Estrella

It's been like what, 3 weeks since I last updated? It's been hectic la, with all the schoolwork and stuff, not to mention I have writer's block =( Sigh, it's a problem that plagues me all the time... But let's put that aside for the time being.
Let me introduce a band that have made it into the airwaves with their song 'Stay' quite recently - ESTRELLA!!!Actually, they were formed 2 years ago (I got this info off their blog... I didn't realise they were already around for quite some time) and they were a hit with their song 'Take it Slow'. Estrella has that bossa-nova influenced kinda sound to it (if you're wondering what it means, you have to listen to their songs to truly understand). Umm, kinda like those jazz-type songs that you would hear in pubs and jazz lounges. As you can see from the picture above, its the cover of their debut album, titled Estrella. I just bought their album(yes, the original one in fact. I'm not kidding, no pirated ones! =P) today only, so I'm trying out all ten of their songs.
Of the ten songs offered in the album, my most favourite ones are 'Stay' and 'Take it slow'. 'Stay' is very upbeat and it's very energetic compared with the other songs. 'Take it slow' has a slower tempo to it, but the vocals makes the song enjoyable. There are songs that are sung in Malay as well, such as 'Ternyata' and 'Masih'. I have to admit though, that some of the songs are just too DANG slow!!! I mean, it reminds of of Norah Jones, with that slow, surreal kinda feel. However, being a local band that happens to sing English with a splash of Malay, they are giving the Malaysian music scene a facelift (if not, then at least a botox injection into the wrinkly face of local music industry). Enough noisy, not to mention SUCKY, malay rock songs and cliched love songs that just reach its saturation point de! Hence, I will show my support for them! Me buying their album has become a testament to that!
Oh ya, the lead singer was also one of the reason I'm all for Estrella. I dunno about you, but I think she's kinda cute =) For those who are interested to know (if you are not, you can just keep it to urself, Haters!!!), her name is Liyana.















My first impression of her was that she's Chinese. First impressions are usually wrong.

Public Apology to Tan 27

Dear Tan 27,
I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for the constant abuse and torture I put you through. You are by far the best car that I ever laid my hands on (probably cause' you're the only car I can drive). You didn't only bring me from point A to point B, you were also the provider of food and entertainment for me, as you were the only link between me and the food heaven that lies outside the accursed food hell that I like to call Nottingham Uni. As it is convention to list out all transgressions one have when seeking forgiveness (refer to Catholic rite of Confession), I would do so too, in hopes that I will be forgiven.

To the engine, I have wronged you in ways unimagined by any car enthusiast or car lovers out there. I did not observe the unwritten rule that I must accelerate at a gradual rate. Instead, I always step down on the accelerator just to get the kick out of the sheer speed. Even though I could clearly hear your groans and wails of exertion, I choose to ignore you just because I want to push you to your absolute limit. I felt a deep remorse after touching the 160 km/h mark, as I know I'm putting my life and your wellbeing on the line. How selfish I was back then. Not only that, I have also hurt you due to my negligence. I didn't know that the gear was still at neutral when I attempted to turn you off. I was struggling to turn the stubborn key as it wouldn't nudge, when it fact you were reminding of my idiocy.

To the tyres, you have always been there for me, no matter how much I have mistreated you. I can still remember the times where I went up curbs numerous times, because of the lack of driving skills on mu part. Those wild sessions of 'drifting' along the windy roads of Broga also placed a lot of strain on you. That time when you screeched out loud , was when I realise you were the ultimate victim of this lofty pursuit of mine. Parts of you were left on the road, causing your wondrous treads to slowly disappear. Those tyre marks on the road were signs of my humiliating inability to drive well.

To the exterior of the car, I'm sorry you have to suffer silently for my sloppiness and 'tak apa' attitude. I'm suppose to give you a bath, but I have always neglected that important task. I'm also sorry that you have to experience the kampung treatment, i.e. dusty roads, countless potholes, pebble-laden streets, an overflow of lorries and trucks on the road... The bottom of the car suffers the worst of these mistreatments. The streets of Semenyih are dominated by bumps, and unless I travel real slowly, the bottom would hit the bumps HARD! Every time my ears catch the painful cries of 'kkrraaakk' or 'BOOM', my heart breaks into two.

