The Day of KLARATY

KLARATY (n.) All good meanings of the word 'clarity' (leanness of appearance, thought, and style) plus 1] the ability to inspire and captivate a man to strive for his best, 2] the ability to excel any test, 3] the ability to bring care, calmness, charm, change, challenges, and creativity to the world.










HOBOKEN, NJ (AP) To honor the birthday of Princess Klara, one great resident of Hoboken Town, Mayo Barni Woods (not to be confused with Mayor D. Roberts) has declared December 28th to be "The Day of Klaraty". According to the Mayo, Klara has touched lives of Hobokenis in many positive ways. "The town has lit up with her smiles", said the Mayo. A few official celebrations have been planned in town. People wearing pink hats gathered in front of the Townhall. Rumor has it that Klara left town with her acting boyfriend. "Why cannot she celebrate with people care most about her?" One guy commented, with obvious dissapointment. A lady Barb said: "She is celebrating in her own way. She is 24. She has her youthful thinking. Let's wish her the best for Year 2005. Give her all the blessings we can" The crowd cheered in accord "Happy Birthday, Klara!!!"


This piece of news was originally written on a postcard Barni prepared for Klara's birthday, December 28, 2004, a perfect day for the grand opening of this blog. Barni, a die hard fan of Princess Klara, wishes to share his interactions, feelings and thoughts on his journey with the lovely Princess. It is "Mission Impossible" to win the heart of Princess Klara who is heavily guarded and is blinded by a beardy stud who poses intimidating physique, giant financial resource, and suddenly unlimited time to do whatever neccesary to keep her in the closet. It needs a hefty load of klaraty to see the truth.


Music for this occassion: When your girl is dining with another guy on her birthday, you gotta know your fate. No music says better than Beethoven Symphony No. 5. Recommended version: Carlos Kleiber, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Just Like a Dream - Curse and Hope

Barni came to the Yankeeland in the past century to pursue a degree in Magic, with a Statistics minor. He thought he has learned the art of alchemy and will turn opportunities into gold. However, he was trapped with a curse in finances and freedom of creative expressions by a Singaporean witch doctor, and later an Egyptian one, thanks to the Yankee town hall’s great foreign policies. He lost his soul mate Princess Sophia shortly after the devastating 911 event.

He was exploited mentally and spiritually by the evil forces, not knowing who and where he was. A door opened to Barni last year, discharging him from a deep dark hole in a small town ironically named Princeton. With nothing more than his slick skin and elastic tongue, he managed to temporarily settle at a small pond near a Big Apple farm governed by Princess Klara’s father, a Hungarian King of Numbers. Barni thought he has found his new life and a new mate -- Princess Klara. It was only in his dreams. The reality was cruel and blunt. He was short of money, short of physical attractiveness (frog, duh), short of family support, short of social credibility, short of powerful affiliates, and simply just short. What he proudly has are merely a few close friends and an open mind.

Poor Barni was not able to pass the Princess - Frog boundary. Klara’s father, the king, could come in any minute and squash Barni. After all, he controls the pond. This default convention was a curse. There are imperial guards, defending the Princess against any 'bad influence' from outside people. Besides, all other princes and nobles who visited the palace had carelessly thrown garbage into the pond, making the water turbid. Barni does his meditation regularly to keep his inner peace.











In a majestic sanctuary, Klara does not need to risk her status quo. There are many ready-made princes out there, waiting in line to take her hand. Kissing a frog is wicked. There is no warranty written on Barni’s head. How can she know he is the one who will bring her eternal happiness? Besides, royal families always have their plans. Between the members of the inner circle, the destiny of Princess Klara has been determined long time ago. There is no room for error, no room for deviation.

Klara can comfortably see Barni and talk to him easily. There is no sense of urgency, making extra effort to keep him. Barni is under the shade of lotus leaf most days anyway, just like other frogs.

Technically speaking, Barni failed to make Klara his girlfriend. Somehow, Klara made him hers instead, funny but true.

