Boy, it's been 2 months since I last updated the other site.
Went to Woodlands workshop as promised the boss Benny. Should have kicked myself for believing these guys. "It's only $45 and we will do everything"! Anyway, they did a clean job on the engine assembly, minus the belt. Costed me $154. Practised on the GPS again at woodlands and see if I could orientate my way home. Not too bad and the way home was a smooth and quiet one. Shiok. Will bring my camera the next time.
I guess life hasn't been "that bad" for everyone, no matter despite all the things that had happened. Someone once told me that nothing will be worse off than falling off the Hand of God. Thankfully, He can't let it happen. But no matter what happens to me in the future, as long as it comes from the loving hand that will rescue me from the fire, I have to accept.
Regarding blogging, or collecting/giving public comments on blogs - even on supposedly "private" blogs - I feel that one should learn to be responsible in speech and not just in deeds alone. There on the blog belies the secret thoughts. Behind the screen, the author has a certain courage, someone he/she has been so accustomed to all the years. There are many writers who spill out their guts out over any issue, political or trying to be sensual.
But there is really no such thing as 'a private blog', or 'my personal space', even if the author is the only one who has access to the page. As long as there is any chance that whatever has been said and later on, are reproduced somewhere else or by someone else, then the author of that blog should be equally responsible for whatever storms that have erupted out of the whole thing.
Even in one's own secret thoughts, one must learn to discipline oneself. One day, all these will well up from within your soul and you cannot help but try to live with that stench that you have been bottling up within. There is on the one side, externalities to consider before one makes use of a certain level of trust and privilege we humans claim as if it were our right. The "you-videocam-me, I-videocam-you" saga finally and successfully made stars out of each other. Wonder how they are doing now..... hehe. 3G handphones? Less obvious? People from Malaysia would come over and take a look! And in God's eyes, they too would be implicated and shall probably stand in Heaven's courts.
Maybe I could try writing to my friends, one at a time... or relate a childhood incident, while my memory is still with me. Or should I place my will here as well? Will it count? Life is too short in some places and too boring in others. I feel our children must really learn to be thankful. That's probably why every self-respecting department is overclocking to try keep all the unhappy employees satisfied.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Sunday, July 30, 2006
The Way
There was once a novice monk who went up a mountain seeking a Zen master's tutelage. When he found the master at last, seated under the bodhi tree, he gave a deep bow and pleaded with the master to keep him as his disciple.
One day, halfway through his meditation, he asked his master."Master, I have learnt this art of meditation since I was a child when my parents left me to the abbot's care. Why do I have to sit here beside you all day long and you have not taught me anything more eversince the first day I arrived? Didn't you promise to help me get to the Way?"
The Master got up from his spot under the shade of the tree. "Here, you may seat yourself under this tree." The monks exchanged places and was momentarily satisfied with his Master's favourite seat. He remained seated for some time more. But still, the days grew longer and longer, and soon, the little monk's growing impatience got the better of him. Being unable to focus, he asked his teacher, " Master, may I know how long will it take for me to be where you are?"
"Maybe soon. Maybe tomorrow."
"Master, what if I worked extra hard and meditate here day and night?"
"1 year. Maybe more."
"What if I swear never to leave this spot and even half the time for my meals and sleep?"
"10 or more."
The little monk grew perplexed. "Master, why is it that when I said I would work even harder, you would say it would take a longer time to master?"
"That is because when you strain one of your eyes to look at your future, you have only one left to find your way."
(The answer lies not in the spot where one is seated. Nor does it lie in the length of time that one spends at a given activity. Truth is like a friendship that blossoms along the way.)
There was once a novice monk who went up a mountain seeking a Zen master's tutelage. When he found the master at last, seated under the bodhi tree, he gave a deep bow and pleaded with the master to keep him as his disciple.
One day, halfway through his meditation, he asked his master."Master, I have learnt this art of meditation since I was a child when my parents left me to the abbot's care. Why do I have to sit here beside you all day long and you have not taught me anything more eversince the first day I arrived? Didn't you promise to help me get to the Way?"
The Master got up from his spot under the shade of the tree. "Here, you may seat yourself under this tree." The monks exchanged places and was momentarily satisfied with his Master's favourite seat. He remained seated for some time more. But still, the days grew longer and longer, and soon, the little monk's growing impatience got the better of him. Being unable to focus, he asked his teacher, " Master, may I know how long will it take for me to be where you are?"
"Maybe soon. Maybe tomorrow."
"Master, what if I worked extra hard and meditate here day and night?"
"1 year. Maybe more."
"What if I swear never to leave this spot and even half the time for my meals and sleep?"
"10 or more."
The little monk grew perplexed. "Master, why is it that when I said I would work even harder, you would say it would take a longer time to master?"
"That is because when you strain one of your eyes to look at your future, you have only one left to find your way."
(The answer lies not in the spot where one is seated. Nor does it lie in the length of time that one spends at a given activity. Truth is like a friendship that blossoms along the way.)
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Band
I used to be in the band. We took part at the National Day Parades, Singapore Youth Festival celebrations, Interschool Outdoor Band competitions, and indoor band competitions as well. We had moved from being a Brass Band to Military Band to a Symphonic Band.
