Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Crows' Tour Cancelled
The Counting Crows' Australian tour is cancelled. Adam's grandmother passed away.
When such an international act comes to Australia, people from different regions, meaning regional victoria or the country, will drive hours just to get to the show. Cos they only do it in the major Australian cities. And clearly Adam understands that.
Thing is, I live in one of the major cities and getting to the venue is not a problem at all. I even made it all the way to their hometown show for the '99 desert tour and recently the hard candy tour at Palais Theatre. Even got to meet the entire band - who by the way, are one of the best guys around. Guys who want to hang with their fans after the show. Except Dan was a little spooky to me, cos he seemed a little high and out of sorts. Not intense or intimidating, but on a happy cloud 9 pill. He couldn't even remember 2 miins after we had told him, that we were going for the show! It was hilarious. He did have a crush on Sarah tho, I think. At least he was very very nice to her and wore red to 'honor' Sarah's red salmon streak she had at that time of year.
Thing is, this time round, I decided due to several personal and financial convictions, to miss the show. Is this foresight? I don't know.
I am sure all Crow fans would understand the situation Adam is in and how he feels and support him in his decision.
Here's Adam's letter to his fans.
chucKie
The Counting Crows' Australian tour is cancelled. Adam's grandmother passed away.
When such an international act comes to Australia, people from different regions, meaning regional victoria or the country, will drive hours just to get to the show. Cos they only do it in the major Australian cities. And clearly Adam understands that.
Thing is, I live in one of the major cities and getting to the venue is not a problem at all. I even made it all the way to their hometown show for the '99 desert tour and recently the hard candy tour at Palais Theatre. Even got to meet the entire band - who by the way, are one of the best guys around. Guys who want to hang with their fans after the show. Except Dan was a little spooky to me, cos he seemed a little high and out of sorts. Not intense or intimidating, but on a happy cloud 9 pill. He couldn't even remember 2 miins after we had told him, that we were going for the show! It was hilarious. He did have a crush on Sarah tho, I think. At least he was very very nice to her and wore red to 'honor' Sarah's red salmon streak she had at that time of year.
Thing is, this time round, I decided due to several personal and financial convictions, to miss the show. Is this foresight? I don't know.
I am sure all Crow fans would understand the situation Adam is in and how he feels and support him in his decision.
Here's Adam's letter to his fans.
chucKie
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
Before I go out the door...
Things have changed a little lately. For example, this morning, I woke up earlier than usual, well, 10am to be exact, to get myself down to Vagabond Cafe to start my first day as a sandwich hand. Not too bad considering the day was a little slow to start with. The chores were alright. Not rocket science. Got into the rhythm pretty quickly. For a moment there, I felt like I was working in the old Garage cafe on Princep Street. Except this one had a lot more variety in sandwiches and the accent was australian.
However, the not so delectable truth was that the boss wanted to pay me only $10 an hour, cash in hand. No, I don't have a problem with the cash in my hand. I was kinda alerted to this little detail from the senior staff and decided I was worth at least $12 instead. So I mentioned that we had agreed on $12 at the interview. Ok, I wasn't sure we did, but I think I did ask him that question and it was definitely not $10 an hour. In the end he did pay me $12 an hour. Which is an extra $7 more than what he intended to pay me for 3.5 hours of work.
Here's another. I got a call from Hudson's Coffee today!
Was in post-comatose state when the manager over the phone asked me for my reasons to want to work for Hudson's Coffee. I was dumbfounded and gave some stupid newyorker wannabe clueless answer. But I guess my personality was enough for him to schedule me for an interview this Friday at 8.50am! Well, I am not complaining. What's a few less hours of sleep - this is enough motivation to get out of bed.
Losers let it happen, winners make it happen. 20 resumes later, this is one ray of light I am grabbing by the throat.
And Hudson's Coffee will pay at least $15 an hour.
chucKie
Things have changed a little lately. For example, this morning, I woke up earlier than usual, well, 10am to be exact, to get myself down to Vagabond Cafe to start my first day as a sandwich hand. Not too bad considering the day was a little slow to start with. The chores were alright. Not rocket science. Got into the rhythm pretty quickly. For a moment there, I felt like I was working in the old Garage cafe on Princep Street. Except this one had a lot more variety in sandwiches and the accent was australian.
