「要是家一直完好無缺，安於其中的人並不會感到它的存在，穩定就是失去存在重量的意思。只有，當家出現缺口，人們才會感到恍如蝸牛的殼突然碎裂的痛苦。」
《半蝕》
2021年6月29日星期二
The man with two faces
twitch: to undergo a brief spasmodic muscular contraction
quiver: to shake or move with a slight trembling motion
treble: a high-pitched or shrill voice, tone, or sound
stuttering: a disorder of vocal communication marked by involuntary disruption or blocking of speech (as by abnormal repetition, prolongation, or stoppage of vocal sounds)
curse: a prayer or invocation for harm or injury to come upon one
nosy: of prying or inquisitive disposition or quality
inquisitive: inclined to ask questions
scurry: to move in or as if in a brisk pace
brisk: quick
tap: to strike lightly especially with a slight sound
blurt: to utter abruptly and impulsively —usually used with out
idly: without much thought, effort or attention
loathe: to dislike greatly and often with disgust or intolerance
flit: to pass quickly or abruptly from one place or condition to another
displease: to incur the disapproval or dislike of especially by annoying
wink: to shut one eye briefly as a signal or in teasing
petrified: overwhelmingly fearful
overwhelming: DJ[ˋəuvəˋhwelmiŋ]
stumble: to walk unsteadily or clumsily
hiss: to make a sharp sibilant sound
vain: having no real value
sear: to burn, scorch, mark, or injure with or as if with sudden application of intense heat
hunch: to thrust or bend (someone or something) over into a humped or crooked position
howl: to emit a loud sustained doleful sound characteristic of members of the dog family
agony: intense pain of mind or body
bewildered: deeply or utterly confused or perplexed
perplexed: filled with uncertainty
screech: to utter a high shrill piercing cry: make an outcry usually in terror or pain
instinct: behavior that is mediated by reactions below the conscious level
wrench: to move with a violent twist
glint: to give off reflection in brilliant flashes
sweetshop: a candy store
dungeon: a dark usually underground prison or vault
alas: used to express unhappiness, pity, or concern
sneak: to go stealthily or furtively
detest: loathe
matron: the chief officer in a women's organization
plead: to argue a case or cause in a court of law
off one's rocker: in a state marked by extreme confusion or mental unsoundness
feast: an elaborate and usually abundant meal often accompanied by a ceremony or entertainment
steamroller: to overwhelm usually by greatly superior force
bustle: to move briskly and often ostentatiously
ostentatious: attracting or seeking to attract attention, admiration, or envy often by gaudiness or obviousness: overly elaborate or conspicuous: characterized by, fond of, or evincing ostentation
sniffy: having or expressing a haughty attitude
haughty: blatantly and disdainfully proud: having or showing an attitude of superiority and contempt for people or things perceived to be inferior
sidle: to go or move with one side foremost especially in a furtive advance
furtive: done in a quiet and secretive way to avoid being noticed
ruddy: used as an intensive
chuck out: to force (someone) to leave
remorse: a gnawing distress arising from a sense of guilt for past wrongs
bellow: to shout in a deep voice
chuckle: to laugh inwardly or quietly
inwardly: beneath the surface
fuss: to pay close or undue attention to small details
deck: to clothe in a striking or elegant manner
hush: a silence or calm especially following noise
babble: to talk enthusiastically or excessively
waffle: empty or pretentious words
stamp: to strike or beat forcibly with the bottom of the foot
sicken: to cause revulsion in
revulsion: a sense of utter distaste or repugnance
repugnance: strong dislike, distaste, or antagonism
dish out: to give or dispense freely
dispense: to divide and share out according to a plan: to deal out in portions
hoarse: rough or harsh in sound
nudge: to touch or push gently
applause: marked commendation
commendation: an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration
jot: the least bit
scrape through: to succeed at doing something but just barely
abysmal: immeasurably low or wretched: extremely poor or bad
wizen: to become dry, shrunken, and wrinkled often as a result of aging or of failing vitality
jostle: to exist in close proximity
squeal: to make a shrill cry or noise
fudge: a soft creamy candy made typically of sugar, milk, butter, and flavoring
furious: exhibiting or goaded by anger
hang back: to be reluctant
Online dictionary used: https://www.merriam-webster.com
2021年6月28日星期一
Through the Trapdoor
burst: to break open, apart, or into pieces usually from impact or from pressure from within
sweltering: oppressively hot
oppressive: unreasonably burdensome or severe
quill: DJ[kwil]
tap dance: a step dance tapped out audibly by means of shoes with hard soles or soles and heels to which taps have been added
snuff: a preparation of pulverized tobacco to be inhaled through the nostrils, chewed, or placed against the gums
whisker: a hair of the beard
fret: to cause to suffer emotional strain
batty: crazy
cauldron: a large kettle or boiler
parchment: the skin of a sheep or goat prepared for writing on
flock: to gather or move in a flock
flop: to throw or move oneself in a heavy, clumsy, or relaxed manner
tickle: to touch (a body part, a person, etc.) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements
tentacle: any of various elongate flexible usually tactile or prehensile processes borne by invertebrate animals chiefly on the head or about the mouth
bask: to lie or relax in a pleasant warmth or atmosphere
shallows: a shallow place in a body of water —usually used in pl.
