I think this my best attempt at recording… ever.
Here is the Beatles' Something:
It took me about a week to record and another week for overdubs and mixing.
I'm really excited about this as I've been applying some arranging and mixing techniques that I've learnt over the past year (though admittedly I haven't learned a lot).
Moreover, not only did I get to apply all this new knowledge, I also learned a lot about how to get a tight arrangement and how to balance instruments just so so you can get the best sound.
I'm happy to say that I've been able to apply this new understanding in some live stuff I did last week. It's really satisfying.
Technical details here.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Saturday, June 30, 2012
My new hobby
So my year's graduation dinner was held the other night, and I had a blast.
What's more though, is that I've discovered a new hobby: audio engineering.
I was assigned to be in charge of the sound system that night, especially that for the band performance we had. And after reading quite a bit into all this mixing stuff and setting it up once for myself, I'm really starting to love it.
I couldn't really do much beyond adjusting levels in the live setup, since I don't really have the hardware for it, but at home I'm starting to apply all these mixing and EQing techniques to the songs I'm recording with Logic Express. I think they've made them sound a lot better.
Moreover, I think this is a really useful addition to my skill set as a musician as not only can I sing and play multiple instruments, I can also record them and make them sound the way I want them to sound.
For the past two weeks I've been recording a cover of the Beatles' song Something. I think it's better than anything I've ever some before. I'm really looking forward to showing it off once I'm done with it.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Graduation speech
Good afternoon honorable guests, parents, teachers, and fellow schoolmates:
It is an incredible honor to be here today to deliver this address, especially since the last 12 years of my life have been spent at this school. It's amazing just how quickly time flies by; each year goes by even faster than the last. And it seems that in a flash, our six or seven short years of high school life are now over.
Looking back on it now, it seems that these years have been quite the roller coaster ride; there were a number of ups and downs, but I think most of us will agree that it was kinda fun. Why? Because we were given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contribute to the vibrance that makes this school unique.
There are more than a few people we'd like to thank for this fantastic life we've had:
God, for giving us everything we needed to get to where we are today;
Our parents and families, for having given us life, a home, and the support that has been instrumental to our success;
Our teachers, for educating us and believing in us;
Our friends, for being there for us and understanding us like no others can.
Today, my brothers, we will say goodbye to our adopted home. The fact of the matter is that high school has merely been a staging ground for what is to come, training for the future. Sooner or later we will have to move on.
But fear not, for this does not mean that we turn our backs on all the memories and relationships that were born here. Never forget the friendships that we have made in this place, you may find that these are the deepest and most enduring you will ever have.
In any case, life is short, my friends, and don't waste a second of it living someone else's life; live your own life, in the here and now. Follow your passion and pursue excellence, for success will follow. No matter how difficult the challenges ahead are, I urge you, my brothers, to remember what you've learned and keep fighting. God will never give you a challenge that you cannot overcome.
Finally, on behalf of all our graduates, goodbye my dear school, and thank you!
It is an incredible honor to be here today to deliver this address, especially since the last 12 years of my life have been spent at this school. It's amazing just how quickly time flies by; each year goes by even faster than the last. And it seems that in a flash, our six or seven short years of high school life are now over.
Looking back on it now, it seems that these years have been quite the roller coaster ride; there were a number of ups and downs, but I think most of us will agree that it was kinda fun. Why? Because we were given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contribute to the vibrance that makes this school unique.
There are more than a few people we'd like to thank for this fantastic life we've had:
God, for giving us everything we needed to get to where we are today;
Our parents and families, for having given us life, a home, and the support that has been instrumental to our success;
Our teachers, for educating us and believing in us;
Our friends, for being there for us and understanding us like no others can.
Today, my brothers, we will say goodbye to our adopted home. The fact of the matter is that high school has merely been a staging ground for what is to come, training for the future. Sooner or later we will have to move on.
But fear not, for this does not mean that we turn our backs on all the memories and relationships that were born here. Never forget the friendships that we have made in this place, you may find that these are the deepest and most enduring you will ever have.
In any case, life is short, my friends, and don't waste a second of it living someone else's life; live your own life, in the here and now. Follow your passion and pursue excellence, for success will follow. No matter how difficult the challenges ahead are, I urge you, my brothers, to remember what you've learned and keep fighting. God will never give you a challenge that you cannot overcome.
