Advertisements
Category Archives: Miscellaneous
WICKED The Musical – Mastercard Theatres, Singapore
Advertisements
Last night’s WICKED The Musical was an experience which many describe as an extraordinary. I will not write about the story line here cos it will spoil your night if you’re watching. But I’ll give a general review of it.
Story:
Very interesting story line cos wickedness was not present with the casts that I would have thought. There were a lot of discoveries along the way cos I didn’t read about the reviews prior, so it was the right choice. But after the intermission, it was a little draggy and the old man in me started to feel restless. Luckily I didn’t doze off or else whole theatre can hear me snore! Whole musical was 3 hours including intermission of 15 mins! Ended at 11pm thereabouts!
Casts:
The casts all acted and sang very well even the smaller acts. The main casts obviously were awesome and I was very impressed by their vocal powers! So captivating! Ladies would love the male lead. Voice was smooth and swooning!
Venue:
Mastercard Theatres has extremely good acoustics and sound projections. BUT, the seats are seriously uncomfortable and not suitable for a long performance like this. It was also pretty warm last evening, temperature control is bad. I was literally feeling hot throughout the show. Ladies, forget about your shawl or cardigans, you’ll appreciate carrying lesser things into the theatre.
Tickets:
Check out http://www.sistic.com.sg/events/wicked1116s?cid=RTB-wicked1116s for show times and prices.
Special thanks to Far East Hospitality and Oasia Hotels for the awesome invitation. Do check out Oasia Hotels at http://www.stayfareast.com. Friends who wanna stay there I can get a better price for you. 😉
Gastronomically yours,
Big Roy 😋
Black And Red Flags
Advertisements
While I was walking along East Coast Park, I came across this drainage pipe leading out to the sea with 2 flags on it. First one is black, on the half way mark of the pipe while the other one is red, at the end of the pipe.
The black obviously is a warning of the danger up ahead while the red one, even more obviously, signifies danger, you better get the hell out of here!
Somehow it reminds of me of us… Our journey in life… The dangers we face. Black at the half way mark is applicable for peeps of my age, coming to a halfway mark (estimated) of our lifespan, the black flag is highlighting to us to reflect on the things we are doing, have done or haven’t do. Let me list down in point forms for easier digestion.
BLACK:
1. Health – Are we leading a healthy lifestyle that we are suppose to? Are we heading to some serious illnesses that we overlook due to our busy lifestyles? So should we be looking into it before it reaches Red? I have spent one and a half years dedicating to building BLACK&INK to make sure that it gets on its feet and to stabilise operations. During this time, I am feeling tired daily due to long hours and my legs are getting those black veins due to prolong standing. Naturally my health is not at its best now, but it’s definitely heading towards Red if I’m not doing anything about it. I lost 40kgs in China, I gain back 15kgs in Singapore. Seems like I need to be stationed out of Singapore soon. 😆 So do something about your health before it’s too late.
2. Job – Are we enjoying the work we are doing? Are we facing the infamous mid-life crisis which you wished you were doing something else? The BLACK flag reminded me of stuffs that I’ve always wanted to do in my life, from starting a café, to stationing overseas, managing companies of different industries, etc. So, what are your plans? 😉
3. Relationships – Have you found your life partner? If you have, when was the last time you said “I Love You” to him/her? When was the last time you reassured him/her? Such things are rather important to have a happy relationship. Kids will come naturally. If you haven’t found a life partner, take it naturally too. Do not rush into it. This partner’s gonna spend the rest of your life with you so you’ll have to make sure he/she is the one. How about your parents? The first teachers in our lives? They are reaching the Red Flag so have you spent more time with them? Have you thank them for all the things they have done for you? Do it before you regret. Who knows what will happen tomorrow? Similarly to friends too. Have you thank them for being there for you whenever you’re down and out, or even when you’re happy? Sometimes we take for granted they are always there for you… Your partner, parents, close friends, etc.
RED:
This is when everything ends. End of life, end of misery, end of happiness. But love never ends. So before we even reach this Red Flag point, look into the things we haven’t done, the things that we wanna do and never had the courage or determination to start it. Do not leave this beautiful world with regrets.
