This coming period there's a few concerts that are coming up, of those to my limited knowledge there's Show Luo and Jolin Tsais', plus the Avril Lavigne's which is already over. And my contacts even told me Jayseelee has a concert (note: Ryan go wipe up your drool cos I also know that the tickets are sold out ;p).

With so many different concerts coming up, naturally I'll start to compare them. And by comparing them I dun mean between each other, I mean with others. Others as in concerts of singers too, singers who are still holding concerts and even possibly still releasing albums. I'm comparing with singers of the older generation. Ok maybe that explanation isn't very clear, here's some example. Like 周华健 and hmmm...ok sry to my english singers I can't come up with any examples for I am not versed in the english retro culture, so hopefully u guys get the idea too.

There's this distinct difference that one will definitely not miss, that's the presentation format. Modern singers tend to have their concerts very appealing, very hyped-up feeling, in other words very showy. All the concerts not only have the standard issue ear booming sound systems and eye blinding light effects, but have numerous additions. Like upgrades to a car. The stages gets bigger, surround sounds, even more special effects and sometimes technological props.

Here's an apt example. Show Luo, huge mega star singer in taiwan currently, famous until dunnoe how to say. His latest concert was super showy (no pun intended). There was super flashy costumes. There was segway (that 2 wheeled standing thingy) session where he used it to go around the whole stadium to be in closer proximity with his fans. There was hot dance with special guest. Etc Etc.

Then there's the comparison. Zhou Hua Jian, older singer than Show, definitely considered senior. And what was in his concert, just him playing a guitar all the way, all 4 hours of it. That's all!

Get the idea? (Sry I tried to embed videos to show, but dunnow why Youtube dosen't allow me)

It's a definite show that trends are changing. The way people listen to music nowadays are very different than what we use to. Music now is to be shown, not to be heard only. Just look at the example above, both are concerts, but 2 very distinct presentation methods. No one's better than the other, both are music professions, its just the way they show themself differs.

An apt show of how as times goes by, we people demand more things. We like music, we start to search for the best, and found it, but gradually we become harder to be satisfied, leading to us desiring for more, and the cycle continues. It dosen't stop, we just keep wanting more. Shouldn't concerts be about singers singing live that's all, why add in all the fanciful stuff. You might say its added value for the ticket price, but its actually a mislead of our focus.

Its not Wrong. Its simply a telling sign of how society is now Bigger, Bigger appetite I mean. We just learn to appreciate more, that more has become the standard, like the saying goes "The more the merrier". We're simply being guided by popular beliefs. That to survive, we got to have more. We must be louder, more effects, and be more Showy.

But don't forget, there's still the good old original stuff out there for us to appreciate. And its because of ppl who understand this that that's why there's still old fashioned concerts going on. And ironically, could that be why nowadays youtube videos of ppl Just singing is causing a stir amongst us?

I dun mean to sound preachy, just to tell you, my readers. Don't always see the good stuff, learn to listen, turn off your senses, and just enjoy one. Don't be greedy, enjoy what there is to offer.

And in the spirit of this inspiration that I hope you have understood, I shall not be greedy and stop here.

:)

Don't discuss and therefore we did a surprise

Its another of GOF's bdae! PW leader's turn :). So as per tradition we surprised her, or tried to.

Plan: Bluff Sharon into thinking that there's a GOF bfast meeting at Serangoon Int. Then the rest of us meet up way before the time, and proceed to her house, thereby surprising her. Which also means we gotta wake up very very early (GOF relative speaking) haha!

Well in the end, it all went pretty well. Managed to got into her house to surprise her, despite Natasha shouting "Sharon!" when we wanted to enter the house Quietly lolz. After which was alot of laughter, mainly cos diane is scared of dog, and sharon's house just happens to have one...and a rather big one too HAHA!


Mission start!


Proves how good SAF's MPs are at :)


Holding on for dear life hehe


Happy bdae Sharon!

Then we went to Serangoon Garden's Hawker Centre for breakfast. After that since we have nothing to do, we decided to visit the new mall in Serangoon Garden's for each-a-cup. Thou the place was disappointingly small...I expected it to be bigger when I saw it under construction. Suay Suay it was raining, so we couldn't camp at the rooftop. So Jiayen bought a bowl of Black Sesame paste, despite her braces, and we sat down and chat abit, before ppl start disbanding.

Another person joining the 20 club! The rest Hurry!!! :)

Revealed on [6:50 AM]

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Saturday, May 14, 2011

.:. General Election 2011 .:.

War of words

Never thought I would be actually blogging bout politics ever. Politics has never been the topic that is up my alley. It's the kind of question in GP that I don't even have to finish reading to know I'm not gonna even attempt at, the reports on tv that makes me switch the channel, and the news that allows me to finish reading the papers in minutes.

Yes call me a politically apathetic youth if you want, I don't deny that fact. Politics somehow just doesn't interest me, or I fail to appreciate the art of politics. Point is, I don't get politics. I know its about who gets to govern the country, what policies that matters, who is more popular than not etc etc. But the "fights" to get into place is kinda mundane to me. Suddenly policies start coming into effect, money comes out of nowhere, loopholes starts to surface...all these just seems so superficial, so petty in comparison to the impact of the outcome.

Maybe its cos of the width of frontiers covered that my brain fails to comprehend. Afterall, it regards the nation, can't be very small can it. From the economy (Trade, GDP, income, bonuses) to the very individual (livelihood, HDB, salaries). An all encompassing topic. So my lack of know-of is probably an obstacle in allowing me to appreciate this.

Orrrrr...my "sui bian" personality just says "sui bian lor.". I mean, thus far, there hasn't been any major problems surfacing. Arguable that because I am not the one supporting the family now that I dun feel the burn, but as compared to the kind of problems some of the other nations faces, Singapore is definitely above average. So there isn't any "life-threatening" issues that requires a major change in the government. If there's nothing wrong, why change?

Yup I think the latter is most true xD.

But this year's GE has been, somewhat "exciting" (even though I might not have been sensible enough during the past GEs). Being the youth of this nation, we're all inculcated that L.K.Y was the one that was critical in forming Singapore, an undeniable fact, and thus PAP. Which most probably leads to the impression that PAP is the one in power, the stronghold in Singapore's politics, the Impregnable Fortress.

Then for who knows why, this year's GE had some stunts in it. New interesting politicians start popping up. All areas was supposed to be contested for initially, even Marine Parade. That fact alone is like O.O. To have people actually dare to do that...And when the results came out, its another sign. The margins that PAP did win by weren't exactly very significant, with votes coming to a difference of just around 300!

But the propelling factor of why I'm suddenly doing a post about politics, is because I saw in the news today that MM and SM are actually retiring. When I saw that I went O.O. I mean ya eventually they would have to retire and let others take over, but for it to actually happen now is just unexpected. Maybe its because of the swing of change. I'm not sure exactly everyone expected PAP to face such strong oppositions this time.

These are some signs of change, that are very significant. People always say the only constant in life is change, but they fail to say how great the magnitude of the change will be. For Singapore not to have such a prominent figure in position anymore, what will happen...I guess nobody knows. But one thing I know for sure, is that things won't be the same...

*note the skimpish details, cos obviously I didn't read the newspaper articles xD*

*disclaimer: the above is just my personal views of the election that has passed, limited by my lack of knowledge which could have led to misinterpretations of certain situations*

Revealed on [11:20 PM]

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Sunday, May 8, 2011

.:. Mother's day .:.

They're not superbeings, but are able to achieve unthinkable things.

They don't have healing powers, but forgives whenever we break their hearts unknowingly.
They don't have multiple arms, but can do all the household chores within 1 day.
They can't go super speed, but they'll walk your journey with you.
They can't stretch their bodies, but can reach into who you are.
They don't have telepathy, but always know what's bothering you.
They can't breathe fire, but never fails o warm you up.
They can't fly, but always cheer you to new heights.
They can't teleport, but am always there for you.

What they have, is a selfless heart. They are our Mother.


Happy Mother's Day mum :). Luv ya!

Revealed on [5:31 AM]

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Monday, May 2, 2011

.:. Comfort Food .:.

I'm forever hungry...


Yum~Yum~

One good thing bout having offs is that it allows me to plonk myself infront of the tv and be a couch potato (not literally of course). Sitting infront of the tv, channel surfing with tidbits in hand. Then it suddenly dawned on me how much I like to watch food shows. You know shows that introduce food locally, or exotic foods, or like competitions. And it has to have abit of comedy in it.

Thus far my fav has got to TLC's Man Vs Food. Adam Richman, I'm not a competitive eater, just a regular guy, with a huge appetite LOLZ. For those of you who don't have cable or know the show, its basically this guy that goes around america introducing extreme food, either in size or in taste. And in every episode he will visit a shop that has a challenge, like finishing extra hot spicy chicken wings, giant size burgers within time limit etc etc. Somehow its just fun to see him pigging out XD.

And this brings me to my point, food isn't just food. Quote from my close sec friend, "Do you eat to live, or live to eat?". There's so much food available out there for us to eat each day, so much ingredients and seasonings. Mix them together and you get billions and billions of different cuisines, do the permutation yourself.

Yes there's always the mundane fare that we eat everyday, but tats also the reason why a term such as "Comfort Food" was produced. It's food that we want to eat, food that after eating we know we will be happy. Like chocs and desserts to girls (thou ironically its fattening). It's because of the boring-ness of life that compels us to seek ways to excite ourselves, to excite our senses by giving it a kick once in awhile. To go and try that exotic-weird-newly-introduced food in the market, or to go to Mac and chow down on a thick, juicy, spicy McSpicy. Only by doing this does it remind of us that we are actually Alive, and that we're living not for others but because we want to. In essence, just to make ourselves happy :)

But Comfort Food isn't always about the food itself. The atmosphere that accompanies the food is very important as well. If not why would there be so many regular patrons for upclass coffee like TCC, Coffee Club, Coffee Bean and Starbucks. The word "comfort" also means comfort to the soul. Sometimes you just don't mind the fare, what you seek is the environment, the people around you. It could be said the company actually makes the food tastes better. To chill around best friends, have a relaxing meal and just temporarily forget the woes of the world, this is also a kind of Comfort Food as well, food for the soul.

You would want to eat not because you have to, but because you want to. It's a blessing already to have food to eat, and to be able to eat food that you like is a raised level in itself, almost an state of enlightenment.

And that's the reason why we all like to eat. Or at least I do hehe.

Nom Nom :)

Revealed on [3:17 AM]

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