Life

 

Thursday... blogged about it in the last entry. Kinda a free day. Started my exercise regime, finally, after 2 years. A good friend of mine has always been a very positive influence on me. She tells you your bad points straight in the face. Who in the world will tell you you have bad dress sense after only knowing you for less than a month? Of course she didn't tell me I've bad dress sense, she only tell me to buy more clothes, which basically meant the same thing... ermm... haha! Anw she also encouraged me to exercise and join Christianity. It is kinda hard to find a true friend who tells you your faults these days. (Or is it I have too little faults for my friends to tell? =)

 

Have been running 5 times for the past 2 weeks. Only very short distance, around 2km or less. But it makes me feels alive... cos it makes me feels like dying every time. Anw, I am going to shrink my spare tire!!!

 

Also I have started preparing for my Final Year Project. Btw for those who don't know, my project is to convert speech to sign language 3D animation for hearing impaired children.  I'm learning how to create animations using animation software such as Poser and 3ds Max. It's quite fun, but now I'm troubled about how an input can called out an output of 3D animation. Hmmm... programming... anyone can point me in the right direction?

 

Yup, I've also decided to listen to my cousin's advice to update myself daily with the latest news by making Channel News Asia's website my homepage and scan for headlines for a minute or two every time I on my comp. Though I've no great interest in news, I'm going out into the society in a year and I guess I can't be too ignorant of the current affairs anymore. Another minor improvement for me. =)

 

*************

 

Friday I met up with 2 friends. One of them worked in Mediacorp's News Division for her internship, which makes her very knowledgeable about how artistes make up to look good in front of the camera. She said my face's most flattering angle is 45 degree. Next time don't be surprised if you see me kept facing away when taking photos. =P Watched Fantastic Four with them. An enjoyable show which don't engage you intellectually.

 

*************

 

Monday is the start of my Special Sem's Elective, which takes place every Mon and Wed from 6.30pm to 10pm. The name of the module is Eco-Architecture in an Urban Environment. It is about different ways to build sustainable or even self-renewable buildings in Singapore. Quite interesting. Came across this very Tao-like statement which I like alot in the lecture:

 

"Change is the only constant."

 

How true! We mustn't forget to constantly improve and renew ourselves in this constantly changing environment. Do not get stuck in a routine. We need to think out of the box!  Be creative! Innovate!

 

A question from the lecturer: What is the difference between 'creative' and 'innovative'?

 

Answer: An innovation is a small improvement on an existing product. Creation is the making of a new product. The time needed to make an innovation is much much shorter than creating something new. The reason why Japan got back so quickly after WW2 is because it takes America's products (which takes years to develop) and make lots of small innovations on them. As results, Japan end out having superior products.

 

A little food for thought. =)

 

*************

(To be continued…)

 

 

,

 

Tuesday was an interesting day. Met up with my JC classmate for a hike in MacRitchie to the Tree Top Walk. Actually the Tree Top Walk is just a short 100m wooden bridge suspended over the canopy of the forest, nothing much. But the hike itself was fun. We walked for 4 hours, from MacRitchie until Bt Timah Nature Reserve and came out of the forest at Dairy Farm. Tiring, but fun.

 

At one point of time, we were quite lost in the Reserve. It makes me thought of a passage from The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho. In the story, a foreign couple asked Athena (the 'witch') how to get to a tourist spot. She gave them very precise but totally wrong directions. After they left, she explained to her boyfriend:

 

"It doesn't matter. They'll get lost, and that's the best way to discover interesting places. Try to fill your life again with a little fantasy... Forget everything you've ever learned about the stars and they'll once more transformed into angels, or into children, or into whatever you want to believe at the moment. It won't make you more stupid - after all, it's only a game - but it could enrich your life."

 

We did get lost to one of the higher and more scenic spot in Bt Timah Hill, but we almost died after climbing hundreds of steep steps... And I think I will be very du lan if someone purposely give me the wrong directions. Haha!

 

Later we bathed in Hwachong (a nostalgic place =) and proceed to meet another old friend to go Mind's Cafe for some mental stimulation after physical exertion. Had a good guys' day out.

 

The day end off with us visiting a newly opened magic shop in Orchard. Always love visiting magic shops 'cos the shopkeeper will always perform a trick or two. And this time, surprisingly, an old friend / my shi fu from anther shop in Shaw Tower was manning this shop! Turns out that he has quit to become a full time hypnotist and is now doing part time there. Anw he showed us his new trick which blown us all away! It is quite rare to see a magic trick that impress me these days and it really feels good to see a good trick... the feeling of amazement... Life needs some surprises once in a while.

 

Actually I also know a trick or two with a deck of cards, feel free to ask me to show them. I love to amaze people too. Haha!

 

*************

 

Friday evening I met a friend to visit Singapore Art Museum. One very interesting thing you can do while looking at the exhibits is to guess what are the exhibits' name. This is to see whether you are at the same frequency as the artists.

