Of Friends: Past, Present, and Imaginary

I feel like writing, so this time you'll have to bear with the long rambling plain prose instead of the cryptic poems -- most of which probably only understood by Eka who knows the background story in my life, anyway. xD
>> [INSERT] Voltaire: "Anything too stupid to be said is sung." =3

Met my namesake today -- my high school schoolmate, used to be the president of the student union ('Ketua OSIS' =D). That was one of the qualifiers people distinguished us with back then. Ah, nostalgic. Surprisingly it didn't feel strange referring to her with my own name. ...Well, I do like my name. xD *narcissistic much?* (Mom and Dad, おつかれさまでした! =) *bows*)

She's visiting for the long weekend holiday, and I met up with her together with DIsk. Updates, updates, people's (and our own) marriage status/history, reliving of old nicknames.. We Indonesians are really quite creative (and fearless) in conjuring up outrageous nicknames huh.

Eka joined us for a while since I had a prior appointment with her, and I was glad that all of us had a lively talk despite my usual practice of keeping my different cliques separate from each other (Eka knew DIsk but not my schoolmate). I think the indifferent me should learn from her some of that interest and curiosity about other people's lives. ^^0

Eka and I then set off on a hunting journey for the camera she wanted. It occurred to me that we are quite some geeks, lol, though we fancy slightly different ranges of gadgets, probably. I don't know much about cameras and that plus my natural neutrality has triggered Hady's skepticism over my 'usefulness' in Eka's buying process. I wonder if the need for moral support is a feminine concept that most guys do not practice? xD Even then I think neither Eka nor I have much of this feminine trait in us; she only calls on my support when it's something very expensive and I mostly only ask for technical opinions. (I'm painfully slow in deciding on a purchase, but that's a different issue, right.)

My small reunion has also triggered the talk about our own schooling pasts, and Eka was amazed at how different our lives could have turned out if we had made different decisions regarding our entrance to NUS. I might have known her brother instead of her! Ahaha, I guess we had a very fruitful talk today. Like, on the possible reason that we click well with each other. In Japanese personality terms, I'd be an M and she (as well as certain others I'm close with) would be an S? =D (I do hope I'm not treading on dangerous sub-context here. xD)

In a way, interacting with these 'S' friends has made me work on my laid-back attitude towards issues that are important to them, made me improve personality flaws I wouldn't have bothered with otherwise. And despite the occasional discomfort, it is probably a subconscious appeal that makes the relationship interesting and pulls me further towards them. I could only hope befriending me has something of similar benefit to them, probably to train their tolerance and patience towards laid-back people like me? Ahahaha.
>> [INSERT] Christina Aguilera: "Makes me work a little bit harder... so thanks for making me a fighte~r!" =D

Eka blogged about her tendency towards the negative and I guess I'm kinda the positive polar there (hopefully)... though I'm still not influencing her much. ^^0 I aspire for positiveness, I admire positiveness, and I think I still can't stand people who are too negative, but it's curious that I did find someone close to that ideal but that never pulls me as strongly as other aspects in my less-positive proved-and-tried close friends.

In this aspect, I'm very much a my-pace person -- I do things at my own pace -- even though I think it might not work for everyone's situation. My life has been very, very fortunate. I have my down and distressed moments too, certainly, but they pass soon enough; I cross the bridge when it comes, things come to me in time. Reading Eka's blog about her worries, I do think there are worthwhile worries that we should worry and then do something about... just that these haven't been very difficult for me, with all the help I've been getting and all the 貴人 I've met, bless them. Well, in the same spirit as above, I hope knowing people with serious worries will keep me from getting complacent. =S

Now, some celebrity news, since I find myself caring about them. =))

Ayaka, whom I'm a half-fan of, is now married to Mizushima Hiro, an actor I only knew from Hanakimi drama. I thought she was too young for it, but apparently the boyfriend proposed because she'd been battling a disease she only revealed recently, and he wanted to better support her in the treatment as her husband. She's always impressed me as someone mature, and while I don't know much about the guy, this clarification surely convinced me that she has married a really good person. The sad news is that she'll have to put her career on hold to concentrate on the treatment, after this year. I'm certainly looking forward to the comeback of that talent! Winding Road is now all the more uplifting when I'm down with my own insignificant troubles.
>> [INSERT] ayaka x Kobukuro: "Up ahead on the winding road, the self I dreamed about on that day is waiting for me..."

