Lawrence’s monthly reading list – April 2012

Economist
* China’s Achilles heel

Time
* The Presidents Club
* National Affairs: Death of a Lady (Monday, Sept. 15, 1941)

Foreign Policy
* The Revenge of Wen Jiabao (John Garnaut)
* Rotting From Within (John Garnaut)

NYT
* Don’t Just Sit There
* How Exercise Could Lead to a Better Brain
* The Flight from Conversation
DealBook: Dewey & LeBoeuf Said to Encourage Partners to Leave
In China, Foreign Films Meet a Powerful Gatekeeper
S.E.C. Asks if Hollywood Paid Bribes in China
The Creative Monopoly
Concern for Marathoners on a Warm Day in Boston
As China Official Rose, His Family’s Wealth Grew
Facebook Plays Offense and Defense in a Single Deal
A Billion-Dollar Turning Point for Mobile Apps
* China Buys Inroads in the Caribbean, Catching U.S. Notice
* A Friendship Dating to 1976 Resonates in 2012

WSJ
‘Jackie Kennedy of China’ at Center of Political Drama
上海计划推出跨境人民币融资试点项目
香港大亨体系因新鸿基案受拷问
大陆开放第二批赴台湾个人旅游试点城市
中国工业企业利润2009年后首次全面下滑
鸿海收购夏普股权凸显日本电子业颓势
中国高增长压制东南亚腾飞(黄育川)
哈耶克-凯恩斯跨越半个多世纪的论战
外国银行瞄上中国信托公司
《推销员之死》与中国版成功热病
谁是梁振英?
梁振英当选香港特首 修补裂痕任重道远
宜家在中国掀起“扩张风暴”

FT
Hong Kong is bringing democracy to China
杭州的“房闹”
老板刘德华
社评:梁振英的历史使命
台湾曾有的改革阵痛

温家宝访德国 与默克尔同乘大巴吃汉堡
失落的留学梦 (网易 看客)

Lawrence’s monthly reading list – March 2012

沙田山居(余光中)
钱颖一:朱镕基与清华经管学院的不了情(新京报)

Why Bilinguals Are Smarter (NYT)
Why I Am Leaving Goldman Sachs (NYT)
The Rediscovery of Character (NYT)
U.S. Extends Its Run of Strong Job Growth Another Month (NYT)
Japan Weighed Evacuating Tokyo in Nuclear Crisis (NYT)
Yoga and Sex Scandals: No Surprise Here (NYT)
The Tao of Hoffman (NYT)

Harvard Business School? You’ll Go Through Her First (WSJ)
The Gray Divorcés (WSJ)
Why Doctors Die Differently (WSJ)
New Details on Chongqing Drama, Not Fit for TV (WSJ)

市委主要领导职务调整 重庆板块跌势领先(华尔街日报)
多数重庆相关股票出现下跌(华尔街日报)
薄熙来被免职殃及红色网站?(华尔街日报)
老外最爱的北京夜生活去处(华尔街日报)
美国学者称中国社会正在冲进死胡同(华尔街日报)
离婚,知命之年的选择?(华尔街日报)
美中脱口秀红人隔空斗嘴(华尔街日报)
汪洋两会纵谈改革政治文化(华尔街日报)
医生的临终选择为何与众不同?(华尔街日报)
美报:民意开始影响中国人大立法过程(华尔街日报)

How Bibi Learned To Trust Barack (Time)
Why Is This Man Smiling? Mitt Romney’s Primary Campaign Won’t Overshadow His Presidential Bid (Time)
10 Ideas That Are Changing Your Life (Time)
– 1. Living Alone is the New Norm
– 2. Your Head Is In The Cloud

Hollywood’s pay-list (FT)
Sex, shopping and the statistics of happiness (FT)
There is danger in Xi’s rebuff to Obama (FT)

