An Anonymous Journal

Love for Guitar Rekindled

2017-06-07T09:51:00.002+08:00

I got in touch with a friend again via Facebook after a looong time of losing touch. Facebook is such a good platform to reconnect. But then again, it is not always that we want to be friends with certain people, and yet they found us on social media. Bleh....

Anyway, this friend kept inviting me to this and that club in town, informing me that he'll be there to perform. I promised that I'd drop by one day and it was not till six months later that I managed to do so! I know, I'm bad!! But what to do? I had travel assignments and many things to catch up on every time I am back home.

After giving him my support by showing up at his work place, I find that my love for the guitar has been rekindled. I hope to pick it up again. Don't know where my old guitar is now with all the moving. Checked out the guitar center and hope to buy a new one. But first, would I have the time to play?

Slowing Down

2017-06-07T09:23:00.003+08:00

It's Ramadan and it is time to slow down from all my travels. I made four trips in May and spent a total of 10 nights away from home. This month, I only have three nights away scheduled. There will probably be more as the days pass but I am not so sure yet as there is nothing confirmed so far. But then, it is Hari Raya at the last week of the month. I have traditionally spent Hari Raya at home so far and I think this year is of no exception.

So yeah, fewer trips means more time to sit in front of the computer to catch up with work. Running about here and there does not help with the backlog but instead just adds up to my pile of work. Oh well, even so, my work doesn't seem to diminish as new work keeps coming in, adding to the pile. Still, no complains as the work is what supports my travels, eh?

Local Symphony Orchestra

2017-03-29T12:32:00.001+08:00

I had the privileged to watch a high school symphony orchestra over the weekend. Despite the musicians' youth, they were really in their element and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was unexpected, as they made an unannounced appearance at the event.

I also had the chance to chat with a couple of the boys. They were so friendly and humble, despite their achievements on the world stage. One of the showed me his guitar string, check it out at MusiciansFriend.com, he said.

All right! So, here I am browsing through the webstore like he told me to. I might just pick up one or two items for my cousin who is also a musician.

Much Has Changed

2017-03-29T12:25:00.002+08:00

So much has changed since my last posts here. I have been an emotional wreck for the past couple of weeks. Mom was unwell, dog fell ill too and my relationship broke. It really hurt me a lot, unexpectedly. Although the time we spent together was not that long, it was still meaningful to me. I guess it is just my nature to invest too much emotions into relationships.

And now, after going on that roller coaster ride, I am feeling sick myself. Trying my best not to fall but I am just physically aching all over. Could it be because my heartache has transformed into physical illness? It probably is the case.

What can I do, what can I say? Nothing but to allow enough time to pass to heal my wounds. Things will never be the same again, I am afraid. I will never be the same.

Wind Instruments

2017-01-29T14:50:00.001+08:00

When I was young, I remembered how I wanted to learn a musical instrument. I never had the opportunity because my parents didn't have the money to put me through music class. I envied my friends who learned the piano or guitar. These two were popular among my schoolmates.

Well, now that I am older and earning my own money, I still would like to pick up a musical instrument. Am I too old to learn now? A friend suggested that I learn wind instruments. Do I have the potential in it? Checked out musicians friend trumpet and it seemed quite complex to handle!

Argh, I don't know. Maybe I should just give up my ambition and save myself some money and heartache.

Planning Penang Trip

2017-01-29T14:37:00.001+08:00

Normally, when I go on a trip, I have everything already laid out for me, and I just pack my bags and go. This trip to Penang on the second week of February is different. Part of it is already planned while I have about 2 - 3 days of my own time, planning my own programme.

It is not going to be easy as I have a friend tagging along, so I have to take another person's preferences into consideration as well. This also means, I have to take it slow. I pack my days to the brim if I were to travel alone.

Anyway, am already checking Penang State Government's website for a list of events. Not much happening on the dates I am there but I am hopeful. Let's see what I can come up with by next week, before I am scheduled to be there.

