Frustration
It's 2 hours before the night shift ends, and what a horror it's been.
A continuous influx of drunk and assaulted patients arriving via ambulance and on foot, accompanied by equally intoxicated friends demanding instant service.
One young lady who arrived alone -- brought by paramedics thanks to some kind soul who called 995 -- screamed expletives at us non-stop for a half hour before I ordered IM Haloperidol to shut her up. Where's the Mediacorp TV crew when you need them?
All this wasn't helped by the stupid computer system maintenance, which took place from 12am - 4am, causing our emergency room and inpatient software to be completely inaccessible during this crucial period.
I'm not the sort to use the F-word out loud, but my MOs were more than making up for that. :)
We don't usually get this much action, even on weekends. Even now, there's a list of young adults in for various forms of assault ( slapped, punched, hit with a beer bottle / metal rod, etc ). And all totally plastered with alcohol.
One possible reason: the bright, shining full moon I spotted from the rooftop of our ER as I exited the tea room not too long ago.
A retrospective analysis for journal publication perhaps? Haha...
Another encounter a few days ago really disgusted me. And I consider my threshold pretty high.
A patient's son -- male, middle-aged -- walked up to me at the nurse's counter during a busy shift, asking, "How many doctors are there at the moment?"
Perplexed, I asked why he wanted to know this.
"My mother's been waiting for quite a while and no-one has seen her yet."
It wasn't what he said that irked me, but how he said it. His next remark confirmed my assessment.
Waving his hand around the area, he stated, "How can this be called an emergency department? All these people don't look sick what."
I glanced at the handful of frail geriatric patients behind him, one of whom was groaning in distress, another with a nasogastric tube and diapers. A psychiatric case was sobbing nearby, and our MOs and nurses scurried around doing changes, reviewing results and making urgent calls.
I attempted to explain that we were trying our best to clear the queue, but of course, he couldn't care less. In fact, he began to smirk, flashing me an incredulous look.
Knowing that I wasn't getting anywhere, I politely asked him to wait outside. Relatives aren't allowed to loiter in the P2 area, and our security guards had gone MIA.
As expected, he refused to leave.
So I picked up the phone and called security to intervene. That did the trick.
This is the sort of crap we face on an almost daily basis. And you know what, it's never the old patients who give us problems, but the younger ones. And most of the time, the accompanying relatives and/or friends consume much more of our time and energy compared to the actual patient.
This is my 10th year post-graduation, and it keeps getting worse.
Tick, Tick... Boom!
No, I'm not suicidal. That's the title of the latest Broadway soundtrack I'm hooked on.
Staged in 2001, it's an autobiographical piece written by Jonathan Larson ( creator of the hit musical Rent ).
I bought this from Amazon for only one reason: Raul Esparza, who plays Larson.
While the songs aren't the best I've heard, those sung by Esparza stand out, buoyed by his exceptional vocals and emotional deliveries. Favourites include See Her Smile, Why and Louder Than Words -- slightly-above-average ballads that dazzle with the Esparza treatment.
I'm always thrilled by the discovery of new musical talent. Thanks for the intro, L!
TV Highlights
The Ghost Hunters are back! The new season aired on Wednesday on StarWorld, and somehow, I'm never bored by their little expeditions.
The latest outing was to a Revolutionary era dungeon, complete with solitary confinement cells and creepy tunnels.
There were hair-raising moments aplenty, like the disembodied voice of a female crying, "Mommy!", multiple glimpses of a ghostly face and even a positive thermal image of a human figure in Casement 11 -- absolutely terrifying.
There's also a movie you may be able to catch on HBO: titled Haunted, it stars Kate Beckinsale, Aidan Quinn and Anthony Andrews, featuring an eerie old house in the English countryside. I watched it with my mom late one night -- an extremely unnerving experience.
But it doesn't come close to the TV adaptation of Henry James' Turn Of The Screw. *shudder*
Also, Monk has returned, better than ever. Tune in every Friday to catch the genius detective solving bizarre crimes in the most innovative ways. CSI really sucks in comparison.
Last but not least, the cable TV premiere of Becoming Jane tonight on Star Movies. Not sure why this film has taken such a long time to reach the small screen, but it's a gem! One of James McAvoy's best work to date.
Well then, it's back to the grind. Morning rounds beckon. Sigh.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Strange But True
Watched The Incredible Hulk and liked it. Quite a lot. Much better than Lee Ang's Hulk, which bored me to death.
Attribute this to the fine cast -- Edward Norton and Liv Tyler have great chemistry, Tim Roth is terrifying, and William Hurt unrecognizable ( though effectively stern ). Norton's fittingly vulnerable here, proving once again his impressive versatility ( just see Fight Club and American History X to experience that range firsthand ).
Also caught The Mummy III: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. Was a little apprehensive about the grown-up-son problem ( critics didn't think Brendan Fraser looked old enough to be dad to a 20-year-old guy ), but I disagree. While Fraser is admittedly boyish, the wrinkles do show, and Rick O'Connell is appropriately fatigued in this outing, leaving more of the action to his boy and the CGI team.
At least I didn't fall asleep, ridiculous as the plot may be. Still can't believe I dozed off during Hellboy II. That was weird!
Met my JC class and our ex-tutor at his home yesterday. 12 of us showed up ( 50% of the cohort ), with 3 spouses and 6 kids in tow. There were a few chaotic moments, as the children ran around and our tutor trailed behind wielding ang pows. Quite a sight!
Great catching up with everyone, who still look the same as 15 years ago. No-one seems to have gained significant weight, which I find amazing.
Last but not least, an annoying ( and rather moronic ) question from an MO-on-call the other night. Can't print it here or I'll give away the department for sure, but it's one of the dumbest queries to cross my path in a long time, and I can't decide whether to laugh or pull my hair out.
But I kept my temper in check, and got a second call from same MO, who later sheepishly reported positive findings.
By the way, Kumar's performing at the Esplanade. Bought my tickets! :)
Watched The Incredible Hulk and liked it. Quite a lot. Much better than Lee Ang's Hulk, which bored me to death.
Attribute this to the fine cast -- Edward Norton and Liv Tyler have great chemistry, Tim Roth is terrifying, and William Hurt unrecognizable ( though effectively stern ). Norton's fittingly vulnerable here, proving once again his impressive versatility ( just see Fight Club and American History X to experience that range firsthand ).
Also caught The Mummy III: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. Was a little apprehensive about the grown-up-son problem ( critics didn't think Brendan Fraser looked old enough to be dad to a 20-year-old guy ), but I disagree. While Fraser is admittedly boyish, the wrinkles do show, and Rick O'Connell is appropriately fatigued in this outing, leaving more of the action to his boy and the CGI team.
At least I didn't fall asleep, ridiculous as the plot may be. Still can't believe I dozed off during Hellboy II. That was weird!
Met my JC class and our ex-tutor at his home yesterday. 12 of us showed up ( 50% of the cohort ), with 3 spouses and 6 kids in tow. There were a few chaotic moments, as the children ran around and our tutor trailed behind wielding ang pows. Quite a sight!
Great catching up with everyone, who still look the same as 15 years ago. No-one seems to have gained significant weight, which I find amazing.
Last but not least, an annoying ( and rather moronic ) question from an MO-on-call the other night. Can't print it here or I'll give away the department for sure, but it's one of the dumbest queries to cross my path in a long time, and I can't decide whether to laugh or pull my hair out.
But I kept my temper in check, and got a second call from same MO, who later sheepishly reported positive findings.
By the way, Kumar's performing at the Esplanade. Bought my tickets! :)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The Return
My 2nd day back at work has been tolerable so far. The expected Chinese New Year crowd didn't show during my shifts, and our MOs are working hard to keep the numbers in check -- thank you for that! :)
As I wind down at the tail end of a night call, the Company DVD plays on my laptop -- brought from home since I can't spin DVDs on the hospital computer.
It's just temporary, until the audio CD arrives from Amazon, which will be very soon. :)
Catching Up
An American friend recently re-established contact via email after a few years' absence. Neither of us is quite sure why we both stopped writing for such a long period, but none of that really matters now since we're back to the old comfortable routine of trading opinions about everything from politics to the sad state of our personal lives.
I'd forgotten how much I enjoy our "conversations". It's probably my fault for not replying to his last email from 3 years back. Won't happen again, I promise. :)
A Cusack Gem
Bullets Over Broadway is the latest DVD to pass through my laptop in the wee hours of the morning in the comfort of my bedroom. And what a treasure it is!
Directed by Woody Allen - whom I usually can't stomach - but featuring a beautiful cast which includes John Cusack, Dianne Wiest ( who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress ) and Chazz Palminteri, the film is set in 1920s Manhattan, revolving around a struggling playwright ( Cusack ) whose project gets funded by a Mafia boss intent on pleasing his aspiring-actress ditz of a girlfriend.
The humour is by turns wacky and sophisticated, aided by the eclectic group of characters who're perfectly portrayed by the actors. Cusack's comedic timing is, as always, impeccable. His bespectacled and disheveled David Shayne glues the various subplots together, but two others also shine in this ensemble piece.
Dianne Wiest is a hoot as over-the-hill diva Helen Sinclair. Her illicit affair with Shayne offers numerous hilarious encounters ( "Don't speak!" is one of the funniest catchphrases in this movie. ), but one scene set in Central Park is particularly poignant.
My favourite, though, is Palminteri, who plays Mafia hitman and ditzy moll's reluctant bodyguard. His character undergoes the most drastic transformation, but Palminteri makes it so believable you actually start rooting for him.
Bullets is way better than Match Point. I hated Scoop, but haven't seen Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Have to admit Bullets has really piqued my interest in Allen's other films.
American Idol 8
Just realized I haven't written anything about this yet.
What can I say -- it's more of the same, with new judge Kara DioGuardi adding a bit more sass ( Paula's terribly bland in comparison ). I'm starting to feel the fatigue this year, often getting distracted during the tedious auditions.
The only ones who stand out are Anoop Desai, the brainy Indian post-grad student who sings surprisingly well, and the stocky dude with glasses whose young wife recently passed away.
At this rate, I don't think the show can last more than another year or two. Unless the producers give it a major overhaul. I'm getting kinda sick of Simon Cowell ( especially after reading about his Botox use, ick! ).
It's 8am. Time for home, woohoo! :)
My 2nd day back at work has been tolerable so far. The expected Chinese New Year crowd didn't show during my shifts, and our MOs are working hard to keep the numbers in check -- thank you for that! :)
As I wind down at the tail end of a night call, the Company DVD plays on my laptop -- brought from home since I can't spin DVDs on the hospital computer.
It's just temporary, until the audio CD arrives from Amazon, which will be very soon. :)
Catching Up
An American friend recently re-established contact via email after a few years' absence. Neither of us is quite sure why we both stopped writing for such a long period, but none of that really matters now since we're back to the old comfortable routine of trading opinions about everything from politics to the sad state of our personal lives.
I'd forgotten how much I enjoy our "conversations". It's probably my fault for not replying to his last email from 3 years back. Won't happen again, I promise. :)
A Cusack Gem
Bullets Over Broadway is the latest DVD to pass through my laptop in the wee hours of the morning in the comfort of my bedroom. And what a treasure it is!
Directed by Woody Allen - whom I usually can't stomach - but featuring a beautiful cast which includes John Cusack, Dianne Wiest ( who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress ) and Chazz Palminteri, the film is set in 1920s Manhattan, revolving around a struggling playwright ( Cusack ) whose project gets funded by a Mafia boss intent on pleasing his aspiring-actress ditz of a girlfriend.
The humour is by turns wacky and sophisticated, aided by the eclectic group of characters who're perfectly portrayed by the actors. Cusack's comedic timing is, as always, impeccable. His bespectacled and disheveled David Shayne glues the various subplots together, but two others also shine in this ensemble piece.
Dianne Wiest is a hoot as over-the-hill diva Helen Sinclair. Her illicit affair with Shayne offers numerous hilarious encounters ( "Don't speak!" is one of the funniest catchphrases in this movie. ), but one scene set in Central Park is particularly poignant.
My favourite, though, is Palminteri, who plays Mafia hitman and ditzy moll's reluctant bodyguard. His character undergoes the most drastic transformation, but Palminteri makes it so believable you actually start rooting for him.
Bullets is way better than Match Point. I hated Scoop, but haven't seen Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Have to admit Bullets has really piqued my interest in Allen's other films.
American Idol 8
Just realized I haven't written anything about this yet.
