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Mr Oboe

2008-09-10T23:35:00.001+08:00

I just have got to blog about this!

And by the way, if you are wondering: I'm fine and good!

Many things!

2008-03-23T12:13:00.004+08:00

Just when you thought that this place is dead, here I am with a post!

I got surprised with a mystery gift and here it is!

Thank you Nat for this surprise and eh, middle-of-nowhere present! *grin*

So this adds to my "collection" of cufflinks, if you call 4 sets a collection.

I just realised that all of them are silver. Perhaps it's time for me to get a new coloured set. Now, if only the devils are metallic red...

Nevertheless I still like it VERY MUCH. Can't wear for a chance to wear them! Thanks Goat!

Hopefully Manchester United will win Liverpool tonight and make this gift even sweeter!

Just for some entertainment, this is the new Anderson song for those who haven't hear it before:

*

I got myself a new computer over the last IT show! Finally I can watch HD movies in the comfort of my room. Shiok lah! It was kinda fun researching the parts and finally fixing it together. As the goat will say: "Geek."

Tada!

*

My church is organising an Alpha course for anyone who is interested. It's free and you can come and make new friends if you like.

Wait, are you reading correctly? LY the God-basher goes to church???

Yup, you got it correct. It's a very long story and let's just say I've found a totally new life in which I feel a lot happier.

Anyway!

If you feel that you can relate to the video or you would just like to learn more, let me know ya? No obligations at all! You can just come for the first session and if you like it, don't carry on loh.

The location is at Telok Blangah, starting on 4th April at 7.30pm. Dinner is provided.

Hope to see some of you there!

The Golden Experience

2007-12-14T12:20:00.000+08:00

I finally went to watch a show in the Gold Class movie theatre, fittingly the Golden Compass. I couldn't get seats to the regular theatre so I decided to try out the Gold Class.

Well, the seats are really nice and comfy. I like the fact that there is a blanket provided for every seat which makes the experience cosier. There was this call button where you can order food in the middle of the show, not bad!

And check out the packaging of everything! The tickets are enclosed in a nice classy folder (top) with the location of your seats. I was a bit surprised that they put my credit card and bill inside another folder (right) after I ordered beer and snacks inside the theatre. Even the wet tissue (left) was done with the Gold Class logo!

I seriously wonder how much of the ticket price actually went into the packaging.

Verdict: It's seriously like taking business class on an airplane while watching a full length movie. I would probably go again if there is a long movie. If the price is slightly lower at the range of $15-$20, I might actually be a regular there!

Haha!

2007-11-14T13:33:00.000+08:00

Oh man, I'm really amused by this! Beethoven 7 in the background seems to make it cheesier thought, haha!

Interesting

2007-10-13T20:53:00.000+08:00

25 Year Old Beauty Seeks Rich Banker
05/10/2007 following exchange took place on Craigslist - don’t miss investment banker's response

'What am I doing wrong?’
Okay, I’m tired of beating around the bush. I’m a beautiful (spectacularly beautiful) 25 year old girl. I’m articulate and classy. I’m not from . I’m looking to get married to a guy who makes at least half a million a year. I know how that sounds, but keep in mind that a million a year is middle class in New York City, so I don’t think I’m overreaching at all.

Are there any guys who make 500K or more on this board ? Any wives ? Could you send me some tips ? I dated a business man who made an average of around 200 - 250K. But that’s where I seem to hit a roadblock. $250,000 won’t get me to Central Park West. I know a woman in my yoga class who was married to an investment banker, and lives in Tribeca. She’s not as pretty as I am, nor is she a great genius. So what is she doing right ? How do I get to her level ?

Here are my questions specifically:
- Where do you single rich men hang out ? Give me specifics - bars, restaurants, gyms
- What are you looking for in a mate? Be honest guys, you won’t hurt my feelings
- Is there an age range I should be targeting ?
- Why are some of the women living lavish lifestyles on the so plain? I’ve seen really ‘Plain Jane’ boring types, who have nothing to offer incredibly wealthy guys. Then I’ve seen drop dead gorgeous girls in singles bars in the . What’s the story there ?

- Lawyers, investment bankers, doctors. How much do those guys really make ? And where do the hedge fund guys hang out ?

- How do you rich guys decide on marriage vs. just a girlfriend ? I am looking for MARRIAGE ONLY.
Please hold your insults - I’m putting myself out there in an honest way. Most beautiful women are superficial - at least I’m being up front about it. I wouldn’t be searching for these kind of guys if I wasn’t able to match them - in looks, culture, sophistication, and keeping a nice hearth and home'.

An Investment Banker's Response:

Dear Pers-431649184:
'I read your posting with great interest and have thought meaningfully about your dilemma. I offer the following analysis of your predicament.

Firstly, I’m not wasting your time. I qualify as a guy who fits your bill - that is, I make more than $500K per year. That said, here’s how I see it:

Your offer, from the prospective of a guy like me, is a plain and simple crappy business deal. Here’s why. Cutting through all the B.S., what you suggest is a simple trade: you bring your looks to the party and I bring my money. Fine, simple. But here’s the rub, your looks will fade and my money will likely continue into perpetuity - in fact, it is very likely that my income will increase, but it is an absolute certainty that you won’t be getting any more beautiful!

So, in economic terms, you are a depreciating asset. Not only are you a depreciating asset, however, your depreciation accelerates! Let me explain - you’re 25 now and will likely remain pretty hot for the next 5 years, but less so each year. Then the fade begins in earnest. By 35 - stick a fork in you!

So, in Wall Street terms, we'd call you a trading position - not a buy and hold…hence the rub…marriage. It doesn’t make good business sense to 'buy you' (which is what you’re asking) - so I’d rather lease. In case you think I’m being cruel, I would say the following: if my money were to go away, so would you - so when your beauty fades I need an out too. It’s as simple as that. So the deal that makes sense for me is dating, not marriage.

Separately, I was taught early in my career about efficient markets. So, I wonder why a girl as 'articulate, classy and spectacularly beautiful' as you has been unable to find your sugar daddy. I find it hard to believe that, if you are as gorgeous as you say you are, your $500K man hasn’t found you - if only for a tryout.

By the way, you could always find a way to make your own money - and then we wouldn’t need to have this difficult conversation.

With all that said, I must say you’re going about it the right way. Classic 'pump and dump'. I hope this is helpful, and if you want to enter into some sort of lease, please let me know'.

Found!

2007-10-01T22:50:00.000+08:00

The last week was great, good enough to inspire me to blog about it!

I actually found a lot of time to practice, and practices were fruitful. For the first time in a while, I had an enjoyable lesson which was actually going somewhere.
I found some lost stamina which helped a lot!

Talking about finding stuffs, I ran into a friend at the most random of all places – Sim Lim Square. We had coffee and a long chat. It was as though I last saw her a few days ago than a few years! We reminisced about the good days in school, laughed over a few funny memories and shared some troubles.

She told me about life as a SIA stewardess, flying all over the world. I wish I could do the same – so far my job has only got me to 2 foreign cities. Not that I’m looking forever to more. All I get is military tattoo after military tattoo. Sigh.

*

Today, 3 months after booking it, I had my first driving lesson. It went well – I didn't crash the car.

From KL

2007-09-09T19:15:00.000+08:00

Blogging from KL as requested from Dorothy!

Hello from KL!

It's been raining for 3 days and we are able to go for our final show.

I'll be back soon, Singapore!

An Ambush and A Magical World

2007-07-26T21:27:00.000+08:00

Scene: Café Cartel

I approached my table greeted by an unusual sight.

There were three girls squatting in the most unfeminine way next to it.

Taking my seat, I watched silently as the three school girls squat stealthy besides my table, whispering excitedly at each other.

Slowly they inch forward to a table far inside the café, squat-walking their way there like clumsy penguins.

As thought as there was a telepathic countdown in their heads, they all sprung out of their cover and ambushed their target.

I went: "Oh."

Elvin Ng was sitting at the table.

http://www.mediacorptv.com/celeb/elvinng/

You would find the link useful if you have the faintest idea of who he is. I didn't too, I only know him as a face off TV. I didn't know his name until I went to the Mediacorp website to check so as to make this blog entry possible. Is it a sign that I'm not watching enough TV?

*

Call me a late bloomer if you like but I recently finally started to read Harry Potter.

I must say that it's not too bad, rather entertaining if I would say so.

I like the distinct British tone and slang used in the book. Must be an influence from Roald Dahl from my childhood days.

In any case, I don't have to suffer the agony of waiting for the next book to find out what happens next and I can happily read at my own leisure.

Ah, the joy of reading!

A Bag

2007-07-15T23:29:00.000+08:00

You purchase a bag.

The salesperson informs you that it's limited edition and there are only 100 pieces of that colour in Singapore.

You walk past the shop 2 days later and it's sold out.

You feel happy having an unique bag for next 2 months.

You meet first person carrying same bag sitting next to you in a cinema.

Darn.

Memories

2007-06-23T11:52:00.000+08:00

Don’t we all have memories of the past?

I’m feeling quite nostalgia these days, thinking back of several things.

We all wish that we can lead a perfect life without committing any serious mistakes, or at least living without regrets.

I have quite a few regrets. What they are, I won’t say; if there was a second chance, I guess I wouldn’t do it the same as I did.

Well, you know what they say! “Live life without regrets.” Time to move on, I guess!
Other than these negative memories, I have many good memories too!

I remember buying a Casio Baby G watch with my very first paycheck.

I remember being so happy to see my Mum come to visit me on Visiting Day back in BMT.

I remember the fun times spent with my friends throughout the years.

I remember surviving a concert on a reed that was chipped off at the edge and on its last legs.

I remember Christmas 2005.

I remember the beautiful times I had in 2006.

I remember the fun I had in Wonju last year, even thought it was super tiring.

I remember the 1999 Champions league Finals.

Which Man Utd fan can ever forget the famous comeback in 1999?

I can’t, and I still vividly remember jumping around my living room at 5am when they scored the winning goal!

While it was a great memory for me, it was something that Bayern Munich fans would want to forget for the rest of their lives.

So, do you have any good memories?

Rantings

2007-04-30T23:32:00.000+08:00

Oh how I love the SYF.

I just love the dramas that can unfold from the simplest of things, like for example: lights that are too dim.

And who can forgo the endless flaming that goes online? The interesting behind-the-scenes gossips. The loyal fans of some instructors versus the loyal fans of other instructors. The wannabe analyzer. The 24/7 moderator. It goes on and on!

Don't you love it?

Apart from the fact that there are more teaching jobs around the period of SYF, nothing else about it attracts me.

The whole idea is just damn bloody wrong.

I don't blame the instructors for it. I don't blame the school for it. It's how we live in Singapore.

Paper qualifications.

Sigh.

*

On a more positive note, I’m definitely still alive.

*

I went up to KL 2 weeks ago to listen to the MPO. I must say that they are really good! The oboe concerto, which was supposed to be my main objective, was rather disappointing.

I find it ironic that that the MPO insists that their audience has to be in a jacket or batik shirt while their soloist is there on stage in just a long-sleeved shirt and pants.

*

Just for formality,

The Singapore Armed Forces Bands will be holding a concert in May.

In Harmony 23

The Republic Cultural Centre, Republic Polytechnic

20 May 2007, 5pm

FREE

Tickets are free and please refer to the SAF Bands website from the links on the left for reservation details and whatever information you need.

*

Have you ever made a mistake and repeat it over and over again even though you know it was wrong?

*

My Windows Vista upgrade CD has arrived in the mail but I'm rather hesitant to install at the moment. Having read about so many problems with the new OS, I'm getting a bit paranoid. The thought of not being able to carry out my tasks on my laptop are haunting me! Okay, a certain goat is going call me a geek at this point.

*

Meanwhile, I’ve changed phone. Again. Okay, this is old news but considering that I haven’t update for months, it might be news to you!

*

I won $20 from Toto today. For a moment I thought it was going to be a few hundred dollars but I was wrong. All the panic for nothing! Well, at least I won something.

*

End.

2007

2007-01-24T10:18:00.000+08:00

I am...

Still alive.

Concert, Model, Friends

2006-11-26T09:19:00.000+08:00

Time for an update!

*

First, an advertisement:

Singapore Armed Forces Bands
In Harmony 22 ? Douglas Bostock

10 December 2006
Esplanade Concert Hall, 7.30pm

FREE!

Tickets will not be issued so all of you boys and girls will have to start queuing up at 6.45pm at Esplanade Concert Hall. If you have been to a Beautiful Sunday concert before, it's exactly the same format.

Pieces are:

The Sword and the Crown
First Suite in Eb
Dance of Flying God
Pictures at an Exhibition

For those who are expecting a band transcription of the Ravel orchestration, you will be disappointed. It's an orchestration for band straight from the original Mussorgsky composition for piano.

Otherwise, please come and see Maestro Bostock in action!

He was the conductor for Tokyo Kosei and is currently serving as their Principal Guest Conductor. He has also conducted many orchestras and bands around the world and has about 70 recordings to his name.

To find out more about him, do a Google!

*

Civil servants' pay scales are finally going to rise!

Finally!

Everything has been going up for a while, except for our pay. About time too!

The 2.2 months bonus is really going to come in useful for me. I see my new Dell XPS M1210 over the horizon now! Hmmm, plus a new Crumpler backpack and maybe a sling bag too?

*

Some of you might know that I had been interested in photography for a while.

And so the recent Singapore Motorshow was a great chance to test out model shooting!

Ok, I admit that I was just going there to shoot models. That's all.

Look at it this way, a normal model shoot will cost me anything from $50 for 2-3 models over 3 hours. Heck! I pay $10 for the motorshow and I shot as much as I like!

Anyway, a few photos to show:

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=237346

(I'm lazy to upload to another server which allows linking lah.)

The world is so small.

The above model, Jamie, asked to see my photos and hence we exchanged contacts. Turned out that she's a trumpet player!

*

I had been running into people whom I haven't seen for a while recently.

Saw a friend while at Borders the other day, had a chat. Oh! Some of you might know Rosalyn, she's a Power89 DJ and host of some TV show with Wendy Cheng aka Xiaxue.

The next day, I saw another friend. The funny thing is that I was trying out a new route to work and I wasn't even supposed to alight at that bus stop but I did anyway.

Glad to see that they are all doing fine!

Video at Youtube

2006-11-02T20:05:00.000+08:00

Found this video of my Korea trip on Youtube!

This was a public performance at the War Memorial in Seoul. Not too sure of the actual name!

Photos

2006-10-21T22:58:00.000+08:00

I looked at my 1500+ photos and fell asleep.

How the hell did I take so many photos?

Back in Singapore

2006-10-20T20:46:00.000+08:00

I'm back!

Korea was kind of boring. For me, at least.

I don't really enjoy kimchi but I can tell you that it taste better than what you get in Singapore normally.

I did enjoy the ginseng chicken, barbequed and grill pork!

The wine was great too.

The traveling time was terrible. We were practically in the mountains and had to travel 1 hour each way to the city centre everyday! On this way where we had sightseeing, we traveled 3 hours to this traditional Korean village in Andong. I have no idea where Andong is. Near Timbuktu, perhaps?

Anyway, this is just a short notice to tell everyone that I'm back alive. Depending on your relationship with me, some might be happy and some disappointed. I hope there are more happy people than disappointed people!

I will try to post some photos here, like a photo blog. I took about 1000 photos so probably there should be some decent ones!

Wonju

2006-10-07T12:01:00.000+08:00

Off I go to Korea, away from the haze!

October

2006-10-01T09:58:00.000+08:00

Wow! How time flies!

It is October already and my previous post was on *drum rolls* 15th August.

Note to my friends: I'm still alive. Kicking a bit here and there.

A bit of updates here and there I guess.

I'm single now. My ex-girlfriend and I had "irreconcilable differences", if you want to know. It's unpleasant but I guess we are both for the better now!

I'm flying to the Land of Kimchi this coming weekend. No, it's a working trip, not a holiday. No, I will not have much time to go shopping. No, I will not buy a ton of kimchi back. No, I don't know what is Shinhwa or Da Chan Ji or whatsoever for that matter.

Yes, I'm broke. =)

I will try to do some "live" updates if I can! I wonder who is interested.

Just for the record, I will be leaving on 7th Oct and coming back on 18th Oct. I will be in Wonju, where there is no coverage for Singaporean phones. Expect to see me on MSN whenever possible! I'm hoping to get Wifi there so at least I can still make calls on Skype.

*

Sometimes I really find human relationships to be an extremely fragile thing. Take working relationships for example, there are bound to be people you dislike at certain point of time.

I had encountered a few in my working life. Some were plain artificial, some were just terrible.

Take this ex-colleague in the same working zone as me for example. She was terrible to work with, she don't listen and is stubborn. Oh well. I didn't disguise my distaste on her working ethics and character.

These are the type of people who are lost in their own worlds. They think they are good. They offer advices for the sake of advising. They don't listen.

One might argue that all humans have their own flaws and that I'm not perfect too. I agree. But that same One must also agree that if 90% of the humans around you are against you, something must be wrong.

How many times have you criticized a person behind his back and still smile broadly when you see the same person? Had you ever called others a hypocrite? Yes, and I'm one myself too.

