Last night I went for 2 separate events located at same place, but at different levels.
LEGO Challenge With Stars and Students- Basement Level 4 of Ion Orchard
I found out abt this event at last minute from a friend, I rushed down to Basement 4 to see abt 7 celebs. Andie Chen, Lin Cuifang, Kym Ng, Pat Mok, Khairul (eeewww his hair so long now!), the Vasantham Star 2009 winner and Phua Chu Kang himself were involved in this one. They stayed for about 20 plus minutes.
Dolce & Gabbana Opening Ceremony- located outside Ion Orchard
Only invited guests allowed inside, so photos are restricted to outside regions. We did enjoy the Michael Jackson-Retro Hits remix playing at full blast. These are the celebs involved...
Nat Ho, Qi Yuwu, Celest Chong (I mnaged to take pic with her), Denise Keller, Zoe Tay, Chris and Fann (the newlyweds obviously attracted plenty of shutterbugs!!)
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Thoughts on Singapore Idol Top 8
Happy Birthday to Teddy Zeng and Rachel T
Happy (Advanced) Birthday to Pierre Png, Martin Tan, Mae Sta Maria and Charles Wong
The results were disastrous to say the least. Why must it be all girls in the Bottom 3 again?!? And as a matter of fact, 2 of them are consistent performers, namely Tabitha and Sylvia. I was very close to getting cardiac arrest the moment I saw my fave SI 3 contestants in the Bottom 3. If Sylvia were sent home, I would be flipping of the seat.
While I wasn't too surprised that Malaque was the one whose Idol journey came to an end, I have to admit that I am extremely upset over the fact that Duane Ho (who was brought out alongside the Arab beauty) is announced safe yet again!! In the meantime, both Charles and Mae, who share same birthday tomorrow, will be returning next week as well (whoops, my bad at making wrong predictions!!). Sezairi and Faizal are also coming back next week. Already I can picture Duane as equivalent to brickbats such as Jerry Ong and Victor Tang, both who got lambasted for their weak vocals and probably using backhand tactics to stay on longer in the running.
If the elimination pace for this season goes the way of Singapore Idol 2 (i.e. girls eliminated for 3 consecutive weeks, leaving only one gal left), then I say that the possibility of seeing a female contestant in the Finals... is very low indeed. And with the Top 5 Spectacular approaching, dont be surprised if the Judges' Save is made this coming Wed, and when that happens... 2 contestants are confirmed to be sent home on 11th Nov. In the meantime, I hope that Singapore gets it right. Vote for soeone with true talent, someone who is consistent and can hold his/her own.
And err... I seriously hate to say this, but I will really cease watching Singapore Idol 3 for good if Duane does make it to Final 5, or if there is only one girl left by the time of the Top 5 Spectacular.
So please fellow Singaporeans... if you don't want the competition to go the way of "Live The Dream" (with a not so good singer in the finals) or even the way of the past seasons of Singapore Idol (2 guys in the finals), then can I ask you all to please vote wisely, or as Phua Chu Kang would say, "USE YOUR BRAIN!!"
Monday, October 26, 2009
WWE Bragging Rights
Happy Birthday to Aaron Kwok and CM Punk
Even now, I feel that the title for this PPV event sounds rather dumb. The concept of the show was based around a series of interpromotional matches for "bragging rights" between wrestlers from the Raw and SmackDown brands, with a Bragging Rights trophy awarded to the show that won the most matches out of the series. (And ECW shouldn't even be around any longer, with its rather lacklustre roster and ever-decreasing ratings)
- ECW Championship match- Christian vs Paul Burchill (that's the best you can come up with?!?)
- Interpromotional Singles Match: The Miz (Raw) vs John Morrison (Smackdown)
- Smackdown Divas (Natalya, Beth Phoenix and Michelle McCool) vs Raw Divas (Melina, Kelly Kelly and Gail Kim)
- Team Smackdown vs Team Raw: Chris Jericho, Kane, R-Truth, Matt Hardy, Finlay and The Hart Foundation vs D-Generation X, The Big Show, Mark Henry, Jack Swagger and Cody Rhodes
- Fatal 4 Way match for World Heavyweight Championship: The Undertaker vs CM Punk vs Batista vs Rey Mysterio
- 60-minute Iron Man match for WWE Championship: Randy Orton vs John Cena
Click the following links for more info on the PPV...
