I Don't Need No Wah-Wah

OK

2010-05-14T04:54:00.000-07:00

2010-05-13T02:20:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, it's me again. I've been thinking about some things and I think I can share my thoughts with you on them, hopefully not in a roundabout way.

Firstly, I think I'm going to be OK, postgrad wise. It's certainly not the path I thought I'd be on, but that's what happens when you dive headlong into something, even if it's with the best of intentions. For what it's worth, I think I can walk away from all this with a lot more experience and knowledge of not just the subject matter of my research, but of the local academic system as well. And there's a lot of things that I'd like to help out in terms of fixing, system-wise. Maybe in the near future? Who knows, for now I'm just enjoying the ride and extremely grateful to everyone who's helped me along the way.

As for the other thing, I'm working on it. Rome wasn't built in a day, blah blah etc. But signs point to awesome.

Lastly, I'm putting the brakes on my blogspot blog. This may not come as much of a surprise, given my recent track record of posting here. If you are wondering why, well, I the best I can say about this is that I just kind of grew bored of the whole thing. I've been on Blogger for about 5 years now, and I think that's long enough, for this platform.

When I first started blogging here, my motivations were very simple. I was jumping on the bandwagon of the blogging scene, especially here in Malaysia, where it was just catching on. I thought with my proclivity towards self expression, it would be an easy thing to do. And it was, and continues to be, especially when I am genuinely interested in writing or sharing content. Plus, blogger at the time easily beat the crappy friendster platform (remember that one? Ha!). And it was definitely a bonus, during the first couple of years, when friends like Halian, Melor and Fareez were actively blogging and commenting was a regular thing between our blogs.

More importantly, blogging here was a really great outlet for me during my undergrad years. In retrospect, I think my generation was definitely lucky to be around when the Web 2.0 revolution was getting its running start. Things just sort of clicked into place back then. The environment in university was conducive in finding things to write about, either because of something that happened in class or with friends, or in my case, things that were related to debating. Think about it: in the last year or so of writing here, almost all the content was about music, movies or books; these were all things that happened independently of interaction with others or with the debate club. Maybe I had a loner streak, or maybe I just had less material to work with. The point is, it just got kind of stale, and I didn't do enough to add that spark to make things great again.

But it doesn't mean that I'll stop blogging altogether; the point that I want to make is that I think I've brought this blog as far as I could take it. And I want to start somewhere new. Somewhere, where I'll probably run it like I have here, but hopefully towards a more progressive direction, and one where I can be happy with the end result. I don't know if that means buying my own domain or starting on a different platform (maybe Tumblr?). But I am confident that it won't be on a (dot)blogspot url. So thanks for following me this far, and I hope once I've settled things at a newer, (hopefully) better site, you'll still be around.

Thanks for reading, and have a good day/week/month. Until I post here again.

2010-05-07T08:05:00.000-07:00

Paul Tomkins has done well to sum up LFC's season. Well worth a read.

2010-05-04T06:40:00.001-07:00

This is an old National song, Apartment Story:

my thoughts on LFC's 09/10 season

2010-05-03T01:35:00.000-07:00

Last night Liverpool played Chelsea in their last home game of the season. With Spurs and ManCity almost assuredly denying us making fourth, it was a case of damage control, as well as trying to boost the confidence of the fans and the players. With Torres out, we had no established striker (sorry Ngog, not yet. Kuyt, no you've ceded the striker role a long time ago; I still love you though). Gerrard's form has been lackadaisical on average; rarely have we seen him perform on the same level we saw last season. Johnson and Skrtel weren't available to defend, so we had to make do with Masch in the right back position. Aquilani is just starting to come into form and fulfilling the potential the fans have placed on him so much earlier in the season...

If you've been following their season, I don't have to fill you in on more of the team roster. It's a pointless exercise. The score last night? 0-2 to Chelsea. At least we made it harder for MancUnt to clinch first, eh? I didn't even bother checking our place in the table after the game, that's how messed up this season has gotten.

Over the course of the last 6 or so months, there have been plenty of rumors about who'd end up staying or who'd be brought in for the new season, but the main ones lately have been about Rafa Benitez's possible move to Juventus, and whether Torres would leave for greener pastures (either back in Spain or with ManCity).

Count me as one of the fans who doesn't want Benitez out. Yes, he has been griping a lot lately about the lack of funding available for him to strengthen the squad. Yes, he has admittedly made some miscalculations in team tactics and squad rotation. And, yes, he made some crap buys. BUT. So does every manager, and given the kind of money that was available to him, he could only buy upon selling players the club already had, so choices were clearly limited. When you've won the Primera Liga twice, with Valencia, there had to have been something special about you that led to those titles. And you had to have been given the time and the financial ability to make it happen. The same thing goes here at Liverpool, as well.

At the root of the problem lies the mismanagement and ineptitude of owners Gillette and Hicks, who have run the club into the ground, effectively snuffing Rafa's transfer kitty. The recent announcement that they have put the club up for sale is only a good thing. However, if they don't take any offers by July, I don't think the financial situation will change for the better. But changing managers, regardless of whether Benitez chooses to leave or is booted out, when there is no fundamental change in the finances, won't make things better for the team. Better to keep Benitez, with the same owners, than to have the same owners, with a manager who hasn't had the benefit of 6 years with the current squad.

So here is what needs to happen: keep Benitez, Yanks OUT. A new owner, who can give at least 40-60 million pounds for summer transfers before the 2010/11 season starts. Get it done.

I won't even pretend to know which players are the best for the squad, and which ones should go. There are already plenty of armchair coaches/managers who rely on Football Manager or FIFA Soccer 2010 stats to determine the "ideal" squad. You think just because a player has a 90+ rating in FIFA, he'd gel instantly with the squad? Don't be daft. But here's what I think, and hate me for it if you like: we don't need Gerrard next season.

At least as a first string player. Don't get me wrong, he's done great things for the club, but this last season has done nothing to assure me of his "world class" status. Last night's backpass to Drogba may have just been a fluke, but it's symptomatic of a greater degree of his "not giving a shit" attitude this season. So relegate him to the bench, and give space to Mascherano, Lucas and Aquilani to run the midfield next season. Or, sell him for about 30 mil, and get a good young player, or two young players with huge potential. Better yet, give the captain's armband to someone else. Someone like Pepe Reina.

