Rockstar: Supernova

howdy ho

Tonight, I was kinda torn between 2 TV shows: Rockstar: Supernova and Singapore Idol. Well frankly it wasn't a tough choice, being quite an avid rock fan that I am. But since they were playing at the same times on diff channels, I could switch between the ads to both shows. I really think Singapore Idol could learn some from Rockstar.

Alright. Of course budget wise, Rockstar wins hands down. Look at their live band's drum set, their guitar effects (incl voice wah on the 'It's my Life'). Rockstar catering to a worldwide audience, yes one would expect better sound quality. And I'm referring to the acoustics of the studio set, not the vocal quals of the contestants.

SG Idol's sound system is ATROCIOUS. Seriously. I can't believe no one has feedback to MediaCorp, or at least one of their employees should. The audience chatter was wayyyyy too loud, overbearing the judge's comments, gurmit singh, and even parts of singing. This should NOT be the case. Entertainment value drops because of that.

Production wasn't good. There was a part where gurmit was sitting in the audience ready to intro the next singer and his song, but the band started playing so the camera bo pian shift to stage. It's the stage manager's fault la seriously. Wake up your idea please.

And I think SG Idol really could do with some spicing up. It's really too dull and goody 2 shoes. Like, every performer puts on a smiley face as if the world's fine, everyone's happy. Comments were tame, mild. Of course it's not fair to compare to Rockstar where the judges, superstar rockers themselves (attitude included), had more leeway to be risque. I mean they can get away with stuff like "That's DOPE!" I think if Dick Lee said that, the singer will "har??" and the audience will cheer because, well they cheer for everything. But being on Singapore TV, well, ok the restrictions were kinda expected.

But Rockstar has an edgy element. In Rockstar, the songs for each week are posted up on a board and the contestants have to argue really seriously and some pettily over which song. It's kinda 1st come 1st serve. The bitching really adds on to the tension. Will this fella who fought so hard for this song do well ? Expectations rise. Will the fella who lost out find another gem to showcase his/her talent? Lots in store to watch.

Better than the buildup being tours of Marine Parade and Orchard all smiley and autographing. Look dear, the world's not all nicey, the workplace aint all nicey, the army aint all nicey, even your families I bet they arent nicey. So stop acting nicey. Be a little real world, it's kinda harsh out there. [I'm not bashing the contestants. It's a lot of post production editing you know...]

OK. Quality of contestants. To be honest, I never follow SG Idol much. I only know of Jonathon Leong, even that not close friends at all just acquaintance. So I can't really comment on SG Idol standard, but suffice to say, hearing what I heard so far, I think the poorest of the rockstars can get into final 3 of sg idol. But there are a couple of damn good singers with potential in Idol I feel, tho I'll keep my cards close to me for now. After all, SG Idol is the only show that can make me watch channel 5 at all.

As for Rockstar. hmm . Frankly, it's pretty obvious who are the really good ones and who will get kicked out sooner or later. I mean, look at Tommy Lee (motley crue), Gilby Clark (GnR), Jason Newsted (Metallica) ... they aren't looking for a Thom Yorke or Joe Cocker. More like looking for a James Hetfield (Metallica) or a Chris Cornell (Audioslave). And that's why I'm quite bemused by some of the band's song selections... johnny cash ? REM ? rock ballads maybe but not in the mould of Supernova. This it the huge bad point of Supernova. Please choose the hardcore rock songs that you guys will probably play or sound like.

Anyways today's performances were average at best. I think Dana will be btm 3 and possibly out. Toby is good but he damn suay la wrong choice of song. I think he is top 5 material. And top 5 incl Dilana, Lukas. It's quite obvious. Maybe Josh too.

Oh. I hope Storm Large stop um playing the mike phallic-ly. I know sex sells, and Tommy Lee will probably buy it. But um, when in the next screen, when you stand beside Brooke Burke, you don't stand a chance!

On an aside, Dave Navarro, the show's host and Jane's Addiction guitarist, is married to Carmen Electra. Tommy Lee is famous and infamous for his marriage to Pamela Anderson. And Brooke Burke is of cos their friends from Baywatch days. Well, doesn't it make you wonder .... ???

Supernova doesn't seem to me like it can last. Tommy Lee and Jason Newsted ... don't really seem to be the most 'gum' of rockers haha. Just my opinion though.

Anyways, I'm gonna go get a white shirt and black leather shoes this weekend, plus a bday gift for someone. Hopefully can find good bargain.[for shoes n shirt la!]

