Reazor Lee Shuk Ching (Ms), Registry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Creation
Monday 31 May 2010
Sunday 30 May 2010
0490 HKSAR Name of the Day
Venny Lai (Ms), lecturer, English Language Centre, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Creation; Substitution
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Creation; Substitution
Saturday 29 May 2010
0489 HKSAR Name of the Day
Moses Chow Sing Sum, professor, School of Pharmacy, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. See 0112 HKSAR Name of the Day (Tip: search this blog for "Moses" too!)
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Self-important
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Self-important
Serving Grace
Just saw some nice photos from the 2010 French Open. What caught my eye were some pics of three famous players snapped during their serving actions. There are differences. At the moment, I can't think of anything appropriate to say except this:
[Serena (top) and Venus Williams warm up with a bout of serving. Pic courtesy FFT.]
[Roger Federer, gracefulness and greatness personified. Pic courtesy FFT.]
[Simply and superbly symmetrical. Pic courtesy Getty Images.]
Roger Federer just oozes gracefulness, as if it was thrust upon him by the bucketload. Just look at the stunningly straight symmetrical lines he creates while serving! A real class act.
Be not afraid of gracefulness: some are born with grace, some achieve gracefulness, and some have gracefulness thrust upon them.
[Serena (top) and Venus Williams warm up with a bout of serving. Pic courtesy FFT.]
[Roger Federer, gracefulness and greatness personified. Pic courtesy FFT.]
[Simply and superbly symmetrical. Pic courtesy Getty Images.]Roger Federer just oozes gracefulness, as if it was thrust upon him by the bucketload. Just look at the stunningly straight symmetrical lines he creates while serving! A real class act.
Friday 28 May 2010
0488 HKSAR Name of the Day
Cicila C M Mok, clerical officer, English Language Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Creation; Deletion
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Creation; Deletion
Woman Calls Police After Rat Bites Her
[Rat Bites Woman. Pic sourced from BlogClops. Disclaimer: HKSARblog in no way implicates Sir Roland Rat of any wrongdoing.]No, no, this is not another story about cheating husbands or unscrupulous businessman or shifty Fung Shui masters who have got the better of the fairer sex! (Examples: here and hair)
Instead it’s an SCMP story with the headline: “Woman bitten by rat in Central alley” and I had to laugh because the jolly journalism joke about biting dogs came to mind. “Dog Bites Man” does not make headlines, but “Man Bites Dog” will. There’s even a headline game available for budding journalists.
So, Rat Bites Woman is big news for SCMP. What is incredible is that the woman’s two friends appeared to think that an actual human male was involved because they promptly called the police. (The article said: Her two friends suspected a rat and called police.) An SCMP story on the response time and the reaction of police officers who arrived on the scene would have been interesting.
Perhaps a measure of the media’s warped sense of priority is this: 409 words were devoted to the Rat Bites Woman incident, and 31 words were given to the Snake Bites Woman incident.
That’s 93% to the rat, 7% to the snake and 100% nonsense to the SCMP.
Woman bitten by rat in Central alley (SCMP)
Adrian Wan and Clifford Lo
May 27, 2010
It was a case of the Central Rat Race minus the costumes and laughs yesterday afternoon when a rat nipped a Briton's ankle and scurried away, leaving the woman in tears.
The woman, wearing flip-flops, was bitten at 1.15pm while waiting for a friend who was visiting a cobbler in an alley in Pedder Street near a Central MTR exit.
The 34-year-old screamed and ran away when she realised she had been bitten. Her two friends suspected a rat and called police.
A police spokesman said: "She felt she had been stung in the left leg. She then found blood on her left ankle and discovered a rat and ran."
The woman sat on the ground crying, said a stallholder .
The woman was discharged from Queen Mary Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, two hours after the incident.
"Rats are commonplace in this alley because the MTR station's rubbish collection is right here," said the stallholder, who has been there for more than 50 years. "But it's the first time I have seen someone bitten."
A woman who operates a clothing store beside the cobbler's saw the rat scare another woman soon after the incident, but escape unhurt.
The cobbler then killed the rat with a broom, she said.
Former legislator Lo Wing-lok, an expert on infectious diseases, said: "Anyone bitten by a rat should have the wound washed with water or cleaned with disinfectant before going to see a doctor, who will decide whether vaccinations against tetanus, or antibiotics, are needed."
The rodent infestation rate - determined by the ratio of bait taken - was 6.1 per cent last year, down from 6.3 per cent in 2008. The figure for Central and Western District was 4.7 per cent last year. The highest was 12.4 per cent in Kwun Tong.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department says about 31,900 rats were caught last year, up from 29,400 in 2008. The department filled about 9,300 ratholes across the city last year, up from 8,000 in 2008.
A spokeswoman said it was important to eliminate food sources for rodents and the public should cover and store food properly.
The spokeswoman said it had caught 226 live rats and collected 539 dead in the district in the first four months of the year. It also said the site in the case was not a rodent-infestation black spot and no complaints about rats at the site had been received in the past 12 months.
