velverse

Draw With Me FRIENDz-terism Project Crossroad

Project Crossroad: Clown

Circus, big tents… it’s just a few things that excites me. What is even better is a big pack of popcorn, a big fluffy pink cotton candy, large coke. Better still if I could win a big dollie and carry around. I like talking to dolls :). Well.. then you will see a big group of kids surrounding something. Yes, a clown. One with big red nose. Make up face, funky big mouth, colourful hair, polka dot cloths and big flappy shoes. Now let’s see what they all have to say.

As promised in his previous comment, Brian is all set to cheer everyone up with his joyful sheep after missiong out on the previous project. A cute clown sheep with cool balloon tied to it’s leg. I simply like the background. It just somehow brighten my day~

Winnie is back! This time, she dumped her Liucas and submitted cute Miss Natalie in. Being so funky and trendy, her clown is all set with ribbons and bow. No to even mention the super duper big red nose! Now, even clowns are more fashionable these days.

Ah… I did my part of the clown. Not exectly what I want it to be. It sorta have a lot of difference from the one I initially sketch out. But well… probably another enhanced version in the near future.

But well, I am totally happy with the eyes of the clown as it turns out exectly like what I want it to be 🙂

What is up next week?
Project theme: Prisoner
Project description: You commit a crime. You get caught, You stay in this small tiny room for the rest of your life. Wearing only stripe cloths. Well.. think on the bright side. At least you won’t have to bother to mix and match your cloths 🙂
Project deadline: 22 November 2006, Wednesday.
Submit to: mandy@velverse.com

Anyone and everyone is welcome to join. Be it good or bad… it’s just something we do for fun! Generate some cool ideas and well.. surely fill up some of our boring times 😀

November 15, 2006

My Karaoke Playlist

Scar

First of all, thanks LB for doing a tag from me for the “first time”.
And if it wasn’t for him, I guess I still won’t know the title of this song.

I have actually heard of this song a lot of times but never got to know the song title until I saw it on his blog.
Now, let us all karaoke together with his favourite tune.

Sharing with everyone here, this song is titled 傷痕 (Scar) by Sandy Lam.
The lyrics of this song is quite simple to understand. I guess this is the beauty of 80’s and 90’s Chinese songs.
There is one line in specific that I like – 女人獨有的天真和溫柔的天分, 要留給真愛你的人.

I suppose not every one knows how to appreciate a woman’s innocence and gentle talent.
Hence a gentle reminder to always learn how to appreciate one another.
Once they lost those innocence, it will never come back.

In order to spread the love for karaoke, I decided to translate it and let everyone have a deeper understanding of the song.

Translations of song in Pinyin and English available. (click on comments section).

November 14, 2006

My Movie Discovery

Flushed Away

Movie Title: Flushed Away
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (8/10)
Year: 2006
Flushed Away official site: http://www.flushedaway.com/

Okay, this one is a little special because it happens to be my 100th movie post! Er, that does not mean it is only my 100th movie. When I first started blogging, I used to dump my movie marathons into one post, so the actual number of films I watched ran off long ago and never bothered to fix them.

Judging by my rating, you can probably tell I am very relieved this memorable post was not ruined by a bad storyline, flat characters, messy direction, or anything else that would make post number 100 painful to remember.

Thankfully, Flushed Away is actually a really fun movie. DreamWorks and Britain’s Aardman joined forces and somehow turned a sewer full of rats, frogs, slugs, and rubbish into one very entertaining mouse adventure. Who knew the drains could be this happening?

Mice were clearly having their moment. Pixar had another mouse movie coming too, although we still had to wait for that one. But first, let the sewer show begin! Aardman, the studio behind Chicken Run and the Wallace & Gromit series, is basically the master of clay animation. Every successful movie pushed the studio another step higher, so I was really curious to see what it would do without the clay.

Honestly, I did not go into the cinema with very high expectations. Studio collaborations can get messy when both sides bring different styles, opinions, and egos to the table. Too many cooks, one confused mouse. But surprise, surprise, I was wrong. Aardman’s first fully CGI animated movie proved that it could still deliver something special without a single lump of clay. No fingerprints on the characters, but plenty of Aardman charm.

