我在台北的書店拿著那片DVD光碟時給我母親，「《空中小姐》，葛蘭主演的，你要看嗎？」我問。
那時母親已累得坐在書局特設的踩高椅上，她說，「不要了，這麼貴…這套戲我也看了兩次了！」
但是，為了看葛蘭，一個在我腦海裡縈迴超過10年的經典明星，聽她的歌，卻沒看過她的電影，而且電影還有葉楓飾演一個配角呢！但只是葛蘭一個原因就足夠讓我覺得非買不可，付了190元台幣就買下。
遲至今天，我才和母親一起看《空中小姐》。她像小女孩一樣地興奮，「啊，我看這齣戲時只是十多歲的少女。」
戲一開場，就是明眸皓齒的葛蘭在載歌載舞地唱著「我要飛上青天」了，我沒料到原來葛蘭是長得如此嬌豔欲滴的，但她的歌聲卻是如此地渾厚開闊──在那個年代渾厚的嗓子不多，葛蘭經過聲樂培訓，歌路自成一格，但這樣的歌聲，應該是豪邁與狂野的外表，而不是如此的玲瓏女子。
「這是紅薇，姜大偉的母親！……」母親介紹著那位飾演葛蘭母親的演員，乍然看這位媽媽級的演員，確是有些相似。現在我在《珠光寶氣》看著姜大偉演當別人的爸爸了。
母親又說，「這是喬宏。」我又有些驚訝，我初看以為是趙雷，我認不得那個年代的男明星，即使這些男明星是如此地風毛鱗角，但他們都是女演員的綠葉而已。（50、60年代的中文影壇與歌壇真是一個如今也想不透的陰盛陽衰，揚眉女子當道的時代）
但喬宏最後留給我的印象是《女人四十》的老人吶，怎麼會是如此健碩威武？
「這是雷震。樂蒂的哥哥。」母親繼續介紹著，她如數家珍地說出了電影中每個演員的名字。
●
母親是個標準影迷與歌迷，我想。她在我小時常播放著龍飄飄翻唱的黃梅調卡帶，有一次我聽著那《扮皇帝》時覺得歌詞有趣極了，但我覺得龍飄飄唱得很難聽，那些編曲過于迪斯可，俗不可耐，後來不知怎樣的機緣下，我開始接觸到原唱者靜婷的版本，那時就欲拔不能了。
我的中學時代是迷上了30至60年代的舊曲，連帶地也買了幾部經典電影，除了《江山美人》、《梁山伯與祝英台》外那幾部著名的黃梅調「歌舞片」以外，更多的經典時裝片卻無緣觀賞，因為市面上都沒有販售。
當時我是常捧著舊曲歌詞簿去聽這些舊曲，熟讀著那些填詞人與作曲人的名字，還有注解著歌曲是出自哪一套電影，當然，沉醉在舊曲華美與富有文采的歌詞裡，那些都不是支離破碎如同林夕那種填充式的填詞，而是述說著一闕闕的故事。
當然，那時最高興的就是母親了，她那時從我在每週二自第五電台（AI fm的前身）的舊曲點唱節目錄制起來舊曲卡帶中，重溫著當年舊夢。我那時錄了超過20個卡帶，每個卡帶可收錄約22首歌，因此大約440首經典歌曲中，已讓我耳熟能詳了，比我的母親還要熟悉哪些歌曲的原唱者，只要聞聽那歌聲，我就可分辨出是哪一位歌手的歌。
然而，在高中時，我對舊曲的熱愛漸漸褪色了，我轉去收聽英文流行歌曲，然而中文舊曲似乎已嵌成在生命中的一部份，那種感覺像活過那時代一樣。我想如果我繼續耽溺下去的話，恐怕現在已成為痴了。
我突然想起5年前訪問蔡明亮時，他說他每天都聽舊曲，出遊時也總帶著李香蘭與鄧麗君的唱片。「李香蘭從未離開過我。」我還記得他是如此篤定地說。
●
然而，我並沒有將母親的年齡放在心上，或許我沒有長大，或許我不覺得她已滄老，或受到歲月風霜的磨損。葛蘭在戲中唱著「我愛卡力蘇」時，我還看到她的腿在晃著拍著拍子。
她看著葛蘭穿著一字領的連身裙時慨嘆著，「我以前也穿過這樣的裙子呢！你看現在的衣服全都復古了。這些裙子現在又流行了。」
那個年代的女演員舉手投足皆大方，雍容高雅，也顧盼流波，出塵超脫的一個回眸也似傾國傾城，每個女生都是如此地渾然天成地纖瘦，踩著碎步時婀娜多姿，裊裊地如拂起微風。
他們的華語語音正統，咬字清晰，哪像如今的港中台電影演員，說的話都是含糊一片，散漫無羈，唸起白又是帶著懶音與歪音。
戲的中場說到葛蘭第一次當空中小姐時出差到台北，片中掠過台北的總統府，她也驚喜地說，「咦這不是我們剛去拍照的嗎？」
