Cats

Hmm.

Ever since the time I spent in New Zealand and I managed to come into absolute contact with a domesticated cat, I've loved the creature, and when I move out of my folks' place I'll get a cat of my own.

I find that cats are incredibly intelligent and independent, unlike dogs. Now not that dogs are bad, but I'm sure cats won't chew on your friggin slipper or piss and defecate all over the place, as is usually the norm for dogs.

I've managed to get acquainted with Rob's cats, and they're such lovely creatures... I'd love to keep one of them lol.

Whatever the case is, somehow cats indirectly got onto the bad side of me when I was severely reminded of someone I know. This person whom I know has always given me the impression as though she's like a human with cat traits... haughty, squint-eyed, stubborn but playful when given a choice item to play with.

I seriously dislike the fact that this person is incredibly independent and yet so reliant on external help when everyone has to put out their 110%. After she's just dragged everyone's morale down, she reverts from sly and lazy mode to her jovial self in order to try and buy herself a positive image.

Recently I saw a picture of a cat on her profile, and it just made me sick. I was seriously annoyed when I saw that picture, because it brought back all the unpleasant memories which made me all hot and bothered.

And I don't like to hot and bothered.

I just hope that the next semester will be much better than the last... I'm trying to get some rest so that I won't get burnt out halfway like last semester. However, no matter what I do.. I'll always feel tired and I'm just tired of being tired.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Tear Down The Wall!

Hmm.

Well I guess I'm blessed in the sense that so far 8 people have already confirmed their presence on my birthday.. and Alvin, Chris Leow and myself will be doing a sort of 10-song gig during the evening before we watch a DVD, namely 'Herbie goes to Monte Carlo', which will be provided by the herbie-loving Alvin.

So far things have been going rather smoothly, and Alvin has pledged to get me 'The Silmarillion' and Superdel has mentioned she might get me the Pink Floyd classic album 'The Dark Side of The Moon'. I feel that it's great that two friends of mine might be getting me something which are certainly things that I can enjoy... namely books and CDs.

I dunno, from my point of view, books and CDs tend to be very good choice of presents... while books and CDs definitely do not come cheap, they definitely have a greater sense of tangibility... instead of weird things like paintings, sculpture, etc.

Apart from CDs such as Dark Side of the Moon (DSotM), I had been planning on expanding on my CD collection to include Thin Lizzy, Fleetwood Mac and 60's to 70's era Clapton records. As Clapton was involved with so many groups (Yardbirds, Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, and Derek & The Dominos) it'll be tough for me to nail down exactly which record epitomises Clapton at his best.

I've heard that the only Bluesbreakers album he did with John Mayall was one of his best works, but I've also heard that 'Layla & other assorted love songs' which he cut with Derek & The Dominos was also pretty good... not to mention that that album includes the classic Clapton track 'Layla', which was inspired by his yearning for Patti Boyd, then the wife of George Harrison.

As for books, I was browsing through Kino yesterday and I found the guitar transcription book for the Floyd's DSotM, and the material inside was absolutely incredible, even the price was incredibly ridiculous: $34.00 full told. I dunno... I'd have to really save up because I WANT THAT BOOK.

Whatever the case is... I'd be really happy already to receive those two items (DSotM and The Silmarillion) and that is enough for the time being LOL.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

The Gig was good

Hmm.

Wow.

Gerry's birthday was such a blast. Despite the fact that I worked until 11:45pm and just dumped my gear onto the set area, set up within 3 mins and played two songs before Gerry's birthday cake came out. Unintentionally, I had bought joke candles which kept relighting as soon as Gerry had blown them out. I was so amused.. I had never seen those in action before.

Gerry was just absolutely delighted with the Led Zeppelin T-shirt I gave him LOL... he was like 'NO WAY!!!' and put it on a manner of seconds before I could even start my next number, which eventually turned out to be 'Stairway to Heaven'... it was great, both Gerry and myself were wearing our Led Zeppelin T-shirts and just singing together although I was the one tickling the strings.

I had only played my acoustic guitar once in the pub, and Gerry told me how good it sounded. The townhouse chef, Andrew, who also played guitar, went up to do a couple of numbers, and I was personally astounded by the sound my cheap-arsed guitar produced. I suppose it really is one of those rose amongst the thorns.

The evening wound into morning and I went up with my SG to do some AC/DC... it was great because big boss Colin Macdonald was there as I took a break and Andrew came on. As I went up, I literally tore up the stage with 'Shot Down In Flames', 'Whole Lotta Rosie', 'Highway to Hell' and 'You Shook Me All Night Long'. With the guitar in souped-up over-drive and me doing the Angus Young duckwalk... it couldn't have been better.

The set officially stopped at around 2:15 after I finished it off with a resounding 'Hey Jude' (again, the guitar sound came out so well... I'm really happy with it), and Gerry, his girlfriend Mags, myself, Andrew and Colin then stood around playing old hits with Gerry's guitar, while I wiped down the strings on my guitars and let Andrew do his thing. Oh man, that guy can play. If you think Gerry and I can play guitar, that guy can whup both Gerry and my arses straight out. But it was great... we sang until about 3am in the morning before I finally retired.

Did I mention my manager gave me and Andrew a bit of cash for our effort? I totally didn't expect it, and I told her:

'Jaime, just to set the record straight, I would have done it with no cash simply because it is Gerry's birthday. Even if it's your birthday, Colin's birthday... whomsoever's birthday it is.. I will do it'

I mean, it's just terribly nice of her to take my shitty financial condition into consideration, but the best about it is that I wouldn't be too worried about getting home at about 3am in the morning.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

The Gig is Here

Hmm.

Tonight is going to be a very improtant evening.. on top of working from 6 to 11pm as a Molly's waiter, as of 11:45, I'm will be playing some numbers in anticipation of Gerry Cox's (the pub singer) 38th birthday.

