I Resolve ... I Resolve ...

Looking back, I made 15 New Year resolutions early this year. None achieved. Phuh~

So what's for 2009? Only time will tell ...

Dear Mrs. JL

It seems that you were upset that we took photos with your dear husband. We overheard your conversation, and from the way JL spoke, it sounded like you were unhappy and like you demanded an explanation from him. And I'd guess that by now, you're also closely monitoring the numerous comments made by us about your husband and his photos in facebook. But you see, these aren't disparaging remarks about him. On the contrary, we're only adoring him and complimenting him on his hunkylicious looks and attractive built. Is that a crime?

Lady, that is no way to treat your delicious husband. He doesn't need anyone nagging or screaming at him. He doesn't need a wife who is possesive, who micromanages what he can do and what he can't do. On the other hand, he needs someone who can cook, who can drive and who can be independent to enhance his life, all of which you've failed to deliver.

Come on! You should be proud to have been married to JL, and bore his child. You've won the battle! In contrast, we only get to see him once a week, and dream about him the rest of the week. There is nothing we can do to jeopardise your position. Only you can make it fail. And if you do, you can be sure we'll pounce on him.

Dear JL

WOW Kylie WOW

I loved Kylie. Her songs always make me feel good, and most of them have that dancey tune that lift your spirits up.

My heart was racing wth excitement as we made our way up the staircase from the restaurant at the stadium. As we made our way to the East entrance, I caught sight of a smart-looking V, formerly our BodyJam instructor, who had move to SG to work a year ago. We chatted a bit, and then it was time to pass the security checkpoint. Damn! I should have brought my camera, apparently, they longer make a fuss of it. Luckily, DH brought his, and he managed to capture a few good shots of the stage.

As we walked into our seating 'block', I turned to my left to look out for Mrs Philippe, who was seated two blocks away, waving at us. I went over to meet her and her friends, and camwhored a bit. Don't know if she's gonna blog about her experience at the concert at her food-cum-movie-cum-music blog.

As we sat and waited for Kylie, we scanned the audience for Sgboy (check out his sexy blog) and his four friends, all in their "skanky" K.Y.L.I.E white tanktops. Cannot find! Then DH, in his oversized stylish spectacles, detected hawtness three blocks to our left. Initially shy (as usual), it took a while before we went up to say "hi".

It's funny that Mrs P, Sgboy, their friends and us were all seated on the same side of the stadium.

The stadium was filling up real quick, and almost every seat was now taken. The audience around we where we were seated (ie. the cheapest tickets at S$100) were mostly ang moh's. Probably expats and their family. If I were them and had the money, I would have paid the S$500 tickets right at the front!

Then the lights dimmed, and the audience cheered as the screen began to light up.

* * * * * * *

Kylie made a rather grand entrance with Speakerphone. The intro-buildup to her entrance was spectacular ... the graphics/video, the music ... awesome... OMG! I almost fainted ... I have never seen anything like this before!



As a forward-looking artiste, she cleverly chose to sing songs from her later albums rather than old hits (out of 23 songs, she only sang 4 of her own retro-hits from the 80s and 90s):

X

Like A Drug

Speakerphone

Wow

Heart Beat Rock

2 Hearts

In My Arms

The One

No More Rain

Body Language

Slow

I Believe in You*

* Not in album, but released around that time.

Fever

Can't Get You Out of My Head

Love At First Sight

In Your Eyes

Light Years

Spinning Around

On A Night Like This

Your Disco Needs You

Loveboat

Kids

Her 80s and 90s Retro Hits

Step Back in Time

Better the Devil You Know

Shocked

I Should Be So Lucky

Other Songs

Copacabana**
**Originally sung by Barry Manilow (1978)

Overall, the visuals were stunning, the music and arrangement were flawless and her voice was impressive. I think she has been unfairly underrated as a singer ... I mean, she sang live, her voice strong, clear, melodious and feminine, and she managed to reach the high notes quite effortlessly! I am so proud of her!!!

Kylie is also a great performer. She's definitely got the X factor, and she could pull through all those stylish moves and poses seamlessly and effortlessly. And she's very very, very, very pretty indeed. She sang her heart out, and you can see her many expressions captures on the big screen.

Kylie, you rock!!

To The Point

Today I got an sms from J whom I met a year ago.

J: Hi, are you free this saturday? Wanna meet?

Me: Sori, but I'm busy on Sat. How about Sun? Let u know later ok?

J: Can I fuck you?

OMG! And I thought he wanted to have drinks and chit-chat with me.... *faint*

The One With Exhibit A, B & C

Warning~ flashers ahead



Nudity~ most people will prolly think that it is absolutely sinful, obscene, disgusting, crude, drude and frude [that would be damn rude & fucking rude for you thankyouverymuch]!!

Most people, i mean in like majority, i mean in like general... right~ would snigger to the thought of showing off themselves in a state of nakedness. But still, there is no denying that there are a minority who love to display themselves in total nudity... But i think it's alright to be au natural bout it~ no?

Now you see~ in the old days, to exhibit would be to wear nothing but a long over coat, flashing at unexpected pedestrains every chance they get. Or to bath by the river without kain sarong. hmmm that would be about it i guess...

Nowadays, huwah... now-days i tell you... exhibitionism have never been more easier! There are so many ways to show off, or rather share our naked pride.

First of all, we have the exhibitionism in the form of photography... amateur photography that is. With the convinience of digital camera and cam-phones... huwah~~~ it's so damn easy hokay~ just take off clothes, take some snap shots~ choose the best few~ plug in the USB... walah! posted for the world to see liaw! easy as ABC 123!


There are several ways to capture ourselves~ most will use a mirror. yup... it's easier to capture when we know exactly how we looked like or which angle flatters us. Then there're those who asked other to capture for them. And there are some who make use of the timer function... It is there for e reason you know~ for self camwhoring loh... like how i like to do it. And of course some used webcam~ yupz, with a click of a mouse, you can just send to it whom you would like to see them. And then there are those who extend their hand far far out to take their own photo.
Then there are those who exhibite through the form of videos, you know... like matuatama lor. Video is a bit harder to make. Most just do it hand held, thus it is more close up. But then we can place it on some table or some shelves... but if it's public then a bit risky lah hor~ coz' some itchy hands might steal it while we shiok shiok there.