 

Sadly, I got none correct. =( Guess I'm not a very artistic person.

 

Before I met my friend, I bought a book while shopping at Raffles City. It is called The Meaning of the 21^st Century by James Martin. The book's first paragraph is this:

 

"At the start of the 21^st century, humankind finds itself on a non-sustainable course – a course that, unless it is changed, will lead to catastrophes of awesome consequences. At the same time, we are unlocking formidable new capabilities that could lead to much more exciting lives and glorious civilization. This could be humanity's last century, or it could be the century in which civilization sets sail towards a far more spectacular future. Decision that will lead to these wildly different conclusions have to be made soon."

 

Whatever I do makes no difference. So, heck la, I cannot be bothered.

 

(Are you thinking this way?)

 

Frankly speaking I think that way most of the time. But I think since I'm going to be an Engineer in future, I gotta stop thinking that way...

 

*************

 

(To be continued…)

 

Throughly

 

Saturday is a xiong day. I watched 2 theatrical dramas and listened to 1 talk in one day! The 2 shows are Beijing Ren, scripted by Cao Yu and directed by Li Liu Yi, and Mabou Mines' Dollhouse directed by Lee Breuer. (News report) The talk is one given by Lee Breuer on theatre and is very thought provoking.

 

"Everyone has an idea in their mind on what the show is going to be, everyone has a script in their head… the bad guys are going to die, the good guy is going to win, the couple will be together etc etc…  You think you are paying money to see my show? No! You are paying money to see YOUR show!"

 

"What is important in theatre is surprise… When you are driving you can drive with half of your mind shut down. However when a dog suddenly runs across the road you become very alert, because you are surprised. An activity which only uses thousands of brain neurons suddenly requires millions of neurons. That is what I want! I want my audience to watch my shows with millions and tens of millions of neurons!"

 

Yup, as I said, life needs surprises once in a while. If not, you are not using your brain. =P

 

Beijing Ren shows the decadence of an once rich family (in Beijing) to total breakdown. The characters inside were all under the 'control' of money and society and were unable to pursue that they really wanted. They were wondering what is the meaning of living this way. All these are in stark contrast with mankind's ancestor (those cavemen), Peking Man or Beijing Ren, who lives simply, without guile and worries.

 

Actually the theme of Beijing Ren is also quite similar with that of Dollhouse, in which all characters are 'controlled' by a predominant male society like dolls/puppets, which in the end, leads to a tragedy. (Of course the director treat this old 1879 tragedic play the comedic way, which is another discussion for another day.)

 

Getting out of the stories, aren't we all also like puppet dancing to the strings of society and money?? Which of our action are really our own? Why do I want to study engineering? Why do you want to be nice to me, or your family, or your colleagues? Why can't I say or do what I want? WHY???

 

Can we live like our ancestors, the innocent and free Beijing Ren ?

 

*************

 

Sunday, yesterday, I can't help myself and bought another book on impulse. As you see, the title of the book is very attractive (to me at least): How to Cheat at Everything, A Con Man Reveals the Secrets of the Esoteric Trade of Cheating, Scams, and Hustles by Simon Lovell. Attractive har? =P

 

I will share with you this little trick I found in the book which you can use to cheat your friends and family. =)

 

Shuffle a deck of cards. Tell your friend that the two of you will take turns turning over the card. The first one who turn over a picture cards loses. Suggest betting on it, as big as possible, since you can't lose!

 

Whenever you turn over a card peek at it before you turn it over. Don't hide this, in fact make it quite obvious. If it is not a picture card, turn it over.

 

Carry on with the game. If your friend turn over a picture, you win. But what if you peek a picture before they got one?

 

If you peek a picture card simply place it face down onto the pile and peek the next card – if this is a picture card place it face down on top of the first. Keep doing this until you reach and non picture card and turn it face up.

 

Your friend, disconcerted by this, will reach for other face down cards and flip them over. He can claim you cheat all he wants but you still win the bet.

 

You see, he turned them face up, not you!

 

Be prepared to run at this point!

 

*************

 

Life is simply enjoyable. =)

 

 

An inspiration story (in inverted commas)

 

"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. "

 

"Intuition is really a sudden immersion of the soul into the universal current of life."

 

"When you want something with all your heart, that's when you are closest to the Soul of the World. It's always a positive force."

 

Quotes from The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, my favourite story book.

 

 

*************

 

Yesterday, I travelled to Yishun to a very rare shop in Singapore, again. The shop is a good 15 mins walk from the MRT station. I found the very rare shop on a friend's instruction the day before, and bought a software needed for my FYP which I wanted to learn during this holiday. However, to my dismay, when I reached home and tested the software, it doesn't work on my comp. It is a 64bit software while my comp is a 32bit system. I need to get the 32bit version of the software.

 

So there I was, walking back to the shop from the MRT station, wanting to exchange the CD, with great reluctance. The red afternoon sun was burning hot, and I was sweating like hell. Still, I was determined to get the software. But, when I reached there...

