My girlfriend's dead

Taken off Lauren's..

--------------------------------------------

recently have been intrigued by a new phenomenon rising in taiwan - 败犬.

败犬 = defeated dog

败犬是指30岁以上，高收入、高学历、事业成功，但无感情归宿的女性。这种说法源自日本女作家酒井顺子的散文集《败犬的远吠》，探讨未婚女性及其生活，认定年过三十的未婚女性，无论事业上多有成就、在职场叱咤风云，只要未婚就是人生战场上的一只败犬。
- 败犬也能成女王《Her Village》第705期

it means a woman who in her 30s, with high income, education, successful career, but uses a blank white paper to describe her love life. the term 'defeated dog' comes from a novel written by a japanese lady. it explores the life of a female, who once is 30 and beyond, no matter how successful she is in her career, as long as she is single, she is a defeated dog.

---------------------------------------------

I am not a defeated dog *sob sob*. Though I am going to be 30 soon..or eventually...whichever comes first, I dont have a high income and I dont really regard my career as successful (painful yes, successful..not yet). Education-wise, I am average. I dont want to be known as a defeated bitch. Gosh...single I am but I am not defeated.

Whoever came up with this label ought to be mauled to death by pitbull terriers. As though the world needs another pathetic stereotype on its beautiful people.

Live strong, ladies.

Now...can somebody change my light bulb and kill the cockroach under my bed?


###

Moving mountain

What? I have a blog?

I am finally done producing my European Cinema Studies textbook and well...I've learnt a lot about continental cinema compared to my own country's cinematic history.

I cant wait for the weekend to come. Saturday I'll be catching Ballet Under the Stars and Sunday...I hope for a little me time. Oh wait! I have promised Meiling that I'm going to the zoo with me. Drats, I forgot.

Shall spend some alone time at the Hamadryas' enclosure, I guess.

Anyway today Gaga and Jinggo and I paid for our National Day weekend - Tioman trip. However, though we paid, our booking at Paya Beach will only be confirmed on Friday... Subject to availability. Otherwise, they will place us elsewhere. Whatever...a shelter is just that....a shelter.

I cant help it.
I'm a utilitarian.

Okay...tomorrow is my first lesson for the semester - Business Communication for Deakin University. I am having jitters...nervous as hell.

But it's good right? Cause once you lose the jitters you dont take it as seriously? And put in less effort, I guess. Hopefully the jitters work for me tomorrow. New students, new subject, new university. Kecut perut, nyah!

And oh!
Harry Potter tomorrow at 1840hrs!!

###

Sweet dreams

Beyonce - Sweet Dreams (High Quality)
Uploaded by Henrietta-Aime-Fumer_Tv - Watch more music videos, in HD!

I am in love with this at the moment.

Beyonce eats wriggly worms!


###

Fighting temptations

I am so tempted to write in to Monash, asking them to take me in and let me do my Master programme and teach at the same time at Monash Sunway campus. Though I do have moments of self-doubt and questions such as "Am i worthy?" crop up, the general vibe that I have is...hell, why can't I?

 

Now...if only my desires arent that short-lived.

 

 

 

###

Yes, I made it to the Botanical Gardens today...after more than 15 years of not being there. I couldnt even remember it being this pretty.

It was already 1645hrs when I met Meiling and by the time we reached the Botanic Gardens, it was already 1815hrs.




Looking at the map and the signboard, frankly, I was quite overwhelmed. Dammit. If I had remember the place to be this big, I would have started my adventure earlier instead of staying of home watching MTV's MJ tribute programme for the umpteenth time.

Anyway,our first stop was the Swan Lake where we saw 2 pairs of swans. Such big pond, and there's only 4 swans. Maybe others have been roasted. Oh that will be yummy.

What's up

I woke up at 0800hrs after sleeping for more than 12 hours. Read magazines, newspapers, book, a number #2, Anthony Bourdain, Friends, milo, chicken rice...all before 1230hrs.

And I have been doing all of the above with a tower on my shoulders. Been wanting to take a shower since 0800hrs...hah, obviously that didnt happen.

Ah, Friends again!


P/S: am contemplating Botanic Gardens...but damn, I need to shower for that.

###

Run baby run

HUAAAWAARRGGH!!

(hulk-moment, there)

As I sit here in my office, nose almost touching the monitor screen as I had been absorbed into the world of Cinema of Armenia (cause I'm writing textbok on it), a growing sense of restlessness meets on a plain with sleepiness. Have I lost you, yet?

I passed out last night on the floor (ah, but where else?) after reading the papers at 0100hrs. After a long day at work (with a teeny bit of Raffles City shopping in between), I managed to drag Meiling to the grounds of the National Museum to catch a bit of the Night Festival. We soaked in sweat as we stood for the main performance to start around 2230hrs, amid other sweaty bodies. But boy...was it good. Will upload videos later when I get back.





Hobbled to the Turkish restaurant at Hotel Rendezvous after that. Meiling had her Turkish coffee while I...lamely got stoned out drinking the Turkish Cold Apple Tea. What followed was a weird sense of trippiness as I struggled to stay conscious in the cab.

All right.
Need to run to my favourite Chinese man (err..Old Chang Kee) for some sustenance.
2 more chapters ...but all I want to do is sleep.



###

You're so vain

6am, day after Christmas
I throw some clothes on in the dark
The smell of cold
Car seat is freezing
The world is sleeping
I am ... numb.


I caught SUNSHINE CLEANING just now and it added to my list disappointing films the season had to offer (on top of Transformers, Terminator Salvation,Ice Age3, Brothers Bloom). Okay Sunshine Cleaning was not as bad as Transformers..fine.

But it is not to say that the film is not without its moments. I like simple, indie stories but Sunshine Cleaning was trying to incorporate too much issues and at the end of a very short 90 minutes, nothing much was achieved. Climax wasnt really impactful, if there was even one.

But what was good was the acting and comic timing. Amy Adams is fast becoming a favourite (oh come on, who doesnt like her in ENCHANTED..kwa kwa "How do you knooow?") and Emily Blunt was so edgy it's good. Alan Arkin was a lark as usual as he reprised almost a similar character to his Little Miss Sunshine's. Still, if only the conflict was poignant enough. Watching Sunshine Cleaning gave me reminiscents of Half Nelson...only slightly better.



I need to sleep.
I am dead beat.

A thousand times goodnight, rebel rousers.


###

My generation / Like a rolling stone

Der People of My Generation,

 

 

Do you find age catching up with you? Do you find that even though you watch what you eat, sleep well and stay youthful, some things have just...changed? Do you find yourself doing something which you wouldnt do 10 years ago? Do you catch yourself sounding like your dad/mom sometimes? And just how that felt?

 

Scary, isnt it?

 

'Scary' is the word to define stepping into mortgage land. It is also the word to use when you experience or anticapte parents, older siblings and relatives wilting in front of you. 'Scary' is the word when you finally need to figure how to use the washing machine, the stove, the sewing machine when your parents have outused them all. 'Scary' is the word to define how you move on in your life, thinking nothing and no one is permanent and that when push comes to shove, nothing is really that important.

 

'Scary' is such a scary word.

 

When I think I can deal with life, someone or something pops out and tells me I can't. Then I spend time dealing with the doubt, wasting precious time wherelse I can spend that time improving myself. How do we tell our loved ones nicely that, while some ways work for them, they may not work on us? Things like marriage, insurance, housing, choice of cable channels and education? No one's life is the same...just how do we learn?

 

Why can't school teach us how to deal with all these income tax, marriage, family planning, in-laws, ERP? The fastest way to travel from Tampines to Jurong? How to squeeze in the morning crowd and still get a seat on the MRT? The most polite way to tell someone of his offensive, and probably toxic, body odour?

 

And God, why cant I stay up late anymore?

 

 

 

###

Do something

I am disappointed

But I know

Life is always not fair.

