Obviously, this is a rant-related post.
Today is the American Idol Season 10 finale. As expected, there are some who just couldn't resist posting the results.
It's probably my fault that I checked my FB and Twitter accounts right before the winner was declared. Serves me right. Now I know who the winner is even before I've seen the show.
What is it with certain people's desire to announce to the world that they're the first to know? Is it a childish impulse? Is it a deep seated wish to be superior to everyone else? Or is it simply to annoy others? And I'm not just talking about AI results. It could be a boxing match, the Oscars, the FIFA championship match...you know, those things that you'd rather watch from start to finish. Reminds me of that one time many years ago when I said I wanted to watch "The Sixth Sense", and my colleague pointed out that Bruce Willis was a ghost. Thank goodness she hasn't found her way to my friend's list (yet).
I know that some of those who post the spoilers probably just forget the fact that we live in different time zones. That's an honest mistake and it's forgivable. But I'm sure that, on your friend's list, you can readily identify who the spoiler brats are.
I have a few on my list. And my expectations did not fail me. They did post the information on their status messages.
I know that in this day and age, things like that are inescapable. Events are already on the news as they unfold. One of the pitfalls of technology, I guess. I just wish that some individuals would learn to be a bit more sensitive (especially if most of their friends live in the same time zone as theirs!). And if it isn't the most ironic of ironies, they themselves are some of the most sensitive and reactionary people I know...as if the world owes them sensitivity when they themselves are not ready to give it.
The "unfriend" button lurks somewhere and is giving me a knowing look. It's probably a better friend at this point.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Maroon 5 and the Rapture
I know I said previously that I would do one of three things: sell my tickets, give them away or throw them out. Well, I ate my words and I went ahead to watch Maroon 5, anyway.
First of all, let me tell you that I will NEVER EVER EVER again buy silver tickets if a concert is going to be staged at the SMX Convention Centre. It's just not worth it. The stage was too far away, and being vertically challenged didn't help my case. And there were those POSTS in the middle of the venue. And the SCAFFOLDING. And those BOUNCERS that were just all over the place and would happily stand in front of you. And those gold ticket holders who STOOD on their effing chairs.
I miss Singapore's concert scene. I was always close enough to feel the artists' sweat splash down on me. And tickets are not ridiculously expensive.
As a result of that, I have no decent pictures to show. After trying to video everything on my phone (no DSLRs allowed inside...) and realising just how crappy my view was, I contented myself with just plain audio recording. And, yeah, just watching and letting the music take over me.
They played a few songs from each of their three albums. But, of course, the crowd responded best to their hits from the first album such as "This Love", "She Will Be Loved", "Harder to Breathe" and "Sunday Morning".
If only for the music, it was worth it to go to the concert. I would definitely watch them again, given a chance. But, like I said, forget about silver tickets. And I think the concert organisers could do better next time. Judging by the less-than-stellar attendance (there were a lot of people, but not enough to be a sold-out concert), perhaps poor marketing (the sponsors' booths were really dismal and I felt the mileage was not worth the bang) and over-zealous bouncers (imagine stopping teenage kids from bouncing on the floor - they were having a good time, for crying out loud!), the organisers still have loooots of room for improvement.
That said, I don't regret going to the concert because it's still Maroon 5, after all. And I still think Adam Levine is sexeeehhh.
**********
So watching the concert was my first post-apocalyptic act. And here was hubby and I's last act a few hours before the alleged Rapture:
Just in case we didn't have enough time to grab our wedding bands.
Monday, May 16, 2011
L'Oreal Base Magique - Does It Really Work Like Magic?
I've been on the look out for a good make up primer for the past few weeks. Blame it on the upcoming wedding season and all those photo ops that come with such occasions. After all, why would I want my oily face tagged on Facebook, right?
Dang you, Mark Zuckerberg. Not only have you redefined social networking, you've also succeeded in being the bane of every girl's wardrobe and make up kit.
Anyway, what got me interested in a primer was the fact that I hate retouching. And with the temperature soaring and me sweating like a pig, my make up is bound to be all gone within 10 minutes of heat. I also tend to sweat up along the eyelids, so you can just imagine how my eyeshadow is going to hold up at 34 degrees Celsius. Since one of the weddings I'm attending is a beach wedding, I decided it's about time a primer found its home in my make up kit.