Call it being diplomatic or being nice. Or you can say that you are trying to avoid unhappiness. It's a sad part about human character.

When my friend recently suggested another friend was being a "two headed-snake", it made me started thinking.

Scenario:

You dislike this person a lot. But somehow he belongs to your clique. Or rather, assumes that he belongs to the clique. What do you do?

This person is blissfully ignorant of his antics and thinks he's right all the time. He's ultra sensitive and takes constructive comments in a bad light because he's wonderful and you are nothing. Who are you to offer him comments?

Being blissfully ignorant, he sees you walking to work and offers you a lift. What do you do?

Risk being labeled a "two headed-snake" or risk starting a war with the said person?

What would YOU do?

*

Avoid Lim Chu Kang at night.

My friend was recently beaten up by 3 foreign drunkards there. They are suspected to be illegal workers.

He lost his way and asked these 3 people for directions. Before he know it, they started beating him up.

Result: at least 2 fractured fingers and stitches on the head. Car was crashed and burnt to the core by suspects.

Yes, it was careless to ask 3 unknown people for directions in probably the most ulu part in Singapore but he was helplessly lost.

The good thing is: he was mentally strong enough to escape from the burning car and run 15 minutes to the nearest building for help. Mind you, running while holding a broken finger that was literally hanging by the skin. We are all just glad that he's alive.

Repeat: Avoid Lim Chu Kang at night.

Life of an Oboist

2006-08-15T10:18:00.000+08:00

I actually thought of something to blog about before I fell asleep last night, but I've forgotten what it was about!

Anyway, to all my friends who are STILL reading this page despite my lack of updates: Hope all of you are doing fine!

It's less than one week to my lesson and I still haven't gotten any good reeds. How? Throw me an oil lamp and 3 wishes now and I will wish for the perfect reed that last forever.

Thinking back, playing the oboe has never been easy. From the day I started playing, there has always been a surplus of criticism, most of it behind my back.

Some people actually had the impression that I played the oboe all the from my early band days.

No.

I started only in late 2001, with proper lessons only in 2002.

Hey! It's nearly 5 years now! And my playing is still nowhere compared to all the LTCL holders.

Oh well. It takes a strong character to play the oboe I guess. Only oboists know how it is like to be one.

I think I need a change in direction in life. I've been drifting too much. It's perhaps time to find a new goal, and possibly a new job. My tentative ORD date is 14 Feb next year. How romantic.

In Point Form

2006-07-30T10:29:00.000+08:00

Hi Sue Anne,

Do you want a job as resident cleaner of this blog?

I haven't been blogging for a few reasons:

1. I have been quite busy at work and on a lot of days, I just want to sleep the moment I get home at night.

2. I figured that some things I want to blog about are pretty sensitive. To me, I'm just stating what I think. To the person/people involved, it seems that I'm a total bitch.

3. Human beings find it difficult to accept critism. I guess I'm one of them too. I try to listen as much as possible but there are really some people that I just brush aside.

4. You don't have to be a great chicken rice seller to declare that the chicken rice sucks. Likewise, I don't have to be a fantastic player to tell you that the band concert I went to the other day was terrible.

5. I find my job sucks at times.

6. I'm considering my future career options.

Okay, I shall write more since I started blogging.

Things to update:

1. Anyone wants to buy a Howarth XL oboe?

2. Photography is a damn expensive hobby.

3. I'm going to Wonju in October.

4. No, you are not going to get any souvenir because photography is an expensive hobby and hence, I'm broke.

5. I'm feeling very uninspired lately. I need some inspiration.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day.

Howarth XL for Sale

2006-07-16T02:11:00.000+08:00

Howarth XL Oboe (S/ N 5470)

Purchased in July 2004.

Tuned and adjusted by Yanko Petrov.

Cleaned and maintained by Howarth in July 2005.

Asking for USD 6900 (about SGD 11000), willing to negotiate.

Email to chualiangyou@gmail.com

Agents

2006-06-26T21:57:00.000+08:00

While going through my countless junk flyers in my mail box the other day, I noticed a lot of housing agents' flyers. On them were locations of flats sold by them at high prices.

Have they ever thought that this works against them?

Home seekers who are looking to purchase a second hand flat would probably take note of their names and blacklist them!

World Cup Uncles

2006-06-19T17:54:00.000+08:00

Last night I was standing at a Macdonald outlet watching the World Cup.

There was this middle-aged man standing behind me. He kept passing comments about the "negro" in the Japanese team, Alex Santos.

"Hei ren bu ke yi lah." (Black man cannot make it.)

"Negro lousy lah."

Hello? He was born in Brazil!

My friend encountered someone similar, also while watching the World Cup at a coffeeshop. The uncle whom he shared a table kept talking to him about the teams, blah blah blah, et cetera. He found the uncle quite irritating.

It makes me wonder what kind of person I will become when I?m their age. Sheesh. Perhaps it?s just a cycle we all go through? Who knows? Maybe the said uncles were pestered naggy uncles when they were young too?

Cat vs Bear

2006-06-13T10:51:00.000+08:00

Who needs a guard dog when Jack the elderly suburban housecat is on duty?

The 10-year-old New Jersey tabby defended his neighbourhood turf earlier this week by chasing a wandering black bear up a tree ? twice.

West Milford residents Suzanne and Jack Giovanetti first noticed a bear huddled in a tree in their backyard on Sunday afternoon.

Sitting beneath the tree: A seven-kilogram, orange-and-white, declawed neighbourhood cat named Jack.

The bear remained in the tree for about 15 minutes, frequently looking down at Jack.

When it slid down the tree and ran off, Jack was hot on its heels.

Cat is 'territorial'

Suzanne Giovanetti told the Star-Ledger of Newark that the cat was hissing at the bear as it gave chase.

The bear climbed up into a second tree until Jack's owner, Donna Dickey, called the cat home.

"The cat sauntered back toward the group, rubbing up against everyone," said the newspaper.

As soon as the cat left, the bear clambered down the tree and walked into the woods.

Dickey told the newspaper that Jack is territorial, frequently chasing small animals from their yard. She believes the cat may have mistaken the bear for the family's chocolate labrador retriever.

Giovanetti, who said she's never bonded with the neighbourhood cat, said she was always a little afraid of Jack.

"Now, I think I fear him more," she is quoted as saying.

Wow. This is amazing. Maybe I shouldn't tease my neighbour's cat so much lest I get stranded on a tree.

Reeds, Phone, Concert

2006-06-05T10:22:00.000+08:00

I will never understand the mystery of nature. The mystery of how a reed changes overnight. How it can be worse than the unpredictability of weather.

Such is the life of an oboist, dictated by the reed's mood.

*

Anyway, I changed phone, yes, again. It was a good deal what! Top up 149 for a brand new phone. No obligations, no plans, no nothing. So I present my latest toy: HP RW6828.

I'm too lazy to post a picture of it, so if you are interested to look at it, just do a google on it.

Yes, I know. It looks like the Atom. All PDA phones are OEM today anyway. For example, my previous Dopod 818 Pro was somewhat similar to the O2 mini. If you don't know what is OEM, please go to Wikipedia. Wikipedia is good, it's where I learn a lot of new terms and what they actually mean.

My friend said I change phone very often. Is it? Let's see:

N3310
N6510
N6100
N-Gage QD
N8250
N7610
Dopod 818 Pro
HP RW6828

That's 8 phones since 2000. I know of a person who bought the O2 mini only to sell it after a week. My shortest stint with a phone was probably at least 4 months (N-Gage QD), and that was because the phone was buggy. On average, my phones last about a year with the exception of N-Gage QD, N8250 (transition phone) and Dopod (too good a deal to upgrade!).

Having changed to a Window based phone, I find it hard to change back to a normal phone. There are so many things I can do on a PDA phone compared to a normal phone!

*

So the concert went pass without any major incident. I thought it was rather good. I like the Lincolnshire Posy. The Hindemith sounded quite good.

Have you ever felt lost all of a sudden? I know of a certain trumpeter who happily played off in his own world of imagination during a trumpet call. That happened to me during Hindemith. I was lost for the entire first page, only to come in just in time for the solo for the first theme. Sheesh. Good thing it wasn?t noticeable. Well, I'm confessing in cyberspace now, which means anyone can read this. Yes, I screwed up!

*

Update completed.

Aimless

2006-05-21T16:13:00.000+08:00

Yes, I know I haven't been updating my blog religiously. I have been very busy!

Anyway, there had been a change to the performance line up for the upcoming concert.

The Trumpet soloist has been replaced by Dr. James Zingara as the original's wife has taken ill.

Okay, if you are turned off by the Hindemith, why not come listen to Lincolnshire Posy? I think the interpretation is pretty good and what's more ? the conductor is a Percy Grainger scholar.

*

I'm now averaging one post per month, or maybe lower. I really wonder how many people still actually write and read blogs these days.

*

Upon recovering from my computer crash from about a month back, it makes me marvel at how fast technology moves.

From paying 4k plus nearly a decade ago, a computer now costs a fraction of that. Take my phone for example, it's faster (195 Mhz vs 133 Mhz) and has a larger memory (2Gb vs 1.275 Gb). I really wonder what's new.

*

I'm writing aimlessly now. How?

In Harmony 21

2006-04-27T15:47:00.000+08:00

Hi people! Short announcement!

SAF Central Band presents In Harmony 21

Conducted by Prof. James Keene

Victoria Concert Hall
24th May 2006
7.30 pm

Programme:

Paul Hindemith - Symphony in Bb
Percy Grainger - Lincolnshire Posy
John Philip Sousa - Invincible Eagle
Trumpet Solo, Soloist: Dr. Michael E. Ewald, conducted by Dr. Thomas V. Frascillo
Saxophone Solo, Soloist: Mr. Lynn Klock

and more!

James F. Keene is Director of Bands/Professor of Music at the University of Illinois. Appointed in 1985, he is only the fourth person to hold that position since 1905.

During his 21-year tenure at Illinois, the Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony, under his direction, have been selected to perform for every major music conference in the U.S., have toured throughout the country, as well as Great Britain, and have performed in several of the America?s prestigious concert halls. In addition to producing an extensive recording series for Mark Recordings, the Symphonic Band was featured on the Masterpiece Series distributed by EMI-Toshiba of Japan. These recordings have been broadcast on National Public Radio in the U. S., as well as radio programs in Asia, Australia, and several European countries.

Mr. Keene is a Past-President of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and recently completed a term as chairman of the Board of Directors. He is also a Past-President of the National Band Association, and The Big Ten Band Directors Association. For several years he served as chairman of the ABA/Ostwald Composition Contest, and is currently a member of the Editorial Board of The Journal of Band Research.

In addition to membership in several professional and honorary societies, Mr. Keene is an Evans Scholar, a Past-President of the Champaign Rotary Club, and a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary International Foundation. In 1993 Professor Keene was named as an honorary member of the Board of Directors of the International Percy Grainger Society in recognition of his devotion to the music of Grainger; he also serves on the Board of Directors of the John Philip Sousa Foundation and the historic Goldman Memorial Band of New York City. Recently, Professor Keene was named Honorary Life Member of the Texas Bandmasters Association, becoming only the sixth person to be so honored in the 55-year history of that organization. He has served as clinician, conductor, and adjudicator throughout the United States and around the world, with appearances most recently in Australia, Singapore, Japan and Europe.

Complimentary tickets are available. Please call 6477 2795 during office hour for reservations and inquires.

Updated!

2006-03-31T20:55:00.000+08:00

Ok, so it's been slightly more than a month since I updated.

Where is my greatest fan?

Am I missed?

*

The month had been busy with lotsa on-going rehearsals for various events.

First to come:

Beautiful Sunday @ Esplanade Concert Hall

(Yes, Beautiful Sunday again)

9th April 2006
1500 hrs

Free.

Repertoire

Summon the Hero
Harry Potter Suite (Come watch me fumble on the extremely difficult soli passage!)
T-Bone Concerto 1st Movement, Soloist: David Wong

And some more that I forgotten.

Anyway, do drop by if you have the time. Remember to start queuing early if you are interested. I believe that the queue should be open from about 1445 hrs.

*

Other than rehearsals for the concert, there were also rehearsals for a display for SAF Day this year.

Managing people is never difficult, good luck to the committee!

*

I shall try to be back for more!

Dedication

2006-02-28T12:10:00.000+08:00

To Sue Anne...

My biggest fan...

Who bugs me for updates.

Stylus

2006-02-26T12:41:00.000+08:00

I think I've gotten too used to my new phone.

I was trying to change my playlist on my mp3 player when I tried to use my stylus to tap on the screen (I was holding onto my phone at the same time).

While playing around with my friend's N70, I tried to reach for the top right corner to take out the stylus.

-_-!

Quick Update

2006-02-11T10:40:00.000+08:00

To Sue if you are reading this:

NO! You are not the last! I win!

And so the Chinese New Year come and go again.

Nothing much interesting to report this year except that my luck at Blackjack wasn't that great. Shall stay off it until the next CNY.

I shall be going to my boss' place for a second visit later and to play mahjong. Sometimes I'm really amused when I think about my job. How many others actually go out with their commanding officer for lunch almost every Friday and still go to his place to play mahjong? My friends who are in other units all dropped their jaws whenever they hear this. Oh well!

*

I saw the new Apache on a test flight the other day. Wow.

*

Saw Anson's and Huiping's blogs.

Congrats!

*

Didn't win Toto. Sian.

*

Out.

Happy Birthday!

2006-01-27T21:23:00.000+08:00

Happy 250th birthday to...

*takes a deep breath*

Johannes Chrisostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart Sigismundus!

Thanks for your charming oboe concerto and no thanks for making it so difficult!

Trivia about Mozart's name

Names as used were in many ways a matter of style in those days. For example, prior to the French revolution, when it was stylish to seem Italian, Ludwig van Beethoven used to sign his first name as "Luigi." Subsequent to the French revolution, when it was hip to seem French, he used "Louis." In the Renaissance, when Italianate musical styles were popluar, Composers of all nationalities used Italian translations of their names, such as the Flemish composer Orlando di Lasso (Roland Delattre) and the English Orlando Gibbons (Roland Gibbons). Also, composers who worked for the church would often Latinize their names. One example is the German late-renaissance composer Michael Praetorius. "Praetorius" is Latin for guard or protector, which, translated into German, gives us his real name, Michael Schultz.

Mozart's name was similarly subject to change. His birth record reads Johannes Chrisostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart. The word theophilus is greek for "God's love," which in German (Mozart's native language), translates to Gottlieb, the name actually used in place of Theophilus throughout Mozart's childhood. In his maturity, he often used Latin translation of God's Love, Amadeus, but he often signed letters with the French Amadé.

By the way, actual first names were not commonly used in normal parlance at the time. Johann Sebastian Bach, for instance, went by Sebastian.

As was customary at confiration at the time, Mozart took the name of the person who presented him for confirmation. This was his father's partoon, Prince Archbishop Sigismund of Salzburg.

From www.answerbag.com

Blogs and Resolutions

2006-01-22T11:15:00.000+08:00

I think blogs can be scary at times. You never know who could be reading your blog and what people will do about it.

Just look at the latest catfight between Xiaxue and Xialanxue. It seems that both are out to get each other's throat! It's interesting nonetheless, to see another side of XX. Haha!

A while ago, my friend actually interviewed me for his school project.

He described my blog as "having a little following". I'm flattered by that! People actually follow what I write despite not having any sexual references or photos of naked women on my blog!

Sadly, instead of fans holding cards to show their support, I only have Sue Anne screaming for updates.

And here it is!

Right, I know it's pretty late in January already and it's pretty late for resolutions, but I shall nevertheless list a few resolutions that I will try to keep.

1. I will try to be nicer to Hua Chi aka Jiahui aka Stephanie aka Da N** **, I will try not to make some much fun of you.
2. I will try to go swimming twice a week, depending on the weather.
3. I will try to lose 5 kgs this year.
4. I will drink less Kambing soup in order not to offend the Great oboe-violin-piano-playing Goat who-get-lost-in-a-MacDonald's-restaurant.
5. I will not play 3 players mahjong.
6. I will try to blog more so that Sue Anne will not bug me to update.
7. I will not include photos of scantily dressed women in my blog in order to raise my readership.
8. I will try not to put photos of 2 certain ladies on my dartboard if I get one.
9. I will try not to disturb/scare/mock my neighbour's gutless cat everytime I see it.
10. I will try not to bitch some people.

As you all know, resolutions are pretty hard to keep. How good would it be if we all could make resolutions like this?

1. I will make fun of Jiahui daily.
2. I will slack at home more.
3. I will try to eat more.
4. I will da bao kambing soup to MacDonald's and watch a certain goat run in circles.
5. I will run after my neighbour's cat every time I see it. It needs some exercise anyway.

I shall review all these in 2007!

Chronicles of LY: the New Year, the Dead Pixel and the Rude Auntie

2006-01-02T11:20:00.000+08:00

Happy New Year everyone!

How did you spend your countdown? Sleeping? Outside? At home?

I was at Marina for the fireworks. I seriously haven't seen any decent live fireworks for a while! No. Not even NDP. (No, I don't get to see it. I'm always on the way back to camp when that happens)

Sometimes I don't quite understand why people like to watch fireworks. It's essentially money being burnt right in front of your eyes.