Overall, this season's failures (and I won't sugarcoat the term failure) are almost entirely a product of Liverpool's inability to compete in the transfer market. I just hope G&H can leave this summer and let someone else run the club's finances, make things easier for Rafa (or God forbid, his replacement) to strengthen the squad. The last thing we need is to sell someone like Torres just so we can buy 3-4 new players because there was no other alternative.

Otherwise? Here's hoping next season, everyone else screws up more royally than Liverpool.

2010-04-14T08:15:00.000-07:00

I was listening to a lot of Lupe Fiasco today, both while driving and while out jogging (good music for both), and this song really stood out for me. I'll embed it here first before I elaborate further (Buzz readers, that means going to the original post, sorry).

I will admit that I got into hip hop relatively late as opposed to most fans of the genre; while I was busy trying to catch up with every new "reinvention" of the indie-rock scene, I'd been oblivious to the sheer amount of quality coming from this unfairly ignored (on my part) wellspring. Everyone from OutKast to the Wu Tang Clan and their subsequent solo works (except Ghostface, I loved his shit immediately upon first listen), to Kanye, T.I., Clipse, The Game, Jay-Z, Bun B, Lil Wayne (say no more, of course I know Lil Wayne, he's everywhere). Even cross-over artists and acts like Q-Tip and Mos Def, wow. Mos Def is the man. I can see why he was, and is still, considered as a class rap act. So, having listened to all of this stuff, naturally I want to hear more. If you guys have any suggestions on who I should listen to, sound off!

Anyway, Little Weapon by Lupe. Here's the thing I love about this song, and so many others from The Cool and Food & Liquor: his imagery, in his choice and flow of words, is impeccable. I can't not see the child soldiers. I can't unsee the type of loss of innocence that he's singing about. Not to mention the fact that the guy's voice and choice of beats is just undeniably infectious. Even when he's rapping about something as vile and unfortunate as the song's subject matter, it is fucking catchy as hell. Now play that song again. See what I mean?

2010-04-14T04:26:00.000-07:00

This made me laugh! Check out more one-panel black and white comics at Married To The Sea.

* In case you missed the reference.

2010-04-12T08:31:00.000-07:00

You know how sometimes when you're waiting for something important to happen, it couldn't come soon enough (this is of course assuming that you yourself are working towards it, not just passively waiting)? And then, when it is on the verge of happening, and you're forced to act, you're not really sure what it is you're supposed to do? And there suddenly isn't enough time to go around?

Yeah. Me too.

More posting to come, as soon as the dust settles. Make of this what you will!

Meanwhile, my shared items page keeps on growing..

Recommended Music that I have listened to recently: Nada Surf - If I Had a Hi-Fi, She & Him - Volume Two, The Morning Benders - Big Echo, Aloha - Home Acres

All so, so good. Also, The Courteeners, cos they sound so Smiths-like I can't stand it.

Thanks for reading and see you again soon.

2010-03-29T06:57:00.000-07:00

I was listening to my regular drive random playlist when Bon Iver's Lump Sum came on. I don't really know how to describe the way this song makes me feel: on a non verbal level, even if the vocals were just reduced to the mumblings of the saddest person on earth, this song is guaranteed to hit you right in the gut. As it is, this is a powerful reminder of why For Emma, Forever Ago is deemed one of the best albums of the '00s.

Here's Lump Sum:

Or so the story goes.

Oh, hey, see you all in Sarawak in August! I might be presenting again. I submitted my abstract, and am working on the final paper. Still a lot of work to do...

2010-03-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

I've written here before about how much I love the Scott Pilgrim series, and if you haven't yet read it, you need to catch up NOW! You also may have heard that Edgar Wright was contracted to direct the film adaptation; it's coming out in August, and stars Michael Cera as SP.

The trailer just came out. Two words immediately come to mind: FUCK. and YES.

2010-03-25T06:57:00.000-07:00

It doesn't matter what kind of music you like or don't like: Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life is essential listening.

This is Sir Duke, your feel good tune of the day:

2010-03-23T06:58:00.000-07:00

I was watching Al Jazeera this morning (their presenters are almost always on fire); occasionally if I have the time, I'll watch it over my morning coffee. On the hourly news, the AIPAC (American-Israeli Public Affairs Committee [did I get that right?]) convention was a hot topic, what with the recent announcement of new settlements being built in Jerusalem. Shihab Ritansi interviewed a California-based rabbi on his opinion on the issue, and the rabbi presented a pretty interesting idea regarding the elusive two-state solution: instead of destroying these illegal settlements, let the Israelis stay in them, but make them citizens of the Palestinian West Bank. That's not very much different from the status quo, but it does underscore the belligerence of the Israelis with regards to their attitude on these settlements.

Just something to think about.

2010-03-22T07:25:00.000-07:00

Roger Ebert wrote a really great piece on universal health care, from last year. He recently re-linked to it from his twitter account, and as one of his "followers," I thought I'd share it here, as well. Enjoy this (relatively) brief read.

You do know the US health care bill just passed, right? Anyway, enough blogging. I have sleep to catch up on. Here's another song I really dig by Drake with Lykke Li. This is Little Bit:

2010-03-22T01:33:00.001-07:00

Oh, man. This is the best thing I've heard all day. Love it to infinity.

This is Drake, with his rendition of Peter Bjorn and John's Let's Call it Off:

From Drake's So Far Gone.

2010-03-20T07:02:00.000-07:00

Photo sent from my dad in Madinah.

You know what is good driving music? I'll tell you! Here's what I've been putting on this past week; they're all pretty old acts, nothing really current (I am trying to catch up though! :p):

1. Turin Brakes - Underrated, in my honest opinion. They made it big with "Mind Over Money" in the early aughts, then kind of went unnoticed. They did, however, release a bunch of albums over the years, the most recent being Dark On Fire. Here's a song:

2. David Gray - Oh my goodness, I love David Gray. He gets brushed off quite a bit by the people I know, probably cos on the surface level, his songs might seem "same-y." I couldn't disagree more. The last time I fell for someone, two of his songs got to me, more than many of my other favorite bands: "The One I Love" and "Be Mine." On the other side of the spectrum, here's a more sober offering. Check out the lyrics here.