I've been looking forward to this day, especially since this is a pre-designated gig which has been approved not only by the manager Jaime, but also the boss himself, Colin Macdonald. Apparently, Michael and Archie were supposed to come in (as per norm) on friday evening but eventually bowed out due to gig commitments elsewhere. Robert was also intended to play tonight as well, but work got into the way, and he came by Wednesday (as per his norm) for a gig.

Jaime was then left in a tight spot with only myself availible to perform apart from Gerry himself because both Rob, Michael and Archie were unavailible... she was like:

J: 'Errik, Michael and Archie can't make it tomorrow night, so that means only you can perform... do you have anyone else you can jam with?'

C: 'argh.. guess what the ONLY person whom I can jam with (Alvin) has just left for Beijing'

J: 'But will you be comfortable playing on your own at around 11:45?'

C: 'yeah, there has never been a problem, but question is whether I can last until 2am in the morning LOL'

J: 'In that case, just start at 11:45 and around midnight just give an announcement that it's Gerry's birthday yeah?'

I'm seriously jumping at this opportunity to prove myself, because the tuesdays during the first two weeks of semester will be my two 'official' gigs, whereby I have to plug in and play to an audience by myself, without any aid from Gerry who is usually around to tweak microphone settings or stand by in case any trouble happens. Frankly, I am simultaneously psyched and frightened about the prospect of finally getting a gig.

But I guess it's just like eagles, they get kicked out by the parent bird and learn to fly on their own. I suppose this is the best opportunity for me to learn how to fly... how to get through a gig on my own.

It's A Long Way...

Hmm.

I finally got the gig! As of Tuesday, 8th November, I will be gigging once per week at Molly Malones Irish Pub not after my shift, but rather for a part-time living. The boss of McCraic Ltd told me himself, that the initial kickoff of tuesdays will eventually build up such that I will not have to spend the rest of my teenage life cleaning out ashtrays and sweating like a pig even though the temperature condition in Molly's can cool down a dish of piping hot Irish stew within 5 minutes.

I'm so grateful.. I can't find the words to say. I mean, Rob, Gerry have been so encouraging and helpful both in terms of giving me opportunities to get better, and also the financial help to carry on improving FGG's studio sound. On the other hand, Colin has been very supportive and kind enough to give me the opportunity to earn a small living and the benefit of playing (and working) in his pub. The thanking can go on forever.

Well, Rob was very pleased with the Gift Gerry, Alvin and myself got for him... it was a Bob Dylan documentary which was picked out (blindly) by Gerry's girlfriend Mags, out of 4 possible choices Gerry and I picked out from the shelves at HMV. We stood there with two possible choices in each hand behind our backs, and Mags chose, which might have seemed foolish, but Rob was happy, and that says it all.

Today I had the first glimpse of the Yr1 SDN club members.. and I have to say I'm somewhat disappointed in some of the ID people... given my way.. I'd tell them to sod off. If they chose to come down only to refuse to be involved, then all I can say is:

"don't waste my fucking time"


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Crikes VI

Hmm.

I'm now planning what could be a good thing to do for my birthday... so far I'm somewhat following in the footsteps of Alvin, which is to hold a makan-cum-gathering at my place. I've already pitched that idea to my folks, and as usual they're asking the validity of such a suggestion. This justifies the fact that my folks can't give a shit about my feelings.

I mean.. it's my BIRTHDAY. It's already screaming in your ear... do you need more audio stimulation to get it into your thick skull?

Anyway, I'm planning to invite no more than 30 people... I can think of a few right off the bat, and hopefully most of the invitees will be able to make it. So here's out to you guys... try and keep your sunday, November 13th free because I'll be inviting a bunch of people down.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

1+1=Fun!

Hmm.

My saturday officially started when Superdel and myself went to a Mac's near Molly's for an ice cream and just talking and chatting the afternoon away... I think that afternoon was really nice, and we ought to do this some more! Better than sitting at home and stoning/watching tv/sleeping (;p)... after all it's just ice cream.. I'll be able to get rid of the fat incurred by just doing my job :)

Last night was soccer night... people came and went... crowds packed and thinned away... I even stayed until 2am so that everyone could cope with the immense number of people. Thank God they weren't drinking too much as the matches went on or I'll just die due to over-work.

My supervisor was unexpectedly nice to me last night.. I expressed that I was hungry, and she allowed me to get a LAMB KEBAB from Dharma's and she signed the bill for ME!!! OMG.. I was just so grateful.. I couldn't find the words... until I found out Uncle Don (our Assistant Manager) had also signed a crab cake for all of us in case we were hungry (oops).

It was the first time in months I had worked until closing... and I have to say it was fulfilling and also a repayment to my colleagues in the sense that I had always punched out from work pretty early (if 11pm is considered early) and left them to carry on. I always felt guilty about it.. and now I just feel... liberated.

I want to be generous as a person... and i hope I can continue in that vein... there are so many opportunities for me to give back to the peopel around me, and I wish I could take those times when a little goes a long way. I guess I'll pray.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

All by myself

Hmm.

(nasal, high-pitched, kicked-in-the-crotch voice):

'loonellllyy.. I'm Mister loonelllyy.. I am nobodyyyyy... I'm all on my owwwwwahhhhhnnnnn'

*shudder*

I'm just sitting here and nobody's online. I guess it's also a reflection of my popularity that very few people approach me online to chat etc. Yet again, maybe it's my inability to talk crap with people of my own age group. I dunno, but I sure am sick of stoning here and being lonesome.

Is it natural to be lonesome? I find that it is severely depressing when all you have is your own skin, and everything else is just too difficult to handle, and the jokes bite and sting... the looks on people's faces burn and scorch... the laughter mocking and scorning.

