The City Never Sleeps

17/06/11

2011-06-17T06:23:00.000-07:00

It's been more than 5 months since I last updated my blog.

Had to clear my assignments, study for exam, preparing for exam, looking for a job yada yada....

Now? I am so free, that I am worried. The fear of being jobless and unemployed, which is as good as being labelled as a parasite. Yeah I am kinda afraid of that. I need to get a job asap.

2 weeks ago, I received my final grades results from RMIT. The results are as follows:

Work Integrated Learning 2: Credit
Managing Change: Credit
Workplace Employment Relations: Distinction
Buyer Behaviour: High Distinction

Never before in my poly life will I receive so many distinctions and high D.

So I took a graduation trip to HK, and I shop as if there are no tomorrow. Within 5 days, I spend SGD$65 on DVDs, and close to SGD$200 on clothings and shoes.

At least I've completed 1 out of 2 agenda in my HK trip:
1. Watched the first 3D porn that I've told my fellow RP and MP mates from Bedok Camp years ago. Told them I want to watch that 3D porn when I am in HK. Thank goodness the remake of the 1991 HK soft core erotica aka 3D Sex and Zen is still running in HK when I was there. At least I have fufilled a wish which it will never happened in SG.
2. Meet up a friend from HK, which is a cutie named Wai Hung (should I called him Russell, as stated in his blog?) However he was sick when I was around, and I had a cough too. In the end, we could only exchange contact thru sms.

I wish I can visit HK again soon, where I could have a nice escape from the stressful Singapore.

But before that, I need to work first.

11-1-11

2011-01-11T06:01:00.000-08:00

Number 11-1-11 can serves various purposes.

In a condo with various units, it can simply means Blk 11, unit no 1-11.

Look it in a symmetrical view, and you will see the numbers appearing parallel to each other.

Add a 0 in the middle segment and you will get 11-01-11, which are numbers you can buy for TOTO, Mark 6 or any other lottery which requires a number to place your bet.

It serves as a car plate number in some countries.

Translate them into morse code and you will get . _ _ _ . _ _ _ -. _ _ _-. _ _ _ . _ _ _

In a soccer match, it means a team of 11 players vs another team of 11 players with one ball.

Most importantly, this post was written on 11th Jan 2011.

Happy 11-1-11. :)

(The lists are not exhaustive. I welcome more creative minds to add in more ideas that you can come out with.)

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011

2010-12-31T06:02:00.000-08:00

I know the moment I woke up from tonight's dream, 2011 is taking over 2010 for the next 365 days.

2010 has been a rather special year compared to the previous years. Not much disaster and misfortune happens to me (and hopes that this goes on and on).

Known some good friends, make some good friends, left some good friends (or more rather, the opposite, because they have further plans to move on with their live.)

Studies OK, but need to work more on searching for self-fufillment, cos I have been working my asses off for the past 11 months, so the break is a well deserved one.

The cycle will come again tomorrow, and all I wish for 2011 is a better tomorrow. :)

Happy 2011! :)

Wake Up and Smell The Coffee

2010-09-06T07:11:00.000-07:00

It has been ages since I last tap on this blog.

School work is tying me down most of the time. Need to do tonnes of research on Strategic Management and Ethics and Governance. Yeah, studying EG doesn't make one ethical. Putting words into actions do make one ethical though.

Had a HK housewife to teach us Market Research, and response from my friend? She should have stay at home playing mahjong and boiling soups.

Finally, HRD is the only subject where I can enjoy greater freedom. We are feel free to do whatever topics we wish to tap on. So uber boring textbook topics has become a taboo for the subjects for the presentation.

I decided to tap on coffee apppreciation. Learn to drink good coffee and lift up your mood.

I must say I am fortunate to have a group who is there to support me. :)

How I wish I can do a topic that explores SEX. :P

A-CHOO!

2010-06-30T06:04:00.000-07:00

'sniff sniff'.

'A-CHOO! A-CHOO!'

'sniff sniff'

And it has happened for days. What a way to end the 1st 6 months of 2010.

Summer Summary

2010-06-06T05:09:00.000-07:00

It has been ages since I last posted a entry up here.

Just a summary of what has happened during the past few months:

1. Had my 25th birthday dinner with a group of close friends at Oriole Cafe. Feels that as one ages, it is better to have a group of close friends getting together than having a large group of Mr and Mrs I Can't Remember Your Name.

2. Completed my Sem 4 together with my exam. For the first time I got myself a distinction and a High distinction for my subjects. Come to think of it, it has been ages since I last saw a distinction in my report card.

3. Work as a distance fare tester for Land Transport Authority for 2 weeks, and remains jobless till now.

4. The burning summer is making everyone frustrated, including me. So TP swimming pool is the only place where I can cool myself down. (But does the rising temperature of the pool water makes me calm as before?)

Kiss

2010-03-16T06:06:00.000-07:00

I don't meant to be sleazy by kissing other people. But here, kiss means other thing.

Kiss means:
-kissing my assignments goodbye, except WIL Assg 2
-give a big warm kiss to my 25th birthday. (Old again!)
- kissing that beloved Yangtze cinema goodbye. :( (Yangtze ceased operation for renovation till further notice.)
- kiss most of my money goodbye. (Who says living in Singapore is not expensive?)
- kiss my new Armani Exchange leather belt that I bought for myself.

While I am kissing something goodbye and kissing at some new lovely things/dates, I stick to kissing something that I am closed and familiar with.

On the other hand, Singapore was in a storm last week, where someone was caught wet kissing various girls and aunties around the country. He is none other than Singapore's most beloved movie director, Jack Neo.

2 days after his latest movie, Being Human, was released in theatres, he was exposed for going around kissing other girls. First, he kissed Wendy Chong, followed by Foyce Le Xuan, and a French lady, and more, and more, and more...

A Girl Called Madonna (Popjustice, 2006) pointed Madonna's experience with various men during the 80's, where she could talked about kissing without giggling or being silly. Could this be applied to Jack as well, since he says he wants to make a movie out of his affair?

Or he is simply putting shame onto his wife and his children, where fingers will be pointed at them for the damages caused by Jack kissing several girls?

'Your husband goes around kissing other girls.'
'Your daddy go kiss other people's sister/mummy.'

Jack failed to recognized the impact, which brings permanent damages to his wife and his children for making a movie out of his affair.

An advice: Jack can consider making some CAT III movies about his affair in Hong Kong. Go pair up with some F-graded directors and go make that crap. Do not tarnish Singapore film industry with such rubbish. I believe most Singaporeans see what I see, that they do not wish to see an movie about your affair with the girls whom you kiss.

Post 391

2010-01-15T05:45:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all. :)

Took me quite sometime to get back to the blog, as I was working, resting, thinking during the past 8-10 weeks.

School reopens with the usual suspects, minus Big. Big has deferred his studies for a year. Guess graduating with him is impossible to achieve.

Does not really look forward to the year. Just hope that everything that starts well will end well.

So many days later...

2009-11-07T19:39:00.000-08:00

I updated my blog. Was preparing for exams, thus I spend most of my time drowning on ER, PM, HMT and HRM. One issue that SIM-RMIT missed was they provide no tutorial, and everything are lecture based. Thus, you do not learnt things very much and you are to handle questions which requires you to come out with an answer that is essay based. In the end, I created a crash course to run through all the topics to ensure that I know the questions and answers, so as to avoid any undesirable results.

And thank you very much to all of the study mates: Xiaoran (Small), Kok Yi (Big), Ratna and Yanting. Your time and effort are greatly appreciated. =)

After absent myself from cinemas for several weeks, I decided to retreat myself back into cinema again on a Sat night (for Mediacorp Ch 8 are playing the dubbed in bombastic yet horrendous Mandarin version of Police and Thief) Movie of the choice is not MJ's documentary feature, This Is It, or Glen Goei's horrendous Singapore production, The Blue Mansion, where you have a cast of drama play professionals that make the movie looks like a drama play.

Johnnie To's Vengeance is the choice that I made (another will be Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story) The delayed release of Vengeance (from late Aug to eary Nov, due to obtaining a lower rating from R21 to M18) has made me decided to remove Vengeance out of the list of movies I will watch in cinema. However, a surprising decision made by Board of Film Censors makes me put it back to the choice of movie that I will watch. It has ALLOWED to be released in CANTONESE and ENGLISH (which is impossible to see it in Singapore cinemas.) As I mentioned to Xiaoran, if Jack Neo and Royston Tan's Singapore production can be released in Hokkien and Mandarin, why barred Johnnie To's movie in Cantonese to be screen in Singapore?

As expected, it is your typical To's style of gunfighting thriller, except casting Johnny Hallyday, the French rock star as the leading cast. It is something new that one do not usually get to see.

When the Censorship Review Committee are looking into reviewing censorship guidelines soon, it is time to revise the stringent policy for R21 movies and Chinese productions in dialects. If Jack and Royston can dance and sing in Hokkien, we should also be given the freedom to catch a decent Hong Kong production in Cantonese.

I Know I Should...

2009-10-11T06:14:00.000-07:00

be studying now, but instead of doing my final revision for my exam, I am crapping over here.

Big did not show up for the last ER revision lecture, as usual. Thus Small and I ended up facing each other in the lecture theatre. Instead of going straight home for revision, we headed to Clementi central for fried carrot cake recommended by Big instead. Taste so so, thus my conclusion: I will only go there when I am in Clementi central.

Catch a screening of a French comedy at The Cathay. Entitled Dans La Vie, it is one of the few comedies to be screen under S'pore French Film Festival. A comedy that discuss the bonds between an Arab housewife and a wheelchair bounded Jewish housewife. Worth watching for a matinee, but paying $11 for a 73minutes movie makes me feel a pinch in my wallet. Well, it's a screening for a film fest, not so bad about it. =x

Tried my luck at the arcade in L4, where I pay $1X6 coins to catch a pair of teddies with the machine. Sounds childish, but it is the thrill that got me excited. Now, the pair of teddies (a boy and a girl) are happily lying on my bed. :)

Never feel so happy like a child before. With the two teddies. =)

Lawrence Getting Married !

2009-10-05T06:08:00.000-07:00

And so Lawrence take a lovely bride! He officially takes his beloved girlfriend, Jacquelie, as his wife last Sat, which was the highly auspicious day for the Chinese: Mid-Autumn Festival.

Headed down to Peony Jade Restaurant with Jess and Jinlai, where Lawrence and Jacqueline held their ROM ceremony, declaring their love to each other at the presence of family, friends and relatives.

Had a post-ceremony lunch at Peony Jade later. A luncheon gathering with exchange of information about each other's doing lately. And so I feel time flies, and I've aged terribly. :P Yes, I am getting a degree, while the rest are either getting married or working.

To Lawrence and Jacqueline: my blessings to all, and may you have many happy returns in future! And yes, what a lovely luncheon we had at Peony Jade! Thank You!

Chocolates and Chanel grows from Coco.

2009-09-12T08:19:00.000-07:00

After waiting for donkey years, seeing several bio-epics on the big screen, Audrey Tautou is back onto the big screen with Coco Avant Chanel, a French drama which tells us the tale of how Gabrielle created the most famous brand in the world, which dominates the fashion industry in Paris, Milan and Fifth Avenue tilll today. (Looking back at the bio-epics in the previous 12 months, the only 2 bio-epics I could remember: how Donnie Yen displays Wing Chun in Ip Man, and Sean Penn, the mayor of Castro Street, fighting for gay rights in USofA in Milk. Sorry,but Bruno does not count.)

Disappointment creeps in while I was watching the movie at Lido 2 on Fri, unfortunately. (Avoided the mad crowd flocking into theatres for the past 2 weeks, since cineplexs made a bad arrangement of screening Coco at smaller halls. S'porean cineplex chain are still having the stigma that all French movies are nothing but arthouse except Yamakasi, Taxi and District 13(Luc Besson's La Femme Nikita was considered as a arthouse than action in S'pore, sad to say.). Unsurprisingly, Coco tailors her dresses and held the fashion show at tiny halls under such circumstances, which did not fail to draw a big big crowd. You have to kill to catch a glimpse of the fashion.)

Utter disappointment. Audrey Tautou was wasted in Coco Avant Chanel. Rather than a bio-epic about how Gabrielle Chanel aka Coco Chanel rise to fame through the skills of sewing and cutting, which created a new wave of fashion which dominates France's fashion industry, it was more of a love story between Coco and the two men in her life: Etienne Balsan, a French rich playboy, and Arthur 'Boy' Capel, an English friend of Etienne. If you are expecting to see what inspires her to create a unique wave of fashion during the pre WWII period, you get a little and no more.

Was enjoying some nice chocolate and cream cheese donut puff purchased from Sun Moulin bakery during the movie. Yes, the puffs are nice and big, but the show just drowns my disappointment into it. Somehow I had a habit of buying French pastries and a cup of hot chocolate when watching a movie from Audrey Tautou in Lido. Personal preference, I believe.

What I believe to kickstart a good weekend: go catch a European movie in town on a Fri night, be it Lido, Cine Orchard or The Picturehouse. Some decent independent production at The Picturehouse is not a bad choice too. Too bad, Cathay decided to release some movies that has gone straight into DVD release before making a big screen apperance at The Picturehouse, making it senseless to pay $10 per person to watch a movie where you can enjoy at the comfort of your home, with (homemade popcorn/fries/pasta/lazagne/pizza/tiramisu/any TV dinner recommended or taught by Nigella Lawson), all for less than $10.

Does making a delay release in Picturehouse means watching a movie in 35mm prints is always better than watching a movie on DVD?

Some food for thought.

Salaam Namaste!

2009-09-05T07:15:00.001-07:00

Had not posted anything for about a month, and all of a sudden an urge has to be fufilled. Just like a traditional Nonya who believes that if a pregnant Nonya did not had her craving for a particular food fufilled, the child will be born drooling all the way till the child left the world. :x

So after surviving 3 reports that cost me a total weightage of 100 % (20% for HMT group, 40% each for HR and ER individual), I am kind of bumming away, not in the mood to prepare the upcoming the PM econs test 2. For the past few weeks, I am just not so attentive in lessons. My mind has wondered off somewhere else. Is there anyone who can help me to my mind back to the track?

Drilling on the reports had pulled me down from catching the latest release in cinemas. Seems that the only movie that I managed to catch in cinemas on the opening day was Turning Point aka Laughing Gor the Movie. Seeing Anthony Wong in drag (greatly inspired by Boy George) was the only wow factor that I can still remember from the movie, where he steals the limelight of Micheal Tse, who plays Laughing, the leading character. Apart from that, there's no traditional opening logo used by Shaw Brothers Studio from HK despite the movie marks the comeback of Shaw Brothers Studio, back from their heydays in the 60's and 70's.

The next movie that I watch in the cinema is something that I've seen online, uncut and raw: BRUNO. Sacha Baron Cohen makes the remark that Borat the horny creature was dead, thus Bruno is born. Bought the DVD of Borat few days back and the additional deleted scenes proves to be a shocker, even though I've watch it in Jan 2007. It seems that Cohen can get an erection anytime, anywhere. And when a human want needs to be fufilled, there will always be a solution to it: public sex in Borat, and the erection dance in Bruno (which cannot be passed thru the censors in S'pore). So what's next?

Maybe the public sex elements inspires these 2 directors who made a dumbest film of all time: CRANK and CRANK 2: HIGH VOLTAGE.

Borat was funny and distasteful. Bruno is just a recycle of Borat, with loads of homosexual elements. Unsurprisingly, I can understand why the homosexuals around the world are displeased with Bruno, for the mockumentary potrays a 'politically correct' perception on the homosexuals. Imagine gays are potray as horny creatures who lusted for sex (including the unmentionable acrobatic sex), which in real life, this is not the case. Yes, show this to an anti-homosexual, and they will nail any gays they could get their hands on and torch them alive.

While it is a norm to see it as alright and OK for a man to be horny, woman are call a nympho if they engaged in constant sex with their partner or various partners. Diario de una Ninfomana (Diary of a Sex Addict) tells a tragic tale of a young French girl named Valerie, who has a good education background and a fantastic job in Madric. However, she loves sex, to the extend of breaking up with 2 boyfriends, working in a brothel to earn money and gaining pleasure from it. Ah...isn't it wonderful to one who loves sex, since he/she can fufill their needs, and fatten their wallets at the same time? A heavy price will have to be paid eventually.

Now excuse me while I go feel the lovely scent of Chanel No 5 parfum and fantasise of getting a 2.55 for men. :)

Musical Chair

2009-08-10T07:58:00.000-07:00

It has been ages since I get into a meme, or more rather, a series of questions that will be asked to know more about your personal preferences and etc.

Happened to saw one on my friend's blog, and I decided to give it a try. I need to salvage myself from the report writing assignment that drains my creative juice out from the brain.

Here's how to play the musical chair:

1. Put your iPod on shuffle.
2. Press forward for each question.
3. Use the song title as the answer to the question.

I own no iPod. My Creative Zen Neeon can do the same job.

Q: What does next year have in store for you? Careless Whisper by George Michael. Guess that I will never dance next year.

Q: What does your love life look like next year? For All Time by MJ. Someone will be by my side when I am lonely, and two hearts will beat together. How sweet and romantic. :)

Q: What do you say when life deals you a bad hand? Synchronicity 1 by Police. It is a fast flowing mess which can be thrilling sometimes.

Q: Song that reminds you of good times? Take On Me (Live) by A-ha. My all time favourite! And the song reminds me of visiting a old cinema operating in the 80's. How nostalgic!

Q: What do you think when you get up in the morning? Turn! Turn! Turn! by The Byrns. Reminds me of waking up in the old houses located at Hell's Kitchen. More rather, looking into the lives of a Irish family finding a new life In America.

Q: What song will you dance to at your wedding? Slowly by Max Sedgley. The kind of song I will dance, in somebody elses wedding. I don't believed in getting married.

Q: Favourite place? Downtown Lights by Annie Lennox. Enjoy a pale blue sky on the evening near the sea in the city. Guess Marina Area failed to give me the feel compared to standing beside the Statue of Liberty in the Big Apple.

Q: What song describes your best friend? Left to My Own Devices by Pet Shop Boys. Doesn't really describe my friends, cos they are no party animal. :X

Q: What song describes your ex? I remember by Damien Rice. Melancholic tune that does not fit into his personality.

Q: What song describes yourself? Amazing by George Michael. I feel that I am amazing lately for being a freak sometimes.

Q: Where will you be in 10 years? Marble Halls by Enya. Halls made of chocolate and butter cream cake or few seeds of marbles played as a child?

Q: Your love life right now? If You Ever Go to Houston by Bob Dylan. Single and available on a road trip.

Q: How will you die? What Have I Done to Deserve This? Pet Shop Boys and Pedro Almodovar will have to do justice for me!

Guess the songs does not write a person's life. If it does, scientific theories and values of life from Confucious will no longer apply in the world. :)

The Many First of the...

2009-08-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

Singapore celebrates its 44th birthday today.

Today is the first time in my life I am celebrating National Day as a Singaporean, instead of a S'pore PR. Somehow, I just do not feel anything special about it.

Went to JB for a shopping trip in the morning, and here are some of the first that I've experienced in JB after absence from JB for 10 months.

1. With the new Malaysian Custom, Immigration and Quuarantine Checkpoint opens to the public, it is no doubt that the old checkpoint has walked into the history. Beautiful water fountains were added to enhance the feel and the look of the new checkpoint, but getting to the checkpoint has overshadowed the beauty the checkpoint created.

A large detour takes you to the new checkpoint, which takes you about 15mins to drive up there, if the traffic is in favor of you. If not, be prepared to get your patience worn out, with minimum of 45mins waiting time throwing in on your journey to JB. Yes, my patience were almost worn out when the bus was stuck hanging high up in the overhead bridge leading to the checkpoint.

2. I took a bus to Aeon Tebrau City at RM2.50. This is a far cry from my usual experience of getting a cab at City Square, and paying RM20 for the journey. It is faster than taking the cab, amazingly.

I do agree with my cousin for the comment: Malaysians are good drivers. Yes, they are fast and furious on the road.

3. Pay more for what you get in Malaysia Mega Sale. Apparently, you do not pay the old price for the same item now, compared to about 10 months ago. Inflation and the low exchange rate between Malaysia ringgit and US Dollars has lead to S'porean getting more than usual when it comes to money exchange. As such, we are paying more for the same item we wanted.

This is the list of what I've bought in JB:

High cut Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers: RM 105.90 (usual price: RM99.90)
Nivea oil control facial wash: RM16.90 (usual price: RM14.90)
Movie ticket at TGV Aeon Tebrau City: RM12 (usual price: RM11)

While the purpose of the sale is pay less for more, it is the opposite over here.

I can't imagine what is going to happen next.

Departs

2009-07-25T19:56:00.000-07:00

Somewhere around November last year, Yasmin Ahmad and I had a small comfortable chit chat session in The Picturehouse lounge, on her movie Muallaf. (I've mentioned in one of my previous blog article) We had a great time talking to one another, and she was there to introduce her husband and daughter to me. Her warming personality has simply remove any possible obstacles between us to know more about her film.

She passed away peacefully on 11.25pm, 25th Jul 09 in Damansara Specialist Hospital.

The cause of the death was due to severe bleeding in the brain which was believed to be caused by her fainting 2 days ago at a TV station.

Lately, we had been hit by the news on the deaths of celebrities after we woke up every morning. Lightining will never strike twice, but on 25th June, Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett had left us. MJ was believed to died of a heart attack, which Farrah lost her battle to cancer.

The world has prepared the worst for Farrah, but not MJ. Exactly a month later, the god of death knocked on Yasmin's door and took the acclaimed director away.

Singaporeans will remember her with some of the ads she made for MCYS (Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports), where you will see how a loving father cares for his daughter, and the Indian wife who remembers her Chinese husband forever.

However, it was the series of ads she made for Petronas that catches my attention. No commercial hardcore selling, no strong competition on products and services, no cheese fondue type dialogues and cliche plots. All are just simple sights and sounds of what is happening around you and me. Screw the billion dollar hardcore bombarding of trashy ads. Yasmin gives you the real thing that not only satisfy the needs for the occassion, but also carries a strong message behind the ad.

While Muallaf gets a run in Singapore twice, Singaporeans are not fortunate to catch the last movie she directed, Talentime. Before she can direct Go, Thaddeus!, she left the world with incomplete works. She shares the similar fate of Stanley Kubrick and Lee Han Hsiang, two of the greatest movie director of all time. Kubrick wanted to direct A.I, but dies shortly after completing Eyes Wide Shut. H.H Lee died of a heart attack while making the blockbuster historical drama, The Burning of A-Fang Palace in 1997.

Malaysia will always greatly missed the best director of all time.

RIP, Yasmin.

School Starts Again!

2009-07-20T06:40:00.000-07:00

Feels like Zac Efron on the outer surface, but Matthew Perry at heart.

School is a 4 times per week lecture in SIM, taught under the course of RMIT.

Going solo on the projects most of the time, since individual report takes up a high component of the subject grades.

No girls on the house, cute guys alll around. ;)

The 2nd Half of The Year...

2009-07-03T05:50:00.000-07:00

Finally, the 2nd half of 2009 is here. It seems to be so scary that time flies too fast.

It also marks the new chapter of my life: life as a undergraduate.

Being a student for SIM-RMIT, that old feeling which I had as a TP student is back again. However, before I can fully enjoy life as a student, this is what has happened for the past few days:

30th Jun - got myself a new Billabong pencil case and new stationaries. Waiting and wanting to start for the new school term. Oh yes, was supposed to enjoy myself in the orientation, but unfortunately ends up cancelled due to the outbreak of H1N1.
1st Jul - New school term! Lessons begins....2 weeks later. Postponed due to the outbreak of H1N1. Still went to school to collect my student card. As a student of SIM-RMIT, I will receive 2 student cards: one for SIM, another for RMIT.
3rd Jul - go back to school looking for 2nd hand textbook on sale, and managed to get some details.

Not stepped into cinemas for quite sometime. As a movie buff, I am relying on my supply of movies from library@esplanade and Video Ezy for DVDs. Anyway, the choice of movies released lately were seriously not meant for my personal consumption.

Terminator Salvation and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen were the only 2 movie that I catched with Yaoda in cinemas. My verdict: Terminator seems to be a much more better deal than Transformers 2. Though box office results speaks for itself, I agreed with what one of my friend says: Michael Bay ought to be shot. Transformers 2 is simply a robots battle porn for kiddies and gamers, where so many robots pop out in a sudden to fight. More and more fighting within 2 hours 25mins, and ends up a mental torture for me. Not forgetting that the infrastructre of the movie theatre and sound system also affects the mood for a movie.

We catch the SAFRA free screening of Transformers 2 at GV Tiong Bahru. As there are thousands attending the screening, we got ourselves with nothing but front row seats. (SAFRA is famous for giving early birds front row seats, as they do not know that GV arranges the seats with alphabets beginning from A from the screen, instead of going down from projection room.) As we got ourselves the first 2 seats at row C, 3 hours of viewing (the remaining 35mins goes to advertisments) ends up having 2 giraffes leaving the theatre.

Earlier I told Yaoda do not have a high expectation for GV Tiong Bahru, as 1) it is old, and the movie will only be screen in Dolby Digital, instead of DD + THX (which we enjoyed at The Grand Cathay for T4), so lower your expectation for sound system. 2) Transformers 2 will, unfortunately, screen in 35mm prints only, instead of digital format in Singapore. (v.different compared to the release of Transformers when it comes in both digital and 35mm.), so do not expect crystal clear images compared to T4. And that should answer that the screening is not really ideal.

Moral of the lesson: only go for SAFRA free screening when you feel that the movie is not worth paying a single cent watching it.

Just feel like watching Duplicity in Lido, but unfortunately, it was arranged in Hall 7, which will make you a giraffe again without sitting on front row seats. :(

School!

2009-07-01T05:40:00.000-07:00

Back to school again!

Yep, I am joining a 2 year bachelor's degree programme with SIM-RMIT. Focusing on Business Management (HR) and will be spending 2 years in it.

And losing touch with schooling for 2 years leaves me a false impression earlier that I do not have to attend several lessons. After checking the timetable, it is true. I do not have much to learnt.

Now I need to know if tutorials are provided. If not, there will just be too much free time for me...

New blogskin, and hopefully a new start.

2009-06-21T05:01:00.000-07:00

Before using the new blogskin which you are seeing right now, I've used the old blogskin from the very beginning dinosaurs dominates the earth.

Just like watching Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, this is what you will get for the first 15minutes of the film: apes roaming around the earth since the beginning. At a snap of the finger, welcome to the imaginative world of 2001 created by Stanley Kubrick.

