A Little Game

RULES:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Tag 15 friends.
5. Everyone tagged as to do the same thing.
6. Have Fun!

1, IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?

Smile - Robert Downey Jr.

2, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?

The Sounds Of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel

3, WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?

醒醒 - 林憶蓮

4, HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?

夢遊 - 孫燕姿

5, WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?

Mr. Tambourine Man - Bob Dylan

6, WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO？

Dirty Little Secret - Sarah McLachlan

7, WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?

Quickly (Feat. Brandy) - John Legend

8, WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?

Coming Home - k.d. lang

9, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?

路口 - 蔡健雅

10, WHAT IS 2 + 2?

The Circle Game - Joni Mitchell

11, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?

Gone - Daughtry

12, WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?

Past In Present - Feist

13, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

It's Not You It's Me - The Little Willies

14, WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

Lost Taipei - Joanna Wang

15, WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?

Eyes On The Prize - Mavis Staples

16, WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL？

Look No Further - Dido

17, WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?

頹 - 容祖兒

18, WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR??

Anyone Can Play Guitar - Radiohead

19, WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?

Serious - Duffy

20, WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?

旅行的意義 - 陳綺貞

21, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?

Don't Panic - Coldplay

22, WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?

If I Could - Jack Johnson

Coffee Table, Sofa, Fridge, Two Cups Of Black Tea

Very happy to see Kay's success with this song. 囍帖街 (or Kay, Eric Kwok, Wyman) really really really deserves this honor.

The melody is beautiful, catchy, and classy... The lyrics speak of the demolished "wedding invitation street" in Hong Kong, perfectly contrasted with the fading away of love between a couple... Kay's beautiful voice - soft and gentle...

Let's hope this team will create another great song in 2009 and years to come... Kay is here to stay! Rock On!








囍帖街 謝安琪

作曲/編曲: Eric Kwok
作詞: 黃偉文

忘掉種過的花 重新的出發 放棄理想吧
別再看 塵封的喜帖 你正在要搬家
築得起 人應該接受 都有日倒下
其實沒有一種安穩快樂 永遠也不差
就似這一區 曾經稱得上 美滿甲天下
但霎眼 全街的單位 快要住滿烏鴉
好景不會與日常在 天梯不可只往上爬
愛的人 沒有一生一世嗎 大概不需要害怕

忘掉愛過的他 當初的喜帖金箔印著那位他
裱起婚紗照那道牆及一切美麗舊年華 明日同步拆下
忘掉有過的家 小餐枱沙發雪櫃及兩份紅茶
溫馨的光境不過借出到期拿回嗎 等不到下一代 是嗎

忘掉砌過的沙 回憶的堡壘剎那已倒下
面對這 墳起的荒土 你註定學會瀟灑
階磚不會拒絕磨蝕 窗花不可幽禁落霞
有感情 就會一生一世嗎 又再惋惜有用嗎

忘掉愛過的他 當初的喜帖金箔印著那位他
裱起婚紗照那道牆及一切美麗舊年華 明日同步拆下
忘掉有過的家 小餐枱沙發雪櫃及兩份紅茶
溫馨的光境不過借出到期拿回嗎
終須會時辰到 別怕
請放下手裡那鎖匙 好嗎

Just Listen... "聽" 趙學而

聽 - 趙學而

My Rating: 84/100

Track List:

01. 我可以抱你嗎
02. 長夜 My Love Goodnight
03. Be Your Love
04. 情深緣淺
05. 曾在你懷抱
06. 許願樹
07. 對一個人愛錯
08. 某月某夜
09. 如果這是情
10. 吻別
11. 祝君好


I am not too familiar with Bondy Chiu's music. Over the years, I've had a few glimpses of her TV appearances in different sit coms. Heard her nice voice in individual music projects covering well known songs with new jazz arrangements (most notably 偏偏喜歡你 in 一期一會 Soundtrack). I thought her voice is really soothing, but was not about to spend $20 CAD to buy just that one song.

In Dec 2008, she released a long awaited album, covering Chinese pop hits and classics of the 80's and 90's. And she transformed and spiced up all 11 songs with jazz arrangements, giving each track a new look, and a new life. It's a great trend to see many talented singers coming back out asking the audience to "just listen" to our music, and not doing stupid things for making headlines... and getting attention the wrong way.

