The second and last parts though, were a surprise. Light-hearted and openly playing on stereotypes, they showed depth where it was needed and relevant while remembering the importance of good fun. The roles were played by the right people, props especially to the girl playing "Elisabeth" (i think thats how it was spelt), the role certainly suited her well.
That was something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.
Now something good is that i took part in the passion run this morning. While only a mere 15km, I hadn't run anything close to that distance in over 2 years. Despite that, and the admitted lack of suitable training, I managed to complete it in just under an hour forty-five minutes. Pretty good considering I thought it'd take me over two hours.
And I visited Juinwenns house. Hmm. Probably about 3 times the size of mine. Or more. haha.
Wow. This is impressive. I can feel my brain melting already.
But, nahhh..
Would have been interesting if I'd actually stayed here duing my VJ days though, the room might've been a little small, but THE VIEW. Not to mention its 20 minutes from school, 15 minutes from town, 10 minutes from paddling. Oh and did I mention the view?
As per the last time, it was red wine, parma ham, escargot (during which I was too busy eating to whip the phone out) and of course, steak. Now I like my steak medium rare, so cooking it myself is usually a bitch when I use screwy pans (its been a while. argh). Luckily, my uncle "loves his pans more than he loves his wife", as my aunt amusedly stated, so I managed to get my steak agreeably rare. Plus he has english mustard! Which IMHO is the only sauce (apart from what its cooked in) you use for good steak.
Thanks for all the way-over-my-budget meals! Happy 52nd!
Being unprepared for anything more special than a dinner, I didn't prepare a camera, so the "usefulness" of a camera phone really manifested here. Though the photos do kinda suck. = (
On another note, i returned home to this! The promotional DVD for White Lies, direct from UMG New York! I didn't order it, and neither do I remember ever having signed up for anything that might result in this. So that makes it quite that they'd send me a USD$1 DVD when the postage is like..USD$5?!?
Well. not that I'm complaining.
Plus this is my first post where i actually put a few photos up. doubt the layout will turn out well but..argh its probably better than blogger.
Excellent. There might be spoilers below, as much as I always try to maintain spoiler-free posts.
There are few films/shows that can re-use a scene more than 3 times with such success. In fact, my favourite scene was just a 3-second one, which probably encapsulated the whole breadth of the movie. Its a simple story, straightforward and idealistic, sweet and gripping. But that is what makes the best of movies. To capture the most basic of principles, the most common of all human reactions and emotions, and to package it into a story anyone around the world can understand - even if they know nothing about India, or the slums.
I've seen reviews that it is "poverty porn". Before I can protest that there aren't enough people who are so sick in the mind, that slumdog would see the success it has just for it, I realise that there Are probably enough people who Are sick bastards. But after watching it, I personally feel Slumdog Millionare is not poverty porn. You can call it a cliche rags-to-riches, love-of-my-life story, and for that reason, the view of poverty can be said as a means to an end. It does not over-glamourise the scenes of violence and begging, they are concise and are depicted as chillingly unprocessed as inhumane acts can be depicted in film.
What I must really commend is the cinematography. I fell in love in the first 10 minutes of the film, truly I did.
I suppose thats all I can gush about the it. To me, the truly best are simply too great for words or explanations, they simply grip your heart and don't let go.
The 81st Academy Awards are today. Slumdog has 10 nominations compared to Benjamin Button's 13, but I get the feeling it'll bring home more awards. I've watched both, Button impressed, but the Slumdog made my heart quiver.
The instructor was nice and we spent most of the 2 hours talking cock about his reservist, work, and other mundane yet amusing nonsense. I liked how I was driving and handling the car, I liked how I was picking up and implementing new ideas well. I liked it and I thought I'd be happy. You know, that warm glow that starts in your chest, 4 fingers above your solar plexus, and radiates that fuzzy happy warmth that only almost spreads to your shoulders. But I didnt feel it, I liked what I'd done, I'd enjoyed the lesson, but I didn't get that warm feeling.
And then I realised that I haven't been really, truly happy in a long, long while.
This is the first Hindi movie I've watched in...7 years?
It wasn't a particularly good movie, and it felt way more "mainstream" than what I remembered. Though, I suppose it still kept its Bollywood roots in the form of a somewhat epic family tragedy with love and revenge mixed in. And synchronised in-the-middle-of-speech dancing and singing.
Which brings me to the confession.
I've realised/rediscovered that I do quite like Bollywood movies, never mind that I don't understand a word they're saying (thank you, subtitles!).
=/
Haha if you might realise form this how little i'm "writing" these days. haiz
Its like I have this lack of will do do anything, I didn't even have that impulse to write something about wallaby, 8 weeks ago. Yea, thats the time LJ shows me, 8 weeks since my last post. Thats..long I think, considering my obnoxious, conceited, talkative personality...I think.