Wikipedia info on WWE Bragging Rights
Main website for the PPV (with results)
P.S. today is CM Punk's 30th birthday. And... Shane McMahon resigned as WWE Executive Vice-President (with effect from January 1st 2010)?? :-O
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Facebook Addiction Disorder
HELP!! I think I am down with FAD... Facebook Addiction Disorder!!! :-S
To be diagnosed as having Facebook Addiction Disorder, a person must meet certain criteria. At least 2 or 3 of the following 6 criteria must be present at any time during a 6-8 months period:
1. The first thing is tolerance. This refers to the need for increasing amounts of time on Facebook to achieve satisfaction and/or significantly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of time. They often have multiple Facebook windows opened at any one time. 3 is usually a sign and over 5 you're helpless.
2. After reduction of Facebook use or cessation, it causes distress or impairs social, personal or occupational functioning such as wondering why your Vista is so fast and improved etc. These include anxiety; obsessive thinking about what is written on your wall on Facebook etc.
3. Important social or recreational activities are greatly reduced and or migrated to Facebook. Instead of sending an email you post a message on your friend’s page about canceling a lunch appointment. You now stop answering your phone call from your Mom and insist she should contact you through Facebook chat.
4. This is getting serious if you start kissing your girlfriend's home page or a VRML virtual walk through a park is your idea of a date.
5. Your bookmark takes 20 minutes just to scroll from top to bottom or 8 of 10 people in your friend's list you have no idea of who they are.
6. When you meet people you start introducing yourself by following "see you in Facebook" or your dog has its own Facebook profile. You invite anyone you've met and any notifications, messages and invites reward you with an unpredictable high, much like gambling. As we spend more and more time online no questions it can be addictive. Some say that there is no such thing as Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD).
I am not sure we have any answer for that yet. I am sure the pharma companies will be quick to say that there is medication solution out there with psychoactive drugs. So how many kinds of disorders are out there? Are they really disorders of just the pharma companies want us to believe there are?
Call it Facebook addiction or fetish, I see this as progress of enlightenment for the modern life. Our modern culture is unconsciously penetrated by the information (useful and useless) and we are all struggling with it. Social networks collapse the difference between culture and practical life and our culture is codified and distributed through the Internet. As a result the ‘culture’ industry is now being expanded beyond fashion, music and magazines. Much of this information that we’re exposed to on the Internet does not at all ‘signify’ true information or freedom from deception but it has reduced significantly the impact of any mass deception. The people's need to connect, along with the growth of social connectivity, would raise the quality of the social whole to a new and higher level.The organic composition of our social networks is growing. That determines networks as means of finding self-identities and not only as resources. Addiction may not be such a bad thing after all.
Go to the following links for more info...
http://thefacebookaddiction.com/
http://www.futurelab.net/blogs/marketing-strategy-innovation/2008/05/are_you_suffering_from_faceboo.html
P.S. speaking about social networking sites, I wonder what will happen to Friendster and MySpace in terms of restoring their past glory...
To be diagnosed as having Facebook Addiction Disorder, a person must meet certain criteria. At least 2 or 3 of the following 6 criteria must be present at any time during a 6-8 months period:
1. The first thing is tolerance. This refers to the need for increasing amounts of time on Facebook to achieve satisfaction and/or significantly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of time. They often have multiple Facebook windows opened at any one time. 3 is usually a sign and over 5 you're helpless.
2. After reduction of Facebook use or cessation, it causes distress or impairs social, personal or occupational functioning such as wondering why your Vista is so fast and improved etc. These include anxiety; obsessive thinking about what is written on your wall on Facebook etc.
3. Important social or recreational activities are greatly reduced and or migrated to Facebook. Instead of sending an email you post a message on your friend’s page about canceling a lunch appointment. You now stop answering your phone call from your Mom and insist she should contact you through Facebook chat.
4. This is getting serious if you start kissing your girlfriend's home page or a VRML virtual walk through a park is your idea of a date.
