Bahyee-ology Case Study I

Hmm.

Now I would normally put this under my "new Clutch That Matey!" series of posts, but since I've started working at the YMCA, my woes tend to revolve around the fact that I get shot at by Bahyees every week without fail.

No, I'm not trying to be racist, and no I'm not racist at all. What I am trying to do, and I'm making this very clear, is that I'm telling you what happened at my workplace AS IT WAS. So please do not have this impression that I have something against Bahyees. I like Bahyees, as long as they do not get on the wrong side of me, just like ANYONE ELSE.. be they Chinese, Malay, Indian, and all those in between.

Now.

Let me start with the beginning.

As my job scope in the Y cafe at YMCA during weekend mornings mainly involve the clearing of dirty dishes from the tables when customers have left, this is one duty on top of other duties, which all revolve around the breakfast buffet spread.

Let me set the scene for you. It's around 9:30 am, the peak period for the breakfast has just passed, and most of the hotel's residents have had their breakfasts. Usually, (as per my observation) the caucasians tend to come in earliest, followed by the Indonesians, Thai and locals. The last group to appear are the Bahyees. Why they can't seem to get up earlier is beyond my imagination.. it's just human nature to want to get up late on weekends I suppose *glances at Brother Dearest*.

Anyway. Since the 'rush hour' has passed, many of the tables were chocked full of plates, and cups and whatnots. Being the dutiful $5.50-per-hour waiter that I am, I decided to pull along my trusty steel trolley which makes a helluva noise when I push it along.

Since I usually clear the cafe in a 'circular motion' (think of a rectangle, and it having 4 corners... I usually start on the right hand side and work forward in a clockwise manner) I would clear a bunch of tables right in front of the cashier first, followed by those by the window, and finally the tables facing the buffet line before coming back to home base.

I was now clearing (think upper left-hand corner of rectangle) a bunch of tables, which resembled a war zone (how people can eat soooo messily is beyond my reasoning... plates strewn all around, forks and knives everywhere, chairs literally askew) when all of a sudden, a young bahyee boy approached me.

Boy: 'Excuse me, can you clear those tables over there *points at tables which are yet to be cleared*? I want to sit with my father and have some breakfast. Thank you.'

I was thinking to myself: "Now pardon me, but haven't I cleared those tables next to those which you have pointed at? What's your friggin' problem.. you don't like to sit at tables which have already been cleared???"

I just nodded my head and went back to my clearing of the dishes. Before I could even count to 10, the boy quips up again.

Boy: 'Excuse me, could you FARRSTER please?'

And that little statement really got me pissed (and when I get pissed I tend to go into ah beng mode): "Oey. I clearing over here hor. You want to eat, you sit at the tables which I clear orredy hor. I clear those tables but you dun want to sit. I clearing over here and you want me to clear those tables just for you ar? KNN CCB, you and your father can kiss my backside hor!"

Of course the above was just thoughts in my head. In truth, I just wanted to put my fist through that little bugger's face. Then he can go and have his breakfast and eat it. But I retrained myself.. after all, what's a service staff if he can't keep his temper in check?

Crawldaddy: 'ok, you give me two minutes can? I will be with you shortly.'

Boy: 'Ok, please farster, thank you'

Crawldaddy : *rolls eyes*

In the end, I cleared up all the tables in record time. I'll share more with you guys in the next part to this 'exciting' series.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

The Jam was gooooood

Hmm.

Haha! The jam just now with my new-found jamming pals went so fantastic! Admittedly it was a little iffy during the first few song tries, but by the 4th try, we managed to get everything sounding alright.

My performance tonight was slightly under par, though. My guitar sound was also slightly in need of more midrange, and my playing suffered probably due to lack of practise (apparently, I had been playing one song in the wrong key all along ehehe) and also because of the fact that I had to really sing and play at the same time.

Overall, I think tonight jam was a success. We had fun, we joked, we played well, we synched up pretty well, and more importantly, everyone seemed to want the music to get better. There was no throwing of egos around, and everyone just went with the flow. I'm glad.

Nothing beats this feeling of working so hard, and waiting, and working your sweat and guts into finding the right people for the job, and eventually succeeding. This is great. I'll thank the Lord.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

At the end of the week

Hmm.