3. Ron Sexsmith: There's no easier way for me to sum up Ron Sexsmith than to say that he sounds like Jackson Browne, Paul McCartney and Cat Stevens had some kind of crazy love child, and he was the result. Check out this awesomeness.

4. Nada Surf - This is probably my go-to band if I can't think of anything to play, besides my Pete Yorn and Ryan Adams. I just love these guys. Enjoy "Hi-Speed Soul"

There was also a period where all I listened to for a couple months was Big Star, but I put up a bunch of their songs not too long ago. Also I occasionally enjoy Bob Dylan and George Harrison.

Finally, here's another on the road favorite: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. You can't go wrong with these guys. If you remember seeing this video in your youth, congratulations! You're old!

2010-03-17T18:55:00.000-07:00

Alex Chilton died today from a heart attack. For those of you who don't know who he was, he was one of the primary members of Big Star, a band I fell in love with only fairly recently. He wrote some of the most modern-sounding music from the early 70's, unfortunately, Big Star wasn't as large a commercial success as they deserved to be, releasing only three albums before a long break from recording as a band. It didn't help that their recording company didn't give them a fair break either.

Anyway, I want this post to be about the music both Chilton and his bandmates made, so here goes.

2010-03-15T19:05:00.001-07:00

Liverpool VS Portsmouth
Uploaded by tooons1. - More professional, college and classic sports videos.

Oh, yes. I just hope it's not too little too late for my dear LFC

2010-03-15T02:10:00.001-07:00

2010-03-12T19:42:00.000-08:00

Stopped by the post office this morning to pick up a package on my way to the lab. I thought it would be as good a time as any to clean up my desk and at the very least make it appear that I am more organized than I really am (seriously, it's a mess). It's pretty nice here on the weekends, it's quiet, there's less worry of disturbing undergrad classes if I do any experiments in the daytime.

Anyway, it turns out the t-shirt I ordered from Concrete Rocket arrived! Here's how the design looks:

I already have a bunch of shirts with brown backgrounds, but I like this one for a variety of reasons; even though the American Gothic theme has been done to death, I think it looks pretty rad in this motif. Check out their other shirts here.

I don't know when my McSweeney's shirt will arrive, I'm really looking forward to that.

2010-03-10T07:44:00.000-08:00

One of my absolute favorite JB songs. File under: awesome!

And here it is in glorious full band mode.You may want to turn this one up:

Never mind now, with your heart, how much is owed - Nina Simone would be proud.

2010-03-09T18:44:00.000-08:00

Once I saw this being bandied around on the interwebs, I knew I had to share it: this is the new single from the forthcoming (very very soon!) Volume Two, by M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel aka She & Him.

Currently listening to The Jayhawks anthology, Music From The North Country. Great stuff.

2010-03-08T07:21:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the lack of content, guys! I'm currently takin care of some bidness, so I'm mostly just posting random tweets when I can. Here's a song I really dig, from Ron Sexsmith's self-titled:

2010-03-04T06:32:00.000-08:00

Songs I heard on the drive home:

1. The Ting Tings - Traffic Light

2. The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - Lost Prophets In Vain

3. The Vines - Don't Listen to The Radio (haha!)

4. Ash - Let it Flow

Incidentally, their A-Z series of singles is nearing the halfway mark; subscribe now! It's worth it for the bonus subscriber-only tracks.

5. Ben Folds - In Between Days

6. Belle & Sebastian - There's Too Much Love

7. Iron & Wine - Sunset Soon Forgotten

I LOVE this song.

8. Sparklehorse - Sick of Goodbyes

Ditto on this song. Love it.

9. Pharoahe Monch - Desire

This was the last song before pulling up. Sometimes shuffle just works ;)

Aaaaaah Pharoahe Monch, that is THE SHIT.

2010-03-02T19:58:00.000-08:00

I have to say, the new post editor is quite nifty. Not too much of a departure from the old one, and it'll take a few posts to get through the idiosyncrasies of the new editor, but for now, I'm fine with the way it works.

Have you guys heard the new Yeasayer, Odd Blood? It's miles above what they achieved with their first album, All Hours Cymbals. Here's the thing about their first album: while I absolutely loved it, I felt that they were kind of withholding in terms of sonic "oomph." Now, I'm not saying that sparse arrangements and minimalist tunes aren't my thing; anyone who goes through whatever I've posted here should know by now that I will listen to just about everything. And far be it for me to say that AHC was a minimalist album, because it wasn't. My point is that I knew they were capable of so much more, and their live performances of songs like Tightrope and 2080 certainly indicated that (and once you've heard the Yeah, Yeah!! from 2080, you know it'll never leave your head, nor would you want it to).

All of which brings me to say how I feel about Odd Blood: it's fucking phenomenal. This is the kind of leap and evolution in style that makes a sophomore album sound like the real fucking deal. It's similar to how Of Montreal went from The Gay Parade to Satanic Panic in the Attic, how Phoenix went from Alphabetical and United to It's Never Been Like That to Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, how Kings of Leon went from Youth and Young Manhood to Because Of The Times, how fucking RHCP somehow took a giant leap of faith to make By The Way (or as my sister would say, how she felt when she heard The Shins' third album). They sound like a band that's fully assured of themselves, and the trademark vocal harmonies evident in AHC fit just as well in this album. Of course, some bands just sound consistently amazing from album to album (Wilco, The New Pornographers, Spoon? Not so much.), but some need more time to settle into a groove that fits and grow from there, but I digress.

Here are a couple of songs gleaned from the youtubes just because.

Public Service Message

2010-03-01T07:11:00.000-08:00

If you've got a kid who stays at home alone while waiting to leave for afternoon school, please, please remind him/her to never leave the gate open, and the door unlocked.

Robbery's a 24 hour enterprise. Can't afford to be naive these days, and no, I'm not just saying that because I've grown old and wizened. My next door neighbor got robbed in broad friggin' daylight. And you know what the kicker was? While one guy inside held a knife to the poor kid's throat, and his accomplice ransacked the house, the lookout outside told the bus driver "the kid already left for school." How fucked up is that?