Then... Good Friday was Tsuyoshi's 30th birthday. Lol, it makes me uneasy to be remembering the birthday of someone I don't even know in person, but he did make it a big affair by releasing a single plus an album and holding a special concert on that day. The album music in general isn't much to my taste, but the single has beautiful (if rather emo) lyrics and the whole sky theme he uses for them easily gets me sold. Oh, the inexplicable charms this man has over thousands of us. xD
>> [INSERT] Tsuyo-shi: "[I] can't say, can't heal, can't erase, [the fact that] I love you..."

Lastly, I've started to follow American Idol again. =D At first out of curiosity for this Adam person firefly has been speaking highly of, and to a certain extent, the need to keep up with the conversations of some close friends, ahahah. Well, I soon think highly of him, too. And of Matt, whose performance I can always appreciate, somehow, no matter what the judges think. I have to stream the show on campus though, since I don't have a TV, and when I graduate this month I'll have to tap on all my leeching skills to find it online, I guess. ^^0

Long weekend, long long post. Submitting my thesis next week and will be moving on to the next stage of my research life. Yosh~

Keep Smiling, Keep Sparks-ling

Did some reading on Idol Gives Back after watching the show. Well, mostly to check out on that Elvis trick whether Celine really was there... and to confirm my suspicions about the fame of a certain guitarist since he got to hug Kelly Clarkson at the end of the performance. (Okay, so I'm falling behind on my celebrity recognitional education.)

Anyway, given the theme, there were of course links to Bono, and I landed on this page. When he started with "Please join me in praying that I don't say something we'll all regret," I certainly couldn't resist reading all the way down. He said some really meaningful things there, about finding our stand, about what equality really means, about not "asking God to bless what you’re doing" but instead getting "involved in what God is doing"... well beyond a plain plea for charity, so go take a look.

And, about Celine, I realized the (at least, my) senses are really not to trust... much. Just because Elvis wasn't real I began suspecting if Celine was real. (Of course she exists ^^0 -- just whether her performance was taped or live.) If I'm the only one not seeing much difference between the effect and non-effect, oh well... What's more, felt like she looked younger there, the gorgeous lady, isn't it so?! ^^

And now I really want that song. In her voice.

Hitting Close to Home

So, Jonathan Leong will be at the UCC at 5pm today. I did checked his blog this morning (as per Daniel Ong's instruction) because I was curious, but never thought I'd be receiving the confirmed news in my work/school email inbox. NUS Centre for the Arts asked for support for the event, as Jonathan is a member of the NUS Jazz Band.

It was also a surprise yesterday when I saw a poster beside the lift in my building, soliciting votes for Jasmine Tye because she turns out to be a "schoolmate", a Life Sciences 1st year. Strictly speaking, "less" of an NUS student than Jonathan (3rd year Political Science according to CFA's email) since I figured her being first year meant that she had missed all the lectures since the start of the academic year. Most probably they also have similar posters for Jonathan over at Arts Fac. Erm, not that year and faculty should be a factor in deciding who to vote for, ya. *disclaim disclaim*

Anyway, I hope they don't mind me discussing their, uh, academic life here. I'm just a little surprised at how such a commercial thing finds its way to a school I'm close with. I guess it's only me making that distinction.

So, being a half-fan of Jonathan (I voted for both finalists yesterday), I'm a little tempted to go, but decided not to since I don't know anyone else at school that can go fangirl/boy(?)-ing with me. Paiseh lah. =P Huaha.

Untimely Noises

Couldn't stand the noises made by the some of the Singapore Idol studio audiences tonight. 0_0 Noticed this during Paul's performance -- if they really like him shouldn't they listen when he is singing? Excitement and all that, but, timing please. I wouldn't complain about all the noise after the singing is over. Like, here we also want to listen ler.

Thought he looked a little distracted by all the screaming too, but I'm not a fan so I'm not that concerned about that, heeh. But imagine what a waste of voice if it were someone like Mathilda (yeah, wind's blowing on that direction currently).

And I am all for the judges being nice to the contestants, but I think they should stop encouraging them in the manner that kind of implies "the singing wasn't very good but your looks will get you through". I mean, this is a popularity contest and that is only the fact, but it shouldn't be said like it is a good thing...

