Henry Chung Esquire

Much has happened since I last posted. The Taiwan earthquake caued HK's internet to halt for a few days. Both James Brown and Saddam Hussein died. Cruelty still persists in this world. My enthusiasm and love for life have continued. Got a surprisingly lovely e-mail from an insightful someone. People continue to treat me well. Still sentimental as hell but James Taylor's Christmas songs seem to calm me down and put me in a chilled holiday mood.



Happy new year to those who I care about.

Do I have plans for 2007? Safe to say that I know what I'm doing in a nutshell. But I haven't planned anything too detailed. As I grow older, I understand making covenants seems like a grandiose idea at the year's start, but it's almost impossible to accomplish the tasks. Many changes happen during the year.

So what do I have to say for the new year?

Nothing, except I really look forward to it.

I look forward to really digging deep into the true meaning of the blues and *saudade*. I want to be able to understand when someone like Elis Regina or Astrud start singing about the subject matter.

To end the year, I am going to say something quite convention: "Don't get around much anymore."
|

My friend KLEE wrote another thoughtful piece about Christmas and the meaning thereof, plus an excerpt from a recent Grantham Hospital visit (Christmas carols). What a memorable experience!
|

Also check out this amazing Charles Schultz interview on NPR.
|

|

by 香港童聲合唱天地

(OC: O Tanenbaum)
(詞：謝立文)
噢！聖誕節托它歸家
我阿媽話幾貴架！
噢！聖誕節托它歸家
放係廳度閃閃o下！
聖誕樹 d 膠氣幾臭架！
我阿爸貪佢夠呀咋！

噢！聖誕節托它歸家
放係廳度幾靚架！
噢！聖誕節托它歸家
放係廳度閃閃o下！
聖誕樹 d 膠氣飄飄o下
發泡膠雪快落下
噢！聖誕節托它歸家
放係廳度幾醒架！
|

*I* have just been voted by Time Magazine as the "Person of the Year." I've never been so proud in my entire life. I'm so glad to have shared this award with Bob, Timmy, and Little Skooter on the next street, not to mention Skip the Village Idiot....


|

This list is not exhaustive by any means:

Daydreaming
Bossa Nova
Art Tatum/Ben Webster
Erroll Garner
Coleman Hawkins
Cafe Mocha from Cafe Habitu in Wanchai
Studying aimlessly and carefree without any restriction
Charles Brown's classic song
Did I already mention daydreaming?
Listening to Laura's "No Reason"
Some swinging Christmas tunes by Vince Guaraldi
Re-watching "Charlie Brown Christmas"
Deleting junk on myspace

Off to study! And some Charlie Haden and Kenny Barron....
|

Mister Rogers' Song List

Make sure you check out the incredible piano stylings of Johnny Costa in the background.
|

Thank God for Starbucks! I concluded that my favorite drink is still "Tall Peppermint Mocha extra shot easy on the syrup no whip." It is only served once a year during holiday times so I treasure the chance whenever I can. It's kind of like when I was a kid I looked forward to the limited supply of Chicken McNuggets (remember?). Now it's everywhere and some McDonald's are called McCafes. Having a Big Mac once in a blue moon is unspeakable happiness.

So thank God for Starbucks again! If it wasn't for its peppermint mocha, I wouldn't have the energy and alertness to study my PCLL exam. I just finished the hardest subject in the whole course - civil procedure knowledge exam - so I feel like half of the burden is gone. I started attacking and cracking this subject some three weeks ago, and I hope the results would reflect my hard work. 3 out of 5. 2 more to go. Should be OK.

In addition to Starbucks, I also thank Cafe Habitu, the law library, the main library and the 24-hour study room in the main library. I spent a considerable amount of time studying during these 3 weeks. It may sound perverted but I actually enjoy devoting my time trying to figure out something remotely difficult. This is part of the joy being back at school again. It feels rewarding, believe or not! Maybe I'm an academic at heart. But I prefer the library to the stock market anytime.

Anyway, I'm gradually feeling some Christmas spirit. Just had a somehwat profound and slightly didactic but mostly authentic discussion with someone (intelligent, insightful, and incredible) about life, music, and living in general. We seemed to come to a consensus. There is something spiritual about performance art that makes it unique from other types of art in addition to its creativity and originality.

One purpose of life is exploring other pieces that are missing in your life. It's about finding the missing puzzle. It's about reuniting with people who have a spiritual connection with you. It's about knowing that someone who feels you're making a difference to them. It's about giving and generosity. That's why I don't think I'm fit to be a multi-billionaire. If I were one, I would totally miss eating at a Chinese fast food joint, going record shopping at used CD stores, and walking on the streets of HK without paparazzi following me.

Christmas is not only a season of greetings and joy. It's a reason to explore the world you haven't seen. So count your blessings instead of sheep, like the song says.

Oh, and by the way, Christmas is supposed to be jazzy!
|

Christmas time is near. It's indeed the best season of the year. Puts me in a good mood. Unfortunatey, Christmas in Hong Kong is not yet cold. The colder it gets, the warmer you can feel. Anyway, I'm preparing for my PCLL exam. Revenge time is close. By the time I finish my exams, I'll be a reformed man!

Please don't stop coming back and checking out my blog from time to time. I might have something momentous to share if I feel like it, like these photos from August (the biggest gig of my life yet):




|