Tuesday, June 18, 2002
*yawn*
Sleepy after lunch. Not an unfamiliar predicament. However not advisable cause the boss is rushing me to finish the gov't HR application. *yawn* Probably shouldn't have ordered Curry Laksa for lunch just now. Some says santan (coconut milk) makes one drowsy. I say it's probably more the really full contented stomach and the time of day than anything ... but that's just me.
Christ! What the heck is going on with the main power box? Something keeps popping on and off. The pops are even affecting my speakers. I hear them intermittedly through Royal Crown Revue's Park Place playing over my Winamp. Are they repairing the air conditioning again? It seems to be off now and I'm wearing my jacket. What the heck am I wearing a jacket now? Oh yes. I was cold.
Ramblings.
Watched RSC's production of The Merchant of Venice on Sunday. It was fab! Tonnes better than that stupid production by the Actor's Studio a couple of years back. Didn't make me feel like walking off in the middle of the play. Of course, since I've never studied Shakespeare at school, I don't really understand everything that's said. Didn't get some parts but most of it was funny.
Oh yeah! We sat three rows from the stage so that's really close. We were so close we could see the actors spit when they were delivering their lines. I think it was a good call though sitting so close cause a friend told me that their friend watched it from way back and could hardly hear the actors. Not sure if they were using microphones but I kinda suspect that they didn't. Their voice projection's great but it was a large hall so I don't think their voices managed to travell all the way back.
Next stop, Cats. Just reserved tickets yesterday. Cost me RM151 per for the RM251 tickets. 40% discount for Maxis One customers. Hurrah! That's the most expensive seat. I've been told that Cats is boring. Seen it once on the telly. Seemed alright to me. *shrugs*
Sleepy after lunch. Not an unfamiliar predicament. However not advisable cause the boss is rushing me to finish the gov't HR application. *yawn* Probably shouldn't have ordered Curry Laksa for lunch just now. Some says santan (coconut milk) makes one drowsy. I say it's probably more the really full contented stomach and the time of day than anything ... but that's just me.
Christ! What the heck is going on with the main power box? Something keeps popping on and off. The pops are even affecting my speakers. I hear them intermittedly through Royal Crown Revue's Park Place playing over my Winamp. Are they repairing the air conditioning again? It seems to be off now and I'm wearing my jacket. What the heck am I wearing a jacket now? Oh yes. I was cold.
Ramblings.
Watched RSC's production of The Merchant of Venice on Sunday. It was fab! Tonnes better than that stupid production by the Actor's Studio a couple of years back. Didn't make me feel like walking off in the middle of the play. Of course, since I've never studied Shakespeare at school, I don't really understand everything that's said. Didn't get some parts but most of it was funny.
Oh yeah! We sat three rows from the stage so that's really close. We were so close we could see the actors spit when they were delivering their lines. I think it was a good call though sitting so close cause a friend told me that their friend watched it from way back and could hardly hear the actors. Not sure if they were using microphones but I kinda suspect that they didn't. Their voice projection's great but it was a large hall so I don't think their voices managed to travell all the way back.
Next stop, Cats. Just reserved tickets yesterday. Cost me RM151 per for the RM251 tickets. 40% discount for Maxis One customers. Hurrah! That's the most expensive seat. I've been told that Cats is boring. Seen it once on the telly. Seemed alright to me. *shrugs*
Thursday, June 13, 2002
destination UK
There are plans current for a visit to the UKs for the Christmas holidays. Hopefully this will go through. I'd love to visit UK or any other country as a matter of fact.
Looking at the calendar, I'm hoping to fly Friday night of the 20th if they have a midnight or close to midnight flight. Don't feel like flying on the 21st for certain reasons and if I fly Friday, I'll be in UK for that eventful date! Perfect pressie for myself. ;)
Plans while in UK. Spend a few days in Aunty K's in Liverpool until Christmas, possibly going over to London for a couple days then over to Aunty Kool in Dublin. While in London, hopefully will be able to meet up with Bren; who out of nowhere is suddenly actually leaving for London for his MBA. He's been considering it for awhile but didn't really do much about it. Now he's leaving in less than two weeks. Good on ya, mate!
Well, holiday plans looks good at the moment. Will have to talk to the parental unit to check who's actually going. I had originally thought that it was just gonna be me and sis S but mom said something about her and pa going as well *bummer*. Pray to God no! Just me and sis S would be good.
Hope they come up with a decision soon. Wanna get cheap flights.
There are plans current for a visit to the UKs for the Christmas holidays. Hopefully this will go through. I'd love to visit UK or any other country as a matter of fact.
Looking at the calendar, I'm hoping to fly Friday night of the 20th if they have a midnight or close to midnight flight. Don't feel like flying on the 21st for certain reasons and if I fly Friday, I'll be in UK for that eventful date! Perfect pressie for myself. ;)
Plans while in UK. Spend a few days in Aunty K's in Liverpool until Christmas, possibly going over to London for a couple days then over to Aunty Kool in Dublin. While in London, hopefully will be able to meet up with Bren; who out of nowhere is suddenly actually leaving for London for his MBA. He's been considering it for awhile but didn't really do much about it. Now he's leaving in less than two weeks. Good on ya, mate!
Well, holiday plans looks good at the moment. Will have to talk to the parental unit to check who's actually going. I had originally thought that it was just gonna be me and sis S but mom said something about her and pa going as well *bummer*. Pray to God no! Just me and sis S would be good.
Hope they come up with a decision soon. Wanna get cheap flights.
Wednesday, June 12, 2002
Class was cancelled yet again last night. No room available. SM tried calling me at 7.55pm (class was suppose to be at 8pm) then texted me instead when he could get me. My battery was dead. I only found that out after I've parked near the studio and was transferring stuff from my work bag to another bag. Luckily V had a Nokia charger. I managed to retrieve that text ... but I was already at the studio.
