Really interesting trailers they have,
just click on the pictures down here.
something great coming up!!
I visited this official website for a new Malaysian short movie, coming soon.
Really interesting trailers they have,
just click on the pictures down here.
Really interesting trailers they have,
just click on the pictures down here.
my phone is spoilt
Yesterday night I was around in Carrefour Bt Jalil, to rehearse for the coming wedding function. I’m going to play in a live band.
Everything went well. I exited the studio and saw a few phone shops that have repair services. I wanted to give my phone a new look. I decided to change my phone housing to black, and change the keypads as well.
During the one hour wait, I went for my dinner, and had a haircut as well.
I got back my phone after that, it looked just fine, but when I pressed the keypads, I was so furious. The walkman shortcut button and also the right joystick button was not functioning. And they accused that the phone was already in that condition when I handed it to them an hour ago.
What the f**k?
I’ve got no strong proof because I did not literally press all the buttons on the phone to the girl before that to show that it’s functioning well.
However, I just told her in the face that I regret coming to the shop, you people do not know how to repair properly, I’ll just pay for the service but I am not going to repair the keypad circuit at your shop. I’m going to Low Yatt instead because they give you what you want.
I paid seventy bucks, my hard-earned cash, not to get my gadget spoilt.
I expect decent workmanship and I should get my phone back with a new look, but now I have a spoilt phone.
Idiots.
If only I could remember the shop name and warn you.
Everything went well. I exited the studio and saw a few phone shops that have repair services. I wanted to give my phone a new look. I decided to change my phone housing to black, and change the keypads as well.
During the one hour wait, I went for my dinner, and had a haircut as well.
I got back my phone after that, it looked just fine, but when I pressed the keypads, I was so furious. The walkman shortcut button and also the right joystick button was not functioning. And they accused that the phone was already in that condition when I handed it to them an hour ago.
What the f**k?
I’ve got no strong proof because I did not literally press all the buttons on the phone to the girl before that to show that it’s functioning well.
However, I just told her in the face that I regret coming to the shop, you people do not know how to repair properly, I’ll just pay for the service but I am not going to repair the keypad circuit at your shop. I’m going to Low Yatt instead because they give you what you want.
I paid seventy bucks, my hard-earned cash, not to get my gadget spoilt.
I expect decent workmanship and I should get my phone back with a new look, but now I have a spoilt phone.
Idiots.
If only I could remember the shop name and warn you.
i hate this
F**k.
My watch scratched.
I don't care, I'll go to the DIY shop and see if there is there anything that they sell that could polish glass.
My watch scratched.
I don't care, I'll go to the DIY shop and see if there is there anything that they sell that could polish glass.
the ACTUAL price of a ten ringgit ticket.
Last Saturday evening I went to watch a concert of two artists- one local and one Indonesian, riding my bike for an hour all the way nearby my workplace. It’s actually a family-day-cum-concert organized by the company that I work with, so the ticket was just cheapo- RM10 per entrance.
Oooh…I tell you, it was such an ENJOYABLE moment, I don’t know where to start.
Let’s start with the crowd coming to the event.
Aunties and uncles, lai, lai, don’t miss your chance. Ticket is RM10 only, don’t care if you have to slow march for one whole hour and smell the refreshing odor of people’s armpits. Oh, please don’t fart now.
So I was finally there, and managed to sit on the floor like everyone else. Oh, I managed to sit right in front of the stage too. Yes, time to take out my binoculars and wait.
Wah, got a few typical dancers and unknown singers from Whatever-Lah group, yawn.
And then the MC announced the entrance of the anticipated Indonesian singer. This is it!
Wah! She looked so pretty! Let me adjust my binos for a while-
Wah! The view of the stage turned into a hundred of typical Malaysians, standing in front of us, blocking our view.
Actually, I came all the way here not to watch the singer you know!
I wanted to watch that unknown greasy stripey green shirt guy.
The artist is actually IN FRONT of that guy, but that’s not really important right?
Wah, got a lot of annoying kids some more.
Despite that people behind were shouting at them to sit down, and even threw stuff at them, they just pretend-pretend-deaf and happily took pictures of their favorite artists.
So I just sat there behind the standing crowd.
After that I only heard the voice of Anuar Zain, and nothing to view but the greasy guy who couldn’t sit down.
After that I just left, and managed to snap these photos of Anuar Zain, from the side of the stage.
JUST ENJOY THE PHOTOS AS MUCH AS I DID.
The enjoyment did not end there.