Like how you eat your food only to shit it out a few hours later. I don't understand human and life at times.

Anyway, it was really spectacular. Well worth squeezing there with so many people. Speaking of crowds, I actually quite pity the policemen controlling the crowd. They were there shouting at people to keep off the road but to no avail. One was so frustrated that he said something like: "Eh, don't like that lah" to some laughter from the crowd.

*

Digress a bit.

I just discovered a dead pixel on my new phone's camera CCD!

!@$!$%!%%!

Damn. I hope they will change it for me. I'm not really keen to have a white spot in all my photos for the next year or so.

Moral of the story: When you buy a new phone, check it up, down, left, right, upside down for dead pixels. Better still, turn on the camera and put it on the table. Any bright (dead) pixel will show up as bright spots against the dark background. (Learnt this too late.)

*

There are apparently still some very rude people around.

On New Year's Eve, at a crowded Macdonald's at Bugis, an auntie asked if her kids could take the 2 empty seats at my table. I said yes and she left her kids there while she went to look for other available seats. Upon finding one next to my table, she called her kids over and PUT THE TRAY FROM THE OTHER TABLE (WITH A FINISHED DRINK AND DISCARDED WRAPPERS ON IT) ONTO MY TABLE!

I was taken aback by this display of discourtesy.

Hello? We let your kids sit at my table and you dump your rubbish onto mine?

I was stunned for a moment, not knowing what to do or say.

By the time I felt that I should give her a piece of my mind, a couple of minutes had passed and I decided not to take it any further. Doesn't help right? I can only hope her kids would receive proper upbringing from her. If ten years down the road, a teenager does the same thing to me, we all know why.

WARNING: The next person to repeat this crime in front of me will be given a big scolding and directions to the nearest rubbish bin to throw your rubbish and to stick your head in.

Oboists and an Atomic Dilemma

2005-12-21T09:50:00.000+08:00

Had an oboists' gathering yesterday.

To some, it may be disastrous, but it was fun!

It wasn't quite the biggest gathering you have but nevertheless the information and gossips shared were all very intriguing and it further emphasize the bitchy nature of musicians!

To digress a bit, I was having this conversation with my friends at work the other day. We all concur that working as musicians had made us all extremely bitchy creatures. Some are subtlety bitchy, some are just openly bitchy. And we do agree that sometimes we forget about the environment around us and show to our bitchy sides even though when we are around our non-musician friends!

Anyway!

We all checked into a hotel suite, courtesy of Natalie the Goat, to have a reed making session.

Oboists, as you know, are obsessed with sculpting miniature masterpieces from little pieces of canes. There were enough knives in the room to get us all arrested for an illegal gathering. (There were 7 of us, with a dozen knives)

Without forgetting to mention the 4 oboes and 2 english horns, I'm surprised that the police didn't come knocking at our door.

I'm not biased against Loree okay? I tried and liked Veda's Royale. In fact, it's the first time that I actually said that I like a Loree! Maybe because it's 5 years old and well seasoned? Maybe it's good? I'm not sure, I didn't quite like the other Royale I tried so I figured that it must be the seasoning. So, burn all Lorees! Except for Veda's, of course.

So, we all set out to make a reed, or rather, attempted to make one. No one really completed one; instead, we spent the afternoon talking about playing, players. Not too bad, considering that we had quite a mixed of players learning at different places: our own Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, Holland, London, Paris and Sydney.

Trivia: Multiple oboists playing together can be in-tune. It just depends on who you are playing with. If it's with certain people? well, I need not say more.

It was fun anyway, even with thoughts of setting up some kind of Oboe Organisation in Singapore. A certain Terence Teow would certainly faint upon hearing this. Anyway, I don't think it will go through. The number is just too small to sustain.

Having said all this, I'm looking forward to the next gathering next week. It will be a more peaceful one without any oboes or weapons involved. Just a nice cup of coffee. Gossiping included!

*

The Atom is out today!

Should I?

Should I not?

Damn. I can't decide!

The Promise with Cheese

2005-12-16T12:48:00.000+08:00

The Promise was so terrible!

If there is an award for Cheesiest Show of the Year, it wins it without trouble.

Oh well.

Maybe Cheesiest Show of the Decade or Century? That would do it more justice.

I can't remember any other show that had me twitching in agony in every other scene.

I seriously cannot fathom why it is labeled as "The Asia Epic Fantasy" or something like that. My foot!

If you thought that House of Flying Daggers was bad, this is ten times worse.

I thought Hero was bad the first time I watched it, but I actually enjoyed it a lot subsequently.

Sitting through the show was sheer torture - the scenes didn't link, I was clueless about the dialogue and plot (if there was even one in the first place), the effects were so-so.

The Goddess seems to have nothing better to do than to come down to Earth to make bets with mortals on their fate. What fun does one derive from gambling when you know it's a sure win?

There was a scene at the end where everyone was stabbed and slowly dying. I felt like grabbing the knife to stab myself too. Give me William Hung doing She Bangs any day. On second thoughts, I'd rather stab myself.

Perhaps the director was trying too hard to make it into an artistic movie.

Conclusion: Don't watch it.

Itch

2005-12-14T20:53:00.000+08:00

Okay, I haven't been around for a long time.

The o2 Atom is launching next week! My hands are itching. Damn.

They even have a website for it! So cheesy can?

www.seemightyatom.com

6 days 3 hours 9 minutes and 45 seconds to go as I type this!

Perfection 2

2005-11-28T16:38:00.000+08:00

Spotted on a Chicken Little poster at a bus stop:

"A New Hero Will Emege."

Can someone kindly enlighten me on the meaning of emege?

Complain

2005-11-28T15:25:00.000+08:00

[sue] says: and.. ur blog.. birthday.. never mention me!

Liang You says: oops

Liang You says: haha

Liang You says: ya

Liang You says: tts why i have the disclaimer at the back

[sue] says: !

[sue] says: no no no.. i dun wanna be in disclaimer.

[sue] says: i wan specially mentioned. .. super advance birthday movie k!

[sue] says: dunch u forget

Liang You says: ......

Sorry Sue, I left you out. But where is my present? =P

Perfection

2005-11-27T12:11:00.000+08:00

Spotted on a banner outside Victoria Concert Hall:

"Raffles Piano...style and perfectiion..."

Oboe Story: How True!

2005-11-13T15:53:00.000+08:00

Pity the woman who plays second fiddle to an oboe. For that temperamental instrument -- which can't stand heat, cold or jarring -- may not drive her husband crazy but is almost certain to make a shambles of her home.

The next time you see a symphony orchestra at work, look twice at the three men, second row center, who are getting plaintive notes from what look like undernourished clarinets. The instruments are oboes, and you are looking on haunted, hag ridden, bedeviled men. The public likes to believe that all oboe players are crazy; the whole violin section hates them bitterly; their wives and children rejoice when they are not home; and a snake charmer with a sulky cobra on his hands doesn't have as much trouble as an oboe gives an oboist. Furthermore, these men are sore at themselves for taking up the oboe -- the really good ones curse in their sloop when dreaming of the easy,lives of other instrumentalists. But they can't get angry, for if they do, they'll sharp.

Friend, have you got troubles? Then you'd enjoy knowing an oboist. Or an oboist's family.

I know, because I am the son of one of the best oboists in the country. Last winter while out in the Rockies I traveled about six miles on skis every Tuesday night to a mountain inn to hear the weekly broadcast of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, in which my father plays. My definitely battered appearance on the scene after bucking the mountain trails in the dark usually aroused some curiosity. When questioned, I would say I had come to hear my father play.

"What does he play?" they asked with real interest.
"Oboe," I said.
"Oh," they said politely.

As always, I drew inquiring and vaguely suspicious looks.

Tell people your father practices medicine, and they wonder where; say he practices law, and they wonder what kind; say he plays the oboe, and they just wonder. I'd like to testify, as an oboist's son, that oboists are not necessarily crazy, but have every right to be. Furthermore, if it is true an oboist in Canada used to kick his wife out of bed and give her place to the oboe in cold weather, it is because oboes are even harder to keep in tune than the most temperamental. of wives. The guy had a case, 1 mean. Lots of men have wives. Only a luckless few have oboes.

And a man with an oboe shouldn't get married anyway; it's a form, of bigamy. If he is saddled with an oboe he's got all the wife and child any man needs; and he doesn't need a mother-in-law either. As a great conductor says, when trying to express the totally unsuitable, It don't go, my friend; it don't go." Take morning in our house. Father had a stormy evening battling that oboe, and now he wants to make amends by being extremely pleasant. Only at breakfast does he see his family assembled, and he regards us lovingly. He sips his coffee. We are a picture of perfect peace. Suddenly father lets out a roar of anguish, as if he had just found carbolic acid in the bottom of his cup. He leaps to his feet. "Who knocked my best reed on the floor?" he bleats. Now we are getting back to normal.

You see, the kitchen table was covered, when mother began preparing breakfast, with small screwdrivers, enough wicked little knives to perform all the surgery in the Mayo Clinic, and reeds. To an oboe player, his soul is not so important as his reed, nor does it give him so much trouble. He can never get it right. It starts out as a sturdy stalk of cane growing in the south of France and ends up as two fragile wisps, paper thin and about an inch long, bound tightly to a tiny copper tube ending in a cork tip. The secret of a successful reed lies in shaving it. This requires practice, a delicate sureness with the knife, and the patience of a saint. It also involves howls of exasperation, cursing, gnashing of teeth and agony of soul. Father is one of the few oboists with any hair left, but he started out with a luxuriant crop, and it is dwindling fast.

Just getting ready to play is a tough job in itself --a job any craftsman would watch with admiration. As for playing the darned thing, that is a remarkable physical feat approaching self-torture. Roughly, what you do is this: you hold your breath for a full half minute at a time, letting it escape very, very gently through this fragile mouthpiece, which looks like the big brother of a trout fly; meanwhile you run your fingers ragged performing lovely arpeggios, all staccato, probably, and written in six flats.

An oboe player's home is full of tittle glasses of water in which reeds are soaking. You see, the poor beset man is trying to get one exactly soft enough for what he is sure they are going to play today. He is an expert at this--he has to be-- and sure enough, he gets one into exactly the state that produces the round, soft, sweet tone he wants. So what happens? They change the program on him, opening with music that requires a strong reed with a loud, brilliant tone, and he's cooked. He's always cooked. The reed that sounded so fine at home is sickly and weak in the concert hall or splits just when he needs it, or if none of this happens, then a key sticks and ruins a solo.

When the French National Orchestra was here recently, the same kind of accident befell the first oboe, but he was a fighter. Without losing a sixty-fourth note he snatched the instrument out of the hands of the astonished second oboe and played the solo perfectly. Without sharping, too, which was luck indeed, in his excited frame of mind. We try not to get father nervous for that very reason, and we have to try to keep him happy -- or as happy as an oboe player ever can be-- because a sad oboist plays flat. And if he's flat, everybody's flat. The orchestra, as you may know, tunes to the oboe. He is a frustrated perfectionist, and when he sounds his A, nothing under heaven will make him change it. The string players all hate his guts. They always want to sneak up a little sharper, -for brilliance, and he never lets them. They never miss a chance at revenge. The great Jascha Heifetz paused during rehearsal to ask the oboe to sound another A. The A could hardly be heard. In a loud whisper, Heifetz asked the concertmaster, "l your first oboe a Scot?" A thousand devils of fear beset the oboist. Heat will crack his oboe from top to bottom; so will cold. Let it get damp and it may split; let it get a sudden jar and it may crack like a melon. On top of all this, he has to practice a great deal--the oboe is probably the most difficult of instruments and plays difficult music. In the Tomb of Couperin, by Maurice Ravel, the oboe solo is so tough that musicians in France have changed the name to the Tomb of the oboist.

Furthermore, he knows every minute of his practicing that he has theisn't mere suspicion. Shortly after an oboe player moves anyplace he can expect to find the first letter signed, "Indignant Neighbor". If it is an apartment, he has to smuggle the oboe in as you would smuggle a pet tiger. What really burns him is the letters passed along by his landlord which refer to "that damned piccolo player". He has to practice his trade as if it were a mild vice of some kind.

Father has worked out a system you have to admit is fairness itself. He practices one half hour in one part of the house and then moves to another room, until he has made a complete circuit. On the hottest day he keeps the windows tightly closed, and he has figured out scientifically just how much each neighbor can take. If somebody on the west is a little more sensitive than the others, then he, or she, doesn't get a full half hour. Our whole family keeps on the move, keeping one room ahead of father. Along the way he leaves a trail of reeds, screwdrivers, corks, and pieces of cane which no one dares to touch, much less move. One of the best cleaning women we lost swept an array of reeds into a desk drawer. Only by great self-control did father keep from strangling her. In turn, she said he was touched, and pointed out that it is hard to clean a house where every flat-topped piece of furniture, is likely to have a glass of water with cane soaking in it. Father soaks many species of cane overnight, and some for a couple of days, before he makes reeds out of them. And there is no way in the world of telling what reed may be the good, the trouble- saving, the blessed one.

The cleaning woman had been suspicious of our family from the star; he may have thought we were involved in some forin of voodoo. That's because the house was full of turkey feathers. My father gets gloomy every Thanksgiving, full of fear that turkeys will. be eaten into extinction. He has to have turkey feathers; they are as important to an oboist as wax to, a skier. He uses them to clean the oboe and to get its nnards dry. No other feather vill do it. But he's in good sliape;, he has a pupil whose whose mother runs a aturkey farm. This pupil never arrives for a lesson without bringing another bundle. As a result, we have féathers enough to outfit a good-sized Indian tribe. It is a ten-year supply, my father believes happily. There are féathers in most of the bureau drawers; I find féathers mixe with my shirts and socks; mother finds feathers in the linen closet. Take a book from the bookcase and out spill more turkey feathers, and there are beautiful sprays of feathers in the flower vases. In moments of preoccupation mother has sometimes watered them.

Every time I hear my father take one of his oboes - every symphony oboist has several -- and get sweet music out of it, instead of breaking it to pieces on the piano, my respect for his character increases. What a lifé! An oboists career is in two neat movements; he takes up the oboe, he spends the rest of his life regretting it. A fiddle player who had to raise his own cats to get a reliable E string wouldn't have half the trouble an oboe player has on his quietest Monday.

Even in summer, when he doesn't have to worry about cold weather. An oboist watches the thermometer as anxiously as if he had his life savings tied up in a bed of orchids. Let an oboe get chilled, and if it doesn't crack it goes sour, and when warm again it sheds keys. Wherever we find an oboe in our house, there it stays. Nobody touches it, I just tiptoe around and make sure no smallest breeze is blowing on this mean-tempered chronic invalid. The other musicians think that story of the oboist who made his wife sleep on the floor in zero weather is funny. In our family we know how he felt. It was a choice between having trouble with his wife or trouble with his oboe and he chose the lesser of two evils.

By Paul de Vergie

Slippers, Man U, Lost

2005-11-11T09:54:00.000+08:00

I just thought of something to add on the "What You Know Not About Me" series.

I don't like wearing slippers with the little thing between your big toe and the second toe. It makes me very uncomfortable. I would walk as though there is a nail in my feet!

*

Okay, this is a bit outdated.

But.

Man U won Chelsea!

I didn't regret staying up for the match although it made me tired the entire Monday.

The match was so much more entertaining to watch, not because they won, but rather that they played like a team. Everything seems to be going right in that match! Compared to the previous match against Lille, it was so much better!

*

Does anyone have a good source to download Lost Season 2?

My bit torrent has been going on for like forever.

Charity Concert, O2 Atom

2005-11-08T21:52:00.000+08:00

Just a short advertisement!

SAF Charity Concert

Presented by the SAF Central Band and SAF Music and Drama Company

Singapore Conference Hall
19th Nov 2005
7.30 pm

Admission is free. Call 6450 5895 during office hours to book your tickets. You will be asked for your full name and I/C number. A maximum of 2 tickets per I/C number! Reservation via this website will not be accepted! (Sorry, busy lah!)

Highlights

SAF Orchestra

Spring Festival Overture
Dance of the Yao People
Lan Hua Hua (Erhu Concerto)

SAF Central Band
Puppet Show featuring

Flight of the Bumblebee
Selections from The Firebird
Sailors and Sea

and more!

Tickets are limited and given out on a first come first serve basis.

REMINDER: Don't be kiasu and book 12975289782752897 for yourself and your friends! Be considerate and let others have a chance to attend the concert if you cannot make it. =)

*

Anyone want to buy me an O2 Atom as my belated birthday present? It's not expensive. Really!

If you get 1400 people, it's actually $1 each.

If you get 140 people, it's actually $10 each.

If you get 28 people, it's actually $50 each.

If you get 14 people, it's actually $100 each.

If you get 7 people, it's actually 200 each.

If you get 2 people, it's actually $700 each.

If you get 2 people who can fork out $1000, you still have enough to buy me nice accessories like a nice LV pouch for it!

And if you are really nice, it's $1400!

So you see, it's really not a lot!

Okay, I'm just kidding.

I don't like LV. Perhaps a Montblanc pouch?

