Blogging takes a backseat

Hey people! Well, I dunno how many of you are still following my blog but as it is pretty obvious, my blog has not been updated since a month ago. I don't think I have a huge following here, but with my 'unupdatedness' that would probably shrink the already small number of readers here.

Anyway, my apologies for keeping things barren here. I've been busy coping with university life. So, if I do manage to find pockets of free time here and there, then just maybe I would describe the world and life through my eyes.

Until then, have fun. And all the best to me in managing time.....

Can I pull this off?

Some of you may be wondering 'Pull what off?'. I'm not pulling off my mask or pulling down my pants. I'm not pulling off anything tangible, but rather the intangible. It's a figure of speech. Anyway, I'm just doubting if I can conduct a drum class.

I was asked if I could teach a bunch of kids how to play the drums in church. I said 'Yeah, sure'. The problem arises here where I have to come out with a curriculum since it is a drum class. DRUM CLASS. Hmm...curriculum? Well, I have a problem coming out with a curriculum because I dunno how a drum curriculum is supposed to be like. XD

A little bit of history here, I've never had formal drum training; not even an ounce of drum education. I'm more of a naturalist (if there is such a term), a self-taught drummer. I listen, observe and pick up how other drummers play.

So, asking me to draw out a curriculum will be challenging. Not impossible, thanks to Joseph who will be my co-teacher. Even then, it's still going to be tough. At least, Joseph has formal training.

Apart from the drum class, I will also be coaching two other students. Wesley and Andy. This will be a one to one thingy, more personal. And I don't have to come out with a curriculum. I just teach what comes through my mind. =)

To sidetrack a little, Andy wants to call me sifu drum. I told him 'No need lah'. Sifu sounds so old when I'm still young. He's still figuring out what to call me. -_- haha

Whether I can pull this off or not, remains to be seen. I'll just put it in God's hands and do the best I can as a form of service to God.

Ka Rao Ke

Last 2 sundays, we had a farewell for Ridz. On someone's idea, we had it in a karaoke; Amp Square in Pyramid. Haha, I think it's more to the delight of our organiser, Fatin.

Anyway, we had a jolly good time, I guess....Everyone had their fair chance of mike domination. Of course, there were some who were more fair. Haha. And one who didn't sing. Barely audible. Ran! Open that voice box, haha

We sang a lot of tunes from boy bands of yester fame. I don't think we did a great tribute to the songs, but we had fun. Fun laughing at the il divo's and diva's (pinjam from Mal).

Apart from the 'soulful singing', we had gassy ice lemon tea. Since when is ice lemon tea a gassy drink?

The dude in red is why we had the karaoke.



If I'm not mistaken, this is a duet belting out She Will Be Loved. Memories for Ridz, haha.

Our 'tai ka jie' giggling. The one who organised events.

Ms Iva hogging the mike.


Who are you smiling at? Haha


Ta da da da! Malaysia, we give you our top ten finalist noisiest people.

* Pictures courtesy of Mal without permission. Thank you ya

Would You Be Happier?

Beautiful song. It matches my 5 year frustration.

Would the sun shine brighter if I played a bigger part?
Should be.

Would you be wonderful if it wasn't for the weather?
Yeah of course.

Are you not afraid to tell your story now?
But everyone is gone; It's too late.

Was everything you've ever said or done not the way you planned?
Mistake.

And so you promise that tomorrow be different than today.

But I'm gonna be just fine.
Because He cares for me.

Great Plan

That made me wanting to cry because on that Friday evening, God wasn't that faraway, untouchable, big and almighty God, but he was that one-to-one personal God who comforted and assured me when I start to falter.

Check out this video.



This is so inspirational. When I first saw it about a year ago, all I could say was wow. Truly amazing. The 2nd time was the best.

Anyway, I've got a testimony to share out here regarding this video.

I was in college last year and there were clubs, societies and all other sorts of co-curricular activities that one could join. That was in the early part of the year.
It wasn't compulsory to join, but most joined because we still carried that mentality from high school where it was compulsory.