What can I say -- it's more of the same, with new judge Kara DioGuardi adding a bit more sass ( Paula's terribly bland in comparison ). I'm starting to feel the fatigue this year, often getting distracted during the tedious auditions.
The only ones who stand out are Anoop Desai, the brainy Indian post-grad student who sings surprisingly well, and the stocky dude with glasses whose young wife recently passed away.
At this rate, I don't think the show can last more than another year or two. Unless the producers give it a major overhaul. I'm getting kinda sick of Simon Cowell ( especially after reading about his Botox use, ick! ).
It's 8am. Time for home, woohoo! :)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Heralding A New Era
Cable TV is swarming with coverage of President Obama's inauguration ( they still address him as "President-elect", but I think it's irrelevant at this point! :)). Just finished watching We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration on HBO, and was most inspired by Obama's short speech ( he's a master orator ) and Beyonce's closing performance of America The Beautiful.
As I sit waiting for President Obama to be sworn into office ( 4 more hours to go ), I share Americans' overflowing excitement, especially those who've braved freezing temperatures to congregate at the Lincoln Memorial and witness a great historical moment.
I just find it strange that the self-proclaimed "world's greatest democracy" took a longer time to reach this point, compared to other developed -- and even developing -- countries. I, for one, expected the U.S. to elect a President from either a minority group or of a female gender sometime in the 1990s, but the only frontrunner in the former category was General Colin Powell, who pulled out at the last minute, reportedly because of fears about his personal safety.
An article cum interview with President Obama in Time magazine ( the Person of the Year issue ) highlighted the many hurdles he will face in the near future, but he has already commenced preparations ( he attended a meeting the night he won the election, rather than take a few days off -- something George W. Bush would've done, I'm sure ), and perhaps enjoys the additional benefit of youth and energy, as aides and close friends express their admiration for his boundless stamina.
I feel privileged -- as do my parents, who're following this event closely -- to be able to be part of a new era, as the next leader of the free world inevitably brings to mind a darker period in America's history, yet also demonstrates how the nation has taken the final leap in overcoming any doubts it may have had about an African-American shepherding the country through crisis.
The last President who impressed me greatly was Bill Clinton who, despite the Monica Lewinsky scandal, was an otherwise excellent commander-in-chief.
Likewise, President Obama instills great hope in me, and I wish him a smooth transition, followed by a very successful term ahead.
A verse from America The Beautiful goes:
"O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!"
May President Obama restore his nation's glory and be remembered not merely for making history, but as the harbinger of a brighter future as well.
The Last Lecture
Picked up Randy Pausch's book on a whim, but am enjoying it more than I imagined I would.
Aside from his simple yet effective writing style and memorable anecdotes, I'm most surprised by the similarities in our opinions, be it about relationships ( the "brick wall" theory ), cars ( "utilitarian devices, not expressions of social status" ) or the importance of integrity.
Chapter 48 -- my favourite -- is short but wise:
"People lie for lots of reasons, often because it seems like a way to get what they want with less effort. But like many short-term strategies, it's ineffective long-term. You run into people again later, and they remember you lied to them. And they tell lots of other people about it.
That's what amazes me about lying. Most people who have told a lie think they got away with it... when in fact, they didn't."
Speaking from personal experience with a number of scumbags ( the worst 3 of whom are from the medical profession ), this statement brought a satisfied smile to my face, because I realized how right he is, and that yes, they actually didn't get away with it after all. :)
The Week So Far
Has been terrific!
2 days in, I'm already feeling rejuvenated, as I spend time at home doing what I love, and begin to sleep soundly again.
Just hope the next 5 days pass by a little more slowly.
More Video Clips
Raul Esparza singing a Latin-flavoured O Holy Night -- a very novel ( and sexy ) approach. Yow. :)
Another song from Company that is becoming a huge favourite of mine. I've tried playing a saxophone before, which almost killed me. I admire any female who can do so, especially while singing and prancing around on-stage.
Best of all, Esparza's unbelievable performance of Being Alive. Looks like he's playing in E flat major? Imagine him doing this every night for months -- typical duration of a Broadway run, at least for an original cast. Watch his face when he gets to the bridge and sings "mock me with praise". Wow.
Yes, I love this musical. :)
Some bonus material for Pushing Daisies fans ( they're cancelling the show after 2 seasons, argh! ):
Esparza as travelling salesman Alfredo -- just realized I've seen this episode ( season 1 ) and remember him quite well, though I didn't know his name at the time. Am very pleased about that. :D
Another hilarious scene. Enjoy.
Am going to miss the show's intelligent humour and whimsical storylines. DVDs from Amazon? Heh heh...
And of course, something from Kevin Spacey -- the finale from Beyond The Sea. He is SO fabulous!
There's a segment at the end with the real Bobby Darin doing the same piece. First time I'm hearing it -- the similarities are startling!
More next time...
Cable TV is swarming with coverage of President Obama's inauguration ( they still address him as "President-elect", but I think it's irrelevant at this point! :)). Just finished watching We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration on HBO, and was most inspired by Obama's short speech ( he's a master orator ) and Beyonce's closing performance of America The Beautiful.
As I sit waiting for President Obama to be sworn into office ( 4 more hours to go ), I share Americans' overflowing excitement, especially those who've braved freezing temperatures to congregate at the Lincoln Memorial and witness a great historical moment.
I just find it strange that the self-proclaimed "world's greatest democracy" took a longer time to reach this point, compared to other developed -- and even developing -- countries. I, for one, expected the U.S. to elect a President from either a minority group or of a female gender sometime in the 1990s, but the only frontrunner in the former category was General Colin Powell, who pulled out at the last minute, reportedly because of fears about his personal safety.
An article cum interview with President Obama in Time magazine ( the Person of the Year issue ) highlighted the many hurdles he will face in the near future, but he has already commenced preparations ( he attended a meeting the night he won the election, rather than take a few days off -- something George W. Bush would've done, I'm sure ), and perhaps enjoys the additional benefit of youth and energy, as aides and close friends express their admiration for his boundless stamina.
I feel privileged -- as do my parents, who're following this event closely -- to be able to be part of a new era, as the next leader of the free world inevitably brings to mind a darker period in America's history, yet also demonstrates how the nation has taken the final leap in overcoming any doubts it may have had about an African-American shepherding the country through crisis.
The last President who impressed me greatly was Bill Clinton who, despite the Monica Lewinsky scandal, was an otherwise excellent commander-in-chief.
Likewise, President Obama instills great hope in me, and I wish him a smooth transition, followed by a very successful term ahead.
A verse from America The Beautiful goes:
"O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!"
May President Obama restore his nation's glory and be remembered not merely for making history, but as the harbinger of a brighter future as well.
The Last Lecture
Picked up Randy Pausch's book on a whim, but am enjoying it more than I imagined I would.
Aside from his simple yet effective writing style and memorable anecdotes, I'm most surprised by the similarities in our opinions, be it about relationships ( the "brick wall" theory ), cars ( "utilitarian devices, not expressions of social status" ) or the importance of integrity.
Chapter 48 -- my favourite -- is short but wise:
"People lie for lots of reasons, often because it seems like a way to get what they want with less effort. But like many short-term strategies, it's ineffective long-term. You run into people again later, and they remember you lied to them. And they tell lots of other people about it.
That's what amazes me about lying. Most people who have told a lie think they got away with it... when in fact, they didn't."
Speaking from personal experience with a number of scumbags ( the worst 3 of whom are from the medical profession ), this statement brought a satisfied smile to my face, because I realized how right he is, and that yes, they actually didn't get away with it after all. :)
The Week So Far
Has been terrific!
2 days in, I'm already feeling rejuvenated, as I spend time at home doing what I love, and begin to sleep soundly again.
Just hope the next 5 days pass by a little more slowly.
More Video Clips
Raul Esparza singing a Latin-flavoured O Holy Night -- a very novel ( and sexy ) approach. Yow. :)
Another song from Company that is becoming a huge favourite of mine. I've tried playing a saxophone before, which almost killed me. I admire any female who can do so, especially while singing and prancing around on-stage.
Best of all, Esparza's unbelievable performance of Being Alive. Looks like he's playing in E flat major? Imagine him doing this every night for months -- typical duration of a Broadway run, at least for an original cast. Watch his face when he gets to the bridge and sings "mock me with praise". Wow.
Yes, I love this musical. :)
Some bonus material for Pushing Daisies fans ( they're cancelling the show after 2 seasons, argh! ):
Esparza as travelling salesman Alfredo -- just realized I've seen this episode ( season 1 ) and remember him quite well, though I didn't know his name at the time. Am very pleased about that. :D
Another hilarious scene. Enjoy.
Am going to miss the show's intelligent humour and whimsical storylines. DVDs from Amazon? Heh heh...
And of course, something from Kevin Spacey -- the finale from Beyond The Sea. He is SO fabulous!
There's a segment at the end with the real Bobby Darin doing the same piece. First time I'm hearing it -- the similarities are startling!
More next time...
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Anticipation
Time is flying past a little too quickly to my liking, but with one advantage: my annual leave has finally begun. :D
Another 3 hours to go before I finish up the night shift, then I'll have a whole week off. Granted, it's going to be spent cleaning house, running errands and catching up with administrative work, but at least I won't be at the hospital seeing patients.
Sure, I enjoy emergency medicine, but burnouts are occurring at 3-monthly intervals these days, so I welcome the much-needed break.
Of course, I won't be working the entire week. Will watch Company whenever I can ( it's addictive stuff! ), maybe visit the zoo ( my favourite local attraction ), meet an old pal for dinner ( our friendship's 10-year anniversary ), do a bit of Chinese New Year shopping, and clear the stack of magazines and books stewing on my shelves.
There's also the U.S. Presidential Inauguration on Tuesday, which I'll be watching.
DVD-wise, am really disappointed with Hellboy II: The Golden Army. I dozed off during the movie - DOZED OFF! The first Hellboy film was tonnes better in terms of plot and direction. The sequel reminds me of The Mummy Returns - lots of noise and little else. At least the guy who plays Prince Nuada is fun to watch, especially when he launches into wushu mode. :)
Am still contemplating which movie to catch before the end of the month, when my vouchers expire. $20 worth of free tickets is no small matter, man. At this rate, looks like Doubt's my best bet. Unless I'm game for some super-mindless entertainment, like Inkheart.
Recently rewatched Kevin Spacey's Beyond The Sea, and again, I'm surprised by the new perspective I've gained. The last time I saw this film was probably in 2005, around the time I first met Peter Cincotti. I liked the movie then, and greatly admired Spacey's musical talent, but wasn't profoundly blown away by it.
A couple of nights ago, it was a completely different story. Perhaps it's because I played the DVD on my laptop, in the privacy of my bedroom, with all the lights switched off and headphones plugged in ( previously watched it in the living room with my parents nearby ).
The effect was INCREDIBLE.
I can't really explain it, but I was mesmerized from beginning to end. Spacey's fantastic performance came across much more clearly this time, and I couldn't help wondering why Bobby Darin's biopic hasn't hit Broadway as a musical yet. If Jersey Boys can revive interest in Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, then Darin's huge arsenal of jazz hits would be a shoo-in. Maybe Spacey can even star in the lead role during the initial run before handing over to another actor?
Wishful thinking, I know. But that's what I'm good at. :)
I can't access the YouTube clips from work, so check out the next best thing - the movie trailer on movies.com.
Peter Cincotti has a prominent role as Dick Behrke. A big reason I'm thrilled to have chatted with him twice - shaking his hand is almost like shaking Spacey's!
The closing 10 minutes is a big band number with a whopping dance sequence, absolutely awesome!
I shall end this post with a link to some good reading material - countless rave reviews of Raul Esparza's various Broadway performances. Those about Company are right on the money.
Time is flying past a little too quickly to my liking, but with one advantage: my annual leave has finally begun. :D
Another 3 hours to go before I finish up the night shift, then I'll have a whole week off. Granted, it's going to be spent cleaning house, running errands and catching up with administrative work, but at least I won't be at the hospital seeing patients.
Sure, I enjoy emergency medicine, but burnouts are occurring at 3-monthly intervals these days, so I welcome the much-needed break.
Of course, I won't be working the entire week. Will watch Company whenever I can ( it's addictive stuff! ), maybe visit the zoo ( my favourite local attraction ), meet an old pal for dinner ( our friendship's 10-year anniversary ), do a bit of Chinese New Year shopping, and clear the stack of magazines and books stewing on my shelves.
