David (to Joel): google calendar is really awesome can you stop looking at my tits and licking your lips you fucking freak

Javad: this is adrian kuo's song man
Marc: man, everything is adrian fucking kuo's song! what? is it because he's pretty? fuck him! and you can tell him i said so

Just got back from a short break at the Amara Sanctuary in Sentosa, before I start work in a week. It was relaxing, and much appreciated. The hotel is nice, but they need to put some furniture on their bare balconies, and they need to start providing nicer toiletpaper. The attention to aesthetic detail is pretty amazing, down to the fruit basket matching their brown, little green, dash of red color theme, if only they'd apply it to conveniences.

Today and tomorrow is the Singapore Toy & Comic Convention, which I attended this afternoon with Mela in tow. There was some cosplay, but unfortunately, nothing sexy or risque at all. AT ALL. That's pretty sad, if you ask me. I mean, what is a geek convention without the presence of barely-clad attractive women made up to look like your self-stimulation fantasies? C'mon folks... live a little. Let go and give us something to look at.

On the left is a figurine from one of the booths, Cathy Cowgirl. Thought at least a couple of you out there might appreciate a cartoon character with eight nipples. Or alternatively a character whose existence is intended to speak out against the use of bovine growth hormone.

Javad: why are bush and joey such pussies?
David: coz... they were raised that way

Javad: so where are you living now?
Marc: tulip gardens... i moved there coz the latency is better

Saw You Don't Mess With The Zohan today, and I must say it was fuckin' hilarious. Which was pleasantly surprising, because comedies these days just don't seem to cut it anymore. In my opinion, Adam Sandler's best to date. Also saw Juno the night before, which was quirky and cute and entertaining and I know Amir hated it and everyone else liked it, and well, what can I say, I'm conforming this time. Then there's 10,000 B.C. which was pretty bad, but everything I expected it to be. It was interesting to see the portrayal of the time period, the ideas they came up with, and how much (or little) they attempted to tie it in to established history, and how much they decided to exercise creative license over. But as everyone has said, so I agree, it's still a pretty bad movie.

So D-Day has been given an actual date, it's the second week of July, and I'm apprehensive, excited, not ready at all, but ready as I'll ever be. Wish me luck folks! Time to get crackin' with redecorating and stuff before time runs out.

Peacey: look... we share the same wallet
Joel: and now we share the same girl. scissors paper stone see who's on the bottom when we sandwich her

Javad: anybody wanna go to beach road tomorrow?
Joel: unless there's a ktv there, don't bother asking me

David: what's that show on tv where that stupid dick fucks with people's minds?
Mela: punk'd?
David: punk'd

Amir: what happens when the tv runs out?

Alex: i've been eating a lot of dog food recently
Javad: wet or dry?
Alex: i had dog cake... tastes like chicken
Javad: that's probably because it IS chicken

Linda: why do you have a scar?
Mela: why do you have a nose?
Linda: i ask myself that every day...

Javad: but you know her!
Mela: i know her, but i can count the number of words i've said to her
Linda: how many?
Mela: eight

Jean: i only dj there once every wednesday
Javad: "once every wednesday"?
Jean (thinks for a bit): ...it's the same thing what!

Yixin: if they were good-looking i wouldn't mind getting anally raped...

Nadium: closest I got to depubing a model was when I wiped down the sink in Jen's  apartment... excpet [sic] the hairs there were from my beard

Lauren:  i don't think i have any good gossip about myself, or anyone else we both know
Javad:  ah well... i guess as you get older, nothing interesting really happens... thank god for jeanette
The new furniture for my room has arrived, and it's on it's way to what I plan for it to be! Cleaning is back in full swing, and things are shaping up nicely. I've finally found the support I need to go ahead with the bright pink carpet for the floor and the wall, thanks to Bobby. The order should be put in tomorrow, assuming my contact person is there when I call.

Got activated for reservist duty while on standby, on a bloody Saturday night no less, which meant leaving Butter Factory halfway to drunk, and booking in to Maju Camp at 1.30am. Ended up being there for almost 12 hours, smoked a whole pack of cigarettes chatting with old army buddies and barely slept a wink.

Been working on some photo stuff, although that's taken a backseat this week, as I focus on my room. Met up with a bunch of friends from primary school for dinner on Monday, at Peach Garden. It was good to catch up, find out what people are doing, who's married, who's got kids, who's in prison, etc. Monday is also the day Lorraine left our island nation for Hong Kong, where she feels more at home and a lot less sweaty.