Finally, on behalf of all our graduates, goodbye my dear school, and thank you!
Monday, June 4, 2012
Vindication and change
Tonight I joined the annual June 4 candlelight vigil in Victoria Park for the first time. It was the 23rd anniversary of the Tiananmen massacre where hundreds, perhaps thousands of student activists lost their lives.
The event occurred at a volatile point in Hong Kong's history - just 8 years before she was due to be returned to her motherland. This rose a lot of questions over Hong Kong's future and whether it would still be safe for people to express their views, even if they conflicted those of the communists.
15 years since the handover, and the city is feeling the mainland's political influence more and more, such as when the Central Government Liaison Office was rumored to have influenced election committee members to vote for CY Leung for chief executive. In addition to political interference, other factors have contributed to anti-mainlander sentiment, such as pregnant mainland mothers delivering in Hong Kong and leeching off public resources; or how mainland tourists are stereotypically inconsiderate, loud, and have little respect for public hygiene.
Despite these tensions, I could see from tonight that Hongkongers care very much about their motherland. At the vigil, which was attended by 180,000 people as estimated by the organizers, the impassioned songs and emotional speeches told me that the city practices a higher form of patriotism, one that mainlanders don't, or rather can't, that is striving for a better China.
As great as their differences may be, whether cultural or political, underneath it all, I believe most Chinese Hongkongers do want to identify with their mainland counterparts - they want to be proud of their race and their nation. Unfortunately, authoritarian politics and tragedies like June 4 make that rather difficult. With the world's largest population, China has the potential to be a world leader, not just in economics, but also in politics and human rights development. To see that China is not living up to this potential is a source of disappointment and frustration for many non-mainland-based Chinese.
Some across the border, particularly youth in the neighbouring Guangdong province where Hong Kong TV and radio transmissions can be received, have dismissed this strive for vindication and democracy as futile and have criticized activists for not moving on from the incident. However, I must disagree. These comments are ignorant of the fact that there is still potential for change in China.
Change rarely occurs without a stimulus. An object will maintain its velocity until a net force is applied onto it, the Magna Carta would not have been forced onto the King unless the barons didn't insist on it, and the United States of America would never have achieved independence if its people hadn't pushed for it. Similarly, only by continuous pressure by its people will China finally progress to become a democratic state, and one that respects human rights.
Moreover, events like this in Hong Kong serve as an example for mainlanders, that if you put enough pressure on the government, you might just get your way. For example, in the fishing village of Wukan, an uprising by its residents forced out the corrupt local government and they were able to democratically elect their own officials. Other villages are following suit and are beginning to stand up to their governments. These are the first steps on a long and hard journey to a democratic China.
In tonight's memorial, it feels that vindication of June 4 is less of a motive than striving for a real change for the better in Chinese politics. This is evident in the fact that increasingly politically aware youth who were born after the incident have been increasing in attendance of the vigil. They know nothing of the pain or frustration of the time, but they believe that each candle they light tonight adds just that much more pressure for democracy and change in China.
I find the dedication these people have to the vindication of the June 4 massacre and longing for true democracy in China to be very admirable. I truly pray that the martyrs which we honored tonight will not have died in vain.
The event occurred at a volatile point in Hong Kong's history - just 8 years before she was due to be returned to her motherland. This rose a lot of questions over Hong Kong's future and whether it would still be safe for people to express their views, even if they conflicted those of the communists.
15 years since the handover, and the city is feeling the mainland's political influence more and more, such as when the Central Government Liaison Office was rumored to have influenced election committee members to vote for CY Leung for chief executive. In addition to political interference, other factors have contributed to anti-mainlander sentiment, such as pregnant mainland mothers delivering in Hong Kong and leeching off public resources; or how mainland tourists are stereotypically inconsiderate, loud, and have little respect for public hygiene.
 |
| A candle and a rose to commemorate the dead iPad 3, Hipstamatic, Kaimal Mark II Lens, Ina's 1969 Film, No Flash |
As great as their differences may be, whether cultural or political, underneath it all, I believe most Chinese Hongkongers do want to identify with their mainland counterparts - they want to be proud of their race and their nation. Unfortunately, authoritarian politics and tragedies like June 4 make that rather difficult. With the world's largest population, China has the potential to be a world leader, not just in economics, but also in politics and human rights development. To see that China is not living up to this potential is a source of disappointment and frustration for many non-mainland-based Chinese.
