Showing posts with label thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thoughts. Show all posts
Yes, I know, it's the title of a book but this Annie (who is a writer, singer, lyricist, actress), has nothing to do with Nancy Garden. She's the multi-talented Annie Yi, who so happens to be very pretty, too.

Well, I've recently been obsessed with cataloguing my music collection, and have today decided to put in all my Harlem Yu cds. Unfortunately, as a natural progression, I thought since I only had a couple of Annie Yi's I'd do that next.

I didn't know of their relationship, of course when I stumbled upon Annie's cover album 百樂門小艷紅之快活歌 and thought, wow here's another cover album I may like. Ironically, I was into cover music because of Harlem's Night Club, but let's not split hairs. At first, I was quite unused, even put off by her voice - if you look around now, they are so many who sound like that - a little girl's voice, high pitched and small. But as I listened, because the selection of songs and arrangement were really good, I realised that she had so much skill. With my little knowledge about her, I looked around and found some information and discovered her writing, and film (which I never got to watch) ... then I read that she and Harlem were a couple.

Her next two albums, I treasure too. Both representing the Annie Yi that people should see, beyond the pretty face. She's cool.

Then her divorce and the ensuing scandal which led to her being banned in China. All at once, she seems to have dropped out of the Chinese entertainment scene.

But today, I found a lovely article online talking about her musical career and I could not but agree with the author of that piece, that we can never know what conspired in her life and should not judge her, and I'd like to add - just judge her quality of work. After all, we also hope that our bosses do that, too.

I wonder too if we will get to hear or see this strong Annie Yi soon.



Have you ever been in a situation where you were speechless or could not find the right words to reply, but it hits you sometime later, or at 3 pm in the morning? I like to call it the Delayed Response (DR) syndrome.

I had one of those yesterday. Those who know me would know that we've been having a crucial exercise at work this week, and yesterday was the fallout meeting. Now, everyone is usually exhausted but will keep their eyes open for this meeting. Well, I wouldn't mince words to say that I totally abhor the time we waste talking about this and that, some are even so minute you want to throw up! Suffice to say, I was prepared to be bored to tears or worse, fall asleep at the table.

To recap a little, this year was a wee headachy as we were assigned less people and what not. Everyone thinks it's the company's tight-fisted policy which led to this. But it's also probably some advisor's delusion that our staff are much better than the last-minute part-timers. I don't know about that though. I guess it's pure luck, good or bad - you get good apples, bad apples and sometimes no apples. Still, most went smoothly, so it really was supposed to be a meeting where you discuss the weaknesses and be constructive about it. And hopefully, the people who are in charge will remember to rectify it the next year.

Anyways, things got a bit hot when someone decided to be super-critical. Of course, I was trying to mind my own business.

After the meeting, on the way back home, I had an outburst of sorts in the car. The poor girls who had to listen to that! And much later, I realised that I should have just had the outburst in the meeting, throw a tantrum and leave the room - perhaps they will think twice when they conscript me again! Damn, lost opportunity.

How many times did I want to say do it yourself but bit my tongue? If you want to be so critical, really ... DIY! Hah, and since it's perfectly fine for the newbies to run the show, why do you keep conscripting the very exhausted bunch of seniors who have prayed to be let of the hook? I mean, the advisory team gets free food (of sorts) and the thumbs up from the boss, the parttimers get more money, the rest probably gets OT and a cheap bottle of RO water - and us in the middle, all we get is you should have done this and that and well, someone did it better - ungratefulness to the highest degree, thank you very much! Oh, I forgot - we get an extra 7 bucks.

So, so, so ... although I wish I said all this, and may have gambled that if I walked out, I'd be blacklisted - could I have gotten a serious offense warning if I did? Because I so wanted to say it. But did not because I didn't think of it then, damn prudence!

Still. Sigh. Can we pass next year? Please pretty please?


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.


The some-what long-short (long because it was 5 days, short because I hardly had a rest!) Lunar New Year hols has ended, and I'm back to slogging at work again. After a stretch like that, I'm glad I've decided again this year to keep a diary/planner.

Consulting the monthly spread, I realise that there are several things which need my immediate action as well as some serious planning. It will be a busy day, week, month, year - ahead.

