The Melody (Rak Tam Nong Nee)

THE MELODY (RAK TAM NONG NEE)

“Cold Place with Warm Heart”

It’s a cloudy Thursday afternoon… I’m staring outside my office window and wondering whether heavy downpour will happen anytime. After all those tormenting dry season for the past few months, finally the wind blows some clouds upon this part of city and brings  a bit coolness through pouring raindrops. Maybe it’s a perfect time for me to unwind in one of the cool studios at Blitz Megaplex. Not being a movie freak, I see going to cinemas as a way of cooling out and unwind. And considering my hectic schedule, usually the end the year is the perfect time. December 2009, December 2010, and December 2011 had passed by and I still haven’t found myself sitting inside one of those studios of Blitz. Blitz is literally a one-stop entertainment at my backyard. I've been here several time, just to take a sneak peek of the place and here's some insight on the cool hang-out joint. 

bluey ambiance

To cut to the chase, I scroll through the movie lists from blitzmegaplex.com. Of all the Hollywood box office as Resident Evil, Ted, Taken 2, Premium Rush, The Bourne Legacy, I eye a Thailand movie instead. I’m drawn to 2 highlights of the movie… pianists and Mae Hong Son. I always love pianist… and both main characters in the first movie from veteran TV producer, Totsaphol Srisukhontarat are highly skilled pianists.

 

The Melody is a love story about a multi-talented Thai pop singer and songwriter who falls in love with a girl suffering from a fatal illness. Worrawech ‘Dan’ Danuwong plays Win, a famous but depressed pop singer who retreats to Mae Hong Son to escape from the embarrassment after his latest single flops. In the northern tourist town, he meets a beautiful and talented pianist Mok (Piyachat ‘Chat’ Limthammahisorn) who pushes him to express himself more honestly. As Mok put it in the line: “You can’t change your past, but your future is in your hand”… and I think it’s so true. Whatever ups and downs in life, it’s our struggle which counts. Even in your lowest point in life, there’s always a ray of light at the end of the tunnel. And at some point, it turns out to be the gem of your life. With all the pressure and disappointment, Win escaped to Mae Hong Son to take a rest. And in the end he realized that he finally found the lost melody that he was looking for.

The film is well-made with beautiful backdrop of Northern Thailand. Each scene is like a music video packed with beautiful music and spectacular views from Mae Hong Son.  The cinematography is pretty, the screenplay is fine and the actors are refreshing. I love the restaurant patio overlooking mountains with green plantation. Wonder what’s the name of the place. It’s magical… an outer world… serene and peaceful. I can portray myself sitting at the patio holding a cup of hot chocolate. Definitely a nice place to retire in the future. I had been to several parts of Thailand but had yet to land in a serene beautiful place as Mae Hong Son. In fact after watching the movie, I’m thinking of whether I’ll consider Mae Hong Son for my next getaway trip.

Thank you ‘The Melody’ for portraying such beautiful scenery and culture. Life isn’t measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. As Mok said in her dying breath, “I live because I have loved”. And I left the cinema completely in love… in love with the thing called LIFE.

October 2, 2012

Quotes of the Day

GIVE but don't allow yourself to be USED. LOVE but don't allow yourself to be ABUSED. TRUST but don’t be NAIVE. LISTEN to others but don't lose your OWN VOICE.

Single doesn't mean lonely. It means you're strong enough to stand alone until someone worth your time comes along. Gratitude is the attitude of the blessed. 

Most of us will live no longer than 1,000 months. Would your bank statement and asset ownership make you a happy person? Think of money as a promise of what it can be turned into: laughter, learning, travel and delightful memories.

The Dalai Lama, when asked about what surprised him most about humanity, answered, "Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money in order to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he doesn't enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."

Destiny is not a matter of chance, it's a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved. (William Jennings Bryan) If you are looking for hero characters, get a comic or watch a movie. If you are looking for your hero, just see yourself in the mirror. (Rene Suhardono-CareerCoach)

There are 2 ways to be rich, one is to have more, the other is to want less. (Erich Fromm)

Nana korobi, ya oki... Fall 7 times, rise 8 times. (Japanese sayings)

Don't stop believing. Hold on to that feeling. (Arnel Pineda, Journey's Lead Singer)

Nothing about my life is lucky. Nothing. A lot of grace, a lot of blessings, a lot of divine order, but I don't believe in luck. For me, luck is preparation meeting the moment of opportunity. There is no luck without you being prepared to handle that moment of opportunity. Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for the moment that is to come. (Oprah Winfrey)

Shakespeare said: I always feel happy. You know why? Because I don't expect anything from anyone; expectations always hurt. Life is short, so love your life. Be happy and keep smiling. Just live for yourself and always remember: Before you speak... Listen. Before you write... Think. Before you spend... Earn. Before you pray... Forgive. Before you hurt... Feel. Before you hate... Love. Before you quit... Try. Before you die... Live. 

When people show you who they are, believe them the first time. (Maya Angelou)

Will and Kate's prayer at the wed ceremony, quote: "In the busyness of each day, keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy." In today hectic world, keeping our feet on the ground and focusing on what's important to us may be the key to happiness. 

Are we just living a life or are we masters of the art of living? A person who is a master in the art of living makes little distinction between their work and their play, their labor and their leisure, their education and their recreation, their love and their religion. They hardly know which is which and simply pursue their vision of excellence and grace, whatever they do, leaving others to decide whether they are working or playing. To them, they are always doing both. (老子... 道德經 Laozi, Dao De Jing)

Bangkok, Swensen's Ice Cream Parlor (2012, Mar 17)

Bangkok, Rainforest Guesthouse (2012, Mar 16-17, 21)

Soi Sukhumvit

Thong Lo

Bad weather and feeling under the weather doesn't deter me from having fun in this trip.

Ratchaburi, Cobra Show (2012, Mar 17)

I think I've been going through a little bit of a phase when I say "yes" to my travelling buddy's call to attend The Cobra Show. As impessionable as I am, it's actually not my first choice in the itinerary. However there's always a first time, and I guess it won't hurt to go along with it.

Cobra Show

 

Carving Center