i'm about to go to bed but this is such an important day to miss posting a comment, ya. The end of the year, and the only time i've actually managed to consistently maintain a blog. Which makes me wonder how long this will continue...

But i'm quite into it, right now. So no fear, yet.

Anyway, it was kinda sad as today's the last day i'm in the uniform. And as for the locker i've used for five years, good-bye. Come Wednesday, and i'm like a plain clothes policeman. (incognito). There are good, good points to wearing a uniform.

One - People know you work there.
Two - They don't recognise you, only the clothes.
Three - You don't need to buy loads of clothes.
Four - Everyday at work you wear the same things, like everybody else.

Then there are bad, bad points. Which unfortunately, they are the same as above!

Em (i'm gonna call Ma-chan that from now on, cos i think it's cooler. Like M or short for Emily, Emilie, Amelia ... and the one we don't mention so that she remains anonymous, as much as possible). Anyway, Em said she wanted to cry when she learnt that she had to wear a uniform, imagine all the cute clothes she couldn't wear.

Now what is wrong with Jay and yours truly? Holding on to the blue 'cleaner's clothes?
Uniforms are equalizers, they really are.

Well, this was meant to be short, will keep it that way. Going to bed, folks.
Sayonara, Ni-sen-nana Nen (2007), sayonara.

SONG FOR A MOOD
Sayonara 2001 - Mr Children. This accompanies the delightful Kimi Ga Suki single as the B side. And even though, i truly love the first song. I simply adore this one. It's sad yet hopeful. I don't understand the lyrics at all, but i like to think that he's begging for more time, for there is more to do. Mr Children's sound has been sunny most of the time, but this and a few others have dark tones. I love those very much and prefer them than the more popular hits. Honestly, i think, no words can describe the mixture of feelings this song gives me.

i wanted to choose a song to cheer Ma-chan up, 'cos she's very sick. But something else happened to put me in the doldrums.

Seems that there's a pipe leaking in the apartment so some of my storage got wet. I spent nearly four hours looking through training material, personal letters, unwanted but important bills and documents. i came to one conclusion. i have too many notebooks; all half used. And their contents were sometimes quite 'unfit' for the eyes of others. There were also some which i must have written in a creative daze 'cos i don't remember being that articulate and expressive. In fact, at times i don't even remember i knew half the words used.

Perhaps i can plead temporary insanity or amnesia because there are some i don't even remember ever writing. (some were comic reviews dating 10 years back or more)

So there they were - my whole life in notes, hidden in a box. Today, and in the near future, here it is my life in a 'blox'.

SONG FOR A MOOD
Boxes - Wan Fang. There are many reasons for loving this song. Tune by Gou-mao, touching words, guitar by Rashid, sung by one of the saddest voices in Taiwan. The song fits with the concept of the actual album, it illustrates the protagonist packing and leaving but i always think it also means us, living from out of a box, our whole lives repeatedly doing the same stuff - packing, moving, unpacking - be it physical property or emotional baggage. From her album, Fly Away, my first of many by her.

It has been raining a lot lately. Of course, elsewhere it's snowing already, but the only thing happening here is just a whole lot of water out of control. In colder countries, it's sort of gray and endless drop-drop-drop, i suppose. But only in this part of the world, we get sudden huge downpours (so i've heard).


A recap on yesterday: my cake (Kocha cake) turned out ok. This is the second time I've attempted, using the wonderful Kenyan tea that i'm currently in love with. Hajiman (but) my cookies were burnt! So sad. Here's the pix to proof that i blew it.





Back to the wet day we've had.


On days like this, there's nothing more relaxing than a nice mug of hot tea (or whatever), in nice comfy and warm clothes, watching the world go by. It puts you in a mellow sort of mood. My songs of choice in this case, would probably be something sentimental. In this case, i chose a song from a new cd, an Xmas prezzie. ;-)


SONG FOR A MOOD
The Circle Game - Joni Mitchell. First of all, i seldom listen to English songs. But sometimes i do. This particular song reminds me of my Mum and Big Sky. They used to sing it, too. Secondly, i think in my previous life, i was a guitar toting hippie' cos i absolutely adore folk. And so, from Hits album, to put you in a nice, mellow, yellow mood.

'Phing-an Ye'

A literal translation into English would be Peaceful Night, which is to the rest of the crude English speaking people, Christmas Eve. Ever since i learned this word, i've always preferred this description to the English one. For even though, i'm no Christian, i do exchanges presents with friends who are, plus my aunt Teresa is a Catholic so we used to enjoy the school holidays in Penang with loads of Xmas festivities.

This year's Christmas doesn't feel funky and festive. But it does feel peaceful. Which is how it should be. During the World War, there would be a ceasefire. So that calm and serenity prevailed.

