A Cookie's Life

Warning: This is mostly a crappy blog. Crappers and crap-accepting folks alike: Welcome! To all others: Warning. Danger! Keep Out! Read On At Your Own Risk! The author shall by no means be liable for any damage caused directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly as a result of the reading of the contents of this blog.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

...on the 25th Feb 2008...

Consider the following scenarios:

[In a court room on the 25th Feb 1999]

Judge: Mr He-That-Doesn't-Need-To-Be-Named (HTDNTBN), you are hereby accused of A-Certain-Activity-That-Need-Not-Be-Named (ACATNNBN) that took place on the 25th of February, 1998. Do you plead guilty?

Mr HTDNTBN (sobbing): Yes I do your honour.

Judge: Since the accused has readily pleaded guilty, I shall now proclaim Mr HTDNTBN guilty of ACATNNBN and hereby sentence him to a lighter sentence of 1 year in prison and two strokes of the cane.

Mr HTDNTBN: Noooooo!!! Not the cane... =\

[In a court room on the 25th Feb 2001]
Mr HTDNTBN (looking confused): Hey, why am I called here? I did nothing wrong.

Judge: According to the data that I have, you are hereby accused of ACATNNBN, on the 25th of February, 1998. Do you plead guilty?

Mr HTDNTBN: Hey, although I was guilty, I have already served my term!!! Why am I tried for the same crime?

Judge: I acknowledge that your term have been served. But since you yourself have said that you were guilty of that crime, I shall hereby pronounce you guilty. As you have confessed your crimes, you will be given a lighter sentence of 1 year in prison and two strokes of the cane.

Mr HTDNTBN: NOOOOOO!!! Just what on earth is happening???!!! Let me go...!!!

[Mr HTDNTBN is then dragged away by the guards off to prison as his pleas fade out at the background...]

[In a court room on the 25th Feb 2003]

Mr HTDNTBN: Oh no, this can't be happening again?

Judge: You are hereby accused of ACATNNBN, during the 25th of February, 1998. Do you plead guilty or not?

Mr HTDNTBN: What are you talking about? Let me out of here!!!

Judge: Silence! You will answer me Mr HTDNTBN, or I shall have you punished for having contempt for the court during the hearing.

Mr HTDNTBN: What have I done? I'm not supposed to be here again!!! What are you cops doing dragging me here again and again?

Judge: Are you trying to feign innocence? I advise you to plead guilty if you are, for it will go better with you and your sentence.

Mr HTDNTBN: I've already served my sentence, and twice!!! LET ME OUT OF HERE!!! I'll NOT be declared guilty again!!!

Judge: As the evidence for this crime clearly testifies that Mr HTDNTBN is clearly the culprit, on top of that fact that he's making a scene in the courtroom and has no respect for this hearing, I shall hereby sentence him to two years in prison and that he be given 6 strokes of the cane.

Mr HTDNTBN: ARRRRGH!!! NOOOOO!!!!!! (Mr HTDNTBN faints in shock and exasperation and is being helped out of the courtroom by the guards)...

[In a court room on the 25th Feb 2006]

Mr HTDNTBN (to the guards): Hey, let go of me! Take off these handcuffs!

Judge: On the 25th of February, 1998, the accused, Mr HTDNTBN, was arrested and charged with ACATNNBN. Now, Mr HTDNTBN, do you plead guilty?

Mr HTDNTBN: Stop it, I beg you... give me my freedom!!! I've already served my sentence. Why do you treat me unjustly?

Judge: What are you trying to say? We belong to a fair system. We only punish criminals for what they deserve. Just what do you mean by unjust? You will remain calm and give me your answer. Do you plead guil...

Mr HTDNTBN (interrupting): No I don't! I've already served my sentence. I DON'T!!! Let me go!!!

Judge: As the evidence before us is clear that Mr HTDNTBN was the sole perpetuator of this heinous crime that took place on the 25th of February, 1998, I shall hereby pronounce Mr HTDNTBN guilty of ACATNNBN and sentenced to 1.5 years in prison and given 3 strokes of the cane. You are a foolish man, HTDNTBN. If you had pleaded guilty, the sentence would have been lighter for you.

