Atonement

I caught the show yesterday and felt it was quite good. It should be, having garnered the Golden Globe award for best motion picture for drama.

The story was very sad, with flashbacks and a tragic romance told (get ready some tissue). I won't say it's haunting, but I liked the story very much. It's a show that you would reflect about after (I like this kind of shows) and the story just stays in your mind, well, my mind at the least. It's not your usual kind of tragic love story in the circumstances of how 2 lovers were separated.
As I thought about the show after, the story grew on me and the impact of the sad affair filled me, and though the show is about atonement, the way it's done makes one feel the gap/void in the heart which was created and the reality that atonement could never truly be attained.

Of course, there was James McAvoy too! I remember him from Children of Dune which was a TV miniseries I caught on Hallmark channel a couple of years back and Macbeth, a TV movie I watched on Hallmark channel, the latter being a modernised version of the play, set in a kitchen, where he played Macbeth, the chief chef. I just realised that he was Mr. Tumnus too.

It was interesting too, the use of the typewriter sounds.

(Half) a day off

I took my 1st Sabbath for the year yesterday, and it was really a day of rest for me. My mind was in a mess these days and so many things seem to be happening and I was feeling "crowded out" by all these. Maybe it was some lethargy, then lots of work to clear (though still trying to get myself into it), the confirmation of bad news and also school that's just starting...you know, everything seems cluttered. So the half-day was a good break for me & good timing too.

I had actually applied for this time-off a while back coz I had to really set aside the time for my Sabbath right? And just nice I had Songcraft session that night, so thought I'd make it coincide. This time round though, I didn't actually do any planning of what I was going to do, besides the need to use my $10 Isetan voucher to replenish some skincare products.

I'm someone who plans things ahead and usually, if I'm taking the day off, I would plan my itinerary, like go to a museum, etc. However, this time I didn't do a schedule. And it was great! It was really a day where I felt a needed some alone time and I just did stuff spontaneously. Well, I had intended to go Isetan, so I just went to Orchard. Along the way, I was thinking where I should have my lunch. I decided I should go to TCC at Isetan Scotts and maybe I can get a window seat and do some brooding. Well, I didn't get a window seat, but I treated myself to a good lunch (which ended by 2pm), did some reading, "stoned" a little and I realised that I had such a long time more to spend before Songcraft, so what should I do? A bit lazy to venture out of Isetan, I thought: just shopping would be too short (anyway, wasn't that much in a mood), so should I catch a movie? I went to Lido, looked at what shows there were screening at 3 plus, and took a while before deciding that I should watch a movie and which one (Atonement). So yes! I watched a movie off-the-fly. It was a good show. The cinema was quite empty, probably with about 20 people, probably because of the timing. Then I went off to meet my friend to buy tics to Mosaic Festival.

It was a good time away from thinking of work, and relaxing to have some alone time. Haha...now I don't feel like doing work.

Ok, ok. I know Sabbath is supposed to be some spiritual walk too. This time round, I think I was clearing my mind of all those clutter. How can I "walk" with purpose when I'm "choked up"? Also, I felt I should try to do less grousing about the terrible situation that is arriving soon.

Songwriting

Hmm...was reading a friend's entry about songwriting and I started to reflect on the way I come up with songs. An amateur, I'm neither good at playing instruments nor penning the music down (I believe they're tied together). As I'd stopped my music lessons more than 10 years ago, my songwriting is primarily just melody/tune with lyrics.

Anyway, in any case, how do my songs come about? Most of the time, the melody comes together with the lyrics (in progressive parts) and I would usually record it down with a sound recorder so that I won't forget it. You'll never know when your inspiration might come. I guess for me, it happens more often when I'm in my 'loner mode' or when I'm sad.

Another point is that the lyrics mean a lot more to me than the music (although both are important) so I try to write more meaningful/poetic/"deep" lyrics. Maybe this is because most of the time, the songs I write are more personal and expresses my thoughts & feelings, which are described through the words. Well, maybe hence, one would be more forgiving of the music if it doesn't sound good. ;P

Bleak days ahead in my dept (2)

I was contemplating what replies I would give if my head asks me about my opinion/thoughts/feelings about this. Many thoughts ran through my head and so here's a list of possible responses:

1) Can't wait to transfer out as soon as I can (unfortunately, I'm bonded for 3 years at my current job posting starting 1 Feb)
2) I nearly cried/I held back tears when it was announced (it's true)
3) Black days ahead/end of days
4) She has big shoes to fill
5) Is it temporary?
6) The dept she left must be very happy (sorry, this is a bit mean)
7) Worst news in a decade
8) I'm having nightmares about it (it's true too)
9) Depressing
10) Speechless/shocked
11) We're letting the nation down (ok, a bit exaggerating)
12) It's equivalent to having no replacement

I know, some of these sound mean, but I can't help feeling depressed over it. Maybe I'll add some more along the way, but that's all for now.
The only good thing is that maybe I'll have a song coming.

Bleak days ahead in my dept

I nearly cried when our head announced who's going to take over my boss's position to oversee our unit when she retires end March...enuf said...

Logo for Songcraft (2)

Did more try-outs for the design. (Do I not have other things to do?...ok, once I start, it's hard to stop, and wanted to do something productive & fun after work, at home)

By way of putting simplicity into the design and explore the guitar tabs concept, here are 2 logos that I found alright.

For the 2nd design, I kinda like it. It was a different attempt with a guitar tab from the 1st one coz I tried different fonts for the word "Songcraft". Rather than use the treble clef for "S", I used another musical symbol, the Segno. Also used a semibreve for the "o" and the forte for the "f". I initially intended a harp-like design for the words "Songwriting Circle", but as I worked on them, I decided that they are like headphones and sort of create the suggestion of a circle.

