music-wise i had an excellent week.
tuesday saw Robert Cray play at the Esplanade tho the setting is extremely wrong for the music. It's way too formal, too large. His music should heard in a smallish place, preferably where some alcohol can be had.
Crowd was pretty rowdy with pp shouting out stuff (song requests??) to him quite a lot. but he preferred to keep the conversation to: 'this next song is low-down and dirty'
on friday, went to see jazz guitarist martin taylor who sorta blew me (non-guitarist) away with his amazing guitar playing. it sounded like there were two guitars altho he was playing it solo! very cool.
after supper, headed to this place called Pepper near Md sultan. where Heritage was playing. yes that very ancient band. but they were pretty good! altho i havent a clue abt led zeppelin, jethro tull etc it was good to hear some live rock music!
Saturday, February 21, 2004
Friday, February 13, 2004
copycontrol bulls**t
yah know, i dun get the deal with "Copy Controlled" Cds. These are them Cds that come with that little logo.
I'm sure you've seen 'em before.
Anyway I bought two Copy Controlled CDs a couple of weeks back. Turin Brakes' Ether Song and My Morning Jacket's It Still Moves.
And you know what? it still copies!
First I made a copy of MMJ for a friend. I did a direct copy using the software that comes with the PC. No problem there and the CD played perfectly fine.
And then made another copy of MMJ for someone else as well as the Turin Brakes. Surprise surprise. No problems there either.
So today I figured, maybe Copy Controlled means you can't rip the CD. And since i've got my new baby, my iPod i mean, I decided to test out that theory by ripping Turin Brakes using iTunes. And you know, I'm listening to track 4 Self Help right now. So, Copy Controlled is a load of bulls**t really. Maybe it's some ploy to get people to buy a non-copy controlled version??? i dunno...
anyway like that funky grandma on The Kumars At No 42 said, "copyright in India means the right to copy"!!! hilarious...
I'm sure you've seen 'em before.
Anyway I bought two Copy Controlled CDs a couple of weeks back. Turin Brakes' Ether Song and My Morning Jacket's It Still Moves.
And you know what? it still copies!
First I made a copy of MMJ for a friend. I did a direct copy using the software that comes with the PC. No problem there and the CD played perfectly fine.
And then made another copy of MMJ for someone else as well as the Turin Brakes. Surprise surprise. No problems there either.
So today I figured, maybe Copy Controlled means you can't rip the CD. And since i've got my new baby, my iPod i mean, I decided to test out that theory by ripping Turin Brakes using iTunes. And you know, I'm listening to track 4 Self Help right now. So, Copy Controlled is a load of bulls**t really. Maybe it's some ploy to get people to buy a non-copy controlled version??? i dunno...
anyway like that funky grandma on The Kumars At No 42 said, "copyright in India means the right to copy"!!! hilarious...
Thursday, February 12, 2004
meanwhile...
i also watched Tim Burton's Big Fish but wasn't too impressed with it. It was interesting and a bit fantastical but wasn't fascinating, unlike Burton's previous works. I have to admit that my favourite Burton film is always Nightmare Before Christmas. Nothing and I mean nothing can beat that one!
I've been thinking about the movies I have seen these 1 1/2 months. and I'm starting to think that Lost In Translation and Last Life Of the Universe as well as Love Me If You Dare were among the top 3 films of Jan and Feb. I liked that they made you think a little, didn't give an 'ideal' ending and the acting was generally good all around.
So applause all around for the brilliant screenwriters, directors, actors, producers and of course the movie distributors that actually brought them to Sg.
One thing about the Big Fish preview. It was held at the preview theatrette at Cathay (Hall 6) which is a bit of a thing. Prob seats only about 30 people. And it was packed! Luckily we managed to arrive early-ish and secured second row seats. Yeah I know, second row ain't all that good but at least we didn't need to sit on the stairs, which some people did!
I've been thinking about the movies I have seen these 1 1/2 months. and I'm starting to think that Lost In Translation and Last Life Of the Universe as well as Love Me If You Dare were among the top 3 films of Jan and Feb. I liked that they made you think a little, didn't give an 'ideal' ending and the acting was generally good all around.
So applause all around for the brilliant screenwriters, directors, actors, producers and of course the movie distributors that actually brought them to Sg.
One thing about the Big Fish preview. It was held at the preview theatrette at Cathay (Hall 6) which is a bit of a thing. Prob seats only about 30 people. And it was packed! Luckily we managed to arrive early-ish and secured second row seats. Yeah I know, second row ain't all that good but at least we didn't need to sit on the stairs, which some people did!
lookee what i've finally got!
no, not the bear.... the ipod!!
