Movies as Recommended

It's that Oscar fever again. In my case, it's the post-Oscar fever. Feverish on the consequential events that followed through the most prestigious movie event of the year, the competition was sensed to be very tough and even myself was caught in on a crossroad on deciding which will reign supreme. Nonetheless, salute to Martin Scorsese (finally...) for his first (and more) Oscar wins. Not only he managed to bag the Best Picture and the Best Director, his highly acclaimed movie, The Departed, had also brought along the Best Film Edit and the Best Adapted Screenplay. Notably I had an eye on this movie too, hence one of my all-time favourites.

Here are the movies which I highly recommend to watch:

The Departed
You have guessed it right. What other movie more fitting if not the winner of this year Academy Awards in Best Picture. The maestro, Martin Scorsese, had made his magic again. This time, coming up with a gangland style movie. Alleged to be inspired from those (typical, boring, cheesy) Hong Kong movies that depicts the war between police and the gangsters, Martin Scorsese tried his luck to made a bet on Hollywood. Genius as he is, he pulled off one of his finest. The movie takes focus on the question of loyalty among the police force and the gangsters. Betrayal as the central issue, this movie is also packed with high intense action drama. A must watch!

Babel
Complexity. Three main events. All of these are connected to one key, one lead. Somehow it turned out that way. But the real message is the awareness of a communication barrier of various languages throughout the world. Lost in translation? Not really. You have to watch it yourself. And indeed, this movie is another winner of the Academy Awards, receiving seven Oscars. Apparently they have managed to obtain only one award for the Best Original Musical Score. And of course, there's Mr. Smith. But honestly, Brat Pitt performed well this time.

The Pursuit of Happyness
In the beginning, I had trouble searching this movie title - as I meant by Google for the title. What the heck? Happiness, in this movie, is spelled Happyness. Well, that settles everything. Then I thought this will be another comedy. Never crossed my mind that this will be horror or action oriented. The latter did not happened, thankfully. Based on a true story, this movie had inspiring and touching. When I watched the trailer, I gave it an okay but there is one particular scene that really had my attention. And that scene is no ordinary sad scene. Another Oscar nominated film. I'd say, give it a try.

Jeopardy

I had a rotten start of the year. But those things of the past are best left forgotten. Yet the occurring scenarios provoke recurring dilemma that I wish not to repeat again. And this time, it is a certain gamble that will (permanently) a relationship. I am not good in dealing with people. Those who know me are ought to be aware of that fact. People greet me, I just replied a weak smile. People trying to initiate conversation, I give abrupt answers that require no further talking. People try to see me, somehow I am giving excuses to avoid them. There are times I prefer to be all by myself. At those moments of recluse, I evade those who are concerned about me and keeping those distances so that I contain matters all by myself. Why do I need to expose this side of me? Personal matters are private and if anyone should bring it up, people ought to give an impression that this person wants attention. But I am not that kind of person. I don't seek attention, though I will be delighted if I am appreciated. I need to tell this to all of those who know me of who I really am. Knowing me will not reveal my whole self. I need them to know that I am human enough to have my own flaws. In this case, my flaws is in maintaining certain good friendships. Friends are no mere companions. They are people who can connect a person in mind and soul, to get full rendering of their thoughts and feelings. This is the true definition of a friend. Somehow this sounds like your soul partner. Well, your soul mate is your best friend, isn't it? I am also surrounded by friends - both acquaintances and fond friends. But as I have said earlier, I am not good in keeping good relationships. I can put a smile and chat with anyone but I won't be keeping in touch soon after. That how my life had has always been. Accustomed to it, I find no bother in those friendship matter nor keeping interest in it as well. Despite being those ridiculous idiot in friendship, I keep a deep appreciation to those whom I acknowledged as friends. Those appreciation, to be frank, is well marked in my heart and I will never forget those beautiful moment while being together. And honestly speaking, I also cannot forgive myself of who I am. Yet this is who I really am - something I wished to change though it will be a notable challenge to do so. You can always pretend to be someone who not you are but you will get tired of doing it forever. Doing this can sometimes swell those emotional stress until it burst out and you will let it go. And I am saying behaviours such as going berserk or shuts into a recluse. I am the latter, unfortunately. A friendship is built on the foundation of trust. If you pretend to begin with, it is bound to a destructive end. Well I will not lie. I am a pretender. But not all of the time. If you spent enough time with me, surely you will know my true self. And those companions of mine are my friends, not some mere associates. Again, I am human. I can change too. That is why all of my friends whom I have not seen for such a long time will be surprise, at times, of certain radical differences of my normalities. Those newfound friends are not noticing, of course. They've just met me anyway. It is impossible to know someone in a short period of time. Thus, this confrontational conflicts always poses an imminent threat in jeopardizing a friendship. I am saying this because another one is bound to happen. Wheels are set into motion, the direction is unknown. But I am not will to risk to lose this one. This one is too precious to lose. This blog is not my excuse to that friend of mine. I am just heeding a warning to the rest of friends of who I really am. Apology is certainly no possible with this stupid trait of mine. But it cannot be helped. All I need is a second chance...

