A different kind of blog post this time.
Despite me never really having any musical talents (I don't particularly consider listening to music as one), I've had this interest of researching into the songs that I like. What I'd do is that I'll listen to the lyrics and then try to learn about the backstory to the song.
In a funny way, the circumstances surrounding the writing and subsequent release of the song leads to the discovery of certain facts which make the works seem more intriguing to me. The following songs (which are among my personal favourites) each have some interesting stories behind them which then shaped the careers of the persons who sung them.
* The information below is presented with some of my research from the Internet and what I've view/read in other sources over time. Don't consider it an encyclopedia of sorts but I've done my share of ensuring the authenticity of the information given.
Iris
One of the best songs ever written by one of my favourite rock bands, the Goo Goo Dolls. The band had some earlier success with their previous album and their real first hit single, "Name". But years had gone by with the Goo's lead singer and songwriter, Johnny Rzeznik facing a case of severe writer's block and self doubt.
In 1997, the band was approached to write a song for the movie, "City of Angels" and the result was "Iris". Johnny had written the song's in an hour and in doing so, he broke several years of writer's block and sobriety in that very same night. It's was nominated for 3 Grammy awards and was one of the biggest songs of the decade. Till today, it still makes an excellent song to listen to.
Interesting Fact: The title of the song came from the name of a singer that Johhny Rzeznik came across in a magazine. He simply thought that the name was beautiful and chose it as the title of the song.
Angels
A classic ballad recorded and performed by Robbie Williams; the ex-boybander turned one of the biggest selling performers of all time. And he owes all of his success to this one song.
The setting was this- Robbie Willaims had embarked on a solo career and just released his debut solo album, "Life Thru A Lens". It didn't perform well with 3 singles already released. The writing was on the wall and it was then that he was about to be dropped by his record company; effectively ending his singing career.
They released the 4th single from the album in 1997, and it was "Angels". It turned out to be a major hit and not only saved his career but then it allowed him to have the career he has had today. It remains one of his signature songs today, and he normally ends his live performance with "Angels".
Interesting Fact: I once saw in an interview that he lifted one particular line from the song- "... she breathes flesh to my bones..." from his sister's book of poetry.
Crossing Paths With Obnoxious People - Part 1
It's been almost forever since I've last written a post.... So here's a story about an observation on a person I came across not long ago. Let's entitle this post 'Crossing Paths With Obnoxious People'. Hell, this may even be a recurring series of posts on this weblog.
I was at a friend's birthday just 2 weekends ago. Well, it was more like I was invited to make up the numbers, but that's a story for another day.
Seated across me from the dinner table was this other gal. Let's just simply call her the 'Other Gal' for the sake of simplicity (I'd honestly rather use some other degratorary terms, but I'll play nice for now).
The birthday gal who invited me sorta thought that she's make decent company for me because she spoke only English which was alike me, cause my limited Mandarin and Cantonese may make look like a retard at times, of which really isn't the best thing for me at social settings like these. So she sat Other Gal right across me in the dinner table, seperated by perhaps 1 meter or so of breathing space.
I can't say that I recall anything much about her. Nah, can't remember what she did for a living (not sure if I asked), can't remember if she actually has a pet dog (not sure if I asked) and hell I can't remember if she has any diseases (not that I would ask, and not that I'd really need to know). But holy piece of crap, these few things I do recall (they seem imprinted in my memory and are unwilling to go away) of which I'll list below.
Observations
1. Other Gal talks out aloud on the dinner table; mostly rethorical things that you'd wouldn't bother responding to. Not that it's really a bad a thing but kinda vomit inducing if exposed for prolonged periods.
ObnoxiousmeterRating : 2/5 stars.
2. Dinner was Italian food where everyone shared the mains. As everyone was about done with dinner, Other Gal wasn't done yet tho. She seemed to have the appetite of a rabid wild boar which has yet to have feasted since coming out of hibernation.
Urm.. ok well I exaggerated a little here, and I apologise for it. Well, the fact of the matter is, wild boars do not bloody hibernate. They eat every single day of their bloody lives! So there, I've set the record straight; and now back to my story.
