We are living in a world of strangers. We don’t know who our neighbours are anymore. We are connected by the Net, by IM, we chat and read blogs of people from all across the world. We know each other, but yet we don’t know each other. We are lovers, but yet strangers.

It’s baffling, the whole we live in… but sometimes, all it takes, is just a silly dance, to connect us all, to make us somewhat understand each other, even if it’s just for awhile.

gary 曹格 ‘’Welcome to my World'’ asia live tour 2008 singapore…

Whoo hooo!!! I’ll be going for the concert afterall. Even though I had initially wanted to attend the concert in Malaysia, but decided not to considering the hassle to travel to KL, booking hotel room, etc.

And then surprise! surprise! my friend had just won two tickets to watch 曹格’s concert in Singapore, which mean, I got to watch for free! Syiokkkkkk sia!!! Can’t wait, can’t wait…. LOL

The Malaysian leg has Justin as guest star right? I hope he’ll be the guest star in Singapore as well… But what’s the likelihood of that?

Sistic Singapore

It’s dreadful whenever I see “The Best of” albums, as the songs featured are simply a compilation of previous popular releases and being a fan, there is a certain restrain.

Unlike other “The Best of” albums, the Cardigans however on the other hand decided to release a 2-cd of some of the most memorable hits, and B-sides and hard-to-come-by versions are included as well.

This album maps out the Swedish band’s musical journey from being an sugary indie to moody pop to quiet band rock. That being the general idea, the kind of sounds the Cardigans has injected are simplistic, beautifully raw at times. And Nina’s voice is sultry in a way whenever she whispers, whenever she talks in songs, whenever she gives a little breathing.

It’s a truly must-have collection for fans and the curious of what the Cardigans sounds like besides Lovefool. Gran Turismo fan would have been better exposed, but there are more offers than just that; Carnival (Puck version) is the mellow child, Burning Down the House sticks out with attention; Laika is the original Junk of The Hearts.

Meanwhile, they are on a four-year album recording break and would most likely release their next studio album in 2009. Meanwhile, “The Best of” is what’s keeping their fans avid. Next compilation, I sure hope to see one with their solo works when they had their previous band break in 2000.
Music:The Cardigans - Emmerdale

It’s a great song, it’s a great MV, but it reminds me Namie’s:

By far, real far… this is the most stunning American Idol song so far this season. And I thought the other David’s Imagine- with is equally iconic a song- was amazing enough…

I’m ready to be surprised again

[This is pre-dated post with current post-date…]

OK… the quality isn’t all that good, but I’m going to put it up anyway due to request. How I wish I had a video cam with me then…

I have longer versions- 2 of them in fact- so if you want them, I’ll shamefully email them over.

To promote his latest album 反轉地球, Wilber 潘玮柏 made a promo appearance at West Mall Singapore where he belted out 2 songs from the album before proceeding to signing autographs. He had 3 other performers on stage to perform with him, not sure who were they though…

It’s true that Wilber Pan gets all sweaty very easily as he was wiping sweat using a towel on stage throughout the whole event. I won’t be surprised if those CDs that he had signed felt a bit damp from his sweat, which I believe his female fans wouldn’t mind, would they?

Btw, those pics were taken using the Sony Ericsson W810i phone. The picture quality is pretty alright, as I’d cropped those pics alot and they seem pretty okay still…

Found some Palmy’s MV on youtube.com:

These two MVs are for the same song, อยากร้องดังดัง (Yark Rong Dunk Dunk)

And this song is from one of my all-time favourite film, Fan Chan (My Girl):

I knew I love you before I met you…

Heard of those words? Well, that’s what Savage Garden once sang. And it reflects pretty much my love for Thai music.

I have always had certain liking to Thai stuff, from food to the language, and lately, I’ve discovered Thai music videos available online for free! It’s all here. And if you google Thai music out, chances are you’ll find sites where you can listen or preview Thai music.

I used to have certain perception of Thai music- mainly due to Ad Carabao’s famous “Made In Thailand” song- that it’s ethnic and if you google out Carabao’s songs, they sounded pretty Mat Rock as well… And I wasn’t pretty interested in that.

But somehow, at the back of my mind, I knew I’ll grow to like Thai music some day… and then I came across this site selling Thai music. After sampling some of the songs, like Palmy’s and Big Ass & Bodyslam’s, I realized that Thai music has developed a whole lot. Alternative, rock, bubblegum pop, layback reggae, rap… you name it, you can find Thai music in that genre.

Okay.. enough said. Here’s a music video of Big Ass & Bodyslam’s เรา (rao). Note the crowd, which I think is comparable to well-known big names performers’ from other Asian countries such as Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

If the above cannot be accessed, please click here.

