Kammerspielhaus

i'm not entirely sure what that means, whether it refers to the theatre of the common man, or the chamber theatre, both of which sit simultaneously on opposite sides of the spectrum.

I am struck, tonight, by the articulate nature of other people's blogs, and am currently going through a bout of self consciousness which makes me want to try and write better, whatever that could possibly mean.

2nd mambo ever for me last night and the crazy lights, hand gestures and horrible 80s music were not so much important as the company of what i one day will begin to call my mambo crowd, and be completely unable to enjoy myself at mambo without them. mambo can grow on you, i am beginning to think, because clubbin' is every bit about the people as much as the music and drinks etc.

i for one, find it thoroughly fascinating, by the way, that bailey's and green tea mixer tastes strangely like a thick and rich teh peng, and that gin isn't very nice without the tonic. and that when you decide you want to pay for a damned jug, you're gonna take forever to finish it. and you might not even remember you had the drink at all!

I had fun. wished i could have a little bit more, i suppose.

sleep beckons, and so does the semester and the german language. i am going to get some sleep and pray that everything will work out nicely this year.

i think the resolution is to be less grouchy and angry. i'm already breaking them.

time after time.

a freaking butt rash

or at least that's what i think i'm developing.

this is not good. i go to a freaking portable public toilet for relief and now i am reeling from a slightly itchy butt. this it the last time i am entering one of those longish vestibules with a sink and a toilet seat.

seriously.

anyway. the other day i went for a digital kamishibai (kami = Paper, Shibai = theatre) workshop. we had to bring the oldest photo we could find, and in my desperation, i found this:


this is probably 1963, max, when my mother was around 3. she is the one on the seat. the 2 people behind her are my first and second aunts, who strangely enough, look very much like my cousins. and, apparently, my mother insists i look like her. i provide now a picture for comparison:


what do you think?

all this has made me think about setting out to scan and archive all of my old family photos, so that they can be preserved and reprinted whenever needed. :) now, to find the photos. :)

every memory of walking out the front door.

because i like to rip things off of other people's blogs. :P

1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
I actually did a movement-based theatre piece that took alot of muscle control. AND. I got myself in a recording studio and recorded a song with someone :) yay to mp3 technology. :)

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
i'm not a resolutions person. :P

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No, don't think so.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not quite close. No. i don't think so.

5. What countries did you visit?
Thailand, USA.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
an iPhone. Will Power, and the Holy Spirit's voice back in my head.

7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
20th/27th nov. for reasons i would like to keep private. :)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
i HAD fun. in Uni. :) And the grades of course. which were def God's work and not mine alone.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Losing my way i think. at one point this year i was a complete Wreck with a semi-midlife crisis. i am much happier now, i think. :)

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Bad Food poisoning. does that count?

11. What was the best thing you bought?
well. i didnt buy it, technically. my Crumpler Customary Barge. :) lovin' it. :)

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Daniel: for being the peacemaker in the Group who always sought to find the positives in sometimes completely ridiculous ideas, and for listening. when there was no one else.

Stef: for being what i needed the most when i needed it the most.

Dawn: because she will always be my favourite online buddy :)

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
I dont particularly remember. appalled maybe, but not depressed. someone i know made her own group on Facebook. now That, is appalling, but not quite depressing. :P

14. Where did most of your money go?
To feeding two people.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Fight Club: A Chorus, after seeing it. i got excited by Across the Universe too, which turned out to be less than what i expected, but thoroughly enjoyable, nonetheless. :) FALL OUT BOY, Black Eyed Peas Concerts. Oh. and Rubik's Cubes. :)

16. What song(s) will always remind you of 2007?
scuP - Stay (so freaking narcissist :P)
Timbaland presents One Republic - Apologize
Secondhand Seranade - Awake
Fall Out Boy's old new album :)

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. Happier or sadder?
Happier.
ii. Thinner or fatter?
Fatter, for sure. :P
iii. Richer or poorer?
Richer, thanks to NUS, but poorer in all other senses.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Exercise.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Being Depressed without Real Reason.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
This one abit late ah. but i spent it with the Neubronners, which is quite an experience.

WHERE DID 21 AND 22 GO??

23. How many one-night stands?
None.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
CSI reruns, Grey's Anatomy and the Ellen Degeneres Show.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I have no list of people i Hate so no one gets promoted or demoted.

26. What was the best book you read?
Oh no. i don't particularly remember. i think it'll have to be Without You by Anthony Rapp

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Secondhand Serenade. Amazing one man band i tell you. AMAZING :)

28. What did you want and get?
A Crumpler. and Somebody to love. :)

29. What did you want and not get?
Alot of things. but i dont like to think about them. i'll get them. eventually. top of the list is my electric guitar. :)

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
2007: Lust Caution, i would say.
2008: so far - National Treasure 2: The book of Secrets.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 20, and i believe i didnt do anything particularly significant. i must have had dinner, or something. i remember the surprise the Praxis people threw though :)

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
To know that i'm ok with God.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Relaxed, Casual, and an unhealthy liking for tighter fitting clothing, which often ends up in bak chang style. :P

34. What kept you sane?
A knowledge that God was there, even when it felt like he wasn't. Praxis people, Stef, Dawn and Stinky.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hmm. Well, Timbaland I think. He made lots of Good Music.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
377a: which i hope will be repealed in due course.

37. Who did you miss?
Jeane. Alot. because she wasnt around much. and Stinky, by default.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Mel Chua.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007:
Give the World and it will give you something in return.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I can't really think of anyone in particular, but this one will be suitable i think.

With Every appearance by you blinding my eyes.
I can hardly remember the last time I felt like I do.
You're an angel disguised.

And you're lying real still,
but your heart beat is fast just like mine.
And the movie's long over,
that's three that have passed, one more's fine.

Will you stay awake for me?
I don't wanna miss anything
I don't wanna miss anything
I will share the air I breathe,
I'll give you my heart on a string,
I just don't wanna miss anything.