about me
I have a certified license in driving people up walls. And when I'm not busy trying (not) to do that, I blog. read more>>
-
Chess In Concert 2009 (this ain’t a review, though.)
posted March 3, 2010 12:22 am
Let me ramble a little bit about my current muse.
I have not watched many musicals to date. I have not watched Cats, and Joseph & The Technicolour Dreamcoat. As far as my geekiness is concerned, in the musicals genre, I’m pretty much just a kitten growing her little claws.
But when I first watched Chess in Concert, I had my mind blown.
To smithereens.
Tim Rice is a lyrical genius. If his name sounds familiar to you, he was the one who wrote Evita. Jesus Christ Superstar. And all the Lion King songs. And Aladdin. He holds 3 Oscars.
Let’s talk about the performers.
There was Idina Menzel, who was fantastic.
Idina Menzel, who played Florence. I thought she looked better in the coat.
Adam Pascal was nothing short of amazing.
If I made a list of Top 100 Sexy Villians Of All Time, he’d be somewhere on top. His display of arrogance as the American chess player makes it desirable to be arrogant.
Oh, and Marti Pellow.
He couldn’t have played a better Arbiter. Hotness.
And then there’s Josh Groban.
Oh, Josh, Josh Groban.
He is the reason the closing of Act One is bordering orgasmic. I have watched that part over and again at least a hundred times.
Josh Groban plays Sergievsky, the protagonist Russian chess player.
So, okay. He’s a less experienced actor than Menzel. Or Pascal.
But he’s talented. And gorgeous.
That frown, those eyes. That voice.
The perfect lethal combination to murder.
*
I wish there was a version of this post where I don’t sound so much like a screaming fan girl in flutterbies.
le happy sigh.
*photo credits: http://www.chessinconcert.com/
Tagged: , films
-
Top 10 Mentionworthy Things Of The Moment
posted March 2, 2010 11:53 pm
simply because i like lists.
10. The minty feeling after mouthwash.
9. Post rain breeze.
8. 248kbps download. I know!
7. The healthy crisp feeling after eating loads of fresh fruits & vegetables
6. Spending time goofing off with my brother(’s hair) (and pillows).
5. An unblocked nose.
4. Full ability to enjoy a full yawn after weeks of hyperventilating
3. Closing act of Chess In Concert [2009] Act One.
2. Josh Groban’s deep, deep frown. Heaven help my heart.
1. Laughter & stuff from a great time at #YouthAsia Greatitude session. Thanks, lovelies.
Last watched: Chess In Concert [2009]Tagged: , grace in small things, health, lists, work
-
dear jonka86
posted March 1, 2010 11:50 pm
This is the terms & conditions you’re looking for.
You shall take the person who taught you how to tweet / use twitter out for lunch/dinner if:
1) She sent you your first DM
2) You RTed her
3) Her Twitter username is joanneliyengFailure to comply may result in loads of harrassment. ;p
Tagged:
-
just when you’ve picked it all up to run down the fast lane
posted February 25, 2010 9:03 pm
life throws you a few diseases and reminds you that you’re still human.
slow down, child, you’re not immortal.
Tagged:
-
chronicling the best week of 2010 ever (thus far)
posted February 24, 2010 9:33 pm
Monday.
Finally got back to work after a dreadful long week of being away. Long holidays wear me out quicker than being utterly swamped in loads of work – I remember overworking myself during YOUTH’08, where I had to frantically manage-edit a 60 page magazine, run a convention for 500 people, and assist project director with endless lists of things for the youth festival.. within 2 months. I thought that was the most tiring time of my life. I was wrong. Not doing anything tires me out faster. Was supposed to go somewhere but.. ah, let’s not go there.
I had a conversation with Ross; I blatantly described the one week CNY holiday to be a fling with another man while being on a one-week hiatus with a longtime boyfriend… and when the hiatus ends I run back right into his arms realizing how gripping the pain of being away from him was like.
I sound like a sad workaholic, but I’m loving it.
Tuesday.
Day of Adventures. Met some real awesome people and learned so much – much more than I did in the 3 years spent in University.
Came home tired, but inspired.
And on this day, I discovered the death of my blog, and learned that there was nothing I could do about it than to wait.
Wednesday.
I had to do something about my blog. I had to.