5. Your bookmark takes 20 minutes just to scroll from top to bottom or 8 of 10 people in your friend's list you have no idea of who they are.
6. When you meet people you start introducing yourself by following "see you in Facebook" or your dog has its own Facebook profile. You invite anyone you've met and any notifications, messages and invites reward you with an unpredictable high, much like gambling. As we spend more and more time online no questions it can be addictive. Some say that there is no such thing as Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD).
I am not sure we have any answer for that yet. I am sure the pharma companies will be quick to say that there is medication solution out there with psychoactive drugs. So how many kinds of disorders are out there? Are they really disorders of just the pharma companies want us to believe there are?
Call it Facebook addiction or fetish, I see this as progress of enlightenment for the modern life. Our modern culture is unconsciously penetrated by the information (useful and useless) and we are all struggling with it. Social networks collapse the difference between culture and practical life and our culture is codified and distributed through the Internet. As a result the ‘culture’ industry is now being expanded beyond fashion, music and magazines. Much of this information that we’re exposed to on the Internet does not at all ‘signify’ true information or freedom from deception but it has reduced significantly the impact of any mass deception. The people's need to connect, along with the growth of social connectivity, would raise the quality of the social whole to a new and higher level.The organic composition of our social networks is growing. That determines networks as means of finding self-identities and not only as resources. Addiction may not be such a bad thing after all.
Go to the following links for more info...
http://thefacebookaddiction.com/
http://www.futurelab.net/blogs/marketing-strategy-innovation/2008/05/are_you_suffering_from_faceboo.html
P.S. speaking about social networking sites, I wonder what will happen to Friendster and MySpace in terms of restoring their past glory...
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Happy Birthday, Fel
They say that a lengthy absence makes the heart grow fonder... I feel this is true, but the time spent apart hurts so bad, I'm afraid I may not be able to take it any longer... therefore I just wanna say it straight from my heart...
I MISS YOU.
Happy Birthday to you... may you excel in everything you do. I pray that all is well with you. Stay sweet and beautiful always. We want very badly to see you again, before the year comes to a close... :-(
Also... Happy Birthday to Eunice Olsen, as well as to Bobby Tonelli and Primero Ang.
I MISS YOU.
Happy Birthday to you... may you excel in everything you do. I pray that all is well with you. Stay sweet and beautiful always. We want very badly to see you again, before the year comes to a close... :-(
Also... Happy Birthday to Eunice Olsen, as well as to Bobby Tonelli and Primero Ang.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
More pics taken during and after SI 3 Top 9 show
Sing-Along Idol time. Among the 10 include an effeminate Malay guy who calls himself "Sherry" (F****T!!!), Sezairi's mum, Tabitha's younger sister named Serene, Mae's best friend DJ and a young boy who sang "Billie Jean".
Judges for this interactive segment are Justin Jap, Farhan Shah, Gabrielle Ferdinands and Iskandar Sa'ad.
Gurmit, Faizal and Charles being surrounded by tons of fans as part of live footage for Ch 5 News.
The Top 9 get on stage for the Results Show, while the judges return to their seats... in 30 minutes time, the number will dwindle down from 9 to 8.
Presenting the Top 8... sialah, really 4 guys and 4 girls now.
Amira came out the earliest obviously
Sylvia came out soon after... couldn't take pic with her due to overwhelming response
Some 5 minutes after Sylvia left, the others came out.
Faizal surrounded by family, friends and supporters
Me with Tabitha
Me with Malaque
Me with Charles
Me with Justin outside the building
Back in MediaCorp... to watch Singapore Idol season 3
Warning... long post ahead!!!
