20231217 The Wynners: Farewell with LOVE Live in Singapore concert

 

Spent a great and memorable evening attending the concert. It's the first time attending concert of this scale, at the Sands Expo Convention Centre. I would associate concert venues with the Singapore Indoor Stadium - which was what I heard most of the time but had not attended one there except a performance decades ago. Most of the time, I frequent The Sands Theatre (MBS) or the Esplanade. Hence, scale is not that big. A check of the venue - The Sands Grand Ballroom can accommodate approximately 8000 people!  Yes, I attended events of this scale before at the Singapore Expo (e.g. talks, rally) but not for a concert.

Kind of excited, as it's the priciest ticket I paid for so far. The most expensive ticket paid in the past was for one of the musicals at Sands Theatre, I think, slightly more than $200. This evening's ticket cost almost $400! A new record for me. Also received an email reminder that said the venue would be opened approximately 90min before the event. Hm... that's why I arrived exceptionally early this time. 

This was how it looked like at about 7.15pm (45 min before the concert started)

Over time, more people entered. A pretty interesting observation (to me). We usually associate concert-goers as younger people OR perhaps middle age people like me... 

A look a the crowd 10 minutes before 8 pm showed that there were many elderly, too! Many with silver hair are seated around! Many "aunties" and "uncles", too! Some younger ones, who probably here to accompany their parents who were the fans of the Wynners! Oh, I also saw a few elderlies with walking sticks led to their seats by the ushers!  

So, concert-goers are not limited to a particular age-group (in particular, the younger ones?), but people who were there to find memories, to "when" they belong to! Yes, like what the artistes said, they were many seniors around, and he rightly pointed out, many were here to relive their memories! I'm no different, too! 

The artistes were not young, too! Most were in their 60s and 70s. BUT, you see, that's where we learn what Superstars are, and what they are made of! Their powerful live vocal performance was something that many artistes could not get close to or match with! They were still so energetic, just like what we saw in the TV programmes in the past... that's professionalism, with their powerful voices and showmanship! 

Had forgotten most songs but the tune and wordings made the recall so easily and quickly - because they were once very familiar but had now forgotten (because lost touch). It re-ignited the warm and love that were once there... in my school days. Yes, 我听着他们的歌长大的！

Initially, I was a bit disappointed though I still went ahead to buy the ticket because it was indicated in the website that the medium is in Mandarin. I'm so glad that many of the cantonese songs were presented. 

How long have I not been so immersed in a concert and participated so wholeheartedly? Since I started work, I supposed. It was the time that though I was alone, yet I was not alone! There went the screams that usually came through roller coaster only. The atmosphere, I believe, is no different from other concerts because all were lost in the time during that moment. I believe those elderlies whom I saw earlier had immersed themselves and enjoyed the deafening music too! 

OK, now I think I could better understand why some loved to go for concerts of their favourite artistes despite of the pricey tickets. 

PHOTO Collection at Padlet

The stipulated end time was 10 pm. Some people started making a move... Then came the announcement - the party was about to start... for those who were not in a hurry to go! Would those who left felt cheated? I'm not sure. Again, it's basic courtesy (though I was not sure whether that's a common practice for concerts) - to stay through the show till it finally ended. 

What does it mean by "party"? It's when the audience participated and became part of the concert through the sing-alongs! Immersion! Of course, the choice of the songs in part were those that almost all could resonate! And it ended with Alan Tam's 譚詠麟 朋友 

• 溫拿 The Wynners ~ Sha La La La La
• LOVE - Wynners

My country's 58th Birthday

 

Since Covid-19 year (2020), it started this gigantic national flag flypast around the island. 

I've not missed it. I guess it's the pride that I feel and have for the nation that made me waited for it to enter the skies here. 

We should not take things for granted - Peace, is not a given, but something we earn over time, with vision and plans. 

A Sunday Morning

It was a routine that I had not resumed... since, I could not remember when, probably for more than a year. Excuses! Weather has been an excuse... "lots of work" has been an excuse, too! It's nice to smell the grass, smell the trees and the flowers coated with the morning dew. It's nice to see the sun slowly rising from the horizon, but I don't like the heat when the sun starts to heat up the ground. 

