Stage mirrors life: Prelude

The Street Car Named Desire triggered a reflective response in me that I was a very reluctant recipient of.  There was someone that I was very close to at one point in my life because I had respected and was enthralled with her when we first met.  She was my first Cantonese Opera teacher, Wanda Chun (白艷紅)

It was in the late nineties, a friend had wanted me to go play mah jong with him at a music club because they were short one player.  I wasn't too keen on it but after a lot of cajoling and pleading, I gave in.  I still remember it like it was yesterday.  We played in this small room because the club had a gathering that night.  When that first clanging of the cymbals started, I found myself quite captivated by the music.  There are many reasons that I will not go into now as to why I love Cantonese Opera and joined this club.  The reason that I will say was that the members of this club consisted of young and old.  Anyway, that night was the beginning of my cultural submersion into this art form and of a period where I witness first hand, Wanda's spiraling decent into the la la land.

... Named Desire

Holy Crap!  I am pooped!  Just finished watching the play and it was... 3 and a half hours.  I am Physically and MENTALLY exhausted!  Totally understand if Gillian is exhausted and exhilarated after the show.

I have heard of this American classic but I have never read it and I didn't even see the movie with Brando and Leigh.  Now that I have watched this filmed stage version... I can see why this classic is considered timeless.

Watching Blanche slowly at first then quickly spiraling into a sort of inner madness is pretty heart wrenching and it hits a bit close to home.  No, it's not me but someone that I knew closely.

I can't think straight right now... need a bit of time to absorb it all.

SOLD - The movie

I first became aware of this movie in March because of.... Gillian, of course.  I so much want to see it and even thought about hosting a screening in Las Vegas.  It is still in the back of my mind to get this screening to happen.  I have spoken to some people regarding this third biggest global crime behind fire arms and drugs.  It happens in every city in the world, not just undeveloped countries but and is very prevalent in Las Vegas.  I had shared this video on my FB some time back and I was so upset and disappointed that no one made a single comment on the post.  I was really really sad that the friends that I know as real people didn't even give me an "emoticon".  Had some time to think about their lack of reaction and maybe it is a very hard object to talk about or even acknowledge.  We were brought up to think that children are precious and they represent the hope for the future.

I grew up in a very insular environment with loving parents, great teachers, and fantastic friends in what some people describe as paradise, Hawaii.  I didn't even experience racial discrimination because we were all a big mix pot of nationalities.  My best friend once pointed out that I had no idea the cruelties of the world and how people can lie, cheat, and hurt you for their own selfishness or just for their hatred of the world.   I still want to believe that the good will beat the evil.  We need more caring in this world to make a difference and it can be contagious.

Bucket List

I was asked recently what my bucket list consist of and I had no answer because I have never really thought about it.  So... I am thinking about it now.

Bucket list... things one wants to do before one dies.  A minute passes... I still can't think of anything.
Let's see... supposedly every girls dream is to see herself in a wedding gown and to do that she has to find someone to spend the rest of her life with.  Geeziz, rest of one's life... that's sounds like such a long time, doesn't it?  Can't imagine it or even contemplate it.  I am a logical romantic if there is such a thing.  I believe in attraction at first sight, meeting or touching of souls but I am pretty sure it doesn't happen often and when it does, I am very happy for those lucky people.  I have had my share of temporary soul touching but... anyways... lets touch on something else.

