Thursday, July 31, 2008

Back to school

Sorry i've not been posting lately. The new semester has been keeping me busy with applying for this and paying for that and buying this and registering for that. So everytime I return home i'm already exhausted from all the hassle. Furthermore I haven't any internet connection at the new place i'm staying. I'm currently staying with relatives in SS23. But fret not, the process of applying for streamyx is already underway. And i've more or less payed up my fees and registered for the subjects i'm taking this semester. I am however considering whether or not I should take less or the same amount of subjects as the previous semester since I did not achieve desirable results last semester. But anyhow, i've two weeks till the adding/dropping of subjects is prohibited.

For now, I may be posting less often until i've received the goodness that is the internet connection.


Stay tuned for more.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

The Premier

I present to you, "Distinctly Penang". Exclusively on just-in-me.blogspot.com



Thank you for watching. Your comments are deeply appreciated.

Click here for the YouTube page.

Stay tuned for more.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

It's a wrap!

After 2 whole weeks of on-location filming and production, i've finally completed producing my new short video.

So, get hold of your ticket and be prepared for tomorrow's premier of:



Stay tuned for more.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Coming Soon

+ Hancock


I know it got released like forever ago, but I only managed to catch it yesterday night. I tend to ramble too much in my opinions, so i'm gonna cut this one short.

4 Things I Realised From Watching Hancock
1. Superheroes can stick a bad guy's head up another's ass.
2. Will Smith is kick-ass as an indifferent superhero.
3. When someone calls you an asshole, you ARE allowed to whoop their ass.
and
4. I love Charlize Theron

To sum it up, Hancock was better than I expected and now I know why it is this summer's blockbuster!



On a seperate note, my holidays are coming to a close as semester 3 looms just days ahead. So, be prepared for the premier of:
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Stay tuned for more.

Friday, July 18, 2008

A New Cult

I am noticing a trend amongst my friends which has been surfacing lately. Friends of all sizes, tall, short, fat, skinny, are beginning to join a seemingly popular cult. One which not only empties your pockets but it also robs you of your time and saps your energy. The GYM.

I have approximately nine to ten friends who have willingly sacrificed their precious time, moolah and strength and in return, they attain physical fitness. Using the gym no doubt contributes to a healthier life as long as you routinely go there and utilize the equiptments appropriately. The most obvious objective for gym-goers, is to attain a fit bod by losing weight and building body mass. Who doesn't desire that? But it's not that simple. There are things that one must consider before enrolling into a fitness center.

Time is one of the factors which has to be considered. Do you have sufficient time to spare for gym? Being a student, it is often more difficult to set aside ample time for gym when assignments and tasks are consistently flooding your schedule. Other than that, you need time to study, run errands and have a social life. Although, some courses have a lighter workload and thus time does not pose as a problem.

The other issue is Money. I assume people who are already 'gym-ing' are less likely to consider money as an obstacle. But how much are you really willing to spend on a gym membership? But then again, the membership fee is not the only thing to think about. Parking fees, gas for your car and/or transportation to get to the gym must all be taken into account.

In my case, I believe I wouldn't be able to fully utilize the exercise center while being an architecture student. Assignments are already reeking hell in my daily schedule. Sometimes I don't even have time to sleep, let alone working out in the gym. In addition, I think that the fees are quite high...affordable, but still quite high. However, occasionally I do give some thought into being a member of the cult. Maybe i'll only join when i'm earning myself enough greens. What do you think?



Stay tuned for more.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Reminiscing

Today I hung out with Yi Min, Wei Hong and Prashant, my high school mates. I haven't seen Yi Min and Prashant probably since my high school days about 3 years ago. I occasionally see Wei Hong but it's also been forever since we really went out. It was very much a blast from the past reminiscing and rekindling the good ol' high school days. We talked and discussed about what we've been up to lately and what our other friends are doing and pretty much every scrap of news we've been hearing about other schoolmates.

Most of the news were very surprising to me. Alot has been happening here lately that I didn't even know. High school friends were leaving the country left and right and just so many things are different since my high school days. I find it a little bit awkward when meeting with people you haven't seen in ages. You come to notice how much you've drifted apart and how things have changed so much. Not that i'm saying change is bad coz' change is indeed the only constant. But safe to say we still clicked after all these years.


