1958-2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Rest In Peace
Somebody the likes of you will never be seen again. Thank you for all the great years and amazing music. You rock!
1958-2009
1958-2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Back!
After 10 months of waiting, and 27 hours of flying, it feels great to be back! Wohoo!! And what was the first Malaysian food I had? Satay, followed by Nasi Lemak. All at the glorious hour of around midnight =P
But the best part was at the airport. After getting out of Korean Air's Airbus A330, I literally waltzed out of the airport. No questions asked, except for filling up some health form. No screening, no temperature checks, nothing! Absolutely nothing! So,with this in mind, I've decided to put myself under quarantine, until I can get a proper doctor to run some tests on me to see if everything is alright. As excited as I am to come home and meet all my friends, I have to also think about their safety. But personally, I feel fine, and we shall hang out! For shizzle!
Oh, my mom couldn't recognize me as I was walking out of the airport. This gave me the opportunity to sneak out and approach her from the back. You should have seen the look on her face! My dad was excited too! Oh, and my mom loves my hair. She suggested I get an ear ring to complement it. I'm serious!! =D
Off to bed~
But the best part was at the airport. After getting out of Korean Air's Airbus A330, I literally waltzed out of the airport. No questions asked, except for filling up some health form. No screening, no temperature checks, nothing! Absolutely nothing! So,with this in mind, I've decided to put myself under quarantine, until I can get a proper doctor to run some tests on me to see if everything is alright. As excited as I am to come home and meet all my friends, I have to also think about their safety. But personally, I feel fine, and we shall hang out! For shizzle!
Oh, my mom couldn't recognize me as I was walking out of the airport. This gave me the opportunity to sneak out and approach her from the back. You should have seen the look on her face! My dad was excited too! Oh, and my mom loves my hair. She suggested I get an ear ring to complement it. I'm serious!! =D
Off to bed~
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Bye Bye
After 10 months in the states, I'm finally going to make that 10000 mile trip journey back to Malaysia. It's going to be 3 different flights, across 2 continents and one ocean, for a total of a little more than 27 hours of flight time plus transit.
I'm excited. But like I said previously, a little nervous as well.
My 10 months here has been both challenging and fun at the same time. I don't want to go into detail, but, some days were good, while some days didn't go out as how I would have liked it to, but that's what makes life, life. Right? What's the point in sailing through smooth waters all the time? It is only in rough waters that you learn to understand the capabilities, strengths and weaknesses of the ship. Once you understand all these things, then you can go ahead and build a better vessel. If you don't like sailing on the water, you build a submarine. That's how I see life.
Oh well... Another 8 hours, and its time for my first flight.
Sayonara Daytona.
I'm excited. But like I said previously, a little nervous as well.
My 10 months here has been both challenging and fun at the same time. I don't want to go into detail, but, some days were good, while some days didn't go out as how I would have liked it to, but that's what makes life, life. Right? What's the point in sailing through smooth waters all the time? It is only in rough waters that you learn to understand the capabilities, strengths and weaknesses of the ship. Once you understand all these things, then you can go ahead and build a better vessel. If you don't like sailing on the water, you build a submarine. That's how I see life.
Oh well... Another 8 hours, and its time for my first flight.
Sayonara Daytona.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Breakaway
This is why lightning should strike and kill every single idiot out there. This is what happens when two idiots get into power, and run the world's most prestigious motorsport series:
-start-
The Formula One Teams' Association announced on Thursday night that it is setting up a breakaway championship.
Following a four hour meeting at Renault's Enstone factory, the eight members of FOTA - Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, BMW Sauber, Toyota, Brawn, Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso - said they had grown frustrated with the FIA's stance against the organisation, and had no option but to create a series of their own.
"The teams cannot continue to compromise on the fundamental values of the sport and have declined to alter their original conditional entries to the 2010 World Championship," said a statement issued by FOTA after the meeting.
"These teams therefore have no alternative other than to commence the preparation for a new Championship which reflects the values of its participants and partners. This series will have transparent governance, one set of regulations, encourage more entrants and listen to the wishes of the fans, including offering lower prices for spectators worldwide, partners and other important stakeholders.
