Point2e.com : Archives

Template, where art thou template?

2012-01-17T22:24:00.000-08:00

It has been forever since I used this present template which is obviously unfinished. It is not art when you see missing banners, headers, etc. I have been looking for that template that makes me go "I wanna alter that!". None these days. I shall keep looking. Meanwhile, my current template sucks. SUCKS!

[UPDATES] I VOW I SHALL NEVER POST ANOTHER POST UNTIL I FINISH WITH THIS DARN NEW TEMPLATE (WHICH DOESN'T SUCK!!) BUT WHY WHY WHY IS THE PAGINATION NOT WORKING?!?! WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sharp Aquos!! DAMN YOU!!!

2012-01-11T09:30:00.000-08:00

Let me explain my outburst. I wanted to watch TV without bothering others so bought a stereo headphone and even got on with 6M long wire. Then I discovered there is no headphone jack thing in that stupid Sharp Aquos TV and did some online research and indeed not dreaming, it is true. My Panasonic Plasma has it, my phone can use it, my computer can use it but Sharp Aquos, none!! Why? I thought it is standard feature. So now what? I gotta buy an adaptor in those red/white/yellow thing (RCA thing) to connect to that stupid TV and then another adaptor like 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio adaptor to connect between that I think called RCA whatever to my headphone???? What the hell?!?!?! Where do I buy these? What do I do? Why Sharp? WHY?!?!?

DAMN YOU!!!!

Updates- Review

2012-01-10T22:42:00.000-08:00

Singular, since only written one review. That is for Bottled Passion. Haven't written for a very long time, suddenly feel very rusty in expressing myself. Anyway I do stand by my opinion, however muddled it may seem.

Bottled Passion [TVB][2011][O]

2012-01-10T22:32:00.000-08:00

11.01.2012
Check out my review here. I haven't written a proper length review for a long time. Feel rather rusty!

02.01.2012
I avoided spoilers for these past few days. My new mantra for the last 2 episode was "Let Lo Yat live! Let Lo Yat live!" Finally saw the last 2 episodes and

SPOILERS!!!

Ep 20 was brilliant. Love the ending for the villains. But ep 21 was a complete waste of time and one single episode made the entire sries darn stupid. Oi! This is 1920s not like ancient China! You got stabbed you go to hospital! NO! He had to stagger almost entire night until morning, went onto a boat and die! When for that 10 hours or so he could have staggered to the hospital and save his own life! I don’t get it! What a stupid ending!! Drama for drama sake! At least it isn’t Lo Yat! Why does TVB have to spoil such a good series with this stupid last episode?! How can a half dying man with a knife in his stomach can wander around guangzhou and no one knew? NO ONE KNEW!! Drama for drama sake. Again I repeat, at least it isn’t Lo Yat!

But the past 20 episodes, this series was a winner. Just ignore ep 21. It does not exist. There is no ep 21.

29.12.2011
Seriously, the 2 Raymonds should be nominated next year but I feel by that time their excellent performance would have been forgotten. Another would be Eric Li whom I expect to be darn evil but right now, no sign of being evil at all. A big surprise. I have a mantra now; let LuoYat be good. Let Luo Yat be good!

28.12.2011

Wouldn't it be great if Milk Candy Girl is another girl and so our hero Boon Sin has to choose between Milk Candy Girl and Tsui Sum? Even better if the Ko adopted this Milk Candy Girl? But will never happen in such epic proportion. The Kos are too selfish to love anyone but themselves. But wouldn't it be just great IF the Milk Candy Girl is someone else? That reminds me of Jacky Cheung's song; "One side has gratitude; the other side is love" or something like that.

23.12.2011

When was the last time I saw an actor smoke in a TVB series? I can't remember. Tonight, Raymond light up a ciggie and did it with such casualness and yet with such force to the lighter and then puff and then exhale, I practically cheered because damn it, you want Shanghai Bund era? Well you must smoke and look cool! It is almost indecent! Anyway great series. Really enjoying the story!

21.12.2011

Ok I retract my statement about the themesong. It is ok, except for the Ahhhh ahhhh ahhh haaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa part which was excruciating. Does sound like Nikki Chow doesn't it? Anyway can't remember which episode but love the scenes Tung scolded poor Tsui Sum like a dog. Seriously entertaining series.

14.12.2011

I am at Episode 7 or 8, can't remember and I have used all manner of cursing against Raymond's Tung Boon Sin. Poor poor Tsui Sum. Nikki Chow still a terrible actress. What a waste of a good role.

12.12.2011

I am at Episode 5 and seriously enjoying this series. So the acting by Nicki Chow is horrendous but everybody else is great and Raymond Wong is doing great. Story is engaging. Are you watching? But do ignore the screeching that is called singing for the themesong.

10.12.2011

I am watching Bottled Passion, starring Raymond Wong ((he's gonna be a villain!!) and tailor made role for her, Nicki Chow. I find it interesting with all the hallmarks of a Lee Tim Shing production. Yeah rehashed stuff but darn interesting. Raymond Wong looks pale but he can act. Nicki Chow however.. pretty, older, wiser looking, improved a bit but overall still god awful. This role should have been Tavia Yeung's, before her nose job. Shall post more in this post when I have anything more to say. So far I am very curious; where is limping Milk Candy girl and who will play her? Don't tell me! Wanna find out for myself. Anyway love the Chinese title. It sounds like a comedy with play of words but this is a very serious drama. So I find the title not suitable but quite inventive. It is "Ngo Dik Yu Yi Long Gwan" which normally means "My ideal husband/partner in life" but the word Long here is not the usual word, it means "wolf" or someone with dishonest intentions and so the title became "My dastardly husband". Interesting!

What the hell am I to do with my hair???

2012-01-03T20:20:00.000-08:00

I am at a lost as to what to do with my hair. It is not exactly thick and lustrous so as to warrant me to grow it long and cut it nice and cute and do what is rebonding and reshuffling or reheating or whatever. It is not completely gone so as to convince me not to be bothered with it and just shave it. I have kept it short in part because I look like a crazy woman if it grows out and also because of the heat. Now I want to cut it short again because it grows out to be wavy as I have naturally wavy hair and my front part sorta resembles Miss Kau from No Regrets and since this is 2012, it ain't a good look. The rest like sticks out everywhere, so I look like I combed but did not comb properly, style but did not style properly. It is also dry, no matter the amount of conditioner I put into it and yet oily when the tips are dry. I wish I have those long straight or even wavy hair like thick and shiny so that I don't need to consider; all I need to do is tie into ponytail. My hair now is tie also cannot, don't tie also cannot, I really don't know what to do with my hair.

However I have no problems with my weight. No dilemma, just the one mantra; let it be!

[GREETINGS] HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!!

2011-12-31T08:01:00.000-08:00

A very happy new year 2012 to all my friends and visitors! I would like to quote from the lyrics of my most favourite singer, Fukuyama Masaharu, originally in Japanese but still sounds cool in English, his song, Michishirube;

(We) meet with Love; believe in Love; get hurt by Love,
(We) despise Love; then forgive with Love and learn how to Love
(When I was) battered by wind, confused and in doubt, on my path of survival,
Your smile showed me the way.

(We) meet with People; believe in People; get hurt by People,
(We) despise People; then forgive People and learn to understand People
(When I was) battered by wind, in tears or laughter, on my path of survival,
Your smile showed me the way.

Thank you for your support in that past year, yes I mean you, you, you, you and you! All 5 of you! Or could be more! Hoping you will return in 2012 and just you know, post more! I will still be here, as always. Happy New Year!

Poor and I know it

2011-12-30T00:56:00.000-08:00

Any of you ever have that sort of moment where you got your salary and you look at it and you feel you've overspent even before your salary banked in? I just got that moment. I looked at my salary slip and I calculated and I realise I am still poor.

Layman's view of money laundering

2011-12-29T03:11:00.000-08:00

I think I finally learn the concept of money laundering, or sort of. I was at a bank, and there were some promotions, that says bank in an amount for a certain period and get a special free gift. I really like the shopping bag and so wanted to bank in a cancelled fixed deposit sum into it but was told cannot because it has to be "new money". I was like what is new money and that is not any money invested in this bank, including fixed deposits. I was very very perplexed, so I said "Why don't I withdraw the fixed deposit since I already decided to cancel that, take the physical money, walk out of the bank, walk back in, take a number, line up and voila! New money again! Can?" and poor girl didn't know what to say because you know, she knows and I know I am right. Who is to say when I walk out and come back in that that same money was from the fixed deposit in the same bank? If not I told her I can go to another bank, buy a bank draft and come back in again. In the end she agrees to let me have the bag. All that for a bag probably just RM40-00 but it is a nice bag. And when I left I finally realised wasn't what I was trying to do considered money laundering in concept?

2012

2011-12-29T00:54:00.000-08:00

Coming soon. A year has passed. Just another day for me. I think I need to be reminded a new year is a new beginning but why do I feel like the same old me?

No Regrets [TVB]

2011-12-27T07:12:00.000-08:00

I am watching No Regrets, it is ending this Saturday and I haven't talked much because it is a series with a heavy subject and I can honestly say, I am wowed by the actors who made an effort to sound like they were speaking Japanese and I know they did, however their pronunciation since I recognised some words and they all sounded credible and I know they were all TVB actors but maybe the fluent ones may be some other people. Kudos to them and I may laugh at Kam Kong (is that his name?) but he gave as commendable performance. I really like Wayne here as the righteous, and Pierre Ngo as Lau Sing, the increasingly brave Pai Kwat. Love the way he shot Kam Kong to death but the best was Sheren Teng shooting that despicable Japanese 3 times. What a woman and a very strong female character. I even like Raymond Wong as Yeung Yeung, something very old fashion goodness about him that makes him best suited for this era, like Kenneth Ma is except Raymond Wong is a better actor. I would have liked Fala Chen more if she didn't have so much role. I don't get it; why is she having so much role? For a while I was fed up with so much of her scenes and wished her dead and I still do. 8 years and for someone with a serious heart disease she is still very much alive.

But I nearly shed a tear for Leung Fei Fan that is Evergreen Mak. Oh he was despicable, wished him dead and yet when he died, like Lau Sing and Pai Kwat, I felt very sad. His end was pretty sad and he did die with a clear conscience.

Anyway ending soon. I want a happy ending. But I just can't stand the aunty Susan Tse. 8 years, even when Japanese was occupying China, she was busy comploting Kau Mui's downfall. You know woman, there are other more important things to do!!

But of course No Regrets have its regrets, like how anyone could just stroll up to the concentration camp and throw food. One wonders were the Japanese blind at that time?

I think I will write a review for this. It deserves such a treatment rather than just scattered opinion.

Bu Bu Jing Xin [O][2011][TV/China]

2011-12-25T18:28:00.000-08:00

GENERAL NOTICES
To everyone;

1. BBJX TV Schedule for everyone out of China/Taiwan, look for the awful title Scarlet Heart. Yes BBJX now has an English title, instead of the awesome Startling Surprises At Every Step, it is Scarlet Heart and it sounds like a woman with a very promiscuous heart. Needless to say, I hate this title.;

- MALAYSIA : ASTRO Zhi Zun Ch 310 on Sundays (9.30pm - 2 eps), repeats at Wed/Thurs (10.30pm - 1 ep) starting 11.12.2011. Sorry to say, no English/Malay subtitles and you can't even switch off the Chinese subtitles.

- SINGAPORE : Ch 8 Mediacorp from 16.01.2012. Time to be confirmed. I am very sure there will be English subtitles for this. Unless this is the pop in the DVD method again but very sure since Mediacorp always sub the shows. Always.

2. Buy BBJX with English subtitles (9 DVDs - not sure if DVD9 or DVD5 but however compressed will still be HD like quality) at Speedy Videos or similar at RM79-90. Should be region 3. Other versions are 12 DVDs (Gold collector's box, all DVD9 with various free goodies including OST), 14 DVDs (normal) and 7 DVDs (H-DVD ver). Caution! Not sure about the English subtitles whether University standard or Form 1 standard. The cover is one side 4th Prince and Ruoxi, the other side 8th prince and Ruoxi. There is another version with the poster as the cover; THAT ONE does not come with English subtitles and sold at RM59-90.

3. Download MP4 versions (TV and DVD) here

4. Download the OST here or the Gold collector's box OST can be found in this post (look for 11.12.2011 post)

5. See the official photobook (not for sale) here (find also various BBJX postings)

6. Read English translated version of the novel by Tong Hua here

7. Read various fan comments and plenty of pictures at SPCNET forum

MY MUSINGS ON ALL THINGS BBJX
[26.12.2011] I heard there's gonna be BBJX 2 filming starting 2nd half of 2012. My take is same cast, different story, modern setting. My hope if

1. stop dubbing Nicky's voice!
2. let Kevin be HK-er so no need to dub
3. Can for once Nicky have a happy ending with the leading lady as in not either of them dead?

That's about it. I can imagine all the scarfs and coats since wintery.

There are more posts for this subject! Click "Click here to read more" to.. read more!!

[15.12.2011] Great news! BBJX is coming to Mediacop Singapore from 16.01.2012 onwards and I guarantee this will have English subtitles and will be of NUS standard as well. Maybe someone will rip and upload? Anyone?

[12.12.2011] I was at another Speedy outlet and saw one China version BBJX release, this one with the poster as the cover at RM59-90. If you want subtitles, be careful because that one doesn't come with English subtitles. I suggest you pay RM20-00 more for the other one which I mentioned, and I checked; region free. Yeah!

[12.12.2011] However much I love BBJX, it does not even compare to Yong Zheng Wang Chao by a million miles. Luckily I did not write episodic thoughts for YZWC because I will die of exhaustion. I don't think I can even manage a review. Every scene is of significance, every dialogue is of importance, so action packed without really being action packed and the performances none I can fault, none! And the more I watch BBJX the more I want to go back to YZWC because every aspect in BBJX reminds me of YZWC which is true. A servant girl serving tea? Got! Falls for the emperor reluctantly? GOT! And more, so much more. And a plus point for YZWC is I recognise the places they filmed. Although of course the guys in BBJX is 1000 times hotter than YZWC, but the more I watch, the more I do think the key players in YZWC weren't that ugly. The best looking guy is 8th prince. I really miss the Kangxi in YZWC and am happy to have found someone uploaded all 44 episodes to youtube which I will post the links later. I know the dialogue is hard to understand, 10 words I can manage 5 words (as opposed to BBJX, 10 words, I can understand 8 since the majority is about love) but suffer you must if you wish for a series that fulfill ALL my requirements. I have a few grouses about YZWC but they're superficial. If you're intrigued by the 4th prince character and wish to know him more, YZWC is a must watch. However do get ready for the shock of your life; that actor ain't Nicky Wu in looks or sex appeal but hey, he's a better actor.

[12.12.2011] Terrible news. That Ch 310 version is 4:3 which made everyone's face look so big (though I can't remember if the DVD ver is 16.9 version so frankly maybe I was being way too sensitive), no English or Malay subtitles and can't even switch off the Chinese subtitles. Good news is the font so big blind also can read. Even more bad news is the soundtrack is like so loud, it was so noticeable, it was annoying. I checked back the MP4 I have with me and same music but a bit more background. I am still not sure if this is DVD or TV version but it stops where the DVD stops so it must be 35 episodes version. Yes, got CM breaks. Annoying! Great news is it is HD and oh my god, the details, everything, awesome. Terrible news is the more I watch Liu Shi Shi the more I feel she was inadequate. But excellent news is Nicky Wu is still handsomely cool as 4th and Kevin Cheng is still gentlemanly gallant as 8th although a bit creepy since you know, he is the brother in law. Other than that I predict the DVD now out for sale with English subtitles will see good business to those who can't understand Chinese. I tell you this much; you can give this series any English title, without any English subtitles, what's the use of giving it an English title?

[11.12.2011] You can find a longer OST version here but the one below is the OST that came with the gold collector's box version with 20 tracks, 3 of which are songs, the rest instrumentals that are quite the same with the other OST and yet somewhat different. I like both, but this OST I like because everything under the same roof. Great OST by the way. Some pictures taken with my Nokia N8;

I was kinda shocked that it came with English titles! But alas, the English is more Engrish than proper English and some terms are plain wrong in every way. But A++ for effort, if only the DVD came with English subtitles as well even if it could be subpar quality. The tracklist as below, the ones in italics are my comments;

Tracklist;
01 One persistent thought (themesong)
02 Seasons of change (That heart wrenching Liu Shi Shi song - need to confirm the title)
03 Three inches of heaven (end song)
04 Each step escape (Should be danger at every step or startling surprises at every step)
05 Weird dream
06 Don't be fighten (Sigh! FrightenED)
07 The castle (The palace perhaps?)
08 Evil
09 Strange
10 Depress (DepressED?)
11 King's arrival (Should be Emperor's arrival)
12 Kung fu
13 Love
14 Delighten cheer (Enlightened cheer or delighted cheer? - Anyway favourite instrumental)
15 Magical
16 Naughty girl (Favourite instrumental song!)
17 Evil sisters
18 Don't leave
19 Sadness
20 Chase the peak

My gift to all BBJX lovers or would be lovers. Collect all the OST versions, supplement one another! So here it is, all 20 tracks zipped, MP3s in 83.76MB. (TIPS : Register free acct at Multiupload.com and log in, click on link below and download from the Multiupload direct link for faster download);

<< DOWNLOAD OST HERE >>

[11.12.2011] Great news! To all BBJX lovers in Malaysia, you can now buy the English subtitled 35 episodes DVD (in 9 DVDs - China versions is either 12 DVDs (gold collection), 14 DVDs (normal) and 7 DVDS (h-DVD version) so frankly I can't be sure if 9DVDs as in DVD5 or DVD9) at Speedy Videos at RM79-90 which is cheaper than in Yesasia but 100% more expensive than if you buy in China BUT with ENGLISH SUBTITLES. I am not sure about the quality of the video (DVD9? Doubt it but should still be HD even if compressed into DVD5) or the quality of the subtitles (these days should be rather ok so I think it is worth a chance since you don't exactly have other choices) but the box is hardcover, one side has Ruoxi with 8th prince, at the other Ruoxi with 4th prince and the grammatically correct intro at the top side and the DVD detaols at the bottom side. Not sure if Region 3 only since I didn't check but I think it should be since this is released for region 3 DVDs. Best part is it is only RM79-90 and frankly I think it is worth it. I shall resist since I already have the gold collector's box but I am very curious about the subtitle and what is in the box. If you bought this version please do share what it is like using Post A Comment. If the Ch310 version is English subtitles, I think we can all basically assume the quality is the same. I am resisting! RESISTING! Since I sorta know the dialogue already. But if the English subtitles is top notch, I think I shall resist no more. The gold collection is DVD 9 in 12DVDs. I wonder what about this 9 DVDs?

[11.12.2011] A reminder. Malaysian viewers can watch this series over at ASTRO Ch 310 (Zhi Zun HD) starting tonight. I believe Sundays are 2 episodes, starting at 9.30pm whilst the weekdays will be Wed, Thurs & Fri at 10.30pm, one episode each. Just look for the title SCARLET HEART (URGHHHHHH) as in minus the URGHHHHHH because seriously, for once, some things are better not given English title. This will forever be BU BU JING XIN! Anyway Speedy Video I am told is selling the DVD for RM80 or thereabouts, not sure HD, not sure DVD9, not sure got subtitles. I don't need the subtitles since my mind is auto tuned to the dialogue from the recaps I read from the net. I tell you, the collector's box is worth it for a huge fan but let me check out the Speedy Video version first. Subtitles may be sketchy. Why can't Chinese fans be like those Japanese fans who hard sub the whole thing, like Galileo?

[08.12.2011] A reminder. This series will be broadcast over at Ch 310 in HD on ASTRO starting this Sunday, time should be 10.30pm. Expect the kissing scenes to be censored!

Meanwhile, some favourite moments; starting with THAT kiss.

Another favourite but THIS wasn't in the series by the way. Can you imagine 4th prince like that??

And of course the real Yong Zheng's handwriting (wow wow wow - wonder what he wrote?)

[05.12.2011] Saw a longer preview on ASTRO and BBJX now has an English title. Nope, not Startling Surprises At Every Step which in retrospect is the better title to this new one; SCARLET HEART. Which made me think of Ruoxi being promiscous. Seriously, Scarlet Heart? Seriously?! Anyway wrong info; Broadcast in 310 channel on 11th December!!

[02.12.2011] Thank you BBJX fans for changing my perspective. Even if it is wrong (incestous you see!), it is also quite right.

[02.12.2011] Anyone interested in buying the official boxset of BBJX, you might want to see the collector's boxset. If you're in China or if you know Chinese, you can buy online here I think. But if you don't know how or don't know Chinese, or any credit card for that matter, you can get assistance from an agent/deputy such as this one and buy from this person in taobao. The price including the postage (if you use EMS and do use EMS) will be about 100% more than the retail price but for any huge fans of BBJX, this boxset is beautiful, but I can't verify for the DVD quality as I haven't watched yet. The danger is the DVD itself may be spoiled. But from what I can see on the surface, looks ok. The box is 1.2kg in all, so you can start calculating the postage. But the links I point to you are credible seller and credible deputy.

What you will find in the box is the 12 DVD9 HD, mousepad, poster, bookmarks of major characters, stickers, playing cards (yes! playing cards! but not very good quality) and the official OST (which I will upload later). Frankly all items are just ok quality but the box itself is beautiful and hardbox. In fact most China DVDs are in hard boxes but since this item is probably about the same price with the other emptier version from yesasia, might as well get this jam packed version. I bought the same version you can find in yesasia from China, at half the price but the first few DVDs' sound were much muted down, I hated it! So I ended up buying a new version, the sound I tested is so far so good. If you want to save money, you can always download the HD version and burn it yourself, which I would have if I could but somehow my software just refuses to convert and burn so I got frustrated and decided to buy.

[29.11.2011] Great news!! ASTRO Ch 310 will be showing BBJX in its full HD glory in December, I believe after that aweful new HZGG series. I am now conflicted. I know it will look gorgeous on screen but I have seen BBJX a total of 2 times. I have my Gold collector's box that I have yet to watch (which will mean 3rd time) and if I were to record and watch on ASTRO, that will be 4th time and will it be overkill? Or should I just stop at ep 25? Anyway not sure ASTRO is 35 episodes or not, there will be ads so it may be the TV version. But how can I resist all the pores and shiny bald heads and gorgeousness riding on horses and the beautiful costumes on HD? But my DVDs are HD though. How? HOW?! I can't bear the free flowing tears onscreen or offscreen. I can't bear to fall in love and have my heart broken with 4th and 13th prince and feel tremendous pity for 8th prince and his d'fujin. I can't! I can't! But HD wor... imagine episode 1, 4th prince galloping on that horse towards me (I mean Ruoxi)... let me think first.

[18.11.2011] I wonder what happens to all the costumes now that the filming is way over and way done with? Exhibition? A BBJX tour park museum something? Recycled? One set given to the actors' as remembrance like what Peter Jackson and LOTR team did?

[15.11.2011] I found the following in SPCNET thread on this series and to tell you the truth, I was struck by the beauty of the way these photos were photographed. No doubt they were photoshopped, extensively but you can't fake the arrangement. I love how the modern (west) meets the past (east) with a simple gesture like a brush, a book, a fan... stunningly beautiful, even Liu Shi Shi managed to look beautiful when normally I find her plain. Where are the rest? I want to see the rest! Beautiful. And yes, I do think Nicky wrote the words. Beautiful calligraphy. And I just realise Nicky adds about 3 inches to his height thanks to his hair! Anyway beautiful photographed pictures. And yes, I am still into BBJX. Had to. Rewatched the DVD, and didn't like the quality of first 17 episodes. I think I will just sell the DVD I have for 30% of the price with the proviso ep 1 to 17's sound is a tad muted and I ripped the inside to accommodate my own CD storage. Not that terrible but I expected perfection for that stupid price. Now I am looking at the collector's box which jokingly is cheaper and also thinking of printing my own BBJX photobooklet. Anyway just thinking. Will you buy the DVD off my hands if I sell it for RM40 (not inclusive of postage-within Malaysia should be RM10) when original price is RM120? Still thinking.

[08.11.2011] I just realised I got the leading actress' surname wrong. It is LIU Shi Shi and not LI Shi Shi. Anyway I just came back from Beijing and the first thing I did when I was there, the 2nd day I was at Wangfujing and I walked into the Wangfujing Bookstore and looked for the books (my sis wanted them) and the DVD (for myself). Price is expensive, box looks ok, DVD quality is HD and so I am happy but happiest is I bought the DVD thinking it was region 6 so I may have to rip it but ended up region free. Yeah! And now the grim prospect; I will have to rewatch the entire series AGAIN to check the DVD. I am not prepared to do that, yet.

My sis bought Yongzheng Wang Chao and the DVD box is beautiful; like a book and the price is expensive but for that box alone, worth the money. I am at episode 4 and all I can say is the actors do get better looking as I adjust from fantasy to reality, whilst the costume ain't BBJX, the location is the real Gu Gong (Forbidden Palace-I recognised it) and the story is superb and the acting is superb (I mean did Yuan Hong watched this series? His interpretation of 13th Prince is similar to the actor in Yongzheng Wang Chao except his 13th prince is actually more refrained!). I think I just became quite a Yongzheng fan. I have always thought him misunderstood, no doubt he was determined and very very harsh but he had to do what he had to do. And in 13 years he did a lot. I appreciate the fact that the last DVD of Yongzheng Wang Chao had a special guest (some history expert) explaining his rule and I find it fascinating. Maybe I should rip it if I can't find in Youtube. An essential watch, especially how the series actually wrongly spelt the word Yong which was very very careless.

