Rare are the blog entries that are happy. Why try to change it?
Generally tired, and pensive, and confused.
STUPID SAF
Poem that i wrote while pensive and confused
Love is a sweet pool and a bitter cup.
A sour fruit and a fragrant blossom.
A searing brand and a brilliant sparkle.
Fond remembrances and gentle regrets.
Extra lines can be added by anyone else... rules are:
1. must be one good and bad point related to each other.
2. ten syllables each line.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Ok.... Here's some publicity about a Saxophone Masterclass by Professor Vincent Gnojek. The pamphlet / application form can be downloaded from here
Here's some bio and info about him and his activities....
Professor Gnojek is currently the Professor of Saxophone and Woodwind Division Director at the University of Kansas, and is a clinician for the Selmar Company. His educational affiliations have included the University of Colorado, Boulder; Metropolitan State College, Denver; the University of Colorado, Denver; and Mannes College of Music in New York.
His saxophone quartet, the highly acclaimed Harvey Pittel Saxophone Quartet has performed in forty-two states and toured internationally. The Kansas University Saxophone quartet, which he coaches, has won its fifth Annual Student Music Award as Best Chamber Music Group in the United States and Canada.
In addition to teaching, Prof. Gnojek also performs regularly, and has recorded compact discs on Mark Custom Recording with the Harvey Pittel Saxophone Quartet, on the ECM label as a member of Steve Reich's Contemporary Music Ensemble, as the alto saxophonist with the Kansas Woodwinds, and on the Sea Breeze label as the lead alto saxophonist with the Kansas City Boulevard Big Band.
Vince Gnojek will be in Singapore from 13th November to 23rd November, and will be conducting a series of workshops and a masterclass. Workshops include 'How to plan an effective practice routine' and 'Saxophone Intonation'. He will also give private lessons to saxophone students and conduct sectionals. Details can be found in the attachment. Students and schools have discounted rates for the masterclass, workshops and sectionals.
Please feel free to make copies of the form and distribute to your students / friends
Do also forward the mail to all the band instructors you know, and saxophonists as well.
Here's some bio and info about him and his activities....
Professor Gnojek is currently the Professor of Saxophone and Woodwind Division Director at the University of Kansas, and is a clinician for the Selmar Company. His educational affiliations have included the University of Colorado, Boulder; Metropolitan State College, Denver; the University of Colorado, Denver; and Mannes College of Music in New York.
His saxophone quartet, the highly acclaimed Harvey Pittel Saxophone Quartet has performed in forty-two states and toured internationally. The Kansas University Saxophone quartet, which he coaches, has won its fifth Annual Student Music Award as Best Chamber Music Group in the United States and Canada.
In addition to teaching, Prof. Gnojek also performs regularly, and has recorded compact discs on Mark Custom Recording with the Harvey Pittel Saxophone Quartet, on the ECM label as a member of Steve Reich's Contemporary Music Ensemble, as the alto saxophonist with the Kansas Woodwinds, and on the Sea Breeze label as the lead alto saxophonist with the Kansas City Boulevard Big Band.
Vince Gnojek will be in Singapore from 13th November to 23rd November, and will be conducting a series of workshops and a masterclass. Workshops include 'How to plan an effective practice routine' and 'Saxophone Intonation'. He will also give private lessons to saxophone students and conduct sectionals. Details can be found in the attachment. Students and schools have discounted rates for the masterclass, workshops and sectionals.
Please feel free to make copies of the form and distribute to your students / friends
Do also forward the mail to all the band instructors you know, and saxophonists as well.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Time for one of those posts which make no sense whatsoever to everybody. Yea I know I don't have to put it up here, but putting it on paper / screen gives a better perspective. Why not write on paper? Uh... I still want to be able to read it next time. My handwriting's not all that good. Fine... its damn bad.
