china girl to major tom, i'm under pressure* 

When it rains, it pours.

And that has nothing to do with Mariah Carey singing. Hah, it was pouring meows and woofs last Jan 20. A collegue, angered by countless madness deadline pressure, shouted "Oi Mariah, stop calling the rain la! Banjir kang!".

Incubus will be performing at Bukit Kiara Stadium on March 16. So affordable, some more. Only RM98. If they sing 'Are You In?' and 'Warning', I will go home with my cheshire cat grin. And sleep with my cheshire cat grin. And then God will lock my jaw and I will end up wearing that grin for the rest of my life. And then I will audition for the next Batman movie and get the part of the Female Joker. And I will act alongside Jack Nicholson as his daughter seeking revenge for his death. And then Batman will fall in love with me and repent for killing daddy Joker. And I will forgive him. And we will get married. And we will ride towards the sunset with our BatMobile.

Fingers snapping.

Sheesh. Back to my black and white world...

Then, yesterday night, I found out that David Bowie will be in Singapore for a concert this coming Thursday, 4 March. Wah liau eh, I want to go! Cheapest ticket is at S$75, best ticket being S$255. A couple of colleagues are gonna drive down to the causeway on Thursday noon, go for the concert and drive back the same night, reach KL at 4.00am, nap for 4 hours and go to work by 9.00am.

Fun, fun, fun...The last time I did such nonsence was for ColdPlay / Travis concert back in July 2001. That was so worth it!

Dilemmas:
i) Have to attend both concerts. That's not an option, Houston.
ii) Which ticket to buy to see Bowie? S$75 ticket will let me see all 5-inches of Bowie, hear, dance and sing with him. S$255 ticket will let me see Bowie by 5 feet away, hear, dance and sing with him. And the best part is I'll be able to see his beautiful, gorgeous eyes.

"What eyes?", I can almost hear Mei's mocking now. Hm, to kill a mocking bird.

Bowie has different coloured- and sized eyes. The left is brown, permanently dilated and the right is blue, normal. When Bowie was a teenager, he was punched in the left eye, and it permanently dilated the pupil and turned it brown. Or was it hazel? There you go...some Bowie trivia. And people thought the nickname 'Chameleon' was referring to his fashion disability. Geesh.

With the S$255 ticket, chances of David Bowie extending his hand to me and say "Let's Dance, my China Girl" is so very high. (Hey, I am a sucker for miracles. So shoot me!). And after that, David Bowie will leave Iman for me. (Err, maybe not...I shall not test the stretchability of my suckerism.)

Both dreams are nice. Either will still leave that cheshire cat grin on my face.

Never mind, all is not lost. I still get to marry Batman.

Mua ha ha ha hah.


NOTE - AJ sent me this to correct the trivia on Bowie's eyes:

Why has David Bowie got odd looking eyes?

He has a condition called aniscoria, which is the medical term for unequal pupils. In 1962, aged 14, he got punched in the eye by his school friend George Underwood, during an argument over a girl named Carol Goldsmith. George's knuckle caught David's eye and dislodged something. David was admitted to Farnborough Hospital, where it was found that the sphincter muscles in his left eye were damaged and he underwent two eye operations. He has an enlarged pupil that remains permanently open, giving the effect of different coloured eyes.

David and George are to this day still life-long friends. George played in early Bowie groups and eventually became a commercial artist. He was involved in the design of the album sleeves for Hunky Dory (1971), The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars (1972) albums/posters/flyers, graphics for The 1980 Floor Show and The Man Who Fell To Earth book cover.

February 28, 2004 // anjali* pranced on tip-toes all over the keyboard at 5:52 pm
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bonda* 

I've seen better days than yesterday.

Practically bulldozed my way through the heaps of tasks. Missed lunch and dinner, with the exception of 5 packets of Nestum 3-in-1 Sweet Corn. By 10.00 pm, I decided I've done enough. So back to home it was.

The drive home accidentally took longer than I anticipated. Went to see a friend at Sri Kembangan and thereafter, missed a few turnings and ended up in Kajang. Trying to make the best of the situation, made a stop for some venison satay. Yum. Best decision I made all day. All week.

With the guilt of a glutton, I decided to put on M.Nasir's Canggung Mendonan album. Right after 'Ada', 'Bonda' came next in line.

And then it hit me. I missed mum. Oh how I really missed her so.

It has been a good three years since her sudden demise. No warning sign. No proper goodbye. No more sarcastic jokes to crack; the way only a mum and her youngest daughter can share.

Regrets crept in. Mum, just when I can start to afford to buy you some of your heart's desire, you go leaving me like that. That trip to China. And no one can describe this sense of loss better than 'Bonda'.

Mengapa kanta ini masih berkaca
Sedang ku telah pun terima
Di dalam reda
Segala kepahitan
Pengalaman menjadi penawar
Mengejar mimpi ke pintu syurga

Mengapa sinar neon dan gedung indah
Kotaraya yang menjanjikan sejuta rasa
Sejuta haruman
Kini menjadi penjara jiwa
Ku yang merindukan ketenangan

I left home to chase a dream of a better life in Kay El, the city that holds a million promises. And sometimes the hustle and hurried life feels like a gargantuan trap of sins, and I end up craving for the serenity of small town life. Oh, how Jane love the plants...

Duhai bonda
Hari-hariku
Kini berlalu
Bagaikan bahtera
Tanpa layar dan kemudi

Bonda
Akhirnya terbongkar jua rahsia
Tangisan dan gurindam
Keramat kasih sayangmu
Keramat kasih sayangmu...

Bonda
Saat dan pertemuan semula
Kita kali ini
Akan ku abadikan

You're in His good hands now, mum.
We will meet again. In dreams. Thoughts. Memories.

Love you lots.

(Footnote: Abang M.Nasir, anjali* minta maaf kerana telah memaparkan lirik lagu 'Bonda' tanpa kebenaran terlebih dahulu. Sememangnya perbuatan ini hanyalah untuk melafazkan rasa kesepian dan kerinduan mendalam yang sedang menusuk kalbu. Respek!)

February 27, 2004 // anjali* pranced on tip-toes all over the keyboard at 1:11 pm
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letter from elvis costello* 

Dear anjali*,

I heard you have smashed up one of my albums.

While I value your right to comment on my work (even violently),
I will continue to record music as an expression of my artistic individuality.

You will not silence me.

Your sincerely
ELVIS COSTELLO

(This letter was written by AJ, coz I accidently chipped off the cover of his new and original-bought-from-amazon.com 'The Very Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions' CD)

February 24, 2004 // anjali* pranced on tip-toes all over the keyboard at 5:20 pm
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amah, boney is bullying me* 

amah, amah
where are you lah, amah
i sit here all alone
my hungry stomach groans
and damn mr bones
he won't let me go home...

will the real slave driver please stand up?

hee.

February 20, 2004 // anjali* pranced on tip-toes all over the keyboard at 10:32 pm
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canine talk* 

woof woof wof woof WOOOF!!!
woofie!

Translation:
I am going home NOW!!!
whoopie!

February 19, 2004 // anjali* pranced on tip-toes all over the keyboard at 6:45 pm
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hah, the pornographer went missing* 

Yep, just gave thanks to my twisted good luck. Muah!

Apparently, there was a faulty copy and therefore, the pornographer will make its debut at a later date.

Hey, pornographer...looks like we have a date after all! I promise to wear something kinky : )

February 18, 2004 // anjali* pranced on tip-toes all over the keyboard at 3:21 am
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missing the pornographer* 

It's now six minutes away from six a.m.

Clicking and clacking of my keyboard broke the silence throughout the night. There's no one left in this office. No one except me, myself and I. Surprisingly I didn't feel scared. Felt very much at home, I must say.

And the population of plants at my cubicle is increasing by the day. Yes, soon Jane will emerge...

With all assignments completed now, a slow anger began to build within me. I had missed one greatly anticipated movie. Not due to popular rating, but by sheer default of its interesting title "The Pornographer".

Sigh.

Never mind. I shall go home now and treat myself to a cold bath.

A new day has begun...

February 17, 2004 // anjali* pranced on tip-toes all over the keyboard at 5:54 am
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my soul must sing* 

It's Valentine's day. And it's Saturday!
The sun is shining. The birds are chirping.
And I am blessed to be alive.
I am blessed to be loved by you.