Why did you say hello to me, when all I could ever say was just another hello in return?

Why did you look me in the eyes when I spoke to you, in that calm and carefree manner?

Why am I afraid to ask you questions, to seek what you feel, to make you part of my life?

Why do I always turn away instead of making a serious effort to make things work out?

It's just me: I'm cold, tired, lonely, false and overtly optimistic. I need a break, and I just want a cold beer and a good tv programme.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

That feeling once again?

Hmm.

Wow, I can't believe I'm blogging now, like missing in action for three days since Monday. Not that I have this moral obligation to blog, but I've been incredibly busy since Monday.

The VI is over, and since the weightage of that programme is like 5% out of my entire P5 score, I guess it's nothing more than a pimple on the arse since my team pulled through it as I had expected us to, which is badly.

Considering that I spent most of yesterday making my packaging, powerpoint presentation, my juniors' rhino model of their bottle opener, and subsequently in the evening and early morning the 4 presentation boards in Illustrator and Photoshop concurrently with my physical model... I slept at 4am, woke up at 7 am feeling like shit and still managed to pull off a lop-sided presentation with my juniors this morning.

I have to say that my juniors... well I hope they learnt alot from me during the past 6 weeks, and I certainly hope that they will use that knowledge to their benefit because that's the whole point of VI isn't it? Which is to take what you learn and apply it in the best ways possible. Although I have to let them know that my p-board layout skills might not be the best at 4am in the morning, which eventually led to the p-boards being what they were: utter and complete shite.

As usual, this VI programme has managed to bring out the worst and the best in people, and of course the uncovering of future talent and the revealing of bad attitudes. The stories which float around of juniors and seniors being lazy or unappreciative or the lack of teamwork somehow became more numerous as the dateline loomed.

I hope that there were no hard feelings amongst those who felt that they were being shortchanged, and personally I'm just blowing my blues away.. I don't think my juniors were incompetent, and I certainly hope that my juniors did not find me harsh. I have to admit with the stress I did get a bit sharp with them towards the end, but I still joked with them and made them laugh.

I'm just glad it's over, and now I can finally revert my attention back to my bike stand and hopefully in the very near future: the Wireless Router industrial project which Ms Liu said would be coming our way. Apparently, it's going ot be a paying job (three cheers for Ms Liu, please) and the client would most probably be paying a sum of money for each and every single 3D-rendered concept. I was thinking that with my abilities.. we should be able to milk this guy, provided I can come up with concepts which fit his vision.

Anyways, Jool and I both have to seriosuly concentrate on our portfolio sketches, and I'm praying that I can whip up loads of sketches tomorrow and during the weekend as well. I seriously want to go to Hong Kong, and it would be incredibly disappointing for almost everyone if we did not make it.

That said, tonight's a slack night. I'm going to sleep early, wake up early and probably get ready to work on my full-scale mock-up of my bike stand tomorrow morning.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

One LOOOONG day II

Hmm.

Today was a blur of:
1. working on my VI model
2. tweaking the design of the kensington lock on my bike stand
3. having a lunch/chat with Charlotte
4. having a small chat with the year 2s whilst munching on Macs
5. having a jog and swim in the late afternoon
6. evening makan with Joseph before sketch session
7. and finally a sketch session with sketch master Mr. Boey in the late evening.

I kind of peeved off today because just as my phone battery was on a 2/3 status, all of the sudden I kept receiving phonecalls and smses today, compared to my normal passive phone status. Needless to say, my phone was dead long before sundown, and I had to sms my mum pretty early to re-inform her about my late-night lesson with Boey, which was in fact involving both me and Joseph crashing a year 1s lesson.

However, my concerns do not lie with what happened today, but what would required of cleaning off my plate by this week:

1. produce VI model, packaging and p-boards by Wednesday afternoon so as to be sent for printing. Involves rapid-fire p-board and rhino model creation.
2. produce more sketches and a re-shuffle of products in portfolio to be sent to Hong Kong. Also involves scanning of pictures into a ppt format, all to be done by Friday.
3. produce full-scale mock-up of bike stand to show proportion and hinging mechanisms, to be done by Tuesday morning.

