As usual, after school every Monday, I went for the lesson at my piano teacher's house. Everything seemed normal until when I went inside the bungalow and started to put down my bag, I spotted from the corner of my eye, a rectangular shape of fur running towards me. Inevitably, it bumped into my feet and recoiled a little from the sudden halt. Then it stood on its hind legs and started prodding its nose at my legs, and next my feet; even my bag could not escape its inescapable snout. From a whole day of school, as well as a recent 10 minutes walk under the sun, my socks were definitely admittedly smelly. Yet that wasn't deterrence enough for that tough little fella.
Cut a long story short, my piano teacher's family got themselves a papillon puppy! Standing at a proud 30 cm, with a long silky black and white coat, a bushy tail that curves over its back, and ears shaped like the wings of a butterfly, I met 3 months old Noah. Will upload pictures next week! My phone ran out of battery. -_-"
While I walked the gauntlet up to the teaching room at the second floor, that little pipsqueak tailed behind my legs, sometimes, to my horror sneaking in between my moving legs. If it could think like me, it would most probably be saying "olé!" to itself. Multiple puppy horror moments later, the maid promptly appeared and carried it away.
The same thing happened after the lesson when I was about to leave. It smelled me coming, raised its head from its prone position like all dogs do when they sense something approaching, got up to its legs and tiptoed towards my position. My evasive maneuvers were no match for its superior strafing skills, and I was soon assaulted by its olfactory organ once more. Don't ask me what that means, check dictionary.com! That's where I get all these cool but weird words from.
Today's event brought back a lot of memories, to more than twelve years ago, when I entered the very same house, mini umbrella in hand poised and ready to strike on any delinquent canine. I heard a high pitched bark, and distinguished those menacing butterfly ears. Soon after, little Mozart came charging out of the door, circled yours truly, who was trying my utmost best effort to defend myself from the cage of its white and black blur. Well, at least that was all I recall.
I might reminisce that truly, time motivates the unseen finger to turn the pages of my version of the world's story, and every now and then, a new chapter begins. Even though mine has only begun 18 years ago, many things have happened, that up to date, still continue to amaze and touch me.
I witnessed Mozart, another papillon puppy from an earlier age, grow to become the hero guardian of the house it was. It, too, observed me grow into the big bulk that I am now. Well not exactly now, because it passed away roughly two years ago.
I can't explain the emotion that I'm feeling right now. It isn't really grief, nor is it nostalgia, but it still gives me teary eyes. Though other than breed, they are not really related, but still, in Noah's eyes, I see Mozart's ghostly visage. The past comes floating through my mind; youthful exuberance, crazy fantasies and Friday nights; shattered dreams, wounded hearts and broken toys.
I wonder where do such faithful pets go after they die. Would I see Mozart, Noah, Iggy or even Teddy many years from now? Nevertheless, I trust God's perfect plan. Once again, somehow seemingly unrelated events cause me to stand in awe of God.
It rains because time passes by, never to be seen again. Yet the sun shines, as time has been God's tool in molding me into what I am. Thus, there is a rainbow in my heart.
For the first time; ShiningBlade, signing off. God bless.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
2nd July 2008
Life is never easy. A lot of things to have to handle with, it's really taxing. Gotta juggle so many things, and sudden changes in our life are not easy to deal with. Indeed, as soon as I was born into this world; as soon as everyone is born into this world, hearts beat. It cannot stop for even a few minutes without putting lives in danger. This goes on and on, for years; maybe fifty, maybe sixty, maybe seventy. Could be much less, or much more. But as long as you live, your heart cannot rest, until the day you die; by then you would not even notice it stop. Life is never easy.