:(

So maybe tomorrow, we'll find our way.

###

Brown sugar

Chocolate is a naughty little minx.

After consuming three harmless pieces (thanks to a generous colleague who wanted to share the love), Ewok and I were in the throes of ecstasy (not together...but metaphorically). We were ooh-aah-ing over those pieces of expensive chocolate and there were satisfied smiles all around. It was like..wow.

And now...2 hours later, both Ewok and I are almost dead on our desks, falling from the great lethargic height of choc-orgasm. I feel like crap now.

Damn you chocolate.

###

Blame it on the boogie

Oil stains on my favourite dress.

 

The sadness.

 

 

 

###

PYT (Pretty young thing)

I want to blog about my Cameron Highlands trip...but argh, where did the weekend go to?


*hums Michael Jackson's Remember The Time*


Last Friay, headed down to Junction 8 to meet Liah and mummy-to-be Noreen. Had to see the mother before she pop at the end of the month. After PastaMania, we headed to Haagen Dazs to continue the 'khayalan' (fantasy) madness. We found ourselves at AMK Hub at 2200hrs. Liah and Noreen joined Meiling and me to catch ICE AGE 3. While I bought my tickets 2 days before, the girls bought theirs on the night itself and got front row seats :)

ICE AGE 3 was...quite disappointing. I dont know what's wrong with the films lately. Blockbusters with no soul - Transformers, Terminator Salvation, etc. Or is it just me and my melancholic old-age depression? The film was mediocre at best but I love the sexual innuendos (yes, in ICE AGE!)

Oh well. Got home slightly past midnight and I collapsed on the floor unwashed till next day when I woke up automatically to go work. Wah...improvement. Work was never-ending as always and I was just glad to run out at 1315hrs to VivoCity to meet Meiling for..wait for it...another movie.

BROTHERS BLOOM was a damn postmodern offering by Rian Johnson . I like it but it felt just damn long. It felt like a Wes Anderson-production (it wasnt, sadly) and I kind of expected Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzman to jump into the mise-en-scene. Didnt happen. But, overall, the movie was a little breath of fresh air. Just a bit too long and so, it got kind of stale towards the end. Pity.

Rushed home and at 2200hrs met Gladys at Clarke Quay. We were supposed to join CY2 and friends at Attica. We were early so I brought this minah Filipina around Clarke Quay and to ChinaOne for drinks and lepak. 30 minutes later, we dashed out and headed to Attica where CY2 and friends were already there. It was around 2315hrs and the crowd was jumping jumping growing.

Caucasian-man crowd...uh oh.
It's going to be a long and poser-ish night.

No offence to the Caucasian men in the club last night but they were all there to pick girls up and well...not about the dance nor music. Wrong club for me, lah. I am not cut out for the, urgh, Attica "sophistication" with ladies in pretty dresses and prettier poses and all that. Give me the whacked-out ghetto, I guess. And bring back my sneakers, too.

Anyway, manage to create our own fun and got home at 0430hrs. Collapsed on the floor after washing my face and fell asleep while reading the papers. Woke up at noon and rushed to the hair salon.

The hair experience...urgh...it requires another entry on its own.
Disgusting stuff.

Right now, I need to re-arrange my stacking mountain of clean clothes back into the wardrobe and plan what to wear for the week. The clothes have been piling on the bed (hence I rather sleep on the floor) and I have been wearing horrid mismatched clothes to work cause those were the only ones left in my cupboard.

Later then.


###

Greatest love of all

I am tasked to teach another university (Deakin) subject next semester, on top of my 3 Monash Uni subjects. Though it will look good on my resume when I leave next year, it does ruffle me a little. It's going to be a business subject...

On top of that, I dont have a Mass Comm-related class in the Diploma/Higher Diploma level next semester. That really sucks smelly balls cause only in those levels can I really go into the essence of media and communication. Thank you, so much Big Man. Thank you.

I guess this is for falling out of favour. You deprive someone of something she loves most.

Basket.

Hatin' on the club

Am loving Rihanna's Hatin' On The Club :)

Anyway...

OH GOD! NO!!!

----------------------------------------------

Manchester United make shock move for Michael Owen
Matt Dickinson, Chief Sports Correspondent

Michael Owen will sign for Manchester United on a free transfer today provided that he passes a stringent medical at Old Trafford.

The move would represent an astonishing turnaround in fortunes for the striker, who was relegated with Newcastle United only six weeks ago. On top of the prospect of winning medals with the Barclays Premier League champions, the chance to pair up with Wayne Rooney will give Owen hope that he can revive his England career.

He has been exiled by Fabio Capello, but England are short of proven strikers with the World Cup finals less than 12 months away and Owen could force his way back into the reckoning if he succeeds at United.

Owen, 29, joined the ranks of the unemployed on Wednesday, when his contract at Newcastle expired, and his agents had been so concerned about a lack of interest that they sent a brochure to Premier League managers setting out his strengths.

Liverpool, his former club, were among those who showed no desire to sign him, and only 48 hours ago Sam Allardyce said that a deal would be too risky for Blackburn Rovers because of Owen’s injury record.

But Sir Alex Ferguson has decided that with Owen a free agent, it is a gamble worth taking. The United manager is hopeful that his big-match temperament will yield a glut of goals, while Owen will be thrilled after four nightmare years at St James’ Park.

The deal will require Owen to accept a huge drop in salary from the £120,000 a week he was earning on Tyneside. Everton, who made an offer this week, had been willing to pay a basic salary of about £50,000 a week.

The scale of the United deal is not yet clear in terms of length of contract or salary, but United are understood to have included incentives depending on games played, goals scored and trophies won.

First Owen will have to convince the doctors that he is fully fit. He has not suffered a bad injury since snapping his cruciate ligament at the 2006 World Cup finals, which ruled him out almost for an entire season, but there have been a number of niggles and he has lost his once extreme pace.

Ferguson’s interest in Owen is longstanding. He considered buying him when he left Real Madrid for Newcastle in 2005, but he already had Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy and was not willing to match Newcastle’s £16.5 million offer. United were considering a £12 million bid the next summer before Owen suffered the injury to his right knee in Germany.

United need attacking options. Cristiano Ronaldo has been sold to Real Madrid for £80 million, Carlos Tévez has departed, seemingly for Manchester City, and Ferguson lost out this week on Karim Benzema, who is bound for the Bernabéu from Lyons.

The intriguing question for United fans is whether Dimitar Berbatov, such a disappointment last season, would lose his place to a Rooney-Owen partnership. Capello, too, will watch with interest. Owen has played only once for the Italian, in a friendly against France in March last year, and the England manager has been sparing in his praise.

Owen, however, will be a lot more optimistic about adding to his 40 goals and 89 caps if he is modelling a United shirt by tonight.

If United’s move for Owen was a shock, Manchester City’s latest attempt to lure John Terry from Stamford Bridge was more predictable. Chelsea confirmed last night that they had rejected a second offer for the England captain, thought to be less than £30 million, after turning down a similar approach last season.

- Times Online.

-----------------------------------------------


God. How does he sleep at night? Fine...rolling in his UK pounds obviously. This is the most disgusting news I've heard all week, apart from TooMuchCrap freezing employees' wage. Urgh. Vile. Disgusting stuff.


"Whoahhh, you got me hatin' on the club
'Cause you took my love
Oh you took my love
and Now you got me like whoahhh
You got me hatin' on the club
'Cause you took my love
Why'd you have to take my love
Whoahh" (Rihanna)


###

She's a (clumsy) woman

AARGH!
WARDOBE MISHAP!

I have 4 major oil stains on my dress while eating the messy breakfast
(and I only realised about it 2 hours later). I poured talcum powder
on them but ..urgh..I was too late. Now, I have oil and powder patches
on my dress. I need to take cab home.

Yes, I'm that particular. But, would you want to be caught on a train
wearing a dirty dress?