The above might seem manageable, but frankly for me it's like staring at Hell with ur eyes peeled and trying not to gag at the sulphur. This is Hell week for me.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

The Art of Being Bored I

Well only goes to show that I was really bored that day. I case you're in the dark as to what Rhinoceros is, it's a 3D modelling software, kinda like what's making Skinny pole and her classmates cry every other day.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

PS: I previously tried to send the image while it was in CMYK mode.. and it sucked. This is in RGB mode. *winks*

Jam at Crawldaddy's place

Hmm.

Work today was uneventful.. the place wasn't even at it's usual bursting-at-the-seams scenario when I arrived. Usually during weekends, the place would be packed and I would be working until my mind was stoned, and my feet would ache like hell from all the running to-and-fro and in-and-out from the kitchen and the main dining area.

After work I met up with my future bandmate Darrell and we had a jam at my place. It was definitely fun.. we tried loads of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Cream, Neil Young and some others in-between. He's a well-rounded guy, good rhythm feel and learns quickly.

What's better is the fact that Darrell can play PINK FLOYD!!! OMG! That's just soooo super-fookin-tastic lah. Now I can just strum my acoustic while he gets his spotlight doing the Gilmour solos. Eheheh.

Tomorrow I hope I can be as bored as I was today at work. But I guess it would be pure wishful-thinking, knowing what Sundays can be like.. I'll be darned if tomorrow I do not witness a scene of chaos.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Peaceful, Easy Feeling

Hmm.

I'm just going to continue a little on what I had mentioned on my previous post. Please do not think I've gone all mushy and soft. I'm still a sane human being who can discern fact from fiction *glances at Da Vinci Code movie poster*.

Now.

It seems like I'm just floating around... it's not a bad feeling, but sometimes I just want my feet to just touch the ground... bring me back to some reality. I think that in the past I had expected too much of the people around me, and that led me to such levels of depression that I can't possibly imagine myself going through now.

But that's past. I've found myself being able to accept so many more people into my life, however at the same time.. unfortunately, I still can't bring myself to forgive those certain few people (think Two-Headed Snake) who had made my life incredibly hard sometimes.. or those who can never bring themselves to think better of others. I've moved on, and they don't affect me anymore.

On the other hand, I'm grateful for those who have stuck around.. you know who you are, and you guys/girls rock my world. Ok. Enough cheesiness.

Today, my morning was burned up giving a bunch of secondary 2 students from Presbyterian Secondary School a tour around block M levels 4 and 6. It was tiresome work, and thank goodness I had Jool for company to share snide jokes and just general good comraderie. But I also managed to meet some interesting people... two girls from SHS who were quite funny, but ultimately and unfortunately a little bimbotic for my taste. I just smile and said goodbye at the end of the whole thing.

Afternoon was concentration on my bike stand. I was determined to come up with a design for the kensington lock mechanism which would be incorporated into my bike design.

I also managed to help Keri with her rhino problems. It's further testimony that I've grown to become more accomodating and that it's easier for me now to just give and expect nothing in return. For those who have no idea.. Keri and I used to be like cats and dogs.. but I think we're pretty cool friends now. I look upon her as an older sister.

Then as I was about to go and photocopy some stuff... along came Skinny Pole, her Clara and interestingly, someone whom I had not met for a long while.. Elizabeth. (Eli onced asked me to sing to her.. even though I had not known who she was.. and I obliged)

Well I guess I had a nice time talking to them.. Clara and Eli eventually scuttled off back to class while Skinny Pole stayed back to accompany me... and chatted for a while. Those girls got so much on their plates, sometimes I just marvel at their ability to stay alive. I salute you, girlies!

But that was not the end, I went to taka after school and got myself a new bottle of fragrance. Haha I won't be using Crave anymore.. it tended to become rather pungent, so I chose Eternity instead. Apart from that I got some stuff from Artfriend which I had been dying to get for a very long while.

I've got work tomorrow, so I'll continue to slack and nurse my aching legs.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

NAPFA Blues

Hmm.

