Social Icons

twitterfacebookgoogle pluslinkedinrss feedemail

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Love That I Found In You

Well I bet my buddies are out on the town tonight
Dancing in this smoke, in the glow of the neon lights
I'm sure they're out there cutting up and drinking
But I don't mind cause I got you by my side
With my old sweat shirt and your favorite pair of jeans
Barefoot on the couch, Curled up next to me
Oh, I got everything I've ever needed
In you, I found it in you
Well maybe I'm just lucky
But maybe that's OK
Some people search the whole world over
Just to find a love, that's even half as true
As the love I've found in you


Well I wonder where I'd be if the Lord hadn't heard my prayer
The one I said every night 'til the day that you got here
You showed me how to live and love forever
With you, oh baby I love you
Well maybe I'm just lucky
But maybe that's OK
Some people search the whole world over
Just to find a love, that's even half as true
As the love I've found in you

Some things really last forever
And some things are meant to be
Like you and me
Ooh yeah
Let your love shine on
Shine on and on and on
Ooh, oh yeah
Well maybe we're just lucky
But maybe that's OK
Some people search the whole world over
Just to find a love, that's even half as true
As this love I've found in you
I've found in you
I've found in you

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Malaysia Airlines System New Airbus A380 Is Home

Malaysia Airlines A380 Plane First Landing at KLIA took place at about 3.45pm on the 30th May 2012. This was indeed a historical moment for the company as it has been quite some time since the purchase of these six planes. This is also the first of the six planes that made its inaugural flight from Toulouse in France to KLIA, Malaysia. As many of the airline staff and technicians were patiently waiting out at Hanger 6 in KLIA.

The scheduled landing for the Malaysia Airlines A380 was set at about 3pm that day.While we waited it out in the hot sun, a false alarm was witnessed as an Emirates Airline A380 came in for landing. The anxious crowd started to clap until noticing the tail fin of the plane. A new timing was announced that the Airbus A380 would be landing at about 1530 pm. Plane spotters who were specially invited made their way up an even higher scaffolding to get the best spots and unfortunately with my leg cast and crutches, I could only make my way up the 30 feet scaffolding.

The Malaysia Airlines A380 was initially seen from a distance. With my zoom lens, I took a picture and zoomed in. Yes, it was the plane and it came in majestically. The pilot had radioed the control tower to say that they were going to do a 'Fly Pass' where the aircraft will come in low and fly pass the airport. After the fly pass, the plane made a circle and came in again. Landing gears down, she glided slowly and vanished behind the hanger to land on Runway 32R.

After landing, the A380 taxied its way towards Hanger 6 where everyone was waiting. A crowd of almost 500 people had gathered for this memorable moment in the airlines history. You could see Malaysia Airlines staff, technicians, pilots and even security people eagerly awaiting the arrival.

Finally the A380 makes a full stop outside Hanger 6 and the crowd applauds while making their way towards the aircraft. By then, the Plane Spotters had already climbed down the scaffolding and blended in with the crowd.

Don't Forget Me

They thought they could dispose of me 
They tried to make me small 
I suffered each indignity 
But i rised above it all 

Yes, the price I paid was all I had 
But at last, I found release 
And if something good can come from bad 
The past can rest in peace 

Oh if you see someone's hurt 
And in need of a hand 
Don't forget me 
Or hear a melody crying from some baby grand 
Don't forget me 

When you sing happy birthday to someone you love 
Or see diamonds you wish were all free 
Please say that you won't; 
I pray that you don't forget me 

But forget every man who I ever met 
'Cause they only lived to control 
For a kiss they paid a thousand 
Yet they paid fifty cents for my soul 
They took their piece 
The price of fame that no one can repay 
Ah, but they didnt buy me when they bought my name 
And that is why I pray 

That when you see someone's hurt 
And in need of a hand 
Don't forget me 
Or hear a melody crying from some baby grand 
Don't forget me 

When you sing happy birthday to someone you love 
Or see diamonds you wish were all free 
Please say that you won't; 
I pray that you don't forget me 

There are some in this world who have strength of their own 
Never broken or in need of repair 
But there are some born to shine who can't do it alone 
So protect them and take special care 
Take care 

And don't forget me 
Please take care 
And don't forget me 
When you look to the heavens with someone you love 
And a light shining bright from afar 
Hope you see my face there 
And then offer a prayer 
And please let me be 
Let me be that star



This is a really beautiful song. Somehow every time I listen to this, I remembered you. There was a line that really hit me in the show.

