Events 3 | I am Danny Foo

The Social Network with SMCKL and P1

I was at the movie screening; The Social Network, organized by SMCKL which coincidentally was supported by P1 and Tanjong Golden Village cinemas – can’t remember the last time I called it by it’s full name. It was held at TGV’s new cinema in Wangsa Walk Mall in Wangsa Maju and the mall was quite a distance from where I lived, like 30-40 minutes drive using MRR2.

Stepping back in time

Early birds to the event had a chance to win a netbook. All we had to do was snap our picture against a green backdrop with the title; YearbookMe, above a white box. If you were sporting enough, there were even accessories to use like; scarfs and reading glasses.

yearbookme backdrop and emcees — YearbookMe

Stories of the night

After everyone was ushered in, emcee of the night was Caroline (@thechannelc) giving us a brief introduction of SMCKL and how the movie idea came about from enthusiasts. Then with thanks to TGV for offering to host the event, Kenny Wong told us the story of TGV and I can’t believe it’s been around since 1995! 0.0

In addition, I was reminded that TGV was the first multiplex started at 1Utama. And I didn’t really know Mel Gibson launched TGV in Sunway Pyramid. While it was still the lone lion and Sunway Lagoon was really cool. Ah, how times have changed.

TGV cinemas are upgrading

Kenny also informed us that TGV 1Utama is going to be overhauled sometime December 2010. The aim is to replace the age old seats with much comfier and larger sized ones, just like TGV Wangsa Walk.

TGV wangsa walk mall interior — Free drinks and popcorn on P1

From the photo you may have noticed, TGV is going to have couple seats too! Just like the ones in Cineleisure (e@Curve if you like calling it that), but bigger – I think. Plus, they’ve added more leg room compared to the one in TGV 1Utama. And despite not having a measuring tape, it feels little more spacious compared to even GSC. 0.0

Ooh ooh, Kenny also hinted TGV is going to challenge conventional cinemas seats. By using bean bags in cinemas! Apparently, this will be done in Penang later. Shucks.

By the way, we got FREE drinks and popcorn thanks to P1. And it wasn’t only for select few, all the seats in the cinemas already had a drink in the cup holder and a bag of popcorn with a straw and paper towel awaiting us. Nice surprise!

Movie inspired me on many levels

If you’re in the industry, you’ll love it – I know I did. It motivated me, taught me, reminded me what should really matter when you’ve an idea. Plus, it shows you ideas are everywhere, and can be improvised. Though after watching, you’d be wondering if Mark’s character was similar in real life.

And the line I had to take back with me after the movie:

I’m CEO, bitch

Not because I want to sound arrogant. But it’s times like this you’ve to remind the previous generation, my time starts now.

We’re the new entrepreneurs of this generation. 😉

P1 Super Wiggy Launch Event at Frames, Sunway Pyramid

When P1 unleashed their 1st Wiggy to Malaysia, I was one of the initial testers of the device. Me and some other bloggers brought it nearly everywhere, reporting on its coverage and signal strength as well as unbelievable speeds in certain spots – up to 8Mbps.

On Monday, I was invited for the launch of P1’s new Super Wiggy held at Frames in Sunway Pyramid. It was very cozy and I’d say it was just nice to cater the bloggers who attended. Not to mention, I had really great fun catching up with old friends and taking photos with them.

And pictured above with Saimatkong, is the Super Wiggy. Which comes with a flip-stand and also a suction for you to stick it directly onto your laptop! 0.0

Plus, the P1 team added a nice touch to this event. They got IKEA frames to insert printed photos taken of us during the event. Me and Saimatkong were wondering if it was for decoration but indeed, it was for us to take home! 😀

It was a superhero themed event but it seemed I was the only person who donned a Superman t-shirt. I guess someone misplaced Batman’s light and there wasn’t booze to get a Joker among bloggers. Nevertheless, P1 recruited their own heroes.

picture montage — Wonder Woman with mystical powers

Followed after the superheroes were presentations by Noora and Jeck. The presentation by Noora was a general understanding of P1’s Wiggy advancement and the future to come; 4G. Then Jeck came on to demonstrate the benefits of 4G, what could we expect out of it – like using your iPad as a mobile phone, and P1’s upcoming MiFi (mobile wireless router) device.

By the end of the presentations, bloggers were as hungry as horses – as usual. And as much as we love events, we’d always wish to have the food first or during the event – not after. LOL!

I’ve not eaten at Frames before but the food was interesting and really tasteful. The serving you see in the photo was only the starter and Frames allowed us to choose 1 of 4 different mains that night. Awesome! While I had the chicken, other mains like; pasta, fish and burger, looked really mouth watering.

And with great company, comes the fun-ner personality of bloggers. Camwhores! Just like the horny Vernieman up there. LOL!

Oh, by the way, the P1 team knows how to show their fun-ner side too.

I’ve always enjoyed the P1 events and if they keep coming out with ideas like the frame, I’m pretty sure we’ll have more camwhores bloggers attending these events.

As for the Super Wiggy report, I’ll probably write more about it in Websites Made Simple. 🙂

My meeting with Zee Avi

Well, I definitely wasn’t happy forking out RM15 for parking to KL Life Centre at Zee Avi’s concert. But paying for her performance and her debut album; Zee Avi, was every penny well spent.

