Musical journey (119)

Since my last post, there had been massive spikes in COVID-19 cases in Melbourne in the range of 350 to 450 new infections and about 5 deaths per day on the average making the city I'm in the worst hot spot in Australia. A lot of these cases are in aged care homes which means the curve will be hard to flatten in this second wave and deaths will mount.

Masks have also been made mandatory since Thursday this week and I hope that helps but I seriously don't think the current Stage 3 lockdown will only last 6 weeks as originally planned seeing how things are developing. We're still unsure what Stage 4 lockdown looks like but it won't be nice for sure. My pet peeve with masks is they fog up my glasses and come summer if we're still in this shit, it'll become much more uncomfortable.

Although things are going from bad to worse and the economy has tanked with the biggest-ever deficit since World War II, I'm fortunate that I'm still employed. However, I only have one project at the moment and so despite my best efforts to get out of this very tough one, I can't.

When real life gets unbearable, people tend to withdraw into fictional worlds and I'm so glad I decided to buy "Ghost of Tsushima", yet another highly-successful Playstation 4-exclusive game. I did a 9-day work fortnight again on the day it was released (I did that last time with "The Last of Us: Part II"). This is so I can immerse myself fully in this breathtakingly gorgeous adventure set in 13th century Japan on the island of Tsushima.

This game is a tale about a samurai's fight to save his homeland from invading Mongols i.e. though the story is fictional, it's based on true historical events and locations which makes it even better. There are three acts in this game and I've currently just started the second and absolutely love every second of it.

So before I jump back into this gaming world away from the harsh realities of the real one, here's this month's musical post featuring a topless me with a rendition of 那英's "默" which is one of my favourite songs of hers (the previous post in this new topless KTV series is here). Watch out for a very high ad-libbed note which was really fun to do!

Kuala Lumpur through Facebook

Sigh. So we're back in Stage 3 lockdown for 6 weeks until 19-Aug. I'm sure this is not the last time the cycle will repeat but it's this going back-and-forth which the Australian government calls "flicking the light switch on and off" that will kill spirits along with the economy. Maybe there will soon be a revolt or mutiny but what would that ultimately achieve? This also means that I'd have to continue working from home for at least two more months, much to Ision's dismay. A new project with the same inept project manager I'm now working with is starting next week and despite my best efforts in getting out of it, I think I'll be stuck with stupidity, yet again. I guess I should thank my lucky stars that I'm still employed in these crazy times.

Even more irritating about Lockdown 2.0 is how it affected my planned country weekend breather to Daylesford originally happening in a little less than a month's time. With the tourism industry so badly hit by COVID-19, businesses have no choice sometimes but to charge high cancellation fees or even offer no refund upon cancellation. The booking for this trip was made knowing that no refunds would be given though I'm not sure how that can be legal. I was expecting an offer of credit or a date-change penalty but fortunately a refund was given with no questions asked. This delayed getaway at the spa resort is now ten weeks away and I simply cannot wait!

Honestly I didn't expect this lockdown would affect me this way and so strongly given such a home body I am but I guess everyone has their limits. While I patiently wait for my September staycation, I can look back at my trip to Kuala Lumpur earlier this year when I had a fun time meeting new friends in the Asian bear community. Though I didn't get to see Petaling Street again (many say that's such an overrated place anyway), it was still a very good holiday. Here's my KL itinerary:

Day 1
- Travelling to KL by coach
- Lunch at the famous Sri Nirwana Maju at Bangsar Village
- Shopping at Bangsar Village, Low Yat and Sungei Wang
- Dinner at Jalan Alor
- Drinks at Blue Boy Discotheque Pub at Bukit Bintang 

Day 2

- Lunch and shopping at Lot 10, Fahrenheit 88 and Pavilion
- Dessert then dinner at One Utama
- Clubbing at Utopia Club

Day 3
- Shopping at Mid Valley Megamall
- Coffee at Menara UOA
- Travelling back to Singapore by coach

On our way to KL! I know this trip will be more enjoyable than the one I took to Bangkok so I'm quite excited! #MuchBetterCompany #5HourBusTrip

You know you're no longer in Singapore when you don't see Chinese in signs. #RestStop

Lunch is our first stop and it's somewhere Garry needs to go to every time he's in KL.

Home for the next two nights. Not too bad but not too good either. #ThisWillDo

Full tourist mode on.

Since my bear bear Ision is not with me, I'd have to make do with these. Cute or not?

When on holidays, you pig out at dinner at 10pm then go straight to a gay bar ignoring the bloated tummies. Just because it's Jalan Alor. #FatDieMeAlsoDontCare

Full cabaret and clubbing mode on.

After a night of excess, herbal bak ku teh is the perfect light meal. Yumz. #LightButStillVeryTasty

Back in full tourism mode at the must-go mall when you're in KL. #MickeyMouseCNY

This must be the most sugar I've had in one sitting in a long time while getting acquainted with more members of the bear community. #HaveToGymSoHardWhenIAmBackInSingapore

Gorging again just before hitting Utopia Club. #OnlyWithBears #LoveMyBears

Bringing in the Year of the Rat in style in KL. #ClamouringForGodOfFortuneForAngPows  #30BottlesOfBeerFor4 #RedParty #CNY2020

Shenanigans of last night. The stage seemed empty with only one gogo boy so it was only right to join in the fun! #CurseTheSmokeMachine #ItWasAGreatNight
PS: A shoutout to the folks back in Melbourne, Happy Midsumma Festival!

Well I didn't get to have the Soo Kee char siew I wanted but at least I had the authentic KL wanton mee experience and then some!

It has been years since my last bubble tea but I've always wanted to try boba milk and I finally gave in. #TheCaloriesWereNotWorthIt #NothingGreat

PS: The bus rides we took to and back were surprisingly comfortable.