Big Night Out - Muse... Saosin & Rise Against

Woo hoo! Muse came down again and this time I managed to catch them. Went with the best friend, of course.

Saosin and Rise Against opened for them. I like Saosin and have always wanted to see them live. The drummer's fantastic! In my tone deaf opinion. I've never heard of Rise Against (sue me) but 3 bands in one night... it was surely a Big Night Out!

Tickets said 7pm but Muse only came on stage at 10pm. WTF, right? Saosin opened first and it took 30 minutes to set up for Rise Against and it took another 30 mins to set up for Muse. It was aggravating and the both of us were getting sleepy.

Saosin was LOUD! It was crazy loud! I don't think it was even legal to be that loud. But the quintet didn't seem to be interested at all with the gig. They came. They sang. They left. That sums up their performance. It was not memorable at all. They played my favourites: Voices, Come Close and You're Not Alone but there was no soul in them. At one point, the lead even sat on a speaker and sang. Terrible, really.

Rise Against came on and they received a rather thunderous applause from the audience. Yea, I felt like I was living under a rock all this while. The lead could not sing. He was so off and the drummer had the easiest job ever. There was no creativity at all and everything he played was so simple. They had more energy than Saosin, I have to admit but they were dreadful live. Absolutely dreadful.

10pm already. Muse better play for a good 2 hours else it would have been a bloody waste of time and money. They played for under an hour and a half. I was disappointed with 2 songs: Starlight and Undisclosed Desires. On the album, those 2 tracks are fantastic. Mind-blowing. The former being my 2nd favourite-est song ever. Yes, I said favourite-est. And the latter being my favourite song on their current album. They paled in comparison to the album when played live. They played a good mix of tracks from their current album and from their old albums. I have to put this on record... I have never seen our local audience that revved up at a concert before!! Plus, Muse didn't even have to do any gimmicks to get the crowd going!

They had awesome psychedelic light displays and cool special effects / music videos being played on the screen behind the band. It was truly an experience. Muse is hardcore. That said, I think Green Day is still better live than Muse is, however. They had more energy and lasted longer. 2 and a half hours... no breaks! Plus, Green Day had a drunk bunny open for them and they had fireworks! FIREWORKS! Muse only had smoke blowing.

I've about a month to learn songs from Paramore. Wish me well!

Green Day

The day that I and many fans have been waiting for finally arrived. Green Day, after 20 years, have decided to head down to our sunny island! I was beside myself!! Plus, it was going to be their 21st Century Breakdown Tour!! Kudos to the best friend for getting wind of this and informing me. He knows people who keep abreast of concerts, events and the likes. He's cool like that.

The concert was mind-blowing. It will take me a lifetime to get over it. I am not exaggerating. It was everything I hoped that it would be and more. However, I wished they played more from their latest album which is heavier than their older ones. It did get the crowd going though, when they played from Dookie. Ahhh... I like Dookie.

The highlight for me would be when they invited (pulled/carried at some times) members of the audience onto the stage to rock out with them! It was fan-fucking-tastic! I'm sorry but an experience like that deserves some vulgarity.

I'm pretty sure Billie Joe Armstrong was impressed with us as an audience. We belted out almost a whole song and he literally got on his hands and knees and bowed at us. Yea, we kicked ass.

The only thing that can outdo this concert would be if the Foo Fighters made their way here. But they're not. *pouts* Till then, this is the best live concert. Period.

It's Only Been A Week???

Why is it when my brothers go off, it's called "work" but for me it's going off to "school"??? Bah.

A week has already passed and somehow I feel like it's been more than just a week. It should be the end of Term 2!! That's how drained I am. The good thing is that I'm following up my class. I don't have to go through all of that bonding, orientation etc... I walked into class and basically told my class, "So... the rules are the same as last year. So let's move on." I know the boys, the boys know me. That makes a lot of difference!

The department meetings are over and I really hope I don't burn out or drown too soon. I must stay on top of things and not only show that I know my shit, but that I can multi-task and get things done. I just want to kick ass this year!

Let's take a look at what I'm up to this year. Thus far.

• Video for Math Com
• Video for Sci Com
• Skit for both CNY and Total Defence Day celebrations
• Co-IC for International Friendship Day
• IC for P2 Evening of Theatre
• Presenter for EL Parenting Conference

That should be all. For now. I must be strong and I really need to psych myself up to get through all of that in one piece.

Good news is that the 1st Quarter is going to kick ass because of the concert line-ups!

• Green Day - 14 Jan
• Muse - 3 Feb
• Paramore - 7 Mar
• Imogen Heap - 29 Mar

*runs around the room*

I am relatively happy but we all know that doesn't quite last. But for now, it feels fantastic.

