Inspiration. It's a funny, little thing, isn't it? It can hit you when you least expected it and at the same time, it can be the bane or boon of your life. After all, inspiration is what provides jobs for so many people.
For me, inspiration is about whether I have something to write for my blog or do something I normally would not do. There are good periods and bad ones. Sometimes, I hit a "writer's block" and it will be a drought here. Other times, I will go on and on about entries.
This time round, I have been inspired to play my keyboard (piano) after a long, long while. There are times when I lament about why didn't I continue my lessons in Primary 1. I wasn't trained to play with two hands nor was I trained to read the notes. But, I know enough to play really simple songs. I can play if I have the notes translated to letters.
Why the sudden interest? It's because of Sherlock, of course. Lately, everything has been about Sherlock. I picked up Conan Doyle's books, watched all those past shows starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman etc.
It's just too bad I couldn't carry it through since it is really an awful time to start, what with school and stuff. At least I have the notes translated into letters.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
CNY 2012
Lunar New Year 2012 came and went. It has been great this year and the ambience is so much better than Christmas.
I was already in the holiday mood when last Wednesday came around. I went to cut my hair and the following day, did manicure in the purple and blue which turned out really cool. Red and pink are so yesterday. That evening, the family went to the Chong Pang area to do some last minute new year shopping and to soak in the festive atmosphere.
On Friday, originally we wanted to go to our usual haunt, Far East Flora but the queue was too long and thus, we went to Ang Mo Kio instead.
We had our reunion dinner at my uncle's house a day before the eve. It was the usual steamboat dinner but I did enjoy it as this is the only time throughout the year in which we get steamboat. Having steamboat at home beats having it outside because it is very casual and everything tastes so much better and superior.
This left us free on Sunday. We went to Far East Flora around 5pm so it was not as crowded. I managed to buy some beautiful cut flowers and my mother got 2 pots of plants. Afterwards, we headed over to Marina Square to meet the relatives.
It was a very smooth journey as most shops will be closed by then and most families will be having their reunion dinner. For the first time, the carpark at Marina Square was so empty and we can park wherever we like. It's fun seeing almost all shutters down.
We ate some snacks at KFC and thankfully, the drizzle ended and we walked over to River Hongbao where all the festivities are. I used to have an aversion going to that place because I remembered it being wet, congested with lots of people and generally being unpleasant. Therefore, it was a surprise to many of us when we arrived as it was so much more organised and roomy now. We even get to walk on the floating platform!
It was the usual visiting on Monday and Tuesday. On more exciting news, we went to Marina Bay Sands on Tuesday evening to watch the laser show at the waterfront and had dinner at Bazin. There was nothing special about the show as I have seen better ones at Sentosa in the past. Bazin is located at the waterfront and it is really cool with all the breeze and palm trees around. It's almost like we are on a vacation overseas. Too bad, reality is that day was the end of the celebrations.
I was already in the holiday mood when last Wednesday came around. I went to cut my hair and the following day, did manicure in the purple and blue which turned out really cool. Red and pink are so yesterday. That evening, the family went to the Chong Pang area to do some last minute new year shopping and to soak in the festive atmosphere.
On Friday, originally we wanted to go to our usual haunt, Far East Flora but the queue was too long and thus, we went to Ang Mo Kio instead.
We had our reunion dinner at my uncle's house a day before the eve. It was the usual steamboat dinner but I did enjoy it as this is the only time throughout the year in which we get steamboat. Having steamboat at home beats having it outside because it is very casual and everything tastes so much better and superior.
This left us free on Sunday. We went to Far East Flora around 5pm so it was not as crowded. I managed to buy some beautiful cut flowers and my mother got 2 pots of plants. Afterwards, we headed over to Marina Square to meet the relatives.
It was a very smooth journey as most shops will be closed by then and most families will be having their reunion dinner. For the first time, the carpark at Marina Square was so empty and we can park wherever we like. It's fun seeing almost all shutters down.
We ate some snacks at KFC and thankfully, the drizzle ended and we walked over to River Hongbao where all the festivities are. I used to have an aversion going to that place because I remembered it being wet, congested with lots of people and generally being unpleasant. Therefore, it was a surprise to many of us when we arrived as it was so much more organised and roomy now. We even get to walk on the floating platform!
It was the usual visiting on Monday and Tuesday. On more exciting news, we went to Marina Bay Sands on Tuesday evening to watch the laser show at the waterfront and had dinner at Bazin. There was nothing special about the show as I have seen better ones at Sentosa in the past. Bazin is located at the waterfront and it is really cool with all the breeze and palm trees around. It's almost like we are on a vacation overseas. Too bad, reality is that day was the end of the celebrations.
