Talk

2011-08-15T20:21:00.002+08:00

This blog is so long past its deathbed, I can't even be bothered to yank it off the net. Epic Fail.

Mouse in the House

2010-11-16T20:01:00.001+08:00

Yay!!! Cute video's up.

Picking Up a Couple of Things

2010-11-05T19:47:00.006+08:00

I've got better things to do with my life than to write this. I think I've established that with my absence over the last millenia.

But a couple of notes before I leave.

1. Dexter Season 5 - My verdict? ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. 10/10. Julia Stiles is back. Go watch it!

2. This means Mad Men is officially demoted (oh come on, you couldn't have possibly believed that it could've prevailed over Dexter's follow up from the very terrific Season 4!). It's season 4, and Draper's still an idiot. I get why Season 1 and 2 shook the earth and the sea. I think the primetime emmy for Season 3 and 4? It's questionable.

The only reason that's keeping me from tossing this into the bin would be Christina Hendricks.

At the risk of sounding repetitive, I have better things to do, and I shall do them now. If you have nothing better to read than this. I feel sorry for you.

Root for the Underdog

2010-09-06T14:05:00.004+08:00

I'm getting pretty impressed at Kelly Rowland's efforts to step out of tuneless and screechy Beyonce's shadow.

Rowland's got a more than decent voice, and she should take every opportunity to kick the rear end of a overhyped, overrated female artiste who spouts rubbish like 'sweet dreams' (that one just about topped her list of tuneless, senseless of hits, eh? How do you guys actually take it? And why does she still get number 1 hits out of these substandard pieces, and how does she even get nominated - let's not even start on her WINNING these grammys - for an endless list of music awards? I DON'T GET IT? I DON'T!)

I think that Rowland has just about hit her stride at this point in her career, and her decision to join forces with French genius David Guetta was the most strategic move ever. I'm serious. It's as smart as Google's move to acquire Youtube (or more recently, Intel's deal to acqurie Macafee. - Ah, I applaud myself for my constant efforts to sound like some tech geek.

She's become edgier, sexier, and has demonstrated the full range of her vocal chops. Check it out.

Her breakout and maiden hit from the Guetta-Rowland franchise. "When Love Takes Over" took the world by storm. And by surprise. Her vocals were almost unrecognisable. Partly because when she was part of the group that gave her her start - Destiny's Child -, only Ms B was allowed to hit the high notes. Come to think of it, that woman's starting to sound like some sort of tyrant/dictator.

"Commander" was a great follow-up. Very upbeat, and very welcome in the clubs that first made "When Love Takes Over" such a sleeper hit. A product of the same mould, but if anything was different, it was the fact that it was even edgier than the first. A step in the right direction, I say.

Unfortunately, Rowland's not anywhere near as huge as Beyonce, but I'm just glad at least one of Destiny's other children has got the goods and the guts to compete with that terror. I'm rooting for the underdog.

Ode to Kara DioGuardi

2010-09-05T02:23:00.002+08:00

No matter what her critics say, she was one of the most qualified people to have taken a judging seat on American Idol.

Well, why would I speak out on behalf of a woman who contributed to the mess that was known as American Idol season 9? - 'cause no matter how much of a mess it was, she was the only one who made a commendable effort towards salvaging that train wreck.

I must say that I didn't start out liking her. Neither did American viewers, it seemed. She came in with her great credentials, but didn't really wow us at the judging table. Not the way she was expected to, anyway. Sure, she made a few blunders - labelling 'Cryin' as "early Aerosmith", or her ridiculous use of the word 'artistry' (WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN ANYWAY???!!!). At times I thought she was just throwing big words around hoping that people would assume her to be the expert judge offering credible critique.

Come season 9 - SHE IMPROVED. A LOT. Which is why I'll be sorry to see her go. Sure, 'No Boundaries' was not one of her masterpieces. But we easily forget that she created a huge number of hits which WERE masterpieces (What has Randy, Paula or even Simon written so far anyway? Which of them can even hold a tune? [I won't even start on Degeneres]). The most impressive thing of all was that she could sing her own masterpieces - the woman has terrific pipes.

So if we took a step back to review her career as judge on American Idol, we can actually see that she was the most qualified of the judges. Seriously. She could sing (American Idol is the search for an amazing singer), she could write. Good pieces of music (therefore, she's more likely than not to spot a musical genius. After all, they say that it takes one to know one, right?)

The only problem was that she came on board at the wrong time. She came into American Idol when the ratings were falling at a record-breaking rate - which drew a lot of attention to the judges' calibre (everyone was looking for someone to blame, and they were the very highly paid judges who had the next highest profiles [next to the Idol winners themselves]). It didn't help that she had a rough start on that programme.

But since she cleaned up her act, and actually unveiled her true potential in her second season, I forgive her. And I'm a little sad to see her go.

Which is why it's terribly annoying that FOX is giving her such crappy treatment. In the midst of searching for the next batch of superstar judges to fill the 3 vacant seats they have on the judging panel, they did not even let DioGuardi know whether she was dropped or not. Based on the fact that she had a contract that required annual renewal, silence from her employers most definitely meant that an unequivocal dismissal was inevitable. To add insult to injury, FOX made this announcement via email to Entertainment Today at 8.11pm, Friday before Labour Day. As Michael Slezak put it, "the media-cycle equivalent of attempting to chop down a tree in the forest when no one is there to hear it fall". Mind you, this is after Idol made it public that Steve Tyler struck a deal to serve as a judge in the next season. One would think that she deserved to leave the show with some form of dignity, after all the work that she's done for that dying franchise.

One thing is for sure though - she sure as hell deserves to stay, certainly more than Mr Jackson does.

Balance of Power - Australian Edition

2010-09-01T10:01:00.005+08:00

The Greens Party struck a deal with Labour. I'm not thrilled. Not thrilled at all.

For 3 main reasons:

1. Gillard's government could not garner the support of the majority in Parliament. Her government has clearly lost the confidence of the electorate. The last comment wasn't fair, really. She did not even gain electoral legitimacy for a rise into power, and she still hasn't. Being in her position (knifing Rudd and all), she needed to command an overwhelming amount of votes. She didn't. She failed. She does not have the public's blessing to form a legitimate Australian government. It's as simple as that.

2. The Conservatives seem to be fighting harder for the right to form a government. It seems that they're hungry for the people's approval, which is precisely what we want our governments to do. The electorate deserves a government that is more willing to carry out the will of the people. Why do I say that the Conservatives want it more? It's clear from what they're bringing to the table at this point (which includes):
- to get rid of the mining profits tax
- to put carbon trading plans into place
- to executing the $38 billion broadband project (which would single-handedly lessen Telstra's monopolistic grip on the market)

3. Gillard dumped her election promise to deliver a citizens assembly to debate a carbon price - sure that was a surefire talkfest that would have most certainly come to jacksquat. But it just shows what wishy-washy policies the ALP has and will probably come up with in the future.

In my view, their proposed policies cover the concern that Labour addressed by striking a deal with the Greens party - tackling climate change. The only plus that can be seen here would be the condition the Greens have set: that the Labour government conduct a referendum on constitutional recognition of indigenous people. An issue that should have been addressed lifetimes ago.

I am still of the opinion that Labour's effort so far just isn't good enough. They messed up. They have to go. Greens or no Greens.

Labour and Conservative are neck to neck now, with the exact same number of seats. Come on, independents. Show them that they can't get away with this, and that they can't elect a Prime Minister who belonged in the former government. The government which was publicly labelled as a failure. Gillard carries the faults of the Rudd administration on her shoulders. She should have bowed out to ensure that the Labour party had a clean slate, and a better fighting chance in the past elections.

It's still too early to say yet. She may still win. The balance of power lie in the hands of the 4 independents. I'm begging that they choose the ruling-party-to-be wisely.

Of Hung Parliaments and Television/Silver Screen Updates (With a touch more of Television. Not a touch. A LOT more of Television) =)

2010-08-22T22:03:00.019+08:00

We have hung parliaments in 2 major democratic countries now. If anything, that translates into democratic regimes being made even more democratic.

I believe that we should be much less shocked by these election outcomes, that we should embrace it even. It is a welcomed change, and since we vote in the interest of preserving democracy (or at least most of us do), we shouldn't give anyone any more power than they need. The best case scenario is when no one has any sort of veto power. That is the only effective way that everyone can keep an effective system of checks and balances on everyone.

It's a simple concept, isn't it?

As for the recent Australian situation. I think the nation has voted well. The Labour party needed to be disciplined, and they were - by being made to lose the overall majority in the most recent elections. Perhaps they'll think twice before letting their internal disputes take the priority over the welfare of their citizens aka the public display of Rudd's fall. It is only understandable that the people wish to see these internal disputes resolved internally. Tax payers don't want to know that there's trouble a-brewing. We want to see solutions before we even hear of any problems.

We don't want to see irregularities, and unproductive politics - kicking people out of their elected office, and the bloody power struggles that come with it. We want to see peace, and they have the responsibility to act like they're working together cohesively and efficiently.

Get your act together, and maybe we'll consider giving you another shot at holding the majority in Parliament in the next election.

We may not like the opposition, but if you misbehave like this, we have no choice but to remove the real power from your grasp. That's fair, I say.

As for television - my next passion (next to pontificating about things I believe are serious and important, but are rarely so according to the general populous), I bear good news.

FX's Damages has been SAVED. DirecTV and Sony are going to collaborate ala-Friday Night Lights to breathe new life into a ratings-deprived but critically acclaimed series. Down side? It's reduced to a renewal of 2 10-episode seasons. But that's hardly bad news, considering the fact that most Damages junkies like myself were prepared for the worst, aka, PREMATURE AND UNJUSTIFIABLE CANCELLATION. So everyone, please brace yourself for 2 more seasons of Glenn Close's and Rose Byrne's Emmy-worthy goodness! This writer is happy, for now.

Less happiness is going to ensue from here on out. I've officially lost my interest in HBO's True Blood. They're trying to jumpstart the quality of writing, which took an unfortunate turn to the sleepy, draggy quality it had in Season 2. They hadn't stirred from that drunken stupor by episode 3 or 4 this season, and I made the very reasonable judgment call to drop it off my TV viewing list. I've got limited time to spend on TV, and if Alan Ball can't make it work (I'm saying it Tim Gunn style!), he's got to forgive me for cutting it from my favourites list. Yes, True Blood, you'll never be as evilly awful as Twilight, but you're not much better either. Into the wastepaper basket you go.

Speaking of Twilight, the makers of comedies like Epic Movie came up with the ingenious idea of making Vampires Suck, (check out the trailer)

It looked amazingly promising, considering how Edward-the-perpetually-constipated-Cullen just BEGS to be ridiculed.

Verdict? IT WASN'T. The only funny bits in the movie were used up in the trailer, so don't expect any mind-exploding fun or humour in this project. What a disgusting waste of potential. I'm disappointed. While Epic Movie was baaaaaaaad, I expected them NOT to botch up Vampires Suck. And knowing how HARD it is to botch up such a stupid teeny bopper's vampire story franchise, I can't help but say to the producers - YOU suck.

Now that my sporadic vampire hate-fest speech has ended, we shall move on to happier things - such as the return of the brilliant Caroline Dhavernas to Prime Time American Television!!!

One must say, the very well loved Wonderfalls alumnus has chosen a very explosively promising project to attach herself to - "Off the Map" - A brand new Shonda Rhimes medical series!! You know what this means, right? Even if it turns out to be absolute trash (read: Private Practice) ABC wouldn't dare to pull the plug on this show without first giving it a few seasons worth of airtime, in case Shonda gets awfully upset, and brings Grey's Anatomy to the competitors. (So Wonderfalls and Dhavernas fans, worry not that this would become another Wonderfalls tragedy. I still stand by my opinion that Wonderfalls should not have been made to face cancellation so many years ago. It shouldnt' have been cancelled for 10 years, actually. If people have any reason at all to keep Smallville *enunciated with a tone dripping with venom* on television till NOW, they sure as hell could have kept Wonderfalls around. There, I've said it. My hysterical rant ends. For now.)

Anyway, why would they be so stupid as to offend Rhimes, who is probably the only medical drama queen who seems to be the only one in the industry able to churn out something for the medical drama slots that doesn't reek of bad, ugly, or boring?

Oh, all these up-and-coming dramas aren't really going to mean much - until they get you hooked on them. So I'll just end on a mental note I've meant to make with regards to an existing series that I'm already in a committed relationship with:-

I CAN'T FREAKING WAIT FOR SEASON 5 OF SHOWTIME's DEXTER!!! (I'm hearing good things, such as the fact that the talented Julia Stiles is joining the cast in the new season. HOW COOL IS THAT. Looking at the trailer (below), I'll list my observations here (Warning: Spoilers to people who have not watched Season 1 -4):

1. This is most likely the season where Dexter reveals his true self to Deb
2. Quinn's looking a little hollow/anorexic. As in he took on a drug-addiction skinny. Don't know if that's a character development, or the actor having trouble managing his fame and his growing salary.
3. I'm still so very, very sad over Rita's death. Absolutely devastated. But I must acknowledge that without that crucial development in the plot, Season 4 wouldn't have been as mind-blowingly excellent as it turned out to be. Which means I wouldn't anticipate Season 5 as fervently as I am right now.

Let me reiterate: I CAN'T WAIT FOR SEASON FIVE!!!! Special mention: Michael C Hall, thank God you survived the Hodgkin's Lymphoma scare. I, and all other Dexter fans (I'm sure) wish you a speedy recovery.

Dexter Season 5 Trailer (Comic Con)
Uploaded by HatakTRAILERS. - Classic TV and last night's shows, online.

And on a random note, I'm thinking to myself - I can distract myself with 'Repo Men' in the meantime.

Jude Law's clearly balding, so he has to take on meatier roles now to be taken seriously. Then again, this action/sci-fi movie can hardly be taken seriously. But it's serious cast-wise though. Liev Schriber, and Oscar Winner Forest Whitaker? Man, what's there not to like? I'm running to the nearest cinema the next time I have a free moment. It'll probably be one of those underwhelming summer blockbuster productions, but I'm willing to give it a shot (it's not as if the movies that are hitting the theatres right now are anything to shout about anyway? We're going through a post-'Inception' drought, as expected).

Till next time, choke over the never-ending trailer videos I've chalked up for your viewing pleasure! *beams*

Sometimes We Make Celebrities' LIves Far Too Easy

2010-08-10T23:00:00.003+08:00

Justin Beiber's got a great manager. Amazing team working behind the scenes to guarantee his success. Every carefully calculated move that increases his exposure to the masses, and to market his image and the merchandise that comes with it. And the music(or whatever they call music) that's supposed to be the main product (it is NOT the main product. Side product at best).

To anyone who scoffs at the credibility of artists being churned out by the American Idol mechanism, check Justin Bieber out. He's got the best everything in the business. Certainly the best PR team - they make Miley Cyrus look like as unattractive as a fat, hairy man 60 years older than Bieber half the time.

So yes, Bieber's got the best deal in the business.

Please note that I didn't say that Bieber's got the goods. He sure as hell doesn't.

I remember mentioning that I would be delighted to see what happens to his short-lived pre-teen fame once he hits puberty. He's apparently battling acne now. Bieber-haters rejoice! Next to go: the squeaky vocals. Love to hear him attempt 'Baby' then.

So aspiring celebrities out there. Get hold of Bieber or Gaga's managers. Can't sing well? Doesn't matter one bit. Just over-sexualise your image, go over the top, and let the management team work their magic.

Hey, if Britney can fall into a pit of alcohol and drugs, put herself through a quickie marriage and divorce, put herself through a longer, more painful, but equally stupid marriage after, get hauled into rehab multiple times and almost lose custody of her kids and STILL put TWO (not one) number 1 albums on the chart, it can't be that hard to be (in)famous.

I don't care, and I shouldn't

2010-08-01T00:16:00.002+08:00

I don't much care for those who have no decency, no dignity. I don't want to know these people, nor do I want to be associated with them.

They lurk everywhere. In churches, in the circles of friends you consider 'okay', the most unexpected places. Everywhere.

The key is to identify them and weed them out.

The only way to solve the problem would be to exterminate pests, if you were to ask the exterminator anyway.

Weeds have to be gotten rid of by pulling them out by the root.

Get them over and done with.

And then leave them alone. I don't much really care for such inhuman beings anyway. They're revolting and repulsive, and it doesn't really matter if they live or die.

I lie. It does matter. The world would be much better if they don't exist on its surface.

And you can quote me on that.

Cheap Music Video and Charlize Theron

2010-07-26T07:24:00.006+08:00

I regret to inform readers of this blog, and fans of Brandon Flowers. The music video for Flowers' debut single, "Crossfire" isn't anything to shout about. It looked like a cheap production (same costumes, minimal special effects with Flowers doing nothing much more than doing a half-hearted lip-sync while sitting around with a bruised lip).

I guess all the money went into Charlize Theron's salary. But boy was it worth it. Without her, the video wouldn't even be remotely watchable. Verdict? An 8/10 for the song, and a 6.5/10 for the video. Charlize was awarded 6.4 points for just being casted in the first place.

What the hell were they thinking?

2010-06-26T21:11:00.004+08:00

So there's this really dated genre - vampire romance. It suddenly came back into fashion recently. Anne Rice wrote the hell out of it. LJ Smith wrote about it when I wasn't old enough to figure out what a vampire was.

And it pounces out of nowhere. Someone decided to unearth (literally. It was so old it was decaying underground) Smith's soppy old novels, and to adapt it to the television screen. "The Vampire Diaries" climbed out of the grave. It's one of the top 5 worst vampire adaptations I have ever seen. Tepid writing coupled with bad acting made up this hot mess of a series. Couldn't take more than a couple of episodes of Stefan brooding, (which looked more like a perpetual frown. He constantly looked and acted like there was always a stench in the room. The goodie-two-shoes act didn't help. Edward Cullen, here's your rival.)and Elena whining (every episode had her flying off the handle about 'trust' issues with her vampire boyfriend. Emmy winning material, I know).

ugh. They think that if actors slap on some contact lenses, they'll automatically become cool and sexy vampires. Well, the end result is achieved somewhat, that the awful actors resemble the living corpses vampires are supposed to be anyway.

'The Vampire Diaries' was just one of the MANY vampire tv shows that have mushroomed of late. I must blame Twilight for reviving this trend. Vampire shows on TV and in the movies wasn't necessarily a bad thing for me, but network producers who just can't wait to cash in on this hot trend made me think twice about that.

It started with Twilight. The root of all evil. While Joss Whedon did dark, edgy, and sometimes humorous vampire tv series like 'Buffy' and 'Angel', the Stephanie Meyers adaptations was so bad, and made so much money that it became the joke of the century. Like the Vampire Diaries, we see a good looking cast with absolutely no acting talent assembled for this multi-million dollar production. Robert Pattinson couldn't stop squinting (somewhere in his mind, he's convinced that that's how a teenage vamp shows affection), Kristin Stewart couldn't stop contorting her face to depict Bella in a very foul mood in every frame, and Taylor Lautner is as adept at conveying emotions through facial expressions as a raw potato. And they became the biggest stars in the world just like that. Truly, this world makes no sense.

No. No, no, no, no, no. No. Hell no. NO. No, no, no, no, no. No!

Then came 'True Blood'. The first season was so promising that I couldn't stop ranting and raving about it. The second season simmered down a little, due to sub-par writing. And there were introductions of more and more supernatural creatures, warranting the show a little far-fetched for a vampire-themed series (you're pushing it, Alan Ball!). 3rd season's still okay so far, but we'll see. Acting's a little better, and we know the writing talent is there.

Ok. HBO always does a good ad campaign for their shows. While True Blood has been bearable thus far, it's still pretty brainless, far-fetched material. It better start doing something remarkably good this season, or I'm adding this to the bunch of vampire lore I am vehemently against.

And then came 'The Gates'. Stepford Wives-ish tale of a Wisteria Lane swarming with vamps, werewolves and witches. Uh-oh. Bad idea, ABC. If you don't manage to pull a Joss Whedon, or bring something new to the table, you're doing no better than the idiots airing Hannah Montana shows all day and night. They've got an interesting cast lined up this time round though. Rhona Mitra never goes wrong (remember her from Boston Legal and Nip/Tuck? Exquisite woman), and whoa! Luke Mably, who disappeared after his non-existent film career tanked came back into the open! Both wield vampire fangs though. Hmmm... two Brits living in the American suburbs, trying to keep their violent and bloody natures a secret. I don't think even Einstein would've been able to figure that out. Well, the pilot's just aired, so it's far too early to pass a verdict at the moment. John the critic shall withdraw, for now... :)

Part of me wonders which network will be next to air a vamp thriller series next. It's almost become a staple at the moment, to put good looking people with blood fetishes on the air as often as possible. And the viewers, as gullible as they're expected to be will lap it up. Any producer in his right mind can smell the get-rich-quick scheme in 5 seconds flat.

Before we know it, we'll have fixed medical drama/legal drama/VAMP drama slots for all major networks' lineups for the seasons to come. Seeing as 80% of these efforts warrant a major 'WHAT THE HELL WERE THEY THINKING?!' holler, God help us all if this prediction of mine becomes a reality...

Crossfire

2010-06-22T23:45:00.006+08:00

Bradon has just unveiled his debut solo single "Crossfire". Take a listen

The song holds a lot of promise musically, but I'm not digging it yet (I'm guessing it's one of those songs that grows on me). It actually sounds pretty much like the standard Killers fare. If this is the direction he's taking, it would be almost as if he was recording a 4th album with the rest of the Killers.

Well, I hope this doesn't spell the end for the Killers. They're being very optimistic (to the press at least), claiming that they're only taking a hiatus, and that the band members are all focusing on their own projects, and insisting that they've discussed the dates when they would re-enter the studio to record the Killers actual 4th album (until then, 'Flamingo' will have to make do).

I don't think I've included a Killers song in a very, very long time. I'll just post this one here. "White Demon Lover" was a solid record in so many ways, so I'll just ignore the fact that it's part of the "Twilight: New Moon" soundtrack list, and enjoy the song anyway. I'll probably rant about Twilight in another post (short preview and synopsis: it's a terrible movie franchise, people!).

Ok, moving on to the next topic - my latest opinion on current television shows.
The time has come for quite a few season finales and season premieres to air.

