我算是一個挑食的人了。在外吃飯只去好吃的地方，不好吃的地方再便宜我也不想去，這種品味大概是從小被我那廚藝甚佳的老媽慣壞的。小時候在家有媽當煮飯婆，不知自己命好，等來到美國自己生活後,才知道有娘疼的孩子是寶。剛來讀書的時候一方面為了省錢,一方面嘴饞的時候外面吃不到道地台菜，我只好自己開始學作菜。這幾年下來，我的廚藝還是只是OK罷了，只會作一些簡單的小菜, 耗功夫的大菜我作不來也懶的作，但確實燒菜燒出樂趣來。現在我沒事還滿喜歡逛逛菜市場，要不然就上網查食譜學作新菜。
料理這東西在我們這種民以食為天的民族一向是顯學,殊不見將太的壽司之類的漫畫日劇備受歡迎，飲食文學或美食評論也是紅遍天。以前的飲食文學只能在字裏行間鋪述，好的作家可以寫到讀者品文津津有味; 現在網路作家可以post照片影片，色香俱全, 文字表達反而沒那麼吸引人了。可我還是喜歡看一些結合料理和人文的故事, 像我一直很懷念以前林文月在中國時報上發表的飲饍札記，她的菜，總有一個故事，或者是因為某人而發明出來的，或許是因為某人而改良的, 或者是和某些朋友聚時才作的，娟娟動人，感情細膩。 像這些因為為了吃客而發展的烹調的方式, 調味的輕重，食材的挑選, 樣樣是作菜的人作給吃菜的人的情義心意，照片看不到，影片看不到, 還是要用寫的故事, 才能看的到。
常有人問我都煮些什麼，我還真說不出的我煮什麼，不就依那天的心情那天的食客煮那天想吃的東西嗎？因為這樣，有一天我突然想到把我煮的家常菜照相下來放到我的網路相簿，也把那天作菜的心情寫下。這不會是料理文學, 只是我喃喃自語的料理日記簿。最重要的是要老媽看一下，讓她知道女兒沒餓肚。
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
"I'm a Cyborg, but that's OK"
The Korean Director Park Chan-wook is definitely a freak. I saw his movie "Old Boy" couple years ago. The violence and cruelty in the movie freacked me out- eating raw octopus, cutting one's own tongue, unblievable revenge, ...., and the story itself was crazy and outrageous. I don't believe that can happen in any place in the world. But I was intrigued by the director's fantastic imagining. If I have to pick the two most beautiful violent movies- I'll say KILL BILL and OLD BOY. 
So when I found out that Park has a new movie showing in San Francisco Asian American Film Festival this week, I was really curious what it is going to be. According to the introduction on the official website- this movie "I'm a cyborg, but that's OK" is a "fantasy-laden love story between a girl who believes herself a cyborg and an insecure kleptomaniac". I said to myself, this cannot be too bad. The movie didn't disappoint me. It turned out to be a comedy happened in a psycho hospital- every patient has their own fantasy. The main actress character (Young-goon) is schezophrenic that she believes herself a cyborg (and her granny believed herself a mouse), the main actor character (starred by Rain) steals things from people just to prove his own existence- because he is afraid he is going to vanish into a dot. All the other supporting characters have fun and cute personality- a fat woman believes by scrubbing her two magic socks, she can fly anywhere; another one carries a mirror around and tries to audit a singing character in the movie "Sound of Music". Comparing to the evilness in "Old Boy", characters in this movie seem to act out of good will. However, Park still keeps some of his favorite violence element in the movie. A couple of bloody scenes were in Young-goon's imaginary fantacy.
The plot itself is not that creative- no more creative schizophrenic patients' fantasies . But Park smartly inbeded some of his lessoning in the movie, like when a person is out of sympathy (stolen), he/she can be cruel. The supposed-to-be-macaber tale was told in a comic way which reminds me of Amelie. I like many cute parts about Young-goon's behavior- her cyborg talking to vending machine, recharing herself by putting batteries between her fingers. And I also like the idea that "Thusday" can be stolen.
The plot itself is not that creative- no more creative schizophrenic patients' fantasies . But Park smartly inbeded some of his lessoning in the movie, like when a person is out of sympathy (stolen), he/she can be cruel. The supposed-to-be-macaber tale was told in a comic way which reminds me of Amelie. I like many cute parts about Young-goon's behavior- her cyborg talking to vending machine, recharing herself by putting batteries between her fingers. And I also like the idea that "Thusday" can be stolen.
One of my personal requirements of a good movie is that the color sheme has to be right. I have to say that Park is very good in this. The move starts with red where female workers in red uniform working in a facotry production line, then Young-goon cut herself- red blood was everywhere. Green was another major color in the movie with beautiful green grass and green masks. And I wonder what Park has about the hair style of his characters- the Oldboy guy and the Cyborg girl both have bushy big hair.
