mood blogcast ～ aijuswanawrite

No Music No Life 06/2008

2008-07-26T22:28:00.009+08:00

itunes: Russell Watson, The Voice (2000)

I'm in the mood for classicals this morning, so Russell Watson comes to my mind. Hmmm well he is not exactly the hardcore opera vocalist but just genre crossover like Sarah Brightman. Sometimes it's good to listen to opera once in a while but most of the time it just irks me because they always sounded so dramatic, even for those pop music remakes hehe. However, there is always one song that strike a chord in me, it's the remake of Queen's "Who Wants To Live Forever". Really must check this out.

The list of CDs that I have bought in Jun 08:

Alanis Morissette, Flavours Of Entanglement (2008)
The sentiments that I have for Alanis, whenever she releases a new album, I would ask myself, should I even bother to sample and buy it? Eventually I would. With the legacy of Jagged Little Pill and Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie have left behind, the follow-ups albums I would say weren't solid and striking but still rocks. But this new one amaze old fans like me, yes indeed, Alanis is back. The most important thing is without this album, I would never have realised that she has grown to be older, wiser and tamer which triggered me to revisit the in-between albums that are considered as plateau works to me. The producer Guy Sigsworth (Bjork, Madonna) has made her songs more edgy and dancey which somehow make this album sweet and tasty. Old and have-beens fans, dun miss this!

Coldplay, Viva Lavida (2008)
Another comeback kid. The bland and disappointing previous album "X&Y" and Chris Martin's close association with Hollywood somehow washed away my confidence of Coldplay's creativity effect to produce another legendary "Parachute". This album amazed me a lot as Coldplay moves into a new frontier with great new sounds. Good job!

Kelly Rowland, Ms Kelly Deluxe Edition
I'm not a fan of Kelly Rowland except the singles from her last album are good. I didnt buy the original release of this album after sample it in the CD store. This is nearly a whole new album in its entirety, with only a few tracks left intact from the original release. This album sounded more lively than its predecessor, particularly I love the song "Daylight".

Sigur Rós, Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust (2008)
I brought back a lot of feelings for Iceland after spending 2 weeks there in May. This album came out just in time for me to indulge myself in the essence of Iceland. I came to know Sigur Rós when reading Q music magazine who raved a lot on this band. Indeed, I like their sounds but the pushing effect to buy the CD is not there yet until their third album "()". This new album reflects the sunny side of Sigur Rós, less ethereal than the previous 3. I would recommend this is the album to listen to for starters and then move back to listen the first 3. Looks like I have to re-visit their early release again. If Bjork is the Queen of Iceland, Sigur Rós is the King of Iceland.

鈴木雅之, Martini II (1995)
This is the second best of album from this Japanese singer songwriter. He is ugly and talented and I like his music. Oops what a word to describe. Believe me, he is still in the music scene and strong. I have just bought a new single of his and should be arriving soon from Japan.

Silly Censorship Board

2008-07-18T19:40:00.001+08:00

itunes: Sigur Rós, Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust (2008)

Take a look at the picture below. I took this shot at HMV Citylink.

The actual cover

Did you notice the white label on the Sigur Rós CD that says "Unsuitable For The Young"? What kind of fuck is this? Come on, this is a decent rock album and how can it ended up labelled as unsuitable for the young? Goodness gracious, first of all, it cant be the lyrics issue becos most of the songs are in Icelandic and I believe only a handful of the population here may understand the language. So if it is not because of the content then it must be the cover picture. And I believe so because the bloody white label was pasted on the area where it covered all the asses. This is simply ridicuous, on one hand we are promoting sex education to the kids and on the other, taking a big step back by cautioning consumers on an ass picture? Sometimes I really dun understand the minds of those folks sitting in the censorship. If you have a definite rulings of censorship to follow, why isnt the painted woman with a pair of bare breast on the cover of Coldplay's Viva Lavida CD not covered at all? What exactly are you trying to achieve? Why are there so many double standards here? Really pissed me off.

Coldplay's Viva Lavida cover

No Music No Life 05/2008

2008-07-14T20:06:00.000+08:00

itunes: Jason Mraz, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things (2008)

I guess this is the lowest number of CDs that I have bought in any month. Well, I was in the wild in Iceland for 2 weeks, and the other 2 weeks I was working like a dog, hence not much time for CD shopping.

Anyway, the list of CDs that I have bought in May 08:

Martina Topley Bird, The Blue God (2008)
Saw this album at Heathrow Airport T3 HMV in the waiting lounge. I was excited about this especially when Martina's 2003 debut, Quixotic is such a darling to me. I have not listened to it yet, I wondered how she will sound after exiting Tricky.

Jason Mraz, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things (2008)
Frankly speaking, I'm not a fan of Jason Mraz except a couple of songs that I like from his 2002 album, Waiting For My Rocket To Come. Surprisingly I fell in love with this one instantly after sampling it at the CD shop. This is a sunny and easy album to listen to.

Sarah McLachlan, Rarities, B-Sides, and Other Stuff 2 (2008)
I like the part 1 very much, so I buy this too. As simple as that.

No Music No Life 04/2008

2008-07-13T07:37:00.004+08:00

itunes: Jason Mraz, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things (2008)

Looks like I have a lot to catch up with my updates.
The list of CDs that I purchased in the month of April:

Madonna, Hard Candy (2008)
At last, the wait is over, soon the playing of the CD is over too. Seriously speaking, I asked myself if I have too high expectations of Madonna of re-inventing herself whenever a new album is out. First of all, I must say that this is a departure from her amazing Confession On The Dancefloor, which fits into the old saying that no 2 Madonna albums are the same. However, what puzzled me is it seems Hard Candy is built on the sounds of Timbaland and Pharrell Williams, so much so it resembles the sounds in Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake's recent albums (which are produced by Timbaland too). Is Madonna running out of music ideas or is she merely fulfilling her last album commitments with Warner? Although it is not as bland as the American Life, Hard Candy demonstrated the weariness of Madonna's music ambition and it remained as one of the Madonna's lifeless album.

Deluxe Limited Edition

Standard Edition

Mariah Carey, E=MC2 (2008)
In comparison to her previous hit The Emancipation Of Mimi, I would prefer Mimi to this despite Mariah did tone down her vocal gymnastics in her singing and more hip hop influenced. That's why Charmbracelet irritate me a lot with the usage of her vocal gymnastics to the max. In fact, as a long time fan, I'm glad to see her progress in the realm of music, moving out of the comfort zone of the things she has been doing. After all, nothing beats her Butterfly album, which remains as her most edgiest production to date. Nevertheless, from this album, one can still find a couple of surprises, like track "Migrate" and "For The Record"

Chara, Union (2007)
After the 2 best albums that I have bought last year, I have found her 2007 release on ebay, still cheaper than buying full price on the net, just US$9.99! She is one of the Japanese singer songwriter that comes with wild earthy look and yet distinctive voice like the soft whimpering of a child. Making music that is innocent and mature, clean and dirty. Sounds contrasting and that's what I like about her sounds.

宇多田ヒカル, Heart Station (2008)
I have been a fan of this young singer songwriter and producer since her debut in 1999 at the age of 16. I think I let her credentials do the recommendations: Utada's first official Japanese album First Love became the best-selling album of all time in Japan with over 7.65 million copies sold to date in Japan alone (10.056 million worldwide to date). Her next 3 Japanese albums being rank in the Top 10 all-time best-selling albums in Japan ranking (#1, #4, #8). She has 2 No.1 singles from her English album Exodus (2004) on US Billboard's Dance Chart. In 2007, her single "Flavor Of Life" reached #2 in worldwide digital download single sales with over 7.2 million downloads (the only non-American artist to hold such a distinction), and she sold a total of 12 million digital ringtones and songs in that same year, making her the first artist ever to have this many digital sales in a year's time.

上戸彩, Best Of Ueto Aya Single Collection (2006)
Seriously, I bought the CD mainly because she is cute, that's all. There is nothing to comment on her forgettable dancey tracks. Well, men are visual creatures isnt it? So that should justify everything. Haha

小林幸子,小林幸子全曲集　恋桜 (2007)
I must say I buy this CD not out of a cute cover (that's for sure). As much as I'm superficial at times, I'm deep within as well. Yes, I'm interested in Japanese Enka as well and this gorious lady here is one of the prominent veteran in the Enka world, at least 40 years in business. How can I possibly NOT buying her CD right?

王若琳, Start From Here (2008)
This singer songwriter is promoted to be the Norah Jones of Taiwan. This debut album comes in 2 discs, in English and Mandarin respectively. Most of the songs are composed by her. She did a cover of Billy Joel's New York State Of Mind. It's a good to hear the female version of this good song. This album is good for late night listening.......

方大同, 未来 (2007)
Soul boy singer songwriter from Hong Kong. Bought his 3rd album for the first time last month, this month I picked up his latest 4th album. The enchantment continues....

黃建為, Over The Way (2006)
This is a undiscovered gem. An indie folk singer songwriter from Taiwan, who surprises with his winning of best new artist in the Taiwan's Grammy equivalent music awards last year. It's good to listen something that is so acoustic and earthy such that the sounds are generated from the woods. However, as raw as the sounds can be, his so-so vocal blends in well as a whole.

So I'm back

2008-07-04T11:30:00.006+08:00

itunes: Pizzicato Five, Big Hits & Jetlags: 1991-1995 (1995)

Well, it has been more than 2 months since I last blog. Time really flies like an arrow and within a second of eyeblink, it's already July. Half of the 2008 has come and gone without realising it.

It has been a good 2 months. The biggest happening is that I have finally realised the long time Lat 65° N Dream, a full 2 weeks of pollution-free nature on Iceland in mid May. Since my last blog in Apr, I have been spending most of the time at work, targetting to complete the annual audit, clearing the urgent outstanding matters and handing some routine duties to the co-workers. It's really a mad rush. I worked all the way up to the final minute at 7pm, rushed home, had dinner and showered, final check on the luggage before rushing off to the airport to catch the 11pm flight to London. My boss even sms-ed ms regarding work on my way to airport. It was not until when the plane took off, my mood was finally tuned to a vacation mode when I saw on the screen at the back of the seat in front of me that I'm really out of Singapore, heading towards London for the next 13 hours. Yup, that marked the beginning of the trip of my lifetime.

It was another mad rush when I returned to work late May. From the stacks of documents sitting on my table pending for my approval, there are plenty of emails to reply; and countless meetings to attend. And the torturing jet lag that didnt go away only after 2 weeks. I kept dozing off at work especially in the afternoon, no matter how early I turned in the night before. The post holiday blues stepped in too, it seems my life is spinning aimlessly and I missed Iceland terribly. I have met people who first visited Iceland, fell in love with that piece of land, and decided to stay on for good. I kept asking myself, why cant I do the same too?

Well well well dramas aside, things are much settled now and I'm back to the routines. I have started working on the new travel blog on Iceland, selecting photos out of the 3000 that I have taken during the trip and documenting the events before my poor memories faded away hehe :OP Guess it will take quite some time to complete. Till then, stay tuned for the beautiful Icelandic landscapes.

Just add a couple of cools tracks on the player that sink into my brain recently. Check em out. I'm back and will return real soon.....(as if anyone cares at all.......haha)

Bloody Shark Fin Soups

2008-04-20T14:03:00.007+08:00

itunes: E=MC2, Mariah Carey (2008)

Sherman's Lagoon comic strip in Sunday's Times today raised the concern on the threats of sharks caused by over-fishing and over-consumption of shark products and by wasteful practices such as finning and needless bycatch. I have quitted eating shark fin after seeing the disturbing pictures of shark finning (there are some below) a couple of years ago. Since then, I have advocating the facts to the people I know over meals, especially when there are shark fin soup being served. I just dun understand why everyone keep giving this silly excuse, "eating once or twice is fine since it merely sacrifice a couple of sharks only." A statement of short-sightness, I would say. Killing stops when demand stops, just look at the magnitude of demand and supply. There is a common sight I noticed. There are assholes who agreed and particpated with my advocate discussion and yet still slurping the bowl of sharks' fin soup. KILLERS! STOP EATING THE BLOODY SHARK FIN NOW!

Why shark conservation? Source: Ocean Conservancy

1. Sharks aren't so fierce
Sharks are in deep trouble. Like many other ocean fish, we're taking too many out of the ocean. Although they seem tough, sharks are among the most vulnerable animals in our oceans. Most species grow very slowly and have few young. Their populations cannot take much fishing before they start to decline. In fact, many shark species are now considered threatened with extinction. Several populations have dropped by 80% or more; some need 100 years or more to rebuild to healthy levels.

2. Sharks are important
Most sharks are at the top of the food chain. They prey on weak and wounded animals and keep the other populations healthy and in check. Scientists warn that losing too many sharks will disrupt the balance of life in the oceans, causing problems for other species and probably ourselves.

3. Sharks are in demand
Interest in sharks for food and sport is growing. Shark meat, such as that from the dogfish shark, is popular is some countries, but not as valuable as cod or tuna. The priciest parts of most sharks are their fins, used to make a traditional Asian delicacy known as shark fin soup. The high price of fins together with the lower value meat too often leads to “finning” the act of cutting of a shark's fins and tossing the rest of the body away at sea. Shark finning has been banned in many oceans, but rules need to be stronger to make sure it is stopped for good.

4. Sharks are under-protected
Although their fins are worth a lot of money, sharks are still not the favorite catch of most fishermen. Many people still fear sharks; they aren't convinced we need to protect them at all. That adds up to sharks rarely getting as much attention as other fish by the people setting fishing rules. Too often, shark catch limits are set too high and come too late to avoid damage to the population. The U.S. is proposing measures to allow overfished shark populations in the Atlantic to recover. There are still no limits on the amount of sharks taken from international waters (outside 200 miles from shore), even though many shark species swim far out into the ocean.

Reports on sharks from Wildaid:

8 Steps to a Bowl of Shark Fin Soup

The End of the Line

Shark Finning

BEFORE YOUR MOUTH AND HANDS CONTINUES TO BE STAINED BY MORE BLOOD, STOP THE ACT NOW!!

Touch My Body

2008-04-06T20:09:00.004+08:00

itunes: Touch My Body, Mariah Carey (2008)

Mariah has done it again! This song is almost an anthem to me this period, simply cant get it out of my head. It's fun, cute, sexy and sweet: "If there's a camera up in here Then it's gonna leave with me When I do, If there's a camera up in here Then I'd best not catch this flick On YouTube"

World Autism Awareness Day

2008-04-02T22:16:00.006+08:00

itunes: 19, Adele (2008)

Today is World Autism Awareness Day.
Before I move on, ask yourself, how much you know about Autism? Or should I ask, how much wrong perception you have about Autism?

My good friend WP has an autistic boy. She quitted her job and became a stay-at-home mum full time taking care of her kid. She did extensive research on autism, put him on an organic diet, and devised a programme to stimulate the senses of the kid, so as to improve his condition. WP resorted to these holistic methods because all the doctors here in Singapore that she has visited, felt that her boy's condition is severe than most autistic kids, hence is beyond cure. WP reckoned, as a mum, she will do anything to help this poor kid, or at least he will be able to take care of himself when he grows up and his parents pass on. The boy is already 5 and his progress is slow. WP said when other normal kids run 10 steps, her boy moves only 1. She is pleased, at least right now, the boy responds to her call more frequently than before. Autistic kids often throw tantrum and become violent because they are not understood and they are unable to communicate their wants and needs. WP is concerned, at least right now, she still have the strength to pin her kid down during outburst like this. By the time when the boy grows older, she will not be able to pin him down anymore. This is where most of severe autistic kids ended up when they grow up, Institute of Mental Health (IMH), where they are kept within in an enclosed area like other mental patients. Yes, it's sad, mainly Autism in Singapore has not been viewed seriously as a disability because the system here generally regard it is not economically viable to put resources to sustain such patients. She just do not want her boy to end up in IMH for the rest of his life.

WP shared with me a story of an autistic teenager from the school her boy attends. There was once the teenage did something wrong at home and his father scolded him for the misdeed. Nobody noticed something amiss with him until a few days later, they noticed him walking around the house with a fork on his hand. This is something completely out of the 'routine' he used to be, but still they are not bothered with it. However, gradually they saw the same trend happened whenever the teenage was scolded for any misdeed. In the end, they threw away all the sharp objects in the house, particular knives in the kitchen. The mother does not do cutting anymore when she cooks for the family. Same here, they still hope that they do not have to send their kid to IMH one day.

I came across this good book, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time written by Mark Haddon and I strongly recommend everyone to read this book, to have a glimpse a detail insight of how an autistic kid think. Rest assured, this 220 page book is a fast read, told with a surprisingly light-hearted, even humorous touch, and the plot carries several entertaining surprises. I passed mine to WP and told her to pass it on to other people, so that it can help to change the negative mindset on autistic people. WP and her husband both agree with me that this book gave a true and detail account of the thought process of autistic kids. Hopefully, it can bring awareness to many and with more understanding and recognition, comes more and better help to this disability.

No Music No Life 03/2008

2008-03-30T07:48:00.002+08:00

itunes: 19, Adele (2008)

April 2008 is the month I can look forward to. Madonna (Hard Candy) and Mariah Carey (E=MC2) are releasing new album on 28 Apr and 15 Apr respectively.

The list of CDs that I have bought in Mar 08:

Life In Mono, Emma Bunton (2006)
This album was not released in Singapore. I wanted to get a copy and yet do not want to pay full price at Amazon.com. After months of hunting, I managed to get a used special edition on ebay at a price of GPB3.70, good deal! hehe. This album is simply the continuation of her previous album, Free Me, a nostalgic direction of swinging 60s and bossa nova. It comes with 2 remake of Mono's Life In Mono and Dusty Springfield's Downtown. Nevertheless, I still prefer the previous one.

19, Adele (2008)
I can remember very vividly the very first time how her voice touching me to the core while I was on the treadmill in the gym, watching MTV. The song Chasing Pavement is indeed a lush power ballad, sweeping off my feet, an anthem to me until this album released in Singapore. She is even a more exciting new artist than when Lily Ellen thrilled me during her debut. This album is simply an accomplished work, particularly the rich soulful smoky world-weary voice from this young (19 years old) singer songwriter and her amazing mature song writing skills. Best new artist of 2008!

Discipline, Janet Jackson (2008)
Finally, she is back with something listenable before I started to write her off. Something that is less dull than Damita Jo, more exciting that 20 Y.O. Well, at least she is not far off from the level where her classic Velvet Rope left since. Nevertheless, it's a good beginning for Janet to break new music grounds under her new label. I will hope for her next best thing.

The Best Of, The Cardigans (2008)
I dun consider myself a fan of The Cardigans even though I love their early hits and the 2 recent albums, Long Gone Before Daynight and Super Extra Gravity. This would simply make me a step closer to being their fan with a good collection of their hits and side B rarities.

Yaiko's Selection, 矢井田瞳 (2004)
Yaida Hitomi is a female Japanese folk rock singer/songwriter and guitarist. This album contains her favourite tracks, a follow up album of Single Collection released 3 months earlier. I bought her Single Collection and was amazed by her rock and powerful vocal. Cool chick!

I Love A Piano, 今井美樹 (2008)
A new release from the most perfect woman in Japan. I Love A Piano is an EP release in which Miki works with seven different pianist to remake some of her old hits. I would not say this EP is refreshing but it does make one feel these old hits differently.

鴿子, 楊宗緯 (2008)
This Taiwanese pop newcomer has a tough long road to stardom. Aska started appearing out of nowhere cameo on some TV talkshows, until one fateful show in which a tv producer suggested live on air that he should focus on his good voice if he wanted a good career in the entertainment business. However, tv critics condemned him of his plain and country pumpkin appearance. He went on to participate a 'American Idol' like of singing competition and went all the way to the final 6 but was booted out because he lied about his age at the time of entry. Despite of that, by then he has already earned millions of fans with his strong and influencing vocals. Well, I'm one of the million fans who see him from rags to riches.

愛愛愛, 方大同 (2007)
This is the second album of soul HK singer/songwriter, Khalil Fong. I didnt notice him until this album, his voice is so soulful, so much so the soulfulness is naturally in him. Seriously I'm impressed with his delivery. His appearance has made many so called R&B Asian artists poseur. Check him out.

Earth Hour 2008

2008-03-29T23:03:00.005+08:00

itunes: Seal, Human Being (1998)

Lat 65° N Dream 2

2008-03-20T23:15:00.004+08:00

itunes: 王若琳, Start From Here (2008)

Countdown: 50 days

Finally, I managed to drop an email to my boss requesting him to approve the leave days from 12th May to 27th May. His response: "Ok, if there aren't any projects you need to complete." Short and sharp. Well, whatever it is, I shall take it as a yes. Looking forward, besides the routine work I need to do, I have 3 projects starting within the next few weeks. One project on stock interface is targetted to go live on 12th May (by then I'm already in Iceland according to my schedule) and the other 2 SAP projects are expected to spread across 2 - 3 months. Hehehe I already have a plan in mind to deal with this. Since I'm in extremely good terms with the SAP manager in the IT department and the timeline for projects is still not out, I'm going to ask him to go real slow or if not, put my projects on hold during my absence, and fully resume after I return. So he has to take this into consideration when working on his timeline. Is not it a great idea? haha

This satellite map shows a tentative route that we are going to take in Iceland, think there will be changes later We have started booking our accomodations at each destination. We have also started to monitor the weather and road condition of Iceland on this website. It seems it is still winter and many roads are not closed because of snow. Hopefully by the time we reach, all will be passable as it will be spring by then. Still the temperature then is expected to range between 0°C and 8°C, still consider very cold to me.

Weather of Iceland today:

Accomodation Reserved:
Day 3 Osar Youth Hostel, to visit seal colony, sea stack, lava tubes
Day 4 Kaldbaks Kot Cottages, to go whale & puffin bird watching
Day 5 Keldunes II in Kelduhverfi, to transit
Day 6 & 7 Hotel Reykjahlid, to visit waterfalls, pseudocraters
Day 8 Hótel Aldan, to visit volcano, ridge, geothermal field, crater
Day 11 Vik Youth Hostel, to visit black sand beach, basalt columns
Day 12 Hotel Geysir, to visit geysir, hot spring, fissure
Day 13 & 14 Northern Light Inn, to visit Blue Lagoon, rift, cliff

Gear Bought: Timberland Goretex Windbreaker, Montrail Hiking Boots

No Country For Old Men

2008-03-08T15:30:00.004+08:00

itunes: Erykah Badu, New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War) (2008)

I walked out of the cinema, feeling a great sense of anger and annoyance which I do not know why I felt it this way. Is it because it was not my preferred movie genre and I wasted my time watching it or is it because there was no justice done at the end of the story? Halfway thru the show, I asked myself why am I feeling so super-tense, so breathless enough to make me puke even though the pace of the show is slow. It has been nearly 2 weeks and why the 2 coin toss scenes still flashbacking?

Now I understand.

This movie is unique in a certain way. Though it's a simple cat-and-mouse-chase plot, I dun see the fast-pack actions but rather a steady frame-to-frame movement of tranquity. The audio and visual is almost minimalistic, a fixed set of plain colours throughout, and the soundtrack is hardly existed. Such superficial, I would consider it as boredom. Yet, what I didnt realise was as the plot develops, I was subconciously immersed into the vicious undercurrent, feeling lost and helpless as the darkness intensified. It may sound philosophical and inspiring ironically, this movie shows how vulnerable human beings can be when faces his destiny, particular death which is inevitable. The psychopathic killer Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) is no less a spine-chilling soul snatcher, who take centrestage and the biggest winner in this movie. I feel sick, while my brain tries to reconcile what my eyes see, my conscience and my adrenaline secretion.

No Country For Old Men is flawed even it remains as one of best picture of the year. Its brilliance and lasting impact leave me haunted.

No Music No Life 02/2008

2008-02-29T23:05:00.000+08:00

itunes: Goldfrapp, Seventh Tree (2008)

When it comes to music, this year is going to be the Divas' year, Janet (Feb), Mariah (Apr), Madonna (Apr) and now Whitney Houston!! (end of the year). Hurray...

The list of CDs that I have bought in the first month of 2008:

Erykah Badu, New Amerykah Part One (2008)
The album in 4 years. This time she is back with new sound, her most hip hop album to date, heavy in beats, kind of futuristic and experimental. It came as a surprise to me particularly when I get so used to her groovy neo-soul genre in the last 3 albums. Frankly speaking, it's really hard to accept at the first hearing, but even now I may not really enjoy as much as I enjoyed her previous ones, I'm still glad to see the Erykah's new re-invention.

Goldfrapp, Black Cherry (2003)
I found out this duo debut album Felt Mountain by accident and even now it remains one of my beloved album. I went on to get their third album Supernature becos of the mesmerising dance single Ooh La La. With the new album Seventh Tree coming, I was thinking I should buy this album to complete their discography. True enough, they never fail to disappoint, the music direction of this album is a dramatically change from Felt Mountain, turning towards a lush electronic sound from the previous romantic, errie and groomy album.

Goldfrapp, Seventh Tree (2008)
New sound direction for Goldfrapp in 2008, after the 2 dancing Black Cherry and Supernature, they slow down the tempo and throw in the acoustic guitars, displaying a more warmer and personal sounding, without reducing to mere Unplugged album. I would say this is the most down-to-earth and beautiful Goldfrapp album to date. Really satisfying and pleasing to my ears.

Original Soundtrack, Juno (2008)
I love this sweet and smart indie comedy and this indie folksy soundtrack best fits and is a perfect background for this film. If you love this movie, I'm sure you love this soundtrack too. Absolutely refreshing!!

Childhood Nostalgia

2008-02-26T20:05:00.000+08:00

itunes: Whitney Houston, The Greatest Hits (2000)

I realised something recently.
When one start recalling and feeling nostalgic about the past more and more frequently, it's a sign of aging. Looks like no matter how much anti-aging cosmetics that can be splashed onto a face, there is still no substance meant for the anti-aging for the heart and mind. Even though when some optimists may reckon age is just a number, one still cant beat the biological aging right?

Therefore, the logic is why spent money on anti-aging beauty products? Just age graciously, that's the most beautiful of all, is not it? Just look at Audrey Hepburn and Robert Redford. Tsk tsk this blog is out of point now.....hehe

This is heartwarming. I found this old school 70s -80s playground at Dover this morning. Never expect to see this anymore after most of the playground has been upgraded by plastic ones in the early 2000s.

As a kid, I loved to sit on the arches, as if I'm already on top of the world.

The sandy compound. I always remembered once I found a dead bird under the tree, and I brought it to the sand and buried it. A few days later, out of curiosity, I went back to the site and unearth the bird, saw muggots crawling on its body. I never went back to the same site anymore. How silly! haha I guess as a child, there is no such thing called fear, just only curiosity. There is no way I'm going to touch any dead animals now.

The swing. One of my favourite childhood outdoor toy.

In those days, the swing is made of iron chain and a cut tyre.

The only 2 items that absent here were the concrete slides and the metal merry-go-round. That will be my perfect childhood nostalgia.

Lunar New Year

2008-02-21T22:22:00.003+08:00

itunes: Roberta Flack, Softly With These Songs (1993)

Today is the last day of the Lunar New Year. Two weeks of celebration just come and go at a brink of an eye. At this modern time, by the 3rd day, most of us are back at work despite the festive mood is still linger on.

Talking about the traditional house visiting. I have not been following my parents for relatives visitation since I was a teenager. I always find it a chore and bloody waste of time. But in the recent years, I did have a change of mindset which I do not even know why. Still, I find it a chore and time consuming. I have in fact volunteered to go with my surprised parents. Guess I'm more mature now and should be doing what I ought to do, paying respects to the elders.

Well well well, same old questions will still be asked by the seniors whose memory still fixed on the last impression which I was still a school boy then. Yes, I have questions asking me when am I graduating.....by virture of such a happy occasion, I shall forgive all for this time lag error. For those who are less senile, the pressing question will be when am I getting married since I'm getting 'not young' anymore. Over the years my answers to this difficult question has slowly evolved tremendously so much so that some smart elders have stopped asking it altogether. You see, Charles Dawin's theory applies here, life will find it way out. HAHAHA. All I need to say is "next year!"

However, recent years' visitation has made me realise that that my uncles and aunts have aged more each time I see them, let alone my parents. I was sitting at a quiet corner, observing their conversation, to think how much they adore me when I was a kid. On the other hand, there is another group of younger cousins chatting merrily some whom I dun even remember their names after all these years. Guess I have lost in time space so long that I recognise no one and no one knows me when I re-appeared. Particularly this year, it really pained me when I saw my second aunt, looking frail and suffering from the pain of arthritis, and at that instant I realise I love and respect them as much as I love my parents. After all, they still adore me the same old way. They are always there for their nephew, it just that I slip away the past years, it's really a shame indeed.

As one age, one learns to treasure more as time is running out.....
I'm back to catch up with the time lost cos I dun wan to have regrets in life.

Lat 65° N Dream 1

2008-02-16T00:09:00.004+08:00

itunes: OST Brokeback Mountain (2005)

The moment I confirmed the bookings onboard Singapore Airlines A380 9 May to London and Iceland Air 10 May to Reykjavik, I'm one step closer to the Lat 65° N Dream. 2 full weeks on this land of fire and ice! It is going to be the longest holiday I have since 1995 when I spent 1 week in Scotland.

The planning stage is tedious as there are a lot of read up and research to be done since we are going to venture driving around the island ourselves. It is like a great escapade from pollution and concrete.

Tentatively this will be route taken, considering of the sights we want to see:

Surtshellir/Stefanshellir Lava Tubes
Hindisvik Seal Colony
Hvitserkur Sea Stack
Husavik Whale Watching (Minke Whales, White-beaked Dolphins, Harbour Porpoises, Humpback Whales and Puffin Birds)
Hljodaklettar Echoing Rocks
Hafragilsfoss Waterfall
Dettifoss Waterfall
Selfoss Waterfall
Myvatn Lake
Storagja Water Fissures
Hverfell Volcano
Skutustaoagigar Pseudocraters
Leirhnjukur Crater
Kisilgurverksmioja Diatomite Plant
Hverarond Geothermal Field
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lake
Breioarion Glacial Lagoon
Skaftafellsjokull Glacier
Svartifoss Waterfall
Skeioararsandur Desert
Strokkur Hot Spring
Pingvellir Plain Valley
Blue Lagoon

There is also a place that I want to visit as well. The Westman Islands, 15 islands plus numerous rocks, were formed by submarine volcanic eruptions thousands of years ago. The youngest one, Surtsey, was formed in an eruption which lasted from 1963 to 1967. This archipelago is named as the 'Galapagos of the North'. Well, got to see how the final schedule goes to fit this place in. And hopefully the Midnight Sun, Northern Lights and Bjork, even though I know chances are slim at this time of the year.

Listen To This: Without Prejudice

2008-02-03T22:38:00.002+08:00

itunes: ウーア UA, Golden Green (2007)

If you like Sarah McLachlan, then you will LOVE this song!
It's soooooooooooooooooo beautiful.

Make a guess who sings this song, you might be surprised.
Let me know. Nope, it's not Jewel.

No Music No Life 01/2008

2008-01-31T18:40:00.000+08:00

itunes: Tori Amos, American Doll Posse (2007)

The list of CDs that I have bought in the first month of 2008:

Radiohead, In Rainbow (2007)
After the forgettable Hail To The Thief, Radiohead return with one of their most breathtaking albums. Not breathtaking in the sense that The Bends, Ok Computer or Kid A were, In Rainbow strike a balance between the pre-Kid A's and the experimental Amnesiac. One thing I like about Radiohead is, every album always differs from the previous one.

Morcheeba, Parts Of The Process (2003)
This groove-oriented trip-hop act was introduced to me by an ex-colleague, which I ripped into my PC, never thought of owning the CD since then. I bought it at 50% off in HMV annual sale. Parts of the Process reflects on five albums and seven years beauty of Morcheeba. Must have.

Mariah Carey, The Emancipation of Mimi (Platinum Edition) (2005)
I love this album so much that since HMV is selling this special edition at 50% off, I do not mind adding this copy with comes with Non LP tracks and remixes into my CD collection.

曹格, Super Sunshine (2007)
3rd album from this Malaysian Chinese R&B artist. His debut album sucks big time but I loved his second release so much to think that this one should be as good if not better. Like his previous ones, besides the mainstream R&B tracks, he pays tribute to the funk, disco, rock n roll and jazz in the 70s. Even though the tracks are more forgettable this time, the standard of his music remains. Despite of that, he still one of the sexiest male vocalist in the Chinese music industry.

莫文蔚, Live is... Karen Mok (2007)
If Gary is one of the sexiest male vocalist, then the leggy diva Karen Mok will be the sexiest female vocalist tp date (forget about Coco Lee, she is fat and pseudo-sexy). For the first time, she wears multiple hats for this album. She not only composed and produced all ten tracks, she is the executive producer who saw through the album's production, from image design to music video planning. This album brings out the unique style of her, from her distinctive vocals, to the music genres which she can fit in well but bring the best out of her. Despite this is a pop album, what Karen has done is to set a new music fashion for herself, rather to follow blind what's hot in the market. A good attempt for her first self-produced effort.

許茹芸, 北緯66度 (2007)
Finally a new album in 4 years from one of the biggest female vocalist in the mid 90s Chinese music industry. I awaited with anticipation due to the fact that this is her first released from her own production company. A bit of disappointment even though it is not a bad album after all, but she is just playing it too safe, giving me the same impression of what she has left us with then. To put it in a blunt way, the sounds are passe.

蘇慧倫, 蘇慧倫 (2006)

蘇慧倫, 左撇子旋轉門 (2007)
There are 3 phases in this Taiwanese singer's music career. Tarcy Su debuted in 1990 as a clean teeny idol during my teenage years. Thereafter, shedding her cutsy image for a more mature young lady image. Her biggest breakthrough when she covered Fools' Garden's Lemon Tree in 1996 and this song not only set her to be the biggest star in the Asian Chinese market, launched Fool's Garden in Asia as well. By early 2000's, her stardom has faded after a couple of disappointing albums. After 5 years away from the music scene, she made a comeback in 2006 with her self-titled album under her new label Universal. I bought the 2007 release first and went searching for the 2006 one after a week. All I can say, she is back for the third time. Or should I say she has grown up with her fans. These two albums are very much soft-rock ballad driven, once again bringing out her clean but weathered image as a mature woman after years of ups and downs. Her silky vocal remains mellow and sweet but more down to earth and subtle. A great comeback!

Below are the Japanese CDs that I have 'swept' during the swirl shopping trip in Hong Kong, check them out:

小田和正, 伝えたいことがあるんだ (1997)
Oda Kazumasa, his single collection as a solo artist released in 1997. Found this in the second hand CD shop for HK$18 (S$3) only. Damn good bargain.

小田和正, 自己ベスト-２ (2007)
Oda's second parter of the best album contains his recent and old hits. Really looking forward to his new original album this year.

石川さゆり, とき (2002)
30th anniversary singles collection for this veteran Japanese female Enka artist. I'm venturing into the traditional Japanese Enka music recent years. I'm also interested in the Okinawa folk songs too, but need to do some research too.

長山洋子, 長山洋子全曲集　絆 (2006)
Another Japanese female Enka singer. But the unusual thing about her is she used to be sweet teeny idol who make a switch to a successful serious Japanese Enka singer. This album is the single collection of her seven years career as an Enka artist.

岡田有希子, メモリアルBOX (1999)
This is the 4 CD set that I have always wanted to collect. Yukiko is a promising 18 years old teen idol who jumped to her death from the building where her manaagement office was after she found slashing herself in her gas-filled apartment on the same day in 1986. Her untimely death resulted in many copycat suicides and the christening of the neologism Yukko Syndrome (in reference to copycat suicides) in Japan. I wonder if she didnt choose to die then, will she become a superstar today?

Rustic Pulau Ubin

2008-01-26T18:47:00.000+08:00

itunes: Rosemary Clooney, Forever Girl Singer (2002)

For the first time in my entire life, I stepped into the sunny rustic Pulau Ubin this morning. Come to think of it, exactly the same time last Saturday, I was at Hong Kong's Lamma Island 南丫岛 trekking. Yeah, cant get enough of the greens and fresh air. The first step into Pulau Ubin is like walking back in time, back to the rural 70's Singapore....

Bumboat to Pulau Ubin.

Main street of the kampong.

The shop where we rent the bikes to explore the island. For S$8, one can have the bike the whole day until 6pm. We were worried about the bikes as they are not allowed into the Chek Jawa wetland region. The kind lady shopkeeper simply gave us only a long rope to tie the bikes together without a lock. She reassured us that there are no bike theft on the island and the rope is meant for identification purpose. True enough, our bikes are still around after the Chek Jawa trip. That's the kampong spirit!

Tsk tsk, the next low tide is 10pm tonight. Looks like there is nothing much to see at Chek Jawa.

The jetty and the waterfront.

The countryside road.

The kampong hut.

The disused Ubin quarry.

Rubber tapping.

Chek Jawa Wetlands

Here we are, the Chek Jawa Wetland. A place full of rich ecosystems, observable when low tide. Sigh no luck today.

Jejawi Tower.

View from the top.

The Mangrove Boardwalk, begins in the shadows of Attap Palm leaves.

This is Attap Palm. The first time I see the raw attap seed after eating so much ice kacang. The leaves are used to make attap huts in the older kampong days.

Sapling of new life sprouting.....a sign of hope

Mangroves

Seagrass Lagoon

The Coastal Boardwalk

Coastal Forest

This is the place where one can observe the coral rubble and the diversity of marine life during low tide.

Hong Kong....of what we know

2008-01-25T21:46:00.000+08:00

itunes: 竹内まりや, Denim (2007)

Last post on my trip to Hong Kong. Just a couple of photos on the interesting sights that I have spotted.

Ocean Park 香港海洋公园

This is the one and only coaster ride that I have taken in this theme park. Scared the hell out of me. The fearful part is when the coaster zoomed down the slope, the sight of the steep cliff doubled the excitement, as if I'm crushing down the cliff into the sea below.

Though there are jitters, I've survived this cable car trip fairly well. I have to take this cable car in order to see the pandas, on the other side of the park over the hills.

There you are, the mighty panda. This national treasure of China is leading an extremely good life, housed in an airconditioned environment, its job is just to eat and sleep.

Wan Chai 湾仔, Hong Kong Island

Interesting banner put up by the hawkers in this old marketplace, designated for redevelopment. The banner says: "Object Violently to Relocation." The inner banner is more interesting.

The inner banner is interesting and very emotional. It says: "Pitiful! Pitiful! Pitiful! No Fairness! No Justice! Take away our rice bowl, left us no choices." It's merely a relocation of business area for redevelopment, not closing them down.

Blue House, a 4-storey balcony-type tenement block. It is named for the brilliant blue colour painted on its external walls. It is one of the few remaining examples of Tong Lau of the balcony type in Hong Kong. More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_House_(Hong_Kong)

The old staircase and letter box of the Blue House. I always fancy this kind of staircase, just like my ex-first apartment. Hehe

Ultraman overlooking the street, opposite the Blue House.

Hong Kong's Urban Planning may not be as good as Singapore's, but it does give a distinct contrast of old and new buildings in Hong Kong's urbanisation.

I like this picture because not only it shows the contrast of old and new buildings in this city, on the left is the century old tram and on the right, the modern airconditional public bus. This is the beauty of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong....at a different perspective 2

2008-01-24T22:35:00.000+08:00

itunes: Heatwave, The Best of Heatwave (1993)

This place is the main highlight of this trip. Many are amazed when I told them that I'm actually go hiking in Hong Kong instead of shopping like most people do. Well, I'm sick of life in the congested concrete jungle, sick of emails, phone ringing and endless data overloading. Getting away in the wild I do not have to worry about emails and no one will be able to get me on my mobile. It's truly a 100% escapade. No phone ringing tones, just leaves rustling sound by the gentle breeze, my own breathing and my heart pounding sound. It's really good to listen to one's inner voice once in a while. At least, I feel that I'm real and alive rather a working robot. That's why whenever I'm on a vacation, I would usually avoid cities.

Hike: Sai Kung East Country Park 西贡东郊野公园, 20 Jan 2008

This is 13km hiking route is called MacLehose Trail. We took a near 5 hours to complete it (from right to left on the map). It's the steep slopes of the mountain ranges which are the killers.

The High Island Reservoir 万宜水库

The path taken that leads from the High Island Reservoir.

Went thru the valley, Chui Tung Au 吹筒坳.....

This is Sai Wan 西湾.

The solitude dead crab

Moving on, turn back and a final glimpse of the view of Sai Wan Beach. That's the hill that we come by before reaching Sai Wan Beach.

The Sai Wan Bay view at a higher altitude.

It was adrenaline draining when trekked on the path by the side of the cliff.

The view of Tai Long Wan 大浪湾 from the cliff.
The highest peak is Sharp Peak 蚺蛇尖, height of 468m, the highest in this country park.

Close up shot of Sharp Peak

Tai Long Wan 大浪湾, 1.30pm our first stop to rest after 2 hours of hiking.

After the rest, scale upwards in Ham Tin 咸田 region, the backward glance of Tai Long Bay.

At last, we have reached Tai Long Au 大浪坳, the closest place on the MacLehose Trail to Sharp Peak. This slope will lead one to Nam She Au 蚺蛇坳 and eventually the Sharp Peak. However, authorities has cautioned trekkers to stay away due to the steep slopes.

The surrounding view of Tai Long Au.

The closer view of Sharp Peak from Tai Long Au. Thereafter, it's time go down the valley....

By the time this picture was taken, I was exhausted and have no idea how long and how far I have walked, still going down on the valley towards Chek Keng 赤徑, the Sharp Peak appears further and smaller.

The beautiful Chek Keng 赤徑...

The abandoned village at Chek Keng 赤徑

Well, that's all for the highlights of this trek. On the final portion from Chek Keng to Pak Tam Au 北潭凹 our destination, I'm completely exhausted, frustrated and lost track of time. The only thought was to reach the ending point as soon as I can. The walking stick is no longer helpful to my hurting knees. Eventually we reached the ending point by 5pm, thereafter took a cab back to the civilisation and enjoyed a sumptuous seafood dinner at Sai Kung town.

It's really a good experience I would say, given the fact that I have never hiked for such a long distance over hilly terrains. Till next time....

Hong Kong....at a different perspective 1

2008-01-23T21:36:00.000+08:00

itunes: 岡田有希子,メモリアルBOX (1999)

Finally a long-waited short break to Hong Kong from the hectic work schedule. I've been to Hong Kong a couple of times, but this time, I shall see Hong Kong at a different perspective. Besides a food and shopping paradise, Hong Kong does have more surprises for show.

Island Hop: Lamma Island 南丫岛, 19 Jan 2008

This is Aberdeen 香港仔, a place where to catch a ferry to Lamma Island.

Approaching the Lamma Island Pier.....

Waterfront at the pier, full of seafood restaurants.
That's the hillscape I'm going to hike.

Imagine waking to this tranquility every morning.....

The view of the pier and waterfront from the hills.

Over the hills, it's the vast landscape and the water one will see.

I called this The Sore, the coal power station on the island.

After the 2 hours hike, take a breather at this cafe in the organic herb farm. Relax and chill out with a glass of organic herbal tea.

Farm owner's kitty.

The route taken of the hike.

My First Apartment

2008-01-01T21:58:00.000+08:00

itunes: Radiohead, In Rainbows (2007)

Today is the final day at my apartment of 2 years before I handed over the keys to the new owner tomorrow. It's a relieve to think from tomorrow onwards, I will be financial independent, no more ever-increasing bank interest rates, no more hefty bank loans to repay, no more burden and commitment. Life is free.....

I have taken a couple of pictures of the apartment for memory sake. After all, it is the first property that I owned.

The exterior of the flat. The facade has been designated for conservation as it was built in the per-war 30s. I love the surrounding as it is a quiet neighbourhood in the city.

The hind view of the flat. I have chosen the unit in this area partly because I'm attracted to the nostagic spiral staircase. In fact this kind of old flat always reminds of my childhood in my old grandma's place.

A part of the living room, the windows open to the airwell.

It is this balcony that overlooked the street that makes me buy this unit without a second thought then. My idea was to create a long stretch of flowerbed, full of sunflowers. Anyone who walk past on the street can admire it. It was be talk of the town.

Room with a view.

A glimpse of the kitchen.

View from the kitchen window. This three 70-year-old steel rods, which can be pushed outwards, are meant for hanging clothes to dry under the sun. I really love this wide window and installing window panes will spoil the beauty of it. Should I move in, shall have a table by the window so that I can look out while I eat.

This washing basin, perhaps old enough to make it to the museum here.

Closeup on the spiral staircase, it serves as a fire emergency escape route in the old days. It is the accessible from the hind door from the kitchen. I always like a spiral staircase, dunno why. If I moved in, I will have many potted plants on each step.

