LET'S ALL GET UP AND DANCE TO A SONG, THAT WAS A HIT BEFORE YOUR MOTHER WAS BORN

When my father was alive he used to tell me about the music he loved. He enjoyed listening to all kinds of music.I learned from my eldest sister that my father would play his favourite records every evening after dinner. I wasn't even born then but I could imagine the smile on my father's face as he enjoyed his favourite past time. Even though we were not rich, those were truly the happiest moments for him.

I can remember that he always talked about a group that he loved so much. He not only knew the history of the group but also the life story of each of its members-John, Paul, George and Ringo.of The Beatles from Liverpool, England.

I wish I was a teenager, like my dad then, back in the early 1960s to see what he saw and listen to what he was listening.He told me that there was a craze then called Beatlemania where teenagers around the world went ga ga over the four lads from Liverpool. I wish I was in Liverpool to experience the excitement of it all! Liverpool was the scene then for beat music that was called Merseybeat (for bands from Liverpool beside the River Mersey), like Seattle was the scene for grunge, Manchester was the scene for Indie and West Coast the scene for rap.

My father was crazy over the Mersey sound and spent much of his hard saved money purchasing records of groups from Liverpool. I guess I can still recall some of his favourite groups other than The Beatles, they were The Searchers, Gerry & The Pacemakers and The Swinging Blue Jeans.

When he was at high school, my dad would save his daily food money to buy the black & white promotional photos of The Beatles, The Animals, The Hollies, Freddie & The Dreamers, Herman Hermits, Cliff Richard & The Shadows, Johnny Lion & The Jumping Jewels, The Tremeloes, Procol Harum, Dick Clark Five, The Zombies, The Kinks, The Who and a whole lot of other groups. He must have been a cool guy then.

My dad never told me of his girlfriends at school. All he ever talked about were the albums, the groups and the music that he listened to, that were all so special to him.

My dad could never play any musical instrument but he always had this dream of strumming the guitar. One day I accidentally came across something he wrote, which was kept in his drawer. It was a song. I was so surprised by that and he signed at the end of the lyrics with his secret pen name- Blue Boy Lewis & The Backstreet Blues Band. I never knew he had this imaginary band in his mind! The song he wrote was called 'Listen To The Night Wind'. Reading the lyrics, I guess it's something sad, about a boy who broke up with his gal and now miserably lonesome in the city, looking for love. 

By any standards, of course it cannot be compared to the writings of  John Lennon & Paul McCartney or Bob Dylan or Bruce Springsteen or Paul Simon! I have no idea how the tune of the song goes, as my dad had passed away when I discovered it.

Of all the albums that my dad raved about, one special one was always mentioned. And that was 'Sgt.Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' by The Beatles. That album was released in June 1967 and is considered one of the world's best selling album. The album caused a major sensation and shook the music world out of its deep sleep. 

You could say , in later years there were other exceptional albums too, like 'Never Mind The Bollocks' by The Sex Pistols, 'The Joshua Tree' by U2, 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' by Nirvana, 'Siamese Dream' by The Smashing Pumpkins, 'The Bends' by Radiohead, 'The Queen Is Dead' by The Smiths, 'What's The Story, Morning Glory?' by Oasis and many others.

My eldest sister told me that the day my dad brought home 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band', our house was never the same anymore. Every evening at dinner time, the whole Side A and Side B of the album was played continuously for many many months without fail. I guess I know every song on it, to this day. I am proud to say I love it.

'It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play

They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

So may I introduce to you, The act you've known for all these years.......

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.'

DO THEY KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME AT ALL?

Christmas is here again. Time for forgiveness, time for giving and also time for resolutions too, as the new year is just around the corner. I very much look forward to the new year as there are new challenges ahead. New friends to meet, new and better way of doing things, new thoughts and maybe new places to be.So everyone out there, do not be stuck in your miserable single room. Let your thinking lead you on to better times. Come on people, winter will soon be over and spring is coming... flowers in bloom!

Before that, I wish to say something about today, Christmas Day. Whether I am a Christian or not. I still think there is something special about today. Somehow this day brings me back to the times when I was just a child. Always wanted to stay up late on the night before Christmas, looking out the window of my dark room at the roof opposite my house. Hoping to see Santa alighting from his sleigh with loads and loads of presents for every kid. Although that never ever happened, just the thought of it would make me happy throughout my years as a child.

Another thing that seems to be magical, are the Christmas carols. Whenever I hear Jingle Bells, I always get a picture of riding on a sleigh through a white snow covered forest on a white snowy Christmas afternoon. Children playing everywhere, some are making a snowman and others are throwing snowballs at each other. But when I hear the song at night, I always imagine that Santa is approaching the town , flying over our houses and ringing his bells. What a long way he has to travel, from the icy cold of Iceland to this warm and heaty part of our town.

A song I always find magical is Silver Bells. Hearing it will remind me that Christmas is near. Funny thing is that I am always in a shopping mall whenever that song is played.

Of all the Christmas songs that I know, one in particular will always remain special and that is Do they know it's Christmas? by Band Aid. It is not often that a group of talented and unselfish musicians come together to donate all the proceeds from that song to help people dying of starvation in Ethiopia, Africa.

This brings to mind that you and I are so lucky that we are not them. So, as we celebrate with joy this wonderful day, do not forget to give a thought to those who are not as lucky as us.

ALL THINGS MUST PASS

There is a time for everything. One good friend used to tell me that if you laugh that much, you will cry that much. If you enjoy that much, you will suffer that much. I always wonder how much of what he said is true. But I do believe that there is a time for everything.

There is a time for laughter and there is a time for sorrow. There is a time to be a hero and there is a time to be a coward. There is a time for hate and there is a time for love. There is a time for success and there is a time for failure. There is a time to live and there is a time to die.

You must always remember that all things, good or bad, must pass.

