The Littles

It's true! There was such a cartoon. I didn't dream it up.

Why does nobody remember it? I followed it almost religiously. ... I think.

They're about little people who lives in houses with regular sized people and I think they have a tail much like a mousy's tail. A lot like 'The Borrowers' if you've seen that movie.

Doesn't anyone remember 'The Littles'?
Was I the only one sitting in front of the telly while everyone was out playing?

A Computer Poem

A Computer was something on TV
From a science fiction show of note
A Window was something you hated to clean
And Ram was the father of a goat.

Meg was the name of my girlfriend
And Gig was a job for the nights
Now they all mean different things
And that really Mega Bytes.

An Application was for employment
A Program was a TV show
A Cursor used profanity
A Keyboard was a piano.

A Memory was something that you lost with age
A CD was a bank account
And if you had a 3-inch floppy
You hoped nobody found out.

Compress was something you did to the garbage
Not something you did to a file
And if you Unzipped anything in public
You'd be in jail for a while.

Log On was adding wood to the fire
Hard Drive was a long trip on the road
A Mouse pad was where a mouse lived
And a Backup happened to your commode.

Cut you did with a pocket knife
Paste you did with glue
A Web was a spider's home
And a Virus was the flu.

I guess I'll stick to my pad and paper
And the Memory in my head.
I hear nobody's been killed in a Computer crash
But when it happens they wish they were dead.

Author Unknown

Second guessing

It is too much to hope for, isn't it? To have an uneventful day? Or at least a day when I'm not reminded of my incompetence or of someone making me second guess my decisions and the things that I have done?

Why, event my laptop protested. It displayed the dreaded blue screen of death while I was typing. Something which I have not seen in an age!

From a day that went pretty well - she has called an end to the cold war, indicated by her willingness to speak with unworthy me, and me being slightly proud of myself for having called my credit card company for an increase in limit so that I can settle my grandma's hospital bill, something which I have not done before but seen it on the adverts that I can be done.

Then as I was happily engrossed with the second episode of 'Children of Dune', they came by to visit grandma - my uncle, aunty and cousin and his girlfriend. He, my uncle, asked about my car. After telling him that it's still in the workshop, that I saw it last week, that it'll probably cost me RM1000+, he asked about the claims.

Uncle: How will you be paying?
Me: I'll pay them first and then the insurance will pay me back.
Uncle: You think they'll handle that for you?
Me: *beat* Yes. They said they will.
Uncle: Do you have the other party's police report? Claim information?
Me: *beat* No. They'll handle it. Anyway, I've made the police report and if the other party doesn't report it, he'll be called to court right?
Uncle: You think the police will bother with such small matters?
Me: *shrugs and walks back to the TV*

All the while thinking, I'm freaking hoping that my colleagues are right and that I won't need those information. Second guessing myself here cause as soon I realised that I didn't have any information about the other party, I was tempted to call the police station to ask if I can have that information. Also asked the workshop agent if they could give me that information but the assured me that they'll handle it for me. Now I'm thinking I should get it in black & white.

Gad! I don't want to think about this. Don't want to not have the other party's insurance not pay me back and then have everyone else coming back with me going "I told you so!"

Please, please Mr Workshop Agent. Don't screw me over. Make sure everything works out like I thought it will. Please!

Crying

"Hey look. That girl looks like she's crying."

I hope nobody was thinking that while I was sitting there in the kopitiam waiting for the tai chow fella to cook up my order of Hokkien mee. The waiters keep coming over to ask if I wanted to order drinks. I think they came over like 5 times. Don't they keep watch of who's ordering and who's not? Leave me alone.

I'm choking there. Trying to hold the tears in. Knowing that my eyes are slightly wet with the few runaways tears that I couldn't hold off. Knowing that it would look obvious that I was going to cry if I let anymore more to escape. Then I'd probably get told off again by her when I finally get back in the car with dinner.

I kept quite the whole time driving home. Hoping and praying that I can hold it in. Hold in it just enough for me to get into the bathroom so I can let it out.

So, I unlocked the door. Left dinner on the table. Rushed up into my room, brushing pass my sis who said hi, knowing my voice would quiver if I spoke, grabbed my towel and headed straight to the bathroom ... and finally let go.

When it rains, it pours

So much has happened in the last week.

Grandma was sick. Sick enough to be admitted into the CCU (Coronary Care Unit). She much better now but still looks a little weak. Not as sprightly as she used to be.

The doctors at the emergency room seems useless and not to mention really slow. It's a wonder that anyone can survive should they be brought into the ER for anything more than a cold or fever. They did some readings and scans for my grandma and said that they didn't find anything. I paid over RM500 for them to find nothing ... well, they did make an appointment for my grandma to see the neurologist tomorrow though, on a FIFO basis so what the appointment was for is still a mystery to me. I suppose that we could just turn up and see if he's free, no appointments necessary.

According to my mom, the neurologist took a look at the readings and imaging the night before and immediately saw what was wrong with me granny - low in sodium and potassium. Guess, that RM500 was of some good after all but they should really fire the people posing as doctors at the ER. The neurologist (Dr. N) said that my granny could have had an attack and it was a good thing we came to him when we did. I say according to my mom cause I was unable to bring my granny to the hospital myself. Terrible deadline at work.

Now that another thing ... work.

It's sick working for an idiot who wouldn't listen to your concerns and just insist on a deadline. Especially on something that you've never done before and do not have the skills for. Urgh!

Which explains why I'm sitting in the office right now on a Sunday afternoon trying to get the idiotic scripts working. I'm not sure what's wrong. There seems to be something wrong with the interpreter or settings of the machine or something. I can't get the bash scripts to work (: bad interpreter: No such file or directory) and running javac seems to give me 'error while writing ... (No such file or directory) on line public class LogFileWriter {' with the pointer under the 'c' of class.

I think this should be pretty easily solved if I am not so entirely dependant on the ANT's build scripts.

Wonder if it has anything to do with path settings.

Oh yeah also ... I was in an accident on Friday while on my way to meet the MT folks for dinner and maybe partying with the kotaraya folks after that.

This idiot was stopped at the tip of the island turning into the area with Victoria Station on the Sprint H/way. He signaled that he wanted to come into my lane and was inching into it too, move-stop-move-stop. Since I was already really close, I honked at him. Thinking that maybe he wasn't looking at his mirrors and so to warn him that I was there. I thought that he'd stop but apparently he's either stupid or deaf cause he kept on coming out. Therefore, I had to slam on the brakes!

*phew* Managed to stop in time.

Just as I was thinking what a close call that was, I was bumped. Quite a hard bump at that but luckily I didn't hit the steering wheel nor was I thrown through the windshield.

Upon recovering from the bump, I saw the idiot in front speed off. Looking at the rear mirror, I saw that the car that bumped me was a taxi.

Having heard all the horror stories about taxi driver, I was kinda afraid what he'll do. But he was really reasonable. Didn't yell and scream at me. Asked me why I stopped and if I got the plate of the car in front.

"Of course not! I was too busy being bumped to take it down. Plus I stopped cause if I hadn't, I would have bumped into that idiot."

I tried calling my brother but he didn't pick up the phone. Couldn't call my dad cause he's in Sabah and he has 013, in other words, useless! So, I thought I'll call the people closest, the MT group that's already in Bangsar. I needed to get someone cause I absolutely don't know what to do and the vultures has already descended upon us and I think I was in shock. My hands were shaking slightly and I was mad. Mad at the idiot who caused it.

I signed with one of the vultures to get my car towed. The damagae isn't that bad but I hear something dragging behind when I drove my car to the side and thought that I shouldn't drive it anymore. Of course, I got an earfull from my dad for this when he called 4 hours later for signing but what did he want me to do? Leave the car on the road? Anyway, too late anyway, accident 8.30pm call, 12.30am. Nothing can be done then. No use lecturing now. If you were home then I could have asked you but you weren't and koko didn't answer my call. I did what I thought was best at that time. If it was the wrong decision so be it. No use crying over spilled milk.

I'm hoping to go visit my car in the car hospital tomorrow. Plus bring the necessary documents to the vulture. I hear rumours that they'll mangle the car even more before the insurance evaluators come by. I'm hoping that's not true. Please let it be just that ... a rumour.

Right! Will get back to work now. If I can't figure out how to get it working then we'll just have to do the UAT with the development server instead. Too fucking bad!

