Toshio俊雄 says...

还有还有。。。

2012-01-07T22:21:00.002+08:00

How can I forget... possibly the most important event I attended in 2011...

我的2011

2012-01-02T23:07:00.002+08:00

It's a time again to reflect on what has happened in my life and to look forward to the future.

2011 has been a special year, just like any others.

I officially left the firm I worked for since August 2003. I joined a bank and well, I survived, and it is almost a year now at my new employer's. I did love working at my old firm - although work was challenging, hours were demanding, and dealing with people internally and externally was stressful - I don't know if I would be able to stay another 7 years somewhere else. I hope I do.

But given the relatively easier environment this year, I did many things I enjoyed doing.

It was an Arts and Performance year for me. I watched nearly 20 performances:

1) 16 Jan The Rocky Horror Show

2) 5 Mar Closer

3) 12 Mar Emily of Emerald Hill

4) 2 Apr I Love Ah Ai

5) 2 Apr Murder in San Jose

6) 1 May 881

7) 21 May The Lion King

8) 9 Jul The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber

9) 27 Aug Equus

10) 28 Aug Shrek

11) 30 Aug Billy Elliot

12) 31 Aug Rock of Ages

13) 1 Sep Legally Blonde

14) 1 Sep Ghost

15) 2 Sep Mamma Mia

16) 1 Oct Dealer's Choice

17) 7 Oct Loud Fest

18) 2 Nov Rock of Ages

19) 19 Nov Richard III

Did I missed any? Anyway it was a great year watching performances by local and foreign artistes, in Singapore and abroad. So what will I watch in 2012? And who will watch with me...?

I managed to read again. I read: The Devil and Miss Prynn, White Tiger, Holes, Beatrice and Virgil, A Wild Sheep Chase, Dance Dance Dance, 1Q84 Book 1, 1Q84 Book 2... I continued to love Paulo Coelho and Haruki Murakami, and I really enjoyed White Tiger to my own surprise....

I travelled quite a lot this year. Pune twice and Shanghai on business; Hong Kong, London, Sydney/Melbourne, Bali on leisure; and Kota Bharu for the first time since 2004 to visit relatives.... I believe I qualify to be a Marriott Gold Member already... and I got to experience the high life of flying on Business Class and staying at Ritz Carlton... so at least there's this time in my life that I did.

So what will 2012 hold for me? I'm setting motion a project in place. I don't know if it will take me where I want to go but it might give me a new adventure again. I don't know what I will be doing in 2, 3 years time. But at least I always have a plan of what to do in the immediate future and will act to achieve my short term goals. In the absence of knowing what the bigger plan for me is, I am comfortable that this will suffice for now.

I pray that the world will continue to be a better place for everyone, and that the people closest to me will stay happy. And I will whisper to you from my heart... have a happy new year.

Santouka vs Ippudo - Fight!

2011-12-25T20:50:00.004+08:00

Besides the ubiquitous Bubble tea franchises, different brands of Ramen seems to be popping out in Singapore as well. Well, there is a "challenge" at Iluma for 6 new entrants to the Ramen scene in Singapore. Breadtalk has expanded its baking skills to run RamenPlay. Someone has come out with Ramen Monster.

So where is the best ramen in Singapore? I believe word of mouth is still amongst the best kind of review, and these two names keep coming up: Santouka and Ippudo. And incidentally, I visited these two restaurants for some good noodles.

Santouka at Cuppage Terrace

Santouka is from Hokkaido but its broth is tonkotsu-based, similar to that of the Kyushu region. The soup base is shio, shoyu or miso. Its specialty is the Tokusen Toroniku Ramen - signature ramen with "pork cheek". I ordered the "Awase-aji" ramen ($14++) - mixed soup base of the 3 - salt, soy sauce and bean paste. The mixture actually blends really well. The set also includes a small bowl of rice of which you actually put in the soup after finishing the noodles.

For a good bowl of ramen, you can't go wrong with Santouka.

Ippudo at Mandarin Gallery

Ippudo's founder was the winner of Ramen King - a Japanese television show where chefs compete to cook - ramen! This could have turned out to be a cheesy experiment though - an overrated food joint in a 5 star hotel with an expensive menu - but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise for me.

I ordered the Akamaru special ($23++) - Ippudo's original tonkotsu broth enhanced with special blended miso paste and garlic oil. That's no other way to put it - I loved it and finished every drop. The "special" includes additional cabbages, bamboo shoots, pork belly and flavoured egg.

And the conclusion...

Prices here differ by about $10 but if I had ordered the special at Santouka, it would be $19++. But I think eating is more than just about the price - it must make you experience, and it must make you happy - and Ippudo made me remember: it made me feel excited looking at the menu (so many choices for food-to-share), happy slurping my noodles (ramen that is thinner but still firm), and feeling satisfied after walking out (especially seeing the long lunchtime queue that has formed).

So, judging on an overall experience, Ippudo wins it for me.

我要。。。

2011-10-05T21:34:00.001+08:00

重新开始追逐我的梦想！

2011年10月5日今天的我。

Hello Ghost

2011-07-30T21:10:00.004+08:00

For some reason wanted to watch this show ever since it was shown on screen but never got down to watching it. Finally rented the DVD. The lead actor was the guy from My Sassy Girl (Cha Tae Hyun). He's pretty funny actually. For the first 95% of the show, it was pretty enjoyable. Laughed out loud a few times, a nice show to spend a Saturday evening. The ending was a 180 degrees turn.... I ended up crying so badly I bawled... Dem, I haven't cried so much for a movie since I can't remember when. And the "twist" wasn't totally unexpected, I had somewhat suspected the plot from the "3rd" and "4th" ghosts onwards (yea, it's a film about a guy and 4 ghosts), so I didn't really expect my (cough) pretty extreme reaction.

Hollywood bought rights for a remake. I just wonder what they will use to substitute the norimaki/kimbap... (which was quite important to the plot hehe).

Recommended - go and watch!!

Jungheim & Beard Papa - Takashimaya basement

2011-06-25T17:02:00.005+08:00

Ok, I confess - I have a weakness for pastries (and ice cream).

Passing through Takashimaya basement 2 (which I always do when passing through Taka/Ngee Ann city), I picked up Jungheim's Baumkuchen and 6 lovely Beard Papa's custard cream puffs (Yumzz!!).

Jungheim's Baumkuchen (or simply the "cake", for the remainder of the blog post) is supposedly a traditional German cake, but add that with Japanese modernism and creativity, and we have our latest Japanese pastry fad.

Apparently, Takashimaya imported the machinery that makes the cake from Japan and set up shop in the basement food court.
First thoughts, a German-Japanese version of kueh lapis, and you know it's true for most mixed race - looks good ;-). Taste-wise, pretty smooth but I had expected it to be more flavorful and buttery. Prices are according to size - $9.80 for a smaller piece (that's good enought for 5-6 people). Surprisingly (for me), right now there's only one flavour: original/butter/plain! - but I bet there will be more coming up (chocolate, green tea...).

Jungheim also sells cookies - I'll probably be picking up those at some point in time.

Beard Papa's... ahhh, a favourite ever since it made its way into Singapore. I somewhat remember it was $2 when it first started (which must be eons ago, without the inflation and price increases of sugar, flour, butter etc). It's $2.30 now but you can buy 5 and get 1 free - which makes it less than 2 bucks, but you must have enough people in your family to finish them up. Otherwise, one will never get rid of the fats around the waist.

