Jonker Ho

This short video was taken at a community hall at Malacca's Chinatown, Jonker Street. The group of mostly middle-aged women (and a very enthusiastic teenage boy in yellow!) are having a great time dancing to the Slumdog Millionaire song, 'Jai Ho'. They regularly hold weekend dance gatherings which never fails to attract onlookers, particularly tourists who happen to walk by on their way to the night market just outside the hall.

Here fishee fishee fishee

I took this short video of the marine life in Tioman recently. I have to say that the corals and fish here is definitely way more healthy and abundant than in Redang or Perhentian.



Next time, I will take a video of clownfishes aka Nemos.

Disco Clam

This is a giant clam which exhibited 'electrical sparks' running across its body when provoked. We saw it while diving at Lembeh Straits in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. We christened it the Disco Clam.

Top 10 on my iPod

Here's a few of the songs that's been burning a hole through my iPod earphones as well as the car audio speakers lately. While some may be very familiar radio hits of the past few months, there are a few of my personal favourites that have not (yet) become big hits, at least not here in Malaysia. Hope you guys like them.

1. Sweetest Love - Robin Thicke
He is perhaps most well known for his 2007 R&B #1 hit, Lost Without You and he has recently released a follow-up album called Something Else. The first single, Magic was used in promotional spots for the Samsung Soul handphone, but I found the second single Sweetest Love to be even more soulful.




2. My Life Would Suck Without You - Kelly Clarkson
She was embroiled in a very public spat with RCA head Clive Davis over her last album, My December which resulted in a cancelled concert tour and lacklustre sales for an album that many critics found too angry and negative. Well, on her forthcoming album, she seems to have lightened up and even donned some pretty tight and suggestive leather outfits to try and win back some of her fans who felt alienated by her angsty previous work. The first single, My Life Would Suck Without You is a tongue-in-cheek send-up to the powers that be and in this song, she manages to apologise AND give the finger (metaphorically) to Mr Davis. I guess some things never change.




3. Permanent - David Cook
Three months on and everytime I listen to this song I still get the chills. Co written by David Cook, its dedicated to his cancer-stricken brother Adam. Its a very personal song that grips you from the first piano keystroke to the last. The line that gets to me the most

"And so I ask Oh God is there some way for me to take his place
And when they say it’s all touch and go I wish I could make it go away..."




4. I Told You So - Carrie Underwood
And the American Idol bandwagon rolls on. This is the fifth (fifth!) hit single to come out of her sophomore album Carnival Ride. Originally a hit for country legend Randy Travis, Carrie received resounding endorsement from him to rerecord this typical country ditty that yes, if you play it backwards, the guy comes back to the girl and they fall in love again. ;)




5. Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) - Beyoncè
Oh I just love the black and white video of her in leotards and dancing in high heels . I recently found out that one of the backup dancers is actually a man, well, who has since become a erm.. lady, of course. This is a typical example of how a fabulous music video can heighten the appeal of a song and push it into the upper charts stratosphere. There's even a SNL sendup of the video which I blogged about recently.




6. Use Somebody - Kings Of Leon
Kings Of Leon is an American rock band which first achieved fame in Europe before finally gaining critical and commercial success in their home country. They were recently awarded the Best Rock Vocals performance Grammy for their single Sex On Fire and this is the follow-up single which also became a hit particularly in the UK and Australia.



7. Please Don't Leave Me - P!nk
I have always been a fan of her music and and even bigger fan of her music videos. The cheekiness and often dark humour that she portrays in them never fails to entertain your truly. This latest release off the Funhouse album sees her do a Kathy Bates ala Misery in which she exacts grievous revenge on her ex-boyfriend and prevents him from escaping her clutches. An instant classic! Oh, and the song's not half bad either. ;)



8. Stepping Stone - Duffy
Her 'Mercy' was my top song for 2008 and she continues to pull out another gem from her debut album, Stepping Stone to try to reestablish herself in the US. This song is about not allowing herself to be just a stepping stone for someone else and to stand up for herself in life and love. Hear hear!



