This entire week has been one hell of a roller coaster ride for me. From KLFW to chasing containers ships, it's been a chaotic and character building week. I guess I can't complain much cause it has been a hell of a learning experience, especially from the KLFW stint. It certainly brings up my portfolio one notch up, not too mention the contacts that comes along with the shoulder rubbing sessions.
Now that all the craze has died down, it's time to reflect and ponder what and how we could have done better if such an opportunity arises again. It would be great if I can also incorporate some of the ideas I did to someone's home. There has been a steady stream of home projects coming in till the end of the month and early Dec. So, I guess I can kiss goodbye to my vacation lah. At this moment, we are already in the planning stage for a couple of homes that will only be ready by end next year.
My seamstresses have demanded for 2 whole days of rest after I turned the "battle station"' into a sweat shop for 2 whole weeks to cater for KLFW. They truly deserved the rest. Hope they won't run away when they see the other orders in hand....
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Monday, November 20, 2006
What I Learned from KLFW 06
Here are what I've learned from the recent KL Fashion Week:
1. NEVER believe a fashion designer when they say that the dateline is end of the month. It means tomorrow.
2. Always be prepared for unexpected twists in their requirements on a daily basis. Example: Designer's think that curtains can be shrunk today and miraculously grow in length tomorrow.
3. Designers are super fickle minded. Please refer to no. 2.
4. You can always use someone's writing table to add height to your inadequate ladder for those hard to reach places.
5. Photo shoots are done at night and and it is IMPARATIVE to hang every piece of curtain up before they start shooting. Otherwise, be prepared to wait for 4 hours before they decide to take a break so you can finish your job.
6. Lunch, tea and dinner do not exist in the fashion industry. No wonder the people here are super skinny. Please refer to no. 5.
7. Models CAN be nice and polite.
8. The job is NOT FINISHED until the show and party is over. They expect you to entertainment them on a daily basis.
9. Designers can be kiam siap and expects lotsa freebies to get their business. And then they charge thousands for their dresses.
10. You have to chase designers for your payment at clubs because they are nocturnal and do not rise during day time.
11. It only takes 1/4 of the time to remove what we have put up.
Will I do another KLFW? I'll make sure I get a good team the next round.
1. NEVER believe a fashion designer when they say that the dateline is end of the month. It means tomorrow.
2. Always be prepared for unexpected twists in their requirements on a daily basis. Example: Designer's think that curtains can be shrunk today and miraculously grow in length tomorrow.
3. Designers are super fickle minded. Please refer to no. 2.
4. You can always use someone's writing table to add height to your inadequate ladder for those hard to reach places.
5. Photo shoots are done at night and and it is IMPARATIVE to hang every piece of curtain up before they start shooting. Otherwise, be prepared to wait for 4 hours before they decide to take a break so you can finish your job.
6. Lunch, tea and dinner do not exist in the fashion industry. No wonder the people here are super skinny. Please refer to no. 5.
7. Models CAN be nice and polite.
8. The job is NOT FINISHED until the show and party is over. They expect you to entertainment them on a daily basis.
9. Designers can be kiam siap and expects lotsa freebies to get their business. And then they charge thousands for their dresses.
10. You have to chase designers for your payment at clubs because they are nocturnal and do not rise during day time.
11. It only takes 1/4 of the time to remove what we have put up.
Will I do another KLFW? I'll make sure I get a good team the next round.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
The story of a boy named Khairy
The name says it all. This is the name of a future leader. Rather, a future leader wanabe, that is. This young lad HAD a lot of potential. He won the hearts of many with his charismatic attitude, polished words and an education from a prestigious university to boot. He was the nouveau Malay. Someone whom we expected with enthusiasm who might lead with fresh ideas and forward thinking. But alas, he has succumbed to the dark side. For being too impatient, to climb up the ever colorful world of Malaysian politics.
