What are Your Top 10 Songs?

I really2 like Brit bands (the big names like Beatles and U2), but I deeply appreciate American band like Dave Matthews Band and Dave Matthews's solo performance (have a major crush on Dave).

Dave Matthews Band

I also adore Rufus W, particularly his album Poses. He's just one gorgeous gay and I mean he truly relies on his music and never throws some popularity stunt the way Adam Lambert did at the AMA. We know you're gay Adam, get over yourself.

Rufus Wainwright

Or Adam Lambert? What a waste of talent.

A little pop couldn't hurt either, that is why I appreciate Robbie Williams and Stevie Wonder, with all their quirks.

Oh... and another last year discovery, Peter Bjorn & John... they're just so witty to pass.

Ok, here's the list.
1. Dodo by Dave Matthews
2. Ants Marching by Dave Matthews Band
3. Grace is Gone by Dave Matthews Band
4. Paris 2004 - Peter Bjorn & John
5. Advertising Space - Robbie Williams
6. From the Bottom of My Heart - Stevie Wonder
7. Grey Gardens by Rufus Wainwright
8. While My Guitar Gently Weeps by The Beatles
9. Across The Universe by The Beatles (and the Rufus Wainwright version)
10. Mysterious Ways - U2
11. Memories and Dust by Josh Pyke
12. Suddenly I see - KT Tunstall
13. Sleeps with Butterflies by Tori Amos
14.Tears for Affairs by Camera Obscura
15. If She Wants Me by Belle & Sebastian

I can't help posting number 11-15, here are why:

1. Currently liking Josh Pyke, an Australian by the way (the first Australian musician I really appreciate since Pete Murray).

Josh Pyke

2. Really2 like KT Tunstall & Tori Amos's vocal, music and style - They rock without being over the top like Amy Winehouse or that Lady Gaga (gasp!)

3. As I was saying, adore Brit bands. My latest discoveries are Belle & Sebastian and Camera Obscura. Can't get enough of them.

Belle & Sebastian

Camera Obscura

Somebody Has To Say This ......

First of all, it is not cool to ask your friends for a cup of coffee and then completely ignoring them by keeping busy with your crack-berry.

Second of all, it is the exact opposite of cool for you to blame your sub ordinate in public, especially if your boss is among them. Why? You do the math.

3. New Moon is a lot more annoying than its predecessor, no matter how thick Edward Cullen's foundation is and even more if it is waterproof.

4. It is not OK to lie publicly, I can see your nose keeps getting longer and longer.

5. Sinetron is really, REALLY getting on my nerves... what's with all the drama and intrigue? The world is crazy already, no need to make it more complicated with impossible storyline.

6. What's with all the prejudice about coffee? Coffee is the best damn thing that happen to us (workers) each morning, without it, most of us would be sleeping and yawning instead of working.

Seventh of all, there is this tendencies of younger people committing suicide? Come on, we're not that desperate right? Just punch someone, drink gallons of coffee or eat lots and lots of carbs... but suicide? It's a major NO!! Just (DON'T) do it.

8. Sometimes we use the phrase: It's nothing personal. So what if I wanna make it personal? What's wrong with being personal?

9. It is totally uncool for you to form your opinion on someone you've just met. I get the "first impression" thingy, but come on... you've known someone like 6 months and then suddenly BAM! You're the best judge of character? Get your own life managed before start criticizing others.

10. It is totally annoying, not to mention uncool and make you look insecure, when asking why we're not married yet. Are you trying to make yourself look better by belittling others? come on, you can do better than that. If you can't come up with a brilliant conversation topic, just SHUT UP!

Lastly, IT IS TOTALLY COOL AND OKAY TO BE A BITCH (SOMETIMES).

Oh ... and Happy Hijriah New Year .. now that I've spilled all my beans...

New Moon Doesn't Bite. Not Even a Scratch......

"It's like a huge hole has been punched through my chest," Bella says.

Well... watching New Moon was just like punching a huge hole through my brain and twirl it around. Yes... it is THAT bad.

