Cell Phone Withdrawal

I went to work yesterday without my cell phone. Of course, I thought I had it in my bag the whole time until when I was about to leave my office that I realized it was no where to be found. I thought it was in my car and even went back to my office again to look for it again after I left. My mind began to track back where I had been the whole day, and I wasn't sure if I had left it at the Taj Mahal where I had lunch. I had already planned on meeting Will and Naeem for dinner and a movie later, so I didn't have time to go home to look for my phone. The whole time I felt really uneasy because I was worried that plans might have been changed, and I was not informed. I was worried that Eric might call to let me know he's going to join us and couldn't get ahold of me. My mind was just wandering in all directions that things might have changed and I was the last one to know about it. I was the same guy, whom a few years ago thought I really don't have the use of a mobile phone. The reason that I got it is that it just looked cool to have a cell phone as an accessory for your ensemble. Who would know that I would become addicted to my phone, that I have lost all trusts in my friends, that any appointments that we made verbally or through e-mail can be easily vetoed by just a phone call. My phone may very well not ring at all, but by just having it on me makes me feel like I'm secured and I have the right to be running a few minutes late, or change my mind on a restaurant or movie time... I was glad to see my phone sitting there at home when I first walked in after the movie. There was five unanswered calls: one from Eric telling me about his evening plan; one from Will asking if the restaurant was the right one because he was the only one on time; one from Jeff asking me last minute if I would like to join their trip to St Louis for the weekend; and two other calls from me tracking down my phone. Well, I guess I am not the only one who depend on my cell phone to make last minute plans or changes. I did get a few calls while my phone is sitting in my house. Almost all my friends has cell phones nowadays, and I bet almost all of them feel the same way if they leave home without their phones.

Queer Eye Gone Queerer

I frowned when I first saw the promo for "Queer Eye for the Straight Girl," but I thought I'll hold my judgment until at least after I watch an episode. True enough, this supposedly sister show hosted by the "Gal Pals" was just too hard for me to swallow. The whole concept of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guys" is to allow gay men who are (generally speaking) more in tuned with their feminine side to teach straight men a few tips to achieve the balance of their yin and yang. Women in general find gay men attractive because of their sensitivity to their feminine side. Metrosexual is IN and that's why the show is popular. Men want to learn a few tips to win women's hearts and women want to believe that their men can be buffed and polished into the Metro they've been dreaming of. As for "Girl", what is the point of the show? If it's just a make-over show, why bother making it into a Queer Eye spin-off. Isn't all male stylists and pros of every make-over show queer anyway? No offense, but isn't it totally queer to ask a lesbian about tips on how to be a lady?! Well, believe me. Her title is " Honey, the Lady"! Apparently her full name is Honey Labrador. What's with that? A pet name? I don't care if she modeled before in her past life or conditions her hair every time she shampoos. She was all giddy as soon as she put on a tool belt and had a power tool in her hands in the first episode. Maybe the other Gal Pals should seek advise from her on how to be a butch construction worker. So, what's the appeal of this show? Will straight men want to see any show that has less than two lesbians in it? Will straight girls be excited over learning the exfoliating tips from a lesbian, who's know as "The Lady"? Will gay men want to see a Cinderella story without the bitchy stepmother? And most of all, will the lesbians want to see a show that obviously added a token lesbian just so Bravo can broaden its viewership? Or, perhaps they're trying to be inclusive. I wonder what's next.

My Time Capsule

This was my first car.
My parents got me a used 1969 Fiat 850 as soon as I got my driver's license when I turned 18. I had it painted a bright school bus yellow just to make a loud statement since it was almost as old as I am. My school mates all nicknamed it -- "Porsche".
I had many memorable times, not so much on the performance of the car but the experience of riding with many friends in the short few years that I owned it. The stories and gossips that we exchanged, the fights between friends, and the crazy "big squeeze" of 11 guys to avoid walking in the rain between school buildings, the rides of my teacher because he's too afraid to drive, ran out of gas on the road that cut across a cemetery, broke down halfway in the middle of rush hour traffic, smoke came out from the engine due to over heating while climbing up a steep hill, my sister got stuck somewhere because she could not figure out how to put the gear into reverse... the stories go on and on. In a way, even though it is a funny looking old car, it is a time capsule that instantly transports me back to my wonderful teenage years. I miss my first car.

My Big Fat Blog

I've created another blog called "My Big Fat Blog" so I can keep track of the progress of my resolution for this year, to lose weight and look fabulous by this summer in time for my trip home to Malaysia. The blog is mainly for my own record so I can refer back to my goal if I ever go off course. Perhaps this will boost my motivation if I feel like I'm being "watched", even though I really don't think anyone is going to see the blog.

