i've finally finished my very own version of THE CROW. it consists of 30 odd pages. this is primarily the first draft and is set to undergo much re-editing and sprucing up but as is - this is pretty much the mould from which it will develop from.
since finishing my 1st 'novella' almost 5 years ago, i have not been able to finish any of my other 'novellas' and this is only my 2nd finished project. i've got random short stories here and there but nothing to shout about methinks.
i still have a 'fantasy - dragons - LOTR' type project which is going on 50+ pages now but am not happy with it at all. so, that might be axed.
also, there's my 'Dream Realm' story of which Neil Gaiman has something that is similar in his SANDMAN series.
oh well, if you're interested in checking out any of my stories. lemme know. leave a comment. talk to me. *grin.
ok i'm out.
p/s: i'll post an exerp soon.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Friday, June 23, 2006
Day time TV
day time TV can be a religion. it is on at the same time everyday. usually during lunch or something like that when people who stay at home most of the time would generally have the time to just switch the TV on and watch whatever that might be of *interest.
if done properly (unlike in M'sia not necessarily because the TV people don't know what they're doing but i think more so that M'sians in general don't have much faith in local TV - but then again, can you blame them?), people get hooked on the show. they unconsciously end up watching it everyday thinking that they are not hooked simply because they are not going out of their way to watch it. it simply becomes routine. like going to church on Sundays is for some - just routine.
anyway, i've been wanting to address this issue of Oprah for a while now. 2 particular episodes specifically. however, i digress for just a tiny moment - just in case there are any Oprah fans who happen to read this, (although unlikely - since i doubt i have any friends who are into Oprah), i take nothing away from her ie the fact that she has a good show (think res ipsa loquitur ie the thing speaks for itself - in this sense, her success speaks for itself). no doubt, she has also donated millions to various charities ... bla bla bla.
but, one cannot deny that in the process of doing what she does, she has attained great power over the masses. and i'm talking international proportions here. although, fortunately it is really only quite prevalent in her home country and that effect is somewhat subdued in other countries.
and as cliched as it sounds - ala Spiderman - "With power, comes responsibility." and i sometimes wonder whether in Oprah's case - it gets to be abused every once in a while.
1. the use of the word 'N*gger / N*gga':
on one episode, Oprah invited most of the cast of 'Crash' - she was promoting the movie. they talked about racism and what-not and finally they reached the topic of using the 'N' word. i give props to Don Cheadle and Ludicrous for sticking to their guns on this issue.
basically, Oprah's angle was that the N word has a lot of racial history and its significance is such that it should outlawed.
most of the cast then continued to say that the use of the N word can be used as a term of endearment - representing the bond between 2 people when used properly. in fact, the 'er' at the end and the 'ga' ... both have different meanings. the latter has a 'Yo Brother, whats up' feel. whilst the former actually has a derogatory feel. nevertheless, these terms should still be kept within people of the same colour although i think a person (of different ethnicity) who has established a level of 'closeness' can use the terms too.
the argument posed mostly by Don Cheadle was that, the N word is just a word. a word that has bite but that 'bite' can be taken out of it.
once you don't give a shit about the word, people will stop associating negative qualities to the word and would be less likely to use it against you. it may be a long process, especially so with a word such as the N word i s'pose, but i believe it rings true anyway.
Oprah strongly disagreed but was careful to say that 'everyone is entitled to their own opinion' (not very convincingly though if i may add) and one by one, the cast members who were at first in agreement with Don Cheadle, began to fall.
only Don Cheadle was brave enough to voice his disagreement with Oprah whilst, Ludicrous who uses the word frequently in his songs - remained somewhat silent but stood by his position nevertheless - i believe he did state that he doubts he would stop using the word in his songs.
the thing is, the audience members were all clapping in agreement with Oprah quite enthusiastically. and i find it hard to believe that people watching her show would be any different.
more importantly, i don't think it would have been any different if Oprah decided to go down Cheadle's road and agree with him. the masses would have just as easily followed her down that road as they did the argument she stood by anyway.