Another option is webcam~ In fact, most like to express it through this method. We can see ourselve on the screen of the laptop/PC... Plus... besides that... we can share it instantly with another person online! Live nude Girls! But i totally hate web cam sex! hate hate hate! lets move on~

Then there are those who do LNG show... in public shower [LNG = live nude girl/guy/gay]. Also~ not something i am very familiar with. Haiyu~ never go gym mah~ But i've seen some at Kelana Jaya public swimming pool~ That one is even more worse coz there are children around!! That really violate the rights of decency lor. Few do this public display at toilets too, but so far i never i'd only encounter 1 or twice jer lah.

Then there are those who hang around their home naked. Ya, it's in their own privacy ~ they have the rights to be however kinda' nakedness they want~ But if all the windows have curtains uncovered... and everything is in full display for the neighbours to see... then it is exhibiting. As long there is an audience... that's exhibitionism~

Oh~ and some like to drive naked lah, swim naked lah, or just be naked whenever they have the chance lor~

The idea of exhibitionism is to display one self in nude for others to see. At this age, public does not limit to school toilets, changing rooms and public pool anymore. Internet is pretty public too and it reached out to an even larger amount of viewers. I personally have no idea why people do such things, though i did pretty much put myself out on the internet. But hor~ like i said~ it is artistic hokay~ it's art! hmmp! Kay i'm outta here~ ciao bella...

*this is an OBE* ~ out of body blogging experience... who am i? that's something i'll never tell~

A Week to X

Just collected the tickets!!!

OMG!!! Can't wait! Can't wait!!

I just hope that this time the SG audience/fans are a lot crazier and sporting than those who attended last year's Christina's concert ... I thought the audience/fans then were boring!

I haven't checked her concert set list (wanna be surprised on the day itself).

Geometry in The Gym

Every few days, I get to arrange my stepboards according to what the instructor tells us. I'm always excited to find out what the shape of the board arrangements will be ... how many people are sharing boards with you ... where your starting position is ... which directions you're moving ... how many boards you're actually stepping on ... figuring out the choreography for the opposite direction or mirror image (for example, if you start the first round by stepping on your right foot and spin anticlockwise to the left, the next round will step on your left foot and spin clockwise to the right) ... and, if you're ever gonna bump into your neighbours or step on their shoes!!

I've attended about nine intermediate/advance classes, and at times, it can get very stressful indeed! And you needed to process all these directional and geometrical information at top speed within one lesson! Nevertheless, it can be extremely fun and fulfilling .... IF you get it lah! Here are the board arrangements:

The blue boards represent the the boards that will be stepped on by the person in blue (represented by the dark blue dots). The pink dots are your neighbours/partners. The position of the dots indicate the starting positions.

Of course, the more complex the shape is, the more difficult it is. The more boards you have to step on, the more difficult it is. The difficult ones to execute are those with isolated "island" formation (erroneously called mirror image formation), because you will very likely be distracted by your neighbours/partners who will not be facing in the same direction as you are.

Based on the above nine designs, the order of diffculty (in descending order), in my opinion, is as follows:

G > F > D > E > A = B > H > I > C

MacArthur Park

Spring was never waiting for us, girl
till it ran one step ahead
as we followed in the dance.

About ten days ago, Fable, Evie and I decided to go for an all-English Karaoke session. Evie commented that it was one of the very rare occasions where no Chinese songs were sung in a karaoke session. Fable recommended the Curve outlet, as apparently they have one of the better English collection there.

So there we go, we spent 3 uninterrupted hours singing (or rather, making noises) our hearts out!! Very fulfilling! Fable chose to sing a good mix of songs from the 80s to current. Evie, was rather silent... apparently too shy even with just us! As for me, I chose all those songs from the 80s and 90s. I was ready to sing Debbie Gibson and Belinda Carlisle, but damn, not a single song in the catalogue. ~ Phuh! There seemed to be a lot of songs from the late 80s and early 90s missing! Fable reckoned it's because these songs are neither too old nor too new. But I would really like to demand an explanation from the karaoke operators!!!!

Between the parted pages
we were pressed
in love's hot, fevered iron
like a striped pair of pants.

Look at that hand and finger action in the pic!! LOL!

So in the end, I settled for a few interesting 70s and 80s songs, that I was sure these were rarely sung.... like Let's Hear It for the Boy (Deniece Williams), You Keep Me Hanging On (Kim Wilde), Physical (Olivia Newton-John). Two of my favourites: Buenos Aires (Madonna) and MacArthur Park (Donna Summer). And I absolutely love to sing MacArthur Park, cos it's an interesting song. It is in fact a very dramatic sad song disguised in a disco dance tune. I'll let you listen in Youtube a little later.

MacArthur Park is melting in the dark
all the sweet green icing flowing down
someone left the cake out in the rain
I don't think that I can take it
'cause it took so long to bake it
and I'll never have that recipe again
Oh, nooo!

Apparently, the song, which was penned by Jimmy Webb and originally recorded by Richard Harris in 1968, had an unusually complex musical structure for a pop song. Read about it here. Donna Summer covered the song in 1978 and the song spent three weeks atop the Billboard charts.

I recall the yellow cotton dress
foaming like a wave
on the ground beneath your knees
birds like tender babies in your hands
and the old men playing
Chinese checkers
by the trees

**********************

Earlier that morning, the gang and I had a little picnic in the park at the Lake Gardens. But who would have guessed that the picnic in the park was the beginning of our own MacArthur Park in the making?

MacArthur Park is melting in the dark
all the sweet green icing flowing down
someone left the cake out in the rain
I don't think that I can take it
'cause it took so long to bake it
and I'll never have that recipe again
Oh, nooo!


Our dear sister's cake was soon to be left out in the rain by someone very dear to her. She didn't think she can take it cause she took so long to bake it, and she feared she'll never have the recipe again.


