The objective is to chill.
Well, a balance of ‘chilling’ and work. I have returned to reading my books at a pace where I can do it while things render.
I probably could try knitting too but reading at least gives me some imagination budget too for my own stuff.
Anyway Traitor’s Kiss by Erin Beaty is exciting, lots of misunderstandings, espionage and observation. In all, I enjoyed it. It reminds me of young adult fantasy books by Tamora Pierce and I do like those kinds of books.
Hey remember that I joined Bastion in the early part of the year? It’s Historical European Martial Arts aka HEMA and yes, it’s sword fighting fun.
I graduated basics too then I CONTINUED because it’s fun.
The next basics intake is from 23rd to 30 June 2019! An introduction is just $10 to see if you’d like it and you can join at their website here.
I improved since the basics class just a bit since I don’t stall too long after the first two moves.
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My current class is about the sword and buckler and really. It’s a lot of trying to increase arm strength so I can hold the buckler for longer periods of time.
My favourite move so far in the class is the shield grab though.
Technically I think the current favourite moves I like so far have to do with grabbing swords or the shield!
Anyway, this is me jio-ing you guys in case you say I never jio to try this out. Remember to check the dates since classes begin in 12 week cycles for each ‘course’.
If you miss the beginning you might have to wait for the next round. Also if you guys do sign up for basics, FEEL FREE TO CHALLENGE ME for a spar when you ‘graduate’ at the end of 12 weeks.
Hi everyone, I’m back!
I’ve been busy at work and other stuff but now I AM BACK. It’s the return of Monday posts of whatever I like. Meanwhile, advanced selamat hari raya to you guys since it’s in a few days.
I hope it has been a good month for you.
On that note, I’m actually excited this year, we have 3!
3 actual short film/ads in Singapore for hari raya.
FYI, as a minority in Singapore, budget is usually not used for corporates for BIG short film / ads for the festivities.
They will do it but you’ll notice it’s all clear cut ads in the SG way of “Tada this item is available, buy it”. This is a ‘problem’ for SG clients anyway, they like straight cut stuff and don’t have enough budget for long messages.
ANYWHO. FINALLY SOMEONE HAS THE BIG BUCKS to spend on productions and it’s… ok lah it’s the government.
The first one is “Sunyi” for Zakat SG.
It’s about where the zakat money goes or how it helps an individual too.
Starring cik Nurijah Sahat and the song is by Amni Musfirah and Irena Taib. Produced by: Be Sweet , Director/Producer: Khidhir Kassim Writer: Zaidani
Cik Nurijah Sahat really can act so well in this and it’s touching being “on her own” WHILE SET ON JUST the background music to bring the emotions out.
The second is Kinship for Public Utilities Board (PUB).
I know casting is by the Hello Group and this whole production is by Freeflow Productions.
But like thanks. Thanks my dudes. We wasted water by crying instead.
I am actually happy that PUB decided to do this for HARI RAYA. It’s like you guys, thanksss you could have gone with a generic National Day short film for marketing budget but went with HARI RAYA and that’s really touching??
It means there’s a chance other gov bodies might do something for Deepavali too besides the usual Chinese New Year?
ALSO, for those who want a part 2. As a production person, I doubt this is possible for them to suddenly make a part 2 unless it has already been planned due to:
So yeah, if there was no part 2 planned, I don’t see it happening so soon. Also, it’s “traditional” if you watch hari raya stuff in Singapore and Malaysia, there’s always sad endings somehow.
Or at least a hope. You don’t need to see happy endings but think about it instead.
SUCK IT UP, NOW YOU GET TO WATCH THE SADNESS OF ENDINGS OF HARI RAYA TYPE MOVIES NOW.
And the third video is Hari Raya with #HafandHaf for Gov.sg.
Hafandhaf produced by Papahan Films. This is a STAR STUDDED CAST. You can see there’s so many of them too. The locations and acting and all.
It’s basically a story about the typical question at every year/occasion if you’re single.
With a heavy dose of FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
I can see they tried to balance this with:
So what do you think of this? I think it’s a good try on government side since they always want to go for in your face things because they’re scared people won’t understand messages until it’s super basic.
