Christmas stuff

So Christmas this year was okay - I managed to take 2 days off from work but couldn't find anyone to work for me on Dec 26 so yeah, I spent Christmas morning eating and the other half driving back to KL. Well, I've learned my lesson so I've got 2 people to work for me for next year's Christmas already. Hah!

Red tree at Bukit Jalil. With twinkling lights 24/7.

Cousin Bee's tree. Loaded as usual.

Underneath Bee's tree. Also loaded as usual.

Food! I had 2 plates of rice and 2 plates of spaghetti. Cuz when I'm hungry I get all pissed as to why I didn't stuff myself more.

Early birthday dinner

Since Christmas this year will be spent driving along the North South highway (and not enjoying it!) I decided for an early celebration at Chili's. Since it was a weekday and Mid Valley's parking lot would be full by lunch time, I'd always start my journey at 11am to park in my usual spot (Garden's Zone B, level P2). Why - because it's a single spot so no irresponsible people would carelessly open their doors too wide and touch mine. Believe me, I've seen it happen when this auntie did in in front of my eyes.

But since I'll be tagging along with K, who overslept, we arrived when all spots were filled up and spent a good half hour finding one. Dang. That is why I prefer going out by my own.

Anyways, I spent the day at my usual hangout spots - bookstore and pet store before dinner. Also did some Christmas tree ornaments shopping in an effort to make my tree look nice for once.

I ordered the usual New York strip, with my fav *half eaten* mashed potatoes with black pepper gravy, garlic bread and fresh vegs! It never ceases to fail me and totally worth my money.

K's lamb shank with mashed potatoes and black beans. He wiped everything clean.

My mango juice.

K's tomato juice. He then opted for a pineapple refill, but the waiter thought he wanted to mix both together which resulted in a "quite good" taste, according to K.

Haunted what?

The marketing skills of Haunted Changi producers worked well, at least with me. There has been a lack of good horror films these days, and the last one I watched made me cry because I forked out 10 bucks for a lousy show with a striking promotional poster. Stupid advertising. Oh, the show? It's called Haunted University. There's 10 bucks I'll never get back.

Haunted Changi is an indie (independent) film made by 4 bravado Singaporeans who venture into the most-haunted-place-in-the-world Old Changi Hospital. The team consists of director Andrew, producer Sheena, camera guy Audi and audio dude Farid. The film is entirely shot by using handheld camera to give the film a documentary feeling and that everything captured is 100% real. Think Cloverfield and REC, but good thing it wasn't that nauseating.

The team conduct interviews with local Singaporeans as well as a seemingly WW2 veteran. They discuss about which photos to use, the process of editing and the extensive research they go through.

First day at the hospital, we see shots of the hospital - graffiti, old wards, torture chambers, an old elevator shaft and a rumored underground tunnel. At times you might be able to catch a shadow running in the background, some weird reflection against the puddle of water and the infamous headless person.

At night, the team start experiencing eerie feelings and get spooked out. Sheena vows to never go back and Farid never appears on film again - apparently ill. Andrew becomes obsessed with a girl named Xiao Juan who lives inside the haunted hospital. The team also meet with a group of Singaporean ghostbusters who go by nicknames but a real name is "accidentally" revealed and they also use a young boy to "sense" paranormal activity (super pissed with the adults. who the hell uses a young kid to sniff out ghosts?!)

After the night exploration, you can't help but to wonder if this is a "documentary" inside a "film", and if the 4 Singaporeans are truly aiming to unleash secrets hidden within the hospital or they're merely actors acting with a script. The final moments of Haunted Changi makes you ponder: Does Xiao Juan really exist? Did Audi's camera captured something real, or was it edited?

Acting wise, I'm not too sure if they're professional actors because they sure don't look like it. Andrew looks disturbingly like one of my housemates which isn't a good thing, really. But them getting spooked isn't convincing me. I can't help feeling the reason they're screaming and running away is because .. they have to scream and run away in horror films. The team is also unethical when conducting interviews - they continue recording despite the WW2 veteran's plea to stop. Also he is promised that his face won't be shown, but I can certainly see enough! But I get a feeling the WW2 guy is just a hired actor.

They also seem to be "hurrying" to give the film more spice in the end - but doesn't seem to make up for the slow beginning. Andrew finds the rumored underground tunnel, and what he discovers fuels more "dude, what the hell?" questions. But I'd give kudos to Andrew, whose determination seem real, but at some point, too much until it becomes annoying. He seems to have forgotten about his hospital documentary to focus more on "interview with Xiao Juan".

Overall, you won't jump off your seat like typical horror films. I think it's a good thing you only see "paranormal" stuff occasionally and not at every corridors and scenes. Makes the "documentary" look more real - because in typical ghost hunter shows you don't really see ghosts. Just the people claiming they see and feel stuff, right?

By the way, the shadows of headless men could well be men bending their heads down. Just a thought. And I think Xiao Juan merely exists in Andrew's head - the spirits must have messed with his head, as well as Audi's.

Although after rewinding the film in your brain several times you feel cheated - depending on what is your initial expectation of the film.

Do I want my money back?
Urm .. 6 bucks maybe. I paid 11.

Farewell Ethan and Khairie

Last Thursday's Amazing Race Asia 4 saw Malaysian boys Ethan and Khairie in last place, and were, wait for it ..

Eliminated.

Yes, the uber funny and personable Ethan ("What? We're in good shape! Round is a shape!") who occasionally converses in typical Malaysian English and the extra cool and slightly quieter Khairie are no longer appearing on TV on Thursday nights. This marks the first time that there won't be a Malaysian team in the Final 3. Bummer.

Teams travelled to Bali, Indonesia where Ethan messed up a little and left one of the Richards fuming. All 3 teams (Ethan and Khairie, the Richards and Claire and Michelle) seem to have an alliance and Ethan wanted all 3 to stick together and ride in the same boat (Boat 2) to the next destination. Unfortunately, he didn't know Boat 1 left 30 mins earlier which resulted in Richard Hardin pissed.

Then Ethan did something which is rare in the Race - he offered to switch places with the Richards. Dude this makes the Race even nicer because let's face it, we support the nice teams right? I keep imagining Chad and Stephanie (Amazing Race 17 US version) doing that - not a friggin chance.

Anyways, in the middle of Bali, Ethan and Khairie went into the detour challenge in 1st place. The Richards screwed up when they violated a law and were 1 1/2 hours behind the Malaysians. But the former chose a longer and confusing detour challenge and were forced to switch, and the Richards caught up to them. >.<"

The rest of Race saw Ethan and Khairie playing catch up with the Richards but were ultimately defeated. I was kinda hoping it was a non-elimination leg but it wasn't. So with the last Malaysian team gone, I'm rooting for the Richards now =)

Paul is dead

The most hated German since Adolf Hitler.

Chances are you've heard of the news - the famous non human oracle, Paul the Octopus has died. And if you're not a footie fan, this is the octopus who correctly predicted the results of all Germany's World Cup matches and the finals between Spain and Netherlands.

He was 2 years old (he is pretty much an old guy in octopus' age).

Paul died of natural causes - one day he was fine, the next day he was gone. You can't help but wonder if some deranged, vengeful World Cup fan was behind his demise =P. Like sneaking a lil something into his tank. After all, he did make a lot of enemies from different countries after "predicting" their football team would lose.

"But it wasn't Paul's fault!"


Well, humans like pointing fingers and play the Blame Game. Like they would point at their national football team.


If there is one thing we shouldn't go up against, is the bond between man and football. C'mone, they believe about wearing lucky jerseys, they scream at the players on TV, my dad insisting we never touch the TV when Manchester United plays - they're probably the most superstitious fans during the World Cup season.

So long Paul.