3 Generations of Gadgets

Long before the ipod was invented, the Sony CD Walkman had served me for years (Of course there's the cassette walkman but I don't have it already):

(click images for a larger view)

The walkman was not considered 'bulky' then. Its this bulky housing called LaserLine. This box can hold 12 cd's, has a through for the earphone so it can be used while its closed, spare battery holder, and a rubber strap (already gone)...
The walkman is velcro-ed to the LaserLine so it doesn't move or shake while you're on the go.

Next to the walkman was the Sony MD-walkman that I dreamt having but never had it. Cost is one reason coz when you buy one, you also have to buy a midi component. When I came to Singapore, its this tiny radio receiver was very handy as I take bus more than train--the Sony Groove:

It become obsolete after 2yrs as I had to take the train more often, after shifting to another job. You won't get any radio signals in the subways here in SG. Furthermore, its difficult to get a consistent radio signal anywhere in SG due to the tall buildings and HDB houses. Finally, the Ipod Nano. Simple, compact, mp3 format, I-tunes software, podcasts...just right. So there they are, my 3 generations of gadgets (my take in history):Curious to see my favourite CD's? scroll down some more:

There are more, but these are my all-time favorites (my take in anti-piracy).

Wishing...

I wish they consider dropping by SG:

Details here!

Singapore Drumming Festival 2007

Jun 9 & 10, 2007

Suntec Convention Hall 601

Featuring:

Grant Collins

Benny Greb

Rodney Holmes

Jojo Mayer

NateMorton

Tony Royster Jr.

Luis Conte

Aaron Spears

Derek Roddy

The 1st Pinoy Newspaper in SG is here!

Here's the official website:

http://www.bagongpinoy.com.sg/index.html

Issues:

http://www.bagongpinoy.com.sg/bpissue1.html

http://www.bagongpinoy.com.sg/bpissue2.html

Article from UPAAS:

http://www.upaas.org/news-2006bagongpinoy.html

Latest MeshP Video, Tks Tsel70!

Tennis Serves 2005

Dug these clips taken 2yrs ago. I think it has changed drastically over the years. 'Hope I can take and post our latest service strokes for comparison. Stay tuned! And here are the rest:

Paul: Correct bending of the knees but tummy is hindering the bending of the back and shoulder's follow-through

Pat: Good high toss but ball need not be too far away coz there's a tendency to lean forward forcing a net ball (fault serve).

Jun: A very relaxed serve. The receiving end can relax too coz the ball is coming too slow with a predictable trajectory and bounce.

Goryo: This serve relies on shoulder power. No bending of the back, no bending of knees and only minimal follow through of the shoulder.

Reunion

My old cymbal case has arrived. Thanks to brother Marvin. He arrived yesterday for a holiday and brought the case along. Some rust on the metal handles are already showing up (this case is about 10yrs old). The foams inside had to be taken out as it's already turned crunchy. Hmm...won't be difficult to recondition this...

Only missing in the family is my big'o rock ride cymbal which is still on loan to brother Mark's friend (I wonder if the borrower still intends to return it. Its kinda sentimental, 'twas given to me as a graduation present). I should thank Celes too for bringing my cymbals here a year ago. Thanks dude, still owe you the extra pounds!It would be pretentious, to bring such a big case with humble cymbals in it in a gig. I might settle for platic bags still until bigger cymbals come into acquisitions. So for the sunday's gig it might just stay at home.

EK!

Dahon at Aposento '05

Watch my younger brother Mark play bass with his band Dahon. Their lady drummer's using my red musicmate drumkit (except for her own snare). The place is called Aposento Restaurant, at the base of Manhattan Square Condominium (one of Megaworld's project where me and my wife previously worked at, it was still under construction back then) in Makati. The place is restaurant by day and yuppies chillout bar at night. Bands needed to bring their own equipments, only the PA system is provided.

Part-2
Part-3

Chuck Mangione - Feels So Good

Work in progress...

See you all back tomorrow!

Wish we could have joined you but Eve's still recuperating and I'm rushing for deadlines. Anyways see you all back in SG tomorrow!

Photo Essay

The day has ended, I'll play again tomorrow.

Attack of the clones

Time to wake up...time for lunch

Who shrunk the donuts?

I thought only Big Macs and Quarter Pounders have shrunked over the years. 8yrs ago these donuts were double its current size: Thanks mom for granting Stefi's wishes! This time we didn't have to queue at Raffles City basement's donut shop. Dunkin's still the best!