I feel like I need to explain my expensive purchase (i dunno why really). I'd been thinking about getting an MP3 player for months now, trying to choose between the damn expensive ipod and the less expensive but less cool Creative Nomad Jukebox (or something like that... the name is too bloody long Mr Sim Wong Hoo!)
and them jem tells me my former boss is offering the 20g ipod for $620, more than $100 off the usual price. And that I've got to think it over damn quick. So I think it over, ask someone for his opinion and then, decide to hell with it, I've been wanting to get one for ages, let's just get the damn thing!
And so I did. And now it's lying on my computer table as I do some serious ripping. iTunes already has 400 songs (exactly!) and I've still got 18.5G left on the ipod! hahaha... now i can shout "I'm the queen of the world!"
god it's sad how an ipod can make me deliriously happy....
anyway i figure that since nobody's gonna be giving me a Valentine's Day gift, i'll give myself a damn good (and expensive) one. now scuse me while i kiss the sky.
Sunday, February 08, 2004
library drive
Took a drive down to the Queenstown library on a hot lazy Sunday afternoon, My Morning Jacket's It Still Moves on the cd player. Golden is definitely a driving song. It conjures images of driving down the coast, in a convertible of course with the top down and the wind in my hair.
Sigh... need to get out of here...
Anyway I got a stack of books from the library and then had to join the damn long queue to check out. It's a little pathetic that this brand new library, with two floors of books only has 6 check-out machines. All on the first floor. And one of them wasn't working.
I mean, what kind of cow sense is that? (forgive my bovine put-down) But don't these people who plan the libraries think??
After spending 15 minutes in the queue I finally manage to haul my stuff out of the library and head back. And that's all I did today!
I did watch the stuff I taped yesterday (the two a little mediocre but still somewhat entertaining sitcoms What I LIke About You and 8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughters - which has to be one of the most ridiculously stupid sitcom titles ever, The Simpsons, Band Of Brothers and Scrubs) while I went to go see the movie, have dinner and coffee.
But I must admit to being addicted to Band Of Brothers. It is truly an excellent excellent series. I thought initially that it would be damn boring. YOu know, cos it's all about WWII and all but it's very compelling. The way the tales of these men of the Easy Company are featured. I really liked the ep where they featured the medic, when they were in the forests of Bastogne in the winter. Here's the synopsis from BBC
The storyline is terribly fascinating and the way the series was shot is amazing. It's very well made and I'm sure tons of money went into it but it was all worth it.
oh yeah also updated Bookbound.
Sigh... need to get out of here...
Anyway I got a stack of books from the library and then had to join the damn long queue to check out. It's a little pathetic that this brand new library, with two floors of books only has 6 check-out machines. All on the first floor. And one of them wasn't working.
I mean, what kind of cow sense is that? (forgive my bovine put-down) But don't these people who plan the libraries think??
After spending 15 minutes in the queue I finally manage to haul my stuff out of the library and head back. And that's all I did today!
I did watch the stuff I taped yesterday (the two a little mediocre but still somewhat entertaining sitcoms What I LIke About You and 8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughters - which has to be one of the most ridiculously stupid sitcom titles ever, The Simpsons, Band Of Brothers and Scrubs) while I went to go see the movie, have dinner and coffee.
But I must admit to being addicted to Band Of Brothers. It is truly an excellent excellent series. I thought initially that it would be damn boring. YOu know, cos it's all about WWII and all but it's very compelling. The way the tales of these men of the Easy Company are featured. I really liked the ep where they featured the medic, when they were in the forests of Bastogne in the winter. Here's the synopsis from BBC
The storyline is terribly fascinating and the way the series was shot is amazing. It's very well made and I'm sure tons of money went into it but it was all worth it.
oh yeah also updated Bookbound.
Saturday, February 07, 2004
last life
Saw Last Life In The Universe last evening. A Japanese-Thai co-production set in Bangkok with cinematography by Christopher Doyle.
In typical Doyle style, it was filled with longing shots. It was very still and simple and I have to admit a little slow moving but I thought it was not too bad. It doesn't warrant the five stars that Ong Sor Fern of Life! gave it though. I think I'd give it a 4 or 4.5 I'd have to think about it.
But anything's better than the usual Hollywood crap really and it's nice to not see a familiar face on screen from time to time.
Bangkok sure looked pretty dirty throughout the show. THere was tons of trash everywhere yet it made me want to go back! Of course the new cheap flights ($59) via AirAsia is mostly the reason...
