LOST

...what a very apt title to start another chapter after a long hiatus. Then again, I couldn't really call it a new chapter cause it is after all concurrent events. My absence is really a result of many a turbulence converging.


Well! If any of u guys (n gals) out there has seen me recently, you'd probably see some lost in shine; sort of a lil' lacklustre. That's because I seem to have got myself in a unique situation where I've lost some drive, lost some spunk, lost some will power, lost some interest in things I used to love doing, lost some focus and most of all, lost some of myself. Truth is, this is just an understatement. I've actually LOST A LOT OF THESE MORE than I am willing to admit.

okay, okay, okay... I'm in some sort of denial again and I just dunno how to do get myself out of this quagmire... trying to work things out with myself. In the meantime, if u see me around, just pretend u haven't read this part of my blog... better still, it would be a real consolation if u mentioned that u have not read this part of my blog... I would probably feel relieved! A little bit of compassion would very much be appreciated.

The good news is... I HAVE A VACATION COMING SOON... yea baby! I'm going off to Cambodia for a week in August... talking of which; I have yet to start packing!!!

Gotta go pack!

... and it goes on and on and on...

hmmm... June 7, 2006.

How time flies. If u noticed, I haven't been posting 4 quite a bit now. I think someone did notice. Well... I have been busy with work (... some of the time). The thing is, I think I'm beginning to take twice the time to do some things compared to when I was younger... Yes! I acknowledge I am "ageing". The part about ageing is that, you begin to come to terms it is inevitable, irreversible and there's nothing you can do about it. So just sit back, relax and watch yourself rot day by day...

Well... I have been planning for the past few days to get my life straight... erm actually, I have been doing that for the past few weeks. Honestly, I have been trying for the past few years. The truth is, I have been trying all my life. That's just me... human; always trying to be better but always getting nowhere near.

The heart is still pumping; the blood is still running; we are still breathing and thinking (... obviously!). And sometimes we do lose sight of what we want and what business we still have being a part of this enormous over-populated so-called "humane" race. Sometimes, it's the temptation of wanting "sugar and spice and everything nice" for ourselves. Sometimes, it's just us being lazy and wanting an easy way out for everything. Very typical; though I doubt even you can say that you don't feel that way (if somehow, by some weird coincidence you did liberate yourself from these sins, maybe you could show me a thing or two... but I doubt it). As I was saying, there's just so many distractions nowadays... before you know it, BOOM!... you're lost in the middle of nowhere and you're back to "still trying to figure out where you are going".

After all is said and done, I think I make sense, don't I? Well believe me... I'm still CLUELESS as to what I was trying to get at... but thank you for bearing with me anyway!









Hans

Sweet Dreams!

Good night and sweet dreams... a very common phrase. When someone wishes me that, I politely decline, "No, thank you!"

Contrary to popular belief, sweet dreams do not give me a good night's sleep. Be it a nightmare or a sweet dream, it is very taxing on the mind to live in it. We are already stretching our brain tissues when we are awake with every single thing we do, every single breath we take, every single thought we make. At the end of each day, we need to rest our bodies and minds so that we can start the next day afresh. So if I dream, my mind does not get the rest it needs.

So if you were to wish me "Good night and sweet dreams", it is like you are wishing me "Good night but I hope you DO NOT get a good night's sleep!". I wish you "Good night and NO dreams!"

The Big May 2006! What a bang!

Boring day today... as usual there are tonnes of work but I'm not in the mood for work... Mel & Penny's gone home for their sister's wedding. I'll be at the luncheon tomorrow. So I'm all alone in the office...

Got a call from an old friend yesterday "Add-Ice", telling me there's gonna be a gathering of Form Six class of 92/93 (I think... I can't even remember... yikes!). I couldn't confirm with her since I was not keen, very skeptical and hesitant. I have kinda disappeared from this bunch for quite some time now; thereafter maintaining a low profile... until, as fate would have it, one of them managed to get my phone number. So I'm still deliberating and the question is ..."To go OR not to go". Well enough of my crappy moments...