Visit to Guitar Shop

2017-01-29T14:25:00.000+08:00

Following my cousin's visit to a neighbourhood guitar shop, my cousin has decided to purchase a http://www.guitarcenter.com/Washburn/. Well, I've not heard of that brand before, and in fact, I know zero guitar brands, I have decided to Google it. No brand is too difficult to check out with Mr. Google as my best friend.

Apparently, apart from the brand name, there are many different models to choose from. A guitar is not just a guitar, if you know what I mean. Hence, I gave up and just sent the link to my cousin to read up by himself.

Then he'll have to decide if he wants to buy his guitar online or from the shop. LOL Lots of first world decisions to make!

'Tis the Season Again

2017-01-29T14:02:00.001+08:00

Yes, it is Chinese New Year once again. I've done my reunion dinner with the family on the Eve and had visited relatives just this morning.

That's about enough time spent for this occasion. I need to get back to the computer to get my work done.....while the other people are on holiday this is the best time to play catch up!

And so, as you can see, I am home and getting work cleared. Or at least, as much as I could before I get on the train and leave Ipoh again. That would be next month, on the second week.

Anyway, to me, whatever celebration it is, it is not a huge deal for me. It's just another day for me but I have to keep to culture and tradition. What to do? It's called filial piety.

Drumming

2016-12-10T14:58:00.003+08:00

I was surprised the other day, attending a dinner party, and was entertained by a drummer. He was a guest, actually, but a drummer will always be a drummer and he couldn't help himself when he saw the drum set on stage. He just had to play. And the best thing was that he really enjoyed himself and so did we!

Later, he told us that it was the analog delay pedal that made his playing sound that good.

Well, I don't know how true that was, perhaps he was just being humble. But yea, it was really good music and we had an enjoyable time that night! Memories were made of these.

Backside Itchy

2016-12-10T13:55:00.003+08:00

It's been over a month since I came home from my last trip. It was to Malacca. What a trip it was! Kept me busy for some days upon my return! BUT....it's been too long already and I am dying to go somewhere again. Where? Just anywhere! Preferably overseas la. HAHAHA

I know, I know, I am asking too much, or maybe I am not. In any case, if you want something, you must say it aloud, otherwise, who will know? Therefore, I am recording my request here.

Actually, I am heading north tomorrow. Argh.... not somewhere that I want to go. In fact, I tried to push it off, perhaps I did it too gently, that the other party did not get my subtle message...next time, I must be more forceful. Yes, I want to do somewhere, anywhere, but not there!!!

Billionaire's Birthday

2016-10-27T10:56:00.000+08:00

My boss, a billionaire, is celebrating his birthday soon. I have this problem annually, thinking of what birthday present to give him! You know, he is so rich that he can get and has already gotten, whatever that he wants. Yes, wants and not needs.

And so, I always try to get him customised items or limited edition items. Obviously, there are not cheap, and I always have to share the cost with other colleagues. Not that I like to do so but I just don't have enough of budget.

Anyway, I scouted this Peter Frampton Les Paul custom guitar while I was searching for a suitable gift. I jumped off my seat when I saw the price tag. We couldn't afford it even if we shared it out with the entire office. Hahaha

Oh well, maybe I should just tip him off and let him buy it himself.

Sick for a Week!

2016-10-27T10:35:00.000+08:00

I have not travelled the entire month of October. There's good and there's bad. Good that I was able to catch up with my long list of task, coming home from back to back trips. Bad that I was cooped up at home, and caught the stupid flu virus from my dad.

So, it has been a week since I feel ill. Or has it been longer than yet? most probably longer, as I have lost track of time.

Although my fever has subsided, I am still coughing badly and have runny nose. Besides, I have had a splitting headache for days.

This means that I am unable to concentrate on my work and that my tasks have piled up again. Sigh!!!