lurk: to lie in wait in a place of concealment especially for an evil purpose
flutter: to flap the wings rapidly
clamp: to fasten with or as if with a clamp
betray: to deliver to an enemy by treachery
treachery: violation of allegiance or of faith and confidence
scramble: to move with urgency or panic
sprint: DJ[sprint]
cloak: DJ[kləuk]
blurt: to utter abruptly and impulsively —usually used with out
fishy: creating doubt or suspicion
frantic: emotionally out of control
tumble: to fall suddenly and helplessly
splutter: to utter hastily or confusedly
utter: DJ[ˋʌtə]
earshot: the range within which one may hear a person's unaided voice
enchantment: a magic spell
wail: to express sorrow audibly
glitter: to shine with strong emotion
flatten: to knock down
brisk: sharp in tone or manner
drift off: to fall asleep
clutch: to grasp or hold with or as if with the hand or claws usually strongly, tightly, or suddenly
steel: to fill with resolution or determination
desperate: having lost hope
idiot: a foolish or stupid person
exasperated: having or showing strong feelings of irritation or annoyance
leap: to spring free from or as if from the ground
miserable: being in a pitiable state of distress or unhappiness
omen: an occurrence or phenomenon believed to portend a future event
skulk: to move in a stealthy or furtive manner
stealthy: slow, deliberate, and secret in action or character
furtive: done in a quiet and secretive way to avoid being noticed
trip: to catch the foot against something so as to stumble
wicked: disgustingly unpleasant
squint: to look or peer with eyes partly closed
hover: to remain suspended over a place or object
croak: to make a deep harsh sound
scoot: to move swiftly
creak: to make a prolonged grating or squeaking sound often as a result of being worn-out
rumble: to make a low heavy rolling sound
growl: rumble
harp: a plucked stringed instrument consisting of a resonator, an arched or angled neck that may be supported by a post, and strings of graded length that are perpendicular to the soundboard
droop: to sink gradually
totter: to move unsteadily
slump: to fall or sink suddenly
grit: to cause (one's teeth) to grind or grate
twitch: to move jerkily
owlery: an abode or a haunt of owls
flump: a dull heavy sound (as of a fall)
muffle: to wrap or pad with something to dull the sound
thump: to strike or beat with or as if with something thick or heavy so as to cause a dull sound
sprawl: to lie or sit with arms and legs spread out
shriek: to utter a sharp shrill sound
snarl: to cause to become knotted and intertwined
wrestle: to combat an opposing tendency or force
whip: to take, pull, snatch, jerk, or otherwise move very quickly and forcefully
cringe: to shrink in fear or servility
wriggle: to move the body or a bodily part to and fro with short writhing motions like a worm
flail: beat
unravel: to disengage or separate the threads of
trickle: to flow in a thin gentle stream
jolt: an abrupt, sharp, jerky blow or movement
vault: an arched structure of masonry usually forming a ceiling or roof
rustle: a quick succession or confusion of small sounds