Bamboo is back in OC Singapore!

Click here for details!

Have A Laff!

A New Paint Job?

The most sought after tennis racket in Singapore has been revamped with a paintjob. It even looks head-bigger than the previous "nCode six one tour" model. While Robert and Pat whine about it, we'll see tonight if this revamped look is still Fed-Ex's magic wand on his road to defend his crown at the Australian Open. The challenger--Andy Roddick.

Prior to AusOpen Andy's beaten Roger at the Kooyong Classic Invitation. Must be luck? Yes 'coz grandslam is just another story, and Fed-ex just won't loose on this. So in my opinion, this semi-final will be the end of the road for Andy. My prediction: Federer to meet Gonzales (who just beaten Nadal) in the finals.

MOSAIC 2007 PICKS!

In the world of sessionist jazz musicians, anyone who has session-played with Chik Corea is considered a class-performer. I have seen Akira Jimbo (former Chik drummer) and really marveled his skills. I'll do what it takes to find my way into this show.

It's a pity she's abandoned her 'cradle.' Barbie's Cradle songs were like Bamboo's with unconventional grooves. When I was in Manila back Nov 2005, the first time I heard a BC song was a rockin "feel-good for the drummer" song. I never thought a year after that I'd be sessioning with Launchbox and Backwater playing the song Independence Day. I felt good indeed. We'll see if her charisma alone will be good enough to pull off this acoustic gig. Will she rock? Let's find out...

James Daniel Is Born, 20th January 2007

What's that song on the radio?

Did it ever occured to you, in the middle of something at work the radio plays a catchy tune, then you started wondering what's the title and the artist? If only you knew it then it'd be easier to get it from your favorite online music store or download site? Here in Singapore, Class 95FM has a website feature where you can check every song's title/artist being aired. You have to be fast though because soon as the song stopped, the info's changed to the next song and there's no way to track it back. The next song in queue though is also posted. Cool ya dunchatink?

This afternoon one old song's catched my attention, 'Fastball - Out Of My Head.' Happy listening!

From Virtual to Reality

I feel priviledged to have worked with colleagues Bong and Quianling and WOHA Architects (the best arch'l firm in SG), on this. Here's just a mock-up model unit, abt 40% in progress:

Now here's my 3d rendition, about a year and a half ago:

Above image was also featured in Autodesk's website,(VMW - pdf, 192kb). Above is just one of the many marketing visuals created for www.alilahotels.com by VMW (Singapore's best Arch'l. Media Firm).

What Happened to the X-mas Tree?

The trees are gone for now, but those decor mirror balls have become a common desktop item in our office recently. Peeps in the 3d industry knows why, its a tool for creating HDRI images.

No tks, I don't need another mirror yet.

Tech Resource: Dig deeper and learn about creating HDRI's here, from the father of HDRI himself, Paul Debevec:

Daniel Libeskind in Singapore

Here's one 2006 project worth cherishing:

Iconic condo development promises to put Singapore waterfront living on world map
4 January to 15 January 2007

The Singapore Art Museum, in association with Keppel Land, will present an exhibition of architectural prints, renderings and drawings of the works of New York-based master architect, Daniel Libeskind.

other article/s here:
Keppel unveils spectacular seafront homes in architect Daniel Libeskind’s first Asian residential show piece

Pirelli Calendar

Does anyone still post calendar on their walls nowadays? Thanks to technology, gone are the year-ends where people beg for free calendar from their favourite stores. Most have access to computers, PDA's and mobile phones with built-in calendars to keep them organized. So who still needs printed calendars? I guess the good old desktop flip types will still be there but those wall mounted ones are already fading or maybe not in the countryside. One particular calendar that won't go obsolete for me is the Pirelli Calendar. What's interesting about this is not the calendar itself, but the images created from shear artistry in the field of photography. Its not literally about the 'calendar,' so to speak.

Here's a wiki entry if you wanna dig more:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirelli_Calendar

If you're not a VIP or corporate Pirelli customer, just go to this link (my compliment):
http://www.pirellical.com/thecal/calendar.html

Show Respect

I'm not a die hard blues fan but I admit I like 'some' of his songs.

Change The World - I think this is one of the songs that triggered the 'acoustic bands' rennaisance in Manila. When Side-A was just becoming popular, this was 'a must' song in all the gigs that I watched them.

