Since starting their series of Heineken DJ Quest and Thirst Studio competitions, i’ve been more involved with the brand due to work – writing preview and reviews on their events for KLue, and taking over Fiona Lim aka FionaMalibu in shooting the finalists at the Heineken Studio when she couldn’t make it for a day.
This month, they invited me to go for the launch of their new Heineken Served Extra Cold beer and just before it, i received a package.
I love the cover of the box, it’s similar to the ads i admired before on the back cover of some mags.
It’s a mix of glossy and matte, projecting the feel as if the cover’s icy cold and you’d wiped your hand over it.
Cool kan?
Inside the box was a grey and white scarf, i guess, to prepare us for the event.
Someone told me beforehand that they were going to lower the temperature in Velvet for it.
Earlier that day, i went for lunch with GarfieldChak and asked whether he wanted to go for it (yeah i love inviting people for events with me last minute cos it really depends on my mood on who i feel like hanging out with)
“Oh i’m going for it already, they sent me the invite,” he said casually, while zipping down the Penchala Link in his little black convertible (Sorry Chak, i don’t even know what car you drive haha! Don’t kill me). “Ah! Okay, good, then i can ask someone else. They delivered me this scarf thing this morning okay. At 10am! On my off day… can die.” “Oh yeah they sent it to me too.” “You? But why?” i quickly inserted, sneaking a glance at him to see his reaction at my naughtiness. “Oh, cos… (fellow so blur, took him a while to digest what i just said)... what the fuck! I’m not important is it now! I’m semi-famous also okay! Cos i took part in the contest la!”
I laughed damn hard, thinking he was going to chuck me out of his car.
“Kidding la, kidding! Don’t so emo!”
GarfieldChak’s lead singer in Superbar and they were one of the finalists for Heineken Thirst Studio last year.
So la di da, IceCalvin was supposed to come with me, and KinkyPugKevin was supposed to go with the Freeform team and meet me there.
Ended up both bailed cos one had to work and the latter was sick.
So i was thinking, “Who likes beer, and can socialise without me having to babysit them while i do my thing..?”
AzwinAndy came into mind.
Plus the fellow loves his beer.
Actually… he loves any alcohol la -_-
So happened the timing was perfect cos he was having a meeting on Jalan Ampang so i zipped over meet him outside Zouk.
The Heineken people were quite smart in the sense that they started the event outside with beer and grub at Terrace Bar, before ushering everyone in just before the launch starts.
Then inside Velvet, there’s no Heineken till the launch gambit is over, so everyone has to pay attention.
0_o
We, okay i, bounded in to see Heineken bottles frozen in ice.
Quite cool kan?
I couldn’t help licking the ice.
Later on DreamerCyn was like, “Do you know HOW MANY people touched that ice!” Me: I… didn’t think of it then >_< Bleargh forget about it!
Besides, the alcohol from Heineken will kill the germs, kan?
>_<
GarfieldChak had a go too.
Only because i made him, heh.
Both Reubens were there. Again.
Damn weird la, it’s like i don’t usually see ReubenSamuel around, then suddenly i’m bumping into him almost every day!
I even bumped into him in the Westin lift with his parents the other night!
As for ReubenT… “What are you still doing here?! I thought you’re supposed to go back to Jakarta!”
He’s from Perth and Jakarta, and was only in KL cos ReubenSamuel aka Blastique was spinning at Global Gathering. “I missed my flight…” “Didn’t you just miss it the other day…” “I… missed it again…” “Fail la you.”
The fellow missed his flight twice because he was partying too hard.
Champion.
My sungguh bitchy DoorBitchIvan.
Vinder, AzwinAndy + moi
Vinder is AzwinAndy’s new band manager. Estranged la. Haijo.
I haven’t seen AA for a long time… so we huddled in a corner rather antisocially and whispered secrets like girls.
AA’s my girlfriend, didn’t you know.
No wait. Zedeck’s my girlfriend HAHA!
Andy’s… i suddenly thought of Butt Buddy cos that’s what AdamPoserPan calls him -_-
I was starving cos i hadn’t had dinner yet and was nabbing at all the food going around me, especially the chicken drumlets and potato wedges. Totally beer grub!
Oh yeah, then i bumped into this waiter in Velvet whom i haven’t seen for a year.
I squinted while trying to remember his name, “… Max!” “How did you know my name?!”
“I don’t know… i remember from last time when Jason was back in December and you were helping us with the drinks…”
How selective is my memory.
