Day 02 - A book that you've read more than 3 times

There are a lot of books that I read and reread and some I even had lost count on how many times I had read it. However I opt not to mention those books since I'll be mentioning some of them later on. And I opt for this because I want to include some chic lits in the mix.

The book is : The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger.

I honestly can't remembered if I read the book first or watch the movie, however I know that I prefer the book more. 

Minor spoilers ahead (to those who have not watch the movie or read the book)

I read and re-read it during my first years of working. My first few years of working had been, torturous and full of uncertainties. This book seems to speak to me and comforted me in thinking that even working in a glamourous place, your work can sucks.

I like Andy journey into her career and reading it amused me, frustrates me and all in all entertains me. Why I like to reread it? Like I said, it entertains me but also frustrates me. I am not exactly in agreement over Andy decision and many would clamored over her opportunities, so to see her walk away due to principles I am kinda like throwing my hands up in frustration. So I put away the book and after some time had pass, I forgot my frustration on the ending, I picked up the book again to be entertained and relived Andy experience yet again. 

As much as people deride chic lit, this is a well written book. A coming of age sorts of journey and a great read for girls who are in the start of their career. And I am never bored reading it. Writing this again make me think of the book, and felt like picking it up again. Those who had not read it, I seriously recommend it.

Day 01 - Best book you read last year

2010 was not really a good year for me in term of reading books. I have no idea why, but perhaps the books that I chose was mostly mediocre. It was mostly chic lits and books that do not meet my expectations. Also, I have a hard time remembering most of the books I read. So if you can't remember the book you read, it does not make much of an impact right?

So choosing the best book I read last year, I come up with the Golden Compass trilogies by Phillip Pullman.

  am not sure when did I actually start reading it, but I finished it around January or February 2010. And I'll just encompass the whole 3 books into one, because really it is one continuous story. 

Why I choose it as the best? I think the reason is easily done in point form

• The characters are complex, deeply flawed and marvelously human. 

• I like Lyra. She is manipulative, deceptive but have a clear sense of right and wrong, though the way that she does things is not exactly a do gooder would do. 

• The stories are amazing. I like it if I can't predict the story and the story goes into an unexpected way.

• And most of all, the reason why I chose it as the best is because even though a year had past, I kept on remembering bits and extract of the books. I sometimes found myself thinking of the worlds. When I looked at the stars, sometimes I thought of Dust. It left an impact. Any book that does that, had been created well.

30 days of Book Meme

I want to do this. I looked at other people meme and many of them are so so good. And some I completely agree with and I can't continue reading the other memes until I'll finish or at least halfway finish with mine without agreeing and putting the same book on the list which defeats the fun fun fun part of it.

So Adek, Sue, Jane and whoever on here who still read my blog and love books, jom buattttt. I would love to read yours. ( I think Effi turned up his nose on meme. ). 

The only thing left is, whether to do it on Tumblr or Blogger. And I'll think I'll start on Monday for easier counting! And I am raking my brains on the Day 1: Best book you read last year. For the simple reason of I can't remember what books I read last year. 

Hence the importance of reviewing books after I finish em because my memory is like a leaky cauldron.  I also think I need to put separate tags on books review. And by Monday I'd looked through my books to ascertain which one I'll put on this list.

Whee!!! Tiba-tiba excited nak belog balik.

And for moi, and others, the below are the complete list.

Day 01 - Best book you read last year
Day 02 - A book that you've read more than 3 times
Day 03 - Your favorite series
Day 04 - Favorite book of your favorite series
Day 05 - A book that makes you happy
Day 06 - A book that makes you sad
Day 07 - Most underrated book
Day 08 - Most overrated book
Day 09 - A book you thought you wouldn't like but ended up loving
Day 10 - Favorite classic book
Day 11 - A book you hated
Day 12 - A book you used to love but don't anymore
Day 13 - Your favorite writer
Day 14 - Favorite book of your favorite writer
Day 15 - Favorite male character
Day 16 - Favorite female character
Day 17 - Favorite quote from your favorite book
Day 18 - A book that disappointed you
Day 19 - Favorite book turned into a movie
Day 20 - Favorite romance book
Day 21 - Favorite book from your childhood
Day 22 - Favorite book you own
Day 23 - A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven't
Day 24 - A book that you wish more people would've read
Day 25 - A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 - A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 - The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 - Favorite title
Day 29 - A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 - Your favorite book of all time

Been Busy Reason #2

Been busy reading. I got started reading the second book of Betsy the Vampire Queen series and keep on going. I'd complained before that I don't like the first book. It was kind of crass and sometimes just makes me feel ickish. However the second and so got better and I kinda like the books now.