We had a music teacher, a band Instructor, a Drum Major, A Band Leader and a few section leaders. During play, we would be divided into 1st player, 2nd player, 3rd player, and the soloist. Basically, the musical pieces for band are written for different tunes and tones for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd players, and they are meant to blend in together and make the overall tone "round" or "full". Some pieces - especially those written for indoor ones - will have parts for the Soloist. For us, it did not matter whether we would be selected to play 1st, 2nd or 3rd part because each part would require the same amount of attention and effort. In fact, although the first parts were always much easier to remember, they would oftentimes be a little harder to master also. The 3rd parts would sound a little "off" sometimes but if you concentrate enough, you will enjoy how your sound blends with the whole team, not so much how terribly "off" your own playing might sound. But then, that's making music.
I thought the art of managing the workforce is similar to that of the conductor's or band instructor's art of conduting the band. We need someone to teach the individual skills in handling the instrument. Cause and effect. Listen to the sound they make - right or wrong. Unless they are tone-deaf still, they can be coached and trained into becoming the best players in the market. There was someone in charge of getting funds, buying new and repairing/replacing old instruments. The teacher in charge of us was also responsible for helping the band participate in the competitions, for booking auditoriums, transport, and one year (after I had left the school), the juniors were so lucky to be able to go play overseas! I only got to play at the Istana and shook hands with the President (once only)!
Anyway, the art of Management is something like making effort to bring a musical piece to life. There is no music with just good trumpeters blasting away and drowning the French-horns. What happens if the the clarinets play too hard until they squeak all the way? Can't imagine the din. I feel the conductor has the gift to listen for subtle tones from each of the players and engages each accordingly to the musical piece. There may be variations according to interpretation. But the practices and rehearsals and the impromptu twiches of the wand/hand will work magic. Hence, there should not be any confusion and experiences shared between players and conductor will make the art of music easier and easier.
Also, there is the art of coaching and self-practice. Through the coaching process, the player learns to overcome his/her weaknesses, correct those mistakes and gain more mastery over more difficult pieces. To me personally, to be a good musician, a tuned ear is very very important. That's the ultimate skill I wish to master. Everyone learns to listen to his or her own sound and adjust that to blend in with the sound that he/she hears from the rest.
This is vital to the art of synchronising and harmonising with everybody else and it decides what kind of music it will be. I realise I don't like conducting. Given a choice, I am just happy being just a musician. And I will be a happy one. Give me a song in my heart and I memorise it and I will play it in different ways.
I will hate to have to manage a terribly stubborn Trombone, a proud flutist or the soft but self-centred Horn.
Some of us do have problem understanding each other. The situation gets trickier when those who have been so motivated and wishing to lead, finally met one another ....
I used to be in the band. We took part at the National Day Parades, Singapore Youth Festival celebrations, Interschool Outdoor Band competitions, and indoor band competitions as well. We had moved from being a Brass Band to Military Band to a Symphonic Band.
We had a music teacher, a band Instructor, a Drum Major, A Band Leader and a few section leaders. During play, we would be divided into 1st player, 2nd player, 3rd player, and the soloist. Basically, the musical pieces for band are written for different tunes and tones for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd players, and they are meant to blend in together and make the overall tone "round" or "full". Some pieces - especially those written for indoor ones - will have parts for the Soloist. For us, it did not matter whether we would be selected to play 1st, 2nd or 3rd part because each part would require the same amount of attention and effort. In fact, although the first parts were always much easier to remember, they would oftentimes be a little harder to master also. The 3rd parts would sound a little "off" sometimes but if you concentrate enough, you will enjoy how your sound blends with the whole team, not so much how terribly "off" your own playing might sound. But then, that's making music.
I thought the art of managing the workforce is similar to that of the conductor's or band instructor's art of conduting the band. We need someone to teach the individual skills in handling the instrument. Cause and effect. Listen to the sound they make - right or wrong. Unless they are tone-deaf still, they can be coached and trained into becoming the best players in the market. There was someone in charge of getting funds, buying new and repairing/replacing old instruments. The teacher in charge of us was also responsible for helping the band participate in the competitions, for booking auditoriums, transport, and one year (after I had left the school), the juniors were so lucky to be able to go play overseas! I only got to play at the Istana and shook hands with the President (once only)!
Anyway, the art of Management is something like making effort to bring a musical piece to life. There is no music with just good trumpeters blasting away and drowning the French-horns. What happens if the the clarinets play too hard until they squeak all the way? Can't imagine the din. I feel the conductor has the gift to listen for subtle tones from each of the players and engages each accordingly to the musical piece. There may be variations according to interpretation. But the practices and rehearsals and the impromptu twiches of the wand/hand will work magic. Hence, there should not be any confusion and experiences shared between players and conductor will make the art of music easier and easier.
Also, there is the art of coaching and self-practice. Through the coaching process, the player learns to overcome his/her weaknesses, correct those mistakes and gain more mastery over more difficult pieces. To me personally, to be a good musician, a tuned ear is very very important. That's the ultimate skill I wish to master. Everyone learns to listen to his or her own sound and adjust that to blend in with the sound that he/she hears from the rest.
This is vital to the art of synchronising and harmonising with everybody else and it decides what kind of music it will be. I realise I don't like conducting. Given a choice, I am just happy being just a musician. And I will be a happy one. Give me a song in my heart and I memorise it and I will play it in different ways.
I will hate to have to manage a terribly stubborn Trombone, a proud flutist or the soft but self-centred Horn.
Some of us do have problem understanding each other. The situation gets trickier when those who have been so motivated and wishing to lead, finally met one another ....
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