Wah sei, never thought that I would be reliving Idol days in MediaCorp reception (though the feeling is a lot different from last time)... and what better way than to be rooting for the Idols at the Mosh Pit!! :-)
1800 to 1945 hrs: I took taxi to MediaCorp after knocking off from work at 6 pm yesterday... then upon reaching, I met up with Ishardi and we got our sector seat tickets from the person in charge of the tix. The wait in the good old parking lot wasn't very long actually, but soon after we got seated at the upper gallery, we got a phone call from the same person, saying that she got extra mosh pit tickets to give away. Knowing that it would be easier to take pictures from the lower gallery, we went out to the parking lot, received the mosh pit tickets, and queued up for a second time... ta-da, we are now located at the lower gallery!! :-)
2000 to 2100 hrs: Performance show begins. Gurmit started off the show alone, and Hady is still receovering from God-knows-what-illness. Still I think the show is better off without Hady. The better performers had gotta be Sylvia, Faizal and Tabitha. Charles, Duane and Sezairi did ok. Malaque and Amira's performances weren't so good, and although Mae's song to her friend was sincere and quite ok, her voice sounded very different (she recovered from sre throat). Ken Lim even made a cryptic remark that he felt Duane's performance was slightly better than Amira's (OOOOHHHH...). It was towards the end of the Spectaculars that I realized that Faizal was actually the very same Faizal that I befriended (along with his sister) during Singapore Idol 2 roadshows 3 years ago!!! Talk about sheer coincidence... :-O
2100 to 2200 hrs: "Sing-Along Idol" during the 1-hour time lapse between the Performance Show and Results Show. The wubbie brought out 10 fans from Mosh Pit or sector seats to showcase their vocal prowess, just to have fun. The guest judges were Justin Jap, Farhan Shah, Gabrielle Ferdinands (from the 2nd Piano Round), and Iskandar Saad (the official Idol blogger). That Ah Quah who was present at the roadshow at Plaza Singapura on Sunday was one of the contestants, he called himself "Sherry Tan" (urghhh!!) and he sang a song by Rihanna!! Among the other 9 fans included Tabby's sister Serene and Sezairi's mother. One young boy managed to get the fans standing up and clapping to "Billie Jean". At around 9.40 pm, Gurmit came out with Charles and Faizal... eventually they got surrounded by lots of people (waving banners) in preparation for the live footage for the Channel 5 news. Oh, and there was also a filming segment for the Top 8 Idols music video... everyone in the theater is part of it!! :-)
2200 to 2230 hrs: With all the Top 9 Idols on stage and performing a group item, it was down to Results, everyone could definitely feel the anxiety. First to be announced safe was Sezairi. Next were Faizal and Duane (damn!!!). At that time, I dunno whether to feel happy for Faizal, or angry for Duane... I guess I was more of the angry zone, cos I honestly felt that Duane should be in the unsafe zone, he does not have what it takes to be an Idol. When Tabitha, Malaque and Sylvia were announced to be safe, Ish and myself were very happy!! But the Bottom 3 consisted of Charles, Amira and Mae. And the one going home is... Amira. Oh dear, Top 8 now really consists of 4 guys and 4 girls. This is where the real suspense begins... will the elimination pace go the way of SI 1 (guy, gal, guy, gal), or SI 2 (3 gals eliminated in 3 straight weeks!!), or some new pattern like 2 guys out in consecutive weeks? Only time will tell...
2230 to 2320 hrs: I headed to reception to wait for the Idols. Ishardi went off first cos he had to sleep early (his lessons start at 9 in the morning). Earliest to come out was Amira obviously, got people go forward to take picture with her. Next was Sylvia, who drew a lot more people. I couldn't get to take pic with Sylvia due to the overwhelming crowd, and also cos she left rather quickly. Soon after, came the rest (except for Mae). I managed to take picture with Tabitha, Malaque, Charles and Justin. For autographs on the 8 days magazine, I got those from the aforementioned 4, as well as from Amira and Farhan. Due to my great dislike (not hate) towards Duane, I didn't go up to him to ask for autograph. There were so many people crowding around Faizal, it was impossible to get his autograph. So I left for the bus stop, but not before taking picture with Justin Jap oustide the building, and getting his autograph too. :-)
Reached Hougang South at 12.30 am, had late dinner there, and reached home sometime before 1 am. I might be requesting tickets for the Top 7 Spectaculars on November 4th, depending on the outcome of next week's show... so long as Tabitha is still in the competition. It was great to be part of the live recording plus music video for first time in 3 years, and it won't be my last ;-)
Some pictures to be uploaded in separate entry...
