The morning was calm, quiet and cold. I had just returned from more than an hour of presentations, and was in the midst of going through the emails whilst having my morning coffee when the first sounds of the frantic flappings broke through. It came from the window, and all I could see was a dark shape moving behind the white blinds. It took me a while to realise that a not so little black bird had somehow flown into my office and was panicky because he couldn't get back out.
My office window is usually shut tight, but there was a thunderstorm yesterday evening and I suspect the strong winds somehow blew it open several inches.
I wanted to open the window wider to let the little fella out, but he got even more anxious when I approached. He flew out of the blinds into my office, and circled the room wildly once or twice. At this point, I had gotten panicky myself. I couldn't get near the window enough to open it, and I was terrified because I thought the black bird might swoop down and peck me. For a few seconds, I stood frozen and watched him fly right into the ceiling lights, circled the room again, and into the lights again, crying his high-pitched pain-stricken chirps. Then, I decided maybe if I held the door open, he would go through it.
So I did - I reached for the door and held it wide open. The little guy seemed a little settled by the distance I put between us. He perched on the blinds railing and paced left and right. I don't know if he would had responded had I whistled - I'd never know because I can't whistle. Damn. I tried to call out to him as best I could. I don't think he understood "Here, here, little bird!" or "This way out! (with exaggerated arm gestures)" because he totally ignored me.
Perhaps, I thought, I could get someone to usher my guest towards the door while I held it open. I took a look around, and miraculously, the corridor, usually bustling with noisy staff and students, was perfectly empty. It was so still I could probably hear the echoes of my breathing if I had better ears.
Well, fine, I thought, if I can't find help, I could probably place a chair at the doorway to keep it open while I myself do the ushering. I took a step towards the nearest chair, and the moment I moved, the unwelcome winged-intruder imagined impending danger and got instantly agitated. He flapped his wings, let out a few more of his tortured chirps and looked as if he would start flying madly around again. I retreated back to my position at the doorway and stared at him. He stared back at me.
We both stared at each other, at loss. I cannot recall many other occassions during which I felt more helpless than I did then. Just as I was wondering how long I had to be stuck with my feathered "friend", he had an enlightenment. I didn't exactly see it - it happened rather quickly - he flew behind the blinds, and somehow managed to escape the way he came in.
Once ascertained that he'd indeed left, I rushed to the window with the intention to shut it securely, lest more winged creatures decide to drop in. That was when I realised there were droppings on my window sill, and on my cabinet closest to the window!
Too much, Mr Yellow-Beak, too much! I have nothing against you, but you know I really don't like you when you scare the crap out of yourself in my office! Don't come back if you can help it.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Stage Debut
It was the stage debut for Rhythmic Roots, but hardly for any of those who were on stage. There were more audience that I'd expected in the theatre - it was, after all, a week night. Given a choice, I myself wouldn't had gone for a Thursday night anything if I had to work on Friday. The turnout was a pleasant surprise, though I suppose many of those there were friends and relatives of the performers. Still, it was grand.
The performers on stage were exuding vibrant energy like I'd never experienced in any of the many, many rehearsals we'd had. It might had something to do with the show being the first, and the actual presence of an audience. I don't personally know how nervous anyone might had been, because no one really sounded like he/she was nervous. Excited, yes, but otherwise, just like their normal selves.
I myself had a couple of friends in the audience. I wouldn't had spotted them from stage, if not for the fact that I had bought the tickets on their behalf, and therefore, roughly knew where to look, and the fact that one of them is a HUGE fella. I'd anticipated the joy and gratitude I'd feel at meeting them after the show, but what rushed over me was much more than I'd imagined. My friend, whom I hadn't met in more than ten years, said she was shocked - she hadn't expected a show quite so awesome. I would had interpreted the comment as her being really generous and polite, had not for her looking utterly awe-struck (I mean, if she could really had faked that look on her face so perfectly, Mr Director would love to meet her!) I would had gladly be thankful as long as she didn't find it boring - but that she found the show awesome? Awesome!
So, one down, four more to go!
11.34pm edit:
Two down, three more to go!
14th Nov, 11.59pm edit:
Four down, one more to go!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Papa Can You Hear Me?
May the light
Illuminate the night,
The way your spirit
Illuminates my soul.
Papa, can you hear me?
Papa, can you see me?
Papa can you find me in the night?
Papa are you near me?
Papa, can you hear me?
Papa, can you help me not be frightened?
Looking at the skies I seem to see
A million eyes which ones are yours?
Where are you now that yesterday
Has waved goodbye
And closed its doors?
The night is so much darker;
The wind is so much colder;
The world I see is so much bigger
Now that I'm alone.
Papa, please forgive me.
Try to understand me;
Papa, don’t you know I had no choice?
Can you hear me praying,
Anything I'm saying
Even though the night is filled with voices?
I remember everything you taught me
Every book I've ever read...
Can all the words in all the books
Help me to face what lies ahead?
The trees are so much taller
And I feel so much smaller;
The moon is twice as lonely
And the stars are half as bright...
Papa, how I love you...
Papa, how I need you.
Papa, how I miss you
Kissing me good night...
Song by Michel Legrand, Lyrics by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman.
Illuminate the night,
The way your spirit
Illuminates my soul.
Papa, can you hear me?
Papa, can you see me?
Papa can you find me in the night?
Papa are you near me?
Papa, can you hear me?
Papa, can you help me not be frightened?
Looking at the skies I seem to see
A million eyes which ones are yours?
Where are you now that yesterday
Has waved goodbye
And closed its doors?
The night is so much darker;
The wind is so much colder;
The world I see is so much bigger
Now that I'm alone.
Papa, please forgive me.
Try to understand me;
Papa, don’t you know I had no choice?
Can you hear me praying,
Anything I'm saying
Even though the night is filled with voices?
I remember everything you taught me
Every book I've ever read...
Can all the words in all the books
Help me to face what lies ahead?
The trees are so much taller
And I feel so much smaller;
The moon is twice as lonely
And the stars are half as bright...
Papa, how I love you...
Papa, how I need you.
Papa, how I miss you
Kissing me good night...
Song by Michel Legrand, Lyrics by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Art of Performing
We are talking about choir, so it's just about the singing, right? Wrong.
There is the singing - singing nicely, singing in sync, and singing with mouth opened widely enough. There are also the radiant smiles that must come sincerely from the heart - unless one can be so good as to fake smiles that Mr Director couldn't see through. And there are the beautifully choreographed steps and movement, which mustn't look as if executed by zombies, elephants or storks. To the untrained being, the combination of all of that alone is overwhelming enough - but being in a choir means everything has to be done as a group, in total sync and harmony. If just one person doesn't get it, everyone repeats the whole routine, or section, until that person gets it. Calling it tedious is an understatement.
Sure, we do share lots of laughs - because we all laugh at our friends when they received death threats from Mr Director, or seriously sarcastic scoldings from Mr Choreographer, or when two guys knock their heads on each other's because they can't remember which direction to sway towards. But, no matter how much fun we usually have rehearsing, braving rush-hour KL jam to get to rehearsals 4 times a week and staying there up till 11pm at times hardly define 'enjoyable'.
Oh, did I mention none of the members are paid to do this? That's right, we don't get paid to sing; in fact, we pay - we pay so our music directors who are full-time musicians can earn a living, so that the academy we practice at can pay its rent every month.
Reader, you may be thinking that we must be out of our minds. You are not the first - that would be my mother (she can't understand why I'm willing, and of course, I'm grateful that she's willing to put up with choices of mine she can't really understand)
The art revolves, in short, around one thing: PASSION.
It drives, motivates and keeps everyone going even when things become unfavourable. It's crazy, but of course, also an experience I will forever be grateful for. A senior member told me that I should appreciate this opportunity to be in an actual production, because it isn't something that everyone can and/or will have. I agree. I don't know anyone, outside the production cast, who'd had received death threats from directors. Come to think of it, I haven't either - maybe I should deliberately provoke him the next rehearsal, so I can say that I have!
Oh, and this I am obliged to include:
Showtime:
12th Nov (Thu) 9pm, 13th Nov (Fri) 9pm, 14th Nov (Sat) 9pm, and 15th Nov (Sun) 3pm
Place:
The Actors Studio @ Lot 10
Tickets:
RM43 (centre seat); RM 33 (side seat)
call/walk in: TAS@Lot 10 box office - 03 2142 2009 03 22143 2009
walk in only: klpac box office@Sentul Park, Axcess@Head Office(Jln Semangat), 1 Utama, Alamanda Putrajaya
This, especially, I must include:
THANK YOU, Great Eastern for supporting our production!