Gunbound

2005-11-03T23:12:00.000+08:00

I was so bored today that I went to play Gunbound. It's quite fun actually. Anyone want to join me?

Birthday and Fish

2005-10-26T19:58:00.000+08:00

It's official!

I'm now 23!

Happy belated birthday to Zalina and Susan!

I was just thinking. What's the hype about birthdays? The optimist thinks that we have grown older and wiser. The pessimist thinks that we are getting closer to death.

Which do you belong to?

I've actually gotten to a point where I don't really care about my own birthday celebration. Perhaps a few special people helped changed that view!

Special thanks to the following people!

Jane, for the cake and special surprise!

Natalie and Luke, for the cake. It was quite a surprise really!

Sheryl, for your card!

Caijin, Carol, Ying Chyi, Calvin, Jiahui, Rebecca, Joo Bee, Zalina, Aileen, Huifen, Keith for the birthday wishes!

There are a few more, but they just happen to slip my mind, sorry if I did so!

*

I was having dinner at Sakae Sushi with a friend the other day.

She stared a fish-sushi moving pass us on the conveyer belt for a few seconds and declared:

"The fish is dead."

I still have a sore bum from falling off my chair.

Weird things and wannabes

2005-10-23T11:20:00.000+08:00

I had the weirdest dream the other day.

I dreamed that I was in Shanghai for a beauty pageant. No, I wasn't taking part in it.

The pageant was held on top on a very tall and uncompleted building. There was this platform on the roof on which spectators stands were erected.

Somehow, I walked up a flight of stairs and I ended up in a tavern. It was one of those that you would normally see in wuxia films.

While walking around in it, guess who called me on my phone?

Fann Wong.

Why her of all people?!

It was so weird, I was chatting with her like old friends. I even remember asking her how Christopher was!

I also saw a friend who I haven't seen in ages in the tavern.

Weird.

*

Talk about weird things.

I was on the bus the other day when this woman boarded the bus with, guess what?

A NTUC shopping cart.

*

Why are there so many young ah lian wannabes out there these days?

I was at a bus stop when 2 young girls alighted.

They sashayed off the bus like some divas. It was as seem like the whole world had offended them. And I tell you, their dressing was terrible! No wonder they attracted attention.

Lame

2005-10-19T20:18:00.000+08:00

I was in a queue to withdraw money when I overheard the following conversation between 2 guys behind me.

A: Why do you call a joke lame? How can it be lame?
B: Because it would make the person hearing it go weak in the legs.

Talk about being lame.

Go Away, Shoo!

2005-10-12T17:25:00.000+08:00

No, I am not interested in Mesothelioma, whatever it is, thank you very much!

Does anyone know how to stop these comment-ads?

Seeing Stars and Hokkien Service

2005-10-11T21:05:00.000+08:00

I was at a MRT station yesterday and I saw this blind man walking a distance from me. I saw two young girls went up to him and started talking to him excitably. I was wondering why he looked so distinctly familiar when I realized that he was the winner of the whatever singing contest that was.

Well, he seems friendly enough, judging from the way that he conversed with the girls.

Yet another girl was gushing away about him when I was walking away from the station.

"Oh my god! He was on the same train as me... blah blah blah!"

I think she has quite a squeaky high voice and her excitement made it worse!

I really think I have problem recognizing local celebrities. I have this Kelvin Tan right in front of me and I didn't know who he was. I had have Rui En and Taufik walking pass me and I didn't have a single clue to who they were until someone pointed it out to me.

Hmmm.

Maybe I should watch more TV.

*

I walked past a church the other day.

There was a banner on its wall stating the various time and language of services.

I didn't know they did services in Hokkien and Cantonese too!

Since God is also known as Heavenly Father, I was wondering if the pastor would start a sermon by saying: "Lim pei ka li kong..." (And Father(God) said)

*PS/Disclaimer: Hey! I consulted my Christian friends before posting and they thought it wasn't offensive but do let me know if you think it is!

Watching my mouth. Hand rather.

2005-10-08T10:11:00.000+08:00

2 bloggers were jailed for making racist remarks about other races.

Hmmm, I shall be nice from now onwards.

Yongxiang is so considerate. No, he's not jian at all.

Jiahui is such a demure and quiet girl!

Natalie is... erm... erm... a nice go... GIRL!

Keith is so slim!

Shannon is so handsome!

And I love Dorean Tan!

To prevent any potential problem with SPCA and AVA, I shall treat all animal visitors to this blog with respect.

Goats and cows will be given the best quality hay and grass. The field opposite my house is an excellent place for grazing. There are many dogs in the vicinity and I'm sure the grass is amply fertilized!

*PS The Writer apologise and takes no responsibility if you suffered any emotional/physical trauma from reading this post!

Shell, Osim, Quidam, 5 Things

2005-10-03T13:48:00.000+08:00

You know the Shell bus stop advertisement with a CCTV mounted on top and says: "Shell Price Police at Work"?

I think it's quite clever! It's so clear and blatant.

I spent 2 minutes scrutinizing the CCTV before realizing that it was just a mock up. (The said bus stop was directly opposite a competitor with a clear line of sight) There are some without a clear line of sight and somehow the effect is gone.

*

I think one of the best jobs in town is to work in an Osim showroom.

Every time I pass by an Osim showroom, I see their employees sitting on the massage chairs, seemingly having a good time while some others are using the other machines like the leg massager and this vibrator which you strap around your waist.

Good life right?

*

I so enjoyed myself at Quidam the other day!

I went into the show somewhat wondering whether the money I spent was worth it and came out feeling that every single cents were well spent!

I think the part where I enjoyed most was - don't say I'm a paedophile! - the part with the little Chinese girls with the spinning, erm, whatever it's called. You know, they have this rope in their hand which they use to spin something which looks like a top. Someone enlighten me please!

There was also another segment where they have this comedy routine with audience participation. I've seen the whole routine on TV before but somehow it was still very funny to see it "live".

Do go and watch it, it's highly recommended!

*

Okay, so I'm tagged by Sue Anne to list 5 things that no one or little knows about me.

1. I can be a perfectionist at times. I once shifted a line in my architectural drawing because of a difference of 0.01mm.
2. I have an untidy table.
3. I...

I can't think of anything! Can I stop at 2?

Crash

2005-10-02T10:45:00.000+08:00

Sigh.

My computer crashed over the last few days. I'm in the process of recovering everything now, where's all that blasted installation CDs???

Thank goodness I didn't lose anything except for my MS office and assorted programmes.

Anyway, I just went to watch Quidam yesterday and it was worth every single cent I paid!

It's pretty small actually so you can just get the cheapest tickets. They are at the side or you can just fork out a little bit more for better seats!

I'll back to blog soon. See you!

Funeral

2005-09-21T21:20:00.000+08:00

The band was assigned a military funeral last Saturday.

All I know was that a NSF collapsed while playing soccer in camp and died.

While at the funeral, a friend commented how sad it was for his friend to be the coffin bearers. I thought it is an honour, at least it is the last thing you can do for your departed friend.

Little did I realize that the deceased was actually someone I knew from secondary school. He was Perry Koh.

A friend asked whether I was affected by funerals and I said no at that time. Come to think about it, it actually does. I had been to quite a number of funerals during the course of my job. From military funerals with full honours to a state funeral, I've seen most of it. No matter what age the deceased is, it is always heart wrenching to be there.

How ironic it was to learn that I was at an ex-school mate's funeral without realizing it.

Rest in peace.

Queue, Ads, Sign

2005-09-18T11:26:00.000+08:00

I saw this in the papers this morning:

Have you ever been to a hawker centre and see a long queue at a stall? And you think: "The food at this stall must be good! There are so many people queuing up for it!"

However, upon sampling the food, you discover that it's totally mediocre.

Have you ever thought that there was a queue in the first place only because the hawker is slow?

Well, I haven't!

*

There are some quite clever advertisements on TV these days; I always enjoy a good humourous advertisement with a good punch line.

The couriers' ads are pretty good: The delivery man who walked on water, I like that concept.

The Mentos ad had me scratching my head though.

Why would anyone paint their floor? And in lime green?

For anyone who can trap themselves on the balcony after painting the floor lime green, I don't know what to say.

If I am dumb enough to trap myself on the balcony. I think I would chat to the nice pretty lady on the next balcony who was nice enough to toss me a stick of Mentos. Heck. I would jump over to the next balcony if the distance is near enough!

The man in the ad apparently had the smart idea of just painting the soles of his sneakers green and walking back into the room.

He must be gay.

Or dumb.

*

On my way to camp yesterday, I saw a sign.

NDP EXCO 06

DON'T LAH!!!

Technology

2005-09-05T22:31:00.000+08:00

I'm back to blog!

I shall not keep my faithful readers (if any) waiting for too long!

Technology is really moving.

I still remember the times when people bring along huge brick-sized and weight walkman. It soon evolved into discmans which could double as discuses for the Olympics.

With the introduction of mp3, the trendy crowd changed to carrying ipods around. Me? I have my big, heavy Zen touch.

Oh! Guess what? Handphones had evolved too! From the huge water bottles to the light speed 3G today, they had gone a long way! But which genius came out with the idea that a handphone should double as an mp3 hi-fi set?

I was on the train the other day and this nincompoop has to stand in front of me and demonstrate that he has the latest state-of-the-arts handphone which is capable of playing songs at an audible level for the listening displeasure of anyone in a 10 metres radius.

I was so annoyed, not only at his indiscretion, but at his rather distasteful choice of music. I'm sure all of us had heard enough of how much mouse love eating big rice.

I wonder how the general population will feel if I do the same, playing music from Mahler on my phone?

Tsk.

2005-08-20T10:10:00.000+08:00

I've just read the blog of a certain someone.

I can only think of one phrase to describe it: "Cannot make it loh."

Why one who is 20 odd years of age still thinks like one who is a teenager?

Ok, I'm sorry, a teenage is deemed too mature for the person in question. Perhaps a child, who has not developed thinking abilities yet!

I had always thought that a teacher or mentor is very important in developing one's character.

How true it is!

One can note the resemblance to that someone's mentor just by observing the actions - they are so similar that it's very disturbing. It's even more disturbing that they are being looked up to by bright innocent eyes who think the world of them.

How can someone even think of imposing thoughts like this onto his/her students?

Tsk.

Boredom, EPL

2005-08-15T09:33:00.000+08:00

I'm now in my week of off.

I'm feeling so bored now that I think I will head back to the office later in the afternoon to settle some things and to practice. I'm so out of practice and my lesson is next week. Well, things are beginning to look better for me. My reed slump period seems to be over and things can only get better once my machines arrive! I'm so looking forward to it!

*

Hurray! The new Premier League season finally started! Now I have something to do at home on Saturday nights. And yeah, Man U won! Ok, the second goal was really lucky, but thanks Rooney; you won me a small sum!

AAFT, Yibin, NDP

2005-08-10T12:09:00.000+08:00

I am back!

Let's see what had happened since my last post.

AAFT

Acronym for Alternate Aerobic Fitness Test. It's the same as your normal NAFA test only that they replace the 2.4km run with a 8km cycle or 1km swim(not very sure about the swimming distance).

Anyway!

For any nincompoop who thinks that cycling is easier that running, YOU'RE WRONG!

Give me running any day! I ensure you that running 2.4km is much easier than cycling 8km uphill! (Stationary bike with added resistance)

*

Yibin's Birthday Dinner

We went to watch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory before going for dinner at Ku Shin Bo.

One thing to say about the movie.

Just go watch it, don't ask so much.

Another thing to say about dinner.

Good!

For a photo blog, please refer to Yong Xiang aka Jian Huo's blog.

*

Great Singapore Workout

How many of you actually remember how the workout goes?

I was on a bus going past a park the other day when I saw a group of aunties doing the workout!

I haven't seen anyone done that for years by now!

*

NDP 2005

My first NDP at the Padang.

Anyway, I wasn't performing on the actual day. I was a reserve and performed for the Preview.

So on the National Day, Terence and I went in search for higher grounds in our holding area, the old Supreme Court.

And viola! We found a perch on the top floor! Although it was very crowded and supposing "out-of-bound" to us, we went in and had quite a good view of the parade. We couldn't stay for the show segment as we had to go off first to avoid congestion. I haven't seen NDP fireworks for 3 years already!

Darn.

Well at least I get to relax for the next 10 odd days!

Fatigue, More Fatigue, Moths and Janice's Chalet

2005-07-25T11:53:00.000+08:00

I'm starting to get back into the more relaxed way of life now that WASBE is finally over.

I haven't felt so worn out since the day I started working. This must have been the most tedious period ever. Even senior specialists were saying that they had never been so busy before!

*

I think I need a break from playing. I'm straying off the proper path already. My embouchure is collapsing and my breathing is nowhere near what it should be. There's only one thing to describe my reed making these days - can throw away.

What's wrong with me!?

*

Have Reader noticed the unusually large amount of those big moths recently? The more superstitious people would tell me that moths are a symbol of bad luck. Is that so? It's so weird that I see those huge moths all around the place recently. In fact, there was one flying around the concert hall during the James Barnes concert, terrifying the young girls. Thankfully no one screamed during the concert. We weren't playing Phantom of the Opera, thank you very much.

*

I went to Janice's birthday chalet on Saturday night. Amazingly, I managed to stay up to 4 a.m. and woke up at 8 a.m. To think I've only slept like 5 hours the night before.

No Janice, your chalet wasn't boring - don't worry about it. It's fine!

After a long day at the Padang, I took a cab down to Aranda Country Club or whatsoever. I think the chalet is nice but it's so expensive! ($150 a day!) Anyone has any cheap recommendations or lobangs? I'm considering one for Christmas this year but I want to keep it within $100 a day. Anyone?

Anyway.

I reach the place at about 9.30 p.m. That Jiahui told me to alight at the bus stop outside Downtown East, to which I did accordingly. And guess what? She was waiting at the other bus stop. -_-!

And so I had to walk back to the previous bus stop - after a long day of standing at the Padang.

By the time I got to the BBQ pit, everyone had already eaten and the fire was dying off. I was told to add some charcoal and I did.

I poured charcoal onto the fire and fanned with all my might. Sometimes I really think that the magic fan that the Princess had in the Journey to the West is useful. At least I won't have to fan my entire arm off every time I need to add charcoal.

Hey, I think I'm quite a good fire starter! Maybe I can consider a career as a charcoal arsonist.

Jiahui the Super Hua Chi was nice enough to help me cook some sausages and Chinese sausages. Thanks, but I really think it doesn't require a lot of skills to cook sausages. In fact, they are cooked. All you have to do it to heat them up. =P

They HAD to start packing up just when I have a nice fire going! I spent 5 minutes sweating to get that fire going!

What a nice fire it was! Darn.

We played Daidee with the reward system that I taught them. The loser has to give the winner his best 2 cards and the third placed have to give the second placed his best card. It was quite fun, I haven't play Daidee that way for a very long time.

I had to go next door and ask an auntie for her name for a forfeit. So embarrassing, can?

Next up was a ghost story telling system. Come to think of it, some ghost stories I hear while in the army were actually quite funny.

I heard of one where someone saw Ronald McDonald sitting on top of the low wall in the Standard Obstacle Course.

I heard of another where someone's cupboard started shaking and out came Guan Gong, the Chinese God of War.

Of course, there are the more familiar "classics" like the extra man during roll call, Stand by organs, the third door and so on.

To the owner of the hand that poked me while I was sleeping, I wasn't asleep yet. I just chose to ignore you. I think I heard a bit of the animal calls but I was too tired! Try spending the whole day at a NDP rehearsal and go to a chalet at night.

As usual, I was the first one up in the morning. Somehow I'm not a heavy sleeper. I'm really amazed by some of my friends who can sleep forever and ever. I can never do that. The longest amount of time I can spend sleeping is probably 10 hours.

I know of one friend who went home after a long week of school in poly. We had a submission on Saturday morning and so everyone was burning midnight oil to meet the deadline. He arranged to meet his friends for dinner and went to sleep. When he woke up, it was about 4 p.m. and he called his friend to ask about the plans for the evening.

His friend said: "What dinner? It was yesterday!"

He slept for more than a day! My mother would probably think that I'm dead if I sleep up to 5 p.m.

Thanks to Janice's dad, we got a lift to Bukit Panjang Plaza for lunch.

It was raining heavily when I was about to go home and so I took a cab.

I was busy staring at the rain when someone started shouting in the queue.

"Ni shou wo geng ni da xiao shen!?"

Literally: You said that I'm talking loud and soft to you!?

Correct meaning: You said that I'm raising my voice at you!?

I don't quite wish to be rude or bitchy or whatsoever. But hello? You are obviously shouting at someone and you can question in a loud shouting voice that he think that you are raising your voice?

Please, there is something in your head called a brain. Use it.

*

Ok, end of my story telling session.

It's time to watch Naruto!

New friend, WASBE, Howarth, Gordon Hunt, bored.

2005-07-17T13:37:00.000+08:00

To continue on my story.

I recently met a new friend on MSN who "accidentally" added me to her contact list.

Apparently she has a friend who read this blog and gave her my MSN on purpose on the pretext that it was actually someone else.

Well, at least she's a nice person. So thanks, whoever you are!

