I have a million things to talk about.




but it doesn't really matter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExGryoOeAkc


i've posted this before. J Hudson - and i'm telling you i'm not going.

watch her hunch her back. and sigh before that final note. and the trembling hands. and the change fr angst to helpless to pleading.

DREAMGIRLS

my sis is watchin lame drama series, so i'm suffering from 1hr's worth of Idol 6 withdrawal while writing this. sigh.....

on a better note, i finally caught Dreamgirls with Quin today. hooray!!! after all the anticipation, it's finally here.loosely based on the story of Diana Ross and the Supremes, Dreamgirls is a dazzling 2hr song-and-dance spectacle, seldom stopping down for intimate moments of pensive thought whatsoever. every 10 mins or so, a song wld break out and someone wld be singing their lungs out.

i cant help but think that if Chicago, that Best Picture winner from 2002 or so, were to be released today, or Dreamgirls in 2002or-so, Chicago wld have been trampled by Dreamgirls. watching DG onli made me realise what a terrible musical C was. such a shame that out of the 8 nominations Dreamgirls received for the Oscars this yr, 3 are for Best song, two for the supporting actors (Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson), and the three other are minor/technical nominations. they've been obviously snubbed. and Catherine Zeta Jones wldnt even have gotten that nomination, let alone the Oscars.

if Chicago was a white man's musical featuring a career breakthrough performance of Richard Gere tap-dancing and singing, then Dreamgirls would be the black person's answer featuring a startling Jennifer Hudson blowing people's minds everywhere. i cant help but notice the racial disparity, and when the 'Cadillac' number switched from a very soulful Eddie Murphy to an acoustic version featuring an all-white cast singing to a beach backdrop, the whites are made to look like mannequins with no soul. more so when at an all-white venue, the first-black-performer-performing-there Eddie Murphy actually scared some of the audience away and had some puzzled at his over-the-top performance.

i saw a different side of Eddie Murphy today. no longer the Norbit-slapstick comedian, he actually got serious, and is quite good at it. i love Keith Robinson's voice and performance. it was smooth and comfortable for the ears, sorta refreshing after all the diva-belting and riotous stage performances. he got me interested and wanting to watch his other movies.

Beyonce was overshadowed, but i'm quite impressed with her acting this time. definitely an improvement from Goldmember.oh and she's such eye candy and picture perfect. there were many beautiful shots of her in various outfits and makeup. Jamie Foxx was aight,as usual.

and of cos, the scene stealer was Jennifer Hudson. what can i say that hasnt already been said here before? when she sings, you listen. really, it's that commanding. it sure beats watching her tell me 'and i'm telling you i'm not going' on youtube for a zillion times. the Oscar might just be hers, less the hype killed her chances of having the ultimate American success story. but i cant help but to feel that this is just a case of deft casting. given another role, without her carrying a note, i wonder if she'd still shine. not everyone can be a Barbra Streisand u know.

talking bout deft casting, all the actors were definitely made to play these roles. the cinematography was lovely, so were the costumes and hairdo. and of cos, the music infectious. critics said the first hour was more interesting, and the 2nd hour sagged. but i thought it was all right, thou less dazzling. if the first hour is about the dramatic downfall of Effie White(which, with her always comes the drama,hence the snippy editing, the second is about the increasingly jaded concerns of Deena Jones(which, throughout the film, has fizzled beside Effie, short for that breakthru Listen). my only concern wld be the ending. they made it too easy. it didnt make me feel "awwwwwww...they're reunited!". it was more like, "they're friends now?!?".

go watch. i'm ashamed i actually gushed so much already.


and to top everythin with icing, py got me tics to the 曹格 NTU concert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANKYOU PEIYIH!!! LOVELOVELOVE YOU TO BITS!!!!!!









should have known.

those who've watched the Grammys, remember the girl who won the My Grammy Moment contest? the one that got a chance to sing with Justin Timberlake?

well, she's one of the contestants booted out from American Idol 6 durin the Hollywood week. ya i saw her...briefly.

talking bout second chances.

another plus point for American Idol. dun mess with this show.

