If Renoir is into animation March 27, 2007
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As I’ll be heading for the exciting city of the land of the rising sun only this weekend, I realised I’ve just missed the Tokyo Anime Fest last weekend.
During the fest, they screened this amazing animation (a Russian and Japanese collaboration) by Alexandre Petrov and Studio Ghibli. Every frame is a seperate oil painting! Which means very frame is painted stroke by stroke! It is not hard to imagine how tedious and difficult the work is. I really admire Petrov’s patience. Imagine the number of frames needed to complete this animation.
The result is undoubtly beautiful. It looks like Renoir’s painting coming to life! It really does! His painting style is exactly like Renoir’s. Quite unbelieveable. If Renoir is into animation, this is exactly how it will look like.
Take a look and be amazed yourself 
http://plaza.bunka.go.jp/english/festival/sakuhin/sakuhin/anime04.html
Finally, Lemy Lemo March 26, 2007
Posted by dianetang in LucyD's Mood.add a comment
In just 3 days LucyD will be embarking on an adventure with Lemy. She does not know what to expect as this is their first trip together. But LucyD is bursting with excitement and anticipation.
Remembering how they got acquainted, one can only say it is destiny. If only they knew how close thay were at missing each other … LucyD was seating on her usual toadstool weeping one evening, having been pushed off the swing for the third time by the same goblin. She did not know for how long more she could tolerate this. There was nothing she could do to stop the constant bullying, she felt helpless. She wept and wept for hours until she heard a gentle voice say: " Why are you weeping? Can I help?". LucyD turned her head and looked all around her but saw no one. Finally, when she lifted her head, she find herself looking into a face so full of concern. "Hi, you alright?", he asked gently when LucyD did not answer him. In front of LucyD stood a really tall elf, tall by elf standard. Very tall by the standard of the residents of the Garden of Marshmallow, considering all the other creatures are so tiny. And extremely tall by Lucy’s standard. If you have met LucyD in person, you’ll know what I mean. He is not big, just tall. He had to crouch down to talk to LucyD.
He looked so sincere to help that, without even a second thot, LucyD poured all her sorrows at this stranger whom she has just met for the first time. She really needed to confide in someone. Strangely, the elf made her feel so at ease, she began to tell the elf many other things about her life. The elf did likewise. "Hi, I’m Lemy.", the elf just remembered to introduce himself. "Why haven’t I seen you around here before?", asked LucyD. "I live in the valley on the other side of the mountain.", was his reply. With that, he pointed to the mountain that separates the Garden of Marshmallow from the next town, known to all as Jelly Mountain. And beyond that lies the Jelly Valley. "I am here to do some work.", he added.
The sky had just started to turn dark and through the transparent mountain, LucyD can see ferris wheel, carousel and many fairy lights dotting the sky like the stars Lucy love so much. It’s a carnival everyday at the Jelly Valley. "What do you work as?". "I’m a marshmallow painter. I paint marshmallows to give them colour and taste. In other words, I paint your world.". To demonstrate this, Lemy painted a rainbow and release it into the evening sky. "Wow!", was all LucyD could say at that moment as she was too awed for words. From hence on, there is a permanent rainbow hanging in the sky of the Garden of Marshmallow. LucyD had always taken the beautiful world she lived in for granted and had never thot that somebody had been working hard to make it beautiful for her. She had never known before this that marshmallows are white and tasteless until colours are given to them. "Are you hungry?", Lemy’s question interrupted her thots. "If you don’t mind, you can share a sandwich with me. I made it myself.". With that Lemy took out a sandwich from his knapsack, split it into half and handed one half to LucyD, "Here.", he said. LucyD was indeed hungry, especially after hours of crying, she not only felt hungry but exhausted and weak too. LucyD knows better not to accept food from a stranger, but for some unexplainable reasons, she just trusted this elf and took that half of the sandwich from him and put it right into her mouth. It could also be, she was just too hungry. "Mmmmm ….", it was one of the best sandwiches LucyD had ever tasted. It was made from the fluffiest marshmallow. Yummy! LucyD felt so much better now. Comfort food usually never fail to cheer her up!
They almost missed each other and could very well not have met had Lemy not left his colour swatches behind and came back for it.
They spent the rest of the night lying on the vast marshmallow field and watch the stars in comfortable silence. There is no need to rush through the process of getting to know each other, for they knew that they have plenty of time ahead of them to do just that. Right now, they just want to enjoy each other’s company. The sky is especially glittery tonight. They both knew that it’s a special night. Its the beginning of a new journey, a new adventure, one that they want to share together.
