The Name Of The Game

Hmm.

I sometimes wonder why you choose this path,
when you play a dual role and others have the last laugh.
I believe it isn't fun, how it is like to have two faces,
and I seriously doubt if doing so will get you places.

If your behaviour is one of well-rehearsed deliberation,
then I guess it would not be suited to any generation.
However, for the time being I'm sure you will continue,
because everyone is tired of this game except for you.

Time will only tell if what you deem is just can be justified,
if only you can make an effort to make yourself less satisfied.
Old wounds can heal with the conditioning of the mind,
and I'm sure in due course your true meanings you will find.

What is the name of your game? Can I help you in it's definition?
I guess it's called denial, and for your part it's all about intuition.
It's so easy for you it seems, just to act it out like another play,
Gal, don't be surprised when everyone's gone, and it's just another day.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

1st Day of School (again)

Hmm.

Well, it's the day of reckoning, when freedom flies out of my front door, and jumps up my rear end. It's was a real blast... first lesson was model making (which mas mainly letting our lecturer Kouo do all the talking), followed by a very cold evironment in the Comm Lab with Jie Hong, while learning how to use Rhino. The day was topped off with a half-hour session with M&M lecturer Phua Tian Soon, whose opening line was:

'Aiyah.. same old group again'

Well, we didn't change much, to tell the truth. We (excluding yours truly) have pretty much remained just as childish, humourous (this time I'm in), and downright witty (oh, yeah.. I'm definitely in this one).

Some things which I hoped had changed still haven't managed to happen, but I'm just here.. hoping for the best.

On a lighter note.. it's really great to be an OGL after all.. having juniors waving at you from within lecture rooms as you walk by in Block M is really a feeling that I can enjoy, but not exploiting that feeling is important as well: I want to have great time with these people.

Tomorrow is another day... hope it goes well, as well.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

just a photo I'm going to use for my profile :p 

Righty-Oh....

Hmm.

Your Deadly Sins

Sloth: 40%

Wrath: 40%

Pride: 20%

Envy: 0%

Gluttony: 0%

Greed: 0%

Lust: 0%

Chance You'll Go to Hell: 14%

You will die listening to your favourite music.

How Sinful Are You?

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to obedience and warmth.

In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved.

You'd like to your lover to think you are optimistic and happy.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please.

Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with.

Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.

You think of marriage as something that will confine you. You are afraid of marriage.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Mother's Love XVIII

Hmm.

I suppose it's my fault once again that:

1. I didn't pack up my belongings which are strewn all over my desk.
2. My guitars are simply too loud for the comfort of my family.
3. My guitar tone is too sick for the comfort of my family.
4. I (once again) slept on a cushion without it's cover.
5. Pay from work has not yet entered my bank account.
6. My tips from work are unable to be claimed due to the cashier calling in sick and unable to hand me my tips.
7. The volume with which I listen to my headphones is too loud.
8. I'm sick of my mum talking about money every time I sit next to her, and therefore put on my headphones and turn on AC/DC.

Sigh... she just can't seem to get the idea of imparting family values (especially those regarding money) unto my pitiful self, out of her paranoid brain. I mean it's getting such a drag sitting down every morning and then she'll just start with her famous line:

"It's not that Mummy wants to nag, but..."

The rest is history.

Also, I suppose it's sort of becoming her favourite pastime, performing the hallowed witch-hunt every other evening by sweeping down upon my study table and proclaiming every offending article (for example, a slip of paper) a testament of hereticacy (if such a word, derived from "heretic", even exists).

I'll just be sitting there while she whacks away at me with her verbal version of her Bible aka "How to Ensure Your 17-year old Son Keeps His Table Tidy and will Bow Down to You and Lick Your Toes as Often as You Like")


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

It's just Another Day and a Half

Hmm.

I just sit here in front of my computer screen
and I just marvel at the way things have been
how fast time goes by
and the way our dreams fly
because I'm about to enter my second year
and I'm not sure if realised are all my fears

I think back on all the wounds
and wonder if they are still fresh
I ponder upon the class politics
and I hope they have become less

Also on my mind are my friends
in what way have they changed?
Has our bond wavered and weakened
or has it still remained unaltered?

Have I learnt from my mistakes
and realised I need to be less cold?
Have I learnt to lower the stakes
and not let my conscience be sold?

I sometimes wonder if things
could just go back to normal
Where all our faults are forgiven
and our mistakes, we can forestall

Right now I'm hoping for the best
for what hope have we in despair?
And I hope it is the same for the rest
for we are all entering the same lair.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

ID 0401 2005 1st Semester Timetable

Hmm.

Ok, judging by the absymal way things happen in NYP, our timetable has not managed to materialise on the website where we are supposed to go... therefore, being the responsible (and very bored) class rep I am.. here you go.. our timetable for the new semester:

Monday:

0900-1200
DN2087
R305K
Kouo

1300-1600
DN2086
M312
Liu Jie Hong

1610-1800
DN2088
M626
Phua Tian Soon


Tuesday:

0900-1200
DN2086
M627
Tan Mui Siang

1300-1450
DN2064
M626
Khairul

1510-1800
DN2075
M627
Vincent Shum


Wednesday:

0900-1200
Industry Seminar
(details to be briefed by Tan Hee Kiah because this time slot is for a programme with which I'm not sure what it is all about anyway)

1300-end of day
FREE (I'm not kidding, but have to see how long the previous time slot extends until... maybe we can have basketball after lunch?)


Thursday:

0900-1200
DN2067
M627
Micheal Gan

1300-1600
DN2064
M610
Jeremy sun

1610-1800
DN2093
M627
Micheal Gan (notice for this guy he is lecturing us on two different modules.. so don't be so blur and ask why we have him in the morning and afternoon)


Friday:

1010-1200
DN2013
P406
Christine Ong

1300-1600
DN2088
M626
Phua Tian Soon


And there you have it.. any questions.. pls reserve it for Monday and directed at Khairul, Limky not your beloved class rep.. I dunno that many things as well. For those who wondered how I managed to get the timetable, I got it personally from Liu Jie Hong.. so it should be 100% accurate.. if anything it could be a typo or Jie Hong cock-up ok?


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Holy Crike!!!

Hmm.

I guess I would have never have known this was a burger commercial.. for Obvious reasons. We love hate paris indeed.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

The Guys of ID 0401... See you soon! 

Video Killed The Real-life Star

Hmm.

Last night was the last time I was actively involved with the video shoot for our as-of-yet-unamed Star Wars spoof. Acting as a menacing Sith lord, Dark Errik, one of the four Dark Jedi who are 'protectors' of Dark Vader, I managed to act as a Stormtrooper who kills a Jedi and ultimately gets killed by another Jedi. As Dark Errik, I kill off another Jedi only to be stabbed and killed by Luke Skywalker, as my light saber is blocked by another Jedi.

It is really cool to act as a Sith Lord.. particularly since I had modified my cloak from a simple piece of red cloth to a full wrap-around cloak with clasping ribbon. I think of all the Sith lords to be casted in this spoof video, Bryandt (my fellow Freshmen Orientation Programme Leader and Sith lord who is the last to get killed) and myself are the most dedicated to good acting and cool moves. Compared to some of the OGLs, I think the two of us are the better actors in the cast.

The shoot lasted all the way from the afternoon to late at night, and we wrapped up the shoot at 11:30, much to the extreme anger and frustration disapproval of my parents. I mean, it is true that the shoot went on for too long, but it wasn't my fault to put it in the least.

For this video shoot, Bryandt and myself relinquished ourselves of the leadership posts and allowed two other guys Wee Keat and Fadzli (the Orientation Emcees) to take up the leadership. In essence, we had already passed on the torch. Make no mistake that Wee Keat and Fadzli are charismatic and sociable leaders (both of whom are unlike myself.. I can't speak for Bryandt btw), but we share the common goal of wanting to get the job done.

