I’m gonna tell you a true story I read on the net. I’m sorry to hear such news but I’m always ready to help those in waters. To those remote sufferers, I can do nothing but extend my heartfelt sympathy and wish others to help them out if possible. Giving a helping hand makes a most beautiful mind.

During the past 16 years, an 89-year-old woman surnamed LI has been a street vendor selling small articles like needles, keyrings and nail clippers in Wuchang City, who incredibly has to take care of her 72-year-old paralyzed daughter.

Born in Huanggang City in 1920, LI has two daughters, the other of whom is still living in Huanggang, alone and poor. LI’s husband passed away in 1974, leaving his whole family as well as his parents to strive for a living.

16 years ago, LI came to Wuchang along with her elder daughter and parents-in-law, making a living as such a vendor. Years later, her parents-in-law died and LI had to live with the only daughter. 10 years ago, they spent all they had on a 20㎡ second-hand room. 5 years ago, LI’s health problems began and she has earned less and less ever since. Her daughter, however, needs more money to treat paralysis and more attention from her.

The room they live in is poorly furnitured. The bed is an alignment of wooden stools and the electric fan, as LI told the reporter, was given by a kind-hearted neighbor. In hot summer days, they have got to feed themselves with plain porridge and watermelon peels. Once a month, she squeezes on a bus to replenish what to sell and it usually takes her 2 hours a day to sell them.

What worries LI most is that she may die before her daughter and leave her unattended.

Yesterday evening, after taking in some watermelon peels with her daughter, LI went out to sell those articles punctually at 18:00, but didn’t sell a single thing after an hour.

Instead of cracking down street vendors, Chengguan officials say they usually give some money to LI’s family and are indeed thinking of getting them a subsistence allowance against all odds.

Dear friends, if you happen to see LI’s family and the likes, remember to help them so long as you can do just a little thing. Even if you don’t have a single pence, it’s also good to have a word with them to ease their loneliness, sorrow, and pain.

(The pictures were taken by TANG Wenming rather than me.)

“Another Day in Paradise” – Phil Collins

I guess it’s time I wrote something about Mavis since her new release has come out. Such an infatuation for Mavis started in 1996 when her second LP was released and since then I been quite crazy over her, and everything of hers. What differs from what others may hold is the fact that I really love every track of every period in her recording career. She’s a recording artist, I mean, not the same thing as the Cranberries was doing and meant to be. Of all the female recording artists, Mavis must be the most talented one. Various vocal genres are by no means any difficulties to her and that’s why you have heard “健康歌”“刷牙歌”“The Shower Song” as well as “消失”“眼淚”“自言自語””Bartender Angel” that were recorded by the same girl. To be a recording artists had nothing to do with what she thought should have been done over that period but she turned out to be as much depressed as her life went into a mess. Meanwhile, her music style was tottering all the way but she’s not ruined for the biggest evidence is the release of her recent EP and album featuring the band 100% formed under her own label Vegetarian Fish, one member of which is her current boyfriend. As a 13-year Mavis fan, I am truly happy to see she’s living a new life, together with her Mom and boyfriend and music.

<赤子/Innocent> is a good album regardless of her little marketing concerns. I have decided to give a 5-star comment on this album b’cuz Mavis is always trying to convey a refreshing notion through making music after she got over the greatest ever depression in her life. “鬼打牆” and “幽默感” are my favorite tracks reminding me of the life track of Mavis that are not always smooth like we wish it to be.

This album is still on the go in my iPod. I love it, as did I love those of her previous works.

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“My Sense of Humor” – Mavis Fan & 100%