Friday, August 29, 2008

Kicks of the Day



Theme of the Day: Black & Gold

New Era Black-on-Black NY Cap.
Zoo York Black & Gold Skull Tee.
Casio F-91W. Black with Gold buttons.
Black Element Hurley pants.

Finished off with the Adidas Black & Gold Superstar Mids, Velcro. (Am proud of them. Never seen another one like this around KL.)

Fatboy Slim got away with it.

In advertising, there’re lots of rules that govern what can showed to the public, and what can’t. And in Malaysian advertising, there’re even more. Silly ones . Like the fact that you can’t show your armpits on TV.

And Sledgehammer (I believe Ham himself?) who did these call-to-entry TVCs brilliantly exploited and even made fun of that, topped with a little cheeky wink.








A bad rule is turned into a plus point - tougher rules make us work harder. And that means better creatives. How true. An artist can do whatever he wants and nobody can judge him or his work because there’s no yardstick.

An art director on the other hand has a brief to follow, clients to impress, products to sell. With more challenges, success becomes more elusive, yet more gratifying.

How do you push the limits without going into bad taste? How do you do it and still entertain? Will people look at your advertising and wonder, “Jeez. How the hell did they get away with this?” And perhaps, pass it to their friends and say, “Watch this. Amazing how they got away with this!”



The BPA Toe Jam - Fatboy Slim ft. David Byrne & Dizzie Rascal.
How the hell did Fatboy Slim get away with this? Brilliant.
(And I really wish I was on that shoot.)


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


The Briefing

Fatboy Slim: I want to show lots and lots of naked women. Dancing. No. Make that stripping. For the camera.

Producer: But we can’t do that!

Fatboy Slim: We can censor. Put those little black boxes.

Producer: Ok.

Director: Oh oh! Why don’t we make them strip, dance, censor and use those black boxes as animation!


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


Next time I write a script, I’ll start it with “We open on a young lady dancing, taking off her clothes…”

See if I can get away with it.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Surprise In Yellow & Black

I came back from the john's (where I avoided the urinal that had a 7cm-long, wiry black pubie stuck onto its side) and saw this on my table.




Well, not all surprises are nasty. This put a smile on my face.

See? It’s easy to be happy if you want to. (And don’t you dare say it’s just a banana.)

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

*Thank you for your participation in the Banana Exchange Programme.*


Tuesday, August 26, 2008

When I grow up, I wanna be on MTV Asia Awards 2008.

You'd have noticed -


Been wanting to write about it. But there are just too many things to remember from the event. Too many good things, actually.

Firstly, I got a MOSHPIT ticket for FREE. Not just a normal paying ticket. A MOSHPIT ticket. The kind no money can buy. Of course, you may pay me with sex in kind. But there’s a certain criteria for that - your name has to spell “Alessandra Ambrosio”.

Apparently, giving me one ticket’s not enough to be thankful for. So Hitz.fm gave me two. I got to bring another person along, and Blower was at the receiving end this time around (shit, that sounds wrong). But, ah. Time for some brotherhood bonding session to talk cock, enjoy each other’s company and just waste plenty of time. Excellent.

So August 2, 2008 came. Like school kids on an outing, we had an extremely strict schedule. Waking early on Saturday mornings isn't the joy of my life, to say the least, but we had to get our asses to KL Sentral by 11am to board the bus. No exceptions; take the bus, or don’t go. So like little school kids going to a muse-fuckin’-um, we obediently looked for our ‘leader’ to register once we reached. We had to walk in line to the bus. They just fell short of making us hold hands and stand two-by-two.


It says, "I'm Greater than Thou."


Looking at the sea of teenagers in bad, ill-matched clothes (highlights of which there were a pair of stick-thin chicks resembling Mary-Kate and Ashley), Blower and I thought we were the oldest. We look good. But yeah, we’re old. These are barely college age. Barely high school, some of them! Juvenile!

But God save the Queen.

My cousin sister arrived.


“What’re you doing here? Aren’t you like, too old for this?” ; P

“What to do. Got me some free tickets and rooms as well.” -_-


And Blower and I didn’t even know where we’ll end up after the show seeing that both of us were too lazy to bother booking a room in advance. Somehow, I know we’ll make it alright. See, that’s why it’s fun with a mate. It’s okay, chill man. Things are gonna be alright.

Sure enough, a phone call when we reached was all that was needed. Of course, it also pays to know friends in ‘high’ places. Like in Genting, for example.

Phone rings twice. Before I had the chance to say anything…


“No no no no no no! Don’t have! Don’t have! No MTV tickets.”


Ahh… the warm fuzzy feeling of having friends who’ve known you for ages. They just know it when you want something from them.

