and that's the way the cookie crumbles

Time for some updates. I got bored, so I decided to put up some collages of the few events that happened the past few months. Creating collages is such a chore. I only managed to finish two and I don't think I would be making more. In fact, because I tried to squeeze in as many photos as I could, it didn't look really pretty. But seriously, there are just so many photos I want to put in, so bite me.

The first collage is my first and only house party I threw, with the help of my flattie Val of course. We invited a total of nearly 50 people where perhaps we only knew like 80% of the crowd. The damage done, 120 plus bottles of beer and a lot of wine and empty hard liquor bottles. I know its a little late to be posting something that took place even when Char and Aly were still around in Sydney, but it was a sweet and fun party....one of the most fun times I had as well as the sheer satisfaction in throwing a party. It was a gathering of friends I have made and memories I want to keep of this place as my impending departure edges closer




Next up, Fraser Island with Andreas and Earth (My Uni Friends). It was such a guy trip I tell you. And it was certainly fun fun fun! The highlight was meeting lots of other people there and having a good time. We met nice people, hot people, funny people and horny people. Fraser Island is pretty. All we did was soak in the lakes, sunbathe on the beach and walked around the rainforest.  A pity I didn't join them in their quest to "pick up schoolies" as they headed for Surfers Paradise. Also, along the way, they met a couple of backpackers who were with us at Fraser's too. Two semesters ago, if you asked me about the friends I made in Uni, I would tell you that these are the people I see in Uni only. However this semester, we all got a bit tighter. We do dinners, drinks, party, get thrashed, sending Andreas home drunk while he makes fun of people and their funny hats. A pity too that we gelled in the last semester. Everyone is about to make a move soon. Benjamin has since returned to San Francisco while Andy left for Munich after the "graduation dinner" (which Diana joined in while she was here!). In the next couple of days, Earth would return to Bangkok, Rose back to Amsterdam, Rozenn back to Canada and the list goes on.




More photos of life in Sydney to come.

Header taken off mr indra and the following taken off my couz' blog. This is a blow-by-blow account of the game last night. The Rooney, Gonzalez and Carrick bit just cracked me up.


2nd min: Ferguson caught littering with his Wrigley's chewing gum wrapper
5th min: Carrick loses the ball
6th min: Rooney mouths an expletive
8th min: Carrick loses the ball
9th min: Rio trips on his own ankles in the box and dives for dramatic effect
12th min: Gonzalez miscues the ball
13th min: Rooney mouths an expletive
15th min: Carrick loses the ball
18th min: Riise falls on his butt while heading
20th min: Referee Poll shows Sissoko an imaginary card to warn him for his glaring foul
21th min: Rooney mouths an expletive
23rd min: Gerrard swears at Xavi for a misplaced pass
24th min: Gonzalez miscues the ball
25th min: Rooney mouths an expletive
27th min: Carrick loses the ball
28th min: Referee Poll shows Sissoko the yellow card for his glaring foul
29th min: Rooney mouths an expletive
30th min: Gerrard shows Kuyt the middle finger for not running into space
33rd min: Riise falls on his butt while tackling
35th min: Rooney mouths an expletive
37th min: Neville gesticulates at Rio, then spits in a dramatic and disgusting fashion.
39th min: Rooney mouths an expletive
40th min: Gerrard scratches his head, wondering why he signed on with the Scoussers after Scholes marks his 500th Man U match with a goal
41st min: Carrick loses the ball
42nd min: Xavi takes aim at a prawn sandwich-eating Man U fan for sniggering at him in the 23rd min but his wayward shot misses the target and hits the prawn sandwich
43rd min: Riise falls on his butt while shooting
44th min: Gerrard does DX's famous crotch-chops in frustration at Garcia for tripping on the ball
45th min: Gonzalez miscues the ball
46th min: Rooney mouths an expletive
Half-time: Ferguson caught chewing on his 23rd Wrigley's gum of the match

My debut on YouTube! See if you can spot me. Half my face appeared for about 0.5 seconds.