So, meet Roddy (Hugh Jackman), a very pampered pet mouse living a safe and luxurious life with a rich little girl named Tabitha (Rachael Rawlinson). When the family goes on holiday, Roddy leaves his sparkling golden cage and takes over the whole house. He even has a checklist of everything he wants to do.

By the end of the day, he has almost completed it all with the dolls. Right. Huge house, fancy toys, and nobody to talk to except plastic people who never laugh at his jokes. A bit sad, actually. Luxury can be lonely too, okay?

Then Sid (Shane Richie), a rough sewer rat, pops out of the kitchen tap and changes everything. The moment he sees Roddy’s home, you can practically hear him thinking, “Wah, jackpot!” Food, a huge television, toy cars, and the World Cup final? Of course he decides to stay. Roddy, meanwhile, is desperately trying to remove his surprise roommate before Sid starts changing the curtains, forwarding his mail there, and calling himself co-owner.

Roddy then tries to trick Sid into the toilet by calling it a jacuzzi. Nice try, rich boy. Sid sees through him immediately, kicks Roddy into the bowl, and flushes him away instead. Talk about a plan going straight down the toilet.

Roddy lands in the sewer surrounded by worms, muck, and several things I would rather not inspect too closely. But under all that mess, he discovers a huge mouse city. Desperate to get home, he goes looking for Rita (Kate Winslet), the one rat who might be able to help.

Unfortunately, Rita already has enough trouble of her own. Spike (Andy Serkis) and Whitey (Bill Nighy) are chasing her because she stole a ruby from Toad (Ian McKellen). Roddy turns to Toad for help getting out of the mouse city, without realising that Toad has a much bigger plan: wipe out the entire underground community and replace it with his own kind.

Just before Roddy and Rita escape, they take something from Toad that turns out to be far more important than the ruby. Naturally, Toad does not handle this well. First, he sends Spike and Whitey after them, and when those two fail, he calls in Le Frog (Jean Reno). Because when two regular henchmen cannot catch a pair of rats, apparently the next sensible choice is a very dramatic French frog.

Visually, the movie is seriously creative. The underground mouse city is built from old microwaves, telephone booths, washing machines, and all sorts of discarded appliances. Basically, it takes rubbish and turns it into a busy little world I actually wanted to explore. There are also plenty of references to other movies, including James Bond, Finding Nemo, and Terminator 2. Spotting them becomes a fun little game while the rats are busy trying not to get killed.

The characters are fun too, and the voice cast does a great job. Hugh Jackman and Kate Winslet work nicely together, while Ian McKellen sounds like he is having the time of his life as an overdramatic villain. But Jean Reno as Le Frog was easily the standout for me. Every line becomes ten times funnier simply because he delivers it with so much confidence. French frogs, apparently, do not believe in being subtle.

And last but definitely not least, the singing is awesome! I loved these little fellows. Every time they appeared, I knew a funny song or ridiculous sound effect was coming. They hardly needed dialogue; one look at their faces and I was already laughing. Just like the squirrel became the icon of Ice Age, these tiny slimy singers completely stole the show here. Cute? Somehow, yes.

So, did Flushed Away make my 100th movie post feel special? Yes, definitely. The story is simple, but the colourful world, great voice cast, clever movie references, and scene-stealing slugs give it plenty of personality.

I would happily recommend it to anyone who wants a light animated comedy with smart details and plenty of British humour. Most importantly, my milestone post was not flushed down the drain by a bad movie.

November 14, 2006

Draw With Me

Jimbo is back… and now in Checker’s

Backdated post. Actual event took place on 14 August 2006.

It’s time to fine dine and eat again after such a filling oyster lunch. This is the first time I met Jimbo since he got back from Aussie. He’s been busy with his workshop thing for like a week. And finally I saw him the first time before going to Thailand with him 😊.

Everybody misses Jimbo since he left Malaysia. So each time he comes back, everyone is ever excited to see him. We all supposed to meet up somewhere for dinner. So, everyone decided to stick around and hang out in Checker’s a while before going somewhere for dinner. Me and ikan was first to arrive.

Soon, the crowd started to come. Vijay, jimbo, tony, may and brian. We all sat down and we found this note “Reserved for Ganesh and friends” still lying around the table (since 2 days ago). Azli (ikan) and Jimbo took the paper and pose around and took some cute pictures.

