Tribute to the Late Princess

As one of the Thai citizen, I want to pay my respect to the late HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana.   For the past few days, the royal funeral ceremony was broadcasted nationwide, I have been watching and very proud of our Thai unique customs and cultures.  So I sat down and tried to write something as a tribute to HRH Princess.   And here are two poems or verses or whatever you may call. Their contents are similar but written in different styles.  With all my respects.
1    “Now the angel had left the Earth”
Tears run down from the eyes, Heads turn up high to the sky, Blue as it could be blue, It’s the truth of life, still so cruel. Now there’s one less angel on the Earth.    Highest in nobility withal lived the simplest, Greatest generosity always give rather get, Kindheartedness likes a river flowing down from heaven, By purest love and care you were driven. Now there’s one less angel on the Earth Shimmering Chaopraya at dusk gently flows, As if all people’s loves are adrift with the wind blows, Candles are lit up throughout the country, Leading the way to eternity. Now there’s one less angel on the Earth. With love, we all are thankful, With respect, we all are grateful, May you rest peacefully high up there, By Gods and Goddesses, may you be taken care. Now the angel had left the Earth.
2    “Heavenly Home”
Teardrop Clear, explicit Running, flowing, rolling A feeling of sorrow Sadness    Angel Majestic, graceful Flying, leaving, satisfying She’ll always be remembered The Princess Chaopraya Glimmerly, flickering Streaming, carrying, delivering People’s loves are poured Affection Heaven High, peaceful Greeting, opening, embracing The journey to eternity Home
Composed by “Loong-eK”

It’s been a while…

It’s been a while since I last posted something about music video.  But then couple nights ago before I went to bed, I turned on TV and saw this new music video by Ice Saranyu called “คนน่าสงสาร”.  And in this MV, the actress was Taya Rogers and she was so beautiful.  She has been growing up a lot since last time that I saw her in television.  No doubt, she saw really cute in this MV.  It’s a must see.
Besides the song (melody and lyric), the singer–”Ice”, the actress–”Taya”, and the story line, they’re the scenery and cinematography that I really enjoyed.   This MV was shot in Japan, which is one of the countries that I really want to visit.  When you put all of these elements together, you will see one of the most beautiful Thai MVs.
	It is a story about a man falling in love with a woman, who tries to forget her past.  She hopes to feel better and be healed from the hurtful love without knowing that the man whom she just met has already been falling for her.  Each day passes, the feeling inside is getting stronger.  But how can he tell her without risking to lose the friendship they just start?  Will he be able to win her heart?  Will she accept his love?
And with no further a due, here is the MV posted on YouTube.
Well, it’s the beginning of the winter season in Thailand (even though there are still some heavy rains), and it’s normal for everyone to think about love and fall in love. For the ones who have not yet found love, well, it may be around the corner.

Music Therapy

There are a lot of good concerts and shows toward the end of the year; and last night I went to one of them.  It’s “Jim Brickman’s Concert: The Moment of Grace”.  At first, I was really debating if I wanted to go to see the show as I had some other plans to spend my money.  But at the end I still went for it.  At the time I bought the ticket, I thought it would not be a full house concert.  However, last night was the opposite and I was glad that I did go to see it.
I never went to any one of Jim Brickman’s concert before despite he had been to Bangkok for several times.  I heard his song for the first time when I was in the States and it was a big hit.  Then I have been followed his music ever since.  I would like to think of his music as a therapeutic music for myself.  And last night made it for certain.
Other factors that made me decide to go to this concert was the guests–Kob Saovanit Navaphant (Vocalist), Tor+ (Pianist), Siriphong and Apichai (Violinist and Cellist from Bangkok Symphony Orchestra), and John Trones (a vocalist on tour with him).  There were such a great musicians and performers.
The concert started with a piano solo session by Tor+, then it’s all handed over to Jim performing all the hits such as Waterfall, Paradise, By Heart, No Words, Picture This, etc.  Alternately, John and Kob Saovanit sang all the sweetest songs like Valentine, Love Of My Live, Never Alone, The Gift, and Destiny.
In this concert, Jim also sang one song called Simple Things, which was my most favorite song of the night.  I guessed because I was touched by the lyric, which incredibly talked about the (simple) truth of life.  The third session was what I called the string session, where those musician from Bangkok Symphony Orchestra took the stage and perform with Jim.  It really a genuine music made from wood and strings.  Those songs from this session were so beautiful.
I guessed what he said in the concert was really true.  He said he only wrote and composed music about love, hope, life, faith, and joy.  I believed that his music reflected his words.  I felt like I was in one of the therapy session where I forgot all of the crazy things in life and stress and I just let the music took me. I believed that those of you who went to his concert last night would probably feel the same way as me.