Well it's over.. and I guess now I'm starting to have the determination to push myself and get that silver so as to avoid a few extra months in NS. Here's a lowdown on what happened today:

1. Sit & Reach: managed a measly 37-odd cm reach. Crap, in my opinion.
2. Pull-ups: disaster. None managed.
3. Sit-ups: okay I guess... managed 41.
4. Shuttle run: a small triumph, managed 10.3 seconds.
5. Standing broad jump: another disaster.. only 195cm compared to the passing length of 222.
6. 2.4 km: God must have blessed me with luck today.. managed 11 min 57 seconds... a whole 23 seconds short of failure.

So here's my plan for the upcoming weeks: jog and swim monday and friday evenings, and eat less crap, drink less soft drinks and focus on work absolutely. I know it sounds so... weird for me to set such a seemingly regimental exercise and dieting regime. That said.. I don't want to waste any more time on NS than needs be.

The dip in the school swimming pool after the NAPFA today was followed by a small munch at Macs.. where I was found by skinny pole. Had a small chat before she went off.. and Harold stole 6 mac trays for his car drifting escapades LOL!

But before I drift away, I have to say that somehow over the past few weeks, I have discovered a totally different side of me: I've become more daring, more relaxed, less excess thought and more intuitive thinking. I've made and rediscovered a few friends from the yr1 and yr2s.. and it's cool.

I even changed my hairstyle... hehehe.. no.. please don't take that crappy picture below for reference. It's much different in reality, because it involves hair gel... as usual.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Again and again

Hmm.

Well at long last I've managed to solve one nagging problem with my bike stand concept. Okay, anyways, for those who are in the dark.. here's my original bike stand concept:

In today's society, people often take different forms of public or personal transportation to work, school or play. This encompasses buses, trains, taxis and personal vehicles. Due to the rising cost of living in modern societies, the price for fuel and public transportation has risen dramatically (insert *snort* here for those who think they pay too much for taking the MRT to school everyday).

Along with the rising cost of transportation as a whole, many people are not getting enough exercise due to lack of motivation, lack of time and increase in other personal activities. Hence, a healthier, cheaper form of transportation to and from work/ school/ play would probably take the form of cycling.

Cycling as a trend is apparently on a rise here in singapore, but on a very slow rate. In other more established nations, cycling both as a leisurely and daily activity has always been a norm, and it would be beneficial to Singaporeans if they could use the opportunity of cycling to improve on their personal fitness and also to reduce they expenses on public or private transport.

Therefore, if cycling to and from work/ school/ play is to be successfully adopted as a normal activity, the security of the bicycles when parked plays a very important role in the user's sense of security. They want their property to be secure. This fear of theft increases with the bike's value.

Bike stands implemented here in Singapore are often placed in obscure, low human-traffic places. This increases a thief's chances of successfully stealing a bicycle. Futhermore, most bike stands in Singapore often only lock the front wheel, leaving the seat and handlebars vulnerable to theft.

Furthermore, recent newspaper reports show an increase in bicycle theft cases in Singapore. The need of a relevant security device has never been more apparent. It is also probable that a replacement of current bicycle parking designs is currently in very dire need.

The objective of designing this bike stand is to design a bicycle stand which will deter thieves from stealing the bicycle and to also provide the surroundings with an aesthetically pleasing product which attracts attention and therefore also deterring thieves if placed in a high human-traffic area.

Whew... and now what needs to be changed is the following:

This bicycle stand targets the everyday user, cyclists who either ride to work or ride for leisure or as a profession. It is preferably placed next to (not behind) high human-traffic areas such as bus stops and MRT stations and not in obscure locations.

Which means I change from the above to this:

This bicycle stand targets the high-end bicycle user, cyclists who want to secure their property with a robust-looking device which simultaneously deters thieves from stealing, and at the same time complementing the surrounding environment. This sense of security (psycho-pleasure) coupled with the user's usage of an expensive-looking device provides the user with a sense of ideo and socio-pleasure.

Argh.. now all I have left to do is a full-scale foam-model of the bike stand. I had originally printed out a version of the bike stand.. but it was too huge (see the other people's reactions previous posts). Luckily I scaled it down in photoshop and now it's just right... ahhhhhhh... XD


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Bike madness!

