PS: I love Youtube

FreshlyGround, a soul/jazz band from Copenhagen, South Africa. The first time I came across these guys was during the Jazz Festival here in Shanghai late last year. They had an amazing performance which explains why I became a fan in a second. And again, I heard them with Shakira for the World Cup 2010 Song. Thanks to YouTube and also cos I'm in Singapore now, I managed to find so many videos of FreshlyGround. Me so Happy!!!

My Danish Love affair began with the lead guitarist of Ibrahim Electric from Denmark. I discovered them just a little before FreshlyGround. At the same Jazz Festival actually. I even took a picture of him blasting away on his guitar - the live performance was that Amazing. But the Chinese version of Youtube, also known as tudou or youku carried no videos of either bands. But..things are gonna be different for the next month. So, here's another video courtesy of Youtube!

Enjoy!


PS: Did I mention I love Youtube?

One Day In Africa

A Map For Saturday was all about this HBO producer who randomly decided to just resign his job and go around backpacking around the world. Brooke-Silva Braga was his name. After about a year of travelling, he returned back to the States, produced a documentary based on his budget travel. One of the most honest travel documentaries I have come across thus far.

This same guy has now directed One Day In Africa that chronicles a single day in the lives of 6 different Africans from six different nations of the African continent.

I sill can't find a source for this documentary. :s

Fate-Less

The Great Wall of China and Me

Morpheus: Do you believe in fate Neo?

Neo: no.

Morpheus: Why not?

Neo: Because I don't like the idea that I'm not in control of my life.

- The Matrix -

I honestly don't like the idea. On one hand, it may appear that less effort is required now that, fate/destiny whichever fancy name you wanna give it, has everything arranged and all one has to do is sit through and enjoy the ride.

On the other hand, it makes one wonder and perhaps feel helpless that his/her decisions that were made considering whatever he had to consider at that moment is in vain. That in actual fact, nothing was required after all. We have been given a brain and also told not to think since everything is laid out for us and we just have to move. 

Is that the way it is? Or is there something I have yet to notice?

Train. Flights. Automobiles

Presently using the internet from a rather deserted location off Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is known as Nilai here. From the hustle and bustle of crowded China, this area is eerily quiet. I'm lovin' it nevertheless.

There is so much I need to share. Including pictures. But sleep is getting to me and this is how much I can say after a 7 hour journey from Beijing to Malaysia  and waiting for another in 4 hours.

Next stop....Home Sweet Home.

So Far and Here On...

Finally, the dreaded finals are over. I feel so FREE now. It is so true that while there were important things that needed attention (ie. exams), we (at least myself) was so very inclined to slack. Read a book. Read Blogs. Check Twitter updates. Facebook. Waiting for a page to load even!

Now, exams have ended and I find myself spoilt for choices to spend my time. They ended way early as well. I have about two weeks to kill before I leave for Singapore.

So far...

• Exams were both good and bad. There might be a couple of supplements that I might need to study for again. *keeping my fingers crossed* 
• Learnt so much this year - specifically cramming last minute. Blame WorldCup!

Here on...

• Heading of to visit the Great Wall of China, Bejing from the 18th till 23rd July *very excited* Will post about the trip,when I get my ass back in Singapore. 
• Usually I embark non-stop flights back home. This time due to a promotion, I bought a ticket to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and heading off from there. There is a 12 hour waiting time. Haven't quite decided what I should do during that time.

Other stuff for the time being...

• Loads of novels to be read + blogs + god knows what else
• Movies + Documentaries to be watched
• Praying to the Gods of Soccer that Germany comes in 3rd at least.
• A tub of ice cream to be finished
• And weeks of Laundry. Damn!

If you think about it, I am still busy actually. 

Rainy Days II

......A loud pitched ring cut across her thoughts. It was the doorbell. The sinister ringing was far from music to the ears. A second cycle of the ring had started playing. Oh god. She placed the mug on the coffee table carefully, yet quick. 

Pulled her body off the couch reluctantly and started making her way to the door. Though the door was near, under the same roof, it appeared to have moved to the far end of the world. Coming. She reached the door and stood there staring at it for a second. She had never noticed the lengthy scratch, which was rather conspicuous now. Should repaint. 

The door was unlocked and she was greeted to a young man, no more than twenty-five standing there smiling. Do I know you? She looked at him, with her head cocked at an angle, hoping to find something familiar in his looks. He said nothing. Never stopped smiling either. Half wanting to return the courtesy, and the other half wanting to retreat to her couch; she managed a smile. 

