My friend Ivan who also happens to be a famous youtube pianist (under alias "honouredman") has just posted his latest masterpiece: an interpretation of Rihanna's Umbrella
I'd just say wow, it's one of the best one I've heard. Umbrella is a very popular song and I like it because it's so unashamedly cheesy, it's good. I've heard many interpretations of it and I don't like many of them, especially the acoustic ones like Mandy Moore's or Jamie Digby's because they become serious, they totally miss the point (you cannot sing the "Ella, Ella, Ella" part to a serious effect). For a good interpretation, search in youtube for Gerard Way/ My Chemical Romance short performance of the song in youtube. Anyway, yeah, I was surprised that Ivan pulled it off beautifully, making the song sad and melancholic. Perhaps it helps that it was a piano rendition without lyrics, but it's a successful piece nonetheless.
Lastly, I was referred to this video by Liam, who said it makes him ashamed to be singaporean:
WOW. OMG. I'm speechless. I totally understand Liam's feelings. Normally, I would say something here about Singapore government. But I think the video speaks for itself.
Btw, it also reminded me of a similar infamous rap video last year: the Hong Kong CPA (ie accountants)rap video:
If you ask me, I think the MDA rap made the the HK CPA one looks like Tupac (and no, MDA is no notorious).
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
as thanksgiving ends, work starts again
So last week was thanksgiving. I went to Las Vegas, Ventura and Solvang with some friends. Overall, it was an okay trip, nothing much happened. I was awed by Vegas when I first went there 3 years ago, but on my 2nd trip now, i'm not that impressed anymore, just like New York. I remembered Solvang from the movie Sideways; I really wanted to do some wine tasting there, just like the movie. But the rest of the group just wanted to walk around in a short time. So, no luck. Beautiful town, though.
So, it was an okay-ish vacation. But for others in the group, it was a good break. Natm and Karina dreaded to go back to work on Monday. I didn't. It's not like I loved work or anything, but I'm just apathetic. I don't care, it's just work.
Right now, I'm finishing my workday. I have to say I definitely missed the trip already.
No, it's not because it was a holiday. It was still an okay-ish trip
No, it's not because work sucks.
It's because some things that don't happen often, some things you wish that would not end, happened.
It was not just an okay-ish trip. It was a memorable and meaningful one too. =)
So, it was an okay-ish vacation. But for others in the group, it was a good break. Natm and Karina dreaded to go back to work on Monday. I didn't. It's not like I loved work or anything, but I'm just apathetic. I don't care, it's just work.
Right now, I'm finishing my workday. I have to say I definitely missed the trip already.
No, it's not because it was a holiday. It was still an okay-ish trip
No, it's not because work sucks.
It's because some things that don't happen often, some things you wish that would not end, happened.
It was not just an okay-ish trip. It was a memorable and meaningful one too. =)
Friday, November 9, 2007
Cloudy, Gloomy San Jose
Entries that usually start by talking about the weather might sound boring. But I digress.
Gray clouds have been hovering San Jose for a couple of days. But it doesn't rain. I am used to this kind of fall weather in bay area already, but some rain would be nice. I love rain. and if the sky is gray it doesn't rain, I feel gloomy. I described the San Jose weather - to a friend - "is like watching someone who wants to cry, but instead the person holds back so much, he/she appears gloomy." My friend said I'm too dramatic. all right, the weather made me do that.
I never talked about work, but now I'm just going to mention something trivial or even silly. One task that my group is in charge on is chip testing. I was recently being introduced to that. Apparently, the department has been testing on ELMO boards and they're switching to OSCAR next year. When I learnt that, I can't help but wonder who came up with the "Sesame Street"-inspired naming scheme. Elmo? Oscar? anyone?
Now, for something disgusting. I really mean disgusting. For the past 3 weeks or so, every time I shit, my ass bleeds. It's frightening me, I thought I got cancer or something. According to WebMD, I have to drink more water and eat more fibre. I am reluctant to drink more because I think I have drink enough water and drinking more will result in more unnecessary toilet visits. As for fibre, I think I have eaten enough as I eat vegetable everyday. But just to be safe than sorry, I'm drinking more and eating fruits like bananas for the next few days. If it doesn't improve, doctor it is then.
Wedding Blues:
Couple of days ago, when I was in a taiwanese restaurant, I saw a poster advertising Jay Chou's concert in LA on Christmas eve. Damn, I was so disappointed. I'd be in Indonesia for the last 2 weeks of December for my cousin's wedding. So, I definitely can't attend that. I am a big fan of Jay Chou and I've known for some time that he's going on a world tour soon, but I didn't expect it to be on Christmas. The last time Jay Chou was here was in 2004. 3 years ago. Maybe I have to wait until I eventually go back to asia for good before I can attend his concert.
That's not the only thing I have to skip. Novie asked if I'd be interested to go to Seattle at the last few days of 2007. I'd be glad, even if I have been there 4 years ago. At least it Rains in Seattle, unlike San Jose. But alas, I can't go.
Why was the wedding chosen in December? why not next year? The year 2008 sounds good in chinese, especially due to the year ending with the chinese lucky number 8. Not to mention the sure to be fully crowded, and dreaded by the sharks and abalone population around the world, date of 08-08-08 (8 August 2008). But my grandma consulted the chinese calendar and determined that next year is a bad year for wedding, so it has to be done asap. So here we are.
I am happy for my cousin and future cousin-in-law and I will definitely come for the big occasion. But for making me miss Jay Chou's concert and a trip to Seattle, Thanks Grandma.
Gray clouds have been hovering San Jose for a couple of days. But it doesn't rain. I am used to this kind of fall weather in bay area already, but some rain would be nice. I love rain. and if the sky is gray it doesn't rain, I feel gloomy. I described the San Jose weather - to a friend - "is like watching someone who wants to cry, but instead the person holds back so much, he/she appears gloomy." My friend said I'm too dramatic. all right, the weather made me do that.
I never talked about work, but now I'm just going to mention something trivial or even silly. One task that my group is in charge on is chip testing. I was recently being introduced to that. Apparently, the department has been testing on ELMO boards and they're switching to OSCAR next year. When I learnt that, I can't help but wonder who came up with the "Sesame Street"-inspired naming scheme. Elmo? Oscar? anyone?
Now, for something disgusting. I really mean disgusting. For the past 3 weeks or so, every time I shit, my ass bleeds. It's frightening me, I thought I got cancer or something. According to WebMD, I have to drink more water and eat more fibre. I am reluctant to drink more because I think I have drink enough water and drinking more will result in more unnecessary toilet visits. As for fibre, I think I have eaten enough as I eat vegetable everyday. But just to be safe than sorry, I'm drinking more and eating fruits like bananas for the next few days. If it doesn't improve, doctor it is then.
Wedding Blues:
Couple of days ago, when I was in a taiwanese restaurant, I saw a poster advertising Jay Chou's concert in LA on Christmas eve. Damn, I was so disappointed. I'd be in Indonesia for the last 2 weeks of December for my cousin's wedding. So, I definitely can't attend that. I am a big fan of Jay Chou and I've known for some time that he's going on a world tour soon, but I didn't expect it to be on Christmas. The last time Jay Chou was here was in 2004. 3 years ago. Maybe I have to wait until I eventually go back to asia for good before I can attend his concert.
That's not the only thing I have to skip. Novie asked if I'd be interested to go to Seattle at the last few days of 2007. I'd be glad, even if I have been there 4 years ago. At least it Rains in Seattle, unlike San Jose. But alas, I can't go.
Why was the wedding chosen in December? why not next year? The year 2008 sounds good in chinese, especially due to the year ending with the chinese lucky number 8. Not to mention the sure to be fully crowded, and dreaded by the sharks and abalone population around the world, date of 08-08-08 (8 August 2008). But my grandma consulted the chinese calendar and determined that next year is a bad year for wedding, so it has to be done asap. So here we are.
I am happy for my cousin and future cousin-in-law and I will definitely come for the big occasion. But for making me miss Jay Chou's concert and a trip to Seattle, Thanks Grandma.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Back to Blog
Okay, I know it's been way too long since I wrote something. I'm really sorry, I admit I've been too lazy and I have to drag myself back here. But, since i'm already here, what the hell.
What has happened since my last entry? well, a lot, and a lot of them occured on my 2 months vacation in indonesia (jkt, bandung, pontianak, yogyakarta) and singapore. So does that mean I can blog regularly now since I have stories to tell? Well, I don't know. Firstly, my vacation ended 1 month ago, not sure if I still remember many things though. But most importantly - I'll use a recent event to show it: recently, I had dinner with a friend when I just came back. During the dinner, there was an awkward moment when both of us don't speak. My friend said, "why are you so quiet?" and I replied something like, and I think it was my first time ever replying with that, "I'm quiet because I have so many things I want to say, but I don't know where to start (or 'what to say')". Same thing applies to this blog. To some people/bloggers, words flow easily but not for me.
Speaking of people who has stopped blogging until now, 2 of my friends (tin and willtio) and my sister has not blogged for ages. So, I guess I'm not alone.
===
Popular Taiwanese multi-hyphenate singer-songwriter-actor-film director Jay Chou, whose directorial film debut Secret is surprisingly decent, has a new album coming out (or already coming out) on Nov 2. It's called On The Run in English, but its real title is Wo Hen Mang (lit. I'm Very Busy). Now, Jay Chou normally releases one album per year (which quality never improve one after another) and for the last 3 albums, I have never been exactly impressed by the first single released from each album. But for this album, I was actually amused and enjoyed the first single, Niu Zai Hen Mang (Cowboy is very busy). It's the first time, I think, Jay attempted a country-inspired cowboy song and adds humour to it. It's not a great song by any means, but it's really fun and it breaks the usual ballad/rap/rock trend of his first album song, giving me some optimism for this album. You can find the music video easily in youtube. As for the album, I'm probably going to listen to it this weekend. Review? who knows.
I haven't told a lot of people about this, but I have a huge crush on actress Emmy Rossum since I saw her in The Day After Tomorrow 3 years ago. I even braved through the rather terrible The Phantom of The Opera movie just to see her. She hasn't made any movie since last year's Poseidon (which I haven't watched). So, I was surprised that she is actually a recording artist and she has a new album and song already out now in store. Her first single is called "Slow Me Down". Here's the youtube video.
The song sounds like a cross between Frou Frou/Imogen Heap and Enya, which is surprising coming from someone who hit high notes as Christine in Phantom. According to wikipedia, she said this about her album, "I was inspired to cut this album because I'm so frustrated listening to the radio these days." While I'm heartened that she has the right intentions for her music and that she isn't following other young female pop singers by attempting something different, I still must say that "Slow Me Down" isn't really good and doesn't even reach the best of the aforementioned artists that inspired it. So, Emmy darling, try harder. Oh, please make movies again, good and interesting ones at least.
Lastly, let's move on to movies, the X-Files 2 movie is now official and it's coming next July. I used to treat each X-Files 2 movie rumors with a grain of salt since it's been too long and the series' complicated plot can probably never be resolved. But now that it's confirmed, all I can say is, Hell Yeah, Bring it on! Man, this brings back a lot of nostalgia. Remember the days when shows like X-Files and Friends ruled the air? I really can't wait to stand in line and see this. I hope they do this movie like The Simpsons; Please bring everybody back: Agent Skinner, Cigarrette Smoking Man, Alex Krycek, and even The Lone Gunmen from the dead. Please, Please do so and you'll make me a very happy X-Files fan. But that probably won't happen since it's reported that the movie won't focus on the conspiracy/mythology storyline. Meanwhile, I'll probably have to start revisiting the series too while waiting until July.