There's also the U.S. Presidential Inauguration on Tuesday, which I'll be watching.
DVD-wise, am really disappointed with Hellboy II: The Golden Army. I dozed off during the movie - DOZED OFF! The first Hellboy film was tonnes better in terms of plot and direction. The sequel reminds me of The Mummy Returns - lots of noise and little else. At least the guy who plays Prince Nuada is fun to watch, especially when he launches into wushu mode. :)
Am still contemplating which movie to catch before the end of the month, when my vouchers expire. $20 worth of free tickets is no small matter, man. At this rate, looks like Doubt's my best bet. Unless I'm game for some super-mindless entertainment, like Inkheart.
Recently rewatched Kevin Spacey's Beyond The Sea, and again, I'm surprised by the new perspective I've gained. The last time I saw this film was probably in 2005, around the time I first met Peter Cincotti. I liked the movie then, and greatly admired Spacey's musical talent, but wasn't profoundly blown away by it.
A couple of nights ago, it was a completely different story. Perhaps it's because I played the DVD on my laptop, in the privacy of my bedroom, with all the lights switched off and headphones plugged in ( previously watched it in the living room with my parents nearby ).
The effect was INCREDIBLE.
I can't really explain it, but I was mesmerized from beginning to end. Spacey's fantastic performance came across much more clearly this time, and I couldn't help wondering why Bobby Darin's biopic hasn't hit Broadway as a musical yet. If Jersey Boys can revive interest in Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, then Darin's huge arsenal of jazz hits would be a shoo-in. Maybe Spacey can even star in the lead role during the initial run before handing over to another actor?
Wishful thinking, I know. But that's what I'm good at. :)
I can't access the YouTube clips from work, so check out the next best thing - the movie trailer on movies.com.
Peter Cincotti has a prominent role as Dick Behrke. A big reason I'm thrilled to have chatted with him twice - shaking his hand is almost like shaking Spacey's!
The closing 10 minutes is a big band number with a whopping dance sequence, absolutely awesome!
I shall end this post with a link to some good reading material - countless rave reviews of Raul Esparza's various Broadway performances. Those about Company are right on the money.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
A Bad Case Of Insomnia
Triggered by Company, argh!
Not that it's anyone's fault but my own, but here I sit in my bed, at 2am, watching YouTube clips of Kevin Spacey and Raul Esparza doing jazz and Broadway tunes.
Catching 2 shows while I was in NYC was great, but my appetite is far from satisfied, and I just feel so stifled in Singapore, where the musical climate is pretty much the polar opposite.
I've always maintained that I was born in the wrong country. I mean, I used to watch musicals on TV and video over and over and over again even as a child. Everything from The Sound Of Music to West Side Story to The Student Prince, The King And I, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, South Pacific, and many many more.
Being in a Broadway theatre for the very first time in October 2007 was the culmination of all those years of endless dreaming. And I'm telling you, NOTHING IN THE WORLD CAN BEAT THE BROADWAY EXPERIENCE. All that magic and wonder and infinite talent, housed in small, old buildings ( with rich histories, of course ), showcasing the very best in the business.
I want to go back! Next year, maybe? :)
A few notable videos if you're interested ( I should log off, but I'm also watching the Company DVD at the moment, haha ):
Kevin Spacey singing Bobby Darin's Beyond The Sea - very suave and pitch perfect.
A performance of Mind Games at a John Lennon tribute concert from a few years back.
He just leaves me speechless! :)
Here's Raul Esparza in one of my favourite scenes from Company ( this is a clip direct from the DVD ), with the songs Have I Got A Girl For You followed by Someone Is Waiting.
Just listen to that gorgeous voice! I'm spellbound. :)
Plus, the hypnotic segment where Bobby seduces April. Esparza's dialogue starts in the 3rd minute, if you want to skip April's section.
Enjoy, while I try to wind down and go to sleep.
Triggered by Company, argh!
Not that it's anyone's fault but my own, but here I sit in my bed, at 2am, watching YouTube clips of Kevin Spacey and Raul Esparza doing jazz and Broadway tunes.
Catching 2 shows while I was in NYC was great, but my appetite is far from satisfied, and I just feel so stifled in Singapore, where the musical climate is pretty much the polar opposite.
I've always maintained that I was born in the wrong country. I mean, I used to watch musicals on TV and video over and over and over again even as a child. Everything from The Sound Of Music to West Side Story to The Student Prince, The King And I, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, South Pacific, and many many more.
Being in a Broadway theatre for the very first time in October 2007 was the culmination of all those years of endless dreaming. And I'm telling you, NOTHING IN THE WORLD CAN BEAT THE BROADWAY EXPERIENCE. All that magic and wonder and infinite talent, housed in small, old buildings ( with rich histories, of course ), showcasing the very best in the business.
I want to go back! Next year, maybe? :)
A few notable videos if you're interested ( I should log off, but I'm also watching the Company DVD at the moment, haha ):
Kevin Spacey singing Bobby Darin's Beyond The Sea - very suave and pitch perfect.
A performance of Mind Games at a John Lennon tribute concert from a few years back.
He just leaves me speechless! :)
Here's Raul Esparza in one of my favourite scenes from Company ( this is a clip direct from the DVD ), with the songs Have I Got A Girl For You followed by Someone Is Waiting.
Just listen to that gorgeous voice! I'm spellbound. :)
Plus, the hypnotic segment where Bobby seduces April. Esparza's dialogue starts in the 3rd minute, if you want to skip April's section.
Enjoy, while I try to wind down and go to sleep.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Entertainment Update
A number of nice surprises at the Golden Globes today - 'live' telecast still in progress as I type this.
Kevin Spacey didn't win Best Actor for a TV Movie / Mini-Series, but if you can get your hands on Recount - DVD perhaps? - I highly recommend you watch it.
He wasn't at the ceremony, most probably because he's directing Complicit at The Old Vic Theatre.
Danny Boyle picked up Best Director for Slumdog Millionaire, and it also won for Best Motion Picture. That film is really garnering major buzz. Wonder if it's as good as everyone says it is? ( I was disappointed by multiple Oscar winner No Country For Old Men, even though I'm a huge fan of the Coen brothers' work. )
Colin Farrell just won Best Actor ( Motion Picture, Musical / Comedy ) for In Bruges, and Mickey Rourke got Best Actor for The Wrestler. Wow, that was unexpected!
Anyway, I'm blogging for one main reason, and that's to post some thoughts about Company, a musical that won the Tony Award for Best Revival in 2007.
L lent me the DVD recording - and was in the audience that very night, lucky you! - and I have added the wonderful Raul Esparza to my list of musical favourites.
Company is a musical comedy featuring Stephen Sondheim songs.
For the uninitiated, Sondheim also wrote Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which was adapted for the big screen by Tim Burton and stars Johnny Depp and Alan Rickman.
I've never been a fan of Sondheim's, since I'm part of the mainstream crowd that prefers easy-to-hum-along tunes, many of which came from Rodgers and Hammerstein. I can appreciate Leonard Bernstein ( West Side Story ) and Cole Porter, but Sondheim's style always seemed a little too eccentric for my untrained ears.
In the past couple of years, however, my tastes have evolved significantly ( especially since setting foot in Manhattan ). I mean, if Spring Awakening can get my blood pumping, I'm definitely undergoing some transformation! I really enjoyed Sweeney Todd ( the movie, that is ), so I was eager to see what Company has to offer.
In short - so much it's overwhelming.
I've only seen it once so far, but intend to give it a few more spins before returning it. And I'd like to buy a copy for myself if it's available online.
Yes, I love it that much.
Other than the fact that the cast is superb ( they play their own instruments for various segments, which I found amazing ), the script, direction and delivery flawless, and the stage decor tasteful and sophisticated, the main draw is Raul Esparza, who plays the central character, Bobby, a swinging bachelor who has to fend off his married friends' attempts to get him hitched.
This is the very first time I'm watching this man, and I'm completely blown away. He isn't conventionally handsome, but possesses a quiet confidence and loads of charisma, even when he sits still or flashes a flirtatious smile. He also has a beautiful speaking voice - my mom says he sounds like John Cusack. Er, maybe just a tad.
But when he sings! Someone Is Waiting, a lovely piece filled with longing and hope, comes in at the 40th minute and left me breathless.
The lyrics aren't exactly swoon-worthy, but he belts them with such conviction and tenderness, the result is heart-breaking.
The closing number, Being Alive, is a tour de force, with Esparza pounding on the piano before launching into a powerhouse performance with his massive tenor voice. It's unbelievable!
The best scene: the one where Bobby romances a vapid flight stewardess, April. It's a pretty long bit, with him inviting her to his apartment, where they chat about a couple of life experiences before consummating the relationship. There's a part with Bobby describing a previous fling with a woman in Miami, involving champagne and baby oil. As he recalls the event, he locks the actress with an intense gaze and runs his finger up and down a tuba perched on a stool nearby, as the rest of the cast and the entire audience sits in hushed silence.
It's positively electrifying. :)
The most remarkable thing about this? The fact that Esparza has publicly acknowledged his homosexual preferences ( although he used to be married ). I'm not passing any judgment on his personal choices, but having seen the show before knowing any of this, I couldn't tell just by watching him flirt with his female co-stars, especially the woman who plays hapless April.
The songs may be rather unwieldy - don't try to sing them in the shower - but feature lyrics that are insightful and at times laugh-out-loud hilarious.
Take this example from Have I Got A Girl For You, where Bobby's married male friends try to talk him out of getting tied down ( when the wives aren't around, of course ):
"Boy! To be in your shoes what I wouldn't give!
I mean the freedom to go out and live!
And as for settling down and all that,
Marriage may be where it's been, but it's not where it's at.
Whaddya like? You like coming home to a kiss?
Somebody with a smile at the door?
Whaddya like? You like indescribable bliss?
Then whaddya wanna get married for?
Whaddya like? You like an excursion to Rome?
Suddenly taking off to explore?
Whaddya like? You like having meals cooked at home?
Then whaddya wanna get married for?"
Then there's the insane Getting Married Today, where character Amy gets cold feet on the day of her wedding and launches into a rambling monologue like Speedy Gonzales on speed. She has to cram all these words into a mere few seconds, but the diction is so precise you can actually hear every syllable:
"Pardon me, is everybody here? Because if everybody's here, I want to thank you all for coming to the wedding, I'd appreciate your going even more, I mean you must have lots of better things to do, and not a word of this to Paul, remember Paul, you know, the man I'm gonna marry, but I'm not, because I wouldn't ruin anyone as wonderful as he is --
Listen, everybody, look, I don't know what you're waiting for, a wedding, what's a wedding, it's a prehistoric ritual where everybody promises fidelity forever, which is maybe the most horrifying word I ever heard of, which is followed by a honeymoon, where suddenly he'll realize he's saddled with a nut, and wanna kill me, which he should --Thanks a bunch,But I'm not getting married --"
Another favourite is Little Things You Do Together, sung by Joanne, the cynical older woman who gets some of the best lines:
"It's the little things you do together,
Do together,
Do together,
That make perfect relationships.
The hobbies you pursue together,
Savings you accrue together,
Looks you misconstrue together,
That make marriage a joy.
It's the little things you share together,
Swear together,
Wear together,
That make perfect relationships.
The concerts you enjoy together,
Neighbors you annoy together,
Children you destroy together,
That keep marriage intact.
It's the people that you hate together,
Bait together,
Date together,
That make marriage a joy.
It's things like using force together,
Shouting till you're hoarse together,
Getting a divorce together,
That make perfect relationships."
What I like about Company is the different perspectives it offers -- ranging from Pollyanna optimism to suicidal realism -- conveyed by an eclectic group of individuals who are both larger than life yet also similar to people we may know ourselves.
I identify most with Joanne's bitter observations. No surprise there. :)
Still, the show ends on a happier note, as Bobby discovers he doesn't need -- or want -- to be alone.
Kinda like the 5 stages of grief, he transitions through pessimism:
"Someone to hold you too close,
Someone to hurt you too deep,
Someone to sit in your chair,
To ruin your sleep...
Someone to need you too much,
Someone to know you too well,
Someone to pull you up short
And put you through hell..."
... before arriving at the realization that he's ready to commit:
"Someone to crowd you with love,
Someone to force you to care,
Someone to make you come through,
Who'll always be there,
As frightened as you
Of being alive...
