Life is not hard....it's beautiful.

Happy New Year!

Ok I give up...I don't think I'd be able to tell you exactly what happened on every day of the trip cause I've forgotten anyway. Maybe I'll quickly tell you about what the trip did to me.

Firstly, it definitely catalysed male bonding. Especially the times when we got high on Ice Chocolate at McCafé. Hehehe. The dopish stuff we did, and the soccer matches we watched definitely brought us closer to each other. But really, nothing brought us closer than the will of the guys to spike my hair. Unfortunately, we realised that it was an unattainable dream. My hair was still obeying the laws of gravity and according to Eng Hong, they used as much wax on my head as they would've used in one week. I had a fun time washing my hair after that.

Secondly, one of the most valuable things that happened was the trip to the conservatory. I think our performance would've been something new to those people because they usually study their instruments in depth or do ensembles, so a huge wind band like ours would have been new. As for the students there, they're fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed myself just listening to them, so much so I refused to play for them just so I could watch them a bit more. People may be awed that these people play so well but I'm really neutral towards them. I tell myself never to concentrate on the player but what comes out of their instrument: otherwise you taint the value of music. Yeah so to me I was not jealous or awed that there are students so marvellous, but I'm just glad to know that there are people in this world like them whom I can listen to and be happy.

Thirdly was the culture shock I experienced. Dining was an example. Eating à la Chinese cuisine style is like playing a strategy game...you have to decide whether to eat the soup first or the meat or vegetable together, and allocate the amount of rice that goes with dishes. But the weird thing is that the main dishes come at the end. I usually eat side dishes with rice. And this whole concept of serving other people (Especially Mr A.Leong) did not go well with me. As it is I was having trouble serving myself. So my relationship with Mr Leong grew better on Christmas Eve, at the dinner table.

Apart from that, I was shocked at the difference between Guangzhou and Hong Kong. GZ is really scary somehow. The people there aren't as friendly as Hong Kong (reflected in their driving especially, which is actually no different from India). It gets especially horrific when you see uniformed people doing footdrills in the middle of the street. So...communistic. Hong Kong has a much more urban landscape than GZ, characterised by the narrow streets and billboards and glitzy buildings all over the place. But I still think that GZ airport looks a lot better from outside! Pity I couldn't take pictures.

Disneyland was really great! Small it may be, but all the rides will appeal to your senses, which is better than getting your adrenaline pumped to fatal proportions, like Ocean Park. Speaking of that, my visit to Ocean park wouldn't have been that bad if the number of human beings there had been less.

I guess the most I took back from HK was shopping. =P

But seriously, I had ups and downs during the whole trip. The occasional home-sickness was one of them, but other things disturbed me too. For one, though I had come closer to some people, I still doubted my relationship with other people. It's true not everyone is miscible in an organisation but to have it as good as 4/4 would have been great. Lastly, I'm really sorry to say it but personally it was the worst Christmas ever although I went to Disneyland on that day (shame on me). Something I saw in Mongkok really brought me to tears. And made me feel so dirty inside.

Anyway, now that we are already halfway through the first day of the new year, I shgall present to you my new year's resolution/ relfections.

I haev made many mistakes in the first year of JC life...so I shall try my best not to recommit them. Once bitten twice shy...

1. My tw year chalet will spoil my life if I have to go early. So I'd better not do what I did last year. I must be disciplined in my exercise and pass my napfa. Wow sounds hard huh. But that means that I start from now and not wait till later.
2. I will order my time out more properly so that my commitments don't kill me. I can't believe my ex-math's teacher's daughter slept at 8 everyday.
3. How do I tackle cultural mapping? Should I step down? Shocking news: Ms Sharon Phua likes me too...
4. I will get my music and the musicom in better shape. This I'll haev to discuss with Alex
5. I will do my homework on time isntead of last minute! This is after I've left all my holiday homework to the new year..

Fat hope I'll keep all these.

Anyway, I've just found out about the horrible news of Edo. It's shocking. I don't wish to say anymore.

But hope streams in like rays of light in the darkness

Day 1: Le Voyage Commence!

The day starts off with the boys doing the labourious work, piling luggage and instruments onto a lorry, before getting stuffed into a bus and being driven to the airport. The girls help unload the stuff and bring it to the check-in counter. The guys change into their formal concert attire before they meet their families or check in their luggage.

