Assalamua'laikum.

BYE BYE 2003.

Surprise, surprise.
I was given a super surprise yesterday evening. Not wanting to make my blog a gossip page though, but I feel this is something I should write about because it's a mitzi dupree surprise.

In fact I had just returned home from one of Carudi Studio's Tuesday Night live jam gig at Jams The Club. As posted earlier, I had intended to watch Borhan's side project jam session with Children Of The Grave, by which I did make my way to the event venue with Mr Smiley Yuslie and Ms Grins Huda.

I have only a faint vision about Children Of The Grave's member line-up, until the moment I've reached Jams, and yup, Borhan has indeed made affliation with Mike Karras, Najip and Hairul (Urbankarma's drummer) as his side-kicks this time round. Playing their favourite heavy stuffs to their hearts' content. Bravo, bravo!

Hakim Kymbot was at the jam session too. I am happy to see him and little did I know that he's recently joined 7 Pound Vein, on the guitars. Showing his fine play, Hakim has a shining star above him, for he has joined the flagship of 'Side Projects Galore'.

Come this Thursday, 1st January 2004, an earth shattering gig shall take place at Thomson CC jointly organized by IJ Prod, starting at 3pm till 10pm. The gig mentioned will be "Rock Of Ages" featuring Singapore's exclusive 12 great bands! Tickets sell at SGD 10.00 each by the door. Check out the line-ups below. Not shattering enough for you? Gotta be there to believe it!

TRIBE
KALEIDOSCOPICURIOUSITY
GLOBAL CHAOS
URBANKARMA
OSTREAL
PAUL DANIAL
MALEX
SPELLBOUND
FF (band reunion)
YAKAMASHI
CYNNICAL ANNIHILATION
MINUTE

It's a good mix of the wildest bands around. Worth the New Year Day blues for one and all! Hope to see all the familiar faces there, then. More updates will be coming up for tonnes and tonnes of live gig all year round (those specially hand-picked). A "Rock On II 2004", perhaps?

Wassalam.

Assalamua'laikum.

SIDE PROJECTS GALORE!

It's normal for any band to have side projects at any other time in their entire musical career. With the absence of it, how does one deliver a more robust and rounded performance at all? Music is a progressive ticking time machine. The audience might be ready to stereotype these acts and label such actions as 'sell-out' but in fact it is a side-door by which one is able to release the inflicting pile welling inside of them. A crock of crap you might say, herein, smudge yourself up in my pile of sludge, most welcome you are.

Spit Ash was around, all because of certain individuals in dire need to channel their idea of music through the think tanks of some others whom were having that similar flavour. With the prevailing ideas and desire present in the souls of these well-groomed musicians, came a-sprouting other 'branch bands' thus creating a larger choice for the audience.

Come this Tuesday, December 30th 2003, Urbankarma's front-man and tribe head, Borhan, shall make a debuting performance (debut lagi?) at Jams The Club with his side-show judies, Children Of The Grave. Playing with Zamry, he will be teaming-up with some fellas of 7 Pound Vein and together they shall put forth the music they adore and worship so much. To catch them live and roaring, be at Jams The Club by 8pm on Tuesday, Dec 30 2003, tickets go for SGD 15.00 per entry. Other bands are in the line-up as well, to make the year-end celebration full to the brim. So what are you waiting for?

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE!

Wassalam.

Assalamua'laikum.

NATIVITY IN BLACK

I need to come to terms with myself that by receiving wishes of 'merry x-mas' from anyone isn't wrong to my own beliefs. It's just a wish anyway, however deep I know the true meaning why the rosary-worshippers are observing this nativity day in close faith. Because my brain and nerve centre will immediately repel what's unacceptable to my conscientious beliefs, I am so grounded. I need to loosen a little wee bit, though not to have the over-takers swerving straight into my lane. "Still sceptical, cat?"

Furthermore, many in our island here observe this holli-day in due respect that -
No. 1- The whole world's celebrating why aren't 'we'?
No. 2- The Orchard Rd lightings makes it an even exciting feeling to shop and celebrate.
No. 3- Nativity is all about that green fig tree, blinky lights, a star atop it and presents underneath the poor old fig tree.
No. 4- Walking around the city wearing shorts, slippers and sloppy t-shirt complete with blinky-lighted red/white coned hat seems cool to some.
No. 5- All the parties and the present exchange are thrilling to many.
No. 6- They don't exactly know who is Jesus, who his mummy is, the purpose of him being borned, where exactly was his birthplace and the exact date of his birthday.

