The last song I posted dealt with the theme of long-distance relationships, something that I am very familiar with. Seeing that there is still a potential that I will be working in Brisbane for a short-term project, I might very well be in that predicament. I hope that flood waters will not be a problem then!
Anyway this month’s musical journey was written when Ision and I were still in that phase where the ocean posed as a physical barrier. I like to describe being in Ision’s embrace as being home because it is just so comfortable to hug him. Although home at that time was in Singapore, that ability to be totally comfortable and at ease when I am with him simply meant that I have found somewhere new to belong, a new home.
Perhaps the greatest thing about song-writing is that you can capture all your emotions at the time of writing and freeze them in a neat little package to be savoured over and over again like a fine wine that never runs out. In my opinion, it is the perfect way to store one’s memories, be it good or bad ones and it does it way much better than a photograph. Of course, to be able to do that, you would have to write well both lyrically and musically. Have a listen to "Home" and tell me whether or not I have done a good job.
[Home]
In your eyes I see my future
In your soul my anchor
And my heart you've conquered
In your arms lies my world
And the strength for us to brave through stormy weather
When I fall you'll pick me up from the floor
And carry me on your shoulder
When I'm lost you'll take me back to your embrace
And I'll be home, take me home
I've been searching all my life
And now I've found my one and my all
To be with through gladness
For me to drown his sadness
Baby you're my happiness
I'm the moon, you're the sun
There's no way that I can shine
Without you by my side
When you kiss me, nothing else matters
'Cos I'll be home, take me home
I've been searching all my life
And now I've found my one and my all
Why do you love me so
I really want to know
But there's one more doubt that needs to go
Can you tell me where do you hide your wings and keep your halo
I've been searching all my life
And now I've found my one and my all
I want the world to know
How much I love you so
Baby you're where I call
My home
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Time for Facebook updates
This is the golden age of social networking and like what I mentioned in this post, Facebook status updates are an excellent way of offering insights to a person's psyche as well as the going-ons in one's life. But first a brief report of my recent happenings.
Work woes regarding my performance disputes with my ex-boss has faded away mainly because of my continuous excellent work ethic now fully-recognised by my new boss. However more work troubles came in the form of future security (especially around my ever-changing start date of that cursed temporary placement in the Brisbane office), job applications (endless submissions of my CV) and interviews (or lack thereof). I recently lost the opportunity to work in one of my dream companies (Shell) and as depressing as it is, once you view failure as a form of certainty, you can then move on to greater things.
Mum also came and left (her first trip to Melbourne), causing my 1-kg weight gain with her ultra-yummy food over the three weeks of her stay. I have lots of pictures to prove how delicious her cooking is (too many to blog I think) and how it is the perfect remedy for home-sickness. I just hope that the withdrawal symptoms (food-wise and Mum-wise) I am currently experiencing will subside soon. For me, the happiest thing that happened during her visit is to see her still healthy and strong after her various medical procedures. It always saddens me to think that it takes a plane ride and eight hours to be able to see her.... why can't the people you love be always by your side?
I also recently joined a nudist group in Melbourne (finally!) and come next weekend, I will be heading to this nudist getaway (NudeManFest) as part of this year's Midsumma Festival and I am SO looking forward to making more naturist friends in Melbourne. I have also expanded my Asian circle, all thanks to my Malaysian work colleagues, one of who seem to know everyone else Malaysian in Melbourne. On the social front, I think I am at quite a comfortable place now a.k.a. the sweet spot ie. not too busy that you miss out on alone time and not too boring that you become a city hermit.
New challenges and experiences also mean that it is easy to neglect other things that are equally important to you. For me that is song-writing and photo shoots. I have only done two proper shoots in Melbourne for the entire 2012, can you believe it? Not many new musical compositions too. Maybe this means that I am gradually getting over these hobbies, which could very well be the inevitable natural evolution of things. I should also really concentrate on getting my repertoire firmed up for my virginal busking session in the city (my guitarist friend and I have started on something but the holiday season has put a halt to its further development).
In this fresh new year, the uncertainties of the last quarter of 2012 will continue to plague me and might even see Ision and I relocating to Brisbane (because of work in my industry drying up in Victoria). When one door closes, another one will open. Though cliche, it is true and if viewed with the right attitude, it can give you ceaseless renewing strength in the face of this ever-changing world.
Well that is the end of my report. Here are my Facebook status highlights for the past month.
"Port Campbell weekend road trip starts 2.30pm today. It's been ages since my last!!!"
"Busy preparing for my interview at Shell tomorrow. I can't wait for this thing to be over. Wish me luck!"
"My holidays can finally start after this stressful interview! Last day at work tomorrow and Mum arrives 4 days later. I will be in the Brisbane office when I receive the yay-or-nay call from Shell in the 2nd week of January. The ball is in their court now. Phew!"
"Someone at Shell thought I was interviewing for a job fresh out of uni! Do I really look that young?"
"Holidays are sometimes supposed to be a time to rest and relax and to do nothing, not a mad rush to see and do things. That is what I will be doing exactly from now for 2 whole weeks. Yay for me!"
"Looks like my start date in Brisbane has been delayed for a week. I think that's good as this means that my mum can stay in Melbourne (a much more interesting city) for one more week."
"Ho ho ho. It always feels nice when you find your pictures uploaded by others on "Hotbods" (Trevvy) and the like."
" 'Sex nymph who is as smooth and hard as marble'. Those are pretty great compliments!"
"Why are so many people obsessed with their ancestry? Family tree fanatics and ancestry.com fans, why do you want the unchangeable past to affect how you think and what you do today and in the future?"
"Morning gym in 10 minutes. Then spring cleaning today in preparation of mummy's arrival tomorrow. Followed by Christmas Eve potluck at friend's tonight. Sinking my teeth into a turducken for the first time! Merry Christmas everyone!"
"A Mum-cooked dinner in more than a year's time. Blissful bliss...."
"Christmas present (Xbox Kinect) bought by myself for myself, post-Christmas. Finally I am a complete gamer!"
"Gotta test out my new Fable Kinect game later today. So excited!"
"Yummy iced coffee with cacao made with love by my boo, after a morning of shopping with mummy.
"My only Christmas present in 2012 arrived in the mail today, from mother-in-law."
"After first day of Fable Kinect, the verdict: casting bolt with your right hand so frequently can really make it a little sore."
"Why does Grindr still continue to monopolize the market when it is so bloody buggy???!"
"Will my blog amass 40,000 hits before the end of 2012? I am at 39,471 now."
"The most beautiful sight on earth. Someone you love beyond words preparing a meal for you. Love is filling my one room apartment up right now."
"Jay Chou's albums are getting more and more disappointing..."
"Is Love Actually Sucks 《愛很爛》 the first non-porn Asian movie with full-on uncensored sex (gay and straight), erections, oral, penetrations, and all?"
"OK, I saw the promotional video of "The Life of Pi" and I am sold. Going to watch it with my mum."
"The cutest president award goes to.... Mexico! Can you show me a cuter one? (current presidents only)"
"I have never seen Flinders Street station so packed before. It was weird walking down the closed-to-traffic Swanston Street after the fireworks. Felt like Oxford Street post-Mardi Gras x 40%."
"Luckily my mum likes shopping, otherwise I would have run out of city sights to show her."
"Scorching 41ºC day in Melbourne. It's such a shame there are no nudist groups organising activities here -- the weather is PERFECT for some nudist fun today. I tried looking for these groups but could not find any. Rod Sydney, where in Melbourne are people the likes of you?"
"Shit! Gaining weight from Mum's yummy cooking. Need to be more disciplined before I lose my abs!"
"Have been feeling quite unsettled these few weeks and is somewhat affecting my mood. That's mainly because without knowing my Shell interview outcome (I am supposed to know next week), my next 2 - 3 months might or might not be based in Brisbane (which will involve troublesome logistics). Also partly because of mum being here (ie. normal schedule totally out the window). Can't help but feel this way when things are again in flux."
"With the government of Singapore against one gay man, anyone in the right frame of mind would concede defeat regardless of the truth. I'd be really surprised if a well-respected blogger like Alex who never fails to thoroughly research his subjects would actually falter in this instance." "I want to eat less rice so as not to lose any more of my leanness. Then mum cooks chicken rice. ARRGGGGHH!"
"I don't understand the huge fuss over this issue (Lance Armstrong’s doping case). Steroid-use in professional bodybuilding is such an open secret. Why can't it be the same for cycling? I suspect in this case it's because a lot of athletes out there with sour grapes who got caught want him to go down as well, which explains all the dobbing and coverage."
"I am supposed to start work in Brisbane next Monday and I have still not received any details regarding accommodation, flights, terms and conditions. And the project secretary in Brisbane is still on holidays and will be back next Monday. Brisbane office = epic fail."
"My blog has just garnered more than 40,000 hits!"
"No work for me to do tomorrow at the office. Another sick day is in sight ready to be chucked in."
"This is fucked up to the nth degree. My Brisbane job is delayed yet again and I was only informed of this today when I am supposed to start on Monday next week. From now on, as long as an air ticket doesn't land in my inbox, the fat lady hasn't started singing yet, and I am not going to get mentally-prepared for the move. UUURRGGHH!"
"Now that I will still be in Melbourne for a couple more weeks at least, I will be going to this (NudeManFest). Wanna join me?"
"Maybe Aussies are not racists. It's just McDonalds' marketing team knowing what sells (and it is not Asians). For me, that's my experience with DNA magazine all over again when they said they know what sells and Asian models don't. What do you reckon?"
"Lately I have been quite addicted to this ultra-popular Taiwanese variety show called 《康熙來了》. I stayed up till 3.30am watching it last night!"
"Mum's last night with me... she's making bo bo cha cha for our horror movie night at home, just like the good old days. I will miss this... and her."
"Midsumma opens tomorrow. I still remember a year ago when I was at the opening for the first time, fresh-faced, ready to take on Melbourne. Now I am an oldie considering moving away from Melbourne. What happened?"
"The apartment feels empty without mum..."
Work woes regarding my performance disputes with my ex-boss has faded away mainly because of my continuous excellent work ethic now fully-recognised by my new boss. However more work troubles came in the form of future security (especially around my ever-changing start date of that cursed temporary placement in the Brisbane office), job applications (endless submissions of my CV) and interviews (or lack thereof). I recently lost the opportunity to work in one of my dream companies (Shell) and as depressing as it is, once you view failure as a form of certainty, you can then move on to greater things.
Mum also came and left (her first trip to Melbourne), causing my 1-kg weight gain with her ultra-yummy food over the three weeks of her stay. I have lots of pictures to prove how delicious her cooking is (too many to blog I think) and how it is the perfect remedy for home-sickness. I just hope that the withdrawal symptoms (food-wise and Mum-wise) I am currently experiencing will subside soon. For me, the happiest thing that happened during her visit is to see her still healthy and strong after her various medical procedures. It always saddens me to think that it takes a plane ride and eight hours to be able to see her.... why can't the people you love be always by your side?
I also recently joined a nudist group in Melbourne (finally!) and come next weekend, I will be heading to this nudist getaway (NudeManFest) as part of this year's Midsumma Festival and I am SO looking forward to making more naturist friends in Melbourne. I have also expanded my Asian circle, all thanks to my Malaysian work colleagues, one of who seem to know everyone else Malaysian in Melbourne. On the social front, I think I am at quite a comfortable place now a.k.a. the sweet spot ie. not too busy that you miss out on alone time and not too boring that you become a city hermit.
New challenges and experiences also mean that it is easy to neglect other things that are equally important to you. For me that is song-writing and photo shoots. I have only done two proper shoots in Melbourne for the entire 2012, can you believe it? Not many new musical compositions too. Maybe this means that I am gradually getting over these hobbies, which could very well be the inevitable natural evolution of things. I should also really concentrate on getting my repertoire firmed up for my virginal busking session in the city (my guitarist friend and I have started on something but the holiday season has put a halt to its further development).
In this fresh new year, the uncertainties of the last quarter of 2012 will continue to plague me and might even see Ision and I relocating to Brisbane (because of work in my industry drying up in Victoria). When one door closes, another one will open. Though cliche, it is true and if viewed with the right attitude, it can give you ceaseless renewing strength in the face of this ever-changing world.
Well that is the end of my report. Here are my Facebook status highlights for the past month.
"Port Campbell weekend road trip starts 2.30pm today. It's been ages since my last!!!"
"Busy preparing for my interview at Shell tomorrow. I can't wait for this thing to be over. Wish me luck!"
"My holidays can finally start after this stressful interview! Last day at work tomorrow and Mum arrives 4 days later. I will be in the Brisbane office when I receive the yay-or-nay call from Shell in the 2nd week of January. The ball is in their court now. Phew!"
"Someone at Shell thought I was interviewing for a job fresh out of uni! Do I really look that young?"
"Holidays are sometimes supposed to be a time to rest and relax and to do nothing, not a mad rush to see and do things. That is what I will be doing exactly from now for 2 whole weeks. Yay for me!"
"Looks like my start date in Brisbane has been delayed for a week. I think that's good as this means that my mum can stay in Melbourne (a much more interesting city) for one more week."
"Ho ho ho. It always feels nice when you find your pictures uploaded by others on "Hotbods" (Trevvy) and the like."
" 'Sex nymph who is as smooth and hard as marble'. Those are pretty great compliments!"
"Why are so many people obsessed with their ancestry? Family tree fanatics and ancestry.com fans, why do you want the unchangeable past to affect how you think and what you do today and in the future?"
"Morning gym in 10 minutes. Then spring cleaning today in preparation of mummy's arrival tomorrow. Followed by Christmas Eve potluck at friend's tonight. Sinking my teeth into a turducken for the first time! Merry Christmas everyone!"
"A Mum-cooked dinner in more than a year's time. Blissful bliss...."
"Christmas present (Xbox Kinect) bought by myself for myself, post-Christmas. Finally I am a complete gamer!"
"Gotta test out my new Fable Kinect game later today. So excited!"
"Yummy iced coffee with cacao made with love by my boo, after a morning of shopping with mummy.
"My only Christmas present in 2012 arrived in the mail today, from mother-in-law."
"After first day of Fable Kinect, the verdict: casting bolt with your right hand so frequently can really make it a little sore."
"Why does Grindr still continue to monopolize the market when it is so bloody buggy???!"
"Will my blog amass 40,000 hits before the end of 2012? I am at 39,471 now."
"The most beautiful sight on earth. Someone you love beyond words preparing a meal for you. Love is filling my one room apartment up right now."
"Jay Chou's albums are getting more and more disappointing..."
"Is Love Actually Sucks 《愛很爛》 the first non-porn Asian movie with full-on uncensored sex (gay and straight), erections, oral, penetrations, and all?"