I’ve always been a fan of Chris Cunningham who has made damn good music videos.  Though he has been lying very low nowadays, I sure hope to see more of his works in the future, and I’ll be anticipating them, cause I know I won’t be disappointed…

Yup, Robbie Williams’ infamous animated music video is available here.  I myself have not seen the uncensored/ unedited version before this, what’s more, the original MV actually contains outtakes at the end of the clip.  So enjoy!

(Wanted to post the lyrics here, but nah! Anyone can just goggle that out easily to sing-along…)

Gotan Project’s sound oozes sexiness, definitely. Any club/ hangout place that to play their music is definitely the place to be. Electro-tango with a splash of lounge, Gotan Project gives relaxation a pure visual that can be enjoyed wherever you are.

Seductively addictive, Gotan Project really knows how to set you in the mood in the easiest fast way, imagining yourself on the comfy red velvety sofa as the slow dim light flickers on. …lost floating in the lava lamp.

Come 6 Dec, Lindsay Lohan will be coming up with her latest album “A Little More Personal”.

This Lo Han fish has indeed blossom well from her cutesy days in The Parent Trap.

It was during the last days of WA FM 97.6 that I heard about WA FM 97.6 is appearing online. I tried a few days back, but there was nothing. Just now, I tried again, and to my delight, there’s already a message board up for fans to post their wishes and comments ahead of its official launch on Friday 21 oct 2005.

Click here, and perhaps read through those messages and you might just find your favourite DJs emails or websites…

These few days, I’ve been listening to WA FM 97.6 with just a tat more attention; its broadcast will come to an end tomorrow.

WA FM has been quite a good companion after I’ve started driving in KL. Its morning segment is feather light, very good to start my day with. Same goes for the morning songs selection. Come night, its music is a good listen as well. Thus, when announcement that WA FM 97.6 would stop broadccast on 31 Aug 2005 comes about, it was quite a sad news. I was delighted to hear that that was no longer so. But the joy was not to last, when the news that WA FM 97.6 will be taken off air on 15 Oct 2005.

Callers have been calling in, wishing the DJs all the best, and relating their personal experiences with WA FM 97.6. Some DJs were brought to tears, reminiscing who WA FM 97.6 had been.

I personally like WA FM for its very personal approach in broadcasting. It’s like some kopitiam time everytime I listen to that channel. The DJs speak with so much easiness and frankness, just like friends. There are laughter, seriousness and some times awkwardness in the air, but everything is a-o-kay….

I’d signed the petition, but I did not place much hope in it… Perhaps that’s why the petition did not work?

Goodbye, and all the best WA FM 97.6…

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Once in a while, I watch Malaysian Idol. Especially with the 2nd season starting, it was pretty fun watching different people showcasing their true selves on TV. Jerome is one fella who got through with his pretty good voice though he doesn’t have the right ‘packaging’ to go along with; the judges remarked that he’s a weird ‘yes’ choice by far.

And so, he got through the agonizing initial rounds and is among the top 24. He’s now facing the next round of being 3 chosen ones out of 8 contestants in his ‘workshop 2′ group. Having watched him a few times now on TV, I think I would want him to go now…

Now, I have nothing against him as a person, but his choice of song simply reflects on his ability. To sing Maroon 5’s This Love again, I think his versatility is very limited. He sang that song during audition, he sang it again at the top-24 deciding round. And now, he’s performing the same song again? Oh plzzzzzzz…

He should have known better, what kind of ’strategy’ he should have taken on the Idol show. He should showcase a wider range of his singing ability. To me, he has scored low, very low indeed, and he should go…

Everyone ridiculed at the idea of playing the national anthem Negaraku in the cinema. The government then reiterated some rules and regulation with regard to the anthem, and that includes fine or jail for being disrespectful when Negaraku is being played. Thanks to Screenshots for embedding the anthem in the website, I suppose everyone’ll be standing, and standing, and standing…

I heard these offensive words being sung right before I left the apartment.

Jeu ken try to resissss
Try to hide from my kiss
But jeu kno–
But jeu kno– theeee-t jeeeuuu
Ken f**k the moonlight
Deep in de dark
JEUUU surrender jo hard
But jeu kno–
But jeu kno– theeee-t jeeeuuu
Ken f**k the moonlight!

This girl was singing those words out loud, so passionately, so full of emotions and confidence. What’s more shocking is, those words were uttered on national TV right after the news!

If you caught that singing and had listened carefully, you’d shake your head, most probably thinking she’ll appear in the first episode of Malaysian Idol as one of the reject (well, at least I thought so).

That’s right folks, the latest season of Malaysian Idol will be coming pretty soon as the last leg of audition is currently being held in KL. Overall, by looking at those who dared to sing for the news crew, I have one advice: Watch what you are singing.