This is window at the living room, overlooking the airwell. Airwell is one of the features (besides spiral staircase) of these pre-war houses. It draws wind into the house.

An upward view to the sky of the airwell. The aircon compressor belongs to the unit above.

This passage way is also one of the reasons that I bought the house. It connects the living room to the corridor between the kitchen and the main door. It gives maximum privacy of the house from whoever standing outside the main door looking in.

This is another classic of this house. It is the bathroom, the structure provides a corner to store water and a seat to take a good bath. The place was sparkling clean when I handed over to the tenant, that's the condition that I received after 2 years.

The floor plan of the house.

New Year 2008

2007-12-31T23:59:00.000+08:00

itunes: Grover Washington Jr, Winelight (1980)

I picked the following quote from the papers and it's quite appropriate for the time like this, in the final hour of 2007:

Time has no divisions to mark its passage, there is never a thunder-storm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols. - Thomas Mann, German author, 1929 Nobel Prize laureate.

Chinese translation:
时间无涯，没有所谓的分界，即使新的一个月或一年开始了，自然界不会发出一声雷霆巨响或是号角，喧嚣迎接它们的到来。即使是新的世纪降临，也只是我们这些凡人在猛敲钟、乱开枪一通。- 德国作家托马斯曼，1929 年诺贝尔文学奖得主

Is 2008 going to be a good year for me? I would think so. Or perhaps it's because of the optimistic mood that's I'm in now. I've been reading the blog entries of 2007 and they are indeed good recap of my thoughts in the past 365 days. There are ups and downs, some things came to fruition while others didn't. The biggest achievement in 2007 is that I'm finally financial independent, a goal that I have for years and this is going to make 2008 significant.

Think I'm not going to have any new year resolutions for 2008. Instead I'm going to list down items that I want to do in 2008. By 31st Dec 2008, let's do a reality check of how far I have achieved. The To-Do list for 2008 (not in any particular order):

01. Lose 5kg
02. Iceland trip
03. Stay put in this job
04. 5% in returns and capital gains combined in investments
05. Get my driving license (least priority)
06. Take up sailing
07. Remove my dark eye rings and eye bags
08. Own an Iphone
09. Adore my partner more than in 2007
10. Take better care of my parents than in 2007
11. More serious in photography
12. Full body checkup

Now I have listed mine, what's yours?
Happy and fruitful 2008!

No Music No Life 12/2007

2007-12-28T21:31:00.000+08:00

itunes: Holiday Songs and Lullabies, Shawn Colvin (1998)

Really love this album after all these years. It contained mainly traditional tunes and some Christmas standards. Accompanied by a string quartet, Shawn Colvin put up a deeply felt performances of the songs for a set appropriate for putting the children to sleep on Christmas Eve. Well, not as much as putting me to sleep but it does have a calming effect amidst in the merry making seasons. Good CD to play every night of the 12 days of Christmas.

The list of CDs that I have bought in the final month of 2007:

Jennifer Lopez, Brave (2007)
Thanks to YL who brought it back all the way from San Francisco. I can get the normal version here in town but I want the CD/DVD deluxe edition. Well, to my dismay, this edition was released here in Singapore recently. This album may not be her best to date, but definitely much better than her previous album, Rebirth. Being a JLo fan, all I can say this is a more 'traditional' pop album, of which there are still good tracks but never good enough to generate a few hits.

Jill Scotts, The Real Thing: Words and Sounds, Vol. 3 (2007)
This one flew back from San Francisco as well because I was the CD/DVD deluxe limited edition as well. In fact, I'm surprised that this album was not officially released in Singapore at all and neither Borders imported it in. She is one of Neo-Soul R&B artiste that I loved. With her third release she continues by displaying thoughtful lyrics, a beautiful voice, and some nice tracks. Not her best but it is still a good album.

Justin Timberlake, Futuresex/Lovesounds Deluxe Edition (2007)
I thought I have decided to give this album amiss when it just released in 2006. It was until Lovestoned and What Goes Around single release and now the CD/DVD deluxe edition which makes it even more irresistable. I cant help but to relate Timberlake as a white guy trying to be black when I listen to his debut album. But this second installation really shows this guy has ambition and in fact grown up musically.

Rufus Wainwright, Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall (2007)
Remake of the entirety of Judy Garland's 1961 concert at Carnegie Hall. Rufus's celebrated tribute to Judy Garland. It is a live recording of his show at the legendary New York venue.

Thievery Corporation, Abductions and Reconstructions (1999)
This is a collection of Thievery Corporation remixes done for other artists. They are the one of the best remixing teams around. This completes the discography of their releases in my collection.

Various Artists, Christmas With The Stars Volume 1,2,3 (2002)
I never failed to buy Christmas CDs every year. Saw this series of CDs at Borders selling at 20% off, coincidentally I was looking for Christmas songs by the great crooners from the yesteryear as well. The great sound and vocals from Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra to Judy Garland and Doris Day.

原田知世, Music and Me (2007)
The 80s teen idol released this album in 5 years as her 25th anniversary since debut. Remake some of her old hits into jazz and bossa nova, nice and refreshing.

辛島美登里, Bouquet Garni (2007)
Another singer songwriter artist of long absence release her album in 4 years since the last one.

今井美樹, 祈り (2007)
A new single release from the most perfect woman in my eyes.

Greetings of the Reindeers

2007-12-27T23:01:00.000+08:00

itunes: Toni Braxton, Snowflakes (2001)

This is cutest greeting card that I have received during this season. It came all the way from Hong Kong.....Thanks Eddy! Happy Holidays!

Christmas Gift Exchange Woes

2007-12-26T21:30:00.000+08:00

itunes: Dave Koz, A Smooth Christmas (2001)

Not again, I've received 2 towels and a stuff toy from the Christmas gift exchange this year. But every year I wonder why this pointless custom persists. Yes, I do have issues with these mandatory communal gift exchange in office or friends' get-together Christmas function.

It's not that I'm against gift giving. The intention of which when one appreciates another it would be nice to show one’s appreciation with a gift. It's done out of one’s own kindness and usually comes as a surprise. That’s the beauty about buying and giving a gift especially for someone, it makes one feel appreciated. That's the spirit of Christmas.

That bring us back to the communal gift exchange. I'm calling it to be abolished because first of all, the idea of getting a good Christmas gift for loved ones is tough enough, let alone getting it for an unidentified sex and person. The most frustrating thing is the gift exchange usually comes with a small budget and it's a chore to get something that is useful or meaningful for both sexes.

Then the hour of terror arrives: the unwrapping of the gifts. It tortures me to open a gift that is pretty much useless to me and act as if it's the best gift ever in front of cordially everyone. But it's not over yet, look around, you will find now everyone in the room has to pretend to look pleased that they have gotten the greatest gift in the world. Put it this way, how can one be pleased and excited when I can actually predict what lies beneath those wrappings every year? If I can rejoice with not-much-used, not-intented-for-me kind of things like drinking mug, photo frame, confectionery, photo album, stuff toy, small desktop decor, towel, stationery and toiletries gift set; received in a yearly musical chair fashion, then I must be 101% spastic. Eventually these items will either ended up deep in the drawers or else in the bins. Really waste of money and resources.

Often I wonder, why cant one just say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays to one another, if one has no intention to give a gift to that particular person? No stress about insincere gifts which one doesn't need. Truthfully, I don't need anything. If I want something, I'll buy it myself. If you want to give me something, give me cash. That's the only thing I really need. Haha :OP

First Snow

2007-12-24T23:07:00.000+08:00

itunes: A Charlie Brown Christmas, Vince Guaraldi (1965)

It's Christmas eve.....

There is something about this picture that I adored. The quietness and the pureness of the first snow that has been frozen in time and captured eternally. Far beyond any words can describe the power of peace in this stillness.

Merry Christmas to all.
Peace on earth.

Like a child, the earth’s going to sleep,
or so the story goes.

But I’m not tired, it says.
And the mother says, You may not be tired but I’m tired—

You can see it in her face, everyone can.
So the snow has to fall, sleep has to come.
Because the mother’s sick to death of her life
and needs silence.

- Louise Glück

New T3 at Changi Airport

2007-12-21T20:25:00.000+08:00

itunes: Jennifer Lopez, Brave (2007)

Finally, the budget was finalised and approved 2 days ago. I have completely missed the 10th Dec deadline altogether. Well, not my fault really cos my boss insisted to review and change the figures to meet what he had in mind. Whatever it is, what comes next will be the budget presentation in 2 weeks' time. At least I can take a breather to enjoy the Christmas rush.

Work aside, I paid a visit to the newly completed Changi Airport Terminal 3 yesterday and wow, the architecture and interior are magnificent.

This is the departure hall, with a 5 storey high skylight roof top. The aluminium pane design is really cool, perhaps it also have a dual purpose of reflecting excess sunlight and heat on a hot day. The highlight is the green wall that span along the whole length of the building. Beautiful.

A portion of the green wall. The plants are real and there are sprinklers which will spray water mists periodically.

The beautiful 'water-mist fall' created when the sprinklers are in action.

An open concept view of the departure hall and the arrival hall on the ground level. Did you notice where the baggage converyor belt is?

The spacious area where all the duty-free shops and waiting lounges are.

This circular dome is where the coming Crystal Jade Shanghai Restaurant will be, on the 4th floor of the building, overseeing the departure and arrival halls.

Flight info monitors on testing mode. Rare sight....

Hundreds and hundreds of test luggages to test the functionality of the baggage handling system.

My fantasy come true. A view from the check-in counter, with the conveyor belt running behind.

The electronic weights for the luggage are up and running. Sigh, see what the dreadful budget period has done to my weight? It cant possibly so much. hehe

Joining the queue for mock checking in.....

Bjork's Nomination at Grammy.....Again

2007-12-06T21:49:00.000+08:00

itunes: Seal, System (2007)

Hurray!! Björk's Volta is nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Album, up against the albums of Lily Allen, Arcade Fire, The Shins and The White Stripes. Lily Allen's well deserved norminated debut album rocks too, not quite into the rest of the nominees. Join me to pray hard to Bjork's winning next Feb, Amen. Hahaha

Take a look at the new poster of Bjork's concert in LA. Cute and beautiful right? When are you touring Singapore?

The Day I Met Honey

2007-12-01T19:52:00.000+08:00

itunes: 森山直太朗, 新たなる香辛料を求めて (2004)

I was working in the office this morning and my colleague brought his dog into the office after he brought her for a morning swim at the seaside. His precious dog is called Honey.

I cant resist playing with her. So friendly that she kept licking my palm and face, hahaha. So docile that she simply laid by his master side while he worked, occasionally rose her head whenever someone walked past his cubicle but never ran around and barked in the office.

My colleague was sharing with me, once he and his wife went for a 3 days short trip and they left Honey with their couple friends whom she met every weekend. Since that day they left the trip, Honey never slept and kept close to the door. When they returned to pick her up, they were shocked to see her with dark eye rings. She slept soundly in the car on the way home. What a beautiful loving lady!! Perhaps I should get a similar one for myself too. But to think of the commitments and the pain of death parting, I better think twice.

No Music No Life 11/2007

2007-11-30T23:24:00.000+08:00

itunes: Nelly Furtado, Loose (2007)

Didnt really do much blogging this month. The stressful company budget exercise is eating 100% into my life, weekday nights burnt, weekends also burnt. But my calories and fat never get burnt, working late every night, cant wake up early in the morning to go gym neither I can make it to the weekly tennis session. Budget presentation and discussion every Friday morning for 3 - 4 hours, my boss simply scrubbed and changed the figures but the time and effort that I need to spent on amendments is hellish. Sometimes I really wonder, if this budget exercise can be in the form of physical workout, I really dun mind working extremely hard to shed some fats haha

The list of CDs that I have bought this month:

Nelly Furtado, Loose (International Tour Edition) (2007)
I hesitated buying this album when it was released because I find it hard to accept the first single, Promiscuous. Truly speaking, the sound of this album was a departure from her previous two, especially Folklore which is my favourite. By the time she released her 5th single, I know that I've got to own it and it seems Promiscuous is grooving into me. It took me quite a while to find this version because it comes with an additional CD of 9 tracks, mainly side Bs and live version. I was walking past Sembawang Music in Funan IT Mall, never had an intention to step in initially but out of the sudden, my gut feel was telling me that this CD is in this shop and bingo, I got it. Probably the last piece of this version in Singapore cos I couldnt find it anywhere else anymore.

Seal, System (2007)
The disappointing previous album, Seal IV nearly has me giving this album amiss altogether. Then the name of the producer stroke me and I think I should give Seal a second chance. The producer name is Stuart Price, the one behind Madonna's Confessions on a Dance Floor. Although this album didnt sound as much as Madonna's Confession, it did revive the sounds of Seal's Crazy days. A good chilled out dance album.

大塚愛, Love Piece (2007)
This young idol is productive. Within months of releasing her best of album, she is back with a new album, written and produced by herself. She is one of the cutie pie idol that I grow to like these few years.....well apart from the trademark mickey mouse cute voice of the young Japanese female idols, this lady writes and produces her own works.

竹内まりや, Denim (2007)
This 52 years old veteran female singer songwriter is one of those artists from the 70s that still can have the power to clinch a No.1 hit album in the Japanese Oricon Chart even though she has slow down in her releases in the recent years. This No.1 album is her first in 6 years. A mix of folk rock and pop rock album.

小泉今日子, K25 All Time Best (2007)
To commendorate this 80s idol-turned-actress 25 years in the show business, there was a online voting by the fans on her official website to select the top 20 singles songs that most fans loved during this 25 years. I participated in the voting as well hehe. Imagine when she debuted, she was only 17 years old, I was still a school boy. 25 years just come and go at the blink of the eye.

鈴木祥子, Sho-Co Journey (2007)
This is a 2CD best of compilation of this Japanese female singer songwriter that covers her 20 years music career. She wrote 2 No.1 hits for 小泉今日子 which was voted by the fans (including me of cos) in her K25 All Time Best above. In this album, she did a remake of these 2 songs as well. I'm not a fan but like I always say, the best way to understand the sound of an artist is to get the best of compilation.

UA, Golden Green (2007)
She was called Bjork of Japan even though her music is not as frontial as Bjork. The fact that she infused tribal into her experimental rock music has made her stands out from the mainstream crowd. Her raw and yet powerful vocal has made her a big departure from the usual mickey mouse female vocal that flooded the Japanese music market. She never failed to amaze me after these 10 years.

First Christmas Tree of the Season

2007-11-10T20:38:00.000+08:00

itunes: Jamie Scott & The Town, Park Bench Theories (2007)

Time really flies and it's now November, 2 more months to go before the end of 2007. Look at the first Christmas tree of the season that I spotted in the mall today. Yup, this should signify the starting of the joyous time of the year. Good cheers to the pleasure of giving and sharing.

However, my company's FY08 budget time has just started and I'm going to be extremely busy and occupied from now till the deadline of submission on 10th of Dec. I guess I can truly immerse in this season spirit and enjoy myself only after this tough period.

Really looking forward to a warm and quiet Christmas gathering......

No Music No Life 10/2007

2007-10-31T22:47:00.000+08:00

itunes: 蔡健雅, Goodbye & Hello (2007)

What a fruitful month!! The list of CDs that I have bought this month:

Jamie Scott & The Town, Park Bench Theories (2007)
To me, this is one of the most exciting debut album this year. The same goes to Lily Ellen's Alright Still in 2006. In between James Morrison and James Blunt, Jamie Scott's voice is squeaky beautifully clean and his music is acoustically soothing. If you are starting to get sick of James Morrison and James Blunt's stuff, Jamie Scott is definitely a good fit to comfort you for a longer while.

Gwen Stefani, Love Angel Music Baby (2005)
How can Gwen not part of my great CD collections? I waited long enough and to hunt this version down at a good price eventually. Good things definitely come by, it's just one has the patience to wait.

Zero 7, When It Falls (2004)
The warmth in their debut electronic album Simple Things in 2003 is so enchanting that I have spent weeks just listening to it. It took me 3 years to get this CD and I bypassed this and got their third album. It's the digipak packaging that I'm going for. It's rare in the market here as well as in ebay. Like I say earlier, good things worth the wait. The warmth continues to the second and third.....really love this duo.

Shine, Joni Mitchell (2007)
Finally she is back after her retirement 6 years ago. Still sitting on my desk, sealed. It takes time and patience to appreciate her album, just admiring a piece of painting. I wonder how she will sound this time as compared to the previous one that she left her fans with at the turn of the century. I just need to good quiet time to sit down and listen.

Madonna, Bedtime Stories (1994)
This is definitely one of my most-wanted Madonna memorabilia. I spent US$150.00 just to get this from the fierce bidding session on ebay. I love this album very much so I must have this rare promo, light blue velvet cover version. In those days, Madonna's music is already a beacon to what genre is going to be popular. Bedtime Stories comprises of R&B and her first experiment of electronica with Bjork. True enough, R&B and electronica are in fashion even now since the last second half of the last century. Bedtime Stories was deemed by the critics as "too ahead of time" and "experimental" then. That's Queen of Pop!

Mihimaru GT, The Best of (2007)

松田聖子, Baby'S Breath (2007)
These two Japanese albums was bought a few months ago, it was rather disappointing after listening to them. So I just casted them aside, thinking to sell it over the net to get some cash back. I picked them up and listen once again these 2 weeks and in fact they sounded not so bad after all. Now they are going to be part of my CD collections.

陳綺貞, Sentimental Kills (2003)

陳綺貞, 旅行的意義 (2004)

陳綺貞, After 17 (2004)

陳綺貞, Pussy (2007)
Taiwanese singer/songwriter Cheer Chen (陳綺貞) amazed me so much in her recent concert in town that I love her even more now. So I have decided to collect all her 4 singles releases ever since she has gone indie. Thanks to Eddy who carried them all the way from Hong Kong. Appreciate for bringing the Cheer's magic to me. I will just keep them in the original sealed condition.

蔡健雅, Goodbye & Hello (2007)
Another artist have gone indie. This is Singaporean singer/songwriter Tanya's first album under her own label. I have been her fan since her English debut in 1998. She has since moved on to make it big in Taiwan with Mandarin releases. I have been listening to it since it was released 2 weeks ago, really great awesome songs. Find out more about her: http://www.myspace.com/tanyachuamusic

881 Volume 2, Original Motion Soundtrack (2007)
The followed up album on the first release in August. Check out my blog on the movie and soundtrack in August 07. I just love this movie and soundtrack.

Billboard Top 100 Songs By Female Solo Artists (1955-2007)

2007-10-27T00:21:00.000+08:00

itunes: 蔡健雅, Goodbye & Hello (2007)

Below is the fourth edition of Billboard's Hottest Hot 100 Hits by Fred Bronson includes a list of the Top 100 Songs By Female Solo Artists (1955-2007). The list was compiled according to a point-based system that measures chart success.

Mariah Carey tops Billboard's Biggest Female Songs List and has the most entries on the list (eleven) and bookends it with "We Belong Together" at #1 and "Without You / Never Forget You" at #100. Hurray!!!

Toni Braxton has 4 songs, 2 from her "Secrets" album, my all time favourite.
Janet Jackson and Madonna has 5 songs each. It's a pity that Madonna's "This Used To Be My Playground" is not in this chart, really love this song.

Those in bold red are my longtime favourites:

1. We Belong Together - Mariah Carey
2. Un-Break My Heart - Toni Braxton
3. I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
4. How Do I Live - LeAnn Rimes
5. You're Still The One - Shania Twain
6. Foolish - Ashanti
7. Family Affair - Mary J. Blige
8. Fallin' - Alicia Keys
9. You Light Up My Life - Debbie Boone
10. You Were Meant For Me/Foolish Games - Jewel
11. Breathe - Faith Hill
12. Physical - Olivia Newton-John
13. Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
14. Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani
15. Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes
16. The First Night - Monica
17. Fantasy - Mariah Carey
18. Dreamlover - Mariah Carey
19. That's The Way Love Goes - Janet Jackson
20. All For You - Janet Jackson
21. Take A Bow - Madonna
22. I Love You Always Forever - Donna Lewis
23. You're Makin' Me High/Let It Flow - Toni Braxton
24. Believe - Cher
25. Always Be My Baby - Mariah Carey
26. Exhale (Shoop Shoop) - Whitney Houston
27. Music - Madonna
28. The Wayward Wind - Gogi Grant
29. Irreplaceable - Beyonce
30. Nobody's Supposed To Be Here - Deborah Cox
31. Flashdance ... What A Feeling - Irene Cara
32. The Power Of Love - Celine Dion
33. Work It - Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott
34. Hero - Mariah Carey
35. It's All Coming Back To Me Now - Celine Dion
36. Genie In A Bottle - Christina Aguilera
37. Hot Stuff - Donna Summer
38. Save The Best For Last - Vanessa Williams
39. Together Again - Janet Jackson
40. Tammy - Debbie Reynolds
41. Complicated - Avril Lavigne
42. Again - Janet Jackson
43. If You Had My Love - Jennifer Lopez
44. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack
45. Angel Of Mine - Monica
46. ... Baby One More Time - Britney Spears
47. Woman In Love - Barbra Streisand
48. Upside Down - Diana Ross
49. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
50. Try Again - Aaliyah
51. All I Wanna Do - Sheryl Crow
52. Total Eclipse Of The Heart - Bonnie Tyler
53. Bad Girls - Donna Summer
54. Don't Take It Personal (Just One Of Dem Days) - Monica
55. London Bridge - Fergie
56. Like A Virgin - Madonna
57. To Sir With Love - LuLu
58. It's Too Late/I Feel The Earth Move - Carole King
59. Give Me One Reason - Tracy Chapman
60. You're So Vain - Carly Simon
61. Doesn't Really Matter - Janet Jackson
62. Brand New Key - Melanie
63. Rush Rush - Paula Abdul
64. Rock And Roll Waltz - Kay Starr
65. Killing Me Softly With His Song - Roberta Flack
66. Shake It Off - Mariah Carey
67. I'm Sorry - Brenda Lee
68. Ode To Billie Joe - Bobbie Gentry
69. Ring My Bell - Anita Ward
70. Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson
71. What A Girl Wants - Christina Aguilera
72. Magic - Olivia Newton-John
73. The Way We Were - Barbra Streisand
74. Macarthur Park - Donna Summer
75. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor
76. What's Love Got To Do With It - Tina Turner
77. Case Of The Ex (Whatcha Gonna Do) - Mya
78. Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!) - Blu Cantrell
79. Dominique - The Singing Nun
80. Breathe Again - Toni Braxton
81. Love Theme From "A Star Is Born" (Evergreen) - Barbra Streisand
82. My Heart Has A Mind Of It's Own - Connie Francis
83. I'll Remember - Madonna
84. He Wasn't Man Enough - Toni Braxton
85. 9 To 5 - Dolly Parton
86. Everybody's Somebody's Fool - Connie Francis
87. I'll Be There - Mariah Carey
88. Have You Ever? - Brandy
89. Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You) - Christina Aguilera
90. I'm A Bitch - Meredith Brooks
91. Love Takes Time - Mariah Carey
92. Vision Of Love - Mariah Carey
93. Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera) - Connie Francis
94. Sittin' Up In My Room - Brandy
95. My All - Mariah Carey
96. If I Ain't Got You - Alicia Keys
97. Vogue - Madonna
98. Pon De Replay - Rihanna
99. Let's Hear It For The Boy - Deniece Williams
100. Without You/Never Forget You - Mariah Carey

http://repeal377a.com/

2007-10-21T21:00:00.000+08:00

itunes: 蔡健雅, Goodbye & Hello (2007)

Despite that fact I know it's not going to be possible, given the pathetic "conservative Asian society" we have here in Singapore. Nevertheless, I have decided to put up the links and banner on my blog to help to promote this meaningful movement.

