ludicrously speaking

吃的太多 买的太多 睡的太多 聊的太多 这整个行程太充余了。吃喝玩乐就像个旅游促经局拍摄的广告。不能在吃了。几天下来每一餐都大吃大喝，直到撑不下才能停。能买的都买了－Gstar大减价，七浦路琳琅满目，满街设计专卖店的优惠。怎样，恐怖吧？还有美不胜收的玲玲种种，实在享受到了个极点。

Lee Jing and Xu Bo are two very interesting individuals. The former is an art director for SHAPE Magazine in Shanghai and the latter owns his own production firm. They were recently married and now share an apartment with Mother Lee in a nice new apartment of an area called the Olympia Gardens. In case you are wondering, we are accommodated here as Lee is an ex-colleague of my traveling partner. Beside fetching us from the airport, they spent the whole of today chauffeuring us from place to place making sure we had an eventful scenic look at the country (The Bund is as spectacular as i have pictured it) before they resume work on Monday. I thank them for being such impeccable host. 这个地方虽然冻得很，但暖暖的人情味十在令我感动到忘了无情的寒冬。

今早一起身，就感觉到一股寒气直冲脑门。我怕了。

The rain was coming down in a fierce way - reducing the visibility of the road to almost none. I was furiously making phonecalls to suppliers to make sure they work on the prints while i’m gone, to brief my designer on the status of on-going projects and pending ones and to coo my illustrator into coming up with 10 pieces of artwork when i return. The cab-driver raised his eyebrows scanning me through the rear-view mirror probably wondering how this incessant yapping lunatic got on his ride 20mins ago. One moment i was demanding and assertive, the next i was all nice and jovial and within seconds glib as a pimp catering to one’s wimps and fancies. When i finally got to the airport, i heaved a sigh of relief and pray to the high heavens that nothing goes wrong while i’m away in Shanghai. It wasn’t any better during the flight. I was preoccupied with an indepth conversation with my colleague seeking some form of closure - evaluating the politics at work now that the first issue is out in the market. We analysed work flows, characters and strategise methods to effect a more seamless execution of our next product. The stewardess kept offering water - a sure indication they think we are talking too much. I reflect on my previous trip to the airport; sitting quietly in the cab, listening to my iPod, excited about the adventure ahead. I flipped though my LP guidebook, mentally navigating myself from one attraction to famed eateries. But now, i’m just glad i’m away from the madness for at least 10 days. Having some private space to anchor some thoughts and to recharge for the next rush. How things have changed.

I have been snacking the past few nights before hitting the sack. Something tells me this is not very healthy. It usually occurs between 10 to midnight when the floodgates would open and the rush of enzymes would tickle my stomach-linings as if saying, “Oei, eat something leh.”

I contemplate not because i’m following a strict diet or regime, but the idea of eating before retreating to dreamland feels very sinful. I look at my lower abdominals and wish they were as define as their top cohorts. And so i resist. But my vile attempts to fight the cravings usually backfires… tonight was no exception.

It all started with a tiny harmless Oreo chocolate wafer-bar, i had it thinking it would somewhat ease my growling tummy. Little did i realise that easing it became some form of an encouragement. I went on to eat 2 digestives, one banana, and thanks to my mum offering, a bowl of sliced-fish noodle soup. Add on the cup of tea i had after that, I pretty much down a full-course dinner at 11.45pm.

Abs? Yeah right.

The first batch of magazines came to us yesterday. It looked good. I’m happy. I guessing everyone else is. My career outlook was slightly discussed over a brief session with my boss. That’s looking good too. More reasons for celebration. I wanna go out for drinks tonight to mark this occasion. It’s Friday. Peeeerfect.

I just watched 黄金甲. I’m very impressed. It’s spectacular and big - a visual feast that captivates my wildest imagination! From the glimmering lavish costumes to the resplendent set that transcend previous representation, Zhang Yimou has outdone himself once again. The classic tale of betrayal and deceit… oh, did i forget to mention 巩俐’s ample efforts in this film. Hehe…

她有实力，但她太用力
Watching Ms Gong emote, is like witnessing a girl getting her bikini wax. You are more tense than she is. Half the time, her facial expression is so rich and layered with feelings you worry she will get a spasm from all that hard work. May it be confronting her almost incestuous affair with the crown prince, or fighting her death with the king, there wasn’t a moment you didn’t feel her pain… or her heaving bosoms. That, my friend, is good acting - both her and her two members.

Mr. Jay Chou on the other hand is too tiny a persona to play the role of a warrior prince. His beady eyes lacks the ability to tell the story, so he spends half the time tilting his head in varied angles to convey different messages. All the immaculate costumes and heavy makeup couldn’t salvage his credibility. It didn’t help that everytime he appear, someone would giggle in the audience. Nuff said.

I have nothing but praises for Mr Chow Yuen-Fatt. He is da bomb la. No matter what role he takes on, he is bound to illuminate the screen with his presence. It’s good to see him in a Chinese production after such a long time. To the harsh critic, this film is nothing but cinematography at its best. But i dig the simple yet engaging plot. It lived up to my expectation of the maestro’s style of cinema.

I LoVe this song. I never really liked her in the past, but she looks extremely good these days. It’s hard to keep my eyes off her. And the way she moves in this MV…MAN! that has gotta work up some innate desire… Check it out.

Prelude at the Beach
Had a great run before adjouring to the beach to chillout. Sushi and sashimi wetted our tastebuds, we brought enough booze for an army. The sun began to set after a few rounds of disc-throwing. We zoomed off to Vivocity for dinner and coffee, and before you know it, i was standing at the exclusive members’ corner of Bellini Room at St. James Powerhouse, drinking champage, looking down at a faceless crowd counting down the last moments of 2006. It was a great year. A GREAT YEAR. I cannot emphasize this more. So many different experiences to last me a lifetime, so many people that taught me to be who i am. I learn from the best, and i owe everyone in my life for the happiness i have.

Dream Job
I’m beginning to understand that the idea of a “dream job” is a lot further from what most people expect. You see, a dream job still requires you to fulfill most of your job scope, so there’s bound to be problems faced and sticky situations to deal with. Add on the politics, and voila! You have yourself a nightmare all over again. Unless your idea of a “dream job” is to sit by the toilet and collect ten cent coins - that pays you 1 million dollars (Ah ah ah… *pinkie at the corner of your lip). If not, there’s no running away from the daily issues and not having to stress about things. I’ve snuffed my idealistic ol’ self to brace for more shit thrown my way! On guard! Hiiieeeya!

Have Yourself a Wearied Little Christmas
the Christmas Poster i did for my company’s celebration

Christmas this year was spend amidst tons of design amendments and layouts. The few days leading up to the festivities seemed pretty dire. I was working day and nights not knowing when the work’s gonna wrap. Everytime i thought it was completed, more revisions had to be done. But this was neccessary as this was our inaugural issue and many kinks had to be resolved. Lalala… luckily i had time on the eve to wrap my gifts and hang out with a couple of good friends to take my mind off work. On the high note, i’ve received a record-breaking number of gifts this year. Yippee!

Friends, big and small, old and new|
This was a year i made friends, more than any other year. Mainly due to a new working environment and a revived sport. And these are not hi-bye friends i’m talking about, but genuine people i would love to have in my life. Although it was a short span of time, we’ve grown real close to one another. Throwing kisses and hugs, missing yous here and there. How very endearing. Haha. But still, its my old pals i cling onto the most. I missed PC2 during Christmas. I wonder how our “annual” Christmas party would have been if she was still around. Although i still read her now and then, it lacks the physical connection…ahhaha….that sounded wrong. ANYWAYS…i hope everything’s good on her end….oops. Did that sound weird again?

A new ME
I’ve been getting a lot of “You don’t look 25″ these days. I guess my overachieving self is coming through in my physical appearance. I checked myself out in the mirror the other day but couldn’t find out what was wrong. I’m not wrinkly or spotty, I still have my occasional break-outs to proof my youth. I could sense fatigue thou. I need a good facial. More sleep. More fruits and good soup. I bought myself a Licourice Herbal Mask yesterday to rid my dreary look. Say what you want, but i refuse to look bad yet. It’s too early to let go. And i have all the reasons in the world to look good - afterall, who’s the media whore these days? 人不爱美天诛地灭. Worthy mention: Thanks to Jaymee for getting me a curve bar with free weights, i’m on my way to build a more sculpted body! Woohoo!

Shanghai Surprise
I cannot wait for my leisure Shanghai trip come the twelve. I’ve been yearning to travel for a while and this trip is gonna be kickass. My colleague and boss have the entire trip planned and scheduled. For the first time, i can switch my mind off and follow them around to snoop around for good buys and good food. They have been throwing names of restaurants and places i must go to, hyping up the whole trip, but I’m just counting down the days. This trip cannot happen at a more opportune time when SQ is having a 2 to fly-promo. Great company, great deals, 10 days of uninhibited fun. This ranks top on the things to look out for in 2007.

Bring out the LEXEAN
A few months of hard work leading up to this - the LAUNCH of the first News/Lifestyle/Grooming Male Magazine produced in Singapore. I’m terribly excited about this project - It’s one of it kind here in Asia. I cannot wait to see it take flight and make a name in the region. 2007 would be enticing just for the rippling effect this would have on the media industry. LEXEAN, remember this word, it’s gonna matter real soon.