I can't properly update you people on the blog, because I'm too filled with laziness.
But, please, let me tell you about the movie-things I've been watching lately.
I just finished watching Andrei Tarkovskiy's Stalker. Very deep, philosophical, and in its own way deeply and philosophically beautiful. I watched the first part (the movie's split into two chapter-like parts) yesterday, and finished the second today. I recall that 2007 game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and now I want to play it again. Too bad it ran too slow on my old desktop. What are the odds it'll run anywhere decent on my MacBook?
One of the best movies I saw recently was the 1976 film The Message (or Muhammad: Messenger of God), which was beautifully done and extremely excellent. Highly recommended. Too bad the subtitles were crap on that edition.
I watched 300 recently. A hell of a lot of people swear by the movie, saying it's awesome-this-awesome-that, but when I watched it, I was distinctly underwhelmed. Except for that bit where the Oracle's dancing, there was nothing particularly great for me. Or maybe because I already knew the story of Thermopylae long before that movie was made.
I probably haven't mentioned I very much enjoyed Dr Strangelove: Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb not too long ago, and I'm giving that a rerun.
I still haven't watched indie Scandinavian movie Om Gud Vil, which stars Nina Persson, and hope there's some way I can find it.
Next: waiting for the arrival of the indie movie Walk All Over Me with LeeLee Sobieski and Tricia Helfer. It's got Tricia Helfer in it. That always means awesome.
I suppose now I want to read some too, to balance my life out. More movies, excellent. But need books too.
I'm typing this Vox post with my brand new 13.3" Apple MacBook, white, and on Wi-Fi on the at-last-configured Streamyx connection at home.
I'm sorry if I haven't blogged in a while. Most probably you don't care anyway, because you see me regularly.
Hmm, updates: it's my college end-of-semester holiday, meaning I (should be/) am free until the 20th of May. Alas, life is not fair, and college life most of all. I have regular meetings and stuff, as if these people don't understand what "holiday" means.
I'm completely new to OS X Leopard, but I'm learning.
Other updates: Jim and I have planned for a holiday in July to Kuching, Sarawak (my second time this year) right after the rigors of TT Nite. It's bound to be great.
Other, other updates: I bought me a new hat. Unlike the gray fedora recently, this brown one is an actual, honest-to-goodness trilby. I am very pleased. Got it at the Topman in Lot 10.
Long overdue, I tell you.
PS. Battlestar Galactica season four seems to be really awesome, right?
There's a reason why my... alternative... name is Paul, and it's because of you Paul Scholes.
(and Paul Denton too, but that's a matter for a different blog post)
It's like a dream.
Champions' League 2007/2008 in an all-English final.
It's been awhile since doing these useless, Internet-clogging memes, but this one's a little interesting and it came from Roslyn so why the hell not, right?
A SURVEY THING.
by Amirul B Ruslan
A fact about the person you like?
She's really cute, and she said the same of me?
What happened at 10:00 am today?
I was asleep. Then Jaziel had to call me. Dreaming of certain somebodies, who had miraculously gained a British accent.
What do you want in your life right now?
Call me materialistic, but it's a MacBook. DAD I NEED ONE LIKE PREFERABLY RIGHT NOW YEAH KTHXBAI
Are you wearing anything you borrowed from someone?
Right now I am wearing my father's old suit. It's mine now. I still cannot believe that he used to be this thin, ever.
What were you doing at 7:30pm Friday night?
Last Friday? God, I can't even remember. This Friday? Probably in my room, lonely and poor.
Honestly, have you been in love?
I'm always in love.
What did you do today?
Absolutely nothing of use.
Do you have a job?
It's called President of the Galaxy.
What are you doing right now besides this survey?
Nothing really; all the blogs have been read, all the Facebook pages checked.
What are your plans tomorrow?
At first it was a movie with Jim, then I remembered tomorrow's Roslyn's Sports Day. I shall be there. Which suit shall I wear?
Exactly where did you get the clothes you're wearing right now?
The shirt was from ROMP in KLCC like a year and a half ago, one I very very much like. The jacket, as I said, was part of my father's 1984 three-piece suit. And the pants? What, you people think I remember wear I get each and every piece of clothing?
What is your current problem?
The proper question would be, "What isn't your current problem?". But to be short, the fact that certain people exist when they clearly shouldn't be allowed (Why, supreme deity/being of choice, did you decide to have them born? Why?). I actually have little in the way of problems.
Slept in someone else's bed?
Very frequently, but not as often as I want.
Last time you spoke to someone you like?
I met Siok Cheng about ten minutes ago, to pass her some designs Julia had made. She was in between meetings too, and was wearing glasses. I haven't seen her in glasses in quite some time.
What are you looking forward to in the next week?
Absolutely nothing! (I think.) It's exams, ladies and gentlemen, and you know how kind academia has been to me. Very much not so.
Have you ever had your heart broken?
It's only a matter of time before it does. My heart has taken some stabs, some shocks, some shots, some slaps and some side-punches, but never has it shattered.
Have you ever done something outrageously dumb?
I do so on a daily basis, depending on what potential for outrageous stupidity exists at the given moment.
Who was the last person you saw?
There's lots of people around me right now, obv. I'm in the library. But if you want a real answer, refer four questions ago.
What was the last movie you watched?
On TV? Election, it starred Reese Whitherspoon and Matthew Broderick. I was somewhat reminded of my own high school life. I marked it on Facebook as one of my favorites.
Where did you last go?
I made a short trip to the library for some bibliotheque-checking. Which is what I'm doing now.
Do you like someone right now?
What, you mean right now? I can think of at least five people I like. In ascending order, in descending order, in alphabetical order, too.
Why did your parents give you the name you have?
Probably because they didn't want to name me Gaius.
Do you have a dirty mind?
/asks Tabby
/asks Julia
/asks Sarah
/asks most people, who I bet is going to say "yes".
Have you ever done anything you said you wouldn't?
Nothing major. The things I strongly disagree with I still strongly disagree with. But true, sometimes even I falter, but only on minor things. Like saying I won't bite my fingernails again.
What do you look forward to most in the upcoming months?
The possibility of going to Kuching again with Jim.
Do you know how to drive a stick shift?
As it is, right now, all I know is how to drive a stick-shift.
Who is the last male(s) you rode in a car with?
Um, Dad, I think.
Who is the last person to make you laugh? When?
I haven't laughed all day...
Have you ever been stalked?
You're not going to believe me, but yes, I have.
Do you think you will be married by the time you are 35?
I better.
Last four things you drank:
7Up. It was for breakfast and for lunch.
Did you wake up happy today:
I woke up confused. "How did she get a British accent?"
Do you watch TV or listen to music more?
I rarely get the opportunity to plug into the idiot-tube, and I often listen to my iPod which has again returned in its rightful place in my earsockets.
Would you rather your mate have gorgeous eyes or a gorgeous smile?
I think she has both. Oh, you mean? I have to choose? Well, I have to say I'd rather eyes, because my smile's good enough for the both of us. ZOMG SUCH VANITY AND NARCISSISM NOBODY HAS EVER SEEN MORE
If someone cheated on you, what would you do?
I would be dreadfully unhappy, and completely unable to function. My lips would be dry, my voice decibels lower, but the thought resounding in my head wouldn't be "Why?" as so much as it would be "Oh."
What month is your birthday in?
February. Where awesome people are born.
What is your favorite kind of gum?
I only chew that which is cola-flavored. Unless it's offered by other people, in which I'll have just about anything they offer.
Who sits next to you in math?
Hahahahaha! I don't take Math! As Tabby would say in her inimitable tone, "Sucks to be yooouu!"
Would you ever get a tattoo?
Nope. My skin can't take the idea of permanent etchings commemorating people or ideals I probably won't care about later in my life. You know what? I think I'll have one, and have it go I LOVE MOM, and see what she thinks about that.
If you could choose to live without any emotion, would you want to?
You want me to turn into Shafiq?
Did you sleep at least seven hours last night?
Just about seven to eight hours. I was very thankful.
Do you think that your name defines who you are?
I wouldn't trade it for all in the world. But "The Leader"? Amirul = leader? I suppose leadership has been thrust upon me, fittingly.
What color eyes do you prefer the opposite gender to have?
You know whose eyes are the most beautifulest of all that I can think of? Angie's. I know, she uses contacts and all, but what do I care, they're Hotter Than Your Neighbor. (Sorry, couldn't resist)
Would you rather it be sunny or rainy?
I'm sick of the goddamn sun and the goddamn rain, I wear a suit every goddamn day, Mother Earth, can't it for once be windy and cool!
Are your underwear and socks folded in your drawer?
No, they're all in a box.
Where is the PERSON you like now?
Must it be the "PERSON"? Can't it be an animal? An ideal? What if I said it was Lindsay Lohan, hmm? You think I can answer it? And besides, I consider Jan a person, so can I say "Jan's at home, probably in the house and soaking wet because he's not smart enough to stay out of the rain"? By the way - answer: Library.