There'll be another song for me
and I will sing it
there'll be another dream for me
someone will bring it
I will drink the wine while it is warm
and never let you catch me
looking at the sun, oh yeah
and after all the loves of my life
after all loves in my life
you'll be the one


I will take my life into my hands
and I will use it
I will win the worship in their eyes
and I will lose it
I will have the things that I desire
and my passion flow like rivers
through the sky
oh and after all the loves in my life
after all the loves in my life
you'll still be the one
and I'll ask myself why


MacArthur Park is melting in the dark
all the sweet green icing flowing down
someone left the cake out in the rain
I don't think that I can take it
'cause it took so long to bake it
and I'll never have that recipe again
Oh, nooo!


Indeed, the wave of pain was also excruciatingly felt through all of us. We didn't know what else we could do to relieve the burden of her sorrow. We love her dearly and hope she would bounce back soon and kick ass.

Time and space will heal all wounds. But will she ever able to see us through that silent shade of gray which had apparently enveloped us all in that gloom of her painful memories. Or will that silent shade of gray mark the end of the sisterhood era?

Yup, It's Free!

How about that!?!?!! Free electricity for me!!!! Yeah!!! Hopefully, this will offset rising food costs a little bit.

Drought

I've got some statistics to share. I haven't posted anything for almost 4 weeks now. Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! No, I haven't run out of steam, nor have I run out of topics to blog about. In fact, I have plenty to share ... it's just that I haven't really got the mood ... in other words, malas la - or lazy. I think this is probably the longest run I have ever had not posting any new material in this blog.
[Post Exported]

Woot!!! Gimme an X!!!

The Earth will shake in Singapore! I'll be screaming my lungs out! I'll dance, I'll laugh, I'll wave, I'll cry, I'll sing, .... and I'll probably faint! Do you know what's happenning on 25th November 2008?? Do you know???

KYLIE X2008

OMG!!!! I can't believe it! I'm going to see Kylie!!! OMG!! OMG!! I'm not going to start blogging about her, cos I won't know how to stop! I just LOVE her!

Yeah, unfortunately, due to budget constraints, we'd have to settle for the cheapest tickets. But it's ok, cos the indoor stadium isn;t exactly too big. We've watched Xtina last year, and sat about the same distance.... not too bad la. Tempted to get the S$550 tix right at the front for a clear view... but that's > RM1.3K !!! And we haven't included our accommodation costs and transportation costs yet!

Yes yes! Just like in Xtina's concert, will be having a fun time with Fable and Evie! Also DH and his fren will be joining us this time. Yeah! And surely, there'll be more sinful activities in Singapore? *wink*

Not For Me

My life goes on
But not the same

I've been so high
I've been so down
Up to the skies
Down to the ground

I was so blind
I could not see
Your paradise
Is not for me

*************
In they come,
And out I go,
Their paradise,
Is not for me.

Facebook Etiquette

Cham liao! Cham liao! Cham liao!

I must admit that I am kinda addicted to Facebook now, in spite of my initial reservations. Damn! Shouldn't have signed up in the first place. More time spent staring at the screen.

Ok, it's been just a little over two weeks, and despite laying low with no profile pic, and no contact information, I've accepted 20 "friend requests" (yes, as usual I've been extremely passive and have only initiated two "friend requests" of my own), and numerous unglam and unauthorized pictures of me posted in other people's albums.

I am still lost in the maze of facebook, or am I just being an internet bimbo? I still can't find my way through the numerous functions and pages. Or is it just the so-called "new" layout of facebook?

Mmm... I haven't found my life partner yet on facebook and I'm kinda disappointed lo (this benefit of facebook was "promised" by Tricia - cis! bluff me! kaka!), but I'm keeping my facebook account for two important reasons:
(1) To monitor the unglam photos of me being posted and mitigate the damage done;
(2) To drool on cuties and hotties on my friends' profiles (ah yes, I found the video of the hunky guy liao!)

But I do have a few questions at this time:

(1) How do you deal with "friend requests" of people you don't know AT ALL? I've got quite a few friend requests from such people liao. Never seen, never heard, never smell before. Gila one.... But if leng chai, I sure accept one la. But if not leh??

(2) Can I ignore those miscellaneous requests? What purpose do they serve? I'm afraid of giving out too much information, and also scared of virus!!! Is it rude to ignore those requests from friends???

(3) How can you be sure the "controversial" comments you made on other people's facebook are not open to public? How can you be sure that your unglam photos published by your friends are not publicly available for viewing despite their assurances? How can you regulate the kinds of information/photos published in facebook, not necessarily by you, but by others??

Hot 100

For those of you who didn't know, Billboard is celebrating 50 years of the Billboard Hot 100. The Hot 100 chart measure popularity by tracking sales (physical and more recently digital) and plays (jukebox, and radio). Here is a summary of a few interesting chart figures:

Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs (Peak Position, Weeks at Peak, Year)

1. The Twist - Chubby Checker (#1, 3 weeks, 1960 & 1962)

2. Smooth - Santana feat. Rob Thomas (#1, 12 weeks, 1999)

3. Mack The Knife - Bobby Darin (#1, 9 weeks, 1959)

4. How Do I Live - LeAnn Rimes (#2, -, 1997)

5. Macarena - Los Del Rio (#1, 14 weeks, 1996)

6. Physical - Olivia Newton John (#1, 10 weeks, 1981)

7. You Light Up My Life - Debbie Boone (#1, 10 weeks, 1977)

8. Hey Jude - The Beatles (#1, 9 weeks, 1968)

9. We Belong Together - Mariah Carey (#1, 14 weeks, 2005)

10. Unbreak My Heart - Toni Braxton (#1, 11 weeks, 1996)

Don't know who Chubby Checker or Bobby Darin are, but it's interesting to note that You How Do I Live did not even hit #1. Still, it is a monster hit for LeAnn Rimes. The song must have a very long chart life to be in #5 all time top song!