My sis watched the ending of BBJX and she herself agreed with my analysis except she said it differently; that her chance meeting with modern guy was to tell her her life with 4th prince was truly over and when she removed her glasses, as Ruoxi she could see clearly but as herself, it was all blur and it means she is no longer Ruoxi. The modern guy did not recognise her and he walked away and all she could do was to see what may or may not be the reincarnation of 4th Prince walking away out of her life; her life with 4th prince was over.

I agree with her analysis. She also disliked 4th prince; calling him petty when it comes to 8th's wife ("why involve women in his fight?") and also on Yutan she felt he could have been gentler in his approach but like I said, he is on one hand Ruoxi's husband and had to please her but on the other he is the emperor and he has a bigger picture to see. He can't let his love for one woman undermine his power to rule because if he did, 8th and gang would be laughing heartily don't you think? Also a bit of hypocrisy if that did happened. I like the 4th in Yongzheng Wang Chao. He was very singleminded in debt collection; he was cornered in every way and knew he got a shitty job but he had to do what he had to do and if he did what he did the way he did it, I am pretty sure Kangxi must have been very impressed with his abilities.

I wanna say that when I was in Beijing I was on an accidental 4th Prince trail. I visited his former residence (when he was a "yeh"), I saw his calligraphy (beautiful!), saw his paintings (as in him in a painting-my sis told me very few emperors would show the family/leisure side of themselves but Yongzheng interestingly was one of the few who did) and my regret was I did not pay a visit to his tomb which was too far. When I saw his calligraphy, I saw a bold determined sophisticated man with a flair and flourish in the way he wrote and yet in a no nonsense way. My sis said what she saw was a man who must have practised every day and thus showed his single mindedness. If you're ever in Beijing, if you have the chance, do go and have a look at the Yonghegong aka Lama Temple. It was his residence, when he became emperor, he christened it Yonghegong (his palace) and when he died Qianlong converted it to a lama temple. But the structure and layout is there and it was impressive; simple, yet elegant and very well preserved. I could almost imagine 4th prince (in my mind Nicky Wu) galloping on a horse past the line of beautiful trees towards his residence. And I also realised I was cheated by BBJX; his house in BBJX was lesser. Of course you can't expect the real thing to be lesser than the fake thing. Also do visit Prince Gong residence to learn the history of the princes; the 12 ranks, etc.

As for BBJX itself, my love affair with it is still very much alive. My review will take forever. I am unsure how to approach my review. These past few days I have been watching the interviews, the cast indeed got on very very well and I have seen the other side of Kevin Cheng, whom I have always said is the best looking actor in TVB and sorry to say, one of the least charismatic, and I stand by that, even after BBJX which is considered his best work until I watch Ghetto Justice. The rest I will comment more in my review but I want to say something about the gentle playful Nicky Wu. It took me until this year to appreciate him but what made me respect me more which is a fact I have known for a very long time was his struggle to pay off his father's debt which must have been huge since it took him until 2000. And yet he held no grudges against his father. I believe what he did, he did it out of a sense of responsibility and a sense of love which can only mean he was well brought up. I do feel a tinge of unfairness why he alone had to bear the debt; what about his siblings? Maybe they did, which made me realise I knew so little of him except he worked very hard to pay off the debts, a common interest which I am sure why he and Ada Choi fell in love in the first place. A pity he married the wrong woman, but luckily he got out of that sort of marriage. I am still chuckling at the fact my sis said with wonder that he looked so much younger than even the leading lady in the last scene in BBJX and that the average age of the actors in Yongzheng Wang Chao must have been 45 in the series as they all looked so old and I had to remind her, Kevin and Nicky were both 40 or more when filming BBJX and the difference in age between the older and younger actors were at least 10 years in difference. All I can say is he takes very good care or rather is very blessed with good genes physically but since his fans kept saying he should sleep more, all I can say is he must have been careless with his own health sometimes. Saw the interview where his dad had a stroke? Again my tears fell. I find myself very easy in crying these days with everything that has to do with BBJX, luckily the only person who did not make anyone cry yet is the perpetual joker, Yuan Hong but everytime I thought of 13th prince, my tears just fell. I really hope to read the BBJX book but I can only read Chinese so I am hoping some publisher might consider translating that book for the wider market. From what I could read, snippets translated, it seems rather well written.

From the series itself, my sis and I both agree, we both dislike Ruoxi in the end. I understand why she left, but that doesn't make me dislike her less.I find myself in the end admiring 8th Difujin more. However that also doesn't mean I won't tear up everytime I remember how they were better apart than together. However I still like the TV's ending. He suffered and then died. Now it's her turn; there is some sadistic satisfaction in that, that is until tangren shall choose to defile that ending with a sequel where Zhangxiao ends up with modern 4th prince, and I am sure if that is true, then my love affair with BBJX will truly be over.

And by the way in Beijing I saw the last 10 episodes or so of Gong and whilst I like the succession story, the rest is just pure utter rubbish. That ending, the way the men cried more than the women, is so Qiong Yau in essence. I once wrote why I love BBJX is for its elegant subtlety and you can interprete it how you can or even call me rubbish for saying that, but that's the only way I can describe BBJX. Of course it became so morose towards the end, but in the end it is a love story, that doesn't let the love story element supersede the power struggle but compliments it. One customer in Yesasia.com reviewing the DVD asked why show a girl time travel back and yet she did nothing to change history? She did but not actively but the thing is not all time travel story should show the protaganist changing history and in BBJX it is more like she lived in it and bear witness to it and in her own way did influence the end but frankly without her, it would have been the same anyway.

And that is why I am still into BBJX right now; it's the damn story. It is just excellent. I am not ashamed to declare my love for BBJX, I mean I paid a lot of money for that DVD and I must at least express more how I feel. I realise if the rumoured Huang Xiaoming or Wallace Chung took on 4th prince, you would never see this post. So hats off to Nicky Wu for showing in the end the ideal 4th prince even if that man cried way too much in the series. And Yuan Hong.. I need not say more about my love for 13th Prince.

If you haven't seen BBJX, please do give it a chance. Yes, it is slow, it is morose, it is dubbed, but I am sure the costume will be the first to attract your attention, then the location (surely that all can't be the movie studio? Or the movie studio really replicated Forbidden City and Summer Palace?!) and finally you will choose sides; 8th? 4th? 14th? Whatever my feelings about the limitations of Liu ShiShi, no doubt in the end her performance was competent but frankly not ground breaking. A pity, really. Because if this was a movie, her character if acted well, could have won the actress an Oscar. And when I said well, I meant memorably effectively well. She can cry; but towards the end, she failed in some aspects. Can't blame her; her character has 99% of the focus. It was just too big a role for her to cover every aspect well. I have said too much; I shall leave my comments for my review.

A final question though; is BBJX the greatest love story ever told? No. It is however the greatest anti love story ever told. After watching the series, I hope never to find such a love, ever. It is just too difficult. But then if you haven't loved that much, how would you know you have lived fully?

[24.10.2011] Why am I torturing myself? I am sitting through this tragic love story again because now my sister is watching and she knows Mandarin well and she can translate and joke is I know more than she does! I know Tangren released an official DVD, looking gorgeous in the pictures and when I am in Beijing I intend to buy although it is pretty expensive. My review is 50% along the way and suddenly I really have nothing much to say. Sigh...

And all these rumours of a modern sequel, a continuation of the love story, I hope not! Please do not bastardise the ending. I cried, it is tragic but so be it! And why 4th won and 8th lost? Because 8th doesn't know how to read people. He knows how to buy people, as in their friendship and garner group support but he failed to be like 4th; 4th only needs to garner support from that few people, like Nian Gengyou with military power, Long kodo with administrative power, Li Wei (I think) who I believe became a powerful judge, that one eunuch by the eunuch to the emperor's side. That few people was enough to get him the throne. 8th depended too much on all those support from those officials, and ministers who each has their own agenda. 4th collects his support from those whom he helped and whom they feel indebted to him. 4th's way is very very smart. Kinda like that idea. Still hate the succession scene which quite almost bastardise what was an intelligent and thought provoking historically fictional tragic love story. And I don't know why so many likes 14th. Everytime he appears, he is always scolding Ruoxi. Relax man! Relax!

And oohhhh, love these pictures...

Ohhh a clearer one thanks to SPCNET. Many awesome stuff there. And yes she wasn't wearing the magnolia hairpin in the real life picture and yes I do agree the pin was added into the portrait later, by Yongzheng probably believing that she is from the future and that this was his way of telling her he forgives her, he loves her, he misses her. Click the thumbnail please. In a way I am happy for the new ending for Zhangxiao. Why? I like her to suffer. I mean 4th suffered his entire life (even if for short 10 years after her death) so she must do the same.

[19.10.2011] And the grieving never stops! Damn it!! There's an epilogue by the author and you can read the summary here. And thank you for making me cry again and again and again. I like the fact No. 14 realised perhaps he wasn't always fair to No. 4 who had a rather sad childhood but No. 4 never seemed to mind much even if he had everything bottled up inside or that life after Ruoxi was one of solitude. Also sweet to read his treatment of his empress and than of No. 13's daughter and who she ended up with. And Qianlong wasn't the best emperor in Qing history, he had a relatively easier rule than his father and much easier rule than his grandfather. I would say Kangxi was the best even if his last few years were confusing. I feel so sad for No. 4 but this epilogue truly ties up everything nicely, and showed a more human face to No. 4, almost justifying all the things he did. I like that and I like that No. 14 realised that too. In restrospect No. 4 didn't treat his own brother badly at all. I almost teared up when I read how No. 4 worked himself to death so as to join Ruoxi. And the series' ending sorta prevented that didn't it? I am crying again. Luckily I don't know how to read Chinese if not I shall cry harder.

[16.10.2011] On the ending, I read the book stops at Ruoxi dying in Qing because she did die in the modern world. In the series, she didn't die in the modern world, she woke up after dying in Qing and wondered if the decades she spent in Qing was real. Ruoxi would have no records except she was Maertai family. She didn't marry the Emperor, she did marry no. 14 but the emperor did not record the marriage in the books, so she as persona non grata. But she found a painting and she was in it so she knew it was real. Now fans have said they liked the series ending for its closure so she can move on. My interpretation of the ending in the series is that ruoxi never had that closure. Before she did in Qing, she said she wants to forget everything, she doesn't want to remember anything, she did feeling the pang for the man who refused to forgive her, etc. She pined for no. 4 and he never came to see her. In modern times, she woke up remembering everything. Finding proof, she knew all she had felt is real, the pang is still there until she saw a man looking like no. 4. We can assume that man is a reincarnation of no. 4 but my interpretation is they look the same, maybe reincarnated but in the end he isn't no. 4. No. 4 was 300 years ago. Her feelings was sad but normal until she saw him again and she cried and stunned and cried. It does mean he did come to see her, 300 years later but the man she loved and pined for died 3 centuries ago. This to me is not a closure but a very very sad ending. How does one live on when she had lived a lifetime in what was a real dream? It is perhaps one of the saddest ending I have ever seen. If she died, it is the end. If she can't remember it is the end. But she remembered and it is a curse rather than a gift. I like in her last letter to no. 4 she said she loved the 4th Prince she knew, not the emperor he became. She forgave him for all he did, waited, hoping he will forgive her. Frankly I can't understand what is to forgive and I will write more in my review. What a sad ending. And everybody died with some degree of regret.

And I think with what no. 8 boasted, they have slept together.

[15.10.2011] Just saw the last episode. And I wrote the following in an email with friends;

God damn it! Just saw ep 35 of BBJX and I cried from start till the end. Cried and cried and cried. Especially when no. 13 died. Still crying! And ending is very very sad but in a way she saw him for one last time 300 years later. Before that, when no. 8's wife died I cried. Then no. 8 died, I cried. Can't stop crying but ep 26 to ep 33 was very very draggy. The actors did the crying but end of ep 33 to ep 35 I did the crying.

I must say Kevin's best acting moment ever was when he saw his wife burning. I am sure he cried himself hoarse but since dubbed, can't hear for myself. But the anguish is there. And Nicky Wu can really really cry. His last scene with those tears, without realising my tears was running down my cheeks. Luckily I was alone. I would say last 8 episodes or so almost pulled the series down but the last 3 episodes and in a way a proper closure helped. And the last song was beautiful. I am a sucker for such a love story; that she loved 4th Prince, loathed the emperor, so sad.

But the book, did it just end with :"And I died" because it is 1st person narrative?

Don't watch this with another person if not very embarassing with the tears and all. My most fave character ever; no. 13. No doubt about it, loyal till death but not blindly loyal and to have no. 4 in the end said "You have all left; I am now all alone" was very poignant though no. 14 is still alive. I thought no. 10 was imprisoned and died in prison?

Oh god, still crying!!!

[15.10.2011] OMG. The last 10 episodes so much crying, I am having a headache. Every scene, cry, everybody cries except for no. 13. And I myself cried at episode 34. She really loved him, waited for him, never turned up until 300 years later. So much tears! Let me calm down a bit. First from all the tears in the series and all induced by the series. Frankly the last 10 episodes is between draggy, stupid and so darn emotional. I need NG scenes. I need happy scenes.

[14.10.2011] I skipped to the last episode, watching a few minutes without sound and I don't think I can bear to watch it in full. I feel like crying. So sad! SO SO SO SAD!! But from what I can see, it does have a proper ending, proper closure. But so sad! I have 10 more episodes to go and I am already invested so much emotionally. Anyway I wonder in the book, it was a first person narration, so how did Ruoxi narrated her own death?

[14.10.2011] I was wondering when the succession issue will be addressed and in episode 25, finally the emperor dies. And for the first time, this series has let me down, severely. I was thinking which approach the writer will take; no. 4 kills kangxi and forged the wills or no. 4 never killed kangxi and kangxi himself appointed no. 4 as his successor in his will. The truth is neither. The series says kangxi met with no. 4, his most trusted/high ranking official and concubine in 3 separate occasions, all of them individually with only Eunuch Li as his witness. Kangxi tells no. 4 he wants to appoint no. 14 who was away fighting a war. I already know kangxi favours no. 14 when he wanted to Ruoxi to marry him. Anyway when Kangxi died, his trusted official turns out to be no. 4's man, Nin Keng Yiu came back with his army and basically No. 4 lied about his father's final wishes with Eunuch Li, wanting probably to preserve his own life or maybe he was in the lie as well, as the witness. Before this, the series shows how No. 4 became a gardener and refused to take part in administration, but bidding his time and giving one kick to no. 8 to his graves when it comes to no. 8's career. One fantastic scene has No. 8 lamenting "What did I do wrong? Who did I trusted wrongly? What have I done to deserve this?" and he suspected no. 14, but we all know no. 4 successfully buy his way into even no. 8's most trusted inner circles of eunuchs to do what he did. I like how no. 4 had to be so patient and yet his hands clenched into a tight fist when he could do nothing for no. 13 and Ruoxi. I like how he took no. 13's daughter to raise as his own and 10 years passed since no. 13 was imprisoned to his eventual release and Ruoxi lamenting "He is fighting the fight of his life not only for himself, but for 13th Prince and for me". However when the succession scene was shown, it was like child's play. No way in hell Kangxi will meet individually and tell them their wishes or be so cryptic. I did like how he mildly chastised no. 4's mother for being too strict with no. 4 causing no. 4 to be a loner. He also knew his own faults as a father, didn't want bloodshed upon his death amongst his sons. Well, at this point, I really wanted this series to follow the story the historians agree with; Kangxi wrote 2 wills (one Manchurian, one Chinese), on his death bed he summoned all the princes and I believe some officials and read the will and gave the throne to no. 4. History dictates that no. 14 was much favoured, by him commandering an army which was what no. 2 did. However another history says perhaps Kangxi wanted to get no. 14 away from the palace so as to ensure a smooth transition to no. 4, since by that time no. 8 was totally out of favour. I would have love the story to be that everyone thinks no. 14 will be emperor but in the end the emperor chose no. 4 for perhaps no. 4's tough stand on corruption or his unbending ways in dealing in important issues. After all as the emperor you would want to leave your empire to capable strong hands. No. 14 is a good guy, popular but is he hard enough? Series suggests he is too noble. However the series took a dumb route to be frank; no wills, no meeting of the princes, no announcing of intentions; kangxi can't be that stupid. Severely disappointed. I suppose after this we shall see how no. 4 exacts his revenge on those who were against him, although I do like that fact; where the official who lied that causes no. 13 to be under house arrest for 10 long years was ordered to be killed by "5 horses separating the body" and he did it in front of no. 13 who squirmed a bit (yes, kinda a bit too much) and no. 8 who also squirmed. But this direction seems to suggest he is going down the road of a cruel king, which I don't like at all. Up until the succession, all was fantastic but the succession scene was so badly dealt with, I feel like it was an anti-climax. I wonder is the book the same?

I am also severely disappointed with the actress Liu Shi Shi who now seems to be frowning perpetually and her lack of enthusiasm at seeing her great friend no. 13 released. She seems to be frowning even when she is happy. In fact she is looking like Ruby Lin for the last few episodes. Everybody else did well, even Kevin in his own quiet way displayed his character's desperation and disappointment. Nicky Wu up until then was great but his character seems to be so busy being so quiet. I know he is plotting, would have wished to see a bit of the plotting since at the same time he was busy gardening.

Anyway episode 25, disappointing. I hope Ep 26 onwards will be back to its glorious self and not mock my intelligence with the inept succession scene. By the way Nicky Wu looks so tiny on that huge throne-chair!

[13.10.2011] I will be first to confess wondering why certain actors were cast in certain roles and since I knew only 2, so I wondered why Kevin as 8th and of all people, Nicky Wu as 4th. I mean I know Kevin as an actor, but I don't really know Nicky Wu as an actor, only seen him a few times and knowing his voice is rather ... weak. The dubbing was suitable but I wished for their real voices. They do sound good for real, I mean Kevin speaks good mandarin even if he whispers his lines. But after 20 episodes, as usual I am brainwashed. Now I feel like the casting is good. Kevin does look gentlemanly so he can play 8th, and yet he can look hurt and betrayed. Is this his best performance ever? I don't think so. I feel he can do better. Some scenes I find his 8th lack gravitas to be emperor and we all know he didn't become an emperor. I was a bit confused by some of his performance but overall, it is an eye opener, especially in the romance scenes which Kevin did very well. Nicky Wu shocked me. Apart from the fact he looks youthful during promotion but in HD he looked old, and I wondered is he that much taller, for the lack of opportunity to evaluate his voice, I was shocked that I really enjoyed his performance. Those sullen looks, those angry tears, those frustrated moments, I kinda felt sorry he had to look like he is about to explode most of the time. Seriously, not seeing much of his other works, I do think this is his best work. He gives his 4th a certain gravitas, a certain restrain that I find irresistable. The main actress, Liu Shi Shi however... she can act, but I find her bored most of the time. In person she has such a huge personality but on screen, she is looking more and more bored. And the show is supposed to be about her! And yes, I thought she was so pretty, now I think the more I look at her the more I don't think she is. Her best scenes are those lighthearted scenes, that's when I see her personality. So far I feel the second liners are better actors. The one who is crown prince is fantastic, the guy as 9th prince is awesome that I hate him, the actor as no. 13 is to me the best of the lot. I really like 13 because I really think the actor did such a fantastic job. Damien Lau is such a surprise. I never knew he looked so big. What more can I say about Damien Lau? We all know he is a fantastic actor, so no need to say more. But he really made Kangxi into this great emperor but biased. Flawed man, that's how I like the way he portrayed the character. Really gives the meaning "Boon kwan yu boon foo", I suppose you can translate that as "Being with the emperor is akin to being with the tiger". Of all, no. 14 is the worst actor, but he is cute and he has a lot of scenes. But really, my heart is with 13, perhaps the most unconditional character in this series. He asks for nothing, and yet he gives everything. Now I wanna cry!! And I really wanted Min Min with no. 13!!

I am however still very confused with the timeline. She said 8 years have passed since last drink with No. 13, before that 2 years passed before going to palace, etc. I thought she only need to serve in palace for 3 years? Isn't her contract long overdue?? And the novel says she starts at 13, looks different in the mirror, but in the series, modern time and her looks the same. I am confused.

Anyway will say more in my review. I am sure I will have plenty to say after I am done with this series. Great show! I will post more on the cast and costumes later. I just have to say; looking at the costumes just made me swoon. This series has inspired me to wanna write write write. However I am afraid of suffering from burn out come episode 35. Moreover this series is passe already isn't it?

[13.10.2011] I am at episode 20 and I cried when no. 13 came forward and took the blame for no. 4 and got arrested and into house arrest. Not a bad house but for someone who loves nature, who loves riding horses, music, singing and carefree life, that is torture! The emperor in his need to protect the crown prince just blinded himself to all his faults. And guess what? It was no. 8 who started the whole crown fight although No. 4 did confess he wanted the crown but whenever it was no. 8's men, he would allow no. 8 some room to fix his problem but this time it was no. 8 who created the problem and blamed it on no. 4. I cried! CRIED!! I love no. 13 and it was so sad. Surely the father knows no. 13 is noble! So Ruoxi knew no. 8 is mean spirited in his quest for the throne. And No. 4 has decided to be ruthless from thereon. Love the scene who she was kneeling in the rain, no. 8 came to her to advise her and she quietly picked the hem of his I suppose clothe and push out of the rain. It shows, she is the servant, he is the master, they no longer have this personal intimate friendship. Love how no. 4 stood in the rain with her. And earlier it was all so happy! How she fooled no. 4, how she chatted with no. 13... suddenly 2nd half so sad!! And I was wondering why she suddenly fell for no.4 and I think at first to align herself to the eventual winner and towards the end for all that he did for her and never asked of her, she was falling for him. Very romantic but poor poor no. 13. No. 8 is ruthless!! I also pity no. 8 but man! That was below the belt! Oh by the way 8 YEARS has passed since the start. Rather start plus 1 year I think, so about 9 years. Wow.

[11.10.2011] I am at episode 17 and I feel a bit sad Min Min never end up with 13th Prince. Right now my favourite prince is 13th prince. He is rather carefree, he never demanded anything in return from Ruoxi except for friendship and he is the less prejudiced amongst the princes. Although it is sorta impossibly self centred that why 4 and 14 plotted against crown prince because of Ruoxi, but frankly without her they would have plotted against the useless arrogant crown prince. I am just a bit surprised by the sudden affection that Ruoxi has for no. 4 but then she seems to have heart to heart talk with No. 4 and 13 more than the rest. No. 14 seems quite taken in by her. I know, self serving also that everyone likes her, but the annoying no. 9 isn't. We never see no. 3, and No. 5 is said to be quite a carefree non political prince from what Ruoxi said. I am also annoyed how subdued Ruoxi became. I mean come on, where are the modern women traits? But I do see the appeal of no. 4. One scene I really like was when No, 14 asked her why she never seems to offer her friendship to him as opposed to no. 13 where she was very informal with and she simply said "13th prince never asked me anything in return, the friendship offered to me was without terms, unlike yours". Interesting why most princes are falling over themselves for her though. She is supposed to be very very beautiful but the actress, Li Shi Shi to me is the more I see her, the less pretty she is. Anyway to those who are camp 8 and camp 4, rest assured, she did love no. 8 but in her own words, maybe she didn't love him enough. Which means she will truly and utterly give her heart to no. 4, and admittedly no. 4 did in his own subtle ways pursue her. He's not a bad guy, at ep 17. No. 8 is still very ambitious though. And it seems everyone is married except for 14? Is 14 married? Even 13 is married. Right now this series has captured my full attention, especially those political intrigue scenes. Very intelligently shown, how no. 4 tries to avert disaster for no. 9 (for many reasons, some self serving, some noble) and how no. 8 tries to and gives up on no. 9. I am happy that this series knows at ep 17 how to separate the love story from the political intrigue and yet manage to make a subtle connection between the 2. However I am as perplexed that she seems to bump into no. 4 everywhere although this can be simply explained by the fact that she is the emperor's personal maid, so inadvertently they will bump into each other although he seems to be in casual dress all the time. I tell you, great show! Very great show but the costume at ep 17 is now recycled. Acting wise, all dubbed so difficult to comment on the authencity but looks wise, all ok but again I am annoyed by the leading lady's inconsistency.

And Kevin Cheng may in the end die but the way I see it he has so many scenes. He is equal lead with Nicky Wu, no less, sometimes even more. Very 8th prince centred series, not that I am complaining.

By the way I think I will buy the DVD to keep. Question is is it released in Malaysia? Hopefully with subtitles.

[ADD] Seen this poster before but can't help but repost. What a beautiful poster! Great concept!! Absolutely gorgeous.

And NG scenes, apparently real voices in here. I already knew Nicky's voice will be weak, Kevin it seems used cantonese. I didn't see since in office. Nicky Wu does look younger outside than in the series. But the images are darn funny!