Miss the flowers... it had been the flowering season but last year this time, they did not come. It appears again this morning! Beautiful. Maybe, the "leaf-cut" has helped the blooming? 

More flowers bloom... that added the youth to the greens around... the sea hibiscus... have not seen so many blooming in the past...

The morning patrons in the park... more have returned, including the campers. 

I wondered... have we already resume life back to cover? 

5 May 2023: Covid-19 visited me!

 Have been rather careful since Covid-19 came to the world, though I'm not the OCD type. Even when the SMM was eased... when we no longer need to wear a mask in public places, I've remained quite vigilant, especially in crowded or enclosed places like malls and when in public transport. 

The only things I do more at ease are eating at public places like hawker centre and going mask-less when at open areas like on the road or in the park. The only time that I'm more bold and willing to take a risk is when teaching in the class - to remove the mask so that students can see my facial expressions more clearly, which I feel is necessary to convey a massage that will help students to understand. 

The first symptom came on Friday morning (5 May), a bit of sore throat, and a small amount of fluid flowed uncontrollably from the nostril, occasionally. Did the Antigen Rapid Test (ART) in the morning. Turned out to be negative. Had been on the mask most of the time, even when went to the class - to exercise some precautionary measure. However, a few sneeze followed and more frequent fluid flowing out from the nostrils, which is likely running nose. Body aches followed. 

Saw the doctor in the late afternoon. Probably because it's Friday evening, did not wait long. There were very few patients. Coughing syrup (dextromethorphan), the usual paracetamol and fexofenadine (for the running nose), however, to be taken only once in the morning... and interestingly, cannot be taken together with any fruit juice. 

Self-administered the ART again the next morning (6 May). Two lines were clearly displayed! It was confirmed - Covid 19, my longtime-avoided guest has arrived. It brought with it another symptom: Blocked nose, which was another discomfort that 'toggles' with 'running nose'. 

First thing first was to go online to check the protocol... what should I do if I'm Ag+? 

Recalled came across lots of simple to follow infographics saw in the newspapers in the past. 

However, it become a challenge! I could not find any infographics or any advice specifically for those tested positive. Where are the protocols? They disappeared after the announcement to ease the measures??? 

At last found something: a summary page at MOH website

Have what's really more useful is this MOH FAQ page

Of course, nothing is better than hearing from the health care professional! 

Saw the doctor the 2nd time, 2 days in a row. This time, more importantly, is to address the other symptom - blocked nose! 

Had a medical certificate that ended on Tuesday (Day 4).

Was told that starting from Day 4, I could return to work if the ART is negative. However, regardless what outcome, I'll be able to exit the "Home Recovery Programme" by Day 7 (Friday), noon. Which means, even when ART is positive, I could leave home for work. The "positive" indication could be a result of traces of the dead virus left behind. - that's so much clearer, right?

Well, fortunately, with the timely consultation and medication, the symptoms were quickly put under control (in particular, the block nose and runny nose); and certainly, gained much sleep on both Saturday & Sunday night... it was a good re-charging process during this hectic period. 

As for food... glad that my food cupboard is well stocked. Thanks to mum, reminded me it's time to open up my cans of abalone... they tasted good, of course! 

The only thing 'wasted' was the ticket I bought for "The Butterfly Lovers" at Victoria Theatre. 

On a hindsight, because of contracting and clearing Covid at this time, I would have lesser to worry when I go overseas this June! Possibly, a blessing in disguise? I think.

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

[Note: This is a back-dated post. After searching through... realised that I had not posted this memory anywhere except in Facebook. The Pallet will be updated] 

DIRECT LINK

22 April 2023 Classical Therapy by The MozART group

Some things are simply a joy to be immersed in, though it seemed to be a recurrence. 

Art is one such form... but not all... some are simply magical 

The Classical Therapy is one such. The first encounter was an "accidental" one... when I first surfed aimlessly in the SISTIC website (yes, sometimes, I do such aimless surf in hope to find surprises). 

