long make-up post
7 Feb (sat): Social Concerns
Spent week prepping for Social Concerns Bursary thingy at church on Sat. Come sat, Social Concerns went rather well. Being socially inept didn’t mingle too well with the kids, though some (the younger pri/sec 1s) were rather adorable. After, went to Daily Bread Café with a few of the others. Got a scoop of apple ice-cream. Left them early.
8 Feb (sun): Church
Church. Sunday school, crashed sec4 class (Philip Poh and Karen) with the J3s. Went for Shineforth, then walked to Robin Lane with Deeane, KunJie (Yao Zhang’s bro, same batch as Deelia, currently in Aussie studying), and Deelia. First crossover for 2004 went rather well, glad to say. Having the J3s with us, this is the largest Crossover I've seen in a long time.
12 Feb: The Man with a Thousand Voices
BOBBY MCFERRIN!!! Super good, he breathes in while singing, has multivoice, mimicry (countless, including organic, instrumental including scratch jazz trumpet with mute), improvisation, and an amazing range allowing “one-man-band” singing. Also, vocal consistency provides auditory illusion of “one man band” sound.
If I had not seen him in person, would NOT have believed all that music was coming from one man. The stage looked beautiful, all empty except for one man, a lone spotlight, and a most magical sound emanating from him. Such a stunning image (not to mention sound). He also got along well with audience, nice good banter. A master weaver, he is capable of working/improvising with and against almost any musical background and medium.
What was perhaps the most beautiful image of all that night was perhaps the last (encore) song. Picture this: the SSO has just vacated the stage, leaving behind a whole mass of empty chairs and cloth-draped music stands. Bobby, in response to rabid applause, steps onstage, which immediately hushes the crowd. He pulls up a chair to the edge of the stage, sits down. The light dims to near-darkness, just faintly illuminating the lone Bobby. He begins his last song (a namelessly beautiful nameless song—with him it doesn’t matter if the song is "real" or not) and it just sounds like a lone conductor, with his phantom band behind him, weaving together strands of hauntingly unearthly, yet unmistakably human, ether—you can’t call what he creates mere “music” in any sense of the word anymore.
Just wonderful. Well worth the price.
Feb 13: ORD party for unit-mate
Mike’s farewell day. At the party, had Grand Melee, with my 0/0 Viper C (with single ER PPC) vs the other’s Black Pythons, and Joel’s Night Gyr, and Mike’s and Josh’s customs. Dealt good damage, drew first blood and never got hit thanks to luck and good tactics.
Then went to ECP for drinks (eagh. I don’t drink). Gamely went along. Tried some beer. Ugh again. Had good chat, esp abt how to deal with newbies soon to be entering our illustrious unit, and how to whip them into shape.
Went back, played bridge and tired my hand at magic, with loser drinking a shot of vodka. Tried hard not to lose! Nonetheless had to down a couple of awful shots. Felt giddy but not drunk unlike Mike or Joel (heavy drinkers) who were clearly gone by 3:30am. Bowed out to sleep at 4:30 but awakened shortly after by a puking Joel. Helped a slightly-smashed Paul clean up. He said “welcome to college life!” Think I’d make a good RA and designated driver. Well, someone’s gotta be Mr Responsible. =) Heard some pubs give designated Drivers free flow of Coke so that suits me too. Will have to train in handling smashed-up dorm-mates to car, cleaning them up and getting them to bed though. Heh. Gives one a nice sanctimonious helpful feeling.
On the other hand, my refusal to get drunk, do drugs, watch gov propaganda and (hesitance in) committing to a relationship all stem from an almost-neurotic desire for self-control and self-determination. I want control of my mind and faculties at all times. A block between me and God too, come to think of it.
Feb 15: church
Sunday. Spoke to Dan about Music ministry, we decided in line with giving the young’uns more responsibility, I’d not actively lead this year. Instead I’d be classed as a vocalist coach, cool huh? Less accountability and stress, still get to do some good. Heh.
Was about to crash the J1 class (though Daniel’s no longer teaching it, still feel attached to the class) but caught sight of Sophie studying History alone in the canteen so decided not to be antisocial and dropped by to catch up. She’s now in RJ canoeing, astronomy, HISSOC and a couple of others. Arts, may be going to UWC (Nordic Red Cross, if she gets her choice). Wound up talking till 10+, so dropped down to carpark to tell parents I’m staying for Shineforth (may do this on a regular basis now, staying in church for longer than previously). After Shineforth freeloaded off the Newcomer’s lunch (heh) with Josiah’s family. Melvin and Huileng’s parents were hosts, and I think so were they (saw them talking to groups of presumed newcomers).
After that, stayed back yet some more with Zhen Yang (turned out to be a D&Der too! Rare.), Claire chong (mugging bio), Sarah and Hanah Wong(s), gilly and mr cow himself. Went home abt 3, latest I ever stayed back in church after Sunday sch.
