AAR - Back from Chalet

Was back in the noon, and i still think that it was not a very wise idea to go to chalet just like that.

Within 24 hours, notice was issued and before i knew it, i was already at downtown east. Unplanned, and hence i was unprepared. And then it was one of the heaviest rain on the chalet day.. sian until cannot sian liao. Oh ya.. nowsadays cannot play mj at dte le wor.. they don't provide any rental. So, i wondered.. what was i doing there anyway.

A lot of changes, yet it still didn't quite impress me. Haha.. perhaps chevrons was too good le.. lol.. only difference is, cycling and going to the beach.. other than that, i think its better to stay at home.

Weather was rather bad wor.. but at least we get to bbq.. ahaha.. it was by far, the most "exotic" bbq i had..of coz la.. $90 for the food wor.. And i paid "more".. coz i had bitten myself while eating.. hahahaa... too hungry le i guessed. Haiz.. super sian liao la.. told myself time and again that i got to keep myself on form for the coming saturday concert.. in the end lei? Bit myself! What else can i say? I really got quite pek chek at myself lor.. sigh.

So when i got home today, and tried on the embouchure.. and that ulcer was just nice..................... ya, in the path. Sigh.

Some things can go wrong just like that hor? And sian was how everything lead to leads to everything. Argh.

Super frustrated lor.. ahahaa.. arrr.. i hate ulcers.. i hate chalets.

Ok.. i'm done with all the complains.. hahaa.. ok la.. i'm still hopeful about the performance.. can't wait for it to be over.

Confirmed Chalet

And so it was settled.. really chalet leh.. jialat.

Suddenly i don't feel like going le.. haha.. mostly coz i just went for chalet not long ago lor.. lol.. and a repeat.. zz...

Oh ya.. and the amount spent on food for a party of four.. $90+.. wahahaa.. serious leh.. and it excludes any liquors or whatsoever.. (liquor free chalet btw) .. wahaha.. i think i'm in for a premium bbq le.

So i'll be away for the next 2 days lo.. somewhere in Downtown East.

Changes

From our student portal - "UOL will send the Notification of Results (NOR) by courier to the RELC. It will be the week of 3 Sept by the time they receive it, sort it out and send them by mail to students. In the meantime, SIM is due to be given the college copies of the NOR. We will upload our database with the latest results and will inform students once that is done".

Supposed to receive the online version anytime soon ba.. haha.. if not, how are they going to do the eCR2 with one week to spare before the start of the term?

Anyway, i still don't quite get it.. things are being said and changed so often that i really can't plan my week.. ya.. a very busy week in theory. Of all the things are, chalet, orchestra rehearsals, and buffet lunch at the chocolate factory this saturday. The outcome is that i might have to forgo the super nice buffet lunch le.. aww... haha... need to reach tampines at 2.30pm for sound check and all that wor.. instead of 3 pm. In the end, i guess this week is quite free due to the cancellations of a lot of things wor.. haha.. so perhaps, will be at downtown east? I really don't know.. things kept changing.

Meanwhile.. changing the layout of my blog again.. hahaa... seems to do that every year.. so right now, the 3rd skin should be out soon... I just need to do some editing. Also, a "new" sub-blog should be out soon.. i need to try something out.. perhaps in the next 2-3 days or so, when things are "approved".

A lot more "other changes" here and there, making it all so much "interesting".

Over the Rainbow

Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high~

Ya.. the notes are rather high too (coz we played a lot of times till i got tired) .. haha.. so again, was making lemonades towards the end. It was so much better le.(i mean my playing, not the lemondade..)

Phew.. finally got things settled at the moment.. actually my brain was rather empty today.. haah.. so were my nerves. Anyway, was getting better le.. and it better be. Performance is just a week away lo. (even though it wasn't our full concert) There is a need to deliver.. especially hor.. people paid for it.

Well, something our conductor said really inspires, that is, to touch people's heart with our music. Well.. i think "over the rainbow" is quite nice. LOL.. Erm.. i really can't feel pavane.. lol.. so don't ask me about that. And of coz, morigasaki is still my favorite.

This coming week, there'll be "extra" practices on wednesday at the moment.. and saturday will be the performance lo.. haha.. finally.

