Something For The Girls :)


Finally, I'm done with the proposal and raring to blog. :D

Note to readers: Do not proceed any further if you're not interested in the Chippendales. Nasty comments will not be entertained.


You know the ol' adage: What goes on in Vegas stays in Vegas?

You have no idea how true it is, haha.

But in my case, SOME of it stays in Vegas.

I'm just writing about the more decent bits. :)

That said, I'd just like to add that VEGAS ROCKS! Had an absolute blast -- 5 days of whilrwind touring, gambling and fabulous shows. Wish we could've stayed longer but hey, it's on my list of return-trip destinations ( like Manhattan, Japan and New Zealand ), so there's more to come in the years ahead. ;)

Here's their official website.

Here's the photo gallery.

I can't download the pictures onto my computer ( need a membership account for that ), so I'll just recommend the following:

Juan DeAngelo

Steve Kim

The latter has a personal site. He seemed to be the most popular of the lot despite being a Korean-Caucasian mix.


Anyway, believe it or not, I have Celine Dion to thank for making it possible for me and my mom to catch the Chippendales.

We had tickets to her October 5th concert, but she came down with gastroenteritis and had to cancel 2 shows.

We were initially quite upset about it ( we'd opted to stay at Caesars Palace because she performs at the Colosseum ), but I decided to make the most of the free evening and dragged my mom to the Rio Hotel to see these guys. ( She's quite the trooper, heh heh! )

I don't remember when I first heard of the Chippendales, but think I was probably in my teens ( don't even ask me how I knew about them to begin with ). But I've always wanted to catch a show of theirs, though our tour schedule was too jam-packed at first. So very honestly speaking, if Celine Dion hadn't gotten sick, I would've missed the opportunity completely.

I'm sure a lot of men out there think the Chippendales are lame and cheesy. Well, that's how I feel about swimsuit models, so we're even. :D

I had some idea of what to expect, but these chaps exceeded all of them. A good thing, I assure you.

Yes, they dance. Yes, they're buff. And of course yes, they're bloody gorgeous.

The performance lasted about 90 minutes, with no intermission. The place was at least 90% full, comprising the usual brides-to-be having their bachelorette parties, loads of single young women ranging from high-schoolers ( age limit's 17 ) to those in their 20s and 30s, a smattering of men ( old and rather spaced out ) and surprisingly, A LOT of grandmother types ( gray- or white-haired, bespectacled, dressed very conservatively, some with walking sticks ).

But there was at least one grandma who's still pretty hot -- we met her at the ticket counter, where she proudly proclaimed her status and gave us a cheeky wink. She was dressed in a slinky, short, black sequined dress, high heels, and had a figure that could carry the whole ensemble off.

And for the record, security insisted on checking my ID. Woohoo! :)


So what's the show like, you ask?

Well, I can't reveal too much ( let your imagination run wild :)), but I will say that it was tastefully done, very entertaining, and features a couple of gymnasts who do the most unbelievable routines on the ropes.

I found the costumes the most enjoyable. Men have their things about women dressed up as nurses / chambermaids / dominatrixes, etc, so likewise, women have their fantasies about men in uniform ( there was a Navy-pilot-themed item ), in doctors' white coats ( it was hilarious! ), and as cowboys ( really steamy ).

The bachelorettes got up close and personal with the fellas in a few skits ( the doctor-patient relationship redefined, haha ), but one of the ladies is rather, err, large, and poor Steve Kim had some trouble moving around her, so he didn't try too hard.

At one point, that hot grandma we met earlier walked up to one of the guys as he stood at the foot of the stage, stuffing some money into his pants. He responded by pulling the bills out and gently returning them to her, but with a thank-you and a smile, of course. The Chippendales are famous for their good manners.

There was a bouncer hovering nearby the entire time ( although I'm certain the guys could easily defend themselves if the need arose ), so if some over-zealous female tried to be funny, he'd stroll up to her and gently lead her back to her seat. He was quite cute, actually. Just a tad short.

During the finale, about 4 or 5 of the Chippendales came down to greet audience members, which is where our strategic seats made a big difference -- I have the Caesars Palace concierge to thank for that! ( Blonde lady in her late 30s or early 40s, who seemed more excited than I was when I asked her to book the tickets. :))

We saw other women giving the men hugs, so my mom and I followed suit when it was our turn. The guys were very proper and didn't get fresh. It was quite an experience getting this close to a hot bod. I loved it. :D

Lucky for us, Steve Kim also came by. He's sinfully handsome, and equally naughty. He did something to my mom which I shall not mention on my blog. But rest assured that she LOVED it, still talks about it every other day, and will never forget it for the rest of her life. :P


After the show, there was an opportunity to pose for pictures with 3 of the Chippendales ( for a small fee, naturally ), namely Steve, Juan, and John Rivera.

They were all very warm and friendly. I stuffed my mom next to Steve ( 'cos he's her favourite ), and went to stand between John and Juan.

Here's where it got a little interesting. I thought we'd just pose quickly and get it over with. But Juan started chatting with me. He took my hand, said hello, asked where we're from, how we're enjoying Vegas, all the while staring at me with those big brown eyes, smiling continuously.

I've met good-looking men before. Heck, I've even gone out with a number of them, including giant flirts. Juan wasn't flirting overtly, but I felt myself starting to flush. Let me put it this way, that look he gave me made me feel like a dish, or more specifically, dessert. Yeah, like an ice-cream cone. I'm not kidding.

I think we would've talked more if I'd stayed behind after the photo shoot ( they allow more interaction in the lounge, alcohol included ), but my mom wanted to get back to the casino, so we left. Damn.

As we strolled to the exit, I told her I was actually glad Celine Dion cancelled, 'cos I probably wouldn't have enjoyed her concert as much as I did the Chippendales.

Guess what? My mom said the exact same thing.

I'd recommend this to any woman travelling to Vegas. Heck, even Laura Bush went to see them -- they played a few TV clips of interviews she gave during the show's intro. ( She had a great time, by the way. )

Lame and cheesy? No freaking way.

If any of my reader-friends out there would like to see the picture my mom and I took with the guys, drop me an email and I'll send it over. It's currently my desktop wallpaper. :)

And speaking of Vegas, did anyone catch the CNN telecast of the Democratic Presidential candidates' debate last Friday? 2 hours of pure adrenaline, with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama taking centrestage ( though John Edwards wasn't too far behind ).

Clinton's got my vote as the likeliest winner for the Democratic side this election.

When quizzed regarding her feelings about being the sole female within the "boys' club", she quipped, "They're not attacking me because I'm a woman -- they're attacking me because I'm ahead!"

