Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2011

Wow, what can I say
I was there all over the place
Edinburgh Fringe everyday
Hundreds of performers in front of my face

Livingston

Our show was well received
Reviews declared it a 'must see'
I don't care much for that as I only perceived
The audience's delight : that was enough guarantee


For many, the Fringe was a good platform
Performers of every kind converged in one city
Some professionals, many amateurs but all conformed
To the highest standard, as best as they can be


No one was a diva, everyone paid their dues
Directors, writers, choreographers, actors, comedians, singers
All did their part to promote their shows and to be in the news
All took turns to give out flyers

The Royal Mile

The Royal Mile was a great place to start any adventure
from the Edinburgh Castle one should wander
Shops, buskers, cafes were a common feature
And you'll wrestle for a walking spot with thousands of people


The highlands, Glencoe and Loch Ness was the only tour
we took on Sunday when we had no show
T'was breathtaking- the rolling hills and the valleys, for sure
made the journey awesome although Nessie was a no show :)

Princes Street

Highlands/Glencoe/LochNess tour

I loved the weather despite the lack of sunshine
12 degrees was the average temperature
Worked till noon everyday then exercised my legs and behind
I roamed the streets looking for nothing in particular


For me, the food wasn't really the usual fare
Not used to the oily fish and soggy fries
Meat sandwiches, meat pies were more than I can bear
Chinese, Japanese and Indian eateries were my only highs


Having said that, the booze were plenty and cheap
Scottish whiskies cost a little less than bottled water
Got my first one at the Library bar some 2 stories deep
Then Simon came along and my highs were free forever


Forever was a short 30 days at the Fringe Festival
I was happy to have covered many places of interest
The Botanic Gardens, the Zoo and Deep Sea World
And finally I climbed Arthur's Seat at 250 metres

Urquhart Castle

Atop Arthur's Seat

Such a fantastic time I have had in Edinburgh
Every year the quiet city was turned completely around
To allow creativity and imaginations to unfurl
All are welcomed and all kinds of shows can be found.

Turkish Fright

I've had, for several months, a Turkish delight
Last night, I received a call with fright
The girlfriend called asking me to stop
Fucking her man round the clock

Should I know the hell about your man?
Well, he's tall, Turkish and not so tan
How rude of her to yell stop, I thought
I don't give a damn, that was my retort

Moments later, that bitch of a girlfriend calmed down
When I was about to hang up, she sensed my frown
Quietly she told me she loved the man 
And asked me to leave him alone if I can

Take him any way you want, I said
I'll have no lying scumbag in my bed
She knows of his philandering ways she confessed
Then ditch the bloody idiot, I professed

I was stunned, I was shocked, I didn't know
My fuck budd had a woman on hold
I asked at the beginning if he was seeing anyone
Negative, said he, so we started having fun

Often, a night cap at my place he'll be
Slowly he had developed feelings for me
Surely I knew that was a fact
Because of the food he would pack

Now at last his secret's out
I stopped talking to the bastard, gave him the boot
His text messages fell on deaf ears
I have no remorse I have no fears
It wasn't my fault my conscience was clear

( written in 2005 )

The small red dot

Singapore is a great place to be

No matter how small we are

There are always things to see

You'll know this if you have travelled far

Complaints about the country will never go away

No doubt they stemmed from dissatisfaction of every kind

But if one allows some gratitude to parlay

This can be endemic, creating ties that bind

No government in the world can compromise

To please every single member of its society

They do the best they can, I surmise

For people have characters of a great variety

But I do know one thing from observation

Of the 70 cities around the world I had been to

Singapore is definitely one of the top 5 nations

That offers security, comfort, health and education too

War-faring countries are starting revolutions

Some countries are trying to rewrite weapons' laws

Yet others succumbing to natural disasters

Poverty and civil wars adding to the horror and gore

Look around this little 'Kingdom'

We live without fear of our lives

So don't take for granted this freedom

That precedes everything for which we strive

I don't claim to disrespect anyone

Nor persuade others' opinions my way

In fact, it was a casual rebuttal

To too many complaints I heard a stone's throw away

So people, don't complain too much, don't make a fuss

We are lucky to be living here in Singapore

The government is doing its best, just trust

Things aren't as good elsewhere once you walk out that door.