"OK, I saw the promotional video of "The Life of Pi" and I am sold. Going to watch it with my mum."
"The cutest president award goes to.... Mexico! Can you show me a cuter one? (current presidents only)"
"I have never seen Flinders Street station so packed before. It was weird walking down the closed-to-traffic Swanston Street after the fireworks. Felt like Oxford Street post-Mardi Gras x 40%."
"Luckily my mum likes shopping, otherwise I would have run out of city sights to show her."
"Scorching 41ºC day in Melbourne. It's such a shame there are no nudist groups organising activities here -- the weather is PERFECT for some nudist fun today. I tried looking for these groups but could not find any. Rod Sydney, where in Melbourne are people the likes of you?"
"Shit! Gaining weight from Mum's yummy cooking. Need to be more disciplined before I lose my abs!"
"Have been feeling quite unsettled these few weeks and is somewhat affecting my mood. That's mainly because without knowing my Shell interview outcome (I am supposed to know next week), my next 2 - 3 months might or might not be based in Brisbane (which will involve troublesome logistics). Also partly because of mum being here (ie. normal schedule totally out the window). Can't help but feel this way when things are again in flux."
"With the government of Singapore against one gay man, anyone in the right frame of mind would concede defeat regardless of the truth. I'd be really surprised if a well-respected blogger like Alex who never fails to thoroughly research his subjects would actually falter in this instance." "I want to eat less rice so as not to lose any more of my leanness. Then mum cooks chicken rice. ARRGGGGHH!"
"I don't understand the huge fuss over this issue (Lance Armstrong’s doping case). Steroid-use in professional bodybuilding is such an open secret. Why can't it be the same for cycling? I suspect in this case it's because a lot of athletes out there with sour grapes who got caught want him to go down as well, which explains all the dobbing and coverage."
"I am supposed to start work in Brisbane next Monday and I have still not received any details regarding accommodation, flights, terms and conditions. And the project secretary in Brisbane is still on holidays and will be back next Monday. Brisbane office = epic fail."
"My blog has just garnered more than 40,000 hits!"
"No work for me to do tomorrow at the office. Another sick day is in sight ready to be chucked in."
"This is fucked up to the nth degree. My Brisbane job is delayed yet again and I was only informed of this today when I am supposed to start on Monday next week. From now on, as long as an air ticket doesn't land in my inbox, the fat lady hasn't started singing yet, and I am not going to get mentally-prepared for the move. UUURRGGHH!"
"Now that I will still be in Melbourne for a couple more weeks at least, I will be going to this (NudeManFest). Wanna join me?"
"Maybe Aussies are not racists. It's just McDonalds' marketing team knowing what sells (and it is not Asians). For me, that's my experience with DNA magazine all over again when they said they know what sells and Asian models don't. What do you reckon?"
"Lately I have been quite addicted to this ultra-popular Taiwanese variety show called 《康熙來了》. I stayed up till 3.30am watching it last night!"
"Mum's last night with me... she's making bo bo cha cha for our horror movie night at home, just like the good old days. I will miss this... and her."
"Midsumma opens tomorrow. I still remember a year ago when I was at the opening for the first time, fresh-faced, ready to take on Melbourne. Now I am an oldie considering moving away from Melbourne. What happened?"
"The apartment feels empty without mum..."
Monday, December 31, 2012
Musical journey (30)
A friend recently celebrated the official end of a four-year long-distance relationship when his girlfriend moved in with him. Looking back at my own that lasted for more than seven years, I know the joy and pain of a love separated by time and distance. Mostly pain. That was why I used to write a lot about how the laws of time and space play us all as fools and how love surrenders to geography despite its strength and power we all want to believe it holds. Fortunately towards the end of my phase of writing songs of this subject, another one of my long-distance romance had a happy ending.
However the musical journey I am guiding you through this month does not have a conclusion worth celebrating with the irony of it happening on New Year's Eve. This is the longest song I have written to date as it tells a complete love story from how it started to how it tragically ends. I find that the only way to fit the entire tale into a four-or-so minute piece is to include bits of rap in the song. And that was how it became one of my hip-hop (ish) creations, which is a musical-writing style that is growing on me. When I wrote the lyrics, I meant it to sound bitter but tone aside, it does contain a good piece of cautionary advice. Long-distance relationships will never work out if there is no concrete plan of either party relocating as human beings are wired for physical intimacy, not love based solely on a cerebral level.
I am quite satisfied with this composition and it brings me great pleasure every time I listen to it. That is why I know I need to start investing more time to write again. Hopefully with my upcoming temporary Brisbane job placement in the new year, I will have lots of time for my music since there will not be much to do in yawn-inducing Brisbane. But for now, have a listen to my newest offering. Just don't let the melancholy of it spoil your New Year celebrations.
Happy 2013!
[除夕夜]
/ 词 / 曲 ： 锦泉 /
荧光屏上显示的个人资料
端详后寄出电邮希望你能快收到
长途恋情不可靠我可知道
但数百万个画素的你我抵挡不了
第一次听到你问的一声好
太平洋在一瞬间突然变得好渺小
右耳贴着听筒我心已知晓
这一世的寻找终于出现在这一秒
天亮时唱着你爱的催眠曲
只想让你做个美梦睡个好觉
在我合上双眼临睡前
希望能感觉不到
你下班时回家途中的那份疲劳
被时差分隔着的两个世界
我眼看不见 你手握不到
这一切虽然不重要
还是渴望看日落时
能呼吸一样的空气
能有你在我怀抱
记事本除夕夜鲜红的记号
是我们半年爱情结晶的最佳代表
为了让你惊喜事先没说好
轻吻你那双唇是我一生中最需要
浑身喜悦的颤抖把你门敲
一个陌生脸孔是我唯一能够看到
"是谁" 那把声音怎么也错认不了
眼前那半裸的你我万万也没想到
长厢厮守 那一句诺言 你可撒得好
爱情怎可能比 一时之快值得少
从前我们每公里 距离如今像把刀
一万六千个伤痕 在心里放肆燃烧
眼泪 在眼角打算 今夜无理取闹
烟花 空中盛放 今夜对我嘲笑
若这全是错 愿能从今永远记牢
再强的爱也会在时空差距 前倾倒
眼泪 在眼角打算 今夜无理取闹
烟花 在空中盛放 今夜对我嘲笑
悉尼的气候依然那么酷燥
纽约的空气中雪霜将会在深夜飘
城市霓虹的妆渐渐被卸掉
澳航六点的班机起飞得比往常早
[New Year's Eve]
Details splashed out on the screen
A thorough read, a message sent and then the anticipation
Despite knowing the perils of a long-distance relationship
I simply could not resist those several megapixels of you
Then I heard your voice, greeting me for the first time
The Pacific Ocean seemed miniscule all of a sudden
With the phone pressed against my right ear, I knew
The one I have been looking for all my life has appeared in that very second
Singing a lullaby for you at daybreak so that you can have sweet dreams
Hoping to not feel your fatigue as you head home from work before I go to bed
The time difference splitting two worlds apart
My eyes could not see and my hands unable to feel
Though insignificant, I still wished when we next watch the sunset
You would be in my arms, breathing the same air
A red mark against New Year's Eve on my organiser
That was the end product of half a year of love
I meant it as a surprise and so I kept it from you
The greatest desire in my life–to kiss your lips
With my body trembling with joy I knocked on your door
A stranger's face was all I could see
"Who's there?", it was the voice that I got to know so well
And so unexpectedly there in front of me, you, half-naked
"We'll always be together", a promise you lied so well
How could love be less worthy than a moment of pleasure
Every kilometre we used to be apart stabbing me like knives
Sixteen thousand scars in my heart, burning wildly away
Tears have decided to wreak havoc in the corner of my eyes tonight
Along with the fireworks, mocking me from the sky
If this were all a mistake, let this be a lesson that I will never forget
Even the strongest love will crumble in the face of distance and time
The weather in Sydney, still so hot and dry
Fluttering snowflakes will fill the air in New York City tonight
Neon lights that made up the city hours ago slowly fading away
The 6 a.m. Qantas flight departed a little earlier today
However the musical journey I am guiding you through this month does not have a conclusion worth celebrating with the irony of it happening on New Year's Eve. This is the longest song I have written to date as it tells a complete love story from how it started to how it tragically ends. I find that the only way to fit the entire tale into a four-or-so minute piece is to include bits of rap in the song. And that was how it became one of my hip-hop (ish) creations, which is a musical-writing style that is growing on me. When I wrote the lyrics, I meant it to sound bitter but tone aside, it does contain a good piece of cautionary advice. Long-distance relationships will never work out if there is no concrete plan of either party relocating as human beings are wired for physical intimacy, not love based solely on a cerebral level.