My verdicts:

Glee (Season Finale): I watch it for the sake of watching it. I started watching it because the concept was amazing, and Ryan Murphy produces excellent work. My verdict? His latest project (aka Glee) - not so excellent. The quality of writing has been dismal (we see some occasional glimmers of hope in between, but they're really far and few between), and have gotten progressively worse ever since the 2nd half of the season has been unveiled. The funny bits weren't sharp or funny enough, the dramatic bits weren't acted out as well as they should, and the music choice has been awfully odd in certain episodes. I'll be the first to say this, but I'm starting to fall off the Glee wagon. I blame over-exposure, and I blame the downward spiral the show has taken on the soaring expectations of the viewers. Commercialisation has destroyed one too many TV series, I'm hoping Glee won't be one of them - the concept is still fresh and intriguing to me. Unlike most other viewers, I'm not so easily satisfied. I'm not lapping it up even when they dish out sub-par stuff. Let's wait for Season 2. If there're no improvements from there, I'm dumping Glee.

American Idol (Season Finale): Refer to one of the previous posts. My verdict: the show should be cancelled immediately. Forget the plan to cancel it in Season 10. The contestants were so bad, and the winner this year is mediocre at best. No excitement, no sudden flash of brilliance, no magic this season. Simon's left. X-Factor will be airing in the states soon. I'm thinking American Idol has become irrelevant. No thanks to the producers for making it the most boring season ever.

Damages (Season Finale): Great stuff. As usual, the pieces all make sense in the finale. I actually prefer this season to the last. Glenn Close and Rose Byrne did stellar jobs as expected, and Martin Short and Campbell Scott can expect emmy nominations. Tight and well-constructed script and strong acting keeps the bar set high for this show. Hopefully the disappointing ratings won't result in it being axed. DirecTV, please work out a "Friday Night Lights" deal for "Damages". Please?

True Blood (Season Premiere): It's still too early to say, but the 3rd season's looking quite good so far. I'm giving it a 7.5/10 for now. This rating is subject to adjustment, I can sense that it can get better as the season goes along. Season 2 was a little disappointing, with the writers stretching a few of the character arcs far, far too thin, and who could forget the awful mess of a season finale it was last season (True Blood Season 2 had the most anti-climatic season finale I've ever seen. Shame on you, HBO. You should know better!). So the option to adjust the rating is also there just in case this season tanks in the same way it did last season. Alan Ball, I've seen what magic you can do. You did create "Six Feet Under", and wrote "American Beauty" after all. You can pull this together. I hope.

So?

2010-06-10T09:37:00.002+08:00

So I realised that life is hard enough as it is, and nobody needs my gloomy ramblings to feel down.

So Maybe I do have a responsibility to make people feel better about themselves, and maybe I have a moral duty to paint a prettier picture for all to see. Not lie, (oh, surely not LIE...) but to just brighten up a little. Maybe that way, I can do a little bit of good. Something the world needs quite desperately right now.

But I'm not going to.

I'm not in a beauty pageant, and I don't need to please a panel of judges who wish to crown the blonde beauty with the least personality and the weakest (if any) of backbones. God-forbid-she-has-an-opinion, and And-she-has-the-balls-to-voice-out-those-opinions-she'll-win-over-my-dead-body.

So Let's make something clear - I'm not your therapist, and I write whatever I want. I write to express my thoughts and perhaps, a little of what I feel about certain things. I write. Key word here being 'I'.

So I have opinions, and I voice them out. Loud. And it is my blog, and these are posts that I write, after all.

So Please do not think that I'm deliberately trying to undermine others' efforts in making the world a nicer place to live in. I'm not deliberately attempting to rain on your parade.

I just am.

And so, The Killers' frontman Brandon Flowers seems to be moving on. Maybe he's realised that he could possibly make it as a solo artist out there. Maybe he can. Check out a preview of the material which will be appearing in his debut album, 'Flamingo':

It Gets Harder Everyday

2010-06-05T06:13:00.003+08:00

It gets harder everyday. Don't kid yourself about it.

You think that you've been through a lot each time you survive a crisis. You think that you've learned a lot more in the process of the pain. You think you're a different person, and that you've grown.

Maybe you're right.

But that doesn't make things any better.

Because the universe has a perverse sense of humour. She sends you challenges she knows will either break you, or make you stronger. If the latter applies, she'll just arrange for a tsunami bigger than the last to drop by.

And it comes to a point where you realise that you're just living each day as it comes. You don't know if you will survive even though you say that you will. Even though you pledge to strengthen your resolve. Even though Oprah and Anthony Robbins tell you that you can.

Sometimes, it does come true. Months later, you descend into a deep depression. Give it a year or two, you'll start hearing voices. You spiral down a dark abyss, wondering when you'll actually hit rock bottom.

But you'll never hit rock bottom.

Because every time you think you have, you find out that there are worse things in the world, and perhaps these worse things lay - waiting patiently to enter your future.

But I don't care anymore. I take each day as it comes.

Alex Lambert - Everybody Knows

I thought that Alex Lambert actually delivered a pretty terrific rendition of John Legend's "Everybody Knows" (great song, really. Check it out). He didn't make it to the top 12 of American Idol. And now that we're on the topic of American Idol, I have one, really important question - WHY does it suck so much this year? The 'talented' contestants are either good singers who choose terrible songs, bad singers who choose worse songs, weird, weird people who attract more attention to their behaviour than to their singing, or just sub-standard karaoke singers (the kind you don't want to go to a karaoke bar with).

This is the first year I gave up on watching idol altogether. It got too long, too boring, and I really wasn't excited to see what each contestant would offer each week, because I knew what they would offer each week by the time they announced the top 10 contestants - more of the awful stuff they served the week before.

And really, the producers of idol have to know that they're airing a show that is a full 40 minutes too long. We end up having to watch a show that does not bring as much satisfaction to viewers, as it does commercial time. They should cancel the show, and just air 2 seasons of Dexter every year instead.

The American Idol this year - not as huge a travesty as Taylor Hicks, Ruben Studdard or Fantasia Barrino, but Lee DeWyze is no Clarkson, Underwood or Cook - and he knows it. It's sad, really.

Stupid

2010-04-14T21:39:00.004+08:00

I wonder why pain can be inflicted so easily, and by people who are supposed to find it hard to do so.

Or maybe having opinions such as mine is naive. I think that's it. I'm just so stupid and I don't even know it. Maybe being stupid is why I don't know.

But what I do know is - there is supposed to be some sort of system of karma. Or at least that is what people like to say. You tear my kidney out with red hot clamps, I rip your heart out with my nails. (yes, I get the more vital organ. My pain deserves a bigger remedy)

Karma has broken down. The evil triumph. While they keep their pleasant facades. The villian plays the role of the victim, and the worst thing is, decent people who are subject to the laws of karma fall for it. How stupid are they?

Or is it just me. I guess that's it. I'm stupid.

Why is it that those who inflict pain out off pure unadulterated evil have no problem sleeping at night, and why can't I do the same? Why am I facing the same pain reincarnated in different forms, while they get rewarded for wrongfully inflicting it in the first place? Why are they given so much power that what's clearly wrong is termed (by them) as right, and they still get away with such blatant lying?

Karma's stupid.

I'm all Sunshine and Rainbows

2010-02-02T23:45:00.002+08:00

flowers and bunnies, flowers and bunnies, flowers and bunnies.

There. you happy now? :)

Dexter Morgan

2009-12-27T21:01:00.002+08:00

My sincere condolences.

Showtime, you know you aired an absolutely terrific season this fall.

Julie Benz aka Rita Morgan. Stellar job so far. I hope you will be blessed with great employment opportunities. You definitely deserve to headline the next network primetime television show.

I'll be haunted by the finale until the 5th installment comes along.

Haunted.

Statement of Fact

2009-12-08T00:25:00.001+08:00

I swear that I have become very reliant on my phone and on my computer ever since I've set foot on London.

If for a unfortunate reasons I do not have access to either, or both. Death would be preferable.

London's West End

2009-11-26T08:24:00.003+08:00

Out, Wicked. In Les Miserables!

Empty Tables at Empty Tables - Les Miserables - Michael Ball

Let's hear it for the Asian :)

On My Own - Les Miserables - Lea Salonga

Bring Him Home - Les Miserables - Colm Wilkinson

Request

2009-11-17T10:45:00.003+08:00

I wanted something. So the lady at the reception told me that I had to put in a formal request.

I did.

I took the form, and I filled it in with a pen.

Name, Date of birth, Gender, Request (in not more than 50 words).

I signed at the bottom of the form and handed it to the receptionist.

Being the serpent she was, she used it for toilet paper.

So she told me I had to put in a proper request. I requested for the form once more, and laid my request down on paper with the very same pen, writing the very same words.

I handed it over, but the receptionist's superiors weren't any better.

They decided to "go green", and along with the paper trail leading to incriminating evidence that they had embezzled money from their corporation, they shredded and recycled by written request.

Request in pulp. That was my request.

"Make a formal request by filling in this form" Serpentine said.

I nodded, whipped out the pocket blade and sliced through my arteries. The contract of blood they wanted was made.

Blood that couldn't wipe anything clean, blood that cannot be recycled.

I bled to my death on the receptionist's desk.

She was still trying to wake me up, so that I could put in a written request, because the last one got lost in translation.

Last Request - Paolo Nutini

Christmas

2009-11-14T11:11:00.001+08:00

Christmas is approaching. Last I noticed, christmas lights and decorations are being put up all over the city. Let's just spread the yuletide cheer well in advance this year.

Merry Ex-mas - Tori Mclachlan

Drain that Blood. Bleed. Bleed out. Die.

2009-11-05T10:41:00.002+08:00

There's this new-found craze over vampires lately. The oh-so-average Twilight stuff. Edward Cullen's seriously overrated. Then there's The Vampire Diaries. Oh gosh, they really had to unearth L.J. Smith's soppy teenage vamp novels from ancient history. The only thing probably worth watching would be 'True Blood'. Even so, Season 2 was slightly too draggy to be considered anywhere close to the masterpiece Season 1 was.

But the only thing worth considering is the fact that our obsession with vampire probably reflects our inner demons. We want blood. We want to bleed out each and every thing (or person) that stands in our way.

We don't want to just throw a punch to knock out that adversary. We want blood, and we will get blood. We want all of it, and we'll drain all of it. Bleed, people, bleed.

Haemoglobin-driven.

New Moon's going to be awful.

Bleeding Love - Jamie Scott

The Killers Live From Abbey Road '09

2009-10-30T08:19:00.003+08:00

Sometimes, we can lay off the darkness of death and sorrow, and indulge in some feel-good, cheesy, corny music

2009-10-29T11:11:00.002+08:00

Michael Bublé - "Haven't Met You Yet"

Used to love his music loads. Now, I get slightly amused by his work.

Well, he's a terrific singer and all, but his music is a little too formulaic. It's all simple (sometimes addictively catchy) tunes that recount cheesy, corny romantic experiences. But people just lap it up.

This disturbs me.

Weather/Water

2009-10-07T05:25:00.005+08:00

I cross the bridge every morning. I cross it again every evening.

I see the calm, still waters. I see them turn turbulent as the skies turn cloudy.

It rained. 3 times so far.

I got caught in it twice. Twice I felt the caress of water droplets. The cold cutting through my dermis, reminding me of my mortality.

I see the droplets gather, forming that formidable surface of water that I see. Thames.

The cruise tour boat chugs by, reminding me of what the titanic would be, if it had been downsized.

Maybe that way, we wouldn't have seen it sink. But then, the Oscars would be that much less credible.

I see OXO. I see Blackfriars. On other days, millenium streaks across the water in the form of a ray of light.

Perhaps I shouldn't cross bridges. Perhaps I should break them with a twist of my finger.

Fall into the water. Cold stabbing through my dermis. Making me whole.

Where my bones can be washed clean. White. Pristine.

May the Thames wash them away the next time the sky turns cloudy.

For Good - Wicked - Idina Menzel & Kristin Chenoweth

Ramble and Rant

2009-09-30T06:46:00.002+08:00

I guess there's nothing much to complain about, however dark and morbid I'd like to think I'd like to feel.

I can't feel anything yet, because there's a whole lot of uncertainty, and a whole lot of suspense.

But I'm the only one feeling the suspense. Or I feel like I'm the only one feeling the unbearable suspense.

Good suspense? Not so. I may be dark and morbid, but reality tells me there's a possiblity suspense may spring me into a hideous reality that I wouldn't like at all.

I'm doing things I thought wouldn't be easy. And they aren't easy things to do, I'll admit that. But they're not hard either, or they shouldn't be, if I'm in the right state of mind.

Be positive, they say. Get over yourself, I say.

New brings on new nervousness.

Nervous, but necessary.

Oh, I should just turn my overactive imagination off. And fade into oblivion.

But I fear that too.

I don't know what to fear or feel.

I'll drop you a line when I figure that out.

If I ever figure that out.

Oh gosh, I hope I'll figure that out.

Sam's Town - The Killers (Acoustic)

I believe I have embedded this youtube video in one of my older blog posts before. I had to post it here again today, because the statement 'I see London' holds so much more meaning in this Day and Age.

Fabric. Sight. Life.

2009-09-16T00:09:00.005+08:00

I'm sitting here contemplating if I should add to my collection another bitter piece of art that tears at the arteries of everyone's fears and emotions.

I contemplated.

And I voted against that. Not that voting matters.

Suddenly I see.

I decided that I would think of the warmer, more inviting things I have experienced thus far in life.

Ungrateful and whiny as I am, I am very surprised to find that there is a little cranny, a little brain tissue sample perhaps, that contains things I would say resembles what we humans think joy and contentment should be.

And the weird thing is, I sort of get it.

It was sudden, but I saw.

It is possible to have emotions you can't describe. But describing isn't my issue right now.

I just sat here and contemplated. And I described.

I described the colours that have stained the fabric of my life a black and blue. But when examined, the fine red threads were always there. The streaks of yellow weren't continuous, but they appeared every now and again.

I saw beads, each of them individual and unique. I saw them for what they were, and I started to know them, and to grow fond of them. I attempted to polish the pieces with my finger, but found that they polished themselves well enough, they eventually did anyway.

Of course, There were small rips, and huge holes in between, but today, I shall focus on the weave that made my life what it is today.

I will be pouring a whole canister of new paint over it in about two to three days' time.

But I'm leaving the stretch of cloth that has been produced so far untouched.

Suddenly, I see.

Nothing in the world would make me want to change it. It may not be the prettiest work of art, but it is unique it is mine.

I want to keep it. I am keeping it. I kept it.

And I'm still here contemplating.

It was sudden, but I saw.

Suddenly I See - KT Tunstall

Goodnight, Travel Well

2009-08-28T12:29:00.002+08:00

Goodnight, Travel Well - The Killers

In support of UNICEF's efforts to raise awareness about, and to put an put an end to illegal sex trafficking.

Can't Stomach It? Let It Take Over.

2009-08-26T02:08:00.004+08:00

I'm tired of counting my blessings. Because every time I attempt to do so, I just see a whole other picture painted out of the blood seeping out of the broken scab in the pit of my stomach.

I can't stomach it anymore.

Fortune. I just count. I count the fortunes others have been receiving. From this angle, I see windfalls. Form this angle, I see bitterness.

I am just so tired of seeing everyone get everything they want, things the whole world (including me) want. And I gave birth to ungratefulness. A twisted child. Monstrous, yet I nurture it.

I thought I could stomach it, I thought the scab has flaked off, and there is new skin underneath. Skin that's stronger, more resilient. A layer that would no longer break so easily. Not even when bent and poked by the wishes and whims of a higher power.

And so I bend, I poke.

And I bleed all over myself. Anemic and couldn't-care-less, I just lie in a corner and forget.

Forget, until I remember, why I keep counting my blessings. Because I can only remember so few. The numbers may not be true, but the mental calculator has imploded in itself, and I can only sing empty tunes to the silence the lack of accompaniment has created.

Fortune takes over, and the scabbing takes over. I can stomach it, because the cancer of grief and bitterness has taken over. I care no longer, I hope no longer.

Until I remember again, that is. Then, and only then, will I have to stomach it all over again. Until I vomit self-loathing and desolation.

Take over, fatigue. Take over, mediocrity. Take over, neutrality. Take over, that shelter that would keep all the winds of mental anguish outdoors.

Take over.

I'm tired.

Just so tired.

When Love Takes Over - David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland

At least this way, LOVE takes over, not something hideous, which usually is the case. Enjoy it while you still can.

Hold On

2009-07-20T18:03:00.001+08:00

They say we should 'keep holding on'. The only thing that piece advice reminds me of,

would be that awful song that Avril-I'm-so-angsty-and-I'm-so-different Lavigne wails in.

I understand that cliched like entirely. I see the merits of saying it to someone who's about to jump off a cliff.

I find its usefulness and practicality questionable, though.

What am I expected to hold on to? And why on earth would i want to KEEP holding on to something I don't even know I want to hold on to?

If we revert to the example I gave a moment ago, I would say these words of advice make perfect sense.

If Tom decides to jump off a cliff, and decides in the last minute he could overcome the countless problems he's been constantly encountering in his hopeless life,

he could 'keep holding on'.

Maybe to the edge of the cliff, if he had uber cool Neo-from-Matrix kind of lightning fast reflexes.

Or maybe to a tuft of grass, though it wouldn't be of much use. He'll pull the grass out by its roots, and down he goes.

A big Tom-mess on the ground beneath him.

So much for the word 'Keep' in the 'holding on' phrase eh?

But I do find those 3 words very useful sometimes, though.

When the world is just a big fat problem in the equation. When the people around you are downright nasty, which is pretty much ALL the time.

You just lash out. Hit them with your fist. The more noses you break, the better.

Reach out to them, and claw whatever you can reach.

Let the world know what you think of the world.

Yes, let it all out.

And the beauty of it all?

You get to KEEP HOLDING ON to that hate and anger.

Let it pour in a cascade, let your soul drown in it. Make sure the people around you smell its presence.

Let everyone FEEL your pain until they can remember it in their sleep.

Keep holding on to that grudge. Pull every hateful bone in your body, and let it seep through your bloodstream. And boil. And seethe.

Until it all ends.

You can still hold on after that.

Holding a grudge from the grave, (As a very popular horror movie has taught us) is extremely effective on the people who still happen to be alive.

Keep holding on.

Keep Holding On - Boyce Avenue

Hate the song. But these guys make a little more bearable. I seem to have developed a taste for Youtube covers of mainstream pop songs.

To My Love

2009-07-11T00:45:00.006+08:00

Sweetie,

You shouldn't try to be nice and perfect all the time. I see through it. It's obvious really. You're just as messed up as everyone else. You love to be called sweetie, but honestly, are you all that sweet? I say it to be polite, but calling you "bitter" or simply "ugh" would be far more accurate. You are vengeful, you are selfish, you are a simpering hypocrite. I'm getting you a mirror for your birthday, sweetie. 'cause you're so pretty. And 'cause you need to see the adder you are underneath it all. You're welcome.

Honey,

Stop using those dulcet tones. I know what you're implying underneath all those caramelised words. You hate me. You always have. You only put up with me because you're too cowardly to do anything more than stab me with a blunt object behind my back. It's a wonder you manage to keep that sunny disposition after punching a hundred different holes in my spinal cord per minute. I have stopped adding honey to my afternoon cup of Earl Grey. I'll drink it plain. Black tea. Funny, even after taking the honey out of the equation, honey, the black tea reminds me more of who you really are. The black widow. Or just simply, the colour black, the shadow, the darkness. Just pure evil. There you go, honey. Taste your own brand of simple sugars.

Darling,

Oh, quit trying to pretend that you're all pleasant, reasonable and understanding. Those three words don't suit you at all. In fact, it would be an insult to you. You're nasty, you never hesitate to show it. If someone was standing at the edge of the cliff contemplating suicide, you would just push them off it while texting your girlfriends about the biggest thing in fashion right now. You file your nails to make the look pretty. You paint them red to look pretty. Nobody realises, being the darling you are, you scratch with those nails. Nobody realises, you never used any nail polish. The red nails came to be after you drew far too much blood from far too many victims. You've been scratching my back for a long time. Injecting your acidic venom into my torn flesh. You've been nurturing that festering boil in my derriere, and bursting it at the most opportune time. You rub dirt in it everyday, so that the oozing infection doesn't go away. The pus is the symbol of your love, darling. And the blood is your souvenir.

Oh, how I love you honey. You have been so sweet to me. If we ever get married, and have children together, God bless those innocent kids. Imminent death would be inevitable for them.

You called me today. Wanted to have dinner. Would love to. I would absolutely love to have dinner with my ultimate love. I'd have to pass though, 'cause your honey's laced with cyanide. 'cause you are the sweetie pie that's loaded with a wonderful concoction of fentanyl and barbiturates.

Call me again, darling.

I dare you.

My, you do hate me.

This isn't working.

I'm getting a restraining order.

True Blood Returns =)

2009-06-20T02:15:00.003+08:00

All of the Earth Rejoice! True Blood's back for a 2nd Season. From the looks of it, it's going to be another masterpiece from the excellent Alan Ball. Just watched the Season 2 premiere. Yep, they haven't lost it yet :) Still as gripping, still chock-full of mystery, and yes, the Bill-Sookie chemistry is smoking as ever. Looks like Eric (the sheriff vamp) has chopped his golden locks for a change. I think it looks better. Then there's that weird lady who shimmers a lot, and has this really rich history with Sam. And yes, Ladies & Gentlemen, there's another violent killer on the loose in Bon Temp. Tune in to watch True Blood. Good stuff. Good TV.

A Dustland Fairytale

2009-06-15T04:09:00.003+08:00

Here you go. The final single off The Killer's 3rd Album "Day and Age" (Which I still haven't got a copy of yet, by the way....)- "A Dustland Fairytale". The only video so far without one of Brandon Flower's bizarre jackets :)

A Dustland Fairytale

Just a Brief Recap (Non-Violent, Non-Aggressive)

2009-06-14T23:04:00.007+08:00

We haven't seen the last of Palin. Not yet anyway. She's back, and she's back with a vengeance.

