Wayang Kata: The Music Edition @ No Black Tie

 

I was with some friends at No Black Tie last Tuesday night for Wayang Kata + Moonshine, which is an event where poetry meets jazz music and I got to say it was simply AWESOME. It's organized by the Malaysian British Council featuring Kim Trusty, Dizzy & The, Najwa, Reza Salleh and Mia Palencia. Highlight was the night was Mia Palencia and also Reza Salleh...obviously.

 

 

 

 

Najwa

 

Reza Salleh

 

Reza Salleh & Mia Palencia performing a duet

 

Mia Palencia on her solo set

Say No To Lafite

We had a company subsidised lunch at Lafite at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur. It was supposed to be fine dining and high class since it has won numerous awards and have excellent reviews about their food. Well, it was my first time there (since people like me can't afford these places often) and I got to say, IT WAS SO DISAPPOINTING! The food wasn't that great...the ambiance was just like any ordinary hotel terrace cafe (in fact...I've seen better ones...don't let the picture on link fool you!). And to top it off, their staff weren't really well trained due to a certain incident that happend. Ok, it's too long for me to bitch about it since my colleague already blogged about it, I shall leave it for you to read here.

Would I go back there again? Are you nuts?!! After all that...I don't think it's worth the money. It's not that I can't afford it....but seriously...RM25++ for a glass of fruit juice that is not even freshly squeezed? I think NOT!

David Cook's Always Be My Baby

I know by now you all will probably be saying "Enough with Mariah Carey already!" but hey, TOO BAD...did I mention I am an avid fan? Anyway, "Always Be My Baby" from her "Daydream" album, has always been one of my favourite MC songs of all time. Well, simply because that song brings back certain memories that will always be dear to me, and I will feel happy each time I hear that song.

Having said that, when I heard it was Mariah Carey week on American Idol, I just have to watch it, even though I don't exactly follow AI. Obviously, one performance caught my attention. Yep, it's this song which was performed by David Cook. All I got to say is.....HOLY @&$#!!! It's really really good. It really does the song justice. I love it and I really do hope they record his version. I mean, not every guy can pull off a song which was done originally by a female singer...and what more if it's done by MC?.....AWESOME!

Watch the video and tell me what you think...

Showing Off Time =p

Well, like I said, I will post pictures (and bore you) taken from my new camera just to show you all how good my baby is (hey, give me some chance for bragging rights lah! :p). This was taken while I was having dinner with Calyn earlier this evening.

Pictures below were taken at lowly lit conditions. Neither pictures were not "Photoshoped" to adjust brightness nor color. The only thing done was resizing for obvious reasons.

This was taken using strobe flash mode...and yet it's not over exposed

Calyn & I - Noticed the natural lighting? Again using strobe flash mode.

Ok, I think I shall end it here, if not later you people will start boy cotting my blog.

I'm a Sneakerhead!

"Hi! My name is Nick and I'm a sneakerhead".

I finally found a new hobby (well not very new actually, it just didn't really took off a few years ago), a VERY expensive hobby too, collecting limited edition sneakers and shoes! Well, some people or in fact most people think it's crazy and a total waste of money, but the truth is....I CAN'T HELP MYSELF! It all started when I bought a pair of rare Adidas Superstar sneakers when I was in Hong Kong, about 2 years ago. Ever since then, I've been buying several sneakers (some limited editions), whenever I can. Most of them are bought from overseas as they are relatively hard (sometimes impossible) to get here. I don't know, I just got a "thing" for these sneakers. Maybe it's the colors, the designs, but whatever it is, I'm drawn to it. These limited edition sneakers can range from RM400 ++ way up to RM1,500 per pair. Insane? Totally! And as some of you know, I recently purchase a pair of limited edition Puma Miharas during my recent trip to Bangkok.

My pair of limited edition Miharas

I was walking at The Gardens the other day, when I then came across this shop called SoleWhat? which is one of the very few places that sell limited edition shoes in KL. Holy crap! My eyes lit up when I went in. Not because of the interior deco of the shop, but rather the collection of limited edition shoes that they have! They even carry the Onitsuka Tiger brand which I think is the first shop in Malaysia to sell this brand (but I might be wrong here).

