WUT?

Just felt that since the whole election fever is over – I should lay down my piece.

Some time ago, someone raised a letter with petitions to all parties regarding certain issues.

This particular reply kinda pissed me off.

Note that I might have mis-read it, but I still think this is not a right, nor appropriate response.

And yes, it’s no wonder your party has douche bags who only seek attention and wealth through politics.

However we have not had time to consider our position¹ in detail on the additional issues raised by you. Rather than asking for our position, it might be more productive if you would send us a list of the policies you would like to see adopted.² Better still, you could join us and work on getting us elected to Parliament or contribute to our campaign.³ Unless you (like other Singaporeans) are prepared to stand up then there is very little chance of change.⁴

1. “we have not had time to consider our position”

How can you not have time if this multiple-signed letter was sent in October  ’10 and elections was slated to be in May the year after?

Oh fine. I shall just assume since you didn’t answer that your only agenda is to earn that 30c per day from 3million Singaporeans for 5 years.

So much for opposition.

2. “Rather than asking for our position, it might be more productive if you would send us a list of the policies you would like to see adopted.”

I/We don’t need to do that – because in the end you’d just grab hold of my/our words and contort it till it looks nothing nor have any relevance to the issue that was raised.

So, BOOO to you.

3. “you could join us and work on getting us elected to Parliament or contribute to our campaign”

I’m voting. Not trying to gain favour for you. You should be telling me why I must put a cross against your party symbol if I need to; instead of the need to join you and work on getting you elected to Parliament.

Why don’t you contribute to my campaign instead and get me elected if I want to? Would you?

4. “Unless you (like other Singaporeans) are prepared to stand up then there is very little chance of change.”

Oh man. I hope that isn’t a threat, even in the indirect way – because I don’t give a hoot for it.

We Singaporeans stand up for what we believe is right and stable – and we’d give the chance in small doses. I like stability, and I jolly well will kill anyone who screws with what little stability I have.

That is why I don’t see a need why I should support the notion of having a full overhaul within Cabinet with Opposition members who have not run in Cabinet before.

And I thank God for that.

And FYI, it was an email response. I do not feel that it is appropriate, especially since Singaporeans are not allowed to vote online – why should we have such a matter be communicated through email as well? It should be out in print, black and white to show how big a douche these people are.

X. On the Train

It muses through my cranium,
Grey matter that lights up ad libitum
When sometimes all that goes into it,
Is something as mundane as a train (with people in it)

The daily rides I take or wait,
Give rise to stories that never wait
For once somebody misses her train,
Let’s see if she won’t scream into the drain

Now, as I end my every day,
I do look back and hear me say
That though life is not an action flick,
It’s these ideas we have that click.

I Am Not Yours

(x-posted at Derrick Writes)

I’m preparing Acappuccino’s classical repertoire for 2011′s concert project and I’m impressed at Randall Z Stroope’s setting of Sara Teasdale’s poem “I Am Not Yours”.

(Makes me wonder if Whitacre will ever touch Teasdale’s writings, because I really like how Teasdale writes about one wanting to be consumed into love.)

The text are as below; followed by the Kokopelli Choir’s performance of the song. (Kokopelli is still my favourite choir.)

I am not yours, not lost in you,
Not lost, although I long to be
Lost as a candle lit at noon,
Lost as a snowflake in the sea.

You love me, and I find you still
A spirit beautiful and bright,
Yet I am I, who long to be
Lost as a light is lost in light.

Oh plunge me deep in love – put out
My senses, leave me deaf and blind,
Swept by the tempest of your love,
A taper in a rushing wind.

More about the text can be found here.

And paried with Amor De Mi Alma, I’m sure the classical set is going to impact audiences.

Who says love always have to be about the physical state?

Double, Double Toil and Trouble

Shakespearean text fascinates me, even more so texts that dabbles (somewhat) into the mystics, like in this famous piece of poetry within Macbeth.

Known as the Witches’ chant to some, it is the opening to Act VI.

First Witch:
Thrice the brinded cat hath mew’d.

Second Witch:
Thrice and once the hedge-pig whined.

Third Witch:
Harpier cries ‘Tis time, ’tis time.

First Witch:
Round about the cauldron go;
In the poison’d entrails throw.
Toad, that under cold stone
Days and nights has thirty-one
Swelter’d venom sleeping got,
Boil thou first i’ the charmed pot.

All:
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.

Second Witch:
Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the cauldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder’s fork and blind-worm’s sting,
Lizard’s leg and howlet’s wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

All:
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.

