Cacoethes Scribendi

The day of reckoning

2009-05-28T21:39:00.002+08:00

I just found this out!

Yes, I shall take some time off from work and go someplace good to view it. A solar eclipse visible in your own country on your own birthday is not something to come by every day.

Hmm.. maybe some latent magical powers shall surface. LOL

I have been reading The Strain by Guillermo del Toro. So don't blame me for having strange thoughts about solar eclipses.

Grey's Anatomy Season 5 Finale...

2009-05-17T23:49:00.003+08:00

Was one of the best ever. The emotionally charged two hours episode certainly gave us, fans a big surprise. George as the John Doe badly crushed by a bus? I didn't see that one coming. The scene where Meredith discovers his identity was the saddest moment in the whole episode. And when Izzie met George in the elevator? It gave me goosebumps.

You must listen to this!

2009-05-10T10:47:00.001+08:00

It's pretty much stuff like this that makes you wish you have the talent to make music too!

French Film Festival at GSC

2009-04-25T23:54:00.004+08:00

GSC is having a French Film Festival between 7 - 17 May. I for one, am hell of a lot excited about it. There are six French films that will be screened and I hope I can catch all of them.

They screened Crime Is Our Business (Le Crime Est Notre Affaire) the other day for the press and I enjoyed it immensely. It's a mystery film with a comedic touch to it and it's based loosely on an Agatha Christie's book, 4.50 from Paddington. An english movie has been made before of the same book but this film is supposed to a French version.

It was funny and the acting was very good. Just a right touch of humour without really making it all seem silly. The main actress, Catherin Frot was the best. Her character in the film is just too cute with all her odd ways.

Go watch it. I recommend it.

Can't wait to watch the other films as well :)

A beautiful talent

2009-04-15T23:41:00.001+08:00

It was good. Like all her movies, it was nothing short of a beautiful story. As a writer, I appreciated the language and the writing in the screenplay is just amazing. The day I am able to write as well as that will be the day I die a happy man.

I have one grouse however, and it is just that the love portrayed in the film is just too pure. You may call me bitter but I think to find such a love is just not real. To what extend can one connect to another by just spending a few hours or minutes each day without even saying much to each other? And to fall in love with such deep wrought feelings?

Anyway, Jaclyn Victor was in the film too. Being her debut in acting, I think she did a wonderful job. Yes, I am bias - she will always be a favourite of mine and I'm a little disappointed because she didn't actually sing in the movie. I would love to hear her sing in it.

On another note, I interviewed Yasmin Ahmad recently for my magazine and she proved to be a surprise. That's all I am going to say (some of you I have confided in should know) and my conclusion would be that she's a woman to be reckoned with.

I think her movies themselves speak volumes.

My first F1 experience

2009-04-15T23:28:00.000+08:00

Ok, this is rather late but I have been swamped with work lately and this post and the few coming thereafter are all backdated.

I actually had a nice time at the Sepang F1 race, despite not being a racing fan and all. Ok, I don't know shit about racing but hey, the tickets were free. Lol. And to think my editor was grumbling because I was not excited when he managed to get me grandstand tickets.

Yeap, I was there under Johnnie Walker. Had a good time - I zoned out once the race started though and I didn't really pay attention to what's happening. I absorbed the atmosphere instead.

The rain was a bummer and the premature end to the race was a big disappointment to many.

The rain was an even bigger bummer for those who stayed on for the Jamiroquai concert. Mud! It's evil. I got as near to the stage as I could but the result? My shoes turned brown, my shorts were streaked with mud, my white t-shirt was splattered and generally I got really filthy.

However it was worth it. :)

Yea, video quality is not good. Well, you try filming in a middle of a crowd who's all grooving to the tunes. It's not easy.

Where does my time go?

2009-04-12T19:28:00.002+08:00

Ok, there is alot and alot and alot of backdated posts that I wrote halfway and didn't complete. My time has been disappearing alot lately and I don't know where it goes.

Anyway, I was in one of the pictures in The Star today. I myself didn't realize until someone told me about it. Then quite a number of people also began smsing me about it.

Can you spot me? Lol.

Anyway, updates and backdated posts coming soon.

The Queen of England has the best gift ideas!

2009-04-02T17:28:00.003+08:00

I read this in The Star and I couldn't stop laughing. I don't know about you all but I find it hilarious. Which part? The part at the end - the last sentence that is. It is the best punchline ever. I don't know whether it was intentional to end the article at that particular sentence but if it was intentional, then the journalist who wrote is a genius.

Get it?

LOLSSSSSSS

LONDON (AP) - Queen Elizabeth II wasn't the only one on President Barack Obama's gift list Wednesday.

He gave presents to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's wife, Sarah, and their two sons, too.

Obama and first lady Michelle Obama presented the queen with a rare coffee table book of songs by composers Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart that Rodgers had signed in May 1952.

But word that he also had given her an iPod created plenty of buzz as it conjured up images of the British monarch all plugged up, earbuds in place, and perhaps bopping to the 40 show tunes on the portable device.

To bring the 240-plus page book to life, the iPod was loaded with dozens of classic show tunes, including several from "Camelot," which was based on the King Arthur legend, and "My Fair Lady," which was set in London.

The iPod also includes photos and video from the queen's 2007 visit to Virginia and Washington, photos from Obama's Jan. 20 inauguration and audio of his inauguration address.

Sarah Brown received a crocheted black flower brooch, accented with pearls.

Sons John and James were presented with baseball memorabilia, including a bat signed by New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, a signed presidential baseball and a collection of 10 Dr. Seuss books.

There were no gifts for the prime minister or Prince Philip, the queen's husband, per their offices.

In return the queen and the prince gave the Obamas a signed portrait of themselves.-AP

All hail racism

2009-03-25T09:36:00.003+08:00

I got this forwarded to me through the mail.

And I'm sure many of you are aware that it is certainly not true. The news was not only reported in The Sun, I've read about it in the The Star as well. And although it was another guy that forwarded it to me, it looks like this guy was one of the first to be forwarding it.

So, I emailed him and told him to stop forwarding inaccurate emails that are very offensive. He got testy. Lol. And here's what he told me:

Excuse me pls.
I only forward emails to friends and I dont think you are one of them.
If you don't like it, just delete it.
And keep your comments to yourself. Period!

I find it funny that he can be forwarding emails that are obviously carrying his bias sentiments to so many out there and yet he tells me to keep my comments to myself.

You know what I think? And I'm generalising here, mind you. He's just another one of those Malaysians who is living in another country (New Zealand it seems) that are just suffering from a bad case of sour grapes. Just because he can't make it in this country (most probably he's a racist) and is forced to make a living somewhere else, he's now slamming Malaysia with his frustration.

If he is not even in Malaysia, how does he know what the papers are reporting (or not reporting for that matter)? I'm assuming he's capable of reading since he can operate the email. So in conclusion he's just forwarding racially offensive emails without verifying the truth?

It's not the country that is racist, it is people like him that make it so.

So the take home message is:

The next time you feel like pointing a finger at the Malays and calling them a racist, think of Mr. Philip Theseira. Think of him and remember that the people of the other races (including your own) are capable of the same thing too.

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: philip theseira (harley36nz@yahoo.co.nz)
To: philip theseira
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 13:00:50
Subject: This Picture Made It To the Pages of India Times but not in our own papers!

A TRUE MALAYSIAN INDEED!

The shame of it all that we should be so proud (and are) of our own Malaysian receiving an international award like this, but the Malaysian government and press dont see it as important enough to publish it in our local dailies! It was only published by THE SUN but rather small and hidden in the inner pages. WHY???...BECAUSE SHE'S NOT A BARISAN - BN DOG/BITCH???!!!! Most Important she is not a Malay... so there's nothing to shout or to be proud of... Malaysia such a racist country! Not being fair to other race!

Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama
12 Mar 2009, 0853 hrs IST

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and first lady Michelle Obama present give away Secretary of State's Award for International Women of Courage to Malaysia 's Ambiga Sreenevasan at the State Department in Washington , DC . (AFP)

Tiger Trap In Penang

2009-03-20T11:49:00.004+08:00

Lim Guan Eng should leave well and well alone. Tiger park in Penang indeed. He's been behind bars before and thus he of all people should know how animals feel like when they're put in an enclosure. Shame on him!

Why the hell do you want to go create a tiger park (or even a zoo for that matter) to draw tourists when you already have a rich, diverse and highly historical background of the city to bank on? Focus on what you have, not something unnatural that will only serve to be a mockery to animals.

And everyone complains about the government. I keep seeing more and more of the same thing from the opposition too.