Overall speaking, the movie is entertaining and fun. The slogan of the 2008 San Francisco Asian American Film Festival is "Sometimes you have to get out of the real world to get into other's imaginary world'. This movie is definiltey one to satify that!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
與你告別,Matrix紀
今天我把跟著我6年的Matrix賣掉了，說實在心中有很多不捨, 我的Matrix對我來說意義重大。
這是我第一台自己的車,而且是新車。是我到美國一年後爸媽來看我時陪我去買的.
我還記得那天從LA東邊的 Clarement 開回West LA, 大概有50哩, 我自己第一次開那複雜的10號公路, 緊張的手心直冒汗。老爸老媽坐在後座也很緊張,拼命幫我東張西望, 就怕換車道或換交流道時撞到別人或是開到別條高速公路上。好不容易開回到家, 在車庫裡把他跟室友的Camry一起停好的時候，我心中興奮難以自己。是不是這麼說- 有了自己的車，世界寛廣了２０倍!
這是我第一台自己的車,而且是新車。是我到美國一年後爸媽來看我時陪我去買的.
我還記得那天從LA東邊的 Clarement 開回West LA, 大概有50哩, 我自己第一次開那複雜的10號公路, 緊張的手心直冒汗。老爸老媽坐在後座也很緊張,拼命幫我東張西望, 就怕換車道或換交流道時撞到別人或是開到別條高速公路上。好不容易開回到家, 在車庫裡把他跟室友的Camry一起停好的時候，我心中興奮難以自己。是不是這麼說- 有了自己的車，世界寛廣了２０倍!
從此這台車跟著我同甘共苦，陪我上學，工作，買菜，玩樂。
第一次在藍天白雲下開著他沿Malibu海岸兜風的快感，第一次開著他在LA downtown誤入歧途時的驚嚇...
他陪我分享人生的喜悅，口試通過時開著他一路狂飇Santa Monica Blvd回家通告親友。
他陪我承擔人生的傷痛, 曾經在烈陽下開著他從LA一路哭到Irvine。
堅固可靠的他陪著我在LA搬家３次，最後陪我從LA搬到SF來。載著我在狂風暴雨中到處找房，跟著我在人生地不熟的地方四處闖盪。就像一個無怨無悔的好朋友，除了我不小心幾次abuse他之外從來沒給我找過麻煩。
這兩年來他陪著我在灣區東南西北趴趴走，最近我不得不承認輕巧的他在高速公路上不夠份量。
於是我另買了一台鋼板厚重的德國車。可我捨不得我的Matrix,不只因為他載有我太多的回憶，
也因在我生命中好幾個曾經坐過他的人已經離開，再也沒有機會來坐我的新車。
拖了一陣子之後，終於決定我實在沒有空間沒有時間養兩台車。
今天我把他賣出, 過兩天就要交車了, 我像養寵物的人一樣，擔心他的新主人會不會好好待他。
再見了，我的Matrix。
我興你告別。
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Personal development class
I went to a personal development training course last week. It's supposed to be a training that can help your efficacy at work, however, i believe all we learned from the class apply to every area in our life. I especially found it extremely applicable to my personal life.
The teacher was a black gentleman who is already 74 years old. He's the charm of the class. The way he talks is like Oprah. And he looks so wise and inspiring. I've never seen such a person like that.
Three take-outs from the class:
1. Most of us have been trained as performance-oriented all our life. We try to prove ourselves to people. This kind of life philosophy will make failures as shames, and an index that your ability level is not enough. However, why not try a"learning-oriented" life? What we should do is to "improve" ourselves instead of "proving" ourselves. In this case, a failure will be an opportunities to further improve your ability.
2. It's your response to a stimulus that matters, and that can be changed. Not the stimulus itself.
3. Don't wrestle with a pig. Because you'll both get filthy, and the pig loves it.
Just wanna write this down so I won't forget what I've learned from the class.
The teacher was a black gentleman who is already 74 years old. He's the charm of the class. The way he talks is like Oprah. And he looks so wise and inspiring. I've never seen such a person like that.
Three take-outs from the class:
1. Most of us have been trained as performance-oriented all our life. We try to prove ourselves to people. This kind of life philosophy will make failures as shames, and an index that your ability level is not enough. However, why not try a"learning-oriented" life? What we should do is to "improve" ourselves instead of "proving" ourselves. In this case, a failure will be an opportunities to further improve your ability.
