A special corner for wedding pictures! Aww...
Friday, October 14, 2005
Sunday, October 02, 2005
STOMP!
Man, oh MAN! This is one heck of a show! One word: AWESOME. I got friends telling me that I'm foolish to spend $113 to watch 8 ppl banging trash cans. Well, that's only half true: the "banging trash cans" half. I mean, this crew's courier service must be looking at the weirdest delivery list in the world (for 8 shows):
30 Brooms,
8 Lids,
1 Tall Bins UK,
5 Short Bins US,
10 6ft 6in poles,
15 Pounds of Sand,
4 blocks of Athletes chalk,
12 pairs of Drumsticks,
200 litres of Water,
8 Bananas,
and 12 boxes of Matches.
That's not all, I think. They also bought some local newspapers for one of the items. And then there're lighters, oil drums, rubbish bins, sinks, rubber tubes, tea leaf crates, measuring tape, saw, plungers, and a million other things that I missed out. The point? They all make wonderful music. Yeah, MUSIC. Even I myself thought it'll be a purely percussion-oriented show, but the rubber tube item was amazing. Using rubber tubes of various lengths, they create notes, and then you guessed it, MUSIC. So simple in theory (everybody knows it), and yet so wonderful in execusion (nobody thought of it).
If the show is just ppl banging stuffs, then they're nothing more than the buskers you see around Orchard Rd. However, STOMP got one thing they don't: Theatre. Add in a bit of acting here, a bit of mime there, a bit of dance everywhere, a bit of story to link it all together, and you got yourself the love child of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Metalica. That's quite smart, actually. Design the show such that it MUST be performed in a theatre setting (the lighters item needs complete darkness), then you can start charging ppl crazy ticket prices and make cray profits, instead of just putting your hat by the sidewalk.
But wait! That's not all! For the audience, it'd be head-splitting if all you do is banging and smashing and kicking and whacking and... you get the picture. So, the performers involved the audience in their show as well! Brilliant! I tell you, the one huge reason to buy the best/most expensive seat in the house for this kind of show is that you get the best view and involvement.
One example: a dude was sweeping the floor, he realised that we're all watching him, and he just watched us in return. Suddenly, a babe in the front row caught his eye. He tried to hit on her, then swept the dust in her boyfriend's face. That started the show and it's so, so funny.
Another example: this Loser dude was trying to do a solo item, but he kept getting bullied or interrupted everytime he tried to perform. So when he was about to attempt his item with his tools for the 4th time, a kid in the audience shouted, "What'cha gonna do with those (tools)!?" Everyone just bursted into laughter, and the performer actually acted along and mouthed the word, "Wait!". Marvellous stuff, I tell you...
They also taught us to clap to their beat and cue us in during their items. We were so into it, we actually STOMPed the floor to call for encore. The encore item got the whole audience up from their seats and clapped and STOMPed and cheered and danced. It was one of a kind, I can definately say that. :-)
The show was here in 1999 but I couldn't afford it then. Feels great to have finally watched it this time round, or else I might have to wait till 2011! The verdict? If they do come back in 2011, I'll be the first in line to watch it again!
30 Brooms,
8 Lids,
1 Tall Bins UK,
5 Short Bins US,
10 6ft 6in poles,
15 Pounds of Sand,
4 blocks of Athletes chalk,
12 pairs of Drumsticks,
200 litres of Water,
8 Bananas,
and 12 boxes of Matches.
That's not all, I think. They also bought some local newspapers for one of the items. And then there're lighters, oil drums, rubbish bins, sinks, rubber tubes, tea leaf crates, measuring tape, saw, plungers, and a million other things that I missed out. The point? They all make wonderful music. Yeah, MUSIC. Even I myself thought it'll be a purely percussion-oriented show, but the rubber tube item was amazing. Using rubber tubes of various lengths, they create notes, and then you guessed it, MUSIC. So simple in theory (everybody knows it), and yet so wonderful in execusion (nobody thought of it).
If the show is just ppl banging stuffs, then they're nothing more than the buskers you see around Orchard Rd. However, STOMP got one thing they don't: Theatre. Add in a bit of acting here, a bit of mime there, a bit of dance everywhere, a bit of story to link it all together, and you got yourself the love child of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Metalica. That's quite smart, actually. Design the show such that it MUST be performed in a theatre setting (the lighters item needs complete darkness), then you can start charging ppl crazy ticket prices and make cray profits, instead of just putting your hat by the sidewalk.
