2015年3月18日 星期三

漫畫王國 


漫畫王國 黃金十年

 九十年代是天下最賺錢的黃金十年。「當時《風雲》一期書銷量可達十五至十八萬冊,一年試過有逾三千萬盈利。」還有《黑豹列傳》及《倚天屠龍記》等,全部均有數萬冊銷量。「當時日本漫畫亦好旺場,包括《 IQ博士》、《美少女戰士》及《男兒當入樽》等,每星期一本,銷量由五、六萬至十幾萬,一本賣二十八元,扣除印刷成本及三成發行費,仍有十多元盈利。」馬榮成表示,高峰時期,公司每年均有過億元營業額,十分和味。「九七年金融風暴,出面都好唔掂,我哋反而冇事,仍係好興旺。」

 終於,二千年開始,經濟不景以及互聯網普及,對漫畫業的影響逐漸浮現,銷量萎縮,天下的營業額,亦由高峰期下跌逾半,如今港產漫畫只剩下《風雲》及《黑豹列傳》,每期銷量分別為七萬多及一萬多本。不過,馬榮成的工作卻沒有多大變化,仍是每天專注創作及繪製《天下畫集》,即《風雲》。

 為了趕稿,馬榮成經常索性在公司過夜,有時為追稿,一星期不回家更是等閒事。「搬入去倚巒近半年,我喺嗰度瞓嘅日子唔夠一個月。」在鰂魚涌華蘭中心的天下寫字樓內,馬榮成過千呎辦公室,備有浴室、摺床,以及高級影音設備,已成為另一個「家」。太太趙美鳳雖沒有參與天下運作,卻在丈夫辦公室門口置有一辦公桌,天天上班,爭取與丈夫見面。「我兩個仔女每個星期都會來公司搵我吃晚飯,見吓爸爸。」馬榮成笑說,家人均已習以為常。

 九十年代,馬榮成旗下天下出版的成績,絕對可如當年玉皇圖書般,上市集資做上市公司主席。但馬榮成直言,從來沒考慮過將天下上市。
 
「我畫嘅《風雲》係公司最賺錢嘅書,上市後,變咗唔做(畫)唔得,變相綁住自己。另外,每日要為公司做業績、寫計劃書,如果有一日唔出書,又要作狀買間印刷廠去維持業務,向股東交代。我好清楚自己一直以來最想做嘅,係畫漫畫,唔想搞到咁複雜。」馬榮成將公司維持簡單的運作,以及將心力百分百投放在《風雲》上,過去二十年確實錯失不少發展機會,但他將這套方法運用在投資上,卻仍保持頭腦清醒,除了換來可觀的回報,亦避過不少投資陷阱。
 

馬榮成成名作《中華英雄》,帶挈佢以年薪六百萬,成為全港身價最高的漫畫主筆。



九三年,馬榮成接受雜誌專訪,三十二歲的他已名成利就,家住大潭紅山半島三層高別墅,出入以開篷保時捷等名車代步。


  目標清晰 專注本業

 去年不少富豪因買入 accumulator輸身家,馬榮成表示自己從不碰這類複雜的金融產品。「同呢樣嗰樣掛鈎的產品,我喺銀行都聽唔少,通常我會直接同對方講,你講明俾幾多釐定期利息我就得啦。」

 身為公司老闆,馬榮成坦言自己最大弱點是「計數」,每次問到《風雲》銷量、成本,以至公司的營業額,都即時望向同場的胞妹,天下出版董事兼副總裁馬淑珠求救,由其代答。由在玉郎機構打工開始,每年的人工、花紅、出稿費予助理、報稅,已全由胞妹負責,一直到創辦天下,自立門戶後,公司行政及財務仍由胞妹打理,甚至投資買樓,馬榮成負責物色單位,計算息口及租值等任務,均由馬淑珠出馬,兩兄妹拍住上二十多年,感情深厚。