The main cast of the video is as follows:

Obi-Two Kenobi (Wee Keat)
Mace Goondu (Fadzli)
Anakin / Luke Skywalker (Wei Kit)
Chancellor Papa Tine (Aaron)
Dark Vader (Henry)

The thing about this casting is that it is quite good... but there is a slight glitch. The person who plays both Anakin and Luke Skywalker, Wei Kit is someone who requires a bit of a definition, because he is one major reason why the shoot went on into the late night.

Wei Kit is someone whom I believe is headstrong and at times impatient (rather like myself, but in a different way). The thing is, I do believe there is a misunderstanding that he believes that I am planning to steal his girlfriend away (his real-life girlfriend).. which is something that is completely untrue. Although I sort of got to know his girlfriend (whose name I shall not mention) before he did at the old Convention Centre where I used to work as a banquet waiter, I guess I only looked upon her as an acquaintance, rather than a love-interest. No doubt she is pretty, but I seriously have never looked at her in the sort of light associated with romance. And frankly, I guess I don't care what Wei Kit thinks anymore.

Anyway, Wei Kit is also the good friend of Wee Keat and Fadzli, and subsequently they listen to his point of view and also put in a lot of his ideas into the shoot. However, I do NOT agree when Wei Kit decides to interfere with Wee Keat and Fadzli's decision when their plans have been set in concrete... many a time I have seen Wei Kit override Wee Keat or Fadzli's decisions and plans and substituted them with his own... I mean, he's not the leader here.. Wee Keat and Fadzli are the elected ones... just like Bryandt and myself for the orientation programme.

Personally, if I am the leader of an operation and I make a decision, I would appreciate a little interference as possible from external factors. Not to mention during the orientation itself, when Bryandt and myself were the leaders, we had to make several important decisions, and sometimes our plans were held up by Wei Kit's objection or disapproval. I mean.. come one.. we respect you for your role in helping out in the logistics team.. respect your past and present leaders for their decisions.

I'm not sure why, but it seems that Wei Kit has been the delaying factor in two of the OGL's programmes already, and he doesn't seem to be letting up. No doubt his tenure as part of the logistics team during the orientation programme was important, but as the saying goes... "a man is judged by his worst output, rather than his best imput".

In many ways, Wei Kit and myself share the same joy for power and control... but he needs to know when to cool it before he gets himself in a bad situation where he is seen in a bad light. I mean, when I was the leader of the OGLs, I knew when to make things happen, and now that I'm not the leader anymore, I take things much more lightly, and I'm trying to shed my status as badass-in-residence, and become more of a friend to my fellow OGLs.

I think Wee Keat and Fadzli need more space to work out their ideas, and we should listen to their ideas before we make an input, instead of trying to seize the reins and ride away with the horses. Together, I believe that Wee Keat and Fadzli can deliver the goods, we just need to recognise them as our true leaders and ignore excessive oppressive external factors.

This is for you OGLS out there... know who to listen to: Wee Kiat and Fadzli.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Kristine's Birthday!!!

Hmm.

Yesterday was Kristine and Hui Ling, my Industrial Design juniors' 18th birthday. Apparently, most of their classmates/grp 12 friends didn't maange to get her a birthday present, so I being the kind soul that I am decided to make a card for Kristine (I didn't know it was Hui Ling's birthday until 3:30pm) and gave it to her on her birthday simply because 1. I couldn't really afford a present; 2. a card says so much more, and it's easily flat-packed :p

So anyway, Kristine had organised a combined birthday lunch and pool session at Orchard Cineleisure yesterday at 2:45pm... every one was there by around 3:30 and judging by ID standards, it wasn't really late for the meeting to be 2:45pm, and everyone is there by 4:00pm, a whole 45min later than the allocated time).

We went to the Sushi place and settled down, with myself sitting at a table with Sze Sing, Lin Jie and Eugene and Willy (?). We were there at 4:00, and we only started eating at 5:00 pm, and we (Lin Jie and myself) had a lot of fun choosing which sushi to try, and competeing with the neighbouring table for the most amount of food consumed. In the end, the tally was 27 : 42 with us losing to the neighbouring table.

I managed to be the one who put the candles on the cake, with Eugene lighting the candles and I presenting the cake to Kristine and Hui Ling while all of us were bellowing out 'Happy Birthday'. The cake was a real beauty both externally and taste-wise (thank god Alvin wasn't there... there was chocolate in the cake.. wait.... it was an ice-cream cake, so even more so he wouldn't have gone near it with a ten-foot stick :p).

And we had lots of fun playing pool, with Eugene beating me once because I accidentally knocked in the 8-ball prematurely, but I turned around and beat him with a proper ending.. YEAH!!! It was only the second time I had played real pool, and I guessed my experience in the cyber world with the same game paid off real well.

I left the pool hall with Sze Sing to attend an art exhibition near Newton MRT. Apparently I had used my IC as a sort of 'safety guard' at the pool hall, which meant when I reached Newton, I didn't have my IC on me.. i had left it back at the pool hall. In the end, Lin Jie had to pass my IC back to me while on her way back home... and Sze Sing and I managed to slack off and talk cock while we waited for Lin Jie to arrive at Newton and pass me my IC.

While Sze Sing and I were waiting for the train and Lin Jie to arrive, Sze Sing's sister was waiting for us above in the station, and apparently she was being 'eaten alvie by flies'.... but seriously, there was a severe infestation of Newton MRT's ceiling lights, and tons and tons of flies and moths were circulating around the lamps and creating a very freaky effect as though there was a plague going on down at Newton MRT.

The art exhibition was actually a series of paintings and sketches done by a local artist who had gone to paris and painted his impression of certain parts of the city, and frankly, it wasn't too bad, although his paintings were slightly skewed to the left i.e. his paintings of the various buildings, sculpures always leant to the left etc.

The night ended with me, Sze Sing, her sister and her sister's boyfriend (named Eric, coincidentally) having a late night meal (Roti Prata for me) and a bus ride which culmulated in me dozing off, over-shooting my intended bus stop, and delaying my ride home by at least 40 min, simply because I had to walk to the bus stop on the opposite side, which was at least 200 metres away, and I had to cross 4 traffic lights.

At least there isn't much hassle for today (although my back is still aching uncomfortably), and I'm got a night-time scene to shoot for the SDN club video (the star wars spoof) which includes (hopefully a lightsabre dual) and me smiling menacingly and wearing my custom-made cloak.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

It's Just Another Day

Hmm.

Well today was just another run-of-the mill day with the exception that it's the first time I'm actively involved in the production of a video.

This video is a production of the SDN club, which is meant to compliment the overall recruitment drive of freshmen into the SDN club. it's a spoof of star wars, and the only thing which is concrete is the number of characters involved, the dateline, and who are going to play those characters. Apparently, the script is still fairly organic, which is fine.. but then when it comes to business, it's a different matter.

I feel like there is a lack of organisation within the production team, which doubles as the cast and crew. Today, I went down to the meeting room, and I pull my guitar out and started playing. I played continuously for at least an hour before anyone stood up and said: 'Let's get something done today'.

I certainly felt that the lack of proper management of personnel is really disturbing, especially since a party of people are gathered, and they are not being efficient and doing their respective tasks.. instead they are slacking around and some are even playing cards.

This is my sentiment of doing things (especially if there is a team involved):

1. Find out what things are needed to be done.
2. Recruit the most capable and willing personnel to work out the tasks.
3. Refine the roles of those groups working out the tasks (logistics, provisions, registration etc)
4. Have each group work out a plan for the tasks required of them.
5. Ensure the plans are sound by ensuring people from other teams are aware of other's tasks, and ensure there is opportunity for feedback.
6. Co-ordinate the teams to do their tasks simultaneously, so that time isn't wasted.
7. Ensure that each team is fully capable of completeing their tasks.
8. Once each tasks is complete, ensure that other teams have the necessary help to fully complete their tasks.
9. Tasks are complete... look back and see ways of improvement.
10. Receive feedback on the job done from objective outsiders.

