The Lake House Persuaded
Ahh...Sandra and Keanu. Don't you just love this tandem?
Jane Austen's book "Persuasion" is mentioned in The Lake House. Kate forgets this book in a train station and Alex retrieves it for her (in a parallel dimension)! He highlights this passage from the book for her;
"There could have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison...."
While I don't believe the movie is based on the book Persuasion (Unlike "Clueless" was based on Emma) its similarities lie with the elements of 2 people who are apart all this while, yet very much in love and finally getting together in the end.
I was gutted when I realised that it was Alex who crossed that street! Damn it! Kate is hanging on the mail box and I am crying with her! The melodramatic music does not help!
But oh, Alex reads the letter and he lives!!
They finally meet.
"You waited" says Kate and Alex not needing to say anything.....
Jane Austen's book "Persuasion" is mentioned in The Lake House. Kate forgets this book in a train station and Alex retrieves it for her (in a parallel dimension)! He highlights this passage from the book for her;
"There could have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison...."
While I don't believe the movie is based on the book Persuasion (Unlike "Clueless" was based on Emma) its similarities lie with the elements of 2 people who are apart all this while, yet very much in love and finally getting together in the end.
I was gutted when I realised that it was Alex who crossed that street! Damn it! Kate is hanging on the mail box and I am crying with her! The melodramatic music does not help!
But oh, Alex reads the letter and he lives!!
They finally meet.
"You waited" says Kate and Alex not needing to say anything.....
Ah Westlife yet again
Spoilt myself this morning.
Seated in the hairdresser's chair, having my itchy scalp washed and massage, I was serenaded by another forgotten Westlife song! Oh so boy-band-ish.
But can someone tell me what's with the horses?
Tonight...
Seated in the hairdresser's chair, having my itchy scalp washed and massage, I was serenaded by another forgotten Westlife song! Oh so boy-band-ish.
But can someone tell me what's with the horses?
Tonight...
'beats working for other people'
It was 10.30om and I was just about to turn my mobile phone off when it rang!
It was Dad requesting that I open up the front door! I had not expected their return tonight, so had the doors double-locked.
Dragging themselves in, they were obviously exhausted. Starving too, mom rummaged the fridge for food. As we only had leftovers from lunch for dinner, the only 'food' I could offer mom was the cake I baked yesterday. She was happy, sans the cake topping of course!
This is the life of my parents; plantation labourers and owners. With already 1 established plantation, they simply had to start another one. Touching 60 and they still insist on working, harsh work nonetheless. I had always imagined that they would end up like other normal old people. Travelling the globe, playing the day away with the grandkids, spending the day at the golf courses; that sort of old-people activites. Nay! They had to defy these conventions.
‘beats working for other people’ declares Mr.Darcy.
I agree.
Mr.Darcy and I are also starting a plantation of our own - 5 hours away from here. He does the actual work, while I do the actual supporting work ie staying home with the kids and awaits his returns. He ventures in the jungle every week for a few days to coordinate work and comes home. He camps out in the jungle and says he truly enjoys it; to the envy of J! I would wait up till the early hours of the morning for his return, completely exhausted, hungry, drenched in sweat and diesel To think he gave up a cushy and secure job to be decked out in ripped farmer attire and smelling of diesel!
‘ beats working for other people’ he maintains.
I agree
Wonder how it would be for Mr.Darcy and I when we're touching 60. As it is, we're a wreck just thinking of touching 40!
It was Dad requesting that I open up the front door! I had not expected their return tonight, so had the doors double-locked.
Dragging themselves in, they were obviously exhausted. Starving too, mom rummaged the fridge for food. As we only had leftovers from lunch for dinner, the only 'food' I could offer mom was the cake I baked yesterday. She was happy, sans the cake topping of course!
This is the life of my parents; plantation labourers and owners. With already 1 established plantation, they simply had to start another one. Touching 60 and they still insist on working, harsh work nonetheless. I had always imagined that they would end up like other normal old people. Travelling the globe, playing the day away with the grandkids, spending the day at the golf courses; that sort of old-people activites. Nay! They had to defy these conventions.
‘beats working for other people’ declares Mr.Darcy.
I agree.
Mr.Darcy and I are also starting a plantation of our own - 5 hours away from here. He does the actual work, while I do the actual supporting work ie staying home with the kids and awaits his returns. He ventures in the jungle every week for a few days to coordinate work and comes home. He camps out in the jungle and says he truly enjoys it; to the envy of J! I would wait up till the early hours of the morning for his return, completely exhausted, hungry, drenched in sweat and diesel To think he gave up a cushy and secure job to be decked out in ripped farmer attire and smelling of diesel!
‘ beats working for other people’ he maintains.
I agree
Wonder how it would be for Mr.Darcy and I when we're touching 60. As it is, we're a wreck just thinking of touching 40!
So I got to see WICKED..
