Live High
- A Review of Jason Mraz's Concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, March 5 2009
Warning: This is a lengthy account, so don't proceed if you're not interested.
The title of this entry belongs to a piece from We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things, and now holds great significance because of a personal encounter I was fortunate enough to have with the man himself. More on that later. :)
I'm going to talk about the concert first.
Yes, it was completely sold out.
Yes, there were LOTS of women in the audience, but males were also well-represented.
Yes, the fans comprised quite a number of young people, but I did spot a few middle-aged people, one of whom is Caucasian with grey hair.
The show kicked off at 8:25pm with no fanfare, with Jason coming on-stage incognito, walking out with his band sans the usual buildup intro.
They launched into The Dynamo Of Volition, as Jason asked the roaring crowd to "stand up, c'mon!" and clap to the infectious Jamiroquai-esque rhythm.
The estimated 8000-strong audience remained on their feet for the next 90-100 minutes, enjoying a satisfying repertoire drawn from not only his 3 excellent studio albums, but also from a couple of 'live' recordings as well.
I counted at least 16 -17 songs in total:
The Dynamo of Volition
Geek In The Pink
Unfold
Who Needs Shelter
Live High
Lucky ( a duet nicely done with local singer Joi Chua )
I'm Yours
Only Human
Make It Mine
A Beautiful Mess
You And I Both
No Stopping Us
Sleeping To Dream
I'll Do Anything ( I think it was included, correct me if I'm wrong )
Encores:
Mr. Curiosity
The Remedy
Butterfly
( there was one more, but I can't remember the title, argh )
I'm probably going to leave out certain details, but the overall impression is that he was on a major high last night, and sang flawlessly.
While such standards have become the norm for him, I never take anything for granted, especially when his manager revealed how Jason had just flown in from Kuala Lumpur that afternoon, and was "tired". Just go to his website and look at his tour schedule -- it's absolutely insane. I don't know how he does it!
So last night's tour de force is again something worth treasuring. Mr. Mraz strutted his stuff from beginning to end, changing guitars so many times I lost count, and breaking a string on the very first song, imagine that!
He got the crowd jumping on the faster numbers, then held us spellbound on the slower pieces, which I felt were the highlights of the show.
I especially loved his renditions of A Beautiful Mess ( from album #3 ) and Mr. Curiosity ( from album #2, Mr. A-Z ). Jason has an incomparably gorgeous voice, and Beautiful Mess gave me goosebumps ( glory notes +++ )!
However, Mr. Curiosity was a lovely surprise, and the defining "magical moment" I always wait for at every concert I attend. This first encore song was stripped down to just vocals and keyboard, and despite listening to it many times before on the stereo, I really heard it last night as everyone huddled in hushed silence and Jason's voice soared to the heavens.
The bridge was spectacular, with him doing a beautiful falsetto, hitting operatic registers and holding notes for what seemed like an eternity. The cheers were deafening!
Other performances worth mentioning are Live High ( very uplifting, similar to what he did at SingFest ), I'm Yours, The Remedy and You And I Both ( karaoke bliss! ), and Butterfly ( the sexiest number on album #3 ).
Jason's got tonnes of rhythm, so watching him sway and bop as he plucked at his guitar was the icing on the cake. He displayed high energy levels and couldn't stop smiling and laughing. The raucous audience certainly helped him sustain that enthusiasm!
He had a blast showing off his scatting and rapping skills, whipping everyone into a frenzy many times when he stopped in the middle of a song to hear us belt the lyrics or engage in mock competitions ( he called the floor seats "the valley", heh! ).
His 7-piece band was outstanding, as always, and kudos to the guys in charge of the sound system, 'cos even though my seats were facing the speakers directly, everything was crystal clear, even on the noisier pieces with full instrumental backup. Jason's voice came through like an unfiltered ray of sunshine.
At the end, he did his usual routine of snapping Polaroids of the band and himself before throwing the photos into the crowd. He also distributed what looked like bunches of orchids, and his band joined in the fun by hurling these to the fans.
Although it was an undoubtedly great show, I still prefer his 1st gig at the Esplanade back in 2006, when he did an intimate acoustic set with sidekick Toca Rivera. The problem with large venues is the inability to really engage the audience, so he didn't make much small talk and the audience didn't get the opportunity to experience his intelligent and kooky sense of humour.
It was still awesome though. Worth every single cent of the ticket price. :)
Meet & Greet
First, a huge thank you to Mr. G, who so kindly arranged for me to go backstage.
This happened before the concert, at around 6:30pm. There were about 12-15 of us in total.