Just when I had finished reading the text, SM called. We decided to practise anyway.
Showed our routine to some people who were still at the studio after we've practised and asked for their feedback. Here's what they said:
Cha-cha routine
"... not sharp enough. Cal's too soft."
"... hip movement part need to be more defined, ie. more evident slow-slow-quick-quick-quick."
Jive
"very nice. Better than the cha-cha."
Hmmm ... which is weird cause we haven't done anything with the Jive routine or done any Jive in class since the last competition back in March.
Just when I had finished reading the text, SM called. We decided to practise anyway.
Showed our routine to some people who were still at the studio after we've practised and asked for their feedback. Here's what they said:
Cha-cha routine
"... not sharp enough. Cal's too soft."
"... hip movement part need to be more defined, ie. more evident slow-slow-quick-quick-quick."
Jive
"very nice. Better than the cha-cha."
Hmmm ... which is weird cause we haven't done anything with the Jive routine or done any Jive in class since the last competition back in March.
01. What time is it? 11:44 a.m.
02. Name as it appears on your birth certificate? C a l l i s t a C h u a h H u e i L i
03. Nickname : Shorty, Piggie, Sister Maria, Cinders
04. Parents names: Pa & Mi
05. Number of candles that appeared on your last birthday cake: 24
06. Date that you regularly blow them out: 21 Dec
08. Hair color: Really Dark Brown almost black ... my bio teacher once said my hair's not healthy cause it's not completely black, which is what a 'typical' chinese 'should' have. Makes me wonder if she should really be teaching bio in the first place!
09. Tattoos: none ... yet. Too afraid to get it. Argh! The pain. Maybe one day I'll get my chinese name tatooed somewhere discreet. :)
10. How much do you love your job on a scale of 5? 1 ... I hate the disorganisation.
11. Favorite color: anything but pastels!
12. Hometown: Kuala Lumpur
13. Current Residence: Subang Jaya
14. Favorite food: Assam Laksa, Italian, fast food, cakes, ice cream ...
15. Been to Africa? Nope
16. Been toilet papering? Do not compute! Wha???
17. Loved somebody so much it made you cry? nope.
18. Been in a car accident? Bumped some cars a couple of times (at the same spot) but didn't cause any dents. Nothing major as yet. *touches wood* christ! where the heck do I find wood in an office?
19. Croutons or bacon bits? Both
20. Sprite or 7UP? Hmmm ... 7UP I think.
21: Favorite Movie: Too many to mention! Moulin Rouge, Center Stage, LOTR, Stargate ...
22. Favorite Holiday: Don't know yet! Haven't done much travelling to be able to decide. I'll get back to you on this after I get the chance to travel. At the moment, I like Melbourne. I miss Melbourne.
23. Favorite day of the week: Sunday? but I'm busy then as well so really, don't have a favourite day of the week.
24. Favorite word or phrases: "I don't know." & "Bloody hell!"
26. Favorite Toothpaste: Colgate Gel
27. Favorite Restaurant: Dome's Cafe
28. Favorite Flowers: Gorgeous full bloom red roses.
29. Favorite beverage: Always coca-cola (sing it)
30. Favorite sport to watch : figure skating, rhythmic gymnastics, synchronised swimming, dancesport ... (see a pattern here?), tennis & baseball (hardly manage to watch it but I like it)
31. Preferred type of ice cream: Baskin Robin's Jamoca Almond Fudge
32. Favorite Sesame Streetman : The Count
34. Favorite Fast Food Restaurant: Nando's
35. When was your last hospital visit: a few months back
36. What color is your bedroom carpet? deep burgundy (if I had carpeting, which I don't)
37. How many times did you fail your drivers test? once but maintain that it's cause I didn't bribe the guy!
38. Who is the last person you got email from before this? The Selangor Philharmonic Committee egroup
39. Have you ever been convicted of a crime? What ... a goody too shoe like me? Never.
40. Which single store would you choose to max out your credit card? Homelife or a computer shop
41. What do you do most often when you are bored? Watch a movie
42. Name the person that you are friends with that lives the farthest away: Tim in Taiwan (originally from Aussieland)
43. Most annoying thing people ask or tell me: "When can you finish that program?" "Give me a timeline." - People! I'll finish when I finish okay? Get off my case!
44. Bedtime: whenever I get the chance
45: Who will respond the quickest? Don't even know who I'm mailing this to yet!
46. Who is the person you sent this to that is least likely to respond? Don't know.
47. Favorite TV show? Buffy, Caroline in the City
48. Last person you went out to dinner with: All by myself (know the tune?)
49. Last Movie you saw : Burn the Floor
50: Time when you finished: 12.07pm
02. Name as it appears on your birth certificate? C a l l i s t a C h u a h H u e i L i
03. Nickname : Shorty, Piggie, Sister Maria, Cinders
04. Parents names: Pa & Mi
05. Number of candles that appeared on your last birthday cake: 24
06. Date that you regularly blow them out: 21 Dec
08. Hair color: Really Dark Brown almost black ... my bio teacher once said my hair's not healthy cause it's not completely black, which is what a 'typical' chinese 'should' have. Makes me wonder if she should really be teaching bio in the first place!
09. Tattoos: none ... yet. Too afraid to get it. Argh! The pain. Maybe one day I'll get my chinese name tatooed somewhere discreet. :)
10. How much do you love your job on a scale of 5? 1 ... I hate the disorganisation.
11. Favorite color: anything but pastels!
12. Hometown: Kuala Lumpur
13. Current Residence: Subang Jaya
14. Favorite food: Assam Laksa, Italian, fast food, cakes, ice cream ...
15. Been to Africa? Nope
16. Been toilet papering? Do not compute! Wha???
17. Loved somebody so much it made you cry? nope.
18. Been in a car accident? Bumped some cars a couple of times (at the same spot) but didn't cause any dents. Nothing major as yet. *touches wood* christ! where the heck do I find wood in an office?
