Stand By Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbg7YoXiKn0

When you listen to a new song, do you listen to the lyrics first or the melody first?

What's your favorite song? Do you like it because of the lyrics or melody?

Two of my friends never listen to any lyrics. It's quite an accomplishment, in my opinion.

As for me, the bass line is the first thing I notice. I tend to fall in love with strong and distinctive beats immediately.

The composition structure is also an important factor. I prefer simple structure because the simple things are often the most beautiful. And I insist on real instruments because I believe humans should be more creative and expressive than computers.

But the deciding factor is the melody, which I can get trapped in for years. And again a good tune is never complicated.

Lyrics are often just the human voice component of the songs, an instrument to me, although words could also be the most powerful element in a song if they are really well written.

Everyone has a different taste in music. I have never met anyone with the same taste as mine, which is a good thing, I suppose.

Not many songs can get both melodies and lyrics right. Most pop songs now are just mass-produced trash. The melodies are interchangeable and almost all identical and the lyrics are non-existing sometimes.

One of the Japanese songs I unfortunately came across recently has only one line, “woo-wao-woo,” or something like that! I am not even sure if the singer can actually speak or not.

I much prefer old songs. Give me a song like “Stand By Me” anytime!

Rehab

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUmZp8pR1uc&ob=av3e

Sometimes I wonder if I should just start writing science fictions, erotic fantasies or children's stories, in order not to offend anyone. But unlike all the talented writers, it seems I can only draw inspiration from real life, MY life!

And I love writing, OK, it’s an understatement, I am addicted to writing! But I am not writing a diary because you shouldn’t believe everything I say here, and I have no need to share my life with strangers. I simply enjoy the creating process. Words are fascinating.

One of the things I studied before was journalism. I know how to make news. Another thing I studied was accounting, so I also know how to manipulate numbers.

Well, you can probably say I am creative. Hey, I can say anything I want here, it’s my blog. Read it or leave it!

I thought I had made it very clear that I am not writing a newspaper article or producing a balance sheet here, but some people seem to think everything I report here should be all backed up by hard evidence, and before I publish each blog entry, I should always obtain permission from every person I ever mention, preferably in paper and properly signed of course.

So for example, if I write about a black BMW, I should first do my fact check to verify if it's really black, and it would be even better if I could acquire a photo or two to show my readers the car is in fact black, not white!

Secondly, I should also get the permission from the car if it would be OK that I mentioned it in my blog. In case the car refuses to be exploited as my writing material, then I should never mention the car.

Of course I don’t want to be sued for libel, so yes, I have taken all the required steps, and I’ve got the photos and the written statement of the damn car ready here, if you are interested.

And in the meantime I shall keep writing, since I still firmly believe in the freedom of speech, and besides, I’ve got no money to go to rehab for my writing addiction anyway!

Gonna Make You Sweat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl_F74xBvkk

It has been unbearably hot and humid every day. When the repressing air is still and stale, you can almost wring the water out of it. You walk out of the door, and the suffocating heat hits you on the face, quickly envelopes your body, and sinks brutally into every pore of your skin.

The relentless heat has forced many people seeking refugees in cafes, shops, or sometimes, museums.

I went to a reception at the Museum of Modern Art the other day. One of the pieces displayed that day was a painting 80% covered with black ink. I think the title was “The Accident.” There was also a curious piece with 2 wires sticking out which should be entitled “The Extra Material From The Garage.”

It was great fun renaming all the artwork you take a fancy to. Seriously, you should try it next time when you run out of entertainment options.

But after an hour in the museum, I was half frozen from the powerful air-conditioning. So I made my escape, but as soon as I stepped out of the museum, the ruthless heat and malicious humidity almost choked me, and the beautiful finger food I just had started to protest in my poor surprised stomach that was over chilled first, then overstuffed and finally overheated suddenly.

I did manage to keep the food in until I got back home though. God, I haven’t been so sick for years. You see, too much modern art is not good for you!

Running Scared

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvZlEAP5Z28

One of my friends bought a car last month, a black BMW.

I drove before, but not after I moved to Tokyo. And the extent of my knowledge about cars is appallingly limited.

The only 2 things I usually notice when I see a car are the color and the maker.

Pink is good, but very rare. Red is my second favorite, and black or blue are also acceptable.

About the maker though, I've never been into brands. And I hate speed, which also rules out sports cars, even if I try my best to ignore the ridiculous image often associated with the people behind their wheels.