I am having doubts to post this blog but I am determined to it. This is how I am going let all my emotions loose. I prefer not to break down and be a crybaby. This somewhat therapy helps me to relieve this unwanted stress.

Perplexed State of Mind

Since 1p.m. yesterday, I had not taken any eye shut. I had been awake since then till now. Believe me, I looked very disoriented. First one wans inside the plane. I mistakenly used the small spoon for my coffee, not noticing a teaspoon right under my nose. In the end, I had to reuse that spoon to eat my muffin. Thank God for the tissue paper. I just shrugged off that idiocy. But the next one was rather embarrassing though I just put on a poker face due to my perplexed state of mind. I was dying to look for the toilet as I left the aircraft. Thankfully it was just nearby. Here's the twist. My focus was on selective attention and I only spotted for the word toilet, rather than checking for a second time for which gender it belongs to. Well, it looked like any other toilet. Again I didn't put that to consideration. Then all I saw were ladies. Hey something wrong. Gosh! What the heck! The ladies toilet! And I'm actually heading to that toilet. My reflex was quick enough to exit the toilet on immediate basis but that does not help me to escape some ridiculed laughs from the other incoming lady toilet users. Need to cut short. Got a plane to catch.

Lunar New Year

Today is the celebration of the Lunar New Year - most commonly known as Chinese New Year since lunar calender is the fore-calender of the Chinese. Ushering this Year of the Boar, fortune is the main theme of this year. Thus, opportunity for financial success is what the people will thrive for this year. So to all celebrants of this festivity, I wish you all a prosperous new year. Gong Xi Fa Cai.

Now on a different issue. As I have mention, money is the central idea of the year and money had always been in my mind - especially at this moment. I had been given permission to take up some of my saving for expenditure. A sigh of relief, given that I need to make purchase of an external hard drive without any financial support from my parents. Well, it is my belonging anyway. Better squeeze out some cash from my own pocket. My parents promised to buy me a new watch (at last!!!) so I better not to sulk up about it. As for my financial status, I have no idea of my future stability in terms of savings. But I will work it out. So my plans for a new laptop this year probably needs a delay to next year. It's okay anyway. Full review of the newly inaugurated Windows Vista has not been released yet. That should take up a year to get done. I'll take that excuse for the delay.

Back Home Again

I am sound in my own comforts of home. Though I am cushioning myself with this comfort, I need to bear in mind about the ongoing assignments which I have obliged to finish. Never mind that.

Before this, I have read the news about the government's effort to improve the airports' services. Among these includes the availability of wireless internet in all major airports in Malaysia. I was a little jubilant about this but kept on pondering of when will they ever get this done. My prayers were answered. Prior to touchdown to LCCT, I noticed more people were hooked up to their laptops. I shrugged this off, however, considering that they were bored as they have hours more to go before taking their next flight. Curious had always been my second nature - I looked on. Then I spotted YouTube on one of the LCD laptop screens. Possibility of WiFi? I gave it 40 percent. As a habit, I headed on to Coffee Bean. I glanced over the counter when I noticed a brochure about WiFi. Coincidence? Maybe. Conjecture up to 50 percent. After placing my order and grabbed a seat, I made an assuring discovery to my theory. A WiFi router - and it's functioning. Conjecture up again, 80 percent. To settle any doubts, I took out my laptop and have a try.
Hit on the power button.
Connecting... and connected.. to KLIA-WIFI connection.
Opened up Firefox.
Welcome to KLIA WIFI connection.
Houston, we have lift-off!
At least, from now on, there won't be any bored moments in the airport everytime I am on the move. I am glad. I just hope that this will be done to all airports in Malaysia, and that includes Kota Baharu and Miri.

Speaking of bored moments, I always experience these everytime I am travelling back home for the holidays. Those dull moments never cease to go away until I have arrived to destination. But not this time. On my way to KL, I was with Max, and at the airport, I had a short reunion with Ah Tat, my roommate. Even my flight bound to Miri, I had a surprise company, Karen. An old friend - we had not seen each other since ages. So throughout the flight, we had chatted our hearts out. Talk about being so talkative. All I ever wish is the similar fate everytime I am going to and fro Miri and Kota Baharu. I'll be like the luckiest guy if that really happens all the time.