2010-03-01T02:46:00.001-08:00

I thought of sharing this on facebook, but it didn't feel right, knowing that chances are, it would only get about 1/100 views, so it's far more apropos that you only click it because you are here already.

Love this.

double header

2010-02-26T05:21:00.000-08:00

Just a couple of songs, each one can kind of follow the other. Long day, spent helping a friend teach a class almost all day. Stuck in traffic for ages. Must shower now.

What are those three words? Only RA and another know.

The Umpteenth Iteration

2010-02-23T06:28:00.001-08:00

Hi! Some of you may have noticed a huge drop in updates lately, and it didn't really help that, for a while (because I idiotically fooled around with my template without backing up the original) my entire blog just kind of disappeared. So a few days ago, feeling beholden to my 4 or 5 regular readers, I decided to just post everything back up, sans my old sidebar. Thank goodness for XML!

I briefly considered either starting a new blog on blogspot or starting anew at another service, but it occurred to me that it would take too long to familiarize myself elsewhere not to mention reformatting some of my older posts were I to move them (I speak from experience). Maybe they made it easier nowadays, who knows.

The point is, I'm still running this blog, and I will get around to trying to get things back in order here. I also want to write about so many musical topics my head is full to bursting. And this despite being 2 months behind, current music-wise.

For those wondering why I chose the name above, here's the eponymous song, from All Things Must Pass. I think I've posted it before, but fuck it.

And I know how sweet life can be
If I keep myself free

it's a mess

2010-01-19T01:09:00.000-08:00

right now the blog looks like shit. I'mma fix it, but it'll take a while and I'm not sure I want to spend too much time doing that. Haha, what a mess.

Work work work

Horchata

2010-01-12T20:02:00.000-08:00

2010-01-08T01:47:00.000-08:00

Been a while since I linked to anything round these parts. Enjoy today's Achewood!

2010-01-05T21:29:00.000-08:00

I didn't post anything from the JC album? Here's 11th Dimension.

It's been a slow day, hence the posting.

2010-01-05T21:13:00.000-08:00

WOO New Vampire Weekend, I'm gonna listen to this for the remainder of the year. Happy 2010.

2010-01-05T00:33:00.000-08:00

2010-01-05T00:25:00.000-08:00

a couple songs because I feel like it

2010-01-04T07:06:00.000-08:00

Earlimart - Time for Yourself

Love it.

The Dodos - The Strums

2010-01-03T07:43:00.000-08:00

Bloc Party - This Modern Love

Deep (?).

2010-01-03T03:45:00.000-08:00

Happy belated new year, everyone. Have you seen Sherlock Holmes and/or The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus? Both are pretty great, in my opinion, though Holmes is without a doubt the more accessible of the two movies. Jude Law and RDJ acting as partners Watson and Holmes? Casting genius, that. Fans of Monty Python and other Terry Gilliam movies I think would get a kick out of Imaginarium. And it was great seeing one last performance by Heath Ledger, RIP.

Anyway, I felt like sharing this song, by one of my favorite bands, Earlimart. From their album Hymn & Her, this is For The Birds:

2009-12-21T20:38:00.000-08:00

Thanks Jasmine! This is the best thing I seen all day

2009-12-20T07:39:00.000-08:00

Hrmph. Too much on my plate for the time being; more jet engine troubles! This is beginning to vex me greatly. However, I've invested too much energy into this endeavor to change my topic, so I'm going to do whatever I can to keep it going. If all else fails, then we'll see what we'll see...

Ellipses aside, here is a song I love dearly. Lover, You Should've Come Over by the inimitable Jeff Buckley. I say this because no cover can do the man justice.

2009-12-08T18:04:00.000-08:00

2009-12-08T17:34:00.000-08:00

I regularly receive updates from some record labels asking me to listen to, and review some of their talent; unfortunately, I seldom have the time to write about the albums or EPs I'm given a link to. However, I think this release warrants immediate attention, as I am digging the hell out of it. It's in the electric-indie-dance vein, and it's by Peter Project, featuring a bunch of guest vocalists and (ahem) phat beats. The name of the EP is FRESH, the Soap EP. Here are some links to listen to PP's music. Recommended if you're into The Avalanches, Girl Talk, Octopus Project, etc.

http://www.myspace.com/peterproject

2009-12-07T16:16:00.000-08:00

2009-12-03T01:31:00.000-08:00

some thoughts on a few things

2009-11-29T16:17:00.000-08:00

Liverpool's current season:

Bollocks. I'm sure I am not the only one who's pissed off that Aquilani's not had a start yet, despite being declared fit to play for about a month now. The injury woes the team has been having have not been too positive either, but with Gerrard back, at the very least we have a chance of getting back into the top four by year's end. Anyway I am not feeling too bad about the current form. Lucas and Mascherano have done well as holding midfielders, and Glen Johnson has proven to be one of Rafa's best investments, and he's a good fit to the left attacking defenders like Aurelio and Insua. So, not too worried, but I'm not getting my hopes up too high either.

Stephen King's Under The Dome

What can I say, it's another latter day Stephen King book. After the focused, singular narrative of Lisey's Story and Duma Key from the last couple of years, it is refreshing to see him take on another small-town epic story, at least in terms of concept. The thing I like most about Stephen King is his ability to create the right mood to sell the story. I don't want to give too much away, but essentially, UTD is about a fictitious small town in Maine that gets trapped under, you guessed it, a dome, an invisible barrier that lets air through, albeit slowly and in small amounts, but doesn't allow water or particulate matter to pas through. So the increasingly worse air quality and heat that builds up as a result is used skillfully by King to create a sense of atmosphere and desperation that actually led me to feel a little cramped in and claustrophobic for a couple of days.

However, after a couple of decades of writing these types of stories, the more common King elements start making themselves kind of painfully obvious: smart children (you know what I mean), hero(es) up against impossible odds, obvious "evil" characters, the crazies who act as catalysts to larger events, and, surprisingly, at least three genuine deus ex machina moments. I won't spoil them, but if you read the book, you'll know when you get to them. At 1000+ pages, you'll get your money's worth in terms of story density, and it is a pretty quick read. Do I recommend it? Only if you want to ease into King's tremendous body of work; it's at least a good primer for what he does much better in stories like 'Salem's Lot and The Stand.