Was actually slacking this week, coz of a terrible flu.. and it developed into a cough.. haha.. i think i'm recovering. At least, felt so much better.. time to eat a lot a lot again.. haha.. i think i've lost weight le lor. So long didn't fall ill le.. haha.. so now that i'm recovering, time to eat chong qing steamboat~!

And that ehow suggest booking chalet so that we can have bbq and steamboat and mj! Wahahaa... just at the "right" time.. if it happens to be at dte, then might as well ^^.. coz the rehearsal is at sscc.. wow.. so near. (nearer than my place anyways)

So next week might be a super busy week.. with the results due to be out.. yay~

Full Blown Flu

And then it came, just as expected.

Got the flu virus finally, thanks to the super late nights i had. Was so bored being "grounded" at home. Nothing much i can do with a running nose and slight fever.. couldn't practice on my baobei horn too.. haha.. so i took my dusty guitar out to try out a "new" sheet of music i found on the net.. lol.. was actually trying out on some of jay's song. Well.. sounds nice, and i think if i got a music keyboard at home, i would have played the piano version (if i could).

Anyway, spent most of today seated in front of the comp, msn-ing, with my guitar on my lap, and newspaper on the cpu desk.. whahaa.. i'm multi-tasking, yet was still bored.. or rather, "sian" coz was feeling unwell. Didn't want to take naps coz yesterday i took an evening nap, ended up couldn't sleep till it was 5.30am. I think the flu just got worse because of this.

It's just beginning to feel terrible lor.. zzz.. i can't even differentiate between "cold" and "hot".

Flu aside.. i think i can be rather dumb at times. Seriously.. the same mistake can happen and happen again.. and i'll never learn. Anyway, anything (whatever).

And with regards to the bumble bee and thunderbird, i think, there was none to begin with.. perhaps, was just another "mistake". If, things done doesn't seems to matter, there is no justification. For that, i rest my case. (Anyway, things done are always almost invisible, while those not done are just like the north star)

8pm now.. i think i can go to sleep le.. feeling super sian for all the illness.. and thanks, but no thanks.

"No Reason"

For "no reason", even staying at home is a drain on my balance sheet.

Counting down, 3 more weeks to the new school term, and another week and a half to the 1st september performance. As such, it'll be quite a "busy" period.. but i guess, it beats staying at home trying to figure out what to do.

Results will be out very very soon.. many are checking the student portal also daily, if not hourly.. haha.. i'm quite interested to know too, but waiting for it to happen shouldn't be a difficult task ba.

And meanwhile, while trying to look forward, i've been feeling quite not ok due to the late nights recently.. plus i got an overdose of instant noodles and "chicken in the biscuit".. hahaa.. i think i finished the 3rd packet in a week. Now feeling feverish with flu.. plus ulcers again. I think i'm leading a very unhealthy lifestyle.

Monday's massive climb of 6% on the STI was cut by half the following day.. and that EPS system is very wols lor.. lol.. if they force sell me.. then i should be very sian le.. haha.. coz i thought that i was on "GIRO".. but was on EPS which i had to click on the i-banking myself.. zzz.. then i only realised it the very day before settlement.. but it was nothing much afterall.. i just don't like the feeling of doing things wrong and then paying for the mistake. (which could be easily avoided). Anyway, things are not to be stable soon i guess, so it's better to wait and see.

Pakki is 9 months old le.. now getting quite naughty.. since he's undergoing some weird stages in his life.. so had been rather lenient with him, though sometimes he really "try to be funny". So today he went MIA in house.. and thought where he hide.. in the end, he was in the toilet playing with the toilet roll lor.. or rather, eating it. Was so angry with him (coz he ate the toilet roll).. toilet roll so tasty meh? Anyway, still 3 months or so before this "naughty boi" grows up.. till then ba.

12.40am now.. i'll go to sleep. Too many things coming up, i can't afford to fall sick.

Pakki~

OO.. pakki just got a new haircut~! Again.. quite botak, and perhaps lighter in weight, he kept jumping around.

Anyway, here are some photos of him taken before he had his haircut..

Orchestra Practice "Alone"

Saturday's orchestra practice hasn't been good either, at least for me. Spent a week practicing on the mozart piece, and in the end, it was taken off. On one hand, was relieved coz that piece was rather difficult.. but on the other hand, felt it was kind of a wasted effort on my part. Should i not care much about the outcome at all, and focus on the process instead? I don't really know..

