In One Moment [Page 10] by Tobin Cheung
However, one has a sharp piercing voice; the other a low and raspy voice while the third simply has an odd way of articulating.
“Check out the way she’s dressed,” exclaims the sassy girl to one of her friends, “It looks like she just got off the subway.”
“Yeah, she looks like the girl who works at the Second Cup around my corner, the one with black hair and no makeup other than black eyeliner.”
“You mean the Goth, lesbian, punk thing. Totally. I’m surprised they let her on stage. Isn’t this supposed to be the jazz festival?”
“This doesn’t sound like jazz, it’s dark and choppy. It’s not smooth at all. There’s no way you can dance to this.”
“I know, it’s like the Alterative subcategory of Jazz,” laughs one girl.
“An alternative chic playing jazz, talk about fusion, she should glamour up a bit and pick a color. What’s with the low rise hip hugger jeans?”
“And that second hand store, two sizes too small t-shirt?”
“That armlet around her bicep.”
“She’s muscular.”
“She needs to tame that hair,” one chime’s and all three giggle.
The man in front glances over his shoulder and a forced cough is heard from behind.
“Artists and musicians are all the same, they’re weird,” whispers her friend.
Perception is such a peculiar thing. It’s as boundless as ones imagination. To me; she’s alluring, captivating and absolutely enchanting. Her heel worn runners, the tattoo, the little scraps of paper sticking out her back pocket are all clues into her personal life, each begging for a story to be told.
Anyone keen enough to notice these things will be fraught with curiosity. I know I am. Are those bits of paper airline stubs, hotel receipts, or a composition in progress? How many stages, how many bars; how many downtown sidewalks have those worn shoes danced across?
Her performance is honest and real. She doesn’t hide behind a stage persona. She is a straight forward no games kind of gal. The type that would know which one of the many anonymous pizza bars found in and around the city serves the best gourmet pizza. She is the kind of person that cannot be fooled by presentation alone. Gourmet food can be purchased by the slice. The single aisle of chairs, the uneven floors and the deafening drone of the air conditioner is all part of the charm. These are the sort of characteristics that help flavor her music.
A slice of pepperoni and cheese will not suffice, not a chance, not for this girl. However long it takes, the wait for a freshly baked pizza is worth every bite. Topped with feta cheese, chicken, spinach, sweet onions and green olives, it’s like eating exotic food for the price of fast food. Two slices and a Pepsi please, she would ask.
After washing down the last few bites, she bursts out of the doors. She is late and running down the street. With the sugary liquid sticking to her throat she pushes through in time to meet the third beat. Gasping for breath she ascends the final step to greet the audience. No burning incense, drinking blood or any other superstitious rituals before a show. The knowledge of being true to her music, gives her all the confidence she needs.
My imagination comes to a halt as she dances across to the far side of the stage. A pivot, slide, double step, and tap. My eyes follow her sway. I am surprised at my sudden attraction to this strange girl. My heart beats chaotically and the blood drains from my...
[To Be Continued...]
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Event : Canadian International Auto Show 2012
CREDITS
Photography : M Studio Life [info@mstudiolife.com]
Event : CIAS 2012
Location : Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Beauty News : Lise Watier Aquarella Collection!
Here is the new Lise Watier Aquarella Spring 2012 Collection! The colours are beautiful - with lilacs, purples, pinks and the packaging design is like a piece of art! Get yours today! You can order online : www.lisewatier.com
From your Beauty Blogger,
Maggie Ng
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Health : Vitamin B Complex
SHORT AND SWEET
For those who don’t believe in vitamins, next time you are at a drug store pick up a bottle of B-complex. Don’t think about it, just say bah humbug and bring it to the cashier. No need to look at the price because you spend more at McDonalds. Simply pay for it, bring it to work and drop it on your desk in front of your monitor. At some point you will notice it, when you do, pop one in your mouth, swallow and forget about it. The next day will come, if you see it, say bah humbug and have one. If you don’t see it, it doesn’t matter. If you see it but don’t remember if you took one, then don’t take one or take one. It is water soluble, which means you will pee it out, it does not accumulate in your body. The key is to take it, without thinking about it. Once the bottle is finished you can then decide how much of a nuisance it is to take B-complex. If it turns out that it is a random pill you take because you left the bottle of b-complex in your car, at work or in your jacket, then it is worth trading the cost of a Big Mac combo for once every couple of months.
