I usually do not comment on current events on my site for due to various reasons especially on stuff so close to home but on this matter I just find it ridiculous. The reason for me writing this? The Malaysian government has conveniently decided to ban internet access to certain file sharing websites. Both torrent and direct download sites. I mean how and where can I now download my prons documents and stuff? Okay, okay I know you the venerable reader has just doubt my reasons for it but then unfortunately the reasons stated for such a move is greatly unreasonable and unjustified.
Due to the so called pressure mounted by the local music and movie industry this initiative is being implemented. I would strongly suggest the local entertainment industry especially the movie industry to stop creating mind numbing crap in the first place before even mentioning that piracy affect their sales.
Blocking direct download sites is stupid as it will effect those who do NOT download copyrighted files from them. Direct download sites usually have users ‘flagging’ inappropriate content so that it can be removed. Besides, the MSC Malaysia Bill of Guarantees states that the goverment will not censor the internet. This action would only bring a precedence of the goverment controlling the internet and thus giving control to certain quaters for their own gains.
More work should be done to combat piracy by making original products more affordable or by creating an enviroment whereby the normal average joe could actually afford those said original products.
A blue-ray disc in the US is RM35 after conversion but the same item cost about RM90+. A rediculous example perhaps but an example of why people resort to piracy in the first place. Smoke don’t appear when there is no fire.
Due to a stroke of unforeseen luck, I had the opportunity to attend this year’s Hennessy Artistry thanks to invites by Vince and Spinzer Tock. Hennessy Artistry boast one of the best music events featuring artist from all over the world(which yes does include our very own Malaysia as well). This year’s guest performance was by Spinderella, Vandalism and our very own Kyoto Protocol. Set this time at Opera in front of Sunway Pyramid the glitz and glamor can be seen from the impressive display of well…interactive showcases at the entrance. After checking in the registration counter, guests who registered themselves on the Hennessy Artistry Facebook page were given a special RFID tag that they could use to update their Facebook page with contents during the event itself.
I have to admit. Being the country with the most Facebook friends in the world, the ideas was BRILLIANT. Guest were invited to play a ‘Fruit Ninja’ like game on an iPad, take photo in front of a green screen and edit it Ala Purikura and also mix their own 60 second music by placing colored giant hockey puck like objects onto an interactive table and then upload the said music or picture onto their Facebook wall. The top five high scores on the ‘Fruit Ninja’ like game will even be given a limited special edition 70 oz Hennessy to boot!
I’ve only been to The Opera just once and it was more than enough to know that the place is small and cramped with pretty bad air flow in the middle. Although I thought that this time it will be different as being an invitation only kinda event that crowd control wouldn’t be a problem but oh was I wrong. It became packed. So pack that it looks like The Opera on a weekend and it isn’t a complement. Everyone felt so hot it wasn’t even sexy anymore.
Being a once-in-a-year event I was expecting to see a free flow of Hennessy being served. Pure or cocktail’ed. WE(as in everyone) were ridiculously disappointed. At the Johnny Walker’s Black Circuit event a few weeks back free flow was NEVER an issue and boy was it awesome. Hennessy however stooped to the level of being a scrooge on it and even opened its doors to outsiders who may enter if they open a bottle. What??? An ‘EXCLUSIVE’ event that serves limited amounts of alcohol and allows uninvited guest to attend? Yes. It just lost its exclusiveness. The event was supposed to highlight four new types of cocktails made by using Hennessy. Too bad at the end I had more non-alchoholic cocktail than what I’m suppose to be trying. In light of all this I really REALLY like that lemon-lime concoction. Damn it was refreshing.
On a high note, the music performance was incredible. All the bands were amazing in their own rights. Vandalism especially in my opinion or maybe its because I just prefer their genre of music. Anyways, it was kinda disappointing to see us Malaysian not getting into the mood of the performance though. When stuff like “Put your hands in the air!” was screamed/sung/mentioned 90% of the crowd went “Is she talking to me ah? Eh, I think she’s calling you lah!”. I mean seriously guys?
In the end, we left early since we had nothing else better to do there and in desperation for some booze we even chipped in to get a bottle of a Limited Edition bottle of Hennessy to drink. Golden bottle looks damn GOOD though. It seems that, right after we left part of the plaster ceiling collapse bringing the event to an early end. I actually had more fun eating at the nearby Chinese food stalls that standing at the overcrowded venue.
Overall, although its my very first(and maybe last) Hennessy Artistry event I would have to give it an equivalent of a 3 out of 5 stars. Assuming I gave start ratings in the first place la. The music was good. The drink was good but the amount was not. The venue was disappointing and the service? Well, it was bad. No exclusiveness for a supposed exclusive event. The money used for the additional attractions outside was actually really insignificant to the overall reason to have the event itself. Better take the money for a better venue and more booze. I may not be a VIP at the VIP lounge but then again if a rival company can do it then I don’t see why not.
And no, I’m not still kinda pissed for not being able to place at the top 5 for the “Fruit Ninja” game. I got kicked down to 6th place by some guy in front of me and I was not allowed to replay even after waiting stating that the game ends at 1am even though it wasn’t mentioned anywhere. Damn. Okay lah. Maybe I am, just a little…maybe.
P/s: Due to me being as blur as usual. I totally forgotten to bring my camera to the event. So all picture credits go to Denise with the Olympus E-PL1.
Some say love it is a river
that drowns the tender reed
Some say love it is a razor
that leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love it is a hunger
an endless aching need
I say love it is a flower
and you it’s only seed
It’s the heart afraid of breaking
that never learns to dance
It’s the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance
It’s the one who won’t be taken
who cannot seem to give
and the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live
When the night has been too lonely
and the road has been too long
and you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows
lies the seed
that with the sun’s love
in the spring
becomes the rose.
———-
by Bette Midler
The Rose (Piano version by Yiruma):
I listen to oldies and this is a beautiful example on why I prefer this to the kind of crap we usually get on the radio nowadays. It was during the production of Rose Rose I Love You that I first heard this song and it really did struck a chord with me. I’m a sentimental fool and I’m proud of it.
I’ll put a youtube version of the song once I get out of this firewalled office.