Sleep schedule's been a little wonky, I'm reverting to my student schedule, which kills my mornings and leaves me mucking around at night. Except now I've got no one to hang out with after 2am or so. It's not a real problem I guess, and I suppose I should try to enjoy the freedom to do it while I can.

Mela's made the move to Bukit Panjang Plaza for the time being, until her office in Lot One is ready. Change is always difficult, but I'm proud to say that she seems to be adjusting decently. It makes things easier for me too, since she's now closer to me, there's less traffic getting there, and I don't have to pay ERP.

In the news, we've got a 12-year-old Norwegian boy who survived a moose attack by using a skill he learned in World of Warcraft - feign death (thanks to Yurii for the link). Tech billionaire Henry Nicholas III has been caught partying like a rock star, distributing drugs to business associates and employees, funding drug parties on airplanes, and generally having a great fucking time (thanks to Joel for the link). Portugal has started off Eurocup 2008 with a 2-0 record, whupping the Czech Republic 3-1 tonight. As always, I'll be rooting for them. Check out a photoblog of life in Tehran, created by a Los Angeles native who has moved there (thanks to amir for that one).

K, off to bed for me, have a pleasant Thursday!

Currently Listening To: Armin Van Buuren & DJ Shah feat. Chris Jones - Going Wrong

Javad: wow, you just scooped up your own sauce, and then you scooped up david's sauce...
Amir: i like to mix fluids

David: you wanna see my third lightstick? it glows in the dark too

David: i eat sensually, not messily... but with great gusto

Tonight I feel isolated. Standing on my balcony, with only the moon for company against a background of tree silhouettes and red-grey clouds, I know there is not a single person awake within earshot. No sounds of traffic, no sounds of people in the street, no sirens or anything, only crickets. New York is isolating in its own way, in that people shut themselves off from one another, but here, at least at night, the isolation is real. Sometimes it's nice to be alone... sometimes it's depressing. Sometimes I miss New York.

Currently Listening To: Ratatat - Lapland

David: she looks like she's enjoying herself... she looks like a man!

David (to Amir): see, if you hadn't pissed me off by saying i wasn't your type, i would totally turn gay for you

David: i'm listening to rupal, at 1.30 in the morning, in my hotel room in bangkok... i need to get out more

Aram: we don't have coconuts in philly... we have, uh... cheesesteaks

Joel: i'm sure my mom has a couple of nice big ones

Joel: i can't date a girl with smaller tits than me
Javad: dude, then you're fucked man
Peacey: yeah man, then we're both fucked

Evenin' ladies and germs! Hope this post finds you all alive and well... just got back from Bangkok myself, and it was good times. First time there, since my Bangkok ban was only lifted maybe 2 years ago. Yep, my dad wouldn't let me go to Bangkok. That is, until I found out that both my brother and sister had been, and that I was the only one who was banned. After throwing a fit at him, he said he guessed I was older now, and I could go if I wanted. Seriously, what the hell does he think I'm going to do?!

Anyways, Bangkok was lots of fun even though we never made it out to party. Shopping was great, got a lot of nice stuff - somehow I was expecting there to be a lot more ridiculous nonsense and a lot less things I actually wanted to buy. Guess I was wrong on that count. Got me some stainless steel rings, a bunch of t-shirts, DSquared jeans (which actually seem to be real despite the low price) and some other stuff. Got to see Ase and Peter which is always nice, and eat lots of delicious green curry and other thai food. So much so that I have now put myself on a crash diet (68kg when I weighed myself in the hotel... that's a lot!).

Before Bangkok, Aram came to visit, for the first time. It was honestly quite awesome to have him here, it's been a long time coming, and I don't think he was let down, with my most excellent tour guide skills at his disposal ;) Took him to eat everything that I love and knew that he would too (which probably contributed to my current fatness), took him to the fish spa, and to clubs, and the Night Safari, as well as KTV, Geylang and Orchard Towers, Singapore's world-famous "Four Floors of Whores". I hope he had a good time, and I'm really happy he managed to make it out here finally.

Made a list of all the shit I have to do today, and man is it long. I've started trying to make a dent in it, but it's going to take a while to finish all this stuff. Boo.