Wait, I haven't really explained the movie yet. Kenji is a Japanese man living in Bangkok. he's a bit nuts really, obsessed with suicide, death by hanging, by bullet, by drowning it's all he thinks about. He works in a Japanese cultural centre and one day when contemplating jumping off a bridge he meet Nid, a Thai girl who works as an escort. She's had a major argument with her sister Noi who forced her out of the car along the busy highway. Kenji never really meets Nid, she gets knocked down by a car and dies.
But he does meet Noi and follows her back to her house, a sprawling bungalow strewn with rubbish. Used plates lie all around the house, the goldfish died a long time ago and the swimming pool water is a murky green.
He stays with her. Not really explaining anything. She doesn't force him out. It's quite an interesting relationship really.
The truth is, somewhat like Lost In Translation, nothing very much happens for most of the movie. It's much less foreigner in a strange land type of show, which Translation obviously was, with its reliance on Japglish jokes.
In typical Doyle style, it was filled with longing shots. It was very still and simple and I have to admit a little slow moving but I thought it was not too bad. It doesn't warrant the five stars that Ong Sor Fern of Life! gave it though. I think I'd give it a 4 or 4.5 I'd have to think about it.
But anything's better than the usual Hollywood crap really and it's nice to not see a familiar face on screen from time to time.
Bangkok sure looked pretty dirty throughout the show. THere was tons of trash everywhere yet it made me want to go back! Of course the new cheap flights ($59) via AirAsia is mostly the reason...
Wait, I haven't really explained the movie yet. Kenji is a Japanese man living in Bangkok. he's a bit nuts really, obsessed with suicide, death by hanging, by bullet, by drowning it's all he thinks about. He works in a Japanese cultural centre and one day when contemplating jumping off a bridge he meet Nid, a Thai girl who works as an escort. She's had a major argument with her sister Noi who forced her out of the car along the busy highway. Kenji never really meets Nid, she gets knocked down by a car and dies.
But he does meet Noi and follows her back to her house, a sprawling bungalow strewn with rubbish. Used plates lie all around the house, the goldfish died a long time ago and the swimming pool water is a murky green.
He stays with her. Not really explaining anything. She doesn't force him out. It's quite an interesting relationship really.
The truth is, somewhat like Lost In Translation, nothing very much happens for most of the movie. It's much less foreigner in a strange land type of show, which Translation obviously was, with its reliance on Japglish jokes.
Friday, February 06, 2004
all Momixed out
The lights dimmed slowly and the curtains rose to reveal a large hammock stretched across the stage. A female dancer poked her leg lazily out and drew it back in again. She spun herself around in the hammock and used the bungee-like cords attaching the hammock to the stage to bounce around.
It could be taken literally as someone playing with a hammock but I guess it was also meant to give the illusion of a pupa (is that the word? i have forgotten my science entirely) a chrysalis, perhaps is the better word? a metamorphosis, a birth, a growth.
It was truly the genius of Moses Pendleton, artistic director of Momix. He choreographed, chose the music and the lighting and was a delight to talk to last week over the phone.
The show was Opus Cactus, Momix's latest programme. Inspired by the American Southwest desert, the performance made use of various props like a weird metal sculpture, 3m long poles but the backdrop was simple - lighting was used to evoke the different times of the day, sunset, night, day.
It was gorgeous and entertaining. The athletic ability of the dancers was amazing. And Pendleton's "new movement ideas" were enthralling. I was absolutely blown away by what he could imagine and translate into dance.
Although in some sets I questioned whether it could really be described as dance. Like one short set where the male dancers were suspended upside down, lipsyncing to the song.
Momix has been compared to Cirque du Soleil and while I do like both groups, I'd say the comparison isn't correct. Momix is less gimmicky and fantastical but equally entertaining. My guess is that Momix is merely trying to bring dance to a whole new level.
It could be taken literally as someone playing with a hammock but I guess it was also meant to give the illusion of a pupa (is that the word? i have forgotten my science entirely) a chrysalis, perhaps is the better word? a metamorphosis, a birth, a growth.
It was truly the genius of Moses Pendleton, artistic director of Momix. He choreographed, chose the music and the lighting and was a delight to talk to last week over the phone.
The show was Opus Cactus, Momix's latest programme. Inspired by the American Southwest desert, the performance made use of various props like a weird metal sculpture, 3m long poles but the backdrop was simple - lighting was used to evoke the different times of the day, sunset, night, day.
