Just Me - My Journey So Far: Brain Fart

2008 娱协奖 Music Awards Nomination

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:01:12 GMT

A week ago, my artist 起政 called me up real excited : CONGRATULATIONS Teacher!!! You're nominated for 娱协 Music Awards for Best Music Arrangement, for the work on 莫文蔚 <手>。 I go: Hmm...... and he goes: Aiyo dont pretend la, you must be very happy inside!

I guess I'm happy... just not thrilled. Is it because I really dont think it's my best work? Is it because I rather another song of mine, 好听的歌 get nominated instead? Or maybe I'm just a little down as I wasnt nominated for Best Production Award. Oh well...

I'm actually a VERY competitive person... but that just helps to push me further and harder. Quite a few senior/junior colleagues of mine were already getting Grammy Awards... so I guess you could kinda understand how I feel.

But in the end, I guess I just LOVE music! The situations in Malaysia are kinda tough that sometimes I'm afraid of not having the chance to do what I love anymore. But that only making it so much more precious each time I lay my hands onto a new project.

Hmm... I guess instead of saying that No Music No Life Cliche... I'd say to myself the very same thing I say to all my students....

Gambate ya!!!

Sleepless night... Something's bothering me...

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:30:37 GMT

Since the album's done, a lot of other important things began to fill up my mind... among them inevitably school related stuff, baby stuff of course... but tonight, something else's really bothering me....

For a while now, I had this talented student who's a decent piano player and a blooming songwriter w/ lots of potential. Been putting a lot of effort teaching him and closely monitoring his progress as 1) he's still very young, 2) he had some serious seeing problem. On many occasions having discussions w/ Yin on how else we could help him learn/grow even with his condition.

So he wrote a great song. I did the demo for him, pitch it to our team, use it in the latest album I produced. All the while telling him that we'll discuss and settle the contract thingy after I'm done w/ that particular project.

Today I was told by others that he had decided to sign up w/ other publisher. What the?

I really dunno what else to say... it's a lousy feelings... but I guess disappointment made up most of it...

Anyway... I'm sure there's a lesson in all of this... can someone enlighten me?

F%$#king Shitty Night!!!

Thu, 01 May 2008 15:15:22 GMT

For the past couple days, I was really stressed out by some family/personal stuff... but today I really looked forward to relax and hang out as I've promised my colleagues to treat them dinner... and I even asked a couple friends to join us.

And YOU have to F$#@king ruin it!!! Complaint after complaint, and a long shitty face to look at.... bloody BULLSHIT!!! Maybe you're unaware of it, It's inexcusable and it affects ppl around you. I already have a mom, a wife, I DONT need someone else that needs sweet-talking... F$#@king A!!!

So now, time and money were spent, and I have NO fun... but a bottled up anger. There WONT be a next time!

I hope you have some friends who'll call you on it... but I'm sure you'll have your sound and solid reasons... you never run out of bloody reasons...

F^%$king SHIT!!!

You wanna DREAM? But Do You Have What It Takes?

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:49:12 GMT

Lots of stuff to write about after my Taiwan trip... but there's some news that bug me quite a bit...

A student of mine decided to quit school while I'm gone. In his blog, he said that the school has changed. It has turned into a commercial hell hole... or something like that... and that he cant take it anymore. He basically dropped off the radar and wouldnt be in contact w/ anyone.

My intention has always been simple. I hope my students learn more about music and that they get to know friends who love music. Simple right?

BUT, when U sign up to strive to be an artist, things will change drastically. Commitment, expectations, demands, stress, social skills etc start to kick in. You're no longer at school where it's all fun and games like it used to. Music is a Professional Business. Do U have what it takes to play the game?

DONT be naive... no one will invest time, money and energy just because U love singing and enjoy performing on stage... (not unless it's your own parents). It's ALL about making MONEY!

So if any of you reading this... grow up will ya? It takes a lot to DREAM!!!

And It's Definitely Easier Said than Done!

绝对Superstar

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:53:04 GMT

Been watching 绝对Superstar (a Malaysia TV Talent Show), because a couple of my long time students were in the Final 24. But honestly speaking, their performances have been a little disappointing in my opinion. I've seen them perform SO much BETTER!

Keyword: Song Choice!

Seriously, I dunno how much liberty they have in picking their songs... and how much they got bombarded with suggestions and feedback on what they should sing.... what they can or cannot do. But on the other hand, if they're truly so easily being affected by other ppl, does it mean they're NOT sure about themselves?

