New Year Resolutions

It's 2007 in 3 days time. How about some resolutions to launch the year with?

1. Update the blog, blockhead!
Hai.... Yes... I know. Number 1 resolution should be updating blogs. What can I say... I am busy. How do people do this everyday?? Limited time is spent on either living life, or writing about living life. You need 2 hours of the experience of living life in order to write about that 2 hours of living life. You probably need another 1 hour to write about that 2 hours of life. So there is some cheem formula here...

Live life... No time to write.
Write.... No time to live life.

Ok... I am being too extreme... but you get my point.

So the best time for me to write, draw and write songs is when I am feeling sad, depressed and unable to live life fully. So

happy TWeaK = no-updates TWeaK

Back to the resolutions.

2. Get back in shape

I feel bloated now. I feel fat and lazy. My digestive system had been giving me problems since just before the Cameron Highlands trip. Not going to the toilet often enough.

Too many wedding dinners, family dinners at Cameron Highlands and other miscellaneous celebrations combined with too little exercise got me to where I am now.

I have been giving myself the excuse of having a bad back problem for too long. Now I am recovered. Have to start getting my act together!!!

Started on the rebounder, since it had been raining this whole period. Starting to feel good again. Cutting on carbohydrates intake, upping my greens.

3. Using spare time wisely

Someone once said or written that businesses are made after working hours. What we do with the times we are off working for money makes all the difference whether we work for money for the rest of our lives.

Ashamedly, I have not been following this advice. I have been watching too much Boston Legal, and not spending time learning Internet Marketing or the Stock Market.

Again... no excuse. It's time to restart my engine again.

4. Stop talking, take action.

'nuff said. Action.




Now ar? No lah... Of course sleep first lah... Its late.

(Here we go again.)

A late Christmas post... Warm Story

A late Christmas post.

Ok... I've even passed Boxing Day... So this post is beri beri late... But aiyah... good story so must share right?

Its borrowed from an email from Robert G. Allen and Mark Victor Hansen's EWI, Enlightened Wealth Institute. It talks about Enlightened Giving, and if you read the books by the authors, you will see why. And people from EMC would understand why this story means so much to me. Hmm... its also a little biased towards Christianity, but I think the story is warm just the same.

How much am I giving? I think it's a question I need to answer myself.

------------------------

Adventure With Grandma

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb:

"There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world-famous cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus!" she snorted. "Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad. Now, put on your coat, and let’s go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous, cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, “and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten- dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.

I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, and the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class.

Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out for recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough, and he didn't have a coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that. "Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. "Yes," I replied shyly. "It's....for Bobby." The nice lady smiled at me. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it -- Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa's helpers. General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, “and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten- dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.

I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, and the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class.

Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out for recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough, and he didn't have a coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that. "Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. "Yes," I replied shyly. "It's....for Bobby." The nice lady smiled at me. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it -- Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his doorbell and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven’t dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous.

Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team. I still have the Bible, with the tag tucked inside: $19.95.

---

"He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree."

-author unknown-

---

Cameron Highlands Day One

We woke up early in the morning at 5am. Hwei min and I were the first to wake up, very gan cheong, I think we were both too excited in anticipation of the trip.

Checked the webcam for the traffic condition, found Tuas to be relatively lighter. Anyway, that was nearer to 8U’s (8th Uncle, dad’s younger brother) place. So we waited for his car and left in convoy. It is the same usual group this time, 8U, 8A, their daughters Wan Ying and Wan Mei, my 2A(2nd Aunt, dad’s elder sister) and my own family of five. We would be joined by my 1A(1st Aunt, dad’s eldest sister) and 1AU(1st Uncle, Aunt’s husband) when we reach their place later.

West Sword Fish Balls
Originally uploaded by tweak.Singapore.

The first place we aimed for was Yong Peng. A quick stop here, mainly for breakfast. Ah…. if you have never tried, must try sai doh (Chinese literal translation : West Sword, don’t ask me why…) fish balls. Fish balls made from fresh sai doh fish. Their fish cakes are delicious too.

The trip did not start well for me actually. I had a bad digestion problem throughout the trip. Felt bloated. Had to clear my bowels, but I could not release unless I was very comfortable with the toilet. Thankfully the toilet at the said oh place was clean…

I ran into the toilet the moment I stepped into my 1A’s place. This might sound strange, but though it was a different physical place from the one I visited two years ago (they moved to a new home), the place smelled familiar. Strange hor? To think that I remember how places smell, and my body automatically feels comfortable.

