I Can't Get No

I want to be larger than who I am.

The Pillowman

I can't remember when was the last time I watched a play, which is rather disgusting considering the fact that I intend to minor in Performance and Theatre and that I'm already doing my second module in Drama! It was therefore apt that I got wowed, along with Ros, Yiling and Chun Yan, by such a fantastic play.



The Pillowman stars Adrian Pang, Daniel Jenkins, Michael Corbidge and Shane Mardjuki, all of whom were brilliant and brought magic to the stage. Every character was dark, sick and twisted... to such an extent that it was so real. It explored various themes such as child abuse and it made us all think of whether it was that painful growing up and if we'd do it all over again if we knew that it sucked. The catch was that I learned a lot about playwriting itself from this play as the playwrite made his opinions on writing known through one of the characters, Katurian, who wrote 400 twisted short stories. Katurian made statements like the fact that writers who were only comfortable with writing what they aren't good with imagination, and probably when he dies, the only thing that's of any worth left is his writing.

The pacing was tight, and it didn't feel like 2 hours 45 minutes at all! It was climax after climax, punch after punch. I could feel myself understanding everything that was going on, but scratching my head at what more the second half could offer. When it started again after intermission, it felt as if I was taking a crazy rollercoaster ride and held my breath countless times, as if it was taking me straight into a wall, or about to throw me out when it went upside down.

It was exhilarating.

And we agreed that the script must've been crazily thick! There's so much juice, so much content in there that revealing it here in parts and pieces which just do injustice to the story because it's so tightly knitted and woven!

Okay, so maybe I can say somethings about it. As mentioned there's the writer. And then there's his mentally retarded brother, Michal, who was guilty of the things that Katurian was charged for. Adrian Pang and Shane Mardjuki acted as police who were trying to get to the bottom of the crimes.

The twists and turns were phenomenal!

So. I haven't been to many plays, but I've been through enough movies, TV shows etc. to appreciate good acting and story-telling. There are reasons why this play has been so wildly popular with the critics and public alike. I wanted to watch it again, but it's already sold out.

Okay, then again I would be crazy to spend another $50 on it, but the experience was just mind-blowing.



That was the exact word I used to describe how I felt after the entire thing was over. We managed to take a photo with Michael (who, by no coincidence is our playwriting tutor) and chatted with him for awhile with regards to the play. It really gave me an idea of how a successful play is like and allowed me, as well as my classmates to apply all we've learned in the past 2 semesters, into analysing the play.



Which was the other more intellectual thing we did other than cam-whoring while waiting for Ros' boyfriend to come fetch us back to hall! Haha...

I'm inspired to write already!

9

For COM 206, our Visual Comms module, Amos, Pamy, Weili and I went to this park at Punggol to film for our 1-minute video. Being an outdoor shoot, it was rather problematic as the lighting and everything else that weren't in our control, went out of control.

It rained.

I know I used to complain about homework being boring and setting at the desk studying is such a monotonous task. That's partly the reason why I joined CS. But I didn't know I would end up doing this! Being drenched and having to film is totally... crazy. We weren't really prepared for the bad weather. The shoot earlier had been fine, the sun was out and the sky was clear. But when it started raining, it poured like mad! The lack of light also affected the picture quality.

Luckily we completed the shoot and it's very near completion. When it's ready for public consumption - youtube.

Our New Aquarium

Two weeks ago, Jieming, Liqi, Bernice and I woke up early on a Saturday morning and took a shuttle bus ride from CCK to Qian Hu Fish Farm! The experience was really cool and definitely something to share. I was there quite a long time ago. I remember that when my parents used to bring my family there, we'd all whine and make a fuss about how we weren't interested in fishes but went along anyway because we had no choice. Of course in the end we had fun anyway!



The place was humungous and housed all types of fish. We actually started with 2 terrapins, but one of them died. After that we were inspired to get a fish tank full of fish. That was our purpose in going there.



We got to see lots of different animals, from crabs to snails to fishes!



We even got to play with the koi! It was bloody ticklish! After we snatched up a Molly, two red Swordtails, two Clown Loaches, two Guppies, a water snail, a terrapin and a whole lot of equipment... we went back and set up our tank!



Along the way, we lost a Guppy and a Swordtail. I have no idea how they died, but it is general consensus that they were both attacked the Molly. Or probably they weren't very healthy to begin with, because the rest of the fishes are still alive and have not been attacked. Liqi then bought 2 more Guppies and a suckerfish!

Ooh and before the swordtail died, it seemed that it left a surprise...



... by fertilising the female Swordtail! She might've been pregnant before we got her, but according to observation, that's highly unlikely! Haha...



