After reading the book, ‘The Art of Cheating’ I realized that everyone cheating. One way or another.
At the beginning, the book was funny. It was enjoyable to read. As I go down few chapters, it seems to repetitious. Boring. Too much of parody of howto. Somehow I couldn’t bring myself to finish this book.
Guess I got cheated too by the book title. :p
Popularity: 25% [?]
A walk down the old times. A change that happened to be an impetus of me. Whom shaped me to who I am.
My Ko, the book Who Moved My Cheese? and the loss.
Popularity: 10% [?]
Movies, Films, Musics and Books, People and Places, Project 365
Chow Yun-fat, the cast by himself is worthy the ticket for the silver screen. Who doesn’t like Chow Yun-fat? He is charming, and charismatic. Playing the lead role as Confucius, who lived the Dynasty Zhou in China. The film is sort of a biography about him and how his teachings have deeply influenced life in most of Asia.
Confucius
Back then in the 6th century BC China was still composed of the feudal monarchy and government official, competing with each other for supremacy. Kong Qiu or Confucius “Chow Yun-Fat” was appointed to ministerial office of the kingdom of Lu, where the court’s power had devolved to the three most powerful local clans – the three noble families. Given the off-the-record authority by the ruler of Lu he begin to reduce the power of the three clans whom appear to control the entire kingdom of Lu.
At the beginning, Confucius efforts to curb the ambitions of the powerful clans appeared to succeed, but the ruler of the kingdom of Qi used bribes to turn the ruler of Lu against him. It was after the rebellion that his plan turn back against him. Perhaps his idealism about the governance were just too utopia? Even in todays world, that a government cannot be freed from certain elites whom had control over due to their wealth and power.
Hence, Confucius was stripped of his office and sent into exile. And He travelled from kingdom to kingdom, and finally he met the seductive Nanzi “Zhou Xun”, kingdom of Wei ruler’s concubine. It seems to me that during this period, the entire story sounds similar to the 40-years exile / Exodus. >.< with the exception this is just a little over 10-13 years?
Zhou Xun in Confucius
In the end of the film, the only things I asked myself was what is the movie all about? I wanted to ask from what perspective the film is trying to achieve? Cinematographic, business profits, entertainment value or purely a form of artistic?
My ratings for the film: 4/10
Popularity: 7% [?]
It was raining. Raining cats and dogs. I have no option to go out for dinner. Thus I decided to ea whatever I can get at home. While at it, I have decided to go along with my movie popcorn catch up.
Sorority Row
It was pretty standard like “I Know What You Did Last Summer” kind of film with the exception a lot of boobs, and softcore I think.
Audrina Patridge
The story begins with Theta Pie sisters decided to pull a prank. A series of prank went wrong and Megan ended up dead. Brutally killed. Few months down the road, someone got to know the story. The killer slowly plotted to kill one by one. It was a pretty standard formula for this kind of thriller. In the end, the killer dies, and the psychopath eventually turned out to be alive. Guess they can make a sequel from it.
Time to Kill
My point? You can watch if you wanted to see some flesh.
Rating? 2/5
Popularity: 18% [?]
After the absence from the cinema scene since last year, I finally manage to catch a show in Mid Valley last week. It was the movie “the Book of Eli” after all the commotion was all about from my twitterspace. So I got myself a popcorn seat right at the center of the screen, comfortably watching the show to the end.
Throughout the film 1 hour and 58 minutes, I got to admit that there were times it seems so anti climax. From the beginning of the film, we would already have guessed it was the world after the apocalypse. The world that we know as abundance become scarcity. Everything was lacking from the necessity like waters, food and even a warm bed.
the Book of Eli
Spoiler ahead Read more…
Popularity: 23% [?]
which taken place in New York.
New York, I Love You
Nothing was more compelling for me to write this post up despite it is past midnight. This movie left me mesmerizing. It stores 11 short stories interweave together telling nothing in common exception that in search for love. From what I know, not all the 11 short stories are bad. I like the way these directors took down the streets of New York which seems to be more centered at the Manhattan instead. Leaving us to view the city of Big Apple in a very different ways that you can possibly imagine. By the way, I never been there so it left much room for imagination.
Natalie Portman to my surprise was directing one of the stories. Behind the camera, it was something fresh I would say. With all the international stars such as Bradley Cooper, Justin Bartha, Andy Garcia, Hayden Christensen, Rachel Bilson, Natalie Portman, Irrfan Khan, Emilie Ohana, Orlando Bloom, Christina Ricci, Maggie Q, Ethan Hawke, Anton Yelchin, James Caan, Olivia Thirlby, Blake Lively, Drea de Matteo, Julie Christie, John Hurt, Shia LaBeouf, Ugur Yucel, Taylor Geare, Carlos Acosta, Jacinda Barrett, Shu Qi, Burt Young, Chris Cooper, Robin Wright Penn, Eva Amurri, Eli Wallach and Cloris Leachman; who can resists from watching it.
Somehow, I found out that the this movie is actually a second installment from the first successful Paris, je t’aime, and the next upcoming will be Shanghai, I Love You? In the end of the movie, it stated ‘In Memory of Anthony Minghella’ – whom directed ‘The English Patient‘ So sadly to say this short stories was his last directed film.
Oh well, if you were to ask me I think you ought to watch this although it seems so random at the beginning but in the end you will find it all of them happened parallel somehow. I would rate 3.8/5 
Popularity: 11% [?]