Zombies in the morning

Morning rush hours on the trains are a sight for sore eyes

Whenever I commuted by trains I always found amusement

The myriad of expressions on the people would suffice

For me, that's reality TV, that's pure entertainment

Zombies in the morning

Oblivious  to the surrounding

Zombies in the morning

Neither seeing nor hearing anything

Some were sleeping with a big gap in the face

Their totally relaxed bodies spread out both sides

Then one let out a snore that jerked him up in a haste

Awakening yet another who was prepared to fight

Sleep was calling in on someone standing

Eyes closed, he was nodding gently, then lo and behold

His leg muscles couldn't carry his weight, his grip was loosening

I knew he had it coming when he knocked his head on the grab pole

A woman answered a call about five feet away

What a pong,  bad breath rushed past me with such might

The sea of heads was not enough of a deterrent, damn suay

And I thought nothing could travel faster than light

In such an enclosed area such as on the train

Body odor can be quite an epidemic I tell you

The bacteria permeated the air and cannot be constrained

ooh, help I am starting to have a migraine

By now I can't breathe, I can't move and oh, the pain

All these zomboids attacking my senses

I hope there won't be any delays of the train

Or I'll have to scream and suffer in silence

What did those zombies do the night before

Drinking, getting wasted or partying like there's no tomorrow

People often say live like there's no tomorrow

Well, I say live like there IS A TOMORROW.

I wondered if those zombies ever felt frazzled

Before the day began, they were already sleeping

But train journeys are still the fastest, despite the hazards

Just have to brave those zombies in the morning.

2011

The first two weeks of year 2011 are past
I jumped at the chance of going somewhere near
Broadway Beng at Genting Highland is a must
I'm so taking this first project of the year

Next comes Gingerbread Man the musical
I'm looking forward to more goofy choreography
I really enjoy all things theatrical
For the mental and physical creativity

It's been said "another year older, another year wiser"
The person who said this lived in antiquity
I like to think that another year older makes me wiser and bolder
To take on different challenges and responsibility

More to do and write in the coming days
For now I'm getting ready to pack my suitcase
To go to yonder mountain across the causeway
To mix business and pleasure as always

Aesop's Fables

I'm back in Geylang this morning

In my hands a ham sandwich I'm having

Two cups of tea later my eyelids are heavy

Before long I'm getting sleepy

Rehearsal didn't lift my mood

The actors are still acting like fools

The musical is only three quarters through

It's not funny, not even cool

Let's not waste time to waste time

Now lunch is on my mind

The actors can't remember how to rhyme

Or how to assemble the puppets on time

Hatta's lying on the carpet roly poly

Cos his ass has an open wound

Seri is trying to look busy

Julian and I are looking like goons

Aesop's fables, oh how well they tell

Humans and animals co-exist so well

Aesop's fables, oh how well they fell

On deaf ears, should I ring the bell?

Time is ticking away

Ticking towards eternity

Ah, did I just hear a donkey bray

No, it's just Julian hitting a note

Oh the build up of heat 

from my seat

I need to stand up

to fan my butt

Getting a cuppa is what I need

Three steps from the door I heard some chatter

Ah finally some action indeed

Rehearsal is progressing further

Now I see the puppets coming alive

The actors' competence is coming into play

I'm no longer sleepy and I shall strife

To adjust my choreo and call it a day.

The rainbow in my heart

At the moment, here I sit mulling
peering at cyberspace three feet away
pondering the subject I'm not sure of writing
for this time, myself, I have betrayed.

It started off as innocent as can be
Just a drink here and a meal there
Six months later I was beginning to see
Inadvertently, love was in the air

A year later I thought I should confess
I had hoped for mutual feelings at least
We had something good, one of the best
I hadn't expected him to flee, the beast

The rainbow in my heart is gone
The colors fading as each day rolls around
The dull ache I feel, can it be pawned
for material possessions that abound

I should think not, I'm not the kind
To tussle emotional issues of the heart
With mental struggles of the mind
But now the thin line I cannot set apart.

My love is honest, sincere and pure
I demanded nothing and cared for everything
Apparently it wasn't enough, it wasn't the cure
For the very thing he was seeking

Dare I dream of a continuance
Knowing his cowardice and his paranoia
Please excuse my parlance
I'm afraid I wouldn't know the answer

The rainbow in my heart is gone
But I must achieve the solace I seek
I cannot and I would not abscond
From the next rainbow that I shall inherit.

Simple things..

.. mean a lot to me
Simple things only children can see
Simple things like horses running free
And easy acceptance of life

Simple things never compromise
All things have a rhythm I can realize
I feel content in my freedom
And I feel that my freedom is right

I never want to stop being a child
I used to see the flowers growing wild
To see the sun rise in the morning
Sunlight growing filling the skies

Simple things of the earth don't die
They just grow and change as time goes by
There are no questions without answers
I found my answer to life is living
The secret to living is life.

The poem above was written by an unknown author but I just felt that I have to share it with everyone reading my blog. It's beautiful, poignant and something I totally believe in.

YOG in Maori Land

It was a big deal that Singapore,
became the country to host on its shores
The very first Youth Olympic Games,
elevating this tiny island to fame.

The journey of the Youth Olympic flame
generated great interest to its name
It started in Greece where the torch was lit
Then it traveled to six countries without a hitch


Berlin, Dakar, Mexico, Auckland, Seoul and Singapore
celebrated its arrival with festivities and more
Its goal is to unite people from every continent
with the spirit of the Olympic Movement.

I joined the festivities in New Zealand
Promoted the Singapore culture in Auckland
The Kiwis were warm and welcoming
They enjoyed the show through all the cheering.

I think Auckland is a pleasant place to be
I managed to go to Parnell village near the city
Asian eateries and specialty shops abound
Whatever desires can be found

I wished I had more time to explore
Close by are the mountains and the shores
I wished I had more time to navigate
the hilly roads and Victoria Park market

Auckland reminded me of Melbourne
Most shops closed before sundown so people can adjourn
to spend time with friends or families
For in life, there's no hurry.

That's all the impression I have gleaned
from the 3 short days in Maori land
Maybe I'll have the chance to see, in the future
the museums, the Maori culture and join in the adventures.


NZ$1.000 = SGD$0.996

2009 ..

What else can I say

Another year coming to an end

Whatever I write, it's still cliche

To have resolutions and then make amends

I won't conform to make promises

When I know things can change

But as each year comes and goes

I'll commit to memory its passage

I have choreographed 8 musicals

Worked with kids from 9 to 65 years

Glad to have seen many happy faces

The audience were entertained far and near

My life was enriched on many levels

I understood more and more

No need to be disheveled

That's what I am thankful for

Looking at bygone years in their entireties

I have traveled to many destinations

Experienced diversity and in my journeys

Discovered I have lived my life in good conscience

So, year 2010 won't be any different

I shall continue to endeavor

Towards the same path time has taken

Fast and forward I shall persevere

Errr, not too fast as forward I hope

cos I am feeling the effects of gravity

On the other hand I know I can cope

Just adjust my thoughts psychologically :)

Bring it on ... 2010

I shall have no fear

Live it , I can

All in good cheer..

" A conclusion is simply the place where someone got tired of thinking."

Christmas in Cambodia...

... is not like the usual fare
running lights were scarce
a few Christmas trees here and there
nothing more, nothing less

Having said that, the hotel we stayed at
Was excellent in every regard
Wooden furniture used to decorate
Clean and comfortable rooms for a start

The many temples scattered around Siem Reap
Were significantly ruined and truly ancient
It was amazing, some from the 11th century
Those cold sand stones, forever a sign of divine revelation

She is trying to pick herself up, Cambodia
After years of colonization and further oppression
By some of her own leaders that inflicted terror
As evidenced by a trip to the land mine museum

It's a funny thing driving in that country
The vehicles have right and left hand drive
But traffic flows on the right side slowly
Not unlike the pace of life



One of the seven wonders is Angkor Wat ( Hindu )
Personally I preferred another one called Bayon ( Buddhist )
Inside the gateway of Angkor Thom, it's a part
Also the intricate stone carvings under giant trees called Ta Phrom

Tonle Sap lake was big and it was a parking lot
For floating houses that come and go with its ebb and flow
The strange thing was, Cambodians the inhabitants they were not
Mostly Vietnamese, it was surprising to know

The night markets were full of stalls
Selling the same kinds of things
US dollars and Cambodian riels were used by all
Products were cheap and nobody was complaining

I hadn't seen any discos or clubs around
But the Pub Street has a few pubs ( how apt )
That stretch looked so much like Patpong
Difference is the locals don't meet Caucasians at the hub

I think Cambodians as a people are humbled by poverty
To make ends meet, the peaceful majority farm
I was astonished they spoke English fluently
I hope their future will be more certain in years to come
USD 1 = 3900 riels

Bintan

Tetra Pak Jurong is a company
that manufactures carton boxes
the staff are like one big family
from the newbies to the bosses

I choreographed their staff performance
which was held in Bintan, Indonesia
It started with corporate workshops
team building, games and more
it ended in a treat for the entire company
in Bintan..

The highlight of the night was a lavish buffet dinner
the staff were divided into groups to perform
After stuffing their guts with food they each prefer
the entertainment started and the night was transformed

The more they drank the 'better' they became
Everyone was cheering and many were encouraging
their colleagues on - no excuses were lame
Even the big boss was seen prancing

I hadn't witnessed a company retreat that was so full of laughter and fun in a while now. I'm glad I was there.

But Bintan isn't what it used to be. We stayed at the Bintan Lagoon Resort and the prices were so steep. The food was expensive and the menu was in Singapore dollars. Fried noodles cost the same as what they would charge in Hyatt or Marriott in Singapore. Everything else they sell from souvenirs to services like massage were listed in Singapore dollars. The was nothing much to see and although they offered seasports, the prices were just too high. To rent a car would cost $50 onwards for 2 hours. Is this daylight robbery, highway robbery or just plain robbery a la Robin Hood? The poor in Indonesia certainly don't exist in Bintan.

Bintan is only about an hour from Singapore by ferry and the island just didn't feel like another country. Maybe I'll try Batam next time.....

Phuket, a decade later

There was so much change in Phuket

Remember the sights and sounds, I hardly can

But the ever unchanging night life

Was a testament that I was in Thailand

No one talked about the tsunami

Business as usual at every corner

This was where the human spirit

Rose high above the waves and adversity,conquered

Hotel Burasari was really up to standard

It wasn't picture perfect, not quite

Its proximity to the places that mattered

Sealed my decision to buy three nights

A trip to Le Meridien Hotel brought back memories

For four months I mixed work and play

Amidst fun, laughter and romantic stories

Now, 20 years on, it felt so surreal

I'm glad Phuket isn't developing as fast as one would expect

For me, something new meant there is no going back

Depending on situations, that can be good or bad

In time there might not be anything to reflect

Phuket Fantasea was quite a good show

The performers' skills were not that great

But I applauded their efforts to entertain

Only wished the animals weren't harmed in anyway

Down Under

Melbourne was a nice city to visit
A cross between Frisco and Vancouver
There were many places to visit
Which was better, which one do I prefer?

Our place at Kyneton was featured
It was almost at the edge of the wilderness
A possum and a few kangaroos gathered
While we were having breakfast

We decided to stay at Uncle Vincent's
Nearer to the city made a huge difference
Add the average temperature of 10 degrees
Made this a great summer in the winter land

We had fun on Mount Buller, the snow was beautiful
I went shopping, bought and lost a zip pull
All too soon it got dark, we had to descend
Winter in June felt weird, I simply must append

Mom, Mike and Cherry went to Ballarat
After panning for gold they headed to Bendigo
Uncle Vincent, the tourist guide took them places
I was glad they had fun that filled their senses

Australia serves the best cappuccinos
Urban Melbourne has cute chicos
The public transport wasn't that bad
About the fashion, it was never a fad

The Melbourne Museum was really interesting
I was engrossed and stayed there till closing
The Art Museum had Dali's works on display
Keith and I arrived after I led us astray

It's hard to put a final opinion on Melbourne
So many things made it a little different
Queen Victoria's market, Federation Square
And the aquarium offered a unique fare
It's an amalgamation of livelihood
It speaks of people's diverse moods

I'll surely return one day soon.......

Ugly habits of Singaporeans

It has almost been a tradition

The bad habits of Singaporeans

Were passed down through the generations

Heaven forbids that they should be broken

Aside from the refusal to behave courteously

Peak hours at train stations are a nightmare, literally

What happened to campaigns that educate properly

The need to impart good values to society?

Another example was at a hawker centre

During lunch after Wizard of Oz rehearsal

Ben bought a packet of tissue paper

"Seat Reserved" was printed on the plastic liner

I had noticed the habit that Singaporeans deployed

to put a little something on the table of choice

While they carried on to buy a meal they would enjoy

And denied others carrying food a decent place to eat, oh joy

At first, the little something was a bag

Then it was tissue paper in a pack

Now you can even buy them ready to claim

that the seat belongs to someone, what a shame

Manufacturers shouldn't print that on the liner

It just shows lack of consideration in this manner

Why not just let first come first serve be the mediator

I'm sure everyone will be happier

If I ever came across that pack of tissue on an empty table

I would take it and give it to the cleaner

Put my ass on the seat and relieve the heavy bag off my shoulder

So my friends can go get their meals ordered

hmmmmmm.....

Here I go again
What to write, what to say
Looking back without disdain
The past few months were quite gay

Gay - what a word to use
It has more than one meaning
Most of you would be confused
well, it's just to be happy

How fast the year has gone by
It's September and still no sign
Whatever I am searching for, ay
Is still over the rainbow and behind

Soon it'll be 8 months since i moved in
This new apartment I now adore
Is distinct, colorful and akin
To my personality and on the 4th floor

My mind is now quite random
I don't know what to write that's appropriate
I'm starting to feel my aching bottom
To which my mind tried to obliterate

Let's see, what else happened
oh yes, I was proposed by someone
To be a nanny and go to London
Without one, his 2 kids have no fun

hmmmm.........

thinking of Spain

Where can you find warm people

Whose culture and language interweave sensually
Created customs that did not meander

But shoots across a few continents, literally

Spain...