But wait! That's not all! For the audience, it'd be head-splitting if all you do is banging and smashing and kicking and whacking and... you get the picture. So, the performers involved the audience in their show as well! Brilliant! I tell you, the one huge reason to buy the best/most expensive seat in the house for this kind of show is that you get the best view and involvement.
One example: a dude was sweeping the floor, he realised that we're all watching him, and he just watched us in return. Suddenly, a babe in the front row caught his eye. He tried to hit on her, then swept the dust in her boyfriend's face. That started the show and it's so, so funny.
Another example: this Loser dude was trying to do a solo item, but he kept getting bullied or interrupted everytime he tried to perform. So when he was about to attempt his item with his tools for the 4th time, a kid in the audience shouted, "What'cha gonna do with those (tools)!?" Everyone just bursted into laughter, and the performer actually acted along and mouthed the word, "Wait!". Marvellous stuff, I tell you...
They also taught us to clap to their beat and cue us in during their items. We were so into it, we actually STOMPed the floor to call for encore. The encore item got the whole audience up from their seats and clapped and STOMPed and cheered and danced. It was one of a kind, I can definately say that. :-)
The show was here in 1999 but I couldn't afford it then. Feels great to have finally watched it this time round, or else I might have to wait till 2011! The verdict? If they do come back in 2011, I'll be the first in line to watch it again!
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
The No. 1 Job With No Respect
Read this on Netscape.com and liked what I read. You guess why. :P
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
It's not about money or celebrity. And it's not even about getting your hands dirty. The job with the least prestige is: stockbroker.
That's the word from a just-updated nationwide Harris Poll of 1,217 randomly selected adults that measures Americans' perception of the most and least prestigious professions. It's easy to see that money and celebrity do not necessarily equal prestige. If they did, actors, journalists and real estate brokers wouldn't be on the bottom of the list and firefighters, scientists, doctors and nurses wouldn't be near the top. Rather, prestige is strongly associated with respect and helping others. Professions with high prestige are those which are widely seen to do great work which benefits society and the people they serve.
The professions with the greatest prestige and the percentage of people who think so:
· Firemen (56 percent)
· Scientists (56 percent)
· Doctors (54 percent)
· Nurses (50 percent)
· Military officers (49 percent)
· Teachers (47 percent)
· Police officers (40 percent)
· Priests/ministers/clergymen (36 percent)
· Engineers (34 percent)
· Architects (27 percent)
· Members of Congress (26 percent)
· Athletes (23 percent)
The professions with the least prestige and the percentage of people who think so:
· Stockbrokers (8 percent)
· Real estate brokers (9 percent)
· Accountants (13 percent)
· Journalists (14 percent)
· Union leaders (15 percent)
· Bankers (15 percent)
· Business executives (15 percent)
· Actors (16 percent)
· Entertainers (18 percent)
· Lawyers (18 percent)
Harris Poll has conducted this survey annually since 1977. Here are some of the interesting changes in our perception of prestigious jobs in that 28-year period:
· Those who see teachers as having "very great" prestige have risen 18 points from 29 to 47 percent.
· Those who think lawyers have "very great" prestige have fallen 18 points, from 36 to 18 percent.
· Scientists have fallen 10 points from 66 to 56 percent.
· Doctors have fallen seven points from 61 to 54 percent.
· Priests, ministers and clergymen have fallen five points from 41 to 36 percent.
· Business executives have fallen three points from 18 to 15 percent.
· Athletes have fallen three points from 26 to 23 percent.
· Teachers are the only occupation to see a rise in prestige since 1977.
Notable changes since last year:
· Firemen have risen eight points from 48 to 56 percent.
· Architects have risen seven points from 20 to 27 percent.
· Nurses have risen six points from 44 to 50 percent.
· Members of Congress have fallen five points and are the largest decliner from 31 to 26 percent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
It's not about money or celebrity. And it's not even about getting your hands dirty. The job with the least prestige is: stockbroker.
That's the word from a just-updated nationwide Harris Poll of 1,217 randomly selected adults that measures Americans' perception of the most and least prestigious professions. It's easy to see that money and celebrity do not necessarily equal prestige. If they did, actors, journalists and real estate brokers wouldn't be on the bottom of the list and firefighters, scientists, doctors and nurses wouldn't be near the top. Rather, prestige is strongly associated with respect and helping others. Professions with high prestige are those which are widely seen to do great work which benefits society and the people they serve.