(No, I'm not writing this for the sake of writing it or because Ms Producer told us we'd have to any chance we get, although she did tell us that; I really appreciate you guys appreciating and supporting local performing arts. I do! Too many people don't give a damn, and it's simply great that you do!)
There is the singing - singing nicely, singing in sync, and singing with mouth opened widely enough. There are also the radiant smiles that must come sincerely from the heart - unless one can be so good as to fake smiles that Mr Director couldn't see through. And there are the beautifully choreographed steps and movement, which mustn't look as if executed by zombies, elephants or storks. To the untrained being, the combination of all of that alone is overwhelming enough - but being in a choir means everything has to be done as a group, in total sync and harmony. If just one person doesn't get it, everyone repeats the whole routine, or section, until that person gets it. Calling it tedious is an understatement.
Sure, we do share lots of laughs - because we all laugh at our friends when they received death threats from Mr Director, or seriously sarcastic scoldings from Mr Choreographer, or when two guys knock their heads on each other's because they can't remember which direction to sway towards. But, no matter how much fun we usually have rehearsing, braving rush-hour KL jam to get to rehearsals 4 times a week and staying there up till 11pm at times hardly define 'enjoyable'.
Oh, did I mention none of the members are paid to do this? That's right, we don't get paid to sing; in fact, we pay - we pay so our music directors who are full-time musicians can earn a living, so that the academy we practice at can pay its rent every month.
Reader, you may be thinking that we must be out of our minds. You are not the first - that would be my mother (she can't understand why I'm willing, and of course, I'm grateful that she's willing to put up with choices of mine she can't really understand)
The art revolves, in short, around one thing: PASSION.
It drives, motivates and keeps everyone going even when things become unfavourable. It's crazy, but of course, also an experience I will forever be grateful for. A senior member told me that I should appreciate this opportunity to be in an actual production, because it isn't something that everyone can and/or will have. I agree. I don't know anyone, outside the production cast, who'd had received death threats from directors. Come to think of it, I haven't either - maybe I should deliberately provoke him the next rehearsal, so I can say that I have!
Oh, and this I am obliged to include:
Showtime:
12th Nov (Thu) 9pm, 13th Nov (Fri) 9pm, 14th Nov (Sat) 9pm, and 15th Nov (Sun) 3pm
Place:
The Actors Studio @ Lot 10
Tickets:
RM43 (centre seat); RM 33 (side seat)
call/walk in: TAS@Lot 10 box office - 03 2142 2009 03 22143 2009
walk in only: klpac box office@Sentul Park, Axcess@Head Office(Jln Semangat), 1 Utama, Alamanda Putrajaya
This, especially, I must include:
THANK YOU, Great Eastern for supporting our production!
(No, I'm not writing this for the sake of writing it or because Ms Producer told us we'd have to any chance we get, although she did tell us that; I really appreciate you guys appreciating and supporting local performing arts. I do! Too many people don't give a damn, and it's simply great that you do!)
Friday, October 23, 2009
Milestone Review
It ought to be a significant day - a day I think about what I have achieved and not achieved, whether where I am today is where I wanted to be the last time I thought about it, whether who I am today is who I planned to be. It ought to be a day I thought about the roads I have travelled, the things I have accumulated, the road I want to continue on and the destination I want to reach. Much as I wish to gloat over all that I am proud of, and to wistfully sigh at those I am not, I will not do it today.
Furthermore, the more I thought about it, the more I feel life is not about milestones really. I am simply in too good a mood to be serious. I am simply thankful that I am truly happy at this moment. There! :)
Furthermore, the more I thought about it, the more I feel life is not about milestones really. I am simply in too good a mood to be serious. I am simply thankful that I am truly happy at this moment. There! :)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
On the Road
... with the Anus, the Hogger and the Bully.
The Anus
It was a bright and beautiful morning, and I was on my way to work. I was on this long, straight road, and a little way ahead was a right turn I needed to take. I turned the right indicator on, checked the side mirror and even turned my head to the right to make sure I don't miss any blind spots, and decided I could ease into the right lane as there were no cars within risky distances. There was a car behind me on the fast lane, though it was so far away I couldn't even make out the shape of its driver inside. Just as I started to swerve into the right lane, though, the driver of the aforesaid car decided to increase its speed exponentially. He (yes, later I saw that it was a male Anus) sped all the way right to the rear of my car just as I had comfortably completed my lane-change, and honked me! It was so totally unnecessary! Did he really need to speed up? Did he have to come so near so quickly, and did he need to honk?!
