The Spring Festival period is actually quite long. Let's see what we can remember.
Going Home#
I vaguely remember taking the train back to my hometown a few days ago in freezing rain. The scenery outside the window had undergone the baptism of freezing rain, presenting a different view from usual. The tree branches seemed to be carved jade branches, shimmering with a cold light. Every leaf, every branch, was wrapped in ice beads. However, these ice beads also brought a heavy burden to the trees, and I saw many broken branches when I went out. Thanks to the invasion of freezing rain, our high-speed train was also delayed by 30 minutes.
The train swayed and arrived at the station. Due to the background of economic downturn in recent years, the road was relatively quiet, unlike the festive atmosphere of the New Year everywhere in my memories. Even so, the cost of living in a small city is really high. "I'm really laughing at my own poverty" is not considered self-deprecating in a small city. It feels like people in small cities are all rich. It is said that big cities are urban jungles, and small cities have a slower pace of life and less life pressure, which is a "retreat" for many people. But why do I feel that small cities are scarier? The desire for fame and fortune in a familiar society seems to be magnified several times. I know that our country has always relied on infrastructure construction to make money. Small cities have approved countless useless projects, and batches of people have become rich overnight, but the lives of residents have not necessarily improved much.
Let me give you an example. There used to be a city library in the city center, serving all residents in the central urban area with convenient transportation. Now a large library has been built in the suburbs (I still have deep resentment about this planning). It occupies an area similar to that of the Changsha Library, but the collection is only half as much. When asked about the collection, half of it is electronic books and rare ancient books. There is no public transportation to the suburbs (so you need a private car to go to this library). The cost is said to be 300 million yuan. Just think about how many books can be bought with 300 million yuan. Isn't it better to have more greenery in the city center than in the suburbs? When asked again, they say that you don't understand. I don't know which people are supported by the 300 million yuan, but it's definitely not me. The biggest impact on me is that I have lost the opportunity to go to the library when I go home.
After bringing my luggage home, my mom made a bowl of lamb and vermicelli for me. The lamb and vermicelli, seasoned with red chili oil, had bright colors and a fragrant aroma. I enjoyed it.
My mom said she bought the lamb from our neighbor. After long hours of stewing, the lamb became tender and had a sticky texture. The delicious flavor of the lamb permeated the soup. From the cold freezing rain to the warm lamb and vermicelli with winter bamboo shoots, it was like the sun rising after a cold night, dispelling fatigue and driving away the cold.
And the sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner I had with my new family.
It was a feast, delicious and abundant. We had a little wine that night and casually watched the Spring Festival Gala on TV.
The Taste of the New Year#
Fireworks have been banned before the epidemic, claiming to protect the air quality. However, the air quality has not improved, which shows that fireworks are not the cause of the air problem. This year, no one stopped the fireworks because everyone had a tough year.
At night, lying in bed, my family talked about fireworks. It was mentioned that the people who set off fireworks are not the ones who have the best view of the fireworks. The best view of the fireworks is from a distance, such as on Orange Island. The view from there is definitely not as good as that of the people on both sides of the river. The people who set off fireworks cannot immediately go to the viewing spot after setting off the fireworks. Therefore, a conclusion was drawn: Fireworks are set off for others to see. In the past, when it was lively, you set off fireworks for others to see, and others set off fireworks for you to see. As the saying goes, "When the world is close and loves each other, even if it is thousands of miles away, the hearts become one. Tonight, when the lights of thousands of families are on, perhaps we can see the beautiful scenery through the window in our dreams." When everyone set off fireworks for each other to see, the New Year became more prosperous.
But when you know that your neighbor spent 2,000 yuan on a firework, and the other neighbor spent 4,000 yuan on one, and you and my friends saw both fireworks without spending a penny, you start to feel secretly happy. From the moment you start thinking like this, the taste of the New Year begins to fade away from you. If the neighbor doesn't set off fireworks next year, you will start to lament that the taste of the New Year is getting weaker.
What I Captured#
Besides eating and chatting, I also took photos and went shopping.
During the New Year, the streets were empty, with a few pedestrians here and there.
The tipsy dusk, mottled tree shadows.
Slight rust on the blue iron plate, just like this dusk to the blue sky.
