The Egyptian Man

He took a gamble in the night
Pouring his heart to the far Moon.
It started cold, almost dubious
But it slowly burned gentle.
He felt the Moon nodding.
In acknowledgement, not in accordance
And that was refreshing.
The Moon knew.
The Moon saw.
Though the Moon was far away
He knew he could trust the Moon.
He talked about being stuck,
Being anchored to the dunes.
Like sand through the hourglass
That was how life was passing him by.
The government failed him,
The women were disappointing.
Pleasure was only from a guilt
Or from the eyes of other strangers.
Everyone's but never his own.
Will you take me, he asked the Moon.
Or will it be all right if I go where you are?
The Moon just smiled
For the Moon longed to be down there
Where he stood
To feel the sand in her grasp.
Why be up here
Away from life
Away from love?
They looked at each other.
The man and his Moon.
No more words now
Just comfortable silence.
Soon he realised the Moon
Was getting further and further away.
We have to part, he sadly muttered.
For Fajr is here.

Do it all for a good girl

Stop making a big deal out of the little things
Cause I got big deals and I got little things.

 ###

(As I walk home alone) A question of faith

At the risk of sounding communist, life is a struggle.

Not the struggle inspired by Karl Marx or Mikhail Bakunin, rather, the more intimate struggle of humanity and its personal dilemma of ethics, morality, freedom and acts of conformism. Life struggle will not and never end as man will not stop coveting till the day he expires. The attempt to stop coveting is a major struggle itself. Maybe many of us should learn to accept that struggle is a part of life. Accepting that does not make the struggle any easier but it will make us humane. There is no way struggle will disappear but perhaps by accepting its existence, we will be more aware of how we can tackle it. One struggle at a time until the struggle for that last breath is lost.

Each day, we struggle.
Do we get up?
Do we call in sick?
Shall I eat this?
Must I pray?
Can I swear at my boss?
Do I love him?

And each day we react to the struggle almost automatically, without giving it much thought sometimes. We trust that those reactions stem from our background, education and social environment. But what if those things are not ideal? What if our background and education did not equip us enough? What if our environment is weak? What can help you through your struggle? What if you do not have the ability to improve your education and environment?

I'm not one who is religious. Far from it. I do, however, believe in the need to possess faith. Though it was blind in my early years, I then sought to understand it slowly in my adult years. I still struggle sometimes to embrace it fully but it helps to know that I have a pillar to look out for and to reach out to.

Now, what is your faith? What do you believe in?

If your faith lies in humanity, what is the cause of humanity?
If your faith lies in happiness, what is the ultimate goal of happiness?
If your faith lies in your own self-conscience, who sparks that conscience and what does it want?
If your faith lies in the greater good of mankind, what exactly does mankind want?


###

And we'll never be royal

Here I am at the Royal Palace of Amsterdam.

Survived a backbreaking 12hour journey to Paris before flying in to Amsterdam. A  bit of a confusion down at Schipol but I finally reached my accommodation at 1.20pm.

It's 5.35pm right now and it is already dark. Walked up and down Dam Square after visiting Royal Palace and I thinm the jetlag ia settling in. Think I can barely drag my feet in these heavy Doc Marts.

...the scent from next door's coffeeshop though...

Existing

 We cannot get hurt.

 ###

Round the bend

Abandonment.
Not only am I a commitment-phobe, it just hit me earlier today that I have abandonment issues.

A cousin sent a picture of my grandma and me yesterday. In that picture, I must have been around six or seven cause my grandma was still staying with me. Not long after, she left my house to stay in Yishun with my then-bachelor uncle.

My grandma and I, we were very close. Growing up, I wasn't close to my parents because they were never around. It was always my grandma who was with me. Besides, I think my mom loved my brother more (she probably still does). So yeah, I only had a year with my busy parents before the brother came along.

[Oh yeah, I also had my youngest auntie staying with me when I was a child. But she got married when I was around 4 and moved out. That was my second case of abandonment. The first abandoners being my parents. My cancer-stricken auntie died 5 years ago. That added to my ever-present grief. She was the only auntie whom I could pour my heart too.]

Back to my grandma.