Leaving you with a cute vid about an OCD zoo keeper. Animals should not be forced to be what the public wants them to be.

Standing ovation for The Reader

2009-03-14T01:04:00.003+08:00

I finally watched The Reader just now. And the verdict? It is fantastic.

The story is compelling and it gives you alot to think about. I felt drawn in as the movie progressed and I really had a feeling for the characters in it. It felt real. Kate Winslet deserved her Oscar. And the film is anyhow more deserving of an Oscar than the other film that won. You know which one.

If you watch it in the cinema though, you'll miss alot. Censorship issues. Try downloading off the net. It will definitely be worth it.

I thought Changeling was good, then I watched this.

The Reader. Powerful stuff.

I will try the book next. If I'm in the mood, I might try the original version in German.

Learning to club...

2009-03-12T22:59:00.001+08:00

This is so cute. I was actually watching it in office. They have a better quality vid up at their website but I can't embed it. Enjoy yourself. It's hilarious!

Peter Gabriel - A justified diva

2009-02-26T19:49:00.004+08:00

Many have accused Peter Gabriel of being a diva when he refused to perform his song, Down to Earth at the Oscars recently even though it was nominated. His reason being that they did not allocate individual performance time to the three songs on that night. I however, think it is rightly so he refused, for the medley of the three songs was a disaster.

The reasons being:

1. It was each performed in succession with no change of dancers between each songs. Come on, Indian styled dancers with a song like Down To Earth?
2. The last part of the three medleys brought together the three songs being sung together. It was a catastrophe.
3. I am not an expert or anything but I felt the dancers dancing to the Slumdog Millionaire's song was not authentic enough in terms of the Indian dance style. They looked odd.
4. John Legend that stood in replacement was a good singer and all but he couldn't sing it as well as Peter Gabriel did.
5. I think Down To Earth should have won. The other song won only because it was basking in the worked-up frenzy everyone is getting into about the movie.
6. Overall, the performance was a fiasco.

Catch Jonas Brothers in 3D in Malaysia

2009-02-26T10:42:00.004+08:00

Yes, yes it not something you would expect me to go watch. However, because I thought the Jonas Brothers 3-D Concert Movie was something different, I went to watch it yesterday when they had a press screening for it. Wasn't too bad I guess and the 3-D concert experience was rather good. I wonder whether other artists will catch on and have their own 3-D concert movies though. It could be a whole new craze in the music industry. Fans of the Jonas Brothers, you'll definitely want to watch this when it opens soon.

The talking pussies

2009-02-18T10:16:00.000+08:00

LOL. This is so, so, so cute!

Emma Watson at the '09 BAFTAS

2009-02-17T15:20:00.002+08:00

........ Since when did Emma Watson become a woman? And a hot one too... What spell did she use? Hermione Granger certainly doesn't fit the notion of witches being warty and hunchbacked, and all the usual shit.

You need to be a mathematician to figure this out ?

2009-02-06T11:16:00.004+08:00

I'm sure many of you have complained about the dumbass service from local phone companies. Well take a look at this.

Looks like the US phone companies are sometimes just as bad. The grass is not necessarily greener on the other side after all.

Will Pakatan Rakyat lose Perak?

2009-02-05T11:29:00.002+08:00

Frankly, it doesn't really affect me. However, I really hope that they do lose Perak to the BN. It's a fitting retribution for them as much as Anwar's fiasco of his empty promises of trying to topple over the government is to be taken into view. Didn't he do the exact same thing at that time? Trying to pull over BN men over to his side? Why the bitterness now PR supporters? BN using corruption and dirty tactics to win the state? What did Anwar use? Flowers? Or maybe it's because the PR doesn't have enough cash to offer? If that's that case, a failed attempt at committing a crime is still a crime after all.

I find the situation actually hilarious. If you actually go over to Lim Kit Siang's blog and read the comments their supporters are writing on the issue you'll be laughing your ass off too. Have you forgotten that Anwar tried to do the same thing as well? Or are you just turning a blind eye to that?

People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Couldn't be any truer.

And I would like to reiterate: the PR and BN are just two sides of the same coin.

Change? Where?

Update: So it looks like they have lost Perak, though they are not going down without fighting. You should read this. Anwar's plan did not materialized because it failed, not because of the lack of trying. He tried, oh boy, he tried very hard. Looks like the PR got a taste of their own medicine, and they hate the taste too. We have some major case of sour grapes going on here.

Update 2: I read someone's comment on another blog regarding the whole issue and I found it terribly funny.

Just because the thief you sent (Anwar) was too stupid to pick the lock, doesn’t mean he did not try…

How true.

PETA's sexy vegetarians not suitable for TV

2009-02-03T14:40:00.002+08:00

It does look sexually suggestive but I don't think it's anymore offensive than any other dribble that you can catch on TV. Such a waste.

'Veggie Love': PETA's Banned Super Bowl Ad

Applaud for the Changeling

2009-01-23T23:34:00.003+08:00

MovieWeb - Movie Photos, Videos & More

I caught the screening of the Changeling this morning. It was very, very good. A real intense movie that I really enjoyed. Angelina Jolie's performance is nothing short of amazing. The story was deeply moving and the emotions very real. I would highly recommend that all of you catch it once it's out.

Yes, it almost made me shed a few tears - almost.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng sense of reasoning - also FAIL

2009-01-22T09:43:00.005+08:00

If you haven't done so, please read this.

While I think that the WiFi is after all harmless, I feel that Lim Guan Eng's sense of reasoning leaves much to be desired.

He said, and I quote:

“If WiFi is harmful, the first two people to get fried by radiation would be Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi and myself as we work up to 12 hours a day at our offices on Komtar’s 28th floor where there are four hotspots.

“We are exposed to WiFi 24 hours a day as we have wireless facilities at home and although I might look old, do I look unhealthy?”

If he wants to take the risk, it doesn't mean others, who feel otherwise should as well. It's like saying, "I have been smoking for twenty years but you don't see me getting cancer."

Simply because you do not have evidence does not mean something will not happen. Who knows what the long term effects could be. Furthermore, looking healthy doesn't mean you are healthy. Biggest, baddest mistake that you'll only realise when you're diagnosed with advance stage cancer.

And when you thought only the BN people could say dumb things.

And you know, if someone from the BN said something like that, all sorts of comments would have appeared everywhere condemning them for being the idiots that are ruining the country.

And then when you have someone from PKR saying it, people seem nonchalant.

And that makes me feel like the people are just biased against the government.

And that the PKR and the goverment are just two sides of the same coin.

And it makes me wanna scream when I hear the word 'change' anymore.

My ballsy year

2009-01-21T02:14:00.004+08:00

I was gonna post up a long entry on the the Lunar New Year being my year and all - well strike that. I'm not gonna be celebrating the New Year this year. Why? I think the reason is obvious. Anyway, I did read somewhere last week that the Ox year is not gonna be easy for all the Oxen out there. Looks like this is an omen of sorts for me. Looks like I gotta be ballsy this year.

Nevertheless, it's still my year. So here's an early Lunar New Year greeting from me (I'm planning to vegetate my one week hols away doing nothing since I won't be celebrating, and that includes taking a one week break from here as well).

So Happy Lunar New Year to all of you.

Moooooooooooooo!

Too cow-like? My friend said the bull above had big balls.

What does a big-balled bull sound like then? All I know from reading Enid Blyton's Cherry Tree Farm and Willow Farm is that bulls bellow.

Bellowwwwwwww?

Pull and Bear - FAIL

2009-01-18T22:28:00.002+08:00

Have you seen this T-shirt being sold in the Pull and Bear outlets? Looks nice right? Then read the words below the 2009 motif.

Still don't see it?

Across is misspelled.

Not mentioning that after reading it a couple of times, the sentence does seem a little odd language-wise.

Reached across the strength and the work? It doesn't sound nice.

FAIL

PS: The salesperson wouldn't let me take pictures. Luckily I managed to snap a few shots before she actually realized what I was doing.

Dealing with Owen Yap

2009-01-16T20:10:00.002+08:00

I've seen him on the news and the local game show and somehow I've always thought he was a little on the serious side. Boy, was I wrong. Talking to him today I discovered he's a zany guy. It was fun and he's just a really nice guy. Definitely a good model for picture taking as well. :)

Cashy Stay

2009-01-14T08:32:00.005+08:00

It looks nice right? It's the Sunway Hotel and Spa Villas. Kinda like a retreat in a retreat with individual villas for guests. I was there for a photoshoot and I found the place very beautiful - not to mention very quiet and private. Even has private pools for each villa.

