I am home. It's fantastic. My eyes are half open/half closed, depending if you're an optimist, but I will ramble a little bit because I haven't felt so free and unrepressed in a while. Yes I brought some sheets of writing back to collate. And yes I can't be arsed to do it now.
It's great to be back in KL. The last time I was back was during Chinese New Year. Since then I've been hit by wave after wave of work, and if I didn't come back this time, the next time would be three months later, after my Europe trip and the confirmation defense. Asa would already be in Brisbane. I would already be different, as all my long travel stints tend to change me substantially in one way or another. In New Zealand I started hitchhiking. In the States I became a vegetarian. I wonder what Europe would have in store for my ongoing evolution.
Speaking of Europe, Val's going to be there when I go! He quitted Australia and is probably on his way back on a plane right this moment. I got the news when I was in depths of despair with some concepts that refused to work, and I only glanced very absently at the text that came in, from a number that I didn't recognize. The next second I was laughing and waving my cell phone and jumping around in the office and poking Kristy.
It's going to be so awesome, I anticipate a lot of beer-guzzling and German-spotting. (He's German. She's German. That dog's German too. How does he do that??) And we'll see Marten again and reminisce over the good old days, and come up with new running gags, because that's what we do. (But the whales! Think about the whales!)
I've also confirmed a detour from Paris to Strasbourg to see Linda. The train tickets that she booked for me (you get cheaper tickets if you buy from the official site and of course it had to be in French) only cost 55Euros both ways so it's not too bad. I'm really looking forward to seeing her again, and being shown around by a local and staying with her family.
So much about Europe. I haven't had time to plan the actual things to do at all although I know I should. But writing has taken up most of my time, and will continue to occupy me until the 11th hour, I think. The only thing that I really need to do is to plan on how to fit my entire wardrobe for 2 months, my toiletries, my sleeping bag, a netbook (which I have yet to acquire) and miscellaneous stuff (flip flops for example) into my trusty 32litre backpack, under 10kg. That means that every item that goes into the bag has to be essential, and versatile in usage, and I probably can't buy anything on the way. Of course the other option is to post stuff back home whenever my pack gets too crazy full. I've a feeling that I'll use this option at least once, to send my formal clothes back after the conference is done. Speaking of which, I haven't prepared for my presentation! Rats.
Anyway, I should go now, a long day ahead tomorrow to run various errands. I leave you with Sufjan Stevens who's playing a part in keeping me sane in these incredibly stressful times.
Sufjan Stevens: Decatur, Or, Round of Applause for Your Stepmother!
Showing posts with label youtube. Show all posts
Showing posts with label youtube. Show all posts
-40: Somewhere only we know.
By Keane
I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete
Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
I came across a fallen tree
I felt the branches of it looking at me
Is this the place we used to love?
Is this the place that I've been dreaming of?
Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
And if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?
[break]
Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
So if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
So why don't we go
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?
---
Currently into with this song that I came across randomly. (This version is not as good as the one that I'm listening to in Grooveshark, but I like the black and white pictures.) It's so... heartbreaking.
-61: Hang on little tomato.
by Pink Martini
The sun has left and forgotten me
It's dark, I cannot see
Why does this rain pour down
I'm gonna drown
In a sea
Of deep confusion
Somebody told me, I don't know who
Whenever you are sad and blue
And you're feelin' all alone and left behind
Just take a look inside you and you'll find
You gotta hold on, hold on through the night
Hang on, things will be all right
Even when it's dark
And not a bit of sparkling
Sing-song sunshine from above
Spreading rays of sunny love
Just hang on, hang on to the vine
Stay on, soon you'll be divine
If you start to cry, look up to the sky
Something's coming up ahead
To turn your tears to dew instead
And so I hold on to this advice
When change is hard and not so nice
If you listen to your heart the whole night through
Your sunny someday will come one day soon to you
El Caminito del Rey
I watched this and my palms sweated the whole time. Try watching it full screen. Scared the crap out of me - that people would actually do such a precarious route. I mean check out the path that was pretty much crumbling. And this guy is holding a camera in his hand while he's doing this. *Respect*
Lily Allen - Fuck You
Some expletives for you on this lovely Wednesday Tuesday morning. Man, I've lost all sense of time!
Back to work!
Back to work!
The World is Just Awesome
(Dialogue)
Astronaut 1: It never gets old, huh?
Astronaut 2: Nope.
Astronaut 1: It kinda makes you want to...
Astronaut 2: Break into song?
Astronaut 1: Yep.
I love the mountains,
I love the clear blue skies
I love big bridges
I love when great whites fly
I love the whole world
And all its sights and sounds
Boom-de-ah-da, boom-de-ah-da (twice)
I love the oceans
I love real dirty things
I love to go fast
I love Egyptian kings
I love the whole world
And all its craziness
Boom-de-ah-da, boom-de-ah-da (twice)
I love tornadoes
I love arachnids
I love hot magma
I love the giant squids
I love the whole world
It's such a brilliant place
Boom-de-ah-da, boom-de-ah-da (repeating until fade)
***
My favourite song right now. This is such a sorry excuse for a filler post, I know, I've just been really busy at work and when I'm at home I'm zoning out in front of the TV, cooking and replying emails. I could get used to this life. Anyway, my Indian couchsurfer stood me up so I was free this week, but I've got five couchsurfers (all confirmed) coming next week and it's going to be crazy good fun =)
Updates might be few and far between as I try to cram in as much academic writing as possible. Eyes on the prize! Boom de ah da boom de ah da boom de ah da boom de ah da
Dancing in a snow globe.