Cat Power - The Greatest


Once I wanted to be the greatest
No wind or waterfall could stall me
And then came the rush of the flood
stars of night turned deep to dust

Melt me down
To big black armour
Leave no trace
Of grace
Just in your honor
Lower me down
to culprit south
Make em wash a space in town
For the lead
and the dregs of my bed
i've been sleepin'
Lower me down
pin me in
Secure the grounds
For the later parade

Once I wanted to be the greatest
Two fists of solid rock
with brains that could explain
Any feeling

Lower me down
pin me in
Secure the grounds
For the lead
and the dregs of my bed
i've been sleepin'
For the later parade

Once I wanted to be the greatest
No wind or water fall could stall me
And then came the rush of the flood
stars of night turned deep to dust

就算把世界给我
我还是一无所有 - "我要快乐" 张惠妹

i'm loving this song. i use to dislike it for its blatent exclamation and preferred the other singles. but i'm liking it now.

yar i'm gettin emo hahahahahaa. but DYTIC? (do you tink i care)

must be CNY. there's sure gonna be remarks bout my hair/stud/job from my relatives. i need to be proud of it, whatever comes my way. pray i wont lose it haha...i'll jus go 1 corner and read.

oh welllllll. wat can i say.


i wana get a white top and a pair of white bottoms. i'm in the mood for an all-white CNY.

happy CNY to everyone. take care and have fish every year. =)

Half Nelson

i finally took the time out to catch Half Nelson at The Picture House with Quin. a spur with unknown origin had me craving to catch The King as well, but there were no more screenings. what a waste.

my virginal entry into the Picture House and of cos the first thing that grabbed my attention was how comfortable the seats were. it was spacious and the back-rest was tall enough even for me to rest my head occasionally. leg space so wide i can even stretch my legs. when the movie finally came on, it was TOTALLY dark. u know how certain theatres can never be totally dark due to the size and the side/floor lights, but this wasnt one of them. thou i wasnt able to bring any food/drinks in(why was there a drink holder then?!, it's still aight cos i dun really like to drink/eat inside anyway. i think it sorta tempers with the experience.

Half Nelson is about a young History teacher (Ryan Gosling) in a Black class by day, drug addict by night. his "secret" was soon found out by one of his students, and they develop an intricate relationship that goes beyong teacher-student.

in a way, it's a comin-of-age movie. shot like a true-blue independent movie that felt a lil choppy for me initially, i soon got into the mood and was tryin to piece everything together while marvellin at their acting. art-house flicks are not in-ya-face: much of it is left to the audience interpretation. music was limited and doesnt set the mood for you, therefore it's very important the performances connects. i thought Ryan Gosling was great. that decadent, laid back, tormented, yet wanting to make a difference conflict was nailed. i cldnt keep my eyes off him. it's like a train-wreck u cant stop watching. some performances resonate after u leave the theatre. you cant take ya mind off it and wished there was more. this was one of it.

oh and he made me wana grow a beard.

Shareeka Epps was intriguing as well as Drey, the student who found out. herself facing a conflict of her own, she strives to find out what is the right thing to do. she's intense, with that look on her face.

there wasnt any breakout moments for either of them, yet i enjoyed it much. i didnt know wat to make out of the bigger msg, with those interweaving history clips. and i still cant get the title (after a Wiklopedia search, Half Nelson is like some kind of wrestling with one hand that goes from under the armpit to the back of the head). i guess i'll have to wait for the dvd den.

lovelovelove.

next up: Dreamgirls. Notes on a Scandal. Little Children. prob Letters from Iwo Jima as well.

DUNDER MIFFLIN

i didnt know there's a RENO 911 movie!!! and it's gonna be out soon!!!!!

i am absolutely hooked on The Office. it is so hilarious and funny it's the best show on tv now! Steve Carrell kicks ass and Rainn Wilson is jus superbbbbbbb. i need to get the dvd!!!!!!!!!

and St Hilda Pri sch kids are so drop dead adorable. i still kinda miss them now haha. next time i need to bring a camera.

and about the Grammys....
not as exciting as last yr.
-Gnarls Barkley's performance was boring, although i understand they try to do a different rendition of Crazy everytime. but this time the mix sucks. it sounded very monotonous.
-Carrie Underwood sounded refreshing. but her segment with Rascal Flatts didnt end on a high.
-the My Grammy Moment segment was excessive and can get irritating at times. (basically newbies get to fight for a chance to debut their singing career(if any) on the Grammy stage by singing a duet with Justin Timberlake. audience got to vote amongst the top 3)
-i love the John Mayer/Corrine Bailey Rae/ John Legend segment thou.
-Lionel Ritchie: Hello. dunno why but i found it funny.
-the red stage was not appealing.
anddddddddddddddddddddddd

-Mary J Blige. a few yrs back i remember fallin in love with her performance of No More Drama. it was post 9-11 and her frantic performance drew a standing ovation. the song title could not be more apt, but it was a mind-blowing performance for me. she was literally doin squats on heels on stage. i still have it on tape and watch it once ina while.
today, a more subdued MJB. a more prestine voice. a woman who has truely come into her own terms. it was as if she meant every single word she said. i'm surprised she got recognised by the Grammys so late. she deserved to win even back then.

