visaisahero.

all we need

2008-08-30T05:49:06Z

I think it might have been a bad idea for me to go to Baybeats yesterday- it reminded me very harshly of what I'm missing out on and what I haven't had in months.

My bass is still sitting in Guitar Connection with shiny new tuning heads, but I still need $50 more to pay for them so I can't do much at the moment. I am itching to play some bass, but I can't!

It's been two full months since Armchair Critic has done anything together, and I miss us terribly. We're going to jam in two days and I have never looked forward to a jam as badly as this. So many new ideas, so many new songs, and so much new craving for that good old feeling.

At the end of the day, after all the talk, the scene, the people, the supporters and the haters die down, there is nothing as close to my heart as the essence of our music and it's intensity. I could live on nothing else, if it boiled down to that.

We started out in 2006 as a bunch of fellas who wanted to jam because we all liked to play instruments, and wanted to play with other people. We didn't have to care about what other people thought, because they didn't even know or care about us. Once a week we'd spend 30 dollars to get into a room and make lots of incoherent noise that wasn't in time or in key, and we loved it. We'd eat at McDonald's afterwards and joke about anything and everything.

Things are so different now; there are so many things to worry about. What we do, what we say, where we go, who we're seen with... Honestly, we don't want to worry about such things. We just love making music, and we love to share it with the world. That's the price to pay for participating in this world. And that's okay.

baybeats day 1

2008-08-29T18:08:31Z

I've been having this annoying sore throat that is neither here nor there.

Leeson was wonderful, Peepshow was good too.

read me like a book

2008-08-25T19:15:10Z

As an ESTP, your primary mode of living is focused externally, where you take things in via your five senses in a literal, concrete fashion. Your secondary mode is internal, where you deal with things rationally and logically.

ESTPs are outgoing, straight-shooting types. Enthusiastic and excitable, ESTPs are "doers" who live in the world of action. Blunt, straight-forward risk-takers, they are willing to plunge right into things and get their hands dirty. They live in the here-and-now, and place little importance on introspection or theory. The look at the facts of a situation, quickly decide what should be done, execute the action, and move on to the next thing.

ESTPs have an uncanny ability to perceive people's attitudes and motivations. They pick up on little cues which go completely unnoticed by most other types, such as facial expressions and stance. They're typically a couple of steps ahead of the person they're interacting with. ESTPs use this ability to get what they want out of a situation. Rules and laws are seen as guidelines for behavior, rather than mandates. If the ESTP has decided that something needs to be done, then their "do it and get on with it" attitude takes precendence over the rules. However, the ESTP tends to have their own strong belief in what's right and what's wrong, and will doggedly stick to their principles. The Rules of the Establishment may hold little value to the ESTP, but their own integrity mandates that they will not under any circumstances do something which they feel to be wrong.

ESTPs have a strong flair for drama and style. They're fast-moving, fast-talking people who have an appreciation for the finer things in life. They may be gamblers or spendthrifts. They're usually very good at story telling and improvising. They typically makes things up as they go along, rather than following a plan. They love to have fun, and are fun people to be around. They can sometimes be hurtful to others without being aware of it, as they generally do not know and may not care about the effect their words have on others. It's not that they don't care about people, it's that their decision-making process does not involve taking people's feelings into account. They make decisions based on facts and logic.

ESTP's least developed area is their intuitive side. They are impatient with theory, and see little use for it in their quest to "get things done". An ESTP will occasionally have strong intuitions which are often way off-base, but sometimes very lucid and positive. The ESTP does not trust their instincts, and is suspicious of other people's intuition as well.

The ESTP often has trouble in school, especially higher education which moves into realms where theory is more important. The ESTP gets bored with classes in which they feel they gain no useful material which can be used to get things done. The ESTP may be brilliantly intelligent, but school will be a difficult chore for them.