Blogging and singing along to Joshua Radin's Winter, in an uplifting, swaying manner that KF would have considered inappropriate for a rather sad song. I remember with fondness that he used to shake his head at me crooning happily at depressing ballads. But what can I do if I just enjoy singing so much that the corners of my mouth turn up, automatically, while I belt out song after song?
***
My roving mind also has me looking at my Google Calendar for January and anticipating all the Couchsurfers that will come (four girls! Yeah!), and I'm also contemplating the courses that I'm sitting in for. At the same time I am watching a HK drama with my sister. At intervals I am cupping my face, in a physical representation of "The Scream", exclaiming "好奸啊！！！" (English: Hou Gan Ahh!!)
***
I'm reading a new paper on tourism and identity. Getting inspired. Writing notes. Making a timeline in my head on when I'll finish the first draft of my confirmation report. It will happen, it will happen!
***
I'm meeting Woei in the afternoon. Looking forward to some inspiring conversations. We have an annual talkathon when we meet and just spill our guts to each other. Last year we talked for 18 hours straight. I think this year we'll probably not, since our older bodies can't stand all-nighters any longer. But we're also one year older and wiser and therefore the quality of our conversation will be even better, like aged wine.
***
I remember the sound
of your November downtown
I remember the truth
A warm December with you
But I don't have to make this mistake
And I don't have to stay this way
If only I would wake
***
So many snowflakes. So little time to observe each and every one of them, that I choose to dance through them, creating little whirlwinds, kicking up a blizzard, laughing! For the moment now is the only moment, worries are of no use because I will face challenges when they come, and I know I will prevail, and there is nothing left to do right now except to
Dance, dance, like you can change the world!
***
My roving mind also has me looking at my Google Calendar for January and anticipating all the Couchsurfers that will come (four girls! Yeah!), and I'm also contemplating the courses that I'm sitting in for. At the same time I am watching a HK drama with my sister. At intervals I am cupping my face, in a physical representation of "The Scream", exclaiming "好奸啊！！！" (English: Hou Gan Ahh!!)
***
I'm reading a new paper on tourism and identity. Getting inspired. Writing notes. Making a timeline in my head on when I'll finish the first draft of my confirmation report. It will happen, it will happen!
***
I'm meeting Woei in the afternoon. Looking forward to some inspiring conversations. We have an annual talkathon when we meet and just spill our guts to each other. Last year we talked for 18 hours straight. I think this year we'll probably not, since our older bodies can't stand all-nighters any longer. But we're also one year older and wiser and therefore the quality of our conversation will be even better, like aged wine.
***
I remember the sound
of your November downtown
I remember the truth
A warm December with you
But I don't have to make this mistake
And I don't have to stay this way
If only I would wake
***
So many snowflakes. So little time to observe each and every one of them, that I choose to dance through them, creating little whirlwinds, kicking up a blizzard, laughing! For the moment now is the only moment, worries are of no use because I will face challenges when they come, and I know I will prevail, and there is nothing left to do right now except to
Dance, dance, like you can change the world!
MIA
My apologies for not updating in a while. Along with my lost hand phone and my university barring MSN I disappeared from the virtual world for about a week. I liked it actually. Coupled with the fact that I had two Swiss CSers over, it was like travelling, in the sense that you're cut off from connections and you're hanging out with other travellers. Also, since I finished my paper earlier in the week I wasn't worrying about work that much which made the week relaxing. Therefore Monday blues struck hard today.
Things that I have learnt over the past week:
I think I'm tired and I need a break, and I'm really looking forward to going home next weekend. But before that I'll need to finish all the interview transcriptions - I have three now, about five hours of data to transcribe. Another two guys will be coming this week and I will have five interviews in total before I call it a day. With five interviews I will have enough of data in my hands to look at for the time being I guess.
I think I like ska. The happy beat is the only thing keeping me from going into a full-blown monday blues depression. Over the weekend I went to the city and caught two live swing bands with Yves, and yesterday after coming home he sat me down and ran me through some nice ska bands that he liked, and the philosophy of the working class behind the music, and the picture of the big black guy who played the bass with his teeth. I was intrigued, but we couldn't find any video of him doing it, Yves saw him do it live.
Well I should get to my first transcription - Tope from Nigeria. Also means that I need to turn off the happy ska music. Will leave you with "I lost my phone" from Open Season, a Swiss ska/rock steady/reggae band.
I lost my phone, lalalalalalalalala.
Things that I have learnt over the past week:
- that Suspicious Looking Men really exist (we saw one on the MRT - black baseball cap, big dark glasses, huge droopy fake-looking moustache, black bag)
- a brief history of ska and skinheads (not the neo-nazi kind)
- how to flip a crepe in a pan
- that you can eat a crepe twice fallen on the floor with no medical implications
- that Singapore's National Museum has an impressive collection of audio stories but not much artefacts
- how to say "monkey" in German - "affe"
- that I should refrain from asking people if they're gay or if they'd like to be. I mean sometimes I just get gay vibes from people and I just want to check if my gaydar is working, it's nothing personal or insulting. Also you never know if you might unwittingly help someone sort their sexuality out and change the course of their life. But I shall refrain in the future because it pisses people off.
- Qwerty keyboards on cell phones are just a pain in the ass. Why use a gazillion keys when you can use only 12?