Sometime ago, as part of the whole kaboodle of buying gifts for the year end festivities (to put it in other words), I pondered upon buying diaries for friends and family. I wondered like I never did which of them still appreciated a good looking 'paper' calendar/diary/planner. I knew for a fact that my sisters were both quite plugged in - Sky probably used Google or whatnot to keep track of her schedule, being highflying and all that, whereas my lil' sis had her Blackberry. The only thing was - I found the perfect little diary planner for her! So cute! A text later, confirmed that she didn't usually use one - but ... since I really could not resist - I bought it for her anyway, a too-cute Stitch diary which I would say was a nice mass paperback size. ;)

And what about me? Last year gave me many things - a child and an iPad. (hahhahhha) But no matter, how wonderful the electronic tablet is - I would still swear by my handy diary.

My choice this year is the above, irresistable Totoro diary. I have been using the Monthly Pocket Moleskines for a couple of years now, having ditched my planners with refills because they became a little cumbersome and heavy. However, this year I decided to take a breather from my usual black book and went diary shopping. I found a beautiful Yoshitomo Nara diary which I was sure would never make it to our shores, so while I was down south (in Singapore), I headed over to the Kinokuniya there to see if they had it. Sadly, they did not hence I came away with the troll instead.

To say I love using a diary is such an understatement. Buying a nice diary makes the year ahead look bright, shiny and gay. Even if days turn super busy and uncontrollable, when written down, it seems a little more acceptable and less stressful. But that could be only me.

Still, I enjoy the whole process of shopping for the right pen for the diary, and other accessories - ooppps, I mean stationery. If other people kept pets, I guess this is mine.

And did I mention that I never need to wonder what I did last month that caused a missing time slot in my time card, or a planned event I said I'd do but slipped my mine? I only need to consult my Totoro. He doesn't need batteries, just nice stickers and colourful pens.
Life has changed. It would even if you refuse to let it, perhaps even more after I've become a parent, and had the trauma of going in and out of hospital. Before this, I had never stayed in a hospital before.

I was prepared to expect some difficulty as with the nature of a Rabbit year, but never expected the mental and physical troubles as I did. Am afraid if it would continue for the rest of the year. Hence I'm taking life one step at a time.

Last night as I was looking at baby pictures on the refrigerator, a sudden fear came over that I may find my child too precious. There. I've finally articulated it, this niggling fear. Mayhap every parent has this feeling. Perhaps I am overdoing it.

I still fear.

But...there will be a day when your child leaves, they say. Let that be when he is an adult, making his own life, going about his own journey and finding his own fears. I would be able to share this doubt with him, one day, I hope.

Till then, I'll take each obstacle as they come, embrace every triumph, laugh when I can and cry if it must be so.
this blog seems to have shrunk into a diary of sorts for me. at least for the time being.

yesterday, i watched a new dvd drama that's a police drama. And it gave me some encouragement which i have needed for a long time. please, i'm just doing my job ... and that has nothing to do with friendship. It'ssimply not fair for people to think that we're obliged to help them, when they won't help themselves by growing up and accepting that things need to change and improve.

another 10 years of doing the same things (read not necessary crap but not sufficient) appeal to you?

you're knocking on the wrong person's door.

i have a poster on my wall that has etches or whatever you call it, of all the bars in Manchester. i only have memories of this The Rain Bar and another - i forget .. not much of a memory.

Its a bit too humid and hot today. Sigh. Anything for a rainy, at-home day. Which will do wonders to cool of my brain.

and no... i never did stay more than 3 days in Manchester. Plus, i still wanna do a few things there.

1) Attend a concert at Manchester Concert Hall
2) Go to John Rylands Library again
3) Go see the LS Lowry collection/gallery
4) Hang around the square and City Hall
5) Go eat at Ning (the chef was recently home to launch the 'home edition' of his cookbook, Malaysian Food

Please rain.
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To the lovely ladies who gave me these prezzies, thank you verra much! So you see, i got some bags for me big day. And you bet i would be using them soon. I always wonder, what is it about women and bags?