And later gasped.

He is drenched.

To be continued...

I-God

Note: The following was with reference to the States, I ain't no idea how the rest of the world is responding to the same news. :-) And its just for humor, though its content is true with reference to The New York Times.

Image courtesy of thundersquee.com

The recent Iphone apps that are becoming the talk of town are the one targetted at God and his (dis)likes. Both religious representative, atheists have begun producing Iphone apps for the benefit of their believers. These apps serve the purpose of  wanting to have a conversation with another with opposing beliefs and getting them to see reason.

"Say someone calls you narrow-minded because you think Jesus is the only way to God," says one top-selling application introduced in March by a Christian publishing company. "Your first answer should be: 'What do you mean by narrow-minded?' " -The New York Times

By not being 'broad-minded'? What kinda question is that?

BibleThumper, an app for the skeptics to share some humor around their religious counterparts. It allows the users to be ready to 'attack' with phrases from the Bible.

Some christian foundations are becoming increasingly worried at the rising numbers of atheist and Christians who are evolving into skeptics. Hence, they are doing their part to outnumber the Iphone apps that might influence minds by coming up with their respective apps for the religious ones. Then again, there are many such apps in existence already.

Image courtesy of iphonesaviour.com

For the non-believers who happen to own an Iphone and lack apps that are similar to their mindset, have Jason Hagen to thank for. Apparently, he bought an Iphone and was disappointed by the overwhelming number of religious apps and nothing for individuals like him. Voila! He soon wrote the now famous app, The Atheist Pocket Debator. 

Iphone app created by religious personels like the Fast Facts; provides immediate access to Bible information and everything else related to it. It encourages the user to question non believers and their apparoach towards religion. For instance,

"When someone says, "There is no truth,' " the Fast Facts app advises, "ask them: 'Is that true? Is it true there is no truth?' Because if it's true that there is no truth, then it's false that 'there is no truth.' " - The New York Times

When I first read that, man, I was laughing out loud. It sounded hilarious and yeah perhaps a little confusing at the same time. I was even planning on putting it up as a facebook status, such are the days of social networking. 

One interesting and funny one was by The Atheist Pocket Debater,

If Jacob saw the face of God (in Genesis 32:30), and God said, "No man shall see me and live" (in Exodus 33:20), then "which one is the liar?" he asks. - The New York Times

That was freakin' hilarious! If I were to use this on Jan, she will skin me alive and hang me out to dry. =.= 

Ball is in German's court

You know how I have been suffering from World Cup Depression?  The cure was not too far away. 

GERMANY THRASHED ARGENTINA WITH AN AWESOME SCORE OF 4-0!

They are heading for the finals. Germany plays beautifully. Though their enthusiasm in the beginning was of the lows, they were fabulous in the later half. And if no one realised, after about a couple of goals, the German team is all intoxicated and they start scoring consecutively. This was evident in both England and Austrlian matches. Often at most unexpected moments.

I am nevertheless still a little upset that the Samba boys had to go, but they didn't lose miserably. So, that's a good thing. To imagine Argentina leaving the World Cup with a shocking score albeit its strong team, makes Brazil seem waaaay better. And I'm happy. I feel for Maradona, but oh well not for long. 

Germany still rocks. Did you see their counter strikes?!!! Sighs. It was too good. 

All I need now is to hope the Gods of Soccer do not fail me with their predictions but ensure that Germany makes it to the finals and whichever team it faces, it defeats them with class. 

Love you Joachim Lowe. 

Love you Ozil. 

Love you Klose. 

Love you Mueller. And a little love for Friedrich too. :)

Ich Liebe Deutschland! 

PS: I told myself I will mug hard for my Finals if Germany wins, So off to my books I go. 

World Cup Depression Continues

BRAZIL LOST!

I AM VERY SAD!

THEY LOST TO NETHERLANDS OF ALL TEAMS!

I WANNA CRY!

HOW CAN BRAZIL LOSE?! (refrain from bringing up the previous occassions when they lost!)

Saying I am depressed would be an understatement. I am hopelessly shocked at this turn in events.

I NEVER anticipated this!

Kaka was there!

Fabiano was there!

Lucio was there!

Julio Cesaer was there!

Robinoh was there!

What went wrong?! Elano's absence?! The blue jersey?!

England broke my heart. Now Brazil just shattered the broken heart. If Germany doesn't kick Argentina's ass and come out alive to  face Spain, I might as well not watch the finals anymore.

:( :( :( :( :(