Whatever happens next, don't ever doubt. You are a Star. And I do understand love.

Hearing this from Derek is just something like a miracle. This is just something that really moves me. I always wanted look back this at you and I realize every step I have taken are worth doing it for you. Even now I see you in a distant but it brings me joy and the great feeling of love. Whenever see your face, I will always offer my love and prayer. You were always that beautiful thing that happen to me.

I will always be there for you and proud of everything you are going through. You will always be that soul that changed my life. Thankful for everything especially you.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Malaysia Airlines Takes Delivery Of The New Airbus A380 TODAY

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has taken delivery of its first A380, becoming the eighth operator of the world’s largest and most eco-efficient airliner. The aircraft was handed over to MAS Group Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya by Airbus Chief Operating Officer Fabrice Brégier in Toulouse today.

Malaysia Airlines has ordered six A380s. Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines, the aircraft feature a premium three class layout, with accommodation for a total of 494 passengers. Features include fully flat beds in First and Business Class, plus new wider seats in Economy. Seats in all classes are equipped with the latest individual in-flight entertainment systems, USB ports and satellite telephone facilities.

“The A380 showcases our latest premium offering in products and services. This will be our flagship aircraft, offering new levels of comfort, luxury and convenience for long haul travel,” said Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, MAS Group Chief Executive Officer. “With the A380 in our fleet, MAS will reinforce its position as one of the world’s preferred premium carriers bringing great Malaysian Hospitality to our customers.”

"We are extremely proud to welcome Malaysia Airlines as the latest operator of the A380," said Fabrice Brégier, Chief Operating Officer, Airbus. "The A380 has set new standards of comfort, fuel-efficiency and respect for the environment. The combination of these features and MAS’s world-famous in-flight service represents a winning formula, enabling the carrier to offer its passengers the best the industry has to offer.”

Since first entering service in 2007, the A380 has exceeded all expectations, flying more people further at lower cost, while significantly reducing carbon emissions. The spacious, quiet cabin and smooth ride have also made the A380 a firm favourite with passengers, resulting in higher load factors and increased profitability on all routes where the aircraft is operated.

Typically seating 525 passengers in a three class layout, the A380 is capable of flying 8,300 nautical miles or 15,300 kilometres. This enables non-stop service with a full payload from Kuala Lumpur to any destination in Europe or one-stop service to major destinations in the US.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Love Is A Many Splendor-ed Thing


Love is a many splendor-ed thing,
It's the April rose, that only grows,
In the early Spring,
Love is natures way of giving,
A reason to be living,
The golden crown that makes a man,
A king,
Once on a high and windy hill,
In the morning mist,
Two lovers kissed,

And the world stood still,
Then your fingers touched my silent heart,
And taught it how to sing,
Yes, true love's a many splendor-ed thing..
Then your fingers touched my silent heart,
And taught it how to sing,
Yes, true love's a many splendor-ed thing.


My Religion Of Love

I must be crazy now
Maybe I dream too much
But when I think of you
I long to feel your touch

To whisper in your ear
Words that are old as time
Words only you would hear
If only you were mine

I wish I could go back to the very first day I saw you
Should've made my move when you looked in my eyes
'Cause by now I know that you'd feel the way that I do
And I'd whisper these words as you'd lie here by my side

I love you, please say
You love me too, these three words
They could change our lives forever
And I promise you that we will always be together
Till the end of time

So today, I finally find the courage deep inside
Just to walk right up to your door
But my body can't move when I finally get to it
Just like a thousand times before

Then without a word he handed me this letter
Read I hope this finds the way into your heart, it said
I love you, please say
You love me too, these three words
They could change our lives forever
And I promise you that we will always be together
Till the end of time

Well maybe I, I need a little love yeah
And maybe I, I need a little care
And maybe I, maybe you, maybe you, maybe you
Oh you need somebody just to hold you
If you do, just reach out and I'll be there

I love you, please say
You love me too
Please say you love me too
Till the end of time
These three words
They could change our lives forever
And I promise you that we will always be together

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Time To Fly Malaysia Airlines Airbus A380





Malaysia Airlines next week is due to receive its first Airbus A380.