I was reluctant to sign the first petition to the parliament, given the fact that I do not think it will make any difference in improving gay status and identity in this place. Many would refute to what I said was pessmistic, even though the end-result is imminent, at least the voices of this minority are heard in the parliament. Anyway, I did sign on the second petition to the Prime Minister, since many beautiful straight crowds have stepped forward to answer to this call. How can I afford to be insensitive, sitting on the fence and remain silent at this moment?

Nevertheless, I adopt a different perspective. Yes, the minority needs to be heard and even if 377A can be repeal, will this change the perception and discrimination of gays from the majority straight crowd? The answer is NO. Therefore, personally I feel that most importantly, it is crucial to change the mindset of these ignorant folks, especially those staunched-religious and the hardcore homophobic ones, who keep rattling that legalising gay will upset/destroy the social families structure and unity here over the forum pages in the papers. Utterly 101% ungrounded nonsense. Thanks to the biased publicity of the media, gays are usually wrongly perceived as some promiscuous aids-laden party animals (is not it the straight men and women are like that too? Why pinpoint at gays only?) To be fair, not all are like that. They have career, they contribute to the society, they cook and do grocery shopping. Gay relationships and marriages can be as normal as any straight married couples and should deserve that respect personally and legally.

Eventually, as long as this whole bunch of monkeys can change their numskull-thick mindset, once homosexuality is no longer a taboo issue, the law will slowly unwind itself. It's going to be a long process, I believe. Looking back at history, think of how universal suffrage comes about. What about myths and supersitions we heard from grandma? Is not it all these are believed out of ignorance? Do we believe them now? Not anymore.

The promotional video for this movement:

Want to find out more? Go to this link: http://repeal377a.com/ or click the banner on the right side of this blog.

apocalypse in showcase

2007-10-20T10:19:00.000+08:00

itunes: Jamie Scott & The Town, Park Bench Theories (2007)

At Esplanade, apocalypse can be so ironically awesome and dazzling, so contrasting.....really love this piece of visual display.

Children's artventure with crocs

2007-10-18T22:41:00.000+08:00

itunes: Jamie Scott & The Town, Park Bench Theories (2007)

I was at Esplanade just now and along the underground corridor, which linked the Esplanade and the Citylink, there was an exhibition of art created by children using crocs shoes. Even though it was a short walk, admiring the art pieces, it was like going through a time passage, reminding me I was like them before, making dreams and fantasies come true thru art and crafts. Looking at the pieces, it was kind of nostalgic. After all, I used to enjoy that innocence. Check out the pictures that I have taken. It's amazing to see how creative young kids can be nowadays.

Crocs is a ferocious dragon.

Crocs is a little boat.

Crocs is a cot for baby.

Crocs is a poisonous scorpion.

Crocs can be a tricycle too.

Crocs is a clown on wheels.

Sidetrack a bit, no crocs here but the baby drawings is damn adorable. Exceptionally cute in the eyes of adolescence, is not it?

Yo, crocs has transformed into a warfare tank.

Or crocs can be a car that zooms around the city.

This is my favourite. Crocs is a white bunny.

Curse the property agents #@$%^&......

2007-10-13T19:49:00.000+08:00

itunes: Tori Amos, American Doll Posse (2007)

I can never fully feel the effect of the old saying "Knowledge is power" until recently when I was in the midst of selling my 2-year-old apartment. Somehow, I just feel uneasy about the whole transaction cos there are a couple of loopholes that my property agent left behind among our conversations. Well, I cant say that my sixth sense is particularly good, but while exercising some common sense and deductions from some logical thinking, I'm getting a bit suspicious of the agent's may-have hanky-panky behind my back.

We have a prior agreement, should he manage to sell my apartment between S$450k and S$500k, he will be entitled a 2% agent fee from me, otherwise, any amount less than S$450k, he will get 1% instead. Within a week, after 1 night viewing session, he told me that there is an offer from a lady at $400k, which I declined given the fact that he promised me at the start that he is confident of helping me to sell the house at least $450k. A day later, he told me that the lady is willing to up the price to $420k. Again, I rejected the counter offer since it's only a week after the house was put on sale in the market. I can still afford to wait for a while.

The agent seems to be agitated by my tenant for the fact as he tried to arrange as many viewings as possible to close any potential deals, my tenant's timing have not been good cos he is not at home most of the time. This is when the agent showed sign of displeased and I told him even though he is my tenant, he is paying rent and as a landlord I should show respect to his privacy as well. This is when the agent suggested to buy the apartment from me directly instead. In this way, he can chase my tenant out and he can have more flexibility in arranging the viewing sessions. Thinking it was just a joke, I laughed it off nonchalantly.

Another week has passed, the agent told me that the lady is still keen and now she has another unit to consider as well which the buyer only willing to let go at $470. However, if I'm willing to let mine go at S$450k, she would take up the offer straight away. The agent pushed me hard for an immediate reply, and eventually I agreed to sell at this price on the following day.

It seems to me that the lady is an impulsive buyer. How can one decide after just 1 viewing, especially the one and only one is done at night?! I mean if I'm the serious buyer, I would have requested a second or third viewing (daytime viewing maybe?) to find out more about the apartment before making the right decisions. I brought this up to the agent and it seems he is quite aloof in answering it.

I cant prove that there is another unit letting go at $470k since all information comes from the agent himself. My gut feel then was as an agent, he is merely trying hard to close the deal as soon as possible in order to generate the 2% agent fee fast. To me, this is quite normal as agents usually played this kind of tricks to create stories that will cause anxiety in both buyer and seller so that they matched each other's expectation sooner. The fact that I'm getting a bit uncomfortable that this agent seems to be manuplative in his actions and words, particularly when it comes to my agreement and the signing of the option of purchase. Somehow, I sensed that he seems to represent the buyer more than being representing me. I thought I was just being sensitive and cautious about dealing with strangers that's all.

Thereafter, he started pressing me persistently to give him the name of my appointed lawyer. I grew abit agitated over his actions and told him that I need time to find one (in fact, I'm trying to locate a friend who worked in a law firm whom has gone overseas for a holiday to recommend her lawyer to me). The agent suggested if I cant find anyone, he can recommend me one. He even apologised for being pushy and blamed it was the buyer's lawyer who kept pastering him for an answer. This is when I asked myself, why would the buyer's lawyer contact him directly? It should be the buyer herself is not it? When my lawyer asked me to check the name of the buyer's lawyer, the agent asked me why was I asking for. To make sure I'm not thinking otherwise, he even explained he was asking out of curiousity. This added to my suspicion because it is perfectly normal to provide the lawyer's name so that both legal party can communicate to complete the transactions.

Something is terribly amiss here. Once my friend is back in town, I related to her of the events and my suspicions. She helped me to contact the staff of the buyer's lawyer and see if she can fish out any information on the agent and buyer. The end result is devastating. The staff casually mentioned there is a relationship between the buyer and agent, either they are in a relationship or married couple. This was when my lawyer advised me to perform a due diligence check on the martial status of the agent as well as the reality check on the selling price.

True enough, a check with the Registry of Marriage, the buyer was the agent's wife!!! But luckily the market price for my apartment is at S$444psf but I'm selling at S$450psf. At least the agent has been fair to my ignorance. I confronted the agent about this and waited to see how he responded to it. Well well well, words from the saleman's mouth will always be so convincing which seriously I dun really bother to hear all his sale talk. Anyway, I'm prepared to lodge a big complaint to his company, Frank Knight and to the press if nothing came out conclusive from the confrontation. Of cos, this guy was no fool, he was quick and good in his damage control actions. He used the reverse psychology, trying to gain my empathy of his position. As much as I'm a soft-hearted person, my biggest concern now was my money. If I'm selling the house to his wife, there was no way I'm going to give him that 2% agent fee which sumed up to nearly S$10k. There was absolutely no qualms about it.

Well, he was quick to offer me 2 alternatives in which either I can call off the whole deal or he was willing to waive the agent fee to my delight undeniably. He said he has been feeling guilty about getting the 2% agent fee from me right from the start and somehow he find it difficult to tell me the truth, blah blah blah, lame excuses really, he must be thinking that I was born only yesterday. Pardon me for saying this, I really cursed him and his wife to burn in hell eternally, only in my heart of cos, because as a gentleman, I must show civility at all times hehe. Frankly speaking, even after I exposed his dirty tricks, he never sounded apologetic at all. To think I trusted his professionalism and as a human right at the beginning, he is fucking despicable, unscrupulous and shameless.

But hey, this is a big savings for me, which means my selling price is at $460psf instead. As much as my friends showed concerns about this bloody agent 'flipping' the house by selling at a much higher price to a third party, I really dun care since I have gotten what I wanted. The new couple owner can pull or burn the house down for all they want, it does not really bothers me anymore.

Lessons learnt:
1) Never trust agents wholeheartedly. It's important to do simple due diligence. Also it is important must get a couple of agents to act for you, at least there are counter check and references on their words. Check with a lawyer on your legal rights and actions to protect your interests. Dun even think about asking them to recommend lawyers and bankers to you. Find an independent one yourself.

2) Professionals like lawyers, doctors and accoutants are respected for their professionalism and integrity. Well, even if under the scrutiny of their respective governing bodies, there are still black sheeps. Agents are not professionals, even though their image in their advertisements projected them so. They are merely salesmen who are only keen to close deal, shamelessly earn your money and will never act to your interests but themselves. I had bad experience with the agent, who used kickbacks tricks when I bought this house two years ago. Despite of that, I'm sure that there are still some who acted with a clear conscience whom I wish to know should I need to buy a house in the future.

3) Agents are a bunch of rascals who are smart enough to make use the loopholes of the law to their advantages. My lawyer told me that I have no case against this asshole if our confrontation fell through, unless I'm managed to prove that I suffered loss as he bought the house from me below the market value. The fact that the price I sold was around market price, makes it harder to get even with him, which means I'm committed to sell the house to his damn wife and at the same time pay him 2% agent fee. Legally he is right even though morally he is not.

4) Knowledge is really power. If I haven't done that fateful due diligence, I would have paid that 2% agent fee blindly without knowing his dirty tricks. With much information in hand, I can turn the table against him, and switching his gain to become mine. Now I can apply the principle of imperfect market conditions in Economics sense. It's important for one to do enough homework on the market before engaging them. I heard from my lawyer that such cases are very common especially during the property market boom.

CHEERs to 陈绮贞的Piece of Summer2

2007-10-01T22:32:00.000+08:00

itunes: 陳綺貞, 花的姿態演唱會經典實錄 (2007)

我疯了。
我为陈绮贞的演唱会感动地疯了。

天啊！短短的3小时的演唱会竟让我无法释怀！这两天不自不觉回想起星期六陈绮贞的演唱会片段，断断续续回味着所有的感动。我也疯狂在网上搜索其他有出席歌迷的blog，看看他们是否也和我一样，象个多动儿般如此亢奋？？！！

对了，为何她没唱“花的姿态”呢？

P.S. 演唱会的细节流程。虽然只是文字，但所有的画面却陆续清楚地浮现眼前。

CHEERs to 陈绮贞的Piece of Summer

2007-09-30T09:59:00.000+08:00

itunes: 陳綺貞, 花的姿態演唱會經典實錄 (2007)

好一场非同凡响的摇滚音乐盛会。没有特别的来宾，没有多余的客气，没有不必要的话语，只有六个人在舞台上玩着音乐的游戏，没有华丽的编曲，只有Acoustic guitar，Electric guitar，Electric Piano，Accordian和Drums原音重现的火花。这就是陈绮贞(Cheer Chen)A Piece of Summer 2007 演唱会。感动了舞动挥着汗水的乐迷，感动了陈绮贞。4次Encores后，会场的灯都亮了，人群纷纷离场的当儿，仍然还有好多人意犹未尽死忠地呼喊着“Encore！”结果出人意表的，陈绮贞与吉他手小虎重现舞台上，简单唱出第5次Encore的最后一首歌“微凉的你”。临别前，陈绮贞说了这一段话；“请接受我今晚所有毫无保留的奉献，谢谢。”深深一鞠躬，挥再见。我感受到了。这一幕让我感动了一整晚，激动兴奋地难以入眠。这是有史以来我出席最真诚的演唱会。陈绮贞真实的旋律，带着纯真赤子的心地歌唱，我的思绪呼吸被她的精神牵动，紧紧扣在一起。这种被音乐感动的快乐是永远无法在CD里找到的。

陈绮贞（Cheer Chen）A Piece of Summer 2007 巡迴演唱会电视CF、平面广告：

忽然懷念起沒有電視沒有網路的日子
忽然懷念需要提筆寫信給你的日子
單純的音樂
穿越時空的記憶
凝結在對美好夏天的期待與思念

Live 幾乎已經成為陳綺貞的代名詞了
這個幾乎不上電視節目不炒新聞
平均2~3年推出一張專輯的陳綺貞
卻低調而堅持的選擇以Live演出作為與觀眾溝通的唯一方式

在她時而溫柔時而爆發的歌聲中
你聽到了自己
也X乎愛上那一個傾心融於綺貞音樂中的自己
2005年陳綺貞花的姿態演唱會門票在三天之內銷售一空
創下台灣有史以來演唱會門票銷售速度最快的紀錄
讓許多來不及參與的歌迷們至今仍抱憾連連
我們已不需要再探究陳綺貞演唱會的魔力究竟是什麼

應該問問自己需要的是什麼?
你期待的夏天是什麼?
在那個夜晚在綺貞的LIVE 相信你會得到解答

不要再有遺憾
2007年這個夏天演唱會是陳綺貞給你的一個片段希望
它能填補你正在找尋或是曾經失落的那一塊

a piece of summer
a piece of you

这个夏天所需要的，记忆中所期待的，日子里所寻找的、生活中需要填补的，昨天如此的一个夜晚已逐一得到解答了。谢谢你的音乐，陈绮贞。只要简单快乐地唱歌，就能在忙碌麻木的城市生活隙缝中寻找出一点对生命的温暖和感动。。。。。

P.S. 纪录演唱会里的点点滴滴，
请到：http://www.aomoon.com/a_piece_of_summer/

No Music No Life 09/2007

2007-09-25T21:16:00.000+08:00

itunes: 徳永英明, Vocalist 3 (2007)

The list of CDs that I have bought this month:

Joni Mitchell, Mingus (1979)
With this CD, I have completed Joni Mitchell's two decade discography. She can be one of the most influential female artist, uncompromising and fiercely independent in her music, fusing her deep folk style with other genres like jazz and world music. Her new album, Shine surface this month after 2003's Travelogue which she claimed her last recorded work. Really looking forward to it...

James Blunt, Back To Bedlam (2004)
I know this is a great album (from the empteen times listening to it at recording station in the CD shops) but somehow I did not intend to buy it at a full price. I got this used copy on yahoo auction at half the price. Haha it's never too late to own a piece of good music.

小田和正, K.Oda (1986)
Debut solo album of the frontman of the 70s Japanese rock band, Off Course. His recent years albums are good, so I'm going back to sample his older solo works.

徳永英明, Vocalist 3 (2007)
This is one of my most anticipated album this month. The final instalment of this vocalist series, which remakes the hit songs of many female artists' popular songs. In this album, he did one of Amuro Namie (安室奈美恵)'s earlier hit "Can You Celebrate?" and Imai Miki (今井美樹)'s big hit "Pride". What makes these 3 albums appealing is the simplistic arrangement which he produced and sang, a big departure from the originals and breath a new life in these old hits.

Haunting of Comfort

2007-09-08T09:38:00.000+08:00

itunes: Poe, Haunted (2000)

Philip sent me this sms this morning: "Ok I ask with trepidation, but how's ur drv lesson 2day?"

How is my driving lesson today? That's a very good question but I cant answer that cos I didnt turn up and it's going to cost me S$68. Seriously speaking, it rained heavily this morning, the weather is so cooling and I have no desire to put a single foot out of the house at all. What a good time to chill out, reading the papers, updating the blog and not forgetting, to sulk as well.

Yes sulk. I'm getting disheartened with these lessons and I do not know why I'm paying to demoralise my confidence in learning abilities. So today I should take a break and re-think my predicament. Strictly speaking, judging the fact that I'm able to start, move and manoeuver the wheels by the 2nd lesson, mastering the 'art' of clutch and changing gears by the 4th, it shows at least I'm not a slow learner, with the fact I'm able to apply the engine brake as well. I have yet to perfect the skill of coordination of the clutch and the accelerator during changing gear and moving off. Sad to say, according to the feedback given, I was labelled as a slow learner because I have lessons only once a week. What a joke, my toes are not amused at all.

It's a real dog-eat-dog world outside the circuit. Everything on the road is hazardous to me. I cursed the lane cutting taxi, truck drivers, especially the hellish bikers, I damned the pedestrians who dashed across the road, I sweared at the endless number of red traffic lights. Worst of all, the torment of the non-stop nagging instructor right at my left ear. At the height of the plague, my impatience and agitation will step in place of my sanity and I simply wish I can knock down a few careless pedestrians, send a few bikers flying to the walkway, ram into a couple of taxis and trucks, slash and stab the drivers, hack down traffic light posts with a crowbar, and eventually take out one of my shoe and stuff it into the instructor's mouth. Hmmm this should be able to ease some of my wrath and frustrations. I think I'm not cut out to be a good driver, realising I tend to lose patience easily and hopefully not turning out to be a road bully someday.

Since driving it's all about judgement and feel after mastering the basics, I dun understand why am I being commented just because I cant gauge how much to turn that bloody steering wheel when going round the bend or how early to down gear when approaching a red traffic light. Technically speaking, exactly how much to swivel and how early to down gear is sufficient, these silly instructors can never give me a good direct answer. If this is so, DUN EVER JUDGE ME AS A SLOW LEARNER. If I'm really that good, you think I will give you a free spin, you can f-off, really.

Put it this way, if I'm really that bad, why not just leave me in the circuit until I'm better off in gauging and judging before moving out to the main roads? I have repeatedly requested to stay in the circuit for more lessons to get familiarise with the technique, but yet I'm still out at the roads. It's like throwing someone who just learnt to swim into sea and expect him to swim back to the shore? This is simply crazy. Fine, one may say, once you are thrown into the sea, you will learn to stay afloat and learn faster. I agree wholeheartedly and notwithstanding this is not an attitude problem, I'm willing to accept criticisms and improve myself even though I'm paying to learn but please exercise patience and dun criticise me unconstructively.

Take for example, we were on a straight road after crossing the traffic light and in accordance to the so called safe driving instruction, I should slowly up gear to the 4th but from far, I saw this bloody old lady standing on the road divider and again according to the safe driving instruction, I should be slowing down because she may just dash across the road. This is when the instructor commented that I'm slow in changing gear. I told him off straight, there is someone on the road divider and I have to slow down, is not it? He kept quiet. This is what I mean by uncontructively criticism.

Another classic example, we were turning at the green light junction and at the adjacent crossing, there were 2 slow moving pedestrians, taking their own sweet time to cross the road (if I have a whip, I will sure get out of the car, whip them to gallop faster, damn hell!). Since it will be sometime before they complete crossing, the instructor asked me to inch forward and if the crossing is clear, just moved off. I did likewise and thereafter, he reminded me that I should not do it because pedrestrians have the right of way. FUCK YOU! I cursed you in my heart, you were the one who asked me to move off and now you got the cheek to turn around and remind me that this is a wrong doing????!!!! What kind of fucking logic is that? Your mismanagement does not constitute to my inefficiency get it? Asshole.

I just dun understand why do these brainless instructors come with motorised naggin mouth. Come on, I mastered the theory as well as you do and if I'm able to relate to you the reasons of every mistake I made, honestly speaking, I dun really need anymore reminders, excessive of it, it will just filter out of my ears. I'm already very tensed up at the driver seat and do not wish any more catalysts to spice up my panicky tension. Learning is all about making mistakes and not about endless nagging. Evenutally, my ears become numb and my brain will eventually go into standby mode after an hour of tedious driving. I dunno why am I behaving like this? I really want to know if I'm really cut out to be a driver. What pisses me most is if the dumbest among my friends can get a driving licence, why cant I? That's the reason why I refused to give up or simply switch to learn an auto gear car.

Sigh I dunno what have I gotten myself into. Comfort Driving Centre? My ass. Instead since I find comfort in moving around by BMW and why am I cheap enough to spent money to get my intelligence and abilities insulted. By the way, BMW stands for Bus, MRT, Walk. :OP

Heavenly Wife Cakes

2007-09-06T22:59:00.000+08:00

itunes: Alana Davis, Surrender Dorothy (2005)

I'm not a fan of wife cakes but I'm willing to make exception for this one by Heng Heung Cake Shop (恆香老餅家) from HK. It's the best wife cake that I ever tasted. My mum is also another fan. Unlike the common chinese pantries, the winter melon and almond paste of this confectionary is aromatic and yet surprisingly not sweet at all. The paste just melt in your mouth with every bite. Heaven....Yum Yum.

In fact, Heng Heung used to have road show at Great World City here in Singapore every 3 - 6 months but the prices sold here is almost doubled if I get them in HK. Unfortunately, they are not here this year. Even in HK, this cake shop only has a few branches, I only know there is one at Kowloon Mongkok, near SINO centre where I can fish out tons and tons of cheap cds whenever I go HK. It's like killing 2 birds with 1 stone haha

Thanks to Eddy, who never failed to bring some for me from HK whenever he is here for a visit. Really appreciate that.