The price? What I've heard is that they charge a whopping price of over Rm2k for a night. Not worth it, I would say.

Lost Elephant

2009-01-06T15:09:00.003+08:00

Ok, this is gonna be brief. Been busy for the past few days and not gonna be in for a few days thereafter today.

I attended the dance performance, Elephant In The Room last Saturday and somehow, I was lost. Maybe it was the fact that the narration was in Chinese, or maybe because I'm not much of a contemporary dance person. My dance interpretation sucks and I very well didn't get the performance.

But...

I did get a free ticket. So I'm gonna say I kinda enjoyed it after all.

:)

PS: Recently, I watched Juno at the cinema under the GSC International Screens purview and I'm wondering why the heck are they screening it now. It's been a year since the film was released in the US. I had to download it back then and it is only now they decided to screen it?

9 by Tim Burton

2008-12-30T16:44:00.002+08:00

Was completing my Trailer Tracks for the magazine when I stumbled across this little baby. I think it's gonna be another Tim Burton wonder when it hits the big screen on the 9/9/09.

Take a look.

Cate Blanchett Vanity Fair February 2009

2008-12-30T14:34:00.005+08:00

Walau, she's hot in the latest issue of Vanity Fair. So gonna get the issue.

Sad

2008-12-29T19:47:00.002+08:00

So, my five-day break is over. Such a sad, sad thing.

Unlike some others, I never missed being a student. I love working and my job, at the moment. However, I sorely miss the long breaks that come with being a student.

Term breaks, mid-term breaks, festive breaks. I don't have them anymore. Such a sad, sad thing indeed.

On a different matter, I hate driving in Malacca. Oh, of course KL has the worst traffic jams but Malacca has something even more annoying - slow drivers.

Yea, of course slow drivers are careful drivers but then again, they're a pain in the butt. Driving at 60km/h on a three lane freeway in the right lane? Annoying.

Maybe I have been driving too much in KL. Sad.

I have seen

2008-12-20T13:38:00.003+08:00

I attended The Seven Deadly Scenes at KLPAC yesterday to watch a friend perform for the first time on stage. Didn't really expected much (the play not the friend, mind you) but I was surprised that it was actually very good. It was thought provoking and I felt utilizing the whole floor rather than a set stage for the skits was an excellent idea. It was like being a silent participant of scene itself, sitting and watching but yet personable in alot of ways.

My friend of course did a fantastic job :)

So I had a good time watching the unfolding scenes of various sins. A sin I can identify with in life? Definitely pride - but on that day itself, I think it was greed.

Does wanting something you know it isn't yours and you know you can't have, count as being greedy? Even when you want it so badly it hurts?

Jobless for a reason

2008-12-19T09:45:00.003+08:00

I read this today with disgust.

It is a waste of RM70 million which ultimately comes from tax payers and hence, me - no matter how little I'm paying in taxes at the moment.

To be frank, the only way to make them marketable is if they only could just grow up. It isn't so much the language, but more of their immature mentality that is preventing them from getting jobs. From what I have seen and experienced being around these people, I think they are just sad people who lack the ability to think for themselves.

If they would have used the years in university to develop some personality instead of organizing clubs to further perpetuate their 'herd mentality' or 'race-preservation', they would be job-ready already. Aren't social skills something a student inherently acquires over the years while studying without the need for special retraining?

Now don't go blaming the universities or lecturers. It isn't their fault if these jobless graduates fail to acquire at least a modicum of common sense to allow them to speak in public without embarrassing themselves. They have only themselves to blame.

Why must we, the others pay the price of their incompetency?

Going down under

2008-12-19T00:21:00.003+08:00

I managed to catch Australia at the media screening in Pavilion today. Was it good? Was it bad?

It was rather okay I guess. Although, I didn't have much high expectations for it in the first place. However, I felt it wasn't as bad as the critics have been saying.

Nicole Kidman? I still love her. She was the very image of beauty I stared at on screen growing up, and she still does it for me now. I think she's eternally gorgeous (plastic surgery and all).

Men are sad creatures

2008-12-17T09:44:00.003+08:00

I read this yesterday with interest.

This particularly, was the highlight of the piece in my mind:

"Being a bachelor is also no consolation as expenses are much higher being alone as you cannot share expenses with anyone."

"I used to pay RM1 per piece for my shirt or trouser pants to be pressed but now it costs me RM1.50 per piece - a whopping increase of 50%."

Nice isn't it? A bachelor can't press his own clothes? He needs to learn how to iron first before he can start complaining about making ends meet. If he needs his clothes to be pressed, I'm sure he sends them there to be laundered as well. It's guys like these that give us, men a bad name.

The translation would be:

"Being a bachelor I have no wife to help me save on my laundry bill."

"If I can get married I can get free laundry services as well as a cook thrown in. My expenditure can be cut down by 50% with hardly any trouble at all."

Pathetic.

Tis the season to be jolly

2008-12-16T16:46:00.004+08:00

It has been depressing walking around in shopping malls when all of the shops - except the ones you're looking to purchase things from, are having great discounts. I was actually getting more and more despondent as the weeks go by since the Malaysian Savings Sale started, until today. I got this in the email:

Christmas is certainly looking up.

There's a bag I've been eyeing.

Then some shirts.

Then some pants.

Then some jackets.

Then I'll end up starving and on the streets.

Oh well, as long we're happy during the festive season right?

(And it's not as if it'll be snowing in Malaysia, right?).

Aspiring whiners...oops, writers

2008-12-13T23:35:00.003+08:00

I attended the MPH Creative Writing Workshop by Jim Plouffe, Editor-in-Chief of Reader's Digest Asia today and guess who I met?

A bunch of whiners.

I think what's wrong with these people are that they are totally not mature enough to actually be writing for a living (despite some of them are old enough to be grandparents). They turn up their noses at commercial writing, they turn tails at writing stuff they are not familiar with and they certainly turned their good chance at learning today into nothing more than a crazed attempt to get a measly story published.

Instead of asking about stuff that can actually improve their writing, they went all out with a mission to dig for insider info on how they could get their writing published in the Reader's Digest. Bombarding Jim about questions on how does the magazine choose the stories to be featured, what are the chances their pieces will be picked if sent in, and the list goes on. Then they started whining about writer's block, on not knowing how to start writing and how hard it is to become a writer in Malaysia.

My thoughts and experience?

It's easy to become a writer. It's a matter of just stopping the whining and applying for a job as a writer.

I've learn all these months as a writer that there is no such thing as letting a writer's block keep you from a dateline. That most of the time, you write what is needed and not what you choose. And of course, to find satisfaction in writing the simple stuffs like adverts and processing press releases.

Oh, of course they are beyond help if their only picture of a writer is of being a book author - and if magazines and newspapers are just not good enough for them.

Whiners aside. I actually felt the workshop was good. I managed to even get almost an hour with Jim in a one-on-one interview. Being a member of the media is such a boon.

:D

A Christmas Carol at KLPAC

2008-12-13T00:07:00.001+08:00

It was a good turnout for opening night. The weather was surprisingly kind too - which says much looking at how it has been raining for the past days. The play? I'm not much of a critic on that, with not much of experience watching plays. But I think what's important was I enjoyed it.

Actor, Darius Taraporvala was just great as Ebenezer Scrooge and he totally embodied the character. He really did some wonderful acting. Didn't hurt that he looked the part too.

Though I would say the same for a certain Christmas tree, I didn't manage to see one. Yeap, no Christmas trees. A case of false advertising. Hmmmm?

Lol. While I'm on the topic. Have a Merry Christmas everyone.

Christina/Owen Final Scene Grey's Anatomy Season 5 Episode 10

2008-12-08T22:37:00.001+08:00

Fantastic scene. So glad Christina finally found someone that really understands her. Being strong isn't easy at all.

Paper worth

2008-12-04T18:51:00.002+08:00

I finally dragged myself to UM today to collect my degree. A piece of paper? Three years of education and all I have to show is a measly piece of paper. Is it worth all that much? I don't know. Maybe I don't appreciate it because I never really enjoyed my uni life. Those who know me personally will understand. And I would say my uni life really changed me - I think I became more embittered all those three years. It is sad how circumstances work in life sometimes.

Jurassic Joys

2008-12-04T00:32:00.002+08:00

I loved dinosaurs as a kid. I had dinosaur figurines, stickers, books, bed spreads, tees - you name them, I had them. I could identify and differentiate all the different dinosaurs back then and I spouted dinosaur facts and trivia all the time. I even wanted to be a paleontologist at one time.

Which couldn't be further from the truth if you look at the present...