It was gorgeous and entertaining. The athletic ability of the dancers was amazing. And Pendleton's "new movement ideas" were enthralling. I was absolutely blown away by what he could imagine and translate into dance.
Although in some sets I questioned whether it could really be described as dance. Like one short set where the male dancers were suspended upside down, lipsyncing to the song.
Momix has been compared to Cirque du Soleil and while I do like both groups, I'd say the comparison isn't correct. Momix is less gimmicky and fantastical but equally entertaining. My guess is that Momix is merely trying to bring dance to a whole new level.
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
lost in translation (the late show)
well not the late show really. the early one.
went to the preview just now. missed the first half hour cos i had to file the bloody story. was hoping it wouldn't be for tomoro's paper but no... since zaobao was there, had to file it. so ya'll can read it tomoro, if u get yr hands on a copy that is.
(a quick aside here: when pp find out that i work for the paper, they always say they can't get a copy, whether it used to be delivered to their homes or dunno where to find it etc.... always the same story)
anyway back to the movie. missed the first bit, which my colleague later filled me in with, something about a Japanese prostitute who said 'lip my stocking' and bill murray went: 'lick your stocking?'' . she actually was saying Rip my stocking... in japglish.
anyway i liked the movie, the way it was shot but i left wondering, now what exactly went on there? i mean, it was like a movie about nothing really... but i liked that it wasn't the typical hollywood movie and ending. it reminded me a little of Before Sunrise...
went to the preview just now. missed the first half hour cos i had to file the bloody story. was hoping it wouldn't be for tomoro's paper but no... since zaobao was there, had to file it. so ya'll can read it tomoro, if u get yr hands on a copy that is.
(a quick aside here: when pp find out that i work for the paper, they always say they can't get a copy, whether it used to be delivered to their homes or dunno where to find it etc.... always the same story)
anyway back to the movie. missed the first bit, which my colleague later filled me in with, something about a Japanese prostitute who said 'lip my stocking' and bill murray went: 'lick your stocking?'' . she actually was saying Rip my stocking... in japglish.
anyway i liked the movie, the way it was shot but i left wondering, now what exactly went on there? i mean, it was like a movie about nothing really... but i liked that it wasn't the typical hollywood movie and ending. it reminded me a little of Before Sunrise...
Friday, January 30, 2004
the wait is over...
not...
so i called Momix hq in the US. a lady answers and i ask for Moses.
She said:"he's not in".
the first thought in my head: DAMNIT!!!
i explained though that i was calling from singapore and would he back anytime soon.
she replied: "only in the afternoon..."
Pause
"which i realise would be in the early morning for you"
smart lady.
so i get her to take down my email at work and let me know if she can fix moses up with an interview the next day (ie tonight)
and that's the very exciting thing i'm doing tonight at 11pm. talking to artistic director Moses Pendleton.
what other exciting thing i could be doing if i didn't have to work on the interview? i seriously dunno.
but what i do know is that i am so going for the Lost In Translation preview on tues. altho it looks like i've got a job that afternoon. i am hoping that it won't be for the next day's publication. if it is, i've got to work f***ing quick but then i dun think i'll be able to do that really... sigh....
so just have to hope for the best!
oh yeh. last night after my failed interview i watched Jay and Silent Bob. hilarious. altho crude. but funny all the same.
so i called Momix hq in the US. a lady answers and i ask for Moses.
She said:"he's not in".
the first thought in my head: DAMNIT!!!
i explained though that i was calling from singapore and would he back anytime soon.
she replied: "only in the afternoon..."
Pause
"which i realise would be in the early morning for you"
smart lady.
so i get her to take down my email at work and let me know if she can fix moses up with an interview the next day (ie tonight)
and that's the very exciting thing i'm doing tonight at 11pm. talking to artistic director Moses Pendleton.
what other exciting thing i could be doing if i didn't have to work on the interview? i seriously dunno.
but what i do know is that i am so going for the Lost In Translation preview on tues. altho it looks like i've got a job that afternoon. i am hoping that it won't be for the next day's publication. if it is, i've got to work f***ing quick but then i dun think i'll be able to do that really... sigh....
so just have to hope for the best!
oh yeh. last night after my failed interview i watched Jay and Silent Bob. hilarious. altho crude. but funny all the same.
