I've always had issues with promo-girls. They always look pretty and innocent-some maybe, and some, persuasive. Especially the ones you meet at events, not like those party events, but events such as roadshows, promotional tours and alike. Usually they will say "Hi, would you like to buy this, then bla bla bla bla". Unlike salesgirl, they dont bother explaining in detail about what they're trying to sell, they keep it brief and simple backed by innocent smiles and somewhat rather tight or revealing outfits. Its disturbing. Especially for people like me.
Its the power of persuasion in it's finest form.
Now the beef.
Consider me as a loyal-customer. I dont buy other cigarettes besides Dunhill. I understand the term brand-loyalty very well. But yesterday...damn.
This KK Mart is something like 7-eleven. So now, imagine putting a hot promo-girl at 7-eleven. Crazy! Its either that cigarette company has so much money to put into promotional efforts, or they are pretty much confident that their cigarettes may top other existing brands.
Its called Mi-Ne, Japan Original.
So the promo-girl did what she was trained to do. And it worked, well on me at least.
Promo-girl -"Hi sir, you wanna try this cigarette? It tastes like Dunhill too. You buy this promotion pack and you get this lighter, nice...see?"
Me (checking her out) - " You sure it tastes like Dunhill?"
Promo-girl - "Yes, try lah. If it doesnt you come back and Ill buy you a pack of Dunhill."(slightly tilting her head while tucking-in(not the word) the hair behind her ears-preventing it from falling into her eyes thus exposing a little bit more of her already seemingly smooth neck which was already exposed)
Me (checking her out) - "Okay, Ill take one. It better be good. I hope you'r wrong..."(mumbles "damn it! what the hell are you buying?")
Promo-girl - *smiles " Okay.Thank you!"
Me (cursing in my head) - "Thanks"
Well, apparently, I was wrong. The cigarette I bought did taste like Dunhill, but not the normal Dunhills I usually buy. It tastes like Dunhill 360. It has this puffy element in the smoke. Which is okay. But it'll take a little bit more than that for me to switch brands.
Moral of the story, promo-girls are not supposed to be put at stores such as the likes of 7-eleven. They make you buy things you dont need. Whatever that is.
Peace.
Friday, February 29, 2008
+Promo-Girls
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
+Nice Nice
Explosions in the Sky attracts a fan base that is hard to classify, but that didn’t stop a bumper turnout for its show in Kuala Lumpur last week.
YOU’RE a post-rock instrumental band from Austin, Texas. The Internet’s been good to you, via your Myspace page but you’ve never made it big on MTV. Your fan base is comprised of that unpredictable layer between indie fans and the more discerning mainstream crowd. You’ve just chosen Kuala Lumpur as the only stop in your South-East Asian tour. How well do you think your gig would go?
Wordless wonders: Explosions in the Sky bassist Michael James (left) and guitarist Munaf Rayani connecting with the audience through an array of rock tracks. If the Explosions in the Sky concert at Ruum’s KL is anything to go by, there’s a good chance you’re going to be ecstatic. The venue was packed close to its maximum capacity of (nearly 1,100 fans). More impressively, the fans that showed up were clearly not your typical unresponsive Malaysian variety.
Comprising of college kids, yuppies, chin-stroking music elitists and the great unwashed, the eager crowd had their hands held high, heads pounding and were outright generous with their cheers. No doubt the music was of the less easily accessible shoe-gazing variety, the crowd fed on it as if lyrics never really mattered anyway.
The response was well-deserved as the four piece band, formed in 1999, played a straight one-and-a-half hour set that showcased their signature brand of post-rock that chimed, rose and crashed through an array of emotions. Words were obviously unnecessary, as the band didn’t even stop to address the crowd – not verbally anyway.
As far as stage entrances went, Explosions in the Sky – guitarists Munaf Rayani and Mark Smith, bassist Michael James and drummer Chris Hrasky – kept things low-key and went down straight down to business. A Lone Star State flag stuck to an amp proudly declared the band’s strong ties to its roots. The only Kanye West-type showbiz touch to the gig was the neon bright lights with the band’s name plastered on it above the stage, it made for an ironic contrast to the broody, emotive and complex music flow to the night.
No set-lists were given out by the band (at the end of the show) but the fairly mellow audience didn’t need one because most of them knew exactly which track came from which album – despite a practically continuous set by the band. Explosions in the Sky played favourites from its older albums (Yasmin the Light, Memorial, etc), as well as material from the new album All of a Sudden, I Miss Everyone and its most famous track, Your Hand in Mine (Goodbye), the theme anthem for Friday Night Lights – a popular teen drama series revolving around an American high school football team.
