Sick, Part 2

 Following up with my previous post......I'm just going to slightly elaborate more.

Technically it likely is just a normal respiratory bacterial infection for me. Unfortunately, for me, doctors tend to consistently give me the wrong diagnosis - they often prescribe me Amoxicillin, and if I don't recover, many doctors automatically assume it is my sinus or asthma acting up, and proceed to give me medicines that do not cure my underlying illnesses - untreated bacterial infection.

I went back to the clinic six times over the course of two weeks, and saw four different doctors. The first was nonchalant and dismissive, and practically shrugged me off as normal infection and sent me home after giving me something I suspect to be a 'standard' medicinal pack.

The second was a little more reassuring but unfortunately did not identify the problem.

The third was better but again didn't tackle the root cause.

I was coughing my lungs out during the visits and over the three weeks. I was given few bottles of cough syrups that did not help much. And I consistently repeated and emphasised that the cough syrups I were given were not helpful, yet all of them sent me home with the same or more cough syrups. 

The fourth doctor.....he was the angel. I wished I caught his name.

He took a peek into my throat via his torch yet he reached the contrary conclusions from the other three doctors, even though all the other three did the same thing - he noticed my throat was still red after three weeks of coughing, and he saw that I was prescribed Amoxicillin. He immediately knew the antibiotics I had failed to neutralise the bacteria in me and gave me a stronger antibiotics and corticosteroids to relieve my throat inflammation which was giving me coughs that were building my abs.

I recovered rather rapidly over the next few days.

Old doctors are very, very much better than young doctors nowadays.

That being said, I'll avoid going back to the clinic from now on. The sad thing is it's the nearest to my place of residence.

Sick

 I know I haven't been updating for a while, but for good reasons.

I'm currently sick. Old recurring asthma-related disease. Doctor said it was a 'small issue', but it didn't feel like it for me.

I shall update more, when I feel better at doing it.

RIP, my friend

 Thursday night I was enjoying a slow brisk back to my home at around 8pm, when my friend texted to inform me that my primary school CCY had passed away.

You see, my friend had been suffering from some kind of rare and aggressive cancer that knocked him out within months. He discovered he had a solid lump in him and consulted a doctor and apparently underwent a surgery to remove them, to no avail. It came back and grew. Eventually he found a doctor who diagnosed him with some cancer that made him the 3rd case in Malaysia. 

Chemotherapy didn't help. 

He gave it up.

In December 2022 he found he was sick. In June 2023, he stopped treatment because I was told the ineffective treatment was making him sicker than the disease itself.

He was depressed, sad, and refused to meet anybody. I didn't even know from him. I was told by my friend behind his back. He did not want anybody to know and refused to see anybody. 

I was hoping I could see him one last time.

It never happened.

We drifted apart after our path diverged after Form 6, but he remained a close friend.

I shed my tears I hadn't been shedding for years. I couldn't attend his funeral while I was in another country.

Rest in peace, my dear friend. I hope, wherever you are now, you'll get to rest and have peace. I hope you're surrounded by love and bliss, something you're very much well deserved of.

Stupid Love [Acoustic Version] - Lady Gaga

I cannot stop falling in love in this version of Stupid Love.

Oppenheimer

Barbenheimer was a storm that was unprecedented, at least in my lifetime. Two blockbuster movies being released simultaneously would otherwise have been considered a self-destructive move, but this has become an exception simply because a major studio is pissed at an award-winning director. I don't mind watching Barbie, but Oppenheimer attracts me more, although the entire premise of Barbenheimer was to encourage people to go out in droves to watch both in support of the cinema that's been shattered by online streaming services and Covid-19. 

Oppenheimer was quite different from other movies that I've watched. It's a biographic movie that's set in the World War era, which is markedly different from the genres I usually go for - superheroes and horror. But it's by Christopher Nolan and it stars Cillian Murphy (Thomas fooking Shelby) and thus I must witness what the media called a magnificent piece of creation.

The beginning of Oppenheimer was boring, to be truthful. I've no interest in history and I've no knowledge of the World War II other than the brief texts that were covered in school. But things picked up very quickly after the successful test of the atomic bomb (which occurs more than half-mark of the movie) and the pace picked up considerably. 

