.
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Sunday, February 28, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
I have absolutely no idea… Part II
Hmmm.. where did I stop… Oh yeah.. to continue with my summary:
3) If he wants to start dating seriously-
This is where things can get a little bit sticky if you cannot / will not / do not handle it carefully. It’s definitely more than a casual affair, and obviously not an ONS (or SNS – several nite stands). You suddenly find yourself having to think what is it you want from him, and vice-versa. Or you think “what the heck, it’s better than nothing”. Then you are in shithouse (read my posting on shithouse / taxi fare).
First time couples will of course find this dating business so euphoric and feel they are on top of the world. Seasoned ones will still feel good about it, but always with some caveats to their true feelings. Cynical partners will say “here we go again”. Timid ones will be full of doubts, just as the brave ones will think nothing of it at all.
So what should you do?
I can’t speak for everyone. One size doesn’t fit all. Some are slim and svelte, other are plain obese and flabby. But that is the point, isn’t it? You need to KNOW what you want out of it all, and what the OTHER person expects. But, take that step if you will, for you won’t know what lies ahead anyway. If you want to play it safe, then just sit at home and whine to all and sundry who wants to listen. Or go and live some life.
Dating is also the time you need to think a bit more seriously about the things you have been doing before he / she / they come along. And also the things you have to do from now on. If you are dating more than one person, then you have to let each one know of the existence of the other. It’s only fair. You’d want to know if that other person is also seeing someone else, right?
By the way, dating does NOT mean you’d be having sex. I mean, sex is optional. With ONS (or SNS) you screw more than you talk. With affairs, you get to at least hear his voice during conversations. But with dates, you finally see that he has two eyes, two ears, two hands, some brains, and perhaps (usually) two testicles. Sex is a bonus, not a right in dates.
(..to be continued..)
.
3) If he wants to start dating seriously-
This is where things can get a little bit sticky if you cannot / will not / do not handle it carefully. It’s definitely more than a casual affair, and obviously not an ONS (or SNS – several nite stands). You suddenly find yourself having to think what is it you want from him, and vice-versa. Or you think “what the heck, it’s better than nothing”. Then you are in shithouse (read my posting on shithouse / taxi fare).
First time couples will of course find this dating business so euphoric and feel they are on top of the world. Seasoned ones will still feel good about it, but always with some caveats to their true feelings. Cynical partners will say “here we go again”. Timid ones will be full of doubts, just as the brave ones will think nothing of it at all.
So what should you do?
I can’t speak for everyone. One size doesn’t fit all. Some are slim and svelte, other are plain obese and flabby. But that is the point, isn’t it? You need to KNOW what you want out of it all, and what the OTHER person expects. But, take that step if you will, for you won’t know what lies ahead anyway. If you want to play it safe, then just sit at home and whine to all and sundry who wants to listen. Or go and live some life.
Dating is also the time you need to think a bit more seriously about the things you have been doing before he / she / they come along. And also the things you have to do from now on. If you are dating more than one person, then you have to let each one know of the existence of the other. It’s only fair. You’d want to know if that other person is also seeing someone else, right?
By the way, dating does NOT mean you’d be having sex. I mean, sex is optional. With ONS (or SNS) you screw more than you talk. With affairs, you get to at least hear his voice during conversations. But with dates, you finally see that he has two eyes, two ears, two hands, some brains, and perhaps (usually) two testicles. Sex is a bonus, not a right in dates.
(..to be continued..)
.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
I have absolutely no idea…. Part I
“You want to be a part of my life: I'm not editing out the parts you don't like.” – from Torchsong Trilogy
When you get to know someone and you gradually (or instantly) fall in love (or lust), there will come a point sooner (or later) that both of you want (or need) to discover a little (or a lot) of each other’s past. It’s only a natural progression in the relationship (or affair). All couples (or coupling pairs) would go through this, whether straight or bent (or in-between).
So how much do you tell?
There’s no real manual for this that you can refer to when in doubt. At least not that I know of. However from my own observations, there seem to be some fairly useable rules-of-thumb. I’ll summarise them as follows:-
1) If he’s only interested in ONS-
He will will ask where (or which online sites) do you go to pick up partners, and how often, and how successful you’ve been. Perhaps he’ll ask (on a pleasant hair day day) if the drinks there are any good. You needn’t tell the truth of course to all (or any) of the questions. Your non-committal answers (or lack thereof) will also imply that all you want is a quickie.
2) If he’s interested in an affair-
Probably he’ll want to know if you ever had a bf/gf/fb before. And if you did, he’ll want to know what happened to him/her/them. Again you can tell some of the truths, but it’s still optional. The pivotal point is if you do have a bf/gf/fb, you’ll have to decide whether you want an affair or just relegate it to just a quickie. That decision will shape your response. Usually its a lie, of course, since you’d want your cake and eat it to. Plus all the icing. If you are unattached or detached, then there isn’t much of a problem. Whatever your pre-existing status, this is where your answers form the basis of the affair, and how far it could go.
(..to be continued..)
.
When you get to know someone and you gradually (or instantly) fall in love (or lust), there will come a point sooner (or later) that both of you want (or need) to discover a little (or a lot) of each other’s past. It’s only a natural progression in the relationship (or affair). All couples (or coupling pairs) would go through this, whether straight or bent (or in-between).
So how much do you tell?
There’s no real manual for this that you can refer to when in doubt. At least not that I know of. However from my own observations, there seem to be some fairly useable rules-of-thumb. I’ll summarise them as follows:-
1) If he’s only interested in ONS-
He will will ask where (or which online sites) do you go to pick up partners, and how often, and how successful you’ve been. Perhaps he’ll ask (on a pleasant hair day day) if the drinks there are any good. You needn’t tell the truth of course to all (or any) of the questions. Your non-committal answers (or lack thereof) will also imply that all you want is a quickie.
