Make a whole new religion

I have been spending lots of time in the factory these days. And today I have a camera with me. So I decided to take some pictures for my blog.

People love to ask me 'How are you?' 'How is work?'
Well, I understand that these people most probably have nothing better to talk to me about. So I try to be polite and patient.
I usually reply 'I'm OK' or 'OK lor', and pray that the other party would not go on asking about my work.
AIYO! Because my work is just OK.

This is I measuring the temperature of the 300deg C mold. After the test, my hands were red in color from all that baking. And this is OK.


This is the machine that scoops molten aluminum. The liquid is 550deg C. And it is OK.


I am luckier than him. I’m only exposed to the machines holding the molten aluminum. He has to handle them. But he seems OK.


I live with wheels everywhere. The factory feels like an evening sun on your skin, only you are fully clothed.


Will you be OK?

And if I’m not in the factory, I’ll be in the office typing reports. So honestly, work is work, I am me. I have Nothing exciting to share with you.

So the next time you see me, after reading this, please talk to me about the weather. Tell me whatever that is happening in your life. Anything.
Don’t ever ask me How I Am Doing.
What else can I say than I AM OK?

Labels: Thoughts

I was listening to Shawn Colvin's DVD and editing the clouds pictures I took (4 days ago) yesterday. And I was suddenly caught in that mood. So I wrote my own I Don't Know Why.
I'm not claiming credits, just sharing.

I Don't Know Why

I don't know why
Why I have to sigh?
And I don't know why
Why the sun still shines so bright?

If this is Good-Bye
Then why do I cry?
I don't know why I love you so
But I do

I don't know why
But love is so hard to find
And I don't know why
Why we have to be apart

If I could fly like the birds in the sky
I'll be by your side
I don't know why I love you so
But I do

I don't know when
I will see your face again
And I don't know if
You know that I still care

If I could turn back the hands of time
I will never let you go
I don't know why I love you so
But I do

I don't know why
But time still goes by
And I don't know why
I don't know anything at all

If I knew then
You will be so far away
I will say 'I Love You' one more time
I don't know why I love you so
But I do

-for fabian-

Labels: Thoughts

I Don't Know Why
by Shawn Colvin

I don't know why
The sky is so blue
And I don't know why
I'm so in love with you
But if there were no music
Then I would not get through
I don't know why
I know these things, but I do

I don't know why
But somewhere dreams come true
And I don't know where
But there will be a place for you
And every time you look that way
I would lay down my life for you
I don't know why
I know these things, but I do

I don't know why
But some are going to make you cry
And I don't know how
But I will get you by, I will try
They're not trying to cause you pain
They're just afraid of loving you
I don't know why
I know these things, but I do

I don't know why
The trees grow so tall
And I don't know why
I don't know anything at all
But if there were no music
Then I would not get through
I don't know why
I know these things, but I do

Mehn, our Human Relations Officer, is in the left, the only wearing dark top.
Click to see larger image.







24th Sept is Mehn's Birthday. So she asked Kai Qian and me along for lunch today to celebrate her birthday. I really enjoy having her around because she is so funny and helpful. And every now and then, she will teach me Thai or tell me a new place to visit in Thailand.
When Jacek came to Bangkok last weekend, his girlfriend had wanted to watch a Cabaret Show. So I asked Mehn if there is any in Bangkok. She said.. Oh.. Yih Tung (she pronouces as Yi Thong), there is no Cabaret in Bangkok. Only in Pattaya. After that the office was talking about Cabaret in Thai. So I stood there bewildered. Then suddently she turned to me and said, ask your friend come. I pole dance! 100baht!
hahahaha

Mehn, Sa Bai Dee Mai? (Thai Language: How are You?) I would ask her sometimes.
She will then laugh and reply Ka Sa Bai Dee. Yi Thong, Ni Hao Ma? (Chinese Language: How are you?)