[ADD] I am at ep 11 and right now I am wondering how she later fell deeply for No. 4 and how come for a modern woman she is so darn reserved when at the beginning she was so feisty. I just wished she sorta grab No. 8 and bloody hell kiss him!! Enough with the stare at you, touch of hand, do like what No. 4 did, grab her, kiss her! But of course what No. 4 did was an assault in today's world. Or molest.

Anyway you know the sort of trouble I went through for this darn series. I like to watch download, burn and watch on my DVD player using my 42 inches TV. This series for some bloody unknown reason just refuses to burn. I was so frust. Luckily the file size is small enough for me to transfer to my Nokia N8, then I use the HDMI adapter and connect to the TV (you see the TV no USD port!!), connect charger to phone and watch through my phone in the TV. The quality? EXCELLENT! No loss of quality at all!!

I tell you, at ep 11, damn good series. Everybody's acting is considered so so, but damn it, interesting, very interesting. And Damien Lau actually looked bigger than he actually is. Really like the portrayal of Kangxi here; so biased. Poor no. 4, misunderstood. Ambitious no. 8, so gentlemanly but I feel in real life he also wanted that throne too and he will do everything he can to get to it. As for the actress whose name escapes me now, I am still counting her pimples. The actress who plays the Mongolian princess looks pubescent!

Anyway are you not watching this show? You're missing out! Join the bandwagon, suspend disbelief and just well, just ignore the obvious flaws. The story is gripping. And you might wonder why every prince (except no. 9 and no. 3 and no. 2 and no. 1) seems to be so taken by her and why her tea dept has become Starbucks for the princes, reason is simple; she is different but I kinda feel as the series went along she is the same as everyone else. I want attitude! And she is sorta flirtatious you see. Oh yes, a flirt except to no. 4 which she avoids but ended up being forcibly kissed. Not a good thing really, sorta wrong. And by the way Nicky Wu... what happened to his face? I mean older, wiser, manlier but LONGER. Even Kevin looks like he needs a good shave.

And yes I will write a review for this.

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON 09.10.2011

Or Startled With Every Step or Startling Surprises With Every Step or my own interpretation,.. well can't remember what was my own interpretation. Let me remember first. Anyway I am at episode 6 and my god, what a smashingly great show!! Who would have thought I will say that of Kevin Cheng eh? But seriously, Kevin is still Kevin but he was given a role he was meant to play. The story itself is very interesting and I can understand why ALL the princes, well most of them likes the leading lady. Anyway I am now in two minds if I should continue to watch till the end knowing the ending is very depressing. I mean we all know who will be Emperor. If you're interested, you can watch them via youtube here or better yet, download to your computer and burn to DVD and watch on TV, believe me, HD is so HD that I can see pimples on everyone and suddenly even Kevin's skin looks terrible but the background pops out! Choose DVD version because reportedly that is full version. I am however trying to find the FULL DVD in the internet, yes I am cheapskate but can't find it. The DVD version files itself, each is MP4 somehow just refuses to be burnt to DVD. I don't know why. Anyway happy watching because believe the words of mouth; this series is at where I am amazing! By the way the posters I see are also amazing. I can just say this is quality production, even if I hate the dubbing. No way Damien Lau sounds like that. But the casting itself impressed me. Not that the acting were great but each suited his or her role well. Somehow however I feel if this series was made 10 years ago, Zhao Wei would have been the perfect leading lady.

[GREETINGS] Merry X'mas!!

2011-12-24T02:42:00.000-08:00

To my friends and readers, a very Happy Christmas! Just found out from Facebook; go to Google, in the search box type "Let it snow" and you will see snows and even a fogged up screen! Cool!

[LYRICS] 注定/Destined [Nicky Wu]

2011-12-21T00:49:00.000-08:00

This is a beautiful song and a sad one. Took me some time to hunt for the Chinese lyrics and I hope I got the right one. I listened to this song and immediately I dream of Jin Yong situation; bunch of people hounding to death the hero's parents who died in each other's arms. There is something rather old fashioned about this song and tragic as well. Sung by Nicky Wu. Not sure if the lyrics is the duet or him alone. Need to check. One glance at the lyrics I feel I may have blown my own trumpet too soon. A challenge but shall make sense of it one step at a time. The title is 注定 which some says Doomed, some says, Fated, I say Destined. But is there a difference between Destined and Fated? More to the point you can say Meant To Be but I think Fated/Destined can explain that. It isn't necessarily Doomed though. The video above is I am not sure duet version (half chinese, half korean) or full chinese. The lyrics after the Read More link.

注定
Zhùdìng
Destined

冬去春来几时缘分人不知
Dōng qù chūnlái jǐshí yuánfèn rén bùzhī

悲欢离合只盼与你相知
Bēihuānlíhé zhǐ pàn yǔ nǐ xiāngzhī

若有命运恩赐自有重逢时
Ruò yǒu mìngyùn ēncì zì yǒu chóngféng shí

再续前生不变相思
Zài xù qián shēng bù biàn xiàng sī

梦已长你我相守两不忘
Mèng yǐ zhǎng nǐ wǒ xiāng shǒu liǎng bù wàng

任时光消失成空再回想
Rèn shíguāng xiāoshī chéng kōng zài huíxiǎng

你为我注定寻山万水而来
Nǐ wèi wǒ zhùdìng xún shān wàn shuǐ ér lái

我为你等待一生去爱
Wǒ wèi nǐ děngdài yīshēng qù ài

冬去春来几时缘分人不知
Dōng qù chūnlái jǐshí yuánfèn rén bùzhī

悲欢离合只盼与你相知
Bēihuānlíhé zhǐ pàn yǔ nǐ xiāngzhī

若有命运恩赐自有重逢时
Ruò yǒu mìngyùn ēncì zì yǒu chóngféng shí

再续前生不变相思
Zài xù qián shēng bù biàn xiàng sī

梦已长你我相守两不忘
Mèng yǐ zhǎng nǐ wǒ xiāng shǒu liǎng bù wàng

任时光消失成空再回想
Rèn shíguāng xiāoshī chéng kōng zài huíxiǎng

你为我注定寻山万水而来
Nǐ wèi wǒ zhùdìng xún shān wàn shuǐ ér lái

我为你等待一生去爱
Wǒ wèi nǐ děngdài yīshēng qù ài

梦醒之后的黑夜你不在我身边
Mèng xǐng zhīhòu de hēiyè nǐ bùzài wǒ shēnbiān

我情愿住在为你心碎的世界
Wǒ qíngyuàn zhù zài wèi nǐ xīn suì de shìjiè

因为与你的承诺
Yīnwèi yǔ nǐ de chéngnuò

我从来没忘记过
Wǒ cónglái méi wàngjìguò

生死注定我要爱你
Shēngsǐ zhùdìng wǒ yào ài nǐ

[LYRICS] 你是我的梦/You are my dream [Nicky Wu]

2011-12-21T00:24:00.000-08:00

I am practising understanding Chinese, so best way to start is lyrics. Simple ones and frankly Chinese pop songs are rather simple and repeats several times. But also must understand meaning. I really like this song by Nicky Wu and so did my best to translate to English equivalent. ** means I am not sure of the sentence. So far no full song which is a pity. Listen to the song proper here.

The lyrics after Read More link.

你是我的梦
Nǐ shì wǒ de mèng
You Are My Dream

I know,you are the one

我知道自己在你心里
Wǒ zhīdào zìjǐ zài nǐ xīnlǐ
I know I am in your heart

对想象，我还有
Duì xiǎngxiàng, wǒ hái yǒu
I still wish for us to be together

一些需要的差距
Yīxiē xūyào de chājù
A bit of needed distance between us *

哦耶
O Yeah!

I know,you are the one

你把心交给我那天起
Nǐ bǎ xīn jiāo gěi wǒ nèitiān qǐ
From the day you have surrendered your heart to me

我珍惜因为你
Wǒ zhēnxī yīnwèi nǐ
I treasure it because of you

给我信心永远在一起
Gěi wǒ xìnxīn yǒngyuǎn zài yīqǐ
You gave me the confidence to be with you for eternity

哦耶
O yeah!

生命中经过了多少风雨
Shēngmìng zhòng jīngguòle duōshǎo fēngyǔ
In our lives we have braved through many obstacles

我们才能如此的靠近
Wǒmen cáinéng rúcǐ de kàojìn
Because of that we could stay close to one another

那些和你有过的回忆
Nàxiē hé nǐ yǒuguò de huíyì
And the memories I have of us together

让我们勇敢的走下去
Ràng wǒmen yǒnggǎn de zǒu xiàqù
Enable us to bravely continue our journey

I know you are
The one for me

如今我的世界
Rújīn wǒ de shìjiè
Now in our world

所有快乐悲伤
Suǒyǒu kuàilè bēishāng
There is happiness and there is sadness

都是因为着你
Dōu shì yīnwèizhe nǐ
It is because of you

给我爱的指引
Gěi wǒ ài de zhǐyǐn
Guiding me with your love *

I know you are
The one for me

是你让我相信
Shì nǐ ràng wǒ xiāngxìn
Because of you I believe

只要付出真心
Zhǐyào fùchū zhēnxīn
So long I am sincere

一寸一寸耕耘
Yīcùn yīcùn gēngyún
With bit by bit of hardwork *

永远不必再怀疑
Yǒngyuǎn bùbì zài huáiyí
I shall never have to doubt again

Raymond Wong Ho Yin

2011-12-19T07:19:00.000-08:00

I am watching Bottled Passion with 100% attention and I am beginning to like Raymond Wong very much because of one reason; it's the way he talks, the way he speaks, a very old fashioned sort of way. His intonation, his manner of speech, not necessarily the words he used but the way he stresses certain words makes him look and sound so old fashioned and he is best suited in those 1930s sort of time. In modern times he sounds like an old man in a young man's body. He however needs to bulk up and tan up because he looks rather pale. He gives me the feeling that he is always on the verge of or maybe recovering from some major illness.

[LYRICS] 沒時間後悔/No time for regrets [Hanjin Tan] W.I.P

2011-12-19T00:14:00.000-08:00

I absolutely love the themesong for Ghetto Justice which is called 沒時間後悔 aka Méi shíjiān hòuhuǐ aka No time for regrets. I wrote about that in my Ghetto Justice Episodic Thoughts under Themesong but since not many go there, I am reposting the lyrics here. Powerful lyrics, very angry and determined man point of view and I have yet to find the TV themesong full version with MC Jin rapping in Cantonese but I found plenty of download links for Hanjin Tan's full version in Mandarin which is the lyrics that I am reposting below. Humbly I am translating the lyrics from the 1st person point of view, sometimes literally, sometimes the meaning but I have 2 or 3 lines that I am not sure so I wrote Pending. And since I tend to explain myself more, you will see Note meaning me explaining. Fantastic song! Anyway this is still W.I.P!

DOWNLOAD

The full version by Hanjin Tan

TV version with MC Jin rapping (unavailable)

MY INTERPRETATION
I wrote this in an email to a friend;

Because original full song is I think Hanjin's song and TVB used it as a chorus for MC Jin's rap for the GJ themesong. Original song is really fantastic. Lyrics from what I can understand is also positive; like someone singing and fighting his fate and gives his finger to the heaven. Quite an attitude.

So I think my translation (based on and expanding on K-TVB's translation will be from the 1st person perspective, a very determined and angry person singing this song. All I can say Hanjin, I love you for this song!!

THE LYRICS

Full version is pure Mandarin. TV version is rap in cantonese, some part mandarin.

FULL VERSION
CHINESE
From Asianfanatics

Note : I believe this is Hanjin's full song, minus the rap. Pending translation.

A

為甚麼自卑　
Wéishènme zìbēi
Why must I feel inferior
Note : Zibei is also low self esteem

幹嗎要後悔　
gànma yào hòuhuǐ
Why should I feel regrets

Yeah Yeah

就算再多挫折我都不認失敗
Jiùsuàn zài duō cuòzhé wǒ dū bù rèn shībài
Even in the face of failure, I will never admit defeat

我不會流淚　
Wǒ bù huì liúlèi
I will not cry

沒時間後悔　
méi shíjiān hòuhuǐ
I have no time for regrets

Yeah Yeah

地上再多血跡我也得站起來
Dìshàng zài duō xiějī wǒ yě de zhàn qǐlái
Even if the ground is splattered with blood I can still stand back up again

AA

拜托　不是三歲小孩　
Bàituō bùshì sān suì xiǎohái
Oh please, I am not a kid anymore
Note : The actual wording is "I beg you, not a 3 year old child anymore" but when someone says like this, it just means telling the other person to stop treating him like a child, he's not a child anymore

太多　人想看我受害
tài duō rén xiǎng kàn wǒ shòuhài
Too many people want to see me fail

幫我口口聲聲的說　
Bāng wǒ kǒukǒushēngshēng de shuō
All the promises made by you
Note : The actual wording is "Help me, you kept saying" but I am having trouble on whether the Help Me is really pleading for help or just like the expression of Baituo, like oh please, god help me, etc. It can be a pleading or it can be sarcasm. Since can't see comma, and all so I am not sure. I read the whole word to mean as I am translating since it connects to the next line so that it makes sense.

到頭來結果　還是一場空
dàotóulái jiéguǒ háishì yīchǎngkōng
In the end are just empty promises

誰說　我不能自己來　
Shuí shuō wǒ bùnéng zìjǐ lái
Who says I can't make it on my own
Note : Can also mean who says I can't do it myself but I think the writer meant someone achieving something on their own effort.

成功用雙手建起來
chénggōng yòng shuāng shǒu jiàn qǐlái
Success is built by my own hands

掌握
Zhǎngwò
Seize it

好的機會不多　
hǎo de jīhuì bù duō
Good opportunities are hard to come by

這是我的show　又幹嘛不做
zhè shì wǒ de show yòu gàn ma bù zuò
This is my show, why shouldn't I do it

Repeat A to AA

拜托　
Bàituō
Oh please

別煩我　
bié fán wǒ
Stop disturbing me

我不在　
wǒ bùzài
I am not here

再多的電話都不開
zài duō de diànhuà dōu bù kāi
I will not take any calls even if you keep calling
Note : Literal meaning is however much phone calls I won't open, but I interprete it as I wrote

在做專輯但電腦開　
Zài zuò zhuānjí dàn diànnǎo kāi
PENDING

有甚麼好說　用電郵說
yǒu shénme hǎo shuō yòng diànyóu shuō
Whatever you wanna say, just email me
Note : One word could have summarised this sentence that is Oh shut up and just email me! but it also means what I wrote which is the literal sense.

結果還是得自己來　
Jiéguǒ háishì de zìjǐ lái
In the end we can only depend on ourselves
Note : I use we here because of the next sentence and the literal meaning is "In the end we ended up doing it ourselves" but I interprete it as depending on ourselves.

合伙　把公司建起來
héhuǒ bǎ gōngsī jiàn qǐlái
Work together to rebuild the company
Note : Could also be "Cooperate to bring up the company again"

經過　這麼多的無奈　
Jīngguò zhème duō de wúnài
After going thru so much of hopelesness
Note : Wunai can also be frustration but I feel hopelesness is more to the point because wunai is more than just being frustrated

也是時候該給自己點愛
yěshì shíhou gāi jǐ zìjǐ diǎn ài
Sometimes I should love myself a little more
Note : Or I suppose some credit also can but I think the meaning is to say sometimes one must love oneself little more or rather literally "Sometimes (some moment) should give oneself some love"

Repeat A to AA, TWICE

THEMESONG VERSION
I found the translated/pinyin lyrics here at k-tvb.net and excellent translation but I suppose will differ from what I will eventually post above.

Note : This is the MC Jin rap with Hanjin's chorus version

What am I watching

2011-12-15T00:39:00.000-08:00

Every day I watch Ghetto Justice, for the past 2 episodes I have been making notes whilst I watch and my sister was asking why I was paying so much attention and I said to write notes on it later and she looked at me like I am crazy and in restrospect as I look at my notes, yes I am crazy aren't I? I used to write from memory then realised I better be more...accurate or as accurate I can be and I made notes so keywords can trigger my memory but I do think yes, I am crazy. Her question was why would you do that? Make what notes? For who? As if all is wasted effort. I don't think so. I like this series, so I sorta enjoyed recapping and commenting but yes true true, crazy crazy. Anyway, did you know I am writing episodic thoughts for Ghetto Justice? No? You can find the recaps here.

Meanwhile still continuing my Bottled Passion craziness and hating Raymond Wong. You can read some of my comments here.

My Bu Bu Jing Xin aka ughhhh Scarlet Heart review is now stalled yet again. That can wait! But I am updating on various BBJX related news here.

Still watching my Yong Zheng Wang Chao, now down to 1 episode per week because it is mentally exhausting to watch but damn good. DAMN GOOD!

Am considering if I should watch Han Wu Da Di since my favourite uncle is in there, directed by same director as YZWC and of course some familiar faces but I know so little about the Han dynasty. I did watch a few episodes of Ruby Lin's Meiren Xinji, which is same era. So... have to buy the DVD first and am thinking do I want to pay that much for the DVD? Please don't remind me of what I paid for by BBJX collector's box.

The other day I said I finally bought my much loved series, Journey To The West (TVB) and also mainland china classic. Popped in the TVB discs and guess what? First, I had to see the distributor logo (fine!), then warnings in Chinese, English and I believe Malay (Patience!!), then TVB logo ("yan ahhhhhhhh!!") and then sponsored ads (KILLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!) and some more trailer (!!!!!!) and finally the damn menu! None of which I can fast forward!! And every episode starts with the same damn sponsored ad but luckily can forward. Imagine everytime I pop in a disc, here it goes, the many levels I have to go through just to get to the damn bloody stupid menu. Why? WHY?! I paid for the damn DVDs so why is there an ad? Are you telling me the sponsored ads and trailers and all made the DVDs cheaper? Is it? No wonder the pirated version is better! Cut the nonsense! You want people to stop buying bootleg copy? Easy! Remove the damn sponsored ads, make the discs cheaper, give nice packaging (like collectors's box for avid fans) and just let us bloody go straight to the menu. Like as if after watching sponsored ad I will like run out and buy the soft drink, etc! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....

I have yet to properly watch When Heaven Burns and I think I won't be properly watching it anytime soon. Somehow I just don't feel like watching. I just kept going back to Bottled Passion. Maybe I have this bottled passion for Bottled Passion. I am amazed though; even Nikki Chow's god awful performance could kill the interest so it shows, the story is engaging and it was, at least up until the evil Raymond Wong cheated poor Nikki Chow of her entire family business.

As for Korean dramas and Japanese dramas, they're on hold. I am now back on TVB bandwagon, thanks to the ASTRO Byond thing, now I record, I watch, I delete, I record again... can forward the CMs also so it is great. I am sure I will get back to Korean dramas though some day. But I am still chasing 2 Days 1 Night, even if Hodong is missed. Still funny though.

Accident or publicity stunt?

2011-12-14T08:38:00.000-08:00

I refer to this article; widely reported everywhere. I can say Liu Yuxin is publicity stunt. I heard her breasts had to take a year off to recover from near suffocation. They were turning blue. But Sun Feifei I believe is accident. Like someone said, surely if it was a publicity stunt she would have worn a raunchier bra, akin to Victoria Secret? And does she even need such a publicity? What about a carefully ripped thigh high hem? Or exposed back? But ugly grandma boring push up bra? She certainly forgot to tape her dress but this is to me an accident. Too shocked to react shocked.

That is why Keanu Reeves is awesome!

2011-12-12T07:27:00.000-08:00

Publicity act or not, that is one cool gesture. And no one recognised him except for the camera dude? Seriously?

Buy! Buy! Buy!

2011-12-12T02:06:00.000-08:00

After years of hoping to buy, wanting to buy, goona, maybe will buy, next time definitely buy and watching endless reruns, I have finally bought TVB's Journey To The West at a bargain price of buy 1 free 1. Son basically the price is about RM25 per DVD set. The other one I wanted Safe Guards but couldn't find so settled for the classic Justice of Life. They're DVDs. I remember JTTW's original release in VCD was 25 episodes, I remember grumbling because I read some scenes were cut. This DVD version is 30 episodes, I believe same as original. I could be wrong but I hope I am right because JTTW deserves the full release. I also bought the original JTTW classic which is sold for RM99-00 but I got mine for RM49-90. So many things to watch!

Anyway anyone with Speedy Videos nearby, you can buy TVB titles for buy 1 free 1 promo. The titles may not be the most recent but they aren't old. So those looking to add classics to their titles, I can see Burning Flame I, II and III and also many even older titles but all rereleased with very nice packaging.

ASTRO Battleground 2011-final

2011-12-10T10:21:00.000-08:00

Wow! What a finale! I do admire 2nd Floor because only 2 guys but they did their best. No doubt the final is between Katoon Network (Katoon back for a guest stint!! Why that hair? Will he return next year? So thin!) and Fix. Fix reminds me of Elecoldxhot a lot but not enough of Elecoldxhot's neatness in choreography. I just found out one former member of Elecoldxhot is in FIX. That being said, Fix's interpretation of Titanic was funny and yet fantastic but it was their China routine that really impressed me the most and deserving of best choreography. Katoon Network's interpretation of Pearl Harbour was very heart wrenching, nothing funny, fantastic dancing and dare I say, better than that movie itself!! I was pretty sure Fix will win because when it comes to Battle, Fix is better. You may ask why Fix with 2 standing ovations dind't win?

This time they placed a lot of emphasis on individual strengths and techniques, so when Marcus was the final judge to give that 1 important vote, I knew he would vote for Katoon Network. Fix may be interesting, technically good but Katoon Network is in the end the group with the best techniques emcompassing all sorts of street dance types and Marcus I believe may have remembered the original Katoon Network. So I guess why Katoon Network won was due to techniques and their dance strengths. But Fix's China routine remains the BEST of the entire show of all the episodes, 2nd is Katoon Network's Olympic routine. And what a pity Oh My Goodness wasn't in the final They deserved it. Sorry to that all girl group, they were like amateurs even against 2nd Floor who during battle was merciless in taunting them!

However I do miss the original Katoon Network who not only had the techniques but the personality, each different and a sense of humour. This Katoon Network (same name won twice!) is also funny but somehow that personality is gone a little. Anyway hoping next year to see them again!!

Oh and I can't find ANY decent upload in Youtube. What? No one rips from ASTRO issit???

Update-Review

2011-12-08T00:28:00.000-08:00

A few updates.

I am going on with the Ghetto Justice episodic thoughts, which you can read here. Updates will not be notified, just check back from Monday to Friday, latest episode is always the page you see when you click the link.

I have always wanted to write a review for Bu Bu Jing Xin but somehow couldn't. I have rewired my mind and called it Opinion and suddenly can write at least the intro, or a summary. It will be posted in parts in the same page, since I think if I write slowly I may be encouraged to finish it. Bottom line; highly recommended. Updates will be notified but I apologise for my sappiness. This series bring out the romantic in me.

When sometimes style takes over reality

2011-12-07T22:28:00.000-08:00

I am watching a Mainland China series called Sanctuary and there is this incredibly funny moment, as in funny for me, dead serious for the series where the hero cover his face with a shawl and riding a motorcycle and with style arrived and shoot and everything. Action packed scene and quite intriguing if not for one fact; this was 1930s Shanghai where motorcyles such as that ridden by the hero is of course a rich man's plaything. So I was thinking why cover face when everyone with a bit of checking will find out who owns a motorcycle, that model of motorcycle and that colour of motorcycle. And also someone with perpetually nice gelled hair like the hero and wearing full leather jacket, leather pants when again also a luxury back in those days. Seriously funny, even if unintended. But it was a stylish moment though.

TVB Awards - A matter of perceived credibility

2011-12-07T01:28:00.000-08:00

Every year TVB gives out awards, every year complaints. I got complaints as well. Usually the complaints is "dividing the pork", where everyone gets a piece, this year the complaints is "too limited in dividing the pork" with some fans calling for more division of the pork. Do and die, don't do also will die. Whatever you do, die die die. My take is deserving winners can take all. Like in this article, apparently the undead's fans are not happy. Understandable. I am sure even Miss Koo's fans and what nots are unhappy. The stars themselves certainly looked uncomfortable, the only genuinely YES! HA! HA! moment was for Kevin Cheng. But what to do? Well, since already wet the head, why not just shampoo it too?

Like in current trend, create two separate categories, one by voting (through internet, submission of forms, etc) by fans, therefore the Popular Choice award with the Most Favourite this, and Most Memorable Moment that. That should be decided by pure votes all over the world, and imagine the publicity.

Then the other category, very Oscar-ish, each category to be decided by its peers. Actors by actors, series by directors/writers/producers/crew members, etc. Executive votes will count 30% into the votes in each category, keeping TVB's messy involvement to minimum. This will give it a resemblance of credibility when we all know this category can be rigged for all we know.

I mean isn't that's what TVB wants with this award? It is not to celebrate success, not to reward their stars and staff but rather a show of power; seriously, it is! It is to show we can produce so many quality series, these performances are so top quality, we have no choice but to reward them because they're soooooo good! But every year there are fractions of fans, each different groups, different Mou Lam Pai so to speak that you must satisfy. So by making it into 2 categories, it makes more sense.

Of course by now I am sure you will realise what I wrote above IS what the awards. Meaning there is the popular, and there is the supposed BEST. But it is too messy, too much involvement by the executives. So it is better to draw a clear distinction between the 2.