And this is how our tank looks like now! It's fantastic to go back everytime and be greeted by these wonderfully active creatures. They provide a good distraction from work too! Haha... Hope they aren't too much of a distraction though!

The Motivated

The Motivated 9/29/2007
I will be motivated. In this new phase of my life.

I want to look fantastic. I want to be fit. I need to sleep at the right time, eat at the right. The most important thing is to take time out to exercise. I have been finding my bearings and thus giving myself excuses to not exercise, which is very disgusting. I can only be a picture of health if I live the lifestyle.

I want to do well in my studies. University's not the time to be average. I will not hand in an average piece of work. I must make everything count. I must make the money that's being spent on education be a worthy one. I want to excel and do well in hall activities. I must be able to juggle between the two. I need to get to know more people, and have a connection with them. It's important. I will talk to everyone like friends and turn up for as many social gatherings as I can. I will learn to interact with people I don't know. Everything starts with a smile. It might be awkward at first, but it doesn't really matter because all friendships are to start somewhere.

I will organise more gatherings and such. Important.

I may be searching for love, but it's not right to treat it as a game or to hurt the other person. I must learn and I must be sure of what I want before diving into it. That's difficult, but it will make sense in the end. Even if I crave for physical contact or my physical needs I will hold out and not get attached because of that. Or just because everyone else thinks it is a good idea. Or that everyone around me is attached.

I will learn to change my behavior and cultivate new habits to be successful. A life of achievement, and not waste.

LMFAO! Fucking failure!

Holiday Be Like

I haven't had a long holiday in awhile. ORD-ed and it's been work, tuition, school... a continuous cycle, an endless process. When this semester ends I'll sit around and do nothing in my chalet.

Which is why I've chosen to stay in hall till the end of June.

I was pretty much alone in hall last night when my friends left for home to enjoy the Good Friday weekend. I finished my lesson kind of late and went for a run around school at 730PM. I started off with a bit of a headache, but as I continued running, it disappeared. The only thoughts in my mind were to step up my pace and widen my stride. The feeling of a one-track mind with such focus was refreshing. It really cleared my head of everything else.

I packed chicken cutlet back for dinner. After the shower, I had my legs propped up on my bed and leaned comfortably back in my chair. With the fan blowing its cool air directly at me and music from the Step Up 2 OST, I played mahjong online. When I got bored I'd take a look at the fishes in the tank.

That's the life.

Happy Birthday

Happy 22nd Birthday to a rather old friend, Sidney Wong. I'm damn happy that we've kept in touch all these years although we don't meet up with each other often. We really should, but you're a busy man. And I'm known to be even busier! *shows off* Haha...

You've made me proud by joining DB! Hope that you'll achieve fantastic things in your 22nd year of life.



All the best in everything you do!

Photo Series

My COM 206 assignment! There's a message behind the whole thing. Should be quite easy to guess though, mine's not abstract!

Tuition

I've got 7.5 hours of tuition today. I'm tired. I want a day off. I want to have nothing to do. But I guess it's luxury that I can't afford.

Money shouldn't mean that much. But I'm late for my hall bills. And I haven't put money into the DnD fund yet. I've only got enough for one I think. Wait... there's the cheque I haven't banked yet.

Vacation also need money. I can't bring myself to think about it right now. Sigh.

Why?

Step Up 2

I know it got crap reviews and everything but it was a helluva ride for me. I loved every second of it. I love music and dance. When both powers combined and I get a movie to watch... it's hard for me to say anything bad when these two elements are just so wickedly showcased! The dancing was sick, everything was amazing... I recognised some of the songs. There were some that I didn't but I heard a whisper of "Missy Elliot" and that short preview of the track sent shivers up and down my body. SERIOUSLYYYYY. Haha... Can't wait for her album to be out. It was crazy. The plot isn't that bad - I've seen much worse! It's another "chase your dreams" kind of movie but I think it has spurned me to take some action in pursuing what I want. I think people who think they've seen it all are just cynical!

I just wanna dance!

Damn...

When I saw it I was like "NOFORREALAREYOUKIDDINGME". To the TNP reporter who thinks Britney's rehearsing dance moves for the filming of upcoming video Break The Ice, please get your facts straight. I could've wrote that article.

The Betrayal I

[Jessica enters the scene. She’s back from shopping. Edwin is sitting on the sofa reading a magazine and barely glances up to look at Jessica.]

Jessica: Hi darling...

Edwin: Hi babe.

J: Look what I’ve bought! I got this Levi’s polo-T for you. Remember the time when we were rushing to the meeting and you saw this on display and you wanted to buy it but we didn’t have the time? Well, I went down and bought it for you. See if you like it. I think white really brings out your tan.

E: Thanks. Leave it on the sofa. I’ll try it on later.

