Heidi Olivia Tan : In Memoriam 2016

I finally got round on the wee hours of Saturday to finish this montage in time (technically) to drop (woah, I've always wanted to use that word properly when showing a produced video, though "dropping your vids on dropbox" doesn't count as I've done that, and it ain't the same feel) this to commemorate Larry's obit on The Star.
It was hard as:
a) I didn't tell anyone of my intention, though I consulted myself on whether I should show my brother first for any thoughts, but since the hectic and stressful 2 weeks of Mum in a wheelchair situation, I only peeled myself off the half-sleep and started compiling those few pictures that I've been collectively scanned and pre-touchedup a few days past,
b) it was, well, I am not ashamed to admit it was a tear-jerking moment when editing and splicing this piece, as both pictures and footage and the song just cuts through every single time. Amazing to think that it took me 5-6 hours on the final go. (slow, but as I write this now, I could've balked and taken twice the time and just maybe it might not even get done)
c) I had my fears too. The main fear would totally be the song I chose would not be RIGHT somehow. Even I had my doubts when I was pre-rendering it; I was like "what if so & so thinks the song is a breakup song?" ah, the perils of having A Walking (retro) Shazam/Soundhound jukebox of a brother-in-law...but once I did my first proper preview of it, I had no doubt I chose the correct song.

Of course, I felt bad on leaving so many pictures out, and so many people somehow, and I kinda feel I missed out a lot pictures that I just couldn't find. I feel it is also too Kevin-flavored, I mean, I had 2 baby pics of myself in there. and even Chance has a spot,
I missed out pictures of her and Harry (since they grew up together rather) and even pics of her and her favorite niece too.
About the song, yeah I realized it was used and sung by Barbra Streisand herself in 2013 (i think) at one of the awards' ceremony in the in memoriam segment too (coincidentally in honor of the producer of the song/or was it the movie of the same name?) and yeah, The Way We Were was a sad love story, hence the lyrics, and I myself has in numerous occasions escaped into that song whenever I feel the blues. At least now I don't see myself using it as my sad love song somehow.

I think I should plan a chinese subtitle for the next one, perhaps. I have a feeling it will not feel the same for my Mum and her siblings.

A day since it was up, I suppose with the few compliments on it, (mainly on Larry's fb and page, since I haven't shared it on mine the scaredy-dogg I am) it doesn't matter if I'd chose the wrong pics, if I'd chose the wrong song, or I'd pick a wrong time to do a montage of some sort. I did it because I want to remember the good times, the smiles, and her laughter and I did it because I want to remember her by the memories that we shared. Rest in peace, dear sister.

the 2 weeks interval / Wheelchair, Angèl & Mum

"It takes 3 men to take care of 1 old woman, and yet"
That was the line I found myself saying to the bro-in-law over the phone just now. Well, to be precise, I should re-phrase that to "it takes 3 men to look after a homemaker", yet we (or at least me in the matter) still feel inadequate, all these 2 weeks or so.

Mum fell down from an unsuccessful skipping incident after losing the 3-way fight between seat-belt, an umbrella and her feet when she was exiting the car on Mother's Day. After 2 visits to an ortho, she is still on a wheelchair, with the few aided walking exercise she managed daily. As I tell myself in preparation in getting back to my missed calls & messages; It was a stressful 2 weeks + indeed.

But as with God's plan, we were never sure of the things we had to do and how we'd question on it might be of use in the grander scheme of things? Somehow it became clear this time around, or at least we would like to comprehend. There was a moment last year that Mum half-lamented quasi-joked that her remaining two children would spend their time caring for other people's parents: but as it played out now, Harry and I came back with experiences for this trying period. (well, Harry's more vital imho)

Dad, well Dad has been recuperating from his gallbladder op last year or at least in his own mind's view he has healed completely with the grace of God, since he is practically back to his merry-way of strenous-lifting and gorgeous eating habits; only for several instances when he felt pain and some crucial piece of advices (with the same bottomline) from his respected doctors that he needs to be watching his activities and diet as he is only less than 6 months after his surgery so please don't think you are on a super-soldier build. (ok, I made that last part up)
Dad spends his time waking Mum up in the morning (since the kids are doing the night shifts) and doing market and fish runs (yes, the in-house 'chef' is spared from touching and preparing his dreaded fish still) and doing the wash (which we were barred from doing too, it seems Dad is the 2nd best in doing laundry, so we kids haven't got our level-5 clearance or some sort)
But Dad is Dad, the impatience to literally pull Mum up or very insistence to wheel her when she should be having more walking exercise.

Now on to the 2nd help : Harry.
His time as a caretaker/driver & co-driver/ nightwatch/ listener & co-conspirator with his boss' father has him picking up some invaluable physio and cardio tips. He dispenses and reminded Mum to work on her leg numbness and getting in & out of the bed. Aside from that, he's also the main night-watch here as well, as their rooms are closer.