2) If he’s interested in an affair-
Probably he’ll want to know if you ever had a bf/gf/fb before. And if you did, he’ll want to know what happened to him/her/them. Again you can tell some of the truths, but it’s still optional. The pivotal point is if you do have a bf/gf/fb, you’ll have to decide whether you want an affair or just relegate it to just a quickie. That decision will shape your response. Usually its a lie, of course, since you’d want your cake and eat it to. Plus all the icing. If you are unattached or detached, then there isn’t much of a problem. Whatever your pre-existing status, this is where your answers form the basis of the affair, and how far it could go.
(..to be continued..)
.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
A weekend... in pictures
A ride on the new train
At Low Yat in the evening
An ice blended coffee
A novel to read
A teppanyaki restaurant
Beef teppanyaki
Bintang Walk
Bukit Bintang
Bukit Indah
At breakfast
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Saturday, February 20, 2010
Pictures from Melbourne...
I received these pictures from Edi yesterday. Captions are provided by Edi.
23oct2009
relaxing at the sun-room on my birthday. that night 01:00 (24th) had the heart attack. was admitted to box hill hospital that night.
relaxing at the sun-room on my birthday. that night 01:00 (24th) had the heart attack. was admitted to box hill hospital that night.
12dec2009
i was given permission to leave the ward to go grocery shppg with the occupational therapist at richmond (mainly chinese-vietnamese).
i was given permission to leave the ward to go grocery shppg with the occupational therapist at richmond (mainly chinese-vietnamese).
12dec2009.
picking out ginger. the price? from A$20-25 a kilo!!!!!!
picking out ginger. the price? from A$20-25 a kilo!!!!!!
12dec2009.
preparing to cook at the ward kitchen with her evaluating my mobility.
preparing to cook at the ward kitchen with her evaluating my mobility.
16dec2009.
pat after getting off the plane, was met by my sister and came to the hospital at 6pm. the next morning he went back to sydney alone on the train. originally, i was supposed to go together with him and spent my xmas and ny in sydney.
pat after getting off the plane, was met by my sister and came to the hospital at 6pm. the next morning he went back to sydney alone on the train. originally, i was supposed to go together with him and spent my xmas and ny in sydney.
22dec2009.
went back to the ICU to thank the nurses and doctors who took care of me during my 16days there.
went back to the ICU to thank the nurses and doctors who took care of me during my 16days there.
23dec2009.
the day of discharge. i was waiting at the lounge for my sister. she was at the immigration doing up my visa extention before the long holidays.
the day of discharge. i was waiting at the lounge for my sister. she was at the immigration doing up my visa extention before the long holidays.
27dec2009
outside the luna park at st kilda, a seaside resort very well planned. even though in summer, very windy and very chilly. we were all in cardigan.
outside the luna park at st kilda, a seaside resort very well planned. even though in summer, very windy and very chilly. we were all in cardigan.
27dec2009
at an open-air ice cream parlour. had my 1st ever ice cream in aust in that weather. i had pistachio and almond ice cream which was very, very nice.
at an open-air ice cream parlour. had my 1st ever ice cream in aust in that weather. i had pistachio and almond ice cream which was very, very nice.
17jan2010.
my niece, rachel's birthday dinner at a chinese restaurant. the boy is my nephew simon. the little girl is the daughter of alan (VMT), susan's bro-in-law.
my niece, rachel's birthday dinner at a chinese restaurant. the boy is my nephew simon. the little girl is the daughter of alan (VMT), susan's bro-in-law.
12feb2010.
chinese new year decor at my sister's place.
chinese new year decor at my sister's place.
15feb2010.
'buka' cny dinner at my brother's in-law's house. normally, the 'open' ny meal is bfst or lunch. but because everyone was working on that monday, so it was 'pushed' to dinner.
'buka' cny dinner at my brother's in-law's house. normally, the 'open' ny meal is bfst or lunch. but because everyone was working on that monday, so it was 'pushed' to dinner.
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Friday, February 19, 2010
I'm not a mere mouse....
From M.Jackson's song :-
Ben, the two of us need look no more
We both found what we were looking for
With a friend to call my own
I'll never be alone
And you, my friend, will see
You've got a friend in me
(you've got a friend in me)
Ben, you're always running here and there
You feel you're not wanted anywhere
If you ever look behind
And don't like what you find
There's one thing you should know
You've got a place to go
(you've got a place to go)
I used to say "I" and "me"
Now it's "us", now it's "we"
I used to say "I" and "me"
Now it's "us", now it's "we"
Ben, most people would turn you away
I don't listen to a word they say
They don't see you as I do
I wish they would try to
I'm sure they'd think again
If they had a friend like Ben
(a friend) Like Ben
(like Ben) Like Ben
.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Oh my louis vuitton.... was this ever?
.
I know, I know.. Believe me, I KNOW, ok?
Wait till you see your OWN old pictures. Then tell me you didn't roll in your own discharges....
.
I know, I know.. Believe me, I KNOW, ok?
Wait till you see your OWN old pictures. Then tell me you didn't roll in your own discharges....
.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Would a mere candle…. Part II
I know I left a cliff-hanger in my original posting many days back. Well, I shan’t allow speculation to run wild like an Australian bushfire. Enough is enough as they say (actually only Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand said that)..
If some one asks me whether I’d accept a marriage proposal, I can only think of what Arnold said to Alan in that Torchsong Trilogy movie -
“Let’s get two things straight : a) I want children; b) and if anyone asks, I’m the pretty one..”
The above of course assumes that my suitor needs to be a (much) younger and successful person who is handsome and independent and very much in love with a (much) older and (slightly immensely) cynical me.
Told you it’s only a fantasy dream, didn’t I?
To be fair though, I’d settle for a suitor who is just really into me for what I am. For the children bit.. well there are many ways to have them I think. And as for me being the prettier one? As long as he sees me being beautiful in his eyes, that’s enough miracle for one day ~!! I can’t be greedy now, can I?
