Stiff arms

Hmm.

Oh man.. my arms are just so damn stiff.... it's such a pain to raise em up, bend them, reach towards my head etc.

I'm in fookin agony. Anyway, so I think my arms are only good for just putting onto a flat surface and just resting there. They are not good for lifting things, they aren't good for scratching anything above my shoulders, and the most comfortable position is simply letting them hang.

Even now, I'm feeling pain just typing on the keyboard and using the damn mouse. It's a wonder how I'm gonna try and stand up and play guitar right now. I wonder if I can last 5 minutes.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Clutch that matey! IX

Hmm.

I'm just sitting here, with my arms feeling like dried wood and my feet like salted fish cuz I've just come home from my shift at the pub. On top of that, I spent the whole of today's morning and afetrnoon in NYP smoothening out the freshman orientation programme with my fellow OGLs and seniors.

Things seem to be going well, if not for a few bumps in the road this afternoon which were thankfully ironed out soon enough to prevent any further complications. I just feel irritated by the feeling of waiting for people to agree with me, and I feel particularly jaded today because of 1. sleep deprivation, 2. stoned limbs, 3. stress, 4. more stress.

It's weird being the leader of a bunch of people who are slightly motivated, but are dangerously capable of rebellion at any instant. For one, I feel like I'm doing nothing, apart from telling people to shut up and listen, and it's like I'm there to supervise. Maybe it's just that I'm really being a leader for once... and it feeld cool, albeit the stiff arms and sore feet.

I'm just so bummed out with the whole thing, because of the various 'improbable' factors which might just spring up and bite me in the rear end and also due to the fact that several things are still not filed down to size yet.

I'll just pray that everthing goes fine, and we'll be able to overcome fock-ups when they appear.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

OGL Camp done!

Hmm.

Alright, the past three days have been extremely crazy, hectic and sleep-depriving for myself and many of my peers who joined the OGl camp.. including XiWai, Giant Zucchini and Juls, with whom I had not really been able to contact due to her bring in digital media design (with Char, no doubt) but our paths had been unable to cross frequently.

Anyhow... the camp was conducted by a 40-ish bloke by the name of Calvin (or Kelvin) and the OGL seniors. Overall, the camp was 'siong' in terms of physical and mental requirments due to all the running, jumping, screwing, whatever. The instructor was witty and humourous, but at the same time firm and patient. I have to say that somel of the OGLs were rather slack in places, but most of them were 'enthu' enough to keep the momentum going.

The camp comprised of various activities which involved running around the whole of NYP and getting ourselves all hot and sweaty. No details, but at the end of each day, we could hardly look at each other and say 'Hey, you're so dry!!'.

The weirdest part of the camp was during the second night, Calvin asked the whole OGL camp to choose a leader to represent them and act as middleman between the OGLs and the seniors, but also as the coordinator.

Within like, fifteen minutes, there I was standing up with three other guys and we were all 'nominees' to be the next leader. The four of us joked around by pretending that we were choosing the leader within ourselves by 'Oh-ah-peh-ah-som', which drew a gale of laughter from our friends. In the end, after a few minutes of intense discussion, a guy called Brian and myself were chosen to lead the group, although the other two guys were to act as assistants.

After finishing off the final activity of the night, the four of us (original nominees) sat down and discussed how to run the orientation, and I tell you guys... it isn't any bit easy organising a three-day orientation for a 200-odd freshman group with 36 OGLs, half of whom want to go home and have a good night's rest.

In the end, by today afternoon, we had ironed out most of the major issues, and now we're scheduled to meet tomorrow morning to smoothen the minor details. I just hope everybody turns up and attends the gathering, because I'd already be bummed out from the camp activities.. and on top of that, I have a shift tonight.

Ah well... it's cool to be boss, and sad to be bummed out.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

OGL Camp

Hmm.

Ah well, the day has come at last.. and I've got to go to OGL camp to prepare for the onset of new juniors entering NYP, and especially Industrial Design. The thing about this camp is how much I had gone through just to get here, without my bags packed yet at 9:15 in the morning.

Thinking about the minor events (shouting at my mum over the phone on my dad's birthday), and major events (joking with Alvin over how sadistic our orientation programme is gonna be for the juniors) and all those in between (seeing Ayob and saying 'Hi, sir!!!', while he grins in reply), I realised I'm a very twisted person indeed, as seen above.

Anyway.

I duped my mum about me 'going to the audition' yesterday, when I had already done so on friday (don't get me wrong... I'm not proud to do something like this: it's too darn troublesome to lie). I 'broke the news' to her yesterday while still at Alvin's place and she seemed mildly pleased I managed to get through the audition (*big shock*).

I'm either a very good liar or my mum's really getting on in years. Maybe it's just that I know how to solve problems creatively (:-p). But do realise I only go to such extents with my mum who has the knack of prying information of of everybody with any methods as neccessary.

So today's the OGL camp. There's only four people from ID yr 1/2 going for the darn camp. Everybody else can't seem to care or have sympathy for the four of us who're gonna have a hugantic problem with the orientation programme, especially when there are only four seniors doing the job, when the intended number was 10.

Ah, what the heck... if my coursemates can't make it I can't blame them either (maybe due to their probable laziness, intended ignorance, or denial) just because I want them to go and they won't. I just hope one day they can realise that being in such positions (or leadership) and not receiving any help or cooperation is a real pain in the arse.

Ok, gotta get my bags packed, and I'm leaving my place for school around 11:15am. I'll get back to y'all when I'm done with the camp on thursday noon.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Lurking under the radar

Hmm

I'm now at Alvin's place, while my mum thinks I'm at the audition. I bluffed her that I hadn't taken the audition yet, and I'm 'taking my best shot at it at the moment'. So it's good she hasn't called me since this morning.

Well, Chris and Alvin and I have once again rehearsed the songs intended for Alvin's birthday party, this time, he has thrown out the country-is hones (whar? NOOOO!!!), and retained the sleepy, sway-along-to-the-music ones... ones which tend to make me sleepy.

Anyhow, brought my electric along and my wah-wah pedal... wah-wahed along with Alvin when we did and out-take of 'To You'. After that, chris wanted to try out my wah-wah.. but I refrained cuz I dunno what mess he would have made of my mircor amp and the wah-wah.. cuz a pedal like that boosts the signal of the instrument and may damage the speakers of the amp.

Not that cared, but I just didn't want it to happen anyhow (damages to my micro-amp).

So now after the practise, we play Need For Speed High Stakes... and i used a batmobile! Fookin crazy, that car. And now Alvin is trying to intoxicate my head with his intense gospel praise-and-worship songs. I'm trying to resist the soporific power of those songs... and maybe i just continue scaling on my guitar to make sure the effect is delayed.