2. Strippers anyone?
on another episode, Oprah got one husband and wife to appear on her show. the facts of the situation is basically :
the wife then took the film over to a local photo developing shop and the husband got arrested - something to do with exposing minors to indecent elements.
the husband pretty much said from the get go that he was against the idea from the very beginning. but when Oprah asked the wife how she felt about it and whether she regretted it, the wife basically replied that she regrets the consequence but does not really think that the actual act of hiring the stripper was a mistake.
Oprah of course voiced her 'outrage' albeit in a subdued tone at this. subtlely lacing all her comments with hints that the Wife was 'not thinking' when she hired the stripper and that she was 'foolish / stupid' and 'terribly wrong' to think that the act of hiring the stripper was not a mistake to begin with.
and of course, once again, it felt as though that the masses mindlessly followed Oprah. in a sense, she was imposing her own sense of right and wrong on the masses without really putting enough emphasis that it is OK to disagree.
i would agree if you think that the 'masses' should bear that in mind themselves and that it is not necessarily the responsibility of one such as Oprah to inform or place emphasis on that element. however, in light of how things are in reality - i'd be forced to rethink that position.
in fact, the wife says that she was not showing the sons or the other boys' at the party anything that they had not seen before (and i would agree with this part in today's day and age) and that by doing the hiring herself and being 'around' whilst the boys were being exposed to the sexual elements - she could protect her son by being in 'control'. suffice to say, that the stripper *riding the boys or assuming *sexual positions on the boys did not spiral into an outright orgy ala Roman times nor did it lead to the boys' losing control and raping.
there are various movies and stories like 'malena' for instance, which shows how a young boy's sexual encounters at a young age can stay with the boy for life. and the effect of which is more positive than negative. i myself was exposed to racy sexual elements at the tender age of 9 but i developed more of an appreciation and respect for the 'female' rather than anything else.
and of course i'm sure you've seen or heard of stories where young boys who hit a certain age are brought to a 'prostitute' or something like that by his own parent as some form of 'right of passage'. you can agree or disagree with this as something to be taken as 'morally reprehensible' or not. it is your choice. i wouldn't judge a person who has done it or a person who thinks it is right or wrong.
i will however deem one to be narrow minded if you ONLY believe that it is ONLY wrong or ONLY right.
IN CONCLUSION, i think Oprah is a show to be very careful with. she's a bit of a power-mogul and people would generally *listen to her.
but then again, it doesn't really affect me lah. these are just a couple of issues that have been bugging me for a while and seems to make for good blogging material.
alrights then. later.
if done properly (unlike in M'sia not necessarily because the TV people don't know what they're doing but i think more so that M'sians in general don't have much faith in local TV - but then again, can you blame them?), people get hooked on the show. they unconsciously end up watching it everyday thinking that they are not hooked simply because they are not going out of their way to watch it. it simply becomes routine. like going to church on Sundays is for some - just routine.
anyway, i've been wanting to address this issue of Oprah for a while now. 2 particular episodes specifically. however, i digress for just a tiny moment - just in case there are any Oprah fans who happen to read this, (although unlikely - since i doubt i have any friends who are into Oprah), i take nothing away from her ie the fact that she has a good show (think res ipsa loquitur ie the thing speaks for itself - in this sense, her success speaks for itself). no doubt, she has also donated millions to various charities ... bla bla bla.
but, one cannot deny that in the process of doing what she does, she has attained great power over the masses. and i'm talking international proportions here. although, fortunately it is really only quite prevalent in her home country and that effect is somewhat subdued in other countries.
and as cliched as it sounds - ala Spiderman - "With power, comes responsibility." and i sometimes wonder whether in Oprah's case - it gets to be abused every once in a while.
1. the use of the word 'N*gger / N*gga':
on one episode, Oprah invited most of the cast of 'Crash' - she was promoting the movie. they talked about racism and what-not and finally they reached the topic of using the 'N' word. i give props to Don Cheadle and Ludicrous for sticking to their guns on this issue.
basically, Oprah's angle was that the N word has a lot of racial history and its significance is such that it should outlawed.
most of the cast then continued to say that the use of the N word can be used as a term of endearment - representing the bond between 2 people when used properly. in fact, the 'er' at the end and the 'ga' ... both have different meanings. the latter has a 'Yo Brother, whats up' feel. whilst the former actually has a derogatory feel. nevertheless, these terms should still be kept within people of the same colour although i think a person (of different ethnicity) who has established a level of 'closeness' can use the terms too.
the argument posed mostly by Don Cheadle was that, the N word is just a word. a word that has bite but that 'bite' can be taken out of it.
