Disclosure Day

This movie has been marketed to death at this point. Since today was a public holiday, I figured I might as well watch this.

Decided on watching this at the GSC in IOI Damansara, which I've not been to before, only because driving there is kind of a PITA. I wasn't sure if I was that late, or they actually started the movie on time, but I definitely missed the beginning of the movie, I'm just not sure how much.

• Laughed so hard every time I see the CG animals show up 
• NGL, I was distracted by how much purple Colin Firth was wearing in this... 
• "Inn-Di-Ana" Motel LOL 
• Props to Spielberg for ending the movie on a black screen? 

I guess for how much I wasn't (really) looking forward to watch this (just wanted to kill a few hours, so that it did), it was pretty engaging. 

Bleak Expectations

I'm not much of a Charles Dickens aficionado going into this; most I read was some abridged versions  when I was a kid. But I was mostly curious about the venue - Commonwealth House, which apparently is in Royal Commonwealth Society of Malaysia private club, a place I never knew existed until this month. But that's just me lah. And it's in the middle of a residential area, which I guess is great if you're a member living in the area, one could technically walk there or whatever. 

Bleak Expectations is a hilarious pastiche of everything Dickensian.

Follow the unlikely journey of Pip Bin from earnest child to titan of Victorian industry.

It's based on a BBC4 radio series. 

Only decided to go there on the last night of the run, which was Saturday. Parking was kinda dicey in that there wasn't a lot of on site parking and understandably, the area residents wouldn't want their roads blocked by the club members and guests, so... there was a lot of stacked parking? Guards were ready to provide pen and paper for people to write their phone numbers down to leave on the dashboard. 

Only good thing about the venue was that there was boozy refreshment options (beer, wine, etc), as well as some finger food options (was sorely tempted by the samosas). I got a glass of prosecco (RM35) to sip on. Since it was free seating, I opted for the bar seating at the back, cos it was better than me staring at the back of someone's head for the whole show, and I needed a place to set down my drink and bag. It's mostly a lot of expats, with or without families, in attendance. 

It's the now elderly Pip Bin telling his life story, with the rest of the company playing things out on stage. 

It was about 2 hours long, with a 15 minute intermission. 

NGL, for how funny the character names are (evil Gently Benevolent, Flora Dies-Early, etc), the play was really bleak as hell with Pip's luck kept going up (got rich from investing the rubbish bin) and down (evil guardian Mr Benevolent who kept trying to saboh him by wanting to kill him, marry his sister, and steal their family fortune). People playing multiple characters. If you know enough of Dickens's work, you'd recognise the characters and references. I might enjoy it more if I wasn't also fighting a headache. But it was still pretty funny. And it ended around 10 something? To be fair, it did say the start time was gonna be 7 p.m. and the show only started around 7.15 p.m., so... 

I was more annoyed when the car I had parked behind actually called me as I was on my way to the car. OMG woman, can you wait for a while? I only lingered for a little bit to check out what I can of the place cos I had never been there before. Oy vey. 

Flying from Subang to Changi (via Batik Air) in 2026

It has been YEARS since I last flew out of Subang, especially to Changi. I have the usual hesitation everyone has when it comes to flying Batik Air (don't get me started), but I figured cos it's the only jet flight out of the day, it shouldn't be so bad.

On the one hand, I wouldn't have to be up so god damned early to make it to KLIA 3, 4 hours before my usual pick of mid-morning flight out. On the other hand, I still had to wake up at 5 something to be there before the check-in counter closes at 6.30 a.m. cos the flight is at 7.30 a.m.. 

So yeah, woke up 5-ish, put myself together pretty quickly, had a bit of breakfast, and left the house around or close to 6 a.m.. Cos it was still too damn early in the morning, made it to Subang airport in under 20 minutes. I just barely made it to the bag drop off (if they're gonna include 10 kg checked luggage in the ticket price, you bet your ass I'm gonna use it). They gave me another boarding pass despite having checked in online. As someone who saves the card stock boarding passes for the journal, I appreciated that. 

Before going in, I meandered around to see what's open at Subang Skypark at that hour, and it's the usual suspects: Starbucks, Coffee Bean, ZUS, MyNews, and erm, CU. Kinda sad that McDonald's also don't have liao. 