Anyway, with the death of Michael Crichton recently, I was reminded of how much I loved the Jurassic Park film and I went out to buy some of his books. After all, it has been a while since I last read Jurassic Park and reading it again sure does bring back memories. I used to watch Jurassic Park on VHS all the time. I think that the show became a much hated movie for my family - oddly, they did not share my passion for dinosaurs.

After reading the book I then downloaded the films. Yeap, I watched Jurassic Park, The Lost World and Jurassic Park 3 and although I'm not a kid anymore, I found that I still enjoyed them immensely. And I felt, the movies still have the most realistic looking dinosaurs on screen. CGI just doesn't cut it. Look at Jurassic Fight club on TV, they're laughable. Steven Spielberg did a fantastic job.

And of course, hats off to Michael Crichton himself for the fantastic novel. You rocked my childhood. LOL.

I am no supporter of Obama

2008-11-19T23:12:00.002+08:00

Yes, I said it. I am just apathetic about the American elections and I just think that many in Malaysia are just hyped up about him winning without any real reason other than the fact that he's black. Yes, as much as it is considered racist to deny someone something based on his or her skin colour, I think it is just as racist to celebrate someone just because of his or her skin colour. If race is so unimportant, why keep saying that you are proud of Obama being the first black president of the USA? Why is being black a factor?

Besides, none of you Malaysians voted and thus I think it is just absurd to be going out for celebratory drinks or whatever that you all do to celebrate Obama's win. Come on, chants of 'We did it'? You people in Malaysia did nothing. You did not vote for him. Full stop.

I agree with XiaXue and also find this article that shes lead me too very interesting. Yea, I love reading Wendy's blog as much as many of you may find it hard to believe. She may not be the perfect picture of goodness but I think what's important is that she is honest.

That's exactly what this world needs. Not goodness.

Honesty.

PS: This post may have come abit late but blame it on my laziness. And also the Wicked Witch of the East that has been spoiling my mood. Who is the Wicked Witch of the East? Someone so evil that the mere mention of her true identity will strike you deaf (or blind, if I type it out ).

Janelle Monae - I love you

2008-11-19T22:34:00.004+08:00

She released her first album in 2007 but I've only recently stumbled upon her and I'm hooked. I think she is just outrageous. She is quirky and her style is , well - so herself. Now this is a woman that defines being an individual.

Check out the vid below and also visit the GAP Christmas website. That's how I found her. Anyway I think the other Christmas remixes are also fantastic. Really puts me in a Christmas-sy mood.

The Bird and The Bee - My Love

2008-11-02T09:30:00.001+08:00

This is a tribute to the person who posted the song on you tube. She is practically a saint in my books. Not only did she gave us all access to such a wonderful song that is not even released yet. She even mailed me the song in mp3 format for my ultimate enjoyment. I don't know how she got it and I don't wanna know but I think it is an ultimate feat. Thanks!

The song appeared in episode 5 of Grey's Anatomy Season 5 and is by The Bird and The Bee - due to be released on their album sometime next year.

Two hours of a good time

2008-10-09T21:02:00.003+08:00

The two hour season premier of Grey's Anatomy Season 5 was a blast. It gave good promise to us fans, that season 5 will be once again be the show that we all fell in love with - way back in the beginning. Titled 'Dream A Little Dream Of Me', it narrated the course of the show around built up hopes and dreams of various characters with the central theme being that a happy ending does not exist in real life.

So true I would think. There is a reason why it is called a dream. Dreams only exist when you're sleeping. A lesson I have learnt all too recently.

For those who know what I'm talking about, the best part about season 5 (in my opinion) is the introduction of the love interest for Dr. Christina Yang. Dr. Owen Hunt is just what she needs. Someone strong that can match her fiery character definitely is a great pairing for her. I hope they keep him as a regular on the show. He'll make an interesting addition to the cast.

Kevin McKidd as Dr. Owen Hunt giving Patrick Dempsey a run for his money.

All said and done

2008-10-07T12:52:00.004+08:00

With all being said and done, it's now official. I'm leaving my current company and in November, I'll be officially a writer for the NewMan magazine. It was a difficult decision with a lot of headaches and doubts but I think it's for the best.

Yea, I'm currently doing medical writing (in a sense), so I don't know how well I'll fare switching to lifestyle writing. But I guess I'll never find out if I don't give it a try - and I'll definitely will be trying my hardest.

Thanks to all of you who have been listening to me and giving me advice.Your time was well spent making me feel alot better (read: not look like a fool for switching jobs so soon and with all the odds against me). I really appreciate it.

Wish me luck.

The sun shines

2008-10-01T18:23:00.004+08:00

Woot. It has been a good day. Firstly, roads were clear all the way back to Malacca. Although I strongly suspect it's because I went back so late (4 p.m. on Raya day itself). And went I got back I found this waiting for me. It was a gift! :)

I have not been wearing a watch for quite some time now but I guess it'll come in handy when it's needed to complete a look or outfit.

Grey's Anatomy Season 5 Official Music Video

2008-09-28T19:49:00.002+08:00

And right on the heels of the last post, here's the official music video for season 5 premiere with Bryn Christopher's 'The Quest' song used in the 4th season finale.

Hoping for the best

2008-09-28T19:39:00.003+08:00

Grey's Anatomy Season 5 premiered in the US three days ago and I still can't find a download for that season premiere. Whatever happened to the wonders of technology when you really need it?

I'm really looking forward to the revival of what once, was a great tv series. The astounding success of Season 1 only lead to mounting disappointment in Season 2 and 3 as the characters in the series got more and more tangled in a love web that lead to everybody getting hurt and whiny. However, watching Season 4, I think the story is picking up and I see promise in Season 5.

I'm leaving you with the closing scene of the finale for Season 4.

Feeding my ego

2008-09-28T03:11:00.004+08:00

I feel that zodiacs do describe a person rather aptly but I have never really found a book that addresses the personalities of someone born on the cusp. Well, I read a book today in Borders that did and though it may not be all accurate but it'll do a fine job boosting my ego. I need every little bit of extra confidence that I can muster up for what I think will be a hard time for me in the coming few months. I survive solely in life sustained by confidence and heck, I'll certainly be needing it soon.

Those born on the Cancer/Leo cusp are creative individuals with artistic temperaments and a flair for the dramatic. Ambitious for worldly success, you are self-assured enough to continue believing in yourself in the face of obstacles and setbacks. You prefer a position of leadership yet you work exceedingly well within a team environment. You need to be in the thick of things rather than sitting on the sidelines. You always seem to know the best way to promote yourself and your ideas, and you have a gift for inspiring others to do the same.

The charming sunny personality of the July 22nd covers a proud inner nature with a concentrated drive to win. You project the illusion of tractability, but you generally manage to get your own way in the end. A incorrigible optimist, you enjoy the material trappings of the good life. When you want something, you buy it, even if you can't afford it. You figure that by the time the bill arrives, the money will miraculously be there to pay for them, and often that proves to be the case.

You believe that love makes the world go 'round, and in an intimate relationship, you're romantic and affectionate. You may flirt a good deal but you do it more for the attention than anything else. Once committed to another person, you're a loyal and devoted partner.

Voicing it

2008-09-13T03:03:00.003+08:00

How much does a person's voice tell you about his persona and his looks? I have been getting alot of double takes from the people I have liaised with over the phone in the course of my work - when they finally meet me in person that is. All of them have said that I do not look like the person they imagine the voice on the phone belongs to. When pressed for details and an explanation on what they meant, they would desist in talking about it and I only get coy (or probably, devious) smiles. This has not happened once or twice, but lots of times.

I would like to flatter myself to think that they simply did not envision me to be so young but one can't help but wonder whether - the truth, will be very much more unflattering.

I don't think I can handle the truth.

Not yet anyway.

Killjoy

2008-09-08T16:44:00.005+08:00

It was a rather good day, if I must say so myself - until I found out that my publisher's niece scheduled an interview for a writer's position in my company. And to say the least, I actually received a stellar appraisal from my editor this morning itself.

Now, I can actually feel my hopes and future in the company crumbling around me as I stood facing the new writer with qualifications more outstanding than mine. What more, she's a girl. Now now, I'm not being discriminating but on the flipside with the publisher and the editor being women, my chances of being given a fair chance at moving up in the company is at risk? No?

As much as women are clamoring for equality, sometimes it's the males that are overlooked. With everyone sensitized to female needs and demands, where are the men's lib groups to tip the scales? When one side is pushing hard, the other side needs to push back too - or else we men may just get rolled over.

I think I shall go back today and decompose on my bed.

Fit For A Prince

2008-09-04T18:41:00.007+08:00

The Prince Court Medical Centre in KL is fantastic. Attending a media launch today, I was treated to a magnificent tour of its opulent facilities. Looking at the building from the outside, one would not guess it is a hospital and being inside, I would not think so either. It looks like a hotel, feels like a hotel and even smells like a hotel.

With fine dining cafeterias, Starbucks, fancy lounges, glass elevators and decadent decors, it is really unbelievable. And in case any of you are wondering, the price does not go up too high either. It is really comparable to other private hospitals out there in the city - pricewise.

The rooms come equip with a safe, refrigerator, flat screen tv, an enormous shower area and toilet, and even an attached regular room for guests. Oh and yes, the hospital is covered with its own wifi system. The fine dining cafetaria? You have complete meals with starters, main dishes and desserts. The media got to eat free of course, steaks, lamb shanks, salmons, salads, soups and plenty of sweet stuff like tiramisu and strudels. Now that - is bringing the term 'hospital food' to a whole new level!

Now this machine deserves special mention. You know why? It has somehow insulted me. It is a machine that is used to calculate a person's body mass index. I was picked for a demonstration and the following reading was given out:

BMI: 20.1
Average calories burn per day at resting state/BMR: 1393
Body fat: 13% (Yes, I'm not lean enough)
Muscle mass: 23% (Wth?? Is it possible to be so low?)
Weight: 54kg
Height: Not telling (I'm sensitive)
My body's age: 18

Yes, 18. The nurse was very happy to announce that and she thought I would be pleased to be having a body of an eighteen year old. I was actually flattered too until I went back and thought about it.

Was the machine confused because it thought I have the height of an eighteen year old?

Feeling like a fool

2008-08-27T13:03:00.002+08:00

You know what is worse than looking like a fool?

Making a fool of yourself to the very person you don't want to appear like a fool.

Period.

The Land Before Time Soundtrack - If We Hold On Together

2008-08-26T10:21:00.001+08:00

I recently got this song from a friend and listening to it brings back alot of memories. I loved dinosaurs back then and naturally, this was my favourite cartoon. I had the video and I remembered watching it lots of times - over and over. I even had part 2 but I didn't manage to watch part 3 and 4 (I think there were four movies).

Anyway, it is a beautiful song.

Ulu n' Terpencil

2008-08-19T23:44:00.002+08:00

I had an event at the Pick n' Brew today. The place was rather nice I think but it's rather secluded - thus not many would know about it. It's deep, deep into one of the corners and is adjacent to the connecting door for One World Hotel. I have been to One Utama countless times but I've never even gone remotely near that particular place before.

Two words - Ulu n' Terpencil

Yes, those were shots from the camera in my new phone :)

Peter Gabriel's 'Down To Earth'

2008-08-19T11:01:00.003+08:00

The song is fantastic. I think the lyrics are superb and the pensive mood it brings fits well with the movie.

China cheating in Olympics?

2008-08-18T16:41:00.002+08:00

I have not watched the Beijing Olympics but nevertheless, I found this abit disturbing when I read about it. According to an article by the editor of AskMen, China is allegedly cheating in the prestigious event. I have not watched any of the sports event (apart from the feeble Malaysian attempt for a gold in badminton) and thus, I can't form much of an opinion.

For the record, I would like to state that I'm no fan of China (anyone who knows me personally would know why) and I think that the Chinese, of all people are the most competitive - making this not unlikely. However I feel that since it's coming from the USA, the credibility of the accusation is laughable.

They may be right but who's gonna sympathize with or believe allegations formed by a country that is in second place in the medal tally? A case of jealousy gone bad?

Then, I googled the term 'China cheating in Olympics' and my my, I got an eyeful of different opinions by various blogs, websites and forums.

I know that the home country usually gets a boost to their medal haul but to this extent where disgruntled opinions are being flashed everywhere?

Did stuff like these get raised in previous Olympics?

When it ends

2008-08-16T01:39:00.003+08:00

The 2008 issue 3 of my magazine has been closed and it will be out in September. It has been a journey for me working all these months. What more with being understaffed. I'm the only in-house writer at the moment and I'm proud that I have been able to handle everything that has been handed to me. It really has been crazy for the last couple of weeks with work being everywhere in my life. Now it is time to relax and come up with ideas for the next issue.

Look out for my magazine in September. It has my name splashed around in alot more of the pages.

:)

AI will soon take over the planet

2008-08-13T21:20:00.002+08:00

The GPS system in my new phone is fantastic. I was abit apprehensive at first and it took great will power to go against all skepticism I had for listening to a device with AI. However it proved to be so accurate that I'm now a firm believer that machines are definitely gonna rule the world soon. :D

Not only did it give accurate directions, the voice direction it provided was unbelievable. It was like having a personal guide sitting right beside you while you're driving and telling you what to do. For a fact, I've never had driving companions this omniscient about road directions before!

It provided helpful voice directions like:

- At the first possible turning, turn left
-After turning right, keep left
-After turning right, make a sharp direct turn to the left
-After 250 metres, turn left and then continue along the road for 500 metres before keeping right

Ok, I did get lost a few times but it was really because I was reading road signs and somehow it was contradicting the GPS. Thereafter I realised that the GPS is always right. But never fear because if you do happen to take the wrong turning (due to your own pigheadedness no doubt) the system automatically maps a new route from where you are now. Fantastic isn't it?

The only drawback is that the GPS can't tell which roads are to be avoided because of bad traffic. I made the mistake of following its instructions on my way back to KL and somehow it took me into all the small roads that are inexplicably jammed and that I would never in the whole world would think to attempt such a route.

Well you win some, you lose some.

The morning after

2008-08-07T09:51:00.002+08:00

I found the experience of the graduation ceremony rather anticlimactic. Barely three seconds and it was over. Delayed gratification? Most likely not.

I think the excitement and pleasure came more from meeting the people you actually miss since leaving that part of your life behind. My stoic junior (thanks for the card and flowers), my patient senior (who actually left work early to come and see me), my roommate for 2 years (a saint - he survived living with me in close spaces all that time) and my research partners (pleasant memories of pulling our hair out while moaning about failed experimental attempts).

So little time for so much catching up in so short an afternoon.

The worst of both worlds

2008-08-05T13:40:00.004+08:00

I was reading this bit on a website on Native American zodiac animals and I was surprised that I did not fit in with the general description of my animal sign. Could it be inaccurate? So I read the description for the animal of the group before mine since I'm so near to the cutoff point anyway. And I realized it was not accurate either. Then I realized that if you put the negative traits of both signs together, you get an apt description of me. LOL

By the way, the salmon looks so cute. Reminds me of those itty bitty ikan bilis I gulp down with my nasi lemak for breakfast. I might get a tatoo of it someday. How cute is an ikan bilis tatoo? :)

Salmon: Jul 22 – Aug 21
Electric, focused, intuitive, and wholly creative, the Salmon is a real live-wire. His/her energy is palpable. A natural motivator, the Salmon's confidence and enthusiasm is easily infectious. Soon, everybody is onboard with the Salmon – even if the idea seems too hair-brained to work. Generous, intelligent, and intuitive, it's no wonder why the Salmon has no shortage of friends. This Native American animal symbol expresses a need for purpose and goals, and has no trouble finding volunteers for his/her personal crusades. In a supportive environment, the Salmon is stable, calm, sensual, and giving. Left to his/her own devices, those that bear this Native American animal symbol can be egotistical, vulgar, and intolerant of others.

Woodpecker: Jun 21 – Jul 21
Woodpeckers are usually the most nuturing of all the Native American animal symbols. The consummate listener, totally empathic and understanding, the Woodpecker is the one to have on your side when you need support. Of course, they make wonderful parents, and equally wonderful friends and partners. Another proverbial feather in the Woodpeckers cap is the tendency to be naturally frugal, resourceful, and organized. In a nurturing environment the Woodpecker is of course caring, devoted, and very romantic. Left to his/her own devices the Woodpecker can be possessive, angry, jealous, and spiteful.

July is a shitty month to be born in

2008-07-31T22:33:00.001+08:00

Yes, because all the retail discounts you get for your birthday month is pretty much redundant with the Malaysian mega sale going on...

When graduates go wild

2008-07-30T09:24:00.004+08:00

In The Star today, a complaint was published with regards to the fiasco of collecting graduation robes on Monday in UM.

It came as no surprise that an issue like that would surface as a it was indeed a big fiasco and in so many ways more than just the morning rush that happened. As much as everyone would like to look good graduating, it was a big surprise for me when I heard from a friend that people were actually queuing up at midnight to secure the right size robes - particularly the 'S' ones.

Naturally, graduating is a big thing for most people and the ceremony, an even bigger event. However so, I think that it is very sad that students are no longer able to see the bigger picture.

There was a big upheaval not long ago too when UM announced that some of the graduation ceremonies would not be taking place in its main hall (Dewan Tunku Canselor) but instead at various halls around the different faculties. Students got so worked up about it that there was even talk of a peaceful demonstration to show solidarity against such a move by the university's administrators. I didn't see what's the fuss back then and I still don't see it now.

In my views, graduating is a thing to be proud of regardless of what you wear and where your convocation is. As much as I do hate the robes (I think they're appalling) and as much as I think the ceremony is a chore, I am proud to say that I'm a graduate. With or without the ceremony, one is still a graduate and that is what that matters most.

Students should stop being so hung up about their university life and start growing up. Maybe if they would have stopped nitpicking at every little detail in their life, they would have already gottten a job. I'm sure the ones in the fiasco were majorly the ones that are currently part of the thousands of unemployed graduates.

And for those who excuse themselves and say that they just want their parents to be proud of them on their special day, I say to you:

"My parents will still be proud even if I have my graduation ceremony in a cow shed wearing a potato sack!"

It is not where you graduate from that matters. It is how you're acting as a graduate, in life that matters.

When it just eludes you

2008-07-24T17:37:00.001+08:00

I really don't get this no matter how many times I read it again and again....

PETA is taking it to a whole new level

2008-07-23T11:03:00.007+08:00

Apparently I have been linked in a comment for a feminist's post regarding PETA exploiting women for their publicity campaigns. I have nothing much to say about PETA and of the near nude women posing in their ads but I do feel that sometimes, feminists really need to relax and not get their panties in a bunch over a seemingly harmless way of getting messages across.

The comment linked my post, 'When Men Go Nude' and while I'm totally alright with that, it also said that the following picture could be found on my blog. Actually I have never seen the aforementioned ad picture for PETA and I have not posted it on my blog.

The thing is, I liked it. It certainly makes a statement. So here you go.

Probably I'll be linked to the Pope's blog for this? I can almost imagine the title of the post , "Die you sinners! Thou shalt burn in hell." Or something similar in context...

Oh my nuts!

2008-07-20T19:19:00.003+08:00

I was browsing through the AskMen.com articles when I came across this in their Manly Vegetables writeup.

Walnuts

They’re not veggies, but they’re just too manly to overlook. Walnuts have been used for millennia to enhance rock-hard maleness, if you catch my drift. More recently, scientists at the University of Malaya in Malaysia have developed a potent love potion from walnuts that rivals that famous blue pill performance-wise. The natural supplement, which contains the equivalent of 3.3 kg of walnuts, boosts performance for up to four hours. Still, eating a few walnuts every day has added benefits. They’re loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, a protective fat that has been shown to boost brain power, protect your cardiovascular system and stave off the worst effects of rheumatoid arthritis. They are, however, high in calories, so limit your intake.

Certainly not bad huh? Well, the thing is I really disliked the lecturer who spearheaded the research. In my opinion, he is one crappy lecturer that had no ability to teach whatsoever. It didn't help that I hated the subject he lectured on too. And oh yeah, I felt that he was one of those typical Chinese lecturers that resembled all the things I dislike in the Chinese in general.

Being reminded of him when I'm surfing a US men's website is something totally unexpected.

A book review: The Camomile Lawn

2008-07-20T14:56:00.005+08:00

I seem to have a thing for British writers. I find their writing exceptionally beautiful and Mary Wesley's The Camomile Lawn is of no exception. Masterfully written, it vividly describes the tale of five cousins in wartime London and Cornwall - of despair, of hope, of sexual comforts and of lost innocence. The story reflects on how the uncertainties of war affects every aspect of life and how the heightened sense of mortality sheds inhibitions on love and values.

In my opinion, it is a book worth reading. It's actually a rather intense tale and I found it hard to put the book down after opening it up. Surprisingly though, there was humour to be found in the book with candid moments that I think is refreshing in a tale about war. It kept the story balanced, saving readers from being bored.

To balance the unlimited was to make it limited

2008-07-12T00:11:00.005+08:00

It was just perfect. It couldn't get any better. I was so pleased that I actually couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it. I mean, could something free be that good? Well apparently it can be.

Yes, it was the most perfect seats. Dead right in the centre - not too close to the stage and yet not too far either. I was pleased that I could get free tickets for such good seats.

Then I saw the musical.

To be fair, I would say that it was not really my kind of thing. The humour, the pop culture references and the songs were just not right for me. I am sure alot of effort was put into it and it was a commendable work. However, the musical scores were not original (they used melodies from popular songs) and I found that abit corny. To make it worse, the humour was forced and it seemed like they were trying too hard to make you laugh. I felt the entertainment value was abit limited.

Performance-wise, it was good but other than that I can't say anything more positive about it.

Good seats, bad musical.

A rather good balance don't you think?

Accrued Benefits

2008-07-10T19:51:00.003+08:00

I have been sleeping alot more lately. When I was a student, I only slept for about five hours a day and it was, surprisingly enough for me to function. Of course, I slept in lectures too but that's beside the point. Now, even ten hours a day is not sufficient for me to feel rested.

I scoffed at others that have an early bedtime before and look at me now - I'm asleep everyday at ten. It is kind of sad thing when you think about it.

Oh, I know, sleeping more is a good thing. Studies are showing that you can even lose more weight if you get sufficient sleep each day. Nothing like some beauty sleep, eh?

I got the sleeping part down to pat alright.

When does the beauty part kick in?

Lukewarm at best

2008-07-06T23:09:00.003+08:00

I'm feeling a little disgruntled at the way I was treated today. I may not have been to many events since I started my job but I think, I have been to enough to tell that the company was not treating us right. Fine, maybe they thought focusing more of their attention on the retailers is the wise thing to do. Nevertheless, we, the media are the ones that not only will be reporting on your product launch but writing about your product. I think I shall give a lukewarm writeup at best, as I was received that way.

Alcoholics Anonymous

2008-07-05T08:48:00.002+08:00

I feel like crap.

I had too much too drink yesterday at an office drinks session yesterday - and maybe a little too much too eat as well. Came back with a heavy head, totally inebriated and a full stomach. Fell asleep for a while and got up to hurl. Yes, hurl. Now I know why it is aptly called hurling. The flying projectile when rather far and with a rather great force. I could actually feel my stomach constricting totally as it emptied everything I had. Luckily I made it too the loo.

I can't really remember much but I think I did text a few people when I my brain was in shutdown. I hope I didn't say anything inappropriate.

Can't blame me. I had a bad day yesterday. Blame the horrible day?

Now, I'm nursing a bad hangover.

And everyone wonders why I don't drink.

Creative Coma

2008-06-29T21:32:00.003+08:00

I think I'm suffering from writing overdose...

Too much of a good thing is bad.

Help?

LOL

Actually I wanted to write something about my day doing some men's beauty product research at the Pavilion and Suria KLCC but then somehow lost the will when I was trying to put together sentences. Am I desensitizing my creative thoughts to mental stimulation? Will that creative spark eventually burn out?

Crap. I'm raving and I totally don't know where I am heading with this post.

It's gonna me Monday again tomorrow. Join me lapsing into a coma?

Take a stand for those that can't

2008-06-28T23:29:00.004+08:00

Today I made a difference. I pledged Rm 30 each month to the WWF Malaysia to help with their ongoing nature conservation efforts. I've always wanted to donate but I was a student back then - now that I'm working, why not? One dollar a day is not that much to myself but it will make alot of difference to the animals saved by the efforts of the WWF.

I made a stand for those that can't.

Will you?

Gratifying

2008-06-28T08:47:00.006+08:00

So it has finally reached the one month mark of me working. How has it been? Oh, sure I have my complaints and the usual moanings about deadlines and stuff. However, if you ask me, I can't imagine myself doing anything else for a living. Writing is fun and nothing gives me more satisfaction than seeing my name in print above a well written piece.

I received my first official paycheck yesterday. Yeap, money well earned is money to be proud of. However, you know what is better? I received the June issue of my magazine too yesterday - hot off the printing press. Let me tell you, it was one of the best moments of my life. Finally, I am a published writer.

If I had to describe my feelings in one word about my job, it would be...

- Gratifying -

How many out there can say the same thing? :)

Make sure you get it once it hits the bookshops. I have three articles in this issue but in the next issue, you'll definitely see more of me :)

My achy breaky body

2008-06-11T20:25:00.002+08:00

I had a fitness event at Mont Kiara this afternoon. It was with Get Active, a personal training studio and I felt like a Hollywood star for at least a few hours. I had the services of a personal trainer and I think it was a really good experience. I mean, professional advice tailored to your fitness level, needs and goals - what more could you ask for?