Photos...

As promised, here are some photos taken during the CNY night last weekend. I wished to post this earlier if not because of the internet absence in my dorm. They practically removed internet from the dorm, simply by removing the wireless router. Yes, throughout this week and probably for the coming days, expect my absence from blogging. But it does not matter for now. I am going back this weekend anyway. Just hope that the internet is back when holiday is over.







Tomorrow, my friends will have a CNY cum holiday dinner. Indeed we are ushering this new year with such splendour but apparently, I am not so excited about it. Anyway I am hoping all well ends well. Which reminds me of one thing; I need to take advantage of any possibility at hand - and I have this small window of opportunity for it. You might not know what am I babbling about. Not going to tell anyway. I'd rather have this disclose. Ignore this - just some certain random monologue.

Night of Grandeur and Sashays

"Chinese New Year Night is a tradition that must be carried on. This was the first message given to the second year students when the Annual General Meeting to elect the new board of committee was approaching. Everybody was so bored and exhausted of the abundant extra-curricular activities that nearly drowned us. But somehow, many came to realise the need to organise this special night."

And that are the foreword from the project director himself. Credits for the negativity that he clearly trying to emphasis. The fun is that the event is a tradition, rather than a festivity. Festivity sounds better to the ears; not too raw, not too harsh. To the very least, he is honest about it. It is a tradition and they have been screaming to the top of their lungs, giving resounding propaganda of its importance and our obligatory responsibility to accept the task. In short, the so-called 'second-year seniors' made it compulsory for all of the first-year students to join along the 'fun'. Never fail to excite me. So these brain-washed minions had been busting their asses for months in perfecting their preparations for the CNY night. In this typical folktale, there's always be some rebellious heroes. Make that my roommate and another friend of mine. Brave fellows. Glad to know them. Everyday, they 'battled' their way to survive the 'attacks' by the endless streams of requesting plea from their participating friends and seniors. Defy the mass and you rule the world. They kept up well in giving excuses to avoid involvement in the event. Alas, they prevail. Three cheers for their success!

Now for the real deal - the awaited night was at hand. We went in. Trying not to look too alarmed and surprised, the crowd was rather 'astounding'. Throngs of people came, regardless of their background; students, locals, tourists (that's right, tourist!), committed partners of the students, former students (probably), and a few hookers. I was just guessing the latter but their attires say so. Souvenirs and booklets were handed out by the receptionists. We did not took those, decided to dash in instead, although I took a book later on. What really impressed me was the idea of bridges at the main entrance. What are chances of getting to cross a bridge in Kelantan right? Haha, very funny (add sarcasm to the tone). But really, I was impressed, both by their creativity and idiocy. Indeed, it was brilliant to build a pool in front of the entrance and place bridges on top of it. It creates that serene atmosphere to it. I like that idea... for my front yard that is. In fact it was so brilliant that they actually clogged up the main door for the entrance, hindering us from getting in. Then, here comes those camera-whores. Yes, it's a nice bridge. Go ahead and snap some photos there, placing yourself evidently into the scene. I bet you would look nice if you stand on the bridge. Yeah why don't you do that? Then why don't you do this instead? Stop blocking us passer-by! I don't give a crap how photogenic you look with the bridge, just let us have our own peace of crossing the bridge. What an unnecessary cause for a congestion! Then next time, we have a gig on the Penang bridge. Maybe that will please the cranky drivers. Eventually, sensibility crossed the minds of the organisers to allow some paths bypassing the damn bridges.

The theme of that night was "Sashay of Blossoms, Grandeur of the Orient." Sounds catchy but I am uncertain of their effort to achieve to the expectancy. However, the night was as it is to claim - Sashay of Blossom. Everyone literally blossomed in their own sashay. My friends and I termed it as the ultimate. Now we sounded like them. Anyway, everyone dressed up in their best outfits, which good for me and I am referring to the ladies. I was hoping for some eye candies but what I had was 'arsenic'. Some dressed up decently, some dressed up as though they have lost their fashion sense, and (sadly) some dressed too well. What I am trying to convey is their attire was too nice that it did not match them - at all! Then I prefer to look at their dresses instead of them. Yes, it is not a crime to wear something nice for a rather special occasion but it is also irritating if a person dresses up in an evening gown while the rest are dressing up casually. Apparently the majority was dressing up for a prom night. I guess these people has lost their ability in justification when it comes to attire. To begin with, this is not a prom. To be frank, it is just a cultural event. Tourist would definitely like this. The excuse is probably is that they want to enjoy their life in this boring campus. I accept that since they won't have much chance to wear those anyway. Yet it felt like the outfit is crying out loud and begs for attention of how beautiful the wearer be. The problem here is the person in that outfit is not even close of being good looking. It is not a curse to be ugly (I did not indicate my vain self as good looking) but sweet don't go well with bitter. You have a pretty dress but if you are not good looking, it won't work. If you are pretty but wears a scanty terrible attire, it won't work too though I would likely to prefer the latter. Solution? Improve the looks first before thinking of changing for a nice looking outfit.

