Skype Virgins Part 2

This blogpost is a little delayed. It is a continuation from my blogpost Skype Virgins – this time, we actually managed to Skype. Well, actually, it was only Jules, Lambs and myself (Terence the remaining alcoholic amongst all the ex-AAers was drunk by noon). Jules – the one without the Skype account went over to Lamb’s (fu55yboy - hahahahahaha!) place for the Skype party. The party was set for 5pm, Malaysian time on one weekend, not too long ago.

...... I waited. FOR AN HOUR before I got a message from Lambs to log-on to Skype. And thus, began our Skype Party. It was all a little weird for me, and I expect – for Jules and Lambs too. But after the initial awkwardness (c’mon, we haven’t met physically for the past 8 or 9 years!!) it was quite fun, actually. I guess more so for me as I was bored and alone at home while MOH had gone gallivanting back to KL. (On that note – Lambs & Jules – thanks for keeping me company!)

I was actually pretty impressed with Skype actually. There was no delay in the.... relay. We actually skyped for 3 hours! Crazy. So what was it that we did for that 3 hours? Let’s see if I remember our Skype party.....

I caught up with Jules while Lamb was cooking..... a roast chicken and sautéed mushroom of some sort.... (ok, when it comes to food, Skype really has its limitations!). The roast chicken looked pretty damn good, and I don’t know what was the excitement all about, but Jules spilled the bowl of sautéed mushroom and that was the end of the mushrooms. Me? I was just looking on and salivating.

They ate and we continued chatting. After dinner, Lamb entertained us on his Guitar Heroes. This was pretty good. He even had all the mannerisms and facial expression to go with the 'rock star stature'. After 2 or 3 songs, he stopped, apparently, shy. And guess what? Lamb then had the brilliant idea of turning the computer screen over to face his TV so that I could watch ASTRO!!! That was downright hilarious, I tell you! TV screen – surprisingly clear. Sound was so-so, but better than nothing! For some seemingly uncool reasons – my friend subscribes to Astro on Demand – so he gets to watch all the latest TVB series. I wanted to watch my favourite Asian Food Channel but nothing spectacular was playing at that moment. But whatever it was, we ACTUALLY sat watching TV together! Just that, I was on Skype!

Then, I went for a tour of Lamb’s house...... since I’ve never “been” there.... and then, I took them both on a tour of my apartment (right at the start of the tour, we lost sound – so I had to hold the laptop on one hand and type with one hand while walking them through the apartment! Again – one for the Skype Virgin handbook). After that, I had my dinner (instant noodles and lots of chilli) and while I was having my dinner, we went through Lamb’s DVD collection (I tell you – anyone who wants to make a quick buck – just report him to the authorities. This guy .... has some serious stock!).

All in all, it was not a bad night. Ok – it was not something we did in which we want to shout to the whole world and say it’s so cool, because it ain’t. But at least we did it. And now, I can really say “Skype me in” and make it sound cool because I am no longer a virgin at it (I’ll have to figure out that loss of sound problem one of these days :P).

Say guys, when is the next Skype party? Better get it under way before we lose the Laos connection.

Lamb's DVDs!!!

Watching Astro's AFC

Skype Virgins

This whole internet craze for Twitters, Facebook and what-nots have been... just that - crazy. But, you know what - it has been really great too. From out of nowhere, I am connected again with people I've lost since childhood. Admittedly, I am a Facebook addict. When you start thinking in terms of status messages - you're a junkie. But hey - we're in the ad industry. Whatever keeps us sane, alright?

Anyway, it was via Facebook that I connected again with some of my ex-colleagues from Batey Ads. I mean, there was a whole hiatus of maybe 8 or 9 years in between, but connected we got. And since I started becoming DJ E on FB (when people ask me who am I kidding - my answer is "why, myself, of course!" - I've always wanted to be a DJ!)... and I "spin" MVs and requests and shout-outs, our friendship has certainly started picking momentum.

Sure, it doesn't get personal... but we'd get excited at an 80's track that we were all so familiar with, or some Chinese serial drama soundtrack (don't hide, Lambs - it's YOU I'm referring to) and we'd totally banter back and forth for over a hundred threads. Whatever it is, what I hope is via the 80s flashbacks, the music and the so-called DJ-ing, friendships are being renewed. Again, it is all about keeping ourselves entertained AND importantly - SANE from the crazy jobs that we all do.

Anyway, the few of us from Batey used to be called the AA-ers - short for Alcoholic Anonymous where a day of work isn't complete without a trip to the nearest pub (The Place y'all!!) for our favourite poison AND bitching session, of course. Everyday was a drink fest as far as I could remember. Now that we have reconnected again, we decided to have an AA-ers get-together. Well, since I am in Cambodia, I would have to be skyped-in, wouldn't I?

Ok - I use the phrase "Oh, skype me in!" like it is so damn cool. Like it is something I do every other week. But I've only used the webcam on my laptop twice in my whole life (once with my parents and once yesterday during the AWP Turns 1 Party) and that wasn't on Skype. That was on MSN.

Seeing that the AA-ers session would be this Saturday, Lambs and I decided to try out our Skype programmes so that we can figure how to do a group thing since a few others might get in on the get-together via Skype too. And guess what? We found out that we were both Skype virgins!!! It was all too hilarious and writing about it isn't quite as funny. But try, I would. We were both at our offices, he in Malaysia and I being in Cambodia,... and we were in the chat box. Here's how the chat conversation went (well, sort of) :

kahlye : hey! There is a green button at the top left that says Group Call... !

fu55yboy : I can't see any green buttons! What group call?

kahlye : Hmmm.... maybe you're using an older version of Skype.

fu55yboy : Yes. I downloaded this a while back but never used it!

kahlye : fu55yboy??? Everytime I see your nick, it makes me laugh!!

fu55yboy : Ok. Ok. I ran out of creative ideas!

fu55yboy : Try it! Try it! Try the Group Call thingy.

kahlye : ok. ok. I'm trying. (clicks on the green group call button - which Lamb couldn't find but he answers the call immediately)

fu55yboy : hello? hello? (whispers into computer - I faintly here him, and I could here him typing away too)

kahlye : can you hear me? (whispers into computer)

fu55yboy : my colleagues are looking at me funny!

kahlye : mine too! I can hear you typing!

fu55yboy : I can hear myself typing too! Hahahahahahhaa!

kahlye : This is too hilarious!! I've never used Skype before!!

fu55yboy : Me too! I have the programme but never used it!

kahlye : Me too!! Oh, this is too funny!!

Hey - what is Jule's Skype nick?

fu55yboy : I dunno. Probably luv3lygal or something like that.

(later, Jules updated on FB that she doesn't have a Skype account)

fu55yboy : She doesn't have a Skype account

kahlye : OMG! We are all Skype virgins!!

And that's how it came about - Skype Virgins. It was extra hilarious because we were both trying to keep straight faces due to our office environment, while that entire chat was happening, although we wanted to burst out and roll on the floor with laughter.

So now, I am really excited about the Skype session on Saturday with the AA-ers. With the virgins, you never know, we could have a Part 2 to this blog. But at least that would be in the privacy of our own homes.

Lambs!! Look at what I found!! Great memories, good times ;)