19. Croutons or bacon bits? Both
20. Sprite or 7UP? Hmmm ... 7UP I think.
21: Favorite Movie: Too many to mention! Moulin Rouge, Center Stage, LOTR, Stargate ...
22. Favorite Holiday: Don't know yet! Haven't done much travelling to be able to decide. I'll get back to you on this after I get the chance to travel. At the moment, I like Melbourne. I miss Melbourne.
23. Favorite day of the week: Sunday? but I'm busy then as well so really, don't have a favourite day of the week.
24. Favorite word or phrases: "I don't know." & "Bloody hell!"
26. Favorite Toothpaste: Colgate Gel
27. Favorite Restaurant: Dome's Cafe
28. Favorite Flowers: Gorgeous full bloom red roses.
29. Favorite beverage: Always coca-cola (sing it)
30. Favorite sport to watch : figure skating, rhythmic gymnastics, synchronised swimming, dancesport ... (see a pattern here?), tennis & baseball (hardly manage to watch it but I like it)
31. Preferred type of ice cream: Baskin Robin's Jamoca Almond Fudge
32. Favorite Sesame Streetman : The Count
34. Favorite Fast Food Restaurant: Nando's
35. When was your last hospital visit: a few months back
36. What color is your bedroom carpet? deep burgundy (if I had carpeting, which I don't)
37. How many times did you fail your drivers test? once but maintain that it's cause I didn't bribe the guy!
38. Who is the last person you got email from before this? The Selangor Philharmonic Committee egroup
39. Have you ever been convicted of a crime? What ... a goody too shoe like me? Never.
40. Which single store would you choose to max out your credit card? Homelife or a computer shop
41. What do you do most often when you are bored? Watch a movie
42. Name the person that you are friends with that lives the farthest away: Tim in Taiwan (originally from Aussieland)
43. Most annoying thing people ask or tell me: "When can you finish that program?" "Give me a timeline." - People! I'll finish when I finish okay? Get off my case!
44. Bedtime: whenever I get the chance
45: Who will respond the quickest? Don't even know who I'm mailing this to yet!
46. Who is the person you sent this to that is least likely to respond? Don't know.
47. Favorite TV show? Buffy, Caroline in the City
48. Last person you went out to dinner with: All by myself (know the tune?)
49. Last Movie you saw : Burn the Floor
50: Time when you finished: 12.07pm
Tuesday, June 11, 2002
It's gonna be busy this week.
Spent almost the entire day at the dance studio on Sunday. First it was practise for the Shasae dance group from 9.30am till 11am then practised the cha-cha routine with my dance partner, SM, for a bit before class begins at 12pm ... except that didn't happen. Mr L's alarm didn't go off. He just woke up when SM called him at about 12.20pm, so class is cancelled and rescheduled for today.
We continued practising for a bit more and then SM went home with plans to come back and practise some more at 4pm. Feeling lazy, I stayed back at the studio and just hung out. The thought of driving back home and then rest for an hour before driving back to the studio is just too tiring. SM took out his office's Palm and I borrowed that from him to wile away the wait time. I'm hooked on bejeweled now. :) Skipped Yoga to practise cause I think we really need more practise if we are to get beyond the first round of the competition.
After getting home, had to drive mom to the night market and the bank. I was half dead by that time. No Gilmore Girls that night but that's good cause Mad About Mambo was showing on Star Movies. Haven't seen that. It's good. Couldn't stay awake after that so *plop* I went to sleep.
Monday was a whole day at work and then choir practise at night. Loooong day. Dropped off posters and postcards of the concert at TGV Sunway Pyramid and Sunway Pyramid information counter during lunch. Oh, the soloists came in today for practise and I think the soprano's really good. She sort of overpowers the tenor during the Brindisi piece. Hopefully the tenor gets more courage and try to sing louder after more practise. Tired. So tired.
So, tonight, dance class. Hopefully we don't stay back too long for practise. Want to catch Sex and the City on HBO at 10pm.
Plans for the week: Wednesday - choir practise, Thursday - Committee meeting (darn! I have to miss my regular Thursday 4 hour TV series session - Buffy, Angel, Angel and Popular|Dark Angel), Friday - check out venues for post-concert party, Saturday - nothing confirmed, National Choir performance? and the it's Sunday routine again.
Spent almost the entire day at the dance studio on Sunday. First it was practise for the Shasae dance group from 9.30am till 11am then practised the cha-cha routine with my dance partner, SM, for a bit before class begins at 12pm ... except that didn't happen. Mr L's alarm didn't go off. He just woke up when SM called him at about 12.20pm, so class is cancelled and rescheduled for today.
We continued practising for a bit more and then SM went home with plans to come back and practise some more at 4pm. Feeling lazy, I stayed back at the studio and just hung out. The thought of driving back home and then rest for an hour before driving back to the studio is just too tiring. SM took out his office's Palm and I borrowed that from him to wile away the wait time. I'm hooked on bejeweled now. :) Skipped Yoga to practise cause I think we really need more practise if we are to get beyond the first round of the competition.
After getting home, had to drive mom to the night market and the bank. I was half dead by that time. No Gilmore Girls that night but that's good cause Mad About Mambo was showing on Star Movies. Haven't seen that. It's good. Couldn't stay awake after that so *plop* I went to sleep.
Monday was a whole day at work and then choir practise at night. Loooong day. Dropped off posters and postcards of the concert at TGV Sunway Pyramid and Sunway Pyramid information counter during lunch. Oh, the soloists came in today for practise and I think the soprano's really good. She sort of overpowers the tenor during the Brindisi piece. Hopefully the tenor gets more courage and try to sing louder after more practise. Tired. So tired.