When I walked to the place I parked my bike, I saw this astounding view~
Wah! Bike shop?
And my bike was like in the center of the hundreds of bikes.
Had to do some small work out to shift all the blocking bikes to get to mine.
I'm so glad that I didn't manage to get my friends to come.
Their bitching about the event could just make it worse.
No more next time.
Oooh…I tell you, it was such an ENJOYABLE moment, I don’t know where to start.
Let’s start with the crowd coming to the event.
Aunties and uncles, lai, lai, don’t miss your chance. Ticket is RM10 only, don’t care if you have to slow march for one whole hour and smell the refreshing odor of people’s armpits. Oh, please don’t fart now.
So I was finally there, and managed to sit on the floor like everyone else. Oh, I managed to sit right in front of the stage too. Yes, time to take out my binoculars and wait.
Wah, got a few typical dancers and unknown singers from Whatever-Lah group, yawn.
And then the MC announced the entrance of the anticipated Indonesian singer. This is it!
Wah! She looked so pretty! Let me adjust my binos for a while-
Wah! The view of the stage turned into a hundred of typical Malaysians, standing in front of us, blocking our view.
Actually, I came all the way here not to watch the singer you know!
I wanted to watch that unknown greasy stripey green shirt guy.
The artist is actually IN FRONT of that guy, but that’s not really important right?
Wah, got a lot of annoying kids some more.
Despite that people behind were shouting at them to sit down, and even threw stuff at them, they just pretend-pretend-deaf and happily took pictures of their favorite artists.
So I just sat there behind the standing crowd.
After that I only heard the voice of Anuar Zain, and nothing to view but the greasy guy who couldn’t sit down.
After that I just left, and managed to snap these photos of Anuar Zain, from the side of the stage.
JUST ENJOY THE PHOTOS AS MUCH AS I DID.
The enjoyment did not end there.
When I walked to the place I parked my bike, I saw this astounding view~
Wah! Bike shop?
And my bike was like in the center of the hundreds of bikes.
Had to do some small work out to shift all the blocking bikes to get to mine.
I'm so glad that I didn't manage to get my friends to come.
Their bitching about the event could just make it worse.
No more next time.
fine dining- eh- i mean, fine lunching
Once in a blue moon, I’ll be lucky and will have the chance to eat at one of those fifty ringgit per dish restaurant.
And a few days ago, my department planned a lunch at Tony Roma’s. I can say that the food really tastes good.
Starter- fresh shrimps in their own special sauce. Even the mayo tastes different here!
Their own version of onion rings. Darned nice.
Cream of chicken- the best.
My selection- rib eye steak- juicy and medium done.
And for finale, the dessert- Chocolate Avalanche.
And a few days ago, my department planned a lunch at Tony Roma’s. I can say that the food really tastes good.
Starter- fresh shrimps in their own special sauce. Even the mayo tastes different here!
Their own version of onion rings. Darned nice.
Cream of chicken- the best.
My selection- rib eye steak- juicy and medium done.
And for finale, the dessert- Chocolate Avalanche.
orchestra videos
I came across this amateur video recording of my school wind orchestra, performing in a competition in 2007.
Despite that the visual is bad (it's not showing anything actually!) but you can picture how it would sound like in real life. The tuba sounds so accurate, it's like double bass!
Oh, and here's a slightly clearer and full version of it-
And here is the recording of the prestigious Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.
Enjoy.
Despite that the visual is bad (it's not showing anything actually!) but you can picture how it would sound like in real life. The tuba sounds so accurate, it's like double bass!
Oh, and here's a slightly clearer and full version of it-
And here is the recording of the prestigious Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.
Enjoy.
review: SBP wind orchestra competition 2008
After my long silence from the school band scene, I joined the rest and watched the SBP Wind Orchestra Competition for 2008.
I am quite happy that this year, regardless that Malaysians couldn’t afford to have that centralized condensed microphone (like Japanese orchestras always have), at least the conventional microphones did quite well. With the help of the microphones, we can still listen to the bands no matter where we were seated, and the sound quality was the least being distorted. And the balance of the whole orchestra sound is still maintained. Good.
Tunku Kurshiah and MCKK have shown signs of improvement for these few years. I was entertained by both of these schools during the finals. They should keep up with the good work.
THIRD PLACE
SERATAS, managed to get third place, played a piece written by Suhaimi Yacob- somewhere around Grade 3+, and a western piece of the above average level of concert band.
The thing about this orchestra is that they are doing good- only that they lack of feel, no dynamics, the volume and strength was the same from the beginning to the end. The band can look into this as the next step to improve. Do not be monotonous.
