Week 50, 2025

Short work week cos Sultan's birthday on Thursday. Nope, no money to make it a long weekend for myself, decided to go back to work on Friday. 

• Car service appointment on Friday. Both battery and drive shafts (?) needed replacing, but they didn't have the parts available, so had to get it done on my own at some point. 
• Had to drive to Bentong on short notice for work. 
• Went to Sunway Square on Thursday. Very shrewd of them to have it open on a state holiday? But cell reception in the mall was still shit. 
• Checked out my first Kopishop Konversations show in quite a while (the shows have been selling out really quickly), and their last one for the year. Quite funny, all things considered.
• Redeemed the Korean body scrub experience on Sunday. It was something.
• Douglas Lim put out his DFP show on YouTube on Sunday. 

Franz Ferdinand - The Human Fear Tour; Fort Gate, Fort Canning Park, Singapore

This was kind of a last minute decision to go. Also probably last gig of the year for me.

This gig was announced months ago, but I only got a ticket to this when tickets were 10% off for Black Friday sale (sigh, any excuse for a Black Friday sale...), and after I had already gotten flights, hotel and the time off for it. Figured since it wasn't gonna be a seated gig, I could get this last LOL 

In all my years, I've never been to Fort Canning Park for anything, or any reason.

Instead of taking a nap, my dumb ass thought it was a good idea to spend the afternoon after checking into the hotel to check out the limited time exhibition of Impressionist art (from Museum of Fine Arts Boston) at the National Gallery, which was not TOO far from the hotel, but wasn't about to hoof it myself. Got the voucher to exchange for the ticket on Pelago (click for referral, only if you want to collect Krisflyer points, and got 20% off as a Scoot passenger). Literally only had time for that, and not much else. 

After an early dinner at one of the eateries at the Gallery, I reluctantly dragged myself over to Fort Canning Park (which wasn't that far, tbh) via Funan mall. It might be less annoying to walk there from the hotel.

Diu lei lou mou stairs after crossing the covered bridge from Funan

NGL, I was huffing and puffing as I climbed those god damn stairs, and the ones after that.

After practically hiking through Fort Canning Park, I finally made it to the Fort Gate part of the park. I was there so early (6.30 p.m.?). doors were also not open yet. But at least I wasn't the only one in line waiting to go in.. 

Of course there were bag checks right before the actual Fort Gate. I only managed to bring in my camera and erm, water because I had other/decoy stuff in my pockets when they asked me to empty them. I wasn't stupid enough like some people trying to bring their whole camera rig in.. (they already sent e-mails telling people what is and is not allowed in)

Not gonna be a peaceful night if you were staying at this hotel.. 
or can have loud raunchy s**?

FWIW, it was not the worst part of the park to be at for a concert... at least it wasn't in some event space in a mall that reminded me of big Giant (RIP). It's a place worthy of a Franz Ferdinand gig.

There were several food trucks on site, as well as a few drinks stalls. Got a Brothers cider (which they have to pour into huge paper cups straight out of the bottle, for reasons, I suppose) from one of the drinks stalls, and got a comped fan and a straw hat. As someone who looks weird in that sort of hat, it was awkward going between wearing and carrying it around, because I had a bandanna on already. (somehow packed the hat in the luggage, mostly cos I figured the old bean might like it)

There was only one merch stand in the whole place. T-shirts were like $60, tote bag was $40. Only got a tour t-shirt, and it was also pretty awkward to lug around the whole night with just a crossbody bag.

Surprised the weather held up, even for December. No insect bites. Clear full moon, all.

There were some seating options around the place - swings, and also a couple of recliners? I settled on one of the recliners, and was pretty much sat there the rest of the night cos I cannot already, and didn't really want to sit on the grass if I can help it. Too many tall people. Also, it was my third time seeing them. 

At this point, the lines for drinks were consistently long, so I was too lazy and tired to get another.

Mostly spent money on the t-shirt, and to staying (somewhat) hydrated (got bottled water for $5). I didn't even use the porta potty, that's how, erm, dehydrated I was?

Note to self: Maybe just take a damn nap before the concert, and not plan anything too vigorous before.

I rested enough during the show so that I could have the energy to walk back to the hotel. I started leaving during the last song. (Other people left after Take Me Out). It really wasn't that far, tbh. If only I wasn't so darned tired. 

Edit this setlist | More Franz Ferdinand setlists

JitFest 2025 - Entourage: Murder Amongst Friends

A last, and a lost play? Whuttt....??

Set over the course of one fateful night in late-1990s Kuala Lumpur, the play draws us into a world of secrets, lies, and shifting loyalties among a tight circle of friends and their acquaintances. With Jit’s signature wit and psychological insight, Entourage blends dark comedy with suspense in a way that’s both entertaining and unsettlingly familiar.

Now, as we celebrate Jit’s life and work through JitFest 2025, we believe Entourage deserves its long-awaited premiere. This rediscovered play offers audiences a rare glimpse into Jit’s sharp imagination and storytelling craft.

Want to go, but deciding when to go wasn't easy for me because it's being staged all the way in Robert's Theatre at The Campus in Ampang. All I know is that I'm not crazy enough to make the drive to Ampang on a weeknight. (Although it probably won't be so bad? Idk). Long story short, I ended up going on the (only) Sunday night performance of the run, to cap off the crazy weekend I had. 

I've only been to The Campus once before, but that was during the day and quite awhile ago. Still got a bit sesat driving there, regardless.

Parking was a bit annoying because of the ongoing weekend event there, so had to park quite a bit further than I would've liked. But I think it was RM2 an hour, or something to that effect? Also not exactly accessible by public transport... 