Monday, January 16, 2012
The Reichenbach Fall
Sherlock. Now, this is what I call superior TV. It enthrals the viewer and evokes all sorts of emotions within. It redefines what TV is and proves that with the right amount of attitude and effort, quality shows can be made.
Sherlock is full of win because of fine acting, skilled execution of filming style and of course, the modern adaptations. There is an element of charm that grabs your attention right from the start.
The Reichenbach Fall is the finale of season 2. It is the modern retelling of The Final Problem by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle where the author originally killed off both Moriarty and Sherlock. Thankfully, all those years ago, readers worldwide protested so much that 3 years later, the author brought Sherlock Holmes back alive again in The Empty House.
The producers of Sherlock BBC kept the best secrets in the world, as soon as episode 3 came out yesterday in the Britain, they made the announcement that season 3 was commissioned at the same time as season 2! What a tease! They must be having a laugh at all the anxiety and pleading by fans.
With this in mind, I felt that I could tackle the onslaught of emotions I was sure to face much better. At least, I will know that Sherlock will come back.
Reichenbach Fall starts off on a heavy note, with John Watson back at his therapist after an 18 months hiatus. Sherlock Holmes is dead. It then faded to 3 months earlier, where Sherlock and John were getting famous for their detective skills.
The dry wit and snappy dialogue are still present but cut down. Viewers know what is coming and the episode did nothing to glaze over this fact.
Moving on without focusing on the plot too much, Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch ought and deserve every award they will subsequent receive for excellent portrayals of their respective characters.
My eyes did well up when John and Mrs Hudson visit Sherlock's grave. One powerful scene was when John saw the "leap of fate" by Sherlock. I don't know what it must be like, seeing your friend jumped to death in front of you. I love how John didn't actually cry out loud but fans all know that he is grieving inside. I love the wiping of eyes and the hitched voice - all those subtle gestures build on the scene. I think that seeing John's anguished look is even more intensive than watching him cry.
Kudos to Benedict Cumberbatch as well. His portrayal of Sherlock utterly won me over, right from the start. In this episode, he gave his best performance yet, playing a wide spectrum of emotions, from rage to sadness, in one episode.
I do hate seeing him vulnerable, so uncertain of himself and the way he loses control around Moriarty.
The scene where he told John that he is a fraud and the things he does are magic tricks is an extremely heart-wrecking scene. There he is, doing the most human thing ever, to thoroughly disgrace himself and protect John from Moriarty's marksman. He finally gain humanity or putting it in another way, thaws the coldness around his heart. Indeed, caring does not help save lives and it certainly is not an advantage, but why did he cry when he knows this is just an act? He truly cares about John and his friends.
I hate how people, even Lestrade, started to doubt him, his skills and the side he is on. He does not see himself as a hero or an angel, but like what Lestrade said in A Study in Pink, "Sherlock Holmes is a great man, and some day, if we're very, very lucky, he might even be a good one".
I don't understand why quite a lot of viewers think that Andrew Scott isn't a good Moriarty. To me, he is an extremely creepy and unstable-minded villain. His character is not a straightforward, in-your-face bad guy. The way he talks seriously creeps me out. Moriarty does not hesitate to manipulate people's thoughts and actions. This is evident when he wooed Molly and pretended to be an actor who has been wronged by Sherlock. He is so good an actor that even Sherlock seems to doubt himself.
I am glad that he is dead, or is he? He did shoot himself in the mouth, but what if he returns once again? I can't stand him any longer but he is the only one who can challenge Sherlock in his own game.
And so, the curtains shall fall on this season. Altogether, it was a brief but satisfying 3 weeks of three 90-minutes of brilliant TV. For many countries, this is just the beginning because Sherlock is not even aired yet. I am resourceful enough to go for downloading as soon as possible.
It is foreseen that Sherlock season 3 can only start filming in late 2012 and the earliest schedule for its release is 2013. As long as it's not another 18 months wait, eh? Something to look forward to this December will be The Hobbit.
Sherlock is full of win because of fine acting, skilled execution of filming style and of course, the modern adaptations. There is an element of charm that grabs your attention right from the start.
The Reichenbach Fall is the finale of season 2. It is the modern retelling of The Final Problem by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle where the author originally killed off both Moriarty and Sherlock. Thankfully, all those years ago, readers worldwide protested so much that 3 years later, the author brought Sherlock Holmes back alive again in The Empty House.
The producers of Sherlock BBC kept the best secrets in the world, as soon as episode 3 came out yesterday in the Britain, they made the announcement that season 3 was commissioned at the same time as season 2! What a tease! They must be having a laugh at all the anxiety and pleading by fans.