+ The Dark Knight

I haven't watched all of the Batman films but enough to more or less know the story line. By far, this one has got to be the most intense, dramatic and darkest Batman movie. The whole package just worked. You have the fantastic (and possibly award winning) performance by the late Heath Ledger as the terrifyingly deranged villain who just simply oozes evilness. Then there is the setting: Gotham city and Hong Kong which really suited the dark and moody atmosphere throughout the flick. The music was by James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer...need I say more? And Maggie Gyllenhaal replaced Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes...UPgrade!


I know the buzz around this film is surrounding Heath Ledger's gripping performance. Yes it indeed is fantastic as he practically disappeared into the role he was made for. He does deserve an award for his scary-ass chilling performance. However also watch out for Christian Bale's. He too did a fantastic job executing his role. Infact, everyone was so good in this movie which will leave you glued to your seat. Just go watch it and you'll get it.

Stay tuned for more.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

My New Toy

+ The Nanny Diaries


This movie was released in theaters in the US over half a year ago! And it only managed to hack it's way here just this month. How sad is that? But anyways, i've already watched it. I've got to say I like this movie. The plot which exposes and exaggerates the lives of the upper east siders in New York is indeed refreshing. And the manner in which the story is narrated too is interesting. Scarlett Johansson along with Chris Evans had very charming roles which won me over. They seemed like a perfect match onscreen. Alicia Keys too had a very strong presence, maybe it's due to her soothing deep soothing voice...if only her role was expanded. Laura Linney played her role to perfection as Mrs. X, the chilly-bitch, attention seeking wife who neglects her child, while Paul Giamatti, Mr. X, the work obsessed, horny, cheating husband who pays little if no attention to his family, also did an excellent job. This movie is one of those feel good movie which warms the heart and provides some humour on the way.


+ Journey to the Center of the Earth


When I first heard of the movie, I wasn't expecting much from it. Just the movie title alone was enough to deter me from ever watching it. Onto the movie itself, the whole story was bizzare, the plot was illogical and pretty much everything left me in disbelief. But inspite of it all, I liked it! It's quite obvious this movie is fictional and that's the basis of it. Everything was out of this world and just amazing. This movie is not at all about knowing how or why or what. Just sit back and enjoy the spectacular CGI effects. I think it would be better had I seen the 3D version at Midvalley. And I hope one day Disney or Universal or something creates a virtual theme park ride based on this movie. Now THAT would be cool!



Anyways, i've already managed to replace my old Olympus camera which has broken down. After much tedious work done on researching and comparing digital cameras in terms of their specifications and most importantly, it's price, I settled on


- the Canon Ixus 85IS


I encountered major drama when purchasing the item. All went well at first until I realised the camera I had just purchased had a 'dead pixel' on it. Sucks doesn't it? So I had to return to the shop and demand from them that they replace the camera. They said they have to send it to KL to get it checked and everything. That process took like a week which seemed FOREVER and finally they said that the problem with the camera was due to some 'software problem' and that they were able to rectify the problem. So after about 2 and a half weeks of hassling with Canon, I finally got what my mother calls my new toy!

Stay tuned for more.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

The Skinny of it

- Hedi Slimane


Hedi Slimane may be credited as the person who's faux-hawk hairstyle inspired David Beckham to adopt one which was then popularised. But it was his stint at Christian Dior which was one of the defining moments in his life which catapaulted him into fashion stardom with his very own 'Slimane Look'. He was the guy who rejuvenated Dior with the launch of Dior Homme. His intervention with Dior saw the birth of a more slimmed-down look. The fit of the clothes were of utmost importance. They were designed for the leaner, skinnier man.

I've been told time and again by family and most of my friends *points finger at everyone I know* that I am skinny. Legs are supposedly the hardest place to add mass. So owning a pale pair of peg-looking legs were not unusual. However, my pair of 'chicken legs' became a source of mild embarassment to me back in high school. Thus earlier in my life, I would usually cover up my hairy pair of chopsticks by wearing baggy jeans, khakis and loose cargo pants. I figured that they would give the illusion of bulkiness which I absolutely lack.

