Magic shows

It's amazing how after a year I left the modelling agency, I can still look back at pictures of models I know back then and be amazed at how make-up and photography could transform a woman's looks.

I mean, without knowing a person you see on a big screen or a glossy page, wouldn't you say that you'd feel a tinge of admiration for an image so well, well-made?

These days we all grow up watching popular media present to us the idea of beauty and perfection, giving and feeding us the perception of what life should be like. I still love going through fashion magazines and admire the great work in them, but imagine when I first got to see how that work was done in front of me...

Well, I behaved coolly on the outside, but inside, I was mighty impressed at how the world could look so different, with the great touch of a make-up artist, hair stylist, photographer, carefully picked outfit, perfect lighting and flattering camera angle.

Young models, Danielle from Brazil and Fico from Argentina...lost touch with them since I left, sigh.

I have met many models whom I admire for their brains and warmth but mainly, I envy how those (other) silly, ordinary, spoilt, plain, uninspiring girls and boys are constantly being transformed to extraordinary images. When that's done, these people don't remind you any bit of those uninspiring girls I seen before, before the works :)

I left the agency job and life without feeling impressed with the glittering world of designer couture, fashion show cocktails, celebrities, very tall and beautiful people. Though I left feeling glad that I have worked for the, possibly the youngest, and absolutely gorgeous lady boss of mine, Min Jee; and met many superbly flamboyant stylists, fantastic make up artists.

Am truly grateful for the short time I worked in the industry which helped me to further confirm my passion in the arts. It was a time when I had to choose between what I could do very very well potentially (a talent booker and show person) and what makes my heart sing.

The models got along with me well, I could handle the stress of the events and handling models...I could see myself working for a long time, jazzing in and out of shootings, fittings, calling models non-stop on my mobile, picking up labels and calling cues at fashion shows.

Now that I've chosen the other path.

Though not impressed with the industry, I cannot discredit the genius I saw at work there. Now very much at home in the business where just looking good is not enough...work is not so glamorous and there's freebies like cocktails or sexy couture but for me, going into rehearsal for a song beats smooching with top models.

While the world (including myself) continues to be mesmerized with the big screen, perfect skin and luscious lips, I'm happy to be going down my journey as a soul doctor. I'm happy to bump into models I know (and remember me as their mama-san once) and know they are doing what makes them feel good...like me, doing what makes me feel good :)

Some shots from my booker stint

Hannah Tan (she knows more than modelling...) modelling at jewellery show
backstage where the boys smiled for camera, on run ways they...dun smile that much
Amber Chia, backstage at Christian LacroixZuzana too knows more than just strut around prettily, she is a triathlon athlete

Merdeka

Merdeka...this year national day means many things to me.

I was woken up by phone call from parents, on Merdeka day, also marked my first day of bum. I basically quit without having much clue on what I am to do in terms of making money for the next one month, and the month after...

My parents told me I don't have to call home while I'm bumming, they would call me on my mobile to save me phone bill, I was touched.

The offers are there, the job market is not short of offers. I was contemplating, for the first time in my life, that I should just try out in the clerical department. I have been dealing with businesses that have little to so with who I am.

We'll see how long I'd last the bumming.

Bye Bye Glitter-land

I said to myself, "Finally, my first glam freebie on the job."

I stared at the immaculately chiffon little black dress, Christian Dior, price, RM 3840...packed in the most wonderful Dior dress-protector. Knee length cocktail dress, crinkled chiffon and a satin dusky pink waist band.

Heavenly.

Of course about 5 minutes later when I woke up the dress was gone too.

Not only the dress wasn't there in my Dior-free room, the clock showed I should have gotten up about 20 minutes ago.

That dream was especially longer than usual, the funny thing was that I woke up twice in between and drifted back to it and the story continued.

Boss and I were on a out of town assignment, running a Dior show (coincidentally there are two Dior shows in Starhill this week) in a beautiful resort. We were put in a tropical style resort with lots of green and I remember the food was super and there was no haze.

Prior to the show rehearsal and meeting with my first Dior dress, we were invited to a private screening of a movie (I can't remember which) in the resort. I remember going to the toilet and later had to look for my boss in the darkened cinema.

And I remember my boss reminded me to pay attention at the backstage while cuing models to go on stage...after the movie.

Bla bla bla

I wonder how long more I will dreaming about the agency work....after I leave the agency.

This month end, no more frantic calls to models, speed sms to models....calls after 10pm, mile-long sms(es)...

Now, now, I better answer nature call before I get too late for my rehearsal...

High Life & Bedroom

My room needs cleaning, badly. Cleaning my room, tonight's mission. Vacuum, wipe all dusty tops, laundry, filing stray CDs, organise music files, sleep.

That's today, yesterday, last night, was....

Went to Frank Lai show last night at the all new Starhill Gallery, the model line-up were dotted with few ex-Miss Malaysia and some of my favourite clothe-horses. The choreography for round two really got me, it opened with her scream, an ear-piercing high scream from other end of the walkway, making every single head turned to look at the unsuspected end of `stage'. Everyone's favourite bee-stung-lips model ran across the red carpet and continued to scream and fell on the floor, scared.

By then you would have broken into a smile and said, what a refreshing staging of clothe parade.

First round with post-war French songs blaring with smiling models sashaying happy colors, lots of smiles and colors...

Second round screamed attitude, with the scream which opened the round and with bee-stung-lips regaining her posture at the other end, she stood up and took off the thick and puffy skirting from her dress and walked down towards the cameras with defiance and pale lips.

Very very pale lips, high arch and pencil-thin drawn eye brows, panda black eye make-up and zombie-expression, that really got the crowd going. The mostly local second round line-up stomped on stage with biting attitude...as there was no raised walk way, they stared you in the eye with great indifference and I tell you, those pale lips with black eyes (and arched brows) ROCK! Some of them threw fists in the air, one of them would grab your shirt and picked a fight, some warned you with their close proximity.

After the while sipping on Margarita in champagne glass (duh), I took some tips from an experienced and ever-so-cheerful booker who is my inspiration.

"Always carry an exercise book and write EVERYTHING."

Ok, I guess my palm size notepad is too dainty for serious note-taking.

I left the glittery scene just in time for my appointment with my pianist and potential client -- wedding singer job.

The bride-to-be and I share favourite songs and music. She is into the jazzy 40's. I have to nail this one, I better re-think my quote. She seemed to like my voice a lot but my pianist gave me a lecture after they left on the fine art of quoting your craft in KL.

Fine craft + reasonable pricing = lots of gigs = NICE income

We planned to nail some recordings with my MP3 player soon.

But tonight, tonight I clean my room.

Tomorrow I sing, and Sunday I sing. Monday back at work, must bring exercise book with me at all time.

Fear Factor Malaysia WANTS YOU

We have the F1, Fame, Malaysian Idol, and now...

FEAR FACTOR Malaysia is here and we want YOU!

Looque International is casting for the first season of Malaysian Fear Factor participants.

Production dates should be in Aug & Sep (tbc).

any of you (and your buddies whom are good for the show) game for this show and its price money of RM 10k can come in on this coming Tuesday - July 26th for casting/interview (yes, just interview, no bugs and cow eyes).

Looque Intl
47-7, The Boulevard
Mid Valley City
11am - 5pm

bring: IC & yourself, some pics of yourself if have :)

call me for appointment, 012 378 3730

cheers
Janet Lee
Booker
e. janet@looque.com.my
url. www.looque.com.my

What Luck's Got To Do With It

I used to hate people who blame everything to luck but I have learned to believe in it, you know, from life experiences. Luck plays a little importance in some things in life, under certain circumstances, but it's not the sole determining factor.

Anyway, I can't really pin point why my car has gotten broken into again, third time, since I got Sunny Boy it in late 2003. J said there's nothing I can do about it, cars get broken into he said.

This time they got the CD player, previous times were my CDs and Naf Naf jacket.

Talk about detaching ourselves of materials longing...it's not about that anymore, I don't know what to think anymore, if my car isn't safe anyway...I can't keep coins in my car, my stereo, CDs, my shades, shoes? That's what a car is for, is storage of things you need to keep handy when you travel.

On the bright side, the car is still in one piece. There are things to be fixed, it's not the best looking car around but it has certainly been through enough break-ins. Ironic huh? Who would think that old rags like Sunny gets more attention than all the shiny Beamers next to Sunny?

The wiring needs fixing. Don't know when I will get the painting done for a few small areas. I need the car like I need carbohydrate and internet...can't imagine life without my own transport, a little bike might be nice as a substitute..?

While my car needs the fixing, I'm trying to fix my performing schedule for the rest of the year. With two productions confirmed (I'm the hottest chorus girl in town now) and one competition to go, I go slightly dizzy just thinking about call times, agency work, events, models, rehearsals, weddings...

With all that on my plate, my mouth ulcers are popping out like crazy. I check how well I'm doing by checking the colour of my urine everyday...enough water? Never drink enough.

The weekend went passed like a royal holiday though...you see these weeks I do have lots of fun in the weekends; theatres, shopping, TV, lots of food, good company. I leave work everyday feeling like I had a full day and feeling like I-deserve-to-leave-work-now eventhough tomorrow's work is still a truck-full.

Stressful it maybe, but this sure will be one hell of an exciting year end for me.

Historical moment

Today, I ENJOYED my work. I HAD fun and I enjoyed my work, today.

This will be the start of better things, today, after three weeks and three days at work.

Oh, bonus on top of things got done today, my group CEO told me he heard I was a good singer, so I sang in his room, with two witnesses who agreed I have stuff to show.

Today.

A truck gave way to my car today in a jam, I believe it had something to do with the models in my car.

SM and ST came to my office minutes ago, glowing from their romantic happiness, sharing my joy at work...

today.

talk to you later...

I have so much to say, so little time.

I have so much to learn, so little time.

While work is going on, my recital on June 4 is being planned and I practice as much as I can...details soon.

The Friday show went very well and I hope they sold some jewellery to the well-heeled women. An eye-opener for me, big hair, air kisses, perfumes, jewelled heels and Versace...on a hot Friday afternoon. When it was over we all breathed a sigh of relief and it seemed, it was one of easiest shows to handle. BETTER things are to come.

Took mom out to shop for a straight three and a half hours on Sunday and had dinner with brother and her in an overbooked vegetarian restaurant.

Walked the whole of Mid Valley Mall yesterday looking for suitable clothing for two shows...I have to get more resourceful than that.

We should start a database of retail outlets in Klang Valley....

The Booker

Booker

n : someone who engages a person or company for performances [syn: booking agent]

It's not like no one understands the meaning of `book', it's just the sound of `_ooker' excites my friends and they laugh and say, "Yea, sounds like hooker...weeeehoooooo!!"

To Book

To arrange for (tickets or lodgings, for example) in advance; reserve.
To hire or engage: The manager booked a magic show for Saturday night.
To allocate time for.

v. intr.
To make a reservation: Book early if you want good seats.

Anyway, I survived my first two days in the agency. I'm in my jeans for third day and tomorrow I will be going to my first event, shall I say my first site outing? Pick up dresses, head to venue and stay there...guess I'm officially a `go-fer',aka runner.

Plan: Stock up on food in the office -- things have been hectic since day 1.

Plan: To resume my normal lunch hours.

Plan: DRINK WATER!

Plan: Sketch wardrobe combination for day-to-day work clothes, these sketches can
later be turned into my fashion styling profile.

Finally had proper lunch today in a proper restaurant, Bangsar Village, Delicious by Ms Read, it was delicious, my pesto pasta was perfection.

Many more proper lunches to come!

Finally

I'm so nervous, after all the fuss and buzz, tomorrow is finally coming...my official `first day' at my new work place, a talent agency, as booker (go figure; I reckon people will be making fun of my title for about 3 months and then they will get bored and quit).

Bits, some updates...SM told me she missed my entries here, hey, me too la.

* My parents are down for a visit, today I brought them to my apartment to witness the place I call home...my dad says it looks like a hotel, thanks to the white-tile flooring and the closed toilet door.

* I met the part-time booker whom I will be replacing, full time...she is a babe, she is a model. Duh, her twin sister is also a babe, also a model...oh ya, my new boss is a babe too.

* The laundry basket is still full, after I have sent two laundry bags to the shop and today, I ran the washing machine for the first time in 5 weeks, I think.

* Farewell lunch at old workplace was...cool, saw the full attendance of office bearer (barrer??) and even the chairman's daughter, she could be model. I got an evening bag from LK for goodbye...matte sequin, grey, class. At first the thought of leaving was unbearable, it's been my `reality' for four years but now it seems like the most natural progression, I guess human beings are indeed one of the most adaptable creatures on earth.

Man, what should I wear tomorrow?