I was seated at the dining table busy with work when she blurted this gem of a quote. I pumped my fist in the air and went "Whoa! Good one, Hillary!"

Don't miss the Republican debate in Florida next Thursday, November 29th, at 9am Singapore time.

Next entry: photos of beautiful Las Vegas.

Fare Thee Well

I've been following John Lloyd Young's blog regularly since catching him on Jersey Boys, and am quite saddened to read that his last ( though unofficial ) performance as Frankie Valli was on November 9th, instead of the 21st as originally planned, due to the stagehand strike.

He expresses his thoughts and feelings on this unforeseen turn of events, in what I would describe as a very moving entry.

Having had the opportunity to scroll through many of his previous posts ( dating back 1-2 years, including one about his Brown University buddy, Masi Oka from the TV show Heroes :)), it's clear that JLY's love for his fans and his work hasn't abated one iota since he first burst onto the scene in this groundbreaking role.

He mentions his meet-and-greet experiences often and with great affection. He supports fellow friends in show business by publicizing their various projects. He helps raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He never tires of belting Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons songs.

I've been to many performances in my lifetime, seen the good ( Michael Buble, Sting, Jason Mraz ) and the bad ( Elaine Paige not in her element, David Copperfield being more robotic than usual ). Jersey Boys ranks right up there with the best of them, and JLY gets my vote for being one of the warmest, most appreciative and incredibly sincere celebrities ( though he wouldn't like that label! ) around.

That said, I also enjoy his blog because he's a terrific writer. Wouldn't bother reading it otherwise. :)
I have no doubt his star will continue to rise in the years to come. Here's wishing him a stellar career ahead, and I can't wait to watch him again the next time I visit New York. :D

Photos Part 2

I know I promised to write about the Chippendales, but alas, I have no time -- again. ( See a recurring pattern here? Argh. )

Perhaps things will get better next weekend, after I finish a hefty proposal application.

In the meantime, enjoy. :)

More from New York

I'm deeply saddened by the stagehand strike on Broadway. A friend of mine who stays near the area describes how dark the streets are now that most theatres have shut down, including Jersey Boys.

She had tickets for November 14th, but the show got cancelled. Worst part is, John Lloyd Young's last day with JB is November 21st, and all tickets are sold out till then. I feel for you, L. But like your friend said, the understudy's pretty good, so just go see it!

The next time I visit, I'll see JB again for sure. :)

[ click on the images to enlarge ]

Check out the Naked Cowboy, a regular fixture at Times Square, dressed only in his white Stetson and tight briefs. A tour guide claims he makes US$65,000 a year just by standing there and posing for pictures! Makes you wonder why any of us bother going to school, haha.

This isn't the best picture I have of Times Square, but I like the fact that there's a dude dressed up as the Statue of Liberty standing in the middle there.

There're usually loads of other costumed characters hanging around, especially at the Virgin Megastore ( which I really enjoyed! ). I met Freddy Krueger from Nightmare on Elm Street, and Jason from Friday the 13th, just to name a few. They love to invite the tourists over for photos, which I find amusing ( you know, having a horror film icon beckon to you -- kinda creepy, haha ).

Here's one of the very lovely Central Park.

This is Bethesda Fountain Terrace, which isn't the easiest to find since the Park has almost no signage ( unlike our Botanical Gardens with all their arrows every few metres ).

This is a pretty famous spot and has been featured many times in various films, with the most recent one being The Producers ( Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane run around the terrace in an early scene ).

We visited on a beautiful Sunday morning, so there were lots of people taking walks, jogging, picnicking, busking ( a saxophonist played jazz ).

Ahhh.... :)

And as promised, a shot of Jennifer Garner,

I took this outside the stage door after the play. Didn't get there fast enough to be in the front row, and the people standing in front of me were really tall, so I basically raised my arm and clicked at random. Guess it's pure luck that I got this pretty decent picture. :)

She hung around for about 10 minutes, signing a lot of playbills ( my arm wasn't long enough so I didn't get her autograph, darn ), talking to some hard-core Alias fans who shouted "Rambaldi!" a few times ( she loved that! ), even hugging one young man for a cheek-to-cheek photo op.

Funny thing is, when I first arrived in NY and was waiting for my luggage at JFK International Airport, I experienced this sudden jolt which told me I'd see a few celebrities during the trip. This was before I even knew Cyrano was holding previews. Weird, but cool. :)

Next entry: the Chippendales ( I promise :)).

A Short Reprieve

I've just discovered a tiny loophole, hence the unexpected blog entry. To preserve this privilege, I shall say no more. :)

Review of Cyrano de Bergerac, Richard Rodgers Theater, Sunday October 14th, Broadway, NYC

Here's a nice review.

Note that critic Dan Bacalzo uses the term "magnificent" to describe lead actor Kevin Kline. I couldn't agree more -- just after the show, I emailed my friend ( who stays in New York ) and used the exact same word. :)

I shall leave you to read the linked article for the nitty-gritty details. Regular readers will know that I much prefer writing about my feelings, haha.

Before you begin, please learn more about Kline, a man I've admired since my childhood days, and whose films I am extremely familiar with.

It was yet another stroke of good luck that I was even able to catch this performance. Cyrano was slated to begin its official run in early November, but started previewing in mid-October. However, I had no inkling of this ( Internet searches conducted prior to my travels yielded no such information ), and the only reason I found out was that my parents and I happened to stroll right past the theater en route to Times Square. The billboard loudly proclaimed: PREVIEWS COMMENCE OCT 12 -- I couldn't believe my eyes! I immediately walked in and purchased 2 premium tickets for the matinee. ( Having already secured seats for Jersey Boys, my resistance had been worn down somewhat. :))

The main appeal of Cyrano, to be frank, is Kline, and nothing else. Sure, I've watched Jennifer Garner since her cameo days on Felicity, and applaud her work on Alias. But Kline... ahh, he is in an entirely different galaxy.

Films of his that I've seen and loved: A Fish Called Wanda, I Love You To Death ( starring another of my faves, River Phoenix ), Consenting Adults ( with Kevin Spacey! :)), Dave ( his absolute BEST ), French Kiss, The Ice Storm, Silverado, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Emperor's Club, The Pink Panther ( hilarious! ), and De-Lovely.

There're others which aren't listed, but I didn't like those as much. ( e.g. Wild Wild West - a catastrophe )

Like Spacey, John Cusack and John Malkovich, I find Kline's unmistakeable voice mesmerizing. And his diction: kind of a cross between crisp British and upper-class American socialite -- is music to my ears.