With this in mind, I felt that I could tackle the onslaught of emotions I was sure to face much better. At least, I will know that Sherlock will come back.
Reichenbach Fall starts off on a heavy note, with John Watson back at his therapist after an 18 months hiatus. Sherlock Holmes is dead. It then faded to 3 months earlier, where Sherlock and John were getting famous for their detective skills.
The dry wit and snappy dialogue are still present but cut down. Viewers know what is coming and the episode did nothing to glaze over this fact.
Moving on without focusing on the plot too much, Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch ought and deserve every award they will subsequent receive for excellent portrayals of their respective characters.
My eyes did well up when John and Mrs Hudson visit Sherlock's grave. One powerful scene was when John saw the "leap of fate" by Sherlock. I don't know what it must be like, seeing your friend jumped to death in front of you. I love how John didn't actually cry out loud but fans all know that he is grieving inside. I love the wiping of eyes and the hitched voice - all those subtle gestures build on the scene. I think that seeing John's anguished look is even more intensive than watching him cry.
Kudos to Benedict Cumberbatch as well. His portrayal of Sherlock utterly won me over, right from the start. In this episode, he gave his best performance yet, playing a wide spectrum of emotions, from rage to sadness, in one episode.
I do hate seeing him vulnerable, so uncertain of himself and the way he loses control around Moriarty.
The scene where he told John that he is a fraud and the things he does are magic tricks is an extremely heart-wrecking scene. There he is, doing the most human thing ever, to thoroughly disgrace himself and protect John from Moriarty's marksman. He finally gain humanity or putting it in another way, thaws the coldness around his heart. Indeed, caring does not help save lives and it certainly is not an advantage, but why did he cry when he knows this is just an act? He truly cares about John and his friends.
I hate how people, even Lestrade, started to doubt him, his skills and the side he is on. He does not see himself as a hero or an angel, but like what Lestrade said in A Study in Pink, "Sherlock Holmes is a great man, and some day, if we're very, very lucky, he might even be a good one".
I don't understand why quite a lot of viewers think that Andrew Scott isn't a good Moriarty. To me, he is an extremely creepy and unstable-minded villain. His character is not a straightforward, in-your-face bad guy. The way he talks seriously creeps me out. Moriarty does not hesitate to manipulate people's thoughts and actions. This is evident when he wooed Molly and pretended to be an actor who has been wronged by Sherlock. He is so good an actor that even Sherlock seems to doubt himself.
I am glad that he is dead, or is he? He did shoot himself in the mouth, but what if he returns once again? I can't stand him any longer but he is the only one who can challenge Sherlock in his own game.
And so, the curtains shall fall on this season. Altogether, it was a brief but satisfying 3 weeks of three 90-minutes of brilliant TV. For many countries, this is just the beginning because Sherlock is not even aired yet. I am resourceful enough to go for downloading as soon as possible.
It is foreseen that Sherlock season 3 can only start filming in late 2012 and the earliest schedule for its release is 2013. As long as it's not another 18 months wait, eh? Something to look forward to this December will be The Hobbit.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Reichenbach Feelings
Times passes so fast, doesn't it?
At the beginning of the new year, I was still extremely excited about the new Sherlock series and the debut of A Scandal in Belgravia. Then, a week past by and I started to feel a bit of doom and gloom about the second episode, The Hounds of Baskerville, because it means that final episode will be upon us soon.
This week marks the end of another season of Sherlock with the Reichenbach Fall coming out in less than 24 hours on BBC One. This episode will break so many hearts and maybe, even tears will fall.
The last time I was so emotionally invested in fiction was when I cried over the deaths in Harry Potter. Other than that, I couldn't remember any times where I feel so depressed over a character death. Can't the producers just confirm that season 3 is in the making? I get it that they want to maximise the suspense for the finale but the way is so cruel. How could they do this to us?!
The whole Sherlock fandom is probably going to be writing angsty fanfiction for many weeks/months to come. All those post-Reichenbach stories about how John, Mycroft and Lestrade will cope without the existence of Sherlock. Sigh.
I am going to be melancholy for days to come and comfort myself by reading lots of fun fanfiction. On the other hand, I can probably focus better on my school work since there is nothing to look forward to once episode 3 is done.
Please, do not give us another 18 months wait for season 3. I don't know how I could bear it. But, I will take 18 months when compared against 3 years wait, like what Sir Arthur Conan Doyle put his readers through. Oh please, let The Empty House happens sooner than later.
