Way before Avril Lavigne, Michelle Branch, Lindsay Lohan or any of those teen rockers wore bras, I listened to Alanis Morissette's debut album - Jagged Little Pill. I don't know what prompted it, but while my classmates were listening to Backstreet Boys and 911 (remember them?), I went out and bought her original cassette (remember those?). I think it might have something to do with a British pop magazine called Smash Hits, but I can't really be sure. I was around 11 or 12 that time, and I barely had any teen angst or rock infatuation to satisfy, so I really can't justify my purchase.
At any rate, I listened to it and sang along to some of the better songs (You Oughta Know, You Learn, Head Over Feet, and Ironic). I did find myself disliking some of the other rock-heavy songs but otherwise, it was a pretty good album. Well, my purchase, along with 29,999,999 others helped make Jagged Little Pill the biggest-selling album by a female artist in history. Way to go, girl! Anyway, I've pretty much forgotten about my childhood rock experience, until I saw it in a music store. 'It' as in the acoustic version of Jagged Little Pill. It is meant to mark the 10 year anniversary of the album, which is probably longer than many marriages today. She completely resung all songs, and as I flipped the CD around, childhood memories came swimming to me again when I scanned through the track list. I felt an urge to buy it, to relieve a small part of my younger days, and to scream along with her. But I quelled my sensibilities, and placed the CD back on the shelf.
I then went home and downloaded it off BitTorrent.
One night later, and voila! I'm listening to Alanis once again this morning. I love the acoustic theme as it definitely mellows things down. This essentially makes all the tracks more bearable. It is also obvious Alanis' voice has matured (a better word than 'older') and she shows some restraints in the screaming parts and comes off sounding better to me. Her trademark voice is still there, so she still maintains her uniqueness without drowning in a sea of Avrils and Lindsays. Who, incidently, is still not wearing bras.
31 August 2005
30 August 2005
Red Eye Traffic
I met WC for lunch and movie today. WC is a relatively new friend as I only got to know him well this year, but looking back we discovered that we attended the same primary school. He claimed that he found my face familiar, but I doubt that as I defintely don't find him familiar. Sigh, me and my bad memory.
We went to Gurney Plaza (my 5th time in 3 weeks) and ate at the new Korean buffet BBQ restaurant. I saw this on my first visit but didn't get a suitable time to come here till now. The price is part of the reason - it's RM19.99++ for lunch, while there are student packages at RM13.99++. Of course we went for the student package, but unknowingly there were a few hidden charges. First, we have to pay RM3.99 for free-flow drinks, and another RM4 for the unlimited soup base. They are both optional, but it would be tough not having anything to drink. Plus, having the soup base effectively makes it a BBQ Steamboat combo. So after tax, WC and I had to shell out RM23 per person.
There are a few places outside with this buffet BBQ steamboat setup, and it costs only RM15-16 nett per person. But the difference is apparent as the Korean BBQ joint had more choices of meat and seafood, more dessert types (including ice-cream!), and well, just more of everything! While it is OK for students, it's way too expensive if you have to pay regularly. If you go for dinner there, it can cost around RM40 per person! I had quite a lot, but not a LOT, if you know what I mean. WC was an even smaller eater, so he stopped earlier. I'm quite satisfied with it, but unhappy with the 'hidden charges'.
We then walked around Gurney for 1.5 hours and talked crap while buying nothing. It was thoroughly a waste of productive time, but I guess it's good training for my future dating endeavours. At 3.45pm we entered GSC to watch 'Red Eye', which I've heard good reviews about. Of course, there were some mediocre ones but I decided to trust the Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It is rare for a Wes Craven thriller to get an 82% approval rating, so I had high expectations for it.
And I was a little disappointed. I wasn't as tensed up as I should have, and contrary to prior assumptions, only 60% of the movie happens on the plane. And of course, there was nothing to make us think of the ending as a live-or-die situation. It's not a bad movie, but occassionally uneven. I even think the censors snipped off a small part, though I can't tell which.