Last person you text messaged?
The last message I received was "Ok,if then. we'l meet at 6.15 at lib main entrance.ok?everything's fine n settled.see ya" by Siok Cheng. The last message I sent was Tabby: "You in the hostel?"
Who was the last person to call you?
Jim! You know it's always some bad news if Jim decides to call (not another bloody movie, no! - just kidding).
Next time you travel out of the country where will it be to?
Siem Reap, Cambodia. Unless truly do I get abducted and brought elsewhere. We're going in December.
What color are your eyes?
I don't know, I'm color blind.
Are you allergic to anything?
Religious fervour. I'm not kidding. I went into a Christian Fellowship home near college last semester, saw a picture of Jesus and started itching everywhere. It was so, so funny. I was there for this Counselling experiment with Kenny.
Are you dating the last person you kissed?
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahhhahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahah for my sake I hope not.
Last place you ordered food from?
La Risata. Fancy, expensive, splurgy Italian! I had gnocchi. I love gnocchi. But I do love Mexican more than Italian I fear.
What color is your hair?
You can't see it because it's always covered by that grey trilby of mine. Black, obviously.
Who knows a secret or two about you?
Julia Hoo Kean Bee!
Did you have a nap today
I don't believe in naps.
Whats your mood?
Limited.
Have you ever wanted to be a teacher?
Always.
Where were you 1 hour ago?
Meeting somebody. Must I mention that meeting of mine every ten bloody minutes? Dear God. Library main entrance, kay?
Where were you 10 hours ago?
Just before I woke up, in my bed, drifting away to other worlds questioning why they have British accents.
Has anyone ever told you that they like you more than as a friend?
Every other day.
Have you kissed anyone in the past week?
Hmm, no. You should help me do something about that.
What were you doing 12 AM last night?
Running around Taris with a dour Republic soldier named Carth, a hot Jedi chick I want to marry named Bastila, and going around threatening people for money and/or fun. "My name's Son Krusha. Give me all your credits."
What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?
"Where did she get a British accent?" Hmm. (I think I've mentioned that dream five times today alone)
If you took a drug test would you pass it?
No, I would mark positive for EUPHORIA.
Is tomorrow going to be a good night?
All nights are goodnights.
Are you comfortable with answering personal questions?
Never, but my soul just tears itself and shouts the answers right out in frequencies that are sadly too high to be heard.
When's the last time you cried?
When I lamented the loss of my youth.
Are you happy?
I'd be a lot more so if I had a MacBook. Think of the opportunities, Dad! I could study. I could write notes. I could organize notes. And none of that game-playing too! (Also: I could install my original Windows Vista Business CD, and note the word "Business". That means there's no slacking off) See! Opportunities, not obstructions.
Do you do good in school?
I was great, but never good.
Do you think relationships are ever really worth it?
Some people are always worth it.
What do you do when you had a bad day?
I go all emo and talk to Jeff.
Do you believe exes can really ever be "just friends"?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAAH.
What are you wearing on your feet?
My only pair of shoes.
Last thing you said?
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAAH".
When was the last time you were on a vacation?
February 16 to February 20, 2008.
Have you made any mistakes recently?
I make a lot everyday. I'm only human and thats my saving grace.
When do you want to have kids?
I can easily start the process as soon as possible, though I'd prefer to see the end result delayed for some time.
If you could pack up and leave your life right this second to move away, would you?
You'll only hear of me in cheerful-sounding postcards sent from exotic islands in the Carribean like Martinique, with words, "Haha! I don't hate you, but I do despise you! xoxo ABR"
Who are your close friends?
They're on my blog, and they respond to my blog.
Who are you closer to?
For the life of me I don't know why most of my friends are girls. It's like I seem to be able to perform socially better around those with Chromosome XX.
What is your favorite subject in school right now?
It was called Introduction to Drama. Right now, school can be damned. Um, parents, you didn't hear that. I was joking, see? See?
Where are you?
College library.
What should you be doing?
A lot more than typing this crap down.
Do you always get along with your siblings?
Nope, and I like it that way.
Funniest text in your phone right now?
Shafiq said, "Be sure to tell everybody I'm not gay." I couldn't even respond because my eyes were so full of confusion I needed some medication to reduce it to normal.
Do you feel like you've got some growing up to do?
Sometimes I suspect I've grown up far, far, far too early.
Most hurtful thing someone has said to you lately?
What is hurt if not that which keeps you awake at night? I sleep pretty well, even if it takes hours to activate.
What time did you wake up this morning?