Then I look for solace in music. Sometimes I pray... God seemed to have answered my prayers a while back, and it's nobody's fault but mine that people just shun the guy who immerses himself in a world full of sound effects and sonic landscapes. People come and go... some appear to be willing, but in the end when fake smiles give way and they eventually slip away to nothingness...

Why shouldn't I have a sanctuary of my own? I find nothing beats the feeling of warmth coursing through my veins when sitting down and listening to stuff like Nick Drake, Rob's CD and (I know this is weird) John Denver.

I also find great self-reward when I just plug in my SG, turn up the amplifier and just blast every single note out. It's just so damn good to have that feeling of raw power and ambience envelope you as the sound and energy wraps you up and takes you to a different dimension.

My mum will never be able to understand why I have to turn it up... I'm still tired, and the holidays are coming to a close... when will I really get some rest? It's always.. do this, do that, would you mind doing this this afternoon... do it or you'll be in big trouble. She can't give me a break. If this goes on, I'll be burnt out by the 2nd week of the next semester.

The other day she went upstairs into her room, and started screaming her bloody head off. Turns out she had grown so fat on tit-bits and your what-nots such that she had developed a double chin.

I was just laughing my head off when she came down and was still panting when she told me her new-found revelation. So here's a fair warning to you girls out there: stop the fucking tit-bits and you won't get a double chin.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

The Murky Waters of Songwriting XXIII

Hmm.

I dunno if I had posted this song before, but here goes anyway.... this song was written last year, just before I had left for Shanghai to see an old friend. I have no idea, but just thinking about the whole prospect of meeting a friend whom I had not seen for over 7 years:

Do you remember the times? When we had just fun
and it seem so long ago, just hanging out in the sun

and where are we now? the feeling has gone somewhat
and where are the smiles? has everything changed so much

I remember the broken towers, the swings and the slides
while we talked on through the night, exchanging little things that were nice

and where are we now? the feeling has gone somewhat
and where are the smiles? has everything changed so much

Well I want it back, that feeling, that tender look in your eyes
and just one more time, then you won't have to see me again...


In case you guys were wondering, I am able to write almost anything from anything... I have no need to rely on something specific as a sole point of influence or inspiration. Tell me your story if you want a tune, and maybe I'll be able to deliver... Crawldaddy is at your service.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Clutch that matey! XXII

Hmm.

Yesterday, we had a new member of staff, Jennifer, who is 19. I have to say she had the look which made men turn their heads, and the demeanour of someone who acts younger than who she is... reminds me of someone whom I know (and don't give me crap as though I don't know the people I know).

Work last night was pretty much ok... a little rough early in the evening, but after 9pm or so the place settled down and we weren't as busy as I and my colleague, Lynette, feared would be.

It just so happened that a bunch of people came into the pub, and the 'leader' of this group was someone whom I had recognised as leading the same bunch of men and women and literally guzzling their way through last thursday evening. Apparently, there wasn't enough space downstairs (they had a party of 6) and they wanted to go upstairs.

Now, not knowing what they wanted to do (be it drinking wine, having makan or just lazing around sipping on cognac) they asked me if it was ok to go upstairs to Townhouse, which is a wine bar. I said there should be no problem, and they trooped up after asking me to bring up a bottle of whisky they had left behind last thursday.

This is the thing: although Molly Malones and Townhouse are affiliated through McCraic holdings which bind the two outlets of the same establishment, management of the Pub and Wine bar are two seperate components. Hence, the folks up at Townhouse are always on friendly terms, and staff from both ends share the same facilities, the same kitchen, but different menus.

Here we have the party of 6 who have decided to go upstairs, but not purchase any wines from Townhouse. That is a big problem. The management (for Townhouse) seem to have this policy that if you do not purchase any wines (after all, this is a wine bar), you are not allowed to sit within the area known significantly as 'Townhouse'.

So after this was pointed out to the party of 6 by one very vivacious Townhouse member of staff (and the manager of Townhouse also pointed that very important bit of trivia out to me), they trooped back downstairs where they complained about the waiter's sense of courtesy, while sipping on their previously-bought bottle of whisky.

Being the waiter who served these people, I was doing my best to be apologetic, but at the back of my mind... I was thinking: in the first place, I wouldn't have the gall to buy a bottle of liquor from the pub and then insist on enjoying it in a relatively 'higher-class' vicinity. In fact, I'll probably call first to reserve a place (especially if there are a bunch of people coming along) so as to avoid such entanglements. Whatever the case is... I have no further comment.

Right.

Mother shoved a very political question at me the other day:

"if you had a choice between having your mother go away all the time and her staying at home all the time, which would you choose"

Now, having grown up in an environment whereby your Mother is particularly sensitive towards inter-personal relations and the protocols which exist within the living space... I have developed a sense of political-correctness possibly unsurpassed. Even my brother doesn't have it. Come to think of it, my brother doesn't even have a sense of humour.

So I answered (in typical politcally-correct fashion):

"I would have my mother stay at home, but go out from time to time"

LOL

I sang a couple of tunes later in the evening, after my shift was over.. and I took over the 'celtic revival' bit which Gerry had kicked off by singing 'Whisky In The Jar', and there was the Townhouse chef (who was Irish by birth) who immediately jumped up and bellowed along. I also sang 'Peaceful, Easy Feeling' and 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' before retiring for the evening.

I was on the way out when I bumped into the chef (by the way, the chef is a she) again, and she was in a state of 'total admiration' towards my 'singing ability' and asked if she could be my 'groupie'. Lest I sound like I'm patting myself on the back, she already had more than a jug of Tiger beer in her by the time I was done singing... so she was probably sloshed out.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Prospects of going back to school

Hmm.