Pronouncing English words is obviously not the contestants’ forte, at least of those whom I saw on TV. I’m not saying that I’m any better, but for godsake, the least make sure the words for self-chosen songs are pronounced well.

Leann Rimes would be in shocked right now if she’d heard…

Update May 07, 2005 @ 03:28:
Now playing: The Cardigans’ My Favourite Game

Maxwell’s songs have always been beautifully soulful, nice with good smoothness throughout. His songs are like the countless cinnamon powdered light coffee, with a good dash of coffee liquor; they may not catch up immediately, but definitely worth listening to as they will slowly creep up and hook up to your mind. Groovy and intoxicating, Maxwell’s song is what I’ll define as the ultimate urban romance.

now playing: Get to know ya - Maxwell

This is got from the Malay Mail online version, forwarded to me by KL

‘Call the Blood Bank-lah’
Sushma Veera,Ee Ann Nee & Ghaz Ramli
Feb 22:

KUALA LUMPUR: When calling government departments with queries, be prepared to be passed from one person to another.
And do not expect your calls to be answered immediately. It will either be a long wait or you may have to dial several times before your calls are answered.

You’d be lucky if the operator identifies his department, and consider yourself blessed if you are greeted with a simple “hello�?.

Welcome to the world of civil service. This long-standing problem was addressed over the weekend by the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Samsudin Osman, who urged heads of departments to conduct constant checks on their frontline staff.

“By doing this, they can check on the efficiency of front-liners, including telephonists,�? Samsudin was quoted in the New Straits Times yesterday.

He wanted the heads of department to experience for themselves the response from their frontline staff, adding that with constant checks, complaints by the public can be minimised.

The Malay Mail did a survey yesterday on several government departments and agencies and a few in the private sector, and we were not surprised by the findings.

While we did not encounter any rude staff, those we dealt with were either laidback or lacked basic telephone etiquette — such as saying “hello�? and “goodbye�?, and informing the caller that the call was being put through before doing so.

Below are some of the telephone conversations our team had with several operators and government staff and how they responded to simple queries.

* Immigration Department: We called the department in Putrajaya, saying we were a first timer in applying for foreign maids. The operator answered the call after several rings and informed us that we had to call their branch in Damansara.

“For maids, you would have to call our Damansara branch, speak to the foreign maid section,�? said the operator.

Calling the Damansara branch was not a problem as the call was answered within the first three rings. However, the problem was with the operator who transferred us to another department, without informing which department it was.

There was no answer from the said department despite being transferred twice.

The operator then gave us two numbers, saying that it was the Foreign Maid division.

When we called the given direct line, the person who answered asked us to come directly to the office to get the forms.

When pressed for more information, the woman said: “The forms have everything that an employer needs to know.�?

She seemed to be in a hurry and would not answer any further questions.

* Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL): The HKL operator was polite and helpful.

The Malay Mail called to enquire about ambulance services to the hospital and the operator explained to us that HKL does not send ambulances out except to transfer patients from one hospital to another.

“I am sorry but HKL does not send out our ambulances. Normally, in any accident case, the ambulances used are those of St John or the Malaysian Red Crescent Society. The HKL ambulances are meant to transfer patients from one hospital to another,�? said the operator politely.

The operator also managed to give us the numbers to call and again advised us to ask if they charged for the services.

Thumbs up for HKL!

* Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL): All calls to City Hall went through the answering machine. When pressed ‘0’ for operator, we were told to hold as the operator was busy.

After a second try, the call was answered within the first 10 seconds.

We asked for the procedure on lodging a complaint on the cleanliness in our residential area.

The operator referred us to the Urban Services Department and gave us the number to call.

When we called the department, the staff said: “You can either call or write in your complaint.�?

When pressed for more information, she said: “I don’t know as I just started working here.�?

The employee has been working there for the past two months.

* Inland Revenue Board (IRB): With the newly introduced Self-Assessment System (SAS), the taxpayers are required to do their own computation for tax assessment. As such, we called the IRB to find out more on whether certain type of allowances are deductible.

The operator answered the call after three rings and while we were explaining our problem, she immediately transferred our call!

The next person who answered the call did not inform us which department she was from until we asked her.

“How are we to explain to you over the telephone?�? she asked.

When we asked her what can be done, she said: “Come and join the workshop we have.�?

Apart from these one line answers, there were no other information on the workshop given. At least, not until we asked for it.

* Women, Family and Community Development Ministry: We wanted to enquire on how to lodge a complaint on beggars near the Puduraya bus terminal — only to be surprised with the question from the Ministry’s operator.

“Beggars? Which department will it be under?�? the operator asked us.