薄熙来的重庆(南方人物周刊 旧文)
点评中国:中国的“黑吃灰”现象浅析 (BBC)
7000万嫁女煤老板发家史:白菜价买入国有矿
习近平访问洛杉矶主要议题是电影与篮球(新闻晚报)
徐冠华:政府造不出来乔布斯(新京报)

Lawrence’s monthly reading list – Feb 2012

As I often post readings on Facebook, it is useful to take stock from time to time.  Here’s a recap of what I posted here in February 2012 — all told, 19 pieces. Those with a star are “highly recommended.”  Will amend the list with more pieces, namely those I enjoyed reading but didn’t have the time / passion to post, or didn’t consider Facebook the best venue to disseminate the knowledge / store the memory.

Young Women Often Trendsetters in Vocal Patterns (They’re, Like, Way Ahead of the Linguistic Currrrve) (New York Times) *
China and the World Bank: 2030 vision (The Economist)
The Economist in China: Old Hands (The Economist) *
Welcome Home (The Economist)
Obama, Explained: Chess Master or Pawn (The Atlantic: James Fallows) *
Russia’s Incredible Shrinking Prime Minister (Time Magazine)
解读电影新政(FT中文网)*
Beijing’s Cautious Step into the World (Financial Times) *
与刘瑜共进午餐(FT中文网)*
The Jeremy Lin Problem (New York Times: David Brooks)
那些年,名帅们一起错过林书豪(经济观察报)
Chinese Labor, Cheap No More (New York Times)
与刘瑜谈民主、自由和公民(华尔街日报)*
复星:投资的逻辑(经济观察报)
Marriage Suits Educated Women (New York Times) *
J.F.K.’s Intern (New York Times)
‘We the People’ Loses Appeal With People Around the World (New York Times) *
Dickens v. Lawyers (New York Times) *
Barenboim and Said: ‘Parallels and Paradoxes’ (NPR, National Public Radio)
Caring for Your Introvert (The Atlantic)

Not posted on Facebook:

The princeling set to ascend the Chinese throne (Financial Times)
Hazard of the Trade: Bankers’ Health (Wall Street Journal)
Linsanity! (Time Magazine)
Heartland Return for Chinese Leader (Wall Street Journal)
China Eyed as Next Educational Frontier (Wall Street Journal)

China 2030: Building a Modern, Harmonious, and Creative High-Income Society (World Bank)
我国加快资本账户开放条件基本成熟(中国人民银行调查统计司课题组)
发行监管部首次公开发行股票审核工作流程及申报企业情况(中国证监会)
创业板发行监管部首次公开发行股票审核工作流程及申报企业情况(中国证监会)

Lawrence’s monthly reading list – Jan 2012

This post is backdated, purely for aesthetic reasons.  Actually compiled on March 6.

Posted on Facebook in January 2012 (28 pieces):

China’s Heavy Hitters Stay Home (Wall Street Journal)
各省都有难念的经 (经济观察报)
In China, Human Costs Are Built Into an iPad (New York Times)
Apple, America and a Squeezed Middle Class (New York Times)
Movie Review – Sabrina – An Ugly Duckling and Her Men 41 Years Later (New York Times)
中国城镇人口首次超过农村人口 (华尔街日报中文版)
象一滴水一样 ——纪念高华老师 (情书)*
Taiwan Election Stirs Hopes Among Chinese for Democracy (New York Times)
撞衫的电影海报(经济观察报)
市长道歉(经济观察报)
中华民族抬起头了吗?(FT中文网:邹至庄)
蒋经国:台湾民主“开闸者”(FT中文网)*
英报:既得利益者阻挠中国改革 (华尔街日报中文版)
China denounces ‘Hong Konger’ trend (Washington Post)
你會稱自己為 香港人/中國人/香港的中國人/中國的香港人(香港大學民意研究計劃)
美报:香港人的中国认同感越来越低 (华尔街日报中文版)
中国大陆民众关注台湾大选 (华尔街日报中文版)
台湾昨日20余万人返乡投票 海陆空交通全线爆满(网易新闻)
打工者排队6天6夜没买到车票(网易新闻)
铁道部:安排5千列临客输送农民工(网易新闻)
素什么质(情书)
中国:一个缺乏全球化准备的世界大国 (FT中文网)
慢一些需要勇气(经济观察报)
为汪洋式“示弱”叫好(经济观察报)
向变革年代的行动者致意(经济观察报)
张春贤:“网络书记”(经济观察报)
女子为讨薪爬塔吊被冻僵(网易新闻图集)
良史高华(FT中文网)*

