Bye-bye People...

... for a week or two so don't pull out the champagne bottles yet. I'll be going back to my hometown to sort out some stuff. To those who remember me, pray for me as I pray for you.

The Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is deapir, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

To be understood, as to understand;

To be loved, as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive,

In pardoning that we are pardoned,

And in dying we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

When The Moon Goes Blue

Where do you go when you're lonely?

Where do you go when you're blue?

Where do you go when you're lonely?

I'll follow you

When the moon goes blue

-Many apologies to the Corrs. I only changed ONE word from "When The Stars Go Blue" to suit the pic. Sorry, but, I'm too sleepy to be original tonight. :)

Sophie Scholl, Take Two

How can like that?!

Another trip to Cineleisure Damansara crowned me the undisputed King of the Theatre. There was simply no one else to be found. Sophie Scholl is one of the best movies this year and nobody in the freaking country appreciates it? Truly Malaysia Boleh! Go make teh tarik in space and film it for all I care. I’m sure that clip will sell out Bukit Jalil one week over. C’mon people, good movies don’t necessarily have to be razzle-dazzle all the way.

I say again that Sophie Scholl is a smashing movie. Unfortunately, it is obviously shown in the wrong country because the only subtitles Malaysians know are the ones that translate 300 into “Tiga ratus pahlawan berani mati.” That only holds in Hollywood movies people! German movies come with accurate English translations prepared by foreigners! People really need to broaden their horizons! (Sorry Janet, I stole that line but I’m using it for a good cause.) Poor Sophie needs recognition.

These seats could be yours people. Help Sophie!

The Lion's Eyes

Taken by the enemy’s hand
Trapped inside a foreign land
I sat and wept
Prayed that the Lord would not forget

Just a young man in the sun
My name was changed
As if for fun
I chose water over wine
God helps His servants
I look into the lion’s eyes

How do I know what I should say?
About this vision
Of gold and clay
My life, it hangs on one decree
I pray to the Father
Open my eyes so I can see

Friends saw an idol made of gold
But their souls could not be sold
They would not bow
And in the fire they were crowned

I saw the writing on the wall
A proud reign ended
Oh what a fall
I was clothed in purple
With chains of gold
Amazing what the Lord bestows

As I am thrown down, fit to die
I see the lions
I fear the sight
Is this the prize I’ve waited for?
I will not waver
My Lord will see me through it all

Safe from death and the lion’s teeth
I now have dreams of rams and beasts
God saves my life
I look into my lion’s eyes

Sophie Scholl (Richard's Top Ten: Stuff you don't say during a movie)

Summer blockbusters are here again. And as usual, the hoi polloi fight tooth and nail to obtain seats for Shrek the Third, Pirates of the Caribbean and our friendly neighbourhood superhero. While I succumbed to the pressures of the world and caught the eye candy movies, the contemplative and soulful part of me pined for something more. And in Sophie Scholl, I found it.

The movie is based on the true story of Germany’s most prominent anti-Nazi heroine, Sophie Magdalena Scholl (No prizes for guessing there…) and revolves around the last six days of her life. A student activist, Sophie is a member of a society named the White Rose that operates in Munich to start an underground resistance movement against the monolithic Third Reich regime.

Initially a member of the Bund Deutscher Mädel (League of German Girls), Sophie’s initial enthusiasm was replaced by resistance after she witnessed or discovered the regime’s atrocities against humanity that included the mass murder of disabled children, the extermination of European Jews and the ill treatment of Bolshevik PoWs on the Eastern Front.

Participating actively in the underground movement, Sophie is caught with her brother Hans, while they attempt to distribute pamphlets on campus. The movie then zooms in on her character and convictions throughout her arrest, interrogation, confinement, trial and execution. A woman of substance, commitment, conscience and faith, Sophie stand tall throughout the midst of trial and temptation. The movie accurately captures her Protestant beliefs as well and her conviction and faith put many church goers to shame.

While some of my friends who study in Germany keep raving on and on about the pretty women, this movie gets a plus point from me for not starring a Heidi Klum look-alike but Julia Jentsch, a woman who actually looks like the real Sophie Scholl minus the curly hair. Julia plays her part with aplomb, mesmerizing the audience (albeit a small one) with a passionate, moving and timeless performance. It even made this jack@$$ of an author cry. Her grace and presence on screen is so very evident to the point where you actually feel like Sophie Scholl has come to life again.

Frankly, I am of the view that everyone should watch this movie at least once. Book your tickets now at Cineleisure Damansara. GO! As for me, I caught the movie today and while I learned many things from Sophie, I learned a bit from someone else as well. Move tip 101: Always go with someone who can appreciate the show. Take it from me; you don’t want to find out the hard way.