A phone call to her people, an SMS with the reference code to me, and 2 minutes later, we’ve paid at the Premier counter, got our keys and were walking to our rooms. While the thousand-odd people were still queuing. Oh, btw, Jacklyn Victor was behind us at the counter. She was actually a presenter for the night. I think we got a better star treatment.

2.30pm – We had to report ourselves at the Pavillion, sort of a briefing before we proceeded into the Red Carpet. By this time, the energy levels of the young were really showing. These kids shouted at the top of their voices whenever the camera pointed at them. Some even had LCD boards with Korean words on them. Super Junior supporters. Bleah.


We're too cool for this.


It was that cold up in Genting that day.


3pm till 4pm – Sigh. We stood for an hour to wait for the stars to start arriving. And there were so many false alarms every time these bloody kids scream. I swear I felt my back aching already from standing tiptoe, stretching my head out to catch a glimpse of nothing but the red , empty carpet.



That's how the Red Carpet area looked like.
We were all just ushered into the sides along it. Too bad if you're too short.


When you get too tired, camwhore. (Actually, I was on reporting duty.)


4pm – The stars started arriving!


VJ Denise was one of the first to arrive.
Imagine what she could do with a mouth like that.



Hottest reception for the One Republic guys.
Crowd broke out into "Apologize" and "Stop & Stare". It's buzzing!


Ryan from One Republic. (One of the 'featured' pictures.)


Panic at the Disco. Seriously, mate.
At first I didn't know who they were.

But they're extremely friendly and down-to-earth.



Sorry Tor+Saksit aka
Mr.-Favourite-Artist-Thailand-Winner for not knowing who you were.
I shoke your hand nonetheless.

6pm - Some stars were still arriving. But the Mostpitters had to make their way into the Arena of Stars already.

I tell you, life as a Moshpitter isn't easy. This was our dinner. And we had to eat it while walking to the Arena.
Nice buns, though.



The MTV Asia Awards 2008 stage set-up.

Karen Mok and Jared Leto, the hosts for the night. Karen was great fun. So happy-cheery throughout the night.

Jabbawockeez brought out the Gold.
Pussycat Dolls opened the show.



One Republic performing "Apologise".

Ah... Amanda, Amanda. The hot Electrico keyboardist.
I was the one who said 'hi' to you!



I love you guys, Electrico.
But sorry guys, performance was really quite weak.
Especially when Stephanie Sun came into the mix.
It just didn't work.

BIG Leona Lewis.
As in, a big star. Erm. Yeah.


The Script, apparently the hottest new thing from Ireland since Westlife.
Gotta be good. Or better. At least.

A breath of fresh air his voice was.
Check out "The Man Who Can't Be Moved".


And Panic at the Disco closed the show with a big supernova bang.
Silver confetti rained upon us amidst some blasting pyro. And the stage was alight with psychedelic-dressed dancers, gymnasts and Panic with "Nine in the afternoon".

10.45pm - I swear my back and legs were really gonna break by this time. The closing was a fitting end to this great, great show. Definitely not kid's play with the amount of organising that needed to be done. Heck, even just taking care of the Moshpitters needed a lot of work considering they planned our meeting point, transport, timing, and even dinner! Thank you, guys. And thanks, Dawn, if you ever read this some day.

Old uncles we were, we just retreated back to our rooms. I really needed to lie flat for a while to rest my back. And I did. For a whole 45 minutes! Talk about getting old, man.

After that, we figured we were too buggared to get sloshed. So we just supper-ed at the hidden Genting mamak. The best price for food you could get in Genting save for the staff canteen, I think.

But, you know. The best part about going to MTV Asia Awards wasn’t the show. It was a great reason for a quick getaway. It wasn’t just another vacation with the girlfriend. Or with a bunch of friends.

It’s different when it’s just you and a mate. You suddenly find yourself having time to think. To stop running for a moment, take a step back, and reflect on life. Best if you could do it with the whole city of lights before you, and sub-24'C just-nice wind.

My mind’s been messed up, undecided. Too much thinking about something keeps your emotions running like the roller coasters in Genting. And I was wishing the trip would throw me a bone, an answer perhaps.

It didn’t.

I came back tired, but refreshed. Mind sought and found clarity, but lacked judgment. Heart grew strong, but lacked courage.

Perhaps… I’ll wait a little more.



Thursday, August 21, 2008

The power of a few good words

Because of this, I slaved at the office till 3am. And then...


Smile Jeh-mee. :-)
Smile big big. :-D


Five words. Two smileys. At the right time. And that was all it took.

The Worst Day Ever

Radio scripts due every day. Three different jobs, one client. One each day till Friday.

What? Am I really the “radio king” in the agency now?

I love writing radio, don’t get me wrong. Writing radio isn’t the problem. Writing good radio is.

It doesn’t come easy. Ideas don’t just fall from the sky. They take time. Solace. Quiet.


To ponder.

To imagine.

To crystallize.

To craft.