After doing the necesarry stuff, I meet my family at McDonald's and spend a few last minutes with them. After that, I tell them I have a hunch something's worng, and we ascend up the escalator to find out the group photo was taken without me. But smaller groups were having their photos taken. Many people comment on how cute my baby sister looked. My other sister wasn't so lucky: someone thought she looked 'handsome'.

With my oversized hand-carry luggage, I look like a businessman off to conquer the Chinese market. Sadly, I wasn't going to be doing something to that degree. Yet, though it may seem humble, I was going to another land to be part of a band and show off her prowess that awarded her a Gold With Honours in the SYF.

I board the plane soon after waving good bye to my parents. I sit next to Ching Tong, right at the back of the plane. The take-off feels odd: I've never sat in a plane for 2 years. It feels like a roller-coaster as the forces act against my body. But soon, the Singaporean landscape shrinks gradually until it is concealed by the clouds. It's a beautifl sight. Feeling spoilt by the many features of the SIA plane, I take out the side-remote, check out the movie guide and settle for Sky High. Food wasn't that great, I'm sure many would attest to that.

Ok...I swear I'm switching back to past tense.

Four hours zip by. Before I know it, the plane makes a touch down and we're at the Guangzhoue airport, which is barely one year old. Opened in August 2004, it boasts supreme, aero-dynamic architecture. Well, I don't know why it needs to be aero-dynamic; it isn't going to fly...but it looked good. But the people inside were a bit scary. The lady chcking my passport as well as the counter attendents wore this intimidating uniform. She also had this high-pitched voice, coupled with a straight young face that totally made your blood cold. Reminded me of this Chinese ninja chicks that beat up Jonny Bravo....bleargh I'd never want to be in his situation.

Point of advice: Do NOT take photos in the airport. You can be charged.

The plan was like this. We couldn't get to see our hotel until the performance was over. Our bags would all be sent straight to our hotel rooms. Cool eh. Yeah, but what wasn't cool, was the climate and how it wasn't very suitable for an Indian like me. The cold was ok...I got used to it after a few days. What I couldn't igniore was the static build up in my pants. I could feel small currents passing through my hair follicles. Arrghhh it sucked.

Reached the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS). Many agree, though I can't see why, that it sounds vulgar. Beats me. Anyway, we met Mr Ho over there with the NIE people, and it felt good to see them. The concert hall was humble. The stage miraculously managed to fit not only NIE and NJC but players from the GDUFS band. Woohoo.

I had my first meal after the practice. Yes...I used chopsticks on rice, something I've never done in my life. After gving up, I finally find out that there's a spoon. I'd had it, I just threw my food away. There was very little left anyway.

Peeing in the toilet was really something. I went by myself to the toilet. It had a door, but it didn't reach up to the ceiling, so it was very much open air to a small extent. It's cooooold. But what's more scary than peeing in complete silence, with no one else in there? A man is most vulnerable when he's peeing. After finishing, I was quite thankful no psycho had stabbed me from behind, but I was in for a worse surprise. They don't heat the water in their taps. Ouch...

Soon, the performance starts, and I play with NIE first. I hold in my hand a cold flute which refuses to work until it's warm, and before me lays a set of scores I've never seen. The sight-reading masquerade ends quite sadly.

There werea few other performances interspersed between ours, including small violin and piano recitals, a singer (singing in the style of Chinese opera...arrgggh) the GDUFS band, a chior and otthers. NJC's performance was next. Screwed up Amazonia a bit, but Cry of the Celts was really good and I could feel the fear of Nightmare, the dreaminess of the Breakout, and the jubilee of Victory.

The concert ended with NIE, NJC combined. The best part was saved for thelast...Morning Noon and Night overture was great. I felt good. Then GDUFS players joined us for thelast song. And after that, they left us without asking for an encore.

Culture shock: Well not really a shock for me because I've experienced it in KL. They do not say encore the french wayl they pronounce it as 'N-core'. Yup.

Anyway, it seemed to be a relaxed concert indeed, and relaxxed were we when we reached the hotel. Had our baths, but it didn't end there. We talked and talked with other people till late at night. That was the first day....of much fun...

Back from Hong Kong

It was a really radical trip.

I don't know how I can document everything down...maybe I'll try to tell it from Day 1 to day 6.