But the quality of the cream puff has always stayed good - both the crust and the custard cream. In fact, I can hardly think of a better custard cream than Beard Papa's - fresh vanilla creamy smooth and not too sweet. I've always wanted to try the cakes and paris brests at Beard Papa's but I always seem to end up buying the cream puffs. I guess nothing beats the original!

Oversea Restaurant and Honeymoon Dessert

2011-06-24T00:58:00.005+08:00

Interesting! A meeting with old friends and we ended at 2 local branches of overseas F&B set-ups!

First up, dinner at Oversea Restaurant at Shaw Towers. The original restaurant in KL is famous for its char siew. I have friends who swear their lives on it, so of course, that's the first order that came to mind. My take on it is... can be softer, can be either sweeter or less saltish (it's both sweet and savoury). Although my friends said, "very sweet already!"

Besides the char siew, we ordered sautee beancurd with seafood, assam vegetables, curry venison, and yee mee. I think food is above average. For a table of 5, we paid about $22 each.

For desserts, we ended up at Honeymoon Desserts at Bugis Junction or Man Ji, a Hong Kong set-up. The dessert stores at Liang Seah street were, as always, filled up.

I never really got to visit any dessert places during my recent trip to HK, although the 杨枝甘露 at Lei Bistro was pretty good. I don't know about the HK originals, but the desserts at the Honeymoon Singapore branch was okay... nothing too fantastic. They look pretty though. I guess I should have stuck with the typical 杨枝甘露 to really judge. Price at $4.50 per pax was pretty good though.

Hong Kong Jun 18-21

2011-06-22T00:20:00.000+08:00

Been back to Hong Kong again. Seems like this is an annual trip now. This time, I visited Disneyland (first time), Ocean Park (since 2000)... a couple of food highlights during the trip.

First, Mak's noodles at 77 Wellington St, Central. Apparently, it's a one star Michelin Wonton Mee cafe/restaurant. My very picky mum likes it, so it must be good. Each bowl of wanton mee costs HKD30. It's not bad, good for a snack but a bit smallish for me for a proper meal. I am already looking forward to visiting its competitor across the street on my next trip to see how its wanton mee challenges.

Next, a recommendation for all visitors to Hong Kong: Che's restaurant at Wan Chai! 车氏粤菜轩. Address: 湾仔骆克道54-62号博汇大厦4楼 4/F 54-62 Lockhart Road Wan Chai.

The Char Siew pastry or what I like to call 餐包 and the custard bun 流砂包 both have the "Mmm delicious! 好食!" exclamation when you bite into them.

Other than those, I had the typical dim sum like fried turnip cake, har kow, siew mai etc. Other than the 肠粉 which I found a little dry for my liking, the rest are above average as well.

I paid HKD300 for 4 pax, which is quite reasonable. Think I will make this a definite visit on each of my subsequent visits to HK!

:-)

2011-06-07T23:57:00.000+08:00

Marina Bay Sands Part 4 - MBS by night, Stunning Singapore

2011-06-07T00:11:00.005+08:00

Pretty neat photos by iPhone =)

Marina Bay Sands Part 3 - The Lion King public performance

2011-06-06T00:40:00.006+08:00

Made my way down to MBS to support the public performance by some of The Lion King cast on Saturday (4 Jun). The music of The Lion King always make my heart beat along with the rhythm. Wonderful cast. Should I watch it again before the end of the Singapore run?

Marina Bay Sands Part 2 - TWG Ice Cream

2011-06-06T00:25:00.004+08:00

Have I said YUMZZ already? Didn't know TWG serves ice cream. Not sure it does actually, at the ION outlet, but I could be wrong. For a huge Ice Cream fan, I must say this is the "Find of the Month"! Terrific flavours unique to TWG. And really, you don't expect how good they taste until you try it. If one can get an ice cream overdose, I might be lying at SGH now.

In the last 2 weeks, I have tried:
(1) Lung Ching Imperial
(2) White Knight Jasmine Tea
(3) Magic Moment Tea
(4) Fruit Mountain Tea
(5) Alfonso Tea
(6) Creme Brulee Tea

I think I just need to practice a little self-restraint for the next couple of weeks at least ;-P

Marina Bay Sands Part 1 - Mozza Pizzeria

2011-06-06T00:06:00.008+08:00

Been hanging around MBS quite a bit recently, so just sharing some photos from my exploits - first up, food(!) from Mozza. I was at the Pizzeria section after attending The Lion King performance one Saturday. Great atmosphere for a couple of friends to hang out and chat. The food was okay, not as great as I hoped it would be. Was expecting it to knock me off my feet really. Would still try the Mozzeria section next time though.

More random pics from Hanoi Holidaying in May

2011-06-02T21:57:00.005+08:00

Random pics from Goa Gallivanting in April

2011-05-31T22:34:00.007+08:00

So who's singing the songs now that will be future classics?

2011-05-30T23:48:00.004+08:00

Listening to Faye while trying to get to sleep (obviously from this post, it ain't working, too many memories). Miss the good ol' music and lyrics from... 10 years back? So who's singing the songs now that will be future classics? Or has music lost its soul?

从未将你的贴相从右翻至左欣赏。。。

从未真正放手所以以为拥抱会漫长。。。

从未跟你畅泳怎么知道高兴会忘形。。。

从未跟你饮过冰零度天气看风景。。。

《偿还》过才如愿要是未曾偿还这心愿。。。

星不会转谎不会穿因此太希罕继续相恋。。。

甚么都不算甚么即使你离得多远也不好抱怨。。。

你是千堆雪我是长街。。。

怕日出一到彼此瓦解。。。

看着蝴蝶扑不过天涯谁又有权不理解。。。

你是一封信我是《邮差》。。。

最后一双脚惹尽尘埃。。。

忙着去护送来不及拆开里面完美的世界。。。

为甚么感动我。。。

等我难习惯最低痛楚。。。

怕甚么怕被《迷魂（记）》。。。

扶着感情得到细心只怕丧心。。。

Last day of May. Goodnight world. :-)

The Lion King at Marina Bay Sands 21 May 2011

2011-05-22T16:18:00.006+08:00

Yay! Finally got to watch The Lion King in Singapore... of course I've watched it before at the Lyceum Theatre (no less on my 30th birthday) but I actually bought 2 tickets to watch with 2 different friends but I've got to sell the first one as I had to go on a business trip :(

The Lion King is a special one for me because out of so many musical theatre performances I've watched, this is the one with probably the best sets, including all the puppetry props; a relatively big-sized company who has to both sing and dance; fantastic rhythm and beat; and of course great vocals and great songs.

I'm not quite sure it's up there in my top 3 musicals (which off my head could be Lez Miz, Avenue Q and Wicked). Visually it's certainly the best. Could be my top 5 (together with Hairspray).

I'm happy it extended its run till end of July. Means that Performing Arts is really thriving in Singapore. I barely spent a couple of weekends not actually attending some performance this year. Who says Singapore is boring?
http://www.cnngo.com/singapore/life/top-10-most-boring-things-do-singapore-926425

881

2011-05-03T00:12:00.005+08:00

Why I love live theatre is the emotions that are displayed right in front at the stage (rather than captured on film after numerous takes) and on occasions I even deliberately get tickets to the last performance in order to see something "extra"... when the actors/players know that this is their last performance and they give it their all, and show their all...

