This Is it! Michael Jackson's Legacy

There were superb singers.. there were excellent dancers.. and then there was Michael Jackson.. the king of pop.. creator of the famous moonwalk.. the one man who embodied the true meaning of artistry as performer. With no apologies for being a perfectionist, MJ had the 'feel' for music and dance and was attentive to even the smallest detail.. each note.. each pause.. that split second made all the difference.. Let it sizzle more, I don't feel it enough (bass guitar).. Let it simmer, Bathe in the moonlight, Don't change so soon (keyboard).. Hit that high note, Hold it (electric guitar).. Watch me, I need to cue that, I will feel it (referring to the Smooth Operator video clip playing behind him!)..

It was nothing but the best for MJ that it almost appeared that cost wasn't a concern.. the new Thriller video was absolutely 'thrilling' with more realistic-looking zombies and ghouls.. we see MJ emerging from a gigantic mechanical spider, being elevated on to a ramp and disappearing into the night.. that running fire as a backdrop.. and not to mention the spectacular view of the bulldozer on stage with its jaws suspended open behind MJ for Earth Song!

A man who was encouraging.. It's all for love, God bless you, It's your time to shine.. A man who was gentle and controlled.. even when he was obviously bothered by the aviom feedback, he didn't blow his top. So, despite his idiosyncrachies, I do admire the man for his passion and love for music and all things beautiful.. As the movie credits rolled, I couldn't help but wonder if we would have had the privilege of catching a glimpse of these behind-the-scene footages if MJ were still alive.. and walked out of the cinema with a tinge a sadness...

A 7-Day General Motors Diet...

Day 1: Fruits and Water
I decided to embark on this weird diet plan after witnessing the success of others at work. I must admit that today was really quite agonizing cos Singapore is definitely a dieter's WORST NIGHTMARE!!! Scrumptious food at every corner and even if you don't see it, the aroma is tempting enough. I totally agree with Garfield.. diet is indeed a DIE with a T.. certainly a test of will-power or rather.. won't-power and using the mind over matter (in this case.. mind over body)! Imagine having roast beef while munching on watermelon.. maybe that honeydew resembles lemon chicken.. is that guava or tiger prawn??!! But NO tomatoes or bananas on the 1st day.. although they are both fruits.. and don't forget to drink at least 8 glasses of water for these 7 days...

Day 2: 1 Measly Potato, Vegetables and Water
Arrrgghhh!!! Felt a bit sick after a BIG 'breakfast'.. of boiled potato, spinach, lettuce, cabbage and cauliflower. Think my body was protesting vehemently against the sudden onslaught of barely familiar food.. and most certainly NEVER at breakfast??! Plus the fact I was a liittle over enthusiastic in adding salt and pepper.. hoping in vain to spice up the food. I toyed with the idea of chili or crushed peppers (from Pizza Hut) but I reckoned it probably won't sit too well in my already tormented stomach. I definitely preferred yester-month's menu.. bring on the Sausage McMuffin.. nasi lemak.. wan ton mee.. chee cheong fun.. laksa with egg and all.. ha ha ha! No surprises why I won't be watching Gournet Food Channels for the rest of the week...

Day 3: Fruits, Vegetables and Water
More rabbit food (as mum aptly describes it).. but surprisingly it wasn't half as bad today! Perhaps my body is accepting the detox process.. at least I hope so? I had turnip, chai sim, watermelon and honeydew.. quite yummy actually since they are my favourite food. So 3 down and 4 more days to go.. jia you!!!

Day 4: 8 Bananas and 3 Glasses of Milk (and Vegetable Soup)
This is the strangest part of the diet.. I was tempted to make my own banana smoothie but it's too much trouble for just 1 glass? Apparently the desire for sweets and sugar should be somewhat curbed after today. Great to be able to resist those macadamia chocolates.. I suppose?!!

Day 5: Rice and 6 Tomatoes
I decided to stick with the vegetarian version of this diet.. the non-vegetarian includes small portions of lean meat or cottage cheese with the 6 tomatoes. But what is a small portion? I may just end up over-zealously digging into the chicken or beef after 4 days on rodent food! You're advised to drink an extra 4 glasses of water to flush out the accumulated uric acid. Hmmm.. my stomach felt quite empty at night.. but maybe we're meant to sleep early while on this diet??!!

Day 6: Rice and Vegetables
It's back to vegetables again.. however, the non-vegetarian version allows you to eat meat to your heart's content! Maybe I will do that next time (if I EVER get around to it).. then, I can compare and see which plan suits me better.. ha ha ha! But I have to admit I did cheat a little today.. had a tiny morsel of chocolate cream cake (which was absolutely delicious) and 5 small sticks of french fries (almost heavenly)...

Day 7: Rice, Vegetables and Fruit Juice
So I made it! I am so looking forward to going back to the 'normal' diet again tomorrow.. but I will try to stay with the healthful food as much as possible so that all the effort of losing these 4 kgs won't go to waste! Fish soup and Yong Tau Foo.. here I come!!! Ha ha ha...

Nerf Guns And No Roses...

Last Saturday Justin and Jared had a real blast at a Nerf gun war game which organised by their church friends for a post-exam de-stressing exercise. For the uninitiated, Nerf guns are fanciful-looking dart guns equipped with styrofoam bullets. They come in various designs.. hand-held.. pistol (6 bullets).. cartridge loading.. long-range shooter etc. The boys (obviously the girls were not very interested in such violence?) turned the table over on to their sides and used them as shields since they weren't allowed to dig trenches on the premises. So, if you get 'shot'.. you're supposed to be 'dead' and therefore can't operate a gun anymore. You may only assist your team mates to load bullets. The game ends only when a team gets all the members of the opposite team.. unless of course they decide to commit Kamikaze by running over to the enemy's camp. Jared got hit near his eye and made a smart move by using a pair of swimming goggles for protection.. he looked really cute popping up and down behind the table with these black rings around his eyes (not unlike a goldfish)! Needless to say. this was the precise reason I banned my boys from playing Nerf guns at home.. point proven.. signed.. sealed.. delivered!!!