Sunshine of Your Love - Remember Arnold Z's 'Last Action Hero?' That soundtrack was one of the most influencial tunes that inpired me to become a drummer, though I don't know who the dummer was hehe.

Would I spend $85-400 to watch his concert? Nah, I'd rather save it for a Joe Satriani gig. But when?

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

May the true meaning of Christmas fill our hearts as always and till many many years to come! Peace to all!

Thinking Of Home
24Nov06

when i think of home
i remember the goodtimes
and not a time being alone
how i wish i'm home

moments with my dear ones
funtimes with friends
if there's a chance i'll do it
will hop a flight back home

it feels good to think
my loved ones are waiting
what brings me here
is a pride on its own

surviving is one thing
but how far can one go
when you care for you loved ones
you don't think twice, you just go

when i think of home
i remember the good times
the best is all there is
just wait, for soon i'll be home

moments with my dear ones
funtimes with friends
i won't miss it when i get a chance
next thing you'll know, i'm already home

Time To Write Songs

A good sign that pinoy bands are here to make waves. The bands have agreed to produce a compilation album next year so everyone I guess are stressed up creating their originals. I'm kickstarting with two songs inspired by a new friend (Awit Ni Mikaela) and a girlfriend 10yrs ago (Her Name). These songs may not necessarily be shortlisted (either by MeshP or Mr. Brosnan?) so I'll just cross my fingers for now and write as many songs as possible.

AWIT NI MIKAELA
by G. Ordinario

gusto na kita ngunit parang me kulang pa
sa tagal ng panahong tayo'y naging magkaibigan
bakit kinailangan mong lumisan, mangibang bayan, ako'y iwan
sana'y magpropose ka na, isasagot ko 'i do' so please itanong mo na

__hindi man, di na rin ako aasa
__pagka't ako'y handa na
__hindi man, hwag nalang
__pagka't ang puso ko'y meron nang iba

minsan ay pinakilala mo ang iyong kaibigan
mabait sya, ngiti nya'y di naalis sa aking isipan
minsa'y busy ka at siya'y aking naabutan
sa starbucks nag-iisa ako'y inimbitahan

o ba't kay bilis naglaho ng pag ibig ko sinta
daig ko pa ang isang kisapmata
tulad mo, ngayon andito lang
subalit bukas ako'y iyong lilisan

gusto na kita ngunit parang me kulang pa
sa tagal ng panahong tayo'y naging magkaibigan
bakit kinailangan mong lumisan, mangibang bayan, ako'y iwan
sana'y magpropose ka na, isasagot ko 'i do' so please itanong mo na

__hindi man, di na rin ako aasa
__pagka't ako'y handa na
__hindi man, hwag nalang
__pagka't ang puso ko'y meron nang iba

di na ko aasa pang muli
kung ikaw ay babalik saka na lamang ngingiti



HER NAME
by G. Ordinario

10 years since we parted
Your face was drawn in my head
The girl who used to own my heart
Is a wallpaper in my mind once again

_I tried recalling her name
_But it was vague, its a shame
_The girl who used to own my heart
_Has a name that's now forgotten

All that is clear till now
were happy times and sweet moments
Scenes of caring, giving, loving
The hell, what's her name again?

Those days we were foolish
No worries, no other cares
Time went really fast and guess what
I still can't remember, fuck!

_I tried recalling her name
_But it was vague, its a shame
_The girl who used to own my heart
_Has a name that's now forgotten

__I knew she'll be in good hands
__And my future was unsure
__For sakes we had, we needed to
__Part ways, and never look back anymore
__It's a pact we had to endure
__Time's healed the wounds, I'm sure

Those days we were foolish
No worries, no other cares
Time went really so fast and guess what
I totally forgotten her name.

I realized theres another one saved in my palm, I wrote this song in the office today.

TAKE ME TO YOUR ROOM
by G. Ordinario

Take me to your room
Where true freedom lies
Let's break every rule
That hinders our destiny

_Any man that drinks your potion
_Receives a doze of affirmation
_A promise engraved in stone
_Doesn't mean you have to be alone

Entice me, despice me
Pour out your energies and hurt me
After you close your eyes
You will know the pain has died

__We are searching for truth
__Till then we'll realize
__Its not the forbidden fruit

A promise engraved in stone
Doesn't mean you have to be alone