The Proust Questionnaire

Marcel Proust’s questionnaire is one of the best-known interview devices used in the media nowadays. Fun, intelligent, and concise, it reveals much of the personality of those questioned. While the Maison Darel has recently purchased the original Marcel Proust questionnaire, Assouline Publishing puts forth a facsimile version that contains Marcel Proust’s handwritten replies. An introduction by Henry-Jean Servat, a long-standing member of the Friends of Marcel Proust Society, provides a historical account of the questionnaire, and a foreword by William C. Carter imparts the significance of Proust today. In addition, the book includes questionnaires filled by important persons with various cultural backgrounds; people such as Peter Lindbergh, Marisa Berenson, and Richard Meier. Some blank questionnaires are also included at the end, making this book an ideal gift.

from:http://www.assoulineusa.com/proust.html

这种类似的问卷游戏最早出现在几个世纪前的巴黎社交场上，《追忆似水年华》的作者Marcel Proust（1871-1922）是回答这个问卷的最著名人士，所以便以他来命名。普鲁斯特在13岁和20岁的时候分别做了一次调查，答案有很大不同，后来研究普鲁斯特的人士还以此为依据来分析一个作家成长的变化。再再后来呢，名利场（Vanity Fair）杂志开始在每期封底搞普鲁斯特问卷专栏，专门挑一些知名人士来回答。
著名的Proust Questionnaire（普鲁斯特问卷）由一系列问题组成，问题包括被提问者的生活、思想、价值观及人生经验等。因著作《追忆逝水年华》而闻名的Marcel Proust并不是这份问卷的发明者，但这份问卷因为他特别的答案而出名，并在当年时髦的巴黎人沙龙中颇为流行。因此后人将这份问卷命名为“Proust Questionnaire”。 Vanity Fair（名利场）杂志每期封底都有普鲁斯特问卷专栏。

1.What is your idea of perfect happiness?
2.Which living person do you most admire?
3.What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
4.What is your greatest extravagance?
5.On what occasion do you lie?
6.What do you most dislike about your appearance?
7.Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
8.What is your greatest regret?
9.What or who is the greatest love of your life?
10.Which talent would you most like to have?
11.If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
12.What do your consider your greatest achievement?
13.If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what would it be?
14.If you could choose to come back as a person or thing, what would it be?
15.What is the quality you most like in a man?
16.What is the quality you most admire in a woman?
17.What do you most admire in your friends?
18.Who are your favourite writers?
19..Who are your heroes in real life?
20.What is your motto?

Kidult

Kidult个性宣言：Ｈａｖｅ ｆｕｎ!

　　“谁敢碰我的宝贝，我是冲锋陷阵的宇宙战士！吼吼！”年近不惑的赵先生一边玩着新玩具坦克，一边兴高采烈地呼喊着。这副架势妻子早已司空见惯了。玩具大坦克？是的！就是一辆大肚子，突突突的坦克，老赵甚至发动家里的猫咪一起玩，跟着坦克一起撒欢，“我最大的梦想就是开坦克！老婆，吃完饭，你洗碗，让我再玩一把吧，求求你了。”
　　 2004年，Kidult大行其道，香港甚至出现了以Kidult为名的杂志，销量不俗。而现在，Kidult会怎样？你说呢？
　　 名词解释：
　　Ｋｉｄｕｌｔ：ｋｉｄ是小孩子的意思；ａｄｕｌｔ即成人，组合起来特指有着小孩特质心态、心境、个性、趣味的成年人。
　　判断标准：
　　童心：在宫崎骏老爷子的《哈尔的移动城堡》里，索菲虽然被变成了９０岁的老太婆，却还保留着小女孩的天真和纯洁。这部动画要表达的就是永远的Ｋｉｄｕｌｔ精神，容颜可以苍老，心灵却永远年轻。
　　童趣：这涉及到一个严肃的问题，当你已经长大成人时，小时候的简单快乐还可以拥有吗？如果看电视时，你的频道总是不由自主地转到《聪明的一休》而不是《××证券分析》，恭喜你，你就是Ｋｉｄｕｌｔ。
　　代言人物：
　　小丸子的爷爷：首先，读到“爷爷”的时候请使用上声，小丸子全家人里，爷爷算是最能跟紧潮流的一个了。提到男朋友的时候，爷爷顺其自然地想像着自己帅得一塌糊涂迷倒一片的样子，连小丸子一个小朋友的恭维都相信，爷爷是ｋｉｄ至极了！
　　麦兜：这个被称为“温暖了整个香港”的小猪入选了某知名杂志的２００４年度评选。这头呆头呆脑的小粉猪似乎永远不知道艰险，妈妈做的麻油鸡是他的最爱，能去马尔代夫旅行是它的梦想，是不是跟我们小的时候一样？
　　典型装备：
　　儿时的玩具车 、动画片等
　　要看他是不是Ｋｉｄｕｌｔ，只要看在见到儿童玩具时是不是眼冒金星，脚步迟疑，或者干脆不走了，任美女从眼前经过也毫无知觉。
　　Kidult梦想：
　　全世界就是一个大的玩具场，大孩子们、小孩子们在里面玩耍，每一天，每一夜。
FORM:http://www.pclady.com.cn/style/hz/0501/30526_3.html

