Concert Bucket List

Bored to death with the acts local promoters are bringing in; which I understand why because of the politics (PUSPAL, sponsors, banning, etc) and also the ease of cost recouping, but really, they're not doing a really good job of getting my money. 

Though I saw Muse, Mogwai and The Cranberries in KL, but there was no way Coldplay, Aqualung or even anyone else I want to see would come here, like EVER.

So here's a list of acts that I have yet to catch, whether here or overseas (and by that I mean Singapore :P)...

1. Radiohead - Top of the list. For the usual reasons.
2. Sigur Ros - with them only stopping in Singapore THIS November, this might be my only shot of seeing them. Ideally I would want to see them in their homeland of Iceland, but... oh well.
3. Travis - even though I didn't care for that last album... or two.
4. Mew
5. James Blunt - I know he's stopped by Singapore a few times now, but I've just been lazy/timing, etc.
6. 30 Seconds to Mars - Have to get over shouty Jared Leto first.
7. Franz Ferdinand - even though I've only really liked their self-titled debut album.
8. Garbage - Wouldn't mind. Like their stuff as a 90s child. 
9. Snow Patrol
10. The Fray - why not?

How to Watch Blockbuster Movies for Free in the Klang Valley

One of the perks about living in the Klang Valley is that one can never run out of things to do, and one of those things are free movie screenings. As members of the public, we might not get to attend press screenings (unless you're actually a member of the press) or go to the film festivals overseas, but we get what we can get. I haven't paid to watch too many movies for the last few years (of course I've paid to see a few, but that's besides the point), usually those I wouldn't necessary pay to watch. Because of movie piracy, we in the East get some movies days before the West and some screenings happen several days (up to a week) before - no complaints from me.

If you're willing to pay to watch movies, more power to you; this is strictly for cheapskates only.

Watching movies gratis as a member of the hoi polloi depends on several factors, which are:

1. Time - As these screenings are typically held on week nights and assuming you have a day job, you either have a job that you get leave on time for, or you have someone else who does and could queue up for tickets for you.
2. Location, location, location - Unless you've been dying to watch a particular movie, the closer the screening is to you, the better. There comes a point where it's cheaper to just pay to watch it near you than to travel too far to watch it for free. The rush hour traffic? Not worth it.
3. Flexibility and open-mindedness - As seating at free screenings are usually first come first served, so you don't actually get to pick where you're seated unless you're there ridiculously early. Remember, you're not paying to watch it.

1. The Star - 

• Cutout coupon in the feature about a particular movie title or online at eCentral, their entertainment portal.
• Collecting the passes varies between collecting them at Menara Star on a weekday morning (which is why you see retirees/college students lining up for these things way too early in the morning), 
• or at the cineplex foyer an hour before the screening. Of course the retirees would be in line TWO hours before, that's how kiasu they are.
• Major cons: Crazy long line, and the chance of good seats decreases the more retirees are in line before you. 
• Crowd: Mostly retirees and/or college students.

2. Nuffnang/Advertlets - They usually have free preview screenings for members, so if you're a Klang Valley-based blogger, you might want to sign up. For Nuffnang, you have to be Glitterati (theirs ads only on your blog and not other companies') as a minimum requirement. I've probably only been to a small percentage of their screenings because of the selection.

• Screenings are announced on their websites, so it pays to check the sites as often as you can. The contest mechanics for tickets also varies, but usually it's not too difficult -  I've gotten tickets for some of the worst/ingeniously simple stuff EVER.
• Seating: First come, first served; movie merch (if any) usually goes to the first few people in line, so it does pay to be early.
• You know it's a blogger event when you see camera flashes go off everywhere.
• Crowd: Younger crowd, working adults, not too many retirees.

3. Magazines - If you're a magazine reader, there's plenty to choose from; I'm going to use Time Out KL in this example, but you get the gist.

• You email Time Out at the designated email address about the specific screening they have for the month. 
• You'll get a confirmation code in return and you fill out the cutout in the current issue if you have it to give it to them at the counter before the screening. 

4. Radio - I've had better luck being nth text in than if I were to try calling. Mileage may vary. 

5. In season movie passes - Usually means you can't watch a particular title early in its cinema run; you have to wait until it has been *-listed a few weeks after.

6. Social media - Sometimes movie ticket giveaways happen on Twitter and Facebook if you follow or Like the right accounts. If you're going to be on there a lot, you might as well get something out of it.

7. Other contests - where ever you can spot them, go for it! 

I know I probably missed a few, so let me know.