Exactly.

###

It's all coming back

The pain is coming.
The lisping is going to start.
The agony in eating will come back.
I am seeking pseudo comfort here.

I've been getting frequent mouth sores for the last few months, no thanks to stressful lifestyle, horrid sleeping pattern and an acidic diet. Got it for 2 weeks before the trip to Cameron Highlands and it managed to subside when I got there. But on the first day I got there, I tried this Cameron apple/mango-like fruit and immediately, it shot my tongue. Immediately, the impact hit home.

Now, it's all coming back to me now. Last night, before the MJ Tribute karaoke (more on that next time), I could only swallow porridge. This morning, my chicken wrap breakfast was just a painful messy affair. The ulcer pains havent escalated yet as they (yes, always more than one at a time)are still in baby stages. By next week, be prepared to see me rolling and groaning in pain. Woe, is me.

Crap.
The stomach is giving me problems again.
Maybe 30 will be the age that I finally die.

*Excuse me as I run to the toilet*



###

In the closet

Urgh. I don't feel well. Actually, I felt sick after eating the curry puffs for breakfast. Bad potatoes, maybe. Urgh...stomach hurts. It could be gastric/ulcer but..ah, let's just pin it on the potato.

Felt a little better just now after having 'cawanmushi' at Sakae Sushi. That always soothe the problematic stomach. Yes, I'm troublesome. But haha, you'll love me still if you were to compare other troublesome and problematic people with me.

Going to have the MJ Tribute 'concert' tonight. I brought my fedora hat and will make my face pale later. Maybe Abercrombie brought her white socks. That's what she told me yesterday. Jinggo forgot her white clay mask and as for A-go-go Girl, I'm not soo sure. This should be exciting.

That is...if I can last till then.
My head is starting to spin.

###

Dirty Diana

With a performance like this, no wonder he needed stimulants and then anti-depressants.





I had a talk with a mentor many many moons ago and yeah, we talked about how certain people needing help in getting up to face the day and then, needing help again to rest and be calm. Elvis had to, and now, we know Jacko had to, too.

In a way we all too.

We are all not different really. Though I dont know what I am waking up for, I know how it's going to end.


###

Take a bow

My bout of sneezing fit is making me tired and listless.

I'm done for.

*dramatic pause*
*collapse*
*get up*
*exit LEFT*

###

One day in your life

Sadness had been close as my next of kin
Then Happy came one day
Chased my blues away

My life began when Happy smiled
Sweet, like candy to a child
Stay here and love me just a while
Let Sadness see what Happy does
Let Happy be where Sadness was

Happy, that's you
You made my life brand new
Lost as a little lamb was I
Till you came in

My life began when Happy smiled
Sweet, like candy to a child
Stay here and love me just a while
Let Sadness see what Happy does
Let Happy be where Sadness was

(Till now)
Where have I been?
What lifetime was I in?
Suspended between time and space
Lonely until Happy came smiling up at me
Sadness had no choice but to flee
I said a prayer so silently
Let Sadness see what Happy does
Let Happy be where Sadness was till now

- Michael Jackson

They don't care about us

I am back.

 

Am feeling a little bit under the weather. Maybe it's the change of environment, change of weather, etc etc. Caught a cold and am not sneezing away. It didnt help that I think I have a rather drabby outfit on. I look like a horrid midget with golden shoes. I felt so ugly I actually took cab to work. Must have caught the chill in the cab.

 

Will load the pictures tonight.

 

 

P/S: Cameron Highlands was beautiful and I had quite a rest. However, the 3-day rest was soon overpowered by 15 emails from the office. 15...little but deadly.

 

 

###

She'll be coming round the mountain

Going to leave soon...will be at Golden Mile at 2230hrs and then off we go.

From Saturday till Monday, I'll be here and here.


Be good, people.


###

Can you feel it?

Who: Abegail, Jennifer, Gladys, Mona - The Jackson 4 (cause one's ..dead)

What: Karaoke session

Why: (1) Tribute to Michael Jackson (2) Celebrate pay day (3) Eve of Independence Day

Where: Cash Studio @ Cuppage Plaza (near Somerset MRT)

When: Next Friday 3rd July 09 / 6:30pm - 9:30pm

Note: Bring something that reminds you of dear 'ol MJ

(things like a hat, sequinned glove, white socks, a little boy)

Please 'Reply All' for enquiries.

Mona Jackson

###

Tribute / Have you seen my childhood?

With the death of Michael Jackson, I have to confess that a good 7 years of my life have ended.

Oh the joy of being 2-8 years old. He didnt physically touch me (the father would have skinned his nose) but he coloured my childhood. The mother used to sing the songs of Jackson 5 and the Jacksons in the house. She and the father would laugh while attempting to sing those high-pitched parts and stuff. Then the uncle, who was staying with us, would play his cassette and LP on the sound system and made my brother and I sing and dance. My sweet grandmother would knit and laugh at us. She was entertained cause the brother and I loved her so much, we would have done anything.

Even dancing like a fool to MJ.
Complete with powder on the floor for us to do the moonwalk.

I remember the day the uncle brought home Thriller LP. It was the most horrifying day of my life. It was catchy at the start, the chorus was fantastic ... but when the voice started speaking towards the end, I felt a sense of panic. When the stupid laughter erupted, I ran all the way to my room and hid under the bed.

Never, ever do that to a child.
It's traumatising.

And when I was 8, the Father brought the brother and I to the movies to watch MOONWALKER.



I remember the sister was just being born and the father took the brother and I ... maybe he wanted to get out of the house, away from a shrieking baby. But man, when I was 8, the movie was the bomb!

After the uncle moved out and the grandma passed away, it was time for DANGEROUS in 1991. Will You Be There always reminded me of the grandma back then. Oh well.

All right. I am sadder at the end of my 'childhood' rather than the death of MJ. Argh, have you seen my childhood?

Oh well. MJ, you'll be missed nevertheless.



###

I'll be there / Will you be there?

I am not a Farah Fawcett fan so I am not really saddened by her demise. However 15 minutes ago, I got wind that my childhood idol had just passed away too.

This cant be true. MICHAEL JACKSON, thank you so much for the music. Your music was sung to me by my mom, my dad and by my uncle. Your songs helped me improve my English and my haha..dance.

We'll miss you, Jacko.


P/S: Got to be there..got to be there in the morning...when she says hello to the world :(

Spanish harlem

It's almost 0500hrs and obviously, I am dreaming.I am leaving for Cameron Highlands tomorrow night and I've yet to pack. Work starts in 4 more hours. Argh.

This is me working towards a goal.

=========================================

11D SPAIN REDISCOVERY

Destinations: to spain Madrid Barcelona Granada
11 Days 10 Nights

From: 2999 SGD
Valid date: from 2008-03-01 to

Itinerary

Day 1: SINGAPORE-MADRID
Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for your flight to Madrid.
Meals on Board

Day 2: MADRID-SEGOVIA-MADRID
Embark on a guided tour to the new and old sections of Madrid like Plaza Mayor, Cibeles Fountain, and Palacio Real where its plush decorations, furnishings and frescoes will fascinate you. When at Plaza de Toros de las Venas, you can take some photos for memories. Continue your journey to Segovia, declared as �Heritage of Mankind� by UNESCO. Your tour will include one of the city�s famous landmarks, the 2,000-year-old Roman queduct that cuts right through the centre of the town. Its symbol has served as the mint mark on all coins produced in Segovia for over 400 years. Next you will visit the majestic Alcazar Castle, which is the source of inspiration for Walt Disney�s Snow White Castle in Disneyland Paris.
Breakfast/Suckling Pig Lunch/Dinner