Currently Listening To: TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun

Sammy: sometimes i get the feeling you're laughing at me, not with me
Javad: were you laughing just now?
Sammy: no... that's why i got the feeling!

Hsuen: ecstasy comes from detergent

Mela: okay, i have to say, and i'm not being biased - my friends have very good taste... and so do i

Amir: no, my tits are getting HUGE!

Javad: hey matt, i thought you quit smoking??
Matt: i feel fucking hot man, i don't know what to do!

David: ew, i got chrysanthemum juice on my speedos!

Yurii: we don't play fair... we play to win

Gill: i don't need lube

David: i'm afraid i might spontaneously combust
Javad: then we'll step on a glass and say 3 mazel tov's for you
David: what, you want me to marry apit is it?
Amir: what am i then, chopped liver?

Dex: my time ah bengs, even if they squat, they still queue!

So um... I got a job! Yessir, starting in June, I will be gainfully employed - in-house photographer for Viscion Media. A pretty good start, I must say, and a quick one. Let's hope product doesn't consume my life and I get some kick-ass editorial spreads soon. Of course, that leaves me with much less free time to complete the proposed redecoration of my room... guess I'd better step on it.

Feels like I'm pretty much adjusted and acclimatized to being home already, things are going smoothly, and I'm getting comfortable without getting stagnant, which had been somewhat of a worry. Hopefully I won't lose momentum and will be able to keep on keepin' on.

Friday night was a real drunken stupor... haven't been that drunk in years, if ever. First off, I disappeared for about 45 minutes when we were about to leave Zouk, and no one, including myself, knows what happened during that time. It will forever remain a mystery. Next I passed out on a table at Newton, and then the floor as Mela, Bush, and Wen attempted to carry me out. After 20 minutes of unsuccessful attempts and multiple slaps and random beating (my right nipple area is still bruised... thanks Bush), 2 strangers assisted in getting me into a taxi. Upon getting me to my house, my keys apparently didn't work, and Bush called my sister as I slept on the garage floor. My sister, being out at poker night, was unable to assist, so the maids were awakened. They saw me on the garage floor and thought I was dead. After being carried to my room, I threw up on the only non-Persian carpet in the house (Kashmiri) which someone (my dad) had decided would fit nicely in my bedroom, and then proceeded to wallow in it. After this whole fiasco, I spent Saturday night at home. My carpet went out the window a few days later.

So the results of FHM Online's 100 Sexiest Women in the World poll have been announced, with Megan Fox at number 1. But more importantly, at number 2 is Jessica Biel, who beats out Jessica Alba at number 3. Finally, vindication! Jessica Biel is recognized as being hotter than Jessica Alba! Take that all you naysayers! ... I hate Justin Timberlake....

In other news, champagne allegedly helps to protect your brain against damage incurred during a stroke or from Alzheimer's or Parkinson's... the antioxidant nature of polyphenols, which champagne is high in, is thought to be responsible for this. Take note all you old people, your new prescription may be for Moët & Chandon.

Gizmodo reports on a new way to control your computer - the penis interface. What will they think of next?

K folks, off to bed. Gotta start getting earlier starts to my day, or I'll never get all my ish done before I start work.

Currently Listening To: Schoolyard Heroes - Blood-Spattered Sundress

Hiro: that's not vulva!

Hiro: i hate people like them
Javad: like who?
Hiro: like me

Mela: why do you like to make girls cry?
Yurii: because their anguish sustains me

Lawrence: you don't do hoochie-mamas man... hoochie mamas do you

David: you know what really gets me? when amir says i'm not his type

Been home for over a week now, and it's been a pretty eventful time... I've finally overcome jetlag and a most annoying bout of pharyngitis. I've been surprised on my birthday after dinner at Privé with the family, when I came home and opened my door and before I could complete the mental statement "who the fuck put all these balloons in my room", by Mela and a large bunch of friends. I've assisted Colin shooting an editorial for L'Officiel. I've helped bury my grandaunt who passed away on Saturday and in the process met most of the Namazies in Singapore, some of whom I have had very little or no interaction with in the past. I've started running again (just today). I've started clearing stuff out of my room in preparation for redecoration, and bought a new computer to edit pictures on. And of course I've been eating lots and lots of delicious food...

I am now 29, living in my parents house again, and attempting to get a fledgling photography career off the ground, armed with only a J.D. and a burning passion. I hope I don't end up a big fat nothing. Coz that would suck. I miss New York, and all of you still there - partly just because I love the city and my friends, but also a little bit because I didn't have as much responsibility when I was just an intern. Back then (like, 3 weeks ago) all I had to do was go to work and learn what I could. Now, I'm pretty much on my own and feeling a little lost and it's kinda scary. Guess all I can do is soldier on...

In other news, I have discovered that when Mela is in a funk, there is very little I can do to get her out of it. Which both depresses and frustrates me, and also makes me wonder if I'm not trying hard enough... or even too hard. I guess I can't always fix everything, and there are things beyond my control, and that's something I shall just have to learn to deal with.

Time to hit the sack. Evenin' folks.

Michelle: the problem with being rich is that once you are, you're old. or you can be young and rich and a douchebag... i guess if you're rich you can't win

Kaveh (watching Dancing With The Stars): i think i should take up ballroom dancing

Only days before I leave New York, and I find myself with a veritable mountain of packing and cleaning to do. Moving sucks... sucks balls. And everytime I'm outside in the chill New York springtime air and sunshine, I feel a twang of preemptive nostalgia deep down inside. I'm going to miss the array of people in the street - the ones who are obviously models, the ones who are obviously trying to pass for or even become models, the ones who are obviously staring at the models and wondering about the almost models, the ones who obviously don't give a fuck about models, and the ones who are obviously trying to look like they don't give a fuck about models so they can fuck models. And then there's the old East Village buildings which may not be here for much longer, which, together with the lonely leafless branches, frame the clear blue skies, and feel like home. What do you do when it feels like you're leaving home to move home?

Had a going away/early birthday party Friday, shared with Lori's birthday and Francine's going away, at Mug Lounge, which is a nice space, chill, plays decent music, and has a very friendly owner. Thanks Mike! And thanks to everyone who made it, I think it was a good party, down to me whupping Hiro's ass in our long-awaited dance-off. Thanks also to David and Jen who insisted on taking Lori home despite my insistence that I would make sure she got home... I probably wouldn't have been able to.

So before things get hectic and I have no time to post, good bye New York, you opened my eyes and captured my heart, but it's time for me to leave you. Perhaps I will return someday...

Currently Listening To: Orbital - One Perfect Sunrise

Maddy: i'm used to being groped all the time

Lee (on how french food starts shit): yo, the 2 places i work at are french, and the people are always taking dumps... that's why everyone in france is always taking a dump!

Javad: china does so much better than india
Sammy: well what do you think would be easier to run, a country with a billion chinese people, or a country with a billion indians?

Javad: hoegaarden... like a garden full of hoes
Lauren: that's where i was born!

It's my last week of work! I'm trying to finish up this one beauty shot that I've already spent over 10 hours retouching, but I think it's turning out nicely and am already quite proud of it. Tomorrow night, my boss is taking us out to dinner at 15 East, and then Thursday night will be my final shoot with him, a fashion test at Times Square. And then week after that, I'm outta here!

Meanwhile, I've been trying to do fun stuff here before the opportunity is gone - went for Amateur Female Jello Wrestling last Sunday, which was entertaining, and Bloodwrestling on Friday night, which never happened, but which was fine because we had a great time anyways. Plus, some of the wrestlers were there and I got flipped on my back by Canned Tuna. Spent most of Saturday feeling sick from all the Sparks though.

Sammy came to visit over the weekend, and to say bye, which was very nice of him. It's about time I start seeing everyone and saying my goodbyes, as well as packing. Which I mentioned before and still have not begun at all. But at least I got my bar application sent out today, which is a big weight off my shoulders. Thanks to Amanda for being the only notary available to notarize it for me on Sunday night.

I've found a way to motivate myself when I'm lazy! By listening to Through The Fire And The Flames and imagining I'm playing it on Expert in Guitar Hero III. Man, that gets the blood pumping!

And now, seeing as it's St. Patrick's Day, I think I should prepare to consume some green beer. After Mela calls me back, and after dinner with Michelle and Bettina. Peace and green beer!

Currently Listening To: Yelle - Je Veux Te Voir

Aaron: i'll have that. you had me at "huge"

Hiro: ah, straight love. it's so good to see nowadays... no, seriously!

Lori: i don't know, maybe it's just me, eye on the prize, but i need a penis in the picture

Javad: you're married now, you're not your own person anymore, you're one half of a whole
Sanah: YOU'RE a ho! not even half a ho, a WHOLE ho

Enpin: i love little boys

Javad: here's the thing, the saying means that with a sword, you can kill 10 people, or 50 people, but with a pen, you can...
Hiro: libel them?

Went to meet Hiro last night for food, and walked into the strangest scene. There's Hiro, sitting all alone, in an empty Cloister Cafe whose staff are waiting to leave, with trance music blasting in the background, fake stained glass walls of saints looking down on him, as he smokes his hookah.

Time is winding down, I'm going back to Singapore in 2 weeks and I don't think it's really hit me yet. I need to start getting my shit in order, submitting that bar application (DAMN that fucker) getting rid of my furniture, meeting friends who I may not see for a long time (don't want to say ever again, because I hope it won't be) and packing up everything. Gotta set up a going away/birthday party for next weekend, and I have no idea where. Dinesh's going away party last weekend was a lot of fun, and should really have driven home some sense of urgency. I guess I'll really feel it when I'm done with work next Thursday.

Guess I should get cracking on the 12 page questionnaire I need to get done for the bar application...

Currently Listening To: The Killers - Read My Mind (Gabriel & Dresden remix)

Aly (on the Dream Hotel): oh my god what the fuck is this blue shit in my room?? make it stop!

Aly (showing her age, on drunken 24 year old girls at Libation): hellooOOOOooo! the life lesson bus is about to run you over, and then go in reverse and run you over again, and you're not going to see it coming both ways!!

Victoria: i don't even really care, i have 4 boys in my room, and it's never gonna happen again... i hope...

Taylor: that's a big bunch of garbage
Javad: you're a big bunch of garbage
Taylor: yeah, but i'm a BIG bunch

Taylor (on Sammy): he might have a passport, but that doesn't save you from being a sex offender

Sammy: i have so much better luck with girls who don't speak english well!

Nadium: i LIKED that it smelled like shit! i put some expensive port in it... my pee smelled like it for days! you hold it up to your face - smells like lamb; you hold it at arm's length - smells like ass!

Enpin: i'm going to new york to watch federer play sampras
Javad (shakes head)
Enpin: what?!? i'm going to marry him you know...

Diego: i like nadium's theory that you can clean everything up with porn

Lot of quotes, I know, but you know you love it...

Been busy in the past week. Attended the opening night of Passing Strange on Broadway last Thursday, thanks to Sarah, who got us brilliant 2nd row seats, too. I have to admit I really enjoyed it, which makes it the second musical in a row - does this mean I'm getting to be cultured? The musical got great reviews, which were read aloud at the opening reception at Espace later.

Had dinner with Aly Friday night since she was spending the weekend in the city and I wouldn't see her in DC. Took her to Safran, which I think she enjoyed (I am still bitter at them ever since they took the green curry duck and the foie gras fried rice off the menu), and we managed to catch up some, which I think we both enjoyed. And then Francine's birthday party at D'Or, special because it's her last, as she's leaving for LA in the next month or so. That really will be the end of an era. I've said it once, and I'll say it again: Francine was fully half of my New York experience. Life would have been so much tamer and so much more boring through college without her. New York will not be the same once she's gone. But then, as Jia pointed out, neither will LA.

Headed down to DC on Saturday for Victoria's birthday revelry and a chance to see my collected law school friends who remain in the nation's capital. It was definitely good to see all of them again, I do miss them, and I'm sure I will only miss them more once I'm home. Also managed to see Chingmei and Enpin for lunch on Sunday, which was nice seeing as how I don't know when I will see them again either. I miss them too!

Went for a run today, given the suddenly pleasant weather - and now I am going to meet Bettina to hunt for some much needed food. Adios amigos!

Currently Listening To: Armin Van Buuren feat. Gabriel & Dresden - Zocalo

Javad: does your ass wobble when you're on the treadmill?
Hiro: please... it looks more like the beyonce bounce

Spent the day shooting balloons filled with water to catch the resulting explosion on camera, with some pretty cool results. Also shot perfumes with a H25 attached (by rubber band) to a Holga - an idea taken from this guy.

It got really cold today too, and after our Times Square shoot got postponed and Edlyn canceled on dinner, I find myself with nothing to do and sitting at home. I guess I should really be taking this opportunity to retouch the images I owe Alvin, but for now, I'm starving and need food.

Currently Listening To: FC Kahuna - Hayling

Javad: sterling and i are discussing the merits of getting off while you're high
Vivian: oh... is it nice?

