David Seow's Blog, page 58

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

It's Christmas here and all's been quiet on the home front. Nothing much to blog about. Met some great writting ladies on twitter @KatApel @KarenCollum @KatrinaGermein @WendyOrr @Heatherkephart @AuntieFlamingo @Jafhedlund and @Gracefuldoe.

As you all know I also got two new books out this year and we'll see how next year goes and  if I have anymore stories in me, God willing. Did a couple of school visits and lots of positive feedback. Despite all the ups and downs, God's been good to me and he always puts up with my....

Anyway, I thought I'd leave this very cute pic  of my mom's friend curtis reading to his niece for my last blog post of the year. Happy New year everyone, Make it a good one!

Australian International School Visit

Just last week, I had the honor and the privilege of visiting the Australian International School to speak to  about the process of writing kids books. However, since I knew that I was probably had the same EQ quotient as my audience of 6 to 8 year old kids, I felt fine.

What I did not expect was that the kids were incredible mature, smart and forthcoming. A lot more mature than I am, that's for sure. When I asked what's the first thing a writer needs before he starts writing a book, their hands shot up and one kid said "A content page,"  another said research. When I was their age, the only thing I reasearched was where the candy stand was at the school cafeteria. And I didn't even know I was researching. Had no clue what research when I was that age!

Anyway, I gave them some words on some index cards, asked them to form groups and come up with stories using the words they were given. Guess what?  It didn't take them long at all and they came up with some really intriguing story ideas! They're brilliant!

Thanks to Denise Jackson for arranging the visit. I had a fantastic time!

Singtel Singapore Grand Prix 2010 Pt 3 (Sunday)

On Sunday we headed down to the National Stadium to be bussed into the circuit once again. This time I was prepared and packed as little as possible into my messenger bag and went through security with as little hassle as possible.

Me and the dinner entertainment: We headed up to the suite at the Paddock Club where I met up with my friend Nora; her husband Darryl was down at the actual Paddock working with Team Redbull - and as you can see, I was wearing my Redbull Cap in a show of support. I must have brought them some luck as Redbull drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber came in second and third and were narrowly pipped at the finish line by Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.

Every meal should start with a Brazilian dancers.Anyway as we were about to head to place our orders for dinner, Brazilian Carnival dancers burst into the room, shaking their feathers and various body parts to the beat of the drums.  Now, it would be fantastic if every meal started this way, wouldn't it? After the pre dinner entertainment and after I stuffed my fat face, I decided to try my luck and see if I could go on the pit walk before the actual race started.  The throng of guests were ushered along and instructed to keep moving. Some, however, had to stop and pose with thumbs up gestures infront of their favourite driver's pit. I was just about to head back up to the suite, when security pushed me back and a human barrier formed right infront of me. The drivers  were about to go on their tour around the track. I tried to get a photo of 7 time champion Michael Schumacher, but some jackass standing behind me thrust his cell phone infront of me blocking my view.

Sebastian Vettel at the Pit.

Singtel Singapore Grand Prix 2010 Pt 2 (Saturday)

The Press Room @ the PaddockAs I stepped out of the suite, I walked across the corridor which overlooked the Paddock area, where I spotted Mark Webber posing for pics with some fans and Jenson Button stepping into the MClaren headquarters after stopping to answer some questions from reporters.

Mark Webber


F1 2009 World Champ Jenson Button

I tried taking some photos from the third level but they didn't turn out as I had hoped, but I really wasn't too bothered about that as I had met the two drivers  a few days before.

My growling stomach screamed: Feed Me! so I headed back to the suite where I bumped into my friends Darryl and Nora. After catching up

Darryl and Nora at the Paddock Clubwith them for a bit, I headed down to the second floor,  where celebrity master chef Jean Georges Vongerichten and a team of chefs were whipping up such culinary masterpieces such as Foie Gras with caviar, Tuna Tartare, wagyu beef hamburgers with truffle oil.



Foie Gras with caviar

I caught up with more family there before I decided to head on down for the 'Pit Walk', where  guests get the opportunity to view the team garages up close.  
As I was lining up for the walk I spotted a familiar face - Rupert Grint aka Ron Weasley of the Harry Potter films who was obviously there to watch the race with us muggles.
He stopped for a quick photo but I have no idea what the deal is with those Yoko Ono sunglasses at night!