Well... how to start... I guess its for the best for it to remain this way. Most likely it will jeapodise everything if it ever comes out into the open. Some things are just like that... sometimes its because of time, sometimes distance, sometimes just plain luck. In any case it is really too soon, not that it will help if it happens a year later. Then again perhaps it will, not highly unlikely... I've experienced it enough to know that it will always be in the back of my head. It is all the 'what-ifs' that get to me. Just like an RPG game. I need a save function. Too bad huh... Not that I regret these 2 decisions, I think its fine and the best thing I can do, but how to stop that bitterness? Sometimes its bad being a musician... your heart gets the better of your head at times. No matter how much you rationalise it won't help your heart one bit.
There. I have the answer now.
Doesn't help my heart though.
PS. Free lunch to whoever guesses what I am talking about.
PPS. Free lunch limited to $10 tops.
Well... how to start... I guess its for the best for it to remain this way. Most likely it will jeapodise everything if it ever comes out into the open. Some things are just like that... sometimes its because of time, sometimes distance, sometimes just plain luck. In any case it is really too soon, not that it will help if it happens a year later. Then again perhaps it will, not highly unlikely... I've experienced it enough to know that it will always be in the back of my head. It is all the 'what-ifs' that get to me. Just like an RPG game. I need a save function. Too bad huh... Not that I regret these 2 decisions, I think its fine and the best thing I can do, but how to stop that bitterness? Sometimes its bad being a musician... your heart gets the better of your head at times. No matter how much you rationalise it won't help your heart one bit.
There. I have the answer now.
Doesn't help my heart though.
PS. Free lunch to whoever guesses what I am talking about.
PPS. Free lunch limited to $10 tops.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Well.... its been quite a long time since i last blogged... for good reason too. One of them is of course laziness and procrastination, but the main thing is.... well the main thing is that thing I suppose. Other factors include PS exams, portfolios, assignments, concerts and etc... That said... here goes
Not going to recap my life this past month or so.
Let's discuss some issues ya? First off... Take time to smell the roses. Now this is good advice indeed, even if you are rushing like mad trying to finish portfolios or compositions. Especially for composing, though I always say deadlines create miracles. Sometimes a break in the flow of composing can make the return much more fluid. Besides that, taking time allows for reflection, like what I am doing now. Certain things look silly from a gulf of 10 years, but some things remain the same, and of course certain things make you regret it all over again. (No I don't regret THAT decision for the handful who know what I'm saying). Times like this make you wish you are in a RPG game with lots of save files. Too bad it doesn't happen this way, so the best way is to explore every nook and cranny to discover all the secrets and secret characters in this one go. And don't pick fights with monsters too tough or go exploring where you are not supposed to yet.
Second... Inner peace. How long has it been since any of you sat down and meditated / listened to a CD / read a book / relaxed? Don't think so. I do. This search for inner peace is something that I have been doing for the past month or so, except the reading part. For those who have heard my recent work Peace, you might have an inkling of what it is like. This yearning is a lifelong search, and for those who cannot bear to look for it by themselves, they turn to, forgive me this is my opinion, religion. Not that I don't encourage people to be religious, but what I feel is that religion is for people who need that extra bit of help. I have no doubt that if I had a church or temple or mosque to go to I might be a better person, but I cannot muster enough faith for such a community. Therefore the search is mine and mine alone. Arvo Part's music speaks to me in the exact same way... the searching for peace within. Listen to the Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten. The last four bars are rests. Hear it and tell me that those four bars are not what you most desire.
Thirdly... The applause. Ask yourself now. Why do you perform? Why do you stay up all night to touch up on a presentation? Why do you feel apprehensive about people tasting your food? Why do you wear that new dress / shoes / top? Its for the approval of others. Musicians and all other art practitioners will know what I am talking about. There is rarely anything more gratifying than the applause of the audience. Not the polite applause, but the thunderous applause which goes on forever. You feel good when your friends say your cookies are 'super yummy' and smile inwardly when they notice your new dress and rave about how pretty it is. You feel good too when your presentation get the nod of approval. We live for such moments, and when no one is there to give it, we do it ourselves. We congratulate ourselves for having written a nice piece of music, for trying out successfully a new recipe, for finally fitting into the 21 inch mini skirt. Since we want approval so much, why not give it to others? The next time someone does a good job, remember to compliment him. It will brighten up his day instantly.
