Happenstance & The Reason Why

Newspapermen

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:30:00 +0000

Dear Editor,

My name is Chester Chin Zhao Liang.

Chin being my family's surname and Zhao reflects the order of generation which I'm born into my family of Hainan descent. Liang here literally translates to "good virtue" in Mandarin.

Or at least that's what I'm told by my parents anyway. I wouldn't know because my command of Mandarin is limited to 60 seconds conversations with the local Chinese hawker who sells Hokkien Mee (spicy prawn noodles) at the coffee shop by my house.

As for Chester, well my parents have always wanted their children to have an English name to reflect the increasingly Westernised culture (apparently 22 years ago, nobody would have guessed that China would go on and become a potential hegemonic force today).

My name's oxymoronic nomenclature aside, I grow up in a relatively typical Chinese family of the Taoist persuasion. Meaning here I'm more superstitious than I am religious. I burn religious paraphernalias during the Hungry Ghost Festival mostly to avoid supernatural sightings instead of appeasing some divine entity.

I led a pretty nomadic life during my formative years due to my dad's work obligations. He's an army officer with the Malaysian Armed Forces, so he's posted to different places within the country every few years or so.

That said, I didn't pick up journalism because I wanted to cover war-torn countries due to my father's military background. The reality is not that romanticised.

The simple truth is I like writing, and I like the prospect of how a 1000-word piece could make a substantial change to society. Be it about a report on Aung San Suu Kyi or a feature piece on New York's Fashion Week, there's always the potential of an impending revolutionary discourse with the written word.

No issue's too trivial when it comes to journalism because the people who do it, did it in the pursuit of passion and veracity. I guess that's why I decided to enrol into journalism school back in 2010, to harness that ability to be a medium of truth and social movement.

Don't You Want to Share the Guilt

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Fri, 06 May 2011 02:13:00 +0000

I haven't been writing much on this little blog of mine. That's probably because I've been busy with a million other things that will help build up the impression that I'm a REALLY busy person :P

Aha anyway set up a new blog with a few other mini journos-in-the-making called Almost Journalist. You optimistic people got to check that out, it's going to be awesome xD

Being very lackadaisical when it comes to blogging, I'll just adapt some posts here to there and vice versa. Like what I'm doing now with this post. Just that I might not be throwing out as much profanity there, you know gotta keep up with the whole "professional" image. The review I'm posting up below is something I crafted for AJ.

The last couple of month have been filled with busy, busy days. But the holidays are coming up! Woohoo planning to just rot in front of the idiot box watching reruns of Keeping Up with the Kardashians or maybe set up a new empire in The Sims Medieval. Or I might just be lounging at Batu Ferringhi before heading off to Jakarta for a looooooooooooooong overdue vacation.

Gaaah I'm excited. It's gonna be fun, fun, fun, fun after all that work, work, work.

Oh yeah before I go, I'm getting a teeny weeny bit active on Twitter (no thanks to a few of my varsity mates who are social media advocates). I think they should apply to be Niki Cheong's apprentices and delve deeper into Twitterjaya.

So yep stalk, err I mean follow me. My Twitter ID is @chesterchin xD

If you're wondering why this post is so self-centered. Blame it on Michelle Leong and Julian Gan. They say I don't update enough me-happenings over here (as if my Facebook rantings are not enough ish).

Until I write again, live precariously and love not.

* * *

RECORD SPIN #2

Femme Fatale - Britney Spears

There is something deliciously decadent about Britney Spears' seventh studio album. From the shameless Euro pop beats of the opening track to playing Fergie on the will.i.am produced Big Fat Bass, Femme Fatale plays out like the aftermath of a self-pleasuring session. The high is ecstatic, but you're left despising yourself after the whole ordeal.

But just like how any teenagers with raging hormones who went through that self-exploratory period will tell you, Spears' Femme Fatale is so worth the high. Surrender yourself to the sinful bliss of auto-tune and dance away. A little pleasure now and then wouldn't hurt nobody. In fact, you might just discover something good that no other individual can provide. Only in Britney's music people, only in her music can you talk of sexual innuendos without being judged too harshly.

Goobye Lullaby - Avril Lavigne

It's laughable the way celebrities "integrate" music with business. The most apparent would probably be Hilary Duff's 3 minutes track With Love back in 2007. The song was used in an elaborate marketing for her fragrance called (wait for it) "With Love...Hilary Duff". Fast forward four years later, Canadian singer Avril Lavigne is doing the same thing. Lavigne launched a perfume called "Black Star", and incidentally the opening track of her fourth studio album is also called Black Star. Pfft.

My contempt for the "business" of music aside, Goodbye Lullaby is a mediocre offering by the punk princess who brought us Complicated, the teenage anthem of 2002. With the exception of a couple of tracks, most of the album's 52 minutes sound so alike that you're left wondering if Lavigne is making any effort at improving her song craft. There is a glimmer of that angsty singer we love in her rendition of Joan Jett's classic Bad Reputation but that only came about towards the end of the album. By then, it was just too little, too late.

As If! - Sky Ferreira

"Why do some need to be masters? Why do some want to be slaves?" 18-year old singer-songwriter Sky Ferreira asked in the song Sex Rules. Oh boy, here we go again...another photocopy version of Britney Spears, you'd say. But hold it, there is just something refreshing about Ferreira's song on the need for the physical touch. Instead of beating around the bushes and singing things like "I want to take a ride on your disco stick", Ferreira ought to be commended for her bold statement.

My only qualm here is that it is hard to pigeonhole her into a specific genre. While it seemed that the songs are tailor made for the masses, there is some serious lyrical intensity going on here. She is not mainstream enough but neither is she indie enough. Now there are only five tracks on this EP, with Ferreira singing about an ancient lover in the last track. A case of Twilight frenzy or an emulation of Lolita, I've yet to discern. But here is to hoping that this brilliant singer don't fall into a state of oblivion.

