The Road through my Fucked Up Life.

Road paved on 12:25 AM |

The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera
The book is written by Gaston Leroux and is set in an Opera House in Paris in the nineteenth-century. It is about a mysterious man hiding beneath the Opera House and about how he had trained young Christine to sing.

I’ve come to know about The Phantom of the Opera (book) in 1997 when I read briefly abut it in a Japanese comic called Adventures of Young Kindaichi, where a group of students were rehearsing for the drama the Phantom of the Opera, when murders began and these murders were carried out according to how the Phantom killed his victims in the exact sequence. Intrigued, I sought out the book and I was introduced the world of the Opera House.

The Phantom of the Opera (Musical)
I came to know about the Musical when I borrowed a CD that contained a selection of songs from my friend. Among those songs was the ‘Phantom of the Opera’ and ‘All I Ask of You’, two of the more popular songs from the Musical.

I’ve been enchanted by Musicals right after that, collecting their soundtracks and program books of the more famous musicals.

The musical is by Andrew Lloyd Webber (damn famous for many good musicals) and is written for his then wife, Sarah Brightman, who starred as Christine. Michael Crawford was the Phantom then, and his voice was like the supreme Phantom voice.

Back in my secondary school years, I was in the production team of The Phantom of the Opera for a school concert. It still brings back good memories. Our Phantom was this damn cool Indian kid called Jonathan, and our Christine, this cute little girl named Sophia. Raoul, well… we couldn’t find a better Raoul, so guess Boon Yao would do. We only had 2 ppl in the team that had watched the musical at Broadway, New York, and a few videoclips from certain videos. So we had not much info bout the props. But still it worked. We took Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music – I had the scores – and it was a success. Jon’s voice was superb, better than Crawford I would say (dream on).

All in all, I was proud of it.

Coming back to the movie. I went to watch it on 17th Dec with the rest of the production team and my, we were having goosebumps listening to them sing. I was practically shivering with delight. It sure brought back memories, us training Sophia to sing, preparing the props. Whoo... But compared to the movie, our props sure paled a lot.

The movie is excellent. Be sure to NOT to MISS the opening scene. It is excellent. The cinematography was beyond cool. The music… come on, it’s Andrew Lloyd Webber, what more can you ask for?!! I went with the expectation to watch a Broadway musical, except it was on big screen. I went away satisfied.

The cast? Superbly chosen.
Christine Daae – Emmy Rossum’s voice is to die for!!! I like her voice so much better than Sarah Brightman’s. Emmy’s voice is softer, less harsher and more suited for the innocent child Christine was. We were at first really afraid that her voice won’t fit the part, but at the first note, “Think of me, think of me fondly,” we were in love with her voice. She is prettier too. Not to mention the guys on my right during the movie was busy gushing over her cleavage and how thin her dress was. Sheesh…

Raoul de Chagny – Patrick Wilson sure is hot! With that delicious voice that fitted the character perfectly, I thought I was in love when I first heard him sang : “Can it be, can it be Christine?” The voice was just perfect, boyish, cockish, slightly innocent. His body ain’t that bad either. There was one part where he was taking off his clothes as he ran down the stairs, we were like, “More! Go on, take off more!”

Phantom – Gerard Butler. This guy is super super hot!!! The mask covers only quarter of the face, leaving much much more to be admired. And he walks around with his shirt partly open, I was practically drooling at the sight. His acting was excellent, really suitable as the Phantom. His voice, well, when I first heard his voice, it was just nice. Then he made an appearance, “Sing once again with me…”, I nearly wept with despair. He was that bad! In the next song, The Music of the Night, he was singing, “Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation…”, I was begging for the next song, do not spoil the song!! There was one part he had to go up to a high A flat, he went flat. I was already starting to sob. It was like he was going “Aaaaaa…….EEEE!!!”
But thankfully he improves through the movie, his best part when he sang the Point of No Return. He fits the angsty part of the Phantom perfectly.

My favorite part of the movie was the Masquerade ball. The song is wonderful, the choreographing, excellent. It happened to be my favorite part because I kinda helped choreographed the dance during the production for my secondary school. Each step was in unison, perfect. Love it!

Masquerade! Paper faces on parade . . .
Masquerade! Hide your face,
so the world will never find you!
Masquerade! Every face a different shade . . .
Masquerade!Look around -there's another
mask behind you!
Flash of mauve . . .
Splash of puce . . .
Fool and king . . .
Ghoul and goose . . .
Green and black . . .
Queen and priest . . .
Trace of rouge . . .
Face of beast . . .
Faces . . .
Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round . . .
in an inhuman race . . .
Eye of gold . . .
Thigh of blue . . .
True is false . . .
Who is who . . .?
Curl of lip . . .
Swirl of gown . . .
Ace of hearts . . .
Face of clown . . .
Faces . . .
Drink it in, drink it up,
till you've drowned
in the light . . .
in the sound . . .
RAOUL/CHRISTINE
But who can name the face . . .?
ALL
Masquerade! Grinning yellows,
spinning reds . . .
Masquerade! Take your fill -
let the spectacle astound you!
Masquerade! Burning glances,
turning heads . . .
Masquerade! Stop and stare
at the sea of smiles around you!
Masquerade! Seething shadows
breathing lies . . .
Masquerade! You can fool
any friend who ever knew you!
Masquerade! Leering satyrs,
peering eyes . . .
Masquerade! Run and hide -
but a face will
still pursue you!

