Quick Update

Form 6 is difficult shyte. Honestly.

Oh well, at least there's Computing. That one's real fun! XD

Memory of the Day

Memory of the day: Post-showdown between Por Yin and Joel during Teacher's Day.

And the unlucky bystander Li Fatt. How coincidental, isn't it? Who would've known they'd turn against him! XD

Kris Allen's Live Like We're Dying

Sometimes we fall down, can't get back up

We're hiding behind skin that's too tough

How come we don't say I love you enough

Till it's to late, it's not too late

Our hearts are hungry for a food that won't come

And we could make a feast from these crumbs

And we're all staring down the barrel of a gun

So if your life flashed before you,

What would you wish you would've done

Yeah, we gotta start

Looking at the hands of the time we've been given

If this is all we got and we gotta start thinking

If every second counts on a clock that's ticking

Gotta live like we're dying

We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to

Turn it all around or to throw it all away

We gotta tell them that we love them

While we got the chance to say

Gotta live like we're dying

And if your plane fell out of the skies

Who would you call with your last goodbye

Should be so careful who we let go out our lives

So when we long for absolution,

There'll be no one on the line, yeah

Yeah, we gotta start

Looking at the hands of the time we've been given

If this is all we got and we gotta start thinking

If every second counts on a clock that's ticking

Gotta live like we're dying

We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to

Turn it all around or to throw it all away

We gotta tell them that we love them

While we got the chance to say

Gotta live like we're dying

Like we're dying, oh, like we're dying..

We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to

Turn it all around or to throw it all away

We gotta tell them that we love them

While we got the chance to say

Gotta live like we're dying

You never know a good thing till it's gone

You never see a crash till it's head on

Why do we think we're right when we're dead wrong

You never know a good thing till it's gone

Yeah, we gotta start

Looking at the hands of the time we've been given

If this is all we got and we gotta start thinking

If every second counts on a clock that's ticking

Gotta live like we're dying

We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to

Turn it all around or to throw it all away

We gotta tell them that we love them

While we got the chance to say

Gotta live like we're dying

Like we're dying, oh, like we're dying..

We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to

Turn it all around or to throw it all away

We gotta tell them that we love them

While we got the chance to say

Gotta live like we're dying..

A Fantastic Movie Indeed

Roald Dahl's books give a certain sense of charm to anyone who reads them, children and adults alike. Whether you're following Willy Wonka's outrageous adventures in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and its sequel "The Great Glass Elevator", or maybe if you had a memorable flight with "James And The Giant Peach", each and every one of the late author's stories never fails to amuse. He always has with him a chock full of quick-witted conversations, comedic moments, lovely ditties and poems, endearing characters and a fun plot to go with every book he does. I mean, how does he do it?

It's true that his works are pure genius. He's made a name for his work through out the globe, and it cannot be denied that he is the Father of Children's Books. Well, that's only my opinion actually. I've been hooked to his books and whenever I encounter one I must - MUST - read it from start to finish!

Alas, there haven't been many movies adapted from his books in the 21st Century. Sure, we remember Johnny Depp playing Willy Wonka in the "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" movie some time ago. But it just didn't have that charm that the book possessed. It seemed lacking. And I doubted that anyone would have turned another Roald Dahl book into a movie. I thought no one could achieve it.

Well, I was wrong.

Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr Fox movie launched last year was indeed quite a hit. Boasting an all-star cast and good ol' fashioned stop-motion capture to produce the movie, it was a rare gem to find in this new digital world. Unfortunately, Malaysians were unable to catch the movie here, as for certain reasons the movie was not screened throughout the nation. I still have to wonder why it didn't come here, when it's based from a book by the one and only Roald Dahl!

Anyway, let's get back to the point.

The Fantastic Mr Fox is titled after the protagonist of the story, Mr. Fox (George Clooney), who is famously known as a master thief - as in, he steals chickens, ducks, geese, squabs (whatever they are), etcetera from local farmers. After a near-death experience, he finally settles down to a quiet life with his wife (Meryl Streep) and son Ash (Jason Schwartzman). However, Mr Fox isn't really settled in with his life and secretly decides to complete one last job without his wife's knowledge. Together with the bumbling but kindly opposum, Kylie (Wally Wolodarsky) he robs three farmers - Boggis (Robin Hurlstone), Bunce (Hugo Guinness) and Bean (Michael Gambon) - living nearby his new home and inadvertantly leads to a chain of events that changes the life of himself and those around him as well.