My main critique is that the beginning was too slow, but the storytelling was dense enough for a moviegoer to enjoy. Notably, a few patrons left the hall and never came back in the cinema I was in (I sat in the last row, and I saw). But Christopher Nolan's ability to mess with your mind was particularly pronounced during Oppenheimer's interrogation and Strauss's public hearing.

I would say that Oppenheimer isn't for everyone. Its content is mature both in its depth and appeal. If you're not someone who likes a story-telling with no mark tones, I would suggest you skip it and watch Barbie. To me, Oppenheimer is great for its dedication to the late Oppenheimer and for the actors' (especially Murphy and Downey Jr) superb commitments and portrayal, but otherwise it would be a movie I would pass if it were filmed by other directors.

My rating: 8/10.

Recent Updates

 I know I am becoming inactive here, but I guess it's sort of inevitable as we age and priorities shift.

I don't have a new priority, I am just gradually getting drifted off from blogging here.

Well, nothing much has happened since my last update, which was a mere one month ago.

I'm moving again to a new place. I'm staying where I am right now for only a contract-stipulated minimum 7 months, and then I'm moving to live with my friends, which sound very exciting.

Instead of renting just a room, we will be renting a whole unit. So, I guess also new responsibilities, with rosters to clean the house.

It's a new place. I am reluctant to move away from the area I currently reside, but I guess a move is timely anyway since I want a change for the better.

I'm at my new company for only three months - it's been great, but it sucks to disappoint my boss who I look up greatly. But I change a job to learn, I guess that's the entire purpose - to learn. Learning my mistakes and disappointing your mentor are often the most effective though sad way to learn.

Anyway, until next time.

Insidious: The Red Door

I do not remember much about the Insidious franchise beyond the first film. The first film was very good and it found itself a permanent good spot in my memory. So when I knew a new sequel is coming, I knew I must watch it. 

Spoilers ahead.

Okay, the hypnotic thing is a little too convenient for this movie's story-telling, but let's allow that sloppy lazy plot slide for a moment. This movie is not as scary as the previous, because the focus is more on the father and son's separate but simultaneous journey in recollecting their suppressed memory of the traumatising events.

The plot was okay except the convenience I mentioned above. The setting is dark because most of the events occur at night, and it seems to me that the actors playing the father and son probably have got a bit tired portraying these characters already.

Also it's becoming increasingly unbelievable that the demon still fail to possess them after, what, the fourth try?

But otherwise, still good. Better than most scary movies out there, but the first film remains the champion.

My rating: 9/10.

p/s I watch this at night,a 9.50pm screen at Bishan. The movie ended close to midnight and I walked alone back home. Suffice to say it wasn't a pleasant walk home. 

H2, 2023

We've officially entered the second half of the year, huh?

Time flies, doesn't it?

I'm inching towards 30, and the last chapter of my 20s is closing. 

I've made a lot of progress on myself, and I regret to say I wouldn't be able to achieve everything I want to do within the remainder of the year.

But I'm proud that I've at least progressed.

Well, let's all work towards achieving a better 2023. Hopefully, my 29-year-old can end with a joyous note.

Coldplay & The Chainsmokers - Something Just Like This [Tokyo Remix]

Coldplay announces tour in Singapore and holds concert for 4 days. The queue was so massive, Coldplay decided to add one more day. It did not water down the heat, so Coldplay added a record-breaking 6th day to an already record-breaking 5 days concert in Singapore.

Meanwhile, Malaysia only celebrates Coldplay for one day. Thanks PAS.

Anyway, as much as I like Coldplay, I don't like them enough to attend their concert.

I would like the Chainsmokers to come, though. Here's one of my favourite Chainsmoker's song, which is a collaboration with Coldplay.

Pizza Hut My Box

I used to like eating it and often ordered it on Friday for dinner as a celebration for ending a busy week. It had one personal pizza of generous portion with two sides at only $8.90, which is highly affordable. I especially like the Curry Pizza with the hash browns and chicken nuggets (the chicken strip was bad, and cheesy penne was too cheesy to my liking). But now Pizza Hut changed it - it's now $9.90, with only three sides to choose from: chicken wing, chicken thighs or garlic bread. No more hash browns I like. No more nuggets, no more french fries. 

Why the hell would Pizza Hut downgrade something this nice? I can understand the price increase, but the removal of delicious sides? 