If you do not use vitamins or care much about them, the point is to have you take them without you noticing that you are taking them. Otherwise there will be all these questions, what are the benefits, do I really need them, I feel normal, I don’t get sick. If you live in North America, have a mortgage, financing a car, work late, and in a relationship, then you are sick enough to take B-complex. Think of it as having a coke or a chocolate bar around 3pm in the afternoon for the sugar boost. Rather than a boost, B-complex helps reduce stress, provides mental clarity, alertness as well as healthy skin and digestion. Basically it counteracts the fast paced North American lifestyle of work hard and work even harder so now play hard.
Words + Photo : Tobin Cheung
For those who don’t believe in vitamins, next time you are at a drug store pick up a bottle of B-complex. Don’t think about it, just say bah humbug and bring it to the cashier. No need to look at the price because you spend more at McDonalds. Simply pay for it, bring it to work and drop it on your desk in front of your monitor. At some point you will notice it, when you do, pop one in your mouth, swallow and forget about it. The next day will come, if you see it, say bah humbug and have one. If you don’t see it, it doesn’t matter. If you see it but don’t remember if you took one, then don’t take one or take one. It is water soluble, which means you will pee it out, it does not accumulate in your body. The key is to take it, without thinking about it. Once the bottle is finished you can then decide how much of a nuisance it is to take B-complex. If it turns out that it is a random pill you take because you left the bottle of b-complex in your car, at work or in your jacket, then it is worth trading the cost of a Big Mac combo for once every couple of months.
If you do not use vitamins or care much about them, the point is to have you take them without you noticing that you are taking them. Otherwise there will be all these questions, what are the benefits, do I really need them, I feel normal, I don’t get sick. If you live in North America, have a mortgage, financing a car, work late, and in a relationship, then you are sick enough to take B-complex. Think of it as having a coke or a chocolate bar around 3pm in the afternoon for the sugar boost. Rather than a boost, B-complex helps reduce stress, provides mental clarity, alertness as well as healthy skin and digestion. Basically it counteracts the fast paced North American lifestyle of work hard and work even harder so now play hard.
Words + Photo : Tobin Cheung
Beauty : "Glow" by M Studio Life
EYES | MAC PIGMENT [WHITE GOLD], BOBBI BROWN EYESHADOW [TAUPE], MAC TECHNAKOHL [BROWNBORDER], SEPHORA MASCARA [LASH STRETCHER]
FACE | COVER FX PRIMER [BRITEPREP FX], MAC CONCEALER [STUDIO FINISH]
LIPS | MAC LIPSTICK [ANGEL], MAC GLOSS [CLEAR]
FACE | COVER FX PRIMER [BRITEPREP FX], MAC CONCEALER [STUDIO FINISH]
LIPS | MAC LIPSTICK [ANGEL], MAC GLOSS [CLEAR]
Makeup+Hair : Maggie Ng
Model : Grace [MAX Agency] / Hannah [MAX Agency]
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Words : Bob Parsons 16 Rules for Success in Business and Life in General
1. | Get and stay out of your comfort zone. |
| I believe that not much happens of any significance when we're in our comfort zone. I hear people say, "But I'm concerned about security." My response to that is simple: "Security is for cadavers." | |
2. | Never give up. |
| Almost nothing works the first time it's attempted. Just because what you're doing does not seem to be working, doesn't mean it won't work. It just means that it might not work the way you're doing it. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it, and you wouldn't have an opportunity. | |
3. | When you're ready to quit, you're closer than you think. |
| There's an old Chinese saying that I just love, and I believe it is so true. It goes like this: "The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed." | |
4. | With regard to whatever worries you, not only accept the worst thing that could happen, but make it a point to quantify what the worst thing could be. |