RUNNER UP
Alam Shah, which got second place, played Rhapsody for Hanukah and a later version of Suhaimi’s Tanah Pusaka.
Rhapsody for Hanukah, regardless that the title sounds impressive, is not to my liking at all. The first time I listened to it on CD, it pretty much sound like an average concert band piece, a medley of Jewish festive songs. As I actually listened to the orchestra playing on the competition day, it’s nothing more than the same genre of Anastasia (the soundtrack), played by the wind orchestra of Universiti Malaya, years ago. Entertaining, yes. Impressive and will make you win, no. It’s not a competition piece- it’s just a concert performance piece.
I’ve discussed this with a few well-known local wind orchestra experts, and they agree with me that this piece is not worth the difficulty level. Just looking at the score arrangement, there is a risk that this piece will sound empty- as in not richly sounded. Any easier (but not simple) piece like Ross Roy or Ovation Overture could outwit this piece. And true enough, no matter how much effort- dynamics and feel you put into performing this song, it will still sound like an average concert band piece played well.
Salute for the orchestra for playing this piece very well, regardless that having to play this song was a big mistake.
As for the Malay piece, it’s not surprising that the boys did very well at the beginning and in the end, except for the additional part in the middle of it. It’s a little bit disappointing that something beautifully and impressively written by Suhaimi Yacob, was not portrayed well by the orchestra. It’s like a sandwich with high quality bread but cheap tuna in the middle.
I admire the new way of Suhaimi Yacob’s arrangement, but too bad it was not being played well during the competition.
WINNER
Seri Puteri, all girls school, won the trophy for year 2008. They deserved the win, after ten years waiting and finally they’ve got it!
The orchestra played Omisoka, a fun version of Itaru Sakai, cheesy as it seems- but it’s in my list of favorites in my walkman phone. It was a clever decision to choose an easier piece, and work it out, instead of trying to do Candide Overture, over and over again.
They took the advantage of the rich arrangement of this piece, but it is advisable that they should improve in their sound for Omisoka, because it’s still sounds rough. They still lack of that Japanese band kick- light yet rich, smooth yet grand.
They played the classic Permaidani by Suhaimi, also added with a new bridge in the middle. The trumpets really managed to play tightly but controlled the sound so as not to blast. Really enjoyed that. But as for the bridge, again, they really need to work it out. Still sounded a little bit messy, especially for the trumpet part. The woodwinds and the xylophone did well though. Nice and cute.
We were happy that the girls finally won the competition. All of us joined the whole hall and gave a big clap.
I am quite happy that this year, regardless that Malaysians couldn’t afford to have that centralized condensed microphone (like Japanese orchestras always have), at least the conventional microphones did quite well. With the help of the microphones, we can still listen to the bands no matter where we were seated, and the sound quality was the least being distorted. And the balance of the whole orchestra sound is still maintained. Good.
Tunku Kurshiah and MCKK have shown signs of improvement for these few years. I was entertained by both of these schools during the finals. They should keep up with the good work.
THIRD PLACE
SERATAS, managed to get third place, played a piece written by Suhaimi Yacob- somewhere around Grade 3+, and a western piece of the above average level of concert band.
The thing about this orchestra is that they are doing good- only that they lack of feel, no dynamics, the volume and strength was the same from the beginning to the end. The band can look into this as the next step to improve. Do not be monotonous.
RUNNER UP
Alam Shah, which got second place, played Rhapsody for Hanukah and a later version of Suhaimi’s Tanah Pusaka.
Rhapsody for Hanukah, regardless that the title sounds impressive, is not to my liking at all. The first time I listened to it on CD, it pretty much sound like an average concert band piece, a medley of Jewish festive songs. As I actually listened to the orchestra playing on the competition day, it’s nothing more than the same genre of Anastasia (the soundtrack), played by the wind orchestra of Universiti Malaya, years ago. Entertaining, yes. Impressive and will make you win, no. It’s not a competition piece- it’s just a concert performance piece.
I’ve discussed this with a few well-known local wind orchestra experts, and they agree with me that this piece is not worth the difficulty level. Just looking at the score arrangement, there is a risk that this piece will sound empty- as in not richly sounded. Any easier (but not simple) piece like Ross Roy or Ovation Overture could outwit this piece. And true enough, no matter how much effort- dynamics and feel you put into performing this song, it will still sound like an average concert band piece played well.
Salute for the orchestra for playing this piece very well, regardless that having to play this song was a big mistake.