"The major drivers, stars, brands, sponsors, promoters and companies historically associated with the highest level of motorsport will all feature in this new series."
F1 teams were given until Friday evening to remove the conditions attached to the provisional entries they posted earlier this month, or risk being left off the grid in 2010.
FIA president Max Mosley wrote to the teams yesterday offering them some of the concessions that they wanted to see regarding governance of the sport, but made it clear that he was sticking to plans for the introduction of a budget cap.
In his letter, Mosley also urged the teams to sign up to the championship before sorting out the final version of the regulations and a redrafted Concorde Agreement.
In response to that letter, the teams met at Renault's Enstone headquarters on Thursday evening for lengthy talks, where they finally decided that there was no way a compromise deal could be reached with the FIA.
The teams expressed frustration that their efforts to try and improve F1 had been rebuffed by the governing body and the sport's commercial rights holder.
"Since the formation of FOTA last September the teams have worked together and sought to engage the FIA and commercial rights holder, to develop and improve the sport," said the statement.
"Unprecedented worldwide financial turmoil has inevitably placed great challenges before the F1 community. FOTA is proud that it has achieved the most substantial measures to reduce costs in the history of our sport.
"In particular the manufacturer teams have provided assistance to the independent teams, a number of which would probably not be in the sport today without the FOTA initiatives. The FOTA teams have further agreed upon a substantial voluntary cost reduction that provides a sustainable model for the future.
"Following these efforts all the teams have confirmed to the FIA and the commercial rights holder that they are willing to commit until the end of 2012.
"The FIA and the commercial rights holder have campaigned to divide FOTA.
"The wishes of the majority of the teams are ignored. Furthermore, tens of millions of dollars have been withheld from many teams by the commercial rights holder, going back as far as 2006. Despite this and the uncompromising environment, FOTA has genuinely sought compromise."
The announcement by FOTA looks certain to overshadow the British Grand Prix, which takes place at Silverstone for the final time this weekend and which Mosley is expected to attend tomorrow.
With FOTA's stance now seemingly leaving no room for a deal possible, its likely that more new teams will be added to the FIA's 2010 Formula 1 entry list.
The inclusion of Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso on that roster remains open to debate, however, with the FIA claiming that the teams committed themselves to F1 in a deal agreed several years ago.
-end-
Taken from www.autosport.com
Personally, while I laud the great work done by Mosely and Ecclestone in improving the safety of F1 and bringing more money to the sport, their actions in recent years have been detrimental to the sport. The battle has been raging for quite some time now. I hoped that it didn't have to end up this way, but then again, I wouldn't enjoy a watered down F1. So, whatever this new series is going to be called, lets hope that it is going to be worth it.
-start-
The Formula One Teams' Association announced on Thursday night that it is setting up a breakaway championship.
Following a four hour meeting at Renault's Enstone factory, the eight members of FOTA - Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, BMW Sauber, Toyota, Brawn, Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso - said they had grown frustrated with the FIA's stance against the organisation, and had no option but to create a series of their own.
"The teams cannot continue to compromise on the fundamental values of the sport and have declined to alter their original conditional entries to the 2010 World Championship," said a statement issued by FOTA after the meeting.
"These teams therefore have no alternative other than to commence the preparation for a new Championship which reflects the values of its participants and partners. This series will have transparent governance, one set of regulations, encourage more entrants and listen to the wishes of the fans, including offering lower prices for spectators worldwide, partners and other important stakeholders.
"The major drivers, stars, brands, sponsors, promoters and companies historically associated with the highest level of motorsport will all feature in this new series."
F1 teams were given until Friday evening to remove the conditions attached to the provisional entries they posted earlier this month, or risk being left off the grid in 2010.
FIA president Max Mosley wrote to the teams yesterday offering them some of the concessions that they wanted to see regarding governance of the sport, but made it clear that he was sticking to plans for the introduction of a budget cap.
In his letter, Mosley also urged the teams to sign up to the championship before sorting out the final version of the regulations and a redrafted Concorde Agreement.
