Leaving On A Jet Plane

Again, and not a moment too soon.

It's only been a month since my return from Sydney. Felt good for about a week, then things started to spiral downhill quickly, thanks to a fortnight of some of the worst shifts I've had in quite a while, compounded by MOs going on mass MC, most likely due to fatigue, which is completely understandable.

I've been tempted to take MC myself, but my conscience won't let me. Damn. :)

Anyway, I won't be posting anything for the next 2 weeks, and am greatly looking forward to a sponsored workshop catered to my subspecialty interest, plus a few days of touring, meeting a couple of good friends, and yes, another visit to the casino. :D

A few updates before I sign off:

1) Edward Norton's on Twitter - just a gentle reminder in case you missed my last blog entry. He's playing lucky draw host and seems to be getting a terrific response, so good for him! It's for a worthy cause, so please chip in if you're able.
You can also check out his recent TV interviews on YouTube. I caught his Conan O'Brien chat on cable, which had me in stitches. Something about "playing with yourself" that didn't come out right, and a hilarious Robert De Niro impression showcasing Norton's affinity for comedy.
He doesn't do funny roles as much as he should. Remember Keeping The Faith? And how many of you have seen Death To Smoochy? I love both films.

2) Royal Pains is a new series currently airing on Starworld every Tuesday, and stars Mark Feuerstein as an ER physician who gets suspended when a rich patron of the hospital where he works dies on his watch, then unexpectedly finds his niche as a concierge doctor in the Hamptons.
Not considered a big hit in the U.S., but I could care less, since I'm a Feuerstein fan, converted after his lovely performance in the Cameron Diaz / Toni Collete dramedy, In Her Shoes.
He also played a neurologist on the short-lived 3 Pounds ( co-starring Stanley Tucci ), but Royal Pains is far superior to Pounds in terms of plot and acting. Still a bit quirky - i.e. all those eccentric wealthy people trying to avoid the press - but on the whole, very watchable.
Campbell Scott, who plays the enigmatic Boris, ages beautifully. Those of you who enjoy sexy, older men, make sure to tune in. :)

3) Another promising new show: Warehouse 13, which just premiered last Friday on Starworld. Obviously inspired by The X-Files, but with a lot more humour thrown in. The special effects are a little cheesy, but the cast is likeable, and there's a scene in the pilot episode involving a wishing kettle that spits out a live ferret when one of the agents makes "an impossible wish".
I actually laughed out loud when that happened. Very rare, but a sure sign that I will continue watching. :)

4) And speaking of The X-Files, I finally caught the movie ( I Want To Believe, aka sequel to the first big-screen version released eons ago ). Disappointing to say the least, especially after such an impressive buildup with the shady Catholic priest acting as psychic, and all those body parts found buried under the snow. The ending is extremely, frustratingly stupid.
But it isn't anywhere as atrocious as The Happening.

5) New album releases: Michael Buble's Crazy In Love, which I haven't had time to purchase yet ( hope I can get the much cheaper MP3 version ), and Sting's If On A Winter's Night.... He's doing traditional songs again, which put me to sleep on Songs From The Labyrinth. Why isn't he doing rock and pop these days?


It's the tail end of a busy night shift - only had time for supper and a hurried blog post - then I'll be busy running errands and clearing chores before I start packing tomorrow and fly on Saturday morning.

Will post pictures when I return. Am hoping to snap spectacular ones, considering the tours I've booked!

Till next time...

Photo Break

The spectacular views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour from my 21st floor hotel room window.

My favourite shot in the collection, taken during an afternoon cruise around the harbour.

Something about the colour combo that really hits me.

The vessel's one of the many public ferries plying the busy waterway.

More to follow another time.

Heading overseas again in 2 weeks. Anticipating some great photo ops, weather and luck permitting. :)

Film Recommendations Part 2

Just rented 2 outstanding DVDs!

Clive Owen has made my list of Favourite Actors with his poignant turn in The International, a stylish and adrenaline-pumping spy thriller reminiscent of the equally excellent The Bourne Identity, only a lot more mobile where the globe-trotting element is concerned.

The exotic locales are showcased perfectly by the breath-taking cinematography, whether it's a modern architectural wonder in Germany, or the rooftops of Istanbul.

Kudos to director Tom Tykwer, whose only other film I've seen is Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer, which was insanely unnerving. Am now very tempted to get my hands on Paris, je t'aime.

Tykwer also helped compose the score for The International. If you're as obsessed with movie soundtracks as I am, you'll love the moody melodies. I sat through the entire closing credits sequence with the volume set to blasting mode. Think John Powell ( Bourne series composer ), only better.

Owen is, as always, dependably suave and tortured in his role as a determined Interpol agent tracking down terrorists who murdered his partner.

Pay attention to a nail-biting and destructive shooutout in what's supposed to be Manhattan's Guggenheim Museum ( not the real thing, of course ), which lasts what feels like an eternity and is full of creative twists. Pure genius!

This next film may cater to more specific personal tastes, but for me at least, it sits right up there in my Top 5 Favourite Movies list, together with Dead Poets Society, Swimming With Sharks,The English Patient and Into The Wild.