I usually go by this route of doing things, and usually things come out alright. I just hope this can be done as well with the video production.. but I'm not the boss so I'll just keep my comments to myself.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

After The Party

Hmm.

Well, last night's party was real fun... I had more than my fair share of drinks (one beer and two vodka mixes), more than my fair share of jumping to the music being played by the live band (the music was real good, I tell you), more than my fair share of toasting etc etc.

The thing about last night was that the moment I entered China Jump (located at the basement of CHIJMES) everything regarding work politics was blown away (not just because of the loud music which left my ears partially muted until this morning), and I just smiled and had a great time.

One thing that I particularly enjoyed was rocking out on the dance floor, while the band was whacking away.. the vibe was just so great. The band singer (who was a girl named Jade) was also very good, both as a singer and also an entertainer. I think last night would've been real good if only for that pain in my back which is still making uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, although I arrived there at 11pm, I left at about 2am because my parents were just so iron-fisted about me going out and attending the company party. My mum has the knack of asking me to justify why I need to go out everytime... and this time she asked me 5 minutes before I left the house... apparently she's jittery about the drinking, smoking and (supposed) drug-taking amongst the youth of today.

I dunno... inside China Jump there were bouncers who made sure everything wasn't out of hand, and when a guy took his shirt off, they told him to put it back on. So what's the fuss about the drugs??? I mean it's illegal, for one thing, and what's more.. I'm totally against the idea of taking drugs, smoking and excessive drinking.

So i guess I left China Jump feeling very good (albeit the pain in my back) and when I was standing at the taxi stand waiting for my parents to pick me up, there was this lady who was also standing near the taxi stand. She just smiled at me, and I smiled in return, just to be courteous. then she started asking me:

Lady: 'Which countyr are you from?'

C: 'Singapore'

Lady: 'right... I'm from india... where do you stay?'

C: 'Serangoon area' (I was lying.. but you never know who you can't trust especially strangers in the middle of the night talking to you)

Lady: 'Mind if I take a ride with you?'

C: 'Ah, no... I'm waiting for someone to pick me up.. yeah'


Thank God she turned around and walked away... because you'd never know who in the world you can trust.. I certainly didn't trust that lady. She could have been in a real need for a ride (but there were plenty of taxis around, and she seems to be sufficiently capable, financially), either that or she thinks that I'm some kind of guy waiting for some dirty action. That, I am definitely not.

Just for the record.. it was the first time I ever had such a party.. and it wasn't too bad... next time I'll be there again.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Party!

Hmm.

Tonight's a company party at Chijmes (which club we're going to is confidential), and it's something I'd never expect especially since we have been cutting costs and it's getting harder to get a shift on the days we want to work. On top of that, sometimes our shift gets cancelled at the last minute.

Anyway, the last time McCraic (pronounced as mack-crack) holdings ever organised a non-working gathering it was about a month plus back, and it was actually a bbq in the middle of the night.. and I left eventually before the important people came because it was already 2am in the morning.

Tonight's event, I suppose is one of the reasons we cut costs (so that we work less but eventually get to party), but the thing is.. it isn't as simple as that.

I've asked a couple of co-workers as to whether they were attending the work party, and some said yes, some said no or "maybe not". It's easy to understand their sentiment, after all, working in a pub with your supervisors snubbing you at times and leaving you all confused as to what the situation has become isn't the best working environment in the world.

I myself find it somewhat oppressive especially when the majority of my co-workers are female, older and thus having a superiority complex over me. Add that on top of the fact I'm still considered 'newly-come' and I'm a very demure person at work.

Do not mistake me as being a chauvanist because I find the majority female population at work oppressive, because I wouldn't wish for males to oppress the females in any way. Thing is, when the only guys at work are the assistant manager, one fellow part-timer, the chef, the 3 cooks and the dish-washer (majority of whom don't not even go into the pub whenever possible) it gets kinda funny when I can't even talk in the way I'm used to, I have to make sure my language is femalisized, and ensure I don't crack guy jokes.

But don't take me wrong, I'm cool with working with women, it's just that when they throw their frustrations on you like some kind of punching bag being stabbed with spears, I can understand why some people are apprehensive about the party altogether.

I'll be going for the drinks, and maybe talk to a couple of people (I wonder if Gerry is going?) and make sure I can have some fun one way or another.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Is This What I'm Made Of?

Hmm.

How to make a Errik

Ingredients: 5 parts success 5 parts brilliance 3 parts instinct

Method: Layer ingredientes in a shot glass. Add curiosity to taste! Do not overindulge!

Username:

Personality cocktail
From Go-Quiz.com

Errik is poisonous! Induce vomitting if ingested.

N POISON

Username:

From Go-Quiz.com

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT.

Oh, and my unofficial Christian/uber-swedish name is now "Errik", for those who do not know.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

So Dark The Con Of Man

Hmm.

I was just having a conversation with this 14-year old drummer on msn. The thing is, I was just having the fun idea of looking for people to 'join a band' which plays rock.. blues rock at that. And he was one guy who responded to my invitation.

This guy, I have to say this fellow is just so steeped in punk music, he is just blind to any musical phenomenon outside punk.

Apparently, any rock music other than 'punk' seems to be 'metal' with this guy.

So here I am sitting and asking him to name any bands so that I could classify them for him.. because his knowledge of rock history is a insignificant as your toe clippings. I can't imagine anyone going around, thinking they know what music is, proclaiming Led Zeppelin and AC/DC are metal bands and them proceeding to think I'm pulling their leg when I say they are blues rock.

Anyway, this is testament to the dismal effect MTV has on this brand new wave of 'rockers', or essentially 'punk-whiners' (due to this guy's apparent infatuation with Simple Plan). These guys don't know their rock history, the types of musical genres (and which bands belong to which groups), they do not explore different types of music, and frankly I just find the situation absolutely ridiculous... these guys don't know music at all!

To top it all... this guy's like a hardcore punk... tatoos, piercings and swearing.

Sigh... I knew this world was going to the dogs, anyway.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Star Wars Episode III: The Revenge of The Sith

Hmm.

Just finished watching Star Wars Episode 3 Revenge of The Sith, and the verdict is: Not too bad!

Visual Effects: Splendid
Sound Effects : "whooooaam" (lightsaber).. er good!
Lightsaber duals: Whoa Ho Ho! Fookin' great!
Space battles: Fookin' Great!
Ground battles: not too bad
Plot: needs to be improved
Realistic situations: a mixture of good and ok
Acting capabilities of actors/actresses: can be improved (especially Natalie Portman)

Anyway, I was pretty tickled by the fact the opening words apart from the title of the film was 'WAR!', because it just looked so damn stupid to have the first word as 'WAR!'. Followed by the fact that while the beginning of the film is really good, the rest of the film is pretty bloodsoaked, and rather scary, but also fascinating about how a web of lies can seal the fate of so many (especially Darth Vader).

Also, how scary it is to lead a bunch of people, and then have them turn around and stab you in the back (or in this case, fire lasers into your back).

So here I am, thinking that the story of Darth Vader is somewhat freaky (hello, you're dealing with the dark side of the force), well imagine what Darth Vader would look like compared to House Of Wax, which I'm seeing next week. I think Darth Vader would look like a standing joke with a sore throat.

However, I also see some lame points in this movie... on top of the stupid first word, you get stuff like Count Dooku having his hands cut off, and then being decapitated by Anakin Skywalker. I mean... Count Dooku had cut off Anakin's arm the last time 'round, so why this repetitive moniker? Then you have the battle droids whining and groaning after being cut down by Obi-wan Kenobi..... what the crap? I also don't know how it is General Grievious can come into this movie and suddenly becomes the man-in-charge after Dooku's death.

It's like this character of immense importance just pops up like that. Then this character just splits his arms into four arms, and all four arms wield lightsabers. Kenobi (well, he's a Jedi Master) makes short work of Grievious, then pumps a blaster into the heart of Grievious (who burns up and explodes)... and then proclaims the blaster is an inelegant weapon. RIGHT.

After that battle sequence, you get the destruction of the Jedi order, whereby all of the Jedi are killed by clones, Mace Windu is electrocuted by Chancellor Palpatine, who had been deformed by his own electricity when Mace tried to defend himself using his lightsaber; alot of Jedi across the galaxy are executed by clones as well, and then you have Anakin Skywalker killing young Jedi disciples. How horrific.

We also see Anakin strangling someone for the first time using the force. Ironically, it's his wife, Padme, and she promptly faints... only to be mistaken as dead by Skywalker.

To top it all is the climatic battle between master and pupil, Kenobi and Skywalker... which takes place on a volcanic planet. You have Anakin and Kenobi fighting lightsaber duals at dizzying speeds, but it gets them nowhere.. until they fight over lava, atop moving service droids, and then Kenobi jumps onto dry land. His apprentice leaps into the air to attack him, and Anakin gets his arm, and legs cut off by his former master, only to scream 'I hate you!' in vain as he slips closer and closer towards the lava.

In the end, because the lava is so hot, it ignites the cloth around Anakin's legs and the flames proceed to engulf the Sith Lord and leave him scarred and deformed. His Jedi mentor confiscates his lightsaber, and leaves him to die...

Then we see Palpatine (deformed himself) arriving on the volcanic planet and rescuing Anakin... only to place him in a ridiculously enormous suit which makes Vader sound like a kettle boiling over, and subsequently having officially the Coolest Breath Sound in the history of Cool Breath Sounds. On top of the 'suit-up scene', we see Anakin receive news that his wife had dies.. and he promptly wails in grief (now using his psuedo-sore throat voice). What the bummer.

In short, this movie has it's ups and downs, but it's ultimately a good movie which shows the transition from which the Republic transforms into the Empire, followed by the fact that Anakin Skywalker is burned into Darth Vader. We also witness the birth of Luke and Leia Skywalker, but ultimately, Padme dies at childbirth... leaving Obi-wan to put Luke into his Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen's care.. while his twin sister Leia is adopted by Senator Bail Organa and his wife.

The circle is complete, and I guess I'll be investing in the DVD when it comes out sooner or later.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Pool

Hmm.

Well, just had a crazy pool session with Steffo... online pool, that is. I used to think it was such a cool game.. now I think I just play it to confirm my incompetency regarding computer games as a whole. I know I should shun away from such things, especially since my game isn't the best in the world, and Steffo's got better chops than I do, but what the heck... I gave it a shot but came around rather weakly.

Anyway.. I was supposed to have a noon shift at the pub tomorrow, but my assistant manager called me up just a few hours ago to tell me that my presence wasn't neccessary, so there you go.. I'm free for the day until my shift really starts at 6pm.

There was an SDN club meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning 10am, and since my shift had been slated to begin at 12 noon, I thought I couldn't go to the meeting and then leave like ten minutes later just so I could go to work. So now that I'm free from morning till afternoon, I guess I can go for it.

Anyway, I've officially finished all of my guitar parts on the upcoming album 'Burnt Holidays', and all that still remains is a backing vocal, and Alvin tweaking some of the other songs, and adding bass parts. I just pray that we can complete everything by this coming thursday before we go off and watch Star Wars with Charlotte.

The thing weighing on my mind is whether the CD Alvin and I have cut should have a price on it... obviously the songs within don't come free.. we put in lots of hard work, and the amount of dedication to this album both of us have thrown in is more than what one would normally imagine.

So the debate: Free, Set Fee or Listeners' Choice?

Free: it's obvious, we give you the CD, all expenses soaked up by the two of us.. leaving us in a financial situation more dire than ever.

Set Fee: a set price on the CD (it's complete with cover art, btw) most likely between the price of $3 and $10. Come on! We gotta have to buy CD-Rs, print out the cover art, and on top of that.. I think We deserve some respect for our musicmanship and for the simple fact we made this album OURSELVES entirely.

Listeners' Choice: The person purchasing this album pays a minimum fee of $3, and if he or she thinks it's only decent to pay a higher price, then it's up to them to do so... I only ask for a fee no less than 3 bucks.

On top of the Cover art, music within the CD (duh), this CD will also include a personally painted doodle on the CD itself, done by yours truly. To make that even better, this doodle is hand-painted, so every single CD is individualised.. it may be of a different colour even!

So if you believe that all of this effort put in by us is not worth it.. you can go and piss on yourself.. because the Fuzzy Green Grass rule!


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Burnt Holidays!!!

Hmm.

Well, the Fuzzy Green Grass are almost done with our debut(?) album, titled 'Burnt Holidays', and all I can say is, there have been omissions from the original line-up of songs, and an addition of a brand new, completely unexpected instrumental.

The thing is, we originally had 12 songs in mind to put on this album, but I guess time and luck isn't on our side, and I guess it isn't worth it to rush out songs, and then have them sound sub-standard. Therefore, we have decided to push out about 9 songs, with the inclusion of this brand new instrumental, which I have to admit I've mentioned before on this blog (shhh..).

So what have the both of us achieved today? we managed to finish up the last remaining songs, and all that remains are some tweakings, and some re-recording of a song or two, and we're essentially done. Of course album cover art is still untouched, but we've already got a draft cover art in the works.

The album cover may be posted online, and if you listen closely, you might be able to hear a song or two being broadcasted on this blog itself!!!

In essence, this album 'Burnt Holidays' is actually the culmination of some of the material (and a lot of material at that) which we've both managed to amass since we first formed last year, before we went into poly. Our first two 'albums' "Live at Al's Place" and "Live at Al's Place 2" and my own 'The Crawldaddy Experience", which has never seen the light of day.

Therefore, I hope all of you faithful listeners and bloggers may wish to procure this album from us (postage is on us), but we may ask for a small fee (amount still controversial, but definitely less than say, 10 bucks? Don't jump to conclusions! 10 bucks is definitely too high!) in return for this album which we've both put so much effort into, and made it happen.

If you do wish to purchase this album, do not hesitate to contact me for methods of payment (actually,I feel that the sum should be "free for all", to be fair to your sense of judgement, because mainly you, our listeners can decide what amount of cash our music is worth, but no late payment) and delivery.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

It Was Fun, Yeah?

Hmm.

Well, Alvin's birthday was a blast last night... although the worship session was (as I had feared) inadequately prepared due to Joshua not having played with us before, and also I couldn't get the timing right due to the weird strumming of Joshua and Alvin's banjo being too soft. Sigh.. what can I say? Also, last night, while throttling my mandolin along to Alvin's banjo, Joshua's guitar and Chris's bass, I redefined the meaning of 'sweat'. For those who remain in the dark.. let's just say you wouldn't want to know.

Anyway, following the worship session was Dinner, which wasn't too bad and while I talked to Brandon Goh and You Jun, Alvin and Chris Leow and other friends continued their tenure on the PS2.

I had met up with Bei Zi, Sian Lee and Jace. Originally, I had told them to reach Potong Pasir MRT at 6:20 pm, and I suppose I need more experience in the time management of these girls. First to arrive was Sian Lee, who live at Hougang, followed by Bei Zi around 6:30. Last to arrive was Jace (6:50+), who justified her lack of punctuality by saying:

'It's only half and hour late only what'

RIGHT

Just in case you didn't realise this, Jace, half an hour is not a very small amount of time (and I usually make it a point to leave my home EARLIER).

Anyway, the girls were very bored throughout most of the night, until about 10:50, I decided to bring my guitar into Alvin's computer room and sing my songs to the three girls, some SAS pals, and one of Alvin's cousins. Iwas such a weird but fun environment to just sing, and let everyone around you go quiet and hear you do your thing.