But the trip was certainly a culturally eye-opening experience. For one, I was the only non-chinese there and it was tough for me to survive. But it was a good thing I was surrounded by people who could help me.

Hmmm...I'll start on my 'logbook' another day. Right now, I've been saboed by Wenjie to do this stupid five random facts about me.

1. My left ear is smaller than my right ear. It seems a bit crinkled. I don't know why; my dad says it's because my mom used to pull it when I was young when I was naughty but I'm more inclined to think it's something genetic.
2. I have not visited more than four foreign countries. India, Australia, Malaysia, China (Guangzhou/Hong Kong). Boring ain't I?
3. My most favourite Disney characters/movies are Tarzan, Buzz Lightyear, the Incredibles and Sky High. I met all of them in Disneyland except the Sky High gang at Disneyland.
4. I like to mix tomato sauce and chilli sauce at fast food restaurants to get a sweet and spicy taste. Apparently many people are irked out by that, but seriously, it tastes nice! Oh and I never eat french fries in bunches of less than three hehe.
5. I sweat a lot.

No point asking anyone else to do this cuz it's lame.

next time then...

Rejection and leadership

Thanks to my medicine, I've been having nice dozes in the afternoon at the expense of my crucial night sleep. So that means I either wake up every hour at night, or just layin bed for three hours doing nothing.

Just two nights ago, I had a dream. I do not wish to publish it on the blog, but somehow the theme of rejection kept on popping up. It initially started out in an amusing manner, but then it became so bad to a point I woke up sweating. I felt absolutetly pathetic.

So it set me thinking. And I found out something equally pathetic about myself. I might have this fear of rejection syndrome after all. Maybe all that I've worked for in my life is just to prove that I'm somebody for everybody. It is quite evident in the way I take failure. Last time in Sec 3/ Sec 4 the depression killed me so bad that I contemplated quitting band.

As much as I seem to be very self-confident, I admit I have quite a low self-esteem. But I know there are people out there who believe in me and so I do my best. When people believe in me, then only will I believe in myself. Such is the effect people have on me, and that's why I have this fear of rejection too. It's sad that I'm unable to view myself for who I am and not for what other people see me as.

Another thing that occured to me is this obsession to become a 'leader'. Last year I overused the word. Now I'm disillusioned to what a leader is. I don't trust in hierarchy anymore. And as usual, I'm begining to think that life would be so much simpler if we lived for ourselves, without caring about other people. Thing is, society was not built for altruism, but to gain from the other person, either in win-win or win-lose for those blokes out there. So if there were no society, then there'd be no need for a leader. But why my disdain for leadership now?

If you think about the evils of human motive, and why people do what they do (especially for their own gain), then a leader would be the biggest criminal in the world. I've got this crazy ideal about spontaneity. It's like, why must we get down and plan outings to keep everyone happy, when all we have to do is say "Hey, wanna go play some tennis?". Only good friends would do the latter. To me, the only reason we resort to planning something like an outing, or a meeting, or something else, is because the bonds in between people are not strong enough and require some form of mediation. Planning is a deliberate action. Why do we need to be so deliberate in our actions as leaders? You know how in AMB we kept on talking about how we need to unite these sections and the band blahblahblah and how in the end, the more we tried to force it, the more it seemed to be going backward? But why then do we see phenomena where a new group of people like the percussion sections in many bands just form, and they're a happy group? They don't really intend for it. Why is it that making friends is so easy, but keeping a friendship is so tough? We don't intend for us to make friends, but the moment we start wanting to hold onto a friendship on the verge of destruction, it just seems to destroy naturally. WHY?

That's why I respect the musicom of the previous batch. They didn't do so much planning and meeting, but since they were such good friends, they did a great job. It's just because of spontaneity they had a good vision. I don't want to explain how the process occurs because I'm sure you can figure it out yourselves.

I think another example we can look at is my ex class 4/4. How many class outings did we have throughout the years? Not so many, but we were a bunch of crazy people. Due to that spontaneity in us, we just came together and bonded so perfectly. Friendships forged, transcending racial and ethnic differences, as well as language barriers. Everyone was a friend of everyone.

Aiya that's why I always tell my juniors or friends that it's useless to try organising outings and all because you're just not going to to get anything out of it. I view it as a form of social engineering, and we are not qualified enough. It's up to the individual to become bonded, through this srtange spontaneity thing I've been talking about so much.

