RIP Diana Wynne Jones, 1934-2011

She was my favourite author as a kid. I *loved* her Chrestomanci series and Tale of Time City. I had no idea why people made such a big deal over JK Rowling when there was a genius like this around.



http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/mar/27/diana-wynne-jones-obituary

Motherfuckers.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your recommendation.

Recommended Title Details:-
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Title: It Gets Better: Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating a Life Worth Living
Author: Dan Savage and Terry Miller
Publisher: Dutton Adult
ISBN/ISSN: 978-0525952336

We are sorry to let you know that we will not be buying the title you have recommended as we find it unsuitable for our library collections.

We welcome any other recommendations that you might have.

Thank you and have a nice day!

Librarian (Collection Development)
Library and Professional Services
National Library Board

Please do not reply to this auto-generated mail. If you have any queries about your request, please email to helpdesk@nlb.gov.sg 

Are you Singaporean? Are you gay/bi/allied? And are you voting PAP?

Before you do, you should take a look at what some PAP MPs think about the possibility of repealing our sodomy law - and mind you, this is one of the younger ones:



Granted, most opposition parties have chosen not to take a pro-gay rights stance. But two parties are doing so this year: Singapore Democratic Party and Reform Party. SDP is contesting my ward, too! W00t.

By the way, there's an interview with me on Writing the City.

I share my top five writing tips!

http://civiclife.sg/writingthecity/index.php/my-five-ng-yi-sheng

I've a bunch of gigs coming up!

1) I've got a poem in Man/Born/Free: Writings on the Human Spirit, edited by Gwee Li Sui. It's being marketed in South Africa right now as part of Spotlight Singapore. I hear it's doing rather well.

I'll be speaking on a panel at the Singapore launch! Here's the info:

Launch of "Man/Born/Free"
Friday 26 March, 11am-12pm
Living Room, Level Two, Arts House

And here's a blurb from this site:

"This literary anthology – centred on the travails of the human spirit – is like none other published in Singapore. It testifies to the social reflections of generations of Singaporean writers and their inquiries into issues of freedom, equality, humanity, and hope. The selection brings together works originally written in English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil across almost six decades of Singaporean life. They are arranged here in a compelling way that argues for the inevitable interconnections of these concerns. Man/Born/Free is an exciting initiative to commemorate the relationship between Singapore and South Africa as extended through the 2011 event, Spotlight Singapore in Cape Town.

2) I'm performing stuff at the SPORE Art Salon. It's an event cooked up by Ryan Beck, a dancer at Resorts World's Voyage de La Vie circus show (no, I'm not kidding). He and his fellow artist/performers have been longing for a way to connect with the greater Singapore arts scene, which is really hard for them since they're usually working Wednesday to Sunday.

They've set up this monthly event where they can gather and showcase works by both Singaporean and expat artists - plus, there's live models present for sketching, so you can practise your drawing skills. Unfortunately, it costs $20, but the proceeds go to charity, and there'll be a lovely tapas spread to boot.

This month's will feature myself, musicians/comedians Jacqueline and Bill Landsman, pianist/songwriter/performer Johnny Kim and accordionist/singer/songwriter Faizal Bohtiar.

SPORE Art Salon
Tuesday 29 March, 7-11pm
ECHO Loft, Chinatown
Corner of Smith Street and South Bridge Rd, Second Floor
$20 for entry (including performance, sketching and food)

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=187152654659220

3) I was involved in a collaboration between artists and writers, organised by the literary journal CERIPH and the Substation. Not a lot of publicity materials out yet, but I'm just gonna announce the launch of the art exhibition:

Synaesthesia Launch

8-17 April (launch 7pm on Friday 8 April)

Substation Gallery, 45 Armenian St

Thankyee, y'all!

Singapore Biennale 2011 Young Art Writers Programme

I'm leading creative workshops at the Singapore Biennale on Wednesday and Thursday!



If you're interested in finding out more, e-mail education@singaporebiennale.org.

I'm writing for the Canvas!

Just wanted to let you know that I'm now a member of the Council, i.e. the unpaid staff who write for the National Art Gallery blog, the Canvas.

Why? Because I frickin' love art and writing about it is a good way to waste my time and hasten my death. E.g. I recently wasted time blogging about photographer Alecia Neo, plus I vomited up a piece called 10 Gloriously Cheesy Merlion Artworks, in honour of the Singapore Biennale 2011.

Speaking of which, I'll be attending the opening of that event in eight hours. No costume this time, sadly.

Two Singapore movies

I just watched Kelvin Tong's "It's a Great, Great World" last night and I freaking loved it!



I've heard it's boring for some people, but if you're a Singapore nostalgia buff like me, it's definitely up your alley. It stars all the big Channel Eight Mandarin-speaking celebs: amazing that they can speak dialect so well. And yeah, the stories have heart - I was actually weeping by the end.

Also attended the gala premiere of Wee Li Lin's "Forever". (I was an extra! But don't try and find me; I'm in the airport scene, but I'm just a blur in the background.)



Mixed feelings. I liked "Gone Shopping" (final cut) better. But it works as a certain kind of chick flick. Come support!

February 2010 texts

Grrr, I've been slovenly about reading this month! (But yeah, my fiction books were long and tedious. I forgive myself, partially.)

*POETRY*
+John Agard’s “Lovelines for a Goat-Born Lady”
+Jennifer Crawford’s “bad appendix”

*FICTION*
=VS Naipaul’s “A House For Mr Biswas”
+Rómulo Gallegos’s “Doña Bárbara”

*NON-FICTION*
=Richard Hammond’s “Chien-shiung Wu: Pioneering Nuclear Physicist”

*GRAPHIC TEXTS*
+Stan Sakai’s “Usagi Yojimbo: Return of the Black Soul”
+Slinkachu’s “Little People in the City”

*FILMS*
+Wolfgang Reitherman’s “The AristoCats”
+Mark Romanek’s “Never Let Me Go”
+Yann Samuel’s “L’Age de Raison”
+Lisa Cholodenko’s “The Kids Are All Right”
=Wee Lilin’s “Forever”

*PERFORMANCES*
+Palace Theatre’s “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert”
+Garrick Theatre’s “When We Are Married”
+Duke of Yorks Theatre’s “Ghost Stories”
+Elizabeth de Roza’s “What the Dog Knew”
+The Finger Players’ “Turn by Turn We Turn” (preview)
=SMU StageIt’s “.RED”
+NUS Scholars Program's "Hay Fever"
+PANGdemonium’s “Closer”

*EXHIBITIONS*
+Tate Modern’s permanent collection and “Gabriel Orozco”
+Tate Britain’s permnanent collection
+Wellcome Collection’s “Medicine Man”, “Medicine Now” and “High Society”
+Singapore Art Museum’s “Collectors’ Stage”