Culturally Preconditioned

I may be a few weeks too late for a “2005 In Review” review, but I blame the shitting real life stuff that has been going on for the past few weeks. But before I start, I guess I owe you folks some explanation on my last outburst (ie. Getting your political bullshit out of my blog). Apparently I was spammed with a lot of anti-government messages which I didn’t care for. I may be for or against the local government policies, but I sure as hell have no desire to discuss them on my blog. I might, just for the sake of it, re-post those spam messages later� just to show you how ignorant people can be. SAY NO TO POLITICAL BULLSHIT. As much as I respect him and his site, I have to say this ain’t no jeffooi.com. I’m not interested.

Okay.. instead of doing a full 2005 In Review, I’ll do a Top Ten highlights of 2005.

Cats � 2005 was the year I really became a cat-person. I adopted OJ from my cousin on New Years Day and I’m just surprised it took me this long to finally get a cat on my own. I guess I didn’t have one back at home because of some allergies among family members. Oh, and also, the 3rd room at my apartment is finally empty after the RoommateFromHell got married and left. So, I guess I got tired of living with new unfamiliar strangers, so I decided to pay the rent for that room, specifically for my (then) little OJ. I adopted KC on 31st August. Getting the two to be friends was a major hurdle but the satisfaction of seeing the two finally being able to groom each other makes it all worth it. I’m planning to get a third cat but probably not anytime soon. Well, possibly when I move into my own place two years from now. I know they say love knows no pedigree, but I have my eyes on a blue British Shorthair.

Survivor � 2005 was the year Survivor turned to shite for Malaysian viewers. It started out with ntv7 failing to show the final 2 episodes of Survivor Vanuatu. Then they simply did not show Survivor Palau at all (which is a shame since Palau had many many highlights). Then when they started showing Survivor Guatemala, they didn’t stick to a proper timeline. Once again, I just have to say Thank God for torrents, and a big FUCK YOU to ntv7. Still, despite everything I personally think Survivor has not lost it’s touch. Ironically enough, the one season that don’t get shown on tv, was the first season (since 2000) that I actually finally found a spoiler. An actual survivor spoiler. Me. I managed to spoil Ashlee as the second boot from Survivor Palau. And that’s my biggest Survivor achievement to date. It sounds kinda sad to a non-Survivor fan, but I’m goddamn proud of it. And Fuck You ntv7. Again.

Rent (musical/movie) � 2005 was the year I got to see Rent again in theater since 1999. What can I say, Rent changed my life. Well, not really, but the storyline and the music is so powerful, that it’s hard for me not to be personally affected by it. And I also came to realize the reason why I will never ever get to play Rent on stage (even if I was miraculously given the gift of singing and dancing), and that is, I never ever ever fail to break down during the show. Such power. Such drama. 2005 was also the year I found out Rent was finally going to be made into a movie. I saw a bootleg version of the movie and despite what the critics say, it IS almost as good as the play. So screw you critics (and ntv7 too).

Book/Nanowrimo - I have come to the conclusion that as long as Aidilfitri falls in November, I will never ever ever achieve the objective of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) - 50,000 words within 30 days. Writing 50,000 words is not that easy. The only motivation that I can think of of ever reaching that goal is pretending I’m getting Carrie Bradshaw’s wage of $4 per word. YOWZA! I used to get $15 per page (and that’s using Arial font 7 point with single spacing, mind you). But money’s not the real drive behind my wanting to write. It’s self satisfaction. I know it sounds corny, but it’s true. I was paid a flat fee (almost negligible really) for my first published short story. The money was a non-issue. Getting published just gives me a natural high. And good news for me, my editor informed me in November that my short story has been shortlisted and will be published in Spring of 2006. The story’s called “Nothing Is What It Seems” and will be published in an anthology called “Letters To My Teacher”

iPod/Podcasts - you know all the great things they say about iPods? Well, it’s all true baby. It’s the only thing that have actually lived up to its hype. I got this magnificent gadget in March to drown out my colleague’s incessant yapping in the office. Anyway, I got a blue 6Gb mini iPod (which was quickly replaced by the one with the colour screen, and later the iPod nano) and it hasn’t failed me once. Well, just once when the click-wheel was indented but that was quickly rectified by the Apple Center. I am in love with my iPod. I honestly don’t know what I would do without it. And speaking of iPods, podcasts are one of the best things that you can get on your pod, especially during those long, boring train rides to work in the morning and the evening). It’s fun to have your favourite ‘radio show’ stored in your pod, and you have the flexibity of when you want to listen to it, and I have found three GREAT iPods during this past year, Ragan Fox’s Sex And The City, The Guardian’s The Ricky Gervais Show and Hawaaiiup’s The Transmission of LOST

Food - Food glorious food. 2005 was the year I finally (i) perfected the art of making french fries (thick cut russet potatoes double fried to get soft fluffly texture on the inside and crispy on the outside) (ii) learned how to make puff pastry from scratch (and personally, I think this is the biggest bitch one could possibly learn in culinary school) and (iii) perfected my lasagna. I’ve made lasagnas since 1996 but I finally got the exact right recipe which is good enough to make you wanna ask for seconds. Yes, I may sound arrogant, but lasagnas have always been my claim to fame (if you don’t believe me, read the footnote in my first book). 2005 was also the year I discovered food blogs (my favourite being Boolicious’ makan-makan blog), which not only reviews food outlets, but also tells you where to get hard to find ingredients (ie. mmm vanilla pods mmm). New places to eat in 2005 : Italianese at One Utama’s new wing (from the same company that brought you TGI Friday’s, the home made pasta are awesome and portions are very generous), Tarbush at KLCC’s Signature food court (a middle eastern outlet - you have to try the briyani with the two huge meatballs), Yoshinoya (I know I’m about 2 years late, but I just discovered the beef bowl, and it is just to die for. Almost as good as the one at Saisaki), King Pie (a new franchise from South Africa that sells traditional pies. They actually use real meat in the Pepper Steak pie, which is a rarity. It’s a shame they don’t carry out my two most favourite pies in the world : Mushroom and Poppy Seeds, and Cheese and Onion. Whatever you do, stay away from the mutton curry pie - it’s disgusting)

Music - What can I say. 2005 is not a great year for music. I’ve been bitching about how R&B have been too heavily focused on the airwaves since the late 90s, and I don’t see the trend changing anytime soon. The only good thing, in my opinion, to come out in 2005 was Kelly Clarkson’s Breakaway. I have never been a fan of the American Idol, but Breakaway really is an exceptional album. I’m glad to see her ‘break away’ from the Idol mould. Madonna’s COnfessions On The Dance Floor, on the other hand, is the most overrated shite of 2005. Sure it’s got some catchy tunes, but does it live up to its hype? Hell no. And that’s coming from a fan. And I’m kinda surprised I only discovered Travis’ Love Will Come Through just last year. I still wonder how gems like this never come through our waves, instead of the usual bullcrap that is Coldplay.

TV - When did we first get Lost and Desperate Housewives? 2005, no? I can’t remember, but those two shows single-handedly restored my faith in scripted television (aside from all of HBO’s dramas - Oz, Sex and The City, Carnivale, Six Feet Under.. which are all Awesome with a capital A). Anyway, I live and breathe Lost now (I’m up to episode 11 of the second season), and believe you me, it only gets better. Other than that, we are getting an overdose of reality shits on tv, which I won’t even go into. I really wish they would ban all reality shows except for Survivor, American Idol, and The Amazing Race. Other cheap rip-off wannabes should be cancelled pronto.

Movies - Any good movies in 2005? Well, aside from Rent (yeah, yeah I know), I have to say the best movie I’ve seen this year is Batman Begins. It’s unusual for me to give such good praise for a blockbuster movie, but the movie is really that good. Other movies that deserves mention include Sin City, the hugely underrated The Skeleton Key, and Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride. We also saw lots of good local movies last year, most noticably by moi - Gol and Gincu. I’m still waiting for the day a certain ‘Professor’ to announce his resignation. That’ll be the day.

15th - I now have a total of 15 nephews and nieces, which means I’ll be a poor poor man when it comes to Raya. With my luck, I’ll probably get more by the end of the year. Yay me?