So there you have it. And honey, if you gotta ask who is top and who is bottom, my advice is, please get out from under your tempurung. Life’s ups and downs isn’t about who fucks who, ok?
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Brazen arrhythmia for Gong Xi Fa Cai..
.
“Give me a little heart and soul; must I beg you?”
With the halo of a minor miracle above my head, I managed to wash two loads of laundry without the machine protesting its over-used gears. I didn’t even trip on the uneven ground when I hung up the clothes. And back neighbour didn’t even snoop on me. The leftover mosquitoes attacked me though..
The wind-chime came down. My table was re-aligned. The side tables were cleared off its active clutter. I swept a portion of the floor. I even went out for a haircut at a barber nearby. I ate lunch at a restaurant and chanced upon the doctor who treated me. He shook my hand(?) and I shook my head later in disbelief..
I had a reunion meal of leftover kuah masak merah and fresh macaroni with my shadow. Nice and quiet. No clatter of plates and no inane chatter of tongues ever nothing. Masters Of Chants reverberated in my house at deafening volume : no neighbours around next door. Heck, I didn’t care, because I’m entitled to celebrate too..
Chatted with Lemon online for a bit. Always the nice boy who keeps my spirits up with his many cute repeks and antics. Had my usual cafe au lait and a bit of biscuits later. Recalled a Nicole Rieu song and posted the French lyrics with my own translation (horrendously naive I think)..
Had time enough to reflect upon many before’s and after’s. Had the audacity to jump to a few conclusions. And the mindful tenacity not to jump into bed with some illusions. I listened to my heart. Although the beatings were sometimes irregular, it is still my heart.
Then the tyger burning brightly in the forest of the night came by…
Be still, my beating heart.. gong xi… gong xi…
“Give me a little heart and soul; must I beg you?”
With the halo of a minor miracle above my head, I managed to wash two loads of laundry without the machine protesting its over-used gears. I didn’t even trip on the uneven ground when I hung up the clothes. And back neighbour didn’t even snoop on me. The leftover mosquitoes attacked me though..
The wind-chime came down. My table was re-aligned. The side tables were cleared off its active clutter. I swept a portion of the floor. I even went out for a haircut at a barber nearby. I ate lunch at a restaurant and chanced upon the doctor who treated me. He shook my hand(?) and I shook my head later in disbelief..
I had a reunion meal of leftover kuah masak merah and fresh macaroni with my shadow. Nice and quiet. No clatter of plates and no inane chatter of tongues ever nothing. Masters Of Chants reverberated in my house at deafening volume : no neighbours around next door. Heck, I didn’t care, because I’m entitled to celebrate too..
Chatted with Lemon online for a bit. Always the nice boy who keeps my spirits up with his many cute repeks and antics. Had my usual cafe au lait and a bit of biscuits later. Recalled a Nicole Rieu song and posted the French lyrics with my own translation (horrendously naive I think)..
Had time enough to reflect upon many before’s and after’s. Had the audacity to jump to a few conclusions. And the mindful tenacity not to jump into bed with some illusions. I listened to my heart. Although the beatings were sometimes irregular, it is still my heart.
Then the tyger burning brightly in the forest of the night came by…
Be still, my beating heart.. gong xi… gong xi…
Saturday, February 13, 2010
I am a bilingual illiterate....
.
Ils sont partis de la ville, de la ville, de la ville
Ils ont rompu les frontières de la Terre
Ils sont nés dans les ruines
Ils sont sortis de la poussière
Ils ont vu le ciel trembler
Et puis se sont levés
Ils sont partis de la ville, de la ville, de la ville
Ils ont rompu les frontières de la Terre
Ils ont vu trop de choses
Ils ont eu peur de faire des fils
Ils ont vu le ciel tomber
Et puis se sont levés
Ils sont partis de la ville, de la ville, de la ville
Ils ont rompu les frontières de la Terre
Ils sont plein de courage
Ils ont oublié leur couleur
Ils sont jeunes et plein d'espoir
Et moi je les suivrai demain
~Nicole Rieu~
"They left the city
They broke the borders of the Earth
They were born in the ruins
They left the dust
They saw the sky trembling
And then it rose..
They left the city
They broke the borders of the Earth
They saw too many things
They were afraid to make to the (barb) wire
They saw the sky falling
And then it rose..
They left the city
They broke the borders of the Earth
They are full with courage
They forgot their color
They are young and full of hope
And me, I will follow them tomorrow."
.
Ils sont partis de la ville, de la ville, de la ville
Ils ont rompu les frontières de la Terre
Ils sont nés dans les ruines
Ils sont sortis de la poussière
Ils ont vu le ciel trembler
Et puis se sont levés
Ils sont partis de la ville, de la ville, de la ville
Ils ont rompu les frontières de la Terre
Ils ont vu trop de choses
Ils ont eu peur de faire des fils
Ils ont vu le ciel tomber
Et puis se sont levés
Ils sont partis de la ville, de la ville, de la ville
Ils ont rompu les frontières de la Terre
Ils sont plein de courage
Ils ont oublié leur couleur
Ils sont jeunes et plein d'espoir
Et moi je les suivrai demain
~Nicole Rieu~
"They left the city
They broke the borders of the Earth
They were born in the ruins
They left the dust
They saw the sky trembling
And then it rose..
They left the city
They broke the borders of the Earth
They saw too many things
They were afraid to make to the (barb) wire
They saw the sky falling
And then it rose..
They left the city
They broke the borders of the Earth
They are full with courage
They forgot their color
They are young and full of hope
And me, I will follow them tomorrow."
.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
And the tygers came at night….. (pre-CNY)
.
They say time slips by.
But it will only slip through your fingers if your palms are greasy to begin with. Therefore you need a firm dry hold in order not to let time slip by and then you “melatah” as if you dropped something.
Don’t you wish it was that easy?
