I have a crush on sci fi men

I havent been watching Joost for a while. After finding out that my old version wouldnt load, I downloaded and reinstalled the new version. To my pleasant surprise, there were a number of new channels which are added. Just for Laughs channels being one of them and even the violent Happy Tree Friends.

Eventually, I surfed over to the Alliance Atlantis sci-fi channel where I rediscovered old sci-fi’s which I watched during my teenhood. One of them was the awesome Lexx.

Lexx would accompany me as I did my late night studies during my pre-uni days. It was a dreamlike, trippy experience while watching them. What I liked about this show was that it never took itself seriously. Sometimes there are some storylines that didnt even make sense. I’m sure that the writers had a ball thinking of new plots to add on to the show.

Lexx

Looking back, I definitely grew up with sci-fi, thanks to what what used to be SBC. Back then, there were so many memorable sci-fi’s. Even to this day, I could still remember, though little vaguely, the series “V”. And as the years went on, I continued to enjoy a variety of sci-fi like, The outer limits, Quantum Leap, Star Trek : The new generation, Earth : Final Conflict and others. I even had embarrassing crushes on the following actors – Boybands? Never cared about them. But these guys on the other hand …

Jerry O’Connell in Sliders

Jerry O'Connell in Sliders

I seriously had a crush on Quinn Mallory in sliders. He was cute, he was smart, he was a gentleman and he was an all time good guy.

Jonathan Brandis in Seaquest

Jonathan Brandis in Seaquest

What can I say? He is a greek god, especially while he was swimming. Gosh, what a dreamy. Gone too soon though. Rest in peace, Jonathan.

Teal’c in Stargate

Teal'C in Stargate

That shiny forehead was the ultimate sexah. No questions asked.

Too bad Singapore didnt produced any Sci Fi. The closest that we ever had that graced our local tv here was VR-Man. It didnt last for too long after its low ratings. I didnt find it all that bad though. Its an accidental comedy! Its was hillarous! I enjoyed watching it! There should be action figures and everything! VR Man will save us!

James Lye is shocked

No? Oh well.

(I’m still hopeful though …)

These people got famous through Youtube

If you’ve been around youtube, you’ve probably heard of Esmee Denters a singing sensation from the Netherlands. A singing enthusiast, Esmee recorded her beautiful voice and put it up on youtube. Nine months later, she was signed up with the same label as Justin Timberlake.

Esmee Denters

Click here to listen to her singing ‘What goes around’

When you think about it, there has been a number of people whom has gotten fame through youtube. Jessica Rose who plays the fictional character, Lonelygirl15 started out on youtube about a year ago. Presently, she has been casted to act alongside Lindsay Lohan. Personally for me though, the LG15 series has jumped the shark with the present storyline.

And not forgetting youtubers like Boh3m3, Bowiechick, Thewinekone, Happyslip as well as Singaporean Steven Lim whom has infused their own personal style into the videos that they have put up. Youtube is a great place to share, learn and glimpse into another person’s lifestyle. For the fame seekers out there, youtube could be a choice place to start 🙂

On the flipside however, youtube can be detrimental for some people. Remember the star wars kid? Some months after the video of him spinning around with a stick was put up, he was diagnosed with depression from the tauntings of schoolmates and dropped out of school. Prisoners of youtube is an excellent read about how youtube has effected the lives several people.

Personally for me, I think that what we upload online is up to our own perogative as long it is within social standards. And to watch how we behave in public because who knows, somewhere out there, someone could be filming us. In Singapore, we have a somewhat equivalent, Singapore Seen which shows some of the happenings, both good and bad around here.

As for me, I think I’ll just cash in on the bandwagon like Esmee. Who knows, what’ll happen 9 months from now, hehehe 😛

Click here to watch on youtube

Rinaz Music TV!

If other people can make wierd music, I can too!

Interstella 5555 – 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem

While Cart was in Singapore, we happened to catch a Nokia 5300 commercial while watching TV.