That i can remember his name but i can’t others whom i meet week in and week out at events.
Mark Jenner, Marketing Director of GAB and Swee Leng, Senior Marketing Manager of GAB, breaking the ice during the launch.
After the breaking of the ice, waiters poured out into the area putting buckets and buckets of the new Heineken Served Extra Cold everywhere.
It’s really nice, not as bitter and served at 0-3 degrees Celsius.
Only thing is I can’t hold it for very long cos it freezes my hand like crazy.Cheryl and SueThePixieI pulled a Cheryl on Friday cos… i couldn’t find the right one. (Our group will know what i’m jabbering about)
Cynna DJs – Rob + Glynn
Glynn said he’ll properly take me around Bali another day cos he goes back there every month
FireangelEelaine + GarethST
Suren, Desmond Kiu from Mindshare and GarfieldChak looking awfully red.
WillQuah and the Heinebunnies (sounds a bit salah. Mm.)
Blink + AhXu were spinning, yeah!
I think i know almost every song on their playlist by heart already
Damn fast right the fridge got emptied out…
I walked around Velvet looking for SarChan.
Kept on getting distracted from my search by bumping into former colleagues (like the infamous Spike Yong) and chatting to new people.
Some clumsy ass dropped a full bottle of Heineken on my ankle (which was damn painful) and baptised the insides of both my silver Aldos with beer (which was even more painful).
KinkyPugKevin gave her the nickname SarChan and she said it’s getting abit too much when i said i tried msging her on FB by typing ‘Sarchan’ instead of ‘Sarah.’
The launch was ending and both Reubens wanted to continue drinking elsewhere, but more chilled out instead of party-party.
0_o
So i suggested Somo since he’s never been there and of course he has to go to one of the best bars in town before flying back!
I had my regulatory Guinness at Somo and the boys had… Heineken again.
0_o
I swear i had no part to play in this okay.
I called Gary to come down from his apartment and intro-ed him to Reubens
Then Mark joined as well
Then James too
Suddenly one big gang there… talking about… football.
-_- Ish.
Gary was in Melbourne for the longest time so RT and him bonded on that.
I have this hilarious video of RT attempting to sing the Australian national anthem with the others, tried loading it unto YouTube but the connection is so slow i got fed up after two failures.
That’s one of my latest ambitions.
To own a Shroom Shop in Bali playing only Disney music and happy furniture everywhere.
The shrooms were so awesome last night.
So awesome that CasparBFG wanted to join in on my fun.
So awesome that he walked out to get himself some and called me Shroom Ambassador.
I was basically in Toonland, everything around me was in cartoon!
More to explain later.
CasparBFG: “Most people don’t take to it well the first time… i think the reason you’ve got it going good is because you embraced it, rather then be scared of what you were going to see.”
So much has happened in the past few days it’s exhilarating!
I have:
– seen wild dolphins swimming at 6am
– played with two dolphins in a pool
– climbed Mt. Batur at 4am
– driven a stick without killing myself or anyone else across the mountains in Bali
– tried shrooms (unsuccessfully)
What day is it today? Oh, Tuesday.
Totally lost track of days and instead, count them as Day 1, Day 2 and so forth.
Woke up at 5:45am on Monday morning whereby our boatman fetched CasparBFG and i on one bike (that’s three of us on one 0_o) to Lovina beach.
The beach is black, cos of the volcanic lava.
I have so much to explain but i think i’ll do all that with the pictures, we took heaps!
We went back to the resort after that, where we played with some dolphins in the pool and they’re such strong adorable animals!
I’ve never felt such a connection with them before this… now i want a pet dolphin.
No, two. So they can both keep each other company when i’m not there.
There were two male ones who totally layaned me and the instructor had to ask me to go to the side of the pool so they would play with CasparBFG too, who was sulking in the middle.
In the end he went to play with a female dolphin in the other pool whilst i paddled around with Jack and John.
They were super active (cos it’s playtime in the afternoon) and swam under, over and around me constantly and wouldn’t let me get back to the side of the pool.
At points they seem a bit… er… frisky and almost got my bikini bottom off.
And at another point one of them bounced me up into the air!
Walau!
One of the guys managed to get a video of it, so cool!
And then and then! I got one of their backs and he pulled me around the pool!
“Wow, they really like you!” exclaimed the instructor.
Then the dolphin (Jack of John, i couldn’t tell) pulled me further away and the instructor said they knew it was time for me to go.