In spirit of my newly vigour in reading I gotten (well more like somebody else) myself the sequels to the Darkest Power trilogy by Kelley Armstrong. The first book kept me so interested that I can't wait to get my hands on its sequel. Oh and those are Young Adults books. That zombies book is also something I just needed to have. More about that later after I read it.

Which brings to mind that I'd finished quite a number of books and have not reviewed any of them for a while. Not like any of you care. Hermmm. Maybe I can muster a quick and brief reviews.

Well then I am going to immerse myself in the world of a silly and vain vampire. Which is why I am typing this quickly on my phone because if I stay in front of the computer, I'll be glued there for hours.

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Been Busy

With my brother wedding preparations. Selamat sudah. Habis aje wedding sume orang dalam family terus demam. Penat sangat I think.

The stress do not end. On the wedding day, orang yang mesin rumput around the home manage to break the my car window to a million pieces. Sigh. And just now, a young boy somehow lose control of his motorcycle and rammed into my husband car, denting it. Adakah kami atau kereta2 kami perlu dimandi bunga ini?

Bangkrap wehh

Of Holiday

I need to blog about the holiday. Tapi masih rasa malas. I ain't feeling like working, and at least balik office ni tadekle keje menimbun.

My husband is on holiday at the moment and fixing various things that needed to be fixed at home. The cats are home at last, but sementara kucing2 masih tiada, I manage to feed some strays di belakang rumah. There's this small orange cat that always sit around at the back of the house looking so thin that I couldn't help myself but feed him/her. (My husband maintained its a her, I maintained its a him ). Currently he responded to the name "Oren". I am secretly hatching a plan to neuter or spay him. Someone made a resolution in the PF forum to spay or neuter a random cat at least once a year to help curb population and abandoned kitties, it is maybe a good way to start. Bile kucing ada di rumah, it is a bit of a hassle to feed the stray because they are not welcoming. Mengada-ngade sungguh. Dedua datang dari longkang jugak.

It had been a good holiday, but kinda tiring. When will a holiday be relaxing? I sometimes think, during work days lagi relaxing dari holiday. Bile holiday naik kereta berjam-jam, jalan sana-sini beli barang, staying at some uncomfortable hotel. Maybe holiday-ing at KL? Duduk di luxurious hotel being pampered by spa, massage and room service. But I am one of the few people who do not like spa. I don't like the thoughts of random stranger touching me. Husband boleh. When I went for a massage in Siem Reap dulu, the masseuse was kinda frustrated because I am too tense. Heh, this suddenly brings to mind "Creepy Massage Guy" from HIMYM.

When I was in some kayak club/exploration thingies back in school, after a session we were required to stand in line and massage the shoulder of the person in front of us. I volunteered to be at the back of the line every time. That was the ok part of the team activity. Once for team bonding, a group of 12 or so, was asked to share a Twiggies. Semua wajib to take a bite. Still ok, compare to another group of 12 that have to share one tiny M&M. Apa nak dishare dengan M&M? Boleh lick aje. Euw.

p/s: Topik sudah lari jauh dari ape yang dibelog

so lazy

I wish I could stay here forever, but only because I am not looking forward to the boat ride tomorrow.

You people who don't have motion sickness. You don't know how lucky you're.

Because of this unfortunate 'malady', I am giving the open sea snorkelling a miss because I don't think my stomach can take it. Stomach, you are such a bore.

In the mean time, I am enjoying the sea still. Seeing the rollicking waves, I can't help thinking how something this beautiful, could also be so deadly.

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You know what is a bitch

... when they close 1 road down in KL and the whole KL traffic goes to hell. I predict we ain't even gonna reach to our meeting place at 6pm this morning.

... when your skin is so sensitive that you can't wear the very expensive eye cream that you bought because it makes your eyes watery and the skins under the eyes itchy.

... you are late to work and your cat had just puke green slimy stuff all over the kitchen.

And eh, no other things to rant about. Because the above complains make me feel ungrateful, and in the spirit of TGIF, let's list the one thing I am grateful to counter the negative.

... KL traffic , I am grateful for - No. I can't think of any good things to say about KL traffic because I am dreading the way back home tonight.

... sensitive skins - while my skin is sensitive it is also quite hassle free. I don't have MUCH acne problems (tho it is starting to flare up now) and I can wear any products as long as I am careful, except for the eye areas.

... I am grateful that even though I am late to work, my working hour is so flexible that everybody came at 10 am anyway ( ehem.. I sometimes stroll in at 11, like today).

