My Chill Out "Jazzy" Week

 

Of late, I have been going bar hopping a lot. No, not because I'm happening, but because there are some really good Jazz acts that are really worth going to. On Wednesday, some colleagues and I decided to go to Sevenatenine for their Bar Night, which featured their international mixologist and also it's our excuse to finish up our bottle which was "parking" there since September. Also featured was a quartet group called G-String. Kinky as it might sound, they are actually quite good. Thanks Jolene for getting us a table right in front of the stage. We were later joined by my friend Michelle and Joshua to what was a nice night out.

 

 

Rabin & I

 

 

Chui & Sonia

 

 

Our bestest best friend, Mr. Johnny Walker

 

 

Rabin and his "Around the World" drink...he was gone after that

 

 

Michelle & I

G-String!

 

 

On Friday night, I was at Alexis Ampang together with Elisa and her friends for Ida Mariana. This is my first time listening to her perform and I must say, she is really good. Sorry about the blur images below though. Didn't have my camera with me then, so have to resort to using my mobile's camera which is practically useless for night shots. Us sitting quite a distance away didn't help either.

 

 

 

Ida Mariana

 

Then last night, I was at No Black Tie for another performance. This time it was Albert Sirimal (guitar/vocals), Badar (percussions/vocals) and a special guest saxophonist. They don't have an official name for their band though but they were really really good. They did really good Bossanova renditions of Carol King's I Can't Hear You No More, Lionel Richie's Stuck On You and even Michael Jackson's Human Nature which I thought was absolutely brilliant!

 

 

The unnamed band...which was really good

 

 

So there, my quiet and chilled out week filled with Jazz. I'm starting to believe that I am getting a bit too old for clubbing nights already. Don't get me wrong, It's not that I don't enjoy clubbing, I still do...it's just that going for a Jazz night out is simply more fulfilling.

Update: 19 October 2008

 

I'm going to try and not make this post too long and go into details but instead let the pictures do the talking.

 

Last Thursday night, I met up with Olivia and some of her friends at Poppy in KL for Josh Wink. Now, some people I know...don't even know who Josh Wink is...but after I asked them to Wikipedia / Google him or "Higher State Of Consciousness" then they go..."OHHH...SO THAT'S JOSH WINK!". It's sad that people only remember him for that, but he has a lot of other good mixes too which I think wasn't really promoted well. Special thanks to Jamie for putting me on the guest list, although my supposed group of "kampung" I promised her didn't show up that night...hehe

 

Josh Wink in action @ Poppy

 

 

Olivia & I

 

On Saturday morning, I got up at 6AM because one of my good friend Adrian is getting married and we (the "heng tais") have to be at his place by 7AM to be "briefed" and ready to battle the "chi muis". Now it's an honor to be part of someone's entourage but it can also be "suffering" to some extend. It's a tradition that all of us "heng tais" have to endure several stupid tasks setup by the "chi muis" before the groom can get to his bride. We were very lucky that some of the task didn't involve eating anything.

 

All the "Heng tais"...ready for battle!!!

 

 

The "Chi Muis"...so ganas...got cane sommore!! =(

 

 

TASK 1: Wear underwear that spells out "WE R HERE 4 STELLA!"

 

This one reminded me of detention class back in high school!

 

 

TASK 2: All "Heng Tais" have to wax part of their leg

 

 

and this is the result of that, this morning...

 

can you see a square smooth patch on my leg?? =(

 

 

TASK 3: Sing a song and include words like "Stella", "Siew Yok" and "Por-por"

 

"Only Stellaaaa...."

 

 

After all that...they still didn't want to let us in...and still demanded more money. But well, like I said...we got it easy...so the groom paid up an undisclosed amount after all of us negotiated. We later went to church for mass, and to get the blessing from the church. At this point...all the "heng tais" was supposed to provide transportation to all the "chi muis" to church and back.

 

The bride and groom after church - CONGRATS ADRIAN & STELLA!

 

 

Church ended around noon and then there was lunch and also the tea ceremony. After that, everyone was tired and went back to rest for the dinner. I love wedding dinners. Not only you can get to eat good food, but it's also a good place to see the friends who have been missing in action for long periods. I got to catch up with my college buddies and also friends which I have not seen for such a long time.

 

 

The BFG Reunion with new members...

 

 

And of course how can a wedding dinner do without booze right? I for one was mixing red wine and whiskey all night. But well, there wasn't any major casualties but Kevin and Anthony (the best men) were definitely the "targets" of the night. Hehe..

