Love you more

Live update as we go.

Cinematography
Academy's Fav: I dont know...and I dont care.
Ed's Pick: One question - did you even see Inception??? INCEPTION
Results: INCEPTION!!!! YAY! (spot on)

Supporting Actress
Academy's Fav: Melissa Leo
Ed's Pick: I would have picked Mila Kunis but wait..she's not here. It's Hailee Steinfeld for me.
Results: Melissa Leo.

Adapted Screenplay
Academy's Fav: The Social Network
Ed's Pick: This is purely biased as I am a huge Boyle fan - 127 Hours!
Results: The Social Network!

Original Screenplay
Academy's Fav: The King's Speech
Ed's Pick: Nolan wrote a bat-shit crazy screenplay and he should win. Inception!
Results: The King's Speech..nooooo even I can write that!

Supporting Actor
Academy Fav: Christian Bale
Ed's Pick: I'll go with the academy on this. Christian "I'm British but I'm an American psycho!" Bale
Results: Christian Batshit-Crazy Bale. Yay! (spot on)

Best Score
Academy's Fav: 127 Hours by AR Rahman, if I am not wrong
Ed's Pick: Reznor and Ross in The Social Network
Results: Reznor and Ross!! (spot on)

Original Song
Academy's Fav: Randy Newma's "We Belong Together"
Ed's Pick: 127 Hours' If I Rise
Results: We Belong Together...baaaaaaah!

Best Director
Academy's Fav: Darren Aronofsky
Ed's Pick: Great injustice to Christopher Nolan. How can he be snubbed? Did they watch Inception? Fuck shit. I'm going to side with David Fincher on this.
Results: Tom Hooper...THe King's Speech. BORING!

Best Actress
Academy's Fav: Natalie Portman
Ed's Pick: Jennifer Lawrence makes me want to kill myself. Why is she even here? I know Portman might just bag it...but I have a soft spot for Kidman. So yes, I pick a (losing battle) Nicole Kidman.
Result:Natalie Portman...congrats.

Best Actor
Academy's Fav: Colin Firth
Ed's Pick: II think Leo diCaprio is SEVERELY snubbed. I love Franco but I think it's not his year yet. Jeff Bridges was just his drunken self. Eisenberg... hmm..maybe. Gaah. The non-J will take it. Colin Firth.
Result: Colin Firth (spot on!)

Best Picture
Academy's Fav: Black Swan, The King's Speech
Ed's Pick: Inception (though I dont think it's Academy's favourite. Pooh!!). By the way, Winter's Bone...I want my money back!
Result: The King's Speech ...yay but boring.

Oh well.

That's it, ladies and gentlemen. I see you here next year...for the 84th.

P/S: I still love you James Franco. But hey...stay in school.


###

If I rise

We're about 7 hours away from the 83rd Annual Oscar/Academy Awards. I have taken my leave of absence from work and though you may be appalled to know that I am skipping work for this, I just want to let you know that on Thursday and Friday, my work schedule was from 9am to 10pm. On both Saturday and today, I had worked from 11am to 6pm. So...shut up if you think that I dont deserve a Monday break.

Where was I?
Ah..Oscar!

I think for the first time ever, I managed to catch all of the Best Film contenders. Wow...how much money have I contributed to the industry? Shit, let's not go there. Anyway, here's what we going to do (as usual on this time of the year). I'm going to release the nominees and pick a winner - totally based on my observations and biases :)

Best Picture
"Black Swan"
"The Fighter"
"Inception"
"The Kids Are All Right"
"The King's Speech"
"127 Hours"
"The Social Network"
"Toy Story 3"
"True Grit"
"Winter's Bone"

Academy's Fav: Black Swan, The King's Speech

Ed's Pick: Inception (though I dont think it's Academy's favourite. Pooh!!). By the way, Winter's Bone...I want my money back!


Best Actor
Javier Bardem, "Biutiful"
Jeff Bridges, "True Grit"
Jesse Eisenberg, "The Social Network"
Colin Firth, "The King's Speech"
James Franco, "127 Hours"

Academy's Fav: Colin Firth

Ed's Pick: I have not seen 'Biutiful' and I think Leo diCaprio is SEVERELY snubbed. I love Franco but I think it's not his year yet. Jeff Bridges was just his drunken self. Eisenberg... hmm..maybe. Gaah. The non-J will take it. Colin Firth.


Best Actress
Annette Bening, "The Kids Are All Right"
Nicole Kidman, "Rabbit Hole"
Jennifer Lawrence, "Winter's Bone"
Natalie Portman, "Black Swan"
Michelle Williams, "Blue Valentine"

Academy's Fav: Natalie Portman

Ed's Pick: Jennifer Lawrence makes me want to kill myself. Why is she even here? I know Portman might just bag it...but I have a soft spot for Kidman. So yes, I pick a (losing battle) Nicole Kidman.