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Hot 100 All Time Top Artist

1. The Beatles

2. Madonna

3. Elton John

4. Elvis Presley

5. Stevie Wonder

6. Mariah Carey

7. Janet Jackson

8. Michael Jackson

9. Whitney Houston

10. The Rolling Stones

I am guessing that this chart also measures the number of hit singles/songs put out by an artist, and not solely on sales and airplay figures. The only artistes still considered "active" in this list are Madonna and Mariah. And over the next few years, with more singles from them placed in the charts, we should see them moving up this list. Will Madonna have the chance to move to pole position? Or is Mariah catching up with her sooner than later?

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Most Weeks at No. 1: By Artist

1. Mariah Carey - 79 weeks

2. The Beatles - 59 weeks

3. Boyz II Men - 50 weeks

4. Usher - 43 weeks

5. Michael Jackson - 37 weeks

6. Elton John - 34 weeks

7. Janet Jackson -33 weeks

8. Beyonce - 32 weeks

9. Madonna - 32 weeks

10. Whitney Houston - 31 weeks

Without doubt, Mariah is the queen of spending the most number of weeks at #1, thanks to gigantic hits like One Sweet Day (16 weeks at #1) and We Belong Together (14 weeks at #1) The Beatles, at second place, is 20 weeks behind her! It is obviously impoosible for anyone to catch up with her.

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Most No. 1s: By Artist (All time)

1. The Beatles - 20

2. Mariah Carey - 18

3. Michael Jackson - 13

4. Madonna - 12

5. The Supremes - 12

This chart shows the artist who has placed the most No. 1s in the Hot 100 chart. Again, Mariah and Madonna are the only "active" ones in he Top 5, and they should be moving up this list. However, based on Madonna's song performance in the United States this decade, she will have trouble placing any more #1 in this chart. For example, despite topping the charts in 45 countries, Hung Up considered as the most successful single of all time worldwide, only manages to secure #7 in the Hot 100 chart.

-------------------------------------------

There are more chart information and list at Billboard. You also get to see music videos in Youtube of your favourite artistes and songs (including those from the past - saves you time from searching them!).

And it is hilarious to read the comments of fans for each list. As expected, there is always quarelling between Mariah fans and Madonna fans. Check it out!

Mamma Mia!

Yes! People who knew me well will know that I only watch drama movies.... I drama ma... so sure like drama movies one la.... especially those with tragic endings. But I also like musicals too. That's because it makes the movie seem like a looooonnngggg MTV. I like music videos!

My last musical movie was Hairspray. Yeah, it's been more than a year liao. This time with Mamma Mia!, it's on a preview ticket! Wah free! No need to pay! Thanks to A World Without Strangers, muahhaha! Of course, I'm the "jakun"... since this is my first time I ever got to go for preview screening. Wah! So excited lor. We had makan, then loitered around the mall, but soon AWWS signalled that it was time to go and line up....

Yes, free tickets don't come easy. There was already a long queue liao, and it was still half and hour before the show! There was a couple of other preview screenings... can't remember liao! I Then the crowd build up... wah, so many people, and in the end there's almost no more queue! Cis! I don't understand why those people don't want to open the bloody gate lor. According to AWWS, usually they let people through... no queue like this.

So we waited and waited.... and when they decided to let people through, I almost fainted (drama... drama). I was so scared people would just rush and push, but luckily it wasn't so bad. But of course there were queue jumping a bit here and there. In the end, nobody checked our preview tickets at all because the crowd was simply to big. Aiks! Anyone of you without tickets could also have snuck in for free!!! So being kiasu, I rushed along the corridor so that we will get the best seats. So unglam lor. AWWS almost vomitted his gassy drink and dinner.... keke... sorry!

So how was the movie?? It's funny and entertaining all the way through! Of course, you can't take the storyline seriously, but Abba's music works marvellously well. And aside Meryl Streep, we've got two very funny aunties in the show who's so hilarious! One of them reminded me of a friend's mom!

At the end of the show, when the credits start to roll, everybody still remained in their seats. First time nobody stood up to leave like most other shows. We were presented with two "music videos" of the three female casts singing Abba's songs.

Yes, it was lovely! I like! I get goosebumps every time an Abba song came up... reminds me of music in my childhood years.

Thanks AWWS!

Pig

I had an extraordinary pig Saturday in which I had two ten-course Chinese meals in a day! Really rich food!! First, it was a wedding lunch, complete with the usual "4 seasons", sharks fins soup, fish, vegetable, prawns, pigs trotters, etc etc.... yummicious!

Then, later in the evening, yours truly had another round of rich food, thanks to Jaslene, who invited us to his food tasting / review event. Now, I was excited because it was free food, and when we sat down, we were told there'll be 11 dishes to taste. This is the first time I've even been to a food tasting/review event, and it was extremely interesting to see how pictures got taken, food got tasted and critically reviewed by experienced food bloggers. Jaslene had invited the five of us for the experience. There were two other food bloggers and their partners, whom Jaslene knew, but not us.

We arrived early, and waited at the able. I was extremely hungry after my step session earlier on. Soon the others arrived, and food was served. But that does not mean we can eat yet. We have to wait for the mandatory pictures of the yummicious food to be taken by two experienced photographers, three food bloggers, the rest of us curious observers... in all different angles and directions, and even in different poses! Yes, food also must pose you know! Have to scoop it up la, have to pick it up with the chopstick la... and Jaslene was arranging the bowls in some sort of pattern.... the ultimate food camwhore!


It took at least 5 - 10 minutes after the food is served before we get to eat it. Aiya... pengsanz! Hungry like a wolf liao!!!

This was my second sharks fin soup for the day!

This was my fourth prawn dish for the day!

Yes, very much like a wedding dinner, the event took about 3 hours! We were all very well-behaved and formal. Cannot drama! Cannot hiao! That's because the others were straight, and we didn't want to pecah habis since we have to safeguard Jaslene's reputation. But there were a few difficult questions to answer.... for example, we made a mistake by simply answering that we met in the gym and are now close friends, and none of us knew about soccer! LOL! And of course, with Tricia's very pecah photosite, and in spite of Tricia explanation that she took photos of weddings and her travels, the other photographer bluntly described her as "oh yes, i know you... you only took pictures of men...". LOL!

