The Simpsons

FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY!!!

I caught the Simpson's movie! Oh my fucking god!

it was pure laughs the whole way through, pure simpson styles yo!

Watching homer, bart, lisa, marge, maggie, apu, mr burns, flanders, etc etc etc. on THE BIG SCREEN was just amazing!

I had the exact same feelings when i watched TMNT 2007. It was another childhood take back. With my jaw wide open and non-stop laughing, it's what made me feel comfortable, taking me back to when there were no worries and threats in life.

I pray that there will be a sequel, i really do!

I've watched SO MANY RE-RUNS of the simpsons cartoon episodes, but i never seem to feel disappointed or bored. It always seems to be so fucking entertaining that it's just amazing. It's amazing how the creators can keep their viewers entertained with the same old episodes. just spectacular.

I believe that my childhood is almost complete on screen. I'm just missing thundercats i think haha! However, imagine this, 30yrs from now, when i'm 53 yrs old, they re-release a whole new movie of transformers, tmnt and simpsons.

IT WOULD BE THE ILLEST SHIT AROUND!

I'm sure for the 2 hrs or so on the big screen, all the white hair i grow will disappear for that time and make me feel super young, yet again!

If you've yet to watch the movie, do so ASAP!!

peace y'all!

Dragon Boys

Dragon Boys is a 2 part mini series/movie from Canada.

I don't rmb if i actually blogged about this before, but my records didn't pull anything up so...ya i'm here to inform y'all (again).

This is a production made in Vancouver, Richmond and Langly, BC. It involves an international cast as well. This series discuss's the issues of the Asian-community in Canada.

Organized crime in canada has grown within the chinese community over the years so this series takes people in deeper on what asians go through in canada. On top of that, you see how triads in canada run their shit, which is the true insight of the film.

I love the flick cuz it really portrays what the asian's go through, if not do. Things over in canada can seem so bright and prosperous but one wrong move or decision can mean a whole other story. Trust me when i say, nothing in this world is great! i've seen it, been there and done it!

It reminded me a bit of my past and what i went through as a teen. 2 characters in the film really bring myself back, to when i was running around on the streets of Toronto. These triad stories may seem a tad extreme, but believe me, they can and will happen.

CBC aired this show back in december or so and has made lots of controversy and took people by storm. If you do want to watch this, i have the vcd, so let me know.

It was a great series! a must watch! it's about 4 hrs long and i heard their will be a sequel to it, which i can't wait!

trailer:



for more info on the show goto:

http://www.dragonboys.ca/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Boys

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=3538f090-0f23-4a1b-98c6-c581c65229f8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfnVmNjg-vg -the making

The Results Show

So..curious on what happened at the Bartender's of the Year (BYC) gala dinner on Wednesday night?

well..i'm glad to announce that i got 2ND PLACE for the BYC student category. "Golden Salutations" will follow me down as an experience of a lifetime.

So during the dinner, there were LOADS of bartenders, flairers and people with years of experience from the industry. Over 30 tables were setup at the Goodwood park Windsor room. With 4 large pull down screens displaying the final events from Clarke Quay on Tuesday.

The best part of the whole dinner, besides getting to meet new friends and all, was FREE FLOW ALCOHOL!!!!! w00t!

There were suppliers displaying their products and giving away free drinks. For example, the Choya Martini was a great insight on inspiration and making a new cocktail from a base that has been loved by millions world wide.

The dinner wasn't that good, but the experience gained from the whole thing and the accomplishment's that i achieved was more than enough. I MAY join again next year, but not for the student category anymore, this time it will be the open category. The open category will be much more difficult and much much more challenging. So, lots of thought has to go in before i decide anything.

After the dinner, a bunch of us headed to China 1 @ Clarke Quay. Played some pool, drank and hung out.

After that, we headed to Dragon Fly @ St. James Power Station and well, drank some more.

Got pretty buzzed when i took the cab home. Everything just rushed up at one time lol. Luckily, i still made it home safe and sound. Got home super late and hence no school for the second time in a row.

Here are all the pix i have. Thx to Aisah and Elliott for the photography. Some are repeated from one of the last posts. so enjoy!



Before the competition!



Another Shot before the competition!



Awaiting the judges!



prepping the cocktail!



About to shake!



Garnishing the cocktail!



Top 4 Finalists!



The Competitors!



After the competition!



On stage at the finals!



Shake Shake Shake!



Stage @ Goodwood Park Hotel!



The 4 Finalists @ Goodwood Park Hotel!



Elliott, I and Brandan!



Elliott and I!



Elliott, Natalie and I! (Natalie is a competitor for Asia Pacific Cocktail from HK and also attended the John White course!)



I and Natalie!



Happy Celebrations!