Welcome 2005

It has been a rather somber holiday week between Christmas and New Year. Having growing up in South East Asia, it is very hard for me to see such a disastrous event that swept away so many lives and left behind the unspeakable griefs for the survivors. It is hard to even greet people Happy New Year when there are millions of people who are homeless and have lost their love ones taken by the tsunami. I lit a candle for world peace as I welcome the new year. I wished that those who survived will have the strength to move on. This morning when I walked into my kitchen, I noticed that the first bud of my white orchid has bloomed. I took it as a sign of hope, a sign of new life, and that life goes on.

A Picture Perfect Afternoon

Since there will be quite a few friends traveling during the holiday season, we've decided to celebrate it earlier this year. Naeem, Will, John Sims, Suba, Eric and I went to the recently opened restaurant on the Plaza -- Brio -- to have lunch. After the wonderful meal, we all went to Will's place to exchange gifts and for some hot cocoa and dessert. The cake was scrumptious and the gifts were fabulous. The best part of this gathering was the time being together, and the thoughts we had for each other especially during the holiday season. It just warmed my heart to be in the same room with my close friends. Will has a gorgeous apartment. It is so nicely decorated that it seems like an instant set for a photo shoot. There were an art director, a graphic designer and a photo stylist in the group, so needless to say, the afternoon had turned into a photo session. However, the pictures above were taken spontaneously, without any art direction or extra styling. Somehow, without trying, the palette and the visual elements just turned into a Burberryesque picture. So, I just had fun with it!

O Tanenbaum, O Tanenbaum

To all the readers of my blog, Happy Holidays to all of you.

As the Yuletide season is fast approaching, I was debating whether or not to have a tree this year. I had a terrible experience once with a fresh tree and that had shied me away from the idea for years. Somehow, I revisited it again this year, perhaps just to entertain myself since my brother will be spending the holidays with my family in Malaysia; my best friend, Suba, will be in Montreal to celebrate her nephew's first birthday; and my boyfriend is perhaps going to visit his relatives in Colorado. That leaves me alone, all by myself. So, I've made up my mind to bring back the tree this year. A small and much manageble one. Here's the outcome of a fun filled crafty afternoon. I had been shopping for the ornaments for the past few evenings but had no luck finding the right size tree. After much running around town and calling a few places, I finally got the right one from a florist. This tree is a 4 foot Cedar Top, sparsely decorated with only 25 one-inch frosted globe lights, different sizes and shapes of glass ornaments, many shimmering icicles, and lime green & cream ribbons. The whole tree stands in a silver ice bucket with reindeer handles. I love the fact that it is unconventional, yet it has a touch of retro -- simple, monochromatic yet elegant. But most of all, I love it because it will be here with me this Christmas.

Bravo, HMC!

Heartland Men's Chorus has done it again! Last night's holiday concert, With Bells On, was simply outstanding! Being part of the chorus, I was extremely proud of how high the level of their performance was. After GALA 2004 in Montreal, Canada, I decided to take a much needed break. I was glad that it allowed me to sit back and enjoy the full effects of the performance from the audience point of view. From the set design to the choralography, everything came together in perfect harmony. (No pun intended.) The balance of the religious and secular holiday songs, the juxtaposition of the serious and funny selections, and the contrast between the traditional and non-traditional pieces were meticulously crafted. I am not a music critic by any means but I know how to appreciate a stunning concert. Last nights performance was a total audio and visual treat for the audience and an emotional ride that pushed all the viewers' right buttons at the right moment. It was so hard for me to even pick a favorite piece because the performance came together so well as a complete concert. All the songs complimented each other and made every individual one unique. However, if I have to pick one, the Silent Night, Holy Night selection was by far the most powerful of all, something I've never seen or heard before. Just when you thought how many Silent NIghts can a chorus sing after 19 years of Holiday concerts, they totally surprised the audience by singing it in sign language. After the first verse, the chorus repeated the same verse. This time, in total silence. They continue signing, but no music nor singing. They sang in "silence". The audience just held their breath, awed by the haunting simulated "new" experience of being deaf and how we often take all our senses for granted. Some of us were moved to tears. Congratulations to the Chorus for all the hard-work and such a superb performance. Bravo! I can't wait to go back and sing with you guy for the next concert.

Wreath Sold

I'm glad that the wreath was sold before the end of the auction. It went for $100. The turn out was good so the store was packed. I wonder if the sale would have been better if they didn't look so blend-in with everything else at the Restoration Hardware. There was a little mix up in the beginning on the identity of my wreath. I had seperately brought in the wreath and the card which had the sponsor's name and a little dedication message. I told the person who took the card from me to attach it to the wreath that's made out of candy. She did, but to a different wreath that had fake candy ornaments over an evergreen wreath. Luckily, as I was browsing around, I stumbled upon it and saw that the card was on the wrong wreath! So I took it and stuck it on mine. A client of mine and his wife were there when I pulled the card off and he said, "I was thinking, I don't think Michael's work is this traditional."