2. It's your response to a stimulus that matters, and that can be changed. Not the stimulus itself.
3. Don't wrestle with a pig. Because you'll both get filthy, and the pig loves it.
Just wanna write this down so I won't forget what I've learned from the class.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
重返洛杉磯- 24小時之旅
9.15.2007, 受邀參加J&M在洛杉磯的大日子, 加上好友阿P初至美國求學,我自然要到場關心, 還要去看L學姐和9個月大的多啦A哩, 第二天要趕往東岸開會, 行程緊湊, 只有24小時在大洛杉磯地區陸地上. 一大早從San Jose坐飛機到LA, 出了機場那熟悉的LAX三個霓虹大字迎接著我, Century Blvd上的棕櫚樹葉隨風搖曳, 萬里無雲的藍天下這個地方好像永遠放晴, 沒錯,這就是南加風情. 趕到租車公司拿了一台亮藍的道奇車, 這個都市不適合搭乘大眾交通公具遊走. 沒聽過Tom Cruise在落日殺神(Collateral)這部電影中一到LA搭上Jimmy Fox的計程車時說的第一句話嗎? "Los Angeles, I can't wait to get out of here whenever I get here, it's too spread out". 說真的, 喜歡洛杉磯的人不多, 這是個又醜，又沒文化，又一天到晚塞車的地方. 但其實人們多半不解洛杉磯的風情. 這裡沒什麼長久的歷史, 漂亮的古蹟, 深度的博物館. 可是這裡是移民的第一站: 拉丁美,亞洲來的新移民帶著來美國夢到這裡,盼望建立一個新家園; 各種大小牌演藝工作帶著明星夢來到這裡，追求一個功成名就. 是這樣的求生存求變化的氣勢讓洛杉磯俗又有力, 充滿著草根性旺盛的生命力; 這裡沒有東岸悠久的歷史, 也少了世故化的做作; 或許看起來是暴發戶的虛華,但那是拓荒成功者炫耀自己的成就, 不管你同不同意，欣不欣賞，這就是洛杉磯的文化．
開著這台豔麗的道奇 (For the record, i didn't ask for this car.), 我一路從405南下, 這條高速公路以24小時塞車著名, 今天卻不知為何出奇順暢.住在LA4年多期間我在這條路上南北來回不知多少次, 曾經熟悉的路標一一出現在我的眼前. 像我這種以吃飯在搏感情的人, 每一個交流道出口下去多半有個朋友或一個餐廳的故事. Rosecranse Blvd這個出口下去, 有一個墨西哥餐廳, 是系上的老墨同學帶我去的, 一向不喜歡墨西哥菜的我,也被那裡的Fajita香而多汁的烤肉收服. Western Blvd這條路下去附近有一家J&M帶我來吃的日本拉麵, 麵條可選軟硬, 湯汁可選少塩少油, 非常道地. 再往前走有Mitsuwa日本超市,對面的一家"鳥松"日式燒烤, 是胖表哥的最愛, 老板鳥松先生在烤肉架上專注著翻烤雞肉串, 我跟表妹還有胖表哥一邊喝啤酒一邊吃著烤飯團, 是我對日本人多的Torrance 地區美好的回憶. 一路下來到了Irvine,這當然是我在LA求學時補給營養的終點站,當時我在二姑婆家不知道進補了多少台式料理. 但現在二姑婆已離開, 我到大學宿舍區找到初來乍到的阿P, 看到她和室友住的簡單宿舍, 現在還空蕩蕩沒什麼家俱, 我才想起6年前我剛到美國時,也曾和當時的室友W大街小巷撿人家不要的家俱.有很長的一段時間我們沒有餐桌, 用一個大紙箱倒扣著當桌子吃飯吃了好幾個月.從家徒四壁到搬家時東西多到櫃子門都關不起, 今天W和我早已各自邁向不同的人生, 煩惱不同的問題, 回首來時路,當時單純的生活可能是人生最簡單的時候. 我和阿P一起到熟悉的大華廣場, Taiko前面仍然門庭若市, 今天的我們並不想吃生魚片,轉往旁邊的Kaju韓國豆腐鍋, 我在北加還沒找到一個好吃的豆腐鍋, 所以韓國料理癮非常癢, 可惜吃完Kaju之後覺得這家店以後也不用再來了. 阿P啊,有機會去吃BCD Tofu House吧,雖然是連鎖店也比Kaju好吃太多. 跟阿P一聊才發現我失聯多年的大學同學S就住在阿P附近,立刻驅車前往拜訪. 我和S有6,7年沒聯絡了吧, 很高興看到S都沒變,朝著自己的理想在努力, 老同學相見, 自然談論起其他同學的八卦,這時才發現原來我們又有很多舊雨新知是共識, 這真是個小小世界! 我們一直聊到時間到了我不得不離開前往Industry Hills參加J&M的婚禮.
