July 2004 Archives

Went to catch F.I.R's performance in Hard Rock Cafe today with emi and seto. Coincidentally, I'm the guitarist, seto's the keyboardist and emi's our vocalist in our band, LGF...hahah...

Scheduled to start at 4pm, we went slightly earlier and reached there by 3pm. Quite a long queue had already started but it didn't really matter that much to us since we weren't die-hard fans...we were there to catch a glimpse of them and to see how they sounded 'live' ;) Around 4.30pm (I think), we managed to get into Hard Rock, and as usual, the front area was all occupied, leaving not much of a view. The view from the 2nd level was much better, and we managed to get up there (even though it was a pretty cramped area we've 'nested' in *lol*)

F.I.R caught us by surprise when they came in behind us on the 2nd level to proceed to the stage downstairs. Being more of a 'group' than a band, their backing tracks were all pre-programmed and they played the more 'rhythm' parts on their instruments. Quite understandable since their music requires much more instruments and sequencing. But no doubt about their showmanship and the level of 'high' they brought to the audience ;) It was quite inspiring to watch, since it relates to what we can learn for our own performances.

The highlight of this event for me was when they emerged from the nearby exit of the 2nd level on their way out. I approached Ah Qin (F.I.R's guitarist) and handed him my band's debut single. He asked me if it was self-recorded and I briefly told him it is our band's first DIY single. He said he'll listen to it and if they like our stuff, he'd give us a call *lol* He then shook my hand and went on his way. I think my gesture sorta created a small crowd to build up on the 2nd level since he paused to talk to me...hahaha...Not bad for a non-hardcore fan to be able to get so close to him eh? *lol*

Well, here are the pics [mouse-over for description]:
(kinda hard to get good shots from my entry-level camera and bad position)

I was standing right in the way of their path as they made their way out...hahah. This picture was taken just before I approached him.

After having passed him our LGF cd and briefly talked to him, I decided to take a quick (and blurry) snapshot of him leaving :P

I'm pretty amazed by the notion of using blogs as teaching tool/aid/enrichment as illustrated in the Centre of Instructional Technology (CIT) of NUS. Perhaps I've been pretty outdated/slow to discover this, but it seems tutors here have already utilised it and it's such a relevant and convenient medium to reach, interact and get feedback from/to students.

Ok, I'm not a student nor an academic staff, but strangely, I'm quite glad to know a real good use of blogging...especially when I'm both part of the NUS organisation and a blogger myself (though my content is purely personal and self-indulging *lol*)

Hmm...it's probably weird that I touch on academic matters, but perhaps it's the aftermath of having a weekly 'tea session' with my Department's academic staff and more recently, an annual Department lunch with them, that breaches the barrier between the admin and the academic staff. Even though the gap will pretty much remain, at least I had the pleasure and experience of understanding part of their world (and their 'cheem' technical jokes).

Now I'm in the process of devising a scheme to get one of my Professors to help me bring back a Fender Jaguar from Japan....*rubs hands and evil laughter*

Dreams are strange and interesting, yet tiringly. I had a dream last night. As always, it was fascinating. I can't recall every detail, but some moments are still stuck in my head. I dreamt that I got into a relationship with a girl for the first time. It was amazingly inspirational as I've learnt that what I did in the dream sort of mirrors real life. I can't remember exactly what I did, but I know that what was seemingly thought as insignificant, mattered a lot and changed the girl's decision. I think assurance is one of them.

It was wonderful...we held hands and she gave me a peck on my cheek. For a split second, I even wondered how she didn't mind kissing my oily face...hahaha...it sounded silly, but it was sweet. It felt like real love even though I've not felt it before in real life. We walked around with her arms around mine, and she'd lean onto my body when we travel in buses...and I'd caress her hair and lay my head against hers. The dream kind of turned into an impromptu 'simulation' for me as I went through all the sweet little gestures that couples do...and the experiences seemed so real that a special feeling was felt in the dream the same way I know I'd feel in real life...On top of it, I actually felt my 'responsibility' in the relationship as well...it was so realistic. Our brain is so intriguing, isn't it?

But of course, the dream eventually came to an end, leaving a bitter-sweet feeling in me. Well, in the words of the song by Heavenly, I fell in love last night...