 

The shop was closed.

 

I was hot and sweating and dejected. I walked past the bus stop on my way back and on a strange whim, boarded the first bus that comes which seems to go in the direction of the MRT station. Since the top front of the TIBS bus showed "YISHUN INTERCHANGE", I am quite confident that I made the right decision.

 

I was wrong.

 

The bus turned away from the direction of the MRT and looped until God knows where for 20-30 mins. One word comes into my mind: 'Sianzzz...', followed by a string of other words as the journey got longer and longer, which I shan't write here, but you get the idea.

 

In the end, just when I was wondering how long more the bus is going to loop, I had came back to the original place where I boarded the bus, and through the window I saw the shop was open again! So I got off the bus and exchanged the CD gratefully.

 

By then, the sun isn't so hot anymore, so I walked happily back to the MRT station. And by the time I reached the station, rain came pouring down to cool the land. And I breathed in a breathful of cool fresh air.

 

A good day for me, yesterday. =)

 

 

 

Moral of the story 1:

 

When in doubt, just get on any bus you want. Eventually you will still reach your destination, even if you have to walk to get there. =P

 

 

Moral of the story 2:

 

Do whatever you want to do when it is sunny. It will rain in the end, and by that time, it is too late.  

 

Oops I did it again.

I will say what I did at the end of the entry. Anwz here are some updates. I've been doing...

 

Report. And, last week has been hell.

 

What happened is this. My IA tutor told us during his last visit months ago that we can hand in our IA report one week after the end of attachment. So, I've been taking my own sweet time slowly typing, relak relak, entertaining my cousin and her husband from Malaysia, strolling along Singapore River with my dad while they are watching Phantom etc etc. UNTIL my tutor called last Monday and told us that we have to hand in by last Friday, no extension possible 'cos he's going on leave after Monday.

 

I panicked.

 

I worked like mad to complete my report until I finished what I wanted to write on Wednesday night. Word count: Ten Thousand One Hundred and Forty-Two. For the past week, have been getting headaches for the first three days and feeling extreme fatigue for the entire duration of the week, even until yesterday. Downed 3 Panadol and 2 bottles of Chicken Essence.

 

Almost died. Haha!

 

 

At least now I came back to life, and the movies I have been watched during the weekends are...

 

Pirates of the Caribbean and Next. My review is this: 

 

Pirates kinda sucks. I yawned countless times in the movie. I even thought the director is trying to change it into an arthouse film. And this time, our favourite Captain Jack Sparrow has became a supporting cast. A little bit disappointing. Maybe my bad review is due to the fact that I was watching alone and I was very tired on that day (Friday afternoon). But coincidentally Zao Bao's review also gave it 2 stars, which is VERY lousy. So, if you haven't watched it, you know what to expect and so you will find it better than expected. =) Btw don't wait for the scene after the credits. It is not worth it. (Made me more disappointed. Haha!)

 

On the other hand, Next, which I watched on Sat with a friend, is much better! (Maybe it is because I don't have such high hopes for it.) The story is about a magician (Nicholas Cage) who has the ability of knowing his future 2 mins in advance and how he helps FBI stops a nuclear terrorist group. Story is by Philips K Dick (author of Minority Report), who is one of my favourite authors. The ending is... debatable. Zao Bao gives 3.5 stars. Not a must watch. But a good watch. =)

 

 

Currently I'm reading...

 

The Witch of Portobello and Fables.

 

The Witch is a new book from my favourite author Paulo Coelho. It is a story about the life of a woman called Athena, whom had been murdered at the start of the story... Hmmm... Haha! I'm still trying to figured out what has happened. Anw it has been as inspiring as ever. Nice!

 

The Fables is a graphic novel (story by Bill Willingham) series about a group of fairy tales characters (such as Snow White, Big Bad Wolf, Prince Charming etc) who had escape the destruction of their homelands and came to live among us a long time ago. The way the characters are portrayed is very fresh and interesting. Eg. Prince Charming is a man who can't stand marriages and had since divorced Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. (Singying, thanks for the recommendation! =) Highly recommended. (Though be warned that it contains adult themes that may not be suitable for those who haven't reach 21. Hmmm... SY, have u reached 21? Haha!) 

 

Hmmm I've also reread Little Prince halfway before I got hooked by the Witch. The absurbity of grown-ups... Must keep in mind to remain young at heart. =P

 

 

I've been playing...

 

Lastknights and Bomberman!

 

Lastknights is the all time favourite in the office. Bomberman is the new favourite. Play against your fellow colleagues using the same keyboard for endless joy and laughter! 

 

http://www.addictinggames.com/pyromasters.html

 

There are other games in http://www.addictinggames.com/ too! Feel free to try if you are VERY free. The perfect time killer. Boxhead is another favourite in the office. http://www.addictinggames.com/boxheadmorerooms.html 

 

 

I want to watch...