With the school term starting in a week's time, just hope that everything will start perfectly for the 2nd half of 2009.

And also hope to pick up the me during my polytechnic days.

Hong Kong Hong Kong (Day)

2009-05-31T06:11:00.001-07:00

So here begins with my day in HK.

Took a cab from the hotel and reached the ferry terminal at 8.45am, took the 9am ferry, and reached HK in 60 minutes. Place of arrival: City Centre Ferry Terminal, located at Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.

Upon arrival, this is the first picture that I've taken:

Nike flagship store in HK.

As me and my brother walked along the streets of TST, we came across the building that puts this building in the world map. Wong Kar Wai's 1994 masterpiece Chungking Express will not be famous without the help of the building:

Chungking Building. Located along Nathan Road, the commercial building first opened in the late 60's. It houses mainly private apartments, which has been converted to hostels and budget motels. Not forgetting that this is the haven for the Indians working in HK. Here, you can get your fix of masala, Shah Rukh Khan and Aiswarya Rai Bacchan dancing on the TV screen, going along with A.R Rahman's award winning score. Last but not least, currency exchange booths and electronic goods.

We had dimsum for breakfast at 10.30am, which followed by the tour around TST. Some of the pictures taken:

Austin Road and the surrounding building.

Nathan Road, which I almost got myself run over by a cab.

Kowloon Mosque and Muslim Study and Research Centre.

Followed by clothes shopping at Uniqlo HK and Esprit Factory Outlet. All I can say is: come here for your fix of newly off season clothes at great prices!

City Centre, taken from L2 of Esprit Factory Outlet.

Followed by rows of flagship stores of different brands, such as Christian Dior...

Chanel...

The main spoonsor of SATC: LV!

And something that is missing from Singapore for a long time...Lane Crawford!

Accompained by an unusual neighbour, an old time resident: Golden Harvest Grand Ocean Mega Cinema!

Had a tea break at Hui Lau San, an famous dessert chain specialised in mango and sago desserts.

After the break, we walked to Harbour Centre.

Right beside the Harbour Centre is the Star Ferry Terminal, where office workers will pay HKD 2.50 (ard SGD 0.50) for a 12min ride to Central, the financial district in HK Island.

A view of the ferry terminal...

Located right beside the ferry terminal is the TST Clock tower and HK Art Museum.

The clock tower leads us to Starlight Gallery, where this is an exhibition showcasing the history of HK Cinema. With the statue being the main attraction of the gallery, you will also be treated to the handprints of celebrities who make it big.

Took a picture of the night view of Central before taking the ferry to Central...

Hong Kong Hong Kong (Night)

2009-05-02T06:42:00.000-07:00

So I decided to reverse the order of telling my exploration of Hong Kong thru 3 parts: Morning, Afternoon and Night.

It is so much like the style Gasper Noe told the story of Irreversible, minus the gore and bloodshed in the film. Or more rather, folllowing the style of Francois Ozon's 5X2.

I decided to visit Elements at Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Amazingly, there is no direct MTR service from Tsim Sha Tsui station to Elements, which is located at Kowloon station. To go there directly thru train, you have to take a train from TST station, and the train will have to cross the station to Central Station, located at Central, HK Island. It is just like you want to go to Seng Kang station from Woodlands Station, so you have to take the NS Line from Woodlands, drop off at Dhoby Ghaut Station, and changed to NE Line to Seng Kang station, instead of taking bus service, right? (We could have taken a bus, just that we do not know where will the bus lead us to.)

We took the Star Ferry from Tsim Sha Tsui Jetty to Central Jetty, which takes you about 10 minutes to reach. Best of all, it costs only HKD $2.50 (ard SGD $0.50) to take you to Central.

Finally I understand why there are so many working class workers dressed up in suit and business wear, and they took a ferry to work at Central.

Here are some of the photos taken at Central:

This is the side view of Central, where the building on the left is Central Jetty.

The night view of Central taken from the overhead bridge to IFC (International Financial Centre, where the MTR station is located.)

After taking the ride to Kowloon, viola, we had reached Elements, the newest shopping mall in Tsim Sha Tsui.

It is about 5 times of Vivocity, S'pore's self claimed largest shopping centre. Or I would say, about twice the size of Mid Valley Megamall in KL, Malaysia.

Elements is divided into the 5 elements the Chinese believed in: Fire, Earth, Water, Wood and Metal (Gold). Each elements houses various fashion brands, restaurants, condos and entertainment spots. Here, under the water element, it houses mainly fashion boutiques, such as Zara, H&M, Nautica, Hugo Boss, Esprit etc.

My main purpose of coming to Elements is to visit Onitsuka Tiger shop, where I hope to get a good pair of Onitsuka sneakers.

Turns out, the designs are not the type that I fancy, not forgetting the price. HKD $900 on average. :(

Nevertheless, I get a chance to visit The Grand Cinema, also known as the brand new cineplex in TST area. Houses 12 auditorium, including a Gold Class hall, the selling point of The Grand Cinema is their Manhattan Galaxy auditorium, which is their largest auditorium. Boasted with the latest state of the art sound system, the cineplex has a very user friendly box office counter, where the 6 plasma TV above the counter will show the patrons the available seats per show, rather than highlighting the timing in colours to tell the patrons if tickets are available.

Right over here is the lobby area of The Grand Cinema, where gigantic billboards replaces the counters for posters. One thing special about this grand cineplex is that everything is so grand, you had a pillar that displays movie trailers, and a poster display corner (which was found hidden in a corner later), where posters comes in an X-Large size (think a 6m X 3m poster).

So what you see right above are the standees for Zac Efron's 17 Again, Hugh Jackman's X Men Origin: Wolverine, Dennis Quaid and Zhang Ziyi's The Horsemen (which was rated CAT III for extreme gore and violence, unlike the NC16 edited version in Singapore), Friday the 13th (CAT III again), Permanent Residence (CAT III again, but this time for some explicit gay sex and homoerotic elements), an upcoming Hong Kong crime drama, I Corrupted the Cops. (Think American Gangster, Hong Kong style, minus the nudity. Lead by a group of strong cast, such as Anthony Wong, Eason Chan, Tony Leung Kar Fai, Bowie Lam. Unlikely to be played in S'pore cineplex anytime.) and Frozen Flower, the Korean CAT III (again) gay drama set in the Koryo Dynasty. Think The King and the Clown in a more homoerotic way.

We decided to take a JetSpray back to Macau, from Central. And here is the station that many S'poreans are dying to visit: The Central Station.

After dropping off at The Central Station, we have to walk to Sheung Wan Station, where it will take us to the jetty directly.

And we took a 9.45pm JetSpray back to Macau.

End of Hong Kong Trip. Please rewind for the Morning and Afternoon Trip. :)

To Macau, To Macau

2009-04-30T06:46:00.000-07:00

As mentioned in my previous blog post, I am flying off to Macau and Hong Kong for a holiday. (To be precised, it is a weekend trip.)

Fast forward to leaving the house at 4.40pm, taking a cab to the budget terminal, check in, had some snacks and drinks, before taking off on the 6.10pm flight by Tiger Airways.

Being on an aeroplane for the first time, it was excited to see and feel how the plane take off from the ground. Just like a little kid, i could not help to constantly look thru the window, and exclaimed how does the earth looks like when the plane is several meters away from the ground.

The plane reaches Macau International Airport at around 10pm, and the first thing that I feel when I step the ground of Macau: the air is fresh, and it is cold. (It was about 21 degrees celsius at night.)

Oh yes, not forgetting the feeling of the first breath of air abroad. A mixture of wind, with a hind of wood and engine oil. Hehehehe.

The first impression of Macau International Airport: clean and empty. Perhaps it was late, isn't it?

Brother and I took a cab to Metropole Hotel, located at Macau Island itself. (Note, Macau is a combination of 3 islands - Macau, Taipa and the other island...unknown. Can't remember what is the name.)

Upon check in, we decided to go for dinner at a tea cafe nearby. We came across Macau Restaurant, a cha can teng (tea cafe, just like your neighbourhood kopitiam in Singapore.), which serves really great grilled Portuguese pork chop with fried rice.

Before we had our dinner, we decided to take some pictures.

As you know, Macau is just like the Las Vegas of the East, which houses loads and loads of casinos. So, here are some of the photos we took on the first night of arrival in Macau.

Emperor Hotel, which was owned by Emperor Group, which is into movie productions, jewelleries, hospitality and so own.

Pawnshops for anyone who needs cash desperately...

Public houses...And here you have the 2 casinos: Grand Lisboa and Casino Lisboa, standing side by side with one another.

Last but not least, the interior design of Grand Lisboa casino and hotel. This is the reception area, which right beside is the entrance to the casino.

Apologies for no photos on the casino, as no photo taking is allowed. All I can say is that, the gamblers consist a healthy mix of Hong Kongers, Macau natives and Mainlanders from China. With each bet at a minimum of MOP $100 (ard S$21), one can enjoy a game of Blackjack, lucky spin, jackpot machine, and not forgetting the dice game which the Chinese loves it the most: Big and Small. (it is a game where 3 dices will be shake each time. After the dice has been shaked in a covered cylinder, one will place their bets to guess if the total points fallls either small, which is 3 p0ints to 9, or big, which is 10 to 18.)

Not forgetting that smoking in an air-conditioned casino is a norm, since one can smoke in a open air area, and air-condition venues. So, bear the second hand smoke if you must visit the casinos.

To continue on the trip to HK in the next post...

Macau/Hong Kong

2009-04-24T09:02:00.000-07:00

On Wed nite, bro inform mum that the trip to Thailand has been cancelled, but since no refunds will be given, he will take the offer provided by Tiger Airways: he will be going to Macau for holidays alone.

Mum says: bring your di along. (meaning: bring your younger brother along.)

10 minutes later, an air ticket to Macau was booked, for me.

I was so....loss at speech of words.

I've never taken a plane for the past 24 years in my life. (Initially, the first flight should be few weeks ago, a reservist trip to Taiwan for 3 weeks. MINDEF cancelled my trip at a very last minute, leaving me in a current state.) And so my wish has more or less, fufilled.

(My wish: my first flight will send me to HK.)

ok. Hong Kong, here I come!

Memories

2009-04-19T06:21:00.000-07:00

Ever after since I had become officially unemployed (sounds better than jobless, isn't it?), I am doing what I've feel like doing. More rather, doing something which I could have never done before for the past few months. 2 years of NS + 9 months in TP = 33 months of keeping myself occupied with something.

Somehow, knowing that I am jobless, I just felt that I've got nothing to fall back on. I mean, when one is jobless, he/she will tend to laze around, or to send endless job application so that they could have something to occupy their mind. Right?

First 3 months of NS - Practically no life at all. Yes, spending my time going thru thick and thin with my platoon mates. The next 21 months is swimming with the sharks in the deep blue sea. At least, I had duties to be completed, and this prevents my mind from wondering around. Even though it seems to be dreadful about training (not so much on training though. More on duties) the next day after Sunday, I told myself: look forward to the next day. Tomorrow will be better.

Guardroom is given with a copy of Straits Times daily, without fail. Even though we are soldiers, we still need to be updated with what is happening around us, right? PY loves IT section, everyone learns a bit of everything from Mind Your Health, and I look forward to the sweet treats on Urban, which in the past falls on Thurs (the sub copy of IT, MYH and Urban has been shifted to a day backward for now.) Also remembered how everyone wants to snatch the copy of Life! away, so as to stop me from reading movie reviews (cos they believed that I am a movie dictionary.)

Having Urban to go along with my favourite lor mee and kopi ice is the best time to be in the guardroom. I know, weekend is coming soon. So it's the usual makan session with friends, movies and shopping. Yes, Fri nite movie at Princess with it's $7 weekend ticket for a Chinese show, Lido on a Sat evening or The Picturehouse on a Sat afternoon. What a way to enjoy my weekend.

All this goes on for 21 months, until I've reach the next stage of life: WORK.

9 months in TP Corporate Communications and I could apply the skills I've learnt in TP Business school to work. Reaching out to the secondary school kids, promoting TP, work on events and occassional rubbing shoulders with celebrity. It's a added bonus when I pick up Corporate Communications. Hahahahaha.

Talking about rubbing shoulders with celebrity, I am referring to working with them to ensure that the programme runs smoothly. Leisure wise, I do met a few movie directors to know more about the style they are presenting in their movie. Not forgetting that these are some really good directors who presents us with high quality productions, not some crappy D-graded directors who creates trash out of money.

Some of the movie directors I met from NS till today:

-Royston Tan (3 times!)
-Kelvin Tong
-Tsai Ming Liang
-John Woo
-Wayne Wang
-Yasmin Ahmad (the talent who directed short films for MCYS and Petronas)
-Oliver Stone (the latest addition!)

Lessons learnt from them:
-Royston Tan: Nothing is unachievable. Bravo for our former TP DES student!
- Kelvin Tong: NIL
-Tsai Ming Liang: his movie will never make it to the Malaysian market, despite being a Malaysian and won several European film awards.
-John Woo: study hard when you have the opportunity. Education is important.
-Wayne Wang: the first step towards success is thru selling boxes of bra and panties, and that will give you valuable lessons in life.
-Yasmin Ahmad: always direct and simple, with values in it. Every race can live harmously together, and race and religion is not a barrier to know people around you better. Be forgivable to other people's mistake and you are being kind to yourself.
-Oliver Stone: making movies to keep a slice of history. What's happening around us will be going in 60 to 70 years time. Make a movie out of what is happening around us, especially something relevant to you, will do good for the future generations, so that they will not forget what they had today does not come free.

YES. A slice of memories for everyone of us.

April

2009-04-10T09:45:00.000-07:00

Too lazy to think of any title, and do not want to crack my brain to think of a title. So put it simple. I named it April.

Yes, how time flies. April...a month of roller coaster ride.

I lost my job on April's Fool. Nah, it's not a joke. My contract ends on 31st Mar 09. So currently working as a househusband. Yes...I lost my job. No....I'm jobless. Yes...No need to wake up at 7am and drag myself to face a group of a******* and b****** who think they are f*cking pretty or smart. But at the same time, I need another source of income to support my basic necessities in SIM when term starts in July.

I woke up the very next day and found myself moving up a box under the age section in an application form. 24...such a good number. Yeah...at 24, you had lived the 3rd year of the particular zodiac animal you are born in. 24 means you are either getting a degree/NSF/work (select one that suits you most). 24 means you can have as many plastic magic cards as you want, which grants you to shop till you drop, and don't have to fear about getting rob for carring a big stack of notes when going out. 24 means one should start the 3rd stage of a love life aka getting married. (Francois Ozon mentioned the 1st stage of love life is knowing each other, 2nd being falling in love, getting married at 3rd, having a child on the 4th place and splitting up for good when the love is lost on the last stage aka DIVORCE.)

So being a 24er, Yaoda and I head down to Filmgarde @ Iluma Bugis for Shinjuku Incident. Derek Yee is a fantastic director who discuss a social issue with a punch in his movie. Jackie Chan did not fight back (and you can tell that he goes for surgery on his face to look younger.), which marks another highlight in the movie. Daniel Wu is no longer a pretty boy in the movie. He turns into an uncle and a demon...

Took a coach to my hometown few hours later for QingMing. Went to Ipoh for shopping, makan, sight seeing, and comeback to Singapore.

Househusband again for the next few days till the moment I am writing this article.

New Notebook!

2009-03-25T06:17:00.000-07:00

Finally, after months of waiting, I got myself a new lappy!

Nah...no spelling error. It's a laptop, i mean.

Gotten myself a 16' Compaq Presario CQ60 - 200 as an advanced 24th birthday present for myself. Yeah, something that I can hold on to at work, study (FYI, i've applied for a full time study with SIM in Jul), movies and porn. (hehehehe...sounds v.naughty.)

My lifeline...a good companion when going to work, play in KL or HK and school projects. Though it is a bit bulky (2.75kg), but it is great to use it to watch a widescreen feature film (imagine watching The Matrix in this notebook, which can fit the screen perfectly well. Oh well, Matrix is old, but it's gold 10 years ago. Remember that The Matrix is 10 years old this year?)

Just yesterday at work, Jessica, a colleague of mine, showed me a roll of 16mm prints for the film, Pochantas. Remembered that her brother works for a firm that includes subtitles into the prints. As some errors were made in the subtitles, the prints with errors ends on the rubbish bin of the studio. So, they kept a roll of the 16mm prints. How interesting!

For the sake of those who do not know what is 16mm prints, it is a print that is used for theatrical motion picture film making.

Hope that the link gives you a better idea on 16mm prints!

First Movie Marathon For Free in My Life!

2009-02-21T19:47:00.000-08:00

Sounds like a wet dream to all movie lovers, but the dream came true.

When the ad on Mediacorp Ch 5's Oscars Movie Marathon goes on air in Ch 5, it caught my attention and on the spot, I took part in the SMS contest. In the end, I received an email which gains entry for 2 to the exclusive event at The Cathay.

And so here are the 5 movies that were screened during the marathon:

Frost/Nixon

Singapore premier. The NC16 drama directed by Ron Howard is a big screen adaptation on the 1974 TV interview between former US President Richard Nixon and British journalist/newscaster David Frost. During the 36 hours interview, 400 million US citizens learnt about the truth of the scandal behind the Watergate Incident, which leads to Nixon's resignation in 1973.

Being the first movie to be played in the marathon, I gave the movie a miss. Reason is simple: 2WO Loh, my former HQ CSM, flew over to Brunei for a 1 year overseas posting. I told myself: i have to give the first movie a miss than to see a superior who I could work with during my NS days a year later. Unfortunately, the highly anticipated interview session becomes the first victim to sacrifice for my last visit to WO Loh. (Why the hell David Fincher's Benjamin Button did not become the first movie to screen instead? )

So, after watching the first 10mins of Frost/Nixon (which unfortunately will only be released in S'poe theatres on 30th Apr instead of 12th Mar), i run out of the hall, get a cab and dashed over to Changi Airport T2.

Managed to meet WC, Shawn, Jasmond, WO Neo and not forgetting the most important character WO Loh and my juniors. Had coffee and sundae pie at BK before he leaves for his 10.55am flight. WO Loh steps into the departure hall at 10.15am (at the point of time Richard Nixon peels the shocking truth like an onion) and took a ride from my junior to SMU with WC, where he head to PS, and me back to The Cathay. Managed to caught the last 5 mins of the movie, which directly goes into 5 mins break, followed by the 2nd film.

Verdict: NA

Slumdog Millionaire

Danny Boyle's much hyped and celebrated movie is the 2nd best movie I watched in the marathon. The 2 hour's tale of a young man arrested for suspicion of fraud in India's Who Wants to be a Millionaire tell us the story of the boy's past 13 year's life, which leads to the answer of every single question. Boyle shocks and surprised the audience with very bare and naked truth, sans the typical dance and sing segment makes it a must watch movie of the year.

Rather disappointed with the distributor GV for not including English subtitles in the whole movie, where Hindi dialogue takes up 1/3 of the film. (Note: there will be no subtitles for some Hindi dialogues.) Is it very difficult for GV to throw in English and Mandarin subtitles throughout the whole movie, when it is possible for Sony Entertainment and Shaw Organization to do the same for Memoirs of a Geisha, The Da Vinci Code and Eastern Promises? (Note: The Da Vinci Code consists of a mixture of English and French, and Eastern Promises comes with a mixture of English and Russian.)

Lunch comes in after Slumdog Millionarie. After lunch, I had a good nap in the 3rd movie.

Verdict: 4/5 Stars

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The 3rd movie in the history of Oscars which holds the record of 13 nominations, after Gone With the Wind (1938) and Titanic (1997). Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett again together after Babel (2006), which receives 10 Oscars nomination. When Brad and Cate pairs up together, nothing can go wrong. A sure winner, or at least, nominees of some movie awards. David Fincher is doing what Ang Lee did for Lust Caution, where he churns out a short story into a super over detailed and long winded movie.

Had a nap during the movie as this is the 2nd time I am watching it. Not very fantastic though.

Verdict: 3.5/5 stars

Another 5 minutes break, which I got myself a sandwich and a drink, before going for the next movie.

The Wrestler

Darren Aronofsky's fourth movie. The tale of Mickey Rourke's comeback as a old wrestler getting back his fame and glory is a original and raw tale, where Rourke is a mirror reflection of Randy 'The Ram' Robinson. Marisa Tomei has a hot figure, where she bares it all, and gains her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Not forgetting that Rourke gained a nomination for Best Actor.

Raw, bloody, very true. The rise of the fallen star has never looked so realistic.

The screening of The Wrestler is a replacement of Stephen Daldry's The Reader, which was nominated for Best Picture. The reason for replacement is due to GV's agreement with The Weinstein Company, the worldwide distributor of The Reader, where it will only be screened in GV Cineplex. As there are confilct of interest in the screening, where it is held at The Cathay, Cathay kindly provided us with The Wrestler, which I catch it last Friday.

My verdict: I would prefer Mediacorp Ch 5 to have the screening of The Reader rather than The Wrestler. Reason: We are catching the screenings of 5 movies which are nominated for Best Picture. As far as it is concern, we should be watching movies that are nominated for Best Picture, irregardless of the distributor or any of conflict of interest.

Verdict: 3.5/5

Dinner at Starbucks, which follows by the last movie.

Milk

The best movie I watched in the marathon. Gay director Gus Van Sant tells the story of Harvey Milk, the gay senator of San Francisco, who is fighting for the rights of the homosexuals and the minorities, where they should be treated equally. His success in establishing the acts to protect and recognize homosexuals leads to his death, where he was murdered by his colleague, senator Dan White.

It is amazing to see the old gangster Sean Penn reprising Harvey Milk, with Josh Brolin as Dan White. Easy to follow, not confusing, a inspirational tale of the human spirit is the movie that truly deserves to bring home some awards. It will be a shame for the penalists to let them bring home any awards. And thanks to this screening, I get a chance to see drink the really delicious Milk which I should have drunk long ago. I opt for the tea session in Red Cliff 2 instead.

Verdict: 4.5/5

To sweeten my day, I get to bring home the poster of Milk!

Reunion

2009-02-01T05:34:00.000-08:00

In this lovely season of Chinese New Year, it is a good time for a reunion. For those who did not meet a long time, CNY is the time where one will catch up with one another to know how each other are doing.

And nothing beats than having a good meal, a good drink and a good movie to kick start off the year of Ox.

Reunion One: Sat, 31st Jan.

2.5 years is all it takes for BMTC 06 P Coy Platoon 3 Sect 2 to have a reunion again. And it a happy family again!

Me, together with my buddy Bryan, and a load of the goodfellas - Felix, Linus, Kenny, Lewis, Nick + Special apperance of 3SG (NS) Chu Bin, we had a steamboat buffet at Tanglin Shopping Centre.

After going into our own directions from BMT, each of us lead a separate life, and occassionally making contacts with each other. Thanks to Bryan and Felix, it is pretty impossible for us to meet up again, to see how each other is doing after going separate ways for years.

So from 7pm to late, it was a non-stop eat, drink, joke, eat, drink, wonder session. And I must say, everyone is more matured now.

Which I believed, as time goes by, we will bond together.

The reunion is something that I could not describe in words. Only experiencing it by yourself, you can feel the joy in it.

Reunion Two: 1st Feb, Sun.

The reunion is not more me, more rather, Michael Berg and Hanna Schmitz. They are the pair of lover, who had a reunion 30 years after they had a summer first love.

I am referring to The Reader, the novel adaptation into a movie which receives 5 Oscars nomination. Kate Winslet, David Cross and Ralph Fiennes delivers a excellent performance under the guidance of Stephen Daldry (The Hours), together with the late Sydney Pollack and Anthony Minghella as the producer.

As the title suggests, The Reader. Young Michael Berg was saved by Hanna during a heavy rain, and a thank you greetings ends up in a physical intimacy, followed by the exploration of D.H Lawrence, Homer, Anton Chekhov and Ernest Hemingway on the bed. When Hanna's 8 years absence from Michael's life ends up with the biggest shock he could ever faced, what will Michael do? And how will Hanna faces the truth?

For you to know and to find out. Pay a visit at selected GV Cineplex before the run comes to an end. Hey, Oscar period is here, and run don't last long.

Moo...And There is a Cow at Home

2009-01-28T05:32:00.000-08:00

After running for 11 years, Brother Cow is finally making a trip back to the earth!

So on 25th Jan 09, the Chinese around the world were receiving the arrival of The Cow Family - Yes, Papa Cow, Mama Cow, Brother Cow and Sister Cow. Isn'it it pleasing to see a family of 4 coming down to the earth to spend a year with us?

Well, it doesn't seems to be the case for most people around the world. Apparently, from the beginning of 1985, each time the cow family visits the earth, economy will go downturn. This year, people fear their ricebowl gets broken after CNY. Retrenchment, I mean.

Nevertheless, I told myself, this is the year that I should spend loads of $$$ on clothes. Yep, you get it right.

So when Mr Jasmond Mraz told me: watch what you spend, don't overspend. I replied: hahahahahahahahaha.

And this is my shopping list which I got for myself:

FCUK Polo Tee: $38.30
2 Calvin Klein leather belts on sale: $79
Levi's 512 Jeans: $79.90 (after trading in old jeans for 50bucks)
Springfield Shirt: $36.70
Celio Tee: $19.50

And this is what I still lack:

A Nike bag: ard $120
A pair of Converse Chuck Taylor: $65.90 (price has increased from $59.90. Damn it!)
A new watch (dunno how much la)
Calvin Klein Cologne: $109

Anyone out there to sponsor me?

And so as usal, it's non stop eating, drinking, TV, sleep. And the cycle goes on and on and on.

And back to work again to settle Jasmond Mraz's application letter to TP.

Indeed, it's much more better to work at this time. Somehow, I just feel that CNY has come too fast, and furious (and not so furious.) :X

Two Buddies: SEX and AIDS

2009-01-21T01:51:00.000-08:00

So I was surfing some website today, where I happened to come across an ad posted by Trevvy.com. Here, they are talking about HAY aka HIV, AIDS and You.

Many knows that HIV and AIDS goes hand in hand when one had unprotected sex with a stranger. Be it a street hooker, someone whom you find it attractive or just seeking someone for a quick fun, the risk is always there.

The price for one night's fun and excitement? The high risk of getting a disease which not only destroys your life in every aspect (health, money, your love ones), but also your pride and your social status. Oh yes, throw in a free gift: Being despise and the topic of a gossip by people who you know, and you do not know.