Incidentally, I bought a book from a friend a couple of months ago, which I still have not yet started on. So, Nadia, I promise the next book I finish will be Bolano's 2666. Or, at least, I will finish it by January? Come on, it's just so goddamn thick.

Away We Go

Great little movie from Sam Mendes. It's about John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph's journey across North America to find a place to settle down and raise their as yet unborn baby daughter. It's basically divided up into more or less equal segments of them meeting friends and family and gaining insight into how different families can be raised by the types of people the parents are. There are no out and out funny or overtly expository moments, it's just a light movie with real heart. Anyway, I was bought over by its charm, but if I watch it again a couple years from now I don't know what I'd think of it.

Music

Man, my music listening has really not been very focused lately, still rating stuff that's in my current library (23000 songs down, 3000 to go!). But, I want to recommend some stuff regardless. Nick Drake, Nico (the lady who collaborated with The Velvet Underground), er, the new Julian album, Deer Tick, oh man, the entire Wu Tang catalogue. Holy shit, their stuff is amazing! As you can see I am not really lucid music-wise. I'll get back to you on that later.

Oh, right. Big Star. Yes. You have to listen to Big Star. I am into them in kind of a big way at the moment.

This is pretty much how it is going now

2009-11-09T21:42:00.000-08:00

Hey, everyone! I'm currently finishing up my preparations for a presentation I'm doing next week for a conference in KL. I'm presenting a paper reviewing current trends and research in alternative fuels for aviation, and uh, also hoping that my experiments can start soon as well.

Anyway, the main reason I am writing this is to inform you guys that while I may currently be inactive on my blog, you can still see what I am doing on the interwebs by joining Google Reader and following my shared items! Click on the link to start.

Be good and see you soon.

2009-10-25T09:21:00.000-07:00

Well! I'm just writing here to remind you that I'm still around. I just witnessed the extremely cathartic, relieving, and utterly satisfying drubbing of ManYoo by Liverpool. Having come off of 4 straight defeats in all competitions, Rafa Benitez's back was really up against the wall to produce a result in what was arguably one of the most important matches of this season.

And what a result, indeed. 2-0 doesn't lie. Torres showing his class and caliber against a hapless and kind-of-absent Rio Ferdinand and an injury time goal by youngster Ngog really put to rest any fear that Benitez's Liverpool have lost their grip or confidence. But then again, there's still many games to go before the end of this season, so I just hope the confidence and good will that LFC gained tonight will carry them through.

If you didn't watch it, man, you've missed out. It was akin to watching a proper Cup final. Good times. To all my ManYoo supporting friends, BOO-Yah!

And now, commencing another prolonged blogging break....

Oh, yeah. I just heard the new Julian Casablancas album. I like it! I hope a new Strokes record is coming soon after.

2009-10-08T09:03:00.000-07:00

Maxwell - Love You

from BLACKsummers'night

2009-09-30T07:18:00.000-07:00

Hey, guys. Kind of busy at the moment, but I'm currently bopping my head to RZA's Digi Snacks.

This is "Up Again." Enjoy!

Also: Volley-Pong. Combine ping pong with volleyball for fun times.

2009-09-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

The Count: I hope she was worth it.

Gavin Cavanagh: She definitely was!

The Count: (muttering) Fuck.

And with that, Philip Seymour Hoffman won my heart all over again.

The Boat That Rocked is the fucking best maritime pirate radio movie ever. My God, you guys have to watch this movie.

2009-09-26T10:27:00.000-07:00

OK here is a live performance we can all agree on. This is probably my current old favorite song at the moment. It's all I play on guitar nowadays.

2009-09-26T10:17:00.000-07:00

This is Ryan Adams and the Cardinals doing a more, er, arty version of These Girls. It's proof that the slow jam is still alive and well in this day and age:

OK sorry if that freaked you out, it's not like on the album Easy Tiger, but it's still pretty fucking rad.

Well, girl sometimes i feel just like a boy
Put here on this earth for you to toy around with
Like matchbox cars you buy and burn in your backyard
Like monsters underneath your bed you ain't afraid of yet

But you let me in
And i feel alright
Yeah, i feel alright

The late night girls are anxious
And they're coming out to play
And i've been stranded on their doorstep for every night and day

I only want them more, it's so sad but when they smile
God, i've been had
I get hypnotized and i wanna go to bed

I used to pick up shells cast off the reef
One christmas i got a funeral and they handed me the receipt
How ever many lies i tell without my tongue
Get twisted into memories 'til i believe them some

And i toy with you
And you toy with me
Can you stop this please

God bless all the late night girls,
and they're coming out to smile
how can anybody feel bad

It makes me tired and i wanna go to bed
These girls are better off in my head
These girls are better off in my head
These girls are better off in my head
These girls

2009-09-25T10:54:00.000-07:00

As one of the epilogues from Figure 8, Happiness encapsulates everything that makes Elliott Smith's music so timeless and enduring: beautiful chord progressions, emotion packed into the vocals, and deep lyrics. Here's a stripped down version, hope you like it:

If you want to see the electric version, click here! Sorry I can't embed.

2009-09-25T10:47:00.000-07:00

This sounds so hackneyed coming from me, but if you're not subscribed to my sister's blog, brother, you're missing out. Think my blog, but better. I know, it's hard.

2009-09-25T07:50:00.000-07:00

One recurring theme this year when my family visited my mother's kampung was my parents' reminiscing about their marriage, and how it was when me and my brother were still babies and they were still doing their Masters in Scotland. The first when we were at my grandmother's house for a barbecue, and the latter when we had a visit from a certain special someone at our KB flat (special to my brother, that is). It's not often that my Dad would talk about the past, only on certain occasions or triggers: anniversaries and balik kampungs especially.

My mom and dad were married in my grandmother's house in Kelantan. His "wakil" (representative? In a looser sense of the word?) was the father of a close friend, as his own closest family was across the sea. So he was pretty much mostly on his own when he walked into the house: a lot of womenfolk from my mom's hometown sitting on the floor, awaiting the appearance of the bride, my dad walking in with (in typical Malaysian 80's fashion) long wavy hair, looking completely out of place. My mom waiting in another room to come out. He talked about how nervous he was when it came time to read all the rigmarole in jawi (Arabic letters, but Malay language).

When everything was done, he left the house, leaving my mom to wait there for him, and went back to town. He met up with his "keluarga angkat" (sort of like a foster family for those who came from far away) and had dinner with them at a hotel. (At this point I jokingly pantomimed my dad, "Hey guys! I just got married today." "That's great, kid, let's have dinner!") I'm guessing he was still really nervous at the time. I wonder how my mom felt. Probably not as fish-out-of-the-water.

1981 was a different time. My parents were 23 when they tied the knot. I personally don't see myself getting married for a while. My brother, maybe, but that's just cos he's older. But then again, who knows, right? Maybe in a couple months I'll be saying all kinds of shit that contradicts the last couple of sentences.

That's enough nostalgia for now. I have to get up early and maybe go back to campus to see if class is still on. Here's a blast from the past, courtesy of my main man, George Harrison:

Today's Playlist

2009-09-25T04:27:00.000-07:00

How's everything? I am looking forward to visiting an old friend tomorrow, hopefully I won't get lost on the way, haha. Anyway, today's songs are very poppy, so I apologize for that.

Spoon - Don't You Evah

White Rabbits - The Lady Vanishes

Amy MacDonald - This is the Life

Headlights - January

Jesse Malin - Russian Roulette

Matt & Kim - Cutdown

Andrew Bird - On Ho! and Oh No (This is amazing live. Turn this one up.)

The Sounds - The Only Ones

Turin Brakes - Stalker

For the last song, I'll leave you with Geraldine by Glasvegas

2009-09-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

Still away from regular blogginating status, so here's a song as filler. From musicforthemorningafter, this is Sleep Better.

"You could never be him"

I just saw Totoro, it's so fucking brilliant. Nobody beats Miyazaki. Pure joy.

Maybe a post about family bonds soon? I dunno. Later!

2009-09-20T10:17:00.000-07:00

This song always puts a smile on my face. Talk about wishy-washiness. Mason Jennings is awesome.

2009-09-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

One of the first songs that I ever heard by Elliott Smith, and it's a cover of Neil Young's Harvest Moon. I always wanted to play this song for someone, even if I screwed up the chords, because I have never found a more sincere, simple, straightforward song.

2009-09-20T09:45:00.000-07:00

Wanted to share Neil Young and Crazy Horse's Lookin' For A Love, but this version of Heart Of Gold is still pretty damn special:

I've been a miner for a heart of gold.

2009-09-19T08:06:00.000-07:00

Highlights of my family's road trips back to Kelantan for raya in general (or, If you're taking the Gua Musang route, buddy, why? The road is in crap shape):

Taking turns driving the Kembara with my brother while Jasmine sits in the other car with the parents. Switching iPod music every 30 or so songs. Talking about shit in general.

Playing the Munchkin card game in our little apartment in town. I suspect my sister and dad of cheating (or I'm just crap at this game, hmm).

Hanging out and reminiscing with my uncle's family in my grandmother's old kampung house. Thinking about my own old age and where I might end up. Meeting the other relatives I'd only see this time of year and promising to see them again soon, God willing.

Joining Eid ul-Fitri prayers at the local mosque and breathing in the air in front of the Independence Field on the walk back home. Seeing the look on my mom's face whenever we come back here.

Anyway, one of the songs to end up being played is this gem from Aimee Mann. It always gives me that warm sad-happy feeling hearing anything from The Forgotten Arm, so here's a song:

2009-09-18T08:05:00.000-07:00

I just watched Howl's Moving Castle with my dad and sister. It's incredible. So far the Miyazaki movies that I've seen would be Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke, which covers almost all of the all time Studio Ghibli classics. What's next? Most probably My Neighbor Totoro.

One common theme I find in Miyazaki movies is the fact that they don't really pander towards specific themes or moralities. Yes, there are elements of "good" and "evil", but it's all implicit and secondary to the intent of just displaying a good, gripping story. Any of the characters that seemed bad are not the one-dimensional kinds you'd find in most Western parables. Even the Wicked Witch of the Wastes and the evil old bath house lady in Spirited Away are actually very layered, complex characters who are capable of doing good, and more often than not, they do redeem themselves of their own volition.

Another thing I absolutely love about Miyazaki movies is the attention to detail. Every painted animation cell is full of vibrant color and a sense of warmth and life, such that when you see a particularly spectacular piece of scenery, you want to be there and breathe in the air. I'm also amazed by how much effort is placed into showing the expressions and facial tics of each individual character and animal. Nobody does quirk and emotion better than Miyazaki, and you'd be hard pressed not to chuckle when an asthmatic dog wheezes its way into the heart of a simple cleaning lady in Moving Castle.

Anyway, I have to give props to Jasmine for introducing me to the magic of Hayao Miyazaki. Thanks Jasmine. Thasmine.

Today's Playlist

2009-09-18T05:31:00.000-07:00

The Good, The Bad & The Queen - Behind The Sun

Air (& Phoenix) - Kelly Watch The Stars

TV On The Radio - Freeway

The Old 97's - Designs On You

Franz Ferdinand - Come On Home

The Hold Steady - Positive Jam

Ash - I'd Give You Anything

Modest Mouse - Float On

Lambchop - Sharing a Gibson with Martin Luther King Jr.

R.E.M. - Supernatural Superserious

2009-09-17T20:37:00.000-07:00

Image from Chris's Invincible Super Blog.

Be good! Drive safely on the way back to your respective kampungs.

2009-09-17T20:12:00.000-07:00

“We went in and recorded exactly where we were at that point in time. I think because of the quality of musicianship of the band has given it the longevity. I thought the music would endure, I didn't think I would.. I always thought I'd be dead by 30 then dead by 40 and on and on. Now I'm 55 so I didn't even die at 50.” -- Jimmy Page (via)

It's always this time of year that I want to put on all the Led albums.

2009-09-17T15:06:00.000-07:00

There is a scene from Men In Black ('95 or '96? '97? Anyway..) where Tommy Lee Jones clandestinely (surreptitiously?) uses the Company's satellites to check in on the woman he left behind in his past life in order to pursue the truth behind the Universe and Everything. And aliens.

Digression: Is it just me or is it easier to remember the name of the actor rather than the role protrayed?

Anyway, Will Smith approaches, catches TLJ in the act and quips (and I'm pretty sure this is a paraphrase),

"You know what they say; It's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."

To which Jones replies,

"You should try it some time."

Given that it was a comedy film, it's understandable that the acceptable audience reaction would be along the lines of thinking, wow this guy's a badass, and he's sentimental. But what makes me remember this scene so vividly (and it's not the repeated viewings over the years) is the expression on TLJ's face as he looks at his abandoned love and, following that, the way or inflectionof voice in which he rebuked Smith's line. Almost reactionary and angry in nature, but composed and cool in the delivery. Classic Tommy Lee.

It's heartbreaking. But in the context of the movie, it was a necessary sacrifice, and one that isn't given much emphasis in later scenes (though it is addressed in the somewhat lesser sequel [though to be fair, I didn't see MIB2 half as many times as the first]); in order to protect the galaxy, and by extension, the lives of the ones they love most, the agents have to disassociate and distance themselves from them. Which leads to a somewhat lonely existence (albeit one which entails many exploding alien heads).

What prompted me to write about this scene in particular? I'm not entirely sure (Fact: even if I was, I'm not sure I'd write it here). Maybe it's just an oblique way of expressing myself by virtue of calling, on cue, fragmented memories of movies or songs. I'm not much of a writer (the output on this blog has suffered during the last couple of years).

Maybe it is apt to quote lyrics or refer to movie scenes to adequately express oneself without necessarily revealing anything. To me, though, it feels insincere. Insincere in the fact that, yes, I'm expressing myself, but at the same time, will anybody get it? By quoting The Shins or Ryan Adams, or hell, Ben Folds, am I really revealing anything at all, or am I just sharing a choice quote? I guess what I'm getting at is, context is everything. Or maybe it isn't even necessary in the first place. Maybe it is enough to say something from some album and expect the intended audience to understand.

Or maybe we could be direct and oblique. Just look at Ben Folds' Break Up Song: "Bitch, I want my money back" (Relax, no, that's not me saying it, I'm just giving an example, really.)

I used to smoke a lot of shisha back in the day (after one particularly bad coughing fit the day after, I kind of took a break from it, and still am). Around the time I was graduating, I was hanging out with some of my closest friends from engineering, and was exhaling this one pretty big cloud of apple scented smoke and thinking to myself: "This is me blowing away every problem I've had up til now. This is me starting afresh. No more hang-ups and no more baggage." Next time your therapist says to project your problems, try this (kidding. There're plenty of healthier options than this.)

But the truth of it is, the kind of liberating buzz I got from that night wore off after a while. We carry our baggage all the time. We go to a new place and expect to reinvent ourselves, but who are we kidding? The old me is still here, just a younger version of who I am now. Our new friends are great and all for hanging out with and having a great time, but you get close enough and sooner or later we end up talking or at the very least skirting around what's been bugging us all these years.

I'll just keep myself busy and focus on my work. A sense of purpose or a little direction helps. Friends do too, old and new alike. Which is why I'm grateful for both.

Over sharing done. I'm going to flood my blog with more music until this post gets buried underneath the good, good sounds of musical catharsis.

Oh, right. Eid Mubarak, folks!

2009-09-17T12:04:00.000-07:00

Robert Plant's intro monologue is awesome.

But oh, Tangerine.

page

2009-09-16T11:37:00.000-07:00

Today's Playlist

2009-09-16T07:12:00.000-07:00

What it is, what it is. Coffee and conversation, conviviality. Catching up with old friends every couple of weeks, research means learning something new everyday. I'm screwed if I think I can finish within a year and a half, but goddammit, I'm gonna try.

Here's some music!

Pete Yorn - Blackie's Dead

The Cure - Boys Don't Cry

Paul McCartney - Flaming Pie

Takka Takka - Fever

Husker Du - Makes No Sense At All

The Velvet Underground - Prominent Men

Cadence Weapon - Sharks

Mirror - Nowhere

TV On The Radio - Crying

Taken By Trees - Julia

2009-09-15T17:59:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, there was a little British band called Led Zeppelin, and they made delightful songs like this. This is Celebration Day from III:

There is a train that leaves the station
Heading for your destination,
But the price you pay has increased a dollar more.
Yes, it has!
And if you walk youre gonna get there
Tho it takes a little longer,
And when you see it in the distance
You will wring your hands and moan.

There's a time and place for everything. Led Zeppelin need no such cues.

tuesday playlist

2009-09-15T06:41:00.000-07:00

Some songs on shuffle on the drive home tonight:

Arctic Monkeys - The View From the Afternoon

The Kinks - Wonderboy

Lucky Soul - Add Your Light to Mine, Baby

Silversun Pickups - Little Lover's So Polite

Bruce Springsteen - Murder Incorporated

Sparks - This Is The Renaissance

Billy Bragg & Wilco - Stetson Kennedy

That is all.

2009-09-14T19:59:00.000-07:00

Found on Skull Swap, a Tumblr blog. Click to enlarge and download.

I wonder what happened to my Tumblr account? Hrm.

Fleetwood Mac - Book of Love

2009-09-13T06:22:00.000-07:00

2009-09-12T18:51:00.000-07:00

Neil Young and Crazy Horse doing Cowgirl in the Sand. Perfect trip when you're the only one awake. Turn this mother up loud.

LOUD

2009-09-12T18:24:00.000-07:00

I think everyone should devote some time to listen through Grace at least once in their lives. Jeff Buckley's ultimate musical contribution, and one of the best debut albums of the 90's. This is Last Goodbye, I can't get that rhythm out of my head, it's so primal and man, you have to hear it for yourself.

Grizzly Bear - While You Wait for the Others

2009-09-12T06:38:00.000-07:00

2009-09-12T06:22:00.000-07:00

Kasabian performing Underdog live. Smooooooooth.