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words can never hurt me."
once you don't give a shit about the word, people will stop associating negative qualities to the word and would be less likely to use it against you. it may be a long process, especially so with a word such as the N word i s'pose, but i believe it rings true anyway.
Oprah strongly disagreed but was careful to say that 'everyone is entitled to their own opinion' (not very convincingly though if i may add) and one by one, the cast members who were at first in agreement with Don Cheadle, began to fall.
only Don Cheadle was brave enough to voice his disagreement with Oprah whilst, Ludicrous who uses the word frequently in his songs - remained somewhat silent but stood by his position nevertheless - i believe he did state that he doubts he would stop using the word in his songs.
the thing is, the audience members were all clapping in agreement with Oprah quite enthusiastically. and i find it hard to believe that people watching her show would be any different.
more importantly, i don't think it would have been any different if Oprah decided to go down Cheadle's road and agree with him. the masses would have just as easily followed her down that road as they did the argument she stood by anyway.
2. Strippers anyone?
on another episode, Oprah got one husband and wife to appear on her show. the facts of the situation is basically :
- the wife and husband have 2 sons and a young daughter.
- for the son's 16th or 15th b'day, the mother hired a stripper to come to the house.
- things got a little 'hot' and the boys who were at the part pooled their money together and got the stripper to strip completely.
- explicit pictures were taken of the stripper 'simulating sexual positions on some of the boys'.
the wife then took the film over to a local photo developing shop and the husband got arrested - something to do with exposing minors to indecent elements.
the husband pretty much said from the get go that he was against the idea from the very beginning. but when Oprah asked the wife how she felt about it and whether she regretted it, the wife basically replied that she regrets the consequence but does not really think that the actual act of hiring the stripper was a mistake.
Oprah of course voiced her 'outrage' albeit in a subdued tone at this. subtlely lacing all her comments with hints that the Wife was 'not thinking' when she hired the stripper and that she was 'foolish / stupid' and 'terribly wrong' to think that the act of hiring the stripper was not a mistake to begin with.
and of course, once again, it felt as though that the masses mindlessly followed Oprah. in a sense, she was imposing her own sense of right and wrong on the masses without really putting enough emphasis that it is OK to disagree.
i would agree if you think that the 'masses' should bear that in mind themselves and that it is not necessarily the responsibility of one such as Oprah to inform or place emphasis on that element. however, in light of how things are in reality - i'd be forced to rethink that position.
in fact, the wife says that she was not showing the sons or the other boys' at the party anything that they had not seen before (and i would agree with this part in today's day and age) and that by doing the hiring herself and being 'around' whilst the boys were being exposed to the sexual elements - she could protect her son by being in 'control'. suffice to say, that the stripper *riding the boys or assuming *sexual positions on the boys did not spiral into an outright orgy ala Roman times nor did it lead to the boys' losing control and raping.
there are various movies and stories like 'malena' for instance, which shows how a young boy's sexual encounters at a young age can stay with the boy for life. and the effect of which is more positive than negative. i myself was exposed to racy sexual elements at the tender age of 9 but i developed more of an appreciation and respect for the 'female' rather than anything else.
and of course i'm sure you've seen or heard of stories where young boys who hit a certain age are brought to a 'prostitute' or something like that by his own parent as some form of 'right of passage'. you can agree or disagree with this as something to be taken as 'morally reprehensible' or not. it is your choice. i wouldn't judge a person who has done it or a person who thinks it is right or wrong.
i will however deem one to be narrow minded if you ONLY believe that it is ONLY wrong or ONLY right.