It was late, and my dad managed to pick me up and drop off the three girls and one of my old pals Meng Kit before heading home.

I suppose Alvin had a good time as well, last night.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Happy Birthday Alvin!!

Hmm.

Today is Alvin's birthday, and I'll be damned if today isn't a big deal for him... well why not? After all, he has already invited 40+ people to attend the worship session at his place (which includes yours truly as the Mandolinist of the worship team), and his parents have catered the dinner, and on top of that (or rather most improtant of all)...

I'm giving him TWO birthday presents.

You have no idea the amount if difficulty required to get these two presents for him.. and only he knows the trouble he has caused me... all for these two presents.

So what's so special about Alvin that he requires TWO birthday presents? Well.. let me list them down:

1. He still looks as though he is Eleven years old, so the added weightage is supposed to make him realise he needs to grow up.
2. He's my best pal in poly, so what's the crime if I wanna spoil him?
3. Everyone else is only giving him ONE present.. doesn't it reek of politics?
4. Referring to the above, I suppose he knows it's only the decent thing to do to give me TWO presents for my birthday as well (muahaha)
5. He manipulated me to do so.

Ah... I'm meeting the girls at Potong Pasir MRT later this evening (6:20, in case you forgot this, Jace), and we're gonna have a great time!


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

In Anticipation Of The New Semester

Hmm.

Well, although it's still the middle of the holidays, I just can't get the thought of starting the new term out of my head. There are so many things to look foward to: new lecturers, juniors to get to know, different challenges, friends to catch up with, and old wounds to heal.

I suppose one thing which I can't get off my mind is that I'm already entering my Second Year in Poly... wow.. it's amazing that it feels like only yesterday I was sitting in Alvin's place making our crappy records and jamming away.. and that's even before term started for Year 1.

I can't imagine what sort of stuff our lecturers have in store for us this coming semester, but I'm sure it's going to be challenging but fun at the same time. The thing is: will I rise above the rest, or will I remain at the same level as my classmates in order not to incur their negative feelings? I've always had the feelings I'm leaving my friends behind if I go all out to hit the ceiling.. and I've done that often, but I always feel guilty at times when I do so.

Anyway, I know that there will come a time when it's an individual game, and no man can be left behind, but I feel that time has already come. I will do my very best, but I will still help my friends when I can, the best compromise I think possible.

I've managed to maintain a level of within the top half of my class, and maybe within the top quarter, but sometimes I slip when it comes to the really "study" subjects, which i abhorr, due to my absymal sense of memory.

I like modules which require my hands to really get involved, and mental process is limited... becasue I'm one guy who loves my hands (although they are coarse and ugly to look at).

Ahahaha... Guess I'll just have to wait andc see... and prepare in advance.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

The Idiosyncrasies Of Crawldaddy Part II

Hmm.

Ok, to continue on this 'series' of posts.... the last time round, I covered my infatuation for proper grammar, spelling and punctuation in the English language. Today, I shall cover my (sometimes) irritating love of taking 'paparazzi' shots of the people around me.. whether it is in school or anywhere else.

The thing is, I was turned on to photography at a very young age... before I was born, my dad had purchased a very old analogue camera (yes, it used film) which had a timer, manual focus, and an add-on flash unit that was roughly the side of a small dictionary.

I was taught how to use that camera quite well, I could focus with the knobs around the lense, choose the proper contrast (well, it was just twiddling the knob until an indicator light turned on), how to put people into a photo etc.

In essense, I was taught how to take good shots at a very young age.

Then came the age of digital cameras, and subsequently camera phones which could take shots as easy as *that. I supposed I was galvanised by the way you didn't have to worry about how your shot turned out with digital cameras, and if it was screwed up, you only wasted battery power, followed by the deleting of the unwanted picture.

Anyhow, my passion for photography was further fueled by the fascination of how an effect of a photo has upon a person... which essentially is the subconscious emotion a person goes through when viewing a photograph. While I have not attained the level of photographic skills required to capture specific moments in life which evoke very strong feelings, I am working towards that level.

I suppose for some of you who know me on a personal level, you'd probably seen me holding a camera and asking you to smile. For those who smiled, and for those who squealed and ran out of camera-shot... you know what I'm talking about here.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Mother's Love XVII

Hmm.

I suppose all of you know I'm an avid blogger, and that news of blogs surfacing rapidly all over the world has been coming up now and again. So should it come as a surprise that last night, my worldly-wise mother decided to call me from downstairs and make me remove myself from my computer and go and 'eat fruit':

Mother: '(my name), come, eat fruit'

Crawldaddy: 'Argh'

M: 'I want to ask you... what is a blog arh?'

C: '????' (I was trying to "Tah Bodoh")

M: 'You know the newspaper recently came up with news about "blorks" arh, what are they?'

C: (mouth full of apple) 'Erhh, shtuff peepurl put on the indernet lorh'

M: 'but how does it work?'

By now I knew there was no escaping her clutches of making me stick downstairs and making sure I stuff my face full of fruit before I remove myself from her sight.

C: (swallows) 'Ok, I have a blog of my own'

M: 'REALLY??? Tell me how it works!!!'

By now I knew that I would never, ever escape from people with the 'zelda' syndrome*... because my mother was one of them.

*For more information on the 'zelda' syndrome, kindly go to this blog's archives and search for any posts titled 'The Legends Of Zelda' and you will be able to finally realise why Zelda makes me shudder so.

C: 'Yah.'

M: 'Ok! Later you are going to tell me how to create a blog. I'm going to be a BLOGGER!!!'.

Sigh.

I knew since the day I started spending more time online, my mother keeps thinking I surf porn am talking to strangers. Since then she has incessantly demanded reasons for my high internet usage. Truth is... I'm just sitting there, talking to my pals on msn and surfing porn playing spider solitaire while doing so.

Heheehe... nah.

I usually update myself with online newspapers and I also visit other bloggers' blogs, search for song lyrics... guitar song sheets etc.

Later last night, I had finished off my stuff online, and just at that moment, my mother came up into the loft and (sublty) demanded I teach her how to create a blog.

M: 'Why you everytime I come, you want to go away har?'

C: 'Psychological barrier'


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

2005 Crawldaddy (very early) Birthday Wishlist

Hmm.

Ok, since Alvin's having his birthday on saturday, and he had prepared a birthday wish for all to see, I've decided to come up with an exceptionally early birthday list, just to get all of the ideas out of my head, and laid out at my feet to view.

Ok.. here we go... Costliest first (hehehe)

*Guitars (or probably items I can only own when I become a billionaire, unless some kind-hearted soul gives it to me):

1. '59 Gibson Les Paul Standard (preferably the vintage reissue, but if you do manage to procure the real deal... it would be focking fantastic) Price Tag: >$40,000 (genuine), >$6,000 (reissue)
2. Gibson Les Paul Standard Jimmy Page (one of the 2,200 models in production since 1998 and very rare, and distinguished by His Darkedness' signature on the pickguard) Price Tag: >$20,000
3. Gibson SG Standard '68 reissue (the reissue of the famous guitar hanging around Angus Young's and Pete Townhend's shoulders in the 70's) Price Tag: Approx. $4,500
4. Gibson ES1275 Doubleneck (the guitar commonly associated with Jimmy Page as well.. but it's a doubleneck!) Price Tag: Approx. $7,000
5. Epiphone Les Paul Standard Cherry Burst (probably comes cheaper than the Gibson models) Price Tag: <$600 6. Epiphone SG Standard Model. Price Tag: <$500

*Guitar Effects (or something which I can fiddle with until the end of time and still remain content and happy):

1. Boss Digital Delay DD2. Price Tag: >$200
2. Electro-harmonix Big Muff Pi. Price Tag: >$250
3. Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Fuzz-wah. Price Tag: >$400
4. Theremin (for those who don't know what this is.. be thankful.. it isn't cheap or easily availible). Price: unknown
5. Guitar EQ pedal (any brand can do). Price Tag: >$200
6. Mackie 8-track mixer. Price Tag: >$400
7. Boss Chorus (god knows what model number). Price Tag: >$200

*Guitar Amplifiers (or noise-making boxes designed to blow your's and you neighbour's roofs off):

1. Marshall JCM 800 all tube
2. Marshall AVT 200
3. Marshall MD 50 CDR
4. Vox AC30 vintage model
5. Marshall MD 15 CDR (this is my current amp, but another of the same amp WILL blow the roof off.. yeah!)