The Blogger Meetup Report

Finally, a real bloggers meet. I've thought about having one when I found out about Meetup.com. However, I don't know the bloggers in Malaysia and therefore, wouldn't know how well attended it would be. That was about a year ago anyway and needless to say, I didn't follow up on it.

So, when I found out about the bloggers meetup through PPS, I thought I'd just drop in to check it out. ALONE. I didn't know Rach was going until I saw her postings at the Kotaraya group and Grace's replies to them.

Off I went on an ungodly hour of 9am on a non-working Saturday to pick up Rach and head towards KLCC. We were suppose to meet up with Grace prior to the meet but I was late.

Rach and I was outside the front entrance, she needed a smoke and to get in touch with Grace, when I saw a guy looking slightly at a loss trying to get someone on the phone. "A possible bloghead?" I thought. Ha ha ... turns out I was right. He was seated at the table with all the blogheads when Grace finally came out to get us. I learned later that he is Khalil.

First impressions? The first one that stood out must have been Kaz. Big guy, long hair, looks like someone who's willing to sit in front of a terminal indefinitely. I didn't even notice the SAP t-shirt until someone pointed it out during the introductions. Then there's Adi who was sitting quitely in the corner wondering what he was doing with this bunch of people. Sarini is tiny!

I was hungry so I didn't really look around the table but reached for the menu instantly. However, I did notice that all the guys were on one side of the table and the girls on the other. Is gender segregation still in? :)

Anyway, it was interesting meeting everyone ... well, everyone that I dared talked to anyway. I'm not comfortable talking to strangers and I must confess that I have never read the blogs of everyone present save for Rach and Grace and of course Aiz.

After the meet, Rach, Grace and I went shopping. I actually bought some stuff. Surprising cause I usually just window shop but I bought a hairband and erm ... some unmentionables. Found out that I left the latter package at Evita only after I sent Rach home so I had to drive all the way back to KLCC for it, making a pitstop to drop off that night's complimentary ticket to Tosca at Prem's.

I got Grace to pick up my package. That was an exasperating exercise on itself due to my chronic mobile's battery. Urgh! I've lost count of the time I turned the bloody thing on just to get two sentences to Grace. So frustrated I was that I went shopping for a new phone. :D Excuses? Maybe but I really needed either a new battery or a new phone. I got myself a Nokia 2100. Never heard of a 2100 before but it's relatively small compared to my 3210 and light and it was only RM499, way below my budgeted RM600 so I'm happy.

Basically, I spent almost the whole day at KLCC that day. By the time I got back to KLCC the second time, it was already 4pm and since I'm suppose to be at Istana Budaya for the night's performance of Tosca at 6pm, I just lepaklah at Burger Kings reading my never ending copy of Mansfield Park and dozing off several times. :D

screwy windows

Something is terribly wrong with my windows at the moment. I wonder if it's that virus competition someone's told me about and I seriously don't remember who this someone is.

My taskbar is useless, system tray is blank and unclickable, windows button is a black hole and the windows button on the keyboard does not work.

I wonder if it has anything to do with MT's comment. All this started when I clicked on some comments link at some blogs. oops ... apparently my yahoo messenger's still working cause some person just messaged me. no idea who this person is.

Completely relying on my incredible Alt-Tab skillz and Task Manager now.

*sigh* I think I'll pack up and head home. Then hopefully my shitty Streamyx line is still connected and I can finally blog about that Blogger Meetup on Saturday. Haven't been able to get connected all through the weekend. Only managed to this morning. Can anyone say sux!

disciplinary action

In all my life, I have never been called in for anything to do with discipline. Always the goody two shoe, I have never even seen the headmistress's office except once when our whole form 5 class were called in due to our dismal results in the trail exams. Of course, I've passed the office often enough and have been in it to retrieve and place things in/from it but I've never been called in to be reprimanded.

So, I was suitably surprised, although I shouldn't, that I was called into Mommy J's office for a discussion on Tuesday. Mommy J's the HR Manager. She's been with the company since her teens. I think this is her first and only company that she's worked for and she's due to retire sometime this year. Everyone knows Momma J. She's nice and all but she tends to talk to everyone like she's your mother. Hence my nickname for her here.

Anyway, the ass of a manager wrote her emails about my late comings and of my one incident of not returning to the office after a meeting.

Ok. I admit it. I'm always late for work but I don't always go back 5.30pm on the dot either. I didn't know that I was signing into a clock watching company. I didn't plan on becoming a clockwatcher but if they insist, I can always do that. BUT ... they argue that staying late is our responsibility cause we couldn't finish our work. Like that is our fault when they keep piling work on us. Even work that we insist we don't have the skills required for it. "You'll just have to learn it." Geez!

So, I sat in Mommy J's office listening for about an hour of punctuality stories and about the previous GM who was a stickler for puntuality, blah blah blah ...

Of course, I gave her back my two cents about the ass manager as well. About his double standards; "I don't mind if you come back late for lunch as long as you're with good company.", about his deficiencies at meetings and understanding clients and of his uncaring for his subordinate's welfare.

Then today, he talked to me after a discussion on a project. Going on and on again about how he doesn't want to be our enemy that he's been trying to help us (In some invisible way? Nobody knows how he's helping.) and hopes that we will invite him along for lunches and dinners.

Yeah! Sure. Like when hell freezes fucking over mate!

You report me to the management and you're expecting to make nice NOW?! Get fucking real you asshole!

groupie me

Over the weekend, I received confirmation for membership to two projects.

1) The nervousness project
After much participation in the forums, and of course, of the exchanges as well, I was finally nominated and seconded two months after my first exchange - The Super Postcard Swap II. I think the reason was because my exchangees haven't received my cards (my ATCs not the postcards). Takes about 2 weeks to a month for people in the US or New Zealand to receive them, it seems. So, I got recommended after they got my stuff. :) Thanks guys!

Soon as I got my codes, I signed up for two postcard exchanges. :) My batch of postcards are almost ready for mailing. Just need to write some blurb or message on them before I send them out. They've been stamped an addressed.

2) The Project Petaling Street beta testing
I applied to be a beta tester for Project Petaling Street. Although I don't really have any idea what I was signing up for when I applied, I thought I might lend a hand anyway. It sounded like we are suppose to test out the new funtionalities for the community blog or blog-tal, as they would call it, and I thought, yeah, I could probably help out. So I signed-up.

According to the email I received, they say they've selected 26 out of 117 possible applicants. Guess I should be honoured that they selected me huh? Some of the other successfull applicants seems to know each other or at least have been frequenting each other's blog. I think I only recognise two blogs from the list. Anyway, that would mean I'll have more blog to lurk in.

Got the email with the instructions as well. Am currently awaiting confirmation of registration. After that, will get right onto testing. ;)

super download frenzy

Woo hoo! Broadband. No worries about rising access fees. No more taking forever just to download a song. Can finally download Buffy ... hmmm was the last one me being repetitive? Have I talked about downloading Buffy before?

Well, anyway, managed to download two episodes of Buffy while I was out today for Tosca rehearsal. While I was out shopping for shoes for to match my costume. Yup! Footwear not provided by the costumers. While I was getting some 'cheaper' DVDs. I bought Frida, Simply Irresistable and one with Maria Tallcheif.

Now all I need is a CD writer to store all those downloaded stuff.

Right. If you could please excuse me, I should concentrate more on Buffy. Typing all this while watching. So cool!

friday five - summer holiday

1. How are you planning to spend the summer [winter]? Well, we only have one season throughout the year - the rain or shine season so, things will be as usual.

2. What was your first summer job? Summer job? I'll take this to be between semesters break instead. The first one would be as a sales girl at Evita Peroni. It's a shop selling hair accessories. We played with hair accessories and people's hair all day long. I quite sucked as a sales person. Tried to butter up to a customer but I felt kinda sick after that. Never did that again. Just recommended them what's appropriate and that's it. I don't like pushing for a sale. Either they want it or they don't. It's their choice.

3. If you could go anywhere this summer [winter], where would you go? I'd go back to London. Spend more time walking around instead of just going into shop after shop after shop during my trip there last December. I'd probably visit some of the galleries and the museums. Didn't go in any of them.

4. What was your worst vacation ever? Hmmm ... can't think on one at the moment.

5. What was your best vacation ever? My Gold Coast trip after my final year university exams. A bunch of us went up for a few days. Visited the usual suspects - Movie World, Dream World, Sea World. I loved the sand in Surfers Paradise. So white and fine. And the atmosphere, so relaxed. It was towards the end of schoolies week so there weren't that many students left, not overly noisy. Oh! I remember a brilliant craft market the had on the weekend. I don't think its a regular market cause I was on the telly just after I went back to the room from roaming the market. It was a fun trip!

super speed service

Whoa! Talk about speedy service! Having been a great proponent of government services bashing I'm currently in a state of shock speed of approval of my broadband application.

Complaints about the wait time for Streamyx installation has been rampant ever since TMNet offered their broadband packages. Some wait for a few days, a few weeks and even a few months before they receive any information about their installation. Mainly due to the massive applications from the speed hungry netters who's sick and tired of their 56kpbs lines and the provider's underestimation of the willingness of the people to pay for fast internet speed.

It is said wait has been reduced considerable. A friend got his applications installed approximately two weeks after applications. I never suspected that they could be even faster than that!

I have finally succumbed to the lure of broadband internet due to my frustration at having to wait an hour for an mp3 and forever just to get bits of Buffy. Since my company's having a promotion for the service, my company's a distributor(?), where I get the modem for free and I have my laptop that is equiped with a network card, I'm happily jumping on the broadband bandwagon.

Alright! Uncensored season 6 Buffy here I come! (I'm suspecting this season to have heavy cuts due to the Buffy-Spike factor.)

So, I handed in my application to my colleague and he signed me up. Less than an hour later, the lady from Streamyx called - *eyes wide* - saying they'll be over to install it tomorrow morning.

Woo hoo!

I'm taking leave tomorrow. Skipping morning Tosca rehearsal. I'M GETTING BROADBAND! *grin*


[addendum] Oh yes. If anyone of you want Streamyx and free modem, shoot me an email and I'll get the applications for you. Klang Valley people only please; cause that's where I am. Offer's until 3rd July only.

Discovery

As an owner of a site, I have, naturally, always hoped that people would come across it and occasionally like it enough that they might come back for a return visit. What I have never really counted on was for people who I have a semblance of regular contact chancing upon the site and reading it. Which is why I seldom censor the things that I write in here.

I have met a fellow blogger and latin dancer once and do sometimes visit his blog as well but I don't mind that cause I don't really know the guy so he can make whatever opinion he have of me and I won't give a damn. Nor do I really mind Colin, whom I've met but he doesn't really know who I am, cause the chance of me ever meeting him again and telling him who I am is zippo.

But these are people who I meet weekly. Yes I'm talking about you two bozos. Yep. You know who you are. I do implore the two of you not to leak out this little spot of mine to the others. Please! I'll belanja you teh tarik. Just don't, ok?

From now on, I'm not gonna post overly personal stuff (not like I do much of that anyway) and keep it more to what's interesting that comes across this puny unimaginative mind of mine. Stuff like the Bahasa Malaysia post ... which makes more interesting read, no? Therefore, postings might be few and far between from now onwards ... ie. fewer than now.

I'm gonna find another hole to moan about all my personal crap.

Cheers all.

high ambitions

For someone who has no props, no costumes and not to mention time, what Dennis have in mind seems quite ambitious.

What he had in mind is something akin to what was done for Hey! Mr Producer. Singing, dancing and some serious blocking. We have no money so getting props could be a problem and costumes ... we'll just have to scour our wardrobes for them. Ok. That's fine. I'm sure we can find things appropriate enough.

The thing is ... he's aiming for corporate shows. Sound systems would probably be provided by where ever the show would be. The likelyhood of getting body mics for such shows so that we can do the dancing and blocking is slim to nada. Think ... if we're gonna do It's a Hard Knock Life, he has in mind us on all fours pretending to scub the floor. Now, which hand would I hold the mic and how will I be able to sing while scrubbing, holding the mic to my mouth and trying to balance so that I don't fall flat on my face?!

Well, me and another girl pointed out that for things such as corporate shows, maybe we don't need such serious movements. Just some light blocking. I also suggested that we get notes for the pieces that we're going to do so that everyone will be singing the same note at the same time and so that our entries are clean. We might know the songs but we'll have different interpretations and emphasis and that wouldn't work as an ensemble. It'll sound a mess.

Dennis says he'll rethink things.

They went off for a discussion after that to discuss the possible Kuantan gig. The company only wanted 3 people so I'm out.

I'm wondering whether they're discussing about me as well. Y'know whether they should let me into their little group. Or maybe Dennis is thinking letting me in is not such a good idea anyway since I seem to be giving out just too many comment/criticsm.

He's suppose to call me today to see if we're going to rehearse tonight but my phone hasn't rung even once today.

Am I out then?

surprise call

Received a surprise call in the middle of my char kuey teow during lunch today. A bright, chirpy voice which sounded quite familiar and yet could have been several people that I know. Since his number wasn't in my mobile's memory, I have not idea who it was until he told me.

Twas Mr. Bohemia ... Dennis.

Dennis is what I would categorise, thanks to my 12 weeks of Families in Society class back in 95, as an acquiantance. He was there for the rehearsal of Michael Voon's Deadly Sins piece which we did erm ... last year(?). Anyway, he dropped out in the end cause the dates of the performance kept getting bumped here and there and due to personal reasons. Maybe him being the only other male dancer beside Michael had something to do with it? I don't but I don't think that's it. He probably had a clash with another production. He's majorly into the arts and is quite at odds with his family be

Anyway, he called with news that he has several projects coming up and was wondering if I might be interested in some of them. I think he cited three projects (the kopitiam was quite noisy and couldn't hear him quite clearly). Something about a corporate gig which should pay about RM250? Something with the people from Natra; I'm hoping by this he meant the people as in the performers and not the directors (the bastards who rejected me :p).

AND lastly, I heard something about "Little Shop of Horrors". COOL! Now that one caught my attention. Heh heh.

Will be meeting up with him tomorrow after work for more information. *fingers crossed*

Whoops! He called again. They're starting rehearsal tomorrow nite so he'd like to confirm things tonight. So, I'm meeting him later tonight after choir.

friday five

1. Is your hair naturally curly, wavy, or straight? Long or short? straight. Really straight ... and long too. It is slightly after the waist.

2. How has your hair changed over your lifetime? They have spilt ends now. My mom says it's due to the perm and colouring that I did years ago.

3. How do your normally wear your hair? In a low pony tail or in a bun.

4. If you could change your hair this minute, what would it look like? Like Lauren Graham's.

5. Ever had a hair disaster? What happened? No. Not really. Only hair disaster I've ever had would be to have a chewing gum stuck in my hair and we had to cut the patch out. Not really noticeable cause my hair was long and it got stuck in the middle.

the cats are all out and the mice are sluggish

Despite the anticipation of the event (cats out of the office), somehow the day is turning out to be quite a let down. The bad company has been planning for late lunches and going to the HQ for 'upgrades' to escape from the dread of the office since last week. Lunch was late but not that late either. Only about 10 minutes late plus we were with 'good company' which, according to the idiot cat, he didn't mind if we were out with the 'good company'.

Somehow the office seems quiter today. Lots of people are out. I wonder where they went.

The office have become sort of a military camp since the newly (two weeks ago) announced company restructure. Spot checks by the new GM himself on our punctuality sounds quite ridiculous to me. With concern only being the times that we get back into the office; ie. start of work & getting back from lunch. Does it not matter that we worked late the night before? Or the highway was clogged up for hours on end? Or we went out late for lunch?

Seems like it isn't.

Add to this, I am unable to test out my codes cause there seems to be an error with the development server. I can't get my servlet engine to work and the idiot-server-password-hogger is on leave. Which means I'm just basically sitting down and not doing much.

So, I'm just browsing throug the pages and reading up on what's going on on the blogging front. Hmmm ... lots of talk about structured blogging.

Interesting.

I should find out more about RSS and Trackbacks. I'm using MT on another site and they offer those features but I have yet to use them. I don't really know how they functionn actually. Must read up.

snail mail

Nervousness is taking over my life!

I have been trolling the forum constantly looking for things that I can participate in. Even though I've been there for about two months now, I still have not been nominated for codes - you need that to join in the objects [Land Mail Art Objects] that are offically listed on the site. Forum is for us wannabe nervoussers. So that we have somthing to work with while salivating/looking longingly after the official objects.

Anyway, I've been enjoying the mails that have been trickling in dedicated to moi. You've got mail.

Hmmm ... that gave me an idea. Wouldn't it be cool if there is a mechanism that announces that 'you have mail' once you get in the house or when you press a button or something? It'll work something like the answering machine. Hmmm ... which means there should be a light/led installed somewhere that indicates that you have mail.

Right so ... mails. Enjoy them. Sent out about four of the just an hour ago. Some ATC swaps. Costed me RM11.30 on stamps. Ouch! *sigh* that's the only drawback of this enjoyable endeavour. Most of the people there are in the US or North America or Europe. Asians are a rarity. And if I ever there evere come a time where Malaysian will go to for a trading session or a make and trade session, I might have to wait until I'm old and grey.

quiz time


You are Agent Smith, from "The Matrix."
No one would ever want to run into you in a
dark alley. Cold as steel, tough as a rock,
things are your way or the highway.


What Matrix Persona Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

friday five

1. What's one thing you've always wanted to do, but never have? travel the world / backpacking around the world. still want to do it. just collecting the funds at the moment and also trying to find someone else that would go with me.

2. When someone asks your opinion about a new haircut/outfit/etc, are you always honest? most of the time. sometimes when it's bad, i'd just might say something evasive like "it's short!" or "it's so short" or "it's so red!".

3. Have you ever found out something about a friend and then wished you hadn't? What happened? sorta, more like found out about what a friend thought of me. we used to hang out quite a lot especially when we were studying and then when we started working she's always posted for overseas assignments so we hardly see each other anymore. another mutual friend told me that that friend is sort of afraid of me. :( i wish that i didn't know that. now i'm wondering why.

4. If you could live in any fictional world (from a book/movie/game/etc.) which would it be and why? when i was younger and was reading enid blyton's faraway tree series, i wanted to live in that wood with the faraway tree. that tree is way cool!

5. What's one talent/skill you don't have but always wanted? i have two skills that i want. 1) public speaking skills. i'm absolutely useless when it comes to public speaking. & 2) improvisation skills. absolutely useless there as well. i'm such a lamb i just follow whatever i'm told. i wish i could create stuff. some friend have asked that i create some dance steps for them cause i have dance background but i've always turned them down cause although i CAN dance, i CAN'T choreograph.

caller #9

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Perseverence pays off.

After a whole week of trying, on the last day of the giveaway, I finally got one. I got the Sarah Brightman CD. I was caller #9.

trying, trying, trying ...

*sigh* been trying to get my hands on one of those CDs they're giving out over at Light & Easy. They're giving away Sarah Brightman's yet to be released album - HAREM.

So far I've been caller #1, #2 (twice), #4 and #5.

I need to be caller #9!

I'm A Dick

... I'm Addicted to ...

PC card games.

Yessum.

Solitaire.
Freecell.
Spider solitaire.
Oh! And the singular non-cardgame ... Minesweeper.

I've been playing and playing and playing them constantly. At work (shhh! don't tell my boss). At home. At all hours of the day.

My original plan of getting a good night's sleep at the respectable hour of 12am at the latest during my week of rest has been shattered by this addiction. In fact, I'm sleeping even later due to it.

3 am.
4 am.

... the latest being 5.30 am. Which caused me to missed batu dance class the next day.

Urgh! Nasty addiction. Difficult to get away from it since it's so readily available on the tool which I use on a daily basis. A tool which is a necessity for my trade.

I wonder if they have a patch for this addiction; y'know like how they have a patch for smokers? Think I might need those if they do have them. 'tis quite distracting.

Hmmm ... I've left some documents at home. Darn it! Have to go home and get it so that I can work. Otherwise I'll use that excuse to play more games.

break time ...

*phew* I've been out almost every day of the week for the past two weeks. Out of the house at 8am and not reaching home until about 11pm or 12am. Practises, rehearsals meetings with friends, classes.

For the next two weeks however, I'll have three days of non-activities after work. Hurrah! Break. Break. Break.

Time to catch up with all those ATC swaps that I've agreed to. Even started them already yesterday night until the wee hours of the morning today. They're nothing much really. Just made some of the photos I've taken into ATC size. Still need to mount them on cardboards, I've saved some cereal boxes for that purpose and paste labels artist info at the back and they should be ready to be shipped out. Cool!

Here's some comic relief for the day - horsing around [http://svt.se/hogafflahage/hogafflaHage_site/Kor/hestekor.swf]

friday five

1. What do you most want to be remembered for? having been alive

2. What quotation best fits your outlook on life? don't know if this qualifies as a quotation ... "life sux! deal with it."

3. What single achievement are you most proud of in the past year? having survived it.

4. What about the past ten years? having survived those years.

5. If you were asked to give a child a single piece of advice to guide them through life, what would you say? please refer to question #2.

an ordinary weekend



Nothing much happened over the weekend. Had to work on Saturday and went home at noon with plans of having a short little nap before starting on some ATCs and a quick shower before heading for One Utama for the show with the Phil for a Kiwanis dinner.

*sigh* ... plans tend to go awry.

So, I went home, set the alarm on my phone for 3.00 and promptly fell asleep. That was at 2pm.

Awhile later, I woke up thinking that it's weird that I felt like I've slept for a really long time and yet the alarm hasn't gone off. Lo and behold ... it's 5pm. The time that I'm suppose to be at One Utama.

A rush through shower and a mad dash drive later, I was there. Thankfully, they've yet to begin rehearsal; not like they could anyway seeing as how I have the pedal for the bass drum and the stool for the side drum(?).

All went well though. We rehearsed, had dinner and then it was showtime. The audience were very appreciative which is always good for us. So, yay!

friday five

1. What brand of toothpaste do you use? Colgate. I prefer the gel but sometimes if my parents buys them, they might get the regular ones. I'll just use whatever's available but will buy the gelled one if I'm doing the buying.

2. What brand of toilet paper do you prefer? Brand of toilet paper? Hmmm ... I don't buy this. I think it's usually cutiecompact or something like that.

3. What brand(s) of shoes do you wear? Most often would be my Renoma heels which I wear to work almost daily. Then there's the strappy heels from Vincci, a pair unknown brand which I got from Singapore, the yellow and the red Fila trainers which I share with my sister. Think that's about it.

4. What brand of soda do you drink? Coca-Cola! Have to support my aunt :D

5. What brand of gum do you chew? None. Don't chew gum but I eat lollipop though. Chuba chups choco-vanila flavour.

wasted opportunity

Empress, you're a sap!

Everytime someone gives you the chance to stand out, to audition for a solo, you decline. And yet, whenever there's an audition, you'd go. What's the deal with that?

Mr. Liau was looking for a shepeard boy last night. His original shepeard boy was a no show so he was auditioning the girls to look for possible replacements.

He auditioned the whole first row - the altos and sopranos one - but didn't audition the second row girls - the sopranos two - which I'm in. Someone pointed that out and he then pointed at me to audition. As usual, I didn't my "No lah. Don't want lah." routine and pointed to another girl.

Why do I do that?

I know that I'm not trained like most of them in the room is but if they took me into the chorus, that would mean I can at least carry a tune right? So, why do I lack the confidence to try something more than blending in the chorus? I know the worse that would happen was that I'd go out of tune and him not picking me for the part but so what? At least I can say I've tried.

But no. I didn't even try.

I wish I have someone to slap me on the head everytime I do something this stupid. Someone to say 'Just do it you dumb ass.'

Must look for Suzan about the book she has about crystals. She says there's a stone available for confidence boosting. The stones probably don't work and it's probably all psychology but if psychology works, to me, that's just the same as the stones working anyway cause without the stones, I wouldn't be psychologically psyched, right?

C'mon. Someone give me a good whack on the head for my stupidity.

Quiz

My results from The Princeton Review Career Quiz.

		People with yellow Interests like job responsibilities that include organizing and systematizing, and professions that are detail-oriented, predictable, and objective. People with yellow Interests enjoy activities that include: ordering, numbering, scheduling, systematizing, preserving, maintaining, measuring, specifying details, and archiving, which often lead to work in research, banking, accounting, systems analysis, tax law, finance, government work, and engineering.

		People with blue styles prefer to perform their job responsibilities in a manner that is supportive and helpful to others with a minimum of confrontation. They prefer to work where they have time to think things through before acting. People with blue style tend to be insightful, reflective, selectively sociable, creative, thoughtful, emotional, imaginative, and sensitive. Usually they thrive in a cutting edge, informally paced, future-oriented environment. You will want to choose a work environment or career path in which your style is welcomed and produces results.

Geez! Sounds like I'm prefect for my job as a programmer, don't you think?

FRIDAY FIVE (a few days late!)

1. What drinking water do you prefer -- tap, bottle, purifier, etc.? ice cold bottled water.

2. What are your favorite flavor of chips? ruffles' cheese and onion or is that cheese and sour cream ... i can't recall, it's cheese and something.

3. Of all the things you can cook, what dish do you like the most? my chicken fettucini which i got the recipe off the fettucini's wrapper.

4. How do you have your eggs? all ways. preferably scrambled with mushroom, green & red pepper and onions.

5. Who was the last person who cooked you a meal? How did it turn out? the guy who prepared the sushi this afternoon at sushi king. it was yummy!

skipped class

Well, I skipped class on friday. It wasn't compulsory to attend but is encouraged. I wasn't very encouraged when the time came and therefore did not go. Also there was the fact that my muscles were still very much aching.

Anyway, I've sent out my first ATC trade. It's been such a long time since I've done anything artsy that I have no idea what to do anymore. It may be because I'm not a natural.

Artist are born aren't they?

They were born wanting to draw, to create, to want to make interesting things with paints and papers and anything and everything that they get their hands on ... right? They just know what to do to create an art piece. It's just in their head.

I guess for the rest of us who are not so blessed we could learn to draw, to create but somehow the end product just might not be as inspiring.

However, I thought I was pretty good in art class when I was studying. Always got an A anyways. Would that mean I was good at it or does that mean that the teachers are pretty shitty and don't know what they're about?

I still have a few pieces that I painted but if you were to ask me to recreate them now, I'm afraid I'd be at a loss.

Maybe I just have to start again.
Maybe it'll all come back again.

Was it natural for me? Or did I just like art class cause the teacher gave me an A?

Anyway, it would be fun to make these little ATCs anyway. I had those I made scanned before I mailed them out. There's plan to make a site where I'll post up all the ATCs I've created or rather will create so people can take a look and hopefully comment on them. Hopefully they'll be honest with their comment. But if they're negative comments, will that deter me from creating more?

I hope not.

first class at batu dance

I don't want to walk down any steps today.
I don't want to walk UP any steps.
In fact ... I don't want to walk at all today if possible.

BUT ... it's a workday and so I'd have to.

The thighs, both inner and outer is really hurting after the two and a half hour class yesterday. First of the many that's to come if I don't drop out of it midways.

This is the one which I went for an dance audition a couple weeks ago.

It was interesting and was quite a workout. Must have been cause I'm feeling the effects of it now. Felt quite uncomfortable/dizzy in the middle of class though and I wasn't sure if it was because a) the room was hot (no air condition, just fans and open windows on a hot hot Malaysian day), b) I'm way out of practise and out of shape, or c) I didn't have any breakfast before.

Anyway, it was quite difficult for me because of my previous ballet training. I think it's quite different but there's still some similarity. Difference would be that we're not suppose to be poised and pull-up all the time but more flexible/maleable. I'm having trouble letting loose. Have always been too concerned on what everything should look like, where we should look, arms, legs; the whole package before doing the step and the letting loose technique kinda throws me off. I have to think, force myself to relax and just throw myself into the steps instead of thinking too much of it.

There's another class tonight. It's not compulsory and my thighs are hurting. I'm not sure if I'm going to go but I've already packed my stuff in case I decide to go which at this moment I'm kinda thinking of going.

Hope I won't be bed ridden tomorrow. :)

may day project

Okay, i've sort of completed my may day project. Well the pictures are all ready and six of them are up but there's two more. Didn't realise that there was an upload quota at fotolog. I'll upload the remaining two later tonight. Have a look at what I did on the 10th of May 2003.

my first friday five

1. Would you consider yourself an organized person? Why or why not? Yes and no. I organise almost everything except my desk. It's always in a mess. My family would tell you that I'm really organised though; almost like Monica from friends ... almost.

2. Do you keep some type of planner, organizer, calendar, etc. with you, and do you use it regularly? I have an organiser and several pocket calendar. Three/four of the pocket calendars I do use. They're just LOTR calendars that I got from a friend. If I ever get a PDA, I'll have less bulk to lug around.

3. Would you say that your desk is organized right now? No. Most of the books and files are upright but they're not organised in any manner. The papers that I'm currently using are strewn all over.

4. Do you alphabetize CDs, books, and DVDs, or does it not matter? I've alphabetized the CDs and DVDs that I have in my shoe boxes. Those in the CD racks were alphabetized until I added more; now they're no longer in ABCs. It doesn't matter really.

5. What's the hardest thing you've ever had to organize? A full moon project for Leo Club when I was in school. I've always been a silent member and then one day, they asked me to organise the full moon project. It had to have laterns and exhibition and activities. I have no idea what to do. They, the board members, eventually took over after they've heard of the dismayal progress I was making. :(

You are Beast!

You are brilliant and extremely clever. You can
handle almost any problem swiftly and
efficiently. You are devoted to philosophy and
are always up for a good discussion.
Sometimes, though, your anger gets the best of
you and you upset those whom you care about.


Which X-Men character are you most like?
brought to you by Quizilla

my fotolog

I've created a fotolog at fotolog.net. Check it out at www.fotolog.net/empress.

Also, will be participating in the May Day Project. Let's see what Saturday has for me. I'm excited.

second half

The weekend has been very eventfull (is this a word? if it is, is it spelt with a single or double 'L's?).

On Saturday, I met up with a guy who's looking for a latin dance partner. He says he competes at a level higher, back when he was in UK, than that which I'm doing so I'm not sure if he's still interesting in partnering me. We haven't tried dancing together yet. There wasn't time that day to try out as he was in a rush plus the studio that we we're gonna try out in was having a workshop. So, maybe he'll arrange something for this weekend. He's tried with a few girls and still have a few more girls to try out with. He also have some other guy friends who's looking for partners. If he's not suitable for me, one of the other guys might be. Hopefully something will work out. I've missed competing.

I might also be joining the Batu Dance Theatre. They had an audition on Sunday to recruit more members for their company. I went, did the sets and the liked me. Hurrah! I haven't seen any of their stuff though so I'm not exactly sure what they do. I know that they do contemporary dance but that's so vague. Contemporary dance could be anything. Hopefully it's not anything overtly weird. I've been told I'm very classical and that's probably true cause I don't like all those performances which are called dancing but which I think looks more like people just writhing around with no apparent structure.

Structure. That's the word. I need structure.

Okay, then this morning I got an email about the audition I went to last month. That's the Turandot audition. Guess what?! I made it! Yay! The show's gonna be in December with the last show being on my birthday. :) Rehearsals are suppose to start in September. Not sure which day yet and I haven't been given the contract. Hopefully there nothing unfavourable in the contract. They're not gonna pay much. Only RM500 for six shows. Three of which will be in Penang. But I'm only doing it for fun and, of course, to pad my all to empty performning arts resume.

Woo hoo! Lots for the second half of the year. Hopefully I can fit everything in and don't die in the process.

Oooo ... happy happy ... joy joy.

my leslie phase

His movies. His music.
I have been immersing myself with Leslie Cheung the past week.

When I heard about his death on April's Fool, I shoved it aside as some sick person's idea of an April Fool's joke. When the media printed stories and had tributes to this 'legendary' performer, I didn't tune in or pay attention to them. I'd even thought it amusing that some of the people in the studio cried while watching a video of his concert. Yes! I'm a unfeeling bitch who laughes at others' unhappiness.

Well, what was I suppose to do? Cry along? I didn't grow up listening to his music or his movies. Leslie wasn't much a part of my growing life.

I vaguely remember his 'Monica' playing over the radio while I was living in Kepong cause one of my aunt's a fan of his. About the only time in my life where I listened to chinese music. The same time I listened to Anita Mui and also the time I learned the words to a Malay song - Si Jantung Hati. After that, I hardly listened to chinese music anymore. The next time would be circa 1997 or 1998 when I saw some Sammi Cheng movie and liked the songs that were in there.

So, his death didn't make much of an impact on me.

His movie "He's a Woman, She's a Man" was the only chinese movie that I had wanted to own. I remember watching it at the pro-shop after squash training and loving it and the song Jui (Chase) so much that I tried to learn the song. Not an easy task as I don't read chinese and can only understand the basics of conversational cantonese ... but learn it I did. With the help of some friends, I wrote down the phonetics for it. I don't know where that piece of paper is now. Probably thrown away some time ago.

I had also always wanted to watch "Farewell My Concubine" cause I've always heard that it's a really good movie. I did and I loved it. There are some parts of it that I don't quite understand why it happened, probably missed something and would have to watch it again, but I liked it.

Then last week, I borrowed a CD of Leslie Cheung from a colleague. You see ... I was not familiar with his songs except for those mentioned above nor would I recognise his voice even if I had heard it over the radio. So, I was curious. Why was this man a legend?

I think he sings a little different from the current batch of male chinese singers. It has this floaty feeling to it. Somehow it makes me think that it's a little cantonese opera like. Although why I would think that quite puzzles me as well as I've never heard/seen a cantonese opera. I told my colleague that maybe that's the way that singers of his time, the late 70s early 80s, sang as his other contemporary, Roman Tam, sounds a little like that as well. Leslie's sounds more soothing compared to Roman though.

An article of a DJ turned singer who quoted Leslie as one of his idols probably had the best description of his voice ... sexy. And yes, I do agree. I think he's what people would call a crooner?

While listening to some of his songs and watching his movies, I came to understand why those people at the studio cried, why some would call him a legend. It was cause he was truly talented. His good looks helps as well but then he wasn't just a face. He had talent as well.

It's such a waste that he felt his problems could not be resolved and he had to take his own life. My sense of loss however is selfish. I would not be able to listen to him sing new songs. New movies will never star this actor ever again. There will no longer be anything new coming from him. I cannot be a fan of his and look forward to the day that I might see him live in concert now that I've discovered that I like his music.

No more.

Not any longer.

How sad is it that I am to discover what millions of others have known and enjoyed the past two or three decades only after his death? Are there more like me out there? More like me who appreciate him like Van Gogh; appreciated only after death? But he's probably more like Picasso, appreciated before and even after death.

gambling and ballet



Genting is a terribly boring place to visit.

What I meant was, it's boring if you don't do much gambling and you do not have any friend in which to venture out to the outdoor park for rides. Somehow the thought of going on the roller coaster, screaming your head off even though you're not the least bit terrified, doesn't feel the same without having some friends around doing the same. Which was why I didn't pay to go in the park.

Strange ... I remember the park being free when I was young. We didn't have to pay anything just to be there. Just had to pay for the rides. Now it's like Dreamworld or Movieworld where you pay the entrance and ride to your heart's content.

So, basically I spent most of the weekend roaming the First World Hotel. There's only so much to roam. It's kinda small.

Now ... why was I there and submit myself to such utter boring-ness?

For the ballet. The Russian Ballet - Revival was there. I wasn't even planning to go but then when my mum asked, I didn't say no. So we got tickets for it and there I was. The tickets were free! Mum's been collecting lots of points on her membership card from all her previous visits and we could redeem the points for tickets. :)

The company was good. I especially liked Olga Kuznetsova (I think), the soloist who did the Swan Lake pas de deus. I think she's got very good musicality(?). The other ballerina, Elizaveta Nebesnaya, who has a higher billing was really good as well, her extension was really good but she doesn't seem as expressive as Kuznetsova. Too bad I couldn't quite get a picture of her. Camera's too slow to take action shots. *shucks* These two were about the only good pictures of the dozen or so that I took.

moby
every couple of weeks, i'd hop over to moby's place and check out what else he has written in his journal.
i like reading his journal. it's very entertaining. his friend created a a new game and it sounds really interesting. maybe i'll try it out with my sister one of these days.
i'm not a moby fan or anything. in fact, i don't even have any of his albums. he does have some pretty cool music though ... but it's just not a genre that i'd buy a cd of.

actually, maybe i should. if only just to look normal.
to look hip and hap'nin.
my cd collection comprises mainly of original cast recordings, classical crossovers and the few swing cds that i manage to find.
my popular music collection?
lets see ...
* janet jackson - janet, velvet rope (aussie tour edition) & all for you
* oasis - heathen chemistry
* robbie williams - escapology
* bachelor girl - waiting for the day ... my copy doesn't have tracks 14 & 15 though :(
* ricky martin - vuelve (asian edition)
* christina aguilera - christina aguilera ... won this from the radio. didn't really want the cd. i wanted the trip. had to sing for it too! if anyone wants this, i'll trade.

... ermmm ... i think that's it.

sad selection ain't it?

adopt-a-puppy



Does anyone want a puppy? My friend have some puppies and he's giving them away (for free ... I think). If you do, leave me your email and I'll tell you how to contact him. Or email me for his contact.

new CD

Woo hoo! Just won Russell Watson's Reprise CD from Light & Easy.
Missed the first cue earlier but got it the second time! YES!
Tried on Monday night as well except, my phone top-up was due so I couldn't make outside calls. :P

Hope it's good. I liked his first album. His second was so so. Hopefully this third will be better.

LOL ... my dad just called to check if that was her daughter he heard over the radio.

Hmmm ... who else could it be? I mean, how many people in Malaysia shares my name?

Actually, I wonder what other Malaysians who share my name are like. Just curious.

genie

A woman was walking along the beach when she stumbled upon a bottle.She
picked it up and rubbed it, and lo-and-behold a Genie appeared. The amazed
woman asked if she got three wishes. The Genie said, "Nope, sorry
three-wish genies are a story-tale myth. I'm a one-wish genie. So...what'll
it be?" The woman didn't hesitate. She said, "I want peace in the Middle
East. See this map? I want these countries to stop fighting with each other
and I want all the Arabs to love Jews and
Americans and vice-versa. It will bring about world peace and harmony."

The Genie looked at the map and exclaimed, "Lady, be reasonable. These
countries have been at war for thousands of years. I'm out of shape after
being in a bottle for five hundred years. I'm good but not THAT good! I
don't think it can be done. Make another wish and please be reasonable"
The woman thought for a minute and said, "Well, I've never been able to
find the right man. You know, one that's considerate and fun, likes to cook
and helps with the house cleaning, is great in bed and gets along with my
family, doesn't watch sports all the time, and is faithful. That's what I
wish for .. a good man." The Genie let out a long sigh, shook his head and
said, "Let me see that freakin' map again."

:))

organ and voices

The concert at the DFP went ok. I thought the rehearsal was better. It sounded a little draggy yesterday. Slow.

BUT ... it was still well attended for a Monday 6pm show. I didn't think it would be since it's so close to work hours.

Earlier that day, sent out my first ever batch of nervousness mass postcard swap. My first nervousness experience. Can't wait for the other 24 postcards to come my way.

Also have a set of free postcards that I'm to swap with this other girl. Have the cards in an envelope, addressed and stamped. Just need to add a little note into it.

And my third swap would be a CD for postcard swap. I send her a postcard and she'll send me an Adam Sandler CD? Or was it Jerry Seinfeld? Which ever. I'm just curious about a comedic CD. I've never bought one before. For this swap, I'll need to go hunt for a card. Saw some promissing ones last night. I'll keep looking though.

sean ghazi


His voice is gorgeous. Very musical theatre. Very high swoon factor. *sigh*

Went to watch him sing at No Black Tie last night after Marc Rochester's rehearsal. Didn't know about it until Suzan called and asked if I was interested in going late that afternoon itself! I'm glad she called. Suz didn't think that much of the theatre circle will be there that night cause Lew told her that the whole bunch of them from Dramalab and what not were there the night before.

She was wrong.

There were a whole bunch of the dominating the table in the middle. Mostly the cast from Spilt Gravy. Oh and Fang was there and saw Gavin Yap as well. Lots of theatre people.

Now ... I wonder why I never see them in other shows done by lesser known people? ... but then, I don't go to too many shows anyway. :)

April is ... fashion month




Some pictures I took at MidValley, on Thursday, during one of the runway shows that are going on all around the city.

spend, spend, spend

new laptop.
new car.
new shelves.

More than half my savings is gone. Nevermind, I'll console myself with all the nice new things that I have.
Hmmm ... need to buy more stuff.

CD player for the new car.
A new TV for my new room. (I'm like a nomad. Just changed room a year ago and now again!)

Should I get a new PC? Managed to get parts of PC from Cris and trying to see if I'll work with my HP PC that is kaput. I'm missing my keyboard and mouse. Nobody knows what happend to them. It just vanished. Anyway, those won't do anyway. The PC I got from Cris is an old Pentium. It uses a serial mouse and a different keyboard cable (the old ones not the PS2 ones. I don't know what they're called.). Maybe I can sneak some from the office to try them out.

Righto! Need to get my ass over to Bangsar so that I can finally print those holiday pictures. There's about 140 pieces so that's gonna place a further dent in the wallet.

oh man!

Just when I thought things are beginning to go well, something has to happen.

Nevermind the detour to MidValley when I thought I couldn't catch the 7pm at Sunway Pyramid. Wanted to watch it in Pyramid cause it's closer to home and earlier as well but got out of work late so couldn't make it.
Nevermind the jam that I had to go through which cause made me do another detour in an attempt to beat it.
Nevermind the wrong turn that took me right back into the jam that I was trying to avoid.
The cinemaonline site says that the movie's suppose to start at 8pm but is actually starts at 8.30pm so I have to kill some time walking around aimlessly.

Nevermind all that cause I got to watch the movie in the end. Star Trek - Nemesis.

I won't say that I was dissappointed cause I wasn't. I quite like the show. Shinzon's ship is just so much cooler and menacing that the Enterprise with it's cloaking capabilities and the incredible weapon that causes people to turn into dust as shown in the first scene in the Romulan senate (which reminds me a lot of the Roman senate). It is a wonder though that the Federation has up till now not discovered the secrets of cloaking that the Romulans seems to have had for ages or at least a method of detecting a cloaked craft.

The movie also reminded me why I used to follow the ST:TNG when it first started and also why I stopped. Cool ships and the display of opening mechanical weapons are only interesting the first few times. After that, it's same ol', same ol'.

But, I enjoyed it cause I haven't seen all those cool things for so long. :)

Happily walking out of the cinema and into my car before I reaslised that I've lost my parking ticket.

Yessiree Bob! It's gone.

I'm so mad with myself.
Stupido! Imbecile!
Why didn't you listen to that little voice in your head that told you not to take the ticket with you when you were getting out of the car?!

As usual, whenever I second guess myself, the outcome is usually bad.

I had to pay RM20 to get out of the parking.

Nemesis is really costing me a lot of money just to watch it. First - I forgot my wallet. And now - lost my ticket! This money has costed me RM32; including movie ticket fee excluding the requisite popcorn and coke.

Pictures from the Broadway & Operetta In Concert on Saturday night




There's a review of the concert in The Star yesterday.

the merry widow

It was a short (in terms of rehearsal time - only 5 weeks?) but tiring journey. Full of last minutes changes, new songs, new movements. Changes which lasted up until the last performance on Saturday night where we had to learn a song at 8.30pm with the show beginning at about 8.45pm.

What a crazy ride it was.

But it was good.

The attendance and audience energy was much better on the second night, which was open to the general public, than the audience on the first night, the corporate and VVIP audience. Actually the first night was kinda down putting, for me anyway, cause the audience was quite stone faced (Colin would probably say that's cause we're not doing our job well). We must have done much better on the second night cause the kind audience gave us a standing ovation. Thank you. :)

*sigh*

I was exhausted after the last night's performance. My running around Bangsar prior to performance time on both days probably didn't help any, of course. I bought tickets to watch the Actors at Work shows (Sat & Sun) by Bell Shakespeare's (quite enjoyable) when I went to watch Goldfish Tale. Also went for a Beginners Argentine Tango workshop by the visiting Ms. Gladys Fernandez and Ricardo Gallo at the new dance studio - Dance Space - after the Actors at Work show on Saturday before rushing to my own show. I really enjoyed the workshop; I think I might sign up for the lessons by Marguerite.

Marguerite's a really graceful lady who I'm told is already a granny. She certainly doesn't move like one. Nor does she look like one either. She has a body that any dancer would be envious of - all long limbs and really slim. I suspect that she was a ballerina when she was younger. Anyway, still thinking about whether I'm going to take lessons from her there cause it's quite pricey - RM100 per month. *yikes*

Oh yes! I almost forgot. The people from Tosca called on Friday ... I'm in! Yay! There's gonna send the scores and contract by post. So, I should get it sometime this week. :D

That means I have about quite a few more things to do.

• Marc Rochester's program on 14 April,


• In Line dance competition 25 & 26 April,


• The Phil's show for Kiwanis 24 May,


• The Phil's charity dinner at Maju Palace (if anyone's interested, email me for tickets and information),


• Tosca in July(?)

WOW! Quite a number.

Hmmm ... there's nothing in my planner for the second half of the year yet. Dennis is still keen on getting me to dance in his show. Not sure if I want to do it cause he's stuff is so avant garde. I don't know shit about avant garde stuff. I think they're kinda weird. Will see what he has planned. If it's not too weird, I might do it. :)

one more rehearsal

Last rehearsal for The Merry Widow tomorrow. I'll be a tech run but we haven't done a full dress yet. Full dress was suppose to be tonight but it didn't happen. So, we might do that tomorrow as well.

Hopefully, we will have a run through with everyone ... and I do mean everyone. Soloist and choir; both. Haven't had that either. First we've seen of the Singaporean soloist was the tenor playing Danilou and the soprano who plays Valenciene during rehearsal tonight. The widow has yet to make her grand appearance.

I'm exhausted. It's gonna be another long rehearsal tomorrow. Thank goodness I'm taking leave on Friday. *phew*

Oh yes! My second submission to the Mirror Project has been approved! Yay!

artsy fartsy

A bit of an artsy fartsy this past few days. Went to the MPO on Friday to watch Charlie Chaplin's The Gold Rush with music conducted and composed by Carl Davis.

I thought it was just gonna be another orchestral performance but with a big screen in front of it. But I truly truly enjoyed it. Not just plain 'like it' but really liked it. Although, halfway through the movie I'd forgottend that it was being accompanied by a real life orchestra. Would definitely go watch it again if they're gonna do another one of this silent movie with music thing. The movie was really good. Much better even than some of the things that we see on our cinemas these days. There has been a lot of crap showing at the movies. And I don't remember Charlie Chaplin movies being so long. It was all of 96 minutes. Chaplin is a genius. I wonder where I can get my hands on more Chaplin movies. I remember they used to show it on the telly but that was pre-idiotic-make-no-sense-cencorship. They even censored 'Mind Your Language', c'mon! Thank you though for showing that series again. Hmmm ... I wonder how they'd show 'The Benny Hill Show' these days ... but I digress.

Next up, 'Spilt Gravy On Rice'. Award winning. 'nuff said.

Actually, I think I'll say something about it. It's no surprise why they won so many awards at the recent Cameronian Awards. The cast were strong, the set was brilliant and the lighting very well done. Plus, they were so funny! I laughed my head off.

Earlier today, went to watch 'The Goldfish Tale' cause Fang's in it. Thought I'd go support her on her debut performance. She was quite good in it. Not much can be said about her performance cause it was quite small but she did have a scene with another actress and she was really good in it.

NOW this show struck a chord cause I went through/am still going through what the role Seng (played by the toast of the local critics, Gavin Yap) went through. The need to runaway. To escape. To leave all the problems of family life and wanting to live your own life without the constant criticism by family members. Seng, I feel for you man!

Choong Chi-Ren, the playright, must have written this from his own experience. I guess it's a common enough experience by students returning from their overseas studies, having tasted the joys of independant living away from know-it-all and I'm-doing-what's-best-for-you parents, away from what they think is a problematic home life. He wrote about how we expect certain events will evoke sudden transformation in a person. About how this is so unrealistic. That people don't change overnight just because something happened. So true. And I know it's true as well that we shouldn't try escaping the problems but whenever something comes up again, you just can't help but rant and think about it. To get away.

To be able to think about it is my means of escape. That there is a possibility of getting away from it all. I cling to that possibility ... although I know that I'll probably never act on it. Knowing that that is no way of solving the problem.

... but I cling to it nonetheless.

It's my version of hope in Pandora's Box.

Four weddings ... and hopefully no funerals

Well, the first wedding engagement that I have been invited to has come and gone. The first and the last one that I got the invite to that is. Actually, didn't even get an invitation card. She just called all of a sudden and asked if I could go to her wedding dinner. I didn't have anything scheduled and it would be nice to see her again. I haven't seen her for a long time. Last time I think was when I bumped into her on the streets of Sydney during my one month of bumming around Australia before coming home ... which means, it has been more that 4 years!

I have some pictures from the wedding dinner but I can't put it up yet cause I haven't been able to get my hands on the single workable machine in my house. My parents went up to Genting (they didn't tell me about it, just up and went) and therefore haven't seen hide nor hair of my sister either. And she wonders why we're suspicious of her coming back to stay. Now that she's got the car and laptop. Hmmph!

Anyway, will post it up as when I can.

The rest of the weddings are at the end of the year. Two in November, with all possibility of it being on the same night, and the last one in December.

So many weddings this year all of a sudden; when previously, I've not been invited to any. Well, not any of my friends anyway. None got married; that I know of.

I suppose being of a certain age, one should expect to receive wedding invitation to their friend's weddings. Mid twenties seems to be the favoured age for marriage. To start a family. To start a new phase in life. It's the time when you've had a few years of work in your belt, feel secure about your job, feel that you have some worth. Worthy enough to share that life with the another person; with your soul mate. To make the ultimate commitement. To click on the old ball and chain. Hee hee.

Ah ... it's all good when you've found the right person. Just hope that the parental units didn't take the jibes about me being next seriously. Yes, they knew the parents of the bride, which is how I got to know the bride as well. As I was saying, hope the don't get their hopes up, I don't see that happenning anytime soon ... or anytime at all.


Update: Pictures!

moonbeam


Staging directions by Mr Phillip Chai is simply disasterous. It's all a mess but he seems to like it. Am feeling quite at a loss as to what we really are suppose to do on opening night. Hopefully the Malaysian-Singaporeans involved will do something about it this weekend.

Lew says he's gonna reject the offer for Natra - The Musical cause they only gave him an ensemble part and is only paying RM6000 for 4 months of work. Quite a low payout considering the number of hours they are requesting; 7pm-11pm weekdays and whole day weekends. I also know of one other guy who's gonna turn it down cause he got a role in Tosca and would rather do that to Natra. So two's out.

So, since his no longer doing Natra, Lew, now, has time to finally do the intermediate level of his Musical Theatre course; which he asked me to ask the rest of them from the Intro class if they were interested. Promised him that I'd send out an email but haven't done it yet. I'll go send one out now ... although, judging by what we went through in the Intro class, I would hazard a guess that a majority of them will not be interested.

just browsing

While awaiting someone else to finish their part before resuming with my work, I browsed ...

• Real life 'Face/Off'
  I'm wondering how friends and families of the deceased would react. Also, will the face look the same once it's transplanted? If you had almost different bone structure from your donor, would you still look like your donor? Or would bone structure be one of the criteria when choosing a donor?



• Indian-American Child Having Difficulty Finding Bicycle License Plate With His Name On It [The Onion - VOLUME 39 ISSUE 10]
  I don't know what he's been complaining about. I've been searching for the past 25 years for a paraphanelia bearing the exact spelling of my name to no avail. Think I'll have to manufacture my own if I badly want one. Good luck kid!

shoot the messenger

After 25 years, you'd think I'd have learnt my lesson.
And yet, it happened again yesterday.

My brother moved out a couple weeks ago. Thing is, he's moved out but hasn't cleared out.

Plans have been made, not by me, for me to move into his room so that my dad can convert my room into his office cum entertainment center. So, problem is, in my view, I can't move into his room until he has moved his things out. AND in my view, I shouldn't move his things out for him, as suggested by everyone else in the family, because it's his private personal things. ... plus, there is quite a lot of things left and I do admit that I am too lazy to do it ;)

My dad told me to give him a ring to ask him to come pack his stuff.

I did ... and got an earfull from him for asking him to come back now to do it. Somewhere along the conversation he also picked up that I asked him to do it in two hours. I did not specify a timeline. What I said was, papa wants to set up office in my room so I have to move into his room, so, could he come over and pack up his stuff or would he rather I do it for him. The come-back-and-do-it-no edit was relayed to him after my dad yell that message over my shoulder.

He came stomping back while I was in the showers. Mood blacker than any cloud I've seen and of course most of that anger directed at him for having been the 'bringer of glad tidings'.

Back in the kitchen, got another earful from my mom for calling my brother and not just clearing the room as she asked. I argued that it's not my right to clear his room full of personal things. He wouldn't like it ... I know, I've experienced this when someone cleared up my room while I was studying and came back roomless, all my worldless possessions in a tiny little box.

Of course, I get another lecture about how this is not how things work and how I'm so totally idealistic and shouldn't go by what I think is right but what everyone is actually doing instead. Maybe I should enrol in some finishing school instead just to learn how I'm suppose to act! Besides that also got the I'm just trying to teach you how you should be acting and how you should learn of my weaknesses ... mainly the raising of voice when I'm angry/piqued and not smiling enough. Plus how she's not trying to insult me; that it's all for my own good. Oh yes! Not to forget ... I absolutely have no friends to speak of!

Lemme see, when was the last time she praised me? I remember she told me I was never very good at ballet (althought I am usually among the top in the class with several Honours to my belt). How I'm always to sulky and pessimistic? How I don't know how to talk to people (this one's partially true). Right ... she told me that she envied that she can't play as well as me on the piano during my last 2 hour stuggle to play a page of Chopin. Wonder if that's what she's talking about?

After I've finished helping her in the kitchen, I hightailed to the car to escape to the movies. Wanted to watch Star Trek - Nemesis. Got to Summit and even parked my car but didn't watch the movie.

I forgot my wallet.

Thank goodness I had enough coins to get out.

Just wasn't my day was it?

Red/Green/Blue:
To you, the world is logical. Everything happens
for a reason, life is scientific. You like to
find solutions. I doubt you needed to take this
quiz in order to realize this.


What color do you see the world in?
brought to you by Quizilla

Holy! How the heck does it know? That's exactly what I think.

Lo Lo - A Grissette of Paree ...

Ah ... the first production of the year. Two weeks and a half to showtime. Tickets for the Merry Widow concert are/should be on sale at ticketcharge. However, JasonC informed us that it's not - available at ticketcharge ... yet. I'm sure they're going to get a wee bit of tongue lashing tomorrow from Phillip. For those who are interested, there's only one day to watch it - 29th March. The 27th March show is sold out.

Anyway, rehearsals been going great. Blocking is still kinda messy but I suppose that will get sorted out when we practise with the soloists. Oh yes and the choreography for the Grissette piece has yet to be done but Suz will be figuring that out. Should be fun. :)

After that, have to see if we can get a venue for the PCP. Forgot to ask Karen earlier today if we could use her place. Hmmm ... otherwise we'll have our club night sometime later and no PCP.

Right that's Merry Widow ...

saw: interesting piece on rock candy on the news. very pretty candies.
didn't see: La Femme Nikita ... thought I'd at least manage to watch the second half of the show when I got home late but it was not there. There at the time that it is suppose to be showing as stated in the TV Guide. I'm pissed. I've missed quite a number of episodes now. Urgh! Luckily, managed to watch the episode where they move out of their operational HQ. v.v. important episode. They were in gay Pareee! I'd always thought they were either somewhere in America or in London. Don't know why. Just do.
to-do tomorrow: Loreal product launch at Emporium? To go or not to go?

Birthday Colour Codes

MAROON
You are intelligent, and know what's right. You like to take things go
your way, which can sometimes cause trouble or not thinking about other
people's feelings. But you are patient when it comes to love... Once you
get a hold of the right person, it's hard for you to find a better love.

That's mine. How true it is? I haven't a clue. If you want to know yours, just email me and I'll mail you the list.

Breathe ... Breathe ... Breathe.

*sigh*

The heart is pounding. The body is jittery. The effect of lack of sleep? I hope so.

I've got way too much on my plate now. Definitely taking more that I can chew. Why did I want in on this new company? Why? Just cause I really sick of the PM and the direction the current company is going? Do I really see a potential in this company? If not, why am I pumping money into it?

Granted. It's not a huge sum of money but it is a still a sum. A sum which needs monthly input. Am I willing to give up all the frivolous spending on expensive coffee and cafe food? On those pirated DVDs and movies that I'm addicted to? But not only monetary also the time required for this effort. Less dancing (which is already in effect whether or not the company happens or not) and definitely less choir practise. Instead to spend more time in front of the PC doing everything that I do in the AMs but now in the PMs as well?

*sigh*

I sincerely hope so; although I'm not entirely certain. Please work!

Pray. Pray. Pray.

Pictures of the future from the past.

There's also going to be an online exhibition on March 7th. Check that outhere.

Taxes and Receipts

Tis the end of February which marks the time to begin gathering all that is required to do your taxes. For the first time since I began working, the Internal Revenue Department finally mailed me my tax returns form; the first year I had an exemption and the years after that I had to go to the office to get it in person. Anyway, I've been searching high and low for all the receipts I have kept for this particular purpose. Tax exemptions. Mainly receipts for books and magazines purchased. Made several purchases over last year. Subscribed to Wired as well, although that's not turning out particularly well.

Now ... I remember placing all these receipt into a nice little envelope so that I have everything in one little packet when I need them; except, I seem to have a) misplaced the envelope, or b) thrown it away during one of my mail/bill clearing sessions. *sigh* There goes a few hundred ringgit that I was hoping to minus off.