Going down under

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

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

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

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

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

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

Paper worth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?