Spooky Time of the Year

In a few days, many people will probably celebrate their Halloween, especially those Westerners.  In Thailand, I guess, we are kind of accepting all traditions, holidays, and customs from many countries and cultures around the world, even Halloween.  For me, it does not mean much to me even though when I was in the States.  However, in the past couple years, there have been many horror movies being released around this time of year.  And I am always waiting for them, of course, the same for this year.
And this Halloween comes two new movies; one is Thai and the other is from the States.  The former’s title is “โปรแกรมหน้าวิญญาณอาฆาต” or “Coming Soon” and the latter’s is “Saw V”, which is a sequel of the most wacky and psychosis movie I have ever seen.
I think if I am not too busy this weekend, I may go to see both of them.  Horror film is one of my favorite type of movies.  When I come to think about it, there are many Thai horror films that I really enjoy watching such as Shutter (ชัตเตอร์ กดติดวิญญาณ), Dorm (เด็กหอ), Body (บอดี้ ศพ #19), Alone (แฝด), and 4BIA (สี่แพร่ง).  Well, if you were Thai, you might notice that all those films were produced by the same company, GTH.  I am not bias but, in my opinion, there are really no other horror films from other companies as good as ones from GTH.
	Shutter was bought by one of the studios in Hollywood to do the remake version and was released earlier this year by the same title.  Furthermore, Dorm (เด็กหอ) was awarded 2 prizes from Berlin International Film Festival in 2007; and also received many film awards in Thailand including Best Film, Best Actor, and Best Actress in 2006.Then I found Body (บอดี้ ศพ #19) very entertaining.  I really liked the plot and script, even though the performance was not that good.
Alone (แฝด) and 4BIA (สี่แพร่ง) are enjoyable to watch, especially 4BIA, which comprises of a 4-short horror stories, in which I like the first one–Happiness (เหงา), and the third one–In the Middle (คนกลาง).   If you haven’t seen it, please take some time off and watch it, and you will know what I mean.
So, if you still don’t know what to do tomorrow, the Halloween day, and want to get scared, you may want to go to the theater to watch those two new released movies or go to your near by VDO shop and rent one of these above horror movies.  Well, may you have a spooky night!  Happy Halloween! 31 Oct 2008.
All images are from Google.

Sweeten Up Your Life

I guess this is the Book Month or what.  Well, if you are looking for some sweet in your life, I recommend you to read any book of Nicholas Spark.  I am a big fan of his book since “The Notebook” was out in 1996.   After that the rest was history.  This year he has released his latest novel “The Lucky One”, which touches the subjects like fate and destiny, of those we are currently lacking in our society.
Last night I just finished reading it.  Even though it is not my most favorite book of his, I still find it very sweet and delighted.  I think it’s very rare that you can find anyone who is similar to Logan Thibault, the main character, these days; especially with a strong determination and faith.  Who would have travelled across country just to find the woman in the photograph that he found in the desert of Iraq, where he was on duty?  But then again, who am I to judge?  I guess this kind of story makes us feel like there is still some hope left in this crazy world.
	I guess the reason that I like his book so much is the timing and writing style.  When “The Notebook” was out on the first time, I picked it up merely because it’s #1 Best Seller on New York’s Times Chart.  I just really wanted to know whether this book was really worth all the appraisals and raving reviews.  And it did.  I recalled that I finished the last page while I was on my way to Chicago and felt numb and stunned by the powerful and meaningful love story portrayed in this book.
Love, a true love, can stand through time.  It’s been a long time since I felt so overwhelmed.   After that I have been waiting for his new book each year.  The second book was out in 1998, “Message in a Bottle”.
Well, what can I say?  I just loved it and it was my second favorite.  What I like the most about this book is the letters and all those beautiful words written in them.  During that period of time, email was not as popular and common as today.  The main communication between me, who lived in the States, and my families and friends, who lived in the other side of the globe, was letter.  And every time I did found letters in the mailbox, I felt very happy.  So no wonder why I like this book so much.
And here are the covers of all of his books so far.
Even though many of his books had been bought for movies, I still find them not as good as the books.  It has been about 12 years since I read his first book and now I still do.  I think that if you never read one, you may want to consider it when you go to a book store next time.  You might find your life is a bit sweeter than before.   I just can’t wait for his new book.
All images are from Google.