2 posts tagged “weekend exploits”

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.

What would probably bother me most this week is the fact that I barely started reading my notes for Thursday's Investment finals. But then this weekend came about. I was again, sidetracked.

My Saturday was a slow-burner. Woke up at 12 and staight away slumped my ass in front of the laptop (and PC; football manager bebeh) right after showers. The previous night was wasted with Adam and Azhar at Manggo. I miss my Banana Shake fix. Got a text from Pa'e while I was there. He's having a get-together late in the afternoon. I smiled happily whilst replying, haven't seen the old gang since July. So after a lil' chit chat with Ibu, off I went to Shalam to meet up Zhaf. I tell you, thank God that he knows his way around. Klang is such a bitch to tame! Once you get distracted, that's it. Bye-bye. You're lost. So there we were, all 6 of us. Laughing our heads off at Razi's antics while trying hard not to spill the laksa that we were eating. I can't stop munching the spicy mini eggrolls that Pa'e had to take it to the kitchen 3 times for refills. It's so damn good!

We stayed a while more before splitting. Akim's been bugging me forever to check out the new Cash Converters outlet in Sunway. Well it was ok. I think Buy Sell Trade has a lot more to offer. But then I managed to get myself the now-rare Least Wanted Hits compilation (RM9) and a Therapy? single (RM3). Hehe. It was already 8 by then. Ibu called and told us to get our own dinner since she's too tired to fix up anything. We were practically stumped as to where we'd go to satisfy our unattended tummy. Akim needed to stop by Toys 'R Us for a birthday present that he was due to give. I had a blast oggling at the new Lego, revving the many motorized Hot Wheels on display, checking out the latest Batman stuffed plushie figure, laughing at the weird doodles we made with Etch-A-Sketch and pretty much torturing the staff and other patrons with the amount of noise we let out. After all that, we still have tummies to fill.

LEGO City: Airport Series

Fast food has been a staple diet for us since Ramadhan bowed its way out of the limelight so McD and KFC's out of the question. There's no place I know of that serves good nasi campur at night so that was out too. Akim objected to Salmon Steak because it seems it won't be the same without my friends around so Pan Cafe was our last resort. I must say that their Prima Breakfast Set (yes, served for dinner) is a good bargain. Scrambled eggs, a portion of hash browns and a couple of beef bacon strips for 5 bucks? Yummeh.

So then Sunday was expected to be tiresome. The plan was for Hapis, Amir and me to head back to Bota circa 5 but then due to a request the trip back just has to be Monday. That however, brought joy to my heart as I can FINALLY attend Akak's makan-makan do! I can't really remember when was the last time I enjoyed the company of friends. Well, maybe my 'surprise' birthday bash last month could count as one. If the company was good, the food's even better! The beef rendang was rightfully made to perfection. Semi-hard meat and mild mix of spices, nothing could go wrong. And I was amazed at myself for not getting myself lost along the way. Wehoo.

Junk Mag

Oh yeah, at last I bought myself a copy of Junk's debut issue. The content's great. Reminds me a lot of dear old TONE but IMHO the layout needs some extra brainstorming. It's too, how shall I say this, space-wastingly rigid? The sampler CD is also cool but maybe it lacks a proper theme of cohesiveness but that intentionally for the 1st issue, I'm hoping to see better days.

I'm not done packing. It looks like I've no intention to end it.