Day 3: MADRID-ZARRAGOZA-BARCELONA
After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive to Zarragoza and visit the Basilica of El Pilar, the primary church of the Marian religious order in Spain dedicated to the Virgin of El Pilar (Blessed Virgin Mary) under her title, �Our Lady of the Pillar�. This is followed by a visit to the grand Plaza del Pilar, Town Hall and the Gothic-Plateresque old stock exchange building, La Lonja. Then continue your journey to Barcelona.
Breakfast/Dinner

Day 4: BARCELONA
Barcelona, the second largest city in Spain in both size and population, has a pleasant Mediterranean climate and stands on a plain that slopes gently down from Sierra de Collserola to the sea. Begin your tour with a visit to the city�s spectacular icon, Sagrada Familia (Basilica of the Holy Family), a large Roman Catholic church which is a grand unfinished project by Catalan architect, Antoni Gaud�. Next, view Gaudi�s Casa Mila, Casa Batlo and Parc Guell, a famous park that display Gaudi�s works of extraordinary imagination. In the afternoon, explore La Ramblas and Plaza De Catalunya, Spain�s most famous streets that are dotted with cafes, restaurants and kiosks as well as bustling with performing artists and people. If time permits, you may wish to visit the renowned Picasso Museum.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 5: BARCELONA-VALENCIA-ALICANTE
This morning, you will travel to Valencia to experience the hustle and bustle of the Mercado Central. This huge iron, glass and tiled Art Nouveau building opened in 1928, is one of the largest and most attractive markets in Europe. Every morning, its thousand or so stalls are filled with a large variety of food and ingredients essential to making paella, a popular Valencian rice dish. View its famous landmarks such as Plaza Del Ayuntamiento (The Town Hall), Plaza de Toros (Bullring) and Estacion Del Norte (North Train Station). Next, you will head towards Alicante, the capital of Costa Blanca and is often associated with fun and relaxation. Alicante has wide boulevards, long white sandy beaches, a waterfront and Castillo de Santa Barbara, a 16th-century fortress that dominates the skyline.
Breakfast/Seafood Paella Lunch

Day 6: ALICANTE-GUADIX-GRANADA
A short drive from Alicante is the cathedral town of Guadix, signposted on the main street as �Bario Troglodyte�. It is a large bustling country town with a distinctive personality. Its most interesting feature is that almost half of the inhabitants of this large town live underground. View the cave houses in the remarkable Troglodyte Quarter, which houses 2000 caves that have been inhabited for many centuries. The inhabitants, known as �troglodytes�, are very friendly and also house proud, and in their case, �cave proud�. Then, proceed to Spain�s last Moorish kingdom, Granada. If time permits, you can enjoy the sunset view from the Albaicin quarter, just across Alhambra or attend an optional flamenco show in the evening at your own expense.
Breakfast/Dinner

Day 7: GRANADA-MALAGA-CORDOBA
Your tour of Granada includes the beautiful Alhambra and the adjoining Generalife Gardens. The palace is an Arabian fantasy of brilliant mosaics and tiles, and is considered as one of the greatest accomplishments of Islamic art and architecture. You will also see the dazzling fountains set in the Generalife Gardens. From Granada, your tour continues to Malaga, the second largest city in Andalusia, that is primarily untainted by the commercialism of its neighbouring resorts. The King�s palace, Alcazaba, which was built in the 11th century, is Malaga�s most important building of the Moorish epoch. What you will find worth visiting are its beautiful gardens with several fountains. Additionally, just outside the Alcazaba are the ruins of a Roman theatre. Restoration on these ruins is almost impossible as the Moors used the Roman blocks to build the Alcazaba.
Breakfast/Dinner

Day 8: CORDOBA-MADRID
Cordoba is a city populated by more than half a million people, and houses hundreds of mosques and a medina that once pulsated with the activity of the finest craftsmen. Its crown jewel is the Great Mosque, where part of it has been destroyed to make way for Mezquita, the great Mosque which was later converted to a Cathedral with nearly 1,000 columns. After the Christian re-conquest, a gothic cathedral was built within the mosque. The Patio de los Naranjos, an orange tree courtyard with its lovely gardens, forms part of this grand Islamic monument. Not to be missed are the stunning multilobed arches of Capilla de Villavicosa, which was the first Christian chapel built in the mosque in 1371 by Mudejar craftsmen. From Cordoba, proceed back to Madrid�s famous shopping district of Puerto del Sol to purchase local fashion and sample the local cuisine.
Breakfast/Lunch

Day 9: MADRID-CUENCA-MADRID
Start your day with a short drive to Cuenca to view the 14th-century Casas Colgadas, which was once used as a summer residence for the royal family. It is known as the �hanging house� as it clings to the side of the cliff, resting on the edge of the city in a gravity-defying effort to make the most out of every inch of land. Then, proceed to Torre Mangana, a lookout tower that lies on the site of an ancient Arabian Fortress. Situated at the top of the town, it provides panoramic views of the surroundings. In the afternoon, you can shop at Factory Madrid Getafe, the original factory outlet in Madrid.
Breakfast/Lunch

Day 10: MADRID-SINGAPORE
If time permits, you can do some last-minute shopping before you transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Breakfast/Meals on Board

Day 11: ARRIVE-IN-SINGAPORE


P/S: Check out the end of Day 2 - Suckling pig lunch!!@#@ Mwhahahaha!


###

Have you ever seen the rain?

I AM DONE WITH THE BLOODY CHAPTER ON ITALIAN NEOREALISM!!!

 

 

 

###

Portrait of authority

WAHLAO EH!

Marxism humanism
Renaissance
Bourgeois Republican
Antithesis of fascism
Commune
Par decret du peuple
Alienation
Associated labour
Objectified

ARGH! SWINE!

It's too late

I shall not go home cause I have raveled myself in this bloody confusion of Christian and Marxism humanism.

So ... hurry.

UNRAVEL!!

Hoi fatt tin hung

Hahahaha.
Damn lame, lah me.


###

Steady as she goes (Part 2)

This, ladies and gentleman, is the ang moh of my dreams.


Eh, zuo steady eh sai?


###

Landslide

I took my love and I took it down
I climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well the landslide brought me down

Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love
Can the child within my heart rise above
Can I sail thru the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life

Well, Ive been afraid of changing cause I built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Children get older
Im getting older too
Well...

Well, Ive been afraid of changing cause I built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Children get older
Im getting older, too
Well Im getting older too

So, take this love and take it down
Year and if you climb a mountain and ya turn around
And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Well the landslide brought me down
And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Well maybe
Well maybe
Well maybe the landslide will bring you down

(Dixie Chicks/Fleetwood Mac)


---------------------------------


Too much onion in a kebab is disgusting.

No, too much onion in anything is disgusting.



###

Moving on up

Mother Mary has plans of sending me to Iran for a conference next month. Wahlao...if you want to get rid of me, surely there's a better way, right?

Mummmmy!!!

###

Skin deep

Last set of script and production notes.

---------------------------

Boxer meets model, they have sex, model is pregnant, boxer moves away, model marries, boxer returns, boxer loses match with model's...



Twisted yet cheesy as always these students.

--------------------------

Anyway, Transformers Revenge of the Fallen was entertaining as expected. However, I felt it lacked a little..plot? I know I know, action movie seldom has plot but..you know..we always hope for the best, right? Megan Fox, though scorching as she is, is portrayed so bimbotically in this offering. Sam's mother going cuckoo always throws this film slightly off-balance. What..Autobots meets Van Wilder? Machines meet Harold and Kumar? As tilted as a dutch camera angle, man.

But yes, action and effects are to die for. Watch it for that, I guess. And one more thing...damn you Fergie for having the joy of screwing Josh Duhamel every minute that you can. Humph.

Lunch.



P/S: Two more days to Cameron Highlands. Going to bring work up in the mountains. Laptop and all.


###

Aaja meri soniye

Another production by another group - an inter-racial love affair set with the war for India's independence and racial tension as its backdrop.

----------------------

It was 5th May 1947. The Nationalists were still fighting for the country's independence. Despite the conflict, Hendrick (James McAvoy), a writer from England came to India to visit his father. His father is the British Deputy Commissioner, who presided over a vast region in British-ruled India. He came along with his fiancé, Elizabeth; a snobbish actress. After a few days, she returned to England alone. Not long after that, all hell broke loose in Chennai. The Indians hunted down any British in the vicinity. The protagonist’s father died. He managed to escape but was injured along the way. The catamaran he sailed in brought him to Port Blair, Andaman Islands, where he was taken care of and treated by Matsya (some Indian actress), a folk dancer. They fell in love despite their differences. Without warning, Port Blair was attacked. The protagonist became a helpless prey. Matsya helped Hendrick to escape and paid the price for her actions.

The story mentioned above is in the form of a flashback. Back in 1977, a Professor from Oxford University was sharing the history of Independence of India and other fortunate events that came along with it. The protagonist carried on with his story.

After the escape, Hendrick returned to Port Blair. Unfortunately, all he could find was a bloodied anklet that belonged to Matsya.

Back at the lecture theatre, his class was over. As students exited the class, he placed the Matsya’s anklet at a particular page of a History book, which was actually a gift from his present wife, Elizabeth.







----------------------


I think the first compilation is better.
The 2nd one...how come there are African kids running around???

Tsk tsk tsk.


###

Faithless

Edited one more script...this time, it's an adaptation of the epic Ramayana. There's King and Evil Queen who banished Ram, Sita and Laxman into the woods. Ravan fell in love with Sita and all other nonsense continued.

Ram, with the help of Hanuman, managed to rescue Sita. They all managed to go back to kingdowm and Ram soon became king. Sita was accused by the villagers of adultery (or something like that) and she had to take this fire-walking test to signify her purity. She was right, villagers asked for forgiveness but the damage had been done and Sita fled the place.

What the....




The people at Sentosa that day must have had quite a show.


###

Here comes the hotstepper

Bought mixed fruits and ..er..sushi for lunch. A note to supermarkets: Please have more variety at your sushi counter. Spare a thought for those who dont like seaweed, wasabi, salmon and squid. Hah, I just listed out all the essential ingredients in Jap food, right? Dammit. I am a sucker for inari lah.

...seaweed, wasabi, salmon and squid.

Apart from wasabi, i have no idea how did i develop an appetite block for the 3 's' food. The mother used to say I love eating squid when I was young. She said I ate seaweed also. Now, hold up. I remember eating some stupid sotong and enjoying it when I was younger but I never remember enjoying eating seaweed. I just cannot put the thing in my mouth.

The smell is overpowering and it tastes horrible. Squid (cuttlefish, calamari and all) tastes like rubber and when I was growing up, I realised it had a smell. Na-uh.

I remember going to Susan's place a decade ago and she gave us a plate of yummy looking fried balls. So, Lauren and I ate happily thinking it was fish ball. As expected, they werent fish balls..squid balls instead. The joy turned to disgust, man. It's all psychological.

Few days ago, someone asked me this:

Friend: Eh, what will happen if you actually eat a sotong?
Ed: I'll avoid it lah..
Friend: No..like accidentally?
Ed: Shit man..I'll get depressed.

For real.

As for salmon, bad experiences, man. I've tasted bad ones and they tasted like sewage. Salmon also has a certain smell. I need my food to smell good, dammit.

Anyway. if you want to kill me, this is what you should do.

1. Get raw salmon (sashimi).
2. Wrap it around a squid ball.
3. Put seaweed around this horrid creation.
4. Slather wasabi on it.
5. Put it in my mouth when I am asleep or unconscious (cause if I am awake, I'll kick you to Siberia)
6. Voila...I will never get up.


...

This is totally mindless.


###

3am eternal

The Taking of Pelham 123 was a-okay. Plot-wise, it sucks bad lime but if you were to look at the pacing and the acting, it is actually quite kick-ass. This time round, I must applaud...not the director... but the editor. The editor manages to make a dour, predictable offering into something with a little pizzaz.

As for John Travolta and Denzel Washington ... well...the reasons why they are being cast is probably because the producers know that in order to sell a crappy story, you need a strong cast. Denzel can never do any wrong and Travolta...well, he's one of the most powerful men in the business (he is, trust me). Denzel will never die (as he is most of the time..always the hero) and as for Travolta, he is always the best anti-hero around. Because of that, he is loved. This story has no human antagonist. i think the non-physical antagonist here is Time.

....which everyone doesnt seem to have.

Transformers, tonight.


P/S: It's sad when I can have a more stimulating mental conversation with the mise-en-scene on screen than with a normal human being.


###

Ngor yuen yee

Cop663: Since she left, everything in the flat is sad. Everything needed lulling to sleep.

[to a bar of soap]

Cop663: You've lost a lot of weight, you know. You used to be so chubby. Have more confidence in yourself.

[to a threadbare wet dishcloth]

Cop663: You have to stop crying, you know. Where's your strength and absorbency? You're so shabby these days.


###

New divide

Had filmmaking workshop the whole of yesterday.

Saturday saw me hard at work in the office, catch up with Weiling and Clara and at night, with the family for dinner - Lexie's birthday, Father's Day and the fact that the brother has got home from Norway.

Today...it's going to rain anytime soon and I am dead tired.


Talkin' to myself and feelin' old
Sometimes I'd like to quit
Nothing ever seems to fit
Hangin' around
Nothing to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down

What I've got they used to call the blues
Nothin' is really wrong
Feelin' like I don't belong
Walkin' around
Some kind of lonely clown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.

Funny but it seems I always wind up here with you
Nice to know somebody loves me
Funny but it seems that it's the only thing to do
Run and find the one who loves me

What I feel has come and gone before
No need to talk it out
We know what it's all about
Hangin' around
Nothing to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down - Carpenters


###

Reason to believe

Apart from drafting non-progressing book on Euro cinema, I have started to mark the students' Scriptwriting assignments and their media collaterals - posters, trailers, soundtracks, etc. Some scripts are ..wow...while some are..yawn bla bla bla. You get the drift?

Anyway, just want to share some of my students' gem.





More to come.

Back to marking.


###

London calling / Again

Is this too big a mountain to undertake?

Sleepless nights about money and future have got to stop. I dont want to die from fatigue before I manage to turn 35.


###

Best of you

I've got another confession to make
I'm your fool
Everyone's got their chains to break
Holdin' you

Were you born to resist or be abused?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?

Are you gone and onto someone new?
I needed somewhere to hang my head
Without your noose
You gave me something that I didn't have
But had no use
I was too weak to give in
Too strong to lose
My heart is under arrest again
But I break loose
My head is giving me life or death
But I can't choose
I swear I'll never give in
I refuse

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Has someone taken your faith?
It's real, the pain you feel
You trust, you must
Confess
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Oh...

Has someone taken your faith?
It's real, the pain you feel
The life, the love you'd die to heal
The hope that starts the broken hearts
You trust, you must
Confess

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?

I've got another confession my friend
I'm no fool
I'm getting tired of starting again
Somewhere new

Were you born to resist or be abused?
I swear I'll never give in
I refuse

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Has someone taken your faith?
It's real, the pain you feel
You trust, you must
Confess
Is someone getting the best
The best
The best
The best of you?

(Foo Fighters)



P/S: Thank you, Mother.

P/P/S: I watched I Love You, Man and surprisingly, it is pleasantly understated. Paul Rudd is such a dream...and he'll always be my Count Paris.


###

You could be mine

By the way, with relation to the previous entry, I left the magazines after joining TooMuchCrap. My last article was to be on the major highway project in India...big story (cause the management is India-based), front page and all that jazz.

But I didnt do it. I cowardly backed out cause I had this job offer. Such a pity. I would have aced the story because half of my colleagues came from India and they would have all the bloody connections.

