:: it's zoukout time again!::

ZoukOUT!

I am determined to party hard this year-end - after 2 years of withdrawal from attending this event.

I missed its inaugural party in 2001 at Sentosa (which incidentally 2 party-goers died from drowining), because it was held during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, and again in 2002.

Last year in 2003 when it was held at Marina South, I watched a movie instead, had romantic dinner and walked alongside the Marina Bay with my date. Sounded nice as it was, but the beats from the parties was something more fulfilling than the getting lucky at the end of the nite. When I was driving passed the Sheares Bridge on the way home around 3 in the morning, I wished I had made a detour to the party instead.

After all said and done, I resolved to end this year like its party 1999.

So this year, watch out...here I come!

:: j-pop deprivation - FM96.3 FM ::

One of the source of being in tune with the Japanese music chart used to be from the international radio channel FM96.3 right here in Singapore.

Sad to say, the harsh economic setback in the recent years has cause a significant reduction in the Japanese program over the radio. Now, they are only available from 7.00 am to 9.30 am - much of which are related to the news and information meant for the dwindling Japanese community in Singapore.



Even their J-pop chart in their website is pathetic. It was last updated on 3rd January 2003!

Luckily for me, I can always count on the Japanese greatest chart...the Oricon for my J-pop updates.

But I am sadden by the demise of the once-ever popular J-pop chart countdown on 96.3FM on every Thursday nite. It was my source of J-pop salvation because it was so close and home.

:: end of doldrums? ::

I have not been particularly active in this blog for the last month of so, eversince with the new job.

I hope the highest peak of work pressures and expectations have reduced, and I am able to be more focus with things - other than work. It was difficult and the thought of quitting almost came to mind, but I decided that its because I am facing another level of challenges and demands with the new job. It will soon pass, I believe, and I think I will be a better 'workman' for it.

The Japanese "salaryman" are well known for having burn-outs because of work. I know of a Japanese friend who needs to wake up very early in the morning, around 5am simply because he needs to drive and park his car to the local train-station, take an hour train ride to Tokyo, with the many inter-changes of stations. And then, take a short walk to the office. Imagine having to do this both...BEFORE and AFTER work. 4 hours of precious time is spent on commuting, and energy permits, still spend some time at the bars for booze and dinner.

Don't believe me? Read this from the Japanese himself....


I wish I could sleep on the way and from work at times, but with the crazy traffic in the highways and reckless foreign motorcycles, driving while sleeping is not an option.