For you to say it isn’t good enough is fine by me. For what you did after saying that, is not.



I had respect for you. But not anymore.



Wednesday, 20 August 2008. A day to be remembered. A black mark in my days as a writer in this agency.

Shh… don’t tell the police I’ve got an F-91W.

I was upset (a little) that I didn’t time my run. I only realized how important it was much later. And there I was during the race looking at these people funny, thinking that they’re just plain obsessive nuts.

It was also then that I saw a fellow runner uncle wearing a Casio F-91W. Thanks for reminding me, uncle. I’ve been wanting to get it for some time now but just haven’t gotten around to do it.


The Casio F-91W. Reminds you of the time you kissed your little cousin? You sicko.


So last Saturday when Goo and I were supposed to attend my cousin’s bday bash at Velvet, I suggested having dinner in Sg. Wang first so that I could hunt for one with the best price after that. Yeah, I’m cheap like that.

Our dinner ended at nine plus. But it's okay, I know just the shop. They have have one of the widest selection of Casio watches including some limited edition G-Shocks. And by the time we reached there, the owner was already closing.

“Ah. He’d want the business. Especially mine. My face has I-WANT-TO-BUY-SOMETHING-LIKE-RIGHT-NOW written all over it.” Thick-skinned, I just sat at the stool and started eagle-eyeing the F-91W.

I pointed to the blue one. And he took out the other colours – ones with green and another with yellow accents. OMG. Yellow. With GOLD little metal buttons. I think I pissed my pants.


Gotta learn how to use the macro mode on my phone a little better.


“45 la, leng-chai.”

I flipped over the price tag that was attached to the watch. It read “RM79.00”.

That’s it lah. Done deal.

Hey, wait a minute. There’s also the other one. The metal one. The one which I have also been eyeing for a long while. I have even tried it on a few times but somehow, I just wasn’t entirely sold on it before. I thought it was too skinny for my hands then.


Pimping it at the office.
Actually, now I think my hand is too skinny for the watch.


“Whoa. This one ar? Hard to find, man. From Japan.” He takes it out. It’s silver surface reflected the lights, teased my eyes. “So which one you want?”


I want both.


“Whoa… greedy ar. Em… This one 100 for you la.”

Again, I flipped over the price tag. It read “RM129.00”. He just wants to get this over and done with, doesn’t he? Maybe I should haggle for a bit. Just for the sake of it, ya know.

“Cannot lah. This one earn 6 ringgit. This one 10 ringgit. Somemore cheaper? Most I can give you 144 lah.”

This time, really done deal.

She said that I’m a Cheras gangster kia by the way I haggle price at the Connaught pasar malam. I must certainly be the father of all Cheras gangster kia because this time, I managed to pay ONE RINGGIT less than the already absurdly discounted price!


By the way, if you’re wondering why the subject header is written so, click here. It amazed me.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Shoes of the day


Still fresh as Air Jordan 1s.


I remember that day.

I actually ran and sped all the way to BVII from Y&R in a panic during my lunch break. Only to find no one else there but me.

And then I paid 800 bucks for two pairs of shoes.

Ahh... the good ol' days when I could actually afford that. How come I keep getting poorer the longer I work?

Btw, today's jeans are waaaaay too tight after laundry. Balls are not happy at all.

I am the King of the Road

I was bored.

I was searching for some excitement.

Something to challenge me. To get me out of my routine. To see if life has anything else to offer.

So the moment goo asked if I’d like to join her for a run, I obliged (I politely told her that she’s nuts the last time she asked me to join the Siemens Run).

Heck, I didn’t even know what run it was until I collected my jersey from goo. She kept telling me excitedly that the jersey’s really nice, and that it’s from Adidas. Oh-kay.

What run again?


I’m not one to torture myself (give me my can of Tiger in one hand, and the remote in another, any day).

I’m no adrenaline junkie who finds comfort and solace in group activities as their only way to reassure themselves that they’re no freaks after all.

And I don’t wanna be sucked into this exclusive group where they become more and more obsessed about running and nothing else. Much like those cybercafe twats who gather into teams and actually organise “practice sessions” with the hope of one day representing the nation to the World Cyber Games Championship.

But that’s how it is, isnt’ it?

We’re all stuck in our very own little world.

You hang out with friends who are like you. You like the same things, like doing the same things. And whatever industry you’re in, you know everything about it, and nothing much else. You don’t get exposed to the different worlds people live in right here on Earth.

If that’s the case, aren’t we like, missing out on a lot?



Looking like a pro at 6.30am.


I'm so good they gave me two numbers. 4D 1034/1043.



Post-race. Check out those eyebags.
They've been bouncing the whole 10k with me.



Endorphins overload. Great to see you, Ervie.


I did okay in the run. Sub-one hour mark for a 10km run, non-stop except at drinking stations. Not too bad for a first-timer at all.