The piece was replaced by yet another piece, "easier" perhaps, but expose horns way more.. in fact, its the same for the rest of the instruments.. IMO, i don't think this is an easier piece. Well.. like they say.. face up to the challenge ba.

So when they said this was the replacement, i already knew what i'm in for.. though tried hard to cope, but still kena bombed. I'm not waiting for anyone to bail me out, for i already knew i would be alone, alone. So i played, and tio shoot... but of coz, it wasn't nicely done at all. Perhaps, will try to "listen" more, if i could focus less on the rest of the things going on - pitch, tempo, tuning and etc.. so, for the coming week, just try to practice hard on these ba.

Wasn't really feeling good being shot at, and nobody will. Yet it wasn't others at fault, just me, alone. So i'm responsible lor.. so distinct was it. And so meanwhile, i'll still be alone, till reinforcement arrive.. haha.. but i wasn't counting on it.. coz, in the end, its me that i've got to verifiy.

Was actually seeing a piece "over the rainbow" for quite a few times, although a different arranger each time.. but this time it was special, arranged by our own conductor wf. Quite a nice arrangement on the whole, though it featured the horn soli (in this case a solo for me) for a few lines.. personally, i also like the sound of the horn very much.. (i just don't like the shape because its so difficult to carry around) but after a whole half practice of playing the solo on pavane, i think i'm just forcing the notes out.. something like squeezing lemonade like that.. it sounds, just horrible. Haa.. i really need people to help me.. somethings are not meant to be done alone.. i'm not an island anyway.

It wasn't meant to be.. for a "section" to be in 1/5 of its strength.. i just couldn't find enough energy to pull it through.

By the end, was tired le.. really very tired.

And so, there was a "farewell" for some of the members who are going to the US to further their music.. wow.. they had their dream, and went for it.. so.. where's mine? I never had the thought of going professional.. it was, just a hobby to me.. but everything seems so serious now. Joined band because my sis was in the band during my sec school days.. and then stayed coz i thought it was fun. JC, i chose band again coz i was thinking of going for SYF again in JC, but ended without enough players.. so we forfeited. At SIM, they didn't have a band... so didn't know why i ended up in the student council.. but for once, i think not playing in any band doesn't make any difference to me anymore.. so i thought of giving it up, just like many of my bandmates in JC and secondary school. It just isn't something to be awed at.

But i've been saying this.. said i wanted to quit for a long long time.. in the end, it was never realised. It's not what you say it will, then it would. So.. i don't think i want to say anymore.. perhaps if i say i didn't want to quit.. then i might someday.

Well.. i'm not thinking of quitting at this point.. not such a minor setback can do anything.. i've got a job to do here.. so no matter what, it will still be done.

Oh ya.. and then, the "fantastic 4" was reduced to the "fantastic 2". Perhaps, we shall meet again.. and i might be looking forward to it.

Been rather cold these days, but i quite like the weather. (though at times i quite hate it...)

I guess, i could never make up my mind.

Out Pubbing

Was out with friends from SIM.. as usual, the usual ones, and as usual, the usual activity.

Kind of glad that we opened one bottle instead of two.. for i think, its like already a lot.. haha.. i just want to chill.. that's all i want to do.

We were given a special room, to be away from the main hall.. just like singing ktv.. haha.. (its a ktv pub by the way..) The difference is, we get to sing all the songs that those in the hall picked, with our own seperate mic and sound system... haha.. which means, we sing every song. Yet.. this doesn't seems to be a very good idea lor.. hahha.. for one, we kept seeing repeats on a few particular song.

Oh ya.. quite liked the ktv room.. haha.. coz can try out lots of songs that others chose.. Yet, was already not really keen in singing.. haha.. didn't know why, but perhaps, it was just another passing phase for me.

And, soon, all might be off working le.. and me, continuing my studies.. was really glad that this group was there for company during the past 3 years of school life.. haha.. just that, it'll be quite difficult to coordinate another outing of this scale again.

Was super tired, coz woke up super early this morning (before 9am). And last night i slept rather late too.. think around the same time as now. Also, was using up energy practicing on my baobei horn.. hahah.. much effort was needed, especially when the horn was muted. Sadly, i wasn't ready for the practice tomorrow.. felt that a lot of parts was still kind of unreachable.. especially the high A.. plus, tone quality was rather bad.. ar.. felt like that time when i was in secondary one.. haha.. like very noob like that.

