What would you say...

nanos.:

2009-08-09T00:31:00.006+08:00

So, with the addition of my new Acer netbook, I have decided to turn it into a music machine and a work station for my future schoolwork.

I got the software, but I need the controllers and hardware for it to work efficiently. I started doing some research on MIDI controllers and chanced upon the Korg Nanoseries USB Slim-Line Controllers. I have to admit that at first, I wasn't really impressed by how it looked. It kinda seemed more toy-ish than something I'd professionally use to create and control music on the fly.

Then I started browsing demos and review on youtube and found some really informative and useful videos, displaying its full potential... sometimes, all you need is some beginner knowledge and creativity in order to make something that simple seem so intricate and awesome. I would recommend some videos to you, but I'm too lazy to link them.

Urgh.

Fine.

Here's a really awesome one... that really got me considering if I should get a Nanopad. Then now, I have it... the black one picture in the top left.

And then... I saw this.

And now, I really want this:

rally.:

2009-07-30T21:54:00.000+08:00

Are Singaporeans really patriotic? Do they REALLY give a shit about their country, or are they just being their Kiasu selves when they WANT to attend the National Day Parade and watch the fireworks (which, let's face it, is what most of use watch it for), so that they are able to brag about being able to catch it LIVE in the flesh and not through some screen some few kilometres away?

Everyone should just step back and think about that for a moment. I highly doubt anyone would, because Singaporeans are full of shit. Really.

REALLY.

They rush for the train, bus, queue, line, offer, live event, ANY FREE STUFF but it takes them a really long time when it's people who really need stuff... like charity events and stuff like that. Okay, so fine, Singaporeans have shown their generous side with events like the President's Star Charity and so forth, but that's probably just the percentage who cares. What about everyone else? The common person? The same people you see day in and day out.

Another thing I am definitely wondering about is the fact that Singaporeans don't seem to have personalities. Actually, come to think of it, people born and raised in any parts of Asia seem to be like that... be it Japanese or Chinese or Korean. Just try to approach ANY Asian in Singapore and 2/10 will just walk away without saying a word, like you're insane or something like that. They won't even fucking stop. Japanese will probably stop, say no if they're not interested and just be on their way... but locals... they act like you're not there. Why is that?

Were they brought up with the mindset that mankind is evil, so do not trust anyone except your family and friends? Is that their deal? You can even read about how they're trying to make excuses for their anti-social behaviour 2 entries (or 3) below this. Too polite.

Being polite would be to say something nicely. Being polite would be saying 'excuse me' after every sneeze or cough. Being polite would be picking up after yourself after every meal ANYWHERE.

Here's a tip, Neanderthals: If you're in a fast food restaurant/cafe/ANYWHERE THAT'S FUCKING SELF SERVE, please please PLEASE return whatever shit you have with you that's the cafe's property. Sure, they're going to clear it up anyways, but please be more considerate and have some semblance of social skills. I don't do it sometimes because I have to get out of there in a pinch, but when I have time, I return the trays to wherever they're supposed to be.

And by the way, THE FUCKING FLOOR IS NOT THE BIN. IF IT WAS, THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY BINS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

Littering in public is an offence, but in a cafe it's perfectly legal? Fuck that!

I apologise for this very long and vulgar rant. I hope not to do it again, but you know how it is...

People are idiotas.

that long?.:

2009-07-28T19:06:00.000+08:00

So apparently, I've been gone for quite awhile. Let's see... my last post was... on the... 3rd of May.

So that would make it almost 3 months without any update. Interesting...

Honestly, I haven't been up to much, really. I'm starting school in September. For real. Yes, I shit you not.

Okay, on a more serious note, I have to say that blogging is really unhealthy for some people. I have seen blogs with such shit content, yet gets so much fanfare. I don't understand... and I don't even mean like topical blogs like with gadgets and gossip and stuff... I'm talking personal blogs.

About 2 weeks ago, I came across a blog of a 16 year old girl who seems to hate a certain group of people. Honestly, she looks and acts almost exactly like them.

Here's the story: I'm in a Facebook group called 'anti-______ & _______'. I join the group because it's funny. The picture that the owner posts are hilarious. So I click on a link of a blogspot that I thought she was spamming and spoofing. It redirects me to a really generic looking blog, with photos of someone that resembles the type of people she dislikes.

While reading, I actually realised that it's HER blog. I was kinda shocked... but then, after putting much thought in it, it made sense. Nobody that civilised would actually create a page just to poke-fun/spite these people. Real adults may not approve of how they'd dress and they things they do, but they wouldn't go that low, really.

Much like how I grew up and realised that hating a certain group of people based on their own choices is no use. They're going to do what they feel like doing and there isn't a thing in the world that would stop them. I'll just live, and let them live.

