Recap of the race.....

Bugger really stresses me out sometimes....

He took a big risk by not putting our best rowers down for the mixed and opens set, just to try and give more of the team exposure.

But I guess.... looking at the lanes and current.... I wonder if it would have made a big difference anyway.

Everyone's talking about luck in this race. Lanes, collisions, high tide, low tide, in flow, out flow.

Overheard one team talking while waiting for our event:

"Shit man, lane one is like cursed."

"Yah, see the blardy scoreboard.... all got same pattern one."

"I don't care... next time we come here, our new goal will be nothing more than - to prove that lane one is cursed."

Just found that so amusing.

Alot of crap to keep track of at the race site. Are the guys psyched up or down properly, is everyone around basecamp, when is our event, is it going to rain, what lane we are in, what time our event is, how the current will be at that time, who are our opponents.

I guess at every competition I just have a serious face. Why the hell not? Its a serious matter. Yet every now and then someone would try to 'relax' me. I don't need to frickin relax loh :p

Though it was nice to talk to the grand seniors again. Even if they were with safsa or ntu.

Weiwen talking about the current and lanes and luck with me.

Roy asking me not to push too hard.

Boon telling me the guys look too stressed out :p

Sensei explaining the tides and flow, and tempting me with beer :p


Then came the ivp mens heats.
I knew it would be not an easy race. The teams I respect the most were in our heats, and we were in the worst lane and current combination.

Rowed like hell, screamed/sounded off for the end charge. Wasn't our best set, thought we were screwed as saw the uni boat slightly infront of us at the finish line.

Then looked around and saw no other boats and thought: "wtf?".

So I looked behind and saw two boats in great turmoil and thought "WTF?!".



Ok tired, I guess recap of the finals tomorrow.

http://www.reubenkee.com/music/remixes/Ascension%20to%20Cosmo%20Canyon.mp3

Yeah, jackpot in the inspiration department!

Got my hands on two final fantasy concerts.

;_;

So beautiful.... these symphony orchestra arrangements.... the movements.... so fluid.

I need to simulate the emotion in my arrangements. Its difficult to emulate the extreme crescendos with software sometimes. Its not as simple as people as just making sure everything is in timing or quantizing the notes.... not even slowing or accelerating the speed of the song can properly convey the emotions or subtle pauses or holds that a real life conductor can pull off almost unnoticably.

Amazing.

I'm so demoralized right now haha.

Ah well, this'll help me improve.


The race is this weekend.

Quite sad, in a way. Last happenings....

Soon, only memories.

And as Hong left me, I shall inevitably have to leave them.

DB Training is getting more challenging, but the team constantly suprises me by persevering on.

Perhaps what is more suprising is how so many individuals which I initially did not notice have proven to become stronger, and shown determination which I would not have expected. And those whom I had high hopes for have somehow dissapointed in some aspects.

Thus is human nature, it seems. Never take anything for face value. Never think highly of someone just because others do.

Maybe bugger was right in his warning not putting too high hopes. But in a way, it has paid off so far, regardless. I'm sure Jo would agree.



Went for the kayaking chalet yesterday. I realize that its quite difficult for me to just try and relax sometimes. Always have to do something, always must have a plan, a course of action in effect.

Saw Stephen. Again reminded of the dissapointment. But, happy that at least he's doing what he wants.

Went out with the Alumni guys to watch Taxi at J8. Wonder why people like to reminisce so much... me included. The sadness, the resentment, but also the motivation was invoked once again. Sometimes its sad. Sometimes the past can prevent one from moving on. But I always remind myself to only study the past only to learn from it for future benefit.

In a way the greatest thing that Hong gave me was not expecting anything of me in this team.




Or at least not letting me know about it.

Hmmm have an interesting story to tell today....

Was at the coffee shop eating dinner with parents just now... when I felt this irritating sensation in my right eye and nose. Immediately turned behind and stared a some man in his 60-70s who was sitting at an adjacent table and inconsiderately blowing smoke in our direction. It already ticks me off when total strangers don't care for their own health and hygiene, but happily try to infiltrate other people's lungs with tar.... but such an act near the parents was highly disrespectful.

So I stared.... not a "Oi, you wanna fight issit?" stare, but a polite "Hey that's annoying" stare. Yes yes, I always remember uncle's words to never abuse what we have learnt to go and look for a fight and bully other people... although I pity the poor foo who tries to pick something with me....

And, he soon stopped puffing our way. What a gentleman he was. Truly. And so the rest of the meal was undisturbed.

Later when we were leaving and walking out of the place the man got up and gestured to my mother for her attention as he approached her.

And I thought. "Wtf? Does this guy really want to die?"

But his tempo was not erratic nor violent, and as he approached he said "excuse me".

"huh?" I thought.

Apparantly he and his friend were making a bet as to what sport I was in... because he said I had a good build and broad chest and bet that I was in swimming.

"WTF?"

Why some old men got nothing better to do.....

I wonder what his friend bet.... anyway there goes his money.