My personal trainer, Amy was professional, cheerful and a really wonderful person to be around. Nevertheless, she really put me through the paces thoroughly. I went home feeling feeling achy but yet satisfied. I would certainly get her for full time training if only I had the cash. Naturally, they don't come cheap and good things even more so.

Should I continue with the regimen since I do have a gym at my place? I'll let my laziness do the talking.

A first taste

2008-06-08T00:35:00.004+08:00

I attended my first theater production today and I had great fun. It was the local production of Paula Vogel's How I Learned To Drive and it was staged at the Actors Studio, Bangsar. As much of a neophyte I may be, I would say it was good. The script was fantastic and I savoured the language immensely.

Really wonderful.

My Devil Wears Prada Week 1

2008-06-06T12:54:00.002+08:00

So one week has passed. Honestly, it wasn't bad. I had fun and ultimately it was a great experience. So much to learn, so much to pick up and so much to absorb in so much of a short time. What did I do?

Let's see. I finished a couple of editorial pieces. Completed an advertorial piece. Attended my first cover shoot and got to meet Malaysian singer, Ezlynn. Wrote the cover story and went for a beauty product launch.

Alot to happen in five days.

I survived.

My Alma Mater - A Love Affair

2008-05-23T17:46:00.003+08:00

So it happened that I dropped by to visit my old school today. I didn't realize that it was the last day of school today before the term break and hence the overall atmosphere was rather hectic. Nevertheless, it came as a pleasant surprise that most of my teachers remembered me, if not by name at least by sight. I thought that it has been a rather long time since I paid a visit, I think about two years since I left five years ago. Nostalgic? Yeah, I miss my teachers - at least most of them.

Average makes it to the top

2008-05-18T13:53:00.002+08:00

All hail Whitney, the very first average size model to win America's Next Top Model. Cycle 10 was a little bit disappointing but I really liked Whitney from the beginning. I think she's simply gorgeous.

This is one of the few times that the girl I really liked won. I was really rooting for her.

Kite Killer

2008-05-10T16:36:00.002+08:00

Oh yeah. I watched The Kite Runner a few days back and I was a little bit disappointed. Oh, the movie was good but that was the problem - it was just good and nothing else. It did not give me any more reason for better praises and neither did it make an impact great enough for me to leave the cinema feeling awed. If I would be more brutal, I would like to say that the plot felt a little bit contrived. Certainly it was heart rending but overall, it felt forced as if the movie propelled forward with the sole purpose of making everyone shed a tear or two. I could very well make a prediction on what would be happening next just based on choosing the saddest thing that could happen in the storyline, short of killing off the main character that is.

I think all I'm trying to say is that there are other ways of evoking emotions that just relying on showcasing brutalities and deaths. Of course, there is nothing wrong with brutalities and deaths in a movie but when you have so many of those until other aspects are hidden, then it feels a tiny bit over the top. Other values of kinship, friendship and love in the movie was shunted aside in the attempt to milk sorrow from the audience.

Yes, I have not read the book but strangely, I'm not motivated to purchase it after watching the movie.

Phones

2008-05-07T20:56:00.001+08:00

I found this hilarious. Couldn't stop laughing. Maybe because I didn't expect the punchline to be from the maid.

The phone bill was exceptionally high and the man of the house called a family meeting.

Dad: People, this is unacceptable. You have to limit the use of the phone. I do not use this phone, I use the one at the office.

Mum: Same here, I hardly use this home telephone as I use my work telephone.

Son: Me too, I never use the home phone. I always use my company mobile.

Maid: So what is the problem? We all use our work telephones.

Free

2008-05-07T15:51:00.001+08:00

After about two decades of continuous education today is the day I finally end it all. This very day marks the end of one phase of my life and the beginning of another.

Free?

Probably not. Henceforth begins the phase of backbreaking labour that follows financial independence.

How does that feel? A little intimidating and yet in many ways so, very seductive. To be finally earning your keep. It is a hallmark of worries to come. :)

A book review: My Family and Other Animals (Gerald Durrell)

2008-04-29T15:13:00.004+08:00

This is long overdue. Oh, well. Here goes.

This book is purely wonderful. I'm a lover of animals and any tale involving animals usually do capture my interest and my good opinion. However, this book is more than that. It tells the story of Gerald Durrell during his childhood stay on the Greek island of Corfu and the many animals he met, discovered and kept as pets. Woven into the story is the various antics and eccentricities of his family that really made the book such fun to read. Indeed, the book is full of wit, satire and sarcasm that livens up the story in so many ways, making it all really laughable.

I got the book at the weekend flea market at Amcorp and it was really such a steal. I forgot how much I paid for it but it was only a few bucks. Gerald Durrell wrote various other books and I'm currently searching for them. I'm hooked.

Yeah, they even made a television series based on the book. I can't seem to find a download so I guess I'll have to purchase it.

Finally, I'll leave you with an excerpt that really made me laugh and I feel that was a wonderful ending to the book. He managed to capture the sorrow of leaving Corfu but yet manages to make light of the event by injecting a little humour into the scene, making it a perfect closing to a great tale.

As the ship drew across the sea and Corfu sank shimmering into the pearly heat haze on the horizon a black depression settled on us, which lasted all the way back to England. The grimy train scuttled its way up from Brindisi toward Switzerland, and we sat in silence, not wishing to talk. Above our heads, on the rack, the finches sang in their cages, the Magenpies chuckled and hammered with their beaks, and Alecko gave a mournful yarp at intervals. Around our feet, the dogs lay snoring. At the Swiss frontier our passports were examined by the disgracefully efficient officials. He handed them back to Mother, together with a small slip of paper, bowed unsmilingly, and left us to our gloom. Some moments later Mother glanced at the form the official had filled in, and as she read it, she stiffened.

'Just look what he's put,' she exclaimed indignantly, 'impertinent man'

Larry stared at the little form and snorted.

'Well, that's the penalty you pay for leaving Corfu,' he pointed out.

On the little card, in the column headed Description of Passengers had been written, in neat capitals: One traveling Circus and Staff.

'What a thing to write,' said Mother, still simmering, 'really some people are peculiar'.

The train rattled towards London.

On the moon with Armstrong

2008-04-24T23:23:00.003+08:00

It is finally out. I've waited for this so so so so long. Why does it take so long for a book to be published in paperback?

These money grubbing publishers should be rounded up and made to eat their own hardcover books. Then let them use all that money earned from forcing people to buy these hardcover editions of books to get their stomach cut open and the books removed.

I'm rambling. Shouldn't be rambling when there's such a nice nice exciting wonderful book to be read.

Can't wait to read about my all time favourite necromancer.

Ciao!

Celebrating Gaia

2008-04-21T20:43:00.002+08:00

And your homework today is to go read up on the Gaia Hypothesis. It's a very interesting read. Do your little part and be more aware of our earth.

Blogosphere's 50 Most Unknown Bachelors

2008-04-18T18:26:00.008+08:00

I'm late again. Whoops. Forgive me Sam?

BACHELOR NO : Err....What's my number again?

NAME : Zyklon22

OCCUPATION : Writer :)

AGE : 23

ZODIAC : Dual Cancer/Leo ( born on the cusp) with Scorpio on the rising

FAVE HANGOUT : A bedroom with an internet connection, telly, chips and books.

TALENT : To be a stoic temperemental.

Three things you can’t live without?

My wit, my confidence and my innate ability to be evil.

What is the sweetest thing a girl / guy has done for you?

A sweet, self written poem sms-ed to me on my birthday that put a smile on my face. I shall not elaborate. I'm still keeping it in my hp.

The most daredevil thing I’ve ever done is...

Trekking in a bloody cave full of bleeding bats without a fkin guide, but of course - with wacky friends. :)

What’s one thing you’re glad you’ve outgrown?

I'm glad I've outgrown being dependent on having company around me constantly.

Your biggest mistake is...

Not having the courage to break out from the mold shaped by social obligations and personal expectations earlier in life.

Which actor would play you in a movie about your life?

Tobey Maguire? LOL

Why do women / men...

Why do women feel that they should have everything in their favour? Gender equality comes with both the bad and the good. Take it or leave it I would say.

And I write

2008-04-10T18:55:00.003+08:00

It is official. I picked up my letter of appointment today, got it signed and now, I'm officially employed. I am gonna be a writer! Woot!

