Mr. Haxa Does The Blogs

The Singapore Trip: Wesak Day, Durian, Big Walk, The Stairs

After a great Sunday breakfast at McDonald's (eating pancakes and sausages), we did some city excursion in the surrounding area of Queen Street. It was packed with Buddhist devotees praying for Buddha on the Wesak Day. The area is also famous for its flea market or street vendors selling clothes or doing performances.

Perhaps it is the third weekend of May or 22nd of May is the annual Singapore big walk where they'll walk for 10km (?) to the National Stadium nearby Kallang (as told by our cab driver). One of the express ways was closed for this. It was supposed to open at 11am, but nah, our journey from Orchard Road back to Geylang proved other otherwise.

Singapore is good at giving facelift to its buildings. Blend of old and modern architecture with the creative touch of exterior (and interior) work of gives it a fresh and vibrant feel to the Lion City buildings. It is always interesting to observe this great effort!

And yes, it is the durian season, again! Durian party, here I come!

Reading List: Vanity Fair, GQ, Learning technology blogs, DaVinci Code, Friedman

At the top three level of Bloom taxonomy, we find analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. After reviewing some literatures on how decontexualizing learning objects contradicts the recent decade new models and theories of how important it is to add depth and context to content, the RLO concept, especially to achieve the above mentioned taxonomies; may require some fine tuning.

And there goes my new hunt for reading list and questions to pop out in some of the forums I attend or perhaps create asynchronous communication with some of the education technologist blogger out there.

And talking about reading, thanks to George for popping out the question of what’s on my reading list of late. I responded the May edition of Vanity Fair and the DaVinci Code which I should finish reading it before the movie comes out. And, oh there are other reading stuff too besides all the daily dose of news syndication, columns, articles, blogs, and aggregators.

And the article that I found most exciting lately is the GQ April 2005 article in the Intelligence section. It highlight some of the applications of learning theories on to how you could chunk some critical information, e.g. significant other’s phone number, birthday, etc.

I should get back to my reading now. And to George, do give me some overview on the Friedman’s Lexus and Olive Tree book soon, ya!

Review: Jan A.P. Kaczmarek Finding Neverland Soundtrack

It has been a long time since I was mesmerized by moving score accompanying a great movie. This time, instead of the epic music film written by the likes of James Horner, John Williams, or the late Michael Kamen; I found the sentimental work of Jan A.P. Kaczmarek; the Polish composer (who previously worked on Lost Souls, Bliss, Total Eclipse, and Unfaithful) on Finding Neverland; a fictional account of real-life fantasy of Peter Pan’s author (Matthew Barrie); a true masterpiece.

His work on this Marc Forster film never fails to captures the creative visualization of Matthew Barrie (the Peter Pan’s author acted by Johnny Depp), the inquisitive-imaginative mind of Peter Llewelyn Davis (acted by Freddie Highmore), and the strong, loving mother, Sylvia (Kate Winslet). It is indeed very poignant and loyal to the two themes of this film; the magical fairytales (bears, pirates) and the relationships among the characters. (Mahlen, epochtimes.com)

It is truly an accomplishment that Kaczmarek first Academy Award nomination for this work landed him the Oscar 2004 Best Original Score.

Rather than using full-blown orchestra in every part, the alternate use of piano solo by Leszek Mozder, strings, choir boy (The Brompton Oratory School Choir), and woodwinds adds some depth and texture to the music and gives it some familiar and repetitive theme throughout.

I have been hooked to this album since I found it few days back. And yes, Ryan Keaveney, I can play it on and on the whole day and still enjoy every part of it. It is the best soundtrack you can find it

Here are my favorites from the soundtrack:

Orchestra fan will be delighted at the light-heartedly opening score, Where is Mr Barrie? (3:32 min). Whilst listening to this, I could vividly paint some parts of the movie in my head. The European quirkiness of the instruments and the choir ensemble chorus adds much of the playful moment you will later find in the movie. Both these elements give you an overview to the film.

The Park (1:07) is an important landmark in the show. It is where Barrie met Sylvia, Peter, and the rest of the kids. The music lingers around the beautiful spring day at the park, the playful mood, and the acquaintance.

Dancing with the Bear (2:03) marks one fo the many fantasy elements in this movie. The cheerful and jovial mood of Barrie imagining dancing with the bear is very waltzing!

The Kite (1:37) You may find here some of the repetitive elements that Kaczmarek will be used in other scores. I feel myself floating listening to this one

Neverland - Piano Variation in Blue (4:29) This is my favorite part of the soundtrack. I’ve been listening to this solo piano work of Leszek Mozdzer repeatedly today. I have it transferred on my K700i and while listening to it walking or getting around, it soothes my mood and calms me down. Never a dull moment!

This is Neverland (4:01) This is the climax in the movie and the score couldn’t’ be more perfect to accompany such peak moment. Failing to attend the Peter Pan opening night because of critical illness, Sylvia (Kate Winslet) was entertained by the cast over at her house. I was amazed by Marc Forster morphing idea of transitioning the play at the house to the Neverland imagines by Barrie. The visual is simply stunning and splendid. And in this Neverland, Sylvia finally rested her soul in eternity.

Why Does She Have to Die? (2:05) At this point, Peter (Freddie Highmore) proves his talent as one of the talented child actor in his generation. Get ready with Kleenex for this somber moment when he grieves, mourns, and reflects her mom’s demise with Barrie. True to the score title, the music together with the boy choir provides the sorrowful moment.

Freddie Highmore is working along Johnny Depp in Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,

Playlist: Total Time ~ 58:33
1. Where is Mr Barrie? (3:32)
2. The Park (1:07)
3. Dancing with the Bear (2:03)
4. The Kite (1:37)
5. The Chess (1:07)
6. Neverland - Piano Variation in Blue (4:29)
7. The Spoon on the Nose (1:28)
8. The Pirates (2:11)
9. The Marriage (2:40)
10. Children Arrive (3:15)
11. Drive to the Cottage (1:04)
12. The Peter Pan Overture (1:17)
13. Peter (2:20)
14. The Park on Piano (5:23)
15. The Stairs (2:14)
16. Impossible Opening (3:26)
17. The Rehearsal (1:20)
18. Neverland - Minor Piano Variation (3:39)
19. The Play and the Flight (1:21)
20. This is Neverland (4:01)
21. Why Does She Have to Die? (2:05)
22. Another Bear (3:11)
23. Forgotten Overture (3:31)

Music Composed and Co-Orchestrated Jan A.P. Kaczmarek
Conducted by Nick Ingman
Co-Orchestrated by Marek Szpakiewicz, Krzysztof Herdzin
Recorded and Mixed by Rafal Paczkowski
Featured Piano Performed by Leszek Mozder
Produced by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek
Record Label Decca Records Released in 2004

05-05-05

What's going on today?

1. Short-term goal: To have the best of both task orientation and people orientation attributes
2. Mid-term goal: Buying a property
3. It's so much fun washing clothes by hand after a long time!
4. I miss the Isetan KLCC bento that sells at 50% off after 8pm!
5. I jogged after a long time after thinking about doing it. Yeah, I jogged to McDonald at Tesco only to have the Grilled Chicken Foldover and jogged back home. It was great!

Picture Series: Teluk Tempoyak, Pulau Pinang

Located in the southern part of Penang, the fisherman village at the Teluk Tempoyak is the place to go for that fresh seafood. Famous for its ikan bakar, this place is not only nice for your appetite, but it'll fascinate your sights as well.

Enjoy these pictures. I will review the food soon.