「是啊。」上週我們一起遊台北時還在總統府外拍照，沒料到總統府50年前後還是一樣，只是我們行走在總統府時，也不止是那樣的光景了，台北已深了城府，多了故事。
電影凝結的是往往是一刻光景，然而建築物是永恆的，蹉跎的只是人的光陰。
「我那時連台北也不知道是什麼呢，也沒有想過台北是在哪兒！」母親說。然而，月中時她終于第一次踏足台北。
戲終時母親說，「咦，我以為這套戲是悲劇結局的？」
「你不是說你看過這戲兩次嗎？」
「我完全忘了。」母親說。「但我記得那是葛蘭與葉楓主演的。」
「那是《星星月亮太陽》是嗎？」
「對對對。該是那套戲。」
母親看得津津有味，她一直說，「你看現在香港拍戲拍得如此粗糙，以前香港的電影拍片拍得多麼地好，戲中的人物說話都斯斯文文地…」
「看回這套戲，是否帶回許多回憶給你呢？」我問。
「沒什麼──以前哪裡有什麼機會看戲？我阿爸哪個給我們這樣的自由？他不給我們去看戲的…」母親開始了她那讓我熟悉的對白，她的對白會接著引述我外公在當年如此地苛刻與嚴厲，重男輕女的觀念如此根深柢固以致養兒育女時出現偏袒，這已是我第n次聽到的故事了。
但母親繼續說著，「…很偏心的，他自己看戲就可以，我們要看戲就不可以…我們還要搭巴士去林明看戲，後來來到吉隆坡，戲票才一角錢…」
我知道，母親接下來會述說著她早年飄泊覓職的生涯。但我覺得有些沮喪，為什麼她的回憶總是像沒加糖的咖啡一樣，每次都要逼著自己去灌入那苦澀？我也不明白為什麼母親總是將不開心的事情掛在心頭，醃漬著這些斑駁的傷痕，滄桑的哀愁？
我再問，「媽，為什麼你總是記得這些不好的回憶呢？」畢竟現在都已是過去了啊。我想。
母親很訝然，她有些怔忡與恍惚，「因為，我沒有快樂的回憶。我…我想不起來，好像也沒有…」她像一個面對著面試官的考生一樣。
我想母親一定很少想過她擁有過什麼快樂的事情。
●
「比如說，你那時看那套戲時，也會想到自己要當空中小姐？會覺得空中小姐是一件很好玩的事情？」我嘗試勾起一些，盡管我不知道母親以前走過的路是怎樣，但是我想少女情懷總是有的。
「我不知道什麼是空中小姐呢！況且，那時我那麼年幼。」
後來，母親彷如拾回散落的記憶，她說，她記得她以前很憧憬結婚，看到身邊的姐妹都結婚時，她是歆羨不已──一個如意郎君。
然而，世上哪會有如意郎君呢？以前的電影都是大謊言。
母親又說，「我喜歡雷震。有想過如果嫁給她就好了。」
哈哈。我終于笑起來了。「那麼喬宏呢？」我問。
「那時不喜歡，覺得喬宏太高大了。」
●
喬宏拍《空中小姐》時，恰好是32歲，恍如青春無敵。但他在11年前已病逝了。51年後，我32歲，乍然巧遇似地第一次看著32歲的他演戲。
年份上有進位，但科技讓我們沒有時差。如今葛蘭的歌聲依然飄到現在，悠長地在迴盪著。
然而這時伴著的我的是母親，舒服地坐在沙發上看著DVD，我是尋幽探秘似地回顧著舊時代人物的風華，但母親則沉緩地踱步在回憶的長廊。
我覺得時間的長度與空間真是很奇妙。如果這樣也半世紀，那麼母親過去的人生故事在遠走後，在記憶裡又百轉千迴多少回？
我只盼母親少一些感嘆與哀愁，或許不再感受到那麼地荒涼，我真的希望現在的她，能感受到多一些幸福感。
The Streamyx Saga
Well, it's really challenging because this would be all in English and rare to my blog. But I really wanted to share my personal experience here as a TM streamyx broadband user, I think this would be an interesting case study for what a customer service means.