I went to the show with no specific expectations, save that of getting my money's worth from Kline, who definitely did not disappoint. I really could care less about the rest of the cast ( though seeing Garner in person was a treat ), the stage or the costumes. I just wanted to see - and hear - Kline.

If you're not familiar with the Cyrano storyline, perhaps you'll recall the romantic comedy, Roxanne, starring Steve Martin ( another actor I never tire of ) and Darryl Hannah ( totally unconvincing as a brainiac, but that's Hollywood for ya ). It's a modern take on the tale, but made enjoyable only because of Martin's brilliant portrayal.

Kline works within the confines of the 1600s era, complete with heavy, flowy costumes, even bigger feathery hats, and a physically demanding opening act which requires him to climb down from the 2nd floor balcony ( just metres from our 4th row left aisle seats, woohoo! ), and swordfight while spewing sarcastic poetry.

When he first appeared, my hair stood on end. He is very tall, yet extremely fit and agile considering his 60 years of age.

No microphones in use, so we were lucky to be seated in front, because the actors' voices faltered at certain parts.

But Kline shone no matter what he did. And that included bits when he was just standing there, staring into space. He exudes star magnetism, with everyone and everything around him fading into the background whenever he walks on-stage. It is amazing.

Like the critic, I too enjoyed the balcony scene most. It combined humour, romance and beautiful poetry adeptly, but of course, Kline stole the show without even trying.

At one juncture, he leaned against a tree ( pretending to be Christian but expressing sentiments that Cyrano himself felt ), whispering, "Roxane...Roxane...Roxane", sighing her name in the smallest whisp of a voice, and I swear to you my heart broke right then and there.

Comparing Cyrano to King Lear ( the RSC's production which came to the Esplanade earlier this year, featuring Sir Ian McKellan ), I would say that the latter is superior in many ways ( script - who can possibly surpass the great Shakespeare?; overall ensemble performance; sets; direction ). But if you're a fan of Kevin Kline, or are keen to see a world-renowned thespian in his element, then Cyrano is worth the time and money.

In passing, Garner is just as pretty in person, with flawlessly fair complexion, and a million-dollar smile. Her attempts at emoting, however, tend to fall flat. Having seen her comedy, 13 Going On 30, her performance as Roxane is merely an extension of that persona. It might work in a fluffy chick flick, but it doesn't here.

Still, her obliging and warm personality are laudable, as she made an appearance outside the stage door post-performance to sign autographs and pose for pictures. I have a really nice photo of her, which I will post later.

Sadly, Kline did not come outside to meet his fans. I'd like to think it's because he's tired, and not because he's being snooty. In any case, my admiration for him is even greater now, and I hope to find an opportunity to see him on-stage again in the future.

In Continuation

Here's part 2 of this blog entry.

I Miss New York

It's true -- I think about NYC almost daily, and would hop on the next plane back if I could.

The place I miss most? Broadway.

Aside from the terrific shows I watched, I'm just awed by the whole area, which is so rich in history and dotted with numerous theaters jostling for audiences on every street.

During the daylight hours, the roads are pretty quiet ( unless there's a matinee on ), with everything looking ordinary and nondescript.

Once the sun sets, however, Broadway comes alive in the most spectacular manner. The neon signs sparkle, the crowds gather, and each little theater ( little, at least, by Singapore standards ) houses its own massive party within, staging grand song-and-dance performances, or hosting famous stars in equally renowned plays.

It doesn't help that I'm currently blasting the Jersey Boys original cast recording soundtrack everywhere I go -- on my iPod, the laptop, the office PC, the car stereo. Certainly, it's great to be able to relive the whole Broadway experience again, but there's no denying the musical genius of the Four Seasons, whose hits still resonate to this day.

I've developed a ritual of belting the lyrics in my car to and from work ( yes, I belt ) -- Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like A Man, Can't Take My Eyes Off You, December 1963 and Cry For Me are huge favourites.

But the best part, I think, is being able to appreciate each song's meaning more profoundly now, since the Broadway musical explains quite a lot of the background story. December 1963, for example, chronicles Four Seasons member / songwriter Bob Gaudio's unforgettable encounter with a social escort ( he mentions a "personal first", from which you can draw your own conclusions, haha ).

I've also developed a big soft spot for Can't Take My Eyes Off You, something I largely attribute to the wonderful Jersey Boys show. What I love most are the lyrics, with a sampling below:

"Pardon the way that I stare / There's nothing else to compare

The sight of you leaves me weak / There are no words left to speak"

These days, I get bombarded with excerpts from this annoying music video featuring w.i.l.l.i.a.m of the Black-Eyed Peas. He chants, "Baby, where you get your body from?" and the women reply, "I got it from my mama!" It keeps repeating over and over again, driving me insane.

It's times like these when I understand why the heck I haven't turned my FM radio on for months ( no such luck with the TV, which I can't live without ), and find solace in the truly great music of yesteryear ( Barry Manilow included, heh heh ).

And of course, John Lloyd Young is a joy to listen to at high volume. The clarity and exquisite tone of his voice will stand him in good stead for many decades. I hope he cuts a pop album someday.

Northern Exposure Reruns!

Just to get this out of the way, I don't know why this is so, but Northern Exposure star Rob Morrow reminds me of John Lloyd Young. It's the whole Jewish vibe, I suppose. Not that I'm clear about Young's lineage. But it's a compliment, 'cos NE is one of my all-time fave TV shows. :)

The reruns began the week I returned from the U.S., so I've been watching every single episode since.

For the uninitiated, check out this website.

I remember watching it during my secondary school / junior college days. How I adored the kooky residents of Cicely, Alaska! A small sleepy town with a population of 839, yet never short of bizarre occurrences ( e.g. the annual breaking of the glaciers, which inexplicably causes some degree of psychosis for an entire week ) and even more bizarre characters ( e.g. Maggie O'Connell, the beautiful pilot whose boyfriends have a habit of dying horrible deaths -- the latest got hit by a satellite fragment while out camping, and became fused to the contraption due to the immense heat generated. Ick! )

Chris, the lone resident radio DJ, is also an ordained priest. He's my personal favourite, delivering the best lines in his smooth DJ voice, waxing lyrical about a wide variety of intelligent subjects, even ( literally ) losing his voice to a gorgeous blonde who stepped into his cubicle one day to ask for directions.

Rob Morrow plays Joel Fleischman, the uptight Jewish doctor from New York, who initially abhors his existence but slowly and predictably warms up to his neighbours in Cicely, participating in a traditional "bull run" ( where all the men sprint naked through the streets in below-zero temperatures ) along the way.

There's a nice little NE novel which I still have on my bookshelf, in which the gang has insomnia for months, and resorts to writing lengthy letters to various relatives and friends in order to pass the time.