I think I'm tired and I need a break, and I'm really looking forward to going home next weekend. But before that I'll need to finish all the interview transcriptions - I have three now, about five hours of data to transcribe. Another two guys will be coming this week and I will have five interviews in total before I call it a day. With five interviews I will have enough of data in my hands to look at for the time being I guess.
I think I like ska. The happy beat is the only thing keeping me from going into a full-blown monday blues depression. Over the weekend I went to the city and caught two live swing bands with Yves, and yesterday after coming home he sat me down and ran me through some nice ska bands that he liked, and the philosophy of the working class behind the music, and the picture of the big black guy who played the bass with his teeth. I was intrigued, but we couldn't find any video of him doing it, Yves saw him do it live.
Well I should get to my first transcription - Tope from Nigeria. Also means that I need to turn off the happy ska music. Will leave you with "I lost my phone" from Open Season, a Swiss ska/rock steady/reggae band.
I lost my phone, lalalalalalalalala.
Coldplay: How you see the world
Are you missing something?
Looking for something?
Tired of everything
Searching and struggling
Are you worried about it?
Do you wanna talk about it?
Oh you're gonna get it right some time
There's so much to be scared of
And not much to make sense of
Are you running in a circle?
You can't be too careful
And you can't relate it
'Cos it's complicated
Oh You're gonna get it right some time
You're gonna get it right some time
It's how you see the world
How many times can you say
You can't believe what you learn
It's how you see the world
Don't you worry yourself
You're not gonna get hurt
Oooohhhhh...
Is there something missing?
There's nobody listening
Are you scared of what you don't know?
Don't wanna end up on your own?
You need conversation
And information
Ohhhhhhhhh...
Gonna get it right sometimes
You just wanna get it right sometimes
It's how you see the world
How many times have you heard?
You can't believe a word
It's how you see the world
Don't you worry yourself
'Cos nobody can learn
Oooooh
Oooooh
Ooooooooh
That's how you see the world
That's how you see the world
---
My ultimate research song of all time. I keep nodding to the questions asked in the song. Are you missing something? Yes. Looking for something? Yes. Tired of everything? Well not right now, but I was last week. Searching and struggling? Yes. Are you worried about it? Yes. Do you want to talk about it? Yes, just did to my co-supervisor, who gave me more questions than answers, which I appreciate. You're gonna get it right sometime.
And you can't relate it, 'coz it's complicated. You're gonna get it right sometime. You're gonna get it right sometime.
Sigh. I certainly hope so.
Sting - Until
If I caught the world in a bottle
And everything was still beneath the moon
Without your love would it shine for me?
If I was smart as Aristotle
And understood the rings around the moon
What would it all matter if you loved me?
Here in your arms where the world is impossibly still
With a million dreams to fulfill
And a matter of moments until the dancing ends
Here in your arms when everything seems to be clear
Not a solitary thing would I fear
Except when this moment comes near the dancing's end
If I caught the world in an hourglass
Saddled up the moon so we could ride
Until the stars grew dim, Until...
One day you'll meet a stranger
And all the noise is silenced in the room
You'll feel that you're close to some mystery
In the moonlight and everything shatters
You feel as if you've known her all your life
The world's oldest lesson in history
Here in your arms where the world is impossibly still
With a million dreams to fulfill
And a matter of moments until the dancing ends
Here in your arms when everything seems to be clear
Not a solitary thing do I fear
Except when this moment comes near the dancing's end
Oh, if I caught the world in an hourglass
Saddled up the moon and we would ride
Until the stars grew dim
Until the time that time stands still, Until...
The Ditty Bops - Walk or Ride
With just one kiss you could change the world,
It might not be much better-- but it certainly couldn't hurt.
When you stomp your feet you aren't hurting me,
But you're always killing something just by living on the Earth...
So who you supposed to listen to when you're looking for something to do?
And all the voices shut you up
-Someone put a brick in your coffee cup.-
When you're trying to decide whether to walk or to ride;
Take the easy way you know that you want to
I saw an educated girl give her hair a twirl
And contemplate the meaning of a man with just one arm.
She's not a genius or a dunce, but it makes no difference;
For at any moment we might find ourselves a charm
But I'm feeling quite confused by the people who refuse to see
A simple way of life don't make you the loser.
They say we won't make it far if we don't drive there in a car,
But we'll be there with time to spare and find our own way home.
You might find the meaning of life in the barrel of a rifle
If it's pointed at a bird or if it's pointed at your head.
But me, I'd rather plant a tree that grows up tall for all to see..
Until I need a pencil, then I'll chop it to the ground
At night falling down, will it make a sound?
Should I even wonder what it'd say?
It's so hard to change yourself, easier to tell someone else
That everything is going to be okay..
Oooh
---
Sidenote: Jim who was the last person that inspired me to turn vegetarian, had one arm in a sling when I met him. His shoulder and arm bones were shattered in an accident two years back, so he has a metal structure where the bones were destroyed, and he met further complications when he got infected in the hospital while he was treated. When I met him on the train, he was on his way to see the doctor in Davis. Thought that it was interesting that the lyrics of this song, which is one of my favouritest songs right now, had a line in there that resonates with this experience.
Sell Out! (updated)
I was chatting with KF and realized that he didn't know about Sell Out! yet, so probably many others are still in the dark. Sell Out!'s a Malaysian-made musical/comedy, and as you can see from the trailer below it has got many international accolades, so make sure you catch it before it leaves the Malaysian cinemas! It's showing in Singapore too in Cathay cinemas.