The Painted Veil is based on a Somerset Maugham novel ( an author whose works I've never sampled ), so while I can't be sure if the book is anywhere as good as the big-screen adaptation, I can tell you that Edward Norton is sensational in it.

Tragically overlooked in all the major international award categories, I consider this a masterpiece rivalling Anthony Minghella's thought-provoking and immensely romantic The English Patient.

Norton and fragile beauty Naomi Watts sizzle as an English couple who marry for the wrong reasons and find their marriage torn apart by adultery and mutual hatred. Chained together by an ultimatum which cannot be fulfilled, they travel to a remote village in China that is ravaged by a cholera epidemic, where their relationship is eventually repaired through extraordinary circumstances.

Watts, who last stole my heart with her beautiful performance in Peter Jackson's King Kong, is flawless in her role as the unfaithful and rebellious wife. It is worthy of a Best Actress Oscar, but alas, she wasn't even nominated.

Liev Schreiber, who most recently appeared as Wolverine's "brother" in X-Men Origins, has little screen time but makes the most of it as the third party. Watts and Schreiber met on the set and subsequently became a couple. They now have a son and another baby on the way. Awww. :)

Norton, however, scales new heights with his portrayal of Walter Fane, a doctor who initially comes across as bland and lovelorn, but later reveals a complex combination of cruelty and generosity as the story progresses. A tense scene where he first confronts his wife about her affair has him staring her down with so much contempt that Watts' reaction may very well have been real.

Norton fans will no doubt remember his star-making performance in Primal Fear, in which he also displayed dual personalities. This man can chill you to the bone.

As for the romantic bit, there's a scene where the couple finally reconcile. Nothing racy at all, but it's to the actors' and director's credit that I found the sequence so affecting. I actually shed a few tears. :)

Sountrack-wise, the piano score, played exquisitely by Lang Lang, fits the film wonderfully. The cinematogaphy is also quite beyond description. I have never seen rural China shot so prettily before.

And by the way, I just read on IMDB.com that Norton's on Twitter, yow!

Can't write much today 'cos I'm recovering from a hellish 4-day stretch of resus room shifts. Honestly, if the ER continues to be flooded like this every single day, I am going to die young - but hopefully after my parents have passed, then it won't really matter.

Dear HOD - or better still, dear hospital CEO - please look into better welfare for your overworked ER physicians.

Spread The Word!

Glee is accessible online from Singapore!

Am now watching Episode 1 on this website. No need for a fake IP address or downloading software that could potentially crash my computer, woohoo!

Of course, you do need to pay a small membership fee, which in my opinion is very reasonable.

And hey, my Blogger dashboard page is back to normal! Guess my post in the Help Forum page made a difference.

The Sydney photos are on another site. Will transfer them over this weekend if I have time. Can't believe I narrowly escaped the dust storm. Hope things will return to normal soon. The poor Sydney Opera House...

Back to Glee... :D

Entertainment Updates


Professional discussions have permanently moved to Singapore MD - check out a debate about the new residency programme being rolled out by MOH.

As the local haze gives me allergic rhinitis and the humidity makes me itch, I seek refuge in my DVDs and television.

Finished Season 1 of Gossip Girl in less than a week, and greatly enjoyed it! Episode 17 stood out with its endless plot twists. I actually went, "WTF?!" when Serena Van der Woodsen made a shocking revelation. Now that hasn't happened in a long time. Thumbs up to the scriptwriters! :)

Was very saddened by Patrick Swayze's passing. He may not have received much news coverage, since he isn't exactly considered part of the A-list anymore, but this actor starred in many films which impacted me significantly during my formative years: The Outsiders, Ghost, and a truly underrated whammy of a thriller called Point Break ( co-starring a super-gorgeous Keanu Reeves ).

Still, Dirty Dancing will always remain a top favourite. His portrayal of Johnny Castle helped make this a cult classic, and watching the DVD the other night transported me back to my pubescent years, when I discovered a whole new world that includes, ahem, hormones. :)

Also bought a discounted DVD for Valkyrie, despite swearing never to pay for anything starring Tom Cruise after reading Andrew Morton's damning biography a few years ago.
I'm trying to convince myself that it's worth it just because of director Bryan Singer, who helmed the first X-Men movie, revived the Superman franchise, and helped catapult the great Kevin Spacey to Oscar-winning fame in The Usual Suspects.
Despite earning bad reviews, I found myself enjoying this action-thriller, which is well-paced and boasts a terrific cast.
Only complaint: the mish-mash of American and British accents, with no attempt by the principal actors to even feign a German twang. It's not as if Cruise can't do a foreign tongue - look at Far And Away. Tsk tsk!

Another WWII film is Defiance, with Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell playing Russian brothers who set up a camp that protected 1200 Jews from annihilation by the Nazis. The outstanding cast is shortchanged by director Edward Zwick, who fails to keep things interesting and loses the viewer ( i.e. me ) somewhere at the halfway mark.
Craig looks amazing though - haunted but very handsome, if that makes any sense.
However, Schindler's List wins hands down. No-one can beat Steven Spielberg at what he does best.