She is great fun :)

Despite being the most Emmy nominated Comedy Series, Will and Grace only managed to take home 2 Emmys (Both in the Creative Arts Emmys).
Still I scream Will and Grace RULEZ!! Karen and Jack too!! :p

Outstanding Cinematography For A Multi-Camera Series
Will & Grace • Friends With Benefits • NBC • KoMut
Entertainment in association with Three Sisters
Entertainment and NBC Studios, Inc.
Tony Askins, Director of Photography

Tony Askins had previously won the same award for years 2001, 2002 and 2003




Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series
Will & Grace • NBC • KoMut Entertainment in association with Three Sisters Entertainment and NBC Studios, Inc.
Bobby Cannavale as Vince D'Angelo

Bobby Cannavale first appeared on Will and Grace on 18th March 2004, Season 6 Episode 18 titled "Courting Disaster". It's the episode where the Outcast's Song "Hey Ya!" was featured. Remember? And Karen learning how to drive. She and Will was booked by a traffic police (Vince), who will later became Will's boyfriend. Great episode to watch. Very funny.

Bobby Cannavale actually appeared in many well loved Comedy and Drama series before:Ally McBeal, Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Sex and the City, and Six Feet Under.His father is Italian and his mother is Cuban and he is 6' 2½" (1.89 m) tall.


57th Annual Emmy Awards saw 4 actors nominated in the same award for their work on Will and Grace: Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series

Victor Garber as Peter Bovington in Season 7 Episode 9 - Saving Grace, Again (Part 2)



Jeff Goldblum as Frank/Scott in Season 7 Episode 12 - Board Games, Season 7 Episode 14 - Bully Woolley, Season 7 Episode 15 - Dance Cards and Greeting Cards



Alec Baldwin as Malcolm in Season 7 Episode 22 - Friends with Benefits, Season 7 Episode 23 - Kiss and Tell, Season 8 Episode 1 - Season 8 Premiere





and of course Bobby Cannavale.



Another worth mentioning is Blythe Danner who was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series as Marilyn Truman, Will's mother. She won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series for her role as Izzy Huffstodt in Huff.


Once again, for the fifth consecutive year Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes lost their Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress and Actor in A Comedy Series. The last time they won was in 2000. Eric McCormack didn't take home the Emmy for Outstanding Leading Actor in A Comedy Series. He won in 2001. Debra Messing wasn't even nominated this year. She won in 2003. Will and Grace has been nominated for Best Comedy Series since 2000 and won the Emmy in 2000.

Day One
Sister was checking into the hotel. We had a Snappy :)

Power of Three! Lazing in the Hotel Room.







Day Two
Taking a break at a dessert store. Then we go Fight the Jatujak (Weekend Market) Battle recharged! hee..

Had a nice dinner with NTU Sports Club Family while Family goes for Thai Massage.

First Day Shopping Results. Keeping in mind that my Family went back with Five Luggages, what you see now is Nothing. We actually went to Sum Lum Night Market too. But the downpour spoilt all the mood for photo taking.







Day Three
Boat Ride to Wat Po (To see the Reclining Buddha).







Mommy and YiLong had another Massage Session at The Thai Traditional Massage School. They say more power. Gage scared.


After Second Day Shopping. YiLong insists we should have some A&W - an extincted fast food restaurant in Singapore. Remember their famous Curly Fries? They don't sell Coney Dog in Thailand though.



















After A&W, we had dinner at Yaowarat. Sharkfins Soup and Bird's Nest. Yum!










I was so busy eating that I forgot to take pictures. So try to picture the plates with Goodies, ok? I promise those are delicious!












Day Four
We actually went to MBK in the morning. But.. shopping is more important than taking pictures :p
Mommy, Sis and YiLong checking in.

Well, one of the many thoughts from this trip. Maybe they shouldn't visit me. Because now I miss them even more. Damn!

From Left: Amy, Hui Wen, Dotz, moi, Wen Lie, Charlene, Zing, Xian Ming. (There is actually another picture that has Charlotte. But because of the angle taken, I better not show it here)

As though the Higher Powers wants me to remember that there is still warmth on Earth, my NTU Sports Club friends came to Bangkok on my family visiting weekend too. This is kinda special because these people are like family too. It was especially great to see these guys. I left them right after Sports Camp. Sorry I couldn't spend more time with you all. Will catch up soon ok?
I can't help but to think that if only Theresa came too. Then Fab Four will be reunited. Looking for our second Amazing Race together!