Hiro: heineken always smells like ass... like inner ass
Javad: how do you know what inner ass smells like?
Hiro: coz i have my own, and i'm flexible like that

Katiana: i don't wanna make it too loose... no one likes a loose hole!

Dinesh: is he gay or what?
Katiana: no, he's british

Lizza: i'm done chasing heaven, i need to spend some time here on earth

Watched Teeth with Haanee and George today, and I must say, it was quite unimpressive. The beginning was promising, but then it got campy, moralistic, and the characters got lame and flat. All the same, I'm glad I watched it, so I don't have to wonder if it was worth watching. Damn. I guess I got suckered in by good marketing then, huh?

Also managed to complete a few songs in Guitar Hero II on Hard, which is quite a step up from Medium, if only because you now have to move your fingers around to hit all the keys. Still nowhere near my brother's level of proficiency, but definitely improving.

Had dinner with Denise and John at Casimir, a French restaurant deep in Alphabet City, after Edlyn flaked on us. Food was pretty good, conversation was better, and it was good to see them again after not having done so for some time. Edlyn rescheduled for lunch on Wednesday, and will hopefully not flake on that.

Meanwhile, it's Saturday night and I'm staying in because I have to wake up early tomorrow for a shoot. Which is fine, I guess, because I already went out last night on a mission to get bombed, convinced that I hadn't been drunk since New Year's. Of course halfway through the night I spoke to Mela who reminded me that I had been completely shitfaced that one Saturday night in Singapore, and then again last week when I passed out at Bar 13. So of course that took all the fire out of my mission, and I ended up getting only mildly intoxicated. Did get to hang out with Michelle's parents, at the Gramercy Hotel rooftop bar, and then at karaoke at 17. They're super cool. I don't think I could sing Nine Inch Nails - Closer with anyone else's parents.


I was just thinking today about how, when I was younger, I prized freedom above all else, it was my ultimate goal, it was the pinnacle state of being, to be truly free. And thinking about it, I must say that it still is and will always be perhaps one of my most treasured and valued ideals. But I also started thinking about what lay beyond freedom, and I think that once freedom, to any degree, is obtained, what really matters is what you do with that freedom. If you take that freedom and choose to imprison yourself in a cocoon of your own making, it's almost as bad as never having obtained freedom in the first place. Sure, if it is a restriction of freedom of your own making, it will always be just that little bit better than an externally imposed restriction, but ultimately, what we choose to do with freedom that we achieve or are given, what we use our freedom for, is what it's really all about. Because any dumb schmuck can be given freedom. But every day, so many of them lose their freedom to their own fears, to their own attitudes, to their own ignorance, that it saddens me.

Just my little 2 cents worth.


Currently Listening To: The Magnetic Fields - I Think I Need A New Heart

Lori: i think it was just a...
Javad: oral fixation?
Lori: yeah
Javad: so he just needs a cock in his mouth
Hiro: that's what i need! wait, what? fuck! wrong timing!

Lori: everyone i've met from Guam is less cool than people from Hawaii
Hiro: with more pubic hair

Hiro (on the movie Teeth): i'd rather think of women with teethless vaginas

Damn dogs... I stepped in dogshit on the way home today. Wet, steaming dogshit. Slipped on it and almost lost my balance. Disgusting... now my shoes smell gross and I have to wash my jeans.

Work's really been getting interesting. We're putting together a fashion shoot for next week, and we've got a bunch of models coming for a "go-see" tomorrow. We're looking for an athletic, Caucasian female (I can see some of you right now, thinking "aren't we all"). Meanwhile, for the past 2 days, I've been breaking glasses and balloons and test tubes filled with water. We rented a sound-trigger and I've been playing the role of resident firearms expert, shooting an air rifle (the Gamo Delta) equipped with steel-tipped lead rounds at the various (mostly glass) targets. The effects are occasionally awesome, it's kind of fun to be shooting things, and there's a ton of broken glass in the studio, despite all our efforts to localize the mess.

My shoot for this Sunday has been approved by my boss, and I'm pretty excited about it. 3 or 4 portraits (depending on subject availability) in his very well-equipped studio, for C3, which launches (launched?) this week.

Going to grab yesterday's leftovers now, maybe play some WoW... later folks.