Where can you find beautiful scenery

That extends the imagination and, the heart, it captures

Steep with traditions, her people proud to be

Living in a modern metropolis, this isn't conjecture

Spain...

Barcelona attracts tourists like bees to honey

There are cafes teeming with people all day long

Churches with high steeples are aplenty

Come here for the arts, you won't go wrong

Spain...

Madrid is the capital city with an attitude

It's a little formal than the other cities can afford

I can't help thinking it exudes a quiet fortitude

Amidst the hustle and bustle, you won't be bored

Spain...

Costa del Sol is a stretch along the Mediterranean

It has a myriad of wonderful activities

Often, the cool wind whistled in from the ocean

Picture perfect and captivating in countless ways

Spain...

Ibiza proclaims another kind of flavor

All play and no work seemed to be the way

The inhabitants and tourists projected the same kind of fervor

Eat, sleep and party were common habits on display

Spain...

I have been there 3 times so far

I liked everything from the sights to the sounds

Tapas, sangria, huge hot dogs with onions and paellas

Yummy, I had to stop before I put on those pounds

Spain is for everyone, cada dia

The upper echelon can dine in posh lugares

While the middle class go para comprar

The average person can just take a siesta

At the end of the day, everyone comes together to fiesta

love...

... is it given or taken?
both, if truth be told
but it should not be forsaken
pure and simple to behold

how does one know it's true love?
I'm not sure if one ever does
some think it's given from above
no question about it, no big fuss

some found the answer through experience
others mucked around hoping for cupid's arrow
the former got wiser and had more confidence
the latter had no idea which direction to go

some love them and leave them
others love them and hate them
many love them and lose them
very few love them and keep them

I do know love is a wonderful feeling
that can herald obvious changes
from the microscopic cells in our beings
to the horrific wars that are so senseless

Love....
such a beautiful yet confusing matter
it's dwelling place is only in the heart
expressed with words it becomes better
with action, surely , that's the best part

when love is found at any moment
we begin an awesome journey
so, it can either be given or taken
and shared for the sake of saving humanity

I think if love is to conquer all
around the world it shall encompass
our beliefs would need a complete overhaul
religions would have served their purpose

I'm back... at last

Finally I am back in cyberspace
oh, the deluge of mails staring at my face
for 4 months I hibernated
my heartbeats accelerated

A bear I wasn't, here and there I ran
neither was I in slumberland
I was mega busy
and felt I was in an alternate reality

Now I'm glad for those months
I had a lot of fun
only wished they didn't zoom by so fast
but, hey, that's why memories are in the past

boring beijing

I went to Beijing for a show last week
For the Singapore Seasons extravaganza
An event showcasing the Lion city's need
For more foreign talent and investors

We checked into the Somerset ZhongGuan Cun hotel
Beautiful apartment hotel in a boring part of Beijing
We only had time for dinner before we got comfortable
in anticipation that the next day will be tiring





As expected, day 2 was indeed a long day
When we arrived, it was not ready, the stage
We hung around waiting while finding the time to play
And before long it was time for lunch

After that we took to the stage
Which was covered with a layer of plastic
The amount of dust on it was unbelievably large
it rose up to the knee whenever we started to kick

By the time we were done, it was almost dark
A few of us took the train to Tiananmen Square
The brightly lit area was like a big park
And provided a humongous picturesque fare

The next morning before we were rehearsal bound
I managed to pay a visit to the Forbidden City
Still hungover from the night before
We took in the fortress which was largely empty
Touched the cold stones everywhere and on the ground
Hugged a few hundred year old cypress tree
Happy that Forbidden City is no longer found
to be forbidden, cos I was there, heehee

That night our show was a great success, as usual :)
Men in suits and pretty women were plentiful
With sumptuous food and everything else so visual
The extravaganza was entirely delightful

With only a night to go we booked a massage in our rooms
The Chinese girl was really pretty
The massage wasn't fantastic but cheaper than home
At least my muscles were no longer weary




That's it for Beijing. The Chinese people we encountered were surprisingly polite, a far cry from the ones I met in other Chinese cities. Perhaps they were trying to improve the social etiquette before the imminent Olympics in 2008.

S$1 = 4.99 yuans