***************************

After that, we adjourned to Tricia's place for the Midautumn festival celebrations. Yes, we were all back to our old selves again, and we were running around the poolside lighting ad hanging up lanterns, as if we were little children again.

Facebooked Again: OMFG!!

I am a very private guy. A sure introvert. I don't like being surrounded by too many people, and I hate crowded places. I prefer to shy away from attention, except for the occasional drama, with the gang. I certainly don't like photos of me taken, unless it's creatively controversial and with my face cropped out to maintain anonymity. I don't like too much information, especially on busy web sites. I don't see the benefit of telling the whole world who I made "friends" with one hour ago, or that I just "poked" someone two minutes ago. And I certainly don't have and don't want to have hundreds or thousands of "friends".... it will get too complicated.

Friends are people we have known for a certain period of time, who have grown to understand each other on an emotional level, and feel comfortable with each other. Friends are people you treasure, and want to spend personal time with. Friends are for keeps.

I do not consider those who do not fit the above definition as my friends. They are simply categorized as people that I:
(a) "Have seen before somewhere"; or
(b) "Know" ie. have spoken with and/or spent some time with (eg. gym kaki, or people at work, or people from internet, or fuck buddies);

You see, for me, it is possible to have 200 people I know, but it is not possible to have 200 friends at any one time.

Which is why I cannot comprehend the extremely loosely used word "friends" in facebook, or any other sites for that matter.

Which is why I cannot comprehend why people get all excited about collecting "friends".

In facebook, you cannot hide. I innocently got into facebook about 2 years ago, and I was shocked that despite having limited information and with no photo or real name, I was tracked down by "somebody I used to know" who had absolutely nothing to do with the two "facebook friends I was linked to". I deleted my profile immediately.

This time though, my signing up again was primarily motivated by the fact that I could view videos of a gorgeous hunk. My "sisters" (the definition of this term probably requires another post!) and step-classmates had also promoted the benefits of facebook. Among the benefits include the "high" probability of finding my life partner through the network of friends' friends' friends' friends' friends' friends' friends. Plus, it seems like just about everybody has a facebook profile.

I tried signing up using some obscure name, but the smart program insisted it must be my real name! Phuh! As I clicked and entered the world of facebook, I instantly got lost again! So many functions, so many buttons, so many tabs, so many colours, so many pictures, so many updates! OMG! ~~ This bimbo here cannot process so many information lah! And I still could not find the video of my hunk!!

Certain profiles are public, and yes, I can see that some people certainly have too much time on their hand.... you have to scroll down like forever to reach the end of the page!

And of course, as private as I may be, even though I have never facebooked until now, I found so many photos of myself (some were unedited and in unglam poses and lighting) splattered all over facebook for the world to see! OMFG! (yes, no prizes for guessing what the F stands for)
I demand my photos be removed immediately! Or I'll "poke" your asses!

*************

As negative as I may be in this moment, I will try to stay facebooked for a couple of weeks. Who knows, I might end up getting addicted and have 1000 friends in no time! But I expect to see the video featuring my hunk, and get a life partner by the end of the 2nd week. Otherwise, I'll delete my profile once again!

Asking for Change, Asking for Trouble

I never liked change, particularly if it had to do with moving away from one place to another, even if it's for a few years. I don't like leaving the familiar environment and particularly close friends. The last time I had to come back after 4 years of studying aboard, I cried my hearts (and eyes) out for days. My eyes were super swollen. I was such a cry baby.

Which is why I've turned down offers to be based overseas, or even outstation. Afterall, what if I am based in a place without gym? I'd die!!!

But not too long ago, I was contemplating perhaps working in someplace like Singapore or Australia is a good idea. The money is probably better. The quality of life in Australia is great for sure, while for Singapore, well, at least it's neater and orderly there, plus the guys are hotter!

So few weeks ago, I sort of asked my boss from SG to see if there is any possibility of a transfer. I told her it's just a thought, nothing to be serious about at this stage.... but now she wants to discuss it in greater detail. Haiye! Now I have to consider the option more seriously, and I don't know what to think!

I shouldn't have asked in the first place... now I'm deeply troubled. The thought of leaving my parents behind, and my friends, adjusting to a new place ... shit! I really shouldn't have asked if I wasn't serious about it. Help!

The Significance of Jalan Hicks

Jalan Hicks (now called Changkat Bukit Bintang - Changkat Raja Chulan) had always been a special road for me. When I was a little boy, my mom and I used to visit my elder sister who rented a room in Jalan Hicks. The house was a corner lot, a block away from Frangipanni. Back then, the area was predominantly residential, and further up closer to Jalan Bukit Bintang, the area was a notoriously sinful red-light district. Jalan Alor was as busy back then as it was now.

It took another twenty years before I would visit Jalan Hicks again. Fable, officially my first gay friend, lived in an apartment just a stone throw away from where my sister used to live. I used to drop by almost every other Saturday nite when we would get ready our dancing shoes and later sinfully transform ourselves into podium queens in the then Liquid. There was once a sinful camwhoring session too, but at that time, blogs and flickr were non-existent yet. And that was way before his apartment unit was transformed into sort of a mini zoo with colonies of hamsters, a tortoise, a rabbit and fishes. But now, after more than 7 years of friendship and fairly regular visits to the area, Fable has quite abruptly moved on, not to live in another part of the city, but back to his home town. I just can't believe it was just so sudden. Even though it's just an hour and a half away it just felt FAR.

I guess, for the time being, I won't be visiting Jalan Hicks anymore.

Fable:
All the best and happiness in this next phase of your life. Take good care of yourself, and visit us in KL regularly. Don't be malas, or we'll come down to Seremban and create havoc there! Haha!

Backlog Blog

For the first time since I began this blog that I have a backlog of posts. Yes, I haven't updated my blog for almost 3 weeks ... and Fable already marah-marah liao. I've got quite a bit stuff to update, to bitch about, and to share ... but I just haven't got the time! It's so late, that if I post something now, I might even have to label it as "Flashback". Keke! No la...

Well, I was away for 10 days in some god-forsaken place in Indonesia (more about that later!), and when I got back, all I wanted to do was to spend time with my dear sisters, which I did .... for dinner, for lunch, for dinner, for National Day's eve supper, for gym, for lunch, for dinner and supper, and then for dinner again ... omg, and initially I complained I had no plans for the long weekend!



So there goes my weekend, packed, and in the presence of germs carried by sister Sindy. Right after that, a few other sisters got sick, and so did I. Extremely tired, and slept for like 10 hours the past two days. No time or mood to blog. Then last nite, when I was in the mood, the internet connection was so bad, I could hardly load the page! And I was thankful, it's back up alright today.



I feel fat. Even though I'm still underweight the last time I checked. In the past 3 weeks, I've only attended 1 step class, and 1 jam. I'm so step-deprived! Urgh! Nevertheless, I did find the opportunity to go to gym in Jakarta, but I didn't get the chance to attend any classes. Now I have two pages of my gym passport book filled up! Yay! Of course la, must make full use of the membership!

First row: RSC (Makati), RCBC (Makati), RCBC (Makati), Manila

Second row: Q House (Bangkok), Paragon (SG), The Cathay (SG), Senayan City (Jakarta)

Blond Ambition

Today is Madonna's birthday. Her 50th! And also, this year marks her 25th year as a performing artiste.

When I was little, I hardly listened to music, and it was my chi muis in school who introduced Madonna's music to me in 1990. At that time, Justify My Love was just released, and I remembered all three of us gay boys were actually singing the song out loud (not too loud la, but loud enough for the boys sitting in the next 3 chairs away to hear it) while waiting for our teacher to come into the class. Over betul! Tak tau malu singing such a controversial song in class!

At that time, I was beginning to love her music, her creative and sometimes controversial videos, her antics, her strength... yes, she's our idol and source of inspiration. There's always something different, provocative and creative everytime she dishes out new music or videos. And of course, she simply won me over in her legendary Blond Ambition tour, which I got to watch on a taped laser disc version her Japan set.

Here are selected performances from Youtube:
(1) Opening: Express Yourself


(2) Like A Virgin
With a Middle Eastern sound. She was almost arrested in Canada for performing this piece. Watch her masturbate towards the end of the song!


(3) Vogue
Watch her perform the original Vogue choreography in its entirety! Amazing!!


(4) Live to Tell/Oh Father
Did she just give the Father a wank?


(5) Material Girl
A hilarious housewifey take on the song.


Well, there have been many articles recently comparing her with Michael Jackson (who also turns 50 this month!).... about who is on top, and comparing their fortunes at this point in time.
Read them here and here.

I guess while MJ is probably seen as the most talented musician and performer in history, there's no doubt, who's the smarter one and the one in control of her destiny. Despite her "trashy/sex" image she once portrayed, Madonna is still the one to set the best example among the music artistes. In her entire career, she's never done drugs (remember Whitney and just about everybody else), no emotional breakdown (remember Mariah?), no weird behaviours (Britney, Amy Winehouse, Jacko), no traffic offences like drink driving ... and she;'s laughing away to the bank. Now who says Madonna is a bad influence???

Working Smart

Sometimes it's easy to forget you're not who you think you are, especially when you're too engrossed in something you do too routinely without thinking about it much. It just take one comment to put you back in your proper place. Which is not a bad thing, there is always something good about everything.

I've always thought of myself as the hardworking dedicated worker, regardless of how unwilling am I to stay back to work the extra hours. Let's say despite my complaints about missing gym, friends and home, sometimes I do go the extra mile when it comes to work. Yes, I still have hope... to better myself, to contribute to the company and all that shit. I'm not that kind of lost soul.

So, today I suggested to Miss V (my 2nd boss) that we should backup a copy of all important documents and take them with us to Indonesia (we're gonna be there for 2 weeks!) "just in case" we needed templates or references for proposals or reports for other assignments that are likely to come up. But she commented that I shouldn't copy them away as these documents are company property. When I noted that was what the Ms. S (big boss) does too, she reminded me that that's because Ms. S is the boss.

But I'd like to note the following:

1) Bosses work for the company. They do not own the company. But it seems here that boss <=> company.

2) I'm copying the documents into the company's computer notebook, not mine... for work and convenience, not for leisure or suka-suka. I have foresight and dedication, not an indifferent attitude.

3) The bosses are always harping on finding ways to restrict access and copying of documents out of office server. But here's the joke. We are a small team, with only 6 people. The admin staff are not interested to copy technical reports. Also, I've never heard of big companies with hundreds of staff which are so possessive of their propriety rights to disallow copying (unless you've tendered your resignation). Plus, it's not that our reports fall under the Officials Secrets Act. It shows that the bosses don't even trust their small team. There is no feeling of inclusiveness in the team. Again, the message is this: boss <=> company. All others = temporary workers who are not to be trusted.

At first, I was upset with this kind of treatment and double standards being dished out at us. But then, I soon realized this: I now have an excuse not to work more than I have to. Yay!

Why do I need to work extra hard for other people when I'm not earning extra income for the extra work? Why so stupid? I should instead reduce my dedication to the company (ie. work smartly), focus on improving my skills (and perhaps spend more free time blogging and gymming!), and then move on when the time comes. After all, my efforts and commitment are clearly not appreciated anyway. And meanwhile, I can still copy anything I want without telling anyone.

Yes, there're always two sides of a coin. Sometimes we just needed to step out a little moment and make it work to your benefit. When it comes to work, I knew exactly what I must do from now on.

戀一世的愛 Revisited

OK OK... I've just worked 13 hours straight from 8 am this morning! The next few days gonna be like this too, and by Monday, I'll be flying to some god-forsaken place in Jawa and remain miserable there for the next 2 weeks! Please help me!!!!

Hmmm... I wonder I can blog there...

***************************

I heard this song "Once in a Lifetime" by Gregorian, a German band, on radio today. The song was released in 1991. It is exactly the same song covered by Shirley Kwan back then. Listening to the tune once again essentially transported me back to that time when I was in college....