In this modern era, there are many possibilities between people, especially between a man and a woman. Barni has a friend who re-marries his ex-wife after thirteen years of seperation, another friend who re-kindled flames with a kindergarten sweetheart whose long hair was destroyed by his subversive scissors, there was Lady Huijuan who rather had Barni’s company for her 29th birthday because it would not be fair for any of her suitors to claim her for the entire evening, and there were the tales of Beauty and Beast and Phantom of the Opera. We are not yet to know what Klara plan to do with Barni.

Mindfully Barni knows the deep connection in the soul level with Klara is not a three minute fire. It may be a long long winding road. There will be road blocks and monsters along the way. Barni is not afraid. He writes his own fairy tale, his own path, and his own future. He cares less how regal people look down on him. Barni knows who he is -- a real prince.

Music for this occasion: Write your own happy fairy tales. Imagine how satisfied and content you are. Dream Big! Dream Happy! Be uplifted by Tuck and Patti “Dream ” , from album “Dream”.

Power of KLARATY (I) - Mental

Have you ever sailed/walked in the fog, not knowing where you go? Suddenly you saw a beam from a lighthouse. You were excited that you figured out where you were and what you could do. Meeting Klara was such a moment.


Princess Klara is a perfect example of 'class'. She is well educated and well mannered. She has both beauty and brain. She cares about people, and with her usual elegance, makes me feel comfortable. Through interacting with her, I get to understand her and myself better. While finding out her royal qualities, I have also found my strengths and weakness. She inspired me to have a thorough examination of myself - who I am, what I have, where I am going, which type of soul mate I wish for, and most importantly: how I can bring out the best of me? With her buoyant smiles, I woke up from my bad dream of being trapped with filthy situations. I now remember I was a prince, and I shall live as one.

With her beacon, I have figured out where I am. Furthermore, I have made my plans to reclaim my royal status and to find my kingdom. I wish to bring Princess Klara with me on this journey. It seems that she is busy doing wild New Year house parties lately, and not available for anything or any one else.

Music for this occasion: Trouble finding who you are? Listen to “Stranger on Earth” sung by Lisa Ekdahl. Also in this excellent album named “Back to Earth”, 'Tea for Two' is rooted in fantasy land. Received a cook book from an old lady, Klara will figure out how to bake a sugar cake.

Power of KLARATY (II) - Physical

When I heard Klara said that she swims or jogs at least an hour every day, my first thought was ‘Gee, how can I keep up with her?’ Aspiring after her, I know I have to take actions to increase my physical strength and fitness. I have to be in her league and in the ‘zone’. I signed up a gym membership. I later increased my training to 4+ hours a week. Constant accumulation of lactic acids in my muscles certainly made me feel uncomfortable. In tough time pushing my physical limits, I have to use affirmations. I have found that 'Klara, Klara, Klara' works as effective as Joel Levey's mantra: "May I be happy. May I be healthy. May I be free from sufferings...."




I am in the best shape since I came to US seven years ago. The back pain and beer belly I acquired in my military service is going away. I am close to my ideal weight. I have never felt better when I look at myself in the mirror. I am calmer and more spirited, and magically I can even think clearer. Thanks to Klara who drove me through this ‘boot camp’. Looking back the whole thing, it may be silly to do this for a girl. I am actually the one who benefits most when my body is fit. I do not set my goal to be a heavy weight lifting champion. Based on what she told me, 115lb. I should be able to lift Klara with only one arm soon. Why should I use only one arm? I need the other hand to hold a bottle of wine, two glasses, and a boutique of flowers.

Music for this Occasion: Demonstration of physical strength and agility on keyboard -- Valentina Lisitsa plays Liszt - Paganini Etude No.3 “La Campanella” from the album "Virtuosa Valentina".