SONG FOR A MOOD
Snowman - Mavis Fan. You would have guessed that i probably wouldn't have any Xmas carols or anything happy like that. But a wonderful voice like Mavis' can create a magical atmosphere. Happy Christmas, guys.

i love wrapping presents.

i cannot remember when i started to enjoy it, but i've always found wrapping a gift an extremely satisfying pastime. Most of my long-time friends always insist on getting wrapped gifts from me because it seems, it's really part of the fun of getting any ol' prezzie from me.

For sure, i'm not a very creative gift-giver. But i think i like giving people things more than receiving them. Could be because i usually don't know how to react when getting one? Or maybe the feeling of giving beats anything else? Being able to provide for your loved ones and once in a while, out of the blue (or not), shower a little bit of attention on them, perhaps through a small present plus a nicely thought-of decoration.

Three hours of gift-wrapping sure puts me in the right mood. (that and more than three hours of shopping and hanging-out with a jolly pal.)

SONG FOR A MOOD
When we are together - Peng Ching Hui. Such a pretty, jazzy song that gets my feet tappity-tap everytime. Makes you want to swirl around the room. (from her album 'All I Want' which comes in two discs, one Mandarin and one English, same tunes)

A few days and it'll be Christmas. There's this book by Charles Dickens where the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (an immortal name) is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

This past few days, somehow feels like i've been visited by my Ghost of Past. To nonchalantly say, Hi! is a tough, tough thing to do. i think i would rather face an angry crowd of Harry Potter fans on embargo day than visit a deep grey pool, hidden inside my Norwegian wood. (For i turned a corner and nearly fell into it.) My advise to anyone is it is good to have closure (of any kind) or you'll always feel awkward or even cowardly when you meet that someone again.

On the other hand, i've been complaining about missing sleep, as usual. Apart from updating this blog right into midnight, i've been busy reading. Corydon has taken a strange shade, somewhat like an allegory of war now. i hope with all my heart, it doesn't fall flat.

So a song that suits both my sentimental, nostalgic mood (if you understand the lyrics), and a lullaby to boot. There was a time when this album sat in my cassette player for nearly half a year, i'd play it at night without fail, keeping me company in dreamland. It opened an entire world of music for me.

SONG FOR A MOOD
Remember the Time - Johnny Chen. It may sound obscure, but Johnny Chen made me start to see R&B in a different light, and learn to study the credits of composer, lyricist, arrangement & producer, creating a new realm of possibilities to my music appreciation. This song is from his second album, Because of Love. Sleep well.

Had this interesting chat (IM-ed) with Daph the other day about reading. It all started out with a discussion about Xmas gifts and escalated to that. Anyway, she was saying that she was okay with Son No.1 liking to read Mr Midnight but perhaps only barely. After all we all had our favourite rubbish reading. I lurve Mills & Boon in stacks as a respite to the heavy stuff i sometimes have to read.

But the comment that really got me thinking was something she said about it being ok if you read crap as long as you know the difference between good and bad OR rather, can tell what you like and appreciate in a book. So you can knowingly read crap and would never class them in the same level as a (for want of a better example) Pullman.

And what do i appreciate in a book?

I think the prize should go to the writer, any ol' writer who knows how to write a blossom. Meaning it gets better and better as you read.

Partly because i've been rereading The Merlin Conspiracy. For some books which i totally love, i would just randomly select a spot to start reading from. So the other day i started in the middle, then read to the end. And left it in the bathroom. After a couple of days, i went back to it and started from the very beginning. As i read, i marvelled at the way Diana Wynne Jones held all the cards, maybe smiling a secret smile as her plot thickened.

The same for The Franchise Affair.

The same for this sad book called the Corydon and the Island of Monsters (Tobias Druitt). Daph says it's written by a mother and son team, which makes me feel cheated. Since i really like mythology (hence Neil Gaiman is one Si-Fu), from the beginning, the story was cool. As it progressed, up to two hours ago, i was kinda surprised! I thought it was going to be serious a bit type of fiction, a tinge of historical, like McCaughrean or something. Imagine my shock and amusement, when it takes an about turn and becomes somewhat satirical. Aiya, i know it's been done before, but i've never read anything like this yet so if you want me to be enlightened, tell which books to read.

My point is this.

Love some books because they capture your attention at the beginning with the right amount of information etc. Then as you go on, either the plot or characters or maybe even the style, gets better, bigger and BAM! ... you know everything at the end. A book that grows, unfurls and blossoms, basically.

The Corydon book, not at the end yet but brownie points for sustaining interest and creating a new dimension with the humourous parts. BUT, one hopes with fingers crossed that it does not turn silly.

Another thing i appreciate in a book - intelligence and the concrete, unshakeable belief of the author in the intelligence of the reader. So help me blah blah blah.

SONG FOR A MOOD
OK - A-yue, from his album of the same name. Honestly, this is definitely my 2007 Chinese album of the year. It takes the words from my mouth, that i'm ok, hanging on. So there.

One of my favourite blogs, Dramabeans always feature a Korean song, sometimes one on a soundtrack. Even though, i'm not always interested in the songs or even listen to them, i like the idea of sharing some music, though not entire albums. One of the latest songs featured was Tei's Queen, the 'theme' of Uhm Tae-woong in Chunhyang, which i liked for its jazzy feel.

But i digress.

Made me want to share some music, too. i've going to try and share songs to fit my moods or current humour.

Feeling down lately. And in the need for a song everytime to cheer me up. This is a great one. (you would have read it in an earlier post)

SONG FOR A MOOD
Three Musketeers/Samchongsa - Kim Dong Wan featuring MC Mong & Ho Inchang, from Kim Dong Wan's first solo album

Fans of Phillip Pullman and that superb trilogy, His Dark Materials, please take note:
Once Upon A Time in The North is slated for April 2008 release. Supposedly about Lee Scoresby and his first encounter with Iorek Byrnison; and designed to match Lyra’s Oxford.

But true fans say – what of The Book of Dust? Or our young lovers Lyra and Will? Do something already Mr Pullman!

Still, if you’re desperate for a new story from HDM …

Folks who love the selfish and vain wizard called Howl will be happy to know that there's a sequel coming out!

The 30th November Bookseller reports that HarperCollins has acquired Diana Wynne Jones' latest book, to be out in June 2008.

Writing B-movie reviews. i can't even bring myself to watch them, that's why. Still at least i might get paid for them. Not like the writing i try to do well about books - it's just nitpick, nitpick and nitpick.

Not good enough.

Grammatically incorrect. (are we talking about ourself???)

Like those other bookstores, lack enough of class.

Please read between the lines, if you already get my drift.

Used to get this kind of error message very often, a long time ago. now - one gets other stuff which are more descriptive but just as crytic.

i wrote about something that happened in the workplace, but after much thinking, i'll hold onto it until it's all over and forgotten. The powers that be maybe offended even though in actual fact, i was the one most hurt by it.

Can't get on Youtube tonight. It explains my inconsolable grey mood. Jay and i have been finding much joy in going online and watching the crazed and funny antics that loads of Shinhwa Changjo upload on Youtube.

They really cheer you up, these guys.

The Hongkong five-man group, The Wynners are here to promote their concert set to greet the New Year. They've been singing on and off for 33 years, it seems. Alan Tham, Kenny Bee, Chan Yau, Phang Kin Sang and the other guy - forgot his name, sorry.

Will Shinhwa come together like them to sing after 33 years? (Maybe not songs like Wild Eyes or Hey Come On, but there are other nice songs.)

The Backstreet Boys are singing in Hawaii this month. Shinhwa is effectively Asia's Backstreet Boys. I think, the guys who are soloing are even more talented than the Americans. Or maybe 'cos i'm only more familiar with Asian pop for i nearly never buy Western music when there so much talent in Asia.

Anyway, to the 6 ajusshi - Eric-sshi, Minwoo-sshi, Dongwan-sshi, Hyesung-sshi, Junjin-sshi and Andy-sshi, thanks for the laughter.

note: i went and filled sky's player with all their music plus Fly to the Sky's. Imagine her surprise - no more TVXQ! (evil smile)

life, disarray
heart dislocated
self, disappointed
spirit discouraged
soul, desolate

i've been very sad, lately. which is strange because i guess the reason must be the fact that i've been passed up for a promotion. Yet, i was praying that it wouldn't happen 'cos i knew deep in that i'm just not cut up to do this work required at the higher level. In fact, it's really not like that song, Cry Sour Grape (L'a Cryma Christi). For the past two months, i'd be standing at the briefing session or at meetings, and then feel like my blood running cold as i tried (operative word) to imagine (another operative word) myself at the front.

i'm not so-called managerial material, too friendly and close with staff; and quite fun-loving and out-spoken. (sigh) i haven't really progressed from where i was when i first joined this place. Well, not in this aspect. i've become more open to people and gained some confidence with meeting different walks of life. i remember looking aghast at my friend who accosted the person next to her to ask about the book that person was reading, and then practically ask about her life history. That confidence, brashness - i so admire. (Plus, i've learned so much of different types of books which is totally my knowledge alone and cannot be given to anybody.)

i'll come out and say it's so true i'm not cut out for this kind of glory. And they made the right decision. so, i guess i'm sorta sad because i feel cheated of a chance to actually look higher and make more bucks. (not that it's much more) But i think it stems from the fact that i've alway felt people don't really appreciate for what i do. Of course, book buyer for lifestyle and children - forgodsakes - any idiot can do that! If you say it needs creativity, insight and vision to make a different and unique section which sits tightly between trends and actual living, you can almost see the laughter behind the eyes of your listener. (if they are paying attention, that is)

i remember an ex-colleague making a comment that goes something like this: 'You're lucky 'cos people would just buying any ol' thing at the Children section. ' (which in plain terms mean it's so easy to buy for that section)

Then this other comment i heard reported to me, made by one of the higher level staff which went like,'Why don't you buy for children (books sic.)? You're a mother, you should know even better.'(note: both are mothers) That was the most deja vu moment i ever had, i nearly threw up!!! The place which i used to work, this lady boss who was, forsooth, a qualified librarian sent a few of the older ladies who had never bought books before to bookstores to buy because she said - the mothers should know better. Now, i've nothing against mothers, my own beloved set me on the path of reading, but for a qualified, professional to say that - it was like she was dumping down her entire profession. So i suppose higher level staff are also allowed their deriding opinions. (She might even offer to buy the children's books, too. How fun.)