Sitting on my own, in my A reserve seat (which I booked online the night before!!) - 8 rows from the front, a little towards the side of the Regent Theatre - I was still in a state of disbelief! That I am actually going to be seeing 'Wicked'! I was a little nervous that I may be getting understudies for the show (it was matinee afterall) - I did not buy the Souvenier Program to 'compare' the faces with! I had opted to buy a 'Wicked" T-Shirt instead!Looking at my watch, I knew I may miss out on the curtain call at shows end (3.45pm) seeing that I would have to flee back to the hotel by 4.00pm to catch a cab with the rest of the family, for the wedding scheduled for 4.30pm! For that very reason, I had 'dressed' up already - all made up, my LBD and comfy flats. Grateful for Melbourne's cold weather, I needn't worry about sweating arm-pits!
Right now, at exactly 1.00pm, it's showtime! Curtains up and the all too familiar overture starts playing, followed by the opening number "No one mourns the wicked". I remember I am wearing mascara, so I do not cry! There's something unexplainable about hearing musicals live - always brings me to tears! (I cried through 2 hours of 'Miss Saigon')
I remember being totally distraught upon learning of Wicked closing its Australian/Melbourne run in January of this year. Whilst in Perth, I had toyed with the idea of escaping for a weekend away in Melbourne, just to catch the show before it ended. Usually for shows like this in NYC or London, it runs for a minimum of 18 months. I wasn't too sure if Melbourne would do likewise! Sure glad they did!
Except for the guy who played Fiyero (I believe was an understudy) , I had the privilege of watching the principal Australian cast. Still with the original NYC cast in my head, my only 'complaint' was the Aussie casts' singing were a little thin, comparatively. The ensemble, however, was brilliant and just so riveting that I couldn't keep my eyes off them! Their quirky costumes and dances were captivating that I sometimes missed some scenes with the main characters! Thank goodness I already know the plot of the story pretty well, to not miss out on too much!
As planned, at 3.45pm the curtain fell and I flew out of the theatre!
We made it to the wedding at 4.30pm.
(Kristin Cheno & Idina Menzel; Kristin's last night from NYC's run -she's really crying! so am I!!)
Songbird
Meet gorgeous Regine Velasquez. She was 'introduced' to me by another Pinay friend in DownUnder.
Such a voice coming out of a tiny person! Gives me goosebumps each time I hear her sing. Regine isn't one of those filipino talents making it big overseas, she humbly stays within the Philippine shores be happy to be their Diva! Although... I do find her rather expressionless (watch her eyes) or rather singing effortlessly, which only goes to show how fantastic a singer she is!
Yup, you'll be gaping too! Yes, she sings better than Sharon Cuneta and Lea Salonga, collectively :-p
Such a voice coming out of a tiny person! Gives me goosebumps each time I hear her sing. Regine isn't one of those filipino talents making it big overseas, she humbly stays within the Philippine shores be happy to be their Diva! Although... I do find her rather expressionless (watch her eyes) or rather singing effortlessly, which only goes to show how fantastic a singer she is!
Yup, you'll be gaping too! Yes, she sings better than Sharon Cuneta and Lea Salonga, collectively :-p
Jane Austen movies on Astro
Earlier this week, the BFF kindly sms-ed telling me of JA shows to be aired later this month. Mr. Darcy also noted this for me. Upon asking him what the shows were, he said something along the lines of "some bookclub and sense & sensibility".I retorted, "Oh Jane Austen Bookclub and what version of SS?" Mr. Darcy shrugged. Typical :-)
Yes, chances are and unless they are pre-90s versions, I would've seen 'em all. Which then caused me to think which versions of the shows I liked best.
So here goes:
Pride and Prejudice
Initially titled "First Impression", PP first published in 1813 was JA's second published novel. PP is perhaps the most 're-made' into movies of all JA's novels. The first movie was made in 1940, followed by 're-makes' in 2003 and 2005. The most notable TV series were made in 1980 and 1995 (my favourite!!). Stage/broadway versions (yes, there were!!) made in 1936, 1959, 1995 (album concept only) and 2008! There were also numerous related works of PP; namely Bridget Jones Diary' (Colin Firth aka Mr. Darcy was Mr. Darcy here!) and Bride & Prejudice. Very good shows too, might I add!I've only seen the 1980, 1995 and 2005 'true' PP versions. Of these, I am very much in favour of the TV series 1995 starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. Being the longest version (gosh, can't remember the show duration!) it expands the story line better than the 2005 movie. The 1980 version was 'staged', typical of 70/80 TV series work - didn't like it! From then on, all 'other' Mr. Darcys had to knock Firth off his pedestal. He IS Mr. Darcy! Even Matthew Macfadden's " you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love..I love...I love you" *sigh* couldn't move me....well very nearly did...okay, it did!
:-) As for Lizzy Bennet, Jennifer Ehle was perfect, I thought. She embodied fiestyness, maturity and sweetness all in one! Much better than Keira did - she was little too modern and ugly for my liking, plus she looked like she needed to be fed more than she needed Mr. Darcy!! Finally the WHOLE supporting cast for PP95 blew PP2005's cast out of the water for me.
On the note of Mr. Darcy, Elliot Cowan of "Lost in Austen", a parody of PP was also an excellent brooding Mr.Darcy! Its too bad, the show was NOT a remake of PP, else my loyalty to Colin Firth would be shaken to the core!!
Sense & Sensibility
I have seen Emma Thompson's adaption, SS95. Made by Hollywoon, it boasts of stars! Hugh Grant, Huge Lawrie, Kate Winslet, James Fleet (Didn't make the connection that he is Hugo Horton of Vicar!!) , Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman. Yes, celebrities gallore. I really loved the story.
Then I came across Sense & Sensibility 2008, an adaption for TV by Andrew Davies. Amidst the many debates surrounding which version was better, SS08 won me over!
While the general casting of SS95 were excellent, I didn't quite buy Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson as Edward Ferrars and Elinor Dashwood! Hugh Grant was too 'clumsy' and insipid to be Edward and Emma was just way too 'old' to be Elinor. However Kate Winslet, Gemma Jones and Greg Wiese were excellent as Mariane, Mrs. Dashwood and Willoughby! I have mixed feelings about Alan Rickman as Col. Brandon. David Morrissey as Col. Brandon is worse!
In SS08, Hattie Morahan was the PERFECT Elinor! Young, matured and emotionally trapped. A lovely sister and daughter, you understood why Edward fell in love with her from the get go! The casting of Dan Stevens as Edward Ferrars caused quite an uproar amongst hard-core JA followers, for being too handsome! Of course JA wrote Edward as being 'boring' and 'plain'; I totally agree but don't complain! He complements the 'wet-shirt' scene beautifully! As for the other cast members, I am not too crash hot about i.e David Morrisey as Col. Brandon was just tooo creepy! Dominic Cooper as Willoughby was too sinister! Charity Wakefield as Marianne was too sappy! Etc etc!
But aside from gawking Dan Stevens and adoring Hattie Morahan, SS08 expands the novel a little more than the movie. Plus I love the proposal scene in the end! Classy!
Ok that's Sense & Sensibility
Next
Persuasion
What can I say about MY most favourite JA's movie! The adaption in 1995 starring Amanda Roots & Ciaran Hinds is so beautiful! This version is more succint to the novel, albeit not that much longer in duration than the newer 2008 version. I find Amanda is just a little haggard but still excellent as the very sad turned very happy Anne Elliot. You can feel her sadness and her wanting to be forgiven by the captain; your heart just goes out to her!And Hinds rock as Captain Wentworth. His long-held anger towards her is evident, yet his eyes betrays still how much he longs for her!! This version, you hear the FULL length of his 'proposal letter "You pierce my soul, I am half agony, half hope" OMG! And oh, how they made up in the end is just so sweet "I tried to forget you, I thought I had" *someone please slap me!*
Andrew Davies (he's a busy man!) made adaption for TV series in 2008, starring Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry Jones (OMG!!!). I cannot say if I like this version better because I wasn't drawn to the rest of the cast. I felt the story line was in 'shambles' and way too rushed. The scene where Anne runs (yes RUNS like a mad woman) through Bath to catch up with Capt. Wentworth was utterly ridiculous!! I was also very 'disgusted' with the kissing-with-spit-hanging-out-in-the-corner-of-her-mouth scene in the end! And with Sally gasping to breathe as she reaches for Rupert! Why couldn't he just jolly well stoop a little to make life easier for poor Sally! And you doNOT get the full length of that famous proposal letter! So apart from swooning over RPJ, this version was so-so!
Nexxxt...
Mansfield Park
I've only seen the adaption for movie in 1999 by Patricia Rozema starring Frances O'connor and Johnny Lee Miller (MP1999) and an adaption for TV in 2008 by Maggie Wadey starring some very weird people, save for Blake Ritson (fiance of Hattie Morahan). Having Billie Piper play Fanny Price is ludicrous! How do you get a tart play a prude?? Go figure!I had so much trouble with this, I couldn't get past the story. I thought Frances was better as Fanny in MP1999. Would be nice to have Blake play opposite her though, but Johnny Lee was good as Edmund too. MP1999 was also better casted.
Nexxxxt
Emma
The 1996 movie version starring Gwenth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam, wins for me. Its was shot beautifully and the casting excellent. Having said that, I have not really seen the 1996 TV version featuring Kate Beckinsale and Mark Strong. I can imagine that would be a good one too. I will have to actually SEE it to make a comparison of sort!
Finally
Northanger Abbey
I remember watching a 1986 version of this show. It must've been so unentertaining and unimpressive that I had even forgotten I have the VHS version in my cabinet!! It was a weird show!!
Then I came across the adaption made for TV in 2008 featuring Felicity Jones and JJ Fields. I quite liked the story! Very different from other JA novels but entertaining all the same, with gothic influence (hah, bet you didn't think JA was capable of that!). I think JJ Field was absolutely charming as Henry Tilney but I felt Felicity Jones was a little 'off' as Catherine Morland - yes, like Billie Piper I thought she looked a little tart-ish, all pouty and just waiting to be kissed up! Blech!!
What I find really ironic is that JA wrote about the women; Lizzy, Elinor, Anne, Emma, Catherine and Fanny! Yet in the movies, it's the men that draws the viewing audience. We want to see a dashing Mr. Darcy, Mr. Ferrars, Capt.Wentworth, Mr.Knightley, Mr. Tilney and Mr.Bertram! We want to be swept off our feet by them! Why has JA and movie-makers like Andrew Davies captured our imagination? I guess its because somehow, somewhere (or just hoping that we do!) we identify with the girls! There are bits of Lizzy, Elinor, Anne, Emma, Fanny and Catherine in all of us. I think, anyway. So we would WISH our men are those depicted by screenwriters.
*sigggh* That's it folks. My 10cents worth of opinion, not that anyone really cared :-)
Btw, I have seen JABC and enjoyed it, very much!
Then I came across Sense & Sensibility 2008, an adaption for TV by Andrew Davies. Amidst the many debates surrounding which version was better, SS08 won me over!
While the general casting of SS95 were excellent, I didn't quite buy Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson as Edward Ferrars and Elinor Dashwood! Hugh Grant was too 'clumsy' and insipid to be Edward and Emma was just way too 'old' to be Elinor. However Kate Winslet, Gemma Jones and Greg Wiese were excellent as Mariane, Mrs. Dashwood and Willoughby! I have mixed feelings about Alan Rickman as Col. Brandon. David Morrissey as Col. Brandon is worse!
In SS08, Hattie Morahan was the PERFECT Elinor! Young, matured and emotionally trapped. A lovely sister and daughter, you understood why Edward fell in love with her from the get go! The casting of Dan Stevens as Edward Ferrars caused quite an uproar amongst hard-core JA followers, for being too handsome! Of course JA wrote Edward as being 'boring' and 'plain'; I totally agree but don't complain! He complements the 'wet-shirt' scene beautifully! As for the other cast members, I am not too crash hot about i.e David Morrisey as Col. Brandon was just tooo creepy! Dominic Cooper as Willoughby was too sinister! Charity Wakefield as Marianne was too sappy! Etc etc!But aside from gawking Dan Stevens and adoring Hattie Morahan, SS08 expands the novel a little more than the movie. Plus I love the proposal scene in the end! Classy!
Ok that's Sense & Sensibility
Next
Persuasion
What can I say about MY most favourite JA's movie! The adaption in 1995 starring Amanda Roots & Ciaran Hinds is so beautiful! This version is more succint to the novel, albeit not that much longer in duration than the newer 2008 version. I find Amanda is just a little haggard but still excellent as the very sad turned very happy Anne Elliot. You can feel her sadness and her wanting to be forgiven by the captain; your heart just goes out to her!And Hinds rock as Captain Wentworth. His long-held anger towards her is evident, yet his eyes betrays still how much he longs for her!! This version, you hear the FULL length of his 'proposal letter "You pierce my soul, I am half agony, half hope" OMG! And oh, how they made up in the end is just so sweet "I tried to forget you, I thought I had" *someone please slap me!*
Andrew Davies (he's a busy man!) made adaption for TV series in 2008, starring Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry Jones (OMG!!!). I cannot say if I like this version better because I wasn't drawn to the rest of the cast. I felt the story line was in 'shambles' and way too rushed. The scene where Anne runs (yes RUNS like a mad woman) through Bath to catch up with Capt. Wentworth was utterly ridiculous!! I was also very 'disgusted' with the kissing-with-spit-hanging-out-in-the-corner-of-her-mouth scene in the end! And with Sally gasping to breathe as she reaches for Rupert! Why couldn't he just jolly well stoop a little to make life easier for poor Sally! And you doNOT get the full length of that famous proposal letter! So apart from swooning over RPJ, this version was so-so!Nexxxt...
Mansfield Park
I've only seen the adaption for movie in 1999 by Patricia Rozema starring Frances O'connor and Johnny Lee Miller (MP1999) and an adaption for TV in 2008 by Maggie Wadey starring some very weird people, save for Blake Ritson (fiance of Hattie Morahan). Having Billie Piper play Fanny Price is ludicrous! How do you get a tart play a prude?? Go figure!I had so much trouble with this, I couldn't get past the story. I thought Frances was better as Fanny in MP1999. Would be nice to have Blake play opposite her though, but Johnny Lee was good as Edmund too. MP1999 was also better casted.Nexxxxt
Emma
The 1996 movie version starring Gwenth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam, wins for me. Its was shot beautifully and the casting excellent. Having said that, I have not really seen the 1996 TV version featuring Kate Beckinsale and Mark Strong. I can imagine that would be a good one too. I will have to actually SEE it to make a comparison of sort!Finally
Northanger Abbey
I remember watching a 1986 version of this show. It must've been so unentertaining and unimpressive that I had even forgotten I have the VHS version in my cabinet!! It was a weird show!!
Then I came across the adaption made for TV in 2008 featuring Felicity Jones and JJ Fields. I quite liked the story! Very different from other JA novels but entertaining all the same, with gothic influence (hah, bet you didn't think JA was capable of that!). I think JJ Field was absolutely charming as Henry Tilney but I felt Felicity Jones was a little 'off' as Catherine Morland - yes, like Billie Piper I thought she looked a little tart-ish, all pouty and just waiting to be kissed up! Blech!!What I find really ironic is that JA wrote about the women; Lizzy, Elinor, Anne, Emma, Catherine and Fanny! Yet in the movies, it's the men that draws the viewing audience. We want to see a dashing Mr. Darcy, Mr. Ferrars, Capt.Wentworth, Mr.Knightley, Mr. Tilney and Mr.Bertram! We want to be swept off our feet by them! Why has JA and movie-makers like Andrew Davies captured our imagination? I guess its because somehow, somewhere (or just hoping that we do!) we identify with the girls! There are bits of Lizzy, Elinor, Anne, Emma, Fanny and Catherine in all of us. I think, anyway. So we would WISH our men are those depicted by screenwriters.
*sigggh* That's it folks. My 10cents worth of opinion, not that anyone really cared :-)
Btw, I have seen JABC and enjoyed it, very much!
Beautiful Homes
Someone asked me about the names of my blogs - I have a few flying around in cyberworld. So here are the ones for public viewing:
Pemberley, is the beautiful home of dashing Mr. Darcy. This blog was birthed for the purpose of in-depth observation of the profoundness of life and my way of airing well founded grouses. It quickly became a blog of all sorts, featuring my obsession for anything JA, music(als), books, YouTube....everything but the profoundness of life business! (picture here of Lyme Park, for location shot of Pemberley for PP95)
Longbourn, is the humble home of fiesty Elizabeth Bennet, who later becomes mistress of Pemberley! This blog is where I document and display for my own viewing pleasure, my baking victories and defeats; and of course for those who care to visit. (picture here PP95 location shot for Longbourn, not sure where exactly this place is)
As a segue, Mr.Darcy & Lizzy Bennet is found in Pride & Prejudice, JA's hallmark work!
My newest blog, Seachange has nothing to do with JA's work. I took on the name because it describes BEST what we are doing here!
Just so you know.
Pemberley, is the beautiful home of dashing Mr. Darcy. This blog was birthed for the purpose of in-depth observation of the profoundness of life and my way of airing well founded grouses. It quickly became a blog of all sorts, featuring my obsession for anything JA, music(als), books, YouTube....everything but the profoundness of life business! (picture here of Lyme Park, for location shot of Pemberley for PP95)
Longbourn, is the humble home of fiesty Elizabeth Bennet, who later becomes mistress of Pemberley! This blog is where I document and display for my own viewing pleasure, my baking victories and defeats; and of course for those who care to visit. (picture here PP95 location shot for Longbourn, not sure where exactly this place is)As a segue, Mr.Darcy & Lizzy Bennet is found in Pride & Prejudice, JA's hallmark work!
My newest blog, Seachange has nothing to do with JA's work. I took on the name because it describes BEST what we are doing here!
Just so you know.
Gifted
This is Susan Boyle in 1999, singing "Cry me a river", years before she made her appearance at BGT, sending shockwave across the nation and the world.
I heard Andrew Johnston sing last year and he was a nice little surprise. Being young and innocent, Andrew captured the imagination and sympathy of the audience from the get go. I'd imagine that old, unattractive Susan surely didn't. From the indifference and scowls of the general audience, they didn't much care for her wanting to be like "Elaine Page"- perhaps even feeling a little contempt for her.
"its a big song' says either Piers or Simon as she prepared for her number. I totally agree with the judges. Indeed Les Miserables is an iconic musical and "I dream a dream" is a pivotal song sung by Fantine, a role exclusively reserved for musical heavyweights with the likes Ruthie Henshall and Lea Salonga!
Then she sings her first note!
Amanda, Piers and even Simon is floored. Me, gapping and soon reduced to tears! (By george, she sings better than Elaine Page. Susan could very well star in CATS! Imagine her in a cat suit!!) The once cynical audience is in uproar, frantically clapping and upstanding as they cheer her on with every almost perfectly executed notes. One could easily forgive her for those obvious little strains and quiver in parts. After all, she's living her life long dream of singing in front of the masses! I find it difficult to gel THAT voice and THAT look - her rich and pristine voice is such a dichotomy with her apparent old-fashionedness.
She sings verse by verse and chorus. Next comes that infamous long held note, just before the transposition. Just like that gripping and heart-tugging longheld note sung by the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera. Oh, makes you feel his sadness. You weep with him! I know of how infamous notes like these has claimed the dignity of many musical greats, stripping down even the most fearless of singers!
Amanda and I pause, breaths held as Susan progresses to this point. She nails it, effortlessly! I shake my head in half-disbelief!! She gives a stunning performance. I am thinking she would make a perfect Fantine, if she were more 'attractive'.....yes?
Piers gives a sincere and apologetic appraisal. Simon was cheeky but you know he was hooked both, line and sinker! Amanda, sweet as always, summed it well for the both of us. Thanking Susan for the privilege of hearing her sing.
My sentiments exactly. To 'be' in the presence of a being with such a God-given gift is truly a privilege.
Here's her performing in BGT09.
I heard Andrew Johnston sing last year and he was a nice little surprise. Being young and innocent, Andrew captured the imagination and sympathy of the audience from the get go. I'd imagine that old, unattractive Susan surely didn't. From the indifference and scowls of the general audience, they didn't much care for her wanting to be like "Elaine Page"- perhaps even feeling a little contempt for her.
"its a big song' says either Piers or Simon as she prepared for her number. I totally agree with the judges. Indeed Les Miserables is an iconic musical and "I dream a dream" is a pivotal song sung by Fantine, a role exclusively reserved for musical heavyweights with the likes Ruthie Henshall and Lea Salonga!
Then she sings her first note!
Amanda, Piers and even Simon is floored. Me, gapping and soon reduced to tears! (By george, she sings better than Elaine Page. Susan could very well star in CATS! Imagine her in a cat suit!!) The once cynical audience is in uproar, frantically clapping and upstanding as they cheer her on with every almost perfectly executed notes. One could easily forgive her for those obvious little strains and quiver in parts. After all, she's living her life long dream of singing in front of the masses! I find it difficult to gel THAT voice and THAT look - her rich and pristine voice is such a dichotomy with her apparent old-fashionedness.
She sings verse by verse and chorus. Next comes that infamous long held note, just before the transposition. Just like that gripping and heart-tugging longheld note sung by the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera. Oh, makes you feel his sadness. You weep with him! I know of how infamous notes like these has claimed the dignity of many musical greats, stripping down even the most fearless of singers!
Amanda and I pause, breaths held as Susan progresses to this point. She nails it, effortlessly! I shake my head in half-disbelief!! She gives a stunning performance. I am thinking she would make a perfect Fantine, if she were more 'attractive'.....yes?
Piers gives a sincere and apologetic appraisal. Simon was cheeky but you know he was hooked both, line and sinker! Amanda, sweet as always, summed it well for the both of us. Thanking Susan for the privilege of hearing her sing.
My sentiments exactly. To 'be' in the presence of a being with such a God-given gift is truly a privilege.
Here's her performing in BGT09.
Amazing Talents
ANDREW JOHNSTON - BRITAINS GOT TALENT 2008
Amazing Andrew Johnston sings "Pie Jesu" in his beautiful chorister voice!
This is Charlotte Church's version
SUSAN BOYLE - BRITAINS GOT TALENT 2009
Fantastic Susan Boyle sings "I dreamed a dream"
(can't find one without embedding!)
Here is a broadway/west-end version of "I dreamed a dream" sung by Ruthie Henshall
Amazing Andrew Johnston sings "Pie Jesu" in his beautiful chorister voice!
This is Charlotte Church's version
SUSAN BOYLE - BRITAINS GOT TALENT 2009
Fantastic Susan Boyle sings "I dreamed a dream"
(can't find one without embedding!)
Here is a broadway/west-end version of "I dreamed a dream" sung by Ruthie Henshall
Vicar moments
"I can't believe its not butter"
"Knowing Me, Knowing you"
"Celebrity Wife Swap"
End Jokes 1
End Jokes 2
End Jokes 3
"Knowing Me, Knowing you"
"Celebrity Wife Swap"
End Jokes 1
End Jokes 2
End Jokes 3
A good dose of RA and the Vicar
Vicar of Dibley always made me laugh - it has to be, hands down, the funniest show on earth...ever!
I laughed (albeit very very quietly..or rather suppressing it!!) to tears just watching this finale episode in the wee hours of this morning!! Feeling a little bit downcast and blue the last week, Vicar certainly cheered me up!
AND what can I say about the uber-delicious Richard "Mr. John Thornton" Armitage! He certainly gives Colin "Mr. Darcy" Firth a run for his money! Although Harry Jasper Kennedy, the accountant is no brooding Mr. John Thornton, it's still so refreshing to see how genuinely Richard enjoyed his short stint in Vicar of Dibley!
Of course, Dawn French rocks as the effervescent and voluptuous Vicar!!
Note to self, put the Vicar of Dibley DVD box set on my shopping list for Melbourne!
I
Finale part 1
Finale part 2
Finale part 3
Finale part 4
Finale part 5
Finale part 6
II
Finale part 1
Finale part 2
Finale part 3
Finale part 4
Finale part 5
Finale part 6
I laughed (albeit very very quietly..or rather suppressing it!!) to tears just watching this finale episode in the wee hours of this morning!! Feeling a little bit downcast and blue the last week, Vicar certainly cheered me up!
AND what can I say about the uber-delicious Richard "Mr. John Thornton" Armitage! He certainly gives Colin "Mr. Darcy" Firth a run for his money! Although Harry Jasper Kennedy, the accountant is no brooding Mr. John Thornton, it's still so refreshing to see how genuinely Richard enjoyed his short stint in Vicar of Dibley!
Of course, Dawn French rocks as the effervescent and voluptuous Vicar!!
Note to self, put the Vicar of Dibley DVD box set on my shopping list for Melbourne!
I
Finale part 1
Finale part 2
Finale part 3
Finale part 4
Finale part 5
Finale part 6
II
Finale part 1
Finale part 2
Finale part 3
Finale part 4
Finale part 5
Finale part 6
Mr. Darcy & I
were married tomorrow 10 years ago! Time flies when you're having fun, especially with 2 rugrats to share the party with!!
And so it goes...
Mom's gone back.
Dad's come back.
House hunting still...
Still anxious.....
Still unsettled...
Need Sacher Torte!
Dad's come back.
House hunting still...
Still anxious.....
Still unsettled...
Need Sacher Torte!
It begins..again
Another week to look forward to. More 'things-to-do' up my sleeves. More homeschooling work and goals to monitor. More of folded laundry to put away (at least they are folded!!).
Less of Mr.Darcy.
Less of Mr.Darcy.
What I Learned This Week
That the BFF's idea of having a "What I learned This Week" is a fantastic idea, one that is to be copied!That the kids prefer cookies than cakes/cupcakes! I still adamantly bake cakes because I know it stays just that much longer in the fridge, you know in case we get unexpected visitors. Cookies simply disappears and nobody owns up. Who dunnit??
That in doing up a bucketlist and a 5 year to-do-list, you realise how much time you've wasted in the last 37 years. That you're never really too old and never too late to start anything.
That I am not that good at listing what I've learned this week! So till next time!
Unfinished business
My "May Wedding" quilt, which I began mid-through the year before last is unfinished. I am missing my Pfaff machine terribly - still in her box. Its hard to start anything when you're still in transition mode. Still waiting to come across a house to rent, we're are living out of our boxes, so to say. So until we find a house, the machine stays in the box! 
This quilt project has to be one of my most ambitious, thus far. My first attempt at a 'crazy' hard quilt was the Train-Set quilt, I made for J before M was born. I was mighty proud of that one with panels and panels of applique forming a locomotive pulling its many-many trucks, ending with a caboose! From there, many other lap quilts and single bed quilts came to being! "May Wedding" quilt is a queen-size quilt, with over 30 blocks to assemble. The fabrics I personally selected for project is beautiful. Just handling these fine printed art, is theraphy in itself. Quilting, being an art of precision (bet, you didn't know that, huh??) is a perfect outlet for the pedantic person that I am. I love it! But unfinished, all the same!
Next are my tonnes of photographs needing album space. J & M simply adore their scrapbook albums! Rightly so. I am leaving them their memories, to last a lifetime (with CM, it should!!) But as with my quilting 'excuse' 
above, I lack space to spread my wings and fly with these babies!I had more than 2o boxes of CM stuff loaded into our 40foot container. But this is 'all' it is?? I had expected more. Maybe there are still more boxes lurking downstairs?
Unfinished business....
And my beads! I love stringing beads and creating personal jewellery. BUT I don't wear them. Not as frequent, anyway. I am fascinated by the beauty of semi-precious stones, swarovski crytals and pearls. Pearls being my favourite. I habitually restringing and redesigning my design, over and over again! Am still hunting for the 'right' kind of look for my 'collection.' Hence another unfinished business!37 and counting
So I am officially going over the hill!
Spent a quiet evening with the family, over dinner at our favourite Italian Restaurant, celebrating that milestone! Was a bit dissappointed that the waiter didn't take Mr. Darcy seriously when he insinuated that it was my birthday dinner. In fact, I thought the waiter was rather an ass! That's for another post!
It was nonetheless, a delicious dinner (as always, at this joint!). Mom loved the pizza so much, that we decided to drop by for supper, the evening after!
Anyway, I am being in a very reflective mood, right now and it doesn't help that I am verging over-the-hill-ness!
Today sitting at the lawyer's office, looking at his credentials hanging on the wall, being surrounded by books on Torts and Contracts, I wonder how different my life would've been if I had pursued my teenage dream of becoming a lawyer. I reckon I would've been a kick-ass lawyer! But that didn't happen. Instead I obeyed and took up accounts instead. I enjoy the work, although I am so mediocre at the job!! Would I have been a better lawyer? I wonder....
Then there was that inkling of a possibility that I might have taken up Musicology, but I was too ill-talented in the midst of the blazing glory of other aspiring music students. I would've taken piano performance and voice, maybe even dabble a little in musical theater. Would I have been a good 'musician'? I wonder...
So sitting here, listening to Avalon's "Can't Live a Day", I ponder at my life....and its not bad, not bad at all....
.....it could be worse......
Spent a quiet evening with the family, over dinner at our favourite Italian Restaurant, celebrating that milestone! Was a bit dissappointed that the waiter didn't take Mr. Darcy seriously when he insinuated that it was my birthday dinner. In fact, I thought the waiter was rather an ass! That's for another post!
It was nonetheless, a delicious dinner (as always, at this joint!). Mom loved the pizza so much, that we decided to drop by for supper, the evening after!
Anyway, I am being in a very reflective mood, right now and it doesn't help that I am verging over-the-hill-ness!
Today sitting at the lawyer's office, looking at his credentials hanging on the wall, being surrounded by books on Torts and Contracts, I wonder how different my life would've been if I had pursued my teenage dream of becoming a lawyer. I reckon I would've been a kick-ass lawyer! But that didn't happen. Instead I obeyed and took up accounts instead. I enjoy the work, although I am so mediocre at the job!! Would I have been a better lawyer? I wonder....
Then there was that inkling of a possibility that I might have taken up Musicology, but I was too ill-talented in the midst of the blazing glory of other aspiring music students. I would've taken piano performance and voice, maybe even dabble a little in musical theater. Would I have been a good 'musician'? I wonder...
So sitting here, listening to Avalon's "Can't Live a Day", I ponder at my life....and its not bad, not bad at all....
.....it could be worse......
Aussis, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi
We had special guest for dinner today. A lovely family from Down Under. Being 'new' in town can be unnerving for some! But they are as solid as Aussie's come.
