Spent it in Port Dickson with a couple of extremely random friends for the Tiesto thing.
.. But that's where it's fun. My mum came down to Port Dickson, not only because for a nice dinner with my dad, and with a ridiculously looking -me- .. in shorts and all in a restaurant.
But both my dad and my mum were celebrating Mother's Day, past the stroke of midnight........ at the 2 Days of Freedom when DJ Tiesto got on stage. BLAH.
Happening gila.
.. Memang dosa. But whatever it is, happy mother's day XDDDDDDDDDDDD
After uploading a shitload sized videos (all snippets of Six String Samurais), I really did miss the good old times.
Not only playing music with the band, but music itself, and the people I've played with, the people I've met, and the things I've learnt.
First up, without him, I'd be useless in the guitar, and I would've chopped up my guitars to start a bonfire by now. Huge thanks to Kelvyn Yeang, for being both my mentor, and friend, who's always expanding his knowledge regarding music, coming up with odd and new styles .. I admire him a lot, it's because .. Well, he's one of those people who will never stop in doing and trying to achieve something.
And Ocean of Fire is going back into progressive metal, I heard! And it's going to be released! YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
Secondly, members of Six String Samurais; Ying Kit, Joshua, Roy and Moe.. Guys, you all made me realise that music isn't about written rules on a *.pdf file, but music is all about fun when you're entertaining others. Only when you're in the studio, then you have things rather...formal to the human ear. Especially with Ying Kit, and Joshua, who are leaving for UK and US respectively by the end of this year, you two improved my musical journey with your current styles and ideas of songs. It's essential that you don't bring inspirations from home, but it's also very important that the people around are equally as good, or better, to constantly learn more. I'm not sure what's up with the band's status, but since you two are leaving, it's always been great playing with you all!
Especially Ying Kit. It's been 3 years, bro! Hard to find another guitarist who'll be fit enough to be jammed with.
Thirdly, to those who are active in Multiply.com - Fundamental Mentalities. Guitars, rock and live music is one thing. But through this project, and the experience of creating, recording, learning and doing so many other things which requires a lot of technology-based tools, is also another step in my musical journey. Thanks to Wormy, I managed to get myself hooked onto Reason, as you all know. But I still have a long way to go, and to do. For Schizzow and LooLoo, both of you always inspired me in terms of lyrics, and written materials. I've always admired you two, honestly, since the first day I met you all. It's because my English is shit at the moment, and you two write beautiful pieces - even if it's sarcastic. Rooshie and Avni for being wonderful vocalists .. And Rooshie herself for taking vocals to an extreme level - to a level how I treat my music studies .. extremely technical when it comes to creating a mood and emotion in a song. Ah Zhuuuu? I hope your piano skills are still bloody ass good :).
I could go on, but I think that's long enough. Seriously, thanks guys. I'm pretty satisfied with who I am at the moment, but I know I can learn more. Still learning, and if there's any projects to be done, I shall apply my knowledge with you all free from biased - meaning I shall not hide anything I know in a certain piece of music when I'm around. After all, I do owe you all a path in whatever I've learnt. So .. thanks :)
If I was sadistic enough, I would slit my wrists and watch myself die slowly and laugh hysterically.
2nd day of mid terms is today, and it was Taxation. Only 2 questions came out, and were fucked up easy, but you know what? The last question was based on the latest chapter..and later did I notice, I missed out on it because I "hid" it somewhere in my file -_-
ONLY IF I DIDN'T FUCKING MISS OUT ONE DAMNED FUCKING CHAPTER. 7 MARKS OUT OF 30 MARKS GONE LA KEONG KAN.
Interesting little thing, isn't it? You can read more about it through wikipedia .. Now it's called as a Carver, when it was previously known as a Vandenbrink. I know that there were cars that has only 3 wheels and all, but this is seriously interesting. The whole thing tilts sideways up to 45 degrees depending on how aggressive you are behind the wheel. If you're soft and relaxed, it wouldn't even tilt at all.
And.. my, this makes me miss the times on the bike.. XD
When we start driving, we wouldn't know how oversteer and understeer works, and how it is eventually applied to drifting and all that car component wrecking stunts.
Therefore, I was watching Top Gear, and they have simplified on how oversteer and understeer really works!
I feel awkward sharing the same table with another guy who's playing some MMORPG thing in the library, but then again, we don't have other power sockets to leech on when it comes to power supply.
