It’s the end of July already.
Talk about time passing.
Anyhow, I am busy with Short and Sweet at the moment. So I will hardly be updating the site until the show is over.
Thank you for supporting this site.

2008 Call for Applications (Deadline 31 Aug 2008)

The Krishen Jit ASTRO Fund has been created by ASTRO to encourage and support creative work in Malaysia. One of the main objectives of Krishen’s pioneering work was celebrating original Malaysian creativity in as varied and alternative ways as possible in all the areas of the arts. His groundbreaking theatre practice straddled and brought together a wide range of contrasting spheres, producing projects that were inter-disciplinary, multi-cultural, multi-lingual and experimental. Negotiating between academia and practice, tradition and contemporary pop culture, Hollywood and Bollywood, the mainstream and the marginalized, Krishen’s work articulated a Malaysian identity that was ever evolving and encouraged practitioners and audiences to reflect on their lives and societies. This is the spirit of the Krishen Jit ASTRO Fund.

In 2006, the Fund received 80 applications. The final 3 grantees were:

o Au Sow Yee – for a film installation and performance.
o Sharon Chin – for research and an interactive installation and exhibition of new work concerning libraries and banned books.
o Dr. Ray Langenbach – for his Malaysian Performance Video Archives Project, a project to preserve Malaysian performance documentation.

In 2007, the Fund received 27 applications. The final 4 grantees were:

o Amir Muhammad – towards a film Punggok Rindukan Bulan.
o Hardesh Singh and CH Loh – towards the first Malaysian CD anthology.
o Lim Kok Yoong – towards LAMU-Let Arts Move You, visual arts in commuter trains and train stations.
o Shahili Abdan (aka Nam Ron) – for research in Southern Thailand for theatre script.

Once again, in 2008, the fund will give out grants ranging from RM5,000 to RM20,000 for :

Training
Workshops
Attachments/residencies
Experimental productions
Research and documentation
Writing
Creating new work in music, dance, theatre, writing, film, visual/performance art
Others

Examples include, but are not limited to:

- Artist A might want to study under well known Indonesian theatre director Putu Wijaya. Artist A could apply to be attached to a production directed by Putu Wijaya for a 4-6 week period. This would give artist A insights and learning on methods of this director.
- Artist B might want to do research on a subject for purposes of writing a new script. Artist B could apply to do this research and write the script.
- Artist C could apply to direct and mount an experimental workshop or production.
- Artist D could apply to attend a training workshop within or outside of Malaysia.
- Attachments and internships.

The Krishen Jit ASTRO Fund will try to be inclusive, but work sited in Malaysia will be given preference. All arts practitioners in Malaysia are eligible to apply. The fund will be managed by Five Arts Centre and ASTRO.

The selection panel for awarding the grants shall comprise :

Dato’ Norliza Rofli – Director, Department of Culture and Arts, Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, Malaysia
Har Kok Kit – Head of Production Services, ASTRO
Leow Puay Tin – Co-head, Department of Media and Performance, Sunway University College.
Ravi Navaratnam – Five Arts Centre
Mac Chan – Five Arts Centre

=====

Application Deadline: 31 August 2008.

www.fiveartscentre.org

Had a night out with my friends at Zeta Bar for my birthday.

It has been a busy weekend for me.

Had my birthday party/drinking bash on Friday night.

Then went back to M&Y as a receiver and a graduate.

Plus, I have an improv workshop tonight.

I am tired. Tomorrow, meeting up with the cast and crew for Waiting For Ashes.

Will update this site, as soon as I can.

I need some shut eyes now.

Jackie and Ian were telling me about this vid.
Very funny

Noah, Calvin and Sani kept singing praises about the movie. I finally got to watch it today.
A bit late, I would admit that myself but all the same, I managed to watch it.

I will not spoil it for you but invite you to watch this trailer. And if you are enticed to watch the full movie, then be my guest.

Birthday month is upon us. I am getting older.

We celebrated the IOM July Babies birthday last Friday.

Enjoy the pics!!!

Everyone say, “IOM!!!”

At the head of the table.

July Babies!!!

At the Look Out tower.

First duo

“Yerr, lookin’ at me, punk?”

Once again, I am plagued by nosy people inquiring about my status message.

Currently, I have this posted.

“The worst way to miss someone is when they’re right beside you and yet you know you can’t have them.”

I found it poetic and ironic at the same time.

Fine, I do admit I have a major soft spot for a certain person but that has nothing to do with it. (Perhaps subconciously it does but my concious mind is denying any knowledge of it)

No, it is not a big secret who I have this soft spot for. The people around us know about it and I do believe he does as well. But since neither of us are saying anything, I am just keeping it the way it is.

Am I happy?

Well, while it lasts… Sure.

In the future?

The future is unpredictable. Who wants a love life that is predictable anyways?

But back to the topic, no, I am not putting that status message because of him. Perhaps I should but it is too late now since it is already up.

Are you even following what I am blabbing about? If you do, at least one of us does because I think my fingers have a mind of their own now. They are typing faster than I can actually think to form a sentence together.

In his audio program of the 21 Secrets of the Self-made Millionaire, Brian Tracy mentions, “If you want to fly with the eagles, you have to stop scratching with the turkeys.”

This hits really close to home.

Recently, I have been fortunate enough to be in the company of some eagles. However, I still have turkeys around me. Now I can choose to leave them behind but being the sentimental fool, I still want to help them. Despite many telling me that these people are lost causes.

I want them to be eagles too. But I am flying a bit too fast for them to transform. So sorry Turkey, perhaps one day you will find your Eagle wings.

Have you ever looked back in your life and wonder if you ever achieve those dreams that you had as a kid? Recently, I am looking back and realized a lot of things that has happened and have been happening in my life now are intentions and dreams that I have released into the great unknown universe.

Let’s have a little flashback.

When I was 7, I wanted to be a teacher.
At the age of 19, I had my first proper job as a teacher; teaching at one of the most prestigious and oldest schools in Malaysia.

When I was 12, I wanted to be a writer.
At the age of 18, I had my first article published in the local newspaper.

When I was 16, I wanted to go to acting school.
At the age of 20, I attended a local university to do acting and directing.

When I was 17, I wanted to study in USA.
At the age of 22, I was chosen as student ambassador to Berea College for a semester.

When I was 22, I wanted to be a trainer.
At the age of 24, I became a Cultural Orientation Trainer.

When I was 23, I wanted to work with refugees.
At the age of 24, as a Cultural Orientation Trainer, I am doing just that.

Hmmm…

Slightly delayed but still achieved.

I just hope that my other wishes and dreams will come true.

This is to the future…

Talk about an unlucky day.

Accidentally cut my thumb on a scissor blade.

Thank goodness for a First Aid Kit. But having an injured thumb did affect me during teaching.

Then at the end of the day, I had to go and have a blonde moment. I broke a nail!!!

The day is not over yet, let’s hope nothing else pops up.

I must need to learn how to keep my mouth shut.

5 years ago, I apparently made a promise to a friend that I will lose weight for her wedding.

About a couple of weeks ago, she gave me a call.

“I am getting married!!! So you better lose weight!!!”

I was like, “Huh?”

“I already chose the dress for you to be my bridesmaid. The wedding is on August 31. That’ll give you some time. Bye!”

I stood there, looking like an idiot with a shock and dumb founded face. I griped and groaned to Rorschach about it because he was there when I got the call.

About a week ago, I complained to another mutual friend about Lil’ Miss Happy Bride’s request.

“Well, you did promise her 5 years ago. Keep your end of the bargain then.”

Great, now I got an eye witness.

But a deal is a deal. And I am keeping my end of the bargain. OK, if I count today as Day 1. I have about, 45 days to go.

I love Japanese performing arts. So I am asking you to support this one.
Simple request, that’s all.

What day is today???

Sunday already??? Dang…

Woke up with a aching body. Basically I am in pain in places I do not even know I have. Owww…

I guess that is the price I should pay for not doing my daily exercises. Can’t believe I was committed to 3 hours of physicals back then.

Plus I think I ate too much at the BBQ yesterday night. Achy body with a bloated tummy, what an image.

Ben is back!!! With Choccies in tow… Oh the temptation!!! Resist Adeline!!! Resist!!!

Busy Busy Busy day…

Helped Sparky with a workshop for SPA.

Then attended a Butoh Workshop at the Annexe.

At home, there was a BBQ party for my sister’s office.

My body is aching… Goodnight…

Yes the weekend is here!!!

I have a good class and my interpreter is confirmed to be resettled in USA soon.

Plus today, I’ve received some good news. I have been confirmed for two plays in Short+Sweet - Tabula Rasa and Waiting for Ashes. Both are performances in August!!!

Yay!!!

Just met up with Khaz, my former co-star from Sure Thing by David Ives, back in 2005. Yup, it has been that long already. We went to watch his seniors graduating project of the same piece. How was it you asked? Let’s put it this way, it was different.

Plus, I am helping Sparky run a workshop to help out a friend. And I am attending the Butoh Workshop tomorrow.

And Benny is coming back on Sunday!!!! Woo hoo!!!

Goooood Friday!!!!

As promised, enjoy pictures from Noah and my performance of Alex’s Older at the Platform in KLPAC.

I love this shot of me. Halim says it is a femme fatale shot.

Coffee stains…

Killing dormice

I can’t remember what happened here… Whoops!!!

Those were the days

Reminiscing (Eee, I have slits for eyes!!!)

One of my fave shots.

Look at my shoes… Bought them after a sucky audition. Hahaha!! Now they are put to good use.

A rare tender moment

Close but still distant…

You did what??

Grrr…

Click on the From Curry to Worry!

Watch it and if you really like it, please support Ali by voting on the film before 12th July.

You might have to register on the website for free and Click VOTE on the current submissions
@ Look For the film @From Curry to Worry@ - (Help wanted entries current submissions)

I am on sick leave today. Tired, worn-out and suffering from post-production syndrome again. Nothing new, except for the fact that I puked my guts out after arriving home from the mamak session after the show. No, it is not food poisoning. It is something else that I cannot put into words for the benefit of you loyal readers of this site. Let’s just say that wounds that were inflicted 5 years ago have been opened and my body is reacting towards it as best as it can.

On a lighter note, the performance yesterday was brilliant. We got praised and even got asked to do something by an acting teacher. Coolness, huh? Even Datuk Faridah praised us. Happy times. Though the Q&A was my first, it did go on pretty well. Go LiveWire!!!

Sarah was there from the get go. Thank goodness she was there because I really needed the support. Thanks Sarah!!! The cool part is, she got along with the LiveWire team.

Sparky took a lot of photos of Rorschach and I. Apparently about 200 of them. I will post them up in the next entry.

I am going back to sleep now. Hopefully, I will be better tomorrow.