No video for the Gregorian version, but there's one for Shirley's version. Check them out!

"Once in a Lifetime" by Gregorian (Music only)



戀一世的愛 by 關淑怡



WHich versions do you prefer?? I still prefer 戀一世的愛. Maybe it's because I heard it first. And I thought her voice is better for the song.

Where're My Keys?

Well, I suppose there are many advantages living in the city. One of them is you don't get caught in massive traffic jams entering the city in the morning. As usual, whenever there is a drama with a certain Datuk, traffic is sure to be bad, like this morning. It was havoc in roads leading to the city, but I was spared.

I later watched a news report on TV, and a police officer has this to say:
Oh... that is not a road block. No road block! We are only regulating traffic. Not a road block! Regulation of traffic...

I was like, "whatever!". Why does traffic need regulating anyways??? People will all drive like crazy just because the Datuk is charged in court?

But then again, I shouldn't complain. It didn't affect me!

********

Age is catching up! At 3 pm, I realized my car keys were missing. Cannot find in my trouser pocket. Not inside my shirt pocket. Not on my desk. Where? Where? Panic la. So how?

I rushed down to the basement car park, and there it was ....

Urgh!

Books and Airports

I have always wondered why I always end up buying books at airports. Haiye, already got so many bags to carry, some more have to carry those books! Hmmm.... why? why? Last week at Changi airport, these three books caught my eye (well actually there were FIVE books that caught my eye), and bought them at 20% discount.

Probably not a very wise decision, cos I won't be able to claim for deductions for income tax. But then again, with 20% discount, and not having to search high and low in MPH back home, so ok la.

The 4-Hour Work Week: Hmmm.... I really needed to get some tips if that is at all possible. The book comes with a warning: "Do not read this book unles you want to give up your job."

At this moment in time, I'm already into Chapter 3, so does that mean I am giving up my job soon??? Haha... we'll see.

The New Penguin History of The World: I've always hated history back in school. I preferred Geography. I don't know why studying for history is just so repugnant... I hated to memorize the dates and the neverending story of Melaka (all we ever learnt about was Melaka Melaka Melaka!!), and those history about Islam and the Umno politics. Yuks! But then, after school, I got interested in ancient history (Greece, Rome etc), and now I'm buying this book to learn about world history since the beginning of civilization! I don't know if I'll ever get to finish it. It's 1200 pages long!!!

50 Philosophy Ideas You Really Need To Know: I've always been a sucker of philosophy books. This is probably my fourth philosophy (or philosohpy themed) books in my possession, if you counted Sophie's World. Well, I don't quite understand certain ideas and arguments, but maybe they weren't meant to be understood! My views on life and existence are already so messed up, and reading more philosophy books ain't gonna help!

The other book I bought a few months ago, also at an airport, was this:
Collapse - How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive: Wah! Very cheem! I still haven't got the time to finish it though. But it has got interesting descriptions of the collapse of early societies in Easter Island, Pitcairn Islands, Anasazi and Maya. Now I'm reading the part about the Vikings. Quite a thick book with small print.

Phuh! I've got backlog of at least 5 titles that I haven't read. How ah? How to find time? I should really read the 4-hour work week book first!

Hotel Pattaya

Some pictures of a hotel I stayed in last week in Pattaya, with a very modern look and feel.... I like! The toilet has a floor to ceiling glass window, which allows you look out when you do your business, and also allows people on the outside to look at you, especially at night, if you forgot to close the blinds! Good for exhibitionists!

Jener, Mahal Kita

"You bastard! It's just so unfair! Is it such a liability for me?" My heart cried. He was indeed talking too much already, and that comment was totally uncalled for.

*****
Jener

I hurried along the dimly lit corridor, trying to escape those hurtful words ... and that was when I bumped into Jener. He was certainly a packetful of energy, and as he apologized profusely for almost knocking me over, he pinned me to the wall. "Where are you from?"

I must have obviously looked very different from the other creatures of the night. He was a little smaller than me, but as he wrapped his arm around my waist, and his other hand grasping mine, I could feel he was much stronger than I. I succumbed to his boyish charm as he held and caressed my face.

"Come, let's find a room."

Without waiting for me to answer, he pulled me gently by my right hand and led me along the busy corridor. How could I resist? Suddenly I felt like a shy little kindy girl being led by the boy of my dreams.

Lying in his arms inside a small room, I could hear the other creatures of the night shuffling along the corridor outside. Jener refused to dim the lights, and as I was about to remove my liability, Jener held my cheeks, adjusted the frame back to its proper place, and said, "No. You don't have to take it off. I want to see your face with it. I like it like the way it is...."

And, just like that, Jener restored my self-esteem and made me smile once again.

"Gusto kita... dahil... mahal kita." He later whispered, and I wished the lovely night would never have to end.

I will be walking one day
Down a street far away
And see a face in the crowd and smile
Knowing how you made me laugh
Hearing sweet echoes of you from the past
I will remember you.

Look in my eyes while you're near
Tell me what's happening here
See that I don't want to say good-bye
Our love is frozen in time
I'll be your champion and you'll be mine
I will remember
I will remember you

I Plead Insanity

I can't be responsible
For anything I do now or say now
I get too excitable
To control the way I behave now
I'm afraid of what I'll do
If I find myself alone with you
It's just a crime of passion baby
Don't hold it against me
I'm innocent
I'm just out of my mind

I plead insanity
Whoa, I'm so mad about you
I can't think straight,
I can't see straight
I plead insanity
All I do is obsess about you
I can't work days
I can't sleep nights

OK, I'm not done yet with blogging about Filipino guys! I can't repeat myself enough to say that the Filipino boys are the best looking lot among all Asian boys. And as you move around Manila, there are so many shirtless hunks (and sometimes in just underwear) featured on billboards. I don't think I can drive in Manila, not because of the trafiic, but because of these hunky distractions.