Just about 2 weeks ago, I sent my laptop in to the HP Service Centre because I mysteriously burnt my BIOS definitely not due to my..heavy downloads. My RAM is still intact (at least they didn't swap it with a 1GB one or something). All of my files are still unmoved, especially my treasured 8 series of Top Gear.
But what is the problem?
The HP Customer Crap Care Service:
Forgetting to forward my request to the engineer. I called the customer care centre at 8.30am, on the 22nd of April 2008, and I submitted my invoice/receipt's number to whoever it is on the phone. Firstly, I think he was drunk - he spoke with a voice like Louis Armstrong. I had to make him repeat himself a few more times before I could even get a bloody clear sentence. It's not about my handphone, the service operator's line, or his phone wire, but his bloody voice. How did he even get into the customer care centre in the first place?
Out of 6 times, I only managed to get through twice. This is rather irritating. I called for the first time before the 1st call at 8.30am, and I got mysteriously cut off. Not even a sound of "please hold on" or "I'm sorry, our representatives are currently busy, please try again later". I only heard dialling tones, then came the engaged tone. Somehow, I believe that the HP customer care centre was avoiding/cancelling my call through their dumb Caller ID machines. If any of you read this, don't even think of argueing back.
You've got a crap information database system. Just because I did not have my receipt (which had my serial number), I could not ask for the representative to check on my unit's status on the time I called the service centre again at 1.30 ~ 2pm - ish. In fact, this other person (surprise, surprise. Another Indian.) was a little bit rude and uneducated. I remember that my father got approached by Nokia once, saying that they do know of another Sibert who sent in their phones for servicing here in Kuala Lumpur through their database. With my experience with DiGi's customer care service, they can trace down whoever's name their phone lines are registered to. And famously, McDonalds will key in and save anybody's details when they call with a certain number to remember their orders, so on and so forth. These companies are going further than you think although they're in different operating lines. And yet, I wanted to give in my name, my laptop's mind-boggling model number, date and time of my submission of the unit, and you're telling me that you can't check the status of my laptop? I am the customer. I am not your father, or your dead grandmother, and I have full rights in knowing what in tarnation's going on with my laptop after week of no call, no show?
Honestly, I am disappointed with such an established organisation. You have posters about collaborations with DreamWorks and the Sydney Opera House regarding design and sound systems.
Let me knock it down to you: When it comes to video editting and sound engineering, nothing beats an Apple of any sort.
If someone comes up to me and say that the BIOS/Motherboard is a normal thing to report, I think you've got a serious quality control problem. Can't you idiots stop rigging your damned units like a freaking timebomb or something?
And if you think that I'm not entirely satisfied with your customer crap centre and I do not give a shit, let me tell you what I did. I went all the way to your bloody HQ in Bukit Damansara area, sat down and waited probably for another thousand years to get to my turn although I was 2 numbers away from the line, and got the confirmation to pick up my laptop on the following day anytime after 10am.
To know of the time through a phone call was a problem to your customer care centre, I feel. Until a point that I had to go to your HQ to sort things out? Are your workers behind the counter having their own low-qualitied boozing session or were they busy raping other Indonesian maids?
Oh. And if you think that's not the end, I did not even receive a call regarding my laptop's arrival. And when I went there, one of your staffs took just about 20 minutes to find out if my laptop was in the building or not. She was about to say something like:
"I'm sorry, sir, but your laptop is still put on hold."
She wanted to say that before I purposely interrupted, saying that her colleague (who was sitting RIGHT beside her), said that I could pick up my laptop from 10am onwards.
That shut her mouth, and did things work efficiently. I got my laptop back, all my files were intact, and I stormed out of the HQ in an instant. Being in that place just makes me sick.
I'm happy I got my laptop, but you guys really do suck in maintaining loyal customers. This is not my first encounter with HP. In fact, when my brother sourced out this laptop to suit my budgeted needs, I had serious doubts. Not because of the operating system, but because of the brand itself.
And now that I'm working, and I know how painful it is to get a customer complain, I'm going to try that out myself. And I'm going to make sure it gets through.
What? Local complain? Oh please. Since you are so proud of putting your bloody DreamWorks and Sydney Opera House posters everywhere, I'm going to be a serious bitch by setting up an international complain.
Talk about efficiency. Lose your jobs and go back to your bloody jobs by making roads for ladang getahs. Some things never change.