Here's the trailer. I did enjoy the movie, it is very unique and the songs are just... XD
Like I told KF the movie does have its shortcomings, but do go watch the movie and find out for yourself =)
updated: I found this other scene, which is actually cut out from the movie, but it's a taste of the satirical script to expect within the movie:
Here's the trailer. I did enjoy the movie, it is very unique and the songs are just... XD
Like I told KF the movie does have its shortcomings, but do go watch the movie and find out for yourself =)
updated: I found this other scene, which is actually cut out from the movie, but it's a taste of the satirical script to expect within the movie:
EARTH HOUR!!!
Rooarrrrr!!!!
Don't know what Earth Hour is? To make it simple for you, on March 28th 2009, whereever on earth you are, at 8:30pm, you're supposed to turn off your lights. For one hour. That's Earth Hour.
Let me illustrate for you the magnitude of this event. On this day,
Malaysians! It's lights off for Putrajaya. Petronas Twin Towers. Penang Bridge. Dataran Merdeka.
Elsewhere, but no less important! Great Pyramids of Giza is going to turn off. Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral in France, the Sydney Opera House, the London Eye, Niagara Falls, Hong Kong's Symphony of Lights, Stockholm Castle, Acropolis, will all be dark as well.
To a smaller scale! NTU Graduate Hall (where I'm staying in) is turning off corridor lights of alternate floors.
Even extreme cynics agree.
WHY?
Do you want to vote for global warming?? Do you?? Think about the children!
However you do it. Do it. Sign up and be counted.
Don't know what Earth Hour is? To make it simple for you, on March 28th 2009, whereever on earth you are, at 8:30pm, you're supposed to turn off your lights. For one hour. That's Earth Hour.
Let me illustrate for you the magnitude of this event. On this day,
Malaysians! It's lights off for Putrajaya. Petronas Twin Towers. Penang Bridge. Dataran Merdeka.
Elsewhere, but no less important! Great Pyramids of Giza is going to turn off. Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral in France, the Sydney Opera House, the London Eye, Niagara Falls, Hong Kong's Symphony of Lights, Stockholm Castle, Acropolis, will all be dark as well.
To a smaller scale! NTU Graduate Hall (where I'm staying in) is turning off corridor lights of alternate floors.
Even extreme cynics agree.
WHY?
THIS IS THE WORLD’S FIRST GLOBAL ELECTION, BETWEEN EARTH AND GLOBAL WARMING.
On March 28 you can VOTE EARTH by switching off your lights for one hour.
Or you can vote global warming by leaving your lights on.
The results of the election are being presented at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009. We want one billion votes for Earth, to tell world leaders that we have to take action against global warming. [source]
However you do it. Do it. Sign up and be counted.
Isi terpesong.
What do you do when you have written about 70% of a paper and find out that er... it... kinda... went out of topic
T_T
Change title? Try to gloss it over? Die die argue - what we say, cure the dead horse like it's alive?
No. You procrastinate and hope that the paper will rewrite itself while you blog.
I had a great night of sleep yesterday. Slept at 10:30pm and was knocked out till about 6:30am. Then woke up, turned to the other side, and slept some more till 8am. Then stared at the wall map until about 8:30am. Then got my lazy ass to school when I reaffirmed the nagging feeling I had all weekend - isi terpesong... now trying to figure out the next course of action.
I think I have a twisted pinky which makes it rather irritating to type. *flexes fingers* *gets irritated* *flexes fingers some more*
May be going back to KL this weekend to do some interviews for another term paper. This semester is flying by with record speed... My exams are less than a month away (!!) but I still have tons of coursework left, but I'm really glad that after this sem I will not have any more compulsory classes, but can choose to sit in and just learn without the pressure, damn it.
Intermission rant - I still don't get it why finals are weighted at 50% of the total marks. Why would they base 50% of my marks on a mere 3 hours when I spend at least ten times more hours on my term paper??
Oh yeah, I went for the Red Cross charity concert in our school last Saturday with Apurva, an undergrad from India whom I met during the Toy Museum outing. Most of the performances were quite high-school-ish - reminded me so much of Chong Hwa! Complete with the totally kayu emcees and badly rehearsed on-stage humour.
They had 二十四节令鼓 (played by like 8 people) and it was nowhere near Chong Hwa's standard ok... super miss Chong Hwa 二十四节令鼓, the people performing the other day just didn't possess the kind of collective energy and the war-like stance which is what I really liked about 二十四节令鼓 in Chong Hwa, really powerful stuff. Instead theirs was quite lethargic and was scattered sometimes *narrow eyes in disapproval*
And then there was this performance by an acclaimed pianist (according to the kayu emcees). Pianists play the piano. Singers sing. Some pianists may be blessed with good voices and hence can sing as they play. Mr. Acclaimed Pianist was not blessed as such. I don't understand why he chose to play two Chinese pop songs and to overpower his acclaimed piano skills with his lacklustre voice and weird pronunciation. He did make me miss YJ though - not because I associated YJ with his crappy performance, but because he was singing this song 一首简单的歌 by 王力宏.
His pronunciation and slightly off key tones made this progression:
一首简单的歌 ==> 一首煎蛋的歌 ==> 一首Zyan Tan 的歌
So yes. I missed Zyan Tan (YJ).
I know a lot of effort is put into organizing stuff like these, especially a charity concert with noble intentions, and they raised like 7k for the Red Cross Disabled Home. I just can't resist to make mean comments about crappy performances however noble the intentions were.