Even so, most students joined for the sake of positions, fame and what not. I joined for the certificate. Though I didn't get any after all, haha.

Coming back; I joined the squash club and we had the first meeting to elect the committee. We had our chosen ones and in barged in some gal and her 2 male lackeys trotting behind.I recognised her as a former head prefect of a particular school in Subang.

Basically, she was late for the committee election and she was rather pissed about it. She begged the former club president who chaired the meeting to restart the elections. I'm glad he didn't.

I was thinking to myself, 'wow this is one power crazy girl'. During this time also, she was running for President on the A-levels student council. Certainly power crazy.

Another thought came into my mind. I was appalled to witness these people vying and lobbying for positions. I wondered what gets them going, what they would do to achieve that or what means to justify their ends?

And besides that, fame plays a very important role here. If you ain't one of the top dudes in college, you're never going to get nominated let alone voted for any position.. I, being not influential am not going to be anywhere near there.

I felt intimidated and hopeless. If these are how things are gonna be, I'm going to be achieving peanuts. I talked to God about it. Poured my soul to Him.

And I thanked God that He responded. Though not through this way. The following day was a Friday and there was CF. Thank God for CF! Coz that was where God comforted me.

There was this lady pastor who was the guest speaker. Sorry I can't remember her name. Too bad I came in late coz I had classes. But the best thing is that God made me come just at the right timing.

I came in time for this video. I was touched in my soul. I forgot what the pastor said, but the gist of it was God has a great plan and a future for you despite whatever circumstances you're in. You know, it felt like that whole CF meeting was set up just for me, because that message was for me.

That made me wanting to cry because on that Friday evening, God wasn't that faraway, untouchable, big and almighty God, but he was that one-to-one personal God who comforted and assured me when I start to falter.

I thanked God for that, coz that made God even more real to me. He listen's to the cry of his people even if mine is considered petty.

I left that CF meeting feeling much lighter and assured that God has everything marked and ticked in His plan.

Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I KNOW the PLANS I have for YOU, " says the LORD. "They are plans for GOOD and not for disaster, to give you a FUTURE and a HOPE."

Best Drummer? Nah

I just received an email a few hours ago and it turned out to be a reply to some of my comments of a particular video in YouTube. Correction, make it a particular drummer. Simon Phillips. Well, I just felt compelled to air my grouses here after being bombarded by protests of Simon Phillips loyalists.

Just a little background over here on Simon Phillips. He is one of the world's most renowned and respected drummers, whose style not only reflects his technical gift but also his distinct musical sensibility. He was a sessionist drummer in his early years working with the likes of Mick Jagger, The Who, Jeff Beck, Jack Bruce, Peter Gabriel, Joe Satriani, Tears for Fears, Judas Priest, Roxy Music, Michael Schenker, Nik Kershaw, Phd., Al DiMeola, 801, Pete Townshend, Russ Ballard, Robert Palmer, Stanley Clarke, The Pretenders, Jon Anderson, Whitesnake and Dave Gilmour... to name but a few. He then joined Toto and became the successor to Jeff Porcaro. Currently, he is on a break from Toto to continue on his solo efforts.

I stole the highlights from Drummerworld. You can get his full background from there or his official website.

Anyway, Simon isn't the best drummer out there in my opinion. And this has garnered quite a lot of disagreements from fans of Simon. Well, that's your opinion and this is mine.

Simon ain't the best drummer 'coz he ain't got the grooves. He's very technical, employing a lot of drum rudiments. Nothing wrong with that as all grooves are based on rudiments. The thing is, Simon does not make it 'flavourable' or 'groovy' with the rudiments.

Perhaps some of you out there thinks that he's the best because of his quick flexes over the kit. No doubt over his speed. I've seen him live in a drum clinic and he is indeed fast and precised. I respect his speed. But speed is not all that makes a drummer the best.