Sending over Top Gear nonsense to Edmund tomorrow. XD WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEe
MY WORSE FEAR IS OVER. ALL MY FILES ARE STILL INTACTS AND I CAN START BLOODY STUDYING FOR MY MIDTERMS NOW.. HELL JEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Next journal: Shittiest Customer Care Service Centre. Not stating the obvious, but I think with the delay of my laptop coming home, you should know what to expect.
Whenever I sleep, I hear those melodious sounds.. Accompanied by the changes of time signatures, and tempos.
Sound weird, but that's what I hear these days. Not dreams, but blank images with random songs by Dream Theater. I think I'm starting to lose it. It's like it as some hypnotic effect on me. Probably through another one of those regression therapies.
But besides all that, I'm on the journey of revamping some of the things I have, after getting the things I want to get. The first thing that'll help me out would be the Line6 TonePort UX1. That will be very interesting. Because for the sound I have for rhythm, is not really that satisfying. It's mean to back another guitarist up, on a Heavy Metal song without lead riffs.
Guess it's set in a way to support, than to lead? It's a good thing, because it takes teamwork to make a song sound.. like a song. But then again, I don't know.
And with the Korg Toneworks AX1500g, I finally know that I'm being limited and what's the actual con of owning a multi-effects pedal board.
Can't do much.
Just want a more raw sound..
Maybe I should be like my uncle's friend.. Go into those abandoned houses and search for old, but good amps. After all, there is some sense in old genuine products being better than the new re-make versions of it. Some bits and pieces are in the product to make them last longer, or sound better, or whatever it is, but that's the problem. With these small components, they just will never.. sound the same.
In other words, comparing an amp that was made back in 1957 and an amp that's a re-make version of the 1957, but manufactured in 2007. Although it's as shit fragile as it is a tube amp, but the sound's a little bit..digital. It's good, really, but it's not entirely .. raw?
So! Since Penang's been wiped out because of this collector of old amplifiers, which guitarists are with me to salvage old amps from old places in KL, eh? XD ..
takpe lah, can break into some taukeh's house and go 'pinjam' some of his stuff too while we're at it.. loli
Usually, when it comes to stuff I've never listen to, I'd usually say:
"I'm not a fan of ______________"
Which is the wrong term, after being in touch with music for quite a while. Now that I've had a slight taste of how the music industry is like, it's more to like: "I've never heard of _____"
That's a proper term. And I find myself wanting to look for more materials, musicians, genres, and melodies to experiement with these days. Besides that, there's the study of polyrhythms that I've never had the chance to go through. In fact, I'm getting a taste of polyrhythms through this song by Daft Punk.
And yes, Daft Punk. I've never really listened to them before, but it's through these experimental artists that you learn how to mess around with new effects to make a song sound different compared to the rest which are being produced.
Other than that, I don't know.
Where exactly am I heading with this music path?
Guess I should just kick back and focus on the guitar and toss whatever's irrelevant aside.
But a mix of everything is just so..tempting.. Hohoho.
Anyways, Harry Gregson-Williams stuff on the Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty OST is extremely good in terms of production. I seriously dig his stuff. And some of the songs, for a tactical game, have very very heavy Jazz influence. In fact, the opening theme - Can't Say Goodbye to Yesterday (I think) is a Jazz number. Fortune's theme song is a mix of electronical experimental orchestra with Jazz, and that's just so.. bloody nice.
Pure ear orgasmismnessed.
I don't know how to explain this, but on that OST, when the bass of a certain instrument comes in, it just hovers around the speakers .. Like an audible mist that surrounds you? I want that effect, but I have no idea how to achieve that sort of thing with a crap Vista OS.
I shall retreat to Keith @ The Ark Studios for reference.. XD
And this feeling; being one with those sort of music .. is just simply amazing. It's like, I've been emotionally directly linked to these sort of music? When I listen to something that's produced, mixed and composed properly through these headphones, it brings a smile to my face somehow.
I think I've accidentally made it into my religion.
.. Time to upgrade to better headphones, that's for sure.. XD
I should head to the library now and study Management Accounting. I just realised that I know nothing of the subject. It's not even bloody accounts, that's for sure =___=
Mood: Tired Listening To: Dream Theater - A Change of Seasons.
It's interesting to go through certain stages of life. Currently, I think I'm at a point where I'm enjoying life in a very sadistic way?
My partners at Starbucks can't seem to understand my enthusiasm towards work, and whatever I do.
Sometimes I wonder how is it possible, myself?
There's The Secret, but then again, it's all about the mind.