YEAH! Our FLIP! chair managed to enter the 2nd round of judging at SFIC (OMG... don't tell me we have to go back to that forsaken place to give another presentation???) which is pretty much good news all around. Alvin said it was another thing to add to our portfolio.

I mean, it's pretty good that something that we did, which is basically OCC-style choppering up of the chair and adding geek-style mathematics workings unto the chair, ended being judged as something with substance, because we did it in such a short space of time, and it turned out pretty much alright.

I was listening to some Cheap Trick songs... and all I can quote from them is "We're all alright! We're all alright!"

I was thinking of what the new semester is going to bring... already I burned out halfway during the first semester, so right now I'm mentally preparing myself to deter myself from such a thing from happening again.. by really slacking my time away.

Actually, not really... I've got a shift tonight, and I just hope that everything goes alright. My fall last week is still having some pains in the affected region, but it's greatly improved.

However, there's the prospect of having TWO VI sessions next semester, one with the juniors, and one more with the seniors. There's also a rumour of the return of Patrick Chia, to which I quote from LOTR:

'You cannot pass! Go back to the abyss which awaits you and your master!'

Quite simply, I will not be able to wonder how much time will be spent just wandering around in the murky waters of Patrick's projects, and I can't imagine how much torture it will be especially when the juniors have to suffer alongside us, the veterans of experience in projects being undertaken by Patrick. I only have my 'Pop Art' project to bear testamony.

But choosing from the two evils, whether it is VI with juniors or VI with the seniors, I would rather have VI with the seniors than with the Juniors, because it would be much easier for the 'battle-scarred' to cope with battle once more than to bring in the novicemen. Yet again, that said, maybe it would be good experience for the juniors to be scarred-as-such so as to heighten their awareness of this monstrosity.

However, my fears could be justified even more so, such that if Patrick took the juniors for Studio project, they would be under the daunting task of facing him for both VI and Studio Project, which will eventually wind up with them crashing down in flame and glory, and with what form of glory i do not know... maybe the impossibility of achieving what Patrick REALLY wanted.

Trouble with Patrick is that even he doesn't know what he wants, and he's just wanting the students to be as blind as possible so that they might be able wank something out of nothing. That is something which is feel is an absolute waste of time. This is why in real-life situations, designers ask questions and get real answers from their clients before moving on with their conceptualisations.

Rather than mucking around with fuck-all for four weeks and the dateline is three days away before concept finalisation, it would be much more proficient and time-efficient to have everything clear-cut such that there is a stone to step on, instead of having to drop into the pond every now and then.

As you can see, the fear of facing Patrick has resulted in this super-long post... such is the dominion with which this guy weilds over us students whom he could give a damn about... but I can safely say.. he'd better watch out: I fight fire with fire, and if I receive flak, he's going down with me. After all, there's the student feedback programme LOL (which I used to great effect after Yr1 2nd semester).


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Do I have A Disease? VII

Hmm.

Well, it's very close to the end of the holidays, and somehow or another I've developed a bad habit of breaking my picks... so far I've already broken 4 pick since the start of the holiday...

I have no idea if my technique of strumming is just too vigorous or too stressful on the pick, but I always hold the pick fairly loosely, so that the sound coming from the strings don't sound too forced...

Pete Townshend said once he had developed a technique whereby he 'floats' a heavy pick in between his thumb and forefinger, so he really doesn't touch the pick at all! I've developed a similar technique for myself, and unless I'm doing pretty fiery strumming stuff I tend to use this technique for fast-strumming.

I was thinking that after Steak & onions is done, hopefully by the next school holiday, Alvin and I would not be able to put down any more recorded material because:

1. We would be in the midst of our 2nd semester of our 2nd year
2. We would be busy building up our portfolio
3. Alvin would be having his industrial attachment programme, and if he does go to Germany... well, it's kind of obvious.
4. I might get a gig and chances are, I won't even want to pick up the guitar in my spare time (lol)
5. We would be too bogged down by school commitments to think straight.

I'm eagerly anticipating the arrival of my birthday... I might even want to buy myself something (how about a 15-watt Vox pathfinder that sounds like a tube amp???) or go someplace with a bunch of friends (how about a cycling trip along East Coast???) or just a simple evening having makan (how about a meal comprising of mainly satay at East Coats Food centre???).

Whatever the case is.. it just might be something simple.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Clutch that matey! XXI

Hmm.

Oh well, last night's jam session with Rob was fairly productive.. and this morning's presentation could have been much worse.. I'm just very thankful I didn't shake more than I did standing in front of those strangers lol.

I'm not blaming anyone for not being there to help me when I need their help most, but it's just so annoying that the people whom I need to consult the most went on leave just as I needed them to be around and help me for that presentation.

I just went in there and gave the judges what I could, and I hope it's ok.. at least they know my chair is beautiful.. it's only the manufacturing method which I lack depth in. What can I say? I had a C+ for Materials & Manufacturing lol.

It was held near Jurong East mrt, so I popped by the Cash Converters and bought 'Big Momma's House', which is pretty funny... not too bad at all. I think I need to control my expenses especially since I didn't earn much for the previous month due to dengue.

Well now I'm officially licensed to slack.. nothing to keep me from doing nothing.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Argh!

Hmm.

Oh well, I'm in school and I'm about to go off to Orchard to meet Alvin before proceeding to Rob's place for our typical Monday recording session. It's been a long, drawn out day.. thank goodenss I'm not tired like the last few times I was at Rob's place... I practically fell asleep on the way.

We're planning to try out newer songs this time around... and hopefully nail a take or two by the end of tonight. So far it's been only touching on 'To You', 'It's All Murphy's Fault' and 'Countryboy, Breakaway'. And that's roughly less that 30 percent of our intended output.

Ok, gonna make a move now... I think I might just pop by Popular or CD Rama or Sembawang Music to update my dusty brain *chuckle*


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Lazing on a Sunday morning

Hmm.