And so it is my turn. I'm the resident 'chef ', and it has been a stressful albeit fun time to learn Chinese cuisine in such a way that I get to exercise my mental notes and own synergy of flavors with what we have here (and in the tiny fridge). Been cooking quite a bit, that I've abandoned taking any more x4 speed videos and only on occasions I remembered to take pictures of food. Aside from this I am the hyper-mart go-getter as well as the seconds in day-watch and night-watch role; though I am chiefly the main tuck-her-to-bed fella. Oh and cold/ice pack jockey, too. I just created new roles as I go huh?

oh, last but not least (since I have a wee bit of time today, with everyone awake at this hour, coincidentally it's supposed to be my nap-time, but since I slept/K.O.ed last night from the previous morning's montage-making for Heidi's In Memoriam, hence this blog piece today) on the 4th 'person' in this household: Angèl, her grand'cat'
He is, well, his role is pretty undefined, but he is smart enough to not bother Mum for fish, and occasionally massages (kneads) her, and well in that process probably purrs their cat's rejuvenating healing factor sonar rays or somewhat. Oh, and he watches Mum when she sleeps too, but in a capacity of being bed-buddies and watching her from his hiding spots among her boxes nearby.
Add his usual role prior to this of ridding the house of lizards and bugs, cats and stray dogs, you have the reason why he is the mascot of this house ... until God willing, he gets to share the title with my  Chance when I get him back.

Ok, time to get ready to cook.

this is the 1 rare occasion of Angèl being wheeled 

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oh, today is Sunday, where I (ehem, we) don't cook, sort of a day off of the week from the kitchen, Normally its a lunch meet-up after our respective churches' service followed with a dine-out; but these 2 weeks are rather a dine-in. So perhaps it is a telling sign for me to get back properly on the net (please, let the connection be good tonight) and mayhap blog another post about, yesterday itself, too.
As I re-read back this post, I realized I kinda rushed the end eh? as in there isn't any ending since I thought I need to log off and prep the dish that I didn't end at all (well, perhaps took a bit too much in detailing the respective people's roles I guess)
and I missed out the watering of plants duty and actual house clean-up chores too, and the graces bestowed upon Mum by her church friends in the form of visits, calls, prayers, & walking aids and my take on Mum's motivation to get better soonest possible (that somehow mirrors the reason why I wanted to blog about this in the first place)
Oh well.

of Woes on 0.263

It wasn't that I was too busy to write-in, nor it on binge-watching mode (given there were a few season finales these past weeks, but nothing of the sort in binge-ing a full season or two) but if I were to list it out perhaps the past 10 days were pretty alright being laden with ideas and thoughts and to some extent self-narrative.
I would classify the first half of it was pretty good with that level of enthusiasm in some of the ideas that came to me and with results too (well, at least not monetarily, yet) , however by Saturday night it just well, happened.. though I am sure some of those new thoughts and masterplans are still there, it's just, well I couldn't foresee that dumb mistake and it's just big-time demotivating to say the least.

In my current broke-ass-ness state, getting into an accident is the brilliant way of getting screwed, I suppose.
Another accident, in the same year.
From somebody who, (lemme count) I suppose averages a 0.263/year, I am working towards my career-high stats this year alone with 3 goals incidents this season, dang it.

I guess no matter how I see it that night, there's not much argument in a rear-ending collision. No doubt I skidded (guestimate it at about 2 cars' distance) thanks to the slippery condition, no doubt it was descending traffic off a fly-over when that bloody mattress decided to "Hi-ho Silver, Away"  and left 4 cars giving their well-priced brake pads a good lick (hey, I was the 5th and the oldest car, though my year-old 2nd-cheapest brakes did the job but them tyres haven't seen their factory seals in ages though)
I suppose with that in line, my summon was reduced and technically I would be in the clear, but the eff-ing problem persists, I still need to fix the car somehow.

I was emotionally distraught after Sunday, even more yesterday when it was confirmed the inn-sewer-ants isn't going to be doing anything favorable anyway. It got me thinking on a certain fiction, but with my apparent in-aptitude in anything that resembles a hint of L-A-W, I've since forgotten that fictitious path.
I am fine, of course, this is all another blotch sour patch kinda test or hurdle. My mind is in it, and with God's grace and guidance I will read this again when I am 64 and facepalmed myself, somehow, if, though I am sure #hashtags will be replaced with another in 2044.

Kevin's Key Lime Fish

I'm not a fish person.

Never one to heartily do flips in anticipating any fish meal (okay, unless sushi or the lot, but hey, raw salmon or its other friends don't count, imho) certainly would never be the one to buy fish or prep it before, okay I do cook fish sometimes, those that were prepared just waiting to get on the frying pan line to boogie.

Oh yes, just contradicted myself. I do prepare a mean Fish & Chips though on occasions. Well, I suppose I shouldn't count that as well, since,..hey, cooking a good ol' F & C shouldn't count as cooking (like how I generally categorized cooking fried rice as not exactly cooking either) since it is just basically adhering to the food frying methodology. Yeah. Idiot.

So, anyway, for this argument's sake (if there was any) my so-called Mean Fish & Chips was last made early last year together with my late sister, and ever since getting back here and helping Mom out with cooking chores once per week, I've been suggesting doing a fish meal (since, they are both Mega-Super-FISH-people/person) since I feel that I shouldn't overstay my culinary skill (and welcome) just by rotating beef/pasta/fajitas/chayken/pasta you know the like.

So yeah, of course Mom was cool with it, (since she must be wanting to get fish served without being splattered with its fry-oil)

But she somehow misinterpreted Fish & Chips as something else, since ;

• She isn't much of a FRY person (unless chinese shallow fry)
• And another point, which I've lost it right now, but it was significant I think.
• Oh yeah, she bought some bone-in fillets of (unidentifiable ….at least to me) fish

Today around lunch, she started to tell me where the fish and vegs are kept in the fridge; which alarmed me as today is my cooking day. Coupled with the above 2 points, (and not being too keen to drive and hunt for cheap beer for the batter not casual drinking) I spent the next hour coming out with a substitute fish meal.

So what transpired (the dish) at this moment in writing, it is a sort of version of a certain Key West Fish I suppose. But of course mine is better lol. Better tatters (and with bacon ~ "bacon pancakes making bacon pancakes") fish way better in every way, and a freaking zesty sour-assed asian flavor.

Kevin's Key West Fish with Bacon Cheddar Mashed Tatters & Garlic Sauteed Fridge-Clearing Vegs

Ingredients:

For Pan-Fried Fish

4 nos Fish Fillet

Paprika (Smoked or Unsmoked anyhow you'd fancy)

Salt & Pepper

Oil

For Key Lime (Sauce)

Butter (or in my case, fake butter @ olive spread)

1/4 in Ginger, julienned

2 nos Kaffir Lime Leaves, julienned (it's 4 since they come in pairs)

10 nos Kalamansi, juiced (or, Lime, though I wouldn't go Lemon)

Pinches of other dried fishy herbs if you like, I added some Herbes de Provence for a good measure

*there's no booze for the time being, but I suppose I'd love to flip a good 2 ounces of Tequila or fold in some white vino 

Bacon Cheddar Mashed Tatters

4 nos Potato; Large, boiled, and let semi-cool if need to cut smaller (yes, Mom didn't get Russets or softer tatters, so I used those Made-In-China potatoes in which I am 99.9% sure it is real)

1 cup Bacon bits

4 tbsp Garlic, chopped (okay, tablespoon? Well, put a lot, trust me)

1 cup Milk

1/2 cup Cheese; Cheddar (well, I cheated with cheddar slices; since I did not go to town, I suppose I am lucky to get these at the mini-mart)

Salt & Pepper to taste

For Garlic Sauteed Fridge-Clearing Vegs @ What I was supposed to clear was:

1 nos Carrot

1 pkt King Oyster Mushroom

1 nos Onion; Red

4 nos Garlic Cloves

2 pats Butter

Salt & Pepper

*what I will give to have Bell Peppers or Zucchini or Broccoli, but yeah, this is just sauteed vegetables, so, GO CRAZY!

Serves: 4

Prep: 20 mins with a smoke break

Cooking Time: I suppose in total of 20 mins thereabouts? But I took longer since we were stuck with a single stove, the other guy decided to become a flamethrower for no reason and since I am no Batman with a lead cape to save Martha…..

So in actual 35 eff-ing minutes for me. And a quick smoke break when gathering the kaffir lime 'top' leaves, ha!

something is terribly wrong with my camera

…..

Of course the pics does not do the dish justice, and with the lack of garnish of sorts; but it was awesome all right and I suppose I should be making more of these (with variations of course) soon enough based on their compliments (which is rare, come on, we Chinese peepur) and Mom's questions on the ingredients and how-to's. So I suppose a video should follow some day, or even a separate one of my (ehem!) heavenly mashed tatters.

So tummy filled and feeling groggy and sleepy by 8:30pm, I suppose I could manage an episode (or two) of Fear The Walking Dead now, since network is pulling a Lois Lane on me. No, that's not right.

Well, since I'm done with today's The Flash so these 2 should do.

Oh, if it's 2 episodes, then I'm up on this week's 4th episode, darn.

Another weblog post then.

OJ Law - After All

OJ Law's new song came out last week (should be, I might've lost track of time somehow), I suppose it must be getting decent airtime on Malaysian-friendly music stations. Don't ask me, these few months back home and I haven't bothered to change the frequencies, it's not like I am harboring much hope to be driving the trusty junk back to KL anytime soon with my current broke-ass'ness.

Finally remembered earlier today from the subscription feed about this music video, in which with the horrendous connection, I suspended that tab almost as soon as the page was loading. (yeah, I got most of my things done in these few wee hours late into the dead of night, whereas it is going through my diminishing supply of tv series and movies during the day, or read occasionally)
Getting back to this song (finally) minutes ago, I was even so intrigued with "Starring : Patrick Teoh"

Beautiful.
Utterly beautiful tune, lyrics are, well dangerously bittersweet, yet true and the video direction, oh my ~ another video-on-loop moment.

I can't shake the mental image of Patrick Teoh's performance in Executive Spa in this video's scene of him cussing & driving