But then, God knew me before my heart started beating. Well, he knew me even before I was formed in my mother's womb. I dare admit that He knows me more than I know myself. He knows what I really need, not what I think I need. My life is changing everyday, every possible way. How God shapes me, it's just wonderful; indescribable. Even though I am still not perfect; I doubt I will ever be, it still inspires me how just one single classmate has changed so much and had been so willing to come to Christ. How humble he is, I must learn. So sincere and poor in spirit is he. Even though he has bad habits and must learn to be patient, and good-tempered I can see miracles happening everyday. Thank you God for such wonderful experiences.
Cranberries - Dreams
Oh my life is changing everyday
Every possible way
Though my dreams, it’s never quite as it seems
Never quite as it seems
I know I felt like this before
But now I’m feeling it even more
Because it came from you
Then I open up and see
The person fumbling here is me
A different way to be
I want more, impossible to ignore
Impossible to ignore
They’ll come true, impossible not to do
Impossible not to do
Now I tell you openly
You have my heart so don’t hurt me
For what I couldn’t find
Talk to me amazing mind
So understanding and so kind
You’re everything to me
Oh my life is changing everyday
Every possible way
Though my dreams, it’s never quite as it seems
’cause you’re a dream to me
Dream to me
You can download this song for free at http://www.paradise-engineering.com/quotation/dreams.html
It's really nice, recommend it.
But then, God knew me before my heart started beating. Well, he knew me even before I was formed in my mother's womb. I dare admit that He knows me more than I know myself. He knows what I really need, not what I think I need. My life is changing everyday, every possible way. How God shapes me, it's just wonderful; indescribable. Even though I am still not perfect; I doubt I will ever be, it still inspires me how just one single classmate has changed so much and had been so willing to come to Christ. How humble he is, I must learn. So sincere and poor in spirit is he. Even though he has bad habits and must learn to be patient, and good-tempered I can see miracles happening everyday. Thank you God for such wonderful experiences.
Cranberries - Dreams
Oh my life is changing everyday
Every possible way
Though my dreams, it’s never quite as it seems
Never quite as it seems
I know I felt like this before
But now I’m feeling it even more
Because it came from you
Then I open up and see
The person fumbling here is me
A different way to be
I want more, impossible to ignore
Impossible to ignore
They’ll come true, impossible not to do
Impossible not to do
Now I tell you openly
You have my heart so don’t hurt me
For what I couldn’t find
Talk to me amazing mind
So understanding and so kind
You’re everything to me
Oh my life is changing everyday
Every possible way
Though my dreams, it’s never quite as it seems
’cause you’re a dream to me
Dream to me
You can download this song for free at http://www.paradise-engineering.com/quotation/dreams.html
It's really nice, recommend it.
Friday, June 20, 2008
21 June 2008
I remember that a few days ago, I visited Isaac's house, straight after piano lesson. Being the wuss that I am, I was very straightforward in declaring my state of hunger, since I hadn't eaten breakfast, and lunchtime was almost over. My polar opposite in terms of noisiness, he very promptly fried a bowl of ham and eggs for me. I was took over by surprise, both by his hospitality and his culinary skills (okay, as well as the overwhelming portion of oil... Just kidding!). All in all, I didn't manage to achieve much in terms of tutoring Isaac. I guess I make a better comedian, but then I wouldn't do very well with such a career choice anyway. Isaac, what you really need now, is to put effort in. Read aloud, and refrain from excessive internet surfing. More specifically, anime. I believe you'll have all the time in the world to watch afterwards. At least until the start of tertiary education. =)
I personally hoped that he would be able to join us for the retreat/camp on next Friday though. It really rocks to be able to have friends who stay true with you even after ending education. Close friends, with whom I can talk about, more than the best skills to use in DoTA or Company of Heroes, more than what to do or where to go after class or CCA, more than the chio bu sitting opposite the classroom (XD).
But of course, such a fellowship isn't always peaceful and smooth. True, our planet is prone to natural disasters, but in my opinion, EVERYTHING that is on this world is afflicted with "earth"-quakes and tsunamis. Electrical devices, schoolwork, politics, marriage, etc. So this is where prayer comes in.