No Music No Life 08/2007

2007-08-31T23:03:00.000+08:00

itunes: Madonna, Confessions On A Dance Floor (2005)

Just come back from a dinner gathering with a couple of my ex-colleagues (2 interesting bachelors and a young lady), we used to be lunch kaki, now become a monthly dinner kaki haha. Like I always believe, there is absolutely unnecessary to suggest to anyone who is moving on to the next job to stay in touch in the future. How many who said that really mean it? Especially those whom I am not even close to, still have the cheek to ask me to keep in touch with them. Haha perhaps in my younger days, I would recipocate with a politically correct reply, but now? F-off man, I rather save my breath for my own breathing instead, I just smile only. Smiling is good, makes me look more pleasant and agreeable. Whatever it is, so I only believe in those who really make it a point to call or message to check out how am I, these are ex-colleagues who turn friends for keep.

I think I'm getting out of point here. It's Friday night, TGIF! Good to have some dance number to groove abit while I update the blog. I really love this album, Madonna is undeniably the Queen of Pop. Forget about her weak lyrics, it's the revamped disco and club non-stop sequencing that makes it so appealing.

The list of CDs that I have bought this month:

Corrinne May, Beautiful Seed (2007)
4th release from this female Singaporean LA-based singer songwriter. I love her enchanting voice and straight-to-your-heart contemporary notes. After all, I still love her debut and I can still remember clearly how her voice send ripples of goose pimples from the headphone on my ears to my toes at the listening station in Gramophone CD shop. Sounds like I found my religion eh? haha

玉置浩二, 惑星【初回生産限定盤】(2007)
Latest release from this veteran Japanese rocker. Really lost count how many albums he has released since he go solo in 1989 after his band 安全地帯 (Anzenchitai) disbanded, I never failed to own a piece of his discography. This album is not as appealing as his previous one in 2006. I bought this from the net, limited edition Japanese pressed that comes with DVD, cost me US$36.00 inclusive of postage.

Chara, The Best Baby Baby Baby XXX (1995)
Because I love her Caramel Milk The Best Of (2000) that I have gotten last month, so I went search her earlier best of compilation on ebay. And this is what I'm got, US$10 inclusive of postage. Good quality used cd and great music!

881, Original Motion Soundtrack (2007)
This is the highlight of the month. Finally I started to believe the powerful influence of a strong soundtrack has on a movie boxoffice. The movie has grossed more than $2 million at this moment, thanks to the soundtrack who not only touched the heart of the heartlanders but also gaining recognition from sophiscated music fan like me (pardon my arrogance, I'm music nazi remember? hee). Although I still feel embarrassed to blast it out loud at home, I still want to own a piece of this great work.

Freak Downpour

2007-08-28T21:25:00.000+08:00

itunes: NOT PLAYING

This afternoon's freak heavy downpour has caused a flood at the side road around my office area. The drainage started overflowing and within minutes, the water level increased steadily and eventually, the whole road is submerged. Luckily, my colleagues and I managed to get back to the office before the flowing water took over. Seriously, this is the second flood that I encountered in my whole life, the first one when I was in my secondary school days.

We were joking about the car, guess it can be towed and scrapped after the water subsided.

Comatose Brain

2007-08-26T21:19:00.000+08:00

itunes: NOT PLAYING

Brain in comatose state, can produce no shit these 2 weeks.
Everything blocked, that's why fucking bored.

881

2007-08-09T19:02:00.000+08:00

itunes: 徳永英明, Vocalist (2005)

Official Website: http://www.zhaowei.com/881/synopsis.html

Despite I have always associated the annual Ghost Festival Getai thingy and Hokkien songs as something cheesy, sleazy and low brow entertainment in Singapore; especially it is a local production which I tend to link it with the poor bad TCS8 (our National TV) soap drama style acting, this time I'm surprised that I have actually paid a full price ticket to catch it in the theatre. First of all, I'm intrigued by the promo trailer, which I find it impressive for such a genre. Ya, I'm right, it turned out to be one of the finest local production after all these years. Hail to the director Royston Tan, who has successful captured the essence of Getai scene culture in Singapore and beyond which take something as low corny as Getai and turn it into high retro art. Impressive!!

I have to admit it does contain the necessary emotion-stirring plot, tear-kerking moments and local favour witty Hokkien jokes (well, these are must-have elements for commercial movies, forgivable I mean). The more important aspects are the soundtrack, the set, the cinematography, the costumes and the colours that help to escalate this film into higher ground as compared to its peers. The most clever part of this movie is the way it was shot. It relates the essence (that is the 'soft' part) of Singapore grassroots living without having to show the physical aspects around it. This is something different from the rest of the local films which would have shown extensively and deliberately right at the audiences' face the 'hardwares' of Singapore living. The casts also play a part in making the movie real. I noticed a couple of actors and actresses are in fact the veterans of the Getai scene here, particularly Liu Ling Ling who played the guardian of the leading actresses, is a Getai emcee for 30 years. Their contributions to this movie would have helped to make it a truly realistic Getai world even though the storyline maybe fictional. These really impressed me most because any audience watching overseas would be able to feel the richness of Singapore livelihood instead of merely 'seeing' it. That's the kind of element I expect would help Singapore films to go internationally.

Check out the soundtrack too. Even though they are all cheesy Hokkien songs, I have to admit I somehow touched by them, maybe because of the movie. Most of them are originally written by the acclaimed Chinese pop local producer, Eric Ng. His blog said that it was out on 8th of August, I went hunting for the CD after the show, but unsuccessful. :O(

GO WATCH IT. Drop all your pre-conceptions you might have on this movie. Just go watch it. For the first time, I'm touched and excited by a local film production. DUN EVER MISSED IT.

Blessed with smarts and power but.....

2007-08-04T15:49:00.000+08:00

itunes: 艶華-Enka-, 中森明菜 (2007)

According to the Super Villian Personality Test: I Am

Dr. Doom
Blessed with smarts and power
but burdened by vanity.

Dr. Doom 43%
Juggernaut 36%
Mr. Freeze 32%
Lex Luthor 31%
Apocalypse 31%
Dark Phoenix 29%
Green Goblin 28%
Catwoman 26%
Kingpin 26%
Poison Ivy 25%
Riddler 25%
Magneto 24%
Venom 21%
The Joker 21%
Two-Face 20%
Mystique 12%

No Music No Life 07/2007

2007-08-04T14:17:00.000+08:00

itunes: Star, 張惠妹 (2007)

Finally, I can really sit down and spend some time to update my blog. It has been hellish for the past 2 weeks, internal auditors was here and all my routine work has been stalled just to entertain them, practically got to work late almost every night just to complete those urgent and pressing ones. That leaves very little time to complete reading my Harry Potter book cos I dozed off whenever I read a couple of the pages every night. Anyway, I make sure I finish reading the whole book last night so that I can update my blog today.

Anyway, this short list of CDs that I have bought in July 2007 (goodness gracious, no bust of CD budget in July), hmm come to think of it, this is the lowest number of CDs I have bought in a month in years:

Rosemary Clooney, Forever Girl Singer 1928 - 2002 (2007)
I have eyeing this vocalist for a while but never had a chance to sample her songs until recently when i chanced upon it at a listening station in Gramophone CD shop. I just love her voice: clear, pure voice that rich filled with warmth and sincerity.

Joni Mitchell, Taming The Tiger (1998)
Gramphone CD shop has a storewide 20% discount for Citibank credit card holder and I seized this opportunity to add this into my Joni Mitchell's discography collection. Currently, I just need one more ie "Mingus" to complete the collection.

中森明菜, 艶華-Enka-
My favourite Japanese female vocalist is back with her latest re-make album, this time, she covers the famous enka songs in Japan. The re-make is refreshing because the person behind the arrangements is one of my favourite producer in Japan. Akira Senju has not only retained the original ethnic flavour of these enka songs yet injected an additional contemporary feel, which I believe able to attract the younger audience to appreciate of the beauty of enka songs. I'm truly facsinated by her new image. Really amazing.....This price of this CD has taken up 50% of my July CD budget given the ever-strong Yen currency exchange rates.

Chara, Caramel Milk The Best Of (2000)
I always believe the best introductory way to know an artist is to get a copy of his/her best of album and listen. This is what I'm doing now. I have been very curious about this Japanese singer songwriter, Chara's sound. That's why I bought it at US$5.00 from Ebay. I really like her songs but the vocal is abit too kiddy and whiney hehe but that's the trademark of most Japanese female artists anyway hehe

Heartland Esplanade

2007-07-22T20:33:00.000+08:00

itunes: 黃韻玲, 巴結音樂Bossa Nova & Jazz (2001)

Setting: Esplanade Theatre, 5 July 2007, 7:47pm
Show: Dum Sum Dollies Musical

Apparently, this young lady must be thinking, going to the Esplanade is similar to going for a weekend movie at GV Cinemas in the heartlands. I'm not saying that she is not discreetly dressed but I suppose she should dress up more appropriately, out of respect for the casts and the production. As much as Singapore is trying to show the world that we are not a cultural desert here, it seems that many still needs to be educated on social graciousness.

Take a closer look at the third and fourth pictures. Yes it's not fooling your eyes. She re-appeared from the hall, lottered at the lobby, and happily munching away a packet of seaweed snacks, wondering around at the same time. This is indeed an eye-sore in such a pleasant evening.

I have posted these pictures on STOMP to shame her publicly. Haha I'm so good in being bad. If she doesn't deserve it, who else does?

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows

2007-07-21T07:19:00.000+08:00

itunes: Chara, Caramel Milk (2000)

What a big pleasant surprise! Singpost delivered my copy of Harry Potter at 7.05am just now. I'm truly amazed as I have specified to have the copy to be sent to my doorstep in the afternoon when placing order 2 months ago.

Yeah now I can join the rest of the Potter fans around the globe to grab a copy of the Potter's fate in the first minutes of its worldwide release today, in comfort at home.....hehe I'm so excited....thanks to Singpost!!!! :O)

I must finish reading the book by this weekend.

CNN vs CNA

2007-07-18T21:11:00.000+08:00

itunes: Momento, Bebel Gilberto

Sigh, my PC recovered and it's my mobile phone's turn now. My PC simply refused to recognise it after empteen times of connecting and disconnecting the cable, uninstall and reinstall the driver. So the person that I mentioned I'm going to shame in my previous blog is not going to happen today. Surely I will get it up real soon hehe. Instead I have got something to shame CNA (Channel NewsAsia) a bit today.

I was doing cardio in my gym at 7am this morning when one of the 42 inch Samsung flatscreen tvs in front of me, CNN has been flashing the breaking news footages of the Airbus 320 crushed into building in San Paulo almost every 5 minutes till 7.30am. On the other tv, the pathetic CNA morning news reported the same piece of news by merely showed the map of Brazil with a reference to the city of San Paulo, 2 - 3 times perhaps during the same period that's all.

Anyway, out of curiousity, I visited CNA website and read about this organisation:

"Established in March 1999, Channel NewsAsia positions itself as an Asian TV News channel, fully complemented by English and Chinese online portals that provide news and information on global developments with Asian perspectives."

"vision is to become one of Asia’s top media companies by delivering valued content to the world."

"Channel NewsAsia is created for Asians by Asians."

As a top new agency in Singapore with satellite sites all over Asia, is not it amazing that CNA cant secure the first hand footages of such news event like this? Or should I comfort myself by saying that since CNA is a media created for Asians by Asians, so breaking news from South America will not be put much emphasis here. I see I see, so I guess CNA will have a looooooooooooooooong way to prove itself as a world class like CNN. Oh yes, I almost forget, it seems CNA does not aspire to be world class like all of our government agencies here do, or it is because CNA simply want to be one of the best in Asia. hmmmm did I say CNA is Singapore government-linked company?

Temperature Rising....

2007-07-06T20:37:00.000+08:00

itunes: not activated
Denon Hi-Fi: 艶華-Enka-, 中森明菜 (2007)

37°C
That's my CPU temperature when I just log in here, according to my ASUS PC Probe software. Goodness gracious! The CPU and power fans both are down and I'm still wondering why. It has been a week. Fuck. My life is ruin, just like the Roman Empire....sobbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb.

48°C
Just a couple of minutes, the number escalated. If this is the number in my bank account, that's really nice....the fact that I have removed the CPU casing and it does not have at all.

59°C
Threshold is reaching soon. The beeping sound started.

71°C NOW!!!!
ASUS said CPU temperature overheated!!

Urrrggggghhhhhhh 80°C, merely over a period of 5 minutes!
Ok got to go....will be back real soon.
I have someone to shame later....hehe
Stay tuned.

No Music No Life 06/2007

2007-06-26T07:44:00.000+08:00

itunes: Christina Aguilera, Back To Basics (2006)

Sigh this month's CD budget busted again. From the second week of the month, I could not walk into any CD shops wherever I go. What's the point? I hate window shopping. So I have to wait for the next payday before I can start my CD shopping spree again. Really depressing, trying to wean off the kick of buying new CDs for the time being.

Years ago, I have set an unlimited budget for CD spendings and I ended up buying many on impulse, really waste of money. Come to think of it, during schooling days when I have limited cash in hand, every cassettes and CDs that I owned are like gems to me, cos I saved long and hard enough to have them. Not only I know all the songs in each album by heart, I studied the lyrics and the production credits in details too. If my house is on fire, CDs will be the first items that I will bring with me. Haha those were the days....

On the contrary, I dun read lyrics as detail as before now even though I still browse through the production credits. I dun listen as attentively as before and even if it may be an impressive album, I may not be able to know all the songs inside out. In fact, I have now adopted a more macro view towards appreciating a music album. I prefer to listen the sound within, to feel the musical aspiration and to experience heartfelt emotions of its creators. Hence, catchy pop songs which gel into your head endlessly, although some maybe nice as background listening, seldom interests me cos I feel nothing. In short, most people I noticed dun listen to music, they merely hear that's all. That's why I labelled them as music whores who like to be fucked mindlessly and continuously by these audio thrashes. A music album should be appreciated like a piece of painting, full of intensified emotions that appears differently to individuals.

Enough said, the list of CDs that I have bought in Jun 2007:

Goldfrapp, Supernature (2005)
The sound in this album is more simplified and more listenable than the electronic duo debut album "Felt Mountain" which I loved dearly. The terrific lead single from this album, "Ooh La La" impressed me so much that I downloaded the remixes versions on the net. Oops did i say download???!!!! Hehe nevertheless, this is a good entry CD for new fans.

Rufus Wainwright, Release The Stars (2007)
One of my favourite artists, especially of his genre, Chamber Pop. Use of orchestral arrangement or classical type composition in an indie setting. In short, it's like modernised baroque music. His lazy and draggy voice has made his sounds even more special and appealing. This album is executive produced by Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys and this is his most pop album to date as compared to his previous works, partcularly the 2 heavy Want 1 & 2.

Zero 7, Simple Things (2001)
Imagine this, I bought this electronic group's 4th album "The Garden", thinking it was good and now I go back to their debut album, which is definitely "best-est" among their releases. I would think this album is like a kind calmer twin sister of Massive Attack's dark "Mezzaine", full of chilled out and subtle tracks. Best to listen when lazing on a couch, over a nice glass of chilled coffee.

柏原芳恵, Lover's Sunset (1989)
My first idol in Jpop and I was only 13 then. Just an ordinary pop album and I bought it over the net because this is the missing piece to complete her discography, also to complete my childhood dreams.

小川範子, どうしてこんなに好きなんだろう (1992)
In fact I dunno why I buy this. First of all, she is not even my Jpop idol. But I have to admit the album is good, even though it has been 10 over years now. Just one of my compulsive buying.

松田聖子, Supreme Sound Portrait (1986)
Gosh, this is definitely a precious buy. I have been hunting this more than a decade. Which is why I do not hesitate to pay full price (3600yen) for a second hand copy. Indeed, this album is very rare. It was released as a orchestral twin version of the Seiko's highly acclaimed album "Supreme" released in 1985. That album contain the works of the 10 best songwriters in Japan at that time. It also earned the album of the year award in the Japanese grammy equivalent music awards in the same year, scoring a full marks of 3600 from the 36 industry panel of judges. Impressive eh?

陳綺貞, 花的姿態演唱會經典實錄 (2007)
This is one of my favourite female singer songwriter in Chinese pop. This limited edition box set consists of a 2CDs version and a DVD version of her concert live-recordings. The CDs are said to have been mastering done by Bernie Grundman, a multi-grammy award winner. Hence that explain why the recordings are superb. I admired her in the sense that she was groomed to be teen idol ever though she penned all the songs in her debut album in 1998. Slowly she outgrown her teen idol image, left her label and go indie by starting out her own label. Her first release "華麗的冒險" under her indie label, Cheerego.com was released in 2005 and won her the best album of the year in 2007 Taiwanese grammy equivalent music awards. It was one of those fastastic albums that never get deleted from my ipod and even now, I'm still listening and get mesmerized by her folky-rock sound and good lyrics.

許哲珮, 许愿盒 (2007)
Another female singer songwriter from Taiwan. Her debut album 6 years ago was impressed enough to earn her an normination as the best new artist in the Taiwanese grammy equivalent music awards. Not quite remember if she won. The second album was delayed 6 years as a result of the contractual dispute with her old label. Nevertheless, she presented a totally exit from her debut album in terms of sounding, although it was not as catchy as her previous one. But it does show her effects in growing mature in her music.

不跳江、吃肉粽，端午随想

2007-06-17T10:59:00.000+08:00

itunes: ピチカートファイブ Pizzicato Five, Happy End of the World (1997)

端午节来了。农历五月初五。

我从来对粽子的兴趣不大，但一到了这个时候，就会莫名其妙地非常想吃粽子。而且我指定要妈妈裹的。把粽叶剥开，看见软滑的糯米，发出阵阵的幽香中却带着暖暖的妈妈爱心，再加上一点点的感动，世上绝无仅有喔！所以总觉得妈妈的粽子永远有着神秘的配方，外面再贵再好料的，吃起来总是少了点味道，对吧?

口水就快溃堤啦！一年仅此一次的馋嘴季节，我当然吃的不亦乐乎。管他妈的热量胆固醇！哈哈！！

从电台广播的游戏节目传来的笑话：
主持人：请问屈原当年投的是什么江？
在线听众：有没有暗示？
主持人：有！什么罗江呢？
在线听众：我知道了！是梭罗河江！
主持人：错！给你多一次机会。。。
在线听众：那一定是尼罗河江！！
哈哈！超无知的笨蛋，真丢人现眼！不就是汨罗江吗？？！！

可惜可悲呀！
好一个投江自尽，依然改变不了君主的昏庸
而后人，却无知于您的悲愤，
却笑您的
痴

然而，粽子飘香的季节里，在缅怀前人中，
我是快乐的
我是幸福的
我是自足的

Confession of Self-Inflict Poseur

2007-06-16T21:40:00.000+08:00

itunes: Sarah McLachlan, Rarities, B-Sides, And Other Stuff (1996)

I have decided to give Mattew Barney's Drawing Restraint No.9 showing at National Museum tonight a miss, even though I have reserved the tickets in advance a month ago. I anticipated the movie eagerly and the soundtrack by Bjork is pretty cool. It was until I read the bad reviews (well, I'm not impressed/convinced by the good reviews too). One of the worst critics that I have read: it will be a hard time to figure out the perplexing plot.

Excerpts from the film: A Japanese woman delicately wraps a series of relics into beautiful packages. Bjork waits for the boat. Mattew Barney waits for a boat. They board a ship. Bjork takes a bath with some oranges. Barney gets a bad shave. They ended up in very elaborate dresses. They have green tea. They end up falling in love and licking each other. They cut up each other's legs. They turn into whales. The end. There is not even a single dialogue except the green tea session.

Errrrmmmmmm......sounds interesting though, but my heart really turned cold. If it's laborous to understand something like a pair of human lovers turned into whales, perhaps personally I'm not up to this league yet. However, if there are more favourable conditions present, I would not mind spending 2 hours of my life to appreciate this piece of arty 'moving photographs'. I had a long day today, too tired to go thru another round of mental exhaustion and mind boggling. The show is at 9pm and the ordeal is 135mins, definitely past my bedtime. What if I fell asleep during the show or halfway thru I decide to walk out of it? That will be embarrassing and disrespecting to the director. Undeniably it's risks to music-nazi's reputed well being hehe. To be fair, I'm music-nazi, not cinema or arty-nazi.......

Fine fine, I admit......i'm fucking deep poseur this time.

Summertime

2007-06-10T16:38:00.000+08:00

itunes: Corinne Bailey Rae, Corinne Bailey Rae (2006)

Summertime and the livin is easy
Fish are jumpin and the cotton is high
Oh your daddys rich and your ma is good lookin
So hush little baby, dont you cry
One of these mornings
Youre goin to rise up singing
Then you'll spread your wings
And you'll take the sky
But till that morning
Theres a nothin can harm you
With daddy and mammy standin by
- DuBose Heyward & Ira Gershwin (1935)

This is one of my favourite jazz standards. A couple of simple words, yet able to bring out the laid-back feeling of summer. Here in Singapore, it's not easy to appreciate fully the beauty of summer cos it is hot and humid all year round. Looking at the sky above, clusters of bright white clouds with the solid blue background, seems palpable so much so one can simply reach out, hold it in both hands and feel its existence.....

Childhood Deprival

2007-06-09T06:37:00.000+08:00

itunes: Rufus Wainwright, Release The Stars

Look at the toy cars that the kids rode. See how they enjoy themselves. This is my childhood regret and deprival. My parents have never once let me ride on it before, despite of my repetitive requests. I can still remember vividly that the reasons they use. These rides are expensive and not worthwhile, a couple of dollars for a few minutes of ride. As a young boy, the joy of riding an auto mobile toy car is surely alluring, particularly in those days, remote controlled cars are a hell of expensive. These toy cars have huge battery embedded within, come with a accelerator pedal and a steering wheel. You can imagine how fun it can be :OP But nowadays I noticed that the accelerator pedal no longer exists, it's the parents who use the wireless remote controller to manoeuver the car. What a shame!

Have you ever own a die-cast toy cars from Matchbox? Definitely durable and hardy, there is no way for me to ask for another new one, unless it's my dad's year end bonus day or I deliberately rolled and pushed it under some dark narrow corners that my mum has difficulties retrieving. Hehe

Whatever it is, Matchbox toy car is not really my cup of tea, in fact I'm more fascinated with heavy-duty industrial machines like bulldozers, excavators, cranes and tractors. Even now, I never fail to stop and admire whenever I see them. Later years, my dad has once given me a remote controlled bulldozer (not wireless in those days), thrilled of moving it forward and backward, lifting the blade and ripper, especially running it on a patch of sand land. FUN FUN FUN. Unfortunately, the remote control failed after playing awhile and yet I'm still happy to play with it manually. Haha

Sigh, those were the days....

