Watch “Revolution Trilogy” 睇「革命三部曲」

(Watch my trilogy of documentaries.)

Watch my docs Revolution Trilogy 睇「革命三部曲」

20190812 Director new preface re the word “Revolution”:

The title of my debut documentary “Long Hair Revolution 「長毛革命」” was decided in 2004, so 15 years ago. The rationale is similar to “industrial revolution” or “internet revolution”, ideas for improvement. Nothing to do with violence.

“長毛革命”在2004, 15年前定名, 其實跟”工業革命”或者”互聯網革命”道理相同, 是嶄新改革的意思, 完全同”暴力”沒有任何關係.

It saddens and pains me that Hong Kong today has deteriorated so badly that the word “Revolution” has now been twisted by both the HK and BJ governments to mean violence and the guaranteed and international recognized free speech right is almost gone in HK.

可憐今天的香港, 還是逃不了中國幾千年以來皇帝”以言入罪”, 沒有”言論自由”的悲哀。

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Director/producer/independent reporter Kempton Lam has made three full-length documentaries from 2004 – 2015. Kempton’s debut documentary Long Hair Revolution 「長毛革命」 has been collected by the Canadian National Archive since 2009. The three documentaries are collectively known as “Revolution Trilogy” 「革命三部曲」 and are in Cantonese with English subtitles (廣東話、英文字幕). You can watch the three films at this YouTube Playlist (beautifully projected on your big screen HDTV or on your computer). Enjoy!

Long Hair Revolution 「長毛革命」 (full-length 2005) (read film & Canadian national archive info)

HKtv Revolution 「香港電視革命」 (full-length 2015) (read Director’s Statement)

Umbrella Revolution: History as Mirror Reflection 「雨傘革命實錄：以史為鏡」 (full-length 2015) (read Director’s Statement)

Why does Costco shortchange loyal renewing customers?

I posted “Why does Costco shortchange loyal renewing customers?” as a comment on CostCo’s Facebook page yesterday. And Costco’s social media teams replied promptly (within the hour) to inform me my concerns have already been sent to the appropriate team(s). Will see what happen next.

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For the record, here is “Why does Costco shortchange loyal renewing customers?” ,

Hi, We just had a rather #awful Costco Wholesale Canada membership renewal experience this past Friday. Ended up spending ~30 minutes talking to three (4) different customer service employees/manager with one of them even threatened me to stop writing down her name (I said I might want to complain about my experiences at some point). I was told I’m not allowed to remember their names in order to properly complain if I wish to. Is this normal and standard operating procedure of CostCo employees to threaten members who may want to complain with precision?
Can someone explain why does CostCo treat loyal customers WORSE than brand new customers? Shouldn’t renewal NOT be taken “for granted”? Is it wrong to think each renewal should be treated as EARNED?

— Calgary Zoo example
In stark contrast, Calgary Zoo does things right and treat each member who decides to renew (some don’t renew) with full respect and work hard to earn each renewal. As a start, the zoo treats a renewing member EQUALLY as a new member and would NEVER shortchange/disadvantage a loyal existing member!

— CostCo: a multi-billion dollar entitled company?
Now back to CostCo, please correct me if I am wrong. When a NEW customer decide to take out a NEW membership on November 1st, his/her membership will expire in 2020 November 30th, correct me if I am wrong?
Now when we renewed on November 1st, we were told that our membership expired on September 30th! Major #fail with CostCo! In fact we were further explained, for ANYONE who “renew” within three (3) months of their previous membership expiration date, their membership expiration is the OLD date! So for example, members who decide to renew 89 days after expiration will have their membership shortchanged with 89 days LESS!
Fair? I don’t think so. This, to me and to be frank, is the actions of a multi-billion dollar entitled company that disrespect loyal customers because “it has always been done like this” or it is in the “terms and conditions” (which I tried to read “Membership Conditions & Regulations, and Privacy Policy” but is unable to find the exact exploitative legal language).

— More Training (not punishment) & Will CostCo start treating Loyal/Renewal customers with respect??
I will NEVER want anyone be punished for my stupid complains. Life is too short. Training may be. I want other customers be treated much better than I had been.
I take time to complain not just to benefit myself (sure, I want my complains fixed) BUT I take time to publicly complain in order to raise issues that I think companies like CostCo should think seriously and consider fixing.
I’ve laid out my complains and the issues (hopefully clearly and factually). Will CostCo review your corporate policy and START respecting all Loyal/Renewing customers reminds to be seen. Don’t take my words for it, Google or ask Calgary Zoo how they treat their renewing members and if they treat their loyal renewing members as good as their new ones and if they also shortchange their members because many are too busy to ask?

#DailyPositive Bianca Andreescu vs. Jennifer Brady

#DailyPositive #GoBiancaGo #GoCanadaGo

20191003 Bianca Andreescu vs. Jennifer Brady | 2019 China Open Third Round | WTA Highlights

20191003 AP (Sportsnet), “Andreescu moves on to quarters at China Open after 17th consecutive win”

#DailyPositive Bianca Andreescu vs. Elise Mertens

#DailyPositive #GoBiancaGo #GoCanadaGo

20191002, Bianca Andreescu vs. Elise Mertens | 2019 China Open Second Round | WTA Highlights

20191002 (The Canadian Press), Bianca Andreescu wins 16th match in a row at China Open

“After the world No. 6 beat Elise Mertens of Belgium 6-3, 7-6 (5) in a second-round match at the China Open, Andreescu said she has to focus on stressing the positives.

