Political Ruffians

Without making reference to what this prose is about, I simply couldn't help myself from saying something about it. Amusing... Amazing... Appalling..

Ruffians, you have been groped by your own rope
Trading blows in court to make your point
You're punching the air while you get knocked down
One...
Two...
Three...
The count began
Eight...
Nine...
Ten...
You're grasping for air and support from the ground
Your time has come to face the end of the rope you've been trying to grope
Political Ruffians, you have been groped by your own rope

BRAINWAVE!!

I was having an unusual cup of coffee at the Jurong East Street 31 Market (which was recommended by Eunice's dad: unusual because I don't really have coffee these days). While walking home, I was singing the introduction to "Run to You" and air-drumming to it with inspiration from Sunny Day Real Estate/ The Fire Theft's William Goldsmith. Then I thought about recording that song and making a music video. After that I thought why don't I document the whole proccess including my meeting with Robin, the possible players that I'd like to help me with my much longed for "TOSOG" project. I'd also want to include interviewing myself to talk about my personal feelings about my music and how I feel about making them. I was so excited I sms Shaun Koh to ask if he would like to help me. I can't wait to talk to him about it. May be I get him to produce it. Dang! This will be my own independant documentary!

Aiya, so much has been written or said. But I might not be free until end of August. If work is good, this project might take a long time before it takes off. I guess I really have to block out some dates and do this or I could take my time to document it and see how it goes. This shall then be my personal artistic goal for the next half of the year or it may spill into the next year. Consider this, I've always wanted to have a TOSOG jam since 2 or 3 years ago, but nothing materialised. The only time I played some of my own songs in a jam studio was when I was jamming with Ah Ney and Alvin. To be honest, it's a frustrating journey. I kept asking myself what am I doing this for? I would be lying if I said I just want to record them for posterity. In fact, the closetted rock-star in my wants to get out of the closet to gig again. WAHAHAHA... what a joke! I don't have time. Realistically speaking, I should just embark on this project without any other objectives and see how far this could go. So help me God...

TOSOG's Myspace site. There is no new updates for those who are familiar with those songs. But there are new ideas that are being developed. The most exciting thing about the proccess is that these inspirations seldom come when I am holding a guitar. They often come in times when it's least expected like in the bus, in the toilet or walking down a street. I had to quickly take out my mobile phone and record the idea by singing into my phone. Oh no! I am think I am in a mookd for lots of Jeremy Enigk and Sunny Day Real Estate. I think I am going to indulge my system with "The Rising Tide" and "World Waits"!!! Let's see how it goes, yeah?

I'm back!

Doing what I do best - posing

I returned from New Zealand last night and Joshie was there with SW and Jennifer. It was then I found out Joshie had been hospitalised again for brocholitis again while I was away. SW didn't want me to worry so she didn't mention that to me in her SMSes and E-mails. She is such a sweeite. I know I'll quite a wreck if I heard about the news in Christchurch.

Buddies: Fifi and me (Grant is in the background)

The shoot was very memorable. Not only because we visisted some really great location and met a lot of beautiful people, but it was a time to consider taking the family there for a holiday some day. Professionally speaking, shooting in winter really takes a lot of preparation; both mental and physical. I was glad I forced myself to go for runs and swims during the 3 weeks of lull. The physical strain would have taken it's toll on me if I wasn't prepared. The Beijing and London shoot in Dec and Jan helped too. Edmond, Chen, Andrea DeCruz and Samantha Tan were a joy to work with and the crew as always were top-notch. All these factors made the shoot memorable abeit the long hours and the little sleep we got each night.

Large but extremely quiet landscape

One regret in this trip was the failure to meet Gerard coz he was North Island while I was in Christchurch. He only yesterday afternoon. But I managed to speak to him over the phone and passed the things he needed to his friend, Al.

With Andrea, Fifi and some New Zealanders

Ok, I had too much ang moh food over there. I think I put on a few kilos. Now it's time to hit the track and the gym before I go for my ICT next week. The next shoot will be in Shanghai and my meeting with Kurk and Joey there. Nelson will be covering for me in Cambodia and Hungary (Lucky bastard! wahahha...). It's great to be working again after that break. I hope the production house could confirm my services for their drama in July. Yes, I am worried when I know shouldn't.

Edmond, Samantha and Andrea

"His eyes is on the sparrow...
and I know he watches me..."

Greeting from "Under-Down-Under"

It's the 2nd day of our New Zealand shoot today. It's winter here and it reminds me a lot about Beijing. As usual, the cold is killing me and saping lots of energy off me. One of my Lav Mics for my Lectro snapped and i forgot to being my spare (which I usually do), so I had to rent from a rental house in Christchurch. I'll be meeting Gerard one of these nights. May be when we return closer to Christchurch on Saturday morning. It'll be a graet reunion. Ok, I'll make this really short. I am very tired now. it's 12.25am here now and Singapore is 4 hours behind.

I miss SW and EE lots man. Can't wait to be home on Sunday.

Lalala...