Hmm.

Today I finished up my corrugated bike model.. to be used as a proportion guide for my bikestand design.. and frankly it's rather limp... it is corrugated cardboard after all I suppose.

Anyways, I've posted pictures of both bikes (my physical crappy bike and the uber-cool 3D bike which I completed yesterday) and the main reason why my hair looked like crap is because I had attempted the 2.4 run earlier.. followed by a full-throttle sit-up session. I clocked in about 12min 35sec for the run and I managed to complete 37 sit-ups in 1 minute... so I guess I'm on the lower-end of the fitness ladder.

I can't believe the NAPFA is this thursday! I'm gonna die. Pull-ups are surely going to bring me down all the way. And what's worse is that Garry wants me and Joseph to submit our portfolio in powerpoint ASAP for reasons I will not disclose on this blog. But all I can say is that the Hong Kong trip is in danger... enough said.

I shall work harder I guess... Maybe I'll bring my portfolio down to school tomorrow and see what can be expanded upon.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

and this is my 3D rendered bicycle... cool eh? 

this is my cardboard bike... please pardon the lack of a respectable hairdo. 

One LOOOONG day

Hmm.

Wow. I can't believe it. I actually managed to finish up that bike model I've been meaning to do since last thursday, and I did it all between 9am and 6pm today. Considering the amount of detail I put into the bike (think brakes, seats etc) I'm actually feeling kinda surreal right now.. kinda like: "I really did that all today?"

I'll be posting pictures of that bike soon... but unfortunately I can't post pictures of the bike stand because it might constitute publishing and I might get disqualified.. or worse.. my design gets ripped right off from under my nose.

That said.. I was playing around with the size of my bike stand, and when I showed a few people that it would be roughly 120cm high, some people kinda freaked out:

Jessie: 'So big!?'

Sian Lee: 'So big!?'

Mr Soon: 'Wah, so big...'

Jie Hong: 'Too big already!'

I guess you get the idea. But that said I've got to get down to making a physical mock-up of a bicycle and the bike stand itself so that I can have a good grasp of what is the best size. I guess the best material for this job would be the left-over currogated cardboard.. from the pyramid challenge.

Anyways, for you curious folks who want to know what the heck I'm talking about when I refer to my bike stand... just give a shout out on msn.. or alternatively you can always pop by Block M level 6.. my desk faces the corridor.. and you can always peep over my shoulder through the glass. Or you could just be nice and direct about it and ask me directly.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Tell me please

Hmm.

Look at me in the eyes and I see yours shining,
I often wonder what's going on behind them.
I'm afraid that it's all just the wrong timing,
and frankly it's a pity I can't do all that I can.

Correct me if I'm thinking a little too much,
as I see the yearning just under the surface.
I can't possibly tell myself to resist your touch,
and then leave you all alone without a trace.

The scars are still fresh so don't take me wrong,
the wounds are still in need of gentle healing.
Please understand that this process is long,
and it's not that I am unable of this feeling.

Hence I'm not going to read much more into this,
for truth has taught me to tread forward slowly.
After all isn't this just one of those hit-and-miss
games people play in this tainted, unchained melody?


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Taking Monday by the horns

Hmm.

Argh. I gotta do loads of stuff come monday...

1. VI model.. make out of cibatool. Gonna be loads of sweat, dust and energy required.
2. Review juniors' VI sketches/model in prep for thursday.
3. Refine bike stand design... add detailing..?
4. Model out a 3D bicycle for bike stand *screams* (omfg.. can you imagine this? How on earth am I gonna do that?!)
5. Figure out a new write-up for my Webcam, in prep for Braunprize competition.

Oh and today's Superdel's birthday! Happy 21st, my "middle sister"! *chuckles*


Cheers,

Errik

There and back again

Hmm.

Today... I probably spent more money on food than anything else. Despite the measly chicken rice I had for lunch and "tea".. which was about 5pm, I was still in the mood for eating when I met up with my brother and Superdel to celebrate her 21st birthday 2 days before the official day itself.