Fourthly... Reflection is the key to life. That's all there is to it, and classic novelists like Dickens, Eliot, Conrad and many more are masters at reflection. Their observations cut to the core of human behaviour and act as mirrors to whoever opens their books. Read them.
Not going to recap my life this past month or so.
Let's discuss some issues ya? First off... Take time to smell the roses. Now this is good advice indeed, even if you are rushing like mad trying to finish portfolios or compositions. Especially for composing, though I always say deadlines create miracles. Sometimes a break in the flow of composing can make the return much more fluid. Besides that, taking time allows for reflection, like what I am doing now. Certain things look silly from a gulf of 10 years, but some things remain the same, and of course certain things make you regret it all over again. (No I don't regret THAT decision for the handful who know what I'm saying). Times like this make you wish you are in a RPG game with lots of save files. Too bad it doesn't happen this way, so the best way is to explore every nook and cranny to discover all the secrets and secret characters in this one go. And don't pick fights with monsters too tough or go exploring where you are not supposed to yet.
Second... Inner peace. How long has it been since any of you sat down and meditated / listened to a CD / read a book / relaxed? Don't think so. I do. This search for inner peace is something that I have been doing for the past month or so, except the reading part. For those who have heard my recent work Peace, you might have an inkling of what it is like. This yearning is a lifelong search, and for those who cannot bear to look for it by themselves, they turn to, forgive me this is my opinion, religion. Not that I don't encourage people to be religious, but what I feel is that religion is for people who need that extra bit of help. I have no doubt that if I had a church or temple or mosque to go to I might be a better person, but I cannot muster enough faith for such a community. Therefore the search is mine and mine alone. Arvo Part's music speaks to me in the exact same way... the searching for peace within. Listen to the Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten. The last four bars are rests. Hear it and tell me that those four bars are not what you most desire.
Thirdly... The applause. Ask yourself now. Why do you perform? Why do you stay up all night to touch up on a presentation? Why do you feel apprehensive about people tasting your food? Why do you wear that new dress / shoes / top? Its for the approval of others. Musicians and all other art practitioners will know what I am talking about. There is rarely anything more gratifying than the applause of the audience. Not the polite applause, but the thunderous applause which goes on forever. You feel good when your friends say your cookies are 'super yummy' and smile inwardly when they notice your new dress and rave about how pretty it is. You feel good too when your presentation get the nod of approval. We live for such moments, and when no one is there to give it, we do it ourselves. We congratulate ourselves for having written a nice piece of music, for trying out successfully a new recipe, for finally fitting into the 21 inch mini skirt. Since we want approval so much, why not give it to others? The next time someone does a good job, remember to compliment him. It will brighten up his day instantly.
Fourthly... Reflection is the key to life. That's all there is to it, and classic novelists like Dickens, Eliot, Conrad and many more are masters at reflection. Their observations cut to the core of human behaviour and act as mirrors to whoever opens their books. Read them.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Indulgz website: www.indulgz.com
unfortunately its still under construction, but you can find their address and tel. no for booking if you need
unfortunately its still under construction, but you can find their address and tel. no for booking if you need
Nafa Sports Day
Was all right as far as these things go... Telematch, which made me realise even the pointilistic ones have a certain amount of gravitational pull given by F = GMm/r². Also some other details which shouldn't be said here involving what to do with the pointilistic one after she has filled the bottle up. Hint: use your HEAD.
Got saboed up the stage to do hula hoop... like wah lao.. the hoop almost = my waist la.... but I won it through the sheer imbecibility of us modern youngsters who don't know one end of the hula hoop from the other. And the imbecibility of people who don't realise that shoulders keep the hoop from falling off your neck. Anyway. got a small bear and $2 ang pow which was quite ok for a few minutes of onstage ruckus.