I did it at Noel Coward's watching the final Avenue Q performance - and there was sort of an additional scene at the very end when the puppets were in their Hawaiians off on their "holidays". For 881, the actors gave a final speech to thank the crew. I feel a little guilty feeding on the raw emotions, but it was touching to watch Nat Ho and the rest of the cast cry their hearts out.

I can totally understand why. When this big project in your life you have been doing for the past few months finally ends. And the people you've lived and worked with for 18 hours each day for the past few months finally say goodbye.

Ahh... live theatre :)

反思，再反思

2011-04-02T23:34:00.002+08:00

一天内看了两场华文剧：《我爱阿爱》和《圣荷西谋杀案》。

刚巧，两部都是香港剧。《我爱阿爱》是改编成华语版的（由实践剧场所呈献）而《圣荷西》是原班人马主演，包括廷有名的刘雅丽。

《阿爱》所要表答的（除了“爱”）就是要“反思”。反思生命中所发生的事。

《圣荷西》不也一样。。。喜欢戏里的最后一句：“同个弯都可以走错两次，真是蠢！”

可以在不同的剧院，看两部从未看过的戏剧，欣赏着演员们现场的诠释，（之间吃了日本餐，还喝了一杯免费的香槟）真是一种享受！

Keeping score

2011-03-29T21:35:00.002+08:00

~~#1 Climbing Kota Kinabalu~~
~~#5 Climbing the Great Wall~~
~~#15 Try snorkelling~~

Falling in love, all over again

2011-03-27T22:47:00.005+08:00

It was not too long ago that I envy Londoners for having access to free museums and galleries.

Of course, our own museums cannot be compared to those in London and NY... but still, this is the second time this year I have visited one of our very own on an open house weekend (I was at National Museum over the New Year long weekend which was hosting the Pompeii exhibition).

And again, I am delighted that the Asian Civilisation Museum do have some excellent collection which was also very well displayed. I guess, this is Singapore after all - things are done well. Maybe sometimes we assume that things are worse off here (grass is always greener), and maybe sometimes we take things around us for granted, but having a little more time this year to appreciate the local scene... I am happy to be "here". My mind do wander once in a while... to want to be elsewhere. But in the end, I can think of no better place, ceteris paribus, than Singapore.

On an ending note, IMHO, durian and yoghurt simply do not mix well (but I digress).

風裡笑著風裡唱感激天意碰著你

2011-03-27T01:00:00.000+08:00

但願我可以沒成長, 完全憑直覺覓對象

2011-03-27T00:36:00.002+08:00

以前总觉得大人为什么总听着老歌？
现在的我是在想为什么以前的歌手和歌曲都比较动人？

Knock Knock

2010-07-18T23:36:00.001+08:00

Anyone there?

Things to do before I die - one down!

2009-12-06T16:18:00.000+08:00

~~#11 Complete a half-marathon~~

What I really want

2009-11-16T01:05:00.002+08:00

1. is to live in a wooden hut, beside the beach, and sleep all day. And read. And when I feel like it, swim in the sea, and when I'm hungry, cook some beans on the stove...

2. and if I get married, on a beach in Bali, in a proper tux, but with my trousers folded above my knees...

Dreams

2009-11-08T19:39:00.002+08:00

The theme for the last couple of weeks seem to be 'following one's dreams'. One of my colleague has left, not uncommonly. But this was the first time I received a personal farewell e-mail (rather than a mass e-mail, which happens normally). So this is only for my memory sake... and yes, I agree, you should follow your dreams =)

"Dear Boss,

Its been a wonderful experience working with you though it was for a short period. Sorry for leaving before everything starts but well, I guess its time I move on to something I always wanted to do!

I wish you all the very best no matter wherever or whatever you be doing. Thank you for all the help & guidance! Take care & hope you can find something that you will be passionate about doing soon!

Regards,
(censored for privacy)

"You see things; and you say 'why?'. But I dream things that never were; and I say, 'Why not?' "- George Bernard Shaw"

Up

2009-11-07T23:22:00.003+08:00

How is this funny? I was so sad during the first 12 minutes of the show! But uplifting in the end. Follow your dreams!

Love story (cover)

2009-11-01T18:16:00.006+08:00

We were both young when I first saw you
I close my eyes
And the flashback starts
You're standing there
On a balcony in summer air

See the lights
See the party, the ball gowns
See you make your way through the crowd
And say hello, little did you know

That I was Romeo, I was throwing pebbles
And your daddy said stay away from Juliet
And you were crying on the staircase
I begged you please don't go, and you said

"Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone
I'll be waiting all there's left to do is run
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story baby just say yes"

So I sneak out to the garden to see you
We keep quiet 'cause we're dead if they knew
So close your eyes
Escape this town for a little while

'Cause I am Romeo, I was a scarlet letter
And your daddy said stay away from Juliet
But you were everything to me
I was begging you please don't go and I said

Baby I'll take you somewhere we can be alone
I'll be waiting all there's left to do is run
I'll be your prince and you'll be my princess
It's a love story baby just say yes

Baby save me, they try to tell me how to feel
This love is difficult, but it's real
Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess
It's a love story baby just say yes
Oh oh

Are you tired of waiting?
Wondering if I was ever coming around
Our faith in love was fading
Then I met you on the outskirts of town, and you said

"Baby save me I've been feeling so alone
I keep waiting for you but you never come
Is this in my head? I don't know what to think"

I knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring and said

Marry me Juliet
You'll never have to be alone
I love you and that's all I really know
I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress
It's a love story baby just say yes

Oh, oh, oh, oh
'Cause we were both young when I first saw you

我想

2009-10-29T00:19:00.001+08:00

如果晚晚都有芒果同榴莲食就好啦！

Blue

2009-10-11T23:32:00.002+08:00

When I'm feeling blue
All I have to do
Is take a look at you
Then I'm not so blue
When you're close to me
I can feel you heart beat
I can hear you breathing
In my ear

From "Groovy Kind of Love" by Phil Collins

世界变转了

2009-10-07T23:26:00.002+08:00

世界变转了

浮云也已消失了

梦者醒了

谁的笑容渐渐也不见了

Just chillin'

2009-10-04T19:39:00.004+08:00

Rented a couple of movies - these are pretty good!

Today

2009-09-29T23:29:00.002+08:00

Today has made it more than clear to me that this job is not my cup of tea. I need a sign. Please?

Eason

2009-09-28T23:13:00.003+08:00

Why does your cantonese music gets me so high (H3M rocks!) but your mandarin albums bore me so?

While every song on H3M can be a hit, your latest Mandarin album is so bland - nothing stands out - the most exciting thing was the album title.

Maybe I should just abstain from Mandarin pop (David Tao still rocks tho).

I still

2009-09-28T00:58:00.002+08:00

Cry, when Alfred died.
When 常在心 kept missing Alfred.
When she said "where are you Alfred? life without you is so miserable"

Still miss my father.