When you take a walk in the evening after the rain, you will see the freshness of the grass you walk on. Look at the houses along the street, they have been washed clean. You will realise  that the sun will soon be setting and the colour of the sky will be beautiful. Too beautiful for any artist to paint, too beautiful for any camera to capture. This is your life, too beautiful for words to describe. This is the time to feel that you and nature are one. The beauty you see around you is the beauty in you.

As you are slowly walking along the street, up in the dark space above the sky, the planets and stars are revolving by themselves and also revolving round the sun. How orderly they spin on their own, hardly colliding into one another. This is the order of nature. And you are a part of this order. So do not make a mess of your life by defying this order.

Feel the evening wind on your face. This wind comes from afar. It travels all the way from the distant hills, drifts through the town and now touches your face. You are the reason the wind is blowing.

Look at the children playing in the field. See how happy they are. They know no worries and they think their play is never ending, Look at your own happiness, let it be never ending,

But evening always reminds us that something is about to end. All the fun of the weekend ends when Sunday evening comes. All the long holidays in the sun ends when Sunday evening comes. Suddenly you feel sad that all things must pass. When the night finally comes, don't feel sad. Hold on to your good memories and you will  always feel the warmth of the sun in your heart.

Good friends will come and they will go. Sooner or later you will end up alone. When you are alone in your bed, where do you go.

 Use your mind and you can travel far. Across the seas to distant lands you have never been before. Look at the great cathedrals of Spain. Walk in the streets of London. Play with the poor children of Naples. Climb the hills of Peru. Party all night in Brazil. Feel the rain in Africa. Visit the sacred temples of India. Taste the ice cream of Italy.  Feel the cold mid-winter of St. Petersburg.Go where you want to, no one can stop you.
So when evening comes, welcome the night. Get ready for an adventure of your lifetime!

SOMEDAY WE WILL REMEMBER THINGS WE SAID TODAY

Something that Julie said, I just couldn't get it off my head. She said her boyfriend has left her for another girl. She didn't know that girl but she met her once. Julie said she couldn't understand why he fell for her. This girl wasn't even pretty. I said maybe its the way that she treated him.

Julie said she would give anything to have him back. All their past had been happiness. Meeting and dating everyday and night. Her special would say the sweetest things and made promises that he would always be by her side. They had a great time together for almost ten months. That went by so fast that it seemed like it was only ten minutes.

Once they were by the beach watching the sunset. He said he loved to see her long flowing hair dancing in the breeze. And the rays of the sun on her face was worth all the gold in the world. He said he loved everything about her, the way she walked on the sand and the smile on her face. Julie said she wouldn't believe these good times would end. He said he would love her till the seas ran dry.

He said many many things to Julie. All were praises for her. One Sunday afternoon Julie accidentally cut her forefinger while she was peeling an apple with a knife. He ran towards her and held her in his arms and cried. He said that was like a cut into his heart.

Whenever they went out, he would be very jealous if Julie looked at other boys or talked about her casual boyfriends. There were numerous times that he took her mobile and screened through her messages. Another time Julie discovered that he had hacked into her facebook profile and erased all her photos with her friends. Julie didn't mind that, as that would gain his trust in her, she said.

Julie said they never quarreled. Whenever she lost her temper over something, he would be the one to give in. He told her he couldn't bear to see her unhappy or angry.

One day while Julie's birthday was drawing near, she suggested to him that she would like it to be celebrated  in a restaurant together with her parents. He neither said yes or no. Julie took it for granted that he agreed that that would be the arrangement. On the night of her birthday, he didn't turn up. She kept calling him but her calls were never answered. Since that day, Julie never heard from him.

On a Friday evening, three weeks later, Julie saw him with another girl in his hand. He was so busy talking to this girl that he didn't even notice Julie, as he walked past her. Julie ran home and cried.

Yesterday, Julie said that she would still forgive him if he would only come back to her.

SUN'S COMING OUT IN JUNE, EVERYONE'S GONE TO THE MOON

I met a small man with a big car
I asked him 'Hey Mister, are you a star?'
He said 'No, I just work in a bar'
I could not believe it
How could he afford such a car?
He said 'Do not believe too much what you see
There is a story behind every face.
Like when you listen to the radio,
You cannot see what is taking place.
No one knows I am a slave,
I used up every sen that I saved
I work double hard to pay for the car
Even borrowed from whoever came to the bar,
To pay for the car.

I met a pretty girl at a store the other day
I asked her 'Why is everybody coming this way?'
She said 'This is an international boutique and now its in town
Everyone is dying to have a look around.'
I looked at the prices, I could hardly believe
The store was robbing us like thieves
A large crowd gathered outside rushing to get in
Some were ordinary like you and me
While others acted like they were beauty queens
Like flocks of sheep
they rushed to the counter to pay
Later tonight they would post it on their blog to display
Whatever they bought they thought was cool
They also wanted the world to know that too
But really, who were the actual fools?

PLEASE, PLEASE LET ME GET WHAT I WANT THIS TIME

Life is a waiting game. Everybody waits for nice things to happen. When will the good apples fall on my side of the fence?' I heard this line somewhere before but I couldn't recall from where or when. When will prince charming come on a white horse?

Well, I guess no one can answer this question except yourself.  One thing for sure is that you have to wait.

So much of our time is spent in waiting. Waiting for our exam results. Waiting for an interview. Waiting for the plane. Waiting for someone. Waiting to be served. Waiting for our pay. Waiting for opportunities. Waiting to get well. Waiting can be so frustrating if it is in vain. Like waiting for someone who never turns up. Waiting for a special that never calls.

If you are lonely and are waiting for someone to love, do not feel so hopeless.For everyone has a lucky star. Look for yours! Someone tells me that is rubbish. I do not agree. If you are patient enough and not let disappointments let you down, you will eventually see your lucky star. Believe is the key. So, have faith!