Travelling... I wanted to visit Europe when I was younger and was really into Greek mythology and wanting to see the old architectures but that was when I was really young and didn't think about plane rides.  Since my last trip to Hong Kong a few years back, just the thought of being on an airplane for more than 3 hours gives me anxiety attacks.  Also, we have History channel now and I can see Greece, Rome and England from the comfort of my home.   Oh, I did want to visit Kyoto at one point in my life but I think it had more to do with the aesthetic part of being into Eastern religion.  Is there anywhere I want to go before I die?  China, to see the Great Wall and get possible food poisoning or get trampled by bicycles and/or people?  Africa, to see wild animals that could maul me?  Alaska, a chance to freeze myself to death for a possible glimpse of an Aurora Borealis?  Now that I think about it, I actually have always traveled to see people that I know and the purpose was to visit and see them.  I remember visiting Boston for the first time, back in the eighties, and had the best time playing mahjong with Grandpa and Grandma.  I did nod off waiting for them to throw their tiles. I visited Vancouver and it was just an eating spree.  I swear that I had like 5 meals a day and was saying to the group, WE ARE USING OUR TUMMY FOR SOCIALIZING!!!! This was when I was NOT fat!!!  I gained like 15 pounds on a weeks stay!  I got proof from before and after photos!  It was crazy.  I did not go to Victoria Park or any tourist destinations but I got to see a lot of restaurants, coffee houses, noodle shops in Chinatown and Richmond.  Oh!  I did get to see some of the Cantonese Opera clubs... whoopee!  I did enjoy the part of the clubs because I got to meet some very old timers in that art circle.  I think the last vacation that I had that had me seeing sights was when I was in college... a looooooong time ago.  I went with my sorority sisters to LA and SF.  It was my first time to Disneyland, Magic Mountain, Hollywood, UCLA.  Got my picture with Mickey but did not get to see the night parade.  Went to Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardellis.  but did not get to Alcatraz.  There was a trip I took with a guy in SF, we had a very nice time in this park where there was a tea house... can't even remember the name of the park.  New York City was fun the first time... ah... it was so long ago.  I was there with someone very special... did the goofy thing like taking the horse carriage ride in Central Park... crazy thing like eating in Lil' Italy and then getting a cab to a underground club, where the speakers were taller than me.  I am shocked that we didn't get mugged or anything.  The things that I did when I was young and had no fear.  I digress.

The verse, dying to meet "so and so"... well, I have already met Muse and we even had 2 meals together!  Ellen?  I wouldn't know what to say to her... nor would I know what to say to Gillian.  "Oh, I love you as a person?" or "I admire your work?"  How about "Thank you for being you."  That is so lame!  Which is exactly like I didn't know what I say to Muse... It is so much easier to express feelings with writing for me than blurt out something so "personal" or inane.  I can't be like Ellen's fans who jump up and down and up and down, screaming... that is so not me.  Okay, okay.  I am an introvert at heart, which I never thought of myself.  Some guy once told me that I am very "cool" or maybe he meant cold when he first saw me.  He said I don't say anything and I don't even smile.  I was taken back at his comments then I thought about it and he was actually very correct.  I don't warm up to people in general immediately.  BUT!  When I do, one cannot shut me up!

Digressing again.  Back to the bucket list.  I really did sow some wild seeds when I was younger and probably did things that I would never do now but, hey, I guess I gotten most of the wildness out of my system.  I still say no to bungee jumping, hot air balloon rides, cocaine, heroin, sky diving or surfing.  Maybe I want to see a psychiatrist before I die.  That's an idea to ponder on.

Street Car...

Well, today is the official opening day for Gillian's NY run of Street Car Named Desire.  Reprising her role as Blanche from a role she played two years ago in London, I won't be able to watch it live but I will be watching a taped version of her performance soon.  It's going to take a few days to download the whole play but I'll just pretend that I got tickets for a performance in NY.

I do have great taste!

I am a little bit behind in assimilating information so it just occurred to me that I have fantastic taste in favorite celebrities!  I mean seriously, I posted who my three favorite celebrities are a couple of weeks ago and then to find out that Finding Nemo's Dory were voiced by Ellen and Teresa?   How cool is that?

Hehe.. and I think Ellen and Gillian are good friends or they were once good friends but Gillian hasn't been on the Ellen Show for over a decade.  It would be great if Gillian went on the Ellen Show and Ellen did the "in the ear" prank with her.  I would love to be in the audience for such a show.

My three favorite celebrities!

I was thinking today that I really really love to watch these three people on television,  The common denominator is they make me laugh!  I mean that they make me grin, giggle, and downright pee in the pants laughing.  Over the course of my life, which is decently long, I have admire a lot of people and some of them were adolescent crushes from waaaay back.  There were so many shows and stars that I have enjoyed watching but most recently these three ladies really stood out.


