Starfish

2008-08-05T10:57:00.003+08:00

Guutta Morning!

Of mornings and boredom...came to work early today da! Complete alot of stuff yesterday so today have alot of cleaning up to do...edit animators' stuff...clean up rigs...update shots... uhmm...lunch! haha. Well here's the toy factory in the morning...

Untidy as usual...just look at the mess behind the board`

All the heli plane car and its controllers... 'n the two warriors... not sure what to do with this space tho`

Fridge ppl...one big happy family`

To the left...kev 'n all his toys`

To the right... Silhoutte A'cher 'n the toys`

2008-07-28T16:57:00.003+08:00

For those who needs motivation...
July '08 Limited Edition Motivational Poster, enjoy!

2008-06-16T21:52:00.003+08:00

Ahh okay...eRn beep me in the middle of the afternoon with this discovery as she was signing into gmail the other day... haaha`

2008-06-10T22:48:00.009+08:00

Okay folks...this blog has been out fer some time...how about some coffee talk updates yea`

Been quite busy lately...kinda juggling a few projects at the moment in the studio. Not easy being the only rigger in the shed ey. With two of the sifus busy...one handling the production pipeline and out of these world requests by the client; and the other pre/production of an upcoming project...hey mr.starfish...all yours. P to the E to the N.A.T`

Nonetheless.. nothing beats coming to homely playground everyday ...makes every morning a day to wake up for. Tho, i shall complain about myself slightly here... kinda feeling the me within being alittle complacent. And it bothers me. The other day had a small general conversation with A'Cher about how we should always do sumthing new and different. Maybe we screwed our arses to the high backrest chair too long we get too comfy. Perhaps so?

On other counts...today came early to open the studio for the cleaning lady and yeah she came late... won't blame her tho, cause on some occasions she has to wait for the late me. Guess today she guessed wrong. Well not that i'm playing hide and seek with her...haha, just that you know...some mornings. But late or early i'll go for my morning spartan!

Went for Hafiidz' wedding on Sunday...great wedding i wud say. Well, you dun get to be Jat Ali's son and not have a big wedding do you. Alot of Harley Davison peeps there too. Friends of the dad probably. And on the field beside the whole ceremony, was this show by some Kuda Kepang group. I'm no Boyanese, so i dun forsee any of these at my wedding i guess, and i can tell ya i'm not into it either. These kinda things just freaks me out. People being possessed and eating glass... reaping coconut husks with their teeth...being whipped and not responding to any pain. Gosh, freaky. No thank you.

Talking about matrimonies...Lyn's getting engaged this sat and Herman's wedding the next day. Being this age i guess it's a season. Haha. Was talking to Rainee about this season thingie on early wee monday... what a pleasant surprise, saw her name on my msn. Was thinking about people whom i've met and talking to Red and Ulfy about it the other day...and yeap had a thot of her and wallah, a day later there she was on my screen. haha... cool`

Probably if i think hard enough about people i wish to meet they'll appear...who knows, special powers unknown. k fine, pipe down the imagination. Lol.

Okay just remembered what i initially wanted to write about...went to watch Kung Fu Panda today with the studio peeps. Fantastic! Bravo to all the crew...great job. The animation style was fantastic...the renderings and matte paintings were detailed and of quality. And the characters...they look gooood. The rigs are worth to watch. Fluid body movement and facial expressions....great dynamics. I sat and counted the character technical directors...thot i saw nine...but Elly pointed more. But all in all not a big number...yet the stuff are great. In Tiny we have only three including me...wonder how are we gonna cope if we do a feature...Lol.

Think this is one of their best works so far, Dreamworks. Recommended to watch if you're even a teeny weeny bit thinking about it.

On other note, went to watch Missing Star, an italian film, the week before. It was the opening screening for the Italian Film Festival here in Spore. I love foreign film but... this movie, gosh, it's darn draggy and boring. Haha. eRn fell asleep at some point even. Haaha. But thanks anyway eCar for getting us the tickets. eRn and me were kinda late but in time for the movie fortunately.

Now this is more like a hide-and-seek. Lol. My phone batt was flat, and so i tried minimising the calls. eCar and Ms.Joyous were already at cathay, here i am waiting for eRn at dhoby ghaut control station and her waiting for me across the street. Haaha. Sorry babe. And the phone not receiving signals made it worst. Ya larh, iPhone it is then. Lol.

Alrighty then, shall leave ya with a pic of crockee bought the other day. Till next time... Stay happy`

Bought this while hangin' out with Red & Ulfy the other day... now sitting comfortably at Joycey's desk.

2008-04-28T00:08:00.003+08:00

Happy Birthday Brother...

http://mad-and-ast.blogspot.com/

"See you in the stars"

2008-04-23T01:22:00.007+08:00

Happy Earth Day! ...and so is mine`

Got a call from D'rah fifteen minutes into the date when i was about to sleep. Thanks for the b'day wish. Today woke up great...reached studio around tenplus and there sitting on my desk, a potted plant and a present wrapped. A gift from Ulfy and KN. Luv ya guys. Thanks a mill!

Ahhh...in conjunction with Gaia's b'day...how thotful of them. Msged them to ask how many times a day do i have to water "Rowanda"... yeah fine...since it's gonna be stuck with me, might as well be identified...and Ulfy was first to reply. She said once a day will do and added, "Eh, but it did come with the table lamp right?". And i go..."Ohh, so it's a table lamp huh? I haven't open it yet." Surprise...surprise` Lol.

Then many wishes came by...thanks for all the wishes people. Appreciate it a million times. Gazza then remind me of the lunch i'm having with him and Fareet. Marv came along as well. He came to hand me the big day invitation card. Thanks for the card...very thotful. Am splendid'ly happy for him. I knew him back then when i was still studying...now he's getting married. How time flies. Okay ppl, that doesn't mean u gotta start asking me the question! Lol.

When i got back after lunch, there it was...another wrapped gift. This time humongo. Sitting patiently waiting for me.

This was taken after i shifted it to the floor. So if u knew already.... i opened presents like i'm seven. Hahaha. Eyes wide with glee and anticipation. But i tahan myself for one hour then i started reaping it open. Lol. Thanks to the TIP family!!! haha...what's new in the studio right, we are all crazy about toys. So it was an semi-automatic rapid fire nerf gun. Now there's two nerf guns already in the studio...soon we gonna have a nerf-dart war`

Thanks to the guys who bought me this yummay'licious bagels from Chewy Junior...damnit, the apple-thingy one is such a treat.

It's from Chewy Junior...sumwhere near the atm in bugis junction.

In the evening...took my folks out for dinner. It was a better earth day than last year i feel. Thank you so much peeps.

Last week, met the AnL peeps for dinner at Paragon. So sweet of the family to write me a b'day card...even after a year. One thing u must remember in life, when u leave a place...u abandon the work there... but u carry with u the friendship made wherever u go. And so, thanks for the wishes guys...appreciate it` Merci.

eCar brought for me the present which she surprisingly told me what it was back in March. Thanks ya! Lol.

Batik painting...*grin*. I've never received one for myself in my entire life. I only paint for others before. A first ever batik painting of my own. Thanks eCar! so cool...Grazie`

Thanks people for the cool and hilarious company...

2008-03-26T01:28:00.002+08:00

Okay peeps...maybe some of you have seen this on the tele the other day. As i've mentioned to many...the junction in front of my house is so-called "keras". In Malay it primarily means hard...but in this term it means haunted or in fengshui terms probably spiritually-imbalanced i guess. Everyone who drove me home before i'll tell them to be patient with the lights. Cause you dun wanna play with it here.

2008-03-23T22:35:00.003+08:00

Today had movie marathon at Jurong Entertainment. Caught Horton Hears A Who and Spiderwick. Well i wud recommend you peeps to watch HHAW if you feel like a good laugh. Think Blue Sky Studios did a fantastic job not only in the textures/feel and VFX...anyway yea they started off as a VFX company...so expect nothing less than a fantastic job from them, their animation was also very good. The character rigs and dynamics looks good too. Kudos to them. Had a good laugh at it.

Spiderwick was quite good too except i'm abit disturb by the ending....how the villian dies. Ahh...what?! Like that?! kinda response. But overall it was alright. Okay, peeps, now for the cinema. Altho it has been renovated of some sort...dun go there to catch your shows...it kinda sucks. haha.

The day before, hangout with Zack at Yishun Dam. Usual hangout spot for the nyp rugger brothers since our poly days once we started our biking days. These days it's hard for us to meet on day hours due to work or other priorities on free days...so we kinda have our talks and updates with each other during the wee hours. Zack took out his Yamaha R1'2007 on thursday, so we kinda talk alot about bikes on sat. I kinda like his bike....has a nice sporty colour to it. Tho i'm all soozookee now...for its performance and effortless power. *thumbs up*

Okay im kinda lazy to write anymore, haha, forgive my rudeness. I shall write sumthing more during the week. Have a great monday people! Mondays aren't so bad`

2008-03-19T23:23:00.002+08:00

Last week i spoke of clouds and shadows. It didn't come afterall.

It's been awhile since i stand by time waiting the fate of me lies within a few days...and all i cud do was wait in anxiety for what comes next. I still recall the first few times it happened...it sucks yea. And you get all nervous and shit.

Somehow now, it's sunken. The feeling. Waiting over the weekends did not feel the need to panic. Did not feel the need to draft an emergency plan B. Basically i did nothing but enjoyed myself, and stick with happy mood that's been all around this year. And i am glad to say the cloud didn't come. We are saved once again. Tho i bet this will not be the last.

However we and i am very optimistic of the greater things to come. We just need that moment. I know we will have it. It's the key that opens all doors and people will come entering for us. Starfish...just wait`

Okay, monday my body was breaking up. I still packed for gym tho. Went to work pretty late. I even missed a meeting in the morning. But one thing i just realise on that day itself...however crappy i feel or the body is, once i'm in the studio, the mood changes. It's the people there which are a-breathing-infectious-happy bug. By end day...i smiled and laughed so much i was all hyped for gym.

Yesterday took the train to studio. Kite Runner's now at chapter 12. I'm getting the hang of my train rides. Gives me time to read and people watch. And another good thing is everytime i ride now it feels fantastic. Cos when you ride everyday...the feeling becomes a little blend you know. So it's a good feeling. Now on days when i ride...i get more kick out of the acceleration...more aggression on the throttle. Fantastic da dey`

Yesterday also had mr.bart's hainanese boneless chicken rice. Meet up wit D'rah at clementi for dinner and we head for avenue two. According to her, that area is called the clementi shopping centre. It didn't look like any shopping mall anyways. Haha. Funny how that estate has three foot reflexology shops. I told D'rah probably clementi people has nice feet. Lol. And also numerous carpentry shops. The place gives you the old school ambience. Saw some people playing beach volleyball too at a caged court which they had. Not bad larh...i always thot clementi was a busy noisy area. I guess there's more than meets the eye. Anyway, the food was great. On the way back we saw a halal hakka yong tau fu shop. Looks nice. Maybe next time.

Okay for those who have not heard of this dude, Adam Fulara, he plays some mean dual neck guitar taps. This one is cool...

Adam Fulara`

2008-03-16T23:00:00.005+08:00

Okay...once again the weekend is over. It's not all bad i guess. Gives me a reason to keep moving thru next week till it comes again. DK was saying the other night about how time flies.

Anyway, this time round i managed to catch my saturday. Went to watch 10,000BC with NoRaid at Lido. I thot it was quite okay, but the ending was kinda horrificly killing the whole mood.

What killed it? Well, basically it's the whole "we have no time but to finish up the movie" cliche ending. The so-called utmost powerful evil villian was taken out just like that...followed by abit of hu-haa here hu-haa there...and okay movie ends. On an artist perspective, i thought the VFX was good. Read the overview development processes from the combined production houses...they did alot of intensive work on the mammoth's hair and dynamics...as well as the sabertooth's fur. You can check it out here.

Kudos to all the CG artistes. Somehow it makes me feel how small and tiny i am in this whole digital industry. But at the same time it makes you realise how complacent you have become and revive the passion and hunger you once felt.

Okay so my take, it's an okay movie. Cause we are spoiled by great epic movies like LOTR and all...anything falls below such standards will not be so likable. Not to mention...story is the utmost importance.

So today sunday, went for Mzshr's wedding with Fau'Z. It was a nice..good atmosphere. You can feel the happiness of it all there. The whole place was jam-packed with relatives and friends. Not to mention...it was also a sauna. Me and Fau'Z entered the hall and phew...instantly i shed my first sweat on the forehead. Food was alright. And so we search for Hai'D who was already there and straight away crash the photo taking queueing. Said our wishes and the rest was the norm. Food and chitchats.

Went home afterwards, fell asleep...woke up and rushed to NUS to meet Fan and E'da. We were to catch another foreign screening. Tonight was a Dutch showcase called Phileine Says Sorry.

E'da said the story reminds her of Ally McBeal. It was in some ways. Those wacky scenes where the mind floats uncontrollably...where she gets mad and her head explodes. It was more light headed then the previous one, Tierra. All in all, it was good...except for the starting disturbing visuals of ehem....old grandpas and grandmas. Hahaha. Those who watched shud know. Lol.

Happy weekend...tomorrow will be the start of a happy weekday`

2008-03-12T22:50:00.003+08:00

Ladies & gentlemen...have a tic tac` ...i know i am...i'll need it`

Mine doesn't come with two calories per tic tac... how sad`

Anyway, this is one of my favourite sweetooth bites. But it irritates me sumtimes that it is too small to just leave it in your mouth and enjoy the mint. You just gotta bite it...and once you do... you just have to keep popping them in. One of my foolish wishes... a giant tictac!