Her target isn't Obama this time. It's David Letterman. That's quite a promotion, eh? Nobody'll listen to your attacks on Mr President, so attack the next best thing - a talk show host, who's paid to crack jokes (jokes that are at times, offensive, and in bad taste). Sure, she has the right to fight back when defamatory remarks are made in her direction, but I sure want to know how she concludes that a man over sixty's talking about 'statutory rape' and insulting a whole generation of young women, where talking about sex with a 14 year old girl is okay. Then she goes on to imply that young girls will all be violated should they walk an inch closer to Letterman. Well, I've nothing to complain about. Not after her really infamous comments on 'shoring up the economy' and her wonderful answer to Couric's question about what newspapers she reads.

But no matter. I'm not going to waste anymore time talking about a former Veep candidate who resorts to petty actions in order to keep her political career alive.

Am in the midst of finishing the Seventh WoT book, "A Crown of Swords". It was a challenge to get through the beginning of the book. It was pretty draggy at first, but things picked up a few chapters into the 7th Installment of the saga. Good stuff. I like it. Would like to see what the final book will be like, now that Robert Jordan has passed on. He did leave the vital information about what's supposed to happen at the end with his family, so I hope it would be as satisfying as the rest of the series has been. Off to hunt for books 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11.

Just watched Roman Polanski's oscar winning film 'The Pianist'. I must say that I found it excellent. Yes, Brody deserved the oscar, Polanski (regardless of his criminal record) deserved his oscar, and yes, the movie deserved the Palm D'Or. Thoman Kretschmann gave a commendable performance, and it was beautifully filmed. Quite a moving film, really. I highly recommend it.

I hope you appreciate the fact that I have not mentioned death and destruction in this post as of yet. These occurences are rare, and they take place occasionally to remind people that I am indeed human :)

Nocturne in C sharp Minor - Frederyk Chopin - Performed by Janusz Olejniczak

Quite moving, I think.

And Everytime I Scratch My Nails Down Someone Else's Back I Hope You Feel It

2009-06-05T00:54:00.004+08:00

It was supposed to have been buried in the past, but the memory of the stench - the decomposing corpse it is - keeps creeping back.

It's all over, It's supposed to be accepted, to facilitate the act of moving on. It would be the healthy thing to do, mentally especially, as we must all be able to concede that the universe is pretty messed up. It's supposed to be the way destiny presents itself, as it weaves the pathway that appears before us.

But the pain is still felt. Why pretend that the bleeding has ended, when the pus is oozing from every pore? Is it right to do so? Is it what's deserved?

Do not even begin on the issue of deserving. Rightly deserved. Was decided by others that deserve-no-deserve-not-so-much.

That doesn't matter. When it came tumbling down, the pinch wasn't felt. Funny, considering how incredibly and intensely fragile the situation was.

What brought forth the hammer was the watching. Not good.

Deserving? Perhaps. It probably is. But the why still isn't justified. Not to everyone's satisfaction anyway. And why it tumbles down with a dozen hammers thrown into the mix for me.

The result?

Anger. Pure unadulterated anger that cannot be quenched. That splits the world from its very core. Anger that is so deep and so strong that it shimmers into solid existence before my eyes.

Bleeding. Blood that must be avenged. Pain that doesn't die.

The deserving should feel this too, though it isn't their fault. They deserve to understand what makes them cringe in the night when they're supposed to be in bed. What keeps them from ever becoming the people they envisioned themselves to be. The simple thing that replays in the mind when it isn't really there, but it keeps clawing back through the dura with the scalpel of anger. Sharpened, ready to bite, damage.

The birth of anger is gradual. Pain aids the process, but then again, pain is the process. Anger would be the child that has a pair of claws. It would scratch itself, because it is self destructive. But every scratch is felt by the person who gave it birth.

Excruciating.

Scratch. Bleed. Pus.

The anger is still there.

Oh yes, very much there. Feel it as it scratches down your back.

Subtle.

Not so subtle.

The Killers Revisits Us!

2009-06-03T23:27:00.002+08:00

"The World We Live In" live on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross - The Killers

Their latest single. I believe this version (live version) sounds better for some reason. Their performances on Jonathan Ross were pretty amazing. (4 songs! including "Human", "Mr Brightside" and "When You Were Young").

By the way, The Killers teamed up with Rhythm Del Mundo (Cuban Musicians) to cover the Eagles Classic "Hotel California". The album'll be sold to raise funds to battle climate change. I know that the politically correct thing to say would be something along the lines of "Finally, the world has come together to address this serious matter...". But I can't help but be excited about the song that would be a byproduct of that effort. (Yes, I am appalled at myself) But no matter. Take a listen to a short snippet of "Hotel California", Killers style. Did they Kill it?

Just ignore the video. It's just some footage from a few of their live shows, and has nothing to do with the track.

Careful What You Wish For

2009-06-03T00:38:00.003+08:00

I don't want to talk. I won't talk because you simply won't understand what I mean.

You don't get words. I get it, you're dyslexic. I get it, you're not smart.

It's not why I don't want to talk, though.

It's not because you're dyslexic, or you don't understand what those long list of words mean.

It's because you're just beyond the simple boundaries of understanding words set in our lives.

I'm not going to stoop as low as to repeat the far too cliched line that "your beauty is beyond words".

Because yours isn't.

I won't say you're 'beautiful'. I'll save that for heaven. And for the multitude of angels I see there. And for supermodels, if they have beautiful personalities (sans the bulimic tendencies) along with their looks.

But you come pretty close.

So I'm not going to talk. I'm just going to stay here, and steep myself in the presence that is you.

Perhaps you could let me in that presence, that state of understanding where words won't be necessary.

Oh, don't get me wrong. You ARE imperfect. You ARE flawed.

You may be almost-beautiful-almost-divine, but the beauty's tainted with vanity. Beauty's a curse. Remember that. Be careful what you wish for.

You are still a terrible person. You disregard anybody else's feelings. You still lash out at people who are all on your side.

You are just so stupid, sometimes I think to smack that pretty little face won't hurt all that much. If you weren't so physically appealing, you'd just be a plain idiot.

You're poison. The most deadly kind. You attract your targets, and you snap your venomous fangs, diving them into the flesh of those who love you, those you love, but don't know yet.

You're toxic.

You melt the skin off those who touch you. You blind them, and they lose all their hair.

They die.

I should be careful what I wish for.

So I'm not going to talk to you.

I don't want to die.

Careful What You Wish For - Jonatha Brooke

Go Away

2009-05-29T22:34:00.003+08:00

Sometimes I wonder why I bother putting my thoughts into words here. It's not like I'm going to make much of a difference.

People who do bother to read probably don't take me seriously.

But I'm serious. Dead serious.

Not that it matters. Most of you speculate about what I mean when I say this, when it's cleverly wrapped in cryptic metaphors. Maybe I'm kidding myself. Maybe the only one who thinks I'm intellectual is myself. You're just bored to bits, and so you click on that link that would give you instant amusement.

Me trying to be emo. Me trying to be angsty. Me trying to be deliberately morbid so that people don't just assume I'm all peaches and cream. I'm a wannabe, and you know my type through and through. I have too much time in my hands, and not much matter in the cranial area. Just a dumb blonde in a nerdy blogger's persona.

Maybe I am. Maybe I am all those things.

But just snap out of your stupid little illusions about life and just look at what i'm talking about. Just look. And for once, I hope you threw those I'm-having-a-hunky-dory-day-floral-stupid-silly-you-must-be-kidding-me-oh-my-gosh-lenses out of the window. You should have stamped of them, and lock those shards in a lead box that you would sink in the Atlantic. Because your idealism makes me sick.

And if you think that I'm just jealous because you're having a more positive state of mind, you're out of your mind. Thinking you have a state of mind at all? You must have had prozac on top of that happy gas you must have been inhaling for the past 20 years.

Snap out of it.

You know I speak the truth, no matter how many embellishments I add to it. You know I have a point, even though you don't want to believe it.

Oh, but what the heck, you don't take me seriously anyway.

I'll have those lenses you love so much, thank you. I do not have the time, or the energy to deal with your whiny nonsense. Go away.

Uno - Muse

Glee

2009-05-20T21:33:00.005+08:00

I love tv.

Especially now that we have 'Glee' to look forward to!

Now, I guess there're always clear winners in the industry. The best shows seem to be coming from the same people over and over and over.

Alan Ball, Joss Whedon, Ryan Murphy etc.

But back to the subject at hand. Ryan Murphy's new project 'Glee' looks really promising. Quirky characters + high school story. Looks like a combination of the best of two of his former projects - "Nip/Tuck" and "Popular".

I love TV. There's too much good TV. There's 'True Blood'! 'Dollhouse'! 'Damages'! 'Brothers & Sisters'! blablabla, and now, there's 'Glee'. :)

I'm happy now.

'Glee' Preview

If you've seen the preview, you should know that a certain Glee Club in the series does a cool version of Amy Winehouse's 'Rehab'. Don't believe me? Take a listen.

*Edit: I've watched the pilot of "Glee". Woohoo. Cool show, cool cast, cool music. I'm gleeful. That's confirmed. Can't wait for the 1st season to start in the Fall.

The World We Live In

2009-05-19T15:41:00.003+08:00

This is the world that we live in. Enough said.

The World We Live in -The Killers

brand-spanking-awesome-new music video!!

You'll Never Die Alone/Just Keep Going

2009-05-19T02:45:00.002+08:00

I know that I have been very negative on my blog for the past year or so. But I have realised (of late) that things really aren't that bad.

I know for a fact that we are going to die. (I'm not saying that to maintain my reputation of churning out hideously morbid written pieces).

We are going to die. So what?

There are plenty of things you want to do. You want to watch the next biggest television show that FOX picked up for its new lineup. You want to go to Paris, so that you can have picture of the Eiffel Tower in your very own camera. You want to cut a record, and bring it to Clive Davis, in order to be the next big thing in BMG. You want to go to university, and do something, and actually be a step closer to realising those naive and idealistic things you said in our High School Yearbooks.

You're going to do all those things. You may die in the middle of fulfilling those goals, you may die after living a long and full life. You may not die at all, wishing you would die after years of being hooked up to a life-support machine.

So what.

It's not that bad. I'm not going to make it sound any worse than it is. The worst that could happen, is that you die. That's as far as it goes. So what are you afraid of?

Dying alone? You want to have the special someone, when you're of marriageable age, yet you can't bring yourself to date again after one too many botched up relationships that you invested too much of yourself in, while your good-for-nothing partner did nothing to save it?

Wishing you did something with your life, so that you wouldn't feel so empty when you face your coffin? So that you won't cry harder with every hammer stroke that drives the nails on your coffin deeper and deeper and deeper?

So what if you die alone? So what if you die first, while the love of your life is left to live a lifeless death?

I guess the only thing we have to come to terms with, is that these things are all going to happen anyway, and fear isn't going to change anything.

The only way to actually overcome the fear is to look at the end of the road - death. That's all that's going to happen. You just cease to breathe. Your heart ceases to pump, the brain ceases to fire neurons from one cortex to another.

So what?

You're asking so what? SO WHAT? Well for one, telling yourself all those things isn't going to help ease the pain any. You're still going to fear death, and it's still going to be a very, very bad thing.

You'll die, at the end of it all, knowing that in that brief lifetime, you've done nothing of any significance, even if you've been the President of the United States for two consecutive terms, even if you supported the war on Iraq. You've just been another speck of dust.

Worst of it all? You'll die alone. Everyone's alone when they die. They all say that death is a beginning of better things. That it is painless, and it indicates that it's time for you to say bye-bye to the world.

Guess what, those people may hold your hand while you lie in your hospital bed, but at the end of the day, you face the reaper alone. You cross over to the afterlife very much alone. That path you have to take may be terrifying. It may be fraught with dangers and threats, but I'm sorry, you're just a lost soul floating around. Get used to dealing with things on your own. Nobody's got your back.

So what?

So you die alone. With fear, and without meeting all those objectives you've set for yourself.

You've got a lot to fear.

Die Alone - Ingrid Michaelson

Ingrid Michaelson Rocks! :)

Dollhouse

2009-05-16T23:24:00.005+08:00

Yipeng was telling me on messenger the other day that she loved Fox's new Joss Whedon (of Buffy the Vampire Slayer & Angel fame) series "Dollhouse".

I streamed the first episode, and I didn't really get it.

I'm grateful that I wasn't all that impatient, because the rest of the season was awesome. It got better and better as it went along. The season finale was pretty amazing. One of Whedon's best works.

There was some initial scare that Fox was cancelling the series, but apparently, the series has been renewed for a second season .

Well other than the fact that the cast is goooooood, (Come on, it's Eliza Dushku in various costumes in every episode. Doesn't get better than that) the writing has been extraordinary. As a matter of fact, the whole concept of 'Dollhouse' is so far-fetched, but so WICKED/FANTASTIC/OMGOMGOMG.

haha. Don't think many of you signed up to listen to me rant about another of my obsessions. Don't get me started on 'Wonderfalls', 'Six Feet Under', 'Damages' and 'True Blood':P

As the cherry strategically placed at the very top of my hot fudge sundae, the official theme for Dollhouse (Jonatha Brooke's 'What You Don't Know') is freakishly good. It's been stuck in my head all week. Tell me whether it's as good as I think it is. I'm pretty sure I'm right - It is very, very good. :)

What You Don't Know - Jonatha Brooke

Yes! Check out the music, and check out the series.

Dust

2009-05-13T04:02:00.003+08:00

They say that what we call dust, consists mostly of our dead skin cells.

That means every single time we relieve an itch via scratching, every time we rub our hands together in a gesture of gleeful mischief, every time we rub our feet on the floor mat before entering the living room,

We create dust. Dust. Have too much of it, and you may actually trigger an asthma attack. People with delicate respiratory systems may be susceptible to huge, full-blown sinus attacks with dust on every surface at home.

Well, if it's dead skin cells that dust is made of, why does an old, abandoned home have thick layers of dust on every surface? Why would the surface of your piano keys turn grey with dust when you cease to play the piano for 6 months? Why does your television collect dust when you fail to give it a good damp wipe/mop every week or so?

There are unseen beings that shed skin cells. Perhaps not skin, but cells all the same.

That's why the inches of dust grow thicker and the duration of abandonment lengthens. There is no end to the ticking of time, and there is no end to the accumulation of dust.

Try it out. Leave a dead body in that clean living room of yours (don't forget to rub your feet on the floor mat before entering!). Come back in a century. You'll have a skeleton on the floor, and it would be covered in dust.

No more skin on that skeleton. The inches of dust would indicate the years of isolation, of grief, of mind-numbingly, ground-breakingly, planet-shakingly,

nothing.

Accumulated, after years and years of age and abandonment.

We isolate ourselves in this world of originality and individuality. We develop a routine, whether it is to lead an organised life, or a messy one. (a routine nevertheless)We spend years doing it, and we abandon our initial dreams, our idealistic hopes, and we embrace reality. Like a dead body congealed on the living room floor. Ready to decompose, right up to the point the pristine white of the bones beneath the skin show. Right up to the point the layer of dust, inches thick, camouflages that fact.

We become skin cells, and they are all accumulated, along with all the other cells. Cells of the ghosts of our beings, beings we thought we would be, that roam restlessly through the empty halls no one lives in.

We become dust.

Dustland Fairytale (Live on the 'The Late Show With David Letterman') - The Killers

It's time I go back to my roots. Ah, I need no excuse to embed this one. It's pretty awesome anyway.

Good

2009-05-12T00:39:00.004+08:00

I wonder if that was a good thing.

It looked good,

on the surface.

I cannot lie, I prefer an iceberg.

A huge lethal mass beneath the water's surface.

What lies beneath kills.

Like it killed the Titanic.

Oh, I'm not talking about Jack and Rose's soppy love story.

No you-jump-I-jump rubbish. If you jump, good riddance to bad rubbish. Goodbye.

I'm dead serious here.

They said it was good, but I have my doubts.

Was this all planned? Because the circumstances look suspect.

I can smell a rat from a mile away,

but I can't smell anything now.

I feel it, though. The rat's somewhere.

It's probably alive. Burrowing, slinking,

Biting, pawing.

I'm going to find it, and I'm going to hack it in half.

Metaphorically.

Payback time for the bubonic plague.

And I'll sing a song for it.

I'll sing a song for the death of straightforward-let's-get-rid-of-the-crap.

People aren't capable of that anymore.

They're mostly two-faced, with tongues that cut, scratch and slash on both sides.

Medusa wasn't considered human, but wait till you see the humans we have around us.

Medusa'll seem tame.

So it's supposed to be good?

I'm not buying that.

I'm not a genius, but I'm not that stupid.

Allison Iraheta - Cry Baby

Not too happy that she was eliminated. She did kill that song, after all. Oh well.

Mr Brightside (Reprise)

2009-05-09T01:28:00.003+08:00

I don't really like you.

But I don't really like most people.

Consider that as a compliment.

I've decided to look at the bright side of things for a change.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

It's just a very distant.

All we need to do is probably to walk in that direction,

and naturally pass away due to natural causes midway.

That's how near the light at the end of the tunnel is.

There's a rainbow in the sky.

It makes people smile.

I think the rainbow's there because there's a slight drizzle.

There's a thunderstorm coming.

I can tell, 'cause the lightning and thunder is making all the dogs in the neighbourhood howl.

I think the lightning struck someone.

Uh-oh, the smile the rainbow put in place is now congealed on his face.

He'll go into the coffin that way.

I think the world is like a giant blob of cotton candy.

Lovely, colourful, sweet.

Something a diabetic would love, but he'd probably be asking for trouble if he consumed it.

Feel the cotton candy leave its velvety aftertaste on you tongue.

Feel as it slowly dissolves,

and leaves nothing,

but that cloying and sweet nothing in that empty mouth.

Emptiness.

It turns sour after that.

I've looked at the bright side of things.

But uh-oh, I forgot to turn on the light.

20 Good Reasons - Thirsty Merc

20 Good Reasons - Thirsty Merc (Acoustic)

Awesome song by a band from down under. Threw in the acoustic version for good measure. Both have their charm.

My choice of the blockbuster movie to catch this weekend? Star Trek trumps X-Men Origins: Wolverine. That's my verdict :)

As for American Idol, Allison kicked ass with her rough, dirty, very janis-styled 'Crybaby', but was eliminated anyway. Sigh.

Shake

2009-05-03T12:30:00.003+08:00

I don't really like routine.

I think it just takes away every bit of excitement that's left in an already mundane life.

Shock people. Shock yourself. We really need that sort of thing.

Worry not about the cardiac problems you may cause. And don't believe a word,

when people say that you're too old for this.

Instead of saying 'Good Morning!' at the beginning of the day,

Shake it up.

Say 'Oh, I'm sick of seeing you every morning. Get lost.'

Or don't say anything at all.

Leave your mark in this world. Wipe that stupid grin on your face,

when you bump into someone you used to know in the supermarket.

Give the person a scowl. Let him/her know that you don't appreciate the fact

that they didn't keep in touch, even though you've been a wonderful friend to him/her.

And remember that broken relationships can never be repaired.

If you're divorced? Or if you just had a breakup?

Being amicable is not an option.

That person who ruined your chance at having it happy is now a mortal enemy.

Unless you're being nice to ensure the ex keeps giving you alimony.

Then maybe, just maybe, it would be appropriate to hide a bit of yourself.

Be the hypocrite.

Cash that cheque.

When I Am Through With You - The VLA

Of American Idol

2009-04-29T22:05:00.006+08:00

Somebody tell me why America, when voting for their next American Idol last week, decided to eliminate the only 2 remaining contestants who were not white. (Lil is African-American, Anoop is Indian. Not that their ethnicity should be the deciding factor in this talent competition, or is it?

I wouldn't usually complain, but it really bugs me. The reason why I suspect that there's an element of racism in the whole voting thingamajig really stems from the fact that Anoop was eliminated. Lil Rounds may have had it coming for weeks, but Anoop was not the worst contestant that night. Of course, I may have been paranoid. Anoop may have been eliminated because America just didn't fancy his arrogant behaviour, or because he doesn't perform better, considering he actually has a decent voice. I don't know anymore.

Then they tried to undermine the value of democracy by introducing the 'Judges' Save'. They say that the Americans vote for the next American Idol, but they didn't tell the Americans that their votes would decide who the winner was - PROVIDED THAT THE JUDGES AGREED. Who represents America here? The voters who reside in the United States of America, or a panel of 4 celebrities? By the way, America only listens to ONE of the FOUR celebrities they put up there in that redundant panel. And that ONLY judge they listen to, is not even American. I wonder if they would eventually include the Judges' Save in actual elections. Doubt Obama would have gotten the job then. Especially if Simon disapproves.

Let's just say that the Judges' Save doesn't obstruct the democratic process in any way, let's look at WHO they saved. Matt Giraud. The fella who wasn't even initially voted into the top 12, because he did a HIDEOUS (I mean, it-stank-to-high-heavens-H-I-D-E-O-U-S) version of a popular Coldplay hit. He needed to be handpicked by the judges in the wildcard round.HOW MANY SECOND CHANCES DO THEY HAVE TO GIVE THIS GUY? I am all for the concept of rehabilitation, and I get that the judges love him, but pimping him like that makes it really very unappealing. (Not to mention he is no looker either. Reinforcing the 'unappealing' comment). Even if we choose to disregard all that, he hasn't really been giving consistently good performances. His butchering The Fray's 'You Found Me', and his less than remarkable impersonation of Bryan Adams being prime examples.

Democracy. Right.

Ok, I shall refrain from bullying Giraud. Let's look at the rest of the contestants. I must say that Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta and Adam Lambert have all given quite a few memorable performances. My question is, why is Danny Gokey receiving so much adulation from the judges? He may have been good enough to enter the top 12, but he hasn't shown much progress or evolution ever since. Almost one-trick-pony-like. All he does is Strut up stage, scream in a gravelly voice (it is perceived as 'mad singing skills' and 'emotion'), and smile in a goofy way (I mean really, even-Spongebob-wouldn't-be-that-goofy kind of goofy) while the judges literally drown him in praise which I can't really say for sure that he deserves.

Oh, I shouldn't complain. At least America actually votes for him, and keeps him there. More than I can say for Matt Giraud.