Went Indulgz. (read previous post). Guess how many people came along in the van? Few days before the sports day we said ok lets go there to eat. Me Daniel Alan and the semiquavers.
7 of us
Sports day: Laurel and Lianwei decided to come too.
9 of us
Sports day: Midorie and Laurence decided to come along too!
11 of us.
Alan and me in front. (its good to be the driver or the biggest size, or biggest size but one in this case)
9 behind. At 1st i thought laurel and lianwei would be quite a feat already, but we managed the impossible. Its the record for now btw... though for the 1st or 2nd time i had to use my 1st gear.
There's supposed to be a video of them debussing... it better come to me soon!
k.. all of them liked what we ordered in Indulgz, except the honey orange chicken which was just not bad. My aunt liked it though on a separate visit.
Yep thats it.
Was all right as far as these things go... Telematch, which made me realise even the pointilistic ones have a certain amount of gravitational pull given by F = GMm/r². Also some other details which shouldn't be said here involving what to do with the pointilistic one after she has filled the bottle up. Hint: use your HEAD.
Got saboed up the stage to do hula hoop... like wah lao.. the hoop almost = my waist la.... but I won it through the sheer imbecibility of us modern youngsters who don't know one end of the hula hoop from the other. And the imbecibility of people who don't realise that shoulders keep the hoop from falling off your neck. Anyway. got a small bear and $2 ang pow which was quite ok for a few minutes of onstage ruckus.
Went Indulgz. (read previous post). Guess how many people came along in the van? Few days before the sports day we said ok lets go there to eat. Me Daniel Alan and the semiquavers.
7 of us
Sports day: Laurel and Lianwei decided to come too.
9 of us
Sports day: Midorie and Laurence decided to come along too!
11 of us.
Alan and me in front. (its good to be the driver or the biggest size, or biggest size but one in this case)
9 behind. At 1st i thought laurel and lianwei would be quite a feat already, but we managed the impossible. Its the record for now btw... though for the 1st or 2nd time i had to use my 1st gear.
There's supposed to be a video of them debussing... it better come to me soon!
k.. all of them liked what we ordered in Indulgz, except the honey orange chicken which was just not bad. My aunt liked it though on a separate visit.
Yep thats it.
Its about time for a new update...
Indulgz @ Tan Quee Lan St.
Well this place just opened not too long ago, and guess what, my sec sch friend's the boss. Guess what... I've been there 3 times already. Yep. And quote from the lady boss herself "You've tried almost everything on the menu." Uh yea so I guess that makes me qualified to critique about the food I guess. Try the Stuffed Portabello. That is the one thing you need to try, and also the rib eye steak, and the really really good brownie and ice cream. Right.. about the stuffed portabello, its juicy and flavourful, the stuffing with the right about of spices (rosemary my favourite). The greens were done nicely too but just a tad on the oily side, but its not scary oily. The mashed potatoes are mashed every morning by the chef and you can taste the chunks in it. Best mashed potatoes in my opinion. The rib eye steak was fabulous too. the steak itself is marinated well and there isn't a need for any sauce to go along with the steak. The brownie oh my god the brownie! Its crispy on the outside but really soft and HOT inside. Almost melts in your mouth. Add delicious vanilla ice cream.... WOOT! Other favourites (not only mine but all the ohter people i brought there, including family) include the crispy pasta - a creation of the chef, the double cabonara, with double the sin. (Some say you can triple it too if you really want it!) potato salad made with fresh potatoes (think crunchy), cheese fondue with lots of wine, dark choco fondue.
Going there again next sat I think. Gotta get me the brownie again!!!
Indulgz @ Tan Quee Lan St.
