tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101690792024-03-12T23:53:46.450+00:00Tsai-Wei's Sound JournalStarting from June 2004, this is my sound journal for the PhD research at Goldsmiths College, University of London.Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-2464430673451624762008-09-06T00:27:00.004+00:002008-09-06T00:39:22.974+00:00The sound of applauseI have been struggling with the PhD thesis. I have been having difficulties in putting myself down to the writing mode.<br /><br />Today, I had some exciting ideas about the research when I was on the way to the college. Thinking through the journey, I started to write them down on my notebook as soon as I got a table and a chair at the college.<br /><br />One hour later, I wrote down the main ideas and took a break. Looking around me, there was a graduation ceremony taking place in the Great Hall. Sounds of people cheering and clapping were non-stopping. I listened to the sound with my heart. I really enjoyed listening to these sounds...<br /><br />'I want to graduate, too.' I said to myself.<br /><br />Encouraged by such stimulating and positive sounds, I determine to finish this thesis to get my applause in the graduation ceremony!Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-29764868848626669482008-08-27T21:09:00.002+00:002008-08-31T13:33:00.237+00:00When being shockedToday I was walked through a forest alone. A unlashed dog considered my bag had food for him, he attacked me and bit my bag hardly.<br /><br />While being shocked and struggling, I said no word. I did not scream either. For the feeling at that moment, I don't think that I can find a sound to represent.<br /><br />The irresponsible owner of the dog simply shouted aloud at me about ten meters away. 'Lift up the bad! It thinks that there is food!' Despite that, he just left me to fight alone with the mad dog.<br /><br />When I saw my bag and clothes were stained with mud because of the dog bites and dog stepping, I was so angry. I said to the man, 'you should not unlash your dog!'<br /><br />But the man simply continued walking away and said, 'sorry?'<br /><br />Yeh, excellent! I have not met him for a long time-- a racist! He pretended that he could not understand my English!<br />When encounter such kind of anger and frustration, what sound can I make?<br /><br />Later on, I reported it to the police.<br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">驚嚇時的聲音<br /><br /></span></span>今天在一人走過森林時,只因手上提一包包,被一放縱的黑狗視為有食物的誘惑而向我攻擊,緊咬我的包包不放。<br /><br />當我驚嚇與掙扎之餘,我沒說話,也沒尖叫。那時的心情,真不知要用何種聲音表達。<br /><br />可惡的狗主,遠遠在十多公尺處大叫,「把包包舉高,那狗以為是食物!」之後就放我一個人和狗奮戰。<br /><br />當我看到我的包包和衣服皆是狗咬或狗踩的泥巴塊時,我很生氣,對那狗主說,「你不應該放狗四處跑!」<br /><br />只見那狗主根本沒停留,一直往遠方走去,對我說:「什麼?」<br /><br />哈!好極了,好久沒遇到了—— 好一個種族歧視的!假裝聽不懂我說的英文!<br />面對如此的氣憤與無奈,我能出何種聲音?<br /><br />之後我去報了警。Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-90090415065320035032008-06-09T14:06:00.003+00:002008-06-09T14:11:18.198+00:00Some pic and sounds<a href="http://www.slashseconds.org/issues/002/004/articles/phenomenalexchange/articles/rasmussen/articles/chen/index.php">A small piece of my artwork</a> is published in the online publication <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">/seconds</span>.<br /></span>You are very welcome to visit it via the link.<br />All feedbacks are welcome! Thank you!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-46554486460893978222007-11-05T13:24:00.000+00:002007-11-05T13:44:36.460+00:00Guy Fawkes DayOn the way home in the evening, I walked in a typical English street-- two floor houses line up at both sides. It was on Saturday night when Guy Fawkes Day was coming in 3 days. As a tradition, people set fireworks to 'remember' the 'fun' of it.<br /><br />Blocked by the houses, I could not really see fireworks but hear them coming from every direction. The feeling was very nostalgic to me.<br /><br />When I was an undergraduate in Taiwan, I used to see fireworks for the National Day and Chinese New Year with friends and family-- in a nice cool night, enjoy the colourful scenes and aural sensation. By making the sound 'Wah-Wah', people expressed their excitement and amazement.<br /><br />Walking along in this dark English street, the aural experience triggered my visual and emotional memory of the events in Taiwan. I do miss them...<br /><br />Tree leaves fell so much. 'sa sa sa sa sa...' Together, they played a tune with the heavy duty sounds of fireworks. Its a tune of English autumn.Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-32065492979155943382007-09-08T20:26:00.000+00:002007-09-08T20:34:30.995+00:00Central LineThe noise caused by the tube train when going into the tunnel is always very loud and terrible. I complained to the company before but their response was unsurprisingly disappointing.