So cute!
I’m absolutely smitten… sigh.
Monday night, we tried the shrooms.
Half of them went bad already so we mixed the rest into a banana milkshake and it DIDN’T work to which i’m sorely disappointed.
So gonna try again tonight since i’m in Kuta again heh.
I don’t care. I just want to try it once after what everyone has been saying and experience it for myself.
What DID happen last night is after an hour of no shroom effect, we decided to call it a night cos we had to rise at 3:30 am to climb Mt. Batur (i know right, i don’t even wake up for work that early in KL heh. But have barely slept during the holiday – alot of driving and activities).
We didn’t plan to do this, but hey, that’s the whole idea with traveling… you just do things that come along your way.
About midnight, i woke up in horrible nightmares – the type where you’re awake and you feel things that are happening around you, but you can’t move. Then i started imagining things as well.
I saw the ashtray next to my bed as a big hand that was going to grab me.
CasparBFG’s shirt on the bathroom door was a big head about to bite me.
The dressing table looked like a skeleton in a suit (i know right -_-)
Horrible. Horrible horrible horrible.
Tried listening to Caspar’s advice – “It’s all in your mind. There’s nothing in the room. Remember that,” and called me a baby.
Ish.
I think it was the slight effects of shrooms and me being in the dark cos… i’m a scaredy cat that way >_<
I could hear CasparBFG playing with his PSP in the bed next to me but i couldn’t move.
Then i heard a telephone ringing but we don’t have one in our room!
And a lot of imaginary ghosties… ugh, fucked up.
Climbing up the mountain was an experience but nothing compared to Mt Kinabalu
Will elaborate more later.
La di da okay i’m getting lazy now, i want to go get a massage and a bit of shopping.
Things to do before i leave:
– try shrooms again -_- tonight
– go bungy-jumping tomorrow
– drink with CasparBFG (can you believe we’ve been yakking away and not been drinking at all!?)
I couldn’t wake up this morning for my flight, good gods.
NickIsTaller woke me up twice before i forced myself out of bed upon hearing him saying, “You’re going to miss your flight if you don’t get up now. Do you want to miss your flight?”
TwentyOne Kitchen + Bar cocktails really killed me last night.
And i can’t believe… i tershowed my emoness to Shantini last night.
Shy.
I rush packed and threw random pieces of clothing into my suitcase in 10 minutes and he drove me to the airport.
CasparBFG chastised me for bringing a suitcase, “We’re backpacking! You’re not supposed to bring a suitcase!*
>_<
He greeted me at the airport with... a bike.
I haven't got on a bike since i was in kindergarten.
We got lost (or rather, he got lost) driving the bike back to the inn where we were to return it in exchange for a rental car to drive up to Lovina.
"5 minutes," he said confidently. "This area looks familiar to me."
10 minutes later: "5 minutes, 5 minutes... i just gotta do a U-turn then we'll be there!"
Another 10 minutes later: "5 minutes! We'll be there! I just know it's somewhere around here..."
The fellow is so optimistic can die okay.
"You can drive right? You gotta drive to Lovina... cos i haven't driven for 6 months and i'm not used to driving on the left side of the road," CasparBFG said.
Drivers in Denmark drive on the right side.
I was fine with the idea till he said they don't have auto cars for rent at the inn.
Only manual, and *i* started panicking cos i haven't driven a stick since... i took my license.
0_o
We didn't have a choice really, cos we couldn't carry his laptop along on a bike, plus i've never driven a bike before, let alone a long journey.
Dahlah i felt paranoid on the bike from the airport, imagine me having to bike for hours... might mati on the spot okay.
So i drove a rattled up old jeep. Hungover. For four hours. Crossing through the mountains that had really twisty, steep roads.
We stopped for a quick dinner in Singaraja at this roadside stall.
A tiny old lady served us nasi campur with bits of dishes which tasted really different from the malay dishes i'm used to.
CasparBFG is friendly nuts, hence the name BFG.
The fellow is shouting and smiling hi to people everywhere ha ha.
Oh shit, how can i forget! I told him i desperately wanted to try shrooms as i never got to before and he arranged for us to pick it up before we left Kuta.
He proclaimed he'd tried it the week before and never was gonna do it again cos he didn't feel like he was in control of the drug... but we bought two bags cos it's no fun if i take it myyself and he doesn't.
I'm so excited! Wanted to take it tonight but i have work to do now.