I am quite satisfied with this composition and it brings me great pleasure every time I listen to it. That is why I know I need to start investing more time to write again. Hopefully with my upcoming temporary Brisbane job placement in the new year, I will have lots of time for my music since there will not be much to do in yawn-inducing Brisbane. But for now, have a listen to my newest offering. Just don't let the melancholy of it spoil your New Year celebrations.
Happy 2013!
[除夕夜]
/ 词 / 曲 ： 锦泉 /
荧光屏上显示的个人资料
端详后寄出电邮希望你能快收到
长途恋情不可靠我可知道
但数百万个画素的你我抵挡不了
第一次听到你问的一声好
太平洋在一瞬间突然变得好渺小
右耳贴着听筒我心已知晓
这一世的寻找终于出现在这一秒
天亮时唱着你爱的催眠曲
只想让你做个美梦睡个好觉
在我合上双眼临睡前
希望能感觉不到
你下班时回家途中的那份疲劳
被时差分隔着的两个世界
我眼看不见 你手握不到
这一切虽然不重要
还是渴望看日落时
能呼吸一样的空气
能有你在我怀抱
记事本除夕夜鲜红的记号
是我们半年爱情结晶的最佳代表
为了让你惊喜事先没说好
轻吻你那双唇是我一生中最需要
浑身喜悦的颤抖把你门敲
一个陌生脸孔是我唯一能够看到
"是谁" 那把声音怎么也错认不了
眼前那半裸的你我万万也没想到
长厢厮守 那一句诺言 你可撒得好
爱情怎可能比 一时之快值得少
从前我们每公里 距离如今像把刀
一万六千个伤痕 在心里放肆燃烧
眼泪 在眼角打算 今夜无理取闹
烟花 空中盛放 今夜对我嘲笑
若这全是错 愿能从今永远记牢
再强的爱也会在时空差距 前倾倒
眼泪 在眼角打算 今夜无理取闹
烟花 在空中盛放 今夜对我嘲笑
悉尼的气候依然那么酷燥
纽约的空气中雪霜将会在深夜飘
城市霓虹的妆渐渐被卸掉
澳航六点的班机起飞得比往常早
[New Year's Eve]
Details splashed out on the screen
A thorough read, a message sent and then the anticipation
Despite knowing the perils of a long-distance relationship
I simply could not resist those several megapixels of you
Then I heard your voice, greeting me for the first time
The Pacific Ocean seemed miniscule all of a sudden
With the phone pressed against my right ear, I knew
The one I have been looking for all my life has appeared in that very second
Singing a lullaby for you at daybreak so that you can have sweet dreams
Hoping to not feel your fatigue as you head home from work before I go to bed
The time difference splitting two worlds apart
My eyes could not see and my hands unable to feel
Though insignificant, I still wished when we next watch the sunset
You would be in my arms, breathing the same air
A red mark against New Year's Eve on my organiser
That was the end product of half a year of love
I meant it as a surprise and so I kept it from you
The greatest desire in my life–to kiss your lips
With my body trembling with joy I knocked on your door
A stranger's face was all I could see
"Who's there?", it was the voice that I got to know so well
And so unexpectedly there in front of me, you, half-naked
"We'll always be together", a promise you lied so well
How could love be less worthy than a moment of pleasure
Every kilometre we used to be apart stabbing me like knives
Sixteen thousand scars in my heart, burning wildly away
Tears have decided to wreak havoc in the corner of my eyes tonight
Along with the fireworks, mocking me from the sky
If this were all a mistake, let this be a lesson that I will never forget
Even the strongest love will crumble in the face of distance and time
The weather in Sydney, still so hot and dry
Fluttering snowflakes will fill the air in New York City tonight
Neon lights that made up the city hours ago slowly fading away
The 6 a.m. Qantas flight departed a little earlier today
Monday, December 17, 2012
A fashion experiment
It is photo shoot time again and in this "issue", I am going to share with you the results of a little fashion-shoot experiment I did a while back in a touristy part of Singapore. As you know I always like the attention when I do shoots in public but that shoot was a little different as it was done with another guy. Obviously I would prefer to do it with someone of a similar build so that we could expose more flesh and make it sexier (and in the process attract more attention). But as I have said, this was just an experiment and I was willing to have a go at it regardless. However this is not to say that the shoot was done improperly (by the same guy who did this). It was executed with proper lighting equipment as well as a make-up assistant (which was quite uncommon for me). The shoot took place around dusk so we could capture both the day and night scenes around the Esplanade. I thought it went pretty well but you have a look and tell me what you feel. Do you think I am good enough to be a fashion model?
Saturday, November 24, 2012
A short breather (part 2)
OK, I will not let my work woes prevent me from life outside of the office and so I will continue blogging. I need to reinforce the idea that it is only a job and it is not worth it...
Well, here is the second installment (first one here) of the highlights of my nine-day trip to Singapore/KL last month.
Well, here is the second installment (first one here) of the highlights of my nine-day trip to Singapore/KL last month.
The food I had during this trip back was not very impressive mainly because
it was such a short stay. A notable exception was something I had at
the Gardens—the most expensive xiao long bao I have eaten, at close to
$13 a pop. It
was filled with goose liver and came in a broth of shark's bone
cartilage. The strange things we put in our mouths.
Though I like fine-dining, hawker fare is what I really go for whenever I
make the trip back home. And Indian rojak is a dish that is quickly
disappearing on the island. It took me quite a while to hunt it down but
it was worth the effort. This is something you will NEVER find in
Australia.
I can't help but take this picture. And my bibi is such a good sport too!
A sobering reminder that regardless of how much Singapore progresses, the
island can never escape its nanny-state image, at least not for a long
time. Here are the latest samples of the uniquely-Singapore signs and
national campaigns. The bottom left picture is a classic WTF example.
My trip also included a short stay in KL, which also has its own fair
share of WTF signs and rules. The sign in the top picture was on the
door to a restaurant. I think the middle icon meant to tell people not
to bring outside food in but still I had a chuckle. The guard in the
bottom picture seemed to be there solely to prevent people from treading
on the tiny patch of carpet grass. Ision knew firsthand what it feels like
to be shooed away by a grass-guard.