Anyway yesterday had dinner with D'rah at Zingdo. It's my first time eating korean food. Cos i'm not really an enthu for japanese food, as you know i like my stuff cooked. Years ago when KN and Ulfy brought me to Sakae Sushi...i ordered most things fried or cooked... not much of the raw sensation. So yesterday was not bad...cos the menu showed cooked foodies. Had Bulgogi Garlic Chicken BiBim Bap meal that comes with a bowl of piping-hot Kimchi soup. No idea whatever those uhmm'bop words mean but guess as long as it's chicken...it's cool wit me`

I felt the food wasn't that spicy...D'rah felt slightly otherwise. Guess i'm used to the chilli abuse from young. haha. Then we head down to IMM for some mochi but no more mochi there. Saw some cool watches tho...uhmm...shall rephrase that... saw some unaffordable cool watches tho. Anyway April's coming... so you know what to do. Lol`

Today while spartan'ing at the gym in NIE...eCar text me. She passed her Italian test, which she accidentally booked for a tougher level exam. She sends her gratitude for the support. Bravo! felice per voi...`

And so today DK came in at five plus with quite a disheartening news. I promised myself 2008 wud be a happy year...and my god it has been naturally, without any force... chill happy vibes everywhere. And every week it keeps getting higher and higher... like mr hippie meets ms weed. But now with the latest news...i forsee the clouds are coming. Now this is going to be quite a storm for me especially when i'm not ready for it at the moment. Hopefully everything goes thru in the next few days or i have no choice but to accept a tough break next month. The irony ...having a break can be so tough.

Happiness comes with a price... as with everything in life`

2008-03-08T23:20:00.003+08:00

So today is saturday...and i feel as if i missed it totally.

Had two missed call in the morning...a msg from D'rah...an another missed call sumtime after noon. All happened while i was heavenly K.O'ed. So today went to collect some stuff from Queensway and then chopped some hair in Woodlands. Pretty much that's my saturnight... cos i missed the whole day. All bcos i was drained out by the Incubus concert the night before.

I had not feel so drained in a concert before...first time for everything. Incubus was good as usual. But sumthing just lack in the concert yesterday...probably the stage-audience engagement. Aid agreed with me on that. So does her frens. They did their thing on stage and yeah that's about it. Brandon Boyd even has his conga and bongo facing the back when he plays...it wud be cooler if you cud face the front. At least we cud see your percussion charisma ey!

Okay, back to the draining thing...was the moshpit. It usually isn't this bad. Yesterday was kinda bad. People just dun care about who's who. It's like..."Oh fcuk, if she can't breathe it 's none of my fcuking business..." kinda thing. As usual...alot of people needed the rescueing of the crowd bouncers. I was standing behind Aid and her fren when the first wave of body came crushing all of us to the front...i tried to protect her as much as i can till i got swept away in the wave...all i cud do then was hope she'll find a good spot for herself. I on the other hand...against the forces of the body of people landed in the center front of the whole moshpit. Not so bad huh. Lol. All in all i enjoyed my time there. But somehow the whole thing was very draining. haha.

Well, guess it's been awhile since i did all those teenage-rebel things that used to be a casual thing in the past. The coming of age i'd say. On another note, the band that opened for them was Saosin.

I thot their stage presence was much better than incubus cos it's like that feeling you know...they had us on stage with them. Incubus was more like they're up there we're down here. Well yea...somehow you hear more of a complain huh. haha. Anyway it's not all bad. I did landed center front. Lol. So yea..had great company had quite a good concert. Thanks to Aid for getting me the tix way back in December i think, if i'm not wrong. *thumbs*

Okay...tomorrow will be my friend's wedding...how about that huh...asked to be the best man two days before. Now i'll just have to go spontaneous tomorrow then. Just hope i won't be late for all the pre-plannings. Have a good Sunday people`

2008-03-05T00:59:00.008+08:00

Olaa...feeling abit european spirited. haha`

Happy vibes.

Yeah i know...abit outdated this blog has been. So many things done and happened yet no writings. Okay where should i start. Last month went for the airshow with Fan..Ulfy..E'da..L'in..D'rah. We had a blast...tho we crash the party after the show. One thing with events such as these...it can never run perfectly. What i mean is, you should see the crowded bottleneck of human bodies trying to vacate the area...if i was a giant, i'd have a healthy lunch just by scooping tiny humans into my mouth ...and i dun have to even run and chase. Yeah imagination gone wild...haha..but who cares...happy vibes.

Happy vibes.

Okay so we missed the airshow, but the showcase didn't fly off tho. We reached there at three, and there's still alot of visitors coming and going. I'm not really into planes...flying still gives me the little chilly feeling...and the thing that irritates me the most are the earblocks. But there were a few planes that i thot were cool. There's one that D'rah told me to get for her...called the Gulfstream. That baby cost 15million the pilot quoted me. If i have 15million no problems honey...but you gotta pay the parking coupon tho. Lol` As we circle around, I saw another plane that opens the cockpit like a Lamborghini door...now this baby cost probably close to a million S'pore dollars. Tho it's not as big and fancy as the Gulfstream, it looks like a sleek sporty air version of a sportscar. haha. Well...as they say "some dreams come true"

My mum's washing machine spinner`

A model plane`

Either that's a new afterburner...or pity the fella that scrubbed it for the show`

Leaving on a jet plane`

"Check out that babe man"... "yeah she's hot"...

If your fren almost dropped your phone into the drain... do this to him on the next photo`

Charlie's angels?`

"How do we fix this back?...told ya it's not styrofoam"

You should see his plane...the seat is low-cut`

Ferrari plane`

"You sure this is the one honey?"... "Yeah"...

"Hey Bill, prepare the legal papers and call the bank... we're buying this one"

Gulfstream...`

Airwolf on the right...Airwolf Jr on the left`

The new A380 Airbus`

Groupiee`

Three filled stomach`

Another three filled stomach... 3 + 3 = 5!`

Happy vibes.

Well spent the whole day with the peeps. The Sunday after went to watch Kite Runner with the bro...which i have read two chapters of the book. Now i know why they say read the book first before the movie comes out. Cos as of today...it's still at chapter two. Lol. Okay shall try to finish it. I like the movie...it was kinda sad how everything evolved. It gives you a sense of happiness these characters get despite all the bitter and sadness of life that never seem to leave. Bittersweet. This movie reminds me of Colour of Paradise, the Iranian film. Well good movie. At least it's good for me.

Kite Runner`

Happy Vibes.

Then moving on two days later on tuesday went to watch Juno with Fan, E'da and D'rah. Ahh...sweet comedy. Nice. Some of the soundtracks you'd be probably be listening to right now on my happy list. One thing about this movie that is sweet would be the fact that it portrays a teenage couple that is not your typical favourite high skool celebrities. It plays along a story of a more ordinary high-skool lovers. The girl is not the typical cheerleader...and the guy has quite a dorky personality. But everything about it is nice and sweet. If you want to move away for awhile from those typical blockbuster genres...pick this one if it's still available. As requested by eCar...i shall put up Michael Cera and Ellen Page's version of Anyone Else But You. For you larh... a thousand times over`

Juno`

Happy Vibes.

Okay last sunday went out with yeah again the superheroes trio...haha. Headed to NUS for a screening called Tierra. Means Earth in spanish. It's been awhile since I watched these non-mainstream foreign films. Used to watch it alot back in the old days with Red and Saddique. One thing you'll learn to appreciate in these kinda films is the story...most are twisted in many ways. You can never expect a predictable ending. And that's a good thing. And most times, you'll never agree with the moral values in it. I guess it's bcos of the cultures that we are alien to...you'll never see such things in our society. It's cool...it makes you think and wonder. Enjoyed the movie...and i must say, love it when you can stretch bent fold your legs while watching the show. Haah`

Tierra`

Happy vibes.

Today...which is yesterday by two hours. Lol. Went to catch Persepolis with D'rah at Vivo. It's the first time i'm watching sumthing in cinema europa. They have a nice useful tabletop in between seats...not bad. The movie was cool. So much CG 3D stuff these days it's nice to watch sumthing different at times. It's a 2D animated film. With 3D effects in layers and cinematics. Also artistic 2D cut-out sorts too. Bravo to the production and story crew. Nicely done. Appreciate the efforts. The story is based on an Iranian girl growing up in tough times of war and revolution. Interesting story and adaptation. It's good...thumbs up from me. Then we had dinner at Fiq & Olive...okay gonna blow away the carbs tomorrow at the gym. Lol` Brave to eat must be brave to burn. Sparta rule...no retreat no surrender. haha. Okay, can't remember the last outdated time i ate at f&o. Well...whatever it is...if there's chicken, it's sweet enough for me. *thumbs*

Persepolis`

Happy vibes.

On another note, TIP family will be moving real soon in two weeks time to our new home in Redhill. Which reminds me...i need to get boxes ready for all my barang-barang and toys. Recently, bought a remote-controlled airplane...nice seeing the little fella flying around in the studio but it keeps hitting the ceiling and blown down...crash-landing by the air conditioners. hahaa. Well, looking forward to the new studio...super high ceiling...an area size of an indoor street soccer court. Now that's a better airzone. Lol. Well no point buying the Gulfstream if dunno how to fly it. Practice makes perfect...it helps knowing an aircraft engineer too. Haha. Okay peeps...till next writing, stay happy`

Happy vibes.

2008-02-15T17:37:00.010+08:00

Hey peeps...thanks for sticking around.

Well nothing much to update really...been working busy with life. Basically is just juggling work and spartan. Didn't do anything productive also during the CNY holiday week, altho i had the whole week to it. Guess sumtimes it's how u put the word productive in your perspective. I mean you can still be productive not relating to work stuff. Well, guess catching up on sleep is productive as well. haha. But i know i know...shud not let such valuable time go to waste.

Cud have done my own self 3d-related projects that i had planned out to do. Cud have started on the batik mural concept for the room's new look. Well, shall look forward to the next holiday then. After next month's Good Friday that is. Cause i'll be road tripping up from S'pore to Hatyai, Thailand again. Mentioned to my touring khakis that we shud go sumwhere else other than hatyai, cos i've been there in 2005. See the thing about taking the road trip up other than getting your bikes dirt'eee...is to see places. I mean since we are travelling so darn far already might as well venture new roads, further destinations. Get to checkout more interesting places. Who knows, babes? Lol.

Thailand...u gotta be careful when checking out babes cos u never know. Anyway, i have been beaming up Alyssa these couple of months...i dun have the photos taken yet, shall update on all the geez installed later. But i did took a video of her power-angst. She is so race-ready that i think the only thing holding her back from the race track is my bloody timings. Told Thr that i'll be getting the racesuit next month and hitting the tracks once i'm back from the thailand trip. Lacing~~lacing~~vroom vroom~~kebaboom. Lol.

On other note i'm irritated with 3dsmax...it's giving me alot of technical problems lately. Oh ya before i forgot, which is a problem for me these days with my unconditional short-term memory. Haha...ya the worst struck i had was in the car with Ulfy and KN. I was talking and Ulfy kinda interrupted, and when she allowed me to continue i just forgot what i wanted to say. haha. Now this thing i gotta observe more in detail. Uhmm` Anyways, when i was doing some blog updates reading from a list of people i know, there hasn't been one lately from eCar cause i thot she was back in S'pore. Well, i guess she just got back two days ago. And in her most recent entry yesterday, there's sumthing that kinda got my attention. Cos i always like when people say sumthing good spontaneously. So i shall leave you with this line of hers...

"I miss them when I was with them

'cause then I knew what I miss."

2008-02-01T07:31:00.000+08:00

Okay, yest was a crappy day nonetheless.

I woke up with a heavy head...so i stayed indoors. Probably greeted the day around two plus where the sun was burning. Did some test and r&d on the concept I went thru with A'cher the day before in the studio. Then felt a little tired thinking so decided to just chill out infront of the big teevee ready to watch Spirited Away i borrowed from G'enH, then felt hungry.

So i beep some peeps...and half and hour later KN came to fetch with her herby105. Was watching Allen by then cos there's no time to fully watch Spirited Away. And missed out on one republic performing on her show. Not too bothered anyway. So we joined Ulfy at mcafe. I gave KN the look when she mentioned pizza hut. Ahhh...anyway when she said it the temptation was going nuts in my head...but then again the spartan won cos i totally ruled that out a minute later. And then we had a choice to make between mcafe still and LJS. And who can resist LJS huh....so i wasn't strong enough to say no and we did a coin toss....more like Ulfy playin' with the coin and placing it on the table. HEADS! phew...that's mcafe alright`

So had caesar salad and tempting tuna...not so bothered by the tempting tuna cos i had it covered around 3plus with some bodyweight exercises as part of the wake-up-not-sure-what-to-do-first regime. The caesar salad tho came with its sinful sauce. So not to spoil the food's splendour...instead of spreading it around the salad...make little dips as we ate along. More veg less sauce.

Now i'm starting to sound like a psycho on a mission...well that's what i'm talking about. Most ppl who talked to me about weight loss and stuff, and how i did it in the past...the whole 35kilos lost and shits...well, i always say it's a mind battling game. Exercise and eating right is only the icing on the cake. Most people fail in going long enough to see results in losing weight is bcos they give up on their mind too early. They're too psyc up to train and all...but they burnt out too fast in their heads. Well, since i gained back all that 35 glory, i shall just have to prove that no matter at what age, it can be done.

And so i shall...be a psycho on a mission if i have to. At least for now and the next couple of months. haha. Then i think it'll be probably alright to indulge in the greater good in life...foood. But of cos' by then it's only maintenance need to take care of.

And so, tomorrow is Kelv's daughter bday party or sumthin'. So had KN and Ulfy to help me out with present choices at kiddy palace. Maday in a toy store...now in what mind do you think he'll be spending more on others. Lol. I spent five times more on myself than for the one intended with a gift. And so now the question is...to place at home or the studio?

2008-01-23T00:24:00.000+08:00

Gd day fresh and happy people...

Today was a cool day. altho yesterday was super work day...studio in the day...gym in the evening...then came home start doing the webbies for sph. Think i slept at six plus in the morning...then woke up at nine, shower and head for studio around ten. Round the clock we go`. Yesterday DK gave me and Maxx a job lead for CG poster design with Emerging Entertainment...a german game company based here in S'pore. Cool place...but alittle quiet for me...everyone seems to be in a serious mode...with slight light mood in the atmospshere. In TIP, even in the rushing modes...we are always noisy as soon as someone takes his eyes off the screen. That's why sumtimes when we feel alittle dragged down...doesn't matter if it is work-related or just ur bloody moody'ness...we shud be at least at some level...be thankful for what we have. Cause it might be greener out there or might not.