Looks Like It Could Be A Good 2010

We have Green Day and Imogen Heap coming down next year. Best Friend is a fan of both, just like me, so we're going to have a smashing good time at both concerts, I'm sure.

His sources tell him that the Foo Fighters are coming down sometime in June 2010. I searched about almost everywhere and turned up with nothing. I've signed up to so many sites so that I'd get notified when they list a new concert venue.

If they do in fact come down HERE - TO SINGAPORE - next year, I will die die catch them, and then I can die a happy person. True story.

*edit Happy birthday, Dude. Enjoy your trip!

It's Times Like These

The rehearsals are draining!!! I'm so exhausted when I come home but I can't seem to fall asleep without tossing and turning in bed for what seems like ages. It'll be over soon; performance is tomorrow and Friday. I didn't tell my form class that I'm performing so they'll be in for a surprise tomorrow. I only get to see them 1 out of the 5 days this week and I'm glad that there's no exam but just AMODES to fret over. I had full day rehearsals on Monday and Wednesday and had to skip class. It's PSLE Oral on Thursday and Friday so the boys don't have to be in school. I could only see them on Tuesday but because of the assembly programme, 3 of my 6 periods were taken away. Of the 3, 2 were used for a test. I wasn't in the mood to do much with them anyway. And we wonder why the boys always seem to be in a holiday mood.

I bought the berry version of Brands Essence of Chicken to keep my energy up tomorrow. I'm literally dragging myself around and I'm in the foulest of moods. I feel like such a sloth. Thing is, a part of me will miss meeting up for rehearsals twice a week. I will miss waving hysterically at my son from afar and showing him off to anyone nearby, that's for sure. But I'm sure the boys will feel it more. They have really bonded with one another eventhough they are from different levels / classes. Oh well, we move on.

Speaking of moving on, he had to sms me today and enquire if we were going to meet on my birthday. That sms took me by surprise because I thought it was decided that we would not be able to meet and I was coming to terms with that. But how he phrased his question as "do you want" and not "can you meet" made me literally sit down and weigh the pros and cons. I decided that albeit the possibility of the meet-up being very awkward, I should still meet him else there'll forever be the lingering "what if" series of questions. Plus, I do miss him terribly. I just don't want to cry :(

p.s. my shuffle play HAD to play Everlong...

I Won't Let This Build Up Inside of Me

I miss him. I hate to admit it but I do miss him terribly. In spite of all the antics and pranks, underneath it all, he was still a good friend to me. He was loyal, caring, understanding and above all compassionate. But it is good that we had to part ways; things were getting a tad too weird between us. As the saying goes, "Expectations are the mother of all fuck-ups." Sorry Fabian :p

Now, I play Vermilion Part 2 daily and on occasion Morning Glory only because the songs remind me of him.

I still love you, dude, but you have to learn to treat me better.

These Precious Moments We Have So Few

I blame Syakir. I can't get 2 songs out of my head; Pop Goes My Heart and Way Back Into Love from Music and Lyrics. I do find it very odd though that he listens to a whole lot of female artists...

So much for having a well-rested long weekend; it was downright crazy from start to end. I can't fathom how quickly the days passed by and it's back to school tomorrow. The horror. The horror!

Friday was the National Day celebrations in school which was THE WORST event I have ever attended. Things started going wrong right from the moment the bell rang to signal the start of the school day. Albeit the frustration and exhaustion, I have to admit that I was pleased the event was close to a disaster. Evil, I know but it was that ass who was the IC for the event. Off the top of my head, let me share with you some of the downfalls:

• the staggered timing for the main jigsaw activity did not run according to schedule, leaving the boys restless and bored in the classrooms
• when my class did eventually get to the hall to piece together the puzzle, our pieces were mismatched and we had much difficulty forming the puzzle
• upon completion, the boys were expected to carry the completed puzzle down to the parade square. My boys are Primary 1 boys and the puzzle is as large as 12 students' desks put together
• obviously the brains behind this project did not foresee a problem of carrying a large flimsy structure down 3 flights of stairs (with 2 corners to turn) because my boys had to break up the puzzle back into its pieces in order to be able to carry it down the flights of stairs onto the parade square
• because of the above, my class had to assemble the puzzle AGAIN. And by class, I do mean me inclusive
• sing-along in the scorching hot sun. For at least an hour. The hall was empty...
• we had no clue what the emcee was saying coz the sound system was dreadful. Non-existent would be a better adjective.
• our day ended at 11 because they gave the boys a 30 min recess. Not all the stalls were open. We could have ended earlier but NOOOOO... the boys had to be given recess...