Not the 50 books you must read before you die

The Telegraph's got a piece on (basically) 50 most overrated books, called "Not the 50 books you must read before you die". It's tongue in cheek, naturally - but the commentary about each title elicited a chuckle. I know I'm never attempting most of the books on the list, but I'm guilty of reading some of items here.

The titles in bold I've read cover to cover.

1. Ulysses by James Joyce - Err... no.
2. Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell - I may or may not have it somewhere in my room, but I doubt that I'll ever read it.
3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - not a fan of Austen
4. Emma by Jane Austen - ditto
5. Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D H Lawrence
6. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
7. The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald
8. Tender is the Night by F Scott Fitzgerald
9. Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
10. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
11. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
12. The Outsider by Albert Camus
13. Candide by Voltaire
14. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
15. The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
16. Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Choderlos de Laclos - I actually read through this; stick to Dangerous Liaisons or Cruel Intentions; the latter only if you're under 35.
17. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
18. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky - didn't get very far; he's the reason I hate Russian authors.
19. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - I always see this, but don't care enough to pick up, let alone read.
20. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson - it's okay, I can do without this.
21. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert - ditto
22. Portnoy’s Complaint by Philip Roth
23. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S Thompson
24. Snobs by Julian Fellowes
25. A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking - okay, who's actually read through this cover-to-cover and enjoyed it?
26. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
27. A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka - The cover always caught my eye, but not enough to actually buy to read it.
28. Polo by Jilly Cooper
29. Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks
30. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
31. Does Anything Eat Wasps? by the New Scientist - I wanted to read this.
32. Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus by John Gray - I think I have this somewhere, but I never finished.
33. The Game by Neil Strauss
34. The Female Eunuch by Germaine Greer - oft-mentioned in the early Adrian Mole books, but not about to pick it up.
35. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell - heard this on audio (narrated by Gladwell himself); the gist is to be good at anything you need at least 10,000 hours of practice. There - I've saved you time and money. You're welcome.
36. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie - didn't have to buy this, Dad already had a copy lying around.
37. The Fry Chronicles by Stephen Fry - read it. Glad I didn't buy it. Still preferred Moab is My Washpot.
38. Status Anxiety by Alain de Botton
39. Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt - read this; didn't want to read Teacher Man, the follow up :P
40. A Journey by Tony Blair - eh?
41. Courage by Gordon Brown - really?
42. Jordan: Pushed to the Limit by Katie Price - former Mrs Peter Andre? I don't think so.
43. Saturday by Ian McEwan
44. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières - there's a reason why you always see this book at Payless Books warehouse sales, I'm just saying. And the movie with Nic Cage doesn't really help its cause, either.
45. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown - Come on, who hasn't read this or seen the movie?
46. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - Does it count if I've read this on PDF?
47. Harry Potter… by JK Rowling - Yes, I've read this (of course)
48. One Day by David Nicholls
49. Scouting for Boys by Robert Baden-Powell
50. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov - there may or may not be a copy lying around somewhere, but I'm not about to read it.

You have GOT TO READ the original piece - it's snarky hilarious :) 

Related articles

• Not the 50 books you must read before you die (telegraph.co.uk)

My Love/Hate for KLPac

KLPAC (short for KL Performing Arts Centre) is located at Sentul Park on Jalan Strachan (off Jalan Ipoh) "is a not-for-profit company dedicated to the practice of traditional and contemporary performing arts, as well as education and community outreach." (from the website)

What I love about KLPac and Sentul Park

• The picturesque quality - it's such a pretty place (especially the surrounding park area), it's become a stop for bridal photography.
• The drive from the main road to KLPac itself - a scenic drive, if I may say so myself.
• The architecture of KLPac.
• KLPac's Pentas 1, especially the comfy, colourful seats. That alone is a reason why I prefer KLPac over Lot 10.
• I'm surprised that I can still make it to night shows at all, early even. As long as it's not in the middle of downtown...

What's a bitch about KLPac and Sentul Park

• The speed bumps on the long stretch from the guard house to the tiny roundabout - I know you don't want people speeding on that stretch, but still.
• It's a freaking long walk from the guard house to KLPac, whether it's during the day (when it's too hot or wet), or at night (where it's too dark and poorly lit).
• No direct train access - unless you're talking about the Sentul station on the KTM route where it's only open around Thaipusam, and even then it's no stroll to get to KLPac.
• I can't even go by public transport even if I wanted to from PJ - I still have to drive.
• Don't get me started on the parking situation, especially during major events.

