The Longest Post-School Break
Tom: “Either she’s an evil, emotionless, miserable human being, or… she’s a robot.” (500 Days of Summer)
It has been a really long break I took from blogging. Like what Tom said, I was definitely a miserable human being trying to be a workaholic robot. Not an excuse for my tons of overdue posts (Timbre Rock and Roots, Timbre Song Writing Competition, Fairly Legal Review, many weeks of AOTW and TV+movie reviews) I know. So sorry to all my readers but I AM BACK (-inserts awkward silence-) Those posts will come shortly after!
But yes, getting back to the whole blogging thing before I am doomed behind the Great Firewall. In case you have not heard, I will be leaving Singapore in a few months time for further studies in Beijing. The good thing is, it will be conducted in English (Phew!) The bad thing is, I have to leave my loved ones behind and also having unstable internet for the rest of the months I’m there. Hopefully I can continue blogging with the not-so-secret mighty VPN power. More on that decision next time!
In other news, the last few weeks of school was great. Catching up with old friends, meeting new ones, getting enough sleep (or so I think) and busy planning for the Beijing trip and studies. I am currently working full time at Epiphany Education till I leave town, it has been real fun conducting workshops for students and knowing that they enjoyed the time spent together with their coaches, hopefully learning something out of the workshop too? Hee.
So how’s May coming along for you?
Watching Episodes
Just caught the first episode of the new Showtime series “Episodes”. The reason ? Matt LeBlanc. Come on, how can you resist TV’s Joey….even if he’s already 43 ! Has it been that long since we saw him as Joey in Friends? Gee.
Created by David Crane,co-creator of Friends and Jeffrey Klarik, a writer for Mad About You, Episodes is basically a TV show about the television industry – all the glam and whatnots behind it. Tamsin Greig and Stephen Mangan plays a Brits couple (love their accent) who has to survive the absurdity in showbiz, with LeBlanc being the wedge that comes between them. Love how he spoofs himself in the show. Episodes provide an fascinating insight to the showbiz industry but in all honesty, it’s just a good TV show in reality about a bad TV show on screen with nothing much to wow about it except for the fact that Joey is back on screen and it was a good comeback.
First episode of Episodes (sorry, can’t help it) was average, not so much of LeBlanc as the main focus was on Greig and Mangan and how they moved to LA. A few laughs here and there but in general it wasn’t exactly up to my initial expectation of the show from the trailer. Then again, it’s a 7 episodes serie so I’m hoping it gets better! We shall see !
2010 in Moving Images
TV has taken my life over like an imperialistic regime, let’s just say I spent at least 8 hours in a week catching up on TV shows. Let’s see some of my personal favorites of this year.
1) How I Met Your Mother – This comedy is like a huge mystery to us fans – WHO IS TED’S WIFE ?! This season has its basic humor and a little surrealism to elevate it above the past seasons. New schticks and the usual awesome Barneyism. Looking forward to the end to find out (I) who is the wife ? (II) will Robin and Barney end up together eventually ? (III) Will Lily and Marshall have tons of kids? – but not quite looking forward to the last episode as well since this is apparently the last season.
2) The Big Bang Theory – Needless to say, these 4 brainiacs are as adorable as ever since the past 3 seasons. Interesting addition to the group is Amy Farrah Fowler, a girl who is a friend, but not Sheldon’s ‘girlfriend’. I love how she’s the female version of Sheldon. Sadly I find that Leonard’s story is dying down alil but always good to see Raj and Howard getting more lines. Will be interesting to see how Amy and Sheldon gets into a relationship and whether Leonard and Penny will get back together.
3) The Walking Dead – Rise of the zombies ! For those of you who have yet to read the comics (Neither have I, but soon!) will most likely to find it convincing, both visually and emotionally. I love how realistic and established the scenes were and it is definitely one of the most intriguing shows this season. Looking forward to more brains, guts, hearts and the undead.