Now that the guys have settled down with their beers, they all would just wanna sit there, eat and continue to drink. So we all eat in Checker’s. The food was a bomb! I mean I totally love it.. since the flavour is just right.. big portions and reasonable prices.

I ordered Curry Chicken (serves with bread/rice) but I manage to try a bit of everything else. May ordered Sambal Prawns (serves with bread/rice) which is totally spicy! Okay.. very much spicy. The sambal onions and prawns.. are just perfect. Both brings out sweet flavour that enhances each others flavour. Brian ordered the Roast Chili Beef (serves with bread/rice). Well, I tried this dish before. Like I say, I was amazed with how they are so creative to use fries to cook it with the beef. Totally spicy… yeah, the spicy rate I think should be almost the same as the Sambal Prawns may had.

Azli ordered the Jerks Chicken. It’s more or less like chicken chop.. but the only difference is the sauce. Right… sauce plays a different role here. It makes the whole thing tasted a lot better. Better still.. it’s not fried! Vijay ordered the Mixed Grill which have almost everything you can ever want in there. Chicken, sausage, eggs, lamb… woohoo…. perfecto! Jimbo ordered Nasi Goreng. I didn’t ordered that but the colour looks so yummy.

To me, if the colour of the food I eat dun look convincing… I would have the first impression that it sucks!
We stayed on… chit chat a little.. take some pictures more, since it’s really a rare chance to meet up with jimbo!

Checker’s Pub
Address:
No. 42, Jalan 28/70A
Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Telephone: 03. 2300 4576
Opening Hours: 6pm till late
Website: http://www.checkerspub.com/

November 13, 2006

FRIENDz-terism

Jane’s Full Moon Party

Backdated post. Actual event took place on 24 October 2006.

I think this is the first time I attended a friend’s baby full moon party .
Probably because I have not been invited to any.
But then, to begin with among my group of friends, Jane was the first to get married and now first to have a baby.

Her baby is so cute. Don’t you guys agree?
Most of my university mates attended the party, it became like a mini gathering for the adults.
Even Hsiang Lin and Meng Huey that I have not met in a long time came together.
It’s really been a while since we last catch up.

Jane had a big buffet spread outside her mother’s house.
That is really a lot of food, from lamb to chicken to pork.
She even catered food for vegetarians. How sweet of her .
The food were great, that includes the dessert.
I think the spread could match up to any 3 star hotel’s buffet.
I guess it was expected from Jane since she always knows the good food and great bargains around.

We all have a great time catching up.
Jane and the star of the day is busy.
Who can blame the host and the star, they are after all the highlight of the day.
Now, who will be the next host ?

November 10, 2006

Draw With Me

Me, My Blog and My fellow Bloggers.

Let’s get the meme rolling! I have been tagged 😁. This time from someone new, HijackQueen. Sorry for the delay in doing the meme! Kinda get caught up with work.

1. Are you happy/satisfied with your blog, with its content and look? Does your family know about your blog?
Well… I am still not very happy with my blog. Coz I seriously think there are more room for improvements. Way lots of improvement needed. Yes, I need serious help with content!! Somebody help me! I need english lessons!
Now…. my family eh… yeah, my sister knows about my blog, even my lovely cousin knows of it’s existance… now… except my parents 😀 they know nothing about velverse.

2. Do you feel embarrassed to let your friends know about your blog or you just consider it as a private thing?
Hem… well I am not embarrassed to let my friends know about my blog. Since they actually play a big part in the existance of this blog. It’s about time spent with them. Food we enjoy together. It’s basically my photo album with descriptions for me and them to look back when we grow old.
Let’s hope I live a lot more longer~

3. Did blogs cause positive changes in your thoughts?
Ermm… I would say no. It’s sorta hard to change what I think. I know, I am stubborn. But that’s what makes me still believe in what I believe… unless proven vice versa 🙂 Which means lots of convincing to do!

4. Do you only open the blogs of those who comment on your blog or you love to go and discover more by yourself?
Well, I do open up other blogs and bloghop. Just I would really keep it low, unless I find some good picture or good phrase that I can’t help to comment.