I finally wrote an email to TM last night, to tell my stories:
" This is XXX from XXXX. I would like to share my unpleasant experience with your Streamyx Broadband servicebefore I pen down for my readers.
I have been experiencing internet connection failure since last week, after checking the hardware settings (modem installation, cable plugged in properly etc) I am sure that there were no faulty setting on my part. However, the Internet Light on the router was red color but the DSL and POWER lights were in stable yellow color indicating the line was stable.
I called 100 to ask for technical assistance. Your live technician requested me to check all over again the setting and directed me to press the Start button, press RUN and type CMD and so on. After all steps finally I was told that everything was OK and they will reset the port for me.
After that everything back to normal and I get my internet connection back.
The second night the same problems arose, I called 100 and requested directly to have my PORT reset (which I am not quite understand how does the PORT and troubleshooting works) but it was the faster way for the troubleshooting.
But I understand that resetting the port just a quick fix and I requested the live technician to lodge a report for me, but he refused to do so because my problems have been fixed. He insisted me to lodge the report whenever the problems happen again. I asked for an possible root cause for my case and he declined to elaborate further as that was a very complicated and technical knowledge.
The third night I encountered similar experience and I called 100 again. Due to lack of previous record I have to go through the lengthy verification process, repeat my stories all over again which was really time consuming, the Malay lady seemed like understand my problems and agreed to lodge a technical report for me. But she insisted me to do the same process again like turn on the computer, press the START button and so on.
I refused to do so as this was done before and not helpful at all. It was clearly the symptom has been identified and selective test has been performed to show that the modem installation was proper.
Afterwards she asked me to do a direct connection which I had done it before I made the phone call. The next thing was she directed me to connect my modem directly to my desktop. I explained to her that was not possible because I was using desktop and I don't have 25 meter long cable available to connect my desktop and modem. That was the reason I am using Wi-Fi to get the wireless connection. If I am conveniently could put on the wiring I would not using Wi-Fi.
But the lady insisted me to do that as she could not lodge the report without these standard procedures done. Additionally she explained that she needed to narrow down the problems for the technician.
After calling 100 3 nights in a row I found that your live technical department only using the standard procedure to solve the internet connection problems and assuming the user bear the responsibility for fault setting which is untrue in my case, because after multiple attempt in my part and only resetting the port could solve the problems, obviously TM has to bear the responsibility, but the root cause still remain mystery at that juncture of time.
After failed attempt to lodge a report and fix the internet connection problems, I have to reschedule my work to make way for a visit to the nearest TM POINT personally, just to lodge a report which I think could be done over the phone.
However, my effort seemed like in vain too at first because the front desk lady rejected my requests, saying that all technical problems report have to call 100 directly (which I tried). I insisted and finally I get a number, waited for more than 1 hour to lodge my complain to a less friendly and seemingly hurried front desk lady.
My report number was XXXXXXX.
A technician named XXXX called me 2 days later and assures me that my PORT has been changed due to faulty reason. I am glad because I truly believe that my internet connection problems have been solved and obviously it was the PORT problems.
However, when I back home and failed to online too, after various attempts and futile mechanical efforts (for example turn on and turn off the modem alternatively, direct connections) and waited for 1 hour I got my line back.
The whole process just like to dial up or you can say it is a "warm-up" which is really ridiculous as broadband means instantly connect for a high speed connection.
Clearly the problems still remain the same. I called the technician the next day and I was told that my modem possibly malfunctioning as he has done all the necessary thing. I am wonder, am I to be blamed here for not getting the reliable service now?
I am truly experiencing mental duress by using your unreliable broadband service.
The unsatisfactory troubleshooting from your live technical department clearly inflexible and too rigid for procedure compliance (eg: couldn't lodge report live and preventive report to find out the root cause), irresponsive (not helpful and not willing to provide service), incompetent (misinform troubleshooting guidance and easily generalized the root cause) . All these clearly not a quality service.
I am writing this letter to appeal that your company could provide a better service and most importantly, please settle the infrastructure on your side.
I am waiting for any further good news from your side. Thank you."
