Looks Like It Backfired

If you read the Forum Page lately, you would've seen a prominent letter written by an even more prominent person, making assumptions about something that doesn't really fall into said person's specialty. ( Well, sure, there's some overlap, but still, did the comments really have to be aired in our national paper? )

Interestingly, out of the 3 published responses in today's edition, only 1 was in agreement ( and extremely short ). The other 2 practically blasted the hell out of the abovementioned's arguments, with one so skilfully worded I couldn't help grinning at the cleverly veiled sarcasm in its concluding sentence.

In the uproar that followed, the feature article has statements from those whom this person's assumptions encompass, strongly refuting the hurtful remarks and expressing outrage at the implications made.

As for the person at the centre of it all, no apology was offered ( so typical ), with the reply that the assumptions made are based on decades of experience.

All I can say is, I used to respect this person, but it's hard to continue doing so after this inappropriate crossing of boundaries. But that's just me.

Looks Like It's Coming

Oh please. Does anyone actually give a hoot about the government's decision regarding the casino?

If you have any measure of intelligence or common sense, you would've known that our politicians have been priming us for its arrival from the word go.

The saddest part of it is, I heard from an inside source that during a closed door meeting with religious leaders, a key figure showed zero interest in the proceedings, and offended quite a few of the other attendees.

Isn't it heartening to know that we have such upstanding characters directing the course of our nation? ( Not a compliment, by the way. )

On to less depressing stuff...

Constantine: My Man

Finally, he's officially tipped to win the competition ( quote from Paula Abdul, but who really cares about her when Simon described his performance as nothing short of "astonishing" ).

Doing the universally loved and immensely challenging Bohemian Rhapsody might have killed anyone less able, but Constantine - forever decked out in a jacket and long scarf - rocked his socks off and hit those high notes with a mix of adrenaline overdose and sexy cheekiness, before mellowing in the last few seconds to a soft, pitch-perfect falsetto.

I will always adore Clay Aiken, but Constantine is fast becoming an AI favourite for me. :)

The other top 3 this week:

Anthony - he's back! Although his cover of Paul Young's Every Time You Go Away isn't his strongest performance to date ( that would be his rendition of an Elton John song a few weeks ago ), at least the judges cut him some slack this time round. I've always said he has a great voice, but needs work on using it to his advantage, ie. changing his style to suit the song, refraining from showing off his vibrato at inappropriate places, etc. Take a page out of Clay's book - the guy has such powerful vocals, but knows when NOT to use them. Let's hope Anthony can improve on his technique. And soon.

Scott - Does this shock you? :) Yes yes, I'm not above admitting certain things, and even though I don't want him to win the competition, he did an admirable job this week ( and I'm not biased by the fact that he chose a Hall & Oates piece, haha ). His almost-flawless cover of She's Gone wowed us all - even the duo, who were seated in the audience - and if he continues to pick the right songs and do them well, he may get to the final 3.

Vonzell - Finally, a female! Out of the remaining 3 gals, V is now my favourite to make it to the finals ( though I doubt that it will actually happen ). Good song ( Let's Hear It For The Boy - catchy and well-known ditty ), lots of positive energy, and marked progress in technical prowess.

Disappointments:

Definitely Carrie and Nadia, who chose weird pieces and bored me severely.

Anwar sings well, but hearing his rather sharp, nasal voice week after week is starting to get on my nerves. Don't think I can listen to an entire album if he ever records one. But I do think he should do a Broadway musical.

CSI: New York

... is easily becoming my new TV addiction.

This week's episode featured not one, but two, fascinating cases, and quite a few quoteworthy statements, among them:

Lab technician: Looks like the perfect crime.
Stella ( played by Melina Kanakaredes ): There's no such thing.

and

Mac Taylor ( played by Gary Sinise ): Have faith in the evidence.

What I like most, I reckon, is the slower pace of the NY series. CSI: Miami constantly frustrates me with its way-too-fast and a-little-too-easy investigative methods, where they go on wild-goose chases for 3/4 of the show, then bam! for some strange reason, they catch the murderer within the next 5 minutes.

The Las Vegas team still boasts good writing, but NY may surpass that very soon. Slow and steady, guys. Now that's what I like. :)

CSI Comics: Serial

Highly recommended whether you're a fan or not.

Though in black and white, with a few writing glitches ( thanks to the grossly overrated Max Allan Collins, whose self-penned intro reads like a major blowing-my-own-horn session ), the graphics are pretty decent, and the story relatively absorbing and well-developed.

If this whets your appetite for Jack The Ripper and serial killer fare, I suggest reading John Douglas's Journey Into Darkness ( examining the creation and progression of notorious serial killers ) and The Cases That Haunt Us ( which features a chapter analysing the Ripper murders ).

I Spoke Too Soon

Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet In Heaven is a let-down, to put it nicely. My comments in the last blog entry were based on the initial one-third, but halfway through the novel, I started to get a little irritated, and by the last third, was flipping pages and reading only the dialogue bits.

Could've been a lot better than it actually is. Too bad it wasn't.

Medical Stuff

May have to be cut down on this site, due to a recent appointment which involves sensitive issues. Am seriously considering starting another one - completely anonymous, with greater freedom to express my opinions - but unfortunately, very very few friends will be provided with its address.

Nothing personal. Just self-preservation. :)