The storyline may not actually follow the real book, but in the end everything is just done so perfectly it's forgivable. Everything in the movie is indeed memorable - from the way the characters interact with one another, or the jokes, puns and quick chatter traded, or maybe the lovable puppets themselves. Yes, for those who don't know, the entire movie is filmed without any REAL person in it. The actors and actresses are all puppets, brought to life by the deft hands of their puppeteers. Through stop-motion, the puppets' movements are recorded to make it look as though they were really moving. Watching it, I kept forgetting that I'm actually watching a stop-motion movie, and NOT an animated flick.

The sets used are all perfectly designed, made to fit the puppets and all meticulously designed to show the smallest details (imagine the amount of work needed!), while the environment carries a very nice colour to it, using a nice warm blend of colours to fit the world's atmosphere. And yes, the puppets were also pitch-perfect. Every movement they make just seems... perfect, really. The puppeteers really knew what they were doing!

The characters, however, carry the most weight in the movie. Mr Fox is perhaps the most likeable chap amongst the rest, what with his penchant for reckless, daring plans that always involve stealing ducks, chickens, geese and squabs (whatever they are) while he runs away from danger with whatever plan his sharp brain can think of. Mrs Fox is the perfect contrast to Mr Fox's characteristics - reserved, caring and rational. She easily exudes an aura of familial love that reminds us of our own mothers, as well as reminding us of the importance of wives (hey, we guys tend to stray! XD)

The other characters are all also memorable in their own way. Ash, Mr Fox's son, reminds you of your bratty younger days as a tween, while his cousin Kristofferson (Eric Anderson) reminds us of family members that just seem so much better than us! Others like the deadly, psychotic Rat (William Dafoe), Mr Fox's lawyer Badger (Bill Murray) and the son of Badger's associate Beaver (Jeremy Dawson) have their moments in the spotlight - all which usually leave you tickled pink with laughter or shocked and or awed. The farmers especially, led by the cunning Frank Bean (wonderfully voiced by Sir Michael Gambon, notably remembered as Albus Dumbledore), are the most interesting - with their schemes to kill Mr Fox, whatever it takes.

(If you noticed the few big names already, then you'll be surprised to hear Owen Wilson and Adrien Brody are also in the film, though you'll have to guess who they are!)

The message isn't hard to spot actually - it's all about family, it's all about trust, and it's also about survival. The survival that counts when we are in the direst of circumstances when all hope seems to be lost. But if you can still hold onto your faith and strive, then you won't have it difficult.

A must watch for all Roald Dahl fans. 4.75 out of 5. =)

The Boring Weekends

Seriously, I must admit that working during the weekends were quite fun. Tough, yes, especially with the crowd that slowly trickled in and suddenly grew. But nevertheless, better than just lingering at home doing nothing! XP

Well, what can I do? For now, I'm not working as i have other things to focus on back home. Maybe I'll continue. Who knows? Just don't be surprised if you see me in Jusco again pretty soon.

But mind you, I'll be somewhere else then. =)

I only wonder how things will be like if I come back.

Slow Days

It's only the second week of Form Six? Are you shitting me? XP

Man, Time moves extremely slowly for some reason. I mean, Hell - it's just the second week!

Somebody's gonna get a-hurt real bad, I tell you.

XD

Kris Allen - Heartless

(SOURCED FROM http://www.6lyrics.com/heartless11-lyrics-kris_allen.aspx)

In the night I hear them talk,
The coldest story ever told,
Somewhere far along this road
He lost his soul,
To a woman so heartless
How could you be so heartless?

How could you be so
Cold as the winter wind when it breeze yo
Just remember that you talking to me yo
You need to watch the way you talking to me yo
I mean after all the things that we been through
I mean after all the things we got into
And yo I know some things you things that you aint told me
Ayo I did some things but that's the old me
And now you wanna pay me back
You gon' show me
So you walk round like you don't me
You got them new friends
Well I got homeys
But at the end it's still so lonely
In the night I hear them talk,
The coldest story ever told,
Somewhere far along this road
He lost his soul,
To a woman so heartless

How could you be so Dr. Evil
You're bringing out a side of
Me that I don't know,
I decided we wasn't gonna speak so why are up 3 a.m. on the phone,
Why does she be so mad at me for, homey I don't know she hot and cold,
I won't stop and mess my groove up cause I already know how this thing goes,
You run and tell you're friends that you're leavin' me,
They say that they don't see what you see in me,
You wait a couple months then you gone' see,
You'll never find nobody better than me

In the night I hear them talk,
The coldest story ever told,
Somewhere far along this road
He lost his soul,
To a woman so heartless

Talkin', talkin', talkin', talk
Baby lets just knock it off
They don't know what we been through
They don't know 'bout me and you
So I got something new to see
And you just gon' keep hatin' me
And we just gon' be enemies
I know you can't believe
I could just leave it wrong
And you can't make it right
I'm gon' take off tonight
Into the night...