Well Alvin and I have officially wrapped up our 'Modus Operandi' chair (don't ask me why our chair has that Latin name, all I can say is... Alvin's very much into making people confused at the moment, after all he's taking a break from gassing them to death).

Over the course of two weeks we have managed to convert an old-styled outdoor chair into a sexy, comfortable, beyatch capable of making anyone who comes too close in the vicinity tempted to sit on it... and thereby snoozing on it for the rest of the day.

Right.

As to why it took so long for us to 'Officially' wrap it up.. it traces back to SFIC's original requirements for the submission. As far as we were informed, we only needed to hand in a CD-ROM, including digital photos of 5 views of that chair, and a 300-word write-up. Oh, then guess what?

Those buggers called Alvin up and asked for 2 A3 p-boards by monday morning.. which initiated a scramble to cobble the p-boards together and print them yesterday at Peace centre... I'm unnecessarily poorer by 10 bucks... and I'm annoyed by this 'last-minute' requirement which took up time for my research and preparation for Tuesday's FLY presentation.

While at Peace centre waiting for the p-boards to come out, Alvin and I went to City Music to look at some of the guitars and one acoustic bass. Then this shop assistant asked us:

Shop assistant: 'excuse me, are you interested in that guitar?'

...and without realising it...

C: 'no, we're just idling our time away'

...I had become a snooty bastard

SA: 'right, because you're not allowed to jam in here'

I apologised, but thing is.. I knew one of the guys over there.. and he didn't have a problem with me trying out the guitars.. or Alvin picking ever so softly on the bass. That darn shop assistant probably just can't stand good country music, and that's his issue, not mine.

After I decided to leave City Music, I went into a 2nd-book store, and found this 'Giant Book of Insults', which I deem to be one funny book as it contains loads of high-brow stabs at people who may deserve it. It sure serves as something which might come in handy one way or another.

Anyhow, I've got to go have breakfast now... Dad's calling me.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Bored

Hmm.

Ok, let's see... I have a very important presentation next week Tuesday morning, and I'm like slacking away because I can't go to school (I forgot about another presentation today, and I was like 'OH SHIT!!!' when my lecturer called me up) and simultaneously save a word document in the school computer into my Yahoo briefcase.

I seriously need to get my act together. Maybe I should go the way of Jerry Maguire... fewer things so as to stay focused... right now I feel like I've got so many things to do I'm just torn into pieces along a highway, and along comes a ten-tonner to make my day.

The FGG have officially wrapped up finalities regarding BH, and the album cover is just a bitch to make... it requires at least 6-7 processes before it can be officially known as 'Burnt Holidays', the 'debut' album of the Fuzzy Green Grass. For those who are interested in buying this album, it's going at $7, and learn from this experience, because the pre-order period (the whole of Yr2, 1st semester) allowed you to get it at $3. I apologise for those who aren't aware of this album's existence until now.

Maybe you might be wondering why it costs $7, but understand that this body of work is not just 'another CD', it has been meticulously created, and believe you me, it wasn't easy. Top it off with the troublesome album cover, and you have to understand why we decided to price it this way.

Anywho, I'm hoping that I can find out the relevant information required for me to get through the presentation... and I'm just praying for steadfastness in my own character.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Is honesty truly the best policy? X

Hmm.

I know I should have forgotten you a long time ago
when I listen to that song it brings me back again
It's tough not to know which direction to follow
and this feeling is harder each time to withstand

I'm praying for something to take you out of my mind
but I find myself praying for the opposite in the end
It's definitely too late and disappointment is all I'll find
because the disaffection is too tough for us to mend

I ask myself 'why would I feel this way after so long?'
after all, the meaning was loud and clear between us
then I told myself maybe I could heal by writing a song
but that song had no words, a very storm in the tempest

Now all that I'm wishing for is a simple conversation
would your heart bear to commit such a travesty?
I can say that my heart alreadys holds the dedication
hopefully in the future we can trust to simple honesty


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Mother's Love XXII

Hmm.

Well I finally told my folks my school semester results. I am not surprised by either of their responses. With typical aplomb, my mum declared that my guitars are to be hung up until further notice.

In what name does she think I give a fuck as to what she has to say about me and my guitars? Nothing short of Jesus coming down from the heavens and telling me to stop playing will make me give up my passion for picking up that piece of wood and releasing my mental stress upon it.

She told me last semester that my results have to improve. "No Ds!" she said, and now, I show her no Ds, she goes on by saying "there are not enough As".

WTF? I mean, an A is as good as a Distinction, and although I got C+s for Model-making and Materials & Manufacturing, anybody who has had Dengue fever and a cut forefinger would have the sufficient excuse to not complete their models on time, much less complete them at all.

Furthermore, anybody who has attended my M&M class would have difficulty keeping awake or resisting the temptaion to doodle or do anything apart from listen to the damn lecturer. I have achieved a personal record of getting drowsy just two minutes into a lecture.

Beat that on top of having only TWO common tests, tutorials which seldom get any going-through with the lecturer and ONE presentation. I'm not blaming the lecturer, really, I'm just blaming his lack of dedication which anybody would have with a class such as mine.

I mean, come on.. my results underwent a relative improvement especially when I didn't have any Ds, all of the relevant core modules received a B grade and above, to top it all, I even managed to enter the 2nd round of FDA. I see no reason why my parents should want me to hang up my guitars.

Sigh, as the saying goes: 'a man is judged by his worst output rather than his best input.'

Maybe I should add: 'My mother is the most repulsively unreasonable person who has no hobbies other than indulging in watching stock markets rise and fall and blaming her poly-student son for soiling the family name by going to poly and not JC.'