Ahhh, such good memories. :)

NE airs every weekday on StarWorld Channel 18 at 10am. No repeats, so record it if you can.

ER Returns!

I think it's the 4th season now, where Carter is an ER resident.

More of the same intense resuscitation scenes and riveting storylines. Daily at 8pm on Hallmark Channel 17.

Josh Groban's Noel

I bought my copy at the Virgin Megastore at Times Square, so I'm not certain whether it's available in Singapore at the moment.

I've always been a big fan of Josh's, so buying this was a no-brainer. He never disappoints, and this is no exception.

It's nice to have a good classical Christmas album for any collection, and David Foster always manages to bring a new spin to an old song, so this CD, despite remaining true to its roots, still has a few surprises up its sleeve.

Of note, 2 duets -- with Brian McKnight on Angels We Have Heard On High, and Faith Hill on The First Noel. The former is very well done, with both delivering controlled yet satisfying vocals and harmonizing beautifully. The latter is o-kay, I guess. Both Josh and Faith are sensational as individuals, but together, something isn't quite right. Maybe Hill's forced shrillness on the higher notes is a contributing factor. I thought Josh did a good job on this one.

Little Drummer Boy has an upbeat, pop-ish feel to it, a pleasant deviation from the usual boring interpretations ( most versions of this song make me push the fast forward button as a reflex ). What Child Is This also deserves special mention for the same reason.

I didn't really enjoy the children's choir segments ( Silent Night being one example ). There was something off with the tone of the whole group, and it came off as very one-dimensional.

Besides, Josh Groban doesn't need a choir. He does just fine on his own.

The verdict: If you're a JG fan, then go ahead and buy it. If not, go to a CD store and sample it first.

Next Entry

Something about The Chippendales. And Juan DeAngelo.

I promise. :)

Just A Few Pictures

... until I find some time to post another full-length entry.

Amazing how much work gets backlogged when you go on leave -- and the people you delegated the tasks to just won't do what they're supposed to, sigh.

One: John Lloyd Young ( from Jersey Boys )

Congratulations to JLY on selling out his very first solo concert at the prestigious Lincoln Center! He's going to sing an all '60s musical repertoire, which sounds really wonderful. Here's my favourite headshot, from his official website.

Two: That Perfect Day Along The Hudson River, NYC

Still reminiscing about the unbelievably good weather that day! Think I got sunburnt, but who cares?! :)

One big surprise: how tasty their hotdogs are. Even the roadside vendors sell great stuff. The sausages are exquisitely tender and juicy. My mouth's watering right now, haha.

These were all taken with my trusty Nikon Coolpix camera, which makes the job essentially a no-brainer.

The important thing is to look for the hour-long cruise that takes your AROUND the Statue of Liberty, without dropping you off on the island itself ( that queue lasts for hours ). It's at pier 3 ( if I remember correctly ). Just ask around.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

And, last but not least, something for the female readers out there... :)

Three: Juan DeAngelo from the Chippendales, Las Vegas

Will write more about him another time.

But yes, I did meet him. We talked. He's very tall, very handsome, and very charming.

One of the main reasons I enjoyed Las Vegas so much. :D


Gotta run. More next time.

Hi, everyone, I'm back from a month-long break, and feeling pretty good! :D

Now that the holiday's over, I can spill the beans with my mother's permission: my parents and I were in the USA, touring Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York City, with a stopover in Seattle for the American College of Emergency Physicians' ( ACEP ) Annual Scientific Assembly.

Many more detailed posts ( with photos ) will follow, of course, but highlights of the trip include:

1. Watching Jersey Boys on Broadway -- a full review is included below. I'm still floating from the Wednesday, October 17th performance! :D

2. Catching Cyrano de Bergerac on Broadway - but not just ANY Cyrano revival, but one featuring Hollywood stars Kevin Kline and Jennifer Garner, among others. A full review will follow at a later date.

3. Bumping into Nicolas Cage at the back lot of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, woohoo!

4. Watching the Chippendales in Las Vegas. ( Boy, was it good! :))

5. The Grand Canyon, where we took not one, but TWO helicopter rides offering spectacular views of God's own handiwork, and went out on the newly constructed Skywalk ( not for the faint-hearted! ).

6. A fabulous cruise in perfect -- and I really mean PERFECT -- weather along the Hudson River, where we enjoyed wonderful views of the regal Statue of Liberty, Manhattan skyline ( awesome! ) and Brooklyn Bridge.

7. Times Square! Enough said. :)

8. Disneyland at Anaheim, California -- a totally different parade, loads of great 'live' music everywhere, and getting up close and personal with Mickey Mouse himself!

9. The San Diego Zoo, where we saw a real panda up close for the very first time.

10. Meeting up with many good friends, both American and Singaporean. Always a comfort when you're far from home. :)


Okay then, on to the business at hand...



Review of Jersey Boys, August Wilson Theatre, Broadway, New York City
October 17th, Wednesday

Before the trip, I'd been doing a lot of research on the Broadway scene, but only got my first glimpse of Jersey Boys at the Emmy Awards show a few months ago, where the cast ( not from NYC though ) sang an energetic medley comprising classic hits Walk Like A Man, Can't Take My Eyes Off You and Who Loves You.

Check it out on YouTube here.

That was when I decided I just HAVE to watch them. Only problem was, Broadway has an, err, interesting ticket purchasing system, where brokers snap up all the good seats, then sell them at much higher prices. So the only way I could get something along the lines of the first few rows, dead centre, was to buy premium tickets, which cost upwards of US$300 a piece ( working out to S$450 ).

Yow. Too rich, even for me.

It was an intense battle between my brain and my heart -- the former didn't think it was worth it, but the latter had a gut feeling it was. In the end, however, the cerebrum won.

But not for long. Thanks to a stroke of beginner's luck at the slot machines in Vegas, Caesars Palace ended up paying for 2 premium tickets to JB, woohoo! :)

Just some background story on Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: there's a biography written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, and the musical was first conceived sometime in 2003, before debuting in California to rave reviews, and eventually moving to Broadway, NYC, where it then scooped the 2006 Tony Awards for Best Musical and Lead Actor in a Musical, among many other accolades.

Jersey Boys deftly combines all their Billboard hits with a witty and poignant script, casting excellent actors in the major roles, topping it off with terrific musical arrangements and beautifully choreographed numbers, resulting in what I can only describe as "magic in its purest form".

Of course, it helps if you're familiar with their songs and are a fan of '60s music, which my mom and I are.

