The Emancipation of my Brain

Shoulda Coulda Woulda

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:28:05 +0800

I’m a believer in doing things simply “because I can” and no other reason. But “because I can” must also be balanced - just “because I can” doesn’t always mean “I should”.

"I got money"

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:39:18 +0800

“I got money”

- Zuli

Jakarta trip timeline

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:40:38 +0800

DAY 1

1055pm: In the plane, landing in a few. Irma and Zuli giving me crap about my iPhone being on the whole time. I’m using the Airplane Mode for its exact purpose! Flight was uneventful. Seats couldn’t recline. Got what we paid for, I guess.

1105pm: Landed. Still in the plane though. Letting everybody else off first. What’s the point of rushing? Letting that Singaporean mentality go.

1110pm: Got off the plane to the ground. First time! Always went straight into the terminal.

1050pm (we’re supposed to be an hour behind): In Irma’s aunt’s car now, on the way to Menteng. Gearing up for the long drive there.

1140pm: Just reached the house. I’m exhausted. And hungry. I love the streets here. Reminds me of my mom’s place in the Philippines.

DAY 2

1245am: Our welcome meal! Macdonalds.. well there weren’t any food left in the house. Will be shacking up with Irma’s dad. Her mom said he’s gonna snore. Loud.

110am: Finally gonna get some shut eye. It’s been almost two years since I was here, I forgot that most homes don’t believe in sinks in the bathrooms. Need all the rest I can get, I’m expecting future dad-in-law’s gonna wake me up for early morning prayers. Or is he gonna test me by letting me wake him up instead? DUNN DUNN DUNNNNNN!

620am: Just got up. Irma’s dad isn’t in the room, and there’s a lotta people outside. How am I gonna shower?! Man this is awkward.

7am: Finally showered. Chillin’ in the room all by myself. Did feel a bit awkward walking past people and not saying anything, almost like a walk of shame. Can only imagine what they’re saying to themselves. “Eee haven’t bathe!”. Sigh. Just had to get a room on the ground floor. Did I mention that I’m sleeping in the bridal room?

730am: Went upstairs to where everybody was (Irma, Zuli, Irma’s parents, another aunt/uncle pair from Singapore) and looks like I was the first to shower! I don’t know why I’m taking great pride in that. Feels good to be in first place though. Okay this is not a race.

830am: Breakfast with everybody. Pretty big spread, trying not to overdo it. Still a little sleepy. Zuli’s still in the room. She must be feeling really awkward now in a house full of strangers, just how I was the last time I was here.

1005am: Just got back from walking around the neighborhood. Took a lotta candids with Zuli’s camera. Didn’t bother to look through the viewfinder, mostly off the hip. Cooling down before getting ready to leave for Friday prayers.

1040am: In the car, off to the bride’s house. Loving the dirty streets. So much character.

1140pm: At the mosque, gettin’ ma prayin’ on. Just a thought: if I were mentally unsound, I’d talk to the flies. There are flies everywhere!

215pm: At the wedding. I became an impromptu cameraman for the solemnization ceremony. Hope I got good enough shots. The other cameraman got in the way a lot. It’s so hot! Good thing my shirt is quick dry, still looking sharp.

445pm: In the car, squashed between people and taken to somewhere really far for dinner. Really could’ve appreciated a quick change back at the house though. My entire right leg is numb. Will I ever be able to use it again? We’ll see.

5pm: We’re having dinner at an arowana farm. In Cimanggis. The distance would be as if you’re travelling from Singapore to Vietnam. On foot. REALLY could’ve used a quick shower. I appreciate the thought though.

745pm: Back at the house. Someone’s using my flip flops; the same pair these people bought for me when I last came. I know they’re just cheap slippers but since I managed I keep them for years, I’m gonna try to keep them for as long as possible. They’re going back to Singapore with me.

750pm: Move over Telkomsel, Axis just hijacked my phone. Still not using any of you!

9pm: Just showered. A guy in the living room was speaking to me in Indon. I wish I wasn’t so dumb, cause he was merely asking me if I liked watching tv. Geez…

11pm: Gonna go to bed. Decided that I’m gonna wear flipflops after the wedding reception tomorrow. Was playing truth or dare on Zuli’s iTouch and we were too tired to do dares so we just did the truths. There was also an awful dating show on tv, but I guess I won’t knock it. All they want is a significant other anyway. Goodnight!

DAY 3

705am: The groom’s family is coming into the room and getting wedding stuff. I don’t really mind, I’m awake anyway. The living room’s crowded again. I heard a squeak under the bed last night. I don’t think it was the bed, though.

920am: Showered. Supposed to leave in half and hour, let’s see if everyone can be ready by then. I really need to look into working out when I get back, a lot of my clothes are getting tight.

