.

2012-01-02T00:01:00.002+08:00

Pictures: M.A.C Cosmetics
[HEADLINE] A Lott of attitude
[SUBHEAD] Pixie Lott understands the power of a smoky eye look. That’s why we watch her get dolled up with a little help from M.A.C Cosmetics

“Sometimes it’s good to go with it but you could clash with it as well. ‘Cause I prefer to clash things rather than matching them,” says the 18-year-old Pixie Lott, who’s fiddling with her rainbow-coloured nails as she’s getting her smoky eye look done by M.A.C Senior Artist Yokoe Chan in the comforts of her hotel room.

Pixie, or born Victoria Lott, is an English pop singer who’s buzzing from the success of her
hit single ‘Mama Do’ when it flew straight to the top spot of the UK Chart. Currently, the not-so-pixie lass is getting ready for a long day of shoots and interviews, having performed the night before to 15,000 revellers at MTV World Stage: Live in Malaysia. Commenting her look for the concert, she says: “I had smoky eyes and big lashes for my show and I added extra glitter to my look. I really liked it. When I perform, I go with big, black eyes but sometimes during the day, I’d just wear mascara with a lip colour that’s brighter – I like to mix it up a bit.”

When she is not doing her own make-up, “which I can do under 15 minutes”, she says – the giggly singer who looks like a split image of Duffy, gets her make-up done by the professionals. Here, Yokoe takes charge and gives her a soft, edgy look for daytime wear. Sit up and learn, folks.

STEP 1
BASE
Spray on Fix +, an aqua-spritz of vitamins and minerals to hydrate and refresh skin. After
moisturising your skin, apply the Prep + Prime skin base. The primer minimises pores, makes blending easier and allows your foundation to stay on longer.

STEP 2
FOUNDATION
For convenience sake, you can use powder foundation but if you like translucent skin, you could
use liquid foundation. Use a foundation brush to blend the liquid foundation as it evens out the amount you apply on your skin. Follow up with Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder to set the foundation.

STEP 3
CONCEALER
Some of the key areas to cover up are under the eye area, spots and redness. The trick is to pat on the concealer and layer on if you want more coverage. For Pixie, I’m using Select
Moisturecover.

STEP 4
CHEEKS
Follow with a Powder Blush; if you want to create a sweet look, use circular motions. If you prefer the edgy look, start from the hairline towards the bridge of your nose.

STEP 5
EYES
For her eyes, I’m using Black Track Fluidline. It’s useful as it doubles up as an eyeshadow colour or a liner. If you’re lining your eyes, the easiest way is to start from the roots of the lashes to the inner corner of your eyes.

STEP 6
LIPS
Since the focus is the eyes, we will use a lighter shade for the lips. Follow with a clear Lip Glass to create glossy, sexy lips.

2012-01-01T23:48:00.003+08:00

[HEADLINE] It’s show time
[SUBHEAD]The 15 filmmakers tell us, in their own words, what their short films are all about.

[YASMIN AHAMD’S LAST(?) INTERVIEW]
CHOCOLATE
By Yasmin Ahmad, no comment
What’s it about When I make my films, I don’t think about it; I film them based
on my feelings. Before I film a story, I will write the story down, watch it
and then only think about what it means. One cannot think in advance because if
you do, your work will be poor (Her muse, Sharifah Amani plays the lead role)
Film’s message Now that I’ve shot the film, I would say maybe it’s about love
and sex being more powerful than politics, race issues, wealth and greed
altogether
Why she chose to participate I like Pete Teo!
Describe the film in three words (“Can it be five?” she asks) Love more powerful than politics
You may have seen her works Sepet, Gubra, Muallaf, Talentime, those tearjerker Petronas ads

POTONG SAGA
By Ho Yuhang, 34
What’s it about A Chinese boy’s misadventures in getting an Islamic bank
account after coming back from overseas. (See if you can spot YouTube sensation
Namewee!)
Moral of the story My stories have no morality
Why he chose to participate They chose me; I didn’t have a choice. I’m
the chosen one - just like Jesus!
Describe your film in three words Hope it’s funny
You may have seen his works Rain Dogs, Visits: Hungry Ghost Anthology, As I Lay Dying

GERHANA
By James Lee, 36
What’s it about How Malaysians distance themselves from the happenings that
made headlines in newspapers around the Malaysia and how the media is a part of it
Film’s message We are living in a surreal country and we know some things are
not true but we just learn to accept it as we can’t do much - we become numb to
it. The film is presented in a stylised way but it’s also not too direct
Why he chose to participate Pete asked us to do it and we’re familiar
with him. We trust him with the whole concept
Describe your film in three words Stylised and surreal
You may have seen his works The Beautiful Washing Machine, Histeria, Call If You Need Me

HALAL
By Liew Seng Tat, approaching 30
What’s it about How to slaughter animals the halal (permissible) way
Film’s message To inform the public about this procedure
Why he chose to participate Because Pete chose me!
Describe your film in three words Very, very good
You may have seen his works Bread Skin With Strawberry Jam, Not Cool, Flower In The Pocket

AS YET UNTITLED
By Amir Muhammad, 37
What’s it about It’s the preachiest film ever made: An interview with Nik Aziz in Kelantan about the concept of an Islamic community
Why he chose to participate I’ve always wanted to film in Kelantan for the longest time and with this platform, now I have a reason to
Describe your film in three words Vote for PAS
You may have seen his works The Last Communist, Apa Khabar Orang Kampung, The Big Durian, Susuk

AS YET UNTITLED
By Woo Ming Jin, 32
What’s it about It’s a parody about corruption and party-hopping in Malaysia. An illegal DVD seller stumbles upon this exchange between two Datuks. One Datuk tries to convince the other to hop party while the other questions the political morality of this (Veterans Patrick Teoh and Harith Iskandar tickle us in this film)
Film’s message I make films to entertain the audience, not to inform
Describe your film in three words Half-naked men
You may have seen his works Salon, The Elephant and The Sea, Kurus

AS YET UNTITLED
By Tan Chui Mui, 31
What’s it about The film is set in the future. Everyone lives in a world where everyone is force to change their jobs and family members every day to create equality
Film’s message Our society is always struggling. You want the government to give you something but they don’t always care and they control too much
Why she chose to participate I missed the chance to join Pete’s project last year (she made seven short films then). This year, I jumped straight away at the chance
Describe your film in three words Funny science fiction (“although some may
disagree,” she adds)
You may have seen her works A Tree In Tanjung Malim, Company of Mushrooms, Love Conquers All

HEALTHY PARANOIA
By Khairil Bahar, 29
What’s it about It’s about what happens when you take something too far. Like,
when you take an advice to a point where you get paranoia
Film’s message Sometimes you shouldn’t take advice warnings too far
Why he chose to participate It was something fun to do
Describe your film in three words Funny as hell
You may have seen his works Ciplak, The Writing On The Wall

THE SON
By Desmond Ng, 35
What’s it about See last question
Film’s message It’s more of a ‘question-to-self’ than a message
Why he chose to participate Why not? Also, I needed a break from my
day job...
Describe your film in three words Pride and prejudice!
You may have seen his work Tetangga

LUMPUR
By Kamal Sabran, 32
What’s it about Ordinary Malaysians and their views on our country. I interviewed 12 Malaysians – from schoolchildren to elderly folks – of different races and gender based on the words ‘tanah air’ (homeland). I asked them what ‘soil’, ‘water’ and ‘homeland’ means to them and they tell me their perceptions. There are no stars in this film but Malaysians themselves
Film’s message Unity. Oh, and Malaysians’ perception about their country in an
indirect perspective. In a nutshell, it’s about Malaysians and their homeland
Describe your film in three words Ordinary Malaysians hope
You may have seen his works The music videos to Pete Teo’s ‘I Go’ and Malaysian Artistes For Unity’s ‘Here In My Home’

HOUSE
By Linus Chung, 29
What’s it about We’re living in an adult’s world with child-like problems. When kids bully one another, people laugh. But they don’t laugh when adults do it! (Yasmin Ahmad has a cameo role in this)
Film’s message There’s always injustice and bullying, in this dog-eat-dog world
Why he chose to participate I’m a filmmaker and a storyteller. When there is an opportunity for me to tell a story, I will jump on it. It’s also another chance for me to put the film out for people to see
Describe your film in three words Life not fair
You may have seen his work A Note of Love

