August 2004 Archives

Lately, I noticed a lady travelling in the same destination as me, boarding and alighting at the same bus-stop in the mornings and evenings. My first impression of her was that she's really 'gothic' from her ultra fair skin, jet black hair, velvety black clothes and her 'ice-cold' expression, albeit her beautiful features. From what I see, she'd probably be a NUS staff, since the timings are pretty coincidental.

Like me, she'd tend to slip into a light doze during the bus journeys and would wake up 'in the nick of time' just before our stop *lol*. However, yesterday, on the journey home, as I proceeded to alight, I noticed that she was still dozing, so I figured I could save her an extra return trip (and wasted time) by tapping her lightly to 'wake her up'. Expecting a icey-cold gaze, I was surprised that she broke out an appreciative smile briefly while 'struggling' to get out of her seat (another person was sitting beside her). While I walked away, I turned and looked back...there she was, acknowledging with another smile :)

Life's simple pleasures. It's not about how pretty she is, but how little gestures can light up one's day, or show you things that's otherwise, unseen. And perhaps one day, she might even return the favour if I overslept in the bus *lol*

Nothing inspirational for now. But till the next entry, here's something to lighten up the day:

Top 10 Most Ridiculous Black Metal Pics Of All Time

but then again, maybe this IS inspirational...you decide :P

WHY?! WHY?! WHY?!

Why aren't there any left-handed vintage Fender Jaguars around?!!! Look at this, this, and this!!! 60s' vintage heaven, smooth binded neck, gorgeous block inlays, sexy sunburst....everything I've desired for....but they're not left-handed!!!! URGH!

Ok...maybe there's one like, in god-knows-when, like this one...but look at the price and the colour isn't what I have in mind :(

Hmm...Maybe I shouldn't be indulging myself with the thoughts of getting a real 60's vintage Jaguar (considering the rarity and cost) when there's Japanese left-handed reissue versions that costs only fraction... But then again, the temptation of a vintage instrument is almost irresistable... someone please stop me...no wait...no point doing that cos the chances of me finding a vintage left-handed, sunburst, block inlays with neck bind Jaguar is really too slim :(

So, folks...being 'special' isn't exactly a good thing...especially for lefty guitarists like us cos we ain't Jimmy Hendrix/Tommy Iommi/Kurt Cobain or other famous lefties who can afford their specialised equipment or have guitar companies to custom-made stuff for them >_<

This morning, I received the following email in my office mailbox:

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Hi

1. The Social Development Section (SDS) was set up to promote marriage among singles, and through this, the formation of families for a strong and stable Singapore. It organises a wide range of activities for singles.

2. SDS has requested that we encourage all eligible single staff to consider enrolling for the SDS membership.

3. Should you decide to take up membership, you will be pleased to note that the University will pay your membership fees as a corporate membership gift.

4. Please indicate if you would like to sign up for the SDS Corporate Gift Membership (CGM) scheme by clicking on the voting buttons above. If you decide to sign up, we will furnish your name, gender, NRIC, date of birth, residential address and nationality to SDS, which will then inform you directly once your membership is approved. If you are already an existing SDS member, your current membership will be automatically converted to the corporate membership. However, there will be no refund for the fees paid for your current personal membership.

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Oooh. Even the University has to remind me that I'm still single *lol* Ok, jokes aside, looking at all the welfare we've been given, I realised that our government is pretty good in taking of us Singaporeans, especially after hearing all the to-be-implemented welfares in the recent Rally Speech. Like Mel, I'm appreciating these subtle things in life.

Back to the topic of the SDS service, I guess only 2 persons in my entire office received that email cos everyone else's married and the one of my colleague's boyfriend proposed to her recently (Do I hear the word 'Stress'? *lol*). But since the service's free (thanks to NUS) and this is the second time they're contacting me (they sent an internal mail to me the first time), I clicked the 'Yes' button as instructed. Nothing to lose I guess. Besides, I've seen some pretty attractive admin staff in parts of NUS...heh.

So, anyone wanna help me end my singlehood? *lol*

It was a little nerve-wrecking experience for me earlier this morning when I attended to an undergraduate student in the Department Office. The Year One freshie walked in and enquired about some modules thingy and as usual, it was one of those straight forward, simple case of letting her know that her request is not approved by the Department. She tried explaining her situation and while doing that, I noticed that her eyes turn watery...and before I could ask if she's alright, she was sobbing away!! Whoa. Naturally, I was caught offguard and didn't really know what to do...I didn't have any tissue with me and while I ran to my colleagues to get one, I calmly told her to cool down (even though I was in a flurry inside!). So, I handed her a tissue and had to coax her by explaining things to her in a more assuring tone...but that didn't stop the tears. In a flash, my supervisor came out and spoke to her (using the same kind of tone as I did before) and even though we got our message across to her, she still seemed pretty sad and disappointed. But all in all, we settled the issue and she left.

