Reminiscing Classic Earworms

When I was growing up, music and noise was a constantly in the background every day life. Besides the usual routine every day noises of the TV, radio, conversation, dog barking, and the "mummy this" and "mummy that", there would be someone playing the piano or the drums or the guitar, or singing very loudly in the shower.

On top of that, my dad had (or still has) this funny quirk where he would be suddenly become fixated on a song or artist... and then for days afterwards, the song will be playing on repeat mode on the stereo. If you've heard of earworms, it's just like that, except that it's not just in your head any more.

"Immerse yourself in the tune", my dad would say.

He would not only play the song repeatedly again and again and again, but also quite loudly. It was impossible to ignore. The songs he fixated on were from a broad range of genres.

Sometimes it would be oldies from the 60s and 70s. But with my dad being very progressive with the times, it did not stop there…

I remember one time when Megahit 6 came into the house, and we had to endure listening to Boy George's 'Crying Game', UB40's 'Can't Help Falling in Love', Pet Shop Boys' 'Go West' and Duran Duran's 'Come Undone' at least 1,000 times.

Then after coming back from a US family holiday, my dad picked up the soundtrack to Sigfried & Roy's stage performance at The Mirage, Las Vegas. So enters the season of new age music with the breathy whispers of 'Mea Culpa' all throughout the house.

Then we had a short phase of techno disco music. "I just like the beat", said my dad when I inquired whether there was some great significance or meaning in the pulsating techno beats.

For one of his birthdays, I remember getting him a ABBA Gold CD. So I only had myself to blame when I found myself humming 'Mamma Mia' and 'Money, Money, Money' before I could help myself.

And then my brother brought home an Enya CD, so we went into another new age phase again for a while.

We also had a season of Don Moen who was very popular in Christian music in the mid 90s. So the familar refrains of 'I am the God that Healeth Thee' and 'All We Like Sheep' did not end after church on Sunday, but carried on throughout the week as well.

Then came a phase of classical vocals such as Josh Groban, Sarah Brightman, Andrea Bocelli... our house would be filled with angelic voices singing 'You Lift Me Up' and 'Time To Say Goodbye'.

These are only some of many other examples I can think of... so I think I had a fairly wide, albeit random, exposure to a broad range of music genres (all this on top of keeping up with other current pop music trends of the day including Backstreet Boys, BoyzIIMen, Babyface, Celine Dion and others).

But now this practice of becoming fixated on a particular song or songs has already manifested in me. I have become my dad! *Gasp* Will I become like Debbie in the song '1985'? I can already picture me bobbing my head to some 'old' song from the 90s and telling my kids how cool this song was back then. I hope they will turn out to be sensible enough to realise how cool those songs were and will always be!

Anyway, now I come to the actual main point of this entry (before I started rambling on in nostalgia). I wanted to share the three songs that are currently playing on repeat mode on my music player all day long... and I'm not tired of them (yet)!

Kantoi by Zee Avi - 'Kantoi' is an urban slang which means someone who got busted or caught in the act... I purposely searched for a youtube vid with English translation for those non-Malay speakers. This song is so cute and quirky about how this girl finds out her boyfriend was cheating on her... and I laughed out loud at the line "no wonder lah my friends pun tak suka you!"

1985 by Bowling for Soup - People who grew up in the 80s would appreciate this as the song is littered with pop culture references to the 80s... Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, U2, Duran Duran... the era of sitcoms, game shows, before reality TV and when music was still on MTV

Spiderman by Michael Buble - Did you ever wonder how the theme song from the popular comic book series would sound in a jazzy two-step beat? Well you need ponder no more because Michael Buble has the answer!

Next book on my reading list

After the last batch of books I went through, I happened to come across the book on the ‘new arrivals’ shelf while dropping off some magazines and DVDs in the return chute at the library...

I absolutely adore Julie Andrews! I’m already quivering with excitement at the thought of curling up with this book of her memoirs. This feels like the sort of book to be enjoyed with "...Tea, a drink with jam and bread..." ^_^

Eggs, Cream and Butter

Almost every Saturday morning, after lazing around in bed for a bit, a familiar question comes up: “What’s for breakfast?”

Eggs are always a favourite, and mushrooms. Fresh mushrooms are pretty cheap this week at Woolworths… only $6.95 per kg (normally it’s around $9.95 per kg). I usually worry about buying too much because they tend to get soggy after a while. I only bought about 500 grams, but feel like going back to get some more.

But enough about mushrooms… here’s this weekend’s breakfast sizzling away on the stove…

My bro recently posted up a youtube video of Gordon Ramsey’s version of scrambled eggs. I actually thought the man was overcomplicating a very simple dish.