Supporting Actor
Christian Bale, "The Fighter"
John Hawkes, "Winter's Bone"
Jeremy Renner, "The Town"
Mark Ruffalo, "The Kids Are All Right"
Geoffrey Rush, "The King's Speech"
James Franco's right hand, "127 Hours"

Academy Fav: Christian Bale

Ed's Pick: Andrew Garfield and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are snubbed! I'll go with the academy on this. Christian "I'm British but I'm an American psycho!" Bale


Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, "The Fighter"
Helena Bonham Carter, "The King's Speech"
Melissa Leo, "The Fighter"
Hailee Steinfeld, "True Grit"
Jacki Weaver, "Animal Kingdom"

Academy's Fav: Melissa Leo

Ed's Pick: I would have picked Mila Kunis but wait..she's not here. It's Hailee Steinfeld for me.

Director
Darren Aronofsky, "Black Swan"
David O. Russell, "The Fighter"
Tom Hooper, "The King's Speech"
David Fincher, "The Social Network"
Joel and Ethan Coen, "True Grit"

Academy's Fav: Darren Aronofsky

Ed's Pick: Great injustice to Christopher Nolan. How can he be snubbed? Did they watch Inception? Fuck shit. I'm going to side with David Fincher on this.


Adapted Screenplay
"127 Hours," Screenplay by Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy
"The Social Network," Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin
"Toy Story 3," Screenplay by Arndt, Story by Lasseter, Stanton and Unkrich
"True Grit," Written for the screen by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
"Winter's Bone," Adapted for the screen by Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini

Academy's Fav: The Social Network

Ed's Pick: This is purely biased as I am a huge Boyle fan - 127 Hours!


Original screenplay
"Another Year," Written by Mike Leigh
"The Fighter," Screenplay by Silver,Tamasy & Johnson
"Inception," Written by Christopher Nolan
"The Kids Are All Right," Written by Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg
"The King's Speech," Screenplay by David Seidler

Academy's Fav: The King's Speech

Ed's Pick: Nolan wrote a bat-shit crazy screenplay and he should win. Inception!


Cinematography
"Black Swan," Matthew Libatique
"Inception," Wally Pfister
"The King's Speech," Danny Cohen
"The Social Network," Jeff Cronenweth
"True Grit," Roger Deakins

Academy's Fav: I dont know...and I dont care.

Ed's Pick: One question - did you even see Inception??? INCEPTION


Original Score
"How to Train Your Dragon," John Powell
"Inception," Hans Zimmer
"The King's Speech," Alexandre Desplat
"127 Hours," A.R. Rahman
"The Social Network," Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Academy's Fav: 127 Hours by AR Rahman, if I am not wrong

Ed's Pick: Reznor and Ross in The Social Network


Original Song
"Coming Home" from "Country Strong"
"I See the Light" from "Tangled,"
"If I Rise" from "127 Hours"
"We Belong Together" from "Toy Story 3"

Academy's Fav: Randy Newma's "We Belong Together"

Ed's Pick: 127 Hours' If I Rise


OKay. These are all the categories I bothered to list. I would like to know who win the short film cats also cause I have read the work of the nominatees. It's almost 0230hrs and so I must go to bed. Ryan Seacrest will appear on my TV screen at 0800hrs and I must be up and ready by then.

See you at the red carpet.

Or just here.


###

I need a doctor

My favourite rapper gets nostalgic and emo ... but what's new. Love the MTV though!




P/S: This suffices for now. Too busy, too tired with this crazy shit called "working for too-much-crap." Updates later.



###

Only the young

On the 7th of Feb, thanks to my sis-in-law, I managed to watch Janet Jackson live in concert. Sha and Lauren were there too and since Lauren drove, the three of us hopped into her car and headed to Jalan Kayu after that.



It feels good to be (not so) young and free...sometimes.


P/S: I thought 'Rabbit Hole' was awesome! As much as I know that Natalie Portman has 'Best Actress' in her pocket, I hope Nicole Kidman can pull an upset!

###

I hope you die

Had a 5 minute anger-breakdown in the office. Threw my books, almost broke my cubicle, almost broke my laptop (sorry, Mandela!), injured my toes as I was kicking my cabinet and hurled a slew of Hokkien vulgarities.

Colleagues, understanding beings as they were, just went out of the room.



###

S&M

What a freaking hot Sunday it has been.