So i got in at ten plus...then max came in shortly afterwards...then we head down for a short trip to emerging ent in tanjong pagar. On the way there and back we saw this beauty...some super old school designed Ducati...so i had to take the pictures larh. haha.

here it is...

It even comes with a termignoni pipes...sweeet`. anyways...we didn't take the job cos it needs alot of things to be done in a short period of time...so we pass.

Okay got alittle bored waiting for the renderings at the studio so i took pictures of my threesome fightclub peeps on my cpu...

Spartan vs Ninja Spawn vs Alien

Leonidas...

Ninja spawn...

Alien resurrection...

On another note...update on the spartan mission. Well this morning putting on the jeans this was the result of spartaning after 3 weeks...

Sumtimes we gotta face facts...we live amongst frens and family... and since it's s'pore...it's glorious food babey. But Craig Ballyntine's once said...it doesn't matter if you fall...or you indulge at times on the finer things in life...but what are you gonna do about it next? Okay those are not the exact words....but you get the idea yea. So now is still in the process of exchanging body fat with lean muscle mass. Okay i know...most people who dun read up on fitness stuff will ask if u can actually turn those fats into muscle...the answer is no. You gotta workout to burn those calories and lose body fat. At the same time, it helps if we carry weights...or even using our natural bodyweight to build lean muscle. So you get the best of both worlds. And for those who are afraid of carrying weights in fear of becoming a hulk...you won't. In fact...when you carry weights...you will only build lean muscle and a nice physique...done properly and balance... you get great definitions as well. Those hulks become hulks cos they take extra supplements to boost muscle growth. If you read up there's more to it such as red fibres and white fibres of the muscles and such...but that's just gonna bore you to death. hahaha. And for those peeps who have kept askin' me how how...first, get off ya lazy bums for starters *grins*

Had dinner just now with eCar, Gazzie, Nansee, and Joyful. Thanks eCar for the glorious food...now i shall burn it off tmr at the gym. haha. Dinner was at Tambuah Mas in paragon...a nice small cosy place. Then chat sumore...after that head for home. While walking the guys off to cineleisure...ahh HMV. There's a hidden giant magnet there you see. If i'm there i just gotta step in. Lol. Bought three albums....dreaming out loud by one republic...cause they were playing stop and stare...sweet. So bought the album. Also in the basket are in rainbows by radiohead and let love in by goo goo dolls. All time fav band. Ya i know i said before...3eB. So there are two all time fav bands...third eye blind and goo goo dolls. haha. Sumhow their tunes abit in'sync with my braains.

Okay shall add some nice songs from the albums to the jukebox when i have time. I'm back to work...u peeps have a gd one tomorrow. Ciao`

2008-01-16T00:49:00.000+08:00

hey u, yup my first for 2008. Well so far so great. Things are really picking up. Spirits are still running high. Spartan still going strong. Haa`

Okay...new year. was supposed to hangout with no-raid but lost the mood around nine...haha. sorry if u readin' this. So got hungry and cooked up sumthing to munch while the fireworks were booming. haha`. Quite pathetic tho but i dun quite care then...just felt spending time at home. Anyway, it's either i'm out there stuck in a crowd or stuck in traffic.

A few days before on the 29th i think, went out with the bunchies for the support session. Now that i think about it...it's more like those rehab support group u see on US drama. Lol`. But in this case...only once a year. We kinda have the usual makan session whereby afterwards we gift exchange one another. This year we save the hassle of getting everyone one prezzie, so we only had to bring along one...and draw lots to see who u shud receive from. On that note, that person will also be responsible to look after your resolution progresses for the coming year. We'll grab whatever we can pen down on, signed it off and pass it on to the keeper.

This year i'm hovering over Red's...and Fan's looking after mine. And since Ulfy did not turn up this year...i'm continuin' hers as well. Well i manage to strike one resolution last year which was pretty huge impact...feels great but somehow after revelation...i was the underachiever....haha`. Just managed one outta three man. haa` the rest managed at least two. Well...one thing for sure is not new to this year's reso...getting the car license. haha. It has been brought forward year after year since i'm not sure which year it started?! Anyway, Ulfy brought forward almost all of hers to this year. So not too alone larh it feels ya...Lol`

January has been great so far. Except! yea...there shud always be one...that's how u know if life is normal. The weather! Do you realise it rains every single day...even on super sunny mornings....just wait till it's 3...and there u'll have ur clouds. But i'm not too bothered tho as long as it stops before 7. The other day, SF saw me walkin with the umbrellie to the sultan mosque...which was like walking in a tsunami man. The winds just blow rain from left right center. My jeans was wet. Crap! haha. We laughed about it when i returned.

Spartan glory is coming along well. Mentioned last monday i was heading to the gym...and A'cher said..."Gym's Grill arh?" Lol. Now that was a cracker. But be it gym or gym's grill...the trainings are going great. Have cut down twelve gravity counts...and counting. So it's gym's grill on one three five of the week...on two and four are light activities...so i'm just back on the boxer skip routine. Just pumpin high intensity alternate low to get the heart raged. Well...shall update more on it in weeks 'n weeks.

Work at e studio is as per normal. Still tryin to work on the punctuality issues tho. Haha`. Today was great...came earlier than usual days. Uncle'M is really going mask rider craziee at e studio. Last time there was one mask rider figurine on his desk...now there's seven!!! i brought home my 14inch bumblebee cos there's no more place to put it. So now there's left leonidas, spawn ninja, 'n alien on my cpu. Threesome battle! haha. The Lost collection figures are still up on the wall racks. Not sure how i'm gonna pack all the toys over to the new studio when we move.

Yea we are movin' outta beach rd. Man...gonna miss this place...it's so convenient here. Everything is darn accessible. Lyn has moved out earlier tho, on the third of jan. LnS moved to somewhere in tiong bahru. Or was it Outram. Okay larh whichever. Haha` But as they say it...new place comes new beginning. So once pass thru the adaptation process...will feel much at home with the new surroundings. We're moving to redhill. Great thing is we gonna have a super huge building/space to ourselves. Well, shall not dwell on it too much until we actually move. Was thinking of cycling to work on some days. Butta gonna have to run some testin' first to see if can really reach redhill from jurong da`. If can reach but takes forever then everyday is gonna turn half day in that case. Haha`.

Thot of going for the Police concert...but man, those old men are expensive. haha. Guess some things dun come cheap as they aged. Just like a collectible or antiques. So Aid asked if i wanna head for the Incubus concert in March...climbed on the bandwagon there. Which reminds me...gotta pay her for the tix. Sorry babe...shall transfer`. Movies, i'm waiting for kite runner to be out. Think end of this month probably. Hopefully the show will be as good as the book. I heard! haha. Due to unforseen circumstances...not read it yet`.

Need to catch up on some sleep. Aite, before i end this short entry...the hand is itching to paint again. So any suggestions for this new year? I was thinking of a big batik piece...but gonna cut it up into cube frames and hang it on the wall. So it looks like a huge mural on boxes. Now what to paint... man..doesn't it sound effortful...haha` Let's hope there's time here and there to do it. Okay peeps...enjoy ur days`

2007-12-25T13:12:00.000+08:00

Okay, christmas is here. Altho i dun celebrate this festival religiously, i like the warm sweet sensation it brings to the world. Or perhaps at least within the country. People look to care more for others than the usual days where someone would probably just go about do his her own shit day to day. People are more joyful and thoughtful this time of year, and of course i enjoy the holiday it brings. haha`

Yesterday, wondered where all the bunchies are off to...cos at midnight, there's left me and Fan, and so we decided to just go watch I Am Legend. I thought it was an okay movie. It was kinda sad tho when the dog died. Okay fine shall not talk about the story. Lol. ~~Not much vfx tho~~...alot more of suspense juices. Still have national treasure and chipmunks to catch. Ahh, two days in paris perhaps.

So yesterday while driving the beamer around outram rd, road block. The traffic police kindly asked "Good evening sir, where were you from?" Maday..."Jurong!" Fan..."Boon lay!". Hahaha...if we were suspects on a crime scene....wud have failed the first test i supposed. Then he asked, " Any alcoholic drinks, sir?" And Fan being the politely answered s'porean said no. Think being the irritating me i wud have answered, "Oh...can i have a vodka twist please!" Haha...but of course i dun drink, but it'll be fun tho... in a jackass kind of way larh. Lol. But anyway, we laughed about it all the way to town.

There were two fights at cineleisure. One was between two ahbeng clans. Another was between an ahbeng clan and this auntie with her family. Just when we were talkin' about joyful. Uhmm...these boys never watch kungfu hustle i guess....dun they know aunties can be deadly powerful secretly...just like that landlady in that movie. haha. Anyway, in both cases...no one throw a punch. What's that about u know. Fan said, if u gonna fight... someone just need to throw the first punch. Typical huuhaa s'poreans. Too much korean dramas larh. hahah. All shit no bull.

The day before, just felt like riding. Cos it rained practically everyday right, so just went around s'pore for like four hours just riding everywhere and anywhere along the nightsky. Touched on every xpressway...uhmm except KPE...cos maybe it didn't come to mind...and i dun know where the heck it is anyway. Then i got pretty tired...so i stopped by fullerton and watch the lights and river for awhile...took in the breeze. Then i make my long route journey home. It's cool. When u dun have a destination to go to....just move to where the road takes you.

2007, well 2007 has been a contented one. Did what i wanted to do, say what i wanted to say. Got most of my questions answered. Tho i must say, this year also seen the very worst... with the lost of Astley. But everything happens for a reason. Yea, pretty much that's it...looking forward to a brighter year ahead.

Anyway, for seven years i've dreamt of being a CG artist...in those school days u just wud say i wanna work in animation. Well, there's more to it. And am glad living the dream now. Of course more things ahead...for this perspective, for 2008...to improve one's competency and have more fun doing it.

Hopefully more normal hours work in this coming year...tho it's hardly the case in production haha yea but, well, more family 'n friends time i wud say. Oh yea, not to forget...relive my spartan glory. Lol. Dun laugh...it's coming i tell ya. No retreat no surrender....spartan rule. Done once...shall be done again.

More for 2008...uhmm, try not to miss more movies and cool concerts. Meet more vibrant people. Spend less on Alyssa...yes yes, i know Ulfy, KN, Fan, Red, etc....i know ppl...i mentioned that last year. But it wasn't my choice that i got a new bike...well it was...but victim of circumstances?! Lol.

Oh not to forget, hopefully another thailand roadtrip. Missed the millions gleaming stars a foot above the head it seems...cruising the highways. Okay to put it simple, wish for a happy 2008...just joy, laughter and love. None of those mellow marshymellow days. And yes KN, u shall not see grumpy gummy next year. hahaha. More importantly, wish all my friends a blissful enchanted life next year. Well, can't be all joyful alone can we...no fun in that.

Okay leave ya with a line from polar express i watched yesterday on teevee...

"It's not where the train is heading that matters...it's deciding whether to get on it!"

2007-12-16T21:13:00.000+08:00

Today...today...is a boring day`

Yes i know...but i gotta say it anyways. Today is Sunday... but not surprisingly...there's no sun today. Uhmm...so what day shud i call it? It was cloudy at noon...make my way down to bukit panjang for Fizan & Wati's big wedding day. They're both course mates from poly. How nice... ends up together huh. Called lyn, who else...she's like the command center for all poly peeps. Thanks lyn...we luv ya for that. Met a few of the rest. Most can't make it i supposed. Maybe it's the rain`

And so there was a dikir barat performance...reminds me of super old days. And ironically these peeps actually called me up a few weeks back when i was eating wit eRn if i recall correctly asking me if i wanna be part of the so-called alumni group for an upcoming competition. Told them i'm so retired man...i started when i was like what.. 12yrs old...and stopped when i found rugby in poly days. It's so not happening...not at this age that is.

Okay back at the wedding...took pictures wit the bride and groom...ate...chitchat chitchat...and it rained...then came out the sun for like fifteen minutes...we all stood up, say thanks to the parents of the bride...and it rained like cats and dogs this time. i tell ya if it was literal...wud have drowned in massive fur flood. So more chitchats...only left around three plus. Got home...and half an hour later it rained again in the westside.

Where's the sunday that's promised in the calendar. Anyway coming up shortly on teve is the asain idol result show. I thot the vietnamese idol was cute...altho im sorry to say she can't really sing english song well...think she did better in her viet song but downside...it's a competition and the song is so mellow u cud fall asleep. haha. As expected...indon idol mike, has a powerful voice. Must be sumthing the indon peeps are eating perhaps. Anyway it dun really matter to me who wins...the best to all then.

On other note, hope all is gd and safe wit eRn and her event in genting especially in this wet weather conditions. Also hope eCar a safe journey back to indo. Hope the time spend back home will bring more joy to her despite all her miserabilities here. And if u're reading this...do come back happier please. haha. not Les' Miserable...but Less Miserable!

Okay anyone interested to watch 30 days of nights, alvin and the chipmunks, nat'l treasure books of secrets, mr magoriums wonder emporium, 2 days in paris, i am legend, give me a beep yea. Man that's a whole lot of holiday season movies to catch. Lol. Hope it rains less these few weeks. Cheers`

2007-12-04T23:50:00.000+08:00

Thank you for sparing my life. I almost died today.

Funny how I was talking about living in the moment in my previous writing below when i almost lost my life today. I was happily riding home from the studio today when two cars were road raging, racing one another on the expressway. One of them came close to ramming up my rear. I was close to seeing his face in my side mirror that was how close he was.

I guess he was admiring his ego while watching the other car falling back alittle on his side mirror that he didn't realise he was coming so fast into me. Glad he looked up...brake and swerve to the left...for another split second more he cud have send me flying off forward. Even when he overtook me, i cudn't make of his number plate...that's how fast he was.

Arsehole!

2007-12-01T01:03:00.000+08:00

Hey guys...how u doin'...how's life?

I wouldn't say things were sailing freely in the past months...for once, there's production downtime to deal with...so the need for extra hardship was in session. Thank god for everything that happened. I believe strongly that everything has to happen for a reason... and in each and every way it wud be done it's meant to be. Thank god i met all the people at all exact time which make the journey easier to sail thru'.

