Subang Jaya Book Exchange Programme

I've been told about the Subang Jaya Book Exchange Programme awhile ago online (thanks to Mamarazzi and her occasional posts about it). I sat on the intel for a few months and finally went for my first one a few months back.

Just because it's the Subang Jaya Book Exchange Programme doesn't mean it's strictly for Subang residents. Some people (like yours truly) come from outside Subang too.

Anyhow, the actual exchanging takes place two Sundays a month from 3 - 5 p.m. at the USJ2 Community Hall on Jalan USJ 2/4S (If you're using your GPS, you can use the nearby Al-Mukmin mosque as a Point of Interest). Took me a few times before I could get there without the GPS device.

Selection available (as of last exchange) seem to be mostly American authors like Hunter S. Thompson, etc. I personally do a lot of book clearing more than book picking-up, but I picked a few books anyway. You never know what you're gonna find, so bring a few books you're no longer reading and just go already.

The last exchange of the year (Facebook event link) is happening on Sunday, 16th December. Stop by if you're so inclined.

Big Bad Wolf is back...!

It's that time of year again.... 

THE BIG BAD WOLF BOOKS SALE!!

Klang Valley-ites (and beyond) wait all year for this sale for the (relatively) cheap, pretty good condition, remaindered books.

This year they're bringing things up a few notches with this... 

They are going to STAY OPEN for the first weekend of the sale, starting from 6.30 a.m. on Friday all the way to 9.30 p.m. on Sunday. That's what I call an ambitious undertaking. 

I will say now that I value what little sleep I get to be there so early on a Friday morning. I'll be there when I can, the 3 million books can wait.

I'm thinking either Friday night or Saturday morning personally, but I don't know yet... How about anyone else?

Guess who's back?

Good news: There will be a Big Bad Wolf Books sale this year.

Bad news: It's only happening in December.

Nothing on where it's gonna be at yet, but with three million books up for grabs this year, it could bloody well be anywhere at this point. 

On the plus side - we have a few months to save up / find kaki  and ride to go (yes, it is a road trip of itself). And people can shop for their holiday gifts too. Convenient yes, coincidence? I think not. Haha.

As usual, they're giving out preview passes for the diehard lucky sods, but I've never been that kind of lucky. While that would be nice, but I don't mind going with the rest of the population.

Mark your calendars - actual ones, Facebook events, Google Calendar or iCalendars...

The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr

While I am not a fan of the Bard personally and glad I never had to study the man's work seriously for academic credit (Sonnet 18 for SPM doesn't exactly count), but when I heard that this show (The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr) is being staged here in KL, I knew I had to go see. 

From the KLPac website...

The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged) is a parody of the 36 plays written by William Shakespeare with all of them being performed (in shortened form). Think of Monty Python, Malaysian style as you are admittedly entertained by live-action, improvisation and, highly-goofy antics by only three actors. 

The play was written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield, former founding members of the Reduced Shakespeare Company, and first performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1987 and later played at the Criterion Theatre in London, where it ran for nine record-breaking years. It has become one of the world’s most popular shows, playing frequently in a variety of languages. It is notable for holding the (self-proclaimed) world record for the shortest-ever performance of Hamlet, clocking in at 43 seconds. 

Featuring: Charles Donnelly, Kingsley Judd & Gavin Yap

Directed by: Joe Hasham OAM

It's playing at Pentas 2, KLPac from 21 - 25 March and in Penang from 29 March - 1 April.

If you haven't bought a ticket by now... well, since it's free seating at Pentas 2, it hardly matters. I bought my ticket early.

Check out the BFM interview here with director Joe Hasham (the "voice" of BFM :D) and Kingsley Judd.

Malaysia Social Media Week 2012

Got an invitation this week to the 2012 Malaysia Social Media Week (MSMW) trailer event tomorrow afternoon at Berjaya Times Square, but I'm not feeling up to it. But good to know MSMW is only next month.

ABOUT Malaysia Social Media Week (MSMW)

Malaysia Social Media Week (MSMW) is a national event connecting people, content and conversations around emerging trends in social and mobile media. Delivered through a network of creative conferences and streamed online through social media, SMW reaches an extensive network of people including C-level executives, entrepreneurs, journalists, bloggers, brand managers, social media strategists, students, artists, activists and the technology/media specialist), connecting and communicating ideas and experiences to advance our understanding of social media's role in society.

Social Media Week brings hundreds of thousands of people together through learning experiences that aim to advance our understanding of social media's role in society.