But then suddenly, something happened. Hedi Slimane was at the helm of Dior which gave way to the slimmer, leaner look I mentioned. People all around the world were embracing this sharp, fitted look with a punk edge. It was a phenomenon. Thinness suddenly became the 'in' thing. Even celebs dove into the look. Pete Dorethy's pair of toothpick-thin legs got him to shag supermodel Kate Moss. Jude Law suddenly sported skinny jeans. And punk rock bands such as Fall Out Boy were also very into the narrow look.

I may have shunned the anaeroxic look at first. Swearing off skinny jeans, and avoiding tight fitting clothes. But just about a year and a half ago, I decided to be bold and try to experiment. I bought my first-ever pair of skinny jeans and slapped them on. My friends said I looked just fine but some still criticized my lamp post-like figure. But the truth is, my wearing slim cut clothes had a deeper meaning than just fashion. On some level, I was acknowledging my skininess. Accepting what god has given me. I was finally embracing every bony crevice of my spindly legs. It felt liberating as I no longer had to camouflage them everytime I step out of the house. It was as though I was flaunting them now. I also begun to change my style and buy more fitted clothes which would do justice to my tiny figure.

Hedi Slimane left Dior a year ago. And as for now, the skinny phase is already blowing over. The bulky look is again taking over. But you know what, screw that. I'm not for one to follow fashions. I say wear what you look good in and be bold to experiment. If the slimmed-down look suits you, by all means go for it. If you're on the hefty side, steer clear of it.

Here's Hedi Slimane for Dior's Fall 2005 collection which has a rock inspired look. It still features what Slimane is famous for: drain-pipe trousers which hug the legs very much like skinny jeans. Personally, I like the first and third look the most.












Stay tuned for more.

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

I (Totaly) Heart Penang

So, Penang.....it has picturesque beaches, the 6th tallest building in Malaysia, great hawker food, beautiful historic architecture and a very colourful and rich history including it being the first town in the Federation of Malaya to become a city declared by Queen Elizabeth. What more does it need? Here's another reason to love Penang: Georgetown, Penang together with Malacca has been inscribed into UNESCO's World Heritage Site! Click here.

Does that mean i'm sitting on a world heritage site as of this moment?! And since my house is technically under the Georgetown area, do I sleep on a UNESCO world heritage site?!?! That's AWESOME!

And get this, the core areas that make up the historical sites in Georgetown include the Lebuh Acheh historical enclave and sites such as the Lebuh Acheh Malay Mosque, Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Kling Mosque, the Goddess of Mercy Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple, KHOO KONGSI, St George’s Church, Assumption Church, ST. XAVIERS INSTITUTION (put that in your pipe and smoke it, PFS!!!), Convent Light Street, Little India, the museum and court building, the commercial area of Beach Street, Fort Cornwallis, Esplanade, City Hall, the clan jetties and the port areas.

Penangites out there, what do YOU think about that?

The eight new areas inscribed into the World Heritage Site list include:

1 ) Melaka and George Town, historic cities of the Straits of Malacca (Malaysia)
2 ) Kuk Early Agricultural Site (Papua New Guinea)
3 ) Stari Grad Plain (Croatia)
4 ) Fortifications of Vauban (France)
5 ) Berlin Modernism Housing Estates (Germany)
6 ) Mantua and Sabbioneta (Italy)
7 ) San Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano (San Marino)
8 ) The Wooden Churches of the Slovak part of Carpathian Mountain Area (Slovakia)

Click here for the UNESCO site.



- Penang rocks...seriously!
Photo courtesy of ITCH


Stay tuned for more.

Friday, July 04, 2008

Ride this way

Ever since I encountered that little nasty cycling incident, I decided to more or less change my cycling route to a safer one. I used to cycle along Gurney drive and Kelawei road but I noticed the latter is busier and packed with cars going at faster speeds which makes it less safe. So now, i'm confining myself to Gurney drive only.

+ Watch this!



In this video, I attached a camera to the front of my bicycle and just started cycling the length of Gurney drive from one end to the other. It was kinda lengthy so I decided to speed it up and I thought it seemed more interesting. Hope you found it amusing too.

Stay tuned for more.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Improv

Too bored with your life?

Wanna do something exciting?

Got singing and/or dancing talent? Wanna cause a big scene in public? Here's something you can do: