Direct Flights Only

I recorded the Oscars last year in my cable box but didn’t get around to watching it. Managed to view this year’s telecast though. Thanks to fast forward, I caught the important bits within an hour instead of three.

I read somewhere that this year’s Oscars had a bigger budget and was more lavish. Maybe. But I have to say I enjoyed this show vs the ones I’ve seen before.

There are a few events I would consider as extremely difficult to organise. The Oscars is one of them (the others being Olympics, Miss Universe, Inauguration of a President — well, in my view). So the production team must feel relieved that it’s over.

When I was younger, I read in a magazine called “Premiere” that they ballot the people who will act as “replacements” for showbiz people who vacate their seats during the break so that when the commercial gap is over, there wouldn’t be empty seats. All these details make organising such big event truly exciting.

Anyway, here are some of my fave parts of the show.

1) Hugh Jackman doing a medley of best picture nominees at the beginning of the show.

While he was slightly off key, he still did a good job completing this segment. Learned that he was once a stage actor. No wonder.

I particularly liked the part on Benjamin Button where he stuck his head out of the prop a few times, representing the various stages of Benjamin’s life in the movie.

2) Introduction of nominees for acting categories

Never seen this executed this way before. Former winners in the category introducing this year’s nominees. The intro covered not only how effective they were in the role but also some positive reinforcement of how great they are as a person. Noticed some of the nominees were teary-eyed while they were being introduced. Don’t think that’s still acting…

The formation on stage of previous winners was like the Top 5 of Miss Universe though. Haha.

3) Intro for Screenplay — original and adapted

I think it was brilliant to introduce Steve Martin and Tina Fey via a script the way screenwriters would describe the action and lines in a movie. The intro of films (video) was also done in a similar manner.

4) Ledger family accepting the Best Actor in a Supporting Role on behalf of Heath Ledger (posthumous award).

Touching speech by Heath Ledger’s family. Heath looks like his dad.

5) Japan winning Best Foreign Film

There is hope in Asian cinema. When will Singapore and the Philippines enter as a finalist?

The acceptance speech was simple yet direct to the point. I had to transcribe it.

“Thank you to all the Academy. Thank you to everybody who helped me (in this) film. I am very, very happy. Thank you. I am here because of films. This is a new departure for me. And I, we will be back. Thank you. Arigato.”

What kinda disappointed me was seeing some of the showbiz people chuckling when the speech was being delivered. Common guys, we should be more understanding when English is not the primary language. After all, do you know how to speak their language fluently?

Oscar 2009 Winners

Best Motion Picture of the Year
Slumdog Millionaire

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Sean Penn, Milk

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Kate Winslet, The Reader

Best Achievement in Directing
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Dustin Lance Black, Milk

Best Achievement in Cinematography
Anthony Dod Mantle, Slumdog Millionaire

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
Okuribito (Japan)

Best Documentary, Features
Man on Wire

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
WALL·E

Best Achievement in Editing
Chris Dickens, Slumdog Millionaire

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
A.R. Rahman and Sampooran Singh Gulzar, “Jai Ho” (Slumdog Millionaire)

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire

Best Achievement in Sound
Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, Resul Pookutty, Slumdog Millionaire

Best Achievement in Sound Editing
Richard King, The Dark Knight

Best Achievement in Visual Effects
Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton, Craig Barron, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Achievement in Makeup
Greg Cannom, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Achievement in Costume Design
Michael O’Connor, The Duchess

Best Achievement in Art Direction
Donald Graham Burt, Victor J. Zolfo, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Short Film, Live Action
Spielzeugland

Best Documentary, Short Subjects
Smile Pinki

Best Short Film, Animated
La Maison en petits cubes

1. My most favorite song is “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You”. I would like to dedicate that song to the girl of my dreams at our wedding, hopefully before I reach mid-30’s.

2. I was rather on the “healthy side” when I was younger (3-5 yrs old) that I fell off a flight of stairs without getting any bruises.