If you're interested, the official JB website can be found here. Click on Media and Video to see actual recordings from their Broadway performances ( big treats, trust me :)).


JB opens with a high-energy rendition of Ces Soirees-La, which is essentially December 1963 ( Oh, What A Night ) done in French. It then cuts quickly to the early years, where self-proclaimed bad boy / mentor Tommy DeVito ( played fabulously by Christian Hoff ) lays the foundation for the tale to follow. He describes how he discovered Frankie's unique sound and powerful pipes at the tender age of 16, then proceeded to groom him for much greater things, initially playing in nightclubs, rehearsing in churches and hunting for the right 4th Season, the right manager, the right song, weathering loads of obstacles along the way yet never giving up hope.

They finally hit paydirt when they recruited Bob Gaudio ( played by superb tenor and Cary Elwes lookalike Daniel Reichard ), a prolific songwriter who was also inspired by Frankie's voice, which prompted him to remark, "I know I need to write for this voice."

What then followed was a long string of massive hits, from Sherry to Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like A Man, December 1963 ( Oh, What A Night ), My Eyes Adored You, Dawn ( Go Away ), Big Man In Town, Beggin', Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Fallen Angel, Rag Doll and Who Loves You.

The group eventually split, but reunited in spurts, most notably for a special performance when they were inducted into the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame just a few years ago.

They admit they were no angels, falling victim to gambling, divorce and other heartbreaks over the decades. But what remains is a solid friendship built from their childhood days, and loyalty which no form of adversity can ever destroy.

The script moves at a crackling pace, delivered in a strong New Jersey / Italian twang, so if you're not familiar with the accent, you'll get lost pretty quickly. Luckily, I've seen enough Hollywood mafia films to switch my brain to the right channel, so it was indeed a pleasure to be able to catch all the punchlines -- and there were many of them! :)

The sets are simple but eye-catching, featuring Dick Tracy-esque art, screen projections of New Jersey landscapes, and cool cameraman / TV viewer perspectives for sequences where the Seasons perform on American Bandstand. There's also an ingenious backstage view for Walk Like A Man, where the guys stand with their backs to us, facing a black screen as flashing lights go off ( mimicking cameras from fans in a simulated audience, or maybe just lots and lots of stage spotlights ).

But of course, the 4 leads are the highlights of the show, with John Lloyd Young doing an amazing job with his falsetto. Turns out he looks a lot younger than his age ( born in 1978, but looks like he's below 25 ), and could easily pass off as ( "Numb3rs" star ) David Krumholtz's brother, don't you agree? He blows the roof off the theater when he hits those impossible notes! I know he has a famous vocal coach helping him along, but still...! He is absolutely pitch perfect in a 'live' setting -- something we should all admire him for, considering the level of difficulty involved -- and displays great versatility as he switches from rock 'n roll to ballads, showcasing an incredible vocal range and crisp nuances in his deliveries.

I particularly enjoyed the slower pieces, like My Eyes Adored You, Can't Take My Eyes Off You, and Fallen Angel. Major goosebumps!

Christian Hoff is a hoot as Tommy DeVito, who's something of a wise guy crippled by multiple weaknesses but who's just too damn proud to admit it. He doesn't sing solo much, but more than makes up for it with his larger-than-life personality, grabbing you by the balls whenever he delivers a punchline with a poker face or simply stands there with a knowing smirk. What a great character!
Daniel Reichard, who plays songwriting wunderkind Bob Gaudio, is equally engaging, with his widely innocent eyes and smooth tenor voice. A memorable scene where Gaudio and Valli seal a "Jersey contract" with a straightforward handshake and zero paperwork ( it's honoured to this very day, more than 40 years later ) is one of my personal favourites.

And last but not least, there's J. Robert Spencer as Nick Massi, who's somewhat quiet, but opinionated! A scene where all 4 Seasons voice their grouses turns into a riotous comedy when Massi suddenly stands up and lambasts DeVito for his stomach-churning bathroom habits. It's priceless!


If you've ever wondered what truly perfect casting entails, this is it. Young, Hoff, Reichard and Spencer come together in perfect harmony despite their varied looks and personalities, delivering top-notch performances without ever stopping for a breath ( okay, they rested a little during the 15-minute intermission ). Having done the same show almost daily for the past 2 years, the lines and songs come fast and furious without a hitch, but here're a few other surprises ( at least on October 17th ), which I will always treasure:

1) There were a few points during the course of the show, especially in the 2nd act, when the actors were visibly trying to suppress smiles, grins and outright laughs during the punchlines. Being in the centre of the 5th row afforded superb views of their facial expressions, and I loved every minute of it! This happened mostly with Young and Spencer, but also a little with Hoff and Reichard.
Young hid his smile by positioning his right hand strategically over his mouth and furrowing his brows in an attempt to appear serious, but I caught an upturned corner of his lips. Aww, how endearing! :)

2) During Can't Take My Eyes Off You, there's a short interlude when the brass section comes marching out on a balcony behind and above Young, while Reichard stands on the same balcony near the front of the stage, watching the performance.
I kept my eyes on both actors, and saw a HUGE grin spread across Young's face, before he glanced over at Reichard, who was also beaming.
This was clearly a very spontaneous moment, and I have no idea if anyone else saw it. It just shows how much they love what they're doing, and it honestly made my heart soar.

3) The audience that night was very appreciative, bestowing raucous applause and lots of whistling and cheering after every number. But these were most enthusiastic after the biggest hits ( Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like A Man, Can't Take My Eyes Off You ), and it's interesting how the actors responded, 'cos I was under the impression that they would've gotten used to such a reception by now.
But no! There were times when they genuinely looked shocked by it all, perhaps even slightly overwhelmed. This just illustrates how none of the fame has gone to their heads, a quality I find most admirable. :)

4) The performance of Cry For Me, when the 4 Seasons get together for the very first time, took my breath away! I was literally in heaven for 2 minutes, holding my breath! After they finished, I leaned over to my mom and said, "That was SO BEAUTIFUL!", only to hear a lady directly behind us say the exact same thing to her companion. Wow... :)


The Jersey Boys tickets are the most expensive ones I've ever purchased, but it is worth every single cent. I've always dreamed of watching a great Broadway musical, and I'm so glad it's this one. One of the perks of sitting in good seats is being able to make direct eye contact with the actors. Whether they actually remember any of our faces is beside the point ( I doubt they recall much, which is understandable ). But for the audience member, i.e. me, I made eye contact with every single one of them, and it was marvelous!

A major high point occurred during Young's delivery of Fallen Angel, a haunting ballad dedicated to Valli's daughter who died from a drug overdose at the tender age of 22. Young was seated on a bench with his back to the hall, then he slowly turned as he sang the opening verse, sweeping his eyes over the first few rows, before resting them ( and I swear this happened ) somewhere in my vicinity.
Again, I'm not assuming he registered anything as he looked my way, but from where I was sitting, it was an unforgettable moment, and the fact that this song is so beautiful made the experience completely surreal. Wonderful. :)

The rousing finale was rewarded with a standing ovation which spilled over into a refrain of December 1963, with the guys dancing and clapping along with us. It was just one gigantic party in there, woohoo!

After the show, I contemplated hanging around the stage door to get autographs, but nobody seemed interested in staying back, with everyone rushing into cabs or subways, or running to nearby restaurants and hotels. My mom didn't feel comfortable with the thought of us being left behind all alone, so I had to relent and return to the hotel pronto. Sigh, a missed opportunity indeed.

Anyway, Young will leave JB come November 22nd, moving on to new projects, no doubt. But the show will go on for many many years, so if you're ever in the USA, you can check the Internet for venues and schedules, 'cos it's playing in a few different states. I just don't know whether other casts can capture the same spirit and energy, even if the singing and dancing are up to par.

Before I end this entry, here're a few quotes from critics to whet your appetite. If you're into the Four Seasons or even just '60s music, and want to know what real magic feels like, Jersey Boys is for you.

"Too good to be true! Jersey Boys is terrific -- a show dynamically alive in music, while as a drama, it catches the very texture, almost the actual smell, of its time." -- Clive Barnes, New York Post

"The crowd goes wild! I mean the real crowd at the August Wilson Theatre, who seem to have forgotten what year it is or how old they are, or, most important, that John Lloyd Young is not Frankie Valli. And everything that leads up to the curtain call feels as real and vivid as the sting of your hands clapping together." -- Ben Brantley, The New York Times

"A fast-moving script electrified by most of the group's greatest hits. Energetically weaving story, songs, visuals and performances, Des McAnuff stages a compelling rush of events that pauses only occasionally to savor the beauty of the songs." -- Michael Sommers, The Star-Ledger

"The most exciting musical Broadway has seen in years." -- Chris Jones, The Chicago Tribune

"Jersey Boys should run for about twenty years! The songs -- and you'll be amazed how many hits there are -- are all flawlessly delivered. It's the music that counts, and the music is sheer joy!" -- Jacques le Sourd, The Journal News

"It will run for centuries." -- Richard Corliss, Time magazine


Thank you, guys, for a magnificent evening that lifted our spirits and made us believe we were back in the '60s watching the REAL Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. What a tour de force! I will most definitely see it again when I return to New York! :D

The Countdown

... has begun! :)

Annual leave has never tasted so sweet. Only XX more days to go...


Upheaval Part 2

I thought that chapter had closed, but the other party refused to let it rest.

Worse still, s/he chose to backstab in a desperate effort to discredit me, albeit by embellishing heavily, resulting in a story which is galaxies away from what actually transpired.

Thankfully, we have allies in other departments, and the venomous tale ( complete with the author's original signature ) was relayed to friends who then brought it to my attention.

It is indeed comforting to know that our colleagues have enough sense to differentiate fact from fiction, and that the culprit's dishonesty has been exposed.

But it is also sad and disappointing -- it always is -- to discover yet another lapse in character within the medical profession.

How bad is it? Let's put it this way -- the previous holder of the Public Enemy #1 title on my personal list has now been toppled to 2nd place. He should be very glad. :)


On A Lighter Note

A review of recent events:


Floorplay: 28th August, Esplanade Theatre

Official website located here.

It was really good, though not exactly fantastic.

I don't dance, but do love watching it. And with the recent resurrection of ballroom dancing in the form of TV shows So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With The Stars, it's heartening to see its fanbase expanding beyond the usual middle-aged / elderly folk who frequent recreation clubs and community centres.

Opening night was attended by both young and old alike, with a large number of 20- and 30-somethings among the capacity crowd.

The dancers, who hail from Australia and Europe, did not disappoint! If you've already read the Life! review, you'd know about a particular item featuring a lone female dancer being twirled by a group of guys ( later while blindfolded ).
This is definitely the sexiest segment of the entire evening, because the men are all shirtless, and well, it's a rare one-woman-with-many-men scenario, yet done very tastefully.

But I have to admit, those recurrent shirtless episodes ( there were quite a few throughout the night ) made the word "Chippendales" pop into my head.

Not that I've ever watched the Chippendales. I've only heard of them. Really! :)

Google them if you're curious, haha.

Oh yeah, back to the review. :)

The details are a bit fuzzy 'cos it's been 2 weeks since the show, but the Paso Doble certainly stands out. The music is also memorable, from swing to salsa to contemporary pop pieces.

Interesting blends include Aretha Franklin's You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman set to a waltz, as is a beautiful Secret Garden hit.

Apart from the 20 hotbod dancers, there were 3 percussionists and 2 singers -- the female being by far the stronger of the mixed duo. She sang Tina Turner's Proud Mary like a real pro -- amazing!

Having lucked out with the central block seats, we ended up along the aisle, which turned out to be even better. The troupe sprinted and hopped past us at least 3 times, even stopping in pairs to twirl and kick just inches away from our seats. At one point, the ladies picked a few men from the audience to join them, while a tall blonde fellow with a ponytail gently led a young Chinese lady a few rows in front of us in a slow-dance, before gallantly kissing her hand and running back on-stage.

Ahhh, I just love men who exhibit European charm. ( Precisely why I loved my European trips so much. :))

Burn the Floor will no doubt return to our shores very soon, but I may not see them again for another few years. Although the footwork is flawless and the energy infectious, I got a little distracted towards the end of the concert. Whether it's the choreography or the sedate audience or my low energy level ( having rushed down after a long day at work ), I can't be sure.

All I can tell you is: Dirty Dancing rocks, and Strictly Ballroom is divine.

Put them in stage productions and I'll go every night. :)


Ratatouille

If it weren't for my cousin's kids, I would probably visit the cinema less than 3 times a year.

This film comes highly recommended by yours truly, who is a huge fan of Pixar treasures ranging from Toy Story I & II and Finding Nemo to The Incredibles.

Ratatouille may be implausible in many ways, but it excels at character and story development, which makes the loopholes forgiveable.

Not an easy feat, especially where discerning adults like myself are concerned.

The verdict: I laughed my guts out too many times to count; I adore the animation ( of lead mouse Remy especially ); I love the action sequences; and I totally applaud how the movie maintains such exceptionally high standards yet manages to convey beautiful messages and make you cry in spite of yourself ( hardened cynic that I am ).

