David's Space...

Welcome to Laddaland

Welcome to Laddaland, the latest Thai horror flick to reach our shores. Like many other brilliant horror films from Thailand, it is not a mere mindless scare-fest. It is smart, sexy and packs with enough psychological drama to make the on-screen characters come to life. 

Initially, I didn't really like the main character, Thee (Saharat Sangkapreecha) with his goofy smile. But as the movie progress, his awkwardness melted away as weirder and stranger events unfold. The plot is simple, taking a few cues from western thriller/horror flicks. The family moves into Laddaland due to a job of the sole breadwinner, Thee. The opening sequence played that to dramatic effect with an appropriate happy tune, laughing children, sprinklers and a happy dog - almost an American Dream advert except everyone was Thai. 

There were a lot of subplots spanning the whole spectrum of family dysfunctionality. At times, it almost seemed like the family tension was threatening to take over the show and make Ms Melted Face a side attraction. However,  it soon became apparent that the spirit(s) were feeding off the negative vibes and manipulating their minds and inserting insidiously murderous intentions by pitting husband against wife and daughter against father.

After making a grand entrace, Ms Melted Face didn't last throughout the movie. She caused a few scares and mysteriously ceased her haunting. Then, a whole family killed themselves next door. It wasn't clear but I am assuming their deaths were the handiwork of Ms Melted Face. After that, the vengeful spirits of the neighbours made their debut, eventually coming to a close with murder in Thee's household.

I love this movie and although there were a few loose ends but the general plot and feel is almost spot on! I was on the edge of my seat throughout the movie but the special effects and choreography of the scares could do with a tad bit more originality. But the familiar techniques still scares me sh*tless. 

 

Gone Down South

For the weekend, I am in Johor, the southern-most state of the Peninsular. Unfortunate for me, it is not a holiday. I am down here in Johor to help out at a roadshow with the Kechara Paradise crew - Chia, Jazz and Wan. 

 

We are here in JB's Sutera Mall for the whole weekend thanks to Kechara Southern Jewel Committee (KSJC)'s hard work and dedication. So who is Kechara Southern Jewel? They are a ragtag bunch of Rinpoche's students in Johor, who have banded together to do more for the Dharma. Click here to read more about their little story. 

Anyway, it is their first time organising a roadshow like this and so the location is not the really the best in the mall. However, the team had prepared a really nice little desk, newsletters and lots of pictures to show of the activities that they do here in Johor, many of which mirror those that is done in KL.

Great work, KSJC! Do more and you guys will grow and benefit even more people. There's a great sale going on here at this roadshow with many of KMP books going at bargain prices. Check this out! (Look below) My book is going for just RM10! Who wants to get a piece of me? Unfortunately, there's no one yet. JBian's are not too fond of books, especially English books.  

You don't impress me much!

(In order to safeguard the identity of this person, I took the liberty to change the details of these people so as not to offend anyone. So, please don't jump to quick conclusions about the identities of these people.)

This afternoon, I went for lunch with this person, who has a sibling in the Dharma. It was a fun vegetarian lunch and everything was hunky-dory, even when we started talking about her cousin. You see, her cousin had been working in the Dharma for a while now. That seemed very noble of her but actually, her cousin had been occasionally helping her out with her stipend but is still receiving crap treatment from her. (Excuse my French but you know what I mean.)

This family member takes from her cousin emotionally and financially but portrays herself to be a smart and loving person to the world. She takes her cousin for granted on very small issues and expect 'family' to take care of the nitty-gritties. She is not even that closely related but demands so much more. Hence, whatever Dharma work this person does, it does not impress her cousin. 

On the bright side, the cousin notices that she has improved and is much better at handling difficult situations without losing her cool. However, this does little justice to what she do at home and all she need to do is to bring Dharma home. I don't really know what advice to dispense and so I would tell her to be patient and give her some time, as her cousin does more Dharma work, she will learn to appreciate others and will transform naturally.

I try to sound as assured as I can although I am not confident inside as the issues momentarily made me introspective as well. 

My Lil Personal Shrine...

I promised a facebook friend that I will take a photo of my shrine to share with him. So I thought I share it here with anyone who would chance upon this blog. The main deity is Lama Tsongkhapa sitting on a little Dharma throne with his two foremost disciples at his feet, Gyaltsab Je and Khedrub Je.

On the left is Vajrayogini, all decked in pearls and brocade, while on the right is Singdongma, the lion-faced dakini. The photo frame on the left is of Rinpoche with the Dalai Lama and Kensur Rinpoche.  There is a Buddha Shakyamuni tsa-tsa leaning on Tsongkhapa's throne and a turquoise Vajrayogini residing in a silver and gold-plated 'Gau' box. There's a little Stupa behind Vajrayogini's Gau and a chrome-plated Kamakura Buddha. That's the Buddha that normally sits on the dashboard of my car but I have it on my altar temporarily.

I love Buddha statues and this particular Je Yab Sey Sum set - Je Tsongkhapa and two heart sons is my absolute favourite. They were apparently the handiwork of a renowned Nepalese sculptor, Siddhi Raj. It cost me a bomb to invite and it took me around 2 years to repay my credit card but it was worth it. 