Quote from Marc's writing titled Living In The Moment,

"To commit yourself fully, to engage yourself entirely in whatever you’re doing is to live in the moment, didn’t matter if its work or play or if the result is success or failure, you just had to deal with the present where the past and future don’t matter."

I like this particular writing of his...it's nothing to do with the garmen or how life treats you, it's how you embrace life and choose to live it. For me, in that moment...nothing in the past matters at all...i cud sit and dwell on how i wud now be probably sitting in my cosy comfort zone and collecting paychecks every month doing the same old work routine. Or i cud live for the moment and do sumthing about my life and hope for a better tomorrow. And i'm glad i did, and today i'm back at TIP as production is up and running...and things are looking good now and long for the future. More importantly, today i came home from the studio...i was happy`

Funny how all this talk about living in the moment, where the past and future doesn't matter...but no matter how far we have sailed thru' sumtimes we kinda look too far for things in the future...and for some we carry with us things from the past. And for whatever reason it is, life never seem to be in place. Marc also mentioned, in the midst of always looking for something, you fail to realise how good you’ve got it and how lucky you are where you are. And only when its over and passed you by, did you realise what a shame it was that you didn’t treasure it. That you didn’t enjoyed it as much as you can because in the back of your mind, part of you was always somewhere else. You were never fully in the moment. I guess most of us we feel out of place at times... because we are always somewhere else.

It is wrong not to treasure the past nor hope for the future...cos we learn from the past and cherished the memories, look for the future and plan for a better tomorrow, but how are we treating ourselves today? Perhaps what i'm trying to say in my perspective, is to look at ourselves more today. Do things that you need to...say things that you have to...change things that you want to. Everyone deserve sumthing out of life, and only oneself can determine it. But dun forget to be thoughtful towards others as we live amongst them. And once everything is said and done, and if you feel happy or relieved at the end of the day, give yourself a pat on the back...cause for what it's worth you're living in your moment.

Nonetheless, have hope for the better cos if things dun turn out fine today...in god's will, there's always tomorrow :)

2007-11-13T01:59:00.000+08:00

"Living In The Moment"

I could not have said it better than Marc....read it...wonderful stuff.. http://www.insanepoly.com/

2007-11-05T01:54:00.000+08:00

Time check: 1:56 am.

Six hours earlier, i left the house for Jali's open house in pasir ris. Locking the door, saw lightning crashes afar sumwhere in the johor skies near tuas and jurong island area. Think the storm might come but probably it'll hit by tomorrow. Left for pasir ris.

Time check: 2:00 am.

Three hours earlier, left Jali's house for home. It started to drizzle lightly in pasir ris. Rode hard for TPE heading into PIE...and there it was waiting for me, the storm had arrived. From experience, before i left had shifted all my cards money notes into the butt pocket of my jeans...where it'll be the dry'est. Passed by a few small overhead bridges and finally came to a large bridge that intersect the expressway for bedok north. More or less soaked...took off my helmet off the engine and stood by the railing watching the night sky.

Time check: 2:07 am.

Two hours earlier, heavy raindrops lighted by the yellow street lights...lightning crashes every three minutes...here i was lost in translation. Listening to the weather still...singing tunes of how i shall be here till the wee hours. Had alot of things on the mind. Took out the mp3 player and tune in to class95. Brought me deeper into thoughts...

Time check: 2:14 am.

One hour and forty five mintues earlier, came three chinese boys stopping by the bridge for shelter. Squabbling to place each other's helmets on the railing one of them accidentally dropped his into the side road drain filled with rapid waters. The helmet was floating away and they stood there in awe and disappointment. An old uncle who had stopped earlier before them ran out in the rain in his yellow poncho chasing the floating helmet. The shocked boys ran after him. Minutes later all of them came back under the bridge with the wet-drained helmet. It was quite a funny / courageous / nonsensical / brave / idiotic / respectful incident all happening...and the downpour is still getting heavier. Back to class95 and thoughts wandering into the night sky.

Time check: 2:24 am.

Fifty mintues earlier, the lightning still crashes every three minutes. I can now see the long highway better, tho the downpour is still pretty heavy. The feeling is starting to get shitty. It's been two hours. Class95 playing its love songs. The old uncle had left much earlier despite the hard fat downpour. The three young chinese fellas still around talking and smoking by the railing. Started the engine. Wore the helmet and snuggle the earphones nice and comfy. Still love songs. Wore the gloves. Waited for the first lightning to crash, and here i am bracing the heavy rain. Switch the bike into C mode for slower gear acceleration to adapt the tyres to smooth grip of the road with every gear change. Destination... home.

Time check: 2:35 am.

An hour ago, open the front door. Took a nice warm shower. The neck's alittle stiff. Glad to be home. Cold night`

2007-10-29T20:46:00.000+08:00

"A warrior of light, once he has done his duty and transformed his intention into gesture, need fear nothing else: he has done what he should have done. He did not allow himself to be paralysed by fear. Even if the arrow failed to hit the target, he will have another opportunity, because he did not give in to cowardice."

- Paulo Coelho

2007-10-07T23:12:00.000+08:00

Hi folks...man it's been the longest time ever since i last wrote.

Last few months have been neither up nor down. Cause very much i feel i dun have anytime too think much about life...it's just work day night. Basically because we had many projects to finish high and dry before october. As much as i worked like a maniac, i'd like to express my utmost respect to my comrades in battle. Think they did a doubly fantastic job.

Well, in the midst of all those busy'ness...i managed to sneak off and turned my hair purple. Well long story...super long story. Anyway, the dye didnt even last two weeks. It was a kind of fady purple highlights with brown base. Well things turned full blonde by the 14th day...sure i called back the stylist and asked her what the heck happened. And so she retreated it and now it's cool purple with dark brown base. Much better.

As of now, it is the production down time...so i'm not sure what the rest will be doing. For me, i'm doin' some small projects with sph. Then my plan is to cool off and 'tremendously' improve my showreel...cause i think where i am now, is so much far off from where i started during the cg course last year. So i think my showreel deserves the much needed quality that i'm able to perform in my work these days.

I've found new buds with same passion these few months. The suzuki/gixxer enthusiast! Yup, peeps who are riding the same breed of power performance bikes as i am. Been keeping up to date and talking to them in the forum. First hangout with them was a cool chitchat session at yishun dam. Well what else do bikers talk about when they meet...but these time it's great because they only talk about suzukis. There were about slightly more than fifteen of them there. We are printing some suzuki tshirts, now there's gonna around fifty gixxers who are gonna collect the tshirt on the day, now that's gonna be gixxer mania.

Well, dun get me wrong now, i'm not joining any group or anything. It's just a suzuki gsxR tshirt. I'm still gonna make my own legacy. Haha. Hangout with some of them again yesterday at same spot. There's icey and honam who rides the same k7 as i do...and the great thing is each one of us rides a different colour. Now that makes each one unique by its own. Then there's also john, who rides a k2, 2002 model. But they're all cool in their own ways. Great to have foggy and J as well...my long time buds from nyp...ruggers for life.

Great to know J doing darn well. Just hope his future travels will work out fine for him and his family. Foggy as usual, a brother always.

This month is quite exciting. Of course there's hari raya. But my exhaust pipe is arriving. Yeehaw. The best breed in singapore right now...akrapovic. A name that will spur any biker to go "ooo...waah". Honam wants to hear it cause if it sux then he's gonna pass it for an arrow or yoshimura. Haha.

Okay and now i'm watching lost...they left julian with kate in the jungle...now they're back at camp and found jack and sayid. Sayid not happy jack is allowing julian to come home with them. Ahh...what the heck, they're all lost anyways right.

Oh ya before i spin off, there's a huge psp craze in the studio...so many peeps getting it. It's like a plague. Remember the boss needed to say, okay stop playing first...please render out the final please. Haha. Peer pressure huh....thot of getting one too. Cause i have a 30Gb ext hard-disk full of psp game and crap, i dun even have a console! Long story. Anyway, Ern got herself an ipod nano...think it's the same one that rose showed me in the cab on one of the evenings. Well, after much thot, the ipod will access me to great music...and video if i get the video ones, but with the psp...a'haa` music, video and game...think it's a great chemistry there. haha. Yarh okay, fine, let's leave it at peer pressure.

2007-08-27T23:22:00.000+08:00

Have nothing much to talk about...but somethings i'll write`

Okay...weekend was everything different from the past few weeks. Spent both days doing nothing but just having fun and not worry about saving the world or completing things. Just relax the mind and enjoy moments.

On saturday went to Womad with fann, flower girl, cheerful girl, and moody girl. Theme this year was world music....they played african beats, brasillian samba/copacabana...and also alot of hindi fusion drum & bass. Cool stuff. The Asian Dub Foundation dude sure rock the house...not to mention the beautiful languages the Johnny Kalsi of the Dhol Foundation fella likes to use, alot.

Youssou N'Dour was there...yep, the 7 seconds song guy...together with the band, The Super Etoile De Dakar. Another artist i really appreciate much are the guys from Brasil, Clube Do Balanco...man they're good. Its their first time in asia...in singapore...and i think they loved it. And we love the way they just play on stage...simply put it, happy.

Deejay R-H played his beats on stage with this particular boy from Iran...darn bloody talented percussionist...he's gonna make it one day...or might have already. The brasillian band played naturally with them...just improvising along the way....and i think that's what a true musician is all about. Asian Dub also jam with them...they basically crash in on almost everyone's party. Invited of course.The Iranian boy's dad was also up on stage...he played a backpipe-look-a-like.

Lesson learnt...the Iranian boy's dad...let's just call him the Iranian dad. He was part of the act on stage playing...when the Asian Dub joined in...they brought along an Israeli drummer. The Iranian dad then spoke on the mic saying that he is not allowed to go to Israel, while the drummer is never going to be allowed to go to Iran...but only here, for the music...they're together playing on stage...music brings peace`

Youssou N'Dour also touched me with one of his slowest songs...i think it was the slowest. Before he sang he said...when people talk about Africa...when people show Africa...what do you they show...or better, just think about Africa yourself...most of the time poeple portray famine, hunger, aids, poverty....then he goes..."Africa is also about Happiness". Then he sang the song about Africa's happiness. It doesnt make any sense to me what he's singing...but from the projection of his voice and his face...i appreciate the happiness of Africa.

Okay so that's Womad 2007 for you. Hope anyone here reading...we'll hangout at next year's Womad if we make it yea. On Sunday hangout with my good old brothers from nyp, not to mention rugby mates, bike enthusiast, goes way back. I took a drive with Yawn in his Kia and Rush drove with Zeck in the hyundai. I shud say it's a different feeling...cos we always hangout with bikes. It's nice tho.

Movies i've caught this week is Dead Silence. All in all it's okay, nothing much tho. But i've always seen those ventriloquist dolls as spooky and scary looking man. Don't you. Spooky dolls i tell you. Nothing to watch...you can watch this.

Okay peeps...good fun i had over the weekends...now it's back to the long hours in the studio for the next two months. Tsunami period is back again. You keep having fun`

2007-08-22T00:47:00.000+08:00

It's been a week since Astley left us...but it's good to see everyone again.

Today had a barbeque in the evening at Ah'poon's place...it was kinda a tribute to Astley for he had wanted one before his unexpected departure. And so we ought to give him one anyway. Everyone was happy and i was too, as i laugh and dance to every stick of hotdog i stuff inside my mouth. Yolk and one other was still in despair. As i was telling Helix....deep inside we have to accept fate no matter how poignant it is...but we have to also be thankful that this person no longer carry his burden in life. Embrace life while it still last...and pray for those who has depart for their after journey be forgiving and peaceful. Glad most people there are on the recovery road and embracing life once again. That's how he would want us to be i'm sure.

Okay...racer55 was saying my bike is becoming a transformer. Haha. Sounds sweet by the way. Well...met Yawn the other week...just like old times...we wud sit in the wee hours and talk about life. Joke about our mechanic and silly people. It's cool. Both of us have been busy...i was reforming my career life and such since last year...he on the other hand has a busy job. Well brothers will always be brothers. Got him to help me out this coming thursday...going to collect my carbon fibre kits for my transforming machine. The kits include CF tank and CF front fender (fender is the piece of fairing or plastic hovering over the wheel/tyre). The rear fender is not available. Guess gotta source it over ebay or sumthing.

Planning to get the Zero Gravity double-bubble racing windscreen and the fender eliminator for my rear number plate next month. The fender eliminator allows me to flip up the number plate for safe and neat tucking away...useful in situations like races and all. Man...wonder when that'll be. Then comes october or november....my akrapovic half exhaust system and power commander III will arrive and this baby will be ready to go on that dyno machine for suuuweet tuning. Yeah babey. Then what's left will be the BMC air filter, brembo master cylinder brake pump and the motomaster brake rotors/discs....and i'm done. No more spending on her....just enjoying it for the next five years before i decide to let it go or keep it as a weekend hobby.

Why am i spending so much at this beginning stage....cos i want everything to fit nice and steady. Then i just have to maintain its engine and enjoy its moments. No more hassling with wanting this and wanting that and working towards it. I want to work for other things in life than this particular favourite hobby of mine...enjoying or indulging in other things. Going back to rugby sounds nice...but i think i've pass my prime time for that. Maybe recreational touch rugby who knows. Far Red would tell me to work towards having a family i'm sure of this...haha. Well if it comes it comes. But it'll be nice i'm sure. Today listening to Acher...and yes he looks abit fatigue and i guess that's fatherhood. Baby Ace wakes up crying every two hours...i guess the hungry'est people on earth are the diapers community. Man...don't they drink alot...every TWO hours! haha. I'll take note of that one for sure.

Life overall is picking up again. Went for the old sec sch alumni thing last saturday. Think it's not so bad. Their video presentation needs alot of work. Hopefully i will be able to have more time in future to help them out...think i can do loads in this area...art direction, editing, animation, and such. It's good to give back sumthing to the community don't you think. It doesn't have to always be about us. Okay peeps...stay healthy in the meantime.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WIP (Work in progress)
- CF tank (This coming thursday...)
- CF fender (This coming thursday...)
- CF Hugger
- Zero Gravity Windshield
- BMC Air FIlter
- Hodaka Fender Eliminator
- Brembo Master Cylinder
- Motomaster Brake Rotors
- Akrapovic slipons with Y-pipe - Power Commander 3 (Oct/Nov Arriving...)