Despite how crappy I feel, the solitude at home right now seems just nice in some sick way, alone in a box for six.
I feel helpless. Its funny how I can never save myself. I can always help others when they feel shitty, or try, at the very least. I'm not a saint, I wish I could feel better. I wish I could be happier. But wishes are just wishes.
This feeling is familiar though. Its like...that time when Uncle Arun passed away and I never got to say goodbye, or see him once more.
I wrote about it once, a long time ago...
But nobody has died. Or maybe somewhere in me, that hole found itself and swallowed me.
what the fuck am I writing anyway.
That seemed to disappear as no news came, not up till 2 months past when zongda told me it'd come. Then there was the initial rejection, which later became a big maybe. While I'm choice 2, choice 1 has a big stumbling block in that his condition is a slipped disk, and on top of that he had transfered base as he claimed the long travel time caused his back to hurt. So management had an issue of "so if a 17 minute bus ride gives you trouble..what about a 17 hour flight? Plus the apartment is a long drive from the base.."
Of course, being half blind does mean I do have stumbling blocks, since they might be concerned about sand and my eye. So the biggest question in my mind now is why the two of us are the first two choices, when mr choice 3:
1) drives
2) is 22 (we're 19)
3) is 'fittest' according to medical classification
Not that I'm complaining.
It would be a bummer to get rejected at this point since I've already done a whole bunch of medical tests for this already, but well, only one can go.
Though him being on the 'inside' would be having a much easier time filling the fucking US medical embassy form that I'm staring at =s
- Location:junction
- Mood:
apathetic - Music:December - Lydia
But I am bitter. I am almost angry.
Maybe its because of the fact I'm E9L9, and I just can't help that. Maybe its cause the guy who got it was, well, on the inside. Maybe its cause the requirement for going over is "mahjong".
Probably the last more than anything. The interview in general was a joke. They (well, actually it was 2 women, of which only one actually asked any questions) made a conference call to the states, with something like a 5 second delay, so there were weird interruptions and stutters from both sides. The questions they asked were simple and irrelevant to the job, life abroad, and the military. When the question
"Do you gamble?" came, i was a little confused. I said no.
"So you don't play mahjong...?" I decided to say no, since its been a while.
And the odd woman on the other side gave a silly, disappointed look, and said "Oh...ok."
Well, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to make of that. But whats done is done. Maybe PV would work.
I almost sound desperate.
- Mood:
and bitter - Music:Hearts Burst Into Fire - Bullet For My Valentine
He stood as casually as he could. Just don't pick me last, Josh. Tony and his younger brother were the captains, picking players, and it was only when his brother was captain, that Ryan could hope for a shred of dignity. Pick me already, damnit.
Soccer for the 17 year old was a painful experience. He had no ball sense, and he had little balance. Ryan had succeeded to appear like he loved the game, but his lack of talent at it meant he was always last to be chosen. He did not like that. He had pride. Only three left. Ryan bitterly hoped his brother would give him some face. "Tan, here," said his brother. "OK you take Ryan, Koks mine." Tony responded.
That didn’t really sound like I was picked last. But still…
“Why didn’t you choose me before Tan!?”
“Shut up la, you still play right, Tans better than Kok in any case, of course choose him first.”
It’s not cause I suck, its cause Kok sucks. I knew it.
----------------------------------------
At school, life was spent between classes and outings, where he’d awkwardly try to fit in. It wasn’t so much that he was weird, it was just the damnable lack of personality that he had. I have stories to tell..If they listen. But whenever he tried they never met him with much more than a patronizing smile that scathes him into silence and stuttering.
Someone said something about bush. I’ve got something. Something about his brain..what was it.. They might actually be interested; they didn’t give me that condescending look just now. OK, I should cu-…
But the conversation had shifted to another topic, and so he slipped back into forgetfulness again. Waiting for something he could say.
----------------------------------------
Their father was a stocky man, tenacious in business and words. The widower could turn grown men into shivering lumps of putty with just a sentence and it was no wonder he was exceedingly successful in his work. He was a rich man, not filthily so, but rich nonetheless. Being a practical father, he had savings, “fortunes for a rainy day”, as he always said.
Ryan was proud of his father. He loves me a lot, even if he doesn’t say so. Guys don’t say the four-letter word.
He would tell people of how his father made money. And how his father always bought him stuff. And how his father was always there for them. He missed graduation because he had to work. Work is important. Josh’s graduation was on a Sunday, not a Saturday like mine, that’s why he could go.
Ryan loved his father.
----------------------------------------
He put the thoughts out of his mind. No point thinking about that now..
He turned the last corner before house. Damn its hot tod-
----------------------------------------
What the fuck. What the fuck?!