From Left: Wen Lie, Cheney, Xian Ming, Charlotte, moi

Anyway, these are the people (many not here) who spent restless nights with me, day after day, week after week, month after month. Honestly, Sport Club is one of the many things that happened to me. I'm grateful and very proud to be part of the huge family. More importantly are the people I got to know. Frankly, this club is so huge that I am not close to every single one of the people in it. But those people that touched my life, I am eternally appreciative. The Fab Four during exams, Leon (my neighbour) disturbing me everyday, Charlotte and Theresa in my low times, my Sports Club seniors for teaching me, my Sports Club juniors for teaching me too, the Especially fun Publications People I have during Camp.. Miss Our Craziness A Lot!!, and many many more.

I was a Swimming Champion.
And although that was some years ago, there will always be a part of me that remembers my accomplishments. I remember that time when I marched to my school’s swimming meet (which honestly wasn’t a big deal) with the main student body instead of taking the competitors’ transport, and getting ready for my first event the minute I reached the pool. Not that I was arrogant, but because I knew that I would still have enough energy for my six events even after the march (plus such a thing was new to me as I take the transport year after year). Oh. I got six gold medals that day. Haha.

So you can see how Swimming is a large part of me and how it is the make up of most of my self worth. So when a sports person says, “Without Swimming, I am nothing.” You should probably trust him. But after saying so much, there is an even great power that I owe everything that I had to. The one who brought me to trainings twice every week (when I was still a boy), the one who was there for every competition – big or small, the one who will sit at the gallery doing nothing for two hours every training session, and the one who fought with my teacher in charge because the teacher refused to put me in the training group with those upper primary kids - because (honestly) the kids my age is a little too slow for me.

So essentially, without my mommy, I am nothing.

Primary school years were so far away from now. And I had grew up in my own ways, some like how my mom had hoped for, others not. And one of the most drastic decisions I had made so far was to apply for an overseas attachment this year. I had only told everyone about the job after I was accepted. I guess this took my mom off guard somehow. Somehow I had wanted to do this for me. And I was afraid that she would sway my decision. Do note that everyone has a Parent Voice inside us. And sometimes we act the way we do because we couldn’t help but follow our Parent Voice’s instructions (This I have learnt from the two Psychology Classes I took). My mom has great effect over me. And I must say that I grew up in the golden days (as compared to my siblings). When I was growing up, my mother didn't intent to depend on anyone (dawn, can you remember those days?). And anything she lacks, she makes up with resourcefulness. She was forceful and refused to let anyone bully her children or her. Guess this is why I am somewhat different compared to my siblings. I am driven and domineering while they are more peace loving people.
Anyway, after two months of working in Thailand, my family flew over to visit me. And boy did my mom come with a vengeance. She packed a luggage full of goodies – my favorite NTUC potato chips, chocolates, biscuits, moon cakes, BBQ pork (which she took great pains to cut the slices into smaller pieces and pack them in zip lock bags, so I can eat the meat easier),and even cooked my favorite pig’s trotters and preserved vegetables. This is obviously ridiculous and impractical. But this is a mother’s love. I believe that there are only a few Loves in this world that will be in such excess that it becomes outrageous. The only I have found so far are my mother’s love for me and my siblings’ love for me.

One fear that I always have is that I wouldn't be able to give my mom a comfortable life. Although I have never told her. But I have quietly decided that she has suffered too much. And I want to one day provide for her in ways that people frown upon - that she can buy anything she wants without having second thoughts.
Money has always given my mom a great deal of headache and I never found out the full extent until I got older. There were toys in my childhood, but not plenty. So I say that those situations could have further develop my resourcefulness and creativity.