Currently, I'm working during closing hours in Starbucks, and it's no joke to try and juggle my schedule. I don't even see the faces of my housemates/ex-gf anymore when I go home. Since my laptop's at the HP Service Centre because I either blew the RAM or motherboard's BIOS, I only relax at home with my iPod and what's left of it.
And imagine, having speakers with a subwoofer, but an 320 x 480 resolution based screen just to watch Top Gear.
Very simple, and homely. I'll post a picture to that when I get the laptop back. Should be getting a call either today or tomorrow.
Although the loss of my laptop for a total of 5 days sounds kind of .. sad, but I'm extremely contented with what I have at the moment. The people that surrounds me, the people I'm working with, and .. stuff, I guess?
Currently, I'm checking out my latest project that I've been asked to session, once again. It's Iz's song - Bersama/Together. Since the beat's being laid out, my job is to only stuff in the usual guitar nonsense. And what I have as a draft, sounds a little bit different.
Although the beginning does sound like John Petrucci's solo in Another Day, it somewhat surprises and disappoints me.
But since the ending sounds good enough to overcome that minor problem, I don't mind at all.
And you heard? DJ Tiesto's coming down to Port Dickson. I never said that I wasn't a fan of Trance/House/clubbing nonsense before, meaning to say that I have nothing against them. Therefore, since the event's in Port Dickson @ Admiral Marina Club, guess who got free tickets? XD ..
As many tickets as I want, and either on single or both nights. HOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO. XDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
But, if I really think about what I'm doing, I don't feel sad. I feel rather contented. I don't know why I feel this way, but .. it's not like me to feel this way. But this whole feeling and perception of life is simply..amazing? I'm getting paid for work, I'm catching up with studies naturally even when I don't pay attention, and the exposure to this side of the music industry is a great start.
Especially when you're finally getting paid for music, it's an achievement - but it won't last for long, I know.
Plans for Starbucks: - Work long term even as a part timer till I move to Melbourne. Try to apply for Coffee Master status (unsure about District Coffee Master title) .. Get to Melbourne, settle down there for a few months till I'm legal to work as a part timer there. I heard in Melbourne/Starbucks Coffee International (not Berjaya Starbucks Coffee Sdn Bhd, duh), you can apply as a part-time supervisor from my other senior partners in Australia if you worked in Malaysia or something? Or maybe it's a Starbucks International rule thing that never seem to existed because of Dato Vincent Goh ...
Well, being single is fun - if you don't think about needing the significant other. I'm not saying that I'm stubborn. I love to share benefits or whatever it is among friends, it's just that.. I have to admit that I do not have the time to care and love for someone .. special?
Besides, I'm out of strength to go on in any relationships. I'm worn out. Lol.
Oh. Good news. I managed to get back on the guitars again. :)
PS. For those who are working in the F&B line .. Grease traps are probably .. I don't know. A blessing in disguise to piss off your manager if he's close by.. XD
TG01 - Series 1 TG02 - Series 2 TG03 - Series 3 TG04 - Series 4 TG05 - Series 5 TG06_1 - Series 6 (first few episodes) \ TG06_2 - Series 6 (last few episodes) / Makes up to Series 6 TG07 - Series 7 TG08_01 - Series 8 (first few episodes) TG08_02 - Series 8 (last few episodes) & Jeremy Clarkson videos (4 I think. I accidentally burnt "No Limits" twice..so you're missing of Supercar Showdown. Ugh.) TG09 - Series 9 TG10_01 - Series 10 (first few episodes) TG10_02 - Series 10 (last few episodes) & Jeremy Clarkson videos (1 only) Jeremy Clarkson DVD - Motorworld, and 2 other of his vids.
* Motorworld and some of the JC videos were taken from Tan Say Leng. ** Sending these DVDs by tomorrow morning - will SMS once it's out of my hands. *** Will confirm if I need to set this package as registered???
I've never written a solo like this before. It's simple, melodious, and it sounds wicked at parts. I finally managed to be one with an analogue instrument itself to make it speak my soul, feelings and emotions out for a short period, I guess?
I do dig it, but it needs more work. Somehow, as nearly perfect as it sounds, there can be more things that can be added to.. make it sound tighter?
... ????
Questions, questions. I'll hit the recording studio soon, and see what else I can come up with. After all, recording along with the vocals is a better idea. More ideas to come up with, and at least I would have an overall view about how the theme for that certain section of the song is supposed to be.
Ooh.