In response to that letter, the teams met at Renault's Enstone headquarters on Thursday evening for lengthy talks, where they finally decided that there was no way a compromise deal could be reached with the FIA.
The teams expressed frustration that their efforts to try and improve F1 had been rebuffed by the governing body and the sport's commercial rights holder.
"Since the formation of FOTA last September the teams have worked together and sought to engage the FIA and commercial rights holder, to develop and improve the sport," said the statement.
"Unprecedented worldwide financial turmoil has inevitably placed great challenges before the F1 community. FOTA is proud that it has achieved the most substantial measures to reduce costs in the history of our sport.
"In particular the manufacturer teams have provided assistance to the independent teams, a number of which would probably not be in the sport today without the FOTA initiatives. The FOTA teams have further agreed upon a substantial voluntary cost reduction that provides a sustainable model for the future.
"Following these efforts all the teams have confirmed to the FIA and the commercial rights holder that they are willing to commit until the end of 2012.
"The FIA and the commercial rights holder have campaigned to divide FOTA.
"The wishes of the majority of the teams are ignored. Furthermore, tens of millions of dollars have been withheld from many teams by the commercial rights holder, going back as far as 2006. Despite this and the uncompromising environment, FOTA has genuinely sought compromise."
The announcement by FOTA looks certain to overshadow the British Grand Prix, which takes place at Silverstone for the final time this weekend and which Mosley is expected to attend tomorrow.
With FOTA's stance now seemingly leaving no room for a deal possible, its likely that more new teams will be added to the FIA's 2010 Formula 1 entry list.
The inclusion of Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso on that roster remains open to debate, however, with the FIA claiming that the teams committed themselves to F1 in a deal agreed several years ago.
-end-
Taken from www.autosport.com
Personally, while I laud the great work done by Mosely and Ecclestone in improving the safety of F1 and bringing more money to the sport, their actions in recent years have been detrimental to the sport. The battle has been raging for quite some time now. I hoped that it didn't have to end up this way, but then again, I wouldn't enjoy a watered down F1. So, whatever this new series is going to be called, lets hope that it is going to be worth it.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Band
Ultimate Guitar has some of the best band stories I've ever read. I got hooked to its stories when Ping Fuan introduced me to one of Nolan Whyte's stories, On The Comeback Road, a couple of years ago. Comeback Road is basically a story about this middle aged guy who is trying to make it big with a bunch of young adults as his band mates. Once that series was done, Nolan wrote a series called Guitargasm, which is a great story about a bunch of college kids trying to make it big. His latest series, Riot Band Blues is also another great story about forming a band. He still hasn't finished that one though. Though it may seem very formulaic, I can assure you that each of these three stories are completely different in their plot, characters, stories and everything else. But one thing for sure is that they all share a common theme, which is to rock as hard and rock proud.
Reading stuff like these really give me inspiration because I really enjoy band stories, and most of the time, I can relate to what is happening because I've been in a couple of bands myself, and I know what its like to be in one. Personally, being in a band, whether I'm playing live or just jamming for fun is among the most exhilarating of feelings I've ever had. I've always enjoyed that sense of "don't know what is going to happen next" involved in it. Sometimes, it can get a little challenging too because being in a band really requires some very good communication skills. Getting your ideas across, choosing a musical direction, or sometimes even getting all 4, 5 or 6 people who've got tremendously different timetables and responsibilities, in the same jamming room at once, is not exactly a straightforward task in any sense. Sometimes, doing it reminds me of a job of a diplomat or a deal haggler. And this is exactly what I miss about being in a band. I miss that whole "rush" feeling. And I'm glad that I don't have to wait much longer anymore. I'll be back next week, and we're going to start jamming again. Plus, I'm already 3/5ths into my new band. Brett spoke to me a couple of days ago and said that Evan has agreed to sing for us. The search for a bassist and drummer is still on, but, once you've got two guitarists and a singer, it becomes relatively easier to get the final two because we can always play random acoustic shows and advertise openings in our band. All we've got to do now, is to meet, and decide what exactly we want to do. Do we write our own stuff or do we do covers?