So that's that. Besok shopping! (Kalau husband baca mesti die trembling in terror. I promise not to over buy things. Kut )

Inkworld

Hurrying writing a new post sementara keje on hold dan performance review belom set tarikh lagi.

So because I'd been wanting to review Inkworld trilogy. Here it goes.

Summary:

• Inkheart - I think most you know the story from the movie. A voice of certain people when read out loud can make the stories from the book came true.

• Inkspell - For this book, the family read themselves into the story of Inkheart and shenanigan  adventures happened.

• Inkdeath -The adventures from Inkspell continued. Basically fixing the stories and beating the bad guys. 

Wow. That is a pretty short summary. And I guess a short review is in order too. In point form la because I have stuffy nose, and that resulted in foggy brain.

Point form reviews: 

• I much rather watch the movie. It is much more nicer. Well, for Inkheart anyway. 

• The character Meggie is so annoying and selfish and whiny that once in a while I felt like slapping her. 

• I have no vested interest in any of the characters. Which maybe why I am uninterested to turn the page. 

• I also could not see why the story is so popular. Then I realized that it is originally in German and maybe some of the beauty are lost in translation.

• That being said, I am actually impressed with all the dark stuffs going on in the books. While Book 1 it seems like the good guys beat the bad guys. Book 2 and almost to the end of Book 3, is depressing. You don't feel that light and good are winning in the story. 

• While I did say I have no vested interest in the characters, the most interesting, complex and attractive characters I found in the book is Violante. I would love to get to know her more. She is a complex character that is full of flaws yet everything about her seems to stand out. Write a book about her!

Verdict : 

That being said. I enjoyed Inkheart (somewhat), enjoyed the early part of the Inkspell and the ending of the Inkdeath. However I felt it a bit lacking, maybe due to the characters. I find it a bit draggy. Maybe the book is too thick (mine is 3 books in one, not gonna buy like that anymore. Hard to bring everywhere and read while lying down), however if I found myself putting the book down, I am not incline to pick it up again. Maybe it appeals to a younger demographic, who knows? But I myself unabashedly love YA books. So the Inkworld trilogy felt like finding yourself eating a hot piping ramen in a rainy day and you feel like there is something missing in it to make you want to slurp the whole thing down in 1 gulp.

Brief Scare

Heh. Want to update it to Twitter, tapi macam panjang je nak tulis. So malassss and twitlonger or deckly is unkewl.

Anyway, reading Blog Serius just now reminded me of an incident in BTN. 

Warning: Kesah mistik ahead

When I was in UTP, some of us are required to go to the BTN. Our BTN camp was somewhere in Perak near a Chinese cemetery. I remembered that we have to go past the Chinese cemetery and past some ladang getah I think to get to the camp. Nothing untoward really happened there. It was fun actually and not as racist or propaganda-ish as I thought it would be. The food sucks balls but we lived.

Kate kesah mistik ahead kan. Well, no one said anything weird happened. Some people said its a bit creepy (you should see the bathroom, it looks like the set of a Thai ghost movie), however most of us get through the 3 or 4 days without incident. Again, mana kesah mistik nye?

Maybe I should say slight incident. My bed on the camp was a double decker bed and I am unlucky enough to get the top bunk. On the first night I slept there, I suddenly woke up in the middle of the night because I was cold. It was. And I also realized that I am not on my bed anymore. Instead I was beneath the bed. Somehow I manage to fall of my bed and rolled underneath the bed without waking up, which is like... how you manage to fall of a double decker bed and not wake up? I briefly panicked. Brief is the word because I was also really tired and sleepy. So I rolled myself out and drag myself up to the bed and continue to sleep in seconds.

If anything there wanted to scare me, they/it must have been disappointed because I quickly forgot about it after waking up and continue my day happily. Nothing untoward happened the subsequent nights. And I sometimes wondered how I manage to get there.

Gile tak best ending cite ni. Sorry to waste your few mins. LOL.

Usual random

Impending Wedding

I've been busy going here and there for my brother's wedding. Since sometimes I went alone or with my sister most of the bridal boutiques automatically assume this wedding is for me. Haha. Even the new maid at my sister's house thought that the impending marriage preparation is for my wedding because she had never seen my husband. This only shows that my husband had been away far too long. Bah! But it is still fun to prepare for the wedding. . My brother is like "whatever.. ", so the sisters are having all the fun. The downside to this is I'm broke.