I like 豆沙

2009-09-28T00:54:00.001+08:00

No reason for the post.
Just popped into my head.
豆沙 mooncake
豆沙 bread bun
豆沙 in agar agar
豆沙 azuki beans especially with matcha green tea ice cream on top

Things to do before I die

2009-08-15T21:40:00.005+08:00

Okay, so it started as a random e-mail to a friend right? And then, whilst on a cab, I thought about so what is my purpose in life? (Trust me, traffic in Jakarta will make you think stuff like this.) So, I thought, hey I should come up with a list of what I want to do (before I die mebbe?). At least it gives me me a sense of achievement 'crossing' out the list. And it gives me some goal in life right? (Which, my reader, is not making partnership.) I don't think I can come up with 100. (That's how unambitious I am.) But we'll see how it goes. In totally random order:

#1 Climbing Kota Kinabalu (any takers? Right now, I actually can't find anyone to do this with me. And I am not even talking about Nepal or Everest!)

#2 Seeing the Pyramids (ah... this is something I will definitely regret if I don't do it).

#3 ...and then going to Jordan to see Petra (not that far away, might as well).

#4 Exploring India - Delhi, Agra (Taj Mahal), Udaipur (Floating Palace), Mumbai, Goa

#5 Climbing the Great Wall...

#6 and exploring China - Sze Chuan, Yunnan, Tibet

#7 Going to Bali (and possibly Borobudur before that)

#8 Tubing in Laos - highly recommended by people who've done it, but I still don't really get what it entails.

#9 Too much travelling stuff, something not related... hmm, going to a World Cup (football, of course)?

#10 Learn snowboarding

#11 Complete a half-marathon (ha, I'm sort of cheating, I'm already gonna runn the Standard Chartered (half) Marathon this December!)

#12 Complete my song!! (okay I have this song, or songs, right? I already have the tune and lyrics, I want to give it life!!!!! Oops, sorry for the drama, my bad)

#13 Act in a play/musical - okay, fairly impossible. But why not put it on the list to make the numbers? =)

#14 "Tell her I love her"

#15 Try snorkelling..

#16 ...maybe in Redang or Perhentian

#17 Learn diving? (again, fairly impossible, but again why not?)

#18 See the Great Barrier Reef

#19 Return to New Zealand to reminisce... ahh, good times....

#20 Do my MBA

#21 Go to Hokkaido

#22 Eat puffer fish

#23 Ride the Singapore Flyer (ok pretty lame, but...)

#24 Explore Switzerland!

#25 See the Acropolis in Greece

#26 Backpack through South America - Macchu Picchu, Christ the Redeemer...

#27 Go to Venice

#28 Return to Rome - aargh, I didn't get to see the Sistine Chapel!!

#29 Finish all the books that are on my shelves

#30 Go to Canada, the west coast - Rockies, Vancouver...

#31 Go back to UK and visit Cornwall (and go inside St Paul's this time you twit!)

#32 Visit the Scandis - The Mermaid in Denmark, Bergen in Norway, Mattias in Sweden, and... hmm, what's there in Finland?

#33 Learn to swim freestyle/frontcrawl (yea, I only know how to do it breaststroke, although I have survived for 18 years with that single style)

#34 See turtles in Terengganu

#35 See huge turtles in Galapagos

#36 Pass my driving test

#37 Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Parks

#38 Ascend the Eiffel Tower (I might have done it 15 years ago but I can't remember)

#39 Write a book

#40 ...

(to be continued, ?)

Sing Dollar - Hilarious ***** (eh 5 stars lah)

2009-08-02T00:21:00.002+08:00

Eight of Singapore's best comedians in one show can only mean one thing - laughs!! What more to ask for on a lazy Saturday afternoon?

So politically incorrectly funny that it's comparable to my favourite comedy musical - Avenue Q. Singapore-style of course. The best part of Sing Dollar is that it's so current, with jokes on a certain Reverend and erm, Mrs Lee (cough cough). The MJ-inspired dance/song sequence is also pretty relevant, perhaps by coincidence(?) - I wonder if Selena Tan wrote this before MJ's death - whether or not, it was a sort of funny tribute, with Hossan Leong singing White Collar Criminal (ala MJ's Smooth Criminal) and Najip Ali and Kumar's 'fight' sequence ala Thriller (I think). Today (the newspaper) commented that the Mas Selamat joke is out-dated, but I think "still funny lah!" (Skudai Skudai...). Jokes aside (no punt intended), the songs are well written too. You have the over-the-top opening (It's alive!!! The heads of various currencies, not Frankie lah); the emotional song-at-the-end *Home* (not the National Day one). Having watched so many musicals, I say that this is international standard. The only "problem" (if it's a problem at all) is that it's tailored to a Singaporean audience.

Buy, grab, steal, whatever you do. Just get your hands on a ticket for the show before it ends. Can't wait for Dim Sum Dollies to return next year!!

The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged!) by the Reduced Shakespeare Company

2009-08-02T00:16:00.004+08:00

This was hilarious. I'm so glad I caught this in Singapore. Not sure if it was the same cast/company in London that ended its run back in September 07 (I don't think so, the RSC seemed to have left ages ago), but what a great night I had. A definite highlight of my career lifespan as a theatre-goer (if only I get paid for watching shows).

Austin Tichenor, Reed Martin and Matt Rippy were such an awesome threesome (and I honestly believed that Matt Rippy was a member of the audience at the beginning of the show - thought he was some American exchange student or something). The audience participation part was pretty awesome too. I'm glad Singaporeans show that they can have fun.

Totally wicked night.

Baby you're so fine

2009-07-27T22:34:00.000+08:00

Have not blogged for some time since I started work beginning of July.

Still, something caught my mind this month - read these articles: food for thought hopefully.

Fine for eating sweets too strict?
http://news.asiaone.com/News/The%2BNew%2BPaper/Story/A1Story20090726-157162.html

Outright fines for commuters caught eating and drinking in MRT trains, stations
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20090715/tap-568-outright-fines-commuters-caught-231650b.html

Well first thought is, fine (no pun intended), if one intends to prohibit eating and drinking on the MRT, catch those people eating burgers or drinking coke blatantly on the train right? Fining someone for eating a sweet? That's perhaps taking it a little, too literal?

One may say, we have rules, so where do we draw the line? Well, as a professional, I would say in whichever field we are in, we have our laws, standards, regulations etc. But we always ask ourselves, so what is the spirit behind this particular law/standard/regulation? i.e. what is it trying to achieve?

In this case, if the aim is to keep the MRT clean, perhaps one should exercise some judgment and decide what warrants fines and what does not. Sucking a sweet, drinking some water... for me, come on, let's cut ourselves some slack. Well perhaps in Singapore, we are not used to 'open one eye and close one eye' or to better put it across: common sense. As Phua Chu Kang would say, "use your blain!!"

My Japan Rail Travel adventure!

2009-06-16T20:56:00.001+08:00

Tips for backpacking / rail travel in Japan

2009-06-12T20:57:00.002+08:00

I really enjoyed travelling by rail through Japan. Initially I thought it would be difficult because of the language barrier (turns out there was no problem at all anyway. The rail staff all understand where you want to go). But everything turned out to be smooth and easy. The trains were on time and there was a regular fleet of them. So I thought I'd just share some tips for rail travel in Japan:

1. JR Pass - the first and most important thing -> get this pass!! I bought a 14 day pass which cost ¥45100 which seemed a lot at first, but I ended up using more than ¥60000 worth of rail travel! And you can even use this pass within Tokyo on the JR lines (which go to the major attractions/stations anyway). Just flash and go. I loved it!