Had a really nasty, nasty dream this morning. It was almost cruel, I would say. But as always, I picked myself out of bed and exterminated the negativity. Yes...sometimes I can be that Rachel Berry-ish.

Met Ayu, my primary school mate, first time in 19 years today and we went to Fifi & Suriani's wedding. Ayu and I went to the same primary school with Suriani. And as for Fifi, well, I knew him during my Cadet Inspector days way back in 1998. I was invited to Fifi's side but since Suriani stays just a street away, I followed Ayu to her side instead.

Over there, Fifi had already reached the bride's side. Ah Kiong and JarJarDinks, the best men, were there too. Met Fuzzo...another primary school mate and geez...we still looked the same 19 years down the road.

Something about those who were born in 1980.
We never seem to age.
Amazeballs.

Stayed for about an hour and then Ayu and I split ways. Right now, I am already at The Cathay...waiting for True Grit to start. Later, I am catching 127 Hours back at AMK Hub. Yes....it sounds crazy and to the point of mental, but I need to cover my Oscars-nominated movie watching before the award ceremony itself. I have one more week and I still have a few more to go...e.g. Rabbit Hole (Nicole Kidman!).

The coming week is going to be rough. Will clock a 13hr-day on both Thursday and Friday. On top of that, I'll be working on both Saturday and Sunday the whole freaking day because it's the school's open house. Nabei crap dipshit.

But come Monday 28th Feb...it will be great. I've taken leave because I predict that I'll be bushed by then. Of course, the main reason is that is Oscars Day. James Franco is co-hosting and I cant wait. That man is the king of my heart...overtaking Brad Pitt now that the latter is busy playing father.

Oh joy!!

P/S: I cant believe this entry is mainly on Oscars. Oh well. There's nothing much going on apart from my insane movie obsession.


###

Someone like you

I heard that you're settled down.
That you found a girl and you're married now.
I heard that your dreams came true.
Guess she gave you things I didn’t give to you.
Old friend, why are you so shy?
It ain’t like you to hold back or hide from the lie.

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited,
But I couldn’t stay away, I couldn’t fight it.
I hoped you’d see my face & that you’d be reminded,
That for me, it isn’t over.

Nevermind, I’ll find someone like you.
I wish nothing but the best for you too.
Don’t forget me, I beg, I remember you said:
“Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead”
Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead, yeah.

You’d know how the time flies.
Only yesterday was the time of our lives.
We were born and raised in a summery haze.
Bound by the surprise of our glory days.

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited,
But I couldn’t stay away, I couldn’t fight it.
I hoped you’d see my face & that you’d be reminded,
That for me, it isn’t over yet.

Nevermind, I’ll find someone like you.
I wish nothing but the best for you too.
Don’t forget me, I beg, I remember you said:
“Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead”, yay.

Nothing compares, no worries or cares.
Regret’s and mistakes they’re memories made.
Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?

Nevermind, I’ll find someone like you.
I wish nothing but the best for you too.
Don’t forget me, I beg, I remembered you said:
“Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead”

Nevermind, I’ll find someone like you.
I wish nothing but the best for you too.
Don’t forget me, I beg, I remembered you said:
“Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead”
Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead, yeah.

...oh what a heartbreak, Adele.


###

Born this way

Took my first MC of the year...47 days into 2011.

Jolted out of bed at 5am cause I needed to expel sputum and at 7am, when as I hugging my sink coughing my ass off, there was blood in the phlegm. Smsed the good people at work and then I hobbled back to bed. Overnight, the body had become as stiff as a plank and, being a drama queen, I thought if I were to die, that was it.

Wobbled to the clinic at 1100hrs and met the doctor 30mins later...longest 30mins. Was beginning to sweat, lightheaded and nauseated. Maybe I was just hungry.

So yeah..it's a quarter after one (and I'm all alone and I need you now...tsk..focus! Meds taking effect) and I'm back on bed. Am waiting for the Ventolin-laced cough syrup to kick in.

Prepare to evacuate soul.


###

Alright with me

This has been so neglected. In fact, everything has been neglected.



I have been nursing this malady for more than a week. I caught some bug on Cebu Pacific and by the time I landed in Manila on 3rd of Feb, I was feeling like a (plane) wreck.

Pinanki and Chely picked me up, we went for a late lunch and then they dropped me at the hotel (after driving past some uber barrios!). Ewok, my roomie who came down a day earlier, was already out on a day trip with my other friends who came 1-2 days earlier.






About 1700hrs, I took a cab and headed to the 3rd largest mall in Asia - The Mall of Asia. Crazy, sprawling place. As I was alone, I really took my time.


There are so many wings to this building.
And yes, there's a huge-ass skating rink.