She left to be with my uncle. I remember yearning to keep on going to Yishun when I was a child, only to be with her. It was a bachelor pad. It was not a place for kids. As my uncle was in the advertising+creative line, a lot of "creative" materials were all over the place. When he wasn't around, and when my grandma was busy cooking or sewing, I would break into my uncle's office, look at his 'creative' materials (include a lot of adult visuals...I was only 8). I found a bible in his drawer (he was a dating a Christian girl) and that was how I got to read the bible.

[Good lord. I read the bible before I even read the Qur'an. Thank God my grandma instilled an Islamic foundation during my early childhood. I could have been so confused.]

Anyway, yes, grandma left me. My mom left her job to take care of brother and me. Then she got pregnant, and the sister appeared. Feelings of abandonment multiplied. Now...nobody was free to bring me to Yishun. Mom was too busy with the little dumpling.

Two years flew. I channeled my energy into school. Yes, at Primary 3 & 4. I was so 'adult' then...feeling all independent and slightly angsty. I couldnt really fit in cause everyone was so happy. PE was a good outlet to vent my frustrations. I was good at that. One fine day in 1990, my uncle appeared at my classroom door to pick me up. "Grandma's gone," he said.

Abandonment.
Parents weren't the ones to pick me.
Abandonment.

You see, 1990 was a watershed year. I lost my one true love. I've never recovered. In 1996, I suffered my first heartbreak. It added to my sadness because I lost the second person whom I thought I loved. Bear in mind I was 16, young and stupid.

Anyway, the rest of my teenage years (and going well into my 20s) were spent dealing with these abandonment issues. I sabotaged relationships before they got too ..well..complicated. Nothing is forever and before it ends and blows up in my face, I should walk away, right? Well that was how I felt.

Now...at 34, I am tired.
Tired of walking away, tired of being in grief all the time.
The first step towards self-improvement is self-acceptance so here I am, accepting the fact that I have issues.

I dont want these issues to go away because these issues carry the memories of my loved ones - mainly my grandma and my beloved auntie - but I just need a way to work my way around them.

Okay.

I dont have a poetic way to end this entry. So yeah...that's all.


###

Diamond in the rough

"Melinda was mine'

Til the time that I found her

Holding Jim, loving him

Then Sue came along, loved me strong

That's what I thought

Me and Sue, but that died too

Don't know that I will

But until I can find me

The girl who'll stay

And won't play games behind me

I'll be what I amA solitary man, solitary man

I've had it to here

Bein' where love's a small word

Part-time thing, paper ring

I know it's been done

Havin' one girl who'll love me

Right or wrong, weak or strong

Don't know that I will

But until I can find me

The girl who'll stay

And won't play games behind me

I'll be what I am

A solitary man, solitary man"

...

"So that's your favourite one? From Neil Diamond?" I asked curiously.

"Why? Do you know who he is?"

He eyed me from the top of his reading glasses. How I loved it when he had them on. 

"Well, not like I know him personally, but do...do I know him? Hello, he's one of the greatest singers in this lifetime!" 

His eyes lit up. I think we had a connection there. Neil Diamond. Hah, who would have thought?

"Say, what's your Diamond favourite? Oh wait, let me guess. 'Sweet Caroline'?

"No."

"'Shilo'? 'Red Red Wine'? 'Cracklin' Rosie'?

Okay. Is he going to go through the whole of Neil Diamond's discography?

Can I talk now?

"No, no and no. My favou.."

"'Song Sung Blue'! It has to be 'Song Sung Blue'! he almost yelled.

What is that? Dude, it's only a song.

No offence, Neil Diamond.

"It's 'Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon'. It's soulful and it is kind of deep." The answer finally broke out of my mouth. I had to admit, it did feel a little good that my favourite was not among those titles he had rattled off earlier. It made me feel like a badass. A Neil Diamond badass.

"You must have heard it from that Tarantino movie, right? 'Pulp Fiction'? That version was by Urge Overkill."

"Yes I know that version. I know that movie. I did not like it, but I know," I said while trying to be sure that I still looked cool.

"What do you mean you didn't like 'Pulp Fiction'? Are you kidding me, Jules?"

That semi-screech again.

What is this dude's problem?

I take it back.

He and his glasses can both scram out of my sight now.

"Well, Peter. I wasn't into that. I love other Tarantino flicks like 'Inglourious Basterds' and 'Django Unchained' but 'Pulp Fiction' didn't really hit me."