The aircraft is one of six A380s the airline has on order, with handovers expected in relatively rapid succession. The airline, the only Malaysian carrier to order the A380, is scheduled to place the aircraft into revenue service in July on a non-stop service between Kuala Lumpur International and London Heathrow airports.

Malaysia Airlines is the first new A380 customer to take delivery of the widebody this year; Thai Airways will be the second. The two additions will bring the A380 operator total to nine airlines.

The satay wasn't all that great on the MAS flight to and from Tokyo last week. I've had better satay, and they're not just the famous Samuri type from Kajang. The way the meat is marinated and the nut sauce are what make great satay.

But no one was complaining, partly because it's nice to eat a familiar dish after being away for a while. And the cabin crew was polite, helpful and obliging.

Familiarity -- that's one word that many fliers have come to associate with our national airline. We are used to seeing it fly with pride, the wau bulan forever graceful when landing and taking off. Mind you, it's still graceful, but with a little less shine.

The decoupling exercise between MAS and AirAsia is now history. MAS, with a longer history and track record, has to set its house in order and regain that glitter that was once the nation's pride. And it can be done, if recent news is anything to go by.

The recent funding plan involving RM9 billion for its new fleet of airplanes and operating expenditure, if utilised efficiently and properly, could very well be the cornerstone of the airline's recovery.

It's still early days of course, but the proposed funds coming its way could trigger renewed impetus for transformation of a holistic kind. The funds are not in the kitty yet mind you, but it speaks volumes for the airline.

What does it mean, you may ask? Well, for one, it shows confidence on the part of the funders in MAS. No one in their right frame of mind would want to spend RM9 billion on a company if they think that the company is going downhill.

Financial institutions are today more prudent than before with their lending policies. MAS has a mountain to climb and it can't do it with old aircraft, jaded human capital and creativity undermined by insufficient funds and motivation.

There will always be detractors, too. Some blokes down the road may even ask why throw good money after bad? Mind you, some may even demand that the airline be closed, conveniently forgetting that MAS is one of the more established carriers in this part of the world.

At the end of the day, it'll be up to the board and management. Maybe it's time to take a deep look at both. The country is not without good human resources, but they need to be properly identified, briefed and be asked to dive deep to look at the root causes of its problems and take remedial measures.

We have yet to really hear the voices of the present set of managers. Where are they taking the airline, how do they plan to do it, when can we begin to see some positive and encouraging results?

Internal management-employee relations need to be effectively addressed if the airline hopes to still capitalise on its massive goodwill built over the years. Historically, MAS has survived bigger ordeals.

I recall the years I was covering its industrial dispute in the 1980s when the London-based International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) rallied behind Airlines Employees Union when MAS employees' wage negotiations ended in a dispute.

MAS employees were part of an industry-wide union then, which raised an SOS to the ITF seeking intervention. For a while, MAS flights faced worldwide antagonism with threats that no airports would service MAS aircraft.

MAS' fate could have been sealed then if not for some hard decisions by the government then led by Tun Hussein Onn. I'm sure the board and management of employees (read trade union) of MAS are fully aware of their responsibilities to stakeholders, now that there's news of fresh funds for it to operate.

With the Asean Open Sky policy just about three years away, MAS needs all the support it can get if it still harbours hopes of serving the nation and loyal paying passengers well. MAS must move with the times to remain relevant.

I'm hopeful that the management will now focus on some internal measures to strengthen itself following the decoupling with AirAsia. Some MAS employees I met talked passionately about their company, their work and their sense of pride.

This passion within MAS needs to be galvanised and can be a key element in its turnaround programme. The management cannot be taking too long a time to show us, the stakeholders, the turnaround plan of action. It's time to fly, MAS!

The Prayer


I pray you'll be our eyes and watch us where we go.
And help us to be wise in times when we don't know
Let this be our prayer when we lose our way
Lead us to the place guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe
La luce che tu hai
I pray we'll find your light
Nel cuore resterà 
And hold it in our hearts.
A ricordarci che 
When stars go out each night,
Eterna stella sei
Nella mia preghiera 
Let this be our prayer
Quanta fede see'è 
When shadows fill our day

Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe
Sogniamo un mondo senza più violenza
Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza
Ognuno lo dia la mano al suo vicino
Simbolo di pace, di fraternità
La forza che ci dà
We ask that life be kind
È il desiderio che 
And watch us from above
Ognuno trovi amor 
We hope each soul will find
Intorno e dentro sé 
Another soul to love
Let this be our prayer 
Let this be our prayer,
Just like every child
Need to find a place, 
guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe
È la fede che
Hai acceso in noi,
Sento che ci salverà.