1010am: In the car off to the wedding reception. Looking out at the streets we’re driving by. Reminds me of Manila so much. Some would say that we should be grateful Singapore isn’t like this. Really? I think I prefer life here.

1245pm: Still at the reception, leaving soon. Glad that I’m able to eat cause last trip I had a bad case of the runs. Had chicken “golden blue” haha! Took a video of the march in. Whole process took a little over ten minutes. Gonna trim it just so I can upload it on YouTube.

2pm: Just left the house, going to a mall. Wearing flipflops out, feels liberating. Brought socks just in case I see a pair of shoes I like.

630pm: At Senayan Plaza, been mall-hopping. Bought the kids stuff, but nothing for myself yet. Stuff has been pricey. The first few malls we went to were pretty up-market so no thanks. Food’s been pretty great though, so that was nice. Love the toilets, bidets rock. They rock more than toilet paper, and that’s the shit (pun).

7pm: We’re having mi bakso for dinner. The adults are somewhere else eating famous fried chicken. I wish I could get something for my mom. Shopping paradise is in Bandung and we’re nowhere near there.

9pm: Back home. Everybody may be used to having drivers here but we’re not. Bought Krispy Kreme at the first mall that we went to, and it has remained a dozen the whole day. Distracted by other desserts. Gluttons, all of us.

11pm: Chilling out, watching Miss World on tv. Flying off tomorrow. Wish we could stay longer.

DAY 4

8am: Just woke up. Gotta get outta bed and pack. Irma, Zuli and I will be flying off today and the adults get to go back tomorrow. We’re leaving the house early to do some last minute shopping (at somewhere more affordable I hope) and then it’s straight to the airport after.

9am: Done showering and packing. Driver is coming in half an hour and I’m ready to go. Hopefully I can find something for my mom later. I haven’t even bought anything for myself! Wearing flipflops out again. That means I have to pack my shoes.

920: Driver should be here soon. Irma’s still getting ready. I’ve got Diamond Girl on repeat in my head. Should’ve downloaded it into my iPhone.

11am: At M Square, got batik tops for my parents and myself. Starting to feel feverish. I guess if I did have to fall sick, let it be the last day.

230pm: On the way to the airport. We’ve done enough looking around in malls. Went to Mangga Dua, they had a reptile exhibition going on, so we saw a lotta snakes, lizards and unusual fish. We went to the basement, and there was a big Tamiya race track with guys who are really into modifying their cars. They’re all about modifying to have the fastest race toy, forget about the body kit, nobody had them on.

3pm: At the airport. We’re mad early, but we’ve got nowhere else to go that wouldn’t make us late. I thought I left my earphones back at the house, glad to know that it was in one of my pants in my carry-on. All Zuli and I are looking forward to now is the free fish therapy in the Changi Airport duty free area. Now we have a chance to explore the place; every time we’re with other people (parents usually), we’ll always be rushing in and out of the airport.

340pm: Waiting for the checking counters to open. Saw a little boy who goes around shining shoes. For collateral he leaves his own flipflops with the customer while he goes to a little corner and shines.

620pm: In the boarding area. Had a quick snack in the duty free eating place. Had Internet! Managed to check on the necessaries. Our Jakarta trip will soon be coming to a close. I will be bringing Irma to Manila to show that life there is almost similar.

10pm (Singapore time): Back “home”. Fish therapy was only free during 2am to 2pm, and it was just a neck and shoulder massage. Wondering where we’ll fly to next.

1130pm: Found our luggage at the lost and found. Guy said if you see your luggage you can just take it. How safe, now I know where to get free stuff when I’m travelling. Homeward bound.

"Bo toilet paper? Hengggggg ah!"

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:39:26 +0800

“Bo toilet paper? Hengggggg ah!”

- Guy in a toilet stall. I laughed.

Okay, but I wouldn’t want to hurt you.

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 05:44:54 +0800

Okay, but I wouldn’t want to hurt you.

New Moon-ed

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:25:00 +0800

My girlfriend and I were taking in a sushi dinner last night and we were both throwing ideas around on what to do after. We have a knack for going out to town with no motive whatsoever, which will end up with a bored walk-around orchard and the bus home.

A few minutes after being silently content with eating, she looked up from her unagi bento and said, “Wanna watch New Moon? I could use a laugh”.

Next thing you know, I bought two tickets to New Moon in whispers. Nobody needed to know that. I was aware that I was going to be blogging/Twittering/FB-ing about it anyway, but since my online presence is as prominent as the website of my ex army commander and his wife selling cookies I kept it hush hush for the immediate spectator.