Hope Sweet Hope

Thursday, December 2nd is Holidays By Design, organized by DIFFA/KC (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS). There will be a silent auction of about a hundred one-of-a-kind holiday wreaths designed and sponsored by various firms in the design industry, at the Restoration Hardware on the Plaza from 5:30pm - 9pm. Here's the wreath I created, sponsored by TakeTwo. It is made out of almost 5 pounds of candies, and hung over a frosted mirror. Entitled "Hope Sweet Hope", it is dedicated to all the 2.2 million children with AIDS in the world this holiday season. To whoever won the bid on this wreath, THANK YOU!
Let's not forget that December 1st is World AIDS Day. Let us ask ourselves, have I done anything to help fight this disease?

Stylish Buddha

This one came from Suba this morning. She took this picture of the statue in her garden. Looks like mink is back this season. This time with a full ensemble of high collar coat and furry hat. It is simply divine!

Still Snowing...

A total of 4 inches of snow is already on the ground at around 8am, and we're still getting more. This is taken from the entrance to my house, looking out to the street at my big tree. The snow is wet and heavy. I talked to Suba over the phone this morning and apparently, she had already gotten an e-mail invitation to go to a snowball fight! (I bet this type of snow is best for making snowball.) That's insane! I'm going back to bed.

First (Thunder)snow of the Season

This year's weather has been rather strange. I think we had the most the-weather-is-so-beautiful-I-wish-I-could-take-the-rest-of-the-day-off days this year. Very mild spring. Comfortable summer. And gorgeous and stretched out autumn. The foliage has never been so vibrant. Just last week, we had a balmy near 70 day in mid November! Of course, mother nature decided to surpise us with an early snow right before Thanksgiving. It was just rain earlier, but now the sound of rain is gone, and rain has totally changed into big white flakes. (Wow, I just heard the rumbling sound of thunder!) I think the snow and thunder combination is a rare phenomenon. Looks like the ground is not cold enough for any accumulation, but the grassy area has been blanketed already with snow. It is always fun to wake up in the morning and not knowing what to expect outside the window. It is even doubly fun, if you don't have to go to work that morning. Hurray!

Priceless Juxtaposition

While I was shopping at Costco today, I came across something rather amusing. As usual, I took my regular route, sweeping the big aisle anti-clockwise, and never fail to stop at the big stacks of DVDs. As I was scanning through the titles to see what's new and what's cheap, I found Showtime's female version of Queer As Folk, the first season of "The L Word". And there in front of my eyes, underneath the pink and the oh-so-lipstick boxsets, were the discs of "The Passion of the Christ!" Was it a coincident, or perhaps a joke?
I was glad that I had my newly acquired spy-cam (code name 007) handy, and got a shot of this funny picture. I guess, this is perhaps a simple illustration of the fact that, even though we're living in the middle of the "red state", there is still some "pink" among us. And they're not afraid to be on top.

Fanta Girls Video

This is the highlight video of the Fantanas at the 2004 TakeTwo Halloween party. Weren't they look fabulous? I'm sure Edna Mode would agree. They were all so giddy because of all the attentions they got from the fans and Paparazzi, especially Kiki. She did a Crouching Tiger move as she was getting off the stage which took the girls by surprise. (Notice how everyone stayed in character even during the moment of crisis. As long as thier wigs were on.)

Edna Mode, Dahling!

I thoroughly enjoyed the Incredibles, the new Pixar animation that opened last weekend, I saw it twice on the same day. Just like the rest of the Pixar creations, the movie has both great visuals and amazing story. This is the first time we get to see human characters play the lead roles, and they are absolutely fantastic and believable. One the characters that tickles me the most is Edna Mode, the 3'8" superhero fashion consultant. (Brilliantly voiced by the director, Brad Bird himself!) There is a list of names out there that most critics suggest the character was based upon. The most mentioned is Hollywood's legendary costume designer, Edith Head. (Left) However, I think Edna reminds me of the fashion editor, Regina Krumm, in Pret-a-Porte , played by Linda Hunt. (Right) And I'm sure those over-sized glasses are from the late fashionista Carrie Donovan. Who else, Dahling. Edna's character is further enhanced by her fabulous mid-century modern inspired futuristic home that's filled with sleek minimal furniture. I wonder how she cooks, since she's shorter than her kitchen counter top.

Class of 74

Was Fanta big in the 70s?

More Fantanas

The Real Deal

Here's the real girls in case you don't know who the heck are the
Fantanas. I think we have better legs.