9. Gravity - Sara Bareilles
A friend of mine was talking to me the other day about loving the one that got away, the one that you would drop everything at the drop of a hat to be at his/her beck and call even after being ignored, spurned, heartbroken or just plain treated badly. Well, every time I hear this song, it always reminds me of that conversation, so Nick, this is dedicated to you. I hope you don't try to kill yourself after hearing this song. :p



10. Bust Your Windows - Jazmine Sullivan
Oooh... hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! Newcomer Jazmine Sullivan does a Carrie Underwood on her two-timing man and collects multiple Grammy nods in the process. Let this be a lesson to all you unfaithful boys. Today's women are empowered and will not hesitate to bust up your pretty little ride if she catches you cheating on her with someone else. Just heed the ancient Chinese saying, "If you want to steal some food, make sure you wipe your mouth clean afterwards". Hehehehe

Like Dance Biscuits

A friend just forwarded this SNL snippet to me on FB and I have been rolling on the floor laughing my guts out for the past hour watching it. Keep a lookout for Justin Timberlake's really "beautiful" smooth legs. Priceless!

Of Thick Worms and Crimson Tides

Last weekend, I had the privilege of attending a play directed by my good friend, Christopher Ling, called The Secret Love Life Of Ophelia at KLPAC. Chris was recently awarded the Anugerah Seri Negara (National Arts Award) Young Talent Award for Theatre Directing and as I have never seen him in action, I was very excited to see his work for the very first time.

I arrived at the theatre at around 8pm and was surprised to see that there was already quite a sizeable crowd in the main hall waiting to see the play. It turns out that that evening's performance was part of a series of plays specially for students of the various performing arts schools in KL. Oh and also because there was the finals of the Radio Idol (Tamil language) competition upstairs. ;)

The play was written by renowned playwright/actor Steven Berkoff and it centres upon the secret correspondence between two (and only two!) characters of Shakespeare's Hamlet, namely Hamlet and his forbidden love, Ophelia. It was charmingly anachronistic in spirit as ye olde English was used throughout the play (...I thank thee for thy generous invitation and would be humbled to hear thee play thy pipe...) even as the two protagonist lived their lives watching DVD movies and checking emails from their laptops.

Both the actors, Sharon Lam and Alfred Loh were relatively new to the theatre scene but I wouldn't have known that as their excellent protrayal of the star crossed lovers had me and the entire audience besotted with the evolution of their passion and lust for each other.

Perhaps the other 'star' of the play was the sexually charged language of the play itself (...my horn doth grow...thy thick worm shall satisfy...), which, to students of Shakespeare wouldn't have been a surprise, but as there were quite a number of teenagers in the audience chaperoned by their Literature teachers, elicited a few sniggers from the boys as a crimson tide invaded the pale shores of the young girls' cheeks.

All in all, I found the play a thoroughly delightful and intelligent production and definitely an eye-opener for me, a kampung boy who hardly ever gets the chance to see a play, let alone a Shakespearean one. Kudos to the cast and crew who managed to stage a very engaging performance that left me thirsty for more. Now if only I can remember where I put that Mel Gibson DVD.....

Don't ask

I've been invited to attend yet another friend's wedding ceremony dinner. While I am all for celebrating my best buddy's most joyous occasion of his life, I dread having to spend an entire evening seated at a table amongst strangers and old acquaintances whom I have not bothered to keep in touch with and vice versa. And since I don't drink, I don't have the luxury of having alcohol to soften the agony of boredom. And then there is the question that all singletons abhor getting at such occasions.

Yes, THE question.

"When is it your turn to get married?"

Gee, I didn't know I had taken a number and joined the line to queue up for my shot at matrimonial bliss. And I think that the person asking is often not that innocent, as he/she is usually implying that since others have succeeded in snagging their life partner, I have somehow failed at one of life's most important tasks.