Classical music is therapeutic. However, for me, not the full suite... could be quite indigestible if I were to sit through 1.5 hours of serious classical. Yes, had one experience when I had the complimentary ticket for an orchestra performance at Victoria Theatre (more than 20 years ago). Yes! I discovered my 'true' self - the extent that I could hold this 'water'. The MozART group was a good second try when it's a 'small' 'orchestra' make up mostly by violinists and a cellist. 

The pleasant surprise was classical can be humorous and light-hearted for 90 minutes! Love it! 

It was my 2nd time to watch this performance. After 7 years, as reminded by one of the performers - they returned after 7 years, at the same place. This time, I had a seat right in the middle, 3rd row. Not too near but near enough. Love it! Deeply influence by the joy and passion these performers brought for the evening. No time for the brain to wonder off to think of other things. Yes, I was fully immersed!

Oh... one more unusual move... I usually would not attend evening shows but I stayed awake for the entire 90 minutes! 

Thank you for the wonderful performance! 

 

16 April 2023 The Soldier & His Virtuous Wife《都是当兵惹的祸》

One of those rare attempts - to catch a drama. 

It was another brave move... for the first time, catch a mandarin drama or musical (?), despite the not-so-good experience with the another show watched last year. 

What catch my attention was the title... which was pretty eye-catching... what kind of trouble could one get into trouble for going to the army? 

It seemed to be a re-run... or to be more precise, there's a re-run every few years. 

On the other hand, the storyline is not strong actually - though it could be break for someone who wanted to unwind. In terms of music and songs... it's a small local production... good try... 💪👏

It's matters... when you say "never mind" on my behalf

I admit... my English language is just average, which I would use the simplest possible words to express myself. 

To me, "never mind" is one way to marginalise some matters... it goes lowering the status of a matter to "unimportant" or to trivialise it. 

It is perfectly fine if it is a matter that comes from me and I decided that it should be played down or no longer important at that point of time. And obviously, only I would know how important it weighs right from the start. When the time is unsuitable, I would say, "Never mind, we can talk about the matter again another day or another time." It is not urgent or basically, it could be dealt with later with little impact (when we stretch the timeline). 

However, I personally feel that it matters a lot if we were to label something that someone wants to say as "never mind", even before it was articulated. To say "never mind" even before one says another thing, we are simply marginalising or trivialising what one intends to say, i.e. "what you are going to say is "unimportant"." 

Never go into the mode, and assuming one knows all... It is definitely a lack of basic respect, regardless how experience or senior we think we are.... 

26 March 2023 Drum Tao

One of those groups that I enjoy its performance... and without fail, had been attending since I "discovered" it... I think, so far, the performance venue has been the Esplanade; and always, I would attend the matinees - the time when I could stay awake for performances! Oh yes, I could still doze off even when immerse in loud noise! That was what happened in my South Korea trip. I learnt. To be able to fully appreciate the performance - let's keep to my afternoons.

I am not a drum lover or play, but learnt to appreciate the art brought by this musical instrument. What's more, with the Japanese culture infused into the performance, the piece always turned out to be beautiful. 

It's a truly successful group. No much props except the range of drums and the energy felt throughout the performance - with strengths, yet so harmonious and well-blended. Love it! 

12 March 2023 Frozen, the musical

It is a Walt Disney production - a cartoon? er... more like a animation, I supposed (ok, I lost track of the kind of descriptors for such production) - music has become one of the key features in many of the Disney shows, especially those translated from well known fairytales. 

It left an impression because of the songs when almost every kid would know... "let it go...." and it's the story of two princesses. I did not pay attention to the story line then. Though saw some of the MTVs, which were pretty impressive of the transformation of the backdrops - due to the magical powers of one of the key characters. 

At last, the musical came - to watch or not to watch? The story line is usually an important consideration. It could be too "kid-ish" (that was how it was marketed when the movie was out), I thought. However, I remember the backdrop transformation - and eventually decided to get the ticket though it was considered to be more expensive than the usual. (OR maybe not - but probably that price has gone up after cover?)

Managed to get a ticket only a couple of months ago - when most good seats were taken up. No regrets for this attempt. The backdrop and props and the special effects - worth the dollars and cents! Yes, to enjoy the show (& the effects), it is important for one to have a good seat - somewhere in the middle, not too far, yet not too near - that's always a challenging point to find a good seat 😅