<br />Today, 3 little girls was playing a game with this noise...<br />Once the train went into a tunnel, they used their fingers to block their ears and at the same time, they scream loudly. They laughed when they were doing it and they looked at each other to share the joy.<br />Once the train left a tunnel, they clapped their hands to give the better sonic ambience an applause.<br />Haha! ^_^ What an expression! I wish I had the courage to join them!Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-64273925313294914532007-08-24T15:58:00.000+00:002007-09-01T16:41:29.367+00:00Waiting for a blood testThis morning, I went to the Langthorne Health Centre for a blood test. This was my first visit to this health centre. When I arrived, there had been around 30 to 40 people waiting-- a long queue that required me to wait for an hour!<br /><br />We were waiting to be called from one of the two nurses (one male one female) working in the clinic room to have a blood test.<br /><br />What I found interesting during this hour of listening was that people who were in the room with the nurses where trying to speak happily and be excited. Young and old, all were laughing at whatever joke they could generate with the two nurses. I guessed they were trying to disguise their anxiety-- like children, the adults were scared to have a blood test, too!<br /><br />Sounds of laughter were constantly spread out from the clinic room...<br /><br />Finally, it was my turn. When the nurse was taking my blood, the other nurse spoke... She said to her patient-- 'Are you OK? I think you need to lie down on the bed now. xxx (the name of the nurse who was with me), could you help?<br /><br />Oh, No! That woman's face had gone pale and she was about to faint over!<br /><br />I guessed joyful conversations would stop for a while...Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-74753553994387284342007-05-29T06:48:00.000+00:002007-05-31T07:21:23.972+00:00The first cicada chirp of 2007!29 May was a very nice day for sound listening!<br />I was doing my regular jogging at the Hon-Shu-Lin (mangrove) protected area around the sunset time. Along the route, there were not only mangrove but also trees and bushes. Some but few people have been living in this protected area.<br />While I was enjoying the slow jog, a piercing chirp of cicada called my attention and made me saying:<br />'Hei! Cicadas! It's you again! Welcome back! It's year 2007!' ^_^<br />Later, while I ran passed a local resident's house, I heard a person chopping professionally. From the sound of the chop, I could tell that the knife was the big square style and the chef has been cooking for years-- the chopping speed was fast! Mmm... yum yum, it was dinner time and many mums of Taiwan were busy at preparing the dinner for the families. Chop chop chop, mums build up the fast chopping skill through her years of love and tolerance for the family!<br />Sounds of cicada and summer, sounds of mum and love... What a listening jog!Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-29674393988588965732007-05-20T15:36:00.000+00:002007-05-20T16:27:28.166+00:00The crow of a phoenixHave you noticed a peculiar sound made by the train of Taipei Metro (Damshui line)? I am talking about a sound made when the train is about to depart. For me, it is like a crow of a big bird, a phoenix maybe!<br />Actually, I heard the same (almost) crow when I took Shinkansen in Japan. The name of that train was White Bird. Therefore, when the train was departing and I heard the sound, I imagined that it was the crow of the white bird! Immediately, I fell in love with it--It was a sound with a sense of myth and magic. At the same time, it gave me a sense of freedom-- the white bird is about to fly!<br />Two days ago, I suddenly noticed that our Taipei Metro has the crow, too! I was so happy to discover it! Without travelling all the way to Japan, I can now hear it in my hometown! However, I wonder how on earth I just notice it?! haha! ^_^Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-51326795752536705692007-05-19T13:36:00.000+00:002007-05-20T16:05:26.887+00:00Hearing the young people chatting aloudIt was very crowded in the train of Taipei Metro on Saturday afternoon. A group of young people were chatting loudly about recent TV soap operas that they enjoyed. By commenting on each show, they were enthusiastic to share their views with their friends.<br />I was standing right next to this group. Despite the train being crowded, they were so loud and excited!