P.S. I had no choice. I felt tired of catching movies alone.


Richard's Top Ten

10. This is World War Two! Where are the explosions?
-.- Proof that some women don't always appreciate the finer things of life (Or life itself)

9. Richard, we're already at forty minutes and all we've seen are two people talking in a room. Can people talk that long?
Can people complain that long?

8. They should get a beautiful and sexy actress. The movie would be more dramatic that way.
Maybe you should act. I will throw things at you. Men may be from Mars and women from Venus but your planet is still unchartered.

7. I don't believe I drove so fast so we could catch this movie.
I don't believe I wish I was actually deaf!

6. Wow! Were the Nazis Buddhists? Their logo is so like that sign in Buddhism!
Zzz... Buddhism has a left-facing swastika while the Nazis used a right-facing one.

5. Eh... that guy is cute! So gaya...
Huttaphaq!? >.<

4. How did this movie win so many awards? Do people actually understand it?
Not you, apparently.

3. I thought this movie would be fun like Shrek or interesting like Spiderman.
Sorry to burst your bubble but the only similarity is that all three movies begin with S.

2. I'd appreciate it more if I could actually understand what she was saying.
Cough, cough... subtitles!

1. Why does it feel like I'm the only one talking here?
Because we're the only two people in the theatre and you're the only one talking.

And All You People Say I Can't Crap! :P

This is Richard Lim, reporting live from Peacehaven, Genting Highlands. This very site has been rife with supernatural activity and it is now a hotspot for various scientific and psychological studies. Ladies and gentlemen, please do not be alarmed. What you’re about to read is perfectly safe. Unfortunately, I cannot claim this report to be a distortion or an illusion. Make no mistake friends; there are unseen forces around us.


On a cold, dark and stormy night, the sinister faction known only as Joyannjannah infiltrated the premises of Peacehaven. There, a group of holidaymakers, the Koinonians, lay deep in sleep. Stealthily making their way to the pantry, the four mischief makers laid out their plans to wreck havoc. Cackling with eerie laughter, they conjured their spells and cast them in unison. Nothing was spared as their spell held sway over the people, the premises, the cute little birds and even the food. Their supernatural presence was felt immediately as a group of women went into frenzy throughout the night, dancing and singing in a strange unfathomable language depriving the Koinonian girls of sleep.

Strange things were happening as well in the guy’s dorm as an abominable creature only known as Kelvin’s Bird (Coined by Aaron) traumatized the men with shrieks of anguish. This kickstarted a chain reaction as gastronomical emissions were heard throughout the dorm, resulting in a foul odour. Grown men feared the night and with the abomination lurking outside, many could not bring themselves to close their eyes. “I don’t like to sleep alone. Stay with me please. Don’t go.” So terrifying was the ordeal that the strongest man within the group had to radio and wait for backup to answer nature’s call. “Look mom, I’m gonna pee pee my pants.”

As morning rose, the cackling from the pantry ceased and the shadowy faction disappeared as quickly as they came. But the die was cast. Weakened and weary from the night’s ordeal, the Koinonians eagerly sought replenishment and warmed to the bread and butter that lay prepared for them. However, the bread and butter had been tampered with and the night’s happenings were just a ploy to weaken the mental faculties of the Koinonians. The bread and butter served a more sinister purpose and as the Koinonians ate, they became subservient to the magic spell cast upon them.

The following pictures are scenes of mass hysteria at Peacehaven. Some of you may find them disturbing and if there are children around, please ensure that they’re tucked into bed. While nothing suspicious has transpired in the studio, there have been reports of young children fainting or going into a trancelike state upon viewing these pictures. Parents, please, do the right thing. Nothing is what it seems.

That scene from Love Potion no. 9

That scene from Pinnochio

"I'm a real boy!!!"

That scene from Jack and the Beanstalk

"Look mom, I'm tall."

That scene from Wag the Dog

"More! More! More!"

That other scene from Wag the Dog

"Is this the pirated DVD sniffing labrador?"

That scene from American Idol

"Before William Hung was, I am!"

That scene from Hulk

"Me smash, you die!"

That scene from Borat

"Everybody's talking about me. I don't care what they say..."

That scene from Independence day

"Take me with you!!!"

A manhunt is out in order to bring the perpetrators to justice. Joyannjannah is wanted dead or alive. Do contact the local authorities if you see them making a strange appearance. Preemptive measures have already been taken with detachable crosses placed outside every holiday rest house and hotel. They are quite distinct and they come with the sign saying “If you’re going much further, please take one.”

This is Richard Lim, signing off.