Awards Ceremony! "Golden Salutation 2nd Place"

BYC Finals

So, last night was the finals of the Bartender's of the Year (BYC) Competition.

I arrived at around 4:20pm. The crew was still setting up so i stood aside and waited.

Until about 6:30pm, when i started seeing friends come down and a crowd standing by, my heart started to pump.

I was quite confident, replaying the steps in my head and trying not to fret. I thought it would be alot easier this time as i didn't have to look at a specific crowd, I could have looked far into the back.

So, after getting my garnish ready, finish setting up my tray i was set for stand by.

I was the first contestant up, with the second finalist beside me showing off our skills together at the same time.

However, after getting up on the stage, with the crowd staring at us and the lights shining in our faces, my confidence disappeared and fear took over.

Friends and support were cheering on and i was doing my cocktail, the overwhelmed crowd took me by surprise and i blacked out for a second.

I FORGOT TO MUDDLE MY APPLE CUBES! for christ sakes. I was so upset. I'm sure i lost alot of points for that. I hope that all will work out though, as the final results will be announced tonight! Overall, i believe i did quite well. I think the showmanship was there and the taste is what will make me rise above the rest, hopefully!

I felt so bad and disappointed when i got off the stage. I was in a blank for awhile until my friends came up to me and started giving me a pat on the shoulders! it was nice to know who was there to share the moment with me. It is a memory i will never forget!

Thx to Alan, Alicia, Cao Yan + boyfriend, Susanna, Xiumin, Aisah + boyfriend, Paulina, Wayne, Elliott, Jude, Thomas, Fabian, Hui Bin and to the rest if i missed ya out!

and to Eunice and Chansey for being there in spirit with me! much appreciated. Too bad you weren't there, but it's okay, i understand =)

Thx for the support and advice that i received! I hope i didn't let any of you guys down!

That's all for now, i'm headed to Goodwood Park Hotel for a gala dinner and to hear the results of the finals! wish me luck!!

Cocktail Competition!

[Song] Tech N9ne - Girl Crazy "Crazy Love"

On Saturday 21st July 2007, I joined the Student Category for the Bartender's of the Year Competition. The result was spectacular. I gained the chance to enter the finals which will happen at Clarke Quay on Tuesday 24th July 2007.

As i was preparing for this competition, i was getting utterly nervous. I never expected it to be that bad as i was quite calm for the whole week. While i was preparing my garnishes and utensils, i was getting a tad intimidated by some of the other contestants. However, with the support of my friends around, i managed to keep my cool, remember my concoction and perform better than i expected.

I would like to thank Aisah, Fabian and Hui Bin for being there and giving me support and advice when needed.

I would like to extended a special thanks to Elliot, who helped me throughout the competition. He guided me with the procedures of excellent showmanship and helped me with the garnish and concoction. Thank you so much for sticking by me. I know that i could have worked a lot harder on my smile and shake. I hope i haven't let you down.

After being entered to the finals, i had a great sense of relief and a even greater sense of accomplishment. I heard one of the judges say that "we should find out where this guy works" when i was doing my cocktail. This made me even more nervous (lol). I almost lost my sense of concentration. However, i'm very proud of myself and i'm glad that i can go up on stage once again at Clarke Quay in front of an even larger and more difficult crowd.

I was SUPER happy when one of the judges came up to me and started talking to me about my drink and bartending. He said out of the whole competition, he would only buy 2 of the drinks, which included mine. He gave me tips about cocktails in general and tips on how to remain calm during the performance (i was shaking a lot when i was pouring the alcohol in to the jiggler). He was a former editor for Wine and Dine magazine, which made me happier as he could back up what he said; He had the credentials to speak with experience. After, he made a speech to the contestants and it really made a lot of sense. For example, making a drink with complex concoctions doesn't mean it will be a good drink, simple can be just as great.

The drink was named "Golden Salutations" the concoction consisted of

Muddled apple cubes (I used Fuji apples, but any will do as well)
20mL Ciroc Vodka
10mL Bols Peach Liquor
Top up with Sparking grapefruit juice
dash of 1883 Raspberry Sryup

Garnished with apple slices and raspberry

The drink (in my opinion) is a tad sour and sweet. The color is light golden with a hint of red flowing up.

Alan's opinion was too much alcohol, that was when i was testing it out. I am proud to say that it has improved a lot since then. I hope everyone that tried it liked it, if not i hope they would tell me, so i may improve it for the future.

