all made up

With Blogger and it's problems, I took a break from posting yesterday. Today, Apple had a load of updates, so that had to happen first. And seeing I was still tired, I let the updates download and took a nap. Now I'm up, all my computers have restarted and I'm ready for tonight's performance. But before I head off to the theatre and my adoring audience, I must post for you.

This picture was taken last week when we were given a make-up rehearsal. Mabel is the make-up artist. J.J. is getting his face done and Sherry, that girl at the bottom corner, is one of our dressers. What goes on: concealer, liquid foundation, powder (I use Body Shop), white, russet and red eye colour, liquid eyeliner, bronzer cheeks and a bit of terracotta on my lips and I'm all done, ready for donning my costume.

Have a great weekend everyone!

in full bloom

Opening Night was a blast! A sold-out performance and a standing ovation at the end! And I sang in Mandarin! How much more can anyone ask for?

Thank you for all the well-wishes. I certainly enjoyed the show and nearly broke my leg too! There were 2 photographers, and their bags, who blocked one of our exits. Actors, including me, running in and out and they refused to move. So, I tripped over their bags as I was making one of my quick exits and fell to my knees. I had just enough time to get up before 10 actors came rushing behind me. Can you imagine if they tripped over me? That was, for lack of a better word, a trip!

Tonight is the Gala performance. For me, it means Opening Night No.2. Last night had a few very minor hiccups. However, the way it ran last night, we should be in full bloom tonight. Again, I'm so excited and practically pissing in my g-string!

tonight is forever

Tonight is Opening Night! I'm so excited! These seats you see number 500 strong and we were told last night that every seat will be filled tonight. Despite the technical delays, I have faith the show will be splendid. Butterfly Lovers: The Musical. And I get to sing the encore...in Mandarin! I don't speak the language but I sound great! Did I mention I was so very excited?

park and duck

Ducks! Ever since I started KLDP, I've wanted to take pictures of ducks having seen all the ducks on other DPs. So, my dream came true in the park that shall remain unnamed. A family of ducks were leisurely waddling about. When I was going commando in the quieter spots of the park, I noticed these ducks were following me. I sat down by the water's edge and lo and behold, they came closer towards me. This is only one of the many they allowed me to take of them. Yay!

private parking

Today's picture may get me into trouble. This is part of the park which surrounds the theatre that I'll be performing at in two days. However, no one is allowed to take pictures without the written consent from the sales office that manages the property. While I was snapping, a security guard came up and told me so. I quickly befriended said guard and went to a quieter area to continue my snapping activities. When I was done, I thanked the guard and walked to rehearsal.

Rules are meant to be broken. The difference is how you break them.

inner strength

Gray storm clouds threaten us on a near daily basis. According to the weather forecasts, the monsoon season is here. Funny seeing that the Ramadhan month begins today and it's usually a very hot month. Yet another contradiction we have to deal with. Add to that the drama of the world.

A couple of years ago, I got a tattoo on my upper back. A full blossomed red lotus surrounded by storm clouds. The clouds represent the crap that happens with and around me. The lotus is for the people in my life who love me and whom I love and also for the spirit the dwells within me. The tattoo was done to remind me that no matter how bad life can get, I'll always have my friends and family to help get me through the day. This picture reminded me of that.

No one is truly alone.

the shape of things

Professional photographers always tell us of the wonders you can capture at sunrise and sunset. The colours, shadows, details, silhouettes... Images you can create to express emotion, to tell a story, to make you wonder. I guess that's why the best of photos, be it in a journal or in Vogue, make you stop for a second longer. With Daily Photo, we stop and write a comment.

Today's picture may not make you jump up and shout "Bloody Fantastic," I certainly didn't. I took it a couple of months back and it's been sitting in my photo vault since. But last night, instead of driving around to unwind, I came home to sort my photos and this made me stop. There is no story, no earth-shattering conclusions. The shapes, curves and lines are what attracted me. Each one took me to a different place. When I found one I liked, I settled down.

Have a great weekend everyone.

lights! camera! action!