I fell "in love" with Teresa Mo a few years back because of her role in Off Pedder.  For a period of 300+ episodes, she made me laugh and cried for her portrayal of the lead character.  I have to be honest that I don't know much about her acting prior to that series but I did make up for it afterwards.  After watching her previous work and subsequent work, I still think OP was the show that had showcased her talents to the fullest.  Maybe because it was a long running show and she and the writers did so much to give depth to her character.  She was funny, poignant, and dramatic throughout the series.  Her acting range was evident but what I love the most were the subtle comedy with perfect timing.  She brought the best out of a cast of relatively "newbies" and I think that is what made her super special.  Granted she is the only one of the three that I have met in person and found that she is genuinely a very sweet person.  AND breathtakingly beautiful to boot!  Wishing her the best on the new series and will be awaiting for more laughter from the screen.

Gillian Anderson usually portrays characters that are serious and somewhat on the cold side.  Like in previous posts, I was not an X Files fan back in the day but had watched all 10 seasons recently because I was pleasantly surprise that I was enjoying the dynamics between Duchovney and Anderson and the stories were pretty good.  I liked the comedy ones where Gillian was extremely funny.  Her recent role as Stella Gibson was... ice queen as was her portrayal of Bedelia in Hannibal.  Both were fascinating characters.  In May, Gillian will be revisiting her award winning role as Blanche in The Streetcar Named Desire" at New York.  But when I caught some of her interviews, I was totally floored!  She is so adorable, open, quirky and hilarious!  Her recent activism on human trafficking with emphasis on little girls being sold to brothels to become sex slaves or prostitutes puts her right up there on my list as being one of the most gorgeous human beings.  She is using her fame to speak out for those millions who don't have a voice and is raising awareness to the general public.  To me, Gillian has grown so much as an actress and a humanitarian.

Ellen is so damn funny!  I can watch clips from her talk show all day long.  Her openness and her kindness, shines throughout her shows.  Her love of a good laugh or a good prank is awesome.  She really can make some of the more famous celebrities do crazy things.  Recently, she was in Adele's ear at Starbucks and it was epic.  The Meryl Streep segment had me laughing so hard I was crying.  Love Ellen and her love for kindness and laughter.  By the way, she was great as the host of the Oscars too!

好嘢! 毛姐再拍電視劇 - 八時入席!

 毛姐再拍電視劇!  Dinner at 8 starts today and I am quite anxious with some expectations and lots of trepidation.  It's been quite awhile since the end of Off Pedder and unfortunately, the level of frenzy never reach its peak for me in her second sitcom, Some Day during the airing but it was actually quite enjoyable when I watched it the second time around.  I remember telling Muse that and she had asked me, "Oh, liked it more than OP?".  My reply was "No... OP is still the best."  I mean, how could she even ask me that question?   I guess that is why I have trepidation about the new sitcom... anyways...

I just finished watching the first episode and for an opening episode it was surprising that most of the main characters were introduced very well and it was almost immediate that one has a sense of their personalities.  It was rather disconcerting to hear 亞細 and 拉叔because it just throws me back to Some Day just a bit.  


Muse, not surprising, was at her most charming in an understated and perfect comedic way and Mr. Lai was..., he seemed a bit... over the top.  Can't one show rage/anger without yelling at the top of their lungs?  Mr. Chan and Ms. Tong's characters were delightful in their own quirky and natural way.  They were within the storyline last night and had that hint of their comedic natures that teases what one can look forward to in future episodes.  I can't wait till Ms. Kwok's appearance.  I hope she has a fun character like she had in Love Come Home and doesn't go back to the bitchy roles like before.  Though she does do a wonderful bitch!  

I will watch episode 2 when I get home tonight and hopefully get a giggle or laugh out of this tiring Tuesday.

The X Files: Finding the reasons behind my sudden obsession (sort of...)

Finally, the reason why I even starting rambling on about TV shows is that I was trying to figure out why all of a sudden, I have this full blown obsession with The X Files. 

The X Files first premiered back in the early nineties.  I think I didn’t watch American television for almost 30 years.  Is that possible?  I don't remember any shows from that time, at least I don't even recall having a favorite.  Oh!  I didn't watch American shows because my parents had the monopoly of the television!  I remember now, the eighties was when the video tape rental for Hong Kong's TVB first came out and I had no say whatsoever in what was on TV or put into the VCR.  I got to see some of the longest running dramas and I believe that is how I learned to speak better Cantonese, more or less.