Pastor Doug (our youth pastor before Ps Ronald) shared a story about a talented young preacher who later in life decided to be an actor in Hollywood and the world's influence on even the most faithful. Years later, because of his professed faith in Christ, he was invited to a Christian conference to make an appearance. During a meal session with the organisers at the conference at the conference he blurted out some "cuz" word (words that u might have heard or used "shit", "Damn", "Fcuk", "CNN", "MTV", "TMD", etc). After the meal, the organisers decided to cancel his scheduled appearance at the conference.

I experienced that progression to conform without knowing. At times my speech is careless and my choice of words and thoughts were less edifying to myself and to my listeners. In my desire to be a light in a world of darkness, I became a light being dimmed by the shadows of conformity. Yet the light of Christ always push back the darkness to reveal and remind me what I was called to be; I remembered my Creator and the prayer I said in my youth. I am grateful for His grace.

Two days ago Xaviar called me. He has been trying to meet me for almost a week, but I can't meet him. He called me and asked me questions about pentacostalism, etc, and I shared my view about it. I didn't share the gospel to him per se, but I was glad to encourage him to response to Christ according to the tugging in his heart. I knew the Lord was calling him to Himself. He sent me a sms last night to thank me for talkin to him because he wanted me to give the final word before he decides to receive Christ. He prayed to the Lord last night after work.

I am glad that despite my struggle to live a Christ-like life, I know He is never far from me and I will never want to be far from Him no matter how deprave I may have become. God forbid!

Have you ever

Have you ever hung out with a person who does nothing but complain and bitch about another person because you do not agree with what the other person does? They are so dem annoying; they do nothing nothing for themselves by talking bad about the other person. It just shows that they have small minds, be cause small minds discuss people - that disgust me! Arhghg!

That person is me.

I was greatly humbled by Kai En when we're hanging out after shoot last night (coz today is her 23rd birthday). I told them about an incident at work. She simply replied "So? Just do your thing and let him do his." That shut me up and I felt a jolt of humility through my system. What was that? Was it the Holy Ghost moving in me? I knew the Lord was doing something because I was totally shut out from the world around me and I took a deep look into my system and asked myself "What have I become?" I do not like what I see. I really should do some soul-searching when I travel to New Zealand for the "Sense of Home" production. I really really need to re-evaluate and find out once again where my "sense of home" is. Bitching and complaining has no place in this house. I wouldn't want Chia Ee to hear me bad-mouth others; neither do I want him to do that to others. O, the condition I am in! ARhghgh...

Pray away... pray away... pray it away
Take away from my system that which has no place to stay
Tear away whatever that causes grief to my family
They have no place in me
I will not let them have a stronghold on me
I will it because You will me to be
So I will trust in You and pray it all away

Amen

Some silly thoughts

I read a very interesting segment from the book "Sex, Sushi and Salvaion". Christian George was talking about Worship songs in the church today. Years ago, he went to a church and they were singing songs that seems to exalt the human spirit to lift themselves our of the mire their in as opposed to singing about how great God is. I tried to think about what songs he heard that day, but couldn't think of any. I am sure if he named them, we'd have even sung them in church.

One such songs came to mind (not because I think it's shallow, but because some other writers have talked about it) is the song "The secret place". The main theme of the song is about wanting to know God more. The criticism is they talk about men wanting to know God but not offering a solution for it. So in the end they end up knowing nothing. Wait a minute! Those nay-sayers are expecting a lot in my opinion. They want every song to be doctrinaly sound (fair enough), but to mention every important non-negotiable doctrines in everysong is a bit like writing a song like "Mr Tambourine Man" with so may verses (with an extended last verse). I feel really sorry for the songwriter because when I sing this song , I identified with him that he is seeking God thru prayer. In my prayer time, I'll also say such a prayer, but the solution is often doesn't come at the moment but after studying, doing my devotion, thru the preaching or listening to other hymns. What is wrong with a prayer that tells God "I want to know u more"?

I see the danger of singing too many songs that lack upholding of God's glory. It's heavy, but when sung or read aloud, it's so liberating! Songs that releases our burdens by magnifying the magnificent God in His splendor and Glory. Think about this. In a generation of "quick-fix" and "instant" solutions, there are very little understanding about what singing about God's glory or his Son's death on the cross help to solve their situations in their everyday life. That's where many missed the point. I love what John Piper always talked about. What we enjoy in this life as Christians can be enjoyed because of what God has done for us on the cross because all things (ALL THINGS) work for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Oh man, I know this topic is quite controversial. But it's good to consider things things we do once a while, u know. I just like to have a high view of God in my devotion, my worship - basically in my whole life. Christian George have an interesting line in his book. He talked about not having a "mini-skirt" mentality where we "barely cover the essentials". I want to know God fully and not just escape helly by the hair of my chiny chin chiny.

Vincent's and Joanne's Baby

I just found out that good ol' Vincent and Joanne have a baby and her name is Grace. I love that name! The name of my church and the reminder of what saves me. Wrote a little poem in my message to them. It's very impromptu and lame really, but I DUN CARE. I am from LAMELAND.

God bless ye merry family, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
A baby girl was born to thee, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
In the world where a child 4 seasons grow
In Singapore only 2 seasons are known
When the sky juice pelts on the window pane (Monsoon season)
It's when they know what is monsoon rain
When the jackhammer pounds the road with glee (Construction season)
Even so your baby will sleep in peace
God bless ye merry family, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
A baby girl was born to thee, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!