Kristal!!

Raymond recommended to me some multitrack recording program to try out. I decided to give it a go since Audacity has some latency problems, the tracks are never in sync with each other.

The program is called the Kristal Audio Engine. It's looks so much more 'canggih'er and more professional lookin than most other free programs I've seen. It has it all!! 16 tracks to mess with, built-in effects, a full blown mixer!! So awesome..



Kristal also boasts low latency performance, so that your recordings will be nicely in sync with each other without manual editing and labor. =) It works best if you have a good sound card with ASIO support. I had bad latency problems when I tried using it at first because of my laptop's mediocre sound card, but with the right drivers all the problems were solved.

I totally recommend this to all especially to those who play instruments of any kind. It's so fun to play around with. Good practice too. It's only a 3Mb file. =) I've always wanted to do a cappella harmonizing with myself. If only I could harmonize, haha.

We re-recorded Crissy's Freely Winged again using Kristal. The results were much better compared to our previous one, she even harmonized with herself. Haha! Jon, I'll send it to you again ya! I wanted to post the song here but it's in WAV format, thus making it about 30 Mb in size. =(

How to convert it to mp3 ah?..

Benders!!

Haha, check out what I found online..

Featuring.. The Bender Distortorcaster!!



This is not a photoshop edited picture, it's an actual playable guitar!!

Check out the bass, the Bender Collision bass. Funky weh.. So cool..



Ooo..



They're handmade by some guy named Brian Eastwood. Apparently the weird shapes of the guitars make them really comfortable to play because the shapes and contours fit snugly around the body. It sounds great too, Brian Eastwood being one of UK's top guitar builders.

But it's not cheap man.. The guitars cost at least 900 pounds. Wah..

It's gonna be hard to find a bag to put it in. haha...

TOTTI!!

TOTTI!!

Notice I put the thumb-sucking picture twice. Lol..

Too bad Aloisi missed that overhead kick. That would have been a beautiful goal for Australia.. It must have been sad for them, they played so smoothly compared to Italy. Oh well.. Tough luck. I'm kinda glad Totti scored, I was too lazy to spend another half hour in front of the telly. Haha.. What were the odds? To get a penalty kick 30 seconds before full time. I was almost certain that I would have to watch for another half an hour.

Raymond is coming tomorrow. Die la.. My silent night is pathetic..

I still have tomorrow morning to polish it up. If I were Daryl, who would I do it?..

Freely Winged

Cool song : Dishwalla - Collide

For an amusing sounding band name they sound awfully good. Give it a listen. Many thanks to Crissy for the dozens of mp3's copied from her computer. Haha.

We recorded Crissy's fathers day song "Freely Winged" on Saturday. It's only piano and vocals so far since Ii Shan was away participating in swimming competitions. Simon on the other hand wanted to use an acoustic guitar but we had none at that time. Guess we'll have to record bass and acoustic guitar some other day.

Should you guys want to hear it I think you should ask Crissy for permission first.


I better start exercising today.. It's already my second week of holidays. 1 month is too short!!

Rocker Cellist!!

I've been playing Escape Game: "Out" for many many nights now. Every night I get closer to solving it. Unfortunately now I'm stuck again. Bah.. I'll have to sleep over it and try again tomorrow. I will complete it!! Soon!! I know I can..

Xin, Su and I were supposed to take Ee May out before she goes off to Australia. It seemed more like she was the one who took us out today. Haha.. Her friends in her french class gave her 4 free tickets to MPO. Not just any tickets.. BOX SEATS!! GLORIOUS BOX SEATS!! I have no idea how much they cost. I doubt I'll be able to afford it anytime soon. (Maybe I should consider taking up french..) It's a totally different experience from the box seats compared to the usual RM20++ front row ones. Such a joy. =D Too bad the show was only an hour and a half long. To add salt to the wound, Suleen and I took a wrong turning in KL which made us miss the first 22 minutes of the performance. Bummer..

The box we were seated at was called "Cinta Sayang Suite". Of all names... haha.

There is always this cellist in MPO that looks more like a rocker than a classical cello player. He has thick blond curly hair tied in a pony tail and has this mean-looking, macho frowning face all the time while playing. We've only seen him smile like, once.. that's it. I've tried to find a photo of him through the MPO website but no luck. I'm so sure he was meant for greater things.. He'd look so good with a bass playing trash metal or something.

Well today, Ee May, Xin, Suleen and I decided to write a note to our beloved rocker. We tore out the orchestra group photo from the program book and circled his face with a heart. We then wrote on the paper "We love you Rocker Cellist!! You're the BOMB!!" (we wrote much more but my memory fails me). Finally we signed the paper and waited downstairs for him after the show ended.

Ee May passed the note to the rocker saying "We think you rock!!". He stared at the note for awhile, then he replied with a smile, "Rocker Cellist? whoa.. Check it out!!" He then thanked us and went his way.

I'm quite sure we made his day. =) That was the second time I've ever seen him smile. He was still reading that piece of paper after he walked away. He'll probably frame it and hang it above is bed or something, hopefully thinking of a career change. Then again he might have thrown it in the dusbin down at KFC, who knows? Either way, it was not your ordinary MPO visit. =D

Zwok!!

Link of the day :Zwok!!

It's plays kind of like Worms. Takes a bit of guess work to figure out where your opponent would most probably move to. Give it a go. =)

A piece of Heaven..

Check out what I got from Parkson in Sungai Wang..

Take a closer look..


Yeap, pieces of heaven were on sale at Sungai Wang. 50% off too!! What a bargain!!

Haha, it's actually a funky photo frame that looks like this..


You put 3 photos in it, then you place in the glass cube.


Then now you can only see 1 photo from 1 side of the cube..


See?


Funky leh?

Xin, Crissy and I bought it together, the cashier lady must think that we're all so jakun..

Haha, one more for all the cat lovers out there!


So adorableeeeee...

This is Xin's cat, Meeko. It's more like the most aggresive cat I've ever come across. Haha. Don't be fooled. Cute but deadly..

If I were youuuu!!!~

Haih, I shouldn't have stayed up for the Netherlands vs. Argentina match. Not a single goal, a few close shots but nothing much. It wasn't really important for either team who wins this match I guess, they both already qualify for the next round anyway..

Sigh, should have watched Hoobastank Live on Channel [V]..

James came over to my place today to jam, its been awhile man. =) It was all our fault it rained today, all our fault. Haha.. We then crashed Crissy's place after that. The girl was studying for the Bible Quiz, such dedication. There's even a verse on the wall of her room. Like wah...

Crissy, think of lyrics for our recording "Aloysius"! =D

Rock Star!!

Haha, thank you Crissy for such a nonsense picture. I'll do that someday in front of thousands of people.. someday.. =D

Link of the day : Escape Game: "Out"

I'm still stuck at it.. (bah..) If you guys manage to solve it, feel free to gloat and taunt at me. =)

Padi Pom

To Christina How..



About the same la. Haha.. =P

Padi Poms!!~

Just came back from Celina's birthday outing. Unfortunately Red Box was canceled due to a majority vote. (Darn, was looking forward to it..) Instead we went to Talipon in Kelana Jaya for BBQ steamboat. Not too bad I guess. Surprisingly it was pretty empty today, only 2 tables were taken. And we were worried about getting a place, haha.

Here's someone we met at Talipon..

So cuteee!! With that look, who can resist giving him a sausage or five. Haha!


No wonder she's so fat. Good food every day.

Earlier in the afternoon, I went over to Crissy's place to make Pom Poms for COPA IBA since we were the only ones on holiday that are free enough to do it.

After an hour's worth of toil and being entangled in rafia string..


Yes, we know.. Pathetic huh?..


Things didn't go the way we planned it. The rafia string bought by Uncle Terrence were high quality ones. That's why it's hard and sturdy, unsuitable for making pom poms. Sigh... after so much hard work winding up the string and cutting.


Actually it's not too bad wat.. Still can cheer with them..


Then again maybe not...

Fortunately, Crissy's mom got for us lower quality ones from the store after seeing how sad looking our pom poms were. And the ones she got from the store were already cut into equal lengths, saving us alot of effort.


Skill leh...

Phew...

They're not going clubbing tonight. Phew.. Haha! I can't imagine myself going man. Thank God I don't need to.

We're going to Red Box to sing our hearts out tonight. Much better than clubbing if you ask me. And we have quite a few singers in the gang too. This should be fun. =)

I love Mark Tremonti!!~

Just came back from Taipan after guitar stuff shopping. Went there to get some strings and Fast Fret for some of the guitar class students. I was overjoyed when i actually found parking right in front of RHB bank, since I had to withdraw some money. The Music Walk was only a short walk from RHB too! It was a modern day miracle if you ask me. Unfortunately The Music Shop was closed of all days. (Whyy?...) Reluctant to leave my parking space I decided to walk to The Acoustic Shack in Taipan Business Center to see if they stock strings and stuff.

The place really has grown in 3 years. I used to visit the shop once a week before Bible Knowledge lessons. They have a pretty range of guitars in stock, electric, classical and acoustic. A few effects pedals too. They even stock PRS guitars! Ah.. the Tremonti SE they had was so gorgeous.. *drool*.. Should have stayed to try it out.

The Mark Tremonti Model is much more prettier though, I'm in love with the fret design.. ah...

I spent RM103 at The Acoustic Shack. (TT.TT) Had to withdraw money again from the bank after that.

Raymond's class was great. The guy is awfully skilled, he made Amazing Grace sound heavenly with his seasoned classical guitar. He sure knows what he's teaching. According to his evaluation I'm musically inclined (Thank God.. my hands were shaking playing for him) but my foundation could use some work. We're gonna work on my improvisation for awhile. My homework for this week is to arrange Silent Night my way. Gah.. His chords were so funky and jazzy, I feel so shy with my playing skills in front of him, Haha. Hope I can pull this off..

I have the feeling that I've seen him before. I wonder where...

Celina wants to go clubbing tomorrow since today is her birthday. *sweat* None of us have gone before. Wonder if I should go.. Happy Birthday Celina!!

P/s - Jon ah, he teaches bass. In fact, he's really passionate about bass. Haha. Learn under him la. He's a pretty good teacher. =)

Work?! Go to work?!

Ah, monday.. My usual mondays are never relaxing. It's a nice change, despite the fact that it'll only last for a month. Such cool morning weather we have today.. Perfect for sleeping in. Haha!

However, my mom and dad are requesting that I go to work at my dad's office for at least 2 weeks and not waste my holidays away. Sigh, work was on the last thing on my mind. The pay is good, I could use the money but then much of my holiday bliss and time for myself will go out the window. I really want the break. Watch football, improve my guitar, spend time with friends. Any advice?


Raymond's coming in 15 minutes time. *shudder*

Happy Fathers Day!

I am one step closer to my first goal. Just got off the phone with my next guitar teacher. So it's set, I have someone to teach me guitar for the next month or so. He will be coming tomorrow afternoon to evaluate my guitar playing before starting lessons. I haven't felt this pressured in awhile. I was told to prepare some material to show him how far I am with my guitar playing.

Yo, what to show him la?..

Despite the stress I'm really looking forward to it. Must prepare some material tonight..

It has been a blessed fathers day. I dare say my eyes welled with tears while praying for my dad. Kudos to Crissy who saved fathers day with her song. I'm so envious of her, haha. I'm sure she did her dad proud. Too bad the photos with the lyrics which were supposed to be shown on the OHP suddenly screwed up despite Jon's hard work preparing them. Poor Jon, he was working on the photos during the whole message. How stressed it must have felt. Haha. I saw the picture with Uncle Sim, Simon and Shanice. So adorable..

To the musicians if you are reading this, job well done! =) I'm sure you made your earthly and heavenly father smile. Simon, you're so soft la... haha.

It felt nice to hug my dad. I don't usually do. I pray that I'll have the patience and obedience to be a good son.

I'll go prepare for tomorrow now.. Haha.

Judson

Self-explanatory

Punk

Haha, good times... With an extra egg, some spare sponge and an hour to burn, anything's possible!!

Post-Examination Bliss

Now that my exams are over, there are a few goals i want to accomplish before my break ends :

Go back for guitar classes
After almost 3 years of self learning, I want to go back for guitar classes. There's so much there is to learn. Now would be the best time to go for classes since there's no deadlines to keep up with (for now at least). More time to practice too. It may only be for a month or so but who knows, I might try to keep it up even after uni starts again. I'd like to improve my lead guitar skillls, learn some theory, polish techniques. Which brings me to my next goal...

Start writing songs!!
I've always wanted to write my own tunes, Uncle Ng Wah Lok was such an inspiration! What better time to start than now? With the many hours i have to sit around and bum I could at least do something more fruitful with it. I shall come out with at the very least (hopefully) 1 song by the end of my holidays.

Exercize!!
Yes.. I would love to shed the belly that i have, and with some luck get some muscles there as well. Haha! My determination to keep fit and healthy has never lasted any more than 10 days. Better get started now before i'm become 40. Heart and health problems are never pleasant. I shall exercize every alternate day and maybe eat more healthly (highly unlikely about the eating part). At least now I'm out of reach from the glorious Beef Chow Fan they sell in college. Ahh...... Beef Chow Fan...

That's all for now. It's getting late, need to wake up for Fathers Day practice.

The Noodle Shop Reopens!!

Previously known as http://kari-mee.livejournal.com/, The Noodle Shop reopens in Blogger!!

Yes!! It's true!! Haha, now that my finals are over I have much more time for myself. Hopefully this will not be a "Hangat-hangat tahi ayam" thing. I shall attempt to battle the laziness within me and update whenever I can. Until then, stay tuned!!