Thursday, January 29, 2004
waiting...
i m waiting around...
why? my assignment today: phone interview with Moses Pendleton, artistic director of Momix, a dance-illusion troupe. but it's 1035pm. unfortunately Mr Pendleton lives in Conneticut i think. But somewhere in the US for sure. so i have to call him at 11am there which is 11pm here.
so i'm waiting for 11pm. meanwhile just dl-ing music and listening to Ben Folds, which is the CD that's been getting the most airplay on my radio station! really love that album!!
why? my assignment today: phone interview with Moses Pendleton, artistic director of Momix, a dance-illusion troupe. but it's 1035pm. unfortunately Mr Pendleton lives in Conneticut i think. But somewhere in the US for sure. so i have to call him at 11am there which is 11pm here.
so i'm waiting for 11pm. meanwhile just dl-ing music and listening to Ben Folds, which is the CD that's been getting the most airplay on my radio station! really love that album!!
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
more cds! and free!
Stereophonics = Just enough education to perform
Stereophonics = word gets around
Ryan Adams = rock and roll
Mazzy Star = So tonight i might see
Appleseed Cast = Two conversations
and last week:
Elbow = Cast of thousands
Postal Service = give up
what a haul!! makes me feel bad... for a while .....
Stereophonics = word gets around
Ryan Adams = rock and roll
Mazzy Star = So tonight i might see
Appleseed Cast = Two conversations
and last week:
Elbow = Cast of thousands
Postal Service = give up
what a haul!! makes me feel bad... for a while .....
along came...
a dud of a movie called Along Came Polly
it sounds good on paper doesn't it? a movie starring ben stiller and jennifer anniston (a bennifer!!)
but it's a let down. jen and ben are good on their own, but not together. they are lacking a little thing called CHEMISTRY.
plus the whole movie is just tired and trite really.
it's the whole loser guy gets dumped by wife, meets up with old friend who's the total opposite of him, falls in love. and then wife comes back in picture (uh oh!) and then its a happy ending.
it's been done in the wedding singer, in something about mary. and done much better too.
the desperation of the director/writer can be seen when crap jokes begin early in the movie...
but i'd like to say i did like alec baldwin in this movie. he plays ben's boss. he was actually funny. fat. but funny.
and so was hank azaria, who played the french scuba instructor. funny i mean, not fat. he actually has a pretty hot body! surprised the hell out of me there....
SUMMARY: watchable to put it nicely.
but mostly crap.
it sounds good on paper doesn't it? a movie starring ben stiller and jennifer anniston (a bennifer!!)
but it's a let down. jen and ben are good on their own, but not together. they are lacking a little thing called CHEMISTRY.
plus the whole movie is just tired and trite really.
it's the whole loser guy gets dumped by wife, meets up with old friend who's the total opposite of him, falls in love. and then wife comes back in picture (uh oh!) and then its a happy ending.
it's been done in the wedding singer, in something about mary. and done much better too.
the desperation of the director/writer can be seen when crap jokes begin early in the movie...
but i'd like to say i did like alec baldwin in this movie. he plays ben's boss. he was actually funny. fat. but funny.
and so was hank azaria, who played the french scuba instructor. funny i mean, not fat. he actually has a pretty hot body! surprised the hell out of me there....
SUMMARY: watchable to put it nicely.
but mostly crap.
Sunday, January 25, 2004
not much
dun really have much to add now. just thought that i should put in a new post, seeing that it's a new year and all. the year of the monkey has arrived. my reign as the goat has ended and i'll have to wait another 12 years.
according to the Life! article about the new monkey year, it's gonna be a good year for the Goats. let's see how that goes, shall we?
these four days have been excellent, mostly cos they involved not working.
not that i hate my job, mind you. just that altho it's only been three weeks, i needed a break, so CNY came along nicely.
let's see...what did i do yesterday?
ah we had lunch at Kia Hiang (sun plaza) with the farrer court gang minus the Wee family, dunno why tho. it was the usual fare - dim sum, yu sheng and the rest.
it was pouring but i still went out after, to meet up with yubin, partly cos i had to repay her all that money! we sat at bakers' inn for a while, where i learnt that they DOn't serve tap water anymore! each table has a typed-up sign saying that sorry you'll just have to pay $1 for a bottle of mineral water becos we're just too miserly to give you the water that's coming out of our tap.
so we decided not to eat there. i just had a cappucino. headed to ajisen to have their $13.80 ramen + starter+ drink set. not too bad. but the place is a little stinky, with bad ventilation.