I feel that the kissing scenes were a tad bit overdone. Raoul and Christine were like attacking each other during the scene. And I think the Phantom’s touch is aphrodisiac, Christine is like being in the throes of passion, on the verge of orgasm every time he touches her. And I thought it was ‘U’. There were small kids in the cinema with us, it was hilarious to see parents covering those kids’ eyes.


And while watching the movie, I managed to confirm how ignorant and stupid some people can be.

Guy on our right: Why so much singing? 1 minute talk, 10 minutes sing. Hindi movie got less music.
Talk about being an idiot! It’s a MUSICAL, shitass, which part of the word MUSICAL you do not understand!!!

Guy on our left: (He was bragging about the storyline of the book before the show started) Hey it’s not same as the book.
We know you read the book, idiot, but it seemed you are not cultured enough to know about the musical.

Guy behind: What is this shit? We paid RM10 to watch people singing?
I, myself, will be so damn happy to pay RM10 to watch a musical, which we could usually only get at RM120 for a decent seat at Istana Budaya.

And some guy a few seats behind us did not off his handphone. So in the middle of Christine’s "Think of all the things we’ve shared and seen; don’t think about the things which, RING RING!!! RING RING!!!" And the guy had the nerve to answer the call. It’s a guy. We heard his gruff voice, almost everyone went, “HEY!!!” And the phone rang again five minutes later.

Talk about ignorance!!! And you noticed that only the guys were the ones making noises. The girls were perfectly happy with the movie. That further proves that some GUYS are just the scum of the universe, uncultured, boorish morons.

In the end of the day, this movie is recommended to those people who, like me, cannot afford to watch the real stage show. And of course a perfect recommendation to those cultured people out there, and those guys who wants to be refined in the ways of the civilized world.

Going off to study again with this short little play from a game.

Juliet: .............. ................ Romeo, Romeo!!! Why are you Romeo? Deny your father and refuse your name, and I will follow suit.
Romeo: I... I take thee at thy word: Call me but love, and I'll... Um... I mean... ...... never mind.
Juliet: Aah... Ummm.... Romeo? Why have you come here? It's no big deal for a ninja,
but for a normal person the orchard walls are high and hard to climb, and the place death considering who you are.
Romeo: One way or another I made it in.
Juliet: ..............
Romeo: Really.

We passed by on 12:25 AM |

Road paved on 6:25 PM |

To IMU Debaters, you guys rock!!!!

I bet you've read tons and tons of posts on this topic at debaters' blogs ie Sheena, Yee Pei, Adeline, Vasan... but it's time I put my two cents about this topic. Hell, I promised you guys I would update on this topic and here I am.

NHSD stands of National Health Sciences Debate, hosted by IMU, BJ, and in my opinion... let's just keep opinions to myself, eh?


NHSD 2003 was my first ever varsity debate. I could still remember it so clearly. I volunteered to help one day and got dragged into the torrents of the world of debate by Sarah Sheena Toyat, who is by far the best debate trainer I ever had (maybe becos she is like my only one, du-uh). I was floundering in deep waters, and I could still remember that I was to pair with Sheena. My mind was screaming help, I would only be dragging her down into the deep end with me.

And then my partner of NHSD 2003 was also dragged in. He was more kasihan than me. He came into the training room just to speak to me and was shoved in by Vishna. And even worse, we were placed together. 2 idiotic asses trying to swim with the big fishes.

During the debate, we were charted as IMU1 and was placed in the room with the GIANTS of the Malaysian Debater Circle. MMU1, UKM1, UM1!!! We were closing government, and let me just brief you on how big those giants were and how small we were. All three teams made it into the finals of NHSD2003 while we were the only team with a consistent streak of 4th placing in the debates (4th means last). That was how big the gap was.


But this time... its a new year, a new beginning. NHSD2004 was an interesting event for me and Richard. We weren't paired together this time (but we were so damn blardy close of becoming a team, but due to power matching...). I was paired with Michelle (kudos my lassy, you saved me ass all the time), while Richard paired with Vasan. Yup, the information guy. And instead of sending in only 2 teams like last year, we had 4 teams. FOUR!!! That was how much our debate society has grown.

We had unearthed many diamonds in the rough during that one year span.

Song Yee Pei, who joined the debate society to adjudicate, but was asked to debate once when we had not enough debaters, and is a debater ever since. Hot and spicy and always agitated, good speaker overall. A good feeder when in a team. Team to be heavy on her side.

Vasantha Kumar, who joined in Sem2. He was termed secondary school debater by Sheena, but has proved otherwise since then. Cool with dripping sarcasm, it is irritating debating AGAINST him. Excellent whip, gets the big pictures easily. A formidable teammate who can insult the opponents to the ground without being rude. "That was an unnecessary POI."

