The Julie & Julia Project.

I watched the movie while flying back from Tokyo and I must say, it’s very enriching for the soul (and stomach if I could get a bite of that scrumptious looking beef bouillon). I wasn’t really sure what the movie was about but I remember reading the interview between Vogue and Nora Ephron who is the film director and writer, couple of issues back. And I also remember seeing the simple but artfully designed vintage cover of Julia Child’s cookbook in Auckland which to be honest, that was all that really caught my eye. Yea, book covers. Since I’m no cook myself, I didn’t really bother about the dishes you could whip up from the book. I love reading though and you’d be surprised how many ‘cookbooks’ I own. I read recipes like I read novels. I may not be apt in the kitchen, but I certainly have got imagination. To some close friends (and of course my family), I did try to cook diligently once upon a time (hell, I made fresh pasta from scratch, get it?). Well, that was before work hijacked me. I was inspired by Jamie Oliver. Celeb chef he is, but I was drawn more to his zest for life and love for feeding the world. And so I bought almost all of his books and read them like bedtime stories. It was really refreshing because Jamie writes as though he is speaking to you, directly. So when I read his books, I felt like I have a celebrity chef friend (albeit imaginary, very much like what Julia was to Julie). And so I randomly tried some of his recipes especially the pasta varieties because compared to the other recipes, pastas seem manageable. After some really bad attempts, I finally managed to score well with one. And it has this beautiful yummy name called ‘spaghetti with mussels in lemon basil oil broth’ that would just make your mouth water instantly. Well. Now, it’s just memory.

Anyway, I believe that at different stages in life, if you live carefully and pay attention to your surroundings, good old Life will share what she knows and you don’t, with you. These days, I realized that everywhere I go, I’m discovering more and more about food. Which is… strange. Because to everyone who knows me, I’m probably the least fussy eater of all times and have no preference or craving or what so ever. When I say I’m good with anything, then I really mean anything. None of those ‘oh, she says yes means no means yes means no’ sort of illogical crap (now don’t be sexist). But of course, there is some stuff which I’d absolutely refuse. For example, I don’t eat nato (Japanese fermented soybeans). I don’t eat eels. And I don’t eat bugs (those with legs and those without). And I absolutely refute the notion of eating PETS. But somehow. These days, things about food just gravitate towards me. It’s as though, Life wants me to learn more about what I put in my mouth, 3 times a day or more. On top of this eating marathon that I’ve been jogging along in the streets of Tokyo for the past couple of days, I have learned about a chef’s philosophy (a very contradicting and temperamental Kenny Shopsin), about the sociological science of taste that is recognizable to the human palate and how babies get used to a certain taste and refuse new ones after the age of three (so if you want your kid to start eating vegetables, you know what to do), about the design of food and how presentation is an art form itself and they ARE such people called food designers (!), and lastly but not least about design research on taste preference, ingredients composition and even packaging designs which are functional and how they all intricately weave together, centering around the user’s experience, to become the final product that sits on the supermarket shelf. And now, how ironic, I learned how food is beyond scientific explanation and like love, works as a balm for the searching soul. Eating is the obvious easy way out because anyone, and I mean anyone can take one bite and criticize. But cooking becomes the real secret to loving food and nature and to learn respect for other people’s food. To enjoy the process of preparation and see the ingredients coming together and melting into this wonderful thing called food is an awfully therapeutic experience (especially baking) and this I speak from experience, which by the way, I do realize that I never cook anything nice when I’m angry. Having said that, it’s the washing up that’s dreadful. But then again, if you love your utensils and treat them as your best buddies, you’d want them all clean and dandy, hanging and sitting at all the right and strategic places in your kitchen. I guess it’s just perspective and how you convince yourself to go through the pile of dirty pots and pans at the end of a big cookout.

I was supposed to share my views on the Julie & Julia movie. Instead here I am, telling my opinion on an entirely different subject matter although it has a common theme. Well, I really think you should watch the movie because as you can see from here (scroll up, scroll down), it has this kind of effect on me. It made me think. And it made me want to pick up that ladle again and give the spaghetti and mussels another go. And it made me share what appears to be the most personal post I’ve blogged for as long as this page was conceived. So there, it has this kind of effect on you. I guess I’m beginning to open up to embrace something that I’ve always taken for granted, at least 3 times a day. It’s almost like opening up to a whole new dimension that I’ve never thought was so exciting – one out of five, the sense of taste.

Watch the trailer and read the writings of the REAL Julie Powell.

Now, who wants to go for dinner?

Everly Brothers: All I have to do is dream.

They were the inspiration of The Beatles during the 50s.

It's amazing what you can find in YouTube. An archive of all sorts. Videos I never thought I'll have the chance to watch. MVs from the 50s and 60s yo!

So you think you can be a Japanese?