Successful event, my ass. A bunch of the colleagues and I were discussing about the pre-hullabaloo for this event and that how the actual event was such a let down as compared to the hype he was creating. We can't wait for the feedback form to be given to us.

We had musical rehearsals next :( but thankfully Syabil and Syakir were awesome enough to wait for me (I ended at 2) and I really needed a break. I was fed and entertained. What more can I ask for? I love Them Boys for being so tolerant and for treating me like a princess (rare but there are those moments).

I headed home to pack my stuff as I was going to do an over-nighter at Amara's with the bride. Saturday morning was the wedding which consisted of me looting the groom and best man, the tea ceremony and the church wedding. I bummed at home for some time before heading down to Marriott Hotel to have dinner with my Aunt who just flew in from down under.

I spent the whole of my Sunday watching Saw 1 to 5 and for that I completely blame Faqih. Sometime near the evening, my mum decided she wanted to crash Marriott Hotel again. Plans were made to have our National Day celebrations there (Yes, we ALL said the pledge at 8:22pm). We could see a third of the fireworks from the hotel room. We pigged out, joked, watched the end to a horror movie before falling sound asleep at 11pm. Yea, age is so catching up on me.

We woke up early on Monday morning (4am for everyone else and 5:30am for me) and headed across the border. It was a mad-ass road trip to JB & Kota Tinggi. It was literally non-stop eating and shopping for us. I managed to snooze a couple of times too. I did try to convince everyone that Mango is really Rambutan and I'm pretty certain I managed to get some of them confused... not convinced, just confused. We reached home at half past 6 after having dinner near Labrador Park. Here I am now, typing this out and still not believing how quickly the days went by and wishing desperately that the work week passes by just as quickly so that I can enjoy the weekend again!

I Fall In Love Way Too Quickly

Have recently gone on a Cheap Trick weekend-er (you know allnight-er... so weekend-er). I can't seem to find their albums so I had to resort to YouTube but what can I say, I've fallen in love with the band again. They were my guilty pleasure like 2-3 years back. Whenever I had the blues, I'd pop in one of their albums and just lose myself in their lyrics, melodies and wicked solos.

I've been playing Voices on repeat. It just makes me want to jump onto the table, grab the remote control and croon along... no, screech along! I deny all accusations of doing any of that!!

Check out these songs:

• Dream Police
• Surrender
• I Want You To Want Me
• Flame

I must MUST buy their albums.

I Have A New Favourite Song

And it is loads better than Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls. I have to thank Donnie Darko though. The soundtrack is brilliant, giving the movie a very psychedelic feel. The movie transported me to this different world, I almost felt like I was Donnie and could believe the reality which he created for himself. Hmmm... that made me sound psychotic. See, he sees this huge bunny that somehow convinces him to commit all these crimes; vandalism etc. You would think he had lost it - it's not even a cute bunny; it was a disfigured bunny. Something from your nightmare. The hook in the movie is his obsession with time travel and how that concept made the movie elliptical. Man, I so badly want to own the movie and the soundtrack. Plus, Jake Gyllenhal is absolutely delicious. There, that proves my fatal attraction to the twisted characters.

Back to the song, Tears for Fears' Head Over Heels. I've listened to it religiously everyday and I literally am lost in the song. It's so 80's sounding and when you listen to it, you will probably find it familiar. Only because SO many recent songs out there have similar melodies. Pirates. Tsk. A good example is that song from Music and Lyrics, what is it... Way Back Into Love... similar melody and that's why the song is so catchy.

Just realised this further proves how old school I am... hahaha...

What A Difference A Day Makes...

When your gut tells you it's going to be a shit-ty day, you better believe it. I think he really wants me out so he's using the passive-aggressive move of making me so uncomfortable and feel so unwanted that I will feel compelled to leave. Doing that will save him the nasty business of telling me for himself. I'm very amazed that I did not just breakdown right there and then. Perhaps I'm not as emotional as I thought I was. Then again, I wasn't as affected by his words or the situation mainly because his accusations of me were false. He said he was trying to be fair and that his comments (criticism more like it) were realistic and yet they were aimed to hurt me emotionally and to tear me to pieces. That's exactly how I felt at the end of it. Like I said, I'm surprised I did not crumble but I picked myself up and continued with the day and what a long day it was. Maybe I am stronger than I give myself credit for.

We all have our low moments, some more than others. Today was just another one of those moments for me. I am exhausted but I am not defeated. After today, it's nice to know that I have such awesome colleagues who are there for me when I really need them. Them I will miss, most definitely.

I have another smashingly awesome song for you. Not too sure how old it is, but I chanced upon this when browsing through my iTunes for songs for this year's Earth Day video. Oh yea, I am a sell-out. I succumbed to media temptation and have in my possession an iTouch. How do you spell sell-out? P-A-R-V-E-E-N!

Camera Obscura - Tears for Affairs

Shedding tears for affairs

Are a funny little thing

I can tell you this for nothing

Affairs don't win

Can you handle one more dirty secret

one dirty night

Is it true what they say

Will it make us go blind

You had to drive

Look me in the eye

Whisper don't cry

I'll take an interest in Illustration

It should be a laugh

Your words are with me still

They whisper in the grass

Shedding tears for affairs

Are a stupid little thing

I can tell you this for nothing

You won't win

You had to drive

(I didn't want to)

Look me in the eye

(I found it hard to)

Whisper don't cry

(I had to whisper don't cry)

So I cried

Practice What You Preach

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. I tell everyone that and yet I allow it to happen to myself. When I first read the news, I admit I was disappointed and near the brink of being devastated. But I let the feeling go; burying it with Season 1 of How I Met Your Mother and a number of chicken wings and a bottle of Pepsi. I had let it go. But one phone call was all it needed to resurface the frustration and disappointment.

Yes, valid point. If they appreciated me, they would have dangled that notion or even given that carrot to me. I've done my share and I've been doing pretty darn well but here I am, still waiting for my carrot while everyone else has their firsts and some even seconds.

But no I am not jealous nor angry. What I feel has nothing to do with you. I am happy for you but what they did not do for me, has made me even more jaded than before.

Fuck the system; I'm getting out of there.

This calls for a new theme song.

Incubus - Drive

Sometimes I feel the fear of uncertainty stinging clear

And I cant help but ask myself how much

I'll let the fear take the wheel and steer

It's driven me before, it seems to have a vague

Haunting mass appeal

Lately I'm beginning to find that I should be the one behind the wheel

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there

With open arms and open eyes yeah

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there, I'll be there

So if I decide to waiver my chance to be one of the hive

Will I choose water over wine and hold my own and drive, oh oh

It's driven me before, it seems to be the way

That everyone else get around

Lately, I'm beginning to find that when I drive myself, my light is found

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there

With open arms and open eyes yeah

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there, I'll be there

Would you choose water over wine

Hold the wheel and drive

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there

With open arms and open eyes yeah

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there, I'll be there

I may have just found the happiness I've been looking for. Well, I am happy, that's no lie, but I don't want to jinx it.

This song sums it up. My search may have ended. Though I can't be so certain so soon. But I'm willing to go where it leads me to. I have never been so vague in my entire life! Hahahaha... enjoy :)

Moon River, wider than a mile,
I'm crossing you in style, some day.
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
wherever you're going,
I'm going your way.
Two drifters, off to see the world.
There's such a lot of world, to see.
We're after the same rainbow's end.
Waiting 'round the bend,
My huckleberry friend,
Moon River and me

Life is Wonderful - Jason Mraz

It takes a crane to build a crane

It takes two floors to make a story

It takes an egg to make a hen

It takes a hen to make an egg

There is no end to what I'm saying

It takes a thought to make a word

And it takes some words to make an action

It takes some work to make it work

It takes some good to make it hurt

It takes some bad for satisfaction

La la la la la la la life is wonderful

Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle

Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful

Al la la la la

It takes a night to make it dawn

And it takes a day to make you yawn brother

And it takes some old to make you young

It takes some cold to know the sun

It takes the one to have the other

And it takes no time to fall in love

But it takes you years to know what love is

It takes some fears to make you trust

It takes those tears to make it rust

It takes the dust to have it polished

Ha la la la la la la life is wonderful

Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle

Ah la la la la la la life is so full of

Ah la la la la la la life is so rough

Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful

Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle

Ah la la la la la la life is our love

Ah la la la la la

It takes some silence to make sound

It takes a loss before you found it

And it takes a road to go nowhere

It takes a toll to make you care

It takes a hole to make a mountain

Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful

Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle

Ha la la la la la life is wonderful

Ha la la la la la life is meaningful

Ha la la la la la life is wonderful

Ha la la la la la life it is...so... wonderful

Note to self: Being optimistic is the key.

My Very Own Acid Flashback

Note to self: Do not have phone conversations that last till the wee hours of the morning... especially if it's a school day the next day. I am running on 2 hours of sleep. Gah. Everything is moving in slow motion; especially my senses. I feel so light-headed. Ironically, my MP3 player was playing tons of songs from Across the Universe and now I feel so high, dudes. So high.