Anyhoo, i was quite upset when one of my trainer's came up to me asking me to change my steps and name of cocktail. He said i had too many steps because it made room for errors, which i thought was a tad insulting. I thought this competition was to show our skills and drink, not to cut out some steps. This kind of bothered me for awhile, but fret not, i will not be listening to him and i will stick to my old procedures. However, he and 1 of the judges suggested i change the name of the drink, which i will, probably to what Elliott said "beautiful goodbyes." I have this thought that my trainer asked me to skip steps because he was afraid i may bring my schools reputation down because i show that i'm nervous and un-calm. However, he also said that besides being faster, that the tasting portions would be more consistent, which is true. So, i was a bit confused but i'm sure with a bit more practice at home, i should be able to pour out just the right amount, i hope! =)

Now, to me, this was more than a competition or a drink, to me it was a sense of accomplishment and happiness.

I'm glad i took part!

here are some pix! Enjoy peace!



After the Competition =)



"Golden Salutations"

star wars vs star trek

normally when you associate star wars or star trek, you wouldn't combine the both.

Many fans of star wars dislike star trek and vice-versa. I use to think this was weird. I never liked star trek and i always thought star wars was a bit boring.

But why argue? who knows...

However, since the times of being a kid, that perception has changed.

I am officially a (semi) fan of Star Wars.

How did it happen? well, let me tell you.

I was at Sembawang music store and i saw a boxset for sale. Yup, that's right! it was the star wars boxset. I told myself, since i had nothing to do, why not go home and download it for the sake of adding it to my collection.

Hence, I downloaded all 6 episodes and i started burning them.

After watching star wars I(episode 1) i was addicted! i couldn't get over not continuing.

I'm not so sure why that happened, but after completing the 6th episode, i can happily say that, i am a (semi) star wars fan.

But Richie if your a fan why put "semi" in front of star wars?

the answer is, Yes, i do like to watch the series BUT however, i will never get so engrossed in it. Meaning i wouldn't go out and start buying action figures or clothing of star wars.

If it was TMNT, transformers, thundercats or simpsons figurines, that would be another case.

I'm not too sure why people argue about star wars and star trek but for me, i know i would never start a debate over it, especially with those nerdy kids who are so into it.

that's all for now.

If you haven't watched star wars then might i suggest renting it and giving it a try, like myself?

Everyone has wants and needs

Wants are objects that you don't really need. Eg. a car

Needs are objects that you use frequently. Eg. toothpaste

Materialistic objects can make people go crazy. For example, buying that new video game console that just released. As humans, do we really desire to purchase overpriced items for our daily needs/routines?

We probably don't, but it's the way these products are being marketed that we THINK we do. All the new designs, technologies and items that are now available on the market make it so hard to choose. Years ago, during our parents' era, they probably didn't have much to choose on. It was either 'that or this.'

In order to facilitate our lives all we really need are our basic needs. For example, shampoo, mattress etc. But do we ever consider buying a new mattress when they come out with something more advanced? or do we ever think about buying that new shampoo because it smells better? again, probably not.

It's because of these multi-million dollar corporations that our so called 'needs' are actually thought of as 'wants.' We don't need to buy that brand new HD tv ready lcd television screen to watch tv, we can do it with the old type of television sets. so is it in our normal human nature to desire? the answer is YES!

We are so blinded that we don't realize that we have been sucked into their schemes.

my needs are simple,

basic toiletries
television
internet
food
clothes
fluids (H2O, soda etc.)
and money

but my wants are so much more greater than that. To name a few;

LCD tv
new computer
a car
a house
dvd recorder
dvd handycam

and the list goes on...

These 'wants' are usually overpriced items if you can tell. 'Needs' are usually not a costly.

I'm posting this entry because i feel that alot of people don't know how to tell the difference between wants and needs. Also, to prove a fact that we as humans, all have our desires. The desire to show off our latest cell-phones and the desire to show our competent wealth.

No one would go up to you and say 'Hey, look, my new toothpaste guarantees whiter teeth in 14 days.' right?

if you do, then i have nothing else to comment on =)

i'm out. peace!

Starting school, again!

Later on in the day, or some may still consider it tmr, i will be venturing off to school to further my studies. I am pursuing a Higher Diploma in Hotel Management.

You may be asking yourselves, why don't i go for my degree straight.

the answer is simple, i don't know if i want a degree. It will take me another year or so before i can acquire it, However, after i finish this higher diploma course and if i do intend to further after, i can transfer credits over and hence a shorter school term =)

Some of you may think I'm stupid or whatever if i don't intend to further, but it doesn't really matter to me. I'm use to working from the bottom up. The only worry i have is, for instance, 10 years down the road, younger more educated kids with degrees or mba's or whatsoever come and take over, when i knew i had a chance to further into a higher education.

Oh well, I'm still young and i still have the time to re-think my situation and strategy.