妙言绝句

2007-06-02T07:34:00.000+08:00

itunes: Zero 7, Simple Things (2001)

那天在公司和同事商讨如何解决前人所遗留下来的烂摊子，讨论却顿时遇到了一个死角，不知如何继续。我突然有感而发，随口说了这些话：

俗语说：前人种树，后人乘凉。
我说呀：前人种错树，后人晒太阳！

结果，大家听后笑到东歪西倒，频频说妙，绝！
哈哈，没想到我随口所说的话竟然成了妙言绝句！

Pirates of the Crap-ibbean: At Wits' End

2007-05-31T17:15:00.000+08:00

itunes: Simply Red, Simplified (2006)

I simply cant believe of what I saw for the tedious 2 hours and 45 minutes is a total crap. The only consolation is I'm amazed that I did not doze off and my patience is quite substantial to last me to the final scene (oh yes, there is one last 3 mins scene after the lengthy credits, dun bother to watch if you are rushing off or dying to leave your cinema seat cos you dun miss much anyway.)

The opening scene is absolutely redundant. Mass singing pirates at the gallows have nothing to do with saving Jack Sparrow.

Indeed I find it enjoyable to watch the 1st 30 minutes of how the gang went to Captain Sao Feng to get/steal the map in order to rush and save Jack Sparrow. I thought this should catapulted the show into a higher intensity. Never knew that when Jack Sparrow appeared, in the next an hour or so, the movie collapsed into a merely boring mass feud plot, as if they were playing some kind of a betrayal musical chair game. Though not boring to make audience walk out of the threatre, I guess the main reason we saw big money have been spent well on everything except the script of this movie.

As expected in most Hollywood blockbusters, it is inevitable to have a great kissing scene between the leading actor and actress. I would say the one in this installment is as stale as the love scene between Queen Amidala and Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Episode II. The scene is so draggy that you can close your eyes and yet have sufficient time to relax them altogether.

Tia Dalma promised Davy Jones (Calypso's lover) that once the sea goddess Calypso is freed from her body, Calypso will wipe out everyone at sea with her cruelty, vengeance and power unleased. For that moment, I thought the movie will once again lift to the closing climax with a big monster. What a turn off, I feel cheated of my money really. Upon the release curse is said, you will see Tia Dalma merely grown so huge in size (surprising the ship did not sink at all), let out some disturbing screams to lead audience on, and eventually collapse into millions and millions of crabs, yes it's crabs, pouring into the sea, that's all. Not even a single sight of Calypso. To make thing worse, Will Turner even told her that it's Davy Jones who betrayed her initially that leads to her confinement within Tia Dalma's body, it seems that Calypso did not take any revenge at all, which I expect she would. Damn fucking redundant character and plot here.

Davy Jones and his flying dutchman is another disappointment. He emerged as a powerful character in Part 2 but in this parter, he behaves like any other ordinary human being under the threats from Lord Cutler Beckett. Yeah he did some human-like rebel towards the end but his death is just simply too predictable and straight forward. Isn't he suppose to be mighty and strong? Why is he so vulnerable here? What an insult to this significant role!!!

Unless you are a die-hard fan of this series, else for any other amateur audience, I would suggest you to keep a score card to keep track of everyone and what they did in the past. If not, this lengthy bore will be reduced further to a mere confusion and more flash than content. No wonder the cinemas held Pirates of the Crap-ibbean marathon shows prior to the screening of this instalment, a fresher course for audience like us.

There are tell tale signs throughout this movie saying this is a crap show. Millions of crabs appear to move Jack Sparrow's ship to the beach so that the gang can get to him easily. The other one will be the disintegration of Tia Dalma, full of crabs (or full of craps? haha) as well.

After all, the film looks gorgeous; this is one of those movies where you can see its entire budget laid out before you onscreen. The sets are stunning, the water looks beautiful (of cos thanks to Bahamas Tourism Board) and the framing of all the shots gives the film a sense of grand scale. The most impressive scene will be when Sparrow, Barbossa, and Swann walking down a beach to the final ship to ship battle.

Listen to my advice, bring in more tibits and bedtime pillows, take more toilet breaks dun torture your poor bladder and kidneys, or ipod or PSP if you have one.....haha

Mum and Dad

2007-05-29T20:11:00.000+08:00

itunes: Stevie Wonder, Ballad Collection (1999)

My mum had a fall from the ladder last Sunday. It was really my fault, I should have put the pair of shoes on the rack in the storeroom myself. I rushed to the direction where the crushing sound came, and there I saw her sitting on the floor, obviously in pain agony. At that instant, I was in deep shit remorse, why should I let the elderly frail lady do the job despite when she volunteered??!! I really hate myself for taking her for granted, for she always there for me and never fail to answer whenever I need anything. Fortunately, she was able to get up without much assistance, much to my relieve, no broken hips. For the rest of the evening, I was worry-strickened as she cant hardly move her body well, apparenetly still in pain even after my dad help to apply medicated oilments over the affected area. I woke up several times in the night, walked over to her room and see if she was all right, only going back to sleep when I knew she was sleeping soundly. Come to think of it, this is what my mum did when I was a little boy, running temperature the whole night.

In fact, I have not taken a good look of my aging parents all these while until one day when I suddenly realised how much they have grown old nowadays. Subconsciously, I keep having the younger image of them when I was young. I tried to recall when was the last time they nagged at me, the last time my bad-tempered father lost his temper, the last time I was disciplined with a cane, the last time I hug and hold onto them like candy, I simply cant remember at all. They see me through my growing up stages, but now I was so busy with my own life that I didnt even notice, and even neglect that they really have aged so much.

I grew up in a family that were conservative that no affection are openly displayed within the house. I guess my parents believe actions speak louder than words, and I know they love me and my sister dearly. Likewise, there are so many times that I wanted to thank them for the small errands they run for me, but I just cant even bring myself to say, let alone to express how much I love them vocally. Which is why nowadays I prefer to stay at home, even on weekends. Even though I stay in my own room most of the time, I know my parents are glad and contented that their child is keeping them company at home, they would occasionally pop their heads into my room, start some small talks like: wanna a slice of water melon?, urging me to adjust the blinds if the sun is too glaring, what I would like to eat for dinner?.....Sometimes, in the middle of the night, I would pop over to their bedroom on my way to the toilet to see if they are okay and sound asleep. I just want to convince myself that my wild imagination is unfounded. What really bothers me is that I cant help but to worry that they may just gone the next morning one day. Every year as my parents aged, I'm getting more insecure over their wellbeing. I dunno how different my life will be should I lose any one of them.....which I know it's inevitable one day.....

Anyway, the doctor confirmed that mum just suffered from some hip muscles injury, not the fearful bone fructure. Guess what? My mum wakes up at 430am every morning and when my alarm rang at 6am this morning, the whole house was in total darkness and I grew panicky, jumped out of my bed and hurried to my mum's bedroom. What a relief! She was still sound asleep. Ya, rest well and recover fast, mum!

Have you ever ask yourself how much time you have spent with your aging parents? Have you ever notice what they have been doing at home even since they retired? Have you ever take a closer look at them, how much they have aged? Have you ever neglect their pair of mellow loving eyes, looking at you now is exactly the same way as when they coaxed you to sleep when you are little toddler? Ask yourself....

No Music No Life 05/2007

2007-05-25T21:50:00.000+08:00

itunes: Bjork, Volta (2007)

BLAST, BLAST, BLAST, my CD budget for this month busted!!!
The list of CDs that I have bought in May 2007:

Bjork, Volta (2007)
Normal Edition

Bjork, Volta (2007)
Limited Edition
Release of the month. That's all I can say. She never failed to impress and surpise her fans even after the 2 experimental Medulla and Drawing Restraint 9. In Volta, she has returned to shouts and volume that we fans find a sense of comfort belonging and recognition. This is truly Bjork! I bought the 2 versions, the normal edition for listening and the sealed limited edition for collection, like I usually did for all her previous releases. The most amazing thing is a friend who hates her all these years, bought this album willingly after sampling it. That's great is not it?

Tori Amos, American Doll Posse (2007)
I used to love her like I love Bjork. However, listening to her last 2 albums is really exhausting. It's not because Tori has failed as a singer songwriter, I was thinking if she has moved on to a realm that I can hardly connect with or am I losing patience at these over 20-tracks albums? That explain why I have not listened to this after buying it a week ago.

Thievery Corporation, The Cosmic Game (2005)
I bought this because of the sale at HMV. Until just now I realised it was a Taiwanese pressed CD, damn really got ripped off. An EU pressed version usually cost a third more. I thought I got the best deal for the EU pressed, sigh. Nevertheless, this completes the discography of my favourite electronica duo.

Various Artists, Motown Remixed (2005)
This CD was selling at 50% at Borders and I bought it out of curiousity on how Motown old hits can be transformed into remix versions. Sounds chilled out, groovy and contemporary yet retain the good essence of the oldies, especially Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On.

黃大煒, Passion (2007)
This is my favourite chinese rocker. He has been in the scene for more than 15 years, produced acclaimed but never hit albums, quite a pity. His love ballads have never failed to enchant me with a sense of tranquility in the midst of his raw deep vocal and emotional delivery. I just love him.

雷光夏, 黑暗之光 (2007)
This indie female folk vocalist used to do soundtrack production as a full time job before turning into full time artist. Hence her folky albums always have cinematic feel and in additional to her poem-like lyrics, it's truly a different treat in enjoying folk music.

松田聖子, Eternal II (2006)
If it's not because Seiko has been my favourite Japanese idol since the 80s, I would not have bought this album from ebay. This is the follow up remake album to Eternal which was released in 1991. As much as she speaks with an American slang, somehow she sounded weird when she remake old hits like How Deep Is Your Love and Time After Time.....

Kahimi Karie, Kahimi Karie (1998)
This is the album that have been on my wantlist for years, until I spotted it on ebay at a very cheap price. The debut album of this Japanese singer based in Paris, is a solid mix of her wispy little-girl vocal with Shibuya-Kei and Bossa Nova genre, delivered in both English and French. The good thing is she sounded so much better than her fellow native, Seiko in Eternal II.

大塚愛, 愛 Am Best (2007)
One of the top female singer songwriter in the current Japanese pop scene, able to write and produce her albums. Well, this is her first best of album since she debuted in 2003.

Below is the list of CDs that contributed to the bust of my CD budget this month. A moving out sale of a CD shop put up a 3 CDs for $12 promotion, with such good deals, I would not give it a miss at all haha.

The Cardigans, Super Extra Gravity (2005)
Limited Edition with Bonus DVD
This CD is in my wantlist but I do not want to pay full price for it. So I'm really thrilled to see it on sale, I grabbed and hold it hard in hand the moment I laid my eyes on it. Comparing to their fun hit album, Life in the 90s, this is definitely a more tone down, mature and serious work. I love the track "Losing A Friend" and "I Need Some Fine Wine And You, Need To Be Nicer"

Sarah McLachlan, Remix Album (2005)
The remix album of her so-so Afterglow. Anyway, 3 CDs for $12, who cares right?

Stevie Wonder, Ballad Collection (1999)
Never own a Wonder CD at all. This is the good time to jump start of owning the music of this great artist.

Luis Miguel, Grandes Exitos (2005)
My favourite latino male in the music industry. His Romance and Romances albums are so captivating. This double discs best of compilation, should worth keep for.

Steely Dan, Everything Must Go (2003)
What more to say? It's Steely Dan!!! Really have to thank my ex gym instructor for introducing this jazz funk rock duo to me.

Nursery in office

2007-05-20T16:16:00.000+08:00

itunes: Alana Davis, Surrender (2005)

This is the IT dept of my company, a few floors above mine. Take a good look at these pictures, I risked my reputation and career just to have them in my blog here hehe. At first, I assume this workstation is some kind of a makeshift nursery for the IT staff, well, I'm wrong obviously. It belongs to the admin lady for this department. Gosh, whoever up there please pardon me for saying this, she's a plumb, long haired ugly woman in her 40s, probably been stuck in this position for centuries. Since she dun see herself moving on, might as well 'doll' up the whole place. Her role must be damn free, else who would bother to decorate the workplace into a nursery???!!!!!

See what dangles from the ceiling, strings of hearts (plastic ones somemore).

Well well well, this is the ultimate!! An aquarium for upkeep.

Hehehe evil evil thoughts, maybe I should sneak in during weekends, set fire to the hearts, pour hot coffee into the aquarium and polka dots Piglet, Tigger and Pooh with black marker. Haha that will be nice.....I think I'm too stressed up with work......

101th blog: The Persistence of Memory

2007-05-19T22:50:00.000+08:00

itunes: Bjork, Volta (2007)

Didnt realised that I have posted my 100th blog nearly 2 weeks ago. It has been a year since I started out last April. I'm quite pleased with myself that I can actually lasted so long. I wrote my first diary when I was 21 and being at this significant age, I told myself that I must document my everyday thoughts and affairs just for that year. Shamefully speaking, the plan did not last long, I stopped after couple of weeks. I was young man then, obviously did not have as much patience and determination as I can now, a mature man.

I'm a person who seldom look back, it just give me creeps. Particularly when old friends start bringing old memories out, these good old things just give me goose pimples. I dunno why I'm like that. Perhaps it reminds me of how old I am and see how time flies and given such a time speed, there are still many things unaccomplished and unfulfilled. Life is short, is not it? So it's best to keep eyes looking forward, but not forgetting experiences and lessons learnt from the past.

This oil painting, La persistencia de la memoria (1931) or The Persistence of Memory by artist Salvador Dalí well reflects my thoughts on old time memories. As time melts and flows by, it impresses anxiety and in a certain way, terror. Yeah, the anxiety of uncertainties lying ahead of my life and terror, I'm afraid of getting old, without realising it.

This question has always in my mind, how does it like to be on one's death bed, holding the last breath of air on earth? What will I see? What will I think? How would I feel?

http://unit.bjork.com/specials/albums/volta/

2007-05-08T20:20:00.000+08:00

itunes: 古内東子, Cashmere Music (2005)

Bjork is here.....07-05-07 worldwide

"Things We Can Learn From A Dog"

2007-05-07T21:36:00.000+08:00

itunes: 黃大煒, Passion (2007)

This is the look of my work station in the new office. No more room for me. But that's all right for me. I went up to the our head corporate office once and noticed the Treasury Finance Director sat in a open cubicle, worse of all, at the corner of the T-junction of the walkways in the office. At least, my consolation is that my place situates at the end of the room, hence no one will walk behind my PC screen and look at what I'm doing. More privacy for time-off surfing and MSN chats during office hours hehe.

Take a look at the spot marked by the yellow circle. That's the position of the "dog inspired" poster. It was put up by our Assistant GM, just outside her work station cubicle. My colleagues joked that this message must be meant for us to read, else she would have put it faced inwards, right? They refused to read the details and discouraged me from doing so as well. They reckoned it's an insult to our intelligence when she actually want us to be inspired from the lessons learn from a dog. The underlying question is, is she trying to hint that we should act and slog for her like a dog? haha hmm I can smell some negative feelings towards her from some of my colleagues. Really must go gossiping and find out more tomorrow.......hehe

MINI Cooper

2007-05-05T14:18:00.000+08:00

itunes: Kahimi Karie, Kahimi Karie (1998)

Saw this pop-up advertisement on the wall of OUB Centre at Raffles Place after my gym session this morning. Impressive and innovative.

The Mini Cooper has been one of my favourite car on the road. Like a cheery English bulldog, it has a sleek, cute design and yet continues to pay homage to the Mini heritage. Yeah, I'm a sucker for sleek design person and as long as the whole car looks good moving down the street, I really care less much about the acceleration rate or the horsepower. Put it this way, what is the point of having a super fast and powerful car when there is a traffic light every 50m in the city? Hehehe

Hmmm talking about Mini reminds me of an incident at the Mini showroom last year. I was there with 2 friends to check out the prices of the entry-level model Mini One. That female sales executive gave us a nonchalant look and responded coldly that even though the COE prices plunged, the Mini prices will not because they are selling a lifestyle. Even if this is true, this bloody woman attitude really sucks to the core. She does not deserve to be in the service industry at all. If I'm seriously getting one on the spot, I will make sure she will not get a single cent of commission from the sale. Damn. Well, since I cant afford one, I just suffer the insult in silence....sob sob hehe. Come to think of it, if BMW and Benz's prices fluctuate in accordance to COE and they are selling a lifestyle as well, does Mini really justify its cost here?

Indeed, owning a car has been my dream, but to own a Mini or BMW is my aspiration. Anyway, what's there to dream and aspire when neither I have a driving licence nor can afford one? Not to mention, side effects like my carbon footprints and pollution a car may bring. Blah, blah, blah.....

No Music No Life 04/2007

2007-04-29T07:06:00.000+08:00

itunes: Imogen Heap, Speak For Yourself (2005)

The list of CDs that I have bought in April 2007:

Jennifer Lopez, Como Ama una Mujer (2007)
JLo is back with her first full Spanish album and a lot tone down from her Bennifier days and her previous English releases. A ballad-heavy album.

All Saints, Studio 1 (2006)
Never a big fan of All Saints, but they do have a couple of good songs in the past. I'm quite impressed with a few songs in this comeback album yet not willing to pay full price for it. So I got it from Yahoo Auctions at half the original price. No surprises in this album, if you like All Saints, you will love this. Try Rock Steady and Chick Fit.

Babel Gilberto, Momento (2007)
Fresh from the oven, released a couple of weeks ago. 3rd album from my favourite Bossa Nova latin artist. This album is less groovy electronica than her 2 previous ones and stay more strictly to her Bossa Nova acoustic roots. A smooth, light hearted listening CD, best to play when reading a book. Really hope to see her live at the Esplanade again.

More CDs for J-Pop collection:

徳永英明, Vocalist (2005)

徳永英明, Vocalist 2 (2006)
Remake of old hits by female artists from 70s - 00s by this Japanese rocker in 2005 and 2006 respectively. The orchestral and acoustic arrangement gives new life to these old hits. These 2 albums have been playing in my ipod everday since I bought the CDs.

松田聖子, Bless You (2006)
Forever idol from the big 80s idol era of the Jpop culture. Still remain popular and strong after 25 years in the scene. Beside the cutey pie image, she co-wrote and produced her own albums. Anyone who are into Jpop in the 80s will know who she is.

鈴木祥子, 水の冠 (1989)
Singer songwriter. Love the songs that she wrote for many female artists. Spotted it at the second hand cd shop at Marina Square, $13.95. Cheap for a rare CD like this.

森口博子, Best Of My Life (1995)
A idol from the 90s.

辛島美登里, Ever Green (1999)
One of my favourite singer songerwriter. Still in the process of collecting her 10 year-old discography. This is the limited edition of her best hits album. I always love the Japanese CD packaging.

These last 2 CDs are of with compliments of YL who bought it at the second hand CD shop in Tokyo. Arigatou....

Stability and Security

2007-04-28T07:22:00.000+08:00

itunes: 徳永英明, Vocalist 2

It's finally weekend!!
Looking back, it has been smooth sailing the first week into my new job. Despite my new boss dropped the bomb in my first hour on Monday, the mess is not as bad as I expected it to be. For a while I thought I jumped from one shit hole into another. Phew! What a relief!

My priority now is to clean up the mess in the last financial year, set up new procedures and controls and consolidate the reportings. My boss warned me of the noises that will come everyday and he advised me that I should ignore them for the time being, learn and do my work at my own pace. This is really comforting. By the second day, I have been receiving calls and emails, reminding and nagging of the unsolved unsettled issues and problems. I guess these are the 'noises' my boss referred to. Whatever it is, as much as I take pains to clear them, there are some that required a lot of firefighting. Seriously speaking, I do not mind it at all, as long as the problems are not 'fossilised' ones and my bosses giving me the support I need. This is why I find my new job challenging

Another thankful thing is I have a committed account assistant and even the temp staff who takes her own initiative at work. This definitely has made my life and work so much easier. I know there are some unhappiness they have voiced out to me and of cos my role is to support them by smoothen out any barriers they faced (haha that's explained the firefighting on the frontline on my side). Nevertheless, I'm really happy to see such good working relationship developed at the start.

Nothing more to comment about my bosses and colleagues, except hearing some gossips about them from my 2 girls during lunchtime haha. Guess I really need to observe more of the people in my office. I dun mean to brag but I have never feel so motivated at work after all these years, the joy of firefighting to have things done on the right way, meeting and working with people across the group at different level and sites, straightening the wrong procedures and put in the right proper controls. As compared to all my previous jobs, I have never felt an organisation like this, so vibrant and alive that you even feel its heartbeat and breathing. I feel myself there with a vision and a goal to achieve (idealistically) and better perks (realistically) of cos hehe. On the softer side, given in the healthcare industry, it comes with a stronger social responsibilites than most profit-gearing organisations. That's what I like, it's like working hard to generate profits yet with an extra purpose, the role out to serve the community.

Most importantly, for the first time, I feel a sense of eventual settling down in my career, after floating around like a wandering ghost all these years. A job so much so that one just need to concentrate to do their duties well and rest assured that the company will do the rest and take good care of you and your family. There is career path and prospects which I can work towards within the group and I can even start planning for the future.

I guess this what most people called stability and it comes with a sense of security, just like home.

First Time Baker

2007-04-22T15:01:00.000+08:00

itunes: 平井堅, 歌バカ (2005)

Out of curiousity, I followed Ces to a bakery lesson 2 weeks ago to learn to bake a cake and a loaf of bread for the first time in my life. Just pay $36 to attend the class, at the end of it, one can bring home the product. See this website: http://www.phoonhuat.com/ It's a nice experience but the smell of dairy products used (like UHT milk and Millac Cream) really turn me off. Despite of that, I preferred to bake bread as less dairy product is used or maybe I should learn Chinese pastry or dim sum instead hehe yum yum....

The entrance to the baking class

The classroom

The columns of baking ovens

The recipe for the Swiss Carrot Walnut Hazelnut Cake

The recipe for the Walnut And Almond Sweet Roll Bread

Mixing the ingredients

The bread dough, yeast at work

Baking in progress

My finished product, not that bad eh? haha the cake and bread smells exceptionally great the moment they are out of the oven......

Farewell Gifts....with Regards

2007-04-22T10:07:00.001+08:00

itunes: 徳永英明, Vocalist 2 (2006)

Take a look of the farewell gifts I have received from my colleagues (errrmmm ex colleagues or should I say friends now? hehe).

