view from the lens

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Ok, I didn’t have much plan to post this, but I’ve been getting quite a buzz on the movie Cloverfield. (watched it the 1st day of release fyi hehe)

Simplest way to put it: This isn’t your average movie.

I pity those who watched it, didn’t like it and can’t seem to break out from mind shell of the stereotypical movie perspective which stereotypically involves good/steady camera views of the entire movie, with the plot unfolding and at the end going “oh so that is what it’s all about” . (that includes elfie & ethelene haha)

I tell you, Cloverfield is such a fresh breath of air from your cliché movies… I LIKE IT.

This is going to be long, bare with me.

It definitely takes a certain level of consciousness to actually appreciate a movie like that. The more you’re in tune to the process of film making, and the more you pay attention to how the movie is presented to you, the more you’re gonna like it. It’s about the artistry behind this movie, the CGI and the extremely well directing. Just think of it, for everything to run as planned, it would have take thousands of takes to get it just right, considering the spontaneous actions that happens all in one long clip (if you notice there isn’t much cut-scenes) with just the right camera angles.
Yes… there is a lil dizziness here and there, but what do you expect from a guy who’s holding a videocam and recording everything that’s happening as Manhattan gets invaded by giant aliens? A steady hand? Uh huh… yea I would like to see you try that.

What sets the film apart, is the monster are just a backdrop (for now). They choose to focus viewer’s attention towards a small group of people rather than the epic disaster around them; particularly towards the unfolding story of this two “lovers” undergoing stressful relationship issues as they showed small previous cut clips of a month ago in the middle of the recording crisis. Just BRILLIANT. And about the movie not having a plot? The camera’s Point Of View is the plot! Hello?

More so, I personally think the marketing strategy behind this was incredible. The film’s avoidance of showing you everything, just bits and hints of this little known threat just fuels you with suspense, sends you home wanting more and anticipating Cloverfield 2.

It caused the internet quite a storm asking what/how/why about the existence of the monsters and speculations of hidden signs/messages in the movie like falling objects during the old video recordings of the couple a month before the invasion and an audio clip after the movie credits has ended. Keeping the audience guessing.
Nicely done there.

If you’re a person not ready for something different, don’t feel free to watch it.

prettydamncute

LOL this girl right here is just so damn cute and not to mention pretty as well of course! =D American Idol contestant Amy Catherine with her lil naughty-like actions and expression... I'm smiling just typing this haha! (too cute!) Oh yea, Simon plays along as well "zorry, zorry".
Enjoy.

I've cut out the singing part and skipped it right to the evaluation

the clustered issue

Have you ever felt so useless? Like you weren’t the friend you were supposed to be at that time? Being that person who would take that indirect responsibility standing out from the rest, speak your mind, and tell them off because it’s the damn right thing to do? But somehow you just didn’t.

Hearing that person scream in irritation silently, as though calling for help but no one ever hears it except for you, that silent voice among that crowd of monsters.

In my case, I don’t know if it’s just a minor problem cause every time it happens, it just last for only minutes or even seconds. A problem so minor, maybe it’s not worth a person’s words of protection, bringing up or making a fuss upon. An issue really, maybe not a real problem yet… an issue that’s always jogging the line between “it’s still ok” and “that’s enough!”. But their accumulative amount of events over the times of always being “on the border” and also crossing those line is killing me, and after that day… I swear if I would have just stayed a little longer, I’d burst out, especially to that annoying kid.

But maybe I’m just too demure to speak my mind because they’re “part of us”. Us maybe, but definitely not me. It’s more to him alone come to think of it, but you all seem close and it gets me thinking maybe this issue is really too small and that I’m just worrying too much about this small and insignificant thing. But then again, it’s also about respect isn’t it? Please don’t say you call them friends.

What kills me the most is I’m pissed, pissed at their sickening words and acts of disrespect, pissed at me for not voicing out at those times and pissed at you because you don’t stand up for yourself!

They'll probably associate me with the guy who spoils the mood if that faithful time ever comes, but I’m going with my gut feeling the next time. Worth it or not, I’m voicing out.

Oh! Gravity

Switchfoot is performing live in KL!

If you don’t already know that is.

Not really familiar with a lot of their songs though BUT who needs to when they have masterpieces like Meant to Live, Stars and of course… Dare You To Move!

Being in the music genre that I like and that they are known for their energetic live shows are the obvious reasons to go see them. I didn’t oblige myself to go for the ones like Linkin Park or Good Charlotte because (no offence) I think they’re just overrated plus I’m more attracted to less/semi-famous bands.

The main point is... I WANT TO GO!
Waiting for… *nudge nudge* to hopefully be able to get free tickets for me *hint hint* (oh you know who you are! hehe).
Otherwise I’ll have to rush and get those tickets myself asap before they get sold out and find peeps to go with!

I do recommend you guys to go... cause well, most probably i'm going lol. Oh yea... and some band is performing too, who's playing again? =P

LINK
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Season 7!

American Idol is back with Season 7!
Not a die-hard fan of American Idol but I do follow it nonetheless.

Don’t we all just love watching those auditions of the good, the bad and the ugly… funny, weird and those really sad stories? And the ever entertaining dramas following week after week as America scouts for new talents and watching them reach the top… in good’ol reality TV!

Oh yea, not forgetting…

the judges of course!

