是不是这样的夜晚,你才会这样的想起我

It was many years ago, I can't remember when, I think it was around 2013 when I first started working after my SPM.

It was an acoustic album produced by a Malaysian-based company. The singer wasn't named. The record company kept a very low profile (even till now). There's no website about it. We don't know any operations behind it, we don't know any person behind it. But it was, is, a legitimate business. It was sold at Popular Malaysia.

Fast forward to 2019, I had by then bought many of their albums. The latest album I purchased was a Chinese acoustic album. Again, the singers weren't named. I heard it in JB City Square's Popular. I bought it. I super like all of them.

When my laptop was haplessly destroyed because I accidentally spilt water on it, I had to buy a new laptop. Then, I realised most laptops don't come with CD drive. And the first thought that came to my mind was...I couldn't be their loyal customer anymore, because they only sell CDs. I had been their loyal customer for a very long time, and I was sad to have to cease being one simply because I had no CD drive.

It didn't bother me after that, because soon Covid-19 came.

Until two days ago, I accidentally found this on Spotify.

The album looked strikingly familiar. There was a distinct pattern in all their albums, I immediately recognised it as the same publisher.

I was overjoyed. I listened to all the songs immediately and it really gave me a euphoria I haven't experienced for a long time.

I thought I could find more albums on Spotify, but as it turns out, no. This was the only one. Again, its profile was very low even on Spotify.

I thought I couldn't ever hear the albums anymore. Thank God, I'm now able to listen to new albums because of Spotify. I really thank Spotify.

To be honest, I really hope I could know who are the singers. The covers are very good, and better than many YouTubers. They deserve some fame and recognition, but maybe they remain anonymous simply because they like singing and want to share that joy but don't want fame and recognition. To do that out of genuine sharing. If that's the real reason, my respect to them would skyrocket to a brand new level.

Whomever you are, thank you.

And thank you, Spotify, for allowing me to continue to be a loyal audience.

Hailee Steinfeld, Alesso - Let Me Go ft. Florida Georgia Line

It sucks that this song is categorised as a 'happy' song by Spotify, because this song triggers a lot of memories I had when I first listened to it, and nostalgia makes me kinda...moody, and it thus doesn't make me happy.

I love this song. Good music we had back then.

The Definition of 'Extension'

I sometimes love reading Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) judgments, because sometimes they bicker over things ordinary people find nonsensical and laughable. But in the legal context, sometimes, a word really could make thousands of dollars of difference.

Take the judgment released today about what exactly Congress means by 'extension'. I mean, 32-pages of single line documents to analyse only what 'extension' means. 32-pages of words because of 'one word'!

Anyway, after Ginsburg died last year, Amy Coney Barrett was rushed to be appointed to SCOTUS, solidifying the conservative control on the supreme court. I resented her. But recent judgments show that she's much more centrist than I initially presumed, and she's beginning to earn my respect. And damn, she's one hard textualist, and a very technical one. 

I mean, in today's judgment, which she dissented, I can literally feel her blood boiled. Read it yourself.

HOLLYFRONTIER CHEYENNE REFINING, LLC, ET AL. v. RENEWABLE FUELS ASSOCIATION ET AL.

In the end, I agree with her:

'Boiled down, the Court’s position is that HollyFrontier wins because its reading is possible. But I would ask, as we typically do, how the term “extension” “is most naturally read.” - Barrett, J. 

Bored. Very Bored.

It's been one and a half year since I'm trapped in Singapore, and during this period I've explored virtually every part of Singapore.

I seriously need suggestions as to what I should do during my free time.

I do not enjoy shopping nor dining. I used to like to eat a lot, but now I'm controlling because it's becoming a nasty habit and I'm making progress so I don't like food hunting anymore.

I do enjoy some outdoor exercise but I've explored parts of Singapore worth exploring, including most of the parks and the connectors. The only ones I haven't explored is Sungai Buloh and the off islands because they are hard to reach. Else, the rest, you name it, I've been there.

It's a very tiny island and I'm bored. I need new stuff to do.

I've considered volunteering, but covid-19 restrictions put most to a halt. Even beach-cleaning isn't available.

What the hell should I do?

Peaky Blinders

Oh God, I never knew this show existed!

I googled for TV series recommendation and some websites recommend Peaky Blinders. I searched for it on Wiki and learnt that it's a gang-themed show which is set around 1920s. Shows set in the past aren't a thing for me because I do not like history, but I really wanted to watch a British show so I gave it a try.

My first thought after watching the first episode? Okay, when people say British actors can act better than Hollywood actors, people aren't kidding. The gap in acting quality is humongous and apparent. British actors really can act better.

Then, I thought the first episode started off a bit slow and boring. Pilot usually starts slow. So I gave the second episode a try. And I ended up finishing the first season in 3 days. To be fair, there were only 6 episodes in one season (typical of English drama), but they were working days - days I were superbly busy.

I especially like Thomas and Aunt Pol. No joke, I mean, the characters are fascinating, but seriously Cilian Murphy and the late Helen McCrory really were class actors. They have class. Real quality that is absent in Hollywood actors. Then, the characters are fascinating at their own. Thomas, the smart leader who is enthralled and besotted with Grace, the barmaid who is actually an undercover cop but mistakenly fell for him. Aunt Pol, the lady head of the family who is often in loggerheads with Thomas but respects him ultimately. I sincerely love these two characters. I also like Grace, but it's because she's beautiful not because she's an outstanding actress. She's good, but just not as outstanding as Cilian Murphy and Helen McCrory.

Anyway the show was good. It was really entertaining. There were 4 more seasons for me to watch (and an unaired 6th season), but the first season didn't disappoint. Also, I learnt Helen McCrory passed away April 2021. This is really sad, I hope she rests in peace.

p/s: British accent > American accent, by an infinite magnitude.

The Gulf 2

Okay, seriously, this is the best New Zealand TV show I've ever watched. I like Step Dave, but Step Dave didn't make me want to devour it in one go. This show did. This crime show makes The Brokenwood Mysteries like a child's play. Like the first season, one crime is featured over two episodes and they are as jam-packed as the episodes in the first season - solid, good storyline coupled with good acting, good crimes. I finished two episodes in one go because the stories are awesome. But the difference in the second season is that some of the crimes are ultimately linked, and the final mystery is only unravelled in the last arc of the series. I like this show, and I like how Jess/Ruby's daughter mother's relationship is written - messed up but they still love each other. Harding has a problem and I'll just say this season ends with a cliffhanger, so they better bring a season 3 else I'll lose my mind.

The Flight Attendant

I first knew about The Flight Attendant when I first saw the book in Popular. The recap sounded interesting, but then what really captured my attention was it has been made into a television series. Starring Kaley Cuoco! 

So I googled for the show, and at the time of searching, only two episodes had been released.

I didn't read the book. I haven't read it too, but I've finished the TV series because, come on, it's Kaley Cuoco!!

Anyway, without spilling too many beans, I have to say the storyline is really good. All the actors and actresses were extremely professional and good at their job. I love Kaley Cuoco, I knew her since she starred in Charmed, and then I watched all The Big Bang Theory. I like her a lot, and she did a superb job! She's awesome, as she always has been. The actresses who play Miranda and Annie were also awesome. OMG I love Miranda too! The I-don't-give-a-fuck attitude this assassin has is a gem!

The show has been renewed for a second season. To be honest, I'm not sure what it's going to be about, probably just a continuation of the unfinished storyline in season 1 (not giving out spoilers), but either case, I can't wait for it! (Too bad it's premiering only autumn 2022)