Reviews first published in the blog "Almost Journalist" dated April 22, 2011.

Haters Anonymous

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 13:00:00 +0000

People are getting more bold. Or at least their online persona is. Check out any videos on YouTube and chances are the top rated comments would be ones that have a smart ass criticism about how God-awful the song/ artist/ video direction/ video production/ video lighting/ *insert your choice of complaint here* is. That or they will be defending the video in vain.

If you know what is good for you, you'll stick to the crowd and do the former. Because in the event where you do defend that particular video, you'll probably just end up inciting more hate comments. If you're lucky, you'll be called a faggot. If you're not, well, take a trip down homophobic paranoia lane (What's with people's obsession with gays anyway? Personally I would recommend that you name drop politicians the next time you want to make a less-than-appealing simile).

All this critical approach to things would have been a warm welcome in lieu with the birth of a vocal thinking society if not for the hardcore fact that in reality, most of us don't really have the balls to say half the things we say online.

"The Internet has given people an artificial confidence in themselves to say things that they wouldn't normally say away from the virtual platform. People feel safer when they have this 'curtain' of anonymity protecting them when they make harsh comments. When they realised such shield exists, it gave them a false sense of confidence," said Julian Gan, a 21 year-old student majoring in Psychology at University of Canterburry.

Song Sook Kin from Taiping shared the same sentiments with Gan.

"One can fully express themselves better when they remove the pressure of being associated with that particular comment," said the 20 year-old Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman Journalism student.

However, this does not mean that she endorses the act of hating anonymously online. Far from approving such acts, Song thinks that is is "cowardly" to post up hurtful comments on online forums and YouTube videos .

"All these anonymous haters probably found comfort in knowing that they can retract their statement with a click," Gan answered when asked for additional reason that prompt people to post up such comments.

This begs the question, does deleting a hurtful comment takes away the sense of pain and humiliation that is inflicted by the remarks made in the first place?

Gan doubts so. "The pain and humiliation does not go away with the removal of the comment. It is very likely that the person who was targeted in the hate comment will never be able to remove that stinging memory from his psyche."

The truth is posting hate comments online has a bigger consequence than say, passing the remark over coffee with your girlfriends. Given the universal quality of the Internet, things might reach catastrophic proportion if you ruffled the wrong feathers.

"With the Internet, it is very easy for things to go viral. In the case where your hate comment becomes the next trending topic on Twitter, it won't take long before it reached the whole world," said 21 year-old Michelle Leong, a student at Sunway University.

"Memorable comments can go viral, international and can do so much damage to a person," Song further affirmed Leong's statement.

If you can't see the magnitude of this scenario. Try picturing someone from an oppressed developing country commenting that the Prime Minister is a moron who should probably just stick his ass up a sugarcane on a social networking site. Before you know it, bam! Helloooo evening news!

On a lighter note, this was what that happened to the now infamous Rebecca Black. Her music video "Friday" garnered so much dislikes and negative comments that it propelled her to the center of the mass media's spotlight who saw it part of their duty to society to further trash her.

Let's take a step back and consider this, is the online platform giving people a reason to hate? Sure, Black's video might have caused an uproar in online forums where people drone on and on about how her music sucks and what not. But then again, no one is going to the street protesting with banners that read "Fuck you bitch, you ruined music for all of us".

"The online platform doesn't give people a reason to hate. It actually gives people a way to find others who share the same opinion as they do on a certain subject," said Gan.

"Why take the hassle to do street protests and hate banners when commenting on YouTube has the same effect?" Song offered. "I don't think online platform gives people a reason to hate, it actually gives people an opportunity to hate. Besides deep down, I believe that all of us have an inner bitchy self, "

Bitchiness aside, we have to acknowledge that online hating goes deeper than the superficial idea of mocking someone's hair or make-up, have a good laugh about it and then log off. You might have the privilege of hiding behind a veil of anonymity but your remark goes to someone who does not enjoy the same privilege of anonymity that you do.

If you're a masochistic fucktard, then by all means go ahead and hate. But in this context, just don't be a closet freak.

If I Were A Boy

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 11:53:00 +0000

Stereotype, in general, is a bitch. Its funny how we conform that everybody have different medical allergies, yet overlook the fact that people have movie preferences, musical tastes and reading habits that transcend their usual gender "cultural norms". In this sense, one size really doesn't fit all.

I put this theory into test when I peruse over a copy of American Vogue at McDonald's while waiting for a movie a couple of weeks back. Two teenage girls was on the other table sipping down their drinks when I was poring over the glossy pages of the magazine. I thought I saw them superciliously glancing over and giving off amused half-smile.

Perhaps I would have been greeted with a different response if I was reading an article on 'Satisfy Your Woman: 10 Ways to Reach Mutual Orgasm with Your Partner' instead of an editorial piece on fur coats. Heck, I'm even stereotyping now by associating the male gender with sex.

So what if I listen to Hilary Duff and watched 'The Devil Wears Prada' on repeats? Would it automatically mean that I am to be labelled with 'Burgeoning Homosexual' pasted over my forehead? Must only people with a vagina be allowed to read Sophie Kinsella? It's a question that seems worth asking.

Except that it isn't, really. It's misogynistic and downright chauvinistic.

Anyway, it matters little. In the next few years, people would have probably graduated to e-readers and store a compilation of "guilty pleasure" books and magazines that deprive the prying eyes from knowing what you're reading. No more doctors telling you that "Oh, I thought only girls read that" when you bring over a paperback to the clinic and then give you an apologetic smile that makes you think you have STDs or some life-threatening disease.

The truth is we are living in a society that mirrors our own assholic tendencies.

If you're a self-professed "English educated" person like me, take a walk down One Utama and when you come across a girl with mismatched bright coloured knee-length stockings , would you refrain from exclaiming "Ugh chao LaLa" in your head?