Logo for Songcraft

Our chairman was calling for a logo for our little group, so I thought why not try something? So here's what I got.

Well, it's a bit too colourful & big for a logo, and it totally doesn't look "simple" which he wanted, but it's a nice try-out just for fun...an excuse to do something. So what's the concept behind this and how was it done?

Actually the backdrop was from 1 of my photos of a sunflower and I inverted the colours. Looks nice right? The idea was also because we're a "Circle". The centre part looked like a circle and I liked the surrounding blue (petals) coz u see different shades and a nice glowing effect. There's also some contemporary, yet mysterious but also vibrant feel to it. I also liked that stray petal that is slightly in the circle. It makes the image seem less dull and adds some quality to it which I can't describe. Hmm...come to think of it, maybe it can mean we're open and inclusive.

As for the design proper, well, I chose to do a (music) staff/stave-like circle to indicate we are a music group and doesn't it also reflect composition since we use the staff/stave to write our music? Also, it being in a circular form signifies continuity (that's what this Circle should have).

Next, I tried to fit the words "Songcaft Songwriting Circle" into the staff. The mirror image of the words was purely accidental coz I over-pulled the words while trying to make it into a curved form and it suited the purpose coz I needed to put the words at the top & bottom and having it twice seemed... So the mirror image made it all the more interesting and looked logical...hmm...it might give some other meaning too like being reflective, or the sharing atmosphere as peers, as we face our own group of audience...well, the explanation is rather abstract but think you can imagine what I mean.

As for the centrepiece "Songcraft", it was really trial & error. See the guitar tabs? Well, it was also another "accidental" attempt. I was scrolling through the various fonts for a nice one for the word "songcraft" and I chanced upon this font (Seville). It depicted the word as guitar tabs which was pretty cool & relevant. So I used it and put the word "Songcraft" in English over it instead.

Yup, it sure was fun trying out for this. I tend to follow themes so given a theme here ("create a logo") gave me an excuse/opportunity to find some inspiration to do something artsy. :) Some of the ideas seem a bit abstract and requires some thinking, but I like to do stuff like that...gives the piece of work a deeper meaning.

2008 resolutions

It's a new year now and as I ponder over what's going to be in store for me, it's tough not to remember the really eventful 2007.

2007 was pumped with "adrenaline" with all the new explorations that led to "new eyes" and a new mind to the little snippets of my life. Swooning with all these as I move into 2008, the year is looking like a blank paper, waiting to be written on...what can I put in this year to make it a special year with more new things or inspiration? With this, I'm prompted to "hold in my reins" and take some time to settle down and slowly consider the aspects of my life to work on. With Beatles playing in the background I pen thee...

For my spiritual life, even as I'm typing this post, I just realised how things work out with GOD's plan. This year has been dedicated as the Year of Sabbath (for my church) and I realised that this really applies to me. Even beginning this post with "holding in the reins" is in line with the theme of the year. And I also realised that my decision to set aside at least half a day each month since June for a personal Sabbath now seem to have been preparing me for this year ahead (although I've not been carrying it out much). So what's the sabbath? It's not just about resting (too much resting can make you lethargic), but it is also taking a step back to reflect, remember, restore & rebuild too. So yes, I must fully carry out my half-day thingy. Another would be to be more disciplined in my devotional time (ok, I make this resolution every year, but somehow...*sheepishly guilty*). Maybe more things will be revealed to me as yet in this area.

Music-wise, having passed through the exploratory, trial & error stage (not that I would stop this), it's time to "consolidate" and think of what the exposure will bring. I hope this year will bring more inspiration to my heart. Would love to write more worship songs, especially at least 1 Chinese song. I realised my worship songs seem to have a recurring theme, so maybe I'll work along those lines. Of course, also to finish up my other "half-songs", though I do find that the tunes don't sound so satisfactory. Maybe should start them anew. With my new Mac, should try out making new stuff too.

Well, career-wise, it's really not determined by me. I did choose this path, but in terms of progression, no matter how one strives in a certain direction, it still boils down to who your boss is. But I do hope that with me being on the professional development programme will help me in some way progress in the subject area I've chosen (ok, this is not exactly a resolution...just hope)

For sports, I do want to train up on one thing for my fencing - accuracy. Think I've got the footwork almost there, but I always miss the target & lose a point coz my accuracy's not there.

As it is, being human is to err but there's no excuse to improving one's character. Unfortunately, I sometimes find myself a little critical & mean. I think I became so after I started work. No more the "innocent" outlook to life and have forgotten my philosophy/belief that there must be at least 1 good point in each one of us for ain't we GOD's creation? So my philosophy was to focus on the good point(s) of the person and one would be less critical & biased towards the person...should be less judging of anyone especially if it's someone you've not interacted with and there's only been hearsay.

Something that I must complete this year is my Dream Book. It is actually a blank notebook that my pastor gave last year to jot down our dreams (although now I've been informed she's going to give us one notebook each year...will use the rest for other things). Anyway, this will be a book that will document my dreams of what I hope to achieve in my life, which includes music, ministry, etc. Right now, I've only written the (inspirational) foreword...after 1 year?! Yup, so I've got to get down to writing down my dreams...though I need to get some inspiration for some insightful write-up. It's not just about listing the dreams (which one can do anytime & I've already done so), but it will give the rationale, background, updates, etc. so that when I go back to it in future, there is some relational/reflective perspective to it.

Well, that's all for now...think that's a lot already?