The Hogger
I needed bread in the stead of the dinner which I had no time to take, so I drove to a petrol station. There, I parked at the designated area, and went about my errand. After I was done, I got back into my car and reversed out of my parking space. Just as I was about to drive away, I noticed a huge 4WD blocking the way. It wasn't immediately clear what the driver intended to do. The car went forward a little, reversed a little, went forward a little more, then reversed again, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he (as before, I noticed later that the driver was a male Hogger) was in my way. In fact, he seemed oblivious to the fact that the area was very cramp, and he could very easily had knocked into my car. After a few moments of waiting for the Hogger to make up his mind on where he really wanted to go, I noticed that the owner of the car parked beside me had reversed her car to leave as well. Of course she was unable to go, because my car was in her way, and I couldn't get out of her way, because the Hogger was still in mine, wriggling forwards and backwards with no apparent reason. If that wasn't enough, very quickly I noticed yet another car on the other end of the Hogger trying to leave the parking area, and couldn't, because it was obstructed as well. The 4WD was really huge. After what seemed like infinite numbers of minute forwards and reverse moves, it became clear that the logical thinking-impaired and common sense-lacking Hogger was actually trying to reverse into the parking space which I had recently, very recently, vacated! Couldn't he had waited until I had actually left first? Did he have to be so selfish as to obstruct and inconvenience THREE (3) other vehicles while he took 5 minutes to park?!
The Bully
I was reaching a traffic light, with a long line of cars in front of me, so I slowed down. From the corner of my eye, I saw something white and bright swerving sharply from the left to the right lane of the road, then almost screeching to a halt. It was as if the driver of the white car lost control. Then, abruptly the car reversed several meters, and jerked forward, weaving through the line of cars approaching the traffic light, and again almost screeched to a halt at the leftmost lane. I noticed the driver at that moment - yes, the Bully is another male. It took me just a moment longer to realise that he was deliberately stopping his car in front of another car, a silver one, driven by a lady, with another girl in the front passenger seat. For the next few seconds it was actually scary to watch - at first, the lady tried to reverse out of the way, but the man in his white car followed suit and blocked her way out. Then, she went forward, and he did the same. I don't know how she did it, but she did - she reversed again (which he did as well, just so he could stop her from getting away) and managed to change gear and accelerate forward so quickly that he couldn't do the same in time to block her path in front. She sped past the traffic light just as it was turning from yellow to red, and as one would expect, he ran the red just so he could chase after the silver car which got away. It was one of the rarest times that I was thankful that it was then red light, so I'd be stuck at the junction for a while, while the white and silver cars went on their ways. But no, that wasn't the end - passing the junction a minute or two later, I turned into the highway, normally with very smooth-flowing traffic, and found that it was congested. All the cars moved slowly and cautiously. I saw the reason a little way ahead - the same white car, in front of the silver one, moving at the speed of a snail. Somehow, he must've managed to catch up with her and overtook her, and was now simply stopping her in whichever direction she tried to go. He was so deliberate at it, it made me sick. I don't know what he could had gained from doing that sort of bullying on the road. Did he imagine that he'd be thought of as a great driver, a stud, a real manly man?
If you are a girl, reader, would you even consider dating any one of those male specimens I wrote about? Do you seriously think they are very masculine, oozing testosterone and reeking of excitement and adventure? Like, seriously?
The Anus
It was a bright and beautiful morning, and I was on my way to work. I was on this long, straight road, and a little way ahead was a right turn I needed to take. I turned the right indicator on, checked the side mirror and even turned my head to the right to make sure I don't miss any blind spots, and decided I could ease into the right lane as there were no cars within risky distances. There was a car behind me on the fast lane, though it was so far away I couldn't even make out the shape of its driver inside. Just as I started to swerve into the right lane, though, the driver of the aforesaid car decided to increase its speed exponentially. He (yes, later I saw that it was a male Anus) sped all the way right to the rear of my car just as I had comfortably completed my lane-change, and honked me! It was so totally unnecessary! Did he really need to speed up? Did he have to come so near so quickly, and did he need to honk?!