"Hah, you're such a girl!" he laughed.

"Wait, I thought this is about Neil Diamond?"

"Well, it isn't now."

God. 

Just how many more frogs do I have to kiss?

###

Talk of nothing

"So what's your story? What are you looking for?"

I am stumped by the questions. Sure I've had some interesting events here and there but there are never really stories to me. And what am I looking for? Well, if I know what it is for sure I would have found it by now.

Okay. 
Bite your tongue. 
Let's not get sarcastic.

"Story? I don't have much of a story and I think I am looking for happiness."

Great, Jules. 
Play that bimbo card. 

"Sounds easy, but I am sure happiness is quite a tricky thing to achieve," he says with a slight smile.

What is that? That smile? Is it a mocking smile that carries biting sarcasm or is that an empathetic one? I don't know and do I have to care?

"Well, some people say that if your idea of happiness is simple, you can achieve it easily. Maybe my version of happiness sounds a tad complicated."

"Ah, I like complications. It keeps the brain running. Life isn't easy and something that is easily achieved should be looked at again!" says he with the twinkling eyes. "Aren't you going to ask me anything? What I like, what I don't? Or do I have to do all the talking around here?"

Damn it. 
Must I? 
Breathe. 
Here I go. 

"Okay. I did tell you that I'm not much of a talker." Cue nervous laughter. "Well, let's see. Ah, okay. Which one do you think is more important in a relationship? Passion or dedication?"

Seriously, Jules? 
THAT question? 

"You don't have to answer that if you don't want to. It was just something at the top of my head anyway."

Quick, grab the coffee cup. 
Drink. Drink. Drink. 

"Passion, Jules. I'll choose passion for sure. Don't you feel the same way too?"

"I'll choose dedication but, it's not about me. Why do you choose that?"

"Surely you need passion to keep the relationship alive! It is an intense emotion and one filled with desire."

Ah, that smile again. I have such mixed feelings about that smile right now.

"Well, Hans, what happens when the passion isn't there? What if one day it takes a hike? It may come back and maybe it won't. We can't guarantee that we can feel passionate all the time but dedication, on the other hand, will always be there. It is a commitment that you must always make things work even though you may want to kill your lover...not killing out of lust...but you know, kill...murder."

Have I said too much? 
Should have just stuck to that bimbo card.

"Wow, where did that come from?" he laughs.

Great, now he thinks I'm a fool. The anxiety in my tummy is almost making its way up my throat. This is an evening I can no longer stomach. How long have we been here?

10 minutes.

"I can see your point."

He can? 

"I can see why you chose dedication."

"Because you think I'm passion-less?"

"Because I think you're scared."

Oh boy. Now I'm a coward.

"Scared? Maybe."

"That's it, Jules? You're not going to argue with that?"

Oh, must I? Must I? 
Come, let me pummel the crap out of you.

"No, I don't want to argue. Aren't we suppose to just chill?"

"We are....yes, we are."


###

Go to the end of the world for you

...to make you feel my love.




###

Heart

I haven't cried for a long time. But lately something is really bugging me. Bugging me enough for me to compose this while my vision is clouded with tears.

Yet, it is still like me to not say my sorrows explicitly.

So...here is me, crying my Friday night away.

###

The beach life

I am here at Villa Danialla, in Kelantan, with my parents for a short getaway. I have gotten a beach resort...with its own secluded beach...and gorgeous infinity pool.

But I think the parents are slowly regretting the fact that they have allowed me to settle the accommodation.

Them, being such city folks, find the tranquility disturbing. Like danger is going to pounce on them anytime. Like the earth will, without warning, open up and swallow them whole.

City folks.

Me?

I am a beach-bum hippie.

P/S: But it sure looks scary to go about swimming in the South China Sea alone. Father? Father?

###

New love

Found this band...thanks to 'Cool Kids'.

###

Sense of awareness

Density.
How can someone so mature be so unaware to the obvioua surrounding?

So is it true?
That everyone has that degree of autism...or something on the spectrum...in them?

Hmmm.

I'll take it that it is true for now.

###

Fembot

Damon Albarn - Everyday Robots (Official Video):

All of life is a coming home

Sometime last week, one of my idols passed away. My, what a way to leave...taking his own life, in his own house, with loved ones just metres away. What transpired a man, loved by many, to expire that way?

