NEW YEAR'S EVE 2012

It's currently 10.27 p.m. on New Year's Eve and as I type this entry, I am :

i. listening to Sheila Majid's Malam Ku Bermimpi.
ii. drinking my tea and smoking my cigarette.
ii. hearing the sound of tiny raindrops on the rooftop .
iv. replying text messages from those who still remember me.
v. checking my facebook for new notifications (seems like there is none).
vi. reading my friends' blogs.
vii. talking to my Mum who is watching Chef Bruce Lim cooking up a storm on 'The Boss'.
viii. stroking my cats and watching them groom themselves.
ix. thinking about my loved ones.
x. getting ready for bed.

Goodnight, everyone. Sleep tight and here's hoping that tomorrow is going to be a better day for all of us.

2011 ROUND-UP (2009 AND 2010 RECYCLED)

Any great achievements for me? NO. Any extraordinary happenings? NO. Any exciting changes in my lifestyle? Definitely NO. Everything came and went like the previous years. Am I happy? YES. To some, it can be quite strange how a person can be happy and content when not much has happened to him or her. Yeah but that's me. I'm comfortably cocooned in my life at the moment that I don't think I want anything changed (unless it's for the better). At least, not yet. I'm sure that something is bound to happen sooner and later and I'll be shocked out of my pants when that happens. Till then, I'm going to enjoy the routine that I've created for the past couple of years and if there are going to be any changes, I hope they will be gradual. Some of my friends have commented on my laid-back attitude and I can only agree with them. After all, what is there to argue when everything that they say is true? Still, it doesn't mean that I don't work hard or put in any effort at all. I do but I don't think I'll be increasing the quota for my effort any time soon. Even then, I would say that what I've done is definitely much more than that done by some of my colleagues and friends. So how about that?

p/s This entry is recycled for the second time just like I predicted.

ADELE - TALENT VERSUS BODY IMAGE

It seems like everyone is into Adele nowadays. Gifted with a soulful voice, she reminds me so much of Alison Moyet (of Yazoo before she went solo), Helen Terry (backing vocalist for Culture Club in the 80s) and a few other big-boned female singers. All of them are/were, coincidentally, big girls with big voices. Adele has it much easier than the other singers though. Critiques and fans alike are much more interested in her talent and artistry rather than her size (that's the way it should be anyway). Alison Moyet and the rest are not as lucky. Despite their huge talent, they never got as big as Adele (no pun intended on both accounts). I am not sure whether the recording industry, media and fans nowadays are less concerned about how a singer should look like since Adele's newest album '21' is very well-received globally. It has also managed to garner several prestigious awards. A few full-figured female singers had to shed their weight in order to look sexier and more appealing to the public. Just look at Jennifer Hudson and Toni Braxton. They started as singers who depended on their voices and not their images. It was not long after their first albums that both of them began to flaunt their new sexier and slender bodies. Toni Braxton totally took it to the other extreme when she started to dress in very revealing clothes that left almost nothing to the imagination. Ann Wilson (of Heart) once had to have mostly facial shots and wear dark clothing for the group's music videos due to her constantly ballooning figure. Debora Iyall (of Romeo Void) is a brilliant songwriter and yet during the group's heyday, she was discriminated and asked to lose weight. Most swimsuit models need to be physically toned and trim in order to sell the products but real singers whose asset lies within their vocal cords should not be too obsessed to look picture perfect. Kudos to all female singers who fight for their art without looking like tarts.

Adele

Ann Wilson

Debora Iyall

Alison Moyet

Helen Terry

p/s Beauty passes but wisdom remains.