We watched the movie at Cathay Cineleisure, and to the people who have never been to that mall, the architecture is equivalent to getting to the final Elder God Temple level in Mortal Kombat 4; they make it a quest to get all the way to the cinema floors which were right at the top (five floors up) designing the mall in a way that you have to walk through the whole floor to get to the next escalator up. So you can imagine that if you bought the tickets before going up to the box office (there’s a ticketing booth at the basement), you need a good fifteen minutes of travelling-up time so you won’t be late for your movie. And God forbid we miss the opening of New Moon!

There was a point during our quest upwards that we almost didn’t get to see the movie. I was carrying a bag, and the front pocket was a slit where I put both the tickets and my iPhone. When I wanted to check my e-mails, the tickets must have slid out with my phone and dropped to the ground. We were then distracted by $5 sunglasses, which we spent a good five minutes trying them on. Only on our way to the next floor I noticed that I didn’t have the tickets with me. Cineleisure on a Saturday night is mad crowded, so you can imagine the luck I was having to see the tickets still at the spot where I thought I dropped them.

And from the next paragraph onwards I will give a review of the movie, plus my own thoughts about it of course:

MEH.

But I shall not dismiss this movie entirely. Though I do like the whole love story bit of Twilight, I am still disgusted by the way the author of the book transformed a famous monster that we grew up to enjoy to become this brooding drama queen; a vampire ‘pussification’ if you will. Don’t get me started on the fact that he was supposed to be 100+ years old and Bella was… 18? I guess the producers of the film were aware of this and gave Bella and Edward a short dialogue in the beginning of the movie having Bella saying that the age difference is kinda gross. Then they made out. Ah, the rebellious years!

I don’t know if I can forgive the bad acting. But if you think about it, they’re supposed to be in their teens so if they’re acting horribly on purpose then they’re nothing short of geniuses. Sure had me fooled! Maybe it’s cause the main characters are supported by experienced actors so the contrast is obvious. I failed to notice that Dakota Fanning was in that movie till the credits, but I did notice Christopher Heyerdahl, and he’s a small-screen actor. Most of the supporting cast had so little dialogue yet their performances stood out the most.

There were quite a lot of WTF moments about the movie, maybe you caught them, maybe I’ve missed a few:

Sparkling vampire skin in contact with sunlight (still grinds my gears)
There were no Pennsylvanian vampires (the vamps in Italy were British, apparently)
The vision of Alice of Edward and Bella running in the forest in period-wear (seriously, what the hell was that about)
Edward = Topman
Jacob = A&F
Edward taking his shirt off in Italy was the only excuse for him to show off his body
I think there was a memo going around during production that if you have a body, this is the movie to show it off
Cringe-worthy dialogue (“I don’t want you to come”. There are so many ways to go around that without making it sound dirty
The truce pact between vampires and werewolves (making new rules are we? There ARE no rules!)
The dramatic R&J reading by Edward in class (JUST cause he has a reputation of the dream-boat to uphold. Had no other use in the movie but that)
Vampires have super speed. But why did Victoria take forever to swim to Bella after the cliff diving scene? Makes no sense. (wouldn’t it be a better scene if the wolves jumped into the water and fought her there? That alone would clearly be worth the ticket price)
There were tons of human to werewolf transformations, but you never see them transform back. They’d have to be naked don’t they? Show Jacob’s bare ass once, slap an M18 on that mofo

And here are the things that I do like about New Moon:

WOLF BROS
The woods (I’m a nature fan)
Red Indians still being the best people to associate living in the woods with (not being sarcastic, they really are)
The unconvincing CGI of the characters jumping off from high places (cliff diving scenes, Jacob jumping down from Bella’s window)
Bella’s constant constipated look (probably from Edward’s “I don’t want you to come” comment. Was that the cause of her nightmares?)

Granted I didn’t find a lot of things to like about the movie. But maybe third time’s the charm when Twilight: Eclipse comes out next year? Out of 5, I give this movie a 2. Irma gives it a 1. She was bored in the cinema. The guy beside me whom I assume his girlfriend dragged to watch was asleep most of the time. I think he’d give it a 1 too.

I shall end this review with one of the best quotes in the movie:

“You are soooo mouth-wah-tering.” -Laurent

Please don’t hesitate to leave your views in the comments. We can ~~debate~~ discuss further.

Sorry Twi-hards, I can’t say that I’m Team Jacob...

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:07:20 +0800

Sorry Twi-hards, I can’t say that I’m Team Jacob cause I run with a different wolfpack.

:-)

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:57:27 +0800

:-)

"Five minutes ahead of schedule… right on schedule"

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:50:19 +0800

“Five minutes ahead of schedule… right on schedule”

- Dwight

Jack of all trades but a master of none

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:13:39 +0800

On one plate I have my band, and on another I have my solo acoustic project. On top of that I’m planning on producing hiphop tracks.