However, the not so delectable truth was that the boss wanted to pay me only $10 an hour, cash in hand. No, I don't have a problem with the cash in my hand. I was kinda alerted to this little detail from the senior staff and decided I was worth at least $12 instead. So I mentioned that we had agreed on $12 at the interview. Ok, I wasn't sure we did, but I think I did ask him that question and it was definitely not $10 an hour. In the end he did pay me $12 an hour. Which is an extra $7 more than what he intended to pay me for 3.5 hours of work.
Here's another. I got a call from Hudson's Coffee today!
Was in post-comatose state when the manager over the phone asked me for my reasons to want to work for Hudson's Coffee. I was dumbfounded and gave some stupid newyorker wannabe clueless answer. But I guess my personality was enough for him to schedule me for an interview this Friday at 8.50am! Well, I am not complaining. What's a few less hours of sleep - this is enough motivation to get out of bed.
Losers let it happen, winners make it happen. 20 resumes later, this is one ray of light I am grabbing by the throat.
And Hudson's Coffee will pay at least $15 an hour.
chucKie
Monday, March 29, 2004
Learn
This ain't too bad.
One of those answers.
One of those days.
One for the moment.
Seek, understand, learn.
The motives, we yearn.
Not forgetting the aged wine,
Of past forgotten goldillocks
Faith, your vision,
Of things unseen.
Yet, this blindness;
You, an important goddess.
Spill, milk, cry.
Don't ever sink.
Don't even think.
Don't everything sound like madness, after all.
Sometimes, I wish,
The line was apparent.
So you wouldn't try
To read between the fine print.
So I wouldn't hope,
That you, would you notice these angels behind.
Sometimes I wish I never met
This self made destruction
I am mad, yes, north-north-west.
Seems just the man shifting in the sand.
But, you, you below this watermark,
Why should I bother again?
chucKie
This ain't too bad.
One of those answers.
One of those days.
One for the moment.
Seek, understand, learn.
The motives, we yearn.
Not forgetting the aged wine,
Of past forgotten goldillocks
Faith, your vision,
Of things unseen.
Yet, this blindness;
You, an important goddess.
Spill, milk, cry.
Don't ever sink.
Don't even think.
Don't everything sound like madness, after all.
Sometimes, I wish,
The line was apparent.
So you wouldn't try
To read between the fine print.
So I wouldn't hope,
That you, would you notice these angels behind.
Sometimes I wish I never met
This self made destruction
I am mad, yes, north-north-west.
Seems just the man shifting in the sand.
But, you, you below this watermark,
Why should I bother again?
chucKie
Sunday, March 28, 2004
Confession
It's been one month, exactly four sundays now, that I have missed church. The excuses are that I have been working till unreasonably wee hours of the morning past Saturday evenings. Like sleeping at 5am. As a result, my internal body clock has been used to sleeping at those hours and waking up really late. Like completely missing the morning. So during the week, instead of trying to sleep, I stayed up to work on my songs on GarageBand, tweaking the midi files and using different tone generators to get what I envision I hear on my new piece. So far I have started on 2 new song ideas at the same time. How very sanguine.
Except last night, I slept late again. Read, no work, no functions, no DJing, but slept late again. Like at 2am on no daylight savings. DST was turned off at 3am this morning. So technically, we move our clocks backwards by one hour, resulting in gaining an extra hour of sleep. If you are confused, go figure, you'll get it eventually.
Me, the one not that good with instructions, turned my clock forward by one hour instead. Resulting in dissapointment when I woke up, according to my clocks in the room, at 10.45am. Then funnily enough I heard the water running in the bath, footsteps going across the hallway and shawn's perpetual morning grunt. I thought to myself, oh great, I'm not the only one missing church today, don't feel so bad now.
Then someone started pounding at my door. It was Sarah. She wanted my keys to the car cos she needed to grab something she left in the boot the night before. Said she was in a rush to go church. There was the moment when I felt the 'Butterfly Effect' (yes, it's a reference to the movie I haven't and don't intend to watch). She went on to say, "It's Daylight Savings, Charles! Wake up!". I was awake alright, but very perturbed. Having realised that it is 8.45am instead of 10.45am, was a bit of relief.
So much relief that I decided I still had some sleep time and decided to give in to another 10 or so minutes of beauty maintenance. Big mistake. Cos by this time, the whole train of housemates have left the building, leaving it nice and serene.
So here I am, at 1315h, again, on the mac, checking my emails, reciting my confession, giving my excuses.