We hung out there until almost 10, interestingly, cos it definitely wasn't a hang-out place but when we left, all the shops were closed (why aren't there any 24hr shops here???) and it was still pouring outside.
but to hell with it, the NEL was right beneath us and Clarke Quay just a stop away so it was off to Cafe Iguana and their $37.90 jug of lime magarita. quite yummy with enough alcohol to give a buzz and not just make me sleepy (unlike the crap they serve at China Jump!) the ice did melt a little too fast for my liking tho.
what i was terribly disappointed with was that at 1230 the nice waiter told us "last order". 1230!!!
they closed at 1!!! on a saturday!!!
how disgustingly early.
everything else around that area was really quiet tho and it was still pouring so called it a night, grabbed a cab home.
ok, this post is more than 'not much'.
another thing to add: was reading an old issue of Spin and an article was highlighting good non-US tv series. one of them being the Beeb's Office, which I've previously heard good things abt tho prob won't get to watch. Another was Money, that Pierre Png dramedy that only had one season tho it was actually quite a decent show to come out of this drab little island i call home.
Here, let me type out what the esteemed Spin writer wrote:
"...Despite the premise, Money isn't a traditional sitcom but rather a 1/2hr dramedy, with no laugh track and continuous voice-over narration from its introspective lead - like Ally McBeal, except with characters you actually care about."
how terribly fascinating!
in case you wanna know: it's the Nov 2003 issue of Spin, the one with Dave Matthews on the cover.
according to the Life! article about the new monkey year, it's gonna be a good year for the Goats. let's see how that goes, shall we?
these four days have been excellent, mostly cos they involved not working.
not that i hate my job, mind you. just that altho it's only been three weeks, i needed a break, so CNY came along nicely.
let's see...what did i do yesterday?
ah we had lunch at Kia Hiang (sun plaza) with the farrer court gang minus the Wee family, dunno why tho. it was the usual fare - dim sum, yu sheng and the rest.
it was pouring but i still went out after, to meet up with yubin, partly cos i had to repay her all that money! we sat at bakers' inn for a while, where i learnt that they DOn't serve tap water anymore! each table has a typed-up sign saying that sorry you'll just have to pay $1 for a bottle of mineral water becos we're just too miserly to give you the water that's coming out of our tap.
so we decided not to eat there. i just had a cappucino. headed to ajisen to have their $13.80 ramen + starter+ drink set. not too bad. but the place is a little stinky, with bad ventilation.
We hung out there until almost 10, interestingly, cos it definitely wasn't a hang-out place but when we left, all the shops were closed (why aren't there any 24hr shops here???) and it was still pouring outside.
but to hell with it, the NEL was right beneath us and Clarke Quay just a stop away so it was off to Cafe Iguana and their $37.90 jug of lime magarita. quite yummy with enough alcohol to give a buzz and not just make me sleepy (unlike the crap they serve at China Jump!) the ice did melt a little too fast for my liking tho.
what i was terribly disappointed with was that at 1230 the nice waiter told us "last order". 1230!!!
they closed at 1!!! on a saturday!!!
how disgustingly early.
everything else around that area was really quiet tho and it was still pouring so called it a night, grabbed a cab home.
ok, this post is more than 'not much'.
another thing to add: was reading an old issue of Spin and an article was highlighting good non-US tv series. one of them being the Beeb's Office, which I've previously heard good things abt tho prob won't get to watch. Another was Money, that Pierre Png dramedy that only had one season tho it was actually quite a decent show to come out of this drab little island i call home.
Here, let me type out what the esteemed Spin writer wrote:
"...Despite the premise, Money isn't a traditional sitcom but rather a 1/2hr dramedy, with no laugh track and continuous voice-over narration from its introspective lead - like Ally McBeal, except with characters you actually care about."
how terribly fascinating!
in case you wanna know: it's the Nov 2003 issue of Spin, the one with Dave Matthews on the cover.
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
good tunes
i love music! and i love good music even more! :P
and here's what I'm currently trippin on:
Teitur - glorious easygoing tunes. Teitur's from the Faroe Islands, Denmark
Sondre Lerche - gorgeous voice, great melodies! and he's only 20! from sweden.
Wheat - quite pop-ish, upbeat music. cheery!
matt wertz - 24 y-o sings sweet love songs. mostly acoustic. very nice
beulah - check out Popular Mechanics For Lovers. fantastic.
and here's what I'm currently trippin on:
Teitur - glorious easygoing tunes. Teitur's from the Faroe Islands, Denmark
Sondre Lerche - gorgeous voice, great melodies! and he's only 20! from sweden.
Wheat - quite pop-ish, upbeat music. cheery!
matt wertz - 24 y-o sings sweet love songs. mostly acoustic. very nice
beulah - check out Popular Mechanics For Lovers. fantastic.