Beautiful one, I love you.
Beautiful one, I adore.
Beautiful one, my soul must sing.

Yes Lord, my soul must sing.


February 14, 2004 // anjali* pranced on tip-toes all over the keyboard at 4:30 pm
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sputnik* 

I feel extremely happy today. To be precise, I feel on top of the world! I have finally found someone who actually made me feel 'ignorant' about British music and music in general. Gosh, call me sadistic but I feel great to be challenged like that.

See, this corridor conversation between this colleague and myself started innocently from my asking what sort of music he listens to. "Everything", he responded. Then it ignited to a tongue lashing session on band names; their famous songs, not so famous songs, and our favourite songs. The one-hit wonders etcetera. Nik Kershaw, Howard Jones, Hootie and the Blowfish, James, Paul Young, CCR, Grateful Dead, Beth Orton, Heaven 17, Ryan Adams, The Smiths, Talking Heads, Travis, The Beautiful South, The Housemartins, Chaka Demus & The Pliers, Tears For Fears, The Boomtown Rats, Wang Chung, A Flock Of Seagulls, Death Cab For Cutie, Adam Ant, Morrissey...and get this! The Travelling Wilburys.

Ooh, the list went on and on.

It seemed to me I have found myself a walking and talking British music I-Pod! I marvel at this discovery. I was literally drunk, intoxicated with anticipation of the many songs I can now own too!

And if that was not enough, AJ threw me a challenge.

"Name me any song you want. You can bet your last dollar I have it!"

Being a sucker for challenge, I thought hard and long.

"C'mon girl. I haven't got all day! Ha ha ha". Swine!

Then, all of a sudden, the bulb lit. And it shines so brightly.

"Hah! I've got one! Prepare to DIE!!!" And I gave an evil laugh.

"What?". I swear I was grinning like the cat in Alice In Wonderland, from earlobe to earlobe. "Come on then, give it to me", he mocked.


"Sigue Sigue Sputnik!"

Silence.

"Haah! But of course, Love Missile F1-11!"

Aaaaarrrrggghhhh! I can't believe it. This is amazing! This is the first person, in nearly a decade, whom has heard of Sputnik. And like icing in the cake, he has the song in his collection too.

Wah liau! Beh tahan, I tell u.

So yes, today I am the proud owner of 'Love Missile F1-11'. One amazing and silly song, which reached the #1 spot in Top Of The Pops back in the late 80's.

People always worry if they sound or act cheap. Fret not; I am cheaper!

Just one song and I feel like a million bucks.
I'm contented.

February 13, 2004 // anjali* pranced on tip-toes all over the keyboard at 1:10 am
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What about me?* 

Today I was invited to a tennis game, which I heard Jess would be joining in too. One friend wanted to play 'Dr. Love'. But somehow, I am very surprise the butterflies in my stomach were very much at ease today. Either a No-War Day was declared, or they have found themselves a new territory. Either way, I feel abandoned.

I am also surprised at my own lack of eagerness to seeing Jess again. I was sure I would have enough guts to strike a decent conversation upon a quick and proper introduction.

Into the first hour of the game, a friend told me Jess has entered the court. I looked and yes, he has arrived.

And he wasn't alone.

He's with someone new.

I shot a quick scan at her. She's pretty. Pleasant looking. Good height, to complement his tall frame. Simple. She offered him a drink of water, and he accepted with a loving gaze. She also touched his hand. And stroked it. Slowly. He returned another loving gaze and smile. He seemed contented.

Funny, I don't feel jealous. I'm glad he didn't go for the slinky bamboo type, which I detest. In fact, I approve of this newfound love. Hey, I must say he's got taste!

And he has gone through a bad patch recently, I am really glad he's no longer alone. Jess is such a nice person, and he deserved to be happy. I am happy, to see him happy. To know he is happy. Truly I am.

And with this, I decided to seal this life chapter with Jess.

I walked away from the court with mixed feelings. I am delighted for him, empty for myself.

But then again, it's okay. At least one of us has found someone. And that can't be bad.

The earth is round. My day will come.

Please come sooner.

February 08, 2004 // anjali* pranced on tip-toes all over the keyboard at 2:46 pm
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a short wedding story* 

Today is the most important day in B's life. B got married today...