Before we entered the room where Jason was waiting, his tour manager ( a very nice young bespectacled fellow ) issued a few instructions. We were told that we could give Jason a hug, 'cos he "loves human contact" ( haha! ), and that if we had any gifts on hand, we could present them to him but shouldn't be offended if he passes them on to someone else, 'cos that's what he usually does, and he would take them back later. A Chinese lady - whom I assume is from Warner Music - asked us to leave our bags outside, and initially didn't allow anyone to bring their CDs in for autographs. But as luck would have it, when it came to my turn, the rules changed. :D
As the 8 people in front of me went inside two by two, I was slightly alarmed by how quickly they re-emerged. It seemed like each meeting lasted only 2-3 minutes at most, and I really worried that my turn would be over before I even got to do anything.
So in the blink of an eye, I was hurriedly placing my bag on a chair provided, as the Chinese lady took my CD sleeves and said "no autographs please". Suddenly, his manager who was standing next to us said it's okay, as Jason was now agreeable to signing stuff. Yes!
The lady then wanted to take a package I was holding ( with a small gift for Jason ) and hand it to his manager, but instead he asked me to bring it in and give it to Jason myself. No problem! :)
I don't know the exact term for the top he was wearing -- it's white, seems to be made of cotton and looks like a long john. He had his trademark hat on ( dark brown shade ), and sported dark-coloured pants. Very formal considering his usual baggy T-shirt and jeans getup for previous gigs.
My first impression was how much taller he is up close. He stood facing the door as I entered, and stepped forward to shake my hand, smiling and saying a soft "hello". At this point, my memory's a bit fuzzy, which is a sure sign of how flustered I was. :)
I returned with a greeting and, remembering what his manager said, asked, "Can I give you a hug?". Jason didn't say anything, and merely released my hand and opened both arms wide in response to my question. THIS moment is forever etched in my mind in perfect clarity -- the words "oh my gosh!" blared in my head as I felt him enfold me in a tight embrace. I had to stand on tiptoe to put my right arm over his left shoulder, as HIS right arm reached over MY left shoulder. This placed my face right next to his right ear, and I just couldn't help saying, "It's so great to meet you!" as we hugged.
Upon releasing me, he asked for my name and how to spell it. At this moment, he spotted my mom -- yes, she gamely went in with me :) -- and very nicely acknowledged her with a warm smile and a small bow, shaking her hand firmly. She managed to sputter, "I'm a great fan!", to which he laughed and said, "Thank you!"
We posed for a photo next, with my mom and I flanking him, our arms around each other. I had some difficulty finding a spot to put my hand 'cos my mom already had her arm at his lower back, so I placed it on his upper / mid-back first, before finding it a little awkward then moving it to his right waist.
This was completely unintentional, but I have to tell you that Jason's not the scrawny fellow he used to be a few years ago, and has obviously been working out at the gym. That outfit he wore showed off a muscular physique, and running my hand around his back was pure heaven. :)
Autographs came next. I brought 2 for him to sign -- the sleeve for Tonight Not Again, and the cover for We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things. He did a straightforward signature for the first one, then asked me again how to spell my name as his hand hovered above the second. As I recited, he wrote it down meticulously, before saying something cryptic, along the line of "Ah yes, I KNEW it would be that!" ( whatever that means :)). He added an exclamation mark after my name, then scrawled his signature below, even inserting a couple of ??little stars to finish the job.
Before leaving, I wished him a good show, shook his hand again, then proceeded to leave. However, he surprised me by asking whether the package on the floor was for him -- at some point, no thanks to my hazy recollection, the gift had been taken from me and placed on the ground nearby. When I said yes, Jason looked extremely grateful and pleased, and thanked me for the present.
Then I was back outside, my head spinning. I think we were in there for at least 5 minutes, maybe even more. :)
The gift wasn't anything really special -- partly because I just didn't have the time to go looking for something unique -- but I did include a short letter and explained the thought process behind the choice. Jason's known to appreciate everything he receives from fans, so I hope he likes what I gave him.
Watching him perform after this once-in-a-lifetime experience was exhilarating! Thank you again, Mr. G, for giving me the chance to meet my favourite musician of all time. I will treasure this night forever. :)
[ photos to follow soon ]
Monday, March 02, 2009
Post-Mortem
It's been an exhausting week, but also a most rewarding one.
The conference was a massive success, and feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with many saying it's the best one yet.
My sincere thanks to my committee, who's worked so hard and gone far beyond what is required.
The highlight, however, is spending time with a distinguished emergency medicine professor from New York City, whom I was first introduced to in October 2007 while visiting a blogger friend at his department. He is a huge hit with everyone he's met in Singapore, and I've never seen any foreign speaker bombarded from so many directions before. The poor man hardly had any time to breathe, but remained unfailingly warm and obliging to all.
Little wonder he's charmed the socks off even the most difficult people, receiving numerous invitations for personal tours and visits for future conferences in Singapore and the surrounding region.
I was most fortunate to be able to spend time alone with him, in particular during an hour-long stroll along Orchard Road last Friday evening, prior to a conference dinner.