Here is a video depicting some of his boring solos. Some may argue he is just displaying the warm tones and sounds of the Tama Bubinga toms and thus not displaying his grooves. A valid point, though I still think he could make it more 'interesting' since he is said to have grooves.



Nevertheless, there is a saying that goes: one man's rubbish is another man's treasure. And so, one man's grooves is another man's boredom. It's subjective. If you think Simon's playing style is groovy, so be it.

But my verdict is that Simon's style of playing is not groovy and not 'interesting'. Thus, he is not the best drummer.

Some Songs

Here are some songs that have been playing over and over again in my head. I got these songs from Rachel after 'spot checking' her phone. Thanks ya! In fact, I've heard of this song before. But it never got registered in my head back then. So what is pumping in my internal jukebox is the Leaving On A Jet Plane.

I love the Chantal Kreviazuk version. I think this song was originally sung by John Denver. Anyway, I prefer Chantal's rendition of the song. Here....I've got the music video. Unfortunately, it's not the official music video. I can't get the html codes for that.



I love the background sound of the song. The bass and the piano(if I'm not mistaken) blend harmoniously with the echo effect. It gives an other worldly sense of feeling. The piano sounds very bell-like though.

I never knew this song was in the Armageddon soundtrack. Thanks to Rachel; now I know. Aerosmith's song must have overshadowed the rest. Anyway, do check out the official music video. Chantal is looking hot on the piano.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7RLcq4Kn3Y

Another song that I stole from Rachel is Always Be My Baby. Nope, it's not Mariah Carey's song. But yeah, she is the original singer of the song. David Cook's depiction of the song just blew me away.

It made me listen to this song. I am never much a fan of Mariah's pieces. David Cook made it possible for me to listen to this song. =) Here's the AI version of it.



I just love the way he ends the song in a minor key.

Caroling! Part II

I'm kind of lazy to write on this but I don't like to leave it hanging. I've lost the hype on caroling already plus my memory ain't fresh. Anyway, once started I intend to complete it for the sake of completion. Haha

The 2nd caroling night could have been better. We went to 2 homes. The first home we dropped by was a house somewhere in Kelana Jaya. It's a nice bangalow. Why I said it could have been better was because we were treated like stage entertainers. At least, I felt that way. I don't know about the rest.

After we performed, we were given a small piece of cake and iced water. Well, at least something. But most of our stomachs rumbled in unison. We were actually looking forward to the refreshments as our dinner. But only the guest were happily chomping down food. And then we performed our last song and were sent off packing with a gift.

I heard the gift was nice. A photo frame and Ferrero Rocher or something like that. I forgot about it and left it in Uncle Danny's car. What a waste. Anyway, it all felt like some part time job. You strut your stuff or job and then you get paid or bestowed some reward. I expected more from homes since homes are associated with warmth and informality.

Maybe why I felt that way was because the homes that we've been to before were homes that were filled with some church members among the audience. So in a sense the carolers and audience are 'kaki lang' or in other words 'own people'.

So of course we would treat each other like how we treat our friends or relatives who visit us.
They would offer us mountainous food and bottomless drinks. Of course I'm exaggerating here, but you get the point.

Our last home before we called it a day was Uncle Aaron Andy's place. This time we combined with Chacha. And how ironic it is for Theva to perform at his own house.

The highlight this time goes to the tenors. Lol, myself, Keenan and Ming Yan. There was this carol, O little town of Bethlehem and we decided to be a wee bit ambitious. I can't remember who initiated it but we attempted to harmonize.

Our harmonizing ended up in chokes of strangled laughter and weird stares from the bass. Our so called harmonizing never actually harmonized with the melody, but it seemed more like 3 tone deafed people. Lol! My salute to my comrades Ming Yan and Keenan, haha. May we try that again next year. Haha

This time around we had more refreshments compared to the earlier house; much to the delight and relief of the Alpha group. But then again, we have our counterparts from Chacha to share with. So more men less share.