พระเจ้าหลานเธอ พระองค์เจ้าสิริวัณณวรีนารีรัตน์ รับสั่งว่า Ethnic Rock เป็นการนำวัฒนธรรมชนเผ่ามาผสานกับดนตรีร็อคให้ดูทันสมัย ทรงได้แรงบันดาลพระทัยจากเพลงร็อคในยุค 70-80’s และผลงานภาพถ่ายของช่างภาพในสไตล์บอนเดจ เช่น ภาพผู้หญิงที่ถูกรัด ถูกทรมาน เป็นการนำความขัดแย้งของสองวัฒนธรรมผสานกันอย่างลงตัว แต่ไม่หนักมาก เสื้อผ้าดูบางเบาสบายๆ แฝงความเซ็กซี่ โดยทรงใช้เทคนิคใหม่ๆที่พระดำริเอง เช่น การนำหนังมาพับแบบโอริกามิแล้วใช้สวารอฟสกี้แทนการตอกด้วยหมุด หรือเทคนิคการถักร้อยเชือกระหว่างผ้ากับลูกโซ่เล็กๆ ลายพิมพ์จากซิป ซึ่งเป็นลายพิมพ์หนึ่งเดียวของคอลเลคชั่นนี้ โทนสีนอกเหนือจาก ขาว-ดำ โทนหลักของร็อค ยังมีสีสดใสอย่างบานเย็น,เทอร์คอยซ์,เหลืองมัสตาร์ด
“สำหรับแนวคิดในการโชว์บนเวทีเน้นความเรียบง่ายแต่ทันสมัย เป็นคอลเลคชั่นที่แสดงความเป็นตัวเอง 100% ซึ่งเหนื่อยมาก แต่ภูมิใจมากด้วยเช่นกัน”

ในส่วนปัญหาและอุปสรรคของคอลเลคชั่นนี้ พระเจ้าหลานเธอ พระองค์เจ้าสิริวัณณวรีนารีรัตน์ รับสั่งว่า ไม่ได้อยู่ที่การออกแบบเสื้อผ้า แต่เป็นเรื่องเวลาและการประสานงานระหว่างประเทศมากกว่า เนื่องจากมีทีมงานชาวต่างชาติด้วย ทำให้บางครั้งช่วงเวลาไม่ตรงกัน และการสื่อสารที่อาจใช้คำที่ไม่เข้าใจตรงกันได้ รวมถึงปัญหาในทีมงาน โดยทรงแก้ปัญหาด้วยการจับเข่าคุยกันให้จบ หรือไม่จะทรงปิดมือถือหายไปประมาณ 1 สัปดาห์ และทรงติดต่อกับทีมงานผ่านจดหมายอิเลคทรอนิคส์แทน แล้วจึงทรงร่วมหารือใหม่ บางครั้งทรงใช้เวลาออกกำลังพระวรกายให้นานขึ้นด้วยการเข้าฟิตเนส ทำบุญไหว้พระ

“งานในปีนี้คาดหวังกับสื่อมาก เพราะมีสื่อจากทั่วโลกมาร่วมงานถึง 280 คน และมาจากสื่อใหญ่ๆก็มาก ซึ่งเขาคาดหวังว่าผลงานจะต้องดีขึ้นกว่าเก่า ถ้าสื่อเขียนดีจะมีผลต่อลูกค้าที่มาซื้อเสื้อผ้าด้วย อยากประสบความสำเร็จในงานและอยากประสบความสำเร็จในสายตาสื่อต่างประเทศด้วย ในคอลเลคชั่นนี้ความจริงชอบทุกชุด แต่ที่ชอบมากๆคงเป็นเดรสกับกางเกงสไตล์ไบเกอร์ เป็นสุดยอดแห่งความสะใจ หวังว่าทุกคนคงชอบคอลเลคชั่นใหม่กัน และคงไม่ทำให้ผิดหวัง”