Fuck JC. I have better things to do than go to an institution which is just a higher form of secondary school. I'd rather focus on my passions than trying to achieve fucking grades. If my mum wants me to hang up my guitars, she can go wank hope out of thin air.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

What Crawldaddy Wants (Really)

Hmm.

I was inspired by Superdel's shopping list, so I'll rip off hers, but with a slight exception, I have no cash whatsoever to buy these things:

1. Vox 15-watt pathfinder amplifier ($168 at City Music, Peace Centre)
2. Electro-harmonix Double-Muff distortion pedal($200-plus at Music Plaza, Plaza Singapura)
3. Johnson echo pedal ($80 at shop in shopping centre next to Peace centre, selling lots of TGM guitars)
4. Philips DJ-style earphones ($32-odd at Harvey Norman, Marina Square)
5. Samson instrument condenser microphone ($80 at Ranking, Bras Basah Complex)
6. (Book) The Silmarillion ($15-17, Kinokuniya, Takashimaya)
7. Apple Ipod Nano 2GB ($368, Harvey Norman, Marina Square)
8. (CD) Pink Floyd: 'The Dark Side Of The Moon' ($20, HMV)
9. (CD) Peter Frampton: 'Frampton Comes Alive!' ($20, HMV)
10. (DVD) AC/DC: 'Bonfire' (approx $90, HMV)

And that sums it all up, I just wished I had the cash to get that stuff... at least Alvin's promised to get me 'The Silmarillion' for my birthday... thank God.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

I 2 Eye

Hmm.

I promised Ms Gail I'd wirte up a review on her art exhibition 'I 2 Eye', which brings out so much deep meanings with each portrayal of herself, I'm just blown away.

There are two people whom I recognise as my personal idols, the first is Robert, who is a cancer survivor, and is currently living with a broken back. Even with these past and present ailments, he still manages to play guitar like no other, and he's just an amazing fellow.. his thoughts and perspectives mean so much to me. I can't imagine myself learning so much from anyone else... not even my own folks, who have become so secondary in my life, I have to admit I sometimes don't bother to answer their calls, even if it's unintentional.

Second in line is Ms Gail, whom I utterly respect for her character, which is being absolutely direct and unpretentious. I try very hard to develop my personal character to be like her, in that sense, because I am one person who will not stand any bullshit which comes my way... even if its from my parents. Her deep understanding of the way things work, and her wacky sense of humour just makes me admire her so. it's a shame and a good thing she will be gone from Singapore for 6 months, but it's all in the name of discovery and self-preservation.

Right, back to the art exhibition.

The first thing which caught my eye was how she used so many different mediums, and processes (all individually different) and yet for so many works of art in varying sizes. The combination of colours which give the drawings field of depth are also another main element in her stuff, which could probably be summed up with those four drawings hanging on her bedroom wall, all of which use no more than two colours... they just blew me away:

'She's got pictures on the wall which make me look up, from her big brass bed'

That's a line from Neil Young's 'Out on The Weekend', and the only thing which is different is the fact that Ms Gail's bed is wooden (I think).


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Rock n' Roll!!!

Hmm.

Okay let's start with last night when I performed what I deem to be the uttermost sadistic thing I have done in my life apart from the time when I kicked a cockroach as if it was a soccer ball.

Last night, just as I was about to go to bed, I discovered a cockroach hiding underneath my keyboard next to my bed. Being the type of person who views cockroaches in a way the Nazis viewed Jews during the holocaust, I captured it and tormented it to death.

Why did I do so? Well, for a very good reason: I hate cockroaches. I took a little plastic sauce container, trapped it inside, drilled three holes in the lid, injected lighter fluid into the plastic container, doused it in thinner and lighter fluid again, and set it on fire inside a metal tin. I just used my lighter and deoderant as an igniter... the effect of the blue flames shooting out to light up the miserable creature was oddly satisfying.

Now, back to lighter matters.

Alvin and myself have successfully finished off the form of the chair for our FLIP project. It's relatively on schedule, despite the fact we have to mail in the pictures by Wednesday afternoon or we're screwed. We invited several people to have a go sitting on it, and frankly we knew from the start that it would be phenomenally comfortable.

And it's written in the faces of those who tried it out... they were instantly transported to a world of possibilities, including sitting in this chair and watching the UEFA Champions' League and being able to drop one hand off the side of the chair and able to reach for a beer can, while the other hand easily found the pop-corn bowl.

Just an hour or so ago, Alvin, Rob and myself managed to finish off the electric guitar and mandolin tracks for 'To You', which eventually will be thrown into a full mix by the end of this holiday. I particularly like the tone of Rob's '68 Stratocaster on this take... was as thinny as it was the last time around.

Anyhow, I also received a call this afternoon from the Singapore Furniture Association which confirmed my 'Lisse' (or bullseye chair, as for you guys who have seen my chair previously) had been short-listed and is going into the 2nd round of judging. Apparently, an 8-minute presentation is in order next Tuesday at 11:20am. I was so bloody elated by that news I couldn't control myself, as Alvin bore witness to my elation which enveloped the 4th level of Block R at roughly 2pm this afternoon ("who's your Motherf***er????").

Right.

So Alvin and myself are going to finish up the graphics on the FLIP chair tomorrow before possibly heading to Gail's exhibition tomorrow night possibly with Charlotte.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Clutch that matey! XX

Hmm.

Considering that this is the 20th edition of 'Clutch That Matey!', which essentially revolves around my experience in working (and singing) at the pub, I must say that it is rather interesting how this turned out to be.

Last night, I was working as usual... business was hot, then slow and Superdel came in! At long last I've managed to meet her in person. I am rather baffled as to why she claims she has problems finding guys... she's frankly very pretty LOL.