Not posted on Facebook:

Skipping the Partner Track for a Shingle of One’s Own (New York Times)
Facebook Readies IPO Filing (Wall Street Journal)

I Strove with None

I strove with none, for none was worth my strife.
Nature I loved and, next to Nature, Art;
I warmed both hands before the fire of life,
It sinks, and I am ready to depart.

Walter Savage Landor (1775-1864)

我和谁都不争,
和谁争我都不屑;
我爱大自然,
其次就是艺术;
我双手烤着,
生命之火取暖;
火萎了,
我也准备走了。
  
[英]兰德(杨绛 译)

Christmas Must Be Something More

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Christmas Must Be Something More – Taylor Swift – Sounds of the Season: The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection (2007)

Released on October 14, 2007.

What if ribbons and bows didn’t mean a thing
Would the song still survive without five golden rings
Would you still wanna kiss without misletoe
What would happen if God never let it snow
What would happen if Christmas carols told a lie
Tell me what would you find

You’d see that today holds something special
Something holy, not superficial
So here’s to the birthday boy who saved our lives
It’s something we all try to ignore
And put a wreath up on your door
So here’s something you should know that is for sure
Christmas must be something more

What if angels did not pay attention to
All the things that we wished they would always do
What if happiness came in a cardboard box
Then I think there is something we all forgot
What would happen if presents all went away
Tell me what would you find

You’d see that today holds something special
Something holy, not superficial
So here’s to the birthday boy who saved our lives
It’s something we all try to ignore
And put a wreath up on your door
So here’s something you should know that is for sure
Christmas must be something more

We get so caught up in all of it
Business and relationships
Hundred mile an hour lives
And it’s this time of year
And everybody’s here
It seems the last thing on your mind

Is that the day holds something special
Something holy, not superficial
So here’s to Jesus Christ who saved our lives
It’s something we all try to ignore
And put a wreath up on your door
But here’s something you should know that is for sure
Christmas must be something
Christmas must be something
Christmas must be something more

There’s gotta be more
There’s gotta be more

Viva la Vida

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Viva la Vida – Coldplay – Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008)

Released on 25 May 2008.

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy’s eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
“Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!”

One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can’t explain
Once you go there was never
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world

It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn’t believe what I’d become

Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can’t explain
I know Saint Peter won’t call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can’t explain
I know Saint Peter won’t call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

The Gift

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The Gift – Jim Brickman – Visions of Love (1998)

(with Collin Raye and Susan Ashton)

Winter snow is falling down
Children laughing all around
Lights are turning on
Like a fairy tale come true
Sitting by the fire we made
You’re the answer when I prayed
I would find someone
And baby I found you

All I want is to hold you forever
All I need is you more every day
You saved my heart
From being broken apart
You gave your love away
And I’m thankful every day
For the gift

Watching as you softly sleep
What I’d give if I could keep
Just this moment
If only time stood still
But the colors fade away
And the years will make us grey
But baby in my eyes
You’ll still be beautiful

All I want is to hold you forever
All I need is you more every day
You saved my heart
From being broken apart
You gave your love away
And I’m thankful every day
For the gift

(Instrumental)

All I want is to hold you forever
All I need is you more every day
You saved my heart
From being broken apart
You gave your love away
I can’t find the words to say
That I’m thankful every day
For the gift

Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)

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Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) – Beyoncé – I Am… Sasha Fierce (2008)

Released on October 12, 2008.

