Taking bus rides can turn up simple realization in life.  I bet you won't hesitate to give up your seat to people who need it more than you.  Once I decided to give up sitting altogether, knowing a lot of elderly tend to board the bus when it was passing through a particular district around that time.  I was right about that with my intention but my action turned up to be a mistake simply because there were also people who didn't give a damn about others.  Hence I came to realize how important it was to occupy a seat in order to have the ability to give to another when the needs arise and not to be embarrassed of repeating the giving up seat thingy even if you have to do it 4 times in a single bus journey.  It's the same theory in other matters in life.

My friend was mentioning to me yesterday how beautiful things add together don't necessary result one big beautiful thing.  Some times it's easy to be blinded by trying to be perfectionist or simply just getting things down right and proper all the times.  In one of the set she was directing, a spoilt flashing light bulb couldn't be changed due to its position and how they didn't have a spare one to change.  Hence the soundman decided to record a 'puzzzz' sound effect of how a spoilt light bulb can make which he managed to achieve somehow.  When the visual and sound were put together, it turned up good.  It may seem like a small thing, but it was details that add more character to a scene.  She even had an audience asking her how she achieved that effect.

The sun was kind today.  The gathered dark clouds didn't let go their tummies of water.  But the heat was pretty intense.  Interviews went on considerable smoothly except a last minute play out of one.  Chinese have an alternate way of saying that as "she/he freed my doves" ("ta fang wo ge zi").  Don't ask me how it came about I have no idea.  Hence to form a sentence, "My friend agreed to meet me today at 1pm, but she ("ta") "fang wo ge zi"."  Of course the whole sentence should be in Mandarin, but I'm sure U get my point.

 Tomorrow I hope "my doves" won't fly away again!

A souvenir from interview location scout: (ok I was praised for being hardworking.  I'm sure there are people out there who really scout places to shoot interviews!  Hands up please!)

I think it's called Elephant Grass & said introduced from Africa.  Can grow up to 4m or more.  When I see a whole field of it really tall, I kind of freak out.  Yes it was beautiful but because the field was so wild, I was worried about snakes despite I love them.  Then I imagined bringing ladder, a high stool and raising the camera and tripod.  I think my interviewee is likely to be so distracted by the environment to be able to answer questions at her best.  Then I imagined if there was thunderstorm, and lighting strike, gosh the shelter was so far away.  I didn't have a vehicle.  Ok got the point why I gave it up.  By the way, I wanted a field of white lalang where I can sit my talent down > Only existed in my mind (for that location).

Trying different places, different framing.  I like this picture, not sure because of the girl or the background.  Hahahaha......

Very inviting chairs that quiet afternoon in a park.  I burnt my new skin on my arm again > Pink & itching.

The ice-cream vendor was at the extreme right, who didn't wanted to be shot.  I was very over-whelmed by this area when walking towards the train.  The newspaper vendors were very old and the magazines were very flashy and bright.  I was attracted by the atmosphere.  Somehow I was quite reserved when I shoot people.  I am still trying to overcome that.

Local gig last nite:

>  Sorry Neil, realised I took 3 ticket studs accidentally.  I thought I had two.  U can have it back!

Auburn's Epiphany >

Electrico > Like this pict despite a bit blurred. Nice blue.

 Rock!

Under the open sky :

Received today  Thanks CK!

The mochachino I had tonight left me very wide-awake now.  I'm trying to type very gently on the keyboard.  I can hear the crickets outside and the sound of the fan turning behind my back.  Any sound being made now seemed to magnify 50 times over.  To think I even open up my blanket, moved the pillow and left my 'dog' safely tucked in my bed, so that my mum will know I'm home if she happens to come in & check on me. 

I had a very strange thought tonight thinking of a friend - "Would things be different if I'm a very famous writer director this very moment?"  It's not a matter about letting go and let nature take its course.  It just so happened that I found myself missing the friend I used to know suddenly tonight.  It's strange how you remember the good things and always seem forgetting the not 'ideals' portion (it's hard to say 'bad' exactly).  I remember the friend who came down to my work place and waited at the traffic light to pass me "Dark Crystal" DVD, to see me and knowing I love fantasy & puppets films.  I remember the friend who wrote me poem, drew me roses.  I remember the friend lying beside me who admire the night sky filled with stars together.  I remember the warm embraces I received when my heart was so cold.  I remember those words spoken that help to give me strength and faith.  I remember... I believe in the true moments I had before.

Good nite cyberspace.

Shot of the day :

Tomorrow last day of shoot.  But not for behind-the-scene-document ary.  Hope everything got happily blessed!  The sun been really passionate... Ouch itchy... (should have butter with more sun block...)

 Tomorrow Call time : 8am

Pretty shocked to hear on the news today that the terrorists' plotted to bomb U.S. bound airliners as many as ten jetliners when I reached home after work.  The news was said released just after 10 hours since the British authorities disrupted the plot.  It's a constant horror that terrorists are using innocent fresh and blood to make their statement to be heard.  Innocent lives are always sacrificed for another's action, mistakes and words.   I think statement made using another human blood actually shown an opponent's weaknesses and cowardice.  Violent attacks like these can do great damage and hurt to the receiving party but battles like these will never be won even wiping off the whole human race for an old valid reason... 

A boy asked his mum, "Mum, when you get older, do you want to be a foreign elderly or a China elderly?

His mum puzzled replied, "When I get older, of course I'll be a China elderly.  How is a foreign elderly like?

Her son replied, "A foreign elderly is a pretty lady when she is young.  After getting her University degree, she found a stable income job.  After that, she gets a bank loan to buy a mansion, a car and many high standard living items.  She pays the interest monthly, although life is intense she is happy and fulfilled.  This is because she has a very good living standard, and a car for transportation.  She tried and tasted all forms of life enjoyment.  When she reaches her 80s, she manages to pay back all the bank loans by then and able to close her eyes in peace.

A China elderly is also a pretty lady when she is young.  The difference is once she found a stable income job she starts saving up.  She works hard year in, year out and couldn't bring herself to spend on food, clothes or any form of life enjoyment.  When she reaches her 80s, she died from illnesses.  Her children inherited a considerable sum of money from her bank saving that is enough to buy a mansion, a car and many more.  Her filial children use a portion of her saving to give their mother a grand funeral, but in her living years, their mother has never enjoyed life.  So mum, do you want to be a China elderly or a foreign elderly?"

- (The quality of life derived from one's attitude to life.)

A way of celebration by putting out the flags.  Recently there was a case of flags being stolen in one of the HDB blocks.  I'm not sure what the thief was thinking.  To do a resale? 

Tomorrow is Singapore National Day.  Glad to have a day off, but sadly my body is still battling the stubborn flu bug.  Will I win, have to see the result tomorrow?  Happy 41st Birthday Singapore!

Work Status : 2 more sessions to picture lock.  God Bless.

Sweet & short  Cough cough...

A story told to an audience unseen.

Every beats and strings accompanied whole heartily.

It was seen as an entertainment for the wandering souls.

But just as it might be another way to say to the dearly departed,

"I am thinking of you..."

This year was a special one, cos' the hungry ghost festival will last 2 months instead of one.  (25/7 - 21/9)  I am glad when I know that, cos' the dearly departed will return to the earth during this period.  Everywhere entertainment sprung out like happy occasions, where songs, operas, puppets are being staged to occupy the spirits' attention from trouble.  Dinners and auctions may also be held.  This was the one I caught tonight...