I finally went up to sing a couple of songs, in running order: 'Wonderful Tonight' (requested by Superdel), 'Are You Ready For The Country?', 'Let It Be Me', 'Highway To Hell', and finally a knee-quaking 'Hey Jude'. I'm not kidding about the knee-quaking part... after the set was over, my knees were shaking, not least due to the fact I was shaking all over the place and screaming into the microphone.

At least Superdel was happy... her friend who came along didn't seem all that amused, but what the hey: it's only rock n' roll!


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Highway to Hell

Hmm.

I'm now in school waiting for Alvin to arrive and work on the chair with me... we're trying our best to juggle this troublesome project along with our album and SDN club activities. According to Nicholas, the SDN club talentime thingie is a die-die must-have.. so there's some consolation that my ideas regarding the whole event might take off in the not-so-distant future.

I'm really glad I went through the SDN chalet very well... my previous impression that I would be the damn black sheep out of the whole group has evaporated away... thank God for his grace, and the club members' forgiveness.

I'm just hoping that we can finish enough of the chair so that we can start doing the graphic imprints unto the chair by saturday. To top it off, I've got work tonight, and Superdel says she will be there by hook or crook to see me sing a couple of songs. I'm thinking that I MUST do 'Highway to Hell', because it's almost my signature song, on top of the standards such as 'Take Me Home, Country Roads', and 'Hey Jude'. I'm tempted to do 'Whole Lotta Rosie'.

There's been talk that myself, Micheal, Archie and Gerry would get up and do a four-guitar version of Led Zeppelin's 'Immigrant Song' with me on vocals. I'm just terrified by the prospect of how glitched it might be due to the different cues in the song which triggers different riffs.

In any case, I'm also looking forward to this coming Monday at Rob's Place, hopefully we can start on some newer material and get more stuff down on recording.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Chalet... ole! II

Hmm.

Just came back from the SDN club chalet, which wasn't too bad.. and it was more like a small gathering of people from the SDN club who are not radically different in sentiment regarding the attending of a chalet which might have been a total failure.

In short it was pleasant.

I went to the sketching class organised by one of my lecturers and he told me it was supposed to help me and my other two classmates hone our sketching skills, in preperation for future industrial projects. Now not that I'm complaining, but I feel a lot of pressure just having to think about the prospect of having to deal with real clients.

I just hope that if we do get this right, we will eventually get paid, so that I do not have to worry about having a part-time job, which takes up a lot of my evenings and is also an integral part of my social circle. For some people, their poly or school is their main social circle.. for me, it's the pub.

Now that my main concern is our up-coming album and the chair, which has to be handed in by next wednesday, on top of my part-time job, SDN club duties and desire to get more cash to buy a good set of microphones, a new amplifier and possibly an MP3 player... my lecturer has thrown this project thingie on me...

I have to come up with the thought process and exploration for the designing of a vacuum cleaner for an asian market. I dunno, but I find that this holiday has not been, and has no prospect of being a relaxing one. I've been strung out by a hectic first semester (I kena 12 projects in total), and I feel that I need a place to rest, hide away and just be myself.

And frankly, everything I'm doing is contributing to the erotion of such a hope. I need a beer.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Clutch that matey! XIX

Hmm.

Wow. Last night's jam at Rob's place was really good: we managed to get the mixer up and running before we went over. A short meal at orchard ensued before heading to Rob's place, where (once again) I went in without Rob noticing anything.

We set up our stuff, and we went through several takes of 'To You', which was initially marred by a fiddly Mandolin string which kept going out of tune. Our final take was also our best... what with my non-pitch-perfect vocals and Rob's unfamiliarity with the sequence of the song. But we nailed it, and it sounded great... all because of the mixer (and also because I was playing Rob's Martin acoustic, Rob had his '68 Stratocaster and Alvin.. had my mandolin).

I'm thinking of calling the combination of the mixer and Al's laptop 'The Fuzzy Green Grass Mobile Recording Unit', which is a pun on 'The Rolling Stones Mobile Recording Unit', well, it's our band, and therefore it's going to be our name on it. I'm the Sound engineer and Producer, while Alvin's the Mixing engineer.

Rob came up with some lyrics for our older song 'Joanne', and frankly it's good lyrics (although Rob himself said it was still a work in progress, I'm suitably impressed with his phrasing). However, I had never intended that song to be a sing-along type of song. Rather a statement of sadness and state of melancholy. Till today I still have that feeling I had from the beginning of writing that song. I guess it may never wholly fade away.

In any case, we did work on the rhythm track for 'It's All Murphy's Fault', which worked out pretty good with Alvin keeping time, and Rob and myself having gelled our rhythm scheme together. All I ask for is our luck with good sound to continue, and for our productivity to increase throughout this holiday. I think it's about time Alvin and myself put down 'Countryboy, Breakaway', which has been lying idle since God-knows-when.

Anyhow, in a very short moment, I'll be going to NYP to work on a chair project with Alvin which has to handed in next wednesday and we're on a pretty tight schedule regarding this chair project because we're also attending the 3D2N SDN club chalet, which we're going to later tonight.

Ok, wish us good luck with our chair, and I pray for good weather for the next few days.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Humour

Hmm.

Ok my friends, in a bid to get myself over the itty-bitty parts of life which make me more miserable and lonesome than I've typically been, I've decided to dedicate today's post to one topic:

Humour.

That's right, and well, where shall I start. Of course. What sorts of humour do people encounter or use in their everyday lives... lame, satirical, political, dirty, filthy, snide, childish, amateurish, dumb etc. And so how does humour fit into the threads of our lives which are interwoven with issues such as faith, love, work, pressure, porn etc? I'm just joshing about the porn bit.

I find that having a little sense of humour brings you a long way. However, in the case of Alvin and myself, our super-chim, semi-high-brow, no-holds-barred, call-me-filthy-if-you-want humour just seems to go over others' heads... and that sometimes is funny in its own sense.

Right.