馬榮成簡歷
1961年:香港出生,祖籍潮陽,父親於三歲多時病逝,有兩姐一妹,童年與家人於油塘徙置區長大。

1975年:十四歲,中二輟學後,先後加入漫畫公司喜報、金漫畫、青報及新浪潮等任學徒或助理, 76年發表第一部個人作品《白日夢》。

1982年:加入玉郎集團,編繪成名作《中華英雄》,一年後已成為全港銷量最高的漫畫書。
1989年:一月,與助手崔元發於住所停車場遇刀手伏擊,馬右手被狂斬受重創。二月,約滿後即離開玉郎。同年七月,成立天下出版有限公司,出版《天下畫集》,長篇武俠漫畫——《風雲》誕生。

1991年:推出長篇漫畫《黑豹列傳》。

1993年:代理日本漫畫,翻譯為中文,先後出版《 IQ博士》、《美少女戰士》及《男兒當入樽》等。開始買入豪宅投資。

1998年:推出改編自金庸小說的《倚天屠龍記》,同年,電影《風雲》上映,成為該年票房冠軍,後更製作成電腦遊戲。同年,搬入山頂布力徑獨立屋居住。

2004年:與上海人民美術出版社合作,發行內地版《風雲》,
合作於○七年結束。

2008年:國產動畫版《風雲決》在內地上畫,票房累積超過 3,500萬人民幣。同年十一月,以筍價$7,600萬買入山頂倚巒十七號屋,被稱為「撈底王」。

馬榮成還有兩個姊姊,父親在他三、四歲時已過身,一家五口,原住在油塘徙置區,屋內只有一張「碌架床」,家姐和妹妹睡上格,他和母親睡下格。

 馬榮成於油塘灣樂善堂讀完小學後,升讀九龍城中西中學,因為熱愛漫畫,中二便輟學,加入漫畫公司《喜報》任學徒,當時只有十四歲。八二年,馬榮成加入玉郎機構,因繪製《中華英雄》,一炮而紅。之後《中華英雄》的銷量一度創下一期二十二萬本的紀錄,馬榮成的風頭甚至蓋過當時的老闆黃玉郎。八七年,快將合約期滿的馬榮成,因不滿合約條款,分紅比例不清,心生離意。當時,馬榮成是全港身價最高的漫畫主筆。「一年薪酬約六百萬,分別係人工三百萬,花紅三百萬。」馬榮成回憶道。

 到八八年,馬榮成首次遭受伏擊,幸僅為輕傷。至八九年一月,馬榮成與助手崔元發,在寓所停車場再遭刀手襲擊,右手被斬至幾近殘廢。幸得一部水壺般大的「大哥大」手提電話隔着。二月,馬榮成終離開玉郎機構。八九年七月,馬榮成自立門戶,成立天下出版有限公司。

馬榮成喜愛「揼骨」,每星期都會幫襯灣仔新瀛閣等老牌骨場;○一年更於尖沙咀碧濤澗芬蘭浴廣告中,友情客串扮客仔。


 提到與黃玉郎的關係,馬榮成表示,二人是行家,不時在行內聚餐及活動上見面,亦會交換各自對漫畫界發展的意見。「就算以前,我同佢只係老闆員工關係,絕對唔係師徒,加入玉郎機構時,我已獨立創作《中華英雄》。」不過,馬榮成表示,遇襲事件令他性格更加硬朗。「我當時好火,我冇得罪人,點解要斬我?更一怒之下將頭髮剪短晒,唔死得,心中有團火焰,更加有心決定搞天下。」

 恩怨已成過去,九六年馬榮成迎娶女友趙美鳳時,黃玉郎亦現身婚宴,與新人合照。二十年來,事過境遷,黃玉郎經歷過十億身家的風光年代,亦捱過牢獄之災,雖仍持有上市公司耀萊(前身為玉皇朝)一成五股份,但身家已大不如前,報住的松柏新邨單位,亦是租住單位。相反馬榮成,則躍升至山頂地標豪宅倚巒。

 上星期,馬榮成將倚巒單位放租,月租二十八萬,雖然樓價已飛升超過一倍,但馬榮成表示會長線持有,「我鍾意擁有它的感覺,冇諗過賣。」
 
https://finance.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=10414625
 

A BOY born with an UPSIDE-DOWN HEAD

Mahendra Ahirwar tragically died months after successful neck surgery

The parents of Mahendra Ahirwar, who suffered from a rare condition called congenital myopathy which made the muscles in his neck so weak his head would hang, said he had been absolutely fine in the morning.

