Eight for ole eight: Quarter 1 review

At the beginning of the year I optimistically banged out 8 to-do things this year. One quarter later and the numbers aren't looking good. However, there have been other accomplishments, the most noticeable being finally getting around to putting up a banner on Introspection (which I didn't even design). Which makes it a not very accomplishing accomplishment. Anyway, the picture's "They are leaning out for love" by Alena Hennessey.

Here's how I've done so far.

1. Family + attachments trip to a beach: Pending Chong's return for the summer holidays. Unless he decides not to return (unlikely).

2. Hold 2 BBQs: 1 down, one more to go.

3. Read 8 new books and blog about them: I've only read 1 new book, and I haven't blogged about it. It isn't that bloggable a book anyway.

4. Paint 4 pictures: 0 completed. But after visiting a gallery in The Garden's last Friday I think I am inspired.

5. Go for road trip to Ipoh: 0 progress. I'm questioning this one. Ipoh??

6. Write two plays: 0 completed. Not. A. Single. Word.

7. Learn how to use photoshop: 0 progress. But, I did very painstakingly put together the "My Blueberry Nights" collage below on Primitive Ms Paint and I am IMMENSELY PROUD OF IT because using Primitive Ms tools I doctored two of the photos so that they'll line up neatly.

[edit: I was just reminded that I helped to cut out the Wolverine figure for The Geek's birthday poster on Photoshop but I think that doesn't count because I just blindly did what I was told to for all of 5 minutes.]

8. Attend 1 MPO concert and 1 theater show that is not a musical: 0 progress

Yesterday's dinner menu: Blueberry pie

Finally!
MmmMMMmmm....

Renovation

It's high time I revamped this space.

A Les Misérables Friday

Do you hear the people sing
Lost in the valley of the night
It is the music of a people
Who are climbing to the light

For the wretched of the earth
There is a flame that never dies
Even the darkest night will end
And the sun will rise.

I’ve read about the Christian themes and motives in Les Misérables, but I was still surprised by how dominant they were. It was so fitting that we watched the 10th anniversary concert DVD on Good Friday. It was the best illustration of the transformative power of grace I have ever seen.

The greatest master stroke is how the same song was used to close both Act 1 and 2. A standard feature in musicals, yes. But in the first act the French revolutionists sing it, calling for others to rise up and fight for an earthly cause – a freer and fairer France. In the second act, the call changes into a crusade for an eternal cause as Valjeen’s page on earth, glowing with the testimony of how grace transformed a hardened criminal into a force of good in the world, is turned.

Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?

It reminds me so much of what Easter brings – a promise that one day, life will be perfected. As people living in an unjust, wounded world, we all need that hope.

In the mood

Movies have the same lingering effect of perfume on me.

A spray of perfume follows you throughout the whole day like a hidden hitch-hiker, riding on your subconscious and colouring your mood like the background score in a movie.

After yesterday night I am now in the mood for languid, restrained movements and melancholy shapes. Life seems like a nebulous cloud of enigmatic emotions, blurred outlines and soft colours, where high-collared cheongsams grace elegant bodies and smoke tendrils rise slowly out of parted lips.

I don't watch movies, I experience them.

Chris Tomlin on gtalk

Artie: do you have chris tomlin's amazing grace song on mp3
Me: ya, I think
sorry dun haf
Artie: no worries
i'm getting from chris
Me: wah
from chris tomlin himself huh
Artie: yea, i have him on gtalk
so happen he is online
Me: amazing.
Artie: gracious too
gave me free

Talking to myself

That's what architects do. They build their aspirations/emotions/secrets into stone, so your incriminating statement is digested into architecture and it will one day surface between the cracks.

I am already anticipating a meeting of minds. Happy birthday to someone I will meet in person one day.

Split vote no more.

There is only focus now: March the 17th.