It is of mind boggling wonder why a person with so much potential fall back to such cheap political games filled with chewy racial and controversial remarks? Was it due to the constant pressure of winning the lack luster votes and trust of the average (and below average) majority? But then again, for a person of his caliber, he should have known how to chew his words before delivering it in an effective manner to his intended audience. To put it one step further, he should have also thought of the consequences from his remarks. Then again, perhaps all this controversial remarks were intended to be there in the first place to win some publicity space with the media. There were just too many theories linked to his actions.
He is a magnet to controversies, from the Penang Malay issue right up to his involvement in a particular GLS. The most recent remark that would cause further furor is his recent speech in the recent party general assembly. His remarks with regards to the NEP as well as the ASLI reports leaves nothing to be desired, unless if you are one of the many millions of Bumiputeras living from cronyism hand-outs. Winning stars on his report card, you would say? Perhaps... but will it last? Don't forget, as much as we need the majority to win, it is the intellectuals as well as the cash cows that makes the winning possible. As much as I would hate to say it, but it's the ugly truth.
To those who are care enough to read through the speech, the depth of his words are pretty insulting to one's intelligence. There will be plenty of drama that is yet to unfold from the Khairy saga. But I doubt I can stomach the ending of his story.
It is of mind boggling wonder why a person with so much potential fall back to such cheap political games filled with chewy racial and controversial remarks? Was it due to the constant pressure of winning the lack luster votes and trust of the average (and below average) majority? But then again, for a person of his caliber, he should have known how to chew his words before delivering it in an effective manner to his intended audience. To put it one step further, he should have also thought of the consequences from his remarks. Then again, perhaps all this controversial remarks were intended to be there in the first place to win some publicity space with the media. There were just too many theories linked to his actions.
He is a magnet to controversies, from the Penang Malay issue right up to his involvement in a particular GLS. The most recent remark that would cause further furor is his recent speech in the recent party general assembly. His remarks with regards to the NEP as well as the ASLI reports leaves nothing to be desired, unless if you are one of the many millions of Bumiputeras living from cronyism hand-outs. Winning stars on his report card, you would say? Perhaps... but will it last? Don't forget, as much as we need the majority to win, it is the intellectuals as well as the cash cows that makes the winning possible. As much as I would hate to say it, but it's the ugly truth.
To those who are care enough to read through the speech, the depth of his words are pretty insulting to one's intelligence. There will be plenty of drama that is yet to unfold from the Khairy saga. But I doubt I can stomach the ending of his story.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Project Runway
OMG!!! Can't believe time is really running out and I'll probably be slaughtered alive at the sacrificial table from my already irritated customers (Singaporeans....ARRRRGGGHHHHH!!!!)
I never know how I get myself into all these mess!!! First, it was only a simple and innocent quote and supply for tracks to a new salon in a shopping centre. The next thing you know, there is 1001 things needed for the salon, to make in time for KL Fashion Week 2006!!! Stupid contractors always love to give people a heart attack! I didn't even know that the salon is going to be participating for the KL Fashion Week!!! So, for the past 1.5 weeks, I've been torturing my seamstresses with rolls and rolls of French velvet, chiffon and satin curtains and backdrops to be used for the photo shoots and deco. Tomorrow is going to be a living hell putting up all these material 14 feet high. Lets hope no one trips over all those cloth without falling over and breaking their neck. My guys have to be out of town to finish other projects that we intentionally delayed for this project. I guess it I would have to be doing all that solo tomorrow!!! Argghhhh!!!!!