*

The WASBE concert's finally over!

Ok, it wasn't fantastic.

I think I played terribly.

But it's over and I shall not bother myself over it. I need a break - my lips are breaking down already.

*

The WASBE exhibition was rather disappointing.

I had expected something on a larger scale.

Anyway, I don't think I have much instruments to try. Those brands that I haven't tried before are those that are not available easily, like Dupin, Laubin, and Puchner.

I quite like the Buffet Greenline - I'm half considering selling my XL to buy that! Haha?

Then again, maybe not. I figured that I still like my XL a lot.

I was there chatting with Jeremy (Boss of Howarth factory) for a long time. I tried his entire range of XL, including the new oboe d'amore XL. Hmmm. I still really like the cocobolo XL I tried last year. Nothing beats that.

And yes! Jeremy was nice enough to help me get an autographed Gordon Hunt CD!

*

I shall take a break from playing - I'm sending my XL for annual maintenance anyway. I haven't felt so drained before in my life.

*

I'm bored.

Braindead

2005-07-13T21:51:00.000+08:00

I'm so drained.

I'm so mentally tired.

I'm so looking forward to this Friday. After this Friday, I shall send off my oboe to UK and begin my break!

The WASBE rehearsal schedule is so terrible. Sound check at ends at 11am and the concert's at 7.30pm. It's a good thing that I can pop over to Suntec to the exhibition for an oboe trying session.

I'm actually not too excited about it.

The brands of oboes that I'm really interested in trying won't be available. The last I heard was that Loree is coming down. -_-!

Anyway, I'm looking forward to play a Cocobolo XL again ? the experience last year was so good!

*

I actually have a story to tell about a new friend but it shall wait till the next post.

I'm damn exhausted!

I need some brain. I'm so tyre thast I canmt eveen type popely.

Oh Lim Pi

2005-07-06T19:51:00.000+08:00

And so London won the bid to host the 2012 Olympics.

Jiahui was chatting with me on MSN and she said this:

"mayb london or bali will win..."

BALI?

-_-!!!

Phone blog

2005-07-01T20:48:00.000+08:00

I've decided to try something new. I'm typing this entry from my phone! Well, I'm on duty again and hence, I'm very bored.

I'm watching television as I'm slowly keying my way through this entry. Call me a mountain tortoise or something but it's the first time I'm watching the don't-know-what-superstar thingy on TV!

I almost turned off the TV after the first contestant. She was quite bad. Thank goodness the third one was still all right. I don't know how anyone can make it so far with such out of tune singing.

She responded to the judges in such terrible Chinese!

"Try to" in Chinese is "Jin liang", my dear.

The judges were nowhere better in their language proficiency!

*

I'm really tempted to buy a PDA phone. I'm weighting the pros and cons. Do I need Microsoft Office on my phone? Do I need a stylus to write better? I can actually write quite on my phone as already proven by already writing so much by now.

It'd be nice to have all these programmes. Come to think of it, do I want to dig out a stylus every single time I want to make a call?

I guess not. I can always save the money I guess!

*

I just looked up at the ceiling. There are cobwebs! There's a huge spider there too. Ok, it's not huge. It has a small body but a huge leg span! I hate insects like this! You know those daddy long legs? They look like a ball of thread floating around. Yuck.

*

Ok, maybe a stylus would be useful. I've been keying for the past hour on MSN and my fingers are starting to ache, especially my index finger and thumb. Darn.

*

I'm on my way home in a train. There's a girl eating fishballs in the train! Come to think of, it's the first time I actually witnessing anyone eating on the train.

I don't think I would do the same! I'm too poor to pay the $500 fine, and besides, I'd find it very awkward to eat on the train. Everyone would be staring at me!

MSN Change

2005-06-28T19:51:00.000+08:00

I've changed my MSN address!

It's now fjozn@yahoo.com.

I decided that le_maestro was something too, hmmm, childish? Just in case I'm shot for being highly self-opinionated. =P

Anyway, if you're on my old list, I would probably have added you already. If not, please add me in!

Thanks!

Home, Aunties, Blur and Exit

2005-06-26T17:16:00.000+08:00

I'm finally home! I've been in camp since Friday. Ok, I was outside on Friday night but I kind of miss my bed.

*

The other day, while I was in a rush to meet my friend, the auntie in front of me on the bus to slowly tap her hand bag around the card reader on the bus before alighting. Was it the top left corner? No. Maybe it's the bottom left? Nah. Hmmm... How about the right? Should I try the top or bottom? Oh! Maybe it's the middle! No, it's not. Oh! It's the top left! I was just a bit off!

I had time to roll my eyes a dozen times while she was playing with the card reader.

People like her should be punished to look for a needle in a haystack.

Maybe she would find it fun.

*

After the encounter with the trial and error auntie, I met another auntie whose grocery were so precious that she had to put all her NTUC bags onto the seat beside her on the crowded train.

*

I think something's wrong with my memories these days.

I was on the North East line towards Douby Ghaut and somehow managed to miss my stop.

Fine.

I alighted at Clarke Quay and took a train back to Douby Ghaut.

Upon reaching, I walked over the North South line and sit on a bench to wait for a train.

It took me 5 minutes to realize that I was sitting on the wrong platform.

And it's not an isolated case!

I missed another MRT stop just a couple of weeks before!

If that's not bad enough, I managed to take a wrong bus just a few days ago. Sheesh, what's wrong with me?

*

Seen on a bus:

EMERGENCY EXIT

BREAK ASS TO ESCAPE

Blue black, Caterpillars, Peter and Sugar Mummies

2005-06-19T14:26:00.000+08:00

Maybe I should stop wearing black tops and blue jeans.

The other day, while wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans, I met my friend who happened to be also wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans.

Wearing our black T-shirts and blue jeans, we boarded a bus and sat at the back row where there were 5 seats.

A few stops later, a couple in matching black shirts and blue jeans boarded the bus and proceeded to sit on the opposite end of the back row.

Even more stops later, an uncle wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans boarded the bus and sat in the middle seat of the back row.

-_-!!!

At work, there is always this tendency for our clothes to coincide. There were days where Terence, Shannon or Stanley would just wear the same Giordano black polo T-shirt.

Just last night, we were all wearing Giordano polo T-shirts, just in different shades. Dark blue, red and black.

Anyway, if you ever go to the Ramen Ramen restaurant at Railway Mall in Bukit Timah, DON'T order the Ramen Ramen Ramen. It tasted like Myojo instant noodles. The rest tasted quite ok.

The Chasu is nice. Oh yes, try the Plum Soda, I liked it a lot!

*

I bought a new pair of Caterpillars!

It cost me only $1.15!

My friend asked me why in the world would I pay $1.15 for 2 caterpillars and I explained that I actually paid for about 5 dozens caterpillars to be skinned and made into a pair of shoes of which I can walk about comfortably in and she explained that she wasn't asking why I want to walk around in caterpillars' skin but rather why I didn't go catch them off the trees myself and I explained that it was all a joke and that Caterpillar is actually a brand of shoes made from leather and not from 5 dozens green caterpillar and that green caterpillar skin is not a colour that I would like on my shoes and she explained that she was actually joking too and that she knew perfectly fine what in the world was a pair of Caterpillars and I explained that I knew she was joking too and she explained that she was quite amazed that I bought a pair of Caterpillars for only $1.15 and I explained that I actually used a $100 voucher and therefore only end up paying $1.15 in cash and she explained that it was time for her to go and hence the end of the conversation.

*

I was sitting on the train listening to Peter and the Wolf when I just couldn't help it and started smiling to myself. I was suddenly very amused at the memories stirred by the piece.

The concert was very enjoyable last year, especially with the acting going on and even with an extremely bossy person at the helms.

If you were sitting on a train on the North-South line going towards the city a few days ago and noticed me smiling to myself, I'm not crazy.

If you have the DVD version of Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Abbado in which they acted out the story using puppets, tell me!

If not, get the recording by the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, also conducted by Abbado and narrated by Sting. It's one of the more interesting versions. Don't buy the New York Philharmonic, conducted and narrated by Bernstein. You would probably fall asleep.

*

There are so many people out there who are looking for sugar daddies and Caucasians out there in their blogs!

i don't mind a sugar mummy. Haha!

I promise to be good and visit you at every blue moon at the old folks' home.

So does anyone want to buy me a Howarth XL Cor Anglais?

I also want a BMW M6...

And a new house...

And! And! And!

Oh, my wish list and email is on the right!

Musical enjoyment

2005-06-12T11:28:00.000+08:00

"...In a musician's life, there is never a thing called "work". What he does - practice and playing his instrument, singing, or composing - is an enjoyment too pristine to be sullied by the term "work". It could be said that a musician plays through his whole life..."

I wish I could agree with this but I just couldn't.

With the many modern and abstract pieces around today, can you really declare that you love to play all of them?

It's just a romantic view of the music world. You can't choose what you want to play all the time. Oh, how I wish I could be playing Mahler 5 this weekend, Beethoven 7 next week, Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto the week after next. Yeah, I wish.

Playing professionally is a job.

You are expected to behave professionally and bring out the best of whatever is thrown onto the stand in front of you, even if you hate Mozart to Timbuktu.

There can be times where you are so tired out from practicing and yet have to sit down to perform for 2 hours.

I had this view when I was still reading Architecture in polytechnic.

"Wow! I can be an architect someday to design buildings!"

Then I looked at the real world. How many new houses are there for me to design in Singapore? Most projects around are just Alteration and Addition (major renovation without tearing down the building).

I looked at the working hours. 16 hours workday. No, I can't live with that.

Do you think that architects enjoy themselves all the time?

No, not all the time. They crack their head thinking of how to distribute the spaces within the building in the best way possibly. They think of what material is best and what is within the budget of their clients. They are stressed because time is money and they have their clients' deadline to meet.

Do you think that composers enjoy themselves all the time?

They have deadlines to meet too. Don't tell me that composers like Beethoven just composed to express their feelings. No, they don't.

Go listen to the second movement of his Eighth Symphony. It starts happily with the woodwinds chirping away while the strings introduce a happy theme. Do you know he was having a lot of problems with his life when he was writing that?

Mozart was commissioned to write 2 flute concertos for a flautist. He couldn't meet the deadline in time and what did he do?

He took an earlier completed oboe concerto and transposed it a tone higher and viola! You have his Flute Concerto No. 2 in D, K314.

Yeah, I still enjoy playing my oboe but I'm really sick of playing in bands already. It's not everyday where I can play in performances like the recent James Barnes concert.

I need a break!

Lala.

2005-06-10T21:15:00.000+08:00

Hello, how's everyone?

I saw this a while ago: "Like actors who bring out the character of the role they act, musicians should strive to act out the music they play."

How true! Why didn't this come across my mind before?

*

The last few days been quite an emotional roller coaster ride for me. I had a tough decision to make - a moral dilemma.

Had you ever been in a situation where you can't please everyone involved? I was and it was terrible. I hope this will never happen in my life ever again!

I'm sorry to the person at the losing end - it was really a painful decision for me.

*

Taiwanese variety shows never cease to amaze me! Just the other day, I saw the Taiwanese Vice-President on a variety talk show! I was like: "What!"

Just imagine seeing President Nathan on a talk show with someone like Gurmit Singh.

Speaking of Presidents, I really hope there will be more than one qualified presidential candidates this time round! I really don't mind a holiday!

*

I got a new DVD writer! $79 only! I can burn DVD+, DVD- and dual layers DVD now! Oh, I'm still quite unsure of the different formats anyway.

I'm quite proud of myself - I put it into the computer myself without any help! Ok, I got instructions on how to do it. But hey! This is a computer illiterate person here!

Now to look for the best deals for blank DVDs! Any recommendations?

*

If you are bored, you can read this to find out what's a ham-yu, who's gay, who loves salted ice-cream and etc. Note: above link probably applicable to DAT Class of 2002.

Hey Nick! If you mentioned me in the Mahjong game, how come I wasn't playing in the end?

*

I watched a few shows recently.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Watch this show only if you haven't read the book yet. Come to think of it, the show was rather disappointing in some areas. Yes, it was funny, but the essence of the original humour was lost. Well, I think it's really difficult to translate that humour to the big screen. For example, how would one attempt to film this?

"He (Arthur Dent) picked up the letter Q (from a scrabble game) and hurled it into a distant privet bush where it hit a young rabbit. The rabbit hurled off in terror and didn't stop till it was set upon and eaten by a fox which choked on one of its bones and died on the bank of a stream which subsequently washed it away.

During the following weeks, Ford Perfect swallowed his pride and struck up a relationship with a girl who had been a personnel officer on Golgafrincham, and he was terribly upset when she suddenly passed away as a result of drinking water from a pool that had been polluted by the body of a dead fox. The only moral it is possible to draw from this story is that one should never throw the letter Q into a privet bush, but unfortunately there are times where it is unavoidable."

- The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (Sequel to the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy)
Douglas Adams

Besides the difficulties in filming, the story line was very much adapted. The book definitely didn't start with a MTV of dancing dolphins. The producers weren't very faithful in producing details from the book too! Look at Harry Potter and LOTR, the producers tried to bring to life scenes from the books even though they didn't follow the story line strictly.

Well, it's still a watch-able show. I enjoyed it.

On a side note, allow me to recommend the book if you enjoy reading. I'm currently just starting on the fifth book!

Star Wars Episode 3

Would you believe that it's the first time I'm watching Star Wars in a movie theatre?

Nice show, I enjoyed it.

Mr and Mrs Smith

If you have any problem deciding on what show to watch due to the movie ticket hike, watch this. It's long, funny, action packed and worth your money!

Girls (and some guys), you have Brad Pitt to gash about.

Guys (and some girls), you have Angelina Jolie to drool over.

What more can one ask for?

Madagascar

Cute! Funny! A bit on the short side though.

*

I am involved in NDP!

Darn.

And I thought I was just going to be a working party all along.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Mezraq and myself as the first marching oboists in a National Day Parade in Singapore history!

*

My friend got a new Loree Royal a week ago and I tried it today. I didn't quite like it. Yes, it had powerful low notes and an even scale but the top notes are still flat!

Worst still, there was a deep scratch on the low C key and the inscribed metal plate on the bell still had glue on it! What is this? This is not acceptable from a top model!

*

The other day when I was walking past Esplanade Park, I saw a group of cyclists. Their bikes were most interesting. They had very high handle bars a la Harley Davidsons and upon closer inspections, I saw that they had exhaust pipes welded on! Wow. Where's the engine? They might as well make deep throttling sounds while they are cycling.

*

On the bus to a friend's place, I overheard the conversation of 2 men who were sitting right behind me. I was actually very interested in the long-hair beauty in front of me who turned out to be a man with long hair and hence the interest evaporated with the time frame of 0.1 nanoseconds and as a result caused me to listen to this mindless conversation.

Anyway, this is how the conversation went:

Man A: *censored*
Man B: *censored*
Man A: *censored*
Man B: *censored*
Man A: *censored*
Man B: *censored*
Man A: *censored*
Man B: *censored*
Man A: *censored*
Man B: *censored*
Man A: *censored*
Man B: *censored*
Man A: *censored*
Man B: *censored*
Man A: *censored*
Man B: *censored*
Man A: *censored*
Man B: *censored*
Man A: *censored*
Man B: *censored*
Man A: *censored*
Man B: *censored*

I have really never heard a more vulgar conversation in my life before. And man, those men were shallow and dumb. I shall not attempt to kill anymore of my precious brain cells elaborating on what they said.

*

Okay, I shall end this post of random thoughts!

Nice and sad.

2005-06-01T00:28:00.000+08:00

I have something nice and something sad to say.

Nice.

I'm back on talking terms with my friend! Over 2 years of silence. No joke man!

Sad.

The Royal Ballet is sold out! Darn. I really wanted to see their Swan Lake.

Anyone got extra tickets???

Concerts

2005-05-30T13:29:00.000+08:00

In Harmony 20 - James Barnes
27th May 2005

Hobart Centennial March
Festive Music for Singapore (World Premiere)
Poetic Intermezzo
Fantasy Variations
Alvamar Overture
Fifth Symphony - Phoenix

All music by James Barnes.

I think this concert went pretty well, except for some hip cups that I shall not mention.

Barnes, in my opinion, is an extremely humourous man!

A typical comment from him:

"...trombones, I'm sorry that your parts are so difficult. I understand that it's quite high for trombones to do this but, too bad!"

It got to a point on the last day of rehearsal when it got predictable that the "too bad" was coming and someone pipped in "Too bad!" before he managed to say it!

Another funny comment from him:

"No! The wind chimes are too loud!"

"This is Barnes."

*makes gentle sweeping motion with his hand*

"This is Holsinger."

*makes violent slapping motion with his hand*

Holsinger, for Reader's information, is a composer who writes extremely loud music.

Anyway, I think the concert went well. I really enjoyed myself playing for this concert. I can't remember the last time when I actually enjoyed myself so much!

Maybe it's the people in the section that I'm playing with; I haven't heard the section sound so nice for a long time.

Also, thank you all who had such kind comments for me. They are all appreciated!