7 Feb (sat): Social Concerns
Spent week prepping for Social Concerns Bursary thingy at church on Sat. Come sat, Social Concerns went rather well. Being socially inept didn’t mingle too well with the kids, though some (the younger pri/sec 1s) were rather adorable. After, went to Daily Bread Café with a few of the others. Got a scoop of apple ice-cream. Left them early.
8 Feb (sun): Church
Church. Sunday school, crashed sec4 class (Philip Poh and Karen) with the J3s. Went for Shineforth, then walked to Robin Lane with Deeane, KunJie (Yao Zhang’s bro, same batch as Deelia, currently in Aussie studying), and Deelia. First crossover for 2004 went rather well, glad to say. Having the J3s with us, this is the largest Crossover I've seen in a long time.
12 Feb: The Man with a Thousand Voices
BOBBY MCFERRIN!!! Super good, he breathes in while singing, has multivoice, mimicry (countless, including organic, instrumental including scratch jazz trumpet with mute), improvisation, and an amazing range allowing “one-man-band” singing. Also, vocal consistency provides auditory illusion of “one man band” sound.
If I had not seen him in person, would NOT have believed all that music was coming from one man. The stage looked beautiful, all empty except for one man, a lone spotlight, and a most magical sound emanating from him. Such a stunning image (not to mention sound). He also got along well with audience, nice good banter. A master weaver, he is capable of working/improvising with and against almost any musical background and medium.
What was perhaps the most beautiful image of all that night was perhaps the last (encore) song. Picture this: the SSO has just vacated the stage, leaving behind a whole mass of empty chairs and cloth-draped music stands. Bobby, in response to rabid applause, steps onstage, which immediately hushes the crowd. He pulls up a chair to the edge of the stage, sits down. The light dims to near-darkness, just faintly illuminating the lone Bobby. He begins his last song (a namelessly beautiful nameless song—with him it doesn’t matter if the song is "real" or not) and it just sounds like a lone conductor, with his phantom band behind him, weaving together strands of hauntingly unearthly, yet unmistakably human, ether—you can’t call what he creates mere “music” in any sense of the word anymore.
Just wonderful. Well worth the price.
Feb 13: ORD party for unit-mate
Mike’s farewell day. At the party, had Grand Melee, with my 0/0 Viper C (with single ER PPC) vs the other’s Black Pythons, and Joel’s Night Gyr, and Mike’s and Josh’s customs. Dealt good damage, drew first blood and never got hit thanks to luck and good tactics.
Then went to ECP for drinks (eagh. I don’t drink). Gamely went along. Tried some beer. Ugh again. Had good chat, esp abt how to deal with newbies soon to be entering our illustrious unit, and how to whip them into shape.
Went back, played bridge and tired my hand at magic, with loser drinking a shot of vodka. Tried hard not to lose! Nonetheless had to down a couple of awful shots. Felt giddy but not drunk unlike Mike or Joel (heavy drinkers) who were clearly gone by 3:30am. Bowed out to sleep at 4:30 but awakened shortly after by a puking Joel. Helped a slightly-smashed Paul clean up. He said “welcome to college life!” Think I’d make a good RA and designated driver. Well, someone’s gotta be Mr Responsible. =) Heard some pubs give designated Drivers free flow of Coke so that suits me too. Will have to train in handling smashed-up dorm-mates to car, cleaning them up and getting them to bed though. Heh. Gives one a nice sanctimonious helpful feeling.
On the other hand, my refusal to get drunk, do drugs, watch gov propaganda and (hesitance in) committing to a relationship all stem from an almost-neurotic desire for self-control and self-determination. I want control of my mind and faculties at all times. A block between me and God too, come to think of it.
Feb 15: church
Sunday. Spoke to Dan about Music ministry, we decided in line with giving the young’uns more responsibility, I’d not actively lead this year. Instead I’d be classed as a vocalist coach, cool huh? Less accountability and stress, still get to do some good. Heh.
Was about to crash the J1 class (though Daniel’s no longer teaching it, still feel attached to the class) but caught sight of Sophie studying History alone in the canteen so decided not to be antisocial and dropped by to catch up. She’s now in RJ canoeing, astronomy, HISSOC and a couple of others. Arts, may be going to UWC (Nordic Red Cross, if she gets her choice). Wound up talking till 10+, so dropped down to carpark to tell parents I’m staying for Shineforth (may do this on a regular basis now, staying in church for longer than previously). After Shineforth freeloaded off the Newcomer’s lunch (heh) with Josiah’s family. Melvin and Huileng’s parents were hosts, and I think so were they (saw them talking to groups of presumed newcomers).
After that, stayed back yet some more with Zhen Yang (turned out to be a D&Der too! Rare.), Claire chong (mugging bio), Sarah and Hanah Wong(s), gilly and mr cow himself. Went home abt 3, latest I ever stayed back in church after Sunday sch.
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