I seem to can't write adequately for this piece. Maybe some things are better left inside. I Love You, Mommy.
p.s. Do go have a read at my sister's blog entry. She wrote a wonderful piece on mommy too. I love it a lot. It moved me a lot.


Almost forgot! I had to buy this 85litres bag to bring my food back. And it wasn't quite big enough. Mommy had to bring a packet of fruits back. When I eventually got my food supply back to the factory (I was quite grumpy initially because I had to carry THAT for my one and a half hour journey back to the factory), I realised how much my mommy loves me :)

Background:
Anyone who knows Gage knows that he loves to take magazines and postcards and any cool AND free publications. When it comes to stopping in the middle of a crowded street to take those things, he knows no shame. "Hey! They are meant to be taken. Right?" Anyway, everywhere he goes, he takes. ARTS magazine (which he happens to collect because of all the cool front page. And he dreams of putting up his favorite ARTS magazine covers on one wall of his house someday), IS magazine, nice ZOcards, and even Nanyang Chronicles (a newsletter in NTU.. great thing to occupy your empty hands with, or to act as an excuse not to do self study in between lesson waits, or distract you from your boring lectures. Note that Gage rarely uses it in boring lectures. He sleeps. heh)
Over here is Thailand, he has found BK magazine (Bangkok version of IS. Acquiring this publication requires him to enter a high class shop where the magazines are placed right in front of the cashier counter. So he enters, looks around at those freakishly expensive goods and goes in for the kill. At times when he has less energy or is in a rush, he just goes in to take the magazine. hee..) and Guru(magazine he found when he went to watch a movie one weekend. Not much of a read. More for Gage's hunger for free publications.).

Situation:
When Gage's family flew over to Thailand for a visit on the 9th Sep, his brother(although Gage's blood brother, he is much taller, has a much bigger built, is more adventurous, and is less twitch-y) passed him a bag full of his favorite publications.
(cuts to Scene of happy people smashing cake on each other's faces. Then Scene cuts to cartoon scene where the Happiness Chemical Plant explodes and everyone infected are jumping and singing around happily. Imagine DeeDee of Dexter's Lab)

This was the work of Gage's best friend and the world's best lecture company (Gareth, who loves to lick his plate, loves to poke Gage's ear with his pencil when Gage is sleeping soundly in the lecture hall. How rude :p And when Gareth had a skin head last year, Gage secretly enjoys spotting Gareth's shine from far when he enters the lecture hall late. Gage also enjoys rushing to Gareth's house on the eve of an examination day desperate for help, where sometimes Gage will manage to make Gareth more confused than ever. Gage also enjoys recalling, with Gareth, the days when these two buggers are so sleepy but tries so hard to stay awake, thinking that each other wants to chat. However, Gage hates that Gareth is often stuck in between the two women of his life. For those blessed a.k.a. ignorant, two women of a man's life are always Mother and Girlfriend/Wife. Wife and Mistress are referred to as Wife and Mistress. Gage hates that Gareth always chooses to suffer alone for that two women. Gage hates Gareth's unworldly Goodness. But sometimes, it's that goodness that keeps Gage's anger away. All in all, Gage loves Gareth more than he hates.)

Thanx for the thought and all the trouble. I am very grateful to whatever upper powers out that for giving me this friend. I have a stronger argument as to why I wanna go home now :)

Lisun is my primary school friend and she is the only few people who is always in my heart. She has always been there and she never competes to be the soppy one in my low points in life. When I had a problem, she listens so carefully and sees from my point of view. Such a friend is rare. If I should do like what my sister says, Lisun is surely a blessing I need to count.

◎ 陳珊妮Sandee Chan
She was once viewed as off mainstream, weird, alternative, talented but never famous. But in a twist of fate, she is now one of the hottest producers in the Mandarin Pop Industry. Now, if any singer wants avant-garde sounds, they look for Sandee. Her latest album 《後來 我們都哭了》 won her two Golden Melody awards. Being a fan of hers since her first album 《華盛頓砍倒櫻桃樹》 (1994), it feels quite good to spit on everyone’s face and say, “You were wrong. We are right all along.”
In 2002, Sandee and Veegay set up their own recording studio, Le Musique.

