hurray, i received my first court order yesterday...
Has the system changed after their 200th dunno-what celebration or is this normal? I merely committed a petty offence of making an illegal U-turn, and now im being prosecuted?
i would prefer if they could just issue me a summon to settle the fine out of court, and not issue me a ticket telling me to turn up at the court next month for some stupid hearing...
maybe i should get outta the country before the hearing...
it's a sign...
Monday, March 26, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
The Magic Flute, not so magical afterall...
What do you get when you put together a bunch of amateurs to perform one of Mozart's greatest work? the result is a disastrous one...think AI's 'the attack of the tuneless freaks', think Sarah Brightman having a bad throat day, and think of an orchestra sightreading a piece for the first time...
Fine, maybe it wasnt that bad, and may i even say it was worth the price i paid? yeah, that's exactly the standard they are showcasing, something equivalent to 30 bucks...
It's gotta be nerve-racking, performing on debut night, and to hafta tackle the Overture in the very beginning...and yes, everyone judges you on the overture, whether you have what it takes to pull through all the pieces, the skills, and the spirit...It is the introduction to the opera afterall, you needa show us the WOW factor, show us that you can handle the toccata for The Magic Flute...
they failed miserably...
put aside the fact that KLPac Sinfonietta is made up of kids who's yet to undergo Classical Appreciation class, we have a bunch of very eager teenagers trying to play Mozart's pieces...
The Strings messed up big time, they were all over each other! Not being in Sync with one another when they tackle Allegro is forgivable, but when you play off beat in Andante, that's just asking for trouble, you're turning everyone off...
While the brass fair better, they were unable to yield a clear distinctive tune a trumpet or a trombone is supposed to give...it was somewhat muffled...F horn, on the other hand, did a great job muffling out the symphony, that's their role anyway...
Woodwind was a delight, the occasional Flute-solo was welcomed, albeit shortlived...i was just curious why only First Flute was contributing the entire time, second and third flute were seating there looking expectant, willing for a chance to shine...im not talking bout the solo part, im talking bout the concerto...they appeared to be nothing more than a seat-filler...
Percussion managed relatively well, i will give it to the timpanist! she was a star!
As for the Opera, nothing too impressive, and i wouldnt expect them to be, some of them are doing it for the first time...so go figure...Nevertheless, The Queen stands out among the sopranos to be the most successful soloist, demonstrating some challenging pitch change...
Oh yeah, Joe Hasham is a real clown, humiliating himself as a narrator, he can't even get the names right! and playing the blaming card on the Italians aint gonna work for me...
and what's with the cheesy slideshow that's supposed to be some kinda visual aid? surely they can hire some pros to fix that? Nevermind that this isnt about the flash but the music...
I might wanna think twice before attending any theatres in KLPac in the future...
Fine, maybe it wasnt that bad, and may i even say it was worth the price i paid? yeah, that's exactly the standard they are showcasing, something equivalent to 30 bucks...
It's gotta be nerve-racking, performing on debut night, and to hafta tackle the Overture in the very beginning...and yes, everyone judges you on the overture, whether you have what it takes to pull through all the pieces, the skills, and the spirit...It is the introduction to the opera afterall, you needa show us the WOW factor, show us that you can handle the toccata for The Magic Flute...
they failed miserably...
put aside the fact that KLPac Sinfonietta is made up of kids who's yet to undergo Classical Appreciation class, we have a bunch of very eager teenagers trying to play Mozart's pieces...
The Strings messed up big time, they were all over each other! Not being in Sync with one another when they tackle Allegro is forgivable, but when you play off beat in Andante, that's just asking for trouble, you're turning everyone off...
While the brass fair better, they were unable to yield a clear distinctive tune a trumpet or a trombone is supposed to give...it was somewhat muffled...F horn, on the other hand, did a great job muffling out the symphony, that's their role anyway...
Woodwind was a delight, the occasional Flute-solo was welcomed, albeit shortlived...i was just curious why only First Flute was contributing the entire time, second and third flute were seating there looking expectant, willing for a chance to shine...im not talking bout the solo part, im talking bout the concerto...they appeared to be nothing more than a seat-filler...
Percussion managed relatively well, i will give it to the timpanist! she was a star!
As for the Opera, nothing too impressive, and i wouldnt expect them to be, some of them are doing it for the first time...so go figure...Nevertheless, The Queen stands out among the sopranos to be the most successful soloist, demonstrating some challenging pitch change...
Oh yeah, Joe Hasham is a real clown, humiliating himself as a narrator, he can't even get the names right! and playing the blaming card on the Italians aint gonna work for me...
and what's with the cheesy slideshow that's supposed to be some kinda visual aid? surely they can hire some pros to fix that? Nevermind that this isnt about the flash but the music...
I might wanna think twice before attending any theatres in KLPac in the future...
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Thinking of POTO...
Raoul
No more talk of darkness,
forget these wide-eyed fears;
I'm here, nothing can harm you,
my words will warm and calm you.
Let me be your freedom,
let daylight dry your tears;
I'm here, with you, beside you,
to guard you and to guide you.
Christine
Say you'll love me ev'ry waking moment;
turn my head with talk of summertime.
Say you need me with you now and always;
promise me that all you say is true,
that's all I ask of you.
Raoul
Let me be your shelter,
let me be your light;
you're safe, no one will find you,
your fears are far behind you.
Christine
All I want is freedom,
a world with no more night;
and you, always beside me,
to hold me and to hide me.
Raoul
Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime;
let me lead you from you solitude.
Say you need me with you, here beside you,
anywhere you go, let me go too,
that's all I ask of you.
Christine
Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime.
Say the word and I will follow you.
Together
Share each day with me, each night, each morning.
Christine
Say you love me...
Raoul
You know I do.
Together
Love me, that's all I ask of you.
Anywhere you go let me go too
Love me...
that's all I ask of you.
No more talk of darkness,
forget these wide-eyed fears;
I'm here, nothing can harm you,
my words will warm and calm you.
Let me be your freedom,
let daylight dry your tears;
I'm here, with you, beside you,
to guard you and to guide you.
Christine
Say you'll love me ev'ry waking moment;
turn my head with talk of summertime.
Say you need me with you now and always;
promise me that all you say is true,
that's all I ask of you.
Raoul
Let me be your shelter,
let me be your light;
you're safe, no one will find you,
your fears are far behind you.
Christine
All I want is freedom,
a world with no more night;
and you, always beside me,
to hold me and to hide me.
Raoul
Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime;
let me lead you from you solitude.
Say you need me with you, here beside you,
anywhere you go, let me go too,
that's all I ask of you.
Christine
Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime.
Say the word and I will follow you.
Together
Share each day with me, each night, each morning.
Christine
Say you love me...
Raoul
You know I do.
Together
Love me, that's all I ask of you.
Anywhere you go let me go too
Love me...
that's all I ask of you.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
The Land before time...
Don't lose your way
With each passing day
You've come so far
Don't throw it away
Live believing
Dreams are for weaving
Wonders are waiting to start
Live your story
Faith, hope & glory
Hold to the truth in your heart
If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by
For you and I
Souls in the wind
Must learn how to bend
Seek out a star
Hold on to the end
Valley, mountain
There is a fountain
Washes our tears all away
Words are swaying
Someone is praying
Please let us come home to stay
If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by
For you and I
When we are out there in the dark
We'll dream about the sun
In the dark we'll feel the light
Warm our hearts, everyone
If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
As high as souls can fly
The clouds roll by
For you and I
With each passing day
You've come so far
Don't throw it away
Live believing
Dreams are for weaving
Wonders are waiting to start
Live your story
Faith, hope & glory
Hold to the truth in your heart
If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by
For you and I
Souls in the wind
Must learn how to bend
Seek out a star
Hold on to the end
Valley, mountain
There is a fountain
Washes our tears all away
Words are swaying
Someone is praying
Please let us come home to stay
If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by
For you and I
When we are out there in the dark
We'll dream about the sun
In the dark we'll feel the light
Warm our hearts, everyone
If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
As high as souls can fly
The clouds roll by
For you and I
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Bridge to Terabithia
Spoiler ahead...
BTT is one of those films that opens up your imagination...being an avid dreamer myself, i found that i can totally relate to Leslie's fantasy world...im all for FANTASY! yeah, that should justify why im so hooked to Harry Potter or LOTR or BigFish and other films of such genre...
But when it comes to reading fantasy themed books, im not so gung ho about it...cant explain why but i suspect it's gotta do with all those very foreign fantasy terms and the effort you've gotta put in to get 'inside' the author's imaginary world...i prefer my own ideal world...
so back to BTT, it's always refreshing to see a promising young star like Josh Hutcherson who really has a flair for acting in any films...he was featured in Polar Express and also Zathura, both of which i fancied...dont remind me any of the kids in Narnia, i dont even remember their names, that how's bad they were!
the only thing about BTT is that, yeah, they created a world of Terabithia, and hey, we wanna see MORE OF THAT....what happened!? i dont mind that they move back and forth the fantasy world and the real world, but just when everyone got all excited after Jesse built that bridge for his sister and we can see that glorious view of that beautiful valley (that's in NZ, btw...) and its magical creatures, everything came to an abrupt end...
Quite clearly i didnt see that coming, i was still having trouble getting over with Leslie's death, and was kinda expecting them to find her in Terabithia and to fight the mentioned war against some evil masters, it never happened...
I must say the whole film was half-baked in that sense, but i have enjoyed it while it lasted...so, i guess i cant complain...
still, Leslie shouldnt have died, i didnt even get to say goodbye...
:p
BTT is one of those films that opens up your imagination...being an avid dreamer myself, i found that i can totally relate to Leslie's fantasy world...im all for FANTASY! yeah, that should justify why im so hooked to Harry Potter or LOTR or BigFish and other films of such genre...
But when it comes to reading fantasy themed books, im not so gung ho about it...cant explain why but i suspect it's gotta do with all those very foreign fantasy terms and the effort you've gotta put in to get 'inside' the author's imaginary world...i prefer my own ideal world...
so back to BTT, it's always refreshing to see a promising young star like Josh Hutcherson who really has a flair for acting in any films...he was featured in Polar Express and also Zathura, both of which i fancied...dont remind me any of the kids in Narnia, i dont even remember their names, that how's bad they were!
the only thing about BTT is that, yeah, they created a world of Terabithia, and hey, we wanna see MORE OF THAT....what happened!? i dont mind that they move back and forth the fantasy world and the real world, but just when everyone got all excited after Jesse built that bridge for his sister and we can see that glorious view of that beautiful valley (that's in NZ, btw...) and its magical creatures, everything came to an abrupt end...
Quite clearly i didnt see that coming, i was still having trouble getting over with Leslie's death, and was kinda expecting them to find her in Terabithia and to fight the mentioned war against some evil masters, it never happened...
I must say the whole film was half-baked in that sense, but i have enjoyed it while it lasted...so, i guess i cant complain...
still, Leslie shouldnt have died, i didnt even get to say goodbye...
:p
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Home is kinda quiet this entire week because my parents are staying over at a suite in Istana hotel...i've been to visit them a few times now and got sick with the food there, you can only have that much in a buffet spread u know...but the breakfast spread is highly recommended, try their omelette with that extra creamy swiss fromage...irresistable!
So parents not at home can only result in one thing, yeah, NO CURFEW! haha....not that ive always been an obedient kid and go back home by midnight, but really, i make an effort to comply them once in a while...you know, dont push it, as they say...
but frankly, im way past stick-to-cinderella's-clock age...doesnt make sense to me why i cant hangout late at all...well yeah, obviously all these news coverage of ppl getting killed or robbed or advertisement of drink driving didnt help much in my protest...maybe it's time to move out...if only i can afford a condo somewhere...dream on baby...
I have been taking this opportunity to catch up with some friends and yeah, my next few nights have been fully booked...lol...good planning huh...
Shall be having a HappyHour session with my colleagues later at Daves and then tomorrow, dinner date with church members and movie session thereafter, friday night going out with Jo and friends to Skybar@tradersHotel, saturday night another drinking session and Sunday, family day...hehe...parents will come back then...
As for next week, im hoping to catch Mozart's Magic Flute at KLPAC and then the following week, gonna go on vacation with my former uni-mates to Langkawi...that should be fun...
see, we are very supportive of VM2007, unlike some folks who wont stop bitching bout the program in TheStar...
on the contrary, being me, i know i will have my two cents too after the trip...
:-)
So parents not at home can only result in one thing, yeah, NO CURFEW! haha....not that ive always been an obedient kid and go back home by midnight, but really, i make an effort to comply them once in a while...you know, dont push it, as they say...
but frankly, im way past stick-to-cinderella's-clock age...doesnt make sense to me why i cant hangout late at all...well yeah, obviously all these news coverage of ppl getting killed or robbed or advertisement of drink driving didnt help much in my protest...maybe it's time to move out...if only i can afford a condo somewhere...dream on baby...
I have been taking this opportunity to catch up with some friends and yeah, my next few nights have been fully booked...lol...good planning huh...
Shall be having a HappyHour session with my colleagues later at Daves and then tomorrow, dinner date with church members and movie session thereafter, friday night going out with Jo and friends to Skybar@tradersHotel, saturday night another drinking session and Sunday, family day...hehe...parents will come back then...
As for next week, im hoping to catch Mozart's Magic Flute at KLPAC and then the following week, gonna go on vacation with my former uni-mates to Langkawi...that should be fun...
see, we are very supportive of VM2007, unlike some folks who wont stop bitching bout the program in TheStar...
on the contrary, being me, i know i will have my two cents too after the trip...
:-)
Monday, March 12, 2007
I dunno if it's just me or if everyone's feeling the heat lately...It sorta put you in a grouchy mood at all times, except of course when you're in the comfort of your own chilled house...
and that means you're constantly confined in an air-conditioned surrounding and not be able to hangout at all...yeah, we are having very warm nights as well...
this Global warming thingy is definitely affecting all of us, more so for us in the tropical region...Gotta go and catch 'an inconvenient truth' as narrated by Al Gore to get a better understanding of what's going on around us...
the Earth is dying...and we know it...
and that means you're constantly confined in an air-conditioned surrounding and not be able to hangout at all...yeah, we are having very warm nights as well...
this Global warming thingy is definitely affecting all of us, more so for us in the tropical region...Gotta go and catch 'an inconvenient truth' as narrated by Al Gore to get a better understanding of what's going on around us...
the Earth is dying...and we know it...
Lea:
Be still my heart
Lately its mind is on it's own
It would go far and wide
Just to be near you
Brad:
Even the stars
Shine a bit bright I've noticed
When you're close to me
Lea:
Still it remains a mystery
Chorus (Both):
Anyone who seen us
Knows what's going on between us
It doesn't take a genius
To read between the lines Brad: ohh
And it's not just wishful thinking
Or only me who's dreaming
I know what these are symptoms of
We could be in love
Lea:
I ask myself why
I sleep like a baby through the night
Maybe it helps to know
you'll be there tomorrow
Brad: Lea:
Don't open my eyes Ohhh
I'll wake from the spell I'm under
Makes me wonder how Tell me how
I could live without you now
Both:
And what about the laughter
The happy ever after
Like voices of sweet angels
Calling out our names
And it's not just wishful thinking
Or only me who's dreaming
I know what these are symptoms of
We could be in love
Brad:
All my life
I have dreamed of this
But I could not see your face
Lea:
Don't ask why two such distant stars
Can fall right into place
(Repeat Chorus)
Both:
Oh, it doesn't take a genius
To know what these are symptoms of
We could be Lea: ohh
We could be, we could be in love
Brad:
Could be in
Both:
We could be in love
Be still my heart
Lately its mind is on it's own
It would go far and wide
Just to be near you
Brad:
Even the stars
Shine a bit bright I've noticed
When you're close to me
Lea:
Still it remains a mystery
Chorus (Both):
Anyone who seen us
Knows what's going on between us
It doesn't take a genius
To read between the lines Brad: ohh
And it's not just wishful thinking
Or only me who's dreaming
I know what these are symptoms of
We could be in love
Lea:
I ask myself why
I sleep like a baby through the night
Maybe it helps to know
you'll be there tomorrow
Brad: Lea:
Don't open my eyes Ohhh
I'll wake from the spell I'm under
Makes me wonder how Tell me how
I could live without you now
Both:
And what about the laughter
The happy ever after
Like voices of sweet angels
Calling out our names
And it's not just wishful thinking
Or only me who's dreaming
I know what these are symptoms of
We could be in love
Brad:
All my life
I have dreamed of this
But I could not see your face
Lea:
Don't ask why two such distant stars
Can fall right into place
(Repeat Chorus)
Both:
Oh, it doesn't take a genius
To know what these are symptoms of
We could be Lea: ohh
We could be, we could be in love
Brad:
Could be in
Both:
We could be in love
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Monday, March 05, 2007
Ellen's monologue about driving
I cant agree with Ellen more on the issue of how ppl drive nowadays...for no reason at all (at least none that im aware of), ppl can just slow down their vehicles at a particular point (not a bend) or as and when they feel like it and create a butterfly effect on the smoothflow of the traffic...this ppl deserve to go to jail for that!
I particularly like the 'suggested speed limit' part towards the end, hey ppl, when it says "110k/h" it doesnt literally mean that, it is merely a SUGGESTION! so if you intend to keep to that limit, can you please kindly shove your car out of the 'fast' lane?
Thanks for the cooperation...
Friday, March 02, 2007
Review of Dreamgirls...
So we went to watch Dreamgirls after JenniferHudson was voted as the best supporting actress in Oscar...you know, just wanna see what the fuss is all about, that the academy would choose to nominate a you-know-who and then give the award to her handsdown in her first nomination...it makes us just oh-so-curious...
Dreamgirls started off with a real bang, getting you all excited and bringing you to a height of surreal climax, and before long you will realize that's as good as it gets...Alright, if you are looking to get your fair share of strong and flawless vocal throughout the film, then this is by all means the film for you...
but really, there is only so much one's ears can take, you know...we are all very comfortable with Beyonce's voice, no problem...she didnt stay on the chart of Rick Dees Weekly top 40 for no reason, yeah, the girl can sing, let's just give that to her...and oh she's just so beautiful...
on the other hand however...im not so sure of JenH...at first attempt, you will find that you can get acquainted to her voice easily...she demonstrates the vocal of a powerhouse, the kind that will get your attention...well, in this case, just too much attention for my comfort...
The girl started off fine and everyone seemed to be enjoying her performace, yeah, even with her in that bling bling costume...and as it goes on, i found that i got more and more irritated with her over-the-top vocal...i started acknowledging the problem when a slight headache developed, and then everything she sings after that sounded more like she's shouting than singing to me...
It came to a point when i heard myself saying: SHUT UP ALREADY! yeah, that would be the time when she was begging JamieFoxx to take her back, willing him to show her his love once again...and let's not start with JamieF, i was never a big fan of his to begin with...
The show started dragging prematurely in the course of a 2h-length duration and it's never a good sign when ppl start fidgeting in their seat and asking if this is ever coming to an end, enough is enough!
I wont say i havent enjoyed the film a single bit, but asked if the film deserves 8 nominations in the academy award? Definitely not...
Dreamgirls started off with a real bang, getting you all excited and bringing you to a height of surreal climax, and before long you will realize that's as good as it gets...Alright, if you are looking to get your fair share of strong and flawless vocal throughout the film, then this is by all means the film for you...
but really, there is only so much one's ears can take, you know...we are all very comfortable with Beyonce's voice, no problem...she didnt stay on the chart of Rick Dees Weekly top 40 for no reason, yeah, the girl can sing, let's just give that to her...and oh she's just so beautiful...
on the other hand however...im not so sure of JenH...at first attempt, you will find that you can get acquainted to her voice easily...she demonstrates the vocal of a powerhouse, the kind that will get your attention...well, in this case, just too much attention for my comfort...
The girl started off fine and everyone seemed to be enjoying her performace, yeah, even with her in that bling bling costume...and as it goes on, i found that i got more and more irritated with her over-the-top vocal...i started acknowledging the problem when a slight headache developed, and then everything she sings after that sounded more like she's shouting than singing to me...
It came to a point when i heard myself saying: SHUT UP ALREADY! yeah, that would be the time when she was begging JamieFoxx to take her back, willing him to show her his love once again...and let's not start with JamieF, i was never a big fan of his to begin with...
The show started dragging prematurely in the course of a 2h-length duration and it's never a good sign when ppl start fidgeting in their seat and asking if this is ever coming to an end, enough is enough!
I wont say i havent enjoyed the film a single bit, but asked if the film deserves 8 nominations in the academy award? Definitely not...
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