Currently Listening To: Broken Social Scene - Lover's Spit

Katiana: i'm not a buffet... i'm a value meal

Just got home from Louis Vuitton in Soho... where I was sent from work to go find my incommunicado boss, because he had to fill out some paperwork immediately. Such an intern task, but made all worthwhile by the look on his face when I showed up right behind him.

Had a bomb dropped on me yesterday, by the fucking SAF. Apparently, they have no record of my current exit permit, which is bullshit because I have an email from their system issuing me a valid exit permit and everything. In any case, apparently they issued a callup in January, and called my house to find out why I had not responded. On top of that, nevermind hoping they take a while to post me, they've already given me my reservist assignment - and it's the worst possible assignment - 661 GDS/COY C/P 9/PL HQ (which I'm pretty sure means 661 Battalion Guards/Charlie Company/Platoon 9/Platoon HQ medic). FUCKING GUARDS PLATOON MEDIC!
Damn them. I think it's bullshit that they don't recognize conscientious objection, and a human rights violation. Someone call Amnesty International - oh wait, that's right, AI already called them out and they don't give a shit.

Anyway, the weekend is here, so I guess I can go drown my pissed-off-ness in alcohol. And hope I can develop some sort of physical problem that will permit a PES downgrade

Damn this jetlag. Passed out at like 1 am last night, was supposed to get on Skype with Mela, and managed to pass out in 5 minutes. Boo. Now she's at Zouk with all her friends and mine, and Above & Beyond is playing, and I'm sitting around at my computer in the wee hours of Saturday morning. Boo!

So dinner at Otto was pretty good, and the 3 of us finished off a 1.5l bottle of prosecco, which probably didn't help me stay awake. Notably, the restaurant was filled with girls, as in there were a lot of all-girl groups seated. Seems like it's a favorite for all-girl birthday dinners and stuff. Perhaps a good place to pick up girls, if any of you are looking for such a spot.

Currently Listening To: Le Tigre - Deceptacon

Setting fire to sealed containers of liquid is likely to lead to explosions. Somehow common sense eluded me yesterday as I was shooting a can of Coke on fire. Needless to say, there was a huge mess to clean up. Lesson learned. Did manage to get some good shots, though no, I was not able to catch the actual explosion. I've been a flurry of activity for the past 2 days, shooting 3 different shots for the Coke can, as well as one of CK Ghost, and one of Boss Femme.

The boss will be back in town next week, and there will be a photoshoot on Tuesday, which is cool because I'll finally be doing some work. Hopefully - there's only one shot, so I might be squeezed out of working on it. In any case, I'm kind of excited because I have a meeting tomorrow to discuss 4 portraits for a website, C3 which I'm supposed to do next weekend.

Gahwing is heading back to Singapore tomorrow, so we're going to dinner tonight at a fancy pizza place which doesn't take reservations. An hour and a half wait is kind of ridiculous, and for a pizza place in new York?! COME ONE! But Gahwing went early to go put her name down, so what can I say, I don't have to wait myself, how can I not go?

Hope everyone is enjoying Chinese New Year, don't eat too much, don't gamble too much, and if you have nothing better to do, send me some chicken bak kwa. Had Chinese New Year dinner at Nyonya last night with Michelle, Bettina, Shanmei, Grace, and a couple other people, and of course ran into numerous separate groups of Singaporeans. Of course. It's Nyonya.

Gotta go get ready for dinner now. Buh-bye!

Currently Listening To: Dragonforce - Through the Fire and Flames (try playing this song on Expert on Guitar Hero III - apparently no one - NO ONE - has managed to get it 100%)

David Mathews: people who drive fast obviously do not know the dangers of driving fast

Mela: why do you think i'm going out with you? i only like you because you're hairy
Me: what about my inner beauty?
Mela: fuck that!

GO GIANTS!!! Congratulations to the New York Giants, Superbowl Champions 2008, against all odds. Eat it New England! Suck it Bill Belichick! Go fuck yourself Tom Brady! People in the streets are going crazy, cheering and honking and yelling out shit and climbing scaffolding... a good day to be back in New York. And such a close nail-biter of a game too!

Congratulations are also in order for Minotauro Nogueira who last night became the first person to hold both the UFC and Pride Heavyweight Championships.

Just got back from Singapore a couple of days ago, and man am I jetlagged. Which means I wake up early in the morning and get to work on time, but also that i'm passing out before midnight - which kind of sucks on the weekend. Although it did make this morning's date for Arena easier to bear. Had lunch with Christina and Gahwing at Republic, after which they brought me to a cute little cafe called Irving Farm.