Am beginning to favour British actors over American ones, especially after catching Duplicity on the flight back from Sydney. A very fun romp through the industrial spy landscape with Julia Roberts and a dapper Clive Owen, who hasn't ever looked this good!

Other hot English thespians: Jude Law, Hugh Dancy, Hugh Grant, James McAvoy, Alan Rickman, Gary Oldman, Ralph Fiennes, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick. ( This list isn't exhaustive. )

The Hollywood version of the BBC series State Of Play literally put me to sleep en route to Sydney. Maybe I was already burnt out from work, but it definitely pales in comparison to the TV show, which was a thrilling whodunnit populated by loads of quirky characters and boasted much stronger acting skills.
Russell Crowe is pudgy and grungy, while Ben Affleck is wimpy and whiny. Choosing to focus on the female journalist ( played by pretty but soft Rachel McAdams ) irked me immensely, since the original TV character has a more secondary role. Jason Bateman was a hoot as the flamboyant Dominic Foy though.

Watched Doubt yesterday evening. Good, but didn't live up to the hype, at least in my opinion. Meryl Streep is unbelievably fabulous, as always, and she's expertly supported by Phillip Seymour Hoffman ( whom I've been a fan of since his Scent Of A Woman days ) and Amy Adams ( utilizing her huge eyes to great effect ). Guess I was hoping for an explosive ending after the nail-biting buildup, which failed to materialize. Tough translating a stage play to the big screen.

Had enough? There's more. :)

Another Krisworld film I saw: The Soloist, with Robert Downey, Jr. and Jamie Foxx. Heard great things, but was disappointed. Starts off nicely, then sort of degenerates into melodramatic cliches halfway through. A pity, considering my huge appreciation for all things Downey, Jr., and the fact that it's directed by Joe Wright ( who did such wonderful interpretations of Pride & Prejudice and Atonement ). What happened?

Speaking of happened, I finally sat through M. Night Shyamalan's The Happening on cable, and still can't believe I managed to stay awake. It was soooo bad, from the acting to the dialogue to the execution of the whole film. Started to feel really sorry for Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel after the first half hour. Bet they signed the contracts without reading the script first - you know how secretive Shyamalan can be. This guy is losing his touch, big-time.

The Jay Leno Show began airing on Universal Channel 99 on Tuesday. I've watched a few episodes, and dig both the familiar and newer aspects of the programme. There's the usual opening stand-up routine, celebrity interviews, Jay-walking and Headlines segments. But he's managed to attract huge stars this past week ( Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Oprah, Jerry Seinfeld, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Robin Williams, etc. ), and did a hilarious bit with Cruise and Diaz, asking them 10 questions each ranging from safe to embarrassing topics. Quite a hoot!

I also watch Conan O'Brien from time to time - started off a bit shakily, but seems to have gained a comfortable momentum. He did a side-splitting spoof of a South American TV soap opera, speaking fluent Spanish and donning a ridiculously bushy moustache. Funny!

A few things to look forward to: Season 3 of Dexter, starting Monday 21 September on FoxCrime Channel 86. More blood - yes!

Ghost Hunters Season ??? returns to StarWorld Wednesday nights after being derailed by I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! these past few months. Lots of cool footage of investigators having their collars yanked by spirits - unnerving!

And yes, I have time left over to read books / magazines, do chores, write reports, play piano for church service, go out with friends and family, among other things.

It helps when you're not in a relationship. :D

Have a few days off this coming week. Hope to take a look at Ion Orchard now that everyone else in Singapore has been there.

Also counting down the days till my next trip overseas, in about a month's time. Dolphins and whales this time round, woohoo!

A Much Needed Break

Wow, has it really been 3 weeks since my last entry?

Just returned from a terrific trip to Sydney for a conference and some touring. Photos haven't been uploaded yet, but I'll try to post them within the next week or so when I have a few days off.

I previously passed through this city in 2000 - stayed a couple of days before hopping over to Melbourne ( my primary destination ). Have a vague memory of a night tour and food poisoning caused by a cold sandwich I ate at Changi Airport during a 6-hour (!) flight delay, thanks to Qantas Airways.

This time round, things were very different. I was in the pink of health, explored the city via public bus, and stayed at a beautiful hotel at Circular Quay, which is close to the Sydney Harbour. I awoke to a spectacular view of the Sydney Opera House surrounded by sparkling turqoise blue water every morning, which was heavenly!

Won't bore you with conference details. I had 4 free days for touring, which were spent at Hunter Valley, on a Sydney Harbour cruise, at the Opera House, shopping in the business district, and at the Star City casino.

Hunter Valley doesn't seem as pretty as Melbourne's Yarra Valley, but maybe the overcast sky marred the landscape a little. My mom and I visited the Hunter Valley Gardens, which are quite lovely, but also rather barren considering the early spring season. Got whipped around by strong winds during our 2-hour trudge through the grounds, but we plucked a couple of oranges from the trees, and ate fantastic scones at the cafe. Highly recommend you drop by during the summer months, especially since that's when the rose garden will be in full bloom.