J: So... have you seen my work? The documents about the modelling agency?

E: You mean the ones in the thumbdrive?

J: Yes. I was up the entire night doing it. I didn’t know compiling our ideas would take up so much time!

E: No I haven’t seen it. I was too busy.

J: You didn’t? But you said you would!

E: I have confidence in your work, babe. I passed it to James the moment I saw him.

J: Has he said anything about it?

E: No.

J: No... This can’t be happening. Ed, we’ve got to get it back.

E: Whatever for?

J: There are... photos...

E: What photos?

J: Photos of me and... Justin.

E: (puts down magazine) What? Why would there be photos of you and Justin?

J: We took them after the meeting. Just for fun.

E: Why didn’t you take any with James?

J: He wasn’t around, I think.

E: I had no idea that you and Justin were that close. The meeting was over within minutes.

J: He was probably high.

E: So what’s the rush with getting the thumbdrive?

J: Well... I just don’t want other people to see them. (Jessica looks away.) They’re personal.

E: Jessica. How personal can photos of acquaintances be?

J: (long pause) I slept with him.

E: You what?

J: They were photos of me and him. Sleeping. Together.

E: No!

J: Yes.

E: Why?

J: Because... well...

E: Why?

J: It’s your fault!

E: What did I do!

J: You ignored me!

E: I did not!

J: That night. The night when we had that meeting..

E: What are you talking about! We hung out with my friends after that damn meeting!

J: No! When I was with you it was as if I wasn’t even there!

E: Nonsense.

J: I had no one to talk to. I could count the words you said to me with my two hands! I wasn’t expecting much. You could have just turn to talk to me every once in awhile. Make a conversation with me. If I’m the one you want to be with for the rest of your life, surely you could’ve given me some attention! I was waiting for you to talk to me. But you didn’t.

E: You’re being ridiculous. (Throws magazine across the room, gets up and wants to leave.) I don’t even want to talk to you right now.

J: (Grabs Edwin’s arm urgently.) You didn’t even look at me! Edwin. For the entire hour I was there beside you, you didn’t look at me. You didn’t talk to me. You didn’t even hold my hand. I wasn’t there even though I was. There. You didn’t even look at me!

E: But we were there! Together! (pause) You said that we’d still be able to appear as individuals in front of our friends. What happened to that? (Jessica is speechless.)You could have joined the conversation. I wasn’t ignoring you.

J: Why couldn’t you have included me in the conversation?

E: Why couldn’t you have joined in? It would’ve been really stupid of me to say, “Oh, those were the days. Being in Army was just the best. By the way, look at Jess’ new bag. I bought it from Gucci. Ain’t it gorgeous?”.

J: You were talking about the Army!

E: And you slept with Justin! (long pause) I never thought you’d be the kind to sleep with another man.

J: I didn’t... it was a mistake. I’m sorry. I love you. I really do. You know it. I didn’t do it on purpose. It’s my fault. Please? Don’t ignore me. I didn’t mean to... Really.

E: We’ve got to get it back before they see it.

J: Let me go with you.

E: No.

J: I caused all this.

E: I can handle it.

J: But I want to help.

E: Do whatever you want.

A big shoutout to the people who made this come to life: Liqi, Colin, Yiling, Steph, Michael, Ros, Nas, Helmi and Diya. Thanks!

Hall 12 Appreciation

Monday night was another night for a hall event. This time we made our way down to Roland's restaurant at Marine Parade for dinner.

The two screens scrolled through many photos of the events that happened in the past year and brought to mind many fantastic memories. Events like Beachout, Paddlephilia, IH... the list seems endless. I was glad to be a part of almost all of them. One of my goals in Uni was to lead a fulfilling hall life and I think I've more or less acheived it, at least much better compared to my academic goals!



The food... I know I forgot to take photos of the food when I realised that I wanted to blog about it but I have no way of describing how good it was. I'm running out of adjectives (see all past food-related gathering blog entries) but it really was damn good. I got up once to receive best Subcommer for Publications. Got to thank Clarence for that. I thought that it was great for me to have a chance to do what I wanted to do and he really gave a lot of leeway for us. So that was really cool. I'm going to get my subcom shirt from him tonight!



Acting cool. Anyway.

Many other deserving people got up on stage to receive their awards. There were the usual speeches and all that kind of stuff. It was really interesting to see the video nominations of the various awards given out. Fantastically entertaining. All this was going on as we were chatting to each other and enjoying the food. Have I mentioned how great the food... Okay so I did.