Robin Williams' death shocked many, of course. Many did not expect such a funny man to have a deep sadness embedded in him. Some people I know mentioned that they have lost 'respect' in him because of the way he chose to go, saying suicide's a coward way to end...it's silly...an insult to God...bla bla bla. I don't agree with these friends. Depression IS a complex thing. Besides, your death has been willed by Him anyway. He knows how you're going to go.

I would like to think that I know what depression is. I think we all have been at our lowest points some times in our lives and normally, many of us can bounce back stronger a few days or weeks later.

However, for some, that moroseness, melancholia, anxiety, fear don't go away. The severity may differ on some days but that sickening feeling at the bottom of the stomach never truly disappears even after years. Some result to seek healings, some result to alcohol, to food, to drugs, to sex, to whatever that can give days, hours, minutes and seconds of pleasure. To feel a little human, a little happiness, a little gratifying satisfaction. It is easy to say "Oh, you should turn to God" but it is not.

Not everyone has the capacity in their mind to do that. Not someone with depression, that is for sure. That's why they need help in the forms of therapy, counselling, fellowship, rehabilitation and yes, constant emotional checks with loved ones.

The irony behind all these is that depression is a lonely road. You can be surrounded by everyone and yet, feeling like a child marooned on an empty island after being abandoned by her parents. That's why it is complex. I have seen it in front of my own eyes. It degenerates you, eating you up slowly from the inside. And it takes a lot for a person to finally say:

"Okay. That's it.
I am done with this shitty feeling.
I need help. I am determine to get better."

And when you say that, there are many options and some choose to kill themselves to end this worldly misery.

Why depression when you seem like someone who has it all? Someone who seems so well put together?

Well, it takes a lot of effort for some people to look well put together. Some people love doing something they love but they need lots of time to recuperate from doing those things. Some people's commitments and responsibilities desire them to behave in certain manner. Some people just have a different perspective to things. Some people feel the weight of the world on their shoulders. There are many reasons as to why people get depressed and every depression is somewhat different. Depression looks inside your brain, your emotions, your personality, your family, your friends, your community...like I said, it is complex.

So if you can feel me, Robin, listen...I think I understand why you did the things you had done. I may not agree with them but I think at that point, you were hitting a wall and it was causing an unbearable pain in your head.

Nevertheless, I want to say thank you for being the light that you were. All those times spent watching 'Mork and Mindy' ...man...I had a blast. Like everyone else, I teared while watching 'What Dreams May Come' and 'Patch Adams'. 'Aladdin' will always be my favourite Disney flick because of your genie. Watching 'Dead Poets Society' on TV for the first time when I was 13 was life-changing. I took O-Level literature because of that. Watching 'Good Will Hunting' at 17 or 18  gave me some much-needed positivity at a time I was unsure of who I was and what I wanted to be.

And best, 'Good Morning Vietnam' was one of my motivations in getting that first job - as a radio presenter in Rediffusion straight after school at 20.



Like the other flawed genius George Carlin, you too will be severely missed by me. Thank you for the laughter, the tears and the insights. The world is less funny without you.

"Gooooooooood-byyyyyyye Vietnaaaaam! That's right, I'm history... I'm outta here. I got the lucky ticket home, baby. Rollin, rollin, rollin'... keep them wagons rollin', rawhide! Yeah, that's right... the final Adrian Cronauer broadcast... and this one is brought to you by our friends at the Pentagon. Remember the people who brought you Korea? That's right, the U.S. Army. If it's being done correctly, here or abroad, it's probably not being done by the Army."
- Adrian Cronauer, Good Morning Vietnam.

Nanu-nanu :(

Fade to black

Now that clears things out.

Right?

It looks like it.

It doesn't feel like it though.

But I am a logical person.

So, let's be empirical about it.

###

Manis-manis Lebaran

Kawan-kawan...besok dah Hari Raya :)



Selamat Hari Raya.
Maaf zahir dan batin.
Salam Eid-ul-fitri.
Eid Mubarak.

Besok kita enjoy.

Lepas tu...kerja macam nak mampus sekali lagi.

###

Leggo!

World Cup Final.

