Mood

This autumn, I'm feeling...

Music: anything by Kent; I suddenly miss that haunting, indie sound of theirs

Book: I'm gonna re-read "Chocolat" and not eat chocolate while at it

Film: "Iron Man 2", what else?

Food: I'm still rooting for a big bowl of puffing hot laksa from Laksa King; I've been rooting for it since maybe about a month ago

Place: Berlin; I got into this mini German phase when I found out there might be a family trip to Europe next year

Clothing items: corduroy pants, maroon-red jeans, lace-up knits and my yellow tennis shoes

The February that was

I had a conversation with P today, and she kindly pointed out that I've gone through my first month at the office now. Time has flown indeed.

First week of this month was spent rather casually at the office, getting to know my role better and my boss and supervisor not giving me that much work yet. I went out over the weekend, going to a friend's birthday drinks at a place full of naked baby angels (like the place, don't really like the crowd); went for lunch on the Saturday (spent about 30 minutes standing alone at Footscray Station, so the day was a bit of a thriller-drama-comedy, I guess, but I ended up having a great time, thanks to Nick); went out for drinks at night around the corner where the pink elephants are, then later on at the icky Irish pub down the street; then spent all day Sunday doing nothing before going to my friends' gig down by the beach. That was by far the best week I've had this month.

The following week was a bit hell because that was when I really learnt what it feels like to bring work home. I had a lot of work to do at the office and I couldn't finish them by the time 5 o'clock struck; and so the deadline needed to be extended and that was not a nice feeling to bring with me when I came in the next morning. But thankfully that was resolved by the time Thursday rolled in and I was able to enjoy the weekend. I went out dancing on Saturday night for Shahana's birthday and then had yum cha the next day for Chinese New Year. Bought "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" on DVD too that day; enjoyed it a lot, and it wasn't only because of our extensive adulation for Robert Downey, Jr. Yes, mainly that, but Val Kilmer is pretty damn good there too.

Last week was pretty underwhelming as I'd expected something equally high-strung as the previous week, but it turned out the workload had died down then and I was cruising along till the weekend. Mum and Dad came back mid-week from their month-long stay in Jakarta so the rest of that week was spent catching up with them. I went to my friends' gig again on Thursday night; finally got to talk properly with the drummer after not having done so in the past, so I won't feel guilty anymore now when I see him at their gigs. Went to an old friend's birthday drinks after work on Friday, then to dinner and more drinks with the girls which turned out to be disastrous because lack of sleep + alcohol = well, let's just say not pretty. I spent Saturday looking at properties for half of the clan when they come Down Under next month. Had a lovely late lunch by the water with mum to celebrate finally finding a property, before going to the movies with my sister at night. "The Wolfman" turned out to be pretty fantastic; I love Benicio Del Toro there.

And so it's come down to this week. It's my 6th week working full-time and honestly, it feels like high school all over again, except people wear suits and nice structured dresses and I spend half the day in front of the computer. I tell you what, nothing beats that feeling when 5 o'clock strikes on a Friday afternoon. It feels pretty damn great. Oh, and I'm finally reading "A Study In Scarlet" properly this time. The book makes me all the more compelled to read some Poe.

I miss blogging like this. I should spill my guts on a public space more often.

Hello, you're being disrespectful

Well, this is an age-old issue, but I just feel like blogging about it.

Once upon a time, I liked a Japanese band named PIERROT. They were great, they were massive in Japan and they were loved for more than 10 years (not 10 years of my life, my God, when they first started, I was fresh out of nappies. But they were around for more than 10 years). Then they disbanded, and the break-up wasn't exactly well received by all band members.

So vocalist, bassist and drummer went to form another band called ANGELO. Or Angelo without the capital letters, whatever. While the two guitarists went to work on their individual projects (bless their souls), Angelo (ANGELO?) went to wallow in the sadness of PIERROT's disbandment and continue on like they're still in PIERROT. Their songs are similar, their image is similar, so yes, that means they go around dressing like they're 10 years younger than they really should.

Yes, I get that the break-up was intense. I cried for days when PIERROT broke up, I shit no one about that. But Angelo/ANGELO should really just get over themselves. I just found out that they still go around and perform PIERROT's songs at their concerts and get the crowd to reminisce the past with them. I just don't think it's doing anyone any favours if they do that. They continue being depressed about a love lost, the two guitarists that left probably think they're idiots (and I don't blame them if they do) and fans like me also think they're idiots too.

So what does that make Angelo? Depressed idiots. Not a good title if you want to continue in the showbiz. And I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but I just expected something better from the Angelo members who love PIERROT to death. What bigger respect is there than leaving PIERROT's songs alone and not sing them under a different name?

(Image courtesy of Kashifus)

Current playlist

What I'm listening to right now:

"Ava Adore" - The Smashing Pumpkins
Probably one of the best releases they've ever done. Ironically, it was one of the last things they released before they broke up, as far as I remember it. Well, at least they reunited so that's not such a big deal anymore.

"Hold Me, Kiss Me, Thrill Me, Kill Me" - U2
This is the reason why I'm missing U2's finer rock moments. A good choice too for a Batman soundtrack.

"Downfall" - Matchbox Twenty
A lesser-known gem by the band. If Rob Thomas didn't talk so much (based on his 20-per-second Twitter updates), he usually works out to be a pretty mean songwriter. This remains my favourite Matchbox Twenty track.

"Monday Morning 5.19" - Rialto
A classic.