I wanna ask a question which quite many people cannot really answer.Why are there so many religions in the world and so many believers?

The simple answer is Faith. Because a person has faith in what he believes in. A person who has faith doesn't have to see God physically to believe that he exists.

Faith is not what you can see. Faith is the belief in what you cannot see. I do not have to see to believe there is a God. And I do not have to see to know that God can do miracles.It is what that I cannot see that makes my belief stronger.I don't wanna sound like I'm John Lennon or the Dalai Lama but that is true!

A person who has faith in her husband doesn't have to spy on him all the time,right?. So for those who hasn't found anyone to love, don't worry, have faith. And soon enough, you will find someone waiting for you. Fate always comes so unexpectedly.

I have to tell you this, don't ever let waiting get you down. I tell you a secret, just turn all your waiting into 'getting' and you will you see how easy good things really come to you! Instead of saying 'waiting for a job' say 'getting a job'. Also say things like 'getting an opportunity, getting someone to love me, getting well etc.etc
.
 Then, you will surely get what you want this time!

HAVE NO FEAR, WE CAN'T ALWAYS BE HERE

Nobody likes to go to the hospital. I have been running around lately to and from that place daily. A person whom I love very much is lying in a hospital bed. She is getting old and her heart is weak. Though her health is deteriorating , she remains strong as ever. I can see the pain that she is suffering. It tells in her eyes. Still, she is not sheding a tear, that shows how strong she is.

Although dying is near at hand, one must remember that death is natural. It can come to anybody, anytime. So see life as a circle, old ones must die and give way so that younger ones may live. We must not be so sad. But being a visitor to the hospital makes you miserable because you can see so many sad faces around you. This is not a place to be happy. I wish I could  go somewhere else.

The reason we are sad when someone close to us dies is because we would miss that person. See it differently, isn't it great for that person to leave if living longer causes so much pain. I always dream of my father. He died quite a number of years ago. Each time he appears in my dream, he looks so happy and so full of life. His whole personality glows and he looks clean and pure. Sometimes I wonder if he has become an angel but I couldn't see any wings on him.

There is one time I dreamt I was walking down a very busy and crowded street. Something like Oxford Street in London. There were people everywhere, rushing about here and there. Suddenly I noticed  that a man walking not far in front of me was my father. He had his back facing me and I was behind him. I called out to him. He didn't turn back to look but instead walked faster away from me. I kept calling louder and louder to him, he walked faster and faster. Soon I found myself running after him. Eventually he disappeared in the crowd. I woke up in bed with my voice still calling.

In a way, dreams are quite fascinating. I enjoy dreaming. Some of my dreams do come true. Well, I guess I would write about that another time if the mood is right.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, EVERYONE WILL HAVE HIS SAY

Whatever happened to the bass player? His name is Victor. Managed to get him on the phone last week. Victor agreed to meet me at Mcdonalds in Subang Parade. Well, on the day we met Victor came alone in his office attire. Just finished work, I supposed. I ordered a Big Mac Macvalue meal for him while I myself had a chicken burger and coffee.

Me:
Hi, Victor, I think its been 4 years we haven't seen each other, right? So, how's life been?

Victor:  
Well, you know I am selling life insurance now, can I draw up a plan for you?

Me:      
No jokes please. I wanna meet you because I am writing a blog about you guys, Sebastian, Jason and yourself of 'The Careless Picnickers'. I hope you can obliged me to some of your opinions.

Victor:  
Are you serious, who would want to know about that group? They are a bunch of losers. You are crazy. We didn't even have one fan when the band existed. Anyway, what do you want me to tell you

Me:      
You are right, you didn't have any fans, not even one. But tonight as you sleep, there may be one or maybe more, people the world over, will get to know who you are.

Victor:  
You mean I'll be famous. I'm so flattered!

Me:        
In a way, yes. The main reason I wanna write about you guys is that you are all dedicated musicians. Talented and knowledgeable. Such attributes would motivate the many other local bands around. Do you still play?

Victor:    
No, I have a girlfriend now and I'm spending most of my time courting her.

Me:        
If there ever is an opportunity to play again, would you consider?

Victor:    
Well, I guess I would. I'm sure my special will understand. As you know, music is a part of my life. I used to spend so much of what I earned in buying music CDs, I am doing it still. So, if someone comes along and says he need a bass player, I will put up my hand.

Me:        
Did you meet up with Sebastian?

Victor:    
Yes, poor Sebastian, I recently just visited him. He is still the same, sitting there in his wheelchair like a vegetable. His sister says she often plays the CDs that Sebastian used to like, for him to listen to see if they will make him happier. He just shows no response.

Me:          
How about Jason, any news about him?

Victor:      
Yes, I met him once about a year ago. He is attached to a stock broking firm. He says he will be getting a promotion soon. Only then, he says he will think of buying a new car.

Me:          
Did you know that Jason once had a crush on me?

Victor:      
No, I didn't know. Anywhere I wouldn't be surprised if he did. Jason has a kind of power over girls. Most of them will stick to him and give in to what he wants.

Me:          
I guess that's why he hated me cos I didn't give in to his demands. Do you know if he is still playing the lead guitar?

Victor:      
He did mention to me he is playing for a thrash group now. I think its called ' The Fate of Neptune'. You know, they play to the likes of 'Carcass', 'Morbid Angels' and 'Cannibal Corpse'.

Me:          
What about the singer of 'The Careless Picnickers'?

Victor:      
You mean, Steven? I heard that he is studying Law in the London School of  Economics and Political Science in the University of London. We used to hate him because he wanted to move the band into playing rock. You know we are all for indie music, one day we discovered he had a whole book consisting of songs like 'Sweet Child of Mine' by Guns N' Roses, 'Hell Bells' by AC/DC, 'Livin' on a Prayer' by Bon Jovi and etc. We got real furious.