Somebody, hold me too close,
Somebody, hurt me too deep,
Somebody, sit in my chair
And ruin my sleep
And make me aware
Of being alive.
Somebody, need me too much,
Somebody, know me too well,
Somebody, pull me up short
And put me through hell
And give me support
For being alive,
Make me alive.
Make me confused,
Mock me with praise,
Let me be used,
Vary my days.
But alone is alone, not alive.
Somebody, crowd me with love,
Somebody, force me to care,
Somebody, make me come through,
I'll always be there,
As frightened as you,
To help us survive
Being alive,
Being alive,
Being alive!"
Like I told L -- it's marvelous!
Bonus material includes an interview with Esparza, which I found extremely interesting. He analyses Sondheim's music in such intricate detail but explains it so clearly, I ended up appreciating its finer points even more.
He's also remarkably well-spoken. I believe he used the word 'filigree' at one point, imagine that!
Esparza recently made headlines by blasting Jeremy Piven ( Entourage ) for prematurely leaving the Broadway play, Speed The Plow, due to supposed mercury poisoning. I don't have the exact quote, but he said something along the lines of enjoying himself for the first time AFTER Piven's departure.
Ouch! But hey, I agree Piven deserved it.
Early in the show, I was struck by Bobby's age - just turning 35. Perhaps this is why I enjoy Company so much -- I turn 34 in a few months, am still happily single, and repeatedly turn down friends' invitations to double / blind dates. My opinions about relationships took a steep nosedive 9 years ago ( being cheated on will do that to you ), and it's never recovered since. It's funny how, at 25, you're ready to walk down the aisle and bear children, then suddenly, you prefer activities that minimize contact with the opposite sex ( trips overseas excluded :)).
Will I ever experience Bobby's radical turnaround? Maybe... maybe not. I haven't met anyone who's managed to change my outlook just yet, but I have a feeling I will someday, and that it'll be for keeps.
Thanks, L, for introducing me to this marvelous musical and its phenomenal star. Time to order a CD from Amazon to load into my iPod. :)
Something else that's marvelous - I've bought my tickets for the Jason Mraz concert! Couldn't get the front rows, but that's life. I'm near enough to the stage, so I'm content. :)
Last I checked, only single floor seats at the extreme left and right are available. Tickets just went on sale today - this is crazy!
A number of nice surprises at the Golden Globes today - 'live' telecast still in progress as I type this.
Kevin Spacey didn't win Best Actor for a TV Movie / Mini-Series, but if you can get your hands on Recount - DVD perhaps? - I highly recommend you watch it.
He wasn't at the ceremony, most probably because he's directing Complicit at The Old Vic Theatre.
Danny Boyle picked up Best Director for Slumdog Millionaire, and it also won for Best Motion Picture. That film is really garnering major buzz. Wonder if it's as good as everyone says it is? ( I was disappointed by multiple Oscar winner No Country For Old Men, even though I'm a huge fan of the Coen brothers' work. )
Colin Farrell just won Best Actor ( Motion Picture, Musical / Comedy ) for In Bruges, and Mickey Rourke got Best Actor for The Wrestler. Wow, that was unexpected!
Anyway, I'm blogging for one main reason, and that's to post some thoughts about Company, a musical that won the Tony Award for Best Revival in 2007.
L lent me the DVD recording - and was in the audience that very night, lucky you! - and I have added the wonderful Raul Esparza to my list of musical favourites.
Company is a musical comedy featuring Stephen Sondheim songs.
For the uninitiated, Sondheim also wrote Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which was adapted for the big screen by Tim Burton and stars Johnny Depp and Alan Rickman.
I've never been a fan of Sondheim's, since I'm part of the mainstream crowd that prefers easy-to-hum-along tunes, many of which came from Rodgers and Hammerstein. I can appreciate Leonard Bernstein ( West Side Story ) and Cole Porter, but Sondheim's style always seemed a little too eccentric for my untrained ears.
In the past couple of years, however, my tastes have evolved significantly ( especially since setting foot in Manhattan ). I mean, if Spring Awakening can get my blood pumping, I'm definitely undergoing some transformation! I really enjoyed Sweeney Todd ( the movie, that is ), so I was eager to see what Company has to offer.
In short - so much it's overwhelming.
I've only seen it once so far, but intend to give it a few more spins before returning it. And I'd like to buy a copy for myself if it's available online.
Yes, I love it that much.
Other than the fact that the cast is superb ( they play their own instruments for various segments, which I found amazing ), the script, direction and delivery flawless, and the stage decor tasteful and sophisticated, the main draw is Raul Esparza, who plays the central character, Bobby, a swinging bachelor who has to fend off his married friends' attempts to get him hitched.
This is the very first time I'm watching this man, and I'm completely blown away. He isn't conventionally handsome, but possesses a quiet confidence and loads of charisma, even when he sits still or flashes a flirtatious smile. He also has a beautiful speaking voice - my mom says he sounds like John Cusack. Er, maybe just a tad.
But when he sings! Someone Is Waiting, a lovely piece filled with longing and hope, comes in at the 40th minute and left me breathless.
The lyrics aren't exactly swoon-worthy, but he belts them with such conviction and tenderness, the result is heart-breaking.
The closing number, Being Alive, is a tour de force, with Esparza pounding on the piano before launching into a powerhouse performance with his massive tenor voice. It's unbelievable!
The best scene: the one where Bobby romances a vapid flight stewardess, April. It's a pretty long bit, with him inviting her to his apartment, where they chat about a couple of life experiences before consummating the relationship. There's a part with Bobby describing a previous fling with a woman in Miami, involving champagne and baby oil. As he recalls the event, he locks the actress with an intense gaze and runs his finger up and down a tuba perched on a stool nearby, as the rest of the cast and the entire audience sits in hushed silence.
It's positively electrifying. :)
The most remarkable thing about this? The fact that Esparza has publicly acknowledged his homosexual preferences ( although he used to be married ). I'm not passing any judgment on his personal choices, but having seen the show before knowing any of this, I couldn't tell just by watching him flirt with his female co-stars, especially the woman who plays hapless April.
The songs may be rather unwieldy - don't try to sing them in the shower - but feature lyrics that are insightful and at times laugh-out-loud hilarious.
Take this example from Have I Got A Girl For You, where Bobby's married male friends try to talk him out of getting tied down ( when the wives aren't around, of course ):
"Boy! To be in your shoes what I wouldn't give!
I mean the freedom to go out and live!
And as for settling down and all that,
Marriage may be where it's been, but it's not where it's at.
Whaddya like? You like coming home to a kiss?
Somebody with a smile at the door?
Whaddya like? You like indescribable bliss?
Then whaddya wanna get married for?
Whaddya like? You like an excursion to Rome?
Suddenly taking off to explore?
Whaddya like? You like having meals cooked at home?
Then whaddya wanna get married for?"
Then there's the insane Getting Married Today, where character Amy gets cold feet on the day of her wedding and launches into a rambling monologue like Speedy Gonzales on speed. She has to cram all these words into a mere few seconds, but the diction is so precise you can actually hear every syllable:
"Pardon me, is everybody here? Because if everybody's here, I want to thank you all for coming to the wedding, I'd appreciate your going even more, I mean you must have lots of better things to do, and not a word of this to Paul, remember Paul, you know, the man I'm gonna marry, but I'm not, because I wouldn't ruin anyone as wonderful as he is --
Listen, everybody, look, I don't know what you're waiting for, a wedding, what's a wedding, it's a prehistoric ritual where everybody promises fidelity forever, which is maybe the most horrifying word I ever heard of, which is followed by a honeymoon, where suddenly he'll realize he's saddled with a nut, and wanna kill me, which he should --Thanks a bunch,But I'm not getting married --"
Another favourite is Little Things You Do Together, sung by Joanne, the cynical older woman who gets some of the best lines:
"It's the little things you do together,
Do together,
Do together,
That make perfect relationships.
The hobbies you pursue together,
Savings you accrue together,
Looks you misconstrue together,
That make marriage a joy.
It's the little things you share together,
Swear together,
Wear together,
That make perfect relationships.
The concerts you enjoy together,
Neighbors you annoy together,
Children you destroy together,
That keep marriage intact.
It's the people that you hate together,
Bait together,
Date together,
That make marriage a joy.
It's things like using force together,
Shouting till you're hoarse together,
Getting a divorce together,
That make perfect relationships."
What I like about Company is the different perspectives it offers -- ranging from Pollyanna optimism to suicidal realism -- conveyed by an eclectic group of individuals who are both larger than life yet also similar to people we may know ourselves.
I identify most with Joanne's bitter observations. No surprise there. :)
Still, the show ends on a happier note, as Bobby discovers he doesn't need -- or want -- to be alone.
Kinda like the 5 stages of grief, he transitions through pessimism:
"Someone to hold you too close,
Someone to hurt you too deep,
Someone to sit in your chair,
To ruin your sleep...
Someone to need you too much,
Someone to know you too well,
Someone to pull you up short
And put you through hell..."
... before arriving at the realization that he's ready to commit:
"Someone to crowd you with love,
Someone to force you to care,
Someone to make you come through,
Who'll always be there,
As frightened as you
Of being alive...
Somebody, hold me too close,
Somebody, hurt me too deep,
Somebody, sit in my chair
And ruin my sleep
And make me aware
Of being alive.
Somebody, need me too much,
Somebody, know me too well,
Somebody, pull me up short
And put me through hell
And give me support
For being alive,
Make me alive.
Make me confused,
Mock me with praise,
Let me be used,
Vary my days.
But alone is alone, not alive.
Somebody, crowd me with love,
Somebody, force me to care,
Somebody, make me come through,
I'll always be there,
As frightened as you,
To help us survive
Being alive,
Being alive,
Being alive!"
Like I told L -- it's marvelous!
Bonus material includes an interview with Esparza, which I found extremely interesting. He analyses Sondheim's music in such intricate detail but explains it so clearly, I ended up appreciating its finer points even more.
He's also remarkably well-spoken. I believe he used the word 'filigree' at one point, imagine that!
Esparza recently made headlines by blasting Jeremy Piven ( Entourage ) for prematurely leaving the Broadway play, Speed The Plow, due to supposed mercury poisoning. I don't have the exact quote, but he said something along the lines of enjoying himself for the first time AFTER Piven's departure.
Ouch! But hey, I agree Piven deserved it.
Early in the show, I was struck by Bobby's age - just turning 35. Perhaps this is why I enjoy Company so much -- I turn 34 in a few months, am still happily single, and repeatedly turn down friends' invitations to double / blind dates. My opinions about relationships took a steep nosedive 9 years ago ( being cheated on will do that to you ), and it's never recovered since. It's funny how, at 25, you're ready to walk down the aisle and bear children, then suddenly, you prefer activities that minimize contact with the opposite sex ( trips overseas excluded :)).
Will I ever experience Bobby's radical turnaround? Maybe... maybe not. I haven't met anyone who's managed to change my outlook just yet, but I have a feeling I will someday, and that it'll be for keeps.
Thanks, L, for introducing me to this marvelous musical and its phenomenal star. Time to order a CD from Amazon to load into my iPod. :)
Something else that's marvelous - I've bought my tickets for the Jason Mraz concert! Couldn't get the front rows, but that's life. I'm near enough to the stage, so I'm content. :)
Last I checked, only single floor seats at the extreme left and right are available. Tickets just went on sale today - this is crazy!
Friday, January 09, 2009
Local Mr. A-Z Fans Alert
Check this out! ( thanks, aliendoc! )
Tickets aren't on sale yet, but look out for the newspaper ad.
What're the chances of my getting front row seats? :)
He kept his promise after all - mentioned in an interview last August about coming back to Asia for a solo tour in early 2009, including Singapore. This guy is nothing if not dependable!
On a side note, I've neglected to comment on a lot of news-making events for a while now, be it the economic crisis, President Obama's ongoing recruitment efforts, John Travolta's son's tragic death, or the chaos in the Middle East.
Maybe I'll write if something hits me. For now, the only comment I can make is that we've been cutting it pretty close on quite a few occasions by being in the general vicinity of terrorist attacks or natural disasters ( e.g. the London subway and Pakistan Marriott Hotel bombings, the 2004 tsunami ), or narrowly escaping them soon after we returned from overseas trips ( the California forest fires ).
These days, even a simple vacation feels like a game of Russian roulette. Just hope our next destination remains politically neutral ( though a recent shooting caused my mother a bit of anxiety upon reading the papers yesterday ).