Normally when i leave Alvin's place, I would feel kinda woozy, and it's all thanks to his music.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

The Legends Of Zelda XIV

Hmm.

I know this is classic evil Crawldaddy style, but I'm just going to say:

So What???


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Another sign in the road

Hmm.

I've just come to know that Anwar has been booted from American Idol. What a bloody waste, and this is yet another sign that this world is really going to the dogs.

I dunno, I've always had this tremendous respect for Anwar (although I haven't been watching A.I for like four episodes now) and that has always been there since I first saw him sing... dreadlocks and all. Besides, he is a music teacher who is trying to make it in a fickle, fussy and materialistic world.

I guess he can't blame himself because there are too many puffed-up, tasteless people around the world nowadays who think Britney Spear's 'Toxic' is the 'best pop song in a long time'.

Compared to the other contestants, Anwar had a sense of definition in his presence, and that charm to bring the audience together. It's a pity: those who voted for him weren't enough, but I just hope they didn't really vote for Scott, who although has the substance, just isn't right for this competition anymore. Particularly since the mainstream market consists of readily-spoon-fed teeny-boppers who think Avril Lavign is the Janis Joplin of today.

It's sad to see the world become so bland and naive. It's even more so when true talent goes out of the window (ie Anwar), and shit comes right up our door (50 Cent) and takes up the residence.

I'm just so disappointed in the world today.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

WHUR...

Hmm.

Today is one classic example of a mediocre, muscle-cramping, laze-around-doing-fock-no day. I woke up and there was nothing to do except play my electric guitar so loud, my brother woke up to tell me to shut the hell up.

I went on msn on and off like five times cuz NOBODY was there.

I was too bored to play my guitar (a sign of desperate times), so I resorted to watching The Empire Strikes Back and had it on full surround sound. One thing though.. I skipped all the ridiculous Yoda-teaching-Luke parts cuz they were just too sleepy. I wanted action. ACTION, baby!

I watched it until I had to go to work.. which was equally boring: the pub was quiet (relative to busy fridays and thursdays) but there was soccer! Bugger... Chelsea is now almost touching the damn premiership trophy*.

*Note: If I do start talking about anything apart from music, politics and human behaviour.. you know I'm DEFINITELY bored.

In fact, business was so slow, there is one probable accurate indicator of it: my bladder movement.

Normally, as a food runner, I'd have to run up and down three storeys.. and that means a lot of sweat. I tend to have a glass of iced water handy whenever I take a short break, therefore although I lose a lot of water through sweat, I always have a glass to replenish when needed.

As a result of high water loss through sweat, I do not need to go to the loo except maybe before and after work. Today was a different story: I think I relieved the tap a couple of times (I'm bored, ok? I've got nothing else to blog with) and I'm still sweating like a mother.

Dunno crap about bio, cuz I sucked at it in Sec 2 science. But anyway, work as so slow my manager said I could leave half an hour earlier. So that's my day for you.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Clutch that matey! IX

Hmm.

Okay... remember I said I was going for an audition? Well, the truth is, it was kinda like a normal, go-up-and-sing-yer-thang audition, where they judge you based on your ability to sing, compose yourself and look your audience in the eye.

Thank God I managed to do all of the above, although my singing wasn't on par as I normally would have hoped it could be. I just have to say I did my (second) best, and i do have some regrets (but let's not talk about that right now).

Oh yeah... I made it all right.

I went there, with my guitar, slide, harmonica and my little pack of plectrums and did one song ('When You Say Nothing At All', which is kinda like the staple song to sing wherever I do so), and I made sure I did the following things:

1. I smiled.
2. I introduced myself.
3. I made sure I could project my voice with the song
4. I made sure my harmonica playing could be done with the song.
5. I made sure I looked my audience in the eye and tell myself "You are the dawg, dude!!!"

Yes... and essentially these five factors (on top of the fact that I could sing, play guitar and harp at the same time) have given way to me now being:

Officially known as a 'Live' Artiste.

Yeah... comes kinda like 'Whoa.... that's great!' and now my head is in a whirl because of the prospects that are coming my way (as soon as my mother knows what I'm doing and she approves).

It's really a pity Alvin couldn't make it for the audition, because I'm confident we could have torn up the stage with just a simple 'A Simple Life', with Alvin's lightning banjo work, and my wacko guitar strumming.

Work last night was fun, if not exhausting. Apparently, Gerry had some things to say to me last night while I continually brought food down and passed it to the guests:

*Note: mainly in the pub, or anywhere outside school or my family for that matter, everyone calls me by the name of Errik. Don't ask why I chose my unofficial english name to be Errik. Don't ask me why I chose to spell it as Errik. Just know I was thinking of Eric Clapton, and his song 'Layla' when my colleague asked me for my English name and I blurted it out... and then thinking 'Fook! What have I done??!'. Yeah.

*Note: The below conversation is 100% accurate.

G: 'Errik!'

C: 'Yeah?'

G: 'Errik, do you want to do a spot later on?'

C: 'What's up? You're suddenly offering me to go up on stage? Whoa man, it's YOUR stage.'

G: 'Errik, you don't need to ask me whether you can go up anymore... because everytime you play, people tell me "he's pretty good!", and you don't need to ask anymore.. just say the word.'

C: '(grins foolishly) aw.. man.'

G: 'I'm serious! Everyone think's you're good! And anyway, you can sing "Whiskey In The Jar" better than I can!'

C: 'I dunno what to say, man.. but Thanks. Thanks Gerry, I appreciate very much.'

G: 'No problem.'

C: 'But maybe I could sing later tonight, but after my shift is over.'

G: 'Yeah! Bring it on, man.'


OMG. well, I did sing later on in the evening, but since I had brought my guitar to work immediately after the audition, I sang, played (my) guitar and harmonica for the whole pub to hear. I think I sang four songs: 'Leaving on A Jetplane', 'Take Me Home, Country Roads', 'Wonderful Tonight' and 'Whiskey In The Jar'.

Not too bad a day, I'd say.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Preparing for Auditions....

Hmm.

Ok, I just received news from one of my colleagues yesterday there was gonna be an audition for English-singing performers down at Tanjong Pagar... exact location still has to be confirmed, but I'm all for it.

I asked Alvin whether he wanted to do it with me as we always used to, but he declined, on the basis that there was too little prior notice and what's more... he has to go for his finger therapy and subsequent cell group meeting. I don't blame the guy... lugging his banjo all over town and then going for cell group (still with the banjo), and then with the biggest factor of them all...