<br />In fact, I did not feel their loudness disturbing. On the contrary, I really enjoyed the atmosphere built by them. They were full of energy and happiness. I envy them having so many good friends to share life experiences. It's a kind of happiness I have not had since graduating from the university in Taiwan!<br />Good friends, loud laughs and happiness... They are priceless!Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-74518605073555104612007-05-19T13:08:00.000+00:002007-05-19T13:36:06.130+00:00Sounds of rice paddyOn 14 May, I took a long walk with my good old friend. Although the day was hot, there were wild wind cooling down our sweat. When we were passing Quandu, we heard sasasasa sounds. It was the wind blowing the rice paddy. The sounds of leafs rubbing were so light and comforting.<br />Around the nearby place, we also heard 'gagagaga' sounds. They were sounds of wind blowing bamboos...<br />We stopped walking for a while and gave these sounds our attentive listening. They were soooooo beautiful!<br />It was Monday when most of the people were working. It was Taipei where most of the rice paddy had gone. It was relax and quiet when most of the places in Taipei were busy and noisy. Yes, we felt very lucky to have such an experience!Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-46740897341467146762007-05-05T14:02:00.000+00:002007-05-19T14:36:20.190+00:00Bike ridingThere is a route for bike riding between Danshui and Quantu. A few days ago, my brother lead me to ride on this route. We started late in the afternoon which ended with an evening ride. But you know, it turned out to be an amazing experience....<br />Around 6:30pm, the sky was dark. When we were riding, it was a grass field on our right-hand side and the Damshui River on our left. As street lights were not installed intensively, we depended on our dim bike lights.<br />Being in such an environment, I heard millions of insects singing! They were so loud and they penetrated my head with the powerful sonic force! Riding through their route with speed... jjjjjiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.....(I passed through the route and sounds faded out)... WOW!<br />Unforgetable!Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-54808986700142567502007-04-19T07:51:00.000+00:002007-04-19T08:23:45.839+00:00Missing a sound of LondonRecently, just before returning to Taiwan, I noticed the beauty of birds' chirps from the flat I lived in London. They were very clear and crispy. From the texture of the sounds, I could also feel the freshness of the surrounded air. I enjoyed listening to them when I got up, when I studied and when I was about to go to bed.<br />In my flat in Taipei, I can hear birds chirping, too. Comparing to the people living in the Taipei city centre, I am very fortunate to have these sounds around. However, after so many years of loving everything about Taiwan and complaining everything about London, I begin to feel dissatisfied with the birds' chirps in Taipei! I am surprised by my feeling but really, it is how I feel now! When being in the flat of Taipei, I feel sounds of birds' chirps are not so clear and crispy as those of London. As the flat in Taipei is much bigger than the one in London, the chirps of Taipei birds are not so close to me either. The air in Taipei... bears so much noises-- it is polluted.<br />Since when my feelings of Taipei and London have changed? Why do I miss London so soon? What happened to me? Am I ready to settle down in the UK?Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-79232038520567891042007-04-19T07:40:00.000+00:002007-04-19T07:51:29.359+00:00Taiwanese operaA few days ago, I went to a local restaurant with my family. When I was eating, I suddenly heard a familiar tune of Taiwanese opera. It was the owner of the restaurant watching TV.<br />I used to hear this tune of Taiwanese opera often when I was little. After so many years, the programme is still shown during the dinner time. I suddenly realise that the combination of hearing the tune of Taiwanese opera and having dinner is a sense of nostalgia to me!Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-46221242411560164542007-03-22T11:52:00.000+00:002007-03-22T12:30:26.923+00:00The sound of snow fallingIn the afternoon of 20 March at Goldsmiths, it suddenly snowed. It last for less than 30 min, I guess, and no snow was accumulated in the street to be traced. Seeing snow falling was a very nice experience. It was very beautiful.<br />However, I have never heard any sound from snow falling.