Philadelphia
28th May 2005

Carnival Overture - Dvorak
Piano Concerto No. 1 - Tchaikovsky, soloist: Lang Lang
Concerto for Orchestra - Bartok

I think the orchestra started off very convincingly! The overture was played with such energy and enthusiasm from the orchestra. Nice!

The piano concerto was a bit flat though. The orchestra was good. Perhaps I was a bit hyped up by Lang's fame and reputation. Oh my goodness, he's my age and he's already so accomplished. Look at me - I'm still a struggling 3rd rate oboist. Darn.

Philadelphia
29h May 2005

Concerto for Oboe - Mozart, soloist: Richard Woodhams
Symphony No. 5 in C minor - Mahler

One word.

Wow!

I wonder where Woodhams got his stamina from! It's really phenomenal! How can anyone play the Mozart so effortlessly and continue with Mahler 5 in the second half?

I'm wondering if he came from another planet of which the inhabitants do nothing but play oboe.

The Mozart was technically very impressive. The only thing I didn't like about it was the cadenzas. They weren't quite classical. Oh well!

The first chord of the concerto was the nicest I have ever heard. The 3 basses were practically firing sonic waves at me - I was facing their sound boards directly.

The Philadelphia brass section is really strong!

Quoting a brass player friend of mine: "What can I say?"

The Mahler 5 was simply one of the best that I've heard. It was a wonderful first time for me, listening to it "live".

I wouldn't even mind going to listen to them again today again if they are playing it!

It was such an amazing experience.

Berlin, Berlin, when are you coming?

Back to blog

2005-05-22T10:15:00.000+08:00

The past week's been quite tiring. Everyday was filled with full band practices, some half days, some full day.

I'm having a reed crisis! Darn. I hate it when things like this happen, especially with such a major concert looming around the corner.

James Barnes would be down for rehearsal starting from Tuesday. I wonder what kind of person he is. Hmmm...

It has come to my attention recently that I can be sued for defaming someone on this site! Sheesh, it's time to keep certain comments to myself. Anyway, I have been criticized for being too critical too!

As such, I shall write something nice about the SSO since I said their concert was horrible last week. The concert with Hillary Hahn was great. Very entertaining! Hahn played very well! I'm not trying to be artificial, I really enjoyed it. The Rachmaninov 2 was good too. It was so much better than the previous week! Ok, I didn't quite like the Prokofiev Concerto - it was very un-concert-ish. Oh well, the playing was good all the same.

I had my oboe serviced and adjusted earlier this week. Yanko Petrov, who was formerly a Howarth craftsman, did quite a good job on it!

He flatten my Ab, Bb and Db. I had to readjust the Db back myself as he changed the oboe to a more English way, which didn't suit me. He also fixed my octave boxes which weren't sealing ideally. And he has very nice reed cases! Darn. I'm tempted now.

I shall complain about something!

The goat is constantly going on strike for no good reason! Quick say meh! You goat.

How I got my new Oakley

2005-05-14T23:31:00.000+08:00

I have a new pair of Wiretap!

Anyway the story goes like this:

I have a nice jacket which I got a couple of years back which has been sitting in my office for ages. Shannon the Toad who is a sucker for nice jackets, who shares the office with me, likes it so much that he keeps bugging to sell it to him.

Initially I was quite reluctant till he made me a very irresistible deal.

He will swap his Oakley Wiretap which he don't use for my jacket which I don't use either.

And I did! TADA! New sunglasses!

Hey Shannon! How's your new jacket? =P

Anyway, I think I have too many pairs of sunglasses now. I just gave my old Ray Ban to my dad. Is anyone interested in a black pair of Oakley Valve? There's a slight tarnish on the silver part. The rest of the frame and lens are all in good condition! E-mail me!

I actually had my sights on a Ducati Half-Jacket but I think a certain someone would start nagging at me if I go and buy it. Still, does anyone know where I can get it in Asian frame? The conventional frame size is too big for me!

*

I'm starting to think that some soloists should just stick to playing and not venture onto the conductor's podium.

Shlomo Mintz plays the violin very well but I'm sorry to say that he can't conduct for nuts.

The Coriolan Overture was rather boring.

First movement of Beethoven 8th was flat and boring.

Second movement was painfully slow.

Third movement was fine; I think it was the best of the whole symphony.

Fourth was like first. In fact, the whole symphony is so lacking of character!

The Violin concerto would have probably sound better if Lan Shui were at the helm. Mintz played his part nicely but he just couldn't raise the orchestra to the occasion.

Well, at least he saved the concert with his delightful playing on the violin and the 2 nice encores!

Bands

2005-05-08T15:48:00.000+08:00

Let pinpoint a cause of the standards of school bands in Singapore.

The conductor.

Pardon me - it should more correctly - instructor.

Just look at the number of unqualified instructors around in Singapore. Some think just because they had been playing in bands for a number of years make them qualified to be one.

In the blog of one, he confidently boasts that his teaching methods "work". He attributes the failure of his method in his previous school to the students. They were "unreceptive" of his methods.

Now that he's helping out in a school which obtained a Silver for the SYF, he's happily claiming that his methods are indeed "helpful" and is just "a matter of who he's teaching".

What the hell!

If you ask me, he's just riding on the success of the main instructor.

If your methods are proven with a good track record, they will work anywhere. For goodness sake, both the schools in question are neighbourhood schools! Why should the students be different in School A and School B?

I might be wrong but I think he's really dumb and unlearned. That's my judgment from his comments in his blog. It's precisely with people like him in Singapore that's why the band scene is going nowhere. People like him are jeopardizing the system! They are compromising the standards of music.

Well, blame it on the way of life.

They came out with the Honours award to reduce the number of "top" bands. Soon, all instructors would be expected to clinch gold with honours no less. And what will we have next? Gold with first class upper honours? Band summa cum laude?

Oh wait! That might not be enough. How about a platinum level? Platinum with honours?

In the same said blog, he still can "haha" when the attendance of a band is one of only brasses?

What kind of message is he sending to the students who read his blog? Oh, it's ok to skip practices. Mr ABC would just laugh it off.

And you want to know what's scary? His students love him! Oh man, where's the band scene heading?

Please, if you're a self respecting instructor, do not shot yourself in the foot by writing like a bimbo.

Speaking of which, I wonder if any of my students happen to be reading this. Mathematically speaking, they might be. After all, the weirdest people whom you totally don't expect to be reading this had tumbled upon my blog. What's new?

This leads me to another factor - the tutors.

I admit that my students are not the best, considering that I only had less than 5 sessions with them. If I can successfully change their playing postures, embouchures and breathing in 5 sessions, I think I should be charging $500 per session as a miracle worker!

Some tutors I know really raised doubts in my minds when they discuss teaching methods with me. I may not be the best in the land but some things they said are just plain disturbing. Why do instructors pay them $50 an hour only to have them teaching rhythms?

We are specializing in the instrument, not rhythm.

Honestly, I'm quite sick of band music!

I just read an article in the Instrumentalist which amused me a lot. The writer was complaining about modern pieces for bands which are very abstract.

Half the time, the composer spends 10 minutes explaining the piece. "...at this point in the Farm Symphony, you will hear so and so instruments creating a sound which is suppose to represent the little goat eating grass and meh-ing..."

"...and in the third movement, you will hear a little cow walking along happily, poking her companion with her hooves..."

That reminds me of a piece I played a year ago, the title was something vivacity, I can't remember the name. It was horrendously abstract; I'm no fan of abstract stuffs. Give me good old boring Beethoven!

Questions

2005-05-08T11:20:00.000+08:00

Things I don't understand.

Why are people treating the SYF like a war?

Why do people congratulate alumni of certain schools for their achievements in the SYF? A to B who graduated from ABCJC donkey years ago: "Hey! I heard ABCJC got gold with honours! Congrats!"

Why must people start bitching about how other bands don't deserve what they get?

Why don't they consider the recipients' feelings? Hearing horrible things being said about you when you tried your best. It's not the best thing in the world; I know that - I've been through it before.

Why do some people constantly think that they are better than the judges?

Why do we still have SYF?

Someone tell me why I shouldn't think that the SYF should be abolished?

In appreciation

2005-05-07T10:27:00.000+08:00

To show my appreciation of my friends at work who are reading this blog, I shall write something about them!

Keith is fat and Shannon is ugly!

Thank you!

*takes a bow*

People

2005-05-05T01:54:00.000+08:00

Sometimes I really feel like blasting out at certain people here.

I did before but that involved only people who are not directly involved with my life. People like Doreen Tan, whom I can just pretend to ignore when I see them on the streets.

I, however, cannot write about people who are still in the same organization with me. Yes, it makes me artificial but I would rather stay politically correct than to step on anyone's tail. After all, more and more people from my workplace are reading this and who knows what a misinterpreted sentence can lead to.

I wouldn't want to start an internal war!

Yes, there are people and standards that I'm not happy at but I shall not name them.

Call me artificial, hypocrite or whatsoever, but isn't that what we all are?

Gmail!

2005-04-30T01:12:00.000+08:00

Yoohoo!

Anyone wants a Gmail account? I have 49 invites left! Don't ask me how I got so many - I don't know!!!

Perhaps you can try asking any kind soul at Google.

Why do so many people have Gmail already? Isn't it still in the trial period with a limited amount of users? How come everyone I asked regarding their interests in Gmail already has one?

Anyway!

If you are interested, please email me! Anyone! Even if you're a passer-by! I don't know what to do with my invites anyway!

In Harmony 20 - James Barnes

2005-04-25T21:03:00.000+08:00

Singapore Armed Forces Central Band presents

In Harmony 20 - James Barnes

Victoria Concert Hall
27th May 2005, 1930 hrs

As a member of the Theory-Composition faculty at the University of Kansas, James Barnes teaches orchestration and composition courses. His numerous publications for concert band and orchestra are extensively performed in the United States, Europe, and the Pacific Basin. His works have been performed at Tanglewood, Boston Symphony Hall, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

Mr. Barnes has traveled extensively as a guest composer, conductor and lecturer throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, Japan, and Taiwan. He is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), the American Bandmasters Association and numerous other professional organizations and societies. Since 1984, his music has been published exclusively by Southern Music Company of San Antonio, Texas.

This concert features the local premiere of his Fifth Symphony "Phoenix" and the world premiere of Festive Music for Singapore which was commissioned by the Singapore Armed Forces Central Band to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Singapore independence in 2005.

This minimalist piece combines both Eastern and Western musical ideas - repetitive nature of the gamelan orchestras but yet American in flavour in the overall sound of the piece. As quoted from the composer himself: "the piece is exciting, engaging, rhythmic, and unlike anything I have ever written."

Programme

Hobart Centennial March
Festive Music for Singapore
Poetic Intermezzo
Fantasy Variations
Alvamar Overture
Fifth Symphony "Phoenix"

All music composed and conducted by James Barnes.

Please call 6450 5895 for complimentary tickets, limited to 2 per person.

E-mail me or visit the SAF Bands website (on your top left) if you have any inquiries! E-mails requesting for tickets will not be entertained. Please call the number above. Thank you!

Why I have yellow shoes

2005-04-25T10:50:00.000+08:00

Why do I wear yellow shoes?

What's wrong with that in the first place?

I wear what I like and any individual who doesn't agree with me can go bang his/her head against the wall.

The Writer doesn't assume any responsibilities regarding Readers suffering from broken heads and concussions as a result of reading this blog.

If you know me well enough, I enjoy owning things that are unique. Read: unique equals nice, not ugly to an extent where no one wears it.

That is why I have my yellow Nikes.

That is why I tie hot pink thread onto my oboe reeds.

That is why I play a XL.

That is why I am broke.

Perhaps some people would think I'm just trying to attract attention. Well, if I do, I would probably do more than that! I recall seeing these 2 ladies in their 50s. They were the pinnacle of flamboyant-ism! Not only were they dressed in loud colours and covered in tons of powder, they HAD to sashay their way through a food court. Someone save my eyes!

Still, they got what they wanted. Attention.

It's probably all the wrong thoughts in on-lookers but do they care? I think they don't and are actually happily basking in the attention. And no, I don't think I would ever dress that way when I'm 50.

People would probably think that I'm gay.

Hey! Maybe some of them think I am! After all, I have yellow shoes and uses pink thread!

I'd be quite amused if someone questions my sexuality. Well, perhaps, disturbed and baffled too.

My friend, however, wasn't as amused as I was when someone thought that he was gay! He was told by a colleague that he thought that my friend was gay the whole of the 3 years that he knew him. Not that they were very close friends or whatsoever, it was just an impression.

My friend was so disturbed by it that he went around half the day asking people if he looked gay. He! The epitome of masculine-ism! The loud clumsy manly man!

I'm sorry, but I was quite amused by it! Haha!

Come to think of it, I have a few gay friends in my social circle. Oh wait, quite a few! Once, I was with my friend when we saw a couple. He jokingly said: "Hey! You take the woman, I take the man!" I was like -_-!!! If you still don't know, this friend is as straight as curly fries.

My point is: If you are gay, I'm fine with it.

My friend was having a discussion about gender differences on her blog. It came to a point when someone concluded that sex and gender are 2 different issues and every individual should have the right to choose their own gender. I'm not quite sure how this point was concluded; I didn't finish reading everything.

This causes me to think: Is homosexuality prevalent in other animals?

Hence, I did a google and yes! It happens!

Ok, maybe I am outdated. How does one define homosexuality? I'm sure all of us have different boundaries. Is it bonding/companionship or merely a sexual relationship? I have close male friends too. Which side of the line am I on?

I know my answer perfectly well. Will the rest of the world see it the same way?

Oh! For the record, I'm extremely straight.

Hey! Wait! I have a pair of red shoes too! Hmmm...

Maths Problem

2005-04-24T10:23:00.000+08:00

1/3 of John's money is twice as much as Henry's money. If their total sum is 42, how much money does John have?

I got this from fEn's blog. I can't recall questions like this during my primary school days! No wonder the kids these days look so overloaded. I'm actually ashamed to say that it took me a while to figure it out. I'm out of practice! (Oh man! It's been 7 years since I left secondary school!)

By the way, the answer is $36. Did you get it correct?

Mr? Sir?

2005-04-23T09:32:00.000+08:00

I was quite amused at the Esplanade's website.

While writing in to them last night, I encountered the title drop bar. There were at least 30 titles! I wonder how many RADM(NS)s, Presidents, SMs, DPMs, LT-Gen(Retd)s actually write in to them?

True, they want to be prepared for anyone for who writes in to them, but this is too much!

Concert in the park

2005-04-22T21:39:00.000+08:00

Singapore Armed Forces Central Band

Botanic Garden
24th April 2005
Sunday
1800 hrs

Programme
Ride
American Graphity
The Merry Widow
Bugler's Holiday

And more!

Drop by if you're free! Contact me if you need more information. =)

Email updates!

2005-04-20T14:10:00.000+08:00

It's time to do some updating of my e-mail accounts.

For general mail purpose:
chualiangyou@gmail.com

OR

fjozn@singnet.com.sg

The gmail account would be preferred. I have 2 plus freaking gigabytes empty! Use it!

For urgent mail to my handphone:
fjozn@yahoo.com

For MSN:
le_maestro@hotmail.com

If I had gotten your e-mail account recently, good!

If I haven't, please send one to my gmail stating your name!

I'm in the midst of updating my contacts, so if you think you have any mobile numbers, new addresses or whatsoever, please take a moment to email. It'd be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

SYF 2005

2005-04-17T10:47:00.000+08:00

Yeah!

The SYF's over!

Stupid Fat Keith, never take part in SYF before cannot meh?

Wait, actually, I did. Just that it wasn't the adjudication.

I think there were quite a lot of surprises this year: The expected didn't happen and the unexpected did.

Well, like what I said: It's whether you try your best that matters, not the result.

The consistent misconception of that irks me so. But then again, this is Singapore. What can I say?

I won't say much about whether some bands deserved what they got or not. It's not my call!

This blog will not be a gossip centre for the SYF. =)

Well, congratulations to the following people!

Clarence, Jane and Carol - Orchid Park, Gold with Honours
Rebecca - Ang Mo Kio, Gold
James, Ming Bei - Tanjong Katong, Gold

And to everyone who achieved their goals.

If you didn't, there's always SYF 2007 to work forward to!

Congrats!

2005-04-14T23:10:00.000+08:00

I was so amused by the chatter going in IRC. At least there's isn't any negative comments or bitching about anyone, unlike previous years. Or maybe it just hasn't happen yet?

Oh dear, was I ever one of them? I think not. After all, I came from a Grade 2 assessment band, one who had never even played in a proper SYF before! =)

I guess the talk of the band scene now is about Orchid Park. Well, perhaps they might not have gotten a Gold with Honours had they played on a later date. But! That's for the judges to decide. Not you. Not me. Not anyone else.

And mind you, if you are a stranger who wants to leave degrading comments about the judges like how they don't know their stuffs. I would have you know that Dr Lourens reads this blog and Major Philip is my boss.

Think twice before shooting your mouth off.

So, well done OPSS! Congrats to Clarence, Jane and Carol!

SYF and Oboists

2005-04-13T21:42:00.000+08:00

I think I'm developing an allergic to Singapore Rhapsody.

Guess why?

Yes, I was at the Singapore Youth Festival today.

I heard like 8 bands played before I left because I was having a headache.

