Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical (PGLM)

Spectacular.

Shall be the word to describe Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical.

As time is not on my side as I type this, let's just say that there a lot of people who truly enjoyed the musical and with the inclusion of the company that I was with, I too felt the same.

For a Malay musical to be of such an epic scale and managing to pull it off despite some loose ends in the script and what could've been a much more of a bigger bang, is truly remarkable.

The gears in my mind are moving like it's just been oiled for the first time.

Inspiring? Yes.

Our Malay musical is a year away and if this is the support the Malay community has for shows as such, then I'm truly encouraged.

If this be the case, a year from now, I hope there will be such support when the final stand is taken on Bukit Chandu.

Fairytale

Thanks to Dr. Ken who emailed the whole gang a list of musical related stuff and he stumbled upon this beautiful featurette of Tong Hua done by a Steven Ng.

Here are some screen captures from the featurette. Enjoy!













And oh, to see everything in its full glory,
visit http://www.steven.sg

The Brain and the Other Worldly-ness

While the past few days have been tiresome despite not being there at different intervals, I'm glad that at least my BRAIN is being utilized by the nation.
The past few weeks have not just been about menial tasks but some important ones (or so I'd like to think).
I'm thankful though that I'm getting to exercise my BRAIN again lest my IQ had dropped tremendously. Still, there is no guarantee yet that this might last, but whatever awaits me in the real world, I will still persevere for, regardless.

Quite honestly, after talking with a friend, the realisation that I'm probably wasting my time in this "other life", has sunk in. Thing is, when "work" ends by 6pm daily, the rest of the evening is spent doing pretty lacklustre things. Sure, I could write my scripts you say, but there is a dearth of motivation in that place and I'm not even trying to make excuses.
It'd be good to be out again, doing the things I love without the worry of this "other life". Reviewing movies like I always have, writing my scripts or even teaching. Best part, I would be better off studying, anything at all.

Having to conform, expecting everything to be of the same standard irks me sometime. The pressures of having to get things right and not allowing much room for one to learn from mistakes escalate till the extent of seeing other peers reach their breaking point. The pleasantries are slightly better now than the earlier stages but there are still the few egotistical, egomaniacal dimbulbs who think they're walking with Atlas in between their legs. Leaders? Bullshit.

Sigh. Then, there's the issue of leading a double life. I'm slowly guiding myself into the normal "me" instead of being someone who's the opposite in this "other life" of mine. Without the freedom to express myself, therein lies the unwillingness to create and this in return forces me to feel that I'd be better off living a muted life in this "other world".

Bah! I can't wait for this tenure to end. Sure, I might look back to reminisce on the good and regret the mistakes but I'm certain that looking forward will make a happier, fuller man.

Happy Feet!

Psst. Tappity-tap. Tappity-tap. Do you know what that sound is?

It's Mumble Happyfeet tapping in your head to go and watch Happy Feet at the cinemas this weekend!

Go ahead, click on the poster to read the review and see how many stars I gave it.

Tap-a-tap-tap.

No More Stars

"There are no more stars tonight
to the ground all of them have fallen.
There are no more stars that will shine so bright
the beauty of the night has been stolen"

-An extract from my poem, "Fallen"


Things will have to change again I suppose, like it or not.
Let's hope there might be much better change after this phase is over.
Otherwise, I'm hoping for a temporary fix, if there is any. Oh please let there be.

MX Reviews!

Ever since I enlisted, haven't really been reviewing movies for MovieXclusive.com. However, in the past month, I managed to review 4 for them and here they are. Click on the posters to read the review of each.

Stop War.

Stop this warring shall not for a little longer. There won't be any victors in this pointless and adolescent debate. Both will emerge scarred, bruised and flattened. Stop it while you can.

" We shall find peace. We shall hear the angels, we shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds."

Anton Chekov

Chekov dreamt a little dream a long time ago. Perhaps, that dream of his might come true in...

A Hari Raya Tale

I cannot imagine what Hari Raya would've been like for me this year had I still have to go to Brunei on the 3rd day of the festivities. I really do wonder how my friends over there are doing in the jungle and I pray for their safety.

This Hari Raya has been a most meaningful despite it having much less of a "hurrah" as most people are working and children still having to go to school and of course, the dreaded "A" and "O" levels.

I actually teared on the first day when I was giving out a green packet. (Disclaimer: I not working full time yet hor. So sorry to the little children, I not giving you yet ar. I gave to the elders first lah) At that moment, I felt a significance, specifically, the passing of an era. It marked the transition of 2 decades of receiving and in due time, I would be giving.

Another highlight of this festive season has to be human stories, both happy and sad ones. During house visits, I learnt a few sad cases about old age and sickness and there were happy ones like the imminent celebration of a newborn.

But ultimately, this Hari Raya has been one of friendship and love.

In just one wonderful day, old friendships that spanned 10 years or more were rekindled. Friendships of 5 years further strengthened. Friendships of a year or two solidified. And new friendships being born. Oh my. What a wonderful feeling it was.

And love?

What more can one ask for when one has both sides of the family cramped into the house with the adults talking about almost anything, the children playing away and the little nieces and nephews teetering around the house. Now, that is love.
And of course, if a certain someone that a certain organ beats for appears though for a short period, that too is of relevance here. Heh.

I do hope that your Hari Raya, whether you celebrate the festival or not, has been a wonderful period.

Anyways,
I have a few pictures courtesy of Shahdon and his trusty camera and tripod yet again. It's a Hari Raya pictorial of Yellow Chair Productions and its members and associates.
They wanted to do a scenario photoshoot and they decided to go with the Class Photo series with yours truly being the form teacher. Enjoy.



The Teacher People Hate


The Teacher People Love


Informal Class Photo


Formal Class Photo

Translation Lost

From the film, Lost in Translation (2003) which was written and directed by Sofia Coppola for which she won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, and starring Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray, comes something nice for you to ponder about.



Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson): I just don't know what I'm supposed to be.

Bob (Bill Murray): You'll figure that out. The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.