... fig ...

by the way,


was told that this... is a fig.

*trust me - the insides look way less appetising -_-;*

... alternate endings ...

Right. Just finished the last episode of a (yes, I know, yet another) TVB series... But wait, there's another ending?

Before this, I only get to watch series via renting tapes or wait a few years before they show it on local everyday tv. Alternate endings weren't shown (especially since didn't have cable tv and internet connection was through dial-up). But when one has been following a really good series, one definitely hopes the ending won't be another hastily botched up production. Well, lots of shows may have alternate endings which never gets aired (depending on ratings), but who cares about them if the series wasn't worth caring about in the first place? So when such alternate endings are actually aired, it sure indicates the show has something worth watching.

Once there are alternate endings, one tends to expect the original ending to be a sad one. If not, at least an unsatisfactory one (that's usually the case, or they won't air the other ending). So far, have only managed to watch the alternate endings for 2 series. The latest one was for La Femme Desperado *which I obviously watched only because Lam Fung's in it :p*, though both endings are happy ones ^_^ Although the second ending was the more obvious 'happy' ending, I preferred the original / first ending. It just seems to be more fitting and in line with the whole of the series *not to mention the hilarious part where Man still doesn't realise that the baby daughter which he happily loves so much is really his daughter after all despite Hilda telling him a couple of times*.

The other show which I watched the alternate ending for was To Catch The Uncatchable. Now, that one was a really good comedy / detective series with leads that had sparkling chemistry. For a show full of humour, the first ending was a very unexpectedly sad one. In fact, an ending worth crying over indeed. The hero had a near-fatal illness (blood clot?) which was really bothering him as he was rushing back to take wedding pictures with the heroine.

And he didn't appear to make it - it ended with him closing his eyes while resting on the way back, and the credits were showing black-and-white wedding pictures of the happy bride by herself *not sure if I remembered correctly, but it was SO bittersweetly poignant*... Ah, now that was a great ending. The alternate ending had the hero making it back just in time, with a wedding picture of both leads together during the credits. I very much preferred the implicitly tragic but sad ending *implicit, since it never showed the hero actually dying or anything, but merely oh-so-artistically-and-aptly implied that he couldn't be with the heroine after all* instead of the second, more happy one *which TVB probably only air it in response to viewers' dissatisfaction*.

Seriously, the sad one was probably the most well-made ending I've ever watched for a TVB series! Just reminiscing now makes me wanna watch it again, sad ending aside... *sigh*

All too often, TVB shows tend to end expectedly, no matter how intricately interesting the plot was moving or how much further potential could be squeezed out of the developing characters. I supposed that does some good in a way - at least, you know that you can count on having it ending expectedly. But it does seem such a waste what with the talent they had going...

Despite that, I still think they should stick with the originally decided ending, whatever the show. It's what the producers decided upon, and they should stand by their decision whether viewers like it or not. Take an artistic stand! :X

But all said, alternate endings do remind us that shows, no matter how engaging / riveting / involving / ..., are just shows after all. It isn't reality.

And will never be reality.

... room to myself ...

Just realised...

o.O

... this is the first time in my life I have a whole room to myself.
*I am paying for it after all :)*

... brrrrr ...

One day after mid-autumn, and it feels like winter already. And it's not just me ^_^ natives are feeling the cold as well.

... still haven't cleaned my room.
... still haven't gone shopping for clothes.
... still hard to fall asleep.
... still thinking too much.
... still have so many stills.

*sigh*

Anyone know of a cure/change?

... still old me :(

... 6 months on ...

Happy Mid Autumn Festival!
*mooncakes :( lanterns :(( candles :(((*

Happens to mark my 6 months here. Also, it's mid-autumn. *blinkblink*
Anyway...

Nothing much's been happening. Just sat for first round of 6 sittings of exams yesterday, and considering that it was an e-paper on Accounting which was supposedly my major back in college, it was hard. Well, much trickier. If that's the way it's going to be, then the qualification is going to be super hard. Plus, I never had an affinity with computers. Plus plus, it's a new syllabus.
Nothing to look forward to there...

On a hopefully better note, I can now start crossing things off my planned to-do list for all those things I would let myself do at least after 6 months of being here... *nope, not the ones from my pre-exam syndrome - as expected, I've forgotten what was it that I was supposed to do -_-;* Though it might be ages before I can actually cross something off :p

For starters, am supposed to clean my room and go shopping for clothes today seeing as I haven't anything remotely autumn-y in my wardrobe. But what I'm doing now?


*sigh*

... need to start moving. SOON.

... nearly nicked ...

A near encounter with (would-be) pickpockets?


Had my first brief brush with attempted pickpockets today. *Well, possibly not the first, but quite likely since I haven't lost anything so far which isn't due to my own carelessness -_-;*
Was walking with a group of friends when my backpack just sorta felt different. I turned and found the zip half-way opened. Thinking I might have forgotten to close it before I left class *unlikely, but who knows the absent-minded me?*, I didn't think much of it then since nothing was gone and thought it must be the crowd pushing from behind.