IN CONCLUSION, i think Oprah is a show to be very careful with. she's a bit of a power-mogul and people would generally *listen to her.
but then again, it doesn't really affect me lah. these are just a couple of issues that have been bugging me for a while and seems to make for good blogging material.
alrights then. later.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
of dancing & such.
no rest for the wicked. that's the saying right? well, i haven't really had much time on me hands since my final paper last friday.
from going to watch plays, to home made movies, to working at TNT, to sparring, partying and then dance classes. i've done quite a lot since last friday night.
believe or not - i haven't even sat down to watch a full football match yet. and it is the World Cup! but to be honest, its no real skin off my nose - i'm not much of a fan of football but can appreaciate it lah.
anyway - with regards to the 'Professional Dance Course for Beginners', i had my first class today. thankfully, it wasn't class full of pro dancers looking to hone their skills. most of them are just regular janes and joes who really like dancing and want to take it a step further. that being said, quite a few of them can really shake what their mama gave 'em anyway - now they're just learning the proper technique i s'pose.
i basically went into this blind and had no idea what i was in for - and Pat Chan, our 'teacher / facilitator', informed us that we'd be learning Jazz Dancing, which is apparently the basic for a lot of styles like hip-hop and etc. the warm-up included lots of streches which are relatively simple but with much emphasis on how to use the body - 'dance-like'. the dreaded soft arm movements and the pointing of toes and such kinda come into play. this is something i'm terribly not used to and am unsure if i will ever get used to it.
but because of the flexibility i've garnered from all my kickboxing training - i could follow lah. even got noticed and everyone was told to watch me do one of the streches ... (*so embarassing). and then there were some pilates stretches - i take back everything i've ever said about pilates - it's quite a freaking difficult exercise lah! i've actually incorporated some pilates-style stretching in my kickboxing warm-ups and cool-downs without realising it. but of course, learning it at the dance class - i had to do it more properly than i would normally - so it was quite a challenge.
we got into some simple warm up dance steps afterwards - which was quite fun - there were some clapping bits in it which i kept f*cking up but generally ok lah. then there were 'poses' - you walk with attitude and go, "1, 2 POSE!, and then hold it for ... 5, 6 , 7, 8!" then you go again, "1, 2, POSE! ..." i was feeling so ridiculously self concious.
then we go into some choreography of the 'dance' that all of us will be performing at the end of the 10 sessions. how nice. btw, i'm not inviting ANY of my friends. you don't need to see me dance. *grin.
sigining off, the commonjack.
from going to watch plays, to home made movies, to working at TNT, to sparring, partying and then dance classes. i've done quite a lot since last friday night.
believe or not - i haven't even sat down to watch a full football match yet. and it is the World Cup! but to be honest, its no real skin off my nose - i'm not much of a fan of football but can appreaciate it lah.
anyway - with regards to the 'Professional Dance Course for Beginners', i had my first class today. thankfully, it wasn't class full of pro dancers looking to hone their skills. most of them are just regular janes and joes who really like dancing and want to take it a step further. that being said, quite a few of them can really shake what their mama gave 'em anyway - now they're just learning the proper technique i s'pose.
i basically went into this blind and had no idea what i was in for - and Pat Chan, our 'teacher / facilitator', informed us that we'd be learning Jazz Dancing, which is apparently the basic for a lot of styles like hip-hop and etc. the warm-up included lots of streches which are relatively simple but with much emphasis on how to use the body - 'dance-like'. the dreaded soft arm movements and the pointing of toes and such kinda come into play. this is something i'm terribly not used to and am unsure if i will ever get used to it.
but because of the flexibility i've garnered from all my kickboxing training - i could follow lah. even got noticed and everyone was told to watch me do one of the streches ... (*so embarassing). and then there were some pilates stretches - i take back everything i've ever said about pilates - it's quite a freaking difficult exercise lah! i've actually incorporated some pilates-style stretching in my kickboxing warm-ups and cool-downs without realising it. but of course, learning it at the dance class - i had to do it more properly than i would normally - so it was quite a challenge.
we got into some simple warm up dance steps afterwards - which was quite fun - there were some clapping bits in it which i kept f*cking up but generally ok lah. then there were 'poses' - you walk with attitude and go, "1, 2 POSE!, and then hold it for ... 5, 6 , 7, 8!" then you go again, "1, 2, POSE! ..." i was feeling so ridiculously self concious.