Amidst the plummeting record industry, Ms. Chiu personally invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in producing this album. What a bold and gutsy move... but I am sure she would be very happy at this moment, as reviews for the album have been very positive... not exactly sure how the sales numbers are, but I read CD stores in HK are jacking up prices for it... so that should be a good sign...

What I like the most about "聽" is the team work and collaboration between Bondy and her musicians. One person's power is very limited. No matter how good Bondy's voice is, without the world class guitarist, bassist, pianist, cellist, drummer, brass players, etc... who participated in this project, it could've turn out to be a lackluster, mediocre work. It was a very nice gesture to have all the musicians and their profiles/resumes displayed in the complimentary booklet...

Is the album entirely perfect? No. Especially in some of the song choices of the album... Despite the new arrangement, some melodies and lyrics are just hopeless and no matter how you try to change its face, the best it can get is a mediocre grade... I'm now gonna talk about some of the outstanding tracks from the album...




我可以抱你嗎

This big band jazz track acted as a cool opening for the album... the song talks about the parting of a pair of lovers, instead of whining though, Bondy puts of a smiling face throughout the song... saying "I miss the good times and I don't think about the bad ones..."

我可以抱你嗎　寶貝　容我最後一次這樣叫你　
你也不得已　我會　笑笑的離去



Be Your Love

What a sweet song... it makes me feel like I'm in love, that's how nicely handled this song is... Kudos to Bondy. It's nice to have the acoustic guitar, flute, and light drum beats supporting her throughout the song... One consistently handled element in Bondy's vocals is the new phrasing she reinvented with the new jazzy arrangements...

逃避你　接近你　惟願挑起一點是跟非
I Wanna Be Your Love　怎麼說起...




情深緣淺

Umm... This is what I was talking about earlier, if a song is hopeless, it's hopeless no matter what you do to it... Bondy's vocals were nice, but the lyrics and the over the board mellowness of the melody just doesn't work for me.... The only part I like is the long saxophone solo session towards the end..




許願樹

Just like Be Your Love, the acoustic arrangement gives this song a fresh and sweet taste. Her musicians steps to the foreground in the sound, providing some vocal harmony in the chorus.

Trees of the Bayou...　我的愛像純真的小孩




對一個人愛錯

This is probably the best example of spicing up a boring song... I love the slight Latin influenced arrangement throughout this piece. I love that her musicians have the freedom to show off their guns in the extended bridges and outros... of this song (and many others, making them at least 5 to 6 minutes long! great stuff!)... The only complaint is that... Bondy could've used a tougher tone... she could've bitch slap the guy instead of just doing a little whine... if you get what I mean.

恨什麼　沒什麼只不過一個人 對一個人愛錯




如果這是情

The new arrangement and phrasing, again, gave this boring song an extreme makeover.... It's now a song that you can play in a lounge while you're savoring a nice glass of wine... Leon Lai's original version? You can probably hear it being slaughtered by some drunk dudes at a karaoke bar...

讓我的美夢　換你一世情始終都等到一串好光景
願你可快樂　像我癡情尋獲最愛不必怕任性





祝君好

Probably the only song of the album from "my times" (I was in grade 8 when it came out, I think). The new arrangement is way simpler than the original, and way better. Just the piano, cello, and Bondy's amazingly calm voice. Not much emotion, it's like reflecting on a long lost love... there's no more pain, just a lot of regrets, and some tears...

只望停在遠處祝君安好... 雖不可親口細訴...






Strongly Recommended Tracks (in order): 祝君好, Be Your Love, 我可以抱你嗎, 如果這是情, 對一個人愛錯, 許願樹

Are you that guy from....

Just updated my facebook picture last night cuz I snapped a new picture while waiting to leave home for work... (also the new profile pic here)

I got this random msg on facebook... some gwai lo or gwai por (The name is Pat, very unisex lol)...

He/she asked me...

ARE YOU THE GUY FROM IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE ?

Of course, In The Mood For Love = 花樣年華...

And the guy from 花樣年華 = 梁朝偉...


lol, honey, you made my day. hahhahahahahahhahahhaha.

The Best Part of Shopping Online...

The best part of shopping online is that you can stay at home and with the help of internet connection and a credit card, you can buy stuff from all over the world.