Alvin and I (as I've mentioned maybe the upteenth time) once went for an audition at a small coffeeplace cum restaurant, where numerous other personalities went there... including your classical-doodling blokes, straight-forward strummers, Singapore Idol-rejects, and Portugese crooners. And then you had us... two teenagers with dreams the size of texas, and with licks to burn, but no time to spare.

This course the both of us are taking, Industrial Design, is one course where time is of the essense, and especially with Alvin, whose time has been severely shortened with his commitments to his church. Add that to the fact that both of us may not be the most use-your-time-wisely people. But I still manage to keep a part-time job.

Therefore, it is Alvin's concern that although we did manage to get through the auditions, our time may not be enough to satisfy both our academic and socio-economic needs. After all, it does state on our ez-link cards as 'Full-time student'.

Therefore, I am sad to say i have to go to this audition without Alvin, but no, it isn't the end of the FGG. It will never be the end (as far as i can see), but only this one time I will go through the process, with Alvin's notification and (hopefully) blessing as well.

I've decided to prepare for this audition by selecting several covers and originals to perform for the judges (ten in all) so as to ensure that there is an even mix of capabilities and back-up songs.

Main selection (5):
1. When You Say Nothing At All (Ronan Keating)
2. Blackbird (The Beatles)
3. Peaceful, Easy Feeling (The Eagles)
4. I Love (FGG)
5. I'm Gonna Find My Own Way (FGG)

Back-up songs (5)
1. Take Me Home, Country Roads (John Denver)
2. One (U2)
3. Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd)
4. He's So Smart (FGG)
5. Sweetest Dreams (FGG)

Maybe you as can see, I've done three main and back-up covers , and subesequently three main and back-up originals. I just hope this is a healthy mix and I will be able to pull it off. After all, songs like 'Peaceful, Easy Feeling' and 'One' are still somewhat iffy, and I've got to work on them for polishing up.

Wish me luck, my friends... the audition is at 3:00pm, so I've still got time to practise.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Orange for caution

Hmm.

For those who think that there is nothing worse than office politics at work... this blog says oh yeah?


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

It's Got Balls!!! II

Hmm.

Alvin and I have just finished recording three more songs for our upcoming, newly(if not aptly)-named CD "Burned Holidays", which add the total tally of songs to 6, three of which I recorded myself:

The six songs nailed down so far:

1. Intro Acoustic
2. I Love
3. Searchaway, Spring In Christchurch
4. I'm Gonna Find My Own Way
5. Messin' With The Blues
6. No More Tears

There are six more songs left on the agenda, and hopefully Alvin and I can nail them down ASAP, cuz the holidays seem to shorten dramatically with Alvin's birthday preparations. Apparently, we're having troubles recording some songs because of the involvement of miking the electric guitars:

7. To You (aggresive guitar sound, on this one)
8. It's All Joon Kiat's Fault (crazy-arsed guitar solo)
9. He's So Smart (have to try an alternative to the electric perhaps)
10. In My Heart (Alvin's gotta recall his lyrics)
11. With A Broken Heart (coming soon)
12. Countryboy, Breakaway (3 quarters instrumental)

And there you have it... six more songs left on the list, but they aren't listed in proper order... just to fill you in on our 'Official List':

1. Intro Acoustic
2. He's So Smart
3. No More Tears
4. To You
5. In My Heart
6. I Love
7. I'm Gonna Find My Own Way
8. It's All Joon Kiat's Fault
9. With A Broken Heart
10. Messin' With The Blues
11. Countryboy, Breakaway
12. Searchaway, Spring In Christchurch

Coming to you soon on Compact disc and mp3. Contact me for further information.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

The Metal is back!!!!

Hmm.

Here's a sequel to my previous poem (No More Braces As Of Today!!I):

I've got the metal back in today
and I find things difficult to say
due to the fact it inhibits the speech
and my tongue feels like a frickin dead leech
I've got the cold metal back in today

The dentist calls it a set of retainers
but it's more like a personal speech re-trainer
my friends, wearing it isn't pleasant at all
and talking with it is an order very tall
Therefore I want a life without retainers

Sad to say it'll be sticking to me for many years
and after that I'd probably have no more tears
But for the moment it's back to misery
both from the tooth and unpleasant memory
I guess I'll be sad for these few years

In the end I'd end up a beggar with nice teeth
while pain is gone and my anger cannot seeth
I know I can leave it all behind
because love and justice can be both blind
But I'm working on retaining my teeth


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Blast From The Past II: Knockout!

Hmm.

I remember from my Shanghai days* that I used to hate my days in primary school, and as such I turned to other ways to cure my distaste for authority (which is still rampant though) and chinese humour (which, incidentally tended to revolve around my then-bulging waistline).

*I moved to Shanghai when I was 8 years old and then came back when I was 11 years old. Please don't ask why my command of the chinese language is absymal, but all I can say is, it's been made up with my contempt for the language itself.

I used to take out my psychological frustrations regarding my physical ones by playing soccer. Oh, although I wasn't great shakes at scoring, I did make a small name for defending and goalkeeping (particularly since I wasn't allowed to go forward by my cautious classmates).

the sad truth is... i wasn't popular with my classmates, and then came the day of reckoning:

I was playing soccer as per usual, and then there was a penalty shoot-out.

The guy kicked the ball.

It went in my direction.... and it smacked me righto in the face.

I was knocked out for like..... 10-15 minutes?

When I came to.... I found myself lying there on the tarmac with my head all woozy and my classmates....

well they had continued without me.

Some folks just have no focking decency, more folks than less.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

The first cut is the deepest

Hmm.

Here are the lyrics to the Cat Stevens classic (which has been covered by Rod Stewart and Sheryl Crow) which exemplifies my feelings at this point in time:

I would have given you all of my heart
but there's someone who's torn it apart
and she's taking almost all that I've got
but if you want, I'll try to love again
baby I'll try to love again but I know

The first cut is the deepest, baby I know
The first cut is the deepest
'cause when it comes to being lucky she's cursed
when it comes to lovin' me she's worse

I still want you by my side
just to help me dry the tears that I've cried
cause I'm sure gonna give you a try
and if you want, I'll try to love again
but baby, I'll try to love again, but I know

The first cut is the deepest, baby I know
The first cut is the deepest
'Cause when it comes to being lucky she's cursed
when it comes to lovin' me she's worse

The first cut is the deepest
the first cut is the deepest
try and love again


The thing is, I've finally found out she doesn't like me.... well she never liked me in the first place. And I found out like, last night.

So what do you think I'm feeling?