All the single ladies (7x)

Now put your hands up
Up in the club, we just broke up
I’m doing my own little thing
you Decided to dip but now you wanna trip
Cuz another brother noticed me
I’m up on him, he up on me
don’t pay him any attention
cuz i cried my tears, GAVE three good years
Ya can’t be mad at me

[Chorus]
Cuz if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don’t be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it

wo oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh oh x2

(Chorus)Cuz if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don’t be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it

I got gloss on my lips, a man on my hips
hold me tighter than my Dereon jeans
acting up, drink in my cup
I couldn’t care less what you think
I need no permission, did I mention
Don’t pay him any attention
Cuz you had your turn
But now you gonna learn
What it really feels like to miss me

(Chorus)

Cuz if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don’t be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it

woo oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh oh 2x

Don’t treat me to the things of this world
I’m not that kind of girl
Your love is what I prefer, what I deserve
Is a man that makes me, then takes me
And delivers me to a destiny, to infinity and beyond
Pull me into your arms
Say I’m the one you WANT
If you don’t, you’ll be alone
And like a ghost I’ll be gone

All the single ladies (7x)
Now put your hands up
woo oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh ooh
oh oh oh 2x

Cuz if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don’t be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it woo oh ooh 2x

The Sweet Escape

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The Sweet Escape – Gwen Stefani – The Sweet Escape (2006)

Released on January 1, 2007.

[Gwen]
If I could escape I would but,
First of all, let me say
I must apologize for acting stank & treating you this way
Cause I’ve been acting like sour milk all on the floor
It’s your fault you didn’t shut the refrigerator
Maybe that’s the reason I’ve been acting so cold?

[CHORUS]
If I could escape & recreate a place that’s my own world
& I could be your favourite girl (forever), Perfectly together
Tell me boy now wouldn’t that be sweet? (sweet escape)
If I could be sweet, I know I’ve been a real bad girl (I’ll try to change)
I didn’t mean for you to get hurt (whatsoever)
We can make it better, Tell me boy wouldn’t that be sweet? (sweet escape)

[Akon]
I want to get away, to our sweet escape
I want to get away, yeah

[Gwen]
You held me down, I’m at my lowest boiling point
Come help me out, I need to get me out of this joint
Come on let’s bounce, counting on you to turn me around
Instead of clowning around, let’s look for some common ground
So baby, times get a little crazy
I’ve been gettin’ a little lazy, waitin’ on you to come save me
I can see that you’re angry by the way that you treat me
Hopefully you don’t leave me, wanna take you with me

[CHORUS]
If I could escape & recreate a place that’s my own world
& I could be your favourite girl (forever), Perfectly together
& tell me boy now wouldn’t that be sweet? (sweet escape)
If I could be sweet (sorry boy)
I know I’ve been a real bad girl (I’ll try to change)
I didn’t mean for you to get hurt (whatsoever)
We can make it better
& tell me boy now wouldn’t that be sweet? (sweet escape)

Woohoo, Yeehoo
Woohoo, Yeehoo (If I could escape)
Woohoo, yeehoo (If I could escape)
Woohoo, Yeehoo

Cause I’ve been acting like sour milk all on the floor
It’s your fault you didn’t shut the refrigerator
Maybe that’s the reason I’ve been acting so cold?

[CHORUS]
If I could escape & recreate a place that’s my own world
& I could be your favourite girl (forever), Perfectly together
& tell me boy now wouldn’t that be sweet? (sweet escape)
If I could be sweet (sorry boy)
I know I’ve been a real bad girl (I’ll try to change)
I didn’t mean for you to get hurt (whatsoever)
We can make it better
& tell me boy now wouldn’t that be sweet? (sweet escape)

Woohoo, Yeehoo (I wanna get away, get away)
Woohoo, Yeehoo (To our sweet escape)
Woohoo, Yeehoo (I wanna get away)
Woohoo, Yeehoo (Yeah)
Woohoo, Yeehoo
Woohoo, Yeehoo