Saturday, January 17, 2004
job perk
there are a few job perks.
like today. i attended a wine-tasting masterclass for free as i had to cover it for work.
held at gourmand restaurant at the paragon, it was conducted by this guy called john chua who's got like 30 over years of experience.
we sampled 4 different rieselings (that spelling doesnt look right - obviously wasnt pying attention!)
and they were pretty delicious! i'm not much of a wine drinker, in the sense that i just drink it, but i really liked this 1999 Brown Brothers Patricia Late Rieseling something or other. An australian wine, very fruity and not too sweet. it tasted really great.
the other three were not bad but this was the one that left the impression.
the wines were accompanied with some canapes, like the melon with prosciutto, some pates and foie gras.
All in all, a nice afternoon, although I didn't know anyone there. Should've asked if I ould take someone along!
btw, want to buy me a cd??
Matt Wertz - Somedays or Twenty Three Places
Beulah - Coast Is Never Clear
The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow
Matt Nathanson - Beneath THese Fireworks or When Everything Mean Everything
like today. i attended a wine-tasting masterclass for free as i had to cover it for work.
held at gourmand restaurant at the paragon, it was conducted by this guy called john chua who's got like 30 over years of experience.
we sampled 4 different rieselings (that spelling doesnt look right - obviously wasnt pying attention!)
and they were pretty delicious! i'm not much of a wine drinker, in the sense that i just drink it, but i really liked this 1999 Brown Brothers Patricia Late Rieseling something or other. An australian wine, very fruity and not too sweet. it tasted really great.
the other three were not bad but this was the one that left the impression.
the wines were accompanied with some canapes, like the melon with prosciutto, some pates and foie gras.
All in all, a nice afternoon, although I didn't know anyone there. Should've asked if I ould take someone along!
btw, want to buy me a cd??
Matt Wertz - Somedays or Twenty Three Places
Beulah - Coast Is Never Clear
The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow
Matt Nathanson - Beneath THese Fireworks or When Everything Mean Everything
Friday, January 16, 2004
hate to say i told u so
i have serious doubts about my ability to be a good reporter.
and that about sums up my whole week really.
and that about sums up my whole week really.
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
the way of the samurai
so i went to see tom cruise's big epic The Last Samurai.
here's a quick bit about the story: remember Kevin Costner's long epic about Native Americans many years bacK? Dances With Wolves it was called.
The Last Samurai is Cruise's version. Just that it's set in Japan (a disguised New Zealand) and full of Japanese people instead of Native Americans. Should be called Fighting with Samurai really.
It's got the same big ego-ed American hero who thinks hes all that but then falls in with the savages and realises that they are the ones who are really all that.
What i found interesting was that i didn't hate it as much as i thought i would. The Cruise missile sputtered out in mid-air as I expected it to but the saving grace of the movie were the Japanese actors, specifically Ken Watanabe who brought dignity, nobility to the role of Katsumoto.
i did too like the big battle scene - very LOTR helms deep-ish with swords and bows and arrows and that kinda cool shit.
k that about summs it up.
here's a quick bit about the story: remember Kevin Costner's long epic about Native Americans many years bacK? Dances With Wolves it was called.
The Last Samurai is Cruise's version. Just that it's set in Japan (a disguised New Zealand) and full of Japanese people instead of Native Americans. Should be called Fighting with Samurai really.
It's got the same big ego-ed American hero who thinks hes all that but then falls in with the savages and realises that they are the ones who are really all that.
What i found interesting was that i didn't hate it as much as i thought i would. The Cruise missile sputtered out in mid-air as I expected it to but the saving grace of the movie were the Japanese actors, specifically Ken Watanabe who brought dignity, nobility to the role of Katsumoto.
i did too like the big battle scene - very LOTR helms deep-ish with swords and bows and arrows and that kinda cool shit.
k that about summs it up.
Sunday, January 11, 2004
sunday rainy sunday
first time working a sunday for quite a while. it was a pain to get up. mostly cos i got home at 2 something, fell asleep at 3 something and then for some reason found myself awake just as the sun was about to rise! finally fell asleep again and then discovered it was already 9. doncha just hate that???
ay... when i got to work about 1015. no one there. well the ops guy doesn't count. i mean like the other reps. they came strolling in at like 11 or so... and i was like damnit! i should have come at 11 too! get an hour's more sleep.
but managed to stay pretty much awake. no choice really cos i had to do stuff... damnit ... was hoping to slack the whole day.
ay... when i got to work about 1015. no one there. well the ops guy doesn't count. i mean like the other reps. they came strolling in at like 11 or so... and i was like damnit! i should have come at 11 too! get an hour's more sleep.
but managed to stay pretty much awake. no choice really cos i had to do stuff... damnit ... was hoping to slack the whole day.