| Very seldom will the worst consequence be anywhere near as bad as a cloud of "undefined consequences." My father would tell me early on, when I was struggling and losing my shirt trying to get Parsons Technology going, "Well, Robert, if it doesn't work, they can't eat you." | |
5. | Focus on what you want to have happen. |
| Remember that old saying, "As you think, so shall you be." | |
6. | Take things a day at a time. |
| No matter how difficult your situation is, you can get through it if you don't look too far into the future, and focus on the present moment. You can get through anything one day at a time. | |
7. | Always be moving forward. |
| Never stop investing. Never stop improving. Never stop doing something new. The moment you stop improving your organization, it starts to die. Make it your goal to be better each and every day, in some small way. Remember the Japanese concept of Kaizen. Small daily improvements eventually result in huge advantages. | |
8. | Be quick to decide. |
| Remember what General George S. Patton said: "A good plan violently executed today is far and away better than a perfect plan tomorrow." | |
9. | Measure everything of significance. |
| I swear this is true. Anything that is measured and watched, improves. | |
10. | Anything that is not managed will deteriorate. |
| If you want to uncover problems you don't know about, take a few moments and look closely at the areas you haven't examined for a while. I guarantee you problems will be there. | |
11. | Pay attention to your competitors, but pay more attention to what you're doing. |
| When you look at your competitors, remember that everything looks perfect at a distance. Even the planet Earth, if you get far enough into space, looks like a peaceful place. | |
12. | Never let anybody push you around. |
| In our society, with our laws and even playing field, you have just as much right to what you're doing as anyone else, provided that what you're doing is legal. | |
13. | Never expect life to be fair. |
| Life isn't fair. You make your own breaks. You'll be doing good if the only meaning fair has to you, is something that you pay when you get on a bus (i.e., fare). | |
14. | Solve your own problems. |
| You'll find that by coming up with your own solutions, you'll develop a competitive edge. Masura Ibuka, the co-founder of SONY, said it best: "You never succeed in technology, business, or anything by following the others." There's also an old saying that I remind myself of frequently. It goes like this: "A wise man keeps his own counsel." | |
15. | Don't take yourself too seriously. |
| Lighten up. Often, at least half of what we accomplish is due to luck. None of us are in control as much as we like to think we are. | |
16. | There's always a reason to smile. |
| Find it. After all, you're really lucky just to be alive. Life is short. More and more, I agree with my little brother. He always reminds me: "We're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time!" -------------------------------------------------------- Terms of Reproduction of Bob Parsons® 16 Rules for Success in Business and Life in General Thank you for your interest in sharing/reproducing Bob Parsons' 16 Rules. You may reproduce these rules under the following terms and conditions:
http://www.bobparsons.me/bp_16_rules.php?ci=21428 |
Short Story : In One Moment [Page 9]
IN ONE MOMENT [Page 9] by Tobin Cheung
Occasionally the scent of sausages grilling on the barbeque wafts across the venue to stir everyone’s appetite.
The sound of a quadruple tap and double thump, pumps into our chests. The monotonous drone of mindless chattering dissipates to silence. The beat continues unaccompanied. Soon our head and feet unconsciously move to its syncopated rhythm. Once everyone’s ears have been tempted, the bass player inlays a melody to produce a haunting prelude. Together with the drummer, they set the mood for the audience. I am certain the crisp tinny tsk, tsk, tssssk of the cymbals can be heard echoing throughout the city as it ricochets off windows lining all the skyscrapers. When the guitarist shuffles in with his chords, the ambience becomes complete. A dark eerie vibe is established through minor keys while the timing of each note asserts an inherent groove. It’s as though we were in a back alley club of a shady foreign city. I feel of both excitement and nervousness.
A gust blows in from across the lake foretelling an arrival. The band continues with their groove. Goose bumps form on my arm and magically the soloist appears center stage as if she had always been there. She stands erect, cool and confident.
In one blow, she commences by spurting out an electric sequence of notes, catching the attention of many. She seems young, not young and pretty, but young to be an accomplished trumpet player.
The chorus is gently executed, allowing us the pleasure of savoring the tune. With each pass, she makes slight variations to the melody giving it an added touch. It is also an indication that she is ready to break free, itching to unveil a monologue. The band members can sense her restlessness and the tempo is taken to the next notch. All eyes are on her.
Drawn by curiosity, flocks of people continue to gather along the perimeter. They are captivated with anticipation, anxious to see what a female trumpet player can do. I hold my breath hoping she would meet the expectations of true jazz aficionados. She does not. The fact is, great trumpet players have always been men. Everyone has heard of Miles, Dizzy and Faddis, but very few people can give name to a female player. The trumpet is an instrument that is gender bias. Subsequently, the young lady on stage will not be judged in accordance with the standards applied to men. Jazz critics already have a bell curve in mind and the audience is ready to cheer her on regardless of the technical elements in her performance.
This girl of mid thirties does not perform to our projected level. She is here to put the best of the best to shame. Once she was set free of the chorus, her talents took flight. Within the first three bars she was immediately recognized as a soloist and not a smooth jazz player. A gasp is heard from the people around me, not from being surprised but from being shocked. Jazz enthusiasts straighten in their seats. I am caught in mid-motion, forgetting why I extended my arm. Whatever the reason, it no longer matters. After a moments pause, my arm lowers on its’ own.
Her arpeggios flow undetectable and work together with her phrasing in harmony. She is a fluid player achieving an unrehearsed and impromptu feel. What she plays tells a story, what she does not play makes a statement. Musicians graced at birth with natural ability do not play notes. They make noises, a screech, a wail, a squawk that become notes. She has that magic and I am under her spell. Caught up in her performance, I relish in every sound, until the girls seated to my left broke out in a loud and opinionated conversation. Hoping to ignore them I pretend not to hear.
[To be continued...]
Occasionally the scent of sausages grilling on the barbeque wafts across the venue to stir everyone’s appetite.
The sound of a quadruple tap and double thump, pumps into our chests. The monotonous drone of mindless chattering dissipates to silence. The beat continues unaccompanied. Soon our head and feet unconsciously move to its syncopated rhythm. Once everyone’s ears have been tempted, the bass player inlays a melody to produce a haunting prelude. Together with the drummer, they set the mood for the audience. I am certain the crisp tinny tsk, tsk, tssssk of the cymbals can be heard echoing throughout the city as it ricochets off windows lining all the skyscrapers. When the guitarist shuffles in with his chords, the ambience becomes complete. A dark eerie vibe is established through minor keys while the timing of each note asserts an inherent groove. It’s as though we were in a back alley club of a shady foreign city. I feel of both excitement and nervousness.
A gust blows in from across the lake foretelling an arrival. The band continues with their groove. Goose bumps form on my arm and magically the soloist appears center stage as if she had always been there. She stands erect, cool and confident.
In one blow, she commences by spurting out an electric sequence of notes, catching the attention of many. She seems young, not young and pretty, but young to be an accomplished trumpet player.
The chorus is gently executed, allowing us the pleasure of savoring the tune. With each pass, she makes slight variations to the melody giving it an added touch. It is also an indication that she is ready to break free, itching to unveil a monologue. The band members can sense her restlessness and the tempo is taken to the next notch. All eyes are on her.
Drawn by curiosity, flocks of people continue to gather along the perimeter. They are captivated with anticipation, anxious to see what a female trumpet player can do. I hold my breath hoping she would meet the expectations of true jazz aficionados. She does not. The fact is, great trumpet players have always been men. Everyone has heard of Miles, Dizzy and Faddis, but very few people can give name to a female player. The trumpet is an instrument that is gender bias. Subsequently, the young lady on stage will not be judged in accordance with the standards applied to men. Jazz critics already have a bell curve in mind and the audience is ready to cheer her on regardless of the technical elements in her performance.
This girl of mid thirties does not perform to our projected level. She is here to put the best of the best to shame. Once she was set free of the chorus, her talents took flight. Within the first three bars she was immediately recognized as a soloist and not a smooth jazz player. A gasp is heard from the people around me, not from being surprised but from being shocked. Jazz enthusiasts straighten in their seats. I am caught in mid-motion, forgetting why I extended my arm. Whatever the reason, it no longer matters. After a moments pause, my arm lowers on its’ own.
Her arpeggios flow undetectable and work together with her phrasing in harmony. She is a fluid player achieving an unrehearsed and impromptu feel. What she plays tells a story, what she does not play makes a statement. Musicians graced at birth with natural ability do not play notes. They make noises, a screech, a wail, a squawk that become notes. She has that magic and I am under her spell. Caught up in her performance, I relish in every sound, until the girls seated to my left broke out in a loud and opinionated conversation. Hoping to ignore them I pretend not to hear.
[To be continued...]
Monday, January 23, 2012
Travel Feature : Santorini, Greece
Everywhere you turn is euphoric, absolutely picture perfect. Santorini (Greece) is so beautiful, that there is no such thing as a bad photograph. Put the camera on burst mode and spin, do a 360 degree, three pictures per second rotation. Walk one block and repeat, that way you can be certain that this is not all a dream.
But before we talk about the island itself, let’s talk about getting there. If you are traveling to Santorini from another Greek island, chances are, you will be riding the Flying Cat 4, a high speed ferry that looks like something right out of a James Bond movie. It is huge, bright red and when it pulls into dock, you know James Bond's arch nemesis has arrived. It just sounds evil, emanating a high pitched whine from its dual turbine engines it can be heard miles away, as you stroll along the cliffs of the island.
The town of Fira is where many famous photos of Santorini are taken. The sculptured white huts along the cliffs overlooking the ocean below and the orange and red sunset sky above, never seem real from the photographs. Once you are there, walking within the maze of fine restaurants, high fashion stores, art galleries and luxury villas, it appears even more fictional. Imagine awakening from a satisfying slumber in an ultra plush bed surrounded by exquisite décor and then stepping out into a quaint private pool that reaches out to the horizon.
There are so many stores, so much fashion and jewelry that it is dizzying. After a few hours of shopping, pick the highest roof top lounge available and have an exuberantly expensive drink. The view will be worth every penny. In fact you may walk half a block and have another exuberantly expensive drink just for the view. In the evenings, picking a restaurant is just as baffling, between the décor, the food and the perfect view.
Another thing to do in the city is to take the cable car that runs down the cliff and ride a donkey back up. After a couple days of bopping around town and your senses are on overload, rent a car and head out to the beaches. If you are a fan of white sand there is a beach with beautiful powder white grain, if you want something more exotic there is also a beach with red sand. A drive along the countryside is refreshingly scenic, the windy roads and the ocean air is a wonderful change from suburban or city ambience.
While on your exploration be sure to drop by a winery, test some dessert wines and go for a tour. Art Space is a winery dating back to 1861 that is now a museum, modern winery and an art gallery. The old wine cellars are now caves to display contemporary art making it an amazingly unique gallery.
The perfect ending to a wonderful day is in the village of Oia, 11 km away from Fira. It is the most picturesque village with the most breathtaking sunsets in the world. Walking through this town is like being in a dream state of serenity, tranquility and beauty. Simply let time stall and absorb the surroundings.
Photos + Words : Tobin Cheung
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)