His mother Sumitra, 36, said he had his lunch on Saturday, lay down to watch TV and at around 3pm passed away.

Dr Rajagopalan Krishnan, who completed the successful surgery to straighten his neck in February this year, said he was left shocked by his sudden death.


 . Mahendra Ahirwar before and after surgery
Mahendra Ahirwar tragically died months after successful neck surgery


He said: "I can only conjecture that a massive cardiac or pulmonary event might have occurred and often there are no premonitory symptoms in such cases.

"I think myopathy and poor chest muscles caught up with him in the end.

"He was among the bravest children I’ve seen since my return to India and I see the most terrible and neglected deformities.

 

Mahendra Ahirwar and his family
Mahendra Ahirwar's parents & brother


"I am sure his absence will cause anguish to everyone who was involved in his care, his smile was brighter than the sun after his neck was straightened.'

Today his father Mukesh Ahirwar, 42, and his mother Sumitra spoke of the devastation at their son's death.

Mrs Ahirwar said: "I had so many plans and dreams for him. I wanted him to grow big.

"He dreamt of opening a general store and we were going to help him. His dreams are shattered now.

‘He’d been playing in the morning. Had breakfast, took a shower and took a ride on his wheelchair inside the house. After having lunch, he asked to watch TV.

"I switched on his cartoon, and he coughed twice. He asked me to rub his chest and then tried a third cough but died. I started crying loudly and called his name.

"I ran outside, I kept shouting my son isn’t moving, and a neighbour phoned the doctor. The doctor came within 15 minutes and declared he was dead.

"I fell to the floor and held him tightly. I didn’t want to let him go."

The family cremated Mahendra in a traditional Hindu ceremony surrounded by 25 friends and family, at 9am, India time, on Sunday morning.

Mrs Ahirwar, who has two other sons Lalit, 17, and Surendra, 11, as well as daughter Manisha, 14, who was very close to Mah"He even said: ‘I’m absolutely fine Mum’. His voice echoes in my ear. The way he used to call me. I am devastated. I feel everything is over.His things are scattered everywhere.

"He even said: ‘I’m absolutely fine Mum’. His voice echoes in my ear. The way he used to call me. I am devastated. I feel everything is over.' '

Julie Jones with Mahendra
Julie Jones from Liverpool raised £12,000 so Mahendra could have his surgery


Mahendra hit the headlines with his extraordinary condition last year and his story touched the heart of mother of two Julie Jones, from Liverpool, who went on to raise £12,000 for Mahendra to have life changing surgery.

Dr Krishnan, from Apollo Hospital, in Delhi, who had worked for the NHS for 15 years before returning to India to help extreme spinal disorders, was amazed by Mahendra’s speedy recovery and had been overjoyed at the way his neck had healed.

Dr Krishnan added: "Mahendra's death is not a complication of the surgery or any other intervention.
"If that was the case, he would have died on the operating table or in ICU, not eight months later.
 
"I think his lifespan was limited irrespective of anything else but at least he had several months of being able to see upright.

"The most common cause of death in congenital myopathy is from cardiopulmonary complications.
"There are so many types of congenital myopathy and many subtypes that it's impossible to identify which one Mahendra had and the prognosis in terms of life expectancy.

"I still can’t believe he is gone and I will miss him greatly."


Source: daily mail 

The renaissance of Ashford Castle

The renaissance of Ashford Castle in Cong, Co Mayo

Over the years the castle at Ashford as played host to some world-famous guests, both as a private home and a hotel. Visitors have included King George V, writer Oscar Wilde, The Beatles‘ members John Lennon and George Harrison, and US President Ronald Reagan.