Some across the border, particularly youth in the neighbouring Guangdong province where Hong Kong TV and radio transmissions can be received, have dismissed this strive for vindication and democracy as futile and have criticized activists for not moving on from the incident. However, I must disagree. These comments are ignorant of the fact that there is still potential for change in China.
Change rarely occurs without a stimulus. An object will maintain its velocity until a net force is applied onto it, the Magna Carta would not have been forced onto the King unless the barons didn't insist on it, and the United States of America would never have achieved independence if its people hadn't pushed for it. Similarly, only by continuous pressure by its people will China finally progress to become a democratic state, and one that respects human rights.
 |
| Honoring Martyrs iPad 3, Hipstamatic, John S Lens, Blanko Film, No Flash |
I find the dedication these people have to the vindication of the June 4 massacre and longing for true democracy in China to be very admirable. I truly pray that the martyrs which we honored tonight will not have died in vain.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Nuclear Power A Necessary Risk… For Now
In a world facing dwindling fossil fuel reserves, air pollution, and global warming, there is a pressing demand for greener, cleaner and sustainable energies. Nuclear power is one of the options under consideration, as it does have some major advantages.
For starters, nuclear energy is tremendously powerful. With current nuclear fission technology, one kilogram of uranium fuel can give the same energy as 2700 tons of coal. This highly efficient energy source is perfect for meeting the world's growing energy demands.
Secondly, nuclear energy can be used to replace fossil fuels for electricity generation. This brings two advantages. The first of which is that we can conserve them for other purposes. At current consumption rates, we will only have enough fossil fuels for about a century or so. If we use nuclear power instead, the fossil fuels that we save can be used for other purposes such as powering aircraft or making plastics. The second upside is that skimping on burning fuel means cutting greenhouse emissions. In fact, nuclear power contributes neither to global warming nor air pollution.
Thirdly, it gets cheaper and cheaper the more we use it. As nuclear technology advances, matures and is more widely adopted, it will become cheaper by economies of scale. Fossil fuels, however, despite its more widespread adoption and simpler technology, is predicted to get (and is already getting) more expensive as fuel supplies dwindle. Moreover, fossil fuel prices are subject to frequent fluctuations due to wars, conflicts, and trade route stability. Nuclear power does not suffer from this as reactors need refueling only about once every 20 years.
Fourthly, nuclear power is potentially unlimited. The technology exists to process our nuclear waste into usable fuel. In fact, as much as 95% of spent fuel is recycled and turned into nuclear power once again. If this is maintained, it is possible to continue fueling reactors for a thousand years or even more despite our limited reserves. Advances in nuclear fusion, a yet-to-be-realized technology, will even enable us to use our vast resources of seawater as fuel.
However, nuclear energy has been a controversial ever since its introduction in the 1950s. Developed with the technology that destroyed the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it provides 14% of the world's electricity. Although it can provide huge amounts of energy, it also comes with dangers and ramifications, as manifested in the 1989 Chernobyl disaster, and more recently in the Fukishima meltdown. In light of the latter tragedy, Germany has announced that it will shut down all its reactors by 2022, and other countries are debating whether to do the same.
The danger in nuclear power lies in the possibility of a radiation leak. Radiation can affect the molecular structure of everything it comes into contact with. This is a good thing as nuclear power depends on this property. However, when released into the environment, the consequences of radiation could be deadly. Though comics speculate that radiation could give people superpowers, in reality radiation poisoning is not that fun; excess exposure could lead to cancer, immune diseases, or even death. In the long term, it could make a region unfit for habitation for decades.
Moreover, the technical know-how required to build a reactor isn't very different from that needed to build a nuclear bomb. With this in mind, the world's existing nuclear powers have already signed a treaty agreeing to the non-proliferation of the technology. However this has not stopped certain authoritarian regimes, like Iran and North Korea, from striking out on their own, which upsets the balance of power in a somewhat unfavorable direction. Even without a working reactor or bomb, nuclear waste could also be used as dirty bombs, spreading deadly radiation into the air and water.
So now the world has to decide: is meeting our demands for energy and development worth the potential dangers of nuclear power?
