Runner’s High

Running outside of my estate is really quite refreshing. One thing that is definitely different is that im not running in circles anymore. I used to run within my estate, each loop being 1.12km excluding the start point which is approx.
320m away from the main loop.
Now, i’ve began running one big loop covering, pierce reservoir to bishan park and back home.
I noticed that it isn’t as tiring running out as compared to running within my estate. I would start to feel like crap whenever i hit lap number 6 within my estate.
Running out though, the air seems so much more articulate, able to breathe better and fatigue doesn’t seem to hit.
Well, i will be running my usual route as my daily training. My main problem is now the dreaded pull-up for NAPFA.
What an interesting day it was today. After, i was done with my run which ended at the estate’s park, i was going to do my usual training regime of sit-ups, pull-ups, push-ups and the plank. As i entered the park, i saw 2 people sitting on the sit-up bench. Couldn’t make out who they were as my eyes were blurred due to my sweat so i couldn’t see as far plus the day getting dark didn’t really help. So i just proceeded to doing my pull-up training first, a bit of karaoke drill, plank. They still didn’t move from where they were. At least, they weren’t china workers. I should really write a letter of complaint to the committee. But anyways, i decided i have to do my sit-ups for the day. So, i just went up to them and asked them. To my surprise, the female was Alison! She was an old friend whom i have not seen in like more than 6 or 7 years i would say.
I didn’t want to say her name at first, afraid that i might mistake her for a different person. Then as i was about to begin my sit-ups, she shouted from a distance, “You are Glen? Right?”. I was thoroughly surprised. After all these years she could still remember who i was. I replied back, “Yeah! I am. How did you know my name? Your Alison right?”. And she said, ” Yeap, from the playground..”. I was walking home after my workout in amazement. I kept telling myself, no way how could she remember. Oh well, glad that the old days weren’t forgotten. It’s really quite something to have childhood friends remembering each other. Well, i have to admit Alison was really the prettiest girl in my estate. I shan’t go into details. Heh..
I’m hoping for more coincidences like this cause this estate is really getting a bit too quiet. It’s nice yes, but it’s definitely better to have friends around the neighborhood coming out more often.
I shall end my post here! Eat your chocolates people! Twice a week in moderation! It can save you from heart related diseases!!
Oh before i end here are the routes i have marked out to chart my progress as well as knowing how far I’m running. Click on the images to get a better view!
Route 1, Distance: 8.77km

Route 2, Distance: 9.31km
Cheers!

Back with a bang

Hello peeps or whoever actually still reads my blog. I’m serious if you really do still visit please please do leave a comment, to let me know of your existence. I am sincerely very very grateful if you do. Gives me more motivation to continue posting and keeping this blog moving!

Speaking of moving. The past months, i have really been moving. Thanks to Laurent, i’ve become a regular jogger again. Was on a little hiatus.  Jogging at least 5 to 6km everyday. I only take a break when i feel really bushed out. Ever since i watched the tips on Adidas’ website, i have become a lot more aware of how i jog, posture, breathing and more. Run tall people, keep your backs straight and pace your breathing. This i find very helpful and one can really feel a difference. Living example, me.
Today, i would say i hit a double digit kilometre today. I should really invest in a speedometer.
Moving on, was on a photography spree the past month. I’ve gotten myself very familiar in the handling of DSLRs.
Aperture, Shutter, ISO speeds, the amount of flash, flash speed, white balance, the works. It’s been very educational. A journey of self exploration into the world of photography. I’ve also gotten myself accustomed to the usage of post processing tools ala Photoshop.
Please do take some time to visit my SHUTTERFLY to have a look of what i have captured so far.

Thinking, thinking, still thinking, I guess that pretty much sums it all up for the months that i have been absent from this blog.
So please do check back in to my blog, will posting at the very least, once a week.

Once again, thanks for visiting!!
Cheers!

Assassin’s Creed

Alrighty people! First review!

Title: Assassin’s Creed
Developer: Ubisoft
Genre: Action

First Impressions:

Well, i have been meaning to play this game when i got my Playstation 3.
So, let’s cut the crap and go straight into this shall we?
Upon entering the game, i was greeted with a tutorial session of the game’s mechanics and controls.
The graphics that were presented to me were clear and crisp and the character models looked great. There are some troubles with the frame rate though but it doesn’t really bother me…much.
So after playing the game a bit, one thing in particular that really impressed me was the fluidity of the Altair’s(The Main Man) movements. It was really natural and there were no awkward turns and reactions.
At first look the game is well set up. Having its’ setting in the historical context, it’s hard to say this game looks dull although having depressing moments where you find yourself in a poor district, but that is the whole magic of it all. The environment is pretty solid with well constructed models of the structures, it’d make any player feel right at home with history.
All right let’s go in deeper.

Story:
You play as well who else the bad boy himself Altair. Slick moves, athletic maneuverability and the bad ass attitude. I shouldn’t dwell on this part too much as it would really spoil the plot for anyone who actually hasn’t played the game yet.
The story has proven to me a pretty weak plot with tasks that are repeated throughout the course of the game.
This should have been something Ubisoft should have seen and rectified.
Still, it leaves room for players open to many assumptions as to where the story goes.

Gameplay and Graphics:
As mentioned earlier the graphics are stunning, detailed environment and character models will make you overlook the few flaws that the game presents such as occasional frame rate and rendering problems.
Gameplay is awesome! The combat takes some time to get use to but once mastered, knights, templars, what paladins!? No kick lar !!
The cutscene that appears if you execute a counter attack is always a nice treat when in combat. Keeps the morale up if you know what i mean, and talking about morale..the more you kill in a single move the more the lesser guards will fear you so yeah that’s something to take note off.
The AI can be pretty irritating though, especially the poor folks and the something gone wrong in the head cock heads that always try to screw you up. The enemies in the game are pretty much the cities’ various guards and the templars that are spread across the world of Assassin’s Creed.  So the variety lies only there. Well, of course not forgetting the assassination targets of course.  Also, his movements are very articulate, it’s just like what you would expect to do in the real world, running, sprinting, colliding into people. Impressive note, the climbing. Man, this bugger makes climbing walls look like child’s play. Scale towers and buildings like never before. Altair delivers.

Sound:
Could have been more well defined, especially the ambient and crowds.
But overall it was great. The footsteps and realistic sounds on different flooring makes the game more alive. 5.1 surround for the win!! The sounds in the game and music are articulate and show no signs for anything awkward.

Overall:
This game is worth playing through once. But it would really take a hardcore gamer to revisit the game to collect and complete the many sidequests that are in the game. I find times trying to motivate myself to go find all the flags but i guess i’ll be needing more push or when i have the free time.
The graphics and the gameplay mechanics prove to be impressive though the story and quests are the main let down for this game. Many have anticipated this title to be one of the greatest realeases but looks like Ubisoft will have some work to do.

Score:
This game gets a 8.2/10 from me
Recommended to play this game through.

Game Reviews

I think i am going to start this little section soon.
Reviewing games that i have played through on the Playstation 3.

So, anyone out there who actually reads my blog anymore =x
Look out for it.

In a Random Moment

I realize in a lot of movies i watched, it will always have this line —> quote ” This is insane!!!” unquote

No this is not a desperate attempt to revive my blog.

Cheers.

It’s getting quiet..

Lately, my estate has really gotten extremely stagnant.
The days just come and go, without anything interesting happening at all. The streets are just practically empty and activity-less. I could still remember when i was in primary school, children still come out to play, even the youths age range: 14 and above were up and about.
Now, its just gotten really stale. I’m seriously beginning to think that I’m the only 18 year old walking around the estate. Other than me, you have all the working class who returns home like a programmed bot at approx. 7.30pm to 9pm.
I don’t see anyone of my age group walking about the estate anymore. Be it, just hanging out at the estate’s park or just having a stroll.
Its so empty, to me it probably felt wrong. Seeing people of my age walking around the estate is now to me considered RARE. LOL.
Ah well, guess life is just like that. Probably another reason why the estate has suddenly gone extremely quiet could be due to the fact that the neighbouring estate, Green Meadows, which is only separated by a gate, has recently been totally razed to the ground. I guess their building a new property. Seems to me like a condo or something. I really couldn’t care less. In the past people from both estates mingled, played soccer and the sorts. Although i am really interested about the new residents who will move into the once was Green Meadows.
Coming back to the estate’s park. I have been strolling a bit these days, just being someplace quiet. So there was one day, after school was done. I walked down to the park. It was in the evening so it was cooling and surprisingly windy too. Ever since the park was revamped, it had this pretty awesome stage/amphitheater.
I was really surprised that it is under-utilized. It, to me was a very good venue for performances to be organized. But no one could be bothered. I guess they want to preserve the peace huh.

