Separate Way

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If you must go, take good care.
May the sun always shine.
If you must go, don’t look back.
May your future be bright.

But if you stay, just a while.
We’ll dance in the rain,
sing with the wind, and the moon.
We’ll be alright, I know.

But if you go, take my heart.
Heart can’t dance without you.
Wind won’t blow, and moon won’t shine.
So take my heart, wherever you go.

-o-

Love,
-Quan, April 2011.

A Butte Without a Name, Monument Valley

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I took this picture during a recent visit to Monument Valley. In the valley, the famous buttes all have names such as Mitten Buttes, Merrick Butte, Camel Butte, Elephant Butte, The Totem Pole, The Thumb, and Three Sisters, and so on.

Besides those well-known buttes, there are many others, like this one, which has no name. This butte does not have an extraordinary shape or any special attributes. However, when the light shines on it, it stunned me.

I spied this butte while on the tram ride between stops. The ride was bumpy and rocky; it was difficult to hold the camera still. The butte looked thousand times more beautiful in front of my eyes than in the photo above. I wish I could share what I saw there; but I guess I just have to do with my best effort.

-Quan.
April 2011.

“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” ~ Elliott Erwitt.

Making a Move

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Chinese chess is a popular pastime among the Vietnamese. I often see them play outside of the shopping malls, coffee houses, or in the parks.

These gents are playing a different variant, which I have never seen before. They set up the board with the pieces turn upside-down; except for the “general” piece (the most important piece), which is faced up during the entire game.

When a player moves a piece for the very first time, he will then turn its face up. Afterward, that piece will stay up until the very end. Every time a piece is uncovered, the game changes, sometimes very dramatically. The players then have to adapt, and adjust their strategies accordingly.

This adds a surprise element to the game. The advantages or disadvantages may change hands from one move to the next.

Sometimes, I think life is full of surprises and all one can do is try one’s best to make the right move; then move on.

-Quan.
March 2011.

Royal Restaurant & Banquet

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The other day, I had lunch with friends at Royal. I arrived there a little early; so I walked around the area and took a few snaps.

In recent years, Little Saigon had a face lift. Despite the recession, there seems to be a mini boom in Little Saigon. I noticed the streets were fixed up, many businesses remodeled their buildings, and new businesses sprung up. Royal Restaurant & Banquet is one of the new restaurants here.

I had a wonderful time; I enjoyed the companies and the excellent food. BTW, if you ever decide to go there for lunch, check out the combination rice dish. And, the best part is I went home with a memory card full of photos.

-Quan.
March 2011.

Water Tower

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Many water towers were constructed during the Industrial Revolution, when the cities and villages were equipped with a public water system. These towers were symbols of progress and a better quality of life.

Nowadays, people do not give much attention to water towers. They are either demolished or becoming historic landmarks. Along with the typewriters, dot matrix printers, pinball machines, water towers are now historic relics.

Rapid technology advance causes many things to become obsolete too soon. Still, I like to see one more thing to become obsolete. I want to see war to become the thing of the past just like dueling was.

-Quan.
March 2011.

“Either war is obsolete, or men are.” ~ R. Buckminster Fuller

A Lotus for Japan

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Even when its roots are in the dirtiest waters, the Lotus produces the most beautiful flower. The Lotus flower is regarded as a symbol of purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth.

I like to dedicate this Lotus flower to the people in Japan. I wish that there are no more aftershocks, and the death toll to stop rising. I wish them a speeding recovery. My thoughts and heart are with the people in Japan.

If anyone likes to help, I include this link from Yahoo! News: “Japan earthquake and tsunami: How to help”

-Quan.
March 2011.

Quang Tuấn Delivers His Crescendo

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I went to a fundraiser concert back in January. There were many entertaining performances, including a number sung by Quang Tuấn accompanied by the band Phượng Hoàng. I had seen them performed together a few times before – this time was no different – always exceptional.

Quang Tuấn walks and speaks with a moderate pace. His songs selections are usually with slow to medium beat. When on stage, he always dresses very well and conservative. I think that personality reflects in his singing.

What I like most about Quang Tuấn’s singing is the way he delivers his crescendos. His crescendos always begin with a smooth tone in an unhurried, deliberate pace; and ends with tremendous dynamic.

When he does that, I get goose bumps. I am not a musical expert; but whenever I get goose bumps, I know I am listening to good singing.

-Quan.
March 2011.

“You are the crescendo.” ~ P. Diddy Puff Daddy (American, b.1969, Harlem, New York, USA)