Saturday, June 24, 2006


Argh! It's those darn generators again! Posted by Picasa

Tree-dotted pastures... Posted by Picasa

Relaxing farms... Posted by Picasa

Threatening rain clouds. Posted by Picasa

Get ready for a power-charged storm... Posted by Picasa

Once you enter Czech, this marvellous view awaits! Posted by Picasa

Struggling captive! Posted by Picasa

Leisure captive :) Posted by Picasa

Our performing venue for the choir marathon on the next day / a Billa supermarket Posted by Picasa

Olomouc, Czech Republic. I'm finally here! Posted by Picasa

Monday, June 12, 2006

From Vienna with love!

Hi ya all! I'm currently in an Internet cafe in Vienna, Austria! My choral competition here has been a tremendous success. We scored 100 marks for both the categories we're in! Well, my Internet time is ending soon. Shall write more when I get home. As always, there will be pictures galore!!!

Good morning, good afternoon and goodnight if I don't get to see you in Salzburg, Munich, Dubai or Colombo! :P

Monday, April 24, 2006

The end of an era

I returned to Malaysia this weekend, but for the first time, I'm not home for the holidays. My maternal grandma passed away, and I went home for her funeral. I remember her as a loving mother and grandmother, who always wear a gentle smile. She's a toughie too, surviving all those years after my grandpa passed away. The next Chinese New Year will be very different, when I go home and won't be able to see her again. She didn't even get to see my dear in person. I guess my only consolation is that she knew that I already have a girlfriend.

When we walked behind the van that carried grandma's coffin, me and my mom held hands. She said, "It's been a long time since we last held hands." And I couldn't help but feeling sorry inside. Sorry for not being there for her all the time. Sorry for giving her hell when I was a teenager. Sorry that I am going to leave her and start my own family.

With my grandma gone, all my grandparents are no longer around. This marks the end of an era, the end of a generation. With the birth of my eldest sis' second son, it marks the beginning of a new generation. One cannot help but marvel at God's work in advancing the human race with such simplicity and clockwork.

After the funeral, I stayed for an extra day before I went back to Singapore. While at KL train central, I glanced up and saw a peculiar sight. Curious. Somebody was obviously not thinking in 3D.


Lee Young Ae would've been proud :P Posted by Picasa

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Oh what? OASIS!

I first heard Oasis when I was around 14 or 15, and I remember thinking, "What the heck is this 'Wonderwall'? Sounds weird..." Well, the thing is, that song's so weird, it kinda grows on you like an unwanted pimple. Or a strand of blonde hair. Whatever.

After "Wonderwall" came "Roll with it", "What's the story (morning glory)?", "Champagne Supernova" and "Don't look back in anger". The best thing is they're all on the same album! It's the only CD from that era that I still play from time to time. Now that's what I call a kickass band.

So it's little wonder that when I heard Oasis is coming here, I was rearing to go right away, even if I had to trade my virginity for it. Well, maybe not THAT extreme, but I'm trying to make a point here. The band cancelled their Asia Tour last time after the Bali bombing, but if they didn't, I wouldn't be able to afford the ticket then. Yeah!

After I'm done at school, I kept my bag in my cupboard. Can't rock if you dun travel light, geddit? Anyway, once I get to the indoor stadium, there was already a huge crowd gathering there. Luckily, I bought ticket for the cheaper balcony seat instead of the free standing zone. I bought a tasteless and grossly overpriced hotdog and admired at the Oasis goodies on sale. I may be a fan, but my wallet's not, so no extra shopping for me tonight, thank you.

Time sure crawls when you're excited. When I got in and settled in on my seat, I just waited for the other lame-ass audience who obviously needed a car battery jump-start to their fancy watches to come inside the stadium. What's the deal, people? I thought we're operating in the Singapore timezone here, eh?

Lateness aside, there're 2 unexpected guests seated in front of me. Initially, the row in front of me was taken by a gang of Caucasians. However, 2 person came later and told them that they're all at the wrong seats. I raised my head, well Lo and behold, it's Tan Kheng Hua (Margaret from PCK Ltd) and her husband Lim Yu Beng (TV and theatre actor)! They're a polite pair of rock fans, only headbanging occasionally throughout the concert. Even Yu Beng stood up only once to dance to the music. But I'm ahead of myself here.

The lights dimmed, the music softened, and the crowd got excited. And then there they were, the people I've been waiting to meet for the past 12 years. From then on, it was a glitzy blur for the rest of the night, and that's a good thing. Liam's rocking! Noel's rocking too! The band's rocking, and so was the crowd! They just kept churning out hits after hits. That's a showcase of their impressive career. They, along with Blur, kick started the Britpop phenomenon. And rightly so, as they're such an awesome live band. Curse the indoor stadium for its inferior acoustics!

When the band started to play "Wonderwall" and "Don't look back in anger", there was a tinge of nostalgia down my spine, which made me realised that I'm not as young as I want to be anymore. Gone are the days of endless homeworks and UEC threats. Gone are the days of staying up late over at friend's place. Gone are the days of curiosity and exploration. Well, maybe still a fair bit of the last one, but it's all different now. It just made me wanna stand up and sing till my lungs burst, so I did. So were the whole stadium. Everyone was completely mesmerized by the music, singing along with their hands raised up high, and the atmosphere was magical. Perhaps, just perhaps, the music had awoken something in them too. Or some TIME. When there's no 9/11. No Bush. No Blair. And no freaking boy bands. Yeah, those times were splendid, weren't they?

After the show ended, I was about to leave, when I spotted a crowd gathering near the loading bay. Then it occured to me: I can wait for the band there too! So I found myself a nice spot, and waited. We had a nice time hackling the security guards ("When are they coming out? Tell us leh..." "Can I have your pass?" "Are they staying at the Four Seasons") After about an hour (what took them so long?), they finally came out from their room and walked to their van. The other band members were polite enough to wave when the fans cheered, but Liam, being the arrogant bastard that he is (which we loved), wore his sunglasses (at 12am?) and raised his right fist like a boxer. As for his brother Noel? He just went straight into the van. Always the charmer, that Noel.

As soon as their van started moving away (with the traffic police bikes in front, no less), I felt that they'd pass by me, and they did. The fans gave chase, me included. I was the only that was running beside their van, waving my hands like a mad man. I could almost touch the van! I could see the band starring at me like I'd grown horns from my temples. Then I started thinking: what if they're waiting to see me trip and fall? Therefore, I stopped running, and the van drove away, along with the band, never to return again, quite likely.

It was a wonderful night! Now that's what I call a "once in a lifetime experience", man... ROCK ON!

Liam with his trademark pose! Posted by Picasa

Different lighting, same pose Posted by Picasa

90 minutes later: Yup, he's STILL doing it... Posted by Picasa

Noel's all suited up to bring the house down! Posted by Picasa

The rocker finally reveals himself! Posted by Picasa

The crowd is getting wild! Posted by Picasa

Monday, February 20, 2006

Calling all Rockers!

Hey hey! Anyone interested to catch OASIS Live in Singapore? It'll be on 23 Feb (Thu), 8pm at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

With such hits like "Wonderwall", "Don't Look Back in Anger", "Roll with it", "The Masterplan", "Champagne Supernova", "The Hindu Times", and "Layla", you can expect a night of spectacular Brit rock! Please give me a call if you're interested ya? Don't wait anymore!!!