0_o
I was so tired when we arrived at Melka Excelsior Hotel where we're staying, but still semangat to see the dolphins in the pool.
We're going out into the ocean at 6am (die) tomorrow to see them!
Wee!! So excited!
They're SO CUTE and slippery-looking and i can't WAIT to be up close with them tomorrow!
I was so tired from the stressful drive (what more the brakes on the jeep aren't that great and it was raining) that i collapsed on the bed and stoned sendiri for a while.
Heard CasparBFG say aloud, "Oh baby... i've missed you..."
Thought he was on the phone with some chick when i turned around to see him gazing down lovinglyl at his PSP instead.
-_-
Okay, gtg. Wanna get some proper sleep before Dolphin Day tomorrow! Then we'll drive to Kintamani and hopefully get hooked up to visit the island where they place dead bodies wrapped in cloth there insead of burying them.
And tomorrow will be magic mushroom day!
WOOHOO!!!
We hung them in front of the aircon first since we're not gonna consume them today.
:p
I’m so busy and it’s depressing i have to wake up early on a rainy Saturday morning to do work!
Rush blogging this now.
Went for the opening of Peter Pan The Musical @ Istana Budaya last night.
I thought i’d be late as i had so much work i HAD to finish some before going out. Incidentally, i wore this fairy necklace IceCalvin bought me while he was sourcing for a shoot, and a lace-trimmed fairy-like dress i got from Bali early this year.
So i felt soddof cheesie.
But the musical was fantastic!
They’re obviously more focused on being dancers, so their singing isn’t terribly flawless.
I was SO HAPPY WATCHING IT.
I was so happy (i really didn’t expect this), i actually teared during the part they were flying to Neverland.
>_<
Never would i have imagined i would cry with happiness watching Peter Pan
You know like how during some musicals, there’d be a few parts where it’s a bit draggy?
Peter Pan wasn’t like that, thank god!
Thinking i was being bias, i asked QueenKanch, “Well i thought so, but is it just me cos i’m being bias?”
She said probably due to the fact it’s a musical for kids as well, that’s why it has to be so constantly entertaining.
Their singing, dancing and allover mood was so infectious, i think the last time i experienced such a happy clappy musical was Mamma Mia.
Some of the staff were giving out Peter Pan balloons as we walked out of the hall after the show.
Oh! Peter Pan ballooon!I must have!
I want!!!
I bounded up to a malay lady, “Can i have a balloon please?”
“No.” She stared at me, “They’re only for kids.”
0_o…
I couldn’t even move. I stoned there as QueenKanch urged me along.
Only for kids?
I felt like the white bunny in the old Trix ads.
Where he tries to get the Trix, and the kids go, “Trix are for kids.”
Poor bunny! Whoever said the bunny wasn’t allowed Trix?
And whoever said adults aren’t allowed balloons?!
It’s discrimination!
I beefed about the Peter Pan balloon all the way to the car in between my bouts of joy of watching it.
Went to TAG at the Loft, Zouk after that and it was SO crowded i headed off to Wabisabi instead.
NickIsTaller wanted to pick up his girlfriend and i said i’d stay in Wabi if Odin was there.
Odin was there, ha ha.
Wabi to him is like Somo to me.
TattleShantini, Willie, AhHoong and LicketyLicia were there too.
AhHoong and LicketyLicia damn cannot make it.
They tried to make me drink, to which i took a few sips and AhHoong went, “What is this?!”
LL: I moved!
Me: You moved to where?
LL: I moved la!
Me: Yes… to where la?
LL: Kinkybluefairy dot net!
Me: … you mean *i* moved or *you* moved?
LL: *I* moved! You moved so i moved also! We move together from Taman Tun la! Hahaha!!!
I couldn’t stop laughing at her.
Damn 7 jiao tut wei.
Then WabiColin and i started bantering non-stop.
I can’t remember everything we said, but it was pretty stupid till Odin slammed himself against the chalkboard laughing.
Ok back to work.
Tonight i’ll be going for a black tie Carat Club dinner with RingoCheesie; then i’m dragging her for Junk + Heineken’s Impulse at Terrace Bar, Zouk; then i’ll try persuading her along with TattleShan and i for Twentyone.
I haven’t told her yet.
Maybe she’ll read about it here first ha ha!
Cheryl and SueThePixieI pulled a Cheryl on Friday cos… i couldn’t find the right one. (Our group will know what i’m jabbering about)