Anyway, my simplified exemplary explanation above goes out to a certain group in our society. Wake up your ideas. Does X-mas sounds as English and modern to that group so much as to "follow the waves of time" and become a blind follower? Respectfully, please return X-mas to its rightful owners and quit taking others' traditions to call it your own.

By the way, yesterday was a paper-rush day for me. A holiday in mid-week isn't a great deal because freight industry is an ongoing 24-hours process. A holiday only means longer sleeping hours for me and luxury rest at home. Not to mention an all-night hang out.

Soon as I've cleared my table of my import documents, Yusaini and Manimaran was all-set to embark on a little fruit picking session at Lim Chu Kang yesterday. It was to be a 'langsat bootleg day' by which only needed to be postponed till next Wednesday, by me, because Borhan gave a last minute call to give out complimentary tickets to Lovehunters' concert at Bedok's Sepaktakraw hall yesterday evening. 3 hours before show and he gave that 'nice' surprise. How sweet, in my rush to Caldecott Hill to fetch the tickets then back to my home and off to Bedok thereafter. How sweet. Zoul had been waiting impatiently by the entrance with his sweet Miss Nita. Despite missing 5 songs, the whole show proved something extra creamy and frothy for an eve of a public holiday. Lovehunters' lead guitarist, Yazid, never stop to capture my heart. Even Zoul, the handsome bachelor in our lot, says Yazid is handsome. Shibby.

So, the 'langsat bootleg' expedition shall be carried out next Wednesday. I haven't tasted langsat for a long time since. How does it taste now, I wonder. Another mid-week holiday next week, being the Victorian calender year of New Year's Day 2004. What shall extremely tickle me pink with glee shall be the govt's payout of E.R.S on first day of January 2004. Though meagre, it really is a fair share, just so I could splurge on cosmetics, clothes and perfume.

January and February is tinged with festivites too. Being the Gong Xi Fatt Choy on 22nd and 23rd January, all buses, trains, flights and tour bookings are full and that makes me stuck in this island, rotting. Was there to be a chalet stay with the 7-ELEVENers? Lizardeouss shall await, before she rots away.

Till then, friends.
Wassalam.
(Extra: Borhan's gone fat already. Can he still roll, jump and dive offstage as before? Let's watch him play with "CHILDREN OF THE GRAVE" next week, 30th December at JAMS The Club. Details upcoming soon.)

Assalamua'laikum.

CHASE THAT DRAGON!

Our group is unique in our own ways. It's pre-destined, my friends, since my chilhood days, I am surrounded by souls whom are unique and different in our own ways, each armed with individualistic skills and qualities. This explains much why God made gazillions of human race variations in this world. Not one thing is of the same. Trust this. This is the beauty of life, of your life.

In search of a heavenly pool of friends, one must take on courage and confidence while attending to spiritual needs like personal ethics and fine-tuned mentality. Positivity is the keyword here. While the wiser you are, the happier you stand on your grounds. One trait though which I hate to inculcate in friendship life is "using force on others". Therefore, my friends are like angels... free, fly free, I'll catch you in my dreams.

Whilst busy forming a coalition of army of friends to invade Hoot-Hoot's home last Saturday, the troops came forth from different directions at different timings. The sumptuous Supper of Nasi Minyak was provided by the Madamoiselle of the house, thankfully delicious and oompphh! The year-end festivities are not ceasing just yet, there should be a very reason why we are so merry!

Catch the army of friends on cammie here - LIZARDEOUSS' PHOTO ALBUM
Log in : lizardeouss3
Password : naga3

Till the fat lady sings, till we meet again.

Wassalam.

Assalamua'laikum.

I should say, it's a lucky thing Dart has failed his mission to bring me out on a 'date' today. Channel Five's broadcasting Star Wars The Phantom Menace Episode 1 at 1845hrs just now. If Dart were to have left his pad and gone elsewhere for dinner with me while missing out Phantom Menace, he wouldn't forgive himself over a million years. And, I wonder if Usop & Dewi's faithfully tuned in to Channel Five watching Phantom Menace.