We spoke of many things, including work of course, but also about life in general. He shared his experience as an attending physician for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra when they went on tour, and also for Cirque du Soleil when they performed in NYC. His interests range far and wide, and I was captivated by everything I heard.
We even bumped into a mob of Edison Chen fans outside the Grand Hyatt hotel on the way back. And guess what, Prof. J knows who he is! It was hilarious. :)
The best part though, was an outing to the Night Safari last Saturday. We were joined by my registrar and another American ER physician, Dr. N, who's Prof. J's colleague and who also lectured at the conference.
I brought them to a mall near my home for dinner at Crystal Jade Kitchen. We got there before my registrar and, to my surprise, they asked me to bring them around the NTUC supermarket! Dr. N was looking for mangosteens, of all things, while Prof. J was fascinated by the huge shelves of chicken eggs in one corner. They also picked up a packet of durians to take a sniff, and didn't seem bothered by the smell.
Following that, they walked around a shop selling Chinese herbs, as the staff happily gave a mini-lecture on the various ingredients' properties to an enthralled American audience. I just stood to one side and enjoyed the scene.
Dinner was thoroughly enjoyable, and I couldn't believe they weren't already sick of local food, having eaten Chinese dishes daily since their arrival. They finished all 4 dishes ordered, including a gigantic portion of Peking duck which came in 2 parts ( skin followed by meat ), and gallantly offered to pay, before I informed them it would be charged to the hospital's account.
As expected, our table received many curious stares from nearby patrons, though service was exceedingly good, since the Americans charmed the waitresses effortlessly. Plus, Dr. N is a very good-looking chap, probably around my age, with a ready smile and beautiful manners. ( He's kind of a cross between Law & Order SVU's Christopher Meloni and E! Entertainment channel's Jason Kennedy. ) Sitting next to him was a pleasure indeed. :)
The Night Safari was an unusual experience for me, being the first time I visited during a thunderstorm. We offered to bring the Americans to another ( sheltered ) attraction, but they wouldn't have any of it. Turns out sloshing through puddles in the dark is pretty fun, if you're with the right company! They had a blast, and I too found myself beaming, especially at the leopard enclosure where they got up close to not one, but TWO, gorgeous cats resting right next to the glass panel, oblivious to the 4 humans standing just behind it.
The bat enclave turned out to be one of Prof. J's favourites, as we came face to face with numerous fruit bats hanging from the branches at eye level. Dr. N was a little unnerved, though, which the professor couldn't comprehend, with hilarious results.
I guess one of the most valuable lessons I garnered from this experience is how important emergency medicine is to me. I burn out at least once a year and handle a lot of crap from other departments ( see my last entry ), not to mention more crap from patients and relatives. But meeting counterparts from across the globe and knowing they get the same crap day in and day out is strangely inspiring. One of the best pieces of advice Dr. N offered is to "just stop fighting it", because if you keep fighting, you'll just end up hating what you do.
So as I finally get a chance to relax after 6 months of being on tenterhooks -- and suffering 4 weeks of insomnia -- I leave with many new friendships and, most importantly, hope for the future.
A note to reader Another One: will I stop pushing when I need to? You bet I won't. Being an ER physician is all about shovelling crap. I'm good at it, I'm proud of it, and I believe in being a patient advocate. So when someone refuses to do what s/he's supposed to, shows no concern for a patient then accuses me of being a bitch for pulling rank or being hostile, then that person has completely lost sight of what it truly means to be a doctor. Shame on you.
Other than that little annoyance, I'm on cloud nine. :)
It's been an exhausting week, but also a most rewarding one.
The conference was a massive success, and feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with many saying it's the best one yet.
My sincere thanks to my committee, who's worked so hard and gone far beyond what is required.
The highlight, however, is spending time with a distinguished emergency medicine professor from New York City, whom I was first introduced to in October 2007 while visiting a blogger friend at his department. He is a huge hit with everyone he's met in Singapore, and I've never seen any foreign speaker bombarded from so many directions before. The poor man hardly had any time to breathe, but remained unfailingly warm and obliging to all.
Little wonder he's charmed the socks off even the most difficult people, receiving numerous invitations for personal tours and visits for future conferences in Singapore and the surrounding region.
I was most fortunate to be able to spend time alone with him, in particular during an hour-long stroll along Orchard Road last Friday evening, prior to a conference dinner.
We spoke of many things, including work of course, but also about life in general. He shared his experience as an attending physician for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra when they went on tour, and also for Cirque du Soleil when they performed in NYC. His interests range far and wide, and I was captivated by everything I heard.
We even bumped into a mob of Edison Chen fans outside the Grand Hyatt hotel on the way back. And guess what, Prof. J knows who he is! It was hilarious. :)
The best part though, was an outing to the Night Safari last Saturday. We were joined by my registrar and another American ER physician, Dr. N, who's Prof. J's colleague and who also lectured at the conference.
I brought them to a mall near my home for dinner at Crystal Jade Kitchen. We got there before my registrar and, to my surprise, they asked me to bring them around the NTUC supermarket! Dr. N was looking for mangosteens, of all things, while Prof. J was fascinated by the huge shelves of chicken eggs in one corner. They also picked up a packet of durians to take a sniff, and didn't seem bothered by the smell.
Following that, they walked around a shop selling Chinese herbs, as the staff happily gave a mini-lecture on the various ingredients' properties to an enthralled American audience. I just stood to one side and enjoyed the scene.
Dinner was thoroughly enjoyable, and I couldn't believe they weren't already sick of local food, having eaten Chinese dishes daily since their arrival. They finished all 4 dishes ordered, including a gigantic portion of Peking duck which came in 2 parts ( skin followed by meat ), and gallantly offered to pay, before I informed them it would be charged to the hospital's account.
As expected, our table received many curious stares from nearby patrons, though service was exceedingly good, since the Americans charmed the waitresses effortlessly. Plus, Dr. N is a very good-looking chap, probably around my age, with a ready smile and beautiful manners. ( He's kind of a cross between Law & Order SVU's Christopher Meloni and E! Entertainment channel's Jason Kennedy. ) Sitting next to him was a pleasure indeed. :)
The Night Safari was an unusual experience for me, being the first time I visited during a thunderstorm. We offered to bring the Americans to another ( sheltered ) attraction, but they wouldn't have any of it. Turns out sloshing through puddles in the dark is pretty fun, if you're with the right company! They had a blast, and I too found myself beaming, especially at the leopard enclosure where they got up close to not one, but TWO, gorgeous cats resting right next to the glass panel, oblivious to the 4 humans standing just behind it.
The bat enclave turned out to be one of Prof. J's favourites, as we came face to face with numerous fruit bats hanging from the branches at eye level. Dr. N was a little unnerved, though, which the professor couldn't comprehend, with hilarious results.
I guess one of the most valuable lessons I garnered from this experience is how important emergency medicine is to me. I burn out at least once a year and handle a lot of crap from other departments ( see my last entry ), not to mention more crap from patients and relatives. But meeting counterparts from across the globe and knowing they get the same crap day in and day out is strangely inspiring. One of the best pieces of advice Dr. N offered is to "just stop fighting it", because if you keep fighting, you'll just end up hating what you do.
So as I finally get a chance to relax after 6 months of being on tenterhooks -- and suffering 4 weeks of insomnia -- I leave with many new friendships and, most importantly, hope for the future.
A note to reader Another One: will I stop pushing when I need to? You bet I won't. Being an ER physician is all about shovelling crap. I'm good at it, I'm proud of it, and I believe in being a patient advocate. So when someone refuses to do what s/he's supposed to, shows no concern for a patient then accuses me of being a bitch for pulling rank or being hostile, then that person has completely lost sight of what it truly means to be a doctor. Shame on you.
Other than that little annoyance, I'm on cloud nine. :)
Monday, February 23, 2009
Q&A
Yes, it's been a while since my last entry, but that's what happens when I'm swamped with work and experience a string a phenomenally bad night shifts ( which is when I usually blog, once things quieten down ).
I'm posting this primarily in response to a recent email from a reader, who is considering medicine as a career and had the following queries:
"But there's somehow always some self-doubt lingering in my mind. I have heard some doctors lament the state/hours they work in, others opting to work instead in admin/policy settings, and still others totally giving up practice.
I ask myself: Is this what I really want to do? Is this for me? Can I do it? Can I sustain the gruelling hours, and God knows what else to come? So I write this email, hoping to hear some thoughts, comments, and advice from you regarding the pursuit of medicine in general, how it feels to work as a doctor in Singapore, and the issues I should consider."
Well, I'm going to pen my own thoughts, but invite anyone with advice ( whether you're a doctor yourself or know someone who is ) to leave comments.
This May marks my 10th year in the workforce, and the change in perspective is indeed significant.
While I'm sure there're those who never lose that optimistic streak and walk around with perpetual, beatific smiles on their faces, I'm not built that way, and make no apologies for being cynical and high-strung.
Here're a few lessons I've learnt in the past decade ( I'm rather exhausted, so please forgive the rambling ):
1) It isn't necessarily medicine per se that irritates me, but "external factors".
This is a very broad category, and can encompass anything from annoying patients and relatives, to bad working conditions.
A few may argue that the practice of medicine involves all these peripheral aspects, being a holistic discipline and all. But I've always had a vision of the way medicine can and should be, and am constantly disappointed that reality comes nowhere close to that.
Personally speaking, the suffering I went through as a house and medical officer didn't bother me. It's only after I turned registrar that a lot of things began to get on my nerves. Why? I guess youth had a lot to do with it -- happily working my butt off in pursuit of a specialist position, rotating through different departments and picking up new skills.
