Watch/Listen to Eason

Yay videos! These are videos of Eason's Meet and Greet sesh at HMV on 23rd Aug that I've managed to find.

This first one was done by students of Ngee Ann Poly. Think they were commissioned by HMV to do so or something; saw them in their (I'm assuming) ECA t-shirts -ourvoicebox - with their videocams.

It was quite nicely done. At the end are scenes of him signing his albums. Makes me giggle just to realise that none of those expressions I saw there quite matched that on his face when he saw me. Oh, and see Eason do splits in the air @ 1:44!

The next two vids are fan vids, so they aren't as stylo. But thanks to the vantage point, I got a few peeks of Eason in slippers which I couldn't quite see where I stood that day. I never thought Hong Kong-ers would wear slippers beyond their apartment block!!! But he mentioned that these are what he wears whenever he comes here. Aww... What laidback charm.

Aren't You Glad



不要说话

Am still eagerly awaiting someone to post vids from his Lunar Bar showcase, though. I'll bet those'll be tonnes better than the Meet'n'Greet.

And if you're interested, I've uploaded the .wav files of the two songs he performed that day:

Download the live version of 不要说话 here.
And the live version of Aren't You Glad here.

Do you think I came on too strong???

So I managed to head down to Eason's Meet and Greet sesh on Saturday, even though it was raining and I was late. The Boyfriend was supposed to accompany me to the event, but he was put off by the weather and so, in an unprecedented move, I went down to a 粉丝 event on my own.

I was 10 minutes late by the time I'd arrived, and a healthy crowd had already gathered on the first, second and third floors of Heeren outside HMV. Still, I managed to find a decent spot to perch, and so I stayed for the next hour or so waiting, even though I had to go wee-wee.

It was worth the wait. When he finally arrived, Eason delighted the crowd with two songs from his latest Mandarin album <<不想放手>> Aren't You Glad and 不要说话. There was also a Don't Forget the Lyrics-esque game segment, and the participants had the honour of having Eason harmonise for them. He's super nice to his fans - he gave each of the participants a great big hug at the end of the game, and personalised the prize - an autographed copy of his cd - for the winner of the game, which was very thoughtful of him because the next thing on the programme was an autograph session. D'oh.

Which I stayed for, naturally, even though that meant that I would be late for my dinner appointment (I did struggle with my decision for a bit, though) and also that I would have to shell out another 20 bucks for an album I already had (albeit a newer version, complete with MVs).

Anyways, I joined the queue, which was mercifully short (relatively speaking) and proceeded to interact with my immediate neighbours, who initiated contact. As I edged closer and closer to the head of the line, I started to get more and more nervous and excited. I'm gonna meet Eason Chan, up close and personal!

In a short span of 10 minutes that we were in the queue together, us QuikFriends (because it was so instant and so brief) chatted about his songs, his performance and his recent concert. Someone started asking what we would say to him when we met him - provided we didn't suddenly get a case of Celebrity-induced lockjaw - and that was when I decided, and declared to my QuikFriends, that I would ask him for a hug.

I was the last of the QuikFriends to get my autograph, and as I stood and waited, heart pumping, for the right opportunity to pop the question.

I know he took his time to sign my albums, but I don't remember exactly what, so excited was I. I only knew that my cue to speak was when he finished signing and looks up to shake his fan's (that's me!) hand. Which by and by he did.

And so I launched into my monologue:

Me (Grabbing his hand): Hi Eason!
Him (smiles): ....
Me: I really like your music! (milisecond pause) Could I have a hug? (Please! I really meant to say please, I did!)
Him: ??? (I can tell he hesitated for a fraction of a second, then very magnanimously, he stands up and extends himself for a hug, across the table)
Me (after separating myself from him): Thanks!!! Thanks so much!!!!!!!
Him (polite smile, nods): ....

And that was it, my encounter with Eason Chan. I walked off with the albums in my hands, and almost did not bother to look at his name scrawled across them before placing them in my bag.

The moment was brief, but it was mine, all mine. For one second, Eason Chan the Amazing Singer with Manly Forearms, Effervescent Personality and the Energy of a Teenager was mine, all mine.

When I think back on that little episode where I was mad-struck by the Awe of Meeting My Idol, I still can't help but grin.

Well, at least I didn't take his hand and snatch it forward for a forced hug, which is what I heard some other (more manic) fan did.

I leave you with the best shot I captured of him that day:

(Wanted to upload a recording of 不要说话, but too lazy to find a server to put it up. Maybe another day then.)

My Latest Obsession: Eason Chan

It's been a long time since any singer has laid claim over my heart in such a way, with such intensity. I'm making it known here and now: I effing love you, Eason Chan!

I love you so much, I forgive you for speaking incomprehensibly in Cantonese at your recent concert at the Indoor Stadium (you did, after all, ask more than a couple of times what language us Singaporeans spoke; heck, you even put it to a vote! Sadly, Cantonese speakers out-numbered us Mandarin/English speakers 100 to 1, I think).

I love you so much, I am contemplating learning Cantonese so that I may understand you in your mother tongue. I may start by snatching up all your remaining albums I don't yet own, Cantonese releases inclusive.

I love you so much, I haven't been able to stop listening to your music since the concert ended on 26th July. I prick my ears for your songs on the radio, in the streets when I pass by shops, on tv and in my dreams.

I love you so much, I'm torn that I won't be able to make it to Lunar Bar to attend your album showcase. But I'll definitely try to make it to your autograph session this Saturday. Shake my hand again, please!!!! I promise I'll try to say something more than "Er," this time around!

Molly ♥ Eason

P/S: Interesting write-up on his concert on 26/07/08 here.

And a photo I took with The Boyfriend at the concert:

Don't worry dear, you're still my No. 1!! Heheh so corny.

NDP 08: Contemplation

This year was the third year running I had the privilege to attend the NDP; all three years I have enjoyed myself, but every year the experience is slightly different.

The first year, I was cautious, almost cynical.

Last year, it was all about taking in the small things and relishing them.

This year, my mood was a bit more contemplative, perhaps in part due to the fact that we are facing an economic downturn (some say looming economic crisis?).

As I gasped at the Black Knights doing their precision display, I wondered how many Black Knights it would take to keep Singapore safe, should we ever (choi) one day need to fight.

As I sang with gusto the familiar National Day songs I had by now memorised, a little voice inside questioned how much, beside the catchy tunes and simple lyrics, I had imbibed.

As I took the Pledge, heart-on-hand, I faltered a little at the "democratic society" part.

As I watched in awe the fireworks in the sky, my mind turned towards the less fortunate in our midsts.

One thing I did without feeling any irony though - singing the National Anthem at attention, eyes fixed on the flag.

PS: All the above photos were not taken by me, but stolen from flickr. Below, however, are my own photos.

Take 1

Take 2.