Guitar Zero

Played 4 venues this week ~ The Guitar Zero

Hah!
Was looking forward to put the above statement when I was mid-way through. It certainly could've been a rockstar's noteworthy tweet, ain't it?
So how did I, a.k.a Mr Guitar Zero found myself playing so many times this week, (in fact it was 5 occasions in a space of 6 days, starting from last Sunday) I suppose I have to count my blessings.

First round was 2 nights in a row for a wake service. Well, Dad got roped in to help with a wake service and it certainly was a first for me to play at a wake service; and Chinese hymns too! The Lord certainly guided through and through on the melody and I suppose I did alright.

Second round was the usual Old Folks' visit; however it was completely different to warrant a bit of worry as well. It so happened that Pastor Andrew, my new guitar-hero (grandmaster sensei! hii-yah!) was not available as he was in Penang; thus so it fell to us 3 to lead the worship; and somehow Mom & Dad decided to choose all 4 'new' songs that we've never played to them before. Oh well, that went alright considering I had ample time (since I had a day off playing on Tuesday to look the songs for Wednesday and Thursday) and with God guiding the rhythm it went through like a cool swig of coconut water (Amen!)

Third round on Thursday was a biggie. Out of the blue, on I think on Tuesday noon, Dad called up and told me I am to assist in playing the guitar for their Pastors Fellowship meet and Pastor Andrew will text me the playlist later on. I was like, WHAT? oh, ok....maaaaybe alright?
Playing for their worship? Where everyone is a Reverend, mostly? I'd have to admit, I was a bit worried, but with His strength I see reason why should I be afraid? This is a good opportunity , and of course I've been getting a lot of practice in (although different songs and languages) and with God being with me, let's do dis!!!!
It somehow prompted me to record a test version for Pastor Andrew to check if I got the songs right, in which I sent it via whatsapp for him to sample.
Very bad recording as I just recorded it as is and without proper gears too, (I should ask around or Google how do people do it nowadays eh?) and since it was originally so soft, I mixed it all together and rendered it with higher decibels on Audacity.


Of course it was funny, the versions I found were slightly hip, and yeah I somehow played it pretty upbeat; and they were singing it like the traditional hymnals as it were, which good thing enough I could be of the alertness to notice and switch my strumming way way slower. It was brilliant too as the gang of pastors of numerous denominations were gathered to worship and pray; and certainly gave me the notion to assist them in any way that I could.

By mid-day of Thursday, I thought that must be it, I've had an awesome eye-opening week thus far, and when I was asked if I could play for Friday's Cell Group meeting, I was like doing a Thor's YES from the trailer of Thor:Ragnarok. Oh well, it turned out to be a short worship as I was given just 1 song to play, (and I think I like my acoustic take on the song, as I somewhat added a bass line on some parts of the song) given that we have a movie screening this week.

I survived!
What a week this is. As I re-collect my thoughts as I shared twice ever since, I've been blessed to have the chance to play so often this week, it certainly is a fun process in my journey. I managed to ball up and tell my schoolmates when I hung out with them on last night (after Cell Meeting) and today when I was brainstorming designs for Young Adults; which I'm doing.
Thank you Abba Father.

Hmm, I've been weblogging consecutively too, eh?

The Hunt (of a substitute...smartphone)

And so, March was also the month the trusty ol' 'primary' phone started its real reminder that it must not go on for any longer.
I mean yeah, it still works.... whenever it feels like it. Ha! It kinda makes me drawing the similarities of it to those staffers that practically thought they owned a stake in the establishment; y'know those types that basically goes AWOL and un-guiltily waltz in whenever convenient? Yep.

Anyway, the whole malaise with it is that it has deteriorated to a level it no longer charges properly as it should be. Being a pretty handy google-r, it boils down to the charging port is faulty (which could be cleaned, if lucky or worse) and it's just a matter of luck after numerous pulling out the battery and plugging it back on in anticipating of the red flash or green charging animation.
I did ask a shop guy deemed friendly enough (certified honest by mois; since he is the guy Mom got her tablet from months back) and he told me since there are minute cracks of the screen; such operation would bear a risk of fubar-ing the said screen inevitably bringing up the repair costs and the cheapskate in me was considering options and, yeah the major seems to be to kiss it goodbye and (hopefully) upgrade! Yes. how wrong I was.

