Kira-Nemesis of the Stars!

Just before the dawn of the Chinese New Year of the Water rat, Kira strikes! An initial slew of video pictures of famous actresses in compromising positions with Edison Chen surfaced on the Internet. Emperor Entertainment Group immediately announced that they were fakes!

Then Kira did one better. He released more racy pictures and this time there were less doubts all round that the picture could be genuine. The police sprung into action. More than 8 people were arrested for possession of the racy pictures.

To taunt police action, Kira released some 465 pictures; mostly on Gillian (See picture above) and Cecilia. The ones on Joey Yung and Jolin Tsai proved to be fakes! Vincy Yeung's bathing pictures were validated, though.

Netizens readied to pounce on the video of the Edison-Gillian love act but to date, it has not been forthcoming. Kira, however, decided he may for the moment, release more pictures instead.

It all started when Edison foolishly sent his laptop containing those torrid pictures for repairs. The technician initially downloaded the pictures for his own personal use. While at a house function, he showed his friends the pictures and they encouraged him to post it on the internet. With that, careers went careening off the cliff in Hong-Kong and the whole Chinese movie world.

We may likely see the last of Gillian and Cecilia in Hong-Kong movies. But Paris Hilton, Pamela Anderson and Vanessa Anne Hudgens has shown the world that there is life after internet exposure. Gillian and Cecilia should head for the west. No publicity is needed any more as they are now global icons!

Heartsong

A Subtle Confession!

Gillian Chung made her subtle confession today at a special Chinese New Year press conference in Hong-Kong. Without touching on the racy pictures, she said she was naive then and she is now much more mellow.

Gillian is a beautiful face, a star suddenly being eclipsed by events beyond her control. The skeletons in a laptop fell out and buried her future forever. She is at once more famous than she ever bargained for.

And so we bade farewell to this fair, dainty lady and wish her well.

Heartsong

Familiarity,Latent Feelings and Attachment!

The pictures of the beautiful actresses and singers in the buff coming onto the newspapers in Hong-Kong, whether real or doctored, has touched the nerves of many. Were they pixelated to be real-like? Anything is possible in this internet age of IT software.

For stars like the Twins (Gillian Chung and Cecilia) and other hot singers like Joey Yung, this could be really a shameful exposure of their private affairs if the public should believe those pictures. Movie offers will just disappear and you would just have to disappear from the public eye.

A sad affair indeed, even if it is not true.

Familiarity, latent feelings and temporary attachments while acting on a show can bring about lust and then there is no stopping. ..The feelings get the better of you!

It is make-believe becoming real...........

Heartsong

Fear, Greed and Investing

And that is life. You put your money into stocks and mutual funds when you hear your friends and colleagues making it. Was it the fear that you would be left out if you do not get into the game? Was it greed to make as much as possible which spurs you to put money on a particular stock on in mutual funds?

Lately investment banks were making bundles by launching mutual funds with access to foreign markets particularly China. Many ignoramuses have been running to take out their fixed deposits to play this so-called ''cannot lose'' game. To them the China game is a winner. Get in and once you get your expected returns, sell out. As easy as taking candy from a baby!

However, those who made money in the stocks and the mutual funds came in early, sometime in 2006 before the sub-prime melt-down started in July 2007. They have got their money and have run. New lambs are now drawn in. Will they make it or will they be led to the slaughterhouse?

The feng-shui masters believe that the rat, the monkey and the dragons will make it big this year. Others should remain neutral to new investments this year to avoid losses.

Heartsong

The Edison Exposure

Are those torrid pictures on the web fakes ?

If so, then, it is a relief. If not, then many careers in Hong-kong and Taiwan are going down the tube.

But then, that is life, as these stars fell, many new starlets will naturally take their place and the circle of stardom will come again.

It may be a long climb for these newbies but this they must take while the window of opportunity presents itself.

Heartsong

Meeting Jo Yi

We had a Chinese New Meet at my sister's place in OUG. I brought along my sister, Shaline, my son and daughter. Mum could not come;possibly because of arthritic pains. Jimmy and family came by. Alan came with his family too. Met his daughter, Jo Yi - my grand niece for the first time;cherubic and with such beautiful eyes! Gave her an ang-pow!

Lunch - smaller affair of big fat noodles,chicken drumsticks,curry, french beans and soup. This was followed by the usual chatting. Had a talk with brother Jimmy and we talked about the usual things-family affairs. He told me Alan will be promoted soon but his other two sons are at cross-roads in their career paths.

We left my sister's place for home at 2.30 pm.

Good to meet the clan once a year!

Heartsong

Charlie's Private War?

