NIE Gallery (khai's promotional posters) 

watching TV (khai) 

NIE Gallery (khai) 

wrong is right and right is to never turn left

NIE Gallery

It was Sweetie’s graduation show presentation. We arrived at NIE Gallery and set up at 10am in the morning. We have been rehearsing on the flow of the presentation the night before. We came up with this brilliant “virginal” theory, at least we thought it was, to fully sum up his art-making process. Paul Lincoln was awed by the theory, which was an excellent thing. Here's a sneak-peek into the theory...

“Wrong is right and right is to never turn left. The communion of the two diverse areas brings the understanding of the path we take in our everyday lives. Bliss comes only in one way and that is by becoming more conscious. The more one is conscious, the more they are blissful; the less conscious, the more miserable.”

“There is no distinct and clear relationship between what is wrong and right. The society has conditioned many to believe that obligations and responsibility is synonymous with obedience to their dictates of status and to conform. When one conforms, it is deemed right. Therefore, what is wrong and right is nothing more than the by-product of individual abstract thoughts.”

Dinner @ Haji Lane (khai n dino) 

GSE @Haji Lane?? =) 

Rivermaya @Zouk 

Powerjam @ Zouk  

The Great Spy Experiment played at Zouk on 26 October 2005

SOUNDCHECK
It has been quite a journey preparing for the PowerJam Finals. We had hiccups in the midst of preparation. First, we have our great leader (Saiful) falling ill and then followed by Sweetie. Our wait came to an end last night. We had a soundcheck at 2.50pm. We didn't start doing soundcheck until half past 3. Actually, come to think of it, we didn't actually do a proper soundcheck due to the tight schedule and the delay of the setting up of the equipment by the soundmen.. Such a bummer.. That's what one get for been first to go. We basically tested the sound equipment for the other bands. We only got to leave Zouk at about 4.30pm. Sweetie stayed home to rest and Song replaced him, as the stand-in bassist for the soundcheck. We prayed hard that he will get better to be able to play at the finals later in the evening. After soundcheck, I rushed to pick up Sweetie's jeans that was sent for alteration. Then I rushed home to change. Sweetie didn't look too well but he persisted and we made our way down to Zouk.

FINALS
There was already a queue when we arrived at Zouk. Sweetie's condition took a turn for the worse when we were supposed to get ready to play. It was a blessing that Dino was there to send him to the doctor. Thank you so..... very much, Dino. Really don't know what I would do without you been there. I wish I was the one who had accompanied him though. The show must go on, with already one member down. Song stood in for Sweetie. I was lost and worried sick. My phone had to die on me, at a time like this. Sheesh.. Sweetie and I had been looking forward to playing together at Zouk and today it was the band up there, without him..

All 5 bands rocked Zouk last night. Syne of Tyme did an awesome job as the first band to play. They worked the crowd and made the way for the other bands. We were the fourth band to play, all thanks to them, agreeing to switch slots with us, so that we could get Song ready to play. Backstage, Song sat at a corner, listening to The Killer's song from my iPod. I sat there, nervous... worried... anxious... Monofone was good. But like what Sweetie said, the winning places were already pre-decided. Before we came on, Ros from Halfestride came over to me and gave me a bear hug, literally, for luck. Hmm.. that helped alittle.

We kicked ass on stage though we had no special costumes or stage gimmicks.. We played as ourselves.. The whole band gave all that we had on stage.. We were awesome. After our set, I had people, that I have never seen in my life, coming up to me, telling me that they love our set. It was so surreal. We came in fourth. But we were winners in our own right.. Kudos.. We will continue to kick ass.. The adrenaline rush of performing infront of the masses at Zouk and with Sweetie at the doc’s took a toll on me.. My body began to “auto shut down”....

CLOSING
After the announcement of the winner, I rushed to where Sweetie was. Dino was with him. He looked so much better. I had not eaten the whole day but yet, didn’t feel any spasm of hunger. The three of us made our way to Arab Street for dinner. I was so not feeling well.. my migraine.. I was having a fever.. I felt weak.. I have been ill.. Me holding up for the finals and Sweetie. Finally.. my body is shutting down, slowly but surely....

THE MORNING AFTER
I went to see the doctor. The appointment that I have pushed back till after the finals.. Sweetie was with me.. I took my X-ray and lab test.. I have been scheduled for biopsy.. I am really ill.. and I am really scared..

BA (Ed) Art graduating class of 2005 

the hidden secret garden 

triple choc @ secret garden 

khai's graduation artwork (2005) 

In the midst of khai's artwork 

the arrow leading to khai's artwork

Finally.. it's the 2005 art graduation show. Time seems to pass with a blink of an eye. It was like not long ago when it was 2004 art graduation and now, it's time for the 2005's show. Sweetie has been really busy with tons of essays and the printing of his works. We had to stay till almost 2am in the morning in the MAC Lab, nights before the show. Show starts at 7pm at the NIE art gallery. I was late so I missed Cecilia's art performance. I haven't been feeling too well due to the medication but I managed to brave the roads and drove my ass down to Jalan Bahar. It was nice seeing the lecturers again. There was Benny's "plato's cave", Joey's "pandan cake", Enid's "How to sit well on a chair", Zabit's screaming Yes Sir!! and of cos, Sweetie's "How to rob a bank" series.. I walked into the gallery and felt a sense of pride for Sweetie. Really.. Sweetie. I am so proud of you. Looking yummy and gorgeous, he stood infront of the gallery, with two hands full of food. If I had felt better, the night would have been so much more exciting for me. But I enjoyed the stroll with Sweetie at the NIE's "starbucks" pathway, under the stars. It was magical..

In the midst of Joey's pandan cakes (khai) 

YES SIR! (Zabit n Khai) 

BA (Ed) graduation show 2005 (cecilia's performance) 

recording @ power98 studio (khai) 

The Great Spy Experiment @ Power98 Studio

recording @ power98 studio (The Great Spy Experiment)

We clocked in, at the studio, at few minutes past 10 due to the stringent check at the guard post. The Power98 studio is located at CMPB. All the 5 bands were asked to record the acoustic version of their original song for airplay. Snippets of songs from the 5 different bands will be played on air and listeners will be asked to vote for their favourite song or band. As always, we all had fun, being jackasses as we are, in the studio. What was interesting was DJRosalyn's story of the headless man said to be seen in the studio.. Heheh.. Strangely..we all left the studio, after recording, with a British accent.. Bollocks innit? Heheheh..