Kind of sidetracked..my bad. So, the course will take 6-months and i will defiantly have a great time relaxing from my internship. The only scare is tests, exams and projects. From what i know, HDHM has a lot of projects. I think i can overcome it, since i'm so use to it but i'm just worried that it will be way too difficult, but atleast it can serve as a challenge to overcome. =)

The first semesters schedules isn't THAT bad. I still get to wake up a bit late on mondays and end early on fridays. I have 6 modules like; Human Resource, Research Methods, Managerial Accounting, Macroeconomics, Tourism Psychology and Hospitality and Tourism Marketing.

I'm so excited for Human Resource, Tourism Psychology and Hospitality and Tourism Marketing. They sound so interesting. However, i'm super doomed for the subjects with calculations. I'm gonna have to buck up for the next 6 months if i wanna pass haha!

anyhoo...

So wish me luck.

I'm off to bed.

Jeans

[Song] Hamilton Park - The Side Line

WTF?!?!

I've been in Singapore for almost 3 years and I can't find a simple pair of jeans to suit my taste.

See, the trend here for jeans is to keep in straight cut, regular cut or tight fitted.

There are occasions when i do find loose style jeans, but they are too straight down the leg.

Now, if i were back in Toronto, finding a pair of jeans would be dirt easy. Our trend (atleast back in the day) were loose, baggy and wide leg. Some people may have matured out of this stage but i'm too comfortable with it.

I can see guys wearing jeans that are so fucking tight their balls are squeezing outta their pants! damn, it's so disgusting! whatever happened to loose and comfortable? argh..

I just wish there was a place i could find a nice pair of wide leg jeans. I've been looking for a long time and the closets i can find are from levi's or polo.

argh it's pissing me off.

On top of that, i can't find any ORIGINAL phat farm, enyce, sean jean, shady or Roca wear clothing. There is however a store that sells original ecko, but their stock is limited. I think i should venture into retail and bring in these african american brands =)

it would be good money if people were into it and knew how to appreciate rather than buying fake ones from a street market (which they do).

Oh oh...and, i can't seem to find nice looking newera fitted caps or any nice flexfitted caps. There are some, but yet again it's limited!

Many people here claim that their style of dressing is 'hip hop' but they dress up in some fancy ass clothes that you would never see a hip hop artist wear. Where's the branding? the baggy ass jeans? the over sized tees and jackets? The only place that comes close in asia is in HK, but that's a understatement as well!

alright, i'm out! too vexed over the issue of clothes!

love is not all around

Just finished watching a new HK movie called "Love is Not All Around."



it's a great flick. A bit tacky, but nicely put together.

What i love about this movie, is how it portrays female and male relationships. It's amazing how people can lie and cheat to the extreme that it becomes part of their lives.

However, it made me realize that if life were a movie, it would be wonderful. There's always a happy ending. It seems that whatever tasks or obstacles that come their way it is easily solved.

In the instance of this movie, they show that love shouldn't be feared and that you should fight for what you want. Which would end up in happy ending. If it was as easy as they portrayed it on screen, then love wouldn't be so difficult for the normal joe.

How i wish my life was one of those movies. Having the ability to speak and fight for what i want and having it all bundled into a great everlasting future. Nothing is as easy as it were on screen, but just only, if i or any normal folk on the street had the guts to do what some characters on screen can do, then wouldn't life be so much meaningful?

Perhaps it's these stories and characters that make me such a movie freak. Putting my feet in the characters position for that hour and half or two and feeling what is going on around me, makes me leave this would of regret, hate and un-wantedness behind. It's like going into another world, experiencing a different type of life-style.

You may think i'm crazy, but i'm sure there's a movie out there that gives you the same feeling; you probably just don't know it yet.

I'm out and if you have a chance to watch this movie; hope you enjoy it!

an old friend

Whoa...

it was such a surprise to see an old friend. Her name is Andrea and we went to junior high and high school together. Her dad is from malaysia and her mom is singaporean. I only know 2 ppl that have a chinese-malaysian background from canada, and she was the first! =) haha!

We've known each other for 9 years and i haven't seen her in about 5 to 6. So many things have changed in our lives but we still look the same and our hearts are still as youthful as when we first knew each other.

Man, i was so happy to see her in Singapore. I'm so glad that we have facebook and friendster to keep in contact after so many fucking years.

We talked and talked and talked. The memories that were brought up and the laughter that was generated were sure indulgence. I can't believe she came to Singapore and we got to caught up.

We use to be so close back in the day. It's surprising that she is still really good friends with alot of our high school classmates. As for me, well i've lost contact with most of them. There's only a few that i'm still contacting through facebook.

Anyhoo, she's coming back next monday from malaysia, so i'm gonna treasure the 1 or 2 days that we do have. It was so great. I'm super happy that i got to meet an old friend once again.

i'm out...peace!