Everywhere you go, you’ll definitely meet someone who wants to be a Japanese. No, don’t get me wrong. The person isn’t coveting the citizenship like how Malaysians would for a Western country’s PR, but more to be one. I think yea, they’re cool because their innovative thoughts are leading in endless fields. But, at the end of the day, there are both the good and bad sides to it. So to quench the thirst of those who want to feel like a Japanese, here are the 30 things you must comply to. Scoring 100% tells me you are a cheat because unless you ARE a Japanese, a perfect score is impossible (yea, yea, you can try). But scoring anything around 20 is pretty high. 10 over 30 is well, you’re 1/3 Japanese because that’s what it says! Anything below that, sorry buddy, you’ve got to try harder. Ganbatte ne.

So here goes.

1) Wear layers – I guess this really depends on the climate of your country but well, get creative. That’s what it’s all about, no?

2) Sink or swim – there are approximately 127 million Japanese living on those few islands. A lot of space for you to stay in the middle ground and hide but if you really want to be a true blue Japanese, you’ve got to compete, man. Time and tide wait for no kick- back-relax-have-a-beer kind of attitude. Down under and Up north I realize, are two very different places.

3) Support local economy and buy Japanese – that’s how the Japanese will never evolve out of their culture. Because believe it or not, their culture is commodity. That’s why you have Japanese kimono prints on eco bags. That’s why Malaysia’s strongest survived ‘culture’ is batik (though there is contention on the origins of it but that’s a different story all together). Sepak takraw? Gasing? Wau? Get what I mean? It’s sad but, commoditizing culture seems to work.

4) Mix classics with contemporary – you’ve got to absolutely own a piece of classic clothing item – Scottish tartan, Oxford shirts, brogue shoes, Burberry print, whatever. And then wear it with something modern like a pair of slim cut jeans.

5) Strike plural perfection – it’s all about individualistic choices. There are not 50 choices of neckties, there are 500 to cater to every stratum of the society and every archetypes of people in one shop.

6) Don’t complain, just do it – even if you do, do it quietly, under your breath, in the storeroom, in the lowest basement, to the mop. To be Japanese, you need to conform. And conforming means you don’t necessarily enjoy what you do though you still have to do it. With a smile. And a zest. That shows you’re absolutely most happy to perform the task, however horrendous it is.

7) You’ve got to own at least one thing of these colors – electric blue, crimson red, mustard yellow and jade green. And then add on layers (please refer to number 1).

8) Work till dawn – or at least think till dawn. They are always thinking. Why? Please refer to number 2 and 5.

9) Be a socialist – hey if you’re Wallstreet and all that, this place is not for you. Being Japanese means you have to put the priority of your collective self (your nation, community, company, etc) before you. I think many people will fail at number 9. Au revoir!

10) Appreciate design or at least learn how to – right down to the pencil and eraser and underwear you use. No one’s looking (well, at least most of the time) doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be wearing well-designed underwear.

11) Work and rework and rework and rework – in product manufacturing especially, this really means that perfection is an illusion that sits in the realm of infinity because your consumers will evolve and evolve and evolve.

12) Walk – a lot and to everywhere. Take out your bike and stop complaining that it’s hot and unsafe. I’ve got knocked down thrice in Japan while cycling but NEVER in Malaysia (yes, I once owned a bike in Malaysia too).

13) Service with a smile – and with such enthusiasm that either makes customers feel like they’re royal or simply just to scare them away.

14) Study everything you need with regards to what you do – pick up a shirt in the store and you’ll trigger an encyclopedic journey of how the style came about this season, what was the inspiration, who designed it, what was his inspiration, where the buttons came from, how you should wash it and how you could trick it out by matching it with different items, etc. You see a salesperson in Malaysia and ask for a size, you get: Sorry, no have.

15) Details, details, details – if you truly think about it, our world is really made up of quite few simple ideas but what differentiate you from Jo next door, is the detailed thought that you put into whatever you do. A classic oxford white shirt with red stitching and white stitching, whether they are close or spaced out, are essentially DIFFERENT things. If you can’t figure this out, then you’re the weakest link at number 15.

16) You don’t have to be born with good looks but it’s pertinent that you try – not all Japs are good looking but they’ve invested a lot (time, effort, money, etc) to look the way they do. If you don’t have time, effort and money, stick to your own citizenship.

17) Research and reference – everything that can be tested must be tested. Research is a very dynamic business in Japan because everything must be measurable, reported and documented. That is only how the society can improve. Nothing that I know of is properly and consistently researched and documented in Malaysia. The census is only done once every 10 years. ONE DECADE! The most consistent one being MCMC’s internet study. Even that, the numbers are inaccurate upon further research. Accuracy is the name of the Japanese game.

18) Be punctual – duh.

19) Eat well and appreciate all 3 meals a day – appreciating good food is something which I think most people can do. So, I think everyone will pass number 19.