I feel underestimated by the way the movie represent the female lead, the sad and naive Bella Swan.

There is no message to speak of... well, not a good one, anyway. There seem to be three here that are particularly wrong to be sending to the intended teenage female audience.

The first is about the importance of external beauty. The second is about how life is not worth living without a man. The third is about how infatuation equals love, and that when you "love" someone, you should give up everything for them, even if it's dangerous to your well-being.

New Moon romanticizes the idea of suicide, and also Bella’s obsession over vampires.

Lastly, New Moon may be unoriginal and flimsy, but... thanks to Jacob Black and his werewolves pack, they made me sit through the whole story. Although I find it's hard to digest how a 16-17 years old boy can be so.... buff, so built.


Perhaps it should simply be taken as mindless fun; you can enjoy it as long as you don't use your brain too much (i.e., at all). So when you're watching the movie, just "Turn off your mind, relax and float downstream..."

Temptation of Moto Droid

I change my cellphone every 3 years... not to catch up with technology, just a common cycle that I go through .... hmmm what's the difference?

Anyway... My current phone (P1i) is still highly appreciated and highly usable with so many features that keeps me from buying the "crackberry (CB)".


Don't have the interest in buying one, even if each one of my friends keep on asking the very same question: "what's your CB PIN?"

Crackberry Addict

I don't think I would replace my P1i anytime soon, buuuuut.... if i ever need to replace it in the near future, I would pick the new Moto Droid/Milestone. Why not iPhone? Why not Crackberry?

A small Crackberry Group

iPhone is very tempting, CB however is not nearly as tempting as my current gadget (seriously, it became too mainstream that I've lose interest in buying one).

iPhone really IS a piece of art.

Let's see this picture perfect phone (although many said it's not as good as iPhone, but analysts mentioned they would recommend this gadget to the users who are not interested in iPhone. Sounds good to me. The Milestone does have certain downside like its camera, but until now it is the best Android based phone in the market.


Here is a comparison between iPhone and Milestone.

http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2009/10/30/smartphone-showdown-iphone-3gs-vs-motorola-droid/

The Coffee Mug Ballad

I have this favorite mug that I use at work.
Each morning, this mug represents the first activity I do at work.

A year ago, it was this blue taller but slimmer mug.
I used to fill it with my tubruk coffee (Singa brand of course).


I remember approximately one year ago when this person (a lady colleague) was caught using my blue mug and I went ballistic. Clearly, she'd never expect to find me so freak out before.
I undergo a radical change from a normal person into this witch lady.


I have this problem with someone using my coffee mug (at work).
If they have no mug, instead of lending them mine, I would buy them a new one instead.

And today, during my leave (to study for this particular tryout tomorrow), someone reported that this person (a particular male species) planned to use my Orange Coffee Mug.


Luckily, our Office Boy prevented him from using it, mentioning that I will be infuriated if I ever found out. Yeah... I am this crazy, paranoid lady when it comes to my possessions, especially my coffee mug.

LEAVE MY COFFEE MUG ALONE!

Patching Code: #02112009

Me. Humanoid, beta version. Need an update. Need to be patched.

Nature send a certain code, a certain strain of update.

Finally. Patching will lead to perfection.
Finally... a hint of pain surface.



Hate it, hence it's inevitable.
Helpless but not hopeless.

Patching will lead to perfection.
Enter.

Humanoid, Beta Version

Here I am, staring at this blank page.

Mindless, I am not.

Not knowing what to write, when I've got so much to tell.

Not knowing what to share, when so much had happened.

Not knowing what to hear, when so many sounds are played.

Not knowing how to tell, when so many words are ready to be spoken.

Not knowing how to act, when I'm playing so many parts.

Not knowing how to see, when I visualize them oh so vividly it hurts.

Mindless, I am not.

Just being myself, my old self, my human self, my limited self, my weak self... with both hands in my head.

Me. Humanoid, beta version. Need an update. Need to be patched.

Have You Ever Been Desperately in Need for a Sentimental Valium?

I have. In fact, it hit me just now. I need to be inspired.

I need pain (no I am not a masochist!).

I need to cry (I've always thought I'm a major weeper, turns out I am not).

I need to feel angry (I haven't been angry with someone in like a century).

I need to feel awful (I always feel everything is going to work well.. all the time).

I need to punch someone, for punching's sake (I need emotions in my toll free life)

I need to be sentimental (I'd watch those soapy movies if I have to - but I can't stand them)

OMG... I need to get me a "boring valium". It's like a valium for people, who've just been hit by boredom.

I need mini "catastrophic" or just a simple turbulence in my life. In a good way.


I need some REAL LIFE DRAMA.

What is The Most Inspiring or Impressive Film You've Ever Seen?

The answers can vary, from soapy romantic film to war film.
From colossal film to independent film.
From simple comedy to a film that requires full attention. Mine also vary.

From the horror genre, The Ring (Jap version) is the most frightening film to me, followed with The Others. I enjoy being afraid. I enjoy watching horror movie and not being able to sleep at night..hahaha... The only downside maybe because I rarely find someone who would willingly go to the theater with me to watch horror movie. Friends (and ex boyfriends) often comments they will not pay to get themselves frightened by some movie. So I watch horror film at home, most of the times.

From the romantic comedy (romcom), I enjoy Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail. I think Meg and Tom did great on both. I have to tell you, I have a MAJOR crush on Tom Hanks' voice. Yep. His Voice. One of the sexiest voice.

Also from romcom, let's not forget Jane Austen adaptations: Pride & Prejudice (Greer Garson & Lawrence Olivier version), it's so funny and entertaining. While my favorite Mr. Darcy has got to be Matthew McFadyen from the recent version (with Keira Knightley). I also love Little Women.

Just like music, Indie genre fascinates me. Carandiru left a big impression on me. The way they shot and drag those prisoners like cattles. It's not human at all. Once is a film that lingers for a long time in my mind. I guess...love is more beautiful when left unsaid.

As for Hollywood products... I enjoy watching Sci-Fi & Fantasy. They make me go to another world, with new experience. I can imagine myself being Harry Potter sidekicks...or even Queen Amidala's personal assistant...see? I'm too modest.

If I am asked once again, from all genres...what movie inspires me the most, I have to answer 3 of them:
1. Shawshank Redemption
2. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
3. The Life of David Gale

Each is impressive in its own way.

Shawshank Redemption is a simple and tragic movie that ended up sweet for both main characters. Announced guilty for the murder of his wife, Andy Dufresne is sent to Shawshank prison to serve a life term. Becoming friends with Red, Andy tries to adapt to prison life, and goes on an unforgettable journey with Red inside the prison walls. Love the ending.



Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (starring the late James Stewart, directed by Frank Capra) is about a naive man (Jefferson Smith). In Washington, however, Smith discovers many of the shortcomings of the political process as his earnest goal leads to a conflict with the state political boss, Jim Taylor. Taylor first tries to corrupt Smith and then later attempts to destroy Smith through a scandal.



The Life of David Gale is about a University professor, Dr. David Gale, an advocate for the abolishment of death row, who is falsely convicted of rape and murder of another activist. He suddenly finds himself on death row. The film is told in flashbacks with a female reporter interviewing Gale. In the end Gale accomplish all his target, in the most intriguing way.

Looking Forward to the Death of SMS

Reading the November 2009 edition of PC Media view point analysis: Mari Menunggu Kematian SMS (Awaiting the Death of SMS) is kind of liberating. I've been waiting so long for that moment. The death of SMS that is.

I was an SMS freak in my younger years...I can type the whole 160, 320, even 480 characters message without having to look at my phone, no error. It's true. No joke here. I am not sure since when...but these recent years, I am so sick of SMS. Friends and family often complaints that I seldom reply their text. I'd rather call than text.

Call me lazy...but I don't enjoy texting, not as I used to. Beside...texting (while driving) can kill you.