But! All is not lost! There was one performance that saved it all - and that was The Strikeforce, a drum team which was so uplifting, so passionate, so crazily fun that all my grouses were wiped out and I was thankful that I went to this concert instead of just throwing the ticket away. Good performances like these - they just make you want to laugh and to clap and to whoop (Weeeee!) and to revel in the raw energy. You could see that the performers had fun. They were dancing to their beat and laughing, like they weren't performing but just a bunch of crazy kids enjoying making synchronized noise.
Some idea of how The Strikeforce is like:
The passive crowd went wild from being all glazed from tolerating the previous acts. I couldn't stop smiling. Then a local celebrity came in to perform as the last act and it was all =_= again. OMG the stupid jokes (if you can't execute humour with finesse, then just pretend to be cool and not talk) and he was like "Careful with my guitar" when the emcees came to pretend to fawn over him (really badly rehearsed) after his first performance. Snooty kid.
OK I am gratified with all the mean comments. Back to the real world where I shall... figure out what to do with my terpesong piece. Joy.
T_T
Change title? Try to gloss it over? Die die argue - what we say, cure the dead horse like it's alive?
No. You procrastinate and hope that the paper will rewrite itself while you blog.
I had a great night of sleep yesterday. Slept at 10:30pm and was knocked out till about 6:30am. Then woke up, turned to the other side, and slept some more till 8am. Then stared at the wall map until about 8:30am. Then got my lazy ass to school when I reaffirmed the nagging feeling I had all weekend - isi terpesong... now trying to figure out the next course of action.
I think I have a twisted pinky which makes it rather irritating to type. *flexes fingers* *gets irritated* *flexes fingers some more*
May be going back to KL this weekend to do some interviews for another term paper. This semester is flying by with record speed... My exams are less than a month away (!!) but I still have tons of coursework left, but I'm really glad that after this sem I will not have any more compulsory classes, but can choose to sit in and just learn without the pressure, damn it.
Intermission rant - I still don't get it why finals are weighted at 50% of the total marks. Why would they base 50% of my marks on a mere 3 hours when I spend at least ten times more hours on my term paper??
Oh yeah, I went for the Red Cross charity concert in our school last Saturday with Apurva, an undergrad from India whom I met during the Toy Museum outing. Most of the performances were quite high-school-ish - reminded me so much of Chong Hwa! Complete with the totally kayu emcees and badly rehearsed on-stage humour.
They had 二十四节令鼓 (played by like 8 people) and it was nowhere near Chong Hwa's standard ok... super miss Chong Hwa 二十四节令鼓, the people performing the other day just didn't possess the kind of collective energy and the war-like stance which is what I really liked about 二十四节令鼓 in Chong Hwa, really powerful stuff. Instead theirs was quite lethargic and was scattered sometimes *narrow eyes in disapproval*
And then there was this performance by an acclaimed pianist (according to the kayu emcees). Pianists play the piano. Singers sing. Some pianists may be blessed with good voices and hence can sing as they play. Mr. Acclaimed Pianist was not blessed as such. I don't understand why he chose to play two Chinese pop songs and to overpower his acclaimed piano skills with his lacklustre voice and weird pronunciation. He did make me miss YJ though - not because I associated YJ with his crappy performance, but because he was singing this song 一首简单的歌 by 王力宏.
His pronunciation and slightly off key tones made this progression:
一首简单的歌 ==> 一首煎蛋的歌 ==> 一首Zyan Tan 的歌
So yes. I missed Zyan Tan (YJ).
I know a lot of effort is put into organizing stuff like these, especially a charity concert with noble intentions, and they raised like 7k for the Red Cross Disabled Home. I just can't resist to make mean comments about crappy performances however noble the intentions were.
But! All is not lost! There was one performance that saved it all - and that was The Strikeforce, a drum team which was so uplifting, so passionate, so crazily fun that all my grouses were wiped out and I was thankful that I went to this concert instead of just throwing the ticket away. Good performances like these - they just make you want to laugh and to clap and to whoop (Weeeee!) and to revel in the raw energy. You could see that the performers had fun. They were dancing to their beat and laughing, like they weren't performing but just a bunch of crazy kids enjoying making synchronized noise.
Some idea of how The Strikeforce is like:
The passive crowd went wild from being all glazed from tolerating the previous acts. I couldn't stop smiling. Then a local celebrity came in to perform as the last act and it was all =_= again. OMG the stupid jokes (if you can't execute humour with finesse, then just pretend to be cool and not talk) and he was like "Careful with my guitar" when the emcees came to pretend to fawn over him (really badly rehearsed) after his first performance. Snooty kid.
OK I am gratified with all the mean comments. Back to the real world where I shall... figure out what to do with my terpesong piece. Joy.
So Hindi songs are awesome.
Why did no one tell me before? Do you people not like me?
I am currently listening to soundtracks of two Hindi movies, Aaja Nachle and Lagaan. I found Aaja Nachle through the song O Re Piya, which is featured in Yasmin Ahmad's new movie Talentime (showing on March 26!! Jump jump jump!!!)
O Re Piya - Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
And here are the trailers of Talentime, the first one gave me goosebumps, and the second one made me laugh, Yasmin Ahmad is seriously the greatest.
I read somewhere that Talentime is going to show in Singapore one month later than in Malaysia (where it premieres on March 26), you lucky bastards, go watch the movie go watch the movie go watch the movie!!! But DON'T tell me the plot or I will freaking kill you.
