A tenor ukulele! Mahalo U320T, it was sitting there just for me. Compared to the rest, two Fender tenor ukuleles ($400 and $600 a piece), a concert ukulele (which doesn't have enough frets for me) and a heck load of soprano ukuleles. What surprised me was the sopranos (supposedly cheapest of the categories) with the rounded back or pickup costs a heave $300+. My baby only costs me $129.

Now help me name my ukulele, any ideas?

Just as the websites say, they sound noticeably different, the tenor and soprano. I think to make it complete, my next buy would be a pro-looking long neck soprano (sigh). I'm happy for now.

I bought my first ukulele last year in Singapore for $30. The only reason I got it back then was because of Youtube. I stumbled upon a duo singing a cheery song about their favourite-online-social-networking website. I loved the song. Cutesy song I thought (Rocky even moreso) and the ukulele? Sounds uplifting maybe, it's portable too. Couldn't be hard to play an instrument with only 4 strings and it's kind of like a bass guitar, I thought (again).

So one weekend I strolled into a music shop after classes just to look for one. There I saw them not one but a few hurrah, but it was disappointing. They all look like toys, constructed from lousy materials, and had poor finishings. With some thought, I returned the next day and the ukulele, I bought. Boy, was I a happy camper. Took me a couple of days to get the hang of it being so tiny and all. After learning the few songs I know, the one above, a few by Sophie Madeleine (Balls of Rocky and Balls), and Jason Mraz, it was tossed aside because there weren't any songs I can play with my level of skill and the ATPLs were just around the corner.

Friends back home knew I started picking up the ukulele. Just before I left for Perth, my darling friends, Mun, Jeff, Yinng and Ernst got me a ukulele with a message written behind, and I'd always add "that I should always have it with me never leave it behind, and everywhere I play it I would keep you in mind".

Today, I've got two little ukuleles (Soprano ukuleles
they're called). With all the time I have, sometimes I pick up the ukulele. After so long I've gotten a teeny weeny bit better with it, starting to find songs I can do some finger picking with. One in particular, Jake Shimabukuro's "While my guitar gently weeps", made me realise I need a different type of ukulele (one with a longer neck - more frets). The rightmost ukulele in the picture is a Soprano, then followed by a Concert, two Tenor ukuleles and the last a Baritone. So I've done a little bit of reading on ukuleles. Got to know what I'm getting for the money I'm spending after all (sighs).

The soprano is the ukulele that is most easily recognized because it is the tiniest and the tone is typically the one associated with ukuleles. The one I have has only 12 frets (frets - literally).

Next the concert ukulele is also referred to as the alto ukulele. It is slightly larger than the soprano model, but it has a 15" scale compared to 13" on the soprano. This makes it a bigger choice for people with larger hands. It has a fuller tone.

The type of ukulele that can come with different numbers of strings is the tenor ukulele. It also has an even fuller tone than the concert ukulele. It comes in 4 or 6-string types. You can even get an 8-string type of ukulele as a tenor. It is larger than the concert ukulele. Jake Shimabukuro uses a tenor for his crazy picking solos. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (RIP) as well if I remember correctly.

This is the largest of the ukuleles and resembles a mini-guitar. It can even be tuned like a guitar. It has the deepest tone and is usually the most expensive model.

I guess I'm willing to spend $150 on it, tops. Hopefully I get a good deal. I'll need to read up more on the types and brands. I will become a better ukulele player. This would be my new year resolution (heh) it's never too late to think of some after the eve.

What is wrong with 20th Century Fox?

Are they cashing on Dragonball because the name has sold more than $4 billion worth of merchandise and distribution rights?

The director James Wong has a few decent titles (like Willard) to his credit but from the looks of it he must be desperate (3 years? since he last directed a film) to get a movie under his belt. I think he totally screwed himself in the behind with this choice.

Then comes Stephen Chow, the comedian whose movies I used to love watching as a kid, is the producer for this E-grade movie. Probably he thinks he can make this into a comedy? He's getting old and senile.

Ben Ramsey, the writer for the screenplay. If he ever set foot anywhere in Asia. Maybe even America (since they have hairy pot-bellied men who dress up as Sailormoon), their fans would come after him with torches and rakes for ruining their childhood memories.

Just  who do they think is going to pay to watch it? The majority of Dragonball fans are probably aged 18 to 50. It's like asking my dad to watch Teletubbies.

Just the thought of an American adult scream "Kame Hame Ha" makes my hair stand. I can totally imagine them screaming it (shivers) oh, just like Xena: The Warrior Princess. Cross this movie with let's say, Power Rangers.

Just watch the trailer so click link here.

The rest of the cast includes Chow Yun-Fat, some japanese some koreans, and many many other caucasians. Why on earth do they (the actors/actresses) want to humiliate themselves with these kinda roles. There's a reason why Japan didn't try to make the 1986-made Dragonball into a live action movie despite its success.

Ironman 2008 is held in Langkawi again this year with an estimated 1000 participants of all ages, shapes and sizes, from all over the world. Jeff and Daniel just completed the 3.8km swim and 180.2km bike and as I'm typing this out, they are now running in the 42.2km marathon through town.






So here's their progress.


von Schrader and Yee Sze Mun are the oldest participants in this event. There are more old folks in the 65-69 years old category. Proud of yourselves? Young people. Tch.

DO YOU SEE THE RESEMBLANCE?
by Anon


A long time ago, during the days when I was somewhat a couch poh-tae-toh. I saw this very man, or at least that's what I think he is. Man. From then on, he stuck in my head like a sleeping parasite. Each time I remember this er, person, I get ticked off. Before I start, let's do a round of introduction on this man.

*cough* Without further ado, may I present to you a short article on the artist's profile taken from Singapore's Mediacorp website.










"Zhang Yao Dong's chiselled features and handsome mug stood him apart from many artistes. Couple that with his height and he is hard to miss among the crowd.

Yao Dong was a model before joining Malaysia Star Search in 2001. This part-time model has done various commercials before realizing his calling in the entertainment circle. His outstanding performance during the contest placed him overall second.

He has also attended singing lessons before and can sing relatively well when the occasion calls for it. Yao Dong will be making his small screen debut in the ever popular sitcom, Don't Worry, Be Happy VI."

Note that I highlighted "handsome mug" in bold. FYI, I'm actually being sarcastic. Yea?






Next in line, we have a more popular artist lined up for YOUR entertainment! Bla bla bla~

Lo and behold! The world renowned Micheal Jackson! I would post more pictures of them, but unfortunately I don't have the time or passion to waste on these weirdos.

Now, back to the topic, "Do YOU see the resemblance?".

Fans of this Zhang dude, feel free to flame me or whatever.

YOU know it's true.