I must also apologise for subjecting you carrying loads that you don't deserve to carry. You are already at your limit when there are 5 people in the car, but 6 is way too much. You have always strive hard to carry these bunch of people and didn't complain at all, and I have ignored your struggles and pain.

Tan 27, I am sorry about all the above sins I have committed against you. At the bottom of my heart lies a deep regret, and I hope that you can find in your mechanical revving heart to forgive me. I will give you that shower of yours that you have long awaited, and I will try my very best to not abuse you again.
From,
Undeserving Driver

The Art Of Gambling...

Let me set things straight: I do NOT condone gambling in any way!! The gambling that I'm referring to are the Chinese New Year ones where family and friends play for fun, with money involved of course.. What!? I never said one shouldn't bet money! All I said was I do not want YOU to splurge your money on casinoes and those prowling AH LONGs out there. I never said you shouldn't let people you know take your money away.. Just think of it as Sharing Among Kinsmen.
Anyways, the purpose of this entry is to impart my knowledge on maximising your chances of wining money during CNY gambling sessions. However, I only can help out with Blackjack. Mahjong is definately a game which I have nil knowledge about. I'll leave that game to ol' aunties, uncles and lil' children (they don't exactly play the game. They just stack the mahjong tiles up to form forts and structures for subsequent destruction)

Blackjack
I think the general population would be acquainted with this card game. For those who don't, my condolences. Anyways, here are a couple of things you can do to help you win some money.

1. Do something to increase your luck. For me personally, I resort to red underwear =P Bring your lucky pendent, lucky pet, lucky girlfriend. Heck! You can even wear that lucky underwear that you didn't wash for the past 2 weeks. Just make sure you put on enough perfume or cologne to cover up the stench..
2. You have to 'meta' the cards that you want into your hands. *Meta stands for metaphysics- as in the field that deals with things mysterious and unknown. It mysterious in a sense that it WORKS, most of the times anyway.*It's a trick that my foosball playing friend thought of. You have to sweep your hands ever so tenderly towards your direction, to invite the required card into your hands.. I added a personal touch to it. I swept it 3/8 times, for increased luck. Hey, I Cina what! Lucky mah the number..
3. Adopt the expressionless face. Gives you a whole different edge! The banker would not have any idea what is in your hands, so the only way he can bust you is from your facial expression. If you got something nice, don't show that you're happy. If your cards 'paw cha' or exceed 21, don't look disappointed. Just be neutral.. Pour out all your feelings if you want, ONLY after the banker open your cards. DON'T think that reverse psychology works in this case! If you have 4 cards and your number obviously went KABOOM, don't pretend to look happy and on cloud nine. The banker can SO see past that!
4. Do remember that you won't win or lose your money unless the banker open your cards. So just in case your first two cards are 16 or 17, don't go for anymore.. The is a chance you can win even though you only have that much. Just don't let your face betray your feelings. The banker would think you have 20 or 21, so when he takes more and his cards pecah, you WIN!
5. Just in case you have a rowdy British uncle who insist on his ways, DON'T play with him!! I know, cause' I have one! This uncle of mine is quite the rough type.. He insist that we younglings play according the PROPER way, kononnya! Proper as in casino types!! Oii, we're in Malaysia la, playing like normal lo! Not even sure whether whatever you told us real or not... Oh ya, in the end, he took our money away, just like a crook stealing candy from innocent Malaysian babies...
   
6. Oh.. If you find yourself lacking moral fibres or is just oblivious to fair play, you can resort to a lil' pakating... Just pakat with the fella next to you to outsmart the banker... Change cards if you find you're in a vulnurable position. *This didn't come from me*

Here ends my guide to maximising your chances in gambling... So, when the next CNY is round the corner, be prepared to fork out some angpow money for some fun ol' gambling... Just make sure you don't borrow from any loan sharks...
(PS. Malcolm just made a Vs. 2 of this entry. So go check it out. His link is under the name Malcolm-like duh!)