The famous Petaling Street night market. It was so disappointingly
small! As with all night markets, more than 75% of the stalls seemed to be selling
the same thing. And in case you are wondering how can one further ruin
an already bad LV-fake? I have just the right picture for you.
A remake of the classic popiah (my favourite food in the world) wrapped
in egg as well as in lettuce! And who could pass off an opportunity to
savour the famous So Kee BBQ pork? Ision considers it a sacrilege when I
remove the fatty bits. I think many would too.
This is truly a dessert you can only find in Southeast Asia. Creamed
durian flesh coated with chocolate with the apt title "Durian Bomb". I thought the two flavours wouldn't
go well with each other but I was wrong. If only Ision knows how to
appreciate this prickly fruit.
The top picture features a really small section in a large supermarket. I
have a friend who swears by all things pork and I think he would die if
he were living in Malaysia. As for the 14 ringgit pack of snacks in the
bottom picture, that same bag costs only $2.99 here. Talk about the cost of importing a product! Note: the current exchange rate is 1AUD = 3.2MYR.
I hope this trend doesn't spread. To me, buying expensive clothes for
someone who will only grow out of them in a matter of months is crazy.
For that matter, having kids in itself is crazy but that is a separate
issue. By the way I have never come across sections in department stores dedicated
to designer clothes for kids, this is the first time.
My spoils from my rounds at the shops. I am quite happy with my buys
especially the almost knee-length asymmetrical cardigan I got from
H&M (third piece from the left—I have been wearing that a lot), a brand that is not
available in Australia. It is so hopeless here when it comes to popular foreign labels like H&M, Zara and Topshop.
One of my main reasons for going back home is to spend time with my mum and come Christmas, she is coming over to stay with me for at least a month (yay!). With this one less reason to go back home in the short term, I am not sure when I will next drop by Singapore/KL. Also, there is quite a good variety of Southeast Asian food here in Melbourne city (albeit nothing truly Singaporean) so my food craving doesn't ever get so strong to make me want to go back often (unlike my time living in Sydney). Plus the weather there really gets to me now and I never fail to get heat rashes every time I travel to that region.
But you never know... Jobs in my industry are drying up fast in Melbourne and so I have to consider new locations in my current job applications. My department has just announced that 12 people will be axed before the Christmas break and the current 55-strong team will shrink to 15 by May 2013. All that doom and gloom is predictable in this economic climate but on top of that, I am fighting to not get unfairly dismissed so that I can have my retrenchment package. I am NOT going to let the company get away with denying me my package so easily by just citing petty examples to justify poor work performance. And if I do get fired in the end, I am going to lodge a complaint with Fair Work Australia. Yes, it will get messy and that is why I desperately hope that I do not have to cross that bridge.
Right now for job locations, I am looking mostly at Brisbane (where all the new positions are, not counting Perth) but will not rule out Singapore (and countries even further away) if the job pays well. In the mean time I will continue to enjoy the good spring weather here in Melbourne and hope that the work situation does not deteriorate and further affect my health and well-being.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
A short breather (part 1)
I finally have some time to tidy up the pictures from my recent trip back to Singapore and here is part one of what happened during those nine days.
I am still in the process of tidying up the rest of the pictures and selecting the more interesting ones to blog. I will post the rest next week. See you then.
This is the first time we have flown on business class together on a
budget airline (more like a premium economy). For the price, I think it
is not too bad food-, seat- and service-wise. This is the meal we got on
the plane.
Hmm… Looks like Grindr is working fine in Singapore. And don't let the
suburban location I was staying at fool you, it is chock-full of gay
boys, just like the rest of this tiny red dot. Looks like I am still pretty
popular in my home country.
My main purpose of the trip was to attend a wedding
and it was such an unconventional one (retro-themed). I guess it makes
sense seeing the bride has performed in so many wedding gigs that she must be
quite sick of traditional weddings. Here are the words of the yet-to-be-composed
song I wrote for this special occasion.
It was my first gate-crashing experience and I must say it is not
something I would like to do often. In fact, I think once is quite
enough as I really do not see the point of it all. The one we were
involved in was considered very mild by local standards apparently.
The mandatory family get-together. We used a Groupon thing which I paid
$100 for a 4-person deal that was supposed to cost nearly $160. As there
were five of us, one person had to pay full price and guess what? The
full price was $25! Bloody hell! I have heard a lot of horror stories
with this Groupon thing but I never thought it would happen to me! The
dim sum a-la-carte buffet we had was good though and Ision will never
pass up an opportunity at dim sum so no complaints from him!
As a tourist, visiting new local attractions is a must. So Gardens by
the Bay was one of my stops. I was there with my mother and Ision on
this hellishly-hot day. Poor boo couldn't take it and left before it got cooler. This is the view from inside the two conservatories. I really like the one called "Cloud Forest". The air-conditioned environment with the lush tropical greenery all around was really a refreshing experience! I feel that the Halloween theme (bottom picture) of the second conservatory called "Flower Dome" spoilt the whole environment though..
As expected, there would be lots of rare plant species that will never
see the light of day once out of the conservatories. These were just a
handful of the numerous pictures I snapped of the exotic delights.
More unusual flora. I know Singaporeans are stingy and I understand
their reason for not wanting to go to this attraction because of the
"hefty" admission fee of $20 to both conservatories. But I really think everyone should give
this place a go.
Thanks to the hardworking cheap foreign labour, we have this amazing
attraction. In fact we should thank these workers for the entire country
as it was them who helped transform a marshy fishing village into the
high-tech concrete jungle we have today in just several short decades.
The eight-storey tall indoor waterfall in the "Cloud Forest"
conservatory. The entire site has been built with a state-of-the-art
sustainable design and I was pretty impressed with it. But I still think
the resources it takes to air-condition such large spaces in a tropical
country must surely be rather environmentally-unfriendly!
My mum really enjoyed her time at the Gardens. This was a shot atop the
Skyway where we were only allowed 30 minutes on. However we dragged it
out by evading the "authorities" from dusk all the way to night time so
we could experience views in different light. What can I say, we are
rebels!
The Gardens at night captured by my crappy camera. Well you get the
picture. All in all it was a good day but what made it super was I got
to spend it with my mum.
I am still in the process of tidying up the rest of the pictures and selecting the more interesting ones to blog. I will post the rest next week. See you then.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Musical journey (29)
In my recent trip back to Singapore to attend my dear friend's wedding, I intended to go on stage to perform a piece that I have written for the occasion but hesitated because there is no tune to it, just words. I finished the lyrics a long time ago but just did not have the inspiration and energy (especially with all the woes at work I have been facing all these months) to put a tune to it that is up to my standards. But even though it is essentially a poem, the emotions I want to convey in it are still are as strong, as real and as valid. In this month's musical journey, I shall share with you the words to the song with the hope that someone would help me add a nice tune to it.
To my dear dear friend, thanks for an amazing (and non-traditional) wedding. A roller-coaster ride of a journey now lies ahead of you but don't worry as love will be by your side all the way. Love from all of us.
Update: At long last, the tune to this song has been written and you can find the complete song here.