I love this tournament but I am so glad that we have finally come to the end of the road. I need my normal sleeping pattern back. I need to keep more alert in school :(

So yes, after so so so so long, Argentina have finally reached the ultimate stage. Though I know the odds of them winning against Germany are low, I still will support them anyway. Why? I have always been a fan of Argentina ever since I started watching WC in 1986. Yes, the season that had the Hand of God fiasco was the first time I ever watched a World Cup match at the age of 6. I remember my uncle screaming out names like Lineker, Zico, Matthaus, Cesar, Socrates, Platini, Voller, Papin and of course Maradona...and how jubilant he was whenever a beautiful goal was scored. That excitement stuck with me ever since whenever I got to watch a football match.

As to why Argentina...actually, I support all Latin teams because I love their carefree, creative kind of football.

Screw it. I love every team. Football is beautiful, ya'll.

Come.
Play ball!


###

Saudade

"If only tonight we could sleep

In a bed made of flowers
If only tonight we could fall
In a deathless spell
If only tonight we could slide
Into deep black water
And breathe
And breath" - If Only Tonight We Could Sleep, The Cure

...

Ramadan is well into its 9th day and today is exceptionally blessed because it is a school holiday...Youth Day!

Okay. 30 minutes ago I had a billion things to write - about life, work, love, that 'saudade' episode I had last night after Maghrib prayers and many more. But I got distracted and now I am almost speechless, save for these words I am writing to tell you that I am speechless.

Maybe we can try again tonight.

Don't worry.
I am still here.


P/S: During the blog inactivity, my favourite female author died. Your words live on, Maya Angelou.

P/P/S: During the blog inactivity, many Palestinian children died. May they be sent straight to Heaven.

###

 

Pretty little liars

Will you...

...still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful?

Okay. Beautiful is very loosely used here.

Little

https://nurashikinsalim.wordpress.com/2014/06/11/dear-my-muslim-lgbtq-brothers-and-sisters/

Lightness

Good morning, Hong Kong.

I hate noise but here I am.
I hate the idea where life is highly driven by the sheer concept of materialism
Yet here I am.
I hate crowds and chaos
Yet again and again here I am.
What is this you have over me?

I scratched a little.
I felt a soul.
I pressed my ear a little.
I heard a beating heartbeat.
I smelled intently.
I found life.

Your contradictions amaze me.
Your rebellions inspire me.
Your acceptances amuse me.
Your fighting spirit humbles me.

So I come back
Again and again.
Bless your beating heart, Hong Kong.

Kowloon with love

Heading to Hong Kong in a bit.

This time round, hope to catch a bit of the 'countryside'.

But it is thunderstorm season.

So...lepak, it will be.

All the way to reno...

...vations.

House is undergoing toilet upgrading work and boy, this sucks. Mother and sister have gone to stay at my uncle's but I am staying behind to accompany Father who wants to stick around to supervise the place...and to clean it up at the end of the next 10 days, of course.

Gonna be so tiring on him physically and financially. The contractors hacked part of our cabinet because of some piping work. Our wash basin area seems somewhat ruin too. There's only so much I can contribute.

Anyway, the kitchen, due to the layout of my 'island', does not have enough space for the contractors to place a portable loo. That means, Father and I have to utilise the communal loo downstairs. Again, that sucks balls.

Think tomorrow I have to bring dirty laundry to work and air them there.

Shower before I get home too.

Boo.

Timeout

Here.

To absorb some light.

Whatever that is left for today.

My song

Party girls don't get hurt
Can't feel anything, when will I learn
I push it down, push it down

I'm the one "for a good time call"
Phone's blowin' up, they're ringin' my doorbell
I feel the love, I feel the love

1,2,3 1,2,3 drink
1,2,3 1,2,3 drink
1,2,3 1,2,3 drink
Throw em back, till I lose count

I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
Like it doesn't exist
I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier

And I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Help me, I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight

Sun is up, I'm a mess
Gotta get out now, gotta run from this
Here comes the shame, here comes the shame

1,2,3 1,2,3 drink
1,2,3 1,2,3 drink
1,2,3 1,2,3 drink
Throw em back till I lose count

I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
Like it doesn't exist
I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier

And I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Help me, I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight
On for tonight
Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
No, I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight
On for tonight
Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
No, I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight
On for tonight

###

Flava flav

Weather has been a little unbearable and on top of that, the hair has been getting a little annoying. Not forgetting it has been 'shedding' a lot.

