Where You Return To

Wow...time passes too quickly for my tastes here in Singapore. somethingood is going along fine...headaches still appear, to be sure, but pleasant surprises emerge too. From the spontaneity of the volunteers (so far, this week's canners have been of a far better calibre, and the buskers are very nice and sporting) to super generous donors and appreciative audiences, and the surprise appearance of the media, this week has been better indeed. Heh, and with everything gearing up to Christmas, there's a general feeling of goodwill on the streets. After you get the hang of the morning rush to set up everyday, and perfect the fixed smile when asking for donations, everyday is quite all right, and even pleasant.

Special mention must go out to all the string ensembles that we've had. They're always a hit with the crowds at Shaw House, and are our biggest money earners. Heh, there was this American who donated an unbelievable sum to the strings buskers on Tue. I just hope that all those notes aren't counterfeit =P And that same day, when HC Strings was playing, RJ Strings suddenly dropped by since they were busking at Scotts, and the two ensembles combined to form this mega-orchestra, which was immensely popular. And I think we owe a lot to RJ Strings, cos they kept coming down to busk for a few hours for somethingood after their Scotts thing, and they always boosted our takings. So, thanks to all the strings groups for their brilliant music and excellent charitable spirit! =)

Oh well, I haven't seen the CNA coverage of somethingood yet...but I presume that it was favourable. I think on the day after the story was aired, there was really an "As Seen on TV" effect, with people donating cos they heard of us on TV. Ah well...whatever was shown, it seemed to have a good effect, or at least it didn't do damage. The rest of it is mere superficial technicality I guess.

Yesterday and today were my off days from somethingood...heh, two weeks of charitable spirit, noble as it may be, is plainly unsustainable. Went with RJGE to Tower Club yesterday to rehearse for the caroling on Christmas Eve. Heh...the story is that RJGE got talent spotted by this staff member from the Tower Club (it's a really ritzy establishment perched on top of Republic Plaza...that's the brown skyscraper at Raffles Place...it's a veritable high-flyer's watering hole), and they're paying us $350 to carol for half an hour. Why they asked a guitar ensemble to sing is still lost on me, but it's good money, and desperately needed for the bankrupt RJGE, so who's complaining? =P For half an hour's rehearsal, they provided access to their staff Christmas lunch, which was heavenly...what wonderful CHristmas Pudding, and the ham...brilliant =) And being on the 64th floor gives one a splendid view of Singapore, all the way from the CBD to like Bedok, and Braddel even. On a good day you'd probably be able to spot Woodlands. And since it's not everyday that I get to go to such a high-class and just plain high place (everything looks different from the 64th floor...and you can get airsick in the elevator =P), I'm gonna bring the camera for Christmas Eve!

Yesterday I also went for a Texprog reunion, with the Yang Ming people...well, sans the Nj people, who were all busy. Heh, it was actually brought forward from today, but I wasn't told till the last minute, so on the way home from Raffles Place, I had to turn back from Kembangan to go back to HarbourFront. Anyway, we had dinner at Clara's mum's Japanese restaurant, and they provided practically a free flow of sushi, sashimi and tempura. It was like going to heaven...after the hefty Christmas meal, to stuff myself with sashimi and other Japanese delicacies. Heh, but yesterday night was the first time that I had time to think about Texprog in like a week...there hasn't even been time to transcribe the journal entries I wrote in Taipei in my sketchbook. Things are happening too fast, and the luxury of time and reflection is needed for one to start missing people. But to be sure, I do miss them, and all that we went through in Taiwan...being back in Singapore is a far cry from the lifestyle that we led over there. And it seems that every time I come back, Singapore is just a little bit more boring.

Here's a thought...it doesn't matter where you go; what matters is where you return to.

Anyway, just finished making the Christmas cards and presents to send back to the guys in Taiwan. It's not much, and the cards only look good by accident, really =P But I feel like I owe it to them to put in the effort...they gave so much to us when we were there. To be sure, their abilities were restricted by the appalling timing of Texprog, but they sure tried their darnedest. And with somethingood going on, I haven't had time to go online to chat with them at all. Heh, I guess these cards would be a chance to let them know that I'm far from forgetting them =P

pondered by phoenican @ 21.12.04