Wah sei, never thought that I would be reliving Idol days in MediaCorp reception (though the feeling is a lot different from last time)... and what better way than to be rooting for the Idols at the Mosh Pit!! :-)
1800 to 1945 hrs: I took taxi to MediaCorp after knocking off from work at 6 pm yesterday... then upon reaching, I met up with Ishardi and we got our sector seat tickets from the person in charge of the tix. The wait in the good old parking lot wasn't very long actually, but soon after we got seated at the upper gallery, we got a phone call from the same person, saying that she got extra mosh pit tickets to give away. Knowing that it would be easier to take pictures from the lower gallery, we went out to the parking lot, received the mosh pit tickets, and queued up for a second time... ta-da, we are now located at the lower gallery!! :-)
2000 to 2100 hrs: Performance show begins. Gurmit started off the show alone, and Hady is still receovering from God-knows-what-illness. Still I think the show is better off without Hady. The better performers had gotta be Sylvia, Faizal and Tabitha. Charles, Duane and Sezairi did ok. Malaque and Amira's performances weren't so good, and although Mae's song to her friend was sincere and quite ok, her voice sounded very different (she recovered from sre throat). Ken Lim even made a cryptic remark that he felt Duane's performance was slightly better than Amira's (OOOOHHHH...). It was towards the end of the Spectaculars that I realized that Faizal was actually the very same Faizal that I befriended (along with his sister) during Singapore Idol 2 roadshows 3 years ago!!! Talk about sheer coincidence... :-O
2100 to 2200 hrs: "Sing-Along Idol" during the 1-hour time lapse between the Performance Show and Results Show. The wubbie brought out 10 fans from Mosh Pit or sector seats to showcase their vocal prowess, just to have fun. The guest judges were Justin Jap, Farhan Shah, Gabrielle Ferdinands (from the 2nd Piano Round), and Iskandar Saad (the official Idol blogger). That Ah Quah who was present at the roadshow at Plaza Singapura on Sunday was one of the contestants, he called himself "Sherry Tan" (urghhh!!) and he sang a song by Rihanna!! Among the other 9 fans included Tabby's sister Serene and Sezairi's mother. One young boy managed to get the fans standing up and clapping to "Billie Jean". At around 9.40 pm, Gurmit came out with Charles and Faizal... eventually they got surrounded by lots of people (waving banners) in preparation for the live footage for the Channel 5 news. Oh, and there was also a filming segment for the Top 8 Idols music video... everyone in the theater is part of it!! :-)
2200 to 2230 hrs: With all the Top 9 Idols on stage and performing a group item, it was down to Results, everyone could definitely feel the anxiety. First to be announced safe was Sezairi. Next were Faizal and Duane (damn!!!). At that time, I dunno whether to feel happy for Faizal, or angry for Duane... I guess I was more of the angry zone, cos I honestly felt that Duane should be in the unsafe zone, he does not have what it takes to be an Idol. When Tabitha, Malaque and Sylvia were announced to be safe, Ish and myself were very happy!! But the Bottom 3 consisted of Charles, Amira and Mae. And the one going home is... Amira. Oh dear, Top 8 now really consists of 4 guys and 4 girls. This is where the real suspense begins... will the elimination pace go the way of SI 1 (guy, gal, guy, gal), or SI 2 (3 gals eliminated in 3 straight weeks!!), or some new pattern like 2 guys out in consecutive weeks? Only time will tell...
2230 to 2320 hrs: I headed to reception to wait for the Idols. Ishardi went off first cos he had to sleep early (his lessons start at 9 in the morning). Earliest to come out was Amira obviously, got people go forward to take picture with her. Next was Sylvia, who drew a lot more people. I couldn't get to take pic with Sylvia due to the overwhelming crowd, and also cos she left rather quickly. Soon after, came the rest (except for Mae). I managed to take picture with Tabitha, Malaque, Charles and Justin. For autographs on the 8 days magazine, I got those from the aforementioned 4, as well as from Amira and Farhan. Due to my great dislike (not hate) towards Duane, I didn't go up to him to ask for autograph. There were so many people crowding around Faizal, it was impossible to get his autograph. So I left for the bus stop, but not before taking picture with Justin Jap oustide the building, and getting his autograph too. :-)
Reached Hougang South at 12.30 am, had late dinner there, and reached home sometime before 1 am. I might be requesting tickets for the Top 7 Spectaculars on November 4th, depending on the outcome of next week's show... so long as Tabitha is still in the competition. It was great to be part of the live recording plus music video for first time in 3 years, and it won't be my last ;-)
Some pictures to be uploaded in separate entry...