I thought it was great that the seniors came up and shared their experiences and appreciation. Some of the people who really inspired me were Heng Kia, Daniel and Zhende. Ooh and Regina was great too. She went up thrice and made me cheer till my voice was hoarse that night. I blame it partially on Sandar for getting me so high that we were really making a lot of noise whenever someone went up to collect something. I didn't even sound like me when I went up to collect my colours award!

I mentioned something about having the chance to work with everybody and learning new things that I've never been part of before. It's been a crazy year... when I look back at the things I've done! There was pageant, joining Dnd committee, getting picked as GL for FOC, water polo, cheer leading, lots of photo-taking during IH, Beachout was successfully organised... It felt great to be giving something to hall and getting recognised for it.



Tintin... the people whom I started this crazy journey with.



And here with Heng Kia! Pageant co-ordinator and waterpolo extrordinaire!



And the crazy group of us taking a photo after getting off the bus!

Actually there're still two more people I haven't thanked. A big shoutout to Colin and Siting - for shaping my mind on how hall life should be like!

Yiping's Birthday

Yesterday Liqi, Bern and I (otherwise known as the "Ke" gang, more on that another time) trooped down to Causeway Point to get presents for Yiping. We ended up eating a lot of unnecessary and absolutely sinful stuff like Oreo Chiffon and doughnuts but we managed to get her a pair of earrings from SK and an Espirit watch!

A bunch of us then met up at JE MRT station before heading to her house, where there were so many Hall 12ers it almost looked like 60 benches! Haha...



We got treated to the same caterer who provided food for my birthday - finally a chance for me to taste it! And the ice-cream cake was delicious as well!



And we camwhored a lot with the fan. More of that craziness here.



The ice-cream cake took lots of muscle to cut!

We enjoyed ourselves tremedously. It was a nice chance for us to all catch up in a place outside hall.

Usher New Music

I haven't talked about music in a long time (not that I've got plenty of time, there're assignments to be done!) but I've heard 3 rather exciting singles to come out recently. They deserve a shoutout. Colin was right to call Mimi's latest single "uninspired", but after It's Like That, I don't think it'll hurt her just yet.

Kicking it off with Justin, Timbaland and Madonna - 4 Minutes To Save The World starts off stomping across the dance floor, but the chorus was just pretty much a snoozefest. If not for the production suggesting that we were welcoming music from made by some of the titans of the music industry of late, the melody is really nothing special. That being said, I'm sure a crazy video by Madonna standards will bring the project to crazy heights. I've just set my eyes on a photo still that had Madge staring into her reflection, which is Timberlake. She base her career solely on music so it'll be fantastic to see what exciting visuals she comes up with (dance, violence, sex) in support of this track.

Jesse McCartney has come up with really cheesy stuff in his short career and there were points in time that I couldn't differentiate him from Ryan Cabrera's music but he has a new single called Leavin'. The video is something that's not often seen in the industry - just a tinge of sexiness without being over-the-top. The music somehow reminds me of Beautiful Girl or Stars Are Blind. It's that kind of breezy summer groove although the "don't stress" bit got my hair standing!

Jaws dropped when the track hit 51-1 on Billboard Hot 100 this week but I'm sure for the record executives at LaFace/Zomba, it was nothing more than meeting expectations. Usher takes his time to release his albums and after the crazy success that was Confessions, which spawned Yeah!, Confessions, Burn, Caught Up and My Boo, the first single from upcoming album Here I Stand is titled Love In This Club. I love how it's a smooth bump and grind groove at most parts but isn't something you'll fall asleep listening to. Can't wait for this album to get released!

Howdy Partner!

NOFOREALAREYOUKIDDINGME.

My laptop just broke down.

Again.

Fuck.

Don't Regret

I don't know if I'm studying what I like to study.

I know, like it's kind of late to be saying that. I've convinced myself and convinced the school as to why they should accept me and now I'm saying such nonsense. Probably it's just a short phase of self-doubt. I don't feel like I'm in much control of my academic life (other than attending the lessons) and everything seems to be going by so very quickly.

I love the creative assignments but they can be so troublesome at times. And truth be told, I'm terrible at thinking creatively. It's tough when I've never really thought out of the box.

Maybe all I need is a bit more self-discipline.

I think I'm still in the holiday mood. I need to get down to doing serious work and seriously there's a lot of work to be done! I've got plenty of great distractions around, like the aquarium that Bern, Qi and I are going to set up this Saturday. Yeah, it seems that I'm interested in everything except doing my assignments and studying.

It's been raining a lot and that's really disgusting. I wish there was more sun.

I've been seeking out old friends recently. I guess it's just that comfort of past... the good times. Maybe I'm not making the most of what I have?

Haha... Guess I'm thinking too much.

As I Open Up My Eyes To A New Day

It's the feeling that you get when you know that something's true
When I think of love I think of you