Anyhow, many people have made a career out of humour.. you know stuff like comedies, comedians, cartoonists, caricaturists etc have all made a decent living out of letting people have a few laughs whether within or without. I personally have great respect for people such as Jim Davis (author of Garfield), Billy Crystal, Chris Rock and Bill Crosby for their insatiable sense of humour... and sometimes I wished I had the ability to make people laugh as much as these guys can. I suppose I can pull off a straight face (Alvin fails this aspect utterly and completely.. and you know it man).

So my life somehow centres around snide humour. I won't deny it, and sometimes it just gives me some satisfaction when I crack a joke, and the joke's on those who can't understand it. I just have a small laugh and get over it. Sometimes it's great when everyone can have a laugh all together... and its usually in those cases, you still get some slow folks who need a deeper explanation of the joke to finally get their funny-bones tingling. I wonder how these people can possibly appreciate something like stand-up comedy.. they're probably the only people in the audience having a stoned expression.

I have to say that right off the bat, I'm terrible at cracking a joke, unless a very good opportunity comes by. Maybe it''s because I'm thinking of something funny to say, which gives me a perpetual brooding look, the sort of buckingham palace guard disorder. O.O

So I'm assisting Alvin on his attempt at a parody of Dan Brown's 'The Da Vinci Code' which is titled 'The La Bamba Code', which is a utter hoot, if not for the fact that our powers of lame humour combined might just yield a comedy classic. I'm not going to give you a spoiler on this book, but all I can say for this moment is that you have not seen anything yet... what is to come WILL make you laugh... just try and brush up on yer English, will yeh?

While it's good to have a parody on Dan Brown's 'classic' novel, I have to say that I really don't get all the hype it's been receiving.. it's just a damn piece of fiction. You know it's a piece of fiction. It's a little bit of fact mixed with fiction. But end of the line is: it's just fiction. Get over it.

Yeah.

I also admire singers/musicians who have a sense of humour onstage.. a couple of good examples are (ok, blame me for being a rock moron, but when was the last time a rapper or pop singer ever had a sense of humour onstage??? maybe you can have a laugh at 50 cent clutching his dick) Freddie Mercury, Bon Scott and Justin Hawkins (from The Darkness).

I think people like Bob Dylan are dull compared to what these guys have.. and that all adds up to the charisma and character of these guys... on top of giving a top-notch musical performance, you need to bond with the audience instead of standing there, strumming your block of wood and looking (toot)ing miserable. That's why I need to start writing more upbeat songs, because it's such a drag being miserable all the time.

Humour is a balance of wit and humility. If you have too much of either.. it just sinks. Completely. Now I'm no professor on the subject, but I'm just reflecting on a little thing called humour, and it's time we liven up and have some kicks. After all, would you have fun being boring?


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

It just Keeps Getting Better And Better V: Subway Stars!!!

Hmm.

I went to see John's band last night at the Blu Jaz Cafe... and their 'acoustic' set wasn't too bad: John's bass playing seemed pretty good, Joe's singing was as (almost) pitch-perfect as always, and Joanna became a percussionist (much to her dismay at her bimbo-ness... lol). I'm just joshing (joking) over here.

I had managed to find the place fairly easily, and it was a great environment... it's good to see local bands make an attempt to gain exposure at the expense of being able to earn some proper cash, but it's all in the name of musicianship, and we had a good time.

This sort of thing leads me to wonder whether getting paid for a gig is truly something I would pay most attention to when it comes to getting a gig. In actual fact, the Subway Stars are severely under-estimating their commercial value, but they still need a lot of spit and polish before they have the calibre to command a 100-buck-per-person-per-gig price tag.

I'd say, good work, and that's the spirit!!!


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Do I have A Disease? VI

Hmm.

I've started taking up Robert's habit (or rather religious-like practise) of wiping down my strings after I play the guitar. Somehow or another, I've always been dying to make myself do this everytime I finish playing with the instrument. Yet I've always remained lazy and indifferent.. now I've got someone who can make this a real good habit... hopefully it continues beyond my prediction of two wipes.

I'm thinking of demolishing my old guitar.. it's taking too much space, and I don't even feel like playing it. I wish I could have like an acrylic box to place it in and hang up on my wall so that I won't have to wipe it every two days because of the dust. I seriously need to consider buying a bracket to hang it up, because I have four guitars and it's not healthy to have them all cluttered around one spot in my room.

In any case, I want to go watch the Subway Stars at some club down town in the Bugis area... they proved to be pretty capable and tight as a group, and what better way to see how people do things on-stage.. it's all a learning process.

Last night's work was somewhat marred because I know one of my colleagues is pissed with me (maybe it's because I'm a talented bastard who is 200 times more sociable.. and I can't give a shit about what she thinks) but my shift was over, and I asked my supervisor whether I could make a move (and get the gig going), but this colleague of mine was washing some glass ketchup containers which I was supposed to have filled by the end of my shift. Thing is, she washed them so late, it was already way past the end of my shift.

She kind of like chided me with a 'tsk tsk tsk', and I was like 'what thing? (which meant, is there a problem?)'. I seriously don't get these sort of people... it's clear cut that my shift is over, and now you're trying to make me feel guilty for not completing my job on time??? Excuse me, missy, you didn't wash them earlier.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have the right to do whatever I want if I'm done from work. With the exception of streaking through the pub or making a scene inside the pub, unless I'm much mistaken, I have every damn reason to get up, sing a couple of songs and in the process make a bunch of people happy. I'm socialising (and trying to get some experience) for crying out loud... don't blame me for your state of single-hood.

In fact, why don't you look at yourself? You're severely over-weight, you have some piss-hole attitude and you're a (toot)ing glutton. Get a life.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

I apologise if my blog seems a little on-edge as of late.. I promise to try and lighten up.