Let it be known that a lot of men have written for children, even single, unmarried people regardless of gender AND gay people whom it would be impossible to be a 'biological' parent.

still, i too hold the opinion that any dumbhead (read ME) can order children's books as long as your heart is in the right place, your head firmly in the clouds and your feet tapping to music on the ground. The children's buyer like all buyers should love books and add to that - never forget the joy it brings to the little people, whatever else is plainly secondary.

i told m-chan i was afraid i would quit. But why would i?

i'm telling the world now, i'm afraid i might be bereft without books in my life. i think i'm too obviously transparent in this aspect, so nobody takes bets on the odds that i would even consider leaving. i'm sorta purple and bitter about it. No dignity, no respect, no integrity - they can be non-existent as long as you are well compensated, that's the opinion i held when i left the former workplace. You can be as ungrateful as you can be as long as the poor wretches are being paid for their services. And they did - wonderful staff benefits, and even had a nice gratuity when i left.

i wonder if the year-end bonus will cover all my anguish for the whole year. At the very least, let me hold my head up high for all the effort i put in 24-7-365. (i so want to go to Korea with Jay).
dangyunhaji /(>#<)\

Ah, that man with the simple and infectious smile. It's quite suitable that he sing that song which is the fifth track on this album. Entitled, Three Musketeers, it features the rapping of MC Mong and Ho Inchang. Such a funky tune, it truly lights up your day. And talking of fun and funky songs, the ninth track called (translit.) Loving Summer has Andy rapping. Again a very suitable person to do the rap. The song is simply so cute. The chorus is very simple and pure fun.

And as i said earlier, the eighth track has Eric Mun's rap but didn't know that also features the song-writing skills of M. In a recent interview together, it was revealed that Dongwan started writing songs first but Minwoo followed suit, influenced by this action. However, he did it so well, Dongwan laughingly admits, that Dongwan stopped. Such a back-handed compliment, exactly what you'll expect of Dongwan who's always trying to lighten up the mood. His tribute to M's skills, saying that it has been said it has a distinct style, that M has started a whole new genre. So, My Love composed by M with rap by Eric, sung by Dongwan. Still at times i wonder if he wrote it tailor-made or not - because Dongwan sings it a little higher than his other songs (like a perpetual falsetto). Maybe just my imagination.

'Can't love u' is a duet with Byul, whose husky voice nicely juxtaposes with Dongwan's clear tones. Another duet, 'The one left behind' this is the 10th track, has fellow Shinhwa member and ballad singer, Shin Hye-sung's contribution to this album. Reminds me of the remark i made earlier about Dongwan under the shadow of Hyesung. Their voices complement each other a little too well, until if you weren't listening carefully, you would think same person. Which was the reason why i missed it the first. But this is the kind of ballad Hyesung is known for.

The first track is in actual fact an extra new track which Dongwan penned. It is lighthearted which explains why lil'one Eri liked it more than the first single Handkerchief (here it is the fourth track). 'It's my Fault' somehow sounds very, very familiar. Exactly like those songs you'll hear included on a soundtrack of any drama, played when the protagonist leaves the love of his live etc etc. And the seventh track, roughly translates like Love, Poor is a ballad which has Mando-pop tones.

The delightful sixth track is Scream, a cover of song written by Takuro of Glay and Shun of Exile. It features rappers D.Bace and DJ Tukutz of Epik High. Nice, very nice. He likes J-rock, i think. He sang X-Japan's Tears and La'cryma Christi's Cry Sour Grape (but was very strained with the Toshi's song, X-Japan is kinda metal so that kind of screaming is very hard act to follow).

Finally, current favourite remains the Three Musketeers for it brings a smile to my face everytime i hear it.

Kim Dong Wan-sshi, good job.

Recently getting very much interested with K-pop. In fact, it's probably the fault of those 6 legendary hyper-active boys, Shinhwa. It is really without a doubt that I really love M and Kim Dong Wan's new albums.

And even though at the beginning, i found the sounds a little too overwhelming, i've now discovered the beauty behind the boom. It's cute and fun and sexy, perhaps cos i don't understand the lyrics so i don't feel quite put off by them. (the main reason why i steer clear of English songs especially R&B and hip hop is that the lyrics can be quite offensive).

