Monday, May 29, 2006
The pizza box story

I received a replacement laptop battery this morning, coz my old one wasn't charging up well.

The battery is only about the size of a normal TV remote control, but it was packed in a box that could comfortably fit an XL pizza.

Amazing.

3 days to launch... I was asked if I felt excited about it. To some extent, I do, because all the hard work, all the archived articles will finally see the light of day, and we'll be a true newsroom, but also take on the responsibilities a functioning newsroom has to bear.

However, I'm more eager to find out how readers will take to the paper - its concept, content and design. Yes, they'll pick up the paper, and I dare say they'll grab it even, because it's something new, and novelty attracts.

But what do they think of it? Will they share their views with us? Will they participate in the newsmaking process as much as we want them to? One week, one month down the road, will they still be reading the paper, or taking it because it's good to wrap vegetables in? That, is what I'm more interested to know, and something to feel excited, and even anxious about.

Friday, May 26, 2006
俊扬发片了!

Very glad to see Junyang today, and see him assume a new identity: recording artiste.

It wasn't too long ago that I saw him as a Project SuperStar contestant, going through round after round of competition, week after week. The weekly interviews after his performance, their punishing schedule, the fans, the frenzy...

I remember he was ill for a few weeks, and it got especially bad during the guys' finals. He'd just quietly sit down backstage awaiting his turn, looking pensive and fatigued. But then I also remember his chirpy voice coming over the phone the day after he was eliminated.

Those were the days... He, as a budding contestant, and me, a budding reporter. Project SuperStar holds a special place in my heart, probably as much as the contestants, having been so involved in every stage of the competition.

Junyang has come a long way, and hopefully he can go even further. After all, the transition from television star to singer is not easy. As Clive Davis, the recording mogul who guides the careers of American Idols, said of his charges: "They then enter the world of making records. It's a totally different world."

加油!

Thursday, May 25, 2006
Taylor!

Having not followed the competition much last season, I was glad to be up to date with "the best season ever".

I was okay with the top 3, actually, just that I felt Katharine was a little conventional, mainstream and not very unique. Yes she has a good voice, yes she's well endowned, but what else would you remember her for?

In contrast, there's this raw charm about Taylor that's endearing, although his I-want-to-pee singing stance is really quite amusing.

The results show was also much better than last season's. I liked the idea of the Idols performing with their idols, and featuring some of the quirky contestants in that Golden Idol segment. The look on that Clay Aiken wannabe was also priceless when the real Mr Aiken suddenly appeared behind him on stage.

Mr Aiken looks kinda weird now, but his voice still rocks.

Tuesday, May 23, 2006
第一炮

今天出去采访，采访的人却不是我，是读者。

虽然说访问进行时，我基本上只是在做笔录，并确保没有尴尬的冷场，但准备和协调功夫却比普通采访来得多。我也是第一次器材大出动 -- 录音机和相机都登场了。

还好，一切顺利。目前正在处理当中（ie. 写稿），敬请期待！

偏题一下：为什么新加坡人搭地铁时，就是不会先让别人下车，硬要推挤呢？难道后面有人在追杀他，或列车里有遍地黄金等着他捡？莫名其妙。

Monday, May 22, 2006
Entry Number One

So, here I am, joining the club of MY PAPER journalists' blogs.

Part of me is still reluctant to blog, because there are several groups of people who have absolutely no right to know anything about me, much less snoop around in a diary about my work and my life. But I figured it's okay, as I'd like to see this as a greater platform for me to keep in touch and interact with our readers, news contacts, as well as my family, friends and colleagues.

This is my second week with the paper, and it's been very gratifying to see everyone work so hard for the good of the paper, and I'm honoured to be part of the team that will make history, and around these people whom I'm sure will make great colleagues, although I haven't had much time to know everyone well yet.

There're also the story ideas that will definitely take me out of my comfort zone I've established over the past year and a half, but if done well, I'm sure they'll be stories that readers will enjoy.

And lest you wonder why this is all in English, here's a Chinese song that's my absolute favourite at the moment:

蔡依林 - 假装
词: 大麦
曲: 古皓

呼吸着一种孤独的味道
心跳在你沉默以后慢慢的被淡忘掉
我笑了笑 反正你看不到
我要的幸福 遗落在你怀抱

当爱失了焦 那些最初的美好
早被你搁在一角
街上拥挤人潮 走着躺着都是催眠符号
记忆听不了 穿过读你的心跳
穿过想你的味道 我只想不被打扰

假装多好我只要只想要再拥有一秒
去相信你的拥抱 一直会让我依靠
继续等待 还心甘情愿的不想逃

假装多好依然是依然是暧昧的tone调
一个人无理取闹 两人世界的煎熬
我被自己困在自己设下的圈套

像是鸵鸟相信时间是唯一解药
视而不见 傻到了无可救药
其实早明了你的爱已随风飘
想要找 再也找不到

假装自己已解开冰冷的手铐