The Ashes

Lately there'd been advertisements on TV and radio about 'The Ashes' and then came notifications around the pubs saying that 'The Ashes' will be shown. The Ashes? What's that? Some movie being publicized ? It's got as much coverage as 'Bruno' here.

Apparently 'The Ashes' is the nickname for the test cricket series between England and Australia. As it's summer and cricket being a summer game, hence the cricket frenzy in this cranny of the world. The intriguing nickname dates all the way back to 1882 when England lost to Australia on English ground for the first time. After the loss, a satirical obituary was published in the British newspaper, The Sporting Times, stating 'the death of cricket', and the body will be' cremated and the ashes taken to Australia'. The English media dubbed the next English tour to Australia (1882–83) as the quest to regain The Ashes.

Apparently there's a little urn with the ashes of the cricket bale of that particular game - which is a treasured artifact for cricket fans

The urn is also featured in the science fiction comedy novel Life, the Universe and Everything, the third "Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy" book by Douglas Adams. The urn is stolen by alien robots, as the burnt bail inside it is part of the key needed to unlock the "Wikkit Gate" and release the imprisoned world of "Krikkit".



'The Ashes' are currently in Australia now since the last Ashes in 2006-7 but is now being contested for in the England and Wales 2009 series.

Life is..picnics and proms

What should one do before the weekend? Check the 3-day weather forecast of course. And if one of those days is fair weather, one should spread out the picnic blanket, call a few friends and bring the frisbee. Had a really nice Saturday after a few crap-rainy-days. Thanks to Y and J for organizing this...good company, talk and riddled by riddles involving midgets, potatoes, doctors, a naked man with a matchstick...bizzare but lovely.




And if the weather is not fab, one should also check out the BBC Proms held in the Royal Albert Hall. Amy spotted the free BBC Family Proms tickets (thanks girl!), I swapped mine with Adelene for a seat in the Grand Tier. It was all the classical standards i.e. Chopin, Saint Saens, Elgar, Britten- a good introduction to classical music beginners. I liked especially the solo violin by Jennifer Pike -an exquisitely intricate Holst's 'Song of the Night' and also the BBC family orchestra's 'Rough Guide to the Orchestra' a new piece played by family members of the orchestra i.e. grandparetnts, fathers, mothers, brothers, girls and boys...lovely-jobely.

And so passes yet another eventful weekend...

Yasmin Ahmad

One of the gems of the country has passed on. Yasmin Ahmad was truly an inspiration...being a woman, forging her way in the creative industry in Malaysia, one would think it was an unrewarding task. But Yasmin loved what she did and she did it well. So well in fact that she's recognized internationally with her films - something very few Malaysians directors can hope to achieve.

I watched Sepet in the GSC Mid Valley when it first launched in 2004...something unheard of because I'd never have thought of watching a local film as they were notorious for being bad. But I've heard so much about this brave movie that I had to watch it..and I'm glad I did. 'Brave' because it dealt with the sensitive themes of interracial love - a theme which would rile the bigots running the censorship board.

Here is a snapshot of an interview with Yasmin - insightful and thoughtful. Rest in peaches Yasmin (life was peachy) and God bless you!

Bloggers meet with Yasmin Ahmad from rinaz on Vimeo.

Strong Women

Celebrated the birthday of a strong woman this weekend and met another (C) who drove us around in her little 'nurse car'. Also visited a family of a few strong women posthumously in Haworth.

SISTER, you've sat there all the day,
Come to the hearth awhile;
The wind so wildly sweeps away,
The clouds so darkly pile.
That open book has lain, unread,
For hours upon your knee;
You've never smiled nor turned your head;
What can you, sister, see?

For you who are reading this, you know who you are.

Kal-Lavelle and the missed Mates

Mates of Mine didn't get the train to London from Brighton and so we missed them. But there was Olly the Octopus http://www.myspace.com/ollytheoctopus jamming with political protest melodies.

My mates S and R were there and we had a good talk over Pimms and pizza ...thank you ladies.

But the gem of the night was Kal Lavelle. Individuals like her are so bloody talented - they become THE music instrument as opposed to the singing and dancing poppets with the strings. It was plain magic listening to her tonight

Saint Swithin's Day

Today is Saint Swithin's Day - whatever the weather is like today would be the weather for the next forty days.

There's a weather rhyme which goes

'Saint Swithin's Day, if it does rain
Full forty days, it will remain
Saint Swithin's Day if it be fair
For Forty Days, t'will rain no more"

Fortunately it's a myth - the Met Office tested the weather on 55 occasions and 40 days of rain did not always follow.

Or is it? As the weather forecast is rubbash for the next 16 days.

Thank you very much Saint Swithin - I'm going back to the gym tqvm

Frisbee Fat Lip, Rueda and the Concert

Getting the Frisbee Fat Lip

The disc rose up in the air with a life of it's own and instinctively I followed it. Suddenly a force pummeled me to the ground and the slab of earth pounded my face. Before I knew it, I tasted some grass and gritty sand. Dazed, I wondered if I had lost any teeth and gone blind.

Rueda

It was seamless movements riding on a beat that could never end. Feet danced in circles and eights - an invisible hand guided their bodies like a pattern on a wall-paper. Music - party-like surrounding the little brown hut in the middle of the grassy field. Hands on hands, hands on waist, hands on shoulders. Feet moving left, feet moving right, then around.

The Concert

"You gotta roll with it, you gotta take your time, you gotta say what you say, don't let anybody get in your way, cause it's all too much for me to take"

A million hands waved and a million feet jumped. A blaze of colour lit up the arena as the jackhammer of sound pumped from the black centre that was the stage. A symphony of souls, an orchestra of emotion, conducted by the man in the green jacket.

"Say it loud and sing it proud! And they...Will dance if they want to dance,Please brother take a chance,You know they're gonna go,All we know is that we don't know,What is gonna be,Please brother let it be,Life on the other hand won't let you understand,Why we're all part of the masterplan"

"Want to Dance Michael Jackson"

Jatte bra!

I'm a Londoner

I’M A LONDONER” moves to Jacksons Lane...


An improvised play
Devised by Sam Bevitt

Featuring in this years “Story of London” Festival (in conjunction with the Mayor of London)

I’m a Londoner is set to take its home city by storm. An improvised play inspired by & in celebration of London and its make-up of ever expanding diverse cultural groups. I’m a Londoner journeys through 7 different stories of 7 characters originating from widespread parts of the globe – united by their residency in this vibrant city and the fact that they share universal dreams, fears, hurdles and triumphs. The Londoner stories although familiar, are thought provoking, poignant, chilling humorous and uplifting.

I’m a Londoner will be uniquely staged in a small purpose built playground at the Tristan Bates Theatre and then transfers to Southgate where it will adjust to a larger, traditional space - giving it’s final show a totally new edge and fresh feel. Accompanied by a consistent backdrop of sound, extracted from day to day London - this play captures the essence of the City in all its glory!

Director Sam Bevitt directs the cast of 7, which boasts some of London’s finest emerging actors: Anna Afanasyev, Andrew Lewisward, Phoebe McIntosh, Pablo Olewski Diaz, Renu Arora, Ryan Mathie, Shakella Dedi, and Sheenal Kothari. The cast have been carefully selected to reflect London’s assortment of cultural backgrounds. Collectively the cast have trained at some of London’s renowned drama schools including LAMDA, Central & Mountview. Credits include performances & appearances at Royal Opera House; South Bank Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Royal Festival Hall, National Geographic, BBC TV & a winner of a BBC Carlton Hobbs Award.

Sam Bevitt is currently studying his Masters degree in Scriptwriting at City University, London. He graduated from the University of Warwick with honors, where he studied Theatre and Performance. Throughout his time at Warwick he taught community theatre, led scriptwriting courses for the local town and held drama work-shops for inmates at Swinfen Prison’s Drama Department.

Producer & founder of Palladini Productions, Saima Duhare is the driving force behind I’m a Londoner. Saima originally trained as an actress at the London Academy of Performing Arts as well as attending the New York Film Academy before going on to star in two Bollywood films with well known Bollywood actors Anupam Kher, Shakti Kapoor and Dalip Tahil. Saima set up Palladini Productions so that she could create powerful stories - her focus mainly on creating and producing Theatre, TV & Film. Forth coming projects, in collaboration with actress Shakella Dedi, include a play inspired by the Madam CJ Walker story for the Black History Month in October and a sitcom which is due for completion later in the year.