She doesn't even know me... we have barely spoken to each other... oh, and guess what? I asked her out TWICE!

You can't tell me I'm stupid, because that's precisely how I'm feeling right now. I think I finally realise why nice guys finish last... because we don't dare to speak up. We don't dare to try harder. Because (and most importantly) we don't know what is going on.

I'm not going to mope all day and hope for another chance. I hate the way i found out about the whole thing.. and I'm not blaming anyone because it has been my fault.

It's nobody's fault but mine.

MINE.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Red For Warning II

Hmm.

Well, let's just say you might have to put the earphones on for this one.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Brother Dearest V

Hmm.

We all know the horrible situations which may arise whenever you (with the exception of Alvin)and your sibling both share similar characteristics.

My brother and I share the love of music. While I favour the hard-hitting and ear-bleeding riffs of AC/DC and Led Zeppelin, he boogies to Mariah Carey and her exceptionally numerous copies (be it male or female).

As you may be able to notice, my brother and I enjoy different, very diverse forms of music. Needless to say, we visit each other's music collection very seldom. However, more often than not, it is this difference in tastes and biasedness which brings me to why my brother aggravates me so much.

Take yesterday as a classic example. The whole family of four was sitting in the car... and he (with a not-too-unlike Kim Jong Il-styled dictator-like attitude) pops in a 'Sugababes' CD.

*For those not sure who the Sugababes are, let me just say you won't want to bother who they are in the first place. All I can say is.. there are three girls, and they come from the UK.

He then proceeds to boost the volume, so much so that if any form of verbal communication is attempted, the 'sender' (see your Communication Skills text, please) would fail miserably.

Apart from the fact that the vocals from that 'Sugababes' CD sound like chipmunks singing with their crotches being acupunctured the wrong way, the most irritating factor which caused me to shrink in my seat and wince in horror was the fact Brother Dearest was falsetto-ing along with the CD, and he was actually AUDIBLE.

He was actually singing to the CD in falsetto. Fock No.

I just don't get all that chipmunk bullshit. Why can't people actually sing for once? You know... use proper vocal ability (and use their diaphrams.. no not the contraceptive)? I'm not going to name any names, but seriously... I don't find chipmunk-ey voices very pleasant, and they're not pleasant, much less impressive.

Ok, although I'm a 'rock' guy.. I still know what good singing is... ok? take ladies such as Beyonce (minus the g-strings and spilling chest) and Alicia Keys (minus the ugly spouse and ominous chest hair) who really sing in a unique, and (might I say so?) authentic and unpretentious manner. THAT'S what I call good singing.

Of course you get the most-obviously terrible performers once in a while.. but with our typical luck involving what MTV dishes out every other day... these terrible performers get the most commercial exposure due to the record companys' desperate attempt to ensure their money is worth it's due.

And it's guys like me who suffer in the end, and get physical noise creeping in everywhere: worthless lyrics, talentless performances, under-par vocals and non-existant musicianship.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Two bottles in one night!

Hmm.

Last night.. I had such a blast... it was the bbq for those who worked under the McCraic company.. essentially the people who worked at Molly Malone's, Bq bar and Town house.

I had plenty of beer last night (more than I previously imagined I could take!)... I tried 'Hoegarden' and Guiness draft... both of which weren't too bad, but I realised that I needed to stay near to the fire and tend to the food, or else I'd become woozy.

The food was great.... the music was bland (hip hop stuff and Simple Plan *shudder*)... the people were kind and the vodka was pouring.

I didn't get too liberal on my drink.. because I'd know I'd get real 'floating' once I lose my way. But I manage to hold my own (considering I had two beers, and one vodka orange).

I also managed to get a new 'toy' of myself... it's one of those 'bracket' things which people wear to blow on their harmonicas while they strum away. The darn thing was so huge... I look like I have a severe tooth and dental case whenever I harp and strum at the same time.. it looks like a hugantic external set of braces.

Anyhow, I've managed to come up with a new song just by strumming and making the harmonica 'harmonise' with the music... should sound great! I'll keep y'all posted!


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Clutch that matey! VIII

Hmm.

Ooooh... had some fun last night at the pub. I asked permission to go and yodel some songs after my shift, and so I did! Well, don't be surprised that I had already done so two times previously.

Apparently, after my second 'performance', some people weren't happy (especially my supervisors) that I went up without notifying anybody... so I decided to play decent, and not spring any unsuspecting surprises by telling my manager prior to the whole thing, and on top of that... I did it after my shift was done (yeah!).

Apart from the disgruntled folks, some pub guests were fairly delighted by my second 'performance'... which included one obscure country song ("A Simple Life", no: not the ridiculous tv series), one Fuzzy Green Grass song ("I Love", composed by Alvin) and an Irish drinking standard ("Whiskey In the Jar), with which the latter surprised the most people (especially Gerry, the Irish pub singer).

Due to previous 'experience' playing guitar and singing for people (notedly: numerous family gatherings, my cousin's wedding, and lately the class chalet), I decided to (wisely) choose hands-down crowd-pleasers.

Therefore I chose my first song to be 'When You Say Nothing At All', sung in the Ronan Keating style (apparently, the Alison Krauss version wasn't as 'Irish' vocally). And guess what? The crowd loved it just fine.

I introduce the second number 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' with a wistful "all of you have to know this next song, or else"... and the chorus induced a couple of wacky women to get on the floor to shake their *ahem* rear ends, and some people to dance like mad things. And the crowd went wild after I finished the song.

The final song 'Whiskey In the Jar', was just another Irish crowd-pleaser, and of course, drew the loudest applause. Apparently, the (big) boss Colin McDonald (who incidentally owns Molly Malone's, Townhouse, Jug's, Father Fannigan's and Dharma's Kebabs) was also there when I (just a mere part-timer) sang and played guitar... so it really came as a surprise that he came up to me and said "you did well!'.

Gosh, that really has to take the cake for last night. However, I'll cool it for maybe two months.. I don't want to draw too much attention to myself.

Did I mention even my supervisor cheered along with the crowd?


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Ha Ha!

Hmm.

Finally.

Finally!

Yes, FINALLY!!!!

I've got MSN.

For more than two years, I've been trying to get MSN on my com, and for some oddball reason or another, my com kept being rejected by MSN.com from having a NET passport, and when I tried again today, viola.... it turned on.

I seriously don't get it... after all this while, and now it finally resurfaces. And I've wasted a whole year of poly life without MSN, where I could have communicated with my classmates so efficiently, and things would have gone much smoother than it turned out to be.

Therefore, I'm blaming MSN for partially putting my various assignments at risk (where communication with my friends are crucial), and for hampering my social life.