I hate the freaking fact that I am not a multi-tasker. Most of all, I hate the fact that I had chosen pseudo-comfort and security over the rabid joy of investigative writing.

###

Water runs dry

Am in a sticky mess right now because I spilled my peppermint bubble tea down my hand, down the side of my dress, into my shoes and into my sandwich. The sweet smell of peppermint milk tea overwhelms my Gucci No.5. On top of that, there's a patch of milk tea on the carpet in front of the door. Bloody klutz.

All right.
Sticky mess aside.

It may not seem big to you but...wow, the Changi Water Reclamation Plant is opening next week.


----------------------------------------

Changi Water Reclamation Plant to open next week
By Hasnita A Majid, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 17 June 2009 2053 hrs

SINGAPORE : Singapore's largest and most advanced water reclamation plant - the Changi Water Reclamation Plant - will open next week.

The pumping station at the new Changi Water Reclamation Plant is as high as a 25-storey building.

The station collects all used water from the deep sewerage tunnels via gravity.

The water then undergoes a treatment process at the plant before being discharged into the sea.

Part of that treated water will be processed into NEWater when the NEWater plant, which is being built on the rooftop of treatment facilities, is ready.

The NEWater factory which will be operational by May next year can produce 50 million gallons of treated water daily.

This is equivalent to the volume of water in 90 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

PUB said the Changi Water Reclamation plant stands out in its land use.

"The designers have incorporated a space saving design concept - things like stack treatment tanks and also stack treatment facilities like our sludge treatment facilities. All the treatment facilities are stacked on top of the other so as to save space," said Yong Wei Hin, assistant director of Changi Water Reclamation Plant.

Such a concept is the first in the world. With the stack concept, the Changi Water Reclamation Plant takes up only 32 hectares of land, which is about the size of 45 football fields.

PUB said that without this concept, it would have needed 3 times more land for the construction of the plant.

Another unique feature of the reclamation plant is a Sludge Dryer, which reduces the volume of sludge to be disposed. The sludge will then be incinerated and used as landfill.

PUB said the completion of the Changi Water Reclamation Plant concludes the first phase of its Deep Tunnel Sewerage System - a used water superhighway.

The second phase of the project will see a similar reclamation plant built in Tuas. It is expected to be ready in 10 to 20 years' time.

The Changi Water Reclamation Plant, which costs some S$3.7 billion to build, can treat 176 million gallons of water per day. This is equivalent to the volume of water in about 320 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

And with its completion, PUB said a few of the existing water reclamation plants will be shut down.

Two such reclamation plants - in Bedok and Kim Chuan - have already ceased operations. - CNA /ls

--------------------------------------------------

You must be wondering why on earth am I so happy. Well, on top of securing more clean water (albeit having to sanitise shit water), I kind of had envisioned about this plant 2-3 years ago. Before beginning to teach in mental institutions, I was living my life as a free-wheeling trade writer for building and construction magazines. My readers ranged from the likes of Phua Chu Kangs, architects, civil engineers and so on. Anyway, I remember writing about the concept of this plant few years back and wow...the project actually materialised.

Come.
Check out page 10 here.

Times like this make me miss the power of the pen (or keyboard)... and of course, the freedom of a freelancer.

Damn you financial security.
2 years into this job and where is it?


###

I just died in your arms

Okay.

Mati kutu.

I dont think I have resources to write on German Expressionism.

###

Wundebar

*ahem* For God knows why, I seem to break out into this Yiddish tune whenever I see you. The need to belt it out strengthens when you come near.

Oh malu!


-----------------------------------------------------


Of all the boys I've known, and I've known some
Until I first met you I was lonesome
And when you came in sight, dear, my heart grew light
And this old world seemed new to me

You're really swell, I have to admit, you
Deserve expressions that really fit you
And so I've wrecked my brain, hoping to explain
All the things that you do to me

Bei mir bist du schoen, please let me explain
Bei mir bist du schoen means you're grand
Bei mir bist du schoen, again I'll explain
It means you're the fairest in the land

I could say bella, bella, even say wunderbar
Each language only helps me tell you how grand you are
I've tried to explain, bei mir bist du schoen
So kiss me, and say you understand

Bei mir bist du schoen
You've heard it all before, but let me try to explain
Bei mir bist du schoen means that you're grand
Bei mir bist du schoen
Is such an old refrain, and yet I should explain
It means I am begging for your hand

I could say bella, bella, even say wunderbar
Each language only helps me tell you how grand you are

I could say bella, bella, even say wunderbar
Each language only helps be tell you how grand you are
I've tried to explain, bei mir bist du schoen
So kiss me, and say that you will understand


- Bei Mir Bist du Schoen, The Andrews Sisters


###

Bei mir bist du schoen

[An excerpt from a report on channelnewsasia.com]

.....

Obama has made unprecedented overtures to the Iranian leadership in a bid to end a standoff over Iran's nuclear programme. But Ahmadinejad expressed doubt about Washington's ability to solve global problems.

"Iraq is still occupied. There is no order in Afghanistan. The Palestinian problem is unsolved," he said.

"America is overwhelmed by economic and political crises and there is no hope in their decisions.

"The allies of the United States are also not in a position to wrestle with these problems."

Pointing to the economic crisis, Ahmadinejad said that "drastic changes are an unavoidable necessity" and attacked the "damage caused by international capitalism."

Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov earlier described the elections as an "internal affair of the Iranian people," in Moscow's first official reaction to the controversy.

The Iranian president was attending the summit in Iran's capacity as an observer to the organisation and Tehran has in the past expressed interest in becoming a fully-fledged SCO member.

......

Though I am not a fan of Iran's hardline ruling (or so perceived by the Western media), I am a fan of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He has been blasted for speaking his mind and he has been called a racist. You know what, the people who called him a racist are racists themselves. Walking out on him in the recent Geneva UN Racism conference while he spoke his mind was well...rude. Weren't they the ones who advocated free speech? Weren't they the ones who said there was nothing wrong in the Jyllands Posten's comic depictions of Prophet Muhammad? That poor bugger was communicating and you didnt want to listen? Don't act surprise if he were to appear at your door with a souped-up AK47 across his back.

Terrorism jokes aside.

I, however, dont like how these anti-Western powers say that internal affairs of a nation should not be interfered. Haven't we learnt from the Tutsi-Hutu massacre? Have we forgetten ...Myanmar? Yes, interferences usually come from capitalistic countries who just want to have a share in everything but let's not be too quick to label every organisation that comes from there is bad.

Okay. I ain't got no idea how I'm going to continue this. Guess this is just the after-effect of cramming my head for just one bloody chapter (but intense nevertheless) of Russian/Soviet Cinema. Next, line up Adolf Hitler and Lothar Matthaus for it's the chapter on Deutsche Expressionism.

Einen schonen tag allerseits.
Auf wiedersen.

P/S: Talking about auf wiedersen, there's Project Runaway tonight. Woohoo.

###

Stoney

Caught Drag Me To Hell earlier and well, thank God I sat quite right at the back. At least the impact wasnt...in my face. It's a funny/horror story with all the cliches thrown in a predictable-but-effective manner. But ah, what would I know. I spent more than half of the time cowering in my seat and trying to hide my cowardice with awkward laugher here and there.

And mentioning laughter...I caught Land of the Lost yesterday. It's Will Ferrell so the brash humour is expected. As I am a sucker for this kind of show (Talladega Nights, Step Brothers and Anchorman were hilarious, ok!), well, I loved it!

...

Okay.
My skin is dry and I am going dead broke.
Ed for President!


P/S: I still havent watched GA's season finale. I know the plot and I am just dreading to see it.


###

All the king's horses

I walked up the platform and there was this man who cut an inviting figure waiting for the train. It was easy to pick him out from the sea of charmless people waiting to start their dreadful day, not because he's white but just because. We exchanged a 'Good morning' smile and as my eyes moved away, I saw a ring on his finger.