The ceremony was colourful. B looked contented. For a split second, I caught his eye and he gave away a cheeky wink while the priest was busy sprinkling holy water at him and his bride. That's B, always has been and always will be.

It's been good eight years since we met. He was there when I had my first accident, when I was going through the aftermath of my break-up with P, when I recovered and when I just needed to talk to someone. Never one to judge, but always there to encourage. He has been a wonderful confidant. The bride is a lucky woman - he's really a gem of a man.

As I said, he looked contented. I love the warm feeling I feel whenever I see the contented look in the faces of loved ones. I can really share their happiness. For me, it exudes a sense of hope. Life isn't so bad after all.

Hey B, I wish you everlasting love and happiness. You truly deserve it, friend.

February 04, 2004 // anjali* pranced on tip-toes all over the keyboard at 11:12 pm
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looney tunes* 

I do not play any musical instrument. But I love music. All sorts, anything except house and perhaps, jazz. I love folk and alternative, especially British. I draw lots of ideas from songs, especially those with wacky lyrics. I have lots of memories with different types of songs. Different tunes to fit different sets of mood...

Inspired by Nick Hornby's book '31 Songs', I'd like to dispense my own list. But what I will not do is to go in detail on each song. I do encourage you to have a listen to the songs, befitting whichever category that suits your eardrums.

Here goes...

Favourite Songs Of All Time
Every Breath You Take - The Police
With Or Without You - U2

Favourite Songs To Decipher My Emotions After A Bad Workday
Mountain Of Things - Tracy Chapman
Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now - The Smiths
A Little Respect - Erasure

Favourite Violin-Rock Instrumental
Vio-Pipe - Butterfingers

Favourite Love Songs
Sentuhan ListrikMu - M.Nasir
I Love You But You're Boring - The Beautiful South
Caravan Of Love - The Housemartins
This Year's Love - David Gray
Only You - The Flying Pickets
Yellow - Coldplay

Favourite Failed Love Songs
I'd Sail This Ship Alone - The Beautiful South
Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home) - Paul Young
I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) - MeatLoaf
Transatlanticism - Death Cab For Cutie
The Weakness In Me - Joan Armatrading

Favourite Happy Songs
Happy Hour - The Housemartins
Jump Jim Crow - Michelle Shocked
Bright Side Of The Road - Van Morrison

Favourite Desert-Themed Songs
Kias Fansuri - M.Nasir
Vande Mataram - A.R. Rahman
Rhapsody In Blue - Pete Teo

Favourite Day-Dreaming Songs
Anthem - Phantom Planet
When I Grow Up - Michelle Shocked

Favourite Hermit Song
Me Myself I - Joan Armatrading

Favourite Preggie Songs (Especially when I feel extremely bloated)
Flowers In The Window - Travis
Gold Mother - James

Favourite Haunting Songs
There There - Radiohead
We Suck Young Blood - Radiohead

Favourite Mandarin Song
I'll Be With You - Tension

Favourite Cover Songs
Wonderwall - Ryan Adams
What A Wonderful World - Willie Nelson
The Man Who Sold The World - Nirvana

Favourite Sad Song
I Started A Joke - The Bee Gees

Favourite Wacky Songs
Arkansas Traveller - Michelle Shocked
Girlfriend In A Coma - The Smiths
Dylan - Rafique Rashid
Hymns From A Village - James
Step Outside - The Housemartins
Murder By Numbers - The Police

Favourite Song When I Miss My Mother
Bonda - M.Nasir

Favourite Christmas Song
Do They Know It's Christmas - Band Aid

Top 5 All Time Favourite Albums
Short, Sharp, Shocked - Michelle Shocked
Canggung Mendonan - M. Nasir
Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman
Vande Mataram - A.R Rahman
Rustic Living For Urbanites - Pete Teo

February 02, 2004 // anjali* pranced on tip-toes all over the keyboard at 10:11 am
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a rustic analysis* 

Pete Teo Tsu Hoo is his name. Apparently, Tsu Hoo means "si fu", akin to someone very intellectual, a scholar and a master. And that rings true to Pete. He has masters in law and while he was pursuing his masters, he taught philosophy in a London university. For a graduate from Inogoto University, that's super terror for my standard. He's a terrorist! (Get the pun? Oh, never mind!)