The past two weeks or so did slip by so fast. Too many things to do and so little time. Too many thoughts and so little resolutions. Too much wooziness and not enough recovery. Too many calls and too little news. Too much info and so little usefulness..
Well, soon enough the Year of the Tiger will be here. I will miss the quiet reunion meal that I’ve been having with my “family”. For the first time in the last 30 years or so, Edi will not be here for CNY. But I hope he will enjoy the reunion with his brother and sister in Melbourne. I take joy in the fact that at least he will be with his real blood and flesh family.
As for me, I suddenly realised that my small circle of friends and acquaintances has actually grown a bit more in the last 5 months. I hope they can be good friends for the long haul, and not just “hi & bye” for whatever reasons. But I suppose friendship in whatever form is better than having enemies. I shall hope for the best in this new year with the tigers.
One of my friends say that I am walking on thin ice. I hope not. I’ve got rid of excess baggage, (bags under my eyes aren’t considered as excess baggage) so I guess I’m lighter. But then again, I’ll never know until I crashed through, would I?
Not sure yet what my plans would be for this coming CNY. But I want to wish all my friends who are going home, to have a safe and pleasant journey.
.
They say time slips by.
But it will only slip through your fingers if your palms are greasy to begin with. Therefore you need a firm dry hold in order not to let time slip by and then you “melatah” as if you dropped something.
Don’t you wish it was that easy?
The past two weeks or so did slip by so fast. Too many things to do and so little time. Too many thoughts and so little resolutions. Too much wooziness and not enough recovery. Too many calls and too little news. Too much info and so little usefulness..
Well, soon enough the Year of the Tiger will be here. I will miss the quiet reunion meal that I’ve been having with my “family”. For the first time in the last 30 years or so, Edi will not be here for CNY. But I hope he will enjoy the reunion with his brother and sister in Melbourne. I take joy in the fact that at least he will be with his real blood and flesh family.
As for me, I suddenly realised that my small circle of friends and acquaintances has actually grown a bit more in the last 5 months. I hope they can be good friends for the long haul, and not just “hi & bye” for whatever reasons. But I suppose friendship in whatever form is better than having enemies. I shall hope for the best in this new year with the tigers.
One of my friends say that I am walking on thin ice. I hope not. I’ve got rid of excess baggage, (bags under my eyes aren’t considered as excess baggage) so I guess I’m lighter. But then again, I’ll never know until I crashed through, would I?
Not sure yet what my plans would be for this coming CNY. But I want to wish all my friends who are going home, to have a safe and pleasant journey.
.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Before… and after…
The night before
The morning after
The contemplation
Just those three pictures. I think it will tell my story.
You make up the situation along the way.
I shan’t say anything more.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Would a mere candle hold against the wind…
A hypothetical question for every one like us….
What would you think if someone asks you to be his “spouse” for life?
Big question, no? I know I can’t answer it right away with a definite YES or NO. I mean this is serious business. It’s not as if you’re going to decide whether you’re having fish or beef for dinner. Or whether you’re going to have dinner at all.
Two key words jump at your face immediately: “spouse”, and “for life”. Just what these two words would entail can already fill some chapters or even volumes. I mean, even for normal heteros, these can cause alarms to go off. Or it can precipitate near nirvana. Depends on who is being asked, I guess.
But for you and I, we the non-normals of this world, those words are like an enigma….
(..to be continued..)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Oscar nominations for 2009 movies...
The following is a complete list of nominations for the upcoming Academy Award. My friend Pat Conlan in Sydney has once again distributed the list for his yearly competition amongs friends from around the world. We are required to submit to him our picks by a dateline. The winners will receive a prize. He has been organising this competiton for decades now..
Best Picture
AVATAR
THE BLIND SIDE
DISTRICT 9
AN EDUCATION
THE HURT LOCKER
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
PRECIOUS
A SERIOUS MAN
UP
UP IN THE AIR
Directing
AVATAR – James Cameron
THE HURT LOCKER – Kathryn Bigelow
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS – Quentin Tarantino
PRECIOUS – Lee Daniels
UP IN THE AIR – Jason Reitman
Actor in a Leading Role
Jeff Bridges – CRAZY HEART
George Clooney – UP IN THE AIR
Colin Firth – A SINGLE MAN
Morgan Freeman – INVICTUS
Jeremy Renner – THE HURT LOCKER
Actress in a Leading Role
Sandra Bullock – THE BLIND SIDE
Helen Mirren – THE LAST STATION
Carey Mulligan – AN EDUCATION
Gabourey Sidibe – PRECIOUS
Meryl Streep – JULIE & JULIA
Actor in a Support Role
Matt Damon – INVICTUS
Woody Harrelson – THE MESSENGER
Christopher Plummer – THE LAST STATION
Stanley Tucci – THE LOVELY BONES
Christopher Waltz – INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
Actress in a Supporting Role
Penelope Cruz – NINE
Vera Farmiga – UP IN THE AIR
Maggie Gyllenhaal – CRAZY HEART
Anna Kendrick – UP IN THE AIR
Mo’Nique – PRECIOUS
Writing – Original Screenplay
THE HURT LOCKER – Mark Boal
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS – Quentin Tarantino
THE MESSENGER – Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman
A SERIOUS MAN – Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
UP – Peter Docter, Bob Peterson & Tom McCarthy
Writing – Adapted Screenplay
DISTRICT 9 – Neill Blomkamp & Terri Tatchell
AN EDUCATION – Nick Hornby
IN THE LOOP – Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci & Tony Roche
PRECIOUS – Geoffrey Fletcher
UP IN THE AIR – Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner
Cinematography
AVATAR – Mauro Fiore
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE – Bruno Delbonnel
THE HURT LOCKER – Barry Ackroyd
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS – Robert Richardson
THE WHITE RIBBON – Christian Berger
Film Editing
AVATAR – Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua & James Cameron
DISTRICT 9 – Julian Clarke
THE HURT LOCKER – Bob Murawski & Chris Innis
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS – Sally Menke
PRECIOUS – Joe Klotz
Music – Original Score
AVATAR – James Horner
FANTASTIC MR FOX – Alexandre Desplat
THE HURT LOCKER – Marco Beltrami & Buck Sanders
SHERLOCK HOLMES – Hans Zimmer
UP – Michael Giacchino
Music – Original Song
“Almost There” – THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG – Music & Lyric by Randy Newman
“Down in New Orleans – THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG – Music & Lyric by Randy Newman
“Loine de Paname” – PARIS 36 – Music by Reinhardt Wagner, Lyric by Frank Thomas
“Take It All” – NINE – Music & Lyric by Maury Yeston
“The Weary Kind” – CRAZY HEART – Music & Lyric by Ryan Bingham & T Bone Burnett
Art Direction
AVATAR – Art Direction – Rick Carter & Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration – Kim Sinclair
THE IMAGINATION OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS – Art Direction – Dave Warren & Anastasia Masaro; Set Decoration – Caroline Smith
NINE – Art Direction – John Myhre; Set Decoration – Gordon Sim
SHERLOCK HOLMS – Art Direction – Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration – Katie Spencer
THE YOUNG VICTORIA – Art Direction – Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration – Maggie Gray
Costume Design
BRIGHT STAR – Janet Patterson*
COCO BEFORE CHANEL – Catherine Leterrier
THE IMAGINATION OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS- Monique Prudhomme
NINE – Colleen Atwood
THE YOUNG VICTORIA – Sandy Powell
Sound Mixing
AVATAR – Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson & Tony Johnson
THE HURT LOCKER – Paul NJ Ottosson & Ray Beckett
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS – Michael Minkler, Tony Lamberti & Mark Ulano
STAR TREK – Anna Behlmer, Andy Nelson & Peter J Devlin
TRANSFORMERS: Revenge of the Fallen – Greg P Russell, Gary Summers & Geoffrey Patterson
Animated Feature
CORALINE
FANTASTIC MR FOX
THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG
THE SECRET OF KELLS
UP
Foreign Language Film
AJAMI – Israel
EL SECRETO DE SUS OJOS – Argentina
THE MILK OF SORROW – Peru
UN PROPHETE – France
THE WHITE RIBBON – Germany
Visual Effects
AVATAR – Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Beneham & Andrew R Jones
DISTRICT 9 – Dan Kaufman, Peter Muyzers, Robert Habros & Matt Aitken
STAR TREK – Roger Guyett, Russell Earl, Paul Kavanagh & Burt Dalton
Sound Editing
AVATAR – Christopher Boyes & Gwendolyn Yates Whittle
THE HURT LOCKER – Paul NJ Ottosson
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS – Wylie Stateman
STAR TREK – Mark Stoeckinger & Alan Rankin
UP – Michael Silvers & Tom Myers
MakeUp
IL DIVO – Aldo Signoretti & Vittorio Sodano
STAR TREK – Barney Burman, Mindy Hall & Joel Harlow
THE YOUNG VICTORIA – Jon Henry Gordon & Jenny Shircone
Documentary Feature
BURMA VJ
THE COVE
FOOD, INC
THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers
WHICH WAY HOME
Documentary Short Subject
CHINA’S UNNATURAL DISASTER: The Tears of Sichuan Province
THE LAST CAMPAIGN OF GOVERNOR BOOTH GARDNER
THE LAST TRUCK: Closing of a GM Plant
MUSIC BY PRUDENCE
RABBIT A LA BERLIN
Animated Short Film
FRENCH ROAST
GRANNY O’GRIMM’S SLEEPING BEAUTY
THE LADY AND THE REAPER (LA DAMA Y LA MUERTE)
LOGORAMA
A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH
Live Action Short Film
THE DOOR
INSTEAD OF ABRACADABRA
KAVI
MIRACLE FISH*
THE NEW TENANTS
.
Best Picture
AVATAR
THE BLIND SIDE
DISTRICT 9
AN EDUCATION
THE HURT LOCKER
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
PRECIOUS
A SERIOUS MAN
UP
UP IN THE AIR
Directing
AVATAR – James Cameron
THE HURT LOCKER – Kathryn Bigelow
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS – Quentin Tarantino
PRECIOUS – Lee Daniels
UP IN THE AIR – Jason Reitman
Actor in a Leading Role
Jeff Bridges – CRAZY HEART
George Clooney – UP IN THE AIR
Colin Firth – A SINGLE MAN
Morgan Freeman – INVICTUS
Jeremy Renner – THE HURT LOCKER
Actress in a Leading Role
Sandra Bullock – THE BLIND SIDE
Helen Mirren – THE LAST STATION
Carey Mulligan – AN EDUCATION
Gabourey Sidibe – PRECIOUS
Meryl Streep – JULIE & JULIA
Actor in a Support Role
Matt Damon – INVICTUS
Woody Harrelson – THE MESSENGER
Christopher Plummer – THE LAST STATION
Stanley Tucci – THE LOVELY BONES
Christopher Waltz – INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
Actress in a Supporting Role
Penelope Cruz – NINE
Vera Farmiga – UP IN THE AIR
Maggie Gyllenhaal – CRAZY HEART
Anna Kendrick – UP IN THE AIR
Mo’Nique – PRECIOUS
Writing – Original Screenplay
THE HURT LOCKER – Mark Boal
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS – Quentin Tarantino
THE MESSENGER – Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman
A SERIOUS MAN – Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
UP – Peter Docter, Bob Peterson & Tom McCarthy
Writing – Adapted Screenplay
DISTRICT 9 – Neill Blomkamp & Terri Tatchell
AN EDUCATION – Nick Hornby
IN THE LOOP – Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci & Tony Roche
PRECIOUS – Geoffrey Fletcher