Ken and his granny
Originally uploaded by tweak.Singapore.

It's scary how fast we ... Grow. My little nephew, Ken Li, grew up. Last time we spent hours playing toy cars with Ken, now we spent hours playing toy cars with his little sis, Rou Ting, no doubt influenced by her brother.

My dear aunts are visibly aging as well. More wrinkles... They were the happy kind of wrinkles near their eyes and their mouths because they laugh a lot.

2nd Aunt Laugh to Tears
Originally uploaded by tweak.Singapore.

Funny how its acceptable socially to tell someone :-

'Oh, boy boy has grown taller hor?' when they are from 0 to 18, then …
'Oh, ah girl so pretty' or 'ah boy so handsome' till they are about 25,

Then … silence from the years on.

Never 'Oh, auntie has new wrinkles just above your eyes now, ooh... you look very wise lei.' Or in my case, ‘Auntie, you have happy wrinkles. You are aging gracefully, and I want to be like you when I grow old.’

I mean it. And I have told Hwei Min as well… If we can live our golden years half as happy as my aunts are, we will be so fortunate.

YK and Puppy
Originally uploaded by tweak.Singapore.

What else had changed? There is one additional new member of the family since I last visited, a friendly and handsome Doberman pup. He’s a friendly puppy almost as tall as an adult when walking on hind legs. Very powerful dog that takes my uncle for a walk rather than the other way around.

I can no longer get away with sleeping in the living room like I used to anymore... Like some ancient rite of passage, I get the honour of having a room all to ourselves together with Hwei Min.

Predictably, my 1AU brought us out a grand tze char dinner, offering the best that KL can offer, and we spent the rest of the night, the younger kids playing Uno, the older kids playing gin rummy, a recent Tham family vacation tradition. That was what the trip was about, a fine predictable vacation, with family.

Eragon ... Movie Review

"Eragon" is based on a novel by Christopher Paolini. The story's about this young farmer boy by the name of Eragon. Grew up with his uncle, lost both his parents somehow. Found some special powers, uncle dies. Swears revenge... Old mysterious man becomes his mentor. Saves a beautiful girl. Fights an incredible evil king who has a mysterious magic wielding henchman.

Do I have to Force the imagery further?

You want to try harder? There is no try... only do or do not...

Ok ok... you get the point already.

Good? OK lar...
Worth
S$6.00 (mostly for the visual effects)
Movies in Singapore are from a range of S$6.50 to S$9.00 depending on the day and time you watch it on.

There have been many comparisons made between Eragon and Star Wars (for the plot), Lord Of the Rings (for the fantasy world) and even Harry Potter (for the popularity)... I don't know if I am affected by all these reviews... I probably am. I could not help sniggering when I saw a scene of Eragon in the setting sun sitting by a field, orchestra music playing in the background.

Still... Keeping my mind open, I thought that the movie lacked depth. Running less than 2 hours, the movie tried to do too many things in too little time, sometimes making ridiculous shortcuts just to smoothen the plot. There was not enough time to develop the wide array of characters in the plot, Eragon (Ed Speeler), his mentor, Brom(Jeremy Irons), his dragon Saphira (Rachel Weisz), his future love interest (Sienna Guillory), two antagonists King Galbatorix(John Malkovich) and Durza (Robert Carlyle) and additional characters like Murtagh etc...

Though the cast included some great actors, they were not really allowed to shine... with some corny lines, especially from John Malkovich,

"As long as I am King... Disloyalty will be punishable... by

DEATH..."

and lousy plots, for example, Murtagh was imprisoned for being suspicious one moment, and 15 minutes of running movie time later, he gets accepted as a comrade??? Its these kinds of shortcuts that were a little hard to swallow.

For the recent Harry Potter movies, I was able to appreciate the movie a little better even though it felt like there was a lot crammed in as well. That was because I read the Harry Potter books, so I was able to take the movie as a short visual tour of what I got from the book. It probably felt empty for someone who hadn't read the book too.

Regardless, as a movie, I felt that the directors and script writers could have done better to keep the pace going while giving a reasonable amount of coverage for the wide array of characters. I think Peter Jackson and his team did a fairly good job with LOTR. Thus I was quite amused to read an interview of the director Stefen Fangmeier, where he commented that he felt frustrated that the last episode of the LOTR trilogy took too long to end. Well... I think with his visual effects expertise, he would go far if he just learnt a little from Peter's story telling.