Sound design is provided by the dynamic duo Alberto Sanchez & Catarina Chaby. Alberto is a DJ at Resonance FM and a graduate of SAE Institute. He works freelance in production, post-production, live production and phonography. Caterina has worked as a freelance audio engineer since 2004 for Nostairway Music Studio and has been involved in LP and SP productions, audio and video post-production for TV and location recording for live performances.

Press coverage

* Resonance FM http://resonancefm.com/
* Remote Goat www.remotegoat.co.uk/
* Catch ‘A’ Vibe Magazine www.catchavibe.co.uk
* Flavour Magazine www.flavourmag.co.uk (Interview with Karla Williams)
o Alice Gbelia: catchavibe@googlemail.con
o Shaun Hutchinson: theatre@catchavibe.co.uk
o Karla Williams: karlawilliams22@yahoo.co.uk

Marketing: Shakella Dedi - m. 07946 552 625 - e: imalondoner@live.com.

For general info visit: www.myspace.com/imalondoner

For info on the Story’s of London Festival visit: http://www.london.gov.uk/storyoflondon/

Listing information:

Thursday 9th July 2009 – 8.00 pm @ Jacksons Lane Theatre (run time 75 minutes)
Tickets £10.00/ £9.00 Concessions – Available on the box office line Tel: 020 8341 4421

p.s. I'm so proud of you S!

Covers Live by Espen Lind, Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes and Holm

The first guy(Norway's first Pop Idol and World Idol, Kurt Nilsen's voice is amazing...

Falsa Moral (False Morals)- OBK

Thanks to S R for this video and song.

Boats, BBQ's and Brains

Yet another eventful weekend in the lazy-hazy days of summer in London.

Frank, my landlord, had the brilliant idea of going all out for the Henley Royal Regatta. Dresses, blazers, boat hat, crisps, banana cake, cider and champagne- fully confident of the equipage in tow, off we stumbled to Paddington (not fully awake as it was 7.45a.m.) to catch the train to Henley-On-Thames. Established in 1839, the Royal Regatta(not to be confused with the other Henley races i.e. Henley Women's Regatta, Henley Town Regatta), is a very 'English' thing to do in the summer where one would picnic on the bank of the river all decked-up in your best dresses and hats and have a glass of Pimms with strawberries, cucumber and mint and oh of course watch the boat races.

The festive atmosphere began even in Paddington itself as you could see almost every other person in their best togs and clogs. Train was filled with people all ready to have a good time -it was like a gigantic tea-party procession on it's way out to London all in the name of a boat race...amazing:P

The weather held out and finally turned sunny as we lounged on the bank of the river with champagne and watched the rowers speed by. Felt very posh ...



Then it was off to K's for a BBQ at her home. It was a real feast and great company in her cosy little flat. Lots of sausages, lamb in dijon mustard, chicken, vege-kebabs and such. The real fun began when K brought out the 'Cranium' -a hybrid between Ludo, Trivial Pursuit, Pictionary, Charades and Spelling Bee. I must say it was hilarious especially when it came to 'Cameo' and 'Humdinger' plays where the team had to guess the mystery celebrity or song. The girl's team won of course.

Thank you K and S for the good times:)

(p.s. Sorry I had to add these but they were so funny!)

Farewell to a Legend

Rest in peace now Michael, your work here is done.

Painting by Chagall - The Weepies

Nice summer song...

Father's Day - The Living Years

Mysteriously this song somehow ended up in my MP4 player - don't remember adding it. I first heard it on Radio 4 on the way to school in mom's car - I was Standard 5 then and half awake in the Mini Minor. The dee jay (one of the old schools e.g. Alan Zechariah or someone like that) introduced it in such a way that I still remember it today. But then, the song didn't have much meaning for me - being a kid without a care in the world except for UPSR exams

I listen to the song again and it has become powerful now - now that I've gone through the trials and heartaches of relationships with the people dear to me. Especially since it's Father's Day, this song somehow screamed 'Hear me!'. Life suddenly seemed too short for grudges and resentments.



The Living Years - Mike and the Mechanics

Every generation
Blames the one before
And all of their frustrations
Come beating on your door

I know that I'm a prisoner
To all my father held so dear
I know that I'm a hostage
To all his hopes and fears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years

Crumpled bits of paper
Filled with imperfect thought
Stilted conversations
I'm afraid thats all we've got

You say you just dont see it
He says its perfect sense
You just cant get agreement
In this present tense
We all talk a different language
Talking in defence

Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
Its too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

So we open up a quarrel
Between the present and the past
We only sacrifice the future
Its the bitterness that lasts

So don't yield to the fortunes
You sometimes see as fate
It may have a new perspective
On a different day
And if you don't give up, and don't give in
You may just be o.k.

Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
Its too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

I wasn't there that morning
When my father passed away
I didn't get to tell him
All the things I had to say

I think I caught his spirit
Later that same year
I'm sure I heard his echo
In my baby's new born tears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years

Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
Its too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

If it's very painful for you to criticize your friends - you're safe in doing it. But if you take the slightest pleasure in it, that's the time to hold your tongue. Alice Duer Miller

Nelayan

Kala jala nelayan penuh, di hari-hari cerah nan jarang,
tongkol tampak bermain, mengisar pelangi nan pipih.
Kau lihat matanya: angkuh, namun sesat jua, dalam remang.
Kembalilah, kau ingin berkata. Kembalilah dari sedih

Kala laut gelap gamang, lesat punduk gelombang
mengangkat perahu tinggi, seringan anak panah peri
Kala kau terbang, semua airmatamu 'tuk sekarang,
kecuali beberapa yang, mungkin, untuk esok hari.

The Music's Always There With You

Lately I've rediscovered music in my life. She was an old friend that disappeared for quite awhile till we caught up - it seemed as if we lost no time at all.

It started when my parents (mainly mom) who'd put up with my sulking and put me through piano class at the age of 6. She used to pretend to be able to play a few notes on the piano and fool me into thinking she could (haha she's funny my mom)

I had a great teacher, Miss Diane GK Tan or 'Teacher' as I'd called her who tutored (ahem 'tortured') me all the way till I was 15. We still keep in touch and through her I even met up with an ex-piano classmate in London (whom I re-caught up with after 20 years). In school simultaneously, somehow I got appointed school pianist in the afternoon session and continued on my 'career' in the morning session in upper secondary school. Ask me to play the 'Negaraku', 'Malaysia Berjaya' and the CBN school song and I would mysteriously know how even if I haven't played it for 20 years. The fun times was with my best girl Angie who was leading the school choir at the time and we used to go through the drills of choir competitions. Then there was a short spell with Miss Diane Lee who tutored me through PC but because of the pressure of STPM, I stopped. I went off to uni and it was a long before I even had the desire to touch the piano again.



It was in the autumn in Umea and the cold, dark winter which led me to rediscover music again. The Swedish university I was in had excellent music facilities and it was not long before I found several good pianos to play on. It was a blessing that I was placed in a host programme where my mentor (Lorentz Edberg) was a music teacher at the school. I also had a 'sister' student in Valeria Graffeo, an Italian exchange student who was just as crazy and brilliant in music as Lorentz was.



I also spent an amazing winter/spring semester in the 'Skapande musik'(i.e. Creative Music) course with a group of normal, unassuming Swedish (and a couple of international) students.











Imagine coming to school every day just to play and make music with people who loved exactly that - it was decadent, it was hedonistic and it was too good to be true. Mostly I was impressed with the level of talent they had here - Swedes really do know how to get creative. To allow you to get a taste of how versatile these people are, please see some of their personal pages:

(all genuine music)

Malin Ernestad
Buns and Beans
Kapten Kid
Mates of Mine

And thanks to my fellow course mates, I have discovered the joy of music creation. 100% inspiration and almost all playing by ear - although I knew the chords and the notes, I discovered that one didn't necessarily need theory to create music. It was a new way of learning music which all my years of classical training didn't prepare me for. Now I can truly appreciate music form - which was a result of the complement between inspiring my right brain to create music and my previous left-brained piano training.

The skapande musik programme output from the students can be found here here



London being such a cultural city; I'm happily distracted by all the musical and creative activity going on here. Thanks to G too (whom I work with and who has a blues band of his own), I now own a little keyboard to play on and am slowly picking up the guitar (guitar hero too :P)




So in a way, this post is dedicated to all the musicians in my life, past, present and future - thank you for the music!

If I Ain't Got You - Alicia Keys

More 'English' English

Here's a few more colloquialisms in 'English' English I picked up - there's even some 'kata-kata ganda'

'Hokey-Kokey' = Ok

'Lovely-jobly' = That's good

'Easy-peasy' = That's a piece of cake

'Marks and Sparks' = Marks and Spencer's

'Heigh-ho' = Oh well

'Secret-squirrel' = Top-secret project