Sum
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Well what can I say, Baybeats 2007 was quite a blast. Although I still think my first visit in 2004 was the most enjoyable, this year was definitely better than last year in most regards, with exception to the general commercialisation creeping into the festival, which brought new and terrible little things like over-trippy student emcees who obviously knew nothing about Baybeats, live gigs, moshing, or the people who participate in these things. Something also should have been done to scheduling to make up for the double distance we had to walk between the two arenas (since after tearing down the outdoor theatre they've built a large stage just beside the Esplanade Bridge, and interestingly, on a slope) because this new arrangement meant that unless you wanted to forgo listening to the last couple of songs for one band's set, you'd have to miss the first couple of another's (apparently the emcees were also somehow unaware that there were two venues, either that or they were actively trying to mislead people, cue lame NDP preview crowd coaxing) With most acts playing just five to six numbers depending on length, this was quite an unacceptable compromise. Regardless of that, I did manage to check out a good number of bands on my two nights, most notable being The Lovesong (anything to do with Whence He Came and Hong Kong at the same time must be something good), B-quartet, Blindside, The Fire Fight (promising bunch they are, don't think we've had a good pop rock band made up of people this young and talented yet) , Bismuth, TooKoo, Intone, Everybody Loves Irene, The City on Film and Giants Must Fall. And you are right in thinking that there must be pictures too because surely you didn't expect me to be dissecting the intricacies of live indie rock performances in musical terms.

Deux Mille Sept
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Would've posted more but as the title suggests, my principle philosophy towards "serious" photography does not quite suffice and for a few bands the pictures captured turned out to be little or nothing good (A Vacant Affair, Aloha, Bismuth et cetera). Still I was rather pleased with how many of the shots came out, perhaps after further honing my sensitivity towards the relationship between the shutter and f-stop, and the purchase of a zoom lens, I'll try to get my hands on a backstage pass next year! Perhaps.

Wake Me Up
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It was a mind-blowing show last night, Copeland's set was simply beautiful, and Anberlin couldn't have been more contrasting, totally rocking out the Glass Pavillion of Far East Square. The prepubescent scenesters were a slight turnoff, but props to everyone who had a part to play in organising the gig.

Over a Game or Two
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These were from two weeks ago, which was also the last time I was actually outside home for any kind of social activity. Like the previous two gatherings, we were still talking about the same things - army, army, army. But you get a feeling different from talking to your colleagues, or the people you get to see every single day. Somehow the simple fact that they were the only people with you through the toughest part of NS - breathing the same dust, eating the same rations, sharing the same bashas, under the same pressure, mocking the same commanders behind their backs - and more importantly the fact that they actually cared and empathised, draws the line defining the difference, which is ultimately, contrary to the allusions to greater duty some would have us believe, what makes the BMT experience memorable. Perhaps our friendships exist for reminisence's sake, but they exist in sincerity nonetheless, free of suspicion and inhibition. If I were to think of what good has come from my 15-months-and-counting term of service, this has to be a little part of it.

From The Backseat, Part 2
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Apart from the mundane unpleasant things I am repeatedly forced to accomplish daily and complaining about it, finally getting off my ass to process and post month-old photos, anticipating Command & Conquer 3's release, and being hooked onto Sufjan Stevens' music, I've been thinking about a technical overhaul for this site - upgrading to MovableType 3.3 and Gallery 2 - as well as moving the general content of the blog away from that of the first-person emotional nature because there's a feeling that such stuff belongs better at say, LiveJournal. But I'll see about that, I really don't know myself as well as I ought to.

I realise that I'm less of a photographer than a photo-editor, not that I've ever claimed to be the former but what I mean is that although I do plan my shots, it's at best primitive and basic. It seems most of my effort is spent in post-processing and editing, sometimes I find that I'm almost trying to salvage bad shots in hopes and ways that they'll end up looking good. I don't even care about pretty colours or grand perspectives, I feel at its heart a photograph represents a captured experience, and life doesn't always present us with great experiences but we just make the best of what we have, in this way it also represents an artist's motives.

From The Backseat, Part 1
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Just back from a short New Year family trip up peninsula Malaysia to Penang, can't say I'm not tired after 10+ hours of being baked in a car by tropical heat seeping in through the half-broken air-conditioning so I'm not posting too many photos yet - not that I shot a whole lot, most were from the backseat of the car. Besides I've got to book-in to camp later tonight so time is in shortage and I'm only editing it in chronological order as with the Hong Kong set. Anyways it sure was good to see relatives again after six years or so, and I've realised somehow I click way better with my paternal extended family, in the way that I actually want to talk to some of them? I guess absence does makes the heart grow fonder.

Missed
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From separate nights, first band is Nuance and the other's Jamie Michael.

A Pictorial Travelogue, Part 3
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Mostly left with the urban landscape of Hong Kong and Kowloon City at dusk and sundown to show here. Will write more when not tired.

So this is the new year, seems more like just a number to change at the end of written dates. I didn't celebrate in any way; it was just another day in a weekend for me, like how it is with my birthdays: quiet, solitary, blissful, reflective. If you think about it, any day could be (or could have been) a new year's day, you just count down 364 from there, working exactly like fiscal and working calendars in organisations. I wonder how many people actually see this thing as opportunity to begin on a fresh slate, and how many actually commit to that, because in essence it is all in the mind, and you could attempt this any other day, it just perhaps becomes more meaningful or an easy reference and start point - maybe even for bragging rights? - to have it be a "new year's resolution". I have none, the way my life's going right now, I'm just going to be taking it day by day, pain by pain, and trial by trial. In any case I leave 15 more pictures from Hong Kong below, enjoy, and have a good year.

A Pictorial Travelogue, Part 2
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When I woke up this morning, a thought occured to me that everyday could and should be Christmas, because I believe in a living God, and that meant that the greatest miracle wasn't to be remembered just one day in a year. Yet ironic isn't it, that I haven't been to church once in this year, but do have a happy blessed Christmas anyhow, and let's just treat these 15 pictures as my little present to all.

A Pictorial Travelogue, Part 1
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Why do I deliberately "mess up" the colours in my photos with that overabundance of what may seem to some a disgusting green? Well I guess it's to explicitly remind the viewer that whatever the camera had captured, it was done under the photographer's discretion, disposition, decision, and direction; it makes things that little bit more personal, saying this isn't just some image, that I was there and this is how I want to remember my experience; also, I think it just looks better.

Weird
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What's That!?
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From Friday at NJC where they were having this year's coursework exhibition. Gotta agree with William that it felt quite underwhelming, which makes it a total opposite from last year's display. A few good works here and there, but the rest just came off as pretentious or underworked, maybe the fact that we arrived when the show was about to end with nobody in sight to explain anything also factored into this conclusion.

Lapse

How much does your world change in two hours?

Surf
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Glare
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Both from Beezewax's set. In short Baybeats 2006 was awesome, but mostly because of Sunday's lineup. Got lots more shots to sort out, but am bloody tired right now (only got home little more than an hour ago) and I have to pack my stuff and get ready to stay in after I receive my unit posting tomorrow. So I guess I'll leave it to next week. Adios.

Made some very tight crops on the thumbnails, so click to see the full thing.

Split
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Perched
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Search
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Abridged
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Globular
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Return
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The Cat Empire
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The Cat Empire is awesome. I simply can't think of another word to describe this band, they play a really really cool mix of jazz, funk, reggae, world music plus a great touch of personality. Well words don't do them justice, you'll have to listen for yourself.