4) Lie To Me – Tim Roth is really magnetic and charming as Cal Lightman, the soul of the story. I enjoy the acting of the cast but not quite the plot which tends to digress into not-so-important details. It is still fascinating to watch how the Lightman group solves these crimes nonetheless.
5) Community – Meta-sitcom structure aside, Community has wonderfully drawn characters and remarkable cast. I totally love Abed and Troy, they never fail to bring a blast to the end of the show which happens to be the best last few minutes of each episode. Not sure how long can they last in college but will be looking forward to more.
6) Raising Hope – Very similar to ‘My Name Is Earl’ as they are both created by Greg Garcia. I like how it is built around the working class and how ‘screwed up’ life can be. Likable characters (The grandma character is hilarious), fun plot and you really can’t resist the charm of the baby. A simple yet very homely off-beat comedy.
7) Running Wilde - Slapstick humor, another way to describe the style would be ‘Arrested Development’ as it is co-created by its producers. There are flaws but some episodes get the humor. I like Kerri Russel enough to watch the show and I’m still amused by how shiny and ‘plastic’ Will Arnett’s forehead is.
8) The Office – This season has been funny so far and probably it’s all thanks to a good cast. Steve Carell has his ways when it comes to ‘mockumentary’ – of course, clever writing helps. I am still lovin’ it.
9) Nikita – After Alias, I think this gotta be the best female kickass show on screen after a long time. Maggie Q is ever so hot and seductive in her character and I’m glad the plot gets better. A fair balance between sub-plots and action, what more can I ask for ?
10) The Vampire Diaries – Guilty pleasure. I really think Damon (on the right) is the hottest vampire around, who really gives a damn about sparkling Edward. Plot aside, gorgeous cast and excellent OST.
Not forgetting I’m always a fan of Saturday Night Live, Family Guy, singing from Glee (not so for the plot), Tower Prep (I know, it’s aired on Cartoon Network and I’m way overage for that..but Drew Van Acker is too cute to resist and anything with supernatural powers is pretty awesome to watch). Hellcats is another guilty pleasure as the story really sucks but the cast is worth watching, based on looks that is. Criminal Minds and NCIS have been interesting but it gets just alil boring after episodes and episodes of similar predictable endings. I catch a glimpse of Parenthood once in awhile but it gets too sappy for me. Not forgetting the ‘to-catch-up-on’ list of Modern Family,Weed, Futurama and Mad Men.
Oh boy, I sure need more time for TV in 2011. Looking forward to Jan when all my shows return !
AOTW [24] : NajMeTender
If you have been following me on twitter, you’ll probably notice that I’ve been talking about the Ukulele alot recently.
NajMeTender caught my eyes because she looks so adorable in the videos ! I really like her style and the best part of it all ? She’s a fellow Singaporean and just 2 years (I think) younger than I am ! Support local talents ! (Here I go again..haha)
Enjoy her Ukulele cover of Lady Gaga’s ‘Pokerface’ (which for some strange reason I kept typing ‘Pokkaface’ instead -sips on Pokka Oolong Tea-)
Oh,I just have to share this as well because it used to be my favourite show.
You’ll realize there’s something else after 0:44 (seriously cuteness!)
Addam’s Family Theme song
I’ll be sharing more Ukulele-related videos for the upcoming AOTW posts, stay tuned !
More reasons for stay home weekends..
Simply can’t wait to glue myself to the screen !
Glee is like mature version of High School Musical meets the geek world – typical normal boring kids finding their talents and discovering themselves in this journey together through the Glee club in high school, letting their voices be heard. Can’t exactly identify myself with the show but the songs are pretty catchy and I’ve always like the broadway/musical kind of show. Looking forward to the performances and I have to say the casts have pretty good voices !
How I Met Your Mother last season ! Will be interesting to see Barney and Robin get together actually ! They were nominated for Emmy Outstanding Comedy Series too !
Looking forward to catch Community as well ! By the directors of “Arrested Development”, it should be quite good as well ? Yet another college-based show.
Of course there’s alwasy CSI as well !
Gee, I guess now you know the reason if I turn down any events or gatherings ! (Haha.Just Kidding!)