Instrumentally I’ve been playing the drums since I was ten and I picked up the guitar two years ago. I’m starting to dabble in the piano ‘again’ (I stopped learning it when I was little cause I played by ear; not by reading notes). I’ve been a mobile DJ on and off and never really gotten serious with it till recently.

Sometimes I wonder if doing too many things is a good idea. Do I really want to be remembered as the guy who did a lotta things, as compared to somebody who did just one craft really well?

I realize that this boils down to myself trying to compensate for my lack of academic qualifications. I didn’t do well in high school, and I failed to plan out my future fast enough. Next thing I know, I’m studying for a diploma in computers before I went for my stint in the army. And after that, the change in environment (with a little help from my girlfriend) led me to realize that my interest was in the media, so getting back to school in that field was necessary.

School aside, I will always have this inferiority complex with Singaporeans. Even though my ID says I’m Singaporean, growing up somewhere else made me feel like I might as well be from another planet. So this is my feeble attempt in being a part of the rat race; being good at something. But as unimportant as music goes, I’m doing nothing but driving on the road shoulder.

But what if all of this was for my personal satisfaction? Call it selfishness all you want, but we all need to look into the things that makes us happy once in awhile. Consider the circumstances that puts us where we are and what we’re capable of doing; some travel the world, some collect rare items from stamps to foreign sports cars, some move to another country.

And as for me, I try to make the most out of my music because I feel like that is my own way of wanting to experience life. I made it the most important aspect of who I am, right below living my life for another, of course.

My nephew.

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:43:26 +0800

My nephew.

The truth about your job

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:10:16 +0800

In most cases, there is at least one tough task in your job. You can easily overcome that by just shutting your yap and doing it.

Illusion.

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:26:42 +0800

Illusion.

"A stitch in time saves nine. Does it have anything to do with sewing?"

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:10:08 +0800

“A stitch in time saves nine. Does it have anything to do with sewing?”

- Karl Pilkington

I one-upped my boredom and made a birthday baby cino.

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:08:21 +0800

I one-upped my boredom and made a birthday baby cino.

Bored this morning; made my cappuccino top look like a cupcake...

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:49:55 +0800

Bored this morning; made my cappuccino top look like a cupcake top.

Clark Kent syndrome

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:35:19 +0800

A lot of people have mentioned that I don’t look like the kind that would front a band, let alone pursue music altogether. I guess I enjoy leaving that kind of impression.

"Should I Stay Or Should I Go?"

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:53:05 +0800

The Home section of the Straits Times today has a little article about overseas studies and they had 4 undergrads give different perspectives about it.

The first student declares that home is where the heart is, and prefers local.

The second student says that you should go abroad, but only if you qualify.

The third says that you should go, but don’t forget to come back and serve the community that gave you the opportunity to go.

The fourth says that you should go off to experience the world.

ST had gone through all the trouble of interviewing probably hundreds of students to get these 4 different views for the article. It makes me wonder what their motive was for putting this on paper in the first place. Who cares what others think? One would assume that higher education enforces independant thinking, and this article suggests otherwise. The 4 views were presented by a short paragraph that only says something in the lines of “Here we have 4 students giving their views on this subject. Enjoy!”

You can find this in the ‘youth’ section in ST; ironic because I don’t know a lot of youths who bother to read the papers in the first place. If I were to assume (or ‘ass-u-me’, rather) that they do read the papers, and this article specifically, what would their first impressions be? To be at an age group (youngest was 17, oldest was 22) influenced by trends, you can imagine that one reading this will surely go “Then which student would I be?” God knows that that was my initial response. But should that be encouraged?

Going back to independant thinking, the article does not help in that department. Especially because there weren’t any follow-up paragraphs suggesting that the reader should study all the options of studying overseas before deciding based on views by their peers. And if a student were to be smart enough to get into higher education (I’m ‘ass-u-me’-ing again), wouldn’t they be frustrated because whatever decision they will make after reading would one way or another be based on the 4 ‘default’ schools of thought (pardon the pun) that the article had provided instead of having the satisfaction of being able to make their own decisions? I would. The newspaper (or the people who contribute to it, rather) should have a greater sense of responsibility than having a ‘just saying’ piece for a filler. I have noticed that a fair amount of journalists have published a lot of unecessary information about their subject matter in articles that does nothing but to enforce stereotyping. They fail to realize the power of the media and in turn underestimate their own capabilities.

If ‘grooming tomorrow’s leaders’ was supposed to be the bottom line, then the training wheels would have to come off some time. And by training wheels I meant the convenience of peer influence.

Christmas decorations at work. What?

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:33:28 +0800

Christmas decorations at work. What?

The truth about dreams

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:16:41 +0800

The culture in Singapore turns your passion into a job. That’s why people leave the country, sorry to say.