CUSTOMER DISSERVICE

I used to love window shopping very much and up until now, I still enjoy going from shop to shop during my free time. There is something about being in a shop and browsing through the shelves or racks displaying the goods that excites me (it's like having a sugar rush!). Unfortunately and sadly, that feeling is slowly diminishing due to certain incidents that I have recently experienced. FYI, I usually don't like to make rushed decisions and when I decide to buy something I really like, I will usually ask a lot of questions and scrutinise the goods until I am totally satisfied. After all, I am going to spend a certain amount of money on something that I will probably keep forever. The problem is quite a number of shopkeepers and salespeople (especially the younger ones) whom I've met lately are not what I expect them to be. Some of them are downright rude and arrogant. Others act as if providing services to customers and giving explanations to them is a big favour they bestow on whomever they fancy and definitely not part of their responsibilities. Situations like these definitely make me want to pull a 'Julia Roberts' in that unforgettable 'Pretty Woman' shopping scene. After she was snubbed by two snotty saleswomen working in a posh boutique, she went back there later to tell them how much commission they had lost simply because they did not want to wait on her. That will teach anyone that all customers should be treated equally and respectfully. I have seen a few businesses in my hometown crumble due to lack of courtesy and proper service. When I walk into a shop, I don't expect to be treated like royalty (it wouldn't hurt me one bit if I were given such treatment though). I don't demand red carpet service and I don't require 24-hour assistance. I want to be treated like a potential customer who will be parting with his hard-earned cash to feed the proprietor, his family, his staff and his pets. More importantly, I want to be treated like a human being. Not like a doormat. Is that too much to ask? A good friend of mine will undoubtedly make a scene if he is given such a shoddy service. There have been a few times when he raised his voice so other customers and passers-by would hear him. He would start asking for the manager or the owner of the business before giving him an earful on good business management and employee training. There have also been a few occasions when he asked the salesperson to ring up his bill and decided not to buy anything at all at the last minute. I don't always believe in fighting fire with fire (sometimes I will). It's risky and in one way, childish. It doesn't bring a lot of good to anyone except temporary satisfaction and superficial victory. Besides, being nasty to snobbish people will only drag me to to their level and I certainly do not want to stoop that low. I sincerely hope that one day they will realise that they have done a great disservice not only to others but also themselves.

p/s It can be very tempting at times to give this type of people a dose of their own medicine since I know I can outbitch almost anyone and be more obnoxious than the most obnoxious. Just don't let me get started, okay?

MUSIC FORMATS : IMPENDING CHANGES

I've lived long enough to see the changes and transformation in the way music is marketed and released to the public. When I was growing up, it was common to see vinyls or records sold in music stores. These came either in EP or LP form with the former containing 2 to 4 songs and the latter 10 to 12 songs. 8-track cartridges came not too long after that, making it possible for one to listen to music while driving. Cassette or audio tapes were very popular in the 80s since they were light, portable, affordable and more durable. When the first Walkman was introduced by Sony as a portable cassette player, the music industry saw a tremendous boost in sales of cassettes. CDs were introduced in the late 80s and they slowly gained popularity among music buyers. Now, music is offered to the public in whole new way. Downloading or streaming from iTunes and other music services is quite the norm nowadays especially among the younger generation. Consequently, the older music formats are slowly being abandoned by both buyers and publishers. We can't fight the digital age and sooner or later, changes are bound to happen but are we ready to embrace the changes? Will the changes bring far more good to all parties concerned namely the buyers, retailers, producers, artistes et cetera et cetera et cetera? As consumers, are we ready to happily accept this new format and abandon the old way we purchase and listen to music? Can downloaded audio files replace the psychical formats that we are so familiar with all these years? It's different when we talk about CDs replacing audio tapes or audio tapes replacing records since CDs, audio tapes and vinyls are all physical formats. Here we are talking about a digital form replacing the physical forms. As a consumer, I feel I will get my money's worth when I buy a physical format since I will be getting not only the music but a few other things as well. Album covers, booklets, mini posters, stickers, box, obi, promotional items et cetera et cetera et cetera will no longer be available for music buyers. Furthermore, the quality of the best downloaded audio files (so far) has still not matched that of a CD or vinyl. In other words, consumers have to shell out more money for a product of a lesser quality (and obviously with no extras). Listening to music is all about appreciating the beauty of sound and voice. It is not simply listening like what many people have been doing. Beauty will be lost when it is not appreciated and so will good music if it's abandoned jut to make room for something more convenient but inferior.

NEW HIJRI YEAR 1433H

As we observe the new Hijri year, let us reflect earnestly on the past, stay firmly on the present and look positively towards the future. May Allah s.w.t. forgive our countless sins, and bless us with continuous mercy and endless favours. Ameen.