ทั้งนี้พระเจ้าหลานเธอ พระองค์เจ้าสิริวัณณวรีนารีรัตน์ รับสั่งว่า สมเด็จพระบรมโอรสาธิราชฯ สยามมกุฎราชกุมาร จะเสด็จฯพร้อมด้วยพระเจ้าหลานเธอ พระองค์เจ้าทีปังกรรัศมีโชติ ทอดพระเนตรแฟชั่นโชว์ครั้งนี้ ซึ่งรับสั่งคาดหวังว่าคอลเลคชั่นนี้ต้องดีกว่าปีที่ผ่านมา ทำให้ทรงรู้สึกกดดันเช่นกัน แต่จะทรงพยายามทำอย่างเต็มที่ โดยหลังเสร็จสิ้นงานปารีส แฟชั่น วีก แล้ว ยังทรงมีอีกสองโครงการใหญ่ที่จะนำออกเสนอ แต่ยังไม่ทรงเผยรายละเอียด และทรงวางแผนล่วงหน้าหลังทรงสำเร็จการศึกษาว่าจะทรงศึกษาต่อด้านศิลปะ และฝึกงานที่มิลานและปารีส รวมถึงจะทรงทำแบรนด์ “SIRIVANNAVARI” ในต่างประเทศอย่างต่อเนื่อง ที่ไม่ทรงขายแบรนด์ในเมืองไทย เพราะว่าปัจจุบันทรงมีกลุ่มลูกค้าเหนียวแน่นเป็นชาวรัสเซีย ฝรั่งเศส และสเปน โดยทรงเปิดจำหน่ายเสื้อผ้าผ่านตัวแทน มิทรงเปิดร้านแต่อย่างใด

The good news: The world is a beautiful place [Pictures]

The bad news: Iceland is about to melt-down. [News]

Grunge may be dead, but Seattle's music scene is alive and kicking. Here are 64 free mp3s to prove it [Music]

Crisis! What Crisis? Alex Rodriguez uses a $100 bill as a kleenex [Sports]

What is the bail out money really being spent on? The Onion has the the answer [Satire]

The Korean Won is tanking...hard [Korea]

i am so rofl.

My very own F1 driver.

She’s in pyjamas (sp?) though. Heh.

Oh, and it's got to be written in Spanish.

Of course, when we were given this assignment in class yesterday, we all sat there with looks of stunned disbelief. Like, is this really our homework? The professor picked up on that and told us to think about the Bible, and how it's been the same for thousands of years -- our communication plan would have to follow a similar path.

My Spanish professor is a whackjob.

Presumably, the Australian team for the First Test of the Border/Gavaskar Trophy will be announced tomorrow, however, selections in the two warm-up matches and comments in the press by Ponting and Nielsen indicate that the team has already been chosen regardless of conditions.

It should be noted that this is not the team that the author would select, Symonds and Jaques would be involved, but the team expected to be selected.

Matthew Hayden - Returning from injury the veteran hasn't played in a losing Test since the 2005 Ashes and his record in India is unsurpassed. Enjoys the battle be it against the new ball or spin and at age 37 will be keen to cement his place in the side for the coming summer. His catching at first slip is top notch and he will need to be in form if Australia are to retain the trophy.

Simon Katich - Prolific domestic form and a fine series in the Caribbean has the gritty, patient left-hander edging out his New South Wales team-mate Phil Jaques for the opening position. Experienced, with a superb cricketing brain, Katich will need to perform early in the series to keep his cap as Jaques has done little wrong of late. Prone to edging balls that swing away which RP Singh and Zaheer Khan deliver so well. His left-arm wrist spin could be valuable in a crisis as he has the knack of breaking partnerships with the occasional unplayable delivery.

Ricky Ponting - The Australian captain has been a veritable walking wicket on previous tours to India and it is matter of personal pride that he succeeds in his final Test series on the sub-continent. Returning to cricket after wrist surgery this is an important series for Ponting not only for his outstanding reputation but also to prove that his body can continue to withstand the relentless nature of international fixturing.

Michael Clarke - Superb tour of India last series including a colossal 151 on debut. Pup is an improved cricketer four years on and meaningful middle-order contributions are expected.  A left-arm orthodox spinner who topped the averages in the Caribbean he will be expected to bowl his fair share of overs this tour especially when the going gets tough. An inspirational fieldsman with a strong arm and quick reflexes who has an uncanny knack of hitting the timber although his catching can sometimes let him and his side down.

Michael Hussey - Arguably the world's best batsman who values his wicket highly and once set is very difficult to remove.  Equally at home defending or attacking, his cool consistency in any situation is perhaps Australia's greatest strength, while his fielding, be it on the ground or in the air, is as sound as his batting technique.  If India are to win the series they must dismiss Hussey early and often for his ability to form partnerships with the tail is preponderant.

Shane Watson - Belatedly gets an opportunity to cement his place in the Test team in Andrew Symonds absence. Receiving the player of the IPL award proves that the conditions and opponents won't be problematic to success and if his body stays true to his ambition Shane should show the rest of the cricketing world what many in Australia have known since he first donned the green cap of Tasmania as a teenager.  He is a genuine allrounder with a textbook batting technique who bowls a heavy ball in excess of 140km/h. On his day he is a match-winner and after so many setbacks this series is a chance to put all that disappointment behind him. If he stays fit, and that is a big if, he could be the difference between the two sides.

Brad Haddin - The New South Wales gloveman will never completely fill the hole left by Adam Gilchrist but he is a fine keeper who is experienced in all situations and also bats calmly and intelligently. If he can continue to average 30 and form willing partnerships with the tail he will have done his job. Rarely drops a chance and his powers of concentration, a necessity on long hot days in India, are proven and beyond question.

Cameron White - Will become Australia's first choice spinner by default. Has concentrated on improving his batting in the last two seasons and if he is selected above Jason Krezja, Australia will be very difficult to dismiss cheaply. His wrist-spin is more handy than devastating and last month as Australia ‘A' captain he had an excellent tour of India leading his country to an impressive series win in the triangular ODI tournament where he led superbly by bowling tightly, batting handsomely and fielding aggressively.

Brett Lee - Quick, experienced, aggressive and focussed after a tough heartbreaking off-season and career best last 12 months. Will lead the attack and be used in short sharp spells by Ponting for maximum effect. The Indians are wary of his pace and the early battles with Sehwag will be worth the price of subscription. His batting could also be effective especially if Australia are on top and looking for quick runs before a declaration.

Mitchell Johnson - Probably the quickest left-armer in International cricket, Johnson continues to improve and his willingness to sacrifice off the field and on has made him a favourite of his team-mates. With his slingy action perfect for the art of reverse-swing on the sub-continent, Mitch will be expected to bowl long spells with the older ball. He has worked hard on his fitness and spent time with DK Lillee and Troy Cooley during the break with this series wholly in mind. His batting will be more than handy at No.10 and his athletic outfielding for a man of his stature (1.89m) can only be described as freakish.

Stuart Clark - The perfect foil for Lee and Johnson, the metronomic and cerebral Stu Clarke will continue to do what he has done since his excellent debut series in South Africa in 2006. He'll find the length and through patient consistency keep making the batsman play in the corridor of uncertainty. Can move the ball off the pitch when others cannot and has added an outswinger to his armoury in the last year. Expect him to do the hard yards, bowling a tight line to his field and be rewarded for the effort.

Concluding, Australia are in much better shape than most think and the side above will give a good account of themselves in a foreign environment. I think India, with their long tail and ageing, desperate middle-order have more to be concerned about than the Australians, who although underdone, have excellent form and massive self belief to fallback on when the going inevitably gets tough.

Tomorrow: The Tooting Trumpet runs the fine-tooth comb over Team India.

Thought we could all use a reminder that its time for all of us to "Put on our game face"  and  "Look for some Heroes."  LOL. 

today's quotes by those so much more wise than myself:

"Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make good use of it!"       ~John Adams, letter to Abigail 04.26.1777.

"Most of us can, if we choose, make this world either a prison or a palace."  ~Lord Avebury.

"We need a renaissance of wonder. We need to renew, in our hearts and in our souls, the deathless dream, the eternal poetry, the perennial sense that life is miracle and magic."     ~E. Merrill Root.

"He is a man of sense who does not grieve for what he has not, but rejoices in what he has."  ~Epictetus.

" A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men."   ~Willie Wonka.

"If you get to thinkin' you are a person of some influence...try orderin' somebody else's dog around." ~Cowboy wisdom.  

"I was part of that strange race of people aptly described as spending their lives doing things they detest to make money they don't want to buy things they don't need to impress people they don't like!"  ~Emily Henry Gauvreau.

"I expect to pass thorough this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness or abilities that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."    ~William Penn.

C'est fini.

the AI 7 gang look so happy together :) speaking of happy together, cook made a great version of this 60's hit when he was in the top 24 :D

---------------------------------------

 muahahaha~ keanu was on 8 days :D check it out! hes 44,  but they say he looks lik he is 35 :D HE DOES!

lol. i went to school today. got scammed but other people who dont usually come... nvm. goin to sch today only further proves my point. it is more constructive to study at home. dont feel lik saying anymore. bye.

I didnt know that the SIAM KITCHEN dinner was a birthday treat. I didnt know that the dress i pointed at in an online shop was the birthday present. I didnt know that the small birthday cake from PRIMADELI was for me.

Muahahahaha! Coz i did not expect anything from them, tts why. And..and my birthday is like a month ago. heeeeeeeeee. Thank you babeeeess! MUACKS!

Hello,

Thank you for your enquiry.

Unfortunately ‘Shirley’ is only able to answer queries on council issues.

Therefore we have forwarded your query to ‘What Now’. Please find website and email address details below.

That's all she said. After days of waiting, that's all that she replied. I guess I missed out on the 'Council Issues' word on the Terms and Agreement. Anyway, Shirley recommended me to another website that could answer people's problems, and as always, will be kept confidential. And so is the website.

Want to know about the website? Just contact me at: altairjohnson@gmail.com

By the way, that is not my real name, if you're wondering. I keep my real name safe. Even Jeff is not my real name. I thought of that name when I was watching Animal Planet's Jeff Corwin's Experience.

Anyway, as you might have noticed earlier, I have changed the blog design to andreas04 or something. I'm not really fond of the font, but the other option of design is quite hideous because of that black line on the top of the screen. Ew.

USB thumb drives shaped like penguins!

Penguin speakers!

R2D2 USB hub! Cutest of all these.

So, here we are again, after a few rants and a lot more beer, trying to learn some of the basic things in life through the evergreen Dummy's Guide. This time round, the scientists at the MirrorCracked Labs decided to be a bit more human and latched on to topics that are studied and researched the least around the world - breaking up, ditching and getting ditched. Not many people want to talk about it, but psychologically speaking, it's a very easy thing to talk about, especially after a few rounds of vodka. Alcohol loosens tongues.

There are guides to lose a girl and there are guides to lose a guy, but The Dummy's Guide is perhaps the most comprehensive of the lot.

Anyway, the MirrorCracked Labs decided to publish their research here, after careful observations with spy cameras, hidden microphones and tapped telephones. For anyone who is in a relationship they don't want to be in, this is a must read. Follow these techniques and you'll be single again, that's a guarantee. The Love Guru endorses these techniques, by the way, so no need to worry about the credibility of the claims.

It's Not You, It's Me...

Popularized by Seinfeld and immortalized by the Love Guru millions of times, the "It's not you, it's me" routine works wonders when dealing with stubborn partners. I know many of us would just wish that we could say the things we think about, on their faces, but unfortunately, that would get us killed. For instance, there was this girl who once accused me of 'taking advantage' of her when she was drunk, and I really wanted to say, "I wouldn't take advantage of you even if you were not drunk, and even if I did, it would be a disadvantage, you paranoid bitch," but I ended up saying, "Of course not, baby. You can trust me," and we cuddled the whole night. I broke up with her the next evening using the "it's not you, it's me" routine.

This is what you need to do. Take your partner to a very nice restaurant and sit across the table and stare into your partner's eyes and tell them, "Look, this really is not what I had in mind when I started seeing you. I am really crazy in my head and my notions of love and relationships are obsolete. You're a great person and I am sure you deserve someone much better than me."

Then your partner will look shocked, maybe shed a few tears and ask you, "Please don't say such things."

And you should say, "It's not you, it's me. It's just me. I am not the right person for you. Let's not argue further." Hold your partner's hands while saying the line, it adds to the effect. Trust me, this always works.

I Need A Break...

This technique is ideal for people  below 25 years of age, and those who are not considering a commitment with your partner. More often than not, your partner will be seriously considering committing and would want to marry you or something. So, once you see the signs (excessive drooling around you, stupid look in the eyes, blindly agreeing to whatever you say, every conversation leading to marriage and future and babies), you should make sure that you break it off.

Take your partner to the place where you first went out for a date, or any other nice coffee shop would suffice. Tell your partner that you need a break and that you just want to be friends and that you have a career to think about at that moment in your life. Your partner will be confused and won't understand what you're hinting at. Then you should say, "I don't want to date you anymore."

If your partner still doesn't get it, then you shouldn't be with that person in the first place!

I'm Already Married...

If neither of the two routines are applicable to you, then the best and (sometimes) the safest way is to tell your partner that you're already married. Choose a public place to tell them this, because there are chances that they might get violent. To be sure, call the cops beforehand.

The Other Routines...

Other guides would probably harp on other routines and the most popular one I found was to tell your partner that you're gay. This is a big No-No! Do not tell your partner that you're gay, because you have no idea what effect this will have on your image in the market. Your partner will stop at nothing to make the whole world know that you're gay and that will seriously affect your chances of scoring with anyone else. Dialogues like, "Oh, you're that homo, aren't you?" and "Don't I know you from somewhere? Oh yeah, I remember. I'm sorry, I don't date homosexuals" become quite common and your life will be miserable.

If You Get Dumped...

...then, don't worry. Just contact me and tell me your problems and why you were dumped and I will take up your case in the MirrorCracked Labs and figure out a way to make your life better. :D

One of those chain emails. I don't like them. But this one's message is what matters.

[[email credit to my roommate and cute :) friend, Sunny Kim]]

-----------------------<3

GOD LIVES UNDER THE BED

I envy Kevin. My brother Kevin thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night.

He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there, God?' he said. 'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed...' I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room.

Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.

He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult. He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.

I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?

Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed. The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.

He does not seem dissatisfied.

He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work. He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.

And Saturdays-oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. 'That one's going' to Chi-car-go!' Kevin shouts as he claps his hands. His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights. And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.

He doesn't know what it means to be discontent. His life is simple.

He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.

His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it. He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax. He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure.

He stills believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you wrong,you apologize instead of argue.

Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent,  always sincere. And he trusts God.

Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an 'educated' person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.

In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith. It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions.

It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap . I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.

Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.

And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed. Kevin won't be surprised at all!

-----------------------<3

I guess in some way or another, each and every one of us want to be like Kevin, to live his simple life, to have that simple, devoted, and unshaking faith in humanity and maybe in God. But we're not all like him. Not all of us believe in God or even in a higher power. Most of us have no idea what its like to feel so pure and alive. We are blessed with somewhat normal lives... but it also results in a loss of our innocence, something that can never be gained back. But... to believe that we will be reborn with that innocence... is that what we call faith?

"I have a lovelier bunch of nuts than I do of friends."

There it goes...

I see forever when I look in your eyes
You're all I ever wanted, I always want you to be mine
Let's make a promise 'till the end of time
We'll always be together, and our love will never die

Ever look into his eyes and it spells forever?
Forever? How you define forever?
Life's so unpredictable
You don't know what will happen next and let it be forever...

Somehow, I didn't know when I started to take things lightly
but it's good for me
I'm still learning...

my emotions will be within my own control