May is drawing to a close... it was to me a big month for entertainment. We saw the release of a few hot, long-awaited movies; in particular X-Men III: The Last Stand, The Da Vinci Code, Poseidon and Mission: Impossible III. I was a little disappointed with the Da Vinci Code though; the book was much more pulsating to read than watching the movie itself and there were many things that were left out of the movie. I can't really blame Ron Howard for that, can I? After all, how much from one book can you squeeze into 2 and a half hours? Even so, it was a good effort and I'm glad it was adapted for the big screen.

X-Men III was spectacular... I liked the twist but sad to say this really is the Last Stand... no more sequel (sigh!) and I was beginning to anticipate more to come. If you have yet to catch it... my advise to you is go and catch it now... the must-see movie of May 2006!

As for the Poseidon and MI3, well all I can say is they will keep you on your toes in the cinema; good watch but not as good as X-Men III.

Over on the Idiot-box, The Amazing Race 9, Charmed, Desperate Housewives Season 2 and not forgetting American Idol 5 came to a big-bang close. The Amazing Race saw the Hippies BJ and Tyler triumphing over the dominant Frat boys Eric and Jeremy to win the million dollars and claim the winners' title for this season. The Frat boys looked almost certain to win this one but as fate would have it, they just did not have a good memory and more likely, just ran out of luck!

After 8 seasons, Charmed finally ended with the episode Forever Charmed shown in the US on May 21st, 2006 in which the witches were all locked in the greatest battle of all time; one which could potentially kill the embattled witches. But as we all know, what good would a series be if it is without a happy ending... so to cut the chase short; Charmed Ones & the Jenkins sisters both summon the Hollow at the same time; cataclysmic explosion destroys the Halliwell Manor and kills Phoebe, Paige and Christy; Piper and Billie find their own ways to change the past. Piper enlists Coop's help to travel into the past where she manages to get Patty and Grams to help. They "changed the past to fix the future and save the present". All's well ends well. Phoebe eventually marries Coop and have 3 girls. Paige has twin girls and a boy. And Piper gets another girl in addition to Wyatt and Chris.


American Idol 5 Finale drew a whopping 63 million votes and Ryan Seacrest claims that it is more votes than any US President has ever received... that was astounding! To read more, click on the following links:

American Idol 5: The Finale finally!

Taylor Hicks is the American Idol 2006

As for Desperate Housewives, it was shown in the US as a 2-hour season finale entitled "Remember" on May 21st, 2006. Flashbacks take us back to moving-in day on Wisteria Lane for Bree, Lynette, Susan and Gabrielle and to how Mary Alice brought them all together; in other flashbacks the Applewhites' dark past in Chicago is revealed. Back in the present, Bree gets some frightening news that Mathew is a murderer and both he and Danielle are together. Susan moves into a trailer. Lynette faces a crisis in her marriage, after finding out that Tom has another child. Gabrielle learns that Carlos had an affair with Xiao-Mei. Zach inherits large estate money from his grandfather Noah, who has passed away. I have yet to watch it but will do so in a couple of hours time once my shareware has completed its downloading.

There! May 2006... one of the more happening months this year!

Taylor Hicks is the American Idol 2006

YEEE HAW! Taylor Hicks has just been announced as the new American Idol beating Katherine McPhee. If you recall he almost didn't make the cut when Simon didn't like him in the preliminaries just because he looked kinda old; however, prior to the Top 24, Simon admitted his oversight. Against all odds, Taylor won... Soul Patrol rules!

Although my favourite Chris Daughtry didn't make the Top 3, I'm at least glad that America did not make another mistake by letting Katherine win this one. No offense Katherine was good but as Simon would have it, she was good with a small "g". The show was so much bigger than she was. CONGRATULATIONS TAYLOR! TAYLOR FANS REJOICE!

American Idol 5: The Finale finally!

I was rooting for Chris Daughtry to be the next American Idol but I still am clueless as to what actually happened... I mean first it was Mandisa, then Paris... then Chris. These three were my favourite... and none of them ended up in the Top 3. Sometimes reality sucks!

Well moving on... we have now arrived at the finale... and as Ryan Seacrest always says: "This is... American Idol!" Shown in most parts of America live from the Kodak Theatre, 2 finalists, 3 songs each, 3 phone lines each and 4 hours to vote. No forgetting the 3 stooges... I mean judges.