LET'S KARAOKE 20 : THE WEATHER GIRLS - IT'S RAINING MEN

The rainy season is here and I think it's only appropriate if I feature a karaoke that is somewhat related to the wet weather. 1982. That was the year when this song came out. Totally from another time and another place (to some it might even be from another planet or dimension). Back then, I could not even understand why the song was titled 'It's Raining Men'. I had heard of raining 'cats and dogs' but definitely not 'men'. Yup, it totally boggled me. Yet, this song has endured and survived. A classic club staple, this song has become some sort of a gay anthem, women's anthem or whatever anthem you want it to be. One thing for sure, a spin from the DJ's booth will never fail to draw people to the dance floor. The song itself is fun, campy and infectious. It has been covered by Gerry Halliwell for the movie 'Bridget Jones's Diary', RuPaul and the Australian girl group, Young Divas. Still, nothing beats the original. The Weather Girls (or 'Two Tons O' Fun' as they were originally known) took this song to the top of the US Dance Hot Club Play in October 1982 and I'm pretty sure that it wasn't even raining then!

p/s 1 This is my 20th karaoke post so let's celebrate!

p/s 2 I have replaced one word with H.........! since some people might find it inappropriate to use a term that has a religious connotation.

p/s 3 And last but not least, be extra careful during this rainy season and don't let small children play outside without adult supervision. This public message is brought to you by elixiroflove.blogspot.com.

The single's cover

Hi. Hi!
We're your Weather Girls. Ah-huh
And have we got news for you. You better listen!
Get ready, all you lonely girls
And leave those umbrellas at home. Alright!

Humidity is rising
Barometer's getting low
According to our sources
The street's the place to go
Cause tonight for the first time
Just about half-past ten
For the first time in history
It's gonna start raining men

It's raining men! H.........!
It's raining men! Amen!
I'm gonna go out to run and let myself get
Absolutely soaking wet!
It's raining men! H.........!
It's raining men! Every Specimen!
Tall, blonde, dark and lean
Rough and tough and strong and mean

God bless Mother Nature
She's a single woman too
She took from the heavens
And she did what she had to do
She taught every angel to rearrange the sky
So that each and every woman could find her perfect guy

It's raining men! H.........!
It's raining men! Amen!
It's raining men! H.........!
It's raining men! Ame---------nnnn!

I feel stormy weather moving in
About to begin
Hear the thunder
Don't you lose your head
Rip off the roof and stay in bed

God bless Mother Nature
She's a single woman too
She took off to heaven
And she did what she had to do
She taught every angel to rearrange the sky
So that each and every woman could find her perfect guy
It's Raining Men! Yeah!

Humidity is rising
Barometer's getting low
According to our sources
The street's the place to go
Cause tonight for the first time
Just about half-past ten
For the first time in history
It's gonna start raining men

It's raining men! H.........!
It's raining men! Amen!
It's raining men! H.........!
It's raining men!

SEA GAMES XXVI 2011 - SOCCER FINAL

Congratulations, Malaysia. We won. Despite everything that we had to endure in the land of our own brothers and sisters.

BENETTON'S UNHATE CONTROVERSIAL ADS

The world's problems are not equivalent to the petty quibbles that we usually have at home. When Benetton suggests in their latest advertising campaign that political and world leaders literally (or is it figuratively?) kiss and make up, it is IMO such a stupid thing to do. On the contrary, it might only fuel more animosity and resentment among us. I won't soil my blog by putting up the images from the campaign. There is nothing artistic about them especially when those images have been manipulated and tampered with. I cannot imagine having my own photos photoshopped and put up for all to see without my consent. I don't understand why Benetton had to come up with those pictures. Weren't there any sensible people working in the ad and marketing department anymore? The company used to come up with colourful images depicting people of different races, ethnic groups and walks of life wearing their clothing. Those images are beautiful, colourful, pleasing, non-controversial and non-political (some contain nudity, of course). There is nothing (too) provocative or disrespectful about them and yet the message is clear. Benetton has clearly crossed the line this time and instead of promoting UNHATE, they have only managed to show how UNCOUTH they can be.

p/s Don't you simply love these colourful and happy images?

ALBUM COVERS INSPIRED BY ART AND OTHER SOURCES - PART II

Lucille Handberg - Tornado

Deep Purple - Stormbringer

Siouxsie & The Banshees - Tinderbox

Auguste Rodin - Eternal Idol

Black Sabbath - The Eternal Idol

Henri Rousseau - The Snakecharmer

Fleetwood Mac- Tango In The Night

Man Ray - Tears

Cyndi Lauper - What's Going On

Charles Allan Gilbert - All Is Vanity

The Damned - Stretcher Case Baby

Def Leppard - Retro-Active