Installed Kits
- ScottOiler Universal Kit
- Plot Swage Steel-braided Brake Hoses (Front & Rear)
- Contour Headlight Protector
- Motovation Frame Sliders
- Motovation Fork Sliders
- Motovation Axel Sliders
- Motovation Swingarm Sliders

2007-08-15T22:00:00.000+08:00

THIS POST HAS BEEN SHIFTED TO
http://mad-and-ast.blogspot.com/

I have not cried since i was in primary 5. Today i cry...beacuse of you.

This writing is especially for you my brother, may you rest in peace.

I write it bigger than i always do becuase you once told me everything was so hard to read.

Astley Wong Kok Kheong...the brother i found and spend my days everyday with for the past two years. Who not only taught me to stand strong in the working world, but a profound friend i found who understands me well. Respect my decisions, support my passion...brings me back down to earth everytime i start to drift apart.

My only regret, only two days back you asked me for some time and laughter, being alittle self-centered i told you, "wednesday i can la, today not so". Who would have known i'll never see you laugh again.

Today when i got the news from weilin when she called me, i almost wanted to scold her for playing around. She said soundly to me, "Maday don't be shock...Astley passed away". After knowing she was serious, i said NO and there i just broke down. I never need a reason to cry...or had a reason to cry...today i had every reason.

How could it be...i haven't had enough of you...every single day i see you for two years...when everyone else have gone home...we will sit in the office and do our work...share good food, laugh at each other. I was sorry i left you and the dream we shared for the work we do early this year to pursue my other interest...and yet you supported me knowing things will be different. You always tell me, do what you want...experience everything you want to do...so you can see the world for yourself. It's good to have you to tell me what you think when i think i have turn a wrong direction...cos it makes me move further to find my main road again.

Thank you for taking care of me during the Thailand trip last year....when everyone got lost...I was all safe and on par because you were there. We talked about you bringing me to Ipoh and checkout your hometown....eating satay celop in malacca...all those things we wanted so much to do but never had the time.

When my grandma passed away i didn't cry, cos i guess i was too young to understand why. I wish i had cos she was there for me all seven years. Crying not because of sadness, but because of respect and love. Today i cry because of respect and friendship, and i know i owe it to you.

My dad was shock, mum shock and sad...because they know how good and experience rider you are, but more importantly how good a person you are. I know death is the destination we all are heading towards, but i would have wished for you to go in a better and calm way. That's the least a good-hearted person deserve. But again we deserve nothing, God plans all our fate and destiny. No matter what race we are or what religion we belong to...we can only pray for our journey to be forgiving and well.

For you, I hope you had more joy and happiness around us and the people who makes your life worthwhile, despite all the ugly side of life you went through. May you rest in peace,

ASTLEY.

2007-08-11T20:54:00.000+08:00

Today is another project day for the black beauty.

Woke up to a beautiful rainy saturday, so decided to bump at home alittle longer till the rain pass...and yeah it did. Around two, prepare to set off to bukit merah to fix the fork, axel, and swingarm sliders. Before that, showed dad how he cud perform some audio recordings on the digicam for his late afternoon studies at the mosque.

Ahh...what's new, bikeshops. Always the same-o-same-o. Promised me my frame sliders on national day eve...but even today, three days later, "ohh...ordered liao haven't come...next week next week". I said ya ya...fixed my other sliders first. I have actually bought all the slider sets...but since they wanna give me the frame sliders i put up the one at home on sale. Pictures of the sliders will be updated soon.

Then it's off to ubi industrial...where i am supposed to ask this particular bikeshop to fix my alarm thus getting a six months warranty. The alarm was bought online. Again the fella said, "this one involves all the electrical circuit...so need at least an hour...it's best u come down on weekdays so we can do a good job for u". Man! what crap is that?! Isn't it the same if u spend an hour today and fix it. Don't tell me just bcos it's a weekend, u can't focus on doing electrical stuff?! I said ya ya...and off i went to my favourite place...Motorworld. Heheh.

So i went shopping at Motorworld...bought a full set of Swage Plot steel-braided brake hoses...front and rear. Pictures will be updated soon too. Wanted to get the fender eliminator as well...but it was much costly then my initial estimation, so i told them to hold on to that one first.

Things that were forgotten today...take back IC from first bikeshop, getting the radiator mesh from Motorworld.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WIP (Work in progress)
- CF tank
- CF fender
- CF Hugger
- Motovation Frame Sliders
- Zero Gravity Windshield
- BMC Air FIlter
- Hodaka Fender Eliminator
- Brembo Master Cylinder
- Motomaster Brake Rotors
- Akrapovic slipons with Y-pipe
- Power Commander 3

Installed Kits
- ScottOiler Universal Kit
- Plot Swage Steel-braided Brake Hoses (Front & Rear)
- Contour Headlight Protector
- Motovation Fork Sliders
- Motovation Axel Sliders
- Motovation Swingarm Sliders

2007-08-09T22:54:00.000+08:00

Hey guys, first and foremost let me wish Singapore a 42th Happy Birthday.

Nothing much up these days. Just enjoying riding...pure sweet ecstasy. The other day went to screening room with the TIP peeps as we have our own little animation preview. It was great. we're proud to see what we work for looking promising up on screen. Let's pray for better things coming our way.

Last saturday went to Motorworld to fix ScottOiler for my baby. In the past i've been trying hard to maintain good chain health with regular cleaning of the sprockets and chain with degreaser and lubricants...but one thing tho, it took alot of time and let's not go about the mess i'd make in the multi-storey carpark. The cost is not effective too. So this time i shud get it right from the start by installing that little gadget...saving on cost and time. All my sliders are here too but rushed yesterday to the workshop to fix but the fellas have closed, and how they were saying come on wednesday. Craps! The alarm too have not been fixed yet...wish there's time.

One thing tho, went to exchanged the headlight protector. The fella gave me the wrong fitting...it was for a gixxer '05-06 model. The K7 has a smaller headlight fitting. But he was nice enough to get me another tinted one. We just need more amicable businessmen these days. So here's the fit...

Here's a sneak peak to moi k7...

2007-08-04T20:00:00.000+08:00

I'm loving it...

She's as tame and quiet as she can be...

Thunders each blow with passion...

But when she pulls; she pulls like a thousand horses..

Swiftly through the rocket air...

My new gsx-r1000 K7...

Let's ride...

2007-07-23T23:14:00.000+08:00

[25th July '07]

These days.

I've been on the walk these few weeks and it's been awhile since i people watch. I shall not use the word people. WE are kinda ignorant these days aren't we. The other day i was strolling to work in bugis passing by this cool pub cafe called blu jazz too. They just opened up. There, standing in the middle of the walkway was a girl sweeping the leaves of the front of the pub. There was this pretty lady. I've seen her a couple of times walking to work i supposed. The girl was kind enough to stop sweeping...tho, the pretty just walk on top of the bunch of leaves. I'm sure she was sorry. But it's those times that we take things for granted. Hoping the other person to hear our silent 'excuse me'. I too wud have done so if i didn't observe hard enough. It just takes a soft 'sorry' to pop a smile.

She smiles.

I went to work on sunday. Yea, no choice...this particular deadline i can't miss. So i drummed on the pc till eight monday morning. Now here i am in the middle of the busy world getting ready to start while i'm on my way to retire for the morning. The thing about taking the train at bugis is being canned like tuna with the eastside people heading to town. Ironic. On the way to the station, u can actually feel the rush if u walk slow, think slow, no time to chase, no destination to conform. Cause u can see how people force themselves to work, their obedient yet straight expressions, their timid yet agressive walkcycles. the fear of losing time and being late. Well i was them once too. Maybe someone was watching my every movement then. Maybe that's how the world defines normal now. What the heck, even if i dun have to move like everyone else at eight in the morning, i sure chasing time for completing my stuff didn't i. Coming back on a sunday....who am i kidding. I guess in many ways we are tangled into the same web.

The same we are.

[28th July '07]

Yesterday.

Well i went all tired and sleepy on the previous entry that i just shut off the pc and crash in. Yesterday i got the news that my bike has arrived. Initially i wanted the orange/black edition and according to some resources there has been new shipments on it. But my shop still giving me the frustrations of not getting it from the agent and all sort. I have made some comparison and i have decided to settle with the all black edition as it looks as good anyway. So here she is.

I will be collecting this baby on wednesday....but i might wanna postpone it to saturday as to avoid the first day of the month. I have my reasons. Dad was happy to see a nice bike i'm getting. He sounds so supportive and eager if i'm not wrong. Usually he's not so keen to keep up to date on my particular hobby. Below is the same bike used in the world superbike championship by team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra, rode by Max Biaggi and Yukio Kagayama.

Well i have enjoyed every moment of my going public life in the past one month or so however so i had wish i wasn't stuck in an over populated position at times. I too have almost finish 'Like the Flowing River' book gave by eCar. Talking about eCar, met her and the rest of the AnL peeps on friday. I wasn't that optimistic in going since the first place they suggested was marina, and according to Gazza they claimed it's "central". It like an isolated town man...u gotta get deep in to get there. Maybe a saturday afternoon kite day i wudn't mind but night time dun really catch the mood to hangout there.

Well, then i talked into Ashy to pick me up with her chevy and she did. haha. thanks babe. Venue also changed to the cathay. So it happened to be mr.Goh's bday. Glad i came. So all hangout for some indon food and cake, then we headed down to the famous tau'huay place opposite paradiz as requested by Ashy. Eka left as i sense her not in the mood after seeing the crowd there. I chilled out with Gazza all the way till we hit home. So much we gotta laugh about...just like the old days. Good stuff.

On the way home met Nancy's room-mate. Gazza thot she was hot. Okay can't wait to collect the gixxer...hopefully i can still ride a bike by then. I've heard people not able to ride after a long period of not riding. Let's just hope i'm as slick as ever. Oh ya, can't wait for the 14" bumblebee i pre-ordered thru Cheeway at toys 'r us too. It cost me a bomb, but hey...it can transform. Haha. Take care peeps...i leave u here with a simpson version of me`

2007-07-18T23:14:00.000+08:00

It's been a week. Two. Three.

Three weeks of being in the open sea...sharing space. Taking trains and buses. Standing like packed sardines after sunset to get home. I love bus rides. Used to have lots of 'em during my secondary school days...which are, long winding ones...and they are great. These days it's more of getting from here..to there. Maybe bcos it's you and your destination. How can you speak to your destination. You can't.

Though it's cool. If i'm not rushing things in the studio (if am i'd probably leave in the wee hours), i'd have AE for company up to city hall, sumtimes mr.bond up to jurong east. And AE, your lame jokes are gonna kill me some day.

The bikeshop is giving me a tremendous blow of frustrations. It's been three months and i've not seen my new ride. A fellow from the forum told me what's new...it has always been and forever be...everything gd evrything okay...but once signed...everything out the window. Well, i have made an ultimatum with myself anyway. it's gonna be the last ride...so might as well practise some patience and have everything done nice and good. I loves bikes. Grew up around dad who rides (scooter vintage to the max), uncle who owns the famous ducati, know of grandpa owning a ducati and triumph in his younger days but was riding some normal bike when i first knew him as grandpa. It's one of my childhood marvels. That was why when i was introduced to things like biker gangs and such, i didn't embrace them. It has always been about the bikes and the bikes alone. It's about a man and his machine. Hahah. Being said that, well u gotta have a life plan at some point, so looking forward to my last ride. Gonna take care of it like a charm.

In the morning train rides to the studio, i've been reading the book i mentioned before gave by eCar. Like The Flowing River by Paulo Coelho. It's a series of short stories or shud i say, thoughts. It's like having to listen to someone who's talking. Not bad...it kinda spur you to think as he presents his reflections and perceptions of the thing he talks about. And Fan, if you're reading this, this quote is for you bro, think it shud reflects your so-called "idiocracy" well. It's just fine to be yourself:

"A warrior of light, once he has done his duty and transformed his intention into gesture, need fear nothing else: he has done what he should have done. He did not allow himself to be paralysed by fear. Even if the arrow failed to hit the target, he will have another opportunity, because he did not give in to cowardice."

Interesting this book. Ally at the studio called it my mountain book...where i had told her before i read this short writing about climbing a mountain. Paulo mentioned it's good to keep in mind of your objective - reaching the top. However, as you climb, the view changes and there is nothing wrong with stopping and enjoying the view. With each metre climbed, you'll see a little further, so take time to discover things you have never noticed before...and back on your way up. So i told her how i translate that to my dieting. Haha. I said it's okay to enjoy the luxury of food sumtimes if you feel like it, and be back on the diet later. Yeah...that's my REFLECTION! haha.

Okay on a last note, life's been great these months but in moments like now, those who sense my absence...it's just the crunch time. I gotta rush out alot of stuff in the studio. Once the hurdle pass, shud have more play time. Okay peeps...stay happy always`

2007-07-05T02:12:00.000+08:00

Here i am, back from a life i left behind and yet it shall...chase me for the next seven years or so.

Well, just came back from reservist...this time it was a short one, yet it has taken so much out of me. I'm kinda down with a blocked nasal and runny nose...the throat kinda dry...crap i wasn't able to sleep yesterday and yet i gotta wake up darn early for the next morning. It's good to meet old friends...and same old things, relive the good old days what else. Met an NCO i had once during my basic rescue training. What else, relive the good old days. Make new friends...happens every year. And every time it's the same old goodbyes...."see u next year"

Well, ippt failed...haha. Also, chosed the wrong extinguisher to put out the fire. Kena warning also, cos i'm supposed to be a liaison personnel to keep grassroot peeps from Yuhua constituency to be connected with SCDF....and i kinda missed out on all their meetings and events last year. Actually they called me up once which i said i'll come but it was informed so early that when the day came i kinda forgotten about it. Oh well, everyone deserves a second chance....so this year gotta make it right if wanna stay in this vocation. Shud be grateful tho, cos ninety percent of the time, u get to stay civiliian in this post. So there's no reason to complain about it. If failed to make do, shall be transferred out to some rescue batallion next year which is so not happening man.