 

Fantastic Four, Shrek 3, and Wong Kar Wai's Dream (theatre show by Finger Players)

 

Khakis needed! Anw I dunno what Wong Kar Wai's Dream is about. All I know is ... Wong Kar Wai is one of my favourite directors. Finger Players is the theatre company who did 0501. A friend is working as a crew inside. That is why I want to watch. Details: Tickets - S$50, S$40, S$30, S$20. Student 20% discount. 13 - 15 Jun. Drama Centre. 8pm.  Anyone for any of the shows above? =)

 

 

Time to reveal what I did again....

 

I scratched my dad's car again for the xth time. (Lost count liao.)

 

I've no problem on the road, being one with the car, crusing through like a wind. But when it comes to parking, I'm damned careless. Haiz...

 

There is one thing I love about my dad: He always forgives my mistakes... without making a big fuss out of it. (That is where he is different from my mum. =P The scratch will cost hundreds to repair.) For that, I'm grateful.  Thanks dad! =)

 

(I'm not that innocent.)

 

P.S. But I don't think he will send it for repair la. He didn't repair the past 2 times also. =P

 

 

Today is a happy day, because...

... I finally got my broadband... because I received my GST Offset Package ($300, woohoo!)... because the series of comics I reserved arrived (Fables)... because I'm finally making some headway into my IA report (I've gathered 6 other reports as reference =P)... because my IA is ending (16 working days to go!)... because the work now is less stressful... because I've a group of friends around me who are also very cheerful and happy (due to the previous 2 reasons I guess =)...

 

Hmmm... actually the news nowadays are quite depressing, good people died for no good reasons... woman killed by fallen raintree while jogging, 2 visiting Singaporean soldiers who were in a storeroom at the base were killed in a jet crash, etc etc. But I guess although the news themselves are sad, they are telling us to be happy precisely. Life is so unpredictable - you can leave this world anyime, and sometime it will be a time when it is most unexpected. Life is limited - you don't live forever. So, while you are living, do whatever you want, enjoy whatever you like, be happy and live life to the fullest. This is the best tribute to those who left us for another world.

 

I found this phrase from a novel I'm reading currently:

 

"You are not dead. Yet you are not alive either."

 

Does this sounds familiar? Sometime I really feel that way. This is worst than feeling sad or depressed. Lucky I don't feel this way nowadays. These days I tried hard to make everyone around me feel happy whenever I can, ie, giving life to other people. I guess if I'm going to open my Shop in the future, I've gotta start living out my life philosophy. So everyone,

 

CHEER UP, ENJOY AND BE HAPPY! =P

 

Seduction Style

A brief summary of what happened on Saturday

I went MAAD (Market of Artists And Designer) together with a friend. Review: Feels good =). Of particular interest is a Stall of Poets. You just give them your name and a word, they will write a poem impromptu and you can come back and collect in 10-15 mins and pay any amount you like. I gave them 'Jiefeng' and 'Magic'.

 

*15 mins later*

 

I got back an envelope, type-written (yes, they used those obsolete type-writers):

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

      

 

                  it's a         kind of magic

 

                                                                  jia feng

                                                                 .............

 

 

 

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

(Yes, they spelled my name wrongly, and there is no stamp.) I paid them $5, for mine and my friend's, and left.

 

 

Then we went Raffles City, ate Roti Plata with Egg and Roti Plata with Cheese and Sausage, bought copy of Daily Bugle (the newspaper is owned by Peter Parker's boss) at $1, a Neil Gaiman story book titled Coraline at a comic shop, and saw a very interesting wine glass in another shop. The label on the glass reads:

 

 

'A MAN IS INCOMPLETE UNTIL HE IS MARRIED...

 

THEN HE IS FINISHED.'

 

 

 *Pondering...* (Should I complete myself? ) Hmmm... Haha! =P

 

Then there is still time, so we went CHIMES for a walk, admiring the architecture abit, before we went Victoria Theatre for the production, 0501.

 

 

The Front of House was dark, and there is eerie sound effect. Big glass jars lies on the floor, small lighted light bulbs in side the jars, wires all over the floor and ceilings.

 

We were greeted by a usher and were told that we still can't go into the theatre yet, later we will be shown where is the entrance, meanwhile we can take a look at the installation art... (Met Xiangbin, Jingwen and their bunch of TTP friends while we were hanging around outside the theatre.)

 

The show / experience began there and then, the moment you reach the theatre, even before you go into it, and it felt like we were going for Fright Night. You felt expectant, wondering what the show is about, and abit scared even. It is, for the lack of a better word, interesting!

 

Then it is time and the usher lead us out of the Front of House, round the side of the theatre, and entered through the back door. And we found ourselves on the stage! (Ok, strictly speaking it is the backstage, with the cyclorama rolled up, so the backstage and the stage is merged into one.) We sat on the stools provided, facing the cushioned seats. All around us are metal tins hanging on ropes from the top. Inside are our program booklets. (Ok, it is not booklets. It is just big sheets of paper rolled up.) In front and behind us are strange installations, cage, stacks of fans, platforms and a dog (real one), with the actors doing their respective stuffs. Minutes later, the dim lights went faded out, one actor abruptly pull a rope and all the metal tin buckets with their program booklets rise up. The show started.

