season of Andor and Ahsoka.
I saw a fascinating post between two Chinese thinkers: xunzi and mengzi
Xunzi 荀⼦ wrote: “Human nature is bad“.
Mengzi 孟子: Human nature is good
Have to read more to make up my mind -- what is going on here CY ?
https://ralphammer.com/xunzi-vs-mengzi-are-people-no-good/
have you finalized you globe trotting plans ?
Happy New Year Empress of Chiwi, if you going to spend all year in Zhongguo will you write about your amazing experiences for all the village you visit in 2025 ?
You have certainly racked up a lot kilometers traveling globally. Maybe you need to rest and catch up , refresh and rekindle old friendships ? are your legs tired ?
Hey, Melbourne has a booming Korean town, which I did not know about. We already have Chinatown and the Hellenic precinct. It looks good, Melbourne is the food capital of Australia.
I must go and check out the food ! Melbournians are riding the Korean Wave :)
https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/article/your-guide-to-melbournes-unofficial-koreatown
The children who remember their past lives
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2024/05/02/children-past-lives/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=acq-nat&utm_campaign=dr-december-24&utm_content=dtpannual_20241230_EOYSale