I specially made a card for her.. along with a two-verse poem inside to commemorate my gratitude for her friendship. LOL I don't think I have the mental capacity to reiterate exactly what I wrote in that card.

The dinner at NYDC at suntec city was pretty good.. I like the pizza and spaghetti.. and the tiramisu was not too bad either.. but that dinner sure burnt a hugantic hole in my wallet... not to mention the gift as well (we bought her a fully illustrated version of "The Da Vinci Code" from Kinokuniya) wasn't cheap. I'm just glad we all had a great time.. and it will be an occasion which will remain in my mind for a very long time.

School today was kinda okay... VI went smoothly (as expected). I also managed to get my old webcam design fully backed by my Supervisor Ms Liu to enter the Braunprize design competition.. and she also approved of my bike stand design entering the Tan Kah Kee Young Inventors' Award. I can't possibly put the pictures of those products on my blog until those competitions are over because the placing of such pictures on my blog might constitute publishing.. which means that I might be disqualified from the competition(s).

Some things are also happening around me which suddenly seem to foreign and yet refreshing... smiling and looking into one another's eyes.. I dare not think too much into it. That said.. would these people be just playing me for a fool.. or is it something which is just plain negligible? I think I'm too scarred for this kind of game-playing anymore... it's all or nothing I guess.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Hah! Once again eh?

Hmm.

Today is the day which has marked the SAS guys' second time in dominating the top spots, and it's also the first time we have come full circle as top students of our level collectively.

Alvin and I both managed to achieve top in our respective module sets, and I dare say that I'm pretty happy. I guess the novelty factor has already worn off for Alvin... who has been top of his class for three times now. Hur *glances at Skinny Pole's letter*.

I guess we managed to enjoy each other's company when Alvin came back.. the old comraderie just flowed back into overdrive.. and it was de riguer lame jokes and evil comments galore. I guess our second names could be 'evil'.

That would sound wicked eh? Imagine my alias being "Errik 'Evil Mojo' Crawldaddy". Then we could have Alvin's alias changed to "Alvin 'Evil Fart' Zucchini". Hurr... But I can't wait for Alvin to get back into the IDS.. it would definitely boost up the fun factor in that cold, stale room whereby the most interesting things occur if Jool manages to have a good mood.. otherwise it'll be just plain boring.

Argh... starting another project for Ms Liu tomorrow.. promises to be very good for my portfolio :p.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Booger

Hmm.

Today's lunch was so plain.. I was bored out of my mind with FJ food.. so I decided to throw my hunger to the wind and bought a packet of fruits.. and a skewer of kiwi-fruit. Met skinny pole and her clara... nice to see friendly faces once in a while.. :)

After lunch... I focused on my bike-stand project, and it seems to be having some headway.. right now I'm trying to find ways to design my bike stand in ways that users find it very easy to use.. and it looks great as well.

What a life.. being a designer.

I managed to review my junior's sketches for the premium corporate gift.. and well.. I expected the worse and I received something that was pretty much almost the full realisation of my fears.

Despite my guidance and continued pushing in the right directions, she seemed completely unable to think out of the box.. and her product forms were all pretty much the same. Since I could not find something constructive to say.. I went to my supervisor (a certain moustachioed Mr Teo Seng Ho) to whom I suggested that she stop her sketches on that particular company and instead helped the other junior who was designing a bottle opener for Evian.

I guess it was the only way to go... and it sure should take away alot of stress off her shoulders. But my worries are just starting. It seems that I'm way too deep into the whole music thing, and I'd like to focus on only one group.. instead of the three in which I'm involved with now. It's way too much.. and I'd probably have to stop two of them now before anyone gets really agitated.

I'd better get to it then.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

what are you waiting for?

Hmm.

You know I'm just standing right here
and you know that I'm here to stay
so please don't hide anymore because
I honestly can't find anything to say

You're so quiet I heard your heart break
and what does that say about me?
Being a friend who stands by while you
wallow in your sadness and misery.

The door has never been closed to you
why do you doubt my open arms so?
I have no doubts you need the time
to heal the open wounds in your soul.

So talk to me when you feel that it's time
you know I don't possess a cold shoulder.
However, waiting leaves me wondering
if you'll just be leaving the fire to smoulder.


