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The opera bug strikes again!

This time for Jacques Offenbach's final opera "Les contes d'Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann)". According to Sabby, Singapore only stages 2 operas in a year. Apparently, that's all the funds they have allocated to the interest of opera. Since my virgin opera performance, "Turandot" last year; I didn't think I will give this French opera performance a miss. Moreover, it's always nice to support Sabby, whom again sang in the SLO chorus.

"Les contes d’Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann)" tells of three fantastical tales by writer, E.T.A Hoffmann. Hoffmann himself plays the lead role, in his incarnations of love and evil manifested through the different characters of each story. The opera sees a myriad of colourful characters and offers a theatrical and musical treat with its wealth of contrasting scenes and music.

I'd have to admit I was 1st drawn to the totally screwed, bizarre and fantasy angle of the story. That alone was a natural attraction. However, as interesting as each individual love story was, the characters were hard to understand and the stories had little link until the end. Still it was an ending had to shallow and very forced. Nevertheless, the opera had many beautiful pieces and a great feast for the eyes with fantastic props and lighting.

I later found clips of a 1951 film of the opera by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. The original French libretto was translated to English, but still faithful to the message of the story. This film is not just a film of a staged opera, but a true cinematic opera that makes use of film techniques not available to an opera presented on stage.


Prologue: "Legend Of Kleinzach"
Hoffmann sings to a group of students at a tavern in Nuremberg and coaxed by Lindorf (the first incarnation of evil) into telling the audience about his life's three great loves


Act One: "Doll's Song"


Zhao Yun Hong from China performs this piece in Singapore

Hoffmann's first love is Olympia, an automaton created by the scientist Spalanzani. Coppélius, Olympia's co-maker and this act's evil incarnation, sells Hoffmann magic glasses which make Olympia appear as a real woman. Here Olympia sings one of the opera's most famous arias "Les Oiseaux Dans La Charmille" where she periodically keeps winding down just before hitting the final high note.


Act Two: Antonia's Tale
Hoffmann and Antonia's suppressed love story and how Antonia might encounter death if she sings too much!?!?! Antonia went against Hoffman's wishes to stop singing and is swayed by Dr Miracle (the act's evil incarnation) and later sings to her death!

I love how the scene suddenly breaks into Dr Miracle playing a violin. Strangely funny!


Dragonfly Ballet
I couldn't recall specifically a scene in the opera just for this, but the music sounded very familiar. In fact the ballet dancers wannabe in the Singapore performance were dancing so off sync we wondered if it was on purpose!

If ballet is ANYTHING like this, I will be a convert! SWEAR! Terence suggest I try out "Ballet Under The Stars". If I could like opera... perhaps... ballet!!!


Act Three: Barcarolle
Hoffmann falls in love with a courtesan, Giulietta, in Venice. But Giulietta is seducing Hoffmann under the orders of Captain Dappertutto, who promised to give her a diamond if she filches Hoffmann's reflection from a mirror.

"Barcarolle" is one of the most beautiful pieces in the opera. Apparently, it was 1st written for another opera "Les fées du Rhin". I love how in the clip's performance the brothel is played out with so much buzz and energy.


It was a long opera with 2 intermissions, a little heavy but still entertaining and inspiring for a Tuesday night. Awaiting the next opera experience!

The Cast List
Hoffmann - Luca Lombardo (France, Tenor)
Olympia - Zhao Yun Hong (China, Soprano)
Giulietta - Anna Koor (Singapore)
Antonia / Stella - Nancy Yuen (Singapore)
Nicklausse, Muse - Choo Hi-Myung (Korean)
Lindorf, Coppelius, Dappertutto, Dr Miracle - Song Kee Chang (Korean)
Andres, Cochenille, Pittichinaccio, Frantz - Melvin Tan (Singapore)
Luther, Schlemil, Crespel - William Lim (Singapore)
Nathanael, Spalanzani - Lemuel dela Cruz (Philippines, Tenor)

Director - Paul Emile Fourny
Conductor - Benjamin Pionnier

More "The Tales of Hoffmann" Opera Pictures

600 years before Christ, King David was blessed by God to write Psalm 22. It was the prophetic work that foretells Jesus' death on the cross and the salvation of all. This Psalm during Jesus' time was a familiar sacred text known to the Jews. If you had memorized, prayed and recited this poem / verse all your life, and one day before your eyes it is being revealed... I can only imagine my eyes growing wide, my jaws dropping and my state of mind in shock!