“Today was more of a battle mentally with myself than anything,” said the 19-year-old from Mississauga, Ont. “I felt like I was getting very down on myself. I expect a lot from myself in general, but I have to realize not everything is going to go the way I want it to.”

Andreescu fought back from a 4-1 deficit in the second set and then fended off a set point to beat Mertens in a rematch of a U.S. Open quarterfinal. The Canadian also won in New York last month en route to her first career Grand Slam title.

“I can improve on a lot of things, but I think the main thing right now is definitely keeping a more positive approach to things,” Andreescu said. “Even if there are 100 positives in something, if there is one negative thing that happens, that triggers something in me and I then I totally forget about all the positives.

“I just want to think of the positive as much as I can and just work with what I have.”“

20191002 Ashleigh Barty vs. Zheng Saisai | 2019 China Open Third Round | WTA Highlights (For the record, Bibi will next play Barty, currently ranked #1 in the world.)

UK Supreme Court: Suspending Parliament was unlawful, judges rule (reflecting on Canada PM Harper 2008 prorogation)

After three days of hearing last week (full video here), UK Supreme Court has ruled PM Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend Parliament was unlawful. From Supreme Court: main link for case details, judgement (PDF), and summary (PDF).

Sept 24, 2019 Supreme Court: Suspending Parliament was unlawful, judges rule – BBC News

The PM’s “shark fin soup” funnies from yesterday before his pants caught fire! (start 8m2s)

20190924 Guardian, (23:40 podcast) “Unlawful: the supreme court stuns Boris Johnson – Philippe Sands QC on the decision by the supreme court to rule against the government on the suspension of parliament.”

20190924 BBC Newsnight “Supreme Court ruling: Where does the defeat leave Boris Johnson?”

On days like today, I very much wish Governor-General Michaëlle Jean had this Supreme Court of UK for her legal advisors to use as a precedence to stop PM Harper from delaying a vote of no-confidence in 2008 by prorogation. #Canada #cdnpoli

P.S. 20190924 Update: Guardian, “Remainers sing in rain as far right chant for Johnson at supreme court”

20190924 BBC, “Supreme Court ruling leaves Queen in middle of political storm” [emphasis added]

“Former Conservative prime minister Sir John Major commented after the judgement that “no prime minister must ever treat the monarch or Parliament in this way again“.

He chose his words – and the order of his words – carefully, and conservatively. First monarch, then Parliament. He understands the damage this has done to the position of the Queen.“

20190924 New York Times, “How the U.K. Supreme Court’s Rebuke to Boris Johnson Remakes British Law Image” [emphasis added]

“The unanimous decision, handed down on Tuesday, is an unalloyed defeat for Mr. Johnson and will propel Britain into a fresh round of political turmoil. But it is even more significant for what it says about the role of the country’s highest court, which has historically steered clear of politics.

By ruling that Mr. Johnson acted unlawfully — and doing so in such stark language — the court asserted its right to curb a government that obstructed Parliament’s ability to “carry out its constitutional functions as a legislature and as the body responsible for the supervision of the executive.”“

20190924 (Worth a read) Guardian, “Gina Miller: the woman who took on the UK government and won – twice”

20190924 Guardian Opinion, UK supreme court, “The supreme court judgment is a devastating blow for a failed prime minister – Boris Johnson’s position must be in question. But this ruling bolsters parliament against many other outside forces”

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UK Supreme Court Parliament suspension (prorogation) hearing

Here are videos of the UK Supreme Court Parliament suspension hearing over three days from Sept 17-19, 2019 and some links to news reports.

UK Supreme Court Parliament suspension hearing – Day 1 – Part 1

UK Supreme Court Parliament suspension hearing – Day 1 – Part 2

UK Supreme Court Parliament suspension hearing – Day 2 – Part 1

UK Supreme Court Parliament suspension hearing – Day 2 – Part 2

UK Supreme Court Parliament suspension hearing – Day 3 – Part 1

UK Supreme Court Parliament suspension hearing – Day 3 – Part 2

2019, Sept 18, Mother of parliaments shut by ‘father of lies’, supreme court told – Scottish lawyer at prorogation hearing says Johnson government has proved itself unworthy of trust

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Dream big to get big! – Bianca Andreescu #SheTheNorth – new Quote I LOVE

I have an extensive & detailed post about Bianca with links to tons of videos and articles so check that out for sure. Here I’m adding this new quote to my long list of Quotes I LOVE,

“Dream big to get big! And don’t forget who you are. Don’t forget your roots! She [Bianca’s mom] has been telling me that ever since I was a little kid.” – Bianca Andreescu (2000- )

Bianca on ET Canada (timecode 5m34s)

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Something about “The Testaments”, Margaret Atwood’s much-anticipated sequel to her 1985 classic The Handmaid’s Tale

I feel guilty and must confess that I’m one of those very few Canadians that have neither read Canadian National Treasure Margaret Atwood‘s awards winning The Handmaid’s Tale nor watch a full episode of the famed TV series. But still, I’m fascinated about “The Testaments” and here I plan to collect some radio/TV interview, news, and book reviews.

20190911, Channel 4 News, Margaret Atwood on her sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, politics of fear and the climate crisis

20190909 Waterstones, Margaret Atwood reads from The Testaments

20190904, TIME (with a short bit of reading by Atwood), Margaret Atwood On The Sequel To ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ | TIME

20190910, CBC News, Margaret Atwood unveils sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale: The Testaments

==== Book review ====

20190910, Guardian, The Testaments by Margaret Atwood review – a dazzling follow-up to The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood is at her best in this Booker-shortlisted return, three decades on, to the patriarchal dystopia of Gilead

NOTE: I hope to add more in the coming days.

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