從405一路轉到60號公路,這又是一條充滿(美食) 回憶的高速公路. 這一帶是新華人區Rowland Heights. 從Azusa下去, 有一家我最愛的北方麵食館-口品小館,他的蔥油餅聞名華人區, 我卻獨鍾他的兩張皮-皮Q 芥末帶勁配菜又爽口,沒有別家可比. Colima上面有一家新鮮現作的韓國泡菜專賣店, 是我跟L意外發現的.附近的一個Tofu Village, 是我吃過最好吃的豆腐鍋, 飯有4種選擇, 白飯綠茶飯紫米飯紅豆飯,鍋的選擇也很多, 印象中一個螃蟹鍋湯頭鮮美, 讓一向只知在韓國城吃韓國料埋的我們驚豔不已. 可惜這一次我也沒時間下交流道去吃東西, 還是趕往婚禮要緊.
J&M的婚禮在Pacific Palms舉行, 這個地方我沒來過, 到了一看才發現是一個位在小山丘上的美麗飯店. 今天大概有三拖婚禮在舉行,好不容易找到J&M的宴會廳, 看到M在門口迎接客人. 呵呵, M今天超美, 身著白紗的新娘果然跟平日休閒或登山裝備大不同,我差點都認不出來了. 恭喜你了, M, 你跟J 看起就像永遠的High School Sweetheart!要幸福的白頭偕老啊! 婚禮一開始有日式太鼓表演, 6,7人的職業樂團, 背景襯托的是大片落地窗外半山腰的夕陽, 非常震攝人心. 這家飯店的餐點也非常好吃, 值得推薦. 當J&M在彼此宣告誓辭時,我不禁涕淚縱流. J&M, 我澄清一下,並不是因為你們的誓辭太感人, 而是因為我感冒太嚴重, 止不住鼻水! 事實上你們的誓言真是太搞笑了:D. 在婚禮上遇到了許多舊識,大多2,3年不見, 有些人我幾乎連名字都忘了. 聊起來大家近況都不錯, 真的很高興看到大家.
吃完喜酒我趕回West LA, 又是一趟約40分鐘的旅程, 這次來LA東南西面都逛到了, 一路往西走回熟悉的10號公路, 這是我們最常走的高速公路, 舉凡去華人區或韓國城買菜,吃飯,辦事,都要走10號. 晚上沒什麼車,我一路飆回L家, L學姐和她老公從我到LA的第一天就非常照顧我,對我來說,只要他們倆在的地方, 我就覺得安心可靠. 這兩天他們剛從台灣回來,我又來敍舊, 不好意思啦,L, 你們旅途勞頓我還來叨擾了,希望我沒把北加帶來的感冒傳染給你們. 第二天早上又從他們家跨過一個block到多啦A哩小朋友的家. 本來想跟L或哩家一家人到Literati Cafe喝個有機咖啡吃早餐, 但是我中午得趕去坐飛機時間不多, 只好在附近的甜甜圏店買個早點到哩家. 說到甜甜圏, 我很想念在Venice Blvd上的King of Donut, 他好吃的不是donuts而是cheese & ham crossaint, 俗又大碗吃一個就超飽. 多啦A哩小妹妹從我上次看到她到現在己經又長大不少,現在是滿地爬爬走,非常可愛, 這次發現她很有節奏感,會跟著老爸打拍子, 多啦小朋友, 希望你不負你跟多啦A夢只差一個字的名字,長大變成一個未來世界的小天才!
我在哩家又待了一個多小時才開著道奇回到機場還車, 搭往Washington DC 的班機. 這次是我離開LA後第一次回來自己四處開車, 就如5年前我第一次開著自己的小小Toyota在LA藍天下感覺到的幸福感, 洛杉磯, 因為有朋友的愛, 這是我的天使之城.
開著這台豔麗的道奇 (For the record, i didn't ask for this car.), 我一路從405南下, 這條高速公路以24小時塞車著名, 今天卻不知為何出奇順暢.住在LA4年多期間我在這條路上南北來回不知多少次, 曾經熟悉的路標一一出現在我的眼前. 像我這種以吃飯在搏感情的人, 每一個交流道出口下去多半有個朋友或一個餐廳的故事. Rosecranse Blvd這個出口下去, 有一個墨西哥餐廳, 是系上的老墨同學帶我去的, 一向不喜歡墨西哥菜的我,也被那裡的Fajita香而多汁的烤肉收服. Western Blvd這條路下去附近有一家J&M帶我來吃的日本拉麵, 麵條可選軟硬, 湯汁可選少塩少油, 非常道地. 再往前走有Mitsuwa日本超市,對面的一家"鳥松"日式燒烤, 是胖表哥的最愛, 老板鳥松先生在烤肉架上專注著翻烤雞肉串, 我跟表妹還有胖表哥一邊喝啤酒一邊吃著烤飯團, 是我對日本人多的Torrance 地區美好的回憶. 一路下來到了Irvine,這當然是我在LA求學時補給營養的終點站,當時我在二姑婆家不知道進補了多少台式料理. 但現在二姑婆已離開, 我到大學宿舍區找到初來乍到的阿P, 看到她和室友住的簡單宿舍, 現在還空蕩蕩沒什麼家俱, 我才想起6年前我剛到美國時,也曾和當時的室友W大街小巷撿人家不要的家俱.有很長的一段時間我們沒有餐桌, 用一個大紙箱倒扣著當桌子吃飯吃了好幾個月.從家徒四壁到搬家時東西多到櫃子門都關不起, 今天W和我早已各自邁向不同的人生, 煩惱不同的問題, 回首來時路,當時單純的生活可能是人生最簡單的時候. 我和阿P一起到熟悉的大華廣場, Taiko前面仍然門庭若市, 今天的我們並不想吃生魚片,轉往旁邊的Kaju韓國豆腐鍋, 我在北加還沒找到一個好吃的豆腐鍋, 所以韓國料理癮非常癢, 可惜吃完Kaju之後覺得這家店以後也不用再來了. 阿P啊,有機會去吃BCD Tofu House吧,雖然是連鎖店也比Kaju好吃太多. 跟阿P一聊才發現我失聯多年的大學同學S就住在阿P附近,立刻驅車前往拜訪. 我和S有6,7年沒聯絡了吧, 很高興看到S都沒變,朝著自己的理想在努力, 老同學相見, 自然談論起其他同學的八卦,這時才發現原來我們又有很多舊雨新知是共識, 這真是個小小世界! 我們一直聊到時間到了我不得不離開前往Industry Hills參加J&M的婚禮.
從405一路轉到60號公路,這又是一條充滿(美食) 回憶的高速公路. 這一帶是新華人區Rowland Heights. 從Azusa下去, 有一家我最愛的北方麵食館-口品小館,他的蔥油餅聞名華人區, 我卻獨鍾他的兩張皮-皮Q 芥末帶勁配菜又爽口,沒有別家可比. Colima上面有一家新鮮現作的韓國泡菜專賣店, 是我跟L意外發現的.附近的一個Tofu Village, 是我吃過最好吃的豆腐鍋, 飯有4種選擇, 白飯綠茶飯紫米飯紅豆飯,鍋的選擇也很多, 印象中一個螃蟹鍋湯頭鮮美, 讓一向只知在韓國城吃韓國料埋的我們驚豔不已. 可惜這一次我也沒時間下交流道去吃東西, 還是趕往婚禮要緊.
J&M的婚禮在Pacific Palms舉行, 這個地方我沒來過, 到了一看才發現是一個位在小山丘上的美麗飯店. 今天大概有三拖婚禮在舉行,好不容易找到J&M的宴會廳, 看到M在門口迎接客人. 呵呵, M今天超美, 身著白紗的新娘果然跟平日休閒或登山裝備大不同,我差點都認不出來了. 恭喜你了, M, 你跟J 看起就像永遠的High School Sweetheart!要幸福的白頭偕老啊! 婚禮一開始有日式太鼓表演, 6,7人的職業樂團, 背景襯托的是大片落地窗外半山腰的夕陽, 非常震攝人心. 這家飯店的餐點也非常好吃, 值得推薦. 當J&M在彼此宣告誓辭時,我不禁涕淚縱流. J&M, 我澄清一下,並不是因為你們的誓辭太感人, 而是因為我感冒太嚴重, 止不住鼻水! 事實上你們的誓言真是太搞笑了:D. 在婚禮上遇到了許多舊識,大多2,3年不見, 有些人我幾乎連名字都忘了. 聊起來大家近況都不錯, 真的很高興看到大家.
吃完喜酒我趕回West LA, 又是一趟約40分鐘的旅程, 這次來LA東南西面都逛到了, 一路往西走回熟悉的10號公路, 這是我們最常走的高速公路, 舉凡去華人區或韓國城買菜,吃飯,辦事,都要走10號. 晚上沒什麼車,我一路飆回L家, L學姐和她老公從我到LA的第一天就非常照顧我,對我來說,只要他們倆在的地方, 我就覺得安心可靠. 這兩天他們剛從台灣回來,我又來敍舊, 不好意思啦,L, 你們旅途勞頓我還來叨擾了,希望我沒把北加帶來的感冒傳染給你們. 第二天早上又從他們家跨過一個block到多啦A哩小朋友的家. 本來想跟L或哩家一家人到Literati Cafe喝個有機咖啡吃早餐, 但是我中午得趕去坐飛機時間不多, 只好在附近的甜甜圏店買個早點到哩家. 說到甜甜圏, 我很想念在Venice Blvd上的King of Donut, 他好吃的不是donuts而是cheese & ham crossaint, 俗又大碗吃一個就超飽. 多啦A哩小妹妹從我上次看到她到現在己經又長大不少,現在是滿地爬爬走,非常可愛, 這次發現她很有節奏感,會跟著老爸打拍子, 多啦小朋友, 希望你不負你跟多啦A夢只差一個字的名字,長大變成一個未來世界的小天才!