2. www.hyperdia.com -> Yes, remember this website. This gives you the train schedules for all rail travel in Japan (remember to deselect Nozomi trains which the JR pass does not cover). Even if you do not plan your schedule in detail, you can just click and estimate the train timing for the next day of your travel (like I do).

3. Reserving tickets - you can hop on to any shinkansen (bullet trains - except Nozomi as above) or local trains just by flashing the JR pass at the gate, but since you have a pass anyway, just reserve yourself a seat so at least your space is 'guaranteed'. It's free anyway. Just go to the ticket office and ask for a ticket to your destination (you will soon find it easy to recognise ticket offices in any station - they are all green)

4. Backpackers' hostel - Since you have a JR pass, you might as well base yourself in one city and then travel to other places. A good recommendation would be the K's House in Kyoto. Fantastic place. You can get a dorm bed for just ¥2300 per night. It's the cleanest hostel I've ever seen. Solid beds, spacious shower rooms, high-tech toilets, free wifi (¥100 for 20min on their computers if you don't have your own laptop), a whole floor of lounge for mingling or just hanging around, laundry room etc

5. Money - change lots or at least enough of it. I thought I could sign my credit cards some time but turns out most of the smaller diners don't accept cards. And unless you go for fine dining every night, the smaller diners are the ones you go to for good proper Japanese food without burning a hole in your pocket. At some point in your trip, you will also find it irresistible to buy some souvenirs or at least food stuff to bring back home. And in case you have foreign currency on you, you can go to the post office to exchange for yen (this is something Frommers did not tell me).

6. Food - since we are on the topic of food, you can have a decent meal for less than ¥1000 (actually I can do it for less than ¥800). There are small diners or even chain stores of restaurants which serve Japanese cuisine like beef bowl, oyako-don, grilled eel, ramen, udon, japanese curry etc and most of them provide at least free water, some I've been to provide free flow of either black tea or green tea. Nearly all of them also make use of a machine where you insert the money and press the button for the food of your choice (a coupon will come out, there are pictures on the buttons, no cashier involved). I thought this was quite 'cute'!

7. What else? Can't think of any at the moment. Just like to emphasise that Japan rail travel is really quite easy. The Japanese are really friendly people too and the country is safe (you won't need to worry about your wallet or bag, which can be quite stressful in other cities). I might even go back again to explore some other places that I have not been to. So if you are going to Japan soon, I wish you lots of fun!

Angels and Demons - the book

2009-05-10T00:03:00.003+08:00

Finished in 2 days record time. Being not needing to go to work helps =) Good read.

天冷就回来

2009-04-23T19:52:00.003+08:00

哭过的眼看岁月更清楚
想一个人闪着泪光是一种幸福。。。

我的心慢慢坠　慢慢坠　它已经已经很疲累
我的梦慢慢碎　慢慢碎　它已经不能再后悔。。。

想着你的感觉有如雨的缠绵淋湿我的岁月而我却依然不知不觉
想着你的感觉有如风的缱绻吹乱我的日夜吹也吹不走你的容颜。。。

Different city, same old me 不一样的城市，一样的我

2009-04-22T14:34:00.006+08:00

Dancing at Butter Factory 跳舞
Martinis at Emerald 5 喝酒
Me cracking unfunny jokes 讲冷笑话
CATS at the Esplanade 看歌剧

Life... is still the same? 生活。。。仿佛还是一样？

This 13 year old boy made me tear...

2009-04-14T22:31:00.001+08:00

用起伏的背影挡住哭泣的心
有些故事不必说给每个人听
许多眼睛看的太浅太近
错过我没被看见那个自己

用简单的言语解开超载的心
有些情绪是该说给懂的人听
你的热泪比我激动怜惜
我发誓要更努力更有勇气

等下一个天亮去上次牵手赏花那里散步好吗
有些积雪会自己融化
你的肩膀是我豁达的天堂

等下一个天亮把偷拍我看海的照片送我好吗
我喜欢我飞舞的头发
和飘着雨还是眺望的眼光

Me and my mates (The meaning of life)

2009-04-04T19:08:00.003+08:00

Me and my mates
We hit the town on Friday nite
We buy ourselves some drinks
We talk about women and life

After a few rounds
Dan gets a little crazy
He asks, hey guys
So what is the meaning of life?

The meaning of life
Is a good book and coffee
The meaning of life
Is going home to see my baby
The meaning of life
Is Saturday night football
The meaning of life
Is to climb the Great Wall

It's half past ten
And we're all a little tipsy
We wave to the waitress
And ask her the meaning of life

The waitress smiles
And serves us martinis
It's kind of lame
But Sam starts singing

The meaning of life
Is to have someone who loves you
The meaning of life
Is to love her back too
The meaning of life
Is to travel round the world
The meaning of life
Is my daughter's sweet gentle curls

It's after midnight
We're all a little wasted
We can't get no cab
So we drink a little more instead

Me and my mates
We hit the town on Friday nite
It's time to go home now
Be safe, take care, hey Bob are you alrite?

I say, the meaning of life
Is to love your mates and your family
The meaning of life
Is be chill and take things easy
Coz life, my friends,
Is really not so easy
The meaning of life
The meaning of life
Is just to be happy...

Goodbye to you (so many things to do, so little time)

2009-04-04T08:22:00.000+08:00

Last day before I leave London. A place that I called home for the past 19 months. I've learnt a lot, I've seen a lot, and I've played alot whilst I was here. I've met some really special people. And I wrote songs again.

Wow, what have I done since January...?

I've danced, I've sang, and I wrote (let me see, 1, 2, 3) 4 songs, 2 with proper melodies and 1 a potential hit...

I've watched:
Edward Scissorhands
A Midsummer Night's Dream (Dose of Shakespeare)
Jersey Boys
The Sound Of Music
The Lion King (Best props ever)
Spring Awakening
The Phantom of the Opera
Avenue Q (Ah Princeton...)
Hairspray (I danced!)
Mamma Mia (I danced again, but a little less)

I went to:
Cambridge - gone punting (or got punted)
Barcelona - watched Messi
Granada - smoked Shisha

There are still so much I need to do:

I want to take up drums and possibly join a band, quit my job and tour the world (ha!)

I need to make some music on Garageband man... long overdue... maybe 1 of them will be a hit and I won't need to work again!

I'm going to
Cambodia (Angkor Wat in May)
Japan (2 weeks of train travel in June - Tokyo, Osaka, Hokkaido? yoohoo)
Bali in July, ah the sun, the sand and the sea...

Probably should go to Perhentian some time during the year. Do some diving, watch fish and turtles (ok, not tortoises)...

I'm thinking of taking next year off (will it happen??) and going to:
South America (Machu Picchu, Rio, Galapagos Islands?)
Africa (the Pyramids, ah, definitely the Pyramids)
Rockies maybe? - it's a to-do before I die...
Climb Mt Kinabalu...
I bloody need to learn how to snowboard too...

Dem, this looks like a new year resolution 3 months too late or 9 months too early!!