The Hogger
I needed bread in the stead of the dinner which I had no time to take, so I drove to a petrol station. There, I parked at the designated area, and went about my errand. After I was done, I got back into my car and reversed out of my parking space. Just as I was about to drive away, I noticed a huge 4WD blocking the way. It wasn't immediately clear what the driver intended to do. The car went forward a little, reversed a little, went forward a little more, then reversed again, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he (as before, I noticed later that the driver was a male Hogger) was in my way. In fact, he seemed oblivious to the fact that the area was very cramp, and he could very easily had knocked into my car. After a few moments of waiting for the Hogger to make up his mind on where he really wanted to go, I noticed that the owner of the car parked beside me had reversed her car to leave as well. Of course she was unable to go, because my car was in her way, and I couldn't get out of her way, because the Hogger was still in mine, wriggling forwards and backwards with no apparent reason. If that wasn't enough, very quickly I noticed yet another car on the other end of the Hogger trying to leave the parking area, and couldn't, because it was obstructed as well. The 4WD was really huge. After what seemed like infinite numbers of minute forwards and reverse moves, it became clear that the logical thinking-impaired and common sense-lacking Hogger was actually trying to reverse into the parking space which I had recently, very recently, vacated! Couldn't he had waited until I had actually left first? Did he have to be so selfish as to obstruct and inconvenience THREE (3) other vehicles while he took 5 minutes to park?!
The Bully
I was reaching a traffic light, with a long line of cars in front of me, so I slowed down. From the corner of my eye, I saw something white and bright swerving sharply from the left to the right lane of the road, then almost screeching to a halt. It was as if the driver of the white car lost control. Then, abruptly the car reversed several meters, and jerked forward, weaving through the line of cars approaching the traffic light, and again almost screeched to a halt at the leftmost lane. I noticed the driver at that moment - yes, the Bully is another male. It took me just a moment longer to realise that he was deliberately stopping his car in front of another car, a silver one, driven by a lady, with another girl in the front passenger seat. For the next few seconds it was actually scary to watch - at first, the lady tried to reverse out of the way, but the man in his white car followed suit and blocked her way out. Then, she went forward, and he did the same. I don't know how she did it, but she did - she reversed again (which he did as well, just so he could stop her from getting away) and managed to change gear and accelerate forward so quickly that he couldn't do the same in time to block her path in front. She sped past the traffic light just as it was turning from yellow to red, and as one would expect, he ran the red just so he could chase after the silver car which got away. It was one of the rarest times that I was thankful that it was then red light, so I'd be stuck at the junction for a while, while the white and silver cars went on their ways. But no, that wasn't the end - passing the junction a minute or two later, I turned into the highway, normally with very smooth-flowing traffic, and found that it was congested. All the cars moved slowly and cautiously. I saw the reason a little way ahead - the same white car, in front of the silver one, moving at the speed of a snail. Somehow, he must've managed to catch up with her and overtook her, and was now simply stopping her in whichever direction she tried to go. He was so deliberate at it, it made me sick. I don't know what he could had gained from doing that sort of bullying on the road. Did he imagine that he'd be thought of as a great driver, a stud, a real manly man?
If you are a girl, reader, would you even consider dating any one of those male specimens I wrote about? Do you seriously think they are very masculine, oozing testosterone and reeking of excitement and adventure? Like, seriously?
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Rhythmic Roots
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This show is going to be great. Of course, I haven't (nobody has, in fact) seen it in its entirety, but I know it is going to be great. I know because we are going to make it great (or die trying). Besides, we have no choice - we can't risk incurring the wrath of our mighty Mr Director by putting up a sloppy show.
Therefore, get your tickets quickly before all the good seats run out.
happening at:
The Actors Studio@Lot 10
12 - 14 Nov@9pm
Charity Matinée: 14 Nov@3pm
15 Nov@3pm
tickets:
rm43 (centre seat) rm 33 (side seat)
call/walk in: TAS@Lot 10 box office - 03 2142 2009 03 22143 2009
walk in only: klpac box office@Sentul Park, Axcess@Head Office(Jln Semangat), 1 Utama, Alamanda Putrajaya
The charity matinee is reserved for under privileged children, and the production team is looking for generous individuals or companies to sponsor the seats. So if you are one, or know of some... :)
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