Remember the 'secret' I told you about?

We finally finished it! Wooo hooo!!




Listen to it and tell me what you think! =D And if you like it, spread it around and tell your friends to tell us what they think! Ok, even if you didn't like it, please tell us too, so we can improve.

Like I said before, it's not really a secret, it's just that we wanted to surprise everyone with what we've learned about making our own recording, and of course, *ahem*, our musical skills as well. LOL!

I know the sound isn't really that great, but honestly we did the best we could with the equipment we had. We used a cheap, non-condenser mic, a simple recording software, without even a sound card, which I think we're gonna have to get after this...

So anyway, we did the best we could with the sound and the mixing, but I think the actual music itself is really, really good! =) I'm proud of us, because I really like our arrangement. And I'm especially proud of Lone, coz he did all the music himself, the drums, the bass, the many guitar layers, and he did the mixing really well considering the equipment we have. And trust me, of all the things we had to do, the mixing was the hardest! And part of the reason why we took so much time to do this one song too, because we kept having to re-do some parts becoz of the way the sounds turned out.

I, on the other hand, did all the vocals, the main and a few layers of backup vocals. And *ahem*... if I didn't sound good, I blame it on the mic! LOL!

Ok ok! The truth is, I'm surprised at how different it is singing on a recording and singing live, and how much harder in fact. And as I've said before, I'm no Christina or Mariah, so please do forgive my not-so-good singing, but seriously, the mic does play an important part in the vocal sound quality!

But hey, this is just for now anyway, and it's not like we're recording a CD or anything, this is just to get our music 'on tape', and maybe later when we can afford all the ridiculously expensive but extremely high-quality equipment, we'll record it again. And hopefully by then, I will have improve a lot more on my singing, and then *everything* will sound really good. =D

So tell me what you think!

P.S. Btw, if you're wondering how we got the name Space Blaze, Lone and I decided that we would each think of one word and combine them. We each have personal attachments to our words, and they sorta go together well, don't you think, with their rhyming sounds. =D

Tuesday night, Lone and I went for the Beauty and the Beast musical at the KL Convention Center. We bought the tickets way back in April and believe me, I have waited with so much anticipation until it was finally July!

The musical both exceeded my expectations and disappointed me at the same time, though I know how contradictory that sounds. But let me explain.

It exceeded my expectations because the performances were really good, they added a lot of new songs, the performers sang and acted really well and with so much enthusiasm, and it was really entertaining and fun.

It disappointed me because I thought the direction wasn't all that good... I didn't know what they were trying to achieve with the show, were they trying to amuse us and make us laugh, or move us and make us cry, or shock us, or what? Because sometimes during the sad scenes or the supposedly serious scenes, they ended up selling us short in the emotional department. The only thing they really achieved was making us laugh.

The other thing is, so many children attended the show, which is of course expected, since it's supposedly a children's show, and would explain a lot of the serious scenes which they turned funny and their over-exaggeration of the characters' caricatures. And yet, I wouldn't call the show kid-friendly... In fact, certain scenes were downright vulgar! Most notably, the scene in which Gaston humps Belle, and the many other scenes where he humps the air. =P

So after the show was over, I walked away feeling confused... Was I supposed to be amused? Or moved? Was this a family-friendly show? Or an 18SX one? What message were they trying to send? What were they trying to achieve?

It all seemed like there wasn't really a point to the show at all... And I definitely didn't walk away feeling fulfilled like I did with the Phantom of the Opera in Singapore, or even with the local production, Drunk Before Dawn.

Beauty and the Beast was just... whatever!

I mean, I enjoyed it, I think. But there's really nothing I can take away from it. =(

Oh well...

Anyway, I got pictures! =) Although we weren't supposed to take any, but everyone else was doing it! =P And with flash too, those terrible people in the audience! At least we didn't use the flash, which would've have totally distracted the performers.

We didn't take a lot, because we had to be really sneaky, but we managed some near the end. Here they are!

In the beginning...
We had to take a picture of the library backdrop, of course! I salivate just thinking about getting a library like this.
Ballroom dancing after the Beast has turned back into the prince. =)
And taking the bows at the end of the show!

That's all, folks! Thanks for watching.

A couple of days ago, Lone and I had a conversation that tickled me to the bone, because I'm a big fan of the Archie comics. *grin*

So you see, Lone and I were talking about names, and I said I loved female names that could be shortened into masculine names, ei. Joe for Josephine, Sam for Samantha, and etc.

Then Lone mentioned his sister-in-law, as in his brother's wife, who went by the name of Ron, short for Veronica.

And since my name is Betty and I love the Archie comics, I always look for connections between myself and girls named Veronica.

I went, how nice, Betty and Veronica ends up marrying brothers (Lone and his brother). And then I said, if only your names were Archie.

And then, I stopped. And Lone looked at me, and I started laughing like a madwoman! Because I realized that their surname was Chu, as in Ah Chu (Archie)!!!!!

So Betty and Veronica both married Archie!!!! LOLOLOLOL!!!!!

The best part is, I've always wanted a resolution in the age-old question of who Archie marries in the end, and it is *never* ever answered! And now that *both* Betty and Veronica marries Archie, I guess God just doesn't want to give us the answer. LOLOLOL!!!!

I'm so lame.

Prison Break is bringing Sara back!

I knew it all along!! Hah!!! *smug*

Ok...that's all I wanted to say. Gloating over. =D

I haven't finish watching the 3rd season of Prison Break though... Time to start again!

Yes, I know I know! A whole MONTH since I last updated!!

Sorry.... Really... Damn... I can't come up with any good excuse... =P But you'll still have to forgive me anyway... =D Love ya!

Ok, so updates! Nothing much happened during CNY... honestly, it was the most boring one I ever had. They seemed like just any other day to me. I'm starting to become a boring person, ain't I? =(

Gotta spice things up a lil bit, maybe find a really hot chick to cheat on my bf with, or go bungee jumping in Rome, steal Brad Pitt from Angelina Jolie....

What?! You think I can't do it?! LOL!

Anywayyyy....

The last week was kinda interesting though, and very very happy for me, in fact, =D because Redemption came back!!

Ok, it was only Bien, Raul, and Alex, and it was only for one day... but it was so great to see them again! They were just stopping over for a day because they had to meet their manager(?) here, and then they had to go back to Indonesia again to perform there.

As always, we had loads of fun, talking, drinking, eating...especially the eating part, I think, for them. Lone made a collage of the pix, which I don't have on my computer, but which he uploaded on youtube, so yayy! You get to see them. =)

Ok, that was on Sunday, and it was great fun except for the last part when a couple of police pulled us over and thought they could bully us into giving them some bribes, but they didn't get anything from us, so too bad.

I was pretty pissed off at the time though, because I know my rights and they were clearly just trying to bully us. But don't get me started on it because I have a lot of things to say about them, and none of it is good. =P

Let's hope things really change for the better after the election, no matter who wins.

Back to Redemption... I missed them sooooo much! Chris, Paula, and Teody are no longer with the band, personal reasons, and Redemption wouldn't be the same without them, but I'm sure they'd still sound good of course! Just with different sounds and dynamics, and most importantly, chemistry. They had one of the best chemistries ever!

I haven't heard them perform with their new line up, but I am sure they'll sound great and I can't wait to listen to them when they come back here in August!

Got that, guys?! They're gonna be back in Hard Rock in August!!! Check your calendars, make sure you're free during the weekends and I'll probably see you there.

Oh, speaking of great chemistries, another *really* great band that I *really* love is Asia Reforms from Indonesia! We went to Planet Hollywood last Thursday night, and they're playing there now up until the end of April. They are seriously, seriously....talented. Extremely... OMG! Words can't describe. You just *really* have to go and watch them yourselves.

And seriously, the bassist? OH.... MY.... GOD....

GO watch them!! GO!!!! And ask them to play Hump De Bump by RHCP, and maybe you'll be able to see exactly just how good the bassist, Zackey, is.

Everyone else is really talented too, don't get me wrong. I think the lead vocalist and the female vocalist are two of the most talented performers I've ever met.

 

Oh, did I mention that earlier this same night we went to Planet Hollywood and Dina from the first Malaysian Idol was performing there live too? The program was broadcast to 8TV if I'm not mistaken, but I got to hear her live and for the first time since she won second place in Malaysian Idol about three? years ago.

And you know what? She's improved sooooo much! She really blew me away with her rendition of Christina Aguilera's Ain't No Other Man! You should hear her high notes! And yayyy, I got to take a picture with her too!

So that's about it for updates for now... I'll blog more when I have more to say and when I don't feel so lazy.

Happy Voting tomorrow, everyone!

I would have written a whole intelligent and sophisticated post about the election but I don't feel up to being too intelligent or sophisticated right now, so just make the right choice, people!

This is our country, and we do want a better country, we want improvements, so please vote for the right party. Listen to everything, but believe nothing until you've done your research.

Alright then... until next time! =) I have MUCH to catch up on!

As you all know, I've been spending a lot of time at home; studying, working, reading, and basically just being really dull. So I decided to go to 1 Utama yesterday to treat myself a little, watch a movie, buy some stuff, eat some delicious food...

I even made a list:

• Watch Stardust
• Eat the delicious lamb shoulder at Chili's
• Buy 2 new tops and 1 skirt
• Buy toothpaste
• Buy pillows to match the sofa in my library
• Buy wall clocks for my bedroom and library
• Buy shoes

Here's what I did:

• Watch Stardust
• Eat at B.B.Q Plaza
• Buy 3 Chinese children's books for study
• Buy 1 Stephen King novel
• Buy 2 chick lit novels
• Buy 2 coloring books...

Well... I managed to accomplish one task on the list at least. Here are my excuses...reasons: =P

• Chili's chose yesterday of all days, to close for their company party. For goodness' sake, why?! I hadn't had lamb shoulder in months! Why couldn't they have chosen another day? Why yesterday? What do they have against me?! Arrghh!! Well, obviously, Chili's lamb shoulder was one of the main reasons for going to 1U in the first place, and it wasn't even open. Sigh...
  
• Once I got there, I totally didn't feel like shopping for clothes or shoes. If you know me, you so wouldn't be surprised. I planned to shop for clothes and shoes because I know I desperately need new clothes, and shoes, but it wasn't like I wanted to shop. Everyone knows I hate shopping. So I didn't.
  
• I totally forgot about the toothpaste, dammit!
  
• I did look for the pillows for my library, but when I found the one I really liked, there was only one of it. Who would buy just one? I wanted a pair! And there weren't any others I liked, so being the *ahem* patient person I am, I decided that if I couldn't find a pair of pillows I liked, I would just wait til I did.
  
• I looked for the wall clocks as well, but I didn't find any I like for my rooms. I wanted nice cutesy, sweet ones that matched the decors of the rooms. And since I couldn't find any I liked, as per above, I would just wait til I did.
  
• Buying the 3 novels, do you really need a reason?
  
• Buying the 3 Chinese children's books, well... the ones I had were way above my level, so I decided to get some that were in my league. I am doing so so so well! =) *proud*
  
• About the coloring books... What?!! I couldn't resist! I used to love coloring books when I was younger, and these two had such beautiful pictures. Anyway, it's a great way to relax and unwind. Seriously! While your fingers are doing the coloring, your mind wanders and think of all sorts of wonderful things. It's like a sort of meditation. Really! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

As for Stardust, it was wonderful!!! Beautiful!! Amazing!!! Spectacular!!! Breathtaking!!! Enchanting!!!

Oh wow!

I'm a great fan of Neil Gaiman's and I would buy everything he writes without even caring what the book's about, he's that good! And he does graphic novels too, (the Sandman books are amazing!) and even screenplays adaptations. By the way, Beowulf, which is showing now in the cinemas too, is Neil Gaiman's adaptation.

So I read Stardust a couple of years ago... ok, more like maybe 3-4 years ago, and I loved it! And when I found out it was going to be made into a movie, I was thrilled. Of course, by then I had already forgotten most of the details of the book, as I am wont to do, but I remembered I loved it, and I know I love all Neil Gaiman's stuff, so obviously it would be the one thing on the list I managed to do. LOL!

Neil Gaiman worked on the movie too, which is why it's so amazing, and I so admire him. Unlike so many other authors who sell movie rights of their books away and then watch helplessly as the producers/directors/actors/whoever else mercilessly mutilate the story, Neil Gaiman gets involved in the process himself.

Is there anything the man can't do?!

I love him!!!

I think I want to marry him... *swoon*

If you haven't seen Hairspray, go out and get it now! It's great! But even if the show sucked big time, it's worth it just to see John Travolta shake his booty!

He acts as a fat dancing momma; fat suit, high heels, and all, and even in his fat suit and heels, he shakes better than Shakira! I'm serious! I'm not even exaggerating a little bit!