My sentiments exactly. Stereotype is a bitch, and so are we.

Strip Me

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 11:04:00 +0000

I found myself having a hard time articulating an answer when one of my cousins asked "So, what do you blog about?" at a recent family Christmas party. I didn't even know that he knows I kept a blog. We only meet twice a year you see, once during Christmas and the other time on the family's Chinese New Year reunion dinner.

To be honest, I was actually embarrassed to divulge to him the stuff that I blog about. I mean what can I tell him? That I blog about my shopping endeavors and weekend rendezvous with friends?

After a moment of hesitation, I replied "Well, I write about music" and flash him a smile.

Well in my defense, I do blog about music. What that I forgot to add was that I don't do it on a regular basis...hence the statement that I blog about music is not really apt. Heck, I bet the seasoned music bloggers are cursing me at the moment. But it is the moment of hesitation that makes me question the "integrity" of the topics I blog about.

I don't regard myself as a "blogger" in all sense of the word. I mean yes, I do keep a blog but I've always despised being labelled a blogger. I suppose part of it is accredited to the negative connotation that the term presents. In the present climate, a blogger can probably defined as teenage girls (and a small percentage of boys) who attend social gatherings and writes a 150 words entry with 15 photos of her with her friends.

But some of you might protest that photos of parties serve as an integral part of a blog. Well that is partly true and I shall not deny the privilege of that comprehension to you. Photos and posts of parties does expands the commercial value of a blog. Even more so if you have agreeable features. This translates to larger hit counts and subsequently, greater advertisement revenues.

I have vehemently stated that the primary reason I decided to enroll myself in journalism school was because I wanted to be a voice of social change that re-arranges the world's perspective. To be read by thousands and having your meaning conveyed through words is an exciting prospect for me. What that I failed to see is that in the day and age of Lady Gaga's frenzy, society thrives on frivolity. Nobody wants to read a lengthy blog post about social conscience and poverty.

Then again, nobody ever said that we need to conform with conventionality. And if nobody will take the stance, then I will lead a solo revolution...or at least I'll try.

Are You Satisfied?

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 07:18:00 +0000

The other day I texted Julian Gan saying that I'd rather buy an original CD than buy a cup of frappuccino at Starbucks. I'm new fashioned you see, so I don't necessarily buy CDs anymore these days. Like all you other cheapskate Malaysians out there, I also read my news online rather than buy a copy of newspapers.

Hahaha shyte I'm kidding keep buying your newspapers!

The real context here though is not so much on the propensity of Malaysians' pathological cheapskate-ness than it is about the audacious length at which we would pay RM14.65 for a cup of coffee. At the same time, it also speaks negatively about the psyche of our modern day society.

You are deemed cool when you hold the cup bearing Starbucks logo. True, I mean do you see the casts of Gossip Girl drinking out of a plain paper cup? But if you were to measure a lifestyle out of logos and brands, where is that going to propel us to?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not an anti-Starbuckers. Heck, I'm not even societally licensed to speak poorly of a coffee store given that I don't drink coffee. And the fact that I once paid RM89.90 for a Rachael Yamagata CD render me hypocritical if I dictate that Starbucks' coffee is too expensive for consumption.

So I'm not even really here to subvert your unwavering adulation for a frothy, creamy, rich and aromatic taste of a Starbucks coffee. But what that I do want to know is, when you sip down that RM14.65, are you satisfied?

Guest Blogger Post: Eat to Live, or Live to Eat?

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 11:46:00 +0000

By Julian Gan

Yeah, this question begs for consideration especially for those of us who hail from this part of the world, where food is made in so many different ways and flavours that tantalise our taste buds like ants to sweet, sweet sugar. Have you ever stopped to think about this question and what is the answer for yourself?

Are you the one who finds it taxing to be thinking about where is the best place to get your favourite nasi lemak, or are you the one who finds it hectic to think about how much calories each piece of food you are consuming into your system? Are you the one who prefers to just eat enough to live or the one who prefers to savour every morsel of delight this world has to offer, no matter the expenses we have to sacrifice to taste it?

Well, no matter which side you are in, know this. When it comes right down to the point, we all have to eat.

And being a genuine Malaysian boy I am, I believe in living to eat. With the immense cuisines that humans have developed throughout centuries, I find it my calling to be able to traverse the world to taste different types of food this world has to offer. You may beg to differ from my point of view but I stand my point when I say, living on Earth should be something to be enjoyed than to be just another being coming and when the time comes, going.

Living in this part of the world known as the East or Asia or more specifically, Southeast Asia, we are blessed because our ancestors are true connoisseurs when it comes to food. They perfected the way we prepare food so that eating would be a pleasurable activity instead of just another thing we have to do to survive. Flavours that tingle the taste bud help to make life such a lovely thing to do!

As much as living to eat may be such an amazing choice to consider, it is also not such a healthy choice because if all we ever do in life is eat, then health problems such as obesity would be happy to acquaint you as their friend. Then their pals, high blood pressure and stroke would soon come along as well to befriend you. Although that may be the case, I find that we as humans have the ability to set borders and boundaries for ourselves.

I end this short note with a hope that you would go back and think about your choice. Which side are you on? If you are a person who just eats enough to live by, well...good for you. If you are the one who takes eating a more important matter and find yourself choosing the life of eating, then welcome to the club. May we prosper well as we venture through this planet we live in and savour every little thing that our stomachs are able to digest and live just as healthy as the rest!

Bring on the calories that I can have, because those assam laksa and satays need someone to ensure it is not wasted and thrown into the trash!

Julian Gan is an aspiring writer who spends his time writing about his thoughts in his petite blog, Splendorous. He has a passion for psychology and hopes for his words to be able to inspire many others and change the world someday.