Moreover, I personally think the "waiting" part is also a very exciting experience. I checked my mailbox practically everyday whenever I ordered stuff online... The anticipation for the products to arrive reminds me of the pre-Christmas wait for Santa Claus when I was a lil kid... I stopped believing in Santa, however, at the age of five...

Last night, my Radiohead t-shirt from Britain and my books/CDs from Hong Kong all arrived at the same time. How lovely!



My Xmas Order:

A. Radiohead Tour 2008 Crew T-shirt (Blue)
- super expensive... but what da heck, in the name of the Christmas spirit and all....

B. 孔子的敵人 - 卓韻芝
- my first Chinese book in 2 or 3 years... always enjoyed Ms. Cheuk's viewpoints and since she left 903, her writings can amend for how much I miss this girl's wit and humor.

C. Orange Moon - 方大同
- not a super fan of Khalil, but I like his style of R&B (more classy, groovy) better than anyone else in the Chinese music scene - Jay Chou, David Tao, etc... Buying his album(s) in December every year has become a tradition for me.

D. 趙學而 - 聽
- my first Bondy Chiu album ever. Planning to write an entry dedicated to this beautiful jazz album. Stay tuned.

11 Books

Finished 11 books in 2008... I love reading more and more =)

Horror Section:

"Mildly Erotic" Section:


Romance Section:



Modern Classics Section:

My 2008 Top 10 Singles - Chinese (# 1-5)

#1. Over The Rainbow - at17
Genre - Folk Pop
From Over The Rainbow Vol. 1 (Jul 16, 2008)

at17's best song to date. It delivers a strong wave of positive energy on a bad day. There's always a ray of hope at the end of the day, even in the worst possible scenario. Every aspect of the song is perfect. Ellen and Eman's interwining harmonic voices, the lush of string and brass back-up, it just paints a bright picture and brings a warm smile on your face. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.

#2. 少年維特 - 何韻詩
Genre - Alternative
From Ten Days In The Madhouse (Dec 12, 2008)

If at17's Over The Rainbow brings a rush of positive envergy, Hocc's Young Werther will drop your mood to the rock bottom and turn your smile into a frown. They are a pair of polar opposites. From the first deep piano note to the dark percussion and string arrangement, from hocc's dark and deep tone in her voice here, to Wyman's lyrics about our generation's sorrows and troubles, ...everything in the song makes you sad and angry. And when a song is able to make my mood swing one way or another, it's a good song.

#3. 囍帖街 - 謝安琪
Genre - Pop
From Binary (Jul 25, 2008)

Kay Tse has become one of my top favorites this year. Album after album, she has proved that she's the real deal. 囍帖街 in many ways is a perfect pop song. Well handled vocals, meaningful lyrics, memorable melody. My only hope is that her live performances can be more stable.

#4. 然後怎樣 - 陳奕迅
Genre - Pop Rock
From 不想放手 (Jun 30, 2008)

A question that I've asked myself over and over again this year.... What Happens Next? Obstacles are present in every step of my way since my graduation... It looks like I'm now taking a long way to get to my goal... when almost everyone else is already there.

#5. 花不痛 - 古巨基
Genre - Folk Pop
From Guitar Fever (Sep 12, 2008)


Tanya Chua wrote a great song. Leo Ku has finally returned to his most natural vocal performance style. Thank God. The lyrics are worth thinking about, Our hearts ache because we allow it to ache, be glad when it happens.

My 2008 Top 10 Singles - Chinese (# 6-10)

#6. 貪生怕死 - 黃耀明
Genre - Folk Rock
From King Of The Road (Oct 3, 2008)



Ming Gor is HK's most innovative and daring musician. He is not afraid to try new images, include sensitive topics in his songs, or make 360 degree changes in music style every now and then. 90% of the songs in his 2008 album does not include electronic arrangements and instrumentation he and his PMPS group are known for. Instead, more real and acoustic are used to back up his voice. 貪生怕死 showcases Ming Gor's beautifully delicate vocals, his masterful control of emotion throughout the entire song... The lyrics of the song are also very meaningful and is worth reflecting upon.



#7. 跑步機上 - 容祖兒
Genre - Dance Pop
From In Motion (Sep 1, 2008)



I've always detested Joey's songs... until now. 跑步機上 and many of her songs in this album finally allows her to step out of her karaoke queen box and just let her explore more possibilities. This song has been frequently played during my workout sessions. I've now come to appreciate the energy that Joey brings into her upbeat tunes... she's one of the few female singers in HK who has that ability... This song and album has changed the way I look at her.


#8. 嬅麗緣 - 楊千嬅
Genre - Pop
From Wonder Miriam (Sep 26, 2008)



Picked this song totally out of personal reasons. I've liked Miriam since I was in grade 6. This is a song filled with lyrics and names of 30 songs throughout her career. It's such a great gift to fans like me... but the timing is a bit awkward... wouldn't it have been better if it were to be released before her All About Love concert last year?



#9. 我係邊個 - 林海峰
Genre - Pop Jazz
From 我哋大家 (Mar 7, 2008)



Jan Lamb's first attempt at jazz. It's surprisingly soothing! Of course I don't expect spectacular vocals from him, but the lyrics and his interpretation really suits the laidback and lassez-faire attitude of this genre of music.



#10. 甜蜜蜜 - 薛凱琪
Genre - Pop
From Smile (Dec 19, 2008)



I actually wanted to pick something from Khalil Fong's album, but since I haven't received it yet, a song written by him would do the job! I've always admired Fiona, she's like Miriam about ten years ago. The cute girl-next-door image, the somewhat uniquely sweet music style... 甜蜜蜜 is really really sweet, I'm sure a lot of guys like me would love to be the "Mr. Wrong" in the song.

My 2008 Top 10 Singles - Western (# 1-5)

#1. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Genre - Pop
From We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. (May 13, 2008)

It's my favorite Western song of the year because it's so bouncy and happy. I remember spending countless summer days listening to it in the car, on stereo system, on my iPod... and it never gets boring. After the summer, our world took a steep drop into the wrong direction and a song like this, so simple yet uplifting... can be a great cure for all our losses and dissatisfaction.

#2. Festival - Sigur Ros
Genre - New Age
From Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (Jun 24, 2008)



In their latest album, Sigur Ros became a little more acoustic and a little less grand. I personally prefer their spacious and grand soundscape a little more, just like in Festival. The vocalist's dynamic voice... the strings and other sound effects back him up... it's really amazing, and you need a good stereo system to really appreciate the richness of their sounds... it's totally out of this world.



#3. Grafton Street - Dido
Genre - Alternative Rock
From Safe Trip Home (Nov 18, 2008)



An album and song about goodbyes. Like Sigur Ros, Dido became a little more minimalistic in her music in her 2008 album too. Grafton Street, dedicated to her late father, has some haunting flute bridges as a tribute to her Irish heritage, making it much more unique... not to mention Dido's always soothing vocals. My school life ended this year... I am now just thrown into the real world without any directions... And no more saying goodbye for the last time again...



#4. The Story - Norah Jones
Genre - Blues / Pop
From My Blueberry Nights OST (April 1, 2008)




Not a big fan of Wong Kar Wai, but Ms. Jones' music has been part of my life for the past few years. The Story is like an extension of her 2007 album, taking a darking, more bluesy turn in music. Her lower register and the cello in the background makes this song so much more powerful and touching.





#5. Warwick Avenue - Duffy
Genre - Soul
From Rockferry (Mar 3, 2008)



As Amy Winehouse is off this year with zero contribution musically, several blue-eyed soul singers emerged in the UK music scene... and Duffy is my favorite one for sure. She's got that bittersweet raspy voice that adds a lot of flavor to the material she sings. Warwick Avenue is one great masterpiece, it's got that 60s vibe and Duffy's superb vocal performance... and the control of emotions is well handled.

Ten Days In The Madhouse: 好想學你安居這套房...

Rating: 88/100

Tracklist:

01. 青山黛瑪
02. 安妮寶貝
03. 楊子經書
04. 丹賴斯隊
05. 查理淑儀
06. 堂吉訶德
07. 少年維特
08. 愛德蒙多
09. 風見志郎
10. 美空雲雀

Listening to Hocc's latest Album "Ten Days In The Madhouse" is like walking into a big house with ten rooms. You would open each door to visit the occupants of each room (or song).

Madhouse might be Hocc's most daring and far from mainstream album to date. When she announced a project to raise awareness for mental patients, I was excited but also a little worried . Is the HK audience ready to accept an album based solely on this sensitive social issue? Will her music collaboration with Hobing and Hanjin be "big enough" to support this concept?