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

That feeling once again?

Hmm.

Today I received some news which kinda made me think real hard about my past behaviour.. and how it has affected my friendship with the people around me. The news somehow made me stop in my tracks... reflect on who I had become since I entered poly.. and now that I'm in my final year.. whether things have improved or made a turn for the worse.

I'm not doubting myself, but I'm just thinking about all the things that I had said.. how I said it and what were the reasons for me to say such things. But that piece of news did make me have that feeling of depression and it brought back memories which I had fought so hard to bury.

The jam session which was scheduled today got cancelled. I think I'll be finding myself another niche to express myself.. instead of having so many people trying to throw their weight about.. trying to add more of which is their preferred material. It's tiresome.. and it's not going anywhere. This issue has added to my worries.. and on top of that fateful piece of news, I still have my projects to focus on.

So instead of spending money, I decided to chill out and unplug at my pal John's neighbourhood. I took a train to Bukit Batok (damn far from Potong Pasir lah) and we had some fun playing ome of the material we both knew (Coldplay, Eagles, Pink Floyd, Beatles etc etc) and we were joined by this fellow.

He didn't want to leave a name with us, but I have to say that his appearance (gaunt face, greasy hair, skinny frame) and his character (disjointed speech, inability to articulate properly) left me with the impression that this guy was probably a drug addict. I was kinda freaked when that guy walked up next to me and peered into my songbook while John and I were hammering out 'Hey Jude'. I was kinda wary actually because he didn't give me a feeling that he was a wholesome person.

But that aside.. he was a nice guy.. gentle.. always courteous. It seemed that our jamming together unplugged did not only arouse the interest of this one guy.. my harp-playing also caught the attention of a Bob Dylan/Pink Floyd fan. LOL this guy actually went back home and came back down with his Bob Dylan memorabilia and talked to John and I for a good 20 Minutes. I think our simplified version of "Wish You Were Here" and my on-the-spot rendition of the "Money" bassline really made him think differently about me.

But anways.. I enjoyed out little chill-out session despite the interruptions and the fact that it stretched from 5pm until 9pm. Time to get some sleep!


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Leaving on a jetplane...

Hmm.

Haha.. finally got a load off of my chest.. my Skeletro chair concept is now on it's way to Manzano, Italy where hopefully I could get through the judges' scrutiny... it's one chair design I'd really love to see going places.

VI went pretty smoothly today, although I have to say that I wasn't very kind on my juniors... I guess that's one of my short-comings: that when I have responsibilities, I take things way too seriously. But let me tell my side of the story.

Since this programme was all about allowing 2nd year students to learn from us, final year students, I figured that the two people who would seek me for help had better get all the help or guidance they need. That includes me asking them questions which would make them think.. instead of being held by the hand all the way and guided along like blind sheep.

If you'd like me to describe my juniors... well one of them (let's call her YR) is pretty motivated to get things right.. she'll listen to your opinion, ask questions (although occasionally) and work hard on her project.. at least the number of lame designs she comes up with are not too much.

The other one.. (let's call her JN) she's much less motivated.. she's always rambling on about how 'stressed' she is when it comes to this project. Sometimes.. she rambles on about 'being stressed' so much I can't wait to tell her off:

"Hello... you're in the field of design... you trying to tell me next time you grow up go into society you want everything to lay down at your feet and beg for attention? Grow a bloody backbone and stop coming up with all these lame designs.. start being original! I'm not going to make you work, and you can rot there if you want, but I'm not going to be dragged down to your level.. buck up or sink down if you will."

Maybe that's my working philosophy.. work hard and you'll reap the rewards, but don't try to drag others down when you have not even a shred of motivation. It's not nice, and I won't be nice about it.

Anyways.. most of us (meaning JN isn't included) managed to finalise what we want to achieve att he end of the day, so I'm able to have some breathing space..meaning I have to focus on my bike stand design now lol. But that said, I still have to schedule a time to meet up with JN to grill her on her designs... I'm going in hot and heavy!


Cheers,

Crawldaddy

Look!

Hmm.

Mother's Love blog updated! Go!


Cheers,

Crawldaddy