Fans of the series will claim that it far exceeds the OC in terms of its emotion and gritty story arcs, and they are also likely to credit the band’s musical influence on the series for that.
The massive turnout for the gig in Kuala Lumpur proved that the local masses crave for bands beyond the mainstream.
At the end of the euphoric The Only Moment We Were Alone show-closer, the band didn’t come back for an encore, much to the dismay of the crowd chanting for its return.
A clearly exhausted Munaf Rayani did take to the stage one last time to announce that the band members played their straight sets with all their hearts and energy and “it wouldn’t be same” to come back for an encore.
The fans present need not feel short-changed though as Explosions in the Sky has always gone against rock protocol (no encores) and even at its “breakthrough” show at Austin City Limits in 1996 back in its hometown, the quartet declined an encore set. But the band did placate the crowd by obliging to an autograph session at the venue’s foyer.
Those who managed to attend the gig went home with a lesson on how not to underestimate the eclectic appetite of KL’s music scene. Venues like Ruums and the gig’s organisers – Soundscape Records are taking notice of the potential in promoting live performances by acts outside of hitz.fm territory. If more sponsors and promoters follow suit, we could expect to see the likes of Band of Horses, Regina Spektor and Sigur Ros sometime soon perhaps?
+War of the Flags
Its that time again, where we see flags all over the place. They rise quicker than the mushrooms in your backyard, backed with promises.
I am not one whom would say I am into politics. But however, I find it necessary to keep up with it. At least from a distance. Now its time to make some comments.
For the past week or so, when the case of 'Missing Sharlinie' used to be on the front page of each and every daily newspaper, it is now replaced with the sudden-hype of the election. Sending other news deeper into the newspaper-harder to spot. Its sad really. Yes the election has its importance, so does a life of a 5-year old.
With regards to how campaigns are carried out, I dont have anything personal to comment about it because- I have no idea how it is done. In some ways I find it interesting, and in someways, I find it rather disgusting.
The interesting part- the candidates. They come from different backgrounds. By different, I really mean a variety. Along the way raising questions, "is he or she fit for this?". There's this one candidate whom couldnt read or write. See?
In general, you could always tell who is doing it in their best interest and who is doing it to make a change. But it takes an excellent judge-of character to do that. I know I cant. Im clueless. Bottomline.
And by all means, if anyone thinks Im the anti-establishment kind, Im not. I see its importance and its function. Well, at least on the surface. Im still young and theres a lot more for me to learn.
Suddenly, Malaysia is now a Land of Promises. Its understandable that you're trying to pull votes and making promises are okay, but bare in mind that you have to be realistic. Dont simply fire away and make foolish promises that would be impossible to keep. Why not start with obvious issues that hasnt been resolved since God knows when?
Take baby-steps. It helps.
And also, people of Malaysia- especially those whom dont understand the need for an establishment- yes the elections is important. You may come up with arguements such as corruption, incompetent issues or what not. But here's the thing, it exists, anywhere and everywhere. Its been around since the beginning of mankind. What makes you think you can change it now?
So why not vote for a better Malaysia?
It is your right to make a Malaysia a better place for all of us.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
+Explosions in the Sky-Live in Kuala Lumpur
*Photography by nnnqqqdddnnn
Perceptions shifted in an instant. Well not really, not till the end of the show. Bottomline...
Explosions in the Sky was nothing but awesome.
Dont be taking that for granted friends. Till last night, I didnt even know who the band members were or where they came from. All I knew was that they were an instrumental post-rock band and they played awesome tunes-which obviously sounded good on stereo. Talk about being shallow.
Just to sound artistic, I categorize them as 'melodic-instrumental-post-rock' in my jukebox. Lame... I know. Same goes to that skinny jeans and ridocolous looking hat.
So...like any new dumbfounded normal human being whom has just been exposed to something new aka newb/noob (newbie), I googled them and learnt a thing or two.
I learnt that Explosions in The Sky originated from Austin, Texas. The band members are Mark Smith, Chris Hrasky, Munaf Rayani and Michael James. And also Michael James was once detained in an airport as a threat to security-something regarding the 9/11 attack and one of their albums. So there!
So, they played...I cant remember, sorry. But they played what most people would want them to play. Which in a way sucks cause I wanted to see and listen to something else. But hey, Im not complaining, I did enjoy it still.
But anyways, what amazes me throughout their performance was their showmanship. Their performance were dramatic yet energetic sent through highly-developed guitar works and drum beats. Its hard to describe how I felt exactly...but it was awesome.
Personally, its like trying to relate every possible bit of your life to what they are playing, making a drama out of it. Though the chances are slim that it makes sense, but what the hell. Leave me be.