[祝福]
/ 词 ： 锦泉 /
有了爱， 世界才会完美
用心爱， 明天不再漆黑
唯有爱， 让我们不断往前推
没有爱， 拥有一切也无所谓
因为爱， 你不再掉眼泪
所以爱， 缠绕在你周围
为了爱， 尝尽酸甜苦辣滋味
你的爱， 找到能栖息的双臂
你面前的路， 纵然崎岖但不再孤独
他会用一生， 换取你每分每秒的幸福
让爱的幼苗， 在你细心灌溉下长成树
今天的祝福， 来自我内心最真最深处
为了这一天， 我可是等了好久好久
今夜你的脸， 让我不再有任何要求
你所给的爱， 不单潇洒也毫无保留
但从今以后， 换他来爱你直到永久
为了这一天， 我可是等了好久好久
今夜的美莲， 让我不再有任何要求
你所给的爱， 不单潇洒也毫无保留
但从今以后， 换他来爱你直到永久
[Blessing]
Only with love, the world can be perfect
Only through loving, we can chase darkness away from tomorrow
And love is the only thing that can keep us pushing ahead
Without love, it does not matter if you have everything else
Because of love, you no longer weep
And so love surrounds and protects you
For love, you have tasted both the sweet and the bitter
And now your love has finally found a shoulder to rest on
The road ahead of you though bumpy will no longer be lonely
He will use all of his might to fill every single second of your life with bliss
Let the young shoots of love grow into a tree under your care
My blessing for you today comes from the truest depths of my heart
I have waited so long for this day to arrive
With the look on your face tonight, I have nothing more to ask for
The love you have given has always been unreserved
But from now for a change, let him love you forever
PS: When I get the time, I will tidy up the pictures I took during my short vacation and post them here.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Do you see me? (2)
As mentioned in my previous post, here are the pictures from the shoot that were used to produce the "Do You See Me?" clip. The photo shoot used a very strong and powerful concept to lay bare the subject's latent energy to the fullest, yet masked it just enough to create a sense of tension and mystery. The end result is a stunning series of pictures which I really like.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Do you see me? (1)
When I was living in Sydney, I was actively participating in events aimed at promoting a positive Asian image within the gay community as it is a cause that I strongly believe in. That was why ACON (AIDS Council of New South Wales) was such a godsent, especially when the Asian Gay Men programs were in very capable hands. Be it putting an Asian face in mini pageants in bars, increasing awareness of online discrimination through magazine interviews or being part of the ambitious A-Men Project, it was a fun journey of self-discovery, not to mention a joyful one where I got to make countless new friends from all over Asia along the way.
In October 2011, ACON collaborated with a group of university students as part of their coursework to come up with a feature on Asian gay men's coming out stories. There was a photo shoot element and an audio interview section and both were combined into a final clip. The concept of the photo shoot was one that I have not done before and it involved projecting a series of richly-coloured images onto raw skin in a completely-darkened environment. I was the only participant who went full-monty. Hey, if you want to do it, you gotta to do it right! The students were very appreciative of that.
I was quite impressed with the very professional-looking finished product (both the clip and the photos). They were raw, energetic and moving. I will be sharing the clip in this post and the pictures in the next so if you want to see more, you'd just have to wait a teensy bit longer.
PS: Starting today, I am taking a well-deserved week-long break from the craziness and bullshittiness (new word!) of work to fly back home to attend a dear friend's wedding which includes a stopover in Kuala Lumpur to catch up with some friends. Hopefully I will be back refreshed and ready to take on more of this bovine-fecal matter.
In October 2011, ACON collaborated with a group of university students as part of their coursework to come up with a feature on Asian gay men's coming out stories. There was a photo shoot element and an audio interview section and both were combined into a final clip. The concept of the photo shoot was one that I have not done before and it involved projecting a series of richly-coloured images onto raw skin in a completely-darkened environment. I was the only participant who went full-monty. Hey, if you want to do it, you gotta to do it right! The students were very appreciative of that.
I was quite impressed with the very professional-looking finished product (both the clip and the photos). They were raw, energetic and moving. I will be sharing the clip in this post and the pictures in the next so if you want to see more, you'd just have to wait a teensy bit longer.
PS: Starting today, I am taking a well-deserved week-long break from the craziness and bullshittiness (new word!) of work to fly back home to attend a dear friend's wedding which includes a stopover in Kuala Lumpur to catch up with some friends. Hopefully I will be back refreshed and ready to take on more of this bovine-fecal matter.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Musical journey (28)
I recently signed up online for BandMix in an attempt to join a group as a vocalist but no one has sent me a message yet. I also recently discovered that a colleague of mine actually has a regular jamming session with a few of his mates and I volunteered my services as a singer. Again sadly, every one was and still is too busy to meet up. Frankly, my job is also very hectic right now (with the low-budget projects that need a lot of work) and I cannot devote any attention to my performing hobby (which also explains the brevity of this post). I am also feeling rather stressed as I can now confirm with 90%-certainty that I am being victimised at work (more on that in a separate post when I have more to report as the plot thickens). But I vow to put in the effort my performing passion deserves when things settle down a bit at the office.
In the meantime, let me share with you my casual live rendition of Sarah McLachlan's "Angel", one of my all-time favourites. Tell me what you think.
In the meantime, let me share with you my casual live rendition of Sarah McLachlan's "Angel", one of my all-time favourites. Tell me what you think.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Social networking
Do you think it is rude for people to check their Facebook pages on
their phones at the dinner table? Do you feel that there is something
wrong with people who make Facebook feed-browsing their first and last
things to do of the day? Do you get frustrated with people updating
their statuses with the most trivial of activities?
Face it, the definition of social interaction and networking between human beings have changed. Either you get on board or get left behind. Insisting that an entire generation has lost its way when youths choose to spend their free time on social networking sites is not going to change this behaviour. And people can indeed get incredibly famous just by posting themselves on Youtube doing something silly if the video goes viral. This is the way it is going to be for a least the rest of the decade so get over it.
I was a late Facebook-joiner and only entered this new realm of social networking several years after Facebook was created. I have since used it to widen my gay social circle in a new country and to create a personal fan page to promote myself. Now I am a more subdued Facebook user and I think growing maturity has something to do with it. However one uses Facebook, I find that by looking at his or her status, one can quickly get a pretty good picture of how his or her life and personality is like (unless there is a conscious effort at fakery). To me, I see this as one of the time-saving advantages of living in this increasingly-hectic world. In addition, if you are like me and include current local and global affairs in your posts, it provides a very good snapshot of history (at least the bits that concern you). So now let me share with you mine for this month.
"Going to Harbour Town with my boo. No money left in my everyday transaction bank account and will not be tempted to part with any cash today so I am safe."
"Going for my first karaoke in Melbourne! Excited!"
"It's true. Once you know someone is gay, it is so hard to find an actor convincing when he plays straight. Case in point, a C grade Singaporean horror movie called 《靈聼》 Ghost on Air."
"All sympathies aside, don't all voluntary army enlistees know that they might be called into the Afghan war and hence are fully aware of the dangers they are opting into? If not, that should be the first topic in the pre-enlisting presentation."
"I have my take on why Australia is doing far better in the Paralympics than the Olympics. What's yours?"
"It is only a mobile phone model-upgrade and not the cure for AIDS or the end of the wars in the Middle East. Do you really need to get so worked up over it? Even the invention of mobile phones didn't kick up this much frenzy. Geez."
"Stuck on "Broken Arrow" now from The Script #3"
"Why is Pop Asia on SBS always only regard South Korea as Asia? How unrepresentative. I want my music from Hong Kong and Taiwan!"