I met Nick Lee! Huhuhu. He's simply amazing. I would want to watch him master Iz's EP, and soon, Kelvyn's other projects. He hasn't met up with Kelvyn before, but he has heard about him before. And I'm surprised that he said that he heard that Kelvyn's a good guitarist plays at lightning speed! Wooo!!!!!!!!
THAT'S THE PENANG MUSIC SCENE FOR YOU LAAAAHH!!!! XDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
Besides that, I don't think the break up was a good idea. Not even the break. Sometimes, it really makes me wonder if I'm able to turn back time and not meet her instead. It's painful to watch someone else in tears..
Mood:Buh Listening To:Dream Theater - Strange Deja Vu
Deja Vu indeed.
She asked for a break when I was working.
.. But now, it's the only time we're able to talk.. So it's good for the both of us. She said she might regret letting me go.
... But I have a life. Either you get on, or off. :)
Besides, now that I have a part time job, I'll be less free.. In fact, I don't even have time for myself. It would be unfair to her when I can't be there and all. It would be unfair to me if whatever she does would hurt me silently.
It's unfair for us to be together. But this break shall judge our fate of being together.
God. Class tomorrow. What a time to try an odd drink in Starbucks.. -_-... Now I know why people don't drink Espressos at night.. don't mind me,i'm no coffee nut -_-
Song of the moment:
She never really had a chance On that fateful moonlit night Sacrificed without a fight A victim of her circumstance
Now that I've become aware And I've exposed this tragedy A sadness grows inside of me It all seems so unfair
I'm learning all about my life By looking through her eyes
Just beyond the churchyard gates Where the grass is overgrown I saw the writing on her stone I felt like I would suffocate
Inloving memory of our child So innocent, eyes open wide I felt so empty as I cried Like part of me had died
I'm learning all about my life By looking through her eyes
And as her image Wandered through my head I wept just like a baby As I lay awake in bed
And I know what it's like To lose someone you love And this felt just the same
She wasn't given any choice Desperation stole her voice I've been given so much more in life I've got a son, I've got a wife
I had to suffer one last time To grieve for her and say goodbye Relive the anguish of my past To find out who I was at last
The door has opened wide I'm turning with the tide Looking through her eyes
I made it though. I start work tomorrow @ Starbucks Ikano, 8pm - 11.30pm. Huhuhu. Can't wait XD
.. Although I'm going to die if anybody asks me for an espresso .. or an ice blended frapp.. or.. or... a slice of cheesecake. I tak tau any of these woi.
BUT. Today damn syok giler. Me and a partner in Starbucks, are rookies, and went for the First Impression to sign a couple of documents, etc. Till both of us saw the contract and ..
... HAhahahahaha.. XD..
The key word here is CONTRACT, ok.
What my partner said:
"So, if we disagree to whatever the terms here, we have to.. cross it out with the pen??"
I was like.. Huh? Cross what out with the pen? Aren't we at the terms and condition/contract section?
.. Can cross out terms and conditions of a company meh?
AM CHIO OK. I NEARLY LAUGHED MY GUTS OUT LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.
knn..beh syok contract can cancel out the parts we don't like. LOLOLOLOLOLOL. syok giler
WHEEEE. But wtf, I have to apply for EPF?? Where the hell is EPF around this area la jibai. Need government hospital around PJ area also. .need to get some ..whatever dunowhat fast food outlet jab thingamawig.
oh puki. diededismness. gotta get all that sorted out by tomorrow or I'll be screwed.
Mood:XD Listening To:KDU Students gossiping I think.
Besides my iPod mysteriously dying on me because of one stupid java-resource sucking website hotmail.com that shall not be obviously named, I received super good eye candy from my Azereus Vuze..
No, not redtube.com ..that's the other eye candy.. lol
I can say that.. James May was so slim back in Series 2!
Meaning.. MY TOP GEAR DOWNLOADS FINISHED AFTER 9 LONG MONTHS!!! With a maximum of 7 peers and 2 seeds... the monsterous 36.65gbs is...fully downloaded!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
my my my.. XD ... Insomnia's not a bitch anymore XD
Mood:Tired Listening To:Steve Vai - Whispering A Prayer
I don't know what's up with me, but I've been constantly stuffering from serious sleeping disorders. I do not take afternoon naps or whatsoever, and I end up sleeping only 2 - 3 hours per night, and ... well, come online again..
Urgh.. :(
What is wrong with me! It's not like I need to stay up to think or to do anymore music, right..