It's happening at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) from 13-17th February, 2012.

Anyone else going?

Gift cards I would not mind receiving

I don't understand what the fuss is about with gift cards - I personally wouldn't mind receiving them provided that I can actually USE them. I don't quite understand how they're tacky. That said, here's some gift cards I wouldn't mind getting...

1. $20 Amazon Gift Card - OMG, FOUR delivery options (Email, Facebook, Print and Mail)?! I want one just to try out the redemption options. Not sure if I can use it from here in Malaysia...

2. $25 or $40 iTunes gift card - I wonder if I could use the card to pay off my longstanding debt on the American iTunes store..

3. $75 eBay gift card - which would be sweet since I'm on eBay a lot..

Anyhow... *HINT HINT*

Bubble Gum Wax, Plaza Damas

Was invited to the opening of a new waxing place in Plaza Damas over the weekend called Bubble Gum Wax by my semi-regular former wax therapist (and Facebook friend) Joyce (who used to work at the Strip outlet at The Curve), who's there on a part time basis. So I decided to check it out as I was going to be in the area...

If you're semi-familiar with the area (like me), here's the walking directions: If you come out of Hartamas Shopping Centre towards Plaza Damas (Starbucks would be on your left), just cross the road once to the block across (a mamak on your left), turn right, walk past a bunch of eateries (including a bakery or two), and you'd find it. It's on the other side of the block facing TGI Fridays..

I didn't get to try the services for myself, but there's an opening promotion now where you only pay half price for either a Brazilian or a Boyzilian wax (one time use only) as well as a free cooling mask, the usual prices being RM98 and RM138 for hard wax, respectively.

If you see this, you're at the right place...

Buffet - didn't partake much as was still stuffed from earlier

Yes, I did some poking around. So here are some pictures..

At least there's a door AND curtains

Got to like the pink towel elephant...

It was the only room that wasn't occupied.

In case anyone thought I was lying..

I probably should've asked if the other waxing therapists there were former Striperellas (yeah, like how Starbucks calls their baristas "partners", that's what Strip calls their workforce), but I'm not that kaypoh.

PS. Was surprised House of Wax Sdn Bhd wasn't already taken til now.

PPS. Bubble Gum Wax is on Facebook.

Before I forget, here's where you can find Bubble Gum Wax:
F-1-7, Block F, Plaza Damas,
No. 60, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1,
Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.

Phone: 03 - 6211 5038
E-mail: bubblegumwax@gmail.com

How to Meet Rocco DiSpirito

If you're a fan of Rocco DiSpirito and have been following his TV career, you would know that he's got a new show on Bravo called Rocco's Dinner Party. 

To celebrate Rocco's Dinner Party, there is a "Watch and Win" competition on Facebook where one winner and their guest will get to meet Rocco himself and also to assist him during the NYC Food & Wine Festival in October. Prizes include a round trip airfare for two, two nights hotel stay in New York, and not forgetting tickets to the festival itself.

To participate, just tune in to Rocco's Dinner Party on Wednesday nights 10PM ET/9C, and answer three weekly questions about the episode in question. The more questions you answer, the higher the chances of winning! The contest goes live July 20th.

To find out more about the contest, click here.

Sadly, for legal reasons, the Watch and Win contest is for US residents only.

PS. While I don't really mind spreading the word about these things, but unless it's open to people OUTSIDE the US... it really doesn't concern me all that much. Trust me, I was baffled as well.

MACC - Three and a Half Men

It's time again for the MACC (Malaysian Association of Chinese Comedians) to put on another show, this time called Three and a Half Men (*groan*), this time with the addition of Dr Jason Leong (of The Twisted Stethoscope fame, a book which I actually paid for and read) either as a guest performer or a permanent addition, I have no idea. Who's the "half", I pun tak tau lah.

Starting Aug 16th all the way to the 21st (please check the show times yourself), admission is RM28 and RM38 on the 16th and 17th; whereas ticket prices for the rest of the run are RM38 and RM48 (all prices minus processing fee). If you're cheap and kiasu, you know which tickets to buy lah. 

I bought a ticket yesterday with my LIVE Card (which gives members 10% discount on PJLA admissions and RM1 off the RM2 processing fee) - there was a members' only row if you use it and it's numbered seating. The one cheap ticket came out to RM27.20, and I didn't get my physical ticket then as the server was down and I could still collect at least half an hour before the show on the day itself.

If you liked the previous MACC shows, you have to go for this one (see how I'm not hard selling?) - you can buy it online here and also in person at the PJLA box office, although if you work office hours, you should just buy online.