Spent a few minutes trying to understand and install the free eSIM I got from Pelago (2GB for 3 days, which is more than enough for me) before finally going over to the screening. We got stuck behind this group of people who seem to be unaware of the LAG rules or what, and I can see the fler keep pulling full bottles of liquid out of their bags... 

Wasn't waiting long before they commenced boarding. A bit the potong stim when the flight captain announced that it was gonna be a 50 minute flight, but fine by me cos I got the window seat, and I won't be the only pax catching Zzzs. 

All in all, the flight was okay, still alive. Made it to T4. 

The only snag is what to do with the extra time cos it was too early for anything...

Chick-fil-A, Bugis+, Singapore

One of the things I had to check off the list this time was going to the only Chick-fil-A in South East Asia. 

Dragged myself and the luggage (cos I got in early, and it was still too early to try to check in at the hotel just yet) to Bugis+, but have to walk through Bugis Junction (which is just off the Bugis MRT station) first to get to there.

Maybe cos it's been a couple of months since it opened, or cos it was a working Friday, or cos it was only 10-ish in the morning, there was no queue. Maybe the line happens later? 

Walked up to the counter, asked for recommendations for first timers. So I took the recommendation for once and ordered the deluxe chicken sandwich meal (the only difference between regular and deluxe is the additional fresh veg), so that I get to try the waffle fries and lemonade. I was also asked what sauces I wanted and apparently can choose up to three, so I went with the OG Chick-fil-A sauce, the Singapore exclusive Spicy Chilli sauce, and erm, honey mustard.

Sat at a table where I could slide my luggage under the table without obstructing the flow. I guess they were all too free (not that crowded, and they only just opened for the day), the service was ok. The uncle aunties working there also offered to help refill the drink (bottomless), but I guess that's cos the drink fountain wasn't publicly accessible, and don't want randos back there.

How was it? Okay, here's how I felt about it... Remember, this was my first proper meal of the day since 5-ish in the morning.

1. Chicken sandwich - Oklah.
2. Lemonade - Servicable
3. Waffle fries - Not crispy enough for my liking, which is probably just me. But it wasn't even piping hot, or even adequately seasoned leh. Sigh.  
4. Sauces -
1. Original Chick-fil-A sauce: Only ok if you like smoky flavour? Not for me personally. 
2. Spicy chilli sauce: It's basically like the garlic chilli sauce you'd get at a dim sum shop.
3. Honey mustard: TBD; still sealed, brought it home with me, in the fridge right now LOL

Wasn't sure what to do with the sauces besides using it as a dip for the fries, so I had some of it on bites of the chicken sandwich. 

Dunno if I'd go back again... Maybe?

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. 

MEW - The Farewell Shows, Zepp KL

First angmo gig this year.

When it was announced that this iteration of MEW was coming to an end (frontman Jonas is leaving to pursue other endeavors, but the rest of the band are still gonna be playing as MEW?) and farewell shows in Denmark were announced, the global fanbase was sad. I was kinda sad too, but otherwise I was like... "ok lor". Then they slowly announced stops all over the place. If nothing else, I thank them and whoever the organiser was for making the KL show happen, cos I'll be annoyed if I have to go down to Singapore again, even though I would not have minded going to the durian/Esplanade Theatre.

Bought a ticket back in late April (I KNOW!) cos the "premium" seats (first few rows upstairs la, really) were already sold out after the first day of ticket sales. All I know was that I die die did not want to be in general standing area, cos I CANNOT. I REFUSE. So got a "standard" seated ticket like toot suite. 

If nothing else, at least now I got excuse to check out Zepp KL, which I've not been to yet (I KNOW). But the parking situation was gonna be tricky. There was SOME traffic getting there, but that was cos I refuse to play by Waze's instructions, and I didn't want to go around the block to get to the designated entrance or whatever.

Ended up parking at Menara Ecoworld basement parking (eh?) at B4, triggering the Setel LPR parking function cos I forgot to switch it off and it's one of the places that you can use Setel wallet to pay for parking. I'm annoyed cos Lalaport parking was free after 5 p.m. leh. 

Took this pic after the show

After some confusion in the foyer area (there was a LONG line, but it was for folks in the standing area), I saw some signage that tickets in the seated areas are to check in at a different floor (had to check my printed ticket, cos it had been that long). So I went back down a couple of floors (no queue), show them my printed ticket, and got checked in, wrist-banded, and bag checked pretty quickly. The lack of ushers to guide people to their seats was kinda disappointing, especially as a first timer to the venue and when you bought the ticket MONTHS ago, etc.