Mr HTDNTBN: NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

[In a court room on the 25th Feb 2006]

Well, you know the rest of the story... =)

Thought: Hmmm, if anyone could identify with the above, welcome to my world! =) And smile! You're definitely not alone =)

posted by Glass Cookie @ 6:49 PM  0 comments



Sunday, February 24, 2008

Quirky Spottings Spotted...

Hmmm, considering that it has been quite some time since I updated my blog, I guess it's time (hmmm, sounds duh) this post came about. And yup, once again, in a seemingly uninteresting island called singapore, interesting quirks could be found all over the place...

Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps...

Somehow, I couldn't help but notice this set of railings while on my way back from quasi-work (ie. industrial attachment). Hmmm, obviously the person who chose this particular colour for the railings want people to notice it. But why the attention-seeking colour? Perhaps someone couldn't notice the railings of the previous shade of green because it had a camouflage effect and complained that there were no railings in the forum? Perhaps someone was running/cycling and didn't see the railings because of the above-mentioned reason and lost a tooth? Perhaps it was merely an attention-seeking planner who wanted to attract more people to this area to up the sales of flats? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps...

Morbid Biz
Well, I'm not too sure if anyone noticed this one though, but... but... you know... based on the kind of business that's going on around here, it can get kinda ugly especially if the kiddo's not well secured by hand, considering that the business model requires some ten kiddos to... (ie. Ha*g 10 kids)

Chapalang Repair
Take a look at this particular seat. Do you remember taking the bus service with seats being either fully striped or fully plain in colour? Well, this unique has actually two of the different sets in one. Perhaps it was in a moment of desperation that they had no choice but to rip off the backing from another chair from some decommissioned bus? Perhaps it was in the midst of a seat upgrade and somehow the project was halted? Whatever the case, it is definitely a wise method of cost-reduction =)

Chapalang Sale
If you remember shopping at supermarkets, I'm sure you would remember the items being grouped similarly. But hmmm, somehow canned food, insecticide, cooking oil and pet care is linked? Aha, I got it!!! Yup, yup, this must be it. You see: Buying canned foods and stocking them in cupboards might well attract pests like ants and cockroaches, especially if the storage is the kitchen considering that it's a nice dark place that's conducive for them to lodge in. So, you'll need insecticide to handle them. But if you happen to have pets at home and somehow they chance upon the semi-fitting/semi-hyperventilating/semi-dead insect scurrying all over the place after being poisoned, it might well be eaten up by the poor animal. And this is so especially for that dumb terrapin that I used to have (sigh, the da wu gui is gone now). And in such circumstances, that dumb animal might start to feel unwell and hence the need for pet care =) As for the cooking oil, should all fail in the arena of pet care, you know, just maybe...

It's Dark...
The advertisement of a skylight abalone could be seen from afar as it shines brightly in the midst of a dark night, befitting of its branding. But... from the looks of it, or at least for this advertisement, maybe it should have ventured into the electrical lighting industry rather than the food industry, because, well... it really looks like a pile of something that you would expect at the pipe entrance of a sewage plant rather than what someone would call a delicacy. And should that kind of stuff go down your throat, who knows? It might end up as the darkest nights of your life regardless of the branding and it's respective image that it tried to portray earlier on. Hmmm... or perhaps precisely because it looks that disturbing, it has to be an acquired taste and hence a delicacy. Well, as for me, I think I'll pass and not take my chances, and simply settle for simpler food which are in abundance =)
Thought: It's a quirky world after all...

posted by Glass Cookie @ 9:26 PM  0 comments



List Of My All-Time Big Stunts In M&D

30 Jul 2006 - When Silence Is Golden 2
It's funny how history repeats itself in a different form. This time, I minimised the volume of the keyboard to zero to try out a new song "I believe in miracles". And for yet (again, miraculously, ironically) another bizarre reason that I know not of, I actually turned the volume up WITHOUT knowing - and CONTINUED practising. Somehow the amplifiers were turned off by the sound guys (probably a safety measure against stuntmen like me?) until they could finally silence it no more and suddenly, out of the nowhere (oh, sorry, that would be the keyboard) came a loud note that penetrated the silence. I jerked in shock (very obviously). And yes, once again it's during the announcement time when silence is definitely golden.