Starbucks Malaysia Twitterlicious promotion

For this (work) week only, Starbucks Malaysia is having their Twitterlicious promotion, where they'll tweet a picture (which has details and a list of the day's selected stores) on their Twitter account (twitter.com/starbucksMY), and if you retweet it and show that (and the picture) to the barista at the day's selected stores, you can get a Grande-sized frappucino for half price for a predetermined length of time (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.). 

This means one would need two things:

1. A Twitter account, and 
2. A smart device... at least (I think?)

The response has been freaking hilarious to say the least - there are people on the Starbucks Malaysia Facebook page asking questions like "What is RT" and "Can I print out and show the picture?", etc. 

People - if you don't have a smart device and/or not on Twitter, THIS IS NOT FOR YOU!!! YOU DON'T DESERVE A HALF-PRICED GRANDE FRAPP!!

(Un)Fortunately for me, I only fulfill half the requirements and I think I'll puke if I have to pay for a Grande drink, even at half price.

Oh well.

Biggest Angry Birds Playground

Nokia Malaysia is attempting to get as many people to play Angry Birds in a relay in a bid to get a Guinness World Record for 'Most People Playing in a Mobile Phone Game Relay' on Saturday, June 11 at Low Yat Plaza's Boulevard Strip, so they're bringing the Biggest Angry Birds Playground to KL.

I'm not sure about the mechanics of the record bid, but if you're a crazy Angry Birds fan and have no intention of joining in on the relay, you should at least go and see what else they have in store cos it sounds pretty interesting on this PDF of what's going down on Saturday. 

You can still sign up for it here (link goes to the Nokia Malaysia Facebook page). I did, but as I've not been playing Angry Birds on a phone, it might be a little tricky. Let's just see how it goes.

Markets @ Jaya One

If you don't anything planned for Saturday, 25 June, you might want to consider the mother lode of street markets happening at Jaya One - Bettr Weekends, ChicPOP and Crafty Art Market are back and they're all happening on the same day! Holy cow - this has never happened before, it's going to be epic!

This is way cool as there's no need to make three seperate trips to Jaya One and there's something for everyone.

If nothing else gets in the way, I might go - and it depends on the vendor list which gets released as it gets closer to the day.

Check out the Facebook event page here.

Related articles

• Crafty Art Market and Bettr Weekends at Jaya One (lifeasacynic.blogspot.com)

World Bloggers & Social Media Summit 2011

To anyone who wants to take their business or brand further in the 21st century with social media, this is the conference to check out in June: World Bloggers & Social Media Summit 2011, happening at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) on 15 - 16th June.

For registration fees, click here.

To find out who will be speaking this year, click here.

Click here to find out what the schedule will be like for the two days. Hint: Dr. M will be presenting the special address early on the second day.

I'll cut to the chase - as a Blogging Partner, the first 15 people to sign up with my referral code will only have to pay the early bird registration fee, even after the early bird registration period.

If anyone's interested, just leave a comment here with your email address and I'll forward the form (PDF) and also the referral code to you. Just make sure you have the referral code on the top right corner of the form when you return it, or just mention it when registering over the phone.

Crafty Art Market and Bettr Weekends at Jaya One

If you're not leaving town this Labour Day weekend, here's an idea: why not check out these events - the Crafty Art Market on Saturday and on Sunday, Bettr Weekends at Jaya One. Crafty Art Market is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, while Bettr Weekends is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

You can choose either one or do both over the two days. Time permitting, I might do both.

The Crafty Art Market consists of (mostly?) Klang Valley-based Etsy sellers peddling their handmade crafts, so if you ever want to check out the stuff they don't post on Etsy, what's out there and possibly buy locally-made handcrafted stuff, you should check this out.

Bettr Weekends are for the healthy living crowd. I went for the last one and although I didn't buy much, it was interesting to see the variety of goods and organic foodstuff available. There's stuff and businesses that I didn't know exist here until I went, so it was enlightening in that regard.

Here's a video of the last one...

If you're anywhere nearby, you should stop by.

Related articles

• Etsy Malaysia Crafty Art Market (lifeasacynic.blogspot.com)

Finally sold the books, yes!

Finally sold off the books that were taking up floor space in my room for the last couple of months, save for a few that I can't bring myself to sell due to the less-than-pristine condition, which I will release at the second home OBCZ the next time I'm there.