5.What does visitors counter mean to you? Do you care about putting it in your blog?
Yes, I have a counter on my blog. What does it mean… let’s see. It means, I know more and more people are reading while keeping a low profile 😉

6. Did you try to imagine your fellow bloggers and give them real pictures?
Er… nope. I wasted a lot of my imaginations and creativity in work already.

7. Admit. Do you think there is a real benefit for blogging?
Nope. Probably the oni benefit is I can remember what I have done. As far as I am concerned, I am blogging because I want to look back and know what I have done before. Cherish and keep in memory happy moments with family and friends. I am blogging because I am a free person here. No one to ban my designs. I am my own critique.

8. Do you think that bloggers society is isolated from real world or interacts with events?
Well… that really depends on individual.. I would say. Maybe last time bloggers were more isolated.. but as years go by, it’s been a hit thing. It’s like IRC those days.. when people have gatherings, meet up and mamak.

9. Does criticism annoy you or do you feel it‘s a normal thing?
It does annoy me… but well, at least I know I will learn something out of it

10. Do you fear some political blogs and avoid them?
I only read them when someone sends me link in Messengers. I don’t really bother to read. Fear… not really fear, just I think it is boring when they just talk and talk and talk!

11. Did you get shocked by the arrest of some bloggers?
Obviously. It’s shocking and make me go wondering.

12. Did you think about what will happen to your blog after you die?
What happen… lets see. Weirdly I did think about it. It will follow me to six feet under. I won’t be looking back at my happy moments when I have a bed to sleep forever and ever.

13. What do you like to hear? Whats the song you might like to put a link to in your blog?
I like to hear sad songs. Now that sorta cheer me up coz eventually there are people who is more upset than me in this world.

Who I would tag eh…. now the list is long…
1. little miss may (my tag sister… hahaha once it start, it can’t stop!)
2. L B (Yeay, from Italy with love, first time I tag you hor?)
3. ikan (like I say, get a domain)
4. Nicole (now, aren’t you glad you are my cousin?)
5. Simple American (Woo… first time I tag you too. Lovely~)
6. Winn (Yeay, liucas make it big.. you must too)

November 10, 2006

FRIENDz-terism

Ganesh is the BIG BOY of the day!

Backdated post. Actual event took place on 12 August 2006.

Ah, it’s definitely a celebrity’s birthday. You don’t recognise him? No way!
Ganesh is one of velverse’s top searches. Everyone wants a piece of him!
This was my first time celebrating Ganesh’s birthday. We gathered his friends and the ex-XM gang for a big night out.

We had a few exclusive appearances too. May casually told me; “Come meet up with some bloggers.” and here I am meeting sengkor for the first time, Jomel the second time, and may for the uncountable-th time. She only told me, Surprise! 😮

Woohoo! We partied, snapped loads of pictures and tried our best to get the birthday boy to drink, drink and drink. Of course, no birthday is complete without the wish-making, candle-blowing and cake-cutting session. Be careful what you wish for, Ganesh. If it’s more drinks you want, that’s exactly what you’ll get!

The cake came with a Flaming Lamborghini, followed by Checkers’ special “water” in tiny glasses with salt and lime.
Yeah, they call it tequila. Bored of that?
No worries, we still had Chivas with Coke!

To close the night, Ganesh made most of the guys, including me, drink neat.
I tried negotiating with lots of “NO, NO, NO!” but he fired back, “JUST A BIT, IT’S MY BIRTHDAY, IDOL!”
Okay, just for you, Idol! Happy Birthday!

November 9, 2006

Draw With Me FRIENDz-terism Project Crossroad

Project Crossroad: Dreamer

What dreams may come? I guess everyone would have at least dreamt once in their lifetime. Be it a sweet dream, or a nightmare. People like me… I call myself a dreamer. A dreamer that practically live in dreamland and tries to bring everything there to life. To the reality world… which at times is a cruel thing to do. So let’s fall asleep so we can all dream of our dreamers.

First time appearing in Project Crossroad, Jon aka. Dorry Prince did this combo gift for me. He practically combine both Prince/Princess and Dreamer thing together and mailed it to me. I failed to notice the fish at first grance… thinking the apple in the white bubble is the dream bubble thing. Looking at it the second time only makes me notice it’s actually a Dory fish outside. Nice.. but I would think it is sorta like a weird dream.