*Books (or paper items which cost more than is neccessary):

1. The Silmarillion, J.R.R. Tolkein (paperback issue) Price Tag: <$20
2. The Led Zeppelin Songbook Vol. 1 &2. Price Tag: >$40 (per book)
3. U2 All You Can't Leave Behind Songbook. Price Tag: Approx. >$50
4. The Complete Book To PRS Guitars (or something like that). Price Tag: >$40
5. The Complete Guide To Led Zeppelin (includes all their studio and live albums and song details). Price Tag; Approx. >$30

*Compact Discs (or plastic discs destined to be overtaken by MP3 music):

1. Pink Floyd: "Atom Heart Mother", "The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn", "Animals", "Obscured By Clouds", "Wish You Were Here", "Dark Side Of The Moon". (remastered editions)
2. AC/DC: "Let There Be Rock", "Highway To Hell", "Stiff Upper Lip" (please also choose re-mastered editions in 'openable' two-sided paper covers)
3. ZZ Top: "Greatest Hits", (includes the favourite track 'I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide')
4. Rolling Stones: "Sticky Fingers"
5. The Beatles: "Let It Be", "Rubber Soul", "Revolver", "Meet The Beatles", "The White Album". All of these CDs are in un-remastered format.. so be patient and wait till they are all remastered.
6. Vertical Horizon: "Everything You Want"
7. Creed: "Human Clay"
8. Van Halen: '1984"

Note: All CDs above cost approximately between $18 and $45.

*Digital Video Discs (also plastic discs which cost absurd amounts of money):

1. Ocean's Eleven & Twelve
2. Star Wars Episode I (and Episode III when it comes out)
3. The Waterboy
4. Happy Gilmour
5. Cast Away
6. Forrest Gump
7. The Terminal
8. The Italian Job (the 60's and modern version also can)
9. Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains The Same (live and movie footage)

Note: The Above DVDs will cost approximately between $25 and $40.

*Miscellaneous (anything which pops into my mind now):

1. Violin bow rosin
2. A Harmonica in the key of A, C and E
3. four condenser microphones (preferably Sony, AKG or Sennheiser)
4. new sandals
5. a new bicycle
6. a new pair of spectacles (preferably with clip-on shades)
7. a Swatch Skin watch


And that's about it.. I'm not a demanding person, and if you wish to procure any of these items above you'd be absolutely crazy I won't stop you because I know I'm worth it. Muahaha.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Mother's Love XVI

Hmm.

Here's a tribute poem to commemorate Mothers' Day:

Well you've always been there, ever since I was naive and young
you taught me how to walk, and insisted I learn my mother tongue
now I look back, and it's funny that I still wince in recognition
your familiar smile and lack of respect for my personal disposition

From cleaning ups to ensuring I didn't play too loudly my guitar
I'm assuming you had initially wanted me to go in life very far
now I see you standing there and making sure my bed and table are neat
and here I am knowing without you I wouldn't be standing on my feet

I know you've always said I'm forever your little, 5-yr-old boy
and I think it's time you saw me now, when I'm playing with bigger toys
my needs and wants, though often acknowledged with much reminding
have been fulfilled somewhat reluctantly albeit my lacklustre demanding

So here I am and not needing you to remind me when to cut my hair
I've realised that through you, God has already given to me a life very fair
thankful or not, it still remains to be seen, after all you will need my care
when you rest peacefully I'll know you are already ascending that hallowed stair


Not too wonderful, but as always, the meaning is unclear unless you head is devoid of ulterior meanings and expressions.

Have a happy Mothers' Day.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Clutch that matey! X

Hmm.

Well, last night was just de riguer at the pub... since it was a Sunday night, the only television programmes being broadcasted were the Spanish Grand Prix and Liverpool vs Arsenal Match.

I CAN'T BELIEVE LIVERPOOL LOST 3 TO 1!!!!!

MY FAV TEAM CAN'T LOSE TO THEM FOCKERS ARSENAL LIKE THAT!!!

Anyway... there was supposed to be a small function going on around 11pm, hosted by the Owner of McCraic holdings Colin McDonald (who owns Molly Malone's and it's various fellow food & beverage outlets). One of the main reasons I stayed up till 1pm + was because of this function, which even had Gerry Cox slated to play guitar in the small room while the guests.

Apart from booking a small function room (known as the stone area due to its floor tiling) and ensuring it was empty by 10pm, a large pot of Irish stew was prepared, along with several platters of Scotch eggs and bread. I have to say... just looking at the food all laid out in the kitchen made me very hungry.

So the Spanish Grand Prix came and went... Kimi Raikkonen clinched the top spot, and I witnessed Liverpool succumb to defeat by the hands of Arsenal, sealing a last-minute goal by Reyes (?).

So Colin and his wife came around 11pm, and there were no guests in sight. Soon afterwards, I saw Gerry pack up his guitar and Colin and his wife disappeared. I suppose there will be no party afterwards.

But what happened to the food?

Well, it was already past midnight, and I felt very hungry due to the nature of my job (which involves running up and down a flight of stairs at least 15 times per night), and with a little grace from my supervisor, Ita, I managed to remove that hunger with some Irish stew. Thank God for such a wonderful supervisor.

Today I had intended to go to Sentosa for the SDN club outing, which was organised by the OGL seniors, but since I'm still bummed out from last night's shift, and for personal reasons unsaid, I think I will skip this trip.

I still have a punctured bicycle tire to fix btw, so I guess my absense can be somewhat justified.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

It's Got Balls!!!

Hmm.

Last night, I had the most interesting conversation with Gerry (the singer for Molly Malone's), because he was just sitting there at the bar and fiddling with his handphone.

Apaprently, he felt that the sound coming from my acoustic guitar, when plugged into the P.A. mixer sounded warm and really 'acoustic', as opposed to the sterilised and clangey sound made by common acoustic pickups.

That was a real surprise.. considering my guitar is a piece of $180 junk, bought off a seedy shop and has a cracked top bracing. Although the acoustic sound is quite ok, I've never been able to convice myself that this guitar is capable of anything apart from being firewood after 5 years of usage.

Anyhow... the guy from a second-hand shop quoted my guitar at 70 bucks.. so I've decided to keep it until the darn thing just disintegrates in my hands before I retire it to my bedroom wall. But before that happens, I intend to develop my chops and whack it mercilessly, because I'm an evil guy.

However, I've found myself treating it quite well, contrary to my usual habit of abusing my instruments (either through playing style or severe modifications). I've come to play my guitar like I'm holding the hand of an infant.

Weird huh?


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

A Chance to explore on the wonders of English

Hmm.

I'm just doing this post to check out the wonders of HTML the internet, but no... just that I've never really been able to do that cancelling-out effect, and I managed to find out from Steffo (kudos, gal). For those who don't know :p.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

The Murky Waters Of Songwriting XVIII

Hmm.

Ok, no, it's been a real long time since I've put down a song on paper.. but I've been thinking about the songs in U2's catalogue... past and present. It's amazing, that when you listen back to their songs, you can feel the atmosphere and emotion coming through in their intense songs, but it does not make you feel sleepy; you can feel the adrenaline rush in their upbeat songs, but not feel like it's repetitive, and you can feel the power and meaning behind their deep-lyric songs, but still have a sense of freedom to interpret them.