It was late when I finished rehearsal. I was tired but needed to unwind before heading home. So, I drove around for a couple of blocks while listening to Diana Krall's new album 'From This Moment On' and stared into space, without losing control of my car that is. I stopped by the towers just to admire the lights. As usual, my faithful Nikon was with me. So, I fished it out and Vóila! This shot happened. At first, I thought it was crap. When I loaded it this morning, I changed my mind. This was exactly how I saw them last night. Like I said, I was staring into space.

well-connected

Today's picture is for Keropokman and for all of us who build and burn bridges. This is the bridge that links both towers at the famed KLCC. I've always wanted to go up but I seem to go on Mondays when it's closed to the public. I remind myself to return another day. I forget and I always return on a Monday. One day.

Lately, the papers have been filled with the fiasco that is the new bridge that connects Malaysia and Singapore. Construction stopped suddenly and the finger-pointing about who's to blame began. High-profile only because it involves our beloved ex-Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir and the current government. The Singaporean government lays no claim to anything. I feel it adds further strain on the reputation on our present government and our relationship with our neighbour.

We are told to foster relationships for the sake of a better future. Travel, they say. Yes, passport application fees and flight tickets have increased tremendously. Tomorrow begins the MATTA Travel Fair. Twice a year, we clamour for discounted rates. With a wedding in Sydney in January, I'll be there getting my tickets. RM1500 for a seat not inclusive of the RM810 in taxes.

Yes, I can go foster my relationships but, naturally, it comes at a price. One day...

at the tip of the top

Hello everyone! Having a good day? Here we are at KLCC. It's good to revisit the towers again. It's been awhile. So, yesterday, when I had to run some errands at KLCC, I took advantage of the clear skies and ran out for a couple of minutes to capture a few shots of these stunning buildings. And I can't stress enough how wonderful it is to have a polarizer on your lens. Really does contrast the colours fabulously!

Yup, it's going to be a very long day. I need to keep looking on the up side else I get grumpy and bite my cast members. (There's one I'd like to bite but for a very different reason.)

escalating

With all the buildings, it's only natural to have escalators. If only we had Superman's ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound. I wouldn't mind leaping from one floor to another to get to the shops I need to get to. I tend to walk quite briskly and get caught in a sea of human traffic due to shorter legs taking shorter strides.

So many floors. So many escalators. It's either up or down. All day, everyday. Doesn't matter really. As long as I get there.

arty-farty

I was looking through my pictures today and it suddenly dawned on me that I've been somewhat abstract with my perception of things. I guess that's what a camera does to you. We all agree that the viewfinder has taught us to see objects and things differently. Sometimes the results leave me dumb-founded. I sit and wonder what the hell must've gone through my head when I took the shot. Then there are times when it just blows me away. Well, not really that dramatic but the shots do come out really well. Good enough to make me consider dumping my job and pursuing a career as a photographer...AS IF! I'm nowhere close to that. However, I like to dream myself a sort of travel/fine art photographer.

crack of dawn

You see, the buildings are closing in on the sky! I'm thankful that I'm one of the taller citizens in this city of mine. The air is fresher up where my nose is, under it a sea of black-haired globes but still, how am I supposed to perform my sun salutations? I should just hook up with some island boy and live by the ocean. You reading this Kala?

under-construction

Like any other fast-booming Asian city, KL is no different in it's pursuit of tall buildings and designer living. Currently, there are about 18 condo/shopping mall/office combos being built in the city centre. 14 of them circle KLCC (Twin Towers). Soon, there'll be so many, we'll have to drive out of the city to see the sky.

So, let's enjoy the blue sky before they turn a dull, gray concrete colour.

calm waters

What a long day! Made it home just in time to close the day on KLDP. All I need now are the warm faces (panting more like) of my dogs and the comfort of my bed. I'm home! So knackered. Here is a shot of water. Always soothing to look at. I will dream of oceans and streams tonight. I hope to wake completely refreshed for weekend rehearsals. I even bought myself a new 'toy' but too tired to unwrap it even. Sir Chris of Vallauris, I have made your salesmen dreams come true again ;)

Goodnight.

all good things

Good luck and prosperity charms. Every culture has at least one. And we never can have enough, can we? We adopt those from other cultures and countries as well. Here is one adopted from it's native land of kimchi and flat-metal chopsticks, Korea. Or is it Japan? Oh dear, I'm losing count of the hundreds that grace the doors and counters of shops. The Lucky Cat that waves charmingly inviting you to bring your money to it.

Well, today is going to be a test of my stamina and alertness. I end rehearsals at 11pm. After which I have to drive up north to the island of Penang to emcee the opening of DHL's Gateway service. That's at 9 am. Once that is done, I have to drive back down to KL, about 4 hours, to get to a 4pm soundcheck for a 9pm corporate show. Somewhere in all that, I'll probably take a catnap for about 3 hours.

