Thursday 30 September 2010

Being Popular? The Other Guys Movie Passes Give Away Contest

I was looking through my blog roll and spotted yet another premiere screening tickets give away. So, as the title says it... This is a blog post hopefully worthy of another pair of premiere tickets. The contest is from FeeqSays Network and tickets are courtesy of Advertlets.

THE MOVIE: THE OTHER GUYS





Starring Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan, Ray Stevenson, Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson.
Directed by Adam McKay
Written by Adam McKay & Chris Henchy
Produced by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Jimmy Miller, and Patrick Crowley.

NYPD Detectives Christopher Danson and P.K. Highsmith (Dwayne Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson) are the baddest and most beloved cops in New York City. They don’t get tattoos – other men get tattoos of them. Two desks over and one back, sit Detectives Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell) and Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg). You’ve seen them in the background of photos of Danson and Highsmith, out of focus and eyes closed. They’re not heroes – they’re “the Other Guys.”

But every cop has his or her day and soon Gamble and Hoitz stumble into a seemingly innocuous case no other detective wants to touch that could turn into New York City’s biggest crime. It’s the opportunity of their lives, but do these guys have the right stuff?

So here goes the answer for the contest question:
Popularity - As many sees it, the fame; the glory.. its spectacular. Many die craving to be popular; to stand amongst the crowd; to be known; to be the one in the lime light. As for me??? Nope, popularity is not my goal in life. Though many times in life, I seek for recognition for my very own hard work, being popular has never occurred in my mind. So, do I like to be popular? Hmmm... NOPE!

Celebrities are the best example of popular people. Having their privacy intruded, their actions recorded and photographed by paparazzi... The whole world knows who you are dating, what you wear, where do you shop, what did buy, etc etc etc. What kinda of life is that? Being popular simply means losing your very own lifestyle.
So NO WAY, I'm trading my life to be a popular icon with no privacy.

Perhaps, I have looked a little to wide to take celebrities as examples. Let's look at people who are closer at heart. Take a popular friend as an example. Everyone goes after him/her, wanting to spend time with him/her, hoping to be his/her BFF. WHY? Because he/she is popular. Though everyone wants to spend time with you, would that all be the same if you are no longer popular? Isn't your popularity the reason for their friendship? If so, why not lay low and enjoy the true friends along the path of life. Though fewer than those of the popular people, at least it much more genuine and long lasting even if popularity was never there.

Being popular??? PFFT... NAHHH!!!

Wednesday 29 September 2010

Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame Premiere Screening

Detectvie Dee starring Andy Lau, Carina Lau, Li Bing Bing and Tony Leung Ka Fai opens in cinemas nationwide on 30th September 2010. However, I was lucky to be able to watch it earlier! All thanks to Mix FM for giving away the premiere tickets.

2 tickets; one for me and another for a companion; fellow housemate Wong Kit Mun. Premiere screening was at Golden Screen Cinema (GSC) @ Tropicana City Mall.

So here’s the movie review:

The story revolves around Tang Dynasty during the reign of Empress Wuzetian who later became the only emperor in the history of China. Empress Wuzetian (Carina Lau) was about to be crowned as Emperor and there were mysterious death of a few government officials with regards of the construction of an extensively huge Buddha statue. Summoning back Detective Dee (Andy Lau) which has been put into exile 8 years ago for rebellion, Empress Wuzetian counts on him to solve the mystery before the coronation ceremony takes place.

The movie is quite long coming up to almost 2 hours. However, the plot was written extensively well with 2 major twist. The movie begins rather dramatically with the death of the officials taking place and Detective Dee being summoned back from exile. The investigation is rather interesting and the character of Detective Dee is serious yet entertaining. The best part about him is the serious lines with the pinch of humour. There are 2 twists in the story and the best is both is rather shocking. Watching the movie would be a great escapade especially when one investigates along with Detective Dee.

The cast made up of few big names like Andy Lau, Carina Lau and Tony Leung was promising and they somehow manage to put up a good show. The set is extensively impressive. The fighting scenes are entertaining and was displayed in a moderate manner. Enough to bring some good fighting scenes but not too much to bore the viewers.

All in all, its worth watching!

Rating: 4/5

DSC04743GSC + Detective Dee Premiere!

DSC04740

DSC04741 DSC04742








Thursday 23 September 2010

Badminton vs. Gym

Of recent, an new addiction came to me; BADMINTON!!! Yes you read it right. Badminton is currently my favourite sports all of the sudden. Thank you Janice for starting my healthy addiction cause its certainly going to help me lose some lipids.

Badminton, a racquet game felt more like having fun although in the process of working out. Gym on the other hand, felt like a chore. Running on the threadmill is seriously NO fun and boring.

So, what do you think??

Badminton vs. Gym = Fun vs, Chore?



Friday 17 September 2010

Lok Lok @ Pulau Tikus Market

DSC04702

Fancy some steamboat but don’t want to stuff yourself with so much food? Only wanting it as a light snack? LOK LOK is the answer… Lok Lok; a common hawker food where various skewers of fishballs, meatballs, vegetables and other poultry products are dipped in boiling hot water and served with various type of sauces. Usually customers would have to stand while eating but there are a couple of stalls in Penang which have tables equipped with a pot of boiling water.

Today, Lok Lok was my supper! Having tried Lok Lok in many places, the Lok Lok in Pulau Tikus Market at night is still the best for me due to its peanut sauce. The stall is located outside the market. One advantage of the stall is there are quite a number of tables available. So, even if it is packed and crowded, there isn’t really a long wait for a seat. The peanut sauce is also AWESOME!