In case anyone wants to know where they are, they're at Joe's M.A.C. (Music, Art and Collectibles) in Amcorp Mall, located at the Lower Ground floor, between the optical shop and a restaurant. You can find the shop at...

LG. 007, Amcorp Mall
18, Jalan Persiaran Barat
46050 Petaling Jaya

You have to got to love Amcorp Mall - new books upstairs (BookXcess) and old books downstairs.

I also have to thank the lovely Janis for getting them off my hands. :)

As for how much I got - it's not as much as I liked, but definitely more than I expected because I got volume on my side. But still better than peanuts, as they were not mine in the first place, so I didn't really care how much I got them for, haha.

But if you do want to sell anything off, you have got to talk to Joe first; I was lucky that Janis recognised me from HELP, so it was only a little awkward at first.

Go check out Joe's M.A.C. the next time you're there - it's like a flea market that you don't have to wait weekends for.

Pluck's Musical Arson

If you've enjoyed pluck's previous shows, then you're gonna like this, because they're coming back to Malaysia to do another run of shows!

The theatrical classical musicians return to Kuala Lumpur to taunt, delight and entertain with Musical Arson -- Reignited after their sell-our successes in 2004 and 2006 as produced by Gardner & Wife Theatre. The world’s funniest string trio will pluck and play with your heartstrings this October. Abba and Hendrix - they have never sounded so funny.

Venue: PJ Live Arts at Jaya One
Date: 6 October to 23 October, 2010
Time: Mondays to Fridays - 10 am and 8 pm ; Saturdays - 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 8 p.m.
Price of admission: RM44, RM55, RM66 and RM77 (group rates and family packages also available)
For tickets, call 03 7960 0439 (PJLA Box Office) or 012 269 0375

If you've enjoyed the previous shows, go watch this; if you've never been and are always curious, please check it out also.

[Disclaimer: Yes, I've been asked to plug the show here, but I can't plug it anymore than I just did because I've never been to a pluck show before - there, I said it]

MACC CNY Edition

(Got an email from Jenhan asking me help plug the show; so as part of a multi-prong Internets strategy, I'm doing it because I would have nothing else to blog about, hahaha... And no, I'm not getting paid to plug this, although a pair of FREE tickets wouldn't hurt... *wink*)


To cash in on the laris-ness of the last show, the MACC (Malaysian Association of Chinese Comedians) is having a CNY Edition at PJ Live Arts from 27th - 31st Jan (the last 5 days of the month lah).

If you haven't been to the last one, you cannot miss out on this; if you have, there's supposed to be (allegedly) 20% new material.

Ticket quite cheap also what - RM 28 and RM 38 - is not bad already leh, other comedy gig also cost more wan. If you're cheap and want to catch the show, get tickets to the 27th and 28th; if you got spare change, any time during the run also can :) (Though personally, it wouldn't hurt if I had angpau money lining the pockets...)

Besides, who wouldn't want to hear Douglas Lim sing a parody song?

I'm still trying to decide whether I want to go or not. See how lah.

myBlogS 2009 - Malaysian Blog Survey 2009

I know I don't have to, but in the name of research and out of personal curiousity, Malaysian bloggers and people who read blogs by Malaysians should take the Malaysian Blog Survey over at anthroblogia to help Julian out in his PhD research on the Malaysian blogosphere.

It's only 10-15 minutes, and survey takers also stand a chance to win "a pair of Platinum Movie Suite tickets (or similar service in a cinema near you). There are two pairs for the first two participants chosen, and five runners-up will each get regular cinema vouchers for two."

Click on the button below to start...

Eh Poh Nim contest

Lydia Teh's running another contest in conjunction with the release of her latest book, Do You Wear Suspenders? The Wordy Tales of Eh Poh Nim on her blog. Well, here's my entry... and the rest of you got until the 20 of next month to enter yourselves.

KLPac Open Day 2009

I'm just reminding myself to check out the KLPac Open Day at KLPac this year (if nothing else is happening on the day, that is) on Sunday, 18 Jan, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Didn't go last year as I was out of town that day.... This year should be no problems lah.

From the website...

Basically, it's one whole day jam packed with FREE performances, visual art installations, theatre and cultural games, arts workshops and demonstrations, staged readings, show previews, film screenings and, of course, the ever popular guided tours.

And if that's not enough to keep you occupied there will be some 60 over stalls on the lawn selling all kinds of interesting goodies and great finds (courtesy of the Bijou Bazaar team)!

For the most part I want to go for the guided tour of the place, see if I had missed anything from all those times I was there for shows.