Personally, I think that, at least for now, it is a necessary risk. As we face growing energy demands, depleting fossil fuel reserves and increasingly polluted air, we will have to let go of fossil fuels sometime soon. Renewable energies like wind and solar power are low in capacity, hydroelectric dams destroy ecosystems, geothermal energy is limited to only a few geographical hotspots and biofuels do not solve global warming, but rather contribute to it. Nuclear power is the only way we can solve our environmental problems while meeting our energy demands, that is, nuclear disasters aside.
When we are able to harness renewable energies on a massive scale that is both cost-effective and efficient, then it would be time for nuclear power to go as the cost of maintaining it – the potential of nuclear leaks – would be too much. But before that day comes, nuclear energy is the most environmentally and economically sustainable option to power our world.
For starters, nuclear energy is tremendously powerful. With current nuclear fission technology, one kilogram of uranium fuel can give the same energy as 2700 tons of coal. This highly efficient energy source is perfect for meeting the world's growing energy demands.
Secondly, nuclear energy can be used to replace fossil fuels for electricity generation. This brings two advantages. The first of which is that we can conserve them for other purposes. At current consumption rates, we will only have enough fossil fuels for about a century or so. If we use nuclear power instead, the fossil fuels that we save can be used for other purposes such as powering aircraft or making plastics. The second upside is that skimping on burning fuel means cutting greenhouse emissions. In fact, nuclear power contributes neither to global warming nor air pollution.
Thirdly, it gets cheaper and cheaper the more we use it. As nuclear technology advances, matures and is more widely adopted, it will become cheaper by economies of scale. Fossil fuels, however, despite its more widespread adoption and simpler technology, is predicted to get (and is already getting) more expensive as fuel supplies dwindle. Moreover, fossil fuel prices are subject to frequent fluctuations due to wars, conflicts, and trade route stability. Nuclear power does not suffer from this as reactors need refueling only about once every 20 years.
Fourthly, nuclear power is potentially unlimited. The technology exists to process our nuclear waste into usable fuel. In fact, as much as 95% of spent fuel is recycled and turned into nuclear power once again. If this is maintained, it is possible to continue fueling reactors for a thousand years or even more despite our limited reserves. Advances in nuclear fusion, a yet-to-be-realized technology, will even enable us to use our vast resources of seawater as fuel.
However, nuclear energy has been a controversial ever since its introduction in the 1950s. Developed with the technology that destroyed the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it provides 14% of the world's electricity. Although it can provide huge amounts of energy, it also comes with dangers and ramifications, as manifested in the 1989 Chernobyl disaster, and more recently in the Fukishima meltdown. In light of the latter tragedy, Germany has announced that it will shut down all its reactors by 2022, and other countries are debating whether to do the same.
The danger in nuclear power lies in the possibility of a radiation leak. Radiation can affect the molecular structure of everything it comes into contact with. This is a good thing as nuclear power depends on this property. However, when released into the environment, the consequences of radiation could be deadly. Though comics speculate that radiation could give people superpowers, in reality radiation poisoning is not that fun; excess exposure could lead to cancer, immune diseases, or even death. In the long term, it could make a region unfit for habitation for decades.
Moreover, the technical know-how required to build a reactor isn't very different from that needed to build a nuclear bomb. With this in mind, the world's existing nuclear powers have already signed a treaty agreeing to the non-proliferation of the technology. However this has not stopped certain authoritarian regimes, like Iran and North Korea, from striking out on their own, which upsets the balance of power in a somewhat unfavorable direction. Even without a working reactor or bomb, nuclear waste could also be used as dirty bombs, spreading deadly radiation into the air and water.
So now the world has to decide: is meeting our demands for energy and development worth the potential dangers of nuclear power?
Personally, I think that, at least for now, it is a necessary risk. As we face growing energy demands, depleting fossil fuel reserves and increasingly polluted air, we will have to let go of fossil fuels sometime soon. Renewable energies like wind and solar power are low in capacity, hydroelectric dams destroy ecosystems, geothermal energy is limited to only a few geographical hotspots and biofuels do not solve global warming, but rather contribute to it. Nuclear power is the only way we can solve our environmental problems while meeting our energy demands, that is, nuclear disasters aside.
When we are able to harness renewable energies on a massive scale that is both cost-effective and efficient, then it would be time for nuclear power to go as the cost of maintaining it – the potential of nuclear leaks – would be too much. But before that day comes, nuclear energy is the most environmentally and economically sustainable option to power our world.
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