Cheap Thrill! Haha

I would say this entry came in one week late. I was about to type this last Thursday when I left DDB Sydney at long last after shamelessly staying there from 2 weeks till 8. Well, I never got down to writing it cos there was just so much partying going on. This post was saved as a word doc in my computer. It was bittersweet in a way cos you know you have to move on from this unpaid gig and you can never stay there forever. Ralf asked why I did not ask if there was an employment opportunity there. As much I loved the place, the people and all the wonderful guidance bestowed on me, I knew that was not where I belonged. Frankly speaking, I don't know where I belong to either. I don't even know if I really want to pursue this path or not. Seriously, it would take a lot of guts.

All that has been said, the departure has been a sweet one. It all started with my mentor picking out some of my work and helping me compile them into a folio. Together with the ECD, we also picked out 4 TVCs that I worked on for the agency to keep. He said there are plans to produce 2 of them, and keep the other 2 in the drawer (one of them is the magical one thought up by good ol Louis). Frankly speaking, I think it would take a long time for them to get to it cos it's just initiatives after all, nothing urgent. Towards lunch, my mentors suddenly popped in and gave me a referral letter. I didn't even asked for it! That was really really nice of them. Though I could tell it was written up in 5 minutes, it was the thought that counts and the way it was written really felt very personal. We had a brief chat and I asked them "What was it that made you guys decide that I could come in here after all, I didn't feel what I showed you was great." This was what they had to say to me which really made me feel really happy.

"Yeah. Your initial work didn't win us over. Your passion did."

At that split second, I felt that the world is not so cut-throat after all. True, I wasn't paid and it won't have been any detrimental loss to them in whatsoever way if I turn out to be a screw-up. But they could have always said no and not waste their time with this kid. Before coming to Australia, I have always tried so hard to secure internships in Singapore, but there was just no one that will open their doors to me. But here in Australia, someone actually did and told me I don't suck at it and thats why I am feeling all fuzzy inside even though its just an unpaid gig. I mean, the industry in my own country won't even bother to see what I've got, let alone take me in; while a foreign country did just that, given I am just some stranger on their land. It really made me feel very happy. And I don't care that it is unpaid, I just appreciated that someone is willing to see what I've got.

I sprang a surprise on them actually by leaving one day earlier. After lunch, I emailed the Executive Creative Director's PA to inform her that I was leaving that very day. I reckoned that since I have rounded up all my stuff, there really isn't any point lingering around for one extra day. Also I figured there won't be any "fanfare", given I am just someone doing work experience there, so theres no need for any farewell lunches or any of that sort. And also plans were made for lunch with this other girl from the account servicing side, so I didn't wanna mess it up. *wink*. Anyway the sweet PA that she always is sent out a mass email to everyone to inform them I was leaving and all and got them to pop into my cubicle and say bye. Given that short period of time, she also managed to round up some people for a round or two of foosball.

A few minutes later, the Sydney Creative Director who I was sitting with the past few weeks came up and offered me a toast, wishing me all the best before heading home. The junior dudes were envious that I got to sit at his workspace. A very nice and softspoken Englishman, he always found time to accomodate me whenever I asked for his feedback regarding the ideas I had. Every Monday morning, he would see me come in and say "Good one for the boys!" whenever Manchester United won a game the weekend before. A Swindon Town supporter, he was so impressed that I could actually recall the game in 1995 where Eric Cantona got himself sent off by tackling John Moncur wildly from behind, thus injuring him badly. Anyway this guy used to be the Creative Director for Leo Burnett London, but relocated and took up a job here. I remember one of the interns telling me, "You sit with Richard the whole time?? Damn, this is the same guy who gave a talk at the AWARD school graduation for 10 minutes. And all you have to do is turn around and bounce your ideas off him whenever. Lucky you!" Yes, I have been lucky to learn as much as possible from him given our proximity.

The ECD also swang by my workstation and wished me all the best. He gave me a book. "Bill Bernbach's Book: A History of the Advertising that Changed the History of Advertising". In it was a note, "Selwyn, A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. I'm glad we were able to help you take that first step. All the best". That was a really really sweet gesture, considering I don't interact a lot with him during my two months there. I decided then to go up to him and requested a referral letter, which he agreed to write for me. I hope his letter would put me in good stead considering his reputation in the industry (though I hope people in Singapore do know about him!).

After 2 months working for free, I believe I did not lose but gain. You could say it was the letters, but I would think it was the learning, the people I met there and most importantly the experience. I wrote in my farewell email to the boys that this has been one of the biggest highlights during my stay in Australia and all good things must come to an end. Yes, it was a good thing.