<br /><br />Yoko Ono once made an instruction as an artwork that invited people to tape the sound of snow falling...<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Tape Piece III</span> (<span style="font-style: italic;">Snow Piece</span>): <blockquote> <p><i>Take a tape of the sound of snow falling.</i><br /><i>This should be done in the evening.</i><br /><i>Do not listen to the tape.</i><br /><i>Cut it and use it as strings to tie gifts with.</i><br /><i>Make a gift wrapper, if you wish, using the same process with a phonosheet.</i></p> </blockquote>She also composed a song <span style="font-style: italic;">Listen, The Snow is Falling:</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" ></span><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" >Listen the snow is falling over town</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" > Listen the snow is falling everywhere</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" > Between Empire State Building</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" > And between Trafalgar Square</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" > Listen the snow is falling over town</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" > Listen the snow is falling over town</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" > Listen the snow is falling everywhere</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" > Between your bed and mine</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" > Between your head and my mind</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" > Listen the snow is falling over town</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" > Between Tokyo and Paris</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" > Between London and Dallas</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" > Between your God and mine</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" > Listen the snow is falling everywhere</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" > Snow dream</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" > Snow fall</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" > Snow fly</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" > Listen</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" > Listen</span></blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Ariel,Helvetica,Sans-Serif;font-size:100%;" ></span></div>Back to Goldsmiths College...<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>For those people who work indoors without having a window, they would not know that snow was falling beautifully for a while. Without the existence of the sound or visual trace of snow, they missed it. Unless someone shouts aloud with excitement-- Snow, snow, it is snowing!Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-72567923863491510452007-03-18T23:43:00.000+00:002007-03-18T23:58:40.292+00:00My favourite London soundPeter Cusack mentioned about a Japanese girl whose favorite London sound was the sound of frying onions in her kitchen. The reason she said so was because she just came from Japan to London not long ago. When she was frying onions, the sound of frying made her feeling like being home in Japan. By knowing her preference of London sound, we can learn that she was homesick and the sound was nostalgic for her.<br />As I have been living in London for quite a few years, I do enjoy listening to many sounds of London. Nevertheless, there is a sound that always touches my heart of missing home. That is the sound emitted from the P. A. system of the Piccadilly line saying-- 'this train is for Heathrow Airport'. When I hear it, I cannot stop wishing that I could take this train and get off at the airport. Then by simply taking the plane, I can return to my family in Taiwan! Yes, I am almost there! Just take this train and get off at Heathrow Airport! I am almost there!<br />It is always my happiest moment when I can actually complete this wish!Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-26359423112546797242007-03-18T23:28:00.000+00:002007-03-18T23:39:54.099+00:00Hot FuzzI went to see the film Hot Fuzz. At the end of the film, the police officers Nicholas and Danny were about to start another mission by turning on the siren of their police car. Because they enjoyed working as police officers, Danny said to Nicholas happily-- 'Bring up the noise!'