 

(Hmmm... I did say I this entry is a brief summary, didn't I? Okok, I will keep it short.)

 

The show ended. Lights up. One actor in front gestured to us, inviting us to walk down the stage and exit by the entrance. (Only after he gestured a few time then we managed to realize he wanted us to leave...)

 

What I think of the show? It is abstract, beautiful, thought provoking, extreme immersing, dream-like, unique. An experience. Nice. I know you will like it. Too bad you didn't watch it.

 

A fulfilling Saturday. Satisfied. =)

 

 

P.S. Sorry sisters. Can’t meet up with you gals yesterday. My fault.

 

P.P.S. For those interested to know what is between 'The show started' and 'The show ended', you can look at my friend's blog entry, though I believe it is such an experience that it can never be expressed through words. (Actually is I'm lazy. Haha! =P) 

 

P.P.P.S. For those interested to know what is inside the poet's envelope, it is this:

 

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

ILLUSIONS

                              delusions

                                                 magic

 

         capture

                            mesmerize

                                            dazzle

                                                         lie  to  me

 

 

                                                 MAGIC!

 

 

i  want  to  believe  your  tricks

                                                                           when  make  yourself  disappear…

                                                                                                      it’s

 

                                                                               magic!!!!

 

 

         let  me  see  that  act

                                                where  you  cut  me  to  pieces

                                                                                        magic!!!

 

                                                          i am whole again.

 

 

         flowers  churn  from  your  hat

                                                          birds

                                                                          emerge  from  your

                                                                                                       empty

                                                                                                                 hands

 

 

                                                                              magic!!!

 

 

 

                   `                   i stand in awe

 

                                                                           you

                                                                           great

                                                                           magician

 

 

 

 

                                                                 magic!!!

 

 

 

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

Nice!

 

 

Updates

It has been a long time since I blogged (and this time yet again is under the effect of caffeine =). The reason is because there is nothing much to blog about. Just working, reading comics and novels (currently Smokes and Mirrors and Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman, and Bleach), sleep. Recently feeling kinda VERY tired after wor, despite the Boss has gone Taiwan again, his remote control is still as strong and we frequently have to work overtime til 7pm. Haiz... sianz. But it more relaxing during office hours la. Have been playing a village building game on the internet. It has spread like a virus and became the craze of the office nowadays - a very fun game!  =) You can try it too if you are feeling very bored. This is the site: http://s3.travian.com

 

Anw the highlights so far...

 

Ever since I stated that I want to watch more theatre performances in my entry long long ago, I've almost watched one every weekend... namely 《暗恋桃花源》, 《黄城夜韵》, Titoudao, and last week 《我们的歌大家唱》.

 

Actually 《我们的歌大家唱》is not really a theatre performance, and I didn't watch it either. It is mass sing-along session held in the National Stadium (whose targeted audience is middle aged people), and I was selling food and drinks in the midst of the audience as a free labour mobile food seller! Why am I doing this? Because of the damned lamp post that I borrowed for hall production la! I don't know why every year hall production sure got park scene one, and I have to borrowed that lamp post for 2 consecutive years! And now I gotta repay the debt with my sweat. Argh!

 

But it is fun la! Met quite a few old friends from JC days, made quite a few new friends from The Theatre Practice (in short TTP, the show company I helped, and I borrowed lamp post from) too. Hmmm I guess next time it will be even easier for me to borrow that stupid lamp post. =P Anw I didn't exactly leave empty handed that day. At least got a free food and drinks and TTP T-Shirt. Hehe.

 

There is one peculiar incident that happened that night. We worked until around 11pm that night, it was raining hard, and my friends all went back to TTP in a lorry. I was kinda at a loss on how to get back home. In the end I just hopped on a stranger's (she is from TTP, thought she was a JC student but turns out that she is one year older than me and has been working for 4 years as a teacher! An awkward + strange + interesting experience, taking a stranger's family car...) dad's car, took a ride to Bishan, and took a train home. Then just as I reached the lift of my flat, a family of 5 also came in at the same time... the eldest daughter was wearing the same TTP shirt as me... and that family is living just one apartment from me, on the same level! It is so... qiao3! (Shit, don't know the equivalent in English.) Turns out that she was doing CIP for her sec school, NYGH. Well... made another 'friend' (if a neighbour that you just exchanged 2 sentences despite living beside each other for years can be consider as friend).... =)

 

Haha... Actually I am just rambling on things that no one will really be interested in (just like my 《暗恋桃花源》entry), so I guess I better don't go on with the summary of Titoudao and 《黄城夜韵》. Just wanted to write something, hee (damned the effect of Mocha Frappe =P). 