AirAsia Will Resume Europe Flights With A350-900 in 2015

Air Asia founder and CEO Tony Fernandes said in Toulouse today (Thursday) that he would reconnect Australia to Europe with long haul flights by his Air Asia X brand in 2015 as an early user of the yet to fly Airbus A350-900.

Fernandes was at the Airbus multiplex to take delivery of his 100th A320, and hinted that before the day was over he might have lifted his total orders for the jet from its present tallyof 375.

Earlier this year Air Asia X discontinued its A340 flights to Paris and London from Kuala Lumpur, but expanded its A330-300 flights within SE Asia, including opening a new service between Sydney and the Malaysia capital in April.

The A350s will fit economy passengers into a cabin with 10 across seating, one more per row than standard A350s, just as his A330s fit in nine across seating where the standard is eight across. A premium cabin with sleepers would undercut whatever price for a similar product was being asked by legacy carriers.

Asked about the end of discussions with Qantas for a proposed premium single aisle carrier based in Malaysia involving the participation of Air Asia and Malaysia Airlines, Fernandes said he had very good relations with Qantas CEO Alan Joyce but “I will no longer have a 20% stake in Malaysia Airlines.”


Airbus graphic of an A350-900 in Air Asia X livery
Fernandes was upbeat about his prolonged pursuit of permissions to set up a new Singapore hub and division to compete directly with Jetstar Asia, Tiger Airways and Scoot.

“I would love to set up a hub in Singapore but the government there won’t allow it,” he said.

“However it took me seven years to get Singapore-Kuala Lumpur flights allowed, and I will keep pressing for the Singapore hub until I get it.”

Fernandes said Air Asia was already the second largest airline by numbers of flights in Singapore after Singapore Airlines, which he said in apparent jest that he intended to buy one day, and emphasised was larger than Jetstar, Tiger and SilkAir.

Fernandes said Air Asia would remain profitable until oil reached $US 150 per barrel.

He said he believed the broad spectrum approach to service standards by traditional carriers like Singapore Airlines was failing and that the market will polarise around the opposites of a premium carriers and low cost carriers with very little in between.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

L.O.V.E.



                      L  is for the Laughter I give to you every day
                                           knowing you'll never go away

                         O  is for the Options we'll have when were together
                                           knowing our love couldn't get any better
  
                 V  is for the Visions I have of you
                                          knowing I'll never find anyone quite like you

                         E   is for Everything that's true I've every said
                                           especially when I said
                                           "we'll be together till were dead"

Friday, May 25, 2012

The Day Of Reckoning

In every life, there comes the day of reckoning. The time that unsettle scores demand their retribution. And our own lives and transgression are finally laid bare. Forgiving is the only way to our freedom.

Just moments ago, I hung up a call from a very close friend of mine. Talking to her at that very moment made me realize no matter how strong a person could be. There will still be times that we gave in to our very own fear. Thinking back the moment after a show of hers, she just drop down on the bathroom floor scribbling while her tears flows down her beautiful face. No one was able to talk her out of that moment. All I could do is sit outside of the door waiting till she could stand up again.

A lost family is a pain where the heart piercing through our body. A lost of a friend is like having a body without a soul. But losing love is a moment where there isn't any body or soul left. The whole world crumble down and nothing seems able to stop it. I listen to her voice with silence but only my breathe accompanied her. For the first time after a long time. She gave in to herself. Letting herself go and feel all the pain she was denying of it.

No one will ever see her like this. She was lost, she was in pain and she was wanting a soul not to judge her. She was someone who will fly almost any where for me. All I could do now is giving her a little peace.


I'm doing my best. Underneath my best game face it's still not always easy. I have my demons and they are powerful.
She particularly repeated this. I know and I feel every bit of that emotions everyday. Wanting a little strength to hide that part where no one will see or understood. I felt her loneliness grows. At this very moment, you came into the picture. Thinking of all the things and emotions you are going through. I wish sometimes, I could do a little bit more to make you feel safe and loved. But in so many ways, I look at you at a distance. Seeing you go through things in life and every step you have taken. All I could think of if I would have that courage to tell you how much you meant to me. How much you have shown me the life I have missed. How much I could love. Even now, the nearest person of understanding this pain is the one I just hung up on the conference call. I felt her pain, I felt  her loneliness. I felt her soul shouting that she is tired.

I wish I could do that too. I have been putting on my best game face too these few weeks. And I have been running away from my own demons. Now what I am left with is just my demons around me. The only thing that I couldn't run away from.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Exclusive Adam Lambert Sessions: 'Dark Side,' Plans for Fatherhood & 'Trespassing'


On May 15, Adam Lambert returned with Trespassing, the long-awaited followup to his 2010 debut. The album presents the "American Idol" alum as a man at odds, its first half a parade of electro-inspired party anthems, followed by a glimpse at Glambert's "dark side," a series of emotionally charged ballads, marking a collective departure from the decadent glam-rock that won fans over on "Idol."

Lambert recently visited AOL Music's Los Angeles studio, where he performed a selection of songs from the new album, showcasing his tremendous range, whilst trading jokes with his band. After his impassioned performance, we talked with Adam about his incredible journey from "Idol" contestant to pop icon, touching on everything from his relationship with boyfriend Sauli Koskinen and their plans for fatherhood, to the inspiration he's received from his loyal fan base. Lambert also opened up about the "dark side" of Trespassing ... the side he's previously kept hidden from his fans.

Tell us a bit about the album title and how you came up with it. Do you feel like a trespasser?


Yeah, the album title is Trespassing, it's the title track because, to me, the song "Trespassing," is like a mission statement. I wrote the song with Pharrell Williams, who is an amazing, great pop producer, and I felt like the lyrics of the song summed up what I'm about as an artist and as a person. I do feel like a trespasser, but not in a literal sense, because I don't think I've broken into any property recently. On a more figurative level, I feel like I'm very different than the normal dude. I'm pretty eccentric, and as far as the music industry is concerned, I feel like a bit of an outsider. There are times when I feel like I'm breaking new ground by breaking in. Hopefully this album let's people kind of see that rebel.

What was it like working with Pharrell? It's an interesting combination.

I was working with my label on this album, and when we started it was kind of going down a similar path to what I had already done, and I just wasn't feeling totally inspired by it. And I said, when I listen to these certain funk songs in my music library, it puts me in a good mood. It makes me want to dance, it makes me smile. I realized that I really wanted to make feel-good music and we started talking about some producers and knocking around some names, and Pharrell came up, and I thought, "Wow, if he'll work with me, I'd be totally thrilled." They confirmed it, I got to the studio and I thought "I'm not cool enough to be here, this guy is the coolest mothaf--ka out there." He's shaped pop and hip hop over the last decade and I was a little intimidated. What was cool was, after arriving at the studio and sitting down and talking with him, we connected on an intellectual level. He's so smart, and he's so big picture. We talked about the music industry and life and identity, and one of the main things we talked about, which kind of kicked off the song "Trespassing," was different types of discrimination, and fitting into the world and finding your own path. I think that's what "Trespassing" is really about. It's about saying "I know I may not be welcome here, I know I'm different and I know you're saying 'keep out,' but I'm not going to let that stop me. I'm going to do what my heart is telling me to do and do it proudly."

Obviously a lot of great things have happened to you over the last year, you have a loving relationship and an album coming, but you've mentioned that you have a dark side, or dark half to the album. Where does that come from?

I think everybody has ups and downs. Everybody has their good days and bad days and we all have that little voice in our head -- or maybe I'm just talking about myself! Maybe I have voices in my head and everybody else doesn't, but you have qualities and tendencies that probably are a little bit masochistic. We all do things or say things to ourselves that aren't healthy. Maybe we're hard on our body image or maybe we're self-sabotagers or maybe we're doing something wrong, and then we have our good days, or up side. So I think the album shows both sides of that. I am in a happy place right now, I'm excited to be working and making music, I'm excited to be in a relationship, but I think in the past, I dug into moments that were lonely and I didn't have a great track record when it came to dating. I wasn't very successful. I kept going after the wrong kind of people and so I wrote about that on the album.

Interesting. So how has being in a serious relationship changed your music?

I think there's a certain amount of balance that comes with a stable relationship, and it feels good. When you haven't really had a lot of experience in serious, long-term relationships, you don't realize it's missing. I had a great time being single, and I found a lot of strength and courage in that, and individuality, doing my own thing and being my own person. That was really important for me to go through, but I'm in a place now where I can offer something to somebody, because of that time. So I feel like now there's this balance; I have me and all the things that I've worked out with myself and my identity, and now I can be a part of a couple, and it's a beautiful thing. I think deep down everybody kind of wants that. Maybe not all the time, maybe not for your whole life, but we all want companionship.

Do you think you'd ever like to adopt or have kids?

I don't know. I certainly feel like I should have the right to if I want to. I think kids are amazing. I wasn't around a lot of children when I was growing up -- besides my brother and I -- and I wasn't around a lot of infants until recently. I have a godson. Two good friends of mine have a baby, and he's amazing, and watching him from infancy to now -- he's still a toddler -- it's just like, it's amazing. It's amazing. Amazing to watch a child grow and to see things through their eyes, I mean it's so easy for them and it's so simple for them, and it's inspiring. It kind of makes you remember, you know what, it's really not that deep. Life can be this kind of beautiful, surreal, novel experience if you want it to be. And it's a beautiful thing to watch a child go through that.

That's awesome. So we're doing an essay contest where we're asking fans about your music and how it impacted their lives. Is there a particular artist who inspired you?

I grew up with Michael Jackson and Madonna. Those were like my king and queen when I was a kid. Those were the pop royalty, and then later I discovered Prince and I discovered Freddie Mercury, I mean those four kind of take it for me. Prince, Freddie Mercury, Michael Jackson and Madonna. It's a good round, royal court of pop music.

So then to perform with Queen, what is that like, and to what do you attribute your chemistry?

I'm really excited. I met the members of Queen at the "Idol" finale a few years back and. I've always loved Queen and when I found out about Freddie Mercury and first heard their albums in my dad's record collection, I was like "What is this?" Because I had been into musical theater and there's such a cross over, its rock, but it's so theatrical. A light bulb went off for me and I went, "Oh, so that's what rock n' roll can be." So I meet the members of Queen a couple years ago on the "Idol" finale, and then last summer they asked me to sing at the European Music Awards, and it was a beautiful experience. It felt very natural and I was just so honored that they asked me, and they thought that I could handle the duties. It's been interesting because there's some purists out there that are like, "there's only one Freddie Mercury," and I know that [laughs]. I agree. I'm just excited to pay respect to his memory and his songwriting, and hopefully we can bring this music alive again for fans of the songs.

Your Twitter fans are by far the most loyal we've come across. Every time we mention your name they retweet way more than anyone else we mention. To what do you attribute that? Do you know?

No, I don't. I have amazing fans and they are really passionate and they're very involved and I'm lucky. That's what you want when you're making art and you're a musician, you want to have people that are very into it. Making this album was definitely inspired by a lot of the desires from the fan base, you know. I saw music that they were responding to when I was on tour, which songs got them dancing, which songs touched them, and when I was putting this album together I kind of wanted to go further down that road. Having gotten to know them over the past couple of years informed the new material.

A Twitter fan would like to know how you feel about the nickname "Glambert." If you could come up with another nickname yourself, what would it be?

I like the name Glambert, I mean it fits, I suppose. Sounds like my name. I'm into glam rock. I don't know, I don't think I would pick another nickname. I will always go by Adam, I never had a nickname growing up, so there you go.

Another fan would like to know about your ideal date night. Going out or staying in?

You know, I do love going to a nice restaurant. I love good food and the environment of a nice, romantic restaurant, but I also really have become quite a homebody. So, I think my ideal night would be going to a nice restaurant, a little wine, a little dessert, and then coming home.

Finally, a fan wants to know a bit about the song "Underneath," off the new album.

Oh, "Underneath" is probably one of the more vulnerable songs on the album. Trespassing kind of has two halves; one half is very upbeat, fun, funky with lots of attitude and swagger and fierceness, and then the other half of the album does dive into what lies under the surface. "Underneath" is the song that is the pinnacle of that. It talks about how sometimes, even if I'm putting on a game face, or seemingly happy and confident, what's going on underneath might not be so much the same. I mean we all have demons that we battle, we all have stuff and baggage, and the song kind of addresses it directly. Writing this song was exceptionally amazing. Wrote it with a close buddy of mine RC and he is just one sweet heart you will never ever say no to. This is a song which I do find the most honest song I have ever sang by far.

Air India to get its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner by May-end

Air India would get its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner by this month end as scheduled, official sources said Wednesday, though Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh cancelled his US visit to receive the new-generation aircraft owing to problems facing the national carrier.

Official sources said the first Dreamliner would come to India by the "end of this month as scheduled".

The Minister, who was supposed to lead a delegation to Seattle and Charleston to take the delivery of Dreamliner, cancelled the trip "in view of the on-going problems of Air India including pilots' strike and passengers' inconvenience," an official statement said.

While Air India has ordered 27 of these new planes, Jet Airways has placed orders for ten which are likely to be delivered in another four years. The national carrier is expected to get at least three of these airplanes this year.

The long-haul aircraft, which is made of composite materials like carbon fibre, is portrayed as a fuel-efficient plane that would help slash flying costs significantly due to its lighter weight and non-stop flying capacity.

Boeing has received 896 orders for this aircraft and has so far delivered about 12 of them, mostly to two competing airlines from Japan -- Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) which was the first customer. As of last year, the list price of a Dreamliner 787 was about USD 194 million.

Meanwhile, Singh held a meeting to review the Haj operations for this year where he took inputs from representatives of the Haj Committee of India and the state Haj committees.

About 1,25,000 pilgrims are expected to visit Saudi Arabia to undertake Haj this year. There would be 21 embarkation points across the country.

These are Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kozikhode, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Aurangabad, Bhopal, Indore, Nagpur, Gaya, Ranchi, Varanasi, Guwahati, Jaipur, Mangalore, Srinagar and Goa.

Singh said the Civil Aviation Ministry has geared itself to put in place all logistics well before the start of the Haj flights, which are proposed to commence in the second half of September.

Penalty provisions have been incorporated in proposed MoUs for air charter services to ensure better facilities for Haj pilgrims during air travel and at the airports.

These include penalty clauses for non-tagging and non-weighing of baggage and for absence of airline personnel at help desks in Jeddah and Madina.

Round-the-clock control rooms would be opened at Jeddah and Madina in Saudi Arabia and in Delhi.




Malaysian Airline Fits A380s With Widest Seats In The Sky

Malaysian Airline System Bhd. (MAS) has taken a 5-inch lead over Singapore Airlines Ltd.

That’s how much wider the carrier’s first-class seats will be than Singapore Air’s when it starts flying the Airbus SAS A380 in July. In total, passengers will have more space than on a single-bed mattress, with seats measuring 40 inches by 87 inches.





A Singapore Airlines flight attendant, prepares the double bed in the luxury class suite on a A380 superjumbo aircraft in Melbourne. Photographer: Carla Gottgens/Bloomberg

The new seats, costing about $9,000 for a round trip to London, will spearhead Malaysian Air’s push to win corporate and long-haul travelers after higher fuel prices and competition from budget carrier AirAsia Bhd. (AIRA) led to a 2.5 billion ringgit ($795 million) loss last year. Thai Airways International Pcl will also get its first A380s this year, adding a further challenge for Singapore Air.

“Malaysian Air has to improve on their premium services in order to be able to compete,” said Joshua Ng, an analyst at RHB Research Institute Sdn. in Kuala Lumpur. “There is a bit of national pride involved as well -- especially when you’re talking about competing with Singapore Air.”

The carrier, the eighth A380 operator, will start flights with the plane on July 1 with a trip to London. Daily services on the route will begin Aug. 25. Flights to Australia and another country will be added as more of the planes enter service, Anbarasu Sundram, a spokesman for the airline based in Subang outside Kuala Lumpur, said by phone. The last is due to arrive in February.
Widest Seats

Malaysian Air, controlled by state investment fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd., will fit its A380s with 494 seats. The eight first-class units, which will be on the lower deck, are wider than any seats listed on comparison website seatguru.com. The planes will also have 66 business-class seats on their upper floors and 420 coach seats divided between the two decks.

Yields, a measure of average ticket prices, are typically 5.5 times higher in first class than coach, compared with business-class’s 3.6 ratio, according to aviation consultant Rigan Doganis. The seats are also important in terms of marketing and for maintaining the loyalty of business travelers through potential upgrades.