Evian :World-famous mineral water

Evian :World-famous mineral water

The Nomad bottle is light plastic and it has been shaped to fit the hand. Thanks to the threaded cone-shaped cap the bottle is easy to open and re-seal.

With its 44 % market share, Evian is the world’s No. 1 in non-carbonated natural mineral waters. In all bottled waters it ranks second. Evian is sold in over 120 countries, particularly France and the USA. In Finland Evian has been on the market since the early 1990s; last fall it became part of Sinebrychoff’s product line.

Interest in healthy drinking habits and health-promoting products has enhanced Evian’s recognizability and sales. Because consumers have become more demanding about the quality of their drinking water, the market for non-carbonated natural mineral waters has grown significantly in Finland.

Evian bubbles up from springs in the French Alps. The story goes that in 1789 the aristocratic Marques de Lessert was hiking in the Alps and drank the water from the springs. Afterwards he was absolutely certain that it was just this spring water that had cured his kidney problems and otherwise improved his health. Thus began Evian’s world conquest. Evian became famous for its healing effects and Evian’s town developed into a famous spa resort.

Evian’s 0.75-litre Nomad bottle is sold at R-Kiosks, golf courses and amusement parks. Next autumn the Nomad bottle will be launched more extensively in convenience stores. Evian’s 1.5-litre and 0.5-litre plastic bottles are available from all well-stocked food stores.

FROM:http://www.koff.fi/en/news/info/304.html

Evian Historic French Town Sparkles With Spring Water

Visit a natural spring that emerged after the last ice age at the foot of the Alps

Here in the quiet town of Evian, France, on the shore of Lake Geneva, you step into an alley and hear a refreshing splash. It’s the sound of the water that made this town of 7,500 residents famous: It’s Evian.

Across the globe, Evian’s products are ceremoniously served by waiters at sidewalk cafes, sipped by spa-goers and chugged by the liter?for a price. In Evian itself, residents, guests and occasional visitors just stroll down Avenue des Sources and fill up?free of charge. The water, fed by mountain snow, percolates through the ground for 15 years before it emerges in Evian.

Famous water
Evian’s water has been popular for millennia. Its more recent history traces to 1789 when a visiting marquis claimed the water cured his kidney stones. The spring’s owner recognized a marketing opportunity, and began bottling and selling the water. The water wasn’t just for drinking, though. The newly formed Evian bottling company made the city a vacation spot. Evian offers Alpine scenery, a few streets of historic buildings and a grand hotel that is a throwback to the late 19th century, built when Europe’s well-heeled came from across the continent to take the water.

For as little as $34, visitors today can bathe, sauna and swim in Evian water at a local spa and health club. The spa, more functional than splashy, is subsidized by the French health care service, and many of those taking 12-jet showers of pulsating hot and cold Evian water come for therapy. Wile there, they can visit the bottling factory, wander an Evian company exhibit hall, and even swim in the famous water at an inexpensive spa. It’s a diverting daytrip from Switzerland, linked to the town by lake steamers.

FROM:http://blog.hjenglish.com/cheney/archive/2006/01/23/216401.html

Budapest

Budapest Travel Guide：

Budapest is the capital of Hungary and with a population of 1,8 million citizens it is by far the largest city in the country.

The city is often referred to as the Paris of the east, and deserves this name. It bears some resemblance to Prague, but is larger and friendlier. The picturesque setting on two sides of the Danube, the nine connecting bridges and the villas and public buildings from the fin-de-siècle era really make Budapest one of the most enjoyable cities in Europe.

Budapest is composed of three cities: Buda, and Obuda on the west side of the river looking over the much larger Pest on the opposite side. To simplify it for tourist, Obuda and Buda are often just refered to as Buda. The three parts developed separately as the bourgeois Buda with its palaces and spas and the more commercial Pest. At first, the hills of Buda were the safe core of the twin cities, but as Buda and Pest were united with ?buda (Ancient Buda) the plains of Pest became the centre of the growing metropolis.

Today, the most famous landmark of Budapest is the Parliament building on the banks of the Danube. From a distance it looks a lot like the English Houses of Parliament, with Big Ben conspicuously absent. The best view of the Parliament can be had from Castle Hill, a Budapest highlight itself. This collection of palaces, churches and monuments has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is a must see for every tourist. Budapest has some very good museums as well, The National Museum (Nemzeti Muzeum), the Museum of Fine Arts (Szepmuveszeti Muzeum), National Gallery (Nemzeti Galeria) and the Historical Museum of Budapest being the a few of the best.

Budapest has become a very lively city, with many good restaurants and a nightlife scene you need to check out to believe. By day, you can roam the city, visit a museum, visit some churches, take your pick of a dozen or so types of coffee in one of the cafés. By night you can have dinner at either a cheap or a fancy restaurant, go to the opera, and afterwards dance the night away.

If you would like a peek into the Budapest-specific nightlife, take a bike tour that takes you to old buildings with large scale yards - turned into bars with a very interesting mixed crowd, good underground/popular DJ-s - You will experience something only very few can. This is not really on their website - only done upon request!!! http://budapestbike.hu - I am very sorry if this is against the policy to advertise a place here, but this is such an inside info - must be shared!

Getting around Budapest is very simple due to BKV (Budapest Kozlekedesi Vallalat-Budapest transportation system). This system has busses, subways, trams, trolley's, urban trains running throughout the city and outer-skirts. If you would like to have more information on BKV, this public orginization hosts a site: www.bkv.hu .

Crime is not a big issue. Pocketpicking is the most common type of crime. To prevent this from happening to you, put all your valuable possesions in a belt bag, or on a neck bag. One more type of crime is taxi drivers ripping you off. Ways of avoiding this is to call the taxi before hand, making sure the taxi has his pay clock on, and asking for a receipt. One more way of avoiding this is using BKV. If you use caution in Budapest, you will find that this wonderful city is like none other. It can not be compared with Paris, because it has a life of its own. Budapest is the heart of a wonderful nation, a nation that is just now catching up with western Europe. People do not want to be compared with Paris, they want to be known as Budapest, the capital of Hungary.
from:http://www.world66.com/europe/hungary/budapest

香港电视剧集中的好习惯

转：香港电视剧集中的好习惯 http://et.21cn.com/tv/jingdianhuigu/2006/05/15/2577493.shtml

一、现在但凡有开车的戏，都能看到驾驶员和副驾驶座位上的乘客一上车就系好保险带的好习惯，虽然香港是弹丸之地，开车到达目的地也许几分钟就到。可在香港有明文规定上车必须系保险带的强制性措施，违者扣分。在港剧中能看到这一措施是深入人心的，在内地就很少看到有如此自觉的行为，当然除了上高速公路，那时就有危机意识了。

就算是在的士后座也绑安全带，港人真的做得很好，不妨学习一下。

二、随着手机的蓝牙技术和耳麦的出现，现在的港剧中已经看不到主人公开车时听到手机铃响分神翻找电话的危险状况了。其实开车打手机非常容易出事故，一边要掌控方向盘，一边还要顾着电话聊天，心自若建议新手不要学着耍酷，为了自己和他人的安全，开车时尽量不要接听电话。