Once you become fixed in a certain department, the initial euphoria of a pay rise can dissipate pretty quickly, especially when you fight the same battles day in and day out, with no light at the end of the tunnel.
Again, long-time readers and close friends will know that for all my grumbling, I don't actually regret choosing emergency medicine, and am merely voicing frustrations about a wide range of issues, many of which are chronic.
I ask myself the same questions: Is this what I really want to do? Can I sustain the gruelling hours and God knows what else to come?
Funnily enough, yes, and yes.
Despite my repeated cursing and swearing, I'd probably curse and swear a lot more doing something else. I've gone through at least 10 departments ( excluding the ER ), and couldn't wait to leave each time. The operating theatre is a living hell for me ( even though one surgeon thinks I'm a whiz at manoeuvring the laparoscope - thanks to my many childhood hours playing video arcade games haha ), clinics are such a bore ( as opposed to ENT sessions, which are painful beyond imagination ), and I'd rather have a root canal than go through a dreaded ward round ( and I'm already terrified of dental work in general ).
The ER, on the other hand, is oddly comforting in a strange way. It resembles the operating theatre to some extent ( resus and minor OT ), the clinic in others ( consultation rooms ), and we even do mini ward rounds with our observation protocol cases. But I can handle it in small doses, and variety is key. Even the psychos and foul-mouthed drunks offer respite from the octogenarians and other run-of-the-mill conditions.
The things that irk me -- from inefficient MOs to rude relatives and an overcrowded ER -- while not insignificant, are still not compelling enough to make me quit emergency medicine altogether. At the risk of sounding cheesy, yes I want to help people and relieve suffering blah blah blah. No-one's more surprised than I am by the fact that all those ideals I harboured as a child and young adult still hold true today. This becomes most apparent when I treat the frail or elderly, especially the neglected and destitute, who come alone without any demanding relatives, and still know how to say thank you. Now those are the patients who make me smile and feel as if I'm really making a difference.
2) The practice of medicine in Singapore has become quite perilous.
Again, this is a reflection based on personal observations made over a period of 10 years. An extension of point (1), it expands on my many complaints about unpleasant people and less than ideal work environments.
While Singaporeans are still nowhere as litigious as Americans and Australians, they're quite nasty in other ways, and can severely test the limits of your tolerance, especially when your reserves of goodwill are already running low.
Asking for updates and further information is always warranted, but I notice that locals tend to border on outright rudeness and arrogance even when making the simplest request. This is especially the case with young adults and middle-aged men, who like to raise their voices, point fingers and make baseless accusations.
A busy ER is no place for such drama, but we bear the brunt of the abuse, thanks to ever-increasing patient attendances and a constant manpower shortage ( aggravated by a handful of clueless and/or lazy MOs rotating through every 6 months ).
Singaporeans also like to consider themselves knowledgeable where medical issues are concerned, armed with information they picked up from media sources or a relative / friend, using this to wrestle additional tests / hospital admission from the doctor. The so-called facts they regurgitate are often erroneous to the point of ridiculous, and we try our best to persuade them otherwise, with varying degrees of success. The greatest loss, however, is the immense amount of time consumed by the entire process, when it could've been spent seeing 2-3 other patients.
One other sad realization is how totally ignorant Singaporeans are about their own health problems. I have seen foreigners who carry their medical reports and prescriptions around in folders, or are able to recite complicated medical terms without batting an eyelid, and here we have well-educated, English-speaking locals who can only tell you they have "a heart problem, dunno what exactly" when you ask them about their past medical history. They lose their inpatient discharge summaries the minute they leave the hospital, have no idea what meds they're taking, and think it's hilarious to default treatment and follow-up ( I regularly see patients who giggle when asked why they didn't come for their appointments ).
Sure, everything's computerized now, but no system is perfect. The other day, we lost access to all this information during a major downtime period, and barely survived the backlash from patients and relatives who didn't seem to buy our explanations.
And let's not forget one of the commonest threats doctors now face: I will write to the Forum and COMPLAIN! Most of them don't go through with it, of course, but it never fails to annoy the hell out of me. If the newspaper is propagating such behaviour, I think the editor should do something to rectify the situation.
3) Be prepared for an unsympathetic administration.
At the risk of getting a phone call from my head of department, I have to say that my opinion of admin personnel is unfavourable.
I am not talking about my own ER colleauges. I'm talking about the Powers That Be. People upstairs who have the power to make positive changes, but refuse to do so either because they're set in their own ways of thinking and lack the courage to innovate, or worse, hold a personal grudge against us for whatever reason, and want to torture us for their own enjoyment.
This hostility obviously varies depending on which department you're from. Surgeons and cardiologists are unlikely to experience such difficulty, which illustrates yet another point: the more money you make for the hospital, the better you're treated.