Like Whoa (Part 4)

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 22:00:00 +0000

RSS Feeds is now on iTalk Whoa!

Some of you people might be wondering what on earth is ‘RSS’? It might sound like a mouthful but RSS is just a label that stands for “Really Simple Syndication”.

RSS Feeds enable you to get news feeds and updates on any topics that interest you fast and easy. You don’t have to check or be on the lookout on what’s coming.

It delivers the headline, short summary and a link back to the full text every time an RSS news feed is updated.

Listed below are some of the benefits that you optimistic people might find out of the usage of RSS feed in iTalk Whoa:

If you have been worried about giving your name and email address to subscribe to any newsletter, the RSS feed in iTalk Whoa! has come to your rescue. Subscribing to RSS feed does not require you to do so. No more e-mails and no spams too. Your privacy is assured.

You will get updates automatically on your iTalk Whoa’s account.

For those who have got used to bookmaking pages, this is no longer necessary.

If you are a content owner or publisher, you are able to distribute your contents without being sent to the junk folder.

Sound enticing enough? Here is a beginner’s guide to configuring RSS feeds on your iTalk Whoa’s account:

Select the RSS Feeds under Mail panel and click on New Group to create a new category/group

Pop up box [RSSFeed Category Name] will appear and please input any name for the new group – example News

Then click on button [Add]

Automatically the News Feeds will appear in current Category Panel as below:

To input any info on News category, just search for RSS News that interest you. For example, my favourite online news portal The Star Online.

Just go to the The Star Online Url - http://thestar.com.my/

Scroll further down till the end of the webpage and you will see image as below:

The RSS icon placed on the right side and click on it.

You may input or place any RSS in iTalk Whoa! for any website that have the RSS icon

You may get RSS Feeds from:

· Any newspaper – The star [http://thestar.com.my/rss/]

· At PC/Entertainment website – Apple [http://www.apple.com/rss/]

· At blogger website – Happenstance & The Reason Why =P

Shown above the link for RSS Feeds in The Star newspaper. Thus you can just choose any topic that

interests you the most. In this example, Sport under News been selected.

Start tweaking your iTalk Whoa today and tell me what you feel about it :)

Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 01:38:00 +0000

Social network buzzed with "compromising" photos

By ZHAO LIANG

PETALING JAYA: The social network Facebook had been invaded by bizarre photos in the past few weeks which depicts locally un-renowned wannabe blogger Chester Chin in a series of compromising facial expressions.

The photos surfaced on the Internet last Friday night after being uploaded by college student Michelle Leong who took them during an outing at Sunway Pyramid.

"We almost went crazy looking for parking," Leong commented when met by reporters at a local mamak stall.

Too desperate for parking: Chin showed a cuckoo expression after being stuck in the car for close to 45 minutes while looking for a parking spot at Sunway Pyramid last Friday.

"Astro Battleground was being held at the mall and the fact that it was a public holiday worsens matters," said Leong while adding that it took them nearly 45 minutes to clinch a parking spot.

Pik Kei from Sungai Buloh concurs with Leong.

"That place memang (really) damn hard find parking. They were lucky to be able to find a spot," she said and added that "Chester looked like a siao kia (crazy kid) yo!"

The photos had attracted a myriad of public opinions over the weekend.

Chen Khin Chew who was present at the shopping outing thought that the photos were "epic". Biochemistry student Grace Chia from Kota Damansara shares the same sentiment with Chew.

"It was a nice expression of Chester," Chia said.

Kang Wee Sheong from Bandar Sri Damansara was more critical.

"No place to bang sai (shit)?" he said with a grin when asked on his thoughts about the photos.

Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 02:40:00 +0000

Lets face facts here...this blog is going on a rut. Heck, I'm going on a rut. And I blame it on the short trimester of my university's academic calendar. You see I purposely packed my Mondays with classes from 8am to 5pm.

BIG MISTAKE.

Now basically I only have classes on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday. That leaves my Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays absolutely devoid of activities. And I'm the sort of person who likes to bury myself with work...or rather I like to think about work.

Which was what I did on my free weekdays. I did my research and assignments during those three days. I have this pathological habit of stressing myself to complete my assignments A.S.A.P.

ANOTHER big mistake.

Khin Chew told me the sole purpose of a short trimester's existence is for students to take it easy and take a breather after a grueling 14-weeks long trimester. Well if you want my honest opinion, I personally think that a short trimester is a blot in our higher education's landscape.

Students are not suppose to take it easy, because when we do take it easy we turn to Internet

porn and drugs. So the best way to bring forward a healthy youth generation is by bombarding us with work 24/7. The expression "an idle mind is the devil's workshop" anyone?

Crap I think Michelle's right. I am turning into a workaholic T.T

Anywayyyy like what that the superfluous title of my previous post suggested, the world does not revolve around me. Thus I'll be dedicating the next portion of the post to a new segment I've come up with to revive this sad excuse of a blog called 'Record Spin'.

It's basically bite-sized reviews. You won't be getting a lengthy smart-ass review, instead you'll be getting an unpretentious musically uneducated opinion of music albums. So here goes nothing...

* * *

RECORD SPIN #1

Kaleidoscope Heart - Sara Bareilles

Did 'Love Song' make you want vomit blood when heard it for the 1,234 897 time on the radio back in 2007? Well if yes, then Kaleidoscope Heart might be an antidote that will cure that music cancer of yours. Personally I found her mainstream debut album Little Voice kind of bland. 'Love Song' was the climax...and the rest of the album pretty much play out like the aftermath of an ejaculation. But Kaleidoscope Heart could just be the right foreplay here.

Selected Spins: Uncharted, Hold My Heart, The Light

Happiness - Hurts

These two British lads could pass as Burberry's models if they don't have a music career. Happiness was an okay album for me, it was not groundbreaking nor did it made me want to tear my ears off. Its 80s music with a twist...but in this case I think Pepsi Twist had more twist to it.

Selected Spins: Wonderful Life, Devotion (feat. Kylie Minogue)

Speak Now - Taylor Swift

Do I even need to provide this album a bite-sized review?

Selected Spins: Speak Now, Dear John, Mean

The Big Bang

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 02:05:00 +0000

I swore upon my two Rachael Yamagata's CDs to write something on this blog of mine. Its been months since I wrote and in blogging years that constitute for like what, a million light years?

Anyway, for the sake of Rachael Yamagata I'll try to write something. Hmm let's see. This is not easy...I think I'm losing my touch when it comes to writing. Okay okay I have something.

During my last trimester break, I had a two-weeks working stint at Menara Star. I enjoyed every single moment of my time there! It was fun albeit tiring. But yeah I had a really great time. Got to meet the faces behind the byline. Hahahaha yeaaaah I'm probably the writers' worst nightmare because I always keep track of the bylines when I read the newspapers.

Sigh...I'm damn freakyyyyyyyy.

So yep, I sat at the Education desk (StarEducation/ stuff@school/ NiE) and did some intern-ish stuff. I carried coffee and newspapers for the editors...

Hahahahahahaha okay thats a LIE. The only coffee I carried was my own at the cafeteria. Okay thats another lie, I don't drink coffee.

People there were really nice and helpful. I think I learned more in those 2 weeks than I ever could 2 months within the walls of my university. Which is true really, you can never really learn much as long as you're still sheltered within the confines of a classroom. Real knowledge is out there in the real world. And in this case, the real world is the working world.

A's and a perfect CGPA and foreign university's degree can only get you so far. Therefore, I was thanking my lucky stars when I was given this opportunity.

It was a really humbling experience. I was used to being "Chester with his perfect English". But oh boy, I couldn't even hold a candle to the writers and editors there with their amazing command of the language. Aha I was even reprimanded for my usage of Americanised English!

I think I spent my first week gawking at the writers and what not. THAT is how noob I was. I sat with the editor of StarMag for lunch and already I was starstruck. I meant I look forward to StarMag every Sunday and to finally sit down with the editor behind the pullout was just surreal. But yeaaah, by the second week I managed to contain myself.

The bottom line was that I had a few good laughs along the way. It was work...but it was an enjoyable work. And the moments where I sat down for lunch with the seasoned writers and observe the way they work beat out the 2 hours I got stuck in traffic. Hey, nobody said the pursuit of knowledge was easy.

Someday, in the Event That Mankind Actually Figures Out What it is That This World Revolves Around, Thousands of People are Going to Be Shocked and Perplexed to Find Out it Was Not Them. Sometimes, This Includes Me

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 11:31:00 +0000

I guess the title says it all :)

More or Less

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:08:00 +0000

Throughout the course of four months or so, I have let my hair to grow out. And throughout those period, my hair has been a topic of much debate among my friends. I felt like Jennifer freaking Aniston. Some have said that I have curly hair (which I don't by the way) whereas others have been more blunt and said that it was messy.

Which was true you see. I'm not one of those guys who style their hair with a myriad of products and takes 20 minutes every morning in front of the mirror carefully texturing every single hair strand. Even writing the word 'texture' is giving me goosebumps all over. I have a very difficult relationship with hair products - gel, wax, mud, you name it, they all hate me.

But all this growing out your hair is not very practical. Literally and figuratively, the temperature hit close to forty degree Celsius every day. It was brutally hot and most of the time my hair will be plastering itself on my forehead. It was downright nasty.

I can't exactly remember when or how but at some point during last week, I said, "You know what? Fuck this."

So today, I walked into a cement-floored barbershop and told the guy I want it all taken off.

He smiled, prompt me to sit down on a torn cushioned chair, grabbed his clippers and went to work.

Damn, it felt good.

There is something liberating about shaving your head. The vibration of the clippers close to the scalp as it cut all the hair away and to see the pile of dark locks on the floor and know that its somebody else's shit now. It's as if you're shearing off your troubles and other form of crap that have been weighing you down. It's a clean start. A statement.

Boy, it physically feels good. No more hair conditioner, no more itching in the heat of the sun. Come out from the shower, run your hand over your bristly scalp and bead of water flick into the air. That's it - you're done, all dry up baby.

I'm not suggesting all you guys out there should be grabbing a set of electronic clippers. Before I started my haircut, I consulted with the barber first whether or not I have the face structure to carry the buzz haircut. Of course its a far fetched dream if you think you're going to end up looking like Zinedine Zidane or Becham. But you can always trick yourself into heading that direction.

Now, I'm talking about having a full head of hair and saying to hell with it. There's something rebellious about that. Maybe not in a major way, but enough to put some bounce into your step. Its just a way of saying "Fuck you world, I don't give a shit" and its gooooooood.

Seloka Hari Raya

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 02:00:00 +0000

This is ~~NOT~~ an advertorial

For most Malaysians, the Ramadan season basically translates to good bazaar Ramadan food – the rendang ayam, murtabak, sirap bandung, roti jala, ayam percik. Sigh I can be an epicure when it comes to food. Oh the hedonistic lifestyle baby!

But yeah apart from the food, there is also the super duper smooth traffic for us KL-ites during Raya. Yes, the once in a year surreal event which befalls Kuala Lumpur on and ONLY on Raya.

Now the folks at iTalk is giving us more reasons to love the Raya seasons. In conjunction with Aidilfitri, you will be able to enjoy 20% additional talktime credited into your account when you activate or reload your iTalk card from 1^st September until 31^st October 2010.