 

There is another thing that is of notable interest to me (most probably not to you). I finally bought HSBC Chinese Growth Fund after all these months! Felt guilty that I didn't do any in-depth research on it.  I just read the graph - after one month of down-slope (triggered by the market correction), the graph is finally continuing with its trend of up-slope for the past 5 years - then I told myself, 'Jiefeng, cannot procrastinate anymore, Just Do It!' So I just clicked the 'Buy Order' button at POEMS website, paid the lump sum using EPS at a ATM I passed by after work, and Woalaa! I got the units after 3 days, at $35.68/unit. Kinda exciting, like playing game, except it is using real money. Hopefully my instinct was right! Huat ah! =P  (Actually I'm lucky that I did procrastinate for a few months before I bought the fund. If I bought a few months earlier, I would have ganna the downslope! Heng ah! Haha!)

 

Back to my 'theatrical education' topic. Next week will be watching 0501 produced by the Finger Players. Looking forward to it. Hmmm maybe I might shun bian visit the MAAD Market before the show... heard of it from an advertisement in Arts Central (yupyup, I've been watching Arts Central since I have nothing to do most of the time during weekdays' nights), that place sounds interesting. =P And Good Friday is in next week!!! It will be a great week ahead!

 

Happy April Fools! =)

 

 

P.S. Just received a sms from my colleague telling me to bring my hard drive tmr as he already got Command and Conquer... It is going to be a very good week ahead. =)

 

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Shop

Recently, I've been thinking about what I want to do when I graduate. Strangely I don't find being an engineer very appealing to me, despite that is what I've been studying for for the past 24 years, minus the time when I'm not studying. (I guess that left only about 1 year. =P)

 

There are only two kinds of profession in this world - The first are those that maintain and improve our way of life, eg. engineers, doctors, accountants, lawyers, etc. The second are those that give life to our way of life, eg. actors, writers, musicians, artists, philosophers etc.

 

I feel that, in my blood, I belong to the second category.

 

And I wanted to be a shopkeeper.

 

My shop will be situated on a very stylish and lively street, or in a secluded and peaceful corner of a very lively shopping centre. The keyword is 'lively', the place doesn't matter. The interior will be either brightly lit, to give a happy and lively feeling; or dimly lit, to give a magical and mysterious atmosphere; or both. I've yet to decide. Outside the shop, carved artistically on a wooden board or an acrylic, will be the name of my shop: 

 

 

INTEREST(h)INGS

Ideas, Inspirations, Imaginations

 

 

And the things you find in my shop, you won't find somewhere else. At the left side of my shop will be the shelves, on which beautiful bottles of various shapes, sizes, colors are displayed. On the front of the bottles will be pasted with nicely designed labels:

 

|-----------------------------------------------|

|      Bottled Happiness       |     

|      (Just add hot water)        |

|-----------------------------------------------|

 

Of course there will be other bottles like 'Bottled Love' and 'Bottled Dreams' etc.

 

Actually what is inside the bottle is a piece of colored dry ice cube. For those who never play with dry ice before, I promise you that it will be fun. =) Behind the bottle will be a line from my year one hall production script -

 

"Whether you can hold it, or not, it is up to you."

 

=)

 

Bottled ? is just one of my pet products. There are other products also. The shelf next to the Shelf of Bottles will be the Shelf of Ideas and Inspirations. The shelf will be packed with A4 size envelopes, each level is differently categorized: Stories, Arts, Music, Inventions, Business. Each category will again divide into sub-categories, eg. Stories -> Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Triller, Love, War, Short Story etc etc.

 

Inside the envelopes will contain papers where there are ideas or inspirations for its respective category. Each envelope will have a different price, ranging from 50 cents to a few hundred dollars, depending on how inspiring it is. Let say you randomly take a $20 envelope from the Invention - Mechanical section, this is what you will find inside:

 

 

                                                                                   ***********************

 

Hi, You Who Are At A Loss Of What To Invent,

 

Have you ever thought about what is the most troublesome dish on a dinner table? That's right! It is a plate of prawns that have their irritating shells on! Imagine how much you will earn if you manage to invent some simple and elegant device to remove their shells! Here is what you need to get started - 3 possible ways how a Prawn Shell Remover could work:

 

*Some very hazy diagrams and very vague explanations*

 

Well, this is it! Hope that you will be inspired, and successful in inventing it, and earn big bucks! Btw if you haven't read the Terms and Conditions in small print at the back of the envelope, you might want to read them now. Good luck!

 

Regards,

The Shopkeeper

 

************************

 

Yup, behind the envelopes:

 

Terms and Conditions

1. Once opened considered sold. No refund.

2. Five percent of profits from the product inspired by information contained inside this envelope will be given to the Shopkeeper. Hehe.

3. Each idea will only sell to you and you alone. However, if the idea doesn't develop into a product in 2 years, the Shopkeeper reserves the right to sell the idea to another person. 

