Prime Lit Real Estate: Japanese Home & Bookshop

Gosh ... that's a lovely idea ...

I started a mag-like Tumblr quite a while ago. I like them because it's easy to post songs.

Here's one called Dedicated to ... . Enjoy.

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.

I've just finished a book called Babe In Boyland, which has one of my favourite plot devices ever. The one where the girl has to dress up as a boy for some reason. Of course, the funny thing is, I never noticed how much I actually loved this until last year when a slew of dramas came out with the same premise. So I started a little Tumblog (handsome girls and pretty boys) on this.

Well, let me count the ways where this plot device has occurred and I went - oh, must read/must watch!

Do you know Mulan? The filial gal who goes to war in her father's place - I always go - must watch!!! My favourite is Vicky Zhao Wei teaming up with the handsome Chen Kun, which in turn took the first place from the Mainland drama series with Anita Yuen (whom I totally adore) and Zhao Wen-zuo. I even hunted down and bought a book called Wild Orchid by Cameron Dokey, which is a sort of retelling. 

Then there's Georgette Heyer, whom I love and have read many of her books - her Regency girls like the 'medieval' Chinese ones can't go gallivanting around as themselves. Leonie (These Old Shades) and Penelope (The Corinthian) are as feisty as they make them.

Louis Cha's girls that wander in the martial arts world sometimes dress like boys, but his men too dress like women. In Chinese opera, the norm in the past was an all male cast, anyway as the same with the stage.

Did I mention manga like Ouran and HanaKimi? And their adaptations into dramas and anime ... hoy, I collect them. (Although the Ouran drama still lies untouched on my growing stack of unwatched and to-watch DVDs). Despite other people's opinions, I like both Maki Horikita and Ella Chen in their roles, albeit for different reasons.

Talking about dramas, how can we not mention the three Korean dramas that I rewatched so many, many times - Coffee Prince, Sungkyunkwan Scandal and He's Beautiful? All which were not only great because of the romance but the ensemble cast.

And ... I need not mention Shakespeare and the various other retellings, people.

So, we can now gather that I really like this sort of story. So I sort of mentioned this to a close friend that I'm reading (now done) Babe In Boyland, which has this plot device that I really like. And guess what she says, errrmm, you know if you were not married, people would think that you're homosexual. Oh dear, excuse me, I have nothing against homosexuality but ... just because ...?! I was rendered speechless.

So, you can't like yuri or yaoi, too? Does that mean that if I like to read manga like Drops of God - I'm an alcoholic? Ok bad example.

But simply I love it. You know they always portray underdog male characters as poor and whatnot, but at the end, he's a true hero because he did something etc. I just like this sort of plot device because the girl gets to be the hero and the underdog the boot. Especially when the guys are clueless and confused, and you as the audience/reader is sniffing or mumbling in your tears - wait till you find out how cool she is. Damn ... the girl is always the character we want to be - who is painfully tomboyish without much of a figure but nice.

Anyway, I really was stunned. Yet, I can see her point. Although I don't necessary agree - it's a free world, I'll like what I like, so shut up. And I'm not afraid to say I like it even if people would get the wrong idea. Geee ... would you please get a brain?

BTW, Babe in Boyland - to me marks the return of the romantic comedy in teen books, straighforward fun and lightheartedness. So there.

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?

Every first Saturday in May is Free Comic Book Day (FCBD), an initiative supported by comic specialty stores and bookstores across the world. On this particular day, participating outlets would give out FCBD comics – comics which have been specially published for the event – to readers. It’s an interesting way to celebrate this medium, giving independent comic publishers a chance to reach out to their fans and introduce new books to them.

A book to be savoured and treasured.

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.

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.

They permeate and worse, they permeate the higher strata of an industry where some people enjoy working in because of the intellectual joy.

Over the past few months, i've met the most gentle and forwardthinking, as well as inspiring book people. I also had to spend an hour listening to a bull bull-ing yesterday.

C'est la vie!

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.

It's funny that i consider time away from blogging to be either a holiday or a mad busy time. Perhaps, it is - diary writing is no longer a must, and rather something i do in leisure. Although i still burn to write ideas down, i find that you do need a certain kind of a frame of mind to sit down, switch on the computer, log on to Blogger and write thoughtfully.

i've had a wonderful time away from blogging and its revelatory properties. Plus, i did celebrate a birthday. ...

My favourite gifts are clothes/accessories (because my friends have lovely taste); books (ah! those who buy books have the greatest taste, of course. And they do need a lot of courage to buy me books because i can be quite critical. but that applies to fashion as well, i guess. Now you know how i feel when i buy books for people - doubtful and hopeful.) and finally - when all else fails - hard cash works the best! Of which, i must say thanks, Mom - cos the cash went into my CD buying collection.

Hmmm, which makes me wonder - why doesn't anyone buy me music anymore? The last time i got one wwassss .... Joni Mitchell's Hits - nice!!! Okok, i think Lizzie did offer to get me Tanya Chua's latest album, but i said i preferred a CD player ;-)

i think i better put up a Must have list ... all separately.

i recently gained a neighbour at work ... who's been lending me cool music! Good and Bad, ya?

The first few albums i lent her were my two all-time favourites - Shinkai [Mr Children] and OK [A-yue]. And she has thrown Bump of Chicken my way, yummm, lovely folky sounds.

Oh, and my birthday present to myself is What A Wonderful World (WAWW) [Mr Children] (which i lost) and Acoustic Fukuyamania (an instrumental album featuring Yoshikawa Chuei, and has artwork by Junko Terada).

So, i've been playing Bump of Chicken's Jupiter, Misuchiru's Shinkai & WAWW, Northern Bright, ...and now the Misuchiru's Best of compilations. i'll probably dig out my L'arc En Ciel, Glay and Luna Sea soon enough. All which should last me until the evening.

Music for inspiration and not in English or languages that i am familiar with - should help me write. That said, i need to finish my household chores before starting the word slogging.

Later la.

Finally to marineko-chan - congrats to finally finishing your paper! (i'm glad you found inspiration in OK)

(note: Coelacanth is the first track of Shinkai, which alludes to this extinct organism as a source of inspiration, a muse)

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!

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)

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.

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?