Worth a lot more than your movie ticket price. Don't miss this!


DVD Reviews

Zodiac: Oscar-worthy. Pick a category.

Music & Lyrics: Superb! Haven't loved a film this much since The Devil Wears Prada. Hugh Grant is terrific! I watched it twice!

The Good Shepherd: Yawn. Sorry.

300: Visually interesting, but ultimately a little vapid if you really think about it.

The Last King of Scotland: Forest Whitaker is a powerhouse! But I kinda dig James McAvoy's boyish rascal vibe. Whatever happened to him?


Entourage Season 3

I can't praise this series enough.

It keeps raising the bar with each new season, and I'm now so deeply invested in its characters ( especially devious agent Ari Gold, played by the incomparable Jeremy Piven ) I rearrange my TV viewing schedule for their sake.

What used to irk me as moronic behaviour now seems out of place if absent. Protagonist Vince Chase, initially marketed as a pretty boy purely for summer blockbuster purposes, now demonstrates impressive backbone by going against type and forfeiting whopping paychecks in favour of credibility and getting a good night's sleep.

Ari Gold, however, takes the cake. A recent episode had him scrambling in 10 different directions as he wrangled an $11 million deal from his ex-boss, set his sights on dominating Hollywood by setting up the largest agency yet, lost the deal ( don't ask ) then got it back by joining forces with his ex-boss' ex-wife.

Still with me?

Just last week, Ari had another artery-bursting rampage, as he struggled to salvage a movie project which he screwed up by being disrespectful to the film's ancient, crabby producer. After a head-spinning turn of events, he got fired by Vince.

I can't wait to see what happens tonight. :)


Time to go feed my cat his medicine. Poor thing's got some major gum problems. It happens when you're 70 years old ( 10 in human years ). But he's the best bolster in the world, so I'm not complaining. :)

Have a good week!

To say I had a bad week would be a gross understatement.

Within that short period of time, I witnessed a wide spectrum of disappointing displays of self-righteous arrogance, by both patients and fellow medical colleagues ( not within my department, thankfully ).

Worse still, one lied shamelessly to save his/her own skin, another denigrated my MO's good character, while the last tried to wrestle an MC using fear tactics.

The outcome?

The first, it turns out, has already been exposed thanks to prior statements given to other interviewers, and was severely reprimanded.

The second was proven wrong, thanks to the wonders of hospital computer software, which allows me to track every investigation done, including the ward's discharge summary.

The third didn't succeed in his/her quest for medical leave, even though I was yelled at in public, and hurled a loud threat to "write to the Forum Page".


One of the above events depressed me so terribly because I drew parallels between this incident and another which befell me 7 years ago.

Perhaps due in part to this emotional trauma, a second cycle of inner turmoil surfaced, resulting in my decision to relinquish a rather high-profile position in a bid to save my health and sanity.

Fortunately, everything is almost completely resolved. And despite persuasion to rejoin the group, I maintain that I made the right choice, as evidenced by a liberating sensation of a heavy burden being lifted off my constricted chest.

Now if only I can get myself removed from the mailing list. Stop wreaking havoc with my mailbox, argh!


The bottomline: I'm getting insomnia thinking about the state of the local medical profession.

You can draw your own conclusions.


The Return

...of Grey's Anatomy, woohoo!

I've grown very fond of this show, which I admit started off with a nauseating overdose of melodrama, but gained a huge fanbase for its smart scripts which, though implausible ( bomb disasters, Florence Nightingale scenarios, all that sex pre-, during and post-call ), grabbed our eyeballs and refused to let go.

I managed to latch on to a few favourites -- the recurring theme of betrayal in its many varied forms; George O'Malley, whose unrequited love, kindness and sincerity tore me to pieces; Isabel Stevens, the perfect blonde beauty whose doomed romance with end-stage cardiac failure patient Denny was the pinnacle of television emoting ( I cry every time I watch that heartrending scene where she begs him to stay alive for her *sniff* ).

Last night's premiere of Season 3 was slightly disappointing, mostly because of the unnecessary bawling scene involving Miranda ( aka The Nazi ) and a patient who lost his wife ( the guy being Eugene from The Practice ). Good thing I recorded it, 'cos I pressed the fast-forward button really hard during this segment.

In any case, I've already read the episode guide online, so I know what transpires -- at least in the finale.

But I'm still gonna jump on the rollercoaster ride. I'm nothing if not loyal. :)


Finished, At Last!

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows, that is.

Took me almost a month -- as a friend put it, yes I'm "pathetic". :)

But that's what happens when you do all your reading at bed-time. The sad part is, I used it as a sedative. And a very effective one at that!

I'm sorry, man. JK Rowling's writing skills have deteriorated awfully. The plot meanders too often for comfort ( I absolutely detest all those lengthy bits where Harry and his pals Disapparate from one hiding spot to another, where they scrounge for food and plan their next move for weeks and weeks on end. ).

Call me dense, but I failed to make a connection between all that mumbo-jumbo about the Deathly Hallows and the Horcruxes. The finale was limp, the epilogue cheesy.

I love the concept of Harry Potter, and consider the first 3 books among the best I've read.

But I'm saddened by the franchise's undignified closure. Surely Harry deserved much better.

There is, however, one good and memorable line on page 575:

"...perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well."

Let's see how Rowling fares with her Scottish crime thriller.

I still recommend John Berendt to anyone who'll listen. :)


I also recommend Numb3rs ( link available on the right ), which is getting super cheem these days. Listening to the dialogue is a major intellectual workout, requiring some degree of additional processing before I fully comprehend what the heck they just said.

Ahh, but how I love the vocabulary acrobatics! All those algorithms and mathematical theorems! Particle kinetics, waveform analyses, hypotheses, etc!

They make it look so easy, with cool examples drawn from everyday life, applied to a math genius' interpretation.

Truly one of the smartest TV series around. I'm a geek through and through. :)


And speaking of geeks...

On The Lot - The Finale

Sadly, this reality show failed to live up to many expectations.

It had a promising start, but lost steam somewhere in the middle, and fizzled at the end.

The last 3 episodes were dull, to say the least. At a crucial point where the top directors are fighting for a dream job, the producers elected to HAVE REPEAT SCREENINGS OF THE CONTESTANTS' PREVIOUS WORK?!?

Anyway, was hoping Zach Lipovsky would win the title, but Will Bigham got it. I personally thought Adam Stein was the strongest contender post-Zach, but hey, as long as Jason didn't emerge the victor, I'm happy.


Going to play some Internet games now. Need to relax.

Sigh

Yes, it's been another one of those weeks.

Oh wait, make it three.