 

NOTE: Some of the pics (without watermarks) are taken off Anthony's album on Facebook

Update: 10 August 2008

Hey loyal readers. In case you haven't noticed, it's been quite awhile since I last updated the blog. I have been super busy for the past 2 weeks, having so many project deadlines back to back that going back around 730-8PM daily has become a norm. But having said that, I somehow still found time to accommodate guest to my condo throughout the week.

On Tuesday, Olivia and Rabin came over for a couple of glasses of Glenfiddich, and just to chill out, then on Thursday my ex colleagues brought pizzas and opened a bottle of Jack Daniels and last night, my cousins came over and chill out with a bottle of wine. Wow...my place is becoming a bar of sorts...but I'm not complaining because it was intentionally meant to be that way in the first place...hahah..

Jack Daniels....yum!

After the pizza dinner...

Wine night..

I just finished Sunday brunch with Suzanne, May Lynn, Bee Leng, and Evie at La Bodega, Bangsar. I must say, I think I'm becoming more of one of the girls the more I hang out with them as the topics of conversation were on Brazillian waxing, pubic hair...and errr...ok...enough information for now...but you get the point...topics that only girls talk about...and they don't seem to noticed that a guy is actually in their group =.= What's more...they are coming over to my condo later to watch the Sex And The City movie!

* Updated pic @ 10:38PM *

Us half way through Sex And The City...

Well, I guess should enjoy my weekend for now (or what's left of it...sigh!), as I will be having a very busy week ahead. 2 new projects to be completed before the next weekend *faints*. Then again, I also got 3 events happening in a row starting Thursday night....so hopefully, that will be my "de-stress" and motivation factor. So if I don't update my blog, it's because I'm too busy....either working or partying...hahaha..

Oh...btw... HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHEA LI! ;)

The Meeting, The Proposal & The Wedding

My weekends just seem to be so packed and precious that every weekend seems to just fly right by. Honestly, I didn't get enough rest this weekend which is why dread going back to the office today. Anyway, lots of things happend during the weekend...met someone new...got a proposal...and then a wedding ;)


The Meeting

Yes...I met someone new over the weekend! No no...it's not what you think...hahaha! Gotcha! But seriously...I was out drinking with Olivia and Byron on Saturday night and met a "long lost cousin", Regina. It was just so coincidental that the 3 of us sitting at the same table with same surnames but none of us are related to each other. When I met Regina, we clicked instantly. I guess it's because we have a lot of friends in common, and conversation topics from then on were never a bore.

The "family portrait", Regina, Olivia and I

The Proposal

I finally got a proposal for my kitchen layout. I got the contractor to sketch out what I wanted, then chose the materials and colors to go along with it. You see, I can't afford those really expensive kitchen systems, so I had to find the next best alternative which is to custom make my kitchen and the one of a kind bar. Of course if it's cheap, naturally the proposal is....well...cheap! This chinese speaking contractor, just sketched out the plans on a year planner and not even on an A4 sheet. No kidding! But I must say I trust him, as he seems honest to what I can and cannot do. Besides, he was recommended by a friend to which he was her contractor for her kitchen as well.

The "el-cheapo" kitchen + bar proposal....not bad right?

The Wedding

My high school classmate Vivienne, got married on Sunday at Cyberview Lodge & Spa Resort at Cyberjaya. It was a garden wedding and I must say, it was one of the best weddings I've ever attended. It's not because every other wedding is boring, but this wedding paid a lot of attention to details, like decorations, lights, and even the theme. It was themed in such that before the dinner, you would have to register upon entering the dinner hall to which you would be given a "boarding pass" of your destination. Each table is named after a destination, and you get to stamp (like those found on your passport with different shapes) and give your well wishes on a large piece of paper on the counter. Each "destination" represents a different country or city that the couple visited during their courtship and each table have photo booklet and story taken from those destinations. There were at least 40 tables, so you can imagine how many countries/cities she have been to...afterall, she was a former air hostess with Singapore Airlines. Here are some shots taken from the wedding.

Here comes the bride

Exhanging vows..

"Awww....how shweet!"

High school classmates: Lye P'ng, Evie, Eng Eng & I

Friends from high school

New friends from down under: Graham, Anne & John

Congrats again Vivienne & Richard!