I have to change my biological clock and find a new decent job!
chucKie
It's been one month, exactly four sundays now, that I have missed church. The excuses are that I have been working till unreasonably wee hours of the morning past Saturday evenings. Like sleeping at 5am. As a result, my internal body clock has been used to sleeping at those hours and waking up really late. Like completely missing the morning. So during the week, instead of trying to sleep, I stayed up to work on my songs on GarageBand, tweaking the midi files and using different tone generators to get what I envision I hear on my new piece. So far I have started on 2 new song ideas at the same time. How very sanguine.
Except last night, I slept late again. Read, no work, no functions, no DJing, but slept late again. Like at 2am on no daylight savings. DST was turned off at 3am this morning. So technically, we move our clocks backwards by one hour, resulting in gaining an extra hour of sleep. If you are confused, go figure, you'll get it eventually.
Me, the one not that good with instructions, turned my clock forward by one hour instead. Resulting in dissapointment when I woke up, according to my clocks in the room, at 10.45am. Then funnily enough I heard the water running in the bath, footsteps going across the hallway and shawn's perpetual morning grunt. I thought to myself, oh great, I'm not the only one missing church today, don't feel so bad now.
Then someone started pounding at my door. It was Sarah. She wanted my keys to the car cos she needed to grab something she left in the boot the night before. Said she was in a rush to go church. There was the moment when I felt the 'Butterfly Effect' (yes, it's a reference to the movie I haven't and don't intend to watch). She went on to say, "It's Daylight Savings, Charles! Wake up!". I was awake alright, but very perturbed. Having realised that it is 8.45am instead of 10.45am, was a bit of relief.
So much relief that I decided I still had some sleep time and decided to give in to another 10 or so minutes of beauty maintenance. Big mistake. Cos by this time, the whole train of housemates have left the building, leaving it nice and serene.
So here I am, at 1315h, again, on the mac, checking my emails, reciting my confession, giving my excuses.
I have to change my biological clock and find a new decent job!
chucKie
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
Behaviour
People are creatures are creatures of habits. The pull sometimes can turn into a pull. Or a steer can sometimes change into a remote button.
Just occured to me how strange it is for us. Or is it you I'm talking about? I don't really want to know. It feels weird and almost bitter sweet. This place we live in has no space for the worthy ones. Or so it seems. Sounds like your connections are more important than the vigour and vitality you possess.
But God made me this way. I will still trust in the sovereign hand. I will still wait patiently for the clouds to part. It's just that this moment is breaking me apart.
chucKi e
People are creatures are creatures of habits. The pull sometimes can turn into a pull. Or a steer can sometimes change into a remote button.
Just occured to me how strange it is for us. Or is it you I'm talking about? I don't really want to know. It feels weird and almost bitter sweet. This place we live in has no space for the worthy ones. Or so it seems. Sounds like your connections are more important than the vigour and vitality you possess.
But God made me this way. I will still trust in the sovereign hand. I will still wait patiently for the clouds to part. It's just that this moment is breaking me apart.
chucKi e
Completely unnecessary and irreverent
To think that the immigration department requires me to sit for an English test that includes, listening, writing, speaking and comprehension to prove that I am proficient in the language by scoring a 7 out of 10 in all areas. I just think this is completely bollocks! And this is going back to writing with pen and paper. Think 'O' Levels English Exam! Argh!
And to sweeten the deal, the cost of taking that test is a bloody $220!
Tell me how I got a distinction for English at the Cambridge Advanced Level exams?
chucKie
To think that the immigration department requires me to sit for an English test that includes, listening, writing, speaking and comprehension to prove that I am proficient in the language by scoring a 7 out of 10 in all areas. I just think this is completely bollocks! And this is going back to writing with pen and paper. Think 'O' Levels English Exam! Argh!
And to sweeten the deal, the cost of taking that test is a bloody $220!
Tell me how I got a distinction for English at the Cambridge Advanced Level exams?
chucKie
Sunday, March 14, 2004
In random pursuit
Now I understand why I loved Sarah Mc Lachlan in the first place.
You should try to listen to her latest album, Afterglow, after midnight with headphones up close. It's a spine tingling sensation. I could have caught a cold this way. The chill it sent down my spine, not in the scary sort of way, but in a teleporting sort of way.
I entered a castle, with long bronze walls and dirty rusted drapping curtains, drifting through the hallway, feeling the breeze as my body carried me through the doors, windows and walls. I heard gregorian chants on every ornament decorating the sidewalks - I saw the musicians at work, in a trance-like manner, oblivious to my presence, stoking the flames of passion and adding firewood to the sculpting process of burning - keeping alive the words and melodies that was lost not too long ago.
Once in a while, you could hear possums chirping away in the undertow.