Talking about second chances...i think everyone should be given benefit of the doubt. I think it's not great to judge others or pass a judgemental remark just because things dun go your way at times. I mean i'm no saint, perhaps i might have done so in the past knowingly or unknowingly, but we are all human beings and we continue to learn. I guess sometimes we need to consider the things we say...be it huge words or small comments, it might not mean a thing to us...however it might come as a insensitive statement to others. Perhaps the way we do things differ from them not bcos they are less competent or disorganise, maybe they might be victim of circumstances at such moments in time, or most of the time bcos larger responsibilities maybe? or more expanded workload/task/duties/etc. And who are we to judge?

Well, it might make some sense to us and none to most, but to those us...we shall keep learning till we die, but it sure makes the workd a better place. You may relate to my crap if u want, or till next time, just take note i have a nose issue at the moment`

2007-06-29T01:07:00.000+08:00

No need to grab those coffee mugs...this gonna be a shortie.

Okay, today is officially the first day of my going-public'ness. Went out of the house around half past nine this morning. Oh well, by this hour i'm writing i shud say yesterday. Anyways, knowing final destination was bugis...got myself armed with the mp3 player and since i've not read an official book for a long time...i mean really like a book with a cover, preface and such...so brought along the book that ms.eCar gave me for my farewell gift from AnL. The book is called 'Like the Flowing River' by Paulo Coelho. Not sure if any of you have read it. Yea, that's about it. At least i'll have the option of reading or snoozing in the train.

Reached bugis around twenty past ten...and make my way to the studio. Being the confident walker...went up the freaking wrong escalator...heheh...yea, bummer! So no choice...continue my now-longer-confident walk. Okay larh dun laugh too much. Haha. At least the feeling was good.

Today at work, Dom and A'cher introduced me to some super old-skool 60s psychedelic groovy musique. Well, u're probably head-bobbing to it by now. Haha. Well, i think it's cool and snappy babeyyy`

Okay on last note...taking the train home not so eyy cool as the morning one...so crampy no mood to read...no seat also...good thing i copied the groovy tunes into the mp3 player...head-bob my way home then. Aight, that's about it`

2007-06-27T00:02:00.000+08:00

Dun ask why, i'm just in the mood to write these days.

First things first, on the way back from bugis...was riding off clementi ave 6 entering into PIE(tuas) when i was blocked off by a gixxer. Gixxer? Someone who rides a suzuki gsx-r model bike. There are 7 models up to date in this gsx family. The one i'm waiting to receive (waiting time has amounted to almost 3 months, bummer!) is a K7, latest beast in the family. This particular gixxer was a k3 or k4. So while turning around the bend...i glanced to the side to see if he's slowing down, but he didn't backed down. So i decided to slow down to make way for him to pass thru. Yet he didn't make the move. So when this happens i usually have no choice but to turn and look at him to see what's happening. He was actually shouting at me asking about my rear light. The reason for it is he has never seen it before. Well i dun blame him tho, cos i had it custom-made sometime in 2005. Usually the Yamaha R1's come with two rear brake lights. Mine has three. One huge circular central for brake and two slightly smaller round ones for signals. Well, i've always been a sucker for unique'ness i guess. Haha. So here's how the short and abrupt conversation goes...

Gixxer: "U got only one rear brake light?"
Maday: "Huh?"
Gixxer: "U got only one rear brake light?"
Maday: "Yeah...one!"
Gixxer: "Power...power..."

Then inconveniently he was on the right and i was on the left...and i'm trying to move to the right into PIE and he was going to enter bukit batok on the left. So again we had to drastically slow down...i let him thru before i cross over to the other side. Well, sadly this is the last day i will be riding the R1...it's nice to end it with someone waving the thumbs up to u. Well, what can i say...it's been a memorable two year relationship with that baby. The furthest we went was Hatyai, Thailand. The view was fantastic...cruising thru the morning dew, surrounded by mountains and clouds. Altho u ride in a group, it's really u alone and the bike with ur helmet on for those moments sharing the view. However i must say that night travelling is totally a different atmosphere. The sky so wide and low, gleaming huge stars...millions of them...u tend to think of others. :)

Anyway, why was i in bugis...had dinner with Nad and Fad. Well, i cudn't make it to e'Datin's b'day bbq last saturday, so i cudn't see Nad, who is leaving this saturday for Jakarta on a one year working contract there. She'll be teaching in one of the primary schools there. And i owed her a frappy, so had to make time before she leaves. Apparently, they are following the S'pore education system there. Good for her yea, she's on the right track to whatever she's planning for. Majoring in Mathematics in SIM...soon to be teaching the subject. Kudos`

Other things today....nothing much. Stuck in the office doing some simulation. Finished the shot i was working on. Later i reopened the 3dmax file and the whole simulation/dynamics/objects are everywhere..."haywired". I dun really like this 3dsmax 8....it's super buggy like shit. So i had to rework the shot again...which ended up eating the whole day. So wasted on time.

Oh before i forgot...sorry to alien-babe and 5zal...who msged me saying i walked passed them twice and they shouted at me but sorry ya, the ears weren't ringing larh. Haha. No...not ear-disoriented syndrome. Was listening hard to the ohers talking i didn't realise. Thanks for shouting tho...appreciate the effort` :)

2007-06-25T21:24:00.000+08:00

Hey guys, how's the world out there. Been the longest time since i write.

Well, i've been busy adapting to the new life...work is fun as always... tho, for those who are keen in entering the CG industry, bear in mind it's not all about cartoons..animation...3d...and happily ever afters. It's a long process with alot of hardwork from a big group of people relying on each other. Can't really say much on the things i'm doing in the studio, but perhaps on how things are done.

The first few months were tough on the hour clock...found myself camping out the morning hours to do stuffs like compositing the final ouputs of the different portions that makes up the whole animation such as the characters, backgrounds, colour correction, lightings, and such. Learnt a whole lot i shud say. The toughest i started out with was lighting cause over the years....i kinda slide off too much from the artistic background and sunk in more to the technical side...so i had problems looking at good contrasting lighting. Not that my eyes are problematic ya. Haha. But things are looking up as the process goes by...DK gave some sort of a pat-on-the-back motivation saying great improvements.

One thing i've come to love in this business is the team spirit...we are the family...we are the village...we are everything together. No one accomplishes anything alone. A few weeks back, i had to rig two characters...the thing is...there is no pressure to finish it...but i kinda placed pressure on myself to come up with it fast cos the animators who will be using them are facing killer deadlines...see, the longer it takes me the the thinner that line will be, so i just had to push for it. Kinda took me four days for the first character with two unslept nights. Ally saw me the second unslept day i came and sat at my desk...i told her OMG my eyes are giving up. She laughed and told me to go home and sleep...DK wud have done so too. But i stayed up a day more to help troubleshoot any buggy'ness. It's a norm...how fantastic your rigging is, an animator is sure bound to break your character rig. Haha. Good job guys...it's the only way everybody can learn. Well, took a whole day after to sleep!

To sum things up, so far work is cool...but it has no respect for time. While walking back from lunch today...CH said that in his church...there is only one other individual who works in the creative industry...and when he mentioned to his other fellow mates that he has to work late most of the time...they said how cud the boss treats him so bad. He gotta explain that it's how the whole industry is...nothing to do with ill treating bosses and such. Haha.

Aite aite....before u get the wrong idea about the job being a 24/7 stand guard duty...it's not always like that. More like a rubber band...sumtimes it stretches sumtimes it doesn't.

Okay, other things in the world...big-Z kinda have a new gf. Well, nothing is for certain but things are looking towards it. I know Ummi won't approve of it...cos she's still holding on to the picture-perfect of the previous gf. Met the new one last saturday while i'm out playing pool with big-Z. The new one brought two others...and haha tried to set me up with one. So not my type. Even caught me up in a situation of photo-taking. Not to be a party-spoiler...kinda just go along with it. But i have to say...some other one actually came up in my mind while i was taking the photo. Guess when someone leaves a footprint in you...even in the smallest ways, the steps you take to treasure them are huge. Okay, need some perspectives...will talk to the usual kaki's soon.

Met the Pet team members the day before...for those not acquinted...peeps from AnL, my previous family. Joined them for steamboat, and we bowl after. Scored two strikes...not too bad for a rusty bowler ey. Haha.

Okay....super heavy downpour outside....super lightning crashes...shall retire from the pc for the moment. Talk to u guys again soon`

2007-05-24T00:22:00.000+08:00

Cool song...

Artist: Chris Daughtry
Song: Home

I'm staring out into the night
And trying to hide the pain
I'm going to the place where love
and feeling good don't ever cost a thing,
And the pain you feel's a different kind of pain

I'm going home to the place where I belong
where your love has always been enough for me
I'm running from you know I think you got me all wrong
I don't regret this life I chose for me
But these places and these faces are getting old
So I'm going home

The miles are getting longer it seems
The closer I get to you....
I've not always been the best man and friend for you
But your love remains true and I don't know why
You always seem to give me another try

I'm going home to the place where I belong
Where your love has always been good enough for me
I'm running from you know I think you got me all wrong
I don't regret this life I chose for me
But these places and these faces are getting old

Be careful what you wish for cause you just might get it all
You just might get it all and then some you dont want
Be careful what you wish for cause you just might get it all
You just might get it all

I'm going home to the place where I belong
Where your love has always been enough for me
And I'm running from you know I think you got me all wrong
I don't regret this life I chose for me'
But these places and these faces are getting old
But these places and these faces are getting old
I'm going home I'm going home

2007-04-08T01:10:00.000+08:00

I will really need some coffee for this.

Chapter ONE: Nervous writer`

Lately i can't sleep much...perhaps it was the flu and the runny nose, then there's the cough. Weather is kinda hot these days, even tho it rains on some days. With the flu almost out of the way, the troubled nights still lingers in the air. These shoulders feel heavy as if the world is my burden to carry.

I pray to God for things to turn better in months to come. It's the uncertainty of things that scatters pieces of me around. I know i was warn about this before but i chose it anyway cos it's sumthing i have always wanted to do ever since i started to go on the search of finding myself. Now that I'm on this current journey, whatever happens i have to make it work.

How ironic this feels, things are so high...feels like i'm surrounded with balloons and clouds. On the other hand...the party might just end and, lights out. Hope more balloons and clouds will be blown this way.

Chapter TWO: The Trade`

I invested in a new baby recently. It's a gixxer...the latest addition to the suzuki family in 2007. Yet to find a name.

I had enough of the crap that i had to deal with a second hand bike...altho i enjoyed much fun with the yamaha r1, it has bring me alot of unnecessary medical bills as well. Recently it got kidney failure, as zul wud put it...sumthing like that. I gotta send it for dialysis every few months for engine repairs if i was to keep it. Or i cud spend a whole lot more to get the core problem fix....but with such a huge bill, is it worth it for a seven years old machine?

Initially i kinda decided to hold up the interest...uhmm not sure if hold is the right word. Had thots of quitting... or holding.. or whatever it is, just sell the bike off and go public. I know! it will need alot of adjusting cos i'm so used to the easy travelling. This wud mean earlier set-off in order to be punctual...which can i add has been so much better in 2006...this year it's kinda slipping back to the old habits. Gotta buck up on that.

Okay the thing is, i went all over the island...it seems almost everywhere i go no shop wants to buy back the bike. Feels shitty. And i just cudn't find the heart to sell it off to individuals cos i will have to do all the lying then right. I think there are enough cut-throat salesman out there...just cudn't bare to join the club. And so i grab the best price i can for the trade in. Took awhile to make the decision...and a whole lot of planning. And decision made.

Chapter THREE: Screenings`

Went to watch 300 last month, the formation fights brought back alot of memories. Days where Noi wud say "Push!" the the plight of the forward pack charging the scrum forward in a deadlock-head battle. Those rugby days...magnifico. Watched it twice, second with zul and his free tix...thanks dude. Under the watchful eyes of mr.meteor, the vfx specialiste...he said so much blood but the ground is so powdery clean. Anyhow, my take is, great stuff.

Watched tmnt a week back, the story i'm not much for it there. Cos i grew up watching the catchy turtles sitcom cartoons...the dark comic one just doesnt get to me. Altho, when batman begins appeared, yes i liked it so much better than those cheesy old ones...but the turtles just dun cut it. Maybe the dark image is okay, perhaps the story wasn't good enough to my liking. Altho, i have to agree with the animation specialiste bunch, the animation looks great.We sat in the hall and wait and glimpse thru the credits. One thing Dave taught us is to appreciate the work and talent of the people who were once like us too. And so we did. My verdict, enjoyable.

Yesterday caught the reaping. Or is it the reaper? Okay let's stick with the reaping. Fan has a point, it does reflect alittle of how M.Knight Shaymalan wud think thru his twisty plot in a story. The story was alright...it has ideas. Hilary Swank was gd...so was the little girl. Effects quite cool. Well, if you're gonna watch it anyway, go ahead.

2007-03-08T00:57:00.000+08:00

Days are bright`

Remember the first writing i ever wrote...wanting the old happy days back. Thank God i'm moving.

Well updates, I am now stress free...i grumble less, i talk more, i squint less, i laugh more. Life's really turning around since i move out from the old office. Not that the people there are boring me out, they are fun...some i consider my family, but the life&work there is wearing me out i guess. Some people say it's a right thing to move out, i concur...however it wasn't an easy decision. Knowing you will leave behind everything that supports you for the past years, not to mention the comfort zone and stability.

Nonetheless, i got the offer to move in with TIP, and yeah...life has been looking brighter and brighter. Going to work...or shud i say...play, is so much fun. It's like i'm looking forward to go there everyday...whereby in the past, i'd start to dread more and more. I'm still adapting to the people there...but most of them are my sifus and my friends...so it's like moving back in or some sorta that feeling.

But one thing tho, working in arab street doesn't really help if you're trying to avoid all the foodies. Darn, they're everywhere. Jason gonna nag. The steps-cum-medicine-ball exercise that he made me do on monday was a super killer man. Shytes. Now that's gonna replace the leg-raise-crunches on the number one spot in my "oh no" list.

