Goin' Solo

My solo drive to town turned out pretty fine until I missed the carpark entrance to Suntec. In the end, I circled around the area for more than half an hour, failing to cut lanes when I need to. That's not all. I had an adventure after sending Ms. Wee (ex-colleague-now-friend) home. She led me through a shortcut in Seletar Camp and on my way back, I was lost in the dark roads a few times, coming to dead ends and dark empty streets. Finally, she was nice enough to drive out with her hubby to 'save' me though I was already on the right way out. To be frank, I did enjoy it, for it gave me plenty of private time with myself in my car. And I came by this place before the bridge across Seletar Reservoir, a perfectly serene and godforsaken road that's dark enough for lovely star gazing. I stopped for a while to enjoy the view before calling for help. Yes, if you are lost, be lost in style. Hah.

My First Car

Hah I am not on-the-road yet after five and a half years of hibernation. Should be ready pretty soon.

Turning 27...and Giving Thanks

I turned 27. Not exactly frightful of the increasing numbers but more amazed at how time catches up then surpasses you without any indication or warning.

As I grow older, birthdays seem less important, but this year is quite a surprise. There were many people with me, my close friends from college, new friends from school and ABS. I am appreciative of the efforts put in by the Singatouchers who tried to 'surprise' me.

I am also very overwhelmed and touched to receive 27 precious gifts from Irene/Zhong Jin and later, the (not-so-)surprise birthday celebration at the airport (though Miss Moi's acting wasn't convincing enough). So there, you guys have made my day... a very special one indeed. Thank you.

On a separate note, I'd like to say thanks to this friend who has always remembered my birthday every year since knowing her a good 20 years ago in 1985. Gosh! I am older (but wiser)! Thks, Juan.

AuralAssualt: World Music? Bossa Nova? It's Bebel's music!

First of all, thanks to this wonderful person who introduced me to the world of world/bossa nova music (or whatever other genres people call it). A case of you never try, you never know. I've never imagined myself appreciating such music. So it was songs by this lady called Bebel Gilberto (right) which serenaded me and unknowingly, she had already been introduced to me in the movie Closer (which I absolutely love in 2005) where her song Samba de Becao was played in one of the scenes at the art gallery. I love her songs - laidback, warm and summer-ish. Try her 2000 album Tanto Tempo (one of the songs So Nice is a staple advert song for one of the condos) (A+).

Once again, I must thank this person for this. Cheer up, don't be so sad... :)

Dylan

Dylan's my barely one and a half-year old nephew. He just learned to walk and it's really amazing how each day makes a great difference to his and our lives. He knows three words, "mump mump" and "bear." He says "mump mump" when there's any food within sight and for anything else that requires him to emote, "bear" is what comes out of his mouth. And it is also such simplicity that's perfectly understandable by everyone. I am happy to witness his formative years.

Stars

I just remembered the beautiful stars I saw at SparkC that night. I love star gazing, and opportunities like that are rare to come by. I relished that night. It was the perfect setting for a night under the stars, with the person you love where no words are needed. If I have the opportunity again, I would just sit back and enjoy the moment with my loved one, uninterrupted...

Walk of Life (Inspired by Paulo Coelho's 'The Alchemist')

I have just completed a mentally and physically challenging course! Really? Well, in a way. The last five days in the Artward/Outward Bound course was unexpectedly enjoyable. More importantly, it provided for many opportunities for self-reflection and expression, something I do well in private but less often in front of others. There were several instances when my senses were heightened and mind awakened. When we were trekking through the forest in the dark, lots of mixed feelings and emotions overwhelmed me and more importantly, helped me reach some important decisions about my own life. That was truly therapeautic! Of course, there were many fun moments, most unforgettably our little skit where I got to play a 40 year-old ma-jie with a long-lost twin sister called RuRu and the late night game of captain ball in the pool with a 'shark.' I really thank my four friends from LPS and those people whom I shared the dark roads with. I met and made some incredible friends (see how My Friends have ballooned from 8 to 24 now, hehe!), especially my two godmothers whom I will fondly remember as 'Da-ma' and 'Er-ma.'

Visual&MentalAssault: Film by idiots, about idiots, for idiots

I finally got 'Idioterne (The Idiots)' by Lars Von Trier on DVD after having my last purchase from Amazon UK banned by MDA. This completes my collection of The Golden Heart Trilogy films including Breaking The Waves and Dancing In The Dark. It's a shocking and unconventional take on challenging social norms and self-expression. Completely weird and irrelevant on the surface but absolutely stunning and moemorable beneath. I am waiting eagerly for the second of the America - Land of Opportunites trilogy film, Manderlay, which is predeced by the excellent Dogville from 03.

Nature?

Watched Madagascar with a couple of friends yesterday. And of course, it wasn't the wisest thing to do trying to watch an animated feature on the first day of the school vacation. As expected, unthinking parents brought along children who fidgeted and screamed fifteen minutes into the movie till the end, and slapped our heads conscientiously at timed intervals.

Apart from the minor disturbances, let me talk about the movie. Like Shark Tale, the story borders on being a shallow tale. Some of the scenes like the animals taking the city subway and roaming the streets are just simply incredulous. Dialogs are sometimes banal or slapstick, although I must say the star of the voiceovers must be Chris Rock who brings his comedic persona into the character of Marty.

The scene where Marty and Alex meet on the beach after a near-shipwreck set against the Vangeli's Chariots of Fire is simply cheesy while the one with Alex mimicking the famous rose-dropping in American Beauty was top-notch.

In the end, I am not too sure if they are advocating that animals should be kept
in captivity so that they don't have to face the adverse conditions of the wilderness or we should celebrate the camaraderie between different spieces though the thought of a carnivorous animal thinking twice before satisying its ravenous appetite in the wild is rather unthinkable. Perhaps you have todecide for yourself.

Well, there's still good - the music in the feature, especially the Ali G remake of Reel to Real's I Like To Move It, does bring Madagascar out of its doldrums at the right time. (B-)

Visual&MentalAssault: Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder

Never did sit down properly to read this classic, so I am doing a re-read of the book that is a great introduction to contemporary philosophy. Not someone for lengthy books, but this second reading has challenged me more than the first time.

Visual&MentalAssualt: Sommersturm

I watched this German film on Saturday. It's Marco Kreuzpaintner's Sommersturm (Summer Storm). The bittersweet movie features a stellar performance by its lead Robert Stadlober as Tobi and explores his road to self-discovery and identity through his long-standing secret admiration and love for his best pal, Achim. Very heartachingly poignant. (A+)

Dogs and Dogster

On the topic of Friendster and blogging, do you know that there's a Friendster of sorts for doggies too? Here it is Dogster. Of course, my dear marble has one too: Ble's Dogster Profile :)

AuralAssault: Anniemal

I am crazy about this right now. Listen to Annie's "Anniemal." It is a good slice of Scandinavian (specifically Norwegian) electronic pop music. On "No Easy Love," fellow countrymen of Royksopp lends a helping hand, creating a track that could have been one on Melody A.M. On "Greatest Hit" which was first released in 1999, Annie and her late producer-boyfriend sampled Madonna's seminal disco track "Everybody" to great aplomb. It was reportedly said that Annie's album was much delayed 'cos of her late boyfriend's early departure at the age of 23 shortly after "Greatest Hit" was recorded. Nuff said, savour the greatness!