Her voice runs through every hall way echoing a tender yet natural cold reverb. Her sweet breath of mint flushes out every toxin invading. Her touch heals the darkest of hearts - you could almost hear the breaking sound of clipping and distortion...
my body rests, satisfied ...
chucKie
Now I understand why I loved Sarah Mc Lachlan in the first place.
You should try to listen to her latest album, Afterglow, after midnight with headphones up close. It's a spine tingling sensation. I could have caught a cold this way. The chill it sent down my spine, not in the scary sort of way, but in a teleporting sort of way.
I entered a castle, with long bronze walls and dirty rusted drapping curtains, drifting through the hallway, feeling the breeze as my body carried me through the doors, windows and walls. I heard gregorian chants on every ornament decorating the sidewalks - I saw the musicians at work, in a trance-like manner, oblivious to my presence, stoking the flames of passion and adding firewood to the sculpting process of burning - keeping alive the words and melodies that was lost not too long ago.
Once in a while, you could hear possums chirping away in the undertow.
Her voice runs through every hall way echoing a tender yet natural cold reverb. Her sweet breath of mint flushes out every toxin invading. Her touch heals the darkest of hearts - you could almost hear the breaking sound of clipping and distortion...
my body rests, satisfied ...
chucKie
Saturday, March 13, 2004
Few Things
Like I suspect that Sarah Mc Lachlan is actually pregnant. Which explains why she isn't touring. Notice how the album pictures are all half body close ups and one of them actually kinda shows the baby tummy.
Garage Band actually works - read> flawlessly - on my Powerbook G3 400mhz running on 384mb RAM. I added up to 6 tracks of loops and it didn't even wink a hint of imminent program hang. Either 10.3 is that efficient or my Powerbook is that powerful or both. Funny that I heard reports from some users who find it working sluggishly on their G4 iBooks. I even had iTunes in the background while fiddling with it. My Powerbook rocks!
The next thing will be to find out if I can record it with the stack of loops running...
I'm just stoked that Garage Band works. Just spent the last two wee hours fooling around with it. At least I get to use the loops which is the cool feature I have been trying to get my hands on. And man, did I tell you about the amount of loops and freebies out there? Just check the forums around and you'll find some interesting loot ... i mean loops.
chucKie
Like I suspect that Sarah Mc Lachlan is actually pregnant. Which explains why she isn't touring. Notice how the album pictures are all half body close ups and one of them actually kinda shows the baby tummy.
Garage Band actually works - read> flawlessly - on my Powerbook G3 400mhz running on 384mb RAM. I added up to 6 tracks of loops and it didn't even wink a hint of imminent program hang. Either 10.3 is that efficient or my Powerbook is that powerful or both. Funny that I heard reports from some users who find it working sluggishly on their G4 iBooks. I even had iTunes in the background while fiddling with it. My Powerbook rocks!
The next thing will be to find out if I can record it with the stack of loops running...
I'm just stoked that Garage Band works. Just spent the last two wee hours fooling around with it. At least I get to use the loops which is the cool feature I have been trying to get my hands on. And man, did I tell you about the amount of loops and freebies out there? Just check the forums around and you'll find some interesting loot ... i mean loops.
chucKie
Thursday, March 11, 2004
GTFOOML
Sometimes I get angry and spastic, end up losing control and friends, tossing away potential good in human kind. I'm learning day by day to live with the inconsistent nature of bodies sharing the same oxygen.
Some days I wish I could just pluck myself out of this present state, dart away to a secluded location and refuse my presence on the ones taking it for granted. Trust me, darling, I have done it before. And it isn't that good a deal. Cos what good does it do when you cannot show the love you want to give to the ones you love.
It's paranoia. Or some call it - issues. But how do you explain it when it comes from deep down within your gut. This ain't no philosophy class. Just the downright frustration I come across every now and then. I have killed and set fire on so many it isn't a funny sight. I have been trialed for murder so many times and sentenced to so many rows I would have made it to heaven ages ago.
But I still trust in the goodness of God. Not in the good of mankind but God's purpose and His good nature. His hands that lift and feet that tread. His voice that speaks so gentle across the half moon sky. Reassuring me that it doesn't have to make sense now. This is just a part of the journey, so might as well laugh a little, cry with the deserving ones, throw my hands up in surrender and enjoy the ride.
Homeward bound I come, like a babe cradled in an eagle's nest.
chucKie
Sometimes I get angry and spastic, end up losing control and friends, tossing away potential good in human kind. I'm learning day by day to live with the inconsistent nature of bodies sharing the same oxygen.