SHAKIRA - HIPS DONT LIE. OMG. she can shake. period. what a hip! i swear i got so worried that her hips might fall off. seriously. definitely SEXAY without being in-ya-face.

movie maratrhon at yy's yesterday was fun. we caught Thank You For Smoking (fantastic), Step Up (so cliche), and Snakes On A Plane.

SOAP is the frakkin BEST COMEDY OF 2006 thankyouverymuch.

every possible body part that can be bitten, was bitten. from breasts to penises to eyeballs, this is the ultimate campy B grade thriller meant for late nights like these. wat flight has only 4 flight attendants, and two of which dresses like tramps?!

and of cos there were the classic lines. but i cant remember any now.

just got back from bday celebration with x-co. happy bday Zif and Ugly!!!


i'm very tired. my eyes are spinning. i need sleep.

i love today's trail. those Griffiths primary school p3 kids were so adorable that it breaks my heart to say goodbye to them. i think today was by far the one in which i had the best rapport with the kids.

i realise i need some dignity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3nhomdnv_A


i was youtubing Daydreamin by Aretha, but ended up catchin up on past Jill Scott songs. i love Jill Scott. and this vid is so funny.

i woke up at 6am today for a Changi Airport trail.

waking up at 6am can do strange things to my head. i do not know whatever happened, but i was engulfed with fear and trepidition this morning. perhaps it was the long-break from doin trails, for fear that i might not perform up to standards today. further more i had high expectations to meet, given i'm friends with Ching Yee and almost have a reputation for performing, slightly due to looking like Jeremy. other than that, it was also a fear at how.... i dunno...how distant everything seemed.

taking 187 reminded me of going to sch during my css days. now i dun see sardin-packed 187s, and it seriously lacked a dash of refreshing blues.

on the bus, and during the trail, i realise that i do love kids. the talkative ones however annoying they can be, the smarty pants, and the adorably guai ones who follow instructions. radiating innocence never fails to put a smile on my face.

and having two kids with autism in my class made me wana know more bout the illness. i do not have much knowledge about it at all. therefore what i did today was to try my best to pay special attention to them, ensuring they do not get lost or run away on their own. it's disheartening to see that not every kid has a fair chance. the teacher paid so much attention to him that i had a glimpse into what i might be facing in the future. it must be tough for the families. and after msn-ing with xiang, it only discourages me more.

it's such a sad world if u look at it sometimes. hardship around the corners. stories untold by the unsung heroes. it must take alot of courage to do what some of us do daily.


sometimes, i think i am living in my own cacoon.

yesterday marked the end of my final round of bday celebration. first, it's my first entry to Ricetable Cuppage. i ate so much i want to puke. the food was delicious!!!








den we passed by a TCC tt had seats tt looked very comfortable, and decided to chill there. the lighting was perfect, hence the lovely pictures in the following.

Dark Devotion. i mistook it for Dark Delusion.


after the rampage



the pinup boy and girl for TCC. he made the lavender tea look great to drink haha.





these lovelies gave me an angpow labelled IPOD FUND. hahaha. but after yesterday's discussion, i should probably rename it MP3 FUND. when i opened up, i got a shock cos it's quite abit of cash. thanks guys for all the love! truely appreciate it.


den it's off to KTV with my MJ colleagues. same as usual, we sang to the dawn. here's my lovely bday present from them.

goodbye dirty old $4 pasa-malam sneakers



hello Converse Pirate sneakers!


at photog Shawn's request to look excited at cutting cake.




i am not in pain. i am laughing at a joke i cant recall now.


the other bday boy. i love this shot


with the yao nie.