I don't mind the drive back but it's the drive up. Late night,dark and my eyesight will be whack. Will need a lucky charm. I wonder which one I'll bring with me? Do you have any lucky charms?

tiger: for nowhere man (and any other tiger that visits)

It's been awhile since I last dedicated a picture for a fellow blogger. So Stewart, ich schenke ein kaltes bier. Viel Spaß noch.

There's nothing like a cold beer to wash down the troubles of the day. I prefer a whiskey soda but if beer's all you got, I ain't fussy. Champagne for the common man perhaps. A bubbly golden liquid. But the beer-breath burping I can do without.

Yeah Karen, not the same innit?

elevated comfort

Madness. Pure madness! I'm running inbetween 2 rehearsals and a launch today. When it rains, it pours. All of a sudden the projects come and they come at the same time. I'm now at home taking a quick half hour breather before running out again. Of course, the one thing that helps to alleviate the stress is posting KLDP.

Seeing that all my time is spent working, I can only takes pictures of rehearsals or when I'm stuck in traffic (and nobody likes traffic, so I won't post any car bumpers.) The show I'm in now is a Chinese Opera/Musical. I'm just the fool who narrates the story in English for the benefit of audience who aren't completely fluent in Mandarin.

These are the shoes that all of us have to wear. Like I'm not tall enough as it is. Made of pure foam rubber and PVC. The cast member who this pair belongs to noticed I was clicking and actually posed his feet for me. How sweet of him! Oops, time to go!

ecstacy

Just look at his face. Pure orgasm (don't mind me using the word.) This shot was taken during yesterday's warm-up session before the start of rehearsal proper. The director made us blow balloons and then stomp each other's. The winners were made to perform a little skit for the pleasure of the losers. I was one of them, loser that is, so I got to watch. Fun. More fun than rehearsal itself.

I had a wonderful day until I got home and received an email from the above mentioned director. Party-pooper! Now I'm grumpy and having heated conversations with myself! A trip gone bad, know what I mean?

feline mysteries

I've never been a lover of cats. Having 3 very demanding canines made sure of that. However, bigger cats like tigers, leopards, panthers...absolutely stunning creatures but can't keep one at home, can I?

Little independent creatures, cats. I'm not sure what it is about them that I find interesting yet I have no passion for keeping one as a pet. Maybe it's the way the look at you, they was they move as if every bone was independent of the other bones. I once saw a cat fall from a first floor window. Unless it's a bird, no other animal would've come out of a fall totally unscathed.

There a lot of stray cats in KL. Every food stall you go to will have at least one anorexic-looking cat lurking under the table. You look down at them and if you're fortunate enough to have them return the look, it nevers fails to stun you how remarkable their eyes are. Always piercing. Usually saying, "Feed me, you fool!" or "Yes? You looking at me, you fool?"

This little kitty that I took a picture of refused to look at me but it never moved. I just kept clicking. It just kept looking away. I wonder what he was thinking?

morning reflection

It's early morning and the colour of the sky is deceptively cool. If you're unfamiliar with the weather, you wouldn't guess from the blues coming through the window than in less than a couple of hours, sweat becomes a second skin. I love the mornings when I have to wake up. The air is still cool and crisp. I can smell the cleaniness of the air and the scent of dew, especially from the damp grass. Fresh and clean. It is from these moments that give me the energy to last the day no matter what the temperature will rise to later in the day. Lately, I've getting out of bed at noon. I haven't recovered from the lack of sleep from about 4 weeks ago. So, I'm slowly catching up.

However, today I woke up early and went outside with my coffee to say hello to the morning. It was absolutely wonderful. It looks like a great day. I think so. Hope you have a great one too.

dramatically hot

The weather in KL has been absolutely awful. It's either the haze which comes from the Sumateran forest fires or heavy storms, causing gridlock on the roads. However, for one week, Merdeka week which just passed, the weather was glorious. Clear skies and the sun pierced our skin. That's how clear and hot it was. I put it down to the Government's very competent witch-doctors, bomoh as we call them here in our neck of the woods. Nobody wanted a deary Independence weekend, did they?

It was in this week that I took this picture. The drama of the clouds never cease to amaze me. And here we have the Regent Hotel piercing them as if to puncture the clouds for rain to cool the heat.

played live pt.2

Ladies & Gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to introduce you to the Singaporean cast of the Second Link Company. From left to right: Gani, Jonathan, Karen, Yu-Beng and Swee Lin. They are, as you would say, the cream of the crop. I wonder what Singapore did without them around?

It is seldom that a production like this comes our way. I'm finding it difficult to adjust again to the routine of a gun for hire. But alas, that's the way the cookie crumbles. All of us have gone into new projects armed with the things we've learnt from this one. I've just started questioning myself as to why I took on this one I'm in. I don't know. I really don't know. I've always wanted to work with this company and I guess the money will come in handy for my trip to Sydney next year. Apart from that, there isn't anything exciting and I'm not falling over myself to be friendly with the cast. There's already been one misunderstanding between the producer and me. This is gonna be another interesting chapter in my life. The Diva returns!

played live pt.1

I discovered why I've been having problems posting. Blogger is being unfriendly to Safari, my favourite browser. The load-picture icon doesn't appear or any of the other familiar buttons. What's going on? Now I'm on my secondary browser, Camino. Hallelujah!

This was taken by Kenny, one of the production crew. This is the Malaysian cast. There I am in the corner giving my undivided attention to Fahmi (he on the chair) and savoring his every word. Why am I posting this shot? It was performed in KL. And I'm suffering post-show blues of the highest order. Empty and numb and I'm already in rehearsal for the next show I'm in. No rest for the wicked (and I've been told I am, wicked that is!)

Tomorrow, I present the Singapore cast of the Second Link company. Oh, how I miss them!

Is it my server or is anyone else having troubles posting pictures today? I couldn't even do it via Flickr. I tried both Blogger and Blogger Beta as well. Haven't been able to post comments on other DPs either. Only a couple have been successful. Oh well...

utih

Haven't posted anything au naturel lately, so here's a haleconia from my garden. Do you have this species where you are?

The play ended yesterday on a high. One that was second to none. Yes, the tears came, even before the last words had a chance to be said. 10 actors from both sides of the Causeway attempting to hold back the flood. The moment we took our final bows, there wasn't a dam big enough to hold us back. This production meant a lot to all of us and I think, for the first time, the closing held the same meaning. This project started under the late Krishen Jit, probably the most respected director in Asia. It was one of the last projects he did in Malaysia. Performed to an invited one-night only audience, he harboured hopes for it to travel to Singapore and return to Malaysia for it's public showing. That was July 2004.

The last show began with unspoken words. We knew this may just be the last time we ever perform this show. As we took our bows, Krishen was with us and we held our gracious heads high knowing we made his dream come true. We brought it home.

This exotic flower represents all my fellow cast members, production personnel, director, etc. thanking you for the legacy you've left us. Watch it grow Krishen, striking and colourful. May the Gods of Theatre care for you and shine on us. You are missed old man. Thank you for our brief time together.

in the heart of the city

Who would've thought I'd find this old colonial-style house hidden in the middle of the city? Never noticed it before. I guess that's because I was always whizzing about in the comfort of my car. I was walking about, as one would especially being a DP member, and came across it. What a find!

Today is the closing performance of the play. It just may be the last time we'll ever do this show. One amazing experience and a completely fulfilling journey. The goodbyes with the Singaporeans will not be a pretty sight though. Better remember to remove my make-up first.

Have a great Sunday.

onscreen presense

This is the incomparable Ivan Heng, collaborator and director of Second Link: The Singaporean - Malaysian Text Exchange, the show that I'm currently performing in. This was taken earlier this week when a local TV station dropped by during rehearsals to interview us for the Arts section of a programme.

DP Theme Day: Doorways

The monthly ritual. It's theme day. Here's a doorway that I found interesting only because of the light of the afternoon sun shining through forcing my camera to shadow all the details of the door.

Now go have a look at these other doorways.

1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 -10 -11 -12 -13 -14 -15 -16 -17 -18 -19 -20 -21 -22 -23 -24 -25 -26 -27 -28 -29 -30-31 -32 -33 -34 -35 -36 -37 -38 -39 -40 -41 -42 -43

Sorry for not visiting everyone (and missing 2 days!) but I'm so knackered from the show which is positively consuming my waking thoughts and demands constant sleep. My friend Insomnia is on holiday!