Then suddenly from a distance, I could hear a pair calling out my name... As I turned and looked, I saw these beautiful pair of limited edition Nike Woven Air Footscapes! It was love at first sight I tell you. These pair are so rare, that they only have 2 pairs of each color available in Malaysia! Immediately I asked to try on a pair, and they fit PERFECTLY! It was so comfortable, that for a moment, I actually was thinking to make a run for it after putting both sides on! Haha...well, only problem is...it's freaking RM750 bucks!

Love at first sight! The Hideout x Nike Woven Air Footscape

The one I saw was in black and red stripe, with a transparent "gel" sole. Siigghh! Now there is a huge temptation for me to get one, and I've been contemplating whether to get it or not for a few days already. Only thing is, I just got a pair of Pumas and I think I need a bit of time to recuperate. If I were to get it, it will mean I have to sacrifice my other spendings, but if I don't, I might not be able to see or get them ever again! (did I mention there are only 2 pairs in Malaysia?) Arrrgghh! Decisions decisions. Help! Maybe you can start a donation drive to help raise funds for me to get that pair? Hahah...we shall see if it's fated for me to get it or not then.

More information on the Nike Footscapes can be found here

The Long Awaited Weekend..

It has been a really shitty week for me. Late nights and working long hours. There was one night that I was in the office until 3am, because we have a presentation the next day, and the stupid application decided to show off its tantrum by NOT WORKING! - It's always the case isn't it? Big day the next day, and everything gets fucked up the day or night before! Sighsss...so you can imagine how relieved I was when the weekend came.

Friday night, I was also working kinda late (7pm + on a Friday night is consider late ok!), when Zara called to ask me for a movie. When I asked what movie and she said it's some "Rat" movie!. I was like WTF isn't that a cartoon/animation movie?...First of all, I'm not really keen when it comes to watching cartoons/animated movies on the big screen simply because : 1. IT'S A CARTOON! and 2. it usually only lasts slightly more than an hour. So ok, since I really needed the break, and Zara was nice enough to call me so I went to watch Ratatouille (pronounced rat.a.too.ee) and I got to say, it was one of the best if not THE BEST animated movie I have seen! No kidding. Talk about realism in animation. What's more, the movie lasted about 2 hours long! So it made me think that if only all the animations were this good, I don't mind watching. After the movie, we met some friends up at Wabisabi, a Japanese Yakitori bar, where we sort of had supper and dinner in one plus a few glasses of alcohol of course.

Saturday night...

Well, went to Bamboo again only this time, it was because it was Jean's birthday! The night started slow, as we didn't want (or she didn't want rather) to be KOed so early. So we started out with a few jugs of beers. But alas, all hell broke loose when a bottle of Bacardi Apple was unleashed. After that, there were 3 Flamings in a row for the birthday girl followed by more jugs of beer!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEAN!!


These are some of the pics taken last night

Me, Jean & Evie

Ee Laine & I

Ee Laine, Me and Lynette

Group picture

The Transformers Movie

This is no doubt the most highly anticipated movie this year. So much secrecy was put into making this movie what it is. I watched it on its very first day of its release here (yay!) and I can tell you, it was definately worth the wait. The Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg combination really lived up to its expectation. While the storyline was erm.."so-so", the fight scenes, the CG and the transformation of the robots was something to make you go "Wow!"

Some pictures from the movie (courtesy of the official Transformers website)

Optimus Prime

Nasty Megatron trying to be King Kong

One of the coolest scenes. Looks like it's "blading" before shredding the vehicle to shreds!

Optimus Prime was definately the best adaptation. His voice is also of the same person who did the cartoon! Only dissapointment? Megatron! He didn't look like Megatron at all. He looked more like a cross between Alien and Predator! Plus he transforms to a jet!?? Ok, don't want to spoil it for those who have yet to watch it, but it's definately worth watching. If you grew up watching or playing with these robots (I did), you will know what I mean.

My Trip Down South

I was in Singapore over the weekend, and the highlight of the trip was The Phantom of the Opera, held in the Esplanade Theatre. It was really worth the trip as it was a really good play. The lighting, sound and choreography was just excellent. In one word PERFECT!

Me @ The Esplanade Theatre for Phantom of The Opera

Well, what else I did there? I went shopping of course. I didn't go the new VivoCity though, only manage Orchard Road and Suntec City areas. Oh yea, I was in Bugis too on the first night for steamboat, where I met up with my friend Vivienne, who I have not met in 4 or 5 years. Viv, if you're reading this, it's been great to finally meet you up again!

Vivienne & I @ Bugis

Then there were chilling out nights in Clarke Quay by the river side and also Chjimes the next night.

Me @ Clarke Quay (this shot was actually focusing on the girl behind)

Me @ Chjimes (do I look stoned??)

Beautiful Chjimes

I came back on Sunday noon, pretty tired as I didn't get much sleep during the whole ordeal, but pretty much satisfied and happy with the weekend. =)

Phone Evolution

Do you remember your first mobile phone? Well I certainly do. I had my first mobile phone when I was in my college days. Boy how technology has advance. Can you believe my first phone was so ancient it didn't have caller ID and the "phone book" only stores 9 numbers without knowing the name of the person!? As time goes on, I kept upgrading my phone. Here are list of phones that I use to own over a period of 8 years in ascending order:

1 . Motorola MicroTAC

This was my very first phone. Like I said, it can only store up to 9 numbers on the phone memory, and it does not have a SIM card! Worse still, the numbers are stored from 1-9 (accesible via the keypad..how cool!) and you must memorize each phone number location as they don't have a phone book function which tells you who the numbers belong to.

Best feature: Heavy enough to kill a dog and to be use as a weapon!




2. Alcatel One Touch Club

My second phone, which is also my first digital phone (yay!). My dad got this phone for me and my brother in a promo where you get 2 phones at a cheaper price! It is with this phone when I first got my Maxis number. I was so amazed then that this phone can change ringtones and it has Caller ID!

Best feature: Changeable covers (wow!)



3. Siemens C35

My third phone and my first phone that I actually bought with my own savings. I actually got conned buying this phone (I was naive back then), as I got it at a really cheap price. But guess why is that? Because the damn warranty is only valid in Germany! I found out the hard way when I took it back to be repaired within a year. This is when I first found out about "underwater" phones! Oh well, hard way to learn eh?

Best feature: Small and lightweight. It has animation and screensaver (woooooo!)




4. Siemens SL45

My second Siemens phone. During this time, a lot of people are in awe with this phone, as it has a lot of cool features (back then). It was one of the first phones in the market to be able to play MP3 and have a removable memory card slot. I still have this phone at home and it still works! It also my first phone to be able to play midi ringtones.


Best feature: MP3 Player and memory card slot




5. Nokia 6100

My very first color phone. It has a 4k color screen, GPRS, and my first phone to play polyphonic ringtones, and to have a wallpaper function. It also allows you to install Java games. I sold this phone to a friend and got an upgraded version.

Best feature: Color screen & GPRS (nothing much to shout about but a real upgrade from the previous phone.)






6. Nokia 6230

An upgrade of my Nokia 6100. It has 65k color screen, a radio function, and also plays MP3s as ringtones. It's also my first phone to have a camera! This phone also have a memory card slot which allows you to store data. It's also my first phone to have Bluetooth technology. Sold this phone to a friend.

Best feature: Bluetooth, MP3 ringtones and camera






7. O2 XPhone II

My first Smartphone! It rides one Windows Mobile. It has 65k color screen. It has a camera. It has Bluetooth. It plays MP3s. It has a memory card slot. It operates exactly like Windows, but with limited features (it has MSN Messenger, Winzip, notepad and able to view Adobe PDF docs - cool eh?). It is also able to sync with Microsoft Outlook. This phone made heads turned, as it was cool (and still is!). I'm still having this phone and it's still working. It's now my official backup phone.

Best feature: Windows Mobile (need I say more?)




8. Nokia N80

My current phone. The "ultimate" phone (for now). It has 3G and Wi-Fi capabilities, a 3 Megapixel camera (with flash), 256k color screen, hot-swappable memory card slot, Media Player, able to open Microsoft Office applications, opens PDF and Zip files...what more do you need??

Best Feature: All of the above

The Betrayal

I went for a play last night at Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC) at Sentul West. The Betrayal, starring Ari Ratos, Vernon Adrian Emuang, Bernice Chauly and Berg Lee.

It was not bad seeing that its my first time going for a play. Yes, its my first time, and I got to say I'm beginning to enjoy this. I'm starting to become an artsy fartsy person of late, going to art galleries and now this and actually appreciating the works these artists put in. Its the new me I guess. Anyway, the play was good, and the cast was quite alright. I guess the interpretation could be better in terms of expressions, but the dialogue was definately good. 2 of my friends who went with me have different views though. They thought it was too dialogue driven and one of them nearly fell asleep beside me. But I thought it was good overall and I think I will be going more to these stuff. Artsy fartsy Nick? Hmm..