Random Musings

The year-end is the time for lists and accolades.

Here’s mine…

Best Local Production I Watched: “The Importance of Being Earnest” by W!ld Rice

The all-male cast was brilliant. I don’t recall enjoying a better performance this year than this one. “Sing Dollar!”, though it had a stellar cast, was plagued by a confusing script. “Own Time Own Target” and “Broadway Beng-Jiak Liu Lian!” were highly enjoyable, but I still preferred “Earnest”.

Worst Local Production I Watched: “Sleepless Town” by Toy Factory

Uh-oh. Definitely my worst theatre experience this year. Honestly, I don’t remember much, but all I remember was that I was highly uncomfortable for a large part of the show, and I just wanted it to end.

Best Sports Moment: Yankess Winning World Series

Biggest Celebrity Death: Michael Jackson

In a year where there were so many celebrity deaths, none came bigger than the death of Michael Jackson.

Most Memorable Moment (tied): Playing a Steinway Concert Grand in the Esplanade Concert Hall and Playing a Street Piano in Sydney

There were many, but I guess these were the first two that come to mind.

Most Memorable Event: The Songcraft Year-End Concert

The months-long preparation for the Songcraft concert were quite tough, and we went through quite a bit of ups and downs…but the fact that it turned out a huge success made everything so much sweeter.

Best Movie I Watched: “(500) Days of Summer”

Is there even a fight for this? No other movie I watched at the cinema this year even comes close, e.g. “Julie & Julia”, “This is It”, “The Princess and the Frog”.

Best DVD I Watched: “Up”

Ah-ha! Theoretically I watched “Up” at home, so it doesn’t count in the above category. But seriously, “Up” was super-fantastically brilliant.

Worst Movie I Watched: “The Blue Mansion”

Not that I want to be critical of local works, but this one was seriously quite disappointing. The ending was quite badly done.

Best Concert I Was At: Maroon 5

I caught quite a number of concerts this year, including Jason Mraz, Coldplay, Oasis, Lea Salonga, and Mr Big. They were all good, but if I had to pick just one…then I guess I’d have to put Maroon 5 up there, even though their concert was quite short. (It’s the quality, not the quantity.)

Best Restaurant Discovery: Chili’s at Tanglin Mall

Great food, great ambience. And I discovered it by accident some more.

Most Enjoyable Musical: “Cinderella”

I watched a few, including “Wicked”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Lost in Transit”, and “天冷就回来”…but I think my favourite was “Cinderella” by Rodgers & Hammerstein, starring Lea Salonga. Great sets, great acting, and fantastic music. (It’s Rodgers & Hammerstein after all!)

This Year Will Be Remembered For: Weddings!!!

Let’s see how many of my friends got married this year – Huining, Wei Jie, Aileen, Marcel, Carol, Serina, John, DJ, Rudy.

Awesome!