I went to a stock clearance sale with mom...twice this weekend! It was so much fun. Actually it's the same sale we went to. Once on Saturday and once on sunday. We went on Sunday again because when we got there on saturday, it began to rain and the stalls started to closed. I spotted this sandal that I really on Saturday but the salespeople said there were out of stock. We thought it was bull and decided to go there again on sunday. :)
Turns out they were not BSing. The stocks were really out in one day! (why have a 2 days sales anyway?) However, we ended up buying even more things on Sunday.
The rules of engagement is simple during a warehouse, stock clearance sale.
1. Know what you want before you head there. Time is crrrrruuucialllll. Don't go there thinking what you're about to buy. Know it before hand.
2. If you like and the price is right. Just take it first. (You can pay later in the counter). Wisdom behind this is that you never know when the stocks is going to run out. Take for example this item, there as a pack of 2 for $15 (or you buy 1 for $10). We hesistated, and by the time we head back, the 2 for $15 was gone.
3. If you think you might like it. Take it first
4. IF you think your friend/mom likes it. Take it first.
5. If you think.. maybe you like it. Take if first?
6. Time is crucial. Keep moving. There may be better things ahead. Hence you have to know rule no 1. well. Once you've spotted your item. Get it.
7. There is no rules with regards to queing. (elbow, sidestepping, shouting... is allowed)
Man... it was an experience. I felt like I was in a rock concert! Only this time, you don't get yuong screaming girls wearing sexy outfits fighting for space with you. (though that could be fun at first, it's still get tiring when you're just trying to enjoy the music) In this case, I was going against all types of people, ages, races, genders for the ultimate bargain. You name it. I try to remind myself that I shouldn't be fooled by their looks. No matter how harmless they look.... in this SALES scenario.. it's a BATTLEFIELD. You can't win them all. They come from all directions! So I had to choose my fights and win the war -- so I fought the good fight and I did manage to get this pair of really nice AND comfy working shoe for $120 (retailing at $238). Not bad heh :) .
On the side there was also a whole bunch of other stuffs being sold - cheese (yes cheese, I about 2 packs. ie 2 dozen slices. yum yum for my supper snacks!), nivea stuff (everything), kellog's Cornflakes, Ansell condoms, Sanitary Pads (generic brand), Wine, Cross pens, Toys... etc
Everything was going for 1/2 price or less. I think they were selling pampers as well and someone bought a trolley over and cleared everything. He bought heaps of sanitary pads too. I expect to see them in a nearby convenient store next week.
Some areas of intense bargaining battle are - woman's shoes, nivea section, man's working shoe.
Battle in woman's shoes section were intense. Casualty were high on ALL 5 - 7 coutners. These ppl are serious. Watch out for aunties who knows how to shop and has skills honed over the years. Most younger girls prefer to look pretty and watch, but few were deadly. Troop density high. Movement - rapid and unpredictable with frequent elbows and other advance technique. Noise level - high. Danger level - high! Proceed with caution.
Man's working shoe area. There's only 1 1/2 counter doing it so all the men flocked there. While the woman's section has a lot of questioning (how much is this? got this colour? got this size?), men's section are quieter. Troop density high. Movement - not so rapid coz of congestion (only 1 1/2 counter) however no elbows, but a lot of side stepping. Noise level - medium/low (they don't bargain as much). Dangel level - wuss (I think they do pretty well, but compared to the aunties in their tactics of buying, i think the men didn't fair so well)
Nivea section - read women's shoe section.
Me and my mom got there, bought what we wanted and got out in 30mins. Primary objectives: success - got nice working shoe.. Secondary objective: failer- that sandal no more size. Unimportant objectives: pletny of success - i got a ankle guard for $10 also! :P
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Friday, November 19, 2004
Now that I'm self-learning...
it seems weird that I feel that I'm just beginning my journey of self-learning guitar. But that's how I feel after I've stopped my 'lesson' with Jose. Though, I have been mostly self-taught but I am most fortunate to always have friends and people around me to open doors and direct me to the next level. Also, I ask the people around me a lot of questions. Those who know who you are:- my sincere thanks :) my music now is in part what you guys/gals has passed on to me.
Perhaps the only thing that I have never done in my musical life is to SERIOUSLY set a goal for myself, dedicate time to it in getting there. It was always, 'playing' as compared to 'learning and practicing'. Boy, it's not easy practicing -- playing just gets in the way.
I suppose I have done some 'practising' in my guitar life but there's some power at work when decision give birth to discipline. The synergy of it all is quite amazing. I hope I can keep up the desire.
At this moment, I think I can pick pretty well at 100bpm with the new technique at quater notes. I'm still practicing the major scales at cycles of 4th. They are great in learning modes. I'm beginnign to discover after sometime I do have a clearer picture of all the major scales (and hence modes in the fret board) .
In addition to the picking, I'm doing legato practices on my left hand. I got this john petrucci rock discipline pt2 video. JP gives does an excellent job at showing how legato is done and how it can be used. He also show us how shamefully slow we are when he does his legato demos at blinding speed.
That's all for techniques practices. I'll be trying to transribe one song and learn the ins and outs of it. Its called mind games by bob james. Check out the track in his 'casino lights' version.
Lastly, a quote from Bruce Lee ,"it's not daily increase but daily decrease - hack away the unessentials"
Perhaps the only thing that I have never done in my musical life is to SERIOUSLY set a goal for myself, dedicate time to it in getting there. It was always, 'playing' as compared to 'learning and practicing'. Boy, it's not easy practicing -- playing just gets in the way.
I suppose I have done some 'practising' in my guitar life but there's some power at work when decision give birth to discipline. The synergy of it all is quite amazing. I hope I can keep up the desire.
At this moment, I think I can pick pretty well at 100bpm with the new technique at quater notes. I'm still practicing the major scales at cycles of 4th. They are great in learning modes. I'm beginnign to discover after sometime I do have a clearer picture of all the major scales (and hence modes in the fret board) .
In addition to the picking, I'm doing legato practices on my left hand. I got this john petrucci rock discipline pt2 video. JP gives does an excellent job at showing how legato is done and how it can be used. He also show us how shamefully slow we are when he does his legato demos at blinding speed.
That's all for techniques practices. I'll be trying to transribe one song and learn the ins and outs of it. Its called mind games by bob james. Check out the track in his 'casino lights' version.
Lastly, a quote from Bruce Lee ,"it's not daily increase but daily decrease - hack away the unessentials"
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
holiday ramblings
We graduate with a square hat for a round world. How ironic is that? It didn't teach us anything about life!
I went to Ikea later in the day and bought a luxury item! I'm a SUCKA! it's RM15 mouse pad! It's black and it's all leather (wrapped around a circullar piece of sheetmetal). It's a mouse pad with a lot of class (and one sucka).
Also, on sunday night, I went to a friend's house to chill out. It's an interesting place to be. There's about 12 of us, all in 20s and 30s, gathering to play pictionary and charades. Though, I agree with you that we may be too old for that shit, but it was great fun. The 12 of us are all very different in nature: character, body shape...etc but we are all very competitive. So it was havoc when the competition turns hot. There's lotsa bitching (2 of them and they are in my team. love them... does wonders to the guys on the opp team), swearing (colour vocabulary just gets better with more alcohol), there's this guy who is SO intense and slams the table whenever the time's up for our turn (he's got REALLY weird looking glasses I tell you)... There's another with the blinks and talks too much shit... there's the blur (who gets to be picked on to a charade for the movie basic instinct?), the sweet, the leaders (the natural born leaders) , the swearing again! (oh man!). There are boobs - the host has big boobs and loves showing off... (gee am i suppose to write that here? no ones seems to mind them tho) and she was bouncing up and down in excitement most of the time. She was so competitive and was bitching about everything to win. she was in my team, so I wasn't complaining. There was legs (they know who they are) There were dog lovers, movie lovers, there are the 'lawyers' (when things turn sour, they clarify the rules with the book. we need them). There was smoke everywhere and alcohol was all over the place. There was f* this and that, a perfect setting for a bar brawl really, except that this bunch are apparently hapkido pros... and the guy with the weird glasses is the trainer, he is not in my team. So I wont want to start it.
Nonetheless, Liping and I had so much fun hanging out. The people there are so real. They wont hide it if they don't like you! :P I think there were only 4 of us among the 12 that's christians and I am proud to say that we were just as competitive, most of them were quiet and nice. However, I did a little thrash talking though but really i was getting worried if a fight starts because I'd be picking at the hapkido guys.