The sales and marketing team bought me the pocket watch. Thanks to Ces who remember that I'm looking for a pocket watch. Hehe the one that I really want is the skeleton pocket watch. Yeah I know it costs more than a thousand dollars....guess I have to work harder to get it myself. There is a joke with the shopkeeper when they bought this watch. The old lady thought that they are giving it to someone old but when she knew that it was meant a young man like me, she insisted them to buy the swatch watch instead but what they want is the pocket watch which is less then $100. Reluctantly, she showed them this one which worse they bargained with her to reduce the price hahaha....

The girls, Mazlin and Aisha from documentation department and Karen bought me Robinson vouchers, great! I can spend it on Kiehl's products.

Each of my girls bought me: an Iceland Lonely Planet travel guide from Ailim (yes! Iceland here I come 2008!!), a Pierre Cardin tie from Ros and a Calvin Klein key chain from Jun.

Thanks you so much everyone. I'm grateful, so touched and overwhelmed by your kind thoughts and generosity. Thanks for the farewell lunch ladies from SL. I still owe u girls one dinner....

We will meet again.....

Nurse Syringe Attacks

2007-04-21T16:34:00.000+08:00

itunes: 徳永英明, Vocalist (2005)

This morning I went for the 3rd appointment at Alexandra Hospital for the 2nd blood sugar level test. I went for the pre-employment medical examination 3 weeks ago and it was found that the sugar level in my urine is slightly higher than average. I was referred to do a fasting blood test but the result was not satisfactory either. This is what I went thru today: The fasting glucose blood test. The procedure is simple. Just blood, concentrated glucose solution and blood.

0845 hrs, after waiting half and hour for my turn, a junior nurse took the first blood sample. The problem is she cant find any protuding blood vessels on my arm so she suggested to do it on my hand instead. Oh gosh, this is going to be painful, I protested. She promised she will use the finest needle. Whatever it is, do I have a choice? I turned my head away as she poked the needle into the skin of my right hand. Ouch, the pain level is slightly high and more acute than doing it on the arm. The tense and the anxiety had me feeling faint and my vision dimming. The nurse was worried to see me so pale and it took me another 15 minutes to recover.

0915 hrs, I drank the most concentrated glucose solution that I have in my entire life. The nurse suggested I should swallow in just 1 gulp but the problem is, the sweetness really hurts my throat. Really tough....yucks.

0915 - 1115 hrs, this is a long 2 hours wait before the next blood sample. I just sit on the couch and wait. In this 2 hours, I'm amazed that I can finish reading today's paper and complete 3/4 of my new April issue of national geographic mag before the same junior nurse ask for me again.

1115 - 1135 hrs, the darkest nightmare of my life starts. My poor left hand....sob sob. As the same procedure, she searched for the right spot on my left hand and apply alcohol on it. I turned my head away as she inserted the needle into my skin. I was too innocent to think it will be over fast. I felt the needle moved forward and back under my skin, I feel the acute pain whenever the needle made the thrust. I tried to relax my tensed up arm and hand, thinking it may relief the pain and discomfort. Well, it does not help at all. This is when I heard the voice of another nurse near me. Yes she is here to help the junior nurse. I can try to avoid seeing the actions taken, but their discussion really freaked me out. Unable to find the blood vessel, they pull the syringe out, insert again and start searching frantically for the blood source. Hello ladies, I need both of you stressed and panicked but do you know how painful are these actions??? I really feel like screaming out to them. Eventually, one of them said, got it. I was relieved and within a short time, the needle was out and I thought the ordeal is over. The bad news is, the nurse told me apologically that the blood stream stopped before they can fill up the syringe. I almost fainted upon hearing that. Hmm but surprisingly I dun look at pale at all, according to the nurse. Yeah, this is when the head nurse came to our rescue upon hearing our commotion. She took a look at my hand and within 1 - 2 minutes, my nightmare is over. What a BIGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG relief!!!

1135 - 1215 hrs, I went to the canteen to break my fast, had a bite before they called me to see the doctor for result review. The doc is kind enough to tell me that there are good news and bad news. The good news is my previous 2 test results shows that I have been doing well in my diet and hence they are consistent. However, I failed the 2 hour glucose test because the insulin in my body failed to breakdown the concentrated glucose that I have taken before the test. The sugar level in my blood is double of the one I had earlier in the morning. Therefore, he diagnoised me as diabetic.

Now, that's really bad news. I have cut sugar and carbohydates to the minimum these few years and yet I'm not spared of diabetes. I asked the doctor if my pancreas is failing and he reckoned that my condition may have started only recently and there is no need to be alarmed. There is no medication to improve the functionality of the pancreas and all I need to do is to loose some kgs and continue my healthy diet. No medication is required, that's indeed a consolation hehe. He suggested I should go for a more detail check on this concern 3 months later. Yeah, I better go to the private hospital for a second opinion. In the meantime, I continue to do what I need to do. Probably I may start taking chinese medicine to regulate as I know there are some herbs which will strengthen the pancreas.

My Farewell Today

2007-04-20T06:09:00.000+08:00

itunes: Illumination, This is Illumination (2002)

Now the time is 6am as I'm blogging this. Woke up half an hour ago, cant go back to sleep, so I decide to on the computer and blog. Today is my last day with my current company. The feeling is mixed, I'm feeling happy and eager to leave and yet at the same time feeling uncertain but excited of what lies ahead in my new job. Sounds contradicting right? haha well, it's human nature to contradict anyway.

The handing over this week has been smooth and I should be able to wrap everything up by today. My replacement is a gracious nice French lady, Nathalie, finance but not accounts trained, who is on a project basis until end of this year when the merger completes. She will be in charged solely on the reporting and the accounts can leave to the girls. If the girls are able to function operatonally on their own, she may leave before year end. That's what my boss told her. As much as I want to influence her that the job scope goes beyond reporting, I know once I'm gone, most of my work will go to the girls. Nevertheless, I see this is a good opportunity for the girls to learn to work more independently and once they understand and able to manage a full set of accounts, they can move on too. Hope they can take this positively.

All right, got to head to the shower. Need to go into the office early to clear some of the last few outstandings. I really hope today will not be an emotional farewell.....

Ces' Farewell

2007-04-15T21:00:00.000+08:00

itunes: Duncan Sheik, Phantom Moon (2001)

My colleague Ces' last day was on Friday. Exactly a week before mine.
Despite of that, I still felt a bit restless and down. I cant help but to think by tomorrow when I step into the office, she will no longer at her seat but her replacement instead. Kinda mixed and lost feeling. If should I have such a feeling, the rest of our lunch group must have been feeling even worse. Yeah, there goes one bubbly mate and by end of next week, the cheerful one (that's me hehe) will be gone as well. Sigh.....I really feel sorry for the rest of the guys.

Yeah, Ces started to tear and cry in the final hour and yet I still have the heart to laugh at her. Not that I'm heartless, I have been thru it when I left my first job. I dun blame her since this is her first job too. After years of working life, I tend to get a bit supersitious about doing farewell for leaving colleagues. Usually, we will end up losing contact after a while. Therfore, doing farewell are for those whom I know I will delete their contacts the day after they are gone for good.

How frustrating, my office buddies Randy & KC kept asking me repeatedly every now and then if I will miss them and if I will still keep in contact with them after I leave. I refuse to answer that question and I see no reason to commit that as well. Seriously I really hate those pretentious colleagues whom I dun really know too well or whom I dun really want to know too well, came and say goodbye on my last day and keep insisting you to promise them to stay in contact. Yeah do I really know you well? Yeah are you worthy enough to let me take extra effort to remember you? Randy & KC, pardon me for saying that: I dun answer stupid questions. You guys already know the answer, right?

Whatever it is, a matter of fact is if we are going to be friends thereafter, I do not see the point to say or organise anything special at all. There will be chances to meet up later on anyway....

This coming week it's my turn to hand over. I will be as busy as a teacher bee hehe. Hope the girls will not cry on my last day. Well well, it's good thing one able to move on. I'm really looking forward to the new challenge and new career ahead.

Ces, if you are reading this, I wish you all the very best in your new job tomorrow and I see you sometime this week for Mark & Sharon's birthday dinner. I certainly hope they will be able to follow suit real soon.

Azabu Sabo

2007-04-08T14:58:00.000+08:00

itunes: 徳永英明, Vocalist (2005)

Check the Hokkaido ice cream from this shop out at Marina Square. What really interests me is the Green Tea & Red Bean flavour, a very classic Japanese flavour. The red bean paste bits blend in extremely well with the Green Tea, this in fact save the overall taste of this flavour because the base is a bit too milky which somehow dilute the green tea fragrance. If compare to Scoopz (see blog Scoopz Ice Cream), I think it's still inferior. Scoopz's green tea ice cream though not as milky as this, it does retain a slight milky taste which compliments the strong green tea smells even without the presence of red bean.

Logically speaking, in a green tea ice cream, the green tea should be the main role and milk which act as a base, should be less rich, just like Scoopz. Other brands like Haagen Daz, Andersen or in this case, Azabu Sabo, the milk has become the lead instead, therefore it should be called Green Tea-flavour milk ice cream because the focus is on the richness of the milk, not green tea.

Nevertheless, I did not try the rest of the flavours of this shop, I think it should not differ much from most of the ice creams found in Singapore.

Dust to Dust, Ashes to Ashes

2007-04-02T19:57:00.000+08:00

itunes: Jennifer Lopez, Como Ama Una Mujer (2007)

Finally, I have given my bosses my final decision this morning. Indeed, I'm leaving the company. My MD looks okay and he only commented that there will no one else to take over my position as the assistants are too junior. I just smiled and kept quiet. What do you expect me to say? Do you think I really care? Even if I do care, what more can I do? My FD, on the other hand, reacted differently. He begun to say what he said last Monday (it's in D-Day Aftermath blog). Ya, he felt I got them into deep shit and he even commented sarcastically that I may not even care about these since I'm leaving. What a big bitter lemon!!! So I guess he never really meant what he said during the persuasion session last Friday. Now he wants to come back next week and check my work, sigh! Think of how much trust he has for me and how pleased he is for my work he said last week, this is really a 180 degree change of behaviour.

Seriously I dun blame them. This is a real business world, in reality we all fight for our interests. As much as they want to protect their interests, I have mine to pursue as well. Since I'm calling it quits, I just play along with what's in the contract, be professional and no other feelings attached. Similarly, if they dun need my service, they would simply retrench me that's all. Under such circumstance, who would feel bitter and sour? So, it's just a vice versa arms length transaction that's all. A good friend of mine, Philip has always said this: one must leave the company as a winner, not a loser. I agree with him wholeheartedly. I may emerge as a winner now but I still hope for my bosses' blessing of my resignation.

Whatever it is, at last for now the aftermath is over and tsunami subsides, it's just dust to dust, ashes to ashes....

No Music No Life 03/2007

2007-03-31T23:16:00.001+08:00

itunes: 椎名林檎×斎藤ネコ, 平成風俗 (2007)

Hmmm this month I'm overspent on CDs, budget busted. Since a HK friend of mine is coming for a vacation, I might as well get him to help to bring some over as Japanese CDs are cheaper in HK. Come to think of it, I have been 'shopping' quite extensively on the yahoo auction and ebay hehe. I spent nearly an hour in HMV Hereen browsing and sampling the new releases. Looks like there are a couple of them I might want to buy, but to prevent buying compulsively, I think I better have a priority want-list first. Seems the budget for April is going to bust, another friend is going Japan for a holiday this coming Wednesday. Yeah!! yeah!! More J-pop in Mar and Apr 07, banzai!! hehe....

The list of CDs that I have bought in March 2007:

Imogen Heap, Speak For Yourself (2005)
Heard of Frou Frou? She is the vocalist of this part-time project. Their one and only electronic album Detail is good, released in 2003. Anyway, her solo effect does have some electronic influence which fuses into the main alternaive pop/rock genre. It's a kind of album that will create an instant hit to the first time listeners. Glad that she was norminated as Best New Artist in 2007 Grammys but did not get it. Yeah the award went to Carrie Underwood instead.

Grover Washington Jr, Winelight (1980)
Needless to say more, this is one of the finest album of this R&B-influenced jazz artist. A must have!!

Cynthia M, Bistro Blue (2005)
I was at L'Occitane, heard the songs they played and this is how I came to know about this album. Amazing right? This is a French standards with Jazz flavour, inspired by the cafes of Paris in the 1920s, performed by this independent artist.

潘越雲, 相思已是不曾閒 (1985)
This is re-release of one of the greatest female vocalist in the Taiwanese Folk-era in 70/80s. I bought this album because of 1 song "浮生千山路", beautiful lyrics by a renounced poet, still mesmerising me after all these years.

陳綺貞, 快樂的夏天(男生版) (2006)
陳綺貞, 快樂的夏天(女生版) (2006)
This is the last single released by this indie Taiwanese female rocker in 2006. Limited edition, came in 2 different versions, for boys and for girls respectively. The single in each version are of different songs as well. Not found in Singapore so I get my HK friend to buy from HK. I'm so lucky, last piece for each. Guess I'm not going to open them at all, just for collection only.

ケミストリー, All The Best (2006)
I have been eyeing this CD of the Japanese R&B duo since its release. Double disc + a live DVD. I'm not really interested in the DVD and hence not willing to pay full price for it. Eventually I got it at 50% price from Yahoo Auction Singapore. Good deal!

早見優, Yu "Single A" Best Collection (1987)
Bought this over ebay for collection. One of the popular female cutie idols from the great Jpop idol-era in the 80s. Now she's an established TV presenter.

中森明菜, 歌姬 Best (2007)
Initially I have no intention of getting this CD at all cos I owned 歌姬1,2 & 3 albums, these CDs contain covers of old hits. However I bought this because it contains the remake of the famous beautiful "いい旅日立ち" originally by 山口百恵 in the late 70s.

竹内まりや, Request (1987)
竹内まりや, Viva Mariya! (1990)
Bought these 2 cds over yahoo auction HK. A female singer-songwriter who has written many hits for a couple of teens idols in the 80s, including 中森明菜. I like her folky and yet laidback music style, very soothing to the ears.

椎名林檎×斎藤ネコ, 平成風俗 (2007)
I decided to buy this after sampling it at HMV yesterday. The first album of this acclaimed alternative female rocker in 4 years. To my surprise, this album slightly moved away from her basic rock essence to a more broadway orchestral arrangement (working with conductor 斎藤ネコ), yet retaining her alternative base. Not to be missed!! I love it very much!!

Talented men leave. Dead wood doesn't.

2007-03-31T07:26:00.000+08:00

itunes: Ed Harcourt, The Beautiful Lie (2006)

Oh yes, talking about moving on, I received an forwarded email from my leaving colleague which I find it meaningful. The nonchalance attitude of my boss towards the happenings in office has a direct influence of the employee behaviours. No more controls, no respect of rules and system, excerising of double standards, old staffs taking advantage of their seniority. Like Mark, that's what I got for the new company: prestigious group, good HR policies and benefits. I just hope that this is not the kind of boss that I'm heading for. Read below:

WHY EMPLOYEES LEAVE ORGANISATIONS ? - Azim Premji, CEO- Wipro

Every company faces the problem of people leaving the company for better pay or profile.

Early this year, Mark, a senior software designer, got an offer from a prestigious international firm to work in its India operations developing specialized software. He was thrilled by the offer.

He had heard a lot about the CEO. The salary was great. The company had all the right systems in place employee-friendly human resources (HR) policies, a spanking new office,and the very best technology, even a canteen that served superb food.

Twice Mark was sent abroad for training. "My learning curve is the sharpest it's ever been," he said soon after he joined.

Last week, less than eight months after he joined, Mark walked out of the job.

Why did this talented employee leave ? Mark quit for the same reason that drives many good people away.

The answer lies in one of the largest studies undertaken by the Gallup Organization. The study surveyed over a million employees and 80,000 managers and was published in a book called "First Break All The Rules". It came up with this surprising finding:

If you're losing good people, look to their immediate boss .Immediate boss is the reason people stay and thrive in an organization. And he 's the reason why people leave. When people leave they take knowledge,experience and contacts with them, straight to the competition.

"People leave managers not companies," write the authors Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman.

Mostly manager drives people away? HR experts say that of all the abuses, employees find humiliation the most intolerable. The first time, an employee may not leave,but a thought has been planted. The second time, that thought gets strengthened. The third time, he looks for another job.

When people cannot retort openly in anger, they do so by passive aggression. By digging their heels in and slowing down. By doing only what they are told to do and no more. By omitting to give the boss crucial information. Dev says: "If you work for a jerk, you basically want to get him into trouble. You don't have your heart and soul in the job."

Different managers can stress out employees in different ways - by being too controlling, too suspicious,too pushy, too critical, but they forget that workers are not fixed assets, they are free agents. When this goes on too long, an employee will quit - often over a trivial issue.

Talented men leave. Dead wood doesn't.

D-Day Aftermath - Warm Gentle Wave

2007-03-31T06:37:00.000+08:00

itunes: Cocco, ベスト+裏ベスト+未発表曲集 (2001)

My FD finally left for Hong Kong yesterday. I suppose his trip this time has been good for him, most of the big issues have been solved and finalised. I feel contented and glad too, at least for now the accounts are spick and span, thereafter, with proper controls and good practice in place, there will not be any more problems. Yeah, really a good time for me to move on now.

After lunch we had a brief meeting with the girls, my FD explained the current situation and the new plans for the new setup so they know what to expect in the next coming months. Technically speaking, all will be status-quo until end of the year. By 1st Jan 2008, everyone will be part of the new setup (which is the subsidary of the new parent company). Knowing that the girls are too shy and reserved to ask him any questions, I raised a couple of questions that they might concern and my FD took pains to answer in details, particularly the salary revision part. The good thing about my FD is he is extremely opened about anything and he is not offended by any sensitive questions at all. The girls were happy after meeting but there is still a big question left unanswered, that's why my resignation status.

Should I leave or just stay on, since everything is in good shape now? I see the sincerity of my 3 bosses in asking me to stay, i see the warmth and good working relationship between me and my girls. I was so determined at the beginning but after these 2 days, I started to have second thoughts about moving on. Well, that's suppose to the good points of staying put. But the uncertainty that lies ahead, as much to my bosses' promises and new plans, I still do not have much faith about it, particularly what will happen after 1 Jan 2008. Till now, they are unable to have anything concrete. One of my girls asked a very good question during the meeting, she wondered if they will still report me after 1 Jan 2008, my FD said not sure cos I may be doing something else. This in fact coincide with my biggest concern, why arent they getting an replacement if I'm really gone? Does it mean that my position is of high risk because the new setup will not have rooms of 2 finance heads after the merger is completed? I do not see the point of asking this question cos even my suspicion is true, I'm sure my bosses will give me a political correct answer. Well, the other thing is I dun really like the shipping industry. It's messy cos the way of containers move is indefinitive, thus no matter how good the controls are, should anyone make an error, the finance will have a hard time rectifying it. I'm not saying that the rest of the industries are not messy but the fact that most of the industries have quite a standard way of processes, even when there are errors, it's still easy to trace and solve once you understand the processes well.

My new job offer not only the stability, better pay and benefits, what attracts me most is the ERP system, SAP. I never had a big name under my belt in the resume, this hugh healthcare group will definitely make my resume looks brighter. Most importantly, there's room for my career development, which I'm willing to accept an assistant Finance manager position. Comparably, my existing company do not have such a career path, because the French still would want their own people as the management team. My thought is such that, by taking a small step back now and there's a bigger chance of a leap in the future, so it's still worth taking the small sacrifice now. All I need is to prove myself that's I'm a valued employee of the organisation, right?

I should move on....moving on to greater things in life, even though there are still good things that left behind, but I'm optimistic about what lies ahead.

D-Day Aftermath - Tsunami Wave

2007-03-28T19:23:00.000+08:00

itunes: 張懸, My Life Will... (2006)

My boss asked me how my decision was this morning. I told him frankly that I have decided to move on. He smiled and went on, blah blah blah, the same old stories he said on Monday and last Friday (see my 2 previous blogs). But this time, he mentioned 1 thing that was not said before: he needs time to look for replacement. This is as opposed to what he has been telling me that he is not getting any at all. I maintained my stand and said that this is an opportunity that I would not want to give it a miss. This new job will give me a regional exposure. I'm surprised that he can remember what he promised me during the interview a year ago. Well, now he still have the cheek and shamelessly make this same empty promise to me once again. Yeah, the exciting future and expansion plans for my role in the soon-to-merge new company and he can request my FD to involve me in regional responsibilities. You bloody liar!! So now I know that your earlier promise of regional role is a lie????!!! Can I presume that you have not made that request to my FD since the first day I joined? Before I forget, my FD was in the same interview session as us, does this make him a liar accomplice too????!!!

Oh gosh, he went on again, blah blah blah, the same old problems and stand he faced (see my 2 previous blogs too). But hey, he is back to the old reason again, now he reckoned he is not getting any replacement at all. BIG CONTRADICTION here. Deep in my heart I was wondering, by next month when I'm gone, you will still have to get someone to take over my job, if not how is the company going to operate without a finance guy????!!! I just kept quiet as he went on and on and on....eventually he stopped, smiled and suggested to me that I should take some more time to reconsider my decision. I looked into his eyes and said firmly a flat NO. He stirred a bit and his face changed but he maintained his cool and simply said coldly perhaps we should wait for my FD when he arrived tomorrow.

Sigh! Will it make a difference anymore? My decision is final. No point discussing anymore. As much as I want to wrap up and hand over my work amicably, I have a feeling that they are not going to let me go so easily. Perhaps they may start to threaten again or played some little political games, well I dunno....Nevertheless, I'm prepared for worst and by the end of my notice service, I shall be out of this bloody company and see no more of their nonsense.

By the way, before the end of the day, I heard a rumour indirectly from the biggest loudspeaker in the office. My boss is going to take legal action against me. HAHA what a joke! On what grounds can he sue me when I'm acting as per contract??!!! Yeah I shall cross my arm, wait and see....