So goodbye to you. Perhaps one day we'll meet again.

You Can't Stop The Beat

2009-04-03T04:04:00.001+08:00

I literally danced in my seat, and then I danced out of my seat!!
Dem, I should have been a dancer....

The Cranberries - I Can't Be With You - a classic

2009-03-30T05:57:00.001+08:00

(Untitled)

2009-03-30T02:28:00.001+08:00

我不想吃你的面
我只想见你多几面

Avenue Q... encore

2009-03-29T08:44:00.004+08:00

Last performance at the Noel Coward theatre.
This is the second time I'm watching this.
Not sure if I can call it my favourite, but it definitely is one of the tops.
Just because it's so irreverent, because I love a good laugh, because it's so true about life, because it is so politically incorrect... but mainly because it makes me laugh...

Portrait of Barcelona

2009-03-28T08:40:00.001+08:00

More beer, facing the Alhambra, in the afternoon sun... just chill...

2009-03-26T02:51:00.001+08:00

Last night in Barcelona - Opera Y Flamenco

2009-03-25T06:12:00.001+08:00

Love It When You Call

2009-03-25T03:33:00.001+08:00

So what's the complication?
It's only conversation
I love it when you call
But you never call at all

4 Days in Barcelona

2009-03-25T00:06:00.000+08:00

I ate alot
I drank alot
I slept alot
I walked alot

Another afternoon of beer, people watching... this is bliss...

2009-03-25T00:00:00.002+08:00

and I topped it up with ice cream too...

Beer in the day, watching the world pass by, what bliss...

2009-03-24T02:23:00.000+08:00

Time to start another day...

2009-03-23T17:24:00.000+08:00

Barcelona 6 Malaga 0 - I was there!

2009-03-23T17:21:00.001+08:00

Barcelona - People watching

2009-03-22T22:24:00.008+08:00

On the streets of Barcelona...

My father...

2009-03-22T03:36:00.003+08:00

Father where are you?
You know I still miss you, I do...

I have my bible
But I´m not sure every word is true
Though I know you must be somewhere in heaven
Are you lonely?

I just had a jug of sangria again
Roaming the streets of a foreign land
I have been drinking so much
Did you drink while you were young?

I look like Mr Nice
But I´m a rebel
I try to keep the peace
But I hate the system

Have you ever felt proud of me?
Or have I always made you angry?
And if I decide not to be ordinary
Will you ever forgive me?

I have been drinking so much
But maybe it´s better that way
Maybe I should have been the one who left
Maybe I will join you soon

You Make It Extraordinary

2009-03-22T03:19:00.004+08:00

Every morning
I wake up from my dreams
I see myself in the mirror
I´m ordinary
Only ordinary

Every evening
I come back from work
And I feel the world has left me
But when you are beside me
It´s extraordinary

Life is always changing
Happiness is never lasting
My days are temporary
But you made it extraordinary

The sun is always setting
War is never ending
My days are temporary
But with you, it´s been extraordinary

...I´m ordinary
It´s you who made me extraordinary...

So that I don't hurt myself (I'm giving up on you now)

2009-03-09T16:33:00.000+08:00

You know
You don’t have to try
But you kill me
With your smile
And I die
When you walk away and not say goodbye

I’m so small
And you’re so pretty
And I fade
In your light
And I cry
When you walk away with some other guy

So that I don’t hurt myself
I try not to see you baby
I have to leave every party you’re in
And make up some crazy story

So that I don’t hurt myself
I pretend not to care about you baby
So that I don’t hurt myself
I’m giving up on you now

Pretty Little Thing

2009-03-02T05:44:00.003+08:00

You you pretty little thing
I tried to smile at you
But you don’t see me
You don’t...

I know I can’t have you
It can’t be true
Your world is far from me
I can’t be in your reality

Doo-doo-doo doo-doo-doo

You make me stu-stu-stutter
You make me bite my trembling fingers
I can’t stand the panic
You’re making me a depressive manic

I know I can’t have you
It can’t be true
Your world is far from me
I can’t be in your reality

I can’t have you
It can’t come true
But if you’re not the one for me
Why does my heart feel so empty

Doo-doo-doo doo-doo-doo

4 days of celebration - 30 is the new 21!

2009-03-02T03:12:00.008+08:00

If this was done by Carlsberg, it would probably be the best birthday celebration ever:
February 25 - The day before - Dinner at Malaysia Kopitiam, followed by The Lion King, and then some cocktails at Maxwell's.

February 26 - Cake at work! With my name on it!

February 26 evening - Steamboat with my team at Jonathan's place. Cosiest team dinner (not at our tables) for 18 months!

February 26 - Second cake - this was a surprise!

February 27 - Drinks at the Slug at Fulham - one of the best nights hanging out in London!

February 28 - My third cake! (Shared with Jamie) and dinner at Magic Wok.

February 28 late - Movida - Posh (i.e. expensive) but probably the best I've been to in London.

The Sound Of....

2009-02-23T03:59:00.002+08:00

The Mother Abbess singing "My Favourite Things"?
Rolf did not sell out the Von Trapp family?
A rather kooky Maria?

Maybe I was just used to the movie version, but well worth it being at the last performance of The Sound of Music at the London Palladium. Great feel, roses were thrown on the stage at the end of the performance. I live for such atmosphere...

I was not made

2009-02-17T07:08:00.003+08:00

I was not made for fancy restaurants
I was not made for exquisite cakes
I was not made for the rose and the pearls
I was not made for heartaches

I was not made for thrills and frills
I was not made for everlasting joy
I was not made for diamonds and fame
Not made to touch your gentle face

I was not made
I was not made

Another one in the bag

2009-02-15T07:55:00.000+08:00

14 Feb 2009 Prince Edward Theatre

For Good

2009-02-11T06:11:00.002+08:00

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

~from Wicked

Carnage and destruction

2009-02-08T03:36:00.003+08:00

I woke up with a start. Fxxx, where am I? What is this place?

Then I suddenly remember. I remember the bombs, the fear, the stench... yes, especially the stench.

Carl was still lying beside me. Part of me wished he had got up and was gone. Last night, it was here where I couldn't carry on moving anymore. Seeing the lifeless body of the person who has been with me in the last few months, dodging Death's bullet, fighting for survival... I was broken.

Why has Death spared me? I pushed myself up. My clothes are as heavy as my heart. I grabbed Carl's ID tag and kissed his cold cheeks. My head is spinning but I know I must move on.

The morning sky is cloudy. The only sound I hear now is the rustling of the grass from the light wind. But it is the stench... The stench brings a sinister feeling to the dead calm... I continue on...

A well deserved retreat from the world

2009-02-08T03:33:00.001+08:00

A Midsummer's Night Dream... at the Novello Theatre

On a fun note...

2009-02-02T23:25:00.004+08:00

This is what I call an "Ice Cream Car"...

Greenwich Park - The latest ski resort in the UK!

Mr Snowman and Miss Bikini Snowgirl

Greenwich South Street - where I would have spent 18 months of my life.

The day the Earth stood still - London - Day 1

2009-02-02T16:58:00.007+08:00

The mobile rang. Damn, I was still in bed, half asleep. Groggy from a strange night full of peculiar sightings.

"Yea?" Who could it be at this time of day?
"Hey man, are you awake? Look out of the window! Have you seen what's happened? Are you going to work?"