Denomination	Extra Talktime
RM50	RM10
RM30	RM6
RM20	RM4

That’s not all, TM has expanded its online content to be purchased using iTalk. If you would like to know more about their online deals, check on the following websites:

· HyppTunes (www.hypptunes.com.my)

· E-Browse (www.ebrowse.com.my)

· B-SmartXpress (www.bluehyppo.com)

· Gamezone (www.hyppgames.com.my)

· MUTV online (www.hypp.tv/manutd)

To all my fellow optimistic pollyannas, have an awesome Raya x)

Living for the City

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:04:00 +0000

I am back in KL for about six days or so for my pre-Raya break. Gosh, I can't believe how much I miss this place - the heavy traffic, the various city highways, crazy drivers, the LRT train stations, heavily polluted with carbon monoxide air, One Utama and the tolls (the tolls or gawd the tolls).

Oh nothing feels as good as home :)

Some of my classmates from Ipoh and Kelantan have wondered how I managed to survive in this crazy metropolitan city which we call KL for the last 18 years or so of my life. And every time my reply would be the same "What is so hard about living in KL?!"

Sure the stretch of LDP from Bandar Utama to Kelana Jaya is jam packed with cars of various shapes and sizes during the peak hours and sure the drivers might honk you if you travel for less than 70km/hr. And yes, I do pay RM3.20 every time I travel to-and-fro to One Utama and you can never, I repeat NEVER find a parking if you visit Mid Valley after noon on a weekend..

But all this is pretty normal yes? Normal like how you would wake up every morning and brush your teeth kind of normal.( Well if you don't brush your teeth then I rest my case)

I have never once questioned why the KL traffic is so fucking congested or why we must pay crazy expensive toll rates because I guess I have gotten used to it. This goes to all you other urban kids out there...we have become so assimilated with the city life that we are now at a point where we are immune to all the malarkey that comes with living in the city.

At this point of my life, I couldn't possibly imagine not growing up in the city. To grow up not going to the shopping malls during the weekends but instead visiting a park...I don't know, I just couldn't picture me in that scenario.

But then again, I divide most of my formative teenage years between Penang and KL. And Penang has basically turned into a mini KL. So my kampung is not exactly a kampung in all sense of the word.

I just have this to say though, Kuala Lumpur is a place which I've grown to love and loathe in equal measures. But more importantly, its a place where I feel home is :)

Buzzworthy #9: Sky Ferreira

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 07:09:00 +0000

After months of interminable absence Buzzworthy is back with a bang people!

Introducing...Sky Ferreira.

The spunky singer-songwriter exudes all quality that every run-of-the-mill teenager singing sensation (from Miley Cyrus to Taylor Momsen) craves to have. She is adequately provocative, sensationally cool and rightfully distinctive without trying too hard.

But what that sets her apart from her peers is her voice. Ferreira has been touted as the next Britney Spears and rumoured to have the pipes comparable to those of Mariah Carey.

Her new single 'One' is a modern robo-stomper. While it doesn't show off her vocals and seems a bit subdued and lacklustre, the song is definitely an insane piece of music after a couple of spins. The understated metronomic vocal and stammering synths will evade your brain. You have been warned...

But what that I really do love about 'One' is its polished, high-end couture video which was shot by renowned fashion photographer Rankin. And the result as we know it is uber chic.

And now all I can hear is One...

Breakaway

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 02:35:00 +0000

Contrary to popular belief, there is nothing glamorous about moving out from your parent's place and living on your own. Sure the whole independence thing sound very promising in the beginning. But independence, like everything else in life can be very bitchy as time passes by.

Living on your own is so unglamorous that at times I feel like suing the producers of Gossip Girl for making it so entertaining and sophisticated and polished. The reality is it is far from a polished life this whole living out. All the partying and sleeping late?

Bullshit.

Aha okay maybe I might not be that literate on the late night partying because I've always had this inner nerd in me. But oh the reality is an ugly, ugly thing. Doing your own laundry, cooking your own meal, cleaning out the room...the list goes on and on. And oh god did I mention managing your own finances?

Managing your own account has got to be the bitchiest of all. As most of you would have probably know by now, I am an obsessive and compulsive shopper. But there is nothing compulsive about my spending these days. For example, the other day I went to three different sundry shops to compare the prices of Chipsmore cookies before cycling about 5km to Tesco. All because Tesco's Chipsmore was cheaper by RM1.40.

But I guess living out makes you appreciate your parents even more which is what, I think, most of us young people don't do enough. Our mom and dad make managing the household and finances look almost effortless. It makes the whole nagging from mom thing seems very valid during these times.

I guess independence is not that bitchy after all. Living on your own teaches you all these subtle things once you get pass the frivolities of chores and what not. So here is to those who have taken the leap from the comfort of your home into the big bad world and those who are about to. To those who haven't, worry not. All of us, at some point in our life, do breakaway.

BookSneeze Review: 'Angel Song' by Sheila Walsh & Kathryn Cushman

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 02:11:00 +0000

The premise for the novel Angel Song, a joint effort by authors Sheila Walsh and Kathryn Cushman rides on the coattail of life, grief, love, faith...and to a certain extent the lack of all the aforementioned.

The story revolves around Anne Fletcher, a young career-driven woman who returns to her childhood home when a tragedy in the form of her sister's death strikes. She returned with a sole purpose - to fix her house, get it on the market and fix her life while on the way. However, things don't go as planned when she finds herself falling for Ethan McKinney, the charming and handsome handyman.

The book is definitely a worthy read. Packed with an above average plot and characters you can emphasize with, Angel Song pulls you in from the first chapter onwards. It is also refreshing that angels make the core theme of the novel. And the fact that Walsh and Cushman didn't try to overdo the whole angel thing is impressive.

Angel Song is a heartwarming read. It might not be so much of a literary read but it will definitely leave you with a warm feeling later on.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Devolution Workin' Man Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:34:00 +0000

The following is my To-Do list from July19th - July 25th 2010.

