Debut Blog of 2010

Wow.I guess this is it. My first post and the start of me nailing all these resolutions.

Resolutions for 2010:

1. Start a blog (and blog at least once a month)
2. Drastically improve my mandarin
3. Read 1 new book a quarter (More than 50 pages)
4. Hang out more with the coolest colleagues in the world
5. ....Other resolutions are just boring or too private ah tee hee hee...

So why is starting a blog and pushing myself to keep blogging on a relatively consistent basis even a resolution?

First off, looks like it's going to be a pretty interesting year. In 5 days time...the first episode of a spanking new chinese reality show U're The Man 花样型男 will be airing. Of all things and of all people, I managed to wind up being one of the10 contestants. YES! Brian is on a chinese programme. What the? What the? ....WHAT THE?!

Typing it out and reading that line still tickles me. "Brian is on a chinese programme". My high school chinese teacher (who is a british white guy by the way) would be laughing and exclaiming his disbelief in Queens english.

Time for a shameless plug - So catch the show on Channel U, 8pm every tuesday.

Plug over -

O wait...for the highly curious (or bored), Channel U has set up a facebook fan page for the show where you can check out seriously unflattering photos of me and the other 9 stand-up guys that I'm on the show with:

http://www.facebook.com/brianzhliu?ref=profile#/pages/Ure-The-Man-hua-yang-xing-nan/238096456428?ref=mf

Go become a fan. Of the show! Or me? :)

So yes, where was I? Ah yes, why the conviction to blog as a new year resolution.

I'm so ridiculously busy with my day job from mon-fri. And now I have filming throughout the weekends. This leaves me with a 7 day work week and a sliver of time for a social life. So I must blog so that people know I'm still alive and have not become the depressed recluse that I have such strong inclinations towards. I'm not ignoring YOU. It's not always about you. I'm just swamped. My blog is my proof of life - for the worriers and friends that are sweet enough to miss me :) Don't worry - I'm a big boy now. Kinda.

Lastly, blogging is good for me. It keeps me reflective. It keeps me thinking through my thoughts, feelings and experiences - which ultimately keeps me grateful for the opportunities and life that I am privileged to lead.

O yeh! A real practical benefit of blogging. Since it's public writing, I'm forced to grow up and develop this thing within me called tact. I guess I still stubbornly hold onto the ideal of straight talking, unprentious living. Getting out what's on my mind, many a times rashly disregarding the consequences of such actions. People use blogs to rant and vent. Knowing me, I'll likely be doing the same on many occasions, but through blogging, I hope to do it with more of this strange thing you call "tact" and diplomacy. Here's to the hopes of a more eloquent, articulate and politically correct me in 2010 and beyond.

"Mood swings and radiance" - The title of my blog. Pretty much sums me up, as much as I know me. Lots of cynical, melancholic stretches, but peppered through these times are flashes of joy, self-discovery, connection and pure exhilaration. - Epiphanies that can only be described as pure radiance.

2010 - I'm onto you.... you will not slip me by, you raging bull you.

So here's to a disciplined and better me in 2010. If no blogs from me in 30 days. Call my cellphone, scream at me, so I can blog about that phone call.