And next year, please allow the stars to sit at the proper sitting places, and not by the VVIP seats as if they're some display. We know who are nominated, no need to give special seats. Use the bigger or biggest studio and invite fans in and let them do the HK fan thing like holding their messages etc. Hold a better red carpet moment, be more serious in the showing off rather than just being "ma ma fu fu". Please cancel the god awful stroll down the stage and engage in some small talk which is terrible, more so when studio so small, can hear echo. Fire Dodo Cheng because she is such a bullying nuisance. I see the hosting no different than the Anniversary show and yes they're supposed to have fun but there is a sense of austerity, a seriousness so at least pretend to be THAT serious. Find proper hosts or make the hosts do proper things. Stop with them interjecting with their own comments. Stop making presenters give stupid small talk or at least write better small talk. Tell the 3 Gods to host the show next year, make it livelier and funnier but within set rules first. And what the hell is the elegance whatever award? Why not just say "Extra 2 statues to be given" award? I want to see a category for scriptwriting, themesong (yes invite guests to sing as well!!) and directing (I know a series may be directed by a lot of people but I am sure THEY ALL can be given full credit). And stop with the nonsense "Eh what you think of your own chances" talk because that is just putting these stars on the spot. And limit each speeches to 30 seconds tops and tell them to at least prepare a speech instead of being a total arse on stage.

And last but not least, come on, invite fans to be presenters like what I think ASTRO did some years ago. And be fair to those who left; let their names be included into the list of nominees. For as long as TVB doesn't do that, people will always talk. AND have a cut off point for series.

And that's about it.

Ghetto Justice Episodic Thoughts

2011-12-07T01:05:00.000-08:00

And I have posted Episode 1, and no new notice will be given. Just go and check the blog everyday during weekday, summary will be posted before the next episode is aired. I welcome your comments and in episode 1 I made some mistakes to the plot but decided to leave it as it is since it is supposed to be my recollection as I watch the series. I find the barrister/solicitor thing fascinating and for a richer perspective, do check out the comments (if there is any) since that's where there is corrections, additions, etc. Do join me and Kidd, the only 2 there right now!!

GHETTO JUSTICE EPISODIC THOUGHTS

[RIP] Wong Wai

2011-12-06T07:22:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it. Regal looking and probably the James Earl Jones of Asia (that beautiful deep regal voice of his), Wong Wai is dead. DEAD. I am not sure how he died, illness? Old age? But I shall miss him!

A tiny little small miniscule update

2011-12-05T19:56:00.000-08:00

I ermm... have ermmm... decided to ermm... well... abandon When Heaven Burns episodic thoughts. I know! I know! Sorry! But I decided to do a full review instead. As for episodic thoughts, I ermm... well... gonna do for... ermm.. Ghetto Justice. I know it is a 1 year old series (actually less-I was surprised it came much earlier than I expected), but I really really want to share my feelings for this series with you all since this is my MOST anticipated series of all time. Yes, MOST and OF ALL TIME. Will I be disappointed? I don't know. So let's recap together and if you haven't seen, well join me!!

And I am wondering if I can also do for BBJX when it airs on HD as my family plans to watch, and if I am watching episode per episode then I can do it. I am trying for the 5th time to write a review and I find myself just can't go beyond the 1st paragraph. The hardest review to write, and I don't know why.

OK! GHETTO JUSTICE EPISODIC THOUGHTS PAGE IS HERE. Bookmark it!

TVB Awards 2011

2011-12-05T07:18:00.000-08:00

Which will be tonight and I plan to watch. If the winner is as announced here, we all know what will happen. My gut feeling is if TVB intends to change the list so as to say no leaking, I will say Kevin Cheng will be the sacrificial lamb. It just seems that Myolie is the winner they want and you want my opinion? No? I will still give it to you! Myolie does not deserve to win, at all. She was god awful in that Cursed series. If she win it is simply because TVB dictates so. From all the fans comments, her performance was not received very well at all. Now if you say Jess deserves it, please... Jess was as god awful.

To Myolie who I know knows English, please read this and this is from Funn Lim of Malaysia; you have lost your acting touch in that cursed series. I used to be your admirer, now I just wish you go for a long vacation, rethink and explore that good actress within yourself and ask yourself this; did you like what you saw on screen? If yes, then your ego has surpassed your talent. You should win, but not for that cursed series.

To Kevin, I'd rather you than the never dead and perpetually resurrected Laughing Gor.

[UPDATES]

And Laughing Gor is finally laid to rest!!

Unexpected in the sense Myolie and Kevin swept most of the awards, between them 5 awards. First Kevin for I think most voted from Mainland China (I think-if yes then not surprising), most favourite character and best actor. Who knew eh?

Myolie got most favourite character (Ghetto Justice) and best actress (that cursed series; totally undeserving for this god awful performance). When she got the former, she looked rather disappointed and cocky and wasted precious time with her pretentiousness and when she got the latter, she cried and revealed intimate stuff about herself and Bosco, such as "Someone promise to go disappear to the toilet if I win, he didn't. I know I am not an easy person to tolerate, but neither are you. But I hope we will continue to tolerate one another". Which is to me a love confession and all their colleagues said marry marry marry. Which was the genuine part of the night. Frankly it is very obvious she wanted that award so it took gigantic effort to conceal her disappointment when she won the former, since people always say you win one but not the other. Kevin was more laidback, too laidback but good for him! I loved it when the presenter said his name wrongly; Cheng Ka YUEN!!! So funny! And why is everyone saying 2001 instead of 2011?

As for best series which was presented midway (strange!), Lives on Omission. Internet votes, Bosco won and so Myolie and Bosco the golden pair. Most improved as predicted, Sire Ma and not that I welcome the winner, the I think name is MC Jin? The rapper? Supporting actor, very happy Ben Wong won because he totally deserves that for whatever role he was in, he was the rare bright spot in the god awful cursed series. I absolutely can't remember who won for the female counterpart. Oh yeah! Sharon Chan. Seriously, she has such long legs.

The rest just say there as the VIPs with the best seats of the night.

And why is Fala there? Isn't she sick? And why isn't Ray there? Not nominated?

Frankly I find the award very rushed. The best speech was Lee Heung Kam, still lucid and 2nd best was the rapper. I would have hoped for a bit of rearrangement of the awards since the structure is weird. Glad to see Mariann Chan, looking even more beautiful than I remember and very very eloquent in her presentation. Almost most embarrassing was for Irene Wan (long time no see! Rather pretty!) with Gordon Lam who was rather rude and condescending. Poor Irene who was supposed to talk about herself and coming off as a total airhead by the stupid dialogue. Sheren Teng rather gorgeous and smiling as usual. The rest of the night... can't remember much except for Dodo Cheng bullying of the nominees with give speech! tantrum throwing speeches. Seriously; is she looking for a fight? Nice to see Vincent Wong (name correct?) who looks handsome and stressed and should have won most improved award for whatever he was in. He has potential.

And all the speeches thanks Miss Lok (well 9 out of 10 anyway) and look at the people sitting at the executives' place; no one smiled when her name was mentioned. None.

Ok, that's about it. Was it unexpected? OH YES! Was it nice entertainment? I was entertained. But did this award show lend credibility to TVB who so wants to have that right now? Nope. Because I am telling you; Myolie Wu should not have won for that cursed series.She shouldn't have been nominated at all. And if she didn't redeem herself in the second half, her first half looked mightily like what Julia Roberts did when she won the Oscars; how darn pretentious. Luckily Bosco is there to humanise her.

As for who is best dressed, can't tell. Everyone was in such sombre colour but I can tell you, Liza Wang certainly stole the show with her worst dress.

And how can I forget Felix Wong? Probably the only actor ever to scold TVB and get away with it. Well like he said he did it all for TVB's own good and I must say he looks great! Scold on Felix!!

Like, you know, a reminder

2011-12-04T21:38:00.000-08:00

To everyone who has ASTRO, just a few reminders you may like to know;

1. Ghetto Justice showing starting Tuesday 6th Dec at Ch 311 at 8pm time slot

2. When Heaven Burns is still showing on ASTRO On Demand, now until ep 9 and will resume normal broadcast on 6th Dec

3. TVB awards live TONIGHT at Ch 311 at 8.30pm

4. Tonight's Gun Metal Grey (last episode) has been rescheduled to 7.30pm instead of 8pm

5. Tonight's Rosy Business II (very exciting!!) has been rescheduled to 11pm instead of 9.30pm

6. Bu Bu Jing Xin will be showing on Ch 310 (HD! HD! HD!) starting I believe 12th Dec and if my memory is correct, should be 10.30pm taking over that awful new Huan Zhu Ge Ge which isn't ending soon enough for me! The tagline was rather funny. If I remember correctly the tagline for the very short teaser was "Two handsome men (showing Nicky's smirk as 4th and Kevin's gentle worried look I think as 8th)"...the next line I am not so sure.

And that's about it. And if you're wondering about my episodic thoughts for When Heaven Burns, I have all the episodes recorded but have yet to watch a single episode fully. I don't why I am delaying it but I will watch but I think I will do a full review instead. I am tempted to do episodic thoughts for Ghetto Justice instead.

Absolute madness!

2011-12-04T21:12:00.000-08:00

Why? WHY? WHY????????

Emperors in the Forbidden City

2011-11-30T22:34:00.000-08:00

I actually made a mock trailer using pictures of my recent trip to Beijing and one of the instrumental from BBJX album (included in the gold collector's box which is different from the one I downloaded as in shorter but quite good also - will upload and let you all download later ok?) and I named it Startling Surprises At Every Step 2 : Waterfall At Every Step, as in Bu Bu Pu Bu. Inspired by the lack of waterfalls in the actual Yu Hua Yuan (Imperial Garden in the Forbidden City), it is about the fight between the concubines and the eventual empress to be the first to build... a waterfall at every step. Not tempted at all to upload for all to see since it is silly and well, shows my face very clearly. However I am very proud of myself having figured out the chinese words to use thanks to in a large part Google, my ability to read pinyin and Kidd, who checked through. Very proud.

Anyway the one I can upload however is the following special video. The song is hauntingly good, even if it has nothing to do with the contents. It is just a collection of emperors who lived in the Forbidden Palace BUT I also include those who didn't but from the same dynasty and as I made it I realised those who worked hard often died young, and those who didn't care, didn't care and those tyrannical will build and build and build. Yongle was practically everywhere in Beijing. There could be mistakes in it but I really love the presentation of it and do listen with your headphone on and alone; there is something very elegant and yet melancholy about the video. Not that I am blowing my own trumpet. Not at all. The drawings are beautiful, especially Wanli whose tomb I visited, a pity some I couldn't find coloured ones. Feel free to repost if you like. Oh and the live photos you see in the background actually taken by me except for the throne picture. Way too many people when I tried.

Point2e.com Momento Giveaway 2011 [CLOSED]

2011-11-28T23:22:00.000-08:00

UPDATES - 29.11.2011
THE SEARCH IS OVER! Yes! The first 2 all correct entries are Lily (Indonesia) and Charlie (Australia). You will be contacted shortly for your correspondence address. Congratulations and thanks for participating!

PREVIOUSLY ON 25.11.2011
Ok, my very first giveaway for this blog which I said I wanted to do, and nothing much, all are not even remotely expensive but all are momento bought from various trips. I actually went to Tokyo, Japan, Beijing, China and Hong Kong. The one I didn't go was Korea but I managed to dig some nice bookmark that I never used, never opened and rarely touched. The reason I went to Tokyo, Japan was to see Fukuyama Masaharu in concert. Beijing for the architecture and Hong Kong where I got these coins were from my very first visit. All of them memorable for various reasons, but the uniting factor was leg/feet pain from the amount of walking. I did write about my experience of Beijing trip here whilst for my Tokyo trip is mostly from a concert goer perspective which I don't think you will be interested. Overall great trips, and here I have some momento which I admit, aren't much in price but quite a lot in value. One in particular I really love, that is the Forbidden City map and unfortunately I have only one to give away. I also treasure the metal press coin I got from Disneyland, that wasn't cheap though eventhough it looks simple. The rest are various stuff. All are bought within the country as stated respectively.

ENTRY DATE

Beginning 25.11.2011 and ends when there are 2 winners. The first 2 individuals from the eligible countries to submit in the form with all correct answers will win.

ANNOUNCEMENT

You will pretty much know immediately since come on, so easy!

HOW TO ENTER

Answer a few simple questions, the answers of which could be found within this post itself. I just want you to win, hence the simple questions. Winners will be contacted by email for their address so do give real email address. Those that does not reply within 48 hours from my notification with address will be disqualified and the next all correct winning entry will replace the disqualified person. The items if posted within Malaysia will be by POSLAJU whilst if posted out of Malaysia will be by Registered Post. You don't need to pay anything, I will bear the postage.

AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION

Fellow friends of mine who meets me regularly in person, you know who you are.

Some intro on the prizes and the entry form after Read More link.

THE GIFTS

IMPORTANT

IF YOU CAN'T SEE THE IMAGE THUMBNAILS, PLEASE GO TO IMAGESHACK.US AND REGISTER A FREE ACCOUNT, LOG INTO YOUR IMAGESHACK.US ACCOUNT AND COME BACK HERE AND RELOAD AND YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THE PICTURES

SET 1

From Seoul, Korea

A bookmark, metal

From Beijing, China

A "gege" handphone strap. I wanted to put in the gege headband which you could see in one of the promo game show for Bu Bu Jing Xin cast, thanks to the surge in popularity of everything Qing due to BBJX and Gong, unfortunately I don't have any left. So the next best is this handphone strap in orange which is really nice.

From HK

A "Minnie Mouse metal" press coin I bought from HK Disneyland. Where I put coins into the machine, chose a design and press and voila, the coin. It's small but you won't find it elsewhere except Disneyland and I had to hunt for the machines for various designs.

From Tokyo, Japan

A hand drawn Tokyo scenery bookmark

SET 2

From Seoul, Korea

A bookmark, metal

From Beijing, China

A huge hand drawn map of Forbidden City. Really huge, it is actually a working map, tourists use it to walk around since got signs of toilets, etc, at the back are explanations of some famous buildings in the Forbidden City itself. The greatness of this map is it is also a full map of the entire Forbidden City with the building's names all in English - a real keeper and unfortunately I have only one to give away - you can walk from the bottom to the top, some side buildings but not the inner ones. So just imagine me walking like that and backtracking and walking until the end but the map itself did not show 2 or 3 more gates you need to go through before reaching the very first gate in the map. A pity the paper quality is not water proof or water resistant so I am afraid there will be some wear and tear when it reaches you.

From HK

A "HK Disneyland logo metal" press coin I bought from HK Disneyland Where I put coins into the machine, chose a design and press and voila, the coin. It's small but you won't find it elsewhere except Disneyland and I had to hunt for the machines for various design.

From Tokyo, Japan

A hand drawn Tokyo scenery bookmark

THE ENTRY FORM

One person per entry. Click Submit/Send once only.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ENTRY FORM

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What I am watching ...

2011-11-23T23:43:00.000-08:00

I know I am supposed to do episodic thoughts for When Heaven Burns, the thing is I have yet to properly sit down and watch. Will do so this weekend where I will have 4 episodes to watch. Anyway I am watching Rosy Business II and all I can say is POOR POOR PAI GUAT!! So pity him!

And Ghetto Justice is probably coming after Gun Metal Grey and that is fast!! So eager and love the short promo for the show. This is one show I am MOST excited about even if a bit too late. And I hope to see something good from Myolie Wu because frankly looking at the Curse of the Royal Harem, I feel so dirty I have to have something good to wash all the badness.

The 41 year old Nicky Wu

2011-11-23T23:28:00.000-08:00

Ever since getting hooked on Bu Bu Jing Xin, I watched all sorts of related news and as always had the luck of watching one of the funniest talk show/game show where most of the cast were there, including Damien Lau (his very first game show, ever) that is Happy Camp (Kua Le Da Ben Ying) and I was pretty much amazed with Nicky Wu's very very flexible body. You can watch the full show here. Some screencaps, 3 different levels of difficulties and wow was my reaction. You should have seen Kevin Cheng's expression; pretty funny!

In that show, 17.09.2011 show that is, when introducing Nicky, the host mentioned that he appeared in the show previously doing some kung fu stuff looking very handsome. Now THAT got me very interested and I went hunting for that episode, found the name We Love Olympics and a very short clip in Youtube that was not enough for me. I knew it was 20.09.2008 show, and realised wow, his last appearance there was way back in 2008??? I searched, and searched, enlisted help, asked for help and thanks to Bridget who did a sweeping search for me, she basically found the full file in Tudou. Oh Tudou, how I hate thee Tudou. But to Tudou I went and voila!! Yes yes! It was the full video, several versions and I went with the continous one (1 hour plus). You can go here, in top search box copy and paste the following words "080920 快乐大本营" and basically just look for the one above 50 minutes mark and that is the full show. Love that show, with all the high kicks, sommersaults, everything. I only now realise how athletic Nicky Wu is, and interviews he often said he was a keen sportsman, in Judo and taekwondo I believe, won awards and all and was going to the Olympics until what happened to his family. I remember (vaguely and don't quote me!) he said he may have done very well in Olympics and the host asked how he can be so sure when he said the current ones who are training for the Olympics were his peers who lost to him!! Anyway his high kick is very very high indeed.

And I can't imagine he is 41. No one should look that good physically when they're 41. He, Aaron Kwok, Fukuyama Masaharu, they all are not human. But Nicky trumps them in one aspect; his calligraphy is actually very nice. But Masha trumps them all in 1 thing; his fingers on the guitar is very nimble. But they all trump us mere mortals in one thing. In their 40s and yet so darn nimble and so much hair. Jealous, jealous.

Something I am thinking about...

2011-11-21T00:21:00.000-08:00

I often organise (ok, twice) giveaways in my other blog called All About Fukuyama Masaharu as that was easy to arrange. But I never did do a giveaway for this blog. I am thinking of organising one, answer some simple questions and lucky draw if more than 1 entry. I don't expect more than 3 though! I am now searching through the things I bought in my travels and the ones I didn't go. I got a bookmark for Korea that I can giveaway, new, in plastic bag, never opened, never used, frankly rarely touched. Am trying to find something from Japan, maybe a keychain, I am sure I bought quite a few from Ghibli Studio or somewhere. Trying hard to find something to give from my Beijing Tour but I haven't any. Serious! I splurged in Japan but bought exactly what I wanted from Beijing. Maybe I can snatch a map somewhere to giveaway, guaranteed you can never find that map in Malaysia or other than in China (please don't quote me on that). Let me find first. If not then just Japan and Korea. Maybe I throw in something else from Malaysia also, just in case the one who got the prizes is not from Malaysia. Let me think... I think I can make this into a Xmas giveaway. Nothing much really, things are not expensive at all. I suspect the postage overseas will be more expensive. I once sent quite a few stuff (a giveaway) to Singapore by Poslaju and it was RM60 I think. I was shocked but since so many items, I decided better to be safe and sure. Oh oh HK!! I forgot! Any Harry Potter fans? I do have some chop-chop (blue ink) Hogwarts and 4 houses from the Harry Potter exhibition, I can laminate them, in fact I have been wanting to laminate my set. Imagine that, I was in HK like eons ago and they're all still in my bag, somewhere, if I can find I hope. Again you won't find those anywhere unless you were at the exhibition or went to Harry Potter themepark (the chocolate frog card is truly 3D!!!!-my sis' friend bought a chocolate frog from there).

Let me think...

Anyway When Heaven Burns (cue! orange coloured skies, like on fire!! thunder! lightning! screams! humans in despair!) begins tonight. Same as Rosy Business II. As I have mentioned I will be doing an episodic thought for When Heaven Burns. When I have posted my first post I will give an update notice.

TVB 45th Anniversary Show

2011-11-19T07:24:00.000-08:00

Just finished watching it, I do believe the bigger budget is allocated to the award show, the biggest of course is the Miss HK show. Sir Run Run Shaw is missing. He is old. Moses and Aimee, some open relationship moments which I find rather cute. The singing was pathetic except for that bunch of guys (Henjin? Something?), they can really sing and rap. Should have asked them to sing the oldies. Funniest segments were 2; Chok Chok Chok where male and female artistes do the catwalk and the chok look. Bless Raymond, he really did what he was asked and he even held the words Chok next to himself. Moses was very funny. He is always very funny out of camera. I really enjoyed that segment. The magic show between Wayne and the magician was quite interesting. However the biggest laughs had to be the 3 Gods pretending to be Mr HK in competition; complete with swimming trunks, water, and what nots. Bless Wong Cho Lam for being so brave and Johnson Li (Is it Johnson or Jonathan?) for wearing WHITE with black underwear and pouring water on himself (Myolie helped to pour the water) and Louis Yuen for doing the male chok catwalk look. I laughed so hard watching that segment. These 3 should have hosted the show.

Frankly the show was ok. I enjoyed it for most of the part. But the most unintentional "pou kwong" (expose) moment was thanks to Myolie who I believe said too fast. First Kate was asked to identify from I believe 5 guys standing behind a board showing only their tongues as to who is Bosco. She chose no. 3 I believe and then she pulled Myolie in who looked rather pretty but didn't look too pleased but she again chose no.3 and before Bosco ran out she was asked no. 3 and she said "Because his tongue is short" and then Bosco came out, pretending to be hurt said "A man doesn't like to have people say his tongue is short!" and it was a sexual innuendo and poor Myolie, covered her face and believe me Eric Tsang will never let that die!!

Dress wise, Kate looked lovely. Tavia was there, many were there. But earlier part, when they were lining up as the hosts introduced themselves, fans of Ruco will be pleased to know he does look rather fine but it was to me Kenneth Ma taking the best looking prize. Looked rather dapper in his nice suit but he looked like his mind was elsewhere. Kevin looks like he needs a shave badly.

The person with the ability to answer back the best is of course Wayne Lai. Love his exchange with the hosts.

The rest were forgettable.

Anyone knows? Anyone has? Anyone? ANYONE?!?!?!

2011-11-19T02:55:00.000-08:00

Any die hard Nicky Wu fans who drops by here and reads this, please answer my question. Does anyone know or better yet does anyone has the Happy Camp full show in 2008 where he was on and he performed some acrobatics? I saw a brief clip in youtube where he did a jump and sang some Little Tigers songs as it was also their 20th year but not the full show where I believe somewhere he must have kicked balloons, carried one of the host, and such thing. If you know where I can have this particular full show (or at least full Nicky Wu clips) hopefully in Youtube and in clear version, please tell me! TELL MEEEEEE!!!!

Announcement - New episodic thoughts coming!

2011-11-17T22:24:00.000-08:00

Due to popular demand (in my accounting book 3 is popular enough!), I shall be writing episodic thoughts for the soon to be released ... dramatic drum roll... dramatic... drum... roll.. WHEN HEAVEN BURNS! Yes, for once, or rather after a very long time, my episodic thoughts/review will be about a series that is very new! Starting 21.11.2011. Now the thing is When Heaven Burns will be broadcast over at ASTRO ON DEMAND and most probably I will be recording it. And I will probably watch the episode later on and the thoughts will probably be at least 3 days after original broadcast. And I am planning of reposting in a much higher traffic site (hoping to read some feedback and get some participation so since everyone here (the 5 of you!) are usual readers of the same high traffic site, I am prepared for the consequence that my last 5 readers will also jump ship to there and post comments, thus leaving the comments in here a huge zero. Please let me make it very clear; I don't mind at all. Just comment anywhere you like. That is if the whole thing works out. Webmaster of that much higher traffic site has requested that I do a 2 episodes per summary, which will make my thoughts much longer and a bit harder to write since I write from memory; the upside though is I can rush watching this series if I do record it. I hope I will not miss episodes; no excuse since they will be recorded but you never know! So in summary that is why I will be posting my thoughts a few days after; taking into account also I need to proof read and spelling proof and hopefully grammar proof. You know me; darn lazy, I am excited; Charmaine Sheh always bring out the critical me and if you can see in my reviews list, I have done a few of episodic thoughts with her in it and frankly none of them were ever overly positive or even remotely positive. Please bear in mind episodic thoughts is a 100% opinion based summary; so if you hate spoilers (MAJOR ONES), if you hate criticisms over your favourite star; if you can't agree to disagree; DO NOT even read my episodic thoughts here or in that much higher traffic site. I will post the link to that site when it is read. But for now, bookmark the following link and check back next week. I will post an update when it is updated for the 1st time, the rest you shall need to come back once in a while. See you soon and do comment or fill in the blank plot points!

http://p2e-whb.blogspot.com/

Yong Zheng Wang Chao

2011-11-16T08:14:00.000-08:00

17.11.2011
Oh my god!! Found a scene that TVB copied, exact replica!! Remember in Safe Guards (still one of my firm favourite) where the father died and named Steven as heir but the brothers said "Father what did you say?" and feigned ignorance and the young sons of Wayne said "But I heard grandpa said... "scene? Classic scene and brilliant acting BUT I just discovered it is almost the exact same scene in Yong Zheng Wang Chao when Kangxi died!! Why no one said that to me? Why? Only this time Kangxi died naming no. 4 as heir but No. 8, 9 and 10 said "Father what did you say??" and the younger princes said "Father said 4th brother is the successor!" and No. 9 or 10 said "No! I heard.. no such thing. I heard father said the word 4, yes he named 14th brother as successor!!". EXACT SAME SCENE!!! But I still love Safe Guards but blahhhhh to TVB. Anyway Kangxi died. I am upset. Will miss the old actor. Even in death he was so elegant in portraying Kangxi where this series showed he did considered all his sons for his position and he weakly said "I have wanted the crown prince to be my successor but I realised he did not possess the right aptitude for the position. 8th prince wants to be like me, but he learned nothing to be remotely like me. He is someone who professes to practice benevolence, but my benevolence is towards the dynasty and people and his benevolence is only towards himself. He can't be the Emperor; he isn't suitable and if he does become the emperor, the ones who will suffer will be the people. 13th prince is noble, he is also loyal and is highly respected for his sense of brotherhood but.. he is too hot tempered. I was forced to imprison him for 10 years, hoping these 10 years will be enough to knock out his hot temperament, to allow him to behave maturely so that he is a merit to you. 14th prince is skilled in military matters but he lacks the necessary skills to run the country. He is not suitable in dealing with the officials and day to day administration. And so...I chose you. You're too harsh at times so you must always remember, in all your decisions always think of your country and your people first and foremost, be generous to the ministers and be kind to your brothers, unless you are left with no other choice. Always remember that..."
Great scene. Nearly cried when Kangxi just died like that, rather uneventful death but what happened after was disgusting, if it did happened. I tell you the funeral scene was amazing. Such a big coffin, so many tables for offerings etc. Quite realistic, but if you notice carefully, all those stairways, etc needs trimming, grasses too.
Another great scene was No. 4's teacher asked to be retired but said 4 can seek him out if he wants to. Before leaving no. 13 came to say goodbye and the teacher said kindly "I heard you have been bestowed a great gift by the Emperor (can't remember the name at this moment), if you can, tell the emperor you shall kindly reject the gift. There is a simple reason. He is now the emperor; you can weather the bad times with him but you must not share the glory of the good times. This is for your own good" and No. 13 said "I never seek out glory for myself and 4th brother will not treat me that way" and the teacher said "He may not, but doesn't mean you must accept. Reject it gently, he will understand, he will not begrudge you for that".
Wise words. The teacher believed in No. 4 but when 4th is emperor the teacher knew it was time for him to leave because after all, "being in the company of the emperor is like being in the company of a tiger" which means the emperor is like a tiger, he may choose to leave you alone or kill you. Again wise words.
So far this series made sense. The story fits. And it shows right now 9, 10 have very little respect for him but he "yan" a lot. I suppose later it will be "yan mou ho yan" situation.
16.11.2011
I am in love with Yong Zheng Wang Chao (The Yong Zheng Dynasty aka the ruling years of Emperor Yong Zheng), in part because of Jiao Huang who portrayed the very wise but very stressed out Kang Xi. Of course it is favourable to Yongzheng, since it is a groundbreaking story in the sense for once it doesn't show him as some blood thirsty crazy villain but if you actually watched the series properly, you will see the series neither praises him nor criticises him; it merely paints him as someone human; like it painted everyone else, like Kangxi as well. I am a huge fan of Bu Bu Jing Xin, but in retrospect BBJX was very simplistic in its approach in retelling the bloody battle for the throne, although you can't criticise BBJX for that; after all it is in the end a love story and one that still manages to make me tear up everytime I hear the soundtrack. Yong Zheng Wang Chao is on another level; it is historical drama, speculative at some, mostly theories. Is that the real Yong Zheng? Maybe, I am always a firm believer he was the rightful and correct successor. Right now I am at the episode where Kangxi will soon die and I shall miss Jiao Huang. What an elegant actor. I love the way he performed as Kangxi. The way he sat, never straight, always leg up here, cross leg there, but during more casual times. I remember Power Chan was criticised for doing that in that Sentinel series, perhaps he has seen this series and was influenced. But someone told me for Power Chan to do that is wrong; the casualness of the way Kangxi sat showed this was someone who had been on the throne for many many years, who knew what he was doing, what he was, etc and such does not come suddenly; it came with age and so Power Chan's sitting the way he did was not correct. In a way I think I agree. Jiao Huang was very elegant as Kangxi, everything he did, gave me an impression his Kang Xi was well learned, well read, ruled wisely for years, smart, wise, etc. That in itself trumped Damien Lau's performance in BBJX, although Damien Lau was more of a very harsh Kangxi, a very strict Kangxi, not much difference from the eventual Yongzheng. In YZWC, this Kangxi was only harsh when he was left with no choice, he was always diplomatic, first unlike the eventual Yongzheng who did not tolerate insubordination. Everybody did what they did because they respected and loved him, not fear, but love. I can't stress enough how much I love his performance.

As for Tang Guo Qiang as Yinzhen, this series showed him as someone who will go all out to serve his father/country, to the point of harassing and eventually offending everyone. He had to. Country is bankrupt, and I liked the way he approached matter, even if he was very very harsh. It also showed him as someone who didn't know how to play political games at first, no. 8 was good at buying people's love, he was just good at working like an ox. He lamented that also. No. 13 is the well loved guy by everyone, kind to servants, even loyal to the crown prince when he himself knew crown prince was useless, and sees no. 8 as a hypocrite who should never be emperor. By the way he is also the actor who portrayed Mao Tse Tung the most, I don't suppose there is a connection?

The characterisation in here is solid and clear. What is not clear is how no. 8's letters are always intercepted, the women basically had little to do except for Nian Geng You's sister who had a bit of a role. But if you want to see the rise of Long Kodo, Li Wei, Nian Geng Yew and even Tian Wen Jing, this is the series. Remember in BBJX when Ruoxi warned no. 8 to lookout for several people, one of whom was Tian Wen Jing (but she said his name wrongly and no. 8 was confused and she thought did the series lied to her? and I am sure she meant this series!)? Tian Wen Jing is this same Tian Wen Jing.

Which made me realise Tonghua probably saw YZWC and became a fan and decided to make her own adaptation.

Fantastic series. Slow yes, not much blood yes, but lots of intrigue with China's usual approach; sit and talk. But listen, and everything they say is relevant to the plot. If you're not into this kind of series or like myself very much into Yongzheng's story, this is not the series for you. Right now I am wondering what made him kill off his brothers? Will he spare no. 3 the bookworm? What about No. 13? How he find excuse to kill off the rest? What about Official Zhang, one of my firm favourites? But the most I dread now is Kangxi dying. I will really really miss the actor. What an elegant performance. No other word to describe him.

Oh, how I survive without subtitles? I can understand 7 words out of 10, for the rest my sis had to read the subtitles to understand! But understand we did!! And by the way a History prof said in the last DVD the YONG in the DVD was wrongly spelt. How embarrassing. But the YONG you see in the poster is correct.

Anyway I have decided to rip the DVDs. And I will rip the FULL DVDs. Not sure how big the file size for each DVD is, but I think it is DVD9. If it is DVD9, I shall die. You will do, imagine having to download probably 30 off split files for each DVD. But you know, I have searched and can't find this series. It is worth the time. Let me see how... Anyway the DVD box is very very beautiful. Like a book. Will take a photo later.

Anyway some video;

The themesong, very traditional, can;t help but laugh but damn it, the tune is now stuck in my head. So the actors' aren't BBJX level of hotness (not even any level of hotness- the closes is No. 8 so No. 8 in real life must have been handsome) but they're all competent actor. Costume a bit traditional but hey, at least they have kick ass location- real Gu Gong! Real summer palace! And what nots. How I know? I WAS THERE!! And the studio not opened yet and also everything looked so worn out, grass overgrown. So I must applaud China government for cleaning up because the places definitely looked much better now!

Question for you!

2011-11-16T00:30:00.000-08:00

Rosy Business II is broadcasting next week I think. When Heaven Burns is probably coming soon. I want to do episodic thoughts; but not sure which one. Any idea? Or maybe I should just not do at all?

OK question retracted. I will be doing episodic thoughts on When Heaven Burns because I saw the following poster;

Got Bowie Lam, got Chan Hung Lit in his last series, got an interesting theme and I wonder how these uncles can play in a band, I think this is it. I am told it will debut on Monday 21.11.2011 at 9.30pm time slot, so I suppose ASTRO On Demand will have it. If it does, yes, episodic thoughts for this!

Curse Of The Royal Harem aka that cursed series

2011-11-14T00:25:00.000-08:00

Henceforth I shall refer to this series as the cursed series.

I shall not comment on that whole Lou Choi (nucai) thing uttered by the concubines (and empress) to the emperor and I am of the belief the producer is plainly wrong.

I want to comment on the acting. I believe the acting suffered because of the storyline, and the storyline suffered because it is nothing new nor is it anything well done. We have a story about an emperor and his women all fighting to be empress, and yet the execution felt more like modern times because of how the characters behave. And how the characters behave is in a huge way no thanks to how the actresses' interpreted them. And how the actresses' interpreted them is again back to the awful writing. And so it is one huge circle. Everything is connected I suppose. I find myself can't stand more than 30 minutes of each session. Everytime I see Jessica Hester Hsuan, I feel the performance is so pretentious. Notwithstanding she is too old for the role, the more important point is the gentler one is pastel colours, the evil one is dark bright colours. The makeup reflect that and I find that...boring. But Jess is not the worst offender since I never expected much from her anyway. She is softspoken but more put on than real softspoken. She looks elegant but there is forced (not false!) elegance, like she is bursting to say something but can't because she is supposed to behave this way. She doesn't have the look of an ancient beauty, so to speak. No, the worst offender is Myolie Wu, someone I have always liked but found myself increasingly disappointed with her performances. It's not she doesn't try, it is as if she just doesn't try properly. What happened to the Myolie I love? Well I can tell you what happened. She was a complete and utter miscast. She doesn't have the regalness of an empress, she doesn't even walk like someone who has walked on those high shoes her entire life. She looked so uncomfortable, so awkward, like she is so careful with one aspect and then forget another. Her character is badly written, no doubt. But surely as the performer she would have feedback? Or the director is too blinded to see the problem before him? She has no grace, she has no elegance, she has none of the empress' open regalness. Maybe that is how it was supposed to be? That a girl behaving as if she is some butcher's daughter or some fish monger's daughter all her life who has never had any previous training as whatever you get trained for in the palace can be an empress? She is not rough, but worse, she is simply not that girl. Simple! And the way she talks, it seems so put on. It is just all wrong.

And the story of the empress so jealous (since she was so favoured) that she risked everything to go after the favoured concubine so openly hostile to me is lacking in what I have always wanted to see; subtlety. One wonders what the emperor saw in this woman, enough to make her phoenix to his dragon.

The rest of the concubines are all so cliche, so badly written. They felt more like a bunch of "pat pohs" than concubines who were probably daughters of high ranking generals, etc. It seems the only person of any grace is Jess and she is the innocent pure nice girl. The series is just wrong! All those talks about the usage of the word nucai and the bloody research and yet the storyline sucks. It sucks. Why not pay attention to the storyline? To hell with the nucai usage (which I dispute, I must stress).

At the same time I am watching Yongzheng Wang Chao, totally different contents so can't compare. But I like to highlight the differences in approaching a storyline of power struggle and the performances. But I think I shall reserve my comments until later. All I can say is I am in awe of the actor who acted as Kangxi. The way he approached the role is far superior than the one I saw in Bu Bu Jing Xin and I thought I rather like Bu Bu Jing Xin's Kangxi. They're 2 very different Kangxi and somehow I just feel the Yongzheng Wang Chao's Kangxi is more true to form. I am contemplating ripping the full DVDs but I am not sure how many GB per disc since I haven't tried. I have a feeling they're DVD9 discs which means standard each disc will be 7 to 8GB. I always prefer full DVD. You can't buy it here in Malaysia though since it is an old series, reissued recently. Let me think first...

ASTRO Battleground 2011

2011-11-14T00:02:00.000-08:00

It is back!! And... my favourite group is back, that is Katoon Network (same name) without I believe the lion head and Katoon himself but with I believe 3 new members? The girl is fantastic! Love them. Will hunt for their videos, so far most impressed because they can dance, still have that quirky sense of humour, tight choreography and seriously each still have their own personality which is what I love. Their closes contender right now is the all girl group Oh My Goodness (what a name!). Excellent as well.

You know I downloaded all Katoon Network performances in the year they won, watched them again sometimes, and find them just mesmerizing. I really miss Mr Katoon himself. But this is one group that is never lacking in silly personalities. However they should train harder at those battle rounds, because technically excellent, I still feel they lacked something.

As for the judges, I miss the old set. This current set, one can't speak good enough to articulate any useful comments, one loves everyone, one is the most severe critique but doesn't have that sense of humour to deliver the critique in a gentle but effective way.

[RIP] Ricky Hui

2011-11-10T02:24:00.000-08:00

I am in complete shock. Ricky Hui Koon Ying is dead at 65, from heart attack. No! No! Can't be! Shock!

My Beijing trip

2011-11-09T00:03:00.000-08:00

I have mentioned, I went to Beijing, China at the end of October until 2nd week of November, for 9 days, right smack between cold and very cold weather. Whilst my memory of Tokyo trip was hot hot hot, Beijing was to me a more pleasant weather. I mean it was becoming terribly cold towards the end, my hands were numbed but I loved the weather. I got to not care what I wear (I look like a huge red dumpling) and I got to wear hats without sweating, like that panda hat I bought in Beijing for RM20-00, probably my best purchase other than the gege "cekak" and min min hat. It was a tiring trip; I'd already knew I am expected to walk, but I didn't expect to walk THAT much. One location, like Temple of Heaven, I walked I think about 3km of road, probably more. Nothing in Beijing is small, except the cheaper restaurants. Even the bird nest stadium is huge, super huge. But the palace, the roads, everything is huge. Smaller streets like hutong roads (alleyways), those are narrow but what is narrow is long, very long. So most places is wide, huge, long or narrow, long or just long. For me the scariest thing about Beijing is not the very polluted air (not sure if it is mist or pollution or both or however many percentage of both) but the traffic. Cars drive on when red light, people walk on when green light, the roads are usually 4 lanes each side, without traffic and no bridge in sight. So how I crossed? With faith and a whole lot of running. Then there's the bicycle lane; even cars can drive into bicycle lanes, and usually I could see motorised bicycle, very little of actual motorcycles. Even that road is scary. So yes, traffic is scary and jam at every single hour at every single direction. And joke is? Not a traffic accident/collision in sight. None. Of course once there is one, it is like Yue Yue's case, not that I wish for that for anyone at all.

And so many people. Everywhere is people. Local places, local people. Tourist spots, local people and foreigners. And foreigners from everywhere in the world. You can never be truly alone in Beijing; I wouldn't say it is so crowded; it isn't. There's space to walk straight, unlike Tokyo but everywhere is people. And I am happy to note everywhere also got toilets, so you will never need to "tahan". And maybe I went to good places, most of the toilets are very clean, dry and no smell, only 1 or 2 got some smell. All toilets are mostly squatting type though. The food is ok, I got very sick of "Gao zi" by the end of the trip which is one of the cheapest food. I like their style of cooking pork and beef in those small tiny shops, very home cooked meal feel. The most expensive meal was Peking Duck, but then no Peking Duck is cheap. In retrospect it was delicious and worth the experience but not worth the price. The most expensive food item is actually the tea or drinks. RMB60 per pot or RMB25 per head, it is expensive and the tea is usually no taste because they're stingy on tea leaves and it is funny since this is China, capital of tea leaves you know? HK was much better in this aspect. My favourite Beijing food is the ping tang hu lu, especially the grape variety and they're priced between RMB2 to RMB8, the more expensive is at more expensive areas. Shopping is expensive. Nothing is cheap in China. I bought my BBJX DVD at Wang Fujing bookstore (which has everything) for RMB240-00 and luckily it is region free and top quality. But yes, shopping is expensive so I tend to buy other things like maps (a must buy, hand drawn maps of tourist spots-RMB10 per map), ge ge headband (RMB10) which is super cute, panda hat which is very useful to combat cold head so to speak, sweets (ting ting sweets), panda stuffed toys, etc. Mostly decorative items, almost all you will need to bargain which I absolutely hate. I don't find the t-shirts cheap or of good quality and in retrospect I hardly bought cookies. Nothing notable of that sort although the "fortune cake" or Fook Sau gou (not opium) at Prince Gong Mansion was excellent even if expensive. Anyone who says China is cheap is wrong. It isn't cheap, but it is not terribly expensive either. Quality varies, but you can find good stuff there. I really wanted to buy a teacup like those used in BBJX, but they're unusually expensive but then they're unusually high quality. I stayed the first few days at Days Inn at Wang Fujing; a happening place even if I had to walk walk walk to Wang Fujing but it is considered walking distance between tiannamen square and forbidden palace. Now when in China they say walking distance, be prepared to walk more than 1KM, one way. Nothing is really close. They think it is close, to me it is far. Stayed one night at Bamboo Garden hotel which was the best in terms of service and room (former Qing official's home) which was super expensive and then the rest at Rosedale Hotel at Beijing's business district since near Great Wall, etc but ended up the worst location because faraway from affordable civilisation. Wang Fujing was in retrospect the best but very expensive area. But the food there is affordable and very homely feeling.

I wouldn't say I had the best experience in Beijing. I would be lying if I did. I disliked the people. But in careful analysis, I disliked the customer service in Beijing. The hotels are ok, but the bookshops, restaurants, etc, the workers can actually argue with a colleague and serve you at the same time. They roughly hand the money to you, picked up your items rudely, didn't bother to help when you can't decide which DVD to select, I find them unhelpful and not service oriented. So don't expect service with a smile. And yet at Prince Gong Mansion, I encountered the friendliest service when taking pictures dressed as empress. The 2 girls were attentive, humourous and very very helpful. They didn't judge; they didn't snigger; they were professional and friendly. So in the end it depends where you are. As for restaurants, if you can't read or write chinese, best to avoid smaller restaurants because you're expected to write out the choice of food yourself or counter check. I find that many gwailos know mandarin, at least they can converse which is very interesting.

Beijing accent is not hard to understand, but the really native ones do speak with a lazy tongue hence difficult to understand. But the most difficult is actually the words used. Sometimes you just don't get their meaning because the words used is unfamiliar. Like the taxi driver did not understand my sis when she said "Ok lor". He asked what does "Ok lor" mean? And basically I answered "Ke yi" or "Sui pian". Something like that. I can understand better than I speak though and I find Beijing accent not too difficult.

Now the worst aspect of Beijing is the taxi drivers. They're worse than our taxi drivers. In popular areas be ready to be butchered. They don't follow metres, they give high quotation and they do not respect the rule of "once in the taxi, they can't reject customers". Worst is you're expected to take up and pull down your heavy luggage, even if you're women and he is a man. He will just stand there like a statue; extremely unhelpful, and none of them is friendly. The representative of a country is the immigration officers (the first you see when arriving in a country and I am happy to note Beijing has one of the friendliest officers ever) and the taxi drivers (that Beijing should consider revamping). I wasn't impressed. And their taxi's are small, can only fit 2 medium sized luggage best so imagine you have 4 luggage but perhaps 3 or 4 people - means 2 taxis. They do have bigger sized taxis but rare. Unlike Japan or HK where the taxis are huge, in Beijing standard size is like the proton wira size. But the taxi fare is not expensive if followed metre; starting at RMB10. Point is always hail a taxi, don't take those private cars or taxi vans. Rather 2 taxis which is far cheaper than 1 taxi van. And also that subways are far far farrrrrrr apart. Transport is not convenient in Beijing, so for me if I have got the cash, renting a taxi is most convenient.

And I hate ignoring people but in Beijing it is an art form. Beggars, private taxi drivers, etc will ask you for business and you just walk on, even if they follow you, just walk on if you're not interested. Or learn to say a firm NO before you go there. It is an essential word to learn- "BU YAO" which is "Don't want".

And be prepared for stares. In Japan you can wear bikinis on street and no one cares. In Beijing, curiously they stare at a red dumpling looking girl wearing a panda hat and yet they don't stare at a 40 year old woman in cold night weather wearing hot mini black skirt, lace tights and high heeled boots. I have a few asking me what I eat because I am big sized. I was tempted to shoot back what soap you didn't use to wash your mouth but I didn't. I suppose these are just curious; they weren't rude but I find callous. I did however have fans of my panda hat; people asking me where to buy (well everywhere!), how much and even one gwailo took photo of me with my hat on. I really do love my panda hat and sadly I will have to retire it since if I wear that in Malaysia, I will faint from the heat to my head!

Now, what I love about Beijing is the city itself. A cross between old and new, ancient and modern, I love the ancient part, not liking the modern part. I find the modern part haphazard, whilst the ancient part more organised. I am happy that the Chinese government takes serious steps in conserving history, but am disappointed that some places seem to devoid of any specific time in history. Everyone tells me you want to see museum, go to Taiwan. China is about scenery and architecture. But not everyone is right; it depends on where you're and what you wanna see. Some basic knowledge of the history of any place to visit is essential; because every step is history. And since I know a bit about Qing Dynasty (ok, I know a lot of early Qing), Beijing is the perfect place, even if Ming is also everywhere, Qing is more dominant thanks to recent popularity of series based on Qing dynasties. And I love the fact I could see so many "lau" trees, not sure what's the English name. So beautiful. If bamboo gardens evokes a sense of calm and zen, those "lau" trees evoke a sense of peace, serenity, almost gentle, elegance. Some trees also changed colour, autumn you see but I am not too much into changed colours, I was more into the "lau" trees like I was into bamboo when in Kamakura.

Now where did I go? Usual place like most tours and some where tours don't cover and even that I didn't see whole of Beijing. I read Beijing is unique as it is a planned city, like our Putrajaya and everything is aligned to the central axis that is passed through the Forbidden City and I can tell you, seeing Forbidden City is like my dream come true. Let me tell you more where I went, and pictures to follow later. By the way, every place has its own entrance fee, better to purchase all in one entrance ticket for a particular place. Sometimes I feel like I am going to some amusement park.

a. Forbidden City

They call it Gu Gong meaning Ancient Palace. It was an awesome sight, the entrance itself framed with Mao Tse Tung's huge picture. It was with great anticipation I walked in, then another huge gate, some more in, another bloody gate, then more gate and gate, I think I passed at least 3 or 4 gates before I actually arrived into the Gu Gong itself. At 2nd or 3rd gate I was greeted by 3 dummies at the top, dressed as emperor with 2 concubines by his side. Nice. The first thing I saw was that was it 3 or 4 bridges. Anyway I didn't concentrate, too tired from walking and too much in awe from the sheer size of that place, although I noted everything seemed rather... old as in not well kept. When I got to see the throne room where the emperor conducted his daily business, so many people. One thing about China; nobody lines up for anything, and no lanes to line up. If there is a lane to line up, everyone could see; unfortunately nobody lined up and it was a mad rush. I saw only the side of the throne, not the throne itself. Walked and walked and walked, I was disappointed at the lack of exhibition which Gu Gong does not emphasise but you can see careful restoration of the place although some places do look like worn out or has yet to be restored. The middle parts are for all to see, the side rooms are closed, so I didn't get to see the Zhen Fei well (the one where I think Cixi ordered Guangxu's favourite concubine to be thrown into the well). No, I didn't see ghostly apparitions or even strange sounds, because frankly so many people, no ghost will ever appear. Saw the 9 dragons wall, heard free guides, walked through main doors, so many doors, each with its own name and walked the path that probably only eunuchs took. Basically I walked everywhere I was allowed to walk and I was dead tired at the end. But the more inside you walk, the lesser people. I find myself loving the small lanes and smaller doors, whatever their names may be. But like I said, I had great anticipation but was severely disappointed at the lack of exhibition. Was hoping to see costumes, hats, jewelry, jades, paintings, and all I saw were very very few and not impressive at all. I didn't find Gu Gong well organised; I find it messy and so many rooms could have been more well organised for exhibitions and whilst it is more open for visitors, I don't mind a few barriers when viewing exhibitions if I get to see more treasures. The Yu Hua Yuan (the garden) is very disappointing and I pitied the emperor; no wonder everyone wanted to move to Summer Palace. Imagine a place where all work and no play.

b. Temple of Heaven

Not an essential place to visit in tour groups but if you have the time, a must see for it spectacular dual identity. At one gate, it is a public park, noisy and full of people of various activities. At the other end, a more serene quiet ambiance which I love, love the "lau" trees that swayed gently at the gentle cold breeze (yes cold, but rarely windy so it was a very beautiful effect) and I could hear the rustling of the leaves as the gentle breeze blows by and every few steps a bench for you to sit and enjoy. It may have been cold but it was heavenly. I really love this side of Temple of Heaven. And the architecture inside is amazing; the palace of abstinence, the dept of music, etc. I can only imagine the emperor said "Aiyah! Zhen forgot Zhen's wallet!" and the eunuch must have cried to run all the way back to the palace of abstinence or that cup of tea by the time it reaches the emperor would be stone cold, that is how big the place is. The middle is the 2 main structures; the one that looks like the emperor's hat and the other where you're the centre of the universe. That latter is quite dirty unfortunately. Fortunately everyone lined up, so everybody had a chance to stand in the middle and take a picture. No one clapped; I did and I heard the famous effect; the echo. Really echoed! But had to do fast, too many people. But not very well kept.

c. Great Wall

I went to the Badaling section. And guess what? Many days I was there, this was the day the heavens chose to rain the whole day, so I could see mist in my speech, fog everywhere, I was very very cold and wet if not for my winter clothings. So many people; the cable car ride was eventful; it was scary, and it wasn't very clean either. The section I was at was dangerous. To the left blocked by a huge boulder, to the right a very narrow almost too narrow to walk on. So essentially I was just standing in the middle, too scared to move. The fog was so thick, I could only see at best 6 feet in front of me so I was severely disappointed not to have seen the great wall like a long dragon. The sides of the wall was filled with rubbish; what a pity! I met many people, many from faraway places. Some gwailos brought a dragon with a tour guide dressed as emperor and they were happy just to be there. But I was disappointed, very very disappointed. After half an hour there, I left, seeing nothing. But I can just imagine the hardships of the soldiers back in those ancient times; I pitied them. Next stop became very atmospheric thanks to the rain.

d. Ming Tombs

Some tour groups may not stop here and frankly not much loss. I read Qing tombs is more spectacular but it is very very far away. I didn't like Ming Tombs, hardly knew any Ming emperors except for that 2 or 3. I really wanted to see Western Qing Tombs for Yongzheng and Eastern Qing Tombs for that dastardly woman called Cixi. Anyway, it is a very big area, you need to pick and choose where to stop and I stopped at the Sacred Way and then the I believe Wan Li's underground palace/tomb (which was empty, blah! Ming, nothing to see!). Thanks to the rain, the trip was exciting because everywhere is so misty and foggy, almost to an otherworldly effect, and me with my panda hat as if a panda just emerged from the misty forest. I went to the underground tomb, believed I came across one section of the great wall, walked essentially 5 floors underground (ouch! my leg!) with no one in sight so it was creepy. But at the bottom, many many tourists and a souvenir corner, very very commercialised. Frankly nothing to see. Not even the coffin which is covered by red wood. Protected you see. Interesting he was buried with 2 empresses. I was more afraid of having to walk up 5 floors of stairs, luckily the exit was only about 3 floors or so. Interesting thing though; a bunch of Chinese tourists shouted "I AM COMING BACK!!" when they crossed the gate threshold away from the tombs. Superstition since they were at tombs you see, so I did the same although I whispered. But yes, very very atmospheric. It was also the same day the taxi took us to see the bird's nest and I saw.... NOTHING. Too foggy.

e. Summer Palace

A full day excursion since the place closes around 4.30pm but some places inside closes around 4pm for winter time. It is huge! Not surprising. Took a boat ride (got multiple choises; choose wisely), beautiful garden, bridges and longest corridor in the world and my god, very long. Simple why it is there; can't expect the emperor to walk all the way under the sun! Better to visit this place first thing in the morning because at night, no lights, rather dim. Saw the infamous marble ship which doesn't look like it is maintained at all (pity!), some places looked worn out and some newly restored. Can't blame that on anyone; it is a huge place, how to restore everywhere? More things to see here than in Forbidden palace but thanks to winter ish time, lotus are all dead. But I can understand why Cixi wanted to rebuild this place and why the emperors love moving to this place. Gu Gong looked pretty grim when compared to here. But you know what? As I walked on the grounds, I imagined Yongzheng stamping out corruption and recovering treasury money so that his son could waste it on this place and Cixi to throw it all away for this paradise. I sorta pity the 4th prince.

f. Yonghegong Lama Temple

If you ever have the chance, and any fan of BBJX and 4th prince, Yonghegong is a MUST VISIT. I was in awe of the place. I thought it was some Yuan Dynasty temple when I reached it, loved the lined trees at each side, so classy and read the description, and to my surprise (shouldn't be since Yong is a dead giveaway!) it was actually the 4th prince's residence and he renamed it Yonghegong when he became Yongzheng and his son changed it to a lama temple when he succeeded his father. There was even a huge stone slab with Qianlong's handwriting in it. The place is small compared to Gu Gong and all, but very very well maintained. Fully restored, you walked in and in and in into probably 5 different sections. I believe originally there wouldn't be that much buildings, there must have been a garden somewhere but the lama temple built on it so it looks cluttered but very impressive, the connecting bridge especially, a pity I am not allowed to walk up to 2nd floor, don't see anybody doing that. I just wish some parts of the building could indicate when a certain structure was added on because I am not sure which is originally there. But I can just imagine si yeh practising his calligraphy at some spots. Inside there's a buddha statue like I believe at least 3 or 4 storeys high all carved out of a tree and painted in gold. WOW! People do go there to pray but those who were there to take pictures were a respectful bunch. Normal tour group will not go here so if you have an extra day, this is a must visit, especially si yeh fans! I am still in awe of that place. Very well organised, even got a VCD as a gift! My pictures do no justice to this place. It is simply to wide to take a decent picture.

g. Prince Gong's Mansion

This is not in any tour group itinerary unless local groups and what a pity. If Yonghegong was awesome for a reason that I feel is positive, Prince Gong's Mansion is said to be second to Gu Gong in terms of architecture and history is awesome for perhaps a wrong reason in history and if you want to know more about Bei Le Yehs and such, this is the place to go. But you need to know chinese, as in Simplified Chinese for the explanations and traditional chinese for the calligraphy. A lot of exhibition here, and the calligraphy are awesome. What is so interesting about this place is Prince Gong or "Kung Chan Wong" is the former residence of Prince Gong or someone of the rank where usually the uncle of the emperor who is the defacto ruler when the emperor is too young to rule. The architecture is awesome, boasting the longest house which is very long. But the history is interesting. The house was actually the former residence of Qianlong's favourite minister, He Shen, the most corrupt official and yet the most talented man of his time. Imagine this; a minister owned this place?! No way! Because it is too huge to be owned by a minister so I can imagine how corrupted he was. Tour guide said this house had 3 "manys"; many "bats" (bats in chinese is Pian FU and FU is FOOK or fortune/blessedness) in the pillars that only can be seen in emperor's palaces such as gu gong (first sign that this minister is not only corrupt but very very "da dan"!), many gardens (yes spectacular garden by the way, even Yu Hua Yuan paled in comparison) and many money (at the time of confiscation, apparently He Shen amassed what was equivalent to 16 years of Qing GDP which I heard is about RMB30billion to day-WOW!). Anyway the architecture is similar to Gu Gong, hence one of the reasons to have his assets confiscated and him killed. But impressive! Most impressive, it is most famous for having the FU word in a stone cave in the garden and no one knew who wrote that FU word until the historian took 6 months or 9 months (depending on which tour guide narrated the story) found out it was by Kangxi. I was thinking how does one transfer the handwriting of someone to stones? HOW? Rumour has it Kangxi was very stingy with writing and giving words he wrote, and this was one of the very few word he wrote that he gave to his grandma when she was very sick and when she saw the word, she lived for another 15 years. So this FU word is considered The World's No. 1 FU Word, very very auspiscious. The He Shen guy even pray to this word every year in the cave, made "FU cake" aka FOOK SAU GOU (not the opium version) and ate that, thus in my view sharing the FU with the emperor, another reason why Qianlong's son hated He Shen. Now you can buy the FU word in the souvenir shops, not expensive, I bought a cheap amulet version for RMB10, the cheapest there. You can also buy the books on He Shen there as well, can't find anywhere else and in Chinese, unfortunately. This place is very exciting to visit, in every sense. I know it is like one Qing house is the same as the other, but I suppose what sells is the story. Yonghegong for me is classy, and it is because 4th prince walked there, this place because of this corrupt official and the exciting story behind the FU word. And yes, the garden is lovely. A must visit if you're there. I read nearby is a 700 year old confucius temple, unfortunately too darn tired to find it. And nearby is what is called "Jong Yuen" Street aka Scholar Street, where the emperor used to give lectures where the scholars will seat around I suppose a water canal or something. Again too tired to go there. Anyway it was in Prince Gong's mansion I saw the calligraphy for Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong, which you can buy for RMB100 each, bounded in a book, quite a collector's item. Kangxi's text is more squarish, Qianlong more flowing but Yongzheng was the one that impressed me most and I am someone who doesn't know calligraphy. You can see determined bold strokes, a certain flair and yet a certain elegance. My sister said it shows a man who does indeed practise his writing every day, therefore, very disciplined. But I could see sophistication in his handwriting, not harsh, not cruel but bold. I was very tempted to buy the book(s) but had to hold back; too expensive! I think I became quite a Yongzheng fan after this trip.

Those are basically what took me 9 days to visit. Also Hutong as in old Beijing, the bell tower, etc but just a look. Saw the Bird's nest Stadium as well and shopped at Wang Fujing area.

That's about it. I read Beihai is a must go, a pity too darn tired to go there. So that will be for 2nd trip. Impossible to visit every Beijing spots in 1 trip; 1st trip is always hotspots, the rest for later. But if you want old city, then move out of Beijing. For me Beijing is relatively new compared to many other places. But no denying, Beijing is beautiful, trees, everything, a pity the polluted air is squeezing the scenery out of the city, the people for most part is not very nice and the price is not at most time reasonable. Imagine how Beijing people must feel if I find it expensive when they earn so much less? And modern architecture is to me ugly. What sells Beijing is not the modern living but the ancient history. I am happy the government is doing everything they can to preserve that part, since history sells but I feel they could do more. Like creating some kick-ass museum. No need interactive; just beat Taiwan to being the best museum in one building.

As for the World Heritage Site, why can't United Nations just proclaim entire China as World Heritage Site? Because everywhere is heritage site over there, even that block of stone which could be a part of some ancient building. If I could live in Beijing (and as a well to do expatriate), the first thing I'd buy is a motorised bicycle, and a yearly pass to all these sites. I bet I will lose weight from all the walking, or my legs, whichever first. Winter will be bitterly cold but you know, I'd rather like cold. It was almost fun to see mist or fog coming out of my breath. And wearing my panda hat everyday will be my dearest wish. Or those hats. I bought some pretty nice and very expensive hats from Japan and made full use in my trip to Beijing. Apart from the haphazard traffic, the pollution and the not so pleasant people, Beijing is a rather nice city to live in (not sure if nice to work in though). I can imagine myself visiting gu gong every opportunity I can, or sit on the bench at Temple Of Heaven park, eating my lunch. How come some people are just so lucky to have all these.

As for the TV itself, rather interesting series I caught there. I am getting used to the dubbing, and find it increasingly hard to watch TVB series now that I have seen what I would term as interesting production from China, although again dubbing is to me something I really hate and frankly some series' story do suck. But I had fun with the many variety shows, even if the shows are insane.

I do miss Ping Tang Hu Lu, better not be in Beijing if not I will be diabetic for sure! However, I find myself having cold rashes (if there is such a term) when I came home. Itchy legs you see. Other than that, I think I have pretty much covered most popular spots in Beijing for foreign and local tourists. Funny thing; first day in Beijing, I just walked into a bookshop and my sis bought BBJX books (the price is so much cheaper than yesasia.com!!!) and me the DVDs (again much cheaper but also expensive by itself). Bought maps, and basically spent my 50% cash there. My older sis asked us "Why you so obsess with this series?!" and my sis and I said the same thing; we are here for these stuff so might as well just get them first. True. After that I can enjoy my trip in peace, except I did not buy the Lama temple map and I was obsessing about it until I got to Prince Gong mansion and found the map there. Upon opening the Forbidden City map, I realised how much I have walked that day. Crazy walking I tell you! CRAZY!

All in all, this is my very brief report on my trip to Beijing. I shall include some pictures later. And if you're curious, yes I did dress up as a gentle concubine at Temple of Heaven photostudio and later as the much sterner empress at Prince Gong Mansion. Between the 2, if you want an honest recommendation, take the photos at Prince Gong mansion. No one there, you can take your time, costumes are gorgeous and it isn't as expensive as in Temple of Heaven which is just too busy to let you take your time.

If you ask me which place I was most impressed as in totally unexpected, Yonghegong was the one at the end of the day. It was a very nice surprise and almost never in your travel itinerary. Do make a point to visit that place if you have a chance.

That's about it.

Oh TVB, are you trying to ruin yourself? & a very short summary on my Beijing trip

2011-11-04T10:27:00.000-07:00

I am back from Beijing trip and during my trip saw entertainment news where even China TV (Hunan TV) blasted TVB for being very heartless and I didn't know what happened, just knew everybody blasted them. Finally found out what happened and all I can say is, TVB doesn't need competitors to kill them off, they're doing it to themselves. Those poor actresses. Insane! Absolutely insane!

As for my Beijing trip, plenty to tell, but later. I can only say ...

1. I felt like I was on an unintentional 4th prince trail (4th prince as in Bu Bu Jing Xin)
2. Saw Gong like about 10 episodes I think until ending and all I can say is that series (except for the fact that it took the view 4th Prince legitimately inherited the throne but that was such a poor storytelling) is pure and utter rubbish. Which made me love my Bu Bu Jing Xin more, so much more I actually bought the very expensive DVD, now hoping it is region free. If it is not, I will rip it!
3. Saw some interesting series with HK actors, first Sammul Chan who looked bloated but competent though not kingly, then Hawick Lau who looks great but the series he was in was so so so wrong in every single way and I believe Wallace Chung is the name (is it? That guy from Royal Tramp/DOMD?) with some kissing scenes. Anyway heard the dialogue in original voice and all I can say is years and years in China and still his mandarin is worse than mine and I don't speak Mandarin. Hawick was better but still that HK accent.

Anyway I met a Guangzhou guy who thought I was from Singapore who said a very interesting thing; he said HK people thought they're so modern with the way they speak cantonese when Guangzhou people thinks they speak lazily and very unmodern-like. I laughed very hard.

As for my trip report, nothing much to say but I did take concubine picture, empress picture and all sorts of funny picture. And my eternal regret would be on the day I went to Great Wall, it was raining whole day, so damn foggy that I can't see beyond 6 feet in front of me and so I could not see the wonders of the Great Wall with my own eyes. BUT I did see a lot of Qing architectures and all I can say is, nothing beats China when it comes to such architecture. I always knew TVB cheated me with those tiny sedans and all, but even the impressive BBJX cheated me when it comes to the 4th Prince residence. The original place which is now a Lama Temple called Yonghe Gong was nothing less than spectacular and I believe the original structure was less cluttered and more spacious but the trees, everything... wow. I can imagine the 4th Prince galloping on his horse as he reached his home which is well... very very long walk. I will post some pictures later.

I shall be away!

2011-10-24T21:36:00.000-07:00

I will be away to Beijing to visit Yongzheng! Ha ha!! No, seriously, I will be going to the Forbidden City and take the path that Ruoxi took, except she took it at some biggest movie studio, whilst I shall be at the real thing! Will take lots of photo with my Fuku-Kat. And go BBJX DVD hunting. Anyway will be back in about 2 weeks (actually lesser but well...in case I can't post if I am overwhelmed). If there is free internet I will be posting from there. If not, just imagine me there looking at 4th Prince galloping gallantly on his horse towards me and then... galloping away from me which will most likely be the case.

Forensic Heroes 3 : Triple the torture

2011-10-10T07:41:00.000-07:00

Kate Tsui as senior inspector? I know I know she must have graduated with a degree hence her rise to inspector, etc. But seriously? And again why are HK police as in those investigation so damn stupid? Because the dynamic duo of chief chemist and forensic pathologist can just solve the case. And it seems the forensic pathologist's office must be very near the police meeting room since she is always walking in saying "Ah but I think this is what actually happened...". Go on Dr, just solve the case and let us be! The police ask questions, no doubt, and even jewelry is fake is answered by the pathologist! So what does the police do? Act surprise I suppose. At this point I appreciate Galileo even more when Utsumi asks Yukawa how to solve the case and he will always say "I gave you the theory, you find the answer" which is what investigative officers do!! I hate Forensic Heroes 3, and it is only episode 1. Nothing to do with Maggie or Wayne but the formula is the same. And stop torturing the actors with FPPP, DGFBDGSMDHFLANSIDVCP sort of acronym just to sound cool. Help me! Help me!!

P/S : The song is god awful. Which makes me wonder; did TVB suffer some trauma when they let Tai Chi to sing River of Wine themesong?

PP/S God forbid the soundtrack should get cut off in the middle of the episode. 30 minutes straight, I can hear music after music after music. God, that was annoying!

[Updates] Review

2011-10-05T21:52:00.000-07:00

Finally, a new review by me, more so a review of a current series! Anyway River Of Wine, in TVB Reviews Database. I am a bit rusty but you know, it's all about how I feel!

[RIP] Steve Jobs

2011-10-05T18:58:00.000-07:00

You know, I am sure many has been expecting the announcement of the death of Steve Jobs for quite some time, he was and looked terribly sick. But when the news came, it was and still is as I am typing this, a shock. I guess an era has ended, well it would be if Bill Gates go as well. I am not a fan of Apple, or Iphone or even the man himself from all the stories I have read, but you gotta admit, he was a savvy businessman and a visionary in terms of trendsetting and guessing what consumers would want. 56, such a young age, much too soon. Did I tell you one of my most favourite film is Pirates Of Silicon Valley? Quite a sad turn of events, even if expected. RIP Steve Jobs.

Eyes wide opened

2011-10-03T08:39:00.000-07:00

I was in the toilet, fiddling with my Nokia N8 and using Pocketbooth, an awesome phone utility taking photobooth like pictures. So I took a closeup of my eyes and eyelashes. My eyeslashes is ordinary for everyone else but for my own standards is thicker and longer than they were some time ago. I rather like their length now. My iris looks large when in fact I had to open my eyes WIDE WIDE to take these pictures. Of course not as anime-ish like people love to do these days to their eyes but I never knew, I do have pretty eyes if I do open WIDE WIDE.

So here you have it; my left eye, right eye, middle eye!!

Now, why don't you use your phone to take a picture of your eyes up close? Post them up.

Why you ask?

Because you sit in toilet, nothing better to do and so indulge yourself. Don't like your eyes? You will be surprised that you take such photos, make them black and white and suddenly, it is art and you're the muse. I kinda flatter myself sometimes. Sorry, can't help it. Sorta innate. I think I said this a long time ago; when I look into the mirror, I see a pretty lady or rather a lady who could be prettier if I do this or do that, that sort of person. Especially in a toilet mirror. My self loathing only begin when I meet other people who disagrees with me. But then I would think why do I ever put more importance of what others think of me than what I think of myself? I may not be the prettiest girl ever but you know, sometimes, you gotta look into the toilet mirror and see that beautiful you. Be your own cheerleader. Others will say you're blowing your own trumpet, and I shall say let me introduce you to my own band, I have trumpets, guitars, drums, piano, etc. This is not arrogance. I am not an arrogant person. Which is why I don't do well with lots of people I barely know. I am anti-social but I don't hate myself. So I am not sure what I am, but I do know what I am not; I'm not psychotic when I wrote this post. I suppose when you spend most of your life being rather ordinary, not very pretty, not exceedingly attractive, and yet not terribly ugly, not stupid, not terribly unattractive, being those in the middle, perfectly ordinary, sometimes not quite extraordinary ..and at this point I kinda forgot what I want to write in the first place... ah yes... when you spend most of your life like I did and still do, you may feel uncomfortable at other people's gazes but not so uncomfortable that you will be able to think "to hell what they think!" and yet not that rude to say out loud. Anyway whatever my point is, what I am trying to say is, be you. It ain't so bad, because the person you wanna be, who isn't you, probably wants to be someone else. The grass is always, ALWAYS greener on the other side.

River of Wine, summarised, sort of...

2011-09-30T10:18:00.000-07:00

30.09.2011

Episode 24 and 25 back to back and I am in total shock it is over! 25 episodes and not a minute longer. It just seems such a rush. This series took 11 episodes to build a momentum and it went into super speed in the last 3 episodes and suddenly episode 25 villain is dead so easily! Can't TVB have given it 1 more episode to end properly? Ep 25 is all about tears. I choked at the scene where the aunt told a drunken Chi Chun "Since you came back, have you ever done one thing right? Think about it, tell yourself honestly, have you?" and Chi Chun knew he never did. That scene where Ching Yiu and Ching Hong and mom and Chi Chun, mom begging Ching Yiu to reveal where he hid that secret book of the rebels and I tell you, most of the time Bowie seem like walking in a daze, he is still good but I feel something is missing and suddenly that scene he woke up and he cried very he knelt and cried "Mother please forgive your unfillial son!" and I tell you, guaranteed some tears abound. And Chi Chun confessing his guilt, etc. I still hate him, would have wished to see his comeuppance more but he really loved Chi Ching. Like that evil official who really love his daughter. I am still in shock it is over. The drowning scene kinda anti climax, like an after thought but leading up to that was very touching even if rushed. As usual, Nancy Sit certainly almost killed the show for me. Her acting is god awful. I suppose I will attempt to write a review for this. Let me gather my thoughts first.

29.09.2011

Episode 23 I think. And I so hate Chi Chun!!!!! The way he treated 3rd mom, the way he called her names, cut her hair, chased her down the street, treating her like some fugitive, and the way he treated the Leungs, I can understand Madam Leung asking Ching Yiu "Why do you still help him? I may be selfish or thoughtless to say this, but you're a Leung. You go around helping that Sung kid, who doesn't even appreciate your help, and yet your own blood brother, he is in trouble and you paid no attention to him at all!". TRUE!!! Poor 3rd mom!! I am so happy.. oh dear until now I still didn't get her name, Sire Ma played the role, anyway she slapped him very hard! Good! Even Chi Ching said "I don't have this kind of brother!". I so wait the day this Chi Chun falls down flat on his face! Poor 3rd mom. Anyway she should leave Kau Kwong. She should avoid those scandals, live elsewhere whilst Ching Yiu finishes his duty, and when things settle down Ching Yiu will go find her. Her staying in Kau Kwong is gonna lead to the ultimate tragedy. However one very badly written part; how eager Ching Hong help those rebels/dissidents of the Qing empire to escape to HK. Very reckless. OH I HATE CHI CHUN!! By the way, Nancy Sit should consider slapping herself. She is absolutely terrible in this series. What a load of nonsensical overdramatic performance.

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON 23.09.2011

Re my post here. There is an obvious lack of promotion for River of Wine by TVB, and definitely lack of chatter amongst netizens for a variety of reasons. Since I am watching this series real time, and I am very happy I did unless the ending screws it up for me. The themesong for once is not butchered and I find myself chasing this series. I think I will blog about it more. The story can be confusing, I was very confused at first with the trailer when everybody seems to be siblings to somebody. So here is my little summary to help those who are just watching which at the time of this post is Ep 19. I didn't pay attention for the first 4 episodes so I may have a few mistakes here and there;

Set towards the end of the Qing Dynasty period (since Cixi, westerners were mentioned), this series follows the fortunes of 2 families, one surnamed Sung and the other Leung. Leung came from a poor background whilst Sung is the largest wine brewery of the area filled with other breweries as well. Their lives would not have any connection if not for one life changing decision; 20 years ago, Leung family whose breadwinner (the father) has died, leaving a widow (Wai Lan), 2 elder sons (Ching Yiu and Ching Hong) and 2 daughters (Sau Man and Sau Yin). Ching Yiu was much older than the rest and his younger brother looks up to him. He works for the Sung family brewery and was doing well and looked well upon by the Master Sung Ting Tin. Life was very hard for the Leung family. Meanwhile Sung family if I am correct has 2 children, one son (Chi Chun) and one younger daughter (Chi Ching) and wives, one of whom is 3rd mother, Ting Ka Pik who has an older brother and a father. One day the entire family went for a boat cruise when it capsized. Chi Chun's mother died trying to save him, the rest drowned whilst Ching Yiu risking his own life jumped into the freezing water and saved Chi Ching. Master Sung became very sick and depressed over the deaths of I believe 8 family members and no heir as Chi Chun couldn't be found. Chi Chun was 7 at that time, Chi Ching was 5. Master Sung was worried for the welfare of his family and wine brewery and he became very impressed with Ching Yiu's ability to run the business efficiently, decided to take Ching Yiu as his own son to inherit the business. The deal was Ching Yiu is to take care of the business, find Chi Ching a husband who will marry into the Sung family and thereafter have children named Sung and thus the business will be returned to the real Sung. Moreover he is needed to protect the women in the Sung family and the fortune against greedy uncles. Of course Leung family objected, but Ching Yiu decided to accept the offer for the sake of the family (here I am a bit confused; Mrs Leung said she never took a penny from the Sung family so I wonder did Ching Yiu helped them financially?) and Ching Hong saw Ching Yiu breaking the family jade and left, and he became very bitter over his brother's decision, thinking his brother was greedy for the Sung fortune. The grandfather certainly thought so.

20 years on, the business is still doing well, but Mrs Leung could not openly call Ching Yiu her son, and Ching Yiu could not openly call her mother. They had to avoid one another. Chi Ching didn't know the truth until some time later. Ching Hong was still as bitter but as he discovered more and more of his brother's life at the Sung through Chi Ching (who at first disliked him, but later became friends), he saw his brother in a different light. Chi Ching herself was always on Ching Yiu's side, grateful she has such a wonderful brother who was always very concerned about her. That is because Chi Ching has a disability; one leg shorter than the other, and despite her family wealth and reputation, no man wanted to marry her and she became more and more of a hermit until she met Ching Hong when she was running away and encountered many life changing obstacles and she finally accepted her disability. Meanwhile life in the Sung for Ching Yiu was never smooth sailing. He had to deal with greedy uncles who would always use the fact that he saw his real mother as indication of Ching Yiu's real family wanting to cheat the Sung of their money. He had to deal with the business and in one particular one greedy official who runs the valley, Tsang Kin Leung who was so incensed with Ching Yiu's refusal to bribe him anymore than he proved to be his biggest nemesis. And then there's Ching Hong opening a wine brewery and thus scandal ensued but to Ching Yiu, he encouraged the competition. He is also in love with his 3rd mom, Ka Pik who clearly likes him as much as they together dealt with the problems they face.

All was well until the return of the prodigal son, Chi Chun. Chi Chun didn't die; he was in fact rescued by a couple who runs a performing circus and life was very hard for him. He was starved, beaten, abused and lied to that his entire family has died; until he chanced upon Chi Ching's bamboo momento and he recognised that it was by him for his beloved sister. He ran away but encountered many problems, and met with another starving girl who turns out to be the daughter of Tsang Kin Leung. She was angry with her father marrying so many times and hurting her mother who died that she ran away and since she didn't have money for food, was starving. There was a kinship between them 2 and Chi Chun fell for her. He was brought to her father who found a weapon against Ching Yiu and ensured he was accepted back to Sung family; no one believed him. Ka Pik's brother and father threw him into the river, he nearly drowned, even Chi Ching refused to believe him until Ching Yiu asked a simple question of where the 7 year old Chi Chun hid Chi Ching's hairpin and he actually found it and everyone finally realised he was indeed Chi Chun. However Chi Chun was unhappy he suddenly had an older brother and everyone seemed to listen to him. Ching Yiu planned to return the brewery to Chi Chun when he is ready but he has to work his way up, which displeased Chi Chun who felt he lost 20 years. After being manipulated by Official Tsang and greedy uncles, he was convinced Ching Yiu refused to return the brewery to him. He began to do little things that built up to bigger things, which resulted in the death of Ka Pik's father, Ka Pik leaving to leave in a monastery, and in the end destroy his relationship with his beloved sister, Chi Ching when he let Ching Hong marry her when Ching Hong and Ching Yiu knew it would be so that he could takeover Ching Hong's blooming wine brewery and yet he didn't realise where he had done wrong.

And I have stopped here. I am sure my prediction is, he will do more destruction that will result into more misfortune for Ching Yiu before he finally will be pushed to the ground by those he thinks are treating him well when they were not.

I hope it ends well. Chi Chun can be saved. It is those old men who misled him. But I wonder, to what cost? Things are getting interesting! I wished I had done an Episodic Thoughts on this one! Like I said, this is more Golden Faith than Country Spirit. And it is also a lot like that series I can't remember the title but had Mui Siu Wai and Marianne Chan in it.

Updates - Reviews

2011-09-27T01:58:00.000-07:00

Bet you never thought you will see this post title eh? I am surprised myself how long I have not looked at the Reviews page, more so Taiwanese series reviews. But thanks to Bridget Au with her 2 new updates, all in Taiwanese series reviews page;

- Love You

- Sunny Happiness

Happy reading.

When I was googling for poster, these 2 series happens to have rather risque kissing scenes. So idol dramas these days have moved from the girl running towards the guy to now girl and guy tumbling to bed? Just shows how long I have not seen Taiwanese series. And it can't be an idol drama if the idols are shown having... sex! Wouldn't the fangirls go Noooooooooooooooooooo and such? Or has fangirls of idol groups nowadays changed as well? I am getting old.

A slideshow

2011-09-25T07:46:00.000-07:00

Just a slideshow I made with the pictures I took whilst in Tokyo, Yokohama and Kamakura featuring my travel mate, Fuku-Kat to one of my most favourite songs. The pretty lady you will see in the video was my travel mate. Hope you enjoy it.

Linda oh Linda

2011-09-23T00:39:00.000-07:00

I am being bombarded with Linda Chung every day. Once for Ghost Writer where she did well and looking very pretty and the other River of Wine where she did exceptionally well and looking really really pretty. I think I have just become her fan.

TVB's River of Wine

2011-09-20T22:51:00.000-07:00

Again I am posting about River of Wine. I have ASTRO On Demand and am finally watching something current. Up to ep 16 and I must say I am enjoying this series. The acting is mostly solid, the characters are mostly well written, love the themesong, and love Linda Chung who with this series should be a serious contender for the Best Actress thing. Bowie is great too although his character is seriously badly developed all of a sudden. How come this series so little news? Everyone is talking about Men With No Shadows or Lives On Omision when River of Wine to me is more entertaining. Certainly nothing silly. In fact Lee Ka Sing should win something. He was terribly awesome in this as the useless younger brother of 3rd mother. Wished I did an Episodic Thoughts on this. But a funny thing. I was watching Ep 15, where things were serious and Nancy had to defend Bowie in front of her father in law. I was then interrupted, and then I resumed watching and the tone I noticed was much lighter, happier and again Nancy had to defend Bowie in front of her father in law. I was like poor woman having to repeat herself when I was checking the time on the machine and realised I was watching Episode 1!!! It struck me that Ep 1 and Ep 15's dialogue is almost the same!! That was so funny. Anyway I went back to Ep 15 where it ended, had to wait the next repeat and rewatch until I realise "Eh! My machine can record!!" which I did for Ep 16 when ep 16 was repeated at the same time. I am confused with ASTRO on Demand but terribly happy I could catch this series. Fantastic although the age thing is all off. I would love to see Steven in Bowie's role for someone slightly younger to explain the timeline but since this is Bowie's last series with TVB (correct?) I am just happy I could bid farewell to him by seeing him do what he does best.

Andy Whitfield [RIP]

2011-09-12T10:12:00.000-07:00

This is depressing. I don't really watch Spartacus but I heard of Andy Whitfield and his battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. I only knew at that time it was cancer and a very aggressive one. So young. I feel rather sad, whole day watching 911 memorials and now this. RIP. You can read the news here.

Can't Buy Me Love

2011-09-08T02:21:00.000-07:00

You know my disdain for Can't Buy Me Love series, but since watching some episodes, I still hated it but it has some redeeming factor. I still hate it because the plot just destroys who we thought as gentleman who turns out to be traitors, the whole every sentence must rhyme was so darn annoying, the whole let's clap together, and the whole BTROC settings and villains come and go sort of nonsense. The good thing is I really enjoyed Kenneth Ma's part of the story, especially his parents where they wear matching dress (the mother's outer layer's rim always matches the fathers outer layer whilst his rim's outer layer always matches her outer lawyer sort of fabric coordination) and their very touching scene where he tearfully talked to his mother when she knew he wasn't her son. I feel that was such a good scene, and Kenneth Ma can really cry. He has always been able to cry anyway. I was surprised how good Fala is at comedic situation, she actually is really funny when she has to be. I like Linda, but there's a bit of OTT acting whilst I was very surprised by Raymond Wong's facial expressions as he was rather funny especially when he was so lovesick over Linda. I was also surprised how little the series is about Charmaine and Moses. I didn't find Charmaine funny at all, but later on in dramatic scenes, I find her graceful when she quieted down. As usual, her performance just doesn't quite is the whole package. Moses has almost everyone saying how he sucked. I disagree. I think comedy is his forte and those scenes where 3 brothers were at feud was genuinely funny and Moses' facial expressions in certain scene was apt. I find him funny as the rather useless husband with a good heart. He seems keener in here than in that series as Ting Bak Fu where his heart was clearly somewhere else. Didn't enjoy Susanna Kwan, didn't enjoy Selena much, Louis Yuen was ok but his character is annoying. The rest are either annoying or just not important enough to comment. I am curious as to what happened to the bitchy 1st princess (Sharon)? Where is her husband? Whilst I think Kara's villain was interesting, she was rather petty. And I hated all those BTROC - Kam Ling flash flash on eyes moments. Annoying!!

Now, who is that young man who plays the supposedly generous benefactor who saved Linda but in the end is sigh... a traitor? Because his acting is actually rather good.

Perfume - Polyrhythm

2011-09-08T00:13:00.000-07:00

I saw Cars 2 twice and loved it each time! Whatever the naysayers say, I find Cars 2 very imaginative and very enjoyable. The best is of course admittedly the soundtrack with some very catchy tunes. I was surprised in the Tokyo segment to hear Perfume's song in the background, and it suits the scene. The song is Polyrhythm and whatever my sentiments is with the excessive use of autotune, they are in the end a I suppose you call them technopop? Anyway autotune or not, what I like about Perfume is their image; that is they have very beautiful legs, which they flaunt with short pants and short skirts but their dancing is never lewd. I find them classy and I love the way they dance and yes they can dance! They do move nonstop in their performances BUT I don't find the dancing getting in the way of the song. In fact I find the dancing very enjoyable, as if part of the song itself. There can never be Perfume standing still, or Perfume without autotune? The Korean counterparts however could dance up a storm BUT move too much that takes away the enjoyment from the music. I find their dancing distracting and by the end of the song, annoying. Anyway I can't hear the audio but by the title, I think I am posting the right MV!

Your choice...

2011-09-07T23:34:00.000-07:00

My friend recently ask me and my other friends a question which I thought didn't mean much until the answer was revealed. It is silly, but kinda true. So I ask you now, if you're not from Malaysia, just imagine your local currency. Question is this; you walk one streets and stumbled upon some money. How much would the amount be before you think you will pick it up. Now, forget trickery, forget conman, just assume it is real money, no con involved. Choose 1 answer only.

(a) RM10

(b) RM1000

(d) any amount (big or small, doesn't matter)

I will reveal answer after you choose one.

TVB's River Of Wine

2011-09-04T09:48:00.000-07:00

I am excited. Just saw a bit of preview of TVB's latest offering, River of Wine which comes with a rather unconventional Chinese title. Of course as usual preview shows too much but after the 1st episode and some more previews, my feelings are as follows:-

1. This could be Bowie's last TVB series, to which he will probably return 3 years later so better watch!

2. Why is Sunny Chan in all those angry passionate loud characters these days?

3. Eh where is Steven Ma? Oops wrong series. That will be Ghost Writer, but same people (almost)

4. Love the title

5. Looks exciting but Pierre Ngo as the almost bad guy again?

6. I was so confused as to who is the sister who is the brother until Sunny Chan himself explained the plot and I went I see!I see!

7. Isn't this Golden Faith but in olden days? You know...

An adopted son (Gallen-Bowie) who is giving and kind must do everything to protect his adopted family's business whilst protect his own adopted younger brother (Raymond Lam - Pierre Ngo) who is irritating and goes against his own adopted brother but at the same time but balance his loyalty and love for his real younger brother as well (Deric Wan-Sunny)

Mind you, Golden Faith has one of the best ensemble acting ever. Everytime I feel my dislike for Myolie rising, I remember her in Golden Faith. Everytime I feel like slapping Ray, I remember him in his pre idol days in that series.

My only not happy casting moment is the actress who plays Bowie's wife who has one single expression and I can't decide if she is good or bad, Nancy Sit with her "Uh, I uh beg uh you uh please uh uh" way of speaking her lines. However I like Linda Chung and she is paired with Sunny which is new.

Very excited. Hopefully can watch after that ASTRO guy comes and install that ASTRO on Demand. Seriously I find such family dramas rather interesting, nothing about sex or triads or those clapping hands, just poor Bowie looking like the world is on his shoulders and him going about saving everybody.

I already miss him.

I will see you when I see you!

2011-09-02T10:41:00.000-07:00

I haven't written a proper review since I have written a proper one. I was just lazy to check, and I did checked and the last review proper was for the Korean series, Oh My Lady and the last full Episodic Thoughts was A Fistful Of Stances which I enjoyed immensely. I am not sure if you're wondering but if you're wondering whether have I been writing any, my answer is an honest yes. I did. Started, stopped, and unable to continue, probably because I had no great urge to write a proper one. I can't even write an opinion, albeit a full one. So what has changed?

I have been spending an increasing amount of time with my other blog, All About Fukuyama Masaharu, updating, writing, posting, opining, etc that I haven't had much urge to write reviews. I also haven't watched much series from start till to the end and my policy is if I haven't watched at least more than half the series, I won't write a proper review. My old readers enjoyed the critique and some on the plot summary, both of which requires me to watch the series proper properly. My memory is not as good as it used to be, my typing is not as fast and frankly everytime I tapped my fingers on the keyboard, I just suddenly realise I have nothing much to opine about. I have always wanted to be short and sweet in the past but ended up writing pages and pages but now I am short but not quite as sweet. My sarcasm hasn't left me, I just don't feel the urge, need, want to be just that. The fans have changed too.

In the past, my reviews will get red arrows but all is fair. Nowadays I notice the younger fans can't tolerate criticism of their favourite stars, no matter how carefully you word a sentence, no matter how you explain it, when they see anything negative, they will come out in droves and just use every of your word to call you anti someone or a hater. I used to believe being a hater and a ... well a fan of someone shows the equal two sides of affection; love to adore, love to hate. Hate to me is a strong word but in fandom, it is a fair word because hate extends to why you feel a strong dislike for this star. After all entertainment world is about love and hate. No one star can't be possibly loved equally by all and no one star can be so universally hated, not even the likes of Edison Chen. I know how the fans feel; I am a major fan of someone who himself has his fair share of haters or rather those who do not care anything about him. But amongst fans we too have our own criticism of our own favourite idol. We don't let things get to us so simply, we will laugh it off if we can, if we can't, we explain, and move on.

So moving on is an artform in fandom. When do you stop defending your own statements and move on? When you feel you're hounded out of the forum? The art of moving on is a simple act of ignoring the others. But can you do that? After a while you have to even if you can't. You can't let bytes after bytes being wasted on not really a losing war but an infinite war. Whatever you say, you won't change their minds, whatever they say, they won't change yours. But basic rule is if you feel an urge to criticise someone, don't do it in their fan forum. If you read any criticism out if fan forum and in some general forum, it is fair game. The right to opine extends to both sides; not just those who posts positive comments, but also to the negative comments. I have no patience for positively glowing remarks and I don't have patience either for overly negative remarks but I always have time and patience for constructive ones, whether positive or negative. Constructive means a well thought of opinion that is well written, well justified, well summarised and posted at a proper forum.

I often go to K-pop news site and the way the fans support their idols is amazing. It is not wholly positive but rather everything their idol does, they see whatever he or she do as something so amazing that it must be publicised. Like how a star falls and pick himself up and he is described as gentleman and brave. I don't see how qualifies as gentleman and brave but looking at the environment, it is better not to opine that statement and just move on.

My reviews have often invited comments, whether positive and negative and I appreciated both. I suppose I appreciate that someone cares enough to read and give comments. And that was what kept me going. But I suppose my lack of updates (or at the time of posting this post, complete the layout) drove many readers away. I am still here, but just not here here.

Will I continue to write reviews? Frankly at this point you can say I have stopped completely. I am as always on the lookout to find an interesting series to write episodic thoughts but a review I understand now takes more dedication. It is simple to recap and opine but it is quite difficult to summarise, recap and opine. Somehow whilst Episodic Thoughts is more hectic, I find reviews more difficult to write these days.

How do I write a review? How do I begin and make sure I end it? My opinion is completed even before I typed and thereafter I will lose my interest in actually writing them. Is this called a writer's block?

Not having written a proper review for some time, I find myself able to join the discussions and just opine. It is just so easy. I suppose I like being "easy" these days.

I hope to find that one series that will give me that urge again, whether it is from HK or Taiwan or Korea or China but so far, it is easier to just sit down and watch and then forget everything. I haven't seen a series I hate with a passion that I could write a thesis on it nor have I seen one that I love with such ferocity that I knew I had to write and write and write. Well, there is 1 I hate with a passion but that will be 1 year from now.

So I apologise for my lack of updates; if you're here for reviews, I am sorry to say, there are no new ones but there are plenty of older ones. iIf you're here to check up on me, thank you for your concern, I am alive and well but darn lazy.

I have however one "review" proper to write; recollections of my trip to Tokyo, Japan. I did write a semi review in my other blog, but that was from the concert angle. As for the trip itself, well, I am eager and am formulating how to write. And I will complete the layout.

And yes, I was once asked how do I write my reviews. I don't just sit and type; whilst most was spontaneous but a larger part of the contents were formed in my head; in my mind I have already completed my review when I began to type; how to divide by topics, how to subdivide to make my points clearer, how to start and certainly how to end. Maybe that is why I am not writing anything new; my way is now too complicated, too tiring, too ambitious. Perhaps I should just write spontaneously, forget about summarising the plot. Take a relaxed attitude. In fact I have been doing that for my last few reviews, copying entire plot summary from elsewhere and just write my comments. But my comments will still have long summaries. Maybe it is time to ditch my method and just go with whatever I want to express. It may sound careless or messy but rest assured, my opinion is still somewhere in there, I hope.

But until I find that series for me to experiment my new approach, again I apologise for the lack of new reviews or even updates. There are still many more amateur reviewers, I don't feel a need to write anything new as you can find the same information elsewhere. Let me be lazy for a little while more. But if I get too lazy, if it is too long, do give me a shout if you care to.

One of my most favourite author, Stephen King always calls his readers "the constant readers". I love his personal approach, the way he addresses his constant readers as if he is addressing each and every one of them specifically. I will not "ciplak" from him but I will do this;

To dear YOU, thank you for (still) dropping by. If you just stumbled in, hello there! Whoever it may be, for whatever reason you're here, I shall end this post which is with regards to reviews in this blog with the words "I will see you when I see you".

Thank you for reading.

Lives On Omission's real ending

2011-08-29T11:51:00.000-07:00

I am not watching Lives On Omission, nor will I but if the following is the ending, I might just watch! Great PS skills! You do know that will never happen in TVB world right? I mean you will see Kate snogging all the guys and rolling on bed but never such scenes, ever. Unless it is a movie. And I doubt even for movie you will find such scene.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI!!

2011-08-28T18:01:00.000-07:00

I would like to wish my Muslim readers a very Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri and maaf zahir batin! Oh, holiday! Holiday! And also to my country Happy Independence Day on 31st August 2011, which is also unfortunately the day Princess Diana died.

From what I can observe from Taman Midah's Tesco's toilets, I can say if we are to become 1st world, it will be take a momentous change, and that momentous change starts with the people. Please if there is any advice I can give you, don't go to that toilets. I really do miss Japan and Hong Kong's toilets.

The shortest escalator in world

2011-08-26T02:05:00.000-07:00

This is seriously funny! Why bother with a second set of stairs when there is an escalator?? And the shortest escalator. This is just so funny! Only in Japan? And when I was in Tokyo I had to walk on so many stairs. Why this awesome thing wasn't in any place I was at in Tokyo?

Jaynestars' HK Sexiest Man (Celebrity) Alive 2011

2011-08-25T18:33:00.000-07:00

Jaynestars is having this 2011 Sexiest Man Alive in Hong Kong Award which is getting crazier and crazier. It is interesting that I already thought Raymond Lam was winning since he was consistently on top, for a moment I thought with horror Daniel Wu might win and suddenly, out of nowhere,

BOOM!!!

Ruco Chan now on top, and at least 50 votes apart from the next competitor which is Raymond Lam! I tell you, this is the war of fans' pride. So wanna join in? Go HERE. You can vote 1 time every 24 hours. I voted for Alex Fong Chung Soon, never joined in that Ray-Ruco war. But since this is until 30th September, anything can happen.

The Season Of Fate

2011-08-19T01:54:00.000-07:00

I believe The Season Of Fate must be at least 2 year old, because Roger looks so young there. Well, as young as he was 2 years' ago and Pierre Ngo was in smaller roles. And why no one ever mention much about this series? I missed so many episodes since I was away but those I can watch, I can only say, it was such a delight to see actually great performances that I can say nothing bad of for once! The story is touching, but the acting was the one that had me in awe. Esther Kwan was fantastic, showing true grit as they say, Derek Kwok was impressive. This to me is his breakout role, his performance as Gau Mui was funny, touching, affectionate, everything. Roger Kwok is a master. This series had him display some of his finest acting skills. To me, I remember Esther's best when she was crying and complaining how stupid she was so stay in a family that did not appreciate her, for Derek, it had to be his lighthearted scenes, never had I seen Derek as a seriously cute actor until this series and he should have won some award for this BUT Roger, his best so far was when he tearfully told Esther why he felt regret for what happened to Derek, the way he forced himself to confess, holding back tears and yet crying very very hard. That is acting masterclass, and when you have these 3 together, the scenes were pure delight. How come not one of them won any award? Roger should have gottten his is it 3rd best performance for this series. Even Michelle Yim was good, and I thought she was so pretty as the crazy first wife, thinking she was young and all, even is it Lawrence Ng as the villain, even his villain is great because no greater villain who can fool everyone to think he is the good guy and now I know who is Oscar Leung, always thinking he was someone else, so he was that thin guy (but actually I believe he has muscle, look at his well toned arm!!) who also displayed some fine acting chops. The story is always well written, the script effective but the acting is the one that had me in awe. Such a pleasure to watch and what a pity I missed quite a few episodes. Forget those nonsense, for acting, this is the one. I think I am beginning to like Derek Kwok!

Real graffiti

2011-08-18T23:14:00.000-07:00

These are some real graffiti that is just beyond funny!! All taken from here, some classic ones...

Absolute favourite(s)

AND

Some people are just so witty!

Prove your worth Mr Policemen!

2011-08-18T22:06:00.000-07:00

With all the acid attacks all over KL and Selangor last time, nobody was even arrested. Now there are more, leaving people horribly scarred and for what? Laptops? Revenge? My take is there is no connection between happy splasher before and evil splasher now. My fear is the police things there is and so will follow that lead and ignore everything else. I believe it is non chinese, non local. I hope something is done. I am fearful since I am from Cheras area. Everybody in KL be careful. Do not flaunt your laptop or belongings; now I just hope our police proves their competency. Are they better than just summonses, warnings and obvious culprit cases? I do not believe if every effort is made to trace purchases of such corrosive liquid there is no lead. And make it a mandatory death penalty. Some people just deserves to hang for what they did.

Painful death

2011-08-17T09:47:00.000-07:00

This is not a way to die! How terrible!!

I'm back!

2011-08-13T10:26:00.000-07:00

I'm back! Loads of pictures BUT so slow to upload so will take awhile!!

London oh London

2011-08-11T09:24:00.000-07:00

I wonder what the hell is going on in London?! Like total anarchy!

I shall be away...

2011-08-01T02:12:00.000-07:00

Yes, away on a rather expensive trip (ok, bankrupt me sort of trip) and I am panicking big time. Shall be back about less than 2 weeks later.

[GREETINGS] Selamat hari berpuasa

2011-07-31T09:33:00.000-07:00

Can't believe Puasa month is here already! Anyway to my Muslim friends, happy berpuasa. Looking forward to Hari Raya and the cookies! But darn! My favourite nasi lemak stall may be closed!!

The definition of raw

2011-07-26T00:58:00.000-07:00

Frankly I am sickened by the idea of presenting the freshest food on the table, literally as you can see in the following videos. Oh, don't say Koreans and Japanese only, even Chinese! How barbaric! Imagine doing that to a cow or a pig or a duck or chicken or fluffy rabbit!! What is so delicious about that? As long as the fish was not floating with its tummy facing the sky at the time it was to be cooked is fresh in my opinion. Sick! Absolutely sick! And don't say these are reflexes. I doubt it!

RIP Amy Winehouse

2011-07-23T21:53:00.000-07:00

I mean next to Heath Ledger, this celebrity death is totally shocking to me but then... would have expected that! I mean I thought she was living clean? WHAT A WASTE! She was a great singer!

RIP Amy Winehouse. Just 27. What a waste.

New avatar!

2011-07-23T11:46:00.000-07:00

I have decided to update the passport picture representing me. I actually made a GIF version, inspired by Harry Potter you see but darn it! None of the uploads allow for GIF so back to muggles type picture. I didn't change my avatar's looks but just the hair and make up. I really like this hair. Hopefully you will see this new avatar reflected on every social site but I am still wondering how on earth Jaynestars manage to display my avatar and now how I can change it? I don't remember there's one account to change all social network profile picture.

Update
Needs some adjustment. Too tired, maybe later. In fact I think I will change the badge as well.But I gotta say this; my avatar may not be pretty but she has character! Her face... very chok don't you think?

Muggle version

Potter version

HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2 [O]

2011-07-23T01:01:00.000-07:00

Just saw Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows part 2 and whilst I gather my thoughts and emotions, I can safely say this director has tried his best in giving hogwarts its true look for the past 3 movies. I like the fact Neville and Snape were given their moments and especially Snape's which was very very touching with almost word for word adaptation. Also the deaths, the resurrection stone scene and surprisingly the epilogue worked better in the film than in the books where thankfully the writer decided to cut out a few children. What wasn't good was the mood; even after 19 years all three did not manage to find their humour again. Rather bland serious ending. What was missing which would have made this ending more bittersweet was Harry touching his scar. The dragon scene was amazing and the entire special effects was top notch. Everyone had their moment; from the teachers to even Mrs Weasley, finally! Was like a huge reunion show but I didn't notice Percy. Fans even got the Neville-Luna romance which was never in the books. I like that. I would have loved Harry marrying Luna; they seem to have far more conversation than Harry and Ginny. I also like how Narcissa just took Draco home, just like that they walked away from Voldemort.

As for what I didn't like was the entire Dumbledore/Aberforth/Grindewald/Ariana missing story. It was pivotal in casting a shadow of doubt on Dumbledore's character and how Harry struggled with trusting Dumbledore and explains why Dumbledore never accepted the position of Minister of Magic, his crooked nose, why he put on that Riddle ring that cursed him, why he said Harry was a brave boy, etc. It also has a connection with why Harry accepted his fated destiny; to die with dignity and casting a spell over the entire school with protection from his sacrifice, like his mother did for him. I would also love to see more of Snape and Lily backstory instead of just what was shown. The wit were all gone. Even at its most serious moment, the book still had some witty moments but the ones in the movie seems drained, gone. tired. I would have wanted the dialogue between Dumbledore and Harry at King's Cross to be more, a more lighthearted Dumbledore explaining to Harry everything he has failed to explain when he was alive instead of what was shown. It was pivotal moment; and yet so fleeting. I know there is a lack of time but story integrity can't be sacrificed. But the worst was the elder wand; the movie showed Harry snapped it into 2. If I remember correctly, Harry's wand was snapped into 2, couldn't be fixed, Harry was very upset, he lost his owl, his broom, his friends and now his wand which he was very fond of. He used Draco's wand throughout and in the end in what I felt was the book's proper ending was him using the elder wand to fix his own wand, and he will later put the elder wand back with Dumbledore and make sure no one will defeat him in future so as to possess the elder wand. The stone was left in the forest, lost forever. He only retained the cloak. But the movie seems to suggest you can just break the wand by hand, seems so flimsy, so careless, when wand should have its own magic, not so easy to break. I didn't like the movie's ending at all and would have wished for the original which was the ending I really loved from the book before the amateurish epilogue.

Why the stories had to be changed I didn't understand. I did understand why Voldemort's death had to be so dramatic even if in the book it was mundane which was how I liked it. I would have loved Harry exposing Snape as the actual good guy in front of everyone from the school when he was having a duel with Voldemort instead of what was shown in the movie. The movie was entertaining, dramatic, at times good and the director did what he could with the amazing materials, making Hogwarts seem so real, so huge, but again the story as in the book, the core story about the hocruxes, the elder wand, the deathly hallows were all fleeting, sacrificed for dramatics. The last book has a good story and I especially love the whole deathly hallows and its significance, the master of death and how both Voldemort and Harry sees the idea of death. Voldemort sees a master of death as someone who is immortal and so he did many terrible things to achieve just that but Harry, through Dumbledore and the many secrets he had to find out on his own realised Master of Death is someone who accepts death, has no fear of death. That was no conveyed in the movie properly and to me that is the entire 8 movies' failure; to capture the essence of what makes Harry Potter such an amazing series of books and why JK Rowling is deservingly a billionaire.

If you are confused, just read the book. If you have never read any of the books, try the 1st book and read in sequence to understand the story, the plot points, the connections. Believe me, the 7 books may not be the best books you have ever read but they will definitely make you a fan and make you read and read again. If they don't, I can only say you're a literature snob with very little taste in what makes a good book.

Coordinated terrorist attacks in Norway

2011-07-22T11:01:00.000-07:00

I am in shock. Terrorist attacks, I understand but... in Norway?! What is going on?! Read news here. This is just insane!

Gone and back again : Of HK and Macau

2011-07-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

Just came back, after a 30 min delay at the airport, then another 45 min delay inside the plane. A day of delays, not sure why. So how was my trip? I was so tired by the 2nd day I was literally crying. My feet really really hurt. HK is hot, but cooler than KL although it rained everyday. I had some great food, was staying at Kowloon and basically had a great time despite the rain. Their taxi drivers are very very professional and we can really learn from their MTR and LRT concepts; big towns, MTR, smaller towns, LRT. And whoeever says Yuen Long is village must be thinking of another Yuen Long. The Yuen Long I saw was HUGE although old. However it was very charming, the LRT station right in the middle of a busy street and frankly the moment I stepped off the LRT I fell in love with Yuen Long. For once I could see the skyline without hurting my neck and though old, it was full of character. And the people were much friendlier.

Not that HK people are rude. Not at all! But they're not very approachable but exceedingly efficient. The only HK people I didn't like was the civil servants; in particular the immigration officers, ironically the first people you see when you enter the country. You want friendly HK people? Try 7-11. They have 7-11 everywhere! Love the Coca-Cola Slurpee! Super awesome! Anyway, excellent taxi drivers, love the LRTs, the food for the most part were excellent with the best Chee Cheong Fun I have ever had with some very cheap but delicious soy sauce chicken wings (3 for HKD12 - where to find?!). Yes HK sounds expensive, but the food aren't expensive at all if you aim for the smaller establishments. The taxi sounds expensive but HKD18 can get you a long way. HKD7 for one large slurpee. For me, the price is ok because if you compare to Malaysia, their portion is double ours. Their one wanton is 3 times our size. No need to even ask big, small, etc. They do eat a lot by the way.

But the hotel room was super small. I am now prepared for my Tokyo hotel room. It was so small, I nearly tripped over my baggage and guess where I fell? Either the TV or the bed. It was THAT small.

I also went to Macau for 2 days, 1 nights. Room 3 times the size, so it was good. Everywhere is casino. Frankly I had no feel for Portugese architecture and worse, their street names are either in Chinese OR in Portugese. Do they know Portugese?! The weather was terrible. It was not just hot, it was like having the hot sun following you everywhere. I got sunburnt. And there was no wind, none at all. If Tokyo is this hot, I will die. The pork chop bun was excellent, the milk dessert was super excellent but the rest was expensive and smaller portion. They don't have subways,not that I can see but they have efficient bus service and let's just say they're not rude, but totally and utterly indifferent. If tourism is their 2nd main business (casino being the first), they need to buck up. We specifically asked the bus driver to just inform us when our destination has arrived and guess what? Never inform, missed 2 stops. HK at least have notices, etc. Why can't they just install some announcement devices in the bus? For me seen one structure, seen them all. And if I wanted to see, I can go to Melaka and I never enjoyed Melaka. Frankly I had a terrible time, I hated Macau, the novelty with casinos just ran out after I've seen 2 casinos.

When I went back to HK for 1 final night, I was so happy. I feel I could really live in HK, and if I do, I will want to live in Kowloon since it is so quiet but near the busy Mongkok or better yet, Yuen Long even if everything is old.

By the way I walked in I can't remember which street, Miu Kai? Anyway I saw stalls after stalls selling sex toys! And I saw people buying and the sellers so professional!

As for toilets, HK exceeds my expectations. Our cleanest toilets is I suppose at Gardens Midvalley BUT their usual toilets are cleaner than that! Dry, no smell, always there's the toilet paper there, cool. The toilets... wow. Even the Miu Kai public toilets was not the cleanest, but to me very clean! Even got classical music playing in the toilets!

Anyway what I can remember of this probably last trip to HK?

LRTs. I love the LRTs.

Food! Excellent!

Iced Lemon Tea, the best there is.

Coca-Cola slurpee!

Kowloon, quiet but charming.

Talllllllllllllllllllll buildings, even the top is covered in mist!

excellent taxi drivers.

Protests everywhere. Who says HK people is not vocal politically and socially? Very very vocal.

And Yuen Long. My best memory is Yuen Long. I just love that place.

Some pictures of some food and some other stuff.

FOOD!
Food ordering can be very confusing in HK, especially in big restaurants, with their many types of specials, prices, hours, etc. And many forms to fill and mostly all in Chinese. The captains weren't helpful in that regard, and some waiters can't even speak proper cantonese, which surprises me but then I suppose not all speak fluent cantonese.

COCA-COLA SLURPEE!!

STAR GAZING
Didn't see one star at all at any place, in person.

Martin Yan (L), Chow Yun Fatt (R)

Louisa So (L), wall of pictures (R)

All at a restaurant in Yuen Long

The very young Tam Pik Wan, at Heritage Museum, quite a fun place

FUN STUFF!

Harry Potter stamping thingy

Harry Potter "Diagon Alley" display at Times Square. Got more pictures but lazy to upload. Quite possibly one of the fun-nest place to be in. There was a hogwarts train outside the shopping complex. So many people, and some girls even dressed up for the occasion although they would have been expelled from Hogwarts for dressing that way. They were giving away free movie postcards but alas, by the time I got there, all finished. And yes, I was probably the oldest lining up for the stamping thingy.

Liza Wang

Looked very carefully at the poster, huge mistake "Surtitles"? I swear I saw "No Hawing" on a sign in a major MTR station

Mahjong centre at Temple Street

HK night view. Why so blurry? Because the taxi was going really fast!

Harrehhhhhhh!

2011-07-11T23:17:00.000-07:00

Harry! Harry! Harry! Harry! Harry! Harryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(But I will be in HK!!!)

Harryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

We are a VERY prepared nation!

2011-07-09T03:49:00.000-07:00

1 demonstration on the 9th of July and almost half of the city is roadblocked since 7th of July.

[ADD] What a joke of a reaction! Let them be! I was watching Transformers 3 on the 9th, and from what I read, the whole thing was like as if Decepticons landed in central KL! Totally unnecessary overblown reaction. And you must look at this picture; the old lady put me to shame. Maybe I should have been in the rally, which started out like a huge gathering and ended up like mass prison breakouts, all because one party overreacted. And the rest of the world laughs at us. It was peaceful, would have stayed peaceful without those tear guns adn from the looks of it, water spraying. Now I read over 1600 people arrested, yellow and red shirts. Let them march, let them chant, and you won't need to arrest a single person. Not like they were rioting. It looks like a riot simply because tear gas and water were used. What a reaction!

Dear Gregory Lee...

2011-07-07T21:55:00.000-07:00

Dear Gregory,

In response to the heart breaking and devastating news here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and I am sure many more coming soon, I have said many many things in each of these posts, but I think the wise words of John Legend sums up your feelings right now and my hope for you;

It gets harder every day, but I can’t seem to shake the pain
I’m trying to find the words to say, please stay
It’s written all over my face, I can’t
Function the same when you’re not here
I’m calling your name but no one’s there
And I hope one day you’ll see nobody has it easy,
I still can’t believe you found somebody new
But I wish you the best, I guess.

‘Cause everybody knows, that nobody really knows
How to make it work, or how to ease the hurt
We’ve heard it all before, that everybody knows
Just how to make it right, I wish we gave it one more try
One more try
One more try

‘Cause everybody knows, but nobody really knows

I don’t care what the people say
They brought it all in anyway
Baby don’t fill up your head with he-said, she-said
It seems like you just don’t know
The radio’s on, you’re tuning me out,
I’m trying to speak, you’re turning me down
And I hope one day you’ll see nobody has it easy,
I still can’t believe you found somebody new
But I wish you the best, I guess.

‘Cause everybody knows, that nobody really knows
How to make it work, or how to ease the hurt
We’ve heard it all before, that everybody knows
Just how to make it right, I wish we gave it one more try
One more try
One more try
One more try
‘Cause everybody knows, but nobody really knows

Oh I wish you’d understand
Oh, just an ordinary man
Wish that we had known

Everybody knows, but nobody really knows
And I know one day you’ll see, nobody has it easy
I still can’t believe you found somebody new
I wish you the best, I guess.
‘Cause everybody knows, that nobody really knows
How to make it work, or how to ease the hurt

We’ve heard it all before, that everybody knows
Just how to make it right, I wish we gave it one more try
One more try
One more try
One more try

‘Cause everybody knows, but nobody really knows

I think right now you're still at the stage of

I still can’t believe you found somebody new

but when the tears have ended and reality has sunk in, perhaps you will go

But I wish you the best, I guess.

There is always someone better out there.

Sincerely,

Funn Lim

From Malaysia who has been following your news pretty intensely because I am a ke-po-chi

HK, here I come!

2011-07-07T21:10:00.000-07:00

I will be going to HK from 13th July to 19th July for I suppose food trip. I will be stopping by to see the Harry Potter display at Times Square. So there won't be much updates for these dates. Hopefully I can take some nice food pictures and post them here or in Sik Bao Lor.

TABLE OF CONTENTS : The single most useful blog script, ever!

2011-07-07T20:38:00.000-07:00

It is very difficult to implement scripts into blogs if you don't know how, even with detailed instructions. Blogger seems to love the words XML not sparsed or whatever nonsense. I am however extremely happy I found a very small but useful script that suits my blogs perfectly; one that displays my entire blog's contents either by dates or by labels, which is dead useful for a big blog like mine, and most useful for my Reviews Database. My only regret is I didn't not put the name of reviewer into the title of the review, so from the long list, you won't know who wrote what. WAIT! You can find all reviews under reviewer's name if you look at LABELS! Yeah! Anyway, for the blogs I have implemented this awesome table of contents. However, the table of contents script only works for one blog, and can't combine all blogs into one. A pity. Anyway, some samples...

THIS BLOG

By dates | By labels

ARCHIVED BLOG (for older posts of this blog)

By dates | By labels

REVIEWS DATABASE (dead useful for this one!)

By dates | By labels

ALL ABOUT MASHA

By dates | By labels

Awesome eh? You will also find the links to Table of Contents in the tabbed table under Links.

You got a blogger blog? You want this script? Because it only uses the PAGES section, no need to change or add to your template, at all! Want? Ok! Just change yourblog.com to the URL of your blog. By the way, whichever is newly posted post will have the NEW word marked next to it. Dead useful I tell you! This fantastic script is from www.abu-farhan.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS BY LABELS

<script src="http://www.abu-farhan.com/script/daftarisiblogger/blogtoc-min.js">
</script>
<script src="http://yourblog.com/feeds/posts/default?max-results=9999&alt=json-in-script&callback=loadtoc">
</script>

TABLE OF CONTENTS BY DATES

<script src="http://abu-farhan.com/script/daftarisibloggerarchive/tocbyarchivemin.js">
</script>
<script src="http://yourblog.com/feeds/posts/default?max-results=500&alt=json-in-script&callback=loadtoc">
</script>

SOME TIPS

You put the script (dates or labels) to the PAGES element, meaning log into Blogger > EDIT PAGES > NEW PAGE > Save to either link manually or sidebar but heed my advise, choose save link manually and link it anywhere else later.

If you put this table of contents page to your main blog where your table of contents is about, that would be too cumbersome because imagine with all your other posts, there's this long table of contents post. So my advice is create a new BLOG and use it exclusively for that table of contents, like how I am doing. Just make sure you got your blog URL right in the scripts.

The end is near!

2011-07-07T18:39:00.000-07:00

Harry Potter... is... ending...soon!!!!!!!!!

IMPORTANT NOTICE

2011-07-02T09:42:00.000-07:00

I am still here. But my progress is hindered by the fact that my really old computer is dying. It is frequently shutting down and I plan to but a new one so I don't suppose you will see much progress with this blog for the next 3 months or so. Much apologies but please, don't go away! Just drop by once in a while, ok?

Updates

2011-06-23T02:09:00.000-07:00

Still rebuilding blog. Please forgive the mess!

News

2011-06-13T00:46:00.000-07:00

Blogger screwed up my layout. I hope I have a back up at home.

[ADD] I don't have a back up at home.Sh*t! So I will have to build a new one from ground up.

When file storage sites are called illegal download sites ...

2011-06-11T01:21:00.000-07:00

If you're in Malaysia and couldn't get in Megaupload, please let me tell you Malaysia just banned Megaupload which is a legitimate file storage site. This is beyond insane; this is stupid. Because if you want to stop file sharing, then stop the search engine and the biggest culprit if any is Google search engine which you can search and find anything that goes beyond Megaupload. 15 sites were blocked, but only 10 published. Which is the other 5? Copyright infringement they say, to save the industry, etc. Yes I understand, so why not ban them all? 4shared? Mediafire? The rest? Why Megaupload and those few? I thought that corridor policy (you know which one) says unfettered internet access? So what is this then? So what's next? Facebook? What is there to stop the banning of other sites, beyond file sharing? Some torrents are legitimate! I get piratebay.org, some warez sites better blocked since got virus but subscription paying storage sites should be left alone! Can you ask Megaupload for refund then? So what is those high speed internet for? Youtube? Porn download?

Anyway read the stupid news here.

My new aerobics routine

2011-06-07T07:49:00.000-07:00

This is going to be my new aerobics routine. Problem is I need 2 more to join me. Anyone? Oh how I wish I have legs like theirs!

Sometimes you just gotta go HUH?!

2011-06-07T00:04:00.000-07:00

First HUH?! for blogger's new layout. I don't get it.

Second HUH?! is Air Asia. I just checked my flight details for August, time has suddenly changed to 2 hours later, no email, no notification. Maybe they're undecided.

Third HUH?! is this article. Every paragraph is a contradiction.

That T-crap

2011-06-05T22:39:00.000-07:00

I am so glad T-crap aka Twilight is going to be over... not before a 2 part final movie but well it is getting over. I can't even stand the title in ASTRO, more so on paper, in cinemas, etc.

Sadly Harry Potter is ending soon too. So sad!

By the way did you see Kung Fu Panda 2? Isn't it like the most awesomest movie ever? Love the kung fu scenes! Really an ode to those good old Chinese kung fu film. And love the ending! There will be a Kung Fu Panda 3 no doubt!

Ghetto Justice

2011-05-31T08:55:00.000-07:00

I was feeling restless, since Fly With Me just didn't hold any interest for me after episode 1, so I went channel surfing and stumbled upon preview for Ghetto Justice and it is intriguing. For once, what's his name, Jazz Lam I think is not some big brother uneducated etc. He actually looks good in a suit. Sam Lee is also in there I think and he looks different. Kevin Cheng plays the not so stereotypical lawyer and I love that! He looks good, performance looks ok, even if his body language is still awful. As long as he doesn't need to act angry, I am fine with that. The cases look so far so good, for once logical and I like the focus is on the not so rich, we even have a prostitute I think, played by Sharon Chan and she looks good in this. Even Myolie playing I assume some big time lawyer in a big law firm looks surprisingly good. I think I see the old Myolie, even if she seems far too glamorous but then she is some lawyer in some big firm. So I am really interested in this series and hope to watch it when it is out. For once I didn't cringe.

However back to Myolie. Is it me or does she look subtly different? Her nose seems so high, it seems unnatural. It could be make up but I don't think so. Even her chin looked sharper but her nose is the one I noticed is subtly different. Did she do something to her nose?

[ADD] It seems there were rumours, but on her chin which got sharper. It is indeed sharper but she may have lost some weight on her face, since she used to have baby fat. But yes, her chin is not just sharper, but how to say, a bit jutting out like westerner feature? I am doubtful BUT her nose is the one I noticed. It looks too high, almost pinched. Has anyone done comparison? Even the picture in the article suggests so!

Where it involves Fukuyama Masaharu, everything is great!

2011-05-28T11:01:00.000-07:00

I really wanna post some stuff I received from fellow net friends for my birthday. Was very surprised. I posted these in my Facebook account but wanna repost here. We all are fans of Fukuyama Masaharu, the man I am willing to suffer through savings, visa application and traveling in a foreign land where I don't speak the language. Love these 2!

And thanks for all the birthday wishes! My birthday was mundane actually. Not like when I was young, presents, etc. Now that I am considered "auntie" status by those damn you hawker sellers (!!!!!), maybe my time for such celebrations is over. Everybody else is right; we should have started from old to young eh?

Anyway, the artwork, where seriously shows Photoshop is cool, it is cooler if you know how, coolest when it involves my favourite singer/actor/general guy in it...

And the following is as far as I can do with my PS skills... but it is pure coincidence the day of my birthday happens to be the day with my favourite pose of his...

And I will say this here; Japan is probably the only country where with such a massive disaster, I haven't seen any huge discounts for hotels in Tokyo. In fact, none at all.

The Seasons

2011-05-25T08:33:00.000-07:00

I am watching The Seasons and may I say, what an amazing show. Superb stories, superb acting and memorable characters. Who can forget Ma-da, Dai Dee, etc? Of course Gallen Lo was god awful, but that's besides the point. Tam Pik Wan, I so miss her!

A farce!

2011-05-23T09:27:00.000-07:00

Seriously, a farce! I mean everybody knew, his wife knew, his fans knew, his enemies knew, everyone knew, so why the injunction is still there? What is there to protect? And should injunctions be used to stop revelations of affairs? Shouldn't there be more important use for an injunction? Well, read the farce here.

In The Eye Of The Beholder

2011-05-23T09:13:00.000-07:00

UPDATES - 23.05.2011

Ending tomorrow. Am tempted to write a review. Can't remember when I last wrote a proper one! Guess which series is taking over 9.30pm Wah Lai Toi time slot! Guess!! Frankly I myself can't remember!

UPDATES - 14.05.2011
Kinda watching this series again and so many guest stars! Anyway Chau Heung has zero personality in this series eventhough in the usual stories, she is the maid with the sassiest attitude. What does Bak Fu see in her? I can't believe Fala Chen as the princess stole the scenes whenever she was in it! I mean this series is silly but with her in it, it was cute and sad and funny and so many emotions. Myolie was like a bystander with a really good seat.

PREVIOUSLY POSTED ON 06.05.2011

I am sort of watching In The Eye Of The Beholder, that one with Moses Chan as Tong Bak Fu, Chris Lai as the emperor, Myolie Wu as Chau Heung and Elaine Yiu as the obligatory best friend of our heroine, a role she seems to have been typecast in. And somewhere along the way there's Fala.

Anyway I watched episode 1 and was so surprised to see Wayne Lai in a funny guest starring role. I wished he was Bak Fu.

Frankly this series has the story but the way the direction and casting goes, this series just seem keen to kill itself of any credibility. It feels so silly but in a very very forced way. I feel Moses is well cast EXCEPT in reality he doesn't seem to pay any attention to his role. His comedic moments were forced, very unlike him where he is at his most natural at slapstick or silly looks/speeches but in here I felt like he was forcing himself to sound funny whilst his expression remains the same throughout. He gives new meaning to deadpan, and I emphasise on DEAD.

Myolie Wu was a total and utter miscast. First of she is such a tall big girl, I didn't find her having grace nor that sort of classic beauty. She shares zero chemistry with Moses but most important of all, she looks too modern even if her costume and hair looks very nice. I don't see her as Chau Heung. I just see her as someone but Chau Heung. She should have switched role with Fala. But a better cast would be better, for me Chau Heung is beautiful, fiercely intelligent and somewhat graceful for a maid. I find Myolie lacking in the beautiful in classic sense and graceful part.

Johnson Li is someone I look forward to watching but he just doesn't seem to move beyond 1 expression. Har Yu is annoying with his constant giggle and laughter. It just felt like Moonlight Resonance at times. And worst of all, the camera would zip back and forth with silly sounds since this is a comedy and a slapstick comedy but it just spoils everything. I wished it was a proper drama without the slapstick; it would have been a better series.

As for Chris Lai, he looked the part of a young somewhat arrogant and misunderstood emperor until he started talking. It just felt wrong.

However the costumes were fantastic.

What a pity and what a mess. Anyway hoping the series at least gets better but now that Chau Heung and Bak Fu are together, what next? Oh plenty, you can rely on TVB to stretch a short story into Water Margin sort of storytelling minus the epic element.

P/S: I see Griselda Yeung in the cast list! Finally can see Tavia's sister in action!

A change of slogan

2011-05-22T01:50:00.000-07:00

I can understand why Kentucky Fried Chicken became KFC. After all, Kentucky Fried Chicken is such a mouthful. However almost all I know will say "Wanna eat Kentucky or not?" and not "Wanna eat KFC or not?" although most do say "Wanna go to KFC or not?".

What I don't understand is why change Finger Lickin' Good to SO GOOD? SO GOOD reminds me of a Chinese culinary program and it is such a bland slogan. Is it because of hygiene? Can no longer lick your fingers?!

"Problem" girl

2011-05-20T01:37:00.000-07:00

Why is it that when people are stressed they either gain or lose weight and when I am stressed my weight is stagnant? When people are sad they eat more whilst me being a natural worrier, I eat less but compensate for all that loss of food when I am in a good mood because I just fill the table with food?

And did you know Malaysia has some Digi awards for bloggers?! Could never see myself even being nominated! So why is it some bloggers claim to earn so much from blogging whilst I, have to PAY to blog?

Anyway as you all know I am going to Japan in August, quite possibly the hottest then and frankly feeling rather nervous about a whole lot of things. People go holiday they relax, I go holiday I stress myself till no end.

I don't even know the point of this post.

Why so confusing?!

2011-05-18T08:15:00.000-07:00

Here I am fretting about contact lenses. I never knew contact lenses can be so darn confusing, expensive (well I know it is expensive but never knew SO expensive) and so difficult to decide. I mean I am so confused! Do I need contact lenses? Yes, because I hate squinting and I sweat so glasses is troubling me. Will I wear contact lenses every day? Probably not. I have dry eyes. Must I have contact lenses? Not really, more for like you know the idea of coloured contact lenses which is expensive. Frankly why do I need contact lenses? Travel purposes, so that I don't need to depend on my glasses.

So now what? Daily change? Once every 30 days? Coloured? No coloured? Add in ermmm not sure what's the term but with something like "light exposure" more expensive than no "light exposure" but the point is to see clearly. Since I rarely use, maybe buy every change option?

How? HOW?! So confused and all that over contact lenses!! I am a cheapskate so I guess I will go with no colour/tint. I like grey though.