I visited some cosmetic counters and found primers from MAC and Shisheido but I found them a bit too pricey for a product that I'll be trying for the first time. One jar can easily cost me above USD50, so until the primer firmly establishes itself as a need, I decided to hold off my purchase and looked for a more inexpensive alternative.
And here's what I found:
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| L'Oreal Base Magique Transforming Smoothing Primer |
Here's how they describe the product:
"Transform your bare skin texture: The first smoothing primer that makes your lines and pores invisible for a visible and touchable smoothness.
A unique blend of silicon oils and soft light powders create a sensational smoothing velvet formula to refine the skin.
- Smooth wrinkles and fine lines
- Perfectly hides pores
- Skin imperfections are corrected
The rosy shade brings out the translucency on the bare skin tone."Here's how the actual product looks like:
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| Photo from kikay.exchange.ph |
One thing I learnt about handling this product is that a little goes a long way. I made the mistake of plunking small dots on my face, when what I should have actually done was loosen a small portion with my fingertips before applying on skin (What...? I was excited. So sue me.). As a result, the primer kind of caked in some areas of my face, so I had to reduce the amount of product before I could apply my foundation.
After I corrected that, I can tell you that my make up glided on smoothly. There was a noticeable difference especially in the eye area, as I felt the eyeshadow blended better and held on longer. My eye colour held up for the rest of the day, and looked as fresh as when I first applied it. Even my concealer and cheek colour stayed on. The T-zone was another story, however. In the future, I think I will use the product sparingly on that area, as there is a tendency to oil up as the day wears on. Nothing that a bit of powder can't fix, though.
I'm not too sure about the product's ability to "perfectly hide pores" and correct skin imperfections. I felt the concealer is still a must to hide some blemishes. Upon closer inspection, there was no noticeable difference in my pore size, but since they're not really big to begin with, I didn't find too much of an issue with that. However, if you have big pores and intend to hide it using this product, you might be a bit disappointed. As for hiding fine lines, well, I don't really think one product has the power to do that; I still think the best way to camouflage it would be to use a combination of moisturiser, primer, concealer and foundation...without overdoing it, of course.
Overall, I am quite satisfied with the product. Do note, though, that my purpose in trying out this primer is for my make up to hold longer. Hiding fine lines and blemishes was NOT my main motivation.
Would I buy this product again? I think so. It might actually be my go-to product because it is not that expensive, easy to find and does the job quite well. Would I finally invest in a MAC or Shisheido primer? Perhaps.
Has the primer firmly established itself as a make up essential? A resounding YES! :)
The L'Oreal Base Magique Transforming Smoothing Primer: 3.5 out of 5.
Disclaimer: This product review is based on my personal experience. It is in no way compensated by the company and does not necessarily reflect their own views of the product.
After I corrected that, I can tell you that my make up glided on smoothly. There was a noticeable difference especially in the eye area, as I felt the eyeshadow blended better and held on longer. My eye colour held up for the rest of the day, and looked as fresh as when I first applied it. Even my concealer and cheek colour stayed on. The T-zone was another story, however. In the future, I think I will use the product sparingly on that area, as there is a tendency to oil up as the day wears on. Nothing that a bit of powder can't fix, though.
I'm not too sure about the product's ability to "perfectly hide pores" and correct skin imperfections. I felt the concealer is still a must to hide some blemishes. Upon closer inspection, there was no noticeable difference in my pore size, but since they're not really big to begin with, I didn't find too much of an issue with that. However, if you have big pores and intend to hide it using this product, you might be a bit disappointed. As for hiding fine lines, well, I don't really think one product has the power to do that; I still think the best way to camouflage it would be to use a combination of moisturiser, primer, concealer and foundation...without overdoing it, of course.
Overall, I am quite satisfied with the product. Do note, though, that my purpose in trying out this primer is for my make up to hold longer. Hiding fine lines and blemishes was NOT my main motivation.
Would I buy this product again? I think so. It might actually be my go-to product because it is not that expensive, easy to find and does the job quite well. Would I finally invest in a MAC or Shisheido primer? Perhaps.