A main reason why I'm a fan of Hocc is her determination. The determination to focus only on the quality of her work. The determination of going after something she believes in. It's a great feeling to see her succeed time after time, even if obstacles arise one after another. I like people who know exactly what they want and would fight for the causes they believe in.

After listening to Madhouse several times now, my worries are gone. Hocc has once again delivered, and in many ways, evolved again.

青山黛瑪

We open the main door to see a little girl named 黛瑪. And we're joined by her to take a look at around this madhouse and visit her roommates... from the view point of someone with mental health issues. Are we really that different from them? Don't we see "normal people" do crazy things all the time?

In terms of techniques, Hocc's higher register has always been her weakness til now. There's a much smoother transition from chest to head voice. All her high notes seem more natural and less forced.

人類意難平的一切問題你都一笑避開
世間太傻 而你是天才旁人話你悲哀　
不過在你眼中清醒才悲哀　繁忙才悲哀
常人難道比瘋子更可愛


安妮寶貝

Along with 黛瑪, we opened the first door and see another young girl called 安妮. She's from a poor family, but always happy. Money doesn't guarantee happiness. And happiness should never be based on how many LV hand bags, expensive cars, and houses you have.

The song itself is okay, less emotional than the previous track but it's a nice tune before moving into the intense and fast tempo songs coming up...

然而路邊新雜誌多
推介富翁的快樂
有些思緒令我堅壯
然而舊區小朋友多 寶貝有天國
大人即使有未結賬單


楊子經書 / 丹賴斯隊

The 3rd and 4th rooms bring things to a broader perspective. We see mad behaviors of the so called normal people, or even ourselves sometimes. The former speaks of the self-centeredness of mankind. Every man for himself. The latter talks about those who like to rush to and follow crowds. But why?

Hocc adopts Hanjin's freestyle, funky music style in both tracks. I personally like the electronic vibe of 楊子經書 a little more, but they both don't leave a deep impression... it's just not Hocc's style.


查理淑儀

In the fifth room, we meet "Charlie and Cherrie" in the title. They still believe in true love, they are deeply in love, they vowed to protect one another til death do us part.... and people think they're crazy. Is there still true love in this world? I'm personally starting to doubt this notion myself too.

Here comes the first climax of the album for me. It's such a simplistic melody with the most beautiful and touching lyrics. Actually the demo version "Daisies" with just lalala was beautiful enough for me to dub this track a spot in the top 3 of this album.

查理淑儀　歷遍人生風雨
又携手　笑迎　海嘯時
如何維繫　互相保護而已
讓對方相信相依
而你跟他也可以


堂吉訶德

In this room, we meet a young man who lives in the world of online and video games. There are so much possibilities in the internet, we can find all kinds of things to make us happy there. When we make our way back to reality, it often disappoint us with all its cruelty.

Musically, it's another simple tune with pop rock influence, probably the closest thing to Hocc's earlier "rocker chick" style.


少年維特

An angry teenager awaits us in the seventh room. I think we can all see ourselves being this guy at some point around our high school years. He's angry and unhappy about everything... his love life (or lack of), his parents, peer pressure, the uncertainty of his future, and probably most of all, himself. I can certainly see myself in this song...

This is hands down my favorite of the album. The lyrics, arrangement, vocal performance are all in unison. It has the ability to bring your mood down, it's like a a ton of weight being dumbed on your shoulders. It's probably one of my top 3 favorites of the year too. Oh my goodness, I still can't recover from the shock of this song...

你為何話我　常在鏡前投訴
溫室裡長高　從來無能力　殺出新血路
難題是我所製造
你為何話這　純屬少年煩惱
即使你早知　人明天非更好


愛德蒙多

In the eighth room, we meet 愛德蒙多. A smart boy at school, gets good grades, but is being punished by his teachers for asking too many questions. Being someone who just graduated, I feel the education system here and around the world has forgotten to include classes to teach us how to survive in the real world. They just dump us out after they've sucked our tuition fees dry. In this case, 愛德蒙多 wants to find out more about love... as for me... sigh.

Another nice ballad (1 of only 2) in the album. But it's just not as good as track 5 查理淑儀.