 

 

My target customers will range from primary school kids who don't know what to write for their composition, poly students who don't what to do for their project, to established artists, musicians, professors etc who are looking for inspirations for their next breakthrough. =)

 

 

Let me continue with the layout of my shop. Besides the Shelf of Bottles and the Shelf of Ideas and Inspirations, is the Shelf of Surprises. On the shelf will be boxes of assorted shapes and sizes, all wrapped up nicely. There will be a range of prices, but you will never know that is inside. It will be all random randomness. It may be a lucky clover leaf, or a little hand-made bookmark, or an art sculpture, or a brass puzzle, or a board game you have never played before, or a pair of tickets to a play you will never have thought to watch. All you know is that, the things inside will be an interesting novelty which can't be found easily elsewhere.

 

For people who wants a little surprise in their life. =)

 

 

And that's all for the shelves on the left. At the end of the shop, there will be a display counter, behind which there is a man, and behind which there are more shelves. Who is the man? He will be a magician cum trickster. In the display counter and on the shelf will be bags of tricks, magical devices, strange contraptions, poker cards, wands and books of magic. Here you will be able to learn the secrets of mind reading, spoon bending, levitation, misdirection, transformation of objects etc etc. ...little miracles that brighten up your life and the life of others around you.

 

On the right will be another counter, quite a big one, and that is where The Shopkeeper, which is me, will be. And guess what, I'll be selling coffee - mocha, latte, cappuccino, frappe etc etc! Haha! All coffees will be served with double shots unless the customer requests otherwise. At the center of the shop will be tables and chairs, for people to chill out, read magazines, chit-chat, relax, discuss, brainstorm, and think of world changing ideas (with the help of my double shots coffees, of course =P). And once in a while, when he feels like it, the in-house magician will go around and amaze the customers with his little walkaround magic. I guess pple in this stressful country needs to be amazed once in a while. =)

 

Yup that's all. So what do you think of my shop? Anyone wants to invest? LOL!

 

 

Trivia

A caffeine rush never fails to make me want to blog. Tried Belgian Chocolate Ice Blended instead of the usual The Ultimate at Coffee Bean. Damned sweet, but it's rich. Nice. =)

 

Anwz today's entry will be ramblings as usual. It will start off with a little piece of trivia and end off with a little piece trivia.

 

(Don't worry, they are not the same trivia. Though I originally intend to make it so. Hee. =P)

 

Trivia Number 1

Have you ever wondered what the piece of rectangle on your laptop, which allows you to move the cursor using your finger, is called, and how it works? I've been musing on the above questions during one of my fits of 'boredness' at the office. I tried rubbing the rectangle of my company's laptop with a rubber, my wallet's leather, and a small cute furry Australian 'Hugging Kola Bear' (whose is hugging a stick of glue). The rubbings might had excite / stimulate the Kola Bear, but they sure didn't make the cursor move. And I wondered why. So, I did a little research today, and here's the answer:

 

The rectangle is called a Touchpad, and it works by sensing the changes in capacitance created when your finger touches the pad. Put simply (as I understand it), the touchpad is made of a conducting metal grid (determining location) covered by a non-conducting plastic membrane. Your finger / body is a (grounded) conductor. If you know your physics well, 2 conductors separated by a thin non-conductor causes charge built-up, and that charge difference between the conductors is called capacitance. And the Touchpad senses the change in capacitance on the metal grid as your finger moves around, and moves the pointer accordingly.

 

Kola Bears (toy ones) doesn't work because they are insulators. Try metals, they works (given enough surface area).

 

I tried explained this to some pple. They gave me the 'Human body is conductor meh?' look. Then I would give them the 'Ya hor. Why har?' look. Afterall human body isn't exactly made of metal, isn't it? So, I did a little research, and hence, I present to you, Trivia Number 2!

 

Trivia Number 2

Actually the answer is very simple (I've just forgotten it). Given enough voltage, current can pass through almost anything, even insulator. Strictly speaking, materials ain't exactly divided into conductor or insulator (or semiconductor, for those who are engineers). Conductivity isn't so black and white, there are a range of greys in between. Human body is less conductive than conductors like metals, but is more conductive than insulators like plastics/ceramics - somewhere in the middle of the spectrum... but still, it conducts current in that situation nevertheless , so, human body is a conductor.

 

Frankly speaking, I hate grey areas. That's why semiconductor is one of my most lousy subjects. T_T

 

 

《暗恋桃花源》

Watched 《暗恋桃花源》, directed by Stan Lai (赖声川), last Saturday with 2 friends and a bunch of strangers (friends' friends). The play is damned good. Tech is good. Effect is good. Story is good. Style is good. 3 hours long, 3 hours of pure enjoyment (except for a few parts which is a little boring). The story goes like this:

*Spoilers Alert! *

The setting is 1940s, in the war-torn Shanghai, under the moonlight. A loving couple, 江滨柳 & 云之凡 is about to be separated. 之凡 is leaving for her hometown together with her family for a few months. Here, lovebirds promised to keep in touch and pledged their undying love for each other forever blah blah blah... (This is the boring part.)