I could be on the Pineapple Express. Heh. Speaking of which, sadly that wasn't that good a stoner film as I thought it'd be. It was from the producers of Superbad and that movie was super hilarious! But still my favourite stoner film has to be Harold and Kumar Go to Whitecastle. Can The Big Lebowski be included? The Dude was pretty stoned throughout most of the film anyway.

The Big Lebowski: What makes a man, Mr. Lebowski?

The Dude: Dude.

The Big Lebowski: Huh?

The Dude: Uhh... I don't know sir.

The Big Lebowski: Is it being prepared to do the right thing, whatever the cost? Isn't that what makes a man?

The Dude: Hmmm... Sure, that and a pair of testicles.

Classic.

A Bromance!?

That's what the tabloids are calling it. I prefer to call it a tragedy of immense proportions.

Dave Grohl and Paul McCartney collaborated at the Grammy's; where Grohl drummed for Paul, who sang,"I Saw Her Standing There". Obviously I have many gripes with the collaboration. Let me clear the air first, by saying that I love the both of them. They are legendary and are geniuses at what they do. Thus, I had very high expectations for the collaboration.

Individually, they are magnificent, but together they were appalling! I felt that it was an odd clash and that their styles were too different to compliment one another. Of all the Beatles songs, why that song!? Why not something later or even remotely impact-ful. It felt like a revival item; like some homage was being paid to the band. Bad song choice. McCartney was flawless, though, even managing to do the "ooooh" bits.

Dave, oh Dave, I know Paul's one of your heroes, and you looked like a school kid (grinning and all) whilst playing but really... the song wasn't rock enough for you and you were definitely limited by it and you couldn't fully show off how freaking awesome you are. Plus, you looked real stiff and awkward. Performance pressure? Your timing was impeccable, though.

Tragic, really. Such a promising collaboration and that was the best that they could come up with?!

I can't believe I stayed up just to watch that. I am terribly disappointed.

C Is For Cookie

Now what starts with the letter C?

Cookie starts with C

Let's think of other things

That starts with C

Oh, who cares about the other things?

C is for cookie, that's good enough for me

C is for cookie, that's good enough for me

C is for cookie, that's good enough for me

Oh, cookie, cookie, cookie starts with C

C is for cookie, that's good enough for me

C is for cookie, that's good enough for me

C is for cookie, that's good enough for me

Oh, cookie, cookie, cookie starts with C

(spoken)

Hey you know what?

A round cookie with one bite out of it

Looks like a C

A round donut with one bite out of it

Also looks like a C

But it is not as good as a cookie

Oh and the moon sometimes looks like a C

But you can't eat that, so

C is for cookie, that's good enough for me, yeah!

C is for cookie, that's good enough for me

C is for cookie, that's good enough for me

Oh, cookie, cookie, cookie starts with C, yeah!

Cookie, cookie, cookie starts with C, oh boy!

Cookie, cookie, cookie starts with C!

(Cookie Monster eats the cookie)

Umm-umm-umm-umm-umm

Hooray for the long break!!! Happy Holidays everyone and stay out of trouble :)

Forlorn Junkie

Yes, it has been that busy.

My Creative player has died on me... along with my 3000++ songs on it. It took me a month to organise and categorise the songs only for it to last no longer than a year later. Tsk. So now I'm stuck with my Samsung T-10 and I'm already bored with the songs!? I've currently 4 albums on it:

• Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends by Coldplay
• 808s and Heartbreak by Kanye West
• Fast Times at Barrington High by The Academy Is
• Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette

I got very easily bored with Coldplay's. It took 2 years and it is far more complicated than their previous 3, I have to admit, but I found it the least appealing album. It didn't make me feel; it felt very disjointed emotionally as if there was no soul in any of the songs.

Kanye's album didn't stick with me until my 3rd / 4th listening. A couple of his songs used the auto-tune device, which I personally do not mind but it's his lyrics that stood out. There was no fancy/showy rhymes or sick beats, just pure heart and soul.

I cannot get bored of the latest album by The Academy Is! It is leaps and bounds better than the first 2. You can tell that they have grown as a band and that in the first 2 albums they were experimenting with a sound and style to suit them. They have found it. This isn't bias-ness, but I do love EVERY single track on the album.

I needed a new sound but the only album I had on my computer at home was Alanis'. The album is sheer genius, don't get me wrong but I feel so outdated when it comes to music now. I have no clue about what is up and coming and what is hip. Just don't ask me to listen to teen-boppers or RnB - I do not care for either.

My current predicament depresses me.