Gek's Art

A large swooping eagle is now coming out of our wall.

With evil intent.

We have currently over 40 oil paintings around the apartment.  This is one of Gek's latest.  Check out others at Gek-Art. She is also painting to support Lotus children's Centre in Mongolia.  Check out our fund raising blog.  All donations gratefully received.

Film - Proposal.

A feel good movie.  It made me feel good......so it works.  Bit wooden in parts and the best scene IS the naked bump.  More to do with Sandra's curvaseous lines than two people trying to occupy the same space at the same time.  So only 2.5 for this one.

Book - High Road to China.

A book I couldn't put down.  Check out the Telegraph review.  Why I am using the Telegraph...no idea!!!  Reading this book it dawns on you where the story lines for Kipling's Kim and the Man Who Would be King  came from.  Interest!!!

Book - On Roads

Very readably written.  Check this review in the Telegraph.  Couple of pieces that made me chuckle.

Lord Byron writing to Thomas Moore in 1817.

"Last week I had a row on the road....with a fellow in a carriage, who was impudent to my horse....I wheeled round,  rode up to the window, and asked him what he meant.  He grinned, and said some foolery, which produced him an immediate slap in the face, to his utter discomfiture.  Much blasphemy ensued, and some memace, which I stopped by dismounting and opening the carriage door, and intimating an intention of mending the road with his immediate remains, if he did not hold his tongue.  He did it."

Much, much later in 1994, involves

an elder from a London Synagogue getting out of his Mercedes and punching a Buddhist monk sitting in a Nissan Micra.

Why do I find that absolutely hillarious???

Boston Brass

B B have been in Singapore to run classes with local students. Last night was a end of session concert involving themselves and the students. Brilliant. Singapore has talent.

Film - Management

Management. Funny.  Once you get beyond....is this a stalker movie?  Jenifer still has the perfect bottom lip biting action on the big screen.  3 stars seems fair.

Steve McCurry

A photo journalist with a great eye. We caught a small exhibition of his pictures at the Asian Museum. Check out http://www.stevemccurry.com/main.php.

Now and Then

From David

The TODAY free newspaper invited it's readers to submit photos of now and then. It being 50 years since Sinapore became self governing. This picture was taken in 1965 and shows Gek and extended family going on holiday. Gek is some where hidden but her father is standing on the running board.

From David

Compare and contrast!!!! A few weeks ago returning from Penang.

A visit to the Cantonese Opera - in English

Photo from web publicty site.

This opera tells the life story of Emperor Guang Xu, the eighth (or second last) Emperor of the Qing Dynasty (AD1654 - 1911) and the power struggle between him and the Empress Dowager during his reign from AD 1875 - 1908 as well as the political intrigues in the Qing Imperial Court during this epoch.

What a revelation. Chinese Opera made accessible for the foreigner!!! Sung in English and performed by the Chinese Theatre Circle to a packed house. A story line of corrupting power and delusion told in words, song and dance with drama and some humour. Loved it. And the costumes were stunning. I am now a fan.