LucyD’s Friends:
Lemy Lemo : An elf who had outgrown all his fellow elves to become the tallest elf in the Garden of Marshmallow (not the tallest in Jelly Valley though). So passionate about his work, he is often seen with a paintbrush tucked behind his pointed ears (which is perfect for exactly this), and a swatch of colour palettes jutting out from his work clothes’ pocket. It is a magical palette that contains every possible colour you can see in this world and the colour never runs out. He adds colour to LucyD’s life so he is the very reason why Lucy’s life is beautiful (of course Lucy did not know that before she met him). He is funny and well liked by those around him. 5.30am
我爱五月天 March 22, 2007
Posted by dianetang in 好想 好想飞.1 comment so far
020607 — 我的遗憾
What a long day March 22, 2007
Posted by dianetang in LucyD's Mood.4 comments
It was dawn when LucyD climbed out of bed. She rubbed her eyes sleepily and wished that she can sleep longer. Today is an important day for her, for she will be taking the reindeer guiding test. LucyD had been preparing for this day for months. She just wish that she will not make any mistake today, if not all her efforts will be gone to waste and she’ll be angry with herself as this is her third attempt. She is running out of steam and her determination is thinning … she don’t know how long more she will persist if she fail again this time. She carried a mixture of feelings to the test centre. On one hand she tell herself not to expect too much so that she will not be disappointed in case she fail again, on the other, she tell herself she must be positive and confident in the first place in order to pass. She still make careless mistakes during the warm up, mistakes she can kick herself for. So she does not have a good feeling about this.
Finally, the time has come and LucyD awaited for her name to be called by the tester. The testers are a serious looking, unsmiling bunch of gnomes. Looking at them is intimidating enough. Upon being called, LucyD bring her tester to her usual raindeer and carefully mounted onto her. She started her journey and tried very hard to concentrate. On a few occassions the thot of Lemy pops up in her mind, as he often does …"Not now! I must concentrate, I MUST!.", LucyD reminded herself. She even briefly thot about how to celebrate if she pass, but she quickly bring her focus back to the present. She did the best she could and guided the reaindeer with due care. After LucyD dismounted, it’s time for the result. She hold her breath while the gnome read out her result :" You did a great job and I will now present you the Reindeer Guiding Batch.". LucyD could not quite believe it. Finally! She received the batch from the gnome, thanking him profusely. Holding on to the batch, admiring it like it is a precious gem. When the serious gnome saw how happy Lucy was, he could not help himself but beamed too. It was a rare sight to see a straight-faced gnome’s face light up. It must be Lucy’s lucky day! LucyD skipped home to share the good news with her friends.
The sun was out. LucyD wanted to catch some sunlight and decided to go for a swim. As she swam, she could not believe that she not only can swim now, she can also guide a reindeer officially. And she is doing both on the very same day! This may be nothing to some, but this is some achievement for LucyD. She worked hard for them and so she is especially appreciative being able to do these things now. LucyD used to be so terrfied of water until she met the water babies (babies of the water pixies) by the pond who taught her how to swim. Now, everytime she swims, she really appreciates that feeling. She swims regularly with the water babies now. Maybe LucyD has to try hard so that she will not take things for granted.
That night, LucyD went to the woods for another starlight gathering by the fire with the usual gang. It went on till late, late into the night. What a looooong day. 1.06pm
Go away Goblin March 20, 2007
Posted by dianetang in LucyD's Mood.3 comments
LucyD has been feeling very happy. She was about to pen down how happy she is on her journal when the nasty goblin interrupted her thoughts. Nobody in the Garden of Marshmallow like the goblins. They love to play nasty pranks on others and laugh at them. Nobody else enjoy their cruel pranks except themselves. Bumping into one is bad news, so everyone is fearful of any encounter with them.
Tonight, as Lucy seats on her usual toadstool, trying to pen down her thots, she heard a rustling noise behind her, followed by a voice : "Hello, Lucy. I see you are alone.". Upon hearing the voice, she turned around, annoyed that her solitude is interuppted. And as her eyes set on the goblin, it makes her frown. Recognition sets in, it is Oozy the goblin. The goblin who has been bullying and pushing LucyD around. It is the goblin LucyD detest most. He pushed Lucy off the swing 3x before, in the Candy Floss playground. Lucy was hurt pretty badly each time. "Stay away from me!", said LucyD, worried he’ll push her off her toadstool. Lucy eyed him suspiciously. "Don’t worry, I am not gonna hang around for long cos’ you look like a FREAK! HAHAHAHAAH! Good bye, FREEEEAK!". And with that, he left, leaving Lucy in a bad mood and she is no longer in the mood to pen down how happy she has been feeling. Darn!
