This week seems so short, I think because I was stuck in the traffic longer than expected, even though I wasn't commuting but getting a ride back.

So on Wednesday, by the time I could 'make time' - it was midnight and I didn't want to think about how to reuse some 'waste' paper. Instead, I resorted to good old nice wrapping paper. But ... since it's me, and the paper design had so many possibilities, here's the end result.



And so sorry, I did not take photos of the process, and not even this one, which is courtesy of Mari-chan (Domo!). But I just wanted to do it quickly. :)

Anyway, the wrapping paper is by aeiou! studio, a local company that specialises in gift and whatnot. This particular design is reminiscent of those old, old tiling that you can still see in old houses - so nostalgic! 

Oh! And although belated - Happy Birthday, Daph!

Last year, one of the greatest fantasy fiction authors (and of course, one of my favourite authors) passed away. After her passing, I rather in bad taste but also in a quiet sort of mourning, did a small books highlight of most of her books. Some of my colleagues abhor this sort of promotion but I usually do it in a bid of quiet desperation and resignation. Well, the awful truth is, is that inspite of an author's passing, good books and good writing never go out of fashion - unlike films - where there may be a sudden surge of interest and a quick dying off. An author's ideas and words should only go against the great adversary of Time and its erosion and evolution of popular thought, and not like their mortality bid an end to existence.

I think that many would agree with me that Diana Wynne Jones was such a wonderful author - her books were, are fun, engaging and thought provoking (although not in the most conservative sense), I personally like them for their humour, and interesting way of telling a tale. So her passing really saddened me.

In fact, these passings always make me very sad, doubly as a reader and a bookseller. Books never stay in print after that.

As I write, I've reread Year of the Griffin, the follow up to Darklord of Derkholm. I was book bereft in Singapore and could not find a book I wanted at Kino, (I forget which one) so I settled for one which I have not read by the master, the Derkholm. I loved it!
So when I got home, I naturally needed the sequel. And was subsequently surprised to find it now as a print-on-demand! (note the slight difference in the make of the books)

Oh no! Will her books be all going OP soon? It's unthinkable, unforgivable but really happening.

The race begins if you haven't been buying those books. Be warned or start an AbeBooks account.

Recently, i ended up in a video shop, with the intent to look for an educational DVD for the Nut, but ... I came away laden with a bunch of other stuff. With some of the DVDs going for such affordable prices, I could not resist.


Now, I already own a copy of 'And I Hate You So 小親親' in VCD (which will now be given to the first person who wants it!), yet I could not resist it. Who could? Try as I may, but I can't find another Cantonese romantic comedy that I love more than this. Given that this is Aaron and Kelly's second time, playing a couple, you can feel how comfortable they are with each other. (Their first collaboration was Kelly's debut, Whatever Will Be, Will Be 仙樂飄飄) 


Don't get the wrong idea - I'm not an actual fan of either. But somehow, their chemistry in this movie makes you love them. 


The gist is: Kelly plays Luna Ng, a columnist for a Chinese daily who woke up one day with her electricity cut. Losing her previous day's work, because she forgot to save it, she resorts to write about her bad luck that day. As she could not write at home, she's out on the streets, exploring the local neighbourhood. She strolls into an antique/junk shop, and while browsing around finds a stash of vinyl records. Picking one up, she comments to the shop owner that she gave her first boyfriend one like that. 


As she flips it, she realises that her precious gift to her first love is the one and the same as the one she now held. Determined to buy it back at all costs, she asks the shop lady to sell it to her. The shop lady (Teresa Mo) tells her that it was being kept for someone else. After some persuading, she calls the other customer, who while sympathetic to her woes, turns the shop lady's offer down, insisting on picking the record up the same day. Luna leaves the store, makes her way home and drops into a bubbly bath. 


The other customer turns out to be Cheung Yung, a DJ who hosts a show which he plays vinyls.He briefly mentions his encounter, claiming that she should have thanked him for giving her a chance to experience the beauty of regret. Luna is annoyed by what she deems as his callous comments, and sets out to start a war of words with this outspoken guy. The rest ... you should watch it.


I love their timing. I love the soundtrack. I love the cinematography. The art direction. Their supporting cast. Their messy rooms, reflecting how similar they are - his is full of vinyl and music, hers are books and books. What is there to find fault with?


As i watched, I tried to recall if there are other films which I would rank higher than this. Well, He's A Woman, She's A Man 金枝玉葉 would have been chosen, except I find this film somehow, more enjoyable and fun. It remains my all time favourite Cantonese rom-com film.