Anyhow, for those who want to contact me... or add me to their MSN contacts... use this email address:

bitten_stealen@hotmail.com

yes.. I know it's a weird email addy.. compared to my previous one 'rollin_hotdogs@hotmail.com', this is a real improvement. Please only use the new one.. the old one has to be filled with junk mail to the brim (and that's why I abandoned it in the first place).


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Mucking around

Hmm.

Oh well, I'm now at Alvin's place... using his MSN to talk to Jool.. and impersonating Alvin so Jool didn't know it was me talking until I 'confessed'.

Ok, so I'm really, really bored.

We managed to play all of Alvin's 7-song tirade TWICE, and I'm glad to say we did well, and now I feel confident about the whole thing... though my concerns regarding the cohesiveness and smoothness of the performance are still somewhat unresolved.

Alvin and i managed to record an all-acoustic version of 'Folsom Prison Blues', with me on mandolin, and Alvin on classical playing the bass lines. It was fun, and now I've posted it on my blog for all to hear it in it's live, spontaneous, unadulterated glory!

Argh. I have to work later, and I have to leave Alvin's place by 4:30 or I'll be really late.

See y'all around, and hope those whom I have linked don't mind me linking their blog to mine.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

My Brand New 'SG'.. complete with psychedelic pickguard paint-job! 

No More Braces As Of Today!!!

Hmm.

Time to hone up my poetry skills!

There will be no more braces as of today,
cuz my dentist has taken them away.
Though I did spend my mother's cash,
but it'll be my teeth I'm gonna flash.
There will be no more braces as of today.

My teeth are almost free of metal right now,
thank god my face doesn't look like a plow.
As I look in the mirror daily and smile,
I know I have already completed the mile.
My teeth are almost free of metal now.

Well I can finally show off my thirty ivories,
after years of enduring complicated rhapsodies.
I can now brush without much hassle,
and my toothbrush and teeth need not tussle.
I can finally show off my ivories.

In the end, I know some might think I'm vain,
but the truth is, it really cost me alot of pain.
think about the times I lied on that chair,
while the dentist tickled me and insulted my hair.
Do not think I'm the kind who's very vain.

Well, whaddaya know... it ain't as bad as I expected it to be...


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Possibly THE worst album name in the history of bad album names.... Who the fock is Mimi? 

Hey, hey, hey!!! check out the paint job on the pickguard of my mandolin!!! 

Aha... me and my 'SG'!!! rockin' out like no other. 

Chalet... ole!

Hmm.

Oh well, the chalet is over.. my money was somewhat well spent, though I have to admit I'm kinda short of dough cuz it's been a while since I went to work to collect my tip cash.

Let me list down the things I managed to achieve during the 3D2N chalet period:

1. I managed to remove my braces (ladies, here I come!!!) tuesday morning.
2. I managed to spend a vulgar amount of cash for just ONE can of Heinekein beer ($3.80).
3. I managed to sleep in a sleeping bag, indoors.
4. I managed to become the official class chef, by cooking and skewering chicken wings and supervising the food cooking.
5. I managed to effectively be known as the most obsessive-compulsive person in class (I fold my sleeping bag religiously... pack my dirty clothes immediately, and most of all: I insist my chicken wings have no burns/carbon on them whatsoever).
6. I also managed to sleep a grand total of four hours per night (on average).


Anyhow, my plan for the whole class to really come together as a whole came up short because:

1. A couple of people couldn't come.
2. Of those who DID come, some couldn't stay for very long.
3. For those who DID stay of a decent amount of time, some people just managed to seperate themselves from the main group by doing personal activities etc.
4. Certain fussy and picky people managed to get on my nerves, only for a while.

On the whole, I'd rate our class chalet as 7/10 because there wasn't a sense of cohesiveness... kinda sad, but it turned out okay in the end because of all the fun activities we did.

Oh, and the high point for me was the fact I have removed my braces!!! YEAH!!! Focking relief and the feeling of happiness still hasn't really sunken in yet, but at least now, I know I can smile at people and not make them wince or mentally wish I'd not look at them in the first place.

Yeah.. feels good, especially now I know my pal Chris, who wore braces before me still hasn't even taken the braces out yet, while I'm off and grinning like a fool.

Alvin came by earlier, and we both decided to go and watch St. Andrew's Rugby team play against ACS (I), but it was an utter waste of time and energy.. although I did manage to meet up with some old pals from secondary school.

I'll just go ahead and have some sleep now.. still bummed from the lack of sleep.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Fun At Alvin's place

Hmm.

Well I had some activities today at least, to keep me from having to talk to my mother instead of having something interesting to do.

I managed to go to Alvin's place today for some guitar-pickin' and mandolin-plonkin'. We had planned to rehearse the songs Alvin had planned as a sort of 7-song-medley for his birthday party, which would have a total guest strength of roughly 41-odd persons.

As is the common case, Alvin has accomodated to popular christian tastes, and included songs in his set-list which would be instantly recognisable to people within his social circle, and who is/has 1. either in his present church; 2. been his former church; 3. from St Andrew's Junior / Secondary school. Apparently, his guest list includes people from these three places (his present & former church, primary & secondary school), not to mention the numerous relatives and friends being invited.

Of course you get the upbeat gospel tracks, and (yawn) extremely intensive-religious numbers and the oddball country teaser. That's what Alvin is all about, and here I am, thinking I should probably bring my newly-minted electric and tear the house down with my Led Zep licks.

Definitely out of place.

Anyhow, the 'band' performing the 7-song medley includes Joshua (on Acoustic guitar, Alvin's present church-mate), Andrew (on Synth, Alvin's former church-mate), Christopher (old primary/secondary school pal who plays Bass), Alvin himself (on Banjo) and yours truly (primary/secondary/poly pal, on Mandolin).

The choice of personnel was largely Alvin's, although the choice of Christopher on bass was delayed because our initial choice was Michelle (Joshua's older sister who is involved with so many major singapore orchestras and the VJC choir) who proved to be a very, very, very busy and unavailible person, so we were left with Chris who has played bass previously with me, but learns songs fairly slowly.

So I was at Alvin's place, I managed to re-string his banjo (the strings on it were so old and rust & dirt-encrusted, I had a hard time keeping my hands clean just removing them), show off the paint job I did for my mandolin's pickguard, re-record an old song, and also rehearsed the 7-song run of numbers intended for the party.