Anyway, Shakira doesn't know how to shake her booty, what she does is... I don't know, wiggle? 

Ok, back to Travolta.

Hairspray is a musical, with all the big names attached to the cast; Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, James Marsden, Queen Latifah, Amanda Bynes, Zac Efron... just to name a few... and there's a whole lot of dancing and singing in the show. So maybe it isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it's worth watching just for Travolta's booty shakin'! Me no tell lie!

Travolta is by far not the best singer on the show, but he certainly is the best dancer and booty shaker!

I'm not forgetting that he used to act in Saturday Night Fever and he's a great dancer by right, but in high heels and a fat suit?! R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!

And he never shook his booty like this in Saturday Night Fever! He does it better than any girl ever shook her ass!

OMG!!! I am so in awe of John Travolta! If I tried shaking my booty like he did... I can't even imagine it! People might think I was having a seizure or something!

Watch it! Watch it! Watch it!!!

I can't believe that they killed Sara Tancredi off the show!!!

And by decapitation!

This just sucks...

They said they had to kill her because they needed to give Michael some motivation to make the show more interesting, and Sara Wayne Callies (who plays Sara Tancredi) is pregnant and didn't want to do the show. I guess they had to do it...

But then again, it could just be an elaborate hoax, which I admit could just be wishful thinking on my part, but you never know. Wait til you hear the theory though...

So let's see, they need Michael to be motivated, and Sara Wayne Callies is pregnant. So they pretend to kill Sara Tancredi, to give Michael his motivation, and SWC the time she needs for her family. Then they make a big deal out of it, and release news reports and all that about how Sara needed to be killed, and SWC didn't want to act...blah blah blah.

And then much later, we'll find out... Sara Tancredi isn't really dead!!! Yayy!

She comes back towards the end of the season, or maybe she comes back next season, and we find out that it wasn't really her head in the box. It was another dead woman's head that they operated on to look like Sara Tancredi (they're good with plastic surgery, remember the bitch Senator's brother?). The evil Susan didn't really have Sara Tancredi in her hands to kill, so she sent someone else's head as Sara's to motivate Michael to do as they want.

The show goes on, Michael is motivated, Sara Wayne Callies gets her time with her family and gets to come back later, publicity/ratings for the show soars, and the fans are happy! It's win-win-win-win-win for all!

I only wish it was true...

Well, time will tell, though I'm pretty sure it's just wishful thinking. But you never know... there's always the possibility.

Are you kidding me?!

Who Wants to be a Superhero?!!!!

What the heck will they come up with next!

Ohh...my head! I have a headache! I may never be cured until all these reality shows are stopped!

Oh wait...

That might be never.

Sigh...nevermind.

Last Friday, Lone and I went to Groove Junction in Hartamas to watch his friend and my piano teacher, Wilson, perform.

Lone introduced me to Wilson, and he invited both of us to watch him perform with his band, they played a fusion of jazz and pop and they were really good, actually. But it was a one time thing only, so we won't be going back there anytime soon. They have a cover charge, and when we asked them to take a picture for us, they had to make sure that the name of the place was in the picture. Hah.

Well, it was fun anyway, and the ambiance wasn't bad, but it's not a place I'll go back to unless the band is really, really good.

Me and Lone

The band, Wilson is the one on the keyboard, duh.

The deco was really nice

The bar looks nice too

Lone, Wilson, and me, and the bar's name behind us.

*bursts into song and twirls around with arms outstretched*

The Hills are aliiiive with the sound of muuuuusicccccccccc
With sooongggs they have suuunngg for a thousand yeeeaaarrrssss
The Hills fill my heeaarrttt with the sound of muusiccc.......

*notices people looking at her funny*

Oops! *blushes*

Sorry people, I couldn't help it! I watched The Sound of Music yesterday on Star Movies and now all the songs are stuck in my head.

(Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens)

I was actually quite delighted (Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens) that it was showing, because I was just talking to Lone about the movie the day before yesterday. (Brown paper packages tied up with strings) Coincidence? =)

I haven't watched it in a long long looooooongggg time, (These are a few of my favourite things) but it was soooooooo fun watching it again... *geeky grin* I'm a geek!!

Oh, and now that I'm older, (When the dog bites) I understand the Nazi/Hitler/political part of it better. (When the bee stings) Coz I never got that part about why they had to run when I was younger. (When I'm feeling sad) I always thought it was sad that Leisl and Rolf never had a happy ending... =(

Oh and guess what?! It's actually based on a true story! (I simply remember my favourite things) I never knew that!! I guess watching the Sound of Music at a too young age, you only focus on the songs, but now that I watched it again and did some research... I was so surprised to find out it was a true story! (And then I don't feeeeeeeelll soooo saaaaaaaaaaaaaad)

I'm gonna be doing more research on them. I'm so intrigued!

So after procrastinating for so long about uploading pictures of the last couple of weeks... finally, here they are! Yayyy! =P

Yeah, so on Friday a couple of weeks ago, 27th July, there was a sort of reunion thing going on with the guys at CK's new bar, Hana. Bob invited me to go, and since I hadn't seen many of them for a looooooooong time, I decided to go. And of course, I was curious about Ck's bar. =)

Here are the pics:

Me, Chen Wei, Cheen Png

Hein Yong, me, Andrew

Eng Kok, Shijin, Png, Shien Choy

Andrew, Bob, Me, Chen Wei, Png

EK, Bryan, Chau Hau, Jason, Bob, Andrew, Chen Wei, Nick


Then on Saturday, 28th July, we went to Hard Rock on last final time before the Redemptions went off to Jakarta to perform there. I miss them soooooo much already. =~( Life really feels so silent and empty without their music.

Us before the show started, John brought his brother along.

Five very handsome guys...

Transformed into five very ugly guys...LOL!

All of us!

At the Redemption's place, with the farewell cake. (Yes I know I look fat...watever. =P)


Then on the 4th of August, we all went to Rahsia in KL, for a joint birthday dinner for Charmin and Elaine. It was great getting all the girls together again. This is a month for reunions and farewells....

Ee Won, Charmin, me

Jeremy, Eewon, Charmin, John, Lone, Me

Everyone! Um...cept me, Jeremy and Lone

The girls!
Top: Joanne, Me, Charmin, Sewei, Angeline
Bottom: Eewon, Elaine, Margaret


There you go! Sorry it took so long for me to post up these few pix, but as the saying goes, 'A lazy person is a lazy person...who is waaaayyyy to lazy to look up an actual proverb about lazy persons so this will have to do.' =) Enjoy!

We went to Hard Rock again last Saturday to support the band, Redemption.

And...*ahem* also to see Alex. ;)

So....here are the pix!

(PS. Sorry Marg, I'm not putting up the pic of you and Alex! =P After the way both of you dirty danced on the dancefloor?! Hmmpphhh! How could you! *jealous* ;P He's mine ok!)


Oh okay, Marg...since you begged... ;P

We went to Hard Rock this last Saturday for dinner and the band. I did mentioned before that we loved live bands, didn't I? =)

Anyway, it was a really great night. We had a delicious dinner, and then we hung out and talked until the band started playing at 11pm and stayed all the way until they finished.

The band was really great! Loads of energy, and they were really friendly too. They danced with us during their breaks, we talked about music and stuff, and they invited me and Lone to jam with them too.

We ended up inviting two of them to watch Transformers with us the next day, because we happened to have two extra tickets. The movie was great, but I still love the animated movie better. I'm pretty sure they'll come out with a whole series of Transformer movies now...

Ok, anyway... Pictures! =)

Lone and I shared a B-B-Q'd Rib. It was huge! And delicious!
Margaret had a combo of B-B-Q'd ribs and chicken. Also delish!
John had steak, really tender.
Eng Kok had lamb, it had a dash of wine in it and it was juicy!
Charmin had fish. Healthy and delish!
The band, Redemption. This female vocalist is Paula, with a beautiful voice. In the background, the guitarist, Teody. You should see his fingers fly. He was one of the guys who went for the movie with us. He's the nicest, sweetest guy, he taught me and Lone some software to record our original songs.
The male vocalist, Bian.
The cutest bassist, and talented too, I love his energy. Alex. He's the one who introduced the rest of the band to us.
The drummer, Chris. If you watched him play, you'd be amazed at his talent and originality. He's one of the other two who went for the movie with us. Redemption will be playing at Hard Rock beside Concorde until the end of July. Go check them out! They are really good!

We'll be meeting them again next week for dinner, and we've all made plans to go back again to Hard Rock to watch them. And don't tell my bf...but I've got a little crush on Alex. *wink*

What?! He's adorable! =P