Of joy and laughter

FINALLY. It's done. The video ,or I would call it a mini movie for 4s1 year 2009 is done. Late 2009, I had visualised the exact video you're seeing now. It took me quite a while to get it done. Taking the pictures, deleting the ugly ones, taking more pictures, cutting the music, cropping the photos, adding names to the photos (that's cuiling, thanks!), adding effects to the photos, sound effects, zooming effects, credits, media generating and so on. Honestly it was very tough for me because I simple had no idea how to fully utilize the video editing software. I had to look up youtube for tutorial videos and half of the time just messing around on my own. Still, everything worked out in the end, and I am very glad that you guys are enjoying it as well..

The hardest part in producing this clip is no doubt the BEAT SYNCING. As you can see the photos change to the next one with every beat. Now some of you may think that it's just highlighting everything and clicking one button that does the job, but hell no it wasn't like that. The smallest division for the timeline is 0.01 second. So I had to adjust every single photo to match the exact beat. Syncing music and pictures perfectly. That's why I said that even if you don't like this video, you can definitely see the effort put in it.

Also, the first orchestral piece for the intro was Carmina Burana by Mozart. I'm sure all of you have heard of it somewhere, well so have I. But none of you knew the name right? I literally had to spend hours to find the file for the exact piece and at the time I didn't even know it's name. I remember typing 'movie intro intense orchestral music' ,or something like that, in the youtube search bar. Then I started to think hard and I remembered hearing this piece in Michael Jackson's concert DVD intro. And it wasn't long till I found it. I spend another few days cutting the piece as it was about 5 minutes long. What you are listening sounds smooth but actually they are different sections put together.

And of course there is always the worry being that the main song is either too long or too short for picture to fit it. I didn't want to make a fade-out ending. By doing that I felt that it lost its awesomeness. So I had to think of a million ways to fill in every second of it. Phew, by some mircale the song ended just the way I wanted it to.

Then we have the credits. Credits wasn't hard to do. Still I had a hard time choosing which song to use, almost every song works. It depended on what kind of feel I'm pursuing. I even tried songs like Single Ladies, New Perspective and more. I settled with Don't Forget by Demi Lovato. I orginally had the idea of adding nicknames for everyone in 4s1 during the credits. Why? So that people will watch it! It keeps thing fresh and interesting. I know well because I'm also one of the people who just closes the video after it ends. Who cares about the credits anyway? Unfortunately the girls in my class aren't that sporting and didn't want to think of any nicks for themselves. And I don't wanna be the idiot giving names for everyone. So I had to come up with something else. Bam. BONUS CLIP! My final idea. So if you guys watched till the very end for the clip, then I have achieved my point. =)

Gosh I didn't knew I had so much to say. Okay cut the crap. Thanks to all 4s1 2009 members and teachers! Couldn't have done it without you all!

I call it Flashback. ENJOY!

Black is still the new black

As you all already know, our Sultan of Johore had passed away last night. The night of the debut of my class video. That sucks, but it will be a day I would never forget.

So now, for the next seven days. Non-muslims are required to wear black ribbon/cloth/armband on their left arm to mourn our late Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail. Yeap it also applies for schooling days. Hopefully it will not cause any trouble for everyone. MSSD Chess postponed. Ugh.

Yea yea I know. I suck at taking pictures. Still, see that? Black ribbon. With respect.

REST IN PEACE.

For the past few hours. People are talking about the life or death of the Sultan of Johor. In school, En. Chow told us the news that the sultan had died but it wasn't confirmed to be 100% true.

I received many many many many different information from different sources. He's dead. He's not. Not yet? He is now. He's back again. Wait there he goes. Oh he's still with us. Oop oop dead. Eh eh no. DEAD. ALIVE. Confirm dead! Revive again. Dead for sure. False alarm....

LITERALLY DROVE ME CRAZY.

But the smoke has cleared. Our sultan is dead for good. I am sorry for the country and state for losing a leader. Still, I just got to know who he is because of the rumour that is now reality. Rest in peace your majesty. People will remember you. Facebook will.

Anyways, I am still going to school tomorrow. Not to class though, to SMK Bandar Uda. Or is it some other school. Taking part in MSSD chess. So uh good luck to me and my friends who are also taking part. =) =(

Last year last shot

I will be taking part in MSSD Chess this Saturday and Sunday. Yea that means no school for me. I'm not sure if its a good thing but hey, I'm doing for my school. Haha. I think it should be a 7 match competition. Blitz as usual. 30 minutes for both sides. This is my last year to make myself and my school proud. Hopefully I don't blow it. Unless I take STPM then I have another year. But again, hell no.

Last year, I managed to get 8th place, which was a great accomplishment for me. I'm not that good of a chess player. But I do like the game very much. Yes you might be thinking 'what a nerd...' , oh whatever. Anyway last year my overall result was better than ex-champion. He got 9th place. So yea it was cool because I claimed victory from a person whom he had won the ex-champion. I think.

Good thing is, all the 17s last year are mostly gone. Bad thing is, the new generation of 16s are rising. There will lots of potential and there will be competition. Good luck to me. And Jia En. And Soon Ming. Hopefully we don't meet up against each other. Like I did with Soon Ming last year. I ended it fast and I think he didn't felt much pain. So my 8th place was because of you buddy!

Fingers crossed!

Phew

Wooh. Finally two of my essays done. I know it's like only miserable 2 but to me it's a great accomplishment. Well there is still one left. English essay. My idol. Shouldn't be hard. I was thinking of writing Gary Kasparov. Gotta search more info on him then. But more appropriate would be Dan and Dave Buck. They're like the pioneers in card flourishes. I really wonder if I could be like them. Their smoothness and dexterity is utmost the best I've seen. Okay here's what they do.



Problem is, no one really knows who they are except for me. In a way it's good cause I can always make up facts and there is no way that I'll get busted. And Pn. Surinder will probably think that I'm a weirdo. It's the year of SPM and I'm here messing around with 52 printed paper.

People just don't understand me. Yes they are cards, but not just cards. They're what I express myself with. I know it sounds profound but the whole idea of cardistry is to show who you really are with a deck of cards. Be it magic or flourishes. It is no different from any other art forms. It's called passion people.

Smile =)

Today will be over in about 11 more hours. Hope that my misesy will too. Lately I have not been blogging is not because that I'm super busy or anything. It's that there's nothing to blog about. School is boring as always. Of course I enjoy spending time with all my friends. But hey, all will be in the past after 2010.

This made me realise that time really really flies. I was like 'OH SHIT THIS IS THE YEAR.' Sometimes it's really overwhelming to see how I've changed from a little nerd I was to a bigger one I am today. And believe me soon I'll be done with secondary school. Leaving for higher level of education.

Gosh am I going to miss my friends. I mean literally everyone. If you're reading this it means that you know me and I probably know you and yea that makes us friends. So uh friends forever I hope. Smiles.

Turbo on!

Come on I've gotta buckle up. Everything is going to wrong way. I have little idea on what all the teachers are teaching. I have not finished my homeworks. I have not yet gotten a grip on my form 5 life. Gotta do something about it.

Is it that my attitude is lackadaisical? Or is it the inertia of the relaxing holiday mood that I have to overcome? Either way, things have change.

School comes first. Tuition, homework, books, more books. Gotta make time for training as well. Must not slack.And of course I will continue to practice card magic. Never give up a passion. Gah, I thought being a libra I should be good at planning and managing my time.

I still think that everything should be able to fit within 24 hours. It's just a matter of will. And of course sleeping less maybe. Maybe I'll cut the naps. And blog less. haha.

Out.

Day Too

School was okay. Not much teacher entered the class though. All thanks for the form 4. Seriously, keep it up guys. Had to stay till 2pm. Ish ish ish. School demo at 5.30pm. Rehearsal at 2.30pm.

Rush rush rush.

By 5pm our team was at school. Too bad Pn. Chew stopped Sean senpai and Kelvin senpai from going on stage. Her reason? Coloured hair... -.- A quick change of plan was made and soon a new one reformed. The crowd was um... obedient. If that's the right word. Well at least they responded to our questions and gestures. Unlike the years before. ' How y'all doing?'. '... ... ... ... booooooo... ... ...'

And damn was the wooden floor dirty. Poor uniform. Oh yea one thing I realised. I'm not afraid to talk to the crowd. I was totally in my comfort zone. And yes I blabbered like hell. That's kinda like our motto, just talk as much as you can, and give the crowd what they want. All was fine. all was done. Got back home. Did some homework.

Here I am.

Though I seriously won't be able to blog so often anymore. Still friends, we'll keep in touch. =)

This is the beginning of the beginning of the end of life of fun

First day of school. I believe everyone in my school agrees that one word that is meant for today. SUCK. And please don't mind me, I already replaced the first letter with S.



The day started okay. Walked through the school gate, immediately half of my brain cells have already died. Said hi to my junior, yea you. And met Soonming. Long time no see pal, he's pretty much the same. Went to my new class. Um.. the tables have been repainted. But the chair is for freaking primary students, no. Kindergarten students. How am I going to sit comfortably on that piece of wood? Couldn't care less.



Then we have the first assembly of the year. I think it's the worst assembly I've had. Teacher was crapping all the way. Crapping all the crap that they've been crapping all these crappy time. My butt was numb, my legs were sore, and same goes to everyone else.



Oh ok finally got into class and met out new form teacher. Puan Anbarasi. Isarabna spelled backwards. I hope she doesn't sees this. But sure enough she earned herself a nickname. Oh I don't know wanna say what it is. It's so EMBARASSING.



Class sucked. First day wrote the first karangan. Gah.. had to pass up before I could finish. Anyways got home right after that. Do what? SLEEP LAH. Woke up and add math tuitioned till about 7.45pm.



Then had a super quick dinner. Like within 2 minutes. Rehearsal at dojo. Only today I was informed that our club are having a presentation to the form 1 students tomorrow at school. Guess I'll have to stay back after school for practice tomorrow. Hope all goes well.



Day 1 was like day 1-10 in 1. Shit. Shit. Shit. I hope I'll still be breathing at the end of the year. Okay. Time for day 2. Bye bye blog.

Brace myself

Okay tomorrow will be the first day of school. I don't know what to feel. Yes I'm excited. And no I don't look forward seeing the teachers. Except for Mr. Chow that is. Hope his car is fixed. LOL.

I don't really have a point in this blog post. Just that this is the last day of holiday. And probably last day of fun. So my future post may sound a bit emo perhaps?

Gah crap that. Good luck all for tomorrow =）