Incapacitating exhaustion. GERD flares. The occasional anxiety about an incident which I'm forbidden to discuss in a public forum. But most of all...


An Issue Of Trust

A recent email to fellow medical colleagues posing a clinical question unexpectedly turned into a massive effort to discredit the histories provided by 2 patients I saw in the ER.

And I suddenly realized how the sacred doctor-patient relationship has eroded beyond repair.

As Dr. Gregory House would gleefully proclaim: ALL PATIENTS LIE.

The outcry was severe. My willingness to believe my patients' stories was beaten to a bloody pulp. I was accused of maligning our hardworking and often misunderstood general practitioners. It got pretty ugly.

The original query is probably now buried deep beneath other grouses, but the lack of trust within the medical profession isn't something we should ignore either, so let's discuss it further.

5 Questions for Singaporean Doctors
( if you're not from Singapore, please indicate this if you choose to answer )

1. Do you agree that the doctor-patient relationship has deteriorated?

2. Do you think you can trust your patients:
a) >90% of the time
b) 75-90% of the time
c) 50-75% of the time
d) 25-50% of the time, or
e) <25%>

3. Have you ever been the victim of baseless accusations from a patient and/or patient's relatives?
Please supply a few details ( be sure to omit patient and clinic / hospital names ).

4. Why do you think this is happening?

5. What can local medical professional bodies do to rectify the problem?


I obviously don't have statistics on this issue. But drawing from my 8 years in the busy government sector:

1. Yes, definitely.

2. c

3. Too many for comfort.
Fortunately, however, I had the benefit of reliable witnesses, good documentation, irrefutable time stamps ( thanks to computerized ER case records which log everything from time of consultation to investigation / treatment orders and dispositions ).

One memorable case had an elderly lady's son lodging a nasty complaint against me regarding an incident which occurred during the first day of the MOPEX changeover a few years ago ( during which we saw 400 patients within a 24-hour period ). The patient was stable but already placed in the priority queue and I completed the consultation within a very short period, before asking a nurse to transfer her to the observation ward to await a ward allocation.

Her son later arrived at the obs ward and was upset that I didn't speak to him personally, then repeatedly harrassed the nurses to call me over, despite my having my hands full in resus and critical care.

Finally, I spoke to him over the phone as I frantically typed notes in yet another patient's case record, apologizing ( yes, APOLOGIZING ) for my absence and attempting to explain the ER situation, but he would have none of it. He wouldn't stop screaming at me and accused me of administering an antibiotic which caused his mother to have chest pain and breathlessness. I informed him that she mentioned nothing of the sort, and that her recent discharge summary never indicated any adverse reactions to any of the powerful antibiotics given to her ( the one I injected was milder by comparison ).

Undeterred, he continued to berate me, until I gave up and said, "If you won't believe anything I say, then I'm afraid I can't do anything more to change your mind."

A few days later, the complaint arrived.

Aside from calling me "rude" and "unfit to be a doctor", he alleged that his mother waited "more than 1 hour" to see the doctor, and waited "more than 30 minutes" for an x-ray. But thanks to computerization, it was clearly shown that I saw her within 9 minutes after triage, ordered the x-ray 15 minutes later, and sent her to the admissions task list 10 minutes after that. ( I still have the complaint and case records to this very day -- that's how POed I am ).

He also claimed his mother told him I'm "unattentive and uncompassionate". If only I had video footage of myself holding the vomit bag for her as she coughed and retched into it, and of my ongoing narrative as I explained everything I was doing for her. She even nodded her head and asked questions, for pete's sake!

In short, the computer saved my ass.

4. Many reasons:

Increasing affluence and educational qualifications perhaps, which translate into some form of superiority complex that makes people feel they're entitled to whatever they ask for ( or more often, DEMAND IN LOUD, ATTENTION-SEEKING VOICES ).

The media, which encourages public complaints, however inaccurate they may be. ( Best example: the woman who launched a massive Forum Page tirade against the SNEC, only to retract it later and have the Straits Times relay on her behalf that she actually went to a private eye surgeon instead. NO APOLOGY ISSUED. )

Sadly, there's the possibility that mistrust of doctors stems from bad experiences with our medical colleagues. I see enough patients who refuse to return to their original hospitals because they hate the staff there. One fellow with a heart attack even told me he didn't consent to an angiogram because "I just didn't trust the cardiologist".

5. I posed this problem to one such body in my email, but as I said, it got shredded and the central issue was completely side-tracked. Hence, I have no answer to this question.


On A Happier Note

Only 6 more weeks before I go on MAJOR LONG LEAVE, YES!

I've been dreaming of this destination all my life, and have an excellent itinerary lined up, in addition to a detour to the world's greatest emergency medicine conference.

More details after I return. :D


Cool Dudes

Two in particular.

One's fictional, from the TV series The Closer.

There's this FBI agent, Fritz Howard, played by Jon Tenney ( click his name on this page ). He's smart, successful and strong-willed, yet fully able to appreciate the idiosyncracies and equally strong mind of his girlfriend, a ballsy LAPD Deputy Chief, no less.

Initially a small part, Howard receives an increasing amount of screentime as Season 1 progresses, and earned my first big-smiled "Awww" during an episode where he not only demonstrated some masculine take-charge attitude, but also displayed beautiful chivalry and patience which illustrated his comfortable sense of self-confidence and security.

I know a few men like that - they're the best! If only I had the time to hang out with them more often. :)

If you have a chance to rent the DVD, please do.
Season 2 should be arriving soon.


Oh yeah, the second dude. :)

Met him yesterday during a stint at the Istana.

Naval officer, maybe in his early 40s. Good-looking chap, tall, slim, and one heck of an entertainer.

We were treated to a tour of the estate, to help "orientate us in case we're called to attend to someone".

He proved to be a most helpful guide, and I was adequately impressed by what I saw ( though nothing quite compares to the grand opulence of the Vatican ).

The cheeky teasing was a nice touch. I didn't realize our military personnel were so charming, heh heh!


The Saga Continues

Am two-thirds of the way through Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows.

I don't really like it, but unfortunately, I want to finish the book because - well - I have to. Sorry, I can't stop myself.

The plot meanders, the conversations are repetitive, and what's with the Deathstick concoction? Is that an act of desperation on JK Rowling's part? Why not just leave it at The Elder Wand / The Wand of Destiny? Yeesh...


Farewell, Bar None

Don't think I'll feel up to attending the party on August 31st.

But I have the best memories of this wonderful little place, which I've visited often with various friends, for various reasons.

You've had a good run, guys. I'll miss you.


More next time. Wishing you a good week ahead. :)