Big Roy
For The HEARTS That Are WILLING
Advertisements
I came to know about Willing Hearts from my customers who stop by the cafe for drinks and cakes as a form of reward everytime they volunteer there. I have been telling myself I need to check it out one day and finally got down to it just this recent Tuesday. I seriously didn’t know what to expect but was told that you can come and go anytime, so I arranged with some friends and my part-timers to go lend a hand. One of my friends, Joe, is actually someone whom I know from some online gaming and Facebook, and finally met him over volunteer work!
When we arrived there, there is one lady who is a sergeant major-like commanding everyone to do this and that. This lady, Elsie, is the centre nerve of the whole operations. How many packets of food to go out, how much food to prepare, deliveries, etc., all falls under her jurisdiction. At first impression, anyone would definitely feel she’s being rude or autocratic, but believe me, she only mean well. After surviving 4 hours there, I totally understand why she has to be who she has to be. Imagine this; 5000 packets of food, distribute to many collection centres in Singapore, those in town needs to be before 11am so that the volunteer drivers will not have to pay for ERP charges, cooking of so much food, organizing the volunteers from all walks of life, and mind you, not all are like me trained in kitchen and food prep, some have to teach some more. So that’s why, she has to be loud to be heard. I managed to talk to her a bit amidst the rush packing and scooping rice, Elsie is truly a lovely lady inside, loves joking a little, full of love and compassion.
There are other full-time volunteers there too. If you look around, they are mostly in their 60s and 70s. Elsie is 70+ years old, there’s an Anna who is 75. Tony, the founder of Willing Hearts is also that age group. But they are keeping this mission going, with so many willing hearts to help contribute. The volunteers don’t just end here, the delivery drivers (mostly cab or commercial delivery drivers) all chip in to help in the distribution. Not forgetting the collection centres, there are volunteers there too. They have to bring food to the homes of the old folks who have walking difficulties, within their area of distribution. While I was there, I was seriously overwhelmed by the contribution of these people, the love they have for helping the community, DAILY and ZERO PROFIT. I was even more touched when Anna was thanking us for coming to help despite our rest day, and I caught some tears welling up in her eyes. This shows that they are really short handed and our help has moved her in some way. So I’m planning to go again next week.
Tips for first timers through my experience:
1. Be prepared to sweat and toil. No fan or aircon, no chance to sit. My first 2 hours was ok cos very hectic. Last 2 hours became very slow cos the packing is like never ending. I was seriously aching on the neck and back cos of my height and weight. So be mentally prepared.
2. Be prepared to multi-task. One moment you might be topping up the dishes, packing food, scooping rice or veg, and for Joe and me, we moved quite a bit of rice and top up for the assembly lines. So no fixed positions.
3. Wear thin tops and shorts. Trust me those will help in ventilation. Shoes with better grip are importantly cos oil and water on the floor is dangerous.
4. Stay hydrated. Bring a bottle of water and put beside you or go take some refreshments if need to at the back of the kitchen.
5. Leave your kids at home unless they are old enough to take care of themselves. Don’t give more problems to the hectic schedule already.
6. Make sure you have a hearty breakfast before going there to help. Your next meal is probably after 12.30pm when all the food are packed… Unless of course you’re leaving earlier.
7. Anyone is welcome to help! Even tourists visiting Singapore! Every help is needed! A drop of water forms an ocean!
Check out the pics below with the descriptions below. Address and details at the bottom of this blogpost.
Ok that’s all for the pics, cos no time to really go around snapping. If I am considered as an influencer, which obviously I do not like to be associated with that term, I would like to use my limited network to reach out for more people to help at Willing Hearts. So how can you help?
1. Donation. That’s if you have spares.
2. Help out any day when you’re free or off. They are there as early as 5am to cook but actual packing starts at 7am. Usually last till 12pm. Of course you can go off anytime, just help as much as you can. After lunch usually they prepare the cutting of vegetables and meat.