Sadly, could not find legit merch for sale by the time I got there. Dunno if sold out or what. 

I can't remember if I got to pick the seat or what, but I'm glad past me went with an aisle seat. FWIW, the upstairs seats are ok lah, if too old and short to be standing in the GA area (I did that the last few times they were here, I cannot anymore la)

Show started not long after I found my seat (to be fair, I was kinda late lah, only got there close to 8 p.m.), about 10 minutes past the hour? 

NGL, it was a nice surprise that they brought on Yuna (yes, THAT Yuna) to sing the female part in Symmetry (she confirmed it in her IG stories). 

They played a bunch of tracks from And The Glass Handed Kites, which is my favourite, and not just for the conceit of the album. 

It's like the Best of MEW setlist, which I've no complaints about. 

The view from upstairs. I say it's not bad la.

Edit this setlist | More Mew setlists

I laughed so hard when I saw that the show finished before 10 p.m.. To be fair, it is a school night and I read that the mall (and mall parking) closes at like 10.30 p.m. or whatever, so I get it that people still got school or work and just needed to leave/catch the public transport back at a decent time. 

Despite parking where I parked, it still took me awhile to leave the area. And only got home around 11 p.m.. 

It's nice to leave a concert not more exhausted than when I went in. (I still went to work, okay; had a small bottle of Coke before I got there to make sure I didn't fall asleep at the show, but still be able to sleep later)

Cirque Alice, Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands

Couple of firsts for me: first Cirque show (would've like to have seen Love, their Beatles take, but oh wells), and first time ever in Sands Theatre for a show until now. UOB had a cardmembers' promo, which was 15% or 20% off if you bought it early enough? Glad to know it doesn't matter where the UOB card is issued, so yay for me. Only decided to go on a Thursday night for the off peak price, with a shit ton of leave to use up, so I did a self-declared 5 day weekend. 

Anyway, already girl dinner-ed elsewhere before making my way to Marina Bay Sands (MBS), so to kill some time, I had dessert at the Starbucks downstairs. 

Starbucks Singapore got nicer food and drink la

Step into magical ‘Wonderland’ as Cirque Alice reimagines Lewis Carroll’s classic adventures with breathtaking twists and astonishing, gravity-defying feats.

Starring the greatest acrobatic performers from around the globe, this magnificent spectacle features stunning performances by mesmerising aerialists, mind-bending contortionists, exquisite puppetry, dancers and special guest musical and comedic artists – set against an enthralling soundtrack of newly arranged contemporary renditions of some of the world’s favourite classical hits.

A joyous acrobatic adventure filled with heart-stopping moments and unforgettable performances, Cirque Alice is a fantastical extravaganza for all ages!

There was security and bag checks going in. At least they let me bring in my own water, so can't complain... But I did indulge in a "glass" (not glass) of prosecco. FWIW, the Sands Theatre concession offerings are pretty fancy and tempting. Perhaps next time. 

The foyer was buzzing with people, a frame for people to take their obligatory "we were here" pics (the line was non-stop, even at the end of the night). The merch selection was kinda sparse: t-shirts, finger lights (which only made sense when you've seen the show), etc. They were busy pushing the physical programmes ($15), because I know how I get with those - you just read it once and put it away, never to be seen again. So I didn't. 

It was pretty packed for a Thursday night show, dunno if it's because of the off-peak prices, or what.

The seating area I was in was oklah, I guess (had to take a stab at where would be best bang for my sad RM buck, as well as asking ChatGPT about it, LOL); can see the stage, can see the aerial stuff from where I was. Cannot see the facial detail, but that's not the point of this show. Also, I forgot my glasses, so that was annoying. 

Yep, had an overpriced plastic thing of prosecco for the show,
cos not driving LOL.
At least they're not just selling BEER.

Show itself probably started maybe 5, 10 minutes after 8 p.m., which I'd say is not bad, but I think the 8 p.m. start time is so cos it's still a school night, or so people can still catch public transport home afters? Idk. But there's no way shows in Malaysia can start at 8; we barely start on time at 8.30 p.m., it's more like 8.45 p.m. (or as I'd like to call it, "Malaysian 8.30 p.m.") soonest. 

