Kings of Convenience

Photo: Åse Holte

It was our first time to watch a show in Esplanade so we didn’t know what to expect. We were in the Circle 3 section which was high up but in the center portion so it was okay. I would’ve wanted to be closer to the stage though. However, I knew the acoustics would have to be great since this was the Esplanade after all!

Kings of Convenience came into the stage amidst the thunderous applause and cheers of the Friday crowd. I think it was Eirik who said that we were louder than the people the other night. Ha!

Man, they are amazing live.

The place suited their show since you can hear the strumming and their clear voices very well. It was a little too orderly at the first half of the performance but Erlend managed to coax the crowd into leaving their seats. They had the crowd singing harmonies (which impressed them because the crowd sounded good!), snapping their fingers and clapping to the beats. Eirik had to leave the stage at one time because he was cold and went to get a sweater. I loved how Erlend was dancing around and making witty comments all throughout the show. At one point he asked the crowd at front to gather closer because “we need a mosh pit.” By the time they played “I’d Rather Dance”, Erlend went down the stage and stepped onto the chairs until he was in the middle portion. This was done while he was dancing!

It was a highly enjoyable show altogether. Even the husband, whose playlist consists of mainly Bon Jovi and Guns n Roses songs, liked it.

f/1.8

Have you seen Singapore at night? It’s a picture waiting to be taken with its amazing skyline and well-lighted buildings!

I’ve tried shooting a couple of times (hand-held and with a tripod) but the photos always end up not to my liking. I’ve wondered if it was because I don’t know the settings to be used or if my gear wasn’t suited to this kind of thing. Disheartened, I’ve stopped bringing my camera along during our night forays.

Until I got the 50mm f/1.8D.

Yesterday, I managed to convince the husband to walk along the Singapore River from Funan so I can test the new baby outside. It feels a bit strange that I have to move around to adjust my composition. And I don’t know where to put my left hand when shooting! The normal place where I put my hand gets in the way when the lens focuses.

My favorite shots from yesterday:

Bus stop at the MICA Building. I love that I was able to capture the woman walking towards the stop. I had to shoot fast while there are no vehicles to block my view.

Who doesn't love a good bokeh picture?

Picture of a bridge taken using manual focus <3

Anyway, I am very happy with our new acquisition. I may need to re-evaluate my initial thought that Singapore at night is wasted on me.

Wanted: Housemate

The husband and I are in a bit of a pickle.

Earlier today, we’ve been informed that one of our housemates has decided to move out of the condo as soon as the contract expires (which is in January). We tried bullying said housemate to stay and went as far as proposing to adjust the rates to compete with the new place. I was kinda expecting said housemate to stay but unfortunately, the peer pressure was not enough to prevent him from leaving.

So, options. First priority would be to find someone to move in the vacant room. Moving is such a hassle and we love our condo! People who have stayed with us can vouch that it’s an awesome place. Haha.

Other options involve dependencies with other friends: moving with N and family IF they decide to move out of their current flat, look for a place with B but he doesn’t have a job yet. If I had a job, we can afford a place to ourselves but seeing as I don’t have one yet (and no I don’t want to talk about it so please stop asking me how my job hunting is going), that’s not an option. BAH.

Anyway, if you know of someone looking for a room in Tampines area please let me know! The condo’s name is The Eden. It offers full facilities and amenities and is near the market, grocery and other shops. The room rate is $750 $650 (exclusive of PUB and internet) and move-in date is end of January.

Feel free to share this with friends!

IKEA Field Trip

Today, I decided to go out of the condo and spend the afternoon in IKEA.

Waiting for the bus

View from the double decker bus

Welcome!

First order of business, lunch. Kids' meatballs, salmon nuggets and coke. Nom.

Bye!

The IKEA 2009 Holiday collection is now available! Huzzah!

Today, I…

• …waited and rode the free shuttle service to and from IKEA.
• …took the bus instead of taking a cab home.
• …did not buy anything from IKEA.

How was your day?

I Met Amanda Fucking Palmer and Neil Gaiman Last Night

I would like to thank my husband who is not into these kinds of things but he accompanied me nevertheless. (girlkiss)

Last night was absolutely amazing. And surreal. And insane. Amanda Palmer is fucking insane.

The gig was to be held in Stereolab but when we arrived there, we were informed that they were running a bit late because Amanda was still at a photo shoot. So they opened Stereolounge first so that guests can relax a bit, have a drink or two before the show started. We claimed our free drinks and I looked at the merch that they were selling while waiting. I was hoping to buy the Who Killed Amanda Palmer book but unfortunately Ms. Palmer was not able to bring copies (which she later told us was kinda weird since they were here primarily for the Singapore Writers Festival). They had a browsing copy though so I was able to thumb through the amazing photos and bits of stories. There were shirts there as well but it was pricey (but were slashed down later in the evening to clear all items). I settled for a CD and a poster since there was going to be a signing session after the show.

At around 9PM, they opened the doors to Stereolab. We settled at the middle part of the floor since it was an intimate setting and we would be able to see Amanda from where we were. While waiting, I was observing the crowd since it was my first time to go to a local gig and I’ve heard stories how tame the locals are compared to people back home. The crowd was composed of mostly young people with a sprinkle of expatriates. They were quieter than the Saguijo din that I was used to.

We didn’t have to wait long before the people at the front stirred and cheered. Amanda Palmer took the stage and I was struck by how beautiful she was. Admittedly, I am not familiar with most of the songs she performed but I liked them. Her music is strange, some dark, some were deceiving with their uptempo melodies and twisty lyrics and some were to me just macabre in quality. Husband said it reminded him of Dracula’s Lament sang by Jason Segel in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Haha.

Amanda Palmer plays a mean piano, ladies and gents. She is loads of fun to watch and she can really charm a crowd. She banters, tells funny anecdotes while sipping an alcoholic beverage in between. Highlights of the gig include:

• Neil Gaiman reading a story from the Who Killed Amanda Palmer book. That guy is amazing. He knows just the right tone and inflections to use during a reading.
• Amanda Palmer taking her Black Sabbath shirt off. She just… took it off. I told you, insane.
• Dildo moment while Amanda was singing Coin Operated Boy. LOL.
• Amanda playing her ukulele.
• Amanda singing I Google You. That’s a fun song.

We were the first in queue for the signing! I shook their hands (how formal) and went on to chat with Amanda while she and Neil signed my stuff. I asked if I can have a picture taken with them but Amanda decided that this had to be done after the signing so that we don’t hold the queue up. So, we hung around and had some drinks. Some time later, I saw Neil leaving the signing booth. I was really sad because I though he would be going back to their hotel. Fortunately, I saw him hanging around at the back and so we hurried and asked him if I can take a picture. He said yes! And I had a chat with him about his dog and how I thought her daughter was really pretty. Anyway, the proof.

And with Amanda.

Amanda and Neil are so nice, accommodating and adorable! I’m so glad we went to the show. <3