My friends, I beseech you once more. Pray for me. I don't want to leave a bad influence on others. I don't want to be insincere. I don't want to be the cause of heated arguments. I want to be a better ambassador of Christ in my school, and that I would not feel pressurized and discouraged when pre-believers mock me. This vessel of mine wants to be a servant to the only person who sees clearly all the sides of me, not just the good, nor just the bad, but the wretched and broken side of me.
There are so many prayer meetings globally that many of us would know the power of prayer. That doesn't mean that when more people pray, there would be more favor/power/mana to ensure success of the prayer. What I'm convicted in, however, is that whenever I pray for others, whenever I join in such prayer meetings, my faith is strengthened. Praying for others does not set me apart from the rest; it keeps me humble, helps me feel significant, and influences me to rely more on Him. So, my brothers and sisters, would you pray with me?
My life may be shaken by storms, and the boat we travel in may be shaken by the devil, but I'm so glad I have Him in my life, and He uses weak people like me to be glorified and show his omnipotence in creating order from chaos. And I just wanted to remind you; you have God in your life too! With Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
11th June 2008
I'm thinking of an idea to write a song for my assignment. But I am in a loss here. Maybe I need inspiration. So, I wanted to compose a song with the title of "Let the Healing Begin", but found out that the title was already taken up. So maybe I will name it "Let it Regenerate". Lyrics? I need help. Let's see...
Verse 1
I'll dwell no longer in this ward of mine
The bill's too high for my folks
It'll be his birthday 'fore the week is past
When I am gone, will he love me too
Verse 2
All he asked was a world without strife
He saw refugee camps, hostile guards and rats
An altar call to be a human bomb
The news reported, "Children killed in suicide attack"
Pre-chorus 1
Why, O Lord, do you stand far away
Why do you hide in our times of dismay
Chorus 1
Have we alienated from ourselves
Diverted one another
It's time to stop our running
Let it Regenerate
Bridge
The Being that can act and do
The Song that beautifies all things
The Hand that picks everyone off from the floor
And has the strength to carry all
Pre-chorus 2
What must I do, to renew our broken hearts
What can we do, to bring hope to this fallen land
Chorus 2
Have we alienated from ourselves
Diverted one another
It's time to face all our fears
Let it Regenerate
Hear my call, my brother
I need you here by my side
Hear my call, my sister
We're not in this alone
My first verse saw it's inspiration from a note left over by a married female who was 59 years of age. She stayed in hospital for more than two months and her condition was worsening despite of expensive treatment. She committed suicide days before his husband's birthday. (http://www.well.com/~art/suicidenotes.html)
My second verse was from from a poem I once read by Richard Macwilliam which talked about how the media always depicts terrorists as pure bad guys, but does not reveal their side of the story; of how the strong shows the weak no generosity other than in being more significant.
The first pre-chorus can be found in Psalms 10:1 by King David. He cries out because of all the wickedness and arrogance present in the world, yet understands that the time is not yet right for judgment to be passed.
The chorus was from a Crossroads meeting (part of my CCA) I went, and the speaker reasoned and logically deduced how we've alienated from nature, from one another, and ourselves.
The bridge was formed in awe and wonder of God, though his actions and "passivity" are beyond our understanding, never fails to deliver in the end.
The second pre-chorus was born from the need of so many people around the world, and the sudden realization of how insignificant I am.
The final part comes from a phrase I always keep inside my heart. "If He carried the weight of the world upon his shoulder, I know, my brother, that He will carry you; if He carried the weight
of the world upon his shoulder, I know, my sister, that He will carry you."
Argh. Hopefully this song can be accepted for the assignment. Argh. So long a song. Tune or comments, anyone?
Verse 1
I'll dwell no longer in this ward of mine
The bill's too high for my folks
It'll be his birthday 'fore the week is past
When I am gone, will he love me too
Verse 2
All he asked was a world without strife
He saw refugee camps, hostile guards and rats
An altar call to be a human bomb
The news reported, "Children killed in suicide attack"
Pre-chorus 1
Why, O Lord, do you stand far away
Why do you hide in our times of dismay
Chorus 1
Have we alienated from ourselves
Diverted one another
It's time to stop our running
Let it Regenerate
Bridge
The Being that can act and do
The Song that beautifies all things
The Hand that picks everyone off from the floor
And has the strength to carry all
Pre-chorus 2
What must I do, to renew our broken hearts
What can we do, to bring hope to this fallen land
Chorus 2
Have we alienated from ourselves
Diverted one another
It's time to face all our fears
Let it Regenerate
Hear my call, my brother
I need you here by my side
Hear my call, my sister
We're not in this alone
My first verse saw it's inspiration from a note left over by a married female who was 59 years of age. She stayed in hospital for more than two months and her condition was worsening despite of expensive treatment. She committed suicide days before his husband's birthday. (http://www.well.com/~art/suicidenotes.html)
My second verse was from from a poem I once read by Richard Macwilliam which talked about how the media always depicts terrorists as pure bad guys, but does not reveal their side of the story; of how the strong shows the weak no generosity other than in being more significant.
The first pre-chorus can be found in Psalms 10:1 by King David. He cries out because of all the wickedness and arrogance present in the world, yet understands that the time is not yet right for judgment to be passed.
The chorus was from a Crossroads meeting (part of my CCA) I went, and the speaker reasoned and logically deduced how we've alienated from nature, from one another, and ourselves.
The bridge was formed in awe and wonder of God, though his actions and "passivity" are beyond our understanding, never fails to deliver in the end.
The second pre-chorus was born from the need of so many people around the world, and the sudden realization of how insignificant I am.
The final part comes from a phrase I always keep inside my heart. "If He carried the weight of the world upon his shoulder, I know, my brother, that He will carry you; if He carried the weight
of the world upon his shoulder, I know, my sister, that He will carry you."
Argh. Hopefully this song can be accepted for the assignment. Argh. So long a song. Tune or comments, anyone?
Monday, June 9, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
4th June 2008
I listened to a story that talked about a guy operating a bridge over a river in Pennsylvania; whose job was to raise the bridge when a ship wanted to cross, and lower the bridge if a train was approaching to get to the other side. One day, he brought his grandson to his workplace, so that the little guy could observe his grandfather's workplace. However, unbeknownst to them, the last train scheduled for that day was to be late. As they waited for the train to approach, the grandson insisted on fishing from the superstructure of the bridge. After repeated requests, the grandfather finally allowed his son to go; provided that he stay within his sight. When the train finally came, the grandfather activated the mechanism to lower the bridge, but lost sight of the boy. Much later, he saw his grandson's baggy overalls caught in the gear assembly that elevated the bridge. By then, it was too late to stop the lowering bridge without causing the train to fall into the river. Left without a choice, he saw his grandson crushed to death before the train passed over the river. Back then, those people were not aware of the sacrifice the bridge operator had done to allow them to live.
The full story can be read in http://www.thesonsetrefuge.org/Newsletters/Newsletter%203.pdf
At the section; A God of Sacrifice.
For someone who sacrificed his own grandson to save the lives of people he didn't know; it isn't easy. It's touching, but ultimately it makes us think.
So, i just want to pray to God for all the things that I've been through.
Lord, we need your grace and mercy
We need to pray like never before
We need the power of your Holy Spirit
To open heaven's door
Lord, we humbly come before you
We don't deserve of you what we ask
But we yearn to see your glory
Restore this dying land
Spirit touch your church, stir the hearts of men
Revive us, Lord, with your passion once again
I want to care for others like Jesus cares for me
Let your rain fall upon me,
Let your rain fall upon me
The full story can be read in http://www.thesonsetrefuge.org/Newsletters/Newsletter%203.pdf
At the section; A God of Sacrifice.
For someone who sacrificed his own grandson to save the lives of people he didn't know; it isn't easy. It's touching, but ultimately it makes us think.
So, i just want to pray to God for all the things that I've been through.
Lord, we need your grace and mercy
We need to pray like never before
We need the power of your Holy Spirit
To open heaven's door
Lord, we humbly come before you
We don't deserve of you what we ask
But we yearn to see your glory
Restore this dying land
Spirit touch your church, stir the hearts of men
Revive us, Lord, with your passion once again
I want to care for others like Jesus cares for me
Let your rain fall upon me,
Let your rain fall upon me
Thursday, May 22, 2008
22nd May 2008
You see, one of my friends in my class also started learning guitar not too long ago. Then he was trying play a D minor chord. Yup, even though it looks easy, it stretched the fingers and causes quite a lot of strain.
The top string, the highest sounding note, is normally tuned to play an E note during an open string state. Hence, it is commonly referred to as an "E-string". However, some girl in my class had a bad habit of mistakenly calling it a "G-string". I have no idea why, but I guess that the G chord is one of the easiest to play, and during that chord, the top string plays a G note.
Anyway, the above mentioned guy (he's a very good friend of mine, and was sitting next to me) seemed to have strained both his fingers and the strings, the top string snapped off with a resounding "twang" in the middle of class. Because that girl was sitting on next to the other side of him, and was observing him struggling, she knew what happened. So when the whole class was startled, she announced out loudly across the entire room.
"He broke a G-string while fingering a minor!"
The top string, the highest sounding note, is normally tuned to play an E note during an open string state. Hence, it is commonly referred to as an "E-string". However, some girl in my class had a bad habit of mistakenly calling it a "G-string". I have no idea why, but I guess that the G chord is one of the easiest to play, and during that chord, the top string plays a G note.
Anyway, the above mentioned guy (he's a very good friend of mine, and was sitting next to me) seemed to have strained both his fingers and the strings, the top string snapped off with a resounding "twang" in the middle of class. Because that girl was sitting on next to the other side of him, and was observing him struggling, she knew what happened. So when the whole class was startled, she announced out loudly across the entire room.
"He broke a G-string while fingering a minor!"
Friday, May 16, 2008
16th May 2008
Dots once again went gym with Jony, Mett and Ming. This time the cousins brought along a friend, Joey. Expended all my energy running 3.4km in exactly 20 minutes; both meters reached showed those values within a fraction of a second. Still trying hard to make Emmett run. Wow, Jonathan's really strong. Then went Hougang Mall to eat. Why not coffee shop? Cheaper lehx. I no money liao, still need to pay $8 for someone's birthday gift... Not that I'm against it, but all these money issues always seem to have impeccable timing and occur simultaneously! Well, it's for a good cause, though. =)
I came down from the steps, lifted my head, and I saw her. She smiled at me, and I smiled at her. I was too surprised to do anything. I walked past her. And that's it. It's already been quite a while, I wonder whether your feelings are still there? Should I continue to wait on or leave for someone else?
I came down from the steps, lifted my head, and I saw her. She smiled at me, and I smiled at her. I was too surprised to do anything. I walked past her. And that's it. It's already been quite a while, I wonder whether your feelings are still there? Should I continue to wait on or leave for someone else?
Thursday, May 8, 2008
8th May 2008
The practice on 24th April went okay. We chose this Chinese song, with two vocalists, one clarinet and one keyboard for tomorrow's performance. I still remember, I used this little keyboard, plugged in to an amplifier. I'll admit it wasn't the best of equipment, but I've always been in much worse situations. Well, ya gotta make do with what ya got. So, the practice went smoothly, and after the practice, we had a little discussion where everyone voiced out their views, and suggested areas of improvement.