My first car was a sensible, reliable, brand-new blue Toyota. I was a very careful driver because I only hit still targets such as garage walls or parked cars. And I crawled.

The driving test was the only exam I have ever failed in my life so far.

I have zero sense of directions if there are no shops involved, which makes my driving an adventure every single time. If I don't follow the same route, I get lost immediately. And don’t even mention GPS now, I am hopeless with maps, even if I turn them around in all angles..

Well I guess I shouldn't really be allowed to drive anywhere, so why bother getting myself a car anyway, especially here in Tokyo, when there is a Yamanote train every 2 minutes?

Que Si Que No

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhJc01VYXtI

We had the final exam this week. I am doing the grading now. But sometimes it’s a very tough decision whether I should let some of them pass or not.

Of course I am always trying to be fair, but as a principle, I don’t like to fail anyone. The reason is, oh well, when I was a uni student myself, I was the worst nightmare of my teachers!!

I skipped the lessons so often that once my teacher was forced to send a classmate to ask if I had actually registered at the school that semester… And all my classmates were so pissed off when I accidentally won the scholarships at the end of the semester!

The thing is, I was soooooo busy! I was a member of the uni orchestra, played the piano for the choir, and at the same time edited the school newspaper. I simply didn’t have any time to go to the classes!!!

Back then I had so many ambitious dreams, but none of them ever involved becoming a teacher myself! And now as a teacher, I feel I am in no position to ask my students to do something I didn’t care to do myself before, namely, study!

If they happen to come to my class, great! If they choose not to, fine. I keep telling them if they just come to my class for the attendance, but don’t pay any attention at all, I would rather have them out of my classroom and do something else they are actually interested in.

Having said that, I was still very surprised when I saw some of the students showing up for the final exam who I had never laid eyes upon before. I had to restrain myself from going up to them and saying nice-to-meet-u!

So now the question is, pass or fail, yes or no????

She’s A lady

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpsGh4Amt44&feature=related

I had lunch with a friend at my favorite French restaurant in Shinagawa last week. We were having coffee when a graceful western lady walked in. She sat down next to us with her friend.

I couldn't help admiring her. She is in her late 50's, has a boyish haircut and a figure like a girl's. She was wearing a simple short black dress and a silver necklace.

But what drew my attention was the way she carried herself. She has a rare elegance, natural and effortless, which can only come from within.

I told my friend I wanted to grow up just like her !!　

In fact, I had to try very hard not to stare. I asked my friend whether it would be rude to go and talk to her. And she said it would be quite unusual, but she would try to talk her, even though she didn't think it would be witty enough to say something like, 'My friend and I are just talking about how beautiful you are!'

So I suggested she say, 'My friend and I are just talking about you. Beautiful is such an understatement for you!' instead. And she agreed.

But later she almost chickened out. I had to egg her on. And she finally gathered enough courage to approach the object of our admiration and deliver our little declaration.

The older lady was so pleased, although obviously a bit embarrassed. She told us we had made her day.

The memory of her smile still warms me now.

Sentimental Journey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsTy-dFjiak&feature=related

When you travel, do you listen to your music collection?

One of my master theses is on the effects of using familiar tunes in TV commercials. But like all the research papers, there is no real conclusion in my thesis, although I do believe familiar tunes relax and comfort us, like a safety blanket, especially when we are in a new environment, such as traveling.

And that's why I never listen to my own music collection when I travel. I also refuse to eat Japanese food or watch BBC/CNN news, because it reminds me too much of home.

I love traveling! Every trip is an adventure. Why would I take the element of excitement out of it by doing something I normally do at home anyway, except of course, showering and basic grooming?

Although I enjoy the unexpected and unknown aspects of travel, I always plan my trips down to the minute, because fantasizing about the journey is the best part of it!

So before each trip, I first start an extensive research on the internet, using all possible websites including reviews of quirky tourist spots, best local restaurants, and hottest clothing shops. And since I happen to know several languages, I usually check all sorts of websites written by people from different countries. It’s very interesting to see the differences in people’s preferences from different parts of the world.

But to be honest, I never follow my carefully-organized plan 100%. I only enjoy making the plans...(yeah, the geeky side of me!)

I always traveled alone, although I am hoping it will soon change. I used to love my solo trips, even though that usually meant I couldn’t go to some restaurants because I was alone. But it would be nice to have someone to enjoy the local cuisine and the sunset at the sea with, don’t you think?