Guess tomorrow there will be a even stronger 2nd tsunami wave coming......Buddha, Allah, Siva, Jesus, please save us......sighhhhh

D-Day Aftermath

2007-03-26T20:10:00.000+08:00

itunes: 玉置浩二, Present (2006)

My FD called me first thing in the morning and asked me why I wanted to resign. I repeated the same reason that I told my boss and he refused to accept it at all. He started to probe further if I have any other hidden reasons. As much as he tried to dig further, I maintained that I resign because I felt that I'm not suitable for the shipping industry. I told him this is a good time to go since most of the shit is cleared and the audit is over. He claimed that how can it be a good time when there are still a lot of outstandings for me to clear. He kept emphasising that I will get them into big trouble but he never mentioned what was that. Wait wait, think about it, when they planned and transferred someone from France to station here, learn the ropes from the local commerical manager and then retrenched the local guy, how come they never consider is a big trouble for the commerical manager? I was thinking, when I tendered my resignation, that's your problem not mine anymore. Anyway, I cant think of any big outstanding items when most of the big things are cleared. So, what is he trying to say then?

Knowing that he cant convince me to withdraw my resignation, he moved on and told me how can I just resign and go when the company have spent time and money on me, like (I will always remember what he has listed) they paid me salary much higher than the industry, the recruitment fee incurred to get me in, the airtickets and accomodation paid when he was in town.....I just cant believe my ears and this really pissed me off. That's sound threatening to me, with that, I simply told him: "Let's be fair, I did put in my effort in my work as well." That shut him up totally. I dun wan to comment on the salary part as this is subjective but sure mine is not above the industry. Secondly, they let my predecessor messed up the accounts all these years and under the pressure from the new parent office, they have no choice but to create a new position that I'm in to do clearing up, so the recruitment fee is part of this exercise. Even they dun employed me, they will get someone else too. Finally, it is his responsibilities to oversee my work so it is inevitable to pay visits to Singapore office every now and then. So all these costs incurred because of me??? Pure ridiculous!! I just cant believe my own ears that he said such things. That's really petty. So that's implied that my efforts and contributions meant nothing at all, what is the point of clearing the mess for 10 months and now with such comments from him, all has gone down the drain.

He even warned me that even though I tendered my resignation, that does not mean I can stop doing what I'm suppose to accomplish. He said he will use the conditions in my employment contract if I defied to do anything from now on. Haha what a joke....what can he do to me? fire me or not paying my salary? Come on, let's face it, you cant stop me from leaving. Guess what his final words are? He reminded me to send him things that are due today. Sigh, I guess all they concern is just the outstanding things and nothing else. Sad is not it?

The moment I hang up my phone, the phone is my boss rang and within a moment, my boss came over and invite me to go to his room. Closing the door behind me, my boss adopted a different strategy, a 180 degree change in his attitude last Friday. He thinks that I sounded emotional when I tendered last Friday and now he wanted me to reconsider. He even suggested convincingly, since I'm already here for a while and since most of the things are cleared (hmm I tot there are still some more?), why not stay back until end of this year, clean up and do a complete closure for him. I can hand over the accounts to the new merged company and at the same time, trained one of the staff to take over my work since he has no intention to employ anyone if I really leave. So, by end of this year, he will not stop me from leaving if I still think I'm not suitable to this industry. I stared at him, said nothing and he went to admit that of cos this is much to his interests. In my heart, I said to myself, FUCK YOU, you only care for yourself. So the real picture is out, as much as I guess so, my position is not secured at all. Since he is not going to employ anyone if I leave, so even if I'm staying on or did not resign in the first place, I will be gone by year end when I helped him through this transition period. Why should I? You bloody liar! You painted such a beautiful picture to everyone on the merger and now all full of contradictions!!!

Well well, he can stage his own show and I will just played along. Out of respect, I agreed to think it over for another a few days. The answer will still be NO NO NO....over my dead body. Now I have seen the true faces of you bloody selfish French. I see thru you assholes, you started threatening me first, when this cant work, you take the soft approach. Both of you only concern in covering your own ass and merely need someone to clean up the mess you have ignored all this while. Well, you concerned of your future with this bloody company, and I have the right to concern of my future out of this bloody company!!! I'm so fed up with the mess and I'm now calling it QUIT!!!

D-Day

2007-03-23T20:37:00.000+08:00

itunes: 松田聖子, Seaside～Summer Tales～ (1997)

I went down to my new co to sign the appointment letter during lunch time today. At last, I feel settled and secured after days of uncertainty. I'm glad that the HR and my new boss is understanding and patient enough to take time and pains to clear my doubts on this role. I really do appreciate that very much. Well, at least a good start for me and I certainty hope that I can be the best fit to this role. Below is my queries and and their replies:

Hi, I could not answer most of the qns so got XXX to help. Hope you do not mind. Anyway, XXX is very open with his staff so don't worry about him forming any bad impression just because you ask so many qns. Hope you will come sign your letter soon.

1)Given the lean finance structure of this division, what is the relationship between this role and the shared services function of the group? In short, what are the accounting functions that have been outsourced?

The accounting functions that has been outsourced to our HQ Finance are the Accounts Receivables and Accounts Payable.

2)What is the job scope of the assistant to this role? What is the qualification of this assistant?

The assistant has a diploma in LCCI,the purpose of this assistant is to support the incumbent accountant. Currently she is clearing all invoices from vendors and sending verified invoices to shared services for billing.

3)I would like to know more about the job scope, besides what have been disclosed in the advertisement, what other responsibilities and duties are expected of this role? I understand that there is a need to make trips to the satellite sites, what kind of duties are to be performed there?

The job scope of the incumbent is almost like a mini CFO. He advices the GM on new projects based on his financial analysis and core competence in accounting. He ensures that the monthly P/L statements are ready and provides a brief analysis on its variance. It is expected that it will take sometime to understand the nature of the business to enable the incumbent to provide a meaningful analysis. The trips to the satellites is to perform impress checks on the cashiers and to source out any financial irregularities at the front. The incumbent could also look for improvements in the cashiering system. In fact the CFO is one of the important limbs of the GM.

4)The requirements of this role involved advising the management on finance and business strategies as well as financial planning and analysis. I would like to know more about role in this aspect. As mentioned before, I would like to clarify the fact that I do not have sufficient experience in these areas (like business proposals or feasibility studies). Nonetheless, I'm prepared to take up the challenge.

It is good that you acknowledges your area of weakness. This shows your sincerity and openness. The accountant is not required to write business proposals, these are done by our marketing team. However, as a member of senior management, the accountant will be involved in strategic planning meetings and should be able to acquire essential knowledge in skills in the businesses.

5) I would like to know the management style of XXX. I'm concerned with the fact that during our last meetup when he mentioned that the higher the salary the incumbent joined the organisation the more demanding he will be to the person. I'm grateful that you are able to match to my expected salary, however, will this affect the management style of XXX?

My management style is open, frank and honest approach. Knowing that the organisation is only as good as the people in it. Once employed and empowered, I do not micro-management. I believe in flexibility and balancing socials with work. I dislike people who has no integrity. Honesty pays, even if a mistake is made. I was the one who recommended the salary as I think you deserve this amount based on your experience and track record. To me this is not alot neither it is too little. This is a demanding job, like all other jobs in the industry. Those who persevered and are committed to value add will find great satisfaction. Those who just look for money or position but not willing to perform will not make it far in any organisation. My track record has proven that I have groomed several Dy Directors and senior staff in the group and beyond.

6) What is the salary ceiling of the grade of the position offered? $5693

On the way to the new co, I did having second thought of backing out. The environment and prospect of the current office may not be good but I have a group of good supporting assistants and a group of great lunch buddies. Lousy bosses may make your day bad but good colleagues make your day feel better. Nevertheless, I still feel that it's time for me to move on, since the new co offers better career pro$pect$ and new learning opportunities. It was until I saw the benefits listed on the appointment letter, I know I have made the right choice. Imagine having an annual leave of 24 days!! First time in my own life having such entitlements!! Going down the list, I cant help but to agree, by giving good benefits, it really put employees at ease and work better because they know that they have been well taken care of. To avoid suspicion of those busybodies in my office, I have requested the HR to have my appointment letter, staff manual and other documents to be mailed to my home address instead. Smart move right? hehe

I reached my office around 2.30pm and from then until I tendered my resignation at 6.30pm, this few hours were like centuries to me. I dun feel like doing it during office hours and I hate busybody colleagues coming one after another, pretending to show concern and asked why I want to resign. I wanted a good weekend ahead, anything more to say or discuss, why not wait till next Monday?

My boss was shocked to hear of my intention (of cos, it's the second bomb that exploded this week). He totally disagreed with the fact that this is a good time for me to move on since the audit and the major issues were near completion. He insisted that there were still alot of things for me to do. To me, he merely concerned with the unfinished work and nothing else. I told him that I'm not suitable for the shipping industry and he rebuked that the time I spent in this office is not long enough to have such a judgement. I simply told him the third month when I joined, I already knew that I do not like this industry but I'm giving myself more time to access the situation. This is when my boss kept quiet. Hehe then he moved on to the point that he recognised the fact of the messy accounts I have taken over and the pressure of clearing the mess. What pissed me most is he went on to comment that I should be able to take more stress. Well, that's not the point cos stress and pressure are not the reason of my resignation. I just smiled and keep the comments to myself. I just cant believe how petty my boss can be when he turned sour and said well he still need me to help him for the time being (sure sign of sour) and reminded me not to forget to generate the AR aging report for the meeting next Wednesday. This is an insult to my professionalism! As long as I'm still in service to the company, I still put in my best efforts. To end, he told me that he will refer back to the recruitment agency who gotten me this job, he believe that I may have obligations with them since I decided to resign within less than a year. What kind of nonsense is that? Is this a threat or wat? Well, the agency told me then if resign within the probation, they will have to get another candidate for my boss for free, no obligation over my side hehe.

To me, as a good superior, one should give blessings to those who decide to move on and pursue their interests elsewhere and not behave in a petty manner. No one owns you a living unless they are slave to you. This is a free world and everyone has the rights to come and go. There may be some form of disruption but in the real business world, no one is indispensible. I would want to do a good job to complete what I'm suppose to do and hand over to the next person well, with such an undesirable attitude from my boss, is it really worth being professional? That's really need some pondering....as a CPA, I have to be professional, but maybe I will just fulfill 70% of what is required of me. Perhaps, I may have to thank him too, when in face of such an attitude, it really helps me to move on easier without much hesitation.

Finally the worst is over. Before I left the office, I send out the email that I have drafted to my FD in HK, out of courtesy. I have requested my last day to be on 18th April and hopefully have 2 days rest before starting my new challenge on 23rd April. Like I spoke to another good colleague who tendered on Monday this week, let's hope that our remaining days will be smooth and easy. It seems that for those who resigned, my boss somehow written off them. We are the first two and we are pretty sure within our good lunch buddies, there will be more coming.....

As for the uncertain future ahead, I only can hope for and do the best....

Good Natured "Suicide Bomber"

2007-03-18T13:22:00.000+08:00

itunes: Cynthia M, Bistro Blue (2005)

Take a look at the lady in the picture. She always hang around near the Bras Basah Road junction every weekday evening and on weekends too; asking every passerby to give her $2 in perfect English. I refused to give all the time because I saw her, despite of messy hair and shabby clothings, wearing a nice funky yellow Adidas sneakers before. I guess she is not a professional beggar, maybe just nuts in the head only. I even heard that she took her morning shower at the Ladies in Millenia Walk.

See what's lies beneath her tummy? It's her pouch. My colleagues and I always joke that she looks like a suicide bomber, with a bomb hidden under her dress, ready to blow the hell out of everyone on the street, hahaha.

I guess she is just a harmless lady, who will move away once you reject her requests. I remembered there was one incident I saw when she approach a lady who was on the phone, walking. Haha she scared the lady so much that she fell to her knees, dropped her phone and shrieked as if a cockcroach crawled over her haha, oh what a scene what a scene haha. Damn freaking funny....To my surprise, she even tried to help the poor lady up to her feet, but that ungrateful hen shooed her away shamelessly....sigh! I really feel like stepping forward and give her a two tight slap (to the ungrateful hen of cos!).

Imagine this, she may be nuts and look like suicide bomber, but she has a good heart indeed.....but still I will not give her $2, given the fact that I cant get over with her yellow adidas sneakers. Hee

New Job.....New Hope

2007-03-18T06:17:00.000+08:00

itunes: The Carpenters, Love Songs (1998)

It has been nearly 1 month since I last blogged. Nothing happens in particular, just work, clear shit, sending out job applications and go for job interviews. Yes! The day has come, I received a job offer on Thursday night 8.07pm (must not forget this joyous moment!). Indeed what a pleasant surprise! I have been waiting a week for them to schedule me for a second interview with the Director of Finance by Tuesday if I'm selected. However, when I did not hear from them by Thursday, I presume this job is gone. Never I expected them to call and offer me the position without having to go for the second interview!! And they even agreed to pay what I asked for ie $500 more than what I'm getting now!! Now I can beat the GST increment and inflation....Gee....leaping lizard...:O)

Anyway I have not accepted the job yet as I have a few more queries on the job itself. The HR manager has yet to respond to me. Nevertheless, I'm quite set in accepting it for the following reasons (unless something difficult happens):
1) An opportunity to learn and understand SAP. This will definitely add value to my career.
2) No more accounting job scope. I should have moved on doing higher level work. This job mainly due with reporting and business analysis, which is good!
3) This company is a hugh conglomerate. It has been my dream to join a huge company, where it can provide possible career advancement opportunities within the organisation.

Hmm....new year, new job and new hope.
I certainly hope this will be the one that I can stay for the next 3 - 5 years.

Full Detox in the New Year...

2007-02-20T16:55:00.000+08:00

itunes: Master Mix Party, Koizumix Production (1993)

Finally the Chinese New Year holiday is over for me. Tomorrow I will have to go back to the shitty office, nothing to look forward except the next public holiday in April or the day when I can tender my resignation letter. Sounds depressing right? Well, we all work for our money and there are bills to pay, even if when we are extremely unhappy, we still have to hold on to our 'dear job' until the next best one comes along. Sometimes I really pity those who are slaved to their big car and house, most of the time, they lived with no integrity at all. This may be a sweeping statement but the fact that they cannot afford to lose their job and hence they would not do anything that will jeopardise their position. Blah blah blah, the list goes on....

In this modern living, beside detoxification for our personal well-being, we cannot forget getting rid the toxic people in our life as well. They are everywhere, particularly in every workplace and they spill poison as far and wide as their influence spread, underground or in the dark. Unlike toxins in our body, it's harder to excise them, so forget about what those human behavioural experts' advice on how to deal with such troublemakers gentlemenly. If they are toxins to our life, there is no point to deal with them in a fair and gentlemen manner cos they will not do the same likewise.

The best way is to adapt an unorthodox yet harmless way of getting rid of these people (小人, or small people/petty people in direct translation from Chinese). I saw this in the Chinese New Year night market outside Parkway Parade. The sign showed "Step on Small People" Socks. The trick is to write the name of deemed 'small people' on the bottom of the pair of socks and wear them everyday. This will keep them at bay. I saw the same report on cable from a Taiwanese daily news, the right way is to write the lunar birthday date of the your targetted 'small people' instead. The good thing is this will not harm that person but rather prevent them from dragging you down. Hmm not a bad idea, at least we do not have bad karma while 'stepping' these assholes haha.

Of cos, there is more evil way of dealing with these people. Just head down to the nearest taoist temple and ask for help. There will be some old ladies who can help you to 'beat these small people' (打小人) hard with a pair of slippers and they will curse and swear at them on your behalf. Hehe even though we did not do the job ourselves, but it's still bad karma on us right? I have found a full writeup on 'beating the small/petty people' from a website in HK: http://www.english.cciv.cityu.edu.hk/jiedan/jingzhe.php

May we have a toxic-less personal and working life.....

My Chinese New Year Eve

2007-02-18T21:44:00.000+08:00

itunes: The Chinese Orchestra of Shanghai Music Conservatory, 乐声琤琮 (2004)

Today is the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year. By now, the joy of celebrating the festival in me would have diminished by half. For the next 2 days, it would be just visting and catching up with relatives and friends. What I really enjoyed most is yesterday, the New Year Eve, which we were doing some last minute shopping, busy preparing for the reunion dinner, last minute cleaning and decorating the house. Ya, it's the anticipation and countdown to the final moment that is the happiest.

0600 hrs
I stepped out of the house at 6am and took the first bus of the day to Upper Paya Lebar to buy roast duck. It's a must-have dish for the reunion dinner every year. I have to go early cos the roast duck is popular and there are people who go there as early as 5am. They do not take reservations and I have to be early cos by 7am, most of the roast ducks are almost sold out.

0830 hrs
I reached home around 7am and started working on the 2 fire crackers deco. I have done the 'wicks' the day before and I have left them air-dry after applying tons of glue to stiffen the cotton string. Nice right? hehe

1400 hrs
In the afternoon, I headed down to Chinatown for last minute shopping. I have always wanted to try the tradition Chinese New Year sweet and savoury specialties which most people seldom eat anymore. I got an assortments which includes sweetened lotus roots (symbolising abundance), sweetened lotus seeds (suggesting fertility), dried melon seeds (symbolising profuse earnings),sweetened ginger (symolising longevity) and so on. I also bought a few dried pessimons to try.

The street decoration in Chinatown. Look at the tree, does not look auspicious to me, it resembles an evil millienium-old tree deity in chinese horror movies haha.

1730 hrs
The reunion steamboat dinner is ready!!

2000 hrs
After the dinner, I continued the 'spring cleaning' of my room. I have moved the hifi and tv and clean my table. Wow, spick and span right? I guess it should get messy in 2 weeks time. Haha

2359 hrs
This is the simple altar that my mum has setup for the New Year prayers and offerings to the Heaven (maybe it's taoist thingy). I have no idea why is she doing that but she has been doing that since I was very young. Hence i merely regard it as part of the New Year Eve's traditions.

0030 hrs
My mum always said the first meal of the New Year is best to be vegetarian cos it serves a cleansing of sins made in the old year. Therefore, she will cook a big pot of Buddha's Delight (罗汉斋) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha%27s_delight Year after year, I will stay up late and wait for her to give me a bowl after she completed her prayers. Yum yum....it's nice.

Chinese New Year is about traditions and respect for the elders. I'm glad that I can enjoy these the same way with my parents year after year since young. And I hope I can do this as long as they lived. I dun care if certain old things are observed during this festive period are considered as supersitition or old-fashioned, it's a celebration that our beloved parents and our respected elders are healthy enough to enjoy this happy occasion with us year after year. That's the spirit of Chinese New year to me.

Happy Lunar New Year!

No Music No Life 02/2007

2007-02-16T17:44:00.000+08:00

itunes: Sting, Songs From Labyrinth (2006)

Though my monthly $100 budget for CD expenditure is a bit busted this month, I covered the discrepancies by drawing some from budget for food. Good move right? Less money on food, which implies less calories entering in my body, a healthier choice!! haha

The list of CDs that I have bought in February 2007:

伊能靜, Princess A 新歌+精選 (2006)
I would suppose many of you would think she does nothing but act cute. That's the old impression of her that stuck in everyone's mind. Come on, teen cutie idol grew up too. Just in case you are not aware, apart from being a songwriter (since her first album), she is also an actress, fashion programme host and bestseller writer. Whatever it is, I like her since my college days (sad to say, 20 years ago). Well, we all have our childhood idols right? Hehe

Original Soundtrack OST Babel (2006)
To me, this is the soundtrack of the year. It just compliments the movie so well. Getting this 2CDs soundtrack back, it's exactly like bringing the cinematic moods of Babel home as well. Got to say something about the man behind this piece of great work, he is Gustavo Santaolalla, the man behind Brokeback Mountain OST in 2005, which I regarded it as the soundtrack of 2005. As a Argentinaian, he is successful in capturing the Moroccan moods and themes and that's impressive! Along with his materials, there are materials from the ambient cuts by David Sylvain (check out his 2003 album, Blemish, it's just enchanting) and Ryuichi Sakamoto. The only minus point about this OST is that the tracks are not arranged in accordance to the flow of the move, strange.....

Sigur Rós, () (2002)
I have been looking for this CD for a while. I refused to get it from HMV cos it is selling over S$40. I managed to win the bid for it over ebay in Dec 06, but somehow the disc got lost in the mail, I was quite disappointed even though the seller refunded the money to me. Eventually I found it selling at $27.95 at Gramophone! Sigur Rós is the next biggest export from Iceland after Bjork. Even though I'm not a big fan of this rock band, of all of their releases, this one impressed me very much. The stratospheric elegant sound arrangement and the silence between the mimimalistic interplay that brings you through the emotional extreme ups and downs. With no lyrics, no titles to the 8 tracks, just babbling vocals, we are to illustrate own interpretations of the songs. A good experimental rock album to appreciate.

曹格, Superman (2007)
Second album from this R&B male vocalist. Nice! As a music-nazi, my basic rule is no China-pressed CDs at all in my music collection. Also, I have been very indecisive if I should get the local pressed since I'm quite skeptical about this album at first. My torment ended when 'my kind sponsor', Wee who got so impatient with this, decided to buy me one. Hehe I'm grateful since it's FREE, I dun mind China-pressed CD now :OP Anyway, this CD is enjoyable and it should be able to equip myself with some new songs should I head to the karaoke in the near future. Hmmm.....maybe I should get his debut album as well, since it was quite acclaimed.

The Chinese Orchestra of Shanghai Music Conservatory, 乐声琤琮 (2004)
Various Artists, 花好月圆 (2000)
One of my 2007 resolution, I want to go into Chinese classical music. This is what I have got: The first CD contains the traditional Chinese New Year hits and it contains more popular pieces than the one I bought last month. The second CD is an entry level for serious Chinese classical music newbie like me, recommended by the music store who specialised in this genre at Bras Basah Complex. My colleague who went to this shop with me, thinks I'm nuts. Haha that's what a music-nazi should be!!

矢井田瞳, Single Collection (2004)
A gift from YL, plus many other Japanese CDs that his brother-in-law has given up. I'm thrilled to see this CD cos I quite like a few singles from this alternative female rocker. Yeah!! Big thanks to YL.

马英久加油!! 加油!! 加油!!

2007-02-13T19:30:00.000+08:00

itunes: 伊能静, Princesse A (2006)

马英久，我相信你是清白的! 我支持你竞选2008年总统！你要化悲愤为力量，勇敢挑战司法，还你清白！

腐败民进党，烂阿扁，下台!!
臭吴淑珍，不要脸，给我坐牢去！我呸!!

猪年新愿望

2007-02-11T22:01:00.000+08:00

itunes: Brasil, João Gilberto (1981)

新的一年，
我不妄想步步高升、飞黄腾达。
我不期望财源广进、行什么大运的。

我愿我和周围所有的人，
身体健康、事事顺心，如意、安乐。

最重要，我希望工作能顺顺利利、安安稳稳。
百尺竿头，更进一步。

新年快乐，万事如意。