The End Is the Beginning Is the End - Smashing Pumpkins

This is one of those usual "i've-been-so-busy-i-havent-had-the-time-to-blog" kinda post.

Which is true. What's also true is that I have not been blog hopping as much lately. Lo and behold, interesting, but not necessarily good things really do happen when you're away from the blogasphere. I found out that, after the demise of the quasi-legendary GongKapas times, a couple more regular bloggers ( and real life acquaintance of mine) have stopped blogging altogether.

We may never know why these bloggers stopped blogging altogether. There's bound to be rumours, whispers, stories...whatever...but then again, NOBODY is obligated to anyone to continue writing if they dont feel like it. If it starts to become a chore, when it starts to take a life of its' own, then the alarm bells should already ring. Nevertheless, their writings and adventures shall be missed dearly and hopefully they will have a change of heart again.

As for me, the end is not yet in sight at the time being. However, the prospect of a promotion is looming, very, very close, which means more travelling, more meetings, more money, which means more EXPECTATIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES. Such dirty, dirty words...:P
which also tranlates having less time to indulge in fun things like this blog. But hey, who knows, I promise myself not be a slave to my career and if I can take 10 mins in a day to just stop , take a look around ..and write, that will be good.


cheers.

Bandwagonesque - Teenage Fanclub

I'm usually one who stays away from those "friendster" like list ( "Who's the last person you killed?" "When was the last time you had bondage sex?" etc2..). Ive got nothing against them, its just that most of the time, I really2 dont have time to actually sit down and go through ( or maybe my dislike in answering obtuse questionairres). But this time, I am going to jump on the bandwagon and actually entertain one of them. Since it has to do with music, my primary indulgence, I will take the time to answer these questions ( question copped from Kudo's blog. Mintak maaf ye bang!)

1)What is the total amount of music files on your computer?
Soulseek, Kazaa Lite, Limewire....there are always ON on my laptop. Yes, dear folks, I am a MP3 LEECHER ( Is RIAA watching me??) but that does not mean I dont buy original CDs! ( even though those imported CDs at Music Magic CM are really stretching my wallet thin!).
At the moment, only 2++ Gigs, as the rest have been burned onto CDRs.

2)The CD you last bought?
Butterfinger's "Selamat Tinggal Dunia" & 7 Collar T-Shirt's "Drones". Support the local scene!

3)What was the last song you listened to before reading this message?
Lift Me Up - Moby. Moby doing New Wave/Post Punk. Was actually watching the video last night with N, who went on to say that "hey... a bunch of nerds rocking out, you fit right in!"....emmmm. Yes, us nerds do make fantastic music nowadays, better than those bling2 hip hoppers. :P

4)My all-time, Top 5 records, in no particular order, are as follows:
This has gotta be the hardest, like one of those "Desert Island Discs" type of questions:

1) Pearl Jam - Vs


When I first heard "Ten" , I was still in my teens, fresh out of SPM. It was something Ive never heard of before, but I instantly knew there was something special about this band. But it was only after Vs did it finally sealed it; I will be a Pearl Jam fan for life. This was the sound of the band at its prime, at its most powerful. Although they still continue to make wonderful music until now, this will always be in my heart, my favourite Pearl Jam album. And the only album that has a favourtite song of mine that they have since refused to play live, WMA.

2) Portishead - S/T


Can depression and darkness sound much more beautiful than this? My first "Electronica" record and what a wonderful journey it was. Beth Gibbon's harrowing tales of long lost loves and heartbreaking coupled with Geoff Barrow's masterful use of noir samples makes this one of those records you listen to in the dark, on a rainy day, while trying to resist the temptation to slit your wrist. :P

3) Radiohead - OK Computer


What can I say about this band that has not been exhaustively said already? I have to admit, I hated it the first time I listened to it. After the Brit rock anthems of The Bends, this was like listening to Pink Floyd on meth. But it after a the second or third listens, it hit me in the head like a brick to the wall. This is a work of geniuses, channelling paranoia and dystopian nightmares through sonic tapestries, beautiful but skewed guitar melodies and the various effect pedals and other musical maladies used . This was the first evolution of Radiohead as they attempt to ditch the moniker of a traditional "guitar-bass-drum-vocals" band. And It is a classic.


4)Soundgarden - SuperUnknown


The most commercial Soundgarden album ever. Every single song screams "HIT!!". But commercial does not always mean "sanitized" as this is a PERFECT collection of songs that demonstrates the awesome songwriting prowess of Mssrs Cornell and Co. From the bludgeoning "Drown Me" to the gentle but devastating progression of "Like Suicide" ( Asian Edition Only!!) , this is one record I have never SKIPPED a track. ever. They will be missed.

5)U2 - Achtung Baby


Like Radiohead, this is the sound of a band trying to break free of the image that has been tagged on to them previously. U2 has always been known to be earnest, anthemic, rocking and heartfelt band. But THIS, this was U2 sounding SEXY and MODERN, adjectives that were never used to describe them before. With Edge's new found love of digital multi processor effects ( while still maintaining his trademark delays) and Bono injecting a much needed rock and roll swagger in the songs, this is an instant classic.




Of course there are many more, such as albums by Led Zeppelin, Mogwai, Jimi Hendrix, Belinda Carlisle ( im not kidding!) etc2... but hey, since I'm only allowed 5.....:P


cheers.

Good Times, Bad Times - Led Zeppelin

So I have been guilty of not updating my blog. Been busy living life, if I could say so. The past 3 weeks or so have been severely hectic; younger sister got married, younger sister may be pregnant ( and presenting my parents with their first grandchildren!they cant count on me and N for that...), meetings with MDs, scheduling more meetings coming up ahead and most importantly, me looking for a new job.

I once told an acquaintance of mine, Ms Cherzleen, that the only way I am going to make it big time and retire early is to work as an expat. Can you believe how much expats are getting paid here??? With that in mind, I am now embarking on a quest to become one myself. If I ever intend to retire at 45 ( at least) , I have to earn the USDs or EURO. Cvs have been send out, follow up calls have been made , now its just the waiting part to get shortlisted for an interview. That and luck. or whether or not I managed to charm the lady HR exec over the phone. :)

Wish me luck guys. I am seriously looking forward to get out of Malaysia and make it big outside.

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This weekend, the pilot, the engineer, the chef and professor all sat down for a couple of hours of nostalgia and stories about dating innocent looking but horny kampung girls. A mini reunion of sorts, the last I'd seen Mr Chef and Mr Professor was 12 years ago. How people have changed ( and grown!). Good thing to know that all of us have managed to bite the dust, with an offspring or two ( excluding me of course). When at one time , the BP gang would hang out at the canteen and discuss when/whose house to watch that new blue tape or which kampung girl to date, now its talk about how to make more money, where to invest your money, job stress, cars, the cost of living, bringing up a family etc2.

Occasionally the talk would veer into why Air Asia stewadress are much more hornier and sexier than MAS ones but most of the time, we'll go back into talking where to send the kids for good education.

Its good to know each of us have carved our own niche in life. We may not have "made" it yet, but we're all getting there.


cheers.