then we go into some choreography of the 'dance' that all of us will be performing at the end of the 10 sessions. how nice. btw, i'm not inviting ANY of my friends. you don't need to see me dance. *grin.
sigining off, the commonjack.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
when it's over.
well, yesterday was the last day of my exams. f*cking Succession. but whatever lah. its over for now.
i wanted to sleep the day away but many things came up and i didn't get to sleep much after all.
but i decided a loooong time ago that i'd celebrate by going to watch 'The Fastest Clock in the Universe'. - quite fuck*ng good lah - i won't go into details now. but even though i didn't sleep the whole night before mugging for my exam - i was kept wide awake but the brilliant script and all around cool (and convincing) performances from all those involved. in fact, i'm so tempted to write my own little review - but i shall refrain, for now.
then, i went to be in a friend's home made movie. didn't get to do much but had fun anyhow. going again in a short while. but when i got home last night, the relief of just being able to go to sleep without thinking about my fate in exams and the rest of my future was ridiculously liberating.
now i can get back to "trying to get another crack at theatre' again! being part of Julius Caesar (last Dec) and Going North (last Feb) has left me hungry for something ... anything! in fact, i signed up for a "Professional Dance course for Beginners" - if that makes any sense to you.
i'm teaching at TNT every other day now. but it's great to get back into kickboxing. i think i'm out of shape. had a great Sparring session today. i have missed it more than i thought. one of my goals this time around - is to get better at sparring and get back in shape!
i also want to finish at least ONE of my 'novella' projects waiting in my "Stories" folder. geez. they probably need to be dusted off at this point.
also perform at another opec mic session! yes yes! that is a must. i must improve. get more balls to sing in public. and i'll sing only my own stuff this time. damn the crowd pleasers! haha.
anyhow - this is just a filler entry lah - shall come up with something of more substance soon.
signing off - the commonjack.
i wanted to sleep the day away but many things came up and i didn't get to sleep much after all.
but i decided a loooong time ago that i'd celebrate by going to watch 'The Fastest Clock in the Universe'. - quite fuck*ng good lah - i won't go into details now. but even though i didn't sleep the whole night before mugging for my exam - i was kept wide awake but the brilliant script and all around cool (and convincing) performances from all those involved. in fact, i'm so tempted to write my own little review - but i shall refrain, for now.
then, i went to be in a friend's home made movie. didn't get to do much but had fun anyhow. going again in a short while. but when i got home last night, the relief of just being able to go to sleep without thinking about my fate in exams and the rest of my future was ridiculously liberating.
now i can get back to "trying to get another crack at theatre' again! being part of Julius Caesar (last Dec) and Going North (last Feb) has left me hungry for something ... anything! in fact, i signed up for a "Professional Dance course for Beginners" - if that makes any sense to you.
i'm teaching at TNT every other day now. but it's great to get back into kickboxing. i think i'm out of shape. had a great Sparring session today. i have missed it more than i thought. one of my goals this time around - is to get better at sparring and get back in shape!
i also want to finish at least ONE of my 'novella' projects waiting in my "Stories" folder. geez. they probably need to be dusted off at this point.
also perform at another opec mic session! yes yes! that is a must. i must improve. get more balls to sing in public. and i'll sing only my own stuff this time. damn the crowd pleasers! haha.
anyhow - this is just a filler entry lah - shall come up with something of more substance soon.
signing off - the commonjack.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
fear family.
it's 11.49 am.
ok - so i had Family Law yesterday. by far, i think it was the worst paper for me. not that i couldn't answer anything. i answered all 4 questions - meaning to say i somehow managed to study enough to answer 4 questions with some semblance of me knowing what it was i was talking about lah. at least to me. which is quite a feat considering i almost gave up hope on myself the night before the exam.
i don't really want to get into it. i'm just keeping my fingers crossed.
studying Succession now. my last paper is tomorrow morning. by 12 pm tomorrow. i'll be freeeeeeeee from the shackles that is Law.