Yet, still must attend orchestra practice... coz, the original score is with me.. haha.. but due to insufficient sleep, was being bothered by the flu bug.. been sneezing for the whole day le..

Nothing to do.. so blogging some nonsense.. while waiting for my hair to dry before sleeping..

Impressed with a story that i encountered recently.. very impressive indeed. Anticipated the plot, but was caught too, coz of a minor twist. For one, it swang (is this the past tense of swing? hahaa..) me a full 180. Haha.. that is just me.. trying to act smart, but actually not quite smart myself. Like the recent investment also, thought it couldn't go lower, yet it just fell and fell..

So today CDP sent me a letter regarding my investment.. luckily told the village chief that i've entered.. if not, he might just tear it open and see my foolish mistake.. haha.. so he asked me what i've bought.. i just kept quiet. Wanted it to be my private trading, fund free from any influence.. (FST?) so the chief got a bit pissed.. hahaha.. coz as if i didn't trust him.. well.. not that i didn't trust.. i really want to be independent in this aspect as well.

I guess, its just like everything else.. past can't forcast the future, and being inside and outside of the stituation is a whole different story. And when it became historical, explanations were given.. lol.. But knowing was already too late.. for information are alreay priced in.. but it sure is better to know what is happening rather than investing without knowing. 长痛不如短痛 hor? Hahhaa.. yalor.. but people are really optimistic leh.. haha.. they "hold" when the market signals for them to "sell".. haha.. hold for xmas meh? But i'm being irrational here too.. i held too.. haha.. it was like, really difficult to let go just to cut lost.. in the end, it lost another 15%... ahahahaa... so sad lor... and 很痛.

A piece of good news.. those "investors" that refused to react to the 17 billion injections into the FI are trying to get the fed to cut their rates.. haha.. and they've succeeded.. yay.. finally after so many days.. the fed (with their stubborn strategy) give in by 0.5%.. not much.. but really telling people that credit will not be difficult to obtain after all... wondered are they fuelling another balloon or just trying to keep it from busting.. perhaps it was really an economy boom that is still booming waiting for a big boom? But IMO, i don't really care.. whahaa.. i just want to cash out. With the cut, dow and nasdaq is finally green again.. phew.
(above are just my personal opinion.. and nothing else)

5.50am now.. luckily the market is closed for weekends.. whaha.. if not, i'll wake up at 9 again.. wahaha.. what to do? I'm am unemployed.. no time to work coz schooling starts next month.. might as well be a retail investor.. whaha.. i'm noob i agree.. but i trust my studies of Financial intermediation, Corporated Finance and Economics to be of some help.. if not, i pay $1070 (inclusive of 7% GST) for what? Haha.. i might after all, be in the financial sector when i graduate.. see if it interests me or not. Right now as i've said.. its just a training ground.. haha.. even so, i need all the skills i have to minimise losses and generate positive returns.. haha.. perhaps, also need lady luck to shine on me ba.. haha.. just that day when i entered, the company decided to do a rights issue at a discount.. omg.. people buy at the discount price then sell in the market at the market price, thus with enough people doing it, the price falls.. plus the credit woes.. i think, this is a rather unlucky time to be at.

Got to rest "early".. still got a long day tomorrow..

Insomnia

Slept so much in the afternoon and evening that i can't get to sleep now lor.. and now it's already 4am in the morning.. there is nothing much i can do without waking the village (plus the dog up).

Still another month before school reopens for me.. haha.. i think i quite miss school already.

Was rather unfortunate that i couldn't graduate in 3 years, but i guess, another year for a lot more better years.. it might just worth it.

Zzz.. and that pakki anyhow pee again.. he had forgotten his housebreaking le.. zz.. i think the only one breaking is my mom. Anyway, got to clean in up in the middle of the night before mom sees it in the morning.. haha.. yupz.. i'm covering it up for pakki.. whahah.. coz nobody can scold him as for now.. and i think mom is rather upset with haveing to clean up and pakki not learning.. hmm.. i don't know.. this puppy can be rather stubborn at times.. but i guess, someday, he might learn.