Fingers crossed...
Planning a conference is proving to be a migraine-inducing task, but I'm grateful for the excellent committee working with me, and the large group of medical students who've enthusiastically volunteered their services. The economy has had a significant impact on sponsorship funds, but on the whole, we've been lucky in a few ways, though not so fortunate in others.
Still, the scientific programme is probably the best by far in the event's 10-year history. Am very proud of that. :)
Am going post-call soon, but have a meeting to oversee this afternoon, which means my sleep cycle will be severely disrupted. No fun at all.
Check this out! ( thanks, aliendoc! )
Tickets aren't on sale yet, but look out for the newspaper ad.
What're the chances of my getting front row seats? :)
He kept his promise after all - mentioned in an interview last August about coming back to Asia for a solo tour in early 2009, including Singapore. This guy is nothing if not dependable!
On a side note, I've neglected to comment on a lot of news-making events for a while now, be it the economic crisis, President Obama's ongoing recruitment efforts, John Travolta's son's tragic death, or the chaos in the Middle East.
Maybe I'll write if something hits me. For now, the only comment I can make is that we've been cutting it pretty close on quite a few occasions by being in the general vicinity of terrorist attacks or natural disasters ( e.g. the London subway and Pakistan Marriott Hotel bombings, the 2004 tsunami ), or narrowly escaping them soon after we returned from overseas trips ( the California forest fires ).
These days, even a simple vacation feels like a game of Russian roulette. Just hope our next destination remains politically neutral ( though a recent shooting caused my mother a bit of anxiety upon reading the papers yesterday ).
Fingers crossed...
Planning a conference is proving to be a migraine-inducing task, but I'm grateful for the excellent committee working with me, and the large group of medical students who've enthusiastically volunteered their services. The economy has had a significant impact on sponsorship funds, but on the whole, we've been lucky in a few ways, though not so fortunate in others.
Still, the scientific programme is probably the best by far in the event's 10-year history. Am very proud of that. :)
Am going post-call soon, but have a meeting to oversee this afternoon, which means my sleep cycle will be severely disrupted. No fun at all.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
The Year So Far
... is exhausting.
I'm so tired, and I haven't been sleeping well ( not sure why ), and the shifts are bad - as usual.
Had to tell off another MO the other day - from another department - who gave some lousy excuse about not inking up discharge documents and expecting us to do it for him. He answered back in a challenging tone, but my 3 seconds of complete silence made him realize he'd pushed the wrong button, after which he stammered on about how busy he was, etc. I stood my ground, however. I was in no mood for any of this nonsense, especially since other MOs from his department have never given us this kind of crap before.
Anyway, on to more light-hearted topics.
The Twilight series - I've finally completed it, and am rather miffed by the anti-climactic ending for Breaking Dawn, especially after such a good build-up. I don't think I'll read any more Stephenie Meyer novels in the future, but I have no objections to watching the film adaptations. Too much backlog of books in my cupboards - have moved on to Atul Gawande's Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance. It's terrific - and my thanks to a friend who helped get the author's autograph for me!
Holes - Bought this Shia LaBeouf DVD from Amazon, and really enjoyed it. It's based on a famous children's novel, with quite a number of warped plotlines, but the cast is top-notch ( Jon Voight and Sigourney Weaver among them ), and LaBeouf is, as always, flawless.
I also have another one of his flicks, A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints, in addition to a whole stack of rare John Cusack films ( War Inc, Max, Bullets Over Broadway, to name a few ), but will go through those slowly over the next few months.
I'll get to your movies first, L. :)
Russell Watson's latest album, People Get Ready is another great collection of covers, this time exploring the soul and blues genre, with a couple of uplifting gospel numbers ( People Get Ready and Heaven Help Us All ). Like his previous jazz CD, That's Life, this follow-up needs a number of listens before you're able to appreciate it fully. My favourite is his rendition of House Of The Rising Sun - very moody and powerful, a perfect closing track.
Am just wondering how to redeem a pair of movie vouchers before they expire at the end of the month. Had to pass on The Duchess 'cos it was screening in some tiny theatre at odd times. Hmm, maybe The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button or Slumdog Millionnaire?
A silver lining in my current gloomy situation - nocturnal workouts with my cat who, according to my mom, goes completely berserk whenever I come home at night. He literally bounces off the walls and can't get enough of playing tag with me. Maybe that's why I have insomnia, heh.
... is exhausting.
I'm so tired, and I haven't been sleeping well ( not sure why ), and the shifts are bad - as usual.
Had to tell off another MO the other day - from another department - who gave some lousy excuse about not inking up discharge documents and expecting us to do it for him. He answered back in a challenging tone, but my 3 seconds of complete silence made him realize he'd pushed the wrong button, after which he stammered on about how busy he was, etc. I stood my ground, however. I was in no mood for any of this nonsense, especially since other MOs from his department have never given us this kind of crap before.
Anyway, on to more light-hearted topics.
The Twilight series - I've finally completed it, and am rather miffed by the anti-climactic ending for Breaking Dawn, especially after such a good build-up. I don't think I'll read any more Stephenie Meyer novels in the future, but I have no objections to watching the film adaptations. Too much backlog of books in my cupboards - have moved on to Atul Gawande's Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance. It's terrific - and my thanks to a friend who helped get the author's autograph for me!
Holes - Bought this Shia LaBeouf DVD from Amazon, and really enjoyed it. It's based on a famous children's novel, with quite a number of warped plotlines, but the cast is top-notch ( Jon Voight and Sigourney Weaver among them ), and LaBeouf is, as always, flawless.
I also have another one of his flicks, A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints, in addition to a whole stack of rare John Cusack films ( War Inc, Max, Bullets Over Broadway, to name a few ), but will go through those slowly over the next few months.
I'll get to your movies first, L. :)
Russell Watson's latest album, People Get Ready is another great collection of covers, this time exploring the soul and blues genre, with a couple of uplifting gospel numbers ( People Get Ready and Heaven Help Us All ). Like his previous jazz CD, That's Life, this follow-up needs a number of listens before you're able to appreciate it fully. My favourite is his rendition of House Of The Rising Sun - very moody and powerful, a perfect closing track.
Am just wondering how to redeem a pair of movie vouchers before they expire at the end of the month. Had to pass on The Duchess 'cos it was screening in some tiny theatre at odd times. Hmm, maybe The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button or Slumdog Millionnaire?
A silver lining in my current gloomy situation - nocturnal workouts with my cat who, according to my mom, goes completely berserk whenever I come home at night. He literally bounces off the walls and can't get enough of playing tag with me. Maybe that's why I have insomnia, heh.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
A Few Brief Reviews
Before I start, I'd like to say hello to the visitor from Harvard University, whoever you may be. :)
Wall*E - Finally rented the DVD this week, and am suprisingly disappointed. I guess all the rave reviews raised my expectations a tad too much. Didn't enjoy it anywhere as much as I did Ratatouille and Finding Nemo. But there were definitely a few classic scenes - like the one with Wall*E and E.V.E. escaping from a diagnostics lab with a renegade group of defective robots in tow.
Surf's Up - This one's much much better. Probably not a box-office behemoth compared to Pixar's films, but the script is super-smart and full of inside jokes, coming fast and furious and delivered beautifully by the cast, led by Shia LaBeouf. That boy just excels at everything he does.
27 Dresses - Also disappointing, despite the leads, whom I really like. Guess the plot was too thin to sustain the 2-hour running time. The last 30 minutes REALLY dragged.
Made Of Honor - I thought this Patrick Dempsey flick was pretty good actually. Never mind the lukewarm reviews, my personal taste in movies has been taking some strange detours of late. The only complaint I have is the slapstick bits, which I found unnecessary.
Perfect Stranger - Yes, the one with Halle Berry and Bruce Willis, which was skewered by critics. I enjoyed it. Thought the acting and script were decent, and there's a nice twist at the end which I never saw coming. Give it a try.
Breaking Dawn - Book 4 of the Twilight series is picking up speed in the mid-section. Just got whacked with 2 major plot developments, and considering how blase I am about most storylines, these gave me major adrenaline rushes!
L, for your benefit, I'm talking about Jacob's imprinting, and the horrific birthing scene ( not suitable for young readers ).
I smell a sequel on the horizon. Who needs Midnight Sun when you've got RENESMEE? :)
It's gonna be 2009 in another 3 days. May you all have a great New Year celebration - I'll be at home watching television. :D
Before I start, I'd like to say hello to the visitor from Harvard University, whoever you may be. :)
Wall*E - Finally rented the DVD this week, and am suprisingly disappointed. I guess all the rave reviews raised my expectations a tad too much. Didn't enjoy it anywhere as much as I did Ratatouille and Finding Nemo. But there were definitely a few classic scenes - like the one with Wall*E and E.V.E. escaping from a diagnostics lab with a renegade group of defective robots in tow.
Surf's Up - This one's much much better. Probably not a box-office behemoth compared to Pixar's films, but the script is super-smart and full of inside jokes, coming fast and furious and delivered beautifully by the cast, led by Shia LaBeouf. That boy just excels at everything he does.
27 Dresses - Also disappointing, despite the leads, whom I really like. Guess the plot was too thin to sustain the 2-hour running time. The last 30 minutes REALLY dragged.
Made Of Honor - I thought this Patrick Dempsey flick was pretty good actually. Never mind the lukewarm reviews, my personal taste in movies has been taking some strange detours of late. The only complaint I have is the slapstick bits, which I found unnecessary.
Perfect Stranger - Yes, the one with Halle Berry and Bruce Willis, which was skewered by critics. I enjoyed it. Thought the acting and script were decent, and there's a nice twist at the end which I never saw coming. Give it a try.
Breaking Dawn - Book 4 of the Twilight series is picking up speed in the mid-section. Just got whacked with 2 major plot developments, and considering how blase I am about most storylines, these gave me major adrenaline rushes!
L, for your benefit, I'm talking about Jacob's imprinting, and the horrific birthing scene ( not suitable for young readers ).
I smell a sequel on the horizon. Who needs Midnight Sun when you've got RENESMEE? :)
It's gonna be 2009 in another 3 days. May you all have a great New Year celebration - I'll be at home watching television. :D
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Review Of Twilight
Note to L: No pictures this time. :)
spoilers beware
spoilers beware
spoilers beware
spoilers beware
spoilers beware
How should I begin this? Like all Twilight readers, I had expectations. Did the film meet the minimum requirements? Well, yes and no. Is the movie good or bad? Err, a bit of both.
First, the not-so-good parts.
1) Overall production
Not anyone's fault, I suppose, considering the skeletal budget. But the generally scruffy look of the movie does tie in with the small-town setting ( population: 3120, talk about depressing ) and provides a realistic rendering of sleepy / cloudy / perpetually wet Forks, Washington and its no-frills residents.
Still, I've seen indie films which feature breath-taking cinematography, so money isn't always the main issue. Maybe the Twilight crew meant for things to be this way, who knows?
2) Director Catherine Hardwicke
For me, she's a large part of the problem ( but that's just a personal opinion ). Aside from the horrifying script ( to be discussed later ), the direction fails in many respects. Camera angles in the forest scene gave me vertigo ( meant to be dramatic, but looked more like a soap opera ); many of the sequences ( especially the short ones ) feel extremely staged ( sure, it's a movie, but the trick is to at least make it SEEM real ); and worst of all, the chemistry between the 2 leads is sorely lacking ( more on that later ).
3) The script
It's been said that author Stephenie Meyer loved it, but I can't imagine why. So many important elements have been left out, it would be impossible for someone who hasn't read the book to fully appreciate the multiple plotlines.
Bella's fascination and infatuation with Edward is never fully explained. Neither are Edward and Carlisle's personal histories, which I found riveting. Jacob, who's a major character in the novel, merely flits in and out of scenes, and the day he spends with Bella in La Push - where they establish the foundation of a very strong friendship - is truncated to a mere 5 minutes, with him relating a Quileute legend.
Bella's visit to the Cullens' home leaves out many details, in particular, a huge painting depicting the Volturi in his study. Edward's first acknowledgement of his immortal status ( which took place in his Volvo ) is transplanted to a dark forest -- I hated it. And the meadow scene - my favourite from Twilight - was similarly scaled down to a short segment of silence with the couple lying on the grass staring at each other.
Most of the Cullen siblings are given only a few lines of dialogue, which is a great pity since they're fully fleshed out in the novel, with each possessing a complex personality and ability. The villainous vampires come across as token bad guys at best, with Bella's hurried evacuation from Forks a blur of activity rather than the intricately planned escape Meyer described.