 During filming of the Academy Award-winning film The Quiet Man (1952), actor John Wayne and other cast members stayed at the castle, and the grounds were used as a location in the film. More recently, contemporary celebrities like Barbara Streisand and Brad Pitt have been guests

 


Panorama of Ashford Castle
Ashford Today
Now owned by Red Carnation Hotel Group, the five-star accomodations Ashford Castle underwent a major overhaul in recent years, re-opening in April of 2015. The refurbishments and addition of a new spa have paid off, with visitor numbers up significantly. The four-star Lodge at Ashford Castle, also owned by Red Carnation, was recently voted number nine of the world’s top 50 hotels by readers of Condé Nast Traveller magazine

 
Source :
https://theculturetrip.com/europe/ireland/articles

It was bought in June 2013 by Red Carnation Hotels, a South African company headed by husband and wife Stanley and Beatrice Tollman, who will arrive in Cong tomorrow for the relaunch.

In addition to the purchase price the couple have spent about $50 million (€47m) restoring the property, which hosted US president Ronald Reagan during his State visit to Ireland in 1984.
It also provided a backdrop to actors John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara in 1951 when film director John Ford came to Co Mayo to shoot The Quiet Man.
 
Speaking to The Irish Times yesterday, Ashford Castle’s general manager, Niall Rochford, said the restoration work had given it “probably the best hotel bedrooms in the country”.
 
All 820 windows have been replaced, a new lead roof installed, and its stonework repointed.
Red Carnation has also added some modern comforts to the five-star property, once home to the Guinness family. These include a spa and swimming pool, a 32-seat cinema, a billiards room and cigar terrace. The grounds have also received a makeover.
 
To reflect the investment, room rates at Ashford Castle have increased by 20 per cent this year.
Peak season rates range from €495 for bed and breakfast in a Corrib room up to €2,500 for the split-level Reagan presidential suite.
 
 
 

How to organize your home on a tight budget

How to organize your dresser drawers and fold clothes

東日物業籲買家重升值濳力

近期美元轉強,日圓持續走貶,徘徊在6.3至6.4算,令日本樓價更加「抵買」,不過由於所有交易,包括樓價及租金均以日圓計算,樓價回落的同時,租金亦有下調。東日物業顧問高級經理奧山千香子,雖然日圓續跌,但日本投資風險比較低,提醒投資者切勿只著重短期收租回報,要留意單位保值及升值濳力,並指:「因日本須繳交資產增值稅,如物業持有5年內,須繳交利潤扣除支出的三成,惟5年之後,稅率則收窄至15%,故籲買家以長期投資為先。」

為了確保租金收入回報好及穩定,以及保值能力,她建議買家購買東京市中心地區的JR山手綫的鐵路沿綫物業,如新宿、銀座、目黑、原宿、池袋區等,以「一分錢一分貨」來形容,優質單位多獲上班族及大學生承租,毋須擔心無租客,她舉例:「現時銀座面積200多呎單位叫價最平約$180萬,月租最少約8萬日圓(約$5,120),大部分單位月租甚至逾10萬日圓(逾$6,400)。」

投資日本物業的熱潮歷史雖不長,主要因近年日圓大跌有關。奧山千香子指出,很多香港人最初是新手小牛試刀,先嘗試購買1伙細單位,後來再加碼入市,當中有買家最少持有6間物業。她又透露,近月亦有買家轉投全幢物業市場,由過往九比一比例,增加至七三之比,即10個買家中,有3個投資全幢物業,又舉例指早前有投資者花約1.5億日圓(約$960萬)買入文京區一幢全幢業,涉約4伙。她強調:「不同物業有不同投資方法,但最重要都是睇升值能力。」

香港政府2月份時收緊物業按揭,但代理指投資者轉投日本物業市場的比例未有大增,暫未見有實際影響。不過,由於日本銀行限制多,如欲承做按揭則只能從外資銀行著手。奧山千香子介紹,即使採用外資銀行,由於審批程序繁瑣,故大部分買家寧一筆過現金付清樓價,當中七至八成人購買$100萬以下單位,另有一名買家曾經以4,000萬日圓(約$256萬)現金購買單位。