'Rustic Living For Urbanites' is the title of the first album. Back in July 2003, a music informer friend told me 'Jesselton Tonight' was very good and that I should check it out. Having just returned from my virgin Kinabalu climb, I thought Jesselton was an appropriate song to remember KK by.

"Would you fall in love in Jesselton tonight?" Pete asked.
No, not exactly. Instead, I had fallen in love with Jesselton itself. And I plan to make yearly visits.

Back to Rustic. Boy, was I smitten. Totally. It now sits comfortably on my Top 5 best albums chart and it may continue to stay within that rank for a long time to come. That voice. The stories. Wow.

Pete referred to Rustic as music of a drowning man clutching at straws, due to its melancholic theme. But to turn around a forlorn episode of his life to this piece of gem, that's powerful use of negative energy. Awesome.

And if that's not enough, wait till you hear him sings live.

Big in talent. XL in personality. He's been tagged as one of the nicest people around. Reading his mails affirms that too. Genuine. Humble air surrounds him, despite being an active chimney.

There are lots of characters portrayed in Rustic, as well as other songs available via his website. And I would like to attempt to unveil them all.

Van (Jesselton Tonight)
That's basically Van Morrison himself, whose 'Astral Weeks' album reigns high as Pete's all-time favourite. And he also sang 'Brown Eyed Girl' - the contagious la di da song.

Annie & Frank (Alive 'N Free)
Annie was pretty, has dark eyes and suffers from split personality. Her alter ego is Frank. They both died in 1945, in the year of the night.

Susie (Rhapsody In Blue)
Susie was a woman whom Pete chats up in a bar one night, only to his dismay, uncovered she was a man after all. I like her. I think she's kinky. Wicked too. On evil black nights, she offers spices in cones or sticks. She likes to watch, repeatedly. And she knows her calcium; she likes a man with strong bones. Ironically, Pete is Mr. Bones himself. Hmmm.

Joe (Marianne Called)
He's the one who married the Marianne chick. The one who stole her heart at the bridge. The one whom Pete decided to jump into the water, to allow the new lovebirds some privacy. The drunkard one. The one who broke the news to Pete about Marianne's demise. The one whom Pete consoled with a mere "I'm sorry", despite his own pain on the loss.

Anne (Marianne Called)
She's the one who left Pete on one gloomy December.

Tom (Marianne Called)
Tom is Marianne & Joe's eldest child. There was another baby due in June; gender and name not specified.

Blue (Blue)
She is a friend of Pete's friend. One who was going through some rough patches - must be a beautiful quilt to inspire such a lovely tune.

Emily (The Red House)
Another man Pete chats up in a bar inspired this song. An ex-convict who lost everything while serving his term; wife, child and self-worth. Emily is the child he had lost. On some sunny days, the love-torn father steals a moment off her from far away, amidst the background of the corner red house, by the old fruit tree.

Paul / Paulie (The Red House)
The one who went down together with the ex-convict back in '85. The informer of the downtown swindle, but whose invitation the ex-convict refused. The one who never rehabilitates.

Tom (Tom)
This is a new song, which I assume is about the grown-up Tom.

Madame George (Last Good Man)
'Last Good Man' was written as a tribute to Van Morrison. The song which didn't fit into the Rustic ensemble, hence was taken out in the eleventh hour. What a waste - it's my favourite song by Pete. I particularly liked the line "Drinking Guinness in a Milo can". Clever. Anyway, in the song, Madame George was repeatedly said goodbye to. Madame George is not a person. In fact, the line "Say Goodbye to Madame George" was taken from Morrison's song 'Madame George', also from 'Astral Weeks'.

Lastly, the million-dollar question...

Who is Marianne of the trilogy fame?
As he continues to keep tight-lipped about her, my only conjecture is Marianne is Pete himself. In the dead of night, when he unmasks his cross-dressing persona...

Hee!

(For more of Pete, say "Verbose Master, appear now!" and click here)

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Pete's comment via email Tue, 10 Feb 2004 14:23:24 +0800:

Haha. U had me in stiches.
Some hits some misses.
All really great. I am honored my dear Anjali.
Mummy should be proud of you. :-)

February 01, 2004 // anjali* pranced on tip-toes all over the keyboard at 1:01 am
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