Merry Christmas!

I am praying that all your earnest wishes will be granted this Holiday Season and the whole year through!

Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!

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The Best or nothing! - Gottlieb Daimler

Off To Winterland

I was not able to update this page for the past few days as I was really busy trying to shorten my "Things-To-Do" list. This always happens everytime I go off for a holiday. I don't mind going through the same "hell" , if you will, as I always expect good, nice and exciting things to happen on the trip that lies ahead. Things that will surely rejuvenate me to keep me going for another six months before I embark on another trip.

I am here on Changi Airport now, trying to document the moment. It's 75 minutes before takeoff for Winterland!

Goodbye sleepless nights, welcome me - the Snowman! America...here I come!

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The Best or nothing! - Gottlieb Daimler

In the Urinal

One day, while having a leak in a toilet in Japan, this framed artwork shouted at me. The timing was perfect as I was real drunk then. Unruly intoxicated!

Of course, I didn't miss the alcohol. You bet, after coming out from the loo, I started pondering on how can I be an "asshole" on that night. Too bad, the gin tonic's power was mightier. Before I even noticed, I was up to my bedroom face flat on the bed!

In the urinal! Bow!

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The Best or nothing! - Gottlieb Daimler

It's Singlish What? Yah lah!

One aspect of Singapore that a newcomer in this place will recognize immediately will be the way they speak English, if you will. It's more popularly known as Singlish - same as the Taglish we have back home. The only difference here is that they use this, unconsciously, even for business writing and formal conversation.

The first time I heard it, I really have a hard time understanding them. Not only that they speak 120km/h, there are also a lot of missing words, dangling modifiers and tenseless verbs. I must admit I am slowly getting used to it. And sometimes, I even blurt things out the Singlish way one. I will just be interrupted by my colleagues if I talk that way. That's the truth so what to do!

I came across of one article last Friday on Today, a free tabloid normally distributed at MRT stations or for some cases, distributed to doorsteps of HDB flats early in the morning; the counterpart of Inquirer Libre in Manila. It was hilariously written by a blogger too (sorry, I don't know his website). He tried to explain that having to write something in "proper Singlish" is a talent. But I would say, for non-Singaporeans like us, understanding and trying to get the message of a written Singlish is also a talent.

It's true what!

Try reading the link below. Starting on the 6th paragraph, the writer shifted to "Singlish mode". If you think you can understand everything he wa saying, then you'll be able to survive here faster than anyone could imagine.

Good luck and enjoy!

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/87886.asp

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The Best or nothing! - Gottlieb Daimler

Forget Regrets Or Life Is Yours To Miss!!!

Forget regrets or life is yours to miss!

This is the message that the musical RENT is trying to send to all of us! It's a celebration of life.

For the fourth time, I caught the recent production of Rent here in Singapore last night. Yes you heard me right, I saw the Manila production thrice before. Too much??? I don't think so. Because for each of those moments, I always came out of the theater hall feeling very alive! And last night was no exception. As usual, I had the feeling that it was money and time well spent!

"There is no future, there is no past - No day but today"

"How do you measure a year in the life? Measure in love!"

"Because I'm used to relying on intellect. But I try to open up to what I don't know. Because reason says I should have died three years ago."

"You'll never share real love until you love your self"

"Stop escaping your pain.... There's so much to care about"

These are just some of the life-affirming lines from the show.

This production boasts an All-broadway cast. All of them performed once on the past ten years the show has been running in New York. They're good, they're fabulous. For most of the characters like Angel, Mark, Maureen and Roger, just close your eyes and you'll get the closest experience as listening to your Ipod with the Original Broadway Cast Recording.

But since I have seen other productions, I can't help but to compare. I think the Filipino casts are at par, if not even better, when it comes to the vocals/singing prowess. But they are far better when it comes to the "heart" aspect. Cheers to the Filipino casts (walang halong bola to ah)!

But all the same I enjoyed the show. It justified my claim that this is my all-time favorite musical. Unlike Miss Saigon, Cats or Les Mis, this show tackles issues that affect my generation. Issues like materialism, AIDS, drugs. Issues that are currently being faced by the world. I can relate to the story very much, especially to Mark Cohen's character. Find out what I am talking about and you will probably know me better after that.

Try to catch the show but if you can't, there is a movie to be released soon by Sony Pictures. Check this out.

You bet I am going to watch that again!

Viva La Vie Boheme!

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The Best or nothing! - Gottlieb Daimler