As for the Malay piece, it’s not surprising that the boys did very well at the beginning and in the end, except for the additional part in the middle of it. It’s a little bit disappointing that something beautifully and impressively written by Suhaimi Yacob, was not portrayed well by the orchestra. It’s like a sandwich with high quality bread but cheap tuna in the middle.
I admire the new way of Suhaimi Yacob’s arrangement, but too bad it was not being played well during the competition.
WINNER
Seri Puteri, all girls school, won the trophy for year 2008. They deserved the win, after ten years waiting and finally they’ve got it!
The orchestra played Omisoka, a fun version of Itaru Sakai, cheesy as it seems- but it’s in my list of favorites in my walkman phone. It was a clever decision to choose an easier piece, and work it out, instead of trying to do Candide Overture, over and over again.
They took the advantage of the rich arrangement of this piece, but it is advisable that they should improve in their sound for Omisoka, because it’s still sounds rough. They still lack of that Japanese band kick- light yet rich, smooth yet grand.
They played the classic Permaidani by Suhaimi, also added with a new bridge in the middle. The trumpets really managed to play tightly but controlled the sound so as not to blast. Really enjoyed that. But as for the bridge, again, they really need to work it out. Still sounded a little bit messy, especially for the trumpet part. The woodwinds and the xylophone did well though. Nice and cute.
We were happy that the girls finally won the competition. All of us joined the whole hall and gave a big clap.
my new playground
I've joined two orchestra. This is the building of where the second orchestra is rehearsing/performing at. It's a nice view I see each night when I leave the compound.
Looks nice with it's modern glass + classic walls.
how much do you owe?
I received a phone text from mom.
“Your study loan payback is overdue to 2k”.
Being reactivated by that, and all the voices in my head, I replied-
“Thanks for the information. As long as I don’t get additional 1k for my salary, I’ll stick to pay 100 per month”.
And mom replied, “It’s not for you to choose!”
If I just bluntly followed my way of being at that time, I will be like a wild boar ramming into everything in front of it. I was even about to reply,
“Yeah, and it’s not my choice to have such a measly salary but it’s my choice to live the way I want it to be. So what? Jealous?”
You see, my being above is a very clear example of how humans can easily go into that unproductive mode- complaining, bitching, running away from life. Totally disempowering and things ain’t gonna get better.
I got hold of myself and asked myself-
What happened actually?
Mom just informed me something useful and important, and that’s it!
Nothing else happened!
I slipped into that human instinct- trying to react towards a pseudo life threatening danger in front of him. Well, it’s useful when you are running away from a tiger, or a hurricane, or a coming train, but not when your mom tells you something and then you react.
So I just focus on the facts-
So it’s fact that I am required to pay 2k in a chunk.
So it’s fact that I don’t have that much money.
But instead of seeing life as surviving through it,
Why don’t I just see this situation as another game.
It doesn’t matter if I lose the game- the worst would just be further interest being added on the sum of the overdue debt. There ain’t no tiger to come pouncing on me at all.
But if I play full out in this game, who knows, I’ll get to clear the 2k in no time.
So. The ball is in my court.
Hm. Time to put that fear away already.
Next step done- I’ve sent a message to mom-
“Sorry, I know you’re worried.
The people will continue to add on the interest.
But I’ll do my best.”
p/s: to cheat my way to comfort- I can just look at the theory that all of us have debts, and we'll just have to work it out. Hik.
drool over seiko
I tried to search for a photo of my watch but they only have it in black.
Seiko SNKF63.
the place i wanted to go
Penang. Full stop.
Not that I haven’t been to Penang, but the first visit was for a concert performance back in high school and we only walked along Padang Kota and ate yong tau foo by the beach. As for the second time going there, I followed my mom and we bought pickled fruits, and more pickled fruits. Oh, we also went to another shop and bought pickled fruits.
So. Where do I wish to go in Penang?
Walking along Gurney Drive, the hippest place in the island as what people say.
Entering the temple and look at the huge reclining Buddha idol.
And visiting the hugest temple in South East Asia, if it’s not too far away.
Another walk along Padang Kota would be nice too.
declaring it peace
I admit that I still have this lingering effect after my decision of refusing the orchestra management job.
It feels like an ex partner, with a faint anger and dissatisfaction.
But I have to admit that by being that, I am trying to get away from being responsible of it.
Perhaps I am trying to blame someone, something, or the situation itself.
I'm now declaring peace.
Declining the job was totally my decision.
And it doesn't make me anything less than I am.