After much explaining, she asked us to call the Welfare Department.

The operator and staff at the Welfare Department were very helpful.

“I can take down the complaint immediately. That is not a problem,�? said the male employee.

Before ending the call, he said: “We have always tried to educate the people not to donate to beggars. However, some are annoyed saying we were just trying to stop them from doing charity.

“Don’t worry, we will compile the complaints and hand them to our bosses for the next course of action,�? he said before thanking us for the information.

* Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ): We called to enquire about bookings of sport facilities. The operator abruptly put us through another extension.

“For normal days, it is RM10 while for holidays is RM12,�? said an employee.

However, when asked on the direct number to do the bookings, he had to refer to another person before answering.

* Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MPPJ): There were queries on procedures of bringing down an old tree. We called MPPJ and and the operator referred us to the Landscape Department at another number. However, the line was either engaged or was diverted to the fax machine.

Failing to get through, we decided to call the main line again. We were then unable to reach them (from 11.39am to 12.03pm).

* Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital, Klang: Our first attempt failed as no one picked up the phone. We then dialled another number.

This time, an operator was on the line but she was unwilling to help on how to donate blood. We were asked to refer to the National Blood Bank.

“Yang ini kena panggil Pusat Darah Negara. (This one, you will have to call the National Blood Bank),�? said the staff who could not speak English well.

* National Registration Department (Federal Territory) at Maju Junction: All four lines were engaged all the time. We tried from morning till closing time and the lines were busy.

* National Registration Department (Selangor) at Shah Alam: Unlike their counterpart in Kuala Lumpur, the operator here was fast in picking up the call.

“What are the procedures to apply for MyKad?�? we asked.

“Well, you will have to come to the NRD office and bring along your identity card,�? she said.

* National Library: The call was answered within the first two rings. The woman operator was ever willing to guide us to the library.

“You can take Intrakota bus Number 20 from the city and stop at the nearby Petronas station.�?

* Public Bank headquarters, Jalan Ampang: We tried calling the bank from 4.30pm. The calls were answered by an answering machine and we dialled ‘0’ for operator assistance.

Operator answered after six rings. She was polite, greeted us and mentioned the name of the company.

However, the courtesy ended there. After informing her that we wanted to know more about opening a safe deposit box, she just said a mere ‘hold on’ before transferring us to another line without informing us which department it was.

The line was disconnected and we called again and went through the same routine.

We were transferred to a different department or section without knowing where we were transferred to or who we were to speak to.

Only on our fourth attempt at 4.50pm, were we given the direct number to the safe deposit box section.

However, till 5pm, the line was engaged.

* Rapid KL Sdn Bhd (formerly known as Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad): The call was answered immediately with all the basic telephone ethics. We asked for information on cards for buses and LRT.

We were transferred to another department and the call was picked up by a male employee who provided us all the information needed.

“The Rapid KL card for buses depends on the zones you are travelling in. Meanwhile, for the train services, you can either purchase the Touch n Go, monthly pass or the Stored Value Tickets,�? he said.

* Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB): We called to find out why we had not received our bills. The operator greeted us and mentioned the name of the company before saying: “For this query, you will have to call the Kedai Telekom. Since you are calling from Bangsar, you will have to call the one in Jalan Bunus in Masjid India.�? She provided us the number.

However, when asked whether a copy of the bill would be sent to us, she admitted not knowing anything about it.

The operator hung up before we could thank her.

* AirAsia Sdn Bhd: Calls to the nationwide call centre first went through a process of selecting languages and purposes. On our first attempt, a sales agent claimed that he was unable to retrieve the information needed for the Valentine’s Special promotion.

“I can’t access the information from the database. You will have to check the website,�? said the staff.

Asked if there was any other way he could help us, he said no.

On the second attempt, a woman attended to our call. She was knowledgeable and answered our queries professionally.

* Hicom-Gamuda Development Sdn Bhd: The person who answered the call was friendly and willingly helped us when queried on procedures to view an apartment under the latest development project. The project was the Randa Apartments in Kota Kemuning.

“Only the corner units are available. You can come to the sales gallery in Kota Kemuning to view the unit,�? she said politely.

* Telekom operator (103): After the “programmed�? intro, we were asked for the number required. As we needed three different numbers, we asked for them to be given manually instead of connecting it to the machine.

“What number do you require?�? asked the operator. Just after giving the name of the first place, we were automatically transferred to the machine.

“I would like to have two different numbers, please give it to me manually,�? we asked.

This time the operator again transferred us to the machine as soon as the second place was named. Frustrated, we tried for the third time but the need for the final number was more important than wanting to explain to the operator. Maybe a change of routine is not an easy task for some to accept.