TAXI
By Bahir, 26 and Benji, 24
What’s it about A mockumentary of a cab driver ala The Office style. In this film, Khairy Jamaluddin, who plays the cab driver, complains a lot about everything but there is sentiment to it
Film’s message When we set out to do the film, the basic concept was that Malaysians tend to complain a lot and not do anything. They also don’t base their arguments on any facts to make the right judgement
Why they chose to participate When Pete calls to ask you to do a short film, you never say no. My partner and I have this discussion about what we can contribute to this issue. So at least we’re contributing something
Describe your film in three words Crazy, ranting maniac
You may have seen their works 5.13, The Joshua Tapes

DUIT KECIL
By Johan John, 34
What’s it about It’s about inflation. The story is about a 9-5 guy who visits a brothel and all that. After doing his business, a discussion escalates about money and the cost of living. I look at it in two ways: a guy with a 9-5 job and prostitution as the oldest of profession, with both parties suffering the same effect. It’s a straight-laced comedy
The message behind his film I think it’s mostly just about people being unhappy about the recession, economy, hike in prices and low salaries. The moral is, a lot of people are quite unhappy about it
Why he chose to participate It was interesting because we could put our views out and there is freedom to express what we feel about this country. For me, I hope people could relate to this
Describe your film three words Hope everyone understands
You may have seen his works Tajuk Cerita, Semalam, Kita

ROJAK!
By The Suleiman Brothers: Mussadique, 32 and Jordan, 29
What’s it about It looks at a cross section of our society. The film collides in one crossroad where the rojak stall is
Film’s message We’ll leave it to the audience to gauge. But in short, the film is about the many differences that people are made up from but we get together because of food
Why they chose to participate We liked the idea of doing collection of short films. We worked with Pete before and we like his direction. He’s tough and picky but that’s fine as everyone is of the same traits, right? But the good thing is he lets us do whatever we like. We also participated because we know the other filmmakers who are a good bunch
Describe the film in three words Outrageous, down-to-earth, colourful
You may have seen their works Makan and the music video to Pete Teo’s ‘Lost In America’

LOLLI POP
By Nam Ron, 40
What’s it about A paedophile kidnaps young girls to abuse. Actor Bront Palarae
has a starring role Moral of the story Keep your child safe
Why he chose to participate Because of Pete!
Describe your film in three words Dark and creepy
You may have seen his work Gedebe, Proses, Misi, Look Back In Anger

2012-01-01T23:43:00.003+08:00

[HEADLINE] Audrey Tautou is Coco Chanel

To me, French actress Audrey Tautou will always be Amelié. But soon, to others, she will be known as Coco Chanel. Audrey, who was last seen beside actor Tom Hanks in The Da Vinci Code, has been cast as Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel, the famous couturier who took the fashion world by storm.

When Audrey was first approached to play the icon, she had her doubts. But she agreed upon the role and did what she did when she became Amelié – she trusted her instincts and got lost in her character – although she did say it was difficult to portray such a memorable style icon.“There was an obligation to run an interpretation that people might already know about Coco Chanel and we have to honour that image and personality,” she said in an interview.

She continued: “There are so many myths about her. That was the most difficult thing with this character. About this period of her life there was so little known - there are no witnesses to that time. She was so secretive about who she was and I had to start depending on my own opinion creating something from the materials that I had.”

“I had to use my imagination a lot.”

“I had to trust that.’’

Coco’s love for fashion began when she designed hats, to which she learnt to extend herself, remaking and bridging together masculine and feminine style for pragmatic and aesthetic reasons. She became an indirect crusader for feminism, when she chose to wear pants in what was then very much a man’s world. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind.

Partly based on Edmonde Charles-Roux’s book, L’Irrégulière: Ou, Mon Itinéraire Chanel, the film is adapted for the big screen by Anne Fontaine, an actress-turned-director. Loosely entitled Coco Avant Chanel, the storyline will not revolve too much of Coco’s life story because it would be impossible to show all that fabulousness in one film. Instead, director Anne intents to dish a little dirt about Coco’s youth, which will include her time as a cabaret singer and her steamy love affairs with some of the influential men who helped her break into the fashion world.

Mademoiselle Chanel may be long gone but the couturiére will be fondly remembered and brilliantly portrayed (without a doubt) by the beautiful Audrey in the upcoming biopic.

While we await the film with bated breath, you may want to take a peek at Audrey’s latest foray – she stars as the new face of the biggest-selling perfume of all time, Chanel No. 5.

Written 27/9/2009

2011 in retrospective

2011-12-25T11:14:00.004+08:00

2011 is almost coming to an end and I realised what better way to remember it than to take a walk down memory lane. I've had an amazing year, travelling and meeting new people topped the list, but I've also had my own share of struggles. No one's perfect, you and I make mistakes and while I've come to take upon those learnings ever so patiently, I wonder as well, what and when would be my tipping point?

On a lighter note, these are some of the best events that happened to me, which I must share, of course.

Meeting Lady Gaga

Of course I was as nervous and shaky as the mountain in Fukushima; she was evidently, the best-selling artist of our time, very Italian, very brash with her fashion sense. And I was in between my transition of moving into a new position with MSN Malaysia, still at odds with myself if she could be the last artist I'd be interviewing, cough, stalking. But if she was, then I would be happy to say, I've sort of sealed that chapter with the one and only Gaga.

She was amazingly humble, went up to every reporter in that tiny room to shake our hands, and when she came up to me, in that half dyed hair in blonde and black, she shook my hand and said, "Hi, Reta", after I introduced myself. The Gaga said... my name. And I went to pop heaven.

Lost in Translation

I find myself in Tokyo, courtesy of RSH, getting lost in the subways on my own, looking for that Hachiko statue I never did find (you may scoff at me), and falling in love with the cities' quirks and finds. And on the last day, Miranda, Fashion Editor for JUICE and I decided we wanted to live here, and so fate has it, a recruitment consultant was seated beside us, in an old but working restaurant in a quiet street, whom we made friends with. Tokyo, you're somewhat cosmic and magical like that, and I vow to return soon, someday.

Pulling through

Bite me once, shame on you, bite me twice shame on me! I thought I'd never say this, and I've been given some fairly warnings sporadically but never really put much weight on them, but I don't think I'd ever learn not to be too trustworthy. It's just embedded in me, that I hate confrontations, I leave people with benefit of doubt and I can be fiercely ambitious in what I do. So I'm going to bulldoze my way through 2012 with the same set of learnings and experience and hope for the best. Because I know I am living every day...

hey there e

2011-06-23T23:49:00.001+08:00

"The pain you're feeling is directly proportional to the importance of the person behind it" - Unknown

I'm sorry this apology came a year late.

When art meets fashion

2011-06-12T19:14:00.004+08:00

When the Garden's Senior Marketing guy invited me to preview this collaboration, I immediately said yes. It sounded like an exciting, fresh concept and I always love something different for a change.

Let these pictures speak for themselves.

The collection, both dresses and art pieces, can be previewed throughout the month of June at Wei-Ling gallery, The Gardens Mall. The exhibition is called 'The Garden of Desires' and basically pairs upcoming and veteran fashion designers to artists, where the both work together on a singular theme to create their works.

2011-06-12T18:25:00.001+08:00

“Do you believe in always, the wind
said to the rain
I am too busy with
my flowers to believe, the rain answered
e. e. cummings”

Qynonotiya

2011-05-02T15:02:00.004+08:00

Upclose and personal. Photo taken by Lyds. Black and white motion is all that is.

Rrrr-meow

2011-02-26T21:30:00.000+08:00

Every day

2011-01-30T12:36:00.000+08:00

Soothe soul

2011-01-29T20:39:00.002+08:00

Feeling sickly so I made this - chamomile tea - and couldn't resist taking a picture of the blooming buds once the heat touches them.

My rock

2011-01-16T23:20:00.002+08:00

rocks studs and zippers
Pull & Bear wallet

Mmm

2010-11-13T19:05:00.004+08:00

bright lights

2010-11-04T22:43:00.000+08:00

What have you done today?

2010-09-17T23:20:00.000+08:00

“We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We’ve learned how to make a living but not a life. We’ve added years to life, not life to years.End quote. —George Carlin”

From Lolita

when soul meets body

2010-09-10T21:45:00.002+08:00

source: midnightsa

something i experienced in the wee hours, when no one's watching, when the thunder cracks, when you drop your guard.

button pusher

2010-09-05T05:20:00.002+08:00

only through destroying myself can i discover the greater power of my spirit - chuck palahniuk

Hey, meow

2010-09-04T16:48:00.000+08:00

The cat loves sleeping on my clothes.

cruising down the highway on a cold, cold night

2010-08-21T15:21:00.005+08:00

Top down in a convertible, whizzing down a highway to Alexis Bistro with friends. Good times. Got too wasted.