沒法躲　知識滲出的恆河
洪流浸死了我　是古書哪本的錯
在試卷　誰剔出我階級前途　剔出怯懦


風見志郎

In the second last room, we find the Japanese Superman wannabe. He lives for one cause, and one cause only... to save the world. Plants, animals, and other natural habitats are being eliminated by humans as our population grows exponentially. It might take more than one man to do this job... but we can all make our own baby steps to try to make this planet a better place to live in.

This acoustic folk-pop track is another watercooler spot of the album. Although it's got great lyrics and it's in one of my favorite musical styles... I think it's lacking in some aspects... or else, it could've easily been in the top 3...

沙粒也顫抖　一粒一粒一粒拯救
伸張非一般的正義得一對手
可能　他的身軀好比妖獸
一天一天稀釋價值得他甘心去守


美空雲雀

At the last stop of the tour of madhouse, we see a little songbird. It is flying freely high in the sky, it brings a glimer of hope to the residents here. To all of us. If we stick together, if we believe that we can change the world together, it can really be done one day.

It's probably my #2 favorite of the album. As the closing track of Madhouse, 美空雲雀 carries an important positive message. The progression in the arrangement and Hocc's vocals is really uplifting and it brings you out of the blackhole we were sucked into at the beginning of this album. Another spectacular vocal delivery by Hocc... again her higher register sounds stronger than ever here.

看著藍天空　穿了一個洞
有誰還可以　信奉
同病抱擁　扶持上進
天下為公　靠携手相信


Strongly Recommended Tracks (in order): 少年維特, 美空雲雀, 查理淑儀, 青山黛瑪, 風見志郎

My 2008 Top 10 Singles - Western (# 6-10)

#6. Sleep Through The Static - Jack Johnson Genre - Folk
From Sleep Through The Static (Feb 5, 2008)

I like Jack Johnson's subtle transformation in this album. It's no longer just the fun and bubbly sing-a-longs that has become his trademark. Deeper lyrics are injected to his always laidback music style, to make it a little more meaningful, a little closer to the real world we all live in.

#7. Viva La Vida - Coldplay
Genre - Rock
From Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends (Jun 11, 2008)

This has been one of my favorite workout rock songs in the past 6 mths. I just love everything about it. Chris Martin's always powerful voice, the grand orchestral arrangement. This is what I call a real power booster.

#8. Machine Gun - Portishead
Genre - Techno
From Third (Apr 28, 2008)

From the vocalist's voice to the drum machine loops mimicking sounds of automatic weapons that lasts throughout the entire song, one word comes to mind.... Fear.

#9. Little Bird - Goldfrapp
Genre - Folk
From Seventh Tree (Feb 22, 2008)



I'm enjoying minimalistic music more and more. Goldfrapp's new album just makes you wanna lie down on a field of green grass for the whole afternoon, stare at the blue sky, and do nothing.

#10. New Soul - Yael Naim
Genre - Indie Pop
From Yael Naim (Mar 18, 2008)

The Macbook Air commercial tune, fell in love after listening to it. Bought the album, even more surprised by her Hebrew-Middle Eastern musical influence.

Remember your new year resolutions list?

- Work out 3 or 4 times per week
- Get a full time job
- Get a new pair of glasses
- No more tears
- Read 10 books or more
- Drink less coffee
- Eat less junk/fast food
- Vegetarian diet one day per week
- Try to find someone you love
- Hold your temper
- Start a blog
- Dental check-up / cleaning
- Save more $ than spend
- Keep my room clean and tidy
- Learn a new skill, language, whatever
- Think positive and be happy always





Can you believe this? It's already the 4th day of Decemeber. For me 2008 has been a turbulent year to say the least. There were times of good and bad, up and down, smooth and rough. Some promises I made to myself on Jan 1 were kept, some were kept for a short while and later dismissed, some were completely forgotten.

In the past two days, I went to the dentist for cleaning and also went to the the optomitrist to get a new pair of glasses (it's been 3 yrs lol). Just to get some more items in before the year's end!

Birthday

I hate holidays or any kind of celebration. I haven't celebrated any birthdays since 2005. What happened on my birthday that year has changed me. But that's not the point.

I dread family reunions on holidays, in particular. I hate to pretend to be interested in how relatives are doing. The same goes for reunions of old frds, but this is much easier to take.

It's my birthday and I cannot find no cause for celebration...