After a long-haul for the arrival of the VIPs (ignorant, in this context), this year's CNY night has begun. Enduring those lame intros by the emcees and those endless babbles from the VIPs, the opening ceremony made a lukewarm start. Hit a gong and a couple of scrolls rolled out. So much for the anticipation. I imagined some fireworks or confetti or releasing of balloons. I guess I hoped too much. Then the first performance by the proud and envious Season Drums squad. Wushu included. Boy, I am so 'jealous' for the drum team. So... (speechless)... (still speechless)... (more dots after this)... (stop it, I'm wasting blog space here!)... Just screw it. No reason for me to be so envious with them but someone actually claimed that I did. Wow! What a far fetched allegation there. And sorry, that statement made me SICK! Again, some more endurance test to the performance. Then comes another one. A musical. Not a big fan of musical but I kept an open mind to it. I decided to bear with it. My verdict? Not bad. In fact, it was good! The harmony was there at least and the dancers were splendid. Thumbs up for them. Before proceeding to the food dinner, the lion dance (imported from outside campus) gave an effort to live up to the CNY traditions. It is typical for any Chinese-oriented (formal, in particular) events. Then, time to appease that hunger. By the way, forget to mention this. In between performance, there is some kind a simple sketch. Short acts. Just for laugh - hardly any.

My friend left after the meal, leaving my roommate and I. The event resumed with a multiracial performance. Yes, multiracial. I'm into cultural performance, preferably those from my home state of Sarawak. For me, nothing beats the Sarawak Cultural Village team. The best in Malaysian cultural performance. For the record, they had been invited several time to perform at various events and celebration, including the Merdeka parade and the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games. Call me high class but I despise amateurish performances (that includes the musical which I gave credit for) and always expected more from cultural performances. The introductory performance of Javanese-Malay fusion dance was pleasant. Not to par of a magnificent play. Then the Chinese dance followed up. Not only the dancing was bad, the outfit was even horrendous. At some point though, the dancers looked cute in that outfit. LOL. Apparently they got the crowd's applause. A racist sentiment. Support the Chinese in CNY night. How more racist it can be? Not one soul clapped for support to the Malay dancers. Pity them. Instead the Chinese performance gained the advantageous support from the audience. Oh well. Then as I anticipated the Indian performance, the whole act was ended. Abruptly, from what I see. Unless you are telling me that the only races in Malaysia are Malay and Chinese, I am not satisfied with performance. It's decided. The performance, no, the whole event is racist. Period. I am not carrying out any sentiments here but the performance was stated 'Multiracial Performance', so why not make it look like one. If only two cultures are featured in the performance, then do not mislead the idea of multiracial (or even multicultural) all together. So far, we have lived harmoniously in this society, given a thin line between love and hate among several ethnics. To the very least, try not to give a wrong impression to the concept of multiracial or somebody might get very cranky about it.

The folowing act was a sketch about the legendary lady warrior, Mulan. Thanks to the promotion of the legend by Disney, the story of Mulan is not foreign anymore. At least, the sketch gave their own twist to it. I did not enjoy it but they manage to woe some crowd. Personal victory to them. Then the finale was singing. Something I did not wish to experience. And we left early, knowing how the performance would be like - pitchy and boring. Not unless they have a golden voice there, I might consider my action.

My final say to the whole event is that the food costs me RM10 and the side-shows served their purpose well, that is being just a side-show. Nothing more, nothing less. Try not expect much from this mediocre event, all you have are performances that tried so hard to impress but failed, and the lousy yet acceptable food. Like I said earlier, the food costs me RM10! If you look for a decent play, this is definitely not in your list of choice. Unless you considered on giving contributions and support to the community, then it won't hurt if you come along. I'd say dump this and do something better. I'll have more fun at home during the holidays next week. So why bother at all?

I have some picture of the event but the connection defies my intention of doing so. I guess I'll be posting those on the next post. Creativity sparked to edit those pics. Oh that Photoshop feeling!