3. I lived in Sydney for four (4) months way back 2001 but it took me two (2) years to get over it. I had to schedule a return trip so I could move on and visit other countries.

4. I can make friends easily and would exert time and effort to get to know them better. I list down the names of people I meet to help me remember them in case I see them again in the future.

5. I used to host travelers for free. No catch. Welcomed around 35 people into my home over a period of 2 years.

6. The wildest party I’ve ever attended was the Full Moon Party at Koh Phangan, Thailand. There were “warm-up nights” leading to the party itself and my body clock totally changed. Also met close to 40 people from different countries.

7. I’ve never touched snow so would like to visit Iceland or Antarctica for an ultimate experience.

8. I don’t know how to swim. I survive the pool (if I ever get to dip into it) because of my height. I don’t like getting dark too.

9. My watch was advanced by 20 minutes during my entire secondary school but I realised this only after graduation. No wonder my friends would be pissed whenever I’d tell them it’s time to head back to the classroom shortly after we start our break.

10. I have a “hair development plan”. I try to change my hairstyle at least twice a year.

11. I love Singapore. I even miss Singapore (not the Philippines) whenever I travel overseas.

12. I don’t like wearing contact lenses (well, I’ve never tried wearing them). I feel specs change the way I look — from nerdy to smart. I will only wear contacts when I visit the US and attempt to ride all the rollercoasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

13. When traveling on business, I order “Iced Milo” when asked by the flight attendant. I think I’m the only one who requests that. Everyone else asks for wine or champagne. I get the amused look from the cabin crew 50% of the time.

14. I always wear two layers — t-shirt/polo and an undershirt (either white or colored).

15. I panic buy whenever I visit H&M.

16. I don’t like backpacking. I tried doing it once — I ended up placing my mobile phone inside my shirt and crossing my arms over my chest out of paranoia. It also wasn’t nice seeing a lady shave her armpit while standing beside me in a common bathroom. But who knows, I might change my travel preferences next time.

17. I’m a fan of good oral hygiene. I brush my teeth at least 4x a day. I carry a toiletry kit in my weekend bag whenever I go around town.

18. I used to like Caucasian women. I still do but now that I am surrounded by a lot of Chinese women in Singapore, I seem to be attracted to them more. Chinese babies look cute too.

19. Whenever I have my picture taken for an identification card, i.e. license, I ask the photographer to count until three so I can smile properly. These cards are used long-term so need to look decent.

20. If there are days when I need to work from home, I still wear long pants so I won’t feel lazy and too homey.

21. I used to be an altar boy but when I grew taller than everyone one else I became quite conscious and decided to “retire”.

22. I have never missed a single Miss Universe telecast since 1987. I feel Donald Trump should give me a loyalty award or maybe a free premium ticket to a future show. Will have to depend on six degrees of separation for that to happen.

23. I buy books but I don’t read them, except for travel guides. It’s just good to have them around in case I feel like picking them up from the shelf at some point. However, I read books that are given to me as gifts.

24. I’m really not into spa and other expensive wellness places. I don’t like the feeling of aromatic oil being rubbed on my body. If I go for a massage (rarely though), I try to stay awake so I know what’s happening. That will also help me answer the question, “Pressure ok, sir?” Haha.

25. I don’t mind going to KTV / videoke on my own and sing for around 3 hours. I load the songs I know by heart during the first few minutes so I can select the next batch of songs from the computer without looking at the lyrics.

Saturday

130pm – Eugene and Veria’s hosted lunch with friends at their new place in Bedok. Their “major project” was truly worth the wait. I found their home bright, cozy, and modern — awesome environment for a newly-married couple.

Food was fanstastic — from the baked mushrooms, pasta, and chocolate dessert!

Also met new friends – Daryl, Shu Li, Rodin. Terence and Sze whom I had the chance to meet in December through Eugene and Veria were also there.