Talking about exercise, thanks Nisa for the movie and ride...well, we caught Rocky. Now that's sumthing to boost my motivation. Bcos of Rocky... i shall do it! Tho, i won't have any beef to punch on! The movie...uhmm, almost fall asleep in the earlier scenes, quite too laid back and slow. But it gets better to the fight, yet again...the fight wasn't as great as the old ones. The scenes also have a feel of not fantastically done, or more to digital-filming of that sort. So verdict, ok ok only larh.

I'm still waiting for the SAC/TIP peeps to watch 300. Now that's sumthing to eagerly look forward to. All the CG to wahhh about.

Ahh today, i got a haircut. Feels good. and breezy...haha. Anyone know where to get a dark violet dye? Yeah, to sum it up..Nisa said DUN BE CRAZY. Well, it's art larh. Lol. And yeah, i shall register that whatever thing i need to at bbdc on sat. If i dun forget, shall get that bunny slippers too.

Okay, so far work's great...mood superb, home's atmosphere vibrant, everywhere people happy. Looking good rocky`

2007-02-18T16:30:00.000+08:00

Let me grab my cup...welcome back`

so much has happen since the last i wrote. The days been sunny all week. Though, the rain has been pouring heavily on bright days. On friday went out with rose after work. It rained too. Thanks to ash ash and her boyfriend for driving me to nus. Gonna miss you ash ash.

From nus we took a cab to river valley to eat at spize. Funny thing...from across the road i thot i saw spize with the red canvas outfront. When we got there rose was puzzled cos it was a freaking chinese restaurant. Lol. My bad. Spize was a few more shops down the stretch. But we made it there nonetheless. She had the tempura fish 'n chips and i had the special burger. Yea yea...i'm gonna have to pay that back on the treadmill when i meet Jason. Will talk about him in a bit.

After makan we went to great world to catch epic movie but only have ghost rider, which also turns out to have left only a seat, so we move down to tiong bahru plaza for epic movie. Well, if you have to watch it...try downloading cos it's funny but not lame enough like scary movie. Abit over-rated on tv.

I did caught ghost rider tho on sat with fan. It's good...but if i was to choose, i'd like to see a sportsbike version of the ride. haha. ok ok fine. Overall not bad larh...but spiderman still comes up top amongst all marvel-turn-film movies.

okay, Jason....my personal trainer. Yea...i might have been one myself in the past but in these working days...i find myself no discipline with time and motivation to workout on my own. So i hired one to burn me up to speed. So far i've lost 4kilos in 2 weeks...not bad. But sleeping is a b*tch sumtimes...waking in the morning hours to adjust the aching body. Tell you, i have not slept in so many positions in the longest time. haha. but i think it's a small price to pay for getting your life back on track.

Talking about getting things on track, i have tendered from AnL as of 2nd of February. It was a super hard decision but i had to do it. Cos i can't finish up my showreel with the amount of work side by side. So i had to choose either one. I wanted to tender on the 1st but was wavering cos i not sure of what's coming. But i did it anyway. For passion i'd say...

Anyways...with uncertainty comes hope...and boy was i glad i took the call that night when Dave offered me to work for him in his animation studio. It was like the plan was put in place only that i didn't know it yet a few weeks back when i tendered. And what's more...i'll be working with adrian and sean...sifu'san! It's like back to school again...working with sifus and the gang. Groovy babey`

okay, shall have my hugh grant haircut once the saloon opens back for business. Till then...have a smashing day`

p.s. do keep the comments coming...sorry my fault, didn't know i had to publish the comments. Thanks guys :)

2007-01-16T02:28:00.000+08:00

Hey guys...

I'm feeling abit sappy these days. Just today i told eka i woke up feeling great; which i did. Then Felix passed me this song...number one on my track...Better Days. I kept listening to it and i started feeling sappy dappy. What do i feel? i feel sad days coming`

Same thing i do each day...i come in to the office, settle down. Help my friends look at their troubles and problems...help solve or give solutions and advice...then sat whole day writing my notes. eka came with her ice-cream and lois with her pao...sat and we joke like always.

Always.

What do i feel? i feel sad days coming`

In life we always find things or someone we love, but not everything has an ending...but somethings are meant to be...it's the way life's been written. We don't see it....i know i don't but it'll arrive to us one day. Felix and I were laughing about slogans to put in his graduation video for the spore sports school's graduating class students. He said better days are never forgotten...

i guess better days will soon be forgotten...not totally, but it remains vaguely in our minds. Though...one thing i know will remain forever afresh in our minds...the people who touched our hearts that day, their faces... kept like a slow moving picture spinning and spinning...round and round...and we know we shall never forget...

Always.

What do i feel? i feel sad days coming`

Today i kept writing my notes...writing and writing...till it past midnight. And i looked around...there behind me, Astley. Just the two of us left in the office. Just like old times...like old times. So many people come in and out of the office each day...so many came and left...but no one else worked as long and late as us. Not that we don't manage our time properly, too much things to do is an understatement, but it's none of those... it just feels like home there... with no one to bug you for things...work just keeps flowing and flowing like rivers thru caves. And we like that...alittle peace. And who would say, "off your music". And jokes are always cracking...nowadays not much...but never fails to hear one lame joke, always...

Always.

What do i feel? i feel sad days coming`

Eka said she'll give me a super nice basket before she leaves for Italy. I like the thought of that. Not the basket... Italy. I always waste my efforts on my super-fuel-hungry high maintenance girlfriend. I promised some frens i'll stop spending on her. I will. I admire Eka for her thrifty'ness. Italy...just the sound of it...nice. Soon who's gonna fill me in with the stories...gossip (Lol)...like you always do. I'm sorry...i'm not strong enough to kayuh our small little sinking sampan any longer. My hands are tired...think it's time i'll float with the currents. Hope you'll reach shore soon. But one thing i'll treasure...the better days. Tho, in time those days shall fade but one thing will forever stay afresh in all of our minds... always...

Always. i feel.

2007-01-01T20:18:00.000+08:00

Hey peeps... sorry for those who are always there for me and to know what's been going on in Maday's little corner of the world.

Life's been alittle busy last few months as i've finally come to the end of my specialist course at NP. It ended last saturday...30th december 2006, and how sad it is that i won't be able to often see those peeps i always meet on monday and wednesday nights...not to forget the bunkin in class on saturdays too. But for every ending, is a new beautiful beginning. It's like ended 2006 with hardship together...now 2007 is a chance for everyone to start afresh and living our dreams.

It's no joke...kicking off as newbies in the CG industry is not easy, especially when opportunities are like gold-dust. And where can you find one? Tho, i would like to express my gratitude and super-humongo thanks to Dave, Adrian, Sean, Alvin, Chi Wei...who were always there to camp their hours with us and not for a second holding back on anything they could thot of they could teach us. And thanks to Dave for all the opportunities he could grab and throw at us...

One of my wish for 2007, is to see everyone making it happen...for ourselves...for the SAC family` Kawabangaa!

Went out with Rose two weeks ago. First time we met was also during the christmas season when her sis-in-law was having a baby. It's been a while...and so many stories to share. It's nice catching up after so long. I will take you to that makan place i've been saying...have my word on that. Lol`

Met the FFB peeps on friday. We had the ritual thingy again this year...nah, nothing that ritualistic...just a thing we do each year to give eveyone some hope and to achieve somthing good in the new year. As usual, we bought each other something nice...if not nice, at least practical larh right? haha. This year, ok i stop my nonsense gifts for the moment larh...so got everyone a very practical massager in shapes of animals. Batteries not included! except for testing. heh` For eirfan, no animal for him...sumthing more to his inner self. wahaha. And as usual, one will keep track of another's resolutions for the year. Well, i did kinda sucky for last year...achieving one outta five. Well, this year we kept it slightly achievable...kept it to three resolutions. I think i should be able to cap all of them this year round. Let's be hopeful`

Anyways, took a super needed break from work. Been like forever wanting to do it. Even so, had things to do or things to think about...work work work when was about to do it. However, i did myself the favour and finally just block everything off and enjoy the freedom. Feels great. Feels good. Feels hooyahh!`

okay i gotta pee, shall write more soon. Here's a small part of my showreel i've come up with testament of everyone who has put their full belief in my commitment and abilities...THANK YOU SAC`

2006-11-16T18:21:00.000+08:00

Dear fellow readers and friends... it's been a long while but i'll sign back in soon to update u guys on life and its little details. For the moment, let me just update my latest progress of the AT-ST. Did a simple walk and pose for this little fella below. Feel free to comment` In the meantime, take it easy peeps`

2006-10-29T14:37:00.000+08:00

AT-ST

Good day people. Okay, as complained and requested by mr.meteor yesterday morning, here is a more elaborate breakdown progress of the AT-ST i'm working on. So far so good. Have been rigging the model for two weeks now and i'm feeling pretty good about this baby.

Not much of a skinning skinning going on but more calculations and thinking needed to constraint this and that. Here is a simple tiny walk of the AT-ST...

Well, this is not the final walk-cycle of the fella...as the Foot-Roll wiring is still under-process. Slacking abit larh but will finish it up soon.

Here are some breakdowns of the small small little details in the foot rig.

This clip below, you can see the stretch and squash of the cable at the knee-joint.

Each end of the cable is attached to a dummy point; that each dummy are respectively attached to the different part of the AT-ST leg. By using a SplineSelect; select a vertex end of the cable and attached it to the dummy by applying a Link XForm.

By doing so, the vertices will follow the position and rotation of the dummy. As the dummies move closer to one another, the cable will deform accordingly; whereas it will stretch accordingly when the dummies seperate.

Next, this shows the mechanics going on at the back of the knee area. You will notice the two metal plates reacting to each other's movement. The lower part of the leg will push the upper metal plate outwards as it rotates itself forward.

This little fella is alittle bit tricky. It has got to do with wiring calculations of the positions and rotations of the x/y/z axis of the two components. As the entire leg uses IK chain properties, the lower leg doesn't rotate if manually controlled. Therefore, we will need to calculate the pos/rot of the controller moving the IK chain in reference to the upper plate rotation contraints. There are still things need to be resolved here. To put it simply, headache`

This last clip below shows the motion of the pistons.

The pistons are basically two cylinders each attached to a dummy point. The dummy points are placed on both ends of the motion; one attached to the thigh-leg of the AT-ST while the other to the uppermost leg connected to the pelvis of the robot.

For the pistons, we use the LookAt constraint for the orientation. Basically if piston A is attached to dummy A, it will then have a LookAt constraint to dummy B. While piston B attached to dummy B will have a LookAt constraint to dummy A. What it does is that, however the animator positions the AT-ST, the two piston cylinders will always be looking at one another.

So, that's the end of my little breakdown of the AT-ST as requested by mr.meteor. I'll probably talk more about earthly matters on the next writing. Have a smooth-sailing week ahead`

2006-10-29T01:26:00.000+08:00

Hey peeps...sorry haven't been around fer quite sumtime to tell stories.

Everybody love stories. Well, life's good in some ways...smooth-sailing it feels. Been focusing my energy on other things than just work. Think that helps alot. A while back, thot of a couple of people i've not catch up with. Will ring 'em soon or sumthing.

By the way, it's the Raya's once again. This year things are more slow; in every sense. After the morning raya prayers on tuesday...went home, took a nap...napping all the way till three before heading down to grandma's at the other end of the island. One of the few places i'll be safe from lost'ness in the east. Other than that...tour guide please..

Took some days off from work. Went around running errands i've thot of settling months ago...such as troubling Ms. Daphne who works in the bank; answering all my thousand and one requests and questions followed by more requests.

Crap! Pressed sumthing...all gone...lucky there's this saviour (Recover post button) thingie at the top here; if not i'll probably shut the IE off and go to sleep...sheesh. The first time i wrote this blog had that similar incident. Had to rewind the mind of all the words that has gone from the brain to the keyboard. I hate that. It's like the first writing flows from the heart....the second writing is just a recall from the mind.

Okay, back to Ms. Daphne. She's such a sweet; they never fret. Always looking forward to fulfilling your next thousand and two request. Kudos to her and the bank people...A1 service. School's been great, finished with the first half of my showreel...now working on the AT-ST rig. Will upload the demo movie once i render it out and compress it for this blog. But for now, fer those who knew me from the past, here's some memories to share... fer those who know me now, here's a glimpse of past times....found 'em in some dusty albums while cleaning up the room for the festivities`

Grad Dinner '02: People who share my crap everyday for the past 1095 days`

Grad Dinner '02: Who wud have thot i'd finally start learning it three yrs later`

Grad Dinner '02: People of the table`

Grad Dinner '02: After party lobby people`

Nyp '02: ahh yes...the usual place where Rush's scooter wud be park at point A
in the morning, and end up at point B in the afternun`

Nyp '02: The Applegates. Sang: Beautiful day [u2]; Shiver [coldplay]; Jumper [3eb]`
Time cut short. Unsung: Why does it always rain on me [travis]...what a pity`

Graduation Day '02: Nad & me...minutes before i raced off back to camp`

Graduation Day '02: Found my speedy rugby winger a minute earlier`

Graduation Day '02: Found this babe much earlier...`
Would have died of deafening boredom without her`

Bunkin days : Redz & me`
Herman wud sure to watch over the snacks when i'm around`

Bunkin' days : People love stories`

Bunkout day : Picked a nice spot fer the final march out`
That's Deddy; a.k.a Rock. Played rugby with me in sch; bunkin' with me in camp.
Not known where he is present`

Slumber party '03 : I only cook italiano`
The leftover pasta however turned into a rubber basket`

Slumber party '03 : It's just fan trying to suck up aid's brain oats`

2006-09-10T00:37:00.000+08:00

Hey guys...thanks for sticking around. Grab your coffee, it's time to chat.

Life's been great mostly...at times feeling alittle low. But that's natural i guess...everyone has their low hours in the day. Well, I just watched i am sam on tele, then remembered mr.meteor commenting on having a blog and not really writing stuff...so here we are with my little conversations. I am sam. I love the story...remembered i bought the soundtrack cd when the movie first came out...not having watch the show yet. Quite a mellow cd...but it's good music.