Meanwhile, a snake bit a 48-year-old woman on her right hand in Sam Mun Tsai village, Tai Po, at about 8.30am. She was treated at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital.
Thursday 27 May 2010
0487 HKSAR Name of the Day
Pasu Y.C. Au Yeung, technician, Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, University of Hong Kong
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Creation
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Creation
Wednesday 26 May 2010
0486 HKSAR Name of the Day
Johnson Siu Soon-wah (Dr), lecturer, Chinese Language Centre, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Rare
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Rare
Tuesday 25 May 2010
0485 HKSAR Name of the Day
Joresa Ng Yau Sui Chun (Mrs), Dept of Pharmacology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Creation
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Creation
Monday 24 May 2010
0484 HKSAR Name of the Day
Odilia L K Chung, personal secretary, English Language Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Name Category: Rare
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Name Category: Rare
Sunday 23 May 2010
0483 HKSAR Name of the Day
Alissa W.Y. Leung, centre manager, Centre on Behavioral Health, University of Hong Kong
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Rare
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Rare
Saturday 22 May 2010
0482 HKSAR Name of the Day
Cherry Ng (Ms), technician, Department of English, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
See 0026 HKSAR Name of the Day, 0066 HKSAR Name of the Day, 0219 HKSAR Name of the Day and 0063 HKSAR Name of the Day
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Rare
See 0026 HKSAR Name of the Day, 0066 HKSAR Name of the Day, 0219 HKSAR Name of the Day and 0063 HKSAR Name of the Day
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Rare
Friday 21 May 2010
0481 HKSAR Name of the Day
Alaster Lau Hang Yung, professor, Dept of Pharmacology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Name Category: Rare
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Name Category: Rare
Thursday 20 May 2010
0480 HKSAR Name of the Day
Addy W Y Kam, administrative assistant, English Language Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Name Category: Rare
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Rare
Pompey’s Unlucky Mascot
If Portsmouth FC coach Avram Grant is prepared to declare that something (or, in this case, someone) brings good luck, then should he also be equally willing to admit his error when that same token fails to bring good luck?
Balram Chainrai, default owner of Portsmouth FC and the first British soccer club owner from Hong Kong to reach an FA Cup final, was reported in SCMP saying:
Portsmouth lost 0-1 to Chelsea in the FA Cup Final on Saturday 15 May 2010.
Avram Grant said:
Perhaps Grant should have also admitted:
Tough luck Pompey, and good luck for next season in the English Championship with the possibility of also being disadvantaged with -17 points. Perhaps the club (already in debts totalling over US$200 million) should pay for Karam’s schooling in Portsmouth, so that the little mascot can attend all the matches next season to bring good luck? Or will Pompey need more than just luck to survive?
Balram Chainrai, default owner of Portsmouth FC and the first British soccer club owner from Hong Kong to reach an FA Cup final, was reported in SCMP saying:
“My son, Karan, was mascot for the wins over Birmingham City and Tottenham in the quarter-finals and semi-finals and Avram Grant has insisted he does it again for the final. Avram says he's brought the team luck in the competition so he wants him to be there again."
Portsmouth lost 0-1 to Chelsea in the FA Cup Final on Saturday 15 May 2010.
[Karan Chainrai as Portsmouth’s lucky mascot against Birmingham City (left, source SCMP)) and unlucky mascot against Chelsea (right, source Reuters). Since Avram Grant is grasping at straws, perhaps it was the glasses that brought lady luck? Wonderful experience for young Karan though.]
Avram Grant said:
"It's a day when I'm both very proud and very sad. We had a chance to win the game, but we didn't do it. It has been an unbelievable season and I won't forget it.”
Perhaps Grant should have also admitted:
“Karan, our lucky mascot, did not help … obviously”.
Tough luck Pompey, and good luck for next season in the English Championship with the possibility of also being disadvantaged with -17 points. Perhaps the club (already in debts totalling over US$200 million) should pay for Karam’s schooling in Portsmouth, so that the little mascot can attend all the matches next season to bring good luck? Or will Pompey need more than just luck to survive?
Wednesday 19 May 2010
Headline Competition: The Standard Owns SCMP
Here are two headlines from Hong Kong’s two English-language newspapers reporting on the same story about drug testing.
Hair test to comb for drug evidence
May 18, 2010
The Standard
Pilot drug tests using hairs may lead to similar system in schools
May 18, 2010
South China Morning Post
When I first saw the SCMP headline, I immediately thought of airline pilots being tested for drugs. Specifically, I thought it was a clampdown on Cathay Pacific pilots who use recreational drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, Ketamine, Ecstasy and Ice, and if proved successful this drug testing initiative would be implemented later in schools.
It appears many bloggers who read the SCMP have a negative view of Hong Kong’s leading English-language newspaper. Comparing the above headlines does little to offset this negative view, where the SCMP’s editorial quality is considered to be poor and a regular source of ridicule.
Hair test to comb for drug evidence
May 18, 2010
The Standard
Pilot drug tests using hairs may lead to similar system in schools
May 18, 2010
South China Morning Post
When I first saw the SCMP headline, I immediately thought of airline pilots being tested for drugs. Specifically, I thought it was a clampdown on Cathay Pacific pilots who use recreational drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, Ketamine, Ecstasy and Ice, and if proved successful this drug testing initiative would be implemented later in schools.
It appears many bloggers who read the SCMP have a negative view of Hong Kong’s leading English-language newspaper. Comparing the above headlines does little to offset this negative view, where the SCMP’s editorial quality is considered to be poor and a regular source of ridicule.
Tuesday 18 May 2010
0478 HKSAR Name of the Day
Eudora Hsi Shing Yi, solicitor, Hong Kong (see 0356 HKSAR Name of the Day)
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Rare
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Name Category: Rare
Monday 17 May 2010
Sunday 16 May 2010
0476 HKSAR Name of the Day
Kidson Kong, Foke Shore, doctor, Hong Kong
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Name Category: Creation; Son-suffix
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Creation; Son-suffix
Saturday 15 May 2010
Friday 14 May 2010
0474 HKSAR Name of the Day
Helicon Ma Yung Kong, surveyor (Since 1984), Hong Kong
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About Novel HKSAR Names
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Arsenal Adams to Azerbaijan but not Hong Kong
Former Arsenal and England captain (Anthony?) Tony Adams has surprised many people by his decision to be manager of a small football team in Azerbaijan. Why Azerbaijan?
Another surprising thing is his rather disheveled look, which isn’t what is expected of professional football managers.
The recent failure last month by the Hong Kong Football Association to recruit a worthy or notable coach to manage Hong Kong should put the association to shame in that it can bypass people like Tony Adams, despite his unkempt look. The initial job advertisement requested that:
Following public criticism, the HKFA deleted the language criteria but still probably did not bother advertising widely for notable football coaches who may have considered coming to Hong Kong a challenge, compared with say Azerbaijan,* to help develop the game.
The Hong Kong football coach is now Tsang Wai-chung, who is contracted until March 2011 and has replaced South Korean Kim Pan-gon. Apparently, Tsang was the only suitable candidate after the HKFA decided against two overseas applicants, one from the Netherlands and one from Bulgaria.
Was this a case of already knowing the outcome before creating the job advertisement? This is what the SCMP said:
But are these important criteria for selecting a suitably qualified and experienced football coach whose goals should be to help inspire the Hong Kong football team in addition to stimulating greater public interest in the local football scene?
*No offense meant to Azerbaijan
Another surprising thing is his rather disheveled look, which isn’t what is expected of professional football managers.
The recent failure last month by the Hong Kong Football Association to recruit a worthy or notable coach to manage Hong Kong should put the association to shame in that it can bypass people like Tony Adams, despite his unkempt look. The initial job advertisement requested that:
... the new head coach, who will be in charge of the under-21, under-23 and the full international teams, should be "fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin" as well as having "knowledge in MS-Office application and Chinese input".
Following public criticism, the HKFA deleted the language criteria but still probably did not bother advertising widely for notable football coaches who may have considered coming to Hong Kong a challenge, compared with say Azerbaijan,* to help develop the game.
The Hong Kong football coach is now Tsang Wai-chung, who is contracted until March 2011 and has replaced South Korean Kim Pan-gon. Apparently, Tsang was the only suitable candidate after the HKFA decided against two overseas applicants, one from the Netherlands and one from Bulgaria.
Was this a case of already knowing the outcome before creating the job advertisement? This is what the SCMP said:
... Tsang would have been the only candidate had the FA stuck to its original requirements for the post, which included Cantonese, Mandarin and English proficiency as well as possessing Chinese character input skills.
But are these important criteria for selecting a suitably qualified and experienced football coach whose goals should be to help inspire the Hong Kong football team in addition to stimulating greater public interest in the local football scene?
*No offense meant to Azerbaijan
Thursday 13 May 2010
Wednesday 12 May 2010
Tuesday 11 May 2010
0471 HKSAR Name of the Day
Suanne Hou Shui Yun, solicitor, Hong Kong
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Creation; Deletion; Phonetic-based?
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Creation; Deletion; Phonetic-based?
Monday 10 May 2010
0470 HKSAR Name of the Day
Sapphire Lo Pui Yiu, surveyor (Since 1996), Hong Kong
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Name Category: Rare; Nature-based
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Rare; Nature-based
Sunday 9 May 2010
0469 HKSAR Name of the Day
Fanta Leung Kam Lun, accountant, Hong Kong [Note: see also Monster Novel Name]
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Creation; Brand-based
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Creation; Brand-based
Saturday 8 May 2010
Friday 7 May 2010
Thursday 6 May 2010
Wednesday 5 May 2010
Tuesday 4 May 2010
Monday 3 May 2010
Sunday 2 May 2010
0462 HKSAR Name of the Day
Augustan Li Kam Tong, surveyor (Since 1987), Hong Kong
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Name Category: Creation
About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Creation