When you had only one breath left...

All that was needed was 'Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?'. And then it was finished. Everything is complete.

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from the words of my groaning?

2 O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, and am not silent.

3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the praise of Israel. [a]

4 In you our fathers put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.

5 They cried to you and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not disappointed.

6 But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by men and despised by the people.

7 All who see me mock me;
they hurl insults, shaking their heads:

8 "He trusts in the LORD;
let the LORD rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
since he delights in him."

9 Yet you brought me out of the womb;
you made me trust in you
even at my mother's breast.

10 From birth I was cast upon you;
from my mother's womb you have been my God.

11 Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.

12 Many bulls surround me;
strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.

13 Roaring lions tearing their prey
open their mouths wide against me.

14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted away within me.

15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me [b] in the dust of death.

16 Dogs have surrounded me;
a band of evil men has encircled me,
they have pierced [c] my hands and my feet.

17 I can count all my bones;
people stare and gloat over me.

18 They divide my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing.

19 But you, O LORD, be not far off;
O my Strength, come quickly to help me.

20 Deliver my life from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dogs.

21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions;
save [d] me from the horns of the wild oxen.

22 I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the congregation I will praise you.

23 You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!

24 For he has not despised or disdained
the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
but has listened to his cry for help.

25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;
before those who fear you [e] will I fulfill my vows.

26 The poor will eat and be satisfied;
they who seek the LORD will praise him—
may your hearts live forever!

27 All the ends of the earth
will remember and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before him,

28 for dominion belongs to the LORD
and he rules over the nations.

29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—
those who cannot keep themselves alive.

30 Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.

31 They will proclaim his righteousness
to a people yet unborn—
for he has done it.

It's been a long while since I browsed around for a personal watch. I have a few watches for very practical reasons; something for the office, something dressy, something SWATCH... But I've never owned a serious sports watch. Something serious enough to assist me in my training needs. Well, a good part of that reason was also because I never really had a training regime.

I decided to give myself a treat at the beginning of the year and have been on the hunt for a watch that
1) measures distance
2) heart rate
3) measures calories
4) is waterproof to a minimum 30m
5) is reliable and accurate in its measurements
6) is fun to wear on any occasion

After some research, I deduced my possible candidates to Polar's Fitness and Cross trainer FT60 and FT80. And when I chanced upon an offer (last month) for the FT80 I couldn't resist, I decided to follow my heart and spoil myself a little.

It turned out I gotten far more then what I expected. More then just a good looker and a multi design award winner, the Polar FT80 is an intelligent training computer you wear on your wrist. With its built-in heart monitor and strength recovery capability, the watch reads your performance and guides you to achieve maximum efficiency and reach your workout targets for both cardio and strength training.

An excellent plus is to have the computer aid you in training within the 3 heart rate zones set. Unique to the FT80 is the Polar Star Training Program. It gives you weekly training targets and guides you without being too strict. This program assists you to follow weekly training intensity, and it even adapts to your training habits, giving you new targets and guidance. With its adaptive training program features, Polar Star Training Program helps you to achieve your training targets more efficiently and effectively.


My training calendar in www.PolarPersonalTrainer.com

In the box is also the Polar Flowlink(TM), a data transfer unit that connects and synchronizes the training computers with www.PolarPersonalTrainer.com. Creating an account provides you with an online exercise journal, tracks progress, and enables users to challenge their friends with common goals.


Charting of my heart rate after a quick run

The sync works flawlessly and it's pretty amazing tracking your performance in charts and graphs after your exercise. I'm only starting to understand how to use the tool more effectively in my training.

As part of my training for the 10km Sundown Marathon 2009 in May, I've also arranged a 10km training program through the www.PolarPersonalTrainer.com site:

The training program prepares the user to compete in a 10 km event. It can also help improve your time or prepare you for a half-marathon (21 km) program. The typical finishing time with this program is 40-50 mins.
To safely undertake the program, you should be able to run 5 km in sport zone 3 (70-80% maximum heart rate) or higher, or run 10 km in sport zone 2 (60-70% maximum heart rate). Training modules in the training diary include specific instructions for training sessions.


FT80 Introduction Video

Comprehensive step-by-step training videos on the various functions of the watch.

As powerful as the watch may be, it remains an aid to effective training. First thing first, is to find enough time to consistently train! So, so tough these days...

More Polar FT80 Pictures

Warning: Contains spoilers of the finale episode of Battlestar Galactica Season 4

As they say... "All good things come to an end". Having spent 5 years faithfully catching what I deem as the finest television show I've ever personally seen, I'm honestly glad that the series has come to a conclusion. A conclusion that tells of the ending of the Cylon War and what happens to the faith of the Galactica crew. Another season would have totally killed it.

It was the finale every Sci-Fi fan was dying to watch. As soon as I laid hands on my copy, I was at the edge of my seat! Unfortunately my 37" TV has not arrived. It would have been a different experience watching it on a bigger screen.

As much as I would love to say I was totally blown away on this very final BSG episode... I was not. Trust me, I had very much wanted to love it... have it leave me captivated and pondering for the next couple of weeks... months... even years! I didn't expect answers to everything... cause characters are complex and I really didn't expect Ronald D. Moore and his writers to just write off everything with some simplistic and random ending. It left me disappointed, remembering how I felt when I watched the last trilogy of Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings". There were act breaks for no reason, and then back to more grass every time, so it ends up feeling like the end of that movie with the hobbits where they jump on the bed and then hug in the courtyard and then cry and then Viggo Mortensen and Liv Tyler making weird mouth noises and a necklace and Elijah Wood looking like he's going to throw up.

It was a conclusion almost painful to watch. Kara (Starbuck) vanishes into thin air because her resurrection has accomplished something... Lee (Apollo) stares around for a while and then decides to go climb a mountain. Laura finally dies after a hundred million minutes of staring at the grass and gazelles (it was well past meaningful and right into manipulative), and Bill Adama decides to bury her and sit next to the cairn and pretend it's a cabin and talk to himself. Helo and Athena teach Hera (who turns out to be the "mitochondrial Eve") some nomadic stuff, Chief heads off to invent Ireland and Gaius Baltar becomes a FARMER!!! OMG!!! "SERIOUSLY"?!?!?!

Rajan K. critics on Starbuck's disappearing act in TOR.com:
"I’m still not sure how something that was giving me such warm and fuzzy feelings turned so abruptly at the end. It’s like I was holding that second baby for V, thinking it’s all cute and starting to pick out names for it, and then it shoots out that freaky forked lizard tongue at me and I run away in disgust.

I kinda want to add my own scene to the finale where after Lee turns and Starbuck’s not there we then cut to a lion running off across the savannah with Starbuck in its mouth. That would work much better for me."

It turns out that artificial intelligence is evil. Which is such crap to me. It was confusingly frustrating how such fantastic climax can come to such a absurd ending.

And so it was a horrible ending (in my opinion), but the journey of emotional human struggle with the characters alone through the years more then makes up for it. Boomer / Athena's character remain my favourite and thankfully most complete; in that she accepts both the up and down sides of free will, which are pretty much her whole deal, and dies willingly to exercise both at once.

To what will go down in history as one of the best Sci-Fi series ever... "So say we all!"

Strangely now that both Stargate and Battlestar Galactica has come to an end... there seems to be a Sci-Fi void... time for Star Trek re-runs! Perhaps in time for J.J. Abrams' new Star Trek Movie!

I've wanted to pen this post much earlier at the start of Lent, but I'm glad that I am writing now, having put in some effort to making Lent meaningful this season.

Lent kicked off to a good start after all the festivities of Chinese New Year. In fact I was glad to tone things down in light of the rather bleak economic outlook. Like many, it's time to take stock of what we have in the 'barn'. Questioning myself if I have prepared myself for that 'raining day', have I been greedy, have I taken a look around and cared for my brothers and sisters in need and mostly, have I built my treasures in things that matter.

In fact, this current situation appears similar to Lent in 2003 when we experienced SARS. We look to a higher power for Hope.

The season of Lent is always a wake up call for me to re-look at my life. The effects that Ash Wednesday have on me, alms-giving to the less fortunate, deepening my relationship with God, appreciating the wonder of His Love for us on the cross.

This Lent, I've opened myself to so much learning. Some of which came rather unexpectedly, but yet so appropriately. Each topic has so much depth, my pea brain is still making sense of the content after so many weeks .

It started with gathering at Terence's place to watch Scott Hahn's "The 4th Cup". Dr. Scott Hahn is a former Presbyterian minister and Professor of Theology at The Fransiscan University of Steubenville. He shares on the traditions of the Jewish Passover (or the Seder Meal) and how it relates to the Lord's Supper and our understanding of Jesus' intend for us in the Holy Eucharist. It was the first time I was bombarded with so many Jewish terms, Todah, Haddagah, Kiddush... it was all ridiculously funny. Aside from every laughable Jewish phrase, it was a very powerful presentation. His transcript can be found here, but I strongly encourage you to watch the actual video presentation.

The Passover episode carried into the Confirmation Camp 2 weekends ago when Kemmy and Gab put together an actual Seder Meal. The objective was to have the experience of the meal and we were all given Jewish names. Mine was Hodiya, meaning "Praise God". Strangely, though taken randomly, all our Jewish names represented us appropriately. We had Matzah (bread), Bitter Herbs (or some very awful Watercress leaves), Curry Lamb and this wonderful Herasaph dessert (prepared by Annette) tossed with prunes, raisins, apples and sunflower seeds. It was delightful and heavenly. I had servings after servings. Some of us even had to learn a Jewish dance!

Serving in the Confirmation Camp came at a difficult time both with workload in the office and with my Dad's health. Yet, as much I came to share and be of service to the participants, I took back as much as gave. I gave a session on Fasting! Which got me studying up on the topic; but really, it was actually experiencing it that had me learn its true effect. For a cause and more importantly, for myself... spiritually. I will put up my fasting notes in a later post.

But what I got from the camp was again the gift of reconciliation and the take home message of what it truly means to be a Servant Leader. I'm thankful to Iwan for his session, cause it was the best wake up call in a while.

Extending from Live Out Love: Theology of the Body for Teens (which STYG is currently running a 12 week session), I decided to take on a 10-session formation program on the foundations of the Theology of the Body for Adults conducted by the Wonderfully Made! Team and taught by Fr David Garcia. The depth of his sessions are mind blowing. Almost literally! TOB continues to be a topic very close to my heart which I am very grateful to have to chance to learn more in depth.

The rest of the youth are currently busy preparing for the Lenten Play which I will sadly miss this year.

Amidst so much doing and learning, I pray for "being". To have Christ in everything I do.

I was asked a couple of weeks back by Wendy, if there was a "cause" I supported. It sounded like one of those "purpose" questions... what I was passionate about. Passionate enough to give of my time, money, thoughts and energy. I'd have to admit, the question came out of the blue and took me off guard. I paused for a while. Then I remembered; and like a delighted puppy who found its long lost hidden bone in the backyard, I gleefully replied "Oh yes! Laptops for every child. You can find the link on my homepage!"


It’s not a laptop project. It’s an education project

Being a self-proclaimed, TechChick; and understanding the potential of technology, I know this is a great cause. If there's a gift to give a child, give something life changing... give Education.

The vision behind One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) was founded by Nicholas Negroponte. The OLPC mission is to empower children of developing countries to learn by providing one connected laptop, or the XO laptop. Education for our world’s children should be a priority, not a privilege.

The basic principles:
1) Children are our most precious natural resource
2) The solution to poverty, peace, environment is education
3) Teaching is one but not the only way to achieve learning

One of the major components to making this mission possible was to bring the laptop cost to as low as possible. The target is USD$100.


2008 OLPC Project in Cambodia

Learn all about the One Laptop Per Child Project on their official website.

Support the cause, donate today.

Each laptop cost USD$199, but what a difference it will make.

In the end, I was asked to name another possible cause to support... I named St. Vincent de Paul ... ... ...

Barry Schwartz's "The real crisis? We stopped being wise" presentation which received a standing ovation at February 2009 TED Conference

An extremely inspiring talk that deserves your 20 mins.

Barry Schwartz studies the link between economics and psychology, offering startling insights into modern life. He makes a passionate call for "practical wisdom" as an antidote to a society gone mad with bureaucracy. He argues powerfully that rules often fail us, incentives often backfire, and practical, everyday wisdom will help rebuild our world.

Practice Wisdom is the combination of Moral Will and Moral Skill - Aristotle

A Wise Person Knows:
- When and how to make "the exception to every rule."
- When and how to improvise.
- How to use these moral skills in pursuit of the right aims.
- is made not born.

"Without wisdom, brilliance isn't enough" - Barry Schwartz

At the end of last month, I gave a presentation at my department's newly created monthly department Communication Session. I was the 1st to take the stage, at the same time setting the benchmark for how future sessions will subsequently be held. There were no set structure or topic as to how these free form communication sessions should be run. To accompany my rather unusual topic, entitled "Applying Sun Tzu's Art of War", I also proposed some finger snacks and drinks to lighten the mood, which turned out to be an excellent move.

I thought I will share some of my notes here, as numerous friends have been rather fascinated with the choice of topic; and Kemmy... no... it's not an "art" piece!

Why Sun Tzu's Art of War?
The Art of War (孫子兵法) is a Chinese military treatise that was written during the 6th century BC by Sun Tzu (famous Wu General, 544 BC – 496 BC). I read the book many years back and thought the book comprising of 13 chapters, each of which is devoted to one aspect of warfare, was the definitive work on military strategies and tactics of its time.

In modern times, the tactics have been applied successfully to businesses and sales. I don't claim to be an expert in this field (at all), but if accomplishing a mission is anything like a warfare to you, you should be able to apply some of Sun Tzu's strategies.

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting”

Understanding The Art of War
The first step to a war is knowing the ENEMY.
The ENEMY can be WHO, WHAT or WHEN.

“Know your enemy and know yourself and you will never be in peril.”

In a broad simple sense, I have broken the gist of Sun Tzu's concepts into 4 small balls:
* Environment (or Ground)

* Climate

* Leaders

* Systems
and 1 BIG ball:

* Mission


Understanding the Environment (or Ground)

“You must start from where you are.”

* Your environment is your battleground

* Survey your environment

* Each environment is different
- timing
- distance (Physical distance, Mental distance)

* Know your current position at all times
- analyze and take advantage
- knowledge of understanding how it works, not just what it does

Understanding Climate

"Climate is the trends of change"

* Weather (cannot be controlled by you)
- emotions
- character etc.

* Time (dynamic, continually changing)
- technology
- economy etc.

* Foresee trends, cycles, patterns, and reversals

Understanding Leaders

“Good leaders win fights before they begin. Bad leaders get in fights and then look for ways to win.”

Leadership is your ability to make decisions. Sun Tzu identified 5 qualities that are essential.

* Intelligence
- be able to learn
- listen and study the issue at hand
- discern

* Courage
- take action
- courage without intelligence is stupidity

* Compassion
- 3Ms - My Mission, My Men, and Myself

* Discipline
- capability to follow through tasks
- the ability to control your own emotions

* Integrity
- be trustworthy

Understanding Systems

“You can’t improve what you don’t understand.”

* When improving and analyzing systems, the focus is not on the technology but on the people interacting. Systems are about how people work together

* While every improvement requires change, not every change is an improvement

* Organize work in a way that create value

* Methods must match the mission

* Begin the systems analysis by documenting “what is”

3 types of systems you must consider:
- Methods that support the company
- Methods that support professional growth
- Methods that spread your philosophy

Understanding The Mission

"Your mission is your purpose"

* Mission is the core of a competitive position

* The key to mission is that it must be shared

* Without focus, we create enemies

* Good organizations reward people for understanding and satisfying the shared mission

In Summary

“Success” simply means to improve your position.

Positions are all about relative relationships
A position has/is:

* A guiding mission (Mission)

* A system for working with others (System)

* The command of the individual (Leaders)

* A climate related to the ground (Climate)

* Ground where people interact (Environment)

And to close,

“Every venture is an opportunity to improve your leadership, the marketplace, your systems, your ability to move quickly (timing), or enhance your mission.”

Now this is really bad ass! Officially landing May 8th! I'm already getting an anxiety attack!

From director J.J. Abrams ("Mission: Impossible III," "Lost" and "Alias") and screenwriters Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman ("Transformers," "MI: III") comes a new vision of the greatest space adventure of all time, "Star Trek," featuring a young, new crew venturing boldly where no man has gone before.

The film is a chronicle of the early days of James T. Kirk and his fellow USS Enterprise crew members.

While walking towards Jumbo Seafood Restaurant at Clarke Quay after visiting the Singapore National Museum's 'Come-in: Interior Design as a Contemporary Art' exhibit; we walked into the MICA Building, otherwise known as the Old Hill Street Police Station (OHSPS). I call it the building with multi-coloured windows.

Lined against the glass front of a art gallery were the VODKA GIRLS! 8 wooden girls dressed in white gowns struck their unique pose with a certain part of the Absolute Vodka bottle! Each one cracking you up. When on each occasion; happy or sorrowful, you experienced the moment with vodka. And vodka will go down in history as the deadly drink that got us all puking drunk at last year's Halloween Bus Tour!

The pieces were designed and handcrafted by a Korean artist.

I couldn't resist checking with the friendly gallery assistant how much the girls cost. Well... it's a price I will never pay...

SGD$38,000!!! No kidding!