It was only recently while doing a search for a certain Daft Punk clip on YouTube when I stumbled upon the song ‘Digital Love’. Wasn’t this the song that they used for the Nokia commercial?

Pic of talented aliens

I managed to watch it online, and watching the movie, I’m quite impressed at how the visual and the song blend so seamlessly. It was a very enjoyable watch. It even had a pretty good storyline!

It isn’t easy to make a clip to revolve around a song, but the animators has done a really spectacular job. If you haven’t done so already, go on and watch the entire clip. My personal favourite is ‘Something about us’ 🙂

p.s If you like music with a storyline, I’d recommend Dream theater’s Scenes from a memory. Go on an listen to it, uninterrupted and picture the story in your mind. The ending is a great twist.

The days my dearest visited finale

“Hey you! Yes you lurking there! Its National de-lurking week. That means you MUST post a message and say hi! 🙂 “

Saturday, I wanted to show cartcart the science center . Being the science and maths enthusiast that he was, I was sure that he’d enjoy it. We strolled to Jurong East, had a late lunch at my favourite Vegetarian stall and marvelled at how closely it tasted like actual meat.

Then we stopped by a local supermarket where Cart had the time of his life comparing as well as learning about local foodstuff.

He poured over the curry spices, the dried herbs, the noodles, basically things that Singaporeans use to cook on a day to day basis.

He was most excited.

Cartcart even quipped that he found this experience as enjoyable as our trip to the underwater world.


Look! A genuine Italian brand!

We took our time and when we finally reached the Science Center, I looked quizzedly at the ticket booth which had no one manning it. Then I realised that we went there 5 minutes too late to last entry! Even shows at the Omnimax theater till 9 pm were fully sold out.

That’ll teach me to be so ill prepared. We walked out dejectedly past children who were laughing happily in the water pool which was side by side to the pathway.

But the day was still young! We were at Jurong East! I hang out here a lot. And what better way to spend it by watching a movie together with your partner 🙂

The show that I was interested in watching was Night at the Museum, but it started much too late and the only show that was remotely watchable was Charlottes Web . I guess that would have to do. *chuckles*

The movie was pretty okay. Even with the many many changes from the original book, I think I got teary eyed when Charlotte died.

It’s a good thing that the arm rests in the movie theatre were movable and we were able to cuddle 🙂

On our bus journey back, we passed by Pasta Fresca and after hearing its jingle being played regularly on 938 live, I thought it would be nice to have dinner there.

A slightly bitter, fizzy drink that is well known in Italy

The decor looked nice enough. Cartcart mentioned at how authentic the place was decorated and even noticed that the type of fabric the curtains made were the actual type of fabric used in Italy.

Cartcart ordered arrabbiata, just to compare how it tastes to the pasta we had yesterday.

So cartcart, how much does this one rate?

5

Wow, a whole point compared to yesterday 😛

Yes, now I can safely say that this is the best pasta I’ve eaten in Singapore 😛

Heaps of cars lining up next to the mosque

Sunday, Hari Raya Haji.

Mum had just completed sewing Cartcart’s baju kurong the day before. She seemed unconfident that the outfit would fit him well because of some of the pertinent additional measurements that I didn’t take.

But when Cartcart put it on, it fitted him perfectly. When he came out to show me, I was floored at how stunningly handsome he looked in the green baju kurong. So handsome that I forgot to take a picture of him wearing it.

My Mum and dad gave him generous compliments at how good he looked. Cartcart was putting on the capal, the Malay sandals that we bought during our trip to geylang. He really looked so elegant. Mum thought that if he wore the samping (waist cloth) and songkok (hat) it would be more complete.

But cartcart seemed to be doubtful. “It has long sleeves!” He whispered to me. “I might perspire badly in this

However, during the entire journey to my grandmother’s house, cartcart didn’t break a sweat due to the cooler December weather and the air conditioned train coach.

When we reached the doorstep, in my mind, I was wondering and hoping that everything would go al-right.