This is a line in Jason Mraz's Mr. Curiosity. I listen to this song every year on this day...

Mr. Curiosity - Jason Mraz
From 2005 Album "Mr. A-Z"

Breaking News

For a while now, CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 has become my source of daily news fix (everynight 10pm ET, lol). I've developed my habit of following news closely after taking my favorite course at Ryerson - International Relations & Cold War History (HST500).

I didn't do particularly well in it (I got B), but this course, and the prof of the course Arne Kislenko, has changed my view on the world. I care about it. I pay attention to it. I like learning about the relations between countries and religious groups. Most importantly, I want it to be better, safer.

Anderson is a really charming person. Smart, good looking, reported from war zones and sites of natural disasters, travelled all around the globe. After reading his book "Dispatches From The Edge", I find his life incredibly interesting... not just another shallow blow dried anchor.

I also like his way of handling news. He doesn't take sides, doesn't wear his opinions and views on his sleeves. He believes in FACTS and presenting them accurately. Viewers are smart enough to make their own decisions on what they see and hear.

I also enjoy watching AC360's co-anchor Erica Hill. I think she's quite a pretty lady. She appears nightly at the webcast during the show, delivers news bulletins, often handles her own segments, and always have funny chit-chats with AC for "The Shot of the Day" and Beat360...

I wish she can sit in more often when AC is off or even get a bigger part in the show. She's again and again shown her ability to hold down the fort... it was incredible to see her delivering Mumbai Attacks news last Wednesday night... she's definitely NOT just there because of her looks...

By the way, I won the Beat 360 t-shirt last month from the show! hahaha, here's my winning video!

Pictures from ATA

Utopia

The word Utopia comes from a combination of two Greek words, defined as"the good place" and "the place that cannot be".


Novemeber 26, 2008.
Hundreds are dead and wounded in Mumbai.


It's another one of those horrific days in our times. It's hard to understand why people would use such methods to express their radical world views, their disagreements against so many innocent people.


November 26, 2008.
My first day of work... I enjoy working there. My coworkers are fun to be with. But honestly, I don't want to work there. I believe I deserve something better, but I'm so tired of waiting. I'm so exhausted of the fruitless search. I'm sick of the continuous bad news in the economy.


I'm so tired, exhausted, and sick.

烏托邦 - 謝安琪
(From 2008 Album "Binary")

曲/編/詞: 周博賢

聽說有處 怪誕到極限 哄騙虜拐偷呃 獲豐足三餐
處世太正派 會有大難 靠正宗真功夫被視作不懂得 轉彎

叩拜富貴 不休的戀棧 判斷正反忠奸 著重多少資產
哪個較拮据會遭到待慢 越是有千億家財 越得到偏袒

爭相要脫貧致富 個個也發難
未習慣會漸漸慣 社會雖荒誕 起碼包裝燦爛
大眾向利字進發 已閉起雙眼 不去分好與爛 腐化 被盛讚

盼要富貴 多麼的簡單
(RAP: 放暗箭 出口術 投機 擦鞋搞關係
沽名釣譽 踩住人地個頭上 做世界仔)

再信致富靠儲蓄太浪漫 現在每一分耕耘 獲七分孤單
這些叫與時進化 過去已破爛
未習慣會漸漸慣 社會雖荒誕 起碼包裝燦爛
大眾向利字進發 已閉起雙眼 不去分好與爛 腐化

未習慣會漸漸看慣 社會雖荒誕 起碼包裝燦爛
大眾向利字進發 已閉起雙眼 恐怕越見越煩
不慣也會漸漸變慣 試放開感歎 且看花火燦爛
一眾已向利字進發 為瞬間璀璨
手法不需設限 腐化 被盛讚

Aligning With Beauty

Today's my second time volunteering at Varley Gallery, at their "Aligning with Beauty" art exhibition opening. Marvelous art works by artists all around Canada and U.S. and some remarkable performances by a operatic quartet (soprano vocal, cello, piano, and flute) were featured in the show.

I had the chance to speak with some members of the band and the artists. At times of economic trouble, we align ourselves with many things... but it's beauty that connects us all together...

http://www.markham.ca/Markham/Attractions/Gallery/Exhibitions/exhibit_aligningbeauty.htm






畫意 - 王菀之
From 2006 Album 詩情 . 畫意