But till today, why is it that guys (whether you are gay or straight or bi) is always the one who will do what they want, without thinking on the consequences of what they will be getting?

Over HAY, the website is educating gay guys and bisexual men on the risk of having casual sex and not getting yourself protected. You have hot looking guys of selected age group (20s, 30s, 40s) where they will share their experience on causal sex and their knowledge of AIDS, why no protection, and why getting AIDS in the end. (Isn't that obvious?)

It is sad that at the end of the day, many still go around humping like bunnies, without any protection. =(

Isn't it time for us to have a wake-up call on protecting oneself against AIDS and HIV?

Leap Forward to 2009

2008-12-31T08:17:00.000-08:00

Just minutes ago, we had said goodbye to the not so memorable 2008. Here I am writing to everyone, from these very beginning of 2009.

Many people said that 2008 is not a year which they would remember. True enough, even though the Chinese seems to love 2008, especially it marks the beginning of the zodiac cycle (with that little rat starting the year.) Bad memories filled the year with sadness, especially with many things that we do not wish to look back.

Look what has happened to the world in 2008: the moral behind the death of Heath Ledger: Never consume sleeping pills in excess, for you will never know that will kill you the next second. Melamine found in milk powders in China tells you that you should look out for what's inside your food. The moral of both stories: chemical kills.

The world is looking forward to Beijing Olympic Games in August 2008, since the Chinese loves eight, and having a double eight (read: August 08, which makes into 0808) makes everything goes smoothly. Never did they realised that 2 incidents puts China to a test: the outbreak of constant riots in Tibet during Mar and the Sichuan earthquake in May. Did China survived thru the tests during the Olympic Games? You judge that by yourself.

The collapse of Lehman Brothers leads to a economical crisis in Singapore and around the world in September. Recession hits us bit by bit, and now they are devouring our wallets, where they expect us to cough out our hard-earned salary to tide thru the recession.

I became a Singaporean in 2008, leaving my native country Malaysia. I met Alen in person finally, and I gave back something back to my alma-mater: Temasek Polytechnic.

Looking forward to 2009, everyone is hoping that with the Year of Ox, things will get much more better. Well, Ox gotta run fast, right?

Anyway, the reason why I could sit down here and write to all is obvious: I did not go for any countdown. Neither do many of my friends go for countdown as well.

Alen is staying at home.
Jasmond is back to Bedok Camp for guard duty tomorrow (or should I say today?)
Yaoda is not looking forward to any countdown parties.
I did not ask Lawrence and Jess out for countdown, cos I leave them to enjoy themselves.

In fact, when I walked down the streets of Orchard Road at 11pm, there wasn't seems to have much crowd, compared to 2006. Mabey it is because everyone had lost their mood to party?

No matter what lies ahead, all I can say is: May 2009 be a very happy, healthy, joyous and blessful year for all of us.

Happy 2009. =)

Lessons from the Season

2008-12-24T06:41:00.000-08:00

Seems that Singaporeans are still merrily shopping for the season despite facing the upcoming The Great Depression No 2.

And this is another year of lonely X'mas. Never mind. It seems that I am getting used to the lonely Xmas, New Year, CNY...

Every year around this period, we would tend to reflect on our deeds for the past 12 months. Lessons learnt from what has happened around you for the past 12 months. What can be done to make your next 12 months a better months for you...

Reflections 1:

Facing Life and Death When Disaster Strikes One.

Here, I am talking about Mediacorp actor Chew Chor Meng and the recently deceased Korean actress Choi Jin-Shi.

When the news of Chew suffered from a rare disease which can cause him to be bounded by wheelchair for life last week, Singaporeans are shocked. Our Singapore's most favorite Ah Bee was diagnosed with a rare illness, which affects his nerve system and causes his muscles shrinking. As there is no cure at the moment, he might be bounded by wheelchair forever.

Nevertheless, I could see from Chew that he faces the news that hits him, and decide to make the best of his everyday life. Compared to the late Jean-Dominique Bauby (the former editor of ELLE France, also the author of 'Le Scaphandre et le Papillon - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly'), Chor Meng is more fortunate. He was notified from the doctor when he was diagnosed with the rare illness, compared to Bauby, where a stroke strikes him leaves him with 'locked-in' syndrome. With his left eye the only body part of his body that is movable, Bauby completed his auto-biography in 1997 after blinking his eyes for 2 years.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly took him 2 years to tell a story of lifetime. However, 2 days after the book goes on sale in the market, Bauby passed away due to pnuemonia.

Chor Meng has a long way to go, but he make life to the fullest. This is something that I can see on his face.

On the other hand, Korean actress Choi Jin-Shi choose to end her life when life has become a tough challanged to her. She hanged herself in her home during September this year, leaving her only daughter to face the world after the custody of the child goes to Choi from her divorce.

Being a divorcee and a celebrity in South Korea, life has been unfair to Choi. She filed a divorce due to an exter-marital affair from her husband. While women around the world applauded her courage to free herself from a affair, she receive criticisms by the South Koreans. When one of her best friend cum former actor (which I couldn't remember the name) gassed himself to death in his own car due to running of high debts, fingers were pointed to Choi, as they believed that Choi pressurized her bestfriend to clear his debt.

Under the pressures from the criticisms and endless fingerpointing, Choi choose to end her life, just like Ruan Lingyu, the former famous actress from China in the 1930's, where gossips and criticisms puts a full stop at her life.

Apparently, it seems that the cause of the death of Korean celebrities are due to endless criticisms for issues that seems big to the Koreans, but a norm in other Asian countries. U-Nee, Jang Da Bin, Choi Jin-Shi are just some of the names which has been listed as 'vulnerable women who collapses due to emotional attacks'. (The truth is, U-Nee and Jang Da Bin commited suicide over plastic surgery failure, which they feels that they are 'too ugly to see the people.' )

A lesson learnt from a movie from China, Tuya's Marriage: man can be killed, but cannot kill itself. Both Chor Meng and Jin-Shi had a long way to go. Both are in their 40's. One is married with kids, another divorced with a child. One knows that he will be paralysed for life, another knows that people will criticise her for the divorce.

And you had 2 different endings: one choose to face the challange, another choose to end her life.

It's only a line between life and death. What matters most is, it's all about how to see things right.

Reflection 2:

Chaos.

Let's rewind the clock back to months ago.

George W Bush was attacked by a reporter in Iraq when the reporter throws a pair of shoes at him during a speech.

Mumbai terror attacks causes deaths of several Americans, Englishmens and a Singaporean.

Demonstrations at the airports in Thailand, causes several disruptions, and a dead body found at the rubbish dump. (Human beings becomes disposable waste.)

Anymore?

Had lunch with WC and Jasmond yesterday, and was told that there are chaos in my previous units. Several storemens goes to prison for assault. Kim broke his finger...

Is it true that the moment I left my unit, things are getting from bad to worst? As what Alen says, I am the guardian of Bedok Camp?

So much for this X'mas.

Hope that things get better when I wake up tomorrow.

All That X'mas Retail Therapy

2008-12-13T08:16:00.000-08:00

When I was flipping thru Dec's issue of Men's Health, a female writer wrote an article on why women love shopping, just like a man who couldn't stop enjoying football, hot babes and fast cars.

Sure, women loves shopping. The girls that I know loves shopping. Ranging from bags (from my TP Yr 1 classmate, Cindy), shoes (Jess, my sec sch mentor aka a good friend) to skincare product (exchange session with Bee Ling, my colleague in Corp Comm), you can't say that women are wasting money to do shopping.

Borrowing a term from Jin Zhengkun, lecturer from Beijing People's University, where he shares tips on social etiquette in CCTV's Lecture Room series. He says: women tend to have more variety and more choices when it comes to fashion, and thus women will tend to buy more clothings, shoes, accessories etc to match their outfits, whether in work or in leisure. When goes along with the right steps for skincare and makeup for apperances, it not only makes one looks pleasant, but also shows courtesy and respect to the others.

So it is not wrong to say women are wasting money by splurging on so many things. Well, I suppose it is OK for us to buy apparels and accessories when necessary, apart from our daily needs. (Hey, one of the basic human needs is clothes. One cannot simply wear the same clothing everyday, right? Even I get tired of wearing the same old outfit when meeting friends.)

And so today is payday. I am extra richer today. And I decided to do some shopping. Some serious X'mas shopping. Trust me, doing some retail therapy don't hurt.

And so this is what I bought:

1. Dec's issue of Men's Health and First magazine X 2 copies. First will be given out to my friends in Malaysia as a surprise gift. For those who did not know what has happened, you can see the photo of me having a conversation with Wayne Wang printed on the magazine.

2. Calvin Klein's Steel Briefs. Now going on 20% off for DBS/POSB Debit/Credit card holders. Free X'mas wrapping from Isetan when making a purchase of $30 and above. Lesson learnt: make use of the discounts and perks from a department store that is offering. If the debit/credit card you are holding on to gives you certain perks when making a minimum purchase, enjoy the perks when you can do so.

3. A brand new pair of Nike Running shoes from Nike Flagship store in Wisma Atria Shopping Centre. For those who did not know, they are the 1st Nike Flagship store in Singapore and S.E Asia. And they are occupying the former location of Topshop/Topman.

Oh yes, it's not so cheap after all. SGD$169, NO DISCOUNT. And should I say the price is worth paying, when I had a feeling that I am actually following the words of a young salesman which gives me a feeling that he is forcing me down the throat for the shoes?

He told me that the current shoes I am wearing are oversized, so I need to get a Size 10.5, as it fits in well. Anything more than 10.5 can cause long term damage/injury to my legs due to the extra space I had in my shoes, and the pressure point had to be exterted to my feet when running, instead of the sole at the tip.

So after trying the shoes for an hour, I decided to get that Size 10.5 Nike Air Max Moto +6. All for SGD$169. As I bought it at 9.08pm, I am entitled to a free $10 vouchers from Wisma Atria SC as part of their late nite shopping promotion.

Lessons learnt? If you know you are going to fork out that extra large sum of $$$ for something you like, especially clothings, go for: 1. Brand new ones even though those at the shelves fits you. You never know the condition of the previous person who uses it. 2. Make money works for you, if you know that you can't get discounts, and yet the mall is providing perks for your minimum purchase. That should explain for the $10 vouchers.

Learnt to shop smart, and save smart. And that is the rule I go with when shopping. =)

Frappucino with Yasmin!

2008-11-29T08:41:00.000-08:00

Just in case you do not know what is this whole thing about, let me explain what is it about.

As a movie lover, there are some female directors who I truly appreciate their film. Ann Hui from Hong Kong (best known for the movie Summer Snow aka Woman at 40 by Josephine Siew Fong Fong), Mira Nair from India (Salaam Bombay!, Monsoon Wedding and Namesake), Julie Delpy from France (with her debut comedy, 2 Days in Paris). Last but not least, Yasmin Ahmad from Malaysia (the director who brouught you the lovely Orked trilogy: Mukhsin, Sepet and Gubra)

And after meeting John Woo and Wayne Wang this year, Yasmin Ahmad is the 3rd director that I get to meet in person this year.

And she is in Singapore with her latest movie, Muallaf (The Convent), together with the cast. Finally, it is somekind of a happy family reunion. Yes, i got to see Orked aka Sharifah Amani, together with her real life and reel life sister Sharifah Aleysha. Accompanying them is freelance journalist Brian Yap, making his first big screen apperance. What's lacking is the apperance of Yeo Yann Yann aka Big Papaya from Royston Tan's 881.

Singapore is fortunate to be the first country in the world to have Muallaf goes on a commercial release, as the movie might face a ban in Malaysia. Nevertheless, Yasmin remains cheerful, jovial, witty and multi-lingual when interacting with her fans and the audience for Muallaf.

When I first approached The Pctirehouse Lounge, I saw a 40-something lady, in a plain baju kurong, enjoying green tea frappucino while chatting two young ladies. My reaction: Yasmin Ahmad there she is!

So I walked towards her and she saw me.

Yasmin: Hi!
Me: Hello. Apa khabar? (how are you in Malay)
Yasmin: Khabar baik. (I am fine.)

Which follows:

Yasmin: (in Cantonese) Do you speak Cantonese?
Me: (in English) Sorry?
Yasmin: (in Mandarin) Do you speak Cantonese?
Me: (in Mandarin) a little, trying to brush up my Cantonese. (in Cantonese) Are you from Ipoh?
Yasmin: (in Cantonese) Yes. Are you a Malaysian?
Me: (in English and Cantonese) Used to be. Now a Singaporean.
Yasmin: (in Cantonese) which part of Malaysia?
Me: Sitiawan. (Sitiawan is a town in Perak, which is about 2 hours drive to Ipoh)
Yasmin: (in English) So let me introduce to you the lady on my right. She's Sharifah (Amani)
Sharifah nods her head and smiles at me. I say hi to her.

The audience from the previous show were released for a post-movie dialogue session.

And it was 40min worth of interaction with Yasmin, Sharifah Amani, Sharifah Aleysia and Brian. From the dialogue session, I get to know some facts about Yasmin and the cast:

-Yasmin has a day job in advertising line. With her education in Psychology, she used it to make a movie that wins the heart of the Malaysians and Singaporeans, but not the censorship members from Malaysia.
-Her movie talks about tender, loving and care. But most importantly, she also wants to carry a message about peace, love and acceptance of the others thru religion, irregardless of religion.
-During the interview, she saw a Japanese couple attending the session. So she opens the questions to them in Japanese.
-Just like Tsai Ming Liang (Malaysian born Taiwanese director) and some other aspiring film makers in Malaysia, Yasmin's movie got disapproval by the censors due to the presentation of the film. This ends up why Yasmin's film gets a later release in Malaysia than Singapore, despite being a Malaysian should grant her the priority to be released in Malaysia.
-Sharifah Amani looks young and beautiful! Initially my thought of her was she was a 20 something young girl in Sepet, coming to late 20's in Gubra. But in real life, she looks young!
-Sharifah Aleysia is still a secondary student, which Muallaf is her debut apperance.
-Brian Yap has no background in film acting. He studies journalism and work as a freelance journalist. However, by looking at the trailer, he has proven to act in a more matured way, compared to some Hollywood actress with horrible acting and splashing loads of moolahs on promoting their D-graded films.

The end of the sessions follows with photo-taking session and autograph session.

While having a conversation with Sharifah Amani, I get to know that she was from Kuala Lumpur. In between the conversation, a young Malay couple from Malaysia came to her and told her that they came all the way from J.B to catch the movie. The reason? They want some movies that makes them think after the show, not some silly date movies.

The young man exclaims that it was fortunate to watch Muallaf in Singapore. He lament that in Malaysia, Malay films with high standards (such as films by Yasmin) are rare, and usually they are exposed to too many commercially made Malay films. He also added that it was disappointing to see films such as Sepet gets 8 cuts.

I responded to the young man: my observation of both different types of film is that the censors are in favour of commercially made movies. Also, loads of promotion are done to such films, yet it is impossible for a independent production to do so due to budget constrain.

Last but not least, the censors has the perception that independent productions are discussing serious issues which not many people wants to know or could understand. So, they prefer a commerically made Malay movies, which they are more lenient to censorships on the film.

And the next response given by Sharifah Amani was: 'You are so sweet.' (Thank goodness I did not fainted on the spot. Can someone please enlighten me with the meaning?)

My view is, Sharifah Amani falls to the side that supports independent productions, as she herself is involved most of the films by Yasmin Ahmad.

Before I end my topic, just like to bring you to a link to know more about Yasmin Ahmad.

http://yasminthestoryteller.blogspot.com/

Let the story teller tells you another story. =)

Princess Sita Sings La Vie En Rose

2008-10-29T07:15:00.000-07:00

1st of all, I am writing this article as a Singaporean, from now onwards.

2ndly, I am mourning over the death of Princess theatre in Bedok Central. The only cinema that still exists in Bedok Central has gone for good. (Anyway, the heydays for Princess are long over. Presume that Overseas Films make a wrong judgement when Princess was converted into a 3-screen cineplex in 1994. They didn't know that modern cineplex with better seats and a cupholder with a popcorn stand works much more better than having a McD downstairs.) The cinema was once the only hangout that I could visit with my dad, apart from the former Liwagu (now converted as Geylang United Football Club) and the now demolished Bedok and Changi cineplex.

All I could pray was a cineplex will be included at the proposed 4 storey tall commercial building at the current Bedok and Changi cinema location.

While I thought that I could no longer enter the hall of Princess and immersed in that special feel of the cinema, a theatre in town brings back the good old memories I had.

Oh which theatre? You would ask.

My answer: Alliance Francaise De Singapour theatre, located at Sarkies Road.

One thing that makes AFS theatre so special is that 1) the seating arrangements are exactly the same as Princess Hall 1 and 2. 2) The seats used in AFS theatre are exactly the same as Princess!

Just imagine AFS theatre is a medium replica of Princess that screens only French R(A) films and normal French artsy films. (Yes, they are still using R(A) for some of the French films playing in AFS theatre. Well, the film will be run at AFS theatre over and over again.)

The reason I was there is because I am watching the only screening of Sita Sings the Blues, a animation directed by Nina Paley, at Singapore Animatiuon Festival 2008.

Out of all animations featured in the fest this year, only Sita Sings the Blues and Aardman Studio shortfilm workshop draws my interest. The rest? Mainly filled with dull and boring Jap anime and manga, all about human VS machine in the future years.

What makes Sita Sings the Blues so special? Think the Indian legendary folktale The Ramayana and his wife Sita applied into today's modern world in New York.

A brief intro of The Ramayana (just in case you do not know what is it about): Ramayana was the son of a King who was put onto exile into the forest for 14 years. His virtuous wife Sita follows him. Sita was kidnapped by the king of Sri Lanka, who was believed to have 9 heads. Ramayana came to Sita's resuce, but believed that Sita is no longer a virtuous wife after been captured by king of Sri Lanka. Ramayana brings Sita back to the palace, but puts her under 3 test. If she make it thru the tests, Ramayana will bring her back again.

Applied to today's modern world: Nina Paley, the director of Sita Sings the Blues, had a boyfriend named Dave. Dave was offered a post in an animation studio in India. Nina sees Dave off, but ends up Dave wanted to file a divorce with Nina thru email. So Nina picks up The Ramayana and relates Sita into her life.

The presentation is cute and hilarious, and appears in different formats. You had pastel colour, crayon colouring, paper cutting presentation and colour pencil sketches. Seeing Sita Sings the Blues is just like a colourful visual feast for your eyes. Even though it's presented in plain old 2D format, it works much more better than some of the upcoming pretendous 3D animation, that makes a novel remake looks real ridiculous. Somehow, real-life movie adaptation works better than making it into a animation.

Sad to say, Sita do not get a commercial release here due to 1) it appeals to only a niche target audience and 2) this reason puzzles me most: Sita Sings the Blues was rated R21 for Mature Content in Singapore. How matured do the censors want it to be for Sita to cry a Ganges River in your neighbourhood theatres?

Indeed, Princess Sita sings La Vie En Rose for me that night. And it was hard to forget.

明日話今天

2008-10-21T06:41:00.000-07:00

Few months ago, while I was still an RP in Bedok Camp, the group of RP's and the MPs had a best companion in the guardroom that removes our boredom: radio.

It was actually an old radio which we spend our time listening to Yes 93.3 and Perfect 10 98.7.

And when I was in guardroom alone, I will tune in to my all time favourite: Lush 99.5.

Once, 93.3FM had a radio drama which was broadcast for weeks. I could still remember the DJ who produced the program chose a song from Jenny Tseng, aka 甄妮 as the theme song.

Apparently, the song makes eveybody going gaga when it was played at least 3 times per day, double the amount if we were doing guard duty.

Today, I am fighting with tonnes of work in my office, while WC is completing his service soon. Jasmond ORD in Feb, followed by Shawn in Jun and Choo Qi in Nov, all in 2009.

Who will be there tomorrow?

無論有幾多變遷　何必諸多掛牽

過了今天　再有一天　仲有幾個十年

願望係做過預算　夢幻係自我去編

無謂去搵個道理　把你欺騙

命裡係註定從前　夢境係一片胡言

唯有我永遠面對目前　明日話今天

昨天亦提到　想到舊年　更多挑戰

迎面有幾多變遷　誰知道邊一個先

這裡高山　那裡滄海　在那天變良田

實在係話變就變　預伏在樂趣前面

前面有千變萬化　不會睇見

Let's talk about today tomorrow.

P.S: I am writing this blog as a Malaysian for the last time. I am becoming a Singaporean on this Friday.

Guys, wish me luck.

If You Want to Kill, Kill. If You Want to Forgive, Forgive.

2008-10-14T07:06:00.000-07:00

That was the tagline of Izgnanie (The Banishment), the Russian movie directed by Andrei Zvyaginstev. He was the man who directed my all time favourite Vozvrashcheniye (The Return), about 2 brothers going on a road trip with their father who had absented from their lifes for 12 years.

The story tells a family who moved from the city to the countryside, where the husband believes that he will have a better job prospect in the countryside. Alex, the patriach, thought that he had moved to a place where he finds it his garden of Eden. The beautiful dream shatters into pieces when his wife, Vera, told him a piece of news:

'I am pregnant. But, the child's father is not you.'

Alex was given 2 choices: to forgive Vera and live with humilation, or to get his mobster brother, Mark, to teach Vera a lesson.

The idea of The Banishment is all about the banishment of man from the garden of Eden, and how he faced the life after being banished.

Somehow, I had the kind of feeling of being banished right now. I experienced it twice: once in KL, and once in Singapore. And what is all about? Being stood up for an appointment arranged with friends who I could really trusted, twice.

It's sad to been stood up in a place you are familiar with, but even worst when you are stood up in a place where strangers surrounds you.

I read a story not long ago, and it was a fable from Arabia.

Two bestfriends, who are businessmens, went to a faraway place to hitch a deal. They had to walk pass deserts, mountains, forests and long winding road, before they could reach the destination.

There were no transport back them, so they had to walk for miles. After days of walking, one of the guy was really tired and frustrated. At the desert, he vent his anger on his friend, and beats him up. His friend was upset for what he did, so he written the following on the sand:

'My bestfriend beats me up today.'

At night, the sandstorm came. The fella who beats his friend during the day wakes him up, and told him to run for their life. They hide behind a small mountain, and his friend carved the following words on the mountain:

'My bestfriend saves me today.'

The businessman who beats his friend up was puzzled. He asked: Why did you write your feelings when I beat you up on the sand, and carved the words when I saved you?

His friend replied: One feels angry when his friend do something bad to him. But, by writing on the sand, you just the sand gets blown, and forget everything. When your friend do something to help you, you must never forget the kindness that he gave you. That explains why I carved the words on the stone.

The story sounds simple, yet it has a deep meaning behind the story.

Do we kill our friends or forgive them, when they do something to your disadvantage?

Let's Sing The Love Songs

2008-10-05T05:38:00.000-07:00

After giving a miss for several years, I finally decided to go for The 24th Singapore French Film Festival. With the screening held at The Cathay, The Picturehouse and Alliance Francaise De Singapour, it makes more sense and a better reason for one to go catch a decent French movie that is missing in our theatres.

So I decided to catch Love Songs aka Les Chanson D'amour. A French musical that finally make it to the film fest in Singapore, for 2 shows only.

With a screening held at The Cathay last night and Alliance Francaise De Singapour next Sunday (closing night), it is a rare musical that grips me throughout the whole film. And man, I really love it. (It's theme on homosexuality and bisexuality makes this a favourite among all the films screening at the festival. Not forgetting that it gains the musical an R21 rating.)

Here, you have Ismael, our leading character. He is the boyfriend of Julie, and Julie has a girlfriend named Alice. Together the trio are staying together and engaging in a menage a trois relationship. Until tragedy strikes, the musical leads us to a new twist in the story.

Boy loves girl, girl loves girl, girl introduce another boy, boy falls in love with boy...

Will they be living happily ever after? Don't miss this. Give it a try next Sun.

Trust me, it is better than some B-graded films playing in mainstream theatres.

Shopping Woody Allen Gay Songs

2008-09-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

As I stated in the previous post, many sale are coming to Singapore, and with that limited amount of moolahs, it is a challenge to SHOP as you SAVE.

So I went to Isetan Private Sale at Shaw House on Thurs, and unsurprisingly, the department store was filled with endless streams of long queues and packed with big big big big big crowds...so it becomes a challange to to get what you want, while you have to find a suitable spot to 1) try out your clothes and 2) pay for your stuff.

After roaming in the Men's Department for 20 minutes, I got myself a box of brand new Renoma briefs in the latest design, plus a funny looking tees from Springfield. It's a design of a big question mark, with several cartoon designs. All at 30% off, not forgetting that both are latest designs on the market. (How I wish Calvin Klein Steel briefs will be selling at 50% off. 30% discount doesn't seems too much help with it. But hey, do the math: $45x70% = $31.50 for a Steel briefs can't be too bad.)

While hoping that I could get myself some Armani Exchange tees or shirts, it is a mission impossible for me, since the mad crowd are roaming towards the A/X at max. 80% off discount. So how bad is the crowd? You can guess.

2 days later, I returned back to Shaw House with Shyam to catch Woody Allen's latest comedy, Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Rebecca Hall and Scarlett Johansson plays Vicky and Cristina, who are good friends flying to Barcelona for a vacation. They were approached by Juan Antonio (potrayed by the now more handsome looking Javier Bardam), an Spanish artist. He invited the 2 best friends for a menage a trois. Vicky rejects the request, but draws the attention of the sexually adventurous Cristina. And soon it becomes a complicated love affair when Antonio's ex-wife (by my favourite Penelope Cruz!) enters their life after a failed attemp of suicide.

Verdict: not so bad afterall. Allen is going back to the old ways of directing his previous productions, which surrounds theories of life (think his old film such as Annie Hall, Stardust Memories, Manhattan, Hannah and her Sisters) compared to his recent approach of his film (Match Point, Cassandra's Dream.) Duration is just right, with loads of narration which makes the film easy to follow. And why do I say duration is just right? You will never see a movie by Allen that will last more than 2 hours, except Match Point. Most of his films are under 1hour and 30mins.

Went to HMV after that, and Shyam recommended me this singer which one of her song are is banned in Singapore: Katy Perry. What's the song? I kissed a girl.

I guess you know what I am trying to say. Now I am wondering: is her You're so Gay banned on the radio as well?

I kissed a girl and I liked it

The taste of her cherry chap stick

I kissed a girl just to try it

I hope my boyfriend don't mind it

It felt so wrong

It felt so right

Don't mean I'm in love tonight

I kissed a girl and I liked it

I liked it

Is our leaders still choose to pretend not to see the fact that homosexuality is getting more and more common in Singapore? Years back, Prime Minster Goh Chok Tong says: this country do not mind gay civil servants. But are gays and lesbians getting the equal rights shared with the heterosexual today?