Some days I wish I could just pluck myself out of this present state, dart away to a secluded location and refuse my presence on the ones taking it for granted. Trust me, darling, I have done it before. And it isn't that good a deal. Cos what good does it do when you cannot show the love you want to give to the ones you love.
It's paranoia. Or some call it - issues. But how do you explain it when it comes from deep down within your gut. This ain't no philosophy class. Just the downright frustration I come across every now and then. I have killed and set fire on so many it isn't a funny sight. I have been trialed for murder so many times and sentenced to so many rows I would have made it to heaven ages ago.
But I still trust in the goodness of God. Not in the good of mankind but God's purpose and His good nature. His hands that lift and feet that tread. His voice that speaks so gentle across the half moon sky. Reassuring me that it doesn't have to make sense now. This is just a part of the journey, so might as well laugh a little, cry with the deserving ones, throw my hands up in surrender and enjoy the ride.
Homeward bound I come, like a babe cradled in an eagle's nest.
chucKie
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
Whoa...
I just want to say that it has been a while since I got inspired. Can you imagine that?
I came to this point in my life where I became very choosy over what I listen to and consume aurally. The values in the lyrics and emotive melodies can have very subtle effects on the way you live and the values you hold.
For that reason, Counting Crows and a whole lot of other artists went into quarantine. For a while, John Mayer was my only diet.
Somehow yesterday I decided to give some old favorites a picking. I read on a recent magazine a short review on Nelly Furtado's new album, Folklore. Got myself to JBHIFI committed to an album with a cover I thought wasn't too appealing.
On the way home after the late night meeting, I decided to put her CD into the stereo and it started to breathe a subtle air of fresh morning dew into the atmosphere. I had to turn it up to listen closely. In fact, after parking the car at the garage, I lingered on to soak in the poetry and fitting melodies that my ears have longed for in months!
I felt like a dry sponge in a whirlpool of fresh mountain snow melt!
I haven't even got through to the end of the album and already I am slowly chewing on every letter and phrase. The one reason being that she's stayed true to her own art, character and values. While so many others resort to the visual to sell, Nelly Furtado is the true artist; painting a mural of hope, unfazed honesty and inspiration to fill the radio void. Why wouldn't you pay money for such an artist of integrity?
Two thumbs up to the others, but I'll pay my last dollar for the album.
Soaking it up...
chucKie
I just want to say that it has been a while since I got inspired. Can you imagine that?
I came to this point in my life where I became very choosy over what I listen to and consume aurally. The values in the lyrics and emotive melodies can have very subtle effects on the way you live and the values you hold.
For that reason, Counting Crows and a whole lot of other artists went into quarantine. For a while, John Mayer was my only diet.
Somehow yesterday I decided to give some old favorites a picking. I read on a recent magazine a short review on Nelly Furtado's new album, Folklore. Got myself to JBHIFI committed to an album with a cover I thought wasn't too appealing.
On the way home after the late night meeting, I decided to put her CD into the stereo and it started to breathe a subtle air of fresh morning dew into the atmosphere. I had to turn it up to listen closely. In fact, after parking the car at the garage, I lingered on to soak in the poetry and fitting melodies that my ears have longed for in months!
I felt like a dry sponge in a whirlpool of fresh mountain snow melt!
I haven't even got through to the end of the album and already I am slowly chewing on every letter and phrase. The one reason being that she's stayed true to her own art, character and values. While so many others resort to the visual to sell, Nelly Furtado is the true artist; painting a mural of hope, unfazed honesty and inspiration to fill the radio void. Why wouldn't you pay money for such an artist of integrity?
Two thumbs up to the others, but I'll pay my last dollar for the album.
Soaking it up...
chucKie
Friday, March 05, 2004
Nerve Wreck
Monday night I was a junkie. Tuesday night I was a ship wreck. Wednesday morning I made a decision. Wednesday evening I took action. Thursday morning I was a riot. My drive has started up again.
This time it's different, with the Lord on my navigational instruction manual every step of the way. He leads me beside still waters, guides me onto green pastures.
I'm in full control now, because He's in sovereign control now.
chuckIe
Monday night I was a junkie. Tuesday night I was a ship wreck. Wednesday morning I made a decision. Wednesday evening I took action. Thursday morning I was a riot. My drive has started up again.
This time it's different, with the Lord on my navigational instruction manual every step of the way. He leads me beside still waters, guides me onto green pastures.
I'm in full control now, because He's in sovereign control now.
chuckIe