This is a picture of the stage, pretty blur though, glaring the sun was.
Well, i hope to maybe talk with the Nee Soon South CC of maybe using the stage to organize an event to liven up the estate.
Till then,
Cheers.

More Stuffs.. o0

So school was pretty much the same as always. Ive gotten to like Industrial Electronics and Control. Probably cause it was one of the only subjects i really held an understanding too xD.
Recently, started to play monster hunter freedom 2 again. Not only cause the 2ndG US version is coming out soon, but also it’s really much more fun when you have 4 guys literally raping a monster in more ways than you can ever imagine. Don’t worry though it’s nothing sexual neither is it S&M. It be wrong..

I’m the dude to the extreme left, yes with a big ass sword =3

I was leaving school one day, and i saw the new Nissan Skyline, which now they just call it GTR. No idea why.. but it’s one heck of a beautiful car. It IS probably the ONLY car which you can drive around Singapore’s streets that has a top speed of 350km/h on the tachometer. Thats really THE shit. L.O.L

Singaporeans are getting richer nowadays aren’t they. >_>
I would like to drive it too thank you xD
But, i would really be very contented with a Volkswagon Golf GTI 2.0 with a body kit and maybe a stage 4 turbo in it, i don’t know, =3

Ooooo… I have a new acquisition on my board. Not the most exciting news but hey! i’m excited =]
So i’ve bought the Subdecay EchoBox. It is a pretty radical delay. I would say its a Chorus + Delay pedal.
The most interesting thing is that it is analog circuitry, with a analog sounding delay with the digital clarity.
Quite a description ain’t it. I am pretty impressed with it, sound and tone wise. My board will be what it is for many years to come.

Lights……………..

Well time to set sail….

to a place called WORK =.=
I have to get down rehearsing my part for the presentation tomorrow.
Now, where the hell is my formal suit.
Errr. Cheers xD

Fresh Off The Shelf

So, It’s 1:31am, Monday, 5th of May 2008. I’m sitting on my chair, ranting.
This post is going to stretch quite a fair bit, as i have quite the load of things to talk about.
Well then, where shall i start. Let’s begin things with the things that happened in school.
Lessons were as tiring as usual though there are modules which were pretty interesting.
Electronic Design Automation is shit. Seriously.  As interesting as it may seem. The work involved is
just pure insanity. It is practically impossible to finish within a session. Well, unless if one is a really quick and focused, the job would be done at the moment lesson ends.
Coming to kendo. The juniors have arrived. As expected of any CCA, the turnout for the first session was pretty big. Subsequently, the numbers dropped as the weeks go by. Club crawl was really fun by the way. Although, it really SUCKED to miss lessons. I guess that is all i would talk about for school. Don’t really feel like ranting on and on about school anyways. Come to think of it there is actually one thing that i should talk about. It’s the rubbish bin !! Well, i know you all might be thinking now, why the heck would you talk about the rubbish bin!? Pretty absurd right? Just the opposite. My kendo trainings are Mondays and Fridays. So, it was this particular Friday, I noticed the rubbish bin. It was so full to the point that trash had to be put on top of it and even around it. The trash were all drink packets/cans that the good sportsmen/women of NYP have left.
The Trash:

Beautiful ain’t it. Ha.

Next up, guitar maintenance!!
For the past 3 years now, i have been re-stringing my guitar on my own. Learned it all via the good old internet, with its ever so reliable source of information on all things good and bad. =]
So, at some point, one would really feel the glory and sense of achievement of being able to re-string his/her instrument. And so I’ve done a re-stringing job on my Mustang recently.
Perfection was the only word used to describe this round of maintenance.
The Bound Of Perfection =]

Something that could have almost ended in tragedy for my Mustang happened a few days ago.
I guess I’ll have to change my gigbag. I’ve ordered one RDM Duo anyways. Heh.
And so to the matter at hand. My old rockbag, i washed it about 2 weeks back and still has yet to dry.
I wouldn’t have realized this until i took out my Mustang about 4 days back. It had condensation on the body, the neck pickup was “popped”, screws were rusted, strings were rusted, it was just a horrific sight to see.
Immediately, i took a cloth and wiped it dry. I dissembled the guitar, cleaning the guitar thoroughly. I was almost at a complete lost of what to do. After a moment, with thoughts collected, first things first. I went to care for the neck first, checking if it is warped in anyway then applying a quick coat of lemon oil.
After the neck was done, i went on to the main body. Wiped the screws with WD-40 and oiled any parts that needed it. It was a fortunate thing, that i paid attention to Beez when I brought my guitar for maintenance that I wasn’t really confident to do it myself. I had to change one of the guitar’s pickup. So, carefully i de-soldered the damaged pickup, and slowly put in the spare one. At first, i was worried about the configuration as the spare pickup was meant for the bridge. By putting it in, it would mean a bridge-bridge configuration, the sound and tone would then be questionable. But i really didn’t have a choice so i carried out the “operation”. When everything was done, i assembled the guitar back together and re-stringed it with a fresh set of D’Addarios .10s
I looked at my Mustang, and heaved a big sigh of relieve. I had successfully “saved” the guitar from what could have ended in a disaster. The output jack needs replacement though.
I could be a guitar repair/maintenance guy in the future o0 ha.
Right, moving on. I’ve actually placed an order for a Fender Japan Telecaster about 2 weeks back. She arrived on Friday, 2nd May, 2008, 10am. I couldn’t be there to see it and I didn’t expect it as i was already school at 8am. So, when i returned home, tired and totally worn out from kendo, i dragged my bogu bag to my maid’s room and asked her to wash the gi and hakama as always and asked her if my package arrived. She nodded sleepily. My eyes opened immediately. For the record, I’ve been asking my maid every single day whenever i returned from school whether my package has arrived. And so, i quickly went upstairs and saw the big box lying on my bed. I was extremely excited.
The Box:

And there it was lying inside, my new Fender Japan Telecaster 62′Reissue with Texas Special Pickups.
The reason why i bought this, the tone of the telecaster is something that really appealed to me and proves to be excellent in the application of post rock. Adding to the already big plus, it features a very very very sexy double bond on the body which will be shown in the later pictures. Moreover, it also features an alder body and compliments to the telecaster’s already excellent tone. This guitar would be the guitar i would keep stock for quite a while. I was thoroughly impressed and proved that it was a really worthwhile buy.

Further Unpacking:

Almost there…

Beautiful.

Now, i have 2 beauties as my workhorses for my music making, who knows probably my money making tools as well (laughs in a sarcastic way)
The money spent and the waiting I’ve been through was really worthwhile.
I’m aiming for the Telecaster Thinline next. But, that would be a pretty long time before I place the order.
Well, till next time. If you do have some free time guys visit -> http://www.myspace.com/weareavis
My band’s originals are up!! Check them out when you can!!
Cheers!

Arigatou

A really really really big thank you to all my kendo pals who came down for the gig @ the arts house on april 19th!! You guys just rock lar hahah. Also Happy Birthday and thank you to Alina for being a PR xD youzor rocks Alina, i buy you a drink one day xD
To Jiaying as well, for the photos and videos thank you!! The video served as very important reference for us =]
Till next time, Cheers !!

This month of MARCH….

SUCKS!!!!
SUCKS!!!!
SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!
SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!
SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!
SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!
SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!
SUCKS!!!!
SUCKS!!!!
SUCKS!!!!
SUCKS!!!!
SUCKS!!!!
SUCKS!!!!
SUCKS!!!!
SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!
SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!
SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!
SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!
SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!
SUCKS!!!! SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!

SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!

SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!

SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!

SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!SUCKS!!!!

Sheesh =.=