If you thought I would wait for you, you thought…

I could picture this ever so vividly:

Me putting on the final touches on my outfit while looking outside my apartment window, at the throngs of people slowly making their way into the stadium. Are we late? No, not when the venue is just a few minutes away from where you live. Perhaps a short detour to the merchandise booths, perhaps picking up the tour book, a T-shirt or some other nick-nacks.

The crowd is getting wild. Must be almost 8PM. Better find our seats. There, right in front: Arena A, row EE, seat 05. WOW! what a strategic view, so near to the stage. Even can catch a glimpse of the local celebrities. Definitely worth paying top dollar.

The crowd is getting restless. Sea of people chanting her name. Any time now…. Suddenly the lights fade. Screams! Palpitations! Excitement!

There… rising amidst the stage smoke, striking a very fierce pose, looking every bit the DIVA. She opens her mouth… “Are you ready Malaysia!”

 

Alas… all of this is not meant to be, for now at least. For whatever reasons the concert is postponed (not cancelled…couldnt stress that enough), I sincerely believe it wasn't her intention to disappoint her legion of Malaysian fans. I hope the replacement date will be announced soon, and not too far away. Like they always say, third times a charm.

So B, if you thought i would wait for you, you thought RIGHT! :)

Heartbreak at AIM 2009

Travesty! Outrage! Scandal!

Words alone cannot describe how disappointed I am that Nikki was snubbed at this years AIM nominations once again :(

HAWA is one of the most freshest, most innovative Malay pop album to come by in a long while. Nikki herself has never sound better and yet… Sigh, this goes to show you that despite all the best efforts, doing everything right, you just never know what goes on in the minds of them so called music gurus and bigwigs in the industry.

So with tempered enthusiasm,these are this years nominations. May the best entry win.

Artis Baru Terbaik – Artis
1. Hujan
2. Joe Flizzow
3. Malique
4. Meet Uncle Hussain
5. Suki

Persembahan Vokal Terbaik Di Dalam Album (Lelaki) – Artis
1. Aizat – Lagu Kita
2. Bob AF2 – Cinta Terhalang
3. Reshmonu – Doa Untuk Dia
4. Reshmonu – Sayu
5. Rithan (Deja Voodoo Spells) – Rock ‘N’ Roll (English)

Persembahan Vokal Terbaik Di Dalam Album (Wanita) – Artis
1. Ayu – Hanya Di Mercu
2. Dina – Sejauh Ini
3. Shila – Memori Tercipta
4. Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza – Di Kayangan Kita
5. Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza – Di Taman Teman

Persembahan Vokal Berkumpulan Terbaik Di Dalam Album – Artis
1. Ajai & Marsha – Sayang
2. All One – Bilal bin Rabah
3. Pop Shuvit – Marabahaya (International Version)
4. Rabbani – Bila Nur Melimpah Di Hati
5. Raihan – Assubhu Bada

Kulit Album Terbaik – Pereka
1. Florence Lee – Hawa - Nikki
2. Nadia Jasmin – President – Joe Flizzow
3. Nicholas Chong – Transit – Altered Frequency
4. Nizam Rahmat – Satu – Ferhad
5. Vignes Balasingam – Remain Unknown – Estranged

Rakaman Album Terbaik – Jururakam
1. JD Wong – Remain Unknown – Estranged
2. Nick Lee, Greg Henderson & CL Toh – Finally/Akhirnya – Suki
3. Paul Morisson – Satu – Ferhad
4. Puja, Edry, Bajai & Yudi – Adam 3 – Adam
5. Reshmonu, Murali, Will Quinell & CL Toh – Harapan – Reshmonu

Video Muzik Terbaik – Pengarah
1. Douglas Lim – Hanya Di Mercu – Ayu
2. Douglas Lim – Sampai Syurga – Faizal Tahir
3. Kerol – Mati Hidup Kembali – Butterfingers
4. Kerol – 1000 Tahun (Mahu Hidup) – Butterfingers
5. Reshmonu – Oh Anok Anok – Reshmonu

Album Pop Etnik Terbaik – Artis/Produser
1. Khazanah Pujangga – Syura
2. Lentera Timur – Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza
3. Selagi Ada Rindu – Pak Long (Shafie Ahmad)
4. Zapin Suri – Haziq

Lagu Pop Etnik Terbaik – Komposer/Penulis Lirik
1. Di Kayangan Kita – Johari The – Keon - Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza
2. Di Taman Teman – Fauzi Marzuki – Hairul Anuar Harun – Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza
3. Dirgahayu – Radeen Sri – Hairul Anuar Harun – Ramlah Ram
4. Nafas Cahaya – M.Nasir – Loloq – Misha Omar
5. Zapin Suri – Pak Ngah – Siso Kopratasa – Haziq