Nah. 

Florence + The Machine - Dog Days Are Over

One of the little things to know about me is that every time I hear a song, I immediately tied it to what was happening when I was listening to it for the first time.

That's why listening to songs is always an involuntary habit of reminiscence.

Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol 3

 Guardians of the Galaxy (GOTG) was the first Marvel movie I watched, even though back then I didn't really enjoy Marvel movies, but I remember vividly it was a fun movie. I watched it in 2014, in theatre, in GSC CityOne Megamall, Kuching, when I was studying in Swinburne. GOTG thus becomes the first Marvel movie that truly etches into me, hence I was very excited for the third movie. I wasn't happy about what happened to James Gunn and how Disney handled the situation, but after a series of convoluted events, James Gunn came back to close this chapter, and hence I must give it a witness I know the movie would fabulously deliver.

James Gunn does not disappoint.

This is a movie full of emotions - of anger, of sadness, of joy, of tears. The villain is very simplistic. The High Evolutionary isn't some aliens or celestial, but just a human who's probably genetically enhanced but still yards from Captain America's durability. But James Gunn manages to picture him as someone so scary despite his simplicity. That's the power of James Gunn.

The ending of the movie is gut-wrenching. I know the characters finally get what they truly deserve, but somehow, after 10 years, watching them disband is very heartbreaking. Gamora and Quill will not get together because this is a different Gamora. Nebula has finally found her happiness. It's sad also that Mantis and Drax separate. Dog Days are over is an awesome song by the way.

But good things must come to an end, to ensure they don't outlive their welcome.

My rating: 10/10. Marvel would continue to soar if this quality persists.

The Pope's Exorcist

I watched The Pope's Exorcist in Emperor Cinema in R&F. Sidetracked a little, R&F has stagnated, or rather deteriorated, to a rather sorry state today. It has not recovered from the damage incurred by the pandemic. However, the cinema was still rather marvellous. I went there on a weekday, and bought the ticket for a screening before 6pm, and thus it cost only RM12, which is a steal compared to what I would have to pay to watch in Singapore. 

I was hesitant to watch this because the name of the film heavily implies that this show contains religious elements, which I've never been receptive to. But, I heard the reviews had been good, and it was being screened two weeks earlier than the States, and I had time to kill, so I thought, why not?

As it turns out, it indeed was good! It wasn't very religious - there was the Church, the Pope, and two Fathers and a demon. That's it, nothing like Angels & Demons which befuddled me who had zero knowledge on Christianity.

The movie didn't start slow. Russell Crown played the role fabulously. What really made this show captivating was how the demon defied all expectations of the characters and resisted all exorcism attempts. And what made this show different from other horror movies was the investigation to identify the demon who stubbornly repelled all attempts for submissions by studying the history of the place and unearthing what had been hidden beneath the place, like a detective.

I must say, horror movies like this has been very rare, and this was a very, very enjoyable film for a horror movie fan like me. Finally, Hollywood has shown some recovery from numerous subpar movies that were released in the past few years.

My rating: 8.5/10.

Lady Gaga - Hold My Hand (Acoustic)

This is not an official version. Basically, someone removes all background voices and keeps only her vocal, and substitutes all of them with a piano version.

The emotion is a notch higher and the song quality instantly elevated.

Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl - Jack's Entrance

The downside of having Disney+ subscription is that I get to rewatch shows I absolutely enjoyed that I've now forgotten and got suck back to the good old days. Nostalgia is my greatest weakness.

That aside, it's worth sharing this. It's been 20 years since this movie was first released, but not a single character introduction or music score beat this.

Pirates of the Caribbean remains a legendary film whose legacy must be protected at a cost.

Under The Banner of Heaven

I'll admit, this doesn't look or sound like a show I normally enjoy. It's heavily Christian (specifically, Mormonism), and I do not like any fictional work with a religious central theme. But it's Andrew Garfield, and the show received widespread acclaim, so I thought, why not give it a try? It's on Disney+, and I've paid for it.

Anyway, it didn't quite disappoint. Andrew Garfield is a successful actor, rightly so because he's talented. I'm a sentimental person, if a person acts well, I feel the emotion and I know it right.