The train came and we the sheep flocked in.

Standing at the corner of the cabin stood another man with a melancholic frame. Tall, gangly but looking very comfortably morosed. Stealing glances saw the ring.
Ah, damn those rings.

Where have all the cowboys gone?

###

I'll never break your heart

I had a nice Saturday and oh...my favourite Backstreet Boys' song is playing on the radio to end my perfect day.


:)


###

When you were young (part 2)

Friday nights are so tiring. It's like you're reaching the maximum threshold of a work week and you just cant carry it anymore. It's a battle to be able to withstand all that and try to go out and have a good time indeed.

I dont do mixed sentiments.
I dont do small talk.
I dont do pretence.

I am too old, too tired and too jaded to bog myself with other unnecessary worries. It's enough that I have to stress myself thinking of what to wear everyday.


I am just too tired.


###

This is our song

Heh.





###

I need a hero

Thank you, Perez



Thank YOU, Becks.


:)


###

Battlefield

One of the first measures of War Communism was the nationalisation of land. Banks and shipping were also nationalised and foreign trade was declared a state monopoly. This was the response when Lenin realised that the Bolsheviks were simply unprepared to take over the whole economic system of Russia.

Lenin stressed the importance of the workers showing discipline and a will to work hard if the revolution was to survive. There were those in the Bolshevik hierarchy who wanted factory managers removed and the workers to take over the factories for themselves but on behalf of the people. It was felt that the workers would work better if they believed they were working for a cause as opposed to a system that made some rich but many poor. The civil war had made many in the Bolsheviks even more class antagonistic, as there were many of the old guard who were fighting to destroy the Bolsheviks.

On June 28th, 1918, a decree was passed that ended all forms of private capitalism. Many large factories were taken over by the state and on November 29th, 1920, any factory/industry that employed over 10 workers was nationalised.

War Communism also took control of the distribution of food. The Food Commissariat was set up to carry out this task. All co-operatives were fused together under this Commissariat.

War Communism had six principles:

1) Production should be run by the state. Private ownership should be kept to the minimum. Private houses were to be confiscated by the state.

2) State control was to be granted over the labour of every citizen. Once a military army had served its purpose, it would become a labour army.

3) The state should produce everything in its own undertakings. The state tried to control the activities of millions of peasants.

4) Extreme centralisation was introduced. The economic life of the area controlled by the Bolsheviks was put into the hands of just a few organisations. The most important one was the Supreme Economic Council. This had the right to confiscate and requisition. The speciality of the SEC was the management of industry. Over 40 head departments (known as glavki) were set up to accomplish this. One glavki could be responsible for thousands of factories. This frequently resulted in chronic inefficiency. The Commissariat of Transport controlled the railways. The Commissariat of Agriculture controlled what the peasants did.

5) The state attempted to become the soul distributor as well as the sole producer. The Commissariats took what they needed to meet demands. The people were divided into four categories – manual workers in harmful trades, workers who performed hard physical labour, workers in light tasks/housewives and professional people. Food was distributed on a 4:3:2:1 ratio. Though the manual class was the favoured class, it still received little food. Many in the professional class simply starved. It is believed that about 0% of all food consumed came from an illegal source. On July 20th 1918, the Bolsheviks decided that all surplus food had to be surrendered to the state. This led to an increase in the supply of grain to the state.

From 1917 to 1928, about ¾ million ton was collected by the state. In 1920 to 1921, this had risen to about 6 million tons. However, the policy of having to hand over surplus food caused huge resentment in the countryside, especially as Lenin had promised “all land to the people” pre-November 1917. While the peasants had the land, they had not been made aware that they would have to hand over any extra food they produced from their land. Even the extra could not meet demand. In 1933, 25 million tons of grain was collected and this only just met demand.

6) War Communism attempted to abolish money as a means of exchange. The Bolsheviks wanted to go over to a system of a natural economy in which all transactions were carried out in kind. Effectively, bartering would be introduced. By 1921, the value of the rouble had dropped massively and inflation had markedly increased. The government’s revenue raising ability was chronically poor, as it had abolished most taxes. The only tax allowed was the ‘Extraordinary Revolutionary Tax’, which was targeted at the rich and not the workers.


War Communism was a disaster. In all areas, the economic strength of Russia fell below the 1914 level. Peasant farmers only grew for themselves, as they knew that any extra would be taken by the state. Therefore, the industrial cities were starved of food despite the introduction of the 4:3:2:1 ratio. A bad harvest could be disastrous for the countryside – and even worse for cities.

Malnutrition was common, as was disease. Those in the cities believed that their only hope was to move out to the countryside and grow food for themselves. Between 1916 and 1920, the cities of northern and central Russia lost 33% of their population to the countryside. Under War Communism, the number of those working in the factories and mines dropped by 50%.


###

White horse

I am falling in love with country music all over again...thanks to a certain Taylor Swift. Her gorgeousness aside, her words are just so simple yet poetic.



Say you're sorry
That face of an angel comes out
Just when you need it to
As I pace back and forth all this time
'Cause I honestly believed in you

Holding on
The days dragged on
Stupid girl
I should have known
I should have known

That I'm not a princess
This ain't a fairytale
I'm not the one you'll sweep off her feet
Lead her up the stairwell
This ain't Hollywood
This is a small town
I was a dreamer before you went and let me down
Now it's too late for you and your white horse
To come around

Maybe I was naíve
Got lost in your eyes
I never really had a chance
A mistake I didnt want to be in love
You had to fight to have the upper hand
I had so many dreams about you and me
Happy endings
Now I know

I'm not a princess
This ain't a fairytale
I'm not the one you'll sweep off her feet
Lead her up the stairwell
This ain't Hollywood
This is a small town
I was a dreamer before you went and let me down
Now it's too late for you and your white horse
To come around

And there you are on your knees
Begging for forgiveness
Begging for me
Just like I always wanted
But I'm so sorry

Cause I'm not your princess
This ain't our fairytale
I'm gonna find someone, someday
Who might actually treat me well
This is a big world
That was a small town
There in my rear view mirror
Disappearing now

And it's too late for you and your white horse
Now it's too late for you and your white horse
To catch me now

Oh whoa whoa whoa-oh
Try and catch me now
It's too late
To catch me now




:(


P/S: I watched Hannah Montana and I actually loved it!


###

Me love

They are the best :)


###

Bo le le bo

I was so tired yesterday that I fled early from work. Got home at 1845hrs (still bright!), read the papers and fell asleep at 1930hrs on the floor, on the papers. Unwashed, for sure. Slept all the way till 0700hrs.

That's what I got for having 2-3 hours of sleep on Monday and Tuesday.

...
...
...

Got an email from Pak Budi. Apparently he was featured on TODAY and oh no...he wont be flying with SQ anymore. I pray that he will overcome this dreadful circumstance.

Read.


###

Scar tissue

The sister got into yet another bike accident 4 days ago and just now was the first time I managed to see her since then. Yes, it's hard to believe that we live under the same roof, in the same room. We hardly see each other nowadays. Either that, one of us will be dead on our bed when one comes home or goes to work.

Anyway, her injuries were pretty bad.



Her right leg looks like it has messy pepperonis on it. This is the worst. She also has nasty scratches and bruises on her hands. She was a pillion rider when the accident happened. In the previous accident, she was riding her own bike. Think this one, she was pillioning on her boyfriend's bike.

Scars build characters.
As long as you live to see them.


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Sugar we're going down

Beat your blues with a little nostalgia.





God, I love this show.


A thousand times goodnight, ninja wannabes.


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21 guns

Damn you, Green Day.