This is the way I like to cook my scrambled eggs, Bill Granger style:

I lightly beat a couple of eggs with about a quarter cup of cream. I heat up a dollop of butter in a pan (drizzled with some olive oil to prevent the oil from burning), pour the eggs in, then gently fold and stir the eggs around over low heat… essentially just scrambling them up. Some salt and pepper to taste and done! The cream makes the texture of the eggs really soft and creamy (for want of a better word) and the butter adds a nice rich taste. I suppose you could use milk instead, but I think the eggs might turn out just a tad bit watery and soggy that way.

Eggs, cream, butter!!! Sounds like a lethal combination right? So only once a week, no more.

Learning something new

On Thursday and Friday this week, I was on a training course for Microsoft Access 2007. It was a nice change to be out of the office doing something different and learning something new.

I had initially registered to start at Level 1 as it had been some time since I used Access and since then there have been a number of new versions up until this one.

The training format uses a self directed learning module where each student sits at their own individual station while the trainer walks around the room to answer any questions or guide you through any difficult steps.

About 2 hours into the lesson, I was already bored… this was too simple… did I really need to go through learning how to create and save a new file or how to import data from Excel?

I raised my hand to catch the trainer’s attention. He walked over and listened attentively while I explained that I was finding the material a little too elementary.

He was very understanding and obliging, so he decided to load the all the modules for Level 2 and 3 as well and said I could cherry pick through all the different modules and focus on whichever topics I found would be most valuable for my needs, which was perfect!

I learnt how to build macros, some basic VBA codes, setting up switchboards and all sorts of other new tools and tricks.

At the end of the two days, the trainer handed me not one but three certificates for Levels1, 2 and 3!

Something to make you smile

My last post which seemed alarming to some of you guys... but really, everything is cool... no news is good news, right? ^_^

So here are a couple of clips to brighten your day... I always choose really cool clips to share lar...

This first video is an award winning short film... 12 minutes long, so you probably need to pause a bit from whatever you're doing and just sit back and relax for a while and get into it... as the story progresses, you will find yourself getting drawn into the characters so much...



Or maybe you're in the mood for something quirky, clever and silly... you might need to know a bit of Manglish/Malay, but either how the catchy tune might be enough to brighten you mood...


Girl in the clip is not the original singer - the original singer's video clip is here

Question mark

Saw doctor yesterday.

Hubs seems to be in the clear.

Mine ended with a question mark.

More blood tests to come.

P.S. It's not good news... it's not exactly bad news (yet)... it's just a question mark and a doctor's favourite phrase: "It’s not always clear why…"

Shame. Fear. Acceptance

After reading a recent entry on Irene’s blog and speaking to various people lately, as well as looking within myself, I’ve been confronted with this universal issue with seems to confine so many hearts.

Shame.

We try to cover up so much of ourselves. Conceal the imperfections. Put on a mask. Hide our true selves.

Most of the time we are happy to just cruise along, just barely touching each other with the tips of our fingers.

But every now and then, when I stop to ponder, the frustration of treading in these shallow waters all is so stifling… like a fish out of water... I wish I could plunge into the refreshing cool waters of deep meaningful relationship (apologies for the dramatic metaphor).

But most of the time… most of the time we just smile. Smile and answer “I’m fine”. Because it’s just easier. And so much safer.

Fear.

Why risk exposure only to be faced with blank looks, stifled yawns, distracted eyes or worse still, that sympathetic look on the face opposite you, as you struggle to put into meagre words, the ocean of emotions that overwhelm.

Acceptance.

I don’t know the answer. I’ll just listen. Help me to understand. I want to understand. I want to sit down beside you and try to imagine how you must feel. And maybe begin to comprehend just a little bit of everything you’re going through.

Yummy Prune Cake... seriously!

Following my current obsession with prunes, I decided to experiment with other prune recipes. Thanks Irene for sharing this prune cake recipe which I just tried out Sunday afternoon.


I used three quarters of the amount of sugar stated in the recipe... and instead of the icing, I used the liquid leftover from boiling the prunes, added some sugar to make a sort of prune syrup to drizzle over the cake.


Enjoying a glass of sangria on the side... perfect Sunday afternoon treat!

Mork and Mindy

Almost every morning at approximately 7.00am, there is a loud incessant tap on our window.

We have full length windows down to floor level with reflective tinted glass. So from the outside, it will be exactly like looking into a mirror.

Unfortunately this results in a point of contention for not one, but two little feathered friends, whom I've affectionately nicknamed Mork and Mindy.

I try to see this as an educational experience. I've learnt that magpies are extremely territorial and also very aggressive creatures. These guys really make a scene - fiercely attacking and flying at what I'm sure they sincerely believe to be an intruder into their 'territory'.

Hubby does not appreciate their presumption in claiming our front lawn as 'their' territory. He now has a personal vendetta against Mork and Mindy.

I hope the neighbours' imaginations don't run too wild as they try to figure out the shouts and banging against the window which ensue at around 7.01am each morning.

Any ideas of how we can deter these guys? I'm worried that one day our window might crack.

Stewed Prunes?

Thanks to a recent comment posted by my dear friend, Irene. During my next grocery shopping expedition, I added a pack of pitted prunes to my shopping trolley to make an attempt at making stewed prunes.


The end result seemed pretty good. The prunes still tasted pruny... but with a slightly smushier texture with a hint of cinammon and citrus flavours.

I'm not entirely sure whether this is what stewed prunes are supposed to taste like, though. At that point, I so wished Irene wasn't so far away, and I was able to pop by her kitchen in some way to sample her stewed prunes and compare notes.

But these were good nonetheless... and were a yummy accompaniment to this morning's oatmeal porridge.

Oatmeal and raisins in cookie dough

Apart from freshly baked bread, there's nothing more comforting that the smells of cookies in the oven. Coupled with one of my pet indulgences - reading cookbooks, with lots of yummy narratives of food and ingredients.

Current cookbook read:


I curl up on the couch with a cup of green tea and read through each recipe, thinking which recipes seem feasible to try.

This morning I decided to put some of my education into action and baked a batch of rustic, chewy oatmeal cookies.


Just like oatmeal porridge and raisins... in a cookie dough wrapping.

A little sinful and rich for brekkie... but I figure that the amount of oatmeal packed into each cookie is enough of health boost to make up for the indulgence.

Quite easy to make too!

In a bowl or electric mixer, cream 250g butter, 1 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup caster sugar. Add 1 tbspn vanilla essence, 2 eggs and 3 tbspn milk.

Sift together 2 cups plain flour, 1/2 tspn ground cinammon, 1/2 tpsn salt, 1 tspn baking powder, 1 tspn bicarb soda, and combine with butter sugar mixture.

Stir in 3 cups rolled oats and 1 cup raisins. Store batter in a covered bowl or container in the fridge for 1-2 hours or overnight.

Scoop out large tablespoons of the batter, shape into balls and arrange onto baking tray. Press down each lightly with a fork.

Bake in a preheated 180°C oven for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. The cookies will be slightly soft in the centre.

People say I'm strange does it make me a stranger

In our household, I hold the proud title of ‘Official Car DJ’.

I have full control over the album and track selection for all our car journeys - both short and long ones.

Lately, I’ve been very into DC Talk. Track 13 'Jesus Freak' has been on repeat mode on the way to work, on the way home from work, on the way to cell, on the way to church... hmmm... pretty much on the way to anywhere lah.

This was very much spurred recently by a long Facebook message chain, which has been circulating among my old friends from BCCM for a couple of weeks.

Here is a small peek into some of our reminisces…

"Ahhhh yes I remember very clearly those days DC Talk ruled back then:) that’s when I started getting into 'Contemporary Christian Music'. Do you remember when we performed the Jesus Freak song at Charis?"

"Hahah!!! I was there!! Was playing the guitar for that. I remember when you were into Stryper too!!!"

"...So who was the one doing the emo singing '…people say I’m strange does it make me a stranger, my best friend was born in a manger…' "

"LOL yeah I remembered I was all fired up for that song as I was really into it at the time. I think it was a combined youth service of some sort..."

"Oh yeah Stryper was the best best Christian rock band bar none. Last I heard they’re still together playing a few shows here and there... 'To hell with the devil!' Remember that? :P "

"Yeah, I remember that too... I think I was playing the bass... its great remembering the old days... we should plan to all go back at the same time, say 3-5 years time, and lead worship on one of the Sunday celebrations. What say you?"

The other day we were sending home a couple of youths… and Track 13 was playing on our car stereo (yet again)… they were like “errr…what’s this song?”… so I started to tell them about DC Talk and the popular contemporary Christian music at that time (good ol' 90s)… but they just shrugged and turned up the latest Hillsong track on their iPod… you could tell that it didn’t really resonate with them at all… (*sigh*) kids these days.

Anyway here is a taste of one of the best DC Talk hits… so turn up your speakers and let you your head wiggle around to match the rhythm like marmalade jelly…