My aunts were there and the first to greet us, then my uncles, and then my cousins. We talked, and then had lunch together and just chilled. I see one of my cousin, Eusoff, deep in conversation with cartcart while the rest of the clan seemed transfixed in a Malay soap opera that was premièring.

It was pretty relaxing.

But I got nervous again when grandmother came out of the room, gave that slow and knowing smile of hers and asked me that question that grandmothers always asks.

So when are you going to get married?

Uh … Um …

When you go out with him, don’t hold his hands.

Oh …

But all in all, everything seemed okay. My worries about a drama happening was for naught. I feel quite relieved that everyone seemed pretty cool with it.

The same evening, we had new years eve dinner together at the community centre. Mum suggested that cart and I go to have a local national feel. But I think it was kind of a bad idea.

The entire concert was like a hungry ghost festival concert with music blaring at a million decibels and the singers wearing clothes that is so shiny that it will leave you momentarily blind. It was pure torture. I couldn’t wait to get out of there. But cartcart had the patience of a saint and thought it would be better to wait till the dinner course ended.

By then it was too late to take public transportation. I asked cartcart if he was game enough to ride on the scooter with me. He was! And he managed to squeeze in one of my helmets and off we went and we managed to reach the bed and breakfast in time to see the fireworks from the new year countdown from the city skyline.

Monday, New Year’s day

Today is the last day that cartcart will be staying here. I really think that a week is just not enough to spend here … I haven’t shown him everything that I wanted to show him …

Juli was free to have lunch with us today. Cartcart and I took the scooter to vivo city, where the parking area was so large, that it was so easy to get lost in there.

We went to a cafe which I thought it would be good, but turned out that the food there was below par.

Coffee with a piece of pen?

I wasn’t enjoying my fig and apricot sandwich. I have no idea what cartcart was eating. And Juli wasn’t thrilled with her fish dish either.

But it was a pretty casual affair, the three of us talking together. There is few things as satisfying as talking to friends

After we said our goodbyes to Juli, we had to rush to Chinatown to buy presents and souvenirs for his family. We only had about less than two hours before needing to reach back to my place to say his goodbyes to my family.

Cartcart bought a mask for his sister, and a lovely Chinese tea pot set for his mom and dad. We reached the temple again. And this time, Cartcart decided to enter and see the interior of the temple and witness purification a ceremony where the priest was at the altar, washing a large utensil. It was too far for me to see as non Hindus were not permitted into the holy area.

When we reached home, mum asked us to have dinner together, “I promised to make you Nasi Lemak!” We sat down together, where our family had our last meal together with cartcart.

As I walked out of the kitchen to clear the plates, I overheard mum talking to cartcart, “She’s a good daughter. I hope you will take care of her. Will you take care of her?” “I hope to do that

I went deep in my thoughts …

At the airport terminal, even with mum, sis, aunt and my cousins there, I still couldn’t control my sadness and the tears began to roll down. One week just isn’t enough. “Why cant I spend all days with you?” I looked in cartcart’s face as he gave me a hug before reluctantly leaving for his flight.

Sometimes I feel like this is all a dream. That we are all asleep and then we wake up to our reality.

In all honestly I don’t know how long I can take this. Such happiness when we are together, and then heartbreak when having to part.

Why cant I spend all my days with him? That would be such a beautiful. He is kind, gentle, romantic, patient, wise and the sweetest person I want to spend the rest of my days with you.

Phantom of the paradise movie

One late night, more than 10 years ago, I managed to catch this totally psychadellic show on tv. Eyes blurry, I saw a myriad of sights and sounds. I was completely transfixed.

It was the Phantom of the Paradise.

In a nutshell, the show is about a man, Winslow, a music composer whose music was chosen as an opening song for the a club called Paradise. He met a girl, Pheonix whom he found to be suitable for singing the part. However, the club owner, Swan had other ideas and hires interesting persona, like a singer that looked like he’d belong in the rocky horror show.

Apart from the over the top characters, and storyline, what really made the show memorable to me was the music. One of the song that got stuck in my head for the longest time was Old Souls, written by Paul WIlliams.

Our love, is an old love baby
is older than all of our years
I had seen in strange young eyes
familiar tears

It was one of the most memorable song for me, because of the tone and the lyrics – pure poetry.

That was why I was most excited to stumble onto it on youtube. Me and cart spent the afternoon watching the show and I enjoyed the music and the sights all over again.

Now that I’m a little older, my perception of the show is different compared to before. The movie, being made in 1974, was extremely 70’s like with its strong pop culture clothes and drug influence. And I never realised how hedonistic it was in lieu of the hippy era.

Nevertheless, the show was still as fabulous. This movie is a definite classic.

One thing that bugged me though, was why does the devil have such a feminine hand? Did they use a woman to replace him for that scene? If so, what good reason would they do that?

Or am I overanalysing this too much?

Il Mare


After much hunting from different movie stores, I finally found the Korean show, Il Mare.

It was spectacular! If you are into hearfelt and romantic movies, this would definitely be a good choice to immerse to for the next hour and a half.

Without spoiling it too much, the gist of the story goes this way :

It is currently Christmas 1999. The movie starts off with a woman who has just moved out of her home by the sea, to her new apartment. Expecting an important letter, she places christmas card with a message in the mailbox for the next tenant to forward to her new address.

A man picks up the letter from the mailbox and replies back to her that he is actually the first tenant and that there was no previous tenants before him. He looks at the date of the letter and was amused to see that it was 2 years ahead in the future.

They finally found out that the mailbox was able to send messages at the same day and time, only two years apart.

After several correspondence, they began to have feelings for each other and decided to meet. But how do two people from two different years meet each other?

I was truely enthralled by the movie, there were several scenes which left me sighing for the hero. One memorable one was when he goes to the train station and managed to see the woman and she gives a big smile.

But she wasnt smiling at him, instead, she was smiling to her current boyfriend. It was 2 years before so she couldnt recognize the hero. He’s left dejected.

“Was I just a stranger to you?”

“Am I only a meaningless, faceless stranger to you?”

Tearjerker!

I love the visuals of the movie – beautiful colours of the house beside the sea, the salmon pink sky, soft snow falling by the window. The two characters who acted as the main protagonists were perfect in their chemistry and timing.

Not forgetting the musical accompaniment that truely heightened one’s heartstrings.

So sad!


Some may say that the storyline is rather farfetched with the wormhole theory, but I say just let it flow and enjoy it as it is. It is really a charming and beautiful movie.

Actually I only knew about the movie while watching the advertisments that were currently playing for the movie ‘The lake house‘ starring Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves.

But after knowing that it was actually a remake, I decided that I’d rather watch the original one instead. I’m usually disappointed with Asia to Hollywood remakes ever since ‘The Ring‘.

Though I have a preference for foreign movies to be watched original, as it is with subtitles, the reality is, they are a majority of people in the world who are more used to spoken english movies which justifies these remakes.

Oh well.

Its hot hot hot!

Heat does crazy things to people.

Its 1.05am right now and its a really warm night and I cant sleep!

Pssst! Dont tell anyone that I really liked the Spice Girls.


Mel C looks the most scary spice in this pic

It brings out loads of memories of the yesteryears when times were more easy going and less complicated. They were one of the few groups at the time that were a whole load of fun.

Comparing that to the mostly depressing mainstream songs that we have now. Mainstream radio sing about how tough they are. Many of mainstream songs are rather vulgar.

I’m particularly annoyed by this song ‘beep’ by the pussycat dolls.

I don’t give a beep
Keep looking at my beep
‘Cause it don’t mean a thing if you’re looking at my beep
I’m a do my thing while you’re playing with your beep

Fill in the blanks yourself. Guess the real meaning of:

‘while you’re playing with your ____’

a) Uno Cards
b) Nintendo
c) Plushie
d) ????

And I’m totally annoyed by song remixes that uses samples of sped up songs. The original song now sounds as if they were sung by Alvin and the chimpmunks. (Not that I have anything against Alvin and the chipmunks)

Paul Wall ruined the beautiful ‘Oh Girl’ originally sung by the Chi Lites. Why did he do that? Why???