Them I can live with. Hypocritical people like 16 year old hate filled girl, not so much.

P.S: She actually admitted in one of her posts that she does what she does to gain attention and that's all there is to it. End.

anal bleaching.:

2009-05-03T20:22:00.002+08:00

So it's funny how I always lose my train of thought just as I click on 'new post'.

There has been a lot of issues that I've been wanting to voice out since forever, but keep forgetting that this little slice of cyber heaven exists.

So there has been quite a lot of articles in The New Paper about how it's revealed that Singapore is not as loved by its citizens as once thought. There is actually a group on Facebook called 'Singapore Sucks'. Pretty bold statement by people who are still living in this country.

I don't have a problem with the country, per se. I like the security, the 'freedom', how advanced it is, the developed nature and SOME of the people. That's right, I have a problem with the people. They push their way onto buses, trains and whatever that has an entrance. They give you dirty looks when they're ticked off and step on your flip-flops/shoes/foot, bump into you, not hold the door without even saying sorry.

In an article relating local social etiquette and the current swine flu pandemic, a reporter went out on a train and started coughing somewhat violently without covering her mouth with anything, not even her hand. While everyone was looking at her with the 'fucking cover your mouth, bitch!' look, only one person actually spoke up and told her politely but firmly to use a tissue or at least her hand to cover her mouth as she was coughing.

The reporter's analysis was that Singaporeans are too 'polite'. POLITE MY ASS.

They definitely have no problems in scrambling for seats as soon as they see one. Neither do they have any qualms about stepping right in front of me as soon as the train doors open. They don't even let the passengers from inside the train alight. Seriously, how much more fucking rude can they be?

Pretending to be polite? Please... if anything, they're just creatures of pure isolation. Fuck the Singapore spirit. They don't have it. They're people who prefer to be in their own bubble. Even if it means being infected by the swine flu in a train.

sabbaticulous?.:

2009-04-05T12:14:00.003+08:00

Wow I've really been gone from this blog for 4 months? What the hell have I been up to?

Nothing much really.

Here's a saying that fits my life perfectly, and I just thought of it last night:

I know what to do and how I'm going to do it; I just don't know where to start.

So yeah, I am an idiot. Life's really difficult too when your parents just do not want to partake in paying fees when all you wanna do is go to school. Life sucks like that, but hey... if your will is strong enough... it'll happen.

And that's exactly what I'm hoping for. You know... the Law Of Attraction.

Other than that, life is actually pretty good to me. The music is advancing, I actually have a social life (not thriving, but good enough for me) and I have stuff to keep me busy.

I can't believe I've been gone 4 months and these are the only things that I can talk about.

OH RIGHT!

The weather sucks. The End.

passion.:

2008-12-14T20:10:00.002+08:00

Doesn't that contraption to the left look beautiful? It was a very belated birthday present that Dayah got me (and now I have to get her something as awesome for her birthday too). I've been playing with it for the past two weeks or so and have to say that for something that relatively cheap, it's pretty kick-ass. It sounds very digital, yes, but come on... at this day and age, almost everything is digital (which is kinda scary actually). The best part about the Zoom G2.1u is the USB connectivity and also the bundled Cubase LE4.

I have been recording stuff on my PC since the day I bought it and I'm running out of space. I have some gripes about some of the functions, but they're all small little things and I probably haven't tested it out enough to know if that's even possible, so yeah.

I've been writing a lot of my own material these days and I'm finding it very enjoyable and therapeutic. I finally have a creative outlet.

And it's called Super-Ultra.

i'm back, but was never gone.:

2008-12-07T12:11:00.002+08:00

Most of the metal bands nowadays are changing their styles drastically. I'm now listening to new Unearth material and they have gone a long way since releasing The Oncoming Storm. I have not heard a single breakdown on The March (their new album). They were famous for having killer murderous breakdowns. What happened?

Much as I like bands who dare take different directions, I'm not following the direction that Unearth is taking. It sound like old In Flames and a bit of the band that they liked (I forgot the name of that band). The dual guitar melody is still there, but most of the elements that made them famous were gone.

Before: Endless

After: My Will Be Done

The thrash metal element is totally trashed. I think I'll just classify them as metal right now, because apparently they don't belong in any other classification, as far as I can tell.

Job For A Cowboy (although not very recent) have changed their style since their demo LP called Doom. Genesis was a nice brutal change, but they've turned into a pure death metal style... which they're good and bad at. Something good would be a death metal band who can add variety to their songs, so as not to make every song sound the same. So to cut the story short, yeah... almost every song sounds the same. 1 or 2 are different, but only because I've been listening to them enough to differentiate.

Before: Entombment Of A Machine

After: Embedded

Another band that's started to deviate is All That Remains. They released an album recently and I have to say that the songs I like are completely epic. Like Chiron and Two Weeks. The rest of the album I really couldn't care less... except for Before The Damned.