A guided tour of the Opera House was fun and informative. The highlight though, was watching the resident symphony orchestra rehearse in the main concert hall. They were doing acoustic tests, so special wall panels were opened for this purpose. The effect was amazing despite our location in the last row near the exit. Ahh, I got goosebumps. :)

The interior is a tad ugly, considering the prominent slabs of bare concrete that form the foundations of the unique shell architecture. But the exterior is state-of-the-art, and its tumultuous construction history is fascinating.

The cruise we took around Sydney Harbour and surrounding areas lasted 2.5 hours, with an exhaustive commentary by a guide, and a mouth-watering afternoon tea spread ( more scones! :)). Started off cloudy, then the skies cleared in the 2nd hour, allowing me to take gorgeous photos of the Harbour Bridge and other scenic areas.

For the shopping, we concentrated on the George Street stretch. Strolled through The Strand Arcade and detoured to a handicraft store, where my mom bought almost 50 balls of wool at superb prices ( don't ask me how we stuffed them into our luggage, but we succeeded! ), then walked across all 4 floors of the Queen Victoria Building, with its stained glass windows and elegant ceilings, wonderful jewellery shops and exhibition of costumes from the Hollywood film The Young Victoria.

My greatest joy, however, was at the Virgin Megastore. Spent 2 hours browsing its extensive CD and DVD collections. Some of the deals were so unbelievable that I ended up buying a big bagful of discs. The Caucasian guy who processed my purchase was really friendly - he actually spoke to me about one of the films I bought, which I thought was very nice.

The Star City casino is gigantic, easily the same size as the one at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, where I stayed in 2007. Tonnes of slot machines, 3 of which served my mom well. She played for 5 hours and made a small profit - no small feat considering how I lost money at every machine I chose ( not my day I guess, but at least I played small ).

And believe it or not, the lady guarding the entrance thought I was below 18! Had to fish out my passport and get scrutinized before she let me in. Not sure if I should be flattered or insulted, heh.

Our stay was made more pleasant by the marvelous people we met - at the hotel, at restaurants and various shops we patronized. Vehicle drivers stopped for us even when it was their right of way, men opened doors for us though we were metres away from the entrance, and pedestrians apologized when WE accidentally bumped into THEM!

As a result, my mom and I couldn't help complaining upon returning to Singapore and facing reality again - locals who can't seem to walk straight, almost knock us over without even saying sorry, and slam doors in our faces. Sigh.

A big regret - not knowing that Cate Blanchett is performing at the Sydney Wharf Theatre in Tennessee Williams' A Streetcare Named Desire, until it was too late and tickets were completely sold out. Tried my luck calling the box office daily, but to no avail.

Last but not least, my thanks to 2 Singaporean medical colleague friends currently staying in Sydney, one of whom was at the conference and helped me navigate my way to the nearest bus-stop so I could find my way back to the hotel, and another who took my mom and I to dinner with his wife and 2 adorable children, followed by a drive along the coast, and a subsequent separate tour around town with his wife and daughter. They made us feel very welcome and right at home.

Overdosing on Gossip Girl

Season 1 DVD, to be exact. ( Check out its official website. )

From the creators of The O.C., but much less annoying, since airheads Mischa Barton and Rachel Bilson aren't in it.

I've been hearing about this hit series since 2007, and can now understand why it's so popular. The cast is the best-looking one I've ever seen on television, and some of the actors are pretty charismatic.

Favourite character: hands down, Chuck Bass, the crafty yet vulnerable playboy played deliciously by Ed Westwick.

Guilty pleasure: Chace Crawford, the floppy-haired golden boy whom I find more interesting than goody-two-shoes Zac Efron. I keep having to remind myself that he's more than 10 years my junior, but there's no denying that this guy is super-hot! Wonder how he'll fare in the remake of Footloose, which catapulted Kevin Bacon to fame back in the '80s?

Here they are, with Crawford on the left, and Westwick on the right.

Other Guilty Pleasures

True Blood Season 2, which continues to rack up the gore and sex factors, albeit in slightly censored form, on cable's Channel 59.

Alexander Skarsgard ( right )has more screen time as Eric, the 1000-year-old vampire. A friend who's read the Charlaine Harris novels tells me Eric actually features as the main character in the books, but I guess they chose to highlight Bill Compton ( Stephen Moyer ) in Season 1 because of the love story angle. Doesn't matter, since I like both actors. :)

Patrizio Buanne, whom I've been a fan of since his debut in 2005, just released his latest album, Patrizio. Tracks include a samba version of My Fair Lady's On The Street Where You Live, and cool covers of Patsy Kline's Crazy, Bryan Adams' Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?, plus jazz classics Mambo Italiano and Americano ( you may remember Matt Damon and Jude Law performing this in The Talented Mr. Ripley ).

I own his previous 2 CDs, so I know he has a fantastic voice. With this new album, he shifts gear and plays down the vocals a fair bit, which isn't the best approach to take, in my opinion. However, his spirit shines through in Mambo Italiano and Americano, where his smooth and stylish deliveries take centrestage. I've seen him perform, so I know this guy has moves. Also met him backstage in 2005 - hope I'll have another chance to say hello if he comes back for a show here.

Pictures from Sydney to follow in the next entry - hopefully. :)

Thank Goodness For Hungry Ghosts :)


After months of hell in the ER, and an average of almost 600 patients daily over the past week, we finally have some respite from the constant deluge, thanks to the annual Hungry Ghost Festival.

The difference is remarkable.

Attendances have fallen below 400 since the Festival began a few days ago. In fact, the absence of patients has resulted in the entire ER turning into a freezer, since there aren't that many people present to generate body heat.

If only we could celebrate this all year round. Haha.

Am counting down the remaining week as I continue to prep for the trip ahead. Going to hop on the public bus in a foreign country, alone, for the first time. Supposed to be quite safe, but you never know who you might meet, depending on your luck, so I intend to look as inconspicuous as possible.



True Blood season 2 began its run on local cable last night. The gore factor has increased significantly - e.g. one victim is shown with a huge bloody cavity in her chest, where her heart used to be - but I love the characters and this sort of edgy stuff, so it ain't a problem for me. :)

Alexander Sarsgaard is quite a find. This muscular European blondie is perfectly cast as the powerful vampire leader figure, Eric. There's a scene where he rips off a man's arm during an attack, but shot from a shadow-on-the-wall angle. I know it's all fake, but it's still pretty unnerving.



Anyone watching The Late Show With Conan O'Brien? I stopped after the initial few episodes, but started tuning in again last night, mostly so I could catch people like Peter Sarsgaard ( great actor in the current film release, Orphan, but whom I loved in Shattered Glass and Jarhead ), Stephen Moyer ( vampire Bill Compton from True Blood ), and Sacha Baron Cohen, who did the interview as Bruno. The last segment was a riot! SBC did an erotic dance at the end, and really tapped into his host's homophobic fears, as evidenced by a look of absolute terror on O'Brien's face when SBC tried to ram his nose into his crotch. I kid you not. :)

O'Brien also visited a science fair, where he poked fun at some of the exhibits. I laughed pretty hard, heh heh.



Another thing that made me laugh - watching Singapore Idol for half an hour last night. The lack of talent made me cringe, as did the atrocious English spoken by the judges, the host, and practically all the contestants. But Ken Lim's comment to a group of sunglass-wearing girls was hilarious: "Why, you all got sore eyes is it?" Good one, Ken!



Check this out: caught a performance by this troupe on O'Brien, and it blew me into outer space. Can't watch them in Vegas, but will they come to Singapore? One can always hope. Maybe when the Marina Bay casino resort opens? Adrian Monk can investigate if a murder occurs. Just need to find a good reason for him to be in Singapore in the first place. :)

Tip: go to YouTube to see the O'Brien clip. It's got a female pole dancer who defies gravity. Unbelievable.



The Broadway craving continues. Am currently blasting a CD I bought way back in 1996 when I caught Sarah Brightman and Anthony Warlow in concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Don't know why I never got round to buying more of his albums from Amazon, but I will definitely do so now that my interest in his music has been revived. This Australian stage star has one of the most exquisite voices I've ever heard. The CD I'm playing contains beautiful renditions of Music Of The Night ( Phantom of the Opera ), Bring Him Home ( Les Miserables ), This Is The Moment ( Jekyll & Hyde ), Being Alive ( Company ), among others.

His other albums, however, feature other gems like If Ever I Should Leave You ( Kismet ), Somewhere ( West Side Story ), Hello Dolly, and If I Loved You. All are songs that make me swoon - if done the right way, that is. :)

Am undecided about Lee Mead though. He's a terrific singer and performer, but if the arrangements don't suit him, then there really isn't a point in torturing myself. Need to sample his tracks first.

Also on my to-buy list: the original cast recording of Starlight Express, which I used to own in cassette form when I was in secondary school, before it disintegrated from too many spins. It is a fantastic musical, with lots of memorable and catchy numbers. Never came to Singapore, argh!

That's all for now. May post another entry before I fly off.

Sigh

Yes, it's one of those times - again.

Have been neglecting my blog severely due to work obligations. The administrative duties never cease, and shifts have been unbelievably bad. I mean, the sheer number of resus cases is reaching insane levels. What the heck!?

At least I'll be out of the country in about 2 weeks' time, for a conference and some touring. Not a long trip, but a short break is better than slogging at the ER, and definitely beats stewing in Singapore, where the people are driving me crazy.

Recently joined yet another online networking site - no prizes for guessing which - due to peer pressure, i.e. all those emails inviting me to be friends. Turns out quite a few pals have relocated overseas, so this is the easiest way to stay in touch. Some pages have also been rather revealing. I knew one guy's a flirt, but seeing him "yaya" online is a major revelation. This fellow is skilled, man. I should learn from him. :)

Recreation-wise, am now reading Mr. Monk And The Two Assistants, which is IMHO better than Mr. Monk Goes To Germany, mainly because Sharona ( watch the show if you want to know who she is ) is such a great character, and the novel explains her close relationship with Monk in much greater detail than anything I saw on television.
There're also a number of priceless scenes and murder suspects, one of whom professes to be "multi-sexual". Wrap your brain around that! :)

Mr. Goldberg, if you're still reading, I highly recommend a trip here to prep for Mr. Monk Goes To Singapore. I guarantee our little island will provide infinite material for a great mystery and lots of hilarious antics! ( Just try to imagine his reaction to, say, the Merlion. )

As for television, I'm trying out a few episodes of Fringe, which stars Joshua Jackson as a smart-aleck genius helping the FBI investigate strange occurrences all over the world. 2-hour premiere was okay, but if it doesn't pick up by week 3, I'm relegating it to the "not worth my time" tray.