Many things come and go. Fad's as they would say it. But I like it that throughout all these years, a couple of things about myself has still remained a constant, and one of those, which is the absolute love for listening and playing music. If you knew me all those years ago, you'd still see that same passion and obsession in me about music. Only these day, I've gotten a whole lot crazier.
Reading stuff like these really give me inspiration because I really enjoy band stories, and most of the time, I can relate to what is happening because I've been in a couple of bands myself, and I know what its like to be in one. Personally, being in a band, whether I'm playing live or just jamming for fun is among the most exhilarating of feelings I've ever had. I've always enjoyed that sense of "don't know what is going to happen next" involved in it. Sometimes, it can get a little challenging too because being in a band really requires some very good communication skills. Getting your ideas across, choosing a musical direction, or sometimes even getting all 4, 5 or 6 people who've got tremendously different timetables and responsibilities, in the same jamming room at once, is not exactly a straightforward task in any sense. Sometimes, doing it reminds me of a job of a diplomat or a deal haggler. And this is exactly what I miss about being in a band. I miss that whole "rush" feeling. And I'm glad that I don't have to wait much longer anymore. I'll be back next week, and we're going to start jamming again. Plus, I'm already 3/5ths into my new band. Brett spoke to me a couple of days ago and said that Evan has agreed to sing for us. The search for a bassist and drummer is still on, but, once you've got two guitarists and a singer, it becomes relatively easier to get the final two because we can always play random acoustic shows and advertise openings in our band. All we've got to do now, is to meet, and decide what exactly we want to do. Do we write our own stuff or do we do covers?
Many things come and go. Fad's as they would say it. But I like it that throughout all these years, a couple of things about myself has still remained a constant, and one of those, which is the absolute love for listening and playing music. If you knew me all those years ago, you'd still see that same passion and obsession in me about music. Only these day, I've gotten a whole lot crazier.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
I Question
The problem with blogging is that, one can never be sure on whether or not to put one's most private thoughts. Not because, the author can't. But simply because of the readers. I have always believed that some thoughts and ideas, should only be shared with people whom are responsible in their thoughts and acts. The reason is, not everyone knows how to be responsible with an idea. Some, with detriment to many, will invariably overreact and come up with false conclusions. Unlike a diary,in cyberspace, it is difficult to say who is and who isn't responsible, because everyone with a basic internet connection and reasonable googling skills can access anything and everything that has ever been put into the realms of the cyber world. Even this post here.
Which is why, I'm reluctant to put down an idea which I have been having for months. An idea, if reasoned really well, might cause the masses to start running out with pitchforks, and possibly with me ending up being .... or thrown into lock up for sedition.
But I will give you a glimpse by asking a simple question. What if everything that everyone has ever told you about who you are is well... not exactly true? A statement built on the aim of simplifying things? What if your government has gotten some things about yourself, and some of the people around you very wrong? I've been doing some research, and I've come to a startling conclusion that there is a decent possibility of this exact thing happening.
This is the problem with thinking. If you think hard enough, and reason hard enough, you will start to ask questions so profound to the degree that it becomes too uncomfortable to answer.
Should I continue to think and do research, or should I continue to live in blissful but ignorant life?
Which is why, I'm reluctant to put down an idea which I have been having for months. An idea, if reasoned really well, might cause the masses to start running out with pitchforks, and possibly with me ending up being .... or thrown into lock up for sedition.
But I will give you a glimpse by asking a simple question. What if everything that everyone has ever told you about who you are is well... not exactly true? A statement built on the aim of simplifying things? What if your government has gotten some things about yourself, and some of the people around you very wrong? I've been doing some research, and I've come to a startling conclusion that there is a decent possibility of this exact thing happening.
This is the problem with thinking. If you think hard enough, and reason hard enough, you will start to ask questions so profound to the degree that it becomes too uncomfortable to answer.
Should I continue to think and do research, or should I continue to live in blissful but ignorant life?