I'm wearing:

Philosophy Men skull scarf

Cotton On Men Tank top (I've been buying tons of men's stuff lately, I think I look nice in them)

Massimo Dutti leggings

Zara vest

Ylang Ylang charm bracelet

Clutch from Tangs

Mismatched

2010-08-15T12:35:00.002+08:00

I see the mismatched colours on the bed - blue, white, green - and wonder if that applies to our lives as well. That our thoughts are equally disjointed, reasons unknown, so unreal, just placements. Even the curtains don't match but that's okay, I like them like that. Nothing is perfect, and I find comfort in that. That we're all here to make mistakes. And I'm unanswerable to none of you; your opinions of me are void.

"The more you change, the less you feel."

music for the soul: galapagos - the smashing pumpkins]

Run, baby, run

2010-07-25T15:38:00.003+08:00

Eight hours later

At home, nursing tired feet and calves from the long run. Odie is asleep beside my feet as I sit here, typing away on the white Mac.

Ten hours earlier

Awoken by the phone alarm and I stayed in bed until I knew I shouldn't anymore. Sher came over, so we walked to the Piazza, where hundreds of others were awaiting for the cue at the start line. As the loud horn filled the air, everyone whizzed by us, including Sher later on, and we were separated by time and distance. I was on my own, feeding off No Doubt, Kings of Leon and other random music on my playlist. I kept my eyes on a few individuals I picked as my pacesetters but soon after, they all disappeared as well. I kept replacing them like worn socks. One by one. I'd jogged, then walked, then jogged again.

As I crossed the road, I had hit the wall, and I was close to just walking the whole marathon. It felt like I've done 5km and even after I picked the green elastic band (which I later found out it was the 6km mark), I was in no mood to run.

But one of the pacesetters kept my attention and I didn't think about anything else but to finish it. I was giving myself 2 hours and 30 minutes to finish the 11km mark. By the time I reached the finish line, it was just 2 hours. My soles and calves were in so much pain, I literally dragged them home.

So I used to be one of those who sniggled at those who tortured themselves running to death, but now I am one of them and I can't say I'm not pleased with my new profound achievement.

hurt

2010-06-19T20:49:00.000+08:00

“I hurt myself today, to see if I still feel. I focus on the pain. the only thing that’s real. the needle tears a hole, the old familiar sting. try to kill it all away. but I remember everything. what have I become? my sweetest friend. everyone I know, goes away in the end. and you could have it all - my empire of dirt. I will let you down. I will make you hurt.

I wear this crown of thorns, upon my liar’s chair. full of broken thoughts, I cannot repair. beneath the stains of time. the feelings disappear. you are someone else. I am still right here. what have I become? my sweetest friend. everyone I know goes away in the end. and you could have it all. my empire of dirt. I will let you down. I will make you hurt.

if I could start again, a million miles away. I would keep myself. I would find a way.”

JOHNNY CASH - Hurt

play by play

2010-06-19T20:10:00.002+08:00

I wrote a little script last Saturday afternoon, in my little white dress, on the couch.

I didn't know what prompted me to do it; it's more of a short theatre/skit more than anything and I could envision how the stage play might look like. Just need a bit more tweaking as I got carried away (speaking of Carried Away, can someone buy for me Diva's Carried Away range?).

Now, what do I do with that little piece I wrote? It'd be interesting to watch it come to live on stage, pitch darkness with just the spotlight on the characters. Real characters. Not to give away too much information, it's about a girl who is messed up.

On foot in KL

2010-05-17T21:58:00.011+08:00

I've been busy with Christina Aguilera, really

2010-05-02T17:29:00.003+08:00

If you've been wondering what the hell I've been up to, I've been busy with Christina, really.

This is a screenshot of her website. My website MSN Entertainment is on it!

Worked hardddd with MSN Singapore and Sony Music to bring you the exclusive video of Xtina's 'Not Myself Tonight.' Please click on my link thank you very much.

shapes, colours and objects that recently captured my attention

2010-04-11T14:06:00.005+08:00

It is the summer of my smiles

ain't so hard to recognise

upon us all, a little rain must fall

this is the mystery of the quotient

speak to me only with your eyes, it is to you I give this tune

[music for the soul: the rain song - led zeppelin]

oh em gee, i want his scarf

2010-03-29T01:13:00.002+08:00

source: whatisrealityanyway

Not only I want the scarf, I wish Jeff Buckley was still alive and I'd be at CBGB watching his gig. If only, if only. Oh my, how much Axl Rose has aged. I wouldn't mind catching GnR too.

Baby, I didn't forget to take my meds

2010-03-21T13:13:00.011+08:00

With Brian Molko of Placebo! Photo with Nokia X6 by a rather shaky hand

My awesome XL Topman shirt with cutout sleeves, cassette tape icon and not one or two but three of Placebo's autographs: Brian, Steve, Stefan. Not for sale.

If you were born a rock star stalker, you die a rock star. Apparently, I'm this close to that transition; someone left me a message on my status. Anyway, I got a call to rush to a nearby hotel, to which I did and didn't regret it one bit.

I totally forgot my Sharpie (a must-have in my bag alongside one million other things) so I got a very nice hotel staff to go dig a marker pen for me.

I was with a writer from a magazine when we were making small chats with Brian. And I have all of this in recording:

Brian: "Do you know that 'junk' means male genitalia in the US?"
Me: No! Tell me more!
Brian: (laughs and smiles shyly) Ah... never mind.
Me: No really!
Brian: (laughs)

Then I actually fumbled because I thought Brian was going to be intimidating (but he turned out otherwise) and I asked him: "Can you interview my shirt?" (when I meant autograph, whatthefuck).

So, naturally, Brian LAUGHED AT ME and held the marker pen to my shirt and said: "Hello, I'm interviewing you."

I realised what I said and rolled my eyes silly and played along: "Yes, the cassette tape on my shirt is recording, haha, autograph I mean, ohmygawd."

He was so nice. With a capital N. He uses MAC eyeliner by the way. I was interested in his polysexualness but couldn't ask him with time running out. Shook hands, exchanged smiles and I was left starstruck.

I think the last time I was this starstruck was when Incubus was in town, and that interview with Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie. Yep.

Then there was Steve who was lingering in the lobby, to which I struck a conversation with him and telling him that: "your band's only been here like what, once in a thousand years, so yes, I'm definitely gonna be at your concert" when he asked.

Stefan didn't say a word when I got him to scribble my back, though. I is sked of him.
After that, I smsed everyone and went 'oh em gee, oh em gee'. Yep, that was pretty much my day before the concert. Serious interview transcript, I will link the url later.

The concert? I climbed over railings and stood on a chair to get a better view alongside Loque of Butterfingers. I is not ladylike. But I had so much fun; all the stalking, climbing was well worth it. Don't learn from me; it's my trade secret. Read it from my book.

Oh, which reminds me, the PR was such a bitch to begin with, that I actually ended up with four tickets. Two unused extra tickets which I could have peddle off for money; wtf is wrong with me. Of course, I didn't, hello!

It has been a year

2010-03-07T13:39:00.002+08:00

All of my regrets and troubles started right about this time and I'm glad to have escape unscathed, albeit scarred mentally. But some good did come out of it; I learnt a lot about myself and what I can do. I can make that move, take that risk and while I did lose a lot other things, it only taught me to be stronger.

Out of your disease, we found the courage to move on.

Shapeshifter

2010-03-07T13:35:00.002+08:00

Shapes, recently, have been attracting my attention a lot lately.

Silence

2010-02-28T11:35:00.002+08:00

I want to know if you come with me toward not walking and not speaking, I want to know if we finally will reach no communication: finally going with someone to see pure air, rays of light over the daily sea or a landbound object and finally having nothing to trade, without the goods to furnish as the colonizers had, exchanging coupons for silence. Here I purchase your silence. I agree: I give you mine with one provision: that we do not understand each other.

