Go Gunners!

It's been a good last week...

Back to the gym after a 3 week break. Feels good to be back.. tiring... but good!

Watched "Setem" and I would rate it as the best Malaysian movie I've watched to date. Great story line, great acting, great script. Not your typical Malay movie... overall enjoyable.

MTV World Stage was also a fun outing. Good bands, I loved the stage, lighting and having good company helps.

The cherry on top that all is Arsenal winning their opening match away to Goodison Park against Everton. Yup the Gunners wupped the Toffees 6-1. Amazing job.. they played like the Arsenal of old. I sure hope that they can keep it up, if they can they're unbeatable. Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie, Andrei Arshavin and Almunia have a long season ahead but I'm looking forward to it.

And so another GOOD week passes...Peace, Love and respect,

Jenn

The weekend

Another weekend passes by...

Went down to Tioman with the Marine Monkees which is always good for a laugh. The Tioman ferry ride was like hell thanks to extremely choppy water and a bunch of foreignors who did not want the aircon on in an enclosed ferry! So therefore - Enclosed ferry + No Aircon = Stuffy = No Oxygen = Nausea. So four of us sat outside and nursed out nausea for the last 30 minutes of the ride. Lucily no one fed the fish...

If Malaysia wants to put themselves on the Tourist Map they damn well have to do something about they conservation. Firstly Tioman was so badly shrouded with haze we couldn't even see it from a distance. Then there is SO much construction going on that there hasn't been a day when the visability underwater has been good in three months!! Last year during early October I went diving and the visibility was gorgeous. Imagine being able to see underwater for 25-30 metres and yes the marine life is a sight to behold. The marine life is still (so far) abundant in Tioman but you can't see further than 5 - 7 metres which is sad.

But all said and done I had a good weekend diving... yes a BAD day diving is still better than a good day at work!

Congratulations Chelsea on a job well done for winning the season opening Charity Shield... looking forward to the new season.

Peace, Love and Respect,
Jenn

The moon represents my ...

It was an amazing sight a full moon during the light of the evening lighting up an expanses of ocean. Serene, beautiful, awe-inspiring… and as we sat and watched we suddenly realized that it was in the perfect position to have a bit of fun.

You leave the marine monkees top side (not underwater and with no diving gear) this is what you get a crazy, zany look at what the moon represents…. monkey see, monkey do. The girls did the posing the guys did the camera work. So here it is a different view of the moon… To celebrate 40 years of a manned lunar landing I decided that it would be the appropriate time to put out these pictures... Neil Armstrong eat your heart out!

The moon represents my ...

Ball @ Annie / Bunny Tail @ Ee Ming / Moon Goddss @ Nell / Dragon Ball @ Jenn

Pictures taken on Mabul Island, SABAH on Dec 12, 2008 at 05:45pm

Football Season is now OPEN!

Ah... football season is finally back.. and just in time too Saturdays and Sundays are never the same without the EPL (I'm sure all the mamaks feel the same way!).

There's something extremely bonding about a bunch of people that support the same club and the friendly (sometimes not) rivalry against opposition teams.

I'm one of those crazy people that believes you must experience things at least once (and I'm ONLY talking about the good stuff NO drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and other vices that shall remain nameless). So a couple of years ago I decided to, after AIM, pack my bags and make my pilgrimage to the Emirates, home of my team Arsenal, for the last home game of the season. As luck would have it, it was a Premier League A++ match, london derby, Chelsea vs Arsenal no less! It was a match where it would decide the outcome of the season. Chelsea win they win the champion-ship, Arsenal win Manchester United take the crown.

If you are a football fan you should save up and make the trip to see at least one match on home ground... it is magic.

The day before I did the Emirates Tour and did all the cheesy stuff, sat in the VIP stands, sat in the team box, experienced coming out of the tunnel, see the team dressing room and the outrageous hydro spa and then spent every cent I had in the Arsenal Shop.... but all in all an experience not to be missed.

On the day of the match as I watched as the stadium filled with 60,355 people 90% of these were home fans and there was an electrifying air of excitement. Fans were all dressed in their colour with scarves, cheering, singing and when you hear the English Premier League Song played and the announcement of your home team the roar of the stadium is unbelievable.. it is a feeling of euphoria.

So all you football fans dust off your scaves, buy your 2009/10 jerseys or wear your old ones and hang on to your hats... the English Premier League is back in action!

Still Searching...

I have the utmost respect for Search the 'otai' rock band that I have known ALL my entertainment life. From Hard Rock Cafe (ciplak at Taman Tun) to Kathy's Lounge to their amazing concerts to their many changes of band members from to Hiliary (John) to Man Kidal to Kid to back to Hiliary and from Nasir to Yan and back.

But last weekend I was helpless to do anything as I looked upon a show that was not befitting of a legendary act. There are no words that can express the disappointment that not only I felt, but everyone that was there felt. You can click the link below and literally feel the disappointment :
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=64016573884

Disappointment followed by disbelief that anyone would want to do a show like this and finally feeling sorry for Search .