Me:        
If 'The Careless Picnickers' are still playing, would you think they will be famous?

Victor:      
I cannot say though, I know we have the talents  to go far but that will also gonna count on luck too.

Me:        
Thanks a lot, Victor, for sharing so much.

Victor:    
You are welcome anytime, thanks for the meal.

Me:        
My pleasure. Finish your french fries, Victor.

HEY, WHY CAN'T WE JUST BE GOOD FRIENDS?

I have to say something about Jason. He is the lead guitar player of The Careless Picnickers (again! Yes this dead group again). You know, everything that dies may one day comes back. I heard someone said that before, I guess it must be Bruce Springsteen, he sang that line in 'Atlantic City' taken off his album 'Nebraska'. Now, anyone of you who has just lately been retrenched or laid off by your boss, don't ever touch that CD. It will make you more depressed. However, if you suffer from insomnia, that is the cure! Warning though, it is a guy's album, most girls won't listen to it unless they can't sleep, ok?

What about Jason? He is quite good looking. On first impression, there is nothing you wouldn't like about him. One thing annoying is that he keeps saying the same thing over and over. He thinks its funny. Ever since he watched the movie 'Bend it like Beckham', each time he picks up his guitar, he would go ' Play it like Sambora'(Bon Jovi)' or 'Play it like Johnny Marr(The Smiths)' or 'Play it like Kirk Hemmett (Metallica)' or 'Play it like Kurt Cobain(Nirvana)' or 'Play it like Richie Blackmore(Deep Purple)' or 'Play it like Jeff Young(Megadeth)' or 'Play it like Mark Knopfler(Dire Straits)' or 'Play it like Thompson(The Cure)' or "Play it like Noel Gallagher(Oasis) and on and on....and I would just tell him 'Why don't you just play it like yourself?' He says he can't.

Another thing about Jason is that he is boastful. He thinks he knows more about the guitar than anyone else But I have to agree, he can play 'Sultans of Swing' (Dire Straits) damn well! Jason says it  is a great song to practise your fingers with, as it utilises the entire neck of the guitar. I always like to hear him him play the lead solo bit of 'Don't look back in anger' (Oasis). He can play it note for note and the rest of the guys would bow at his feet as though he is Noel! I always love that song. I guess Oasis fans around the world would make this their anthem. 'Oasis fans of the world unite, you have nothing to lose but Oasis!'

Yet another thing about Jason is that he is so secretive. All this while we have been going out in a group, we have so much fun and laughter, most of the jokes came from dear Sebastian. He can really make you laugh just by sitting there and not moving. Jason has two secrets he won't let out. One, which someone eventually found out, is that he is playing with another group 'The Yellow Porcupines' (a punk band influenced by 'The Ramones', 'The Sex Pistols', 'The Dead Kennedys', 'The Exploited' and 'MC5').

We suspected something fishy as he came in one day with a spiky haircut and a safety pin through the left side of his nose. When we found out, there is a big argument between him and the leader, Sebastian. Sebastian says its okay, Jason can stay in the band as long he comes in whenever he is needed. I really pity Sebastian, he says that mainly because he is really desperate. The band cannot exist without a lead guitarist. And one says the dummest thing when one is desperate. Like so many people remain in the same job even though  they are underpaid.

The most frightening thing about Jason is his other secret. One day I am by myself, Jason comes by to tell me that he is crazy over me. He says that ever since he met me, he cannot keep his mind off me. He wants me to be his special. I am so surprised by that, I just don't know what to tell him. All this time, when we are with the group, Jason never shows any liking  towards me and now he says he adores me. I am confused.

The only thing I can tell Jason is that I am not ready for any relationship of that kind. If he wants to, he can treat me like a kid sister, then I am not afraid to follow him anywhere. At least that would give me some time to think things over and get to know him better.

Soon Jason starts dating me. I follow him along like he's my big brother. Each time I come home from our date, I get a feeling that Jason is not satisfied with me being his sister. He wants something more, he wants assurance, he wants possession!  One time I don't know if its a joke, he passes me a note where he has written 'Sometimes we may quarrel, other times we laugh. Whatever happens, as lovers we will last. I am always your hubby and you my wife.' He signs on it and asks me to do too. I refuse. From then on I try to keep my distance.

Jason begins to be jealous of Sebastian and tells me not to believe him too much. One day Sebastian comes in and says he kind of like Bob Marley. Lately, he has bought a Dvd 'Bob Marley Live at the Rainbow' and he intends to show it to the group. He tells Jason to listen to 'Trenchtown Rock'. Jason shouted ' Why the hell should we listen to you. We don't play raggae, you can keep that load of rubbish to yourself!' Sebastian keeps quiet.

I figure out that Jason starts hating me ever since I refuse to sign his note. One day, he walks in with a girl, hand in hand. He introduces his girlfriend to the group, including me. A week later, this girl comes and tell me she hates me. She says Jason talks about me all the time. She thinks he loves me and not her. I am getting even more confused.

Jason jealousy grows worse each time he sees me talking with Sebastian. He always thinks that Sebastian is up to no good. He says Sebastian is trying to get me into bed with his music knowledge. I hate him for saying that. Sebastian has always been a gentleman to me and he will always be.

SOMETIMES IT IS TOO LATE TO MISS SOMEBODY

A few days ago, I wrote about a band 'The Careless Picnickers' that lasted for only a month. After a fighting incident, the members split. No one had any news of the singer. All I know is that the bass guitarist is now an insurance agent. The lead guitar player is a clerk with a stock broking firm. The drummer, the leader (by the way, his name is Sebastian) is working as a  graphic artist with an advertising company.