My thoughts? It is surreal. Never would I imagine that I could be writing for a living. Even saying that sounds unbelievable. There is something dreamlike about it all. It will take a while to fully sink in I guess.

My feelings about the whole thing? It's all excitement and thrill washed down with a smattering of apprehension and flavored with a tiny dash of self-doubt. You can't blame me. I'm taking a big leap out of my field of study to do something I've always dream of doing - something I never thought I could and would be doing. I think in this case a little self-doubt is permissible. Don't you think?

I'm going to be starting in June but I have been asked do to some pieces for the magazine on a freelance basis at the moment. So I'm gonna be in print for the June issue. Weeee.

Anyway, one bad thing is that my plan to menganggur one year is seriously dashed. Sigh, I so need a holiday. I guess I can't have my pie and eat it at the same time.

Now before I end I need to say this one more time for it to sink in.

I'm gonna be a writer.

There, that's three times now. Third time's always the charm.

Life!

2008-04-02T20:40:00.007+08:00

Yeap, all that hard work paid off. My mock-up of a magazine of choice has been printed and submitted for my magazine publishing class I took. The result? I'm damn proud of it. It is amateur work I admit but I'm proud of it all the same. I have very little experience with graphics work but I think I managed to pull it off completing the layout and all the best I could.

Hey I managed to land myself a job when I printed and brought a few of these to the interview the other day and what more can I ask? :) It was worth it being editor-in-chief despite all that death-defying work.

Sourpuss?

2008-04-01T00:52:00.001+08:00

Would I say I'm sour? Probably yes.

You Are a Lemon

You have a very distinct personality. And if you're not being sweet, you're a little hard to take.

You're a bit overpowering, especially in one on one situations.

And while you are very dominant, sometimes your power is needed and appreciated.

You can liven up a dull situation, and you definitely bring a fresh outlook.

You are a bit of an acquired taste, and you tend to grow on people over time.

People feel refreshed and rejuvenated after spending time with you.

What Type of Fruit Are You?

A book review: Shalimar the Clown

2008-03-18T17:25:00.006+08:00

Truth be told, I am not a great fan of political novels and this one by Salman Rushdie did not change my perception much. I tend to avoid political novels purely based on the reason that if I would want to read about politics, I could just as easily purchase the daily paper. However, the story of an American ambassador, his wife, a village dancing girl, their love child, an Islamist hit man and how they are all tied together by both love and hate intrigued me enough to purchase the book. As much as I stood in the bookstore trying to hazard a guess, I could not imagine the plot connecting their much disconnected backgrounds. These separate lives on several continents and in numerous countries seemed like an insurmountable task to be put together into one novel.

When read, I certainly enjoyed the story development but the writing is too abstract for my taste. I do know that thoughts and feelings are abstract in their original form but is it not the job of a writer to capture them into writings easily understood and imagined? Though some parts of the novel proved to be much easier to fathom and read, overall it was a struggle to complete.

To me, it was alot of words, a lot more cultural references, neverending pop culture, infinite name dropping and definitely more than enough political messages.

Scented books

2008-03-16T15:04:00.002+08:00

There is nothing like the scent of new books. It is refreshingly seductive (literary-wise, of course) and it is exciting in too many aspects to be described. In many ways, the very smell of a freshly purchased book brings back memories of pure contentment - reading that is, and nothing else. The light scent that wafts up when you turn the crisp pages is enough to get you high and the cool touch of your fingers against the smooth, unblemished texture of the paper heightens the sensation and bolsters the reading experience.

However, old books have their mark too that I find addictive. The musty smell of a book with yellowing pages brings to memory of books that are a comfortable read. These books are books that have weathered time and are an easy-going kind of novel to be carrying around. They speak of past happiness to be found in their pages and the continual collection of cheer in readers to come.

If anyone ever bottles the scent of books, I will surely be their number one customer.

Stairmaster

2008-03-14T10:06:00.002+08:00

I walked up 14 flights of stairs today because the electricity was out and thus no elevator. I reached my room turned on the fan, waited ten seconds and the electricity came back on....

I think if I walked up everyday I would be able to lose half my weight by the end of the month.

Addicts they are!

2008-03-12T14:48:00.004+08:00

See these mice? They are so cute aren't they?

Then we proceeded to stick them with morphine for observation purposes. They are now drug addicts. It's sad isnt it? So much for the love of animals.

I'll probably rot in hell.

Political tsunami in general election

2008-03-09T03:56:00.002+08:00

Well, well, it seems the results are shocking. With five states lost to the opposition I'm sure this is the biggest win so far seen in history. I do hope that the opposition will perform now that they have gotten the chance they so crave for.

It's time that they show they can walk the walk since they know how to talk the talk.

Salah tekan

2008-03-07T08:51:00.004+08:00

I'm pissed. Some bloody bugger called me four times this morning at approximately 3.30 am and I woke up at the fourth call. I admit, I'm a heavy sleeper and I don't usually get awaken by calls and thus it makes it worse when I do get woken up. Naturally, I couldn't fall asleep again for about an hour and I promptly overslept and missed my 8 am class. What shit.

When I was rudely awaken, I sent him a frigid sms demanding the reason but there was no reply. I called him a moment ago and he said probably he 'salah tekan'. 'Salah tekan'? Four times? I blasted him thoroughly but my anger has not been fully vented yet.

I'm a student with 8 am classes and a never ending load of stupid things to do each week. I'm having a lousy last semester and these people who have no bloody manners and phone etiquette are making it worse.

'Salah tekan' at 3.30 am indeed. Did I mention it was four calls? What kind of mentally retarded person do you think I am to believe that?

Somethings are just too good to be true

2008-02-29T01:19:00.003+08:00

After that particularly harrowing experience of last week's assay evaluation where everything, from the recovery value to the coefficient of variation, ran totally, it is like a miracle to be plotting an almost perfect standard curve for this week's creatinine assay. I was feeling right up in cloud nine, that is until I calculated the control value and found out once again my assay is out of control range. Sigh...

Weeeeee. Where is Alice's rabbit hole?

2008-02-26T19:11:00.003+08:00

Silly Milly had a filly called Millie who loved lilies,
Filly Millie ate too much lilies which made her dizzy so she switched to dillies,
But silly Milly then got into a tizzy when she saw filly Millie ate her dillies,
Filly Millie then switched to chillies which gave her heebie jeebys.

I'm so going crazy. Help me anyone?

A book review -Atonement

2008-02-25T16:24:00.003+08:00

It was a beautiful read. What more can I say? The tale of two sisters estranged by a moment's whim of uncertainty and the tale of two lovers' uncertain estrangement combined proved to be a novel of both exceptional plot and exquisite writing. The writer manages to be unsparingly descriptive but yet minimally wordy making the book a rather easy read.

The book is incomparable to the movie whereby the character development of Briony in the book took on an even greater depth than I could ever imagine. Briony turned out to be more complex in personality, character and thinking yet at the same time more lucid to readers as the book explores most of her memories with greater clarity than the movie can manage. Even more so is the war scene described in the pseudo-memories of Robby where one can actually feel the heat, grime and despair painted in words by the writer.

As much as credit must be given to the movie, the book is a must read for all the fans of the movie.

My last verdict? Definitely a literary delight!

Love me, choose me

2008-02-14T18:18:00.005+08:00

I was heading back from a class late in the evening when I met a whole bevy of Indonesian women all dolled up coming down the stairs to meet their potential suitors waiting on bikes. I hardly recognized these industrious women who I meet everyday along the corridors slaving over their cleaning routines, and to see them all excited today certainly put a smile on my face. It looks like Valentine's day is for everyone everywhere, irregardless of status, lifestyle and nationality. It is indeed something cute to see that even these women who are so far away from home, are able to come up with dates for this special day. St Valentine must be smilling today.

And to all those people in love reading this, "Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!".

Superlatives

2008-02-07T22:22:00.000+08:00

1. You know it's going to be a great year when the very first day of the new year you get hit by a heat wave as you are out of the house from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. visiting relatives.
2. You know it's going to be a greater year when you come back and you develop a fever.
3. You know it's going to be the greatest year when you have to repeat step 1 and 2 again tomorrow.

Lotus root chips

2008-02-05T19:37:00.000+08:00

I saw this in the newspapers and I thought I'll test it out myself. I never thought you could actually make chips out of lotus roots. My mother usually buys it to make some soup but never to fry it. Since I like chips so much I thought I'll give it a try and my mother seems enthusiastic enough.

The taste? The taste was rich and savoury and no seasoning was needed. The only problem was getting it to crisp while not being burned. I guess it is much healthier than the normal potato chips.