Later when we were on the escalator, one girl was particularly close to us, standing amidst my group of friends. My friend in front noticed something was wrong and turned around. That girl was holding her coat/scarve/whatever-it-was in a way which fell directly over my friend's handbag. My friend quickly pulled her bag away and glared at the girl. The girl over-reacted a bit (pretending?) and splurted out something angrily *sounds a bit like "what's wrong with you?"*, apparently pissed-off. My friend said 'sorry' but the girl still looked angry for some reason and glared at us before joining her friend.

And that's when I noticed the friend of that girl was the same person who was right behind me earlier when I noticed my bag was open. So they had been following us since then...


Well, they must either still be in training or really lousy to be nearly caught twice and still not able to steal anything...

... pre-exam syndrome ...

Common symptoms:

• when the sky outdoor seems bluer, the grass greener, the air fresher...
• when loads of interesting things which never seem to happen before are now taking place all at once...
• when one discovers exciting shows / games / music which one never had the time before to enjoy...
• when one starts making plans and lists of what to do after the exams despite knowing based on past experience that these will be overlooked once the time comes ...
• when one has sudden inspirations and bright moments *eureka!*, often of enlightenment...
• when one thinks of long abandoned dreams and yearns to chase them once more...
• when non-exam related brain activity is at an all-time high on striking levels (spiking creativity, daring innovations, active imaginations) in comparison to the meagre flow of electricity in exam conditions...

Other symptoms may include:

• unravelling long headphone wires tangled for several months previously
• 'seeing the light' and joining Facebook
• sudden realisation that the sharp and suave tutor which you've been staring at really does look the gay they say he is
• being easily moved, over-emotional, or reacting unusually (this is also a common symptom of examinitis)

Progresses to a more serious condition known as examinitis (symptoms include thoughts of what flowers to request friends and families to bring to one's funeral, whether it's faster to reach the ground or equally slow from both twin towers, etc) and, in serious cases, could be fatal if left untreated.

*It's been more than a year since I joined the workforce, and my first round of exams since leaving university are in a week's time... sigh - Perhaps I've been weakened from the recurring aforementioned disease. Perhaps I'm more highly susceptible than others. Perhaps it's just me in denial. But brain activity is always the highest (if you don't count exams-related stuff) during such times.

What a waste!*

LWOLAP

Lethal Weapons of Love and Passion

>.<

What a name.

Overall, it was ok. Quite good, in fact, as far as TVB wuxia series go.
Plot and storyline was interesting and moving, which makes me think it's adapted from a wuxia novel or something *apparently, it is - the novels were by the same author behind works which form the base of 2 other TVB series, A Step Into The Past and Twin of Brothers*. Music soundtrack was apt, though the timing was a tad off at certain parts. But the direction - wait - the editing, rather, was just poor. So many potentially riveting moments were wasted despite being shot in China (could have made better use of the apparent big budget), as the overall effect was just... tak jadi.
A few steps short of greatness. Though they did attempted to make it better as the show went on (war scenes were concedingly not bad since the mainland kelefes were good and well-trained), and the ending was pretty predictable. *what do you expect from TVB? wonder what the novel's like... =\*

The one all-redeeming factor was Lam Fung's presence. Yes, and I do mean presence - what awesome aura! Of all the shows he's been in *those that I've watched, and that's a great many ;)*, this role was probably the most suited one for him and the best by far. The melancholic hero who's fated to be the bad guy but is indeed the ultimate good guy... Always thought that he's at his best in ancient / martial arts roles *me thinks he overshadows other actors in such shows but not given much leading roles in modern series :( *- so few actors these days can say so little and mean so much :p Did I mention that he's not only a superb actor, but also good-looking with a voice that rivals Jacky Cheung?

Of course, there were other actors but Fung Hang Lit simply outshines the rest :)
*though me thinks Deric Kwok as the 'villain' Pong Pan finally got a role which does him justice and gave him more much deserved scope*


p/s: think been watching too much - that's all my blog entries seem to be about these days :(

If only ...

... I could read Chinese.

... I could not only read Chinese, but understand the flow of prose and style.

... I could not only read Chinese, understand the flow of prose and style, but write it as well.


*sigh - 'tis too late?*


for the love of wuxia novels

Brighton

Just some pics from an overnight trip to Brighton way back in July...

... the Grand ...

*supposedly the only 5 star hotel in Brighton*

... Brighton beach front ...

*doesn't it look familiar? sort of like those sketchy paintings of the English beach*

... the beach ...

... pebbled beach ...

... bad mood lately.

*shall try not to rant too much here*

Split Second OST

Fell in love with the opening theme back when it was showing on TV... and now I've come across it again!

Anyway, didn't really watch the series much but was totally hooked by the opening song (no singing, all instrumental!).

The series was one of those undercover gangster type which tried to ride the wave of such flicks after Infernal Affairs (albeit, with a slight international touch). Although the story reminded me somewhat of the said famous movie, this series was not that bad as the direction and the scenes were shot quite good for a series. Too bad the lighting wasn't great, and it didn't have engaging actors in the roles.



Ah, but the main theme is so COOL!

... my current favourite :p


*it's on the jukebox somewhere - depending on your luck of the shuffle*

... the human race ...

just gonna get uglier and uglier.


*sigh*

Literally. Physically. Pathetically.


... 'tis a sad, sad world.

p/s: coincidentally, beethoven's moonlight sonata was aptly playing while I was posting this.

... tube strike ...

when you realised just how crowded the streets of London can be.