I've already posted the after links above, so this is the...

Before: This Calling

So what does the future hold in store for us, I wonder...

(hed) p.e. - Suffa

2008-10-10T02:23:00.001+08:00

Guess who's still alive?

complaints?.:

2008-10-04T00:10:00.002+08:00

I haven't been updating regularly. There was a point of time in my life a few years ago when I was blogging daily, and a few times a day even. It's difficult for me to find subjects to blog about because I don't normally write about daily occurrences nor do I talk about trivial matters.

I also just realised that most of the things I talk about are my personal bugbears and vexations. All this negativity is killing my karma.

I don't know the textbook term for this kind of psyche, but I'm the fun-loving kind of person who keeps his gripes to himself and then releases them in another form, usually creatively. This normally gives birth to songwriters of the metal genre, whose lyrics aren't normally known to be subtle. It shows in mine as well.

I'm singing in this band that I formed (in my head) about a year and a half ago and only started activity last month. In the year and a half that I didn't have a physical band, I tried writing lyrics. I wanted to keep the theme of the band as casual and fun, but the lyrics that I keep churning out just spells brood and angst.

The guitar parts I write do not suffer the same problem though, thankfully.

I was thinking of a heavier or metal version of The Barenaked Ladies, Tenacious D or The Flight Of The Conchords. Their lyrics are witty, funny and entertaining. It's not that I'm trying to deviate from the norm or anything like that... I just want to play something happy to entertain people. The Law Of Attraction states that if you want something to come into your life, you have to envision the same exact feeling you'd feel when you finally get it.

It's not impossible, but it definitely doesn't help being surrounded by cynics. Meditating and working out definitely helps though. Speaking of working out, I need to dust those dumbbells off and start using them once again, hoping that my cerebrum will be engulfed by endorphins when I'm done.

Life can't be better. :)

Major Outtage

2008-09-27T00:04:00.002+08:00

I hate giant crowds. I hate huge events.

I want to be part of these events but just the thought of rubbing shoulders and banging elbows with a few thousand people just puts me off. It's very tiring.

I don't know if this is a sign of ageing, but I just cannot stand teeming masses of sweaty and smelly protoplasm surrounding me.

Doesn't help that my country is actually very active in attracting thousands to a huge event.

And yes, I'm definitely talking about the F1. Not only about the horde of citizens, but the road closures, the diversions and influx of ~~curious people uneducated about the local customs~~ tourists.

fans.:

2008-08-18T19:37:00.003+08:00

I don't have fans, but I have haters, same as everybody else.

The only reason you don't see it is because the comments been rejected. For good measure too.

He/she prefers not to send email because it'll expose him/her. Ok, let's assume it's a him, because guys are assholes and chicks have way too little time to play mind games. I also know that guys are vindictive pricks who love hiding behind the shroud of anonymity.

The most recent one (and most idiotic) was sent in a two part message, most probably because his mom called him out of his room for dinner and had to hit send before he forgot what he wanted to say, which usually isn't much, making one assume that he isn't too bright. He also keeps repeating the same thing, narrowing it down to someone who doesn't have an expansive vocabulary.

He actually bothered to cut and paste the result of him clicking send, which was "This comment has been saved and will be shown once it has been approved by the author, yadayadayada...". And then adding a hyphen followed by his comment, which was 'proves' then his mommy called him to dinner.

Then he came back like 2 hours later, after watching Barney and friends with his parents and 32 year old virgin brother to finish the entire message, which consisted of "... that you're a loser!" or something to that effect.

Hell, if I wasn't so particular about lesser minds tainting my blog with redundancies like that, I would actually approve the comment just to let the other readers see how idiotic the world can be. Ironically, he left the comment in my previous post, which was about idiots and putas like him.

NOW you guys know where I'm coming from.

the fuck you lookin' at.:

2008-08-15T16:37:00.003+08:00

I hate people who do not reply or even look at me when I say hello. I don't know if that's what their parents taught them or if it's acceptable where they're from.

But that is just plain fucking rude. I have a major gripe about Asians. More for Singaporeans than any other nationalities, though. They're not warm, friendly or inviting to anyone they don't know. The root of the problem is probably their lack of trust in a stranger. The government instills so much fear in us that we're paranoid about each other.

I have seen how professionals in Singapore do business, and it sickens me to no end. There is no more honesty. They is no more sincerity. Everything and everyone has just turned into one rude ball of clusterfuck. You've seen it before, probably... someone laughing on the phone, probably speaking to an important client or someshit and when he/she hangs up, they go: "MOTHERFUCKER!!"