So just now, on my way home, I stopped by the nearest salon and ordered the lady to cut.

CUT!

Added a little hair treatment...so here's presenting my $35 hairdo.

My cheapest haircut so far.

###

Sweat(er) Weather

As usual, I am late to this. But, oh I love this tune.



"Sweater Weather"
All I am is a man
I want the world in my hands
I hate the beach
But I stand
In California with my toes in the sand
Use the sleeves of my sweater
Let's have an adventure
Head in the clouds but my gravity's centered
Touch my neck and I'll touch yours
You in those little high-waisted shorts, oh

She knows what I think about
And what I think about
One love, two mouths
One love, one house
No shirt, no blouse
Just us, you find out
Nothing that I wouldn't wanna tell you about, no

'Cause it's too cold
For you here and now
So let me hold
Both your hands in the holes of my sweater

And if I may just take your breath away
I don't mind if there's not much to say
Sometimes the silence guides our minds
So move to a place so far away
The goose bumps start to raise
The minute that my left hand meets your waist
And then I watch your face
Put my finger on your tongue
'Cause you love to taste, yeah

These hearts adore
Everyone the other beats hardest for
Inside this place is warm
Outside it starts to pour

Coming down
One love, two mouths
One love, one house
No shirt, no blouse
Just us, you find out
Nothing that I wouldn't wanna tell you about, no, no, no

Head Ache

Survived 3 sessions of oral examination.

My head is going to split open any moment now.

So...let's stone.

Soy un perdedor

I am here. Still here. Still trying to make sense of what is happening around me.

Still clueless, apparently.

5pm. After school hours. Just about to mark. Almost chugged down my perfume instead of my Ribena.

Man.

Besame

A long and thankless day made comfortable by this.
Now if only we can all snuggle.

###

Run run runaway baby

Sleep happy

:)

 
 

Meet Mr Mars

After waiting for 4 months, the day is almost here.

Gonna meet Bruno Mars tomorrow.

Bang bang...GORILLA!

###

Two big hearts

Love love love LOVE this.

It's like doing the waltz on a cobbled sidewalk in Vienna on an lovely spring evening. With a Malay man.

Cause...you know...the song is in Malay.

Good Sunday, guys.




:)

Me, myself and selfie

Weather has been awesome here in Krabi.

Going kayaking tomorrow.

Bring on the sunblock and aloe lotion.

Tanning is never my past time though I love the great outdoors.

Life and its ironies.

The ghost of Mass Comm past

Abby, Irda and I.

The former Mass Comm lecturers down at TMC.

Abby is for Media Studies.

Irda is for Public Relations and Business.

I am for Journalism and Film.

Good times.

Friday blues

Am setting exam paper.

And my godmother is accompanying me on the record player.

Come
Come
Come into my world.

5 more days...

...and it will be screw you, lesson plans, cause it is school vacation.

One week.

Then of course it is back to work again.

But now, let me deal with my Monday blues with old records.

Dust the vinyls.

Time out

Just a quickie.

Golden Man Named Oscar

The annual cinematic excitement is back and hey...this season, I am happy to say that I have been quite an active 'participant' and (armchair) critic. So, here are some of my predictions for...

The 86th Academy Awards

Best Picture:
American Hustle

Captain Phillips

Dallas Buyers Club

Gravity

Her

Nebraska

Philomena

12 Years a Slave

The Wolf of Wall Street

 

Ed's Choice: Gravity

Most likely to win: 12 Years A Slave

EDITED:
Actual Winner: 12 Years A Slave

 

 

Best Actor in a Leading Role:

Christian Bale (American Hustle)

Bruce Dern (Nebraska)

Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street)
Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave)
Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)

Ed's Choice: Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)

Most likely to win: Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)

EDITED:
Actual Winner: Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)

 

 

Best Actress in a Leading Role:

Amy Adams (American Hustle)

Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)

Sandra Bullock (Gravity)

Judi Dench (Philomena)

Meryl Streep (August: Osage County)

 

Ed's Choice: Sandra Bullock (Gravity)

Most likely to win: Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)

EDITED:
Actual Winner: Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)

 

 

Best Actor in a Supporting Role:

Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips)

Bradley Cooper (American Hustle)

Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave)