The ESTP needs to keep moving, and so does well in careers where he or she is not restricted or confined. ESTPs make extremely good salespersons. They will become stifled and unhappy dealing with routine chores. ESTPs have a natural abundance of energy and enthusiasm, which makes them natural entrepreneurs. They get very excited about things, and have the ability to motivate others to excitement and action. The can sell anyone on any idea. They are action-oriented, and make decisions quickly. All-in-all, they have extraordinary talents for getting things started. They are not usually so good at following through, and might leave those tasks to others. Mastering the art of following through is something which ESTPs should pay special attention to.

<3 TPJC 08a02

2008-08-14T07:03:07Z

I <3 08a02!

MAILING LIST!

2008-08-03T09:43:07Z

hello everybody! put your email in here for fortnightly updates on our antics, including silly pictures and videos and the sort!

passive living

2008-08-02T17:30:22Z

this is my life
and i'm chilling in the back seat,
for a while

because i've got time
to sit and watch the people
passing by

i know that time will break me
i know that all will disappear

i can't be bothered, baby
to me it's crystal clear

the getaway plan live

2008-07-26T12:09:42Z

I love this; this is what live music should be all about. The band is new, fresh and terribly passionate about what they're doing, the audience is full of love. Gigs like this make you feel alive. I wish i were a part of this experience, whether on stage or in the crowd. It does happen locally every so often- Rock For Wayne, Festival For A Future- the right music at the right venue with the right crowd. Nothing beats it. This is what I live for, and this is what I fight for.

why so serious?

2008-07-25T16:02:45Z

this was going to be a blog entry about how detached and disenchanted i've been feeling.

but nah, let's not go there.

thank you to each and every one of you who help pick me up when i'm down, you know who you are. you make my life worth living.

stolen from mariam

2008-07-23T15:01:45Z

Since I'm quite bored now..

1) THREE NAMES YOU GO BY:
- Visa
- Visakan
- Indian, Mortal Retard (courtesy of Chang Po Liang)

2) THREE SCREEN NAMES YOU HAVE HAD:
- visa
- visaisahero.
- (#) Visa Kusanagi (#) (that one was awesome.)

3) THREE THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
- my mental capacity to reason and understand things
- despite the above, my ability to still have faith in the world
- my dick

4) THREE THINGS YOU DON’T LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
- my lack of discipline
- skinny legs
- sometimes i don't show in pictures :(

5) THREE PARTS OF YOUR HERITAGE:
- indian
- indian
- rock and roll

6) THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:
- not knowing or realising when I'm wrong
- losing my friends
- come hither stares from massive indian nightmare girls

7) THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS:
- milo, in some way shape or form
- the internet
- sleep, though not very much either

8) THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING NOW:
- boxers
- goatee
- stupid grin

9) THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE BANDS OR MUSICAL ARTISTS:
- l'arc~en~ciel
- radiohead
- paramore

10) THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS (RIGHT NOW):
- radiohead - fake plastic trees
- the getaway plan - where the city meets the sea
- guns n' roses - nightrain

11) THREE THINGS YOU WANT IN A RELATIONSHIP:
- intellectual stimulation
- fun and adventure
- comfort/affection

12) TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE, IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:
- i've only had one girlfriend
- i wish i would read and write more
- i want to be a lawyer

13) THREE THINGS ABOUT THE PREFERRED SEX THAT WILL APPEAL TO YOU:
- overall looks package
- overall brains package
- charisma, poise, charm

14) THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES:
- playing music
- listening to music
- jerking off

15) THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO REALLY BADLY RIGHT NOW:
- lose the headache
- ace my exams
- jerk off

16) THREE CAREERS YOU’RE CONSIDERING/YOU HAVE CONSIDERED:
- rockstar
- rockstar
- rockstar

17) THREE PLACES YOU WANT TO GO ON VACATION:
- south america
- europe
- japan

18) THREE NAMES THAT YOU LIKE:
- Amelia
- Judas
- Heidi

19) THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:
- sell 10,000 cds
- travel travel travel
- start a family

20) THREE WAYS THAT YOU ARE STEREOTYPICALLY A BOY:
- loud
- impulsive
- i like girls