Interview respondents for Teenspeak.
Get respondents to send me their photos.
Nag Michelle and Wee Sheong for the diary account.
Nag Michelle and Wee Sheong to send me a sexy photo of themselves.
Edit the diary account.
Edit Teenspeak responses.
Prepare for presentation on the world's political systems due to last minute unforeseen circumstances.
Study for Political Science Mid Term.
Complete assignment on the "Allah" issue.
Edit group members' report.
Put together all parts of the assignment and print out.
Pretend to be oblivious of Calyn's birthday...
...then throw her a surprise party at her house.
E-mail in all written articles and photos to editor.
Pitch new proposed story to editor.
Try not to breakdown while juggling the million and one other things not mentioned on this list.

The thing is I am actually enjoying the stress of work. I've discovered recently that I get very restless when I've completed all task. Maybe I'll take 24 hours to rest and go for a jog and listen to Rachael Yamagata. But when the 24 hours is up my brain just HAVE to find something to do or something to worry about.

Two possible hypothesis. Either I'm turning into a workaholic or I'm just being sadistic :/

Like Whoa (Part 3)

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0000

This is ~~NOT~~ an advertorial

My friend Julian Theseira will be heading off to the States soon to further his studies.
This is why I was ecstatic when I received news that iTalk Whoa is having a special promotional call rates to the US, UK, Canada, Australia and China which runs from 15^th July to 31^st December 2010.

Apart from calling up JT, I will now have more reason to call up my cousin in the UK, distant aunty from Canada, old schoolmate in Australia and...hmm I don’t really have any relations in China, but this promotion is too good to let slide! So maybe I’ll dig up my old family scrapbook and look up for long lost relatives or something.

Anyway, here are the special rates drafted up by the good folks at TM.

Country	iTalk Whoa
Country	Fixed	Mobile
China	0.07	0.08
U.S.A	0.07	0.10
U.K	0.07	0.85
Canada	0.07	0.14
Australia	0.07	0.81

Interested and want to know more? Well feel free to browse through some of the FAQ letters I received on my non-existent ‘Ask Chester’ column.

1. Dear Chester, can any other Ah Beng and Ah Lian enjoy this promotion?

Well not just any Ah Beng and Ah Lian! You would have to have signed up as an iTalk Whoa user first before you enjoy the special rates.

2. I am an IT bimbo. So how do I go about making calls from iTalk Whoa?

Aww...I’m an IT bimbo too! *high five*

But seriously you don’t have to be Bill Gates to make calls using iTalk Whoa. The process is relatively simple. All you have to do is login to www.italkwhoa.com. Click on the “Phone” tab, choose the international destination and enter your phone number. Click “Dial” and enjoy the conversation. Do ensure that you have sufficient iTalk Credit before making any calls though.

3. Can I enjoy the promotion rates if I make calls out of the promotion period?

Sorry to break your bubble but no. The promotion only runs from 15^th July till 31^st December 2010.

4. Do I enjoy special rates if I make iTalk calls to other countries than as listed above?

Again sorry to break your bubble but nope. Any calls made to other countries than mentioned in item 5 are not eligible to enjoy the special rates

5. Can I enjoy these rates if I am residing and making calls from the countries listed above?

Since iTalk Whoa is a web based portal, you can virtually make your call anywhere in the world. All you need is an internet connection.

6. I am a Home Prepaid and iTalk for Mobile customer. Do I enjoy the iTalkWhoa Promo Rates?

The promotion rates are only applicable for iTalkWhoa users. To enjoy this great deal, register yourself now at www.iTalkWhoa.com.

Promotion ends 31^st December 2010. So if you haven’t signed up as an iTalk Whoa user yet, go ahead and do it now!

Better Than You

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 07:50:00 +0000

Finding a designated parking space within my university compounds is a bitch. Heck, I think I will have better luck getting a parking space at Mid Valley.

*gasp*

Yes, I said it! I mean just look at the photo below (courtesy of Ms. Grace Chia):

Just to reiterate my point, bicycle parking at UTAR is a bitch.

Apart from being called Universiti Tak Ada Rehat and "military university", we Utarians have a questionable mentality too sometimes. In case you're wondering why I'm spoofing my own university, it is because I've noticed that all university/ college-going students regardless of race and religion (really 1Malaysia, Najib must be so proud now) have a tendency to compare their institution with yours and pick up flaws (even though they tend to bitch about their own institution with their university peers) in the groves of acadame you're enrolled in.

So yup, I figured since I'm not tagging along in this eh-why-your-university-like-that-one-ah-so-cham-not-like-my-uni-we-are-so-much-better-than-your-uni bandwagon and getting all defensive when someone passes a negative comment about my university, I figured I might as well spoof myself :)

Anyway yep back to this "questionable mentality", UTAR students have this tendency to park 5 bicycles in a plot meant for 2 bicycles. Very economic hor? In case you're wondering why UTAR produce such high quality business and accounting students, I honestly believe it has to do with this "ability" of "maximizing space usage".

If you'll excuse me, I have to go hide before the students from the Business Faculty hunt me down.

To be continued... (If the Business students don't get to me first!)

BookSneeze Review: 'Mystically Wired' by Ken Wilson

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:30:00 +0000

Let me just begin by saying that I am not a Christian. Neither am I a very religious person (unless you count superstition as a spiritual devotion). So why on earth, you might ask, am I doing reading and reviewing a book on Christianity?

I honestly don't know. But what I do know is that I am drawn by the notion of viewing prayers through a scientific eye view.

The main idea of Mystically Wired is relatively simple - our brains are biologically wired to pray.

Ken Wilson, a senior pastor and author of Jesus Brand Spirituality proposed that each and everyone of us are equipped with the capability to pray in this "how-to" book. The hypothesis here is that the innate inclination to pray is embedded within one's brain synapses rather than being a purely cultural thing. Prayer here is scrutinized on a scientific background rather than one of the religious approach

The book is divided into two parts. In Part 1, Wilson tackles the meaning of what it meant to be mystically wired and explored the many facade of prayer while providing references to scientific data and journals. On the second half of the book, Wilson presents practical advice to get into the habit of praying through means such as meditation and praying at intervals.