These leadership, bonding and rejection issues are related somehow, I'm sure, but I'm too sick of typing and thinking to explain. Because at the same time, I know there's someone out there scoffing at what I say because he thinks I'm talking bull. I'm begining to think that it's stupid to talk in public nowadays, especially with the kind of people we have in Singapore. So instead of WASTING my time, I'll just remain silent. I always thought that my words may have an impact, but now my eyes have been unveiled. So, even if you get sick of this site and decide to abandon it forever, it will still be a place where I will display my thoughts, without anyone being obliged to viewing or commenting on them. I know not everyone can relate to my opinions, or agree with them, because I'm very unique in my thinking, just like what Mr Lim said last year.

And finally, I have decided once again to become absolutely invisible, just like what I decided to do last year. I shall stop trying to gain acceptance from the majority. I always thought I was never involved in the popularity game, but I'm wrong, so it seems. Instead, I'll just concentrate on silently doing my job and participating in my role in the world. At the same time, I will not make my presence felt by poking my nose into the affairs of other people, no matter how close they are. Complete apathy, fullstop.

Hong Kong in 4 days

I'll be off this wednesday.

This trip is proving to be a major headache. Argh. Firstly, I don't know how to manage tomorrow's practice at NIE. I've got church and I'm still not in good enough health to be able to play. I've missed so many NIE practices that there's no way I'd be confident enough to play on that day. Fact that I'm sick and my ears are giving problems doesn't help. I don't know whether I should play or not now lor. I can't find a substitute. I think I'd better just sight read on that day.

Then I need to pack up soon. I've got everything but I hate packing so last minute. It has to be ready by monday that too.

Now it's come to my attention that I need to renew my passport or they won't let me pass. Wish they could've informed me earlier on or at least given me the right answer when I'd asked. Anyway, nothing can be done about it now, so I'll just have to endure the queue and get that thing chopped.

The concert is on the night of the day of our departure. That's crazy. I'm going to have to sleep enough. Else everything's gonna be too hectic.

Since everything is going this way, I sincerely hope that the actual trip will be more of a holiday than hell. REALLY REALLY REALLY. Already I'm upset that I'll be away from my family for Christmas. If there are any screw ups I swear I will never go on and overseas trip again.

Watched Sonic X again today. Finally it's getting super interesting. This whole thing about a 'twin' hedgehog who holds ultimate power but still has a conscience is cool. I think the last part when he turns against Dr Robotnik will be the climax.

I really need to rest a lot. I can't stand this anymore.

Those were the days of our lives

Was listening to some tracks from the Sonic 3D Blast game.

Not only are they really nice to listen to, they bring me back to the good old days.

Ever had this kind of kiddish obsession which you take with you throughout your life? I guess it's because it reminds you of when you were still well, younger (I can't say young cuz I am young...still). I guess that's why I can't get over Sonic the Hedgehog. Cause that was one of the first few cartoons I ever watched when I came to Singapore (gosh come to think of it it's already been 12 years!), and the very first few (high-tech) games that were around. Ha. Remember those ulu sounding game consoles like Microsystem etc, where the cartridges had 100 over games but half of them were the same? Man, kids of this age won't even know what a cartridge is cause they know only the PS and Xbox. Anyway, back to Sonic. Whenever I think of Sonic I always remember myself just sitting down cracking my brains and my fingers trying to spin, roll, jump, dodge, run, collect rings and chaos emeralds. Ah at that time life was so much simpler.

How I wish those days would return. You know, I'm not that ancient but I've already learnt how to treasure my youth. Sigh, one day I'll be telling that to my juniors, and then to my children, then to my grand-children, but by then I'd be an old fogey with dentures.

But even then, no matter how much Sonic reminds you of those days, man how it's evolved! Who the heck would've thought that Sonic would find like, 6 new friends, and Dr Robotnik, though he has a lame sense of humour, would be deranged enough to threaten to take over the world with the all powerful Eclipse Cannon? And Shadow the hedgehog? Who would've attached a dark theme such as the ultimate lifeform, bent on having ultimate power over space and time? Somehow, the Sonic of now and the Sonic of then don't mix.

That's why, it's way better to stick to Mario! Hahaha. Mario hasn't changed much, or at all. And the theme song is infectious. hahaha.