"Just watched the documentary Miss Representation about how the portrayal of women in the media is all skewed, limited and wrong plus the consequent problems. Welcome to the world of the LGBTI community. In fact screw that -- at least women get portrayal. How many positive LGBTI role models in the media are out there for the community in comparison? Women should count themselves lucky."
"I am sure most of you have had encountered Red Cross volunteers asking you for a donation on the streets. Has any one of you told them in their face how you feel about how their blood donation rules are unfairly biased against gay people? And if so, what were their response?"
"Is the purpose of the opposition only to object to anything the government says? How can the wannabe attack the incumbent on what the current government failed to do when it is an impossibility for the wannabe in his current position to prove that he can do any better? It is like me telling you "I don't know why you are wrong and I cannot prove that you are wrong but I just know that you are wrong." How credible is that illogical argument?"
"Why am I so competitive on Words With Friends and Wordfeud? I can sometimes have a winning competitor and my next move against him weighing down in my mind for hours."
"Just saw an Asian girl holding her mother's hand as they head home from a day of shopping.... made me miss my mum."
"Why can't The New Normal just have a really normal gay couple? Is the American audience really deemed to be so dumb and narrow-minded that the producers have to feed them stereotypes that do not challenge anything? Disappointing."
"TV remote control is not working!! GASP! How will I survive this?!?!"
"Goodnight world. Yet another 9pm bedtime on a Friday night."
"I have always wondered... why do NRL players typically have a bigger built than those of AFL? Is it because of the game rules and strategies that require one group to be bigger in size?"
"It's spring time! And time for a topless jog in the park, starting in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!"
"Just joined BandMix.com in the hope of joining a band as a song-writer/vocalist. Wish me luck!"
"Has any of you watched that controversial anti-Islamic film trailer? And what do you think of it?"
"I posted my picture on this page (called "Drop dead gorgeous Men of the World") and asked if I befit the page title. It's really nice to hear such a positive response from the page owner "I will definitely be posting some of your pics :)" And that is why my pics are now on the page and this is one of the ways I garner more hits on my blog. Win-win!"
"Just heard this on the news. On the issue of anonymous SMSes calling on Muslims to gather and rebel in Australia, elders have this advice for the community: "If you do not know the sender of the SMS, do not act on it." Can the advice be any more obvious???"
"Watching Insight on SBS now about whether Australia invests too much in sports funding and listening to Olympians whingeing about how little funding they get. What I want to ask them is why should anyone fund their dreams? They say they do it because they know how much they can inspire young people but I don't buy that as the main reason for them being in competitive sports. I think it is their love for sports that fuels them and everything else that comes with it eg. inspiring youths and doing the country proud with gold medals, etc are just secondary by-products. The bottom-line is: if I want to be a famous pop singer and have utmost passion for it, can I ask the country to fund me to do that?"
"Throughout history, do you think more people in the world have been helped or destroyed (including being killed) in the name of religion?"
"Why personals sites like Zoosk that target horny straight men out to look for sex advertise on gay apps like Scruff is totally beyond me. What happened to good old market research?"
"Indonesian festival at Southbank here we come!"
"Who wants to challenge me on Words With Friends and/or Wordfeud???"
"I know my blog doesn't gain enough hits to make this profitable but I've always contemplated monetizing my blog. However artistic integrity is my biggest concern -- ads popping up all over the place really hurts the look of the site! What do you think of the idea?"
"Can't believe I missed the birthday (3rd Sep 2112) of my favourite childhood icon. Happy belated pre-100th birthday Doraemon!"
"Can't believe I had oily (albeit yummy) roast duck for 2 meals today! I feel so fat now!"
"Topless jog on this nippy morning, here I come!"
"In this sports-mad nation, when Grand Finals Day is almost as big as the Melbourne Cup, why isn't today a public holiday?"
"Had a good time tonight having a proper sit-down dinner party with Ision Ensor at Nissa Ni's. I think this might be our first one in Melbourne since we've arrived. Talk about being anti-social!"
"Looking back at my weight chart over the 9 months I am in Melbourne, there is a clear dip in months when work has been stressful and a rise when it's been relaxing -- yet another nice thing about my ever-expanding life-spreadsheet."
"Nothing beats healthy snacks. Blueberry yoghurt topped with fresh strawberries."
After having read just a month worth of Facebook statuses, do you think you now know me a little bit better?
Face it, the definition of social interaction and networking between human beings have changed. Either you get on board or get left behind. Insisting that an entire generation has lost its way when youths choose to spend their free time on social networking sites is not going to change this behaviour. And people can indeed get incredibly famous just by posting themselves on Youtube doing something silly if the video goes viral. This is the way it is going to be for a least the rest of the decade so get over it.
I was a late Facebook-joiner and only entered this new realm of social networking several years after Facebook was created. I have since used it to widen my gay social circle in a new country and to create a personal fan page to promote myself. Now I am a more subdued Facebook user and I think growing maturity has something to do with it. However one uses Facebook, I find that by looking at his or her status, one can quickly get a pretty good picture of how his or her life and personality is like (unless there is a conscious effort at fakery). To me, I see this as one of the time-saving advantages of living in this increasingly-hectic world. In addition, if you are like me and include current local and global affairs in your posts, it provides a very good snapshot of history (at least the bits that concern you). So now let me share with you mine for this month.
"Going to Harbour Town with my boo. No money left in my everyday transaction bank account and will not be tempted to part with any cash today so I am safe."
"Going for my first karaoke in Melbourne! Excited!"
"It's true. Once you know someone is gay, it is so hard to find an actor convincing when he plays straight. Case in point, a C grade Singaporean horror movie called 《靈聼》 Ghost on Air."
"All sympathies aside, don't all voluntary army enlistees know that they might be called into the Afghan war and hence are fully aware of the dangers they are opting into? If not, that should be the first topic in the pre-enlisting presentation."
"I have my take on why Australia is doing far better in the Paralympics than the Olympics. What's yours?"
"It is only a mobile phone model-upgrade and not the cure for AIDS or the end of the wars in the Middle East. Do you really need to get so worked up over it? Even the invention of mobile phones didn't kick up this much frenzy. Geez."
"Stuck on "Broken Arrow" now from The Script #3"
"Why is Pop Asia on SBS always only regard South Korea as Asia? How unrepresentative. I want my music from Hong Kong and Taiwan!"
"Just watched the documentary Miss Representation about how the portrayal of women in the media is all skewed, limited and wrong plus the consequent problems. Welcome to the world of the LGBTI community. In fact screw that -- at least women get portrayal. How many positive LGBTI role models in the media are out there for the community in comparison? Women should count themselves lucky."
"I am sure most of you have had encountered Red Cross volunteers asking you for a donation on the streets. Has any one of you told them in their face how you feel about how their blood donation rules are unfairly biased against gay people? And if so, what were their response?"
"Is the purpose of the opposition only to object to anything the government says? How can the wannabe attack the incumbent on what the current government failed to do when it is an impossibility for the wannabe in his current position to prove that he can do any better? It is like me telling you "I don't know why you are wrong and I cannot prove that you are wrong but I just know that you are wrong." How credible is that illogical argument?"
"Why am I so competitive on Words With Friends and Wordfeud? I can sometimes have a winning competitor and my next move against him weighing down in my mind for hours."
"Just saw an Asian girl holding her mother's hand as they head home from a day of shopping.... made me miss my mum."