UP IN THE AIR – Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner
Cinematography
AVATAR – Mauro Fiore
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE – Bruno Delbonnel
THE HURT LOCKER – Barry Ackroyd
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS – Robert Richardson
THE WHITE RIBBON – Christian Berger
Film Editing
AVATAR – Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua & James Cameron
DISTRICT 9 – Julian Clarke
THE HURT LOCKER – Bob Murawski & Chris Innis
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS – Sally Menke
PRECIOUS – Joe Klotz
Music – Original Score
AVATAR – James Horner
FANTASTIC MR FOX – Alexandre Desplat
THE HURT LOCKER – Marco Beltrami & Buck Sanders
SHERLOCK HOLMES – Hans Zimmer
UP – Michael Giacchino
Music – Original Song
“Almost There” – THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG – Music & Lyric by Randy Newman
“Down in New Orleans – THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG – Music & Lyric by Randy Newman
“Loine de Paname” – PARIS 36 – Music by Reinhardt Wagner, Lyric by Frank Thomas
“Take It All” – NINE – Music & Lyric by Maury Yeston
“The Weary Kind” – CRAZY HEART – Music & Lyric by Ryan Bingham & T Bone Burnett
Art Direction
AVATAR – Art Direction – Rick Carter & Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration – Kim Sinclair
THE IMAGINATION OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS – Art Direction – Dave Warren & Anastasia Masaro; Set Decoration – Caroline Smith
NINE – Art Direction – John Myhre; Set Decoration – Gordon Sim
SHERLOCK HOLMS – Art Direction – Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration – Katie Spencer
THE YOUNG VICTORIA – Art Direction – Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration – Maggie Gray
Costume Design
BRIGHT STAR – Janet Patterson*
COCO BEFORE CHANEL – Catherine Leterrier
THE IMAGINATION OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS- Monique Prudhomme
NINE – Colleen Atwood
THE YOUNG VICTORIA – Sandy Powell
Sound Mixing
AVATAR – Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson & Tony Johnson
THE HURT LOCKER – Paul NJ Ottosson & Ray Beckett
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS – Michael Minkler, Tony Lamberti & Mark Ulano
STAR TREK – Anna Behlmer, Andy Nelson & Peter J Devlin
TRANSFORMERS: Revenge of the Fallen – Greg P Russell, Gary Summers & Geoffrey Patterson
Animated Feature
CORALINE
FANTASTIC MR FOX
THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG
THE SECRET OF KELLS
UP
Foreign Language Film
AJAMI – Israel
EL SECRETO DE SUS OJOS – Argentina
THE MILK OF SORROW – Peru
UN PROPHETE – France
THE WHITE RIBBON – Germany
Visual Effects
AVATAR – Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Beneham & Andrew R Jones
DISTRICT 9 – Dan Kaufman, Peter Muyzers, Robert Habros & Matt Aitken
STAR TREK – Roger Guyett, Russell Earl, Paul Kavanagh & Burt Dalton
Sound Editing
AVATAR – Christopher Boyes & Gwendolyn Yates Whittle
THE HURT LOCKER – Paul NJ Ottosson
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS – Wylie Stateman
STAR TREK – Mark Stoeckinger & Alan Rankin
UP – Michael Silvers & Tom Myers
MakeUp
IL DIVO – Aldo Signoretti & Vittorio Sodano
STAR TREK – Barney Burman, Mindy Hall & Joel Harlow
THE YOUNG VICTORIA – Jon Henry Gordon & Jenny Shircone
Documentary Feature
BURMA VJ
THE COVE
FOOD, INC
THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers
WHICH WAY HOME
Documentary Short Subject
CHINA’S UNNATURAL DISASTER: The Tears of Sichuan Province
THE LAST CAMPAIGN OF GOVERNOR BOOTH GARDNER
THE LAST TRUCK: Closing of a GM Plant
MUSIC BY PRUDENCE
RABBIT A LA BERLIN
Animated Short Film
FRENCH ROAST
GRANNY O’GRIMM’S SLEEPING BEAUTY
THE LADY AND THE REAPER (LA DAMA Y LA MUERTE)
LOGORAMA
A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH
Live Action Short Film
THE DOOR
INSTEAD OF ABRACADABRA
KAVI
MIRACLE FISH*
THE NEW TENANTS
.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Incident on Wednesday morning..
I guess yesterday's irritation and anger resulted in something unexpected this morning.
I couldn't sleep well though I tried. I tossed around perhaps a few times too many : suddenly I felt the whole room spinning. When I opened my eyes, things were moving around rapidly. And there was this uncomfortable nauseating urge in my throat.
At 5:00am after some fretful grabs of sleep, I realised that I was sweating profusely, and only then I felt the familiar trembles of low sugar in my body. I took a sweet which I kept for such instances and tried to close my eyes. The spinning sensations kept me from sleeping, but I just kept still.
When I woke up fully an hour later, I was still dizzy and the feeling of wanting to vomit was quite strong. I quickly fumbled for my glucose testing kit. It read at 4.0 despite having taken the sweet just over an hour ago.
That's when I had a panic. I tested my blood pressure and it showed a slightly low reading from the usual norm. OK so it wasn't a heart problem probably.
I couldn't go to the clinic even if I wanted to because I'd just fall after a few steps. I went online, trying to calm down enough and let the wooziness fade a bit before I want to try to go to the clinic.
As luck would have it, FS was online and I told him I needed help. I explained the situation and he immediately asked me to get ready as he'd be coming over right then. He, from work at Imbi Road, coming over.....
Then it hit me. What if I really am having a heart attack? I've read the symptoms enough to know the similarities are there. What if I just topple over and die? What if I had never woken up? Would anybody know? Or would they only find out once I have rotted...
Unpleasant thoughts.. but I kept calm. I managed to unlock my front gate and left the main door open. I sat down inside the porch and waited, trying to remain calm all the time.