Applied the Khailee Ng theory (or rather something I learned from him) – I simply refused to believe that there really was nothing I could do about it. Applied the Joel Neoh theory (or rather something I observed from him) – I stretched all limbs and did whatever it took to get it back up. Applied the Dad theory (or rather something he’s been drilling into my head for the past 24 years) and kept my focus on other things to remain emotionally calm (there’s a long, long story behind why this blog had to die in the first place, but let’s not go there).
This revival would not have been possible without Nguyen. And a dude from a hosting company.
Needless to say, the application of the above theories proved to be fruitful. You’d be seeing ‘This Account Has Been Suspended’ or some jingbang like that if it hadn’t.
On top of all that, am extremely grateful for the unbelievable rate of productivity today.
I am blessed with great friends, a great workplace, great colleagues and great relationships with external parties.
I’m loving this life.
Currently listening to: 愛是永恒 - 張學友
Tagged: , appreciation, grace in small things, work
-
it’s cool to be hot
posted February 18, 2010 11:59 pm
Happy Chinese new year everyone!
‘Tis the season to be crazy!
Let me explain.
For starters, the weather has proven to be utterly insane. Takes hours for the air conditioner to cool the room proper. 5 minutes in the car outside and we’re all sweating. Furthermore, that heat patch on my face (it’s actually eczema, and it flares up in the hot sun+sweat) have been misbehaving. I almost had to ask my brother to pin my hands down to stop me from scratching.
Then there’s all the food! Uber flavoured seafood stuff with fancy schmancy Chinese names which the older people grown-ups make us eat multiple portions. ‘Eat more this one, fatt choy means prosperous! This one must take double portion okay, you’ll grow up faster!’
but ma, if i grew anymore you’ll have to break the roof for me. and i won’t fit into your car. and you got to buy me new shoes. and clothes.
I have listened to Groban’s L’ultima Notte way too many times. I can sing the whole song, and not know what the words mean. Except domani tutto finira.
A lot of people have been telling me I need to be extra careful this year, because apparently my Chinese horoscope says I’m in for a lot of bad luck or something. Which doesn’t make any sense to me, because since this is the year of the Tiger and I am a Tiger, shouldn’t I be having home advantage above all other creatures?
AND. Sorry if I sound blasphemous as a Chinese, but I believe I own my own fate. No, fengshui guy, I don’t need to put pears in southeast corners of my house. Or wear orange pink burgundy to scare all the bad juju away.
but I’ve got to say – those horoscope snippets on tv are rather entertaining.
*
anyhoo. taking the cliched approach to sign off (simply because I’m dead tired from today) – enjoy the rest of your holidays, people, and stay away from the junkies… they’re bad for the throat.
Tagged: , festivals
-
dear gran
posted February 6, 2010 8:34 pm
Dear gran,
It’s been four long days. Long, long days.
Most of us are still trying to get used to not seeing you in your chair, or in bed, especially Mom. Though we’re thankful your pain and battle with bodily diseases are finally over… it still doesn’t change the fact that you’re no longer physically with us.
It was painful to see them seal your coffin… and when we all witnessed the flames in action at the crematorium. I can’t decide which was tougher. I have never known such grief. Scattering your ashes in the sea left me with a sense of hollowness. I’m not sure if I felt that before in my entire life.
But one thing’s for sure – we all found solace in each other. Your children held each other tight; my mom, uncles, aunts. Your grandchildren – though, not all of us – collapsed into each others’ arms, and sobbed our hearts out. Your grounded united family values… we’re living them now more than ever.
Yihan and I were talking about how hard it was to see you go. We can’t imagine how it would be like to see the same happening to our parents in the future. That one, though, is for a different worry for a different day.
Through this experience, I have grown a little older.
I found a whole new form of appreciation for the grandaunts I once found hard to relate to. I sat and listened to their fond stories of you growing up. Your mischievous antics which brought life to the family, and how you were always the subject of envy amongst your siblings (so I heard you were the prettiest!) And through all those, too, I have learned that you were a fighter, strong from the inside out.
This is not goodbye. We will see you one day. You’d take us on a tour to the best places back Home where you are now, and knowing your appetite for adventure, I’m sure it’ll be swell.
But for now, I will live my life to its very brim, just like you did. This, I promise you.
We miss you always.
Love,
Liyeng
Currently listening to: Yue Liang - David Tao
Tagged: , appreciation, family