Yes, I have a lot to complain about script-wise. The main problem is attempting to stuff too much into the allotted 120 minutes running time. If they'd taken a chance and extended the film another 30 - 60 minutes, I think it would've worked much better. Director's cut for the DVD release, perhaps?
4) Kristen Stewart
I honestly expected more from her, and was extremely disappointed.
Even though I can't stand Bella's damsel-in-distress routine in the novel, I do believe in some measure of accuracy in a film adaptation.
Stewart's performance is stiff. She tries to act tough, but just comes across as wooden. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I WANTED her to be a lot more needy. How else would audiences be convinced of Bella's unconditional love for Edward? She looks at co-star Robert Pattinson like he's any other normal guy. Nothing even close to Meyer's long-winded accounts.
Now, the bits worth praising.
1) Robert Pattinson
He does a fine job here. Since I watched the movie with my mom ( she's just as curious as I am ), and we've seen a lot of Pattinson's TV interviews, she kept whispering to me throughout the show about how "different he is in real life".
I couldn't agree more. Never mind the garish make-up -- the performance alone is worth the ticket price. Here's a guy who's perpetually laughing and full of nervous tics when he appears on talk shows. As Edward Cullen, he broods, looks absolutely miserable most of the time and speaks in a completely different voice.
His stillness is the perfect foil for Bella's insistent prying. And while Stewart remains relatively unaffected, Pattinson's intense stares effectively convey the depth of Edward's love for Bella.
What struck me most is how adult Pattinson looks, compared to his mostly teenage co-stars. He was probably 20 - 21 years old when he filmed this, but there're a couple of scenes where he appears almost 30. This is one of the things that works well for the story, since Bella is 17 when she meets Edward, who's 108. The physical discrepancy is key to their relationship, and I fully approve of it. :)
I hope Pattinson stays on for the rest of the Twilight saga films. Recasting Edward would be a disaster as far as I'm concerned.
2) My favourite scene
Surprisingly, it's the baseball game in the forest clearing. I didn't enjoy Meyer's account, but it looks great on the big screen! And Muse's Supermassive Black Hole is the perfect track for this sequence.
Best of all, you get a glimpse of each Cullen's personality. I've just finished Book 3, so Jasper is really growing on me. :)
Final verdict: 6.5 / 10
While some readers - like L :) - may prefer not to see the movie, I fall into the category that usually wants to see film adaptations, mainly so I'll have a reason to grouch about it afterwards, heh.
I will definitely catch New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn when they're released. Hopefully, a new director will result in a better end-product. Make sure you keep Robert Pattinson on the pay roll!
Note to L: No pictures this time. :)
spoilers beware
spoilers beware
spoilers beware
spoilers beware
spoilers beware
How should I begin this? Like all Twilight readers, I had expectations. Did the film meet the minimum requirements? Well, yes and no. Is the movie good or bad? Err, a bit of both.
First, the not-so-good parts.
1) Overall production
Not anyone's fault, I suppose, considering the skeletal budget. But the generally scruffy look of the movie does tie in with the small-town setting ( population: 3120, talk about depressing ) and provides a realistic rendering of sleepy / cloudy / perpetually wet Forks, Washington and its no-frills residents.
Still, I've seen indie films which feature breath-taking cinematography, so money isn't always the main issue. Maybe the Twilight crew meant for things to be this way, who knows?
2) Director Catherine Hardwicke
For me, she's a large part of the problem ( but that's just a personal opinion ). Aside from the horrifying script ( to be discussed later ), the direction fails in many respects. Camera angles in the forest scene gave me vertigo ( meant to be dramatic, but looked more like a soap opera ); many of the sequences ( especially the short ones ) feel extremely staged ( sure, it's a movie, but the trick is to at least make it SEEM real ); and worst of all, the chemistry between the 2 leads is sorely lacking ( more on that later ).
3) The script
It's been said that author Stephenie Meyer loved it, but I can't imagine why. So many important elements have been left out, it would be impossible for someone who hasn't read the book to fully appreciate the multiple plotlines.
Bella's fascination and infatuation with Edward is never fully explained. Neither are Edward and Carlisle's personal histories, which I found riveting. Jacob, who's a major character in the novel, merely flits in and out of scenes, and the day he spends with Bella in La Push - where they establish the foundation of a very strong friendship - is truncated to a mere 5 minutes, with him relating a Quileute legend.
Bella's visit to the Cullens' home leaves out many details, in particular, a huge painting depicting the Volturi in his study. Edward's first acknowledgement of his immortal status ( which took place in his Volvo ) is transplanted to a dark forest -- I hated it. And the meadow scene - my favourite from Twilight - was similarly scaled down to a short segment of silence with the couple lying on the grass staring at each other.
Most of the Cullen siblings are given only a few lines of dialogue, which is a great pity since they're fully fleshed out in the novel, with each possessing a complex personality and ability. The villainous vampires come across as token bad guys at best, with Bella's hurried evacuation from Forks a blur of activity rather than the intricately planned escape Meyer described.
Yes, I have a lot to complain about script-wise. The main problem is attempting to stuff too much into the allotted 120 minutes running time. If they'd taken a chance and extended the film another 30 - 60 minutes, I think it would've worked much better. Director's cut for the DVD release, perhaps?
4) Kristen Stewart
I honestly expected more from her, and was extremely disappointed.
Even though I can't stand Bella's damsel-in-distress routine in the novel, I do believe in some measure of accuracy in a film adaptation.
Stewart's performance is stiff. She tries to act tough, but just comes across as wooden. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I WANTED her to be a lot more needy. How else would audiences be convinced of Bella's unconditional love for Edward? She looks at co-star Robert Pattinson like he's any other normal guy. Nothing even close to Meyer's long-winded accounts.
Now, the bits worth praising.
1) Robert Pattinson
He does a fine job here. Since I watched the movie with my mom ( she's just as curious as I am ), and we've seen a lot of Pattinson's TV interviews, she kept whispering to me throughout the show about how "different he is in real life".
I couldn't agree more. Never mind the garish make-up -- the performance alone is worth the ticket price. Here's a guy who's perpetually laughing and full of nervous tics when he appears on talk shows. As Edward Cullen, he broods, looks absolutely miserable most of the time and speaks in a completely different voice.
His stillness is the perfect foil for Bella's insistent prying. And while Stewart remains relatively unaffected, Pattinson's intense stares effectively convey the depth of Edward's love for Bella.
What struck me most is how adult Pattinson looks, compared to his mostly teenage co-stars. He was probably 20 - 21 years old when he filmed this, but there're a couple of scenes where he appears almost 30. This is one of the things that works well for the story, since Bella is 17 when she meets Edward, who's 108. The physical discrepancy is key to their relationship, and I fully approve of it. :)
I hope Pattinson stays on for the rest of the Twilight saga films. Recasting Edward would be a disaster as far as I'm concerned.
2) My favourite scene
Surprisingly, it's the baseball game in the forest clearing. I didn't enjoy Meyer's account, but it looks great on the big screen! And Muse's Supermassive Black Hole is the perfect track for this sequence.
Best of all, you get a glimpse of each Cullen's personality. I've just finished Book 3, so Jasper is really growing on me. :)
Final verdict: 6.5 / 10
While some readers - like L :) - may prefer not to see the movie, I fall into the category that usually wants to see film adaptations, mainly so I'll have a reason to grouch about it afterwards, heh.
I will definitely catch New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn when they're released. Hopefully, a new director will result in a better end-product. Make sure you keep Robert Pattinson on the pay roll!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Only 1 More Day To Go
I just love YouTube. :)
Twilight opens here Thursday. Am all ready to catch the first morning show, free of charge thanks to my stash of movie vouchers.
It's easy to understand all the hype surrounding the film. Here's part 2 of the Tyra Banks interview, featuring Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner ( the latter plays werewolf Jacob ). I'm no teenager, but found myself laughing nonetheless!
The one Pattinson did with Jay Leno is also great. He's full of good humour here, almost giggly at times, and fellow guest Heidi Klum proved to be quite a sidekick with her witty jokes. I just don't understand what's up with that hair of his. The person who styled it just before he got on-stage must be cursing, haha.
New scenes have been added as well, most importantly the pivotal one where Edward saves Bella from being crushed by a schoolmate's van. Makes much more sense than the author's lengthy discourse in the book.
D.I.Y. New Moon trailers are flooding the Net -- obviously not actual footage from the sequel, which HASN'T EVEN BEGUN FILMING YET, HELLO. But you have to give the fans credit for their creativity, as long as you can get over the cheesy prose ( grammatical errors a bonus ) and shots from The Covenant.
There's even one for Book 3, Eclipse, which is surprisingly good.
Rolling Stone's Peter Travers has been raving about the movie, so I'm confident I'll enjoy it ( he liked Wanted too ). Like I've mentioned before, Stephenie Meyer's weak writing practically guarantees the film adaptation will be superior since it omits most of Bella's mushy love-sick obsessions.
Am in the process of finishing Eclipse before moving on to Breaking Dawn, while juggling countless other commitments. Will be glad when I'm done with the series so I can get some sleep, heh.
A review will follow soon.
I just love YouTube. :)
Twilight opens here Thursday. Am all ready to catch the first morning show, free of charge thanks to my stash of movie vouchers.
It's easy to understand all the hype surrounding the film. Here's part 2 of the Tyra Banks interview, featuring Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner ( the latter plays werewolf Jacob ). I'm no teenager, but found myself laughing nonetheless!
The one Pattinson did with Jay Leno is also great. He's full of good humour here, almost giggly at times, and fellow guest Heidi Klum proved to be quite a sidekick with her witty jokes. I just don't understand what's up with that hair of his. The person who styled it just before he got on-stage must be cursing, haha.
New scenes have been added as well, most importantly the pivotal one where Edward saves Bella from being crushed by a schoolmate's van. Makes much more sense than the author's lengthy discourse in the book.
D.I.Y. New Moon trailers are flooding the Net -- obviously not actual footage from the sequel, which HASN'T EVEN BEGUN FILMING YET, HELLO. But you have to give the fans credit for their creativity, as long as you can get over the cheesy prose ( grammatical errors a bonus ) and shots from The Covenant.
There's even one for Book 3, Eclipse, which is surprisingly good.
Rolling Stone's Peter Travers has been raving about the movie, so I'm confident I'll enjoy it ( he liked Wanted too ). Like I've mentioned before, Stephenie Meyer's weak writing practically guarantees the film adaptation will be superior since it omits most of Bella's mushy love-sick obsessions.
Am in the process of finishing Eclipse before moving on to Breaking Dawn, while juggling countless other commitments. Will be glad when I'm done with the series so I can get some sleep, heh.
A review will follow soon.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Year In Review
It's been another marvelous one. I'm starting to worry that things go downhill at some point, but for now, I'm enjoying myself. :)
Aside from the usual annoyances ( mostly work-related ), it's been great in many other ways. I visited a country so rich in history and culture it was a truly magical experience; I made lots of new friends from across the globe, caught a truckload of great concerts and got to meet Peter Cincotti again; plus, I've made significant progress in my career, scoring firsts in a few areas.
I've also kept in touch with old acquaintances, especially those I met through blogging. And 2008 was a bumper year in terms of excellent books, films and TV shows!
Last but not least, a new addition to the family in the form of a beautiful cat, whom I already love dearly.
The Year Ahead
There's much to look forward to. July will include a long holiday to a region I've dreamt of for years ( France is now out of the equation as I refuse to interact with the Paris Fashion Week and Tour de France mobs ). Haven't quite decided whether to divulge my destination just yet, but it's probably going to be freezing.
September will allow me to return to Sydney, this time for a medical conference which I'm very excited about. I hated my last trip to the city ( mostly because I came down with food poisoning during my 2 days there ), so I intend to soak in the sights and sounds during this 2nd round. A dolphin-watching cruise is a must for me. :)
Then there's The Bridge Project's staging of The Winter's Tale, of which Kevin Spacey is a collaborator. I'm wondering if he'll be curious enough to visit Singapore during its run here. Long shot, but not impossible.
Will also be hosting a professor from Mt. Sinai Hospital during his HMDP visiting expert programme. I met him once last year in Manhattan, and can't wait to see him again. He's internationally renowned but so humble and friendly. I have no doubt he will be a huge hit with the local medical community.
Back To Normal Programming
Rented a few DVDs recently, of which 3 deserve special mention.
The Other Boleyn Girl, which stars Natalie Portman ( Anne Boleyn ), Scarlett Johansson ( Mary Boleyn ) and Eric Bana ( King Henry ) completely skewered the novel, taking severe liberties with everything from the sequence of events to dialogue and characters. The main problem lies in squashing 600 pages of political intrigue into less than 2 hours of Hollywood cheesiness. There is nothing redeeming in the film adaptation, which suffers from wooden acting, a laughable script, poorly executed scenes and a lack of continuity ( e.g. Mary's second husband, William Stafford, is never given a proper introduction, appearing from out of nowhere to propose to her ).
Obviously, the book is 1000 times better.
Definitely, Maybe - I borrowed this at a friend's recommendation ( L, you may recall mentioning this to me previously ), and ended up liking it quite a bit. Although Ryan Reynolds isn't one of my favourite actors, he delivers a very satisfying performance as a political campaign manager with a young daughter, recalling 3 past romances in the form of a bed-time story.
What elevates the film above run-of-the-mill fluff is the script. At one point, a couple discusses the concept of soul-mates, and how, in many instances, it isn't who you meet that matters, but when you meet. Because if you're not at a point in your life where you're ready to commit, nothing will happen.
I totally agree.
There's also a scene where Reynolds' character does something for one of the women -- a small gesture, but extremely significant because of its underlying meaning. Again, something I completely identify with, although no guy has succeeded in really blowing me away with such an act... yet. :)
Martian Child - this one, I highly recommend, especially if you're a diehard John Cusack fan like me. He's been taking on more emotionally demanding roles recently, with electrifying results. I last saw him in tortured mode in 1408 ( a so-so film at most ). Martian Child, on the other hand, is a real treasure. I don't know how faithful it is to the novel it's based on, but the script is warm and witty, the actors perfectly cast, and the scenes expertly directed.
Cusack turns in one of the best performances of his career ( quite close to Lloyd Dobler in Say Anything ) as a widow who adopts a troubled young boy and manages to make a breakthrough. What I find interesting is how Cusack has such wonderful chemistry with kids even though he has none of his own. I also suspect his private life has undergone some turmoil in the past few years, as evidenced by a more haggard look and some major emoting in his latest projects.
The scene that really got to me is the one where Cusack's character's old dog suddenly drops dead. He sits on the bed, dazed for a few seconds, then breaks down and sobs helplessly. If you watch the movie, you'll understand that he isn't just crying over a pet, but over his beloved wife as well.
I also enjoy the bits where he shares the screen with his real-life sister, Joan. The two of them have appeared in many films together over the decades, and the mutual affection really shows.
He's just so terribly underrated. Wish he'd win an Oscar and show them all.
Before I sign off, my perspective on Prof. Lee Wei Ling's Sunday Review piece about medicine being a calling, not a career.
I always enjoy reading her opinions, because let's face it, she's the only doctor in Singapore who can whack the profession without fearing any repercussions. And speaking from personal experience, I agree with many of her comments.
Still, I expect laymen to form certain judgments because of the way her remarks are phrased. It seemed to me that she was targeting those in private practice, whether it's the abolishment of the guidelines on fees, or the triumph of greed over integrity.
I've heard numerous stories over the years, and nothing is ever that clear cut. Not everyone leaves the public sector for monetary gains alone, although a large number do. Many are driven away by intolerable working conditions -- long hours, lack of recognition, slow career advancement, sparse training opportunities. When one becomes disillusioned, sometimes the easiest way out is private practice, where you can be your own boss and feel better just by earning lots more money. It isn't necessarily selling out, but what your threshold for suffering is.
While there are those who think nothing of fleecing ignorant patients so they can purchase that flashy new sports car, others end up returning to public hospitals after a few years following a change of heart ( I know a few of these doctors ).
In Prof. Mohamed Khadra's book, Making The Cut: A Surgeon's Stories Of Life On The Edge, there's a chapter about a surgeon who started out as the best in his discipline, only to spiral out of control in later years. He couldn't cope with his packed schedule, causing serious complications and handling them with a cavalier attitude. But it wasn't just about making more money. He merely pushed himself too hard and didn't know when was enough.
I know one such surgeon, once a highly regarded expert in his field, who became overconfident and picked the wrong patient to cause post-op complications in. Suffice to say, he was promptly demoted, then left for a lucrative private setup, only to cause more complications thanks to the lack of regulation ( unlike the anal M&M rounds public hospitals are obsessed with ). A friend of mine became a guinea pig of his and ended up bleeding out a few days later, requiring a week of hospitalization ( Changi General ) and a massive clean-up of the mess this once meticulous surgeon left behind.
I don't know how he could've deteriorated this badly -- after all, my own mother was treated by him 10 years ago, with superb results. It's just really sad.
Other examples of black sheep in restructured hospitals? If you know how to suck up to the right people and cover your tracks, you've got it made. I see it all the time -- MO trainees who miss diagnoses, refuse to see my referrals and give me attitude, getting awards for being outstanding in their chosen disciplines. Err, didn't that guy miss a cord compression last week, which I overrode and admitted? Where's the accountability?!
Then there's an oncologist who's won awards and gives great soundbites to eager reporters, going on about doing good for humanity, blah blah blah. I only recall him once telling me that the greatest motivation for his research is getting a patent and making money from it.
Just yesterday, one of my consultants asked me, "If you could do it all again, would you be doing this?" as we fought the never-ending battle of clearing the post-holiday weekend crowd. I hesitated for only a split second, answering with a resounding "Yes". He didn't seem convinced, and I don't blame him. But I was telling the truth, and even my own reply surprised me. I suppose there's some masochistic streak egging me on, but for now at least, it's also an indication that I made the right choice, and I only hope it can sustain me for the rest of my career.
It's been another marvelous one. I'm starting to worry that things go downhill at some point, but for now, I'm enjoying myself. :)
Aside from the usual annoyances ( mostly work-related ), it's been great in many other ways. I visited a country so rich in history and culture it was a truly magical experience; I made lots of new friends from across the globe, caught a truckload of great concerts and got to meet Peter Cincotti again; plus, I've made significant progress in my career, scoring firsts in a few areas.
I've also kept in touch with old acquaintances, especially those I met through blogging. And 2008 was a bumper year in terms of excellent books, films and TV shows!
Last but not least, a new addition to the family in the form of a beautiful cat, whom I already love dearly.
The Year Ahead
There's much to look forward to. July will include a long holiday to a region I've dreamt of for years ( France is now out of the equation as I refuse to interact with the Paris Fashion Week and Tour de France mobs ). Haven't quite decided whether to divulge my destination just yet, but it's probably going to be freezing.
September will allow me to return to Sydney, this time for a medical conference which I'm very excited about. I hated my last trip to the city ( mostly because I came down with food poisoning during my 2 days there ), so I intend to soak in the sights and sounds during this 2nd round. A dolphin-watching cruise is a must for me. :)
Then there's The Bridge Project's staging of The Winter's Tale, of which Kevin Spacey is a collaborator. I'm wondering if he'll be curious enough to visit Singapore during its run here. Long shot, but not impossible.
Will also be hosting a professor from Mt. Sinai Hospital during his HMDP visiting expert programme. I met him once last year in Manhattan, and can't wait to see him again. He's internationally renowned but so humble and friendly. I have no doubt he will be a huge hit with the local medical community.
Back To Normal Programming
Rented a few DVDs recently, of which 3 deserve special mention.
The Other Boleyn Girl, which stars Natalie Portman ( Anne Boleyn ), Scarlett Johansson ( Mary Boleyn ) and Eric Bana ( King Henry ) completely skewered the novel, taking severe liberties with everything from the sequence of events to dialogue and characters. The main problem lies in squashing 600 pages of political intrigue into less than 2 hours of Hollywood cheesiness. There is nothing redeeming in the film adaptation, which suffers from wooden acting, a laughable script, poorly executed scenes and a lack of continuity ( e.g. Mary's second husband, William Stafford, is never given a proper introduction, appearing from out of nowhere to propose to her ).
Obviously, the book is 1000 times better.
Definitely, Maybe - I borrowed this at a friend's recommendation ( L, you may recall mentioning this to me previously ), and ended up liking it quite a bit. Although Ryan Reynolds isn't one of my favourite actors, he delivers a very satisfying performance as a political campaign manager with a young daughter, recalling 3 past romances in the form of a bed-time story.
What elevates the film above run-of-the-mill fluff is the script. At one point, a couple discusses the concept of soul-mates, and how, in many instances, it isn't who you meet that matters, but when you meet. Because if you're not at a point in your life where you're ready to commit, nothing will happen.
I totally agree.
There's also a scene where Reynolds' character does something for one of the women -- a small gesture, but extremely significant because of its underlying meaning. Again, something I completely identify with, although no guy has succeeded in really blowing me away with such an act... yet. :)
Martian Child - this one, I highly recommend, especially if you're a diehard John Cusack fan like me. He's been taking on more emotionally demanding roles recently, with electrifying results. I last saw him in tortured mode in 1408 ( a so-so film at most ). Martian Child, on the other hand, is a real treasure. I don't know how faithful it is to the novel it's based on, but the script is warm and witty, the actors perfectly cast, and the scenes expertly directed.
Cusack turns in one of the best performances of his career ( quite close to Lloyd Dobler in Say Anything ) as a widow who adopts a troubled young boy and manages to make a breakthrough. What I find interesting is how Cusack has such wonderful chemistry with kids even though he has none of his own. I also suspect his private life has undergone some turmoil in the past few years, as evidenced by a more haggard look and some major emoting in his latest projects.
The scene that really got to me is the one where Cusack's character's old dog suddenly drops dead. He sits on the bed, dazed for a few seconds, then breaks down and sobs helplessly. If you watch the movie, you'll understand that he isn't just crying over a pet, but over his beloved wife as well.
I also enjoy the bits where he shares the screen with his real-life sister, Joan. The two of them have appeared in many films together over the decades, and the mutual affection really shows.
He's just so terribly underrated. Wish he'd win an Oscar and show them all.
Before I sign off, my perspective on Prof. Lee Wei Ling's Sunday Review piece about medicine being a calling, not a career.
I always enjoy reading her opinions, because let's face it, she's the only doctor in Singapore who can whack the profession without fearing any repercussions. And speaking from personal experience, I agree with many of her comments.
Still, I expect laymen to form certain judgments because of the way her remarks are phrased. It seemed to me that she was targeting those in private practice, whether it's the abolishment of the guidelines on fees, or the triumph of greed over integrity.
I've heard numerous stories over the years, and nothing is ever that clear cut. Not everyone leaves the public sector for monetary gains alone, although a large number do. Many are driven away by intolerable working conditions -- long hours, lack of recognition, slow career advancement, sparse training opportunities. When one becomes disillusioned, sometimes the easiest way out is private practice, where you can be your own boss and feel better just by earning lots more money. It isn't necessarily selling out, but what your threshold for suffering is.
While there are those who think nothing of fleecing ignorant patients so they can purchase that flashy new sports car, others end up returning to public hospitals after a few years following a change of heart ( I know a few of these doctors ).
In Prof. Mohamed Khadra's book, Making The Cut: A Surgeon's Stories Of Life On The Edge, there's a chapter about a surgeon who started out as the best in his discipline, only to spiral out of control in later years. He couldn't cope with his packed schedule, causing serious complications and handling them with a cavalier attitude. But it wasn't just about making more money. He merely pushed himself too hard and didn't know when was enough.
I know one such surgeon, once a highly regarded expert in his field, who became overconfident and picked the wrong patient to cause post-op complications in. Suffice to say, he was promptly demoted, then left for a lucrative private setup, only to cause more complications thanks to the lack of regulation ( unlike the anal M&M rounds public hospitals are obsessed with ). A friend of mine became a guinea pig of his and ended up bleeding out a few days later, requiring a week of hospitalization ( Changi General ) and a massive clean-up of the mess this once meticulous surgeon left behind.
I don't know how he could've deteriorated this badly -- after all, my own mother was treated by him 10 years ago, with superb results. It's just really sad.
Other examples of black sheep in restructured hospitals? If you know how to suck up to the right people and cover your tracks, you've got it made. I see it all the time -- MO trainees who miss diagnoses, refuse to see my referrals and give me attitude, getting awards for being outstanding in their chosen disciplines. Err, didn't that guy miss a cord compression last week, which I overrode and admitted? Where's the accountability?!
Then there's an oncologist who's won awards and gives great soundbites to eager reporters, going on about doing good for humanity, blah blah blah. I only recall him once telling me that the greatest motivation for his research is getting a patent and making money from it.
Just yesterday, one of my consultants asked me, "If you could do it all again, would you be doing this?" as we fought the never-ending battle of clearing the post-holiday weekend crowd. I hesitated for only a split second, answering with a resounding "Yes". He didn't seem convinced, and I don't blame him. But I was telling the truth, and even my own reply surprised me. I suppose there's some masochistic streak egging me on, but for now at least, it's also an indication that I made the right choice, and I only hope it can sustain me for the rest of my career.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
A Really Short One
1) Congratulations to Jason Mraz for getting a Grammy nomination for Song Of The Year!
Although I think it's for the wrong song ( I'm Yours ). Love For A Child is so much more deserving.
2) A YouTube clip of an interview Robert Pattinson did with Tyra Banks. Go to the 2:35 mark if you'd like to see the highlight of this segment ( won't spoil it with a description here ). It's even better than the one he did with Ellen DeGeneres! My mom was so tickled by this. :D
3) My new cat arrived 2 weeks ago, and has been an absolute joy to me. We adopted him from SPCA, he's a few months shy of 3 years old, and HUGE. I get breathless picking him up, but he shares many of my previous cat's traits, most notably crawling up to my pillow and cuddling next to my neck / shoulder.
Work's been a lot more tolerable since I got him. :)
Will write more next time. Dinner awaits.
1) Congratulations to Jason Mraz for getting a Grammy nomination for Song Of The Year!
Although I think it's for the wrong song ( I'm Yours ). Love For A Child is so much more deserving.
2) A YouTube clip of an interview Robert Pattinson did with Tyra Banks. Go to the 2:35 mark if you'd like to see the highlight of this segment ( won't spoil it with a description here ). It's even better than the one he did with Ellen DeGeneres! My mom was so tickled by this. :D
3) My new cat arrived 2 weeks ago, and has been an absolute joy to me. We adopted him from SPCA, he's a few months shy of 3 years old, and HUGE. I get breathless picking him up, but he shares many of my previous cat's traits, most notably crawling up to my pillow and cuddling next to my neck / shoulder.
Work's been a lot more tolerable since I got him. :)
Will write more next time. Dinner awaits.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
In Continuation
Tried uploading a video clip but think the file size is too large. Sorry...
Egyptian Culture
A few snapshots of a whirling dervish and a belly dancer, who performed during a Nile cruise dinner at the Khulkhal Arabian Restaurant.
The food was slightly above average, but the entertainment was nothing short of excellent, especially the Folkloric
Tanoura show “Spin Man”( aka whirling dervish ), which features 30 to 45 minutes of continuous
mind-boggling twirling.
Tried uploading a video clip but think the file size is too large. Sorry...
The restaurant was packed to the brim that night, and the atmosphere a mixture of rowdy and celebratory. However, I couldn't help noticing their waiters -- all in their 20s, clean cut and remarkably handsome.
One in particular stood out, mostly because I kept catching him staring at me from across the room. There was a moment that was almost like something out of a movie, but only my mom knows what happened. :)
Twilight Book 2
Is tonnes better than its predecessor. Writing's still mediocre, but at least the plot has improved significantly, though nowhere as satisfying as a good Harry Potter novel.
No surprise about its huge weekend box office haul - almost US$71 million - kicking Quantum Of Solace off the top spot. Reviews are mixed so far, but probably won't deter me from seeing the film and forming my own opinions ( critics panned Wanted, but I LOVED it ).
Lots of great interviews on YouTube, like this one from the Ellen DeGeneres show.
3 more weeks to go before it hits local theatres. Yeesh.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Recommendation
Michael Feinstein's The Sinatra Project
Here's a link to his official website.
I actually own one of his albums from a few years back. Bought it out of curiosity but found it dull -- something I attribute to an obscure repertoire and a rather lethargic delivery.
After avoiding his CDs for long enough, I succumbed and sampled this new release at my favourite music store, and have completely fallen in love with it.
Although the title is designed to draw Sinatra fans, the arrangements are vastly different from the originals, with a number of songs which were recorded but never commercially released.
There're classics like Cole Porter's Begin The Beguine and George Gershwin's I've Got A Crush On You, plus lesser known gems such as There's A Small Hotel, Fools Rush In and It's All Right With Me.
Many are done in the big band swing style which I adore so much, but even the slower ballads are exquisite, thanks to masterful performances by Feinstein. He sounds nothing like what I remember from that earlier album, showing off a rich tone, unbelievable lung power and heartfelt emotion in every word he sings.
Huge personal favourites include Begin The Beguine ( one of the best versions I've ever heard ), Exactly Like You, The Song Is You and At Long Last Love ( all wonderfully spirited and playful ).
However, the track I've been putting on constant repeat mode is #10, How Long Will It Last. A duet with China Forbes, it brings to mind the grand musicals of yore, when love was described as a many-splendoured thing.
Interestingly, this song immediately made me think of Twilight ( I'm not obsessed, just engrossed :)). I'm serious - just take a look at the lyrics to see what I mean:
[ I've indicated who sings each line to help enhance the experience ]
[male] My dear, there's no concealing that you've won my heart
[female] Still, I have a feeling that someday we'll part
[M] Will our affair soon break up and fade like the dawn?
[F] Will I some morning wake up to find you are gone?
[M] Though you hold me in your arms tonight / Will tomorrow bring the same delight?
Though we love each other / How long will it last?
[F] You are like a burning flame to me / Will you always be the same to me?
Though I taste your kisses / How long will they last?
[Both] Whatever you may do / This heart of mine is true
I'll still believe in you / though ___ will pass??? [ sorry, having trouble with this line ]
[F] With you happiness and bliss appear
[M] All my troubles seem to disappear
Yet my constant fear is
[ Both ] How long will it last?
L, tell me if you agree with my assessment! :)
Got my hands on the Twilight sequels - all 3 of them - today. Have already started on Book 2, which is much better than the juvenile Book 1. Addictive stuff.
Have been bombarded by the film's publicity blitz as well, all over local cable's E! Entertainment and CNN's Showbiz Tonight. Am surprisingly enjoying it a lot, especially snippets of various interviews with Robert Pattinson. He looks hilariously frazzled in every single one of them, cracking jokes in that crisp British accent, lamenting how he can't find a girlfriend ( err, right ), singing co-star Kristen Stewart's praises before getting flustered and laughing uncontrollably, even dodging rumours that he proposed to her on the movie set ( she doesn't deny it, but inserts a disclaimer that "everyone got a bit nutsy", so I guess that qualifies as a yes, though it was probably meant as a gag ).
The movie teasers already demonstrate a lot of on-screen chemistry between the two. Would be kinda nice if it spilled over into real life eh? I'm rooting for them. :)
A final update before the weekend. Plans to go to NYC have been derailed by forces beyond my control. But the upside to this is (1) I can go ahead and get a new cat now ( maybe two, who knows ), and (2) I plan to head to France and London next June, with the hope of seeing Kevin Spacey at The Old Vic if possible.
Recovered from the initial disappointment very quickly, which is great. Thank you, Mr. Spacey, for helping with that. :D
Michael Feinstein's The Sinatra Project
Here's a link to his official website.
I actually own one of his albums from a few years back. Bought it out of curiosity but found it dull -- something I attribute to an obscure repertoire and a rather lethargic delivery.
After avoiding his CDs for long enough, I succumbed and sampled this new release at my favourite music store, and have completely fallen in love with it.
Although the title is designed to draw Sinatra fans, the arrangements are vastly different from the originals, with a number of songs which were recorded but never commercially released.
There're classics like Cole Porter's Begin The Beguine and George Gershwin's I've Got A Crush On You, plus lesser known gems such as There's A Small Hotel, Fools Rush In and It's All Right With Me.
Many are done in the big band swing style which I adore so much, but even the slower ballads are exquisite, thanks to masterful performances by Feinstein. He sounds nothing like what I remember from that earlier album, showing off a rich tone, unbelievable lung power and heartfelt emotion in every word he sings.
Huge personal favourites include Begin The Beguine ( one of the best versions I've ever heard ), Exactly Like You, The Song Is You and At Long Last Love ( all wonderfully spirited and playful ).
However, the track I've been putting on constant repeat mode is #10, How Long Will It Last. A duet with China Forbes, it brings to mind the grand musicals of yore, when love was described as a many-splendoured thing.
Interestingly, this song immediately made me think of Twilight ( I'm not obsessed, just engrossed :)). I'm serious - just take a look at the lyrics to see what I mean:
[ I've indicated who sings each line to help enhance the experience ]
[male] My dear, there's no concealing that you've won my heart
[female] Still, I have a feeling that someday we'll part
[M] Will our affair soon break up and fade like the dawn?
[F] Will I some morning wake up to find you are gone?
[M] Though you hold me in your arms tonight / Will tomorrow bring the same delight?
Though we love each other / How long will it last?
[F] You are like a burning flame to me / Will you always be the same to me?
Though I taste your kisses / How long will they last?
[Both] Whatever you may do / This heart of mine is true
I'll still believe in you / though ___ will pass??? [ sorry, having trouble with this line ]
[F] With you happiness and bliss appear
[M] All my troubles seem to disappear
Yet my constant fear is
[ Both ] How long will it last?
L, tell me if you agree with my assessment! :)
Got my hands on the Twilight sequels - all 3 of them - today. Have already started on Book 2, which is much better than the juvenile Book 1. Addictive stuff.
Have been bombarded by the film's publicity blitz as well, all over local cable's E! Entertainment and CNN's Showbiz Tonight. Am surprisingly enjoying it a lot, especially snippets of various interviews with Robert Pattinson. He looks hilariously frazzled in every single one of them, cracking jokes in that crisp British accent, lamenting how he can't find a girlfriend ( err, right ), singing co-star Kristen Stewart's praises before getting flustered and laughing uncontrollably, even dodging rumours that he proposed to her on the movie set ( she doesn't deny it, but inserts a disclaimer that "everyone got a bit nutsy", so I guess that qualifies as a yes, though it was probably meant as a gag ).
The movie teasers already demonstrate a lot of on-screen chemistry between the two. Would be kinda nice if it spilled over into real life eh? I'm rooting for them. :)
A final update before the weekend. Plans to go to NYC have been derailed by forces beyond my control. But the upside to this is (1) I can go ahead and get a new cat now ( maybe two, who knows ), and (2) I plan to head to France and London next June, with the hope of seeing Kevin Spacey at The Old Vic if possible.
Recovered from the initial disappointment very quickly, which is great. Thank you, Mr. Spacey, for helping with that. :D
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Congratulations, Mr. Jackman!
It's official -- the Australian hunk has earned his first Sexiest Man Alive title. Very well-deserved. :)
A quick look at the rest sharing the Top 15 spots revealed a few hits and misses ( my personal opinion, that is ).
Worthy: Daniel Craig, Jon Hamm, Javier Bardem, Robert Pattinson ( yes, the Twilight guy ).
Not worthy: David Beckham, Michael Phelps, Joshua Jackson, Zac Efron ( who's known to be extremely vain and uptight about his "carefully ruffled" hair ).
There're a few other choices that I can't comment on, since they're not prominently featured on local TV or on the big screen. I'm hoping cable will screen Gossip Girl soon, as I've heard good things about the series ( Ed Westwick's from that ).
Did a quick People search - don't think James McAvoy made it this year. Darn...
I subscribe to the magazine. Can't wait to get it in my mail. :)
It's official -- the Australian hunk has earned his first Sexiest Man Alive title. Very well-deserved. :)
A quick look at the rest sharing the Top 15 spots revealed a few hits and misses ( my personal opinion, that is ).
Worthy: Daniel Craig, Jon Hamm, Javier Bardem, Robert Pattinson ( yes, the Twilight guy ).
Not worthy: David Beckham, Michael Phelps, Joshua Jackson, Zac Efron ( who's known to be extremely vain and uptight about his "carefully ruffled" hair ).
There're a few other choices that I can't comment on, since they're not prominently featured on local TV or on the big screen. I'm hoping cable will screen Gossip Girl soon, as I've heard good things about the series ( Ed Westwick's from that ).
Did a quick People search - don't think James McAvoy made it this year. Darn...
I subscribe to the magazine. Can't wait to get it in my mail. :)
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