Choonage: Sonic Youth - No Queen Blues
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
I went for an interview today which went ok. I came out feeling pretty drained, wondering if I'd just woken up from a dream. Maybe it's my messed up short-term memory or maybe my brain just enjoys replaying memories over and over again until things get blurry and I start to wonder if what just happened really happened. Anyhoo, I was left with the strangest sensation in my skull, like as if something possibly life-changing had just happened (then again, isn't everything life-changing?). I was left with the strangest feeling. During the interview, the panel of interviewers kept trying to find out what my "passion" was or what I felt "passionate" about. But what exactly is my "passion" and what do I feel "passionate" about?? How can I answer them intelligibly when i myself don't know the answer to that. It's almost as if this interview was to serve as some sort of psychoanalysis session, one that I hardly think I need nor care for. These days, I just want to live safely and not have my mind expanded anymore than it needs to be. I just want a job. Not to walk out of the room feeling like an absolute fool for not knowing what my "passion" in life is. I'm a work in progress, a regular mess. As Moose Girl and I agreed yesterday, "Extraction is the Best Action."
Choonage: Sonic Youth - No Queen Blues
Choonage: Sonic Youth - No Queen Blues
Monday, March 27, 2006
The stitches are out! Bring on the STEAK! I'm ready for some solid food again. I'm dying to exercise too. Let's go, let's go!
Sunday, March 26, 2006
I'm sure y'all have probably had enough of me whining about my puffy cheeks and my growing resemblance to Quagmire (today, I think I look a little bit more like E.T.) so I shall write about events from the week before last. I just wanted to tell you all how much I enjoyed going to watch Erlend Oye dj as well as seeing him and his mate, Erik (I hope I spelt this right) perform in concert as the Kings of Convenience. I've been meaning to see Erlend Oye dj for a long time now. He definitely lived up to my expectations. Playing an eclectic mix ranging from 80s love ballads to obscure French Housey type choons. He added layer upon layer to each mix he did by singing on top of the records, along to the records, adding in his own words where there might previously have been none, or even killing both records and singing to no music.....He also managed to single-handedly revive my interest in dancing. I was just commenting to a friend recently that these days, when I'm out clubbing, I bounce around cos I'm drunk and dancing seems like the done thing. However, Mr Oye's made me see that it is possible to really enjoy what you're listening to and to be able to express the joy you're feeling just by, say, moving your hips from side to side or tapping your toes. I think about all the kids out there, going through their choreographed Melbourne Shuffle dancesteps, thinking that they're the S**t when really, it's just boring to see what they've spent hours in front of their mirrors practicing over and over again. If only more of us could dance like Erlend or even my mate, The Tick. The latter was enjoying himself so much that very same night, doing his little jig, that Erlend came down from his dj console and danced with him for bit. It was a joy to behold. Hooray for dancing like no one's watching eh?
Choonage: Royksopp - Remind Me
I am loving this song so much at the moment. I can't stop listening to it. It almost consumes me.
Choonage: Royksopp - Remind Me
I am loving this song so much at the moment. I can't stop listening to it. It almost consumes me.
The 2nd coolest clothing brand in Bali.
I wish I'd taken a better photo of this but all 4 shop assistants were giving me dirty looks as I snapped this shot so I had to do it in haste and as calmly as I could. Anyway, it's a quality name for a clothing company. Sara, I'm sure you'd agree that this belongs on engrish.com!
Plastic in Pain.
Doesn't the sight of this make you feel weak? I seldom feel such compassion for inanimate objects but this little beauty stole my heart. She seemed to be crying. I must admit, I felt a tear gather in the corner of my eye but being the man that I am, I laughed and said, "A-ha, what an odd-looking chair! I'm going to take a photo." My hands, oh how they trembled as I held my camera up to take said photo.
The Height of Fashion.
I just had to take a photo when I came across this top on the far left. Yep, this is straight to the point alright.
The Primate bids the setting sun farewell.
So, I've finally gotten round to uploading some of the photos I took from my short trip to Bali with my folks a couple of weeks ago. Enjoy : )
Friday, March 24, 2006
Right about now, my cheeks have swelled up so big I'm actually looking like Quagmire (spelling??) from Family Guy. *AlllllRight! Giggadygiggadygig...*
I have gotten used to eating porridge for every other meal and am drinking so much water that my skin is actually clearing up. And losing weight is making my head look really big. Right then, I guess you could say that I'm looking like a Quagmire doppelganger. Now I just need to find me a hawaiian shirt.
Choonage: TY- Music 2 Fly 2
I have gotten used to eating porridge for every other meal and am drinking so much water that my skin is actually clearing up. And losing weight is making my head look really big. Right then, I guess you could say that I'm looking like a Quagmire doppelganger. Now I just need to find me a hawaiian shirt.