So for the coming month of school vacation, i might need to revise my CF soon.. haha.. there is 80% of me buanging that module.. and for marketing, 70%... i'm getting ready to drop marketing le.. too many stunts in 2 years le.. haha.. i "hate" the examiners. So might be paying a total of $3745 to SIM, $729 to UOL and estimated $2500 at RELC.. totalling to.. 7k. Argh.. what was i doing...

No wonder i couldn't sleep la...

Yet Another Bloodbath...

This is not getting nice in anyway.. STI dropped another 3.7%.. at this rate, its better to keep my money under the pillow.

Given the performance of the US market, the sub-prime loan woes had became part of my woe. But on the positive side, it was, afterall still a minor training ground for me.

Well well.. this is something "only time will tell".

And so now, the US market still have no intention of recovering, with both in the reds at 3 pm US time. Given the extend of the credit woes.. it might be something more sinister.. the remedies given doesn't seems to do much to market sentiments as yet... of coz, there are those trying to make profit out of a "crisis" with their short-selling techniques, thus making this another of those self fulilling prophecy.

Well, it doesn't have to affect all of us, but, it might.. for the underlying conclusion is that, there'll be a tightening in credit.. businesses that requires large amount of capital on the outset might find themselves in trouble. And giving the economy driven by activies of businesses.. it might just make the mark for one of those cycle.

Sure enough, it happend before, and will happen again.. the question is when.

Disclaimer: i take no resposibility for any investment/dis-investment made with reference to this entry. All is done at your own risk!

Another Bloodbath?

Wednesday, 15 Aug 2007: the sti plunged again, 113 points to 3,273.

Its been rather low, and seriously, i can't really tell what the rest of the country (or perhaps investors from other countries) is thinking.. perhaps they have their plan, but this sure isn't part of my plan.

It's been quite a "bloody" month for those with cash still locked in their investments.. and many are now too wounded to get out. I think, those with a huge investment in equity will get heart attack sooner or later with the STI moving faster than the roller-coaster.

Oh ya.. after so long, i entered.. coz wondering why the haste.. for something i saw, i think i might have seen wrongly.. just see if any of the work done is justified. Anyway, it won't be soon before things are seen.. its always different when real money is involved. Nevertheless, it still cost much lesser than the school fees i'm going to pay for the final semester.. haha.

Disclaimer: read at your own risk with regards to any dis-investment/investment made.

Musically Un-inclined

Wahahahaha... realised one great mistake one could make in the world of music..

I wrongly assumed that the alto Sax is in G! They are actually playing only G major in Bb concert.. All these while, i knew that trumpet in Bb played C major in Bb concert. Just that perhaps, i was too preoccupied with my own instrument.. i thought horns in F play F major in Bb concert, so the respective instrument should play their own major scale depending what key the instrument is in right? Wrong! It was already staring at me.. i was a trumpet player in YJ, and for Bb concert, i played C major.. but i really think that much.

The problem (or rather the derivation of an answer) occurs because i needed to transpose the horn in F to read the score written in G. I actually turned to the alto sax for reference.. i was so wrong! They only played G major for concert Bb.. but in actual fact, they are alto sax in Eb.. LOL.. how dumb can i be? I always.. seriously, thought they are in G since my secondary school days.. haha.. coz always heard them going to play G major.. lol.. and given horns in F play F major.. surely G major equals sax in G? LOL.. the answer is NO.

It always stopped there.. and i'm left pondering why am i supposed to transpose up a tone when the reference from the sax translates to a descend of a tone. Well.. i was right in counting at least, just that the instrument chosen is wrong. In actual fact, there are no instrument in G that i can take as reference.. lol..

Actually i solved this during my secondary school days.. but was so long ago, i've really forgotten about why.. till this Mozart piece requires me to transpose again. I couldn't just transpose without knowing the reason why lor.. so i dig and discuss.. but haha.. i discuss with someone who is just as confused as me.. in the end we all got more confused.

And so.. how it works:

Instruments other than those in C are transposing instruments.. for example, trumpet/clarinet in Bb (though there are variants in other keys as well), alto sax in Eb, horn in F and oboe in A. Those in C are concert pitch instrument such as flute, strings, bassoon, trombone and the tuba.

So the implication is that, instruments in C play their written C and sound C. Horns play their written C and sound F while Oboe sound A. So it's only that.. whatever key the instrument is built in, it'll sound that note (in concert pitch) when they play their written C.