Before the start of the race, Ervie told me with a familiar, lovable grin, “It’s all here,” pointing at her temple. Well, it explains how someone like me could do it.

I did it. Yeah. Really.

That's the title that goes after my name from now on.


I’m grateful that I got exposed to this world. The runner’s world.

Where skimpy sleeveless tees, super-short pants, and very ugly shoes are the trendiest.

Where waking at insane hours to self-torture is well worth it as long as you have a dimsum lunch after that.

Where it’s so cool and respectable to be staying healthy, especially when you’re 60.

Where conversations that take place mean so much, even without words (cause you just don’t have a breath to spare).

Where strangers cheer you on with all their hearts.

Where you cheer the one you love with all of yours.

Where you start to believe that perhaps, impossible really is nothing.



Well, I’m not that bored anymore. Count me in for the next race.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Mr. West did it again




Yep, he did.

In the spirit of the Beijing Olympics, Kanye released a new video for another single, “Champion”, from his “Graduation” album (the one which trounced 50 Cent’s big time). And the video is off the hook.



For one, if you happen to be a normal hip hop superstar, you’d want the video to be all about you, ie. you in your full bling gear plastered all over at least 3:56 of the 4:00 video.

But no, Kanye’s a muppet. A bloody muppet! (think figurines and vinyl toys royalty KA-CHING after this!)

Of course, Kanye being Kanye, he’s still about Touching the Sky and being the best in the whole wide world, in fact, the whole universe.

But tell me you didn’t chuckle at any point during the video? A smile, no?

He’s like a Michel Gondry. Every new song/album/video from makes people just go “Wow”.

Is it by being ‘cool’? Is it by offering something very different from those in the game (aren’t we all sick and tired of hip hop stars swinging their hands at the camera, mumbling incoherently through their grills, surrounded by big bosomed women)? Is it by presenting something strangely familiar but yet new? Is it because he makes one wonder, how come no one else did it this way before? Is it because he... entertains?


Wait a minute. It sounds just like advertising.

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

What happens when you play with fire?

"It will become a big bonfire. And from it, will rise a phoenix.”


Sounds like a warning.


“Who is the phoenix?” I asked, curious.

“You will find out ler. I’m not telling,” as he shakes his head nonchalantly.



Eh, what nonsense!


How irritating are you?

No, really.

Do people turn around whenever they see you approaching? Do people ignore your questions and only answer when you really press them to? Do you find people ‘jokingly’ tease you all the time? Do you find yourself having to beg people to go for lunch/dinner/anywhere with you? Do people talk behind your back?

Tsk tsk. Pretty mild, I’d say.

Compared to a mother whom you just wanna give a tight slap across the face not because she’s not a good mother, but because she’s just so damn irritating.

For borrowing money from loan sharks. For getting the family broke. For getting the family worried. For ruining whatever chances they have at achieving their dreams because you just squandered all their entire lives’ savings. For doing that every week or so. For promising that every time is gonna be the last time. For blaming everyone else for the pain and anguish you’ve caused.

I doubt anyone can ever be more irritating. (So you can relax for a bit there.)

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Rotten flowers...

They smell as sweet.



It's been a while.

Not very funny

Perhaps it’s easier if I take it all as a joke. Perhaps it is.


If only it is that easy to make your heart believe the lie that your mind is telling.

Monday, August 04, 2008

What if?

Along the way in life, there’ll be certain decisions that you fear making.

You fear making them because you’re not leaving it to chance. Flipping a coin is easy, but it just means that you’re being a coward who avoids responsibilities.

But when push comes to shove, you have to make the decision. You consider each side of the path that you have before you. The consequences. The effects. You consider them carefully. Because some don’t just concern you, but affect others greatly, too.

Here’s the thing. It’s dead easy to fall into complacency in life. You get comfortable.

I have an okay job with an okay salary. I don’t really have to worry about putting food on the table and every now and then, I can buy something nice for myself. I work with some nice people I’ve grown comfortable working with. I get jobs that have become easy over time because it’s what I’ve been doing for the past one and a half years. I have someone who I’ve been with for the past 2 years or so. And I have great plans to go overseas with her, with monthly deadlines to adhere to should I not want to be disallowed to re-enter that country.

And then, something pops up. Something that quashes your imagination of impossibilities and forces you to dream of a wild world of possibilities. Something that makes you pause, re-evaluate and reflect on what you’re searching for in life. Something that teases you with a big “What if?” Something that, considering the plans, came at the worst possible time ever.

So what do I do?

At the moment, let’s just say being a coward is the safest option yet.



Friday, August 01, 2008

It's been like what... forever?




No one reads this blog anyways. So i guess there's no reason to apologise and no one to apologise to.

Great.

Cause that means it's time to start writing again.


So. What's new?

A lot.