Anyways, i should be doing introductions of what they are ... etc but this is not a blog about that. (Perhaps in another time, another blog). I'm really enjoying the morning and discovered so many things i can do with Picasa when it comes to photoediting. This should help my future posts.

Agains - thank you gals!
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Had lunch with noona yesterday. It's been more than a week since she's off work, how come you still look so stressed? Before after photos, shows she's more relaxed ... though. Don't you think? At least i hope so la.

By the way, the photo taken in the office, with the books behind her is the view i see daily. Perhaps this will be the one for posterity.

*sigh*

Have a nice long holiday, noona! (technically, it should be unni la but Jay prefers to be called noona by all boys and gals. what noona wants, noona gets)

Saranghae! Don't forget to bring passport ... and don't forget to bring me when you go to Korea, next!

(P/S - Don't send an assassin to kill me for putting up the photos. Save them for when you want to shoot me for messing up the books ;-p)
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I fell in love with this shade of orange peach. Aren't they simply lovely? Plus, they smell of cabbage roses.
:-)

Makes me remember that we should take time to enjoy the little things in life and the people around us.
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Flowers at the beginning of the year, something beautiful and living, in my home. i think it will be a tough year, especially if i try too hard to bloom to quickly.

It's a sign to start small, start at the beginning and take it from there.

We can grow and bloom our own luck, if we quit comparing our abilities with the geniuses and masters out there.

After all - you learn a new thing everyday. What's the rush?
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02 守夜人.mp3 (4652 KB)

The night is special to me. It may be that in the darkness and solitude, we find ourselves facing an other us. Between me and a keyboard, a screen and a song. It isn't pass eleven yet but my other half has retired as usual. I'm an owl of sorts, with a smidgen of insomnia. Well, one thing's for sure, I never was a morning person. I'm plain grouchy and ugly in the morning, whilst as the evening draws close, I notice that the person in the mirror looks almost human.

Over the past few months I've anguished over secrets and unspoken thoughts. People whom I would have wished to be able to trust, I decided not to. Perhaps in a  way, I had inadvertently driven them away. But keeping mum maybe the best way, as I did want to drive one out, beyond a line which defines the professional and personal, for you can never have both worlds with someone who uses your feelings against you in your work, emotional blackmail of sorts. Thus, I chose to bluntly, roughly sketch one by staying some thoughts. Yet at times, it got the better of me. I doubted and I believed. Mostly, I kept away and allowed myself to be pushed away. Despite it all, I'm at peace - I faced a tough year and survived albeit with scars. 

I told Em, about a line I read in a book, something about people who run away from their circumstances - it will still be the same, no matter where you go, because wherever you go, you are still there. Is this pain you face of your own doing then? Because you deferred life too long? Because you were afraid? Because you were too skeptical, too hard, too distrustful, too self-fulfilling? Of course, I also came across a similar idea - that we are sometimes not only the victim, we are also perpetrator, one who is to be blamed as well as to blame. There are many facets to things - I can see yours, always, although I wonder if you will ever see mine. Someone told me - oh, you should listen. I do, but do you ever consider that I listen too to the unsaid and unwritten? You thirst with ambition yet you have qualms about stepping on your friend's toes, whilst I never side-step with my big feet because mere feelings should not blind us to the big picture. 

As I write, I'm listening to Wanfang's Left Hand album. Her voice is really very soft and sad, but surprisingly, I learnt to sing by listening to her songs. Big sister used to laugh at my pronunciation until I started to pick her songs to sing. Each word is properly enunciated. I have forgotten lately, and discovered that my pronunciation and command of the language needs to more practice. So I pulled out Wanfang to practise. And it is at times like this that I remember how much I love the precision of the Chinese language. What you may need an entire sentence to express in another language, you may only need two or three well-placed, well composed characters. 

Tonight, as I sit and wait for sleep or perhaps a dream, or a spark of an idea, I would like to share a song and a poem. 