Here's the number of issues I currently have in the back of my head regarding the whole affair:

1. There is little or no time for all five of us to practise the songs as an entire unit.
2. As such (due to the above), the factor of mistakes occuring increases considerably.
3. Chris is slow at learning songs, and he may be busy and hence unavailible to meet up to practise the songs.
4. I can't even remember half of the songs by heart, and that's troubling because I usually get songs quite quickly.
5. Alot of the songs being played involved different instrument intros and breakdowns, and due to number 1., the whole thing might be confusing when it comes to the real thing.
6. Many songs involve complex/inconvenient mandolin chord positions, and after three songs, my hand has literally turned purple just trying to press down on that tiny neck with my jumbo fingers.
7. It turns out, as the Mandolin player, I have to play rhythm and lead for different songs, which means I have to follow someone, and not lead.. kinda tough cuz i tend to speed things up.
8. I might have to provide the Synthesizer due to transportation problems involving Michelles synthesizer.
9. There is very little space to set up 'shop' in Alvin's place, and the placing of band members are crucial, but indecisive as of yet.
10. The whole thing starts at roughly 7:30 in the evening, and I wonder if I have the energy to go through the set list, not mentioning the fact Chris and I might just fall asleep on the 'intense' songs.

Let me just say that I view the whole matter from a band manager or producer's point of view: I have to co-operate with Alvin to perform his songs, ensure that he can cope with co-ordinating the whole affair (well, he's been doing it for years, so not much problems there), ensure that the band performs efficiently, ensure the audience gets a proper balance of sound from the instruments etc.

In short, it's a logistical nightmare.

Ah well, it's almost 11:30, and i gotta get up and get ready form my Class chalet tomorrow. See you guys in two day's time!


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

A Rush of warmth to the Class III

Hmm.

Monday's the class chalet, and I'm now getting out my sleeping bag to dust and give it some time in the sun so that I can have some proper sleep on Monday night.

I have to say that this chalet idea is a pretty good one, whereby all of us can get our hair down (maybe not for me.. my hairstyle involves some follicle acrobatics) and have a fun time with each other.

While I am certain there will be not much of a shortage of food, I have planned to bring some items to ensure I will not be bored:

1. CD discman + assortment of AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones CDs.
2. Sleeping bag.
3. Acoustic Guitar + assorted accessories.
4. Definitely a lot of extra clothes for changing.
5. Swimming trunks + goggles.
6. Sun-tan lotion.
7. Sun glasses (clip-ons, for my existing pair of specs).
8. Paper and pen (in case I suddenly write a new song).
9. Toiletries.
10. Lighter*.

*Note: Item number 10 is brought along to make sure the bbq is alight at all times, and not however, for the act of arson.

Yeah, that's pretty much IT, but I'm sure I'll bring along some stuff to keep my hands and mind busy at the same time. I just hope everyone will want to have a good time as much as I do... pray hard for good weather as well.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

The Murky Waters Of Songwriting XVII

Hmm.

A couple of days back, I woke up in the middle of the night and wrote a song at 3a.m. in the morning.. and apparently, it was the culmination of all my listening influences from Eric Clapton to Santana.

Well, it's no wonder, the song structure is similar to EC's 'Layla' and the electric guitar solo sound is similar to Santana's.

Based on a very 70's hard rock theme, I just built the song around a few simple chords, but with quirky timing and blistering electric guitar sounds.

Believe you me, although the title is 'The Lord Will Surely Provide', the music sounds like it just emerged from the mid-70s, but sporting 'Dark As A Dungeon'-istic lyrics.

Anyhow, listen to the song on fgg.dmusic.com, and let the music say all it speaks to you.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Maybe Not

Hmm.

Oh well, Patrick's assessment went fairly well.. a couple of people were late, but all seemed pretty much okay. To be absolutely truthful, Patrick seemd to be more aware that he hadn't imparted any useful knowledge to us, and today, he maanged to give us pointers on how to improve our design ideas, presentation board etc.

I think all went well for me, because I had already finished up my 'hands' doorstopper, and I presented it to Patrick, to which he had no comment, which is both reassuring and worrying at the same time... you know: no comment because either 1. he is totally blown away and he is in awe; or 2. he is so disappointed in my work he has nothing to say.

However, I also managed to pluck up the courage to ask the special someone out... to no avail. She wasn't free. I guess it was the wrong question at the wrong time, and I'm just the wrong guy. No worries, I'm not gonna cry my eyes out at failure.

Maybe Char is going to slap the back of my head for asking her so inappropriately when she was so busy packing her stuff, but that was the only time she would be left alone by her friends. Further more, I felt so foolish just smiling at her and she's just busy packing her stuff.

Ah, what the fock. I'm just gonna plan out what I'm gonna do for the chalet.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

In a Little While

Hmm.

Ok, Patrick managed to postpone our assessment to 3pm today simply because he said so. In fact I had to call him up and talk him into giving the assessment today because he initially wanted to have it on Monday, the morning on the same day of the chalet which Keri and some people in the class had put so much effort into organising.

Initially, Jie Hong (full time lecturer from China) messaged me that Patrick postponed the assessment to Monday. When I had called her, I discovered one shcoking factor: Patrick's wife just had a kid.

Fine, so Patrick's now a father (and that's a real shocker considering how faggoty he is in real life), and he wants to push our assessment back to the day, which we had planned in advance to have fun and regroup as a whole and rock out.

Naturally I said 'NO ****ing WAY!!!' right in Jie Hong's ear.

In the end, I had to call Patrick up, offer my congratulations and then proceed right to business. It's understandable if he wants to stay by his wife's side and accompany her as they welcome their child into the world, but on the other hand, I will not compromise our fun just because Patrick wants us to.

After confirming the time with Patrick, I went about passing the message on to the rest of the class. Naturally, the last-minute change didn't go down well with some of my classmates (who can blame them?), but similarly, as much as Patrick has given some sacrifice to take our assessment, I do believe that it's important we finish this off, and have it over and done with.

Not to mention it has been delayed since Monday, and it's high time we closed this semester properly.

I just hope everything will go as planned.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

The Day Before I Do Patrick's Assessment

Hmm.

Oh well, today went quite fine, managed to hook up with Alvin in school, bought some kapaline board for my presentation board backing, and also managed to take lots of photos of Alvin's class' 'Birdhouse'.

Their workshop 'Birdhouse' project involved building an MDF-board structure and then joining it all together and painting the whole thing white.

Apparently, the week before assessment by Zai (workshop project lecturer), Ayob managed to throw away Alvin's 'Birdhouse', which took him and his classmates at least three months to make. In the end, he had to make everything from scratch and complete the whole darn thing in one week's time. Today was the hand-up date, and I must say, he did a lot (with help from yours truly) in a short period of time, but the quality was somewhat compromised.