With SMS, I feel like we're going back to the age of the "pager". Sometimes, I get a very late response to my SMS (basi deh). SMS is not for quick response conversations, it's for something that need no response or require very little response.


It's ridiculous to text when you can call (there shouldn't be any budget constraint... cellular operators are at war with the cheap tariff, so...nope...no excuse). I think people are becoming more and more practical these days.

Social networking is used very heavily by the mobile web users. This also consequently implies that the operators are likely to see a drop in their revenue from SMS business, which I think will be compensated by an increase in the volume of data usage in the country. This is mainly because it would be more economical to send an email via mobile internet instead of sending an SMS.

With the euphoria and rave over Blackberry and iPhone with Social Networking like Facebook, Twitter, Hi5, YM, etc... I don't think it will be long till we see the death of SMS. I know I HAVE been expecting that day to come.

Creativity vs Freedom

I have a wandering mind...here's my latest quest

Just don't get permissive people.

Is it a popularity contest or just trying to be one of the crowd?

What's wrong with a little boundary?
Boundary makes us more creative, not absolut freedom. There is very little creativity (and fun) - if not none - in absolut freedom.

You don't get to feel the excitement and satisfaction.

While Still in Suasana Lebaran

Here are a bunch of people I should apologize to for posting and whining about them in here.

1. To all the motor riders that I yelled at when driving to the office in a rush every morning (that's a lot of yelling).
2. To all the pedestrian who crossed the street in an unlikely location, to the particular one I accidentally hit on.
3. To the "liar" .
4. To Mr. Negative .
5. To Music Critics for not understood you when you categorized DMB, The Decemberists and Peter Bjorn & John as "alternative".
6. To Ibu Megawati Soekarno Putri (aka TOLWLTW - That Other Lady Who Likes To Whine).
7. To Indosat Matrix and Its Customer Service (for taking my complaints - I still do by the way).
8. To some people I scoffed at in Jason Mraz Show (if you remember there was this lady wearing black top with a fierce eyes and words...that's me!)
9. To all sinetron crews and cast, why do you guys make all that crap I just can't get it - ummm...sorry again.. :p
10. To the drama King/Queen
11. To my colleagues and team mates at the office for putting up with me while I played the music in my playlist...I know it's not a common music (or as some of you referring to as "is it music at all?"). I'm letting you off the hook, now that I wear earphones.
12. To My Hometown (Ternate) for not visiting you for ages.
13. To all manual haters (i still don't get why you don't read manuals though).
14. To the government when they banned YouTube for a moment.
15. To Aa Gym and his wives for acting like I know them. I'm sure I don't. Would never judge 'em.

Wow...that's quite a long list (not to mention in my real life).

However, there are some people that I'd rather not apologize to for posting their story in my blog.

1. Smokers, for endangering other people's lives.
2. Steve Ballmer (aka. Microshaft) for producing Windows Vista and the lousy Internet Explorer.
3. The Ass Kisser, I prefer fair playing.
4. Last but not least......To the device or the person (if you must call him a person) who produced "Fitna".

Eid Mubarak!

Hunger is No Issue

As I get older (and hopefully wiser), I do not feel the thirst and hunger during shaum. When I was little or younger I remember the most difficult thing about shaum is the hunger (and thirst) thing.

I have a big appetite for a lady :p

Especially when it comes to cakes, nasi goreng and japanese foodies..yummm (still have the craving for salmon belly soup).




The hunger feeling was hard to ignore, yet harder to satisfied as it is impossible to "accidentally" swallow a plate of meal. But the thirst thing is easier...

During my pre-teen year, when taking wudhu sometimes I "accidentally" swallow the water or let it linger a little bit longer in my mouth...

As I get bigger and entering my teen years, it became easier.

But now, as I'm in my twenties (ahem!), hunger and thirst are no longer an issue I have to struggle with.

Don't you agree that emotion is hard to control?

Especially when on my way to the office, having to cope with the motorcycles on the road. Sometimes I let my old and angry self slips away...cursing them and yelling at them. As I felt the blood of rage rush through my head... I say "astaghfirullah. Gue kan lagi puasa". Sometimes I can control it, but sometimes it just slips away.