In fact, somehow or rather, I was indirectly being recognized by the prestigious orchestra-
the moment they wanted to hire me into the team.
And in this small industry, I might bump into them again.
So. Case closed. Not going to look back.
One says, when you cut down a branch, a few shoots will grow.
After a week of the huge decision,
Suddenly my schedule became even tight.
Both orchestras that I am joining are going to have concerts-
one in July and the other in August.
Pieces are tough.
And actually, I am stealing time to type this on a weekend.
Because, my weekends are fully-booked for rehearsals.
Will update soon!
It feels like an ex partner, with a faint anger and dissatisfaction.
But I have to admit that by being that, I am trying to get away from being responsible of it.
Perhaps I am trying to blame someone, something, or the situation itself.
I'm now declaring peace.
Declining the job was totally my decision.
And it doesn't make me anything less than I am.
In fact, somehow or rather, I was indirectly being recognized by the prestigious orchestra-
the moment they wanted to hire me into the team.
And in this small industry, I might bump into them again.
So. Case closed. Not going to look back.
One says, when you cut down a branch, a few shoots will grow.
After a week of the huge decision,
Suddenly my schedule became even tight.
Both orchestras that I am joining are going to have concerts-
one in July and the other in August.
Pieces are tough.
And actually, I am stealing time to type this on a weekend.
Because, my weekends are fully-booked for rehearsals.
Will update soon!
tough decision made
Have you ever wanted something so much, you feel the pain of not having it today?
That hi tech SLR camera that you wanted to buy, and seem so difficult for you to save money to purchase it.
That result of experiment that you still yet to have, after hundreds of experiment failure.
As for my case-
I did a tough decision- I declined the orchestra management job, after taking account of the advice from three experts in the area-
A friend who is a professional orchestra player in a neighboring country,
My trumpet tutor, a well-known brass player in at least three Asian countries,
And Bibiknyonya, an expert in performing arts, who directed a few productions.
Quoted by the HR staff regarding on the company’s policy-
“Based on the interview, you have done well, and we are hiring you, PROVIDED THAT YOU RELEASE ALL YOUR COMMITMENTS IN OTHER ORCHESTRAS, due to conflict of interest.”
Obviously my development towards becoming a world class trumpet player will be stunted once I focus on this job.
I am really upset that I couldn’t be part of the team, but I would never want to sacrifice my real passion- to play my trumpet and perform.
So I will have to remind myself-
“But you may hate a thing although it is good for you, and love a thing although it is bad
for you. God knows, but you do not know.” –Al Baqarah, 216
There are also cases where you know that you’ll be doing great if you get that thing you wanted, but perhaps there is a reason why God isn’t going to give it to you today.
Maybe you’ll appreciate it more when you achieve it through hardship, effort and sweat.
Maybe the journey itself will make you mature, and will give you the level of experience, and knowledge that you need to excel in your field.
Maybe you’ll just have to earn it.
So the next time we go upset when we don’t get what we want,
Remember that He knows best.
Don’t lose faith in Him.
That hi tech SLR camera that you wanted to buy, and seem so difficult for you to save money to purchase it.
That result of experiment that you still yet to have, after hundreds of experiment failure.
As for my case-
I did a tough decision- I declined the orchestra management job, after taking account of the advice from three experts in the area-
A friend who is a professional orchestra player in a neighboring country,
My trumpet tutor, a well-known brass player in at least three Asian countries,
And Bibiknyonya, an expert in performing arts, who directed a few productions.
Quoted by the HR staff regarding on the company’s policy-
“Based on the interview, you have done well, and we are hiring you, PROVIDED THAT YOU RELEASE ALL YOUR COMMITMENTS IN OTHER ORCHESTRAS, due to conflict of interest.”
Obviously my development towards becoming a world class trumpet player will be stunted once I focus on this job.
I am really upset that I couldn’t be part of the team, but I would never want to sacrifice my real passion- to play my trumpet and perform.
So I will have to remind myself-
“But you may hate a thing although it is good for you, and love a thing although it is bad
for you. God knows, but you do not know.” –Al Baqarah, 216
There are also cases where you know that you’ll be doing great if you get that thing you wanted, but perhaps there is a reason why God isn’t going to give it to you today.
Maybe you’ll appreciate it more when you achieve it through hardship, effort and sweat.
Maybe the journey itself will make you mature, and will give you the level of experience, and knowledge that you need to excel in your field.
Maybe you’ll just have to earn it.
So the next time we go upset when we don’t get what we want,
Remember that He knows best.
Don’t lose faith in Him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)