Photo: Calvin Seah
Following up on what I wrote at the end of 2010, I’ve decided to frame a bigger perspective on what I’ve seen and learnt in 2011. It wasn’t quite the year I was expecting. I was looking forward to bigger things, specifically, fulfilling a life-long dream. Took a very irresponsible risk by leaving a job I just wasn’t 100 per cent sure about and dropping out of completing my second bachelor’s degree so I could live off what was left of my inheritance. But as one of my newly found mentors told me recently, “better a slow start than a false start.” Things brightened up towards the end of the year. With this momentum, I’m hoping I really do get to achieve those unfulfilled dreams this year. Before I turn this into a full-on emotional ramble, here are the highlights of my 2011.
1. Awesome gigs
Laneway Singapore – Jan 29
Most of the gang. Drenched in rain and confetti.
One of my resolutions for 2011 was not missing any gigs I could afford to go for. Laneway, or more affectionately known as, Rainway, was a brilliant start. The inaugural Singapore edition of the music festival got me hooked to bands I’ve ignored previously like !!!, Holy Fuck, Warpaint and Yeasayer. I also struck watching Beach House, Foals and Ladyhawke ‘live’ off my list. More significantly, I made a bunch of new friends with whom I’ve not only shared new music with, but also pop cultural experiences throughout the year. Yes, cue hipster joke here.
Identite 4.3 – Oct 14
THE OWC.
Speaking of friends I made at Rainway, I came down for this to support one of them who was performing at her maiden gig in her first band. Turned out the rest of the crowd was there for the same reason. And we weren’t disappointed. The OWC stole the show with their 60s inspired, catchy tunes. You could compare them to contemporary counterparts, The White Shoes and the Couples Company. This gig pretty much put them red hot on the local indie radar, getting rave reviews in the papers for their subsequent gigs. They’ve even found time to release an EP recently. When they make it big, which I think they will, the hipster in me can stand up and proclaim proudly, “I was at their first gig!”/”Their singer/guitarist/bassist/drummer is a friend of mine, you know?” Ha. Interlude, which played after them were solid, if I were listening to their CD that is. You can play fantastic music, but if your keyboardist/samples guy sighs every five seconds during your performance, you’re only going to allow your crowd to do the same. Yawns. Event headliners, Shelves, played their usual tight set. They never disappoint.
The National – Nov 6
Photo: Aidil aka The National's biggest fanboy in Singapore
To be honest I only started paying attention to them after they called off their original gig in March. News came in months later in September saying they were coming afterall in November. Since the coffers were still a bit dry, especially since I only just started my first full time job in the whole year, I decided to give this one a pass. Here’s the first bit of awesomeness: after my birthday lunch with the team, one of the bosses tapped on my shoulder while I was furiously plugging away at my keyboard and lo and behold, one ticket to The National ‘live’ in Singapore. Mad. They weren’t front row seats, but I was grateful no less. First month in and I got that for my birthday. Bit of awesomeness number two: Met up with the gang to psyche up for the gig and found out a friend of a friend couldn’t make it. He had front row seats. I said yes before they offered me the ticket. I haven’t even started talking about the gig. Nothing short of greatness. Enough said.
Other gigs of worthy mention were The Drums, MGMT and Two Door Cinema Club. Awesome, but not quite as awesome as my top three.
2. Tripping out
The lords of Double-Six-town.
This was my Bali in January: Fireworks every night until New Year’s Day, from along the streets to along the bay, a bad case of the belly after dodgy clams at pub night, surfing and Bintang by the beach. Highlight of the trip was of course, the Rp1,500 chillied grilled corn I was munching in the photo above. I kid.
Sunrise at Angkor Wat.
Cambodia in February was a mixed bag of emotions. Seeing the massive Angkor Wat complex was a step up from Borobudur and the old Kraton I visited at Yogyakarta in 2010. The guidebooks weren’t joking either about the intricate bas reliefs carved into the temple walls. I wasn’t lying either when I typed earlier that the complex was massive. It got tiring by the middle of day two of temple raiding. We scooted over to Phnom Penh to pay respects to the genocide victims at Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields. Nothing short of depressing. It was an eye opener, but I couldn’t wait to get back home to my family and friends, people I may not have if I were born under the Khmer Rouge regime.