Anyways, my current favourite M song is 'The 'M' Style', which i remember first hearing and wondering why M is singing 'Hamster" etc. Actually, it's M-style. But this song encompasses the entire feel of the album - deliciously fun yet deeply sexy, plus the pounding, infectious boom-booms. Eri liked it too, when i played it for her.

Apart from falling into the M blackhole, i've been doing a little bit of surfing and listening to KDW, in fact notice that my entire MP4 is filled with only Shinhwa, M & Kimdongwan with a smattering of tunes from Fly to the Sky.

Kim Dong Wan's first solo effort, it seems is meant to geared towards a more J-pop direction. That accounts for me finding it more palatable. (M's is very much Western, American hip-hop & R&B which to me holds less weight). Read next post, because i'm going to explain more ... najung-e

i just got my November/December issue of The Hornbook. In it is Richard Peck's 'Zena Sutherland Lecture', and i quote from his introduction, paying homage to Zena Sutherland:

'For all of us who write for the young and the half-grown; for all of us who believe that picture book illustration has better not be second-rate art; for all of us who believe that childhood is a jungle, not a garden; for all of us who believe the story still stands because fiction is truer than fact, ...'

i don't know who Zena Sutherland is, forgive my ignorance but i found this description so touching because ultimately, when we sell children's books, then we should know what we are actually trying to provide. Some may think that children's books are simple and you can sell any damn thing to those gullible parents and their not-so knowledgeable kids. But let me ask you then, what's the use of a buyer, a bookseller or maybe a librarian - if not to present the right books to the world?

Sure, we want to make money, too.

So achieving the right balance is important.

Also, i quote another line:

'... the young deserve a well-crafted story - and that they could take it. That the narrative is a structure strong and supple enough to tell the traditional tale while tumbling taboos. That sentimentality is the enemy of both literature and politics. That you can pity the young or prepare them for the world, but you cannot do both.'

Wow! i'm so impressed by such vision. Honestly though, when i first started buying books, never did it cross my mind that i'll stand by these words, too and say, yup ezackly. Now i do.

In fact, i've just finish listening to the audiobook of Golden Compass, and can't stop marvelling over how this book and the other two of His Dark Materials, embodies some of these values. That you should't short change them just because they are kids. That you shouldn't dumb down the writing for they are only younger, not any less intelligent. That you should not shy from telling it as it is, for believe it or not, the eyes of the innocent can tell a faker just the same.

i believe that. Because i've had the opportunity to read books like the Golden Compass and understand the beauty of books like these. Written with such elegance and thought, they make you respect the artistry of children's literature.

Honestly, to get a child to read and love reading - ultimately, apart from those run-of-the-mill readers and chapters, they need these kinds of books to instill a true love for literature. These kinds are books that respect the reader and in turn, win their respect.

Still, as true booksellers, us are not to question. Our role is to keep the balance between making a profit and getting good books into the hands of people who appreciate them.
(even though, sometimes it's kinda tough on my own pocket, too) ;-p

Just reread Magicians of Caprona.

There are so many Diana Wynne Jones books that i simply adore, but my favourites are Magicians of Caprona, The Merlin Conspiracy and Hexwood. Of all the Chrestomanci books, this is my utter fave, i suppose it's partly because Tonino is one of my favourite characters. Because his magic is so different.

And i also find the setting and plot very original. Especially the duel scene, where the two families meet to fight it out which DWJ at one point compares to an opera, has so much theatrical value. If it was animated, the entire Chrestomanci series even, it would be way too cool.

Honestly, i want to move to Caprona where the two greatest spellmaking families live. So that i can buy a spell be it on a pink or green slip to chase away this restless kind of deepest blue that is ensconcing me.

Anything for a ticket out of here OR better still, one to the romantic state of Caprona.

Lil'one Eri says FT Island is okay but the guy who sang the first song has got an irritating voice. She hopes that he's not the lead singer. Oh dear, not very promising, yeah?

So far Cheerful Sensibility is okay-lah. Except i hate that Primadonna song. I think the vocals is by that same guy, too. i always skip it. Hahahah ...

i've been thinking over the previous post on KDW and realised that i'm hardly flattering KDW's first solo effort. Well, if you're a great fan of K-pop and the type of R&B popularly preferred, you probably wouldn't understand how tiring and monotonous it is to get the same sound all the time. M's latest album for example is (to me) quite an extreme R&B, hip-hop, dance combination which though, cool and sort of sexy lacks a little emotion, coming across cold at times. (sorry, dear but i loved your first album much more than this one. Though, i cannot deny that it's very individual, sexy and truly M).