Money Talks...!!!

2008-09-19T07:41:00.000-07:00

Singapore French Film Festival - 3rd to 14th Oct

Isetan Private Sale - Next Thurs, 25th Sep

Levi's Clearance Sale at Sunte City- 25th-28th Sep

Nike+Adidas+Puma+Le Coq Sportif Sale on 3rd - 8th Oct

Billabong 1/2 Price Sale on 10th - 15th Oct at Isetan Scotts

Eyeing on brand new pair of Nike tracks shoes, now going at 40% off.

So many event and sale to spend on, so little money...Arrrggghhh!!!

(screams)

What Does Your Name Means?

2008-09-16T07:01:00.000-07:00

What Daveding Means

You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row.
You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace.
People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality.

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.
You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.
You have the classic "Type A" personality.

You are very hyper. You never slow down, even when it's killing you.
You're the type of person who can be a workaholic during the day... and still have the energy to party all night.
Your energy is definitely a magnet for those around you. People are addicted to your vibe.

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.
You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.
At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.
You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.
You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.
You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.
You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

You are deeply philosophical and thoughtful. You tend to analyze every aspect of your life.
You are intuitive, brilliant, and quite introverted. You value your time alone.
Often times, you are grumpy with other people. You don't appreciate them trying to interfere in your affairs.

What's" Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Aussie! Aussie!

2008-08-24T04:55:00.001-07:00

Australia!

First of all, apologies for not updated the blog for a long long time. As usual, the work drags me down, and rips me off my time to flow my creative juice here.

And now, let's talk about Australia.

Why Australia?

For the month of August, many things around me has been surrounded by Australia. People I know are flocking to Australia for furthering their studies, Sis went to Aussie for her 10 Days in Australia. Me? Buying Australian stuff and watch Australian movies.

(Just receive a good news from Sis: She help me to buy the DVD of Planet Terror at AUS $30!)

People: Elias and Linus are furthering their studies in Aussie. Sis enjoying the koala bears in Sydney.

Me? Just last Sat, I watched an Australian movie that was unfortunately, very, very, bad. What's the show? The Book of Revelation.

It is such a horrible show, that I just felt cheated. Especially when I am paying S$10 at The Cathay for a Sat nite show and yet...not only you get a crappy ending, but just do not know what the hell is about.

Here you had Tom Long, who plays a handsome dancer, who was kidnapped and sexually abused by 3 lustful women for 12 days. He decided to look for them thru one night stand and seek revenge. Get it? The end of the story. =(

Nevermind. Some retail therapy with Australian brand cures the headache after the show.

Billabong has finally opened 2 new outlets in Singapore!

After landing Singapore with 2 outlets in Sentosa and Raffles City Shoppe, Billabong now presents 2 new outlets: The Heerens and Anchorpoint.

The Heerens is the biggest outlet after Raffles City. With the official opening for yesterday, it opens with a big bang. Free wallets with any purchase. Go for a lucky spin with every purchase.

And to stretch your dollars, utilise the offer wisely.

I made 2 purchase: a belt and a mini metal bottle opener. And I got 2 wallets and 2 spins: a metallic mug and a umbrella. Still remember what the sale assistant told me: Many wanted a umbrella as it was pouring with loads of woofs and meows. (But I must say, the small little umbrella that can barely shield a lady selling at $29.90 is simply not worth it. Giordano's $6 umbrella is big and strong. Looks classy and elegant. Great!)

As for Anchorpoint, it will soon to be well know to Singaporeans as Billabong Outlet. What is so special for Billabong Outlet? Here, after the season for the design has come to an end, remaining stocks will be taken to the shop and sold at a much more lower price. Minimum 30% off. Many falls at 1/2 price. Some at 70% off.

Of course it will be a waste if I enter the shop and gets nothing. I gotten myself a tee at $23 from the usual $46, and a sports socks at $5.90.

And I went back to the outlet at Heerens again. This time, I bought myself a Elements red water bottle, and got a wallet + a mug from the spin. I was eyeing for the tees from the spin!

As you can see from the above, that's part of my stuffs I received from Billabong with purchase.

OK. Better save some $$$ now for my NYC trip in future. =)

Here comes the rain during the summer

2008-07-26T08:37:00.000-07:00

It has been weeks since i last update a blog.

Nevertheless, i really enjoyed the past few weeks of life. Having an 8.30-6 job daily, running around schools, meeting former teachers, coffee, chat with guardroom old chaps...and not forgetting having 2 heavy silver screen treat: John Woo's Red Cliff and Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight.

Today, i decided to go for something lighter. I opted for Antonio Bandera's Summer Rain (El Camino De Los Ingleses). He do not act the film. He directed it. And it will be screen at The Picturehouse for a limited showtime before Bad Habits replaces Summer Rain.

My verdict: This film is strictly for fans of Antonio Banderas or those who want a feel good movie with easy listening music score that goes along with the film only. If spending 119mins listening to Spanish dialogue and reading English subtitles is a torture to you, then don't spend 10 bucks on this film.

This is a teenage coming out of age drama set in Spain during the 70's. Miguelito, a young man who has just left the hospital with a damaged kidney removed, had a crush with a beautiful girl, Luli, at the swimming pool. Miguelito aspires to become a poet, and he falls in love with Luli.

Together with his group of best friends, he experiments love, lust, pain and summer rain.

This was the second time Banderas directing a movie, after his 1999's Crazy in Alabama, where he casts Melanie Griffin aka Mrs Banderas as the leading actress. It's a bit draggy, and there doesn't seems to have much sex (which seriously i do not think it's worth the R21 rating) compared to some of the recent R21 flicks screening in Singapore.

In terms of the development of the story, it goes slow, yet not so steady. With almost everyone looking alike, it is hard to tell who plays the particular character. But what prevents this film from becoming a total failure is a good soundtrack to support the film. In fact, I've never had that comfortable feeling after listeing to the soundtrack of the film.

Overall, the movie is not so great, but it is not so bad either. Rating: 2.5/5

And while walking around The Heerns Shop, i've found Singapore's first Private Structure outlet!

The shop assistant was kind enough to offer me a further discount when he saw the namecard that i am holding (which i just took from the cashier counter). Well, the range is wider than what is offered at department stores in Singapore and KL. But i was informed that the Japan series was kinda old, so i was recommended with Hawaiian series. Nevertheless, Japan series are still a bestseller in the stores.

While chatting with Alen a while ago, he told me that he did mention to me a PS outlet will be opened in Singapore soon. He wished to visit PS in Heerens.

I will bring him to wherever he wants to visit when Alen is in Singapore.

Now playing: This Past Week - The Radio Department

A Boy in A Big City Part 3 (Season Finale)

2008-07-12T08:45:00.000-07:00

Sunday, 15th June.

Slept till late am, then head down to McD's for breakfast (the same McD where i had breakfast with Alen.) Had a hotcakes set meal together with coffee and The Star papers. (Doesn't have the thought in mind of having hotcakes, but a breakfast in a guard duty few mths back makes me have the craving for Hotcakes with that lovely maple syrup. Remembered that Alen wants a hotcakes with sausage set, as it cost RM0.90 more, and he had the sausage, even though i don't eat sausage.)

Receive an SMS from Alen that he is getting down on late afternoon. So i went to Pavilion for a movie. The Happening by M.Night Shyamlam, very unfortunately. It was painful to go thru the sickening 90mins thriller that leads audience to nowhere in the end. So decided to have a rest at the homestay and head down to Pavilion again to buy a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor for Alen, as his birthday present.

I was told that Size 11 High Cut white shoes was left with only 1 pair. So i bought it and decided to give it to Alen as the present. Head down to Suria KLCC after that. It was a walking distance from Pavilion to KLCC, but it was confusing.

The first place that i look for when i reach KLCC...

A&W! It was amazing that i could still enjoy the rootbeer float in KL. The last time i had the rootbeer float was days before my enlistment.

While looking for Converse Shop at KLCC, i found...

Jimmy Choo Boutique! Yes i know there is a Jimmy Choo counter at Takashimaya SC, but isn't it lovely to see the first Jimmy Choo shop to be set up in KL, while Datuk Jimmy Choo has been working in US for several years?

Here are some of the front view of KLCC before going back to Pavilion for a dinner with Alen.

Alen arrives Pavilion at 7.30pm, and we dine at TGI Friday's. Simply loved the food from TGIF, but a pity it has ceased operation in Singapore since 1994.

And so we decided to have a Angel and Devil set meal at RM39.90. For RM39.90, you get an appetizer, which Alen ops for a Mac n Cheese Bites, which is cheese and macaroni bites...

I opt for a Friday's Chicken, which turns out to be a burger...

Consist of a small burger bun filled with chicken fillet, 3 slices of beef bacon, lettuces and melted Jack Daniel Cheese. Sauce? TGIF's very own sweet-hickroy sauce.

And we decided to add in a Southwestern Chicken Ceaser Salad, where lettuces, diced tomatoes mixed with slices of BBQ chicken breast, top with tortilla chips.

Last but not least, the ultimate sinful dessert: Chocolate Malt Cake!!!

It would be better if it comes with an scoop of vanilla ice cream, and goes along with a cup of vanilla latte...

After the dinner, we went to Converse again for shopping of my shoes. Bought myself a low cut Chuck Taylor white sneakers, size 12. (Goesh, what on earth has happened to Converse Pavilion? No this, no that.)

And we decided to catch The Incredible Hulk at Pavilion. As it was full house, we decided to catch the 12am show at Berjaya Times Square. So we head back to the room for a shower.

It was amazing that the hall was close to full house, despite that it is a working Monday the next day. (we catch the 12am show). Know what? Most cinemas in KL screens midnite show on Sunday as well. That was something that Singapore is lacking.

By the time we slept in the homestay, it was around 3.30am.

We woke up at 8am and had breakfast. We had fishhead beehoon at a kopitiam nearby. Wasn't really in the appetite for a meal, as i knew i am leaving KL in a few hours time. (My coach departs at 11am.) Alen told me not to finish if i couldn't finish up.

Before heading back to the homestay and pack up, Alen pointed to me this shophouse...

filled with balloons hanging up. Looks cute though...

Reached Puduraya at 10.15am and decided to go down to Petaling St to get some food before leaving KL. We went to Fung Wong Confectionary, a well known Chinese pastry house that has been in KL for decades. Bought some pastries and this is the box that they are providing for customers...

The bus left at 11.15am and i told Alen to take care of himself, and thank him for all the time during my stay.

Reached Singapore at 5.15pm, and reached home at 6.45pm due to horrible traffic at Geylang.

My overview of the trip: it was lovely, and Kuala Lumpur is a great place where i brought back many beautiful memories with me. My relatives are there, and so does some of my friends.

Hoping to make a weekend trip during the Merdeka Weekend. And shop for more clothes and mooncakes at the same time! =)

P.S: Alen, if you are reading this, i really enjoyed the time being with you during this period. Words could not express my graditude towards your help. Sorry if there are any miscommunication or any unhappiness during this trip. Take care and hope to see you again in the near future. =)

Cheers,

Dave

A Boy In The Big City Part 2

2008-06-30T06:33:00.000-07:00

This entry came in miserably late. Sorry folks.

Sat 14th Jun

Alen and i had breakfast at McDonald's Bukit Bintang. As it was located at the prime location of BB, we decided to have breakfast at second level, which gives us a good view of the cross junction of Bukit Bintage. See that? That was the picture taken from the front seat of McD's.

We had a walk around, and decided to take a rest at the homestay. By the time we had finish breakfast and rest, it was 12+pm. And Alen has to meet his family who was in Genting Highlands. So we had a quick lunch before he says ciao! to me.

What follows later was a shopping trip to Mid Valley Megamall for myself. Not much changes after missing Mid Valley for 2 years. But at least....i caught a glimpse of KOOKAI in KL! Don't think there is a KOOKAI outlet in S'pore. So immediately i had a snap snap of it.

And right behind Mid Valley was The Gardens, a new extension of Mid Valley Megamall, where The Gardens specialised in high end fashion and luxury goods. Even the cineplex located at the Gardens are different from your normal cineplex. Named GSC Signature, it houses 5 Premier Class Halls and 2 Gold Class Halls. Just in case you wonder what is Premier Class, it is somekind of poor man's GoldClass, with 2 large twin seats paired together instead of 2 couches. And that explains why it is more popular with more people, as having more Premier Class halls means allowing more choices of films and better facilities. (Note: Screens at Premier Class can be much more bigger than your normal Gold Class halls, due to the difference of seating capacity. C'mon la, each seat at Premier Class cost RM20 on weekend, compared to RM60 for Gold Class. But definitely that is much more cheaper than GV Gold Class at S$30/ tix on wkends.)And this is the inner view of The Gardens....

Not much to see though, after so much big hoo haa about The Gardens...in fact, the crowd seems to be little too...

Before leaving KL Sentral and going back to BB, i took a picture of the KL Sentral station. FYI, a train is needed to bring you to Mid Valley from KL Sentral after taking the monorail from BB. And there are shuttle buses that brings you to KLIA from KL Sentral station.

Pretty big, with signages in Eng, Bahasa Melayu and Japanese. (Odd, why no Mandarin?)

Had a shower back at the homestay and decided to visit Sungai Wang Plaza and Berjaya Times Sq. Nothing much to see and say though. Kinda disappointing to see that it is still about the same when i was there in 2005. So decided not to take pictures...

Return back to homestay ard 11pm and decided to hit the sack...

A Boy in a Big City

2008-06-21T07:42:00.000-07:00

It's been ages since i last visited KL (that should be somewhere around May 2006 before i'm enlisted) and seeing from newspapers and online articles that KL is a shopping paradise. Thus i decided to take a trip down to KL, for shopping, and to visit a very close friend of mine, Alen.

130608 Fri

The bus arrives at Puduraya at 5pm, 2 hours later than the scheduled arrival timing. The first thing i did was to get a return ticket to Singapore on Monday. While the service provided by the Gunung Raya was extremely horrible (that they dump all passengers at Kota Raya Shopping Centre.) i told myself i must get a VIP coach when returning back to S'pore. By the time i check into the homestay it was 5.30pm. Alen drop me an SMS, telling me that he will be arriving shortly.

And approximately around 6.20pm, my beloved Alen has arrived! The first thing to settled: Dinner. And so he brought me to Ichiban Boshi, located at Pavilion KL, which was a stone's throw away from our guesthouse.

And this is Alen aka the Mr Kind Tourguide, where we had sushi on conveyer belt and Tori Katsu Don for dinner. We ate till...we stuff ourself half dead with rice.

After dinner, its a short little tour of Pavilion KL, and this is the answer to KL's version of Paragon in Singapore! Right beside Pavilion is Louis Vuitton. That happens to gave me a chance to re-enact the opening scene of Sex and the City Movie, where Sarah Jessica Parker was sashaying down the streets of NYC, right outside LV, with her in the white big flower dress.

The trip ends with touring the streets of Bukit Bintang, where one can just simply relaxs at a cafe, opening their eyes and welcoming everything to them. The street scenes, lifestyles, cars...

To Be Continued...

Let's Have Sex in the City...

2008-06-08T05:33:00.000-07:00

Yes yes yes i heard people saying that i am getting my IC back. Well to all those who are still serving their duties to the nation, your turn will come sooner or later. If you keep having the happy/nasty/jealous/(fill in yourself) feeling that why your peers are getting their IC earlier than you, my word to you is: They surrendered their IC earlier than you, and they gave up their civilian life earlier than you. It's just a matter of time before you get back to the full-time civilian life.

OK, so when i saw the following poster being put up in cinemas, i know my day is coming. And here it comes:

Yes, the 4 Golden Girls are back and more fabulous! After Carrie meeting her Mr Big in Paris in 2004, they decided to continue their life and sex back to New York City. Together with Samantha and her celebrity boyfriend Smith cohabiting, with Charlotte happily married to Harry and their Chinese adopted daughter Lily, and Miranda living with Steve and their son Brady in Brooklyn, the 4 BFFs (Best Friends Forever) decided to hit back to NYC to continue their life.

And this is what i get before catching the movie in cinema twice:

I got the OST which comes with a free notebook, the novel + L'Officiel the French fashion magazine which throws in 2 movie pass to SATC, luggage tag and COVET by Sarah Jessica Parker. And not forgetting the number of SATC DVDs that i had, together with the numerous numbers of episode that i've not watched.

After watching SATC at GV Grand and Cathay Cine Orchard, i draw up a conclusion: SATC is a must for fans. If you wanted some chick flick with brains and values, this is the show for you. Why? I'm not going to say it here. See it for yourself. :)

The Cycle

2008-06-06T05:11:00.000-07:00

Two years ago...

060606: Watched The Omen, the horror drama which tells us that 060606 means 666, the number that represents Satan.
070606: Graduation day. My big day. The day i gotten my diploma certificate.
080606: Had a buffet dinner at Marriott Hotel with my mum.
090606: I'm enlisted to Tekong. Had pau in the morning for breakfast, as i wasn't in much mood to have something full after having a buffet dinner.

Two years later...

030608: Watched Sex and the City Movie + HBO: First Look on SATC Movie at GV Grand, and i happily sat beside 2 cute gay guys and mabey somewhere around the theatre, Patricia Mok is sitting in the auditorium.
040608: Work and clearance. Saying goodbye to those who i know i'm unable to see on Fri.
050608: Buffet lunch at Sakura with PY and the rest of the gang, together with the following WOSE.
060608:I'm leaving the army today. Yes. I've fufilled my duty for the country now. Now it's time for me to do something for myself now. I'm now back as a civilian. :)

Sexed and the City

2008-05-20T05:16:00.000-07:00

I know i know, i've supposed to post up another blog long long long time ago...but well, the 4 big letter word and 5 big letter word just forbids me from penning down my thoughts.

Know that i am going to ORD soon, my colleague (especially one of my junior) wished that i could delay my ORD. But i doubt so. Sorry guys, but i have to be selfish this time. The golden path is waiting for me...

Life just get a little excited lately.
1. Finally, we get to subscribe to cable telly! But i am getting my HBO Package and Star Movies when i secured a job first!
2. Got my compensation for my knee injury during BMT, so i used the $$$ to get things that i need. In fact, i've been filling my wardrobe with tees and polos from Levi's and Marc Ecko. Business shirts from Renoma, Daniel Hechter, tie from Lloyd Attiree and Smith. What i need now is a pair of sports shoes from Nike, business pants from Daniel Hechter and business shoes, and a pair of brand new spectacles.
3.The 4 golden girls are back to the big screen! Sex and the City The Movie!!!
4. Secured a job with the company that i wanted to work for. ASAP.

But more will be coming up soon...
1. Making a trip back to Perak next week.
2. Making a trip to KL 2 weeks later. And yeah i am meeting Alen.

More to come?
4.

Happy Happy 23rd Birthday (Vol 1)

2008-04-04T08:17:00.000-07:00

Oh gosh, i've not updated for quite sometime. Bleh...

An update for the recent happenings...

22nd Mar: Gotten myself a Nokia 6500 Black for my birthday, since it is going on sale at $118 with upgrade of handset. Not bad, gotta built in 3.2megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics feature, which can shoot lovely video and pics!

1st Apr: Guards Formation had a Trooping of Colours ceremony in Bedok Camp. It is a ceremony that will be conducted one in a long period. What is the exact purpose of having Trooping of Colours? I do not know. What i know was apart from being the ceremony falls on Fool's Day, this day marks the 5th death anniversary of HongKong celebrity artist Leslie Cheung, as he throw himself down from a hotel and left this world on a age of 46.

Was preparing to get some dinner for the SAF Band members who was in the parade. Went to Ops Room to get WC, my colleague, to collect dinner. The moment i entered the room, WC told me: 'hey david, 93.3 is playing old songs from gay singer leh!' The radio station was playing 拒絕再玩 (Refuse to Play),a 1987 Canto pop which creates a sensation then.

Reached home at 10pm and i knew that the very next day, i would be turning 23.

2nd Apr: 23 liao! That was what i thought the moment i woke up. Had breakfast, went for some grocery shopping with mum at Bedok Central and sleep for a while. Step out of the house at 1.45pm to meet Yaoda for lunch. Yaoda overslept and we met 2 hours later. Had a Japanese meal at Far East, and had some heavenly macarons from Bakerzin, which i see it as a delicacy from heaven....

To be continued.

A Very Good Friday

2008-03-21T05:09:00.000-07:00

Have not updated the blog for more than a month. Well, work's dead tiring.

To sum up what happens for the past few weeks...

1. Been coughing with headache for 2 weeks, and later ends up throat gets irritated easily, which could end with a nearly fatal breathless situation. Seen a doctor for 4 times, and i was given the same answer: excessive flow of stomach acid in gastric. Taken the pills for weeks and still no improvement.

2. Can't get the tickets to 9th Apr screening of Todd Hayne's I'm Not There, which will only be screened during Singapore International Film Fest. Don't understand why GV is not bringing in the movie for a limited release, and ends up in 1 show only in a film fest. Well the popularity of the film (Gay director Haynes has no problem drawing gay crowds, with Cate Blanchette playing a role of a guy, having Christine Bale and Richard Gere playing different stages of the live of Bob Dylan, not forgetting that this is Heath Ledger's 2nd last film before he left the world earlier this year.) leads to increase of seats, but still don't think will get it, since it is about 1st 6 rows from the screen. Opt for the DVD instead in June.

3. Gone DVD shopping at Video Ezy Warehouse sale located at SAFRA Toa Payoh. Was rather annoyed with Video Ezy's attitude and service for the sale. If you take a look at the sale, there were displays of movie posters of latest films on DVD (28 Weeks Later, Rouge Assassin, Resident Evil 3, Simpsons Movie )and upcoming release (Dan in Real Life, Reservation Road, Love in Times of Cholera), but you don't get them. They are not included on the warehouse sale. Worst still, when i asked the sales assistant on the availbility of titles, another told this fella: You don't have to look for them. What's available is available.' Unsurprisingly, Singapore really needs to buck up on the customer service if such attitude goes on.

This is my wanted shopping list:
1. The Brave One
2. Minority Report 2 DVD pack
3. Jet Li 2-in-1 DVD pack (Romeo Must Die + Cradle 2 the Grave)
4. Little Children
5. The Simpsons Movie
6. Daywatch
7. Batman Begins
8. Lions for Lambs

This is what i got:
1. Batman Begins
2. Stanley Kubrick 4-in-1 pack (Barry Lyndon, Lolita, 2001: A Space Odysseys, Documentary on the life and the movies of Kubrick, narrated by Tom Cruise)
3. Once Upon a Time in America (directed by the late Sergio Leone, starring Robert De Niro in this close to 4 hr Godfather Pt 2 like epic drama.)
4. The Prestige
5. Blood Diamond
6. Fur: Imaginary Potrait of Diane Arbus
7. Enduring Love (a 2004 British thriller from Daniel Craig on his pre-James Bond days.)

Total cost for the DVDs spend: $69.

A very different experience that i had, compared to last year's warehouse sale at Ubi Industrial Park.

Oh yes, i am getting a new phone tomorrow. Wonder what will i get tomorrow.

The Rat Sqeaks...

2008-02-09T18:37:00.000-08:00

Yes, another cycle of the Chinese Zodiac Horoscopes begins. After saying goodbye to Brother Piggie, we welcome Mickey and Remy to the year of 2008.

Who says that CNY must be noisy and placed yourself at the crowded places? Wouldn't it be lovely if you could have some peace and tranquility to reflect your deeds done in the previous year, and at the same time, share the good time with your loved ones?

I did. I had a ice cream session with my family on first day of CNY, and the ice cream was really lovely.

Sometimes, simplicity is hard to get, but if you really want it, it will come to you.

And not forgetting that watching a movie in Singapore during CNY is dreadful, since S'poreans are left with no place for fun except movies and arcades and selected exhibitions. So, it is not surprising to see long queues at cineplexs, with sold out shows every hour.

If you get sold out shows for blockbusters, be prepared to see a full house if you are watching a old/non-mainstream movies in smaller halls. And this has been the case for Gone Baby Gone at GV Vivocity and This Film is Not Yet Rated at The Picturehouse.

Gone Baby Gone is Ben Affleck's directorial debut, where he adapts Dennis Lehane's novel of the same name into an Oscar nominated drama. Amazingly, being an actor who acted in pretty bad shows, he did amazingly well when it comes to directing a movie. It's not easy to maintain the atmosphere and the feel of the story from print to screen, since Clint Eastwood had brought us the heart wrenching Mystic River (which was sad to say, it lost to LOTR: Return of the King for Best Picture in Oscars 2004.) in 2004. When i know that Lehane's Gone has been made into a movie, i set my expectations to a certain level, so that i know i get something really good. And Affleck did not failed my expectations. In fact, many critics were amazed with his performance in the film, that mades it as one of the best in 2007.

Here, you got Casey Affleck (ben's brother) as the leading role of Patrick, a PI who investigates the case of a missing 6 year old girl from his neighbourhood. He and his partner Angie (Michelle Monanghan) began their investigation, which eventually leads to a conflict between both, and they solved the case at the price of their relationship. Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris delivered their role as a captain and detective who do not welcome them for the investigation. But as the couple goes deep into the case, they discovered some facts about the missing girl: the girl's mother steals a sum of money from the drug lord, the drug dealers steps in and works with some guys to get the money and the girl, a paedophile who kidnaps a boy, and in the end, another missing case.

This Film is Not Yet Rated, on the other hand, is a documentary directed by Kirby Dick, on looking into the film rating systems in US and from the documentary, he come out with the following conclusion:

Sex is not OK, violence is OK.
Homosexual sex gets a NC-17 rating while straight sex gets an R.
Woman with fake breast made of silicon gets PG13 to R rating, while showing a private part of a women gets an NC17.
So long as you made a shooting spree scenes without blood splatting out, your movie gets a PG13. If blood spills, its R.
You might not see what you get in a movie theatre if a film is rated.
A group of uncles and aunties mades up the film raters in MPAA. (Motion Pictures Association of America) While raters works for 3- maximum 4 years, there are some who work for more than 5 years. And most of these rater's kids are adults.
The Penal Board for MPAA consists of CEO of Hollywood's biggest movie players, so in some way, blockbusters gets the advantage of being protected by them, compared to small indpendent film companies.

So the next time when you see Johnny Depp slices the throat of his male customers at his barbershop, you will know who are the ones who do not want kids to see Depp as Sweeny Todd. The group of uncles and aunties would like the kids to see Depp as Willy Wonka instead.