To add salt to injury, they go on to justify their enquiry by saying, "...you're not getting any younger you know," and smile ever so sweetly, pretty much like how Cruella De Ville would smile when she's pleased with the slaughter of dalmations for her next fur coat.

To which I would answer (had I had the gall, of course),

"Well, you're not getting any younger yourself. So, when is it your turn... to die?"

I am so damned to hell. Mwuahahahaha

Holding Hands

A young Singaporean couple came in this morning for their regular checkup and cleaning. The poor girl was so scared that she insisted her boyfriend stand right next to her and hold her hand while I clean her teeth. You could see the fear and anxiety in her eyes and fidgety body language.

Oh boy.... part of me was touched and filled with all the 'awww...' type of feeling inside, while another part of me was fighting the urge to roll my eyes upwards till it disappears into my skull forever.

The cynical part of me won.

If there's a camel up a hill then it's Gong Li with me when I do

You guys have got to check this one out. Korean Idol wannabe records his version of Mariah Carey's Touch My Body in a way that only his mother (and perhaps Bee Gees in a windy interview) would love. Enjoy!



Here's the actual lyrics to the song for comparison.

I know that you've been waiting for it
I'm waiting too
In my imagination I'd be all up on you
I know you got that fever for me
Hundred and two
And boy I know I feel the same
My temperature's through the roof

If there's a camera up in here
Then it's gonna leave with me
When I do (I do)
If there's a camera up in here
Then I'd best not catch this flick
On YouTube (YouTube)
'Cuz if you run your mouth and brag
About this secret rendezvous
I will hunt you down
'Cuz they be all up in my business
Like a Wendy interview
But this is private
Between you and I

Touch my body
Put me on the floor
Wrestle me around
Play with me some more
Touch my body
Throw me on the bed
I just wanna make you feel
Like you never did.
Touch my body
Let me wrap my thighs
All around your waist
Just a little taste
Touch my body
Know you like my curves
Come on and give me what I deserve
And touch my body.

Boy you can put me on you
Like a brand new white tee
I'll hug your body tighter
Than my favorite jeans
I want you to caress me
Like a tropical breeze
And float away with you
In the Caribbean Sea

If there's a camera up in here
Then it's gonna leave with me
When I do (I do)
If there's a camera up in here

Then I'd best not catch this flick
On YouTube (YouTube)
'Cuz if you run your mouth and brag
About this secret rendezvous
I will hunt you down
'Cuz they be all up in my business
Like a Wendy interview
But this is private
Between you and I

Touch my body
Put me on the floor
Wrestle me around
Play with me some more
Touch my body
Throw me on the bed
I just wanna make you feel
Like you never did.
Touch my body
Let me wrap my thighs
All around your waist
Just a little taste
Touch my body
Know you like my curves
Come on and give me what I deserve
And touch my body.

I'm a treat you like a teddy bear
You won't wanna go nowhere
In the life of luxury
Baby just turn to me
You won't want for nothing boy(Nooo)
I will give you plenty joy

Touch my body
Put me on the floor (throw me on the floor) Wrestle me around
Play with me some more
Touch my body
Throw me on the bed
I just wanna make you feel Like you never did.
Touch my body

Let me wrap my thighs (let me wrap my thighs, around your waist for just a little taste)
All around your waist
Just a little taste
Touch my body

Know you like my curves (I know you like it)
Come on and give me what I deserve (Give me what I deserve babe)
And touch my body.....

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Wishing everyone a very Happy Lunar New Year 2009. Here's hoping that the year of the Ox will bring you bountiful joy, love, peace and prosperity!

Out with the old, in with the new

In a few days time, we will welcome a new Leader of the Free World, Barack Obama. Quite frankly, I am quite relieved to see the current one go, if nothing else, for the multitude of silly remarks and quotes he has uttered throughout his eight years in the Oval Office. The following is a (very incomplete) BBC.com list of what is now known as Bushism. Adios, oh misunderestimated one, we will miss ya... NOT!