Album Nasyid Terbaik – Artis/Produser
1. Allah Habeebi – Mawi
2. Istimewa Tiada Dua – Nice
3. Nasyid Nostalgia Memori The Zikir – Nazrey Johari
4. Nostalgia Nadamurni – Rabbani
5. Setia – Wildan

Lagu Nasyid Terbaik – Komposer/Penulis Lirik
1. Allah Habeebi – Farihin – Yasin – Mawi
2. Bila Nur Melimpah Di Hati – Asri Ibrahim – Ito Lara – Rabbani
3. Kemuliaan Al-Quran – Amin InTeam – Amin InTeam – InTeam
4. Serulah Namanya – M.Nasir – AD Samad – Mawi
5. Teman Hakiki – Ku Sham – Dr.Mohd Asri – Mawi

Album Rock Terbaik – Artis/Produser
1. Bongkar – Kristal – Kristal & Bong
2. Hujan – Hujan – Noh Hujan
3. Keamanan – Nrocinu – Mus May
4. Kembali – Butterfingers – Butterfingers/Faizal Shahrin
5. Modern Minimals Glamour – The Times – Gizmo Records

Lagu Rock Terbaik – Komposer / Penulis Lirik
1. 1000 Tahun (Mahu Hidup) – Loque – Loque – Butterfingers
2. Aurora – Estranged – Estranged – Estranged
3. Bila Aku Sudah Tiada – Noh Hujan – Noh Hujan – Hujan
4. Dugaannya – Noh Hujan – Noh Hujan – Hujan
5. Yang Pernah – Estranged – Estranged – Estranged

Album Pop Terbaik – Artis / Produser
1. Alyah – Alyah
2. Arus Qudus – Yassin
3. Harapan – Reshmonu
4. Misha Omar – Misha Omar
5. Percubaan Pertama – Aizat

Lagu Pop Terbaik – Komposer / Penulis Lirik
1. Cinta Adam Dan Hawa – Azmeer – Loloq – Misha Omar
2. Dingin – Azlan Abu Hassan – Azalea – Ziana Zain
3. Ketentuan – Azlan Abu Hassan – AD Samad – Ramlah Ram
4. Lagu Kita – Aizat Amdan – Aizat Amdan – Aizat
5. Sampai Di Sini – Ajai – Slen – Misha Omar

Lagu Hip Hop Terbaik – Komposer / Penulis Lirik
1. Bergerak – Johan Ishak, Ceza Mutyara, Khalid Kamal & Saiful Amri – Johan Ishak, Ceza Mutyara, Khalid Kamal & Saiful Amri - Joe Flizzow feat Joeniar Arief
2. Isabella – Johan Ishak, Iman Ishak & Search - Johan Ishak, Iman Ishak & Search – Joe Flizzow feat Hady Mirza
3. Mengapa Harus Bercinta ? – Johan Ishak, Terrytyelee & H ady Mirza - Johan Ishak, Terrytyelee & H ady Mirza – Joe Flizzow
4. Mantera Beradu – Malique, D’Navigator & M.Nasir – Malique & M.Nasir – Malique feat M.Nasir
5. OK – DJ Fuzz, Malique & Cat Farish – Malique & Cat Farish – Malique feat Cat Fabuloso

Album Inggeris Tempatan Terbaik – Artis / Produser
1. Dark Sun Big Rain – Karen Nunis Blackstone
2. President – Joe Flizzow
3. Remain Unknown – Estranged
4. Take Five with Juita Suwito at Avanti – Juita Suwito
5. Tapestry of Life – Shal Sagan

Lagu Inggeris Tempatan Terbaik – Komposer / Penulis Lirik
1. All Around My World – Johan Ishak & Ceza Mutyara - Johan Ishak & Ceza Mutyara – Joe Flizzow
2. Dances of The Spirit – Estranged – Estranged – Estranged
3. In No Time – Estranged – Estranged & Chow Ken Chung – Estranged
4. KL Streets – Malique & D’Navigator – Malique – Malique feat Lah
5. Marabahaya (International Version) – Pop Shuvit & Dandee – Samsol Nahar, Dandee, Moots, Daly, Thaitanium & Jamir Garcia – Pop Shuvit