Wednesday, January 07, 2004
at last
hmm havent been keeping my new year's resolution about writing more often. in fact i've gone and done the opposite and not written for a long time.
ah well, i do have a good excuse u know.
my new job!
yep 3 days into the job and i'm so looking forward to my off day. which is friday! thank goodness. cos i'm all stressed out really.
my new colleagues are a friendly, fun-loving bunch and they've been really helpful and dont mind my pestering them with inane questions.
but its such a total change from the previous job! it's definitely tons more challenging and on the go. and i use my blain a whole lot more too.
i just have to work faster and smarter. it takes me ages to figure out an angle for a story. and i dont ask the right questions. im the type who one hour later goes 'dang why didn't i ask that?'
how the hell do i get over doing that???
need to talk to some veterans .... perhaps will see if ben and huijie have any advice.
ah well, i do have a good excuse u know.
my new job!
yep 3 days into the job and i'm so looking forward to my off day. which is friday! thank goodness. cos i'm all stressed out really.
my new colleagues are a friendly, fun-loving bunch and they've been really helpful and dont mind my pestering them with inane questions.
but its such a total change from the previous job! it's definitely tons more challenging and on the go. and i use my blain a whole lot more too.
i just have to work faster and smarter. it takes me ages to figure out an angle for a story. and i dont ask the right questions. im the type who one hour later goes 'dang why didn't i ask that?'
how the hell do i get over doing that???
need to talk to some veterans .... perhaps will see if ben and huijie have any advice.
Thursday, January 01, 2004
happy 2004
damn lost my post again... always happening to me ay.
anyway wanted to reflect on 2003. it was an ok year. spent most of it zombie-ing around at STI but the best news was that i got a new job!!!! hahahaha.....
yeh i know i am terribly pleased with myself but also terribly nervous.... new colleagues, new environment, whole new job scope. plus i haven't actually done proper reporting b4...
so i am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that it'll all be good!!!!
let's see what else was good this year.. made new friends and met up with old ones (like one i hadn't seen in 12 years and we've become pretty good friends since).
became a semi-professional pirate.
wrote my first movie review.
hmmm doesn't seem like a very fruitful year did it?
well here's to a good 2004. hopefully i'll spend less money (which i'll prob break today cos i'm gonna do some shopping!!!) esp on CDs. cos i've got a whole bunch of them in 3 weeks (thanks jem!)
and altho i'll work hard in my new job, i hope to take some time out to do the things i enjoy like listening to music, reading, and watching movies.
(oh btw, saw the singing detective the other day and Robert Downey Jr was great altho the movie wasn't. it was kinda funny in parts but overall a let down... but great cast tho.... adrien brody, robin wright penn, an unrecognisable mel gibson.
but of course the best was Robert Downey Jr!
thank goodness didn't have to write that review.....
hahahahahah
ok back to 2004 - i'll try my best to stay in touch with friends, ex-colleagues etc.
and hopefully post more....
ah ok gotta go
anyway wanted to reflect on 2003. it was an ok year. spent most of it zombie-ing around at STI but the best news was that i got a new job!!!! hahahaha.....
yeh i know i am terribly pleased with myself but also terribly nervous.... new colleagues, new environment, whole new job scope. plus i haven't actually done proper reporting b4...
so i am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that it'll all be good!!!!
let's see what else was good this year.. made new friends and met up with old ones (like one i hadn't seen in 12 years and we've become pretty good friends since).
became a semi-professional pirate.
wrote my first movie review.
hmmm doesn't seem like a very fruitful year did it?
well here's to a good 2004. hopefully i'll spend less money (which i'll prob break today cos i'm gonna do some shopping!!!) esp on CDs. cos i've got a whole bunch of them in 3 weeks (thanks jem!)
and altho i'll work hard in my new job, i hope to take some time out to do the things i enjoy like listening to music, reading, and watching movies.
(oh btw, saw the singing detective the other day and Robert Downey Jr was great altho the movie wasn't. it was kinda funny in parts but overall a let down... but great cast tho.... adrien brody, robin wright penn, an unrecognisable mel gibson.
but of course the best was Robert Downey Jr!
thank goodness didn't have to write that review.....
hahahahahah
ok back to 2004 - i'll try my best to stay in touch with friends, ex-colleagues etc.
and hopefully post more....
ah ok gotta go
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