I went to Ikea later in the day and bought a luxury item! I'm a SUCKA! it's RM15 mouse pad! It's black and it's all leather (wrapped around a circullar piece of sheetmetal). It's a mouse pad with a lot of class (and one sucka).
Also, on sunday night, I went to a friend's house to chill out. It's an interesting place to be. There's about 12 of us, all in 20s and 30s, gathering to play pictionary and charades. Though, I agree with you that we may be too old for that shit, but it was great fun. The 12 of us are all very different in nature: character, body shape...etc but we are all very competitive. So it was havoc when the competition turns hot. There's lotsa bitching (2 of them and they are in my team. love them... does wonders to the guys on the opp team), swearing (colour vocabulary just gets better with more alcohol), there's this guy who is SO intense and slams the table whenever the time's up for our turn (he's got REALLY weird looking glasses I tell you)... There's another with the blinks and talks too much shit... there's the blur (who gets to be picked on to a charade for the movie basic instinct?), the sweet, the leaders (the natural born leaders) , the swearing again! (oh man!). There are boobs - the host has big boobs and loves showing off... (gee am i suppose to write that here? no ones seems to mind them tho) and she was bouncing up and down in excitement most of the time. She was so competitive and was bitching about everything to win. she was in my team, so I wasn't complaining. There was legs (they know who they are) There were dog lovers, movie lovers, there are the 'lawyers' (when things turn sour, they clarify the rules with the book. we need them). There was smoke everywhere and alcohol was all over the place. There was f* this and that, a perfect setting for a bar brawl really, except that this bunch are apparently hapkido pros... and the guy with the weird glasses is the trainer, he is not in my team. So I wont want to start it.
Nonetheless, Liping and I had so much fun hanging out. The people there are so real. They wont hide it if they don't like you! :P I think there were only 4 of us among the 12 that's christians and I am proud to say that we were just as competitive, most of them were quiet and nice. However, I did a little thrash talking though but really i was getting worried if a fight starts because I'd be picking at the hapkido guys.
Saturday, November 06, 2004
angel in the wind
I had a very tiring day today. I woke up slightly before nine to take my gf's 1960s VW to the workshop. The VW had a major oil leakage problem and all the petrol that we fill in was leaked and stunk up our entired porch where we parked the car. We decided to fill the car up anyway and dash to the workshop.
Unfortunenately, the battery died, so we had to jump start the car.
Fortunately, we have done it before.
Unfortunenately, we don't have the cables.
Fortunately, my neighbour have them
Unfortunenately, they are pretty useless. Somehow his cables were useless. We charged the VW for about 40mins and it didn't work
Fortunately, Lionel have a set and we went to BU to get it from him.
Fortunately, it worked so well the car started in like 30secs. So we were able to take the car to the workshop and stood there to see it fixed. (why we stood there and monitor it the whole time is another long long story) The guys did a good job fixing the petrol leakages and we were out in about 1 hour
Unfortunenately, the 1 week old battery died halfway while we were going up the slope (towards BU to make a u-turn on the overhead bridge to head back towards bangsar) and I was surprise that it couldn't be charged.
Fortunately, I had the jumper cables handy this time and quickly revive the car. This time I decided to drive for at least 30mins to charge back the battery.
Unfortunenately, it started to rain very heavily. Visibility is down to zero. I couldn't switch on the air-con or the wipre or the headlights. because once i do the car battery wouldn't hold the load and die.
Fortunately, I didn't have to for my 30min drive
Unfortunenately, on my way back the rain got even heavier. and I was racing down a slope with ZERO visibility. My wipers & headlights were not on. I had to switch one of them on. This time the car died at a junction of a housing area--> in the middle of it and cars was just minding their own business zooming past me.
Fortunately, I had my celphone with me. I issued an SOS to liping and she was on her way. What else could i do but to pray? and I had a good time of prayers in the car. Just when i felt a 'break' in my spirit. my gf arrived - she had umbrella, spare change all ready!
Unfortunenately, the rain was really heavy. I had to be in the car because she didn't know how to jump start it. whcih means she had to push. which really suck to have your gf push u in the heavy rain while you're driving. just when she was about to come out of her car into the rain....
FORTUNATELY, out of no where.. my knight in wet soaked clothes. boots and a safety helmet. A construction worker from a nearby site came and ask me sheepishly in malay if he could help! I almost felt shy that he asked. But yes. He gave the car a push, I managed to jump start the car and drove home.
Praise God for the help he sent me.
Unfortunenately, the battery died, so we had to jump start the car.
Fortunately, we have done it before.
Unfortunenately, we don't have the cables.
Fortunately, my neighbour have them
Unfortunenately, they are pretty useless. Somehow his cables were useless. We charged the VW for about 40mins and it didn't work
Fortunately, Lionel have a set and we went to BU to get it from him.
Fortunately, it worked so well the car started in like 30secs. So we were able to take the car to the workshop and stood there to see it fixed. (why we stood there and monitor it the whole time is another long long story) The guys did a good job fixing the petrol leakages and we were out in about 1 hour
Unfortunenately, the 1 week old battery died halfway while we were going up the slope (towards BU to make a u-turn on the overhead bridge to head back towards bangsar) and I was surprise that it couldn't be charged.
Fortunately, I had the jumper cables handy this time and quickly revive the car. This time I decided to drive for at least 30mins to charge back the battery.
Unfortunenately, it started to rain very heavily. Visibility is down to zero. I couldn't switch on the air-con or the wipre or the headlights. because once i do the car battery wouldn't hold the load and die.
Fortunately, I didn't have to for my 30min drive
Unfortunenately, on my way back the rain got even heavier. and I was racing down a slope with ZERO visibility. My wipers & headlights were not on. I had to switch one of them on. This time the car died at a junction of a housing area--> in the middle of it and cars was just minding their own business zooming past me.
Fortunately, I had my celphone with me. I issued an SOS to liping and she was on her way. What else could i do but to pray? and I had a good time of prayers in the car. Just when i felt a 'break' in my spirit. my gf arrived - she had umbrella, spare change all ready!
Unfortunenately, the rain was really heavy. I had to be in the car because she didn't know how to jump start it. whcih means she had to push. which really suck to have your gf push u in the heavy rain while you're driving. just when she was about to come out of her car into the rain....
FORTUNATELY, out of no where.. my knight in wet soaked clothes. boots and a safety helmet. A construction worker from a nearby site came and ask me sheepishly in malay if he could help! I almost felt shy that he asked. But yes. He gave the car a push, I managed to jump start the car and drove home.
Praise God for the help he sent me.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
learning music
I'm glad i made the decision to to stop lessons with jose for the time being.
Besides financial reasons, somehow I feel 'lighter'. It's probably the fear of hearing him saying another 'NO' to me!
The next step would be to increase my lines vocabulary and improve on the clarity of my tones when im picking. I'm still practicing the major scales at all positions in cycles of fourth. Still trying to do it everyday for 1 hour. Consistency, i think is the best teacher. I'm learning new lines as I play the scales over and over again.
I'm also goign to purchase a few books. Jazz Guitar Chord System (Acoustic Guitar Magazine's Private Lessons) -- by scott henderson. will be one of them. I'm trying to get hold of Joe Satrianis book too.
I am thinknig now, the ingredients I then need to improve =
1) desire to improve (i have to know why am i doing what im doing - my objectives...etc)
2) decide how much resources I am going to put in
3) Action plan and stick with it.
4) constantly think about 1) to keep realigning myself and focus.
Besides financial reasons, somehow I feel 'lighter'. It's probably the fear of hearing him saying another 'NO' to me!
The next step would be to increase my lines vocabulary and improve on the clarity of my tones when im picking. I'm still practicing the major scales at all positions in cycles of fourth. Still trying to do it everyday for 1 hour. Consistency, i think is the best teacher. I'm learning new lines as I play the scales over and over again.
I'm also goign to purchase a few books. Jazz Guitar Chord System (Acoustic Guitar Magazine's Private Lessons) -- by scott henderson. will be one of them. I'm trying to get hold of Joe Satrianis book too.
I am thinknig now, the ingredients I then need to improve =
1) desire to improve (i have to know why am i doing what im doing - my objectives...etc)
2) decide how much resources I am going to put in
3) Action plan and stick with it.
4) constantly think about 1) to keep realigning myself and focus.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)