20) Draw your inspiration from other richer cultures – European culture is something which the Japanese have always aspired to. The German, French, Italian, and upcoming the exotic mystery of Eastern European are some cultures the Japanese tinkle with to create a whole new hybrid of EuroJap way of life which as I mentioned before, can be bought as commodity – be it a house, a piece of cake and even socks.

21) Own at least one expensive suit – and wear it even if you have to wrestle with sardines to take the train. Yes, even when it’s rainy and wet.

22) Listen to your superiors and learn to behave – these are the ingrained cultural norms that you must never break or risk being doomed to be an eternal outcast.

23) Stay cute or try to – no matter if you’re male or female or transgender, no matter if you’re a child, parent or grandparent, no matter if you’re boss or slave. Cute is the most overused word in the Japanese vocabulary in a day.

24) Never say no – ask any non-Japanese businessman dealing with the Japanese ones and you’ll know what I mean. You should never say no to any request. You should listen, think, make some mmm mmm sound and then say maybe. If the gaijin (foreigner) persists tomorrow, repeat steps all over again. Until he gives up and gets that it’s probably a NO.

25) Ironically, don’t stand out – you will function best collectively. Wanna see a headless chicken Japanese? You single them out of the system.

26) Wear a mask – this is to protect other people from your germs. On the contrary, Malaysians wear masks to protect themselves from other people whom they think might be contaminated. Tsk tsk tsk.

27) Wear cool glasses and cool shoes – even the minority of uncool Japanese wears cool glasses and cool shoes. Muji ones are very affordable.

28) Do your hair – if you think the only style short hair has is… short, then you are wrong. In this land of hair-dos, you’ve got to have the right cut. Most of the time, I’ve got this out-of-bed hair look, as in the most literal sense. So I myself may not pass number 28. Sumimasen.

29) Carry a man bag – well this is totally optional. But hey, if you can carry it off, then carry it on!

30) Consume, consume, consume – what is Japan without the retail experience. Shop till you drop. Shop like there’s no tomorrow. Feast your eyes on all those well-designed and superbly crafted whatevers that you know you don’t need, until now. Can you shop like a Japanese?

Well, there you are. Thirty defining points on whether you make it as a Japanese. I probably score one or two out of all of the above which is why I should remind you of nothing short of a true blue Malaysian. Because I am anak Malaysia. Was, is and forever will be.

The above writings are purely purely purely for entertainment purposes only. Please don’t take it to heart whether you ARE a Japanese or one who is really trying hard to be one or one who just got offended for no particular reason at all. I’m typing this on a ^$*!@# 7-hour flight. Give me a break, what would you have me do? Don’t write hate comments on this post. I’ll delete them. Trust me. Try me.

:)

Nike+: Men vs Women.

Simple. Fantastic. Brilliant. Fundamental insight that's been mind boggling since the days of Adam and Eve.


Let's run.

Gene Kelly: Happy in love.

I'm singing in the rain by Gene Kelly. All cars and no play, is boring. Hopefully this entertains you as much as it did for me ;)

New BMW 5 series: Highlights revealed.

Are we looking at a younger 5 series driver? 30 something achievers as the older group (those who emerged as winners and survived as the fittest from competition) ascends to the very executive 7s.

F10 is looking more and more like a mature 3 series, if you know what I mean. So the 3 is now for the RA RA RAs while the 5 is probably targeting the same age group, but to those who have a more collective sense of refinement. Muscular. But in an athletic sort of way. Not body building, if you know what I mean. Oh yea, I sure know what you mean!

Kenny Shopsin: Eat me.

I bought this from MUJI, Tokyo. Love that shop, love this book. Can't help it, it's all Christmasy and warm (inside not out) here, got to buy something home-y, if you know what I mean.

From the back cover:

Thus speaks Kenny Shopsin, legendary cook and owner of the New York City restaurant Shopsin's. Since it opened nearly forty years ago, Shopsin's has been a downtown institution. A meal there is more than just a meal. Yes, it's a way to eat the most satisfying comfort food possible, from White trash Chicken Hash to Bread Pudding French Toast. But it's also a way to enter a world that barely exists anymore - an old-fashioned salon, where customers interact and the ringmaster, Kenny himself, leads conversations (and arguments) on everything from the best way to raise children to the right way to run a business, from the benefits of Freudian analysis to the nature of friendship. Shopsin's, the restaurant, is all about what Shopsin, the man, considers the two most important things in life: food and people.

If you wanna read more, you got to buy the original one. Or loan it from me. When I'm done. Someday.

Or check out the very cute website.

With a menu that looks like this:

It's packed with rustic goodness, you'll be spoilt for choices for every variety of dishes possible.

That also comes with a 'general' online store that sells awesome awesome creative goods:

Now you know where to drop by when in New York. However, I thought you should know that not everyone who walks into Shopsin gets to be the customer. If you wanna know what I mean. Read the book.