"Agree with you the Council does, your apprentice Skywalker does, at peace.." - Yoda speaks.

Wassalam.

Assalamua'laikum.

SEE SPIT ASH PICTURES HERE!

I have to apologise for not being able to paste all of SPIT ASH's images on this page. You can go to the specific photo album however to sneak a peek at what's going on in front of the cammie.

Go to LIZARDEOUSS' PHOTO ALBUM

Log in as follows :-
USER : lizardeouss2
PASSWORD : naga2

Everybody's welcome to browse through the album. Another account is available for guests to view previous photos, taken during the heats and semi-finals.

Previous photo album's log in as follows :-
USER : lizardeouss
PASSWORD : naga

I would like to extend a lot of thanks and gratitude to Huda and Hakim for uploading the photos. Let's keep the faith, people!



FISH TALES.


It has been almost a year since the flower horn fish named Aeriel had lived, breathed and feast in the same living quarters of my brother's room.

Aeriel could have been the third of the kind of animal that has so far left a memorable mark in our house. The departure of Aeriel has indeed been a shocking occurence today. The dear scaly one has been a cheerful finny creature, always awaiting for someone to pop by the door to greet her. Fish do get stressed too, like humans do. One factor that could lead to Aeriel's final goodbye could be due to the environment. Flower horn fishes are rugged anyway, therefore, her demise is alarming to me. Nothing is forever, a phrase best to describe living things in this world. At least I'm comfortable to acknowledge that Aeriel has safely entered into the Garden of Eden specifically for fishes of natural death.

Amongst the domestic pets that has huffed their last breath in this house was the black & white bunny rabbit during the end of 1998, along with my numerous goldfishes and most recently, Aeriel. So far, all of my cats were being given away since 7 years ago. And yes, I still do feel a pang of longing and yearning for my dark brown Burmese-Persian cat, Weewit. Guess my lil' brother still misses that mother cat too. Such a heart-moving feeling. I want to sob...

On a more happier note now (Liza pushing away the kleenex tissue box, sob sob), this one heck of a brother of mine immediately without fail contacted his school friend to tell of his Aeriel's death. Yeah and you guess it right, the two bananas in pyjamas went to get new aquatic plants, some granite rocks, a bag of pebbles and new oxygen bubble stones - for his tank. My brother spent some quids to get himself 3 guppies, 10 tetras and 2 rednoses. Teenie-weenie fishes now dominate the tank, beautifully landscaped by my brother himself. Hmmph.. a change in aquarium trend somewhat soothes the grieving heart. I should give my brother a pat in the back for successfully putting together a neat aquarium in his room. The fishes are hyper in their new tank, the tetra's blue scales shimmer as they dart across here and there.

That'll do, brother, that'll do. (Sounds familiar, eh?)

Wassalam.

Assalamua'laikum.

THE DRAGON'S QUILL

It has been quite a while since the dragon lady whips her mighty quill to pen down a hearty long story. Readers must prepare for a hot-seat treatment from the dragon's quill then...

SUNDAY
In fact, I am a little busy, juggling between hosting my brother's little friends' Raya visit to my house and blogging at the same time. The day rained and it has somehow slowed-down the kids' visitings, stranded at some place. I have nothing grand to prepare but with briyani and chicken curry on the table should satisfy the kids' hunger at least. In fact too, I have to go visit Mandom's open house today, which I've just remembered (I'm dead!), for which I complained to him for not SMS-ing about the invite. Mandom's quite amazed to hear that, since he's reminded me a week ago (ooh, I'm so dead). Ah, well then, I'll make the visit once my brother's friends are gone from my place.

SATURDAY
I am so drifted away in slumber during the morning that I forgot to wake up for work. Unbelievable me, I startled from my sleep at 1000hrs, my mind searching and downloading from the motherboard, finding a match for "what day is today". Bingo! It's a Saturday, and I'm so dead, it's 10am and I'm still in my bed, yeah yeah, my boss' gonna turn red! I gave a ring to my office then. Evon answered and she screamed, literally, being excited, asking what has happened. Immediately without further delay, I showered, clothed and took a cab to office. My Ops Manager gave me a comical laugh, in his head maybe saying, "you are so damn in hot soup!" GULP. I sat, shat, through the late morning and set about doing my things. My lady boss seized the moment to dash away from the office and puffs away in smoke, driving up to Genting to gamble. She left me in-charge for a while. I prepared the salary cheques for our four prime mover drivers to be plonked in the deposit box after work. As usual, I will prepare for next week's container imports and look into other pending matters. Our prime mover drivers' had been holding good records for the past 3 months not until recently, summons came upon summons, speeding cases in the container port, illegal parking... things do happen anyway.