The professions with the greatest prestige and the percentage of people who think so:
· Firemen (56 percent)
· Scientists (56 percent)
· Doctors (54 percent)
· Nurses (50 percent)
· Military officers (49 percent)
· Teachers (47 percent)
· Police officers (40 percent)
· Priests/ministers/clergymen (36 percent)
· Engineers (34 percent)
· Architects (27 percent)
· Members of Congress (26 percent)
· Athletes (23 percent)
The professions with the least prestige and the percentage of people who think so:
· Stockbrokers (8 percent)
· Real estate brokers (9 percent)
· Accountants (13 percent)
· Journalists (14 percent)
· Union leaders (15 percent)
· Bankers (15 percent)
· Business executives (15 percent)
· Actors (16 percent)
· Entertainers (18 percent)
· Lawyers (18 percent)
Harris Poll has conducted this survey annually since 1977. Here are some of the interesting changes in our perception of prestigious jobs in that 28-year period:
· Those who see teachers as having "very great" prestige have risen 18 points from 29 to 47 percent.
· Those who think lawyers have "very great" prestige have fallen 18 points, from 36 to 18 percent.
· Scientists have fallen 10 points from 66 to 56 percent.
· Doctors have fallen seven points from 61 to 54 percent.
· Priests, ministers and clergymen have fallen five points from 41 to 36 percent.
· Business executives have fallen three points from 18 to 15 percent.
· Athletes have fallen three points from 26 to 23 percent.
· Teachers are the only occupation to see a rise in prestige since 1977.
Notable changes since last year:
· Firemen have risen eight points from 48 to 56 percent.
· Architects have risen seven points from 20 to 27 percent.
· Nurses have risen six points from 44 to 50 percent.
· Members of Congress have fallen five points and are the largest decliner from 31 to 26 percent.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Our FiRsT Anniversary Together (Ain't that ODD??)
Hmm... seems like this blog has become a monthly publication whereby I only update it once a month (if we're lucky!), and I only update it with events I had with my dear. Ah... what to do? I simply have such a fun time with her around! :D
Today marks our 7th-Month Anniversary. Strangely, this is the first time we ever celebrate it together! For the past six months, we're always in different countries on our anniversaries. Finally, we can see each other's pretty faces this time!
I had recce the places for our big night beforehand, so I was reasonably confident that we'll have a great night. Things didn't work out exactly as planned, but odd enough everything still falls in place nicely in the end. Schucks, I'm ahead of myself here. Shall we start from the beginning? :P
After my Alpha course in the afternoon at church, we took a cab and made our way to the first destination of the night. The cab driver was a very spiritually intellectual guy, and we had a fun chat on our way there. We alighted at Stamford Road, and made our way to Moon River Cafe. It has a nice jazzy ambience to it, plus they play jazz music too!
My dear complained that I always copied her food order, so she decided on what to order first, then waited for me to order mine. I wanted to order the Curry Tenderloin Beef Rice, and that's exactly what she wanted to order too! Haha... she can't say I copy her lor... :P
The curry was Japanese style, and it was WONDERFUL! The beef chunks are juicy and tender, and blends well the curry. My dear was rather surprised that I know such places. Oh well... ain't I full of surprises, people? :P
What helps you gain appetite...
... and what makes you lose your appetite! :P
Camera Time!
After a nice dinner, we proceed to our next stop: Equinox at the Swissotel. Situated on the 70th floor of the hotel, it has a magnificient view of the whole city. Now this is the part where it didn't go quite as planned...
Initially I planned to have dessert with my dear there while admiring the view, but the waiter told us that we have to order at least one main course EACH! We just had such a filling dinner just now, and we just couldn't stuff anymore food in us! Oh, what a disaster! What should I do? Luckily the waiter suggested to us that we can go to the Cityspace Lounge next door for snacks. So we just stood up and walk out of there as fast as we can... Felt so 'DUI' that my dear have to go through all that... and to think that I have done my research but missed that crucial detail... grr...
Thank God all was well once we reached Cityspace. We seated at the couches right in front of the window. I was so mesmerized by the view that I almost forgot about what happened a while ago, ALMOST. I hope it's the same for her too... but at least now we're cheerful and happily drown ourselves in alcohol! So, all was not lost and kind of went according to plan.... :P
Ah... the elixirs of life...
Beauty and the Booze :P
Before...
... During...
... After (WHOA!)
Before...
... During...
... After (WHOOOOOOOAAAAAA!)
Breathtaking View!