Sebastian is always a cool and nice fellow. It just shows in his face. He is so likable. He is crazy over drums. In just 5 minutes, he can name all the different drum sets that are available in the market. I tell him I hate drums. It's only noise. Sebastian tells me that drum isn't noise, drum is beat, as in heartbeat. Without it, we have no life. I kind of believe him.

Sebastian says he is barely surviving in his current job and still needs his dad  finances every month. He is willing to give up his job, if any band needs a drummer. He says that he has only one wish, to make a pilgrimage to Manchester, England one day. He says that it would be an honour to die and be buried in Manchester as all his favourite groups  ie. Joy Division, Oasis, The Smiths, James and New Order are from that place.

Sebastian teaches me a lot about music, especially his kind of music. I am so naive. I only know what's in the Top 40. I tell him that a girl would normally listen to songs by guys who are good looking. So, Enrique can sing any rubbish, a girl will still go for it. To me, rock is nothing but noise(again). Sebastian tells me it's wrong to think like that. Rock is about skills, he says. The skills of the guitarists and the skills of the drummer. Then, he hands me a CD and tells me to take home and have a listen.

It is the 'Black Album' by Metallica. I take it home and put on my earphones. Two days later, I tell Sebastian the CD is absolutely incredible! I listen again and again. I tell him I love 'Enter Sandman', 'The Unforgiven', 'Nothing Else Matters', 'Don't Thread On Me' and etc. In fact, I love every track. Sebastian then says that this 'Black Album' made Metallica lost so many of their hardcore fans. When it came out, Metallica was transformed overnight from an underground band into a commercial one. The radio started to play their songs. Many fans hated them for that and switched their loyalty over to Iron Maiden instead.

Then Sebastian says if I want to appreciate the group and their music, I would have to go backwards. I have to look for their previous albums. I did. I bought 'And Justice For All', 'Ride The Lightning' and 'Master Of Puppets' and I can tell you I love them all.

One day, on Sebastian's birthday I bought him a black tee shirt with 'Zildjian' (a brand name for drum cymbals) printed on it. He was so happy and says it is the most precious of all the presents he has ever received. After a while, we seldom see each other that often.

Sometime last year, I received a call from Sebastian's elder sister. She said something unfortunate had happened. One night, a friend was giving Sebastian a lift home on his bike. They were waiting at a traffic junction for the lights to turn green.It so happened that there was a car which  was speeding, came straight and hit the back of the bike so hard. Sebastian was thrown high up into the air. His helmet flew off. And he landed head down on the bonnet of the car. That broke his spinal cord and seriously injured his head. Sebastian's sister said that her brother is now confined to a wheelchair and suffers a lost of memory. I guess I cried and cried.

I decided to visit Sebastian. I bought him another tee shirt, also with the brand name 'Zildjian' on it, hopefully to help him to recall something. When I showed him the shirt, Sebastian looked confused and asked me 'What is the meaning of this strange word?' I couldn't control my tears. From that moment on, I knew I have lost my dear friend and tutor. All his desire to be a drummer, his wish to go to Manchester, his knowledge of Metallica and music were gone. That part of Sebastian I will always miss and cherish.

I DON'T WANNA KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER ANYMORE

The Conversation 

I remember going on a date with a guy named Timothy. He is tall and good looking. Timothy has a perfect man's body. He works out at the gym daily. Walking beside him makes one feel secure. As though you are walking with Wolverine.

That night, Timothy was taking me to a slasher/horror movie. I hated horror movies. Being our first date, I had to oblige. That movie had an awful long title. If I can recall correctly, I think it was 'I will always know what you did last Summer'.

When we got to the cineplex, there was a long queue.It moved very slowly because some guys could not even say the movie title in one complete sentence. Finally, it was our turn at the ticket counter. Timothy voice was so cool. He sounded like the Prince of Wales when he said the whole 'I will always know what you............' with a strong British accent. The trouble was, the girl at the counter couldn't make out a word of what my Prince was saying. In the end, I helped out.

After getting the tickets, Timothy went to buy the usual stuff that movie goers buy 'Popcorn and Coke'. And if you were a couple and you haven't got either popcorn or coke in your hands, you would look odd.
Then we went in. After we were seated comfortably, Timothy and I started to munch our popcorn.So did the guy who was sitting next to me on my other side and so did everyone else.

The lights dimmed. Trailers and adverts were shown and 10 minutes later, the actual feature started. Timothy was so quiet throughout the last 10 minutes. I supposed he was scared of horror movies. How would anyone not be scared, if one was watching it in a THX sound surround hall?

After about 20 minutes through the movie, Timothy began the conversation.

Timothy:  'Now look carefully at the girl with the white blouse. Don't keep your eyes off her. She will be the first one to die'. (I looked. There were two girls on the screen. My eyes followed the one with the white blouse.And before you can finished saying Abacadabra. She was slashed to death by a long sharp knife. I was amazed. How did Timothy know that?)

Timothy:  'Now quick, look at the other girl. When she starts to run, the killer will jump out of that locker behind her and slash her head off. ( I looked. The girl started to run. Out of the locker, jumped the killer and the poor girl's head was slashed off. My God, Timothy could predict the future! I couldn't help it anymore and turned to Timothy and asked.)

Me:        'Timothy, can I ask you something? How did you know that.............'

Timothy: 'Sssh, quiet. Don't miss this part. Now you see the cop there. He is very suspicious looking. He will make everyone think that he is the actual killer. I tell you, he is not. (I looked at the cop. Yes, he did have a face that even his own mother would not believe he was not the killer. Again, Timothy was right, the cop was not the killer. Then came the part where the music was getting a bit scary. The screen showed an old woman walking alone down a long dark lane. The old woman kept turning her head back to see if someone was following her. The scary music went louder and louder. At that moment, I noticed the guy who was next to me on my other side, put a big handful of popcorn into his mouth. But his mouth never moved! He was scared to death. As the old woman started to walk faster, Timothy interrupted.......)

