Migration

I will leave this blog for good. I'm working on a new project under the pen name, darklooming. If you are a fan of fiction, you are welcome to visit the fairly new blog at http://darklooming.blogspot.com/

Somniloquy

Talking in sleep. It's been a while. I just want a place to dump my thoughts, so I'll do it here. Things have been pretty much the same. I'm still clinging to myself, always finding stuff to dwell on. As much as I hate to admit it, I feel pathetic every now and then as if my life has no substance. I gotta say I'm just weird. I wonder if there is a place for me to comfortably suit myself with. Wishful thinking...

One Piece

Luffy: I will be the greatest pirate ever.
Zoro: I aspire to be an invisible swordsman.
Nami: I will never give up in completing the first world map.
Usop: I want to be a brave warrior of the sea.
Sanji: I believe All Blue exists, I want to see it with my own eyes.

Kelvin: I er, have no idea what I'm living for.

Epiphany

"I got good lungs, got a good heart. My mind is fit, and my feet can walk" - Kelly Jones

Sentiment

Untouched food on the dining table patiently wait to be relished. The rusty old clock is glaring at him, breaking the silence with its perpetual ticking. His hearbeat is synchronising with each tick as he remains stationary, he feels the warmth of his blood flowing through his every single vein, right through the core of his melted stone cold heart. His mind can't help but to disharmonise the unanimity, perturbing his rumination. He isn't sure of this sentiment. Never before he feels this weakened. A gentle suffocation. His affection illustrates her silhouette, unveiling her face gently. He savours the intangible bittersweet sensation, gloating away. Deep down, he kens the need to wake up to reality, however excruciating it may be.

Estrella @ Centro Bar

A night to remember. No one was interested to join me, so I went alone. The moment I walked in at around 7:50 PM, I was introduced to the organiser of the album launch party. He thought I was with the media, a reporter/columnist of some sort since I was dressing rather formal and had a bag strung across my chest. I politely denied and smiled, "I'm just a student, a fan of the band." Then he humbly replied, "Oh, thanks for coming, please enjoy yourself!". I grabbed myself a drink and sat at the 2nd front-most table to the stage. Ordered a finger food, fried cheese rolls. Not that delicious though. The guest artists performed to warm up the atmosphere. They were "Otam" and "Seven". Smooth and funky indie tunes, just that the vocals weren't that impressive.

I could see a girl walking around, she's a gorgeous bombshell. She looks like a Malay "Wai Kee" with a more attractive pair of eyes. The vocalist of "Seven" ended his performance with a song entitled "Malam Ini" dedicated to Liyana. He was looking straight at her, then I noticed, "Oh my...." That lady is the vocalist for Estrella. I didn't know as there are hardly any pictures of the band posted on their webby, I was just sure that I love their music.

The moment everyone was waiting for begun at approximately 10. "Ternyata" music video was played to entertain the audience while the band was preparing on stage. Then I could see people swarming to the front. Luckily I got myself a nice spot on the front line. Took pictures along as I was indulging in their live performance. I sang along to two of their songs, which are pretty much predictable if you have read my previous post. I really don't know how to portray the whole experience in words. In a nutshell, I felt very alive for the first time.

After the final encore, I asked the organiser whether If I could get an autograph from all the band members and took pictures with them. He gladly replied sure without hessitation and led me to the band. Good thing that I brought along a marker. I even lent it to the band to sign some other fans' CDs. They were very down to earth and nice. They kept thanking me for coming and supporting. The extreme excitement made me forgot to take a picture with the organiser. I should have taken. I hope those who were there will help to spread the words, highlighting this band to more local audience. Estrella, thanks for the great night.


Centro Bar, Sooka Sentral.


Liyana, charming the crowd.


Left most is Duan of Seven Collar T-Shirt.


From left: Liyana, Jeff, Nobu, Wan


Sweet Liyana and my copy of the album.


Nobu & Yob (The other songwriter besides Liyana)


My autographed CD. I spilled out my real name when asked.


An autograph on the booklet from Yob.

Estrella

A serendipity. I saw the album at Tower Records (KLCC) last week, was really curious how they will sound since the album art looks kinda tasteful. Then came across the ad for the album launch at facebook while human-petting. Decided to check them out. Visited Laguna Records' webby and listened to both of the sample songs. *Ears sending impulses to acoustic nerve in the brain* Liyana's voice just took my breath away. "Ternyata", a mind-soothing track, sounds like a mix of acoustic jazz and bossa nova. Lovely. "Stay" feels very much like indie pop; Liyana's style of singing on this track reminds me of Nina Persson of The Cardigans. Simple and charming. Frankly speaking, I think they play better music compared to many other local bands. They will be having an album launch party at Centro Bar, Sooka Sentral, KL Sentral on 31st January 2008 which is this coming Thursday at 8 PM. I guess I'll be heading there, hopefully there will be an autograph-signing session. Anyone wanna join me?