Spot the sick boy.
Was really bummed about not being able to run the Penang Marathon in November. Caught the flu bug a few days before the race and couldn’t get well in time. The boys didn’t quite enjoy the run though. We found many lapses in the race organisation. Lack of route markers and water points and congested finishing lanes to name a few. Hope they learn and put up a better show next year. I didn’t miss out on the other agenda of the trip: the food. Char Kway Teow, Laksa, Pasembur and Chendol down the belly made me a very happy man despite the constant wheezing.
FYI, that's my windbreaker hood, not a wind sock.
Two weeks after Penang in the first weekend of December, the gang plus one went on to scale Southeast Asia’s highest peak, Mount Kinabalu. I wasn’t at my fittest best after just recovering from the flu but I was determined to reach the summit, especially after hearing many stories from friends who couldn’t make it to the top. The endless stairs up to Laban Rata lodge was a struggle but all of us made it eventually. Made friends with a 19-year-old Swede who bunked with us at the lodge. Brave boy was touring Southeast Asia by himself after graduating high school. He’s still around here I think. The early morning trek to Low’s Peak was a lot more fun, scaling rock walls and shoving rude Korean fogeys out of the way. We even managed a sighting of an endangered animal, the black shrew, which is endemic to the mountain. I was sure it was a rat until I googled wildlife at the mountain after the climb. I was the only one excited about it though. Unfortunate we didn’t take any photos of the creature. The descent was a quick but very painful affair. Lunch at the resort at the foot of the mountain was pretty decent too, till I got hit by Bali belly part two. Four out of the five of us were down, three with fever. We had to cancel white water rafting, which was a huge bummer. It wasn’t too bad overall. I conquered a mountain and brought home a case of Sabah’s most precious booty, Sabah Tea.
3. Best friends got married
"I'm on a boat!"
In February, in typical Mus and Afiqah fashion, they had a sorta grand wedding, on a chartered yacht no less. It was very intimate, with only their immediate families and their closest friends in attendance. I can only only hope mine’s gonna be as small scale. If and when it happens.
Lois, I mean R, and Clark.
For someone who isn’t a romantic, R sure had to find that way to meet Clark. They met on the internet. where else? Was almost as tiny as the boat wedding but R invited her aunts, uncles and cousins as well. There were a slew of toasts at their wedding in June, but the two that I remember best were Natasha’s tear-inducing speech and R’s sister Aida’s rendition of “Gurindam Jiwa”. The caterer’s assam laksa was ace too.
4. Dating misadventures
Clock's ticking.
Since we’re on the topic of weddings, another buddy is getting married this October, and one more next year. I should feel pressured, yes? No. I had a bit of fun with a little someone I’d like to liken to taking drugs. Pills make you high, but some narcotics just give you a bad trip. A horrible one it was. Lessons learnt: be more selfish, go straight up with what I want and don’t be too eager to please. A year ago, I’d be rueing about how this was a missed opportunity since it’s so difficult to meet new, interesting, single people at this age. That’s a load of bull. I’ve gotten to know some lovely ladies, no pressure involved, since that bad trip. I reckon I’m gonna meet a few more this year. And they were, ladies, not like the little girl I messed with before them. Heh. Bitter much.
5. Full-time employment
It all started from a one-day freelance gig at the agency. I even introduced myself with my moniker, not my “professional” name. I was only expecting to be there for a quick job but they were looking for someone with that little bit of experience. I was jobless. I said yes. I left my last job at the other agency because I wasn’t 100 per cent sure about Public Relations. But their office gave me good vibes, and they had cats. I still can’t believe I’m working in the fashion industry. Ha. I told them about my aspirations of being a journalist and a writer. I’ve gotten my first print byliner. Fingers crossed, I hope I’ll get a few more this year. Plus, the bosses are great. I mean, who wouldn’t think so if they bought you concert tickets for your birthday? Ha. I kid. They’re fantastic mentors, something I didn’t feel with my previous supervisors.
I’ll end this abruptly, just because it’s the beginning of the year and not the end. Cheers to 2011. It wasn’t completely fantastic, but it’s paving the way to a great 2012.
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