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Jamming
It feels good to play lead guitar backed by the sound of another guitarist. I finally found a jam partner to jam with. His name is Brett Johnson. After weeks of planning, we finally managed to get together today in one of the study rooms, and just do some freestyle jamming. We did some blues, some Oasis, some random chord progressions, and just some other random stuff. Apparently, he is going to have a roommate who sings classical rock. We spoke about forming a band, and he is really into it. All we need now is a drummer and a bassist, and of course a band name.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Fade
You know what is depressing? I open my dashboard, and see rows upon rows of saved drafts. I know I should update them, but I really don't feel like it. I've completely lost interest in blogging. I should have reached my 1000th post about 20 posts ago, but all the drafts just doesn't make the 1000th post thing valid. I really feel like just deleting this entire blog, but knowing me, I probably won't. Too many memories in here. I sometimes read my old posts and try to find the reason I wrote them and what their meanings were. Of course, I always end up laughing at how silly they sound. Plus, I no longer feel inspired to write anymore. Kurt Cobain once said that it's better to burnout than to fade away. I feel like this whole thing is just fading away. Not good. Not good.
Aero Test
So Mr. Lakshman Narayanaswami really did it this time. And I don't like what he did. Not one bit. So we took our second Aero test today. Before he test, this dude here told us on a few parts to concentrate on as he plans to ask us those during the test. So a bunch of us got together on the day before the test, and studied our arses off from 2pm all the way up to 12 something in the morning. While for some of them, it was pretty much last minute cramming, but it wasn't so for me because I had started building up for the test for about a week or so. So naturally I was more of the "go to" guy for those who needed help on the concepts and anything else. So yeah, we got together, and studied.
So came the next day, we walked into LB 269 to sit for the test. This is how my story went. I got the test paper, and read the first question. The first one was easy, so I nailed it. I read the second part of the first one, wrote half an equation, and skipped it. I looked at the second question, and skipped it. I read the third one, I started to get annoyed. I looked at the fourth one, and started cursing. I looked at the fifth one, and well, this wasn't too bad, so I nailed that one. My tally after going through the paper for the first round? One and a half completed questions out of five. Amazing right? I looked over at Sulaiman, and he looked like he was in trouble too. Ramon who was on my right, wasn't looking too happy. So I went back to the questions and looked at them. After thinking, I decided to do what I do best when I don't know something. I bullshitted. I gathered whatever concept I knew about whatever topic he was asking, and just stuffed them all over the paper. I was ruthless. While doing so, I managed to completely complete 2 or 3 questions. But even then, I wasn't sure. All throughout the test, I was repeatedly cursing. In fact I said it loud enough for Ramon to chuckle, and I'm sure loud enough for the lecturer to hear. I wanted to make my feelings loud and clear.
So after the test, the usual "mini conference" happened, and not one person expressed satisfaction. All of them had their own words to add to it. That dude, decided to give us the most irrelevant exam paper that I've ever sat for. It was completely off. Very little of what he asked us to study actually came out on the test.
Personally, I got over it pretty quickly. Yes, I was disappointed, but I really saw no point in staying that way. Whatever happened, happened. I can't change it. But I really felt sorry for those who needed that second test to pull their grades up. They looked really dejected. I felt bad, and I felt responsible for it. I felt that way because, it was me who was teaching them the day before, and somehow whatever I went over with them just wasn't enough. I felt really stupid for missing, although unintentionally, the parts that were in the test. I know they are not going to blame me, but I just hate doing a bad job.
Oh well. Time to move on. I just hope that its not over for me or for anyone.
So came the next day, we walked into LB 269 to sit for the test. This is how my story went. I got the test paper, and read the first question. The first one was easy, so I nailed it. I read the second part of the first one, wrote half an equation, and skipped it. I looked at the second question, and skipped it. I read the third one, I started to get annoyed. I looked at the fourth one, and started cursing. I looked at the fifth one, and well, this wasn't too bad, so I nailed that one. My tally after going through the paper for the first round? One and a half completed questions out of five. Amazing right? I looked over at Sulaiman, and he looked like he was in trouble too. Ramon who was on my right, wasn't looking too happy. So I went back to the questions and looked at them. After thinking, I decided to do what I do best when I don't know something. I bullshitted. I gathered whatever concept I knew about whatever topic he was asking, and just stuffed them all over the paper. I was ruthless. While doing so, I managed to completely complete 2 or 3 questions. But even then, I wasn't sure. All throughout the test, I was repeatedly cursing. In fact I said it loud enough for Ramon to chuckle, and I'm sure loud enough for the lecturer to hear. I wanted to make my feelings loud and clear.
So after the test, the usual "mini conference" happened, and not one person expressed satisfaction. All of them had their own words to add to it. That dude, decided to give us the most irrelevant exam paper that I've ever sat for. It was completely off. Very little of what he asked us to study actually came out on the test.
Personally, I got over it pretty quickly. Yes, I was disappointed, but I really saw no point in staying that way. Whatever happened, happened. I can't change it. But I really felt sorry for those who needed that second test to pull their grades up. They looked really dejected. I felt bad, and I felt responsible for it. I felt that way because, it was me who was teaching them the day before, and somehow whatever I went over with them just wasn't enough. I felt really stupid for missing, although unintentionally, the parts that were in the test. I know they are not going to blame me, but I just hate doing a bad job.
Oh well. Time to move on. I just hope that its not over for me or for anyone.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Stranger
You know what feels weird? After all of these months of waiting, in a little over 2 weeks, I will board 3 different planes to make that 10000 odd miles back home.
In some ways I do feel excited, but in many ways, I actually feel really nervous. It's like me going through a whole new experience again. I've really settled in well over here. I have made and met many great, and amazing people. I have done some pretty cool things with them. I've become used to the lifestyle over here. So suddenly, the thought of going back, is actually one that is nerve wrecking, simply because, I don't know what to expect. I've noticed that many of my contemporaries have gone a long way since, and thinking about it, though it makes me glad, makes me wonder. How much different from then?
I never thought I'd say this, but somehow, I feel like a stranger. A stranger in my own home.
Ahhh... But then again, this is why we have mamaks. The perfect place for readjusting.
In some ways I do feel excited, but in many ways, I actually feel really nervous. It's like me going through a whole new experience again. I've really settled in well over here. I have made and met many great, and amazing people. I have done some pretty cool things with them. I've become used to the lifestyle over here. So suddenly, the thought of going back, is actually one that is nerve wrecking, simply because, I don't know what to expect. I've noticed that many of my contemporaries have gone a long way since, and thinking about it, though it makes me glad, makes me wonder. How much different from then?
I never thought I'd say this, but somehow, I feel like a stranger. A stranger in my own home.
Ahhh... But then again, this is why we have mamaks. The perfect place for readjusting.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Way, Away.
The structure of adaptability, yet the structure of incompressibility.
Bring me to paradise, and burn me when I'm done with it.
We're all going o die anyway...
Tickets are booked, hotel is booked, people are booked. 35 more days. It's going to be the best island trip ever. Nothing but good friends, and keg load of alcohol, music and fun.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Heliconia 777
I remembered seeing a picture of this particular B777 sometime in 2005 or 2006, and thought that it has to be the most beautiful B777 that I've ever seen.
I wondered what it would be like to fly one. So I went through simviation.com, and found the file to this particular plane. And here it is.
Taking off from Bahamas International Airport.
Flying en route to Daytona Beach Airport.
The Florida coastline.
Now I'm going to look for a MAS B747 and recreate my flight from KLIA to Taipei.
Oh, ad I nearly got knocked down by an MPV. You should have seen the look on the Singh's (driver) face. He had the turban and a thick moustache. It was so funny that all I could do was laugh.
I wondered what it would be like to fly one. So I went through simviation.com, and found the file to this particular plane. And here it is.
Taking off from Bahamas International Airport.
Flying en route to Daytona Beach Airport.
The Florida coastline.
Now I'm going to look for a MAS B747 and recreate my flight from KLIA to Taipei.
Oh, ad I nearly got knocked down by an MPV. You should have seen the look on the Singh's (driver) face. He had the turban and a thick moustache. It was so funny that all I could do was laugh.
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