Timothy:  'Don't worry, nothing will happen here. The music is just played to scare you. The old woman will not die.' (On hearing that, the guy's mouth started to move to munch his handful of popcorn down. I looked.
Yes, nothing happened to the old woman.)

So, Timothy went on and on telling me of what would happen next, right till the very end of the movie..
I truly wonder if any girl, other than myself, has been out with someone like Timothy?

PEOPLE ARE STRANGE. THEY NEED TO BE REARRANGED.

When I say I am beautiful. Many gals commented 'so boastful, I hate this blog'. Come on, this is the internet.Whether you like it or hate it, doesn't alter anything. There are millions of people out there. If all these millions of people have to please you, you must be very big headed. Guys, on the other hand, are more easy going. But guys are like little boys, they always must see it first before they believe it. So, now they are saying that this girl must be an ugly one as she dare not post a photo of herself.

Hello, if I post a picture of me and you find that I am not up to your expectation, surely you would say 'Urgh, what an ugly bitch! I hate this blog, she brags and she's a f***ing liar!' Hey, before you accuse me, take a look at yourself. Everyone seems to forget that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder and not in the mirror on your dressing table! Every boy will tell the one that he loves that she is the most beautiful girl in the world. Every mother will tell her daughter that she is a princess. Every father, Eminem included,will tell his daughter that she is the most precious. Just listen to his 'Mockingbird' although the song sucks, its meaning makes you wanna reach for your hanky.

Come to think of it, why should I let you judge me. I am not running for the American Next Top Model. I just hate that show. The judges are all morons and nerds. Look for the one with the Three Stooges haircut. They should be sent to the firing squad. Most of all, I hate that bitch Tyra Banks. How she humiliates those poor contestants without mercy! She thinks she's the Queen of the Amazon. She must be sent to the lions! Girls out there, don't be so silly. No one has the right to judge you, so don't let them!

I once knew a garage band. They played very cool music, influenced by British indie groups like Portishead, Blur, Artic Monkeys, Pulp and Radiohead. After two weeks of playing, the members were still contemplating of a cool name for the band. Lots of time were wasted , lots of argument ensured that sometimes even a fist fight nearly erupted between the singer and the drummer, who was the leader of the band. And the rest of us standing there, including me, had to jump in to pull them apart.

One Sunday afternoon, we decided to go for a picnic at a park beside a crocodile farm. The farm had a big lake and the parking area was just  beside it.  On reaching there everyone was asleep as it was such a hot day except for the the drummer, who was driving. He was reversing the car into a parking lot and carelessly stepped too hard on the pedal. The car nearly went into the lake! When the others woke up, the drummer said that he had just found the perfect name for the band.

Finally, for the very first time, everybody agreed. They named themselves 'The Careless Picnickers'. What a cool name for an indie band. Sad to say that, one month later they disbanded after a big fight broke out between the singer and the rest of the band over a song. The singer insisted on singing that dumb song 'I don't wanna miss a thing' by Aerosmith and the rest of the band refused to play. So, a big fight started, everyone began throwing punches at the singer making sure that he didn't miss a thing!

AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW YOU WILL SEE YOUR SHADOW

"Hang the DJs! Because the music that they constantly play, it says nothing to me about my life.'.....taken from 'Panic' by The Smiths. This is for the DJs at Hits FM. Stop the Gotcha pranks! Spend more time educating your listeners about music instead. At least, they will appreciate the bands more and CD sales will go up and you guys will get promoted and we listeners will support you!

Example, how about telling all your listeners about Bruce Dickinson, vocalist of Iron Maiden. How many of them actually know that when the band is on a world tour, the man flying the massive passenger airline is Bruce himself. For all the ladies who wish to appreciate him, just listen to Bruce Dickinson's 'Tears of a Dragon' and you'll get what I mean. Stop playing that stupid 30H!3 'My First Kiss' hundred times a day, day in and day out! And stop repeating songs, the hits music catalogue is so wide. Don't be lazy!

You guess what will happen if I keep repeating my posts, I will soon be deserted by my loyal bloggers and end up with  Leonardo Dicapro in Shutter Island! If you wanna watch that movie, you can drop in at the last ten minutes, the whole story is there.

One day, there was a guy who was brought before a judge. He was suspected for shoplifting, a pair of Rayban sunglasses and a Quiksilver watch.

The judge asked for his name.                                    
The guy answered 'I.M.'                                                
The judge asked him again 'What is your full name?'
The guy answered ' I.M. Guilty, sir.'
Then the judge said 'Okay, Mr I.M. Guilty, you are sentenced to two months jail. Have you anything to say?'
The guy then replied 'Yes sir, but I am not guilty'

I hate names that make no sense. Examples are as follows:

The All American Rejects
What a name! No doubt the band will end tonight. The next morning you will find its members working at the Reject Shop. 'It ends tonight' would be the most appropriate song to play on the last day of the Laura Ashley's warehouse sale, Jusco grand sale and Tesco countdown sale!

Black Eyed Peas
Yacky! Does this group have any taste at all? Wouldn't 'Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce' sound yummier? Better send them to Cybertron to eat some Boom Boom Pow!

Panic! at the Disco
What a joke! These guys must be virgins on their first visit to a disco.

Sean Kingston
Better call 911, there's fire on the dance floor! Mmm, now I understand why those virgins on their first visit panicked! There's actually fire on the dance floor! Pity those clubbers who came in crocs! Who started the fire in the first place? Must be the chaps from Manchester, The Smiths! Remember 'burn down the disco, hang the blessed DJ! Because the music that they constantly play......'? Anyway, Sean Kingston comes from Kingston, Jamaica.Is it cool to have a name telling people where you're from? In the old days that was cool, like Jesus of Nazereth, Lawrence of Arabia, Don Quiote of La Mancha. Today, if you have a name like Rio Brazil or Yoko Tokyo, you will be famous! And the rest will die laughing.