I pray and pray and pray that God will guide me and help me control my furious self (I still do).

Liar Liar

They said you can spot a liar by seeing if the liar is telling something without looking at you in the eye. I disagree. Modern people are all liars. I've lied, you've lied. Everybody lies. Often directly to your face.

Sometimes you can actually see if the person is lying by thinking: "hmmmm he or she is not looking me in the eye" or just by "sensing". Me... being a positive person, I rarely caught if I've been lied to, in the past my radar towards liars was not working well.

Recently, I can spot a liar pretty easily.

The person can convincingly say something to me (eye contact, convincing tone, good language and all) but I still don't buy it.

Knowing that I can be lied to very easily, now I cross check everything this person said.

This person is a compulsive liar. Lies about everything, from identity to self accomplishments.

So, if by any chance you're reading this...dear compulsive liar: just stop it!

Or at least lie when you're sure I cannot cross check :p

(hey! can't help it! I am a self proclaimed detective).

Mr. Negative

Have you ever met someone that is sooooooooo....negative, you just want to get him/her to eat a bowl of the cruelest and freshest wasabi or jalapeno pepper (minus the sushi or the taco)?

Have you ever met someone who has never said (not once) positive remark on others?

The negativity is so real and so obvious, you were wondering who hurt this person, always very angry at the world.

Then again...you secretly imagine you could actually hurt this person, for real!

Eminem...(looking good) the loud and foul mouthed rapper, who actually make a living out of being Mr. Negative. I was wondering if this person idolizes Eminem.

How do you handle this kind of person?

Being with this person frequently (sometimes on a daily basis), how do you keep yourself from punching him/her in the face and still hopes that you maintain your own positivity and sanity?

Hard and never ending work my friends....

Voiceless Singer-Wannabes

I am no singer (and you must thank me for this).

I can't play musical instrument. Not one.

Yet, I love music, particularly the one referred to as "alternative music".


What the F is "alternative"? Who gave the term alternative anyway? Alternative music is the critics way of saying the new sounds are "unfit" to their established categories - rock, pop, country, jazz, keroncong (really?), classic (read: really really old and depressing stuff - sorry guys - I don't have to get myself used to this genre to be acknowledged as an intelligent person), folk, blues, rap, etc.

See? they even give constant foul mouthed complaints a specific category!

And they refer DMB, Pearl Jam, Peter Bjorn and John, The Decemberists and The Killers (I could go on and on here people) as "alternative"? To what? Music? That's pretty insulting guys!

The New Pornographers

Changchutters

This "new" category showed the critics incapability of finding new categories for these new found sounds (identified since early 90s) by these new talented singers and bands refuse to be dictated by the establishment. Music critics is a bunch of narrow-minded-self-declared-ancient-people (who by the way are not musicians, can't sing and can't play - just llike you and me) that make a living out of critisizing singers and bands (hello?!! Did you guys not see the irony here?).

Does that make me a musician or a singer? Thank GOD no, if yes, you'd have to buy my CD along with a set of ear plug or insurance for wanting to kill yourself while hearing me sing.

Same goes for the critics: you voiceless singer-wannabes!

Believing is Seeing BEFORE The Presidential Election

Seeing is Believing or Believing is Seeing?

For modern people, seeing IS believing. They don't like to rely too much in "believing" without having to see first, including Indonesian. Ratio and logic create the post modern Indonesian, neglecting our signature "supernatural" thinking (GOD, the after life, doomsday, destiny, fate, etc).

Let me put it in a simple way. We have 3 presidential candidates. Mr. Lanjutkan, Mr. LCLB and That Other Lady Who Likes to Whine - Mrs. TOLWLW (below).

How do you describe each candidate (visually)?

Mmmm...let's "see".....