Emergency physicians and certain non-surgical specialties enjoy few of the perks other profitable disciplines are accorded, and in the worst case scenario ( something I'm going through right now ), you won't be granted funds for a piece of equipment that badly needs replacing for clinical and teaching purposes, and you'll find your application for an overseas fellowship in the Rejected pile.
I am particularly offended by the latter, hence part 3 of this section: administrative people can't be trusted. How else to explain the complete disregard for a promise previously made, in return for not approving a project proposal?
Thankfully, a recent change in hospital leadership has resulted in a number of much-needed improvements and renewed interest in the way emergency physicians practise. I can only hope that this same leader will approve the funding we so desperately need before the abovementioned equipment decides to disintegrate.
It's taken me 2 hours to write just a few paragraphs, but will stop here for the time being and let you digest, as I'm sure you have more questions coming.
I will say this though: the majority of doctors in the public sector does go private, with only a very small group staying on till retirement. Money has a lot to do with it, but I don't believe that greed is the only motivating factor, and sometimes feel that I'm able to endure my current situation mainly because I don't have that many mouths to feed and have no social life.
For you, I recommend the Duke Graduate Medical School route, as your Ivy League background will serve you well.
While I honestly believe that every person who pursues medicine does start out with the best of intentions, it would be foolish to put every single doctor on a pedestal, because I know many who're absolute monsters, and consider the university's screening process completely useless. People change, and that's just unavoidable.
What I've written wasn't drafted beforehand, and is by no means sufficient in relating my complicated feelings about my profession. But I will make the following suggestion: if you have the interest and ability, consider yourself pretty tough yet have a kind heart, and are willing to work harder than you've ever worked before, I think those are good enough reasons to apply for medical school. There's no way to predict what'll happen 5-10 years down the road, but if my account hasn't thrown you off, then there's still hope. :)
Besides, if you get sick of it someday, you do have other degrees to fall back on, whereas I'll have to opt for strictly extra-curricular pursuits like churning out a novel or screenplay ( likely to be opposed by my employer ).
Bad Habits
Continuing with the griping session, a few disturbing traits we've noticed in the current batch of MOs.
One has taken 5 days of MC in less than 4 months.
A few take MC a day or two before going on leave.
One switches his/her phone off and sneaks out of the department during shift.
Another is slow and indecisive despite rotating through another emergency department just before coming here. This MO is banned from night calls -- yes, it's that bad -- but hey, s/he spends so much time talking to each patient, s/he recently received a compliment via feedback form!
Maybe I should slow down and get myself a star too.
Sigh...
Some Good Stuff
The professor from New York City arrived last week, and has already won rave reviews for a lecture he gave on Friday. One consultant told me he was so inspired he went home and dug up a book to read more about the topic.
Best of all, the professor is, despite his renown, extremely warm and friendly, with no airs or expectations. I can't wait to see what happens at the annual scientific meeting later this week. :)
Just another 7 days to go before my cortisol levels start tapering off. The past few weeks have been exhausting, and I can't wait for life to return to normal.
First on the R&R agenda: the sold-out Jason Mraz concert! Have got something special lined up ( L knows what it is ), but will post details after the show.
The Bridge Project's The Winter's Tale will also arrive soon. There was an article about the play's opening in NYC last week, featuring a photo of Sam Mendes and Kevin Spacey. The latter looked really good, and I don't even know why. Maybe it's the gorgeous suit he was wearing. :)
As for TV, check out Machines Of Malice, which airs every Thursday at 11pm on Discovery channel. Last week's episode had medieval Greek and Roman torture devices, among them something called The Brazen Bull -- essentially a gigantic bull-shaped oven designed to cook a human being at 800+ degree temperatures. Well, you learn something new everyday.
Time to do an exit round then head home for the Oscars ceremony telecast. Haven't seen most of the nominated films so have no idea who to root for, except Heath Ledger, who was phenomenal in The Dark Knight and is a clear frontrunner. And of course Wall-E will win Best Animated Film. :)
Till next time...
Yes, it's been a while since my last entry, but that's what happens when I'm swamped with work and experience a string a phenomenally bad night shifts ( which is when I usually blog, once things quieten down ).
I'm posting this primarily in response to a recent email from a reader, who is considering medicine as a career and had the following queries:
"But there's somehow always some self-doubt lingering in my mind. I have heard some doctors lament the state/hours they work in, others opting to work instead in admin/policy settings, and still others totally giving up practice.
I ask myself: Is this what I really want to do? Is this for me? Can I do it? Can I sustain the gruelling hours, and God knows what else to come? So I write this email, hoping to hear some thoughts, comments, and advice from you regarding the pursuit of medicine in general, how it feels to work as a doctor in Singapore, and the issues I should consider."
Well, I'm going to pen my own thoughts, but invite anyone with advice ( whether you're a doctor yourself or know someone who is ) to leave comments.
This May marks my 10th year in the workforce, and the change in perspective is indeed significant.