Growing up, I had always liked the paranormal, the mysteries of the universe, astronomy, feng shui, spiritual aspects of certain religions.  It probably had a lot to do with the company that I was keeping at that time too.  I learned a bit of Tibetan Buddhism, Feng Shui, and Polar Star Astrology along the way.  My Mom had some... interesting experiences... that I was privy to. 

Anyways, I do have some vague memories about The X Files and I don't know why but I know the theme song.  I did catch an episode or two when it was on reruns a few years back, probably Season 8 or 9, I found it confusing and a bit too out there with the Super Soldier thing. I remember thinking that it was dark, weird, creepy and eerie.  I am not into creepy and eerie shows.  Actually I hate horror shows and if I have to watch it, I would cover my eyes and would have jitters for days after.  So, I was never a fan or even remotely a diligent watcher of the show.

But then… I heard about this reboot or reunion or whatever they want to call it and I found myself intrigued.  I thought this show must be pretty special for them to be able to come back after 14 years since the series ended.  Then seeing an older David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson triggered a strong sense of... nostalgia.  Don’t ask me why, I can’t even figure it out yet.  So with my Hulu account, I was able to watched all 9 seasons, 202 episodes.  I even finished the 2 featured movies.  I found myself enchanted with Dana Scully, portrayed by Gillian Anderson.  The character, Scully became more and more interesting as the series continues.   Binge watching's advantage is that I could watch the character's development in a very short amount of time compared to the course of the entire series.  I watched Scully grow up, blossom and mature in 3 weeks time.  The creative team of writers did a beautiful job creating one of the most iconic female television character over the course of the series.  I watched Gillian changed from a young innocent to a beautiful strong woman very comfortable and confident in her own skin.

I enjoyed the funny episodes a bit more than the horror monster shows.  Bad Blood was really quirky and funny.  There were quite a bit of humor in many of the shows and I liked the episodes that tugged at the heart strings.

Watched the new season and to be honest, on one hand, I was disappointed with the stories but it did fill me with a sense of satisfaction that people can age with grace and beauty.

Not hip or with it at all!

I am feeling really old here.  My boss' daughter is in her early twenties and it is amazing to me that all these television shows that she watch, I have not seen one of them.    I just don't get what is so interesting about watching a guy dating a bunch of girls and proposing later.  I just don't get it.  Or shows about losing weight?!?  She tells me that it is inspiring.  Okay... I would click on a YouTube video once in a while if it pops up on my FB page about great talent on American Idol or the variety of The Voice.  The whole thing about the Kardashians and the Dugars?  WTF!  Those American viewers that are so into them... really scares me.

Do you see a recurring theme, Rhonda?!??!

You love shows that are character driven with strong leads, they have to have a touch of comedy, they are procedural crime fighting shows...

You know, I use to like watching Criminal Minds and it has a great cast but... it was just too dark for me.  I couldn't really watch these horrific killings week after week.  What drove me crazy was that the damn screen is so dark that I wasn't sure half the time what I was actually watching.  I gave up on this show after 3 seasons.  It is still going incredibly strong but I haven't been able to get my mind wrapped around it again.

NCIS. One lead or is it?   What can I say?  Definitely in the top 5 go to shows for me.  Mark Harmon’s character Agent Gibbs is my dream guy.  I am in love with Gibbs!  Love his dry humor, his code of honor, his soft spots and is a man of few words.  

Great acting, great writing and storytelling from the entire cast.  Out of all the guys in these shows I listed, Gibbs is really special.  Too bad he doesn't really have a life outside of work... except for carpentry but I think that is his therapy.  I so enjoy the rest of the cast but I adore Abs.

I have to confess to watching... Green Arrow and The Flash!  Okay, my comic nerd coming out in full swing.  Oliver is very good looking in the brooding menacing kind a way.  Barry?  Nice boy next door.  I enjoy these two shows for purely entertainment purposes.  Not much emotional impact, not even with our super hero back stories.  I do like Cisco, though.  He’s nerdy funny. 


 

Elementary.... Forever.... Rizzoli & Isles... Do you see a recurring theme here?

Rizzoli & Isles...

I enjoy their friendship and I think this is great to have a show with 2 smart female leads.  I liked the first couple of season when the show focused more on Jane and Moura but when Jane’s family had a tad more air time, it got a bit boring and I thought it took away some of the shows charm.  