The "Real World" and the "Dream World"
After we had enough drinks and the gorgeous sight, I sent her home. She thanked me for the night, along with hugs and kisses. I guess that's the sign for a great time, yes? :)
To end this post, I would like to make a public announcement (ahem, ahem): By royal decree of the Cloud 9 community, I deemed my dearest dear, Wynne, a permanant resident of my heart and my life. May it be known throughout Cloud 9 that she has full access to anywhere in Cloud 9, 10, 11 and beyond. From now, till eternity.
I LOVE YOU DARLING! :)
Today marks our 7th-Month Anniversary. Strangely, this is the first time we ever celebrate it together! For the past six months, we're always in different countries on our anniversaries. Finally, we can see each other's pretty faces this time!
I had recce the places for our big night beforehand, so I was reasonably confident that we'll have a great night. Things didn't work out exactly as planned, but odd enough everything still falls in place nicely in the end. Schucks, I'm ahead of myself here. Shall we start from the beginning? :P
After my Alpha course in the afternoon at church, we took a cab and made our way to the first destination of the night. The cab driver was a very spiritually intellectual guy, and we had a fun chat on our way there. We alighted at Stamford Road, and made our way to Moon River Cafe. It has a nice jazzy ambience to it, plus they play jazz music too!
My dear complained that I always copied her food order, so she decided on what to order first, then waited for me to order mine. I wanted to order the Curry Tenderloin Beef Rice, and that's exactly what she wanted to order too! Haha... she can't say I copy her lor... :P
The curry was Japanese style, and it was WONDERFUL! The beef chunks are juicy and tender, and blends well the curry. My dear was rather surprised that I know such places. Oh well... ain't I full of surprises, people? :P
What helps you gain appetite...
... and what makes you lose your appetite! :P
Camera Time!
After a nice dinner, we proceed to our next stop: Equinox at the Swissotel. Situated on the 70th floor of the hotel, it has a magnificient view of the whole city. Now this is the part where it didn't go quite as planned...
Initially I planned to have dessert with my dear there while admiring the view, but the waiter told us that we have to order at least one main course EACH! We just had such a filling dinner just now, and we just couldn't stuff anymore food in us! Oh, what a disaster! What should I do? Luckily the waiter suggested to us that we can go to the Cityspace Lounge next door for snacks. So we just stood up and walk out of there as fast as we can... Felt so 'DUI' that my dear have to go through all that... and to think that I have done my research but missed that crucial detail... grr...
Thank God all was well once we reached Cityspace. We seated at the couches right in front of the window. I was so mesmerized by the view that I almost forgot about what happened a while ago, ALMOST. I hope it's the same for her too... but at least now we're cheerful and happily drown ourselves in alcohol! So, all was not lost and kind of went according to plan.... :P
Ah... the elixirs of life...
Beauty and the Booze :P
Before...
... During...
... After (WHOA!)
Before...
... During...
... After (WHOOOOOOOAAAAAA!)
Breathtaking View!
The "Real World" and the "Dream World"
After we had enough drinks and the gorgeous sight, I sent her home. She thanked me for the night, along with hugs and kisses. I guess that's the sign for a great time, yes? :)
To end this post, I would like to make a public announcement (ahem, ahem): By royal decree of the Cloud 9 community, I deemed my dearest dear, Wynne, a permanant resident of my heart and my life. May it be known throughout Cloud 9 that she has full access to anywhere in Cloud 9, 10, 11 and beyond. From now, till eternity.
I LOVE YOU DARLING! :)
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Happy 6-month / 1-year Anniversary!!
What's the meaning of the title, you ask? Well, today is the 6th month me and my dear gone 'steady' together since Dec 2004. It has been the most wonderful time of my life! Coincidentally, this month is also the 1-year anniversary since I created this blog. Back then, I was head over heels with the wrong girl... But one year later, I am now with the right girl! Fate, huh? :)
I know I haven't been updating this blog as often as I hoped to, but a huge THANKS to all you loyal readers out there! Send me your wonderful opinions in the Comment section or the Tag Board on your right (a new addition!).
Now, a brief glimpse in the early days of Jimbo and Wynne...
In the very beginning...
Strange fate...
The attraction begins...
I know I haven't been updating this blog as often as I hoped to, but a huge THANKS to all you loyal readers out there! Send me your wonderful opinions in the Comment section or the Tag Board on your right (a new addition!).
Now, a brief glimpse in the early days of Jimbo and Wynne...
In the very beginning...
Strange fate...
The attraction begins...
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