Yumi's Life Stories: Phantom of the Juara Lagu?

The Phantom of the Opera is here..inside my mind..

*************************************************************************************
The whole day was a girl's day out. From morning to evening, 6 gals, 2 agendas, 1 Meen. Fyuhh.. I was dead tired when I got home. But it was a good day!

In the morning, I left the house at 10.30am, and I was crusing along the NKVE & Kerinchi highway listening to relaxing songs. It was a sunny day. I reached Midvalley at 10.58am, parked right next to the P1 escalator. I met up with Hema first, then quickly bought Serena an early Chinese New Year card (since we won't be seeing her after this). Once she came, we had lunch at the usual's..Super Sandwich! Then we qued for the Phantom of the Opera movie, and managed to get front row seats! woah! But luckily, it wasn't too front. There was an empty space in front of us before the screen, so it was just right!

The movie? Love it! It was so sad (Emma, who were right! But, I didn't really cry! hehe). The whole story has similiar traits as 'Hunchback of Notredame', in a opera style. Christine (played by Emma Russo) was SO beautiful..she reminds me of Anna Hathaway from 'Princess Diaries'. And the Phatom? well, he reminds me of Antonio Banderas.. (maybe is due to the "mask" effect...you know..Zorro?) Overall, I love this movie. I can't believe that even simple dialogues can be turned into opera style singing. But oh well, that's opera for you. Now I feel really regret for not going to the real theater play of the Phatom when I was in London few years back. My parents said it was a complicated story, "theater in a theater" concept.. but based from the movie, I did get the storyline. Maybe in theater is different, I dunno.. I wonder how they implement some of the scene in a theater format.. Mental note: next trip to London, watch Phantom please!

While waiting in line..the hot sun was shining on us.. winks!

Yes, we watched phantom of the opera, but not in gold class! heheh...

Mama, China-doll Baby & Woman..

*************************************************************************************
After the movie, I headed to Shades' crib & change my attire there. After the football match last time, we didn't want history to repeat itself. So, we left the house at 6.30pm, picked up Zaf, and went on straight to Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil for the live performances of Anugerah Juara Lagu-ke19! (I bought the tickets about 1 week ago..one of the events I've been waiting for!)

After a few rounds searching for the place (we kinna got lost!), we reached the stadium by 7.15pm. After the Maghrib prayers & some "alas perut", we entered the stadium at 7.50pm. We were quite early, and most seats were still empty. Our view was not that bad, we were able to see the whole stage,& some artists too. Soon, the orchestras were rehearsaling some songs. Technicians were everywhere on the stage. Cameras were all ready. People started to fill up the stadium. Being as excited about live shows, I was seated at the edge of my seat, anxiously waiting for the show to start..(Ask zaf, I was rather hyper that time..) And finally, live at 8.30pm, lights..camera..action, the show was on.

We were entertained by a group of dances dancing the theme of the night "Simfoni Alam Seribu Ilham". And as host, Sarimah & Najip introduced the artists that were competing in order of their performances.. There were loud cheers for mainly Ruffedge, Anuar Zain, Spider & Misha Omar. Cheryl, who hosts the current Muzik-Muzik Show, interviewed the artists before they peform their songs. When she interviewed Anuar Zain, he actually kneeled down on his knees, held her hand and sang 'Semuanya Untukmu' to her.. aarrghhh...wish it was me instead! hmmphh.. :p

Anyway, 3 artists (from each genre) sang at one time before the commersial break. The first three were Syura, Ruffedge & Anuar. I kinna expected more from Ruffedge.. I thought perhaps if they had sang the original version of Tipah Tertipu.. and more hip-hop dancing, it would created an impact.. but, they were not bad...As for Anuar...(*faints!*) Anuar, oh Anuar.. I think the WHOLE stadium (all the ladies in the house) were screaming when he started to sing.. Me & Shades cccaaiiirrr gilerr...(Shades was SO happy! first time seeing him seeing live!) He sang the whole song beautifully......(Btw, he trimmed his hair..he looks neater now) I recalled after his performance, my chest felt tired, and I was breathless (perhaps due to too much screaming! hehe)

In between the commersials, we (the audience in the stadium) were entertained by Kuman (the extra big fellow), Apek & Yassin from Senario.. Their jokes were entertaining, but it had to cut short due to the commersials.. Sarimah & Najip kept on teasing each other, being their crazy self... We got a good view of them as they were hosting right below us..

The next three performances were Sharifah Zarina, Erra & Zamani.. nothing impressive about these three.. after them were Noraniza Idris, Ella & Vince.. Noraniza's performances were very synchronized, and this time she didn't use much of the "orang asli" element, which was good..Ella had some help with Man Kidal (the famous rock guitarist) during her chorus..As for Vince, I was quite impressed with his vocals ...it was strong & clear.. his performane concept were about friends who didn't become lovers (sounds familiar? hmmm...)

The final three performances were Dayang, Spider & Misha (or should I say, the 3 winners!) Dayang did an Indian concept (she wore sari! and she wore gold braclets right up to her elbow!) I quite like her performance cause she used lots of props (the diamond-shaped colours that became her wings, the long-wavy skrits..etc). As for Spider, they were surrounded by lighted candles..it was so romantic! loved that concept! it suited the song, and they performed well.. and as for Misha, well..her song wouldn't be complete without a pontianak... and yes, it was pretty creepy (i had goose bums a lil!) and that guy who sings with her during the chorus, he was behind a screen, leaving a shadow effect to the audience.. A superb performance as well...

While the votes were being counted, we assumed that:
Best Peformance : either Noraniza (for her dances) or Dayang (for the props),
Best Ethnic :also either Noraniza or Dayang
Best Pop Rock: Spider
Best Ballad: Misha
Best Vocal: Anuar or Vince
Juara Lagu: Misha-Pulangkan

But instead, the panel has decided that the winners are:
Best Peformance: Noraniza
Best Ethnic :Dayang
Best Pop Rock: Spider
Best Ballad: Misha
Best Vocal: Misha
Juara Lagu: Spider- Relaku Pujuk!

So yeahh..song of the year is Spider! I guess everyone didn't expect that, but that song is nice as well! Me & Shades (and perhaps most of the ladies) were pretty devastated when Anuar didn't win anything..but oh well, we love him anyway! hehe..So, that was the end of AJL ke-19... Lets wait who will compete for AJL ke-20...hopefully Anuar again! hehehe.......

After AJL, we headed for McDs as usual.. Zaf with her fries, me & my apple pie.. Shades ordered Nuggets.. After sending them home, I was dead tired.. What a LONG day for me..a happy one, that is...=)