This is another spoof on the American Congress and how they inadvertently financed the CIA war effort by supporting the Mujahideen to oust the Russians from Afghanistan which also finally caused the fall of the Berlin Wall.

A much older, duller Tom Hanks, as if is on a regime of Botox injections, meanders zombie-like throughout the movie listlessly and no-longer-sexy Julia Roberts is no help either to the film with her coy grin and dog squad!

The story may be true on how Congress was hoodwinked by procedural inadequacies to purchase RPGs and other heavy duty ground to air missiles. But who is to tell?

A light-hearted movie, it is only good for those who wants a reprieve away from a busy day. Otherwise, stay at home and have a good sleep.

Heartsong

The Hunting Party

Another movie, poking fun at the CIA using journalists as the players.

A loose yarn spun around three silly journalists as they traveled the back roads of Bosnia in search of the Fox,the man who single-handedly ethnically-cleansed the Muslims from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The protagonists, a down-and-out journalist, Simon Hunt played by Richard Gere and Duck, his former photographer side-kick (Terence Howard) together with a young novice found themselves in various odd situations as they con themselves in pursuit of the Fox. A lot of hits and misses!

Nothing great about this movie. Only one redeeming thing-you can see beautiful Bosnia after the civil war as it is today.

Altogether a dull movie with a feeble plot!

Heartsong

Elizabeth-The Reluctant Virgin Queen

It is the 16th Century.

With Mary, Queen of Scots and her Catholic loyalists plotting to overthrow her and King Philip II waiting for an excuse to invade England with the Armada, the Protestant Queen Elizabeth was indeed vulnerable. Then there are the gender issues. She has also been mocked as a virgin and a queer! The only person she could trust was Francis Walsingham, equivalent to the current day CIA operative.

The grand scenes of the movies included the failed assassination scene in church, the beheading of Mary, the Catholic Queen of Scots, the rallying of the ground forces and the burning of the Spanish Armada.

Watchable fare especially from Cate Blanchett, Samantha Morton and Clive Owens.

Heartsong

The Silly Legend of the Notorious Jesse James

This movie departs from the so-called celebrant and legendary treatment given to cowboy crooks of yesteryears; the likes of Billy the Kid and Jesse James. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward, Robert Ford documents the cold, harsh realities of cowboy bandit life much the same way Clint Eastwood perceived cowboy life in The Unforgiven.

This dog-bite-dog; shoot-in-the back style of the anti-heroes is real. No drama, here. The west was full of cowards those days! In this movie, you can see how Jesse James, in his maniacal fit and fear, intends to annihilate all the members of his gang, one after another, just on plain suspicion and loose talk.

I felt the movie was absolutely verbose and drags. A wee-bit too long. It should have stopped when Jesse was killed. But no! It had to go on further until another silly killing - that of Robert Ford which is the biggest bungle in this silly freeze-dried movie.

Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck in the titular leads, are dull at best. See how they gloat! Cheeky too! Then, there are just too many supporting cast of the gang, to make the movie lose its focus.

This is not a really good movie to recommend unless you want to know the minute details leading to the demise of Jesse. Jesse was just one hard-core opportunist of a bandit and he was shot like a dog.No assassination,here.

Heartsong

Rendition-Another CIA Farce

Another movie as sombre as Syriana and Babel.

Rendition is an euphemism for obtaining information via torture using CIA stations overseas.

The plot is nothing to shout about. Very run of the mill. We have the usual jahidis blowing themselves up and CIA operatives getting killed! Then there is the usual graphic brutal torture scenes showing the rendition process on Muslim suspects.

Reese Witherspoon's, Meryl Streep's and Jake Gyllenhaal's roles in the movie are however, muted and dull.

No great movie,this. Watch it if you got time and money to spare.

Heartsong

Bitterness, Hopelessness and Acceptance

“Away from Her” is based on Alice Munro’s short story “The Bear Came Over theMountain”. It is a love story about a loving couple whose lives were suddenly shattered when Fiona contracts the wretched Alzheimer’s disease.

The pains, trials and tribulations of Gordon Pinsent's Grant Anderson, the husband, was felt in most parts of the film especially his pent-up bitterness at his estranged wife’s relationship with another patient at a care facility and his helplessness to do anything about it.

The film closes when Julie Christie’s Fiona Anderson starts to recall old memories and Grant finds hope and happiness once more.

An exceptionally beautiful movie accompanied by a deeply haunting music and the vast, beautiful, snowy scenery of the Canadian landscape.

Good movie.

Heartsong

One Whirlwind Romance

Chai Looi's second daughter, a marketing executive, will marry Alex, a Pastor on March 2nd.

Just perused their web-page. The web is certainly an interesting way to promote their forthcoming wedding by informing the readers about their romance, the "shell-shocked" wedding proposal and the wondrous journey that they are taking to the blessed altar.

I have informed them that we will be attending their wedding dinner at the Prince Hotel in KL.

Will see them on 2nd March 2008.

Heartsong

Chinese New Year Day 2008

A late night after the eve midnight whisky and walk. So got up,sleepy-headed at almost 10 am. Spent a quiet day at home. The family spent their time glued to the TV set!

Went to the the nearby 7-11 and Shell Station to get a newspaper but managed to get the last copy of the Malay Mail-more a toilet paper but has to do this day! The STAR and NST was completely sold out.

Answered SMS greetings and emails. Phoned Daddy to wished him Happy and Blessed CNY and informed him that I will not be home this year for the celebration but elder brother, Jimmy, youngest sister Iriene and brother Edwin will by home to represent the siblings on the second day.


Also phoned Jimmy, Iriene, Elder Sister and Edwin to wish them the very best of the new year of the rat!

Stayed home and watched some videos to while away the time. Saw Atonement, Rendition, The Hunting Party, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward, Robert Ford. Atonement was a wonderful movie, gripping and suspenseful!

Heartsong

Ushering in the year of the Rat

The spread was enormous by any standards. My sister-in-law has prepared a meal fit for a king! It was steam-boat at its max!

I was introduced to her uncle and aunt. The uncle and aunt were both university lecturers who are fully retired. The uncle was a socio-anthropology lecturer at UKM while his wife was a Chinese language lecturer at Universiti Malaya. We made small conversation and they left early since they are Dubai-bound the next day to visit their daughter, married to a Malay working with Standard-Chartered in Dubai.

After they huge dinner, we walked around Setia-EcoPark as fire-crackers and fireworks loudly rang in the new year of the water rat.

We then dropped by for a midnight drink at Valarie's place for a whisky and some bak kua. After a bout of friendly banter, we left for home.

Reflecting on it, it sure was a special way to bring in the auspicious day!

Heartsong

Pre Chinese New Year Clean-up!

The usual ritual. The usual routine.

All Chinese homes but be spick and span to welcome the new year. Then, we must not forget the cheeky Kitchen God who comes around to do the reporting. So keep his mouth buttoned up by serving him the sticky brown neekueh!

So the day included window cleaning, vacuuming and sweeping and finally mopping the floor.

We had a sumptious Chinese New Year lunch of curry chicken, juhu char and lobak.

By 3.00 every one was dog-tired.

Heartsong

Reminiscing 6th February 2008

The sky was still dark this morning as I made my way myself to the office. The street lights has just been switched off by the highway operator and I can see stars twinkling up high. Cold morning, this!

We will be celebrating Chinese New Year eve dinner with the Yews at Setia-Echo Park in Shah Alam. My family be leaving first and I will follow later after work.

I clocked out at 4.30 pm and headed home under cloudy skies. I was surprised to find my family members were still at home!

This is one rare occasion where I will celebrate an eve dinner at someone's house though we had new year's eve dinner with the Yews last year at a restaurant. Too much hassle-so the Yews choose the comfort of their new home this year to have a dinner organised for themselves and nearby relatives.

Hope it will be fun!

Heartsong

Significant and Auspicious Day!

Today is the eve of the Chinese New Year.

In many respect, it is one great red letter day. Firstly, it is the missus' birthday. Turned 50. Secondly, a good friend retires today. Not officially but he goes on leave prior to retirement. Well, a good rest awaits him before he decides on a new page to write upon.

As the Dow plunges, we do not know how Bursa will fare. Likely to go south now that European markets followed the Dow closely. Asian markets will turn red just like the colour of prosperity that ushers in the New Year of the Rat!

So let me wish Happy Birthday to the missus; Happy retirement to my buddy and to one and all, a happy and blessed Chinese New Year 2008!

Heartsong

Monsters!

I am sure we have our share of monsters. These are monsters not from the movies like Gollum above nor those things that goes spooking children in the night. No Halloween's Jack O'Lantern too!

I am talking about real people monsters. People who behave like monsters. These people cannot be good. They are the embodiment of what that is not desirable in a human. They exhibit extreme behaviours and continue to do bad until they meet the Creator.

Unfortunately, I had my share of them. The first one was a lady boss. She spill venom wherever she went. I was told recently she finally met the Creator! The verdict-let us wait for Judgment Day.

The other guy is one nasty racist that is supposed to be intellectually progressive but exhibit vicious tendencies as a full-blown bigot! Another evil doer. Lacks spiritual and cultural values. To me, he has no redeeming quality I can speak of. I leave him to the Lord as well.