The song is called The Night Watchman, and she sings of the people who look out in the night, caring for those who travel or are out late; she sings of a traveller, on a boat, soon to capsize in a sea called Love. (composed by Guo-zi, words by Hsu Chang-de - two masters of their craft)

The poem is called The Night Watchman, and he writes of a man with a pen of a weapon, (not Percy's Riptide), late in the day and life; doubt trickles in, as he ponders over his craft and what drives him ahead and before. (by one of Formosa Island's most revered, Yu Kwang-chung, translated by himself, although trust me, the original Chinese version is even more beautiful) 

'This side of the five thousand years a lamp still burns,
After forty a pen still erect.
Of all weapons this is the last.
Even if surrounded three times
At the center of blind darkness,
This I will never surrender.
In the forsaken cemetery of Time
Not a stone door ever answers my pounding,
But, hollow with horror, the haunting echoes
Down Time's hallway peal from end to end.
How much chaos will give way to a single lamp?
Does my pen at middle age suggest
A daring sword or a pitying crutch?
Am I the driver of the pen or the driven?
Am I the giver of the blood or the given?
Not a question can I answer. I only know
Icy is the air on the hair of my nape.
The last watchman by the last lamp
To prop a giant shadow awry,
Too preoccupied to dream
Or a sound sleep to claim.'
(The Night Watchman, Yu Kwang-chung 1973)

My sentiments exactly. I light my lamp, the flame flickers, licking the wick. I think a book calls. 

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January 9, 2008. That's the original date i started this post. Wah! what have i been doing? Actually, i write down notes to blog ideas and save them, until i'm ready to write it or it starts calling me... (how eerie)

Basically, The Brave and The Bold sprouted from an idea i had while thinking about the best type of merchandiser one can be and the phrase, Dan-da xin-xi (膽大心小) came round. How far would you go to find and sell a book?

(Today is January again, year 2010 and the date is the 16th)
I left this post for too long, until i've forgotten how to continue. But, all that notwithstanding - i do have something to say about the title of this post.

At work, i've been mulling over the idea of replacing a now soon to be vacant post. Yesterday, i was asked by one of my dearest - if the next person in line should be someone who has worked with this member leaving. After all, after shelving and reordering the books, it should come easy for her.

Should it? Yes, most people do think that automatically pulling the next most experienced arse into the position would do.

Really? Does it? What if this person does not show much respect for the job in question.

What if you give a merchandising task to such a person, it is treated like a by-the-way/necessary evil sort of chore. Promotions are done but with no thought, no subtleity, no spark. In fact, downright boring to the bone and none has been done to show that it has been a labour of love. Even taglines are grammatically sick - imagine if you're promoting books on learning, you should take some care and pride, shouldn't you? In fact, it shows a total lack of interest in all the detailed workings of merchandising. Plus, in secret, there is such a person who has refused to take any responsibilities of such kind for years. Promising to start then reneging. Not once showing an interest of doing more for the books. Can i trust such an individual who scorns the little my colleagues and i have been trying do for the books? Perhaps yea, perhaps naught.

i will try to not pass judgement yet, but would give a human another chance like we give books. but does this mean they will try? That they deserve it? That they even want a taste of it? We may be speculating too much and such persons don't really care for this job in mind.

People who love books would always be the first in line to do book merchandising, i think. Not just the books they are familiar with, too. Book buying and selling needs guts to do, you know. Sure it can be virtually risk free but what you are actually doing is showing the world your sincerity and your soul.

To say buy this, i'm recommending it - takes some blind faith in the reader and a whole lot of courage. Of course, what i like may not be to your taste and you're welcome to say that to my face. What i like, and what you like differ - but i doesn't make me wrong, nor does it make you right. Sounds like a whole lot of grey crap but it isn't. The world is made of a whole lot of different people, with myriads of preferences and book buyers have to cater, too for those whose tastes are their opposite. Yup, you can as long as you remember this - have some respect for your job, the books and the readers.

Being innovative, forward thinking, generous - these are constant hurdles we face daily. To innovate, we need imagination and take risks. Looking forward, we set trends and see the infinite possibilities from a present impossibility. 'Sure, there may not be much interest in such books yet ...' Be generous and share your love of books with others. And even if things change, they will remain the same.

But i digress.