Third Witch:
Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf,
Witches’ mummy, maw and gulf
Of the ravin’d salt-sea shark,
Root of hemlock digg’d i’ the dark,
Liver of blaspheming Jew,
Gall of goat, and slips of yew
Sliver’d in the moon’s eclipse,
Nose of Turk and Tartar’s lips,
Finger of birth-strangled babe
Ditch-deliver’d by a drab,
Make the gruel thick and slab.
Add thereto a tiger’s chaudron,
For the ingredients of our cauldron.

All:
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.

Second Witch:
Cool it with a baboon’s blood,
Then the charm is firm and good.

Hecates:
O well done! I commend your pains;
And every one shall share i’ the gains;
And now about the cauldron sing,
Live elves and fairies in a ring
Enchanting all that you put in.

Second Witch:
By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes.
Open, locks,
Whoever knocks!

I love the choral interpretation and scene painting by Jaakko Mäntyjärvi.

Anyway, just in case you wonder what wicked thing came their way – the witches cast a spell and are interrupted when “something wicked this way comes”—namely, Macbeth himself.

Possible addition to “So Did I”

I just need to somewhat add this in – maybe as a later act.

Damn. I’m starting too many projects.

You people are NOT judges, do not be so quick to judge others. Each individual is entitled to their own choices, their own decisions. Regarding yourselves as their friends, your ‘role’ above and foremost is being there for that individual; not imposing your own opinion of what their actions should be based on your own personal principles and values. Understand that while you are openly, publicly berating this person, her nonchalance and laughter masquerades her unease and diminished self-confidence after the constant put-downs by the people she decided to put her trust in. If I were to judge your actions just like you’ve judged hers, you people are actually hurting this FRIEND you CARE about; this is NOT what a friend should be.

A soliloquy

Sometimes when inspiration, in any form, comes to you – it just comes and never stop bothering you until something is done with it.

Was chatting with a friend when this came out – a full soliloquy. None of the text are grossly edited (except for spelling errors and paragraphing) – every single thing came out from him, and it was beautiful in its own senses.

Everything was just so raw, and I couldn’t help it but to at least put it  up here first.

“So I did.”

It seems all I’m ever interested in are the pride and esteem of others. I’m really such an ugly person.

Have you ever done something to someone and realised that you’re not even sure why you did? I’ve crossed that line so many times, recently even, to a Secondary School mate of mine.

I don’t know why, maybe it was because I thought she was too self-pitying, or that she was weak, or that she simply didn’t want to do anything about her problems except announce and vent about them. I just felt like putting her down for it, so I did.

She said to me, “I think, you are happy when you see that other people have problems,” and walked out on me.

(laughs)

I felt like she was acting interested in me or interested to make me interested with her, in addition to complaining and doing nothing about it – which is why I snapped and decided to call her out.

Even after I met her and confronted her with her behavior, she denies everything, not that she denies to hide a fact, but denies sending off the wrong signals because to her, what she said, how and the words she used is deemed normal. She said “I’m not sending you any signals, this is the same way as I talk to my maid. You are thinking too much into this.”

And I told her straight, her own friend from her clique feels the same way, my friend who doesn’t even know her feels the same way, “Don’t tell me that we’re wrong to read your signs and you’re right, we ALL thought too much.”

That friend of ours, the one in her clique, said the most agreeable thing I’ve heard in 2010. “She’s just socially inept.”

I think she was actually a social outcast; even her clique was the socially outcast group of people. Ironically, her clique-mates developed into fine people.

You know what? I’ll tell you something even more ironic. I was interested in her in my early secondary school days.

If anything, it’s the fact that I was ever at a point interested in a social reject like her that should be the surprising thing. Fuck no. She’s not sweet. She’s not pretty. She’s not cute.

She’s obnoxious. Not disgusting or obscene, but obnoxious.

THANK GOD. Wait.

I don’t believe in gods. (grins) Fuck yeah.

(laughs)

On a serious note though, I told her straight to her face that she’s just that insensitive to act without knowing what her actions imply, and that the only reason why we (me, our fellow schoolmate and my internet friend) react was because she was acting out of character, behaving and talking in depression and self-pity.

Which she also denies, saying “I’m just looking for someone I can talk to, someone I can trust with my problems, that’s why I look for you.”

So I said, “Why me? And that’s besides the point, you’re not telling me you’re problems, you’re complaining and acting like you want me to solve your problems for you!”

And she replied, “No, I just want someone to listen. I complain to you, but you don’t need to do anything except listen.”

You’re talking about a socially-inept reject. She said that she had only 3 friends who she could confide in, and I was one of them.

The last chapter to close the story was that she eventually said to list out the problems we thought she had and she’ll clear it up with us, so I agreed and told her, to which she promptly dismissed and denied all except one, that she has self-esteem issues. I asked her why and her reply was, “Because out of the closest 3 friends whom I trust, all of them disappointed me until now I don’t dare to feel confident of myself.”

And I bluntly said to her face, “Well, why do you think it’s because of your friends? Maybe if you think about.it and take some damn responsibility, you might find out that it may not be a problem with them but you instead?

Maybe if you take a moment to think, maybe you should start doing something about yourself rather than just blame anything that happens to you on others causing them.

Maybe what you do is the reason why they act the way towards you. How about you stop pushing responsibility onto others and start taking them on instead?”

Have you ever done something to someone and realised that you’re not even sure why you did? I’ve crossed that line so many times, recently even, to a Secondary School mate of mine.

I don’t know why, maybe it was because I thought she was too self-pitying, or that she was weak, or that she simply didn’t want to do anything about her problems except announce and vent about them. I just felt like putting her down for it, so I did.

I have nothing to say to her. She needs to work her brains out before attempting to talk to me again.

When she told me “I don’t feel like talking anymore. I’m going home.” and walked off, I pretty much just turned my back to her, took out my earphones, blasted my Paramore and lit a cigg.

If the saying goes “His kingdom for his horse” it feels more like “Her World for her world” – if you get what I’m saying.

…So I did.

I’m amazed at how material like this can be found just by mere conversations. Praises to God!

LES VOIX 09

I’ve been busy preparing to perform with the NYP Voice Ensemble once again at their annual concert. This time round, it’s even more fun with Acappuccino guest performing and I’m directing the alumni ensemble, the VocaKakis.

What more, Acappuccino returns to their choral roots as we present 2 Latin-American pieces, plus 2 more from our landmark performances.

If you’re interested in attending the concert, feel free to drop us (Acappuccino) an email. For more details, feel free to visit the group’s site.

Perversity in Diversity : Forming The Choir

Fine. That was a very bad attempt at trying to sound intellectual.

Not that I really care, but the latter phrase still stands.

I’m still stifled by my interests to start up or perform with a chamber chorus. One that is, hopefully, on par with The Vocal Consort (Singapore).

Call me atas or whatever else, it’s just an interest that needs gratification. I need to sing somewhere where I can grow, and not constantly be pulled down by people who are self-beating or, aimless. I need a musical aim.

Though I failed at One (thanks to the common flu), but I’m still sure I can find a place.

Or maybe call me too much of a nice person, I can’t exactly say no to people who show interests. (Thus bursts my dream of a sight-singing session, with minimum plonking of notes.)

And of course, to work under the likes of Jennifer Tham (of Singapore Youth Choir Ensemble Singers fame) and Nelson Kwei (Victoria School/JC/Chorale and Vocal Consort), these are substantial enough to keep my passion fuelled constantly and helps me with my appreciation of the artform further.

The question here is, why not? Detractors are all over, and I know where I stand. I’m neither the worst nor the best, I have my ups and downs. It shouldn’t be a point to reject me just because I stand out being outspoken and all.

In each of us, lies a dream. I’m not being all child-like with these things said, but I’m still human afterall. Someone with a voice (hopefully to sing.)

Magic Songs

Magic Songs finally reached my house a few days ago and I’m now currently hunting for the recording of it.

Anyone can help?

Sing Out Loud!

The Singapore Men’s Chorus (directed by Jason Ong of Key Elements fame) rives up the audience with their concert series, this time… ON BROADWAY, singing showtunes and doing a musical mosaic to pertain to their theme (though the musical was about the differing relationships between men.)

And what is it about them that deserves a posting here? The fact that they’re not OOT (over-the-top), and sincere performers while also being entertaining.

For once also, I decided to deck myself in a less casual way, so as to really feel in the mood for a good concert (and not babysitting). Good thing I didn’t deck out in a full shirt and jacket get-up, just a t-shirt and a jacket.

The concert was heartfelt, and the funny moments when they boldly commit to the choreography and their faces. They really looked like they enjoyed being there, and I felt the same watching them (and thanking God, yet wondering why i am not one of them.)

The Singapore Men’s Chorus is on the constant lookout for males above 21 years old and able to hold a tune to join them for their musical exploits. Contact them at enquiries@singmc.org for more details!