21) THREE WAYS THAT YOU ARE STEREOTYPICALLY A GIRL:
- i love to shop
- i love to dress up
- nobody knows when i fart

22) THREE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE
- myself
- myself
- myself

23) THREE FAVOURITE DRINKS
- milo peng
- dark mocha frappacino
- foster's

24) THREE FAVOURITE MOVIES / ACTORS
- johnny depp
- a beautiful mind
- forrest gump

25) THREE FAVOURITE FOOD
- good good fish & chips
- Subway's cold cut trio (parmesean oregano, honey mustard + mayo, cucumber, lettuce and capcsicum)
- anything at cumi bali (indonesian)

26) THREE THINGS YOU ARE BEST AT
- coming up with analogies
- bursting into song randomly
- talking alot

27) THREE SPORTS THAT YOU LIKE
- basketball
- football (soccer)
- rugby

28) THREE THINGS YOU DON'T LIKE
- herd mentality
- wet socks
- people who are quick to judge others

29) THREE PLACES YOU SPENT THE MOST TIME AT
- home
- simpang/168
- tampines

30) THREE ACHIEVEMENTS YOU HAD
- "most improved" award in sec 2
- forming and committing to a band for two years now
- waking up in the morning

31) THREE BEST FRIENDS
- Ahmad
- Boon
- Chang

32) THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR FAMILY
- large
- dissatisfied
- alright

why

2008-07-22T13:41:19Z

why do we bother to be fake?

why do we bother to lie?

life is too short.

goodbye!

2008-07-19T12:55:33Z

my dad isn't happy that i failed math, so he's confiscating my phone and giving me a curfew (yay!) and i'll be relatively difficult to reach for the next month and a half.

cheers

armchair critic unplugged on a grass patch!

2008-07-14T16:42:36Z

this is for francesca; we will miss you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0-DVvnXHsg

EDIT: and here's us covering The Getaway Plan!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQUca76O48o

victoria school

2008-07-13T17:38:40Z

"we never return to you, mother
because we never really left."

god, i miss VS so much.

books!

2008-07-12T16:04:36Z

“The Big Read reckons that the average adult has only read 6 of the top 100 books they’ve printed.”

1. Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2. Italicize those you intend to read.
3. Underline the books you LOVE.
4. Strike out the books you have no intention of ever reading, or were forced to read at school and hated.
5. Reprint this list in your own LJ so we can try and track down these people who’ve read 6 and force books upon them.

1. Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
2. The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4. Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6. The Bible
7. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8. Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9. His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10. Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11. Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12. Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14. Complete Works of Shakespeare (WTF)
15. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17. Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18. Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19. The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20. Middlemarch - George Eliot
21. Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22. The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23. Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25. The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26. Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27. Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28. Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30. The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32. David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33. Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34. Emma - Jane Austen
35. Persuasion - Jane Austen
36. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39. Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40. Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41. Animal Farm - George Orwell
42. The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43. One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44. A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45. The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46. Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47. Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48. The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49. Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50. Atonement - Ian McEwan
51. Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52. Dune - Frank Herbert
53. Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55. A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth (I have this, it's MONSTROUS)
56. The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57. A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60. Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61. Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63. The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64. The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65. Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66. On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67. Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68. Bridget Jones’ Diary - Helen Fielding
69. Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70. Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71. Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72. Dracula - Bram Stoker
73. The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74. Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75. Ulysses - James Joyce
76. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77. Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78. Germinal - Emile Zola
79. Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80. Possession - AS Byatt
81. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83. The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84. The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86. A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87. Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88. The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (got some lah)
90. The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92. The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93. The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94. Watership Down - Richard Adams
95. A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96. A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97. The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98. Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

I haven't read anything in a while though...

uh oh

2008-07-09T19:19:22Z

i have a lump in my armpit! it's probably a swollen lymph node due to some kind of infection, and it hurts pretty bad.

how cool would it be, though, to die of armpit cancer.

festival for a future was awesome

2008-07-06T16:47:25Z

thank you so much for everybody who was there- the wonderful crowd that we did not expect, the other bands that made the experience so much fun, and everybody who was a part of the event.

love you all. :)

ahhh

2008-07-04T20:49:03Z

my body is sore, sore, sore.

i love it.

friends

2008-07-02T19:31:30Z

For those of you who've known me for more than a few years- I used to write obsessively. Poetry, short stories, you name it. I remember attempting a novel about a guy named Cyrus Blackthorne and I was up to about 40,000 words... a big deal to a kid with a short attention span.