This post is dedicated to the many boys we met during our trip to Manila two weeks ago (oh how time flies!! * my heart is aching now... *). We didn't take many pictures though, cos firstly we wanted to devour them with our eyes as much as possible, and secondly, we were rendered too slow to react and to take pictures as we were too mesmerized...

Boys We Don't Quite Know But Nevertheless Shamelessly Stare At

They're everywhere! In the gym. In the malls. On the streets. The cleaners, the shoppers, the sales boys .... That cutie at Robinson's FF front desk who checked us in... those three BodyJam instructors... that hunk at the foodcourt in Robinsons... the taxi driver who drove us to the airport... and that sales boy at Bench:

Sales Boy: Can I help you, Sir?

(I looked up and melted instantly.)
Deeper: Umm... err....
Sales Boy: What colour are you looking for, Sir?

(Got lost in his eyes and then shamelessly checked out his chest and arms in that tight-fitting Bench shirt)
Deeper: *smiling* Umm... errr.... i don't know *giggle* ... maybe blue?
Sales boy: OK, sir...... oh, what size, sir? (smiling)
Deeper: errr... small? (face red)
Sales boy: Yes.... oh, there no more S size, sir. Perhaps another colour?
Deeper: *giggle* Any colour is fine...

Like what??? I'm such a bimbo...

Boys We Picked Up and Got Their Numbers

Russell - Upon exiting Robinson's Mall, there were two guys who caught our eyes. They stood like 10 m away. One of the guy was particularly cute, with that "naughty boy" look on his face. Naturally our heads turned and all four pairs of eyes stared at them as we walked towards the exit. They caught us staring, and stared back. We smiled and they smiled back.

Then, we lined up outside the main entrance for the taxi. There was a long queue. In a few moments, the guys exited the mall, but hung out a few meters away from us. From time to time, we exchanged glances and smiles. The queue soon got shorter, and Danielle, being the most "active" amongst us, decided to write his name and contact number on a piece of paper to pass to the guy. But the guy with the "cute but naughty look" was talking to his two other friends (a girl and a boy), so it's not appropriate. Our taxi came too soon, and we had to get inside the car. We looked back, and he also looked back at us. Danielle and I waved at him, and he waved back smiling.

As the taxi slowly moved away, we were all regretting that we missed the chance.... until we decided we should go back and give him that piece of paper. So we asked the puzzled taxi driver to make one round around the fountain and got back to the mall's entrance. I got out to let Danielle out. The guy saw Danielle walking towards him, and he fastened his pace towards Danielle too. OMG! It's like two lovers in the movies rushing to towards each other! Something like Lemon and Blackcurrant in this Ribena commercial (but no hugging la):

Very drama indeed! So Danielle spoke with him for a while, and passed on the piece of paper (which contained Danielle's contact details) to him. Danielle later reported that his name was Russell.

Well, a few days later, back in Malaysia, Danielle got a surprise call from Russell from Manila to say "hi"! Wow!! Danielle boleh!

Rolando - Rolando was a sort of a janitor/cleaner at the Clarke airport whom Danielle and I found to be adorable. Rolando was very friendly and was smiling at Danielle when he was at the washroom. Danielle, being "active" again, decided to talk to Rolando, and asked me to come along. Sindy and Tricia gave us this look of disbelief that says "Huh? What? A janitor??? Are you serious???"

"You will go home and regret if you don't," announced Danielle. I was inspired by Danielle's encounter with Russell, so I decided to tag along for some "training". At first, it was awkward to be speaking to a janitor/cleaner outside the men's washroom. There were moments of uncomfortable silence and empty talk, and I could see Rolando was sort of shy and awkward. Then, a man came up to Rolando and offered him some "bribe" money, which he refused. So I seized the opportunity to ask Rolando what it was all about. And from then on, the three of us talked a bit more comfortably, and I could see he began to open up a bit more. We were probably pushing it a bit too far, but we left him our e-mail anyway, although he doesn't have an e-mail. As we said our goodbyes and shook our hands, I could feel he was holding on to my hand a little longer than one would expect..... hmmm.... Danielle was wondering if Rolando could come to KL to work as our butler...

Boys We Exchanged More than Just Contact Numbers

Neil - A law student we met at O Bar who was with his girlfriend, Jen (I think!). Tricia and I were exchanging glances with him when Danielle and Sindy were away shopping at a boutique upstairs. But it was Danielle who made the first move when he came down. We soon became friends with Neil and Jen. Jen was so overly concerned that it was our last nite in Manila... she practically asked us every 15 minutes if we were having fun. Such a nice girl. But it was so obvious that Neil is Sindy's type... in no time they were both seen glued to the lips ... time immaterial. Tak boleh tahan! Sindy reported that Neil could be a little over dramatic when we announced we were gonna call it the night.

Joshua & Adrian - Not to be outdone by Sindy, and since Sindy "stole his man" (as Danielle described it jokingly), Danielle eyed Joshua who sat across us at the bar. Joshua came with his friend Adrian, a cute specky guy who was rather quiet at the beginning, but eventually became quite friendly. Being a trainer masseur, he likes to pinch you and massage u here and there. Soon, Danielle was also somewhat glued to Joshua. We danced the night away with Neil, Jen, Joshua and Adrian. There were a couple more boys we were introduced to, but forgot their names.

Josh - The classic cute but talkative Filipino guy we met at Fahrenheit. Poor Danielle chatted with him for more than an hour!! Dunno what they talked about... but omg, you don't do that much talking in saunas.... we're not attending a conference my dears! Apparently, Josh thought Sindy had a good body, but he's not Sindy's type. There were more chatting along the dimly lit corridors between Tricia, Danielle, Josh and Rayneil* and his friends (yeah, indeed a conference!)... before eventually Danielle ended up with someone (dunno his name) and Tricia with Josh pulak!

* Rayneil is a local Hokkien Chinese guy we met in Fahrenheit. Very friendly. He kept introducing his friends (mostly Chinese) to us, whenever we bumped into him along the corridors. Quite a few times I bumped into him, he made me sit next to one of his friends and commanded "Go ahead, make friends". LOL!

Jener - Next post!