Love & Other Drugs

I'd watched Love & Other Drugs. It was so sweet. Granted you need to watch it uncensored because there's a lot of nudity going on there especially involving Anne Hathaway boobs. And by typing that out, I'd guaranteed there will be some stray that will stumbled into my blog looking for that. Back to the movie, I thought it is gonna be more dark and serious, but most of the time it is funny and sweet. I did wish it'd been a bit more serious, but hey, it was still good. And I recommend it to you, watch with your friends ( to comment on Jake Gylenhall and Anne Hathaway bits) . Or your married spouse (for the same reason while laughing at the sex). I am not promoting for unmarried couples nor I tegah also.

I think I look fat. No. I know I look fat.

I think I mentioned so many times I need to diet. Cakap banyak, satu haprak action tiada. And now I have to. My pants are now becoming leggings and I am severely unhappy about it. It is either wearing baju kurung all the time now or buying more pants which is not an option because, moi, broke, si? And wearing baju kurung all the time, is also like. NO. So come on Dila, don't be a fattie. Sigh. Exercise is such a chore. I am always incredulous when I heard of people saying things like " I love working out". Why can't I be one of those people?

X: Men & McAvoy

X: Men First Class trailer is now out. Despite James McAvoy in it, I am not impressed. The trailer underwhelmed me. So. Gah! Emma Frost looks hot though, but James McAvoy does not move me there. Please let it be good. The only James McAvoy coming out soon is Gnomeo and Juliet and he is not onscreen!

Well, sampai sini sahaja. I think it should be some time for some proper post. But I am not in the mood to be serious in blog nowadays!

Me

It is hard to give explanations to people that ain't thinking too fondly of you on why you act a certain way. However I think with age, many of us just stop giving the explanations altogether. 

I used to feel annoyed or angry when people started judging based on a 5 mins intro or worst of all story yang dijaja-jaja oleh orang lain. Nowadays, I couldn't give a crap and if they say they are surprised that I am like this, like this, like this or they think I am (proud, not nice, stupid, bla bla bla ) , I will be very dismissively accepting that this people and this don't like me and I know about it but I won't do anything about it. Why you want to win over the people that don't like you? Why spend all those energy to people who don't give a chance and make a quick judgment about you? 

And people is entitled to their opinion. I will not stand to lose anything by not being friends with you and nor do you lose anything by not being friends with me. I am not so high and mighty to think that I have so many things to offer people in term of friendship. I am brusque. I don't know how to express sympathy. I lose patience easily. So I am appreciative instead of the people who still wants to get to know me.

I don't know where this post started from, but maybe from all these unpleasantness floating around. Basically stop giving out craps to people and don't stand for other people craps either. 

Gosh I really need to potong my kuku. And tomorrow is a holiday. Yeay!

Random Drool

Random celebrities pop-up

I woke up feeling great. All because I dreamt Brendan Fehr kissed me. Repeatedly. Some people think I am lucky to have celebrities popped up in dreams making dreams come true. I'm a lucky girl indeed! Except for the time when I dreamt Ryan Seacrest trying to be my pimp. That is nightmarish.

I took this from his IMDB.

That is what Brendan Fehr looks like ( I can't find a better pic of him, but I swear he looks amazing in TV ). The most recent I saw him was in Nikita. I haven't reviewed that here. Been meaning to since it is one my current favorite series. Now Nikita casting people, please find him further role there. It was painful to watch him in Samurai Girl, I persevere though because I just need to see him in tv. Of course my crush on him started during Roswell. He was hot then as bad boy type and hot now as the in charge type (the role he played in Nikita even if he is a villain). I am now smiling stupidly at the memory of my dream. Perhaps husband needs to be here sooner. 

Random hot guy

As I mentioned in my Twitter : "Otw to work, i saw a handsome tall guy jogging. Topless. With sweat glistening attractively. And yes he was gorgeous. He made my morning.". 

Really, I think he is Malay. Somewhat attractive face (from the brief moment I look but his face is also hidden with big sunglasses). Tall. Attractive body. He was smiling when jogging because I think he knows he looks good even topless  and he knows women in cars are turning their head to look at him because he looks good. Well then random hot guy jogging, please jog some more around the time I am going to work.

Random things

I am not suppose to buy anything since my brother wedding is nearing and there's a lot of expenses with the trip to KB, Redang and the wedding held in KL. I had also just heard a 'ceramah' agama that makes sense in trying to say consumerism is basically selfishness and greed. Buying things that is not necessary. So if that's the case, why does the heart seems to want more bags! Though to be fair to my simple taste, it cost only RM50. I have to chew on this and guilt and ruminate some more. 

Also, for the first time in my life I step in LV boutique and was not move at all by any of the bags. Pretty, yes, but it is just not my thing. So even if I commit to consumerism, maybe it would be the lesser of 2 evils, buying things I can afford instead of things that I can't afford. Yups, yups. * telling myself that *

Later dudes and dudettes, it is Friday which usually entails long lunch hour, so am gonna commit some more of consumerism eye balling.

