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.