Has the primer firmly established itself as a make up essential? A resounding YES! :)
The L'Oreal Base Magique Transforming Smoothing Primer: 3.5 out of 5.
Disclaimer: This product review is based on my personal experience. It is in no way compensated by the company and does not necessarily reflect their own views of the product.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Grey Areas
Last week, I introduced my son to the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
He's noticed my DVD box set sitting in one of our shelves and had curiously inspected the cover. Many times over the past couple of weeks, he asked if he could watch it. At first, I refused because I thought the scenes and some characters might frighten him (i.e., Ring Wraiths and Orcs), and I thought the plot is a little too complex for him to understand.
Of course, how can a mother possibly win against a very persistent five-year-old? And so we went ahead and watched, with many caveats from me, telling him not to blame me if he gets scared.
My son surprised me yet again. He absolutely LOVED the trilogy! Actually, it seems he enjoyed it more than he did the Harry Potter series (of which he suffered only through half of the first movie, and hasn't since asked to watch it again). He did get a bit nervous seeing some of the scary characters - evidenced by very sweaty hands and feet, hahaha - but he got over it easier than I expected him to. Of course, I was right in predicting that the story was a bit hard for him to understand, but, hey, we're talking about a five-year-old, remember? And to his credit, he did comprehend most parts of the movie, and is able to summarise portions of it when I reviewed him. It goes without saying that his understanding came after hitting Mommy with questions at the rate of one bazillion questions per minute.
Amongst his many questions was about the colour of the characters. I saw it as an opportunity to educate him about symbolism in movies and literature in general.
SON: Mommy, how come the Ring Wraiths are black?
MOMMY: Because they're evil, and in films and books, black is used to symbolise very bad things.
SON: (faraway look, meaning he's digesting the piece of information)
MOMMY: See, even the Orcs and Uruk-hai warriors are black. Because they're evil. And Gandalf, who's good, is white. LOTR shows us a lot of battles between good and evil, so it's like black versus white.
SON: (blinks) So black is bad and white is good...?
MOMMY: (self-assured smile) Yes, that's right!
SON: (frowns) Then how come Saruman is white?
Ahh, to have a precocious child...!
He's noticed my DVD box set sitting in one of our shelves and had curiously inspected the cover. Many times over the past couple of weeks, he asked if he could watch it. At first, I refused because I thought the scenes and some characters might frighten him (i.e., Ring Wraiths and Orcs), and I thought the plot is a little too complex for him to understand.
Of course, how can a mother possibly win against a very persistent five-year-old? And so we went ahead and watched, with many caveats from me, telling him not to blame me if he gets scared.
My son surprised me yet again. He absolutely LOVED the trilogy! Actually, it seems he enjoyed it more than he did the Harry Potter series (of which he suffered only through half of the first movie, and hasn't since asked to watch it again). He did get a bit nervous seeing some of the scary characters - evidenced by very sweaty hands and feet, hahaha - but he got over it easier than I expected him to. Of course, I was right in predicting that the story was a bit hard for him to understand, but, hey, we're talking about a five-year-old, remember? And to his credit, he did comprehend most parts of the movie, and is able to summarise portions of it when I reviewed him. It goes without saying that his understanding came after hitting Mommy with questions at the rate of one bazillion questions per minute.
Amongst his many questions was about the colour of the characters. I saw it as an opportunity to educate him about symbolism in movies and literature in general.
SON: Mommy, how come the Ring Wraiths are black?
MOMMY: Because they're evil, and in films and books, black is used to symbolise very bad things.
SON: (faraway look, meaning he's digesting the piece of information)
MOMMY: See, even the Orcs and Uruk-hai warriors are black. Because they're evil. And Gandalf, who's good, is white. LOTR shows us a lot of battles between good and evil, so it's like black versus white.
SON: (blinks) So black is bad and white is good...?
MOMMY: (self-assured smile) Yes, that's right!
SON: (frowns) Then how come Saruman is white?
 |
| Gandalf and Saruman (from theonering.net) |
Ahh, to have a precocious child...!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
The other man
You were born on this day many summers ago.