The 21 Hour Saturday

*Post modified and updated* - added new pic

Last Saturday was and eventful one. There was so many things going on. My day started at 630AM, as I woke up early to travel to Seremban for a friends wedding. The brides hometown is in Seremban, therefore all the "heng tais" have to gather at Subang at 730AM to start a convoy there. The interesting part of this was, it was something rather different than the rest of the customary bridal pick-ups. We were all FORCED to wear Manchester Utd jerseys as it was one of many criterias from the bride before the groom can get to her. Not only that, we were also FORCED to memorize and sing "Glory Glory Man Utd!" before they even open the gates! Buggar! Me and another one of the "heng tai" are Liverpool fans, and the groom is actually a Chelsea fan, so making us wear those jerseys was a bitter pill to swallow. The bride is a die hard Man Utd fan you see, but nevertheless, for the groom, we were willing to let this one slide (you owe us one Teej!).

This is the FIRST, LAST and ONLY time you will ever see me in a Man Utd jersey...

All the "Chi Muis" & "Heng Tais"

Anyway, we all arrived in Seremban at around 930AM and were torchured in doing stupid stunts (all part of the Chinese custom) in order to get to the bride. From putting fruits down another guy's pants and drinking out of milk bottles to doing Karma Sutra positions, I shall leave it to your imagination on how bad it was. After the torchuring, we all had something to eat and then headed home to KL at about 1230PM (the dinner ceremony will be the following week where alcohol will be served...yay!).

As soon as we arrived, everyone headed their separate ways. I went to my condo to get some measurements as I need to source for tiles and also furniture. After getting the measurements, I headed to a few lighting shops to get some quotations for some lights. There was a shop having a 50% off promotion on all their items apart from their Best Buy items which I thought was great. Problem is, I have to speak to my contractor first because some of the lightings I want require special installation and rewirings to be done. After the light shopping (pun intended), I headed home for awhile to get some rest. It was already about 430PM by this time.

Upon reaching home, Jean called me up for dinner at BSC at 7PM. We were supposed to meet there around 830PM together with some friends later for a play at The Actor's Studio, but since I haven't had dinner plans made so why not right? After dinner, we met up some friends and watched Kam..In Your Face, a musical-comedy-cabaret starring actors Joanne Kam, Douglas Lim, Gavin Yap and Susan Lankester.

The cast members of Kam...in Your Face

Jean, May Lynn & I, just before the play started

For me the show was alright but not great. I personally feel the humor is a little too dry and very localized, meaning the "guai lous" in the audience would probably be wondering "What the fuck are they talking about?" Well, for me personally, I prefer something more witty and not so much of the "trying-to-be-funny-just-because-it's-a-comedy" humor. Then again, it's pretty subjective. I did enjoy the cabaret performances though. Another thing is that I don't find it funny to be dissing the audience that paid less that were sitting at the sides rather than in front of the main stage. I think it's rather rude. Just because they pay less doesn't mean you look down on them. Although we were sitting right in the middle, I still feel for the people sitting on the sides. Very bad of them to do so. The show ended around 11PM and we headed to WIP for drink and snacks.

Just then, Samantha called to tell me that she and her friends will be at Poppy. At first I was rather reluctant to go because I was up since 630AM and was a little tired. Then again, I haven't seen Sam for awhile, so I went down to party with her and her friends. It was around 1230 AM at this point. I must say I am getting too old for the clubbing scene. I don't really enjoy clubbing like I did a few years back. It's extermely packed and stuffy in there. Not to mention moving around is just urrgh! Plus you see so many YOUNG wannabes! Maybe I've outgrown the clubbing phase, I guess that's why I'm not at Freedom 08 for Tiesto in Port Dickson to begin with...haha! I mean don't get me wrong, I still go clubbing and raves if there is a reason for me to do so (friend's birthday, farewell, mother's day...etc), but given a choice, I would prefer to just chill at a bar anytime.

Samantha was so happy to see me after so long...

I left there around 230AM and by the time I got back, it was already 3AM. So there, 20+ hours of activity in one day. I rested for most of the Sunday, with me only accompanying my sister for lunch and to shop for her new mobile phone during the morning. And oh..DAMN IT!..Man Utd and Ferarri won...machibai!

Mutant Healing Powers

Heya loyal readers! As you can see, it's been awhile that this site has been last updated....and no...this time, I have a valid excuse...and for the first time..it's not work related!

Well, as some of you know, I was quite sick the past week. I was down with a mild fever starting Tuesday night...I felt better the next day, and I went on back to the office and lasted throughout. Wednesday night the fever became worse. Now...it's very rare that I fall sick (come to think of it, I can't even remember when I was the last time I took an MC and a day off from work), and I usually recover in a day or so (because I have mutant healing powers). But this time, my mutant healing powers failed me. I was trying to be a hero on Thursday morning and went to work with a mild fever, hoping that I will pass the day without feeling anything...but just about 2 hrs into the office....I finally couldn't take it anymore. I had to see the doctor and take the rest of the day off.