A Perfect Balance

Have you wondered why some pizza tastes better than others? Considering most pizzas use the same school of ingredients –flour, water, cheese, tomato, basil, olive oil. Good chefs know that the material has to be fresh and high quality, but it is not all. It is also how careful the pizza was prepared – how the dough was made, how to bake it, and how much of what have been added. You cannot have too much olive oil, too much cheese, or just too much anything. One secret of making good pizza is to have a perfect balance, same with people.


Klara is an interesting example of how some seemly contradictory qualities can blend perfectly together. She has a nice balance of many good qualities.

Most who do constant intensive fitness look athletic (or worse muscular) and speak as loud as a truck horn, not Klara. Most stubborn people keep their lips tight and eyes as suspicious or intimidating as hawks (like my grandpa), not Klara. Most super intelligent people try to convince others and they have to have the last word, not Klara. Most naive young women are pointless and irresponsible, not Klara.


Isn’t she adorable, able to be gentle and humble while she is on top of the world? I do not know how she does it. Family training may be part of it. Klara's parents have engraved a lot of traditional values on her, good and bad. She somehow mastered her own ‘Klaraty’, be perfectly balanced. I just gave you one big reason to love this lady. I have many more reasons loving her, Typing them all out will cram the server.


Music for this occassion: "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” of the Beatles, rendered by King's Singers in album "Beatles Collection", six channels of voices perfectly balanced. "Let it be" soared the new beatles. Let it be me.

Simple Pleasures

Klara was happy when someone stacked her doorway with hundred roses, when someone moved half of the state to live closer to her, when someone put a webpage for her.

These seem to be trivial, compared to many stories I have heard: People were killed protecting their families and love ones in wars.

Any Joe can buy three hundred roses. It requires zero brain, only a few hundred dollars. Besides, that kind of money can feed quite a few children in South Asia Tsunami disaster.

Any Joe can move his apartment in state if he read a map, and knows where to sign his name on a lease. My friend Aron flew over ten thousand miles from Taiwan to Canada to live closer to his then girlfriend. This is more of a stretch in moving.

Any Joe can make a website, copying and pasting a few poems of W.B Yeats and claiming his own. Composing a blog is even easier. You have seen this one, haven’t you?




If we look at her ‘silliness’ from another angle, should we all be touched and moved by simple things others did for us? When was the last time you noticed that your mother put a blanket on you when you were asleep? When did a friend say a few words of encouragement and make your day? When did someone give you a quarter so you can make a phone call to someone you love? When did your dog take the newspaper in or your husband take the garbage out? These are small stuff. Yet, they make us laugh, make us cry. Princess Klara knows the art of appreciation. She knows that simple things can bring enormous pleasure. She knows this pink page is special. She knows a kiss will make me the happiest man in the world.

Music for this occasion: “ Right Now, Right Here ” by Keren Ann from album “Not Going Anywhere.” You don’t have to go anywhere to find happiness. Find it right here, right now.

Canons & Fugues

Can a man and a woman totally enjoy each other’s company, just talk and talk and talk for the most part? I believe they can. One of my favorite movies “Before Sunrise” is a such manifestation. It is my ideal vacation: exploring a new city, a new culture with a fascinating lady while discovering each other's inner worlds. The lady is not necessary one I picked up from the train 20 minutes ago. The Sense of Wonder can happen with the right person, regardless of the length of relationship.






I had numerous delightful talks with Princess Klara in the past few months, mostly in her palace at work, or in my carriage. We were relaxed and yet the sparks of chats fly merrily. It was fugues intermixed with ballades and reggae. It was like sitting in a Disney's Small World boat, seeing all the fascinating continents and customs with eyes closed. Klara is melodic and animated. I am witty and playful. It could have been wholesome.

Klara’s weekends and golden blocks of time are tightly divided between her family, her girl girlfriends, and her presiding mate – a panda pre-prince with Ph.D. (PPPP). There is no room for me. I am not in the circle of royalties. I live in a small pond with un-classic creatures; I cannot be the main squeeze. I am merely a sidekick.