Well this place just opened not too long ago, and guess what, my sec sch friend's the boss. Guess what... I've been there 3 times already. Yep. And quote from the lady boss herself "You've tried almost everything on the menu." Uh yea so I guess that makes me qualified to critique about the food I guess. Try the Stuffed Portabello. That is the one thing you need to try, and also the rib eye steak, and the really really good brownie and ice cream. Right.. about the stuffed portabello, its juicy and flavourful, the stuffing with the right about of spices (rosemary my favourite). The greens were done nicely too but just a tad on the oily side, but its not scary oily. The mashed potatoes are mashed every morning by the chef and you can taste the chunks in it. Best mashed potatoes in my opinion. The rib eye steak was fabulous too. the steak itself is marinated well and there isn't a need for any sauce to go along with the steak. The brownie oh my god the brownie! Its crispy on the outside but really soft and HOT inside. Almost melts in your mouth. Add delicious vanilla ice cream.... WOOT! Other favourites (not only mine but all the ohter people i brought there, including family) include the crispy pasta - a creation of the chef, the double cabonara, with double the sin. (Some say you can triple it too if you really want it!) potato salad made with fresh potatoes (think crunchy), cheese fondue with lots of wine, dark choco fondue.
Going there again next sat I think. Gotta get me the brownie again!!!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
wah lao 2nd update today... miraculous or what??
Anyway... so for history see... we had to do this aleatoric piece... so we came up with... Aleatoric Recitative! It worked surprisingly well considering we thought of the idea on Monday, 'composed' it on Monday, and rehearsed it half an hour before lesson. (Sure hope someone doesn't read this) We even had our own fan club coming to hear us ok. Thanks Semiquavers haha Oh I have your rough design ready too...
The piece is actually quite simple, 5 of us wrote cards with instructions or text, about 10 each, but being the kiasu singaporeans we are most of us did more than ten... so we had around 60 cards... Shuffle, distribute evenly, and follow instructions as drama-mama as you can! Kitty was on the piano, playing her continuo for us... ET said she'd try to get this performed in platform hahaha. Hope it comes true!
Oh today's german class was a learn by doing method, but i still can't remmeber what gamelan in german stands for, kudos to sweat, heavy, tired, hot.... hmmm must not be a good method for us.
Anyway... so for history see... we had to do this aleatoric piece... so we came up with... Aleatoric Recitative! It worked surprisingly well considering we thought of the idea on Monday, 'composed' it on Monday, and rehearsed it half an hour before lesson. (Sure hope someone doesn't read this) We even had our own fan club coming to hear us ok. Thanks Semiquavers haha Oh I have your rough design ready too...
The piece is actually quite simple, 5 of us wrote cards with instructions or text, about 10 each, but being the kiasu singaporeans we are most of us did more than ten... so we had around 60 cards... Shuffle, distribute evenly, and follow instructions as drama-mama as you can! Kitty was on the piano, playing her continuo for us... ET said she'd try to get this performed in platform hahaha. Hope it comes true!
Oh today's german class was a learn by doing method, but i still can't remmeber what gamelan in german stands for, kudos to sweat, heavy, tired, hot.... hmmm must not be a good method for us.
MEWOO~ UPDATE!
ISME trip: (let's face it most of you won't understand this post.. and only 3 others will TRULY understand it)
bloopers first....
1. SOME clever person forgot to check his passport, and turns out it expired so he couldn't come. Fortunately for us.... we don't need a horn player.
2. Van was JUSTTTTTTTTTTTTT nice for us, meaning that it was just short of squeezy. Especially with that @#*@#(*&(*#($* big thing we had to wheel around hahaha. Though it did serve us well as a trash holder and table top
3. VIDEO of YOU KNOW WHO sleeping! This is priceless I tell you.... Get it from me if you haven't seen it!
4. Hotel didn't have superior rooms for us superior beings.... so we waited for around 1+ hours before they realised hey... these guys aren't just superior.. they are deluxe sized! Must be the FAT LADY that they meant. Can't be me... nuh uh... And so we got deluxe rooms... each! Again, pictures available for ye who asketh.