Yes, that's Alice floating who knows how high off the stage

As someone who only vaguely remembers the story, it's very loosely based on that, but with a shit ton of stunning acrobatics involved. Everyone was pretty good, from Alice (the singer, who sang a bunch of arias, etc) to the rest of the cast. There's a lot of classical music that any music student would recognise, so that was fun. The violin playing White Rabbit kinda reminds me of Vanessa Mae or Maksim ('member them?) with the trying to make violin sexy again vibe. The Mad Hatter was the magician who did crowd work, who I don't know why did not use a mic and instead opted to project his voice? 

Even with the 15 minute intermission, I had time to stretch my legs a little and use the bathroom before the second half. And no, I didn't get any food or drink during intermission. 

Show ended after Alice finished singing Ave Maria. It was only past 10 as people were leaving the mostly closed mall... 

I thought it was fun and cool. 

By the time you read this, the Singapore run is already over. 

DFP Punchline: Douglas Lim 'One Mic Only'

I dunno what took TPTB at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) so long to finally add comedy in its hallowed halls. I admit, I'm not the target demo for DFP's regular programming, and have had no reason to go the whole time it's been around. But I guess having Douglas Lim kick things off (in case anyone is wondering, Harith is performing there next year) 

Been watching Douglas plug the show on his soc med for months leading up to this, but of course I only just luan luan buy a ticket mere days before. If you buy online and sign up for an account, you can get 10% off by uploading pictures of your IC to get the MyKad discount. So I did. (If there's a cheaper option, let me know)

Anyway, dressed up a little (smart casual, but there's a whole lot of things you can't wear which I won't go into), but in retrospect, I probably could've gotten away with jeans and sneakers cos it was a matinee show, because the dress shoes I had only worn a couple times before crumbled at the heels and bought a ridiculous pair or slides at Vincci... but still got the blisters on the pinky toes to show for it.

I was 3 8 enough to buy a ticket in one of the nosebleed suites (well okay, I was intrigued by the "incl. refreshment" part) just because it's my first time there and I dunno if I'll ever go back again, so why not. 

Anyway, got there around 3 something (which was reasonable enough), checked out the suite in question, and..

Interesting tea time treat?

Me and the 2 other ladies (who were also early, fellow first-timers) were basically excited to be up there, taking pics and videos, etc. I think we all just tarpau-ed the refreshment cos we weren't too hungry at the time, lol. But I did eat the spring roll, and the rest later at home.

Mentang-mentang Gendang Suite...?

Douglas came out pre show to talk to everyone

Opening act 1: Prakash Daniel

Opening act 2: Mad Sabah

I've seen Prakash and Mad Sabah perform enough to know what their sets could be, so I'm not gonna spoil it for anyone else. They both did about 10 minutes each? 

Anyway, Douglas finally came out, talked about how he can't believe that he's performing at DFP all. He also asked the crowd to make some noise to find out who's there for the first time (quite raucous); good to know I wasn't the only one? The set was also more personal and not so political as his sets tend to be..

As it is with Douglas Lim shows, he closes the show with a song, sung to the tune of Coldplay's Viva La Vida. 

Left as they were still applauding, but not before checking out (and using) the ladies restrooms, and.. 

The stalls were self contained? Hot damn..

Finished the rest of the food in the box when I got home cos I burned a lot of calories in between after the show and actually getting home.. 

First Impressions: Pavilion Damansara Heights

Was finally bored enough to go check out the latest Pavilion mall, which is located where the HELP of my youth was. 

Parking: Not the cheapest, but I get why they had to do it - if they don't, everyone working in the area would just park there, leaving actual shoppers with shit parking. Also same price regardless if it was a week day or week end. If you drive a tank (aka Vellfire/Alphard/Kia Carnival dimensions), you might find parking a little tight?

Occupancy: Not a lot, probably about 30% are open? Also mostly the downstairs eateries, but not places you go every day. Also, as someone noted somewhere, so far it's mostly the non halal eateries, so ya. 

I guess the only stores of note would be the standalone Jo Loves store (which is that Jo Malone's current business since she sold the eponymous brand name to EL; same case as Bobbi Brown and Kate Spade). Dunno if it's just me, but is it not awkward that both Jo Malone and Jo Loves stores are near each other? 

Honestly, not much to write home about. As of this writing, you can't even safely walk there from the nearby MRT station cos the walkway is not ready yet? 

The World of Tim Burton, Pavilion Bukit Jalil

For the life of me, I have no idea why The World of Tim Burton ended up in Pavilion Bukit Jalil, of all places. The space for it, maybe? 

Comprised of approx. 540 works—including signature pieces from the Tim Burton retrospective as well as over 150 new works not seen in the MoMA exhibition tour—The World of Tim Burton gives new audiences an opportunity to experience Burton’s art in person for the first time and treats familiar visitors to an in-depth look further into his sensibility.

With over 800,000 visitors, the premiere of Burton’s art exhibition in New York was the third highest-attended exhibition in MoMA’s history. This sparked the inception of The World of Tim Burton, a re-conceptualized exhibition that mirrors MoMA’s success designed specifically for touring the world. The World of Tim Burton tour stops have included institutions such as the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul Korea; City Gallery Prague: The Stone Bell, Czech Republic; the Mori Arts Center Gallery, Tokyo, Japan; the Max Ernst Museum, Brühl, Germany; the Museum of Image and Sound, São Paulo, Brazil; ArtisTree Gallery, Hong Kong; and Museo Franz Mayer, Mexico City, Mexico.

The exhibition features numerous works from Tim Burton’s early ages to the most recent project across mediums of sketches, paintings, drawings, photographs, maquettes and puppets he used for his film works, and life-sized sculptures. Along with the artist’s signature figure of Balloon Boy at the entrance of the exhibition are numerous, remarkable sculptures that were newly designed specifically for the exhibition.

Anyway, finally made the time to go check it out on a regular work, school day, not a holiday day in the broadest sense of the word. Took a half day off on Wednesday cos I hadn't taken the PTO yet this year.

Got there in the afternoon, only to find out that the card terminal is not working AT ALL. Of all the damn days. Despite walking to the Maybank outside to withdraw money (which I kind of have to anyway) and back, the card machine was still out of order. After minutes of staring daggers, I pulled out the cash for a ticket because me glaring wasn't gonna affect anything; I was so pissed I even paid the 40 cents cos I would really be mad if they told me they had no small change or whatever. 

But my mood was already kind of ruined by then; I might've actually bought some overpriced AF tchotchke from the gift shop if my mood wasn't sullied. Oh wells. Luckily by now, there are several ticketing promos so you're not stuck paying the full RM88 admission fee. So I used the Parkson membership card for 15% off, which was still better than nothing. 

Because of the no pictures and videos rule, I actually got to read every little placard in peace. It was nice not having to worry about photobombing some rando's soc med feed. It was just me and several other people inside, no kids (woo hoo).

There were several sections inside, so it wasn't all just one room, per se. If the 500 over pieces of art was including the napkin drawings, then correct lah, cos there were SO MANY napkin drawings on display there. I admit, having only ever seen a handful of his movies, it wasn't too bad. But not enough to go more than once. 

Van Gogh Alive

I might've heard about this all immersive experience of Vincent van Gogh's life and work in passing at some point. At best I'm only cognizant of the man's best known pieces - Starry Night, etc. 

When it was announced that there was gonna be a Van Gogh Alive happening in KL, I was like, okay. I guess because they need the foot traffic and also cos they got the space for it, it's at Pavilion Bukit Jalil. 

NGL, ticketing and admission was not that straightforward, especially if you bought it online at Cloudjoi (also a ticketing partner). Never got an email about reserving an entry time slot.

First time I went, there were so many people waiting outside, I was like, nope. To be fair, this was during the year end holidays, so joke was on me. 

So I tried again this week, but no where in the paperwork did it ever state (or maybe I missed it) that I needed to reserve a time slot for entry. So I had to scan a QR code and my time was 12.30 p.m. I had about an hour to kill wandering the mall some before coming back to go in. But this was CNY week and there's still people who's off the entire week on their own volition or who's work is closed for the week. So I had to queue to line up to go in. 

I know not to expect actual paintings (cos they're spread out in museums and art galleries around the world - I might've seen some of the actual ones in the Art Institute of Chicago many years ago), but if not for the 40+ minute presentation at the end, you could be in and out in about 30 minutes? (There was a corner where visitors can draw their own line drawings of the Van Gogh pieces, so that you could bring home to colour it in yourself?). 