The uncles and aunties said: Don't eat the meat pies. Have chocolates instead. But isn't chocolates fattening?

Some food for thought.

The Quail's Egg and the tale of Cautionary Lust

2008-01-26T08:24:00.000-08:00

So before Remy the rat cooks a reunion dinner for every family in around 2 weeks time, this week, apart from having Catherine Zeta-Jones cooking for her loved ones and Jodie Foster prowling around the streets of New York with guns for revenge, we have the arrival of a tale of cautionary lust which Singaporeans love and hate. But the thing is, they are now available for rental or sale from your friendly neighbourhood video stores.

Yes yes. Ang Lee's Lust, Caution is on sale on home video in Singapore. But don't get too delighted too early. You can forget about seeing the steamy scenes between Tony Leung and Tang Wei that stirs a big hoo haa here for cutting it off in the China edit. As for the DVD, it is the plain o' vanilla edition with Mand, Thai and Melayu/Indonesian subtitles. No bonus features...

And i just couldn't imagine that the Made in S'pore DVD can be retailed at the price of a freaking $30.

But that doesn't affect me much, cos my colleague brought me the HK IMPORT directly from HK on Mon!!! Yeah, the moment i saw the DVD, i almost freaked out...

For HK$150, i get a 2 DVD edition with bonus features, with interviews in Eng, making of, galleries, trailers and TV spots in Cantonese. But sad to say, no English subtitles provided.

At least, i don't have to pay a visit to Golden again if i wanted to watch Lust again...

And to sweeten up the week of a tale of cautionary lust, the Quail's egg is in Singapore. For the sake of those who have never watched Lust before, Quail's egg refers to the 6 Carat Diamond ring that Tony Leung bought for Tang Wei, which eventually costs the lives of 6 people.

And here is the Quail's Egg...

The Quail's Egg aka the pink diamond ring was designed by Cartier, and will be on display from now till 10 Feb at Cartier Ngee Ann City. After that, it will be send to US and Tang Wei will be wearing the ring to attend the Oscar's Ceremony this year. And after the ceremony (and if you did not have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the ring), it will be put on permanent display at Cartier museum in Paris. The ring will not be re-produced due to high cost (app S$6 million to made the ring, where if you were to compared with the lives of the 6 poor fellas who attemp to assassinate Mr Yee in the story, it works out to be S$1 million/ live. ) and this ring was made specially for the movie.

Wang Chia Chi (Tang's role in the movie) was right. She said: I do not want to wear something so precious and expensive and walk around the street. Give me that S$6 million and i will get myself an apartment, a posh car and a high life till i die, rather than taking the risk of getting robbed or killed (in a robbery.)

2007...2008

2008-01-01T03:03:00.000-08:00

Goodbye The Sad and Lonely 2007!

Welcome 2008!!! With a BIG BANG!!!

The last few hours of 2007 is definitely worth celebrating. Like what my friend says, 2008 is the year they ORD. To me, 2008 is definitely more than getting back your IC after fufill your duty for the nation for 2 years.

2008 means...

1. Look for a job i desire

2. Earn loads of $$$

3. Be healthy.

4. Afford a California Fitness membership?

5. Finally independent?

6. Found my other half?

7. Further my studies. (Yeah no kidding. I've missed the good ol' days in TP, where i have to serve the nation shortly while i am still in the mood of graduation. To the girls, 2006 graduation was so yesterday.)

My last 6 hours of 2007:

6pm: went to Gramophone Cathay with Lawrence to get rid of some old VCDs n CDs for cash. The old must be removed to invite the new.

6.30pm: had chicken sausage bun and coffee+tea with chilli beef fries with Lawrence. Do not want him to faint halfway due to hunger (for dinner starts late)

7pm: Walked towards PS for window shopping, and wait for Jess's arrival.

8pm: Surprisingly, i got 2 ladies arriving for the party: Jess and Lawrence's dear. Dinner after next.

9pm: Walked towards Cathay for a countdown party, with free flow of Asahi beer and Candy floss.

10pm: aw...Jess had to leave for another party...Nevertheless, the trio (me, Lawrence n his dear) had free flow of Asahi and candy floss for the party...which was held at a tentage located outside The Cathay. 11pm: Endless serving of Asahi beer, candy floss, hip-hop dance and getting wild!

11.55pm: 5 mins to 2008!

12mn: When the clock strikes 12, i feel light and relieve! Welcome 2008!

12.30am: We left the place with high spirits...And it seems that we are a bit drunk too...

12.45am: City Hall MRT Station was packed with crowds from the Marina Bay fireworks...We could only managed to get in after several push and pull for few minutes...

1.45am: Home Sweet Home...

Lastly, to all the readers, a Very Happy and Successful 2008... and

'In the spirit of Heaven and Earth' - Zhuang Zi.

A Very Spritual and Mentally Healthy 2008. :)

Deux Jour A Paris

2007-12-30T04:43:00.000-08:00

How i wish i could be in Paris for a week, not two days.

Ever after watchig Before Sunrise and Before Sunset featuring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, i am just deeply falling in love with Delpy and her movie!!!

And watching her latest release, 2 Days in Paris aka Deux Jour A Paris, brings me down back to the memory lane during my TP days...but somehow, 2 Days has a very different touch, compared to Sunrise and Sunset.

Here, instead of having Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater (the director of School of Rock, Fast Food Nation, and the man that pairs up Hawke and Delpy in Sunrise and Sunset) telling us the 3rd part of the story, Delpy scripts, acts and directs the movie herself. Adam Goldberg becomes the leading man of the film, where we have both Goldberg and Delpy making a visit to Paris (Delpy's hometown) for a short vacation. He meets her family (special apperance of Delpy's parents) and they talk about sex, ex-boyfriends, hippies, sex, ex-bf, art, culture, art, sex, ex-bf, racism, art, sex, art, sex, art, sex...and endless art and sex, and ex-bf.

Not much of a sightseeing tour, but more rather, a day in a life of a Parisian.

How i wish Alen and i could do the same thing in KL and Singapore. :)

About a Boy (and a Girl)

2007-12-23T04:14:00.000-08:00

Nah, this is not about the movie based on Nick Honrby's novel of the same title, which stars Hugh Grant as a inmatured young man who learns the values of growing up from a young boy. Here, i am introducing you Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, or Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros.

Balikan ang ganda, tamis, at pait ng unang pag-ibig.
(Return to the beauty, sweetness, and bitterness of first love.)

Sad to say, did not catch the run of the coming out of age drama when it was released in July. But finally, i got to catch the special run at The Picturehouse, and it leaves a bitter sweet taste of the show at The Picturehouse, after watching the pretty disappointing Becoming Royston at Picturehouse.

The Philippine independent drama was a hit in 2005, but it arrives rather late here. But, it was worth the wait. The movie won several awards at various film festival, including the Teddy Award at Berlin Film Festival, where Teddy Awards are given to films discussing homosexual issues. You can tell from the poster that we have a effiminate boy and a hunky policeman. In the first place, i was fooled by the poster featuring a young girl in love with a policeman.

Here, we have the leading lady (oops, should be the leading boy) Maxi, a 12 year old gay boy living in the slums of Philippines, where his family is working as petty theives selling stolen handphones. He quits school and was well known in his neighbourhood for being a sissy, where he took over the role of housewife at home. Live goes on a usual until Victor, a hunky policeman moves into the neighbourhood.

It was love at first sight for Maxi, where Victor came to his rescue as Maxi was bullied by 2 boys from the neighbourhood. They become best friends, and shares some intimate thoughts on love, relationships and dreams. One night, Maxi's brother, Kuya Bogs, killed someone in the neighbourhood. Victor knows about the murder and wants Maxi to assist him in catching the murderer. Torn between love for Victor and loyalty to the family, Maxi has to choose either side, which he didn't realise that somoething will happen to not only him, but Victor and Maxi's family.

Victor might be an eye candy to the girls, but it was Maxi who is the main focus of the show. We do see sissy guys in several movies. But a 12 year old gay boy falling in love with a policeman? That is something new. And it gives us a slice of lives in the slums by seeing how the poor lives happily in the neighbourhood.

Doesn't one gets to see something different from your year end popcorn blockbusters ?

Up there...

2007-12-17T06:06:00.000-08:00

For the first time in my life, i get the opportunity to visit Shaw Preview Centre, which is located at Shaw House Level 13. The purpose of going there? To catch a free screening of In the Valley of Elah, 2 hours before the sneak preview on Friday.

The theatre was pretty dim when taking this picture, so it looks dark to you.

My first impression of the theatre when visiting the theatre: Very small. Yeah, very small. And it was so small, that it could only house 50 audience at a go, with special sofa liked seats instead of your usual foldable seats in theatres. And the speakers are so small, that my first impression was: a screening theatre which looks more like a home theatre, where home theatre speaker are fixed on it. Sound system wise, it comes with 2 large speakers fixed below the screen.

The 2 hour drama directed by Paul Haggis, the man behind the Oscar winning drama Crash, stars Tommy Lee Jones as Hank, a retired 1st Sergeant from the army, and Charlize Theron as Sanders, a police detective. Story? The Army infomed 1st Sergeant Hanks that his son Mike has gone AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave), which later was discovered missing. Hanks track down his son, which he reports missing person to civilian police, with Detective Sanders investigating the case. A young man was found chopped into pieces and burnt badly was found in a field, which turns out to be Mike's body. A grieving Hank investigates the death of Mike with Mike's camera phone, which reveals the secrets behind his platoon mates during the Iraq War in 2004.

And the 2 hour was simply torturous. Everyone mumbles instead of talking, and theories overloaded. And the movie just simply ends with Annie Lennox's Lost, a song featured in her latest album, Songs of Mass Destruction.

Unsurprisingly, there are people who left immediately the credits start to roll.

Loved the mini theatre, which is best for personal entertainment, but don't really like a 2 hour boring drama that goes really well with the sofa, where it simply puts one into the lalaland.

Komaneko The Curious Cat

2007-12-03T04:41:00.000-08:00

Happened to came across the cute little cat from Japan, which was featured in Animation Nation 2007, held in National Museum.

Well, it was a full house event and because i bought the tix late, i could only get myself the last seat on the 4th row from the screen.

Komaneko is an 1hour animation, about a cat named Komaneko who wants to made a short film. She starts everyting from scratch, right from making her own doll, writing the storyboard, design the set to taking the pictures, she take pictures of her own doll frame by frame, which mades it into a short film.

How lovely it is! Komaneko is so cute. And yes, part of the story is touching too. It is sad to see Komaneko cried when one of her precious doll was stolen by a gorilla, which was in fact, a dog in disguise.

It drove me to tears in the end. I cried, even though this is not some melodrama or weepy soap drama, but it touches my heart. Sad to say, it is not easy to get the DVD here due to the very limited demand in Singapore. Why not release the DVD and the merchandise here?

The cute little kitten has sweeten up lonely Saturday morning.

The next day, went to watch 30 Days of Night, a horror film based on graphic novel of the same title. FYI, you got a pretty good director (David Slade of Hard Candy fame), a average actor (Josh Harnett) and some unknown actors and actresses and well known producer (Sam Raimi, the man behind Spiderman trilogy.) and what you get is a pretty bad show.

Perhaps i pinned my hopes high on Slade, since Hard Candy was highly recommended by critics.

Set in Burrow, a small town in Alaska, it is about the town is facing a heavy snowstorm, which the town will be in 30 days of darkness. A sheriff (Harnett) and his wife decided to give each other a break from their marriage for 30 days. The wife was trapped in Burrow when she missed her flight. Horro attacks the town when a group of zombies came into the town and eat up the people there. Survivors has to get themselves out of the town under the heavy snowstorm, where they could avoid being eaten up by the zombies. It ends up survivors being attacked by zombies when getting ration from supermart. The only way to survive is to hide themselves for 30 days, when zombies could not survive when the sun rises.

Many details were not explained in the film. More rather, it starts with dull dialogues, and tonnes of gore and violence. (Think the young girl devouring human head in supermart.) In someway, it reminds me of watching Planet Terror, but it has no way looked like Planet Terror. Rather, think Dawn of the Dead in Alaska instead of a shopping mall.

Hollywood desperately needs some fresh creative juice soaked in the scriptwriter's brain.

阮玲玉和神女

2007-11-30T06:16:00.000-08:00

I've decided to talk about Ruan Lingyu 阮玲玉 and her movie Shen Nu (神女) aka The Goddess for this entry. Why Ruan Lingyu?

1. She is one of the few actress from China who acted really well. So good that her fame indirectly affects her personal life, which eventually leads to her own death at the age of 25.

2. The way she potrays the role of the mother/prostitute mades the movie one of the few classics in today's movie world.

神女 features Ruan as Ruan Sao, a young mother who works as a prostitute at night. When she runs away from the police during a raid, she hide herself at the backdoor of a house belong to the gangster, Chang. Chang wants Ruan Sao to repay him with sexual favours. Shortly later, Ruan Sao ends up Chang's woman after sessions of harrassment and threat.

6 years had passed and Ruan Sao's only son, Xiao Bao, had grown up. She decided to let Xiao Bao receive education after Xiao Bao has been insulted and despise by the neighbours. The boy began his education and it was to be something worth happy for. However, Ruan Sao's profession led the school principal decided to pay a home visit, where he was stunned by the remarks made by Ruan Sao. She told him that she paid the school fees with her earning from prostitution, but that doesn't mean her child should be ripped off from the right of receiving education. Eventually, the principal resigned as he do not allow the school directorial board to dismiss Xiao Bao due to Ruan Sao's profession. Xiao Bao was dismissed from the school.

When Ruan Sao decided to take Xiao Bao to somewhere else to start a new life, she was shocked to found out that Chang had taken her life saving to gamble. A quarrel broke out between Ruan Sao and Chang, which ends up Ruan Sao killed Chang with a wine bottle. She was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment and told the school principal to convey the message to Xiao Bao:

'When he grows up, tell him his mother is dead. He would live in shame for his life if he knew his mother worked in such profession.'

The story ends here.

Here are some little things that i saw from this 79min slient movie from China:

1. 人言可畏. Gossip can kill. In the story, the neighbours gossip about Ruan Sao and her questionable profession. That was somekind of reflection of Ruan's real life, where her previous marriage ends up people gossiping at her for divorcing her husband for another man. Unable to take the pressure (which spreads from grapevine to the press), she ends her life on 8th March 1935, which happens to be International Woman's Day.

2. A mother's love. At night, Ruan Sao is a 神女. At day, she was a 女神. Ruan Sao's life was a crossover of a prostitute and a goddess. She cares for her son and placed her son as her priority even though she has to work as a hooker for a living. When she was in prison, she do not want her son to live in shame for the rest of his life. Thus, she told the school principal that she is dead.

It's sad that at the end of the day, there are people whose personality cannot be compared with Ruan Sao in real life.

Drowned

2007-11-26T04:07:00.000-08:00

This is the story of 5 Singapore dragonboaters representing Singapore for the dragonboating competiton in Phonm Penh for the SEA Games 2007.

They left Singapore happily for the competition, hoping that they could bring pride to the country.

The 5 cheerful and enegetic youth, whom seems to have a charming smile and a bright future, decided to row the boat after the competiton with the remaining 17 teammates in the sea on Saturday, 24th Nov 2007.

However, the boat overturned when a strong wave came towards them, and all fell into the sea. 17 were rescued, but not the 5 youths mentioned earlier.

A search team was called for immediately, and the family members of the 5 youths were informed about the incident 20 hours later.

In the end, the bodies of the 5 youths were found at the river on Sunday evening.

News shocked everyone in Singapore.

Their loved ones cried.

The bodies will reached Singapore tonight.

The End of the Story.

The moral of the story: complacency leads to irreversible damages and unthinkable consequences.

When people decided to take short cuts in doing things, usually there will be 2 endings: either things goes smoothly, or it simply leads to a disaster. Here, the short cuts refers to not wearing live jackets when rowing the boat. And this is something that could have been avoided.

Sometimes in life, when would people listen to the advice they learnt since they were a kid and apply them in life?

The Super Long Weekend

2007-11-14T04:50:00.000-08:00

So i took the opportunity to clear the off and leave last week, which gave me a super long weekend last week.

Wed - Visited Army Museum with the fellow RP's, and that was the only time when all the RP's get to sit together on a small little sofa to catch Royston Tan's After the Rain, a short film which will be run permanently at the Museum. I've mentioned that Royston and his crew took the effort to shot the film at 1 Guards, where the short film looks into a father-son relationship thru national service. Went to Orchard Rd with WC and i drooled at those nice looking Calvin Klein tees selling at 1/2 price...

Thur - Deepavali. Stay at home and sleep like a pig.

Fri - Finally, i stepped out of the house to catch the uncut version of Ang Lee's another masterpiece Lust, Caution. And if you expect the hall to be filled with only some audience, you will be wrong. It is 97% full for a Fri 3.30pm at Lido Cineplex. Unsurprisingly, the hall is filled with mostly ah peks and aunties who decided to pay $8 to see the hot and steamy sex scenes between Tony Leung and Tang Wei, which stirs up a big hoo haa earlier on when the distributor decided to release the NC16 China's edit in the first place.

And i simply loved the scene where Tang Wei seduces Tony Leung in the bedroom. I'm not going to say it. Go watch yourself.

Sat - Payday! For the first time, i am buying 2 C-In2 briefs from newurbanmale.com at $26, which was a 1-for-1 deal. However, this cause a problem: how and where do i place them in my cabinet, since it is fill with several boxes of Calvin Klein briefs?

Sun - as usual. Visit the library, buy groceries, pack up stuff for Mon's work. =(

色，戒

2007-10-14T07:23:00.000-07:00

This entry came too late. A week late, in fact.

Well, Lawrence, Jess and me catch the NC16 version of Ang Lee's greatest edited masterpiece at The Cathay last saturday.

And this is the final poster that is used in Hong Kong, compared to the poster seen in my previous entry. If you noticed carefully, there are some difference in the poster.

Now, let's get straight to the comments from the audience who catched the NC16 version after the movie ends:

Lawrence: Not bad...

Jess: This is a pretty good movie.

Me: It would be better if it is an uncut version.

The gay couple sitting behind us: This movie is too stressful and heavy...

The young girls sitting beside me: couldn't believe that Lee would cut his precious work...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Of course, the movie receives mixed reviews in US. While some are amazed with Ang Lee's final piece of work, there are those who claimed that the movie is too Chinese, and not forgetting the super explicit sex scenes which stirred up a storm in Singapore, for many will boycott the NC16 version where they feel that screening the edited version not only ruined Lee's precious work, but also an insult to the intelligence of Singapore adults.

It's not that often we Singaporeans get to see a great masterpiece by movie masters in cinemas. Let's not talk about the independent/foreign productions which gets limited released in Singapore. Take Lee's Lust for example. When was the last time a masterpiece gets a general release in Singapore? Lawrence and i catched Martin Scorsese's The Departed last year, and it was a masterpiece. Sad to say that the movie received an M18 rating with cuts.

And i could simply throw out a list of great movies that receives cuts for 1) sake of cutting it, 2) do not want the kids to get in touch with things they are not supposed to see, 3) to boost box office sales (even though i have no issues on distributor cutting some scenes to get a lower rating for commercial films.)

Oliver Stone's Platoon received an NC16 with cuts on home video release for war violence that is simply unbearable for some, even though it shows the real and ugly side of US during the Vietnam war, where US loses heavily in the end.

Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction was rated RA, then R21 with cuts for plenty of vulgarities and teaching the young on consuming heroin.

Royston Tan's 15 slapped with a RA rating after receiving 21 or 26 cuts. (someone help me with this pls...) Some scenes featured a wayward teen taking a pen knife and cutting his wrist several times, few ah bengs comparing their penis, 2 gang having a fight, with gang song from a local gang as background music, some homoerotic scenes...

And now, Lee's Lust Caution was cut by Lee himself. Gone were the 4 important sex scenes. And after flipping through the screenplay book at Books Kinokuniya Orchard this afternoon, i am shocked that Lee has cut more than what is supposed to be presented to the audience. However, only one scene will be mentioned here.

In the second sex scene of the movie, Tang Wei was taking off her raincoat, right in front of Tony Leung. Leung could not resist the temptation of Tang. Thus, he grabbed her on the wall, ripped off her cheongsam, throw her onto the bed, which more or less ends up in a rape. After the rape, Tang was lying on the bed crying, and Leung passed some clothings to her, and left without a word.

See it for yourself if you want to know more, but i will never placed the NC16 version of Lust Caution DVD onto my DVD collection.

Be cautious, the Queen is Here!

2007-10-05T22:22:00.000-07:00

Ang Lee's Lust Caution opens in cinemas at Singapore on Thursay, with tonnes of hoo haa over the missing 9 minutes sex scenes between Tony Leung and Tang Wei which has totally ruined the atmosphere of the movie.

On Sun, i bought the Mandarin novel at Books Kinokuniya Bugis Junction.

Yes, this is the original story written by the late Eileen Chang, which makes Ang Lee wants to turn words into images. Sad to say, i don't get to see any scenes from the movie in the book. :(

And after work yesterday, i head down to The Cathay to buy the tickets for tonight.

And know what? I did not know that Annie Lennox has released her latest album on Wednesday! Woo Hoo!

Long Live The Queen!!!

I only get to know Annie's latest release when it appears on The Straits Times on Friday, where it makes it on a small headline on Life! Section. Amazingly, Sgt Khim could identify to me that she is Annie Lennox, even though Annie's heydays seems to be too far away from his younger days.

Getting it soon!

Planet Horror

2007-09-29T19:08:00.000-07:00

After 3 months of separation from Qunetin Tarantino's Death Proof, Robert Rodriguez's Planet Terror has finally reached the cinemas in Singapore.

Sad to say, i didn't manage to catch the movie on time last week as i am away from Singapore in Malaysia for a holiday. Compared to Death Proof, Planet Terror has a disappointing 5 prints release here aka released in 5 cinemas, while Death Proof has 8 prints release here.

Rated R21, Planet Terror is definitely not a family friendly movie even though Children's Day is just around the corner. Compared to Rodriguez's Sin City, Planet Terror comes with more gore and violence that is unwatchable, but you will enjoy it if you could bear with it.

And this is the selling point of the movie: a beautiful go-go dancer who lost her right leg to zombies had a rifle gun to replace her lost leg. And she goes rat-tat-tat-tat-tat and kaboom to the zombies, together with the surviving human beings.

Story? about a experimental bio-weapon that was released by the military at a small town in Texas, which turns human beings into zombies. Cherry, a go-go dancer, lost her right limb to the zombies in a road accident with her boyfriend Wray. When Cherry was send to the hospital, they saw several people infected with the virus. Dakota, a lesbian doctor, was shocked to see her girlfriend torn into pieces with brains ripped out by zombies.

Soon, the virus spreads like wild fire and turns Dakota's husband, William, into a zombie. While Wray was mistakenly taken by the police for being the suspect of mutiliating Cherry, the zombies attacks the police station and together with Sheriff Hagen, Wray come to Cherry's rescue.

All surviving human beings hide themselves in a BBQ Ribs restaurant, which ends up in a big fire due to missing reel (Note: Rodriguez do this to bring the gridnhouse cinema culture to moder cinepelx, with scratchy prints, discoloured prints and missing reel, which causes a chunk of the story goes missing.) Together, they kill any zombies among the road by running them over with a truck and firing at them.

When they were captured by the military, they have to escape from the military base using a chopper. And here's where the fun begins: Cherry had a rifle attached to her right leg, and fires at zombies. And oh yes, when the base explodes, Cherry was blown off and she flies, and shoots a bomb at the zombies.

It is ridiculous, bloody disgusting, full of gore and ulitmately delicious. It might be seen as a crap, but Rodriguez has churn out a A+ trash. Compared to the recent D- Malaysian horror Zombi Kampong Pisang, which critics wonder if that is a horror or a comedy or both or neither, Planet Terror has totally beaten Planet Horror.

But Malaysian fans who are expecting Planet Terror to be released in Malaysia might be disappointed, for it might not make it to cinemas due to strict censorship ratings and favourism of Malaysian movies.

Sigh...think i would just stick to pirated DVDs if the movie fails to reach the cinemas in Malaysia.

The Full Moon

2007-09-25T06:25:00.000-07:00

Today is 25th Sept Tuesday. According to the Chinese Lunar Calender, today is a day that the Chinese calls for a celebration.

Mooncake Festival aka Mid Autumn is back again!

Sad to say, didn't buy much mooncake from the trip to M'sia (where i just got myself a piece of chocolate mooncake and cappuccino mooncake from a roadside stall in Changkat Kuning, the village where my grandparents lived in), so decided to get myself at least a full box of 4 pieces to avoid that yearly everlasting regret.

This is what i bought...

This is what you get inside...

3 White Lotus Paste and 1 Double Yolk White Lotus Paste.

Sigh...Didn't managed to get Season's Mooncake from Swensens, for they are sold out. But nevermind, bo hur heh arh ho. (No fish prawn also can. :P)

And this is a good news cum bad news to me regarding Ang Lee's Lust Caution.

Good News: It will be rated NC16 without cuts.

Bad News: It will be the China's edit (that is edited by Ang Lee personally) that makes it to the cinema, instead of the original US NC-17 uncut version.

Ladies and Gentlemen...

Presenting to you...the S.E.Asia's poster for Lust Caution! (GASP!)

OH MY GOD!

Couldn't imagine that such a sub-standard design poster was created for S.E Asia, instead of the poster used in US or Taiwan. Doesn't look like Ang's erotic war thriller, but more rather, a cheapo-B horror flick.

No matter how fine the Chian's edit was, i've lost part of my appetite for the film.

Zhong Qiu Jie Kuai Le!

Happy Moonie Fest!

Double

2007-09-15T19:07:00.000-07:00

Seems that everything that i saw recently comes in pairs.

Aunt and cousin came down to Singapore recently for a holiday. They brought us 2 boxes of mooncakes. Gosh, how sinful it was to have 2 boxes of mooncakes in a week.

Yesterday morning, catch Basic Instinct and Basic Instinct 2 on DVD. Double the thrill for Basic Instinct, double the frills for Basic Instinct 2. Despite being released 15 years ago, it was still thrilling to see Michael Douglas trapped into a labyrinth created by Sharon Stone. And Stone was beautiful...

13 years after Basic Instinct was released, we have Basic Instinct 2. Stone is now older, with David Morrissey as her victim. Rather than having more thrills, it was more boredom and frills that send audience falling asleep.