After the movie, I sent WC to Prangin Mall as he wanted to chill out some more. It is practically on the other side of town but I am going to get stuck in rush-hour traffic anyway, so I did him the favour. I'm glad my air-con held up during the drive home, as it was quite a long queue. I felt a little thirsty but kept my cool till the end. I feel fine as I'm quite glad to be leaving all this behind in 3 days time.
And oh yeah, Malaysia turns 48 tomorrow. Dad has hinted he wanted to head down to Esplanade for the countdown, but I'm adamant about not going. There's seriously no point! I'd rather spend the time watching a movie with him, even if it's Bewitched all over again.
We went to Gurney Plaza (my 5th time in 3 weeks) and ate at the new Korean buffet BBQ restaurant. I saw this on my first visit but didn't get a suitable time to come here till now. The price is part of the reason - it's RM19.99++ for lunch, while there are student packages at RM13.99++. Of course we went for the student package, but unknowingly there were a few hidden charges. First, we have to pay RM3.99 for free-flow drinks, and another RM4 for the unlimited soup base. They are both optional, but it would be tough not having anything to drink. Plus, having the soup base effectively makes it a BBQ Steamboat combo. So after tax, WC and I had to shell out RM23 per person.
There are a few places outside with this buffet BBQ steamboat setup, and it costs only RM15-16 nett per person. But the difference is apparent as the Korean BBQ joint had more choices of meat and seafood, more dessert types (including ice-cream!), and well, just more of everything! While it is OK for students, it's way too expensive if you have to pay regularly. If you go for dinner there, it can cost around RM40 per person! I had quite a lot, but not a LOT, if you know what I mean. WC was an even smaller eater, so he stopped earlier. I'm quite satisfied with it, but unhappy with the 'hidden charges'.
We then walked around Gurney for 1.5 hours and talked crap while buying nothing. It was thoroughly a waste of productive time, but I guess it's good training for my future dating endeavours. At 3.45pm we entered GSC to watch 'Red Eye', which I've heard good reviews about. Of course, there were some mediocre ones but I decided to trust the Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It is rare for a Wes Craven thriller to get an 82% approval rating, so I had high expectations for it.
And I was a little disappointed. I wasn't as tensed up as I should have, and contrary to prior assumptions, only 60% of the movie happens on the plane. And of course, there was nothing to make us think of the ending as a live-or-die situation. It's not a bad movie, but occassionally uneven. I even think the censors snipped off a small part, though I can't tell which.
After the movie, I sent WC to Prangin Mall as he wanted to chill out some more. It is practically on the other side of town but I am going to get stuck in rush-hour traffic anyway, so I did him the favour. I'm glad my air-con held up during the drive home, as it was quite a long queue. I felt a little thirsty but kept my cool till the end. I feel fine as I'm quite glad to be leaving all this behind in 3 days time.
And oh yeah, Malaysia turns 48 tomorrow. Dad has hinted he wanted to head down to Esplanade for the countdown, but I'm adamant about not going. There's seriously no point! I'd rather spend the time watching a movie with him, even if it's Bewitched all over again.
29 August 2005
Blinding Flashes of the Obvious Part 1
Every year, billions of dollars are spent worldwide on research. Scientists make use of public and private funds to test a hypothesis and then publish their results in journals and white papers. Researches have helped to shed light on many interesting things and progresses human kind. However, a lot of them are also stupid and worthless. Not to mention that they are Blinding Flashes of the Obvious.
For example, a few days back I read a study that said unemployment increases stress.
Er, hello? I can, like, tell you that without having to interview retrenched workers.
Today's The Sun newspaper had a couple of BFotO researches:
In other weird news as reported by The Sun, 29/8/2005:
Hmm, I loved doing this post. I'll definitely do it again in the future. Stay tuned for the next episode of... Blinding Flashes of the Obvious.
For example, a few days back I read a study that said unemployment increases stress.
Er, hello? I can, like, tell you that without having to interview retrenched workers.
Today's The Sun newspaper had a couple of BFotO researches:
- "Men and women who describe themselves as nervous or anxious seem to be more likely than their calmer counterparts to be hospitalised at some point for a suicide attempt, according to a study involving adults in Sweden."
- "Occupational exposure to substances that trigger asthma can affect the severity of the disease, according to a report from France."
In other weird news as reported by The Sun, 29/8/2005:
- World's first toilet college: Set up by the World Toilet Organization, this college aims to improve the lavatory washing skills of cleaners. Zemien says that you better not diss toilet cleaners from now on - he or she may have a degree while you don't.
- PAS blames police for trouble: Regarding the ruckus in Kuala Nerus, Terrenganu PAS commissioner Datuk Mustafa Ali said, "Police action was the cause of the disturbance. Police were not friendly as stated in their slogan." Zemien agrees, and says that police should now ask, "Can I arrest you now? Please?" before handcuffing suspected terrorists.
Hmm, I loved doing this post. I'll definitely do it again in the future. Stay tuned for the next episode of... Blinding Flashes of the Obvious.
Why I Don't Do Lunches Part 2
This is an unexpected sequel to the original post.
I was to meet Dad for lunch after running some errands for him. He asked me to drive his Peugeot 406 to pick him up as he complained that my car's air con is not cold. I am more than willing to, so at 12pm I drove in to his office.
He took the wheels and picked up two more of his acquaintences, one a remisier and another a banker. We had lunch at an old coffee shop in town, and just as we left it started raining heavily. It has been a cloudy and rainy weekend, and I'm quite thankful for the cooling effect it has on the temperature. At any rate, we headed back to the bank where my father's friend worked coz he had some banking to do. He parked at a nearby parking lot, and he completed his things.
We (Dad, his other friend, and I) went back to our car. It was still drizzling then, so the three of us huddled under a single large umbrella. We went in the car and Dad started the engine. Well, at least, he *tried*. All the car gave was a heaving puff before dying. The car won't start.
In the middle of the rain.
Dad called on his banker friend to drive his car around to jump start the battery as a dead battery is usually the problem. But it isn't, as now the car didn't even bother to heave and puff even with the battery wired up. With things looking bleaker (both figuratively and literally), Dad called on his mechanic. The mechanic was still having lunch so we had to wait in a nearby coffeeshop till 3pm. In the meantime, the banker sent the remisier back to his office as the stock market is about to resume. To keep myself occupied I read today's copy of The Sun from cover to cover while Dad planned the rescue operation. Even in that state of distress, I managed to spot a few interesting things in The Sun, and I'll write about that in the next post.
Anyway, the final plan was to ask his banker friend to take him back to his office, where he'll drive the company car and pick up the mechanic. He did that, and after looking through the engine, the mechanic deduced that it is probably caused by a faulty starter. This happened before, and there is no choice but to tow the car back to the workshop. Dad then sent me back home, and by the time I entered my room it was almost 4pm. The Peugeot is probably still at the parking lot right now.
Dad must be pretty frustrated right now at the recent turn of events, but he remained quite calm with me (but not the mechanic). For my part, I didn't pester my father and just went along with what he said. I kept very quiet and just tried to read the newspaper, never once offering my opinion of what he should do. In hindsight, it was quite good that it rained. Although I got slightly soaked, I prefer being soaked with rain than soaked with sweat, which is what might happen if it were a sunny afternoon.
I was to meet Dad for lunch after running some errands for him. He asked me to drive his Peugeot 406 to pick him up as he complained that my car's air con is not cold. I am more than willing to, so at 12pm I drove in to his office.
He took the wheels and picked up two more of his acquaintences, one a remisier and another a banker. We had lunch at an old coffee shop in town, and just as we left it started raining heavily. It has been a cloudy and rainy weekend, and I'm quite thankful for the cooling effect it has on the temperature. At any rate, we headed back to the bank where my father's friend worked coz he had some banking to do. He parked at a nearby parking lot, and he completed his things.
We (Dad, his other friend, and I) went back to our car. It was still drizzling then, so the three of us huddled under a single large umbrella. We went in the car and Dad started the engine. Well, at least, he *tried*. All the car gave was a heaving puff before dying. The car won't start.
In the middle of the rain.
Dad called on his banker friend to drive his car around to jump start the battery as a dead battery is usually the problem. But it isn't, as now the car didn't even bother to heave and puff even with the battery wired up. With things looking bleaker (both figuratively and literally), Dad called on his mechanic. The mechanic was still having lunch so we had to wait in a nearby coffeeshop till 3pm. In the meantime, the banker sent the remisier back to his office as the stock market is about to resume. To keep myself occupied I read today's copy of The Sun from cover to cover while Dad planned the rescue operation. Even in that state of distress, I managed to spot a few interesting things in The Sun, and I'll write about that in the next post.
Anyway, the final plan was to ask his banker friend to take him back to his office, where he'll drive the company car and pick up the mechanic. He did that, and after looking through the engine, the mechanic deduced that it is probably caused by a faulty starter. This happened before, and there is no choice but to tow the car back to the workshop. Dad then sent me back home, and by the time I entered my room it was almost 4pm. The Peugeot is probably still at the parking lot right now.
Dad must be pretty frustrated right now at the recent turn of events, but he remained quite calm with me (but not the mechanic). For my part, I didn't pester my father and just went along with what he said. I kept very quiet and just tried to read the newspaper, never once offering my opinion of what he should do. In hindsight, it was quite good that it rained. Although I got slightly soaked, I prefer being soaked with rain than soaked with sweat, which is what might happen if it were a sunny afternoon.
28 August 2005
Forbidden Food
I went to see my Buddhist friends at Dhammikarama Burmese Temple today. I've been quite disconnected with them as it's been long since I went there, but it's good to see them doing well. KJ's mother even baked brownies for us! I had 3 pieces of the strong and thick cake. Now, for those who know me well will be shocked (and I mean SHOCKED) that I ate chocolate cake. This is because I'm very succeptible to sore throats, so I usually avoid the Three C's. And what are they?
Zemien's 3 C's:
It's quite difficult to avoid those foods, so I keep myself in check by establishing a weekly quota. In a single week, I can only have three instances of the 3 C's. I'll be inviting trouble if I exceed. I usually extend this quota to deep fried food as well, like KFC or other spicy food.
I still have curry now and then, but I cannot, and I *swear*, I cannot remember the last time I had chocolate and coffee. I think the last time I had Milo, which is only a mild chocolate, was over 8 months ago! And don't even get me started on coffee. I used to love iced coffee but my sore throats changed all that. Now I get my caffeine from tea.
Anyway, after that I went with Dad and some of his friends to the Tzu Chi Merit Society's food fair. Tzu Chi is a freakingly huge Buddhist association from Taiwan, and they organize a lot of programmes that help people. One of their commendable projects is the dialysis centre that provides free or subsidized treatments to diabetics. Plus, they have a lot of spirited and dedicated supporters who pour in money and time. Unlike most fund-raisers that donate the proceeds of the event, Tzu Chi fund-raisers usually donate every cent collected. That means the cost of preparing the food is borne entirely by supporters. That's just impressive.
Zemien's 3 C's:
- Curry
- Chocolate
- Coffee
It's quite difficult to avoid those foods, so I keep myself in check by establishing a weekly quota. In a single week, I can only have three instances of the 3 C's. I'll be inviting trouble if I exceed. I usually extend this quota to deep fried food as well, like KFC or other spicy food.
I still have curry now and then, but I cannot, and I *swear*, I cannot remember the last time I had chocolate and coffee. I think the last time I had Milo, which is only a mild chocolate, was over 8 months ago! And don't even get me started on coffee. I used to love iced coffee but my sore throats changed all that. Now I get my caffeine from tea.
Anyway, after that I went with Dad and some of his friends to the Tzu Chi Merit Society's food fair. Tzu Chi is a freakingly huge Buddhist association from Taiwan, and they organize a lot of programmes that help people. One of their commendable projects is the dialysis centre that provides free or subsidized treatments to diabetics. Plus, they have a lot of spirited and dedicated supporters who pour in money and time. Unlike most fund-raisers that donate the proceeds of the event, Tzu Chi fund-raisers usually donate every cent collected. That means the cost of preparing the food is borne entirely by supporters. That's just impressive.
A Familiar Face
Dad and I had dinner at All Right, a western food place at the junction of Burmah Road and Jones Road. It is hands down one of the best western food stores. Their grilled salmon tastes great at only RM13. I had braised lamb shank, which was equally good, at RM13.50. Their soups are also one-of-a-kind.
We then went over to Gurney Plaza. Though the hottest mall in Penang now, I'm getting a bit tired of it since I've already been here 4 times for the past 2 weeks. But Dad wanted to check out some cameras at the Photo Fest so I tagged along anyway. We stopped by the Fuji booths and one of their sales guy came up to us and peddled Fuji's latest cameras. He was mostly talking to Dad as I stepped aside, but I kept exchanging glances with the salesguy, and he did the same. After about 2 minutes of looking at their cameras, he asked me, "Did you go to St. Xaviers?"
I was slightly taken aback. Do I know him? I replied that I did go to St. Xaviers primary school, and he said he remembered me. I looked at him a bit longer but I couldn't put a name to his face. In fact, I don't even recall his face! But we did chat a bit and apparently we were in the same class during primary. I asked for his name, but I couldn't hear it over the blabber of the huge crowd. We talked a little more about what we were doing currently and then I parted ways. We didn't exchange contact information, and I am wondering, should I have? I doubt there would be much to talk about anyway, especially since I don't remember him.
But I'm glad that I made a lasting impression on someone, enough to make him remember me after 8 years. Would I be able to do the same for my old friends? I hope so - it's the least I could do.
We then went over to Gurney Plaza. Though the hottest mall in Penang now, I'm getting a bit tired of it since I've already been here 4 times for the past 2 weeks. But Dad wanted to check out some cameras at the Photo Fest so I tagged along anyway. We stopped by the Fuji booths and one of their sales guy came up to us and peddled Fuji's latest cameras. He was mostly talking to Dad as I stepped aside, but I kept exchanging glances with the salesguy, and he did the same. After about 2 minutes of looking at their cameras, he asked me, "Did you go to St. Xaviers?"
I was slightly taken aback. Do I know him? I replied that I did go to St. Xaviers primary school, and he said he remembered me. I looked at him a bit longer but I couldn't put a name to his face. In fact, I don't even recall his face! But we did chat a bit and apparently we were in the same class during primary. I asked for his name, but I couldn't hear it over the blabber of the huge crowd. We talked a little more about what we were doing currently and then I parted ways. We didn't exchange contact information, and I am wondering, should I have? I doubt there would be much to talk about anyway, especially since I don't remember him.
But I'm glad that I made a lasting impression on someone, enough to make him remember me after 8 years. Would I be able to do the same for my old friends? I hope so - it's the least I could do.
27 August 2005
Thankful
Some of my old classmates have gained entry into Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). There are disputes pertaining to USM's correct English name, so I'll just stick with USM. Anyway, I asked them to take me on a tour around campus. It occupies a really large area so I thought there must be plenty to see. However, the tour lasted around 10 minutes of me driving around and them pointing our their lecture halls, library, hostel blocks, sports hall, swimming pool, etc. It might have lasted more than 10 minutes, I dunno, as I was frantically trying to listen to them while trying not to kill pedestrians. This ain't GTA, ya know!
I went into one of their rooms. It happened to be a very, very old block (Aman Damai) and it was quite an eye sore. Worse, the furniture inside the room is badly used and reeks of ancientness. Lighting is dim, and ventilation is provided by a small ceiling fan. At this point, I am eternally thankful for:
But I believe the newer blocks are much much better.
I went into one of their rooms. It happened to be a very, very old block (Aman Damai) and it was quite an eye sore. Worse, the furniture inside the room is badly used and reeks of ancientness. Lighting is dim, and ventilation is provided by a small ceiling fan. At this point, I am eternally thankful for:
- being able to choose my own room and roommate
- having decent furniture in my room
- a common bathroom big enough without having to cramp
But I believe the newer blocks are much much better.
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