So, tonight, dance class. Hopefully we don't stay back too long for practise. Want to catch Sex and the City on HBO at 10pm.
Plans for the week: Wednesday - choir practise, Thursday - Committee meeting (darn! I have to miss my regular Thursday 4 hour TV series session - Buffy, Angel, Angel and Popular|Dark Angel), Friday - check out venues for post-concert party, Saturday - nothing confirmed, National Choir performance? and the it's Sunday routine again.
Friday, June 07, 2002
Well, managed to rewire my brain circuits to take the alternate route to work this morning *grin* *pats herself on the back*. And no. I wasn't any faster. Part of that route was filled with traffic and traffic lights which made it a little slow and it being a slightly longer route, the smooth passage after the traffic didn't cut down any travelling time. So, I guess it's back to the old route. Old is gold.
Finally got back the PC from the HR Ministry. Sent that PC in for them to test the program almost 3 weeks ago! The plan was to have them test it for only a week. Anyway, I have it back now. Will have to do lots of modifications to the program (due to lack of information when building the program in the beginning! Hear that boss?).
Made a little stop at the new Tesco in Puchong on the way back. Was falling asleep at the wheel and tummy was doing a little song and dance, so I thought I'd stop over to grab a bit. Didn't have much of a lunch before that.
Tesco's not that great. The prices are pretty much the same as Carrefour or Giant. No biggie. Bought a bag of chips and a cup of cafe mocha (from San Francisco's). Spilled some coffee on the handle of my new Elle document bag. Now there's a stain. Wonder how I'm going to get that off. Should I soak it? Will the stain come off if I soak it?
Was thinking of working late tonight but once I got back in the office and hooked up the PC I brought back, didn't feel much like working anymore. Checked my mails, browsed my guestbook and browsed Moby's site; really nice site plus he has a T-shirt designing competition on right now. Only problem is, it's only open to American. Not like I was planning on entering it but that kinda limits the pool of talent a tad, don't you think?
...and now, I think I'll just go home.
Finally got back the PC from the HR Ministry. Sent that PC in for them to test the program almost 3 weeks ago! The plan was to have them test it for only a week. Anyway, I have it back now. Will have to do lots of modifications to the program (due to lack of information when building the program in the beginning! Hear that boss?).
Made a little stop at the new Tesco in Puchong on the way back. Was falling asleep at the wheel and tummy was doing a little song and dance, so I thought I'd stop over to grab a bit. Didn't have much of a lunch before that.
Tesco's not that great. The prices are pretty much the same as Carrefour or Giant. No biggie. Bought a bag of chips and a cup of cafe mocha (from San Francisco's). Spilled some coffee on the handle of my new Elle document bag. Now there's a stain. Wonder how I'm going to get that off. Should I soak it? Will the stain come off if I soak it?
Was thinking of working late tonight but once I got back in the office and hooked up the PC I brought back, didn't feel much like working anymore. Checked my mails, browsed my guestbook and browsed Moby's site; really nice site plus he has a T-shirt designing competition on right now. Only problem is, it's only open to American. Not like I was planning on entering it but that kinda limits the pool of talent a tad, don't you think?
...and now, I think I'll just go home.
Thursday, June 06, 2002
Let's try another route.
Need to get to work earlier after that email from the boss.
I chanted and chanted when I woke up this morning.
Ready. Got in the car. Start the car. Reverse. Right. Left. Left. Driving. Driving.
Realization hits!
Bloody hell! Freaking went on auto pilot. Back on the slow, jam packed old route. Bugger it!
Need to get to work earlier after that email from the boss.
I chanted and chanted when I woke up this morning.
Ready. Got in the car. Start the car. Reverse. Right. Left. Left. Driving. Driving.
Realization hits!
Bloody hell! Freaking went on auto pilot. Back on the slow, jam packed old route. Bugger it!
|
My choir's concert. 
Check it out. Doesn't the poster look festive? |
Here's the programme order:
CARMEN Georges Bizet (1838-1875) March of the Toreadors ALADDIN music: Alan Menken (b.1949) A whole new world lyrics: Howard Ashman (1951-1991) words: Tim Rice (b.1944) KERAMAT CINTA music: Adrian Lee (b.1958) & Sunetra Fernando (b.1966) Choral suite from Opera Uda dan Dara text: Usman Awang (20th century) IDOMENEO Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Go diam la pace Sidonne spondie & Placido e il mar andiamo Scenda Amor DIE ZAUBERFLOTE Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Papagena & Papageno duet FAUST Charles Gounod (1818-1893) Avant de quitter EUGENE ONEGIN Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) Waltz scene LA FORZA DEL DESTINO Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) Rataplan NABUCCO Giuseppe Verdi Chorus of the Hebrew slaves LA TRAVIATA Giuseppe Verdi Brindisi INTERVAL (solo item - Student Prince) THE GONDOLIERS Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900) Then one of us will be a queen Once more Gondolieri WEST SIDE STORY Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) A choral selection PRINCE IGOR Alexander Borodin (1833-1887) Polovtsian Dances |
Wednesday, June 05, 2002
Spectacular! Spectacular!
I finally saw 'Burn the Floor' last night. Have heard about it from people at the studio, the rave reviews on my random searches about it and from jason.
Then my dance partner said he had a copy but it was with a friend. When he finally got it back, it took him a few weeks to pass it to me. He keeps forgetting to bring it and one time he did bring it but forgot to give it to me. So, last Sunday, he brought it and I managed to watch it last night.
Well, I actually saw a pirated DVD copy selling on the streets of Penang during my holidays last week but resisted the temptation to purchase cause I was gonna get to watch it eventually. Damn my incredible willpower! Because of you I have missed on days of not watching the incredible dancing from the 44 couples on that show.
As I was watching the show, I first picked the cha-cha, samba, rumba sequence which was dance to a very industrial sound.
The dancers looked like they came out of some futuristic movie. Y'know those where everyone looks like they're in rags with googles on their head and living in the sewers with steam puffing out of vents all over. Very Mad Max. Or is it Total Recall? Anyway, it was so cool. A total change from the flashy latin costume and shoes and into a modern clothes and sneakers. If I hadn't been watching carefully, I might have just missed that they were actually dancing the cha-cha, samba and rumba. It looks like any other hip-hop, modern day dance. Great sequence!
I thought that was going to be my favourite sequence ... up until the swing number came up. I have always had a soft spot for swing dance and music. In fact, I have several swing and rockability albums in my collection. Would actually be more if I could find them in the local stores and they didn't cost above RM75 a piece! Oops! Digressed ... As I was saying, I love swing and all the dancers looked very hep. I wanna learn to swing! Oh, they added a little bit of jive into the sequence as well. They danced to 'Jump Jive an' Wail', 'Transylvania 6500' (I think) and the classic 'Swing, Swing, Swing'. There was also a piece called the 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy' with three girls singing in old time bikini. So chic. :) I like the sound they made. Great voice arrangements.
So, those two sequences are currently tied as my favourite.
Fave couples from the who show would be Jason Roditis and Tonia Kosovich, which is featured on the cover of the VCD, and Matthew Cutler & Nicole Cutler.
I finally saw 'Burn the Floor' last night. Have heard about it from people at the studio, the rave reviews on my random searches about it and from jason.
Then my dance partner said he had a copy but it was with a friend. When he finally got it back, it took him a few weeks to pass it to me. He keeps forgetting to bring it and one time he did bring it but forgot to give it to me. So, last Sunday, he brought it and I managed to watch it last night.
Well, I actually saw a pirated DVD copy selling on the streets of Penang during my holidays last week but resisted the temptation to purchase cause I was gonna get to watch it eventually. Damn my incredible willpower! Because of you I have missed on days of not watching the incredible dancing from the 44 couples on that show.
As I was watching the show, I first picked the cha-cha, samba, rumba sequence which was dance to a very industrial sound.
The dancers looked like they came out of some futuristic movie. Y'know those where everyone looks like they're in rags with googles on their head and living in the sewers with steam puffing out of vents all over. Very Mad Max. Or is it Total Recall? Anyway, it was so cool. A total change from the flashy latin costume and shoes and into a modern clothes and sneakers. If I hadn't been watching carefully, I might have just missed that they were actually dancing the cha-cha, samba and rumba. It looks like any other hip-hop, modern day dance. Great sequence!
I thought that was going to be my favourite sequence ... up until the swing number came up. I have always had a soft spot for swing dance and music. In fact, I have several swing and rockability albums in my collection. Would actually be more if I could find them in the local stores and they didn't cost above RM75 a piece! Oops! Digressed ... As I was saying, I love swing and all the dancers looked very hep. I wanna learn to swing! Oh, they added a little bit of jive into the sequence as well. They danced to 'Jump Jive an' Wail', 'Transylvania 6500' (I think) and the classic 'Swing, Swing, Swing'. There was also a piece called the 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy' with three girls singing in old time bikini. So chic. :) I like the sound they made. Great voice arrangements.
So, those two sequences are currently tied as my favourite.
Fave couples from the who show would be Jason Roditis and Tonia Kosovich, which is featured on the cover of the VCD, and Matthew Cutler & Nicole Cutler.
Tuesday, June 04, 2002
Friday, May 31, 2002
Star Wars: Attack of the Clones was much better than Star Wars: The Phantom Menance. The script was still pretty corny and filled with dialog trying to inject a little humour into the film but it wasn't as bad as Episode 1. Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker was just a tinge better than the little boy who played Anakin. Actually, I can't say that I like Anakin at all. It's no wonder he went bad. So, whiny. What in the world does Padme see in him? His good looks? His incredible potential of being the greatest Jedi ... ever?
Eesh! For lack of a better sentence, he sucks!
Funny parts, ... Padme running through the fields of Naboo. Looks like a scene from The Sound of Music. I can just imagine her bursting out in song. My sister couldn't stop laughing when we were watching that part and I sang (silently), 'The hills are alive, with the sound of music'. :)
Next up, after Ani found his kidnapped mother and she was lying there dying, she went 'I love ... *cough* *choke* ... I love'. Aunty Kool, sis S and I completed it with char kuey teow, chocolates and laksa, respectively. Don't know why we can't all feel sad and serious about that whole scene. Why do we find it funny? We're just plain cruel and unfeeling people. That or the scene wasn't convincing?
Throughly enjoyable film though. Wouldn't mind watching it again although I didn't like a lot of things in it. Probably the things that I did like made it bearable. Padme's wardrobe, gorgeous Naboo, Ewan McGregor ...
Eesh! For lack of a better sentence, he sucks!
Funny parts, ... Padme running through the fields of Naboo. Looks like a scene from The Sound of Music. I can just imagine her bursting out in song. My sister couldn't stop laughing when we were watching that part and I sang (silently), 'The hills are alive, with the sound of music'. :)
Next up, after Ani found his kidnapped mother and she was lying there dying, she went 'I love ... *cough* *choke* ... I love'. Aunty Kool, sis S and I completed it with char kuey teow, chocolates and laksa, respectively. Don't know why we can't all feel sad and serious about that whole scene. Why do we find it funny? We're just plain cruel and unfeeling people. That or the scene wasn't convincing?
Throughly enjoyable film though. Wouldn't mind watching it again although I didn't like a lot of things in it. Probably the things that I did like made it bearable. Padme's wardrobe, gorgeous Naboo, Ewan McGregor ...
Wednesday, May 29, 2002
The drive back from Penang to Kuala Lumpur was less torturous than the drive there. Mainly cause everyone else has gone back to work on today (Tuesday) after the long weekend. Managed to have my assam laksa, my durians up in the hill, and some (all of 45 minutes) sun bathing done. Made myself sick by eating too much. Cor! What torture. I didn't know overeating can cause such pain. Felt dizzy, was sweating and even threw up a little. Felt better after the purging though. All of this plus some time for packing and cleaning up the apartment took till about 3.35pm before we left for the cemetary to place flowers on my grandfather and greatgrandparents's graves. Was feeling better by that time although I could still feel the food in my stomach.
Black sheep sister was suppose to meet up with us, she was staying with friends, but she didn't show until we were in our cars and getting ready to leave. She went with brother and company for lok-lok (raw/pre-cooked food on sticks sold from a van which provides pots with boiling water in which you cook the food) while the rest of us left straight for KL. Bought some guavas and mangoes on the way back but besides that, it was a smooth non-stop ride back. Slept most of the way. Managed to influence Aunty Cool into listening to Josh Groban. She likes. :)
Black sheep sister was suppose to meet up with us, she was staying with friends, but she didn't show until we were in our cars and getting ready to leave. She went with brother and company for lok-lok (raw/pre-cooked food on sticks sold from a van which provides pots with boiling water in which you cook the food) while the rest of us left straight for KL. Bought some guavas and mangoes on the way back but besides that, it was a smooth non-stop ride back. Slept most of the way. Managed to influence Aunty Cool into listening to Josh Groban. She likes. :)
Monday, May 27, 2002
On holiday
Hey, hey. I'm on holiday. In Penang. The drive there was so long. Originally, the drive up north was suppose to take only 4 hours but this beeing a long weekend, Awal Muharram on Saturday and Wesak Day on Sunday with a Monday holiday, the traffic was attrocious. At every toll on the highway, there was a massive jam. Every toll! Therefore in the end we got to Penang at 7pm. EDT was Saturday 11am.
We're staying at my dad's friend's apartment which has an incredible view of the sea. The apartment is of a good size; three bedrooms, a large hall fully equiped with television and a radio, a small kitchen with no stove, and two bathrooms. Nice. :) There's also a gymnasium downstairs (the apartment's at the 14th floor) and two swimming pools.
Didn't do much yet this trip. Basically just lazed around at the apartment watching DVDs. Saw Zoolander and Ocean's Eleven this morning and half of Lord of the Rings last night. Did a bit of swimming this evening as well ... all of 20 minutes I think. Heh heh ... not a lot. Haven't been to the beach yet, haven't done any sun bathing, haven't had my assam laksa from my favourite assam laksa stall in air hitam ... haven't done much of anything!
Did go to Gurney Plaza this evening though. Visited British India Home, it's a shop, to check if they still have the purple bedsheet that I wanted to buy but didn't about six months ago. Nope. Not there anymore. Serves me right. The rest, sister, brother, aunts and dad, bought some clothing from F.O.S. (the visiting aunts from UK's fave shopping outlet).
Staying at my Penang aunt's place now cause I need internet connection. I have an article for adequacy that I needed to send out.
Right now at this very moment, am waiting for the JDK to finish downloading. *sigh* only 11% done. 89% more to go. It's gonna be a long night.
See, I promised my colleague that I'd work on the e-mail module that he needed over my holidays (I took the whole of this week off!). So, to be able to do that, I'd need a network connection to test the module. My PC doesn't have a modem at the moment so I need to install the JDK and other modules to do my work on my dad's laptop. It has internal modem.
So, here I am now. Waiting for the thing to download. *sigh*
Hey, hey. I'm on holiday. In Penang. The drive there was so long. Originally, the drive up north was suppose to take only 4 hours but this beeing a long weekend, Awal Muharram on Saturday and Wesak Day on Sunday with a Monday holiday, the traffic was attrocious. At every toll on the highway, there was a massive jam. Every toll! Therefore in the end we got to Penang at 7pm. EDT was Saturday 11am.
We're staying at my dad's friend's apartment which has an incredible view of the sea. The apartment is of a good size; three bedrooms, a large hall fully equiped with television and a radio, a small kitchen with no stove, and two bathrooms. Nice. :) There's also a gymnasium downstairs (the apartment's at the 14th floor) and two swimming pools.
Didn't do much yet this trip. Basically just lazed around at the apartment watching DVDs. Saw Zoolander and Ocean's Eleven this morning and half of Lord of the Rings last night. Did a bit of swimming this evening as well ... all of 20 minutes I think. Heh heh ... not a lot. Haven't been to the beach yet, haven't done any sun bathing, haven't had my assam laksa from my favourite assam laksa stall in air hitam ... haven't done much of anything!
Did go to Gurney Plaza this evening though. Visited British India Home, it's a shop, to check if they still have the purple bedsheet that I wanted to buy but didn't about six months ago. Nope. Not there anymore. Serves me right. The rest, sister, brother, aunts and dad, bought some clothing from F.O.S. (the visiting aunts from UK's fave shopping outlet).
Staying at my Penang aunt's place now cause I need internet connection. I have an article for adequacy that I needed to send out.
Right now at this very moment, am waiting for the JDK to finish downloading. *sigh* only 11% done. 89% more to go. It's gonna be a long night.
See, I promised my colleague that I'd work on the e-mail module that he needed over my holidays (I took the whole of this week off!). So, to be able to do that, I'd need a network connection to test the module. My PC doesn't have a modem at the moment so I need to install the JDK and other modules to do my work on my dad's laptop. It has internal modem.
So, here I am now. Waiting for the thing to download. *sigh*
Wednesday, May 22, 2002
"Why are you going shopping have you forgotten that you're a man?"
That's the first line of a radio commercial for a local hotel cafe.
As Cher Horowitz in Clueless would say ... AS IF!
If that sentence have any semblance of truth in it, all single men would be walking around stark naked and starved to death after they've move out of momma's house. That's assuming the man's wife/girlfriend does his shopping for him and feeds him. Well, the stark naked thing might prove interesting watch for us ladies and same interest males if those men took care of their bodies. ;)
That's the first line of a radio commercial for a local hotel cafe.
As Cher Horowitz in Clueless would say ... AS IF!
If that sentence have any semblance of truth in it, all single men would be walking around stark naked and starved to death after they've move out of momma's house. That's assuming the man's wife/girlfriend does his shopping for him and feeds him. Well, the stark naked thing might prove interesting watch for us ladies and same interest males if those men took care of their bodies. ;)
Christof Lauer & Jens Thomas: A Review
Christof Lauer - "One of the most important saxophonists on the European jazz scene and a "musician's musician"!
Jens Thomas - "The Jimi Hendrix of the piano"!
That's what's written in the flyer that was handed to me on entering the music hall of the Asian European Institute at University Malaya. Earlier that day, I had managed to scan through an article in The Star about the duo prior to dashing off for work.
Remind me to never believe anything said in print! If I read something and tell go, "Hmmm ... this sounds interesting. Wanna go?" Just give me a hard smack at the back of my head.
A more wasted evening I have never know, this one's almost as bad as the 4 Men and a Woman dance drama I saw, I think, two years ago. All this creative improvisation things just doesn't suit my palate. It's either I'm terribly dense (a huge possiblity) or the music was that bad!
The duo did their rendition of Sting tunes. Starting off with Roxanne, followed by a piece written by Mr. Thomas, Synchronicity #2, another Thomas creation, Every Breath You Take, Dar (Thomas original), Desert Rose, Synchronicity #1 and the encore 'Be With You" or was that "Be With Me". All in all totally unlistenable except for maybe Dar and the encore piece where there is a hints of melody them.
I only recognised Roxanne because while waiting for the start of the performance, I read the handout given at the door which stated that they did a CD covering Sting songs. Therefore, I was looking/listening hard to try and recognise the song. The part of the song that goes "Roxanne", for those that are familiar with the song, was the only recognisable part. The other part was a bunch of Thomas banging wooden on the interior of the baby grand and plucking at the piano strings. Oh yes. I feel asleep in the middle of the first song.
Every Breath You Take fared better in that the tune was quite recognisable, although not completely, and there was less sections where Thomas started playing with the innards again. Desert Rose was absolutely not in evidence except for maybe twenty seconds almost towards the end of the song. As for Jen Thomas originals, most of the were a bunch of banging on the piano, banging on the inside of the piano and fast finger works and excellent breathing technique by Mr. Lauer. All of which culminates to a bunch of noise.
Saving grace of the evening would be that the duo are actually excellent musicians. You can hear the incredible piano playing of Thomas which reminded me in parts to the song 'Study for Three Hands' by Ennio Morricone for the movie 'Legend of 1900'. Lauer plays a mean sax and the tremoloes? that he does sounds simply out of this world. The duo should really start writing that includes more rhythmic melodies instead of experimenting with banging which lays their talent to waste.
Anyway, it seems that there are people who actually likes this sort of music. After their last piece, as I was aching to get out the hall as soon as I can, some guy behind me cried out for an encore and the duo obliged. Shoot! Stuck for another song! Later getting out of the hall, I actually saw people buying their CDs. I was about to yell, 'You freaking pretensious freaks! A baby could make those noise. Want me to gather some kids together?!". That and I was trying had to suppress my disbelief of the people around me.
Getting into the car, switching on the radio, the familiar soothing melodious tune of 'Truly Madly Deeply' was a much needed reprieve. God bless the radio. God bless commercialism!
Christof Lauer - "One of the most important saxophonists on the European jazz scene and a "musician's musician"!
Jens Thomas - "The Jimi Hendrix of the piano"!
That's what's written in the flyer that was handed to me on entering the music hall of the Asian European Institute at University Malaya. Earlier that day, I had managed to scan through an article in The Star about the duo prior to dashing off for work.
Remind me to never believe anything said in print! If I read something and tell go, "Hmmm ... this sounds interesting. Wanna go?" Just give me a hard smack at the back of my head.
A more wasted evening I have never know, this one's almost as bad as the 4 Men and a Woman dance drama I saw, I think, two years ago. All this creative improvisation things just doesn't suit my palate. It's either I'm terribly dense (a huge possiblity) or the music was that bad!
The duo did their rendition of Sting tunes. Starting off with Roxanne, followed by a piece written by Mr. Thomas, Synchronicity #2, another Thomas creation, Every Breath You Take, Dar (Thomas original), Desert Rose, Synchronicity #1 and the encore 'Be With You" or was that "Be With Me". All in all totally unlistenable except for maybe Dar and the encore piece where there is a hints of melody them.
I only recognised Roxanne because while waiting for the start of the performance, I read the handout given at the door which stated that they did a CD covering Sting songs. Therefore, I was looking/listening hard to try and recognise the song. The part of the song that goes "Roxanne", for those that are familiar with the song, was the only recognisable part. The other part was a bunch of Thomas banging wooden on the interior of the baby grand and plucking at the piano strings. Oh yes. I feel asleep in the middle of the first song.
Every Breath You Take fared better in that the tune was quite recognisable, although not completely, and there was less sections where Thomas started playing with the innards again. Desert Rose was absolutely not in evidence except for maybe twenty seconds almost towards the end of the song. As for Jen Thomas originals, most of the were a bunch of banging on the piano, banging on the inside of the piano and fast finger works and excellent breathing technique by Mr. Lauer. All of which culminates to a bunch of noise.
Saving grace of the evening would be that the duo are actually excellent musicians. You can hear the incredible piano playing of Thomas which reminded me in parts to the song 'Study for Three Hands' by Ennio Morricone for the movie 'Legend of 1900'. Lauer plays a mean sax and the tremoloes? that he does sounds simply out of this world. The duo should really start writing that includes more rhythmic melodies instead of experimenting with banging which lays their talent to waste.
Anyway, it seems that there are people who actually likes this sort of music. After their last piece, as I was aching to get out the hall as soon as I can, some guy behind me cried out for an encore and the duo obliged. Shoot! Stuck for another song! Later getting out of the hall, I actually saw people buying their CDs. I was about to yell, 'You freaking pretensious freaks! A baby could make those noise. Want me to gather some kids together?!". That and I was trying had to suppress my disbelief of the people around me.
Getting into the car, switching on the radio, the familiar soothing melodious tune of 'Truly Madly Deeply' was a much needed reprieve. God bless the radio. God bless commercialism!
Tuesday, May 21, 2002
Hurrah! Just went to the photo shop to collect the roll of film I sent in yesterday evening. They all came out. I wasn't sure they would cause that roll has been in the camera for more than two months.
The pictures came out great. Well, not all are great. The one I took of Miguel Ayesa signing my program is though. I'm such a great photographer. Haha ... self praise. :)
Right. Now, to get my hands on a scanner then I can place some of the pictures I took of the F1 race at Sepang, me in my latin competition costume and the pictures with the cast of FAME.
The pictures came out great. Well, not all are great. The one I took of Miguel Ayesa signing my program is though. I'm such a great photographer. Haha ... self praise. :)
Right. Now, to get my hands on a scanner then I can place some of the pictures I took of the F1 race at Sepang, me in my latin competition costume and the pictures with the cast of FAME.
Monday, May 20, 2002
Gosh! It's been a week since my last blog. This is turning out to be more of a weekly entry instead of the original daily entry.
Anyway, not much happened last week, which was probably why I didn't make any entry in here. Monday is much the same as most of my Mondays, work and then choir practise in the evening. However, prior to practise, I met up with a guy, Ram, at San Francisco? Starbucks? who's searching for people to make up a band. He's already in a band and is looking to have a sideband. I told him I could sing. Did a three liner of Letters To Cleo's I Want You To Want Me. He thinks I can sing. So, yay. I might be in a band. Haha ... so teenagerish.
As for Tuesday, the choir committee had a meeting. The tentative date for the press blitz of our Opera Di Tutti Frutti performance is Monday June 3. More talk about posters and postcards and programs. There isn't much that I'm assigned to for these issue. However, there are plans for an after show party after the performance. That would be where I come in.
The rest of the week was just work. Then on Saturday, went to watch Ram's band jam. They're pretty good. Sounded better live than on their home made CD recording.
Later that day, I went to stalk the cast of FAME to sign my program after their matinee show. Very successfull outing. I managed to get almost everyone's signature. Only one missing, Leah's. I heard she has a twisted/busted ankle so she wasn't at Istana Budaya (the venue). They're all so very nice. Especially Miguel Ayesa. Deonne Zanotto got overly excited when I asked her to sign my CHICAGO program. She was in that show as well about a year and a half ago. In fact, everyone got excited over the CHICAGO program. All of them poured over it like they've never seen it before.
That was great! Of course, I had to go back after their evening show cause I didn't manage to get them all after the matinee. Had to miss the second half of the BBC Proms being relayed live over the KLCC park to go back but I'm glad I did. Otherwise I'd have to go back into the city the next day. Don't want to do that if I don't have to.
Fab! Fab! Fab! Can't wait to get the pictures developed. Hope they all come out well. I'll have them scanned and the posted after I do.
Anyway, not much happened last week, which was probably why I didn't make any entry in here. Monday is much the same as most of my Mondays, work and then choir practise in the evening. However, prior to practise, I met up with a guy, Ram, at San Francisco? Starbucks? who's searching for people to make up a band. He's already in a band and is looking to have a sideband. I told him I could sing. Did a three liner of Letters To Cleo's I Want You To Want Me. He thinks I can sing. So, yay. I might be in a band. Haha ... so teenagerish.
As for Tuesday, the choir committee had a meeting. The tentative date for the press blitz of our Opera Di Tutti Frutti performance is Monday June 3. More talk about posters and postcards and programs. There isn't much that I'm assigned to for these issue. However, there are plans for an after show party after the performance. That would be where I come in.
The rest of the week was just work. Then on Saturday, went to watch Ram's band jam. They're pretty good. Sounded better live than on their home made CD recording.
Later that day, I went to stalk the cast of FAME to sign my program after their matinee show. Very successfull outing. I managed to get almost everyone's signature. Only one missing, Leah's. I heard she has a twisted/busted ankle so she wasn't at Istana Budaya (the venue). They're all so very nice. Especially Miguel Ayesa. Deonne Zanotto got overly excited when I asked her to sign my CHICAGO program. She was in that show as well about a year and a half ago. In fact, everyone got excited over the CHICAGO program. All of them poured over it like they've never seen it before.
That was great! Of course, I had to go back after their evening show cause I didn't manage to get them all after the matinee. Had to miss the second half of the BBC Proms being relayed live over the KLCC park to go back but I'm glad I did. Otherwise I'd have to go back into the city the next day. Don't want to do that if I don't have to.
Fab! Fab! Fab! Can't wait to get the pictures developed. Hope they all come out well. I'll have them scanned and the posted after I do.
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