London. Frozen and whitened overnight. The cold was familiar yet shuddering. I lifted the window pane. Hardly anyone on the street.
"Hey man, I hear it's going to get worse. Take care, I'll call you later."

I climbed downstairs. Time for a coffee to jerk my brain into action. Maybe, a glass of rum would do a better job. My mobile rang again, it was D.
"Hey mate..."
"Hey, how are you doing? It's about the snow, isn't it?"
"Yea, we're stranded in the west. No trains from the west side of the city. Ben and Marie called me as well and they are having trouble."
"No worries. It's a strange phenomenon. Call me if you have any problems. I'll keep you posted."

I walked into the kitchen. My neighbour's backgarden is inches thick with snow. He will not be a happy man when he sees this. The kettle whistled, breaking the stillness of the air. The phone rang again. Damn.

I threw down my phone for now. No point answering all the distress calls on earth. The voicemail will suffice for now. I throdded down the steps and opened my door. The cold is unnerving. I look through my shotgun. None of "them" has appeared yet. Good, still time to drink a coffee, or rum, depending on how the situation turns out.

Damn, it's going to be a long day.

Weather Update

2009-02-02T09:56:00.000+08:00

I didn't see this coming...

2009-02-02T04:38:00.000+08:00

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

Loss

2009-01-18T10:15:00.003+08:00

My MP3 player has died on me.
All of a sudden. It just... does not work.
I'm at a loss.
Should I wait and see if it will revive itself?
Or should I give up?
Should I get myself a new MP3 player?
If not, how will I survive the next 2 and half months without music on the DLR?

For now, it just lays itself in front of me.
I do not know what to do with it.
Why does this have to happen?

From this incident, I question myself: if there is a choice, and what a torrid choice that would be - will I rather lose the sense of sight or the sense of hearing?

Imagine a world without colours and facial expressions, without being able to see the magic of the theatre and the genuinity (or opposite) of man; but so what if you are able to see and not able to comprehend, the tonal expressions, the beauty of the voice, the meaning of life expressed to songs and music.

I know the answer to my question, though I hope I will never have to encounter such experience.

Of Time

2009-01-15T04:21:00.002+08:00

Alas, one's own will cannot defy the gravity of age.
What of those lost years?
Only wretched memories remain
Of unfulfilled dreams and broken promises
Of what one could have been
Of love misjudged and mishandled

So why fret my trusted friend
and be stressed over trivia that will be forgotten when memory fades

Be frivolous and mindless
Uncaring and thoughtless
Do everything and do nothing
For time like everything else will pass

And what truly matters, one's now
Will be gone in the next fluttering moment

Urges

2009-01-14T06:26:00.002+08:00

These urges! Urghh, they crawl under my skin.
Do you give in to them? The four legged monsters.
The unknown passion that throbs your throat like a dry vodka,
the distant thought that you want to block out from your head,
the forgotten memory that burns your cheek like a plague.

Give in to me, they say, as they scratch the skin of my pale hands.

Edward Scissorhands at Sadler's Wells 11 Jan 09

2009-01-13T09:09:00.002+08:00

Pity I won't get the chance to watch Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake or Dorian Gray. Perhaps if there's a next time in London...

The best seat in the house!

2009-01-13T07:25:00.003+08:00

Recent occasions have surprised me. You can get cheap tickets at the front row seats in a theatre!

I was trying my luck at the Queen's Theatre where Les Miserables was showing and the person at the box office was asking if I want a seat in the front row right at the centre "but blocked by the conductor... only on occasions where he waved his arms...". It's 20 pounds off the best price seat. What a steal!

Then, when I was playing with some online ticketing website, I found out that, similarly, the centrefront seat at the Noel Coward Theatre where Avenue Q was showing is selling for GBP36.50, 15 quid off the top seat ticket!

Yoohoo! One man's meat is another man's poison indeed! This is where I want to be - watching the actors' every twitch on their faces, their spit flying across the air, the orchestra right in front of my face. Give me the neck straining front row seat with unobstructed view anytime!

2009 New Year Resolutions

2009-01-02T13:30:00.002+08:00

1. Go to Angkor Wat, Bali, Japan. Maybe Beijing and Hong Kong...

2. Take up a music course. Maybe two.

3. Do some mini makeover to my apartment. Like put up some posters, framed photos...

It's the new year!

2009-01-02T02:04:00.000+08:00

Feel obliged to put in an entry. Will think of more to write later...

My 2008

2008-12-23T08:33:00.004+08:00

I remember my very first time at the theatre (not counting school plays and stuff), it was December 2001, New York Broadway. I was a poor student in the Big Apple en route home from a half year stay in Canada. I bought myself the cheapest ticket to (possibly) the most famous musical – Les Miserables. My seat was right at the very last row, at the very corner.

Strangely, 7 years later, December 2008, now a working professional in another great city – London. I bought myself a ticket to the same musical, and this time I was at the very front row - A14 - seeing the actors upclose!

How time flies. If I would ask myself what my 2008 has been like, I would say:

I have read some great books:
Dead Famous
A Quiet Belief in Angels
The Kite Runner
Atonement
The Book Thief

I have seen a lot of great theatre, including:
Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker
Wicked
Spamalot
The History Boys
Mary Poppins
The Mouse Trap
Joseph
Never Forget
Blood Brothers
Avenue Q
39 Steps
Monkey
Les Miserables

I have seen some great movies:
June
El Orfanato
Waltz with Bashir

I have travelled to some great places:
Flew to Milan to watch Inter play Siena
Prague over the Easter holidays
South France and the charm of Provence
Florence to see the statue of David and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in their full glory

That's how I seem to remember my time - arts, music and travel.

Avenue Q - It Sucks to be Me

2008-12-14T08:32:00.000+08:00

In our lifetime

2008-11-06T03:55:00.002+08:00

Often, we think that the unthinkable might happen, but 'never in my lifetime'.

But throughout the last couple of months, we have seen a global financial meltdown. That includes the insolvancy of banks that a year ago, you will be laughed at for even suggesting that they will close down; and the closest that the financial system got to failure since World War II.

And last night, we've seen the first African American elected as the President of the United States of America. Again, a year ago, political experts might have also said 'yes, but not in my lifetime'.

So, seeing the effects of global warming, seeing another grandscale terrorist attack or international war, see perhaps the End of Days... Would you dare to say 'not in my lifetime'?

Therefore, my friends, don't worry about the little things in life that eventually will not matter. Do the things that are important to you. Love your life. Love your family. And love yourself.

Dance With My Father

2008-11-01T23:17:00.002+08:00

Toshio says...

2008-10-03T04:42:00.001+08:00

If you don't believe in the ways of your world, it's time to escape.

Toshio says...

2008-09-30T06:14:00.003+08:00

You may still not know what you really want, but at least you know what you really don't want.

Toshio says...

2008-09-30T06:13:00.001+08:00

If tonight's television is your highlight of the day, you may be in the wrong job.

Alonso wins, Hamilton extends lead

2008-09-28T22:39:00.002+08:00

Fernando Alonso wins the first Singapore Grand Prix and the first night race. Although finishing third was not something Lewis Hamilton was expecting before the race, he extends his championship lead over main rival Felipe Massa, who had led the race from the start but ended in 13th position after an unfortunate pit stop incident.