On my favorite American Idol show, the contestants have TOTAL freedom in song choice. They also can participate in song arrangement, twisting and changing the original song to best suit themselves. But on the other hand, if our contestants were given the same luxury... can they really do it? Can they take advantage of it? Sigh... most of them cant even sing on pitch...

On a totally non-related thought.... If I were a Superstar judge for one day and say only one nice thing... I'd say this:

F&$%KING DANCERS!!! STOP CIRCLING AROUND THE SINGERS AND TOUCHING THEM!!! It's F^%KING STUPID!!!

Phew.... that feels good! I dunno why the other judges didnt say anything... dont tell me they didnt notice... I really think it'll be a more interesting show if I'm on it... haha

CNY and blah blah blah

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:14:53 GMT

HAPPY Chinese New Year! Wish all of us the best in this RAT year!!!

Been a while since I update my blog... cos' of the holiday, and me flying up north and down south... and my family finally got together again for the new year... and working on music... me not been sleeping well too cos ' of it.

Just got back from the studio doing some work. Felt good... 1st studio visit in the New Year and looking forward to many more. Expect something interesting from me soon ya.

Dead tired now... will write something more interesting for you guys to read later. Love ya!

More, More, More

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 13:57:12 GMT

All you want is more, more, more. What I give is never enough. What the FUCK???

Maybe someone else will appreciate me more!!!

Pirated CDs - A Justified Punishment !!!

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 04:18:11 GMT

So I was excited to get the Enchanted soundtrack since I saw the movie. After a month wait... it finally hit the shelf.

$64.90 - Rock Corner
$62,90 - Speedy
$59.90 - Tower Records
$56.00 - CDrama after 10% discount
$54.00 - Victoria

WHAT the FUCK? Why is it so expensive? Oh ya... there's a sticker on it that said imported by EMI. I see... now I felt SO much better... tat fucking sticker cost $20!!!

Soundtracks like Golden Compass, Heartbreak Kid selling around $40 cos' manufactured in Malaysia... and I'd think Enchanted'd be a much more popular item by comparison... then WHY the hell it's imported instead?

I knew some of you visit me from US and Singapore... maybe I overreacted... will you fucking buy a $60 CD???

SCREW the Record Company! SCREW YOU!!! I think Pirated CDs is God's Punishment for your MEAN deed to Screw Us!!!

Still SICKED!!!

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:43:53 GMT

6 days and the 3rd visit to the doctor today.... me still sicked!

Started from a throat infection... to a cold... to severe cough... and the good news the lady doctor told me today is I got 鼻窦炎, a severe sinus infection. Took the medicine and it totally knocked me out for a few.

Half of my face is in pain and feels funny... I'm really in no state to do anything... yet half of my mind felt pressured by things to be taken care of at work. Sigh... F*&^%$

Out!

SICKED!!!

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 13:13:53 GMT

Sicked... I've been quite sick for the past few days... in fact I havent been this sicked in a long while! Lots of thing to do... tons of work that need catching up... and the upcoming Music Darling Music Camp prep.... sigh... not a good time to get sick.

The upside is, my wife's parents in town. So I've been served with home-made porridge and food... and that my friend... really helps with the resting and recovering. But I felt guilty that instead of having the energy to take them out and entertain... they're the ones who are pampering me... oh well...

Come on.... Get well soon ya!!!

BLOG... sigh

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 14:07:49 GMT

I'm officially getting pissed at this spaces blog thingy. Maybe it's Microsoft's fault.... maybe it's my stupid old Mac, I cant see the video I posted... I cant put a mp3 player... I cant make my pics bigger... things that're supposed to be easy... NOT!!!

I even wrote a couple complain to their improvement program... shit... So I went on Google blog thing to try it out.... video works, pic works... but seems like they have VERY limitted layout. Am I wrong?

HELP guys... me thinking to find a new home. Gimme some suggestion will ya?

This Blog Thingy...

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 13:05:32 GMT

Sigh... you know I really think keeping a blog is harder than it seems... I promised myself to update at least once a week... 4 times a month... Sap Sap Sui right? F$%@#^!!!

It's been 3 months since I started this blog... First, it REALLY requires discipline to keep it alive. 2ndly, this spaces is really not very flexible... sometimes got mood to do things... but cant figure out how or just simply CANT. Sien liao lo! (Sucks!)

Anyway, I mentioned that I went thru my old pics in US. Will try to upload a few studio pics (if I could figure out how). I hardly took any pics with the artists I worked with. First, I dont think I'd care then... and also it's just not very professional and lastly, digital cameras just werent THAT popular then. I guess those will be pieces of memories that I failed to collect. Sigh.... does regret a little now though...

Anyway... nothing fancy but feel free to check it out... granted if I could figure out how... geez...