Since Fridays are my gym days I am not to be blamed for dishing out death threats. Or doing the Indian head bob. Or looking like I'm nodding vigorously when I'm actually doing the Indian head bob. Damn them flexible Indian heads. Gosh that sounded racist. Oh well, while we're at it, damn us Chinese sepet eyes as well. I can't think of any Malay body parts to damn. Damn Malay perfection!
Click play if you haven't already. Three times. Up there. *points*
I am currently listening to soundtracks of two Hindi movies, Aaja Nachle and Lagaan. I found Aaja Nachle through the song O Re Piya, which is featured in Yasmin Ahmad's new movie Talentime (showing on March 26!! Jump jump jump!!!)
O Re Piya - Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
And here are the trailers of Talentime, the first one gave me goosebumps, and the second one made me laugh, Yasmin Ahmad is seriously the greatest.
I read somewhere that Talentime is going to show in Singapore one month later than in Malaysia (where it premieres on March 26), you lucky bastards, go watch the movie go watch the movie go watch the movie!!! But DON'T tell me the plot or I will freaking kill you.
Since Fridays are my gym days I am not to be blamed for dishing out death threats. Or doing the Indian head bob. Or looking like I'm nodding vigorously when I'm actually doing the Indian head bob. Damn them flexible Indian heads. Gosh that sounded racist. Oh well, while we're at it, damn us Chinese sepet eyes as well. I can't think of any Malay body parts to damn. Damn Malay perfection!
Click play if you haven't already. Three times. Up there. *points*
So far Friday has been pointless.
Much like this video. I'm a born again fan of Ryan Higa, youtube username NigaHiga.
But yes. So far Friday has been pointless. I'm going to the Toy Museum tomorrow, yeah!
But yes. So far Friday has been pointless. I'm going to the Toy Museum tomorrow, yeah!
She is a peacock in everything but beauty.
Ah what a delightful insult, such room for imagination! Oscar Wilde is a genius.
I am back in The Land As Big As Lake Kenyir. Homesickness struck last night but I am back to my old indestructible self now. Am focusing full time (kinda) on my work, this paper has to be out by this week I swear, so that I can work on other papers in the pipeline. Just found a good paper so I am sprightly.
Chinese New Year found me coughing and hacking and not having any CNY tidbits, which is a horrid pity because that's reasonably the only time of the year when you get to have all the junkfood you can eat without the guilt, and I'd already missed it last year because I was in NZ. Ten thousand woes. Well there's always next year.
The lack of real food was supplemented by soul food. During the holidays I read Picture of Dorian Gray (Oscar Wilde) and half of Emma (Jane Austen), which is still my loo-time reading now. Hooray for books you bought when you were young but never appreciated because when you get old and contemplative and boring you're bound to like them somehow. I suppose classics are classics for a reason. I still can't bring myself to read Great Expectations though. I think just by holding the book my cool factor would degrade by ten. Maybe another five years down the road. In the meantime I shall hunt down more of Oscar Wilde's books, I find his flamboyance really delightful and Jane Austen just pales in comparison.
Also I saw 2046 by Wong Kar Wai and I liked it. I liked the ambience, the storyline, and of course Tony Leung who was in it. I didn't like Happy Together (by same director) ten years ago when I saw it. Maybe I should rewatch it with my older, more contemplative and more boring soul.
Sharing with you this music video of "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz. Love the travel vibes it's sending. My thoughts go out to Val who's right now wwoofing in Italy, lucky bastard, wish I could do the same but I shall keep focused and continue trying to get funding to travel.
OK back to academic reading, cool stuff on media and conflict.
I am back in The Land As Big As Lake Kenyir. Homesickness struck last night but I am back to my old indestructible self now. Am focusing full time (kinda) on my work, this paper has to be out by this week I swear, so that I can work on other papers in the pipeline. Just found a good paper so I am sprightly.
Chinese New Year found me coughing and hacking and not having any CNY tidbits, which is a horrid pity because that's reasonably the only time of the year when you get to have all the junkfood you can eat without the guilt, and I'd already missed it last year because I was in NZ. Ten thousand woes. Well there's always next year.
The lack of real food was supplemented by soul food. During the holidays I read Picture of Dorian Gray (Oscar Wilde) and half of Emma (Jane Austen), which is still my loo-time reading now. Hooray for books you bought when you were young but never appreciated because when you get old and contemplative and boring you're bound to like them somehow. I suppose classics are classics for a reason. I still can't bring myself to read Great Expectations though. I think just by holding the book my cool factor would degrade by ten. Maybe another five years down the road. In the meantime I shall hunt down more of Oscar Wilde's books, I find his flamboyance really delightful and Jane Austen just pales in comparison.
Also I saw 2046 by Wong Kar Wai and I liked it. I liked the ambience, the storyline, and of course Tony Leung who was in it. I didn't like Happy Together (by same director) ten years ago when I saw it. Maybe I should rewatch it with my older, more contemplative and more boring soul.
Sharing with you this music video of "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz. Love the travel vibes it's sending. My thoughts go out to Val who's right now wwoofing in Italy, lucky bastard, wish I could do the same but I shall keep focused and continue trying to get funding to travel.
OK back to academic reading, cool stuff on media and conflict.
This is sick.
Prompted by Elviza's kind email regarding relief efforts by Mercy Malaysia offered to Palestine, I took some time off this evening from my readings and read up a little more on the situation in Gaza. I'm sure most of you would have kept yourself more informed than I have, so I'm just going to show some pictures ripped from NYTimes. Because many of us are quite insensitive to human suffering unless it is shoved in our faces.