Album Cina Tempatan Terbaik – Artis / Produser
1. Homely Life – Rynn Lim – Ryan Lim
2. Man Jiang Hong – Man Jiang Hong – Alex San
3. Meet to Listen – Cheng Lee – Cheng Lee
4. The Real Hou Ren – Hou Ren – Lee Nai Kong
5. Will Be Good – Will Ng – Cheng Lee, Will Ng & David Koon

Lagu Cina Tempatan Terbaik – Komposer / Penulis Lirik
1. He, She & Me – Cheng Lee – Cheng Lee – Cheng Lee
2. Man Jiang Hong – Alex San – Ah Guan – Man Jiang Hong
3. Missy Missy – Will Ng – Will Ng – Will Ng
4. Prisoner – Will Ng – Will Ng – Will Ng
5. Zhong Du – Alex San – Yap Kah Heng – Man Jiang Hong

Album India Tempatan Terbaik – Artis / Produser
1. Agarem – Agarem
2. Ethirrpaarkiren – Anbarasan & Anuratha
3. Veera Puranam – Chakra Sonic

Lagu India Tempatan Terbaik – Komposer / Penulis Lirik
1. Enna Venum – Coco Nantha – Coco Nantha – Agarem
2. Ethirrpaarkiren – Anbarasan – Divya Saraswathy – Anbarasan & Anuratha
3. Sottu Sotta Remix – Sundrra – Coco Nantha – Agarem
4. Sudum Mannil – Sundrra – Coco Nantha – No Entry
5. Tu Khendi She – Goldkartz – Arvinder Raina – Goldkartz feat Arvin

Lagu Bahasa Melayu Terbaik yang Dipersembahkan oleh Artis Luar Negara – Artis
1. Aku Dan Dirimu – Ari Lasso & Bunga Citra Lestari
2. Ayat-Ayat Cinta – Rossa
3. Bila Rasaku Ini Rasamu – Kerispatih
4. Matahariku – Agnes Monica
5. Menjaga Hati – Yovie & Nuno

Susunan Muzik Terbaik Di Dalam Lagu – Penggubah
1. Audi Mok – Pada Cintanya – Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza
2. Azlan Abu Hassan – Tiada Maaf – Danell Lee
3. Estranged – Aurora – Estranged
4. Fauzi Marzuki – Di Taman Teman – Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza
5. Sham Kamikaze – Bukan Mimpi – Farhan

Where my order at?

Gempar! My Diesel XXX book that I have ordered waay back in November still hasn't arrived yet :(. According to Amazon, the book was shipped on 21 Nov and supposed have been delivered to me by 15 Dec. What's more, I have paid for expedited shipping (an extra 10$) just to make sure it does come on time... talk about irony eh? Having being inspired by one of my friends recent crusade for consumer rights, I was inspired to write to Amazon to 'alert' them about my situation. So here is thier reply, which I am happy to say, came but a few hours later:

_______________

Thank you for writing to Amazon.com to bring this matter to our attention.

First, please allow me to express my sincere apologies for any frustration that has been caused. It is certainly not our intention for our customers to have anything but a pleasant experience at our store. I see that the order summary in Your Account estimated it would be delivered by December 15, 2008

Normally we would send a replacement order at no additional charge, but in this case it is possible that you might receive both the orders and it will be an additional inconvenience for you to return the duplicate shipment.

Unfortunately, in spite of all of our efforts, there can sometimes be unforeseen delays, and in this case we would ask that you wait a little longer. It's been our experience that the majority of late packages arrive just a day or two after the estimated delivery date. Therefore, we would like to ask that you wait until close of business on December 31, 2008 for your order to arrive.

I am sorry that the tracking information on the Deutsche Post web site appears incomplete. If the package has just been shipped, it may not yet have reached the first Deutsche Post hub. During this time, Deutsche Post tracking information may indicate "Currently there is no tracking information available. Please try again later."

Also, in order to speed delivery, Deutsche Post does not location scan all of their shipments, which occasionally limits the amount of tracking data. When shipping volume is high, packages are processed in bulk, and the first time a package is scanned may be upon arrival at a regional hub near the destination. In some cases, tracking information may not appear until the package has been delivered.

Please note that we take full responsibility should any item become lost or damaged while being delivered, and we are more than happy to replace these items at a cost to ourselves.

As a representative of Amazon.com, I want to assure you that we value our customers' trust above all else it's the foundation on which our company was built. Please know that we'll continue working hard to ensure that you receive accurate service, and to minimize the chances of anything like this occurring again.

Again, I apologize for the delay, and hope that your order arrives soon.
Thank you for shopping at Amazon.com.

Best regards,
Amazon.com

______________

So, what should i do? Give them the benefit of doubt and just hang in there for a couple more days?.. While I'm a bit peeved at having to wait longer, I do like the assurance of getting a free replacement if it was indeed lost in transit. Still, the distress caused is rather annoying. Sigh, this is soo not what I signed up for.

Unlucky star

Today may very well be my most unluckiest day of my life... bar none! Even Lemony Snicket himself cannot to these series of unfortunate events:


1. Woke up late this morning (always not a good sign)

2. About to head out to work, discovered that my doorknob refused to open! Despite all the push, twist and shoves the door refused to budge one bit.

3. Getting desparate (and downright sweaty)... brought in screwdriver, hammer

4. Still wont budge. texted boss to say running a bit late

5. Finnally, door opened but doorknob busted. Lucky for the grilled door. Ran to LRT station

6. When you thought it couldnt get any worse, LRT delayed... arrived at office 1/2 hour late

7. Afternoon... went out to buy replacement doorknob. Suddenly it rained heavily on the way back, got wet

8. Almost end-of-day, boss gives yet another last minute assignment. About to do but suddenly my PC crashed! restarted for the bajillionth time... same outcome. This time royally screwed

9. Boss says no excuses, cuz bigger boss wants by tomorrow morning. As such forced to use backup laptop. Struggled to finish the assignment while everyone happyly clocking of... Sooo not happening

10. Finally completed the task, though far from perfect. Sure kena marah one esop pagi. Clocked out at 9pm, the last person to leave the department

11. Arrive LRT station 45 minutes later and guess what? it rained heavily again... stuck at LRt for another 15 minutes

12. Finally reached home. Realized i forgot to bring back my new doorknob.

I'm not sure if this is karma for past wrong-doings (if it is i seek forgiveness to anyone, everyone that I have crossed... sorry ) , or simply an amusement from the powers that be (I hope not), but all i know for sure that If anything like this happens again, I'm gonna loose my head. Sigh... perhaps some shopping therapy would help.

BKK-KUL

When your having a great time, time does not go by so slowly! After a one-hour delay, we safely landed back home at 9pm yesterday... and already discussing our next return trip, hehe.

Here are some pics I managed to snap. Because I was not the designated photographer (always a bit lazy at focusing the lens,hehe), there are wide gaps between the takes. I'll try to update more once my friend sends over is 250+ shots...

_____________________________________

A quick bite at KL Sentral before taking the bus to LCCT

 

 

 

 

 

The next morning at Sala Daeng station, waiting for the BTS... Isnt this a spitting image of Maluri station? or is it Pudu?

 

 

 

 

The infamous MBK Centre, BKK's answer to Sungai Wang Plaza. Thailicious spoiler alert: there is something for you guys here, hehe... ;)

 

 

 

MBK has rows and rows of stalls selling designer denim. Not surprisingly (or perhaps unfortunately), DIESEL is the most popular brand on offer. Oh well, as they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery (or is it?)

 

 

Strutting out locally inspired poses as the Siam Discovery Centre... ANTM winner Danielle should give a few tips on how to pose in Thailand, hehe...

 

 

 

Nonetheless... this A/X freak is definitely a happy camper!

ps: Although this brand has a few stores in KL, the choices on offer here are far superior and customer service as par exellence. The 7% VAT deduction doesnt hurt either

 

 

 

 

While at the opposite end, this certain freak about to get might happy himself!

pss: I'm always impressed by the fact that despite forgeries abound, the brand has 3 stores selling the real deal in BKK. It shows that where there is a will, nothing is impossible. Note to Club 21 Pte Ltd: Open a d*mn store at KL already!!!

 

 

Trying out the goods on offer. Personally, August (and February) are not a good time to check out stuff because they are in between seasons. Nonetheless, I did try out a couple of Black Gold pieces and bought something from the FW08 preview collection. Plus, all the denim you see at right are at 45-55% off! murah! muraaah!

 

Alas, all good thing must come to end... some final snaps at Suvarnabhumi  Airport before returning home :(

GEMPARAS!!!

As a rule, DIESELFREAK rarely blogs in his mother tongue. Not because Im not proud of Bahasa Malaysia, but rather as a way to reach out to a global audience (yeah right, hehehe). Anyway my posting today warants such a rare outburst. For i can not pot so eloquently in any other way...
So, ceritanya begini:

Esok dah nak checkout dari hotel and leave for Malaysia at 8am. So, ingat tonight nak settlekan bill la, supaya esok tak rushing. Kat lobby, bill is B$1,200. Oklah, Bank sponsor. Bila nak swipe card Amex Maybankcard... kena reject! FINE! I tought nak collect 2X treatspoints. Then cuba Visa Maybankcard pulak ... kena reject lagi!!! I taklah bawak any other credit card pun. So the cocearge pun cubalah try call Amex call centre. Diorang suruh naik bilik and tunggu.

1 jam kemudian, concearge call, suruh kita call Maybank call centre. OKlah... turun lobby, cubalah call guna nombor yang tertera kat credit card. 1-300 number (kira toll free lah). TAKLEH GET THROUGH! Sebab call dari overseas. FINE!! So kita tanyalah concearge kalau boley guna internet kejaap je nak ambik number for overseas. diorang cakap kena internet kat guna business centre, but minimum charge is B$6 for 1 hour. APAKAH INAS?!! I want to use for 5 minutes only. So, mau tak mau, terpaksalah.

So call lah Maybank call centre, nasib baik diorang jawab at first ring. Mula nak marah nie, dah siap hujah good paymaster la... credit card balance zero laa... Rupa-rupanya, the reason my cards are rejected is technically I DAH OVER CREDIT LIMIT, WALAUPUN BALANCE IS ZERO. Macam mana tue?

Let me explain, remember my baby, my new laptop that i bought tue? Well, i pay using credit card via EzyPay Scheme (so ansuran 12-months at 0% interest laa..). Well, it turns out that there is a catch. Walaupun Ezypay ansuran, Maybank dah block RM5,750 dari my RM6,500 credit limit (dah pecah lubang). So thats way my hotel payment cannot get through. HANJ CORAZON TAK? Anyway, as an emergency solution, Maybank had temporarily increase my credit limit for another RM6,000 until 6 May so that i could pay may bill and do some shopping at KLIA tomorrow. So i kena tunggu another 1/2 jam for that to happen. In the meantime I am here, at 12 midnight,writing to you at the business centre, just to use up my 1 hour allocation.

OK, dah habis ranting
later i will post some sights and souunds of Brunei, when I ahve sufficently cool down

Salam

A tale of two DIESEL's

This blog isn't titled DIESELFREAK for nothing. The fact is plain and obvious: I love Diesel! I love everything about the brand: the jeans, clothing and accessories, the provocative and cheeky advertising campaigns and the whole successful living lifestyle propaganda it eschews.

Thus, as a Diesel fan, imagine my most utter disappointment and frustration to realise the fact that there is no Diesel store in my beloved country of mine. Wait, no Diesel in Malaysia? That cannot be... cuz i see them ev'rywhere: in the malls, supermarkets, even in the discount bins. They even place ads on the billboards of KL. So what are you yammering about? I hear you say...

The fact is the Diesel's that they sell in Malaysia are NOT the Diesel's that they sell in Italy, in the US, or even in Singapore. Strange but true. This is because, by some inexplicable (and unexplainable) freak of nature, what its sold here are actually under licence by a certain Kepong based Hing Yiap Group, which also licence other brands like B.U.M Equipment and UnionBay. My theory is that early on they have realised the appeal of the brand and had sought out to licence it to manufacture their own cheaper inhouse clothing and designs 'inspired' by the original line in Molvena, Italy. In other words, ewww...

Diesel 'Kepong'

Diesel as God intended, from Molvena, Italy

Having this so called 'fake' Diesel in Malaysia has made the brand image cheap and unreveared. This is a very precarious situation for an 'original' Diesel fan boy like myself, having to reiterate to my friends and everyone i know of time and time again of the apparent tragedy and disparity (believe me, they know). However, not one to take things lying down, i have taken the initiative to ask Diesel's distributors in South East Asia, Club 21 Pte Ltd on the situation:

Dear Club21, Are there any plans to open a DIESEL store in Malaysia?

If anyone could come to my rescue it is them: if they could buy back the local licence in Thailand and now have opened three stores in Bangkok, they could have easily done the same in Kuala Lumpur. But, alas, here is their reply to my query:

Thank you for contacting Club 21 Malaysia!

With regards to your inquiry, we would like to inform you that Club 21 have not planned to open DIESEL store in Malaysia yet.For new stores opening, please look out for our announcement in http://www.club21global.com/. Looking forward to seeing you at our boutiques soon.

Regards,

Customer Relationship Management

CLUB 21 RETAIL (M) SDN

Hmm... so it seams at least for now, i still need to take my twice yearly pilgrimage down to Singapore for my Diesel fix. Sigh, who would have thought that living the successful life would be so difficult.