The first episode just ended, and i already see myself liking some of the female contestants! lol!

tagged by weili

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1. Describe the person who tagged you in 6 words. 3 positive and 3 negative.
Positives: Caring, kind and one hell of a friend
Negatives: a little wild, loves skipping classes and lazy!

2. When you first saw me what was your first impression?
We’re gonna be best buds! Haha!

3. Have you ever had a crush on me? (must be honest)
Of course! LMAO

4. Would you ever consider being my boyfriend/girlfriend?
Of course! =P

5. Would you ever kiss me?
Of course! =D

6. What would you do if I tell you I like you?
I’ll laugh!

7. Have I done anything that you'll remember for long?
Yea, being a good friend to me =)

8. Is there anything you’d like to say to me?
COME BACK!

9. What are the criteria you look for in a partner?
Eh, this question is suddenly so out of topic! Anyway erm generally… someone on the same page and able to strike a stimulating conversation.

10. A trait that you know is always in you.
Whatever-ness? lol Iuuno.

11. A trait you foresee you'll have.
Being selfless, hopefully.

12. Are you missing someone dearly now?
Not anyone in particular

13. If you have one wish, what will you wish for?
To have infinite wishes of course!

14. Copy and paste your horoscope for the day and comment on it.
If someone offers you their help today, it's not necessarily because they want to put themselves at your service. It's much more likely that they want to come to your aid only because they are expecting a big payoff in the end! Don't let them claim they are a generous person when they are merely manipulative. Helping other people must be done for its own sake -- tell them 'thanks but no thanks' and let them find someone else to use.

My comment: erm ok, but i dont believe in horoscopes =)

15. Lastly post 3 latest pictures of yourself and give a caption for each picture.
i don't self-camwhore so... only one =)

and about the tagging... i'll think about it first hehe

2008 & the paradox of our time

Everyone’s having New Year Resolutions but unfortunately I never really thought of them period. Umm.. but if I could, it’ll probably be to live a more positive enriched human life.
(sadly something we all take for granted)

Please do take a moment to look at the email that got me thinking, something that we all can relate to some way or another.

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The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. (my favorite quote is inside too =D)

If you don't send this to at least 8 people....Who cares?

from George Carlin

Rethink life people.

We all have something to say...

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My new header for Year 2008!

Okay, it doesn’t look as nice as I thought it would… it’s suppose to be a comic-like column, well kinda. It was in development for about a month past now, (not that intense lah, just doing it in my free time) then I got too tired of doing anymore and well, here it is!

Looks weird i know, probably because it’s new... just need to get use to it. It looks messier too, too much things going on eh? but i'll give it time to sink in.

Out with the old...

And in with the new...

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And some of my other side-comic trials in the process:

ignore the words, i had to fill something in them right? lol

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fireworks

A lil slow on the updates...

Anyway, the second last day of Year 2007, was spent back at my grandma’s hometown, Taiping, Perak for a wedding. Wasn’t looking forward to it at all, the slow-paced lifestyle that so almost comes to a halt, where sitting down was leisure and no connection to the outside world! Plus the fear that I would most probably spend my new year there! (KL has always been my place for new year!)

But I had obviously exaggerated my negative thoughts, since it’s been awhile since I’ve been back there… but it wasn’t so bad after all, in fact, it was a relieve from KL. The nights alive with cricketing insects and morning greeted with birds, (I’m not exaggerating ok, it really happened!) something I don’t hear in KL.

I felt more alive there, especially when your blood’s not being sucked by damn KL mosquitoes! Taiping didn’t have any surprisingly =D.

A new outlook on Taiping, and definitely wouldn’t mind going back again anytime soon.

the church they got married at, nice cathedral-look

And I actually got back in time to celebrate the New Year in KL! But sadly most of my friends weren’t around, so it wasn’t so much of a joyful occasion as thought. Just watched them fireworks go off at The Curve area.the typical New Year crowd

these were the best, they were lil falling twirling fireballs

Prince isn't that charming...

These few days has been damn slow… how time has stopped on me till the point that it just hinders me from doing anything at all. So, I’ll just do a quick sum-up of what the last week of Year 2007 has been for me…

very relaxed.

Got an invite to stay at Putrajaya Shangri-La’s Presidential Suite room but didn’t stay the night there, cause with only 22% occupancy in the hotel and a seemingly lifeless nightlife that Putrajaya has to offer (besides the very nice light and night scenery of course) there is literally nothing else you can do there!

With Putrajaya incapable of having any license for alcohol, this would mean no pubs or nightlife, weird how “fun” revolves around the availability of alcohol, so to say. (Not that I think it’s any fun, but probably it just acts like a medium to attract other fun stuff, I don’t know).

Oh well, doesn’t really matter cause the only people staying there are just government workers with all sponsored government stuff and a low income wouldn’t possibly have enough purchasing power to support any nightlife anyway... just my 2 cents.

And they have this dream of making Putrajaya a prosperous socio-economy (more like prosperous tourism hub IMO) with attractions like what? Mosques, a few bridges and nice looking office buildings? lmao…

So much for this "Intelligent City" =/

Oh yea FYI, even Putrajaya Shangri-La has to run alcohol illegally without a license there too. Sad really.

So here’s Putrajaya…

And probably the best it has to offer…

different from the typical high-rise

big big living rooms...

a nice view...

nice bathrooms...

nice master bedroom...

nice other bedrooms...

and your own little personal garden =)
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