Anyway, in the eyes (or rather, ears) of someone who's been listening to all sorts of Asian pop, Dongwan's album will be classified as something commercial and easy listening. But it has a lot of sincerity which reflects what i think KDW wants to say. He's moderate, really and compared to OTT M, he's just nice. I suppose this does come also from the fact that he'll definitely be compared to Hye Sung (being second vocal as opposed to HS's main in Shinhwa), whereas it's probably impossible to beat M for that flambouyancy. Thus, KDW is just nice la, not OTT and not sentimental.

Whatever it is, i like the album for all that it is.

Will Jay please lend me Hye Sung's album?

This is a photo taken from the tour bus, near the hot springs. Forgot what it's called. But just lurve it. BTW, yes it's in Hokkaido.

So my verdict. He has a sweet voice. Not very powerful, but not irritating either. His album is surprisingly, not pure R&B (like M, which i actually dislked at the beginning) but a nice mixture of a little pop, hip-hop, R&B and rock. One of those that you'll enjoy on anyday, plus will grow on you. Loved track 8, which has rap by Eric Mun. Also there's a duet, which is quite good. (makes me want to learn Korean, so that i can read the titles and transliterate the lyrics) Korean pop can be quite boring or monotonous or sound too alike. This is more varied, so i like.

kimdongwan is ... ? a good companion & friend. Worth a listen for daring to be more friendly and less artsy. (but too commercial, is it? very him)

(You oddballs at home should know i don't like to copy and burn music, but since Sky might wanna have a listen. I've a sampler of five tracks, just let me know and i'll send you the link.)

Lately everyone at work has been working ourselves to the bone. Yet there are people who choose to be blind to all the blood, sweat and tears. And then there are also people who believe in the Victorian archaic style of parenting - that us kids should be seen, not heard. Complaining and making noise isn't going to solve anything, just do something about it - so it has been heard.

Isn't talking and speaking up a way of doing something? Can't they see we are crying for help? Only the ones with a sense of belonging will cry, complain because they care enough to hope and work for a change. If we stay mum, we are going out the door.

That is what i truly believe in.
And ... when we are running on empty, we'll soon lose all heart and soul. Where there is no heart or soul, there is no spark.

Tough luck then. You people will just have to lump it then, like we are now.

I heard the Booker went to Anne Enright and it's a very depressing book. Well, awards are like that, they go the the more serious fiction. Anyway, there are even a few awards that go to publishers like the Mildred L. Batchelder, or from booksellers who appreciate the work done to improve the quality of books.

My stand is always award the publisher for their fine work by buying more of their books and hand-selling. And needless to say, i always pick up a few favourites by the end of the year. So here they are:

Thumbs Up Walker Books UK for venturing with such elegance into more serious Young Adult Fiction. (Small in quantity but impressive)

Also to another publisher for their new range of Young Adult Fiction, albeit a little spotty but still, Thumbs Up Usborne especially for McCaughrean's Tamburlaine and the planned three more books on warriors. (which i read somewhere that one is being written by Marcus Sedgwick)

Thumbs Up Heryin for coming out of the woodwork with picture books from Taiwan. Readers will soon notice the difference in the artwork and the Asian 'sensibility'.

Thumbs Up both Candlewick and Bloomsbury US for doing a better job in promoting UK authors with those great covers than the Brits, and quietly making your presence felt.

Thumbs Up Little Brown US for maintaining their stature as the master of bubble chicklit. Yet suddenly surprising us with The Mysterious Benedict Society.

Thumbs Up DC Comics for that imprint called Minx, which is unique and brave and very impressive.

Also, secretly Thumbs Up MPH Publishing for making Daphne Lee's dream come true.

So there. I love you guys, so keep it up.

Have been having this unending, infernal headache since last week. bother!
no one except people who have actually experienced this, will know that shelving books and displaying highlights are awfully nerve-wracking.

of course, i don't really mean i hate to to shelf books. i love books! but it does automatically give me a headache. maybe too much physical work.
:-p

there's a Tai-yu song called a piece of falling meteor. there are many versions of it, being a well known folk song, of course. But i only have two versions, one sung by the very soulful Chyi Chin (in the album, Innocent) and the other by my most favourite voice, the folksy, crazy Bobby Chen. Close, close friends all know i love, love Bobby Chen's music - so free and at times utterly uncaring about trends and commerciallity.

However, i much prefer the soulful, near ethereal rendition of Taiwan's 'Father of Rock''s (it doesn't mean he is old, ok). It reminds you of a meteor - burning up, disintegrating as it hits the earth's atmosphere, so sad.

Big sister, Sky loves Chyi Chin - who wouldn't. Still, his albums are so sporadically made, you wonder if you'll ever get to hear his voice ever again. After living practically like a hermit half his career, he has finally disappeared into semi-retirement. Plus, i must say, cannot buy any of his backlist. Except those China versions which i feel quite reluctant to buy. Sad, even. i keep thinking that they are bootlegs.

(now, this is why i want to go to Taiwan. Wanna buy them original cds. Especially Chyi Chin's, second hand also no problem.)