“First-class is retained for prestige and brand, and as an incentive in the frequent flier-program,” said Andrew Wong, London-based regional director for TripAdvisor Inc. (TRIP)’s flights division, which owns seatguru.com. Few first-class passengers buy tickets themselves, he said.

Asian and Middle East carriers have kept first-class cabins, which have been largely eliminated by North American carriers, because of their greater focus on long-haul routes, he said. Emirates Airline, the largest A380 operator, has fitted showers in the premium cabins of its superjumbos.

Thai Air A380s

Thai Air’s A380s will accommodate 507 passengers, including 12 in first, 60 in business and 435 in economy. The first-class seats will be 26.5 inches wide and offer an 83-inch pitch, a measure of legroom, according to the carrier’s website. The first superjumbo will arrive by early October and six will be in service by the end of next year. Routes could include Hong Kong,Frankfurt, London, Tokyo, Paris and Copenhagen, outgoing- President Piyasvasti Amranand said last month.

Thai Air and Malaysian Air are adding A380s in a bid to win premium travelers as higher fuel prices and economic concerns in Europe damp demand. Singapore Air posted a loss in the quarter ended March, while Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (293) has forecast “disappointing” first-half earnings and pared growth.

“The business-travel market isn’t really looking up at the moment,” said Tushar Mohata, an analyst at Nomura Holdings Inc.
Flight Cuts

Malaysian Air has already cut flights because of the slowdown and losses. It also said this week it’s in talks with the government on a sale-and-leaseback deal involving the A380s under a program to restore its finances. The airline narrowed its loss in the first quarter.

Malaysian Air rose 1.9 percent yesterday in Kuala Lumpur trading to 1.05 ringgit. They’ve fallen 34 percent in the past year, compared with a 28 percent decline for Singapore Air in Singapore.

The first-class seats’ pitch will be 89 inches on Malaysian Air’s A380s, surpassing those on Emirates’ and Singapore Air’s, according to seatguru.com data. Passengers will also have an individual 23-inch inflight-entertainment screen, a personal closet and the ability to pre-order meals. The seats reach their widest when converted into a bed with one armrest down.

Singapore Air Suites

The first-class suites on Singapore Air’s A380s, which took five years to develop, have a seat that’s 35.3 inches wide with its armrests folded away, and a separate bed measuring 27 inches by 78 inches, spokesman Nicholas Ionides said by e-mail. A standalone bed increases comfort for passengers, he said.

“Competition has always been there and it will always be there,” Singapore Air’s Chief Executive Officer Goh Choon Phong said earlier this month when asked about the new A380 operators. “As new aircraft come out, we would have to expect other people will purchase them.” The carrier was the first operator of the superjumbo in 2007.

Singapore Air also still has the advantage of being based in Singapore, which is a more likely destination for premium passengers, such as bankers and lawyers, than Kuala Lumpur. The city-state is the most competitive city in the Asia-Pacific region, according to an Economist Intelligence Unit report this year. The Malaysian capital ranked 11th.

Budget Destination

“Malaysia is predominately a budget travelers’ market, not business like in Singapore and Hong Kong,” said RHB’s Ng. Malaysian Air will struggle for premium flyers until Kuala Lumpur becomes a financial hub and “that’s not going to happen anytime soon,” he said.

Seats in first class are usually custom-designed, with individual units costing as much as $150,000 to make, said Chris Pirie, business development manager at Seattle-based Teague Design Inc., which has worked with Boeing (BA) on plane interiors since the 1940s. Malaysian Air’s Sundram didn’t comment on the cost of the carrier’s units.

The investment will be worth it if the seats boost Malaysian Air’s reputation and allow it to sell more tickets at higher fares across its fleet, said Nomura’s Mohata.

“Malaysian Air wants to shift the airline’s whole image upmarket,” he said. “Whether it succeeds depends on their product and their ticket prices.”

Kelly Clarkson's Dark Side Official Music Video Launch on VEVO

A beautiful song from deep down the heart. The side we usually hide from the one we have feelings for. Be proud of what our past made us. Facing the fact we fear most of ourselves. At times we tend to just hide behind that shadow. This song meant something special to a very close friend of mine. Let them see the dark side of us. Be totally naked to the person we love. To be honest to ourselves of what we really are. Those will stay are the one who really see you for who you are and loving every part of you with their all. Here you go! Check out the latest video of Kelly Clarkson's Dark Side. World premièring today! Enjoy guys.



 

My Social Network