Singapore was lots of fun, spent quality time with my girl and my boys and my family and my chicken rice. Mmmmm... chicken rice. Also managed to catch the bug du jour, and have had a blocked nose and lots of phlegm for the past week and a half, though that's mostly cleared up now. Now it's back to work as usual - i.e. a little photo work, and lot of bitchwork, and infrequent doses of Gold Label... and now Canton as well. Other than that, been playing a lot of WoW since I got back, and spent yesterday afternoon being introduced to Guitar Hero at my brother's apartment.

And now it's time to go give in to jetlag... adios amigos!

Currently Listening To: DJ Shah feat. Adrina Thorpe - Who Will Find Me

Mike: you know what? i have some G.I.Joes at home waiting to kick your ass

On the wall in a bathroom: graffiti is so passe once you own property

Last week I embarked, at my boss' suggestion, on my own little photo project in the studio, and I've since posted some of the resulting images, of red and white roses, both here and on Facebook. Thanks to Dinesh and Mela for helping me bounce ideas.

Sammy came into town over the weekend, for Maddy and Helesa's birthdays - didn't make it to Helesa's, but we met her for brunch and shopping the next day. Maddy's birthday dinner was at a fancy Japanese place called Bond Street (on, surprise surprise, Bond Street) which was really good and decently priced. After that I dragged everyone to Lit, where I really do spend far too many drunken nights, but I guess it's nice to have a place where you go so often that the bouncers know you and never hassle you. Good night all in all, in large part because I managed to satisfy my late night craving for stuffed grape leaves, and also because I now have photographic evidence of Jeanette peeing in the street.

The mouse in my apartment has overstepped his bounds. The little bastard took a chunk out of my last piece of Ferraro Rocher! I had no idea until I picked it up and flakes of foil fell off, only to reveal a hole on one side of it. Cheeky bugger. Refusing to admit defeat, I ate it anyway.

Swati brought her dog, a year old terrier named Shere Khan, to come visit this week, and he is incredibly timid for a dog, and yet so affectionate once he gets somewhat comfortable. I've had my entire face licked multiple times and he constantly tries to squeeze himself under my arm. I think I've found a new friend.

Yesterday I had to go pick up a game, and so naturally I stopped by GameStop - where else does one go to buy games these days? Sadly, they were out of stock. So, at somewhat of a loss, I recalled a small store near my apartment, Video Games New York, on East 6th Street right by 3rd Avenue. The place is awesome! It's got stacks of old school games for older consoles that you'll never find in GameStop, and the people there were really helpful and friendly. I guess when I think about supporting small local businesses the only place to boycott that ever really comes to mind is Starbucks, but then you realize, for everything you buy, there's an equivalent large corporation squeezing out small local businesses. I think I have a new favorite game store :)

Spent half the day at work today in an argument with Alan, my studio manager, about censorship and media regulation. Highly unproductive, but made for a pretty interesting morning.

My room is a total mess, I think I'm gonna do some cleaning now

Currently Listening To: Ulrich Schnauss - In All The Wrong Place

Quote of the Day: why fight fire with fire when you can fight fire with napalm?
(okay, so I was the one who said it, but I thought it was worth sharing anyway)

Today was warm enough to go running in a t-shirt and shorts! Well, not really at 10pm anymore, but I did anyway, and I think it was a pretty good run, if I do say so myself, especially considering I haven't run since late November. But seriously, today, in the middle of January, it was 60°F/15°C in the middle of the afternoon, and a little colder but not much right now (50°F/10°C). People were sitting at outdoor tables at restaurants, and some guy along my route was cozily seated on a couch by the side of the street, just chilling (no, he wasn't homeless). The perfect day to get back to running which I've left off for quite long enough.

So I ran about 3 miles, and then stopped at Michelle's apartment, to see her and bettina, both just back from Singapore (jealous!), went to Pinkberry with them, walked back to their place, and then ran the short distance back to mine, mostly because by that point I was freezing and needed to keep moving, despite all the frozen yogurt in my stomach. I'm currently topping off my workout with pushups in my room, mostly because it makes me sad how much bigger my arms were only 6 months ago :(

I guess I should probably go shower now, huh?

Currently Listening To: Lautsprecher - Richtig Laut