Never on Thursday (The Superficial)

I got my first car accident on a Thursday. I broke up twice on a Thursday. I got mugged on a Thursday. Yup, I was the victim of an attempted burglary on a Thursday, no prizes there. And no, it does not get any better as my favourite pooch, Pongo died on a Thursday as well. To add insult to injury, lightning decided to get chummy with me on a Thursday and my modem and router were fried.

Yes, I was playing WoW during the storm. Don’t laugh. It was in the middle of a 20 men raid. I had a commitment to 19 other gals and blokes! Raiding is serious business okay! Frankly though, if I had the choice, Thursday would be taken off the calendar. While I’m not superstitious, I can do little but accept the sad, sad, fact that Thursday has never gotten along with me. Almost sounds like a relationship eh? Well, it’s an awfully bad one and Thursday is one bad woman. Jezebel! Bad! BAD!

Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it all. A few weeks ago, I hoped for a speedy end to the exams and a quick transition from schoolboy to penguin (Office people walk in a line. The blind lead the blind and when one falls, they all fall). A speedy exam is one thing but it is another thing to have your weakest paper moved up by six days. Lesson no. 1: Keep your big fat mouth shut! But it is all good. A fast end can’t be that bad right? At least, I could look forward to a good holiday, or so I thought, for the fickle hand of fate ensured that the twist of events was anything but.

Everybody has a summer holiday. Doing things they always wanted to. Fun and laughter on a summer holiday; no more worries for me, for me and you. “Dear Richard, please be informed that we would like to make an amendment to our prior appointment. You will be interviewed immediately after our lunch.” I’m going where the sun shines brightly. I’m going where the sea is blue… Siaran tergendala. How can like that!

22 hours after my final paper and I’m up for an interview on Thursday! THURSDAY! Pete’s sakes! Oh well, I wanted it fast didn’t I? Yes, the fact that Thursday didn’t excite me too much either. But still, I looked forward to the opportunity with great anticipation. And I made plans to ensure that this Thursday would be special. Of course, I prayed to the Big Fella Upstairs for insurance. Contingency plans are important ok? That’s Management 101 for you. Deciding to take it all on the chin, I put my best foot forward in faith believing that this Thursday would be special. Lesson no. 2: He comes to make all things new. So you’d better live that way. I scheduled my Thursday. I wanted it to be special.

Lunch with a sister and a good conversation set me in the mood. Oh, and let’s not forget the food. Game 1: Richard. Meeting another sister in the industry put me in the groove. And more roti bakar added the vroom. Come on roti, light my fire! Game 2: Richard. Calm before the storm. And the moment and truth came and lo and behold, up stepped Tweedledum and Tweedledee who were supposed to interview me! And they actually look human! And what was poor old Richard supposed to do? Poor boy, he was so full and lost in the woods. And as the interviewer spoke, the poor boy spoke up, “Grandma… what big teeth you have!” Laugh now.

For the first time in many Thursdays, time flew by. And as the interview ended, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. All glory to Him! Game, set and match: Jesus! The Thursday curse is over! And looking back, i paired up twice with lady luv on Thursdays as well. For on Thursday you were made and to Thursday you will return. Thus sayeth the... okay, okay. But nevertheless, for safety purposes, Thursday is still an off limits zone until road repairs are completed. I apologize for the inconvenience caused.

NEVER ON THURSDAY

Oh you can kiss me on a Monday, a Monday, a Monday

Is very, very good.

Oh you can kiss me on a Tuesday, a Tuesday, a Tuesday,

In fact I wish you would.

Oh you can kiss me on a Wednesday, a Friday, a Sunday,

And Saturday is best,

But never, never on a Thursday, a Thursday, a Thursday,

Coz that's my day of rest.

P.S. Dedicated to Hannah and Sarah for making this Thursday an enjoyable one! You girls rock!

Are You Watching Closely?

I give you my heart
But not for your keeping
For only God’s hand
Can contain its seeking
He calls us all to do His bidding
I guess I’m budding

Sometimes I laugh and sometimes I weep
Sometimes I stray and sometimes I seek
Sometimes I fall and sometimes I bleed
I guess there is nothing new this week

I stand with you
But not near you
The pillars of the temple are apart
But stand together to serve God’s heart
So let it be with me and you
May we stand to serve so true

Call out my name and I’ll be smiling
Call out my name and I’ll be with you
Call out my name and I’ll come running
It is never too late for me and you

No tree grows
In another’s shadow
No happiness shows
When one is in sorrow
Think again when you see the ordinary
Are you watching closely?

Happy Mama Day. Three cheers for Haagen Dazs, Krispy Kreme and Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline. It all comes in threes... craving, satisfaction and inspiration. :)