Woohoo sick 6th time this year

This marks my sixth flu this year, probably the second highest record since sec 2 when i used to fall sick every one and a half months. This is in comparison to just once last year in Sec 4, when I got sick in KL probably due to the bad air.

And why might the difference be so intense? Most likely because it is this year that I've put my body under so much physical and mental stress. Due to my great amount of schoolwork, I've had to endure each day with five hours of sleep. I guess the last few days of blowing and blowing and blowing also might've hit me hard. Or it could be an allergic reaction to the carpet in the Esplanade changing room. Basket.

I was thinking that since from last year I've been able to recover from a flu in 24 hours, I thought that if I had adequate rest and enough water, I'd be up to band today. But though my normal flu symptoms are no more, there's this swelling in my left nasal cavity, which explains why my left nostril is constantly blocked. I don't know about you, but normally if you lie down on the correct side, you can pass the goop into the other nostril so as to relieve the blocked nostril of the pressure. I think the swelling prevents me from doing that. As a result, not only does my left nostril feel awful, my left ear seems to be blocked and my sense of balance is skewed. This is serious.

Otherwise I'm fine. If I could I would've gone for band. But the swelling does now allow me to blow without a few thousand strange sensations in my head. I think I'll rest some more and reserve my energy for the night practice on friday. Crap.

Hong Kong in a week!!!! ARRRGGGHHH!!!!

Bandfusion 2005

The nonchalant musician was waiting in turn for his band to go up on stage. In the meantime, as he waited for the band that was presently playing to end, he had to endure the heat of being surrounded by his fellow musicians. He was stilling making friends and wishing his pals all the best.

Suddenly, without warning, he sees people in front of him moving. Falsely believing that he was just moving into the side of the stage, he suddenly realises that the row of players in front of him drags him onto the stage. He quickly checks that he's walking properly, with his insrtument in his left hand and his file in his left, before he walks proudly into the concert hall. As he sits, he's shocked that he his name is called out at least four times. Ecstatic he is inside, yet he chooses to remain cool about it and tells his partners "I'm gonna find out who's doing this and kill them".

After everyone's seated comfortably and there are a few more calls, the hall becomes ominously silent. Suspense builds up, as the audience waits in anticipation, wondering what the band has to provide, while the players wait in anticipation, wondering where their conductor is! Is he late? The question is answered as the emcee comes up and welcomes the Reed band, and introduces the conductor and the first few pieces.

As the esteemed young conductor, Mr Seville, takes possession of his rightful place, he makes a few encouraging gestures, before he raises the magic wand. His players react by raising their instruments and placing them in their mouth. Taking in a deep and powerful breath, the poised brass players start off the piece with a majestic fanfare. The piece unfolds with the mellow sounds of the clarinets, the sweet calling of the flutes while the saxophones add subtle power to the harmony. The song becomes triumphant, and ends gloriously. Alleluia! Laudamas Te begun the nights enthralling finale.

The next piece, Suite from Celtic Folk Songs, was characterised by its initial joyous Celtic march. A Celtic lullaby followed, with the sweet and serene sound of the piccolo and harp combined. The song thickens out, and the brasses execute their parts wonderfully, showing the true love a mother has for her baby. Finally, the crude and aggressive nature of the Celtic conquerors was the main message of the Reel. The main theme is played out by the flute section in a homophonic method, with muted brass abrutly coming in like pinches on a bottom. It crescendos to a frightful end, and the final sound echoes through the concert hall.

Next, Mr Oura replaces Mr Seville to lead the band in a Festival March. Fanfare galore, it showcased the power of our brass section. Beautifully executed were the saxophone soli that added a contrast to the march mood. The slow march brought the endof the song nearer, where the brass fanfare ended it, with a crazy jazzy chord to end it. Festival March certainly provided a bit of entertainment and light-heartedness from the mostly heavy songs.

As the finale to the whole concert, what could be more fitting than 'A Happy Ending'. Although it gave the audience a false impression of a nightmare, the first movement ends victoriously before a flute and bassoon and piccolo trio indicate a more lively tune. A beckoning snare drum rhythm rings across the hall, before the piccolo sings out the famous "This old man" tune. It builds up heavily until both themes slight by each other in contrapuntal style, before the horns hit out a minor chord. A ritardando for the band makes the transition to a more sentimental mood, with much movement. The gripping melody stirs emotions to a climax before the piece ends on a high note. The end of the concert has just arrived.

The musician rises as the conductor bows and leaves, unhappy that he lost stamina towards the end, but was glad that he enjoyed himself. As the the sound of applause engulfed the hall, he could not but think that whatever he went thourgh in the previous four days was well worth the overwhelming gratitude from the audience. But apart from just that, he's made new friends from other JCs, friendships that if are true, will last through the test of time.

Extremely pleased with his work, he proceeds back to the dressing room to keep his instrument, packing with it memories of the night.

Bandfest Day 2 and 3.

Yesterday, if I may put it crudely, was really hell. I blew for nine hours, and reached home at 12 am, so I wasn't able to document my experiences of yesterday.

Of the significant things that happened yesterday, there was our first sectionals for brasses and woodwinds. It was quite beneficial and was a good revision for how to blow. Well as players we often tend to forget the most basics as we try to tackle more complex issues. My biggest fault.

Nobody played the games. Not even me, but I was having extra sectionals ok. What a bunch of unenthusiastic people. If the games were played more wholeheartedly, we'd have made more friends.

After that, we had NIE practice. Basket. Lasted till 10, but fortunately Mr Ho forced the J1s to go home after that. haha. That was the end of our 9 hour blowing fun.

Today was the same, started with sectionals, then lunch then combined practice, then some briefing for the concert and then go home.

In a more reflective mode, I believe that the progress we made in these 3 days was a lot. The pieces are not perfect, but my confidence is say...83%? Certainly the due credit belongs to the conductors. I learnt a lot from Mr Alvin Seville (who is to my plain delight the first flautist conductor I've met) as well as Mr Oura.

Now I know why RJ's percussion is so monstrously loud. haha. It pays to have an ex-percussionist as a conductor. lol

I also got to make better friends with Samuel Kirby and Ching Tong. I finally realised that they do have personalities. The most shocking thing is that Samuel can really gossip like mad (or in the derogatory sense, bitching).

But I'm most upset that many people did not want to participate in the games wholeheartedly. I was just waiting to get out and play so I could meet new people and just get some fresh air after blowing so so long! Man...to see people defiantly lolling around just to avoid games is absolutely rude. The effort the games people put in! siiigggghhhhhhh

Ah I'm sleeeeeeeppyyy....next week I'm going back to NIE again like mad. I think I shld camp there.

Bandfest Day 1

Started with a bit of controversy. Then we went to LT 1 for an opening speech by Dr Eugene, which was very fascinating though not many cared to listen. I can't dwell upon it much cause i need to sleep soon (the problem with sharing a bedroom).

After that, we got into our new groups and played some introduction games. Was quite fun, though our group naturally just tried to kill off the fun in the games...some RJ guy whom I made friends with spiced things up. The pole dancing between Darren and Samuel went bad...I've never seen anyone strip a pole...

Made new friends with a CJ, RJ, and AJ guy who were all from Catholic High. They told me some interesting things about Bo Yang...hehehe

Had four hours of practice after that with a ten minute break. Quite shiok. Mr Alvin Seville was an interesting conductor. And a good thing about him is that he asked us to do some of our own research on Alfred Reed.

Mr Oura, as usual, is amusing. He told us this joke about how 'crabs in a pot' when translated into japanese sounds like themost vulgar Hokkien word anyone knows. But even then, his way of carrying out lessons is very comical. But his dynamic way of teaching really gets the message across. I've always been told that any good musician must know how to sing.

Today I kinda learnt about this singing thing in depth. Think about this...what's the difference between espressivo and cantabile? Well...sorry but I didn't quite understand what Mr Oura said. I think basically he meant that when you play cantabile, you must assume a more lyrical tone that immitates that of a 'voice', not so much about playing expressively. We'll see about it tomorrow.

Tomorrow got sectionals. Will be interesting.

Tmrw also got NIE practice. This time I'm not staying back. i'm going straight home promptly at 10.

Bandsfest started off well. I'm geting used to playing with new instrumentalists with a new sound. And I hope that I make very good friends there.

But I'm still geting dark thoughts about what I'm doing and where we're going...not only as a band, but as a nation in terms of music. Alarming was the fact that the number of hands raised in response to Dr Eugene's question was not reflective of the figures he gave. But then again, there were those who were shy or unattentive.