At the end of the scene, an disgruntled old man, the director, comes onto the stage complaining to the 2 actors that they didn't get the feel right. ("云之凡不是这样的，她就像一朵纯洁的白色山茶花..." To which the frustrated actress replied, "导演，山茶花怎么演啊???") It turns out that they are rehearsing for a tragic play called 《暗恋》. At this point, strange props and pple starts coming onto the stage. Another drama group has booked the theatre for rehearsal that same night! ( 滨柳 :" 怎么这样？为了这出剧我推掉了《白色巨塔》leh!" ) So the director went off angrily to find the manager, and this other group begins rehearsing for their comedic play, 《桃花源》.

(Meanwhile, a mysterious woman was looking high and low for a guy called 刘子骥, which no one in both drama group knows.)

The setting is ancient China, in a house. This couple is unhappy with each others. The guy, a loser fisherman, who manage to catch only small fishes, suspects his wife is committing adultery with his landlord, which she is. To keep a long story short, the fisherman left the house in anger after a big quarrel to go to the dangerous upstream to catch big fishes, while the wife and the landlord happily stay in the house and do whatever they want to do. 

Then is back to 《暗恋》. (A cock assistant 小胖 in 《桃花源》sent its next scene's backdrop to Malaysia, so, cannot they continue.)

滨柳, now married, old and dying, is lying on his bed in a hospital in modern Taiwan. (He immigrated there years ago) After all these years, he still cannot forget 之凡 even though he already has wife and kids. He found out that 之凡  has also came to Taiwan many many years ago, so he puts a notice in the newspaper, hoping that she will see that article and see him one last time... 

Then is back to《桃花源》. The fisherman rowed his boat upstream and encountered a big storm. (Here is where all the impressive effects came in: smoke, lightning, and fisherman flying here and there (using steel wire)! ) At the end of the journey, he reached a Paradise, where red petals falls non-stop (really non-stop for 15-20mins!); cows, horses and other animals roam freely (pple in animal costumes, damn cok! =P). There he met his wife and the landlord look-alikes (the inhabitants of the paradise), who keep telling him to relax... relax.. relax...

Suddenly, there is a blackout.  小胖 had cut the main wire in an attempt to stop the other group from rehearsing... ermm... (Haha!) Ganna screwed, and so, he say he'll repair it during...

---------  Intermission  --------- 

After intermission, the 2 groups, unhappy with the progress they are making, decide to divide the stage into half and rehearsal separately. However they keep interfering with each other and the result is utter and complete confusion. (This s the most hilarious part. =) In the end, they decide rehearse one by one.

《桃花源》: The fisherman, now a very serene and peaceful person (after hearing people kept telling him to relax non-stop), decides to go back and bring his wife and landlord to the Paradise after a few days against advice. However, it turns out that many years have passed in the real world, and his wife and landlord've already married with kids (though they are also unhappy with each other). At first they thought the fisherman is a ghost ("那里有牛，有马..." "哇! 牛头马面!!!"), then when they are convinced he's still alive, they thought he's crazy and refused to believe him...

...leaving the poor fisherman alone in the real world...  

(And for those of you who have read the original 陶渊明 's《桃花源记》, you'll know that the fisherman will never find his way back to the Paradise again.)

《暗恋》: 之凡  , now old and also married, eventually came to visit 滨柳. There, they found out that Fate has played a trick with them. In the vast China, they have managed to meet each other and fall in love in Shanghai despite living in different parts of China. Yet, in the (comparatively) small Taiwan, they were kept from each other despite that they both immigrate there soon after they separated... In the end,  之凡  left, went back to her family, leaving 滨柳 with his. Here, sorrows and regrets lingered in the air...

This is the end of the rehearsal. Both groups congratulate each other, pack up and leave the theatre happily. All left.

Except for the mysterious woman, who is still searching for her equally mysterious beloved, 刘子骥.

--------- The End  ---------

 

It is simply a good show. Spectacular effects, comedy/tragedy contrast, extremely funny scripting aside, it has one thing that I feel all good shows should have - it is thought-provoking.

And it really provoked quite a variety of thoughts:

'Many things in this world are elusive - you will never get it no matter how much you chase / want it. You gotta 面对现实.' (Mine.)

'Stan Lai is encouraging Taiwan to merge back with China.' (My mum's, who didn't watch the show.)

'The 2 directors in the play are being 虚伪, cos they are presenting a story abt one trying to find something/someone, yet they turned a blind eye to the woman who is really trying to find someone...' (Overheard when I was leaving the theatre.) 

'Love is about... ... ... ...' (A friend's blog.)

 

A good show. No wonder it is in its fifth or sixth re-runs since its first debut 20 over years ago. For those who didn’t watch, wait for next re-run ba. =)

 

P.S. For those who don't know who's 刘子骥, read the original《桃花源记》.