She was feasting thru this plate of pasta consisting of clams and mussels (again, remembered the mains were shared) and using her fork and spoon to assist herself in opening up the clams individually to see if there were .. urm.. clams inside. She'd diligently open them one-by-one to examine them before moving on to the other, whilst leaving the previously examined clams on the plate.
That behaviour is kinda lousy. Not that it's vomit inducing but I'd hide my clams from her if there's ever another chance meeting over the dinner table.
ObnoxiousmeterRating : 3.5/5 stars.
3. After the horrific 'clam brutality' incident, we (ie. the people at the dinner table, yours truly included) were just talking about stuff. You know, random talk while passing time. Nothing particularly meaningful, just casual dinner conversation.
So I made a comment in passing about something being 'edible'. And I sort of pronounced 'edible' as 'eatable'. I know, slip of the tongue. Not that anyone would've bothered and not that I didn't know I made a slip up with that word.
Other Gal pauses from eating the birthday cake (oh hell yeah, she was still eating) and gives me the stare and says '....you mean edible'. It was as if I've denounced her family as being part of a dynasty of petty thieves and sewage workers. Her tone also seemed to suggest that I murdered her pet dog (if she ever had one) and buried it on her front yard before proceeding to piss all over it.
-_-
ObnoxiousmeterRating : 4.5/5 stars.
Thoughts
I think I'm generally an easygoing person that doesn't go Christian Bale apeshit a whole lot. Like, seriously.
Trying to take the positives from this, I guess that I did learn a thing or two from this incident. Apart from the fact that I learned that I should hide my clams from certain individuals during dinner, I realise that perhaps I should try to rationalise why certain people behave the way they do. But wait. Wildboards do not hibernate! Ok screw the rationalisation, I'm going to leave it as it is.
PS. If Other Gal actually reads this blogpost and tries to outsmartarse me by correcting me by saying '... actually wild boars do hibernate', well... they really don't. And here you go.
Bye for now.
I was at a friend's birthday just 2 weekends ago. Well, it was more like I was invited to make up the numbers, but that's a story for another day.
Seated across me from the dinner table was this other gal. Let's just simply call her the 'Other Gal' for the sake of simplicity (I'd honestly rather use some other degratorary terms, but I'll play nice for now).
The birthday gal who invited me sorta thought that she's make decent company for me because she spoke only English which was alike me, cause my limited Mandarin and Cantonese may make look like a retard at times, of which really isn't the best thing for me at social settings like these. So she sat Other Gal right across me in the dinner table, seperated by perhaps 1 meter or so of breathing space.
I can't say that I recall anything much about her. Nah, can't remember what she did for a living (not sure if I asked), can't remember if she actually has a pet dog (not sure if I asked) and hell I can't remember if she has any diseases (not that I would ask, and not that I'd really need to know). But holy piece of crap, these few things I do recall (they seem imprinted in my memory and are unwilling to go away) of which I'll list below.
Observations
1. Other Gal talks out aloud on the dinner table; mostly rethorical things that you'd wouldn't bother responding to. Not that it's really a bad a thing but kinda vomit inducing if exposed for prolonged periods.
ObnoxiousmeterRating : 2/5 stars.
2. Dinner was Italian food where everyone shared the mains. As everyone was about done with dinner, Other Gal wasn't done yet tho. She seemed to have the appetite of a rabid wild boar which has yet to have feasted since coming out of hibernation.
Urm.. ok well I exaggerated a little here, and I apologise for it. Well, the fact of the matter is, wild boars do not bloody hibernate. They eat every single day of their bloody lives! So there, I've set the record straight; and now back to my story.
She was feasting thru this plate of pasta consisting of clams and mussels (again, remembered the mains were shared) and using her fork and spoon to assist herself in opening up the clams individually to see if there were .. urm.. clams inside. She'd diligently open them one-by-one to examine them before moving on to the other, whilst leaving the previously examined clams on the plate.
That behaviour is kinda lousy. Not that it's vomit inducing but I'd hide my clams from her if there's ever another chance meeting over the dinner table.
ObnoxiousmeterRating : 3.5/5 stars.
3. After the horrific 'clam brutality' incident, we (ie. the people at the dinner table, yours truly included) were just talking about stuff. You know, random talk while passing time. Nothing particularly meaningful, just casual dinner conversation.