Please visit this link to listen to the samples:
http://estrella.laguna-records.com/

Their MySpace Music Page:
http://www.myspace.com/estrellaband/

Cloverfield

With $25 million budget, this is a brilliant show. I've never been so engrossed by a film in the cinema before. None of the cast members seems familiar to me, I have to say they really did an excellent work in taking their roles to that extent. It is so convincing that it keeps you agonised at times, it plays around with our very bare instinctive reactions. The anxiety over the uncertain condition of your loved ones and the fear of the unknown, they both give you the heebie-jeebies and run cold shivers down your spine. You'll be driven mad over the overwhelming desperation of saving your significant other. No matter what it takes, you are ready to give your life. That's the kind of scenario that it leaves you in. I would feel and react exactly the same way if I were in Rob's shoes, Beth is a bombshell after all. Please do not do your research on this movie before you watch it. The surprise is part of the entertainment. It's similar to I Am Legend which eases your curiousity as the film progresses, only much better this time. I'm pretty sure I was not the only one whose attention was consumed by the movie in the cinema. I could see many tilted to the front to have a better look during the intense scenes. It's worth every cent you spend for the ticket, do yourself a favour and watch it. Sit tight and brace yourself through the ordeal.

Yee Sap Yee

One sohai turns twenty two today. This fellow is a loyal customer to Bou Bou Pan Mee. They should have given a special platinum member card just for him, to enjoy privileges such as discount and free meals. He is very much like Cyrus, his best friend. They are considered the aces of MSH,  the ulra-socialites of the group, who keep events going hot and boiling. But then Cyrus's sohainess is greater. Nabeh Cyrus, always curse me die and gugujiao patah. 

I'm just back from the unofficial celebration of Alwyn's birthday, at Free & Easy. It was a simple yumchar session but full of mirth nevertheless. Even Mr. Saw also pei min and joined. I have forgotten when was the last time I enjoyed playing Monopoly as much. Exchanged hollers, cursing each other into stepping on "death traps". How boisterous! Full of suspense too. Itu Sirusu balik Ipoh, if not sure lagi lively.

Anyway, I would like to take this opportunity to wish Louhai (He sure has many aliases.) the best of health and hope he will not stay single this year. Thanks for being a friend, and the free rides you provided. Thanks also for the occasional translation help, for being a patient DotA team mate to bear with my noobness, and to whatever shit that I forgot to mention.


I dedicate this song by David Tao entitled "22" to you.

LXXXVIII

As promised, a farewell post for Lilian. (My "beloved" cousin.)

The time has finally come. Too bad Japan is out of your reach, but still, you are fortunate to have the opportunity to experience living abroad. The people there will either make the one year period seem excitingly short or a monotonous long one. I hope it'll not be the latter. I'm sure you will have no problem making new friends with your daring and sporting nature. Oh please, do something with your laziness. There's no one for you to push tasks around anymore. Help with house chores when possible. Communication won't be that hard I presume. Pick up a few slangs and share with us later. Don't ever take the "pot". Just say it's against our custom if you fail to think of any excuse. Recommend me some american chicks if you don't mind, but make sure you send me their pictures beforehand. I bid you a fond farewell, all the best in adapting and enjoy life to the fullest. So long and thanks for all the bitchiness. (Kekeke.)

Sorry for not sending you off the other day, I kinda feel bad now. Keep in touch. 

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

The plague and the splinter in my mind. It's a pain in the ass living with it. How many of you feel vexed over leftover files and registry entries after an uninstallation of an application? Even after cleaning with registry cleaner and the likes, I still can't help being skeptical about their existence which results in a clean format. That's why I'm extremely finical when it comes to installation of applications, to make sure I’m only installing the needed and the useful ones. I also prefer to maintain application windows in their default location. (Just like the first time they run.) 

The obsession with completion has caused great inconvenience to my daily activities especially web surfing. I’m pressed to wait for the entire page of a web site to finish loading before I move on to the other page even though the page only serves as a transit to my real destination. Likewise, it applies to music as well. I will wait for the entire song to finish before switching song or turning off the player. I’m also inclined to treat every song of an album fairly. Let’s say I have played the first track X amount of time, the other tracks must be played X amount of time as well. If I listen to the first track through music video, I would play the whole album by skipping the first track to balance it out. Besides, I'm compelled to keep things in a complete set, and preferably with no intrusive/unrelated things. (E.g. I only use legal softwares on my laptop.) If I couldn’t find a particular item which belongs to the same set, I rather not buy any item of the set at all. (E.g. Action Figures; If I fail to purchase the limited edition figure of a series, I would pass the whole series.) Most fortunately, this rule only applies to certain things.

When it comes to dining, I’m constrained to finish every edible piece on the plate. Recently, I’m able to cope with it in order to compromise for health. I like to wash hands frequently too. I have this strange imaginary of microbes on things that I touch, namely door knobs, water taps, handles and money. I don’t like to have too much contact with things that I treasure. Like for my Lynda (Laptop), I never rest my palms on the typing area. While for books, booklets, artworks or CDs, I will try to avoid as much contact with my fingertips and try to get ahold of it with my palms. Flipping books is troublesome for me too. I’m afraid of wrinkling the pages. That’s why I find it very hard to lend people my things. I fear that people will label me as a stingy and lansi fella but it really worries me a lot.

Apart from the nuisance, OCD helps in certain achievements. Perfectionism. I will utilize my capability to produce something I enjoy in doing to be the best in its shape. Tasks like designing, tidying up and furnishing. Provide that I’m given adequate time. As for indulgence, I will always select the best available material if I can afford or get. Music and movies I mean. I rather not watch or listen to a badly recorded piece, hoping a better version will be available. You should know that it’s not easy being me after reading all this. Treasure and cherish your life. Good Day.