Is it possible to have such a close same sex relationship without crossing the "Oh so gay" line?   

"The show was created and is executive-produced by a woman, and it’s starring these two women who are very different people. They’re very different characters, and so we have a lot more estrogen on our show than most shows ... And I think that it’s a great thing because we have a woman spearheading it and she is writing these characters in a way that is just much deeper.  They are, they’re deeper. Their relationship; it could be sexual one day ... Who knows?"  - Sasha Alexander (Moura)

Interesting, no?  

Sad that TNT is ending this show after Season 7.  

Elementary.... Forever.... Rizzoli & Isles... Do you see a recurring theme here?

Forever...

Too bad “Forever” was cancelled after just one season.  It was fun and I truly enjoyed in most part Henry’s immortality predicament.  One season wasn't enough for the characters to really develop to the extent where I would be devastated when there would be no more to be made.  There was nice chemistry between Henry and Jo.  Judd Hirsch is always funny, loved him since Taxi.  I like Joel alas Lucas, he’s funny and I miss him as the squint, Fisher, from Bones.  

This is a show I go back and watch one or two of the episodes when the mood strikes me for something a bit tragic.  

Elementary.... Forever.... Rizzoli & Isles... Do you see a recurring theme here?

Elementary... 

I watch Elementary because the Chinese in me secretly is proud to see an Asia female lead in prime time network television.  I have watched Lucy before in other work and I think she has come a long way and paid her dues over the course of her career.   

I started watching and was caught by Jane Watson's back story because it reminds me of my niece, who decided after graduating from CAL Tech with a Civil Engineering background and had been working a couple of years in that field could suddenly decide that what she really wants in life was to be a medical doctor and went back to school for her M.D.  One moment in life can change the course of ones entire future.  It takes a hell lot of courage and determination.   

Back to Elementary, I put it on my “to watch” list.  I enjoy Watson and I get a headache watching Holmes.  I like Captain Gregson and the Detective Bell.  But I wished there was a bit more "chemistry" between the Sherlock and Jane.  It doesn't have to be romantic chemistry but something.  I see glimpses of it every so often but a lot of times, their "partnership" feels... lacking.  I don't have a particularly favorite episode... yet.  

A side note since I mentioned Asian actors on prime time, I watched a couple of episodes of Fresh of the Boat, didn’t enjoy it because I think maybe it was too close to home and yet not really.  I felt it was kind of offensive stereo typing of an Asian/Chinese family.  

What and why I watch certain shows... Bones

With hundreds of shows to watch on cable, network, and streaming on a computer, how does one decide what to watch?  I am very simple and not too adventurous, I tend to stick to just a couple of shows that I already liked and become fiercely loyal to those said shows.   

Over the past 6 years, my favorite show is Bones.  The show has been in mid-season hiatus for so long that I am losing interest.  I really hate Fox for the last few years on how they treat this show.  They move the show to all over the week and it is like, "Well, lets see if Bones will survive here!  If not, maybe we can finally cancel them!"  Too bad for the stupid suits that the fans do follow this show to whatever night of the week.

Then Fox went ahead and put Bones on  FOUR months mid-season hiatus.  They announced a week ago that the show will end next year with a shortened season 12.   Whoopee!!  Bones is renewed for next year but they have been cancelled too!  I am at lost to what kind of bullshit reaction I am suppose to be having regarding this news.  Maybe the show has ran its course and hopefully Season 12 will be a satisfying ending to a great run.

Anyways, I love this show because it has a great ensemble of characters.  Brennan, Booth, Hodgins, Angela, Cam, Caroline, Sweets, Aubrey, Squints... all put in to make this show great entertainment. Granted that there was a season 6 that was extremely painful to watch.  

There were a few favorites that I loved watching and will go back and enjoy them over and over again.  In Season 1, the Christmas episode, The Man in the Fallout Shelter;  Season 2, Alien in a Spaceship;  Season 4, The Hero in the Hold;  Season 4, The Double Death of the Dearly Departed (Funny!);  Season 8, The Patriot in Purgatory, 

I have been searching since December for new shows to watch and I did find a few very enjoyable ones.