By now Lemy should be home. Luckily Lucy has Lemy and many wonderful friends in the Garden of Marshmallow. With Lemy and other happy thots in mind to lift her spirits up from the bad encounter, Lucy skipped all the way on the marshmallow path to look for Lemy. She is too happy to let negative thots occupy her mind for long. She has Lemy, nothing else matters. 11.30pm
Gardening with the Gnomes March 16, 2007
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LucyD had a hard and tiring day. She had been out gardening with the Gnomes since early morning and worked till way pass midnight. But she was happy as she was surrounded by hardworking Gnomes who patiently planted the marshmallows in the Garden of Marshmallow. Even though it was hard work, the Gnomes stayed positive and jovial and sang and joked while thay work. Such a jolly bunch! The Gnomes always work as a team and help one another, never let anyone get left behind. And their good vibes rubbed off onto LucyD naturally. Lucy had never felt so positive when it comes to working long hours. In fact, Lucy hates long working hours. She’d rather be watching stars, dreamimg or doing nothing. But this bunch of Gnomes are so niceeeeeee. Mild and friendly, everyone of them. Hardly your typical Gnomes. Lucy wants to work in the garden again. 11.30am
LucyD and friends March 15, 2007
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It was a gathering of sorts. It made Lucy’s day! OddPinkCloud was there to share her adventures. And then there was Jooja and Patty Anne. It was a starry night. The four friends sat in the woods around the campfire roasting the famous marshmallows from the Garden of Marshmallow. Raising their heads to look at the stars from time to time. Enjoying the companionship. Talking about anything and everything under the stars and laughing out loud the whole time. Tonight, Lucy has friends to watch the stars with. She feels contented. But as they chatted late into the night, Lucy felt her eyelids drooping and she drifted off to another land where it is equally beautiful. A land where Lucy is in the sky with diamonds.
LucyD’s Friends (in order of appearence):
OddPinkCloud : the cuddly, fluffy pink cloud who loves to drift around the world with the wind. She loves travelling. And always bring back some adventures to share with her friends. Luckily she is a cloud.
Jooja : The little imp who has the loudest laughter in the Garden of Marshmallow. You always know when she is nearby. From time to time you may catch her evil laughter, but don’t be deceived, Jooja is very caring to all her friends.
Patty Anne : LucyD’s partner in giggling. They just can’t stop giggling. And they will giggle at anything and everything. So if you bump into the pair, be sure to put on a serious face and talk in the most serious manner you can master. Cos’ once they start giggling, they can’t stop. Nobody can stop them! Be warned.
Patty Anne is the one who will give LucyD a pat on the back for assurance. And oh, they are of the same size and built. But the similarities doesn’t end there. If you pay close attention to them, you are bound to notice their habit of frequent rapid nose twitching. Though they live in the Garden of Marshmallow all their lives, their highly sensitive nose are still allegic to all the fairy dusts that their friends carry with them. Patty Anne loves to drink milk. 1.34am
Lonely Lucy in the Sky March 12, 2007
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It’s 2.15am now and Lucy is all alone. Lucy feels so lonely. She loves to watch the stars at night but she can’t find anyone to watch it with tonight. She loves the twinkling gems in the sky and would imagine being in the sky. But tonight, it’s just lonely Lucy in the sky.
Maybe it’s the weather, it’s hot and stuffy. It makes her extremely moody, but she dun know why. She dun know why she feels bothered and sad. She seats on the toadstool and quietly watch the stars. She saw a pixie hurrying home, but she kept very still and quiet, not wanting the little creature to notice her. For she dun feel like speaking to strangers tonight. If only Lemy can watch the stars with her, she’ll be contented. Just watch the stars in silence. That’ll make her feel better, she knows.
Hope the feeling will go away tomorrow and the world will be beautiful again in the Garden of Marshmallow. 2.34am
Spartan! March 9, 2007
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I have to make this first entry cos’ I am just so excited! I just watched the most awesome movie today! I had been looking forward to this movie eversince the first time I saw the thriller. The thriller looks great but I was a little skeptical due to the lack of big cast. But the movie is even better than I expected. Every scene is just so beautifully shot. I came out of the cinema even more excited then when i went in . I was on a high … the movie is so good that i felt sad i was not able to watch it with Lemy (not that i didn’t enjoy jiejie’s company, but i just wish that Lemy watched it with me so we can discuss the movie together).
It has got all the elements I love in one movie. The element of history, the element of war, and it has got enough violence to satisfy my dark side. At the same time it’s about bravery, courage, the fight for freedom, kinship and love. So many meaningful dialogues too. And to top it all, it is visually beautiful. Simply spectacular. A real visual treat. Every scene is just so breath-takingly beautiful, it makes me want to weep. I was just breatheless during most part of the movie. Even the track they used is so cool. Alternative Metal in a 480 B.C. battle scene. How cool is that?
And the love between King Leonidas and Queen Gorgo is so touching … Aw … even until the end, the only person on his mind is her. She is of such strong character, very wise and ever so supportive of him. And he in turn, respect and love her so much. I hope love like that really exist.
My high have not wear off yet. It’s absolutely fabulous. This is one of the best movie I’ve ever seen. It’s a 10/10 from me plus two thumbs up. Please go see.