Around ten AM. Given that I slept around 2.30AM, I'm wondering why so early.
Did the last person you held hands with mean anything?
Probably.
Last thing you ate?
ChipsMore! Yay! With extra butter!
What are you looking forward to most that will happen this year?
Life, the universe, and everything.
TALENTIME NITE 08
A SCREENPLAY:
By Amirul B Ruslan.
CHAPTER ONE: Being Stalked
"Eh, I thought someone's watching me? So creepy."
AMIRUL: "Oh, well, nobody here."
JEFF: "Heheheheh."
AMIRUL: "Oh well, there's nobody after all."
(off-screen) JEFF: "Hehehehhehehehe."
CHAPTER TWO: The Duel
They were fighting... over Tabby. Julia was angry because Carmen had claimed Tabby as her own
TABBY: "Let go of me!"
CARMEN: "NEVAR!" (yes, nevar)
Julia did not like this intrusion of privacy
CARMEN: (*punches Julia*)
JULIA: (*not punching Carmen*)
Tabby had to choose between Julia and Carmen, and thus was she thrust upon with a dilemma.
TABBY: "Hmm, this is so much fun! Carmen and Julia fighting to the death."
But then Tabby remembered all the happy times she ever had with Julia. "Oh, bugger," she said.
But Carmen was winning the fight.
CHAPTER THREE: Backup Arrives
Carmen's backup, Myke, arrived, giving her power move - Lala Pose #1
JULIA: "Oh noes! A lala pose! Heeellllp!"
And then came Sarah, who was on Julia's side.
SARAH: "Feel the pain of my Lala Pose #2!!!"
EVERYBODY: (*dies*)
...
...
And thus Tabby walked off with the next person she saw, Winky.
And Tabby and Winky lived happily ever after, walking away over the corpses of Carmen, Julia, Myke and Sarah.
CHAPTER THREE: The Ladies' Man
Later, days later, when everybody respawned, everybody had a dinner together. And Jeff was most wanted there.
(Real life note: these were taken on the 14th at McDonalds in Jusco Alpha Angle, to celebrate Winky's birthday)
But we all know who the most good-looking man there was. It was Amirul.
Nobody's ever doubted it.
YING LOONG: "Because I'm the Souvenir & Prizes guy."
AMIRUL: "What?"
Ying Loong, Jeff, Angie and me. We're doing something of some sort, but weirdly enough I'm the only guy smiling. Hmmm. Did I insult somebody's mother again? Oh bugger.
EVERYBODY: "Break what?"
So, yeah, the play's over. A giant Happy Birthday to Winky, hey!
I'm no accountant, but the Accounting Society had been doing a real great job at setting up Accounting Night that it was such an unavoidably tempting target for me to spread my "Hey you, go to Talentime Night! July 6 2008!" to about five hundred or so people.
Accounting Night was essentially a big song-and-dance of "Hey you, go look at the new Accounting Society committee! Not the old, but the new!" so there's really not much to say about it, except for Big-O-Vision photographs to explain what I saw and what I didn't see.
The usual Journalism crew - Tabby, Julia, Sarah, etc, etc - chose not to go to Accounting Night, those lazy beggars, so I was not looking likely to go myself. I needed a date for the event, y'know, just for the hell of it, but my first-choice was very much unavailable. In her own words, "I can't promise to be able to go with you, I'll be with my friends." That spells out REJECTION in very bright red ink, right? Okay, okay, just joking. She's a nice girl, really.
So I went with Stacey instead. You should have heard the voice of Julia on the phone when I told her I was going out with Stacey: she said, and I quote, "Are you [expletive here!] kidding me? STACEY?" And I was like, "Ha."
Stacey's a really nice person. She's on the TT Nite committee as the Public Relations assistant director, and she also happens to be the vice-chair of Mass Communications Society, one which I am nominally part of as well.
I didn't have my Sony DSC-N1, though frankly it doesn't do night photos too well, but I had Tabby's Olympus. I had normal tickets whereas Stacey had VIP (tickets I should have gotten, dammit), so I had to sit with the plebs in the back. Three rows from the back, which is why all photos look like this.
In short: there were motorcycles, there were emcees, and there were dancing performances and singing performances. Now skip to the end of the event: the fun part, with all the photos of people posing with each other.
When I first arrived, I was without a jacket, so I had to borrow Kieran's jacket. It's nice, but he's many sizes bigger than me, thus I had to go without the jacket. This photo, taken from this angle, doesn't seem to properly represent the fact that DAMN WAS THAT JACKET BIG.
Angie, Program Master extraordinaire, and Winky, Secretary so awesome - speaking of that, it was her birthday on Monday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY WINKY!
I'm flanked by two awesome girls, I say! Except, well, you know, Carmen often threatens me a lot. Oh well.
Chua is Mr. Experience. Last year's Assistant Program Master for TT Nite, as well as all-round Event Person for just about everything in college. He's being a truly valuable help for our committee, and there's no doubt I respect him for his knowledge. And he's a really cool guy.
Ms Secretary, and Mr Chairman. Flanked by lots and lots of garbage.
Amirul B Ruslan here appears along with his Vice-Chair for TT Nite, Siok Cheng, and his date for TT Nite, Stacey. Heh.
The experience these two guys bring (Chua on the left and Magendran on the right) absolutely makes college awesome. Fact. Magendran's helping out with OO Nite, our friendly rivals, while Chua's on TT.
Last photo:
Amirul, who is most well known for his extreme unpunctuality, arrives here only two weeks late for a post on the 4th Open Mic Night he attended at The Dance Space with Tabby on the very very generous invitation of Alan McLean.
It was a great and casual event with impromptu and planned performances in the realms of Music, Dance and Poetry. Seeing I can hardly hold a tune, and my legs are as dextrous as wet cement, my contribution to the night was some self-penned poetry entitled An Art Form In Distraction.
The entire atmosphere was awesome, and now I have come to the altogether-too-late realization that wearing the white jacket with my grey trilby shouts out "Pimp!". It seems, dear readers, there are times when the persistent shouts of others regarding my costume should be listened to. Regardless, I enjoyed my pimp look, and it gave me an opportunity to shout ridiculous slogans such as "Ah bitchslap ya, ho!"
The Blantons, Gary and Paola, awesomely nicer people there never were, hosted the event for their parents returning to America. Paola truly enthralled everybody with magickal belly dancing, and Gary was no less awesome with his bass guitar playing.
Okay, so Big-O-Vision beckons.
Thanks to how badly my Sony DSC-N1 takes night photos, I had to rely on flash. Thanks to the GIANT WALL OF MIRROR (Yes, as in singular), all my night photos looked like this because the flash bounced straight back at me.
There was so much guitar-playing, I almost felt ashamed I can't play. Almost.
There was lots of singing too, very entertaining ones, some involving Bulgarian Idol ("Kennnnnn Liiiiiiii! Libi dibi dauchu!" - an attempted transliteration there, ha) and some involving the tragic tale of a Gay Eskimo, all were completely worth-seeing. Imprinted onto the synapses of my brain.
Tabby... she stealses my hat!
At last, when pointing away from the GIANT WALL OF MIRROR, I could take a fairly-resemblant photo of how the nicely dim lighting was all like.
GIANT WALL OF MIRROR = reflect man with hat.
This particular bit had all of us sitting on the floor, eyes closed (at first) in tandem with the hypnotic beat of the drums, plus the mindwarpingly excellent strumming of the guitar. It was spiritual.
There were acoustic guitars, and there were electric ones. Here, Alan is playing - I'm guessing here - an electric one. There were so many guitars sometimes you even might wonder, "Are they giving them away?" Okay, maybe I was wondering that. I want to learn, honest.
Some of you may have heard I performed some poetry, and in the absence of photos (though I believe Tabby's blog has some) I must present to you with about two minutes worth of video. Tabby's camera, and crappy sound I know, so GO BLAME HER.
But even excellent events like these must end, and at 1.30am me and Tabby reluctantly let out the minute yawns. The crowd had thinned but poetry still played. I had a great time. Alan McLean, Forensics Director, guitar-player, math-teacher and all-round nice guy, poses with me in the last photo of the night.
Awesome. I can't wait for another one like this.
The wonderful crew of DJR1 people foisted upon all of us a birthday thing during dinner at the Kenny Rogers in Genting Klang last Wednesday. "Us" meaning those who celebrated their birthdays in March (or in my case, regularly pretend to celebrate his birthday in March): Eason, Abby and me.
You may have seen Abby before in this blog, but under the name "Ice". Now she no longer uses the name Ice, presumably because of its narcotic-referring implications.
Let me not bore you any further with talk about how I want this or that present, and go straight to the Big-O-Vision.
Julia is always first when it comes to photos.
Amirul sits on the side of the birthday people, funnily enough, with the exception of Tracy to his immediate left, whose birthday is... in... uh, sometime later than March. I think. Oh wait, no! January 11. Don't nobody ever say I forget birthdays.
Just