ON HIMSELF

"They misunderestimated me."
Bentonville, Arkansas, 6 November, 2000

''I know what I believe. I will continue to articulate what I believe and what I believe - I believe what I believe is right." Rome, 22 July, 2001

"There's an old saying in Tennessee - I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee - that says, fool me once, shame on... shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again."
Nashville, Tennessee, 17 September, 2002

"There's no question that the minute I got elected, the storm clouds on the horizon were getting nearly directly overhead."
Washington DC, 11 May, 2001

"I want to thank my friend, Senator Bill Frist, for joining us today. He married a Texas girl, I want you to know. Karyn is with us. A West Texas girl, just like me."
Nashville, Tennessee, 27 May, 2004

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

"For a century and a half now, America and Japan have formed one of the great and enduring alliances of modern times."
Tokyo, 18 February, 2002

"The war on terror involves Saddam Hussein because of the nature of Saddam Hussein, the history of Saddam Hussein, and his willingness to terrorise himself."
Grand Rapids, Michigan, 29 January, 2003

"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."

Washington DC, 5 August, 2004

"I think war is a dangerous place."
Tokyo, 18 February, 2002

"The ambassador and the general were briefing me on the - the vast majority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world. And we will find these people and we will bring them to justice."
Washington DC, 7 May, 2003

"Free societies are hopeful societies. And free societies will be allies against these hateful few who have no conscience, who kill at the whim of a hat."
Washington DC, 17 September, 2004

"You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror."
CBS News, Washington DC, 6 September, 2006

EDUCATION

"Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?"
Florence, South Carolina, 11 January, 2000

"Reading is the basics for all learning."
Reston, Virginia, 28 March, 2000

"As governor of Texas, I have set high standards for our public schools, and I have met those standards."
CNN, 30 August, 2000

"You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.''
Townsend, Tennessee, 21 February, 2001

ECONOMICS

"I understand small business growth. I was one."
New York Daily News, 19 February, 2000

"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it."
Reuters, 5 May, 2000

"I do remain confident in Linda. She'll make a fine Labour Secretary. From what I've read in the press accounts, she's perfectly qualified."
Austin, Texas, 8 January, 2001

"First, let me make it very clear, poor people aren't necessarily killers. Just because you happen to be not rich doesn't mean you're willing to kill."
Washington DC, 19 May, 2003

HEALTHCARE

"I don't think we need to be subliminable about the differences between our views on prescription drugs."
Orlando, Florida, 12 September, 2000

"Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYN's aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country."
Poplar Bluff, Missouri, 6 September, 2004

TECHNOLOGY

"Will the highways on the internet become more few?"
Concord, New Hampshire, 29 January, 2000

"It would be a mistake for the United States Senate to allow any kind of human cloning to come out of that chamber."
Washington DC, 10 April, 2002

"Information is moving. You know, nightly news is one way, of course, but it's also moving through the blogosphere and through the Internets."
Washington DC, 2 May, 2007

OUT OF LEFT FIELD

"I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully."
Saginaw, Michigan, 29 September, 2000

"Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream."
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, 18 October, 2000

"Those who enter the country illegally violate the law."
Tucson, Arizona, 28 November, 2005

"That's George Washington, the first president, of course. The interesting thing about him is that I read three - three or four books about him last year. Isn't that interesting?"
Speaking to reporter Kai Diekmann, Washington DC, 5 May, 2006

ON GOVERNING

"I have a different vision of leadership. A leadership is someone who brings people together."
Bartlett, Tennessee, 18 August, 2000

"I'm the decider, and I decide what is best."
Washington DC, 18 April, 2006

"And truth of the matter is, a lot of reports in Washington are never read by anybody. To show you how important this one is, I read it, and [Tony Blair] read it."
On the publication of the Baker-Hamilton Report, Washington DC, 7 December, 2006

"All I can tell you is when the governor calls, I answer his phone."
San Diego, California, 25 October, 2007

"I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside this Oval Office."
Washington DC, 12 May, 2008