ok - so i had Family Law yesterday. by far, i think it was the worst paper for me. not that i couldn't answer anything. i answered all 4 questions - meaning to say i somehow managed to study enough to answer 4 questions with some semblance of me knowing what it was i was talking about lah. at least to me. which is quite a feat considering i almost gave up hope on myself the night before the exam.
i don't really want to get into it. i'm just keeping my fingers crossed.
studying Succession now. my last paper is tomorrow morning. by 12 pm tomorrow. i'll be freeeeeeeee from the shackles that is Law.
can't wait.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
bloody muppet!
i'm a f*ckin' muppet! i can't believe it. all that talk about choosing which question to do in Part A of my Company Law paper ...
the instructions are to do 'at least one question from Part A and at least one from Part B' !!! i could have done 2 of the essay questions that i had studied for if i wanted to! and i should have!!!
the instructions are to do 'at least one question from Part A and at least one from Part B' !!! i could have done 2 of the essay questions that i had studied for if i wanted to! and i should have!!!
refer to post below entitled "Day 2 Done" if you have no idea what i'm talking about.
X
ARGH!
what a fu*king muppet.
X
Friday, June 02, 2006
Day 2 Done.
*note: before reading this entry, go to bottom of entry and read the statement highlighted in this same colour. thanks. (for your own benefit.)
well - Company Law is over and done with - at least for now. i'll only be sure that it is truly over come results day. nevertheless, after the initial worry i harboured in my head for awhile, once my paper was collected, vis-a-vis wondering whether i had enough substance in my answers to get through - i felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.
the paper which, during the course of the year, i assumed that i'd be able to cope with but turned out to be a whole other kettle of fish - that is company law - is done. what a relief.
i'm picking up again with my Family Law and Law of Succession and hope that it won't be such a struggle to get in the groove with those subjects. i've only got 5 days before i have to sit for Family and then just one day away, will be Succession. *i'm keeping my fingers crossed.
anyway, in retrospect, Company Law was not as bad as i thought it could have been. the scenario in my head was one of a complete and total *black-out in the hall, which has never really happened to me before but there's always a first time for everything - so the fear was somewhat founded in that sense.
the actual effective soaking in of the subject matter and topics that i wanted to cover only took place the day before the bloody exam, so i suppose whatever answers i came up with during the exam would probably be just a *cursory representation of the subject matter. as such, as said earlier, i'm just hoping that that's enough to get through.
i studied enough to to attempt all 4 questions in a decent manner considering all circumstances. all the topics i covered came out - which was a major comfort at the get-go seeing how all this time, i've had difficulty recognising questions on topics that i thought i had covered extensively!
in fact, in Part A of the paper (of which i can only answer one 'essay' based question as opposed to the other Part B questions which mostly contain 'problem' based questions), i had 2 questions to choose from. one was a pretty General question on the 'strengths and weaknesses' of UK Company Law and another was a very specific question on the role of 'Non-executive Directors'.
the former allowed me the freedom for more originality in my answer as i could form a personal view on the laws that i knew in company law based on the few topics i studied. that gave it more of a potential to be a scoring type question - the facts and info i use will be somewhat similar and cursory with any other student who attempted the question but then again, it wouldn't be entirely identical. the drawback was that it would take time to formulate a proper answer and i had trouble deciding on how far i should go into details as i had to cover a wide spectrum of laws in Company Law.
the latter was a pretty straightforward answer. there are several main Committees that had been formed to evaluate to the role of NED's and all i had to do was to spill everything i memorised on each report and even the criticisms were memorised. the drawback here was that even when i knew exactly what to write, i only had a cursory memory of all the reports involved. plus, the specific nature of the question gave me little room to try and be original.
i ended up doing the General question because of the freedom of originality it gave me. but i didn't really manage to get through all my arguments by the end of the exam. in the end - i don't think i managed to make my answer very 'original' at all. but as with all the rest of the questions i attempted, i hope there's enough in there to get me through.
all in all, i'm just glad that for now, that's over and i have just 2 more papers to get over with.
*whatever happens, these entries i'm writing on my present exam experience would probably prove useful to me in some way, shape or form in future.
for that, i apologise if it's boring the f*ck out of you. *grin.
signing off, the commonjack.
p/s: 'eye twitch' is gone.
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