Speaking about noises and judges, it's also quite amusing that Ken has to shush the audience everytime it's his turn to comment. Would have suspected they deliberately do that, but it happens to Jacintha too only she just waits them out, so I guess it is just that short-attention-span thing.

Ah, haven't meant this to be so bashing. Haha. =P Feeling like this is talking behind people's backs, so maybe I should stop being lazy and go find the feedback channel on that site one of these days. =P

Nationalism... Not?

Both of the contestants I voted for in Sing Idol's Wildcard episode got through to Top 12 by audience's vote. Now that's what I call 60-cents-es well spent. ^__^

I'm surprised they weren't in by judges' choice; I kinda thought they were the better singers. Maybe I wouldn't have voted if I'd known they could get in by judges' choice (me ignorant about the rules lah). Then again maybe the judges thought the same, in reverse. Huaha. Wonder what would happen if their choices coincided with the votes?

First time voting for this season. I've wanted to wait until some Olinda comes to the surface, but Tuesday night I thought at least I wanted to see these people in the weeks to come. Haven't decided the direction for my loyalty though. From the Top 28 I've liked a few who's got nice personalities (as far as I can tell from the shows, eh) but wasn't charmed enough to vote, so. =P

I know some of my friends roll their eyes at the whole Idol phenomenon, music lover or no. I've come out of the closet many blogposts ago so if you're one of them, well... think anything you want but just keep being my friend? Huehuehue...

Now, there's a vast difference between AI and Sing Idol, and some friends who are okay with AI still sneer at Sing Idol's standard. I nod at that but somehow there's just a homely appeal in it, you know? The same way I found local shows like ABC DJ entertaining despite the often poor plots and rich Singlish*. And now that Phua Chu Kang is just before Sing Idol's result show I'm starting to watch it too. Now some more friends including fellow Idol enthusiasts will roll eyes at this. Ahem.

[Edit 07.07.06]
Found this Beng-speak video that I thought suited the occasion. Enjoy!


* My opinion! Don't flame, don't sue.

Glory Night

I am a squeaky fangirl.

(Yep, American Idol finale.)

Elliot was good with One. Sounds like his kind of song. I feel Mary J Blige was a little too sharp in that duet, though. Kinda the same as Katherine when singing with Meatloaf on It's All Coming Back to Me Now. Meatloaf threw me off at first with that super-emotional starting, but all in all they reminded me of how great that song was. When Ryan announced it and I missed the performer's name I thought it would be Celine Dion and almost squealed in joy. Nah.

Carrie's Don't Forget to Remember Me was great vocal control. Like it even more with the simple accompaniment and the one girl doing the seconds. Made me really listen to the lyrics for once (sorry Had, even after you lent me the CD ^^0) and they were very moving words. Like the violin too -- this instrument when employed like that really shines, ya? Remember that violin sequence in To Love You More?

Clay Aiken was cute. Odd hairstyle but who am I to talk, and that made him cuter, so. Didn't really get to appreciate his vocals because of the impersonator but I'm not blaming him, I'm busy staring anyway. =D

Prince was... purple. But not as bad as Taylor's flaming jacket the other night, at least. And nice footwork. Still, can't really understand how he got two songs (and after the off introduction by Ryan, or was it just me?) when they only gave Taylor and Toni Braxton like, very short. Speaking of which, Toni Braxton's moves and face expressions... were they kind of odd too? But, impressive low voice she got there.

Taylor's new single was quite nice. Feels a bit too mellow for him. Is this the first season they're having different singles for the two grand-finalists? Yet they are still the same mellowy type of songs, as all singles in the past seasons seemed to be. Now it feels that last year it might've been a bit unfair that Bo had to sing the same softie song as Carrie.

Kath shone with Somewhere Over the Rainbow yesterday and still gave me goosebumps even hearing it the third time (watched the first one's encore too so that's twice), but today she was not as exciting. Love her still. Remind me to find her picture in that Greek-themed gown on the Idol site or elsewhere. So beautiful.

Dionne Warwick was divine. She sang like it was effortless. And, glad to see Mandisa again. Somebody should scout her if not already.

Like that song Chris sang with the band, Mystery. Thought the band vocalist was pretty good-looking too. *snicker* It's his legs. Maybe he should actually feel insulted since I only ever admire girls' legs, but I'm sure he doesn't even care about my opinion.