All I have to complain is...loose the skinny jeans people. Seriously...its an eyesore.
Oh yea, those silly hats and weird scarfs too. (refering to the crowd, not the band.)
For once, I think now I understand what it feels like to really admire something.
Its silly and its striking some envy in me.
I feel like starting a band but I cant play jack instruments.
'Refreshing' is how I felt after the performance.
Its an inspiration (which may last for a week, tops).
Peace.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
+Mumble, mumble, mumble
It is everyone's dream to make a living by doing just exactly what they like, what they feel passionate about, what they love. But not all of us can afford to do so. Most of us have 9-5 jobs which we dread about. Note-most, not all. Okay?
Every morning we wake up dragging our sorry asses to work with much hesitation. Not to mention the various obstacles faced on the way to the office i.e the heavy traffic, overcharging tolls and that endless useless radio commercials.
GOD WHEN WILL ALL THIS END?
Yes, it may seem a little bit exagerrated, but surely there is some truth to it.
The question continues...Why cant make a living doing what we love?Personally I think the answer is we will all end up being poor and miserable-far worse than we are now. We wouldnt want that now do we? Besides that, how many of us know what we really want anyway? Our wants change from time to time, sometimes shifting faster than that 5 second traffic light(bitch!).
I know mine changes every 3 seconds. Ridoncolous!
By the way...what is it they teach at school these days? Its understandable to teach them the basic-boring-stuff, but what about the non-academic stuff? They dont exactly emphasize on that do they? All they give is this set of co-curriculums and they expect the kids to actually choose and enjoy it? No wonder every kid wanna be a rockstar these days.
Unfortunately,the system doesnt work that way. Hopefully in time, our great great great grandchildren's children might get a shot at it. Note 'maybe'.
Mumble, mumble, mumble...
+Over a Cuppa
I started off today without being bothered again. Woke up around 730 am, no panic attack nothing. Thought I'd pay dearly for that by getting stuck in a masive traffic jam, but hey, the roads were clear. Weird...
Mind the self-indulgence, again its 1020 a.m and Im bored. Theres work to be done but Ill do it in a minute. Im just gonna enjoy this cup of coffee for now.
You know...somehow I think I've gained weight a bit. This tie and buttoned-up shirt feels restricting. Its hard to breathe yet swing my head left and right. Whatsup with that?
Went through the papers today and came across an article about this sex scandal. So I wondered "how bad could it be?' because obviously,'she' was a hottie. So I googled the pictures...
Yes...jaws dropped.
Ladies and gentlemen, when 'getting it on' is in progress with the presence of a recording device...here's what I think-
Rule #1
Make sure you'r not under the influence of any substances be it drugs, alcohol or panadol/aspirin. It makes you look silly. Trust me, it makes you look as if you just got runover by a truck. For once, staying sober may have a purpose!
Rule #2
Please, please trim the bushes, if you know what I mean. Some 'spider legs' are bearable, but not the whole colony(spiders dont live in colonies.Im making that up). Its disturbing. Go see a pube-dresser in advance prior to the event.
Rule #3
When in doubt of getting it on with a presence of a recording device nearby, bail out as quickly as you can. Unless if you really cant help yourself, smash the recording device. It cant be that hard. Digital cameras are cheap nowadays, so meaning you can always get another one for him.
Rule #4
Have some self respect.
Rule #5
The male species are mostly a bunch of dicks. Choose wisely.
Okay...got to get to work now. But hey, theres this lion dance going on downstairs. Maybe Ill go spend some time there first.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
+Fine Pleasures
This dude is so doped up. Notice how he constantly sniffs. Nonetheless he can move, in a very idiotic way but in a way making it awesomely cool. So anyone who's into rave and wearing shades at night, but you cant dance...Watch this video to learn from the best. And btw, Im not really into rave or anything close to that, I just happen to find this video very entertaining.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
+Tagged!
Ok, I've been tagged by BabySakaiSukaLala.
The Rules:
1. Each blogger must post these rules first.
2. Each blogger starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. Bloggers that are tagged need to write on their own blog about their eight things and post these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’ve tagged, and to read your blog.
1. Im lonely
2. I purposeley offend others for some reason (it depends)
3. I judge
4. I am forgetful
5. I seldom keep my promises
6. I want a hovercraft
7. I can watch Transformers 55 hundred times
8. I think she's not human.
*I just realized those arent habits...
I tag
1. Naqqqddnnn
2. Rescue
3. Helmi
4. enatasha
5. Babysakaisukalala
6. LindaKhoo aka Kaki Buli
7. Izhamsajaje
8. Nina Baharum