P/s: To all readers out there. Please take note that I have chosen to talk about a nice, light topic - TELEVISION. Rejoice, because your joy may be short lived. I may get back to my dark, bitter mood anytime soon :)

Here's Allison's breakthrough performance in Disco Week

And here's a really awesome song from Snow Patrol "Run"

Snow Patrol - Run
Uploaded by erichedly

You may have heard Leona Lewis' cover of this track. I still prefer Snow Patrol's version, though. What do you think?

*Edit: Matt Giraud was eliminated. FINALLY. Glad to know my remarks aren't far off the mark.

Life's Cycle in Detail

2009-04-27T22:56:00.004+08:00

Life is a cycle.

Let's begin with the first stage.

Life came to be when a single ovum is fertilised by one sperm, forming a zygote.

Cell differentiation takes place, a foetus is formed, with little fingers and little toes. Ultrasound scans reveal this creation as a hearbeat, as a shaded area which indicates that there is a presence. For there is a presence.

Further Mitosis takes place, but before the foetus can actually become a baby ready to enter the world, man intrudes on the natural process. While there may be natural reasons why a foetus doesn't survive a full term(miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy etc), man interferes anyway. Sometimes the foetus' head is crushed, and it is pulled out of the womb before it can become a whole new individual. The D and the C. Dilated. Curreted. Ejected. Aborted.

If that unsavoury and sometimes deemed murderous process is successfully avoided, we will have further growth, and the foetus becomes fully life-sized - a baby.

The baby is born within the year long pregnancy term. It is a new beginning.

Technically anyway.

Because once the baby is born, the process of dying begins.

But don't worry, there's a long way yet. The baby grows. Accumulation of calcium form strong bone structures, consumption of protein builds more healthy tissues, and the baby becomes a tottering child. Who trips over and falls, scrapes his knees, and creates the first scars the child would have. Scars of the physcial variety.

Scars that cannot be seen by the naked eye may be formed soon after, if the child is unfortunate enough to have parents who are fighting bitterly over custody after a messy and almost violent divorce. They may even haf scars of both varieties. Abusive parents who assault them, punch/pinch/cut/scratch them mercilessly, or burn them. The extreme trauma is the scar tissue that can be found in their tender, innocent souls. The child learns that even souls can be torn and destroyed completely.

The child grows up, at least physically anyway, collects more scars. While some wounds heal, through occasional bouts of true happiness, some wounds remain bloody. Others fester, and ooze pus with every excruciating movement made. Some hidden bruises and broken bones are present too. It would be asking for too much to expect that this damage can be mended. Perhaps if the child-cum-adult attains maturity and absolute enlightenment.

The adult dies. At a tragically young age, or at a awfully old age. Some couldn't survive the wounds life inflicted upon them. Some chose not to stay on to treat those wounds, or to endure more. They inflict the worst, most fatal kind of wound upon themselves. Death by suicide. Others suffer in silence. A select few keep the optimism, and attempt to alleviate as much pain as possible through religious, spiritual means by being the good people they always aimed to be.

Many of them fail, and they just die of the extreme disappointment. The regret and wasted years put the heart to a stop. The neurons cease to send impulses to the rest of the body. The combination of Physical damage, and irreperable mental and emotional damage ends the whole journey.

The process of dying that started when the baby made its first sound outside the womb is completed.

The body is either burnt to ashes, or buried six feet under. Ashes are scattered into the ocean, or in the gardens. Air, water is contaminated. Ashes all comingle, and become organic matter. Bodies decompose under the ground. Maggots burrow through the cold flesh, the overpowering stench is kept from causing the living distress as its contained in a coffin underground. The product, once again is organic matter.

Life is a cycle. And now we have come full circle.

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Killing the Blues

Well, I included both the live and the studio versions. I thought it would be nice to feature the biggest winners in this year's Grammys, former rocker Robert Plant and bluegrass legend, Alison Krauss. Melody's quite beautiful, actually. Enjoy.

Indifference

2009-04-24T22:06:00.002+08:00

I wish you well.

Ok. I lied.

I don't wish you well.

HAHA. Caught you there, didn't I? I don't usually wish people well. I wish them all the viper venom available in the underworld.

If you agreed with that statement, you have really demonised me.

I am a good person. Or at least I try to be. I really do wish some people well. Just that I don't blog about them much, really. I like to focus on the pain, the bitterness and the ugliness.

But today, I'll do something different.

I shall be indifferent. You won't see the expression on my face. I have put up a pokerface. I am a robot. Untouchable. No feeling.

You can go ahead and do all the stupid things you have been doing for the past 24 hours. Setting those lofty goals you know are going to crash and burn in 5 minutes. The time doesn't matter. You're just going to sit there like a dog dinner, waiting to turn bad.

I'm not going to bother being mean, or evil. I never intended for that anyway. You just continue your wonderful work. The wonderful work you have been doing to make a fool of yourself. You make plenty of people sick, but not me. I no longer get sick at the sight of you.

There's only one emotion I am in touch with when you come into the picture - pity.

You pitiful, pitiful thing.

You thought you would win, didn't you?

You sad little poodle. Run along now, go back home with your tail tucked between your legs. You have made as much impact as a maple leaf has in Niagara Falls.

You have my sympathy.

I hope you choke over it.

Pokerface - Lady Gaga

Buffer

2009-04-21T18:12:00.003+08:00

As a buffer for my caustic post, I shall try to relieve any feelings of shock or outrage over my intensely morbid blogpost themes by posting here a silly love song.

One that is naive, one that can only work if you still believe completely in the notion that love conquers all.

To all those who are still romantics, and hopeless ones at that, I have finally proven I have a soft side by posting this here.

(Everything I do) I do it for you - Anoop Desai - American Idol Season 8

I'm not sure if love really conquers all, but I hope Anoop conquers more eliminations. He was placed in the bottom 3 after this stellar performance. (Cue:gasps of outrage)

"You know it's true, everything I do, I do it for you"

*Attempts to resist the urge to throw up*

*Edit: By the way, Anoop Desai has just been eliminated from American Idol. Just look at what happens to the people who champion love and affection. It never ends well. Learn that, people :)

Survival

2009-04-21T15:52:00.006+08:00

Before:

Life was beautiful. Endless opportunities for success. The stars in every universe were aligned to ensure my world domination. Nothing stood in my way. The world was my oyster. Painful failures were especially painful, as I expected nothing short of perfection and excellence. There was no other option than to win. Win. and win again. and again.

After:

Failure after failure after failure came about. I adopted the same strategy. Accept nothing but success, reject failure. Which meant I ended up rejecting myself. Like a donated organ transplanted into a patient. The result? Systemic organ failure. I found out I wasn't as resilient, or nearly half as successful as I though I'd be. I hated things, and became bitter. I couldn't take the pain that came every other time I attempted a new challenge. I was haunted by the fear of more pain, and therefore declined to fight. I lashed out, and tried to salvage whatever pride that was left. Life was lovely. Life was beautiful

Future:

You're just waiting for me to fall, aren't you? Pack your bags and return to the deepest recesses of hell, you fiend and demon. Go bring your bloodsucking ways to the weak, you'd feel better about yourself that way. Yes, that's all you're good at. Hovering around just like hungry vultures, but not equipped to deal with the likes of me. You think I'm going to fade away? You think you can dance on my grave in the near future? Come closer. I'll claw your eyes out. I have plenty of life in me. And I'll use every ounce of it to make sure you'll never move an inch closer to happiness. If you think you can try a hand at ruining mine, you can be assured I'm bringing you down with me. And when we're at ground zero, the bottom of the deepest abyss, I will do everything in my power to make sure you'll never surface again.

I'm a creature of survival. Give me pain, I'll suffer. But I'll bounce back. Don't you for one second think you can catch me offguard. Because once you've done me wrong, it won't matter if you're vigilant, or careless. You'll see your end eventually. Vengeance will find you. I am vengeance. And vengeance survives every calamity your throw in its direction.

I will survive all this, because I have a reason to. I will wait for the day that I can finally serve unto you everything that you truly deserve.

I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor

I Will Survive - Cake

Both versions have their charm, no? Readers, don't let anyone ever get you down. Fight back, and watch them shrivel in their pathetic parasitic existence. They, all of them don't matter. But you? You will survive.

Chance/Opportunity

2009-04-16T21:25:00.002+08:00

I'd like to believe we all began with a clean slate. That everything was nice and normal at one time.

I'd like to think that everything was a possibility. That we had the chance to shape our destiny. That we had every opportunity to fulfil our wildest of dreams.

But I stopped thinking that way when things started going wrong. When the best of intentions turn rancid in five seconds flat.

Things become a mess. Solids began to fall apart. Liquids began to evaporate. Gaseous material finally cease to be.

The cycle repeats itself until there's nothing left. Your expectations? It's that stain you see on the floor.

That bit of filth. Even scouring with detergent won't get it off. It's especially foul, especially repulsive. The worst thing is that it's so stubborn, and it's there to stay.

But let's forget about all that now. We can have a fresh start. We'll put a nice persian rug on it.

A white persian rug. Pristine, immaculate, untouched. Until fools and idiots rub the dirt on the soles of their feet on it.

It was the beautiful rug, that looked so revolting. When we see the sweetest of things turn bad in five seconds flat.

That was the second chance, that was the fresh start. Enough, Zig Ziglar. I'm no longer going to buy the crap that you can pick yourself up from failure to start again.

The only thing you're going to achieve is to grab that new opportunity, and watch as your desperate grip renders it to dust on the surface of your palm.

3rd time lucky? I'd like to think so. We can place a plastic sheet above the persian rug, perhaps.

But we know what happens to clean slates. Corruption leaves its taint. And destroys it completely in time.

3rd chance? You blew it.

Second Chance - Shinedown

Live

2009-04-11T20:05:00.002+08:00

Let's have a talk now, shall we? Enough of these dangerous accusations that were thinly layered with metaphors.

Life is tough. I guess you already know that by now.

Electing Barack Obama isn't going to solve that problem. We might want to look at this major breakthrough global event as a beacon of hope, but I'm pessimistic that it would bring any big difference in the long run.

Don't get me wrong, I'm really glad that the African-Americans in the United States have come this far since the Civil Rights Movement. I'm not talking about us being more tolerant of all individuals, regardless of race, skin colour and religion. We may have passed a major milestone in that department, but have we really progressed?

Is there going to be hope of us making things any simpler? 'cause things sure look complicated. Which was precisely why we were bummed in the first place.

I repeat, life is tough.

They say when life throws you lemons, make lemonade. I put it to you that life throws you rotten lemons, and forces you to eat its foul-smelling contents whole, mouldy rind and all.

TV is the only solace. Only on television shows we can see stories where there could be some happy ending. We can once again be humans who are in touch with our emotions, our humanity. It's wonderful to see it on television, and it's wonderful we give them so much support by offering them emmys, Golden Globes and Oscars. We know we're giving these artists gold stars for reminding us of what we used to be - people. People with real dreams, who were real, who wanted real things, and who didn't hanker after the wrong things in life like fools who run after their own shadow.

Life sucks.

But you have to live it anyway.

I know many will disagree with me. You will think that I'm being a skeptic, that I don't know what I'm talking about, because I'm some bitter, morbid idiot who knows nothing about what life really is about.

But note that these observations of mine aren't far off the mark. You may have a certain measure of happiness and love in your life, but that's just it. And knowing human nature, to quite a lot of us out there, it isn't enough to cut it.

And that isn't all, all of it can be taken away from you. You could lose it all. It may be your fault, or it could be something we all like to call fate.

This obsession with money? It really isn't worth our time, isn't it? We can't bring our bank accounts to the grave. But you sure need one to purchase a grave in the first place. Materialism. Why do we have to be so judgmental, so self righteous, when we know we are filthy sinners ourselves? It's so sick sometimes.

What is all this? Why are we running in circles until we end up six feet under? Until we end up at the doors of Hades? Was it all worth it?

I don't know.

And I don't care.

I shut up, and I eat my vegetables, even if they've gone bad.

I live.

Period.

I'm Not Ready To Make Nice - Dixie Chicks

Keep on Walking

2009-04-09T23:25:00.003+08:00

You know you've wronged me, so stop pretending. I know the reason you're back here. It's to gloat. You want reassurance that I am miserable.

I love you just the way you are.

I want you to stay that way. Keep stabbing me in the back when I least expect it. Gets rid of the itch i have in a jiffy.

The itch to put your life to an end.

I'm not talking about death. That would be too easy for you. I want you to watch as everything you wanted, everything that mattered to you, everything you spent your life building fall in front of your eyes. Everything you put love an attention to nurture I wish to poke holes into with a ball point pen. I'll stomp over the broken pieces after I've pushed the vase over, free of charge.

Oh no, I wouldn't want to do it the way you do - shady, devious plotting behind your back.

I want you to watch.

Watch closely.

After I'm done, you can watch me walk away.

I'll keep on walking. So you can keep on watching.

I might come back for you again someday.

Keep On Walking - Jem

Heard this one at the end of Season 2 finale of Damages. Cool tune. I like it. Enjoy :)

Spaceman

2009-04-05T15:39:00.006+08:00

An impending supernova.

Threatens.

To put everything I know, everything you know,

out of existence.

And you don't have the time to hear it.

Artemis stepped out of Pallas Athene's palatial abode and into Earth,

and told us all that Venus would crash into our atmosphere.

And you don't care.

Al Gore told us a long time ago,

that interplanetary communication wouldn't be possible.

Because Earth would cease to be in a very short time.

You tell me global warming is a myth.

What proof do you need to convince you,

that the solar system is against us, you and I.

I am in the solar system, you are in Andromeda.

So I'm here, getting scorched by the dying sun for the rest of my life.

While you whirl away in some conceited effort to prove you're above me.

You're better, and I'm always the one who has to concede.

Guess what.

I'm Pluto.

I'm cut off from the textbooks, and every other bit of astronomical information,

you insist on possessing.

You can possess all the genius, arrogance and deceit in the world,

but you can never possess me.

You aren't demonic enough for that. You're just cold, dead.

Like the aftermath of a supernova.

Like what the overwhelming destructive force a blackhole would leave behind.

Let's not fool ourselves.

The Universe has nothing to do with it.

It's you. Your foolishness.

And your idiocy.

Communication fails, not because of the light years between us,

but because you're just too stupid to figure out why.

Spaceman - The Killers - Live at the Australian MTV Awards

Ego

2009-04-04T01:44:00.004+08:00

Your ego is a size of a

melon

obscenely huge melon.

I'm not sure if you were of the genetically modified variety.

But this melon hasn't stopped swelling since I picked it up from Tesco.

Knowing how genetically modified foods can be potentially harmful to our health,

I refrained from slicing into that melon, and having a taste of the sweetness within.

Because I knew the sweetness had a tinge of decay in it,

that I would be left disappointed.

It did look like a pretty melon after all.

Complete with the freshness and fragrance of a regular melon.

I knew it wasn't a regular melon, though.

It grew and grew even after it was harvested, after it was picked, weighed, and paid for.

I left it.

It turned bad.

It still swelled.

Beyond all possible melon-like proportions.

Sweetness turned into a soft gooey paste of foul smelling substance.

Your ego swelled so much it burst. Like the rotten melon, we see all the stench and ugliness inside.

Your head is so swollen, so let me just use a blunt knife to make a slight incision.

We must deflate it. Or you'll be the melon no one buys in Tesco.

Genetically modified or not, the ending is still the same.

I'm throwing that rotten melon, and your ego into the dustbin where it belongs.

Have You Met Aunt Justice?

2009-04-02T22:24:00.003+08:00

The human mind is complex. A statement I really don't have to justify.

It is complex.

It comes up with complicated concepts such as justice.

We see many things happening round us.

We respond in the usual ways.

Do I accept? Do I reject?

Am I fine? Am I a wreck?

Should I be happy? Should I be sad?

Decisions that really don't matter. Especially when you think of the day you leave.

When the maggots dive deep into your cold, pale flesh.

We know for sure that the maggots are happy then.

So why justice?

What is it?

It is what it is. A concept. A complicated one at that.

Again, remember that the human mind is complex.

This is justice.

But this isn't.

Logic tells us to just leave it at that. It tells us this is all ramblings of a fool,

nothing we should pay any mind. But logic herself is a fool.

Imagination and her sister Hope tells us otherwise.

They say don't give up. The concept may be difficult, but it's there.

It's there for the taking.

All you've got to do is embrace it.

Hope is naive. Imagination dies soon after. The obituary's not seen in the papers.

Nobody wanted to pay for it.

Justice?

I'm sorry, but she's not here.

Justice?

I'm sorry, but she's supposed to be here.

Justice?

You're knocking on the wrong door. You'll never get hold of her that way.

Get her cell phone number. That way, you may have better luck gaining access to her less-than-generous, less-than-easy arms.

The human mind is very simple, not as complex as I thought it was.

We're all fools.

Justice is a simple concept. Not complicated in the least.

It doesn't exist.

I'm Talking About You

2009-03-30T12:43:00.004+08:00

I'm appeased. For now.

At least I won't crash under the overwhelming bitterness of my emotions. Yet.

I know all of you have been trying your hardest to get at me. To destroy me.

But I'm sorry to disappoint you. I'm more resilient than that.

Even if I'm weak enough to dissolve into a pool of nothing after being exposed to your radioactive presence,

I'm vengeful enough to guarantee, that wouldn't be the last you'll see of me.

I have reason to live. I have reason to keep myself in the game.

The reason? You. All of you.

I won't rest till you crumble into all that flotsam and jetsam floating around in the Atlantic.

I made myself. I won't go down easy. You want to break me down? Prepare to receive some mind-numbing, earth-shaking, scream-inducing blows yourself.

I have reason to live. And now that I know I'm not dead yet gives me the impetus to finish what you started.

Everytime you take something away from me, I'll make you pay. Full-price.

Even though payment will have to wait till a later date.

Just be sure I'll be there. With arms outstretched.

Waiting for the day when you'll be mine.

Then the games would truly begin.

I'm not going to even bothercoming up with a smart-intelligent-and-witty sounding title for this

2009-03-15T16:36:00.002+08:00

I guess there are things in life that you should be thankful for.

I guess happiness isn't exactly something that can never happen.

I guess every happy thing would be edged with sorrow. (If the sorrow doesn't eclipse it, that is)

I guess I would just swallow my bitterness for a while, until the next tragedy strikes.

But tragedy has already struck.

Again.

In a way, I'm sick of it all.

Six Feet Under

2009-02-27T00:28:00.007+08:00

Just watched the Series Finale...

All I can say is.

SIX

FEET

UNDER!

It was terrific. It was awesome. Best television I've ever watched.

Breathe Me - Sia

Ok

2009-02-16T23:44:00.002+08:00

Ok, fine. Take whatever you want. Not like you need my permission. You took all of what you wanted already anyway. Not like what I feel about it matters. You were always selfish that way.

I'm tired. I'm not getting angry anymore. With trash like you, it just isn't worth it. So take some more. Just take more of what you want. I won't stop you. I don't want to stop you anymore. You just go ahead and be the idiot you have always been.

I've got other things to think about. I don't care about you anymore. You want to stay around to haunt me? Be my guest. I'm not paying you any mind. You can take your antagonistic notions, your evil plots to bring me down and just stick it. You want to take me on? I'd like to see you try.

You have no idea what's in store for you. And if you had any sense at all, you'd just get lost and stay lost. I'm fine and I'm going to stay fine. Your pathetic existence isn't going to change that. Live with it.

2009-01-19T23:49:00.002+08:00

Thank You

2009-01-10T23:38:00.004+08:00

Dear Advice Columnist,

Thanks for making me feel like a lousy bag of trash I fought so hard all my life NOT to be. Thanks for driving home the message that I fell short, that I just didn't measure up. To your requirements, your expectations, to others. Thanks for just stepping all over my self worth, that floor mat's a keeper. That's my dignity you carelessly stabbed multiple times with your fancy pen-knife and elitist attitude. Let me roll that up and put it away meekly, with the all the grace of one who was just asked to receive the key to the city. Would you like me to lick your boots as a nice thank-you-gesture? I know I'm intact, nothing that you do or did or will do can actually change that, but thanks for making me feel like it's changed all the same. I feel lousy. I feel like I am lousy. What do you expect people to think when they look at this scenario? Simple. They'll see the mark on my face where you just gave me a tight slap. They'll worship those other ones you approved of, and they'll shake their heads in pity at me. It's just wonderful. What a hauntingly beautiful sight. I don't know why I'm even wasting my time agonising over this. You waste my time, the same way you told me that I was a waste of your time. Take your wonderful legacy, your pretty ideals, your fantastic philosophies and get the hell out of here. Get lost.

I feel so stupid whenever I read advice columns. They have all the answers to life. Answers that I couldn't figure out, answers I probably never will have the key to unlock. The embarrasing thing is, I always looked down on them. I always thought they were nosy little know-alls who gave generic advice that would help no one.

So to the advice columnists out there. Whether you give crappy advice or not, you've earned my respect. I'm still angry and humiliated, because you figured out things I never did. To think that I believed I was more intelligent than most. This new found respect I'm giving to you has an expiration date. When my paycheck's value exceeds yours, I'm going back to the way things were in the beginning.

Mr Brightside

2009-01-04T21:51:00.006+08:00

It's a new year. Year 2009. An end. A new beginning. A beginning/end. Doesn't feel too new to me. For some reason, the beginning of 2009 feels an awful lot like the end of 2008.

Looked out of my window. Things look pretty much the same. Same grimy window through which i never could see much since 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 or 2009. Transparency absent. Clarity of purpose absent. The faintest clue of any direction one should move to in terms of progress absent. I'm absent.

Absent-minded? Perhaps. But I'm absent. I'm the College student who didn't turn up for my writing class. The one the professor keeps looking for, is always there, but never really is. I'm absent. I was absent, still am absent, and probably will be for most of the future. I'm not here.

So don't come knocking on my door. You won't find me. Until I do, you won't have any luck at it.

That's why 2008 was somewhat a lost year for me. I filed a missing person's report. They told me that after 48 hours of absence, chances that I would find what I lost in good condition would have significantly depleted. It's 2009 now. I should just give up on finding the solutions, or the answers. I wonder why everyone around me still keeps trying, though.

Lost purpose. I may be lost, but I'm not lost. I have a purpose to fulfil. I know what that purpose is, and I'm doing all I can to make sure that purpose would become my next achievement, the next plaque I would place on the mantelpiece, next to the 20 others. 20 others that have lost their shine. 20 others that have 20 hundred million specks of dust wiped off them every week or so.