Production for it is awesome though, you can see it!
BONUS:
It’s a Hirzi video! AND AN ACTUAL ONE about hari raya with a message at the end. Go read more General Papers and newspapers if you don’t get what he’s saying.
ALSO, while we don’t have one full corporate short film/ad by ONE client. THIS ONE you can see is by a few and is for one MUSIC VIDEO.
Lots of dancers/cast and a lot of heart. I actually like the song too because it’s funkyyy. I may have also joined the #MollyVogueEid challenge…
So what do you think?
Do you think Singapore will have more short film ads like how they do it in Malaysia? Not just for Hari Raya but for all other occasions too. I look forward to it if so.
And maybe one day I could make my own hari raya short film ad if there’s a budget. I always like watching the ones from Malaysia.
EDIT 3 June:
A LAST MINUTE ADDITION BY MCCY!
One of my favourite ‘makciks’ who tend to do side roles, Zinab is leading this!’
AND SITI KHALIJAH? Rapper is Omar Kenobi and percussions are by Sambiesta and Riduan Zalani.
Also yah, tell your parents how many people exactly are going to be your guests.
EDIT 3 June, 9.54pm:
People’s Association did their own video! It may not look as woah in terms of production as the rest but they have a short story and tells the message of the actual clothes collection for people who can’t afford it.
Ok guys, you can read all the other geek sites to know how the stars Brie Larson, Gemma Chan and Samuel L Jackson fared in Singapore during the fan event. This is your aftermath post because we really want to say that wow, IT WAS GOOD.
Firstly I just want to thank the organizing staff (both Disney & MBS and whoever the ‘official’ people are), the volunteers, the security and crew because woah. It really IS good?
NOT TO FORGET THE HOSTS NIKKI MULLER AND BOBBY TONELLI. Oh mein Gott, thank you for them being the hosts.
Ok, with that said, there are minor details that can be improved on but since people do ask me what happens at these fan events, let’s do a recap for everyone.
EDIT: In case the SGIFF is down due to too many people going in, you can buy your tickets here:Â https://www.sistic.com.sg/events/csgiff2018
The cast of Sepet will be in Singapore!
Get your ticket for the screening here:Â https://sgiff.com/browse-all-films/sepet/
Basic ticket is $12 (excluding booking fees).
It’s been at least 14 years since this movie premiered but it has so much feels.
Catch the screening on 2 DEC 2018, SUN on 2:00 PM at the NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE.
Sharifah Amani and Ng Choo Seong will be at this screening including Yasmin Ahmad’s sister, Orked.
There will be a Q&A session after the screening.
They will also be selling a limited number of merchandise and yeah this is the only time you can get it autographed by them. The only other way to get these books and stuff is to go to Ipoh and it’s not guaranteed that you can find all the cast and stuff again.
If you don’t know what’s the story of Sepet… well, please come watch. I don’t want to spoil you even after 14 years.
For something more contemporary, check out Crossroads: One Two Jaga
The director Nam Ron and his producer will be both introducing the film and doing a Q&A after the screening. This movie is pretty much telling the issues that we face now and I think it’s getting on Netflix too? At least from what I heard.
Get your ticket for Crossroads: One Two Jaga at https://sgiff.com/browse-all-films/crossroads-one-two-jaga/
It’s on at 4 DEC 2018, TUE on 9:30 PM at NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE.
If you guys are coming by to watch them, come by to say hi to me. Especially on the first one, I think I’ll be carrying a bag to carry the books home…
Axe Factor is Singapore’s first axe throwing range. Yeah, so if you were gonna google for axe throwing Singapore, this will be the only place with a range as of time of this post.
How was it?
Well, you can book your slot online on their website and pay a deposit of half of how many people are attending it.
Unfortunately for me but fortunately for those north/west siders, Axe Factor is at The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Road unit #01-32A/B and 34A/B, Singapore 287994.
It’s the one facing outside, not the block with the food shops and supermarket.
The main Lazada sale starts on 9.9!
However there will be 99 surprise boxes costing at $29 or $49 (worth $100) and will only be sold between 6 – 9 September.
I have a preview of what the Lazada Surprise box curated by Leapfrog has. This box costs $29 and the items confirmed have gone past the $29 mark.
This time the box isn’t too large for all the items. Just nice to have all the items in packed snugly.
Continue reading 9.9 Lazada Surprise Box! It’s back for 9 September
The World’s Loneliest Bookstore by BooksActually in collaboration with D/SINI is held until 19 August 2018.
So you guys reading this still have time to visit it this coming weekend!
The plot of this is:
A freak solar flare on a magnitude nobody has experienced before has wrecked the Earth’s natural environment, causing volcanic eruptions and devastating oceanic activity. Infrastructure all around the world collapsed as a result and many lost their lives to the freak disaster. The world’s population was somehow reduced to its bare minimum following the end of the devastation. Only 4,169 people remain around the globe, just enough to repopulate Earth.
Following the disaster, only one woman remains in Singapore. With the 20 books she has scavenged, she has decided to set up what probably is the last remaining bookstore on earth. The rest of the bookstore is outfitted with other scavenged bits: a few paintings, an old television, a spare radio that is constantly trying to reach somebody else out there, and other bits and bobs. Everyday she waits for someone, anyone, to reach her bookstore while she finds solace in what she has. Thus begins The World’s Loneliest Bookstore.
So head on to block 7 of Gillman Barracks, 7 Lock Road, Singapore 108935. It opens from 11am to 7pm daily until the 19th of August.
I went there on national day because that was finally an open day for me to check it out.
The most “Huh, I didn’t think that would happen but I guess it’s likely” is a karaoke booth. I don’t know if it is meant to be there but it should be? But it really gives that whole if it’s a post apocalyptic world, I guess a karaoke booth would be entertainment to just sing in.
You can look around an experience yourself and even take a key from a tray.
So far that I know this is a real block and it faces towards east coast beach. If at the end of the world and you could choose pretty much any house in Singapore since there’s no one else, I would try to choose this one.
There are other addresses which are technically near my current home too.
And cats.
There’s so many cats around.
Which makes sense since we have so many community cats about.
Come sit with them.
Also did I buy anything from the world’s loneliest bookstore?
I got Rachel Heng’s Suicide Club.
Head on to Gillman Barracks before it all ends for this pretty surreal and chill experience. Also since you’re there, you probably can take influenza styled photos at the pink pineapple nearby.
Ps. Of course I tried the karaoke booth.
Pps. I went to BooksActually at Tiong Bahru to get that brick since it was an open day for me so I explored. This is part of their shophouse fund. You can get one too.
9 August is Singapore’s National Day.
Every year I try to do a video for National Day and I get too busy somehow. This year I cameo-ed in one of the funnest shoots I’ve been in (so far).
The dancers and people involved are all fans and volunteers and I was just AMAZED because under Hirzi’s direction everyone did as told and just…Â did it.
It was a lot of coordination and I’m seriously impressed with the dancers.
One day, one day I can dance a fraction like that maybe.
Oh yeah, that is indeed my money gun. Best nonsense investment for many of my videos.
The whole shoot took one day and if you really want to be in his videos, do check his instagram out.
I’m still hoping for a comeback of Munah and Hirzi eventually but this is really up to their own schedules anyway.
ALSO. As usual, there will be the commentary on the National Day Parade, online. I shall hope to see what is up for this year’s show since the creative director is Boo Junfeng.
The Journaling Festival by Cityluxe at Millenia Walk ends on 5 August. You can check out the various activities like MT Tape aka washi tape badge making, rubber stamp “trading” and workshops on bullet journaling at their programme on their website.
It’s a “small” festival but packed with very evil items to those who like writing, journaling, sketchbooking etc because OH MY GOODNESS.
The stationery and the tapes and ink and whatnot.
The table at the bottom right is where the presentation or trading of rubber stamping and other workshops are happening there’s also some MT Tape stuff happening on the top left corner too.