The Gold Idol thing was hilarious, they should have it again. A bit rehearsed (ref. the Oompa Loompas), but that's reasonably fine.

I was so noisy when watching the show. Alone. Feels a little lonely sometimes that none of my housemates share this obsession with me, but given my watching antiques maybe there is a positive side to it.

So next, Singapore Idol? =D Already I voted for Mr. Nong Nong Ago on Channel 5 website when I dropped by to check the programme guide the other day. This Idol phenomenon is doing funny things with my composure. *ahem*

Overtime

AI advertisement break, streamed off NUSCast in lab. ^__^

Just now, passed by my supervisors' doors on my way to the restroom (whops, too much information?) -- darkened doors, as expected. I remembered being rather bewildered in my first year of research, when I was struggling so much (and still do!) how most professors can cope with that much work (surely they have more projects going on than us students, right, and they still have courses to teach) while still managing to more or less follow the office hours. A fellow research student (sorry, forgot who) told me back then, "Yeah, that's why they have us to do all those work."

After two years with my sups now I know, it's because they also work at home. (Well yeah, not the case for everybody.) I've been receiving their emails at night and over the weekend and on public holidays. Of course now I've also taken to emailing them belated promised results at twelve-thirty past midnight. =D

So, back to the (simulated) TV. The AI top five was performing a song together. With a whole lot of backing choir members. So I suppose that harmony at the end is not from our finalists, huh? I'd like to see them trying a cappella some time (and four is quite a good number for that *hint hint*). Hady never likes AI finalists performing together in the last few seasons, saying that they were pretty much soloists on their own and their singing did not blend as choral singing was supposed to be. I thought this group might not be quite bad, though.

And yeah, I did miss the show for my rehearsal last night. What an episode to miss when I like all the remaining ones and they were singing two songs each, argh. (Black Horse and the Cherry Tree! And Home!) But I think by now most people can guess the trend of the voting results up to the finals, even without watching... ETCK, I'm guessing? Though I hope it'd be TCEK.

Codenamed just in case someone thinks this is a spoiler, though it certainly is not and if you care to read this you'd know what those letters stand for anyway, don't you. (So what's the point, you ask? ...Er, "[nonsense] doesn't have to have a point, that's why it's [nonsense]"*?)

* Admittedly, a bastardized line from Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Fever

Long time no blog. And now I'm writing to whine because I missed my Kath on AI tonight. Why does TV Mobile not broadcast it anymore? I'd been hoping Kellie had performed first, I wouldn't have regretted missing that. =P (Wuh, that sounded a bit harsh, didn't it?)

Didn't find any download link that worked either, so I suppose I'll be couch-potatoing for the encore telecast this Sunday. But anyway, glad I was in time for Elliot. He owned the night, man. One of the few who can put their emotions into the vocal. And to think his is the only song I haven't heard before tonight, too.

So while I'm at this, why not add to the millions of biased reviews you can find on American Idol? =) Let's see.. hm, pasca-Elliot it's rather hard to be impressed. Kellie... you know what I think about her. She's been bland these few weeks, will we be seeing her off finally this week? The winds do not seem to be blowing that way, but we've lost Mandisa to the same winds after all..

Paris did well, as usual, but no sparks for me, as usual. =P Taylor, I usually enjoy his performances, but this time he was as Simon said, uptight. He's been strong on the votes so let's hope he stays on tomorrow too. And Chris, that guy is really smart in the song choice department. Eka and I have been worried, like, him and Andrea Bocelli? =P But I think Bryan Adams is his best bet for this theme. Still couldn't help but compare him to the original and felt the gap, but I think his vocal on that last part was moving.

When I was browsing around for links, also saw the news that my former fave Lisa will be (or has been, if we count the production date) guest-starring in The O.C.. Well, good, I'm following that series too. =) The episode supposedly airs this week in the U.S. so it'll be a while till I get my paws on it.