In the afternoon, i catch Rogue Assassin for the second time in Lido. While i told myself i would never watch a movie that has been edited for a lower rating (original rating is M18, which has been edited to NC16 to draw younger crowds) , i made an exception for Rogue Assassin. The reason(s) is because:
1. It stars Jet Li. Before his The Warlords opens in mid December this year, this is the only offer that is worth watching in theatres twice after Royston Tan's 881. (in fact, i believed there are people who catch 881 more than 3 times.)
2. I missed the first 15mins of the show when watching it in GV Marina last weekend. In fact, the whole experience in GV Marina was totally ruined. While GV had the practice of starting the movie 20mins after the stated showtime, GV Marina starts the movie punctually! And that explains why i did not get to see Singaporean actress Steph Song making an apperance in the movie. The only Asian babe that appears throughout the whole movie was the eye candy, Devon Aoki.
3. It's not that often you get Jet Li and Jason Statham kicking ass on the big screen together. Sad to say, you will be disappointed if you watch the show. You got 2 great actors that sparks no fire in the end.

At night, Ch 8 had a repeat telecast of SBC Telemovie entitled Dark Obssession. For those do knot know what the heck is SBC telemovie, this is the explanation: When the first TV station was founded in Singapore, it was known as RCS (Radio Cooperation of Singapore.) Then, it was named SBC (S'pore Brocasting Centre) before known as Mediacorp today. Telemovies are movies shot in drama series style which last less than 2 hours.

And Mediacorp has made a bad choice for making a repeat telecast of their telemovies, which shows that the standard of their telemovies was just like some B HongKong flicks made in the 90's, or some Hollywood ripped offs. Dark Obessession was a mixture of Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho and Adrian Lyne's Fatal Attraction. Francis Ng plays a artist who takes a ah lian (Mainlander actress Xu Qing) home and wants her to dressed like her sister, so that she looks like a model he is long looking for. With several murder taking place around him, with Ng as the prime suspect, we get to see that in the end, the murderer was a lady who loves him, played by former SBC actress turned housewife Chan Hui Fen aka Zeng Hui Fen in Mandarin.

In this place, Chan has become the next Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction. She kills the people around her, minus the cooking of a rabbit in Fatal. And when Ng confronts Chan, she cuts herself with a kris (a Malay dagger) on her thigh, just like Glenn Close did when confronting Michael Douglas. She was shot once by the police when she attacks Ng and Xu, and everyone though she died. However, she stands up after lying for a while, and slashes Ng. Once again, she was shot. This time round, she died.

Close slashes Douglas with a kitchen knife and Douglas had her drowned in a bathtub. It appears she died. But when she stands up from the bathtub and attemp to stabbed Douglas, she was shot dead by his wife (played by Anne Archer.)

Did i smell body double in it?

Ahem Ahem!

2007-09-07T18:51:00.000-07:00

It's not a very good week from the start.

First of all, the arrest of Cpl Dave Teo due to AWOL (absent without official leave) during guard duty had cause a big storm going on in the Army. It's not very nice to let ya fellow mates suffer right?

Secondly, i am on 2 days MC for cough, flu and severe sore throat.

Ahem!

Ahem!

Ah Chooooo!!!!! (sniff sniff)

Rodney turned and looked at me, wants me to play alphabets bricks with him.

Me: Rod, i am not feeling well.
Rodney: Papa, play with me, please...
Me: Rod, papa is not feeling well. Go play with doggie k?

Rodney left with disappointment, and he was dragging his pillow on the floor.

Me: Rod, papa buy you ice cream later k?

No response from Rod.

OK, i think i've spoilt this kid. So no ice cream for him.

Talking about Rod and ice cream, Tash flashes on my mind. Now, it's been ages since i hear anything from the flying nun. Wonder if he is busy with his work, that he neglected Zambonie and the 2 English immigrants from Harrods.

Boys and Girls, Be Cautious of Papaya Skin

2007-08-31T07:21:00.000-07:00

This entry came a bit too late, but my motto is: it's better to be late than never.

OK, finally it's been a long time Singapore cinemas sees crowd for Mandarin films. Thanks to his latest musical production 881, Royston Tan has not only put himself into the spotlight of Singaporeans, but also makes the following artists famous:

Mindee Ong, Yeo Yann Yann, Liu Ling Ling, Wang Lei, Karen Lim and Mingzhu Sisters.

In case you have no idea who these people are, Mindee and Yann Yann are drama play actresses before leaping over to the big screen. As for the rest, the older folks will know them by famous getai and Hokkien pop and oldies singer during the Seventh Month. And not forgetting the late getai singer Chen Jin Lang, who passed away on the 1st day of Seventh Month due to cancer last year.

If that's not all, i've got a small little present from Malaysia to Singapore on Merdeka Day.

881 has been renamed 881: The Papaya Sisters in Malaysia.

And a fierce battle begins next week in Malaysia cinemas:

Round 1: Royston Tan VS Quentin Tarantino VS Timur Bekmambetov

Round 2: The Papaya Sisters + Durian Sisters VS A psychopatic driver VS Forces of Light and Dark

Round 3: Singapore VS Texas VS Moscow

Round 4: Getai VS Fastcars and Highways VS Rolling Ferris Wheel

Don't get what i mean?

Round 5: 881 VS Grindhouse: Death Proof VS Daywatch.

Mediacorp Raintree Pictures is enjoying the sweet papaya that they grow and harvested. It was so sweet, that they have plans to sell the papayas at Taiwan, by letting 881 going for 14 nominations for Golden Horse Award 2007.

OMG...

Talking about Golden Horse Award, it is unlikely that Royston will bring home Best Director Award, for he will have to compete with big names such as Ang Lee.

And talking about Ang Lee, let's talk about his new movie, Lust, Caution.

The romantic war thriller based on Eileen Chang's short story was slapped with an NC-17 rating by Motion Pictures Association of America for 'sexuality explicit scenes'.

I've always trusted Ang Lee for bringing high quality productions to the audience. That's why Lust, Caution is one of the two Chinese films i am expecting after 881. His Brokeback Mountain is a masterpiece, where he crafted the forbidden love between 2 cowboys so well, that i am expecting something better. Thus, after seeing Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Joan Chen, Wang LeeHom and new comer Tang Wei being placed in the namelist for leading cast, and the efforts to look for shophouses built during the British Colonial period in Perak and Penang, i told myself: giving Lust Caution a miss is letting me and Mr Lee down.

And it was unfortunate that many people will be disappointed, for they are barred from watchign the 156min drama on the big screen due to the strict NC-17 rating in US, and the small release in theatres which makes Focus Features, the production company, unable to see the dollar sign spinning for Lust.

To be released on Mid Autumn Festival week in Taiwan, Malaysia and US, Lust will open in cinemas in Singapore on 4th Oct.

Warning: Be Cautious of the rating in Singapore for Lust. Doubt it will equally enjoy the sweet success of home grown papayas.

My Date With Royston

2007-07-22T04:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the 3rd time i am seeing Royston Tan in person. And frankly speaking, i am feeling some kind of unspeakable happiness after the 15min conversation with him.

The 3rd time? Reminds me of the Chinese classic folktale The Three Smiles. When The Three words appears on my mind, this is the image pictured in my brain: it was the classic made into a movie by Shaw Brothers in the 60's, with Ivy Ling Po who plays Tang Bo Hu, the talented scholar who was attracted to a maid named Qiu Xiang, potrayed by Li Ching. Qiu Xiang smiles at Tang Bo Hu three times when they bump each other on the streets, and Tang Bo Hu decided to woo Qiu Xiang by becoming a male servant in the household Qiu Xiang works for.

The 1st smile:

China (centuries ago) : Tang Bo Hu met Qiu Xiang at a fair, and she smiles at him.

Singapore (Oct 2006) : Royston and i met at his seminar with Kelvin Tong and Lawrence, when Lawrence and i were in the seminar at National Library.

The 2nd smile:

China (centuries ago) : Qiu Xiang smiles at Tang Bo Hu at a temple.

Singapore (____ 2007) : Royston was in Bedok Camp with his crew doing a filming of a short film, and he step out of the camp while i was on the phone in the guardroom.

The 3rd smile:

China (centuries ago) : Qiu Xiang smiles at Tang Bo Hu at a fair again.

Singapore (21st Jul 2007) : Royston smiles at me and i smile back at me when i was in the seminar on his upcming movie, 881.

Back to reality, the attandance for the seminar was above average. Nevertheless, there are always a group of supporters who appreciates his film.

Kate Hudson teaches a woman to lose a guy in 10 days in reel life, and Royston takes 22 days to made a movie in real life.

Not too sure what is 881 about? Simple. The movie is a tribute to the late Hokkien getai singer, Chen Jin Lang, who passed away in Jul 2006. Getai, or stage of songs, is a unique culture which can only be seen in Malaysia and Singapore during the 7th Lunar month, also known as Hungry Ghosts Festival. The singers would perform songs for the dead, where it was believed that during this month, the gates at Hell will open, and ghosts will wonder around for 30 days. As for the story, it is about 2 sisters who aspires to be a getai singer. The sisters, named themselves the Papaya sisters (note: 881 in Mandarin was pronounced as ba ba yiao, which sounds like papaya. Seems that Royston has the penchant of naming his full length feature using numbers.), performs in the getai during the 7th month, and the difficulties they are facing.

After watching the trailer, i am amazed, and really looking forward to the arrival of 881 on Aug 9 aka National Day. Though Royston is facing the fierce competition of Jackie Chan and his ang moh monkeyshow aka Rush Hour 3 and Jay Chou's directorial debut Secret with Anthony Wong, 881 is definitely worth the wait. My two cents worth of comment on the trailer: a true blue Singapore movie that truly reflects Singapore after Singapore Dreaming and Money No Enough.

And now, Ladies and Gentlemen...

That's me and the cutie! :P

Want to know what is our conversation?

Ask me. Haha.

Now playing: La Nage Indienne - Etienne Daho

The Great Great Great Singapore...

2007-07-14T18:23:00.000-07:00

Queue

Harry Potter has once again, hit the cinemas in Singapore! And expected, the teenage Harry has driven every Singaporeans out to the cinemas to catch him and his pals, Ron and Hermione, and some of their classmates for a rebellion against the evil power.

Yes! Yes! Yes! I could heard some girls screaming behind me over the cute Harry aka Daniel Radcliffe.

Unfortunately, The Order of the Phoenix wasn't really that exciting, compared to the previous series. So, some disappointments are inevitable.

And what do i mean by the queue? Just head down to any cinemas in Singapore and you will get what i mean. Not forgetting that Transformers and Die Hard 4.0 are competing against Harry.

And what happens when you couldn't get the tickets to the show you wanted? Either you wait for the next available show time, or just simply catch Ang Pagadadalaga Ni Maximo Oliveros aka The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros at The Picturehouse. Unsurprisingly, i see several full house sessions on the weekends too. Sigh...

Dream

Rented the DVD of Singapore Dreaming, a movie that won the Singapore couple Colin Goh (the founder of TalkingCock.com) and his wife Woo Yen Yen (an assistant professor in NUS) Best New Screenwriter award in San Sebastian International Film Featival 2006.

Featuring Richard Low, the veteran actor from Mediacorp, together with Lim Yu Beng, Dick Su, Alice Lim, Serene Chan and Yeo Yann Yann, Singapore Dreaming is a slice of Singaporean life with a big Singapore dream that has turn sour, just like how Kevin Spacey found his American Dream turned sour in American Beauty.

Set in a old 3 room HDB flat in Toa Payoh, the story surrounds the father (Low) , who works as a clerk in a law firm with lots of gambling debts. He buys TOTO and 4D frequently, and enjoys cutting out pictures of posh branded cars from newspapers. His wife (Alice Lim), who is a housewife, boils herbal tea daily and they lived together with their son's girlfriend Irene (Chan).

His son, Seng (Su), was a uni grduate from US, and his daughter, Mei (Yeo), a secretary, lives with her husband CK (Lim Yu Beng), a former Army Regular with Guards turned insurance agent.

Everything seems normal till the father strikes the $2 million TOTO. His dreams has come true, and very soon, he will fufill his wishes. Getting a apartment, buying a car, setting up his own business... without realising that disaster will soon fall on the family.

The father died in a sudden heart attack while waiting for a interview in a prestigeous country club. Leaving his shocked wife, Seng, Mei, Irene and CK to handle the funeral, the family comes to a collapse when everyone vent their anger on each other over the $2 million which could not be drawn out due to the money being placed in a joint account between the parents. Seng is particular about his image and reputation, while Mei is stressing up over handling various issues at a go. CK vent his anger on Mei after he could no longer tolerate Mei's attitude over him, while Irene breaks out with Seng after overheard that Seng actually did not completed his university education in US.

Sounds like the dysfunctional family in American Beauty, minus the sex and drugs.

SALE

Now how i love this 4 character word, SALE.

Metro Century Square is having a closing down sale. Yes, a closing down sale. Everything (not everything i would say. About 70% of it) are now clearing at half price plus 20% off.

So i bought myself 2 Skinxwear briefs at $4.50 each, from the usual $10.90. And 20% + 20% off for Calvin Klein briefs! I got myself 2 instantly. Hee...

2007-07-10T06:25:00.000-07:00

I checked my bank account this afternoon after work.

And i've gotten an additional $90 for my paycheck. Yes, $50 for all NSF, $20 for LCP, $20 for 1 year soldier.

But, does that additonal $90 helps much, since i've to pay 2% from 0% when making payment with NETS? And not forgetting the 2% increase in GST.

OK. Now, what to do with that additional $90? Should i treat myself to a 1 day trip at JB, so as to boose Malaysia's economy? Or should i go for one last round of GSS before it comes to an end in few weeks time?

Any other suggestions?

Now playing: Say You Say Me - Lionel Richie

The Great Great Singapore Sale

2007-06-25T05:42:00.000-07:00

Yes yes yes. The Great Singapore Sale is driving Singaporeans out from their comfy home to fight in an urban warfare.

Urban warfare, mind you, not jungle warfare that me had to go through during my BMT days.

And by right, i should be shopping like those siao cha bor, just like our Singapore's very own Dim Sum Dollies at CK Tangs. Yes, CK Tangs at Orchard is having a sale right now. A really big, but not a mad sale. And it seems that FCUK gives the best offer. Imagine a $119 casual shirt selling at $119+ 70% off, before GST rises to 7%. Kewls...

But, just like Dr Paul who loves books, i love home videos. Thus, this is the opportunity to stock up DVDs that i wanted.

Imagine...

Confessions of Pain HK import at $25 from usual price $30... (from Commericial Press Book Store)

Volver at $19.50 from usual $24.90 from Gramophone and Les Poupees Russes (2nd hand copy) at $10 from Video Ezy

M:I 3 2Disc Editon DVD at $9.90 with purchase of Woody Allen's Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sex* but were afraid to ask at $6.90, from Laserflair.

Eh...i was wondering: how come 3 Colors Trilogy was not included in the sale?

p.s: Movie tickets in Singapore has just secretly increased back to $7, $8 and $9.50 (weekend rate) secretly. Bastard.

The Importance of Being Love Love Love

2007-06-23T07:20:00.000-07:00

And i am referring to 2 new singers in Asia who are new in the music industry, but shares a different fate. And yes, they had gotten my attention.

He is Khalil Fong aka 方大同, while she is Iris Judotter.

He is from Hong Kong, while she is from Singapore.

He wrote pop music and it was a hit on the radio.
She wrote songs and only girls who loved girls frequents the pubs would get to hear her song on the pub.

His music was a mixture of RnB and Soul, influenced by Michael Jackson, Babyface and Stevie Wonder since young.
Her songs were a mixture of Alicia Keys and Damien Rice, with a touch of her sentiments.

His songs are play on Yes 93.3FM, Jia 88.3FM and other popular Mandarin stations in M'sia and HK daily.
Her songs would only be played on Lush 99.5FM, once in a blue moon.

He gets a lot of fans in Asia.
She gets a limited fans in Singapore. In fact, not all Singaporeans knows her.

He sings for passion. She sings for passion.

They sing for passion, but they didn't share the same fate.

The Year Bak Chang Is Missing From Our Dining Table

2007-06-18T06:09:00.000-07:00

Another year had passed. I am now a one year soldier.

I remembered mum making rice dumplings aka bak chang every year without fail, so that our family could have fresh, piping hot glutunous rice dumplings filled with meat, chinese mushrooms, dried prawns (hae bee), salted eggs and peanuts wrapped with bamboo leaves, tied up and boiled in hot water till cooked. Yes, i would be busily washing the leaves and sis will be cutting garlic and shallots to fry the meat. When the piping hot bak changs are ready to be served, we would have that for dinner. And yes, i made bak chang before enlistment last year.

And mum always told me that granny makes bak chang really fast. She could wrapped a bak chang in 20 seconds. And that was really fast. Come to think of it, indeed, it was fast.

Until granny passed away peacefully on Vesak Day this year at her home in Ayer Tawah, Perak.

No longer will i be able to see granny wrapped bak chang for her sons and daughter-in-laws, grandchildrens and her great grandchildren.

I remembered that dad cried quietly when granny leaves this world, after grandpa passed away 19 years ago. As a son, i do not know what to do to ease the pain dad is going through.

When mum told me that dad was hit by a NSF on a motorbike while driving on an expressway for work this morning, i was in a state of confusion. Thank goodness it was not a serious injury that requires amputation, but somehow i am worried for dad. He's old, and he has been losing concentration at work lately.

The Chinese had a tradition to be observed: no making of festive goodies in conjunction with festive seasons for a year when someone in the family passes away. And thus, we are not allowed to make any bak chang for Dumpling festival and tangyuans (glutunous rice balls) for Winter Solstics, which falls 3 days before X'mas this year. And no making of new year cakes for CNY this year. We could only have them by buying.

Tash was right: you can buy bak changs outside for this year. But no matter how great those expensive ingredients were included for making a perfect rice dumpling, it still cannot beat the taste of a simple home made bak chang.

Tomorrow, Tash will be enjoying his favourite nonya bak chang and sio bak chang for lunch and dinner, while we will be having factory made bak chang on the dining table for dinner.

Now playing: The Rat Within the Grain - Damien Rice

Goodbye Royston, Hello Shawn.

2007-05-29T20:20:00.000-07:00

This story will be told in 2 parts.

Goodbye Royston.

I am referring to the only Singapore director who had made himself to Time magazine, Royston Tan. Yes, he was in my unit for a filming of a short film. And after meeting him with Lawrence at National Library last year, i thought: that is a nice little session with the former TP Alumni who made himself a name in the world for his homoerotic styled Ah beng flick 15, which was serverly injured by the censors here.

Unfortunately, he came down to my unit for a filming, which has once again ignited my curiosity and passion for him and his film. So i told myself: OK, i shall see you in my unit today. Mabey we could say hi to each other.

Sad to say, didn't saw him when working throughout the day.

Until somewhere around late afternoon, while i was handling a call, he walked past the guardroom with his crew and they stepped out of the camp. My colleagues have no idea who was Royston. And yes, he left while i was handling the call.

A feeling of sadness and disappointment rushes towards me, and haunts me for a moment. The feeling was unspeakable, for i missed another opportunity to talk to him.

Just like certain films that comes with a sequel where it becomes sucky, it seems that this theory applies to meeting some people for the second time as well. A moment with Tsai Ming Liang was so so, and in the end, meeting him for the second time seems to feel so horrible.

Hello Shawn

Was taking a train back home from Bugis MRT Station, where there is a young man standing beside me. He looks familiar.

Later,

Man: Hey David! Hello!
Me: Shawn?
Man: Yes. How are you?

I've realised that time not only flies, but it has been advancing at the speed of... I do not know.

All of a sudden, it seems that everyone in TP has grown up, and living in an individual life. Should i say it is a good thing?

Shawn did not make it to the Commando school, and so does many of our peers who didn't make it to commanding school. Nevertheless, it's all about what you want at the end of the day, for you are living for yourself, not living for the others.

How are you, my friends from TP?

Now playing: Meltdown - Lisa Gerrard & Pieter Bourke (Extract from OST of Michael Mann's The Insider)

Pirates! Pirates!

2007-05-26T19:14:00.000-07:00

Oh well amazingly i didn't step out of the house yesterday, which makes me feel very very odd. (Can you imagine i've been spending so many lonely weekends in town for the past few weeks?)

The constant long hours of work for the past few days + remedial session with Captain Jack Sparrow yesterday has made me become equally kranky like Jack Sparrow ala Willy Wonka ala Johnny Depp. Couldn't imagine i've actually gave Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl a miss when it was in theatres in 2003.

When some of my female friends exclaimed to me how handsome Will Turner ala Orlando Bloom is, i didn't gave much thought to it.

Whatever it is, i will tell you more when i go meet Captain Sao Feng from the little lovely island later in the day. K??

颐和园

2007-05-19T07:29:00.000-07:00

To me, 颐和园 or Summer Palace in English, means 2 things to me.

1. It is a garden located in a palace centuries ago, before it was destroyed in some kind of revolution in China.

2. The modern China sex drama directed by Lou Ye, the Chinese director who directed Purple Butterfly and Suzhou River.

And when Singapore is the second country in the world to screen Summer Palace in cinema after France, fans of Lou Ye (and i believe that it only limited to a few, since Lou Ye is a familiar name to the modern 5th Generation China film makers.) and some Mainlanders living in Singapore would be delighted to see the film in Singapore, since it was banned in China. (Summer Palace discussed the Tiananmen incident in 1989, which is something the government is feeling sensitive about, so they rejected the film to be passed thru the censors. Director Lou Ye then take the film to Cannes film fest 2006 without the permission of the authorities. Thus it receives high accliamation, but angered the Chinese the government, where the prints and materials related to the film was confiscated, and Lou was banned by the government from making any movie in China for 5 years.)

And not forgetting that Summer Palace is China's first movie that contains explicit sex scenes with full frontal male and female nudity. Thus, the above 2 reasons makes Summer Palace making a big bang before hitting the theatres in Singapore. And i catch it twice: once in Golden cinema, another at Cine Orchard.

The story is based on the diary of a fictionous character named Yu Hong, a country girl who is a student of Beijing university. She befriends Li Ti, her nextdoor roommate. From there, she gets to know Ruo Gu, Li's boyfriend. And when Zhou Wei, a friend of Li Ti, was introduced to Yu Hong, Yu found the man who enters her life.

Soon they fall in love, and they spend their days drowning in sex and love. While Yu was in love with Zhou, Zhou was swinging in between Yu and Li.

1989 was the year where Tiananmen incident brokeout. Zhou and Li were caught by the administrative officials in the school dormitory for having casual sex. Yu was taken back home by her boyfriend for fear that she would lost her life in the constant riots that broke out every now and then.

Soon, the calender was fast forwarded to 1998. Zhou and Li migrated to Berlin, while Yu was still swinging in between other mens for sex.

Until 2000. Li commited suicide by throwing herself down a building in Berlin, and a devastated Zhou returned back to Chongqing, only to know that Yu was living in Chongqing too. They meet up, hugged at each other, without words.

And they go separate ways after that.

The End.

Now playing: Qing Chun Wu Qu - Dayo Lo

I Don't Want To Sleep Alone...

2007-05-04T07:30:00.000-07:00

Am writing this blgo together with my hot Cadbury chocolate, a thick chocolate sauce coated icing on a blueberry muffin and Goldfrapp's Black Cherry playing on the computer.

The Comfort Food that i need for this week. Both physical and mental, body and soul.

The previous few weeks has been pretty hectic when it comes to work. Work is tiring, and it is draining my body...

And do u know that i've been spending the previous few weekends alone?? Attending the gala premier of I Don't Want to Sleep Alone on my birthday gives me the answer: I am not alone.

4 is a company, so i am not alone.

Not only do i have dark eye rings around the eyes (which makes me look like a protected animal from China), but also a sense of loneliness has been invading me for a long long time.

At work, i am feeling tired often. I always tell myself: hey, mabey i lack sleep. But, after reading an article on Lianhe Zaobao, i suspected that it might not be some genes or illnesses found only on the lazybums. Lack of sleep and feeling sleepy all times can lead to serious health damage if one fails to notices it.

Emotionally, i feel drained out, like a peaches removed from a can of peach soaked in syrup. I was wondering am i being ostracised by my peers just because i have unique preference when it comes to leisure. When my RP Spect asked me if i want to go for Spiderman 3, my buddy told him: David wants Summer Palace instead.

Yes, people would rather pay $9.50 to see spidey flying around the city to fight against the villians around him (including the darker side of himself) than seeing university students from China fighting for their freedom which ends with bloodshed during the Tiananmen incident in 1989. Give the choice of being entertained for 140 mins than thinking for 140 mins, which one would you choose? I, personally, opt for the latter.

While my peers says 300 is fantastic, i finds it average. Now, am i a martian from outer space?

Let me slash out summary of movies catched in cinemas during 07':

Borat: 7/10

Blood Diamond: 7/10 (Tsai Ming Liang almost puked at Edward Zwick's thought provoking drama)

Pan's Labyrinth: 8/10

Sex and Lucia: 7/10

Babel: 8/10

The Last King of Scotland: 7/10

Little Children: 8/10

Protege: 7/10 (could score higher if presented uncut.)

Volver: 7/10 (Almodovar could have done better)

Breaking and Entering: 6/10

I Don't Want to Sleep Alone: 8/10 (ordinary folks would fall asleep)

300: 5/10

20CM: 6/10

Nightmare Detective: 6/10

Excuese Moi, Je Prends...

2007-04-23T05:53:00.000-07:00

A dinner to The French Stall is something the role Audrey Tautou acted in Hors Dex Prix would never go for. But to someone who is a stranger to the world of the fine dining cuisine and someone who craves for the taste of France, The French Stall is the starting point for every Singaporean who wants a slice of France.

7pm, Plaza Singapura.

Lawrence and i met each other, before we decided we should head down to The French Stall, located at Little India by taking the free SMRT shuttle Bus.

8pm, Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station

Where is Jess??

8.20pm, Farrer Park MRT Station

Lost in translation. 2 men trapped in nowhere around Mustafa Centre. A woman had no clue where she is arrives the train station.

8.30pm, 150M away from Farrer Park MRT Stn, 50m from The French Stall.

Lawrence went to pick Jess up, while i made reservations for a table for 3 at the stall. Am fighting with the Frenchs for the menu.

8.40pm, The French Stall.

Jess and Lawrence reached the pre-war shop house, and waiting for the kind hostness to lead us to a table for 3.

8.45pm, The French Stall.

Flipping thru the menu, and we were introduced to Cauliflower Soup, which was the soup of the day.