I didn't give myself enough time to be honest cos I was in SS2 getting a foot massage to recover from the past 2 days until 6-ish, so I literally only had time to get home, shower, get dressed before leaving, have dinner there and go for the show...

I had wanted to try one of Qra's holiday specials, the chicken cordon bleu for dinner. Also managed to find the Somersby Shandy to wash everything down with. But I was waiting for about 15, 20 minutes? I dunno if I thought it tasted okay because it objectively was, or because I was that hungry. What was mildly amusing (?) was that me and Bernice Chauly (seated the next table over, also there for the show) were giving the staff the "where's the food, we gots to go" looks. It was almost 8.30 p.m. by the time we got there (it's not that far, just across the courtyard or whatever). 

Found the Somersby Shandy 

Bernice wasn't the only somewhat famous person in attendance that night - Mia Sara's parents were also there (#iykyk). 

Once we checked in, the theatre itself gave me 2000s-era HELP lecture hall vibes. It also wasn't exactly a full house, so I was sat in the back row with some people I recognise, particularly a local comic I won't name here, freezing my tits off cos I was sat not far from where the AC vents were blowing. 

So I moved a row down after intermission, with a cup of instant hot chocolate drink from MyNEWS to warm my hands. 

Note to self: Theatre toilets are abhorrent. Stick to outside toilets, way nicer. 

FWIW, I give them props for starting before 8.35 p.m., which is rare, but given how long the play is, I get it now. 

It's about a famous artist Ghani Majid (played by Ghafir Akbar, perhaps the biggest name in this company) and his friends/hangers-on/entourage, set during the late 1990s. Dude dies within the first 15 minutes of the play (batu giling to the back of the head), so the rest of the show is just recapping what went on before, and the aftermath of his death. Basically, Jit's take on a murder mystery. 

Pre-intermission was the recap, post-intermission was how the group dealt with the death. 

The rest of the group have their reasons for wanting him dead. Mia Sara's character Ade was the outsider, the audience proxy, there to ask the questions we the audience might have. 

NGL, it was pretty amusing the way they decided to use the black and white silk pyjamas to signal to the audience when it was dead or living Ghani talking, or if it was past or present Ghani.. 

To be honest, I have my theories as to what happened, and who could've done it most of the group, but I would have to (someday) confirm it with someone who would know the story best... short of just asking Dato' Zahim outright who did it next time I see him somewhere LOL 

If nothing else, it's definitely one way to end JitFest 2025. 

JitFest 2025 - Jit Murad's Visits

Forgot to write about this back in June. Whoops. 

Anyway, bought a ticket to the (public) opening night at PJPAC. I know I've read this beforehand, but not recently. I can't recall if I've seen the earlier production of this back in 2002.. macam yes?

Three women. One room. Dramatically dark hilarity.

VISITS brings together the Woman, her Sister-in-Law, and the enigmatic Nurse, in a surreal encounter inside an upmarket wellness/mental health facility. Funny, moving, and expectedly sharp as his wit, Jit Murad’s masterfully written play explores memory, class, motherhood, and mental health—offering a complex and often hilarious portrait of three women trapped by their own stories.

First staged in 2002, this new 2025 production leans into the surreal and psychological layers of the text while still embracing its biting wit. Part of JitFest2025, VISITS is directed by Ida Nerina and stars Sofia Jane, Nadia Aqilah, and Nabila Huda.

IIRC, it was free seating, so there was a line outside the Nero Event Space (which I forgot was downstairs?) when I got to the foyer. Got the best seat I felt possible at the moment, even if the spotlight was damn silau in my peripheral vision while people were getting situated. They were also busy telling people not to tread all over the all-white flooring, which seems fair after the fact cos the cast was mostly barefoot throughout? I also would not have wanted to be in the front rows anyway, cos there was some audience interaction that I would not have been comfortable with, given my history of forced audience interactions.

the bed is super huge, btw

Pictures don't do this majesty justice

Must've had to customise the bedding?

The mental health theme was pretty evident in this production. As women, we take care of others before ourselves, mostly to our own detriment. On the surface, it seems to be about a tai tai from the wrong side of the tracks who's checked into a bougie wellness retreat after a mental breakdown, with only her sister-in-law and a nurse to check in on her/talk to, but underneath it's a whole lot of issues that I'm not gonna get into here. 

Week 49, 2025 - Very busy weekend

Self- declared short work week this week - took Friday off to travel down south to see Franz Ferdinand for the 3rd time, this time at Fort Canning Park. First time I got a ticket this last minute after the other arrangements. 

• The choc Basque burnt cheesecake from Verrona didn't make it - the last third got moldy. I guess it really had no preservatives.
• Also checked Singapore's National Gallery for the first time ever to check out Impressionist art limited exhibition there.
• Office laptop finally died after many years.
• Mildly annoyed that the usually kinda empty Downtown line MRT line in Singapore was so full of people because they were busy doing some work on the old green line there... cis. 
• Also finally checked out Messina gelateria that had opened up in Singapore on Saturday
• Went to watch Jit Murad's last, lost play, Entourage: Murder Amongst Friends out in Ampang on Sunday night.
• Did my first headspa ever on Sunday afternoon. 

Week 48, 2025

• Finally got to try Nasi Lemak Tanglin at Tanglin. It was ok, I guess...
• IPC now got on the LPR bandwagon.
• Last minute decision to check out the new location of KL Comedy Corner... which is now in a different part of TTDI. 
• Kinda glad I waited til this week to finally get a ticket to see Franz Ferdinand cos it was like 10% off due to Black Friday sales LOL Didn't matter la really, cos not seated mah.. 

Week 47, 2025

• Had both dental and mammogram appointments on Friday. Very ambitious, I know.
• Mum got an email about being a finalist in the Capitaland Malls contest.
• Saw The Running Man on Saturday.