And the most coveted Chyi Chin CD which i do not even possess any version of - the Purple Rain one. (Best of albums are all ok and whatnot, but really, what makes people think the popular songs are really the favourites?)

As for the wandering Wolf, fans can only play back those old albums when they miss his voice.

Cakey was demolished in a jiffy. Jay & gang must have been hungry.

At the end, big sister said cakey was ok, and to make more.
Hah!That is such a clever way to get me to start making more cakes in the future but i suppose it should be alright to bake more often. Watch this space la.

got my Explore M cd (the repackaged one) and gosh, i thought - what happened? Gee, the saucy look just does not suit M, not at all.
His previous solo efforts have always been a little on the edgy, sexy, sort of hip-hop look. Which looks great though honestly, i could not care less. i'm purely interested with his music. (so why comment on it? 'cos it's just difficult to ignore)

but really - plumed hats and too much haute couture really doesn't suit the more macho men of Korea. You may think that i'm exaggerating or worse, discriminating. i'm not, honestly. if you're sort of thin, lean or even near to skinny, the androgynous look is fine. (even then i can remember one of Lee Ki Chan's albums where he wore a curly wig) Ugh! Please la, control those overactive creative juices. Not everybody can pull off a Takuya Kimura or a Hyde, not even a Tetsu.

my point is just keep on playing good music, the frills you need not have if you're that good. i would support good music over good looks anyday. so don't bother to dress up.

(Afterthought: on the way home, i was listening to M. i guess if music is all that counts - i'll be able to look past the no-frills and embrace the too-frilly. And so be it, M.)

i spend the entire day cleaning house, which really includes sweeping the floor (having positively refused to do it last weekend) and slowly (operative word here) dusting and polishing the furniture. At times like this, i'm glad we have very little of them.

well, anyway, i'm not a clean freak but i do enjoy the feeling i've achieved something whenever i'm done cleaning up. also, it puts my mind at ease so i don't have to bother about it for a while. as i was dusting and dusting, vacuuming etc, it suddenly occurred to me that it is such an odd subject that Mr Philip Pullman chose to write about. (i've been listening to the Golden Compass audio book with full cast on the car stereo, now at disc 7)

Common, no doubt but dust? i mean, sure his concept about elementary particles and what not is interesting and the consequences thought provoking. In fact, i think by calling it Dust, he made it easier for a whole lot of readers to understand (especially since his audience are often kids). but really, who would want to gather Dust? and the fact that teens get more dusty? that's cos those strawberries don't like soap and water. i, honestly, see nary a point to salivate for dust, but who am i to say? These Dust is powerful and golden! Freaksters will yearn for dust.

oh yes, Lord Asriel and Mrs Coulter can have my dust, anytime. See how different that feels.

on another note, whenever i had insomnia, i'd imagine myself cleaning up this room in my head. it's great to help me relax. Just sweep all your thoughts into those drawers up the inside left ear and open door at the right ear, to let out those troubles. sweep, sweep, sweep and i've got a clear mind, clean brain and a blank conscience.

i’m a great skeptic about books being made into movies. i suppose its because there is always some rumor or other about a book being adapted for a movie, some may finally reach the silver screen albeit quite poorly (the Dark Is Rising movie has earned fans' scorn, i've heard), while others are become blatant marketing ploys to get the bookstores to stock more. (Spiderwick is doomed for the big screen, it seems. Check out the ridiculous new covers on ALL the books!)

One of my pet peeves is a book with no ending, or rather the worst kind - a book where the excitement begins, right at the end!

Why, oh why do people think that it's easy to buy the stuff they want? There are even some who will go to a book store and expect the staff there to produce the book exactly as they want it.

It's like saying i'm doing a research piece on blah-blah and blah, do you something like that? Of course, they could try the internet, but why is it that these people do not know that a lot of work goes into writing a book? The research you'll need to get done includes a lot of legwork, reading and maybe interviews with other people who know their stuff, and that doesn't include the actual late nights/long days grappling with writer's block, meetings with editors and rewriting etc etc etc. I mean if there's already a piece written about it - or even something in the same vein, would YOU need to write a research paper on it? And what if the subject is something like the drainage of mangrove forests in Malaysia? Go look it up in some research institute, please - no, commercial publisher in their right mind would burn good money on it, anytime soon. (In fact, such grey material can be obtained) Not to be cynical or something but that's really not how it works, dahling!

Many a time, even as book retailers, we kid ourselves to think that we can sell all the stuff that is the best and perfect for the customer. But we forget that to a book (or any product) to the end-user takes a simple but arduous and serendipitous process of supply and demand.