But I'm still questioning what is this thing I do caled music, and I will jot down these questions I have and show them to you another day. Maybe you can share with me your views on them...

Sleepy time...

elements, planets and days.

Cool...dunno if you know this but this is the seven classical elements, and the day and planet corresponding too it...

Gold; the Sun; Sunday

Silver; the Moon; Monday

Mercury; Mercury; Wednesday (French: Mercredi)

Copper; Venus; Friday (French: Vendredi)

Iron; Mars; Tuesday (Mardi)

Tin; Jupiter; Thursday (Jeudi)

Lead; Saturn; Saturday

Cool...the metals aren't of so much significance but isn't it cool how the days in French are all related to the planets?

Maybe I'll start listening to the Planets Suite again.

Music theory joke

I stole this from Rassull's blog, a clarinet player at NIE. He got the joke from Jeremy Monteiro I believe. It may be a bit hard to understand.

A C, an E-flat, and a G go into a bar. The bartender says: "Sorry,but we don't serve minors." So the E-flat leaves, and the C and the G have an open fifth between them. After a few drinks, the fifth is diminished and the G is out flat. An F comes in and tries to augment the situation, but is not sharp enough.

A D comes into the bar and heads straight for the bathroom saying,"Excuse me. I'll just be a second." Then an A comes into the bar, but the bartender is not convinced that this relative of C is not a minor.Then the bartender notices a B-flat hiding at the end of the bar and exclaims, "Get out now. You're the seventh minor I've found in this bar tonight."

The E-flat, not easily deflated, comes back to the bar the next night in a 3-piece suit with nicely shined shoes. The bartender (who used to have a nice corporate job until his company downsized) says, "You're looking sharp tonight, come on in! This could be a major development." This proves to be the case, as the E-flat takes off the suit, and everything else, and stands there au natural.

Eventually, the C sobers up, and realises in horror that he's under a rest. The C is brought to trial, is found guilty of contributing to the diminution of a minor, and is sentenced to 10 years of DS without Coda at an upscale correctional facility. On appeal, however, the C is found innocent of any wrongdoing, even accidental, and that all accusations to the contrary are bassless!

Movies

Just a random thought...

What would you really like to be in the future? What was your answer when you were, say, in kindergarten? Is it different from now?

Well, I always wanted to be in Disney when I was young. I wanted to be an animator for them because I loved animations more than anything. As it is I loved drawing.

I think the most amazing thing would be to take the viewer to a new world they've never been to before. A world they'd want to stay in forever. A world which provides an escape route from reality. When you watch movies, do you ever come out thinking to yourself "Whoa! If only I could be like him/ living there/ be a superhero/ have X-ray vision/ eat, grow fat and not care/climb walls/ tree-surf/ etc.?" That's what I want to do to you.

I think Disney's concept of Fantasia is the best. Combining good music with out-of-this-world visuals stimulates your creativity very much.

I was listening to the Phantom of the Opera's 'Music of the Night' just now and I was thinking about the scene in the movie. It really fell short of what I expected it to be. I think the movie would be twice as good if it had good visuals accompanying music like that.

The thing about an animation is that the possibilities are limitless. You're not bound by certain forces that prevent such scenes from being formed if it were filmed. You're not restrained by camera angles, laws of physics, and annoying actors who are hard to work with. Of course, to make a good animation it requires technique and skill. And loads of experience.

Watch the Prince of Egypt. I think it's an animated musical worth watching.

The ride back home

Yesterday after NIE practice, the NJ ppl all went out halfway through the announcements and chiong home. I was the last idiot left there cause I was waiting for a lift from one of the senior members of the band. But I'm glad I stayed that late ....

Cuz driving me all the way back to my doorstop was Mr Koh Chee Kang. He wrote an article for the NIESB souvenir magazine that came with the concert about his studies in America. He's quite friendly, so we had quite a good chat in his car. Currently he teaches music in Nan Chiau Sec and he is the concert master of NIESB. He plays the solo for MNN, btw.

Asked about how he got about learning music. He learnt the piano and was in the Singapore Youth Orchestra (now the Singapore National Youth Orchestra) playing the clarinet. He said that it was after his NS days that he decided to pursue a career in music. It was in NIESB that he met his wife, so I teased him a bit about it.