Animal trouble

Many of you know that I am a huge huge fans of cats. All shapes and sizes. No matter how mangy they look. Tho I do not cuddle the mangy ones, but if I saw a truly decrepit looking stray cats, I felt horribly guilty that I am unable or do not help them.

Those old to this blog knows that Fasha is rescued from beneath a rock in a drain though she doesn't like to be rescued. Kurap come to the house looking for foods and stay there and remains one of the most affectionate cats I ever had. Most people like Fasha because she is a beautiful cat and some express their opinion in adopting her. She is more popular compares to Kurap. But Kurap is the most abiding cat ever. Except for the time when she pooed on our bed and carpets. Fasha is not so much. I don't think she much cares about human opinions. 

So while sometimes Fasha enrages me, I couldn't give her away because I am afraid most people wouldn't stand for her annoying habits in peeing everywhere. She also like to eat rubbish that is bad for her so if I let her be, she will then start to have more problem in peeing (peeing blood, more frequent pee everywhere) so I have to be vigilant in keeping Fasha as an inside cat so she wouldn't terrorize the neighbors with her pawing at rubbish like some common stray and peeing at neighbors house (yes, it happened many times). After quite some times, our house is now cat-escape proof. This unfortunately resulted in Kurap being treated as a full inside cat too. 

What this means for us, is that I can't open the windows at the house unless I am sure that the cats are safely locked away at the back. I can't let myself forget to close the windows because Fasha can quickly smells her way out of the house. I also have to keep all food rubbish (tulang ayam, tulang ikan, kulit udang) sealed in some tight container if it is not yet garbage day because Fasha would sepahkan these rubbish everywhere. Fasha antics nowadays is tearing at the tissue everywhere. T_T . 

Having cat is a fuss. Especially if the cat needs extra attention. Medically, behavior. However having these 2 creatures in my life when I am lonely far surpassed the troubles they caused (broken glasses, broken electrical equipments, various cleaning after bodily liquids ). When they deign to let you pat them, don't that make you softer and gentler inside?

So this post maybe to remind you that pets are awesome. However it comes with responsibility. If you do not want to have loads of kittens later to take care of , neutered your cats. If you have male cats, have a bit of responsibility to not let it go impregnate every pathetic stray it can get. Those kittens that you found annoyingly mewing at the back of your house, can be a part of the problems you created if you let your male cats unspayed and roaming around. It annoyed me to find a lot of people giving away female cats and just keeping the male because they do not want to have the added responsibility of future kittens. I wouldn't trade Kurap for 5 male Persians okeh. 

I think I took a bit of the animal loving streak from my late dad. My mom was always telling us that he used to bring various animals from the jungle. He found a pack of puppies where the mother was dead / abandoned it and took it home. My mother kicked up a fuss for him not to keep the dogs. I think he managed to find some people who is willing to look after it. There is even some story about he found a tiger cub separated from its mom and wanting to take care of it but my mom told him to go back and put the tiger cub back to the jungle and let the mother tiger found the cub before the mother tiger found us. LOL ( and I really could not remembered if this story is true or not).Still, my dad was a bad ass with a heart of gold okeh. Did I mention that he wanted to buy me a horse that I'd pestering him about but my mom (again? mom!) told him no because wherever he wants to put the horse at ? ( my mom told this story and I didn't remembered it. My husband is tickled whenever he is reminded of the story) While I don't think I can muster to take away a tiger cub lost in a jungle, maybe there's a tiny bit of my dad in me. 

I have no idea what's the point of this post. It started with feeling guilty about unable to save these poor cats, then it got to the topic of Fasha and Kurap, and neutering and spaying responsibility and my dad loves for animals!  At the start of the post I just wanted to say I added some widget that shows the animals in need of adoption and just take a look there! Hoh!

So laters! And don't be too hard on the mangy strays the next time you are eating at a place full of cats. They are abandoned by people who couldn't care less and teach your kids not to be cruel to the poor creatures, even if you don't like animals.

Went to Penang

 

My friends and I went to Penang to eat and be merry. Pictured above are some of the things that we manage to eat. That laksa there, is to die for. Maybe because of all the tiny cili padi scattered in it. Gohan is afraid of it. Went there on Saturday and got back to KL on Sunday. Did not manage to eat a lot of things as I had hope to, but there's always next time. 

Had a great time buying clothes though, especially the Punjab style clothes which I like. Those are awesome. Didn't buy a lot of DVDs as I want to because some series are not out yet. But there's always next time. However we'd a great time and a full stomach.

Not gonna blabber for long. I'm enjoying the CNY holiday and the JB foods while watching series. Happy holiday to all of you

Friday is a shopping day

Am going to spew nonsense.

• I kept on thinking that my husband is going to be back to Malaysia on next month, but actually he's only going to be back in March. Lama okeh. In the meantime, I am still ronery with the 2 cats, but weekend had been busy. Ni baru je buat plan shopping with office mate for the upcoming holiday. 

• Since CNY celebrations is upcoming, there had been a lot of Yee Sang consumed. And I loved Yee Sang! I love those onions bits, the crunchy bits and tiny bits of carrots and whats not. A Yee Sang session had just finished and I had already tapaw the uneaten ones in a bekas to be eaten at home tonight. Hehe. 

• Also what is happening with Lindsay Lohan face? She is younger than me but her face now looks old and busted. Why do people think that fat lips looks great on them. It obviously looks weird on her. The only person who have some success plasticfying herself I think is Ashlee Simpson. For the simple reason that she knows when to stop.

• And tomorrow off to Penang for a girls weekend trip! Am so excited! Even if we don't get to do half the things that we planned, the journey alone is worth it. 

• Oh (topic entry terlupa pulak) was out lunching and shopping with the office mates time Friday lunch hour. As usual, Friday nye lunch mesti lagi panjang dari biasa. Bile tak banyak keje rase seronok je jalan-jalan bukan? So we went to see the MNG and Zara clearance sales. Jacket yang dijual adalah sangatttttt lawa dan tempting, however I deferred from buying just because, there's a lot of things I need to buy first! Buying things for trip that I may or may not go to, macam tempting fates. Tunggu ticket di tangan! So only bought things for my sis, (and 1 thing for me) for cosmetics for Stage since they are currently selling lipsticks, foundation, lip gloss and various for only RM18. And tudung Arzu. I like Arzu. Ariani terlalu mencekik darah for me .

• I'd been reading the Parti Kita matlamat and so forth and not exactly impressed yet, but when I saw who's the president I am intrigued. When I was stranded in The Curve without money at one time and no place to go, I parked myself at Borders and manage to finish I Am Malay, Too by Zaid Ibrahim at one go. I like what the book says since what I suspect of what Mahathir really was and Abdullah Badawi parallel with his thoughts and perception. If he manage to stay classy and not go through the PKR path, he might get my vote. Both PKR and BN antics these past 4 years had been really nauseating to watch, so we'll see.

Later. Work acoming.

Random Tuesday

Cats

I had just made an arrangement with the boarding to board the 2 cats for the CNY. The more expensive one sebab aku malas pikir. But for my other planned long holiday, dedua makhluk berbulu have to do with the least expensive one aje ok.

Wii


My arms adalah sakit sebab ghairah duk main Wii Tennis. I won a Wii in the office lucky draw last week. Squeal. Squee. Such good luck because I had just been contemplating to buy one. I was jumping up and down when receiving the prize. The grand prize was an Ipad. I could care less. But katakan if I won an Ipad, terima ajelah dengan hati terbuka bukan?. The Wii is the runner up. I had been eyeing it when I noticed it on the table. Imagine my glee when my number is called. Woot woot!

Dan dengan itu my brothers adalah also super excited and he will be house sitting and cat sitting this weekend while I am away to Penang for jimba-jimba. He can now spend uninterrupted hours playing Wii Tennis.

Cats and Wii!
Still in topic of Wii, kucing-kucing adalah annoying when I played. I put the coffee table away so I have ample space to move around. But when the cats saw the empty space, both of them lie spread eagled on the middle the floor. And so it is like I had not put away the table because in place of the table is now the 2 cats. Staring at me balefully while lying down. Daring me to step on them while swinging the hand console. Salah seekor sudah menjadi mangsa kena pijak. But she still do not want to move.


Book

I am just about to finish the Grimms Fairy Tale. It'd been a long journey for me to read those. Since it is a collection of short stories, so you don't really care to finish it at one go. Also Grimm's is just nice for the before to bed read since one story length is just about one page and half in average. I couldn't review Grimm's because there are hundreds of story in there, and some I had already forgot. It all seems the same since many stories seems to repeat itself.

p/s: Sebab malas most of the pics is directly from my tumblr.

Sundays at Tiffany's & Necrophenia

It'd been quite some time since I posted some poor ass excuse of a review for books I'd read.

Let's get rolling~

I will start with Sunday's at Tiffany's.

I started the book on Monday kut and finish today. Super fast because it is a light fluffy read. The story tagline is something like " What if your imaginary friend was your one true love."