So that's all for today folks, I think I've already written plenty for a comeback entry, no?
What has happened since my last entry? well, a lot, and a lot of them occured on my 2 months vacation in indonesia (jkt, bandung, pontianak, yogyakarta) and singapore. So does that mean I can blog regularly now since I have stories to tell? Well, I don't know. Firstly, my vacation ended 1 month ago, not sure if I still remember many things though. But most importantly - I'll use a recent event to show it: recently, I had dinner with a friend when I just came back. During the dinner, there was an awkward moment when both of us don't speak. My friend said, "why are you so quiet?" and I replied something like, and I think it was my first time ever replying with that, "I'm quiet because I have so many things I want to say, but I don't know where to start (or 'what to say')". Same thing applies to this blog. To some people/bloggers, words flow easily but not for me.
Speaking of people who has stopped blogging until now, 2 of my friends (tin and willtio) and my sister has not blogged for ages. So, I guess I'm not alone.
===
Popular Taiwanese multi-hyphenate singer-songwriter-actor-film director Jay Chou, whose directorial film debut Secret is surprisingly decent, has a new album coming out (or already coming out) on Nov 2. It's called On The Run in English, but its real title is Wo Hen Mang (lit. I'm Very Busy). Now, Jay Chou normally releases one album per year (which quality never improve one after another) and for the last 3 albums, I have never been exactly impressed by the first single released from each album. But for this album, I was actually amused and enjoyed the first single, Niu Zai Hen Mang (Cowboy is very busy). It's the first time, I think, Jay attempted a country-inspired cowboy song and adds humour to it. It's not a great song by any means, but it's really fun and it breaks the usual ballad/rap/rock trend of his first album song, giving me some optimism for this album. You can find the music video easily in youtube. As for the album, I'm probably going to listen to it this weekend. Review? who knows.
I haven't told a lot of people about this, but I have a huge crush on actress Emmy Rossum since I saw her in The Day After Tomorrow 3 years ago. I even braved through the rather terrible The Phantom of The Opera movie just to see her. She hasn't made any movie since last year's Poseidon (which I haven't watched). So, I was surprised that she is actually a recording artist and she has a new album and song already out now in store. Her first single is called "Slow Me Down". Here's the youtube video.
The song sounds like a cross between Frou Frou/Imogen Heap and Enya, which is surprising coming from someone who hit high notes as Christine in Phantom. According to wikipedia, she said this about her album, "I was inspired to cut this album because I'm so frustrated listening to the radio these days." While I'm heartened that she has the right intentions for her music and that she isn't following other young female pop singers by attempting something different, I still must say that "Slow Me Down" isn't really good and doesn't even reach the best of the aforementioned artists that inspired it. So, Emmy darling, try harder. Oh, please make movies again, good and interesting ones at least.
Lastly, let's move on to movies, the X-Files 2 movie is now official and it's coming next July. I used to treat each X-Files 2 movie rumors with a grain of salt since it's been too long and the series' complicated plot can probably never be resolved. But now that it's confirmed, all I can say is, Hell Yeah, Bring it on! Man, this brings back a lot of nostalgia. Remember the days when shows like X-Files and Friends ruled the air? I really can't wait to stand in line and see this. I hope they do this movie like The Simpsons; Please bring everybody back: Agent Skinner, Cigarrette Smoking Man, Alex Krycek, and even The Lone Gunmen from the dead. Please, Please do so and you'll make me a very happy X-Files fan. But that probably won't happen since it's reported that the movie won't focus on the conspiracy/mythology storyline. Meanwhile, I'll probably have to start revisiting the series too while waiting until July.
So that's all for today folks, I think I've already written plenty for a comeback entry, no?
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