Adeline Gong, the biggest surprise there. M2/03 rep, she was supposed to be adjudicating. But was asked to debate once to fill in Vasan's place. Is a debater ever since, and still high on debate. Cool and calm, and totally in control of herself. Have her in a team, and you have a teammate with a weird outlook of points which is good when you need extensions. First debate tournament ever.

Michelle Chong, my partner in crime. This hectic girl was like so busy during training as she had so many other things to do. She is treasurer of NHSD, she had to participate in the World Chess Championship, she had to practice Indian Dance, carol singing... tsk tsk... Multitasker. Damn RESPECT!!! Quite in control of self during speech, can easily save your ass if on your team.

And polished some.

Tan Hai Liang, the cute little puppy. Supposedly Best Speaker in Johor. Quite cute, but follows Sheena around during the debate like a cute little puppy. Have I mentioned that he is just like a cute little puppy?

Hai Liang and Sheena. Sheena's giving commands, Hai Liang at her heel listening forlornly. Like a lost cute little puppy.

Richard Lee. This guy had a sudden growth spurt in debate, quickly climbing the ranks to challenge Sheena for the throne. But he is still easily demoralised, which will harm the team, but heck, that demoralisation is a small price to pay for a great teammate who is knowledgable.

Elena How, this bodoh-fied girl who was a burden in the debate team as she got tat 'don care' attitude and likes to be fed. A sad case for Sheena to try to break through with advices like "Don't smile! Plan your speech!" But get her into a tournament, and wahla, a sudden change.

"Shit Elena, why you suddenly change wan? So different from training?" -Michelle Chong, when Elena started giving out orders and using bombastic words.

And of course, can never forget our trainer,

SARAH SHEENA TOYAT, who is - too bad - not really advancing as her only challenges are her own trainees. And the time has come to let the Chinese saying come true "Green comes from blue, but more brilliant than blue." Is a really good trainer, tho a really naggy mother. *shiver* I wonder how her kids can handle her next time. "Elena, put on seatbelts. Elena, seatbelts. Elena, this, Elena that..." But it is thanks to her that I made it this far into debating.

In a way, this blog is dedicated to her, and of course the rest of the debaters, but mostly her... as she is after all my trainer. The best, bcos the only one.


The IMU teams composition for NHSD 2004 :
IMU 1 : Richard & Vasan
IMU 2 : Sheena & Hai Liang
IMU 3 : Yee Pei & Adeline
IMU 4 : Elena & Michelle

Me and me partner.
Pei Pei and A gong.

The team compositions were the hardest decisions to be made thru the training. Richard, Vasan and Adeline formed a love/debate triangle where each wanted the other. Yee Pei & Adeline debated only ONCE before tournament. Elena & Michelle debated TWICE and was supposed to be scapegoats at first. Sheena & Hai Liang was a formidable pair with Richard and Vasan. Both teams predicted to break into quarters.

And to show how much yours truly had grown in debate:

First round: TH would ban hypnotic psychotherapy.
IMU 1 : 2nd place
IMU 2 : 2nd place
IMU 3 : 2nd place
IMU 4 : 1st place (Elena got highest speaker score)

Hmm... impressive no?

I brought my Bible along for that debate, I felt better having God's word with me. That morning, I was just flipping through and I landed on this chapter.

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 2 : 1-4

And behold, I went upon the podium and spoke, like the Holy Spirit is within me.

Adeline said God gave me the tongues to speak. Amen.

The rest of the tournament flew by in a daze. IMU 4 lost 2 debates, one was because of stupid adjudicating (he gave us last just because we ruined the debate, stupid!), another one was carelessness on my part. *bow deeply* Sorry Michelle. Really!

I could still remember the final prelim on autism, where I went up there with almost a complete speech, written in 2 minutes. Pretty impressive, to me la. (Let me kembang sikit la). But the thing about the speech is that, I did not even give the paper a glance when I spoke. I practically cleared the fog over the whole debate with that one speech. It was one of my best performance ever, other than the first prelim.

We got second.

The diff between those 2 performance is that in the first, I was insulting. In the last round, I was compromising. So in the end, I was satisfied with my performances. I have proved to my teammate that I am actually not what I am during training.

Oh forgot to mention dresscode of the days of the tournament.
Day 1 : Black
Day 2 : Red
Day 3 : Traditional

Black and Red shirts are a necessity in a man's wardrobe, and I am sad to say both Hai Liang (cute little puppy) and my own damn boyfriend do not have both those shirts. Hey, now I know what to get to get Richard for his Christmas present.

The last day, Traditional. I went as Traditional Casual, while Sheena managed to squirrel her way out after demanding Hai Liang to put on a trad chinese.


At the end of the day, I can safely say... NHSD 2004 was actually fun and another real experience that is worthy to be blogged about.

I think developing psychological algorithms might be a job more suited
for psychics...

We passed by on 6:25 PM |