◎ 李端嫻Veegay
Veegay is one of Hong Kong’s most reputable arranger and mixer. She did some killer arrangements and mastering for Sandee and 拜金小姐’s album. She was one half of Minimal, which was most well known for their mixing and sound engineering in Hong Kong. I first got to know Minimal when they did arrangements for Sandee’s year 2000 album 《完美的呻吟》。

◎可樂王Cola King
Cola King is a writer, photographer, painter and an alien according to Sandee and Veegay.
He writes all the song lyrics in the 拜金小姐 albums. While Sandee and Veegay do Compostion, Arrangement, Vocals, Recording, Engineering and Mastering. Cola King is responsible for most of the artwork found on the 拜金小姐 albums too. Wasn’t too impressed with him until the second 拜金小姐 album. He’s more than good.

2004, 拜金小姐 released their first album, simply titled 《拜金小姐》。The first album was aimed at the sound itself. Free willed and punkish. The songs are emotions themselves. So they can be singing about singing in the bathroom, or an emotion stirred by a faded photograph. Since aiming at the sound itself, 拜金小姐 kept the song lyrics simple and quirky.

《人生歌王》
就躺在澡盆里面唱歌。
就躺在澡盆里面唱。
虽然唱得很烂。
但我也要唱得很爽。
啦啦啦···要唱成一个人生歌王。。


《哈啦全年无休》
豆子说想要用功读书
豆子说先要学好日文和英文
豆子说他想要和东东上床说金城武也不错
豆子说胸部要大一点
豆子说男朋友最好很有钱
可是豆豆只有十三岁她的愿望一个也没有达成

阿料说: 下雨后有彩虹甚至是完全被料中
阿料的话并没有指涉什么并没有什么特别意义
大多只是一句屁话
正如我们成天发言
正如我们手机发热
正如我们如乱扯一天一天的冲劲一样猛

豆子说哈啦全年无休 阿料也说打屁哈啦全年无休
我们说哈啦全年无休 全年无休打屁哈啦乐无穷
乐无穷


哈啦 is a slang for talking bullshit.
So is this 拜金小姐 song lyric bullshit? Or is it about the materialistic youngsters nowadays? Those who only sit around and talk nonsense? You decide.

The new 拜金小姐 sound shook the tasteless Mandarin Pop Industry and the album was voted Top 10 album of 2004 by many independent music organizations.



《写给这个下午》is my favorite song from their first album. It reminds me of someone in Autumn, remembering a time of when Summer was just about to be over. That feeling of losing sight of love, so you try to take as much happiness as you can from that last day of Summer.

《写给这个下午》
雨水打穿镜面
我开车从远方来找你
醒在你年轻的床上
床是芬芳气味的海洋
欢笑走过二十岁的沙滩
你穿我送你的泳衣
在相片里
有笑声轻撞
在粉红色的房间里面
转呀转呀的彷佛电扇
有声音在下降
有花绽放
有花有花飞扬

但那些虚幻
但那些虚幻扩张
它不断地不断地扩张扩张扩张

In 2005, 拜金小姐 strikes again. The highly anticipated second album is titled 《拜金小姐2005》。 This time, 拜金小姐 turns extravagant oriental style. With lavishing lyrics and majestic arrangements, every song on the album is like a huge painting.

《拜金小姐2005》 largely has a Euro-techno sound -「歐陸電子音樂風格」 to it, or as what they refer to as the Eurobeat.
Although Eurobeat was the direction, there is actually New Wave Rock, Techno and even Disco sounds.
For the lyrics part, Cola King did an impeccable job and proved himself worthy as one third of 拜金小姐。

The lyrics of the second are divided into two kinds – the Fun and High 拜金小姐 style and the Magnificent Poetic style.

