2 posts tagged “unexpected events”
It's been a hectic month so far, February. Particularly the Valentine thingamajig my class was handling. Classes was canceled (i hate that), lunch time were cut short (i really hate that) and heads were aching as we tried figuring out the best way to rack up astronomical profits by churning out the most can be churned out of a crew of six.
Me and Akak handled the singing telegram service quite well I must say. I was really very nervy at first since I've never ever played on acoustics all of the songs that was requested. Akak, well, she took it all as if we're running a 2-hour long arena concert and left everyone in awe.
All my life I've never bothered the vibe that Valentine's Day transcended. There's never a special day in my life since, every single day is always special on its own. But a week before, it took just a giggle, a face, and a smile. Ok, no butterflies-in-the-tummy thingie, but it was a sign for me pull another "what the heck?" job.
Her name's Nina, a Y2/S2 UEL student. All I did was spending RM5 on a pretty Selvam-made balloon and Akak acted as the messenger (she insisted). Wanna know what I said on the card?
Hey, I love the way you laugh.
Tea with me sometime?
019-2517394
Was it a bit too direct? Perhaps it was. But I'm not breathing down her neck, professing my love for her whatnot. I mean, it is the most sensible thing to do right? Having tea on the first date. I mean, first meet.
Despite all this Valentine hoopla, Ms. Mai still gives her news assignments and boy I'm kinda bored with it. Not writing, but the subject that we wrote about. I must learn the art of twisting boring stuff into something interesting. A good writer starts with that. I'm really looking forward to the court case write-up.
The family's off to Perth this Monday till Sunday. Sounds fun. But my fun factor dropped to an all-time low since most assignments are due right immediately after the holidays. Sad, I know.
Telephony Delivery is doing pretty well these days. Both our February shows are over and done with. The private party was our most decent show and Indie-Licious being a disaster of sorts. Initially we were suppose to take the stage after Project Ei8ht, but then IG Collective requested to play on our slot leaving us to play theirs. Out of courtesy, we agreed. The Collective mesmerized the largely club-going crowd and for a moment there, I thought Jam Asia was Alexis Bar. Things started to fall out of place when the Collective were packing their gears, allowing us on stage. The whole crowd literally left the scene! We played to less than 20 people that night. Half of it were made up of friends and other bands. The bad mojo kept on flowing as by the 3rd song, my guitar string snapped. Whether having Adib's SG is a blessing or not, I'm still thinking over it. It was badly tuned, and when it was locked in tune, it slipped instantly as we struggled through our 4th song. Nightmare.
But that horrid experience was somewhat a revelation to me. I said to myself, "Now you've been down at your lowest point, time to rise up. Rise up!".
Ajil mentioned a couple of weeks ago that Phang's doing a review on the Bear With Me gig. Then some nights ago I was browsing through Kakiseni.com. It was up! Here's what he has to say about our set that night:
"Easily the best newcomer to the scene that night was Telephony Delivery. I saw them play at Giggers' Café a few weeks before -- and although their potential was obvious at that time, what I heard at Bear With Me was far beyond my expectations.
A crew of six, Telephony Delivery delivered a stellar post-rock experience. Armed with relatively complex equipment (an array of effects for both guitarists, a vintage synthesizer, and a DJ playing god-knows-what-the-hell-are-all-those-knobs-and-buttons) the band created vast, intoxicating soundscapes and meshed them perfectly with details, resulting in intricate musical designs. The band's rhythm section fuelled the pace, weaving the entire set into a tapestry that would have put magic carpets to shame. Telephony Delivery is now on my personal 'Most Underrated Bands in the Scene' list".
That man was too kind with his words. And a couple of errors too. Were not a crew of six (we're a quintet) and I am the only guitarist. We were so hyper that night and everything went blurry that he might get the impression of us having another member. Heh.
We have 2 new songs in the works. Hopefully it may be unveiled by next month (we've 3 shows so far). March will definitely be a busy one. Adib's planning on doing a 3-way split with Deepset and Teenage Glory For The Wasted. If this goes through, we might do a mini-tour around the state/country(?).
The family did a surprise BBQ for my dad since it's his 60th birthday this year. We had sirloins, lambs, fish, chickens, bubur kacang, bubur jagung, fruit salad, freeflow-homemade pizza, mushroom soup, sup tulang, sandwiches, and so many more I can't even remember. The house's side lot turned into street-side warong with all the tables and chairs.
I have 2 EP deliveries to make today. KJ and Shah Alam. Whose idea was it to put 'Delivery' as part of the band name? Sigh.
All done, and now I'm home.
I had a blast answering the paper. MAF310 (Management Accounting) was
like riding a bike with triple tripod wheels. My leisure revision
technique paid off handsomely I reckon. The last time I had the same
feeling was way back in high school. Prinsip Akaun for SPM. Stuff of
legends.
After lunch with Shaf, I pulled at Petronas to fill up the tank before heading to USJ. My head was full of exciting, relaxing thoughts back home. Like how I miss my bed for instance. Or how I enjoy watching cars passing from the window of my workspace to the wee hours of the morning. Gas filled, cap locked, latch slammed, and I was off. Well, driving was never a problem. It's second nature. Like breathing if it should be compared so. I find it nothing extraordinary having to drive back to USJ alone on a breezy afternoon. So I did my usual stretch, 100 - 140, sometimes exerting myself to 160, but it's all under great caution. Then it poured quite heavily. Slippery roads are managable when you're doing an average 120 on a tarmac. But on concrete?
I believe you guys are really familiar with Malaysian roads right? Ok, the famous potholes are a given fact but what I'm getting to is how easily 'bendy' it can be. Heavy vehicles running on it over a period leaves a great impact on the surface causing the road to be puddle-y overnight. Admiteddly I find it a joy at times since the 'pudd bends' give a rather exciting bumpy twist to your ride. As if you're on a rocky boat but without all the seasickness. But today, I got to know it's ugly side better than I thought I knew.
I collided with a big, old Mercedes 6-wheeler.
I wasn't speeding. I barely did a 100 when it happened. No, I wasn't
sleepy either. No pressure from the traffic since Plus Highway's not
that jamm packed. I just lost control of the Wira, all thanks to the
pudd bends. I felt the warning signs a good 5 KM from the crash site so
I was already prepared by then, slowed down (albeit being in the fast
lane) and kept my focus. Then suddenly, the car swerved slowly to the
left without notice before I realized it was too late when I tried
turning right but to no avail.
Those were my exact words when I was 2 inches away from the lorry's right rear. The last time I screamed that loud was when I was circumcised. Well not those exact words, but the intensity was uncanny.
You know in movies where there's a dead silence just before something crashes with something else or how suspenseful a quiet environment is before the shit hits the fan? I had that silence. Nah, my life wasn't flashing right in front of me. I just had that milisecond of dead, muted silence. And no, nothing was a blur. I still remember precisely the chain of events after making contact with the lorry's rear. I heard windows smashing, metals tearing and the Wira was somehow momentarily airborned before touching ground and skidded leftwards before halting. The car was in between both lanes, obstructing traffic, facing a hill on the opposite direction heading North. It took me just 3 seconds to gather myself and get out of the wreck. Oh yeah, it was somewhere in Lembah Beringin.
A posse of call mens came to my rescue. Their quick thinking saved a lot of time and the next thing I knew I was in Ulu Bernam's Police Station lodging my report. There I met the lorry driver and his son. The bear-like Indian man was all smiles with me. I mean, I know the only damaged his lorry sustained was a bent mudguard but he acted like we just came out from watching the latest Bollywood comedy flick. Ok. No pressing charges. Good. But I got a compound ticket for 'wreckless driving'. Nice.
I called the parents after my report. They we're already on their way to LCCT en route to Dungun. They're glad I'm ok and that they trust me to handle things accordingly but it was tiring convincing them that I'd manage myself a transport home. The call guys were kind enough to give me a lift all the way to Rawang so I could catch the Komuter. Then Adam called and said that I should drop off in Sg. Buloh since he's there and heading home as well.
So what's the connection with the pudd bends you ask? See, when the pudds are filled with rain, passing through it will create somesort of an aquabed that separates your wheels and the road for a certain stretch. When things go wrong, you lose control of your vehicle since there's no grip whatsoever hence, my crashing of the Wira.
What's waiting for me in the coming days are trivial matters. Insurance, insurance and more insurance. What a way to start your semester break huh? I'd like to thank all the incoming SMSes and phone calls. Thanks a zillion for your concerns. Even my relatives in KL and Johor was all panicky on the phone. I felt bad being slightly amused. They're bloody relieved that I escaped the whole ordeal unscathed.
So am I.