He arrived and I entered his car, and directed him to the clinic. The receptionist asked if I could wait since the doctor was having his break. I told her, "can a dying man wait long enough?" Dramatic, I know, but I need to let her realise I really needed help.
Again, as luck would have it, the doctor came back, and within 10 minutes I was in the consultation room.
Another BP reading, and it was confirmed it was normal, no irregularities. Another instant blood glucose test, and despite me having 6 biscuits with cheese and butter and coffee with milk and honey not 2 hours before, the reading was 7.0 : I had expected it to be higher.
The doctor spent a long time explaining to me various possibilities, the main ones being my diabetic condition. It would definitely have caused the intense giddiness, more than just the usual tremblings once the glucose level was really low. Nausea, sweating and the "drunk" sensations are typical, more so in some than others.
I heaved a sigh of relief. I paid for the medication and then went to 7-11 to buy some snacks to eat with FS back at my house.
As he was leaving, my other friend from yesterday's problems at MBPJ arrived. He had earlier settled everything on his own. Since I felt somewhat better, I went out to lunch with him.
I told him too what had happened. He asked me when is Edi coming back... and promptly offered me to stay with him at his place until Edi returns home. I declined since I do not want to be an inconvenience as he is still struggling with his own problems, and also I do not want to leave my house empty.
When he sent me home, he made me promise to call him at any time day or night if I need help. FS said the same thing to me too. Even if it is at dead of night...
I hope I won't have to. But I guess I feel much better knowing they are there willing to offer help should I really need it. To both, I'd like to say my heartfelt thanks on record here..
I couldn't sleep well though I tried. I tossed around perhaps a few times too many : suddenly I felt the whole room spinning. When I opened my eyes, things were moving around rapidly. And there was this uncomfortable nauseating urge in my throat.
At 5:00am after some fretful grabs of sleep, I realised that I was sweating profusely, and only then I felt the familiar trembles of low sugar in my body. I took a sweet which I kept for such instances and tried to close my eyes. The spinning sensations kept me from sleeping, but I just kept still.
When I woke up fully an hour later, I was still dizzy and the feeling of wanting to vomit was quite strong. I quickly fumbled for my glucose testing kit. It read at 4.0 despite having taken the sweet just over an hour ago.
That's when I had a panic. I tested my blood pressure and it showed a slightly low reading from the usual norm. OK so it wasn't a heart problem probably.
I couldn't go to the clinic even if I wanted to because I'd just fall after a few steps. I went online, trying to calm down enough and let the wooziness fade a bit before I want to try to go to the clinic.
As luck would have it, FS was online and I told him I needed help. I explained the situation and he immediately asked me to get ready as he'd be coming over right then. He, from work at Imbi Road, coming over.....
Then it hit me. What if I really am having a heart attack? I've read the symptoms enough to know the similarities are there. What if I just topple over and die? What if I had never woken up? Would anybody know? Or would they only find out once I have rotted...
Unpleasant thoughts.. but I kept calm. I managed to unlock my front gate and left the main door open. I sat down inside the porch and waited, trying to remain calm all the time.
He arrived and I entered his car, and directed him to the clinic. The receptionist asked if I could wait since the doctor was having his break. I told her, "can a dying man wait long enough?" Dramatic, I know, but I need to let her realise I really needed help.
Again, as luck would have it, the doctor came back, and within 10 minutes I was in the consultation room.
Another BP reading, and it was confirmed it was normal, no irregularities. Another instant blood glucose test, and despite me having 6 biscuits with cheese and butter and coffee with milk and honey not 2 hours before, the reading was 7.0 : I had expected it to be higher.
The doctor spent a long time explaining to me various possibilities, the main ones being my diabetic condition. It would definitely have caused the intense giddiness, more than just the usual tremblings once the glucose level was really low. Nausea, sweating and the "drunk" sensations are typical, more so in some than others.
I heaved a sigh of relief. I paid for the medication and then went to 7-11 to buy some snacks to eat with FS back at my house.
As he was leaving, my other friend from yesterday's problems at MBPJ arrived. He had earlier settled everything on his own. Since I felt somewhat better, I went out to lunch with him.
I told him too what had happened. He asked me when is Edi coming back... and promptly offered me to stay with him at his place until Edi returns home. I declined since I do not want to be an inconvenience as he is still struggling with his own problems, and also I do not want to leave my house empty.
When he sent me home, he made me promise to call him at any time day or night if I need help. FS said the same thing to me too. Even if it is at dead of night...
I hope I won't have to. But I guess I feel much better knowing they are there willing to offer help should I really need it. To both, I'd like to say my heartfelt thanks on record here..
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
So much for people-friendly work ethics...
Just a quick post before my frustrations are drowned.
I went out with my friend who had opened his salon to help him with some licensing applications. It's needed before he can legally advertise his services. Accordingly, all the necessary paperwork have been done before the submission.
We followed the usual procedure of taking a number and waiting our turn. There were quite a number of people, and 15 counters were open. Although the counters dealing with quit rent payment seemed busy, they did their work efficiently. But that was for about 5 counters only. The rest... seemed almost non-working.
Maybe they have their own system, I don't know. But those workers manning the "free counters" could have made it less ingratiatingly obvious by not talking away and watching the tv screens. Some were even imitating the dance movements they were seeing on the screen. And giggling away... It was like they couldn't care less about anyone.
When finally our turn came, the officer said the application was incomplete!! So we had to go away and complete what they needed. Then when we approached the counter again, (a different one, but for the same purpose for licensing), the other officer said something else was missing...!!
After that, we decided, it's best to ask exactly what else they wanted at one go rather than shuttling back and forth.. I lost my cool..
I mean.. they are supposed to help the people. If that was "help" then I really can't see how we are EVER going to move forward at a faster pace. And to think I pay my bi-yearly quit rent on time.. so that they can dilly-dally.. WTF!!!??
(Please note I write this while still fuming mad... maybe I'll cool down.. perhaps)
.
