Leglessbird leisure guide

Hiking 2007
Click to view photo albums

Before Sunset (buy from Amazon)
Type: Romantic, USA 2004

Director: Richard Linklater

My rating: 5
Key actors/actresses:
Ethan Hawke - Jesse
Julie Delpy - Celine

Story:
This is the sequel to the romantic movie "Before Sunrise" where Jesse, an American guy who lived in Texas and Celine, a French girl who lived in Paris had the encounter of their life, when they met 9 years ago on a train and agreed to spend a day together in Vienna. They formed such an intense and irresistable bonding that they promise each other that they will meet again in 6 months in Vienna. However, they only met again 9 years later in Paris. What happened in the 6 month after their first encounter, why didn't they see each other again until now? How do you pick up a conversation again after not seeing someone for such a long period of time. So what's next? Are they still made for each other, the soulmate that they had hoped for 9 years ago?

My review:
Absolutely love this sequel as well, the acting, the script, the scenary and most important of all, the mood and feeling that it brings. Couldn't think of a more perfect ending than the one shown.

Ehtan and Julie played their role really well. The plentiful and natural dialogue make the audience feel they have re-ignited their intense connection as in the first movie, and that they have never forgotten each other for a day. It was tragic that they were unable to meet up during that 9 years because they didn't want to exchange contant information not even their last name, they don't want to just call or write to each other a little while and then the relationship will fade away, but as a result, once they have missed their rendervous in Vienna, they had no way of finding each other until Jesse published a book on their 1-night affair 9 years ago. All their possible romantic feelings were all injected and preserved in that 1-night, they were unable to feel and be happy with anyone else. Imagine such torture of not being able to feel love except with a person that you are uable to locate and then the joy of seeing the person again by chance. What sort of intense emotion is unleashed as a result?

Please also see Doris's review.

Before Sunrise (buy from Amazon)Type: Romantic, USA 1995

Director: Richard Linklater

My rating: 5
Key actors/actresses:
Ethan Hawke - Jesse
Julie Delpy - Celine

Story:
Jesse is an American student who lives in Texas, he is on a vacation in Europe and Celine is a French girl on her way back to Paris. They met by chance on a train and started a conversation, they felt there was an intense connection, a connection that most people don't even find during their entire life. Jesse is catching a plane to USA from Vienna the following morning and crazy as it might sound, he asks Celine to get off the train at Vienna and spend one day with him and they will part at sunrise. The brief encounter turns out to be much more than they have expected, what future holds for 2 people who have lived separate lives on two far apart countries until today...

My review:
I like this movie very very much, don't we all have the fantasy of meeting a complete stranger in the most unexpected circumstances who turns out to be the soul mate of our life? What seem to be two parallel lines somehow crossed by faith.

The connection of the two characters are instantly felt and the what seems to be a casual conversation shows harmony and reasonate. The dialogue is not dramatic, it is cozy and natural just like a conversation between two friends who have known each other for years. This is much more convincing than the super dramatic type of movie like the Titanic. One has to wonder if Jack and Rose (in Titanic) are really made for each other and if Jack had survived, how quickly he would have dumped Rose.

I particularly like the dialogue where they make conversation by pretending to be calling their best friend to talk about what happens in Vienna and role-play the best friend part. Exchanging their deep and honest view of each other since the moment they met on the train.

Not until too long, the loving feeling was coupled with physical desire, completing all the elements of knowing each other.

Audience can feel the sadness when the perfect couple must part and get on with their original path in life. Our hope is raised again with their promise to see each other again in 6 months' time, we are put in suspence not knowing that if they will indeed see each other again. Deep in our heart, we wish them luck and hope they will indeed see each other again, but on the other hand, we are not so sure if such brief but intense encounter is a strong enough foundation for their future life together (if any). Is it possible to put one's romance all into one night.

Also see the review of the sequel "Before Sunset".
Also see Doris's review.

Type: Drama, Japan 2006

Director: Shusuke Kaneko

My rating: 5
Key actors/actresses:

Tatsuya Fujiwara .... Light Yagami
Ken'ichi Matsuyama .... L
Asaka Seto .... Naomi Misora
Shigeki Hosokawa .... FBI Agent Ray
Erika Toda .... Misa Amane
Shunji Fujimura .... Watari
Takeshi Kaga .... Souichiro Yagami

Posted by Dominic
Story:
A "Death note" notebook that belongs to one of the Gods of death has been picked up by a super-smart teenager "Light". The notebook comes with instruction on how to use it, "the human whose name is written into this Death Note shall die". Light makes good use of it to eliminate criminals who are in his eyes not worthy to live, he wants to create his own world that is crime free. The unexplained death of criminals worldwide has caught the attention of another super-smart teenager crime-burster "L". The war is on between 2 of the smartest mind on earth, will "L" be able to catch "Light", and "Light" with such supernatural power in his hand, would he be able to create his idealised world, also God of death is excited to watch this catch and run game and he is not taking side.

My review:
Absolute power corrupt absolutely, with the ability to take the life of another person by simply writing his/her name into a notebook, "Light" has turned into a monster, in the name of creating a better world, he has in effect become the most evil person.

Most interesting story, a concept that many people must have thought of and wished to have the same magic power to get rid of the wrongs in the world. This stroy reminds us that this is a dangerous concept that no one will be able to control the power and avoid being corrupted.

Dear Friends and relatives,

Another year is coming to an end, we hope you & your family have been well & healthy and 2006 has been a fruitful year.

2006 has been the most interesting year (yet) for us. At the beginning of the year, we packed practically all our belongings into a warehouse and took on a 3-month French language trip, staying 6 weeks in Antibes (South of France) and 6 weeks in Paris (online diary, and tour info is shown below). It has been a wonderful experience to become full time students again and the fact that it is our first and only time as students together. Learning a new language has widen our horizon and enable us to become part of some new, friendly and interesting culture communities. Most importantly, through this journey we have learned and reinforced some of the ideas on life that we believe in and very much treasure. And we want to share them with you below.

To keep up with the adventurous spirit, we are going to Nepal for Christmas and hopefully, we will bring lots of pictures back to show you in Januray.

We wish you a very happy and prosperous 2007!

Best wishes,

Irene and Dominic - December 2006

• Freedom and flexibility: While we were packing for our trip, we come to realise we owned so much stuff that we don't need. Our freedom and flexibility are being eroded by the ever more things that we possess. During our 3-month stay in France, we survived on the very basic and we didn't miss anything that we have left in the warehouse. Moreover, happiness isn't measured on things that you own, it depends on your attitude towards life
• Never stop learning: I believe people feel happy when they learn something new. When we were kids exploring the world around us, every small thing that we learned is a giant joyful step. we felt like kids again through learning a new language, we spoke like a child when we tried to converse with other people utilizing a very limited set of volcabulary
• Never lose your child-like curiosity and fascination towards life, people and the world

Independent Consulting
We returned to Hong Kong in April, and made another important decision this year - we have become independent consultant and taking on our own contract work, I work on business consulting projects while Irene works on marketing related work. We have been doing some very interesting and enjoyable projects and also appreciate the flexibile lifestyle

Leglessbird reborn
This year also marks the new Leglessbird platform, since the original site was launched in June 2002, we have gone through two major upgrades. The new platform comes with a membership system, better formating and section control. We will continue to provide information on Travel, Restaurant, Hiking, Movies, Reading etc, we are adding more events and charity functions. With all the added functions and features on a more robust platform, we plan to expand and promote the "Leglessbird" concept to everyone, if you agree with the Leglessbird principles and want to participate in our events, feel free to sign up as members, simply visit the website and click "Register" on the right hand column! Leglessbird

One of the best restaurants we have tried this year is Le Marron
Cuisine: French in Causeway Bay, 12/F, Ying Kong Mansion, 2-6 Yee Wo Street
+852 28816662. For more information

Before SunriseBefore Sunsetare not new movies, but we have only watched them this year and they are highly recommended
Romantic, USA 1995, 2004
My rating: 5 stars
Director: Richard Linklater
Key actors/actresses: Ethan Hawke - Jesse; Julie Delpy - Celine

Jesse is an American student who lives in Texas, he is on a vacation in Europe and Celine is a French girl on her way back to Paris. They met by chance on a train and started a conversation, they felt there was an intense connection, a connection that most people don't even find during their entire life. Jesse is catching a plane to USA from Vienna the following morning and crazy as it might sound, he asks Celine to get off the train at Vienna and spend one day with him and they will part at sunrise. The brief encounter turns out to be much more than they have expected, what future holds for 2 people who have lived separate lives on two far apart countries until today...

TravelAs far as travel goes, we have been seeing a lot of places thanks to our French language trip and Irene's master graduation in July. You can visit our travel section for more photos of France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, Jersey, Beijing, Taipei, Tokyo.
New travel siteOld travel site
For enquiry of tickets and hotels, please contact our travel agent Guidance Travel +852 3598 4873 email

The best way to learn a language is to study in the country that speaks that language. If you are interested in our tour in France, click for
more information.

Organised by FAA, we have guest speakers from the Provence region of France to talk about the specialities of this area.

Christmas celebration lunch organised by the FAA and Hong Kong Acceuil at La Fourchette

Cuisine: Japanese in Central
My rating: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 4
Price per person: HKD 150-200

Address and tel.no
8/F Lan Kwai Fong Tower, 55 D'Aguilar Street
2523 3006

Nice deco with samurai sword, nice food and the good business lunch. I had goose liver set and Irene had sushi set.

Cuisine: Cafe in Causeway Bay
My rating: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 4
Price per person: HKD 100-200

Address and tel.no
4/F, 4 Sun Wui Road
2890 4884

Dominic Review:
This is a popular upstair cafe which is ideal for private parties, we had 1 here with 30+ people. Buffet style dinner + drinks.

Irene Review:
I went here for tea meeting, it's not noisy but it can be fully booked.

Cuisine: French in Central
My rating: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 2
Price per person: HKD 150-200

Address and tel.no
hop 2028-9, IFC Mall

Dominic Review:
This place is more famous for its snacks and dessert rather than meals. It is an interesting "in-between" choice if you are looking for a place to chat in IFC mall but you don't want to go to the expensive restaurant nor do you want to go to the mass-market fast food place. You are almost certain that you will get a place here.

Irene Review:
There are many choices of tea. The meal is light and up to standard. It's IFC price though.