Finally, I finished the ‘Tipping Point‘ by Malcolm Gladwell. It was pretty tough reading in fact. Too much information cluttered all together. Trying to bind the story altogether. I had enough of the factual reading at this moment. In fact, I am still pursuing the ‘Leadership’ by Rudolph Giuliani on my spare time. Which I feel like reading. Usually a couple of pages and that’s it. The feeling of reading it similar to reading the book by Jack Welsh’s Winning.
Hence, I starting to flip something light. Something interesting at least to put all those no-nonsense book away first. 
It’s like eating too much of meat, you ended up scare of it.
Let me learn the art of cheating
The Art of Cheating
Popularity: 9% [?]
Movies, Films, Musics and Books, Thoughts, Rants and Musings
Kris Allen First Virgin Showcase in Malaysia. Was held at the rooftops in Gardens Mall, Mid Valley. I won the two ticket from MAS.
Thank you Malaysia Airlines!
Popularity: 10% [?]
Movies, Films, Musics and Books, People and Places, Project 365
Malcolm Gladwell - Outliers
When suddenly the inspiration sets in. I almost tempted to get another of his work the other day at MPH Bookstore Mid Valley, “What the Dog Saw” but tell myself that “no; not today.” Hence I decided to finished the two titles I had with me before getting a new one. Beginning with the “Outliers”, Malcolm Gladwell put in the story of exceptional people. Those people, outliers are the people who do not fit into our normal understanding of achievement, those who are smart, rich, and successful, and those who operate at the extreme outer edge of what is statistically possible.
Unlike any other book, Gladwell challenges the readers to think. Putting the thinking cap on and challenges on the opportunities. Are we at the right timing and the right opportunities. I wondered myself if I am at the right timing right now. Knowing that if I change job earlier or started working earlier, will that be of help?
There are infinite possibilities when you start to think like that. However, just as the Chinese sayings suggest, “时势做英雄,英雄做时势”
Will there be more outliers if at that time when everyone given the opportunities and timing like Bill Gates?
Popularity: 11% [?]
I know this was coming. I mean the wedding and sort. Just that I never expected he would actually called me up and then asked me to help him out. I did extend my offer and it wasn’t just a lip service. Having not knowing what I can do and what to offer, I barely just told him he have to tell me what was needed for me to help him to do.
Knowing that having such wedding ceremony. Wedding dinner, the setup, and stuff is a lot of hassle. It did not just happened between the bride and the groom. It involves the entire both party families members and friends. So that could be tedious trying to please everyone.
When the other day L called me up asking if I could help me to compile some songs for the wedding, I knew that I couldn’t say no. It was a straight-forward “a friend in need is a friend indeed” situation or the other way round. No idea. Maybe the entry here can help to clear it out. Since I have agreed to help out, I begin to search for songs that can be used.
Playlist (image from http://www.brassmenagerie.com)
With the help from her, I managed to compile up to 49 songs. Some of them seems cheeky and some of them doesn’t fit in the context. There are more to come but then again, I thought these few would be suffice. L have to go through these before he can come back and tell me about it. He asked about the song during the “Toasting” which I totally slipped out of my mind.
Just now, I manage to get him another title “A Moment Like This” by Leona Lewis seems to fit. I don’t know. I am merely suggesting. The best part will be what songs he will use and which songs will be dropped out from the equation.
Thanks to the ladies, here is the list:-
01 Can You Feel The Love Tonight.mp3
02 Every Day I Love You.MP3
03 Lucky (Feat. Colbie Caillat).mp3
04 Just You And Me.mp3
05 L-O-V-E.m4a
06 Wonderful Tonight.mp3
07 Fly Me To The Moon.mp3
08 Contigo (Estar Contigo) Luis Miguel Romances Latin.mp3
09 Everything.mp3
10 Sometimes When We Touch.mp3
11 You And I Both.mp3
12 When I’m With You.mp3
13 Singalongsong (English).mp3
14 You & Me.mp3
15 Hero.mp3
16 Nothing Gonna Change My Love For You.mp3
17 Tonight I Celebrate My Love For You.mp3
18 This I Promise You.mp3
19 Don’t Know Much.mp3
20 Make It With You.mp3
21 Girl You Are My Love.mp3
22 Because You Loved Me.mp3
23 The Way You Make Me Feel.mp3
24 When I Said I Do (with Lisa Hartman Black).mp3
25 I Love The Way You Love Me.mp3
26 Love And Marriage.mp3
27 1 2 3 4.mp3
28 Come Away With Me.mp3
29 It’s Gonna Be Love.mp3
30 Baby You’re My Light (Soundtrack Version).mp3
31 You Make My Dreams.mp3
32 People Will Say We’re In Love.mp3
33 Yes! I Do.mp3
34 I Wanna Grow Old With You.mp3
35 How Deep Is Your Love.mp3
36 Moon River.mp3
37 We Got Love.mp3
38 When You Say Nothing At All.mp3
39 All My Life.mp3
40 I Love The Way You Love Me.mp3
41 Crazy Little Thing Called Love.mp3
42 When You Love Someone.mp3
43 Endless Love – w. Lionel Richie.mp3
44 You Are So Beautiful.MP3
45 When I’m 64.MP3
46 Right Next To You.mp3
47 Can’t Help Falling In Love (Live).mp3
99 The Time Of My Life.mp3
Which one is you best favourite?
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
*UPDATE: The list doesn’t make it through. Guess I have a different taste
Popularity: 42% [?]
Movies, Films, Musics and Books, Thoughts, Rants and Musings
Virgin suicides by Eugenides Jeffrey
Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People by Rich DeVos
Leadership by Rudolph Giuliani
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows