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sacrifices to make...
I was wise to hav chosen to head back home instead of waste time at Orchard Road from 7 to 9 pm, and then head to Radiogate at 10 plus to wait for the MDC celebs... cos that's what I initially planned to do, since the Project Hope charity show started at 8.30 pm and will end in a few minutes time. I mean look, I obviously need to take a rest after a busy day at work... moreover if I chose to go to Rg to wait for Nat or Joanne, that would just sound silly (esp since I have to report to work the next day). It will be even sillier if I were to take taxi back home after that. Work is my main priority for now, there's more to life than just chasing stars or going for roadshows on weekends... something I hadn't been doing so often nowadays. That's like disrespect for the victims of the recent earthquake in the Sotheast Asian region.
Speaking bout roadshows (or the lack thereof), it bummed me a great lot when I found out about the Charity Car Wash that is to take place at Dempsey Hill this coming Saturday, the birthday for a certain Princess whom I want to see again. Sigh, if only the event were held on Sunday instead of Saturday, then I confirm will be able to make it. I haf no choice but to give the entire event a miss, due to work in the entire afternoon. Won't be able to see First Class vs Fighting Spiders, Polo Boys vs FHM Gals, or even SI 3 Top 8 vs SI 2 alumni (arghhh!!!). I may be going to MediaCorp reception after knocking off from work though... is it all worth the sacrifice? Maybe so, given my current priorities i.e. my full-time job.
Still in the topic of MediaCorp... although I chose not to go there today, I will still be heading there on Wednesday evening!! I managed to win a pair of tickets for the live recording of Singapore Idol Top 9 Spectaculars!! YEAH BABY!!! :-D
Speaking bout roadshows (or the lack thereof), it bummed me a great lot when I found out about the Charity Car Wash that is to take place at Dempsey Hill this coming Saturday, the birthday for a certain Princess whom I want to see again. Sigh, if only the event were held on Sunday instead of Saturday, then I confirm will be able to make it. I haf no choice but to give the entire event a miss, due to work in the entire afternoon. Won't be able to see First Class vs Fighting Spiders, Polo Boys vs FHM Gals, or even SI 3 Top 8 vs SI 2 alumni (arghhh!!!). I may be going to MediaCorp reception after knocking off from work though... is it all worth the sacrifice? Maybe so, given my current priorities i.e. my full-time job.
Still in the topic of MediaCorp... although I chose not to go there today, I will still be heading there on Wednesday evening!! I managed to win a pair of tickets for the live recording of Singapore Idol Top 9 Spectaculars!! YEAH BABY!!! :-D
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Singapore Idol Top 9 roadshow at PS :-)
Happy Birthday to Emmy Ang
Finally, I found time to go for a roadshow for Singapore Idol 3, but only because it falls on a Sunday (haha!!). It wouldn't make sense for the roadshow to be held on Saturday, which turned out to be Deepavali. It was even better that the host for the event is Daniel Ong, who used to be co-host for Season 2 before he started his new responsibilites as programming director of 987 FM last year... and to be replaced by Hady Mirza, whose role as 'big brother' was deemed pointless and secondary to many, due to his lack of experience and waning star quality.
Charles "Stitch" Wong
Sylvia Ratonel
Faizal Isa
Malaque Mahdaly
Mae Sta Maria
Duane Ho (urghhh)
Fathin Amira
Tabitha Nauser
Sezairi Sazali
The Top 9 Idols lining up for a group photo.
Yep that's Nurul Huda!! She got ousted from the competition after the MJ Tribute Spectacular.
The Top 9 (plus Nurul and Justin Jap) going up the idol bus back to MediaCorp
The Idol bus zooming off
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