There were 3 invitations. I got home by late afternoon and my lazy nerves are burrowing me down to a neutral mode. I have only a thread of energy left and my eyes were heavy with sleepyness. For all I know, I was dozing in front of my tv.

FRIDAY
The result from a chain of late-night hang-outs and late sleeping have brought about an alarming behaviour in me. Which even myself am shocked to see it happening so. I had overslept on Friday morning and reaching my office at 10am is bad. I was quite lucky my boss is compromising today. A whole day of working, battling from fatigue.

Another day, another dollar. I was about to get my well-earned rest when a call for a round of chill-out was demanded. I had to succumbed though, for my friends are the sort who can't bear to live apart from each other after a series of get-together. The bandmembers and its close supporters had been sleeping, eating, hanging-out, jamming, sleeping, eating, watching tv together for the past 3 days and 2 nights. The aftermath of Thursday's squealing-of-a-time has not wear off from most of us in fact. It was an exhilirating and pounding moment the band and its faithful supporters had experienced. And I was talking about the band, SPIT ASH!

THURSDAY
It was a fun sleep-over at Huda's Great World Apartments since Wednesday night. Yusaini picked me up in the morning to go to work. At least I wasn't late and my boss is delighted to see me bright and cheery and early.

As I meticulously finished up the necessary paperwork, I left the office for home. After an afternoon shower and a change-over of clothes, I am made-up for a Zouk evening. Black is the colour of me and dark purple is the colour of my lips. The band was having sound-check at the event premises and the girls are also out with them. A bad thing I couldn't make it to the sound-check though, but I get to clean up the apartment at last!

Once the band got 'home' from sound-check, every hands are busy getting the boys ready with their costume and make-up. Donning their gold-sprayed overalls, with great looking hair and all, they have quite a face to show. Amidst the buzzing shopping mall of Great World City, the bandmembers walked through calmly, briskly, yet complete with eye-raising greets and stares. Truly life is a spectator sport, the public that happened to be anywhere near the band's existence are indeed treated to a sight never seen on any other night. Only one thing which could describe the band's image - Brutal.

I guess many of us in the group is jumpy and excited about the band's well-being on Thursday night. There was a build-up of crowd at Zouk's entrance and the crowd is young, between the age of 18 to 20 something. SPIT ASH is a young band - ranging from 19 years of age to 29 years of age, creating a bind of brotherhood and endearment towards music.

SPIT ASH performed really great at Zouk on Thursday and I could see even though we haven't enough time to establish a fan base for the band during the competition, there already IS a cliche of fan base for SPIT ASH amongst the attending crowd. Could it be the audience is there to watch SPIT ASH solely, soulfully? SPIT ASH is the only band with the spitting guts to carry that type of genre and putting them on top of other bands because they have the means to rock the guts out of everybody. Their music is the kind of quality you would dig out from the trinkets of underground melodic metal.

The band gyrated the house real hard, many of whom were in awe of the smashing sounds, came up to the members and congratulate of their excellent performance. I should say, with a little bit of push and serious discussions, the band could afford the fine showmanship at the finals. Minus the 'unseen happenings' though, they were able to get through the final and had a ball of a time onstage. I was raving mad, cheering on for them.

Eventhough the band did not get any placings, much less spot any top 3 during the results, they have earned the respect from people of various professions and interests. The credits goes all out to Hakim, Endra, Rohaizad, NorAzan, Firdaus and Faisal. Thrilled as I was during the first time the band starts to piece together, I still have the same enthusiasm till they climbed the Zouk stage for the finals. Without any placings, the band have Endra, The Best Drummer Award winner. Congratulations to Endra, you have the constant beat! To the rest of the band, I love you all because you have been great. Am looking forward to work with you people again! Stay steadfast, I want the world to hear your sounds.

Amidst the excitement, I was sad for one thing though. My little brother who is in constant support of the band was not able to participate in the event, being underaged, the Zouk officials decided not to give an inch of leniency at all. Shite.