**************
Guess what I get from the reply? Here is the instantly computer-generated auto reply:
Dear XXX
Thank you for your feedback, we ensure you that your views and suggestions will be reviewed in our effort to further improve our services.
Well, the stories still go on.
I finally wrote an email to TM last night, to tell my stories:
" This is XXX from XXXX. I would like to share my unpleasant experience with your Streamyx Broadband service
I have been experiencing internet connection failure since last week, after checking the hardware settings (modem installation, cable plugged in properly etc) I am sure that there were no faulty setting on my part. However, the Internet Light on the router was red color but the DSL and POWER lights were in stable yellow color indicating the line was stable.
I called 100 to ask for technical assistance. Your live technician requested me to check all over again the setting and directed me to press the Start button, press RUN and type CMD and so on. After all steps finally I was told that everything was OK and they will reset the port for me.
After that everything back to normal and I get my internet connection back.
The second night the same problems arose, I called 100 and requested directly to have my PORT reset (which I am not quite understand how does the PORT and troubleshooting works) but it was the faster way for the troubleshooting.
But I understand that resetting the port just a quick fix and I requested the live technician to lodge a report for me, but he refused to do so because my problems have been fixed. He insisted me to lodge the report whenever the problems happen again. I asked for an possible root cause for my case and he declined to elaborate further as that was a very complicated and technical knowledge.
The third night I encountered similar experience and I called 100 again. Due to lack of previous record I have to go through the lengthy verification process, repeat my stories all over again which was really time consuming, the Malay lady seemed like understand my problems and agreed to lodge a technical report for me. But she insisted me to do the same process again like turn on the computer, press the START button and so on.
I refused to do so as this was done before and not helpful at all. It was clearly the symptom has been identified and selective test has been performed to show that the modem installation was proper.
Afterwards she asked me to do a direct connection which I had done it before I made the phone call. The next thing was she directed me to connect my modem directly to my desktop. I explained to her that was not possible because I was using desktop and I don't have 25 meter long cable available to connect my desktop and modem. That was the reason I am using Wi-Fi to get the wireless connection. If I am conveniently could put on the wiring I would not using Wi-Fi.
But the lady insisted me to do that as she could not lodge the report without these standard procedures done. Additionally she explained that she needed to narrow down the problems for the technician.
After calling 100 3 nights in a row I found that your live technical department only using the standard procedure to solve the internet connection problems and assuming the user bear the responsibility for fault setting which is untrue in my case, because after multiple attempt in my part and only resetting the port could solve the problems, obviously TM has to bear the responsibility, but the root cause still remain mystery at that juncture of time.
After failed attempt to lodge a report and fix the internet connection problems, I have to reschedule my work to make way for a visit to the nearest TM POINT personally, just to lodge a report which I think could be done over the phone.
However, my effort seemed like in vain too at first because the front desk lady rejected my requests, saying that all technical problems report have to call 100 directly (which I tried). I insisted and finally I get a number, waited for more than 1 hour to lodge my complain to a less friendly and seemingly hurried front desk lady.
My report number was XXXXXXX.
A technician named XXXX called me 2 days later and assures me that my PORT has been changed due to faulty reason. I am glad because I truly believe that my internet connection problems have been solved and obviously it was the PORT problems.
However, when I back home and failed to online too, after various attempts and futile mechanical efforts (for example turn on and turn off the modem alternatively, direct connections) and waited for 1 hour I got my line back.
The whole process just like to dial up or you can say it is a "warm-up" which is really ridiculous as broadband means instantly connect for a high speed connection.
Clearly the problems still remain the same. I called the technician the next day and I was told that my modem possibly malfunctioning as he has done all the necessary thing. I am wonder, am I to be blamed here for not getting the reliable service now?
I am truly experiencing mental duress by using your unreliable broadband service.
The unsatisfactory troubleshooting from your live technical department clearly inflexible and too rigid for procedure compliance (eg: couldn't lodge report live and preventive report to find out the root cause), irresponsive (not helpful and not willing to provide service), incompetent (misinform troubleshooting guidance and easily generalized the root cause) . All these clearly not a quality service.
I am writing this letter to appeal that your company could provide a better service and most importantly, please settle the infrastructure on your side.
I am waiting for any further good news from your side. Thank you."
**************
Guess what I get from the reply? Here is the instantly computer-generated auto reply:
Dear XXX
Thank you for your feedback, we ensure you that your views and suggestions will be reviewed in our effort to further improve our services.
Well, the stories still go on.
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