"Why can't The New Normal just have a really normal gay couple? Is the American audience really deemed to be so dumb and narrow-minded that the producers have to feed them stereotypes that do not challenge anything? Disappointing."
"TV remote control is not working!! GASP! How will I survive this?!?!"
"Goodnight world. Yet another 9pm bedtime on a Friday night."
"I have always wondered... why do NRL players typically have a bigger built than those of AFL? Is it because of the game rules and strategies that require one group to be bigger in size?"
"It's spring time! And time for a topless jog in the park, starting in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!"
"Just joined BandMix.com in the hope of joining a band as a song-writer/vocalist. Wish me luck!"
"Has any of you watched that controversial anti-Islamic film trailer? And what do you think of it?"
"I posted my picture on this page (called "Drop dead gorgeous Men of the World") and asked if I befit the page title. It's really nice to hear such a positive response from the page owner "I will definitely be posting some of your pics :)" And that is why my pics are now on the page and this is one of the ways I garner more hits on my blog. Win-win!"
"Just heard this on the news. On the issue of anonymous SMSes calling on Muslims to gather and rebel in Australia, elders have this advice for the community: "If you do not know the sender of the SMS, do not act on it." Can the advice be any more obvious???"
"Watching Insight on SBS now about whether Australia invests too much in sports funding and listening to Olympians whingeing about how little funding they get. What I want to ask them is why should anyone fund their dreams? They say they do it because they know how much they can inspire young people but I don't buy that as the main reason for them being in competitive sports. I think it is their love for sports that fuels them and everything else that comes with it eg. inspiring youths and doing the country proud with gold medals, etc are just secondary by-products. The bottom-line is: if I want to be a famous pop singer and have utmost passion for it, can I ask the country to fund me to do that?"
"Throughout history, do you think more people in the world have been helped or destroyed (including being killed) in the name of religion?"
"Why personals sites like Zoosk that target horny straight men out to look for sex advertise on gay apps like Scruff is totally beyond me. What happened to good old market research?"
"Indonesian festival at Southbank here we come!"
"Who wants to challenge me on Words With Friends and/or Wordfeud???"
"I know my blog doesn't gain enough hits to make this profitable but I've always contemplated monetizing my blog. However artistic integrity is my biggest concern -- ads popping up all over the place really hurts the look of the site! What do you think of the idea?"
"Can't believe I missed the birthday (3rd Sep 2112) of my favourite childhood icon. Happy belated pre-100th birthday Doraemon!"
"Can't believe I had oily (albeit yummy) roast duck for 2 meals today! I feel so fat now!"
"Topless jog on this nippy morning, here I come!"
"In this sports-mad nation, when Grand Finals Day is almost as big as the Melbourne Cup, why isn't today a public holiday?"
"Had a good time tonight having a proper sit-down dinner party with Ision Ensor at Nissa Ni's. I think this might be our first one in Melbourne since we've arrived. Talk about being anti-social!"
"Looking back at my weight chart over the 9 months I am in Melbourne, there is a clear dip in months when work has been stressful and a rise when it's been relaxing -- yet another nice thing about my ever-expanding life-spreadsheet."
"Nothing beats healthy snacks. Blueberry yoghurt topped with fresh strawberries."
After having read just a month worth of Facebook statuses, do you think you now know me a little bit better?
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Musical journey (27)
A lot of times breakups come very suddenly with no warning at all and worse still with no proper reason and hence no closure. This leaves the jilted stuck in a never-ending loop of asking questions that can never be answered. In this month's musical journey I am bringing you the story of someone facing such a predicament, something none of us wants but almost every one of us faces at one point in time in our love history.
This musical journey post is also a little different from the ones in the past as I will also be putting up the raw demo track I rudimentarily recorded as I was writing the song with nothing more than simple guitar chords, a notebook and a pen. You can see (or rather hear) that with just very simple accompaniment and a studio-recording of the track, it gets totally transformed. I really yearn to have my songs being professionally-arranged and -recorded one day for I am sure they can be even greater.
Also as spring starts here in Melbourne, what is more apt than a video of icicles melting? I hope you like this musical offering.
[子夜]
/ 词 / 曲 ： 锦泉 /
你走出我世界
我走进了黑夜
灯熄灭， 寂寞蔓延
哭红眼
心开始在分裂
痛凝固约子夜， 两点
花在凋谢， 晚餐冷却
手机的荧幕离不开双眼
爱来的时候
我双手紧紧地握
为何你却逼我放手
掏出的心到了最后还不够
当我鼓起勇气讨一个理由
半句没共同点
你说为何当初又选择我
让他走， 他不会回头
转身走， 别再回头
[Midnight]
You walked out of my world
I walked into the darkness of night
Lights out
Loneliness creeping
Reddened eyes
The heart starts to fissure
Pain goes into form from midnight to 2 a.m.
Flowers wilting
Dinner's cooling
Eyes never leaving the screen of the phone
When love came I held on tight
Why did you force me to let go
I have given all of my heart
Which is still not enough in the end
When I summoned all my courage
To ask for a reason why
“We’re too different” is all you could say
Why then did you choose me from the start
Let him go
For he will never turn back
It’s time to turn around
And never look back
This musical journey post is also a little different from the ones in the past as I will also be putting up the raw demo track I rudimentarily recorded as I was writing the song with nothing more than simple guitar chords, a notebook and a pen. You can see (or rather hear) that with just very simple accompaniment and a studio-recording of the track, it gets totally transformed. I really yearn to have my songs being professionally-arranged and -recorded one day for I am sure they can be even greater.
Also as spring starts here in Melbourne, what is more apt than a video of icicles melting? I hope you like this musical offering.
[子夜]
/ 词 / 曲 ： 锦泉 /
你走出我世界
我走进了黑夜
灯熄灭， 寂寞蔓延
哭红眼
心开始在分裂
痛凝固约子夜， 两点
花在凋谢， 晚餐冷却
手机的荧幕离不开双眼
爱来的时候
我双手紧紧地握
为何你却逼我放手
掏出的心到了最后还不够
当我鼓起勇气讨一个理由
半句没共同点
你说为何当初又选择我
让他走， 他不会回头
转身走， 别再回头
[Midnight]
You walked out of my world
I walked into the darkness of night
Lights out
Loneliness creeping
Reddened eyes
The heart starts to fissure
Pain goes into form from midnight to 2 a.m.
Flowers wilting
Dinner's cooling
Eyes never leaving the screen of the phone
When love came I held on tight
Why did you force me to let go
I have given all of my heart
Which is still not enough in the end
When I summoned all my courage
To ask for a reason why
“We’re too different” is all you could say
Why then did you choose me from the start
Let him go
For he will never turn back
It’s time to turn around
And never look back
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Abandoned at the warehouse (2)
One thing I like about Sydney is that there are plenty of abandoned buildings not far from the city (and sometimes even in the city). Although this reflects badly on city planning and leaves a negative impression on visitors, it is a very good thing for photographers and models looking for a place to hone their skills and strut their stuff. The Dunlop-Slazenger warehouse in Alexandria is one such place. With its huge floorspace and lots of nooks and crannies for us to explore, we had two great shoots there last year.
I revealed the first installment of this seriest last week and now you will get to relish the rest of the pictures. Lucky you! All you need to do in return is tell me your favourite picture in this series.
I revealed the first installment of this seriest last week and now you will get to relish the rest of the pictures. Lucky you! All you need to do in return is tell me your favourite picture in this series.
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