The funeral for 14 of around 40 people killed on Tuesday when Israeli mortar fire struck near a United Nations school in Gaza where many people were taking refuge. Picture and caption taken from NYTimes.com
Women grieved during another funeral, for ten family members killed in a missile strike. Picture and caption taken from NYTimes.com
The aftermath of an airstrike in the Rafah refugee camp on Wednesday. The rising civilian death toll in crowded Gaza heightened international urgency to end the combat. Israel has said repeatedly that it will not end the operation in Gaza until it is certain that Hamas will no longer fire rockets into its civilian areas. Picture and caption taken from NYTimes.com
From Yasmin Ahmad's blog, I read SMSes from Dr. Jemilah from Mercy Malaysia who is currently delivering aid on the ground at Gaza.
I think, witnessing all the efforts that Mercy Malaysia is putting into helping all the innocent lives taken and injured (according to Elviza's blog, Al-Jazeera has the figures that 700 Palestinians have been killed, 219 of whom are children; more than 3000 are wounded), supporting them is the least that we can do.
How you can help? Monetarily, Mercy Malaysia needs more contributions to buy surgical kits, medicines and hospital equipments to help the hospitals in Gaza.
***
And then I watched two videos, also from Yasmin Ahmad's blog, on the American media portrayal of the Israel-Palestine conflict. As a media student I am fascinated, but as a layperson I am overwhelmingly disgusted by the underhanded tactics used to virtually mask the events from the rest of the world. Each clip takes 30 minutes, but I assure you it's worth it, to learn from media activists, scholars and journalists what's really the situation, and how the media twisted the facts.
Peace, Propaganda & The Promised Land - U.S. Media & The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (Part 1)
Peace, Propaganda & The Promised Land - U.S. Media & The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (Part 2)
To sum things up, these videos will show you how Israel is obsessed with its PR image, how the media content goes through some 4 major filters, i.e. 1) the owners of the US media and their business interests, 2) the political elites, 3) the PR efforts of Israel and 4) Pro-Israel media watchdogs. Then they show you, in six clear points, the PR strategies of Israel. Interesting bits include how the journalists are being forced to use language such as "neighbourhood" instead of "settlement" to mask the (very much illegal) occupation of Palestine; and how they give uneven portrayal (empathy on Israel side and nonchalance on the Palestine side); and how they use words like "retaliation" to imply that the Israelis were acting out of self-defense... it is really fascinating.
It's too long to summarize here and I'm quite eager to get this post out, so for you weirdos who want to read the transcript of the videos instead of watching them, here's the link to the transcript. The videos are produced by the Media Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization which produces documentaries looking at media critically.
The funeral for 14 of around 40 people killed on Tuesday when Israeli mortar fire struck near a United Nations school in Gaza where many people were taking refuge. Picture and caption taken from NYTimes.com
Women grieved during another funeral, for ten family members killed in a missile strike. Picture and caption taken from NYTimes.com
The aftermath of an airstrike in the Rafah refugee camp on Wednesday. The rising civilian death toll in crowded Gaza heightened international urgency to end the combat. Israel has said repeatedly that it will not end the operation in Gaza until it is certain that Hamas will no longer fire rockets into its civilian areas. Picture and caption taken from NYTimes.comFrom Yasmin Ahmad's blog, I read SMSes from Dr. Jemilah from Mercy Malaysia who is currently delivering aid on the ground at Gaza.
"Salaam. I am leaving tonight for Egypt and onto Rafah, to set up a pipeline for aid into Gaza. Don't worry, it is safe there. Pray for us and the people who are suffering there. Happy new year, I love all of you." (Dec 31)
"Salaam, Min. As I write this, in the last 15 minutes more than 20 bombs have fallen on Gaza, within the distance I can hear them. We are about 2 km from Palestine, and it is a case of so near and yet so far. Our five trucks are loaded with USD100,000 worth of valuable medicine, surgical sets, and disposable items, including syringes, intravenous infusions and bandages. We will wait till the bombings stop, and once the gate opens, we will try to push the goods through. While the Egyptian border has thankfully allowed aid to go through, the challenge is to wait for trucks from the Palestine side to come and collect the goods. For the past day, they have not been able to collect even life saving goods as Israel continues with land and air assaults. We will try our best and stay till we can assure our aid goes through. Many people have been kind to us here and we ask for your continued support and prayers." (4 Jan)
"Alhamdulillah (Praise the Lord). Nothing short of a miracle and Allah's love and mercy for us. We managed to transfer 50 tons of supplies. Many people waited for days, but we sailed through. Alhamdulillah. How was your TV thing? To be honest, it's been very slow on the fund-raising side from HQ." (5 Jan)
"Alhamdulillah. I am fine. Spent some time with Palestinian kids transferred to Cairo for treatment. They were crying and wanting to go home! They don't realise their homes have been blown apart. So very sad. Getting the second consignment ready to go again. Take care. Salaam to all and thank everyone for their generosity and doas." (7 Jan)
I think, witnessing all the efforts that Mercy Malaysia is putting into helping all the innocent lives taken and injured (according to Elviza's blog, Al-Jazeera has the figures that 700 Palestinians have been killed, 219 of whom are children; more than 3000 are wounded), supporting them is the least that we can do.
How you can help? Monetarily, Mercy Malaysia needs more contributions to buy surgical kits, medicines and hospital equipments to help the hospitals in Gaza.