Do you know what's worth fighting for
When it's not worth dying for
Does it take your breath away
And you feel yourself suffocating

Does the pain weigh out the pride
And you look for a place to hide
Did someone break your heart inside
You're in ruins

One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms
Give up the fight
One, 21 guns
Throw up your arms into the sky
You and I

When you're at the end of the road
And you lost all sense of control
And your thoughts have taken their toll
When your mind breaks the spirit of your soul

Your faith walks on broken glass
And the hangover doesn't pass
Nothing's ever built to last
You're in ruins

One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms
Give up the fight
One, 21 guns
Throw up your arms into the sky
You and I

Did you try to live on your own
When you burned down the house and home
Did you stand too close to the fire
Like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone

When it's time to live and let die
And you can't get another try
Something inside this heart has died
You're in ruins

One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms
Give up the fight
One, 21 guns
Throw up your arms into the sky
You and I (Green Day)


Had a 'slack' weekend which saw me at Vivo watching Man On Wire after work on Saturday. Met Meiling in town for late lunch and then headed back to AMK Hub to catch Dance Subaru.

I prefer the former as I felt Dance Subaru was a tad tedious and yet, incomplete. I love dance movies (as predictable as they are) but I really hate those who try to kid the audience into believing that they are more than a dance movie. Okay, Dance Subaru is not THAT bad but...you know...it's not that good either. Dance Subaru is a manipulative emotional blackmail. Most Japanese films are :(

But Man On Wire was ...wow. Artistic and damn beautiful. Cinematography-wise, the director blended interviews, archival footages and re-enactments brilliantly. The sight of Phillipe Petit on the tightrope between NYC's Twin Towers was poetic. We'll never see such a thing again. Literally. It's documentary meets film noir. Gorgeous and inspiring. We all need to chase our dreams.

What is mine, again?



Artistic.
Simple premise.
Straight to the point plot.
Drama and action at the same time.


Sunday saw me get up early (and I meant EARLY) and I hit the pools, determined to be out of the place by noon to beat the scorch of a weather. Got home after lunch and I was pretty much dead the whole of Sunday afternoon...waking up at sun down to catch a bit of TV. Nothing much but that's how I liked it, I guess. The weather, which took a rainy turn, was a nice respite.

Anyway, the mother told me that the auntie was given 2-3 more years to live. The doctor said the same thing about her 3-4 years ago but somehow, maybe, this time it's for real. I dont know and I dont want to know.


Mother: Doctor said 2 to 3 more years.
Ed: Oh..okay.
Mother: Don't you want to get married?
Ed: Huh?
Mother: Don't you want to get married while your auntie is still alive?
Ed: (pointed to Ben Stiller on TV) Haha..stupid man!


What can I say anyway?


P/S: To me, it's really so simple, that life should be lived on the edge. You have to exercise rebellion. To refuse to tape yourself to the rules, to refuse your own success, to refuse to repeat yourself, to see every day, every year, every idea as a true challenge. Then you will live your life on the tightrope (Petit 2008, Man On Wire)


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Bringing on the heartbreak

Just reached office and was greeted with a very damning sms.

My beloved auntie, whom I treated like my 2nd mother cause she had been with me right after birth and we had seen each other evolved, sent me a message saying that her cancer (from breast to hand to spine to leg) has now reached her liver and heart.

Minutes ago, Friday looks so gorgeous and full of hope. Things have since taken a tumble and here I am thinking, what should I say to her when I meet her. For the past few years, the way I dealt with it was not to acknowledge it and not seeing her often cause I couldnt handle seeing her being just a shadow of her former self. I cannot deny and hide anymore. The end is imminent. She is very near to finishing her race.

Woo..saaaah.

Just how do you deal with this kind of .... pain?


P/S: It doesnt help that Capricorns are fatalistic and pessimistic, okay.

P/P/S: Now that I believe in stars and signs but sometimes... you feel like you need to seek alternatives. God, are you listening? Do you want me to go all Sylvia Plath on you?


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Diamonds on the soles of her shoes

Well well well it's almost 0400hrs and what have we got here?

Work has gone all bat shit crazy on me as I churn chapters after chapters, books after books. I'm done putting Global Culture and News Writing together and tomorrow, I'm embarking on my third book, European Films. It seems impossible right now because unlike the other two which I had spent a good amount of time studying/specialising as a student, I didnt really specialise in European cinema.

I did study films as my elective back in uni...but never so in-depth into the Euro realm. Thank God I did teach Monash's Screen Theories and my Diploma's Film Studies ... I guess, that will help.

I realise this blog no longer chronicles my life as vividly as before. This is only because I am going ape, no thanks to work. I have been getting re-acquainted with the bedroom floor, as I collapsed into a fucking deep slumber before I could even reach my bed; before taking showers even. Dirty, I know.

These past few weeks saw me falling asleep on the computer, newspapers, while sitting on my throne (toilet bowl), while drinking...Why do people work and drain themselves out like this? It's inhumane.

I miss my outdoors. I cant even find my running shoes. Two weeks ago I played badminton in my Jack Purcell and my toes hurt like fuck. Sad is life haha.

Anyway, I caught Shakespeare in the Park's Much Ado About Nothing last week at Fort Canning and I really liked it. The downpour added character to the whole experience too. Feeling artistic and chi-chi, I wanted to continue being an enthusiast and was looking forward to my next Art Fest performance by the Ladysmith Black Mambazo on the 14th of June. Sadly, tickets are all sold out.

Sigh. I've waited since Graceland for this.
Dammit. Should have bought it straight away.






I guess I have to make my own African music in my dream. I need to get starting now.

A thousand times goodnight, nature boy.


P/S: There's single seats with restricted view @ $60 ... should I?

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Power of a woman

[Scooped the following off CY's]


Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater.
If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby.
If you give her a house, she'll give you a home.
If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.
If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart.
She multiplies and enlarge what is given to her.

So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit.....

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Could it be magic?

The malas mode has set in.
I can sense a plateau hitting me again.
Ah, life is but a roller-coaster.


Note: Click on the following pictures in sequence to read what David Copperfield wants you to do.












Don't be.
Cause if you manage to figure it out
You'll realise how silly it is.
You damn pantat, David Copperfield.


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Pria Kesepian

(in the mood for a little Sheila On 7)

Kami adalah pria pria kesepian
Jauh dari rumah dan ditinggalkan cinta
Coba dengar keluhan kami
Pria kesepian

Ku...tlah berjanji...akan slalu menjagamu
Tapi...kau selalu pergi...bersama kekasih barumu
Ku...tlah berjanji...gapai cinta malam ini
Tapi...hujan badai telah datang menemaniku

Menikmati pedihnya cinta
Pria kesepian
Menikmati dinginnya hati
Pria kesepian

Apakah diriku terlalu wibawa dan tampan untuk selalu kau miliki
Apakah diriku terlalu wibawa dan tampan untuk selalu kau miliki
Pastilah diriku terlalu wibawa dan tampan untuk selalu kau miliki
Pastilah diriku terlalu wibawa dan tampan untuk selalu kau miliki


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Work it

Go away!
Get away from me!
Stop chasing me, old age!

:(

Caught Terminator Salvation last night and at the end of it, I felt so worn out. The explosions, the bombs, the screaming all wore me out. Good show, nevertheless. While Christian Bale is fierce, Sam Worthington is faboosh.

Okay, what's next?

Ah work.

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99 red balloons

You and I in a little toy shop...




99 dreams I have had
In every one a red balloon
It's all over and I'm standin' pretty
In this dust that was a city

If I could find a souvenier
Just to prove the world was here
And here is a red balloon
I think of you and let it go


:(


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Kristy are you doing okay?

Today the parents celebrated their 31st year of being husband and wife.

Gosh.

They haven't killed each other yet.

Here's to *gulp* 31 more years.

Heh..insya Allah.


P/S: I need a study table. I cant take it doing work while sitting cross-legged on the floor. It was okay when I was 20...but now, I cant do this anymore.


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Only you

Happy belated birthday to Hira
Happy belated birthday to Sharinah
...
...
...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACE LAU!

Here's Stefanie Sun for you.






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