Related articles

• Chic POP/KLPac Open Day (lifeasacynic.blogspot.com)
• Urbanscapes 2010 at KLPac (lifeasacynic.blogspot.com)

Birthday wish list - Limited Edition Moleskines!

Yes, I got sucked into the Moleskine notebook craze - the collecting of the limited edition Moleskines part, anyway. Getting these is one thing, actually using them is another. The pursuit is always more fun than the actual capture.

1. Marc Jacobs Moleskine

As this is a Barney's item which I can't get without having to pay through the nose for a couple of these (haven't found a way to get them from outside the US), I'd put this at the top of the list for difficulty in procurement.

Image from Harpers Bazaar

2. Peanuts 60th Anniversary edition

I already have the one on the extreme right, I just kinda want the other three to complete the collection.

3. Woodstock 40th Anniversary

I already have the one on the extreme right, but the other three would be nice to round it all up.

There's also the Pacman Anniversary one, but that's optional.

Please and thank you.

5 Actors Whose Accents Fooled Me

Accents that are not one's own is not an easy skill to master, so anytime I'm surprised by a person's accent is not a bad thing. I will not mention Hugh Laurie because it goes without saying.

1. Alex O' Loughlin (Hawaii Five-O) - I'm probably the last person on the planet that recently found out he's Australian. To be fair, I've never seen any of his previous work prior to H5O. Though it's a little odd that his American accent sounds like he's from both Boston AND New York, go figure.

It's either this or a shirtless pic of him out of the ocean ala Daniel Craig

2. Julian McMahon - Okay, I KNOW he's Australian and he still has his accent (some) on talk shows and interviews, but after years of watching him on Charmed, nip/tuck as well as the Fantastic Four movies, I sometimes forget that he's not American.

3. James Marsters - Slap me stupid for not knowing that he's American and that his British accent on Buffy and Angel all those years ago was put on. I've been fooled all these years. Or I didn't think too much about it. Well, I was fooled all the same.

4. Owain Yeoman (The Mentalist) - Well okay, I sorta remember that he's Welsh and that his American accent's a little put on at times on the show, but I also can't knock on every non-American on the show...

5. Alan Dale - The big and small screen token villain is from freaking NEW ZEALAND, which never comes to my mind whenever I watch him on TV. Well done, sir.

Notice that I haven't mention a Scotsman in the list (that's for another post). Apart from that, any more suggestions?

You Know You're From PJ When...

1. You tell people that Taman S.E.A and S.E.A. Park are not the same place.
2. You have to tell people that Section 14 and SS14 are not the same area.
3. Despite the lack of proper street names, the area numbers make sense to you.
4. In fact, when you drive out of PJ, you curse at the dead people the roads are named after cos they're so long and similar sounding.
5. You've been to Murni or one of its branches at least once this year.
6. You know where William's is and how to find it.
7. Warehouse sales are a way of life - you don't buy anything you know you can find in a warehouse sale cheaper down the road.
8. You wake up early on weekends or take emergency leave for certain warehouse sales.
9. You remember the days there was only Damansara Jaya and Damansara Utama.
10. You get offended when out-of-towners clump PJ and KL as "KL".
    And...
11. If you're reading and nodding and this makes any sense to you.

Why I Wouldn’t Want Kids

(Of course it's easy for me to say all these things as someone who cannot visualise being married, let alone have kids. I'm not saying I won't, I'm just being realistic)

1. Planet overpopulation
   
   The planet is supporting nearly 7 billion people, which is no joking matter. There are people who want kids but can't, those who don't that do, and those who grossly exceeded the quota number of children per family (read: Duggars and Gosselins)…
   
   I say if you want kids, just adopt - there are plenty of orphans out there. Also, your figure also won't be "ruined" by pregnancy… :P
   
   If you're married and you're choosing not to have kids for any reason, I'll respect you for it and you'll be doing the rest of us a favour in more ways than one.
   
   
   
2. The world is not safe anymore
   

   A few generations ago it was still okay for kids to go the store by themselves or be out of the house for extended periods of time, never to be seen and heard until meal times. For my generation, it took a bit more for the parents to let you go anywhere alone than their parents did with them. Now you can't let the kids out of your sight because of the child abduction stories you see and hear in the news. These paranoid parents should've taught their children some street smarts.
   

   Not to mention the natural disasters and disease outbreaks… having a kid now means that they'll never have a childhood.
   