An Evening of Vegies

One of my recent projects was to organise the launch of the cookbook, Eat Healthy, Daily. Li Kim (my boss) wanted it to be more than just a launch, she wanted it to be a platform to promote vegetarianism and turn the whole world green. Well, I wasn't really very keen with the idea as I had no bloody experience and my only assistant was pulled out. 

After a few rounds of talking and planning, it finally came down to executing the plans. I was a bunch of nerves as I got people and venue ready. I contacted Mr Wong Yu Jin, the nutritionist and after a just a feel meets, he was ready to present his vegie talk. I rounded our in-house celebrity designer friend, Eric Choong to host and to tap into his extensive network of friends.  

 

More importantly, I had to get the press kit, press release and press what not, done. I was basically all over the place and the week of the launch was also the week of the Wesak fair at Sunway Pyramid. That was another set of preparations. I just wanted to kill myself. I had to set up, man the booth and then dismantle everything at the end of it. Thank Buddha, I had some help from the other KMP people. Then, just before the launch, a very cute video called 'Veg in the City' was completed just in time for the launch. 
 

Well on the day itself, it was nerve-wrecking as nobody was on time and there was a massive jam around the venue, Kechara Oasis Jaya One. My heart sank but we anticipated it but fortunately, a few press folks were there. Anyway, the venue did fill out and it was soon over. I returned to KMP right after and slept the evening through...

Dharma Princess Jamie 'Paris' Khoo and Designer Prince, Eric Choong played the emcee of the evening.

 Li Kim giving a delightful speech...

Mr Wong Yu Jin presenting his green points. 

The press loved 'Veg in the City'...

Check out the crowd! Phew! I was relieved that people did eventually turn up. 

Here, you can actually watched the whole launch for yourself :-

 

KMP - Best workplace in the world.

I know this is way overdue but I am going to post up some pictures of KMP (Kechara Media and Publications). I have never worked in such a beautiful office before. The showroom of Volvo (one of my previous jobs) was not bad too but I was a lousy salesman. Anyway, never in my wildest dreams would I ever think that I would be working in a publications' company. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out the cool reception area of KMP. Lovely 3-feet statue of the Buddha of wisdom, Manjushri was donated by my dad, Uncle Lai. So, he sits divinely in KMP, inspiring our work and blessing all who come into the office. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the English editorial room with all its workstations. No hard guesses necessary to know that the pink feather boa belongs to Jamie 'Paris' Khoo. Mine is the one with the money plant (I wished real Ringgit notes grew on it), Manjushri and Herbalife. Just to let you know, I quit Herbalife. Why? I lost slightly over 1 kg after starving myself half to death for a whole month! I gave up on a losing weight, ate myself over a few kgs and saw myself in the mirror one morning and decided to take up midnight jogging again (will blog about it soon).

The Chinese editorial room is next to us and you will see a red Mao figurine to proof that! The fish tank sits in with them and also a gorgeous Vajrayogini altar (makes me slightly green with envy), not seen in this photo.  Both of which is taken cared by Dr Lanse. On the side, Paul (my housemate and head of 3 Kechara departments) said the half glass partition reminds him of his factory office, he used to work in. It was the only negative comment we heard so far. 

This is where the crazy motley KMP crew gather every Monday for their weekly meetings and various meetings as well. The renovations (all thanks to Judy Dudy (I mean Judy Lam, our office admin head.) and Li Kim's (our great CEO, boss, friend and celebrity-to-be) great taste and decisiveness.

Often, we have to remind ourselves that the KMP's office used to be Kechara House's main prayer hall. We are indeed fortunate for its vast space and extra good vibes from all the pujas, prayers, retreats and Dharma talks held there. There's no better place to work in!

The mad crew - I am the only thorn among the roses. 

Under Repair...

I drive this lovely car, the Proton Savvy 1.2l car for just over 3 years. Unfortunately, the gears had always been a little clunky - it jerks each time the car changes gears. After awhile, I gotten used to it. Probably due to my aggressive driving, the gearbox is giving way. The speedometer shuts down and comes back to life intermittently when I drive and the gear shifts to neutral (by itself) when I am at the traffic lights.

When I sent the car for repairs and Proton told me that it is going to cost me because they need to change the entire gearbox. I shrugged my shoulders and said ok. Then, they told me it is going to cost me RM12k! I jumped and when I butt landed on the seat again, they told me, "Don't worry! We will get you a discounts and will let me know when the part arrives."

Well, the part has arrived and I got to pay through my nose - a nose-bleeding 29 percent and that means RM3.5k! Sigh! They said that the lower discount is due to the fact that I didn't really stick to service schedule (So this is a lesson for all car-owners to always stick to service schedule). Another sigh! Thank Buddha my credit card just upped my spending limit. (Time to ask mummy for help!) However, I would still have to slave through payments. I delayed fixing the car forawhile but the gear condition deteriorated. Now, the car occasionally stalls and I have to struggle to restart the car. 

I sent the car in 2 days ago and they promised it would be ready yesterday. They called me in the yesterday evening and told me to wait another day. I hope I get it today! I need my car! I feel really handicapped as I have to rely on others for transport. 

Moral of the story: Don't buy Proton Savvy! I heard this model is the only one in the lineup that gives this problem.