三、港剧中经常能看到主人公进入医院区域自觉不接听手机来电，尽量使用呼机和公用电话回复电话，尊重他人生命等于尊重自己，心自若时常在内地医院看到有人为了摆阔显富随便亮亮最新款的手机而在医院随意接听电话，嗓门吊到八丈高，生怕别人听不见似的，非常令人反感。

进入医院自觉关闭手机，好习惯！

四、不管是老港剧还是新港剧，观众都可以察觉到香港人是说“唔该”（即谢谢）最多的城市了吧。去餐馆点菜后要说唔该，上菜后也要说唔该，买单后还要说唔该，好有礼貌的香港人。尽管短短两个字，可经常挂在嘴边也不易啊。相反在内地就没有如此好的传统，特别是年轻人，要说声谢谢觉得非常难，人家为我服务是应该的，我付钱享受这一切，应该是别人谢我才对。

五、也许港剧中为了凸现男主人公的绅士风度而特意设计了一些为小姐开车门、拉椅子的情节，可我觉得作为有风度的男人的确应该如此。在内地，为女士服务的观点不但是百年难见，而且男士有时好勇斗狠起来跟女人顶真得要命。心自若就曾遇到过有一次刚准备迈进麦当劳推开玻璃门的时候，后面突然冲出一个男人，抢在我前面进去，而且也不扶好因为惯性而摔回的玻璃门，差点撞到我的头。不要说是风度，他根本没打算让着女人。与这种男人还能再计较什么呢？

六、常说香港人市侩、现实，可在港剧中我们能时常看到“义工”这一群热心助人不计报酬的义务工作者，他们牺牲自己的业余时间，自愿服务于社会。在内地近年来也推行类似的“志愿者”活动，报名者非常踊跃，在大型展览和公益活动中出了不少力。


七、电视剧里他们坐公车的时候，上车前总会自觉的排队，看上去很有次序。不像我们这里有的地方，就知道乱挤，容易制造混乱，让那些小偷有机可乘呀。

carry on till tomorrow

carry on till tomorrow
In younger days, I told myself my life would be my own
And I'd leave the place where sunshine never shone
For my life's too short for waiting when I see the rising sun
Then I know again that I must carry on
Carry on till tomorow, there's no reason to look back
Carry on, carry on, carry on
Beyond the shadows of the clouds and onward to the sky
Carry on till I find the rainbow's end
For my life's too short for waiting when I see the rising sun
Then I know again that I must carry on
Carry on till tomorow, there's no reason to look back
Carry on, carry on, carry on
Drifting on the wings of freedom, leave this stormy day
And we'll ride to tomorrow's golden fields
For my life's too short for waiting when I see the rising sun
Then I know again that I must carry on
Carry on till tomorow, there's no reason to look back
Carry on, carry on, carry on
And when the heavy journey's done,
I'll rest my weary head
For the world and it's colours will be mine
For my life's too short for waiting when I see the setting sun
Then I know again that I must carry on
Carry on till tomorow, there's no reason to look back
Carry on, carry on, carry on

在年轻的日子里，我告诉自己 　　

我将有属于自己的生活 　　

而且我要离开这阳光照不到的地方 　　

我的生命没有时间等待 　　

当我看见升起的太阳那时它又一次告诉我必须坚持下去 　　

坚持到明天，那是没有理由再回想 　　

坚持到明天…… 　　

在远处云层的黑影前进到天空 　　

让它坚持到我找到彩虹的尽头 　　

我的生命没有时间等待 　　

当我看见升起的太阳那时它又一次告诉我必须坚持下去 　　

坚持到明天，那是没有理由再回想 　　

坚持到明天…… 　　

飘浮在自由的云上，离开那些日子 　　

而且会飘浮到明日金色的田野上 　　

我的生命没有时间等待 　　

当我看见升起的太阳那时它又一次告诉我必须坚持下去 　　

坚持到明天，那是没有理由再回想 　　

坚持到明天…… 　　

当着沉重的旅行结束 　　

我将休息我疲惫的头脑 　　

那是为了这个世界更加光明 　　

我的生命没有时间等待 　　

当我看见升起的太阳那时它又一次告诉我必须坚持下去

坚持到明天，那是没有理由再回想 　　

坚持到明天……