First, I finally completed the ultrasound course, which lasted almost 2 years. It's been a long and arduous process, requiring a salary cut and other sacrifices. But in the end, I have no regrets, and will continue to push on in my field of interest, which is gaining huge momentum in emergency medicine.
Second, just when I thought plans for my 40th year ( which extends till next June of course ) were pretty much finalized, 2 unexpected events occurred.
Josh Groban's Australian tour
This may not sound unusual, but there was a period where he didn't visit this region for 6 years, returning only in 2013, which is when I saw him for the very first time, after being a fan for more than a decade.
His latest release, Stages, is IMO his best yet, so when the Australian dates were announced, I made sure to purchase tickets the day public sales began.
The experience, however, was unbelievably stressful. The morning I logged on, the Sydney Opera House website couldn't handle the heavy traffic and crashed. Phone lines were engaged for a full hour. By the time I managed to launch the site, most of the good seats were gone.
Strangely, 2 were available in the 10th row, even though everything around that section was already snapped up. To this day, I have no idea how this happened, except through divine intervention. Thank you, and see you in April, Josh! :)
Hugh Jackman's Broadway To Oz tour
Another sign of divine intervention came in the form of Hugh Jackman's suddenly announced concert series, also in Australia. Why do I see God's hand in this? Because I narrowly missed Hugh's Broadway variety show in 2011 ( it started 2 weeks after I left New York argh! ), then I couldn't make it for his stint in the play, The River, which ran from Nov 2014 to Feb 2015 ( I was in New York in April 2014 - double argh! ). When he came to Singapore in May last year for the premiere of X-Men: Days Of Future Past, an Australian friend of mine who's good pals with Hugh's father helped me get tickets to the screening, but couldn't sneak me into the meet-and-greet.
I've been praying so hard for another opportunity to see him on stage, and am elated to report that I have tickets to his concert in Sydney - 11th row, right next to the stage extension woohoo! I may ask my friend for another small favour - the last one, I promise :) - so keeping my fingers crossed!
Third, a recent invitation to a local theatre company's fund-raising dinner, where I brushed shoulders with Jim Rogers, of all people! I had no idea he'd be there, and he's kinda camera shy, so no photos sorry. But it was a really cool surprise. Many thanks to A for including me. :)
A couple of worthy mentions in the entertainment department:
Rebecca Ferguson, who is my girl crush for 2015, after a mind-boggling turn in Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation. I'm a fan of tough female characters, but Ilsa Faust takes the cake!
MI5 was extremely enjoyable, and my earlier distaste for Tom Cruise ( after Andrew Morton's damning biography was published ) has completely dissipated. He may have bizarre religious beliefs and could be an evil megalomaniac under that million-dollar smile, but there's no denying his work ethic and savvy film choices.
The Walking Dead
Like Breaking Bad, I'm a late bloomer with this one.
I actually finished season 1 in 2010, but gave up after finding it too draggy. Started watching it all over again last week, mostly because StarHub cable has made all 5 seasons available on its Fox Play demand channel.
Maybe I've gotten older and more patient with such formats - i.e. long, protracted scenes; lots of talking and plotting; super-detailed character development. Although this isn't that different from other series I love - e.g. Dexter, The Killing, The Fall. Maybe I just don't like zombies haha.
Anyway, my opinion has changed dramatically, so the second time round, I give TWD two thumbs up. Season 6 premieres in 6 weeks and I don't know if I'll finish season 5 by then, since I can only stomach 2-3 episodes in one sitting. I think I can make it if I ignore everything else on TV. :)
p.s. Andrew Lincoln is awesome. Especially because he's British and nails that Southern accent. Amazing!
p.p.s. Was invited to a press event for The Walking Dead's season 5 promo tour in Singapore last year, but declined because I wasn't following the series at the time. Wanted to hand my passes off to other fans but wasn't allowed to do so. Hope Lincoln and co-star Norman Reedus will be back. I'll go this time for sure!
Hannibal season 3
Special mention goes to Richard Armitage for his chilling, shocking portrayal of the Red Dragon, aka Francis Dolarhyde.
The first half of season 3 was intolerably slow and downright incomprehensible, but once the Red Dragon appeared, things got much more interesting.
While the season finale was disappointing ( and the show was not renewed ), Armitage impressed me immensely. Most of us know him as Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit trilogy. You know, the hero, all round good guy, etc. As Francis, he's even more frightening than Ralph Fiennes in the film version. Hope this gets him noticed so he can snag meatier roles in the future. He is one talented man.
Ally McBeal reruns
These started in August and brought back fond memories of my 20s. Ahh, to be young and carefree again. :)
It isn't on my list of favourites, but it was quite a big hit in the late 90s, with many memorable characters, catch phrases and images. E.g. John "The Biscuit" Cage, "Fish-isms", Barry White, that dancing baby.
Not to mention numerous well-known guest stars like Tony Shalhoub, Mark Feuerstein, Haley Joel Osment and Josh Groban.
And don't forget Robert Downey Jr, who played Ally's love interest in later seasons. Or James Marsden, who sang Witchcraft in one episode and melted my heart!
Calista Flockhart irritated me then with her ditzy behaviour and deliberate stammering. She still irritates me now. So I just block her out.
Almost 2 decades later, I'm able to appreciate the show a lot more. Now, I hope cable will air reruns of The Practice. All 8 seasons please. But preferably not when I'm overseas, because seasons 3-7 aren't available on DVD so I need to record them on my player at home.
Looking forward to:
The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
The Martian
Spectre
And of course, Star Wars: The Force Awakens!!!
I watched Episode IV when I was a tiny tot and remember the experience very well.
Really appreciate JJ Abrams' update in my milestone year. This is something truly worth celebrating!
Last but not least, my Broadway show lineup for this November:
Sylvia - starring Matthew Broderick ( aka Ferris Bueller, hero to millions of teens during the 80s. :))
The King And I - multiple Tony Award wins this year, including Best Actress in a Musical, Kelli O'Hara.
Therese Raquin - stars Keira Knightley ( Pride & Prejudice, The Duchess, Atonement, Anna Karenina ). I'm a big fan of the movie, which featured Oscar Isaac and Elizabeth Olsen.
Misery - Bruce Willis' Broadway debut. It's a privilege to see this. :)
Old Times - Clive Owen, whom I loved in The International, Closer and The Knick.
A View From The Bridge - Mark Strong, aka the badass in Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes reboot, and Matthew Vaughn's super-violent films ( Kick-Ass, Kingsman: The Secret Service ).
China Doll - Al Pacino. Enough said.
A Gentleman's Guide To Love And Murder - 2014's Tony winner for Best Musical. One of the original lead actors recently returned to the show after a short hiatus, so now's the time to see the original lead cast before they scatter again!
An American In Paris - very excited about seeing Robert Fairchild, who dances like a dream.
2015's turning out to be very exhausting. But also my best year yet! Until next time... :)
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