<br />Haha! Although I always hate hearing the piercing siren, the film makes me realise that these two men actually enjoy hearing it! It makes them high! ^_^<br />Enjoy what you do and where you are. Then you would enjoy the soundscape around you! ^_^Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-43702554218800243062007-03-18T22:56:00.000+00:002007-03-18T23:27:48.448+00:00Surrounded sounds of football fans cheeringLast evening, on 17 March, I was walking in the left-hand side of New Wanstead Road from north toward the Wanstead station. The road allowed traffic to operate on both directions and each of them had 1 lane. On my left-hand side, there were shops with displayed windows. On my right-hand side across the road, there were a trendy pub, a traditional pub and a cafe.<br />As I walked close to this section, I started to hear football fans cheering and singing so loudly and happily. They probably just won a goal. I thought the sounds came from my left-hand side. But after scanning at shops one after the other one, I could not see any crowd. Suddenly, I discovered that the cheering sounds were from the pubs on my right-hand side! I then realised that it was the reflective effect-- those glasses of the displayed windows were cheering with the fans, too!<br />Being so impressed by this special experience, I stopped with my mouth widely opened, then followed by a big smile... ^_^<br />What an interesting soundscape we have!Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-28979924735142020792007-03-16T16:32:00.000+00:002007-03-16T17:10:41.506+00:00Sounds of homeIn the Sounder Space conference, Nigel raised the question: 'What are the sounds that tell us-- we are home?' This question touches me very much. Nevertheless, what are my answers for it?<br />When I am in Taiwan, my family's voices and laughter, TV news, mum cooking, Pa chatting on the phone, Pa walking with sounds of slippers, Ma making coffee...<br />When I am in London, I don't feel home. Sounds that make me feeling like being at home are... MSN jingles, maybe. It is my only connection with friends in Taiwan.<br />Oh, a new sound that tells me that I arrive (London) home is the creaky sound made by the small rusty metal door when I push it to enter the front yard of the house. I wonder if the number of sounds that can tell me 'I am home' will increase in the future. Perhaps it has been, simply I have been refusing to accept them!Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-1165440092150871432006-12-06T21:07:00.000+00:002006-12-06T21:24:47.390+00:00One ear listeningToday, in the tube train, the woman stood in front of me was a bit unusual. She wore a hearing aid on her right ear. But when she turned her hear around, I was surprised to see that it was not another hearing aid but a headphone riding on her left ear! Since the volume is rarely quiet when listening to music in the train, isn't this habit damaging her precious and good ear? Doesn't she care?<br />Secretly and carefully tracing the cable line of her headphone with my eyes, I noticed that there was only one headphone. The other one bas been cut off... Oh my! her music has always been mono!!!Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-1161582229082964862006-10-23T05:13:00.000+00:002006-10-23T05:43:49.110+00:00The funeralIt's the day to attend my auntie's funeral. It's a ceremony full of Taiwanese sonic culture-- traditional Chinese musical instrument playing, monks and nuns chanting, words family saying aloud together as part of the ritual, and family members' sobbing sounds...<br />I did bring my audio recorder with me. However, in this very sad occasion, I had the difficulty in taking the audio recorder out from my bag to press the 'rec' buttom. <br />For the sadest part of the ceremony-- when the family members were bowing and kneeing to her, I really cannot record it. I think I would not like to hear this kind of sounds again.<br />But later, I still did it, because this is the very last trace of my auntie. If I don't grab something now, what else of hers can I hold? Fading memories?<br />A few days ago, I left on my auntie's altar a CD of her voice. I recorded her in 2004. In this recording, she was singing a song, 'the big elephant', when she was babysitting a neighbour's baby girl. She sounds so relax and joyful. I think this recording should be something that my uncle and cousins would like very much. However, after giving it to them, I am not so sure if what I did was appropriate or not.... I hope they don't consider that hearing her voice is like killing their heart...<br />Her voice was very gentle. She was always smiling when I was with her. With all these good memories I have of her, I think I should not cry in the funeral. I am happy with what we've been together. All the experiences we had shared should make us smile always.<br />I am glad that I have had her voice recorded. She has a very caring and joyful voice.Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-1159550222451373052006-09-28T00:59:00.000+00:002006-09-29T17:23:55.593+00:00AuntieMum called from home to inform me that my auntie's situation of liver cancer has turned really bad in the last few days. She was taking mafin to ease the pain. When the effectiveness of mafin was gone, she would scream and kick for the killing pain she had to take....<br /><br />Since the call, I could not stop imagining the scream of my auntie... Tears would then come out of my eyes...<br />She was such a caring and generous auntie...<br /><br />She screamed...<br /><br />The power of such an imaginary sound... <br />It is very strong. It haunts my mind. It hurts me whenever I think of it...<br /><br />4 days later, she left...<br /><br />Love you forever, my dearest A-Mei Auntie.Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-1137715844740923052006-01-19T11:57:00.000+00:002006-12-09T00:32:43.003+00:00My nameStill thinking about the experience in the Job Centre Plus.<br />I don't like to transfer my Chinese name into English. It never sounds right. Being in the UK, I have to transfer my Chinese name into English. I don't like it. I think my Chinese name is beautiful only when it is written in Chinese. When presenting it in English, it really means nothing in literature but a way to draw my attention... When turning it into English, calling my name is no longer a nice way to draw my attention...<br />Having the thoughts that English speakers are ethnocentric, I think that I am ethnocentric, too... How can it be possible to expect all the people I meet in the UK to be able to speak Chinese and pronounce my name nicely before they meet me? This is an argument that can be very frustrating if I really want to make a fuss about it... <br />Leave it...Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-1137710509445297022006-01-19T10:32:00.000+00:002006-01-20T00:11:48.386+00:00Can I get hold of every kind of sounds with mic?I take Central Line almost everyday. When the train comes out from the tunnel of Stratford to Leyton, there is always a moment of 'sonic boom'-- the doors are banged by the change of air pressure. When I stand by the door of the train to listen to the big bang, I can feel that the door, my body and ears are pressed by the air. However, do you know how this experience can be recorded?<br />Perhaps I should admit that not every sound can be recorded. There is no need to be insisted about owning every sound with audio recording... For some sounds, we can only let them go. Accessing them with our attentive but limited hearing and mind... For some sounds, we can only let them go...Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-1137628540020363232006-01-17T11:43:00.000+00:002006-01-18T23:55:40.030+00:00Nike Centre, Oxford CircusStanding in front of Nike Ccentre, Oxford Circus, I acutally can not figure out where I am! Am I in Oxford Circus or Warner Village in Taipei Shi-Yi district? I cannot identify what detailed sounds I am hearing. Instead, I perceive a sonic mask layered by sounds of crowd and traffic. I am immersed in the sonic mask. Described by one of my interviewees, the sonic mask sounds '嗡嗡嗡' (won-won-won)...Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10169079.post-1137627684773436502006-01-17T11:18:00.000+00:002006-01-18T23:43:29.523+00:00Job Centre PlusI was waiting in the Job Centre Plus of Walthamstow for an interview for National Insurance Number. Interviewees sitting in the waiting area were speaking non-English languages with quiet volume. I could not identify what languages they were speaking. The centre was generally quiet. Only when the interview officers called our given numbers then I could hear loud sounds. When the interviewees entered the centre, a stuff of the centre gave us numbers. So we were identified with numbers. Later on, when the officers called our numbers in English, their loud volume broke the quietness. At the same time, one of the interviewees sitting at the waiting area would stand up and run quickly to the interview officers. <br />Sometimes, interviewees' name would be called to collect some documents from the counter. You could here that those English pronounced surnames called out by the stuff of the centre were not English names. Here, they managed to turn foreigners' names into English, and said aloud... <br />In the Job Centre, the opposition between English/loudness/authority and foreigner/quietness/subjection is presented day after day just like this, I think.Tsai-Wei Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982846104737540622noreply@blogger.com0