Office is normal...this week is school holidays, so things are slightly more relax. Tho, working life's alittle boring these days. No fire to drive on...kinda burnt out. So many circumstances have occurred in the short past months that altered so many things. Kinda weird at times...awkward on others. Ming Chiang is leaving the company next friday. Since i came back to office, there was mee mee. She left sometime back in june. Then wei alighted in july.

And dzuhri left just yesterday. He's joining nie as contract teacher till he has an opening in the admission sometime next year. I wonder if the company sees the pattern. Someone once told me, it is important for a company to treasure its staff. Part of a good management is to find the correct people to work for the company and have them stay, in the company. It's not a healthy sign when people keeps coming and leaving. Well, what do you think?

Talking about dzuhri, he mentioned he has been applying to nie for about two years. I respect people who stay true to themselves. Chasing dreams is not easy, but if you have passion for it....you gonna get there. Just like peeps in my 3d class now, people like max, victor....they're much wiser than the rest of us, yet they are still at it....trying to break into the industry. I feel fortunate to have met the correct people at the correct times. Never imagine i would be sitting infront of the monitor shaping 3d models...rigging bones. The last experience i had on 3d was back in the poly days. And when the time was up, i thought that was it...i had my chance. Guess passion keeps you hanging on. Not to forget, God's will.

For the past few weeks, i have been skinning the model to the bones i've rig into the character. Here's some deformation test of the skin movements.

Today, Adrian went through with me his method of setting up an advanced arm rig. After lunch, Alvin went through with me his version. According to Adrian, it's good i learn both ways so that in future i could research for better setups. Boy, does Alvin talks fast. I had to ask him to re-explain certain things quite a number of times cos not only he talks fast...he demos fast. But it's all cool. I'll need to practise more on both.

Well other things in life...nothing much happening. Things seem quiet and silent. Oh ya, before i end this little conversation. For those, who might have already known about my little eye infection...it was quite bad yet fortunate i supposed. I had a freaky morning last wednesday...just cudn't open the right eye. It was cherry red and when i lifted the eye lid...heaty tears will flow. So i went to check it out with the clinic doc...he suspected an ulcer in the cornea. So he referred me to doc julian two days later, e specialist at the eye centre. He confirmed so.

He told me if i hadn't got it treated for a day or two more...the ulcer might have spread throughout the cornea and a cornea transplant would be in order. Darn, it freaked me out seriously. But it was alright, thanks to the clinic doc, he gave me the right prescription. According to doc julian, the eyedrop i took cured the ulcer as it was in the early stages. So yesterday he told me i'm cured, but the ulcer left alittle scar in the cornea. So i'm appointed to see him again in a month's time.

He told me there'll be no more contacts for me fer life. Sheesh...now that's a blow to the lifestyle. Adrian says..."cg artist just wear specs lah". Lol. But diana described i had hawaiian eyes the other time...haha...and Dave said i had european nose. So the joke was i had french lips....uhmm, u know what that's good for ey. Lol. But i guess, i'll have to go local on the eyes for the moment....the rest of the facial parts can stay international. heh.

OK dudes and dudettes...time to chill...sleep sleep sleep. ~~By the way...enjoy the music, as recommended by eka. It's nidji with...Child.~~`

2006-08-21T23:31:00.000+08:00

Hey. Something to write off the monday blues away.

Today was simple yet graceful day. Entered the office at half past one. Had small chats with Eka on some teaching materials...she reminded me about the bonus that was long promised but till now still no smell of it anywhere. 'N so i went for coffee break, which of course i dun take coffee...had a medicated-tasting longan pudding...highly not recommended *shakes head* dude. Back to the point... reminded Astley of the long-awaited bonus thingie. Actually i remembered about the bonus all along, but just want to see how much the management meant their promises...so just decide to watch and listen. But since Eka pointed it out...again...i think i shall do my part. Eka didn't want to ask for it...of course who would right...i mean if someone offers to give you something...and they dun, you dun remind them to give it to you...it's just courtesy of them to remember their words.

All in all, office was ok today. Oh ya, Ashlynn i heard...drove her civic into a hugo-jumbo mercedes. Heard it's settling off for some 2.5k or something. Luckily it was after training...means no rush...but what's more important is no one ain't hurt. Peeps in the car were Filippe and Kenny, the two new guys in the team. Haven't had the time to talk to them yet...they on the other hand, look so decently quiet...c'mon man guys, gotta be more crappy and you'll fit into the team nicely. Lol. Well...maybe give them sometime to warmup larh ya. But it's true...look at all the training dept peeps, all have their antics. That's what keeps the day going...

At half past six...was still in the office touching up my head and torso 3d models of myself that is. So much comments have to be work on since the previous lesson. So decided to pack up and head for class. While packing, dropped the ext hardisk. Crap! Picked it up, ain't working no *shakes head* more. Double Crap! My thoughts exactly.

So Astley and me spent the next 15 minutes operating on the gadget and wallah! finally got it to work at 7:05pm. The connectors of the disk inside basically came off that's the big hold up. Darn, and so i'm late. Knowing that Dave took me out of the life drawing class (no more half nude models staring back at me...NP ruling, no nakeys pls...inspiration cut off by half. Lol, just kidding`)...being late is not so bad, cos now, Shawn and Adrian will be tutoring me one-on-one on my rigging.

Before rigging lesson with Shawn, he went through with me on some techniques on how to correct my model's topology thus making rigging easier, or should i say the skin motion more smooth and gentle. Aesthetics of the model, he commented a few. Then came Dave...it was like judgement day. Lol. Basically, all the aesthetics of my models are wrong. The best dialogue of the day..."Where the pantat?!" Translated..."where's the butt?!" Lol. "Where's the pantat?!...not enough flesh..." Oklah, not only my butt was sagging and not round enough...ok ok! not my real butt pls!!! the 3d model's butt...aesthetically alot of things are wrong....and so, my modelling career is drowning as it is starting. Have to do more practices and keep on doing more productive plastic surgery on my current model.

According to Shawn, the face setup topology is good...almost there. Now that's sumthing to keep the fire burning. After judgement day, Shawn taught me to create the basic setup of an advanced leg/foot rig. Nothing of what i've learnt before. Cool tho. Now, today left me with more things to work on...no choice gotta trade more time with sleep. C'mon c'mon...keep moving people...gotta keep things moving`

2006-08-15T20:59:00.000+08:00

Hey you...yup, time for our coffee talk.

Life's been pretty much a roller-coaster ride for the past month or so...having to mentally run around non-stop. Since school starts and with work 'n all...how i wish there's more numbers on the clock. Nevertheless, things are cool. Work has slowed down slightly...or maybe it hasn't but i sure am. Work is work right?...but i pull the brakes these days to slow myself down...just in case i need that extra breath to breathe. *super deep breath*

School on the other hand, kawabanga great. No more of that stiffness of air in the room. Everyone has got pass the warm-ups 'n stretchings...now it's pure fun 'n nonsense. The other day some of us hangout after our saturday class...i tell you, coffee takes you places! Just because we needed some coffee break, we travelled from PS Starbucks to the next door TCC...to cathay's coffee bean...and we finally ended up at paradiz's mac. Sat down already...then decided to go to the nearby Kopitiam foodcourt. Let me repete...coffee really takes you places!

Chun How laughed his intestines out that day till he cried...now that's a sign of healthy living. Bought myself another figurine that day...fandi bought two star wars figures. Oh before i forget, we took the bus all the way from NP to PS. Being the non-frequent public transporter...ehem ehem...act smart larh you know...tap the ez-link card in the first bus we took...value was -64 cents. Lol. Crap. So took out my coin pouch, told the uncle... "Uncle, to Orchard how much?!" ...not knowing that we're taking the bus to Dover mrt then changing buses that leads to town, the spontaneous bus driver, opened the door and awaits my alighting'ness.

So how? Panic la...Lol. Asked Si Cheng who was standing beside me, where we're heading cos everyone else has seated at the back of the bus...he too had no bloody idea where we're heading...haha. Then he shouted to the gang at the end...and wallah! finally destination revealed.... .. door closed` *super deep breath*

Modelling classes has been tough for me as i haven't had any real experience in organic modelling in the past before. So far i find that my ear modelling is good. The 3d model of my face...err, doesn't really look much like me. The proportions in the hands not really that accurate... and the body i modelled pretty stiff. Really need to buckup.

Life drawing classes however, turning much better. Found myself to be more artistic these days. Lol. yah yah ok ok. Just yesterday, couldn't draw man. There stands the model in the middle of the class, everyone's chalking away...here i am drawing the oversized underwear lines the model was wearing. Dom was walking around giving pointers to people in class, then stops behind me and said, "you start from the center? so big...there won't be enough paper to draw the whole figure dun you think?". Crap. My thots exactly. *super deep breath*

So there i sat, while Dom starts to show how he picks up the points and curves as he chalks away on my paper. Watching the master's fingers at work, the moment of pressure turns into an open eye view. Then he said, "there...much better right?" So i flipped to a clean sheet of paper and starts applying these artistic values that has just been drilled into my brain... 'n wallah! all the grooves start to flow. Here's a comparison of my first 10 mins pose drawing a month back... to the one i had yesterday. Peace out`

"A month back"

"Last week"

"Yesterday's"

2006-07-10T00:20:00.000+08:00

Hey again, it's been awhile...

Guess i've been real busy these few weeks. Though, i'm liking the days as they pass by. No more negative vibes bringing me down these days. Feels great. Told myself to work less, learn more, and chill out this later half of the year...and i think i'm moving along it pretty well.

School has started, so it's back to teaching on tuesdays to fridays in the later half of the day. Somehow it doesn't really bother me much, going to these regular schools and yap-yap-yap yapping all the way with the youngsters. They 'n me, we're cool. It's cool when i get to out and stay away from politics and piles of work in the office. This is where the first mindset is...work less, stay away from a cluttered mind where the office would be a suitable place if you want it.

Anyways, school has started for me...finally i'm in the elite group of inspiring cg artistes to be. Glad I talked to Dave at the exact time where this opportunity was about to open...he pulled me in. Can't describe how much gratitude I have for him. And so, the singapore animators connection (SAC) worked so hard in getting us a sp.dip in 3d animation and vfx. Sounds cool? well, the classes are even better. The peeps are okay so far...but still needs more warming up i guess. Guess when they're used to my crap, the chemistry will be great.

I will be working closely with Adrian Cher...one of the instructors we're having for classes. Should see his works, amazing...his topology studies and rigging are great. Well, when you have the best peeps in the industry training you...all is needed now is hardwork! So this is where the second mindset is...learn more, will put all my extra time in learning well to be a good rigger. And did i mentioned we're visiting Lucasfilm Singapore this coming wednesday...kawaabangaa!

Ok, now we're down with the last mindset, chill out. Well, i guess i'm more relaxed these days...mum's back on her cheery side again whenever she converses with me. No more cautious cautious words...all out with the nagging...uhmm, this only applies to my room messy'ness ya...haha. When i get down to work at home...you know larh, gadgets need wires...and when you plug too many gadgets...you have too many wires here and there...Lol. Then there's the jokes...the first joke she cracked with me was on Kak Lyn's birthday...my so called to-be sis-in-law. So we joked around with Zul, me brother, me and mum had a good laugh at him that day. sweet~ :)

I've not seen Rose for quite awhile, wonder how she's doing. Anyway, the crazy bunch at work keeps me sane during the days...if i get to choose, I choose for all bosses to be away, then we all can sit and talk crap whole day...not to forget...gossip gossip. Lol.

The funky family bunch however, keeps me crazy on weekends. We always plan so much stuff but ended up having our usual coffee talks. How ironic...no one drinks coffee at the table! Lol. Met the guys today...nisa had her chunky salad...looks delicious. Think they gave her an extra added cheesy top today. Ulfa had her cheese burger meal with mcFlurry...shared it wit her notorious niece, niesha. She's a great 3yrs old actress i tell ya. Eirfan got a taste of her sad-instant-happy trick. Lol. Fan had his mcspicy 'n double choc frappy, while i had foldover 'n the usual... vanilla. After so much lame jokes...we headed over to esprit...thanks to nisa's magic card... got myself a watch. It's been wad...5 years i think since i wear one.

I'm on my way... to the old maday.

2006-06-22T22:36:00.000+08:00

My first blog.

I have always never been interested in starting a blog. Not sure why now I feel like writing one. Astley told me to have one…he said never know what good it might bring me one day…well, let’s just keep looking on the good side. I guess I’ll use Trebuchet for my blog…yuyul’s favourite fonts. Used to read her blog…and all her lovely stories…but it kinda disappeared one day. Never really asked her why tho… guess we rarely speak much these days.

Well, why I’m writing a blog…maybe it’s just the feeling of speaking to someone about all my thoughts…not sure who I should speak to tho… if you’re reading this, then it’s you.

These few months, I feel as if I’m losing myself at times. Sometimes I wonder if my parents are afraid to speak to me, cause they seem to be cautious with the words they say…as if I might react in an outrageous way. Not that I do…and I don’t…after all they’re my parents. But that’s how I feel, have I changed…

Since I return to work in the office...talking about work…it sure sucks. Too much work…compared to the gold I bring home each month. But of course, everywhere is the same right…but it is outrageous here at times. Sometimes I don’t know why I’m still here…Astley would be one reason…if I leave, there goes the unbreakable project management team. In a way, we are pillars… holding a roof at each end. And of course there’s Eka.

Eka ‘n me…we’re in the same boat. How much we pedal, I feel our boat is sinking. Recently by chance, we found out something un-ethical about the company. Let’s just say… “some people carry stones each day and bring home gold, we carry bolders every minute and bring home peas.” Eka was so upset. I… I just not sure how I should react. The pressure we have to tahan each day is unbearable…one thing I’m proud of tho, I haven’t start singing like a mad man in the office yet despite all of it. Then came Janus, glad she's around to take some of the load off.

But, have I changed that much? Mum said I always look tired. People would take a look at me once and ask what’s on my mind.

I want to be the old maday… not the fat one, the one after`. Happy. Guess Nad and Siva would have seen much of him in the final months of poly during project days. He was there too during ns. He was there last year. I know he was, especially in May…especially in November and December. Happy.

I want to be the old maday.
Happy.