LOL...ok.. i'm blogging this because i don't want to forget again.. well, although it's good to let my brains work for a while.. i do hope i can work on something new.

Actually i'm only concerned with the transposition for horn... haha.. here goes.
In F: Written C - Sounding F (concert pitch) --> Play C (perfect fifth on horn in F)
In G: Written C - Sounding G (concert pitch) --> Play D, up 2 semitones
In D: Written C - Sounding D (concert pitch) --> Play A, down 3 semitones

These are the 3 keys i've encountered so far.. lol.. might be more to come.. but at least i've solved it.. lol. In conclusion, the horn in F sound a whole perfect fifth lower than the concert pitch.

That Saturday

Saturday, and i spent most of my time practicing on my baobei horn. Inspired by my neighbour (the unit next to my room) and i can hear him/her playing the horn diligently. So i took out my baobei horn and practice too.. perhaps paiseh, i plugged my mute in so that my neighbour can't hear me.

Practiced on a few set pieces, and actually found them to be manageable.. but i guess i was wrong. Then i moved on to a horn concerto, a piece which i bought during 2001 WMC. (my dream of playing a concerto someday..)

Was off to boonlay again for actual practice. Asked "iris" (the bus guide) and she gave me the wrong info.. in the end, missed the bus again and got to wait for additional 15 mins or so. Thankfully the bus ride is rather smooth.

Reached and found that mr Jacomo is conducting for the day. Played the few pieces that i practiced at home.. but i couldn't deliver. It was, afterall, only quater notes are involved.. but i just couldn't feel the pulse.. keep playing on a different pace entirely.. i do agree the strings are great players.. i just, can't feel it. (with reference to feeling the tempo of the orchestra........)

Perhaps i'm not used to playing in an orchestra.. but .. but.. i'm supposed to be able to. Just that already made me quite disappointed.

Was the only horn yesterday, coz my colleague won't be participating for the concert. I'm alright being alone, just the occasional feeling of tiredness coz of playing the 1st part. But won't be very glad to be alone.

Thought it ended when it was time.. but then, they wanted to rehearse the concerto (i think) for Nestor Torres on the coming september concert. I'm so glad that he really came to conduct us.. even so to be playin a piece with us.. but.. i really don't want to disappoint anybody. It was sight-read for me.. wouldn't say it's difficult.. just the range is a bit high, with quite a few notes on the high "A".. and needed to transpose coz the piece is written in "G".. omg.. i think, it was a long long time since i did anything like this.. And i think, playing with the strings created some pressure on me... they are very good, and i think, i can't even match their sound quality. In the end, i just sat there, too stunned to do anything. Again, was feeling quite disappointed with myself.

It's just so different.. even more so playing in a piece with the horn as the only brass instrument. I think, i feel rather sad.

So it ended after a run, and left after things were done.. (if i did any contribution). Sat a the bus stop, too stunned to do anything (bus also didn't want to come..) So sat and sat... till the bus came 15 mins later.

Well.. i didn't enjoy it at all, because i didn't deliver. I didn't contibute at all. Sigh.

Borrowed the piece home, i have a week before the next practice, and i have 2 more weeks before the concert.. i must be able deliver by then.. and perhaps, not only musically. Time to do some work.

5012124

If these numbers remind of anything.. if not, perhaps, i shouldn't be so affected too.

It was already the past.. people do change, so does feelings. It need not chnage for the worse. Yet things from the past will hurt.. just that i'm too insensitive to realise then. The present.. does it matter anymore?

Perhaps nothing will change in the future.. if this is the choice made.

With that, perhaps it is time to conclude my vacation.

不能说的秘密

不能说﹐所以用 type..

Been rather happy for the past 1 month, with all the outings and the people around. Was the nicest vacation i ever had.. though it was nothing much really. Nothing much but, somehow, a change in perception made it all happen.

It wasn't easy.. for i used to over-compensate for those that i wanted to hide.. in the end, it created something that was too overwhelming for me. It just turned vicious.

Wasn't learning fast enough, and it just occur so many times.. and can't find the approach that same many time. Regretted the way things were done.. regretted that hatred was used as an escape tool.. regretted that i might have hurt someone..

Perhaps found the reason why i couldn't get out of.. till suddenly things just fall into place. Seen much more and read a lot a lot more.. i think i still need much knowledge and wisdom.. but, this is nice for a start.

