Ringo Starr January 15, 2010

Was just watching the Daily Show and the guests for the night were Ringo Starr, Relentless7 and Ben Harper. Shan’t comment on the performance just yet, but a few things just popped in my head as I watched this ex-Beatle sing…

For those who aren’t in the know, Ringo Starr (born Richard Starkey) is one of two living members of the Fab Four; the other being Paul McCartney. He was the drummer for the band (though not the original, Pete Best was.) and was least featured vocally of all the Beatles. I don’t really know the extent of his contribution but definitely wasn’t as influential as the other Beatle members.

So here we have the arguably the least musically inclined, least physically attractive and more or less the least intelligent (its a drummer stereotype) of the lot, and he still commands respect and gets treated as Music Royalty to this day. Why?

Basically this chap here stuck through with the Beatles through the hard times, through the times where they were slaving from gig to gig in Liverpudlian bars and other whatnots. And when it came time for the Beatles’ meteorological rise to success; this Starr also started to shine with them.

So what can we learn from Ringo Starr?

Perseverance and Choosing the Right People to Associate With.

Even if you’re a untalented hack such as he, be wise in who you choose to cling on to and you might just smell success you would never have if you went alone.

Oh, about that performance? It was ABYSMAL!!

How to make the iPhone awesome-er December 7, 2009

I know it’s been ages since I last blogged, but I’m gonna cut right to the chase of this article, throw my Apple fanboy-ism out the window and list down my desired top wants that’ll make my iPhone experience more complete:

• True Multi-tasking: enough of this push notification nonsense, we know that this beauty is capable of running a few applications at once (via some rudimentary add-on in Cydia) and would be the game-changer against other smart phones! It’ll make the simple task of running my Bible app and writing Notes much less painful!
• Official ‘BB-pin’ clone app: come on apple, we know you can do it! We just need something official to unite the users (but great job Ping! and WhatsApp app makers) that’ll push BB users off their high horse! Or you can just buy WhatsApp and integrate it into your next big update!
• More shortcuts: It’ll be good if they’re more intuitive shortcuts implemented, like a certain gesture to access the iPod or any other app. On a related note; it’ll be real awesome if I can just click on the Message preview in standby mode and it’ll go straight into full message.
• iTunes Singapore: We need MUSIC in this country as well. Not iPhone specific though.
• Fat finger support: for people like me.

That’s all I can think about for now, feel free to add to the list in the comments section

I refuse to Micro-blog. October 15, 2009

i refuz to micr0-blogz onz my tweetr accont! i sHallz not suckumb 2 s0cial noRm & po5t my tots on iT! iT iS a lAmE attemtp 2 mke urself int3restin. NEVA!

Darn. I think I went over the 140 char limit.

How I haven’t really bought into Modern Pop September 29, 2009

I was watching Real Time with Bill Maher the other day and noted that he remarked that there hasn’t been any real breakthrough in the music industry since 60s and 70s, citing the Beatles as the last notable contribution for himself.

That set me thinking; most of my favorite music and tunes stem from blues and rock legends like Clapton, SRV and Hendrix. Toss in a few sensations from the 80s and 90s (and the big mistake of following boybands in their heyday), I don’t really have anything from the modern era that I would proudly declare as ‘my songs’.

Is it nostalgia? Not really, I didn’t really start listening to the rock legends until about half a decade ago, I didn’t grow up with them. I just feel that the current generation of artistes are too focused the marketing and their image more than what it’s actually important: the music.

Partly it’s also because the dime-a-dozen rappers, pop-princesses and emo-bands that are cropping up every new day that it’s really hard to set yourself apart from the next sensation. Industry-manufactured ‘faces’ who don’t really write their own songs or even use their own voice (I’m looking at you Ashlee Simpson!).

Thus losing the credibility as a musician and a performer.

Still, I have some artistes that I have a liking to in this era; Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift, Alicia Keyes.. but still not as much as I would hold the legends in high regard.

So forgive me if I’m not up-to-date with the current happening with Lady Gaga, Kanye or Black Eye Pea’s shenanigans, I can’t really be bothered..

Linguistic Analysis of Miss Singapore World 2009 September 17, 2009

It’s been a while since I last posted, so I’d thought I’d scribble some thoughts down about the Miss Singapore World scandal.

Sex scandal? Hell no, everyone’s been poking fun at her command of English! Or lack thereof. So I decided to put together some points that actually defend our representative in Miss World this year. So here goes…

The English that Miss Singapore taught me:

“…Currently I’m majoring in my Diploma in Health Science, Hospititality and Travel Tourism…”

Hospiti-tality: The course of study in which amalgamates the disciplines of both health-care and hospitality. We could all make do with nurses with better manners.

“…Right now I’m studying steel…”

Steel: Showing resilience and focus at the task at hand. When Miss World mentions that she is “studying steel”, she is basically implying that she takes her studies seriously despite participating in the competition.

“if I’m feeling naughty, I’ll wear something Rad..”

Rad: An uncommon color in located 3/4 between Red and Maroon. The closest web-safe color is  #990033, any closer to this color will cause your monitor to explode because it’s too loud. The color is coined ‘Rad’ because of it’s outlandish and radical appeal that no one would wear it except those with questionable fashion sense or are crown Miss World.

“…Something… you know? BOOMZ!..”

Boomz: something jaw-dropping, loud and attention-seeking/catching. Boomz is used here as opposed to Pew Pew Pew; which would mean she would rather make your heart explode than zap your eyes out. Notice the “z” added in at the end of the word for effect? This was included because Miss Singapore knows the worldwide appeal of the crown, and was subtly speaking out to the Internet Generation. Boomz indeed.

“…I’m a huge fan of South Africa… I love safari.. I love leopard prings… “

Prings: Any self-respecting Miss World would know; saying “leopard prints” would in some cases imply that she would approve of the skinning of leopards for just their coat of fur. This is a big PR no-no in the glamor community. This practice is inhumane. The cats should be also eaten after the skinning so that none go to waste!

Knowing this, Miss Singapore took the time to endorse Prings™; a much more conscientious effort to save our printed cats! Prings™ material is fully synthetic, except for the part that is the coat of fur. For more information go to www.prings.com.sg

Ok, That’s it from me, let’s just hope that Miss Singapore World gets to the Q&A portion of the competition. It’s not like she would say “World Piss” like the rest of them would she?

Celebrity Deathmatch – Kratos vs The Lich King February 16, 2009

Kratos vs The Lich King himself! Who will be the victor?

Don’t Choot Stunt January 14, 2009

OK, apparently I’m bad at making promises, I know I said I would write one before last week was up, but couldn’t find time to write up a post the past few days. Why? Despite the long weekend (Monday was 成人の日 Seijin no Hi or Coming of Age Day). I had lots of running around to do.

Kickstarting the work year was harder than I thought, staying in my lair (the dorm) for too long made me too nua to drag myself to office most of the time. So ended up working from the comfort of my bed.

Make no mistake, the mind is still working. Just the fingers don’t type as efficiently as before, became stubby or something.

Speaking of me fingers, I noticed as a lifelong gamer I had my own long service award in the form of a bulge/callus/hardskin/bump on my left middle finger. I’m pretty sure it ain’t from anything but holding controllers long enough (overnight Winning Eleven sessions fellowshipping with the D-pad comes to mind).

So if anyone is in doubt you’re a hardcore gamer, show them the finger! Err.. to show your bulge of course. Oh wait that is wrong on so many levels.

Regarding my post header, if I hadn’t already have enough problems getting the Work engine running, my supervisor/sensei here in Japan just chooted (is that even a word?) the biggest stunt for us (me actually, cos I do most of the work) since we came here. He requested (noticed how I didn’t say ‘kindly requested’?) us to write a paper for an upcoming tech conference mid year. And the submission deadline is in 10 days!

Firstly, boku wa has no experience in writing papers, let alone the standard for a professional conference like this. Zen zen wakarimasen yo.

Secondly, I’m already in the nua-zone cos I was hoping the last half of my stay here in Japan would be smooth sailing. Sadly not the case.

Thirdly, How can I prepare the performance next Monday?

.

.

Oh wait, I didn’t mention about next Monday before? To cut a long story short, us Ryu Gakusen (Foreign students) need to put up a show for Teachers and Parents of KNCT. So… actually the plan was to have a combined song item, but I couldn’t stand the leader of the item being much more OKTD (Off-key, Tone Deaf) than me so now have to come up with a 20 min song ensemble by ourselves. In Jap. Wish me luck.

Sigh. Tsukaretta yo.

P.S. I wanted to write up a post regarding the Gaza Situation, but its best that I don’t know, I don’t think I know enough to warrant an opinion. Just remember, most of the information you get about this issue is from the media, and whos to say they ain’t spinning the story for you?

P.S.S. Random thought here, will a Christian Entertainment magazine have a Gossip column?

Still Alive January 8, 2009

Hey guys, sorry for the lack of updates. Been real busy over the Holidays, dashing though the figurative snow. Will promise to post a couple before the week’s done.

So to all my readers out there (all 5 of them), peace.

Theme Song Mirrors Edge- Still Alive –

Typical Week in KNCT December 13, 2008

If you’re curious; here’s a rundown what my week consists of during my stay in Japan.

• Monday – Back to work day. Basically I plan Project Milestones for the week; short-term goals in coding. Boring dreary day.
• Tuesday – TV Marathon Day! Come back to room early from lab to catch up on 6 5 different shows (farewell Boston Legal *sobz*). Easily the most entertaining day of the week hands down.
• Wednesday – Project Meeting Day. Meet with peers to discuss project. In a mish-mash of Japanese and English. Also Supermarket Day. Make the trip to Hallo Day (ハーローDay) Supermarket near KNCT to do groceries. Sometimes if I’m good mood I’ll cook some stuff for the other foreign students. Jamie Oliver I ain’t.
• Thursday – Area Cleaning day. Help keep the Dorm clean on my floor. Other than that its a typical work day.
• Friday – Casual Friday. And by casual means do whatever I want day. Usually I top off the day by having a good meal somewhere.
• Saturday – Sabbath. Catch up on rest. Rest mind. Rest weary typing hands.
• Sunday – Charity Day. Usually any extra activities we would do on this day, helping out in charities or community work usually falls on this day. If not, I’ll go town to break the monotony.

Thats about it though. Pretty boring huh..

P.S. I just got my hair done. Before and After. Trying to looking more Jap everyday…

The Earth Moved! December 6, 2008

Its like 2+ in morning, I’m half awake (I should be asleep though, theres community work to be done) then my whole room began to sway violently for a few secs. Some aftershock or tremor reveberated through the prefecture. A few of my friends got up and got yappy about it..

Was I horrified? No. Surprised? Strangely no…

I think I can attribute my reaction with too much time in driving simulators with force feedback features.

Geek FTW.