"Yellow" - Coldplay
Let this be the mourning song for the death of Coldplay. Just kidding. I just don't like the band anymore, but their first album still impresses in my book, especially thanks to this track.

"Paparazzi" - Lady GaGa
I like this much better than "Just Dance" or "Poker Face". The chick may be sick-crazy, but she writes pretty good stuff, so who cares?

"Glycerine" - Bush
The only thing I can remember Bush released. I used to know more about them but somehow this one stuck out in my memory, and it's justified because it's a masterpiece.

"If God Would Send His Angels" - U2
This track reminds me of The Netherlands as I remember it 10 years ago. A lesser-known gem by u2 after the more widely-received "Discotheque" and "Staring At The Sun", but nonetheless something I'm really impressed with.

"3 AM" - Matchbox 20
Easy-listening, atmospheric piece. A little like something Counting Crows would write, but Thomas' vocals and lyrics gave it away as something only a Matchbox Twenty could do.

12012

Just started digging up 12012's stuff again. I'm not really fond of their 2009 release, but I'm loving this song released in August 2008, "太陽" ("Taiyou"). Since it means "the sun", I feel like it's the perfect song for this summer and I just think the melody is so old-school; it's the kind of music that's been done before but it's catchy, anyway.



I love the drummer. Hehehe...

Work, music and a whole lot of other crazy things

The back of my neck, my throat and my ears are so sore. I feel like I'm coming down with something, and I hate to think it's because of the dust that my nose has inhaled over the past 2 days from doing stocktake at work. The place is amazingly filthy and today, I could literally smell mould.

Gross.

I've been wanting to listen to old-school J-rock music. I dug up the CDs that I burnt 3-4 years ago and I've been finding shit like Nightmare's "Dasei Boogey" and PIERROT's "Makka na Hana" PV. It's craaazy.

Anyhoo. My last entry was written while I was a little distracted. M was talking to me when I was trying to write, and basically, what I really wanted to say was that this week has been far from perfect because I've been so laid back with sleeping early and getting up on time. The story of my life; what's new, right?

I wanted to apply for this other job that S recommended to me, but I just realised it's the same workplace as a friend of my ex's. I don't know if he would even care, but I just feel so awkward to have to talk to him and stuff, if I do get the job. Plus, it's also about my pride; can I imagine myself working under this guy where he'll make me feel little while I'm trying to be this cool chick who's on the same level as everybody else in the office? Hell no.

Long story short, I've decided I'm not gonna apply for this job. As much as I need the money. As much as I desperately need the money.

"Sober"

I really like this song right now...




PINK - "Sober"

I don't wanna be the girl who laughs the loudest
Or the girl who never wants to be alone
I don't wanna be that call at four o'clock in the morning
'Cause I'm the only one in the world you know that won't be home

Ah, the sun is blinding
I stayed up again
Oh, I am finding
That's not the way I want my story to end

I'm safe up high, nothing can touch me
But why do I feel this party's over?
No pain inside, you're my protection
But how do I feel this good sober?

I don't wanna be the girl that has to fill the silence
The quiet scares me 'cause it screams the truth
Please don't tell me that we had that conversation
'Cause I won't remember, save your breath
'Cause what's the use?

Ah, the night is calling
And it whispers to me softly, "Come and play"
But I, I am falling
And if I let myself go I'm the only one to blame

I'm safe up high, nothing can touch me
But why do I feel this party's over?
No pain inside, you're like perfection
But how do I feel this good sober?

Coming down, coming down, coming down
spinning round, spinning round, spinning round
I'm looking for myself, sober

When it's good, then it's good, it's so good till it goes bad
Till you're trying to find the you that you once had
I have heard myself cry, "Never again"
Broken down in agony, just trying to find a friend, oh

I'm safe up high, nothing can touch me
But why do I feel this party's over?
No pain inside, you're like perfection
But how do I feel this good sober?

LM.C

I've been listening to LM.C's stuff again, after not having done so for a while. They're a duo from Japan who specialise in electro pop-rock or as they'd like to call it, "new century electro-rock". Their guitarist is Aiji from the now-deceased popular rock band PIERROT and the vocalist Maya has done some work in the past with popular solo artist Miyavi.

In the span of time that I haven't followed their activity, their website has been translated into 4 languages; they're set to play Taiwan, Korea, Brazil, Chile and Europe next year; they've been featured in foreign publications, both online and print; and they've allowed their international fans to pre-order tickets for their Japanese dates. Not bad at all for a band who has just become active a mere 2 years ago.

I recommend:

"little Fat Man boy"


"OH MY JULIET"


"Haunted House make a Secret"


"John"


"88"

(Image courtesy of formoz.com)

Hell, yeah!

Blur is back!

They will be reuniting for a big show in the UK next summer. There's no official press conference yet, but Damon spoke in an interview that a reunion is in their plan for the year ahead.

I literally jumped around when I saw the news on TV this morning. I knew something like this would happen soon; I just had the feeling!

(Image courtesy of guardian.co.uk)

Reunion

Hello, haven't seen you for a while...


I had dinner with P tonight and the CDs that I'd lent her about two years ago have now been returned to me, safe and sound. One of them is this PIERROT album, which happens to be one of my all-time favourites. Oh, how I've missed you.

Coming back

No thanks to Akiya from kagrra,, I've decided to blog again. I'm only afraid that I can't keep up with two blogs at once. But reading his blog is so much fun and so I was sold. Again.

Anyway, this is what I've been listening to the whole day yesterday.



MGMT - "Kids"