I never know how I get myself into all these mess!!! First, it was only a simple and innocent quote and supply for tracks to a new salon in a shopping centre. The next thing you know, there is 1001 things needed for the salon, to make in time for KL Fashion Week 2006!!! Stupid contractors always love to give people a heart attack! I didn't even know that the salon is going to be participating for the KL Fashion Week!!! So, for the past 1.5 weeks, I've been torturing my seamstresses with rolls and rolls of French velvet, chiffon and satin curtains and backdrops to be used for the photo shoots and deco. Tomorrow is going to be a living hell putting up all these material 14 feet high. Lets hope no one trips over all those cloth without falling over and breaking their neck. My guys have to be out of town to finish other projects that we intentionally delayed for this project. I guess it I would have to be doing all that solo tomorrow!!! Argghhhh!!!!!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
We are equal...but we are not
Yesterdays news report from DPM clarifying the status of "Bangsa Malaysia" is just plain disturbing, dumb, stupid, etc... He said the term "Bangsa Malaysia" is solely a state of mind for all citizens of Malaysia but it will NEVER include the special quotas, rights, and assistance that were reserved for the Malays. If that is the case, why bother with having that term anyway? I'm expected to love, serve and die for my nation as a "step child?" Is this what our Govt. is trying to imply to all non-Bumis? Sounds like it. It's just that they don't have the balls to say it to our face. I'm a third generation Malaysian. My great grandfather made Malaya his home when he first set foot on these shores. After more than a century, I'm still an "outsider" in the eyes of our govt. Sad isn't it? Imagine if my great grandfather's ship went off course and landed in California instead. I would probably have the same rights as any other American today, regardless of my race and color. Not that I hadap sangat to be an American, but that would have been a pretty good example on what's lacking in this otherwise prosperous nation, isn't it?
The newspaper's full of surprises lately with these colourful comments and showing dirty politicians getting away scott free with their evil doings. I wonder what's next? All non-Bumi citizenships will be revoked? Hmm.... maybe that's not such a bad idea after all.
The newspaper's full of surprises lately with these colourful comments and showing dirty politicians getting away scott free with their evil doings. I wonder what's next? All non-Bumi citizenships will be revoked? Hmm.... maybe that's not such a bad idea after all.
Monday, November 06, 2006
The Parent Club
Have you ever lost friends after they get married or started to have kids? It normally starts of with the phone calls getting shorter, and the meetings getting lesser and lesser. Pretty soon, you guys just get on with each other's lives, oblivious about each other's existence. I can't help but immediately put a picture in my head on a couple of people whom I used to be rather close or hang out a lot with. I guess there is some truth in it, because once they get married, it is quite natural that they would want to spend more time with their spouse (otherwise, why get hitched, right?) And then there's the filial duties to the in-laws and the entire string of attached clauses and funtions that comes with this package called marriage. Like they say, when you get married, you marry the entire family. Hence, there is less time for us singletons.
When the little ones come along, the topic evolves into further complex discussions in the light of strollers, diapers and nappy rash. These topics will normally go on in full swing when a flock of parents happens to sit together in a party. Again, us singletons will be lost in this world of post procreation saga. As we have less and less things in common to talk about, it's quite natural that we grew further apart. It's a pity though, coz I remember how we used to have so much fun going out clubbing, or just hang out at each other's place watching movies, stuffing ourselves with junk food and puffing our lungs out. Now we can't even have a decent conversation for a minute before the little one starts to demonstrate how powerful her lungs are. But I guess, that's how we humans evolved once we pass a certain stage in our life. Well, until I am ready to cross over to that side of the world, I think I'm quite contented with the DVD player, my Cheezels and pack of smokes. Cheerios!
When the little ones come along, the topic evolves into further complex discussions in the light of strollers, diapers and nappy rash. These topics will normally go on in full swing when a flock of parents happens to sit together in a party. Again, us singletons will be lost in this world of post procreation saga. As we have less and less things in common to talk about, it's quite natural that we grew further apart. It's a pity though, coz I remember how we used to have so much fun going out clubbing, or just hang out at each other's place watching movies, stuffing ourselves with junk food and puffing our lungs out. Now we can't even have a decent conversation for a minute before the little one starts to demonstrate how powerful her lungs are. But I guess, that's how we humans evolved once we pass a certain stage in our life. Well, until I am ready to cross over to that side of the world, I think I'm quite contented with the DVD player, my Cheezels and pack of smokes. Cheerios!
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