No, the bands were all right. Perhaps listening to SR 8 times really makes one nauseous! I'm not trying to be critical but I really don't like the way it sounds and the way the piece moves. I really think that the transitions are quite bad. Oh well!

Rasa Saya is a song we all know well. So, why did I only hear a couple of band trying to make it sound like a folk song?

I wonder how the judges sit through about 150 different renditions of SR.

I shall not be mean today. I believe all of them view the SYF importantly and hence I shall not break any little hearts. =)

Some of the oboists were not very good. I could see some people in the audience flinching when one certain oboist was flat constantly.

Ok, honestly, I was a bit irked too. But shame on me! I shouldn't be!

I've been through that stage too.

In a way, I will never forget how I constantly got negative comments and dirty looks I got when I started off on the oboe. The negative impressions lasts, and I still think I'm judged by my previously horrendous playing. Not to say that I'm a perfect player now but still I come a long way. There's more to travel though!

In the same way, I also know of inspiring oboists who give up half way because of the bad comments and negative thoughts. It's really sad for them. Why are people so eager to put down others rather than encourage them? Why don't other players ever spare a thought for us? Just because a bad tone on any other instrument is just a thin, airy sound, they expect the same from an oboist.

No, I'm sorry. You can't be more wrong.

You won't understand how it is like until you try it yourself.

Like my teacher says: Playing the oboe is already hard enough, why make your life more difficult?

Playing the oboe is already difficult. It's not uncommon to hear of students who have to use the same reed for half a year. It's not uncommon to hear of student who struggle on oboes in horrible conditions. There are no proper technicians in Singapore who specializes in oboes. That's precisely why an oboe costs so much - the mechanisms are too complicated!

An oboe and reeds are not cheap in the first place. A decent oboe that I consider playable costs about 4k. A hand made reed costs anything from 25 onwards. Considering the measly budget that some schools have, it's a big burden for them.

Would you expect them to have proper teachers to guide them when they have a problem with instruments?

No.

There's where all the problems come in.

Put in too much reed? You become very sharp.

Too little? Very flat.

Just nice but too tight? Thin sound.

Just nice but too loose? Flat.

The problems are never ending.

Is it hard to be more understanding and encouraging?

More importantly, is there any conductors who are reading this? Encourage your oboists, not merely substitute their solos with other instruments just because you think they can't play well. Spare a thought for their feelings.

I know it hurts because I've been there before.

Opinions

2005-04-11T22:52:00.000+08:00

Wow!

I am surprised!

Dr Alan Lourens personally wrote me an e-mail addressing my opinions on how he interpreted and conducted Third Symphony.

It was enriching to learn why he conducted it the way he did and how his opinions differ from mine, especially for the Mesto.

It was nevertheless a pleasant surprise for me!

Hmmm...

I wonder if Zubin Mehta will do the same and e-mail me and tell me why his Beethoven 5 was so mild? Haha!

If I write that President Bush looks like a chimpanzee, will FBI agents come knocking at my door tomorrow?

Hmmm...

Random writing

2005-04-10T10:50:00.000+08:00

I think I should stop buying CDs for a while.

I have a few CDs that I haven't even listened to since I got them. I even had one still intact in its wrapper. -_-!

Still on the monetary issue, I'm overspending like mad! Help!

I had 2 great offers last week.

Firstly, I changed my broadband plan to Singnet 1500 and received $500 worth of vouchers! (Ok ok, I know I was still living in stone age 512kbps) $250 Royal Sporting House and $250 Singtel! Ok, actually, it was my dad who got them. But still, hiak hiak!

And darn, I've already set my sights on not one, but two pairs of Nikes. Die la! Knowing myself, I will get them eventually. Anyone knows of any miracle shot for curing overspending?

I was at the Zubin Mehta concert at the Esplanade on Wednesday. One word to describe it all:

Bravo!

Well, except for the occasional intonation problem.

Oh well! Let's not allow that to dampen my enthusiasm! It's not everyday where one get to witness a true legend conduct the most famous piece in music history. Come on, who in the civilized world had not heard of the famous 4 notes motif from Beethoven 5?

Verdi's Overture to the Force of Destiny was great!

Beethoven 5 was a bit mild.

Beethoven 7 was good!

Except for the flat high C on the oboe.

The 3 encores: Mozart, Puccini and Verdi were all very nice.

I haven't enjoyed myself so much at a concert for so long! The last one I really enjoyed was hmmm, sheesh, I can't remember. Just imagine the number of mediocre concerts I've sat through.

Hmmm...

Let's see...

Hmmm...

I haven been drinking too much over the last 3 days. I shall stop drinking for a while.

Hmmm...

Something interesting in the papers today. Trival of the day:

A condition called myotonia causes the "fainting goat" to stiffen up and collapse to the ground when startled. The condition lasts for about 10 to 15 seconds before the goat gets up and walks stiffly away.

Hmmm...

Oh yes, have anyone seen the "Romance" video from NUS? My friend from NUS sent it to me. I didn't understand it initially until I read about it in the Sunday Times today (page 35). So it's a confession, not a proposal as I initially thought it was.

I think it's really brave for the guy to do that but at the same time, showing lack of thoughts and thorough consideration? Look at the hooha it's caused by now. What embarrassment for the girl!

Hmmm...

Are the contestants in the Miss Bimbo, I'm sorry, Miss Universe pageant the best Singapore has to offer? I think it's really sad. XP was telling me a really funny story regarding 2 of the finalists over MSN on my way to town yesterday. It was so embarrassing. I felt like laughing out loud, but decided against so to prevent any mis-impression of a siao-lang laughing at his phone.

Hmmm...

In the New Paper today, there's a section where readers send them opinions via SMSes regarding the Terri Schiavo case. There is one that says:

Her husband loves her too much to see her suffer while her family loves her too much to see her die.

I was telling Jane: if there's a day whereby I'm paralysed, blind and deaf, please let me die! However, I'm not sure about this now. Well, the conditions are different anyway. Let's hope none of us have to ever go through this!

Hmmm...

I've run out of things to write about!

Ciao!

The last 4 days

2005-04-03T12:07:00.000+08:00

Ok, let's see what's been happening so far.

Wednesday
I bought 2 CDs that I like a lot! Beethoven 4-7 by Concertgebouw under Wolfgang Sawallisch and Dvorak, Tchaikovsky and Borodin String Quartets played by Emerson Quartet. As some might already know, I'm trying to compose for a string quartet. Hmmm. I think I'll name it String Quartet no. 1 "Fantasy" Opus 1!

Thursday
I had some free time and hence met up with Jiahui for coffee and a, what she calls, "38 session". Let clarify this, shall we? She's the 38 queen and there's no way I can compare to her! =P

Friday
There was a military funeral this afternoon for a young NSF. Every time that I'm deployed for a funeral, it reminds me of the first time I put on my No. 1. It was for the RSS Courageous (did I get the name correctly?) accident a couple of years ago.

The day was rightfully wet, dark and solemn. It's probably an event I would never forget. Slow marching in the rain, seeing solemn Navy personnel lining the road, all saluting their fallen comrade. At least she died a dignified death. I don't there's any better way to be sent off on your final journey.

Saturday
Teaching day. The SYF is fast approaching.

As much as I don't like the idea of having competition, I'm sorry, adjudication, it's a part of the local band scene that I can't run away from. I have no choice. The SYF is the only time when I will get more job offers.

As much as I do enjoy teaching and seeing my students grow, I don't really enjoy drilling them to play Singapore Rhapsody and (insert title of choice piece) to perfection.

If you haven't heard me say this before, then allow me to say this again: "There shouldn't be SYF at all!"

What's the point of learning only 2 pieces for the greater half of a year? I know of schools that start practicing their choice pieces 6 months before the SYF. Surely the world of music is much broader than being confined to just 2 pieces?

I shall be bitchy.

There are still a few of conductors around in Singapore who still don't know their stuffs. More correctly, these people should be called educators and not conductors. Secondary school conductors teach more than they conduct. More often than not, they teach their students how to play the way they want a phrase to be rather than telling them.

A conductor conducts. An educator teaches.

This is an adapted extract from a conversation with this prominent female figure who co-owns a band store.

Her: So what do you play?
Me: Oboe.
Her: I see, so what brand of oboe do you use?
Me: Howarth.
Her: *astonished look* Really? Howarth, good meh? I saw one the other time and their pads were all made of pads!
Me: Er. No, la. They are good instruments too.
Her: Really meh? I buy Marigaux for my schools! What's the price of your oboe?
Me: $XX XXX.
Her: !!! My Mariguaxs are better! *proceed to show me receipt for Marigaux* See? It's cheaper!
Me: Both brands are good. You see, they have different characteristics. The principal of SSO uses the same model as me, so it can't be that bad right?
Her: Marigauxs are still better!

It's not that I think that Marigaux oboes are not good. They were one of my considerations before I got my XL! By the way, an oboe always has cork pads. I didn't realize it at the time but I had a good laugh about it after it. Someone should show her the cork pads on her Marigaux and frighten her!

Sunday
Pope John Paul II passed away on Saturday night at the Vatican. Perhaps this piece of news would have been of no interest to me had it happened a year ago. It's quite different now having read Angels and Demons. In fact, I'm quite interested to go to the Vatican and see all the artworks for myself now!

Still, I think we should respect the passing of a spiritual leader. I didn't know what kind of person he was but from reading articles about him the last few days in the papers, I figured that he was a great man. After all, not anyone can be the Pope right?

A moment of silence please, for the Pope and fallen soldiers of the SAF.

Third Symphony

2005-03-30T11:26:00.000+08:00

Philharmonic Winds - Death and Life

I shall only comment about Third Symphony since I was essentially only interested in hearing it. In fact, that's one of the main reasons why I even attended this concert.

1. To see Dr. Alan Lourens conduct.
2. To hear his interpretation of Third Symphony.
3. To hear Natalie and Rachel play.

Third was good but it was also in way, disappointing. It's not that they played badly or what but rather, I'm disappointed with Lourens' interpretation.

The first movement started off nicely. The solos were all good; the build-up to the bursting point was nicely done. In fact, I really likee the modulation (or was it release?) at the climax.

Second movement wasn't that good. The playing wasn't as tight as I would have like it. The saxophones were rather untidy in their soli section; something which I thought wasn't really difficult at all!

There were really beautiful solos in the third movement. The flow of the whole movement was however, very disappointing. You have players who play beautiful solos and the man at the helm of it, the conductor, spoils everything with his failure to stitch everything up smoothly. Yibin thinks that he probably didn't experience any emotional pain in his life before and I agree.

Mesto is filled with so many emotions: pain, sorrow, bitterness and even anger.

This is a movement where you allow your feelings to flow, not allowing any humps! The music felt like you're traveling down a straight road with humps between the different sections.

Fourth movement started off brilliantly. There were parts where I felt the trumpets could have played out more. They sounded rather constrained, trying hard to blend in instead of playing out at times when they should be! This shows especially when the trombones echo their calls much louder than the trumpets did.

A general observation: The mallet choices were horrible! Don't they have any softer sticks? I was quite irritated by the hard and loud mallet sound throughout the entire symphony.

This concert concludes with me not having a high opinion of Lourens as before. I previously quite impressed by him. As Yibin puts it, the Third tells whether a conductor is good or not.

Rachel
You had really improved a lot since the last time I heard you! Sheesh, I feel old now that the younger generation is catching up on me! It's time to chiong! Long tones, James Brown, scales, LTCL, here I come!

Natalie
I think you say meh nicer than your oboe sound.

Okay, I'm kidding. You're doing fine for your level so continue to work hard!

A part of advice for the both of you: Burn your Lorees! Haha! =P

Death on track

2005-03-27T11:11:00.000+08:00

I can't help but think that some Singaporeans are really very stupid.

Look at people who commented on Xiaxue's recent post. Some are insightful; some are - to put it mildly - dumb.

I think most people who read it are not aware of her true intention. I think she's more to being angry than trying to poke fun at the unfortunate man.

To digress a bit, I do enjoy reading her posts. It's rather insightful at times and she blogs in good English. There're 2 types of blogs I don't really like: those with bad English and music. To a certain extent, I think she gets slammed by those with bad English. They can't grasp her command of English and jump to conclusion and proceed to slam her for being insensitive.

I'm not really a die-hard fan of her but I do think her topics are good conversation starters at times.

Why do Singaporeans just sit around and do nothing at times? Why was his wife the only person trying to pull him up from the track? Why wasn't anyone trying to hit the "Stop-the-train-button" when someone was on the track?

What would I do if I see someone on a track? At this point, I don't think I have a definite answer yet. What would you do?

In view of this inability to climb up from a train, Minister of Defense Major-General Jin-Zhong Bao Guo said in an interview this morning that all Singaporeans, male and female would now have to attend the Standard Obstacle Course (SOC) at the Singapore Armed Forces Basic Military Training School (SAF BMTC). Trainees would not be allowed to graduate until they have master the art of clearing the first obstacle, the low wall.

Okay, that was in jest.

In a similar fashion, why doesn't anyone speak up about things they think feel strongly about? I feel that a concert is badly played and I get slammed for what I really think. Is it wrong to say what you really feel? Is it right to just shut up and follow the flow because it's the "right" thing to do?

I've seen so many things recently. Naruto, an anime, for example, has a lot of hidden messages in it. It tells you to never give up. Do your best to protect those who are precious to you. Robots, a movie, tells you to follow your dreams and never give too.

You can shine no matter what you're made of.

A friend wrote that Robots leaded him to re-examine his goals and path in life. Go watch it; I think it's a pretty nice show.

It's really unfortunate to read that he's leaving 4 children behind. He was 37. His children are still probably in their teens, or worse, toddler hood.

True, I really doubt his thinking abilities when I read that he climbed down to retrieve a shoe. It's not something I would do.

1. I value my life a lot.
2. I'm a scardy cat who's afraid to die.
3. There are signs in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil warning of high voltages and a fine of $5 000 if I venture onto the tracks.
4. I do not have the $5 000 to pay the authorities when they haul me to courts.
5. I have no intention of leaving behind 4 children.

Therefore, I was quite appalled to read that he went down to retrieve his shoes without thinking twice.

This morning, however, I read again that his wife said she was misquoted and that he "slipped and fell" instead of "climbing down" onto the tracks. Which is correct? She knows herself.

Well, it's already bad enough that someone's died. The only thing we can hope for is that this incident would not be repeated in future.

A death is already one too many.

Update!

2005-03-26T13:23:00.000+08:00

What are the marketing people doing these days?

I saw this CD at HMV entitled "Funeral Songs". The solemn cover consists of a solemn stone statue in a very solemn grayscale. So far so good. Now, turn it around and scan through the tracks.

What the hell is Allegretto from Beethoven 7th doing inside?!

It's more like a happy dance for goodness sake!

Adagietto from Mahler 5 is a love theme dedicated to his wife. Or was it lover? Whatever it is. The point is: it's a love theme, not a funeral theme.

Shouldn't these people do some research before compiling?

*

I haven't been able to get myself down into the blogging mood the last few days. In fact, just yesterday, I sat down and typed for 20 minutes and ended up deleting the whole thing. The feel wasn't right. My choice of words wasn't appropriate. My language flow wasn't fluent.

Well, you get the idea. =)

There will be 2 major concerts coming up for the Central Band in May and July.

In Harmony 20 - James Barnes
27th May 2005, Victoria Concert Hall

Highlights
Festival Music for Singapore (World Premiere), Barnes
Fifth Symphony - Phoenix, Barnes
Fantasy Variations, Barnes

World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE)
Conference 2005
10th - 16th July 2005
Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay

Central Band will be performing in the evening slot on 15th July 2005.

The James Barnes concert would be free. Please watch the events space on this site. Tickets to the WASBE conference would be out in mid-April from SISTIC.

As some of you might already know, I will more or less be the principal player for these 2 concerts. Stress, can?

I'm much better now and is slowly adapting to my new responsibilities. Thank you all who have encouraged me in one way or another!

A Dream

2005-03-20T02:11:00.000+08:00

Had you ever dreamt that someone precious to you died?

I had one this morning. I couldn't fall asleep for close to an hour after that. It's really disturbing, especially when you see the person later on in the day.

It really triggered memories of another friend who died a few years ago.

The feeling is terrible. It really makes you ponder on the fragility of life, especially of those who are precious to you.

SP & CJ Alumni Bands Concert

2005-03-13T20:22:00.000+08:00

Singapore Polytechnic and Catholic Junior College Alumni Bands would be holding a combined concert next Saturday!

Details are as follow:

19th March 2005
Singapore Polytechnic Convention Hall
(Next to Dover MRT Station)

1900 hrs

Singapore Polytechnic Alumni Band
Conducted by Terence Teow

Slava!
A movement for Rosa

Catholic Junior College Alumni Band
Conducted by Alvin Seville

Godspeed
Merry Widow

Combined Band

Invocation and Toccata
Celtic Folksong Suite

Tickets are available for $5 each. But! I have 7 tickets going for $4 each. Any takers?

Please e-mail me if you need anymore information!

Vicious Humans

2005-03-12T10:33:00.000+08:00

I just read Xiaxue's blog.

I was about to generalize and said that women can be so vicious but I changed my mind.