This is Turin Brakes doing Underdog (Save Me) as well, but it's a different song altogether. One of my early college years' songs:

2009-09-12T04:50:00.000-07:00

I don't care that Pitchfork gave Break Up less than 5, it's still a pretty great pop album. At a little under half an hour in length, it's appropriate for just straight chillin'. Here's PY and SJ doing Relator in France:

2009-09-12T04:15:00.000-07:00

This is what we talk about on the weekends when everyone's home and hangin in the living room:

Dad: If I were to just take one Weezer album which one would it be?
Adrian & Jasmine: The first and second one
Me: Yeah the first one and also maybe the third one
Adrian: Whaat, the third one?
Me: Yeah you know, Island in the Sun
Adrian: Yeah maybe for that one song
Dad: Hmph! I'd rather hear the Kenny Rogers version
Adrian: That's a different song
Mom: Why do I think of Kenny Rogers' roasted chicken
Jasmine comes to the couch to give mom a hug
Dad: It's like Paul Newman with his salad dressing

And then we have dinner

Deer Tick - Smith Hill

2009-09-11T08:48:00.000-07:00

Born on Flag Day - one of the best albums of the year, in my opinion. Check it out.

Eef Barzelay - "I Love The Unknown" from Rocket Science

2009-09-11T08:29:00.000-07:00

Rocket Science is one of my favorite quirk films. Plus the ending is worth all the stuttering and plain bad luck the kid went through, so it's all good.

Charlie Bartlett was another movie released not too far apart from Rocket Science, but I kind of prefer RS to CB, if only because the soundtrack is slightly better.

Eef Barzelay - Lose Big

2009-09-11T08:22:00.000-07:00

Digging the red-colored capo

2009-09-11T08:05:00.000-07:00

More WTWTA posters at Pajiba! Can't wait for this to come out already.

Fleet Foxes - Mykonos

2009-09-11T07:49:00.000-07:00

Y'all know I love the shit out of this band, but I've never shared the official video for this song. It combines two of my favorite things: great music and a little origami.

2009-09-10T09:26:00.000-07:00

Brendan Benson, man. His music got me through some rough patches back in the day.

I have honestly never heard this version of Metarie. I'm totally digging it, this adds a whole new dimension to what's on Lapalco. Enjoy:

Here's a more recent performance:

The Dodos - The Strums

2009-09-10T08:53:00.000-07:00

Loving this song. Good night!

2009-09-10T07:11:00.000-07:00

This Is Anfield. Click to enlarge!

2009-09-10T06:47:00.000-07:00

This one's for you; you don't deserve the kind of judgment and contempt they're giving you and our family. I really hope things work out for the both of you, I really do.

This is Don't Go Down:

Her mama called me a thief,
and her dad called himself the commander in chief;
I fought him off with my love,
but I knew the sense of worthlessness
you have to rise above

Dang, man.

2009-09-09T20:16:00.000-07:00

Bibio's Ambivalence Avenue is one of my favorite albums of the year. It's pure chill out music, perfect for just about anything. This is Lover's Carvings:

nite nite

2009-09-07T09:36:00.001-07:00

This is what I want played over my opening credits

nite nite

2009-09-07T09:36:00.000-07:00

This is what I want played over my opening credits

2009-09-07T08:56:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite songs written and sung by PY. Everything about this song resonates pretty hard, and it's hard not to feel a little misty eyed while listening. Maybe I'm just a sap that way, haha. This is Country.

SIGNS

2009-09-06T08:43:00.000-07:00

Awesome awesome awesome. This has been out all year and I only just saw it?

Hey! It's-a-me! Maaaario

2009-09-06T06:59:00.000-07:00

What is up, True Believers. It's been a God-dang while, yes I know. I haven't even written about Liverpool's first month of the new season (not that there's too much to be optimistic about), nor about any TV shows and movies I've seen (District 9 was incroyable, as was Adventureland, which is this year's equivalent to last year's The Wackness). Also worth watching? Torchwood: Children of Earth, which reinstated my faith in good old sci-fi TV. And Michael & Michael Have Issues was a nice comedic diversion, and I finally saw the first season for Party Down, which is my new favorite tragicomedy.

What links do I want to share with you? Well, since I'm short on ideas right now, I thought I'd link you to this hilarious piece written by Steven Weber for the HuffPo. Also below is a Funny Or Die video starring Thomas Haden Church, and it's funny as hell.

Gus Porter, American Legend with Thomas Haden Church from Thomas Haden Church

Take care everyone.

2009-08-24T19:13:00.000-07:00

Brendan Benson plays a song from his new album, My Old Familiar Friend. I love this:

2009-08-24T14:22:00.000-07:00

Before she went big with albums like Fidelity and Far, Regina Spektor recorded this gem for her album Songs- this is Samson. This gave me goosebumps on my first listen. It's beautiful.

Later, maybe I'll write some more, for now I've got nothing to say.

T.I. - What You Know (King)

2009-08-20T10:28:00.000-07:00

another filler post?

2009-08-18T08:11:00.000-07:00

I've been keeping myself busy with research and general tomfoolery. This one's for you, and you, and you. And especially you.

Give that girl my very best
Though it never made the grade
When it seems that it's just not enough to love
Then love lie down
And would you tell her
Not to talk as if I died
Though a tiny part just did
And would you tell her
I'm from a long line of survivors
And I'll be swinging with the kids

Keep your sympathy
Don't need the healing to start
You've gone
Gone and made a beautiful hole in my heart

In the corner of the room
In the room we used to love
Of the love we should say this
There were switches never flicked
Long away and far apart
That's how forest fires start
Start again it felt like this
Fresh and simple as a kiss
I bounce these feelings off the moon
The echoes don't come back

Keep your sympathy
Don't need the healing to start
You've gone
Gone and made a beautiful hole in my heart

--Elbow, My Very Best

via

2009-08-13T19:08:00.000-07:00

If M. Ward can duet with Zooey Deschanel, I see no reason why PY can't do it with ScarJo:

arrooooo

2009-08-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

I posit that this is the best trailer for any movie that I've seen in a long time. Tomorrow morning I am totally gonna blast some Arcade Fire on the way to the lab.

Argh the cuteness is overwhelming