Well, today we had a "rehearsal" on the actual venue, the Moberly Amphitheater. Well, it's the second time I'm performing on that place, but I clearly don't remember the setting up of equipment taking two whole hours. It's just two keyboards, three mikes at most, one drum set which had two overhead mikes, two guitars, one bass and their amps. 2 hours; 120 minutes; 7200 seconds. Maybe it's the weather, or I suppose I was in a hurry for Campus Crusade's Vision Tea meeting, where me and David were in the worship team. That went smoothly, I might add. But anyway, for some reason that I also don't know, my group got to go inside Moberly Jamming studio and we polished on the vocalist's harmonics.
I think most people notice that when I play that light hearted Chinese song 发现爱, I tend to bounce my hands, so-called just bang random notes on the keyboard. While, most of the time. Yes, I understand that it's a bad habit, and that I shouldn't do it, but I can't help but just doing so like some beginner keyboardist, since the vocalists tend to give quite an eye treat. One male and one female, for the curious. I admit I'm wrong for taking this performance too light heartedly. But then, one of my seniors, a graduate was listening to us play. I had no problem with that, but after rehearsing once, and he definitely noted me play, because he left his seat and stood next to me, he made a few intriguing remarks.
"Are you self taught?"
"Nope."
"Are you classically trained?"
"Yup."
"I suppose you were classically trained by a teacher quite some time ago. Anyway, you tend to hold the sustain pedal until the end of the bar, which is alright, but if you play a wrong note, there would be dissonance."
"Okay."
"You should also look at the others when you are playing."
"No problem."
"Anyway, your technique is wrong."
"Hmm... Okay."
Fact is, I'm classically trained, and I still take piano lessons from my piano teacher and get her valuable guidance, mentoring and advice once per week in her house in Siglap, near Kembangan every Monday. Since playing the main accompaniment in the Angklung Ensemble during Primary 4, I've been trained to look at conductors or other members, even horizontally by using my peripheral vision. The reason I was able to hold down the pedal even during the most of the changing of chords was because there was no wrong note. Not that I could hear any, and many of those those chords fit together to form 9th or suspended chords, like C and G makes C9, used abundant in these "in the air" and romantic melodies, so no need to change the pedal prematurely. Yes, my technique for that song is wrong. Even 6 year olds can tell that playing with only my index finger (in some parts) and waving my arms with fingers straight as though I'm splashing water on a strangely dry pool that happened to have black and white keys, and very frequently releasing the keys instantly and using the sustain pedal to hold the notes are not quite professional ways of playing a keyboard.
I have performed enough times, be it in churches (children's/youth's/senior citizen's/main service/overseas etc), school events, posh concert halls full of paying adult audiences, music school's anniversary celebrations, simple gatherings in quite a few people's houses with derelict pianos where I had to play G, C and F# to get a chord sounding like C chord 2nd inversion. I've also accompanied choirs, played in bands, got last minute event fillers in between stage items, got dragged into pianos during dinner time and given song requests, title after title. If the person's unlucky, he's gotta hum or sing me the tune before I know what song he or she wants. Well, I can say that there are an abundance of very good musicians not just globally, but even in Singapore. And all that playing of the piano for more than 12 years has at least taught me not to declare out loud and after the performance the deficiencies of a musician not in your group or under your teaching, much less if it's only the first time.
Okay, maybe I'm going a little hard on this poor guy; I assume he only meant well. Ya, but we humans tend to remember only the bad stuff others say. But today was a great wake up call, reminding me of the need to be humble, and to stay focused in whatever I do. Of course, I'm the one to blame for my own inner strife. This event was not too bad, but many times in reality, the truth hurts, but then, the truth alone can't do much. What would really help would be the truth accompanied by love.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
"Oh ya, and one last thing."
"Aha?"
"I like the way you just anyhow hit the keyboard, but you still sound alright and in sync with the others!"