I went out with my friend who had opened his salon to help him with some licensing applications. It's needed before he can legally advertise his services. Accordingly, all the necessary paperwork have been done before the submission.
We followed the usual procedure of taking a number and waiting our turn. There were quite a number of people, and 15 counters were open. Although the counters dealing with quit rent payment seemed busy, they did their work efficiently. But that was for about 5 counters only. The rest... seemed almost non-working.
Maybe they have their own system, I don't know. But those workers manning the "free counters" could have made it less ingratiatingly obvious by not talking away and watching the tv screens. Some were even imitating the dance movements they were seeing on the screen. And giggling away... It was like they couldn't care less about anyone.
When finally our turn came, the officer said the application was incomplete!! So we had to go away and complete what they needed. Then when we approached the counter again, (a different one, but for the same purpose for licensing), the other officer said something else was missing...!!
After that, we decided, it's best to ask exactly what else they wanted at one go rather than shuttling back and forth.. I lost my cool..
I mean.. they are supposed to help the people. If that was "help" then I really can't see how we are EVER going to move forward at a faster pace. And to think I pay my bi-yearly quit rent on time.. so that they can dilly-dally.. WTF!!!??
(Please note I write this while still fuming mad... maybe I'll cool down.. perhaps)
.
Do not ask me why...
Again it happened.
This sudden recollection of things I've penned down ages ago. I was just about to sleep, and a realisation in my mind woke me up completely. I had the desire to write it immediately once and for all, so I won't forget it again for more years to come.
Don't ask what triggered it. For the life of me, I don't know.
Just when you thought it was perfect
just when you hoped it would be smooth,
an acne of a single outburt seems to defect
the flawlessness of a perceived emotion:
what ointment need your heart to soothe?
Just when you prayed it would be well
just when you implored it would survive,
a tidal surge threw calmness into a swell
and sank your heart in consternation:
why does it feel it took away your life?
Just when you felt it was at last true
just when you reasoned it could be strong,
the bubble burst without even a cue
and you blinked through the night sans notion:
what was it that you have done wrong?
(I would not want to even try to translate this into BM. It may cause outright distraught for wrong meanings.. *sigh)
This sudden recollection of things I've penned down ages ago. I was just about to sleep, and a realisation in my mind woke me up completely. I had the desire to write it immediately once and for all, so I won't forget it again for more years to come.
Don't ask what triggered it. For the life of me, I don't know.
Just when you thought it was perfect
just when you hoped it would be smooth,
an acne of a single outburt seems to defect
the flawlessness of a perceived emotion:
what ointment need your heart to soothe?
Just when you prayed it would be well
just when you implored it would survive,
a tidal surge threw calmness into a swell
and sank your heart in consternation:
why does it feel it took away your life?
Just when you felt it was at last true
just when you reasoned it could be strong,
the bubble burst without even a cue
and you blinked through the night sans notion:
what was it that you have done wrong?
(I would not want to even try to translate this into BM. It may cause outright distraught for wrong meanings.. *sigh)
Monday, February 1, 2010
An email from Edi..
I received this email from Edi this afternoon, I read it after I came back from lunch with Terry at this nice vegetarian restaurant. More about that later. Anyway, hope all friends out there who want to know about his condition, I hope this will assure you that he is indeed getting better.
"hi there,
many thanks to you choong, derrick, fook seng and the other guy for helping in the cleaning up of our kitchen.
i know it'd be very nice to come back to such a neat kitchen.
thanks again so much for offering your time to this 'cause'. i know that i can't do anything strenuous for 6mths after my by-pass operation, as told by the surgeon. it'd take at least that much time for the internal wounds to heal.
at the moment, my chest still feel so 'tight' as though it's been encased in a suit of armour. and the feel of the chest is so uneasy, though it doesn't hurt but has a terrible feel to it. i just couldn't describe it.
oh, i can now take a shower on my own, but it'd take longer than usual because eveything is in slow motion!!?? though i'd try to speed it up to make sure i won't catch a chill... thought it's summer but it's still chilly when the wind blows.
for this week the weather is rather comfortable, 25-30C. i had just returned from the mont albert shopping village, a 10mins walk to buy a loaf of wholemeal bread and a piece of tropical street pizza. the 2items cost A6.50!!!
time really flies... my sister's 1mth leave in jan 2010 had gone by so quickly and she's back at work today.
oh, thanks again fs, for your effort in sewing up the new curtains with the fern design. they do look pretty.
sam, can you call me tonight at 7.30pm your time. would be going out for dinner with my sis and her boyfriend.
so much for the time being. remember to stay healthy."
"hi there,
many thanks to you choong, derrick, fook seng and the other guy for helping in the cleaning up of our kitchen.
i know it'd be very nice to come back to such a neat kitchen.
thanks again so much for offering your time to this 'cause'. i know that i can't do anything strenuous for 6mths after my by-pass operation, as told by the surgeon. it'd take at least that much time for the internal wounds to heal.
at the moment, my chest still feel so 'tight' as though it's been encased in a suit of armour. and the feel of the chest is so uneasy, though it doesn't hurt but has a terrible feel to it. i just couldn't describe it.
oh, i can now take a shower on my own, but it'd take longer than usual because eveything is in slow motion!!?? though i'd try to speed it up to make sure i won't catch a chill... thought it's summer but it's still chilly when the wind blows.
for this week the weather is rather comfortable, 25-30C. i had just returned from the mont albert shopping village, a 10mins walk to buy a loaf of wholemeal bread and a piece of tropical street pizza. the 2items cost A6.50!!!
time really flies... my sister's 1mth leave in jan 2010 had gone by so quickly and she's back at work today.
oh, thanks again fs, for your effort in sewing up the new curtains with the fern design. they do look pretty.
sam, can you call me tonight at 7.30pm your time. would be going out for dinner with my sis and her boyfriend.
so much for the time being. remember to stay healthy."
.