04 Jun 2006 - Time and Congregation Waits For No Man
It was another faithful day in church, playing the keyboard for morning service, 9 and 11 a.m. After the 2nd service praise & worship session, it so happened that no one else could make it for the closing song. Well, since I was pretty free, I was asked to play it. So, I went down, charted out the chords, practised the piece in the tabernacle. On my way up the stairs, the first thought in my mind was: "Hey, it's so crowded. I need to get up the stairs. Now, how do I queeeeeze my way through?". The second thought in my mind was: "Hey, why is there a crowd coming down at this time? ... ... ... NOOOOOO!!!!!!" Man, time passes fast when you're practising the piano in church, and painstakingly slowly when it comes to exam pieces.



[No date] When Silence Is Golden
It was during the announcement, when pastor was giving out announcements before the offering song. Silence was observed as the pastor spoke. I retracted my hand from the score folder beyond the keyboard. For some amazing reason, my hand retraction path headed for the keys of the keyboard. And since the word 'fast' to describe the retraction rate was an understatement (for yet another reason I know not of)... you know the rest of the story.



[No Date] When Silence Is... Anything But Golden
Hmmm... once the amplifier on my side was switched off for some reason during praise & worship. And for some other reason that I know not of, I thought that the keyboard sound couldn't be heard. So, I tried pressing some keys. Didn't hear anything - drums were too loud. I proceeded to bang some keys repeatedly until... hmmm... I thought I heard something. Oh oh... ONLY my amplifier was turned off. (Note: Instrument: Brass sect 1, volume - max.)




List Of Other Small Stunts/Experiences In M&D

Fastest Fingers First
As a keyboardist, one usually comes into contact with different instruments within the same piece. It usually varies from strings, brass, violin to organ sounds. The funny thing is that sometimes, it is possible that your mind suddenly goes blank, and when the next instrument is required, I go "Oh no, what's the number combination for brass???!!! Wait wait wait wait...". And as usual, time and tide waits for no man. No. More accurately, a drummer waits for no number-fumbling keyboardist. Yea, that's the description man. Solution (ok, this is not a solution but an undesired consequence): Play a brass part with strings, or an organ part with brass, or none at all.



Cold Fingers
Usually, the atmosphere in the sanctuary is very cold to me. Sometimes, the atmosphere in the sanctuary is deep-freeze cold. Under cold or colder conditions, the fingers may or will harden and lose its dexterity. Then again, stuff could still be played, however stiff the fingers may be (with diminishing quality). Solution? Rub them while resting, or else, take off one playing hand and rub it vigorously without catching too much attention. I mean, what else can i do? I remove both hands when I need them ON they keyboard!!! Oh, I missed out that hand-clapping would be a sure kill to whatever heat you may have desperately tried to generate.



Record Breaker
Well, each week CD-RWs and envelopes used to contain the scores passed to musicians would be recycled. They are returned back to the musician's basket in the metal cabinet so that they can be used again. Of course, each time a person would return his/her envelope and CD used the previous week. Well, just somewhere in the 3rd week of June 2006 I returned a record holding of (prehaps of all-time in Lighthouse Evangelism's 16 years of establishment) of 9 envelopes with 3 missing somewhere at home. Oh well, you can't really blame me cause for the first time in my life, I saw the word "envelope" in the sms reminder about recycling. Or at least I would like to think so, about my first time noticing that word (fingers crossed).



Stubborn Pedal
Do you have any idea what it is like to have a pedal refusing to budge when moved with your feet, only to exceed its ideal position when you decide to set your adjusting strength to "brutal level". At that kind of rate, it just never gets to the position that you want it to be. Last resort: Bend down and move it with your hand just before the drummer starts his 4-beat intro to the next song.