For most part of the album, Cola King is this brilliant painter. The lyrics are poetic and introspective. You can see his paintings of the eight immortals in 《似仙遊》, and a witch with a crooked nose in 《一座千年的妖精旅店》, and a girl sitting by the lake with a faded photograph in her hands in 《那年夏天 寧靜的海》, and a couple under the comic sky in 《點絳唇》。

《青春驪歌》
又是一個離別季節 每個人都流下眼淚
我也曾經為此傷悲 與你相擁哭泣
鳳凰花開 憂傷六月 此去一別付諸流水
年少情懷真摯甜美 牢記在我的心田
這世事不斷改變
青春花開花謝 我會勇敢長大
這世事不斷改變
青春不停燃燒 我會勇敢的長大
一個人勇敢長大

Although continuing from their last album style of High and Punk, 拜金小姐 had given the song lyrics a little more depth to allow the majestic idea to work.

《週末噴水池鎮暴部隊之歌》
你看這社會五彩燦燦暴跳如雷 絕妙的人類。
你看這國家暗渡陳倉滿腦腸肥 就快要毀滅。
嘿 宇宙變化萬千。
嘿 牛鬼蛇神是誰。
嘿 主義支離破碎。
安靜點 聽我的音樂。
嘿 地面開始升高。
嘿 海水開始倒退。
嘿 今朝有酒今朝醉。
這就是。
我的作為。

[When one has a box office smash hit, and the other sells CDs without even the need for the effort to pronounce words clearly, how can 拜金小姐 not be a part of it?]

《拜金國際俱樂部啦啦隊之歌 (太陽系專用)》
你是個偉大英雄呼嗚 你是個民族救星呼嗚。
你是個蘇波斯答阿呼嗚 你正在磨拳擦掌回神呼嗚。
你有很會很會 你有很神很神。你一定可以打敗周傑倫呼嗚。
你有很多麻索 又有很會功夫。你一定可以打敗周星施呼嗚。
你有很會很會 你有很神很神。
我要珠光寶氣特別為你跳舞。
你有很會很會 你有很神很神。
我要濃妝艷抹特別為你跳舞。
你要法力無邊 你要飛針走線。
我要穿迷你裙特別為你跳舞。
你是風流人物 我是美麗佳人。
我要穿Bikini特別為你欢呼。



《蝶戀花》 is my favourite Favourite 拜金小姐 song so far, found in the album 《拜金小姐2005》。

燕兒東逝流水 戰士吹梅一別
母鹿星河初透 琥珀煙火倚人間
獨我拈花碎步 金釵繹奴玲瓏
笙歌亂雪千重 晚淨天涼鳳華開

今夜要百花齊放與上 大日正開懷
十七名妖精獨上西樓 砍斷遠山寂寞梧桐
今夜要百花齊放興上 南國正芬芳
病玉階瑤殿香冷銷魂 滿城飛絮別是清香

皇上永書安睡 王宮愛奴菱歌
今朝國破山河 露濃花瘦好燒水

今夜要百花齊放興上 青春正斷腸
暮雨晴 落花相思翻飛 找尋那春蝶此恨綿綿
就讓我死在這一片片空虛的迷霧裡
當魂魄渡遠清歌行舟 送人間蒼茫曉夢煙雲
別離

To me, this song is Sadness. And if you can’t fully understand the words, it’s okay. Actually, I think it’s this ridiculously hard to comprehend lyric that makes me love the song so much. I believe that Sadness is something that cannot be fully understood by another person. And when I tell you about my sadness, it will be like the lyrics. You can only make sense, never grasp.
The lines 十七名妖精獨上西樓 砍斷遠山寂寞梧桐 gives me a graphic that is so vivid - Loneliness oozing out of the Tree of Sadness and then covering your world from corner to corner.
And since I’m such a sucker for camp stuff, 《蝶戀花》 must be a national anthem in my world.

拜金小姐 has brought a new idea and sound into the waning Mandarin Pop Industry. Each of their albums creates a musical journey (a new idea which singer Kit Chan had also experimented with, only with less effect and success).
If your modus operandi is Glorious Sorrow, 拜金小姐 could be a new addition to your camp style, especially 《拜金小姐2005》。

Labels: Music