There are a variety of skewers and they all go well with the sauce provided. Each skewer has a colour code on the end of the skewer noting the price of the skewer.

Price: Green – RM 1.20 , Black – RM 1.00

To me, the price is quite reasonable for the food and service provided. One entertaining part would be to watch the boss calculate the amount to be paid. His mental arithmetic is simply entertaining.

The stall opens at night from approximately 7pm till late. Pulau Tikus Market is located nearby Jalan Moulmein and Jalan Pasar. Finding a parking space should be quite easy at night. There are parking space available along the road and especially slightly further away.

Rating: 4/5

DSC04693 The row of stalls outside the market at night time…

DSC04696Skewers of ham, seafood tofu, shells and squid…

DSC04697Skewers of fishball, meatball, vegetables… (Hot water pot in the background)DSC04698The stall from my seat…

IMG_2203 IMG_2204

A close-up of a piece of octopus and a skewer of meatball...

DSC04692


Thursday 16 September 2010

Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng

IMG_2976Mee Goreng; the famous Indian Fried Noodle which has been in business for a few decades. Its is actually yellow noodles wok fried with a special gravy made of mostly potatoes etc. A classic plate of Mee Goreng is usually stir fried with egg, bean sprouts (tauge), bean curd, potatoes, squid or octopus and also some soft Indian crackers (it is commonly known as Niao Tsu Chee in Penang); topped with spring onions and a small piece of lime.

There is also another alternative of Mee Rebus where the noodles and bean sprout are being boiled over boiling water and served with the gravy and other toppings rather than being stir-fried. Certainly a healthier choice for those who are more health conscious

The famous Mee Goreng in Bangkok Lane; a small stall located inside a coffee shop; Seng Lee which is situated at the corner of Bangkok Lane and Burmah Road. The stall has been around for a few decades since the hands of the father of the current owner. It was also featured by Ah Xian (Astro) in his programme Taste With Jason (阿贤人情味) a year or two back in Astro AEC and recently being aired in Astro Food Channel (AFC). The owner and the rest of his helpers speak the local dialect of Hokkien and other common languages like English and Bahasa Melayu.

The Mee Goreng is priced at RM4 per plate and there is a generous amount of squid, potatoes and bean curd. The noodle was well cooked and the taste of the gravy blended very well into the noodles and other toppings especially the potatoes. The portion is neither too big nor too little (I would say it is just nice) and with a glass of drink, it would be a satisfying meal.

The stall opens daily around 11am to 5pm except Mondays. Finding a parking space could be rather a problem due to the lack of parking space. Parking further down Bangkok Lane would be much advisable.

Rating: 4/5

Address:

Seng Lee Café,
270, Jalan Burma,
10350 Georgetown, Pulau Pinang

IMG_2972 Adding in a little lime juice…

DSC00259Mee Goreng in the process…

IMG_2988ME and the owner: Thumbs UP for a delicious meal…

image

Bangkok Lane Seng Lee Cafe is noted with a red dot.



Tuesday 14 September 2010

Of Writing a Post and Blogging

As to-day, blogging is the 'in' thing to do. A platform to express oneself, an online journal or diary to be shared with the public, a place to share information. 2008 marks the date I started a blog. However, today the initial blog I started has been deleted due to an error I made by deleting my Google account.

Having lost my blog, the passion for blogging seems to turn into just amber in the ashes with no fire and flame in it. To date, I have read many impressive blogs where many pour their heart and soul into every single word and letter penned down on the virtual computer screen. From having to drag myself to write a post and to thing of what to write seems such a great pain, BUT of recent, the PASSION FOR BLOGGING IS BACK!!!

CHEERS!!

Tuesday 7 September 2010

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole Movie Screening by Advertlets & Warner Bros.




Owls an extremely common example of nocturnal animals, has about 200 species around the world. Choosing a favourite species was certainly tough. (Honestly, owls are not in my list of passion). So with a little bit of reading, Though many of my friends call me an owl for my nocturnal sleeping behaviour some times as well as how many pronounce my last name; 'Aw' which give a similar sound like the word 'owl'.

I found a particular species that I am attracted to by its name. Sadly, the species is now extinct. The owl is called 'Laughing Owl' or also known as Whēkau or White-Faced Owl commonly found in New Zealand in the 19th century. Known for the dismal shrieking sound it made, it was named the Laughing Owl. Well, out of 200 species of owl, why this as my favourite? The name in particular; Laughing attracted me. Laughing has always been a big part of my life and when I laugh, there is no stopping me. Hence, what else could be better than an owl who produces 'a sort of similar sound'.

An extremely unique feature of the Laughing Owl is it prefer to actually catch its prey on feet rather than hunting by wing. How UNIQUE! With the two small legs, it has the ability to hunt!

However, the last of the Laughing Owl was seen in 1914 and then it was heard no more. Perhaps, one lesson that could be learn is that many animals are facing extinction and many others have extinct. Laughing Owl extinct as it has gradually been replaced by cats etc as pest controller. Though environmental changes is not the reason for extinction, the world needs a change and an improvement in our environment to stop the extinction of many other species of animals other than the owl.

The last time a Laughing Owl was rumoured to be heard was in 1985 when campers heard the laughing of a mad man. No prove was found though. Today, if you hear a laughter of a mad man, it maybe one of the Laughing Owl or maybe its just my laughter. =p



Contest courtesy of Advertlets.