The Mentalist is so-so, but Simon Baker, with his gorgeous wavy blonde locks, is a good enough reason to spend an hour in front of the goggle box. :)

And speaking of Jackson, I highly recommend Shutter, a remake of the Japanese horror flick about spirits appearing in photographic images. The Hollywood version is directed by a Japanese, which may account for all that nail-biting suspense and terrific performances from the leads. Rachael Taylor, whom you may remember as the heavily mascara-ed blondie computer hacker from Transformers, does a complete turnaround here, adopting a gentle American accent, light makeup, and demonstrating some serious acting chops as a woman tormented by a seemingly malevolent spirit. ( It's almost as good as Michelle Pfeiffer's turn in What Lies Beneath. )

I'm certain a photo I took in an Egyptian tomb captured spirits - which appeared as free floating white orbs within an inner chamber with no discernible breeze. Will post that picture at a later date if I have time. My mom says it creeps her out.

Right, time to do an exit round, then head home for some much needed sleep.

OMG!

Just logged into Blogger and found this comment from Lee Goldberg!

Not sure when it was posted - doesn't show in the comments page - but if you missed it, he said, "I'm glad you're enjoying my MONK novels. Are they in English or Chinese or Thai or Klingon?"

Mr. Goldberg, in response to your query ( which I'm sure was made in a completely tongue-in-cheek manner :)), they're in English. :)

Managed to get my hands on a new copy of Mr. Monk Goes To Germany, published in 2008. Considering it came from the public library, this is practically in mint condition compared to the other books, which were tattered with yellowed pages and the occasional doodle ( some of which looked obscene ).

Yes, Singaporeans don't know how to love their reading materials. Suspect I got H1N1 from a contaminated library book.

Also grabbed Mr. Monk And The Two Assistants from another library branch in town. Will read that once I finish Germany.

Now the only one missing from my list is Mr. Monk Goes To Hawaii.

Favourite so far: still Mr. Monk And The Blue Flu, followed by Mr. Monk Goes To The Firehouse.

Definitely helps that I've seen the TV series. The novels come to life beautifully when you can imagine all the characters speaking the lines and displaying their trademark mannerisms, especially Monk with his nervous tics and various "tells".

I have a special affinity for Captain Stottlemeyer - he's hilarious on TV, but very sweet on paper.

Thank you for dropping by my blog, Mr. Goldberg! If you ever visit Singapore, please let me know and I'll be more than happy to show you around! :)

You can visit his website here.

In Memoriam

Just received news about a friend's passing.

The medical community has lost an individual who embodied the best qualities a doctor should possess.

May you rest in peace.

Bleah

Will keep this short.

I'm on leave, but as luck would have it, I've also come down with what I suspect is H1N1.

Fever 38.6 deg C, myalgia, rhinorrhoea, cough, headache.

Am making do with self-medication at home. Still doing housework, but putting off the major vacuuming / mopping till next week when I don't feel so lousy.

Damn that I didn't get sick when I had to do shifts. At least it would've granted me a few days of MC.

And now, Blogger's posting page is in a weird format. Anyone else experiencing this problem? How the heck do you adjust the font size?

So the TVs and DVRs have arrived. Chose Panasonic LCD. Thanks to everyone who offered their advice. Am now watching a Michael Buble concert DVD - the effect is spectacular. :)

Also want to recommend a great, great film. It's called Lars And The Real Girl, and stars Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer and Paul Shneider.

Like one of my other favourites, Into The Wild, LATRG is deeply moving, expertly directed, and buoyed by a terrific cast.

Gosling proves his versatility, picking a role that is the polar opposite of his usual arrogant, rascally characters.
His portrayal of Lars is bittersweet, comical and heartwarming.

Supporting actors Emily Mortimer and Paul Shneider deserve special mention for their sensitive performances as Lars' patient sister-in-law and brother.
Shneider, in particular, stands out in quite a few scenes where his character first registers shock and disbelief, then settles into resignation and, finally, unconditional acceptance.
He also demonstrates a keen sense of comic timing. Look out for a hilarious breakfast scene where Shneider looks like he's having the mother of all migraines.

A beautiful piece of work.

Other beautiful pieces of work: Lee Goldberg's Monk novels, based on the long-running hit TV series.
Couldn't believe it when I found a whole chunk of them at the nearby public library. Have already read Mr. Monk And The Blue Flu ( side-splitting! ) and am now reading Mr. Monk Goes To The Firehouse ( equally good ).

Also spotted Jeff Lindsay's Dexter series, which resulted in the TV spinoff. Will borrow those later.

I feel a temperature spiking, so before I sign off, here's a link to a friend's blog which features reviews of the latest hot gadgets. Do pay it a visit.

Right, time for some Panadol and a cold shower.

Advice Needed

After 9 good years of service, my Panasonic TVs and VCRs - yes, VCRs - are dying slow deaths. Have to endure the next week or two without any recording capabilities ( missing the Law & Order marathon, argh! ), and contemplating whether to buy LCD or plasma TVs later this week when I venture to a Best Denki outlet in town.

Please post your comments - I will log into Blogger to read and moderate them daily.


In other news, I'm looking forward to another short block of leave starting this weekend. Unfortunately, it doesn't coincide with G's schedule, as he'll be out of the country for most of the period. Oh well, guess the alcohol session can wait. :)

Appaloosa turned out to be a moderately enjoyable Western flick, buoyed only by its terrific cast - Viggo Mortensen, Ed Harris, Jeremy Irons and Renee Zellweger.
Nothing very special about this film, except for the 3 unbelievably hot older actors, who don't seem to have an ounce of flab on their bodies and are tremendously gifted thespians to boot.
And Mortensen looks great with a shotgun. :)

Burn After Reading was a nice way to spend my post-call evening. Again, the cast saved an otherwise frivolous script, which sort of collapsed on itself towards the last half hour and ended too abruptly for my taste ( the Coen brothers need to kick this stupid habit - prime example: No Country For Old Men ).

Awaiting to be seen: The Duchess, Lars And The Real Girl ( Ryan Gosling got rave reviews for this one ), The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button ( high expectations to meet ), and a collection of short films by Pixar.
Am taking advantage of VideoEzy's Great Singapore Sale offers, after a huge delay due to a pile of administrative duties that have only recently been cleared from my in-tray.

Books-wise, the review of the Monk novel will be posted at a later date. I've also spotted some Dexter thrillers on the shelves. Wish I had the time to read them. I just love gory stuff. :)

Catching Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince soon. Have absolutely no impression from the book, which I hated, so hope the movie fares better.

Before I sign off, a link to Jason Mraz's blog. He's taking questions via Twitter - next round this coming Friday. Hope he returns to Singapore in the near future!

This Week...

I watched Changeling - yes, the Clint Eastwood film starring Angelina Jolie.
After hating Slumdog Millionaire, Changeling is a great breath of fresh air, expertly directed by Eastwood, with a taut script and terrific performances from the entire cast.
Am especially impressed with Jeffrey Donovan, who played a nasty police captain at loggerheads with Jolie's character. A breakout role for the Burn Notice star.

Also caught Imelda, the 2003 film by Ramona Diaz. Though far from blatantly critical, it does portray the infamous Filipino ex-First Lady in a less than flattering light.
Two scenes stand out: one where Mrs. Marcos launches into a lengthy discourse about the path to peace and order ( something about experiential and cosmic whatever ), and a remark that even the poor approve of her extravagant spending, because "when I live well, they live well".
Err, right.

Met up with G, whom I've known for more than 9 years, ever since my first MO posting in gastro. Had drinks at Raffles Hotel's Long Bar ( not as crowded as the last time I visited, which was quite a few years ago ), before moving on ( at G's insistence ) to another watering hole across the road. The mojito must've been mixed with some caffeinated concoction, since I had insomnia the whole night and remained wide awake the entire day. Or maybe it's just getting to spend time with G after an estimated 2 years apart.
He brought me a thoughtful - and most unexpected - gift, a definite first in the course of our long friendship. Impeccable manners, generous to a fault, a great conversationalist, still as good-looking as ever, and vowing to remain eternally single.
I really should take up his offer to drive me around one of these days. :)

Coming soon: reviews of Appaloosa ( a Viggo Mortensen western ), Burn After Reading ( not too hopeful about this one ), and a Lee Goldberg novel based on the Monk TV series ( hilarious so far ).

Pure Indulgence Part VI

After going cross-eyed while gathering statistics from the department's computerized medical records, it's time for some R&R.

If you don't like the direction this is going, feel free to drop by Singapore MD for something more intellectually stimulating. Whiny comments won't be published.

This entry is dedicated to male musical theatre stars.

First, John Barrowman, whom I mentioned recently after seeing him on BBC Entertainment's Any Dream Will Do -- a reality TV series which aired in the UK in 2007, pitched as a search for raw new talent to play the lead role in Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

Already into its 3rd episode, I've got to say it's very entertaining, though at times a little too theatrical. I guess all that youthful energy makes it tough to be subtle, heh.

As my mother and I tuned in last night, she kept saying what "a huge pity" it is that Barrowman's gay. She must've made this remark at least 5 times. Awww, I feel your pain too, mom. :)

His biography lists Raoul ( Phantom Of The Opera ) and Bobby ( Stephen Sondheim's Company ) as past stage roles. You can sample his music on the IMEEM player on the right - just type his name in the box and click on the arrow. His cover of Carly Simon's You're So Vain is surprisingly good. Going to buy his CDs for my collection. :)

Next, Lee Mead, who's one of the contestants on Any Dream Will Do.