When he woke he was blindfolded, gagged and, given by how he couldn't move, bound in some manner. What the fuck, this is Singapore, this doesn't happen. Whats that smell, did I wet myself, why am I-
He flicked his head around in panic, and nausea overtook him.
He wet his front with acid, wait, i don't feel like i'm clothed. What the hell man, this isn't happening. This isn't happening.
After wetting his front, someone spoke from his side "Its interesting how easy it is to kidnap someone, because of the disgustingly strict penalties. Unexpected, wouldn't you say?"
Kidnapped?! No way, this is Singapore, this doesn't happen. He doesn't sound local, he doesn't sound anything, I don't know. Oh my god. This is Singapore.
"Don't worry, we just want your father's money, but since he called the cops we'll kill you after he transfers the money to us.
What the hell, but it doesn't work that way. What the hell, why are the ropes so tight?! Oh my god..
"Don't be angry at him, though, we would have thrown you overboard if he obediently paid us. You see, this isn't some television show where we meet him and let you go. This isn't some show where the cops will bust us when we do a trade. Of course, most of the families called the cops. Silly trust."
Overboard?! What the fuck where am I!?
Some shouting in the background.
"Anyway, you're the last one left, your father is quite the negotiator. Calm, too. Impressive."
Light returned to Ryan as the blindfold was taken off. As his eyes refocus, he finds himself looking at a wiry middle-aged chinese man, with smile of perfect white teeth and Oh my god.
And bodies in the background, tied to the pipes along the wall like him. with red streaks down their chest. Am I sitting in blood?
Ryan puked, though he had nothing left in him. Dad won't let me die, surely he knows how to deal with these people. Surely he'd know where to find them. Surely hes made a deal with them. Surely..
"Hahaha, don't worry you'll join them soon. Oh, your father is quite the stingy man too, isn't he? Hahaha"
What?
And he smiled and walked out, closing the steel door and Ryan's light.
Dad would come, of course. Thats what he meant.
And there he is, tearing the door down. I wonder how hes lifting me so easily. I knew he'd come. He always c..
----------------------------------------
The chinese man wiped his knife clean as he walked to the deck. The last boy was interesting, he thought, smiling away, even as I popped his heart.
He made a mental note that rooms 3 and 4 ought to be cleared soon, and forgot all about the boy, in the endless corridors of the tanker.
----------------------------------------
I have no clue what that was. I'm bored, and I'm kinda stoned. Apologies for the lousy story.
- Location:Home
- Mood:
bored - Music:Kings of Leon
Just watched Hell Ride, a badass feature film about a biker war. It was a simple, somewhat straightforward story laced with the impactful cinematography you'd often relate to Quentin Tarantino (Executive Producer). The killings in the show are many and they tend to seem almost casual. While the motives may be for say, revenge, the actual act of murder tends to be emotionless and approached off-handedly. Also, unlike Kill Bill where you have arteries emptying, the show has a more controlled usage of blood that takes away the "gore" factor from most deaths.
Of course, the show is not centred around death, it is just a necessity, since its a story focusing on the acts of war and revenge between two biker gangs, the Victors and the 666ers. The script was well done, containing wit, subterfuge and just a bit of biker terminology. While pre-conceptions may not link bikers to significant witty dialogue or words-within-words, the film presents it believably and enjoyably.
And did I mention the show has a pretty cheerful feel to it? Something like a lil' shoot-em-up cowboy yeehaw feel. Which was pretty played up in the above trailer, hiding the rest of the gold of the film. (the above trailer cut out most of the swearing too, and the fact that you'll see quite a lot of boob in the uncut version of the show)
Like many movies these days, the show flicks between past, present, and the occasional psychedelic flashbacks/premonitions that come with fuzzy memory, or drugs. However, unlike most of them, Hell Ride does not leave you going "So what the fuck was did he do?", you feel the subtle resignation of accepting that you won't know, and you aren't left bitter or cheated about that.
At the end of the day, the shows stands out the most in its screenplay and in the acting of the three main characters, Pistolerio, The Gent and Comanche. The character Eddie Zero works well with them, and plays an important role, but is portrayed in a way that makes him seem like a "guest appearance" more than anything.
If I had a rating system, this would probably fall under the "If you can get hold of it, watch it, If you can't, then try harder."
- Location:Home
- Mood:
satisfied - Music:I Think About You Every Day - A Rocket to the Moon
I might be putting a cloud out with each post. Not sure if one might call it an obsession, but I really do like clouds and for some reason a beautiful sky makes a beautiful day, no matter what shit happens.
Thinking about it, I should really start to think of a scholarship that would support a degree in psychology. Even harder still since what I would like to see myself doing later on in life is giving lectures and doing research for a university. Beyond that all, while I could probably convincingly pull off an interview claiming to be interested in a certain scholarship, I really do not enjoy lying.