3 weeks. That's all of the time I have left to torture myself with. While I'm at it, feel free to jump in. Grab guilt and throw a handful at me. Since I'm going through the whole torture chamber routine, you might want to lend a helping hand. Your last chance to do so. 3 weeks after this, I'm throwing it all back. It's high time you faced your guilt by then.

Put your finger on it. Read the terms and conditions printed between the lines. Cut that finger and let the single drop of blood land on that contract you're about to sign, as the papercut won't be deep enough for you to feel any actual pain. You have been desensitised. No emotion, no nothing. Everything's pretty simple. You're lost. You sign the contract that would bind you to something earthly, something that would still be around for the next 50 years. That way, the lack of meaning in your life would have some meaning injected into it somehow. That drop of scarlet ink, that speck of blood, makes the agreement you put your signature to complete.

Now you're complete. I'm complete. And we're still lost. We smile anyway. It makes sense. Even if we aren't happy, it's good to think we are. If not for ourselves, it would make others think we are happy. Gives them reason to be happy, or to think they are happy.

Still lost? Hell yeah.

Instead of looking to the bright side, why bother? Look into the deepest, darkest recesses of your soul and note the truths you face everyday. Don't forget to read the lies that were written between the lines. That's the way to look at life. That's the way Mr Brightside would have looked at it anyway.

Happy New Year, once again. You are happy, right?

Mr Brightside - The Killers

Christmas

2008-12-27T00:15:00.008+08:00

Eartha Kitt, the legendary singer who sang the sultriest version of 'Santa Baby' died on Christmas Day.

Christmas gave her her biggest success. The greatest gift she possessed was taken away from her on Christmas Day.

Everyone around me is happy. Everyone is celebrating.

I don't understand it. The new year is a new beginning that marks the start of more sadness, pain and uncertainty.

I'm singing Christmas carols on the day that reminds me how bleak the future is? That reminds me how I can gain whatever I have ever dreamed of yet lose it all in the same second?

The future is bleak. We paint on smiles, and we try our best to be happy so that we can keep afloat. So that the realities of life won't crush us with its overwhelming weight.

Merry Christmas everyone (A belated one anyway).____________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
The future is bleak. ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Merry Christmas. Make it as merry as you possibly can.

Let's try to be happy for a moment. Nice Christmas specials like these usually help. The great music, happy family image package makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Pity such Christmas specials aren't aired on tv anymore. Sigh. I guess i was wrong after all. Even the present, not just the future, is bleak.

The Osmonds - Christmas Special: 19th Century English Christmas Caroling Segment

Enough

2008-12-19T17:59:00.010+08:00

I have had enough of paper and ink. And sums. And magnitudes. And thick stacks of papers telling you things you should know.

Tired of trying to crunch the numbers, working towards a solution, when everything around me has no direction. Defeats the entire purpose of trying, really.

It bothers me that people keep misusing the word love. I'm not a heartless killjoy screaming to the world that love does not exits. I believe it does. I really do. Unless you've got the real thing in hand, however, you may want to keep your voice down. Love is kind, warm, and has no prejudices. But love has reason behind it too. Bear that in mind before you start confusing temporary infatuation, unnatural and unhealthy obsessions with love. It chafes at my nerves.

Love Me For A Reason - The Osmonds

Bear with me. I'm in an Osmondmania state of mind right now :)Plus, the colour coded suits and boyband moves are pretty funky. :))

Fools

2008-12-16T22:21:00.004+08:00

We are surrounded by fools each and every day. Fools who don't know what's important in life. They just bury themselves with trivial decisions that have no impact whatsoever in the world around them.

Go for the Senate Seat, Caroline Kennedy. Nobody'll care whether you have absolutely no experience in politics. Nobody'll question the fact that for years, and years, and years after that, you showed no interest whatsoever in anything political. Just go for it. Your ivy league education, and your charitable organisations would mask you well enough when you do your tv interviews. You'd think that people'd think things through first.

Fools who play games play foolish games. People who think they're cool, when they're really being less and less human don't realise they're just growing cold. Something to soothe your fever with. Something to relieve you of the burden that emotions and goodness sets upon your shoulders. Your frail, frail shoulders.

It's 'ok'' to bully people online. It's totally 'fine' to assume a fake identity so that you can make that unpopular girl in class feel even less worthy of your presence. It's 'ok' to get a facebook account for your daughter, so that you can help her get back at that sad little girl living down the street. It's not that big of a deal if she isn't strong enough to deal with your ruthlessness, your brutality. Her suicide probably won't affect your life much. Get real. This isn't the 'real world', where everyone is unkind, and everyone's cruel. We're not all real-life mannequins manufactured to behave like Simon Cowell in everything that we do. There is something called the human touch, empathy, warmth. I guess that is out of the question if you're not even human anymore. Put the tip of your finger on an ice cube. If anything liquidises, I'll be darned surprised.

Aren't you just so proud of yourself? You should be. At least you'll be famous for something. Of should I say infamous?

We are all fools. I'll have to spit that out, 'cause there's a bad taste in my mouth.

Foolish Games - Jewel

Hot Air

2008-12-06T22:10:00.008+08:00

Stop trying to spew philosophy every opportunity you have.
You don't have the foggiest idea what philosophy is.
You just think you know. So all you do is talk. Cheap talk, empty talk.
Philosophy involves intellect, your talk doesn't.
Go bother someone else with your philosophy, because I sure don't need it.
I don't need to hear you pontificate on the truths of life, because you're lying.
You think it's the truth, you think it's legit philosophy.
It doesn't even begin to explain life.
Stop thinking you're better than everyone else, trying to do things differently just for the sake of showing the whole wide world that you're superior.
You have the same lessons to learn, so just take your seat in the classroom, and do your homework like everyone else.
You are not superior. If anything, that arrogance of yours renders you inferior.
As inferior as the rubbish you label philosophy. It's just plain talk.
Talk that I don't need. Talk that won't do anyone good. Just talk.
If you want to talk, the least you could do is learn how to do that right.
You sound awful. Slurring a bunch of words you think make sense. Nobody could care less to figure out what hocus-pocus you were busy mumbling in the last seven minutes.
This isn't some impromptu session, and if that was your attempt at an impromptu session, it was pathetic.
You want to convince me that you know what philosophy is? Structure it. Give it direction. And try, just try to be less self-absorbed.
Doubt you'd be able to do that though.
Goodbye arrogance. You're a bag of hot air. You waste my time. You make me sick.

Cry, people, cry. Let out all that negative emotions. Just bawl, sob and drench yourself in tears. Dissolve in your tears. Watch as those tears dilute you into a puddle of nothing. Nothing. That's all you'll ever be. That's the only way to be.

Cry - Faith Hill

Oxidised

2008-12-03T21:15:00.003+08:00

Most people feel as if they are a aldehyde sample. Ethanal, maybe. They feel as if life puts them to the test so often, something like a chemistry student mixing the ethanal sample with acidified potassium dichromate (VI) solution. When life turns on the heat and pressure, it's as if the student dropped the same mixture into the water bath. You then proceed to slowly watch as the orange coloured solution turn green. You watch as you get oxidised. Yes, you are the sample of ethanal.

I feel like a sample of halogenoalkane. Perhaps bromobutane. Instead of the simple orange solution (potassium dichromate), the chemistry student decided to mix in potassium manganate (VII) into the test tube. Yes, that pretty purple solution. The stronger oxidising agent. As if being oxidised isn't bad enough. Just as the pretty purple solution decolourises, I feel as if I fade away. Oxidised into nothing.

Chemistry

2008-11-23T21:26:00.006+08:00

Are you studying? I am.

Are you afraid? I am.

Are you failing? I hope not.

Mix the chemicals. You won't want to precipitate something that could wreak damage so devastating that you won't even be able to mop up an inch of the mess you created.

Nothing corrosive, please.

The Mission - Yo Yo Ma plays Ennio Morricone

Yo-Yo Ma's amazing. He's the best cellist the world has known. For that, he does all Asians proud! Listen to him play, and it's as if he strokes your soul with the bow. I love the cello. (Hence me liking Apocalyptica's works too). Enjoy.

No guarantees, no promises. Good luck with that.

2008-11-21T20:07:00.002+08:00

Uncertainty. That's all we have. That's all we can really count on. The challenge is to minimise the risk and uncertainty. How? That you have to figure out for yourself.

That doesn't mean there isn't room for hope. Quite the contrary. Hope should always be present. One must be careful to note the distinct difference between hope and wishful thinking. Hope is not blind faith. For hope to be present, you need a little proof that whatever you were seeking exists, and is within reach.

Then again, there's always uncertainty. You may find yourself in a situation where what you were hoping for (not what you invested your blind faith in) simply doesn't come to be. Blame it on fate. I'm sure there is a grander plan. Maybe you were meant for other things. (That's more hope for you)

Some might claim that to be blind faith, not hope. I can't deny that there may be some truth in that. At this point, I just hope we can make sense of this all, because the uncertainty is killing me.

She's Always A Woman - Billy Joel

Beautiful melody, this one.

Rejection

2008-11-19T21:40:00.005+08:00

They said no. They did. I wanted to ask the question that I knew I probably wouldn't get me the answer I wanted to hear. But I didn't. They said no. That was that.

I really wonder what future there is ahead of me when people say no. The cliched saying goes like this - "When the door closes, a window opens". I repeat myself:cliched.

No no no no no. No. No no. No.

Never liked hearing that word. I only liked hearing my own voice. I only liked having things my way. I didn't like it when control is taken away from me, when the ball is taken off my court. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth, that situation. Kinda like how you simply cannot sneeze even though your irritated, itching nose tells you that you want to. Control.

They say confidence is a great asset. Nobody tells you how it just slaps you across the face so damn hard when its pulled from under your feet. No. Nobody would tell you that. No. Nobody tells you when you are told 'No' that confidence is a great asset. Because it isn't. It automatically is deemed as cockiness, or arrogance.

Nobody looks at your achievements. Sometimes I wonder why humans keep striving to achieve. Nobody is going to even remember, or care to give your accolades a glance once you taste rejection and failure. Fail once, and you might as well send that shelf space you saved for your trophies and awards into a roaring fire. That's all the good it can give you now - providing fuel for a fire you don't even need. It's like building a fire in a fireplace when you live in the sweltering heat of a tropical country. Fat lot of good that does.

Rejection. It stings. People will keep saying no to you. I refuse to accept it. Nobody can tell me no, or to slap me in the face with whatever's left of my confidence. Nobody has the right to. Say no to me once more and I'll rip you apart limb by limb. Nobody tells me that building a fireplace isn't any good, and nobody tells me when or how to sneeze. I am in control. I decide these things. Say no to me all you want. Just remember that I will respond with a resounding 'NO'.

I will drown out your rejection, your cheap and ridiculous attempts at destroying what I have and what I am. I will thresh, I will flail, I will scratch, I will pound, I will bite I will rip things apart. You aren't taking me down. No you won't. Go ahead and try. I promise you that I will bring you down with me. Even your screaming 'no' won't be able to stop me then.

Experimenting with poetry in prose. Don't think it fits the bill, but it should suffice. For now.

I'm liking this one a great deal -
Light On - David Cook

Bali

2008-11-13T22:14:00.005+08:00

No man can live as an island, but he sure can live ON one as beautiful as this one!

I'm off to that place first thing tomorrow morning! Seeya :)

TULIPS by Sylvia Plath

2008-11-12T21:46:00.006+08:00

Tulips by Sylvia Plath

The tulips are too excitable, it is winter here.
Look how white everything is, how quiet, how snowed-in
I am learning peacefulness, lying by myself quietly
As the light lies on these white walls, this bed, these hands.
I am nobody; I have nothing to do with explosions.
I have given my name and my day-clothes up to the nurses
And my history to the anaesthetist and my body to surgeons.

They have propped my head between the pillow and the sheet-cuff
Like an eye between two white lids that will not shut.
Stupid pupil, it has to take everything in.
The nurses pass and pass, they are no trouble,
They pass the way gulls pass inland in their white caps,
Doing things with their hands, one just the same as another,
So it is impossible to tell how many there are.

My body is a pebble to them, they tend it as water
Tends to the pebbles it must run over, smoothing them gently.
They bring me numbness in their bright needles, they bring me sleep.
Now I have lost myself I am sick of baggage ----
My patent leather overnight case like a black pillbox,
My husband and child smiling out of the family photo;
Their smiles catch onto my skin, little smiling hooks.

I have let things slip, a thirty-year-old cargo boat
Stubbornly hanging on to my name and address.
They have swabbed me clear of my loving associations.
Scared and bare on the green plastic-pillowed trolley
I watched my teaset, my bureaus of linen, my books
Sink out of sight, and the water went over my head.
I am a nun now, I have never been so pure.

I didn't want any flowers, I only wanted
To lie with my hands turned up and be utterly empty.
How free it is, you have no idea how free ----
The peacefulness is so big it dazes you,
And it asks nothing, a name tag, a few trinkets.
It is what the dead close on, finally; I imagine them
Shutting their mouths on it, like a Communion tablet.

The tulips are too red in the first place, they hurt me.
Even through the gift paper I could hear them breathe
Lightly, through their white swaddlings, like an awful baby.
Their redness talks to my wound, it corresponds.
They are subtle: they seem to float, though they weigh me down,
Upsetting me with their sudden tongues and their colour,
A dozen red lead sinkers round my neck.

Nobody watched me before, now I am watched.
The tulips turn to me, and the window behind me
Where once a day the light slowly widens and slowly thins,
And I see myself, flat, ridiculous, a cut-paper shadow
Between the eye of the sun and the eyes of the tulips,
And I hve no face, I have wanted to efface myself.
The vivid tulips eat my oxygen.

Before they came the air was calm enough,
Coming and going, breath by breath, without any fuss.
Then the tulips filled it up like a loud noise.
Now the air snags and eddies round them the way a river
Snags and eddies round a sunken rust-red engine.
They concentrate my attention, that was happy
Playing and resting without committing itself.

The walls, also, seem to be warming themselves.
The tulips should be behind bars like dangerous animals;
They are opening like the mouth of some great African cat,
And I am aware of my heart: it opens and closes
Its bowl of red blooms out of sheer love of me.
The water I taste is warm and salt, like the sea,
And comes from a country far away as health.

Beautiful poem.

Beautiful - a dangerous word to use. When all turns bleak and white. 
When you discover all thingsthat are different are the same, and when you realise
that you don't really care anymore.
When you're ready to just accept all of that,
Anything that was once beautiful becomes ugly.
 
Worse, it becomes deadly. 
Happy faces in family portraits reach out to you with tiny sharp hooks, 
tearing your epidermis into shreds, causing your blood to spatter against
the pristine white walls.
Lovely red tulips open their mouths wide, to sink their sharp fangs into your skull,
crushing it, and thus ending your misery.

Death becomes inviting. Life is a fate worse than death.
Standing at the gates of Hades would be preferable.
Comfort can be found in isolation. In desolation. Pity and sympathy sting.
In the same way little limestone pebbles effervesce 
in concentrated sulphuric acid.
The sensation of your flesh and bones dissolving in that caustic cocktail could probably
be what you were always looking for - the ability to FEEL. 
And from there, you attain freedom. Freedom from feelings. 

Freedom from all things - 
beautiful or ugly. Freedom from plain, boring, homogenous lifestyles. 
Free from the family portraits that smile back at you, and from
the thousand sorrows those very smiles mask. 

Free from the lovely red tulips that remind you that there is beauty and hope left in
life yet. 
You need to run free from all that. 
Because you know that the day when the red tulips wilt, die. When decay comes, 
as it always does eventually, you'd wish you ended it sooner.

Grignard Reagents, Critical Regions and Hamartia

2008-11-11T23:06:00.005+08:00

Quite an interesting title for a blog post, no?

You should be comforted that i won't be talking about any of that here. It was just something to attract your attention (but it could have repelled any of the unfortunate study-phobic ones who came across this post).

Will be off to Bali in a few day's time. Hope it'll be a fun experience. Haven't been there before.

Never figured out if there was an answer to the questions of euthanasia, rehabilitation vs retribution, or even if there should be a death penalty. Probably won't ever find any answers. Those who do have answers, good for you. Don't forget to think about that stand you took though. You may look back, and find the situation ugly enough that you wish you didn't have to stick to the side you chose.

If we live in a room of mirrors, it'd be interesting to see what we would do. Would you like to face the mirrors everyday, to see the decay and ugliness in your reflection? (A little Dorian Gray-ish, I admit, but bear with me) Would you like to shatter the mirrors, and give yourself 7 years of bad luck?

Think about it. Mirrors don't lie, unless they're made to (mirrors that distort one's reflection. Physics students should have a fun time figuring this one out. How light rays reflect from the surface of the mirror, etc) Mirrors don't lie, unless you've been lying to yourself so much that truthful reflections become nicely sugarcoated lies in your eyes. Look into that mirror. Face yourself. If you can bear with yourself, when you bare yourself in front of that smooth, shiny surfact - your beliefs, your dreams, your strengths, your weakneses. If at the end of it all, you can bear with your own reflection, if you can bear with the truth, you may just be able to survive life.

Look at the

Man in the Mirror - James Morrison

Look at him closely. He may just claw your eyes out.

On a lighter note. 'Human' is seriously one of my favourite Killers singles at the moment. Watched the Killers' performance in the recent MTV European Music Awards that was held in Liverpool. Talking about a pretty awesome performance. (it was a wonderful lights show to boot!)

Check it out,

Human - The Killers live, at the MTV EMA 2008

I thought Brandon Flowers' (The Killers' frontman) feathered coat was hideous at first. I must say it doesn't look too bad to me anymore :) It'd be something bizarre to put on in public, but it has its charm. Talking about Flowers being a trendsetter. haha. Or it's just me and my Killers obsession.

"Will your system be alright? When you dream of home tonight,
There is no message we're receiving, let me know is your heart's still beating?"

Sometimes, I think the whole of humankind barely has a pulse anymore. The heart's dead, congealed in a mass of coagulated blood. Iciness and evil working as an effective refrigerator that keeps us all insulated from being human. What's the point of calling ourselves human at all? It just cheapens the word.

Tan Sri Datuk Wira Abdul Rahman Arshad Challenge Trophy National English Parliamentary Debate 2008

2008-11-04T22:15:00.013+08:00

From left: Puan Magdalen, Rachel, Zafirah, Sophia, Keefe, Jayshendra, Calvin, Daryl and Puan Koh
*plucked this pic from Sophia

SMKDJ, my alma mater, has emerged CHAMPION in the Tan Sri Datuk Wira Abdul Rahman Arshad Challenge Trophy National English Parliamentary Debate 2008!

*plucked this pic from Daryl

Congratulations to

Debaters
Keefe Chan Jun Hwang
Daryl Teoh Meng Wai
Sophia Aliza bt Jamal
Jayshendra Karunakaren (R)
Nik Nor Zafirah bt Nik Yusof Affendi (R)
Calvin Tan Han Jin (R)
Rachel Lai (R)

Coaches/Teacher Advisors
Puan Koh Bee Lian
Puan Magdalen Su Ai Tiing
Kevin Chan Jun Zeng
John Lee Si Ang

*Thanks Andrew Loh for the complete list of the debaters' and the coaches' full names :)

You guys have definitely done the school proud!

This is the third time we've clinched this title. In recognition of our outstanding performance, we get to keep the challenge trophy! We got to keep the Taylors College National Inter-School Debate Challenge Trophy too, after we won the tournament 4 times. Along with that, we got to keep the HELP University College National Debate Challenge trophy, since we've won it thrice.

*Plucked from Daryl

Puan Mag looks so happy. She never really got to do that with our Taylors Challenge trophy as it was in a glass casing and all lol.

As far as debating goes, we've done none too shabbily this year. We won the HELP Debate, clinched the KDU Debate title, bagged the Wira trophy (the crown jewel, this one), and made it to the quarterfinals in the Taylors Debate. 2008 may very well be the year SMKDJ performed best.

And yes. SMKDJ houses the challenge trophies of all the major National English Debate tournaments now. I'm so proud to be a DJ-ian.

So. Very. Proud.

The challenge now is to maintain DJ's winning streak. We've done that for nine whole years. Ten major debating titles in 10 years! No way we're going to let that come to an end :)

Question

2008-10-28T18:32:00.002+08:00

What is your ultimate dream?

Is it to finish school, get into a prestigious university, graduate with first class honours?

Why?

Is it because that would guarantee you a future? A future where you can actually have a head start in the job market? A future where you possess a great job that pays a great salary? Why would you want that future anyway? Is it truly what you want? Or did someone tell you that's what you want?

Is it because you were taught since young, that everyone had great expectations for you? That in this world, unless you become the winner everyone wants to see, you're a failure no one wants to know about? Why did they do that? Why did you listen to them?

Is your dream one that sees you meeting that special someone when you hit the ripe, marriageable age? Is it the same dream that whispers in your ear, that it would be best if you became a husband or a wife, so that you can start a family?

Why is having children the fulfillment you're looking for after you have achieved all you wanted in your career? Why did your career come first anyway? Why didn't it? Is there really a point to a career? Did you really want that?

Why do you think that you aren't complete till you have that fairly large, cosy house with a white picket fence? One where your 5 children can run around in while they laugh, love and grow? Why is it necessary for you to commit to a responsibility that you will have to keep for the rest of your life? Why risk messing up someone else's life other than your own?

Is your life a mess? That's impossible. You followed the guidelines closely, right down to the last alphabet. What went wrong? Who wrote these guidelines anyway?

Why do we put up with people, or jobs that make us unhappy? We tell ourselves that our ultimate aim is to achieve happiness. That's why we work so hard. That's why we do what we do. Doing what we do makes us unhappy though. We work for our happiness by sacrificing our happiness. And we probably don't even know when the time comes for us to finally drop everything and be happy. We may even forget to be happy. Are you happy now? Are you?

Why are we going everywhere, seeking power, seeking money? Why work, when you worry yourself sick about making partner of the firm, manager of the department, CEO of the company? Why bother putting up masks formed in the mould of hypocrisy, just because it would put you in good standing among your peers? Why do you care what they think anyway? What makes you think they care?

Why invest your life savings on things that may make your money grow when it may not? Why buy insurance? Why care so much about the paycheck, when back at home the kid's run away, the spouse's indifferent, and all that money can't fix all that? Why do we keep doing what we do when we know things won't end that well for us anyway?

Who teaches us these things? Why do we follow?

Why don't you care?

Human

2008-10-21T00:50:00.005+08:00

Made some sort of exception. It's for something important (to introduce phenomenal music), so it's alright.

Human - The Killers

I did my best to notice
When the call came down the line
Up to the platform of surrender
I was broke but i was kind
And sometimes i get nervous
When i see an open door
Close your eyes
Clear your heart

Cut the chord
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
My sign is vital
My hands are cold
And I'm on my knees
Looking for the answer
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?

Pay my respects to grace and virtue
Send my condolences to good
Give my regards to soarer moments
They always did the best they could
And so long to devotion
You taught me everything i know
Wave goodbye
Wish me well

You got to let me go
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
My sign is vital
My hands are cold
And I'm on my knees
Looking for the answers
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?

Will your system be alright
When you dream of home tonight?
There is no message we're receiving
Let me know is your heart still beating

Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
My sign is vital
My hands are cold
And I'm on my knees
Looking for the answers

You got to let me go
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
My sign is vital
My hands are cold
And I'm on my knees
Looking for the answers
Are we human
Or are we dancer?

Are we human?
Or are we dancer?

Are we human
Or are we dancer?

Post Title Left Untitled Intentionally

2008-10-15T22:23:00.002+08:00

I need a break. Nothing new there.

There won't be anything new posted up here either.

Enjoy yourselves.

Why SNL's Latest Palin Parody isnt Funny

2008-10-01T20:41:00.011+08:00

I'm loving Katie Couric. Adore her! She's one amazing woman.

Palin, on the other hand, isn't.

Lots of people think that Tina Fey portrayal of Gov. Sarah Palin was hilarious. I must admit it was very funny. I thought that Tina Fey gave an impressive performance. The hilarity just wasn't there anymore when the second Palin Parody installment came in.

If Palin was just another sitcom character, I'd be guffawing just as hard as the next man. But Palin isn't another fictional being. She's real. Her running for the no. 2 post in the United States is real. That's where the laughter dies.

Notice that in this particular video, the SNL writers didn't have to crack their heads to produce good, funny material. All they had to do was quote some of the lines the real Sarah Palin said in her Couric interview session. If you found all of that funny, then it confirms only one thing - Palin is one unbelieavably big joke.

Couric wasn't being nasty to Palin, but she was sharp; and she did her job - letting the public know who on earth they were voting into the White House.

In the SNL skit, Fey was rambling on and on about the economy. She didn't exaggerate a single thing! Not a flaming single thing! All Palin did in answering Couric's question was frantically pulling out all the lines she was told to deliver by her campaign manager. That she did. She threw in phrases like 'shoring up the economy', 'just like every other American', 'health plan', 'job creation', 'one in five jobs' and a plethora of things that sounded good. What the campaign manager couldn't help her with was to give her enough sense to string those phrases up to make up a single, coherent sentence.

THAT was what was painfully lacking. Not one sentence that made sense. At one point, I wondered if she had some 'word salad syndrome'. She was throwing big words and various phrases around that simply had no relation to one another. She went on rambling and rambling and rambling. Her answers were not organised, did not have any direction, and most of the time, did not have any significant meaning either. Something tells me she's just going to do great when the time comes for her to actually discuss things of grave importance with other leaders of the world. Just great.

Couric was very clear when she asked Palin to specify what newspapers and magazines she reads. Palin, however, wasn't clear at all. She couldn't even NAME a single publication!

"I've read most of them, again with a great appreciation for the press, for the media," she said at first. Couric responded, "What, specifically?"

"Um, all of them, any of them that have been in front of me all these years."

"Can you name a few?"

"I have a vast variety of source where we get our news," Palin said. "Alaska isn't a foreign country, where it's kind of suggested, 'wow, how could you keep in touch with what the rest of Washington, D.C., may be thinking when you live up there in Alaska?' Believe me, Alaska is like a microcosm of America."

Watch the real deal - Katie Couric interviewing Sarah Palin

Notice Palin's feeble attempts to wriggle her way out of the global warming question? Does she really believe that global warming isn't caused by man, or is she saying it all for the sake of keeping her political career alive? Also, she even went to the extent of saying that the cause of global warming doesn't matter, because what matters is that 'we're doing something about it'. How in the world, then, are we going to 'do something about it', if we CAN'T EVEN IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF GLOBAL WARMING? This woman makes so little sense, it's actually getting very amusing.

If Palin is elected, remember not to ask her for anything specific. You'll come up with nothing/zero/nada/zilch that way. It would be more effective to discuss foreign policy with a potato.

Speaking of foreign policy, Palin failed to clarify what she meant when she said she had plenty of experience in foreign policy due to the proximity of Alaska to Russia. She claimed that if the Russians were to invade America, they would start with Alaska.

None too bright, is she? If I'm not mistaken, the US airforce isn't going to even INFORM the Alaskan Governor if the Russians fly over in a hundred planes. The only experience Palin could possibly get from it all is the sight of planes zooming over her roof. She would have nothing to do with any decisions made regarding anything US would do to Russia. If THAT is the experience in foreign policy Palin says she has, Britney Spears may even be able to trounce her in a foreign policy debate. At least Ms Spears has been to more places than Mrs Palin has ever dreamed of going.

Instead of eating his share of humble pie, instead of doing the decent thing, and admitting that the Palin selection was a disaster, Mccain decided to throw knives in Couric's direction.

Take a read:

Taken from baltimoresun.com

Palin, McCain cry "gotcha journalism" with Couric

CBS anchorwoman Katie Couric did a joint interview Monday in Ohio with Republican candidates John McCain and Sarah Palin, and McCain came out denouncing "gotcha journalism" as he defended his running mate in the portion that aired on the CBS Evening News.

With McCain and Palin sitting side by side, the first flareup came when Couric asked Palin about a statement the candidate made over the weekend that the U.S. should launch attacks from Afghanistan into Pakistan to "stop the terrorists from coming any further in."

In that comment, Palin seemed to voicing the same position McCain had attacked his opponent, Barack Obama, for stating in their debate on Friday.

"So, Gov. Palin are you two (she and McCain) on the same page?" Couric asked.

"...We will do what we have to do to secure the United Sates and her allies," Palin said.

"Is that something you shouldn't say out loud, Sen. McCain?" Couric asked.

"Of course not," McCain snapped. "But look, I understand this day and age gotcha journalism... Grab a phrase. Gov. Palin and I agree that you don't announce that you're going to attack another country."

"Are you sorry you said it?" Couric asked returning to Palin.

"Wait a minute," McCain said interrupting. "Before you say is she sorry she said it, this was a gotcha sound bite that...

"It wasn't a gotcha," Couric insisted. "She was talking to a voter."

"No," McCain insisted back, "she was in a conversation with a group of people talking back and forth, and I'll let Gov. Palin speak for herself."

When Couric asked Palin what she learned "from that experience," the candidate replied, "That this is all about gotcha journalism...."

Couric was again focused and forceful in her questioning:"Gov. Palin, since our last interview, you have gotten a lot of flak. Some Republicans have said you are not prepared, you're not ready for prime time... And I'm curious to hear your reaction."

"Well, not only am I ready but willing and able to serve as vice president with Sen. McCain if Americans so bless us and privilege us with the opportunity of serving them -- ready with my executive experience as a city mayor and manager, as a governor, as a commissioner, a regulator of oil and gas,

And again, McCain stepped in to defend his running mate.

"This is not the first time I've seen a governor being questioned by some quote expert," he said making qotation marks with his fingers. "I remember that Ronald Reagan was a cowboy. Prseident Clinton was a governor of a very small state that had no experience either. I remember how easy it was going to be for Bush I to defeat him. I still recall, whoops, that one. But the point is that I've seen underestimation before. I'm very proud of the excitement that Gov. Palin has ignited with this party around this country."

Here is one last bit of good work yesterday from Couric, who seems to be at the center of every big story these days. Last night, in an interview with Republican Congressman John Boehner on the failure of the bailout bill, she asked the question everyone in American wanted to ask of many members of the House: "Congressman Boehner, ...what in the world are you people doing?"

In a related matter, The Nielsen Company released final ratings for Friday's debate beween McCain and Obama. The audience of 52.4 million was a big one, but it was smaller than the 62.5 million viewers that tuned in for one of the 2004 debates. Analysts expect Thursday's vice presidential showdown between Palin and Sen. Joe Biden will be larger than either of those audiences.

(Photo of Couric and Palin during an interview last week -- courtesy CBS News)

That's just wonderful. Mccain old man flew into a fitful rage and started blaming the (incredibly skillfull) TV anchor for his running mate's incompetency. He began some nice name-calling, accusing Couric of practising 'Gotcha Journalism' and of being a 'quote expert'.

Face it Mccain, Palin messed up. You messed up. The only one who didn't mess up's probably Katie Couric.

I'll leave you with legendary Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla's 'Tango Fugata'. And yes, wouldn't it be great if Mark and Chelsie danced the Argentine Tango to this piece?

Fugata - Astor Piazzolla

We Can't Be Moved, We're stagnant - The Man Who Can't Be Moved

2008-09-30T23:53:00.019+08:00

Stagnant.

We're stagnant. Worse. It's like a dead hunk of flesh that festers in far too many different areas. But everything's peaceful and calm. soaked in still waters for nineteen days. The stench hangs heavy. Nothing is moving. And that's not helping. One drop of poison fails to dull the senses.

We don't know. No. We don't care. We do what we want. Nothing is more important than ourselves. We do things which are - to put it mildly - nonsense. Anything to keep everyone happy. That the joy's artificial matters not. Wait, we don't care if everyone's happy, we don't care if fifty people are sad, even if it's all artificial. We do it anyway. Our will, not God's will be done. We use God's name anyway, because putting ourselves on higher moral ground makes us feel better. Nine shots of methanol doesn't make the room spin that fast.

Dead flesh isn't supposed to fester, or to be inflamed or infected. The pus is flowing, the maggots are burrowing. It all drowns in that stagnant water. Nothing lives. Nothing moves. Five litres of antiseptic doesn't take away the pain.

It's as if an arm or leg contracts gangrene. Amputation is necessary, but nothing is done. We don't know about the gangrene. So it gets worse. So what? Would knowing make a difference? Let's just say that we know the gangrene's there. It's just a dead hunk of flesh all over again. Still in still waters for seven more hours doesn't make a difference. The stench grows, but hey, that's the only movement, so stop complaining. Stop saying that we aren't moving, and that we're stagnant.

But we're not moving.

Stagnant.

We're just stagnant.

Seven rays of hope die. One for each day of the week.

We don't know and we don't care. The scariest thing of all is that we don't even want to care anymore.

Since the theme today is about not moving, let me share with you a song about -

The Man Who Can't Be Moved - The Script

If movement is present though, we should enjoy it in it's most beautiful form - dance. This is another 'So You Think You Can Dance' video. It's actually Mark and Courtney's Viennese Waltz. I thought the dance was very beautifully crafted, and was executed wonderfully. Nice graceful, flowy movements. Makes you feel as if you were floating along with the couple as they danced :)

I thought it was a very sensitive, skillful performance. They made it look fantastically effortless though. Quite an unusual choice of song for a Viennese Waltz, I must say. (Was thinking that it was more like a Strauss piece or something) Then again, I shouldn't be surprised by it. And American Idol's song, played in a show that's in the same Network, produced by almost the same people. It was probably the most economical thing to do. They could save on promoting the song too. No better promotion than getting a couple of great dancers to make the song they danced to particularly memorable. Good stuff all the same.

Sadly, Mark was eliminated from the show even after giving such a stellar performance. Hope America won't make the same mistake in their presidential elections. Say no to Palin-who's-failin'. Please.

So You Think You Can Dance Season 4 -
Viennese Waltz (Time of My Life), Mark & Courtney

We're So Proud of Palin!

2008-09-26T21:37:00.009+08:00

taken from Los Angeles Times:

Palin talks to Couric -- and if she's lucky, few are listening

The financial crisis has an upside for the Republican vice presidential candidate: It takes the spotlight away as she begins answering more pointed questions from the media.

By JAMES RAINEY, ON THE MEDIA
September 26, 2008

A global financial crisis and a not-quite-suspended presidential campaign dominated newspaper front pages and television reports over the last couple of days.

Bad news for America. But good news for Sarah Palin.

The economic crisis and John McCain's surprising response have drawn attention away from the Republican vice presidential nominee just as she has started to answer more pointed questions from the media.

Her third nationally televised interview, with CBS anchor Katie Couric, found Palin rambling, marginally responsive and even more adrift than during her network debut with ABC’s Charles Gibson.

In a 40-minute session with Couric that aired Wednesday and Thursday nights, the Alaska governor defended her puzzling claim that geographic proximity makes her some sort of expert on Russia; went nearly blank when queried about McCain's achievements as a big-business regulator; agreed America "may find itself" on the road to another Great Depression; and, promoting a troop surge in Afghanistan, casually suggested that it "will lead us to victory there, as it has proven to have done in Iraq."

The last statement couldn't help but conjure an image from 2003 -- President Bush beaming in that green flight suit before the infamous "Mission Accomplished" banner.

Palin's unblinking certitude gave way at other times in the interview to a striking imprecision, as when she struggled to respond to Couric's suggestion that the $700-billion bailout might be better funneled through middle-class families instead of Wall Street firms.

"That's why I say I, like every American I'm speaking with, we're ill about this position that we have been put in . . ." Palin began, before meandering off in fruitless pursuit of coherence.

But I'll let the governor speak for herself:

" . . . where it is the taxpayers looking to bail out. But ultimately, what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the healthcare reform that is needed to help shore up our economy. Um, helping, oh -- it's got to be all about job creation too. Shoring up our economy, and putting it back on the right track. So healthcare reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions, and tax relief for Americans, and trade, we've got to see trade as opportunity, not as a competitive, um, scary thing, but 1 in 5 jobs being created in the trade sector today. We've got to look at that as more opportunity. All of those things under the umbrella of job creation. This bailout is a part of that."

That mind-bender prompted Couric to muse, almost charitably, on "The Early Show" that Palin is "not always responsive when asked questions, and sometimes does slip back to her talking points."

It didn't go much better for Palin when she tried to clarify the mystery of what her state's proximity to Russia has taught her about that nation. Anyone south of the Arctic Circle would have seen this question coming and had a ready answer. But seemingly not the governor.

"We have trade missions back and forth," Palin told Couric. "We, we do, it's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the airspace of the United States of America, where, where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to, to our state."

Certainly, Russia's prime minister, Vladimir Putin, has demonstrated his willingness to invade its small neighbors. But have I missed news of recent provocations by Russian bombers over Kiwalik or Aleknagik? And if Palin has been intensely interested in her neighbor across the Bering Strait, that also has escaped the reporters who follow her most closely.

In fact, a veteran reporter from her home state, Hal Bernton, reported in the Seattle Times this month how Russian politicians had sought more contact with Palin, but in vain. The governor cut funding and her office's participation, it seems, in the Northern Forum, which promotes relations between regional governments in the Northern Hemisphere.

A Palin spokeswoman e-mailed that she would provide more detail about Palin's trade activities with the Russkies. No word by deadline.

But wait. Certainly the issue dominating the news would provide the governor with a respite from these maddening demands for, you know, facts.

With McCain now depicting himself as the doctor ready to deliver tough medicine to Wall Street, Couric asked Palin to explain what measures he had pushed in the past.

Palin raised McCain's support of revamped oversight for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two mortgage giants that are on life support. Fine.

But when the network anchor pressed for other examples, given that the Republican has been in Congress for nearly three decades, Palin came up blank.

"I'll try to find some" -- Palin smiled at Couric -- "and bring them to you."

Palin at least kept her answers shorter during a Q&A with reporters Thursday morning, her first such session since McCain unleashed her on the national scene four weeks ago.

Although she didn't really answer two of the four questions, many Americans won't hold that against her. They see someone who understands what it's like in a small town.

Common sense has its value, and commentaries like this one, suggesting Palin's shortcomings, will only confirm to her fans that she is not a pet of the media elite. But it seems only sensible to wonder whether charm and pluck will be enough the next time Putin rears his head.

Taken from telegraph.co.uk:

Sarah Palin flunks CBS interview

Posted By: Alex Spillius at Sep 26, 2008 at 07:43:00 [General]

Posted in: Foreign Correspondents , Eagle Eye

RIGHTLY enough, given that the world's largest economy could collapse imminently, Sarah Palin has been on the edge of the radar in the past few days.

Sarah Palin gave an alarming interview at a crucial time

But in her third interview, broadcast over the past couple of days, with CBS News star anchor Katie Couric, she has showed that that is where she belongs.

On at least two answers she appeared hesitant, ill-informed and simplistic; not ready for the top job. It has provided the vindication her opponents have at time over-zealously sought in other places, and should give her supporters pause for thought.

We are way past the Palin-excites-the-base phase. The reasons for that are clear and fair: she is a likeable, everyday, gutsy, church-going mum with a gun. And nor is her performance defensible with the liberal-media-witchhunt argument.

This is about readiness, and John McCain's incredible gamble on Mrs Palin. With six weeks to go before the election, it might be prudent to recall that if elected she will be a heartbeat away from the presidency. On this showing she simply isn't qualified for the job.

True, she handled many questions with some competence, though often appearing a terrified student at an oral exam.

True, the answers of many interviewees don't look too good verbatim; spontaneous sentences can be unfinished and awkwardly constructed; but consider this answer to Couric's question of whether or not America heading for another Great Depression:

"Unfortunately, that is the road that America may find itself on. Not necessarily this, as it's been proposed, has to pass or we're going to find ourselves in another Great Depression. But, there has got to be action - bipartisan effort - Congress not pointing fingers at one another but finding the solution to this, taking action, and being serious about the reforms on Wall Street that are needed."

And on the relevance of Alaska's proximity to Russia to her foreign policy experience:

"We have trade missions back and forth, we do. It's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia. As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there, they are right next to our state."

The foreign policy segment transcript is here ; and the domestic policy here.

Ed Rollins, Ronald Reagan's 1984 campaign manager, said that the McCain campaign shouldn't "put her in many more interviews like this. She bought them two weeks in the campaign which is quite an achievement". It is advice that is likely to be heeded.

Taken from The New York Times:

A Question Reprised, but the Words Come None Too Easily for Palin

By ALESSANDRA STANLEY

Published: September 25, 2008

Her first interview, with the ABC News anchor Charles Gibson, was too hard. The second, with Sean Hannity on the Fox News Channel, was too soft. The third, however, did not turn out to be just right for Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska.

On the “CBS Evening News” on Thursday, Katie Couric asked Ms. Palin, Senator John McCain’s running mate, what she meant when she cited Alaska’s proximity to Russia as foreign affairs experience. Ms. Palin could have anticipated the question — the topic of their interview, pegged to her visit to the United Nations, was foreign affairs. Yet Ms. Palin’s answer was surprisingly wobbly: her words tumbled out fast and choppily, like an outboard motor loosened from the stern.

“That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and on our other side, the land — boundary that we have with — Canada,” she replied. She mentioned the jokes made at her expense and seemed for a moment at a loss for the word “caricature.” “It — it’s funny that a comment like that was — kind of made to — cari — I don’t know, you know? Reporters —”

Ms. Couric stepped in. “Mocked?” Ms. Palin looked relieved and even grateful for the help. “Yeah, mocked, I guess that’s the word, yeah.”

Ms. Couric pressed her again to explain the geographic point. “Well, it certainly does,” Ms. Palin said, “because our, our next-door neighbors are foreign countries, there in the state that I am the executive of.”

Ms. Couric asked the governor if she had ever been involved in negotiations, for example, with her Russian neighbors.

“We have trade missions back and forth,” Ms. Palin said. “We — we do — it’s very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the airspace of the United States of America, where — where do they go? It’s Alaska. It’s just right over the border.”

Ms. Palin, looking at Ms. Couric intently, kept on going. “It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to — to our state.”

That exchange was so startling it ricocheted across the Internet several hours before it appeared on CBS and was picked up by rival networks.

While it is quite likely, and perhaps understandable, that Ms. Palin felt nervous and spooked by all the media attention, it wasn’t a reassuring performance. Ms. Palin looked more steady and confident when she took a few questions from reporters after a visit to ground zero in Lower Manhattan, her first, gingerly encounter with campaign reporters since her nomination.

The CBS interview, shown partly on Wednesday and partly on Thursday, was only a first taste — Ms. Couric is scheduled to go out on the campaign trail with the Palin team early next week. But it may be hard for Mr. McCain’s running mate to recoup. It wasn’t her first interview on national television, but in some ways it was the worst.

Ms. Palin was criticized — and mocked — for appearing to be stumped when Mr. Gibson, on ABC, asked her on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks to define the Bush doctrine. The McCain campaign, however, cast the scorn as sexism and media snobbery.

Ms. Palin’s interview with Mr. Hannity the following week went more smoothly, but perhaps too smoothly. Mr. Hannity mostly seemed intent on giving Ms. Palin a chance to correct any confusion left by her ABC interview. “What do you view as the Bush doctrine?” he asked. Ms. Palin replied, “That’s a great question, and being an optimist, I see our role in the world as one of — being a force for good and one of being the leader of the world.”

Ms. Couric asked her questions firmly but gently, careful not to seem flippant or condescending. But she ended on a “gotcha” moment. After Ms. Palin attacked Senator Barack Obama for saying he would meet with leaders of Syria and Iran without preconditions, Ms. Couric reminded the governor that she recently met with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who supports direct diplomacy with both countries. “Are you saying Henry Kissinger is naïve?” Ms. Couric asked. Ms. Palin replied, “I’ve never heard Henry Kissinger say, ‘Yeah, I’ll meet with these leaders without preconditions being met.’ ”

After the interview, Ms. Couric faced the camera and added a postscript. “Incidentally, we confirmed Henry Kissinger’s position following our interview,” she said, explaining that Mr. Kissinger supports talks “without preconditions.”

Ok. Palin really doesn't begin to know what foreign policy is. The terrible thing is, McCain seems to be really unreliable as far as handling the economy goes. One doesn't care about foreign policy, the other doesn't care about the economy. Doesn't the fact that both of them are potential leaders of the United States disturb you?

Pick for the day:

Love Will Come Through - Travis

This track is so good! Discovered it through one of my most favourite series of all time 'Wonderfalls' (which i would blog about one fine day...). The haunting tune sings to my soul!

In this song, love comes through. Sorry America, I doubt the McCain-Palin governance ever will.

Human - The Wheel Weaves as the Wheel Wills

2008-09-25T20:24:00.004+08:00

I left the blog alone for a while. Was sort of overblogging. Yes, it is a condition.

Which reminds me of the world in which my favourite series of books are set. I'm talking about "The Wheel of Time" Saga by the late Robert Jordan (it's a pseudonym). One word to describe it all - WICKED.

Amazing series. Wasn't too drawn to it at first. Must admit, I didn't expect it to be as good as it was. The first of the series that I obtained was Book V "The Fires of Heaven". I picked it out of this pile of books sold on bargain. It only cost me 10 bucks or something. Thought it was some trash I could read in order to kill time. I didn't get it at first. It bored me to bits, because I didn't understand what was going on half the time. That was until I realised there was a GLOSSARY at the back of the book. Armed with that key to knowledge, I was hooked on "The Wheel of Time"Great stuff. The whole new world created in Jordan's books was simply fantastic. Most recently I picked up the very first book of the series (couldn't wait to read it!) "The Eye of the World"
Good stuff. Good stuff. No surprise there, "The Fires of Heaven" was proof enough the whole series was nothing short of amazing.

Now, I have moved on to Book II "The Great Hunt". From what I've read so far, it's even better than the first.

Hope to move on to Book III "The Dragon Reborn" soon!

Bet it'll be good. Seriously. This series is such a hit worldwide, it even has its very own soundtrack... O.o

Well, the pictures are nice eh? I love putting lots of colourful pictures in a post. It's either pictures or embedded youtube videos. Lovely obsessions I have, eh? "The Wheel of Time" saga should be everyone's obsession, in my opinion.

Didn't bring up "The Wheel of Time" to make this blog look like Amazon.com though. I brought it up to describe my blogging situation. I did blog almost everyday not too long ago. I think I almost hit the blogging melting point. If I had been blogging-burnt-out, I would have just given up on blogging entirely. Since I'm here writing quite a quantity of balderdash, the burn-out didn't take place. It almost did though. This scenario reminded me of the world in which 'The Wheel of Time' is built upon.

In the wheel of time universe, The Wheel of Time spins the lives of men and women as its threads. The Wheel has seven spokes, each representing an age, and it is rotated by a force called the "One Power", which flows from the "True Source". The One Power is divided into male and female halves, saidin and saidar, which work in opposition and in unison to drive the Wheel. Those humans who can use this power are known as channelers; the principal organization of such channelers in the books is called the Aes Sedai or 'Servants of All' in the Old Tongue. (partly taken from Wikipedia. So much info on the wheel of time...)

Thing about touching the True Source and channeling One Power (saidar or saidin), the wielder has to be very careful not to take too much of the power. Apparently both the act drinking in saidin and saidar can be very addictive. Should you take in too much power, take in more than you can handle, it can burn you out, which would mean the end of your channeling abilities. You would be cut off from the True Source entirely. In WoT (wheel of time) terminology, you will either be 'Stilled' (for the females), or 'Gentled' (for the males). Worst case scenario, one who takes too much of the One Power dies.

I felt that if I kept up the daily blogging, I would have been taking in too much of the blogging force, and it would have burnt out my ability to blog again. That explains my absence. From now on, I would blog less regularly. Like the One Power, it's addictive, but I must control it. :) Once in control, i'd be skilled at it, just as the Aes Sedai are skilled in wielding the One Power.

Speaking of obsessions. THE KILLERS HAVE A BRAND NEW SINGLE OUT!!!! It's called 'Human', and it sounds great. Their upcoming album "Day and Age" will be out in November. Brace yourselves everyone (to buy the first copy that hits the stores for ME)! 'Human sounds really good, very Euro-clubbish. Have a listen.

Are we human? or are we denser?

When "Getting to Know You" ends with "Happy are those who DON'T know"...

2008-09-17T21:31:00.010+08:00

Taken from www.people.com

Five (More) Things You Didn't Know About Sarah Palin

Originally posted Tuesday September 16, 2008 04:00 PM EDT

Sarah Palin Photo by: Ron Edmonds / APFive (More) Things You Didn't Know About Sarah Palin

After having famously joked at her party's convention, "You know what they say about the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick," what sort of lipstick does Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin prefer?

The Insider spoke to Palin's closest friends and found out, uncovering these five (more) things you may not know about her:

• She's frugal. "Sarah gave me a thank-you card after I helped her with her lieutenant-governor race," said her friend, Kristen Cole, who has known the Alaska governor since childhood. "She liked the card so much that she didn't sign it so I could give it to someone else."
Frugal? Is that why she sought for earmarks/special interest spending that totalled to 453 MILLION DOLLARS for specific Alaska projects in the last two years? Wasn't she the one who was lobbying FOR the bridge project in Alaska? If I recall correctly, she then labeled it the 'Bridge to nowhere'. The money she acquired for that purpose was channeled elsewhere. SO MUCH MONEY! This is the best bit, her running-mate, John McCain, vowed to eliminate earmarks as he was strongly against wasteful spending of tax payers' money. He then claimed that Palin never sought for earmarks, when interviewed by Barbara Walters! 3 big problems there..
1. Palin is a BIG SPENDER (Tax payers' money, not her own!)
2. Big contradiction for the Republican campaign. (How can you say that you don't condone earmarks, when your veep relied so much on it for the State she was governing? )
3. McCain didn't vet Palin very thoroughly. As far as we know thus far, Palin may just be a mere acquaintance of McCain's, someone he really doesn't know, or doesn't really care to know. (The rest of the United States doesn't know much more either, she just popped out of nowhere!) And people are expected to vote for her?

• She's a techie. Palin prefers texting to phone calls.
Refer to point number 1. Reaffirms one thing, and one thing only. She is against wasteful spending, yes. As long as those funds ARE HER OWN. If it's the hard-earned money anyone else pays in taxes, it doesn't matter. Palin believes that it's ok to spend on Alaska. No holds barred. No limits to developing Alaska. Forget wasteful spending. Spending is the way to go when you don't have to dig for dough from your coffers!

• She's a rock fan. She named her son Trig Paxton Van Palin because it sounds like the band Van Halen. Says friend Judy Patrick, a former city council member who has known Palin for 12 years, "How cool was that to have a kid named Van Palin?"
Apparently she's a rocker in the office too. Heard about how she fires people who disagree with her? How very democratic. Her ethics are unquestionable. Start questioning, and you'll lose your job :)

• She's adaptable. Palin used to wear Mary Kay lipstick, but she now prefers MAC.
This is the one I agree to entirely. Nothing proves how adaptable she is as compared to how she adapted from being an inexperienced, unheard-of small town mayor to potentially becoming the 2nd most powerful person in America.

• She's a traditionalist. Palin is against waxing. Cole recalls: "I remember that one of her girls wanted to get her legs waxed, and Sarah said, 'Are you kidding me? What's wrong with a razor?'
Is that why she supports oil drilling, and disregards the environment? Is that why she dismisses the issue of global warming? because the traditional school of thought is that global warming doesn't exist? Does this mean she's going to continue the 'old politics' that she says she strongly disagrees with? it may be 'old politics', but it certainly is traditional. Bush held the reins for the past 8 years. If she's elected into office, she will be continuing the Bush tradition, right? She is, after all, a traditionalist.

Get the pun? "five MORE things you didn't know about Sarah Palin". We didn't even KNOW Sarah Palin existed a couple of months ago! You don't know her, yet you're voting for her? That's something to think about.

Something sweet to round it off:

So You Think You Can Dance Season 4 - Mark & Chelsie, Argentine Tango

Couldn't resist posting another of their terrific dance routines. This couple can do no wrong! Mark and Chelsie were so intense in their performance, I was half expecting the stage to light up an inferno. Chelsie looks stunning in this one, don't you think? I think if they remained as dance partners throughout the season, (they were split up when the time came to rotating dance partners)they would have beat the rest of the competition hands down. Together, they create magic on the dancefloor!

Per Te - Josh Groban (In English, "Per Te" means "For You")

Don't think I've completely recovered from my appreciation of others' expression of emotion through music and dance. This one's a particularly intense piece from Groban. I've included the English translation of the lyrics for your reference. I love it when I can feel whatever the song tries to evoke. The sadness and bitterness when facing a loved one's departure. I am of the opinion that the best pieces of art come in the form of an expressing of the artist's sadness, anger and bitterness. You don't have to agree with me. It may just be my dark, morbid side speaking :)

P/S: If powerful people are not careful, the power he or she possesses may just drive them mad, won't it? I see desperation, irrationality and pettiness whenever that happens. It's sad, just so sad. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Lost (in the doubt surrounding Palin)

2008-09-14T21:45:00.019+08:00

Discovered this on Youtube today.

Lost - Anouk

Anouk's a Dutch singer. Quite a beautiful song, no?

Watched Tina Fey's portrayal of Republican Vice President Nominee Gov. Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live. Hilarious! I thought her accent, tone, and lilt were spot on. Plus, she really looks like Palin. You can find the video below, or on my sidebar.

Aside from giving us 5 minutes of entertainment, this video really highlights very relevant points about the US Presidential Race 2008

1. Sarah Palin's experience (or lack of it, especially in foreign policy)
2. Her use of gender as a political tool (gender equality does not mean one cannot question a female politician's experience!)
3. The fact that she's the no.2 if old man McCain keels over (She's "one heartbeat away from the presidency")
4. Her use of religion as a political gimmick. (Remember her comment on the war? and her linking the war to God's will? I get it that she's pro-life, and a staunch Christian to boot, but she should really focus on her abilities, and how she can contribute to the country as vice president. Resorting to using religion in her campaign does not make her a more pious individual, but only makes her seem like one. Which in the end, defeats the purpose of having a religion anyway)
5. Judging from the surge in SNL ratings, how Americans prefer to watch Tina Fey play Palin, instead of paying attention to Palin herself. (Everyone wants to see her being mocked on national television. Very unflattering, isn't it? To be upstaged by an actress who has a sense of humour...) Wonder what that says about the public's opinion about her... Do people really think she can provide good governance for the United States, or is she just a green, previously-unheard-of politican basking in her newly-gained celebrity status?

Read the full transcript of the SNL Palin Parody:
(The Spokesman for SNL released the full transcript, and I found it here)

An NBC transcript of "SNL's" opening sketch:

FEY AS PALIN: "Good evening, my fellow Americans. I was so excited when I was told Senator Clinton and I would be addressing you tonight."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "And I was told I would be addressing you alone."

FEY AS PALIN: "Now I know it must be a little bit strange for all of you to see the two of us together. What with me being John McCain's running mate."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "And me being a fervent supporter of Senator Barack Obama -- as evidenced by this button."

FEY AS PALIN: "But tonight we are crossing party lines to address the now very ugly role that sexism is playing in the campaign."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "An issue which I am frankly surprised to hear people suddenly care about."

FEY AS PALIN: "You know, Hillary and I don't agree on everything..."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: (OVERLAPPING) "Anything. I believe that diplomacy should be the cornerstone of any foreign policy."

FEY AS PALIN: "And I can see Russia from my house."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "I believe global warming is caused by man."

FEY AS PALIN: "And I believe it's just God hugging us closer."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "I don't agree with the Bush Doctrine."

FEY AS PALIN: "I don't know what that is."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "But Sarah, one thing we can agree on is that sexism can never be allowed to permeate an American election."

FEY AS PALIN: "So please, stop photoshopping my head on sexy bikini pictures."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "And stop saying I have cankles."

FEY AS PALIN: "Don't refer to me as a 'MILF.'"

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "And don't refer to me as a [flurge]. I Googled what it stands for and I do not like it."

FEY AS PALIN: "So we ask reporters and commentators, stop using words that diminish us, like 'pretty,' 'attractive,' 'beautiful.'"

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "'Harpy,' 'shrew' and 'boner shrinker.'"

FEY AS PALIN: "While our politics may differ, my friend and I are both very tough ladies. You know it reminds me of a joke we tell in Alaska..."What's the difference...

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "Lipstick."

FEY AS PALIN: "...between a hockey mom..."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "Lipstick."

FEY AS PALIN: "...and a pitbull?"

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "Lipstick."

FEY AS PALIN(AFTER A BEAT): "Lipstick. Just look at how far we've come. Hillary Clinton, who came so close to the White House. And me, Sarah Palin, who is even closer. Can you believe it, Hillary?"

POEHLER AS CLINTON: (AFTER A PAUSE)"I can not."

FEY AS PALIN: "It's truly amazing and I think women everywhere can agree, that no matter your politics, it's time for a woman to make it to the White House."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "No. Mine! It's supposed to be mine! I need to say something. I didn't want a woman to be President. I wanted to be President and I just happen to be a woman. And I don't want to hear you compare your road to the White House to my road to the White House. I scratched and clawed through mud and barbed wire and you just glided in on a dog sled wearing your pageant sash and your Tina Fey glasses."

FEY AS PALIN:
"What an amazing time we live in. To think that just two years ago, I was a small town mayor of Alaska's crystal meth capitol. And now I am just one heartbeat away from being President of the United States. It just goes to show that anyone can be President."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "Anyone."

FEY AS PALIN: "All you have to do is want it."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: (LAUGHS) "Yeah, you know, Sarah, looking back, if I could change one thing, I should have wanted it more." (RIPS OFF PIECE OF PODIUM)

FEY AS PALIN: "So in the next six weeks, I invite the media to be vigilant for sexist behavior."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "Although it is never sexist to question female politicians credentials. Please ask this one about dinosaurs. So I invite the media to grow a pair. And if you can't, I will lend you mine."

FEY AS PALIN: And as we say in Alaska...

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "We say it everywhere..."

FEY/POEHLER: "Live from New York, It's Saturday Night!!!

I'd vote for Tina Fey over Sarah Palin any day. Won't you?

P/S: Oh yeah, remember not to say anything inflammatory, it's dangerous to do that, you do know that, don't you? You do know why, don't you? You know if it's the right or wrong thing to do don't you? You'll know what to say, or what not to say, right? You are CERTAIN that all this makes sense, right? Policies, inflammatory comments, perfectly innocent statements, accusations, all of this makes sense, right? Just checking. Ok. Take care.

P/P/S: Happy Mooncake Festival, people.

Emote, Emotive, Emotion

2008-09-13T14:37:00.009+08:00

One thing I find special about humans is that they have such a range of emotions. What I find more interesting is in the way they convey those very emotions.

Some write to evoke deep, strong emotions. Plath does a wonderful job exposing her really dark, sorrowful life, and letting everyone know how tortured she feels.

Lady Lazarus
By Sylvia Plath

I have done it again.
One year in every ten
I manage it----

A sort of walking miracle, my skin
Bright as a Nazi lampshade,
My right foot

A paperweight,
My face a featureless, fine
Jew linen.

Peel off the napkin
0 my enemy.
Do I terrify?----

The nose, the eye pits, the full set of teeth?
The sour breath
Will vanish in a day.

Soon, soon the flesh
The grave cave ate will be
At home on me

And I a smiling woman.
I am only thirty.
And like the cat I have nine times to die.

This is Number Three.
What a trash
To annihilate each decade.

What a million filaments.
The peanut-crunching crowd
Shoves in to see

Them unwrap me hand and foot
The big strip tease.
Gentlemen, ladies

These are my hands
My knees.
I may be skin and bone,

Nevertheless, I am the same, identical woman.
The first time it happened I was ten.
It was an accident.

The second time I meant
To last it out and not come back at all.
I rocked shut

As a seashell.
They had to call and call
And pick the worms off me like sticky pearls.

Dying
Is an art, like everything else,
I do it exceptionally well.

I do it so it feels like hell.
I do it so it feels real.
I guess you could say I've a call.

It's easy enough to do it in a cell.
It's easy enough to do it and stay put.
It's the theatrical

Comeback in broad day
To the same place, the same face, the same brute
Amused shout:

'A miracle!'
That knocks me out.
There is a charge

For the eyeing of my scars, there is a charge
For the hearing of my heart----
It really goes.

And there is a charge, a very large charge
For a word or a touch
Or a bit of blood

Or a piece of my hair or my clothes.
So, so, Herr Doktor.
So, Herr Enemy.

I am your opus,
I am your valuable,
The pure gold baby

That melts to a shriek.
I turn and burn.
Do not think I underestimate your great concern.

Ash, ash ---
You poke and stir.
Flesh, bone, there is nothing there----

A cake of soap,
A wedding ring,
A gold filling.

Herr God, Herr Lucifer
Beware
Beware.

Out of the ash
I rise with my red hair
And I eat men like air.

Can't you feel the sadness and hopelessness that consumes her? It was all so tangible it got scary...

Some express themselves through music. You have probably heard me rant about music, and how it
makes one feel etc etc. I wasn't exaggerating. I love the violin for that very reason - it is SUCH and
emotive instrument. You can make a wail, a lament sound so very real with just a few simple strokes
of the bow.

One of my favourites:

Theme from "Schindler's List" - Itzhak Perlman

I was in awe after hearing it. It was so heart-wrenchingly beautiful. The depth of emotion conveyed through those simple layers of melody, harmony and music technique struck me with such great impact. Savour it, music lovers of the world!

I was surprised to find that DANCE is just as good a channel to release one's creative energy and emotions. I discovered that a few months ago through America's 4th Season of So You Think You Can Dance. My favourite performance that season was Chelsie Hightower and Mark Kanemura's Hip-Hop routine, danced to Leona Lewis' 'Bleeding Love'.

So You Think You Can Dance Season 4 - Hip-Hop (Bleeding Love), Chelsie & Mark

My jaws were on the ground by the time they finished performing.Such emotional intensity! Such raw and genuine expression! I actually thought the story was told very well though their movement. Wouldn't have been as good if Oprah were to start TELLING the same story to us in words, ala 'Once upon a time, there lived a rich workaholic businessman named Mark, who had a lovely but depressed wife named Chelse.....'

Needless to say, I became a Mark & Chelsie supporter (they were fantastic in all their other performances throughout the season too). Unfortunately, they were eliminated in the same week - ONE week before the grand finale.

Bad decision, America. These two didn't just dance well, they felt their dances. They were one with their movement, with their feelings.

As Oscar Wilde put it in his play "The Importance of Being Earnest",

Algernon. Did you hear what I was playing, Lane?

Lane. I didn’t think it polite to listen, sir.

Algernon. I’m sorry for that, for your sake. I don’t play accurately - any one can play accurately - but I play with wonderful expression. As far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte. I keep science for Life.

Lane. Yes, sir.

That's what made Chelsie and Mark the true winners of So You Think You Can Dance. Sentiment is their forte.

Now that I think of it, so is mine. :)

Palin - the next Vice President of the United States?

2008-09-12T13:17:00.004+08:00

Taken from the Associated Press

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - John McCain running mate Sarah Palin sought Thursday to defend her qualifications but struggled with foreign policy, unable to describe President Bush's doctrine of pre-emptive strikes against threatening nations and acknowledging she's never met a foreign head of state.

The Republican vice presidential nominee told Charles Gibson of ABC News in her first televised interview since being named to the GOP ticket that "I'm ready" to be president if called upon. However, she sidestepped on whether she had the national security credentials needed to be commander in chief.

Palin, 44, has been Alaska's governor for less than two years and before that was a small-town mayor. She was McCain's surprise selection for the No. 2 slot on the ticket, raising questions about her readiness to serve in the White House, particularly during wartime.

McCain has defended her qualifications, citing her command of the Alaska National Guard and Alaska's proximity to Russia.

Asked whether those were sufficient credentials, Palin said: "It is about reform of government and it's about putting government back on the side of the people, and that has much to do with foreign policy and national security issues." She said she brings expertise in making the country energy independent as a former chairman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

She acknowledged that national security encompasses more than energy but said: "I want you to not lose sight of the fact that energy is a foundation of national security."

Palin said other than a trip to visit soldiers in Kuwait and Germany last year — "a trip of a lifetime" that "changed my life" — her only other foreign travel was to Mexico and Canada. She also said she had never met a head of state and added: "If you go back in history and if you ask that question of many vice presidents, they may have the same answer that I just gave you."

Pressed about what insights into recent Russian actions she gained by living in Alaska, Palin answered: "They're our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska."

Foreign policy questions dominated the first of three interviews Palin was giving Gibson over two days.

In the interview Thursday, Palin:

_Appeared unsure of the Bush doctrine — essentially that the United States must help spread democracy to stop terrorism and that the nation will act pre-emptively to stop potential foes.

Asked whether she agreed with that, Palin said: "In what respect, Charlie?" Gibson pressed her for an interpretation of it. She said: "His world view." That prompted Gibson to say "no, the Bush doctrine, enunciated September 2002, before the Iraq war" and describe it to her.

"I believe that what President Bush has attempted to do is rid this world of Islamic extremism, terrorists who are hell bent on destroying our nation," Palin said, though added "there have been mistakes made."

Pressed repeatedly on whether the United States could attack terrorist hideouts in PakistanAmerican people, we have every right to defend our country. In fact, the president has the obligation, the duty to defend." without the country's permission, she said: "If there is legitimate and enough intelligence that tells us that a strike is imminent against

_Said nuclear weapons in Iran's hands are dangerous, and said "we've got to put the pressure on Iran." Asked three times what her position would be if Israel felt threatened enough to attack Iranian nuclear facilities, Palin repeatedly said the United States shouldn't "second guess" Israel's steps to secure itself.

_Called for Georgia and the Ukraine to be included in NATO, a treaty that requires the U.S. to defend them militarily. She also said Russia's attack into Georgia last month was "unprovoked." Asked to clarify that she'd support going to war over Georgia, she said: "Perhaps so."

"I mean, that is the agreement when you are a NATO ally, is if another country is attacked, you're going to be expected to be called upon and help," she said.

_Said she "didn't hesitate" when McCain asked her to be his running mate. "I answered him 'yes' because I have the confidence in that readiness and knowing that you can't blink, you have to be wired in a way of being so committed to the mission, the mission that we're on, reform of this country and victory in the war, you can't blink. So I didn't blink then even when asked to run as his running mate."

_Contradicted an assertion she made at her former church that "our national leaders are sending U.S. soldiers on a task that is from God." Asked whether she thought the United States was fighting a holy war, she said she meant to convey that she agreed with Abraham Lincoln's quote that "I would never presume to know God's will or to speak God's words."

Later, in the second interview, Palin said she broke from McCain on climate change and oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. McCain has said humans have caused climate change and the federal government shouldn't permit drilling in the federally protected wildlife reserve.

Palin, however, said: "I believe that man's activities certainly can be contributing to the issue of global warming, climate change. ... Regardless though of the reason for climate change, whether it's entirely, wholly caused by man's activities or is part of the cyclical nature of our planet — the warming and the cooling trends — regardless of that, John McCain and I agree that we gotta do something about it."

On ANWR, she said: "We'll agree to disagree but I'm gonna keep pushing that and I think eventually we're all gonna come together on that one."

Does Sarah "The Barracuda" Palin have what it takes to be the Vice President? I'm sure she has. She has a lot going for her, her intolerance for corruption, her strong pro-life stand, her popularity, and she does have a pleasant countenance that would serve her well in the field of politics.

Question now is this - does she have what it takes to be the Vice President HERE AND NOW. Year 2008, smack in the middle of a terrible credit crisis, and in a time of war. That's something we have to think about.

I'm no political analyst, and this post wasn't written to influence any American's decision whether to vote for or against the Republicans. I'm just stating my simple observations.

John McCain's main ammunition against Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama is that he is 'inexperienced' and 'not ready' to lead. Barack Obama responds by choosing foreign policy heavyweight Joe Biden to be his running mate. John McCain then decides to throw the squabble over his rival's experience out of the window by picking Palin, the Alaskan Governor who has barely served HALF of her very first term. That's the very first of the many contradictions he makes in his campaign. (Refer to the highlighted lines in the news article)

I'm not against the Republicans, not at all. In fact, I don't believe anyone should write off any party - the Democrats, or the Republicans when voting in this presidential election. The objective is to elect the best leader into office.

I believe John McCain has what it takes to be the President of the United States. Obama may be green, but he has Biden at his side. Problem now is, McCain 72 years old. Let's face it, he isn't young anymore. Anything could happen, and if something DOES happen, the no.2 will have to step up to lead the nation.

Sarah Palin has had an impressive political career so far, and she really is a rising political star. She says she's 'ready' to take up the challenge. I have my doubts. Based on what the media has unearthed so far, it seems that McCain hadn't vetted her as thoroughly as he should have, and she really seems not very much more experienced than she's rumoured to be. Can she be that person to take over if and when the time comes?

Maybe. We don't know for sure though. THAT is the scary part. Why risk it, if that's the case? To give the inexperienced a chance to prove their worth? To give the woman a chance to break through the glass ceiling? This isn't a trainee post inexperienced fresh grads take up for the first couple of years to learn the tricks of the trade. We're talking about the PRESIDENCY of the United States. Hillary may have been championing the rights of women, and may have been very successful at it, but remember, Hillary had so much experience behind her.

The most rational and simple conclusion one can make from this is: this isn't a Democrats vs Republicans thing anymore. It's about doing what's best for one of the most powerful nations in the world. Palin's record is really quite PALE. She may run for presidency one day and get it. For now, though, I think we should all say no to inexperience.

Let's Set the Record Straight

2008-09-11T19:00:00.001+08:00

-I'm not superior. Nor should or would I think I am.

-I'll be nice, or at least nicer. Being blunt is not the way to go.

-Alea, you're fine. Nobody's taking anything away from you. Free education! (alright, payment's in another form.) and in the country/place you want! (No to being stuck with fellow students who have no life!) You have plenty to look forward to. Wish you all the best. Keep in touch, and take care!

-My sincere condolences, Sabrina.

-It's been submitted, so I leave the rest to a higher authority.

-There's still plenty to be done.

"While all is lost, the battle is done, with all these things that I've done"

Just KILL me now already

2008-09-10T18:03:00.005+08:00

I know I have not been talking much about The Killers lately. Just thought I would give everyone who reads this blog a break from my obsession. After all, I'm a caring, sensitive, thoughtful and considerate individual.

It's time again to talk about the world's greatest rock band. I must say much has happened since the last time I've talked about them. For example, Brandon shaved off the facial hair he started to wear since 'Sam's Town'.

The Killers were great at the Reading Festival 2008. I mean great GREAT. Check it out.

"For Reasons Unknown" - The Killers @ the Reading Festival 2008

"When You Were Young" - The Killers @ the Reading Festival 2008

On top of it all, The Killers have made a few surprising moves lately. They recently performed at Pure, Caesars Palace for a secret show. They performed the remixed version of "Mr Brightside" and (Brace yourselves now...) "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun". Yes, you got that right, it's that Cindy Lauper hit that you hear on the Easy Listening radio channels. For you Malaysians out there, its 105.7 FM in the Klang Valley - Light&Easy. Joy.

"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" and "Mr Brightside" by The Killers at Pure, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas

I'm pleasantly surprised though. They did a song the older generation gyrated to in discos justice. They made it their own, and it was a refreshing take on something from the past. I like it when one does that. It's kinda like David Cook sprucing up Lionel Ritchie's 'Hello', or Mariah's 'Always be My Baby'.

Plus, The Killers have so far performed two brand new tracks at their gigs lately. 'Spaceman' and 'Neon Tiger'. There isn't really any version on Youtube that is of decent quality. Don't want to force you to hear white noise, and a whole lot of hysterical fans' screams. When there is a ok version out, you can be sure that you'll find it here. 'Spaceman' reminds me of their Hot Fuss sound, which many of my friends prefer. 'Neon Tiger' has that anthemic sound which has gradually become part of The Killers' unique sound. Two words for the two songs - I like.

Embedding Youtube vids on my blog is quite a hobby. It's actually exhilirating that i can post lots of videos here. Youtube is just fantastic. Fantastic!

Something else that might seem interesting at this point would probably be the news that The Killers are currently working on their new album with the Producer that worked with Madonna on her 'Confessions on a Dance floor'. I wonder if their new album's gonna sound like 70s dance music. Well, if any rock band can pull that off, it would definitely be The Killers.

Oh, so much has happened, and so much more is about to take place, and I wasn't among the legion of fans watching the Reading Festival performance... Just KILL me now already.

Goodbye Nickel Creek

2008-09-07T17:14:00.003+08:00

Yes, this is the second post dedicated to Nickel Creek in a row. They have made such great music I simply had to share more with everyone. This will be the last post on them for a long while, though. a long long while (as far as I can foresee anyway).

Take a listen though. I guarantee you'll fall under their spell :)

1. When You Come Back Down - Nickel Creek

Lyrics:
You got to leave me now, you got to go alone
You got to chase a dream, one that's all your own
Before it slips away
When you're flyin' high, take my heart along
I'll be the harmony to every lonely song
That you learn to play

When you're soarin' through the air
I'll be your solid ground
Take every chance you dare
I'll still be there
When you come back down
When you come back down

I'll keep lookin' up, awaitin' your return
My greatest fear will be that you will crash and burn
And I won't feel your fire
I'll be the other hand that always holds the line
Connectin' in between your sweet heart and mine
I'm strung out on that wire

And I'll be on the other end, To hear you when you call
Angel, you were born to fly, If you get too high
I'll catch you when you fall
I'll catch you when you fall

[Bridge:]
Your memory's the sunshine every new day brings
I know the sky is calling
Angel, let me help you with your wings

When you're soarin' through the air
I'll be your solid ground
Take every chance you dare

I'll still be there
When you come back down
Take every chance you dare,
I'll still be there
When you come back down
When you come back down

Next to The Killer's 'Everything Will be Alright', this song's gotta be the most calming song I know. Listening to it makes everything seem fine again. It's extremely therapeutic - allows me to shrug off the stress or worries I may have endured. Some people say chocolate does that for them. This is a much healthier and a more effective alternative.

2. Reasons Why - Nickel Creek

Lyrics:
Where am I today, I wish that I knew
'Cause looking around there's no sign of you
I don't remember one jump or one leap
Just quiet steps away from your lead

I'm holding my heart out but clutching it too
Feeling is short of a love that we once knew
I'm calling this home when it's not even close
I'm playing the role with nerves left exposed

Standing on a darkened stage
Stumbling through the lines
Others have excuses
I have my reasons why

We get distracted by the dreams of our own
But nobody's happy while feeling alone
And knowing how hard it hurts when we fall
We lean another ladder against the wrong wall

And climb high to the highest rung
To shake fists at the sky
Others have excuses
I have my reasons why

With so much deception
It's hard not to wander away
It's hard not to wander away
It's hard not to wander away

I found this piece subtle, but very beautiful. As for the lyrics, I find those words to be quite true. Half the time I feel like I'm "standing on a darkened stage/stumbling through the lines", don't you? Maybe it's insecure little me speaking. Makes good poetry too.

3. A Lighthouse's Tale - Nickel Creek

Lyrics:
I am a lighthouse worn by the weather and the waves
I keep my lamp lit to warn the sailors on their way

I had a keeper, he helped me warn the ships at sea
We had grown closer 'til his joy meant everything to me
And he was to marry a girl who shown with beauty and light
They loved each other, and with me watched the sunset into night

And the waves crashing around me
The sand slips out to sea
And the winds that blow remind me
Of what has been and what can never... be...

She'd had to leave us; my keeper, he prayed for her safe return
But when the night came,
The weather to a raging storm had turned
He watched her ship fight,
But in vain against the wild and terrible wind
And me so helpless, as dashed against the rocks she met her end

And the waves crashing around me
The sand slips out to sea
And the winds that blow remind me
Of what has been and what can never... be...

Then on the next day,
My keeper found her washed up on the shore
He kissed her cold face; that they'd be together soon he swore
I saw him crying, watched as he buried her in the sand
Then he climbed my tower, and off the edge of me he ran

And the waves crashing around me
The sand slips out to sea
And the winds that blow remind me
Of what has been and what can never... be...

I am a lighthouse worn by the weather and the waves
And though I'm empty I still warn the sailors on their way

I found this one so sad. It's one of the few song where I don't really mind that the lyrics are telling a story. Love that is limited by humans' mortality. Don't you feel the pain and sorrow of the whole concept? Doesn't that make this song so very cool?

4. Set Me Up With One of Your Friends - Nickel Creek

Lyrics:
Its okay it just sucks to hear it on the phone Going from town to town knowing you won’t be there when I get back home. Gonna be so lonely and so lost there without you
Who am I take to the movies whom I gonna make out with at the end If you’re gonna leave me set me up with one of your friends.
I won’t find another girl on my own I don’t think you understand how dependent on you I’ve grown Gonna gripe and moan till someone does something for me.
Whom I gonna bring to the party Whom I gonna cling to when the room spins If you’re gonna leave me set me up with one of your friends. Who am I gonna go all the way with, yeah you’re right I won’t, but I like to pretend. If you’re gonna leave me set me up with one of your friends.
Ask around don’t you think some girlfriend of yours is dying to take care of me I’m a little lamb with a little money and lots of hugs to give for lots of love, oh
Whom I gonna buy souvenirs for whom I gonna fly out for the week end. If you’re gonna leave me set me up with one of your friends. Whom I gonna take to the Grammys whom I gonna make out with when I win. If you’re gonna leave me set me up with one of your friends. set me up with one of your friends.

Hilarious little song. Extremely catchy too.

Sigh. I'm going to miss them. If you don't know already, Nickel Creek announced last year that they would not be recording together as a group any longer. Some see it as them taking a break, but it's devastating all the same.

They kept their music and their message simple, and it resulted in their work captivating so many of us in the world throughout their 18-year stint. They're a great band, and this is my tribute to them.

Give me a Nickel (Creek)

2008-09-06T22:21:00.003+08:00

I think I've talked about them before, and I embedded the video of their song "This Side" some time ago.

I think this bluegrass band makes good music. They write great tunes, with great lyrics too. I think there should be less talking, and more showing. This is why I think they're great:

1. "Speak" by Nickel Creek

Lyrics:
Well, I sat down next to a photograph.
Tried my best, almost made her laugh.
She was my toughest crowd.
There in the way was a mountain up in the clouds.

Well, I can't sleep and I'm not in love.
I can't speak without messing up.
Eyes tell of what's behind.
Hers showed the way to a long and a lonely climb.
But through failure I‘ll proceed.
And she'll see how far I've come.

And it's you and me in the sun and sea.
I'll offer my arm to yours.
It seems to me no mystery.
It isn't, so I'll try hard to speak.

Well, I sat down next to a living hell.
Tried my best until I struck out.
Movement is not mine.
I stood in the way, pretending that I was the vine.
But no failure will proceed
From a mouth that drinks it's wine.

And it's not me, not my sanctity,
These aren't my words to you.
It's all clear when it's not from here.
So clear so I'll try not to speak.

2. "Spit on a Stranger" - Nickel Creek

Lyrics:

However you feel
Whatever it takes
Whenever it’s real
Whatever awaits me
Whatever you need
However so light
Whenever it’s real
Whenever it’s right

[chorus]
I’ve been thinking long and hard about the things you said to me
Like a bitter stranger
Now I see the long and short the middle and what’s in between
I could spit on a stranger (pull me out)
You’re a bitter stranger (pull me out)

Whatever you feel
Whatever it takes
Whenever it’s real
Whatever awaits me
Whatever you need
However so slight

[chorus]
Honey, I’m a prize and you’re a catch and we’re a perfect match
Like two bitter strangers
Now I see the long and short of it and I can make it last
I could spit on a stranger (pull me out)
You’re a bitter stranger (pull me out)i could spit on a stranger (pull me out)
You’re a bitter stranger (pull me out)
I could spit on a stranger (pull me out)
You’re a bitter stranger (pull me out)

I see the sunshine in your eyes
I’ll try the things you never try
I’ll be the one that leaves you high, high, high

3. "When in Rome" - Nickel Creek

Lyrics:
Where can a sick man go
When he can’t choke down the medicine,
The old Doc knows.
A specialist came to town, but he stays at home,
saying no one knows, so I don’t, Honey, when in Rome.

Where can a teacher go?
Wherever she thinks people need the things she knows.
Hey, those books you gave us look good on the shelves at home,
And they’ll burn warm in the fireplace, Teacher, when in Rome.

Grab a blanket, sister, we’ll make smoke signals.
Bring in some new blood
It feels like we’re alone.
Grab a blanket, brother,
so we don’t catch cold from one another
Oh, I wonder if we’re stuck in Rome.

Where can a dead man go?
A question with an answer only dead men know.
But I’m gonna bet they never really feel at home,
If they spend a lifetime learning how to live in Rome.

About Nickel Creek:
Nickel Creek is an American acoustic music trio. Although the group's music has roots from bluegrass, the trio describes itself as "progressive acoustic". Nickel Creek consists of three permanent members: Chris Thile (mandolin), Sara Watkins (fiddle), and her brother Sean Watkins (guitar).

Love them, don't you?

"A Day in the Life" Paper

2008-08-29T22:53:00.003+08:00

I read the news today, oh boy,

As i flipped the pages, I smelled fear.
Fear that lasted longer than the faint ink smears the newsprint left on your fingers.
I sensed apprehension,
'We cannot be too careful, lest we risk letting our children starve...'

'The truth, the truth!'
People cry.
Little do they know, lies are the things that will keep them safe,
ward off all evil, keep them warm in the bitter cold.

The safety promised by figures,
far higher and far beyond the multitude.
Bigger words belie bigger plans.
You and I have no part of it.

The truth in that case, does not really matter.
The truth shall not set you free,
It guarantees a dark, dank room,
Where one can't see the light of day.

I read the news today, oh boy,

but I tore the newspaper into half even before I finished.

Everything is Beautiful

2008-08-20T22:20:00.001+08:00

Everything is NOT beautiful.

In fact, things are getting uglier by the minute.

Hope you have a better time reading this than I had writing it.

Too Many Goodbyes

2008-08-15T15:19:00.002+08:00

I believe this will be the first of many 'farewell blog posts'. Everyone has them on their blogs. The sentimental goodbyes, the memories recounted in less than 550 words, plus a collage of photos.

Well, I'm not fond of goodbyes. Goodbyes should only be said before one begins one's quest to push daisies from six feet under the ground. That's a real goodbye.

Unless that person should cease to exist in the remainder of your life, (if you can still call it life, that is) there is no need to say goodbye. Just a simple 'seeya' will do. This wouldn't apply if you really do not want to see a particular person, or a particular group of people for the rest of your life. If that's the case, don't hesitate to say 'goodbye'. You may consider throwing in remarks like 'good riddance to bad rubbish' :)

So Karleng, Aaron William, Liang Hoong, Andrew Wong, Emily Chow, Claudia, Michelle Jane, Yi Peng, Jian Wei, Lixian, Maybelyn, Amelia, Rowern, Laura, Sook Yee, Siao, Pui Yean etc. There are too many to list down, and my memory is not what it used to be. Please do not be offended if missed out your name. It was not intentional. For those who made the list, (cue: applause) you may have already made your way to greener pastures, some of you will be soon. Either way, enjoy yourself when you do arrive at that promised land of yours.

Keep in touch people, take care, and seeya all soon.

*To those who aren't going overseas, you're still stuck here in Malaysia with me. Guess you guys are the luckier lot after all. :P

This Isn't A Long Post

2008-05-13T23:48:00.004+08:00

I'm having my exams now, so I won't be saying much in this post. As a matter of fact, I'm here to promote my good friend Kevin Chan's latest series - "What Do Women Really Want". Sounds promising eh :)? you can check it out on his blog: hamletshero.blogspot.com. Here's the promotional poster:

Now that the advertising bit's done with, allow me to share my latest findings off the ocean of Youtube videos. You wouldn't believe what gems I discovered.

1st Video: All These Things That I've Done

This was their sleeper hit taken off their debut album "Hot Fuss". Yes, this song came to be known as the song with the line "I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier" (As a matter of fact, I dedicated an entire blog post to deciphering this particular line, if you could remember...). It was th is sensational tune along with "Mr Brightside" and "Somebody Told Me" that catapulted the Killers into international fame.

2nd Video: When You Were Young

"When You Were Young" was released as their first single in 2006, when their sophomore effort "Sam's Town" was released. One of my favourite tracks in the "Sam's Town" collection. The single was performed almost entirely unplugged during their appearance on "Live on Abbey Road". "Sam's Town" turned out to be phenomenally successful, and garnered the Killers the Best International Band and Best International Album Awards in the 2007 Brit Awards.

Note that both the videos I included here are the Killers' acoustic performances. I love their studio works, but I must admit these acoustic tracks are unbelievably good. Now, many of you would say that it isn't an accurate comment on my part, considering the fact that I'm obsessed with The Killers and their music. Take a listen before dismissing my praises though. You won't regret it.

It's amazing how these tracks sound so different, yet so very good when performed unplugged. The tenderness in how the band treated the music, the purity of melody and sound came through, and the intensity of emotion behind the music was made so tangible. I am convinced they deserved the "Best Band" and "Best Track" (for 'Tranquilize' from their compilation album 'Sawdust') Awards in the recent USA NME Awards.

"All These Things That I've Done" makes me wonder what I have done to deserve the satisfaction of listening to such a haunting tune. "When you Were Young" reminds me that it's feels so good to be young. I wonder if being young SOUNDS as good?

So I Lied When I Said it was "Genesis Once More"...

2008-04-21T23:51:00.003+08:00

I have not been updating the blog. I have neglected it. It isn't just dead. It's decomposing, the maggots made it their home. It's gnawing through the pages of my life, and I can smell the decay in the next room.

It stinks. Does life stink? Maybe it does. Or maybe it's just so sterile you can't smell anything anymore. Are emotions really that important in our lives? Does the logic we apply in decision-making stem from logic? Is the heart more powerful than the brain?

I think not. The brain controls everything. The heart wouldn't be beating. The cardiac muscles would cease to work. The atrial and ventricular systoles just won't occur without the brain making sure they do. Logic triumphs over everything. Make your decisions based on pure, cold logic. You'll be fine.

I need control. Control over everything. Just like my brain has control over me. I want control because it probably would pull things together in an instant, make things work in 3 seconds flat. Control.

I'd like to think I'm an unfeeling individual who doesn't have to care about what goes on around me. But I'm not. So take a listen to this. If you concentrate and focus on the message behind the music, perhaps you might understand why. Perhaps you will feel again.

Song: Farewell
Artist: Apocalyptica*

*Apocalyptica is a Finnish cello metal band, composed of classically trained cellists and, since 2005, a drummer. Three of the cellists are graduates of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland. Their music features elements from cello metal, neo-classical metal, thrash metal, progressive metal and symphonic metal.

Genesis Once More

2008-02-04T18:24:00.000+08:00

I wouldn't be exaggerating when I say that its been a long time since the last post.

I left the blog quite unattended for months. I'd like to say the reason for me leaving the blog behind was that I was just too busy. Somehow that sounds like an excuse. I don't like making excuses.

Plenty has happened since the last time I actually posted something new here. I'm still in college, at least that's the same. Went through a round of examinations (again), met more people in my life, and things are pretty ordinary. Won't kid myself. I'm not the same person as I was months ago. Exactly what the changes were? I can't really tell.

What I can tell though, is that I've been growing more cynical by the day. You might scoff and say 'then again, when have I ever stopped being cynical?', but the fact is, if there was and still is a remote possibility that I could ever grow increasingly cynical, I actually am.

I've grown cynical about the things around me. Things we're supposed to count on, things we should be able to take granted for. People talk more nowadays, but if there's an issue that really needs to be discussed, if there's a something that really matters, we just won't talk about it. we will pretend that nothing is happening, and we would make public announcements advising everyone NOT to talk about the issue at hand, because talk is cheap.

Maybe its because we just don't care about what happens in the world anymore. But don't we? Don't we know what's really going on in this world? Where we say something but mean nothing in the end? Are we really that ignorant? Or are we just indifferent?

Maybe I should really ask people I meet if they do care, if my cynicism isn't justified. Then again, I doubt people would care to give me an answer.

True Friend Test

2007-08-11T17:25:00.000+08:00

Try It!

Create your own Friend Test here