One Republic
Wow, this is a great big name! It sends shivers down your spine. This name always makes me imagine a kingdom located somewhere in a remote region of the world with a population of one, the singer himself. No arguments, Apologise is an awesome song and the person who sang it has the most fantastic voice. With such a voice, he can be made King anytime in his republic, where he rules over himself!

Simple Plan
These guys are simple minded, they don't fancy doing anything big. But watch out, they may be busy devising a plan to rob their local 7-Eleven store tonight! But first they must figure out what is the total sum of angles in a right angle triangle.

Boys Like Girls
What can I say? Isn't it obvious that boys like girls, girls like Barbie, boys like Spiderman! Of course you can't say thieves like robbers or Lady Ga Ga likes Radio Ga Ga!

Green Day
It sounds like someone is trying to introduce green technology to the discos. Everyone's gonna come naked! When Green Day started, they brought the house down at Woodstock 2. Their Dookie album sold like hot cakes. Later they got tired, their fans got tired. Now they are getting more tired, their fans are getting even more tired. I think they've been around for too long and still imitating Sid Vicious and Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols on the stage. Fans got tired to see them playing like that. Worse still, '21 Guns' is like a song for the dying. The melody of the first line is exactly the same as an old song that my grandfather sang karaoke to..'If your're going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair'

Paris Hilton
Great businesswoman. She kills two birds with one stone. When you come to Paris, make sure you check into the Hilton!

Lady Ga Ga
One ex-fan told me that her name would be better if it was Lady Poo Poo. If she's got a baby she can name it Baby Wee Wee.

Hoobastank
Dangerous name. If the Russian Intelligencia knows about it, they will start producing military tanks of this name for World War 3. That, my beautiful friend, would be the end of the world.

Forget About The Rest, Teenage Years Were The Best

There was once a boy I knew in my class. Nobody wanted to be near him. Everyone called him a nerd.He never spoke to anybody and always kept to himself. One day, I was chatting with my girlfriends about the upcoming Michael Jackson concert, this boy must have overheard our conversation. 

The next day at school I saw an envelope on my desk. I opened it. Inside was a note: Got 2 tickets for Michael Jackson's concert. Please be my partner. Signed: HUSH. He nicknamed himself Hush so that no one would notice. I would die to see Michael but not with him. But somehow I accepted. I turned to where he was sitting and glanced at him with a smile to indicate my acceptance of his invitation. His face turned as red as a rose!

Came that evening, Hush picked me in his father's car. I was surprised to see him. He looked so cool. His hair was neatly gelled up. He wore a white t-shirt with both sleeves rolled up exposing his firm muscles. He was wearing a pair of tight Levis' 209. For a second I thought he was Enrique Iglesias! There were some words printed on the front of his t-shirt in red. I couldn't read what they said as he was at the wheel.  My long hair was tied in a pony tail. I wore a black tanktop with the words 'I love Michael' on it and a pair of short denim skirt.

When we arrived at the stadium, Hush got out of the car.At that moment, I got to see what was printed on his t-shirt. It said 'Sex Instructor. First Lesson Free'. I almost fainted! Many thousands of fans were already at the gates. As we approached, I noticed so many people, majority girls,  fingerpointing at Hush and me. They were giggling and laughing their stupid heads off.

Finally, we found our seats.The concert kicked off with a local band playing some rock numbers that nobody bothered to listened. People were chatting away, many were drinking and laughing and some others were busy munching away either nuts or gum. After a dreadful 20 minutes of nonsense music, some chap on the stage announced 'Let's give a warm welcome to Michael Jacksonnnnnn!' That was it. That woke up the entire stadium of 7,000 fans. Everyone, including Hush beside me, started jumping up onto the seats. I thought a revolution had started! I couldn't see anything except a row of bums in front of my face. Hush was up on his seat screaming "Michael, Micheal, Moonwalk, Moonwalk!! As the drums went Thump! Thump! Thump! My heart went Thump! Thump! Thump! I was so worried that the rows and rows of seats would collapse and the stadium caved in!

In came Michael. He stood there like a stone for 5 minutes and began his first number 'Jam'. Screams and screams from the fans were deafening. Throughout the whole 2-hour concert, Hush never once turned to look at me. His eyes were glued to the stage. I couldn't even see Michael as the bunch of morons in front of me were all the time jumping and dancing on their seats. Hush didn't even know I existed. Deep down I felt so alone even though I was surrounded by thousands and thousands of people.

Hush was moving and swaying his body in the most contorted way. Like he was possessed by some kind of spirit or something.When Michael did 'Billie Jean' , all hell broke loose from Hush. He swayed uncontrollably in torment screaming and yelling out words I simply couldn't understand. They went something like Wow Wow Gothca Cow, Pow Pow Muncha Now.... Moo Moo Zimbi Zimbi Chew....Coo Coo Waki Waki Loo. I was terrified. I wanted to go home. Hush was gonna turn into a Shaman or a Witch Doctor!!

The day after that concert, Hush became his normal self again. Spoke to no one, not even me. That afternoon as he walked past me, without a word he handed me a note: 'I apologise for my behaviour last night. I couldn't help it. Michael was awesome!' I understood.

Has been sometime I haven't heard from Hush. He is an okay kind of fellow, I think I will not hate him.

YOU GOT MY NUMBER BUT DO I KNOW YOUR NAME?

I always hate disclosing names. I hate it even more if I didn't. I hate personalities. They are filthy rich, living in their palaces up in Hollywood Hills, all because of you and me.This brings to mind the ones I particularly hate.

Fergie
Fergilicious is definitely not delicious. She sounds like a desperate housewife with menopause running for the title of a teenage queen.When she raps, she sounds like a granny working in a bar somewhere in Texas.