I must admit that I don't really know how to handle girls when they cry...it's darn scary man. Looking back, it's quite funny how my colleague saw the scenario and quickly alerted my supervisor cos she thought something terrible happened. And after all that, they jokingly teased me, saying I must have bullied the student and made her cry >__<

Ironically, an extremely opposite scenario occured shortly after the above incident. 2 new students came to the office to enquire about stuff and this time round, they looked pretty chirpy and in good mood. Their smiles and gawky politeness seemed to hint an interest in me (hahah...I wished!) I'm exaggerating but that's just to illustrate how big a difference is, when it comes to the 2 scenarios *lol*

Well...interesting things happen...all within a day of the first week of school. I wonder what more to come...

Ok...this entry got delayed...started on Tuesday but completed it only today...so, here goes:

Tuesday morning. A reluctant return to work after the long weekend of activities. Plenty of thoughts but here are the more significant ones:

LGF's 2-day charity gig @Suntec City and East Coast Park
Looking back, it's amazing that we actually had 7 gigs this year, which roughly equals to 1 gig every month... This time, we were fortunate enough to be playing in Suntec City for a charity event. However, it didn't really end up as ideally as imagined, despite the renown human traffic this huge shopping mall usually generates. The sound system was passable but the sound was pretty disperse from the audience's point of view (perhaps due to all the structure irregularities/elevators, etc?). To add fuel to the fire, I was pretty 'stoned' and restless that day. Emi wasn't in her top-notch mode too...and just when it seemed bad enough, my guitar effects went bonkers during the last few songs and refused to function properly, resulting in lots of feedback and inaudible solo/guitar parts :( There are consolations though... It was quite an experience to be playing in Suntec City...quite overwhelming to see audiences on different levels looking down and curious onlookers from elevators and passerbys stopping for a look :) Even though we never really had any followings, we are particularly touched by this 3 ladies (cosplayers) who came to support us and even bought our cd. Had a brief chat with them and realised that they've caught our last 2 gigs too. There was also a mum-and-daughter duo who came up to us to do her part in charity and to support us by buying our cd. And she even told us how she preach to her daughter that Singaporeans must be more enthusiastic about performances, etc. Admirable spirit :) Not forgetting, a sincere thanks to that few friends who'd always drop by our gigs too... So at the end of the day, we indulged ourselves to some 'La mien' (noodles) and 'Xiao Long Bao' (chinese dumplings?) at 'Crystal Jade noodles' :)

Things started afresh with the East Coast Park gig. It was a bright and sunny Sunday when we arrived at the green patch of grassland where the stage was held. Stepping onto the beach-lined coastline brought back lots of nostalgic memories...from poly days chalets to birthday parties and more... We set up quite immediately after we arrived and it was good to see the good ol' familliar equipment we always jammed with back at BMC. The soundmen are from Boon's and they were an ultra friendly and responsible group. Soundcheck went on fast and we were all really satisfied with the sound. And surprise, surprise...the 3 cosplayers actually made their way down to ECP to support us. Once again, their gesture was heartfelt. The LGFers then went for a break and chatted heartily over some drinks and food, talking about all the nostalgic cartoons/shows and toys during our time...from Transformers to Silverhawk to Mask, etc :) After some onstage games, RISE's performance (a local girl hip-hop group), and an acoustic act by another group, we went up for our 2-song set. It was a carefree feeling to perform in the open...to be looking in the distance at people having fun, families enjoying themselves etc. In no time, our set was done and another break followed. By the time we came back for our second set, there was a bigger crowd and the media (Channel U) was there. Again, we enjoyed our second set and ended our gig there. I wished I could enjoy strolling along the beach more, or just to feel the sea-breeze since it's been ages since I've treaded along ECP...but tiredness took over quickly and we made our way home by cabs instead. Heard from the guys that we were caught on film in the news telecast of the event, but unfortunately, I didn't catch it in time :/

All in all, it was a tiring but satisfying experience to play 2 gigs in a row. Coincidentally, I had some similar thoughts as Mel (our drummer) about the hectic lifestyle of those commercially successful bands who have to play gigs after gigs consecutively.

Now I just want to churn out more songs and complete those which are in the making...

Oh, the pics for the gig are out on the LGF website, and I'm too lazy to post them here ^^

Life is Good, Folks! :)