Choonage: TY- Music 2 Fly 2
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Have spent a great deal of today in a fair amount of pain. Yes, I took out 4 wisdom teeth today. I am now sporting a fat lip that would make Mick Jagger jealous. I also have a throat so sore it feels like I downed a drink made of sandpaper (apparently they stuck a bunch of tubes down my throat...if you ask me, it feels more like they stuffed a small female Chinese contortionist down me throat). Oh, the big gaps where said teeth used to be? Boy, do they hurt. As does my jaw. I have never looked prettier. Thank GOD the painkillers have finally set it...without them, the attendant headaches are pure vice-like. I have also been told that I cannot exercise for the next week which is going to suck. Well, guess I won't be putting on weight cos I can't quite eat solid food yet anyway *yes, tim is feeling very very fragile at the moment*
I can't wait till I get better. I hate feeling so weak. Hope you guys are faring better.
Choonage: Kanye West feat. Brandy - Bring Me Down
I can't wait till I get better. I hate feeling so weak. Hope you guys are faring better.
Choonage: Kanye West feat. Brandy - Bring Me Down
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Back from Bali!! I'm feeling pretty refreshed on the whole. I didn't sleep as well as I thought I would, I'm not as tan as I thought I would be (and less burnt, accordingly), not looking like the bronzed adonis I thought I would magically become (ahhh, one can hope eh?) and certainly alot fatter after the amazing Indonesian food...but, life is good and I am pleased to be back in Singapore where everything is nicely (albeit clinically) organised and efficient and less nerve-racking (I'm talking about the crazy Balinese Traffic here)....I'm off to watch Erlend Oye (of Kings of Convenience fame) DJ in a bit with the Tick and his pals, which should be a right laugh. Mid-week bliss indeed......I am feeling well relaxed for a change.....I now leave you with the
Quote of the Day:
"Just as we put up our umbrellas, the sun comes out. We don't know whether to be happy or sad, and so we are both."
- Bernard Holland, 'Many Mozarts, many audiences', NYT in IHT. 15/3/06
Choonage:
Andain - Beautiful Things (Gabriel & Dresden Remix)
Quote of the Day:
"Just as we put up our umbrellas, the sun comes out. We don't know whether to be happy or sad, and so we are both."
- Bernard Holland, 'Many Mozarts, many audiences', NYT in IHT. 15/3/06
Choonage:
Andain - Beautiful Things (Gabriel & Dresden Remix)
Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Ladies and Gentleman, I have just been informed of the existence of my doppelganger. Not only does this chap live in Singapore like me but he also has the same surname as I do. He's also a bit of a fitness freak. Actually, he's much more of a fitness freak than I am. A former army mate of mine, Brandon, was the one who kindly sent me the picture of this chap. This here photo appeared in the Sunday Times (Singapore's main Sunday paper) on the 5th of March 2006. When I first saw the photo, I was speechless. The resemblance is uncanny, isn't it? He's a healthier, younger, taller, heavier version of me. Even my mum thinks that he looks a little like me. Guess it's about time I started exercising even harder. Maybe it's time for a major image overhaul? Hahaha.....Brandon actually thought it was me trying to pass myself off as a younger, taller chap....nah, I'm not that desperate that I've got to tell lies about the way I look but what would happen if the doppelganger and I met? Would time and space as we know it collapse? Would the two of us melt into one entity? Would I finally get my groove back? Who knows? Maybe this is someone's idea of a joke.....oh well, I wish my doppelganger all the best. May he look healthier than I do when he's my age (I'm 7 years older than him!!).....I have to admit, this picture brought back memories of a particularly messy/somewhat lost weekend in Glasgow when we met Alasdair's doppelganger outside The Arches after Pressure!
Choonage: Ben Sims - The Truth
I am currently sporting the best haircut I think I have ever received in my life. With the help of a little gel, my hairstylist has managed to make me look a little like some sort of androgynous school boy robot from the 1920s. I know it sounds strange but trust me, it really ain't that bad. I would post pictures but my complexion isn't very good at the moment and common decency prevents me from offending your eyes. After all, one man's aesthetic sensibilities can be the cause for debate as I found out for myself last night but let us not go into that right now. All I will say is that I like what my hairstylist has done. I am pleased like no other *grin*......
Choonage: Yesterdays (Junior Boys Remix) - Billie Holiday
Choonage: Yesterdays (Junior Boys Remix) - Billie Holiday
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Here's a short recap of the weekend just gone by. Friday night was pretty chilled and a continuation of my self-imposed ban on going to clubs, pubs, bars. I went to watch a double bill at the cinema with my folks at 7pm. The movies in question were "Sepet" and "Gubra", 2 Malaysian movies by the writer/director Yasmin Ahmad. Both the films were really quite good and although I hadn't eaten dinner, I was so engrossed by the experience that I forgot that I was hungry to start with! There was some fantastic banter to be had in the films as well. I shan't go on reviewing the films cos I really don't think I'm qualified to do so. Anyhow, to cut a long story short, the double bill was followed by a Q&A session with Ms Ahmad and 2 major members from the cast, Sharifah Amani and Ng Choo Seong, which I thought was a fantastic way to get the audience to feel more of a connection with the films. I really enjoyed listening to the various reasons for the way many things turned out in the films, from choice of cast to inspiration for various characters. Sharifah, in particular, struck me as being like a beautiful human sea monkey. I know it sounds almost awful but, you have to see her in person to understand what I'm on about. Quirky and lively thing that she was, I kept expecting her to start swimming in mid-air...but of course, she didn't. After the Q&A, my dad went up to talk to Ms Ahmad, and introduced me and my mum at the same time. I ended up getting asked about what I wanted to do with my life and why I wasn't a film-maker and whether I fancied joining them the next time they went for a film shoot. Of course, I am doubtful about the seriousness of the last question but nonetheless, it was nice to be able to talk to her. She's a highly intelligent woman with a super husky voice and an allure I can't quite explain....but lest I start going on about older women, let me swiftly move onto Saturday.