Rupert Grint aka Ron Weasley
Lotus's Heikki Kovalainen at the Pit As the line for the pitwalk had grown to large I decided to head back up to the suite to watch the race that would determine the pole positions for the Grand Prix the next day and that's pretty much how I spent the rest of the evening, before heading home...To Be Continued...                                                       

Singtel Singapore Grand Prix 2010

Busses headed to the Paddock Club
This year, I was lucky enough to be invited to the Paddock Club once again, thanks  K & J, to view the practice session and the main race and, yes, to people watch. Once again we headed down to the National Stadium to go through the prerequisite security checks and to be bussed into the F1 circuit.


The  Paddock Club Pass
At the F1 circuit there was another round of security checks - Our passes were checked and our carry-through items - camera bags, waistpouches etc had to be screened before we were waved on through into the Paddock Club. I don't know why, but every time I go through a metal detector I set it off and the screeners always insist on checking my bags. 



Guests were already mingling at the outdoor cocktail area, soaking in the sights and sounds of THE sporting event of the year and noshing on appetizers like lobster sliders, while being entertained by classical girl band Escala.
Elsewhere in the F1 park, guests were being treated to performances by several musical acts and loads of ladies headed down to catch the men of Chippendales. I think my friend Joyce found it one of the highlights of the entire race.

We made our way to the third floor suite and were offered cold wet towels for our brows, drinks and appetizers as we were shown to our table. I grabbed a pair of earplugs and ventured out to explore the rest of the Paddock.
Paddock Club ear plugs
To Be Continued...

Singtel Singapore Grand Prix

Back in 2008, I was thrilled when my big brother invited me to the Paddock Club to watch the inaugural Singtel Singapore Grand  Prix. Security was tight and we had to be bussed into the Paddock Club from the National Stadium. Once we arrived at our destination, I saw one of the most stunning visions I have ever seen in my life. No it wasn't one of the F1 cars, it was Miss Universe 2008, Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela.

Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008I turned into a complete babbling idiot as I approached this latin goddess and asked for a photo, which my big brother took before I settled down at our table for a sumptous gourmet dinner. As I gazed around the room I spotted Mark Burnett, creator of "Survivor", socialites and captains of various industries. I felt like I was on a segment of Sesame Street, the one that Grover sings. "One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn't belong." Ok, you can pretty much surmise which 'thing' I was. Regardless, I had a blast.

Fernando Alonso Nelson Piquet Jr.That first night race was memorable for lots of things: 1) Ferrari's Felipe Massa took off from the pits with the fuel hose still attached to his car 2.) Fernado Alonso won the title 3.) Renault boss Flavio Briatore and driver Nelson Piquet jr, were implicated in a cheating scandal, one of the worst scandals in F1 history.

It's been two years since that inaugural race and excitement for the Sporting event has grown exponentially. Last year there was an F1 Rocks concert hosted by Lindsay Lohan and featuring Beyonce, the Black Eyed Peas, and No Doubt. This year Missy Elliott, Adam Lambert, Mariah Carrey and The Chippendales were flown in to entertain spectators between practice sessions and after the main race. A slew of pre and post race parties sprang up with race fans paying big $$$, hoping to mingle with the drivers and other gliterrati. It's no wonder the main event sold out!



To Be Continued...

A Flash into the Past and a Podcast for New Dads

I guess one of the reasons I became a children's book author is part of me doesn't want to grow up. (Well my family thinks I still haven't grown up) I'm into comic book superheroes, Star Wars, action figures and the unexplained etc, etc.  So this post I'll be talking about the podcasts that I've found on itunes that I enjoy tremendously

As I said my family thinks I haven't grown up (My theme song is I'm a Toys 'R' Us Kid). So it shouldn't be a surprise that I really enjoy Flash Past on itunes....

Princes, Princesses and the Youth Olympics

Well, the Youth Olympics have come and gone. Quite an interesting experience really. Rather well done if I say so myself, not that I had anything to do with it.  Perhaps the highlight of the games for me was meeting HRH Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at the Danish Seamen's Mission in Singapore. Ah, Denmark has the longest reigning royal family in Europe, take the Queen Elizabeth II! And the Prince is really a friendly down-to-earth chap. I managed to give him copies of 'Blow A Kiss' and 'Th...

Thank You, Myra

Myra from Gathering Books did a very nice profile on me. I don't look like the idiot that I usually am.

Gathering Books

Greg Mortenson @ Borders

Greg Mortenson, author of  'Three Cups of Tea' and 'Stones into Schools' was in town for a couple of book signings and talks. Here he talks about how education affects girls in war-torn countries.

Greg Mortenson at Borders Singapore