Guitar Maestro

2016-09-11T14:18:00.003+08:00

A friend of mine is a sound engineer who has been engaged to work at many music festivals and concerts sent me a CD recording of him playing the guitar. Wow, I didn't know that he's a guitar maestro, too!

As I have planned to purchase a guitar for my little nephew, I decided to ask for his opinion which would be the best guitar to buy for a learner. My nephew has not played before and although he has shown interest, we do not know if he would stick to it.

He sent me a number of suggestions and I was delighted that I managed to find a couple of them in guitar center in arlington texas! That's gonna be convenient for me to buy one after I have made my pick.

Pokemon GO Hack

2016-09-11T13:53:00.003+08:00

I am at level 13 of Pokemon GO and I am so tempted to install the hack! I am bored with the game already and need something to boost it. My friend has the hack installed and asked me if I wanted it. That time, I was around Level 8. Well, I was action at that time. Now, whenever I get stuck, I am tempted to get it from my friend.

Once, I almost succumbed. I messaged my friend. BUT he didn't reply me! Humphhhhhh.... in retrospect, thankfully he didn't reply! LOL Or I would already be using the hack right now.

Without it, I am not sure how long more I can play the game. Many of my friends, without the hack, has stopped playing when they hit the 20s. Maybe I will be one of them as well. What do you think? Hack - yay or nay?

Audio Fest

2016-08-12T22:25:00.005+08:00

My cousin is busy this weekend as he is involved in the audio visual trade fair. He has invited me over to check out his booth but I don't believe that I would have the time to go there. He told me that his company is launching the new version of mbox 3 pro and he expects rave reviews from the experts.

I took a look at the mbox 3 pro on the internet and although I do not know everything that it is capable of, I am impressed with its features. I believe the latest version can do more tricks. Don't you think so?

Gonna Catch Them All!

2016-08-12T22:16:00.002+08:00

I have played Pokemon GO since the day it was launched in Malaysia and Singapore. I am just a casual player, though and sometimes, did not even logged in to the app - particularly when I have no more pokeballs!

Some of my friends, though, are really addicted to the game. They play it all day long and even go out of their way to play.

I don't really know how to play and just catch whatever that comes on my screen. My friend wrote a tutorial on her blog and I didn't have the time to read it. When IU want to get more serious with the game, when I have the kind of time to spare, I would go and read it.

As for now, I just play as and when I remember. What about you?

Picking Up An Instrument

2016-05-14T10:33:00.001+08:00

I read that the way we utilize our time between 6pm to midnight can change the course of our life. This is the time that we are supposed to have for ourselves, where we are done with work at the office and before bedtime.

Married people may not have the maximum six hours because of other commitments but single people, like me, really have no excuse not to invest these hours on ourselves.

Even if we cannot use the full six hours, we have to spend at least 30 to 60 minutes to upgrade ourselves. And so, I have decided to pick up a musical instrument after work.

Will that earn me money? No. Will that make me happy? It will probably cause me plenty of stress. Nonetheless, it does beat watching the TV for hours on end at night.

In any case, I have just checked www.musicians and will decide on which instrument to learn soon.

Day Trip to KL Tomorrow

2016-05-14T09:19:00.002+08:00

Have been summoned to go to Kuala Lumpur for a two-hour job. The funny thing is that travelling to KL and return trip to Ipoh would take six hours and more.

And the worst part, since I am taking the public transport, I am going to have to take the later train because the earlier one has been sold out.

Oh well, I guess it is good news that there are still train tickets available! Otherwise, I will have to take the express bus and that would mean going to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan, rather than the nearer Pudu Sentral.

Also, the bus terminal to my home is about 30 minutes rather than the 15 - 20 minutes to the train station.

Argh! Stressed out!

Headphone Shopping

2016-04-25T21:06:00.000+08:00

My second pair of trusty earphones have broken down. I find that despite earphones being more handy, I prefer headphones. Therefore, I have been searching for a good pair and asking around.

My friends have recommended mdr7506 and I am keen to try them out at the SONY Centre. They go for more than MYR400 per pair so it is going to be a big purchase for me.

I believe that with that price, I am paying for quality and I have always believed in SONY products. With its closed-ear design, I will get to enjoy my music way better, too!

Just Back From the Highlands

2016-04-25T20:58:00.003+08:00

What a week it has been! I was in the highlands, going from Fraser's Hill to Genting Highlands and finally, Bukit Tinggi in Pahang! Yeah, a traveller I am although I wish I could go on overseas trips rather than local.

That's my wish for this year. I believe I have seen my fair share of local destinations and promoted a good bit of these places too.

It was a good time to be up in the hills too since it's steaming hot in the lowlands. It wasn't cold as I had expected but our days weren't spent brewing like we had in the past couple of months.

Ironically, during my holiday, I got news that it rained cats and dogs one afternoon. LOL

Youth Development Camp

2015-12-10T09:05:00.001+08:00

I was recently invited to a church camp where the focus was on youth development. Part of the programme saw us getting together every evening to bond and of course, there was good food, great music and the best company.

We were talking about getting a couple of new music equipment for the church band and I suggested Focusrite. Obviously, I also mentioned about saving cost by waiting for Focusrite deals.

In the mean time, we can be prudent and build up our kitty as we search for what we need on the internet.

The Computer Is Dead

2015-12-10T08:58:00.000+08:00

Some thing happened to my computer and it suddenly died on me. I know that it has been showing signs on old age and a reluctance to work but I didn't expect it to happen right now.

I came back from back to back trips with plenty of work piled up waiting for me to complete and this has to happen.

It's definitely the wrong time! In fact, there is never a right time for a work tool to break down, especially when I don't have any off time myself.

Luckily, I have my laptop, but I prefer to use a larger screen. Anyway, it's time to get the technician over and see what is wrong with it.

Whether it could be repaired or not, I'd still be getting a new CPU since I need another computer for the family.

My CD Collection

2015-08-31T22:11:00.002+08:00

A couple of days ago, a friend showed me a photo of his CD collection, neatly stacked like mine, but dust free, unlike mine!

I told him that since upgrading to a smart phone, I no longer had the need to touch any of my CDs since I listed to my mp3 files from the phone and to other music using the FM radio application.

That short chat made me wonder if my mp3 cd player is still working. I need to test it. If not, I think I will buy a new one and start spinning my CDs again.

Yes, it definitely has been a long time since I pulled out any, and it's about time I check them out again.

Watching Too Much YouTube

2015-08-31T22:08:00.000+08:00

I've been lazing around these past few days and getting my entertainment solely from YouTube. I am catching up on past episodes of Dr. Phil Show and getting a good dose into the insight of many an American dysfunctional family.

I know that I too have some "mental" issues that also cause me a lot of pain. However, at this point, it is not so bad that I need them solved by going on national television.

Watching the shows also make me wonder if there is a Malaysian equivalent of it. I don't believe there's one. If there was, would the show be as popular? Will there be any Malaysian willing to share their story on air like that?

Small Improvements

2015-08-31T21:51:00.001+08:00

These few days have been mundane at home. With renovation going on at the houses of both my neighbors, I am also entertaining the thought of making slight improvements at home, particularly in the kitchen.

The kitchen never seems large enough and I am trying to create more space for it. Now, I am not going to knock down walls or anything like that but it's just a matter of moving stuff around; furniture, counters and such.

My neighbor has built-in cabinets in the kitchen and I am thinking that I too can add pantry slides to my shelves, which will give me more space to store my kitchen utensils and appliances.

Haha... although I may have plenty of ideas now, when work hits me, I won't have time to think about anything else. If I really want to get things done, I'll just have to engage a carpenter to do the job.

** An Anonymous Journal **