- Cheque is to be made payable to “MERCY MALAYSIA” and addressed to Mercy Malaysia, Level 2, Podium Block, City Point, Kompleks Dayabumi, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, 50050 Kuala Lumpur.
- Cash donations can be made via on-line transmission or deposit at CIMB Bank Account No: 1424-000-6561053.
- Donation form can be downloaded from here.
- Further enquiries are to be directed to +603-22733999 or info@mercy.org.my
***
And then I watched two videos, also from Yasmin Ahmad's blog, on the American media portrayal of the Israel-Palestine conflict. As a media student I am fascinated, but as a layperson I am overwhelmingly disgusted by the underhanded tactics used to virtually mask the events from the rest of the world. Each clip takes 30 minutes, but I assure you it's worth it, to learn from media activists, scholars and journalists what's really the situation, and how the media twisted the facts.
Peace, Propaganda & The Promised Land - U.S. Media & The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (Part 1)
Peace, Propaganda & The Promised Land - U.S. Media & The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (Part 2)
To sum things up, these videos will show you how Israel is obsessed with its PR image, how the media content goes through some 4 major filters, i.e. 1) the owners of the US media and their business interests, 2) the political elites, 3) the PR efforts of Israel and 4) Pro-Israel media watchdogs. Then they show you, in six clear points, the PR strategies of Israel. Interesting bits include how the journalists are being forced to use language such as "neighbourhood" instead of "settlement" to mask the (very much illegal) occupation of Palestine; and how they give uneven portrayal (empathy on Israel side and nonchalance on the Palestine side); and how they use words like "retaliation" to imply that the Israelis were acting out of self-defense... it is really fascinating.
It's too long to summarize here and I'm quite eager to get this post out, so for you weirdos who want to read the transcript of the videos instead of watching them, here's the link to the transcript. The videos are produced by the Media Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization which produces documentaries looking at media critically.
I'll forget you
A new start, for those who have had fleeting love and wistful regrets. I'm trying to come up with an interesting resolution, something fun. Any suggestions?
I'll forget you - Lior
I left you out
Inside my heart
How easily this could be the start...
So I'm making up my mind
Gonna rescue myself tonight
Yeah I'm making up my mind
I'll forget you in time
I left you out
Inside my heart
How easily
This could be the start
And rip my life apart
Like a bowerbird collecting blue
See me gather words
To let you know
It's hard to let this go
But I'm making up my mind
I'll forget you in time
You still make me cry
Like a song of the east
That loses its centre
But always finds its way back home
How this bird has flown
So I'm making up my mind
Gonna rescue myself tonight
Yeah I'm making up my mind
I'll forget you in time
I am leaving you
You are leaving me
We've sung our song
And we chose to roll on
Although this love never fades
It's time to forget the road we never travelled along
So I've made up my mind
Gonna rescue myself tonight
Yeah I've made up my mind
I'll forget you in time.
I'll forget you - Lior
I left you out
Inside my heart
How easily this could be the start...
So I'm making up my mind
Gonna rescue myself tonight
Yeah I'm making up my mind
I'll forget you in time
I left you out
Inside my heart
How easily
This could be the start
And rip my life apart
Like a bowerbird collecting blue
See me gather words
To let you know
It's hard to let this go
But I'm making up my mind
I'll forget you in time
You still make me cry
Like a song of the east
That loses its centre
But always finds its way back home
How this bird has flown
So I'm making up my mind
Gonna rescue myself tonight
Yeah I'm making up my mind
I'll forget you in time
I am leaving you
You are leaving me
We've sung our song
And we chose to roll on
Although this love never fades
It's time to forget the road we never travelled along
So I've made up my mind
Gonna rescue myself tonight
Yeah I've made up my mind
I'll forget you in time.
Caffeine fueled high.
I had Ipoh White Coffee (3-in-one, the good stuff) this morning and have since been hyper happy although there are tons of work that I have to do. So far I have accomplished little but to sing and air guitar to MayDay (Wu Yue Tian)'s songs on Youtube. They have the best happy lyrics ever, all filled with positive vibes, i.e. fuck the world, I'm happy, lalalala.
Both my officemates are out this morning therefore I am free to dance like noone is watching. (Because noone is.)
So. Let's say if someone forgets her antibiotics mid-course, doesn't take it for a day - does she die?? This is a hypothetical question. Not that anyone left her antibiotics back in the hostel and is silently hoping that she won't die. Will she?
Anyway.
My stipend is out! Wahahaha I am rich! I'm trying to think of some smart ass insult to hurl at you, the poor, but I'm too hyper to be bitchy right now. But rest assured that my nose is at a 30-degree angle towards the monitor. Which makes it difficult to actually see the monitor, but that's not the point.
Really too high today. Killer combo of caffeine plus MayDay plus stipend. Lalalalala~
Both my officemates are out this morning therefore I am free to dance like noone is watching. (Because noone is.)
So. Let's say if someone forgets her antibiotics mid-course, doesn't take it for a day - does she die?? This is a hypothetical question. Not that anyone left her antibiotics back in the hostel and is silently hoping that she won't die. Will she?
Anyway.
My stipend is out! Wahahaha I am rich! I'm trying to think of some smart ass insult to hurl at you, the poor, but I'm too hyper to be bitchy right now. But rest assured that my nose is at a 30-degree angle towards the monitor. Which makes it difficult to actually see the monitor, but that's not the point.
Really too high today. Killer combo of caffeine plus MayDay plus stipend. Lalalalala~
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