Before I go on I would like to make one thing clear CELCOM should be APPLAUDED for sponsoring events such as these and for showing support to the local music scene. Let me just say that sponsoring a big white or Chinese act is sometimes so much easier and almost always garners a bigger crowd. So people with their small minded attitudes who like to blame everyone because they are dissatisfied think again NO SPONSOR, NO SHOW!! Thank you CELCOM.

The sound left much to be desired (to be polite) with what looked like no thought put into the lighting, pyrotechnics and LED screen graphics. Everything appeared to be disjointed including the choice of songs and the band itself.

Firstly the band got stuck outside with traffic the parking was three rows deep on both sides of the road… who’s fault was this! Leaving only one lane for moving traffic and God help all those people that living in the Plaza Damansara area (near the science centre) cars were parked total blocking all entrances... totally no regard for anyone.

This is a case of someone who thinks that a show is easy to do and is about slapping a whole bunch of things and effects together. A show is everything from parking to security to hospitality to seating to production. One section fails and everyone gets it that’s why it is a balancing act which requires a master juggler.

That is every show. Conceptualized, planned and executed according to the plan, everything has a reason and even if something fails a Plan B has already been thought off.

- Due to a bunch of problems the band appeared to have NO mood to perform
- The audio mix was horrendous
- Amy was singing way off key (was this the monitors)
- Nice pyrotechnic effects in ALL the wrong places and absolutely NO meaning
- Repertoire that left most of the audience wondering
- LED screen playing back graphics that have not been thought of

Meanwhile I still haven’t found what I’m looking for…..

Shout! Shout! Let It All Out...

A new venture is always a breath of fresh air. That was what the Shout! Awards was all about. A new way of showing appreciation and recognizing new, exciting talent. Times are ever-changing and to stay on the cycle we must adapt and embrace the change too.

So many people have said so many things about the show. Some bad, some doubtful, mostly good.. but everything has a learning curve. I ONLY wish that more people would have the faith and join. Again THIS IS NOT ABOUT WINNING OR LOSING... this is about showcasing and recognizing talent that exists in all facets of the entertainment business. It is our wish that this recognition will drive people to do more, do better, do different, do daring, do fresh, do new, do exciting..... in this business we NEED this so badly but yet so many dare not leave the safety of what they think sells. EMBRACE the change.

The other thing is that everyone seems afraid of is to "compete" (or what they deem as competition)... I'm MORE afraid of competing with myself than other people. The pressure I put on myself to succeed is 10 million gazillion time greater than the pressure I feel from anywhere/one else. I like the friendly "competition" I get from my seniors, peers and juniors... this is what keeps me alive... keeps me on my toes. I'm not saying that this IS a competition but how DO you judge your work and progress without exams, competitons, comparisons. Come on guys embrace the CHANGE.

Again my inspiration comes from the people I work with and the people I work for... when camera and production crews work until 4am; Artiste patiently wait for their turn to perform; editors make changes long after everyone has gone to bed; when sound engineers have mixed enough to go deaf; coordinators bite their nails to worry about security, artistes, crowd, food... HOW can ANYONE believe this is done for the benefit of a select few. Everyone is not thinking about winning or losing everyone is thinking about GIVING THEIR BEST.. that is the spirit of the games. As I work with younger teams and old friends I look forward to the new challenge ... and I embrace THE change.

I hope that next year there will be more support to help us make the change and the difference. However slow a process it maybe we still need to embrace the change.

TO ALL THE TEAMS WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES ON THE SHOUT! AWARDS WE HAVE ALL MADE ONE SMALL STEP TOWARDS MAKING A DIFFERENCE.... THANKS!

FOR THOSE THE ARTISTE AND CELEBRITIES THAT CAME OUT PERFORMED, PRESENTED, DRESSED-UP TO CELEBRATED THE CHANGE... THANKS!

TO THOSE THAT DARE TO DO (AND JUST BECAUSE YOU DARE TO DO) WE SALUTE YOU... THANKS!

Quote : When you are through changing, you are through. ~Bruce Barton

Peace, Love and Respect,

Jenn

Originally posted on Facebook Notes on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 1:13pm

So I say thank you for the music, for giving it to me.....

I'm lucky... I have a job I love and someone pays me to do it.... my only regret is that I never have time to thank every single person on all the shows that I work.

You would think that after doing this for 24 years one it would be a walk in the park but I never fail to have an anxiety attack before ALL my shows... to make sure you get the concept and performers right... then you have to execute it like no one has ever seen before... it is a task that no one can do alone.

I am blessed to be working with some of the best people in the business. I remember when I was 18 years old I saw a t-shirt that read, "How do you fly like an eagle when you're surrounded by turkeys"... and this is something that is so true. Organizers sometimes think that they pay one consultant or professional and, "Viola!!" all problems are solved. It doesn't work that way, we all have to be eagles to be able to fly high... it only takes one turkey to kill all the eagles. That's why I believe in NO compromise because we all want the best therefore all the bases are covered.... from stage to sound and light to performers to musicians to logistics to seating to promotions to toilet cleaner... all the jobs are just as important as each other... no one is more important or less important. Diligence...Patience... Understanding... Teamwork... Conscientiousness... Passion.....is needed in all areas.... going the extra mile is what makes the difference between normal and excellence.

