From Culture Club to Lady Gaga

Having to drive alone back from work on a Friday night was not an exciting prospect. I didn't feel like listening to the radio. I figured it was better if I say few prayers to so that I will reach home safely. After all, it was a one hour drive at least and as I hit the highway I could see all the super-sized trucks dominating the roads leaving KL into the dark night ahead.

Finally, I switched on the radio - Mix FM. It was some kind of medley and Radio Gaga was on. Soon, it kind of melshed into the soothing rhythm of MJ's Liberian Girl! I was in 80s haven surely. So much has been said about the powerful music from the era especially for the ladies, from Eurythmics Sweetdreams to Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill. Cyndi Lauper made me cry with Time After Time. The one song that kept me smiling was Madonna's La Isla Bonita. From across the Atlantic, Nena burst into the scene with 99 Red Balloons.

My first ever single though was The BOSS's Dancing in the Dark.

From UK - Sting as the clever and cynical genius with his upbeat Englishman In New York to his dark Moon Over Bourbon Street and political sensitive Russian led the pack with megastars David Bowie, Phil Collins, Argentinian British Chris De Burgh, Nik Kershaw and Howard Jones. But the phenomenal New Wave trend-setter was Culture Club surely.

Let's not forget the Canadian greats. The first ever Celine Dion number I heard was On traverse un miroir. There was Corey Hart and great bands like Eight Seconds, Platinum Blonde and Luba who opened for Bryan Adams in concert. I consider Eight Seconds cutting edge 80s especially their I'll Kiss You (When It's Dangerous)

It was the age of bands, from New Wave Kajagoogoo to Tears For Fears to Thompson Twins. Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Level 42. Rock bands Scorpions, Bon Jovi and Van Halen were simply rocking you like a hurricane. Let's not forget Fleetwood Mac's Tango In The Night, Petshop Boys and . And where do you place Naked Eyes and Crowded House?

But the band I loved the most was Depeche Mode - A Question Of Lust, Strangelove and Black Celebration just called to my unknown "gothic" side. The music of the 80s was really about music and lyrics. A Question of Lust is incredibly tender despite its title.

FragileLike a baby in your arms
Be gentle with me
I'd never willingly do you harm

Just like a child
You make me smile
When you care for me

It's a question of lust
It's a question of trust.....
It's a question of not letting
What we've built up
Crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep up together......

Whether the theme was love, politics, war, good old fashion fun or science-fiction [remember Kate Bush's Cloudbusting] the MTV videos made music the new form of story-telling. Artiste finally could tell a story to complement their music.

The Mix-FM medley ended with Gazebo's I love Chopin. Can't get more 80s than that!

And today - where are the bands? I think Pink and Lady Gaga are the best among the ladies. But they won't last unless the songs begin to evolve. The rest - they are the product of mega talentime shows - albeit very profitable - who did not stay in that cold one room flat with bandmates and survived to tell the tale in raw emotion and music. Or had to wear leotards with pins and pose for Playboy to get a break. Sing for 320 performances out of 365 days a year or else be harshly scolded by a domineering father, out to get all his money's, and sons' worth.

I love Adam Young though. I hope he will last long in the business. Jason Myraz and Colbie Caillat. Mark Anthony and Jennifer Lopez are probably the Brangelina of the music industry. And fans of Jason Castro, please stand up!

A matinee show at the Philharmonic

Puan Sri Nik Daud called me about a month ago. She suggested that we take the girls to see the Tchaikovsky Special at the Philharmonic. She arranged for the tickets and the days sped towards April in its usual fashion.

Finally Sunday 11th arrived. Iman was at Steffi's and Irani was shopping out for Mak Su's wedding with Tok Wan and her favorite cousin Nelli. I picked everyone up, the girls fussed about what they should wear since jeans were out of the question.

Finally they were all ready. In the car on the way to pick up Puan Sri I was amused to hear the elder sisters telling Irani," Remember not to interrupt when Mak is talking to Puan Sri." "Don't comment about the house or anyone." " And most of all, speak when you are spoken to."

Now mind you, the girls are as boisterous and spunky like any other teenager their age. So I found this really funny. But I must say I was quite surprised at the result. They were more polite than they usually were, or were not.

They enjoyed the performance especiallly the performance by the beautiful concert pianist Alice Sara Ott.

When they arrived home Inas immediately picked up her violin and Iman said perhaps we should tune the piano.

Ah yes, inspired they were.

Irani though - captured Puan Sri's attention. As we were leaving the MPO, Lady Gaga was blaring in the distance. Despite herself she started dancing and Puan Sri urged her on and joined her little jig.

It was a fun day and Puan Sri remarked , "Your girls...they are quite good, Zalina."

Puan Sri was never Lavish with praise unnecessarily, so that made me smile for the rest of the day ...

REACHING OUT

The girls are at Mom's, Iman is at Steffi's and Inas has her nose burried in Through The Looking Glass on a journey to get to know Alice better.

Rudi is working late so I decided it was just the time for a quick spring cleaning session.

And I ended up reading old letters, including a lovely letter from Mrs Ruth Bowling from many years ago. Mrs Bowling is no longer with us but she forms a hugh part of my memories of Tasmania.

Then I found Yumiko's number and many long letters. Immediately a vision of her smile and cheery disposition came to mind. I called her in Tokyo and after 15 years, there we were chatting cautiously, remembering old times and then warmth broke through.

I decided to make a go at it and immeditely thought of Hendri in Indonesia. Getting to Hendri was a bit tough. After a bit of a search, I found an old number which I called. Turned out, it was his sister who gave me his new number.

It was simply marvellous talking to Hendri and Grace. Shared many updates. Bless the two of them and their family. Looking forward to meeting them one day.

Friendship is too precious. It is never too late to say, "Hello, how are you?"

Like my friend Aimy who said, "Just pick up the phone..."