Katherine opens the show with a repeat of "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree (KT Tunstall)". Randy says she was doing her thang and having fun; wasn't that super-exciting but this one was better than the last time she sang it. Paula says it was a fun way to celebrate why she was there tonight and there is more in her and much better to come. Simon says he’ll give that a good with a small "g". He thinks the occasion tonight is bigger than that song. It was a warm up. And you know what... Simon is almost always correct!

Next is of course Taylor’s first performance for the night! He chose “Living For The City (Stevie Wonder)” first. Randy begins by saying he loves that he doesn’t care who sings the song’s he’s chosen, because Taylor makes it his own. "That’s a hot one right there!!" Paula likes his outfit, she’s got his dance down, everyone got that dance down. Way to go! Simon says the audience hated him lol, just joking. Smart choice of song, good way to open the show, ugly jacket though lol. I think Taylor just won the first bout.

Katharine is up again this time with “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” which she performed to high praises last week. Randy thought it was anticlimactic when he heard she was doing the same song, but she worked it out! Paula says she is possessed with god given talent. Simon says Round 1 she got slaughtered, and now she’s come back with the best performance of the competition so far. I think that's probably the only mind-blowing performance Katherine can ever come up with and she has Simon to thank for.

Taylor's song number 2 is the Elton John classic “Levon”. Randy says it was a nice song, but it was a little pitchy this time. Paula says what’s pitchy to Randy is the essence of Taylor. Randy says it wasn’t as good. Paula doesn’t believe it was pitchy. Simon says it wasn’t as popular as the first song. He’s won the first round, Katharine has taken the second round, so it comes down to the third.

Katharine McPhee's last chance to heat up the McPheever camp! She sings her debut single “My Destiny”! Randy says he has 3 things for her. She looks amazing, she sounded really good, did not love the song though she sounded good. Paula says she is brilliant. Simon says he’s sorry, she went from brilliant to quite good within one song. She is a great, great potential artist, he’s delighted she’s in the final, he tells everyone who wants to vote for her to vote and remember her second song.


Last but not the least, Taylor closes with his own debut single, “Do I Make You Proud”! Randy says based on the song, it was slightly better, but he loves since day one, Taylor knows who he is, no matter what the song is, he knows how to make it into his own. Paula couldn’t agree more. He is better than the song, everything that is Taylor exists in that song. Simon says assuming he was right, the show was tied, than he has just won American Idol.

I am surprised but happy that at least both of them each get their own new singles unlike in previous competitions. Especially in the last season, the shared new single was so country-ish that I felt it had given Carrie an unfair advantage over Bo Bice whom I felt was much more deserving to win the Idol title. Anyway, my bet this year is on the Soul Patrol - TAYLOR HICKS!

How about you?

Penny's Day

May 23, 1977. One beautiful soul was born into this worldly realm. She became..... my "heng tai"'s wife (ha! ha! ha!... gotcha... didn't I?) Well 29 years later, this day... she is 29! Despite domestic complications, I helped kickstart a beautiful day and will make sure this day is a passing of goodness. For everyone deserves to be rewarded for having lived and breathed so far.

It started with Mango Delight and Mocha-chino. The smile on someone's face upon being surprised is all the rewards I can ask for; and I got it. Though the day shall progress like any other day, every little thing we do to try and make even the slightest difference has its gains and rewards.

Penny... be happy. You are one of the few most important people to me in this world. It is my pleasure to be part of this becoming. Keep your fate and your happiness within the palm of your hands ;-). Tonight, a nice dinner is on me. HAPPY PENNY's DAY!

To anyone who is reading my blog, I'd just like to say... treasure those loved ones around you. Life is not long enough to be forsaking these treasure. It may be too late once they are lost. Good night and Good Luck!

poetic justice

... that's the phrase to describe what we go through daily. The routine starts when we open those eyelids to let in a new ray of light each day. We believe that this is a new moment and reinforce that belief with caffeine. And just like clockwork, we report to our desks on time. After eight hours of seemingly dreadful passing of time, we rush to the comforts of our own domains; cleaned and fed. And before we know, it is time to close the chapter for the day.

Between the start and the close, it be best if no ill-intent is conceived. For this world works in mysterious ways, as it always certainly did. Most don't really see it, as they're too ignorant to notice. Only those who stop to weigh the consequence, see the logic of it all. Do good though no one notices; but you'll live a fulfilling life. Do harm and though you may get away scot free; but the just deserts will naturally come and they'll be sharp as knives.

I consider one recent misfortune of a certain someone to be associated to Poetic Justice. Let thy not feel malice towards thou and embrace a forgiveness of the misdeeds on thy. And thy shall not fall victim to Poetic Justice.

The Amazing Race 9 Aftermath

Okay... so we now know the Hippies won the Amazing Race 9... Recent revelations circulated over the internet show a very disturbing development after the winners crossed the finish line. Of course, I was rooting for the Frat boys since they were really good till the part when they faltered and failed to identify the correct flags. Towards the end of the race, it seems like the Frat Boys and the Hippies were not going to get along... period! The images below show otherwise:


Shocking images show the Frats and the Hippies in very homoerotic positions. Makes me wonder, was it the booze? These images were taken in February 2006 after the race prior to the premiere [Source: Jaunted]. I was under the impression that the Frat boys were lusting over Dani & Danielle. [Sniggering...] As the saying goes; there's always more than meets the eyes. I don't deny though... the Frat boys do have a solid to-die-for body; but I'm not sure that's reason enough to pose in their undies alone at home... lol!


I still can't stop giggling... somebody... Help me please! One more thing... another mention of Rob Mariano and Amber Brkich; and my head will go "POP!". Somebody... anybody... dump them in a cell and throw away the key; I have had enough of them.

Gossips

My buddy once told me that he hated gossips. I second that. In fact I think that gossips are an important ingredient in catastrophical decimation of friendship or relationship. Funny isn't it? I mean the mouth was made for eating and yet it could also function as something much more destructive than that.

Now I for one, don't like gossips about me and I try as best I can (not perfect tho') not to gossip about other people. For quite some time now, I have been able to keep a low profile of myself. But for some peculiar reason, after I befriended this so-called friend, my profile has been elevated. Suddenly, I became an interesting figure with very not-so-conventional ways of doing things. Adding to the fact that my GF and I had broken up, I have now heard tonnes of stories about me... some of which were made up by God-knows-who.

So, it is really frustrating. I got to know of a certain somebody who did just that. My impression of him transformed overnight from one of The Garden of Eden to that of the fiery-chasms of Hell. My oversight for the trust and everything put in to build a friendship. But I will not mention any names... why? Cause, I have learnt from experience that you should keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

To whoever you are... word does reach my ears! But thank you for opening my eyes. I can see clearly now.

Anyway, I've got a sore shoulder from yesterday's workout. I promise myself to put more effort to be diligent in working out. Ain't nobody u can depend on but yourself!

:-)

The Amazing Race... and everything in between!

I can't help it... I'm going crazy... Everytime I watch the Amazing Race 9 (and the re-runs), I keep wondering if I'd be called up for the preliminaries for the Amazing Race Asia. I have been a big fan of the race ever since the first where Rob and Brennan won... never missed a single episode. Each time I watch, I would be like "I could have done better..."; "Oh my God! They don't deserve to be in the race..." and so on and so forth. I always wished I could be part of the race... and not a moment too soon.

I'm glad to say, my partner and I have submitted our application... but God, we had to fill up quite a lot... and some of those questions posed were rather weird! These are some of the question that were posed and our (me and my partner Li-Ann) answers!

What is the worst experience you have had with your teammate? Why?
Li-Ann: Getting him to keep still and be quiet in class when the teachers have their meetings..
Hanson: None as yet.. maybe if we get to do the Amazing Race I may eventually get a bad experience with her but I’ll take it all in my stride.. this is what life is all about.

What time(s) together with your teammate are/have been the most memorable? Why?
Li-Ann: When we were kids. Since I’m older, I got to bully him. (Hanson's comment on that: Yea! Right! as if...)
Hanson: Auditioning for Fear Factor in a shopping complex. I had to piggy-back her and walk blindfolded across a path with mousetraps. We did not even make it past the first round but it was memorable because it was then that I truly found someone who shares the same crazy passion to participate in reality shows and hopefully one day, win it.