The trip was nice in that I got to talk to a person who does music as a job. Hopefully it will inspire me a bit more and keep me from musical suicide, especially since lately I've been thinking about my future.

My parents surprised me by renting a DVD I never expected them to rent, FOR ME. They got me a live Queen concert in some...bowl thingy. HA.

It was an awesome performance. Sure it had its fair share of naughtiness, but though Freddie Mercury wasn't showing off his vocals, his stage presence was awesome. I think that's something everyone is familiar with when they think of Queen.

Happy Place

I'm on a mission.

To make this blog a HAPPIER place.

I don't want to be remove the other entries because I'd rather keep it so sometime in the dark future I can be reminded of this weird period of my first year life. So instead, I'm gonna try my best to fill this page with as many happy, crazy, moronic, ironic, lame, corny, maize-y, nutty (oh no I'm thinking of food again) things.

But before I throw off all my seriousness and rid off my dark mind, I want to warn you of something. As the owner of this blog, I demand that you write comments according to how I want them to be. My blog is mine to use, and you're allowed to use it too so long as you keep to my instructions. So I shall lay down the ten commandments here:

1. Thou shalt not abuse my blog by using it as a platform to launch offensive, hurting, controversial and derogatory comments.
2. Thou shalt not tag or comment without disclosing your identity. Anonymous comments are forbidden.
3. Thou shalt think before commenting. The keeper of this blog has an unstable and fragile state of mind.
4. Yet, if it so pleases thou, thou art allowed to publish personal remarks aimed at the keeper of the blog. But be reminded there'll be consequences.
5. Even so, thou shalt not publish personal remarks aimed at other people on this blog. Thou can hurt me, but not my friends (or my band) on my count.
6. Thou shalt not link me without informing me. Reason being I'd like to link you too =)
7. Thou shalt obey the above six commands with all your heart.
8. Thou shalt vow to keep the seventh command.
9. Thou shalt forgive the keeper of this blog for running out of sensible rules.
10. Thou shalt not see this as lame but try to follow it.

So hopefully with these rules laid out, there'll be some peace over here.

I went to the arcade today after a WHOLE year. Normally playing at the arcade is an annual affair, so I stink at the games. I hate the arcade because it's noisy and there are weird people there. But there're some really addictive games. Nobody can resist a good race with your best buds on a four wheeler or a simple motorbike. Neither can anyone resist being a conky taxi-driver trying to appease customers by giving them an entertaining ride to and fro their destinations and pick-up points.

Yup. It's gotta be Crazy Taxi. This game is absolutely addictive. I played the game 6 times out of 7 games. You have to stop to pick up passengers and take them to their destinations while trying out stunts to impress them and give them some thrill. In doing so, they'll give you bonus money. But if you crash and peeve them, your rating will go down. So the aim of the game is to race against time to pick up as many passengers as possible, and chalk up as much cash as possible. A simply delightful concept. Man I love driving.

Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day indeed. We're gonna be playing with the NIE people once again. Mr Ho wants every NJCSB member to sit with at least one NIESB member, meaning as each NJCSB member must be in between two NIESB members. This is scary considering I'm not familiar with them. Still, it seems like an exciting prospect, and I hope that I'll get to know the NIE members better at the end of the HK trip. Hopefully they'll inspire me some way or the other.

Speaking of inspiration, I'm excited to be playing with Mohammed Rassull. The first time he caught my attention was in 2004 when I went for the World of Flutes concert. Reading his biography, I remember being impressed at his musical background, as well as the fact that he teaches as well, which is something of what I aspire to do. He is apparently a principal flautist at Braddell Heights Symphonic Orchestra (that 's at Braddell Heights CC, just next to my new house la!). But he plays the clarinet as well in NIE and also for NJCSB's alumni concert. He arranges and composes music. The few recordings I've heard of his flute playings are superb. In short, he's the perfect role model for me.

And he is living proof that flutes and clarinets complement each other. Wait, I'm supposed to become a monk...

Lastly, I am one of the sorry few who've been asked to stay and play for the NIESB concert. Means I get back late, but it means I can blow like crazy tmrw till it makes me happy. But after reading seniors' blogs, they always say it's an experience worth having. So I'm looking forward to it too.

I think it would be a good thing to sleep early, and get up early tmrw for a workout. I'm gaining weight again basket!!

I shall sign off now and keep true to my new mission of making this place happier. Don't anyone screw it up.