clink: to give out a slight sharp short metallic sound
vicious: dangerously aggressive
beak: the bill of a bird
bill: the jaws of a bird together with their horny covering
tug: to pull hard
heave: lift, raise
budge: move, shift
soar: to fly aloft or about
aloft: at or to a great height
glitter: to shine by reflection with many small flashes of brilliant light
squint: looking or tending to look obliquely or askance
flock: a group of animals (such as birds or sheep) assembled or herded together
snatch: to attempt to seize something suddenly
knack: a special ready capacity that is hard to analyze or teach
crumple: wrinkle
dodge: to move to and fro or from place to place usually in an irregular course
streak: rush
pin: to hold fast or immobile
ram: to move with extreme rapidity
battered: damaged or worn down by hard use
offend: to cause difficulty, discomfort, or injury
bishop: either of two pieces of each color in a set of chessmen having the power to move diagonally across any number of adjoining unoccupied squares
pawn: one of the chessmen of least value having the power to move only forward ordinarily one square at a time, to capture only diagonally forward, and to be promoted to any piece except a king upon reaching the eighth rank
smash: to break or crush by violence
mercy: a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion
huddle: to crowd together
limp: to walk lamely
slump: to fall or sink suddenly
checkmate: to check (a chess opponent's king) so that escape is impossible
pounce: to make a sudden assault or approach
reckon: estimate
transfigure: to give a new and typically exalted or spiritual appearance to
troll: a dwarf or giant in Scandinavian folklore inhabiting caves or hills
lump: a piece or mass of indefinite size and shape
nettle: any of a genus (Urtica of the family Urticaceae, the nettle family) of chiefly coarse herbs armed with stinging hairs
sly: clever in concealing one's aims or ends
dash: to move with sudden speed
shuddered: to tremble convulsively
gulp: to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one swallow
Online dictionary used: https://www.merriam-webster.com
2021年6月23日星期三
書店日常
在商場一樓書展購物，消費沒有泊車優惠。
顧客F對我說︰「我可否帶貨品，上五樓舖頭付款。」
我道︰「當然不行。」
他道︰「你帶我上去行不行？」
我說︰「我要當值，行不開。」
他道︰「那麼你叫舖頭的人帶我上去。」
我說︰「應該不行，我盡管打電話上去問主管。」
我婉拒後，他怒道︰「你們怎樣做生意？那麼上面有沒有這三件貨品。」
我將貨品條碼告訴給五樓同事，同事說找到再聯絡我。
還未收到同事的回覆，客人說直接上去，又問我主管姓什麼。
當天是父親節，身為父親的這位「水七木」頭，連基本禮貌也沒有，怎樣身教？
昨天一位操普通話我中年女人打算買信封。
她手上拿著信封問我︰「這是什麼？」
我道︰「Envelope，信封。」
我心想︰「包裝只有英文，難怪……」
她好像不太確定這是否信封，自行打開包裝。
我大聲說︰「不可以打開。」
然後，她走向顧客服務處，即是我站著的位置打算付款。
我指向收銀處，對她說︰「在那邊付款。」
我心想︰「收鋃處標示只有英文 —— Cashier，難怪……」
2021年6月18日星期五
2021年6月13日星期日
2021年6月8日星期二
砌生豬肉
尖沙咀商務搬遷，該店圖書主管在空檔期受高層指示，到荃灣商務整頓中文部。她建議將中港臺文學擴充，減少輕小說位置。起初，店長不情願，得到區長同意後才完成擴充。我將文學書依地區劃分，店長跟圖書主管說我不聽從他的吩咐，要求圖書主管按書籍深淺程度排序。店長根本沒有和我有任何溝通，只是在我背後砌生豬肉。店長和副店長是中華出身，他跟圖書主管說我們三個商務出身的同事看不起他們，又說我們對副店長很差。圖書主管覺得奇怪，問我的同事是怎樣一回事，我才經從同事的口中得知事件。我和圖書主管說起此事，好在她信我們，多過那位所謂店長。她跟我說，同事見面時間分分鐘多過家人，要磨合。然而，大家價值觀相差太遠，我只能選擇戴著面具上班。另外，管理層將有人事變動，本店店長權力受到威脅，他選擇棄車保帥，想將每天只是扮工、被他特地縱容的副店長轉到另一間店，結果如何，拭目以待。
2021年6月7日星期一
2021年6月3日星期四
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