If you want to take pics for the 'gram, then go for it - there's plenty of photo op thingies for that. Gift shop items are a bit hit and miss. 

Personally, once was enough. If you can get away with not paying full price (there's a walk-in discount for Maybank cardholders at the moment), please do - you'll just be mad that you overpaid for this. 

Eslite Spectrum KL - Members' preview

TL;DR - ehh for me

As a not that cheena kinda person, I didn't know about this bookstore until it was announced that it was opening in KL as their first SE Asian store.

In the weeks (or months) leading up to the grand opening, they've had membership recruitment ground events at the more cheena weekend bazaars, which involves downloading the app and signing up there. Unfortunately I didn't get any of the goodies at the most recent ground event because the short code they used for the OTP got overloaded and I probably wasn't the only one that couldn't sign up then. Normally most other businesses would've made it up to people for this by just giving them out regardless, but not this cheena company. So strike one there for me.

On the app, they give an incentive to check in on it every day leading up to the opening - luck of the draw vouchers. What I got were: vouchers for the other merchants in the store, free (black) coffee and some tickets to the members' preview event, which we had to RSVP by email. But rest of the days, nothing.

Used the PTO to go for the members' preview on Friday (cos I know Saturday would be a nightmare). The catch is I would have to spend money on the public transportation to get there cos I didn't want to deal with driving and parking in downtown KL on a weekday. Tried out the Park and Ride and rode the MRT down.

By the time I got there, it was almost noon and I didn't have to queue up (that long) to get in. Took them awhile to notice me waiting to check me in. 

I also had several free coffees to redeem at the in-store café, but apparently they were so swamped that they had to tell people that it would be at least half an hour or whatever. I was like, fine, I'll just walk around. I imagined that they must've wasted a lot of black coffee (which was all they would let anyone redeem; no condiments some more) that people either forgot to collect, or didn't want to wait for. When I eventually went back for it, they just handed me a freshly made one for someone else than to give me a lukewarm drink that also didn't correspond with the number on the receipt. Strike two. Members day also swamped already, they lagi not gonna survive when it open to the public.  

Was right in that the books had smaller square-footage (35% hor) than everything else they had going on. Only got one book, mostly for the GWP, which I kinda regretted because the book was hefty AF, and also no storewide members' discount or anything for the basic level (got also only applicable from Monday to Wednesday... poodah la). Strike three. 

In conclusion, will most likely only go back to use up whatever e-vouchers I could, but probably wouldn't bother to level up... cos not willing to spend RM800. 

When thumbprints are too messed up...

For as long as they've started enforcing biometric verification just about everywhere, the success rate for me (as in, getting it on the first or second try) has only been a handful of times over many years. I had been advised by many a bank employee about getting a letter from JPN about my thumbprints. 

So I finally got around to resolve that. 

Drove to the tiny JPN office in Kota Damansara after lunch. (By tiny, I mean shoplot). By the time I got there, it was already past 2 p.m. and there was a line outside (crowd control?). Got parking right away, which is always a plus.

(Yes I know the one in PJ New Town is closer, but last time I checked, on site parking for the hoi polloi is kinda limited there and I wasn't in the mood to burn petrol looking for parking across the road) 

The line outside the place is just so people don't bumrush that first counter we all go to for the queue number. Told the first lady that I needed a letter for my thumbprints and I got a special needs queue number (I was behind a lady who's probably registering a birth) and not with everyone else getting ICs or whatever. 

Less than 15 minutes later, it was finally my turn and I told a different lady that I needed a letter from them stating that my thumbprints are too fucked up for biometric verification. Turns out that letter is called a "chip content" letter which just prints out the info contained in the chip. For RM5 a letter, I would say that it's a good side hustle for them. They should make the letter wallet sized or something, or give people another card to carry? 

Probably took almost an hour, the bulk of that time was spent waiting. Is it RM5 well spent? We shall soon find out. 

NB. I had heard/read that they don't print the ICs here, which is why you can't get your ICs right away at this particular branch. My tip is you might as well go to a bigger branch unless you don't mind waiting for awhile for new IC. 

URoot Spa, Acroris Mont Kiara (FunNow)

Had been wanting to try out an Urban Retreat spa group property for awhile, but just never got to it lah.

Made an appointment to try the Relaxing Sleep massage (60 or 80 minutes) at URoot at Arcoris Mont Kiara on the FunNow app cos got promo code (my referral code: XG7UP8G) and Sunday was the last day to use it. Figured why not cos it was a weekend.  

Was contacted over WhatsApp the next morning that the slot I wanted was fully booked and the only one left was gonna be at 7.30 p.m.. Ok then. 

Didn't really have dinner per se (had fruit and leftover cake) before making my way over to Mont Kiara. Because I was early for the appointment (we started way before 7.30 p.m.), at least the staff get to knock off earlier cos (I'm guessing) I was the last appointment of the day.

First thing that comes to mind about the place is that it's erm, cosy. Not all the staff there were familiar with the app (cos they have to key in my redemption code on their end), but worked out okay lah - I got a massage, they got their money. 

Was lead to a room in the back - it was minimally furnished in a good way. 

Hadn't realised that there was a heating pad on the massage table until I saw the sign afterwards - I thought the whole bed was heated? Perhaps I should've asked if it was adjustable because it got a little too warm for me personally, on top of this heat wave of late.

The massage itself was pretty relaxing for all intents and purposes, and I'm saying this as someone who's ticklish and doesn't have a high pain tolerance for deep tissue massage moves. Do yourself a favour, spend the extra scratch and go for the 80 minutes. 

Didn't take them up on the charger and hair brush loan,
but dunno if they would in these times

Prices are not exactly cheap, but kinda worth it. Also wouldn't mind going back (or checking out other properties) with the right time and opportunity? 

NB.

• Dunno what's up with the UEM buildings in the area in that their parking lots is not for bigger sedan to navigate one. 
• Probably should've parked at 163 Retail next door and walked, cos I ended up driving all the way down to LG5 (from LG1) to pay parking before I could leave. Parking mahal lagi (RM2 an hour). 
• Driving to Mont Kiara is kinda unnerving for me because one wrong move and you can end up on the Penchala Link, paying toll AND no way to u-turn back for quite some time. 
• FunNow is more like FunNow? or FunMaybe because you might get asked to reschedule your requested appointments, so ymmv. 

JPJ Kiosk - Road Tax Printing

Renewed the road tax online on MySikap and drove myself over to the local JPJ office to print the thing because it's not something you can print on a home printer. I know I can also do it at a post office (even the mall ones over the weekend), but the road tax is too damn expensive and not since the commission had gone up to RM2.50. 

If nothing else, today I found out where this branch's self-service kiosks was and they were both in a room right next to the security booth, which I never realised until I asked the kaunter saringan inside. 

The only catch was only one of those kiosks was working and it was the one designated for the professional JPJ runners. So I was waiting outside in the sun for the longest time while the runners were doing their stacks. It's like waiting behind people who are depositing stacks of cheques at the ONE working cheque deposit machine at the bank, it's maddening. 

Some more no shade. WTFBBQ.

I dunno how long I was out there (maybe 10 minutes? felt longer cos of how hot it was, even with an umbrella) as I watched a runner help the guy ahead of me (who was wasting everyone's time and space, based on what I managed to overhear because what he needed wasn't gonna be in there). By this time, there were a couple of runner uncles behind me who seemed annoyed that I was ahead of them in line. 

By the time it was my turn at the kiosk, the uncle behind me was erm, "helping"/rushing me through the process, which ended up being a tad helpful (had no time to dither about because he was telling me which options to press on the screen). I think he was more relieved than me that I was finally done. 

Methinks it was probably faster had I chosen to do it over the counter, but at least now I know what the kiosk user experience is like. Will probably do it over the counter next time.  

Wisdom tooth extraction

I've been feeling some discomfort in the upper left wisdom tooth for weeks, if not months now; since before I last got my teeth scaled and polished this year. Feels sensitive when there's pressure, exposure to cold drinks, even a draft... Even when I go for the upper lip IPL follow up treatments. But the prospect of going through a dental extraction in one's thirties is daunting, ngl. 

There's only so much googling you can do to be more informed/freak yourself out. Finally had enough (I don't think I can take another weekend, and it's a holiday weekend coming up) and WhatsApp-ed a couple of nearby dental clinics what their charges were (cos as millennials, we hate making phone calls) for wisdom tooth extraction. Made an appointment with one but had to wait until the next morning. So yeah, another night of mild agony. 