Pablo Neruda

one word

2010-02-22T00:10:00.003+08:00

Your Cell Phone? nokiax6.
Your Hair? long.
Your Mother? harimau.
Your Father? there.
Your Favorite Food? thai.
Your Dream Last Night? none.
Your Favorite Drink? iced.
Your Dream/Goal? happy.
What Room Are You In? hall.
Your Hobby? dreaming.
Your Fear? loneliness.
Where Do You See Yourself In Six Years? not here.
Where Were You Last Night? werner's.
Something That You Aren’t? two-face.
Muffins? urk.
Wish List Item? polaroid.
Where Did You Grow Up? lalaland.
Last Thing You Did? website.
What Are You Wearing? tank.
Your TV? quiet.
Your Pets? Odie!.
Friends? handful.
Your Life? more.
Your Mood? missing.
Vehicle? car.
Something You Aren’t Wearing? rings.
Your Favorite Store? uniqlo.
Your Favorite Color? red.
When Was The Last Time You Laughed? yesterday.
Last Time You Cried? weeks.
Your Best Friend? far.
One Place You Go To Over And Over Again? bookstore.
Facebook? guilty.
Favorite Place To Eat? nando's.

Got this from notebook doodles and started wasting time on it. Did I mention I love quizzies?

XX-rated Machine

2010-02-10T17:49:00.011+08:00

awesome pictures by X6

A while ago, I was lying in bed, just enjoying the lazy afternoon with The XX playing in the background. I remembered the scorching weather, the sweat on my skin and the smooth synth beats – that moment felt like it only just happened yesterday.

I said to myself that I enjoyed how the music came together; at times it was quiet, then sporadic and desolate. I predicted that, The XX, alongside another fave new band of mine, White Lies, would make it big in 2010. I also swore that I’d attend their concert if they ever stop near our shores.

I was right.

When rumours were swirling about The XX opening for Florence & The Machine, I squealed and the second the ticketing counters opened, I didn’t think twice about getting the floored seats near the stage.

Fast forward to the concert, I was catching up with Mike and the good ol’ Universal folks at Fairmont Hotel, where we’d meet Florence at an intimate session. I was hoping to catch up with The XX but they were nowhere to be seen, sadly.

Florence was such a doll. She had the cutest smile and her bright red hair was pleated in plaids. She was warm and giggled when I said I’d like to have my hair braided up like hers.

Still no sign of The XX.

It was eight when I finally walked into Esplanade and the second I heard the familiar beats of ‘Intro’ blaring from the speakers, I ran up the stairs in pitch darkness. I immediately pulled out my X6 and went straight to the stage. Soon, everyone else followed suit.

For those who have been diligently playing their record on repeat, you’d know the words to their songs and the sonic beats Jamie Smith bangs on the drum machine. Then there’s Oliver’s and Romy’s hush-hush purring vocals soaring through the mic, scattering syllables and alphabets to our delight.

It has begun.

Haunting, piercing, mellow – the blue rays that wrapped around the three-member band transported me back to the intimate and sadness of a time lost. I shut my eyes and sang to songs like ‘Fantasy’, ‘Shelter’, ‘VCR’, ‘Crystallised’ and more. If you ask me, the trio may have had little crowd connection – Oliver was given the task to mouth a couple ‘thank yous’ and occasionally stared at his feet (shoegazing, mates, Mike said) but I couldn’t help but realise how he was so much into the music. With black their main dress theme, Oliver kept swinging his hips in tight ¾ pants and layered necklace – it was quite a enthralling sight. Romy was quiet but her soothing vocals kept the crowd wanting more; it was as if she was reading passages from a love journal.

The mood was intense and personal.

I especially liked the throbbing bass of ‘Fantasy’ which shook the stage and balconies. Then there’s Oliver banging on the drums which upped the beats further. Sure the band sounds like their debut album, fresh and different as it sounds, I thought it wasn’t monotonous at all and the 45-minutes set felt too short. I was even adamant that they should extend their set to one hour max and that Florence should cut down hers by 30 minutes.

Ah, Florence. She was squealing like a banshee and truthfully, I could only tolerate her within 30 minutes. I liked ‘Dog Days Are Over’, ‘Hurricane Drunk’, ‘Cosmic love’ – which she sang and it was pure bliss to watch her flap her witchy outfit and prancing around in her sparkly underwear. But after that I got tired and sat down. Presence-wise, Florence was a doll; she captivated the audience with her cutesy stance of Polaroid moments: taking pictures of crowd and herself, headbanging to her own songs and bending over like she was practising some very important yoga moves. I was told that Florence’s set could only be made up of her and Chris, the drummer, and it would just be equally mesmerising like that.

By the time it was over, I felt like I was overcome with much heavy-laden emotions. It was like a huge knot inside of me that continued burrowing its way through. I was blown away by The XX. It’ll be interesting to see what their next record would offer: more dance-y synth beats, perhaps? Once a bedroom band that’s now touring around the world, The XX makes for niche music that is specially crafted with adulation and rapture. I’ll never forget this moment in time.

For more reviews:

Eyeris

Smalltimetraveller

spririted soul calm

2010-01-23T15:11:00.002+08:00

Something about the beach makes me want to just leave everything else behind. Whether it's the waves crashing against rocks furiously, or the hawk circling above the sea for its prey; the effect is always calming. I'd doze on the boat in my two-piece while the boys try their mightiest to catch the biggest bait and then everything else doesn't matter anymore.

Every day I'd wake up to familiarity of palm trees, clear blue skies and sea and white sands. Not even a single sound of cars, no blaring honks but just boats docking at mini piers dropping off kitchen essentials. Newspapers come in at 3. We'd fly a kite until we see nothing but a speck of blue dot in the sky.

I want to lie down on the white sand, fine as they are like miniature shiny diamonds, with both of my palms facing downwards, being one with the earth. And when I open my eyes, all I want and could see are more diamonds in the sky, with stories of a thousand years waiting to be told.

Just waiting here makes my spirited soul calm, far from the city's entanglement. Far from the broken pieces I thread on barefooted.

I'm alone now.

I have nothing to hide. I can bury my toes into the sand. I'm not and unlike all of you who are unconscious of who they can be and are. I close my eyes. And I return back to the hills where a school of birds are taking flight. "Classes are starting later. You are early."

The trees move together and the wind brushes softly against my cheek. Calm. White. Like a blank sheet of paper.

I'm riding the X6. Nokia X6, baby.

2010-01-23T12:12:00.015+08:00

taken with X6

So, I received an email a while back and thinking it was a media event (I never do read my emails thoroughly, please excuse my bad), I had RSVP for two. Text100, the PR agency for Nokia, returned my email to say that I had been one of the few chosen 'bloggers' to preview and receive the new Nokia X6 - which has not even been released in Malaysia's market yet!

Now, I'm not a lucky girl; I only consider myself lucky if I'm thisclosetomyrockstars so this was a nice surprise considering I got robbed off my ck clutch which contained my belongings including a Nokia 6300.

Back to the phone.

It's pretty bulky in my hands and despite the shape, I managed to drop it not once but twice! It survived both falls with no scratches so I'm thankful. Brownie Point 1

Initially, I was fretting out because I had trouble registering, downloading music, then getting the songs rejected by my phone because it had no license (?!!) - by the time I was done with the whole registration, I got used to Nokia Ovi Player, the software used to download music. Songs are pegged with special license so you won't be pirating and sharing it with your friends; understandable since royalties need to be paid. Brownie Point 1

The user interface is pretty easy to use since everything is touch screen. Urgh moment - it tends to lag a good 5-6 seconds. Minus Brownie Point 1

Accessing the Internet through 3G is simple so I'm fairly pleased since I'm such a Facebook and Twitter addict. Brownie Point 1

Music! X6 has up to 32gb of storage for all my music needs and we've been lucky to be given a 1-year's free subscription to access the Nokia music storage where I managed to download The Doors, Nirvana, The Killers, No Doubt, David Bowie and even obscure bands like AIR and Eels. So this indie girl is pretty happy. Brownie Point 1

How can you forget about photos! It takes pictures with 5 mega pixels clearity and you can see here how much fun Suanie, Fireangel and myself had at Zeta Bar with the X6. Brownie Point 1

Headphones are freaking awesome. They are foldable, which means you could bend them into half and fold them into a nice bag. And they are black. I like black. But someone told me white would be nicer. I digress. Brownie Point 1.

You'd prolly be tempted to compare this with Apple iPhone and it does share the same interface; but do bear in mind if you fry your Apple phone batt, you have to purchase the NEW MODEL all over again.

How many of you out there can say they have a unreleased X6 again, hmm? Yes, I'm gonna rub it in till the cows come home.

Are day Green?