Woohoo… lots of newbie around this time. Winnie and her LiuLiu cat make a first time appearance. A cat that always daydream that someday he will be superman. Hemm… I always think cats would love to be like garfield or like “jiew choi mau” (japanese fortune cat doll). But well.. no harm dreaming the impossible. Coz impossible is nothing.

I drew something weird. Something I think of while doing sketches the other day. I actually have a few dreamer sketch but this one was picked because the meaning it brings. Well… from the graphic… my dream bubbles were actually clouds. Hehe… which makes someone else sits on my dreams.

Well… I think in real life.. we are living in other people dreams. Probably having lights at night was someone else dream last time… now we are practically living on it. Probably Internet was a dream back then.. to communicate with someone far. Ah… I think too much. Enjoy the artwork!

What is up next week?
Project theme: Clown
Project description: Yeay… someone with a red nose. Colourful hair… juggle balls around, make us laugh. Oh yes, I need a great laugh! Project deadline: 15 November 2006, Wednesday.
Submit to: mandy@velverse.com

Anyone and everyone is welcome to join. Be it good or bad… it’s just something we do for fun! Generate some cool ideas and well.. surely fill up some of our boring times 😀

November 8, 2006

My Karaoke Playlist

Can You? Will You?

Recently a fiend sent me this song, which I love and hate at the same time.
I love Landy’s sexy voice and the tune of the song, but I hate the truth in the lyrics.

Recently, there are many people who pester me with questions like “Do you have a boyfriend?”.
When you reply “No, I don’t have a boyfriend.”, they will further ask “Why you don’t have one? You must be too picky or you have high expectations.”
Sometimes I wonder, if I have a boyfriend, does it mean I am not picky?
Does that mean I don’t have high expectations?

Some of them will still try their luck and continue to say “You are so pretty and hot, how can you not have a boyfriend?”.
And sometimes it makes me wonder, what that sentence suppose to mean.
Probably it is as per the lyrics, “I love you, I was referring to your looks and body.”
There are times I wonder what is the point of someone falling in love with only others looks and body, unless they are just looking for a fling. Is that even love?

What is the point of falling for someone who thinks you are pretty and hot?
What is the point of falling for someone who doesn’t love you for who you are?
What is the point of falling for someone who loves you just because everyone except him thinks you are great?
What is the point of falling for someone who goes after you just because they make a bet with his friends?

Will he be there for me?
Will he put a smile on my face forever?
Will he wipe away all the pain that falls on me?
Will he gather every piece of light and give it all to me?
Will he ever understand?

At times, people are over caring and concerned over my relationship status. But sometimes it can be too overwhelming for me, to a point it annoys me.

In case anyone is concerned, you don’t have to email, message or ask me what happened.
I just hope people are less concerned on my “single” relationship status. Thank you.

Anyway,translations of song in pinyin and english available.

November 7, 2006

FRIENDz-terism

Crappybooze House Warming Party

Backdated post. Actual event took place on 04 November 2006.

Today was my fellow VVIP Brian’s House Warming Party.
Yeay! I finally get to visit his house 😆.
Since it was my first time, I was pretty excited so I decided to leave home early to see if there is anything I could help out with; but my excitement was quickly washed down the traffic jam.

Still, I am an hour early.
I finally arrived at his house at Kota Kemuning.
It is quite hard to miss, since it was the only house with a big white canopy outside.

Brian gave me a little tour to his beautifully designed house.
To my surprise, Kean Tat flew all they way from Singapore to attend the house warming party.
Two of his masterpieces were gifted to Brian as house warming gift.
I personally think the two painting 🖼️ was fabulous.
One in red and another one in black and white.
While my pictures didn’t do justice to any one of his artwork, trust me when I said it was amazing.
They were the main soul and attraction to the house.

I then spend some time chit chatting with Kean Tat while helping out in the kitchen.
Without us realizing, more and more familiar faces pops up.
Yes, this is surely another gathering.

Brian’s colleagues also joined in the fun.
And the best surprise was my fellow VVIP, Jon brought his girlfriend, June along.
This is the very first time we finally get to met her.
Jon was so shy when everyone teased and asked how he met June.

November 6, 2006

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