Classic composition, strong color contrast divides the image into several sections. From cool colors to warm colors, combined with the dynamic movement of pedestrians, the whole picture maintains a calm balance while expressing strong emotions.
The harmonious coexistence of steel scaffolding and wild plants makes one contemplate the relationship between the city and nature.
The small town has become more vibrant than before, dilapidated but full of vitality.
Why can't the ring I made be a championship ring?
What I Ate#
Most of the time, I ate at home, but I also went out for a few days and ate some food.
To be honest, this stir-fried rice noodles are average, but the delicious rice noodle shop was closed during the New Year.
This one is really delicious, a lesser-known traditional delicacy from my hometown. The unique spicy taste and rich ingredients make it unforgettable. The ingredients are cooked until soft and absorb the rich spicy soup, giving each bite a spicy and fragrant taste. The abundant ingredients provide a diverse texture, including kelp, protein meat, bean sprouts, eggs, cabbage, rice cakes, black fungus... I can't remember all the ingredients, but there are plenty. Eating it with the hot and spicy hot pot makes me sweat all over.
Always believe in the "Student's Choice Award". Food that students love must be delicious and affordable. The "Chicken Fillet Aunt" and the "Iron Plate Uncle" across the street have been competing since my first visit to this place. After so many years, it's still them. The food that can withstand the test of time is the real delicacy (but this time the chicken fillet feels a bit disappointing, as if it's hinting at retiring from the arena).
The former god, with the expansion of this restaurant's capital in my hometown, the taste is no longer as good as it used to be. Not to mention the previous "Under the Lu Mountain" spaghetti, this one is not as impressive, and it's not even as delicious as when I cook it exceptionally well.
From the same restaurant, it has a rich flavor and is above average. But as I said, the capital behind this restaurant has taken up too many spots and failed to control the quality of each branch. The overall quality has declined.
What could be more enjoyable during the holiday than eating blueberries and cherries while playing Arknights?
What I Watched#
Pegasus 2#
Every year on the first day of the lunar year, I go to the movies. I was urged to buy movie tickets early in the morning on the first day. I chose to watch "Pegasus 2" instead of "Hot and Spicy" simply because I didn't want to watch a weight loss vlog. When a movie's promotion focuses on weight loss, the story is neglected, and the whole movie is about when Jia Ling lost 100 kilograms. There is not much to say about the story of this movie.
I watched "Pegasus 2" and it was okay. After leaving the cinema, I gave it a 4/5 rating. Han Han has started to use visual language and speak through the camera, which is a good start.
It had funny moments and was not awkward. Zhang Chi's car accident at the driving school and his helplessness and anger in the car were something I felt Han Han had experienced. Shen Teng's acting skills were also very good. He accurately and skillfully portrayed the emotions. I believe he must have experienced it to express it so accurately and cleverly.
After leaving the cinema, I could only give it 4 stars. The main reason is that this movie is ultimately a fantasy and can only be enjoyed as a light novel. But it's good to enjoy it during the New Year. The climax of the movie, where two cars merge into one, is quite impressive. It gave me goosebumps.
A or B#
I heard a long time ago that this movie is good. It was a New Year's film back then, so after watching "Pegasus 2," I decided to watch it. If I were to rate this movie as a New Year's film, I would give it five stars, while "Pegasus 2" would only get two stars. The difference is huge.
What made me laugh the most was Ge You's line, "The landlord's family doesn't have any surplus food either." It was classic.
It had laughter and tears, idealism, and 1997. I miss it.
Wish You Well#
A movie by Da Peng, I can only say it's okay. Da Peng's movies give me the feeling that the plot is very formulaic, and the characters don't have much development. The plot revolves around whether Han Lu is a hostess to drive the story forward. Fortunately, she is not, but what if she is? Will this grave have to be dug? The plot only touches on it and doesn't dare to explore it too much, which feels a bit opportunistic.
It's another movie given to Liu Yan. After watching it, I can only say it's average. The intention is good, but it falls short.
Meow Meow Meow#
I'm already exhausted from writing this much. Recalling so much content has left me a bit weary. Let's take a look at our cat, Dodo.
Dodo is a well-behaved baby. You can touch and hold it without any resistance. The only downside is that it's not affectionate and its poop smells terrible, but other than that, everything is good.