So that's all. Pending for Kath this Sunday, though I think I'll have been down from my high to be blogging about it then. The reviews I read haven't been encouraging, and from the bits I've seen on the recap I am quite prepared for disappointment. But what the heck, love her anyway. =)

To close off, since Winamp happens to be playing my current song fascination at the time of writing, here's Stars' "Calendar Girl". As heard on this week's CSI advert. =)



If I am lost for a day, try to find me
But if I don't come back, then I won't look behind me
All of the things that I thought were so easy
Just got harder and harder each day

December is darkest; in June there's the light
But this empty bedroom won't make anything right
While out on the landing, a friend I forgot to send home
Who waits up for me all through the night

Calendar girl who's in love with the world
Stay alive
Calendar girl who's in love with the world
Stay alive

I dreamed I was dying, as I so often do
And when I awoke I was sure it was true
I ran to the window, threw my head to the sky
And said whoever is up there, please don't let me die

But I can't live forever, I can't always be
One day I'll be sand on a beach by the sea
The pages keep turning, I'll mark off each day with a cross
And I'll laugh about all that we've lost

Calendar girl who is lost to the world
Stay alive
Calendar girl who is lost to the world
Stay alive

January, February, March, April, May
I'm alive
June, July, August, September, October
I'm alive
November, December, yeah all through the winter
I'm alive
I'm alive

Temperature

I've seen the (belated) (American Idol) light, and it is that while Ayla was cool, Katharine is hot. =D I think my taste changes with my mood. Most probably because of what she sang last night. And she is one of the few remaining finalists who smile a lot and in that unrestrained joyful manner, a trait I'm definitely weak for.

Things are going pretty well considering the feeling of "still so many things to do" that keeps haunting me. Pretty stupid that I worry everytime I think of it, because I still don't like to rush while I'm working on them. I like to get lost in the details. =P

On the other hand, felt like I'm losing touch with most of my friends and also my sister, and that grayed me a little (see previous post). Everybody's busy, I guess. Felt like I should be more outreaching, but that hasn't happened yet... But Yesie found me last night and we had a nice, fun catching-up talk, and that brightened me up considerably. Thanks, girl. ^_~

Minority Report

More shops in Singapore should be more accommodating to people who work ten to nine like me =D (as the Javanese put it best, "sa'karepé dhéwé"). Well, early birds get the worms, people!

But maybe they are not interested in worms. And majority are either non-working people who go shopping after eleven or working people who go shopping after seven and go to bed at eleven, so I'm outvoted.

And my favourite got voted out of American Idol last night, too. Aargh. Frankly speaking, better she leaves than Kath, but then better Ace than either of them, and better Bucky than Ace. Uhm, sorry, guys. Disclaimer: this is a personal opinion and in no way reflect that of other people's, otherwise last night wouldn't have happened, right.

Finally got a little breather after two pretty hectic weeks. This week is due to last-minute assignment work, but last week is my honeymooning friend's visit, so it's a happy hecticness. =) Don't feel like blogging about that now, and photos are in her camera. I took photos with mine too but the living creatures in there, if any, are not us. See.



Photos are taken at Chinese Garden, by the way. Nice place.

Idolisation

Anyone else think Will Makar from this season's AI looks very much like Jake Gyllenhaal? Before he grew all that facial hair. I would have wanted him to stay on the show just because of that (shallow! -- but he does have a good crooning voice too). Too bad he didn't make it to next week.

Will Makar (left) -- photo courtesy of idolonfox
Jake Gyllenhaal (right) -- photo courtesy of IMDb

A lot of disappointments for me this week... a tough group to shed to begin with, though I do have a few evil preferences as to who should leave (but didn't). Certainly not Ayla -- coolest, prettiest girl on board by my taste. Only no longer on board. ~~^_^~~ Not the best vocalist I think, but she does sing well and is physically very attractive, especially while playing basketball in that video. =D

And Gedeon, yesterday as I watched I thought he might be the one with the best vocal among the guys. Again, by my taste, since I like rich, smooth vocals. Like Mandisa's. Kellie's voice is uncomfortable on my ears somehow, so you know who one of those evil preferences is. =P Maybe because I'm not a guy or just a matter or taste, but I don't find her as lovely as the judges do.

Whom I do find lovely, is the sweet little Lisa Tucker. Plus that amazing voice (though a bit below Mandisa right now, I think), she's my current favourite. I've been sympathizing with Taylor since the auditions for some unfathomable reasons, but somehow I don't think he will make it to the very top. But he is enjoyable to watch, so the longer he stays the better. =D

It's still early though, and these people are all talented and very likable (aside from the abovementioned negative thoughts), so expect fluctuations in the future. =)

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(8) Currently learning:

Boyzone - Father and Son