And the pennies were lucky ones. I won an invitation to the exclusive Meet & Greet session with the sultry voiced artiste; Zee Avi. 😀

Okay. I know most of you are not here to read what I thought of the Meet & greet session. So I’ll save it for later. Here are the selected photos taken by me on the day. Oh, photos have larger (800×600 ratio) versions so click ’em to view ’em. Enjoy!

universal staff — Hawt Universal lady, no?

brother sister — Brother waiting with his little sister

fans — Fans taking every opportunity to photograph Zee

zee adjusting her hair — Slowly having a space to photograph Zee

zee smiling — Zee was very happy to see a very young fan

zee's coffee — Even Zee Avi drinks Starbucks 😛

zee shaking hands — Zee enjoyed meeting a father and his very young daughter

Zee looking at poster — I'm not sure what were they looking at but must have been interesting

I'd say this was the best shot of the day

The event was suppose to start at 8pm but it only began around 8:30pm. There were actually 2 sessions because one of the fans I met the day told me, there was a newspaper advertisement saying anyone with a Zee Avi album may come to get an autograph too.

Because of this, the sessions were split into an autograph session followed by the meet & greet session. I’d say it was pretty well organized though weird because we queued on the right to sign in then moved to the left to enter for autographs later.

This was my first ever autograph session in my life. So embarrassing moment came when Zee Avi stared at me, waiting for me to tell her my name so she could write it on the cover. Though I was glad she did ask me:

What’s your name, luv?

*swoon* 🙂 LOL!

Once I got the autograph, I joined the rest of the non-media photographers gathered at the middle entrance trying our best to snap a photo of Zee Avi. Before the event, I did ask the hot Universal lady if photos were permitted during the meet & greet. She apologized and said personal photographs weren’t allowed.

However, can’t blame me if I joined the revolution which started. All I wanted were photos for this blog and spread word to people who still hasn’t heard of Zee Avi.

And I was really lucky to have grabbed these photos first. Because moments later, non-media were disallowed to get near the middle entrance to snap any photos of Zee Avi. Alas, some just stood further away. 😛

Once the autograph session was done, the invitees were asked to form lines of 10 people to go in and meet Zee Avi. We shook her hand and chatted for less than a minute before we were asked to huddle together like a school yearbook photo. No personal photos were taken here because of time shortage and it wasn’t allowed.

The group photos were going to be emailed to us and posted to the Universal Music Malaysia Facebook page later. However, I’m still waiting for the photo.

And I just had a thought, how will they identify which group we belonged to if there was more than 1 group photo with Zee Avi. Uh-oh.

Well, I’ll share the photo here once it’s been distributed. In the meantime, I’ve published the full album of Zee Avi photos on my photoblog and here’s the video again of the concert night. 🙂

See you when you came back home again, Zee. 🙂

Updated: March 25, 2010 – 8:35pm

Universal Music finally uploaded the photo to their Facebook. This was the photo from the album. Though I did some minor touch up.

Meeting Zee Avi in person

Today was the Meet & Greet organized by Universal Records. It was hosted at Rock Corner, Gardens. There was quite good a turnout of fans. Some I saw at the concert and some who wanted to meet her cause she was there.

Anyway, here’s a teaser photo for you.

photo of fans

The full writeup will come, soon. Just need to process the photos.

By the way, Zee is flying off to tour Australia this Thursday (I think). God speed, Zee.

Welcome home, Zee.

Last night was a concert by Zee Avi. And I know, I know, you may be asking; who is she? Well, trust me. My Dad could give the most random of answers when I told him I was going for her concert.

Zee Ar Vee? (CRV)

He was joking. But I do know, he’d definitely enjoy her music because he likes the blues and jazz too. I went to watch the concert with Ariel and we were a bit kiasu. Reached the KL Life Centre by 6pm. And already, some people were lining up. No surprise, huh.

Here’s a pictorial experience of the concert. 🙂

Guy walks away with prize - stewardess not included

Zee Avi giving the crowd their favourite - ukulele

Zee Avi gives her Dad the Gold Label award she won

And that was what the concert was like. What? Not feeling it? Okay, fine. Here’s a YouTube video for the less imaginative.

P.S.: Did you catch the blooper at the end of the video? 😉

The crowd was pretty decent. The main hall was filled while some strayed further to the sides so they could stand on higher ground to catch a glimpse of Zee Avi. The upper deck looked full with everyone sitting on benches you find in a basketball arena.

There was also a VIP area. And Ariel told me she saw Marina Mahathir too. When I turned to look, she was there with her daughter and husband. Then, I also noticed none other than Mr.Tony seated on the sofas.

Security was very well managed by Fat Boyz. Not only were you frisked for any weapons but while leaving, I noticed many DSLR handlers had to claim their batteries back at a table. Good try people.

During the concert, JessicaT was also asked by a security near the stage to handover her camera. However, she flashed the guy her crew tag and was left alone after that. Though there was 1 girl who managed to smuggle her camera in, as she pushed people aside to come center front – where I was standing.

Besides that, the performance was superb. Me and Ariel really love artistes who sound like themselves in real life compared to CDs. To me, that’s true talent and being yourself.

I was so impressed with Zee Avi, I bought her original CD as my support to her. I love her voice, her music and her personality. Definitely looking forward to the next album or when she’s down again.

If you didn’t know, Zee Avi was picked up by the record label; Monotone/Brushfire Records and is now in US. Her next tour stop is Australia.

But if you want to catch this petite artiste before that, she’ll be at a Meet and Greet session at Rock Corner, Gardens on Tuesday, 8pm. Though I think pre-requisite was you need to have her CD.

Oh, I’ve got but 1 dissatisfaction. The big momma standing beside me with her daughter was drowning me with her perfume. It was musky and strong. *blech*

Anyway, welcome home, Zee.