   

3. I'm not sure if I want a Mini-Me
   
   Having (and raising) kids is a gamble - they could be healthy (or not), successful (or not), great (or not), filial (or not). So you want kids to carry on the family name - big deal. Whole family lines have died out for some reason or another. Even if you do have kids: So many things can, might and will happen. I don't think I could take that chance. Not to mention the kid having half my genetics.... cannot lah. *shudder*

   Okay, if I looked anything like say, Angelina Jolie (or have her money), then I wouldn't mind lah.
   

   Which leads me to the next point…
   
   

4. Money, money, money
   

   Children are an investment with indeterminable returns – you're not sure if you'll get anything in return. Raising them safe and healthy is one thing, putting them through school (from pre-school to college) is another kettle of fish altogether.
   
   

5. Kids these days scare me
   
   Okay, the things they go through now scare me a little – school is a now worse pressure cooker than it was when I was in school. And that is saying something.
   
   
   
6. I don't think I would be a great role model
   

   To be fair, I don't think any parent thinks that they are and they're doing the best they can to aspire to that.
   

2010 Shopping/Wish List

If I had the loose change for these... this is just a partial list.

1. Mythbusters "Reject Your Reality" tee shirt ($24.95) - the infamous line uttered by Adam Savage on Mythbusters way back when.
2. Snoopy Moleskine ($21.95), Charles Schulz Museum store

(Image credit)

3. Woodstock edition Moleskine (last checked, they're RM88 each at CzipPlus) - four in the set, would like to have a set, even though I may never get round to actually using...(image found on moleskinerie.com)


4. Book darts (from $7.95 for a tin of 50) - still can't decide whether to get the tins or loose bulk :D

Rest of the list is pretty inane, so I'm gonna stop here.

My 10 Favourite Albums of the Decade

Because it's the end of another decade, everyone's got their "Best of" lists of the decade. So I'm gonna give it a go, just because it's a time when my taste in music has expanded beyond what's being played on the radio. Think I'll settle for ten. Here goes...(in no particular order) My only limitation was albums I liked from start to finish.

1. The Streets - Original Pirate Material
2. Radiohead - Kid A
3. Travis - 12 Memories
4. Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
5. Aqualung - Aqualung
6. Mew - And The Glass Handed Kites
7. Moby - Hotel (only album of his that I've ever bought, thought of getting 18, but that's another story)
8. Muse - Absolution
9. Sigur Rós - ( )
10. Keane - Hopes and Fears

Extra: Radiohead's In Rainbows - just cos.

5 Things You Don't Like to Kill, But Do Anyway

1. Cats
   
2. Dogs
3. Cockroaches
4. Mosquitoes
5. Lizards
   

Week 8, 2009 - Week of Procrastination

• Weather this week: Frigging hot. Even at night Mum likes that it's not cold, but it's too hot for the rest of us. It's only rained about three times, in short bursts.
  
  
• New season of The Amazing Race - woo hoo! They redid the opening credits and the theme song, which I didn't mind that much. Missed on the first half on the TV until I remembered that it might also be on YouTube. Heh. Stunt casting this season: a mother and deaf son pair, midget stuntmen brothers, and a pair of rednecks who had never left the country before.
  
  
• Missed out on getting a ticket to the Coldplay gig in Singapore next month as the good seats are already taken. Don't worry, I'm not upset about that. Next tour, lor... unless they disband in the next few years...
  
  
• Bought three books: Ben Elton's Dead Famous, Sarah Vowell's Assasination Vacation (not sure if I'll get round to reading it, but I guess the sibling might get a kick out of it), and James McGee's Ratcatcher.
  
  
• My copy of Howard Schultz's Pour Your Heart into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time that I ordered from Better World Books arrived in the post Thursday, which was just as well because...
  
  
• First saman this year. The occasional RM50 saman also cheaper than me paying parking everyday. Asked the pater to pay for me cos I can't do it myself (Update: The pater got it down to RM30 - woo hoo!)
  
  
• Thinking about catching the weekend performance of the The Actors Studio@BSC Farewell Gala, but haven't gotten round to getting tickets yet. Meant to on Thursday, then I just plain forgot. No more tickets. Oh well.
  
  
• Also thinking of a day trip to Singapore... or specifically, just Orchard Road. Fly in the morning and take the last flight back. Don't like the place enough to stay too long. Guess I should start writing a shopping list if I want to make the trip worth the effort.
  
  
• Conan's last week as the host of Late Night with Conan O' Brien before he starts his stint as the host of The Tonight Show and before Jimmy Fallon takes over the time slot.
  

Pros and cons

Got to refine the pro-con list as the tickets finally go on sale today.

Pros

• It has been a couple of years
  
  
• Passport won't go to waste
  
  
• Been meaning to go down to Orchard again, or at the very least HMV and Kinokuniya
  
  
• Could go stock up on Panadol...
  
  
• At least I know where the Singapore Indoor Stadium is and what not to bring (backpacks)

Cons

• Tickets are damn expensive because it's Coldplay (who are on some list of being one of the planet's most expensive live acts)
  
  
• Felt shortchanged the last round
  
  
• The actual travelling I cannot stand - do I want to fly or take the bus?
  

Week 7, 2009

• I learned what a whale tail [Potentially NSFW] is, and
  
  
• What a glabella is.
  
  
• Bought a ticket to this year's Sunburst at the Axcess box office in 1U the night before the launch/lineup announcement at Pavilion Friday night. Not sure if I want to go to find out for myself. Worse to come to worst (vis a vis actual lineup) I'll try to sell it off before the day, or else I'll just go cos I already paid for it. Not relishing the thought of the parking situation in Bukit Kiara Equestrian on that day.
  
  
• Torturous week at work because the work PC's acting up and until today, no internet as well. Just great. WTF.
  
  
• Except for Thursday, it poured every single evening in PJ. Bottom of new slacks wet every time, but that's just cos I should've altered them another inch. Sigh. Must remember to do so once they're washed.
  
  
• Got an appointment for my free 45 minute Clinique facial on Monday evening, which I admit is not the greatest time slot, but at least I got it done. And Monday is, after all, a state holiday.
  
  
• I found a Newton's cradle (the small for RM28) at the inQbox (a personal must-see) in Midvalley when I was there Sunday night. It's one of those things I always wanted, but would now be cluttering the desk at home (though not at work, but it may annoy some people...).
  
  
• Bro's doing the nasal irrigation with the neti pot Mum bought for him. Currently trying to get used to the routine.
  

Reality Competition Programs...

No thanks to Survivor, there's now a whole slew of televised, reality competitive programming everywhere. Here's a list of shows I know of which features specific occupational groups:

1. Models - dime a dozen, but most people would know of America's Next Top Model... Argue all you want about modelling not being an actual career.
   
   
2. Fashion designers - Project Runway
   
   
3. Fashion stylists - Stylista
   
   
4. Singers - Pick one: American Idol, Akademi Fantasia, etc
   
   
5. Dancers - So You Think You Can Dance?
   
   
6. Interior designers - Top Design
   
   
7. Chefs - Top Chef, Hell's Kitchen
   
   
8. Hair stylists - Shear Design
   
   
9. Dog groomers (shit you not) - Groomer Has It
   
   
10. Dog trainers

I'm sure I missed a few, but there you go.

Shopping/Wish List

Some things that I'm thinking of getting...

• BRADA laptop support (RM79; IKEA) - Belkin sells theirs for RM120 locally (and AFAIK, Belkin's pretty expensive) and I've not seen any other equivalent in the Valley. Sounds like a bargain now : P
  
  
  
  
  

• KOMPLEMENT shoe box (RM49 for 4; IKEA) - Just because. Still think they're a little pricey though, so this is more of a KIV sort of thing. I can't help but think that I could probably find a cheaper Japanese equivalent if I made an effort to look.
  
  

• Uni-ball Kuru Toga Auto Lead Rotation Mechanical Pencil - it automatically rotates as you write so the lead gets uniform wear so the tip stays pointy. Trust the Japanese to come up with these things you never thought you'd need. For some stupid reason, I want this despite the fact that I'm not in school anymore and don't really use mechanical pencils in my everyday life at the moment. I bugged Cziplee last month about this pencil over Twitter and they say they'll get back to me about it this year (which they haven't, so far). I wonder if I should try Kinokuniya next.

More mixed updates

1. It's official: them damn cats are now (might as well be) pets - just ones that aren't welcomed into the house, haha.
   
   
2. Cousin asked me to buy the Bobbi Brown Copper Diamond Deluxe mini brush set (it's a holiday thing) for her pretty sure because there aren't any Bobbi Brown counters or stores in JB (I think). Might as well get one for myself, too. Am only getting it on Saturday (called the BB counter at 1U [don't ask how I have the number] earlier in the evening; was told they still had plenty - but will call again later in the week to check again, just in case) and she said she'd pay me back when she comes up to KL after Christmas.
   
   
3. 10 more days to Christmas. Most of the office will be gone on the 26th. As far as I know it's only me and another colleague who's not taking the day off (don't see the point really, seeing as I don't celebrate it and I'm not one for taking leave when everyone else does). Not sure if anyone else with keys to the office will be coming into work; or else we were thinking of self declaring the day off, haha. I just hope that the boss is gone as well... hope springs eternal.
   
   
4. Watching Mamma Mia! the stage musical at Istana Budaya on Friday night - friend Jacky's got 2 free tickets from her company. Might as well go since it's free, right? Must remember that the dress code's no tee shirts, jeans, sneakers... oy.
   

Random updates

1. Got the jeep back from the shop yesterday. Paint job's so good it looks new.
   
   
2. Dad's leaving for China tomorrow morning. He's supposed to wake up at 2 a.m., leave the house at 3 for the nearly 6 a.m. flight. Oy. I was just saying how he shouldn't bother sleeping cos he's waking up at 2 (which is what time I would sleep during the weekends and eve of public holidays like tonight...)....
   
   
3. Tomorrow's Sultan's birthday. Thank goodness for state hols. Might go to Midvalley. See how it goes. Need to see if I can find a new pair of sneakers I like.
   
   
4. Took Friday off just cos. Might go to PC Fair. It'll be a first in a long time that I'm there on a Friday. But it doesn't mean that it's going to be any less crowded.
   
   
5. Apek's wedding on Saturday. I hope I can wake up. I hope the carpool plan comes through.
   

My Hard and Fast Shopping Rules

With the Year End Sale (YES - that's what the gahmen is calling the Malaysia Mega Sale this time) going on at the moment and as I hit the malls and the sales whenever I can, I have to keep these "rules" in mind before I crack the wallet open.

1. If it ain't half off, it ain't on sale.

Took this one from The Nanny, which I can't help but agree with. 10% discount is a joke, especially for books or clothes. Magazines, maybe. I don't bother going in unless I spot a 50% discount sign somewhere in the store.

2. If I can't pronounce the brand name, I'm not about to buy it.

I can't stand to hear people butcher brand names, especially the cheena people who probably bought their "genuine imitation" items from Petaling Street or Bangkok. Most Western brands are easy enough to sound out: Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, etc. There's this ONE brand I still haven't found out how to pronounce: XOXO. Do you say it as it is, or is it "Hugs and Kisses" (as it would be called when corresponding with someone)? I am confused.

3. If the sale is too far, don't bother.

Unless it's got brands that you actually like and buy, the petrol and other expenses is not worth the trip. Not even for the heck of it. Save your time and your money.

4. If I can't figure out what it is in 5 seconds, don't expect me to buy it.

A lot of times I stare at something on the rack, like a short skirt and the first question I ask myself is: Is that a top or bottom? Then I waste more time sticking my hand in to yank out the tag to see the description before dismissing it.

5. If I can't figure out how to wear it, I'm not buying it.

If you want me to buy something, you had better tell me how to at least WEAR it before I would think about buying it. I passed up on pareos (sarongs), certain wrap tops because of this rule (and because I have no real reason to wear said items).

30 Books Everyone Should Read before Their 30th Birthday

How many of these have YOU read? Source here.

1. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
   
   
2. 1984 by George Orwell - Have it, still not in the mood to go into it.
   
   
3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - Love this one. ✔
   
   
4. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess - Getting past the Nadstat, otherwise still working on it.
   
   
5. For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway - Not very likely.
   
   
6. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy - Ditto.
   
   
7. The Rights of Man by Tom Paine - Yep.
   
   
8. The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
   
   
9. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
   
   
10. The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
    
    
11. The Wisdom of the Desert by Thomas Merton
    
    
12. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell - already read Blink, but don't mind this too.
    
    
13. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham
    
    
14. The Art of War by Sun Tzu
    
    
15. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien - skipped quite a bit. ✔
    
    
16. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
    
    
17. Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot
    
    
18. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
    
    
19. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
    
    
20. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger - read it, it's not bad. ✔
    
    
21. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - tried it, couldn't finish. Too long for me.
    
    
22. The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
    
    
23. Walden by Henry David Thoreau
    
    
24. The Republic by Plato
    
    
25. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
    
    
26. Getting Things Done by David Allen
    
    
27. How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie - read this one ages ago. Pretty relevent despite the fact that it's decades old. ✔
    
    
28. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
    
    
29. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck - NO STEINBECK :P
    
    
30. The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
    
    
31. BONUS: How To Cook Everything by Mark Bittman
    
    
32. BONUS: Honeymoon with My Brother by Franz Wisner