Saturday was pleasant enough. I spent the night at The Tick's house, hanging out with him and his mates, watching movies and playing board games. His mates are lovely people and although I wasn't in top notch condition, I had a good time chatting with some of them. It was especially good to talk to his friend, Michelle, about the UK. I realised again how much I miss the place and just having a chat with someone which involved the words "Tesco", "Sloshed", etc....oh, it just made me want to be in the pub again, sitting by the fire with a pint in my hand....ahhh, happy days.
Anyhoo, today sees me feeling well knackered. I'm nursing a fat lip caused by some young punk on the basketball court. I was marking the c**t and he swings his shoulder into my face, causing me to bite into my lip. He apologises initially and then has the cheek to tell me not to "put your face at my" shoulder ( he didn't actually say shoulder, I don't think he knew what it was called. He referred to his shoulder as "here") because it will cause both him and I pain. I almost lost the plot there and then but decided not to complicate matters by scolding him. There are a great number of people in this country who are very reluctant to include the word "sorry" in their vocabulary. And many who do say it don't often mean it. Anyhow, I have forgiven the chap. He is but a young wee lad who will learn one day, probably the hard way, that having such an attitude will not get him far in life.
So, that is my rant for the day. I hope you have all had yourselves a merry weekend and are feeling refreshed and ready for the week ahead. Keep living healthy and don't forget to take your vitamins. Gawd, I sound like such a geriatric, don't I?
Saturday was pleasant enough. I spent the night at The Tick's house, hanging out with him and his mates, watching movies and playing board games. His mates are lovely people and although I wasn't in top notch condition, I had a good time chatting with some of them. It was especially good to talk to his friend, Michelle, about the UK. I realised again how much I miss the place and just having a chat with someone which involved the words "Tesco", "Sloshed", etc....oh, it just made me want to be in the pub again, sitting by the fire with a pint in my hand....ahhh, happy days.
Anyhoo, today sees me feeling well knackered. I'm nursing a fat lip caused by some young punk on the basketball court. I was marking the c**t and he swings his shoulder into my face, causing me to bite into my lip. He apologises initially and then has the cheek to tell me not to "put your face at my" shoulder ( he didn't actually say shoulder, I don't think he knew what it was called. He referred to his shoulder as "here") because it will cause both him and I pain. I almost lost the plot there and then but decided not to complicate matters by scolding him. There are a great number of people in this country who are very reluctant to include the word "sorry" in their vocabulary. And many who do say it don't often mean it. Anyhow, I have forgiven the chap. He is but a young wee lad who will learn one day, probably the hard way, that having such an attitude will not get him far in life.
So, that is my rant for the day. I hope you have all had yourselves a merry weekend and are feeling refreshed and ready for the week ahead. Keep living healthy and don't forget to take your vitamins. Gawd, I sound like such a geriatric, don't I?
Friday, March 03, 2006
Observation of the Day:
I don't often get folk calling me on my mobile but when they do, it's not uncommon for me to be in the shower!
Choonage:
Bit Torrent - Boom Bass & Etienne De Crecy
I don't often get folk calling me on my mobile but when they do, it's not uncommon for me to be in the shower!
Choonage:
Bit Torrent - Boom Bass & Etienne De Crecy
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
As I was telling a bunch of my mates today, my body seems to react very strangely to any life-changing activities that I force upon it. When I quit smoking, my complexion became quite bad (to put it mildly). Well, now that I've stepped up my efforts to exercise intensely, my complexion has gotten worse again. It's so annoying. Shouldn't the opposite be happening? Shouldn't my face be as smooth as a baby's bottom? Shouldn't I be glowing and floating as I walk? Maybe it's my body's way of telling me that I really should be partying like that nutter I used to be at uni.....nah, good complexion or not, I'm sticking with my new fitness regime. I really enjoy exercise these days....it makes me feel like very few people can. Uh huh.....I'm feeling well relaxed......I'm itching to get back into the pool......damn you exercise, why do I lust for you? Why do you plague my dreams? Just the other night, I dreamt that me and my mate Jeff (who I haven't seen in some time cos he's in Canada) were engaged in a "Chin Up Contest"!!! Madness, indeed. Now, if only those darn abs would appear!
Choonage: Fatboy Slim - Acid 8000
Choonage: Fatboy Slim - Acid 8000