The summary goes like Jane is a love deprived girl who used to have an imaginary friend name Michael. When she grew up, she meet her imaginary friend again and fall in love.  (the summary is longer than that, but that's the summary of the summary)

Now that tagline itself captured me because all of those planned novels I planned to write when I feel like writing them (which is like never), one of the novels reminisce to this. So I am intrigued. Will the story is similar to how I envision mine would be? Would the story be delightful, lovely, haunting? I bought the book without discounts and in full price of RM34.90. I wonder why the books that I bought without discounts usually turn out to be disappointing books while RM10 books seems to surprise me.

And I am getting ahead of myself here. Yes, I am disappointed by the story. Maybe because I had high expectations to it. I expected that a published writer would surpass my expectations on what I expected on how this kinda story unravels. That sounds complicated, but totally what I meant.

When my sister asked what I think of the book? I mentioned "Weird". It's weird. And when I finished reading the book another word came to mind : "Cheesy". I wondered if James Patterson or the co-author Gabrielle Charbonnet are suitable to write about romance. Because everything fell flat in the book. The characters, the descriptions, the feelings. Writing romance is different from crime procedurals I guess. There are so much lacking here.

I never have any sympathy for Jane or Michael. I don't feel the closeness of their bond even though it seems to stress upon this point consistently throughout the book. In fact I kept on thinking, 'ehh it seems like weird'. When they came together, it seems abrupt. Basically I don't feel butterflies or even a tinge of a single butterfly flap which makes the whole experience of reading romance novels as flat. I like reading romance. I like the tentative first kisses. I like the passionate clash of first kiss. Those makes me happy. Reading it here, I'm like 'meh'. 

The good point, the book does not meanders. It goes on. It knows the plot, it goes from one scene to another seamlessly. It asked you to suspend disbelief. Just go along with the ride. I am down with that. I can take a most ridiculous story with the most ludicrous plot and read it and believe it. And it is a light fluffy read. Great for the in between times when you are stressed out. However a romance novel that can make a reader goes "Meh" is not a good romance novel reading experience make.

Now for Necrophenia. How do I start.

I started to read the book in November. I finished it last week? Maybe it was due to my past hectic work in December but I was a slow reader for this book. I can only manage a page or two for a day.

A summary of the plot I carelessly lifted from some website that actually lifted it from the back of the book:

ONE IN EVERY THREE PEOPLE LIVING IS ACTUALLY DEAD! It is a matter of historical record that during the latter part of World War II, England's top-secret Ministry of Serendipity enlisted the services of arch-magician Aleister Crowley to create a Homunculus. Why? Well that's a long story, spanning almost seven decades as it follows the life and career of Tyler, rock star, private eye - and notable for the fact that he almost saved Mankind. The cast of millions also includes ukulele maestro George Formby, Mick Jagger, Mama Cass, Elvis Presley and Lazlo Woodbine. And Tyler's brother, Andy, who impersonates animals (and who single-handedly brought about the Swinging Sixties). And a lady named Clara from Croydon, who unlocked the meta-phenomena of the Multiverse. And a corner shopkeeper from Brentford, who created a sitting room for God. And a great many living dead. Oh yes, and it also involves a monster in human form whose intention it is to turn the Earth into a Necrosphere, a planet totally devoid of life

If you are bewildered reading the summary above, you should try reading the book. Many mentioned it as funny. It does have its funny moments occasionally. But the plot. Dear God, where do I start. 

Let me say this. I believed that the author write this book while he is all cracked out from cocaine and high from weeds and drunk from whiskey. All at the same time. Maybe he's not. Maybe when he type the story he wrote it in a posh office while smoking pipes during the winter with a hot tea beside the computer, but that is the impression that I got when reading it. 

It absolutely meanders. It goes from one point to another point, needlessly long. It rambles on and on and on. It started with Tyler when he was in school then without realizing it, you yourself are unsure how long the time had passed and Tyler are not too sure too. Tyler is not likable, but he is not meant to be likable, but there is no other characters for you to hang on to except Tyler. And Tyler himself is flung from one point to another helplessly to his and my indignation. And by the middle of the book, I myself am not sure what's going on and just give up and just read. I really can't describe the story because it really does goes from one place to another in a dizzying speed without reason or explanation.

It is not a traditional book. The writing is stellar but prepare to go on a ride. I was bewildered reading the book. Throughout the book. While I mentioned at my review for Sundays at Tiffany that I can take a ridiculous plot. I do, but maybe this is too much of a ridiculousness for me. I had not yet give up Robert Rankin yet. Maybe I'll try another book by him. This book; like the character love to say in the book, speaks too much toots for my taste. 