And the rest follows...

Eh...from left clockwise: garlic bread, deep fried chicken leg with potato pie and porkchop with baked layered potato, fries and garlic bread plus cauliflower soup...

And after the meal...

Giant profitorale with vanilla ice cream drenched with hot chocolate sauce and home made tiramisu. Utterly sinful, but not eating something made in heaven is equally sinful as well. Hee...

TBC...

The Crying Game

2007-04-06T04:57:00.000-07:00

OK, i must say (or admit, more rather) that i didn't look forward to my 22nd birthday.

The tagline of Quinceanera says: Fifteen is not so sweet.

Veinte dos años de viejo no son tan dulces.

As time move on, i am moving towards my 23rd birthday, which makes me wonder: should i look forward to it? (Anyway, i will be busy with NDP 08 preparation next year.)

Get myself the 1st few pairs of contact lenses, and i do feel different. How different? Just that i am seeing things clearer, but i do not need a spectacle. Sometimes, i really afraid that the lenses might just glued to the eye cornea (and this happens to a lady in Taiwan after wearing some cheap coloured contact lenses for more than 14 hours.) when i had some difficulty removing the lenses.

The fear that accompanies the increasing of age has come. I always lament to my warrant officer and sergeant major that i am old. They rebutted: if i am old, then what are they?

And there are moments i feel that as i age, i tend to share views that are very very different from my peers. Imagine i am talking to my colleagues on Tsai Ming Liang's view of movies...

Me: Tsai said in his seminar that he was watching Blood Diamond on the plane, and he almost feel like puking after watching it.
Colleague: I am going to puke if i watch his film. Does he think that he direct a very good movie? And does many think that they understand and love his film?
Me: .........

That makes me so out and different from my peers. I remember when everybody is flocking to theatres seeing Jackie Chan VS Daniel Wu in New Police Story in 2004, i choose to see Penelope Cruz and Sergio Castello finding solace with each other in Non Ti Muovere, an Italian drama. While my platoon mate said how exciting Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift are, i opt for U-Carmen eKhayelitsha at The Picturehouse, an African adaptation of Carmen the musical. While Clarence finds Desperate Housewifes okay to him, i prefer Sex and the City. While CSI is the main choice of an hour of suspense weekly, i go for the re-run of David Lynch's Twin Peaks.

Mabey i am getting out of place from this society soon. : (

MEME

2007-03-27T05:48:00.000-07:00

And yesterday was my Bro's 27th Bdae. Happy Birthday Bro.

Seen this thru one of my friend's blog, with such thing known as MEME. Yes, me and me.

In which there are 10 questions to know more about myself...

10 songs you’ve been listening a lot to lately:
1. I Want Your Sex by George Michael
2. Sex Crime by Eurythmics
3. Take On Me by A-Ha
4. Ai Shang Yi Ge Bu Hui Jia De Ren by Sandy Lam
5. Generique (theme song for L'auberge Espagnole) by Kouz-1.
6. Wake Me Up Before You Go Go by Wham!
7. Les Poupees Russes (score for the movie Les Poupees Russes) by Kraked Unit
8. Flawless by George Michael
9. Why by Annie Lennox
10. Bei Pan by Gary Cao Ge

9 things you look forward to:
1. my 22nd bdae
2. my bdae dinner with my gang this wkend
3. bdae present. (Lawrence asked me what present do i want to receive this yr...)
4. increase in pay.
5. clubbing
6. sex
7. pubbing
8. sex
9. sex (and i need to get laid...)

8 things you like to wear:
1. My Celio blue jeans
2. Levi's 512
3. Red CK tees
4. Red Esprit tees with a design of a lion
5. Blue Converse sneakers
6. Brown Puma leather shoes
7. White Skinxwear boxer briefs
8. Renoma briefs with elastic rubber waist strap

7 things that annoy you:
1. job at the last minute
2. morons who do not know how to keep their mouth shut in the movies and plays
3. constant repeat telecast of crappy shows on Mediacorp TV
4. incooperative idiots
5. lazybums
6. crappy music
7. crappy ads

6 things you say most days:
1. fuck
2. shit
3. omg
4. what?
5. right...
6. Morning/Afternoon/Evening Guardroom, ...

5 things you do everyday:
1. watch news on TV
2. read newspaper
3. surf porn
4. wank
5. coffee breaks

4 people you want to spend more time with:
1. Clarence (he is leaving us soon.)
2. Mum and Dad
3. Lawrence
4. Jess

3 movies you could watch over and over again:
1. All About My Mother (Almodovar's best flick ever.)
2. Quills
3. Basic Instinct

2 of your favorite songs at the moment:
1. I Knew You Were (Waiting for ME) by George Michael and Aretha Franklin
2. Who's that Girl by Eurythmics

1 person you could spend the rest of your life with:
Me and my bear. :)

Of Briefs and Men

2007-03-20T05:28:00.001-07:00

Last Sat's trip to Aeon Tebrau City in Johore Bahru seems to be fun, but dull at the same time.

Shop for some videos, makan and clothes. In the end, its another session to Pan's Labyrinth at JB, gotten myself the VCD of After this Our Exile and Election series. Had some nice curry rice at Kim Gary's, Choco banana from Secret Recipe and a disappointing Sarawak Laksa from Laksa Shack. (Remember the time when Tash and i had e laksa at 1 Utama KL. That was really the best!!)

While walking to Jusco Dept store, there was a sale for branded briefs at a really nice price. However, considering the number of new unworn briefs and boxer briefs from Renoma, BUM Equipment and Skinxwear piling up in my wardrobe, i gave up the opportunity of getting a set of 2 teacups with saucer and spoon with every RM50 purchase of Byford briefs.

Just how important is a brief to a man?

In a recent article that i read, it was briefly written like this: if you have a fantastic suit with tight fitting jeans and a really great sneakers, but right under you are wearing some really cheap discolourewd briefs, you should flawn your figure at the nudist beach.

See what i mean?

Most men in their 20's, 30's and 40's would spend some or more money to get a decent briefs. Thanks to Mark Walhberg and his Calvin Klein's ad in the early 90's, men are getting conscious of what are they wearing inside.

It's all about the feel good feeing one had when wearing a nice decent brief. And i must say, yeah. Feeling good. People might think: people would not go flash their briefs around what! Unless they are Superman.

Some of the advantages of wearing a nice decent branded briefs:
1. Feeling good. Inside and outside. When you wear a nice branded briefs, you tend to feel comfortable and cool physically. Psychologically, you had a cloud 9 feeling.
2. Ready for sex anytime. Yeah, and i mean it. When you found a right person for sex, he/she might be delighted. You do not want to wreck the lovely opportunity of a moment of pleasure with some old discoloured briefs by freaking another person out (unless he/she do not mind, where they feel that skills and comfort with each other matters more.)
3. You won't feel so embarassed in case some misfortunes falls on ya head. (Go figure it yourself.)

A friend of mine who was a sports enthusiastic, had the habit of going jogging without wearing any briefs. He always leaves his briefs in our room when getting changed. Yesterday, while getting change for an afternoon jog, he told me:

Him: Hey Dave, see? I am wearing a pair of Levi's briefs.
Me: Is it?
Him: (turn his back around) Didn't you see that?
Me: Woo. How much did you get for this?
Him: Dunno leh. I'm not the one buying it. But it looks like panties to me. (Think of the silk like material.)

And as usual, he leaves his briefs behind.

Some moments later...

Me: Well do you know that there are people who have sexual fantasites with used briefs? Mabey you want to start a business from that?
Him: How?
Me: Sell your used briefs online.
Him: Ooh...Want my used briefs with some men's juice in it? $50??
Me: Oh...

My view: for a cute boy with a decent figure, a cheap brief would ruin his image, unless he was living in the 50's. So, why not get some nice Renoma or Skinxwear or CK's? Or mabey a Unico or C-Inz if you have that extra moolah to spare?

Due to Unforseen Circumstances...

2007-03-09T07:35:00.000-08:00

Many things happened for the past few days, way beyond my control.

1st. Stay In. Enough Said.

2nd. Hair wasn't cut, so in the danger of having my hair cut by the barber, while hairdresser is the only person i am willing to surrender my head to.

3rd. Lawrence won't be coming for the dinner tom. Sob Sob. Never mind. Special surprise tomorrow.

4th. Did a record breaking of spending most of my ang pow money on DVD's and CD. Bought the DVD of Quincenera, Collateral and TWENTYFIVE by George Michael. Robbie William's She's Madonna on my shopping list as well. In return, i received 2 movie tix to 300 + 300 poster, and 4 vouchers to Vil'lage for dinner.

5th. Clarence could not get to see the girl i am introducing to her. =(

But at least i receive a piece of good news... Tash is receiving his yoga instructor certificate. Yes! 3 cheers to the flying nun! Dun forget to give discount when i have lesson with u wor. Better still, free yoga session, and in return, i give u free massage session... :P

当年情 - 张国荣

2007-03-02T04:37:00.000-08:00

轻轻笑声在为我送温暖
你为我注入快乐强电
轻轻说声漫长路快要走过
终于走到明媚晴天

(声声) 欢呼跃起
像红日发放金箭
我伴你往日笑面重现
轻轻叫声共抬望眼看高空
终于青天优美为你献

拥着你当初温馨再涌现
心里边童年稚气梦未污染
今日我与你又试肩并肩
当年情再度添上新鲜

一望你眼里温馨已通电
心里边从前梦一点未改变
今日我与你又试肩并肩
当年情再度添上新鲜

When the Year of the Pig Arrives...

2007-02-22T04:03:00.000-08:00

Seems that Year of the Pig wasn't on my side, though the Chinese says this is the year of the Golden Pig.

1st, let's talk about...Spring Cleaning + Decorations. Time was simply rushing without any sympathy for the modern day workers. Thus, floors were not scrub, walls were not given a fresh coat of paint. And that's all i can say. These are the only 2 tasks that were left undone. Last minute decorations were done by buying decos on sale in Chinatown on CNY eve.

2nd, Reunion dinner. Dad complained that i had too little for dinner. Yeah, but i must reserve some space for kuih tarts aka pineapple cookies n tarts, peanut cookies, beer, chips, candies and tonnes of junks...

3rd, Rip Curl slippers. My slippers suffered by stepping on those sticky candy wrappers while stuffing packet jellies and mochis in big plastic bag for $5. Unleash of the kiasu instinct. :P

4th, Movies. Indecisive on movies to catch for CNY this year. While Ronny Yu's Fearless and Rob Marshall's Memoirs of a Geisha had Jet Li slashing and kicking ass on big screen, with Zhang Ziyi and Miclelle Yeoh pairing up to have some girlie fights with Gong Li last year, i am seeing Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson screwing their ass in the laundry room in Little Children and Daniel Wu trying to save his ass from Andy Lau and the baddies in Protege this year. Did not get to see Dame Judi Dench showing off her lesbian instinct towards Cate Blanchette in Notes on a Scandal this year, but did saw Forest Whitaker showing off his murderous charm by hanging human beings alive in the airport's duty free shop in Last King of Scotland a week before CNY.

5th, TV Shows. As i do not usually go visiting relatives in CNY (for everyone are enjoying and feasting in M'sia, while i had work to be done in S'pore), TV becomes the best companion. However, CNY programmes fails me this year, except the return of Mrs Pearlyn Chew and her funny Pernakan household in Ways of the Matriach: A Very Nyonya New Year Special on every Wed at 9.30pm on Arts Central.

6th, Singapore River Hongbao. Loss of cultural touch, gain in commercial benefits. In a nutshell: the big angpow this year = any neighbourhood pasar malams. And do not compare them with Pasar Malams in M'sia. Simply a blasphemy.

But something nice that i saw this year...

1st, visiting. Lawrence and Jess made a trip to my place, and in return, i visit Jess's family and a lovely lunch. Could remember how cheeky Lawrence said to Jess by calling her Ah Lin. In return, Jess called Lawrence 'uh that uncle...'

2nd, New Year Clothing Shopping. In my previous blog, you will see that i gotten a full set of New Year gown from Celio+ Skinxwear+Puma. Now introducing Esprit. Total: a beautiful fighure of $246. And imagine $246 is only a fraction of the total expenditure of new clothings and shoes for the whole year.

3rd, Home Alone. YES!! FREEDOM!! But no freedom to cook though...

4th, Munching of Junks. Yes... Bad for health and fattening... But i love it. Who cares? And i think i am becoming a pig specially for this year...

And before saying bye bye...

Rodney, my son, would like to wish all readers Gong Xi Fa Cai!!

Here Comes the Season of Red Again !

2007-02-12T03:42:00.000-08:00

Yes, yes, yes. Chinese New Year is coming.

And it is coming at an very scary speed. (Talking about speed, it seems that CNY has come slightly later, compared to the porevious years.)

So, as usual, this is the ritual to CNY: spring cleaning, CNY shopping (and this refers to furnitures and deco, food, clothings, electronics etc etc etc...), sitting round the table for reunion dinner (think a big family of 3 generations sitting around a round table saying yum seng, gong xi gong xi...), pay respect to seniors and wait for your ang pow collection (which makes the kids and the unmarried personnel, especially me, happy. Hee.), counting down to the arrival of CNY, visiting friends and relatives, go movie, see the river red packet (and i am referring to CNY Singapore River Hongbao, locating beside the Esplanade.) and...do what you want to do but you don't have time to do now.

While X'mas is one big thing to the S'poreans, CNY is another big thing to S'poreans. Talking about CNY shopping, youths today spares no mercy when it comes to CNY shopping for clothes. However, some of the fashion retailers doesn't seems to be very generous when it comes to giving discounts to shoppers.

Still, that doesn't stops youths from getting what they want. And as for me, the shopping spree on the weekend did nothing but burnt a very big hole on my wallet.

And this is what i bought:

Puma El Rey Tweed $79.

Skinxwear Trunks and Briefs $35 (and my colleague said that i took a really good care for my 'little bro', for i wear nothing but branded briefs.

And 3 weekends ago...

Shirt+Jeans+Socks from Celio: $100.

And not forgetting the upcoming 2 tees from Esprit...

Night of Spain

2007-01-27T18:58:00.000-08:00

And it seems that Spanish culture is the next big European interest to me after French culture. While i still holds the passion for Bonjour and Crossiants, Hola and Jamon has slowly become the next big thing to me.

After coming out from the fantsy labyrinth, Lawrence and i went deep down to the sea, watching Paz Vega exploring her sexual world ala Lucia Y El Sexo. (Sex and Lucia)

Story is simple: Lucia, a waitress, found out that her writer boyfriend, Lorenzo, goes missing. Thus, she escapes to an island to rediscover herself, while at the same time, the island reminds her of her sexual escapade with Lorenzo 6 years ago.

The verdict: It's like watching Spanish porn with a taste of art. While the story is divided between Lucia and Sex, the presentation seems to be a mess. And eventually, it ends up a mess. No proper stream of flow of the story, with nothing but today, 6 years ago, sex between Lucia and Lorenzo, Lucia and Carols (a fisherman she met in the island) and Lorenzo's romance with Elena (a friend of Carlos) and Belen, a good friend.

And here comes the 2nd exploration with Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's Babel. The Spanish director behind Amores Perroes and 21 Grams now brings us the last chapter of Trilogy of Choices. Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchette, Gael Garcia Bernal, Adriano Barazza and Rinko Kikuchi delivers us with the story of love, responsiblilty, sex, tension, barriers and hopelessness.

Babel leaves a bittersweet after taste, just like drinking Chivas with Coke. It's bitter, it's sweet, and it makes you drunk.

8pm was the time i meet up Jess and headed straight to Cafe Del Mar, located at Siloso Beach.

Le Crazy Horse Paris set up its 1st performance venue in Asia at Singapore, and it fails. Spain's Cafe Del Mar set up its 1st overseas outlet in Singapore, and it seems to be a hit, even though the official opening was held last weekend.

We had Chivas with Pepsi, and uh-huh, we saw 2 girls goes skinny dipping in the beach. Wow.

Should i say that was just some form of compensation to us for unable to find a bed to lie down to?? =)

A Fairy Tale Adventure for 2 Boys

2007-01-20T18:13:00.000-08:00

And i didn't know that Lawrence celebrated his 23rd birthday last Sun. Thus, i brings him to the wonderland named Pan's Labyrinth created by Guilleromo Del Toro.

And the 2 hours journey was exhilarating, yet not so exciting.

About Ofelia, a 11 year old girl who was the daughter of the late tailor, stepdaughter of a evil Fascist Captain and the princess of the world of fairies, in the mysterious labyrinth located just beside the wooden house where the captain lives. When she hates the current world where Facism is fighting against the Allies in WW2, she found a fairy that brings her to the other world. She met a faun (a creature that was said to have the eyes, ears and any feautres of a human being, but grows a horn on the head.) and the faun reveals her unknown identity of being a princess.

However, she must pass through 3 test to bring herself back to the world of fairies, where she can become the princess again.

The tale is partially about fairies in the lalaland and human beings with evil heart in reality. And it is somehow, a fruit for thought for everyone.

Frankly speaking, Pan's Labyrinth is much more better than some crappy movies playing currently in theatres right now. Even though audience were spoilt for choices in the cinemas (with 8 new release last week, and 10 new release this week) currently due to Gloden Globe Awards which officially wraps up last week, there are hits that should not be missed, and misses that does not deserves attention.

One Last Dance was too crappy, said Dex. Cicakman was a disgrace to Malaysia, i must say. Metrosexual is nothing but a piece of crap surrounding homosexual or transexual issues from Thailand. For pink dollar dudes, opt for Big Bang Love Juvenile A from Japan instead. I believed that you had a good taste for arts.

Haven, Harsh Times, Fur, Painted Veil, Illusionist was either too unknown, too arty-farty or too old to be known.

Apocalypto looks good, but there are limits a person can takes in the violence and gore elements.

Perfume is thrilling, but can be easily mistaken as a beautiful porn for ah peks who frequents Yangtze.

Gridiron Gang and Ghost Tunnel is frying cold rice over and over again, where inspirational becomes uninspirational, and where Japan makes cold chahan from Kimchi land.

Kungfu Mahjong 3 is definitely a must watch for those who loves playing Mahjong, or for those who loves B-flicks directed by Wong Jing.

At the end of the day, the movie diet is getting either a overdose that leads to obesity, or just simply taking the one that is digestable for your boring weekend.

U Know.......

2007-01-06T07:07:00.000-08:00

After reading Paul's latest entry, i decided to ask myself the questions.

And answer them on the blog. :p

1. The phone rings. Who do you want it to be?
umm...some nice friends asking me to go f0r a movie or clubbing lor.

2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart?
I don't do grocery shopping in a cart often. But of cos! I am not those kind of inconsiderate uncles n aunties carrying the cart home and ended up a garbage/shoe cart.

3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener?Mixture of both, i would say.

4. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive? I would survive, by provided i had a parang and a survival pack. If not, i will die of madness instead of hunger/attack by beasts.

5. Do you like to ride horses?Like that feeling, but i've not ride a horse for years.

6. Did you ever go to camp as a kid? NO.

7. What was your favorite board game as a kid?Monopoly.

8. If a sexy person was pursuing you, but you knew he/she was taken what would you do? Know the rules of the game. If you want to play with fire, go ahead. But you have to pay the price if you get burnt.

9. Are you judgmental?Ask my friends.

10. Would you date someone with different religious beliefs? It's the love between me and another party that counts.

11. Are you continuing your education?Sigh. NO for the next 1 year 5 mths.

12. Do you know how to shoot a gun?Can they change it to RIFLE please??

13. If your house was on fire, what's the first thing you will grab?I have to see the fire begins from which direction. But of course, i would grab my wallet, mobile and mp3. All docs were kept in a secured area.

14. How often do you read books? Books...when i am on the train. And i have to take the train to enjoy myself weekly. But i read newspaper daily though.

15. Do you think more about the past, present or future?Never look back. Look forward. What you do for today writes the story for tomorrow.

16. What is your favorite children's book? Doubt i have any. Cos adult romance novel and classical novel rules my reading habit since i was a kid. Ronald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory should be the accurate answer right?

18. How tall are you?178. Switch the 7 and 8 and you get Samuel L Jackson's 187. :P

19. Where is your ideal house located?An apartment in town, where there are nice and cheap eateries within my reach, must have a supermart, a pub, a decent video rental store. And shopping mall at stone's throw away.

20. Last person you talked to?Angus.

22. When was the last time you were at Olive Garden?What is that? We had Seoul Garden thoguh.

23. What are your keys on your key chains for?House keys, bunk key and letterbox.

24. What did you do last night?Sleep.

25. Where is your current pain at?No money... =(

26. Do you like mustard?Ketchup and Thai Chilli Sauce Please. (Asian Answer.) Mayonese please. (International answer)

27. Do you like your mom or dad?I Do I Do.

28. How long does it take you in the shower? At home? 10 mins. Need to clean my face...

29. What movie do you want to see right now? OMG...Volver, El Laberinto Del Fauno, Babel, The Last King of Scotland, The Queen, Apocalypto, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, Snowcake, Notes on a Scandal, The Good German, Dreamgirls, Little Children, Breaking and Entering, Letters from Iwo Jima, The Namesake, Fur: An Imaginary Potrait of Diane Arbus...And the list can go on and on...but no more Korean films.

30. Do you put lotion on your dog or cats?Applying lotion on cats and dogs = throwing money into the drain.

31. What did you do for New Year's Eve?Countdown and alcohol with Lawrence and Jess.

32. Do you think The Grudge was scary?The Grudge is crap. Real life situations around you and me are scarier than Ju On.

33. Do you own a camera phone?I am addicted to cam-whoring now. Yes!!!

34. What's the last letter of your middle name?I

35. Who did you vote for on American Idol? I rather spend more $$$ on nice looking shirts and branded shoes than throwing $$$ to someone i never knew.

36. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?7...pathetic.

37. Do you like care bears?How i love bears!!

38. Do you know how to play poker?nah.

39. Do you wear your seatbelt?I don't own a car. So can someone explain the existence of seatbelt?

40. What do you sleep in?Bed. And occassionally floor.

41. Anything big ever happen in your hometown?Post X'mas and New Year Sale. Celio, here i come!

42. Is your tongue pierced?I can go pierce my ear, but never my tongue.

43. Whose is the funniest person you know?I let you guess...

44. Do you like funny or serious people better?A Bit of both to spice up my life.

46. Did you eat a cookie today?I think i rather have bread. Oh yes, had an apple strudel after a swim.

47. Do you use cuss words in other languages?No need to curse. My words hurts.

48. Do you steal or pay for your music downloads?Common sense tells you the answer.

49. When was the last time you said 'i love you' and meant it?The magic word is too dangerous for me to use.

51. Is your cell usually on vibrate or ring?Both, loud and hard.

52. Do you need a boyfriend/girlfriend?I am greedy. I want both.

Tis Another Season to be Jolly!!

2007-01-02T04:00:00.000-08:00

Well people, we had finally kissed 2006 goodbye. And welcomed 2007 with open arms.

Here's a quick recount of my last 168 hours before the arrival of 2007:

Mon: X'mas. Lonely X'mas. That's all i can say.

Tue to Thurs: drag my body to Mowbray for lesson.

Fri: Gotten my RP Cert. Now an official RP. YAY!!!

Sat: Post X'mas shopping in town. But before that, catch Lie With Me at Yangtze. (Again? Must be mad huh??) Shopped for a wallet at Topman and a Arena swimming trunk. Yeah, kinda f***ing narcassist by getting branded trunks and briefs. And kinda show off for expensive taste.

Sun: Countdown at Vivocity. The trio (the same old trio that consist of me, Lawrence and Jess. What a pity Clarence did not join in. ) had a dinner at Kim Gary Restaurant in Vivo. (Oh yes! Kim Gary has finally reached here. Too bad for people like Lawrence who goes for XXL portion, the pricing of the dishes sets him back from getting more.) The quality of the food is there, but for the same price sold in Singapore, you can get 2 serving in M'sia. Jess and i had Baked Chicken Chop with Cheese rice in Bamboo steamer while Lawrence had Chicken, Fish and Pork Chop with Veggies with Fries. OMG...I think, i am fantasizing on the 4 chicks in Sex and the City.

Especially Sarah Jessica Parker.

Imagine we are dining in Kim Gary Mid-Valley Megamall:

Jess: The same old usual Bamboo Rice Steamer with Chicken Chop and Cheese Set Meal

Me: Same as her, but i will add in Yun-Yeung (combination of tea and coffee and milk and sugar) and thick toast with peanut butter and condense milk.

Lawrence: What he had in Vivo + Thick toast + Fries + Fried Chicken Wing?? (Hehe bro. Sorry if this is true/false!)

Special Apperance of Tash: any a la carte dishes with 2 ice lemon tea. :P

After dinner was a one way direction to GV Vivocity, for Lawrence and i decided to catch the 1.30am show of Sacha Baron Cohen's Borat: Cultural Learning of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhastan. Yes, the title is freaking long, but the duration is freaking short.

At the box office counter...

Me: Hi, i would like to have 2 tix to 1.30am show of Borat, please.

Counter staff (who look like a 17 yr old to me): Uh can i have your IC please? Please be reminded that this is an R21 show.

Me: Yes, i do know about it.

Staff: How many people are going for the show?

Me: 2.

Staff: May i know who is going for the show?

Me: (My jaws almost dropped. No, it should be my pants almost dropped off)

I turned to Lawrence and we showed our 11B to the staff.

Staff: Well, i have to check for the age, if not i will kana leh. (Kana means get it.)

Me: Is it true that there are tonnes of underage who wants to catch Borat?

Staff: Ya lah, but they are not supposed to watch it anyway. Anyway, just show your IC to the staff before entry.

Seems that forbidden fruit always taste sweeter, especially to the youths.

We made a turn to Level 3 of Vivocity, and headed straight to Countdown at Vivocity. And i just found out that the pre-celebration performance sucks. You can see it for yourself if you feel that Mediacorp's programme is getting from bad to worst.

And as the clock tick-tock itself away, we have reached 2007!!!

Audience began to leave the amphitheatre when S'pore Idol cum TP student (or TP graduate?) Hady began to sung George Michael's Freedom 90. As a fan of Georgie boy, that was...

We left and head down to Pacific Coffee Company for a Coffee.

Ah...love the idea that Pacific provides alfresco dining with those lovely rattan seats and sofas. All of a sudden, i feel that i was in the Eden of Coffee Plantation. Soon, Americano, Snapple and Caramel Latte with that utterly sinful chocolate cake and 2 almond crossiants filled the table. A wee hour coffee/tea time?? Hehe.

1.30am was the time for that outrageous comedy by the Briton actor who made himself famous for the role of Ali G. And the hall was filled with laughter of dirty acts, dirty jokes, tonnes of craps and...you can imagine.

It was 3.15am by the time we step out of the theatre, and thus it began what Lawrence called, the Route March. I add in: without full battle order. (well, full battle order simply means a soldier carrying his rifle with his skeletal battle order and his heavy fieldpack.)

And the route march began from St James Power Station...

Passing by Tanjong Pagar train station...

Walked passed Happy, the gay pub that is closing its door on the last day of 2006...

Cut through Chinatown, heading down to Clarke Quay. Saw youths sleeping outside McDonald's Chinatown Point...

More people sleeping on the road towards Clarke Quay...

Cut through Clarke Quay, stopped by a convenient store, bought Red Bull, walked further down towards the Parliament Hall...

More people sleeping outside the Parliament Hall...

Passed by St Andrew's Cathedral, decided to see the sunrise at Espalande...

Walked through the underground towards Esplanade, and saw more people sleeping...

Head towards Esplanade, and saw more people getting drunk, sleeping, fighting, fishing at Marina Area...

Saw the location of the upcoming Ferris Wheel at Marina Bay...

Walked towards Kallang River. Take a break, and enjoyed the view of the river...

Saw National Stadium, and walked towards Geylang Double Lorong...

And stopped for breakfast at Yong He doughstick and Soy Milk eatery.

It was 7am by the time we had breakfast and we go separate ways for home. Lawrence on a bus, and me, a train. Saw tonnes of youths waiting to go home on a train. Youths that party outside for hours...

Goodbye 2006. Hello 2007...

p.s: Lawrence n Jess, if you happened to saw this blog, just to tell you that i enjoyed the night. Thanks for the night! Without the 2 of youth, New Year would never be the same again. =)

Tis' the Season to be Rainy...

2006-12-24T05:49:00.000-08:00

Apparently, Singapore would never see a white X'mas, unless snow is created artifically.

Being near the equator, snow melts before it arrives the land. Thus, that explains why residents from Johore Bahru could not smile in this lovely season. The rain that leads to the flood explains everything.

Well, called Tash just now and he is spending his X'mas in Penang. How lovely! However, going back to Ayer Tawah and Changkat Kuning is simply out of the question now. No 1: The flood causes coach service to other parts in M'sia (especially in land) to be suspended till the flood is cleared. No 2: RP course in Mowbray. OK, so there goes my plan of visitng the shooting ground of After This Our Exile, and the opportunity of visiting the old pre-colonial shophouses where Ang Lee used it for his upcoming production, Lust, Cautious.

See what has rain done to this lovely December?

Tash asked me how did i spend my weekend. It's the same old usual stuff: movies (and Zhang Yimou should not direct a martial-art movie anymore. His Curse of the Golden Flower has been too depressing to most people.), shopping (malls still packed as usual, especially it is filled with people who wants to go for the last minute shopping.) and movies (invited Lawrence to the free screening of Confession of Pain on Wed.)

He asked me what had i gotten for my X'as present. I told him: a box of Renoma trunks+ socks and a Mambo shirt. Receive Jamiroquai's High Times: Singles 1992-2006 from a close friend and there are things that still have not appeared in my wish list: a Arena swimming trunks and a wallet. Was wondering should i get an FX Creation or Topman wallet. He said, he is getting them post X'mas sale. Teehehe.

OK, X'mas falls tomorrow night. And that spells one thing: 2006 is coming to an end soon. In a week's time, we are sending off this lovely little year. (Yeah, 1st countdown, 1st wee hour movie, last time preparing for final exam, Ang Lee created history by being the 1st Asian director to won an Oscars for his heart-breaking Brokeback Mountain, 21, frequent visit to Yangtze, BMT, POP (something that i feared that i would never make it thru, but i did it.), RP (an unexpected job. hoped to become a medic, but was given a job that i could never dreamed of...and Lawrence says never challange a RP. hehe...), saw my beautiful cousin getting married yesterday...

Eh, anymore surprises for the next 1 week before we (or should i say I ?) welcome the 2 with a dbl O and a 7 ?

Joyeux Noel. =)

Tis' the Season to be Jolly...

2006-12-16T20:50:00.000-08:00

And it seems that malls in town are crowded on X'mas season. Yeah. Think of the 13th month bonus and your 1 mth salary. The 13th mth is somekind of bonus to reward yourself for all the hardwork and effort you put in for the past 12 mths. But apparently, it seems that 13th mth is not in an NSF's dictionary.

Who is the winner in this season? Retailers, of course. The constant ka-chings in the cashier counter with the countless queues waiting in line is a common sight and sound in the stores, just like bees attracted to lovely flowers. To sweeten the honey, retailers cast the 4 magic character: SALE.

And i am not surprised why tonnes of S'poreans flocked to the large C and the little k in Orchard and deserted their French cousin Agnes b. (Ck is now offering a max of 70% off for all clothings while Agnes b gives only a $10 off for every $300 purchase. Sorry hunky guys round there, but only 20% discount for briefs if you want to impress your opposite sex or the other 1/2 with Ck briefs. Or you just want to stock up one year's supply of Ck.) Loved their shirt and their ties (shirts at 60% off and ties at 50% off.) but at the end of the day, money still matters for a poor NSF with a pathetic $450/mth. Don't believe it? Here's the math:

Shirt ($299 x 40%) + Tie ($109 x 50%) = $174.10

See? Shopping at Ck for just a tie and a shirt has already taken a large fraction of my monthly allowence. If you are going to deduct fees for daily necessities, i can tell you, be prepared to go totally bust at the end of the month before the 10th of every month arrives.

Well, vanity comes with a price. Still, that doesn't stop dudes who wants to show off their pink dollars to top up something new for their wardrobe.

Energie is having their Pre-X'mas sale too. Loved one of the their bags and feels that it is a good bargain ($149 x 50%) that is too good to be true. However, their clothings doesn't seem to be my cup off tea. So bags are for me, but not the shirt and pants.

Eventually, i gotten myself a pair of Renoma trunk and socks, and wrapped it up in the counter for free.

And gotten myself a Mambo shirt at 70% off. Just nice enough for my New Year's Countdown party.

But, i have to give up Kieslowski's Three Colors Trilogy, a DVD set that i yearn for years... =(

When Vengence Binds a Father and a Son...

2006-12-11T03:44:00.000-08:00

And it has been ages since i last blog. Think i am old and creative juice has been running out to be used as ink for this electronic quill pen...

Met Shyam for a movie and dinner after 1/2 year. And i brought him to Patrick Tam's latest production: After This, Our Exile.

Featuring Aaron Kwok, Charlie Yeung and Gouw Ian Iskandar, After This was like what Shaym says, a Hindi matinee soap drama. And i beg to differ.

Set in Ipoh, Perak (seems to be the 2nd movie set in Ipoh after watching Yasmin Ahmad's Gubra, the sequel to highly acclaimed Malaysian flick, Sepet), After This tells us a tale of a gambling-addicted father (Kwok), a disappointed mother (Yeung) and their 9 year old son torn between the parents. The son sense something is amiss when the mother treats him exceptionally well on a normal morning. He runs back home, and found his mother packing her clothings, decided to leave the family. Son runs to his father's workplace and inform him about his mother. The couple quarreled in front of their neighbours, and father had mother locked up.

After the mother expressed her disappointment towards him, father decided to turn over a new leaf. He brings the family for a cruise trip, but the mother did not go for the trip due to diahorrea, and it gives her an opportunity to run away to Johore Bahru with her new boyfriend. Faced with sudden loss of wife, the fiery-tempered father decided to find ways to get more money, so as to clear debts from loansharks. The son ends up stopped receiving education due to the constant runaway from the loansharks. They moved to a motel and father befriends a hooker. Son looks for mother in JB and found out that she was pregnant. Son left mother, and ends up a thrashing from father. Father attemped to runaway from loansharks but were caught by them, and ends up a broken leg from the trashing.

Father forces the son to steal from a rich family after the son stolen a gold watch from his classmate's house. The son fails, and was rescued at the last minute by the father. The father forces the son to steal again despite the son decided to quit. This time, the son was caught and arrested by the police. Father runs away and the son ends up in boy's home. The son bites off the ear from the father.

10 years later, the son is looking for his father, but do not recognise his father when he walked pass him.

The wallpaper features the father and son riding a bicycle, with the son holding a windmill. It looks lovely and heartwarming. However, behind this heartwarming picture, it lies a sad tale that is still happening around us today. The stubborn and hot tempered father who fails to reflect himself ends up losing everything.

Kwok makes a impressive performance, which in After This, it gives him a greater experience on exploring his roles. Never before in my life did i see a HK celeb could potray a role of lowly educated man from the rural part of Malaysia so well. (And this is much more better, compared to Jay Chou, who was horribly miscast in Zhang Yimou's Curse of the Golden Flower.) Somehow, i am a bit disappointed with Yeung's skills on acting a woman in despair and the amount of times she could appear in the story. There are more rooms for her to display her talent, since she fails to disappoint her fans in films from her recent comeback.

Iskandar was the one that amazes me in the film. The 9 year od boy has not only displayed his innocence, but also displayed his emotions of being a troubled 9 year old.

And from my knowledge, there are 3 versions available for After This. One for HK, one for M'sia (M'sia audience would not be able to get a chance to see the scene where Kwok and Yeung displyed their affection on bed, that leads the movie to be rated M18 in S'pore.) and one for international. And since Jeremy is asking me to bring his gf and himself to JB, i think, i should brainwashed them to go for the film. :P

TWENTYFIVE

2006-11-20T03:59:00.000-08:00

Had never expected that George Michael would release his compliation of songs he performed for the past 25 years, and in the end, die hard fans who supported him (like me) were rewarded with TWENTYFIVE, a compliation of songs for the past 25 years.

And so far, only Lawrence, Ross and some of my close friends knows that George Michael is my favourite singer, and i doubt Jeremy would see the point why i go gaga over 25, and over the moon when i bought myself 25.

I must admit that it is a fact that Georgie boy is a gay, but at least he is happy with what he had, right? And that is not a good reason for anyone to condemn his singing talent for that 25 years right? At least i would pay $488 (max) to watch George perform in S'pore Indoor Stadium, over some teeny booper Korean celeb who simply only had the looks, but a $200 tix can't even let you see his 6 pec. Or even his face clearly.

As promised, you get 44 songs from his 25 years of career, from songs in his early Wham! days to An Easier Affair and This is Not Real Love. This is Not Real Love is a duo with singer Mutya, where it talks about a love that is not real. An Easier Affair, on the other hand, sings about his life of becoming a gay, and how he finds acceptance in the society.

If you had a full collection of George's album (from the days he was a singer in Wham! to his last album, Patience), you might find this album slightly disappointing. From my observation, he moved all songs from his last album, Patience, into the 3 disc edition. (Note: there are 2 disc version available, but for starters, go for 2 disc version, while die hard fans, please get yourself the 3 disc version, by hook or by crook.) Also, don't expect his I Want Your Sex to be featured in this compliation, even though I Want Your Sex is one of his classics in the late 80's, which leads to a ban in Singapore during the early 90's.

In a nutshell: Grab the album before the album go-go and never return. =P

The Other Side of Night

2006-11-18T03:26:00.000-08:00

Thurs night was a lovely night that Lawrence and i enjoyed.

We met for a coffee at Gloria Jean's Vivocity before heading to GV Vivocity for SAFRA Free screening of James Bond's 21st installment, Casino Royale. I had a double shot low fat latte while he had a large mint chocolate bomb ice blended.

It was a table filled with coffee and chocolate, work and discussion on future studies. He was tied up with work, while i was still indecisive with Jeremy's recommendation of getting a part time degree next year before ORD.

After drowning ourselves with a latte and a chocolate ice blend, we went up to the theatre. To our shock and disappointment, the letter issued to us did not adhered to their promise. While the movie was supposed to opened at 9.30pm, it ended up admitting the audience at 9.25pm, and the movie opens at 10pm.

My observation from the theatre: GV Max has one of the largest screen in town, but the hall doesn't seems to be large, compared to Prince 1 in Beach Rd. Lawrence says: it doesn't look really that big. And by issuing us with seat No 35 & 36 at Row D, watching a movie on the giant screen is simply a disaster. And worst of all, it seems that the seats in GV Vivocity weren't really that comfy afterall. So the 145 min entertainent (if i were to count in entrance at 9.25pm, it would be 180mins.) turns out to be a torture than a pleasure. Worst still, no toilets at all! Does a cinema operator need to be reminded to build a toilet that is near a auditorium's convenience?

Daniel Craig looks handsome, and younger. Just simply don't see the point of having the big hoo haa when Pierce Bronsnan decided to quit James Bond and having Craig being the replacement. And the movie is not bad too.

The show ended at 12.25am, and that simply means there are no night bus/train services in service. Since St Jame's Power Station is located just beside Vivocity, i suggested to Lawrence let's go and have a peek at St James's.

It turns out that some pubs were not ready for operation, some closed for private events. What's left for us was Movida . Entrance to Movida was $12 for guys, including 1 housepour. Initially i was thinking of having only a drink at the sofa outside Movida with a chat, but Lawrence asked me if i wanted to go in and explore. I said yes...

And that begins my Thurs late night/ Fri early am rendaevouz with Sex and the City kind of lifestyle. Though i wasn't dressed in shirt (my Nike tee, Topman windbreaker, Unionbay jeans and a blue Converse canvas shoes + Kappa leather sling bag) while Lawrence does, i am still elegible for admittance to Movida. What invites us was a night of house mix followed by Spanish/Brazilian live band performance.

The crowd? Caucasians and some Spanish makes up the crowd. While one of the lead female singers sings and shows off her hot figure to the crowd, another was friendly and cheerful. Oh yes, one of the male lead singer looks like Gael Garcia Bernal! Woo!

After 2 Heinekens and some peanuts, we go down to the dance floor and drink, merry, mix with the crowd. With non-stop 2 hours live performance of Spanish and Cuban pop, night has never been so fun before. Imagine that 24 hours ago i was thinking of sleeping in the bunk...

We left around 2.15am, and Lawrence told me he really enjoyed it. We took the cab and enjoyed the night scene of S'pore, where the cab passes through PSA port. I exclaimed: night has never been so beautiful before.

Was dead drunk by the time i reach home at 2.45am. Drunk, but still remains some level of soberness.

And with a touch of fun that i never had before.

Forgotten by the time...while some are not forgotten

2006-11-12T03:43:00.000-08:00

It seems that anything around us is an evidence of time. They come in the form of perishable (think items that comes with an expiry date) and non-perishable.

Kevin once taught me to preserve a piece of mooncake by pouring hot wax over it to preserve it forever. Newspapers can be printed on microfilms for permanent used, where one do not flip the papers, but scan and rolled over it, just like a movie projector used in cinema.

See that? I could still get to know the timing of Basic Instinct printed on Straits Times. What's the showtime for Basic Instinct playing at the former Majestic Cinema in Chinatown?

And sometimes newspapers on microfilm gives us little surprises. Tom Cruise's 1983 leading debut Risky Business opens at Lido Cineplex in 1993, 10 years after it was first banned in S'pore for discussing immoral themes aka prostitution as a final year business school project.

And last friday's ST surprises me. GV decided to bring back Roger Mitchelle's The Mother, 2 years after it was first screened in GV Plaza.

Before Daniel Craig replaces Pierce Bronsnan as the next James

Bond, he first appared in a movie that not only make the audience dropped their jaws, but also make one realised how he/she should look into the wants and needs of their mother.

Sad to say, The Mother was one of the few little rare jems that was forgotten by time, for it does not have a strong cast (how many people knows Craig and Anne Reid then? People will know Reid if they pay attention to those British and American drama series that they watched, for Reid is no stranger to drama series.)

And The Mother was totally out of my mind for the past 2 years, until it reappaers on GV's timing schedule printed on ST, that it will have a re-run for a limited period.

Re-run after 2 years? That was not really surprising, for Apollo 13 makes a return on IMAX format 8 years after it first make it to the big screen in 1995.

And let's not forget movies with super long run in theatres.

In 1991, David Lynch's Wild At Heart, the 1st R-rated English movie in Singapore, has been playing in various cinemas for a year.

While Tsui Hark and Jet Li worked and released 3 Once Upon A Time (Wong Fei Hong) series from Dec 91 to July 92, Philip Kaufman's The Unbearable Lightness of Being has becomes the only English R(A) film that has been playing in the then Jade Classic, Yangtze and President (the location of the current Balestier cineplex) from Dec 91 to July 92.

James Cameron's Titanic has been sailing in the then Cathay Cinema from Dec 97 to July 98.

And far away in India, Shah Rukh Khan's Diwale Duhainya Le Jayagne played in a particular cinema in Mumbai for 10 years, and still running strong today.

The Mother brings back the sting that still pricks my heart 2 years ago. I throw tantrums at Jeremy for some personal reason when The Mother played in GV Plaza 2 years ago. 2 years later, when GV Vivocity resurrected The Mother, Jeremy asked me if i am interested in getting a part time bachelor in business degree from University of California.

In some way, time has healed the wounds of him (i supposed so. mabey he had forgotten the whole drama about it.) but till today, i still could not forgive myself from shouting at him.

Now playing: Why - Annie Lennox

The Times of Kim Ki Duk

2006-11-10T07:43:00.000-08:00

Once told myself i would, and will not step into the theatre to watch a Korean movie, or touch a Korean movie again, since i personally feels that they arebest in making crappy comedies (think My Sassy Girls and those lame comedies.), dumb horrors (those dumb horror films can tell you why) and loads of cheap X-rated films flooding Golden and Yangtze cineplex, satisfying the constant craving of the ah peks. This makes me agree no more when i catched Art of Seduction in April with mum in The Cathay.

There are 2 Korean directors in the namelist of the list of directors in the mind of Ding Tai Wei. They are: Park Chan Woo and Kim Ki Duk. Ying Xiang, my platoon mate in Tekong, once asked me how come i did not watched Park's Sympathy for Mr Vengence and Old Boy, while i had already catch Lee Young Ae's Sympathy for Lady Vengence with Choi Min Shik. Worst of all, how come i do not like Old Boy, since he finds it one of the best film ever watched.

Kim Ki Duk, on the other hand, was named Korea's David Lynch by the American and European critics, for Kim's fetish (is fetish the right word??) of throwing in sex in his films. While Park loves violence, Kim loves sex. Bad Guy, The Isle, 3-Iron, The Bow...and now, Time.

Kim's films is not your typical kind suitable for parents and kids family drama. You will never see a movie directed by Kim talking about a happy family facing some problems and how they solved the problem and happy together in the end. Kim's movie discuss weird and dark side of human beings. Bad Guy is a dream or fantasy of a single man who forces a woman into prostitution, Isle binds a mute girl and a coma police on-the-run through sexual fetish, 3 Iron explores a menage a trois between a newspaper deliveryman and a couple living in a house that he breaks into, and finds himself in love with the wife...

The Bow is the most bizzared movie Kim ever directed: about a 60 year old old man lives with a young girl in a fishing boat. He decides to marry her when the girl either 1) turns 16 or 2) her boobies fully developed. However, this girl falls in love with a guy few years older than her. Taught her with the skills of suing a bow and arrow to kill, the old man decided to kill the couple with a bow and arrow. Now, if you are going to put this in a moder day context, don't you think the 3 peole had made a pretty foolish decision in their life?? The old man seems to be the one that developes the most number of questions. Is there anyone who still defend themselves with a bow and arrow?? Any how to explain the large age gap between him and the girl??

Few hours ago, i catch the free screening of Kim's 13th movie, Shi Gan aka Time in Korean. Time explores another issue of human nature: beauty. Kim uses plastic surgery to discuss beauty and human nature. Here, we have Ha Jung Woo (a handsome looking Korean actor who looks like Robin, a friend of mine.) and Sung Huyn Ah (the leading actress in Lovers in Prague) playing Ji Woo and See Hee respectively. In fact, there are 2 actress playing See Hee, so please do not get yourself confused.

Ji Woo and See Hee are lovers being together for 2 years, but See Hee finds herself feeling guilty for not retaining her boyfriend because she feels that he is tired of her looks for 2 years. Thus, she took a drastic act that no one can ever imagined: she disappears after a quarrel and she goes for a plastic surgery. Bu going thru that nip/tuck, she hopes to retain the heart of Ji Woo.

6 months later, Ji Woo met a waitress in a cafe, who also names See Hee. Ji Woo, who still misses his previous See Hee, falls in love with the new See Hee he met in the cafe. But when the old See Hee returns with a letter and appears in the cafe with a mask of her old face on, Ji Woo thought that the new See Hee is playing a cruel joke on him. Sad to say, NO. That was the same old See Hee who spends her 2 years with Ji Woo. Apparently, her surgery doesn't seems to be successful. Thus, she puts on her mask so as not to frightened Ji Woo. But this is just the beginning of another tragedy: Ji Woo goes for a plastic surgery, despite having a very handsome looking face. The new See Hee was devastated when the surgeon showed her pictures of Ji Woo going thru the surgery.

Will not tell you the ending, for Kim will never give his audience a direct answer to the question. Pay attention to the twist at the end of the show.

Between the Lines - India's Third Gender

2006-11-04T06:46:00.000-08:00

After surviving 2 day 1 nite of outfield with countless cups of kopi-o and 2 packets of barley drink from Warrant Neo and Encik, i run to Sistic outlet at Bedok's 7-11 and get myself to the ticket of Between the Lines - India's Third Gender, which was the opening movie for The 10th German Film Festival held in National Museum. (Cathay Cineplex will be running the festival, where films played at Cathay will be more commercial based. National Museum, on the other hand, will be playing films that are more towards documentary based.)

Here's an intro to the documentary that draws 70% of the 200+ seating capacity auditorium:
(Note: if you are not feeling easy with transgender issues, you are not obliged to continue.)

German director Thomas Wartmann directs a documentary that explores the lives of hijras (eunuchs) in India, through the eyes of Anita Khemka, an Indian female photographer. Set in Bombay, Anita interviewed 3 hijras on why do they want to lead such a life, and life on being a hijra.

For the next few days, Anita entered the lives of 3 hijras. They are:

Laxmi - a dance instructor who prostitutes himself. He is the lucky one among the three, where he is more well off than anybody else. He did not go through the castration ceremony, for he beliefs that the body was given by his parents. Thus, he did not remove his manhood as he honor his father and love his mother. He chosen the life of being a hijra for he feels that he is a woman trapped in a man's body.

Asha - a street begger who bless amorous couples for a token sum of fees. Run away from his home at the age of 13, Asha was found on the streets by a group of hijras after not having sufficient food for 3 months. Since 10, he has been acting in a feminine way. At the point of time when he was found by the group of hijras, he knew the life he wanted in future. She was formally a prostitute, and told Anita a fact based on her experience: that man prefers having sex with a hijras than having sex with a woman. And their customers comes from all walks of life: workers, farmers, businessmen, rich, poor... (and towards the end of the documentary, it was mentioned that Asha was kicked out from her former group of hijras, but she was accepted by another group of hijras.)

Rhamba - she lives in a temple together with a group of hijras, where she earns a living by performing ritual ceremonies, such as blessing a new born baby and exorcism. Apart from working in the temple, she also perform dances at go-go bars, where she earns an extra income to support herself.

It is too much and difficult for me to lay out why is it that they had chosen a life of living a life of an opposite sex. Mabey is it becuase they feel that they are a soul trapped in a body that doesn't belongs to them? Or is it their culture that makes hijras a norm? Or is it just that being a hijra means one can solved a problem of their own?

I do not know, and i leave the theatres with questions.

Books and the City

2006-10-28T20:25:00.000-07:00

After getting addicted to Sex and the City, i had the habit of writing a blog beginning with '... and the City.'

No no no. I am not imitating Carrie Bradshaw in her tiny sex column on The NY Star every Wed. But living in this tiny red dot on the map that has developed rapidly in 1/2 century's time means people are moving on as if they are taking a bullet train. The train just speeds without stopping, so that literally means people tend to miss the good stuff when they moved on without stopping to see what is happening around them.

And because people are moving so fast, that there are many little things to talk about, so long as you slow down and observe what is happening around you.

Bought 3 books yesterday, and never in my life would i buy 3 books at a go. Hey, i feel that i am becoming the next Paul, a distance friend of mine from Malacca who loves reading good books. While movies is still my No 1 choice of unwinding myself, books and music has slowly taking over coffee breaks or rather, coffee time in Starbucks.

Book No 1: SQ 21 - Singapore Queers in the 21st Century. Written by Ng Yi Sheng

This little yellow book published by Oogachaga (a counselling circle catered to the needs of people facing problems with sexuality, especially gays, lesbians, bis and transgenders.) brings us personal experiences from 15 Singaporean gays, lesbians and bisexuals from all walks of life, where they share their journey of self discovery, coming out to their loved ones, facing the acceptance of the society, and most importantly, moving on.

This book is not about glorifying homosexuality, bisexuality and transgender. No. More rather, it makes us think of how this people moved on with their lives and lead a normal life, just like you and me.

Book No 2: Cold Mountain - Charles Frazier

Bought this book at a weekend flea market located beside Cineleisure Orchard, where it was a group of volunteers who sold their books/DVDs to raise funds to help the migrants in Singapore. Their main purpose of helping them is to assist them in terms of development, psychological assistance and etc. (Well, it is not easy for one to settled down to a new land where he/she are not familiared with the new environment.)

And Frazier's debut novel was later turned to prints on the big screen by Anthony Minghella (of English Patient and Talented Mr Ripley fame), which gains Renee Zelleweger an Oscars for Best Supporting Actress in 2004. Oh yes, the film features another 2 beautiful celebs: Nicole Kidman and Jude Law. Putting fame and beauty aside, Cold Mountain is about a soldier's named Inman on his journey back to his home, Cold Mountain, after the American Civil War, and the things he went thru in the journey. On the other hand, his lover, Ada, was struggling with financial difficulties and coping with things on her hands after her wealthy father passed away, leaving her with a piece of land.

Book No 3: Four Films of Woody Allen - Woody Allen

Another rare hidden gem found at the stall, and at that moment, i took it with me home.

Nothing worth seeing it if you are not a fan/understands Woody's films. But this rare collection contains 4 screenplays of Woody's highly celebrated classincs: Annie Hall, Stardust Memories, Interiors and Manhattan. And know what? Love the front cover of the book, for it was a hand-drawn picture of Woody himself and the poster of the 4 films.

Woody and his simplicity again. (And if you understand what does this means.)