So I made a comment in passing about something being 'edible'. And I sort of pronounced 'edible' as 'eatable'. I know, slip of the tongue. Not that anyone would've bothered and not that I didn't know I made a slip up with that word.
Other Gal pauses from eating the birthday cake (oh hell yeah, she was still eating) and gives me the stare and says '....you mean edible'. It was as if I've denounced her family as being part of a dynasty of petty thieves and sewage workers. Her tone also seemed to suggest that I murdered her pet dog (if she ever had one) and buried it on her front yard before proceeding to piss all over it.
-_-
ObnoxiousmeterRating : 4.5/5 stars.
Thoughts
I think I'm generally an easygoing person that doesn't go Christian Bale apeshit a whole lot. Like, seriously.
Trying to take the positives from this, I guess that I did learn a thing or two from this incident. Apart from the fact that I learned that I should hide my clams from certain individuals during dinner, I realise that perhaps I should try to rationalise why certain people behave the way they do. But wait. Wildboards do not hibernate! Ok screw the rationalisation, I'm going to leave it as it is.
PS. If Other Gal actually reads this blogpost and tries to outsmartarse me by correcting me by saying '... actually wild boars do hibernate', well... they really don't. And here you go.
Bye for now.
Of People I've Not Met and Those I Might Not See Again
This is going to be a somewhat more insightful post.
I had this thought running through my head not long ago and it's been a recurring theme lately. It did feel kind of intriguing and I figured that it'll make good sense to write a post on this (this weblog is after all entitled Thoughts, Opinions, Issues and Narcissism).
Well as a disclaimer, this post isn't expected to have any punchline. It's just meant to be a commentary of sorts. So.... there you go.
Thought #1: People I've Not Met Yet in This Lifetime
I like the feeling of knowing that there are an infinite amount of people I'd get along with and would love to meet and would meet in this lifetime but haven't done so yet. And yeah, I like the thought of not having met my future spouse yet. It's an endearing thought.
There's this rather peculiar story (peculiar... but in a good way). I've got this business associate in the UK who's been working with us on some levels for the past 2 years. We've spoken before, corresponded via emails and collaborated on various work assignments but have never met in real life till today.
He's a nice bloke and that I'm sure and someone I'd regard as a business partner too. And yeah, rather strangely, I was told that he looks quite like me.
Thought #2: People I Might Not See Again
Now this is a funny thing. I'd use to think that I'd had all the time in the world to catch up with friends; people I've known since my childhood or teens or in my early adult life but haven't been seeing around as often as I'd like. That's something that I think we all take for granted really.
Now I start to wonder if I'd actually see certain persons I've met before ever again. I guess society has made it such that we only get around seeing certain people at special occassions (weddings seem to be the most conducive for this).
The thought of this predicament is a shame really, and I think that I'd need to make more effort in this department. Or at least make the experience of knowing another person for however short a time good while it lasted.
I had this thought running through my head not long ago and it's been a recurring theme lately. It did feel kind of intriguing and I figured that it'll make good sense to write a post on this (this weblog is after all entitled Thoughts, Opinions, Issues and Narcissism).
Well as a disclaimer, this post isn't expected to have any punchline. It's just meant to be a commentary of sorts. So.... there you go.
Thought #1: People I've Not Met Yet in This Lifetime
I like the feeling of knowing that there are an infinite amount of people I'd get along with and would love to meet and would meet in this lifetime but haven't done so yet. And yeah, I like the thought of not having met my future spouse yet. It's an endearing thought.
There's this rather peculiar story (peculiar... but in a good way). I've got this business associate in the UK who's been working with us on some levels for the past 2 years. We've spoken before, corresponded via emails and collaborated on various work assignments but have never met in real life till today.
He's a nice bloke and that I'm sure and someone I'd regard as a business partner too. And yeah, rather strangely, I was told that he looks quite like me.
Thought #2: People I Might Not See Again
Now this is a funny thing. I'd use to think that I'd had all the time in the world to catch up with friends; people I've known since my childhood or teens or in my early adult life but haven't been seeing around as often as I'd like. That's something that I think we all take for granted really.
Now I start to wonder if I'd actually see certain persons I've met before ever again. I guess society has made it such that we only get around seeing certain people at special occassions (weddings seem to be the most conducive for this).