Tags rockstar supernova

Queen Wembley review !!!!

Yes. I didn't procrastinate and actually did a writeup of one of the best concerts ever. Go read ! =)

http://n0netheless.blogspot.com/



Tags
Queen freddie mercury

A Day In The Life

nah. not the Beatles song.

Actually today is the 1st day I got posted to my new workplace. I'm doing IT helpdesk support at some govt office (better not reveal). So today walk into the place, quite the heavily guarded,but all was fine, boss came down to bring me up and what not.

So I settled into my lil cubicle, 1st time working where must wear so formal (i think), cos all prev jobs were jeans kinda jobs. And I not model so never get to wear funky stuff. So. Formal wear.

Thankfully, the work environment wasn't stressful. At least not for me. People around me seemed to have a lot of work to do, I could hear my boss murmuring to other bosses on how much work he has. heh. But I couldn't help. Since it was my 1st day at the new office, He took abt 5 mins to show me how to run a script (which I was to run in on hundreds on computers next week 1 by 1), so that was ok. And threw me 2 manuals to go through, and he will go through a hands on in due time.

And yes that was about all I did the entire day. I asked my colleagues (all perm staff) if I could help with anything, could I go with them to resolve cases, they all say no. haha. Ok loh so I sat at the table fiddling around with some hardware, waiting for lunch break, and 5pm. So much for 1st day at work huh. Tho my boss told me next week will be very hecti n tedious ... I was thinking um how about the other 3 days of this week? Hopefully more stuff to learn tml.

Still not sure of this office hierachy. I guess, as a temp helper, for now I just know my own boss can le. let's see how it goes. Office talk is so funny. I spent the entire day eavesdropping heh!

next weekend, a dota pal asked me to her 21st bday. Heh. DOTA pal leh. Like that also invite. Dont go also paiseh, go also paiseh. I'll prob shop this weekend then.

Feel like doing a Queen post on the music blog.

Taxi Driver & Dirty Harry

In one of my 70s mood (again...), I've managed to get hold of the VCDs for this 2 movies. I've been hearing much rave about this 2 shows, and was wondering what all the fuss was about...

Dirty Harry stars Clint Eastwood, hah, who else, as a cop in San Fran, more intent on his brand of justice than what the law allows him to dish out. Clint had a lot of hair ! and he is so bald now. Anyways, the film would be mostly remembered for its enduring cop-to-baddie quote.

Imagine this : Shootout on the streets, after a bank robbery. Clint fires his .44 Magnum, killing all the baddies one by one, and he walked up to the last one. Injured baddie sitting down, shotgun just slightly out of reach. He bleeds as he tries to reach for it for 1 last shot against Clint.... then ...

Hally Callahan (Clint Eastwood): I know what you're thinking. "Did he fire six shots or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself a question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?

wow.

Anyways, not to spoil the movie for you, he said that another time later on, with a little difference. heh go catch it.

Heres another very quotable quote. The movie's got loads of it heh. It's said this is the one that sparkled off all the off-beat cop movies

[Harry Callahan has to explain why he shot a man]
Harry Callahan: Well, when an adult male is chasing a female with intent to commit rape, I shoot the bastard. That's my policy.
The Mayor: Intent? How did you establish that?
Harry Callahan: When a naked man is chasing a woman through an alley with a butcher's knife and a hard-on, I figure he isn't out collecting for the Red Cross!
[walks out of the room]
The Mayor: He's got a point.

And... this is a parody done by WWE for wrestlemania. Wrestlemania goes to hollywood! Courtesy of Undertaker heh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf4CcQmRpqU

2nd movie: Taxi Driver.
Robert De Niro's claim to fame. Well, ok that's debatable cos he portrayed a fantastic young Don Vito Corleone in the Godfather II just a few years earlier than this movie, but he wasn't the main star then. That was Al Pacino's movie. Taxi Driver is really a good show. Its not all action-packed, nor comedy .. I see it more of a social reflection of life in NYC in the 70s. De Niro is a war veteran who turns taxi driver, and his life as a taxi driver (albeit a lil mentally unstable) is chronicled to good detail in this show.

And Martin Scorsese is a real genius, the cinematography is wonderful to behold. Can't explain here, gotta watch it for yourself if you can.

Travis: You talking to me? [talks to mirror]

heh. That was the memorable one.