Humans can be so vicious.

To digress a bit, the cab-snatcher in the case is really vulgar! I have never seen such a vulgar female blog in my life before. The Hokkien pengs in my BMT platoon were probably politer than her. What kind of girl will redirect her blog to an explicit site when you don't have the correct password? Perhaps she should change her blogskin to something else to suit her language more. One certainly does not expect such language from a girl who has such cute-sy layout on her blog.

Well, at least there is one good thing for her. She would definitely have more visitors to her blog now with her listing on Xiaxue's blog.

Back to the topic.

Unfortunately for my female friends and readers, I had encountered more vicious women than men. I'm not trying to be a sexist here but perhaps I'm just lucky enough not to have met any vicious man before.

Examples:

Xiaxue (if you piss her off well enough)
Dorean Tan
A certain Miss Ong

Ok, perhaps I shall not include Xiaxue into this. It's not fair to comment on someone whom I only know by her blog. I do, however, know the latter 2 examples personally.

I said vicious because these people wouldn't hesitate at prodding a knife into your back at the slightest chance. Dorean Tan's history is well documented in my blog. I don't have to say anymore. However, if you are new to this place, you might want to visit my archives between the period of July-September 2004.

I haven't mentioned anything about Miss Ong yet but I might do so in the near future. Anyway, I've probably whined to you about Miss Ong before if you talk to me on a regular basis.

Anyway, I'm sure most of you would agree that vicious is a word more commonly used on women than men? Then again, do you meet the following conditions?

1. You are female.

2. You know the writer of this blog, yours truly, personally.

3. You didn't come across this blog by chance.

If you meet all of them, good! If you happen to be female, know me personally and happen upon this site, there's nothing to worry about. Unless, of course, if your name is listed above.

Sergiu Comissiona

2005-03-07T22:27:00.000+08:00

Romanian Conductor Sergiu Comissiona Dies

Sun Mar 6,12:04 PM ET

By SEAN MURPHY, Associated Press Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY - Sergiu Comissiona, the Romanian-born conductor known for the spontaneity and flair that he brought to orchestras in more than 25 countries, has died. He was 76.

The New York resident apparently died of a heart attack Saturday in an Oklahoma City hotel room, hours before he was to serve as guest conductor for the city's philharmonic, officials said.

Comissiona held music directorships with some of North America's leading ensembles, including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Houston Symphony and the Vancouver Symphony. He also was music director of the New York City Opera.

Joel Levine, music director of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and a longtime friend of Comissiona's, filled in for him Saturday night and led the orchestra through a powerfully emotional performance, said William Cleary, past president of the Oklahoma Philharmonic Society.

"It was like a concert unlike any I have been to, and I've been going for 40 years," Cleary said. "The orchestra got three standing ovations during the first number, and I've never seen that before."

In Bucharest, Romania, where Comissiona was born and where he was a permanent guest conductor with the George Enescu Philharmonic, the philharmonic's artistic director Nicolae Licaret called Comissiona's death a "very heavy loss."

"He had an exceptional relationship with the orchestra and the choir. He was always diversifying the repertoire for the audiences and bringing lesser-known works," Licaret told The Associated Press.

Comissiona began playing the violin at 5, joined an orchestra when he was 10, and made his debut as a conductor at 17. He became principal conductor of the Romanian State Opera in his early 20s.

After communists took over Romania in 1945, Comissiona emigrated to Israel in the 1950s. He was music director of the Haifa, Israel, Symphony from 1960-66; of the Goteborg, Sweden, Symphony from 1966-77; and chief conductor of the Radio Philharmonic in Hilversum, Holland, starting in 1982.

Comissiona and his wife, the former Robinne Florin, became American citizens at Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor on July 4, 1976.

"I'm an American conductor, despite my accent," he told The Associated Press in a 1987 interview. "I love French music, German, Russian. I'm very young in this respect; I'm not ashamed of loving music. When I'm doing a moment of 'Pagliacci,' I'm ready to jump on the stage to be with them to sing. For me, every note in this opera is still very emotional."

In recent years, he was conductor laureate of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and music director of the Asian Youth Orchestra.

From childhood, Comissiona wanted to conduct. "From 7 years, I started to go to concerts, collecting autographs and preparing the scores for the concert during the week and, of course, dreaming that the conductor would be sick. Then I would jump on the stage, make my debut and I would be famous.

"It did happen, with the Romanian State Ensemble ? without poisoning the conductor," he said.

In the United States, Comissiona spent 15 years with the Baltimore orchestra, transforming it from a little-known ensemble into a nationally respected orchestra. He led the symphony on its first international tour and was at the helm when it made its first recordings.

"He elevated this orchestra to a level that had never been aspired to, and he created the platform from which to build a world-class orchestra," John Gidwitz, former Baltimore Symphony Orchestra president, told The (Baltimore) Sun.

Comissiona became dizzy Friday evening as he was conducting a rehearsal, said Levine, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic music director. Levine dropped Comissiona off at his hotel: "He said, 'Joel, don't worry. You won't be conducting tomorrow night. Would you turn out the lights please?"

A hotel worker found the conductor dead on Saturday morning.

Comissiona was scheduled to lead a concert with the cellist Yo-Yo Ma (news - web sites) this week in Puerto Rico, said the maestro's niece, Jeanne Schayes.

He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years and a sister, Milly Barbalata.

Associated Press Writer Alison Mutler contributed to this report from Bucharest, Romania.

Principal Oboist, anyone?

2005-03-07T22:22:00.000+08:00

From The New York Times:

February 12, 2005
Suddenly, 'Oboist Wanted' Signs Are Everywhere
By DANIEL J. WAKIN

Where have all the oboes gone?

More precisely, where have the principal oboists in the nation's leading symphony orchestras gone?

The job - a critical one in any orchestra - is open, or about to be, at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the San Diego Symphony.

In the latest departure, Joseph Robinson said this week that he will retire as principal oboist of the New York Philharmonic, one of the most visible orchestra jobs in the country, after 28 years.

"This is a conservatory oboist's dream, to see so many openings at the same time, with all the trickle-down effects of that," Mr. Robinson said.

But it can be an orchestra executive's nightmare. As John Mack, the dean of American oboists, put it, "People are running around like headless chickens saying, 'Where are we going to find people?' "

The lack of a permanent, full-time principal may not be readily obvious to the concertgoer, accustomed to hearing the orchestra tune to the oboist's pitch, a plaintive A. But the instrument has some of the most prominent solo material in symphonic music.

Observers of the oboe world - which would mean just about no one but oboists - say the sudden raft of openings appears on the surface to be a confluence of health problems and retirements.

But there is also a generational change under way, as the recent musical descendants of the father of American oboe playing, Marcel Tabuteau, who died in 1966, leave the scene.

Tabuteau played in the Philadelphia Orchestra from 1915 to 1954. Through his teaching, he is universally credited with having created the American sound and style of playing the oboe, a notoriously difficult woodwind instrument, with its incessant hunger for carefully whittled double reeds, their two faces lashed together, and its tricky fingering mechanism. As Tabuteau's legacy recedes, the latest generation of players lacks distinction, some suggest, slowing the process of filling all the openings.

Nevertheless, the prospects have up-and-coming oboe stars salivating.

"It's like a gift from heaven," said John Snow, an acting co-principal oboist of the Minnesota Orchestra and a highly regarded player considered ripe for a bigger job. "It's not going to happen again like this." Mr. Snow said he might shoot for the Cleveland and New York openings.

The chair, obviously, will never go empty. Associate oboists, substitutes and acting principals fill in, and they are generally superlative musicians. A number of the orchestras involved have finalists for the job or are in the middle of auditions. But some auditions have been dragging on for years. The Cleveland Orchestra, for example, has been without a tenured principal oboist since Mr. Mack retired in 2001.

Over the long term, musicians say, the void can affect an orchestra's sound, internal culture and morale.

Changing any principal position can be subtly disruptive in an organism whose artistic expression depends on years of playing together. Personalities and musical profiles must mesh. The oboist is particularly important, and is often seen as the pre-eminent woodwind voice (though clarinetists and flutists may dispute that judgment).

"They are the principal fiddle of the wind section," said Paavo Jarvi, the music director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. "There is a musical and moral authority that comes with the position." The principal oboist is often seen as "the second concertmaster of the orchestra," he said.

The prominence of the oboe, one of the earliest winds to join the orchestra, stems from tradition, the role of the principal player and the vividness and intensity of the instrument's sound.

Mr. Mack recalled that when he joined the Cleveland Orchestra in 1965, its conductor, the autocratic George Szell, leaned over his music stand one day and said, "Mr. Mack, you are the leader of the woodwinds."

Delaying the appointment of principal oboists also delays the learning curve.

"Being a solo oboe player, you are basically playing a concerto every night," Mr. Jarvi said. "A new person will have an incredibly difficult 10 years in front of them, because everything is new, everything is exposed. You have to have nerves of steel."

Given the pressure, it is remarkable that many principal oboists stay around for several decades.

Mr. Robinson of the New York Philharmonic said that at 64, he "didn't want to get into a position where people were whispering I should leave already." He said he did not have the virtuosic reflexes he once had, adding, "Some things were easier 20 years ago."

Elsewhere, the principal oboist in Los Angeles, David Weiss, retired in September 2003. Richard Johnson, the Cincinnati Symphony's principal for 30 years, has been out most of this season with health problems, and he plans to take over the vacant second oboist job and its relatively lower level of pressure next season, Mr. Jarvi said.

In Chicago, Alex Klein, perhaps the most brilliant player of the younger generation, developed focal dystonia in his left hand, a condition that involves a loss of motor control, and had to leave in December 2003. William Bennett, in San Francisco, contracted cancer of the tonsils, but he is expected to return next season, said Rebecca Edelson, the orchestra's personnel manager. San Diego is asking its acting principal oboist to take part in new auditions, the music director, Jahja Ling, said.

In orchestras where there are long delays in filling the job, officials say it is a matter of finding exactly the right fit - not just personality, not just technical proficiency, but a match of the orchestra's sound and tradition. Since Mr. Mack retired from the Cleveland Orchestra, one potential successor departed after a two-year probationary periods, and another is about to.

There is worry that despite legions of technically proficient players - scores of them apply for openings - the pool of oboists with the right stuff to be principals has shrunk. Professionals agree that the sheer number of solid players has never been higher, although conservatories tend to turn out relatively few oboists, given the instrument's difficulty. The International Double Reed Society said its membership includes about 1,600 to 1,800 American oboists, both amateur and professional, and the College Music Society Directory lists more than 350 oboe teachers and faculty members at universities and conservatories.

"In any generation there are only a certain number of people who have all the requisites for this type of position," Mr. Robinson said. "They must be imaginative, persuasive, artistic personalities."

But some oboists see a darker motive, suggesting that orchestras try to save money by keeping permanent chairs open and saving the benefits and the huge sums that can come with a principal position. Principal oboists, precisely because of their centrality in the mix, are among the highest-paid members of the nation's major orchestras, where they can earn around $200,000, roughly twice the orchestras' base pay.

"I think it's kind of morally wrong to ask people to train for the Olympics again and again and then not fill it," said Elaine Douvas, one of two principal oboists in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and a veteran teacher. "There are definitely enough intelligent, well-trained, technically accomplished players out there who can fill the openings."

Random writing

2005-03-05T12:02:00.000+08:00

Do guys prefer girls with or without make-up? I think I belong to the side who believe in natural beauty.

Haven't you seen some girls in town with tons of powder on their face? Perhaps they are trying to achieve a gothic or monster look, of which I think they are equally successful.

Cosmetics were created for a reason. They are there to make you look better. It's an enhancement, not magic.

I might be wrong but I think the art and beauty of cosmetics is to use it in a way that people don't notice it. What's the point if you have a 5 millimetre thick layer of powder on your face? All boyfriends and husbands in the world would just have powder on their lips after kissing their girlfriend/wife/mistress.

I really think it should be applied to an extent where you don't really notice it. That's for everyday use of course. You might argue that all brides in the world apply cosmetics on their big day. I have nothing against that of course; I would like my bride to look her best on our big day too.

The thing is: I think I try to see girl in their natural way. Look at it in this way: cosmetics can be only be left on the skin for only so long. At the end of the day, it will be washed off with cold cream. No, I don't wish for a Princess Fiona situation. If I have an orge for a wife, then let her be an orge 24/7. (If I even marry one in the first place.) I don't wish to risk getting a heart attack on my wedding night.

I don't want to be a racist, but I think if you have dark skin, you should be very careful of what you apply.

I saw this Indian lady on the street who obviously had too much powder on her face. How in the world can it be natural when your face and the rest of your body are in 2 different tones? Unless, of course, if your idol is Michael Jackson.

***

I think the movie industry is running out of ideas.

I was at Cineleisure yesterday and I saw a trailer for a show. There were many black female hairdressers in a salon who mix and chat around with their clients. Sounds familiar? Hello? It's just a female version of Barbershop! What's this!?

And the name?

Beauty shop. -_-!

***

Why are some people so obsessed with brands?

What's the thing about LV bags?

It's just a status thing. Do you even seriously think that the design is nice? No, it's all about the trademark checkered LV logo.

What used to be something really exclusive had been downgraded to something really common with piracy. Hey look, that auntie in that plain t-shirt is using a LV too!

Image is important. I wouldn't wear any cheap shirt not because that it's cheap. It's more likely to have a lousy cutting. Alas, I still have many shirts with lousy cutting. Where can I get a good and cheap tailor in Singapore??? On the other hand, I wouldn't go to the other end of the spectra and buy a Burberry shirt that costs 829.90 SGD.

Good dressing makes a man. I used to imagine myself working in Shenton Way in office wear everyday. I used to like wearing formal wear. I still do now, but I had "upgraded" from office wear to suits and tuxedos.

Even tailored suits can be of an inferior cutting. Mine is a good example. The collar's badly made! I wonder why I didn't realize that for such a long time. Anyone got any recommendation for any tailor for fine wear???

***

The airport is an interesting place to hang out for coffee when you're bored. It's considerately serene and you get to see all kind of people. There're interesting signs too. At the Starbucks at Terminal 2, there's a sign stating that students are only allowed to study there between 12 am to 5.30am.

The Goat who was there for coffee with me said that it encourages students to stay out the whole night.

To my amazement, I saw Adrian and Yanling at the airport! Adrian was flying off to Australia. He's currently in his second year. I haven't seen them since secondary school! That's like 7 years as of now!

The airport is a place where you least expect to meet people you know. At least that's what I think.

I think I'll make more trips there in future. Any one up?

Yes, yes! I'm back!

2005-03-02T14:07:00.000+08:00

Stressed.

Why are there so many people asking me to update? Oh well, only 3. haha!

Oh. I'm wrong. There is 1 more. fEn just asked me on MSN why I didn't blog for so long. Hmmm. I'm out of inspirations!

Let's go back chronically.

14 Feb, Valentine's Day
It was an off-day for me but I didn't do anything except go out with Calvin. For more details please refer to his blog. The link is on your left.

15 Feb
There was a Guard-of-Honour at the Istana for the president of Indonesia, Dr Yudhoyono. This was perhaps the most exaggerated GOH I've ever seen. Diplomats from both countries came in by the busload. President Nathan, PM Lee, Minister Teo, just to name a few, were there to receive him. It's not bad having so many people there, considering that we are just a small red dot on the world map.

20 Feb
I attended the Catholic Junior College Band concert. I shall not say much except that it could have been much better. It was my first time attending a concert as a guest too! Let's hope I get more of this in future.

25 Feb
Dining-in at Fullerton Hotel for the Combat Support Hospital. Declaration: This is the most boring dining-in that I have ever played in! They started off with a boring speech from the Chairman of the Organising Committee followed by yet another long, boring speech from the Commanding Officer. It's a good thing they didn't get the Chief of Army (COA) to go up and say "a few words". What was the COA's wife thinking when she put her hand on her hip during the Medic Song? What a bad example from Mrs COA no less!

It was so bored and boring to a point that no one bothered to applause even when we had finished a piece. I think watching a tree grow is more interesting.

27 Feb
Beautiful Sunday at the Esplanade. I think the concert wasn't very good and I think many people would agree with me. I am not going to touch my English Horn a period of time! Both Yongxiang and Teow thought I didn't sound nice and I agree. It was too bright. Oh well, I should be concentrating on my new role more.

Surprisingly, no matter how badly I think play at every concert, I would still get positive comments from the audience. It's something nice to hear, thank you very much. But no! It's still not good enough!

It's already March. I never cease to marvel at how time flies.

In 2 months' time, James Barnes will be coming down to conduct the Central Band.

In 4 months' time, I'll be playing the at the WASBE conference.

In 8 months' time, I'll be taking my Theory Grade 8 and LTCL exams.

In 9 months' time, I hope to be in the United States and the year will be over!

It's a dark, gloomy and rainy day. I'm really bored. I think I'll go bang my head on the wall now to entertain myself. See you people later!

Chelsea

2005-02-21T12:01:00.000+08:00

Good
Chelsea lost!

Bad
I had a few dollars on Chelsea winning. Damn.

I would like to blog more as requested by Sue Anne but I don't feel inspired enough today!

Next time perhaps!