3. Delivery Drivers. If you own a car and wish to deliver to a location you frequent, you can swing by, pick up the lunch boxes and drop off at the collection centres.
Contact Details:
Willing Hearts
Add: 11 Jalan Ubi Blk 6, #01-51 Chai Chee Community Hub, Singapore 409074
Tel: +65 6476 5822
[MEDIA PREVIEW] TOTEM by Cirque Du Soleil
Advertisements
Before the opening show begins tomorrow on the 28th Oct 2015, I was invited to a media sneak preview with my beloved sista Cathryn. Arrived early and registration was under the hot sun which I thought could be better done under the Ticketing Counter? Hmmm…
Anyways, TOTEM was created in 2010 and their first show was in Montreal, Canada and the 112 crew members from 17 countries (inclusive of 46 performers) have been on tour since! TOTEM traces the fascinating journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. Somewhere between science and legend, TOTEM is an uplifting array of athleticism, soul-touching theatrics, lavish costume designs and cutting edge digital effects. With acrobatic performances evoking selected scenes from the story of evolution, TOTEM explores the ties that bind Man to other species, his dreams and his infinite potential. The show will be going on for 55 performances all the way to 6th December 2015!
Tickets are available online at http://www.sistic.com.sg/events/totem1215 from $98 to $328 and hope to see you there! Check out the pics below for some highlights which I tried to capture with limited lighting.
Tips:
- Do not bring your cameras. No photography allowed. If you wanna sneak a shot from your mobile phone, REMEMBER TO TURN OFF FLASH!!!
- No food from outside. There are typical movie snacks and drinks inside which you can purchase.
- Bring more cash or a card if you wanna buy some of TOTEM’s souvenirs and t-shirts.
- Ladies, please bring a cardigan. You’ll feel cold with the aircon blasting inside. I felt just nice, so it’s too cold for ladies.
- The Big Top is located at the other end of Marina Bay Sands, nearer to the financial centre. You may wanna alight nearer there for cabbing and park nearer there if driving. Those taking MRT, turn left after exiting station control, walk straight all the way, turn left and walk straight all the way till you pass Bread Street Kitchen and exit MBS.
- Seats are of normal size, so carry light when going there.
- If you can’t control your kids from running around or making noise, please don’t bring them as they might distract the performers and your neighbours.
- Sit back and enjoy the show!
- If my tips are of any good, please ‘Like’ my eatwithroy page (www.fb.com/eatwithroy) and follow me on Instagram @eatwithroy. ;-P
**Photos are all copyright of eatwithroy.com. Any unauthorised use of them will have legal implications.**
Overzealousness
Advertisements
Today I had an encounter with an overzealous reader who insisted on wanting my mobile number despite on me telling him that I do not share my PRIVATE mobile number with people I do not know and I wasn’t comfortable at all.
I understand you may have some gifts for me or wanna talk to me, trust me if you email or tagged me I will reply. Gifts wise, I really don’t deserve them and also I have no more space at home to have more things in the house. Would be good if you can bless those gifts to someone who needs it more than me.
But don’t get me wrong, I’m not being unfriendly. I just need my own private space. And if you keep insisting on having my mobile number when I refuse to is totally not respecting me. So if you don’t respect me, I will reciprocate.
So let’s continue to enjoy the social media space and please don’t let your overzealousness block you out from interesting content coming from bloggers like us.
Thank you for your kind understanding. Goodnight y’all!
Yours gastronomically,
Big Roy
Fried Oyster Stall #01-53 – Maxwell Market, Singapore
Advertisements
I was at Maxwell Market recently and was craving for some Fried Oyster when I spotted this stall #01-53. This is a One-Man-Operation stall apparently sells everything that is hawker fried…
So I thought the food shouldn’t be that bad right? I was so wrong. The fried oyster is all chunked up and soggy. And above all, had to wait for 15 mins and paid $6 for a miserable plate. So the saying must be right… Jack of all trades, master of none?
I’m sharing this so that none of my readers will be conned by such poor culinary. For $6 I believe I should be getting at least better Fried Oyster than this!