Therefore I salute all the teams I work with... it makes my work a joy... and just like anyone else we crave the acceptance and approval of the audience of our creative work. If they approve or have enjoyment... that is what we strive for... that is enough to fulfill our self satisfaction.

The other part of this puzzle is the actual performer. We provide the platform for them to do things they would never dream of.... fly in the air...sing with a orchestra.... perform with someone else... when they understanding that we do our best to enhance their performance they in turn give their best. After all when the curtains go up the show is in their hands. So yes, I salute them too for providing magical performances.

And then we have to remember that we all have to pace ourselves to peak on the night of the show... not during soundcheck.... not during full dress rehearsals.... but ON THE NIGHT.

Think about it.... a gorgeous stage lit up by nice lighting, enhance by video screens with exquisite musical arrangements being played by wonderful musicians being mixed perfectly by a sound engineer and a talented singer comfortable with hearing themselves on stage monitors... yes it takes THAT much to entertain an audience. What are the odds that you can get so many things right without professionals in all those jobs and in more that those areas..

Stage designer, Stage Contractor, Video screens, Equipment and operators, Lighting designer and Operator, Music Arranger, Sound Engineer, Monitor Engineer, Stage Hands, Stage Managers, Musical Instrument Supplier, Artiste.... and the list goes on....

Even when I step back and look at the bigger picture it never fails to scare me .... at the recent AIM awards we had 100 Dikir Baraters, 70 National Service Trainees, 200 Hujan and Meet Uncle Hussain Fans, 25 Musicians, 35 Dancers... 50 Artistes... but all it takes is to for one to Artiste choke up when they are nominated, or win an award or have a chance to perform on a stage they never dreamed of ...that's how much the recognition means to them AND this is what drives me (personally) to continue to strive to do my best... this is what makes you want to do it all over and over again....

So I say thank you for the music.... for giving it to me.....

P/S : This is dedicated to my dream team : Ady, Akira Yamauchi, Alvin Koh, Atie, Faizal Zulkifli, Gerard Yeo, Itcha, Jay Jeffrey, Jim Teh, Ju, Koi, Mas Ayie, Mas Yeos, Nanee Surya, Nicole Poo, Ramli M.S., Rich Hamid, Sharina and Steve Ho...

Originally posted on Facebook Notes on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 3:41am

25 Things

25 Things (Random about me)

1 - My kids mean the world to me.
2 - I’d give my right hand to be able to play the guitar properly… wait a minute without my right hand I’d be unable to play the guitar!!
3 - I wanted to be a pilot… I HATE maths… I HATE physics… I guess NOT
4 - I am NEVER late… thanks to my military styled dad and mom
5 - I LOVE the sea.. the sight, sound and smell just turns me on.
6 - If I could change anything… I WOULDN’T!
7 - I REALLY do miss my mum and dad…
8 - If a psycho killer came to me and said, “Sing or die!!”… I’d say, “Kill me NOW!”… I CANNOT sing to save my life..
9 - I’ve had a good life and for that I count my blessings DAILY
10- I DON’T dance… I have 2 left feet.
11- Whilst on the subject of feet… mine are like a hobbit’s (minus the hair la)… helped by the fact that I HATE wearing shoes
12- DON'T invite me to a fine dining dinner… I am an Olympic speed drinker and eater.
13- I cry at ALL movies… happy, sad, animated, comedy…
14- I’m a creature of habit… I go to a restaurant.. I read the menu for the 500th time.. comment on how nice the dishes look… and proceed to order the same thing for the 500th time!
15- I DON’T drive… if I cannot afford a Mercedes Benz AMG why the hell should I need to!
16- I’ve fallen head over heels in LOVE with scuba diving.
17- I believe in standing up and MAKING a difference.
18- I LOVE to travel.
19- My family had no idea about my skydiving.. if they did I would NEVER have been able to do it.
20- There is NO such thing as reducing cigarettes or easing off smoking… it’s cold turkey or NOTHING!
21- I love tea… Black, Green, 2in1, Chinese, Ice Lemon, Lychee, Tarik… in a cup, mug, bottle, glass… hot, cold, frosted…. I LOVE tea.
22- I’m half Irish, a quarter Chinese and a quarter Australian, born bred and a true blue MALAYSIAN… how’s THAT for cosmopolitan.
23- I get my clothes ready the night before.. next day 10 mins in the bath… 5 mins picking up stuff.. out the door!
24- I LOVE talent and passion.. there is something very appealing about god-given talent and passion put to good use.
25- Music is my LIFE… has, is and will be forever…


Originally posted on Facebook Notes on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 9:06pm