Time to crash. it's been one week of slacking. I have already slipped back into the bad habit of sleeping in.




The boys and the booze at Fi's.

Entourage is the latest craze I am indulged in now. Seriously, it is so addictive because it is half hour per episode. After finishing one episode, you will say to yourself, "Hell........what's another!" And the vicious cycle just carries on over and over again.


There is this character, acted by Jeremy Piven called Ari Gold - a trash talking Hollywood agent and I tell you, he delivers the best lines that would make you crap laughing so hard.






"You know what they feed people on an indi set, Vinne? Nothing! They don't give you a trailer. They tell you to go sit on an apple box. Ever try to bang an extra on an apple box?"

"Yeah, and Hilary Swank has a vagina, but she won an Oscar pretending she has a dick. That's what actors do. They pretend."

"Let's hug it out, bitch."

"Call me Helen Keller because I'm a fucking miracle worker!"

Ari [to Lloyd] "Listen, Lloyd, I want you to put all my files, folders, binders, *everything* into a box! If you find a used condom, an executioner's mask, and a fucking spike paddle, don't think, just pack that bitch! Chop suey!"

Ari [to Eric]: You know 'The Station Agent,' Eric? Monster hit at Sundance. It's about the midget who lives by the train tracks. Last time I saw him he was in a FedEx commercial. They were overnighting him to London. Sundance is a great festival for little people. You should kill over there.

Ari: The next one after "Queens Boulevard" is a studio picture: I'm talking franchise, baby. We'll get you the lunchbox. And an action figure with a huge cock.

Ari: All right, when you talk to Dana, tell her I'm going to take the pictures from Cancun, and start a website called imahollywoodexecutivewhore.com and there will be no password or fee required, and I will take out a full page ad in the LA Times promoting it. Give me a fucking call back.

Ari: You can have it if you want to live in Agora fucking hills, and go to group therapy, but if you want a Beverly Hills mansion, and a country club membership, and nine weeks a year in a Tuscan villa, then I'm gonna need to take a call when it comes in at noon on a motherfucking Wednesday.

[Error: unknown template 'video']

The offending and disappointing coincidence

Cannes 2006.

Just allow me the chance to own a gun and let me shoot some lions........ y'all can monopolize all the bloody hotels and properties all you want

Just allow me the chance to own a gun and let me shoot some lions............. y'all can buy all the bloody stuff in the world all you want

Just allow me the chance to own a gun and let me shoot some lions..........y'all can roll all the bloody dice in the world you want

Just allow me the chance to own a gun and let me shoot some lions..........y'all can go to all the clubs and see and be seen all you want

MVO (preferably Kiefer Sutherland) :"Previously on Thats the Way the Cookie Crumbles........"

".................but the bad thing is I am only given 2 weeks and sadly this is gonna be my last. "


Today has been a day that everything finally went right. My mentors brought me to present some of the ideas I had for certain clients to the creative director. And it seems like he did enjoy what he saw, i hope. And then he asked the golden question, "Is this your last week here?", which I replied, "Yes. Tomorrow is my last day in fact"

In comes my mentor who interjected, "Actually he would like to extend his work experience here for a few more weeks......."

And the CD agreed!

Well something as small as this can actually make me sooo happy. Goes to show that I really really love what I am doing. I figured that even if it means I don't get paid but I am still relishing it goes to show that I truly love this. It's getting more exciting now, cos this time I might actually get to follow through with those ideas I presented and hopefully make it come to life. Also, I think I might get paired up with an intern Art Director to form a team as he mentioned. Of course I don't want to hope too much yet. For all you know, if some stupid HR cockup takes place, I might not get to stay after all. But at least I can take comfort in the fact that the people here are receptive for me to stay on.

Sceptics might think that "well....they are not gonna pay you......so its not loss to them". I beg to differ. All I want is for an avenue to do what I love and at the meantime I am loving it.

Lastly I wanna say that I am really appreciative and grateful to the guidance my mentors provided me especially giving me the opportunity to show what I could do. And I know I am in good hands. Here...take a look at one of the ads the two of them created which exemplified why



For years, I have fought so hard for something like this to happen. Like I said, it may be something small but someone ever told me this once.

"The harder you fight for something and when you finally get it, the more you would cherish it"


To more hard work to come
Cheers