2010-01-16T15:01:00.005+08:00

Where & when: 14 Jan 2010, Singapore Indoor Stadium

Since I've volunteered to write a review for MSN Malaysia Entertainment, I shall refrain from writing more here, except to say that I'm a renewed Green Day fan and that I had fun and it was a fucking awesome punk rock concert. How does Billy and the rest have the energy to prance from one end of the stage to the other - beats me. My favourite part? The accoustic-stripped down medley by Billy Joe during encore. I sang my heart out. And I'm gonna stick my confetti in my Moleskine; upon closer inspection, there are skulls imprinted on them. How lovely!

faster kill pussycat

2009-12-29T18:23:00.002+08:00

Repost from here

Brittany Murphy was the last celeb I ever thought would leave this earth. If I had my way, she could play me in a biopic. Because I can relate to her kookiness, that is.

And I feel wahoo wahoo wahoo!

2009-12-29T18:21:00.000+08:00

O, what have we become

2009-12-28T18:38:00.003+08:00

Reading this interview with Damien Rice makes me want to listen to 'O' all over again. So much fire, so much anger, so much thought thrown into it - I wish she'd gotten back with him after reading this.

And so that was all good, but then we had the meeting and I felt that... I just felt that Lisa didn't contribute to the meeting at all and just... and I had held the meeting so that she could say whatever she wanted to change, or whatever.

So I went into her dressing room before the show, just after the meeting, and asked her what was wrong, why didn't she contribute to the meeting? And she said 'Well, what's the point? You are just going to do what you want anyway'. At which point I just lost my head. I lost my head, you know."

He shakes his head, regretfully.

"I love her", he declares. "I love her so much. And I love her so much that I love that she hasn't spoken to me - because even in that I have learned so much over the last two years. I have learned to appreciate the friends that I do have, and not to fuck up anymore. And, you know, thanks to Lisa's resilience, her and I are not fighting any more, so that's a positive thing".

Ruby ruby ruby!

2009-12-28T18:12:00.004+08:00

Say hello to Brera.

Be nice and shower her with compliments when you see her okay?

Spontaneous prose by Jack Kerouac

2009-11-18T00:24:00.001+08:00

1. Scribbled secret notebooks, and wild typewritten pages, for your own joy
2. Submissive to everything, open, listening
3. Try never get drunk outside your own house
4. Be in love with your life
5. Something that you feel will find its own form
6. Be crazy dumbsaint of the mind
7. Blow as deep as you want to blow
8. Write what you want bottomless from bottom of the mind
9. The unspeakable visions of the individual
10. No time for poetry but exactly what is
11. Visionary tics shivering in the chest
12. In tranced fixation dreaming upon object before you
13. Remove literary, grammatical and syntactical inhibition
14. Like Proust be an old teahead of time
15. Telling the true story of the world in interior monolog
16. The jewel center of interest is the eye within the eye
17. Write in recollection and amazement for yourself
18. Work from pithy middle eye out, swimming in language sea
19. Accept loss forever
20. Believe in the holy contour of life
21. Struggle to sketch the flow that already exists intact in mind
22. Don't think of words when you stop but to see picture better
23. Keep track of every day the date emblazoned in yr morning
24. No fear or shame in the dignity of yr experience, language & knowledge
25. Write for the world to read and see yr exact pictures of it
26. Bookmovie is the movie in words, the visual American form
27. In praise of Character in the Bleak inhuman Loneliness
28. Composing wild, undisciplined, pure, coming in from under, crazier the better
29. You're a Genius all the time
30. Writer-Director of Earthly movies Sponsored & Angeled in Heaven

toast

2009-11-09T01:01:00.000+08:00

Let us toast to animal pleasures, to escapism, to rain on the roof and instant coffee, to unemployment insurance and library cards, to absinthe and good-hearted landlords, to music and warm bodies and contraceptives… and to the ‘good life’, whatever it is and wherever it happens to be.
Hunter S. Thompson

100 days of change

2009-11-08T20:08:00.002+08:00

It's been 100 days since your passing and so much have changed. I've been met with betrayal, friendship and death. The weight of the world is too heavy for a girl like me to carry on her shoulders; but I'm no longer the same girl ten years ago.

My uncle said you paid a visit to my little cousin. He bid you 'goodbye gong gong'. My aunt also saw your shadow in the room you used to occupy. I was hoping to meet you but I've not sense your presence. That also includes my sister.

But I know the cosmos has ways of telling me; during that span of time, I've met a couple of elderly people and somehow I could sense your presence in them.

Tomorrow I'll be visiting you. So much to tell.

KL Sing Song Day Two

2009-11-01T16:41:00.003+08:00

Loud night out or quiet night in? The phrase was playing in my head the whole of yesterday because I had to decide if I wanted to stalk All-American Rejects in the evening. I chose the later and rushed back from a friend's place to pick up Muscle Man. We braved the rain and traffic and made it in time at Central Market sans dinner.

Ah, such a quaint scene at Annexe. Unlike the previous years which was held at Klpac, Annexe proved to be intimate and warm, but the turnout was terribly poor. Could it be because of the rain? Malaysians actually celebrating Halloween? People flocking to Bukit Jalil for a free-for-all concert? A formula of all of the above?

Back to KL Sing Song. Yvonne played 'door bitch' and jokingly said she was contributing free slavery because of Azmyl and we chatted for a while before making our way into the gallery. As host Fahmi introduced the first set, musicians Slowjaxx, Edwin & Albert and Wani made their way up on stage.

Now, why have I not gotten into Slowjaxx any sooner? The combo of saxophone and Jeff's voice were enough to blow me away. I took a liking to 'Liberty' and another song, I can't quite remember, when he burst in with a flurry of finger nimbling artistry. Edwin & Alvert reminded me a lot of Michael & Victor, who are now popularly known as erm, Michael and Victor individually. Muscle Man actually liked their first opening track 'Monday Blues'; I can see why, they sounded a bit Jason Mraz-ish. Now, Wani came on next. Lecturer with UiTM in Creative Writing, her voice made me sit up and I paid attention to her like a dutiful student would do. I wouldn't say she has a great voice but it was soothing and her lyrics were poignant. 'Lampu Jalan' was one of them.

During the 15-minute break, Muscle Man and I had to go to the loo but they closed up Central Market and I had to brace the mamak's. Then we headed right back up and lingered around. He also wouldn't let me near the stalls, which were selling the artiste's cds because he knew I'd be erm, wasting my money on some good' ol quality stuff. Azmyl was there and er, is it me but his hair seems to have a life on its own? I giggled to myself. I still like you and Yvonne very much, okay?

Meor walked by and I waved at him. Introduced him to Muscle Man for a bit. And made small chat before we were ushered into the gallery again.

The second set was made up of veterans in the indie scene, namely, Pete Teo, Karen Nunis and Meor. Meor kickstarted the set with 'Hari-hari Autistik', which is another fave of mine. The song, which is based on his autistic son, tells a story of how the little one is living in his own world and the father often wonders what is he thinking about. It's really poignant and touching and of course, honest. Other songs he covered that night were 'Sofa Biru' and my all-time favourite which he sang during encore: 'Yang Terlintas Di Fikiran.'

During Karen's set, she was good at keeping the audience's attention as she conversed back and forth, making small chats. I liked that her set was bewitching and mesmerising. My fave song from her has to be 'Oh My World', and I believe she did say it was downloable. Will go search for it.

Pete was his usual confident self but you could tell he was still upset over the passing of his dear friend. He kept to a 'suicidal mode' so he said. I thought he was going to shed a tear during 'Blue', but he kept it strong and managed to finish it. I love 'Blue' and all its blue-ness. It's a tender, intimate song and the venue was perfect, for the song resonated wonderfully within the walls and the high ceiling. And yes, I was laughing at you, Pete, because you made that joke about your finger - how could anyone not laugh at that?

It ended about early 12am and I bid farewell to the familiar faces. Made my way to Tung Shin, where I gobbled down some beef noodles. I didn't regret missing AAR for this; the sombre weather and the pool of talented musicians reminded me how much I've missed catching gigs around town. Will get back on it soon as I'm planning to check out Lepaq cafe.

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

2009-10-28T23:39:00.004+08:00

January 2010 has proven to be concert overload. In Singapore. You may now cry. And empty your piggy bank. Because rumour has it, The XX and Florence and The Machine might drop by too. Hey boss, if you are reading this, I'm going to move temporarily to Singapore and work from there.

12 Jan Yeah Yeah Yeahs
13 Jan Cat power
14 Jan Green Day
(Might as well take the whole week off)

Some details of Yeah Yeah Yeahs live in Singapore from Greenhorn Productions (the same peeps who gave us Death Cab For Cutie, ya'll). Check out the Facebook page:

Host:	Greenhorn Productions
Type:	Music/arts - Concert
Network:	Global

Date:	Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Time:	19:30 - 21:00
Location:	ESPLANADE CONCERT HALL

You're my own Papillon

2009-10-27T10:27:00.002+08:00

This is for all the rock stars out there.