Shu Li and Daryl

Terence and Sze

This is really yummy - great food presentation too

I think this is called molten chocolate cake. Hotel quality, even better!

Our wonderful hosts - caught in the act - Eugene and Veria

430pm (ish) – Met up with Julu in Vivo to prepare for the biggest cookout of his life (which I was hosting). In a few hours, he will be sharing his culinary talent with several of our friends through his signature creations. Learned a fair bit though my contribution was limited to ingredient preparation (peeling skin off the garlic and passing plates/bowls etc) haha.

Fun night – drinks, KTV, and boardgames. Ended around midnight.

Believe it or not, Julu didn't like the first shot so needed a re-take!

Posh Pierre - cutting bacon into decent size - with matching blue kitchen scissors

One of the two pasta sauces created by Julu. This one's was made form scratch (tomato base)

L-R : Julu, Pierre, Jeremy, me ; Back L-R: Desmond, Peiru

Gorgeous women at the Caribbean - Peiru and Valerie

With Desmond and Duncan

Chipmunks haha - Ben, Jeremy, Duncan

Sunday

430pm – KTV with my church choir. Always great to be at KTV with friends who not only love to sing but can also sing really well.

Venue was at Marina Country Club which was somewhere near Boon Lay. Selection was good; likely to go back there if I have extra minutes to travel to the west. Stayed for around 3 hrs before taking a one-hour bus journey from Boon Lay to Harbourfront.

A few photos

I don’t know why I felt as excited as the kids did to hear about the heavy snow which covered London. And I’m not even in such place!

The UK is the only country in Europe that I have ever visited. Went there 3x before so have fond memories of the place. I maintain a high interest with what goes on in such “lovely” (should be pronounced in the correct accent) country.

Here are photos I came across the BBC site yesterday… well, except the last one. Haha.

Big Ben and Parliament House. Wonder if the clock still works!

This looks like a photo taken in a studio for a film but it's the real thing.

Problem again for Heathrow...

File photo (March 2007, London). There is something terribly wrong with this photo.

I really hope I get to touch snow within the next few years.

17 January

First time visit to… School of Art, Design, and Media – Nanyang Technological University

I have several friends who studied in NTU so I’ve always looked forward to visiting their former campus at some point. A few Saturdays ago, I had a valid reason to travel west where it was located. My friend Zihan was using one of the studios there to shoot his forthcoming film, “Threshold” so thought I’d drop by and see what happens behind the scenes. Also caught up for a bit with Junfeng (also a filmmaker in Singapore) on my way out of the building.

Threshold shooting

31 January

First time to… Yishun

I have always wanted my random bus rides to take me to the north but been unsuccessful. Last Saturday, I tagged my sister along for a mid-morning adventure around Singapore. Took a bus that went all the way to (drumroll) Yishun interchange, a journey that lasted almost an hour from Orchard.

Where is Yishun?

Some images along the way and when we reached Yishun.

Lots of signs. Which one do I look at?

Not really sure what this is

I think this is a lake, unless I got my "bodies of water" incorrectly.

There's a $10M Hong Bao draw in early Feb. This drew a long queue from heaps of people.

Lunch at Northpoint mall - Lemon Chicken & Pattaya rice. I was told Pattaya rice is usually wrapped in fried egg and has lots of pepper. True, true. But I don't remember it from a previous trip to Pattaya.

"Excellence Together Singapore Forever". Might make uncle Rick Astley smile.

31 January

First time (in a long time) to… Holland Village

I arranged to meet up with Wallace but he was running late so I walked around the area first. It’s been a little over 2 years since I last went –  I think it was with Sean and Ryan over dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Holland V attracts a mixed crowd — locals and foreigners — and offers lots of dining options (from coffee shops to high end restos). Nearest MRT station (10 minute walk) : Buona Vista.

Had afternoon tea with Wallace at 211 Rooftop Terrace resto (211 Holland Avenue, Holland Road Shopping Centre, #04-01 Singapore 278967Ph 6462 6194).