It made so much sense now.. till sometimes i can't feel my heart. I don't know where it lies. Perhaps time will tell again. It still beats.. so i know i'm alright.

Tour de NTU

Went NTU to visit my friends today.

Wanted to see how the hall looks like.. lol.. always hear my friends in the local uni said this and that.. hhaha.. so better to go check it out.

Kind of interesting life living there.. it's like staying over in school like that.. and what's more, supplies are plentiful. It's just like a community on it's own. The only thing is that, there are no NPP around..

Nice place to stay at i supposed, and too bad i didn't have the chance to study there.. hahaha..

And thanks to pj and sy for showing me around.. haha.. if not i think i can lose my way there. Though didn't really get to see the whole of NTU (it's just too big), but i think it's already quite an experience.. haha.. never mind i didn't get the chance to study there.. at least, "been there, seen it".. lol.

Monday in Bloodbath (Stock Watch)

On monday, the market drew blood, not first, but the second one in the recent bull. Was kind of lucky that i didn't end up being one of them in the bath.

Actually been wanting to do investment in shares (not speculation) but due to the long run strategy, i didn't enter. The market had been lifted by the all-so optimistic retail investor that i think most should be called retail speculator. IMO, prices are rather high, all waiting for that one reason for the holders to cash in.. yet while some are running away, others are staying put with the saying, "tomorrow will be better".

The cause of the bloodbath is US linked perhaps, with exposures of the FIs to sub-prime loans. The impact, depending on the efforts being made to contain, might range from small to perhaps much more. Or maybe, they just needed that reason to let go.

Or even maybe, the market can never run away from the vicious cycle that all so often occurs every 7-10 years.. is it that, or something more?

I do hope problems do contain and not escalate.. for it does not just affect those in the market.. in fact, the economy might suffer too. Reason being, raising cost of borrowing as a result.

The verdict of the monday's let off: 127 points down, with put warrants in the top gainers' position. But let it not happen again.. i'm due to graduate the following year... let there still be this period of plentiful.

Disclaimer: i take no resposibility for any investment/dis-investment made with reference to this entry. All is done at your own risk!

Unique MJ Session

Was at jj's place last sunday for a unique game of mj. His place is still under going renovation, and so it was rather empty (without much furniture). Borrowed the mj set from my grandma's house and brought over to clementi.. i think my sholders are breaking le.. haha.. seems to weigh more than my bao bei horn.

Anyway, reached there, and discovered that i'm supposed to wear my footwear.. whahahaa.. i never went to anyone's place with shoes on de lor.. not even when i'm in chalet. LOL.. so it seems a bit weird. Then i saw something spectacular.. lol.. they used dinning table as mj table.. wahahaa.. no drawers de! And so they improvised.. used bowl instead. Wahahaa...


This is how it looks like.. whahaha...

Tio bao again coz everytime hiong at the wrong time.. lol. Had mac delivery coz all too lazy to go out and buy le.. ahaha.. don't know why, felt tired playing mj.. ahaha.. think maybe "use too much brain" le.

Orchestra Practice

After the previous concert, its back to preparing for the coming one on september perhaps.

Was very late for practice today coz i fell asleep while wating for the time to pass.. lol.. was very tired since back from hk, and didn't really have much rest. And that pakki.. kept waking me up early in the morning to play "catching". So woke up early early and got tired before evening came.

The orchestra was filled with the usual few, but the sound was so much better.. especially the tuning (for the wind part that is). Perhaps, the piece was just like such that there isn't much "problem areas".

Solo-ed again today, as always.. luckily the part wasn't that too difficult to handle alone. LOL.. let there not be too much till my buddy return.

The orchestra did their own combine.. IMO, i think this is the best.. we had different level of skill, (of coz NOIMO, the strings are way better), different pace and such. I think, we should get our act together before combining.. less wasting the time of each other.

But as such was being done.. it was quite a weird approach.. such could perhaps, distant us. Of coz, we are all are still adjusting. The only thing is.. whether is there time. Of coz, we (or they) had their own hold too.

It was never simple.. BUT, there are orchestra out there.. it is possible. All the more it is SNCO.

That being said, i don't think being skilled in playing equates to being a good musician. Even so when there is no respect given to. Wondered what is happening.. especially when it happens right where.