Since the beginning, ours was a complicated relationship. Although we both know that our connection was never simple. But I loved you. Yes, in my own special way, I loved you.
I still do.
Yours is the kind of love my husband can never give me.
I've longed for your loving embrace for as long as I can remember. Without meaning to sound ungrateful for all the blessings I have, I look at others exchanging loving looks and feel a tinge of regret for that which we never had. For what we allowed to slip through our hands.
I know I've always said I want to live life without regrets. But sometimes I still think of all those missed chances. All those what-ifs.
What if I had more time with you?
What if you spent more time with me?
What if I knew you better?
What if you knew me better?
What if I fought harder for you?
What if you fought harder for me?
I'll never know.
All those firsts and lasts we've missed out on, we'll never have them back.
My first steps.
My first words.
My first day in school.
My first date.
My first heartbreak.
My first-born.
Your last day at work.
Your last vacation.
Your last cup of coffee.
Your last farm harvest.
Your last words.
Your last breath.
But in spite of all those things, I still thank you.
I thank you for teaching me acceptance. How all things that come to pass happen for a reason.
I thank you for teaching me strength. How the loudest voices can be found in the silence of one's heart.
I thank you for teaching me faith. How you can always find something to believe in even when all else fails.
I thank you for teaching me the meaning of unconditional love. How it is measured not by how much it receives, but how much it gives.
Papa, so many things were left unsaid between us. And while I may never know what's on your mind, you can now see inside my heart.
But if there's any "firsts" that I will never forget, it's that you taught me the very first song I know:
I wanna give
I wanna give my love to you completely
I beg of you
I beg of you to listen to my heart.
I've never prayed like this before
But I'm asking you not to close the door
For I can tame the wind and smooth the waters
If you just let me.
I wanna give
I wanna give you all the strength within me
To make a world
To make a world that cannot fall apart.
And you can sit upon a throne
And I'll give it all just for you alone
For I can tame the wind and smooth the waters
If you just let me.
The first song I've ever learnt is perhaps the last solid earthly link I have to you. And it will be the only song that will be in my heart for eternity.
I love you, Papa. Happy birthday.
Since the beginning, ours was a complicated relationship. Although we both know that our connection was never simple. But I loved you. Yes, in my own special way, I loved you.
I still do.
Yours is the kind of love my husband can never give me.
I've longed for your loving embrace for as long as I can remember. Without meaning to sound ungrateful for all the blessings I have, I look at others exchanging loving looks and feel a tinge of regret for that which we never had. For what we allowed to slip through our hands.
I know I've always said I want to live life without regrets. But sometimes I still think of all those missed chances. All those what-ifs.
What if I had more time with you?
What if you spent more time with me?
What if I knew you better?
What if you knew me better?
What if I fought harder for you?
What if you fought harder for me?
I'll never know.
All those firsts and lasts we've missed out on, we'll never have them back.
My first steps.
My first words.
My first day in school.
My first date.
My first heartbreak.
My first-born.
Your last day at work.
Your last vacation.
Your last cup of coffee.
Your last farm harvest.
Your last words.
Your last breath.
But in spite of all those things, I still thank you.
I thank you for teaching me acceptance. How all things that come to pass happen for a reason.
I thank you for teaching me strength. How the loudest voices can be found in the silence of one's heart.
I thank you for teaching me faith. How you can always find something to believe in even when all else fails.
I thank you for teaching me the meaning of unconditional love. How it is measured not by how much it receives, but how much it gives.
Papa, so many things were left unsaid between us. And while I may never know what's on your mind, you can now see inside my heart.
But if there's any "firsts" that I will never forget, it's that you taught me the very first song I know:
I wanna give
I wanna give my love to you completely
I beg of you
I beg of you to listen to my heart.
I've never prayed like this before
But I'm asking you not to close the door
For I can tame the wind and smooth the waters
If you just let me.
I wanna give
I wanna give you all the strength within me
To make a world
To make a world that cannot fall apart.
And you can sit upon a throne
And I'll give it all just for you alone
For I can tame the wind and smooth the waters
If you just let me.
The first song I've ever learnt is perhaps the last solid earthly link I have to you. And it will be the only song that will be in my heart for eternity.
I love you, Papa. Happy birthday.
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