WEDNESDAY
My red backpack is full with clothes and such. I headed towards Kim Seng Rd after work. Huda and the rest of them have been waiting for my appearance at the apartment. My invalid reasons to stay home on Wednesday was unacceptable and definitely it will make her disappointed. The boys are having a jam session at Jln Pinang anyway, therefore my attendance is definitely required because their history is documented in an 8mm film. They need the camera rolling, for it will make them sit down and review their play until they embark for the final show.

The boys need a lot of therapy sessions. Anger management therapy. A day before the finals and the ambience is tense. Miss Fire Dragon is looking forward a bliss truce. A tattered piece of thread is the last resort the band could ever make. Therefore, while fire fights fire, ideas clashed, the best they need is a lot of cooling down and I say, thanks to their compromising attitude, the jamming session completed with a rating of 10 over 10. The band is then ready for the finals.

End Report.


Conclusively, I think we should give thanks and pray to Allah for giving us the best of friends we need and for the faith we have in us all.

Also, my big, big THANK YOU to Ms Huda for the cool apartment stay - I have missed that place already! The latex, Fird's hair extension and a numerous other unmentionable things are all made possible by her. On Girlfriends' Day, I will (oops, secret!).... hehehe.

Faisal's lady, Ms Ina is included in my THANK YOU too. Your tremendous help is greatly appreciated! Azan's wife, Mdm Zilah is so supportive, THANK YOU and we shall work again together, yeah. Not forgetting my brother, THANK YOU and do what I told you, hardwork actually pays off, you know. To Argyrios, THANK YOU so much for being there all the time, you are equally important too. Zoul and Aredz, THANK YOU for your support and time.

The song, LIFE, by SPIT ASH is dedicated to all you guys!!

These words are from NorAzan - Izad, u performed miracles with yr instrument, u played with vigour and went where only few dared to go. Hendra, u're a natural on yr piece and did us proud last night. Fird, I have never seen or played with someone with yr stunning stage personality. Hakim, you're a helluva of a screamer that have no boundaries. Faisal, your vox have weight and body, definitely a force to reckon with! Pls, pls let me have the honour of playing with you guys again next year.

Wassalam.

Assalamua'laikum.

BUIH BUIH BUIH

I just wanna voice out - LIMP BIZKIT IS THE MOST INCREDIBLE *'buih'* BAND of the year.

With so many fanatics and music lovers waiting in the rut all these years to experience the real squeeze from L.B, what we've gotten is a condescending piece of news about the band's absence in this region's tour.

I bet, hordes of faithful fans are in the mood to have F Durst speak out "Getcha Groove On" tonight at S'pore Indoor Stadium. Yeah, he might sing, "No one knows what it's like/ to be the bad man/ to be the sad man/ behind blue eyes/ And no one knows what it's like/ to be hated/ to be fated/ to telling only lies"... we say keep "Rollin". The guy might be saying, "I'm a do things my way/ It's my way/ my way/ or the highway"... we say yeah, give us a "Boiler" man!

I'm giving reasonable doubt, let them sort out their whatever what-nots and hopefully so, will re-embark on the southeast asian tour. Hey, so many of us are waiting high and dry. 'Nuff said.

Most importantly, a special good luck to Spit Ash on their Yamaha Finals on Thursday at Zouk. The pre-final 'party' shall still go on like it should. Romping around like we should, with nothing on skin if we could. Heeheehee!

Wassalam.

Assalamua'laikum.

BLISS

Now with the weekend festivity visits are done with, it's back to the normal weekdays again. Which literally means that I shall experience ultimate after office-hours ease and relax in the evenings. For now though. Come mid-week, there's gonna be some scuffling activities happening and my crazy lifestyle shall be overturned once again.

Sunday was a happy day at my home. Cousins big and small came paying a visit and make merriment the sixth day of Aidilfitri. 'New additioned' nephews and nieces are present, creating warmth and love in the season of joy. Faithful friends came over to tighten the bond of friendship and share the happiness.

Come next weekend shall be another event of get-together at other houses. The celebration of Syawal is definitely enchantment that comes from pure hearts. I would like to extend thanks to all relatives and friends who joined in the merry celebration of Aidilfitri and may Allah bless all good intentions. Spread the love.

Wassalam.