Books live on even if people move on. For the readers, the most important thing may not be one with depths of experience to buy books for them, it should also be one with the right mind, heart and soul. Someone who learns everyday and is willing to give as well as take, and within lives a brave and bold soul of reader. One who walks far to sell their book, despite being shy or in uncomfortable shoes. Despite having to show one hundred before you can sell one to that particular customer. Despite that book failing now, the sequel may help it or a trend may alight it sometime. Despite not knowing the contents of the book you hold, as long as you do know more about it the next minute.

You should not only be afraid of what may happen, consider what it may bring, too. My dear book buyer, be brave, be bold, be a book.

(i realise this post has changed from its original idea two years ago. i must stop procrastinating my writing.)

When all is said and done by a million parties - i only want to buy the books and tell you what's nice to read. That's what keeps me. :-)
i've written only 6 posts in 2009. there's how much i wished to reveal. (apart from the fact that my PC at home has a bad line, which means it irritates the living daylights out of me whenever the pages hang ...)

i know where i've been. Hiding, i've been hiding some of my thoughts away because this is a public blog, dammit. There are things i wish i could voice out and wish to do, in order to leave it behind to heal. Somehow, i think i did do it, eventually.

Given that, i did go ahead and broke someone's trust in me. (ok, i'm not even sure if that person ever did trust me much. for sure, you can now see - my trust of this person transcends to the 18 levels) i was given a hint or so about something, made to understand i was the cause then was also expected not to find out more. i know it sounds confusing, so imagine this person/me in the middle, in a muddle. Should i find out more or leave it? Well, for one whole day, i kept it.

but i lost sleep over it, anguished over it, pondered over it.

like a dullard, i went ahead and asked, not even considering the consequences - which is, if found out, i'm never to be spoken to again. i went ahead and did it. (without realising) and now i'm in a pickle. i feel guilty yet liberated. Sure, i'm not forgiven. Perhaps, i'll never be forgiven.

But i'm sorry i was so stupid and things turned out this way. i wanted you and me to be free of lies and deceit, and perhaps now you can be free of me, too. No obligations.
In Ken Hirai's Japanese version of the nursery rhyme Grandfather's Clock, the part where it is tick-tock in English, sounds like 'chiku, chiko'. ;-p

I think i should just revamp instead of quitting. Yes, what a turnabout. (less than half an hour leh!)

It's because i like the url i have right now. We'll sleep on it and make a decision before post no.100.

Night-night, owls.
As i start, it's five minutes to 12, on Christmas Eve (Malaysian time), and 5 months and 24 days since i last posted anything. I have forgotten how long since i've been on facebook.

I have not fallen off the face of the earth, although some months, weeks, days ago - i felt like it in spots. i've let people and things and people and things get to me. perhaps you can also say that i'm not clued in and ready to do so many of the things i have had to take on, and had wanted to try. i lacked patience, experience, skill and an entire list of other things.

i do have temper and anger and unfortunately, intuition. Many a time, i could feel that something was wrong but had no means to fix it.

Nowadays my secret mantra (which i use to speak out loud a lot in the past, now less since it sounds negative to others. albeit when i accidentally let it slip in frustration) is 'why do i care. why is this my business as well?'. Actually the full mantra is 'why do i care? why is this my problem, too? should this be my business? it will only make things more complicated and i have ten thousand things on hand, clamouring for attention from people who mean more to me than this issue. oh, why, oh, why am i so busybody to want to help? to want to bother other people who don't want my help? hey, in fact i may not be equipped to help. so keep saying the mantra to remind yourself to mind your own business.'

There. Feels a wee bit better.

I just looked up the number of posts made since i started this blog - 94, making this effectively 95. I've always envied other people's nice blogs with a look of their own. Love Daphne's a lot.

Basically dots are getting to me. I mean i try never to wear polka dots to avoid looking clown-like, so why the heck did i choose this template? 'Cos the rest were either too staid or too odd. Maybe i should migrate ... if that is the word for it. Plus, all the music doesn't work anymore.

sigh ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shall i stop at hundred? i may be too lazy. but i won't stop completely because i enjoy an occasional write/rant like that. Just to prove i haven't lost me barely essential skills of writing, whatever that means.

Stop for a while. Too sleepy. As i click- 'publish post' - the time is 19 minutes past 12.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, FOLKS!