And guess what. WWE did another parody for their wrestlemania promo ad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xld4vdtY2fc

Having said all that, my favourite movie of all time will still be the Godfather Trilogy, especially part I and II. Maybe some other time I will explain why. But if you haven't caught it before. Please do so. Before you die. Or you will regret !

You're beautiful

Well heres a funny video. I think most tennis pple will find it funny. Its federer and sharapova btw. and of cos, not true la, fed is already with his swiss gf... but its quite a good video esp the facial expressions heh.

anyways, not a good day for me. lost in tennis, lost a ball AGAIN, and kena summon for parking.

sigh.

a most desperate attempt to swindle me

I can't believe I'm getting this on my msn.

----- says (9:53 PM):
can i borrOw 88 cents PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-----winks (9:53 PM):
Play "Knock"
hAn says (9:53 PM):
how do i lend u 88 cents
-----says (9:54 PM):
tel me ur creadit card name and password i promise i won tell anyone
hAn says (9:54 PM):
credit card has no name and password
-----says (9:55 PM):
ur pin no.
hAn says (9:55 PM):
credit card has no pin
hAn says (9:55 PM):
u obviously have no idea what you are talking about
hAn says (9:55 PM):
forget it

nicks have been changed to protect his identity .... I dont know whether I should report the student to his secondary school.

Have you ever wondered ...

You know, an octagon, nonagon and a decagon refer to 8, 9, 10 sided polygon respectively. oct = 8 , non = 9, dec = 10.

If that's the case, then why are the months named differently? October = 10th month, November = 11th monrth, December = 12th month.

hurhur.

Forza Azzurri!

and of cos, theres the small matter of the WC final last night. As everyone would have known by now, Italy beat France on penalties !!!! (yeah im Italia fan heh)

nothing much to say really. The French 1st penalty was A BLATANT DIVE. it's sad, so sad, that a WC final goal is given on a DIVE. that sucks man. (But I had a sneaky feeling that, given certain influences, italy would go on to win. Remember WC is also a dramatic show. Need I say more?) Pirlo was fantastic during the match, I really think he and Ze Roberto are the 2 best DMs in the game now, quite elegant to watch.

Anyways, what was a good 1st half, became dull and boring in the second, and during extra time, there were only 2 incidents that was worth mentioning. Both involved Zidane's head. The 1st, a header that destined to go in and double his tally, was well blocked by Buffon. and then of cos, THE INCIDENT of the WORLD CUP. Of all matches, it had to happen in the final. Of cos it had to. Nearly every game has had a penalty and a red card, so why shld the final, being the most important show of the most dramatic show on earth, be deprived of it. And what wa way to go out, Zidane. quite heartbreaking. Taunting is prevalent in almost every sport between rivals, and Materazzi really used it to his and Italy's advantage. But Zidane really lost it. (BTW he won the Golden Ball. The votes were casted before he got sent off. Personally, I don't think he deserved it, and FIFA may want to relook into their decision-making process)

Without their talismanic captain, France lost their belief, and later on their penalties as well. I'm quite surprised really, cos I was sure Italy would lose on penalties, with their terrible record. they scored 5 !! Get in !!

heh. All's good I guess. My nice Italia jacket's price just inflated haha.

Well, I also had $50 @ 2.65 for France to be runner-ups =)
And after 1 month of scrutinising singapore pools odds.... I finally broke even! (not bad la)




Tags world cup

TALENT is nothing without DESIRE

Well, I actually intended for this space to be reserved as a journal for my SEP trip .. but um since I'm free now I thought I just wanna add some stuff. heh.

Aside: I wonder who is reading this now. maybe you shld leave a comment, whoever you are, blogsurfer or friend of mine =)

it was the wimbledon finals yesterday ... i've been following the tournament for quite some time esp with my ever increasing interest in tennis ever since I came into NUS. It funny, cos I never thought much of this game when was watching the agassi sampras rivalry in the 90s. I understood the game, but it wasn't that interesting. So anyhow, I was channel surfing in March this year, when I caught the Rome final between Roger Federer (World no. 1) and Rafael Nadal (No. 2), and what a match it was ! It gripped me so much. Where Sampras-Agassi was all power serve and superb returning, Fed and Nadal was just 2 totally different contrasting styles of play. It's really a bit like Zidane vs Gattuso, where Fed is the dancer, artiste, stroking with magnificance, and Nadal is really the Spanish matador, full of sound and fury and with a mean stroke to boot. I think there cant be better matchups than 2 players with contrasting styles ... much like Zidane is to Fed and Gattuso is to Nadal. Not that Nadal is a destructive player in the Gattuso mould, but more of his determined play, totally ecclipsing any tennis player out there with his fighting spirit. I think that deserves commendable credit itself.

Still having said that, Fed is a ridiculous 55-0 against any player in the world not named Nadal this year. And his H2H record with Nadal is 2-6 as of yesterday. Why? why is the world no 1 who is dominant in all courts bar the red clay, is such a weak play against Nadal ? Can he claim to be no. 1 when the no.2 has been beating him so regularly, especially in the last 6 months? Of cos clay suits a more pia style that Nadal plays with, always going for the extra hit which Fed thinks is enough to close a point. Nadal always makes Fed play 1 more point. and 1 more. and more. and Nadal is the only one with balls enough to play vs Fed thinking he can actually beat Fed. Now, I dont know anyone who thinks otherwise. The greats have already been labelling Fed as the greatest tennis player ever (and that coming from another alltime great McEnroe).

Now I really think its in Fed's psyche that Nadal is such a nemesis the him, the anti Fed you may say. Nadal is the only one who attacks Fed's weak point (his backhand) using crazy amount of backspin using his crosscourt forehand. And of cos being a leftie is an advantage vs Fed (this is true, but too much material to cover in 1 post). Even Mats Wilander put crudely, and unprofessionally I may add, that Fed's balls shrink when playing vs Nadal. I mean, Fed has improved on clay, needed the french open to capture the elusive missing grand slam he is no holding. but on comes the spanish bull and whips the swiss master into submission in Paris. Fed really looked dispirited when Nadal kept coming back for 1 more point.

So, going into Wimbledon finals with a 0-4 record against Nadal, whats his mindset like? he must surely be thinking "wth, this spanish punk wants to beat me on MY turf?" and he must be cursing Kendrick not kicking Nadal out during the earlier rounds. Frankly I din expect Nadal to reach the finals, but there he was, even pushing aside Bagdatis along the way (who is slowly n surely becoming the 3rd player in the tennis dominating sphere. the new threesome. the new Triumvirate). To my surprise, and relief, Fed came out ablazing. His backhand has definitely improved since playing on clay. and Nadal looked like a bunch of nerves, and he was served a bagel opening set. The 2nd set was close, and I really thought that Nadal would even the score during the tiebreak. But Fed got the 2 sets, and went on to close the championship in the 4th.

Now, I must say that the game was closer than the scoreline suggested. Nadal still looked at every game capable of breaking Fed, and even broke his game in the 4th when Fed was serving for the championship. Fed's talent shone most brightly on grass, and on this day, it carried him through to his 4th straight Wimbledon title. Great job. And I can assure you, when Nadal hit his last shot wide, the look on Fed's face was more of relief of finally beaing able to beat his nemesis, than winning the 4th title. It meant so much more that he was finally able to get the voodoo off his back. and he won it brilliantly, improving on his weak point to a very formidable weapon now, that Nadal had no answer to, at least on grass.

And this sets up the next huge rivalry in tennis. Fed is 24, Nadal is 20. The past 3 years have been good to Fed, not because of his brilliance but also of the lack of quality opponents. Now the pretender has arrived. 1 grand slam each thus far this year, it only makes the coming US open a VERY sumptuous affair. Watch this space. (and dont forget Bagdatis)

Having said all this, I must concede im not a Nadal fan. his SLOW play is extremely frustrating, often using it to break opponent's rhythm. a lil bit of gamesmanship. whereas Fed plays the most beautiful tennis and strokes i've ever seen. of cos, being a spectator, i'd rather watch Fed win everygame. But I am equally grateful to Nadal posing a real threat to the Fed dominance. Because this dominance is not like the Ferrari in F1 in the early 00s, where there were no close rivals to the italian marquee. Dominance is fine if the winner is kept pushed to his limit. and thats whats happening in tennis now, all thanks to Nadal. I do hope both players keep fit for as long as possible to keep this fight goin on.

And thats why tennis is so intruiging. It as much a mental battle as it is a physical and technical exercise. Fed is more talented than Nadal for sure. Nadal is more determined than Fed for sure. And nothing is more satisfying than to watch 2 players with 2 contrasting styles fight it out. Let's see who has the edge and push within himself to bring himself to the next level, and to outplay each other. Then, he will be the true and deserving world no. 1.



Game on.

Tags
tennis Wimbledon federer nadal