The thought of this predicament is a shame really, and I think that I'd need to make more effort in this department. Or at least make the experience of knowing another person for however short a time good while it lasted.
Being Awkward and the Mental Anguish that Comes With It
I normally try not to post videos on this weblog, simply because it'll mean that I haven't come up with something original/funny/witty/interesting/narcissistic. But this video is just... apt.
I was showing some friends this video last night. It's something i came across some time ago, but it's still unbelievably hillarious each time I watch it. Methinks that I somehow like it partly because I identify with the video. Strangely enough, I go through the same nonsense as the protagonist in the video (albeit with less dramatism).
So... have you got 8 minutes and 3 seconds of your life to spare? Well you most likely do unless:
(i) You've really got to takea dump any second now before you make a mess in your pants.
(ii) You're having labour pains and you need to get to the hospital real soon.
(iii) You're reading this at work and your boss isn't very appreciative of Youtube videos or blogs for that matter.
Well considering you've already read this far, you should just complete the task by watching the video below in its entirety =P
Watch more of their videos at Britanick.
I was showing some friends this video last night. It's something i came across some time ago, but it's still unbelievably hillarious each time I watch it. Methinks that I somehow like it partly because I identify with the video. Strangely enough, I go through the same nonsense as the protagonist in the video (albeit with less dramatism).
So... have you got 8 minutes and 3 seconds of your life to spare? Well you most likely do unless:
(i) You've really got to takea dump any second now before you make a mess in your pants.
(ii) You're having labour pains and you need to get to the hospital real soon.
(iii) You're reading this at work and your boss isn't very appreciative of Youtube videos or blogs for that matter.
Well considering you've already read this far, you should just complete the task by watching the video below in its entirety =P
Watch more of their videos at Britanick.
Interesting Quotes & Short Conversations
It's the end of the month and I'd like to be able to make it 4 posts for this month; which is a record for recent times.
Here's a collection of recent quotes and short conversations that I was a part of.
#1 You'd Better Not Have Overslept, Again
Setting: Friend asking me to make it to her wedding reception in the morning. Of which I was seriously thinking whether I should attend or not.
She: Make sure you make it for both the dinner and morning ok! Not like Elaine's where you overslept. The ceremony at the Church is at 11am. So lot's of time for you to sleep!
Me: [Oh noes..... looks like no bailing out this time =P]
#2 Where My Gut Feeling Isn't Trustable
Setting: Friend was talking to me about this situation and that I should trust my gut feelings when it comes to this sorta things.
Him: Yeah, I think it's a go-ahead, that's what my gut feeling tells me.
Me: Hhmmm... I get what you mean, but then again I've trusted my gut feelings in situations like this in the past and my gut kinda screwed me over! Hahaha..
Yeah, so I kinda refuse to trust myself nowadays -_-
#3 WTF?
Setting: Me and another friend was having a long-drawn discussion over some work matters. It was late, and we were both getting hungry.
Him: Man... I'm too tired. I can't think. I need food.
Me: Ok ok.. we'll go get food then. You drive or me?
Him: Yeah, I need food. No food means no energy. No energy means I can't work.
Me: Yeah yeah, I hear you, so who's car do we hop into?
Him: Hell, I'm so tired that I can't even have an erection!
Me: Damnit, since when you need to drive with your dick???!!
Hmm... perhaps that's how he does it...
- Fin -
Here's a collection of recent quotes and short conversations that I was a part of.
#1 You'd Better Not Have Overslept, Again
Setting: Friend asking me to make it to her wedding reception in the morning. Of which I was seriously thinking whether I should attend or not.
She: Make sure you make it for both the dinner and morning ok! Not like Elaine's where you overslept. The ceremony at the Church is at 11am. So lot's of time for you to sleep!
Me: [Oh noes..... looks like no bailing out this time =P]
#2 Where My Gut Feeling Isn't Trustable
Setting: Friend was talking to me about this situation and that I should trust my gut feelings when it comes to this sorta things.
Him: Yeah, I think it's a go-ahead, that's what my gut feeling tells me.
Me: Hhmmm... I get what you mean, but then again I've trusted my gut feelings in situations like this in the past and my gut kinda screwed me over! Hahaha..
Yeah, so I kinda refuse to trust myself nowadays -_-
#3 WTF?