=)
Well, today we had a "rehearsal" on the actual venue, the Moberly Amphitheater. Well, it's the second time I'm performing on that place, but I clearly don't remember the setting up of equipment taking two whole hours. It's just two keyboards, three mikes at most, one drum set which had two overhead mikes, two guitars, one bass and their amps. 2 hours; 120 minutes; 7200 seconds. Maybe it's the weather, or I suppose I was in a hurry for Campus Crusade's Vision Tea meeting, where me and David were in the worship team. That went smoothly, I might add. But anyway, for some reason that I also don't know, my group got to go inside Moberly Jamming studio and we polished on the vocalist's harmonics.
I think most people notice that when I play that light hearted Chinese song 发现爱, I tend to bounce my hands, so-called just bang random notes on the keyboard. While, most of the time. Yes, I understand that it's a bad habit, and that I shouldn't do it, but I can't help but just doing so like some beginner keyboardist, since the vocalists tend to give quite an eye treat. One male and one female, for the curious. I admit I'm wrong for taking this performance too light heartedly. But then, one of my seniors, a graduate was listening to us play. I had no problem with that, but after rehearsing once, and he definitely noted me play, because he left his seat and stood next to me, he made a few intriguing remarks.
"Are you self taught?"
"Nope."
"Are you classically trained?"
"Yup."
"I suppose you were classically trained by a teacher quite some time ago. Anyway, you tend to hold the sustain pedal until the end of the bar, which is alright, but if you play a wrong note, there would be dissonance."
"Okay."
"You should also look at the others when you are playing."
"No problem."
"Anyway, your technique is wrong."
"Hmm... Okay."
Fact is, I'm classically trained, and I still take piano lessons from my piano teacher and get her valuable guidance, mentoring and advice once per week in her house in Siglap, near Kembangan every Monday. Since playing the main accompaniment in the Angklung Ensemble during Primary 4, I've been trained to look at conductors or other members, even horizontally by using my peripheral vision. The reason I was able to hold down the pedal even during the most of the changing of chords was because there was no wrong note. Not that I could hear any, and many of those those chords fit together to form 9th or suspended chords, like C and G makes C9, used abundant in these "in the air" and romantic melodies, so no need to change the pedal prematurely. Yes, my technique for that song is wrong. Even 6 year olds can tell that playing with only my index finger (in some parts) and waving my arms with fingers straight as though I'm splashing water on a strangely dry pool that happened to have black and white keys, and very frequently releasing the keys instantly and using the sustain pedal to hold the notes are not quite professional ways of playing a keyboard.
I have performed enough times, be it in churches (children's/youth's/senior citizen's/main service/overseas etc), school events, posh concert halls full of paying adult audiences, music school's anniversary celebrations, simple gatherings in quite a few people's houses with derelict pianos where I had to play G, C and F# to get a chord sounding like C chord 2nd inversion. I've also accompanied choirs, played in bands, got last minute event fillers in between stage items, got dragged into pianos during dinner time and given song requests, title after title. If the person's unlucky, he's gotta hum or sing me the tune before I know what song he or she wants. Well, I can say that there are an abundance of very good musicians not just globally, but even in Singapore. And all that playing of the piano for more than 12 years has at least taught me not to declare out loud and after the performance the deficiencies of a musician not in your group or under your teaching, much less if it's only the first time.
Okay, maybe I'm going a little hard on this poor guy; I assume he only meant well. Ya, but we humans tend to remember only the bad stuff others say. But today was a great wake up call, reminding me of the need to be humble, and to stay focused in whatever I do. Of course, I'm the one to blame for my own inner strife. This event was not too bad, but many times in reality, the truth hurts, but then, the truth alone can't do much. What would really help would be the truth accompanied by love.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
"Oh ya, and one last thing."
"Aha?"
"I like the way you just anyhow hit the keyboard, but you still sound alright and in sync with the others!"
=)
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
6th May 2008
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters. Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart. Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters. Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart. Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
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