What a dramatic race! Till next year Singapore!

F1 in Singapore!

2008-09-28T20:32:00.003+08:00

The F1 Grand prix is finally here in Singapore!

I've never watched Formula 1 racing in my life, but quickly picked it up thanks to the wonders of 'Google'.

I had my misgivings about it though, it being a streetrace (the dangers of the streets rather than the race being in a 'controlled' environment i.e. a 'proper' course) and what with the poor drivers racing in the opposite direction from traffice - imagine running at demon speed watching the arrows on the road pointing in the opposite direction - I'm sure I'll be confused at some point in time. But this makes me admire the drivers a bit more - great concentration man. And the red/white boulders on the side of some of the roads - could send cars flying!

The race certainly lives up to the drama though - Nelson Piquet crashing into the wall (thank God he's alright), Felipe Massa ran off with the refuelling nozzle (thank heavens he as well as the refuelling steward are alright)...

Still not too sure if something so dangerous should be 'championed' in our back garden, but it sure is exciting...

Will update on who the champion for the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix is....

Sometimes I wonder if justice exists?

2008-09-21T04:45:00.002+08:00

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7627207.stm

A massive bomb blast has hit the Marriott Hotel in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, killing at least 40 people.

The hotel's owner said the explosion occurred when a lorry, which was being checked by security staff and sniffer dogs blew up at the hotel's entrance.
The blast created a 20ft (6m) deep crater, and destroyed the entire front section of the hotel.
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack and vowed to "continue to fight terrorism and extremism".
In a statement, he said: "Such dastardly acts cannot dent the government's commitment to fight this menace."
In pictures: Islamabad blast
Islamabad's 'message from Hell'
The explosion - a suspected suicide bombing - is thought to have been caused by more than a tonne of explosives and police are warning that the hotel could collapse.

Words

2008-09-19T03:58:00.002+08:00

Words... they make you happy, they make you sad. They make you laugh, they make you cry. Words... how they praise you, how they deceive you, how they pierce your heart.

Words. How I was upset for about 3 days after reading this book. By the story and how the story *spoiler* attempted to deceive me. Hmm... I suppose it must be a good book if one loses his feelings in it. Dem you, Mr Ian McEwan.

Mock The Week - Possibly the funniest show on earth

2008-08-05T06:38:00.002+08:00

The fabulous Macy Gray at the O2

2008-08-04T05:08:00.001+08:00

Dummy's guide to the West End

2008-07-22T06:18:00.007+08:00

Laugh-out-loud funniest
Cleverest and absolutely wicked
Most slick 'All that jazz'
Most emotionally intense
Most visually spectacular
Most feel-good (here i go again!)
Most classic (love story)

Diana's big night (aka turning 27)

2008-07-20T05:11:00.008+08:00

For working execs like us, Friday is always greatly appreciated. Especially since I was working for 10-11 hours each day for the past two weeks, Friday evening comes like a breath of fresh air.

Anyway, it was 'Diana''s [not her real name :)] birthday on Friday and her flatmate 'Aimee' (again, not her real name. The 2 girls chose the names personally to 'protect' their identities.) had been planning for a dinner gathering and drinks to celebrate.

The food was great. We occupied two tables at Gold Mine (at Queensway) and were there for about two hours. We sang happy birthday twice (first time being yee mian - noodles - as a joke; second time with a cake). I suspect if we were at Four Seasons (another popular Chinese restaurant), the waiters would be less accomodating!

After that, some of us went to Piccadilly Circus where we were supposed to go to Chinawhite - one of the clubs we wanted to visit in London. Before that, we had champagne at The Lyric (treat from Diana, who has a penchant for French champagne and Norwegian lads) - a great way to start the weekend.

We did manage to get to Chinawhite before 12am - I thought it was alright. Not a huge place, and not as upclass as I thought, but must be pretty popular - Mark Ronson is DJing there on the 27th.

The highlight of the evening was that Diana got thrown out of the club ('escorted out' as Diana preferred to call it) - she was swaying like a mad woman and falling all over the place! Aimee (being her flatmate) and I (being a perfect gentlemen) had to go out with/after her. (Can't say much about our other mates who remained in the club enjoying themselves!)

Apparently, Aimee was drunk too and for some reason started to munch biscuits outside the club (she had them in her handbag - hmm, fancy that!). Anyway, so I had to accompany the 2 ladies - who, along the way, rejected several cab drivers, hugged a couple of guys, wanted to take the bus with me back to Greenwich (just to spend the night, nothing naughty I must clarify!), and eventually decided to call a cab to go home.

Another 'interesting' experience for me to talk about (and fortunately, not to call my own - at least not the throwing out of the club bit - which would be solely Diana's). Keke...

Toshio俊雄 says...

还有还有。。。

我的2011

Santouka vs Ippudo - Fight!

我要。。。

Hello Ghost

Jungheim & Beard Papa - Takashimaya basement

Oversea Restaurant and Honeymoon Dessert

Hong Kong Jun 18-21

:-)

Marina Bay Sands Part 4 - MBS by night, Stunning Singapore

Marina Bay Sands Part 3 - The Lion King public performance

Marina Bay Sands Part 2 - TWG Ice Cream

Marina Bay Sands Part 1 - Mozza Pizzeria

More random pics from Hanoi Holidaying in May

Random pics from Goa Gallivanting in April

So who's singing the songs now that will be future classics?

The Lion King at Marina Bay Sands 21 May 2011

881

反思，再反思

Keeping score

Falling in love, all over again

風裡笑著風裡唱 感激天意碰著你

但願我可以沒成長, 完全憑直覺覓對象

Knock Knock

Things to do before I die - one down!

What I really want

Dreams

Up

Love story (cover)

我想

Blue

世界变转了

Just chillin'

Today

Eason

I still

I like 豆沙

Things to do before I die

Sing Dollar - Hilarious ***** (eh 5 stars lah)

The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged!) by the Reduced Shakespeare Company

Baby you're so fine

My Japan Rail Travel adventure!

Tips for backpacking / rail travel in Japan

Angels and Demons - the book

天冷就回来

Different city, same old me 不一样的城市，一样的我

This 13 year old boy made me tear...

Me and my mates (The meaning of life)

Goodbye to you (so many things to do, so little time)

You Can't Stop The Beat

The Cranberries - I Can't Be With You - a classic

(Untitled)

Avenue Q... encore

Portrait of Barcelona

More beer, facing the Alhambra, in the afternoon sun... just chill...

Last night in Barcelona - Opera Y Flamenco

Love It When You Call

4 Days in Barcelona

Another afternoon of beer, people watching... this is bliss...

Beer in the day, watching the world pass by, what bliss...

Time to start another day...

Barcelona 6 Malaga 0 - I was there!

Barcelona - People watching

My father...

You Make It Extraordinary

So that I don't hurt myself (I'm giving up on you now)

Pretty Little Thing

4 days of celebration - 30 is the new 21!

The Sound Of....

I was not made

Another one in the bag

For Good

Carnage and destruction

A well deserved retreat from the world

On a fun note...

The day the Earth stood still - London - Day 1

Weather Update

I didn't see this coming...

Loss

風裡笑著風裡唱感激天意碰著你