近年代理日本物業的店舖遍地開花,小至街舖,大至辦公室,各色各樣。她認為代理愈多是好事亦是好消息,反映香港人對投資日本物業有信心。至於如何從眾多代理突圍而出吸客,妳則指目前本港未有法例規管進行海外物業銷售,但公司內的所有代理均屬本港持牌代理,有逾5年至10年經驗,另日本當地亦設有分行及相關牌照,強調專業員工及待客溝通之道均是公司最大賣點。

有見近期市況好,東日物業顧問除了已擴充辦公室外,短期內會在長沙灣總部設置1:1日本物示範單位,最少兩個,單位面積約180呎,開放式間隔,部署5月份對外開放,可將距離拉近。事實上,該公司下星期將在網上播放一套自家製作的短篇電影《一屋愛。守護未來 》,在東京及香港屋邨實地取景,同樣望透過影片縮短距離感及陌生感。

奧山千香子已居港已經逾20年,並在新界區置業。對於港日兩地日活,她認為,香港人多,空氣較差,生活較快及緊張。「荃灣樓齡近40年的住宅,目前實用面積300餘呎上車盤造價約$300萬至$400萬,樓價足以在日本銀座購買一個豪宅單位,香港樓價真的很貴!」她續指,目前考慮退休後會回日本生活。

撰文 : 梁子謙 

http://ps.hket.com/content/566153/

過期的牛奶還有很多用途呢!

1. 面膜用化妝棉沾牛奶後,當成面膜敷貼在全臉上,會有水分供給的效果。待牛奶全部滲入臉部、化妝棉也開始變硬時,就可以將化妝棉拿下,並清洗臉部即可。

2. 清洗金飾將牛奶溫熱後,把已經沒有光澤的金飾泡在牛奶裡10到20分鐘,再拿出來用水清洗乾淨。洗淨後用質地柔軟的布擦拭,就可以將老舊汙垢擦去,並使金飾恢復光澤。

3. 去除髒汙將棉花棒沾牛奶,拿來擦拭在鍵盤、電話或遙控器等用品的縫隙間,就可以去除這些縫隙間的陳年髒污。而當牛奶已經結成軟狀一團一團時,也可以把它倒在磁磚或洗臉台上,再用菜瓜布刷洗,以去除汙漬。

4. 鞋油將有點壞掉的牛奶代替鞋油擦拭在皮鞋上,會使皮鞋變得乾淨並且有光澤。這是因為牛奶壞掉的話,會留下洗淨劑的主要鹼性成分,可以去除汙染物質。也因為如此,將有點壞掉的牛奶拿來擦拭皮鞋或是皮製家具的話,不僅可以去除老舊汙垢,也可以讓皮製品變得有光澤。

5. 洗面乳將牛奶溫熱,並且和洗面乳一起在洗臉的最後階段輕輕塗抹在臉上,之後再用水清洗。如此一來,就可以有效清除毛孔裡的髒汙和廢物。

6. 綴補有裂縫的盤子若盤子上稍有裂縫的話,千萬不要馬上把它丟棄。可以將盤子放進裝有牛奶的鍋子裡,利用中火煮約5分鐘左右,牛奶會滲入並填充在盤子的裂縫中。

7. 蒸蛋在做蒸蛋的時候,將不是完全壞掉,但是才剛過期幾天的牛奶代替水加入,會讓蒸蛋更有香味,也更加柔軟。

8. 泡麵有沒有這種經驗—— 前晚吃了泡麵,使得隔天早上起床時臉腫腫的?那麼可以在煮泡麵的時候加入一點點牛奶。這樣就可以有效防止臉部浮腫。

9. 油炸將要油炸的所有材料先泡在牛奶裡一陣子後,再放進鍋裡炸,就可以防止油噴濺的情況。10. 火腿火腿放在冷凍庫裡久了會變硬,將變硬的火腿浸泡到牛奶裡一陣子,火腿會吸收牛奶而變得軟嫩,也不失原本的美味。

http://www.ntdtv.com/xtr/b5/2015/03/17/a1185042.html#sthash.4cSBuoJq.dpuf