Which is not to say I've never done so. I just avoid it. Deception is a necessity in everyday life, but deception is not limited to lying. I prefer to withhold information, to make use of the ambiguity that comes when a person does not specify or ask for specifics. Lying is just too troublesome.
- Location:clouds
- Mood: apathetic
- Music:AFK - Pinback
The very first idea that ran through my head when she started was that "shit this reminds me of presentations in primary school" where even though you know your classmates and are friendly with them, more often than not you're still going to seem like you're not sure what it is exactly that you are trying to present. Which turned out to be true as she stumbled through half the questions raised and giving vague or fake answers to the other half, when glancing at mal and me proved useless (we aren't psychics, btw).
On another note, booking leave is damned hard when you've only got 9 days and you're not sure where you want to go. For the family trip Bangkok is a no-no due to turmoil, Indonesia is generally violent (besides I doubt my siblings are interested), and mostly everywhere else is too far, with my leave plan. (1 week in end november and another in december, to capture 3 weekends) Though I'll need to find kakis for dec.
Worst part is that I have to finalise this by 12 Sep, which is soon.
I Do Not want to spend my leave at home. =/
- Location:Home
- Mood: annoyed
Perhaps my complacent confidence in my ability to somehow pull through academic matters had been popped. Or perhaps I felt my tendencies to procrastinate where I can (in studying for the damned thing,for one) has become too much embedded in me.
I am too reactionary rather than initiatory. A creature of habit and hindsight.
Cut my hair, took a bathe.
I need to cleanse myself.
- Location:Home
- Mood: in myself
- Music:Best Friend - Weezer
Wonder how long they waited there for such a perfect wave.
- Location:Home
- Mood: blank
- Music:Audioslave - Original Fire
Randomly came across a video of the all blacks doing the haka.
I want to feel gung-ho about something again.
I want to roar and shout.
I want to live again.
I Need to.
- Location:Home
- Mood: melancholy
- Music:Love of my Life - Scorpions
The RSAF Open House 2008 is coming up for the public on 30 and 31 Aug 2008! Go visit. Haha.
The road to recovery has been long. Maintained the core, rebuilt the cardio, rebuilding the legs.
Gotta move forward to times of exponential improvement again.
The push was hard, is hard, but the darker the night the more welcome the sun.
I just need to find some time to put into strength training and calisthenics.
- Location:Home
- Mood: apathetic
Moving, meaningful, but given its a music video, most people would just jump on the bandwagon and get off at the next village. It impacts, but only superficially, only forgetfully. When the next singer or actor or millionaire-billionaire comes along with a world-saving, world--changing idea, people hop on. And...there they go.
People reach for greatness, manifested in man, to be closer to greatness, to bask in its glory. To hope that some of the graces of lady luck and mister talent would fall upon them too. The lives of the successful attract the masses like ants to candy, they all want a piece of information, they all want something they can call their own, unique chunk of glucose. But glucose is glucose, people are people and backgrounds are backgrounds - someone somewhere would share a certain trait, a certain situation, a certain style.
Greatness is what they do. Bolt, Phelps, Kitajima, to name a few from the Olympics. What is the real significance of their favourite food? Their religion? Their life?
Thats my view, at least, my perception of the world. I don't care who you are, its what you do. I don't care who sang the song, I listen to what I like. I don't care who acts in what, I watch because its good. I don't care where you were born or what you went through, its what you've done with what you have that makes it special.
"and i can end the world in a holocaust.."
Its harder to save it
- Location:Home
- Mood: apathetic
- Music:Flobots - Handlebars
If it is logical, I agree and assimilate it with my own view, with consideration of how much logic or strength of point you had.
Rather than a fixed set of values and views, I keep changing mine. Fickle and oh-so susceptible to external influence.
It makes perfect sense to me, though. No point hanging on to views that can be improved, or values that could be stronger. Change is a strong word - overused and emphasized, but an important aspect of life, nonetheless.
Maybe I'm detached, maybe I just don't feel.
Either way its pushing objectivity to its limits, almost warping it into something else.
Almost like a monster.
But thats just gravity,
thats the way the world.
- Location:home
- Mood:
contemplative - Music:chirping birdies
Which really pisses me off, that everyone throws "urgent" issues to our branch to solve for them on a friday and telling us "our boss needs it by Monday!". Didn't help that Joel was in Indonesia and Malcolm had to disappear somewhere, leaving all the last minute stuff to me.
And I didn't do some task for some random request, which sucks since now I feel kinda bad. BUT, the guy didn't call office to bug us, so I suppose it isn't urgent then.
Tomorrow NDP, gotta interview the ORD extenders too. Haiz.
- Location:home
- Mood:
tired - Music:St. Anger - Metallica
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slipperdan- nothingness is relative
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