In the night, I hear 'em talk,
The coldest story ever told.
Somewhere far along this road, he lost his soul.
To a woman so heartless...
How could you be so heartless? oh... how could you be so heartless.

A Journey Of Life and Love - A Little Story

For all you budding lovers out there! XD

ONE

I woke up today with her image still fresh on my mind. I winced at the sudden thought of her before I sighed dejectedly.

Looks like it's going to be another one of those days, I thought.

Still feeling dead tired, I dragged myself off the bed and shuffled towards the bathroom. Slathering my brush with toothpaste I began to brush up, while random memories slowly came to my mind and, ultimately, led to this?this event.

It couldn't be happening, could it? Me, an ordinary 18 year old boy, suddenly finds himself in love? It's just too hard for me to believe. But then again, it has to be true. All the facts added up to this sole conclusion, and there doesn't seem to be another viewpoint to the whole fiasco. Am I actually dreaming? Is this some nightmare of some sort?

Something tells me this is real. In fact, it's happening right now. I cringed again at that notion ?certainly not! There has to be some kind of mistake! Of all people, why me? Why now?

To get a better idea let's take it back to the beginning first.

It's only been about a year since we met at some school event held early March or so. Maybe it's just pure coincidence that our families actually know each other well, but that we never got a chance to meet each other at all. It was only from a chance encounter with them last June that we soon found out about it. It was a pleasant surprise indeed.

She was unarguably a rare gem in this world. Apart from being a most prodigious student, the lass had the looks to complement her superior knowledge. But she didn't see herself as someone better than the rest. She's a polite, easy-going and humorous gal with a big heart, and everyone who knows or just met her always feels comfortable when conversing with her.

Everyone, of course, but me.

Sure, I can strike up a conversation if I wanted to, but even if I did it always ends up getting cut short. Why? Because, I can never EVER find another topic to continue it any longer. When I see my other pals hanging out with her, I feel like a total jerk. What the hell's really going on?

So why the awkwardness? Why all the internal fuss over whether I really am crazy over her? Where's the evidence? What can actually prove that I really pine for her? Good grief, all this is killing me slowly. Might I even find a solution to this crisis in time?

I don't know how I'm supposed to feel right now. I'm numb for the moment.

Finished with the wash-up, I closed the bathroom door behind me just as my mom called out, saying that I have a call on my phone.

Running back to my room, I was surprised to see my best friend抯 name displayed. Why would he be calling me now, I wondered? Thankfully it's just a Saturday, and it's not early morning or whatsoever.

I picked it up and answered. "Hello, Daniel," I spoke to the caller in hushed whispers, not wanting my mom to hear what we were talking about.

"Good day, buddy," he replied cheerily. "Got some good sleep yesterday?"

"I could say so, yeah," I sheepishly replied, still a little tired.

"Dreaming of her, eh?"

"Very funny, dumbass."

Daniel laughed cynically. He probably is the only one who knows I have a love problem, only because he is my best friend, and that we've both shared highs and lows together. Now that I had a difficulty like this in my life, it was only fitting that I called him up for some good advice. Besides, he's already in a relationship and is going steady. How did he do it? He never told me anything about his own love life anyway. Well, not yet.

"Look, it only reinforces the fact you love her," he said matter-of-factly, a sly grin still visible. "Get used to it, bro!"

"I still can't stomach that verdict, Dan. What the hell am I supposed to do about it?"

He sighed, as though I were a moron.

"Dude," he began, "It's not too hard. All you have to do is to get to know her better, talk more, share more - the list goes on!"

"What, just like that and something miraculously happens in the end?" I snorted. "I find that hard to believe."

"All you have to do is try, man. It wouldn't hurt."

"Hey, she's WAY out of my league," I quickly answered, a little peeved by Dan's provocation. "She won't go with a totally worthless guy like me. No way will that happen!"

"You're really being pessimistic, dude," he softly said, trying not to stir up a storm. He knows what I can become when I'm sufficiently angry, and he wouldn't want that to happen again.

"As much as I don't intend to be pessimistic, it's the truth," I simply remarked.

"The cuss it is," he muttered, as if on purpose. I ignored his remark.

"Well, you can't just jump to conclusions like that! Not everyone thinks the same as others, y'know. She's different than other girls."

"Oh believe me, everyone's just the same! Ever since I've come to realize how important friendships are in Life, I began to actively advocate great friendship among all my other friends. And what do I get? Nothing! It's the same thing every day and every year."

"Oh come on, don't be such a louse, Alex," he hissed, while I imagined him rolling his eyes in disgust. It's what he always does when he's pissed off about something. "All you have to do is stop thinking like a total loser and just try your luck," he added nonchalantly. "It won't hurt!"