Jonah Hill (The Wolf of Wall Street)

Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)

 

Ed's Choice: Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)

Most likely to win: Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)

EDITED:
Actual Winner: Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)

 

 

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine)

Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)

Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave)

Julia Roberts (August: Osage County)

June Squibb (Nebraska)

 

Ed's Choice: Julia Roberts (August: Osage County)/ June Squibb (Nebraska)

Most likely to win: Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)

EDITED:
Actual Winner: Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave)

 

 

Best Cinematography:
The Grandmaster (Philippe Le Sourd)

Gravity (Emmanuel Lubezki)

Inside Llewyn Davis (Bruno Delbonnel)

Nebraska (Phedon Papamichael)

Prisoners (Roger A. Deakins

 

Ed's Choice: Nebraska

Most likely to win: Gravity

EDITED:
Actual Winner: Gravity


Best Directing:

American Hustle (David O. Russell)
Gravity (Alfonso Cuarón)

Nebraska (Alexander Payne)

12 Years a Slave (Steve McQueen)

The Wolf of Wall Street (Martin Scorsese)

 

Ed's Choice: Gravity (Alfonso Cuaron)

Most likely to win: The Wolf of Wall Street (Martin Scorsese)

EDITED:
Actual Winner: Gravity (Alfonso Cuaron)

 

 

Best Original Score:

The Book Thief (John Williams)

Gravity (Steven Price)

Her (William Butler, Owen Pallett)

Philomena (Alexandre Desplat)

Saving Mr. Banks (Thomas Newman)

 

Ed's Choice: Gravity

Most likely to win: Her

EDITED:
Actual Winner: Gravity

 

 

Best Original Song:

Happy (Despicable Me 2)

Let It Go (Frozen)

The Moon Song (Her)

Ordinary Love (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom)

 

Ed's Choice: Happy

Most likely to win: Let It Go

EDITED:
Actual Winner: Let It Go

 

 

Best Adapted Screenplay:

Before Midnight (Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke)

Captain Phillips (Billy Ray)

Philomena (Steve Coogan, Jeff Pope)

12 Years a Slave (John Ridley)

The Wolf of Wall Street (Terence Winter)

 

Ed's Choice: Captain Phillips

Most likely to win: 12 Years A Slave

EDITED:
Actual Winner: 12 Years A Slave

 

 

Best Original Screenplay:

American Hustle (Eric Warren Singer, David O. Russell)

Blue Jasmine (Woody Allen)

Dallas Buyers Club (Craig Borten, Melisa Wallack)

Her (Spike Jonze)

Nebraska (Bob Nelson)

 

Ed's Choice: Nebraska

Most likely to win: Blue Jasmine

 

EDITED:
Actual Winner: Her
 

 

Okay.

That's all.

Till tomorrow

 

*cross fingers*

EDITED:
My actual predictions came quite close. Guess it is another year of non-upsets. Bleargh.

 

 

###

 

 

 

Bang bang...gorilla!

Down with heartburn. I guess it is only a matter of time.

Oh this sucks so bad.

Plus, I must be getting really old.

34 hits like a tonne of bricks.


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Volcano

Was at Mt Merapi yesterday. A beauty.

Headed to Borobudur and Prambanan temples earlier as well.

Tired.
























Good times.

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34

Not so young, never beautiful

I am a year older in 24 hours' time. I am feeling emotional. Blame it on being hormonal or whatever.

I hate birthdays.




I've seen the world
Done it all, had my cake now
Diamonds, brilliant, and Bel-Air now
Hot summer nights mid July
When you and I were forever wild
The crazy days, the city lights
The way you'd play with me like a child

Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful
Will you still love me when I got nothing but my aching soul
I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful

I've seen the world, lit it up as my stage now
Channeling angels in, the new age now
Hot summer days, rock and roll
The way you'd play for me at your show
And all the ways I got to know
Your pretty face and electric soul

Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful
Will you still love me when I got nothing but my aching soul
I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful

Dear lord when I get to heaven
Please let me bring my man
When he comes tell me that you'll let him
Father tell me if you can

Oh that grace, oh that body
Oh that face makes me wanna party
He's my sun, he makes me shine like diamonds

Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful
Will you still love me when I got nothing but my aching soul
I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will

Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful
Will you still love me when I'm not young and beautiful


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