Next morning, found street parking (on a working Monday morning, yay - or maybe I was just that early) and there was already an auntie (always the aunties la) ahead of me (despite being told that 9.30 was the "first slot" of the day?). Took some time to register as it was my first time, so that killed some time. Didn't have to wait that long (10 minutes past the appointed time?) before I was in the chair. 

After the consult and examination, the dentist went down to it - she applied some numbing gel (which was so bitter I almost choked because I didn't get to the rinse fast enough) on the gums before the local anesthesia injection. I think there was some twisting and yanking (my eyes were closed most of the time so to not stress myself out more than I already was going in), but the bugger was finally out.

(Sorry no pics, just cos I didn't want to. I'm sparing everyone the sight of it)

Long story short - the reason I was in pain despite the filling on top is because the decay was along the DAMN GUM LINE. No wonder the last dentist didn't see anything (but props to her for attempting to save the tooth and not just suggest taking it out willy nilly). 

I suppose I should count my lucky stars that upper wisdom teeth are easier to extract if they're already erupted (at least mine are), and that the others are still alright so far. Also that the dentist didn't try to add on scaling, polishing or scare me into MOS (minor oral surgery) or a root canal, etc which would be more way more expensive than a simple extraction. Was mostly prescribed some panadol-esque pain killers and gauze balls for the bleeding. And was super glad that I was only charged for a simple extraction, even with all the pain management. 

Also got an MC for the day. but still went back to the office for some stuff before I felt overwhelmed (I was still anesthetized and bleeding through a few gauze balls in short order) and left early.

24 hours later - still some bleeding (based on the gauze balls), some discomfort in the area.. Hope it recovers nicely?

First Impressions: Pavilion Bukit Jalil

With plenty of leave left this year, I took one of those days to go check out Pavilion Bukit Jalil, which finally opened.

First problem: ALL THE ILLEGALLY PARKED CARS NEAR THE RESIDENTIAL AREA CLOGGING UP THE ROADS. WTFBBQ.

Between the roads being closed and parked cars clogging up one of the roads in, it took me about 15 minutes (maybe more) to find a way into the parking lot... which luckily, was free for the next few days. But still. Still got the parking ticket in my wallet now cos the exit gantries were wide open at exit, so...

If you're driving from PJ and taking the Bukit Jalil highway, the Waze directions sucks balls (more than usual; I swear Waze is like the 21st century version of Michelin award in that they're in cahoots for you to spend more time in your car driving in circles). There's a least a bunch more entrances that it leads on, personally (if you're on the Bukit Jalil highway from PJ) I would stick to keep straight, on the left lane (don't go on the ramp) until you see a parking entrance and go there. Don't do what I did and waste time navigating the clogged roads, traffic cops and people more sesat than me. 

Second issue: NOT ENOUGH OPEN EATERIES (?)

All the F&B places that opened today were SWAMPED. I get that it's their first day of business and they have to maintain pandemic SOP for dine-in or whatever, but there were lines to go in EVERYWHERE, even the supermarket (The Food Merchant, which is basically by the people behind Village Grocer) took 20 minutes to get into. 

I dunno if the sudden announcement of a Federal Territories day off had anything to do with the sudden influx of people (it might have?) on what was supposed to be a usual work day, but yah. Even the lines for the goodie bag redemption (methinks they might've set the bar too low with the RM10 minimum spend for a goodie bag and spin - I didn't even bother for my second RM10-something receipt I had because I didn't want to go back in line for a third time). 

I will admit that I might've snapped at some people because of how cranky/hangry I got. Yes, you might have a point in that I brought this unto myself, but still. So you might want go on a full stomach if you want to meander there over the weekend. 

Yup, they brought the Spanish steps to Bukit Jalil

What's in the bag? Well... 

I would say this is not too shabby; no wonder can give out so many of them

Parking is not too shabby; could be worse?

I would say it's (AT BEST) 30% of the place is actually up and running. Also, the place is too damn big lah. 

It's only Friday and already it's such a clusterfuck, I don't even want to imagine how it would be over the weekend lah, even with free parking. So, good luck and god speed? 

No hurry to go back there any time soon la for me, even when everything else opens in the future...