What famous person reminds you of yourself?
Li-Ann: Cruella de Vil
Hanson: Dennis Rodman

What famous person reminds you of your teammate?
Li-Ann: Leo Madrigal (Filipino actor) [Hanson's comment: Huh? Who?]
Hanson: Erin Brockovich

How are you and your teammate most different?
Li-Ann: I am outgoing but I prefer to have plenty of time to be with myself whereas, he’s pretty much a party animal.
Hanson: She likes diving and has spent an enormous sum in that... I’m more of a budget and thrifty individual and I won’t splurge even if I’m passionate. I like to do things that don’t cost a lot... for me, anything free is good!

Well! Not sure if we are going to make the cut. But Li-Ann, thank you for sparing me public revelations of some of my most embarassing past. Keep your finger's crossed.

Welcome to my Life...

Picture taken in Bangkok, 26-Feb-2006: The Tuk-tuk driver and me!

I have been infected with a terminal disease... it is quite contagious. I have contracted the blog-fever! Got ya'; didn't I?... ha ha ha...

I have actually done blogging for some time now; but I have always done it under a pseudonym for certain reasons that shall remain undisclosed as yet. You'll know in due time. Now I want to blog and everyone who reads to know who I am and what kind of a monster I can be; quite harmless actually, just keeping up appearances.

My name is Hanson; currently residing in the east-coast city of Kuantan, Malaysia. I am ** [censored] years old. What a lot of people describe me as weird and unconventional, I prefer the term unique. Imagine the river flowing towards the sea; I'm the fish that swims upstream... though not always. Sometimes I am at peace with myself, at other times, I'm a walking contradiction. I like topics that are thought provoking... things like logic, global events, music, movies and sex. I also like outdoor activities like hiking, jungle-trekking, canoeing and I am a gym-freak! Unfortunately, I'm still working on that 6-packs which seems a little too farfetched at this point. In addition to all that, I'm also a reality TV junkie. Based on what I've described, try to picture me in your mind; see an image?

I hope you would enjoy reading my posts as I would typing them in. Whether you agree with my views or not, please do give me a shout out! And whatever you are doing, wherever you are in the world, I bid you Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening and Good Night!

Hanson

There's Just No Justice... Was there a Conspiracy behind Mandiva's Elimination?

Oh my God!... I was stumped when the elimination results were anounced on American Idol last night. It was a country-theme week; I thought Katherine McPhee excelled in this one and Bucky Covington gave a very appalling performance. All the others were rather good eventhough this was not an easy category to handle.

The first stinger came when the bottom three were revealed. The group comprising Mandisa, Elliot and Paris was announced to have purportedly received the lowest number of votes. None in this group has ever been in the bottom three, and all three have been consistently good throughout the competition if not outshining everyone else. Logical?... Definitely not! Country music was supposed to be Bucky's forte but his rendition of Vertical Horizon's "Best I Ever Had" was simply pathetic. I was positive that the group comprising Ace Young, Katherine McPhee and Bucky "the back-up singer" Covington would be the bottom three. Hell was I wrong.

The bummer to end the night: MANDIVA's elimination. Frankly speaking, she did a decent cover of Shania Twain's "Any Man of Mine" and does not deserve to be eliminated at this point of the competition; at least not when Bucky is still around. I have always agreed with Simon Cowell that Bucky is just okay and he will be nothing more than just a back-up singer. Mandisa on the other hand, nicknamed Mandiva because of her powerful vocals and superior performances, was outstanding every week. Eventhough, Chris Daughtry is my favourite to win this competition... I thought Mandiva deserved to be in the Final 3.

If you think this scenario sounds all too familiar, you bet! It has happened before in the third season when Latoya London was prematurely eliminated though she was predicted to be in the Final 3.

Simon Cowell was quoted to have named his Final 3 predictions for this season, namely Chris Daughtry, Taylor Hicks and Kellie Pickler. Sounds like he's got insights from someone or something that must be brewing within the Fox organization that has actually predetermined who will be leaving the competition. I think there's some sort of a conspiracy... just dunno what! But why Mandisa... why? Anyone out there has anything to say, please feel free to comment!