In essense, the music of U2 can really be considered to be timeless both musically and lyrically. It doesn't put forth the same message across everytime, but yet when you do hear those songs, you will get the meaning in a very short time.

I've always considered putting subtle meanings across in my music, and though some (songs) have no real meaning, others have that gentle message of hope and wonder. Yet again, some songs have very blunt and obvious meanings, which doesn't take a mind like einstein to decipher.

I just hope my creative juices can continue to flow.... in recent times they have become clogged up for some reason or another. Also I hope I can finish off reocrding the remaining songs intended for the FGG's 'Burnt Holidays' CD.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

The Idiosyncrasies Of Crawldaddy Part I

Hmm.

Ok, here's a brand new addition to my already burgeoning list of blog series, including the infamous "The Legends Of Zelda", "Mother's Love", "Clutch That Matey!" and "Brother Dearest"..and many, many more.

So what's up with this brand new series? I'm not going to make it too obvious.. but let me touch on one subject of my personality when I do post a post.

Today's subject: Spelling, grammar, punctuation and pronounciation.

Coming from a family where the English Language is spoken as the main language.. followed by Hokkien and Chinese, I am one person who is meticulous and obsessive with spelling and grammar.

It was a long time ago, when I was just like any other kid, learning how to speak and write English properly. I had some problems spelling simple words and piecing words together to form a simple sentence. I remember how my determination to master the language came from a simple word: 'banana'.

I was in class in kindergarten, when the class was required to do dictation (a horrific experience for myself then, due to my spelling being next to mediocre). I had been required to write down the word 'banana', and I was confused as to how many 'n's and 'a's I had to write down.. and I eventually asked my classmate.

In the end, he snubbed me and I was left hanging onto nothing.. and I eventually wrote down 'banana' as 'bananana'. Yes... it was that bad in kindergarten. So it was that experience which made me learn my English doggedly and almost religiously.

So it comes as no surprise, after going through phases in my life which included reading any book I could lay me hands on to perfect my mastery of the language, reading became sort of a serious passion, and my parents even complained and nagged at me to do my schoolwork instead of burying myself under a pile of storybooks.

Eventually, i managed to go through whole essays with minimal grammar and spelling mistakes... and one of the main reasons I got a C6 for my O Level English (to much surprise from the people around me) was the fact that I couldn't answer the questions accurately, but my grammar, spelling and punctuation was impeccable. Sigh... so sad yet true.

Even now, I'm commonly consulted by my classmates to spell words, because according to them, 'His ang moh very pro one lah'.

I suppose it's also an issue when I see spelling mistakes whenever I go onto public transports, blog online or simply have an email conversation with my friends.. I always try and ensure my english is written properly.. albeit my horrendously illegible handwriting.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

NYP 2005 Freshman Orientation Day 3

Hmm.

Well, today was a real blast... Alvin's camera managed to cock up on me (which resulted in him concluding I spoilt his camera), and i had to take shots of the juniors with an assortment of cameras borrowed from my fellow OGLs.

To be perfectly honest, I felt that my fellow OGLs had performed beyond expectations today, considering we had less than five days to effectively plan out the whole orientation programme, and further fine-tune it. Sure, there were problems here and there, and I suppose today I tried to keep myself low-profile by not speaking so more to the freshmen as a whole, but ended up failing miserably.

The first task at hand early in the morning was the need for the freshmen to receive (or rather re-procure) the boards upon which they were supposed to paint, stick or imprint upon the subjects which conformed to the theme of the competition, which is 'Motivation'.

So what is this competition all about? In short, all 12 teams from the School Of Design had to use a 3 foot by 6 foot kapaline board, and with the theme of 'motivation' in mind, create a collage that either represents what motivates the freshmen in the individual groups, or maybe in conjunction with a skit, which enables the audience to fully understand the process of receiving and acting on the action of 'Motivation'.

Very chim, yes. Therefore I was particularly edgy when Bryant (thanks, Jool) was more than an hour late (according to the time the OGLs were supposed to arrive), and since Bryant had the keys to the HQ room, the freshmen only received their boards around 9:30 am... a full hour after the time we instructed them to meet and gather to work on their competition boards.

Anyhow... the grand finale which ensued was really good, with ID group 12 receiving the Best Cheer Award... which is really good. I felt personally proud that the freshmen had told me a passing remark from myself had served as inspiration for their cheer, which included the commonly-used moniker 'go fly kite'. In the end, it is my guess that group 12 became known as the 'kite' team.

Incidentally, Alvin was the OGl mentor for group 12, and considering they have two eccentric people (myself and GZ) to guide and motivate them.. it really becomes a personal achievement and pleasure to see the juniors look upon us with respect and receive our instructions willingly.

The grand finale included a great OGl cheer, and admitably a rather enjoyable show of how thick-skinned I am, by not only enacting out a short parody of 'Ba Ba Black Sheep' with Bryant and two other OGLs, but singing and making the body actions along to the song TWICE (which means we sang and danced, and repeated the song twice to popular consent).

I think I will be on GZ's list for THE most thick-skinned people on the planet.

Furthermore, I let the freshmen get a taste of my 'sexy voice'.

Also included were some funny and some lack-lustre performances of the juniors, which often included an ending line of 'will you hire us???' from the juniors. The idea for the line came from the fact that the cheer and performance was something of a presentation to the judges (the deputy directors from Industrial and Degital Media Design), which was sorta like a job interview cum audition.

The day then proceeded to a meagre lunch, a short talk wif ID group 12, spreading my wisdom and lamenessness to the juniors. A short visit to the fusion show then concluded in a health talk (which is actually about sex and HIV/AIDS) which lasted a little too long for my liking.

The final event for the day was the prize presentation, and I guess it was a really good show of OGL creativity when we came up with a way to dish out the prizes and inject some humour into the whole event as well. Wee Keat (one of the MCs) wanted to line up representatives from the 12 groups, and eventually say 'You're fired!!!' to all the groups which didn't win anything.

The good news is.. ID group 12 won one of the three top groups, and that's another thing to be proud of, particularly since their presentation board included inspiration of the kite idea lifted from their cheer. Apparently, their idea of using little bits of paper to make a background was also supplied by yours truly. Ok, no more bragging.

The best parts of today included finally getting to see an edited version of the video an OGL named Remy had been busy filming throughout the whole of the first two days, which (oh so appropriatedly) included a clip of yours truly slipping and falling while playing a game of jump (much to gales of laughter amongst the juniors and members of staff). Also was Alvin's ripoff of Survivor video clip which was so alike to the introduction of the TV series even the directors laughed out loud in recognition.

I guess we all had some fun one way or another, and in more ways than one, we all knew it would end, and it would be a sweet, satisfying ending.

One thing though... I think I'd better get a haircut soon.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

NYP 2005 Freshman Orientation Day 2

Hmm.

Today went fairly well today, despite the fact that I ran around alot, and talked alot, and the ID freshmen were initially bored, but the situation improved once we went on to the games and fun activities (hence the term 'games and fun activities'), and the freshmen managed to respond to our attempts to make them open up and have fun themselves.

Today consisted of firstly (for ID), the 'virtual applications', which is just an elaborate expression for 'how to use your personal computer'.. and of course the term was coined by our very good friend Ayob... who has the ability to turn black into white with his famous moniker 'Don't worry about it!'.

ANyhow, after our 'virtual applications', we had our teabreak and 'games and fun activities', which included a fun-filled game of word-formation and an OGL cult-favourite game, 'Jump'. Not to elaborate on the finesse and details involving the game 'Jump', we managed to turn the game into 'Double Jump' by simply using two people from the same group to form a team, and combat the other team... formed by two people from another group.

The whole game culminated in an adrenaline-driving draw between the two teams, and I guess it was partly my fault the two teams drew... but considering the alternate situation, I guess it wasn't a mistake at all.

Lunch was followed by another fun-filled activity known as 'Sculpture', which was basically a competition between the two ID teams, and it involved making a 'sculpture' using... plastic forks, spoons, knives, cups and paper plates.

The two teams then proceeded to make their sculpture out of the disposable cutlery and utensils.. with one group making an elephant with a distinctive rear end and non-existant face, while the other group made a snake complete with an uber-baby bib around the head.

To tell the truth, the two groups' sculptures weren't very impressive, but it was an achievement considering it was the first time they were making a sculpture together as a team.

The culmiantion of the day was the Mass Games, which is in short, a lot of activities which involved shouting, screaming, singing, and running around and sweating like a mother. I had plenty of fun myself, and I guess it was more or less the same for the freshmen.

I had the previledge of one of my fellow OGLs informing me that the other OGLs were not exactly happy with my behaviour, and that I was rather a nuisance and a person who constantly interrupted conversations and who bossed people about.

Let me set the record straight: when I receive a task, or a job... my attitude towards it is one of absolute seriousness and sobereity. I will not stand for any bullshit, and particularly when my co-workers' attention towards their duty should not be faltering. I will be telling people what to do, and in order to drive the message home, I will repeat myself and straight to their faces, in the most politically correct way possible.

However, it is inevitable that people will get tired of my incessant talking, but do not think I'm one person who will let up and let you trod all over me. I'm also a social recluse.. so dpn't be surprised if I just disappear without saying goodbye unless I've had more than six conversations with you, and each conversation lasting more than 15 min.

Although it doesn't take much to get my attention, it will take a lot to reach the level of attaining my honest praise and appreciation, and unless I'm truly impressed, I will 1. be indifferent, or 2. bear in mind how much more it will take to improve on it.

I have to say that my fellow OGLs dislike me for a reason that's based on my working attitude, rather than my social attitude, which is completely different. In conclusion... I couldn't really give a damn what they think... I'm just here to do my job.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

NYP 2005 Freshman Orientation Day 1

Hmm.

Today is the first day of the NYP 2005 Freshman Orientation, and considering of all 37-odd OGLs, we managed to pull the first day of fairly well for the first day. Let me tell you something... and it's probably just the obvious: nothing will ever go as planned.

We had arranged for everyone to meet in school at 7am, and I guess I was the only bugger who got up early enough to reach there and realise that Block M level 6 was locked until 7:30am.

I suppose it wasn't really realistic for me to expect everyone would arrive there 7am sharp, but as the head OGL for ID and much much more.. I made the effort to do so, and I did it.

The whole thing went quite well in the morning, albeit a slight traffic jam and confusion amongst the juniors regarding their need to firstly get their student ID before lining up and then receiving their name-tag and subsequent herding towards their group.

Yeah... it's a lark managing 37 odd OGLs who have half a mind to run off and slack like nobody's business. It's even worse when you know that the state of mind of the freshmen (or freshies, as per Brian, my fellow Head OGL) depends on my mangement skills regarding the whole programme. It also includes Brian organisational skills, because he had spent three days almost without sleep, and the way it went wasn't satisfactory to him.

Apparently, Brian was disgruntled regarding the way the OGLs had taken the whole event so lightly.. arriving late... not cooperating and doing their tasks properly. Essentially, Brian wasn't happy with our some of our peers' performance today, and he even scolded some of them during our debriefing after the whole first day was over.

I don't blame Brian for his anger and frustration, because I'd know I wouldn't be anywhere near being amused if my colleagues and team mates decided to slack off and turn off their enthusiasm. Apparently, Alvin gave me some feedback regarding the two fo us.. he said that Brian was able to be cheerful, and friendly.. but his 'tough' side came out less easily.

For me.. I was able to get 'tough' quite easily, and due to my rather weak (compared to Alvin's) sense of humour, I suppose my ability to humour the freshmen wasn't exactly effective. Anyhow... Alvin was doing the NYP tour for one of the ID classes, and his incessant lame humour literally had me shaking my head in disbelief and in dispair (considering that he turns up for Orientation dressed in shorts, a polo tee and loafers... with that bowl haircut and then starts talking cock). But he was funny, by the way.

The day had started with registration (confusion, confusion), then we had moved on to Ice breakers once the numbers had settled down, but we were already 15 minutes behind schedule, no thanks to poor traffic management. After Icebreaking was done, there was a speech and introduction to the course by the respective deputy directors (ID and DMD) at seperate lecture theatres. Even our lecturers went up to do their thing, and I tried to throw in some toilet humour to keep things from straying too far from product design.

Lunch was a fun affair... after most of the freshmen had finished their lunch, they threw their lunch boxes (styrofoam containers) into a black rubbish bag, and our logistics head, Aaron tried to compress the bag, but as soon as he was halfway pressing the bag with his body, the bag gave a huge 'BOOM', and there appeared a huge tear in the side of the bag. Congrats.. Aaron.

the NYP tour was fun, but tiring..and after the teabreak... there was a video and presentation by the library staff and I practically slacked off during the whole thing.. culminating in a full body stretch behind the rear seats and falling asleep with AC/DC slamming in my ears.

I dunno... personally, even though there were some complications in the arrangements, I'd have to say that despite some bad apples, the whole thing went fairly smooth. However, morale and teamwork within the OGLs is still somewhat lacking.. our seniors said our cheer was weak, and Brian was pissed with everyone.

Sigh... just pray that everything goes well tomorrow..I have to get up at 5am again.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You

Hmm.

Well, I woke up today and my amrs felt slightly better... so I decided to take a shot at learning how to play Led Zeppelin's 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You', which was featured on their first album, Led Zeppelin I.

So what's so special about 'Babe'? The thing about it is that it is origianlly a Joan Baez song, and then during the sixties, many people were already covering it extensively (or so Jimmy Page was quoted as saying in Guitar World Magazine).

The thing about the Led Zeppelin version was that it combined the folk-sey parts with a driving electric section in the chorus, and alongside the acoustic guitar in the mix are some pedal steel parts which make the whole song sound so thick and full of atmosphere.

So why do i want to cover it? Well, first and foremost, it's one of the only acoustic Led Zeppelin songs which do not require tuning the guitar to some oddball tuning (the other main one is 'Stairway To Heaven'). Secondly, the guitar parts are just so beautiful... you can just sit back and let the music wash over you and you're transported to another time and space.

Finally, it's also a challenge, because I'm one person who constantly challenges himself to learn new things, and complete tasks I set for myself... tasks which very few people ever consider under-taking.

Due to the complex guitar parts, which shift and change ever so slightly as the song progresses, I don't believe i will ever be able to play 'Babe' to note-for-note perfection, but as long as I'm 90% there, and throwing in 10% of improvisation (another word for ignoring the difficult parts and just playing whatever I like), Id be very happy.. to be able to proclaim 'I can play Led Zeppelin's "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You"!!!' to people, and see their jaws drop.

Go ahead and listen to the song... if you think the song is simple to play... well it is, to a certain degree, but listen closer and then you'll realise the true musicianship and talent of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Stiff Arms Update

Hmm.

Ok, well I'm here listening to 'All You Need Is Love' and I'm just reminiscing on the application of this song in the movie 'Love Actually', which I think, is one movie we all shouldn't miss.. despite the bits of nudity here and there.

Anyhow, my arms are slightly better.. at least now I can touch my nose with only a little bit of pain in my left arm.. while my right arm has almost regained most of it's former flexibility.

I wonder if those companies like Osim or Ogawa make a massage machine just for the arms... I'm desperate for a solution so that I can finally stretch my arms outwards without feeling pain in my chest muscles.

It's interesting how friendster has changed my life.... now I can go online and not just stare at the un-updated blogs of my fellow bloggers, but instead try and add more people to my list of friends. It's also scary how much of my attention has been diverted away from my blog. I've never left my blog so alone before.

Ah.... getting queasy thinking about my arms again. Bloody bits of anatomy just need putting in line.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy