Hi!

I still love this place, but I'm temporarily moving permanent here.

Thank you.

Mubarak: Reasons Of Absence

I have been neglecting this space for a long while now. Well, I have been neglecting a lOt of things lately.

So December's finally here. It's been a wonderful November. So where was I ever since the fated car crash? Allow me to regale...


(head over here for a semi-photoblog entry)


The moment I came home from Sg. Buloh, the only thought that ran in my head was, "could we pull this job?". Oh, for those who's just tuning in, Hafeez requested a song from us to be used in his short film entry for RTM's Anugerah Filem Pendek. He gave us the assignment way more than a month before the deadline but given my previous state (exams!) we were forced to put works on hold for a while longer. What made me ponder even more is that what we're asked to do is something the band isn't used to; "short, brooding and magical".

So the following day after my 'unscheduled' crash we had a practice session at my place. I somehow came up with a riff suitable for a piano rhythm section back in campus so that was pretty much the starting ground. And not forgetting the faux percussive riff I stumbled upon when playing around with Azhar's Triton somewhere during Ramadhan. Safe to say that we can basically picture the song from start to finish. Typically, I already have the song title in my head prior to practice. Simply, Mubarak. I was told that the short is about a defunct father - son relationship with the son having a monologue wondering what went wrong and how he wished that they're on speaking terms again. I read the script, tried consuming the whole theme but I guess what made the process easier is Hafeez himself. I've known him long enough to get the point he's trying to get across. I think.


Day 1 of Mubarak went pretty breezy. It took Azhar a little over 5 minutes to translate the whole tablature onto the keyboard. Yeah, the riff is that simple. We did discussed a while back about the gears we used. Like how the KAOSS Pad is becoming a monotonous staple to our sound, the limitations we imposed on the EMX and how the microKORG is clearly untouched. I personally was kinda bored with guitars so this soundtrack is a perfect test run for both EMX and microKORG, and a good window to throw the guitar away out of the picture.

We spent the day literally looking for the right beats to suit the mood. This is where Shah's EMX unleashed its wrath. Rummaging the many patterns it has to offer might take more than a year if it falls in uncapable hands. We settled for desert-ish whooshesh and cymbal chimings which we thought back then, was minimal enough. Ended the session with the customary drinks at Pelita.


Day 2 of Mubarak to me, was a disaster of sorts. Everything we tried back at my place just didn't gell. The patterns, the piano progression, everything. I even tried finding fillers with the microKORG but it came to no avail. The fact that we conducted the session in Azhar's room was even worse as everyone was sleepy and distracted by the PC. The session didn't last long. It was kinda frustrating.


Adib's been busy with his job at the design firm so he was left out from practice sessions. Day 3 of Mubarak saw us hitting the studio for the first time with hope that somehow his drumming will whip up something inspiring. But fate has it that a day before, Shah's home was struck by lightning and all his gears was electrocuted so yeah, we hit the wall pretty hard that night. We spent the studio time locking thedrums for the faux percussive part -another frustrating episode- and left with yet another dissapointment in our minds. We braced for the worst as the electrocution might cause the whole project to cease.


We took a brief break from the whole process. Some perspective outlook was needed. Day 4 of Mubarak started on a high note. Shah's rig was done in a day since the lightning only caused damage to the power supplies. But that alone costed him RM400. Ouch. But everyone was relieved nonetheless. As we were taking a breather from figuring out the song's arrangement, I accidently played something. Something sensible.

Spending the next half hour frantically figuring out chords for the progression proved to be an exciting series of events. Shah consequently came up with gorgeous ambient bleeps to replace the previous unimaginative patterns and I finally prevail with the microKORG after spending a couple of nights with it. We recorded the proposed arrangements of the song and ended the day thinking 'we might just make it'.


As I plugged my iPod to my room's mock up sound system, listening to the raw recording caused a wave of ecstasy to gush in my veins. The then potential song was by far, the most engaging piece of music we've ever conjured in the shortest amount of time.


Day 5 of Mubarak was our 2nd studio practice. We were the last patrons to use the space so we pretty much have all the time in the world. But that seemed too much as it only took us an hour to finish up the song. We switched off most of the lights in the studio so the atmosphere was kinda serene with flickering LEDs from our instruments guiding the night away. We were so uplifted that night that we even played a new rocky tune (tentatively titled Instant-Teriyaki Romance) to wrap up our session. Had a blast at Mango afterwards. My banana shake was surprisingly Slushee-ish. Yummy.


As the deadline for submisson was dawning upon us, we decided that the song's ready to be recorded. After a few phone calls, Meng's studio (officially known as StandingWave Productions) was the place to get it done since Mokh's filled to the brim with metal noiseniks. Another session at Azhar's was no more than just finalizing details. But it went pretty dready with the weather and all.


Then came Thursday.


We initially booked a 10:30 p.m slot but since Meng was somewhat late, and Lied's Adlin and Wan were still laying down drum tracks, we loafed at the lounge talking crap and making fun of Shah and his neverending quest for the perfect body. Bono decided to tag along since her band didn't record that night. Meng summoned us when the watch flashed 12:30 a.m.

Despite being awfully wasted (I had monstrous of chores that day) everyone was pretty up for it. I was told that Meng's the silent type who doesn't get in anybody's way and allow you to flow the way you wanted but that doesn't stop us from being slightly panicky around him. When we unpacked our gears, he suddenly stopped moving and said, "Are you guys endorsed by KORG or something? Did you guys robbed CK???" Haha. That very much broke the ice and we had a good laugh about it. But seriously, that's a flack we need to bear from our peers. They think we're KORG ambassadors. -_-"

Adib was in a rush since he had to session for ElmKids gig the next day so we had to make it quick without rushing it. The one-all approach suggested by Meng complimented the whole process greatly as it saved us a lot of time (and money). But that wasn't such a smooth sail. We were kinda lost with the proposed tempo that it took us almost 5 minutes to get back on track. Come recording time, Adib majestically took just one take and it was good for keeps. The rest of us took turns in fine tuning our respective parts. It felt like paying a visit to the local clinic. It was a "Next!" kinda feeling to it.

By the time we were done it was already 3 in the a.m. Took a final listen, asked Meng a few vital questions then me, Azhar and Bono headed for Pelita. The rest had a long day ahead so home they went.


Overall, it was the most intense recording session we ever went through albeit its briefness. But today, after listening to the final product, it is agreed collectively that it's the most satisfactory to date. We're seriously considering recording there again. Maybe for the upcoming EP.

Will the song make it for the soundtrack? I have my own opinions on that. But I do hope the short film make its way to its deserving spot.

Bang Bang Boom

All done, and now I'm home.


I had a blast answering the paper. MAF310 (Management Accounting) was like riding a bike with triple tripod wheels. My leisure revision technique paid off handsomely I reckon. The last time I had the same feeling was way back in high school. Prinsip Akaun for SPM. Stuff of legends.

After lunch with Shaf, I pulled at Petronas to fill up the tank before heading to USJ. My head was full of exciting, relaxing thoughts back home. Like how I miss my bed for instance. Or how I enjoy watching cars passing from the window of my workspace to the wee hours of the morning. Gas filled, cap locked, latch slammed, and I was off. Well, driving was never a problem. It's second nature. Like breathing if it should be compared so. I find it nothing extraordinary having to drive back to USJ alone on a breezy afternoon. So I did my usual stretch, 100 - 140, sometimes exerting myself to 160, but it's all under great caution. Then it poured quite heavily. Slippery roads are managable when you're doing an average 120 on a tarmac. But on concrete?

I believe you guys are really familiar with Malaysian roads right? Ok, the famous potholes are a given fact but what I'm getting to is how easily 'bendy' it can be. Heavy vehicles running on it over a period leaves a great impact on the surface causing the road to be puddle-y overnight. Admiteddly I find it a joy at times since the 'pudd bends' give a rather exciting bumpy twist to your ride. As if you're on a rocky boat but without all the seasickness. But today, I got to know it's ugly side better than I thought I knew.


I collided with a big, old Mercedes 6-wheeler.


I wasn't speeding. I barely did a 100 when it happened. No, I wasn't sleepy either. No pressure from the traffic since Plus Highway's not that jamm packed. I just lost control of the Wira, all thanks to the pudd bends. I felt the warning signs a good 5 KM from the crash site so I was already prepared by then, slowed down (albeit being in the fast lane) and kept my focus. Then suddenly, the car swerved slowly to the left without notice before I realized it was too late when I tried turning right but to no avail.

YA ALLAH, YA ALLAHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Those were my exact words when I was 2 inches away from the lorry's right rear. The last time I screamed that loud was when I was circumcised. Well not those exact words, but the intensity was uncanny.


You know in movies where there's a dead silence just before something crashes with something else or how suspenseful a quiet environment is before the shit hits the fan? I had that silence. Nah, my life wasn't flashing right in front of me. I just had that milisecond of dead, muted silence. And no, nothing was a blur. I still remember precisely the chain of events after making contact with the lorry's rear. I heard windows smashing, metals tearing and the Wira was somehow momentarily airborned before touching ground and skidded leftwards before halting. The car was in between both lanes, obstructing traffic, facing a hill on the opposite direction heading North. It took me just 3 seconds to gather myself and get out of the wreck. Oh yeah, it was somewhere in Lembah Beringin.

A posse of call mens came to my rescue. Their quick thinking saved a lot of time and the next thing I knew I was in Ulu Bernam's Police Station lodging my report. There I met the lorry driver and his son. The bear-like Indian man was all smiles with me. I mean, I know the only damaged his lorry sustained was a bent mudguard but he acted like we just came out from watching the latest Bollywood comedy flick. Ok. No pressing charges. Good. But I got a compound ticket for 'wreckless driving'. Nice.

I called the parents after my report. They we're already on their way to LCCT en route to Dungun. They're glad I'm ok and that they trust me to handle things accordingly but it was tiring convincing them that I'd manage myself a transport home. The call guys were kind enough to give me a lift all the way to Rawang so I could catch the Komuter. Then Adam called and said that I should drop off in Sg. Buloh since he's there and heading home as well.

So what's the connection with the pudd bends you ask? See, when the pudds are filled with rain, passing through it will create somesort of an aquabed that separates your wheels and the road for a certain stretch. When things go wrong, you loose control of your vehicle since there's no grip whatsoever hence, my crashing of the Wira.

What's waiting for me in the coming days are trivial matters. Insurance, insurance and more insurance. What a way to start your semester break huh? I'd like to thank all the incoming SMSes and phone calls. Thanks a zillion for your concerns. Even my realtives in KL and Johor was all panicky on the phone. I felt bad being slightly amused. They're bloody relieved that I escaped the whole ordeal unscathed.



So am I.

Headrushbangkerplam!

One down, three to go.


Something's a little but off about this semester's finals. I can't pinpoint what. Ok, so the Investment paper's not as nightmare-ish as it was the previous semester. I wouldn't say I aced it but at least I'm safe enough to claim not having to register for MAF380 again for next semester.

Perhaps it's the diminishing Raya mood. Pn Nooriha was in a way right that Raya is there to celebrate every single year unlike the chance to graduate that comes only twice or thrice in a lifetime. It made sense, I agree. But no matter how hard you try, you can't lie to your heart. It's only been a week goddamnit. I wanna crash more open houses!

That, was somehow answered with a calming calling. Cik Marina invited us Repeaters for a lil' get together at her crib in Bandar Universiti yesterday. The only turn ups were me, Shaf, Hapis, BM, Didie, Ain and Afzan. We had fun, the food's great albeit being minimal in variety. I never knew Cucur Ketam (one of Cik Marina's many food inventions. a crab-shaped, vegan version of cucur udang) could be so addictive. I think I ate like, a dozen. It was kinda hot and humid that night (perhaps it was Ain. her tank top drove our tempretures right up) that I had to catch a breather outside. We left around 5 minutes to 9, but not before borrowing Catch Me If You Can and Confronting The Evidence: A Call To Re-Open The 9/11 Investigations for my enjoyment for the rest of the night.