Setting: Me and another friend was having a long-drawn discussion over some work matters. It was late, and we were both getting hungry.
Him: Man... I'm too tired. I can't think. I need food.
Me: Ok ok.. we'll go get food then. You drive or me?
Him: Yeah, I need food. No food means no energy. No energy means I can't work.
Me: Yeah yeah, I hear you, so who's car do we hop into?
Him: Hell, I'm so tired that I can't even have an erection!
Me: Damnit, since when you need to drive with your dick???!!
Hmm... perhaps that's how he does it...
- Fin -
Vanity Is
In the quest to pen down some serious thoughts about life and what goes on around it comes this post. It's a spur of the moment thought kinda thing which just occured to me over lunch.
Vanity is:
Self conciousness
The desire of wanting to look good at most times
Having the desire for other people to like you
Thinking of what other people think about you
Having to reevaluate your actions in life and how others felt by it
Wanting to be recognised for what you've done in life
Wanting to be remembered when you're dead
And the list goes on and on. The thing about vanity is that we can't escape from it in this day and age. Every one of us is at least partially guilty of the items mentioned above. I guess vanity is the reason why people want to be famous. That's why every other dude secretly wants to be a rock star someday. That's why people want to be influential in what they do for a living.
And society feeds this lust. Twitter (I reckon this is the worst form of self-indulgent vanity tools in existence today), Friendster, Facebook, Youtube and the what-have-yous practically allow nobodys to have their 15 minutes of fame. How often have you not meet a person before in real life but yet having recognised the person from the Internet somewhere? I know I have.
What I'm trying to say is, I think vanity shapes our lives some way or another. Our actions are motivated by it. Now, it's not like it makes all the important life choices for us, but I think it creeps in there somewhat and motivates what we do. Interesting how modern society makes us live our lives.
The Stranger's Namecard
I feel like blogging this short story which I thought was pretty funny when it occured last week...
Here's an IM conversation that happened not long ago (it was just last week). Pretty interesting and humorous (well, good enough for me to write a blog post about it lah :P). Not produced in verbatim (this tends to be my standard disclaimer statement eh?) but essentially the message is contained within (with a wee bit of added humour).
Participants
Slacker aka the writer of this web log.
Friend over IM (FIM) who happens to be a she, and who relates this story to Slacker.
Here's an IM conversation that happened not long ago (it was just last week). Pretty interesting and humorous (well, good enough for me to write a blog post about it lah :P). Not produced in verbatim (this tends to be my standard disclaimer statement eh?) but essentially the message is contained within (with a wee bit of added humour).
Participants
Slacker aka the writer of this web log.
Friend over IM (FIM) who happens to be a she, and who relates this story to Slacker.
FIM: Hey, can I ask you a question?
Slacker: Sure... go ahead!
I'm nosy by nature, so I was kinda hoping that the question turns out to become an interesting story =P
FIM: My parking neighbour (who parks next to me) stuffed his card on my window this morning.
Slacker: Inteeerrrreessstttiinggg... (said with an evil voice).
FIM: Should i do the same thing or just leave it?
Slacker: Is he hitting on you?
FIM: Hahahaha. Dunno.. he's an old man.
Hmm.... well in certain cases, some chicks dig older dudes but perhaps she doesn't.
FIM: Not too old though.. about 30s to 40s?
Slacker: Well but how do you know that it's your parking neighbour?
FIM: Well on his name card, he wrote 'your neighbour'.
Slacker: Oooh.. well just leave it la. Buat tak tau la (that's Malay for acting as if you didn't know). It's no biggie.
FIM: It won't be rude right? I barely see the guy.
Slacker: Well, it's not like he's expecting you to text him and go 'tenkiu.. xoxo'.
FIM: Hahahahahahahaha. So I don't have to take my card and leave it on his car window right?
Slacker: Haha.. nah.. that wouldn't be needed la.
It was at that point that I had a brilliant idea!
Slacker: But if you wanna have some fun, you can take some dude's namecard and place it on his car window!
Needless to say, she didn't buy my idea. Afraid that it would offend him. But hey, that's courtesy isn't it? You give me your name card, then I give you another (though not necessarily mine =P).
PS. Also I just noticed that this blog turns 1 year old in 3 days. Yipee yay.
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