我在哩家又待了一個多小時才開著道奇回到機場還車, 搭往Washington DC 的班機. 這次是我離開LA後第一次回來自己四處開車, 就如5年前我第一次開著自己的小小Toyota在LA藍天下感覺到的幸福感, 洛杉磯, 因為有朋友的愛, 這是我的天使之城.
Monday, September 10, 2007
從排毒餐談起-論中醫及另類療法的科學驗証
上星期看到台灣癌症病人出面控訴林光常排毒餐的新聞事件, 我不認識林光常,沒有看過他的書,沒聽過他的演講,也沒吃過他的排毒餐, 但看到林光常說他也要像西方醫學那樣科學驗証- 要找50個病人來証明排毒餐有效的時候, 我想問的是, 這就是科學驗証了嗎?先不論他這樣大賣排毒餐之後才說要來"科學驗証"對於消費者來說是不是一種負責任的表現, 為什麼要找50個人? 如果50個人夠証明什麼, 那30人夠不夠? 如果不夠的話,是該找100人還是1000人? 不同的病人有不同的症狀不同的嚴重程度, 要怎麼定義"有效"?
我相信林光常對這些問題沒有答案, 50個人只是他隨口說說。此文用意不在批斷林光常是否騙人詐財, 而是想提倡正確科學驗証排毒餐及其他非西醫療法的重要性。任何一個人都有權追求除了西醫"正規"醫療外的"另類療法", 例如中醫,氣功或各種生機飲食。但可惜的是大多數"另類療法"都沒有像西方醫學經過嚴格的科學驗証-一個藥該找多少病人來試? 需不需要對照組? 每個病人要追蹤多久? 什麼樣的數據才能結論藥有效? 在所謂的"正規醫療"中,這些問題都經過反覆的辯證, 一個藥才能上市。相較而言, 另類療法往往訴諸於一些抽象的道理, 以排毒理論來說- 人會生病是因為體內製造出毒素,只要吃排毒餐或是練氣功作好體內環保, 把毒排光了,身體自然健康。 聽起來很合理,我也相信無毒一身輕, 但是,什麼是體內毒素?是所謂的宿便嗎? 看的到量的到嗎? 怎麼知道毒素排出來了? 除非排毒理論的提倡者能提供這些問題的答案,排毒理論才能進行科學驗証。沒有經過科學驗証的排毒論,怎麼知道到底對疾病治療有沒有效?
姑且不論毒素量不量的到, 有些人說總之有人吃了排毒餐之後乳癌自然痊癒,沒有再復發, 這就是排毒餐有效的証明. 但是你知道到底有多少人吃過排毒餐嗎?如果100 個吃過的病人只有10個人病好了, 那到底有沒有效, 該不該吃?可悲的是病人及家屬從來就不會知道這樣的資料, 因為只有吃了有效的人會被當作神奇的例子廣為宣傳, 吃了沒效的人除了像呂小姐這樣出來控訴, 大多數人命都沒了自然默默無人知。
我相信林光常對這些問題沒有答案, 50個人只是他隨口說說。此文用意不在批斷林光常是否騙人詐財, 而是想提倡正確科學驗証排毒餐及其他非西醫療法的重要性。任何一個人都有權追求除了西醫"正規"醫療外的"另類療法", 例如中醫,氣功或各種生機飲食。但可惜的是大多數"另類療法"都沒有像西方醫學經過嚴格的科學驗証-一個藥該找多少病人來試? 需不需要對照組? 每個病人要追蹤多久? 什麼樣的數據才能結論藥有效? 在所謂的"正規醫療"中,這些問題都經過反覆的辯證, 一個藥才能上市。相較而言, 另類療法往往訴諸於一些抽象的道理, 以排毒理論來說- 人會生病是因為體內製造出毒素,只要吃排毒餐或是練氣功作好體內環保, 把毒排光了,身體自然健康。 聽起來很合理,我也相信無毒一身輕, 但是,什麼是體內毒素?是所謂的宿便嗎? 看的到量的到嗎? 怎麼知道毒素排出來了? 除非排毒理論的提倡者能提供這些問題的答案,排毒理論才能進行科學驗証。沒有經過科學驗証的排毒論,怎麼知道到底對疾病治療有沒有效?
姑且不論毒素量不量的到, 有些人說總之有人吃了排毒餐之後乳癌自然痊癒,沒有再復發, 這就是排毒餐有效的証明. 但是你知道到底有多少人吃過排毒餐嗎?如果100 個吃過的病人只有10個人病好了, 那到底有沒有效, 該不該吃?可悲的是病人及家屬從來就不會知道這樣的資料, 因為只有吃了有效的人會被當作神奇的例子廣為宣傳, 吃了沒效的人除了像呂小姐這樣出來控訴, 大多數人命都沒了自然默默無人知。
衛生機關一直呼籲大家不要使用沒有醫學根據的另類療法,生了病應該到醫院接受治療. 但不可否認, 醫學有限制,很多病沒有藥醫, 化療也只能延長病人壽命幾個月而已。再者化療以毒攻毒, 不只把癌細胞殺死,也把正常的好細胞殺死, 讓人痛苦的掉了半條命。另類療法對於病人及家屬來說像黑暗中的一線光, 往往一聽說有什麼秘方, 或是哪裡有什麼名大師名中醫,不管路途多遠, 不管所費多可觀, 為求一線生機, 都願意嘗試。不幸的是並非每個人試另類療法都有效, 試了一種方法沒效之後, 要不然就得回醫院, 要不然就又得在沒有科學証據下, 盲目的再瞎試瞎撞其他偏方. 很多病人就在"正規醫療"跟"另類醫療"之間擺盪. 還有人中藥也吃西藥也吃, 誰知道中藥加西藥是像1+1=2一樣會對病情加倍幫助? 還是中藥跟西藥的交互作用只會更傷身? 這些問題問西醫, 得到的答案要不是"我對中醫不了解", 要不然就是根據他們的經驗告訴你”我只看過吃中醫吃了半天最後沒效回醫院的人"。但是這難保不是一種偏差, 因為吃中藥有效的病人自然不會回醫院回診,醫師也看不到他了。問中醫呢多數也沒有答案。還有很多中醫對西醫有偏見, 恐嚇病人說會生病就是因為過去西藥吃太多傷身傷肝傷腎, 再吃西藥的話只會送命。無所適從的病人該相信誰? 很多人不僅被病痛折磨，也在各式各樣的療法中徘徊疑惑，家人對於到底該吃什麼藥爭論不休, 最後病人不要說傷神傷財, 最傷心的是連人生最後的一段路都無法平靜安寧的跟家人度過, 徒留遺憾。
如果中醫和其他另類療法都能經過科學驗証, 病人就可以有選擇的依據。哪怕只有10%的人吃排毒餐有效, 但是如果化療只有5%的人有效，那麼排毒餐就值得一試。反面來說，如果化療有30%的病人有效，那為什麼要浪費時間金錢在只有10%有效的排毒餐? 另外，排毒餐加化療會比單獨吃排毒餐或單獨化療好嗎？這些問題除非經由科學方法進行臨床試驗都不會有答案。但這樣的資訊對病人來說是一大福音。
要進行另類療法的科學驗証並不容易，最困難的地方恐怕就是找出一個大家都能信服的標準度量，讓西醫中醫或其他另類醫療都能在同一個平台上公平獲得比較。但是科學驗証對大家都有利，如果排毒餐經科學驗証有效，那麼排毒餐的提倡者自然大發利市。同理，如果中藥跟西藥能進行科學驗証齊頭比較，那麼病人可以知道到底該吃中藥還是西藥; 中醫可以消弭社會對中藥"不科學"的疑慮, 得到公正的評價, 況且科學標準放諸四海皆同, 經過科學驗証的中醫可以借此廣推全世界,救活更多人; 西醫可以告訴病人什麼時候可以中西醫併行,或是在病人藥石罔救時提供其他選擇；衛生機關有科學數據來訂定準則規範,減少民眾誤信偏方耽誤病情的社會成本。
因此, 衛生機關應輔導另類療法的科學驗証，中西醫應該放下對於彼此的成見, 合作設計一個大家有共識的臨床試驗，大眾應該盡量選擇有科學數據支持的另類療法。只有這樣,病人才有明確的資訊選擇最適合自己的醫療方式, 沒有效的偏方會被淘汰, 有效的另類療法可以救治更多的人, 這才是一個人道的現代化醫療社會。
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Harry Potter and Me
I read the first Harry Potter book in 1998. Harry Potter was all over the news that year. Out of curiosity and expection, I read the Chinese edition. But I was disappointed when I finished. I felt it was just childish and solely a kid book. Then in the next year I accidentally got the English edition of the 2nd book. I liked it much better by realizing that the English version is much more fun to read. There are so many magic terms created by the author that you find special meanings between lines, in which the Chinese translation can hardly apply. But still, I think it's a kid book without deep sensation. For the purpose of practicing English, I read book 3 when it came out. Book 3 was a fun book and I fell in love with Harry Potter's godfather- Sirius Black. By what's described in the book, he is (or used to be) a handsome, smart, and arrogant young man from a noble family. How attractive that is to young girls! Book 3 is thin, but it certianly contains contents that are sophiscasted and would be appreicated by adults. Starting from book 3, I became a big fan of Harry Potter. Every year I looked forward to the new book.
Seriously from book 4, the Harry Potter series are no more for kids. First, they become so thick, and murders appear. Book 4 is a fantastic book. The magic world outside Hogwarts was introduced. The game was fasinating. Young wizards and witches from foriegn countries and the magic they brought just dazzled my eyes.
In 2001, I watched the first Harry Potter movie in Los Angeles. It was a wonderful experience. The theater we went to was a premium theater in Westwood with beautiful decoration. The company I had was great. The movie itself realized my imagination of the magic world. I really love the three characters starring Harry, Hermion and Ron. They look just like what I imagine. Although I think the actor starring Dumbledore was too old, overall, I think it's a excellent movie. So as what I did with Lord of the Rings, I started keeping track of the Harry Potter movies. But I have to say, only the first 2 movies were great, the rest of the movies couldn't catch the details in the book within 2 hours.
Book 5 was the hardest to read. The depiction of Sirius's house in the beginning enchanted me, however, the description of the teenage boy Harry's love and pain was just too dark to read. At the end, my beloved Sirius was even killed in a sudden! The whole world around Harry Potter was so dark! I felt strongly pitiful for him. I would never want to live his life. Poor boy.
Book 6, another thick book. Thanks to the Yahoo!Kimo i knew the ending before I read it by accident. I still read the whole book patiently. But I was furious to find that Dumbledore die in a stupid way at the end. What on earth did such a wise person need to drink a whatever potion that made him weak?
Finally, finally Book 7 came out. I bought the book at the first day it was released. Of course i couldn't stop reading when I first opened the book. I was happy with the ending. Most of my questions from previous books were answered. And I like it that no one is perfectly nice and no one (except Voldemont) is totally evil.
I finally finish this epic from the beginning to the end- over 10 years. Now no more Harry Potter to read, no more Harry Potter to look forward to. My friend made fun of me "Did you feel something lost in your life?" Yes, I felt something lost in my heart. Goodbye, Harry. Don't know when I'll find the next book series to be addicted to:)
Seriously from book 4, the Harry Potter series are no more for kids. First, they become so thick, and murders appear. Book 4 is a fantastic book. The magic world outside Hogwarts was introduced. The game was fasinating. Young wizards and witches from foriegn countries and the magic they brought just dazzled my eyes.
In 2001, I watched the first Harry Potter movie in Los Angeles. It was a wonderful experience. The theater we went to was a premium theater in Westwood with beautiful decoration. The company I had was great. The movie itself realized my imagination of the magic world. I really love the three characters starring Harry, Hermion and Ron. They look just like what I imagine. Although I think the actor starring Dumbledore was too old, overall, I think it's a excellent movie. So as what I did with Lord of the Rings, I started keeping track of the Harry Potter movies. But I have to say, only the first 2 movies were great, the rest of the movies couldn't catch the details in the book within 2 hours.
Book 5 was the hardest to read. The depiction of Sirius's house in the beginning enchanted me, however, the description of the teenage boy Harry's love and pain was just too dark to read. At the end, my beloved Sirius was even killed in a sudden! The whole world around Harry Potter was so dark! I felt strongly pitiful for him. I would never want to live his life. Poor boy.
Book 6, another thick book. Thanks to the Yahoo!Kimo i knew the ending before I read it by accident. I still read the whole book patiently. But I was furious to find that Dumbledore die in a stupid way at the end. What on earth did such a wise person need to drink a whatever potion that made him weak?
Finally, finally Book 7 came out. I bought the book at the first day it was released. Of course i couldn't stop reading when I first opened the book. I was happy with the ending. Most of my questions from previous books were answered. And I like it that no one is perfectly nice and no one (except Voldemont) is totally evil.
I finally finish this epic from the beginning to the end- over 10 years. Now no more Harry Potter to read, no more Harry Potter to look forward to. My friend made fun of me "Did you feel something lost in your life?" Yes, I felt something lost in my heart. Goodbye, Harry. Don't know when I'll find the next book series to be addicted to:)
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