While I'm sure there're those who never lose that optimistic streak and walk around with perpetual, beatific smiles on their faces, I'm not built that way, and make no apologies for being cynical and high-strung.
Here're a few lessons I've learnt in the past decade ( I'm rather exhausted, so please forgive the rambling ):
1) It isn't necessarily medicine per se that irritates me, but "external factors".
This is a very broad category, and can encompass anything from annoying patients and relatives, to bad working conditions.
A few may argue that the practice of medicine involves all these peripheral aspects, being a holistic discipline and all. But I've always had a vision of the way medicine can and should be, and am constantly disappointed that reality comes nowhere close to that.
Personally speaking, the suffering I went through as a house and medical officer didn't bother me. It's only after I turned registrar that a lot of things began to get on my nerves. Why? I guess youth had a lot to do with it -- happily working my butt off in pursuit of a specialist position, rotating through different departments and picking up new skills.
Once you become fixed in a certain department, the initial euphoria of a pay rise can dissipate pretty quickly, especially when you fight the same battles day in and day out, with no light at the end of the tunnel.
Again, long-time readers and close friends will know that for all my grumbling, I don't actually regret choosing emergency medicine, and am merely voicing frustrations about a wide range of issues, many of which are chronic.
I ask myself the same questions: Is this what I really want to do? Can I sustain the gruelling hours and God knows what else to come?
Funnily enough, yes, and yes.
Despite my repeated cursing and swearing, I'd probably curse and swear a lot more doing something else. I've gone through at least 10 departments ( excluding the ER ), and couldn't wait to leave each time. The operating theatre is a living hell for me ( even though one surgeon thinks I'm a whiz at manoeuvring the laparoscope - thanks to my many childhood hours playing video arcade games haha ), clinics are such a bore ( as opposed to ENT sessions, which are painful beyond imagination ), and I'd rather have a root canal than go through a dreaded ward round ( and I'm already terrified of dental work in general ).
The ER, on the other hand, is oddly comforting in a strange way. It resembles the operating theatre to some extent ( resus and minor OT ), the clinic in others ( consultation rooms ), and we even do mini ward rounds with our observation protocol cases. But I can handle it in small doses, and variety is key. Even the psychos and foul-mouthed drunks offer respite from the octogenarians and other run-of-the-mill conditions.
The things that irk me -- from inefficient MOs to rude relatives and an overcrowded ER -- while not insignificant, are still not compelling enough to make me quit emergency medicine altogether. At the risk of sounding cheesy, yes I want to help people and relieve suffering blah blah blah. No-one's more surprised than I am by the fact that all those ideals I harboured as a child and young adult still hold true today. This becomes most apparent when I treat the frail or elderly, especially the neglected and destitute, who come alone without any demanding relatives, and still know how to say thank you. Now those are the patients who make me smile and feel as if I'm really making a difference.
2) The practice of medicine in Singapore has become quite perilous.
Again, this is a reflection based on personal observations made over a period of 10 years. An extension of point (1), it expands on my many complaints about unpleasant people and less than ideal work environments.
While Singaporeans are still nowhere as litigious as Americans and Australians, they're quite nasty in other ways, and can severely test the limits of your tolerance, especially when your reserves of goodwill are already running low.
Asking for updates and further information is always warranted, but I notice that locals tend to border on outright rudeness and arrogance even when making the simplest request. This is especially the case with young adults and middle-aged men, who like to raise their voices, point fingers and make baseless accusations.
A busy ER is no place for such drama, but we bear the brunt of the abuse, thanks to ever-increasing patient attendances and a constant manpower shortage ( aggravated by a handful of clueless and/or lazy MOs rotating through every 6 months ).
Singaporeans also like to consider themselves knowledgeable where medical issues are concerned, armed with information they picked up from media sources or a relative / friend, using this to wrestle additional tests / hospital admission from the doctor. The so-called facts they regurgitate are often erroneous to the point of ridiculous, and we try our best to persuade them otherwise, with varying degrees of success. The greatest loss, however, is the immense amount of time consumed by the entire process, when it could've been spent seeing 2-3 other patients.
One other sad realization is how totally ignorant Singaporeans are about their own health problems. I have seen foreigners who carry their medical reports and prescriptions around in folders, or are able to recite complicated medical terms without batting an eyelid, and here we have well-educated, English-speaking locals who can only tell you they have "a heart problem, dunno what exactly" when you ask them about their past medical history. They lose their inpatient discharge summaries the minute they leave the hospital, have no idea what meds they're taking, and think it's hilarious to default treatment and follow-up ( I regularly see patients who giggle when asked why they didn't come for their appointments ).
Sure, everything's computerized now, but no system is perfect. The other day, we lost access to all this information during a major downtime period, and barely survived the backlash from patients and relatives who didn't seem to buy our explanations.
And let's not forget one of the commonest threats doctors now face: I will write to the Forum and COMPLAIN! Most of them don't go through with it, of course, but it never fails to annoy the hell out of me. If the newspaper is propagating such behaviour, I think the editor should do something to rectify the situation.
3) Be prepared for an unsympathetic administration.
At the risk of getting a phone call from my head of department, I have to say that my opinion of admin personnel is unfavourable.
I am not talking about my own ER colleauges. I'm talking about the Powers That Be. People upstairs who have the power to make positive changes, but refuse to do so either because they're set in their own ways of thinking and lack the courage to innovate, or worse, hold a personal grudge against us for whatever reason, and want to torture us for their own enjoyment.
This hostility obviously varies depending on which department you're from. Surgeons and cardiologists are unlikely to experience such difficulty, which illustrates yet another point: the more money you make for the hospital, the better you're treated.
Emergency physicians and certain non-surgical specialties enjoy few of the perks other profitable disciplines are accorded, and in the worst case scenario ( something I'm going through right now ), you won't be granted funds for a piece of equipment that badly needs replacing for clinical and teaching purposes, and you'll find your application for an overseas fellowship in the Rejected pile.
I am particularly offended by the latter, hence part 3 of this section: administrative people can't be trusted. How else to explain the complete disregard for a promise previously made, in return for not approving a project proposal?
Thankfully, a recent change in hospital leadership has resulted in a number of much-needed improvements and renewed interest in the way emergency physicians practise. I can only hope that this same leader will approve the funding we so desperately need before the abovementioned equipment decides to disintegrate.
It's taken me 2 hours to write just a few paragraphs, but will stop here for the time being and let you digest, as I'm sure you have more questions coming.
I will say this though: the majority of doctors in the public sector does go private, with only a very small group staying on till retirement. Money has a lot to do with it, but I don't believe that greed is the only motivating factor, and sometimes feel that I'm able to endure my current situation mainly because I don't have that many mouths to feed and have no social life.
For you, I recommend the Duke Graduate Medical School route, as your Ivy League background will serve you well.
While I honestly believe that every person who pursues medicine does start out with the best of intentions, it would be foolish to put every single doctor on a pedestal, because I know many who're absolute monsters, and consider the university's screening process completely useless. People change, and that's just unavoidable.
What I've written wasn't drafted beforehand, and is by no means sufficient in relating my complicated feelings about my profession. But I will make the following suggestion: if you have the interest and ability, consider yourself pretty tough yet have a kind heart, and are willing to work harder than you've ever worked before, I think those are good enough reasons to apply for medical school. There's no way to predict what'll happen 5-10 years down the road, but if my account hasn't thrown you off, then there's still hope. :)
Besides, if you get sick of it someday, you do have other degrees to fall back on, whereas I'll have to opt for strictly extra-curricular pursuits like churning out a novel or screenplay ( likely to be opposed by my employer ).
Bad Habits
Continuing with the griping session, a few disturbing traits we've noticed in the current batch of MOs.
One has taken 5 days of MC in less than 4 months.
A few take MC a day or two before going on leave.
One switches his/her phone off and sneaks out of the department during shift.
Another is slow and indecisive despite rotating through another emergency department just before coming here. This MO is banned from night calls -- yes, it's that bad -- but hey, s/he spends so much time talking to each patient, s/he recently received a compliment via feedback form!
Maybe I should slow down and get myself a star too.
Sigh...
Some Good Stuff
The professor from New York City arrived last week, and has already won rave reviews for a lecture he gave on Friday. One consultant told me he was so inspired he went home and dug up a book to read more about the topic.
Best of all, the professor is, despite his renown, extremely warm and friendly, with no airs or expectations. I can't wait to see what happens at the annual scientific meeting later this week. :)
Just another 7 days to go before my cortisol levels start tapering off. The past few weeks have been exhausting, and I can't wait for life to return to normal.
First on the R&R agenda: the sold-out Jason Mraz concert! Have got something special lined up ( L knows what it is ), but will post details after the show.
The Bridge Project's The Winter's Tale will also arrive soon. There was an article about the play's opening in NYC last week, featuring a photo of Sam Mendes and Kevin Spacey. The latter looked really good, and I don't even know why. Maybe it's the gorgeous suit he was wearing. :)
As for TV, check out Machines Of Malice, which airs every Thursday at 11pm on Discovery channel. Last week's episode had medieval Greek and Roman torture devices, among them something called The Brazen Bull -- essentially a gigantic bull-shaped oven designed to cook a human being at 800+ degree temperatures. Well, you learn something new everyday.
Time to do an exit round then head home for the Oscars ceremony telecast. Haven't seen most of the nominated films so have no idea who to root for, except Heath Ledger, who was phenomenal in The Dark Knight and is a clear frontrunner. And of course Wall-E will win Best Animated Film. :)
Till next time...
Sunday, February 08, 2009
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.
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.
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