I'm supposed to start making a CD mix for some friends. They seem compelled to educate themselves given the fact that I practically have 'an entire collection of alien music' in my exty and lappie. But I woke up late, missing my Friday prayers and battling a surging migraine that felt like tonnes of brick exploding one by one in my head. So how do I manage to type this unperturbed?

Took the keys, drove far, and got myself a haircut. After all the Pandols and Polaramines, shedding a heavy amount of my bobbed hair should do the trick. I look like a blast from a twisted past. Centre-parted up front, jet black mullet-like at the back. I should be back at the house cracking books and taking formulas to heart but then this dose of momentary escape is a much needed drug. So now off I go, leaving the patrons of this cyber cafe another empty computer screen for them to oogle at.

Goodbye.

Of Ketupats and Rendangs

What would probably bother me most this week is the fact that I barely started reading my notes for Thursday's Investment finals. But then this weekend came about. I was again, sidetracked.


My Saturday was a slow-burner. Woke up at 12 and staight away slumped my ass in front of the laptop (and PC; football manager bebeh) right after showers. The previous night was wasted with Adam and Azhar at Manggo. I miss my Banana Shake fix. Got a text from Pa'e while I was there. He's having a get-together late in the afternoon. I smiled happily whilst replying, haven't seen the old gang since July. So after a lil' chit chat with Ibu, off I went to Shalam to meet up Zhaf. I tell you, thank God that he knows his way around. Klang is such a bitch to tame! Once you get distracted, that's it. Bye-bye. You're lost. So there we were, all 6 of us. Laughing our heads off at Razi's antics while trying hard not to spill the laksa that we were eating. I can't stop munching the spicy mini eggrolls that Pa'e had to take it to the kitchen 3 times for refills. It's so damn good!

We stayed a while more before splitting. Akim's been bugging me forever to check out the new Cash Converters outlet in Sunway. Well it was ok. I think Buy Sell Trade has a lot more to offer. But then I managed to get myself the now-rare Least Wanted Hits compilation (RM9) and a Therapy? single (RM3). Hehe. It was already 8 by then. Ibu called and told us to get our own dinner since she's too tired to fix up anything. We were practically stumped as to where we'd go to satisfy our unattended tummy. Akim needed to stop by Toys 'R Us for a birthday present that he was due to give. I had a blast oggling at the new Lego, revving the many motorized Hot Wheels on display, checking out the latest Batman stuffed plushie figure, laughing at the weird doodles we made with Etch-A-Sketch and pretty much torturing the staff and other patrons with the amount of noise we let out. After all that, we still have tummies to fill.

Fast food has been a staple diet for us since Ramadhan bowed its way out of the limelight so McD and KFC's out of the question. There's no place I know of that serves good nasi campur at night so that was out too. Akim objected to Salmon Steak because it seems it won't be the same without my friends around so Pan Cafe was our last resort. I must say that their Prima Breakfast Set (yes, served for dinner) is a good bargain. Scrambled eggs, a portion of hash browns and a couple of beef bacon strips for 5 bucks? Yummeh.


So then Sunday was expected to be tiresome. The plan was for Hapis, Amir and me to head back to Bota circa 5 but then due to a request the trip back just has to be Monday. That however, brought joy to my heart as I can FINALLY attend Akak's makan-makan do! I can't really remember when was the last time I enjoyed the company of friends. Well, maybe my 'surprise' birthday bash last month could count as one. If the company was good, the food's even better! The beef rendang was rightfully made to perfection. Semi-hard meat and mild mix of spices, nothing could go wrong. And I was amazed at myself for not getting myself lost along the way. Wehoo.

Oh yeah, at last I bought myself a copy of Junk's debut issue. The content's great. Reminds me a lot of dear old TONE but IMHO the layout needs some extra brainstorming. It's too, how shall I say this, space-wastingly rigid? The sampler CD is also cool but maybe it lacks a proper theme of cohesiveness but that intentionally for the 1st issue, I'm hoping to see better days.


I'm not done packing. It looks like I've no intention to end it.

"It's in my professional opinion that you've become a monster."

What I love about wasting time clicking away aimlessly around the cyberspace is the many, many distractions it offer. Online or offline. The thing about 'wandering' is that you make best of what you have right in front of you.

See, all this while I've been a loyal servant to the many wonders of p2p technology. Starting from Napster to Audiogalaxy to Kazaa, it had me fixated with the prospect of having my own media library with only a fraction of my budget harmed. Then came Soulseek which saved my sanity when the RIAA and the rest of the money-making head honchos took Shawn Fanning and co. to -ironically- face the music.

The course of my wandering won't be decently documented if I left out Friendster and Myspace. Aaaand Hi5, Kawanster, Blogspot, LiveJournal, Last. fm and (hey!) Vox. It's where new acquaintances are found undermined interests are sowed and hidden habits unveiled.

Somehow somewhat, I was left out on another movement. Another surged wave threatened to smash my 'video downloads suck major hours and ends up being total crap' to smithereens. Torrents. Bit mumfucking Torrents. As we speak, I now have in my stahs 15, DVD-crisp, excellent rip movies. And it all took an aggregate of 7 days. 24/7.


Thumbsucker was actually an oddball choice. I was looking for recommendations when Li said Thank You For Smoking and Adaptation (which then later spurred the search for Daniel Johnston's docu, Citizeen Kane and the foreign language version of The Science Of Sleep; all to no avail) just might be the ones I'm looking for. Thank You For Smoking was a blast. I think it's Aaron Eckhart at his nonchalant best. I mean, Merchants Of Death? Supercool. Still, I need another movie to make my so-called Raya marathon complete so I turned to aXXo who is infamously the best movie ripper in the world. Thumbsucker was the only one on his list that I've never heard of.

Lou Pucci plays Justin Cobb, a 17 year-old member of his school's debating club whose addiction is to suck on his left thumb whenever he feels like to. Well having said that and judging from the DVD cover you would highly likely draw the conclusion of it either being arty farty or Wes Anderson-witty or better yet, a combo of both. I really didn't care to be honest. It was already 6 in the a.m. when the download's done so I thought of watching half of it then, and finish it up in the afternoon. A move I reckon to be most brilliabt of me in recent years. Heh.

Other than Mike Mills' acute direction/intepretation of the novel and Lou's magnificient potrayal of Justin, the rest of the cast surely deserves mentions for their stellar performances. Keanu Reeves has to be the hippest, most breezy dentist to ever grace the silver screen with his Horatio Caine-ish speech pattern and demeanor. Not to mention Vince Vaughn who in my humble opinion, finally did justice to his own career by staying solid on track all the while. The movie's also interspersed with musical interludes by The Polyphonic Spree and Elliot Smith (with a cover of Chris Bell's Thirteen!)

Seeing Justin transform from a thumbsucker to a hotshot debater to a pothead and eventually turning back to thumbsucking reflects a whole lot on my life as I see it going forward. A closet low self-esteemer with every intention to hide himself by fronting an amiable facade as means to make himself accessible to anyone. Well yeah, the movie ends on a happy note but it is one that will keep ringing in my ears for a while. How I love being single forever.

Hmm.

Anyone here other than me thinks that the recent fasting month's the briefest of all? It felt like it's only for a week but hey, I'm not exactly complaining. Heh.

What I will miss most about Ramadhan is how magical the holy month can be and the wonders it did to yours truly. The hereafter rewards you ask? Sadly no. Although I am not proud of saying this, it's a fact that I am not God's most humble, abiding servant. I'm rather enthralled at how things take its paths. From my hightened concentration in sleep-inducing classes to my generally good daily mood, everything else in between seemed a walk in the park. No, scratch that. It's actually like enjoying an awesome serving of Mi Sedaap. Yes, it's that yummy.

Let's not dwell into food details ok?. But I can't help to talk about the loveliness of how 'cheerful' the gorgeously delicious foods are displayed at the Ramadhan Bazaar in Sri Iskandar and for it to be tasteful just adds a lot of sassy plus points to it. Seriously! Lan's short stint, part time foray as a Bubur Ayam vendor didn't go in vain as his homemade chicken porridge could very well give McDonald's a serious run for their money. Everyday is a sold out day. The quality of Achik's currypuffs have been on a constant high throughout the month, Abang Lebai dishes the best Roti Boom ever in years and where the hell can you get an awesome Carrot Juice for the price less than a Milo Ais other than the one served by Abang Askar? Now don't get me started on the oddball-yet-ball-busting Yong Tau Fu! It's a gift from heaven....

Oops. So much for not rambling on details.


On another note, Ramadan somehow fueled my composing drive and somewhat sharpens my lyrical instinct. Perhaps it's the food I consume. Yummm.

Regardless, I've been so driven that I decided to finally set up a revamped Anjakan Paradigma which now has 4 songs under its belt without the band having its 1st meet up. Telephony Delivery's getting its share of the pie as well as I've got a rough/clear idea of how the soundtrack job for Hafeez's short film would sound like. There's been 2 or 3 suggestive tracks but it is more likely that Mubarak (named as such as it was written over the course of 2 consecutive Ramadhans) will make the cut to be surgically dissected under our attentive care. Other new tracks are shaping up as well, giving us a chance to better use our studio time in the coming months.


All that happening in a single, unforgettable month? Could Syawal be any better?

So far, I'm still smiling.


It's extremely comfy to celebrate the first day of Syawal with my very own family here in USJ. The busy scent of the city is somehow my idea of spiritual bliss. You can take me out of the suburban, but you can't take the suburban out of me. Yes, I am a budak bandar and I'll admit to it again and again and again. Hell, even my mum's kampung's in Kg. Baru/Singapore which hardly qualifies as a common kampung. Arwah Ayah's side in Tapah? I shall not start on that. It's adding insult into lifelong scar.

So this year we decide to have it at Ki's place in Dungun. It is by far, the best Raya I've ever experienced. The only Raya that I actually feel how celebrating in kampung is actually like. Well, we set off on a very funny note actually. We only flew to Dungun on Raya eve, just after break fasting and we left for USJ on the 2nd day of Raya. Yes, we flew Air Asia. How 'balik kampung' was that?

The 2 nights I was there, I finally witnessed and understood the relations my cousins and aunts/uncs have established amongst themselves. One that made me envious. See, I never had that buddy-like rapport with my elderlies. Maybe I am to blame. Maybe I just don't know what went wrong. So that explains why I spent my days there examining the ties between them and it's downright wonderful. I'm amazed at how clockwork-like the whole thing can be. Everysingle day, without a whisper of words, each and everyone of them is somehow synced into the routine with military precision. Be it preparing breakfast/lunch/dinner right down to entertaining guests that came for beraya, it's like living a in a big ass, fancy diner. Everyday is a kenduri day.

I had fun observing the many antics of my cousins. The twins Kakak and Dedek has grown up so much that they look like a scarf-clad cucumber running around the house in their Raya garb. Others are very much their usual self but yet again, Siti grabbed my fancy. I caught her catching glimpses my way and noticed the smiles she made whenever I let out a funny remark or when I litely laughed at a joke while looking her way. Is that flirting? Entah. I can tell you this -potentially sounding cheesily dorkish here- in a nutshell, she's a bombshell in her own way and I find it hard to ignore the fact. Heh.


So as we got back from Terengganu last night, my head was swirling with afterthoughts and anticipation for the coming weeks. Finals are beckoning. My revision progress is still at a standstill. Damn. Blame the holidays. Actually all that excitement costs me a sudden high fever. Probably due to the dry wheather up in the East Coast. I think I'm recovering. Tomorrow will be a continuation of the occasional house visit for Hari Raya. My duit raya collection status is in good health. Whee.