All in all, there are more than enough reasons not related to music as to why the orchestra is not delivering. It takes a lot.. and a lot more. At least, a start, i already did what i was to.

In orchestra today, that wl passed me a bottle of the "insect drink" for my throat lor... wah.. so touched.. LOL.. so.. a big thanks. ^^

Reached home later coz stayed to pack some scores for my part. And by the time i reached home, it was already 11 plus.. Supposed to be earlier, but waited very long for the bus 52. During off-peak, i really wondered if there is any bus de lor. So that day, they requested for a price increase. I really really expected the service to improve if the hike really get through. Just yesterday, i almost called the bus company to provide "feedback" lor.. i waited for no. 54 for almost 30 mins! When it was supposed to be capped at 15. Of coz, i know there are traffic conditions and weather conditions.. or whatever reasons/excuses they can think of. But 100% more of what i'm supposed to wait.. it only took 20 mins for me to walk to J8 lor.. and i wasted 10 mins of my life being angry and whatsoever.

Just my few cents worth.. for i think it'll worth more than a few cents in the long run.

Chalet @ Chevrons

Still, home is the best.

Was at chevrons' for a 2 day chalet.. i was really impressed. Impressed that they actually had such a nice chalet hidden behind all the facilities. Definately win the 'traditional' chalets near the beach. LOL.. i think it was more like a hotel lor.. maybe even bigger. Just that they didn't have room service.. LOL. Kidding. Well.. check their webby for more details.. highly recommended by me.. whaha.. and the price is reasonable too. Special thanks to my sis who helped me made payment all the way there.

The only thing i dislike.. the mosquitoes there. LOL. Even though they are less trained than those met during my army days.. they can win in sheer numbers. And it was mosquitoes coil again.. machiam like doing sentry duty like that.. whaha.. and so today i went home with the smell from burning the coil.. as if i was booking out from camp after a day of guard duty.

So it was really very much of a gathering of the crubbers of the then warlords. The difference is that it was a 2-day session rather than the usual 1. During the stay, i went up another level to 7 le.. lol.. 7 in 3 years. 1st day they polished off 23 cans of beers and 1 whole bottle of chivas. And the 2nd day, around 1.5 bottles of vodka. Average there are 7 of us for the 2 days.. and it was rather "impressive". I think i really cannot take the vod. It never fail to KO me everytime. So the plan was actually to play games that require reaction rather than luck. (i have no luck).. to cut down my chance of drinking.. lol.. but in the end still failed.

But overall, greater control over the limit, and also the outcome.

Other than "crubbing", it was mj all the way.. too bad didn't bring enough VCDs and perhaps PS2.. the best is bring Wii lor. Whahahaaa... i don't have them. Sis still refuse to bring home her PS2.. saying that it'll affect my results.. LOOK: For the 2 years without PS2, i kept failing! LOL.. trust the stats lor.

And so.. with this, i think, most of us agreed that we'll do something more healthy the next meeting.. LOL.. like K-ing, cycling and so on.. but hor, the only think we have in common.. is only crubbing.. haha.. can't blame us for always crubbing hor?

But i really do want to keep it down le.. yesterday don't know what thing came out.. i think the gastric acid also came out le lor.. and now my throat hurts. Ouch. Haha.. time to cook some lemon honey warm de.

The past few days had been great.. time passed without us realising. LOL.. and i think i really enjoyed the bbq! Wahahaa.. next time must jio the excos go bbq le.. i've got a "degree in bbq-ing chicken wings (mid section only) .. lol.. i also liked the hotdogs.. lol.. very nice. Didn't touch much of the crab stick coz i think that brand is lousy de. The leftovers we just microwave them again. Hahah.. but really.. don't go for frozen otah.. really cmi.

Overall, the cost is quite high for food.. minus the liquor. LOL.. considering the number of people going.. haha.. so we had bbq for 2 days.. So in the end we can't finish.. whaha.. who ask us to be so gian peng? LOL.. everything also want to take extra 1 packet.

Next up, think should be SNCO's turn le. Just got news that a concert coming up on the 1st of sept.. which is... only one month or rather, 4 days of combine. IMO, this is very challenging lor.. of coz.. depends on the choice of pieces also. Most likey, i won't have any flair.. haha.. coz i never played as a memeber of an orchestra before. Hopefully.. it won't be like the previous one.