Mystically Wired starts off ambitiously with Wilson drawing references to the brain-imaging studies that scientists conducted on monks and nuns. The comprehensive research of scientific date and intense prayer experiences done by the author is impressive. However, Wilson failed to keep the momentum rolling after the first few chapters.

Some of the ideas which he presented on the book seemed a bit far-fetched albeit the fact that they are supported by a scientific basis. It is also unfortunate that the book tend to get too wordy at times. The idea is clearly there but they are not constructed in a way which casual readers like me would comprehend.

What that I do like though, is the cookbook-esque way which Wilson presents the practical ways to cultivate the praying habit. But this one saving grace is just not enough to propel the book in the ambitious direction it was heading to.

I approached the book with an open mind but the execution just didn't make it for me. Truth be told, I'm still waiting for the great revelation. Unfortunately, Mystically Wired is just not it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Chester Endorses... 'Aphrodite' by Kylie Minogue

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 14:08:00 +0000

NPR's Amy Schriefer couldn't have come up with a more apt analogy when she compared Kylie Minogue to football. She is worshiped in most parts of the world except the United States.

Named after the Greek goddess of beauty and love herself, the album is the diminutive Australian diva's 11th studio album and one of her best thus far. There is not a single ballad here which is fine really considering Minogue's magic work best when she purrs her way through heavily synced dance tracks.

Listening to the album was a pure euphoric experience. It is pop fluff minus the frivolity. It is a record for the weekends without much care for Monday mornings hangover.

From the anthemic beats of 'Better Than Today' to the haunting Europop-esque sounds of 'Cupid Boy', this is Kylie at her best dance floor bliss.

'Aphrodite' is out July 5th in record stores and distributed by Warner Music Malaysia.

Lil' Red Riding Hood

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 18:51:00 +0000

There was a relocation sale at Triple Crown. Yes, that overpriced surfers clothing retail store next to Converse at One Utama. But there was a sale. A sale...not a whale, but a sale.

You see, usually I would just turn the other cheek and walk away (okay that's a lie). But this isn't just another run-of-the-mill sale. Nope it isn't, it is a relocation sale. Say it with me syllable by syllable...re-lo-ca-tion. Yes very good, now articulate every syllable slowly and say it again.

In my version of the retail vocabulary, 'relocation sale' means "more discounts compared to a sale". And if you're a sane person like me, here are the steps you should take:

Walk into the store.
While you're in the store, look at the clothes (duh).
If there is a slightest chance that you should see something that catches your eye, you ought to try it on.
After trying it on...well why put it back on the rack after all the hassle of putting it on and checking yourself out in the mirror?
Thus, if you're sane like me, you would walk over to the cashier make the purchase, don't look back, swear you will start saving, stop eating so much (because food is not exactly cheap anyway, more so when you're paying for something you don't even have the chance to eat) and not attend another birthday party until next year.

Okay before you judge me too harshly, the hoodie retails for RM189.90 on a normal day. But on this relocation sale, it only costs RM60!

Pik Kei, being a concerned friend that she is posed me this question "Do you really need it? Or do you just want it?" while I was rummaging through the display rack looking for sizes.

Well do I want it?

Well...I don't really want it. But you have to admit that it has an arresting colour. Those who know me well will know that I have a preference for bold colours when it comes to my clothes. And that shade of red just screams sexy.

Do I really need it?

Of course I do. The air conditioning at Kampar UTAR's lecture halls are so cold to the point where it can shrink your balls. So yes, I do need a comfortable 80% cotton and 20% polyester hoodie to keep me warm (and also to keep my anatomy working at optimum level) during a 3 hours lecture.

So after much careful deliberation and context dissection, I retorted back at Pik Kei with a (very well constructed, I daresay) response.

"I don't want it...but I do really need it"

You see if I want it but don't really need it, then I will feel guilty about getting it in the first place. But aha there is a catch! It is the reverse situation here; I don't want it but I do need it :)

There was also this pig skin lining sandals that go on sale for RM50 per pair. Pik Kei says it looks ugly, but then again on a normal day the sandals cost RM102.

Oh well, there is always another sale just around the corner right?

Delivery

noreply@blogger.com (Chester Chin) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 02:46:00 +0000

I love free stuffs. Well if you're not Malaysian you probably wouldn't know what I'm talking about. Which is why I was ecstatic (reminder: free stuff) when I received the following package...

which contains a free book within it...

sent all the way from...

Nashville!

A million thanks to Cleffairy, noted blogger and published Malaysian author (I'm including the 'published Malaysian author' part to flaunt my blogosphere connection...hahahahahahahahaha, shit Chester one of these days you're going to get bitch slap from random strangers for being so vain), who introduced me to the BookSneeze program.

For those of you who want to know what BookSneeze is all about, let me tell you now. Go google it and you will find out :)

Okay I'm not that bad lah. BookSneeze is basically a book review program which is targeted at all bloggers.

Based in Nashville, the aim of the program is to get bloggers to review books and post that review on their blogs. Thats not all, you get to post your honest thoughts about the book - love it, hate it (those who despise compulsive liars will enjoy this) and...

*drum roll please*

YOU GET TO KEEP THE BOOK. (reminder: free stuff)

Hahahahaha exciting much? Well I'm an avid reader and self-proclaimed "book collector", so whatever free titles I can add to my library is a welcoming notion.

Some of you bookaholics out there might get what I'm trying to say, but I guess most of you optimistic people just think I'm crazy...that or you're not a Malaysian.

P.S: Review coming up, got to get through Political Science pop quiz first!