Supply is the publisher, and the type of publishing which they do (and may make them big bucks), then there's the means of supply like the book buyer (who may or may not see all those books and based on budget, buy them), the merchandiser or retailer who displays and promotes the book to the customer. And demand is what the market dictates - who the publishers are selling to, what the majority or target customers would buy. At times, when you pull your hair and wonder why those publishers would let your favourite book go out of print - keep this in mind - publishing can come in waves and tsunamis; the tide can be low, too. It's all about supply-demand, demand-supply. Book retailers are just vehicles.

We go with the flow, and don't push our luck. One day, we'll find our favourite book/author, back in print.

I recently came across a China edition of Uglies at a cheap price, so i bought for my bud, Iren. Hope she will read it.

If you loved the Uglies Trilogy, you might like to know that Westerfeld has written an 'extra' book. Entitled, 'Extras', it's available as a early export edition. The original US version is still a hardcover.

Anyway, professional views aside - i think it's just ugly - trying to milk your own book dry. Yucks! To fans, sorry. I know, everyone is doing it. Though some succeed better and never get scorned for selling out.

Damn! Must remember that I personally would love to read another story set in the Old Kingdom. Really, sorry - at the end of the day, it's all about the fans.

'some say love, it is a river
that drowns the tender reed
some say love, it is a razor
that leaves your soul to bleed
some say love, it is a hunger
an endless aching need
i say love, it is a flower
and you its only seed'

There's this song called The Rose, and i'm listening to Ken Hirai's version of it (album: Ken's Bar). There are other versions, but i like this one. One of the other versions is part of the soundtrack of a Taiwanese drama series - called the Rose (what else). Not a new one, but i've watched it on and off, finally managing to see the whole thing from the beginning to the end. Now how do i say this? If i had kept watching till the end, a couple of years ago - perhaps my reaction would be different. i dunno.

What i do know now is - it's a very interesting story that was actually daring to make, and could have probably courted controversy when published originally. Adapted from the manga 'Bara no Tameni' (the love song of the rose) by Akemi Yoshimura, the story had connotations of incest and homosexuality. About Yuri who, on the same day she is dumped by her boyfriend, arrives home to discover her grandmother dead. Left penniless, she relieved to find she still has family - a mother whom she never knew - a beautiful and famous actress (whose name i don't know in Japanese, can someone please enlighten).

Anyway, she packs up all her stuff and goes to seek refuge with her longlost parent. But she arrives to discover that her siblings (all beautiful, beautiful people) are mean and her mother hates her. She ends up acting as a servant and a drudge.

And then there's the mystery of her birth. Okay, up to this point, it might seem a tad too melodrama to you. Hold your horses, cos it's funny also. The siblings are so nasty, you love them. Yuri - sometimes want to slap her but lovable also.

I'm only still at volume four of the manga, even though i've watched the DVD twice. We all know how those people would take liberties with the original stories. So far, i can understand why this manga had its fans. Am i one? Yeah, i suppose. If you look beyond those connotations (like when the younger brother slips into the older half brother's room to steal a kiss), you'll discover that in the end, everything becomes okay. Plus, it made the careers of co-stars, Joe Cheng and Ella (S.H.E.).

or you could like William Blake - choose to see it as oh rose, thou art sick!

i choose not to, yet. At least, i loved the TV Drama. Now i shall withold my verdict until i read all the volumes of the manga. For like the Rose, it has thorns - those 'difficult to swallow' ideas. Strip them away and you have a beautiful flower.

guess what?

i now work in siberia.

i keep making resolutions to continue updating this blog.

all i ever do, eventually, is to rub it all out and start again. i suppose there comes a time when we cannot pack up and ciao. it's probably now.

so i'm gonna try to create something of this blog. even if, hell, i've nothing to say.

i used to love Rene Liu.

It all began during those odd few years when i had CD buying binges. i just bought and bought. But when i look back, i laso realise that it was a wonderfully uninhibited sort of activity. (aiya, binge ma!)

this uncontrolled purchasing meant also that i was more open to try new things - and so i did. and so it led to Taiwan folk singer-composer Bobby Chen (who i couldn't understand or like at the very first), and then his then protege, Rene.

i loved outwandering - the entire album. her earlier albums were very easy listening, too but this album is so plain, simple and easy to listen/accept. it didn't invite much attention yet some of the songs rang a bell deep within me, somewhere.

track three is called 'the sound of the door', a prelude to track 9 (the door). a song that illustrated the memories of a father leaving home. i used to sit in my room at night with this song playing. the door brought tears.

'heartbroken party' is a tender song - made me think of friends who were there during the bad times, thankful to have them and not of men, heartbreak and falling in love.

best of all, the title track 'outwandering' gave much joy. for it was like an invitation to wander about unhindered and light-hearted, making new friends and experiences.

listening to it again, reminds me not to forget to be a little adventurous. And even though, i've practically stopped listening to Rene Liu because she's just so commercial now - her earlier albums i still treasure. and funnily enough, i remember her explaining in an interview why she changed her style completely. One of her bosses told her that her voice was awful. poor gal! but truly, i miss that voice.