In related news, our National Day just passed. For one day in a year, we celebrate at how we've blossomed. The nation is advancing, but the people aren't. Well there are a small number of people who are courteous, eloquent and honest, but those numbers are drowning in an overwhelming sea of kampung people, which, I feel... is everyfuckingwhere.

Here's something that bothered me alot. First there was a Speak Proper English campaign. Not long later, they started a Speak Mandarin campaign. First of all, I don't get these campaigns, because Singapore is a salad toss of hundreds of nationalities and dozens of ethnicities. Uniting them won't be easy... especially when they're not properly educated.

Second... make up your fucking mind. Which one do you want your Chinese citizens to speak? Not only are you confusing them, you're making everyone else go: "WTF?"

You know, I bet the next campaign will be Speak Proper Tamil, because the way I see it, they're coming in by the boatloads and I don't think they'll stop in the near future.

Don't get me wrong. I am not racist. I can't be, because I even hate my own race. So I have come to a conclusion that most parts of the world house idiots and rude fucks who think that they own the world.

By the way, I think most of the education system in the world is...

crap.

You can't judge a kid or student on how well he can absorb information, because it'll never be retained in his head forever unless he does it everyday for the rest of his life.

Go ahead, ask ANY 30 year old about a topic he learned in college that has nothing to do with his current job. Learning is lifelong and I salute people who think that because they've figured out that people can actually forget everything they learn.

I'd prefer calling that Mid-Term Memory (see the double pun?). It's neither short-term nor long-term... so that's what it is. I'm being random right now.

By the way, I'm not a pompous ass who thinks he's all that because I've pointed out a lot of negatives about the human race. I know I'm not smart. I know I'm not clever.

But what does retaining information have to do with intelligence? I feel that true intelligence is in-born. Geniuses, prodigies... alot of them in the early part of Man's existence. These days... not so much.

Those geniuses who get concepts and pick up quick due to a higher level of logic or accelerated brain activity whose neurons fire a million times quicker than an average person. Scientists who can split an atom, splice genes and create energy through nuclear fission. Those are geniuses.

But I'm not talking about that. Them, I don't even expect to meet.

Slipknot - Psychosocial (Radio Edit)

2008-07-21T22:45:00.001+08:00

My metal heroes are back, sounding all evolved. Corey sounds like he got his voice back and they look awesome as shit.

I can't wait for the album.

false idols.:

2008-07-19T04:49:00.003+08:00

Let me start by saying that everybody is still human.

All this while, I never took much notice to celebrities falling left and right, especially Britney's most recent multiple meltdowns.

I have mentioned before and again, in previous blogs and posts, that expectation is the main factor in disappointment, anger and every other negative emotion. You expect someone to do something and they might do another. Some of these expectations are automatic (example, job expectations, behaviour observation) and some are not your fault (someone gave you their word, hence you dumbassedly believed them).

"I am so shocked because ________ is not that kind of person!"

Or,

"But he/she gave me his/her word that he/she wouldn't do it ever again!"

You get my point. So quite a number of people were shocked at what happened when Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies lead singer/part-time guitarist) was arrested on charges of drug abuse/possession.

As most of you readers may know, I truly adore The Barenaked Ladies and their music. For almost 20 years, they have been known for being wholesome, fun-loving individuals who doubles up as music maestros. All of them are married with children and never divorced or anything like that. Their stage antics are legendary. Their songs are uplifting, melodic, soulful and just purely fun.

Imagine the shock within the fan community when news broke that he was arrested in Fayetteville, New York.

We did not expect someone from such a band to start snorting something that's so hardcore. The cops should probably check his arm just to see how hardcore he's got.

Am I shocked or surprised? A little. I'm kinda used to it because I just assume that almost every musician or actor/actress does some sort of drug. What made this case interesting is that

1. Page is Canadian
2. Arrested in the US
3. BNL (Barenaked Ladies) just released a kid's album called Snacktime
4. They're supposed to be doing a tour with Disney (which they dropped out of)
5. They're from a mainstream pop band
6. He's thirty fucking eight years old
7. He's married with 3 fucking boys, all no older than 12.

Another interesting fact aside from this little incident is that he's been going downhill lately. He separated from his wife last year and has been 'dating' one of his fans who he met on myspace or something. If you clicked the link that I posted earlier, it would probably give you some clue.

It was indeed a big internal hoo-haa in the BNL fan community because everyone was talking about Steve and his new gf and how someone noticed that he's no longer wearing his wedding band. I didn't really think much of it, but on the cruise earlier this year, I did notice that the new gf was a little standoff-ish. Didn't really matter to me, as long as his boat is still floating and the music is awesome. I didn't really dig Snacktime because well... it's aimed at kids anyways, so I'm sure I'll be forgiven, although I like this one song called Pollywog In A Bog. It's got a nice tune.

So once you read the entire article that I linked you people up with, you'd probably see the link between the rumour I mentioned and his arrest. There are alot of mixed reactions in the community... some cheering him on (as in supporting, not encouraging the habit) and some totally disgusted by it. Majority agreed on one thing though... it's the gf's fault.

I beg to differ. He's thirty fucking eight, as I've mentioned. He should DEFINITELY know better. He had a problem with alcohol in the last decade and it was because of depression. What's his reason now? He won't get poontang from the missus unless he's high on it?

I'm just waiting for a comment from ANY of the other band members. So far, only the manager has given comment.

Steven Page has had a history of erratic behaviour. He's not as fun-loving and goofy as we all thought, after that bout of depression in the mid 90's.

And now, we realise he's not as smart.

damage done.:

2008-07-15T15:52:00.001+08:00

This is dedicated to a dear friend of mine.

lost and found.:

2008-07-03T20:37:00.001+08:00

I think this video says it all.

dear haters.:

2008-06-25T20:10:00.002+08:00

I have been receiving some negative-laden comments on this blog, which is surprising, seeing as how fun-natured I am(!).

I would be lying if I said I didn't care, because if I didn't care, I wouldn't even mention it here in the first place. But maybe some of you might actually understand what goes on in their heads.

Leaving anonymous messages on blogs isn't exactly admirable... but whatever floats your boat. I'm not going to judge you because I don't even know who you are.

I rejected those comments because at that time, I thought it was very loser-esque of them (or him/her). Although, once I had the moment to think it over, I should have published them. I don't keep track of my reader demographics. I don't know who is reading and I have no idea if they're friends or strangers. What I do know, though, is that nobody ever takes this shit seriously.

The first one that came in like a week ago said: "you sound like a loser."

Ah, well, ok.

The second one was just last night and it was short and sweet: "geek." Now I shouldn't have rejected this one because my previous entry DOES prove that I am indeed a fanboy. I love comics, video games and some sci-fi stuff. Ok, I am a geek. I don't deny it but I don't tell people I'm one. But, whatever.

The first comment did not shock me one bit. I probably have a few clues as to who might have done it, but I'm not one to point fingers without having hard evidence.

So yes, I do care, but not as much as you think.

I suppose you can continue hating, because it's your God given right. But don't expect me to take you seriously. Seriously.

bandwagon.:

2008-06-12T03:41:00.003+08:00

There was a time where print-to-screen movies were sparse. Studios refused to buy screenplays and scripts of comic book characters since Batman fell flat on its face with Batman Forever and the Adam West-esque's Batman of Batman & Robin. The only things missing from that movie were the colourful captions that exclaim "KAPOW!" or "BOOM!" or someshit like that.

Then the 21st century dawned on us and someone decided to make X-Men, which I thought was way overdue. I was highly looking forward to it. It was initially alright, except they decided to change the entire history of X-Men and more importantly, the costumes.

They wanted to make the movie more realistic, more so than the insane lady with white eyes who can control the weather or the man who can shoot plasma beams from his eyes. I can write up the entire history of X-Men right now, but that serves no purpose to you.

And then Spider-Man came out. It was GREAT. From the Green Goblin to Doctor Octopus to Peter Parker's struggles in life. We all knew the Spider-Man franchise had to crash somewhere. Must it be this soon? Especially when VENOM is in it? I heard that Venom got very little screen time because the director hates the character.

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFWHAT?!?!

Ask anyone who's a real Spidey fanatic: Venom is the most loved villian in the entire series. I even find myself rooting for Venom when I read the comics or watched the cartoon series. I can't possible cheer for Venom especially when 90% of the time, he reveals his Eric Foreman/That 70's Show face with his scrawny ass voice. Topher Grace was the wrong pick for Venom. Venom doesn't even sound like Venom.

Wait. I've lost my train of thought thanks to the abomination that is Spider-Man 3.

Alright.

Everyone knows how Hulk (Ang Lee version) was a HUGE bomb. It made like chunk change. Seriously. I saw a portion of it once and thought it was possibly the crappiest movie ever made. I stand by the fact that comic to screen versions should remain faithful, but even using comicbook-like transitions?? Come on... that's just... dear lordy lord.

And since Ang Lee tried to make Hulk look like Pete Wentz on huge doses of gamma rays and failed so badly, some other studio decides to make another one. One with a more formidable opponent and interesting battleground. Hey, the streets worked for Transformers, right? And of course, they have to fight at night. Also this time, instead of using almost unknown actors like Eric Bana (at that time) they decide to use big names like EDWARD NORTON of Fight Club and American History X fame and Liv Tyler of LOTR and Armageddon fame (not to mention it's Steven Tyler's kid) to try pump up the hype.

I mean, which A Grade Hollywood star would want to risk the credibility of their career with a shit movie right?

I'm planning to watch this because there's alot of hype surrounding it, plus their marketing tactics are working on me. This made me wanna watch it REALLY bad: Lou Ferrigno (the original Hulk in the live action series in the 70's/80's) is voicing Hulk. LOU FERRIGNO!! I watched a really short trailer last night where the Hulk belted out his trademark line (which is HULK SMASH! because apparently, his IQ goes waaaaaaaaay low when he's big and green) and it sent shivers down my spine.

But a new poster has been revealed for a movie set to release in 2010. You'd never guess what it is. Hint: It has already been made in the 80's.

Give up?

Try harder.

Really give up?

You sure?

MGM is remaking Robocop. I have no idea why. Why not remake Alien or Predator while you're at it? Or how about Sound Of Music or Wizard Of Oz?

However, to stay positive, I see this summer season to be chockful of good movies. Hancock, The Dark Knight, Wanted (I don't really wanna see it, but curving a bullet?? Who'd a thunk it?) and Hellboy II.

I can't wait for Hellboy II.

killing the main character; booya, singapore.:

2008-06-11T05:21:00.003+08:00

I will be discontinuing the entire Tim thing because... I don't feel like it. It doesn't really show ME as a person.

Okay, I'm lazy. It's tough enough to remember key happenings in my day/week. Writing up fiction through those experiences just doubles the trouble. And when I can't think of something to write, I don't and those incidences are left in the abyss of the back my mind forever, never to be brought up again.

Anyways...

I have this habit of reading through my old posts when I'm bored or when I actually remember I have a blog (which isn't happening a lot these days). When I do that, memories of ye olde start gushing in like a dam bursting from pressure and killing the thousands below. It's good to remember where you've been, but don't expect them to play out the same ever again.

This prehistoric entry however, really struck a chord in me yet again.

About a week ago, The New Paper ran a story about a young man named Pearry Reginald Teo who now resides in LA after being rejected by a popular tertiary institution here in Singapore. What's most amazing about this young man is that he has directed a movie called The Gene Generation, which was just released less than a week ago in the US. It is distributed by Lionsgate and stars Bai Ling and Faye Dunaway.

Luckily for me and other disgruntled customers of this country, the writer of the article was a snarky one. At the end of the article she said something like, "Another one overlooked" or something to that effect.

All I could do after reading it was scream in delight, thinking: "Yet another intelligent and inquisitive mind saved from the creative tyranny and oppression of this narrow, cookie-cutter Republic!"

indestructible.:

2008-06-11T02:59:00.006+08:00

After 3 years, Disturbed has released yet another stellar album.

The opening title track, Indestructible, sort of leads us into a false sense of adrenaline pumping music coming in the next few seconds with air raid sirens and gunfire going off that sounds almost like Slipknot's Pulse Of The Maggots. The intro guitar riff and verse sound tame and almost disappointed me but when the chorus hit, I was hooked to the song. Their trademark drum thumping and melodic singing really pumped me up a notch, but still not what I was expecting. Little did I know that Indestructible was setting me up for an amazing song.

Inside The Fire (I assume it's the first single off the album) and almost every other song on this album has a generic rock arrangement (verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus) but most of them were done so well that I just couldn't complain, not that I have anything against that arrangement. If it ain't broke, don't fix it (I will be saying this again later in this post, you'll see why). This song also has alot of meaning behind it, as explained by vocalist David Draiman. Highly distraught by the suicide of his troubled ex-girlfriend, he contemplated suicide but was deterred by his bandmates and other concerned friends. Lyrics were written through his eyes, and his emotional subconscious trying to lull him into committing suicide so that he could join her. Apparently, he didn't.

"Devon lies beyond this portal
Take the word of one immortal"

Those two sentences really prove his amazing writing skills.

I won't really go into detail with every song, but I will upload my favourite songs into the player you see to the right. To sum it up, this album is not a breakthrough, but proof that Disturbed still has it.

Speaking of breakthrough, I was browsing IGN.com the night before and saw on the main page that they reviewed Indestructible. Final rating was 5.5/10. I was pretty shocked at how low the rating was.

So I went on to read the comments made by commoners like you and me. I would say that out of 10 readers, 8 totally disagreed with the reviewer. The other 2 went to say that he's right and Disturbed is purely annoying.

Ok.

2 things.

I don't understand why someone who dislikes/hates a band would actually navigate to a page that reviews that said band's new album. There were actually comments that went, "zomg I hate disturbed their singer is so annoying". Yeah ok... so what are you doing there?

The other thing... the reviewer went on to say that the band does not do anything different with this album. It sounds the same as every other album that they have done. This is a point that has been bugging me since I read that review. As a Disturbed fan, I may be a little biased, but I know that that is not true. SO not true. The only people who say that are people who don't actually listen to this genre of music.

Take this for example... I don't listen to country music. So to me, it all sounds the same... acoustic guitars/banjos/southern drawl/singing about fucking barn animals/all that shit. Now, that just isn't fair is it? I don't listen to it... it's not my thing, so I don't talk shit about it. Simple. The reviewer's article sounds forced and rushed. It doesn't seem like he listened to the album's entirety before making a fair judgment.

Totally off from the album review, I also have to slam people who slam bands for doing something different. Avenged Sevenfold is a good example. After Waking The Fallen (their trademark metalcore album), purists went on to say that they sold out and started writing music for the masses.

I listen to mainstream music once in awhile when I'm in the mood and judging from what's playing on the radio, Trashed and Scattered or Bat Country is NOT something that a normal radio-loving individual would want to listen to, amid the Umbrella or Soulja Boy craze. A song about killing your girlfriend and then fucking her dead body is totally out of the question.

So just because a band chooses to remain within their style for the next 10 albums until they retire, it does not make them boring and talentless. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Just because a band whose talents are way beyond their current or previous outings decides to veer into classical or Gregorian Chants, it doesn't make them sellouts. So what if it sells more records than before? It only shows just how much more talented and hardworking they are.

These are my opinions and I feel that they are rather diplomatic. If you don't like them, you can kiss my flat ass. Yes, I just said flat ass. If you don't like it, you can kiss-

We've been through this already.

Tim; Log 215.:

2008-05-05T13:20:00.002+08:00

Hi, my name is Tim and I am empty.

I haven't always been this way, but lately, I haven't been feeling the need to do anything much. I can spend hours, days, weeks at home doing nothing and not even be compelled to step out of the house.

I think I have officially become ~~insane~~ jaded.

I used to enjoy life and all it has to offer, but lately I've turned into those working-stiffs-drone-types. Must be that one year office job that I had. It sucked the youth-enthusiasm out of me and turned me into an adult. A real adult who's passing through a mid-mid-life crisis.

That's alotta hyphens.

Being a Barista is not as bad as I'd thought. Sure, it's a low-paying job and the stigma it brings for a 24 year old isn't exactly grand. It's not coordinator/banker/designer status, but it's the first time I've worked a job that isn't bad at all. It's actually a joy to go to.

Not to mention I'm going back to school later in the year. Better late than never, but at 24, I don't think I'm late at all.

I have got big plans for myself at this moment and this time, I aims to see it through all the way to the end.

I may be feeling empty right now, but in no way am I lacking the motivation to succeed.

Or wait... do I think that succeeding will make me feel something? Is that why I want to? Am I longing to feel, more than anything? Even if that's the case, what is it that I want to feel?

What I've felt before? The pain and agony of failed love and hardship?

Maybe it's alot better to be empty and not feel the wretched torment of emotion. Maybe it's better I keep myself this way. It keeps the negativity away.

Tim moved the cursor on the monitor to the upper right corner of the screen and clicked on the red button with the 'X' on it.

I think his words speak for themselves. Do you actually need me, the narrator, to spell it out for you?

I thought not.

Log #215 completed.

Tim; crucify.:

2008-04-01T14:51:00.002+08:00

Tim always loved discussing about religion. Definitely has to be with the right people though, because he has experienced some bad conversations that led to heated debates.

Now, don’t get him wrong, he does not hate any form of beliefs. He is merely a man who prefers not to partake in any of them so as to avoid any future misunderstanding. Race cannot be chosen, but faith can be.

The true essence of all faith is to apply good to your lives. You don’t have to be Muslim, Christian or Jewish in order to know that killing a fellow man is wrong. It is all about morals.

Tim has read half of the Bible and the Quran. He recognized a pattern in the two books. They were guidelines to the soul.

Many times during a discussion, Tim has stopped and realised that he’s preaching Agnosticism. It came to a point where he wasn’t trying to explain how he felt about faith and religion, he was trying to make the other person understand, which was totally hopeless. He was turning into an Agnostic high priest of sorts.

It is great to point out the flaws of their system and teachings, but it’s not fair. If the people don’t see it for themselves, then they will never take what you say seriously. That’s the way it works and that’s how the human mind is wired.

The Passion Of The Christ was a turning point for Tim. He was weeping buckets during the crucifixion scene. Jesus was being whipped, tortured and crucified by the people and yet he still asked the Lord to forgive all of them.

“They know not what they do.”

Exactly. That’s the basis of mankind. We don’t know what we’re doing. We don’t know if there is a one true God because we’ve never seen Him. We don’t know if ETs exist because we’ve never seen them. There is however, a greater chance of aliens existing, because we’re here and in this entire universe, what are the chances of Earth being the only habitable planet?

But that’s not the point.

The point is, we believe what we want to believe. For humankind to survive, we need hope. Man is the only species in this entire world that’s capable of suicide. It is clear that our survival instinct can be disengaged by our own Hamartias. Our minds are so complex that one thought often clashes with another. Everything we see in this world right now… love, career, entertainment, religion… was created to justify our own existence.

I mean, would you want to live in a world where the only thing to do is stay alive?

Tim; detonation.:

2008-03-24T22:03:00.001+08:00

He didn’t know what he was doing there. He didn’t know anyone and was too neurotic to introduce himself. The entire apartment was buzzing with chatter, laughter and the likes. He felt too distant from everyone else. Maybe he shouldn’t have even come. Maybe he should have spent this Saturday like any other; at home wasting the time away with a new PC game or watching some reruns on HBO.

Nevertheless, he had to get out of the house. It was driving him banana sandwich. The lack of social interaction was slowly starting to get to him, but it wasn’t much of a difference anyways, because even when with friends, he doesn’t really talk much. What more when thrown into a room full of strangers?

Once in awhile, his friend who threw this soiree would pass by and ask if he was doing okay, and then moves on to the next person. Tim’s reply would be a generic “Yeah, yeah… awesome party!” and then settle back to staring into space with a beer in hand, which was getting warm.

Out of nowhere, a huge commotion broke out and people started screaming and shouting. He walked through the living room and into the bar area (it was kind of a penthouse) to see some people crowding around something. The others were hysterical and were running out of the apartment. Tim put his beer down on a coffee table and walked towards the source of the commotion.

He saw a ticking time bomb. It had 5 seconds before it went off.

He knew that 5 seconds was not ample time to evacuate the blast radius so all he could do was to brace himself and succumb to his destiny, which was to die at this moment. His life didn’t flash before his eyes like everyone’s trite statement. Instead, they were running in his head like a load of film rewinding. That was when he realised that he still had a lot to live for and he just doesn’t realise it. But he didn’t want to die full of remorse. He simply let everything go as he saw the clock tick to zero.

The blast did not kill him; it threw him out of the 30th storey window. His heart was racing as he fell… fell… fell. He closed his eyes just as he was about to hit the ground.

He opened his eyes. He didn’t wake up with a start, he wasn’t drenched in cold sweat. Amazingly enough, that bad ordeal wasn’t a nightmare… to him, it was just another dream.

A dream that made him think.

tim; an introduction.:

2008-03-13T19:25:00.004+08:00

Tim thought he had it all figured out. A very logical person indeed. Very linear too, constantly planning every single thing that goes on in his life. A good example of a paradoxed mind as well; he likes spontaineity.

A clash of personality is normally a bad thing. You can't plan things out and execute matters on the fly at the same time. It fucks up the whole space time continuum. Well, HIS space time continuum, at least.

Also, just because he likes to plan, doesn't mean he's good at it. Plans way too far ahead and doesn't factor in the 'what ifs'. A good example would be buying a month's supply of pet food for your ferret and then having it die two weeks later because you were dumb enough to leave the window of your 20th floor apartment open. A window that's easily accessible via a work desk which is accessible via a swivel chair. How convenient and dumb.

Not only is Tim not good at it, he totally sucks when it comes to planning. Too many kinks along the way and the lack of drive is one hell of a recipe for procrastination.

Another problem with him: When a momentous event approaches, it's all he can ever think about. Literally. It's the only thing that keeps playing through his mind. And when it's over... this is what he usually says... "Ok... so what's next?"

Wonderful, Tim. He needs routine in his life. Without it, he's just basically doing nothing and living out life without meaning or purpose.

And get this: he just planned something out. He wants to go back to school. He's poking around some institution websites and keeping his options open for now. Of course right now, it's still nothing but a plan. Whether it works out or not remains to be seen and he knows that. This time he seems pretty determined to straighten his life out and stop fucking around (not sexually).

He knows he has to reclaim his life and there's no better time than now. //

Note: This was written on the spot and I had no idea what was going to happen when I started it. Question: should this be a running story... like a serial or should it change in every post? Comments please... to those who even read this. I'd appreciate it.

i was away? i didn't realise.:

2008-03-11T18:42:00.002+08:00

The previous entry is evidence that I normally and habitually don't finish what I start.

Do you realise that sometime in your life, you find yourself needing to be distant from everyone and everything?

Why?

What triggers this reclusive behaviour?

You know... to write in a blog about your own feelings without being able to actually divulge all fine details can be pretty frustrating to the readers. So with that conclusion, I have decided that from the next entry onwards, I shall write fictional short stories that pertain to my life in some way, so that you can have a glimmer of an idea the message I'm trying to convey or emote.

People always relate to you better if it's told in third person anyways.