I've been away from actually giving an actual toss of the latest gadgets, really. I mean, to a level where I still know which is (which) and is a coming soon model , by name I suppose, of the biggest few (sorry, low memory dictates I can't recall what else aside from the impending Iphone 8's and Galaxy 8's; and er, well, possible maximum RAMs of recent high-end devices I suppose, too) and those upcoming-brands-with-awesome-specs-on-paper-yet-you-are-too-scared-to-check-out's.
I've been on occasion read about these other brands too; and I would like to think that I am sort of 'techie' enough to know tech specs (ehem) but just you know, when one has virtually no intent on owning them, these information are just for, say, probable conversation piece? Looks-wise, I am running a realization that my comprehension of some smartphone's designs (come on, there's just too many, amiright?) are as bad as how I'd differentiate cars. (which I am pretty terrible at, since cars are never a thing that I like, y'know sometimes men aren't car junkies/enthusiasts mmkay?)

It was inevitable that I'd be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of smartphones available; and add to the fact that I have only maybe slightly over half the intent to get a new one (in which I am still struggling to decide between a pre-loved or refurbished or a definitely low-end new unit) and the rather pointless diversions checking out those premium models' specs for research purposes.
I suppose whenever I have the spare little time this month I was basically researching and comparing my probable next phone.

To make it so goshdarnit hard is that there are simply too many options and questions; and the suitability of course. I am pretty much a decently heavy user per se; the usual works; browser, social medias, music & video player, electronic reading materials of dubious origins, amateur photography (okay, not exactly on point, but yeah. NO SELFIE and certainly not an avid photog guy too) some games whenever, and whichever productivity applications.
But I guess the main reason to get it working is basically getting the bloody phone to work so I could get the instant messaging up, since I am being drawn into the many church chat groups these days, other than that, I had most of substituted (back) to the laptop anyhow; yes I use Whatsapp Web for convenience at home (and no autocorrects, except maybe the cat's butt-typing) but taking pictures isn't conducive to lug around Ma's tablet eh?

In justifying the need of favoring a change rather than taking the gamble to repair said phone; it isn't in the best of shape for some time; it looks ruggedly worn with dents and cracks and even the protective er, protector hasn't seen better days with its lengthwise cracks.
It lost its WIFI for about a year now; same goes with the Hotspot, Bluetooth and other connectivity, except the last one standing - Mobile Data. Camera is functional, so that's what I've been snapping with and manually transferring to the computer for edits.
Besides these flaws, it has served me pretty well the most of the years; and even being maimed off its WIFI I still manage to get a decent amount of things done.

I'm somewhat in favor of gambling for a decent mid-range pre-loved over a new low-end, as I don't see myself going overboard for a new mid-range. A top range is something I'll aim for when I start to roll in cash HAHAH! obviously.
There are a few good top-range pre-loved of yester-years too (and these are somehow within my maximum amount of funds, in which I am in no favor of using up the bulk of it and resorting to save again for the little business) , and that's what gets me being thrown in the deeper end.
Decisions decisions.

I mean, come on. I could probably do some groundwork and check the couple of phone shops nearby for ideas, but in this age you should be doing your homework and search yourself and compare prices. Besides, I don't wanna be a dick of a customer with my ideal specifications under XX amount right?
RAM + Expandable Storage (of 64GB or more) = main criteria
Chip + Earpiece (don't know why, but not cables though lol) = secondary criteria
WIFI & Bluetooth = given criteria, I mean, of course.
Camera pixels + how strong the damn glass should be + how strong the battery should be (ahaks!) + Color (or even in Pink?) + carrier set/size of sim = other negligibles
I am also considering about moving back to an Iphone too, since I think I found some good deals of Iphone 5s'es and because this whole affair of getting a working whatsapp-able phone to work; it is definitely something that I could consider too. Oh well.

I should start a spreadsheet of the 'probable' devices arrayed with it's maximum External Storage (I will need to find a new home for the memory card, right?) and RAM's of above 2GB.
Yes, a simple spreadsheet, will somehow gets to comparatively easier to spot the differences.
And then I shall take my own sweet time(hopefully) and hunt!

line too slow to edit or meme it. but yeah, hunting ....

A Chance Meeting

yep. 1998, dang!

And thus so, continuing from yesterday's (Yes, I am!) missing elephant in the room, the other significant event that transpired last month was somehow a reunion of sorts; well, to be fair, it should be the *actual start of the reunion of sorts and of new beginnings.
Where do I begin with? It certainly is a mix bag of emotions and I'd really say this has been one of the most connected I am with my/this adopted town of Taiping.

These series of events started on one of the Sunday Service, (too lazy to get the exact dates, I mean, come on) it was a pretty cold and frosty morning I suppose as I pulled on a sweater and drove towards the gray skied path towards the hill. Hmm, wrong, that wasn't the day, I am confusing it up.
Anyhow, ah, yeah, I dug out one of my favorite shirts (which I haven't worn since back here) the night before and actually pressed it ; yes, that floral black shirt (circa 2003 i think) gets ridiculously crinkle-fries whenever whatever, and I'd just sewn back a missing button (circa 2010-ish I suppose from the numerous skullduggery nights that year, ah!) and basically raring to go with this new old favorite shirt that morning.
As it happened, I would go on and encounter an extremely rare traffic as I neared the church vicinity, which in itself is pretty much in the same ballpark of Stranger Things (yes the series, but not anything remote to what happened 'happened'  to me,..) as :
1) it's a Sunday morning.
2) it wasn't raining, and of any accidents
So that is weird, (that it happened that morning, not the why) as all those mornings to church I've never met with a traffic jam. In TAIPING, yo! (I mean, there are 'traffic jams' per se, nowadays, I suppose during rush hour since majority of roadworks here are predominately 2-lanes; nothing compares to KL, I suppose its much more akin to a mini jam in, say, internal part of Damansara Jaya type of jam?...I somehow miss proper city traffic jams though somehow,..)
Nevertheless, that morning somehow made me late (though I think I did alright, I was in a jovial mode happily praising and stuff, really!) as I made me way to see there ain't a single seat available in my usual mid-section and even the back; somehow I got ushered to sit at the 1st front way in front (which I never did; I'm always a 2nd or 3rd row person, in general) and since I was sitting in the front with 1 of the usher-er that somehow I would move to the middle aisle when it was the usual-greet-each-other-session....and that's when I said hello to a familiar-yet-a-face-that-you-know-you-don't-see-often-YET-you-know-you-should-know.

She must've got that same vibe as well, though it only ensnared her for a split second, as immediately I said something along the lines of 'Hi/Hello, God Bless You, I think I am suppose to know you?' I reckon she recognize my voice (?) and shrieked my name, which produced no reply but rather an exaggerated heeeeeeeyyy, OMG...hi, we talk later ok? Saved by the bell really. Sort of. She already said her name, phew! Lucky me.

So, it brings us a full circle to Jess. (of course I could not for the life of me remember her full name)
Being a pseudo-amnesiac (I don't suppose this term exists, but I really should define it as an involuntary selected memory loss?) I actually thought I knew her damn well ages ago.
But as the days went by and after a few nights out just hanging and absolutely catching up on each other's tales and fears and future and that blurry memory; it was certainly a chance meeting that we could've missed out either way; found out she was up til 5am (if I'm not mistaken) and could've just skipped church as easily as I could've just reached earlier and got a seat in my usual middle (4th row) seats and get smothered with more people surrounding me to meet & greet and don't get the opportunity to move to the other section. God had certainly made that meeting happened.

the only pic we took this time around, and with selfie noob looking anywhere but the cam, or maybe I was just sleepy?

+-*/


I suppose The Lord has a plan (of course!) and indeed I'd like to think all that happened is His way of showing me the signs.
I've had a vision in January when I was praying for the kids and youths of Taiping and with this revival of sorts in me(more on this some post later) I now have a plan to get myself ready and spark a proper 20th Anniversary (or some other name..) Reunion for those of us involved then to reach newer bloods and youths in this town.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
~ROMANS 8 : 31

The Madness of March & Onwards We Go

It certainly had been a brilliant month of March for me. I suppose I sort of preemptively prepared myself for a hectic one about the time mid February; as for one I do plan to start believing (and the whole works of talking myself into doing something) but boy, it pretty much was a curve-ball head-on and of course I survived to tell the tale; and also a bit of what transpired up til today nearing the middle of April, too.

I anticipated a heavier 'work' load as I know (and saying 'YES' to God) being actively involved with church and finalizing my menu would take a huge chunk of daily activities; somehow I stated to cut down on the many tv series, and comics I follow, and it was a timely thing indeed, as most of those shows were heading for their mid & season breaks (and Marvel's Iron Fist came and gone too, watched it staggered-ly over 5-6 days) and of course, the hoarder in me is still hoarding whichever is available; for rainy days y'know!

Aside from regularly attending Prayer Meetings (Wednesdays & Thursdays, with alternate Mondays &/or Tuesdays) I got myself properly signed-up in a Cell Group and the Young Adults too. (wasn't too keen, alas, I fall under the 40 year-old entry, so...yeah, it certainly is a blessing to be in this group too)
With these two groups I found myself in, it certainly has been a great way to actually get involved in the church and serve in whichever way. Now, I might not be no stranger to these, but it certainly has been a good many years since I was active in a church; timely so that I took the whole of last year to get acquainted spiritually (getting myself ready and still is) for the numerous roles I started filling.
The Lord has certainly blessed me with a few gifts as I think I was the only one of the new cell members to actually put 3 talents (oh course, I ain't exactly certified for it, just picked it up + decent amount of practice I suppose? Master of None) and of course I remembered I was mindfcuking myself of putting a bit too many when I know all 3 of them were self bumbled -taught.

And so that was that!
I've survived playing the guitar for a worship session with my Cell Group (yeah, I've been playing in front of crowd of Old Folks and that Christmas Carol-ing; but I've not been playing 'proper' English worship songs for years ok?) and of course it was a straight back-down from me to lead that session; reason being I am not that confident to lead as I haven't done so since 10+ years ago. Come to think of it, I doubt I actually led that many worship sessions (in the past) too.
I realized too, that I have a problem remembering chords and even the rhythm, these days. The best I could remember a complete song progression I suppose I'd somehow forget about it partially by the next week. Oh well, practice makes it better, huh?

I've also started to actually share my design works too. I mean I've given and told a few as of last year but I hadn't been brave enough to share my works as I am being skeptical with my designs, I suppose.
But!
I've started sharing that I could do some design work for the YA group; and actually did a couple of samples for an e-vite for next week's bowling (gah! I've never liked this 'sport'; but I am attending lol, things people do...) and with jittery fingers awaiting the committee to respond from the groupchat...it turned out pretty good I might say. Received a good bunch of kind encouraging words, Praise the Lord! I found myself having the thought to tell someone that I could, teach guide others on how to design, in the near future mayhap. Yeah I should totally help people to learn this kinda skill, huh?
Designing things also kinda got its' kick-start from the next 'talent';

I get to actually do something about my sandwich distributing plans! Of course, I haven't really sell it to the public; but I get to actually practice making it (and troubleshooting and finalizing) with my first contribution to the Cell Groups' potluck, which was a dry run before that weekend's Sunday service in supplying the refreshments after church. I certainly had a brillo 7 hours prep and making the 130 odd sandwiches on that Saturday night (which coincides with my first YA group meet earlier that night) and certainly with blood sweat tears and ache-y back, it was well-received by a lot of people, with various questions posed and practically got me embarrassed and smiling like an idiot. Of course I didn't get that much of a profit per se; but it is a matter of getting some work in and well, a way for my future 'wares' to get noticed.

actual menu for the day. luckily got a friend to help to print it as I couldn't find a printer the night before

making sammiches for CG makan-makan; Mom could snap a decent picture, hurray!

And so, that's basically March (and a little bit of April) for me. This post has gone far enough, I suppose I'll leave the other huge chunk for another entry.

Distant Dreamer

"Distant Dreamer"
Butler |Duffy

Although you think I cope
My head is filled with hope
Of some place other than here
Although you think I smile
Inside and all the while
I'm wondering about my destiny

I'm thinking about
All the things
I'd like to do
In my life

I'm a dreamer
A distant dreamer
Dreaming far away from today

Even when you see me frown
My heart won't let me down
Because I know there's better things to come
And when life gets tough
And I feel I've had enough
I hold on to a distant star

I'm thinking about
All the things
I'd like to do
In my life

I'm a dreamer
A distant dreamer
Dreaming far away from today
I'm a dreamer
A distant dreamer
Dreaming far away from today
Yeah I'm a dreamer