Was there for about 3 hours. My Pinoy regret was that I didnt stay much longer or buy more stuff. I was tired so I just did look-see. I also thought most stuff were expensive so I really only bought some bargain items - DVDs and a couple of books. Clothes-wise, well, the Topshops (and the likes) are more expensive while the local shops are..erm..not really my style. Haha.

Oh, another thing I bought was popcorn.
6 tubs of Chef Tony's popcorns to be brought home and given away.


Bloody addictive...and can only be found in Philippines.
Basket.

In Manila, the sun set earlier and so by 1830hrs, it was dark. As it was my first time in Philippines and I was alone, I decided not to linger (hence my lack of shopping and sightseeing). Jumped into a cab, got ripped by cabby (paid 80 peso in the day, but paid 180 peso at night) and I was back in the hotel by 2130hrs. Chatted with Pinaki for a while in his room and then returned to my room to watch a bit of TV. Ewok came back after a while and we both chatted and watched TV. By then, I was getting tired...aching body ...and was fast catching a cold.

Second day in Philippines (Friday 4th Feb 2011) started with breakfast and after that it was the process of getting ready for the wedding.











The church wedding ended at about 1630hrs and we then had to make our way to a hotel for the dinner reception. Ewok and I hitched a ride with Monica (a former colleague who's from Philippines). By then, I was feeling damn groggy, weak and also, my feet were killing me (no thanks to heels). It took us an hour to get to the hotel. Dinner reception started at 1930hrs.

Didnt take many photos here because I was busy eating and getting sabotaged by the mistress of ceremony. Plus, it's just Pinaki and Chely haha.




The wedding banquet ended surprisingly early. At about 2100hrs, we were all on our way back to the hotel (of residence). Ewok got ready and went to bed while I joined Abhishek, Harjinder, Monica (former colleagues), the wifeys, Pinaki's brother and Carole (Pinaki's French friend) in Abhishek's hotel room for some drinks and "intelligent" chats. Long night...we all eventually crawled to own rooms at 0330hrs in the morning. So much for wanting to rest because I was feeling sick.

Third day (5th Feb) and it was the day to get home. See...I told you it was a whirlwind ride to Manila.





Pinaki and Chely were supposed to send me to the airport at 1130hrs as my flight was at 1330hrs but we got delayed and by the time we reached the airport, it was already 1230hrs. I rushed all the way to the check-in counter because I was hoping to do some shopping at the airport (I still had some pesos with me then). Unfortunately, it was a budget terminal so there werent many shops around. I bought this hamper of Mango preservatives which cost me about S$40 and that's it. I brought home my pesos.

Blaaah!!!




Ride home was horrible. I was tired but I couldnt sleep. Began to develop cough, my nose was blocked and chest was getting congested. The mother and Lexie picked me up and ... boy...was I glad to see family.

All right.

It's 0235hrs and I think I should get to bed. A couple of days ago, I totally lost my voice. However, I managed to regain it yesterday (a bit) but the bloody cough and nasal congestion are still persistent. Maybe I should just succumb to take MC tomorrow.

Right.

Happy Valentine's Day to the believing lovers.

And hey, it's Grammys Day!


###

Hold it against me

I put a Facebook status a few days ago asking dating agents to stop bugging me. Then a few hours later, a former student ( a mature student) sent me a message. It read:

"Didn't want to declare dis publicly on your wall, but that was how I met my current bf. It was through Lunch Actually(LA). I've tried a few, but I think LA's the best. They really do provide you with personalised service. It's expensive but a gd investment. And I've never been happier. (God I sound like Sellavision..Lol..) But really, my bf's pretty much what I was looking for, so in that sense, they really do try to you match up as best as they can to what you want and also to your interests and personalities.

But of course,lah there will be a few duds. My bf signed up for a 4 date package and it took the last date for him to find me. Whilst I signed up for d same package and I met him as my 2nd date. So, yeps, don give up on those agencies. ;)

Gd luck! I hope you'll find your bliss too! :)"


....nothing to reply her.

Speechless.


###

Xin nian dao!

Am still trying to finish some work before I fly off to Manila tomorrow. Yes...am attending a friend/colleague's wedding there and am going to be away for 3d2n. Flying up alone...meeting others there. Many have gone first and stay longer. Me? 3 days are all I can afford - time-wise.

Havent packed.
Will do later.

First, I need to go Chinatown to soak up the atmosphere. So before I go, here's wishing my Chinese friends a very happy Chinese new year. May the xin nian and the nian of the rabbit bring golden and juicy carrots to us all.

Kong Hei Fatt Choy!



Oh for the lack of festive spirit...here's this one.



Huat ah!


###