In the end, alomost everyone's work was pretty decent (yes, yours included, my friend), but people's work managed to steal the limelight due to dexterity in handiwork, or maybe they got through sheer dumb luck. I have no idea which.

And then after a decidedly slow lunch, Alvin came back to my place for some 'pre-birthday jamming'. His birthday is in May, and he's already so amazingly foresighted he wants me to play mandolin along with his buddies on his birthday at his place. Apaprently, two of his buddies are currently undergoing major exam years, and he fears they might not be able to make it.

I simply admire the fact his parents will go all out to organise and allow him to bring his pals over for his birthday, including catered meals (for those who want to da-pao, order in advance, please). I have had the priviledge to have a birthday party (for myself) when I was roughly four years old.

I only remember that it involved no gifts except an ang-pao from my grandma, and most of my immediate relatives were just there to talk about how ridiculous it was to organise a birthday party for the second child.

In any case, Alvin's an only child, so naturally his parents are there to make sure he is happy (he does look happy perpetually, doesn't he?), comfortable (I won't go into the pyjamas), healthy (I won't go into your waistline either), and squeaky-clean (I WILL NOT go into your religious-extremism).

And here I am, looking like a car crash, playing guitar and listening to AC/DC.

Last night I was just talking to Char, and I shared a lot of confusion just clearing out the facts and figures of BGR (which do not involve Char, btw), but I thank her for her time and patience.. cuz it isn't exactly invigorating talking about BGR at roughly 11:30 pm at night. But I have become more aware of certain things.

Tomorrow's Patrick's assessment, and frankly, I couldn't give anymore thought on it.. as the dastardly William Hung once said so eloquently: 'I have done my best and I have no regrets'. Though I would have probably said "I have done my best and I have no ****ing problems, cuz I ain't gonna see yer face for two months'.

I mean, I seriously haven't learnt anything obvious while taking his module, and I certainly haven't gained anymore insight to what design is all about, apart from pleasing my bloody lecturer. In short, he's focking useless. But I can't blame him, cuz designers don't always make good lecturers.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Mother's Love XV

Hmm.

My day is just so typical... my mother has shouted at me at least thrice, and she has expressed her disppointment in me at least four times. No problem, I can't be bothered with her taking out her insecurities on me.

All my life she's been telling me to do my best in everything I do.. to work hard and excel. Then came along my passion for reading, and all she can do is suppress my joy of reading for pleasure.. she said I should be observing the writing technique, rather than reading the book for it's content.

It's the same for my guitar playing. It has been my one true hobby which I've kept at for more than four years... I've cried, loved just picking the thing up and strumming along to Vertical Horizon's 'Best I ever Had", I've felt pain and suffering playing along to the Rolling Stone's 'Wild Horses', and I've felt jubilation and excitement picking out the solo for 'Stairway To Heaven'.

In short, playing the guitar and putting my emotion into it has made me who I am today, and I can say that I've progressed thus far because of the passion I've felt for it.

And It's never going to go away.

So what do you do, when your mother tries to pry you away from something which has drawn out your talent and insatiable desires? You fight back. You stay strong. You know she's just ignorant and selfish because an instrument has literally replaced her place.

Where she should have brought me solace and wisdom, I have grown with my guitar and stayed independent. Where she would have told me she loved me, I have given my love to the guitar, and it has rewarded me with talent. Where she could have been my outlet of pain and confusion, my guitar has allowed me to remove all negative emotion through songwriting, and sheer poetry.

And all she can do about it is try and distract me from my desire to gain a better foothold in my emotional psyche; try and disrupt my mental train of thought by interrupting my songwriting; try and destroy my passion for the instrument.

In any case, I have to say that i have grown as a person through the guidance of God, who has passed on this talent through the guitar. And I will never forget where my salvation lies.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

The Sweet Sound of music

Hmm.

I've just finished putting the finishing touches on my brand new electric guitar... just minor adjustments to ensure the sound comes across properly, the strings stay in tune, and the guitar is easy to play.

Already i feel like I've been reborn through playing this guitar... it's sweet overdriven tones, screaming highs and walloping bass... all through that guitar... I'm finally complete.

Since my dad attends a part-time course at Temasek Poly, he is also at present having his 'holiday' so to speak. And since his business involves machinery, he has always looked upon me as one of his dispensible employees, whose pay is non-existent, and whose time is unlimited.

I'm now in serious shit cuz he wants me to pull apart one of the machines and measure every single component (roughly 150 in number), and provide a sketch and the measurements of the components. What can be more difficult, annoying and irritating than having to pull apart a swiss-made machine and try and draw out all the componenets and their measurements?

I just don't get why my dad refuses to let me go through this holiday without having to bother with his fiddly, over-expensive machines. Many a time he has interrupted me while I was recording songs, and even once, he called me down when I had just gotten ready to record a song. It's damn bloody irritating.

I'm a musician by heart and soul, and I'm determined not to let anything get in the way of me finishing off my personal project for this holiday. I have been practising my guitar and recording skills just to make sure it will come out right, and I'm not going to be unfair to myself by delaying this anymore.

And I'm pretty sure I will get it done all right.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!!!

Hmm.

I'm now officially the proud owner of an Epiphone SG copy, which is just basically all the same components under a different brand... every single thing is genuine.

And the sound is just so wicked.

I have to say that, although I did manage to get it, I also burned a S$150.00 hole in my bank account, and that my friends, isn't a small hole. Particularly since I already owe my brother S$180.00 worth of CDs.

Yeah.. 150 bucks, but it was well worth it, in all it's wicked, compact and light glory. This guitar is so light, I don't even have to make a serious effort to pick it up and hold it up at arm's length. My previous guitar is at least twice to two-and-a-half times heavier, and yet the tones it can produce are only a fraction made possible in an SG. When I went to Bras Basah complex this afternoon, i had to bend my back and make an effort to carry the guitar bag. After I finished the exchange, I was practically trying to prevent the guitar from flying all over the place.

Apparently, the main reason for the huge amount of 'top-up' cash required for the exchange was:

1. It wasn't exactly a fantastic guitar (no surprises here).
2. It had dings and scratches all over the place.
3. There was another Mockingbird in the house, and it was basically a yardstick to an inch compared to my (former) guitar.
4. A one-to-one exchange for a 2nd-hand guitar with a bolt-on neck and a brand new, set-neck guitar isn't gonna happen in any part of the world.
5. I was just a sucker for the SG guitar.

Anyhow when I got the guitar, I noticed the third, or "G" string (don't get any funny ideas here) was really hard to keep in tune. Then when I got back and re-strung the guitar, I realised that the "G" string was actually a newer string, but it was the wrong string size, hence the reason as to why the guitar kept going out of tune whenever I tried to play the main riff for 'Highway To Hell'.