Gwen Steffani
She has already exhausted herself trying to be Madonna and failed.There's absolutely no doubt she had better stay in No Doubt indefinitely. That, would be her sweetest escape.

Lady Ga Ga
Even worse, she is trying double hard to be Gwen and triple hard to be Madonna. Hello Grandmother, wake up! The Madonna era is over! We are living in 2010, not 1980!

Akon
This guy is unbelievable. His melodies are sweeter than honey. Always makes my hair stands on ends. He should be composing nursery rhymes and lullabies for the newly born. My holiness! Please give him wings and make him an angel in your choir.

Timberland
Sounds like the rusty nasty chainsaw used in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. He should be producing sound effects for all horror movies instead.

Katy Perry
She is giving everybody a teenage nightmare. I guess she has moved to Elm Street. If you listen to California Girls and Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus back to back, I bet you can't tell which is which.

Taylor Swift
If ever you play Love Story on the piano, you will realise how horrible this song sounds. Surely she can't be classified as Country, she's so Pop, should be singing for the Mickey Mouse Fan Club.

Justin Bieber
He is so cute, he should be Timberland's teddy bear.

Lady Antebellum
The most unlikely country singer with a scientific name like Dr. Who. Her songs just remind one of Me and Bobby Mcgee, Oakee from Mustokee , The night they drove Old Dixie down and a whole lot of others way down yonder. YeeHaw!

Eminem
If I were younger, his voice would scare the hell out of me because it always reminds me of a movie I watched when I was little. I grew up watching it zillions of time. In retrospect, his voice reminded me of the ugly green faced and crooked nose Wicked Witch of the East in The Wizard of Oz. Hello Slimshady, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road!

STRONGER THAN THE REST, HOTTER THAN THE REST

I am extremely excited today. I discovered on the net uncountable ' I HATE MYSELF AND I WANNA DIE' sites. I hate people who say such things. Come on, everyone's gonna die one day. So if you are alive, better learn to appreciate it!

I hate weak people. They are so emotional and so easily hurt by others. BE STRONG, RAISE YOUR VOICE AND SHOUT IN THEIR FACES! Like you shout at the Devil! Don't give no chance for anyone to hurt you!

I have been through relationships with all sorts of people-some were weirdos, some morons and others mostly hypocrites and I can tell you I survived them all!

Talking about hypocrites, I really hate them.

The man who acts as a hero amongst friends but behaves like a mouse in front of his wife.

The man who cries 'Donate to the Poor' pockets the money himself.

The man who says 'Feed the World' gets himself fatter by the minute.

The man who scorns porn, watches porn all night while his wife and children sleep. Sleep Tight Everyone!

I hate cosmetics. I am naturally beautiful. I do not need to be a peacock. Look at Asian girls, the Thais, the Vietnamese, the Indians, the Malays and the Chinese, all inherently beautiful! The tone of their skin is so hot, their innocence so charming and their stares so enchanting. Look no further, here is paradise!

I hate models. I hate how they catwalk, everyone pretends to be macho, what a joke! For their exposure, models are all unkindly exploited. They will only get their paychecks many many months later. Some will hardly get anything should his or her agency closes down.

The more things i hate, the more i love myself

Today I am so excited and happy. The more things I hate, the more happier I am.

I hate newspapers. To me, NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS. Stop wasting money buying paper to read bad news.

I hate movies. I cant understand how anyone would willingly pay money to be imprisoned for more than two hours in a tiny chair to have rubbish continually thrown at his face. Most of all, I hate Avatar. It is so cartoonish and meaningless that it should be called "The Man Who Wanted to Die as a Blue Donkey". I hate Twilight - the entire cast looks like real zombies trying so hard to act as humans. 

I hate TV. I hate Gossip Girls. Everyone is so ugly trying to be beautiful that it should be called "The Ugly Bed Hoppers". I hate American Idol. It is so embarrassing that it should be called "The American Bathroom Singers". I hate Project Runway. The old man is so old-fashioned and the designers are so dumb. And the judges so irrelevant. The program should be called "Project for Failed Designers Who Made The Audience Ran Away". 

I hate hair stylists. Look at what they did to Nicholas Cage in "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", "Kick Ass" and "Bangkok Dangerous". Good Lord, only he can appear in public like that!! Another example is Lady Gaga. The lady with the ugliest hair!!

I hate everything but myself

There's no doubt it, I am the most beautiful, adorable & desirable person alive. Wherever I go I find eyes groping at me. Girls are so jealous of me, all my friends envy me of my beauty. That's great, the more jealous they are, the more they admit that I am the prettiest.

I hate most girls because they are so big headed. I hate most men because they talk rubbish, especially on the net. I hate all bloggers because they are like skateboarders - all time wasters!

I hate all geeks cos they just glue themselves to the monitor, they are so empty headed that whatever information they get is what the computer is spoon feeding them with.

I hate rappers & rap music, they sound no better than nursery rhymes. The song - i love the way you lie- is so sadistic,  how can one actually love the way burning oneself hurt! In New York, New York, Alicia Keys is screaming like a madwoman in the chorus. All rap songs have no intellectual meaning because they are sung by not highly educated people. They always boast about simple things like their bling blings, their Gucci bags, their big cars, their clubbing & their gals. Come on, there are more to life than that!

I hate all the DJs at Hits FM. They just blah, blah rubbish & they think they are cool. Their talking is so artificial & boring, the same applies to VDJs on the Quickie show on 8TV. None of them seemed to be knowledgable about the music they play. They have no idea of the history of the groups or the meaning of their songs. I bet they can't even tell the difference between heavy metal, speed metal, thrash and death metal!  They take us listeners as fools with their prearranged Gotcha tricks. Often they make parodies of hit songs where they sing with their ugly voices, I wonder if they ever paid any copyright to the original artistes! Hits FM DJs, you hear one, you hear them all!