Life on the sideline
Here are articles, essays, poems, book reviews, diary jottings and photographs I have produced for local newspapers and magazines since October 1978 when I graduated from a three-month course on reporting and subbing, and called myself a "journalist". Instead of leaving them as yellowed cuttings, I've updated some of my published stuff for the Web so they can be accessible to friends past, current and future. I've also added contributions by others, when the spirit moved them to share.
In three decades of journalism, I have written about practically everything under the moon (I write best at night), except fashion, golf, crime and movie stars. On this site I have put up those writings I enjoyed reading back to myself. (If you don't enjoy reading what you’ve written, trash ’em). My stuff is mainly on loafing and leisure pursuits, pretty girls and dreams, life and the next life, and, most important, Buddha's exhortations to make the most of this human span before death hits us unexpectedly and inconveniently.
Except for the Latin quotes and maxims, and tidbits from Confucius, I hope there is nothing pretentious, pushy or preachy. The last thing I want to do is pontificate pious prattle.
If you've got anything to share, write on the Guest Book at the bottom of this page, or just drop me an e-mail at hsiaoshuang@yahoo.com. – Francis Chin, January 2005
A more forgiving lifestyle
Why nobody reads your blog
Great places for adventure
Life was tough and a squeeze 50 years ago
Robust Latin maxims
Devils and angels at my death
Lorenzo the Magnificent & Michelangelo
Dream of the Red Chamber
[Listen to aching-sweet Flower
Burial Song on this page]
Fun with Tang poetry
Translating Li Bai
Much-loved Chinese poem
Recalling a night with his beloved
Sunset river by Bai Chi-yi, Tang
Beauties from China
You may have won the Rat Race, but you are still a rat
Imagine what you can do with $100 million