They came in time for afternoon tea of freshly brewed coffee and freshly baked aromatic 'pandan' chiffon cake, while the kids were thoroughly enjoying themselves playing with each other in the pool. It would be nightfall before they would leave the pool! J really enjoyed their company too - for the first time, in a long time, J's found kids he can truly connect and feel at home with. These guys were as outgoing, enthusiastic and shared the same passion for books and trivia. They quizzed each other through out their lasagna dinner!!
I was very very proud at how my lasagna turned out! Much better than it ever did back when! I guess it was the scratch-made cheese sauce. I would usually 'cheat' a little with a bottle of store bought Bechamel Sauce which was always waaay too salty. Only fault was, I didn't quite make enough! It was a knock-out winner with kids. So us adults had to contend with only 1 serve of lasagna with more side of salad and barbequed chicken (courtesy of Mr.Darcy). Next time, we should include fresh-baked bread!! Yumm....
I also found out how very much connected to the great late-Asang, they were!!
They came in time for afternoon tea of freshly brewed coffee and freshly baked aromatic 'pandan' chiffon cake, while the kids were thoroughly enjoying themselves playing with each other in the pool. It would be nightfall before they would leave the pool! J really enjoyed their company too - for the first time, in a long time, J's found kids he can truly connect and feel at home with. These guys were as outgoing, enthusiastic and shared the same passion for books and trivia. They quizzed each other through out their lasagna dinner!!
I was very very proud at how my lasagna turned out! Much better than it ever did back when! I guess it was the scratch-made cheese sauce. I would usually 'cheat' a little with a bottle of store bought Bechamel Sauce which was always waaay too salty. Only fault was, I didn't quite make enough! It was a knock-out winner with kids. So us adults had to contend with only 1 serve of lasagna with more side of salad and barbequed chicken (courtesy of Mr.Darcy). Next time, we should include fresh-baked bread!! Yumm....
I also found out how very much connected to the great late-Asang, they were!!
Bucketlist
" hey, so you got your scuba diving license, aye?" I asked my brother's friend.
"yah, but I can't say that I like scuba diving tho. I have this inate fear of deep water!" he says.
"wow, that's brave of you. I have the same fear and I don't think I would've done what you did"
"well, I did it because I have a bucketlist! And getting my diving license was on it!"
I was impressed by this guy. I mean, why would you risk your life (hey, some say fear is paralysing and some, death!!) overcoming something I KNOW I wouldn't enjoy!
Bucketlist.
Crudely said, its a to do list before you kick the bucket! 4 days short of my milestone at turning the corner, heading up the hill, I don't have one!
I suppose I do have dreams and goals for myself, I mean who doesn't??
But a bucketlist. It's a whole new ball game!
I should have one.
I should start one!
Like now...
"yah, but I can't say that I like scuba diving tho. I have this inate fear of deep water!" he says.
"wow, that's brave of you. I have the same fear and I don't think I would've done what you did"
"well, I did it because I have a bucketlist! And getting my diving license was on it!"
I was impressed by this guy. I mean, why would you risk your life (hey, some say fear is paralysing and some, death!!) overcoming something I KNOW I wouldn't enjoy!
Bucketlist.
Crudely said, its a to do list before you kick the bucket! 4 days short of my milestone at turning the corner, heading up the hill, I don't have one!
I suppose I do have dreams and goals for myself, I mean who doesn't??
But a bucketlist. It's a whole new ball game!
I should have one.
I should start one!
Like now...
More Westlife - Allow Us to Be Frank
THESE GUYS ARE TOTAL SWOON-WORTHY!
Beyond the Sea
Fly Me to the Moon
Fly Me to the Moon - VideoClip
Smile
The Way You Look Tonight
Beyond the Sea
Fly Me to the Moon
Fly Me to the Moon - VideoClip
Smile
The Way You Look Tonight
Coffee Beans..
This baby was finally allowed out of the box earlier this week! A few days ago, whilst fishing for my baking utensils (apart from that mysteriously misplaced Angel-Cake-Tin, I've found all my baking buddies!!) I chanced upon my long-sought-after coffee grinder! My Yahava coffee-beans can finally go through the grinder!! Right next to the grinder was the knockbox too! Brilliant!I cleared a nice little nook on the kitchen counter (right along side my Breville Stand Mixer!) and neatly placed the coffee-maker and her friends! 10 minutes later, I was enjoying my first REAL coffee since coming home!
'Larger Than Life
Was at the doctor's surgery yesterday for general check up when I came across this "HealthToday". It was an outdated issue (Aug 2008) but was thrilled that Lea and Nicole was front cover!Apart from some AsiaWeek issues from years back, - we talking 25 years ago, I've not been privileged enough to come across any magazine featuring Lea. When she was plucked out of obsecurity to create "Kim" of 'Miss Saigon', I kept AsiaWeeks publications of her. Can't remember when I finally chucked them out! Clinging on the magazine for dear life, Mr. Darcy divised a way to 'smuggle' the magazine out for me . Tsk, tsk, I know - but it was an old issue and they would've thrown in out anyway!
Anyhoo (feeling a little more justified here!), I love the pictures. Nicole is so cute and Lea is lovely as always. Still can't figure out why 'Cinderella' KL leg was cancelled! Tsk and double Tsk!
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