5. ISME admin is as good as ..... you know... , if not better. quote the left hand dunno wad the right hand is doing unquote
6. No place to put instruments after our sound check. Had to cart them back to our hotel. or wheel in some cases... luckily the hotel is a stone's throw away only... (hope they don't see the broken window when I tried)
Hilarious stuff:
1. Face mask + bath robe + turban + push-up video + mouth full of fish sticks = breathless laughter for 2 hours. Breathe! Breathe! you pointilistic thing! Breathe!
2. Do NOT allow your friends to have a video camera when you are asked to dance. All camera phones and digicams should be locked up and thrown into the ocean.
3. Definitely have a digicam with video function when on a van ride with 60s music and a sleeping girl. (Don't even go there! I know what you guys are thinking!)
4. "Lust has a new meaning".... "Style has a new something".............. so on and so forth. Whoever guesses what car is being promoted on this advertisement tag on the tagboard. Prizes for winner! No not open to the ones who watched Pirates in Tanjong GV. Hint: It made most of us Singaporeans almost unanimously choke on our drinks... if we had any that is...
5. Wench cards!!!! Best thing since roti prata!
Right... anyway, the trip was really fun... we didn't get to see much of the convention, cos we were busy researching. The performance itself was great! Good job all performers! The audience liked our music too... Singapore music is going international baby!
Oh apparently Semiquaver No. 1 heard some story about needles in cinema chairs and made us all check for needles before sitting down or we might get HIV.... uh.. malaysia that is, not singapore. Don't freak out.
Impiana Hotel is great... I'd stay there again if i ever go KL, and if i have that much $$$$
kk... too long post already...
Out.
ISME trip: (let's face it most of you won't understand this post.. and only 3 others will TRULY understand it)
bloopers first....
1. SOME clever person forgot to check his passport, and turns out it expired so he couldn't come. Fortunately for us.... we don't need a horn player.
2. Van was JUSTTTTTTTTTTTTT nice for us, meaning that it was just short of squeezy. Especially with that @#*@#(*&(*#($* big thing we had to wheel around hahaha. Though it did serve us well as a trash holder and table top
3. VIDEO of YOU KNOW WHO sleeping! This is priceless I tell you.... Get it from me if you haven't seen it!
4. Hotel didn't have superior rooms for us superior beings.... so we waited for around 1+ hours before they realised hey... these guys aren't just superior.. they are deluxe sized! Must be the FAT LADY that they meant. Can't be me... nuh uh... And so we got deluxe rooms... each! Again, pictures available for ye who asketh.
5. ISME admin is as good as ..... you know... , if not better. quote the left hand dunno wad the right hand is doing unquote
6. No place to put instruments after our sound check. Had to cart them back to our hotel. or wheel in some cases... luckily the hotel is a stone's throw away only... (hope they don't see the broken window when I tried)
Hilarious stuff:
1. Face mask + bath robe + turban + push-up video + mouth full of fish sticks = breathless laughter for 2 hours. Breathe! Breathe! you pointilistic thing! Breathe!
2. Do NOT allow your friends to have a video camera when you are asked to dance. All camera phones and digicams should be locked up and thrown into the ocean.
3. Definitely have a digicam with video function when on a van ride with 60s music and a sleeping girl. (Don't even go there! I know what you guys are thinking!)
4. "Lust has a new meaning".... "Style has a new something".............. so on and so forth. Whoever guesses what car is being promoted on this advertisement tag on the tagboard. Prizes for winner! No not open to the ones who watched Pirates in Tanjong GV. Hint: It made most of us Singaporeans almost unanimously choke on our drinks... if we had any that is...
5. Wench cards!!!! Best thing since roti prata!
Right... anyway, the trip was really fun... we didn't get to see much of the convention, cos we were busy researching. The performance itself was great! Good job all performers! The audience liked our music too... Singapore music is going international baby!
Oh apparently Semiquaver No. 1 heard some story about needles in cinema chairs and made us all check for needles before sitting down or we might get HIV.... uh.. malaysia that is, not singapore. Don't freak out.
Impiana Hotel is great... I'd stay there again if i ever go KL, and if i have that much $$$$
kk... too long post already...
Out.
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