I officially heart The Editors' latest album 'In This Light And On This Evening'. The songs are explosive, metaphoric and atmospheric, of course. I also love how gloomy the lyrics are.

Make our escape, you're my own Papillon.
Will turns too fast, feel love before it's gone.
It kicks like a sleep twitch!
My papillon, feel love when it shone.
It kicks like a sleep twitch!

Darling, just don't put down your guns yet.
If there really was a God here,
He'd have raised a hand by now.
Now darling, you're born, get old and die here.
Well, that's quite enough for me.
We'll find our own way home somehow.

No sense of doubt or what you could achieve.
Well, I've found you out, I've seen the life you wish to leave,
But when it kicks like a sleep twitch,
You will choke, choke on the air you try to breathe.
It kicks like a sleep twitch!

Darling, now just don't put down your guns yet.
If there really was a God here,
He'd have raised a hand by now.
Darling, well, you're born, get old and die here.
Well, that's quite enough for me, dear.
We'll find our own way home somehow.

It kicks like a sleep twitch!
It kicks like a sleep twitch!

I don't know, well I don't mind

2009-10-22T14:50:00.001+08:00

missy atop a brick wall

Happy Anniversary

2009-10-20T02:12:00.002+08:00

Happy Anniversary darl.

I wanted to make you a card but I can't find any colouring stencils in your room and I decided this is what I do best.

You're taking up space again; even the cat is annoyed but I love that about you.

You have this innate ability to annoy the helluva me but you always give in to me with that sly grin of yours.

You can't stand my indie songs and neither can I with your 80s tunes but we always have a good laugh about it.

I always get away with things (nag, whine, chores) but that's because you're too kind with me.

I know I haven't been on my best behaviours and I've said some hurtful things in the past, but I hope we could give it a try again.

Oh and your fried rice is way better than mine. Anytime.

[music for the soul: on and on and on - wilco]

the cosmos

2009-10-19T12:25:00.000+08:00

repost from technicoloring

What an Absolut-ly fun night out

2009-10-16T12:49:00.008+08:00

Temperature soaring, the girl is smoking and we're on the road.

Said my hi's, dressed to the nines, they said 'I was looking good.'

Felt like a frazzled rock star lost in a swarm of familiar and ol' faces.

Glasses clinking, vodka spilling, cameras flashing.

I haven't had this much fun in a while with the bunch last night at Absolut Love's launch at RogueArt, Jalan Berangan, a quaint little gallery hidden in the heart of KL. Alcohol brings the lot together; I won't deny that fact.

More photos and story to follow suit. Meanwhile, I stole these from Sher and Suanie and tweaked the colours.

the elf and i

sherbear!

suan is my herro

kim in a top i want to bring home (owner included)

with mike and mock absolut. copyright suan

Super Cat with Power

2009-10-14T22:47:00.005+08:00

Argh, it's not even year-end and I'm already feeling the pinch in my pockets. First it was breaking Green Day news, then it's Cat Power & Andrew Bird. Between the latter two, I'll choose the husky purring Cat anytime. Plus it's the day before Green Day and like eyeris said, we'll probably have a 'Rombongan Kucing Kuasa Hari Hijau'. If you have not heard of Chan's music, where have you been? Check out her 'Sea of Love' and 'The Greatest' tunes.

Some details reported on last.fm, which was reported by Junk:

Wednesday 13 January 2010

Esplanade Concert Hall

1 Esplanade Drive
Singapore 038981
Singapore
Show on Map

Tel: 6828 8377
Web: www.esplanade.com/

Have a Green Day

2009-10-13T15:44:00.006+08:00

My new friends at Lushington (whom I met during Coldplay's concert, sent me this an hour ago):

Lushington Entertainments is proud to present GREEN DAY – the Grammy Award-winning American rock trio starring Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals, guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass guitar, vocals) and the Tre Cool (drums, percussion).

This will be GREEN DAY's first ever shows in South East Asia with performances on 14th January 2010 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium for 11,000 + fans.

Formed in 1987 and now in the top tier of rock establishment , they have chalked up a remarkable 65 million worldwide album sales.

When they were 17, they first recorded as Green Day, signing with the punk label ‘Lookout’ and releasing the 1989 EP 1,000 Hours with drummer John Kiffmeyer. The next year, the group recorded its first full-length album, 39/Smooth, in a day. Two more EPs followed, with Kiffmeyer leaving to focus on his studies and Tre Cool, with whom Armstrong had played in a band called the Lookouts, taking over on drums for 1992's Kerplunk. With a solid fanbase built on the nurturing, all-ages hardcore scene in Berkeley, the group signed with ‘Reprise’ in April 1993

Concert info:

Singapore tickets will be available from all SISTIC outlets at S$128 (standing), S$88, S$128 and S$148 seated plus S$3 SISTIC fees.

Green Day is represented by Warner Music.

Green Day – Live In Singapore!

Date : 14th January 2010

Venue: Singapore Indoor Stadium

Time : 8.00pm

Public Sales Date : 15 October 2009

SISTIC Hotline : (+65) 6348 5555

Web bookings : www.sistic.com.sg

Singapore tickets will be available from all SISTIC outlets at S$128 (standing), S$88, S$128 and S$148 seated plus S$3 SISTIC fees.

nothing

2009-10-11T00:19:00.003+08:00

Nothing. Still air. Bright lights. Cars whizzing by. The blanket of darkness envelops the sky but the stars, the stars, they continue to shine before they dim, and all is forgotten until the circle repeats itself.

You must know of this incident; remember when we were seated in this hall and everything was pitch black like ink? His voice resonated through the hallway and nothing else matters anymore for he was singing my song. I turned to look at you and you did the same thing; we both knew what that had meant. What crosses the mind, as loosely translated, were merely simple words with heavy depth.

But it is difficult to explain the weight of those words with the heavy knots in our breaking voice.

Whispers in the dark can be the cruelest form of communication - what if you get one word wrong? It's like a slap to your face which leaves you with a sharp pain albeit momentarily. But nothing lasts forever anyway (the song, the words, life). But at the same time you'd ask yourself, if it's all just in your head?

When you pick up pieces and take it along with you, they become some part of you. The chemicals in your bodies align with them and it changes the core of you. The healing, touching, feeling, speaking, thinking, listening, hearing - the next course of action calls for a response.

Trust me.

Trust shall be marked on my arm.

This is not the path I chose to be intertwined. Nothing left for me here. There. Because nothing lasts forever anyway (the song, the words, life).

This love of life makes me weak at my knees
And when we get there make your play
'Cos soon I feel you're gonna carry us away
In a promised lie you made us believe
For many men there is so much grief

music for the soul: [strangers - the kinks]

I heart 500 Days of Summer

2009-10-06T01:30:00.006+08:00

MovieWeb - Movie Photos, Videos & More

I missed the screening of 500 Days of Summer when I checked my email two hours too late but I was adamant about watching it on the big screen because:

1. the cutesy bank dance ala Jason Mraz's 'You and I'
2. Zooey Deschanel, for she's a fine understated actress
3. I'm an indie purveyor like that

Trotted off to Pyramid on the first opening night (it opened on Oct 1st and in KLCC on Oct 15; they underestimated the film, me thinks) and sat myself down in a hall with 50 others for a midnight show.

The show, in a nutshell: cutesy. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who's best known for his 10 Things I Hate About You and 3rd Rock From The Sun roles, carried his lovetorn character very well while Zooey played the kooky, perky part with much ease! They break-up, get back together, say stupid things, not say things -no cookie-cutter Hollywood kinda shit - it's stuff what real relationships are made of. And that's what made me uneasy; it reminded me so much about what I went through with Muscle Man. I know this because he shot me a couple of glances and I refused to give in to him.

There is nothing predictable about the show; the film's misc-en-scene, shifts back and forth in time, kept my attention on hold but it can be a little confusing for those who like their films straight-talking. I also liked that the film is campy, especially the part where Joseph was dancing to Hall & Oates. That's what make indie films so fresh, without the whole Hollywood-ness in it.

The only thing that irked me was the censors who snipped off vulgarities; so I'm gonna go grab the DVD to watch it all over again. And the OST? Splendid. Spent half the time guessing the singers - from The Smiths to Wolfmother - it reminded me of Zach Braff's Garden State. I hope it wins an award!

Four freaking stars!

Read also: eyeris' review on 500 Days of Summer

things that make me laugh wholeheartedly

2009-10-02T12:23:00.003+08:00

@AmyChatterton You don't want to Use Somebody and have Sex on Fire? Woman!

@cyberred NO! Woman please, I am an Underdog and I am already on FIRE!

The protege and her mentor were discussing which rock stars to stalk on Twitter. Clearly one is a crazed Kasabian fan, and the other, a Kings of Leon one.

Sometimes (and I meant it in a good way) the protege reminds me a lot about myself: doe-eyed, eager, loves her indie bits, free-spirited and adventurous. I'm glad she's doing something good.

you could think of me as such

2009-09-28T00:55:00.004+08:00

"But don't get me wrong. I'm not totally mad at you. I'm just sad. You were so nice to me when I was having my problems, but now that you're having yours, it seems there's not a thing I can do for you. You're all locked up in that little world of yours, and when I try knocking on the door, you just sort of look up for a second and go right back inside."

[norwegian wood - haruki murakami]

how far could i go

2009-09-27T23:07:00.002+08:00

[music for the soul: woke up in a strange place - jeff buckley]

wanderlust

2009-09-27T01:27:00.001+08:00

repost from: notebookdoodles

musik makes the people

2009-09-27T00:28:00.004+08:00

First concert? Dang, it was Linkin Park in 2003. It was awesome because I passed out in the mosh pit and got flung over the barricades, landing on the greens. No guards came to my rescue and the first thing I saw when I regained consciousness was Chester's feet. I don't know why I didn't climb over the stage.

Last concert?Arthur's Day with Black Eyed Peas. I wasn't feeling it because of 1. sucky stage set-up 2. technical glitches 3. Fergie all clothed up 4. lack of ventilation 5. it was a fucking bad day for me

Favorite concerts? V Fest Gold Coast

What bands played it? AIR, Smashing Pumpkins, Roisin Murphy, Jesus and Mary Chain, Queens of Stone Age, CSS,

Dream concert (of 5 bands)? Urgh toughie. But I'm feeling Kings of Leon, The XX, Radiohead, Kasabian and Wolfmother at this very moment. If you ask me in my mellower mood, it would be Mew, Feist, Elbow, Doves and Hooverphonic.

Favorite band live: Mu-fucking-se. Er, Muse. Heh.

Band you really want to see live: Oasis 'cause I was broke then and had to miss their Singapore gig. But singer-songwriter has to be, of course, Jeff Buckley.

Band you’ve seen before but NEVER want to see live again: Black Eyed Peas, haha.

Band you’ve never seen and you never want to see them: Name all the poppy bands on radio now. Oh, Boys like Girls crap.

Show you got the worst post-concert depression from: Nadda.

How many times did you see that show/tour? Not applicable.

Most you’ve ever paid for a concert ticket: S$251 for Coldplay. Do not convert and let me know how much in RM.

Next concert? Possibly AAR, and hopefully Patrick Watson.

repost from: petitebisou

monday blues

2009-09-26T13:09:00.004+08:00

I wanted to post up the pictures you took of me when we went on those random, spontaneous trips but realised they were in your cameraphone: stopping by the Monument and seeing for the first time what it is exactly like; then hopping to Central Market to fulfill our hunger pang with beef noodles and deciding one portion isn't enough before making our way to Jalan Alor for a second helping; and washing down our sweet cravings with mango sago and chilli balls at Low Yat Plaza.

We had it good and I don't want any of it to go away.

XX marks the spot

2009-09-20T22:23:00.006+08:00

They're my latest obsession and I'll tell you why.

It didn't occur to me that I would have heard of the band The XX before, until I googled their video 'Crystalised' and realised I've heard a remix of it! So, yes, to your, question, sir, of why I've not heard of them before and my latter response was 'too many indie bands out there!' - I take it back.

The XX, a four-piece member band from London who debuted their album 'XX' not too recently in August, make cool pop-electronica-shoegazing tunes worthy of rounds of play. Out of the 11 tracks, what caught my attention are 'Intro' (which has hints of White Lies), 'VCR', 'Islands' and 'Shelter', which quickly became my favourites. And what makes this mature band stand out is the fact that the members are all in their twenties only! What was I doing in my twenties again?!

Upon closer inspection, the lyrics hint loudly at sex and interpersonal relationships (like in 'Shelter' where girl/boy duo Romy and Oliver cooed over lyrics like "Can I make it better/ With the lights turned on" and in 'Crystalised' where the characters lament over their relationship woes "So don't think that I'm pushing you away, When you're the one that I've kept closest.")

While bassist Oliver doesn't have the strongest voice to pull off the songs (you'll need someone like Gary Lightbody's falsetto), Romy's hush-hush purring kitten voice saves the album and makes everything OKAY.

happy times

2009-09-17T18:06:00.002+08:00

pic by sherbear

I don't really take myself too seriously; y'all should know by now, right? Let's hope the good times don't stop rolling.

xoxo

facade

2009-09-12T23:59:00.003+08:00

I told my ex-manager: "Never give power to a mad man who wants to rule the world."

As many of you would have known, it's been a rough week; no doubt about it. But someone once told me in any short period of time, a person could not have left you with a profound effect. And she's right.

I can see clearly now amidst the facades. And my only hope is that you can see it too.

You see; I've shared nothing but trust, respect and friendship. And I've been fed with layers and layers of distorted truth.

And I'm no longer angry.

Instead, sadness looms over. But it's not for me.

untitled

2009-09-12T17:42:00.001+08:00

Extricate.

Move.

I know I can.

fate

2009-09-09T16:02:00.003+08:00

I was telling Eric the other day, that with every step you take, you'd never know what happens next. One cannot prepare themselves with future situations that will befall on you and one cannot pre-engineer the steps you want to take which will change the magnitude of the situation that is going to happen to you.

So, it happened; what next? I cannot change the course of fate. I cannot go back and rewind my steps; one by one. I asked myself, if I had been late for a few more minutes or if I had just spend a little more time in the dressing room or not have gone into the changing room, would I had prevented it?

If I had stayed where I've always been these few years, would I have avoided this mess?

The cosmic might have ways to tell you but...

I took a step and I... I'm gonna keep it together.

I've been doing quite a good job at it too.

[music for the soul: appalachian springs - the verve]

khor toat

2009-09-08T02:56:00.008+08:00

thai temple, jalan gasing

she said: "as long as your heart is good, then you need not to worry."

that's what the atheist believed too, as she walked pass the devotees who were stroking the marble elephant for luck.

malam tumpang glamour

2009-09-07T01:09:00.010+08:00

pictures by rubbergetah susumilk

We never really had the chance to explain why we threw a party on short notice but spontaneity is key because you don't anticipate the seriousness of planning a real party. We didn't plan. It was all talk but action came into play when we had friends who could pull strings for us. I thank them. And thanks to Tiger Beer for sponsoring and to Hi-Volt for the sound systems, as well as Inked Studio for the awesome location.

Elfie, Mike, TJ and I were bored of our wits at some event and I randomly said, 'I want to learn how to DJ' which led to TJ's same response. As usual, Elfie was her cussing self and she blurted 'y'all tumpang glamour shit etc etc et al' which gave me a huge idea. I could be DJ Glamour and TJ could be DJ Tumpang. Elfie and Mike followed suit with their names DJ Nr. 13 and DJ Mata Mata. So we set the date of the event three weeks from our date of discussion.

The party was based on the notion that it could be done all under RM50 and it was a parody of the expensive clubbing nights in KL. That's why we had requirements like RM1 donation to Furry Farm Animals, newspapers for recycling, and er, moustache was the theme of the night.

What a night.

We invited friends of media and creative industry. Oh, Suanie, ShaolinTiger, KimberlyCun, kyspeaks were there too! Ten cartons of Tiger were gone in a blink of an eye. Music was pumping. We decided DJ Cinta, a friend of Inked Studio's, take charge of music that night after I played my songlist. Didn't regret that at all, didn't we?

It rained about 2something am when I walked down the stairs to pick up a phone call when I witnessed a fight. Everyone went downstairs to watch. Blood on the floor. Tempers flared. Cops were called. Partygoers started fleeing the scene. I took refuge at the mamak. It was a fucking crazy night. When they arrested the drunken guy (not from our party), it was way past 3something am. We went back right up, cleared the place, packed sound system into my car and made our way home. It was 5am when I changed into clean wear.

But what a night. Guess we could plan for MTG 2?

[music for the soul: revelry - kings of leon]

slumber

2009-09-04T11:13:00.002+08:00

I crawled into bed close to three, hoping I'd sleep through and not wake up but I was awoken at 9ish and I couldn't fall back. It's one of those days where you don't want to wake up. Not remember. Not try to want to put the puzzles together. But the mind never sleeps you see. How cruel.

most importantly

2009-09-04T02:37:00.003+08:00

conscience.

would you be able to live with yourself after what you did?

it's funny because you remind me of another person i've told you about before.

cruel lines

2009-09-02T23:54:00.005+08:00

In 2007, I blogged about Hotel Chevalier. When I watched it again, together with Darjeeling Limited last night, I realised how profound the movie has its effect on me. The beauty of trust, lust, respect, friendship, and of course, India was enough to hold my attention.

This was what I said in 15 Dec 07.

"As the prologue to Darjeeling Limited, Hotel Chevalier attempts to shed a little more light on the two main characters played by Jason Schwartzman and Natalie Portman. Yes, it's that film where she went totally buff (Closer, don't count)."

And the lines that only matter in the 13-minute short film, Hotel Chevalier:

Ex-gf: Whatever happens I don't wanna lose you as my friend.
Jack: I promise I will never be your friend, no matter what. Ever.

click to play 13-minute video

There's another line that hit me when I was watching Watchmen. It goes something like this:

Dan: If he's pretending, it means he cares.

I'm sure there are plenty more out there but these lines have been playing in my head like a broken tape. I wonder if I am deluding myself.

filler

2009-09-01T00:32:00.004+08:00

done plenty of listening, accepting and respecting but not enough to garner the same back.

"do you really want to know," she asks.

"i do."

[music for the soul: until we bleed - kleerup]

scribbles on the wall

2009-08-30T11:41:00.002+08:00

I took a couple of hours just looking through my past writes, compiling bits of what I said before and printed them on sheets of old paper. I like the nostalgic feeling to it. I know it may seem, to some, that it is privy to share but that's okay. I'm an open book like that. So read it, and share your thoughts too. I can't wait to take a picture of it soon.

ponder wonder

2009-08-27T23:03:00.000+08:00

"And then I felt sad because I realized that once people are broken in certain ways, they can’t ever be fixed, and this is something nobody ever tells you when you are young and it never fails to surprise you as you grow older as you see the people in your life break one by one. You wonder when your turn is going to be, or if it’s already happened."

“

—	Douglas Coupland - Life After God

zero in

2009-08-25T00:42:00.007+08:00

I'll be needing one of those impromptu crossing border trip soon. Possibly to mend a friend's broken soul, gigging alone and scour kitschy shops with cute dresses that call out my name.

bright idea

2009-08-25T00:28:00.004+08:00

What if, I am just crazy about the idea of it, but afraid of the steps leading to it? Maybe I should stop thinking about it. I wonder how I came this far. Do we have to play our responsibilities now? Who am I kidding? Right, myself.

red

2009-08-22T11:41:00.001+08:00

Come as you are sweetheart, come as you are.
You know you've got nothing to prove
I'll put you to bed you can let it all go
You've been playing too rough lately

You burn too bright
You live too fast
This can't go on too long
You're a tragedy starting to happen
Just as you are. Perfect just as your are
I'll give you the time you deserve.
Don't make those promises
Don't tell me again.
That dust is gonna settle your nerves.

[music for the soul: red - elbow]

rock star stalker gets her rock stars

2009-08-19T18:44:00.008+08:00

My dream job would be stalking rock stars all day long but I guess I am happy with just a weekend of blissful chasing after rock stars in the hall way during MTV World Stage: Live in Malaysia.

The trick is, people, that while a press con is being held in the hall, you excuse yourself to the bathroom and voila, you'd stumble upon a legion of rock stars waiting to be ushered into the hall.

Amy and I stood there; we couldn't believe our luck!

With Tom Meighan of Kasabian after an interview session on the Sunday. He was charming, in good spirits, kept direct contact with those blue eyes and most importantly, he was witty. He planted a kiss on my head on the way out and I vowed not to wash my hair that night (but of course I did after much hesistation!)

Saturday. Just as they were about to be ushered out, I quickly asked Tom and Serge for a picture

Tyson of All-American Rejects. This is a story which I don't get bored of telling, ever! The second I whipped out my camera, five security guards jumped on me and blocked my lens with their hands. I was dumbfucked. But Tyson saved the day by saying "It's ok, she's special!" I turned to him and said "I hope it's [meant] a good thing!"

Doug of Hoobastank

I made Chris and Dan ask each other questions. They were baffled. Mission accomplished. It was meant to be a senseless interview anyway. Read it in envy magazine soon.

black robes

2009-08-18T00:46:00.001+08:00

About 20 temple workers dressed in black robes surrounded the family.

They were chanting, and singing with the help of a yellow book, all 24 pages of it.

I was struggling to keep up. Flipped one page after the other. Foreign characters blurred my vision. Tears blurred my vision.

I didn't know what I was doing. When the sifu told us to kneel, I kneeled. When he told me to stand, I stood, just like what a filial grandchild would do. We walked around his casket five times, with the workers still chanting, and my tears still flowing.

Kneel, stand, walk.

We've been doing that for the past 45 minutes. It made me realised the importance of respecting your elders and honouring his name.

Ten hours before the chanting ceremony, I had taken a last look at my grandfather, who was lying peacefully.

"Don't drop any tears on the casket," an auntie quipped. I didn't know what that meant either.

I sobbed and told him how much I missed him and that we used to visit the zoo and the beach together. I told him I was sorry for not being there.

I stood there, my cousins in the background, and it struck me that I was his eldest grandchild.

We had a lot of fond memories, didn't we gonggong?

The second day, I watched as my uncles, his son-in laws, carried the flag in his honour. I held more joss sticks again. I kneeled again. I cried again.

We rode in a bus which led to the crematorium. And we prayed when his body was to be incinerated. I couldn't bear to stay on to watch. So I went up on the bus and waited. Thought about the swing, the ice-cream, the pen knife, our talks, the walks on the beach, telling him my byes and hellos as I leave for and return from college then... and now they are just memories awash in time.

[music for the soul: last goodbye - jeff buckley]

i got my head checked by a jumbo jet

2009-08-18T00:42:00.000+08:00

Some people need to learn that the world doesn't always revolve around them, and that they should get their ginormous head checked, especially when it comes to sweating the small stuff and the small stuff happens to be me.

death

2009-08-11T23:32:00.000+08:00

I've never had anyone die on me before. Give up, yes, but not dying.

His funeral will be my first mourning.

Smoke, ashes, memory.

I haven't cried this hard for the longest time.

I wish funerals wouldn't be this difficult.

At the top shelf of my dressing table lies a pen knife. It was the first and last gift from him to me.

I wonder if the airport staff would allow me to carry it by hand to his mourning.

I guess not.

I know deep down in my heart he still remembers me as I mimicked an aeroplane landing with my right hand and telling him in Cantonese that we flew from KL to see him.

Two weeks ago after I visited him, I told myself I'd try to fly more often; two months once. I guess someone up there disagreed with me.

I wonder if that someone has been digging deep in my thoughts, and following my dreams about him.

I'm sorry I wasn't there.

[music for the soul: death - white lies]

couped up

2009-08-10T23:41:00.000+08:00

All I could hear whilst being couped up in the room is the sounds of blazing sirens, the thundering tracks as the trams rode by and the leaves rustling on the grounds. If I didn't know any better, I could be living in the suburbs of Brooklyn or something.

Then the cat quietly circles my laptop before making herself comfortable on the blanket, my blanket.

Maybe someone's having the same night as I am, somewhere across the continent.

transatlanticism

2009-08-08T14:53:00.000+08:00

source playdates

3am

2009-08-06T14:50:00.000+08:00

"Be brave enough to live creatively. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. You cannot get there by bus, only by hard work, risking and by not quite knowing what you are doing."

Hibby jibby

2009-08-05T18:58:00.000+08:00

"We need to find Frankie soon. I need to feel pain."

"Tattooing is not pain."

"Yeah, well, it is to me!" (I have zero tolerance for pain, you see).

"Megan Fox just gave me an inspiration to tattoo Jeff Buckley's lyrics on the side of my body."

Just after I said that, her body went into a hibby jibby and she walked away.

Oops, I did it again

2009-08-03T01:29:00.000+08:00

Hello, who are you looking for? Let your imagination wander.

And if it takes shit to make bliss, then I feel pretty blissfully.

If you're looking for something, you won't find it here. They've been nipped, tucked and kept away safely.

[music for the soul: the view - modest mouse]