i felt the blues today, withdrawal symptom from all the fun i had yesterday. i realise i miss my colleagues alot. it felt like an eternity since i last met Mosquito and Shawn and just sitting down catching up was such a ...relief. and refreshing. and visiting my grandma at the hospital aint exactly a great follow-up act. she insisted my hair was too long and in her words, said i look inhuman. my hair was the topic for much of the visit, much to my disdain. and she even suggested i get it cut from my dad. but i told a straight "i'm not gonna cut my hair" to her. after realising it might be too harsh, i salvaged it by saying i'll go cut abit ( i plan to trim it anyway). a slight distraction until the CNY reunion dinner. at one point i felt like just taking my bag and leave, as disrespectful as it might be. i know they have my intentions at heart, but after today, it only prompted me to live a life for myself. as yet, i feel no obligation to anyone about my actions. and i'm glad to see my big aunt. she stood by me and made those comments bearable. when i was younger, so much of the attention was placed on my lil sis and my younger cousin, that it was my aunt who really doted on me the most. seeing her everytime is a relief. it's like finally there's someone who'll be standing by me just for the way i am.

this year's celebration has been a tough act for me to follow. looking back, i am at a lost as to how i sld repay everyone's kindness. it's overwhelming. not that i am boasting about it, but instead, i am truely humbled and ashamed at all the attention i get.

and Yaonie, i love the xmas present, albeit the paper is damn terok and it cld have been much better if u had written legibly, nicely, and on proper paper instead of wat looked like an oversized bus ticket! haha. and yes, it was very budget, but i didnt mind. i got it. and FYI, i was damn sad cos u missed my bday. seriously. there's a few ppl i didnt expect wld forget. but oh well. i'm goin to learn not to expect too much lar. as much as u did NOT get the present OR the cake, seeing you yesterday and just hearing ya stories was really good. and as much as i might seem uninterested at ya stories or not paying attention sometimes, i am not. and i'm not just talking bout yesterday. sometimes u tell me so much that i'm ashamed at not being able to remember all of it. so forgive me if i forgot who did what or when why how. tanks for the friendship. friends forever(till the next time u miss my bday again!)ya.


and i finally got my Imogen Heap cd. at a whopping price of $33 thou. heartache. but luckily i had the HMV voucher from css peeps. i shall save the remainings for my much-desired-since-so-long-ago, erhem, Felicity season 3 boxset.

i think Gary 曹格 is the best male singer in the chinese pop scene now.

watching him perform at the superstar finale jus puts them all to shame la. definitely the highlight of the show IMO. (i was hopin for a duets round with the special guest like last yr. but it didnt happen. and why didnt Carrie sing?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?)no gimmicks, jus PLAIN GOOD SINGING. who cares bout dancing, fancy costumes, and nifty moves, poster good looks, and "eyes tt can generate electricity" when u can look and sound THAT good in a white suit, without any form of dancing?

i really wish i can sing like him. he's DA BOMB!!! white is definitely the IN thing now.

飞女正传
作曲:蔡德才@人山人海作词:林夕

越过生死一刻跟你电单车之中峡路再相逢
大概你嘴边伤口与我发端都一般大紫大红
下半生不要只要下秒钟
再不敢吻你你便再失踪
抑或有谁高呼不要动

未怕挨紧颈边穿过横飞的子弹跟你去走难
但怕结婚生子的平庸麻木地活着亦一样难
若与不心爱的每夜晚餐
也不知哪个故事更悲惨
只愿我能够与你过得今晚

世界将我包围誓死都一齐
壮观得有如悬崖的婚礼
也许生于世上无重要作为
仍有这种真爱会留低
我已不顾安危誓死都一齐
看不起这个繁华盛世
纵使天主不忍心我们如垃圾般污秽
抱着你不枉献世

别理三餐一宿得到牧师的祝福需要那种运
让我满足于飞车之中抱紧苦恋的做一类人
面对这都市所有霓虹灯
我敢说我爱到动魄惊心
不负你陪过我刹那的兴奋

世界将我包围誓死都一齐
壮观得有如悬崖的婚礼
也许生于世上无重要作为
仍有这种真爱耀眼生辉
仍有生死之交可超越一切
我已不顾安危誓死都一齐
爱得起你为可还忌讳
也许出生当天本以为谁待我像公仔
最后却苦恋蚂蚁
难自爱都懂得怎相爱找得到一个人共我分享这身世
还未算失礼




林夕 is a genius. i love the lyrics to this song.

"your subtleties, it strangle me...."

i finally got my hands on the All-American Rejects album, and "it ends tonight" is like cancer tt cant get out of my system.

a sudden bout of courage, dashed by silence.