Gotta say I had a rather fulfilling day, even though it consisted mainly of walking around the quay area aimlessly simply snapping photos and taking in the serene atmosphere; just some time out to observe, reflect and plan. Dropped by the Arts House while on my walk with no destination in mind and finally purchased Camra's Normally Open, which I've wanted for the longest time, and Serenaide's The Other End of The Receiver. Still with nothing to do, I headed down to Funan hoping to get Half Life 2: Episode One but no one seemed to have it in stock, I felt totally defeated until I chanced upon a final remaining copy of Mae's The Everglow in a Christian bookstore, needless to say, it's now mine. With hours to spare I hung around Boat Quay, making a pen sketch to kill time.

Fullerton
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Preshow
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Then I headed back to the Esplanade - from where I had begun actually - and while waiting for The Cat Empire to start playing I made another (crappy) quick sketch. So in all, considering I've got three new records, took a bunch of photos, made a couple of drawings, and listened to one great live band - maybe my lobo life at Air Force School has been too boring of late - it feels like I didn't waste another weekend away; and damn right that feels good.

Sculpture Carnival
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zomg bad photos alert! No seriously, that's why they're so tiny. I have no idea why I took up the job, probably just as a favour for a friend, I pretty much suck at photography, have a bad camera, am terrible with children and people in general, and the results show. Thank God I'm not getting paid for this.

And happy birthday to me, whatever.

Break
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Another week has come and gone, the guys who just enlisted have already gotten past their adjustment period and I'll be starting my driving lessons next week. Somehow it's easier to talk about pain and suffering when it's past and no longer on you, time also passes quicker and easier comparatively, perhaps we can then find comfort in knowing that at the end of everything, we will always have the chance to look back, most probably ending up thinking that it was worthwhile.

No matter what they say about National Service, no matter what they want us to think of it doesn't matter, at the end of the day it's all about doing whatever you're told to do. Well, coming to think of it, that's what our entire lives are about too.

Roadtrip
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More pictures, they're mostly cropped to what I thought were more interesting compositions.

Anyways, I've been at the Air Force School for two days already, don't quite know what to make of it. It's been boring, but at the same time interesting too, I'm definitely more interested in the things the Air Force does, how it's organised, its weapons, machines (needless to say because I've loved planes and fighters since I was a kid, aircraft identification? No problem) and people. Maybe due to the fact that it's a much smaller and specialised force than the Army, its personnel give me the impression that it's a more professional and qualified defense organisation. Perhaps I really won't be dumbed down during these two years, but we have yet to receive our unit postings, where we'll probably undergo training to be drivers.

And yeah did I mention that there're only 18 of us? All are A level/diploma holders, PES A/B, some BP, some attained IPPT Silver, and just about all of us have no idea why we ended up here, and up till now we still haven't seen what in the world a V200 (LAV-150 on my further investigation on teh intarweb) looks like. There're many varying rumours on what training would be like, some say slack, some say xiong, and then there's also the question of "if the ADWOs are operating the weapons, do drivers only drive?" Of course everyone hopes for the best - for something easy, - and that includes me, but one can never be too sure. But hey, looking on the bright side, there're no SOC or route marches for the RSAF, at least most of us could rejoice in that fact.

Brinchang from Cluny Lodge, close
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Brinchang from Cluny Lodge
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Brinchang, sunrise
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Brinchang, morning
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Pasar Malam, sunset
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One Way
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Tea Farm
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Words
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Met up with some friends from college, dined, reminisced, chatted, chilled. I neither drink nor smoke, by the way. It was good to see them, to joke, to laugh, to hear and speak those few words. Just the simplest meeting at a simple venue with simple intentions.
All the best to those who've enlisted today or are enlisting this weekend.

Simply brilliant.

I can't take night shots for nuts. Pretension aside, I'm really an amateur when it comes to photography.

Black
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Bliss
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Elipses
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Toast
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Trials
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Peer
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Plans
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You're about to read the "damn, this guy really sucks at photography!" entry, if you do not wish to look at terribly uninspiring (and bad) photos taken by a terribly uninspired person which were put up just to act as some sort of filler, well, just... close your eyes and don't say a word, yeah.

Dine
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Clutter
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Alley
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Dusk 1
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Dusk 2
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Window
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I Didn't Lie

Spaceframe
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So I finally got around to installing the gallery, it's up with some works uploaded, I didn't really know how to organise them, so if you have suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below. You can view the works here, you're also welcome to post comments about the pieces at the gallery itself.

And it's August 9th, yeah Singapore's 40th year of independence. What I didn't like about the NDP was how they put up a rather long and very colourful performance for the Sangnila Utama legend thing - which I must add, isn't even historically proven - that climaxed with this giant lion that looked like it came straight out of The Lion King - similarly I doubt that this island was really inhabited by lions - and the entire video presentation for the period of 1819 to 2005 was done in what, two minutes? I think with a National Day, what you should be celebrating most are the ideals of your independence, what you had to do to achieve it, what you have to do to keep it, what exactly Singapore stands for, and what is this "destiny" that we will self-shape (which you hear so much in those songs). Actually, what am I saying, most kids above 12 who've been through the Primary Education system here should already know most of that due to our excellent National Education curriculum. Personally, I don't believe in what Singapore stands for, sorry but I don't want to work half my life away for the benefit of the economy, I don't want to simply be an asset, a resource - our only one by the way, human resource. Make no mistake, this is a great country; peaceful with a stable government, good infrastructure and first world luxuries, but I just don't want to live my life slaving away for material wealth and meaningless social labels.
I digress... aesthetically, It wasn't a particularly well-made presentation either but anyways here I leave you with a photo which I took during the Baybeats weekend, yes it wasn't National Day but it'd have been the same if you were there today.

Stars and Cresent
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Filler. Photos taken last November.

Angkor Wat

Border Children
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Carved
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Fly Under
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Waterlilies
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Glare
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Something happened to the cable modem, so I was out of contact from the world and bored beyond belief for almost three days, but it was a good time to work on my coursework without distraction. Anyways here's a "make-up" entry of sorts, heh.

Chinatown Alley
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China Orange
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Happy Three Friends
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Met up with Isaac, Alson and Jianlin to go to Sentosa on Tuesday, was early so I dropped by Chinatown for a while, which explains the photos. Got sunburnt, tried to play volleyball (I'm hopeless at any and all ballgames, or any sport for that matter), chatted a bit, and had a good time generally. Wow can an entry get any duller? (That's a rhetorical question by the way, don't give me links, I've seen them before)

Edge

Domes

53

Flip

No this is not turning into a photoblog or whatever, I'm just... filling up the space. I don't claim to possess any great abilities in photography, these were just me attempting to be - ahem - artistic. But really, imagine if you were busy or were lacking time, wouldn't you think that photography, as a digital visual medium, is much "easier" than painting? Well it sure does take less time, but I think the creative process is almost wholly different and requires an almost totally different set of skills, and it doesn't lower its place at all as an artform. Having said that, it probably takes more time, if you really wanted to get good shots, you'd have to be really familiar with your medium, equipment and patient too.

Just wait, computer's more or less online now and new paintings should be coming soon.

Since I can't really do any illustration work right now, shall post some (crappy) photos of the day. Had to wake up at 5+ to go down to Raffles Place for this walkathon thing. Chinese Clan Associations or whatever, I don't really care, I just know I walked a hell lot today, from the UOB Plaza to Marina Promenade, then later a whole big circle to Suntec City for breakfast, then to Bugis for something else. Anyways enough talk, shots taken with a Casio Exilim EX-P505, minimal Photoshop-processing. Click to enlarge/expand.

Dark
It was around 7:30, I can't remember if the contrast was really that great, but whatever.

Gold
The other side.

Red
Communism lives? We were actually chased out of the station while waiting.

Underground
Nothing much.

Reflect
At the Esplanade.

Dog
Four legs good, two legs bad. Yes somebody brought their dog along.

That's all really, I would upload more but it's a pain when I have no FTP app and have to do it one by one using MT.
Oh yea almost forgot...

Doctor Freeman
Yes I bought it, damn good for insight and inspiration.