I am however intrigued for the male readers like rearrange or obefiend. If they read this book, can they go on reading it and would they enjoy it?

p/s: I edited somethings afterwards sebab ade macam ayat tertinggal. Maklumlah. Blogging senyap2 time opis hour.

An intro to ballet for Dils

Last Saturday, I got to watch ballet.

There were no picture of the performance because you are not suppose to take pics of course and aku pergi sensorang aku malas nak camwhore kat area Istana Budaya.

Nah gamba poster. Pic credit to : kakiseni.com

It was amazing to see the ballerinas dance. It was not a full ballet performance act. More like a medley. We got several ballet solos taken from several performances from various people. One really long interpretative modern dance kinda thing which bored the hell out of me yet I've got to admit there are some really impressive dance works. I am never going to watch interpretative dance even if they're free. Also we got almost the complete performance of Cinderella, it is more of neoclassical which is kinda fun and beautiful and the heroine was played by a ballerina that kinda reminded me of Summer Glau (and if you nerds don't know, she used to be a ballerina and her first appearance in TV is in Angel playing a ghost ballerina).

All in all, I really enjoyed it. It was amazing. It is like I can't believe the amazing gracefulness, energy that they got to leap and prance and just dance. Even the male ballet dancers. (Are they called ballerinas, because if you say ballerinas stick thin girls with pink tutu came to mind). I mean looking at them, you can't say they look effeminate at all. In fact the tight. The tight. THE TIGHT! You can see every contour on the legs clearly (and my sit is like 5 rows from the stage), and when the guy went to the edge of the stage to play their character I am too embarassed to look because OMG I want to stare if they are wearing cup or if I can see their 'wood' clearly. The thing is male ballet dancers are incredibly hot, looked sexy and masculine, especially the tight wearing one. (ehem, especially the Japanese ballet dancer who is incredibly incredible and have the cutest buttock I ever seen. I imagine firm too. But enough objectifying, he is really talented even to my amateurish eyes. Based on the amazing applause he gets, I must be right or the women there agreed with me wholeheartedly with my other views). Haha. I sound like a horny audience, maybe I am, tapiiiiii bile di depan mata harus lah tengok. 

Ok. So end to my panting after hot ballet dancers. This now makes me a fan of ballet. I was never bored (except for the modern dance). It really was beautiful. I love it. I noticed at Istana Budaya calendar programme they got another ballet performance which is the popular Swan Lake on May. I am so there.

p/s: Mula2 ingatkan nak gabung sekali entry pasal buku dalam post ni, tapi tak sempat dan panjang dah post ni. Later. If I remembered or kerajinan melanda.

Random

Maybe I'll  just put Friday for a day for me to be just be random. 

I like waking up today. I woke up and found the 2 makhluk berbulu lying nicely at the side of the bed, waiting for to wake up. I quickly closes my eyes, and found that they seems lazy to care if I woke up. It must be the gloomy cool morning weather. Since usually if they sense I had woken up they'll quickly pounce at me to bring them downstairs so they can eat and pooed and be merry.

Got a busy weekend ahead of me. Few errands to do, that required driving around the Ukay Perdana - Wangsa Maju area. And I hate errands that required me to drive. Aku malas pikir mana nak park. I still firmly believes that I am unable to park properly, even after all these years. And the only mishap I encountered was just with some poor unassuming pillars. Tak gores kete orang lagi setakat ni. So for that I'm thankful.

Going to see ballet tomorrow and gonna be alone. OMG. I hope it does not sucks and I hope people would not wondered why am I alone. Like people care. 

I have incredible amounts of laundry to go to. Washed and unwashed. And I sometimes I think I need to go over my wardrobe and rethink my style, but saying 'my style' is only forcing me to guffaw because I never had any style. I just wear whatever cheap or/and quirky. Or cheap and/or boring. Basically overhaul the wardrobe and try to get rid of clothes I rarely wear. Which is hardddd. I tried that once. It goes like out of 100 clothes in there, only 5 I chose to throw out or give away. And some of the clothes in there I haven't wore for years, but I goes like , I'll wear it. When Dila? When? 

And stop buying clothes as if I can go to a fabulous scenes with because I am facing reality here. I am old. I basically have like 5 friends I regularly go out with and we all like boring stuffs like eating at home and watch series/movies at home. But I like quirky clothes. Maybe I can wear these fabulous clothes at home while watching series while my fab cats spread their fur on my fabulous clothes. Kinda like Heather and Jessica at GoFugYourself always mentioned that they always want to wear floor length sparkling Taylor Swift dress while blogging. Honestly, that will be cooool. And slightly insane. But I totally approve...