又中又英——A “salt-and-pepper” beard

　　Since calling it quits, I have become free and easy. As I explained in a previous column, to “call it quits” means to stop doing something. I have stopped my TV shows and newspaper columns except for my Headline Daily columns. The expression “free and easy” means being informal and relaxed. I am enjoying my free and easy lifestyle. I no longer have to wear a suit and tie to record my TV shows or to attend formal meetings. I wear jeans, T-shirt, and sneakers (American for sports shoes) everywhere I go. I shave every few days instead of daily, like before. I would like to grow a beard but I don’t want to have a salt-and-pepper beard.
　　A “salt-and-pepper” beard means a beard that has a mixture of black and white or darker and lighter facial hair. This happens when people get older, causing their hair and facial hair to turn white. Famous American actor George Clooney has a salt-and-pepper beard and salt-and-pepper hair. He does not bother to colour his hair or shave his well-trimmed beard. He uses his salt-and-pepper beard and hair as a brand. The expression “well-trimmed” used this way means a beard that is neat and short. The white hair represents salt and the black hair represents pepper.
　　Now that I am free and easy, I spend my time hiking. I have been to Aberdeen Country Park, Duckling Hill, Wong Nai Chung Reservoir, and Tai Tam Country Park trail. Last week I went to Black's Link where I saw three civic-minded girls picking up trash (rubbish). I asked them why they were picking up trash. They replied they had volunteered to do it. Before the pandemic, not many Hong Kong people went to country parks. Many now go for fresh air and to do something different because the pandemic has made overseas travel impossible. I am glad Hong Kong people have discovered our country parks. But I wish they would not leave so much trash behind.
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　　自从离职（calling it quits）以后，我变得自由自在（free and easy）。正如我在之前的专栏中解释，to “call it quits”意即停止做某事、不干了。除了我的《头条日报》专栏，我已经停了我所有的电视节目主持工作及专栏写作。习语“free and easy”意即不拘礼、轻松自在的。我现在很享受我那无拘无束的（free and easy）生活。我不需要再穿西装打呔，去录制我的电视节目或出席正式会议。我无论到哪里，穿的都是牛仔裤、T恤和运动鞋（sneakers）。我现在隔几天才剃一次须，不再像从前般要每天剃须。我喜欢留胡须，但我可不想有个「盐与胡椒粉」（salt-and-pepper）的胡子。
　　A “salt-and-pepper” beard意即黑白相间，又或颜色深浅不一的胡子。当人年纪渐长，头发和胡须便会变得斑白。知名美国演员佐治古尼就有一把花白的（salt-and-pepper）胡须跟一头斑白的（salt-and-pepper）头发。他不在乎要染发或剃掉他那修剪整齐的（well-trimmed）胡子，反倒用他那花白的（salt-and-pepper）胡子和头发作为个人标志。习语“well-trimmed”在这里是指修剪得企理而短的胡子。而所谓的「盐与胡椒粉」，白发白须就是盐，黑发黑须就是黑胡椒粉。
　　现在我轻松自在（free and easy），尽可花时间行山了。我已经去过香港仔郊野公园、鸭仔山、黄泥涌水塘，以及大潭郊野公园行山径。上星期我去了布力径，在那里遇见三位富有公民意识的女生在执拾垃圾（trash）。我问她们为甚么在执垃圾（trash），她们回应说她们是自愿去做的。疫情之前，不是那么多香港人会去郊野公园，现在则有许多人去郊游，呼吸新鲜空气，尝试不同的体验，因为疫情令我们不可能再到外地旅游。我欣喜香港人发现了我们的郊野公园，但我希望他们不会遗留下这么多的垃圾（trash）吧。
中译：七刻
Michael Chugani 褚简宁