From left to right:

• Mr. SBY: Our current president. Physically large man. I can "see" that he's got a certain physical feature that makes me think of him as ill tempered (hmmm...I wonder why). Known as Mr. Lanjutkan (again, I wonder why).
• Mr. JK: our current vice president. Not as large and intimidating as his current partner, Mr. SBY. Looks like an older version of Charlie Chaplin. Currently famous as Mr. LCLB (the sooner the better -for what exactly?)
• Mrs. TOLWLW: our former president. Really? Physically she looks like an ordinary housewife. She's now going for another chance on the Istana Negara. Again? Really?

Stop right here about the visual descriptions.

Did I just say visual? Well... never-mind then.

See that my feelings and perception of these 3 candidates interfere with the so-called physical description. I describe (incidentally) in both physical and non-physical terms.

Have I seen them in person? Actually none. So... what makes me describe their non-physical virtue? My knowledge on what I see, hear and think of them based on their visual appearances on the media.

Seeing is believing.

So because they are unsighted, they don't or can't afford to believe.

This is just too disturbing a statement. I can't even go on, so let's just stop here on the unsighted.

In the end... whomever you vote for, you don't rely on visual description. Well... not 100%. You rely on your sense (and ratio). Again - debatable - as ratio tend to linked with "what's in it for me". Since only certain basis point of the citizen are likely to gain direct benefit from the winner, I'd have to assume that we vote sincerely hoping for a better Indonesia not only based on what we see but on what we believe we see.

Do I see him (sorry Mrs. TOLWLW) as a better candidate compared to the other? Not exactly.

I believe he can bring us closer to a better Indonesia.

Big Whiskey and The GrooGrux King

I've been listening for the first single (Funny The Way It Is) of the new Dave Matthews Band album (post title) since March this year (the band generously let their fans download the song in their official website). All I can say is: this song made me very much looking forward to the real deal.

The cover is designed by Dave himself and picturing the late LeRoi Moore (DMB saxophonist who passed away last year in an accident). Roi's death was actually in the middle of this album recording process. GrooGrux King is his nick name and the album art explain Roi and the band well.

This is their first studio album since 2005 and if you're a die hard fans like me and hoping for Dave's acoustic, don't get your hope high as he's shifting (at least for this album) to more electric. But somehow his move makes perfect sense without leaving his signature guitar play and quirky and brilliant lyricism.

(Listening to this album while writing this post) I'm catching similarities with 1998's Before These Crowded Streets.

DMB wind up returning to their roots and reviving the loose-limbed jams, a sound they've largely abandoned. Now, everything seem to be falling into places, their signature clean and elastic solos are back - on record. Since this is the band that is widely recognized for their outstanding and exhaustive live performances (which is better than their studio versions).

You can expect to find epic song ala "dont drink the water" (Squirm - the ref is perfection!), implicit messages that all love (Laying in the Hands of God) and loss (Why I Am) can be felt and shared through music. I can feel the band's loss of a very dear friend. Music creation itself is the reason they're here - and it's not just an album tribute to LeRoi Moore, it's a reason for the band to keep moving on. This album is the perfect interpretation of the new millennium DMB and I'm loving it to the core.

Verdict:

Big Whiskey & the GrooGrux King is by far DMB's richest, most powerful and quite possibly best album.

Oh

How so vulnerable human being is....

How not so, if an absence of one simple thing makes us feel oh so powerless.

A simple item such as cellphone missing from your everyday life. Oh...how it can expose your feeling as a powerless being.


Oh no...the cellphone is here alright...it's the network that's gone missing.

My sim card...the "great" Indosat Matrix broke down again for the umpteenth time.

Furious? Yes.

Angry? Definitely.


Oh my angry self was writing some mental complaint and inappropriate remarks to say but I was also curious. Can I live without it? This is the main cellphone I'm talking about. I have another one with only about 30 numbers listed and only a few people know.

Oh...the curiosity won. I let the problem linger for about 5 days. Why so long? I was trying to live and breathe without it for a while....the damn thing. I wanted to try living without it.

Living? Of course.

Breathing? Barely.........

I feel like was gasping for air the time it happened.
Suddenly the world is this giant frightening place with very little air supply.

Oh....... the simple and happy life without cellphone...will it ever return?

PS: oh well...I finally get the damn thing replaced today.... and yes...the lazy ass that I am... I decided to stay with the current provider...

Life is Like Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans

I've been feeling a little overwhelmed lately. Last week it seemed like I was being pulled in 13 different directions when all I really wanted to do was go to the cake shop and buy myself a high-fat-high-carb chocolate cake, with thick cream on top (you should try this one called Chocolate Indulgence, a definite guilty pleasure).


It was Friday night and I was hanging out with some friends at our usual place, an ice cream parlour, and as the spoon touch my lips, I felt my mind racing and write a mental post-it notes: I have to go to the gym, my aunt's birthday, go to a tahlil at a relative's house, write a blog post (which I am doing right now), go out with friends, take my family for our usual lunch weekend, clean my bookshelves, bla-bla-bla.

Aren't you tired of planning everything ahead? I know I do.

Is not planning everything makes me a sloppy Jane? Does that make me less of a person?
Control is good, for certain things, like your work. But the rest of it... you just need to let it loose sometimes.

I know I need it.

It's like eating Bertie Botts every flavour beans, you'll never know what you might get (you Harry Potter fan should be familiar with this).



I like getting the good flavours like chocolate and toffee. But how am I gonna sort which ones are the good ones unless I've experienced the icky ones? Not trying to get all weird and geeky here, but life is like that. Sometimes you get to experienced the delicious ones, but you can't avoid the crappier side like incidentally getting the vomit or rotten egg flavor.



It is the wonderful world of not knowing. It sucks! I love it! Don't you?

Who's your Favorite TV Character?

It's been a while since I blog and now I feel like blogging. At first, I'm not really sure what to write.

I was gonna write about my fave music, but then I think..."naaahh... done that sometime ago, too close to write about it again".

Then.. there were some ideas: chocolate, love (yeah, you wish!), hate list (not really my favorite topic), environment (again...been there, done that!), religion (not an expert), money saving tips (again...not the best person to write about this), poetry (me? yeah, right!) and finally......

While listening to the complete discography of DMB (now reached "grace is gone" track - how love this song! I wish I could be someone's Grace....oops....almost!), I was thinking...why not write about TV series? I've always I prefer TV series over blockbuster movies anyway.

My favorite TV series:

1. Life
2. House
3. Lost
4. The Mentalist
5. True Blood
6. Friends
7. Damages
8. Heroes (actually this is no longer a favorite, but I still forced myself to watch, at least for now)

My Guilty Pleasures, which I finally have the guts to admit (^_^)

1. Desperate Housewives
2. Gossip Girl
3. Grey's Anatomy

Hmm..... I sure watched a lot of TVs -- but let's stay out of this topic for a while

My reason watching these series varies, from eye candy and superficial reason (Gossip Girl) to deeply observance after a longer period of time.

My main reason in following a certain TV show is the characters. Sure, I love fashion and good looking men (and women), but what good is a show without strong characters?

Here are my Top 5 and why I think they're so interesting.

1. Charlie Crews from "Life" (brilliantly played by the frighteningly talented British Actor Damian Lewis)

Ok, so Life is not exactly a highly popular show here - like Heroes, House or The Office. It's just another cop and crime show. But with a twist. Charlie Crews is a cop who spent 12 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. Now exonerated, his lawyer broke a settlement by which Crews wins something like $50 million plus the opportunity to be a detective back in the LAPD.

You'd probably remember Damian Lewis, a tall redhead with a pointy face, as a leading role in Steven Spielberg's Band of Brothers (remember Major Winters?). In Charlie Crews, Lewis has crafted a dark character, rich with quirks and passion.

Prison turned Crews into a Zen-fully loopy philosopher, who regularly loses himself in simple musings on fruit and butterflies and the mysteries of life. Yet, as silly and lofty as his ethereal ramblings are, they amazingly don't seem to contradict his violent reflexes. And he does love his bullets-covered card and hookers.

2. Gregory House of House, MD (played by another talented British actor Hugh Laurie)


Dr. Gregory House heads the Department of Diagnostic Medicine with a keen understanding of medicine,and an innate ability to diagnose medical conditions with ease. He is often considered to be rude, with terrible bedside manner (when he does choose to meet his patients), and refuses to follow through with many ethical considerations of his profession.

Dr. House's philosophy is simply put in the following manner: "The truth of the human condition is that everyone lies. The only variable is about what."

He has been described as an egomaniac, condescending, and narcissistic. He has breached hospital protocol to save the life of a critically ill patient, and has often adopted criminal tactics of burglary (through his team) to investigate patients' homes.

He requires a cane for mobility in his right leg and a narcotic addict (a pain killer called Vicodin), which led to legal problems.


3. Chandler Bing of Friends (played by Matthew Perry)


Chandler Muriel Bing is a resident smart-ass on FRIENDS. With his wit, preppy looks and totally rad hair-cut, Chandler Bing is known for his sardonic attitude, which provides a defense mechanism. Chandler uses humor as a defense mechanism wafter his parents divorce.

Chandler often caught in situations or making statements that made him sound gay. His friends described him as having a certain "quality" that made people think he might be gay. I remember one moment where he entered a room full of the Friends and declared, "Well, don't we look nice all dressed up? ...It's stuff like that, isn't it?"

Also another moment when asked by the girls who would the boys rather be if they had to date each other. Joey and Ross refused to answer, while Chandler abruptly replied "Joey".


4. Patrick Jane of The Mentalist (played by a charming Aussie Simon Baker)


Ok.....so he's adorable....but let's not be superficial and shallow in judging Patrick Jane.

Patrick Jane was previously making a living as a psychic who assisted the police on cases. His life was turned upside down when he lost the two most important people in his life to one of the serial killers he was tracking. He now uses his observation skills and genius to help the CBI hunt down criminals and solve crimes.

He's a humorous and not-so-serious person with a charming appearance, with a signature vest over a button-up shirt. He also has an uncanny mental abilities and extremely good at reading people (combined with amazing observation skill).

Patrick Jane is very kind. He tries to unite and heal people. He took an orphaned baby to her grandfather and his wife. He talks to children in a positive way to help them to heal and grow after a friend or family member is murdered.


5. Ben Linus of Lost (played by Emmy Winner Michael Emerson)


Doesn't he look creepy?

Lost is a good show, then enter Ben Linus.... suddenly it become one of my favorite TV show. Ben Linus is the strongest character in Lost, beside John Locke and Desmond Hume. He has a cold appearance, because other than that would make him vulnerable to his enemies. I think Ben has one theme to all of his actions. He's holds a master degree of PM (People Manipulator). He's an expert in manipulating people, especially desperate people.

During his actions, you'd be convinced that he's a good guy, only to be disappointed in the end. But then it happens again and you'd still buy whatever crap he promised. He never fails to convince you to trust him. If you actually believe that then you might very well think that Ben is a good guy.

In my opinion Ben is completely evil, he’s a great talker and at times he is useful, but in the end his evil is quite obvious. Ironically I really like the character. Without Ben the stories would be only to see who Kate is hooking up to next. So I don’t really want him to die. What do you think?


6. Lafayette Reynolds of True Blood (adorably played by Nelsan Ellis)


Not your typical short-order grill cook, Lafayette flips his burgers in clubbing clothes and eye makeup. But any good 'ol boy customers at Merlotte's who mistake his fashion sense as an invitation for harassment have got another thing coming - Lafayette isn't afraid to thrown down. With his many shady sideline businesses and personal connections, he is the kind of character you're waiting for to see each episodes.

Lafayette is a flamboyant character and "off the chain". I think he bring magic to the show and steals every scene he's in. He is very entertaining with his side businesses (selling vampire blood shots, online sex cam and a gigolo). Lafayette has better grip on reality than some of the other characters. I hope his character remains.

So...who's you favorite?