No spoiler alert since the show concluded 2 years ago. Suffice to say, I was too curious to pass up the chance to find out who won, and turns out Lee emerged the victor.

Funny thing is, when I first laid eyes on him during the first 2 episodes ( last week ), I knew nothing about his background and immediately picked him as my favourite of the lot. Partly because he has the right look, but also because he has a terrific voice and stage presence.

This week, it was revealed that he was an understudy for the role of Raoul on Phantom Of The Opera, but never got to perform because the principal actor didn't fall sick.

Can I pick 'em, or can I pick 'em? :)

Seems Lee became romantically involved with one of the show's judges soon after he won. Hooked up with Denise van Outen, a pretty blonde who's also 7 years older. They're now engaged to be married. Congratulations!

Next, on to another favourite, Raul Esparza, whom I've mentioned before during my Company obsession earlier this year, and whose photo I'd like to post as a gentle reminder.

He famously blasted Jeremy Piven for pulling out of Speed-The-Plow due to supposed mercury poisoning, and missed out on winning the Tony for Outstanding Actor in a Play.

Currently, he's starring opposite Anne Hathaway in a Broadway production of Twelfth Night.

I just hope he'll be acting in something when I'm back in NYC next year, or I'm going to pull my hair out.

Here he is with fellow Speed-The-Plow actors Elizabeth Moss and Piven ( who's on the right, in happier times ).

Last but not least, John Lloyd Young.

I may not have written about him for quite some time, but I still keep track of his career, and wish he'd release an album so I can buy it already.

He's acting in a comedy film, and making a guest appearance on the new Ryan Murphy ( Nip/Tuck creator ) TV series, Glee.

Thank you, L, for enabling me to catch the pilot episode, which I just know I'll love. :D

I really should drop JLY a fan letter one of these days, so I can receive another personal reply. It's fun. :)

Apologies for the tiny photo. It's one of the best ones available on the Net but comes in a low resolution, so I had to compromise.

Right, time to do an exit round, then head on home.

A Quickie Post

First, a link to Singapore MD, which will lead you to an interesting article about the H1N1 pandemic.

Second, a singer I recently discovered via BBC Entertainment on cable, named John Barrowman. Not sure how big a star he is on-stage, but he's got a great voice. ( He's also good-looking and openly gay, not that it matters. :))

Third, I finally watched Slumdog Millionaire on DVD. Does NOT deserve a Best Picture Oscar, or all that hype. It's cheesy from beginning to end. Flashback to the year Forrest Gump beat The Shawshank Redemption. Totally unfair.

Or maybe it's just me. Have been developing a taste for dark films these past few years - There Will Be Blood, Into The Wild, etc. I didn't like Wall-E, and got lots of flak for it. :)

By the way, it's Dead Poets Society's 20th anniversary this year. Wow, didn't realize I first saw it when I was 14 years old, and Ethan Hawke was only 17 or 18 in it. Still my all-time favourite. A real classic.

And last, a disappointing line-up for 2009's Singapore Sun Festival. Guess I'll save my money for 2010 when I return to Broadway.

Am drawing up a list of items to buy from Amazon when I go on leave later this month. May cost me a bundle. :P

R.I.P.

I am in shock right now.

Can't believe Michael Jackson's really dead.

Just saw the Internet news reports this morning. Confirmation of details surrounding his tragic demise are still pending, but I'm extremely saddened by this sudden turn of events.

Possibilities: 1) drug overdose? 2) some viral illness causing myocarditis? 3) an underlying disease which he hid from the media and finally did him in?

I still remember the night I saw him in concert at the Kallang Stadium. It was 1993, just days before my prelims, but my mom knew how much I wanted to go and generously purchased the most expensive tickets for us. We ended up standing on our foldable chairs for 2 whole hours, craning our necks to see MJ above all the outstretched arms in front of us. We also sang Happy Birthday for him as he turned 35 that very same day.

It remains one of the best shows I've ever attended and, weeks later, a letter I snail-mailed ( not much Internet back then ) to Shadoe Stevens - the host of American Top 40 - was read to a global audience. In it, I detailed his visit to Singapore, including his gifts of free concert tickets to healthcare personnel who took care of him at a local private hospital.

Wow, everything's still fresh in my mind...

Despite all the controversy and bad publicity that has dogged MJ these past 15 years, there's no question that he will always be a musical icon - a genius who fell victim to the perils of fame and fortune and, sadly, never managed to recover.

Time magazine's tribute edition will arrive in my mailbox next week. Will store it somewhere safe, next to the commemorative issue from 9/11.

Pure Indulgence Part V

Bear with me. :)

My mum's a little creeped out by that snake.

Real? Not real? I think it's the former. Fake ones can't coil like that.

Edgy - I like.

Not sure which year this is from, but James McAvoy has looked the same for the past 5 years.

Fabulous actor. If he'd been taller, he could've been a killer Darcy opposite Keira Knightley.

A recent favourite - though a perpetual Top 10.

He's done a few racy films in his early career. Check out YouTube. :)

An unexpected find on Google - a picture of Kevin Spacey that I've never seen before, and one of the most beautifully shot to boot.

Okay, now it's REALLY time to get back to work.