Moving Pedal
Amazingly, although the pedal refuses to budge when you want it to, somehow it also refuses to stay in the spot when you want it to. And the more you pedal, the further it gets away from you no matter how you position your foot. And in extreme cases you may find yourself almost starting to slouch or slip from your seat, not that the keyboardist seat is any immobile than the pedal to begin with. Solution: Try to kick it back (this is the time when the above experience suddenly comes in again). Just what's with the pedal, I wonder?



Confession...
Take a look at the following score:

=)

Well, since strings sound somewhat soft, and somewhat muffled such that demisemiquavers are not to distinct, and considering it does take up time and there are 5 other pieces to go, and considering this is but 2 bars in a 100 bar piece, and considering blah blah blah... sometimes I play just a note. (OK, most of the time, happy?) Hey, I'm not the only keyboardist around guilty right? Someone tell me I'm not the only one... pleeeese....



Lame Invention List + Misc

Inventions
- Metal-coated tea bag to help with the sinking (Edmund Lum)

- Sound-powered telephone (Edmund Lum)

- Sound-powered telephone (Edmund Lum)

- Plug-in phones for plugging into a payphone to call - unable to recieve call. However, 10 cents will still be needed and you pay your monthly phone bills as usual (Edmund Lum)

- A clean dirt-free rubbish chute (Edmund Lum)

- A touchpad keyboard similar to the touchpad on a laptop, with letters on it (Edmund Lum)

- USB-portable touchpad (Edmund Lum)

- A square CD for better storage (Edmund Lum)

- Battery-powered book (Edmund Lum)

- Disposable dustbins (Edmund Lum)

- A "short circuit" switch that help save electricity when there is nobody at home (Edmund Lum)

- A white/black highlighter (Edmund Lum)

- Safety deposit box made of pure diamond for hardness. It is transparent to allow better visual of objects within it (Edmund Lum)

- An optic mouse combined with a decorated ball placed inside like an old-school mouse to allow any surface usage (Edmund Lum)

- DIY handphone to cut cost (Edmund Lum)

- A plastic knife - no rusting and it is lighter (Edmund Lum)

- Quick dry glue, only 0.2 sec of dry time (Edmund Lum)

- Doorless toliet for faster access (Edmund Lum)

- A pen with wider pen hole to prevent that all-time infamous ink jam (Edmund Lum)

- A 5-mm thick paper to prevent paper cut (Edmund Lum)

- Water-proof toilet paper to prevent wetting the entire roll when dropped on a wet floor, or easy breakage (Edmund Lum)

- A thermal panel powered heater (Edmund Lum)

- A faq list for patients who do not want to reply to any visitors (Edmund Lum & Glass Cookie)

- A deodorant that puts people off (Mustard seed)

- An umbrella with a wire connection (to attract lightning) that's earthed (Edmund Lum)

- An earthquake detector that sounds when there's an earthquake (Edmund Lum)

- A water sensor at the shoreline to detect an approaching tsunami (Edmund Lum)

- A energy-saving fridge that switches itself on via a smell senser specially for detecting certain rotting smells (Edmund Lum)

- A fire extinguishing bomb that creates a huge area of vacuum (sounds familiar?) so as to deprive the fire of oxygen (Edmund Lum)

- A solar powered torchlight

- A power-saving exit sign that lights up only when someone is around (Gabriel Goh)

- A self-locking door that locks itself when no one's around and unlocks itself when someone's near (Edmund Lum)

- Pencil lead harder than steel to improve on its fragility (Edmund Lum)

- A water-proof teabag to prevent breakage over long periods of soaking (Edmund Lum)

- A manual powered air conditioner (Glass Cookie)

- A water-sensitive sprinkler (Edmund Lum)

- A auto retractable roof via light and water sensors, hidden in the wall for protection (Edmund Lum)

- An anti-burglary system with the switch and sensor in the same room (Edmund Lum)

- A wooden barbecue pit (Glass Cookie and Edmund Chen)

- An acrylic oil rig and drill bit to save $$$ (Glass Cookie and Edmund Chen)

- A windows based DOS command prompt program (Glass Cookie)

- A wired handphone (Jackson Lum)


Misc
- A birthday breakfast celebration (Glass Cookie and Jackson Lum)

- A domesticated grizzily bear (Glass Cookie, inspired by Amanda Low)