Looking at the sunny side, I have developed kung-fu or tongue-fu after all those kick boxing practices with Klara. I have re-discovered my nobility, ingenuity, tenacity, and my true identity. I am ready for big time, either with an inspired Klara or another Princess who soon would emerge.

Princesses and Princes have different speech patterns. While the males are linear talkers, the females are mostly spiral (according to Barbara De Angelis). A gay man stated that their people have much more fun (and sex) than lesbians because even queers talk straight, wasting little time on girlfriend bulls.... Over my experience with Princess Klara and a few other Princesses I was with, I learned some language of women. Thanks to Klara for the intensive re-training on “Girl Talk as Second Language”, I now proudly say that I am bilingual (bilingoes). Majority of women would rather have burly men to own them, than tender men to understand them.... Homo sapience is not that evolved yet.

Music for this occasion: To enjoy a well-tempered yet well developed conversation in the form of Fugue, listen to “ Largo Ma Non Tanto” from J.S. Bach Concerto for 2 violins & strings in D minor ("Double"), BWV 1043, played by Arthur Grumiaux and Herman Krebbers with Les Solistes Romandes conducted by Arpad Gerecz. By the way, Klara and Barni both play violin for over ten years. Barni wishes they can play this piece together on stage sometime.

Season I Finale - A Commencement

Commencement (n.)
1. The time at which something is supposed to begin.
2. An academic exercise in which diplomas are conferred.
3. The act of starting something.

Most western universities held a graduation ceremony as ‘commencement’. The term is very apropos. The end of an academic training marks the beginning of a life journey. The completion of “Princess Klara & Barni” Season One with this posting is the commencement of Barni’s new chapter of voyage.

Barni has launches himself for great ventures and adventures in the first few days of Year 2005. Still residing at the small base pond, Barni starts to explore forests, jungles, and playgrounds near by. There are a lot of gods, goddesses, dragons, monkeys, spirits, and fairies yet to meet.

Without an affluent and influential family supporting his quest, Barni earned his kingdom and allies bit by bit, one by one. Retreating himself from competing for Princess Klara’s kiss is a painful yet pertinent decision. There is a time and place for everything. Look up from a small pond is not the best position for Barni, even with the best effort.

Princess Klara has been the lighthouse for Barni. Her misty eyes, like Mona Lisa, have mysteriously inspired Barni. In sfumato of her intention and attention, Barni utilized every ray of light endowed upon him. Inner metamorphosis is taken place beneath the purple skin. The curse was not totally lifted yet. The momentum is rising. Barni knows that his tomorrow will be sun shine, 78 degree Fahrenheit, simply a better day.

Barni appreciates Klara’s royal flush. It has meant much, if not all, to him. Bestowed with Klaraty, Barni regained his strength as a prince. He understands that he has very little to offer to the Princess at this moment. Klara does not need more creative expressions, spiritual growth, strategic planning, multiple intelligences, or amusing, if not comical, alternative angles of world. All these are Barni’s bag treats, potent only in a parallel universe.

The sadness of fate is that Barni cannot take the lighthouse with him after he found his direction. Klara is grounded solidly. She may be meant to provide guidance and illumination, not a constant source of delight and enlightenment. Yes, Barni may take the light keeper along, not the building structure. However, he cannot find the key to open the lock of her heart. There are layers of ivies and chains protecting her from any who is not already inside. Nevertheless, Barni and Klara had a good dance.

Time flies. Rocks melt. People change. The story is not finished yet. Seasonal finale is only the beginning, a commencement. Let it go and let it be. Life seldom follows Newton's First Law of Motion. Who knows what the next day, next year or next life will be? Barni knows Klara may cross path with him again, again, and again..... Fairytales never end.

Music for this occasion: Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker for a dance with Klara. It cannot get better, since the whole Nutcracker story lines revolve around a young girl named Clara. Sampled here is “March ” from Act 1, Tableau 1, played by London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Antal Dorati. Now you have heard the prelude. The best is yet to come.