So the saving point? The wonderful visual effects. Of course, the director is the expert. (He comes with experience from ILM with a string of movies under his belt as the visual effects sups). Saphira the dragon was wonderfully rendered. The interplay between life action and effects had been merged so seamlessly I did not stop to wonder how they did it.

But why did they have to waste Rachel Weisz as only a voice actress!??

Interesting blog

Should read this blog by this guy, Shaon.

Advanced blogger... in terms of usage of technology. Like his profile pic, for example. How does he just crop a pic without editing it, so that when you click on the pic, you get to see the full pic!? I'm looking at the html, but don't understand at all. :P

http://fmshaon.blogspot.com/

I found this guy while looking for... erm... some ways... to get around some... things. :P

Try out the Qwerty Warriors game he recommends. A fun way to waste your time..

Sentosa... NPCC Gathering...

Lots have happened yesterday. Went to Sentosa with Hwei Min for my company's Family Day celebrations. Then went for her boss's pre-Christmas party, and her ex Secondary NPCC schoolmates' gathering.

Yes... I have taken some pics, but I am now facing a serious problem of 'not enough time'. I am taking more pictures than I am able to edit.

Hwei Min ... keep on reminding me about the Hong Kong trip photos taken in March. Hahah....

Let me rest my tired feet, oh ... let me rest...

Phew...

Feel like I've been all around the world and back now. Just got back home yesterday night at 9.30 pm. After discovering that the two fridges at home have been off throughout the duration of our trip because of a power trip, Hwei Min and I slept early to wake up in the morning to bring away all the bad food.

So I woke up early this morning... 5.30 a.m.

Left for work, and immediately after reaching office, I was told that we had to go off to site. I shall not mention where it is, but believe me... it was darn far.

Work dragged on to 6.30p.m, and I had to drive back to office to return the company car. By the time I left office, it was 7.30p.m. and I have yet to have had my dinner. Received an SMS from my parents and my sis who just got back from KL today, saying they were going to attend a wake service for my half uncle, so after grabbing a quick bite, I took off again to Bedok to attend the service.

Just left the place and so here I am... right where I started, promising updates from my trip, but too darn shag to do anything, except maybe just share one pic I took when I was in Cameron Highlands, when I was more relaxed.

Ah... I miss my holidays already.

Success! T&M's wedding

Did not write in yesterday because I was dead tired.

In fact, I still am, but I thought I would write in a little something just before I leave for Cameron Highlands later today.

Yup... Going to Cameron Highlands for a short trip with family, and will be back next Wednesday night.

I just realised... all the pictures I took for the wedding two days ago are at SMALL RES!!! ARGH!!! But I took mostly videos anyway, since I have given up taken photos indoors most of the time. Anyway, most of what I took are rejected... so I have nothing to show for it... crap happens...

Ok. Got to go and sleep now. Have a pleasant holidays my friends, good nite!

Tony and Madeline's Wedding Video

Yup... quick update.

Spent 3 days working on it. Last bit that I am still working on now. Almost complete. I've only got two more renders left to do, one without, and one with subtitling.

It's been extremely fun. As I was telling Hwei Min, I have put in everything I have learnt from sound engineering, video editing, photo editing, photography and videography into this short 8 mins clip. It's been a rewarding experience...

I hope for nothing less than tear drops from the audience this Thursday!!!

Will check with the couple if they mind me sharing their video here. Hopefully they don't. I don't mind some teardrops from you either.

:P

Destin And Jessie's Wedding Photos

D&J's Wedding Couple Portrait
Originally uploaded by tweak.Singapore.

As promised, I have uploaded some pics at Flickr, and more at Shutterfly.

Take a look. What you see here are the 'not-so-sucky' pics. After taking a look at the professional photographer's photos... I'm having second thoughts about sharing these... :P

I have dumped a lot into the recycle bin because they were badly taken. There are a lot more which I have not put up, so be sure to call me or email me if you need them. Those that I am sharing could be at lower res, as well, I am not too sure about Shutterfly.

Band Of Brothers
Originally uploaded by tweak.Singapore.

You'll notice that I did not take much shots indoors. My built in flash unit sucks!

Really wonder if I should get a slave flash unit for my camera. Taking indoor shots are a pain...