At the beginning of the new year, I was still extremely excited about the new Sherlock series and the debut of A Scandal in Belgravia. Then, a week past by and I started to feel a bit of doom and gloom about the second episode, The Hounds of Baskerville, because it means that final episode will be upon us soon.
This week marks the end of another season of Sherlock with the Reichenbach Fall coming out in less than 24 hours on BBC One. This episode will break so many hearts and maybe, even tears will fall.
The last time I was so emotionally invested in fiction was when I cried over the deaths in Harry Potter. Other than that, I couldn't remember any times where I feel so depressed over a character death. Can't the producers just confirm that season 3 is in the making? I get it that they want to maximise the suspense for the finale but the way is so cruel. How could they do this to us?!
The whole Sherlock fandom is probably going to be writing angsty fanfiction for many weeks/months to come. All those post-Reichenbach stories about how John, Mycroft and Lestrade will cope without the existence of Sherlock. Sigh.
I am going to be melancholy for days to come and comfort myself by reading lots of fun fanfiction. On the other hand, I can probably focus better on my school work since there is nothing to look forward to once episode 3 is done.
Please, do not give us another 18 months wait for season 3. I don't know how I could bear it. But, I will take 18 months when compared against 3 years wait, like what Sir Arthur Conan Doyle put his readers through. Oh please, let The Empty House happens sooner than later.
Monday, January 02, 2012
I Am Sherlocked
The second day of 2012 got off in a good start.
There's no way I can wait for the Sherlock season 2 episode 1 to be released in the States or for it to even be shown in Singapore, therefore, there's only one way to go about doing this. I managed to get into BBC iPlayer and caught 'A Scandal in Belgravia' hours after its debut in the United Kingdom.
The episode is everything I could have hope for and more. It is brilliantly executed and very emotional. In fact, many viewers have declared that this episode surpasses all of season 1. Steven Moffat really tugs our heartstrings like a violin. Episode 1 does things to my heart when I saw how lost Sherlock was.
Irene Adler is portrayed amazingly as a dominatrix and the power play with Sherlock is deliciously thrilling. The rapport and chemistry between Sherlock and John is stronger and better than ever. The acting was really stellar. There were good effects as well, with the return of the text overlays such as blog posts and text messages.
Viewership in UK alone was estimated at around 9 million at present and looked set to rise above 10 million once the final figure comes in. Besides, this figure is just in UK, it is not even released in the States or other countries yet.
Even though I am miles away from the land of origin, I am still proud to be a fan in this rising fandom. Sherlock is going to be a phenomenon. It is a testimony of how TV programmes can be if effort is put in. Sherlock is an example of the new TV show with intelligent humour for thinking people. Amidst in this era of dull, repetitive and mediocre TV programmes, Sherlock shines like a jewel. It is refreshing, smart and charming.
Kudos to the geniuses behind Sherlock! I think everyone out there will be on the lookout for news of series 3 in making. Fingers crossed. If BBC knows what is good for them, they will pass this motion. Sherlock is literally the best thing that happens in TV for a long time.
There's no way I can wait for the Sherlock season 2 episode 1 to be released in the States or for it to even be shown in Singapore, therefore, there's only one way to go about doing this. I managed to get into BBC iPlayer and caught 'A Scandal in Belgravia' hours after its debut in the United Kingdom.
The episode is everything I could have hope for and more. It is brilliantly executed and very emotional. In fact, many viewers have declared that this episode surpasses all of season 1. Steven Moffat really tugs our heartstrings like a violin. Episode 1 does things to my heart when I saw how lost Sherlock was.
Irene Adler is portrayed amazingly as a dominatrix and the power play with Sherlock is deliciously thrilling. The rapport and chemistry between Sherlock and John is stronger and better than ever. The acting was really stellar. There were good effects as well, with the return of the text overlays such as blog posts and text messages.
Viewership in UK alone was estimated at around 9 million at present and looked set to rise above 10 million once the final figure comes in. Besides, this figure is just in UK, it is not even released in the States or other countries yet.
Even though I am miles away from the land of origin, I am still proud to be a fan in this rising fandom. Sherlock is going to be a phenomenon. It is a testimony of how TV programmes can be if effort is put in. Sherlock is an example of the new TV show with intelligent humour for thinking people. Amidst in this era of dull, repetitive and mediocre TV programmes, Sherlock shines like a jewel. It is refreshing, smart and charming.
Kudos to the geniuses behind Sherlock! I think everyone out there will be on the lookout for news of series 3 in making. Fingers crossed. If BBC knows what is good for them, they will pass this motion. Sherlock is literally the best thing that happens in TV for a long time.
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