Now call me stubborn, but yes, I do not like to visit the doctors. Firstly, I think they are just letting you know the obvious symptoms and will tell you advice that you already know like "Drink more water...blah blah blah" and "Don't take fried this and that....blah blah blah.." Well DUH! Even my friends can tell me that right?...so why do I need to go pay loads of money for a person to tell me what I already know? Well Okay...he did have medicine, but for me, I always try not to rely on meds and train my body to resist anything foreign (hence my mutant healing powers) UNLESS I really cannot fight it anymore. Besides, I require an MC to be off officially from work anyways. Really no offense to my doctor friends but yeah, that what I think! :P
But even on my day off, I was monitoring work progress from my laptop at home! =.=

I was feeling a whole lot better on Friday. Although not fully recovered, I still went back to the office (I should really get an Employee of the Year Award). But seriously. I am a workaholic and a perfectionist by nature. I cannot leave things incomplete and undone or being done by others for me. It just makes me feel uncomfortable if things are not done the way I want. Yea, maybe sometimes I need to learn to let go...but hey..we'll see. I guess it's just something I need to work on.

I spent most of the weekend at home believe it or not? I didn't even stepped out of the house on Friday night and whole of Saturday as I wanted to rest and chill. Yes, there were temptations for alcohol and parties (you know who you people are!), but it's not a very good idea if you're on meds. So if I can't drink, I might as well just stay home. Gave me time to watch my downloaded stuff too.

Then come Sunday evening. After being in Never Never Land for 2 days, I was invited to attend a soft launch of an indoor golf centre by a client in BSC, Bangsar. Well the place is Malaysia's first indoor golf venue and it features 4 golfing simulation machines. It's a cool concept if you ask me. I mean, playing golf without the heat of the sun? (get it?...cool concept?? :P). Our company designed their website, wall murals and other collaterals for their store. Oh...did I mention they have a bar? Being a launch, there were free flow of beer, wine and food. So remember when I said I was on meds??.....SCREW THAT! I'M CURED! ....I wonder sometimes if alcohol is the source for my mutant healing powers! :P

Baldy

I was bored with my hair and wanted a drastic change. So after much tinkering, and in a bold move, I finally decided to shave my head to save on shampoo and hair wax. =P

Quick Update: 25 October

There seems to be so much going on this week, and I don't think I have the time to write each event as a new entry. So I shall just summarize it here.

Actual Stupidity:
I actually saw this one guy at an optical shop the other day who was there to change the lens of his glasses. Why? Because the dumb ass stuck a screen protector on both his lens and now he needs to get them out! I was holding back my laughter when I heard what he wanted to do. I mean a screen protector on a pair of glasses?? WTF??!!

My New Love:
YAY! I finally bought the camera. I was playing it yesterday when I got it and there is only one word to describe it.....AWESOME! OMG! The night shots I took were so clear and it looks so natural even with the flash on! I got to say, at first I felt guilty for buying it, but after using it....NO REGRETS what so ever. Well, I will post up some pictures taken using my new camera later on, so look out for it.

Current Hooks:
I've been trying out Bursa Pursuit which is an online site for people who wants to get a taste of how to trade in the stock market. I got to say, it's quite interesting, although I am a newbie when it come to trading and investing in this area. Nevertheless, it's a good way to learn. Who knows I might even win something out of it!

Upcoming Weekend Events:
This weekend seems to be packed. Hey, I'm not bragging that I'm happening or anything but you know how sometimes everything just seem to happen on the same weekend? Yea, so this weekend things that I'm looking forward to are:

1. Oktoberfest
RM1 for a mug of beer? Yeah, you can bet me and my friends will be there.

2. Ee Laine's Birthday
Not sure where the birthday girl wants to go, but all she hinted was she wanted to get super wasted (I wonder why)..so will be in for a not so sober night.

3. Time to Pay Saman (Elaine's Wedding)
Yup, my high school classmate is finally getting married. Congrats Elaine!

4. Reban's Night Out?
I'm not sure if this will actually take place, but May Lynn says Suzanne wanted to go somewhere and get everyone together. But nothing confirmed as yet.

So there! All the updates for now. Check back soon for errr...more updates and of course photos! :)