I snorted grumpily. "What," I said, "just go up to her one fine day and declare: 'Evangeline, I love you oh so much'? Ha! She'd probably get a heart attack and die on the spot!"

"Well, I didn't ask you to do that anyway!" he laughed in reply. "No idiot's going to do such a crazy thing so fast!"

"And then just what do you want me to do?"

Then it just hit me that I inadvertently got myself involved in the problem I was desperately trying to avoid all the while. How ironic. Either this was my own entire fault for letting almost every bit of detail out, or that Dan knows very well on what he's doing.

Have I been hiding all this pent-up emotions deep inside, because I fear of what may happen in the end? Or was it out of ignorance? Or maybe I had already come to terms with it, but I just didn't see it? Now things are seriously f---ed up.

"Like I've said before, Alex," he continued, "Don't think about it, just DO it!" Mind you, he said this with a very hearty tone.

For a moment I felt like hanging up on him.

"I am surprised you're supporting me to do something I initially had no interest in doing," I told Daniel with some surprise.

"You're my buddy, Lex my bro! I'll never turn down a help offer from you. Now, the point is -"

"Only if it involves embarrassing me?" I interrupted.

"The point is," he quickly continued, "Can you live without her and suddenly realize you're too late to do anything when she marries someone else in near future?"

I remained silent. I never expected a question like that to come hurtling at me.

"I... well, I..."

I fumbled on my words, feeling extremely nervous now.

"Damn it, I don't even know if it's love!" I almost shouted.

"You'll know soon enough," he replied calmly. I could almost imagine him in a calm Zen-like expression when he said that.

"What if it isn't then? What if, in the end, I still lose her?"

He thought about it for just a while. "It takes time, man. You can't just rush love like in the movies. Even that kinda thing takes days or even months, you know!"

"Sure, but... I just worry I'll lose her trust as a friend."

"Well, you're NOT gonna tell her now, obviously," he commented wryly. "Just stay friends, work from that point onwards and soon enough you'll know when's the right time."

"That may be difficult," I reminded him.

"When there's a will, there's a way," he cheerily pointed out.

We had to cut the conversation short, as I still hadn't taken breakfast yet. As we said goodbye, Dan offered some final words.

"The thing is, love comes naturally. You can't force it, you can't buy it, and you can't sell it for something else. So when you're looking for the One, you need to have your mind properly focused on the task ahead. Prioritize and do what thou wilt."

As I exited the room and tried hard to digest the facts, my mom came over and asked: "Who was that?"

"Just Daniel," I answered with a smile.

She nodded. "That was a long talk," she joked warmly.

I laughed along before she entered her room. I turned away to head to the dining room for breakfast, just as her face materialized in my head again. I winced once more, but this time it didn't feel like it was out of disgust, instead more of... something else. I just couldn't put my finger on it.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

Form Six: So Far

I'm in Form Six!

Well, for now that is. Hopefully, I'll get a scholarship or something to get outta here! XD

Apart from that, I'm in LSS3: the ICT class. Sure, most of them in here are IT students - more than the previous year, in fact! But in the end, most of them are gonna leave the class for Arts. What? So fast? It all depends on whether they pass the test. Let's see how it goes...

It's good to see lots of my friends again, though. I must admit it's been a long time since I've seen them all (three months are long!), but then again there are those who will leave soon because of other things. People like Jean, Melwin, Nick Chen, etcetera - they'll go 'cause there's something better. I can only extend my warmest and sincerest well wishes to them in their future undertakings!

For now, all I can do is sit here and wait. Waiting for something that will come very soon. I can feel it coming. =)

Updates

Work isn't easy. Especially on weekends!! Argh!!!

Well, you gotta take the bad with the good.

Anyway, Form 6 begins tomorrow. I may be dumb to go back, but when you don't got a scholarship you can't do nothing about it. But of course, I'll try my luck again soon. Who knows, I might be lucky. =)

Updates

Well, I caught Iron Man 2 just yesterday and I can tell you I was immensely blown away by it! Sure there are a few gripes here and there, but when it comes to Stark, you can't go wrong with him.

Or Whiplash. HE definitely stole the show! XD

Work has been a hassle, but I'm just thankful I'll be done very soon. Form Six beckons next week, and I only hope things will turn out alright in the end.

Can't wait to see my buddies again! =)

COMING SOON

A novel full of action and comedy. Hopefully it'll please you guys who're interested in these kinda things. The title has yet to be confirmed, but I have designated the project as "That's Just Life", 'cause it'll touch on certain topics in today's world.

Will let you know when I've started!