The third chap is a fat slob of an ex-Minister who thinks that only he should inherit the world. For him, everything is Me First! When he fell from political grace, I overhead an office boy in a lift called him a taukeh babi! I will leave him alone.

I am sure you have your share of such monsters when you reflect back. Some who may have negatively impacted upon your career and life. But let it be! They will get their due desserts in time!

Heartsong

Handling Disappointments!

Sometimes when you think you have got it nailed down pat, it isn't so.

So, when our assignments comes back totally rejected-tak boleh pakai langsung, we experienced that sinking feeling. We feel worthless! We feel we have let the other party down;that we have done wrong to the other party.

But is that so?

Believe me-it is our reaction-an immediate one in most cases. No doubt, it will bruise our ego. We may feel that we are on the verge of receiving something unsavoury. But it may not be the same for all cases. In most cases, communication problems can cause things to go awry.

For many,it may be ominous too! Maybe things are not meant to be between the parties. That we have to see! We will bring it up to the Lord in prayer and do some sensing!

We should hope for the best but prepare for the worse!

Heartsong

The Kumar Cuci Kereta Boys!

So I took my car for a wash today at the Seapark Shopping Complex.

As usual, Murphy came in to play with me. Before my car could be washed, there was this Honda Stream and its fussy old man of a owner. He kept on insisting that the poor Indian boy wash the roof of his car over and over again. That went on and on until he was satisfied and then he shut his gab! By then it was almost 30 minutes.

The cuci kereta boys seems to come from one family that lived originally at the squatter settlements in Paramount Gardens which has now been torn down. They are now housed in the Paramount Garden low-cost flats. I called them the Kumar boys because one of the boys is called Kumar. I believe all of them have left school at the primary school level.

There is little professionalism in the way they do their work. They cannot communicate well and oftentimes get the customers' instructions mixed up. Is it a wash, a wash and a vacuum or only a vacuum? Then they forget the wash the rubber mats and also to vacuum the boot!

To make matters worse, they charged you a hefty RM10.00 for a car wash and vacuum and still ask for an angpow!

Heartsong

Dinner with Helen

Helen came back to Malaysia from Toronto for a visit. Manlin suggested we organise a dinner while she is here. So we had our dinner yesterday night at the Golden Dragon City Seafood Restaurant in Paramount Garden,PJ. KM Tan kindly consented to sponsor the dinner and so we had a gala of a time having a pre-Chinese New Year makan.

As usual, we had the yeesang and everyone lohei as high as possible to bring in prosperity! Next came to traditional shark fin soup with crab meat. Quite nice, after not having it for sometime! Suckling pig was served and everyone had their bite of the nice skin and tender meat! The pomfret in soy sauce,though small was good. Oysters,abalone and Chinese mushrooms was okay though the abalone seems to have lost its sweet fragrant and taste. Deep fried butter prawns was pretty tasty. I had one. This was followed by seasoned meat (liver sausage,meat sausage and dried duck) glutinous rice. Good one! We ended with pan-fried cakes and round dumpling balls!

The bill came to RM600+ and we thanked KM Tan for sponsoring it. We also wished him belated happy birthday as his birthday was 2 February.

Helen hope that we all keep in mind that Esther, Manlin and herself will be coming back in December 2008 and we should all get together for one gala occasion then ! The response was unanimous!

Heartsong

Farewell to Tua Pek

Went to to pay my respects at the wake of Tua Pek, Toh Kok Liong yesterday night at the Guan Ying Funeral Parlour. He passed on at about midnight on Friday 1 February. Said my condolences to Lily and met up with Kok Boon and Kheng Leng.

Apparently he died of system failure as his organs shut down starting from prostrate problems. They rushed him to the University Hospital but he was already dead on arrival. Thank God, the children, Lily and Eugene, are big and able to handle themselves. Must be terribly sad for them to lose their mother, Pok Kim from breast cancer and then now, their father. May their souls rest in peace!

Came home in the rain and scrapped the car undercarriage on a road divider. Sheesh!

Heartsong

Chinese New Year Shopping

As Giant in Kelana Mall extended shopping hours to 12.00 midnight, the wife and I went out to do some last minute shopping. Top on our list was our son's request that we buy him JollyShandy which was on offer at an incredibly low RM18.88 for 24 cans.

As usual, we bought other items as well. Giant was jam-packed at this hour of the night and there was difficulty to find parking space.

Ended up spending RM125.00.

The credit card expenditure is going to be real serious for the month of February,I am sure.

Anyway, we have bought what is required and are now ready to welcome in the year of the water rat!

Heartsong