I stopped sometime in 2003 when I was told that it wouldn't amount to anything, and I deleted the entire folder of work I had in my computer.

Since forming Armchair Critic in late 2006, I started writing songs, and I found myself enjoying it thoroughly.

So while it's rather painful to start something that I completely erased from my life, I'm going to try.

These are for my friends, and there will be more soon. I love you guys, and I want to try and express that somehow. I don't think I'm quite as comfortable or fluid as I used to be, but hopefully it will come back in time.

francesca aurora way:

she is a ballerina, a chef and a drama queen.
we walk to each other on an empty road
in the middle of the night.

waving the slowing taxis by with
nonchalant elegance, she is
the impeccable host.

i am the half-dressed rockstar,
vividly alive, yet barely so.

the fresh night air
dancing on our skin
is the rush
of diving into
the open sea.

levan wee lerping:

he is a circus act, a narcissist and a philosopher-
eccentric, unapologetic, and colourfully loud.

we talk, we think, we smoke, we drink.

surrounded by the people we love,
we are bonded by the knowledge that
we all live and die alone.

goh ahmad adnin firoz:

it began with a dangling conversation
"do you play guitar?"
and he did.

a year blitzes by in the twinkle of an eye
and through music, joy and suffering
we bare our souls.

come together
we are alike and yet totally different
best friends and merciless foes

he is a brother, a companion
and, if i may ever dare say it,
he is the mccartney to my lennon.

why hayley?! WHY?!

2008-07-02T14:58:40Z

I love you babe, but MOOOOO!!

hehe

2008-06-28T06:47:13Z

I think it's really cute/silly/wonderful how Ling, Gaffar, Inch and JBarks all happen to be in Barcelona at the same time!

It would be nice to experience that sort of thing somewhere.

I totally intend to go backpacking halfway around the world after my national service!

the getaway plan is nice stuff

2008-06-23T20:12:32Z

www.myspace.com/thegetawayplan

i love "when the city meets the sea" and "the new year"

though this sort of music has to be getting old soon!

but quality songwriting always shines through regardless of genre.

:(

2008-06-23T04:30:12Z

Panic! At The Disco is now called Panic At The Disco.

Why?! How can they deprive thousands of emo fangirls of the passionate and rebellious exclamation mark?

hello!

2008-06-20T01:16:19Z

Comment & I'll ..

1. Tell you why I friended you.
2. Associate you with something - random, a song, a colour, a photo, etc.
3. Tell you something I like about you.
4. Tell you a memory I have of you.
5. Ask something I've always wanted to know about you.
6. Tell you my favourite user pic of yours.
7. In return, you must post this on your LJ/blog.

the real reason for pedra branca

2008-06-19T10:22:06Z

sunset

2008-06-09T12:03:52Z

Dear I saw you in the mirror last night yeah
You were curled up in his arms in that sunset
Please don’t drive me home no not alone again
Please don’t drive me home I’m not alone

And I’m bathing in this feeling I call hope
But I’m sinking in this leaky one man boat
Please don’t drive me home no not alone again
Please don’t drive me home I’m not alone

Only you can save me from this place
Only you can save me from this hell I’m in
I am screaming out your name
Won’t you take me back
Take me back with you

So I rang you up with the public phone
Didn’t say a word, was shivering in the cold
Please don’t turn me down no not again
Please don’t turn me down I might just break

In the middle of this rain
I am standing in an open field
Won’t god just strike me down
Down, down down down down down