The show is set in a small town where the population is very conservative and strictly adhere to the teachings of the church. It's loosely (or largely) based on a real story, and the series adopts the actual names of the victims and perpetrators. It can be summarised as a devout Mormon facing the biggest challenge of his faith as he investigates the murder of a woman and a baby by rogue Mormons.

Ultimately, it's about humanity vs faith. 

This is a good show, and I'm actually pleasantly surprised I enjoyed it. My criticisms so far would be that 1) the episodes are too long, and; 2) Pyre deserves a better ending.

Echoes (TV)

 Is it Leni or Gina? After a while it gets confusing.

This is a series about two really identical twins swapping identities so often it confuses even the twins in question. One of them went missing one day, and the other had no idea what transpired, so she had to play two roles as she investigated.

I would say it's interesting, only if you can keep up. Otherwise, give this show a skip.

I did, however, finish it. I won't say the revelation is boggling, but it's not a very fun one. The series is not bad, it has its ups and downs, it has some successful twists and some unsuccessful suspense, but overall it did manage to deliver some story that isn't an entire failure, but probably not an award-winning or highly ranked series.

Rating: 6/10. The actress is awesome and nailed her role. 

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Early critic review were rather merciless in their words; some blatantly called it a waste of time, some said it was a mess, some minced their words but insinuated Eternals did better. The general consensus appeared to be that this movie sucks. But after reading the early critic review of Thor: Love and Thunder, let's just say I am sceptical of their review, and understand that my taste probably deviates from theirs. And I was right. I went to watch it in GV Vivocity (much better than GV Bishan), and it was a marvellous two hours movie. Like all the other phase 4 movies, the movie kicked off rather quickly. Then they were sucked into the quantum realm and 'quantumania' ensued.

For people who claimed too much CGI was used - the entire movie takes place in a fictitious, artificial Quantum Realm. What exactly are you hoping for?

For people who said it's too messy, the movie has warned you about it - it's literally named Quantumania.

I like the movie a lot. The plot's a bit weak but Kang made up for it. MODOK was unattractive but I get that it stays loyal to the comic. The battle scene and the quantum realm were rather refreshing in my opinion.

If you people could let go the balls of Infinity War and Endgame and realise that we're now in a new phase and not the Infinity Saga anymore, perhaps you would have found yourself a lot more receptive towards all these rather entertaining movies. Quantumania is even better than Wakanda Forever in my opinion, by a very long shot.

2023 CNY

Hello Peeps! It's 2023, and as I'm writing this, it's near the end of January 2023. Time flies, huh? Anyway, during CNY I went back home for 10 days, took 2 days AL, WFH for 2 days, and the rest were the period my office is shut. I must say, returning home is always a risky move for me because I always am tempted to return permanently and never return to Singapore. But I digress. Anyway, it's 2023, the year of the rabbit! We welcome a brand new year hoping for a brand new life, although this year seems very hostile to me, a person whose zodiac is a Rooster. It might be a myth, it might be hokum, but we shall see. Happy Chinese New Year peeps! Hopefully, this is a much better year than last year!

 

The Watcher (TV)

I know this show existed but I also knew it was controversial. With a show this hot, it's difficult to avoid spoilers, but the only spoiler I knew was that the Watcher was never identified so technically the show ended with a cliffhanger, and I absolutely despise cliffhangers, so I decided to give the show a pass. But online reviews were very split - some eulogised the show as stunning and extraordinary, while some called it mundane and lacking inspiration. I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt and watched it - and was mindblown. 

After watching the first episode, the plot became familiar to me, and that's when I realised I had read about this in an issue of Reader's Digest not that long ago. It is based on a real story, and the real culprit was never identified or caught either. Nonetheless, the show is good, the suspense is good, and the puzzles are well-crafted. The neighbours are weird. Mitch and Mo are the typical nosy, retired couples who get their noses around everywhere and mistakenly thought their seniority demands automatic respect (which obviously is never the case). There are a few other interesting characters, and the show itself is very well-plotted with seamless and finely connected puzzles. I would give the show a 8/10, although I still hate cliffhangers. But the latest news is that it has been renewed for a 2nd season. I'm not sure whether it would feature a new family or a continuation of the first season, but I'll definitely look out for it.

Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2022

It wasn't planned. It wasn't my initial intention. I enjoy jogging - not terribly, but it's something I like doing. So I googled for marathon in Singapore, I found SCSM which I had no prior knowledge of. I saw the price - it was rather steep, and I hesitated. Knowing any further deliberation would only end with a reluctance to act, I signed up on a whim. Recognising my limitation, I participated only 10 km run.

Runner's pack pick-up day was two days before at MBS. It was simple to retrieve the items. But what surprised me was the size of the singlet - it was terribly small and unwearable even though I picked the size I usually wear. Apparently I'm not the only one facing this as I found out later scores of people complained about it on SCSM FB page.

Never mind, I'll just run with my own singlet.

I had never participated in a marathon before, so I didn't know how it worked.

For SCSM, apparently it's principally managed electronically. The race bib contains an electronic device (a rather bulky one, not just a chip), and it's primary aim is to detect your crossing of its milestones and record the time. They are four race points - the beginning, at about 4.2km, at 7km and finally at the end.

I went alone because all my friends either found it too expensive to participate or were simply not interested. That's fine. But here's the problem - the race began at 0630. I thought I would get Grab and just went early since I was unfamiliar with the whole process and would like to give myself some time margins to explore. But Grab and Gojek were not available - no drivers were around because apparently the demand was too high.

Seeing no other option, I opened LTA app and checked when the first train began operation - it was 0525 at Marymount and 0545 at Botanic Gardens. I calculated and noted I should be able to arrive on time if I went for the train, so I proceeded to the MRT stations. It wasn't like I had other options anyway.

The Circle Line train was empty, but the Downtown Line was packed with people wearing SCSM singlet - apparently everyone was going to the marathon. And I meant packed as sardine-packed. It was crowded. Your peak hour working day kind of crowd.

Arriving at the F1 pit bull, the crowd sauntered. There were a huge crowd moving on a very narrow walkway. Traffic was insane. Thankfully, the rain that poured down earlier had stopped.

I deposited my bag and noted that it was almost around 0625. I proceeded to the starting point. But because I signed up for the E category, meaning I anticipated the time taken to complete the race to be 2 hours to 2 and a half hours and the cut-off time is 2 and a half hours, it meant I was placed at the last category. My category flagged off and ran last. It didn't disadvantage us - the electronic bib in our number bib clocked our time rather than noting our end time sequentially.

I waited for about 20 minutes before category E were flagged off. Two problems - it was too long, and I watched the sky turned from dark blue to orange (the time I began the marathon was 0655); and I regretted not going to the toilet prior and was cursing myself and hoping there were toilets on the way.

Nevertheless, as the marathon began, I must have spent the first 10 minutes or so and the first 1.5km or so trying to cut people. It astonished me that people were walking at the first 1km - I would have begun running but many people were instead strolling. Maybe they didn't participate to jog but rather to attend as a family/friend event, which is fine.

The weather was exceptionally cool and thankfully not humid, probably because of the downpour earlier. I jogged like my life depended on it because this is my first marathon and I wanted to push my limits.

The scenes were nice but I had no mood or time to appreciate it.

Well.

I realised and could feel I performed better during the marathon. Maybe it was the crowd. Maybe it was the weather. Maybe it was the route. Maybe it was the challenge. I wasn't sure what was it, but I knew I ran better.

I jogged non-stop, taking only about five minutes walk after each 2-3 kms. I did not stop for water, or toilet, or anything. I just jogged.

Though, by 8km, I was exhausted. By 9km, nearing the end, I reached a breaking point. I slowed down.

But by 9.5 km, I dashed like madness, because I could see the endpoint.

And cross I did.

It was invigorating. I finished my first 10 km. I actually never ran 10 km before. Even in my normal routine jog, the most I had ever run was 8 km.

We were given a wet towel, a banana, 100-plus, bottled water, Himalayan salt sweets and a few miscellaneous gifts and, most importantly, a finisher's medal.

The time it took me to finish it: 1:07:16. 

I targeted one hour, and I exceeded my time by seven minutes.

I think I'll try again next year. By opting for an early category and resting less, I think I could reach the target.

I'm ranked modestly in the top 30% for men in category 20-29. This will be the last year I stay in this category, and I would like to try to breach my target.

It was nice experience. Memorable in fact, so, I'll probably join again.

The only complaint: muddy field, dirtied my shoes badly. Medal engraving service had an unacceptably long queue.