And dont get me started on Lonely by Akon. The chorus is sped up and made it sound like it was sung by a chipmunk –

Lonely I’m Mr Lonely
I have nobody
For my owwnnn oooooh

Argh! Whats wrong with these people? Do they really think it sounds good? My ears bleed! People should just leave beautiful songs as they are and not ruin them!

Interestingly, the Spice Girls uses materials which are original and though they can be rather rambuctious, they dont offend the masses on purpose.

The Spice Girls sing about love, empowerment and friendship.

One of my favourite songs by them was two becomes one. Even if the lyrics were rather simplistic and has nuances in it, it wasnt blatant and it was easy on the ears and the accompaniment of the background music made it soothing even.

I really cant believe that that song is almost 10 years old already. Time really flies by so quickly doesnt it? But Spice Girls really bring me back to days when it was acceptable to act silly just when you feel like it.

Yeah I miss that.

I dont listen to mainstream radio anymore by the way. Do you still listen to mainstream? Do you like the Spice Girls too?

Mi piace la musica

This is so adorable, I just had to share it with everyone. Especially for you 😉

Move over Jason Donovan 😛

I was in love with this man.

Eternal devotion I swore to him.

This man is none other than Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins.

The first time I heard about his music was about in 1997 when staying up late and I caught the music clip, Tonight Tonight.

The video was surreal, with the set like 1920’s science fiction show and it was really engrossing to watch. At the time, it was a refreshing change to watching the typical music clips.

But what really snagged me about the song was the stringed instruments in the background. It just emotionally tugs your heart and I cant help but to be completely enthralled by it.

I borrowed the Mellon Collie and the infinite sadness cd from my then classmate, Fazna and poured over every song that there is in there.

The whole cd is a complete treat! It starts off with a gentle and soothing piano recital in ‘Mellon Collie and the infinite sadness’ (apart from guitar, Billy Corgan plays the piano too) to the more alternative rock sounds of ‘Zero‘.

After weeks and weeks of borrowing Fazna’s cd, I decided to purchase the cd for my own. My very first music cd. Considering then, that I was a schoolgirl with no job, that was one of my more expensive purchase. But never did I regretted it, as I listened to the cd day by day.

There is a vast mix of different type of sounds, from harder metallic sounds like ‘X.Y.U‘ and ‘Tales of a scorched earth’ and the nostalgic sounds of ‘1979‘ All of them with an amazing harmonic blend of rifts and bass.

I believe that Billy Corgan has a romantic soul

Who can not fall in love with ‘By starlight’?

by starlight i’ll kiss you
and promise to be your one and only
i’ll make you feel happy
and leave you to be lost in mine

Or the lush and haunting ‘Beautiful’

Don’t let your life wrap up around you
Don’t forget to call, whenever
I’ll be here just waiting for you
I’ll be under your stars forever
Neither here nor there just right beside you
I’ll be under the stairs forever
Neither here nor there just right beside you

The lyrics to ‘Porcelina of the vast oceans‘ is amazing

As far as you take me, that’s where I believe
The realm of soft delusions, floating on the leaves
On a distant shoreline, she waves her arms to me
As all the thought police, and closing in for sleep

Its just wonderful.

One of my favourites would be ‘mayonaise‘ from the album Siamese Dream. It starts off lush and soft and then slowly goes to its guitar rift. And he starts with

Fool enough to almost be it
Cool enough to not quite see it
Doomed
Pick your pockets full of sorrow
And run away with me tomorrow
June

We’ll try and ease the pain
But somehow we’ll feel the same
Well, no one knows
Where our secrets go

It might sound silly, but I felt a closeness to all of his songs. It was as if he was relating to me. Like he understood what I was going through in my turmoil filled teenage life.

The music totally changed when the band produced the following album ‘Ava Adore’ and hasnt quite been the same since. But to me, Mellon collie will always be one of the best albums ever produced.

Today is the greatest day I’ve ever known …