Apart from acquiring the SG, I also discovered this Cort guitar with modified electronics, and it sounds like a dream. I'm planning to trade in my old acoustic for that one, and most likely top up more cash as well to complete the picture.

All in all, I've got to be more patient, and hopefully I will be able to get away with all this hectic gear-switching and still manage to get a decent grade in school, because I fear I haven't been as diligent as last semester.

Last but not least, I just pray this guitar will last a long time, and I won't have to meddle around with it for too long just to get a sound I want.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

P.S.: Pictures coming soon!!!

And the same thing from a different angle. 

My 'Hands' Doorstop... in its full, unadulterated, gory, glory. 

Three Songs in One Day

Hmm.

I've just polished off three songs, 'Intro', 'I'm Gonna Find My Own Way' and 'Searchaway, Spring In Christchurch'. These three songs include guitar and vocal sounds which are particularly difficult to nail down, and I'm proud to say I've finally nailed all of them, and all that awaits 'I'm Gonna Find My Own Way' is Alvin's piano bits, which are the ear-candy of the song.

In actual fact, these three songs are penned by yours truly, and I almost gave them up previously because I had so much difficulty just achieving the proper sound and volume for the guitar and vocals. Thanks to a year's worth of patience and improved skill with a simple recording programme, I have achieved something which i do believe will last for a while.

Right now I'm just waiting for time to pass, and hopefully I can finish off my 'Hands' doorstop by today.. all that stands between me and completion is my extreme laziness.

Ok, gotta get to work now, see you later.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

The Murky Waters Of Songwriting XVI

Hmm.

Right now, I'm just chilling out, listening to the new AC/DC albums I have just bought, and also re-recording individual guitar and vocal tracks for the songs Alvin and I have decided to nail down once and for all this holiday.

I felt that it was high time we went ahead and finished off recordings of songs which we have written, and given the songs their due by recording the individual instrument tracks and enhancing each track before mixing them together and then adjusting the track as a whole.

Previously, we have tried to record songs using only one mic and playing the sogns 'live', and thus preserving the element of surprise and spontaneity. This approach didn't work too well because of the limitations of just using one mic to capture guitar, vocals and banjo. The imbalance of volume was one major problem, then other was the fact that the recording just didn't sound right... it was just too scratchy and flawed.

Therefore, during this holiday, I have decided that we embark on a major re-recording sprint to make sure what we deliver is presentable and hopefully, semi-professional.

Both Alvin and I have reached the stage of being in a band, and upon hearing our 'old' recordings, proudly know that what we did back then sounds like crap, and we both know what we want to achieve on this 'album', which is excellence in sound quality and musicianship.

I just pray Alvin can find enough time this holiday to complete the things he needs to do, and squeeze out enough time to complete the album. I have been waiting for a long time.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Clutch that matey! VII

Hmm.

There are times you know your life really can't get any worse, and yet again you feel that sensation that you are already walking towards the gallows and the hangman is just waiting for you at twenty paces.

Within those last few moments, you think back on all the good times you had, all the pain you carried and all the love you could give to those around you... and of course all the little achievements attained throughout your short, uneventful life.

I had a really wonderful time at work yesterday... Yeah, I managed to go up and play for the whole pub yet again!!! I had asked Gerry (the Irish singer) whether I could just yodel a few songs, and he let me get on after on filipino guy Brian had volunteered to play for everyone. I'd have to say Brian had some nifty fingerwork.

The last time I had gone up to play guitar, I had played three songs but I screwed them all in one way or another. Hence, in order to not make the same mistake once again, I decided to play three really energetic songs, which would make applause really irresistable.

The three songs I played were: 'A Simple Life', 'I Love' (written by Alvin), and 'Whiskey In The Jar'. All of which received raucous applause. I knew the formula.

I really surprised Gerry when I managed to play 'Whiskey In The Jar', so much so, he played along with me, and shook my hand after the song, saying: 'You did good, mate!'

Later, when another guy volunteered again, Gerry came up to me and said:

'Hey, you did that "Whiskey In The Jar" better than I did! And you're not even Irish!!"

Well Gerry, thanks, and that really means a heck of a lot to me.

I mean, what more can you expect to feel apart from sheer joy when you play three songs, and after you get off that stool, more than half the pub smiles at you and shakes your hand in congratulations? I just felt ten feet tall last night, and I was just short of asking Gerry if he was in need of a right-hand man. No worries, Alvin, I'm still your guitarist.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Just a little bit more....

Hmm.

Well, all of my common tests are over, and I'm pretty sure i've screwed them all, in one way or another. I suppose that nagging feeling in the back of my mind can only be fully exorcised if I could just get my hands on that new electric I wantb to trade in my old one for. I just can't stop thinking about the sound it creates.

Yesterday was not a very good day, ontop of the fact that my Comm Skills test went as smooth as the a drive in a swamp. it was my dad's birthday, and I was required to 1. go for my Comm Skills test and finish it off at 3:30pm. As I am the coordinator for the student leadership programme (which recruits 1st year students to become the OGLs who host the 2005 intake orientation), I have to recruit students for the orientation programme, and guess what? I couldn't find nobody.

It's bad enough that only one guy in my class is enthusiatic about the whole thing, and that's XiWai... he claims he wants to get to know more 'little girls', but that's issues out of my concern. Truth is, I only joined this programme so as to prevent the situation of the whole thing landing in lesser hands.. already Alvin is joining me as well, and Siti from his class, but that's all we got... two people short of the six people target.

Therefore in all, It's Crawldaddy, Giant Zucchini, XiWai and Siti who are confirmed to join the OGL team for 2005. But I gotta tell you guys, just trying to get things tob hold together is just one focking pain in the arse. I even shouted at my mum, who couldn't stop pestering me to get home and sing my dad 'Happy birthday'.

As I had shouted into my handphone in the middle of the corridor while waiting for Alvin to finish his class, the sound of it was magnified by the corridor, and carried so efficiently most of the Yr2 and Yr3 and staff popped their heads out to wonder who shouted:

"CAN YOU STOP BOTHERING ME???"

Yup, I instantly made a name for myslef yesterday. And I'm not proud of it.

I suppose I gotta control my short fuse... I've always had a short fuse since I was young, and I managed to control it until I was almost numb in Secondary Two. Then It re-surfaced yesterday, and I know that only happens when I seriously lose it... and if i get more angry than that.. I'm just silent.

Oh well, there are some days you just can't get a grip on things, and yesterday was one of them for me.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy