The Benster® Chronicles

it's coming soon... =]

2007-04-18T17:26:00.000+08:00

Fishing at Tg Pinang, 4-6 Apr 07

2007-04-09T21:51:00.000+08:00

Time for a long-deserved holiday!!!

Went fishing with some family/friends on Ah Kiang's boat off Tg Pinang, Indonesia on 4-6 April 07.

Bottom fishing was not that good (full moon, rough sea, only 4 live squid caught for bait).
In the mornings and evenings, we focused on trolling this trip as mackerel were in season. The spot was a rock formation 5 hrs out to sea from Tg Pinang. The sea was (((choppy))).

Our group's catches:
10x Narrowbarred Mackerel on lure, 5lb to 30+lb
1x Bonito on lure 3-4kg
3x Bulat trevally 1-2kg
1x Diamond Trevally, 3kg
1x Wrasse 8lb
5x Grunters1-2kg
3-4x Sweetlips 1-2kg
1x Golden Snapper, 2kg

numerous small snappers and coral fish, etc..

some photos:

Trolling for mackerel

My first-ever Tenggiri Batang (Narrowbarred Mackerel), 7lbs, on a Halco Laser Pro 190 lure.

My 5lb baby mack on Surecatch 150g jig

my 16lb mack on Rapala CD14

My 25lb (!!!) mack on Rapala CD18

I lent my rod to Alvin, who caught this 30+lb (!!!) mack (maxed out my 30lb boga weighing scale!) on a Rapala CD14

Nick & his nice leatherjacket, being held by our cook. We had it for lunch that day =P

Alvin's 8lb Wrasse

Notable catches (smaller fish not photographed)

Riding into the sunset..

Posing with our final catch.. L-R:
Fred, Nick, Alvin, Mark (my nephew), Me, Vince, Ben, Jeffrey (my cousin), and Alan.

guitar update..

2007-03-19T00:35:00.000+08:00

peekaboo.. =]

it's not finished yet.. the colour hasn't been applied yet.. but here it is as of now:

http://schroederguitars.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=27

Fishing on Ah Fong's boat, 12 Feb 07

2007-02-13T00:52:00.000+08:00

Went for a long-deserved break today from work - fishing with Michael Mok, Ah Yong, and some other friends from Sabre Tackle shop on Ah Fong's boat.

We started late, only reaching the first spot outside CNB at 9:45am! =P

Action was very slow in the morning, but picked up in the late afternoon, when most of the fish were caught.

Me with a nice sized orange-spotted grouper. I had it steamed HK-style for dinner at my aunt's shop in the evening. Yummmmmy!

Leslie & Alvin caught 2 queenfish at the same time, on opposite sides of the boat! They were even the same size, around 5lbs.

In the afternoon, the action picked up and we caught many tasty Gu-Hoods (Grunters). Ah Fong our boatman caught a very big, beautiful and elusive red snapper!

GET READY.. here's the CATCH OF THE DAY!!!

I caught this WHOPPER of a queenfish at 4pm using a small live prawn!

I felt a small nibble - something small was eating my prawn. So i waited a while for the fish to swim off, struck and set the hook. initially, i thought it was a small fish as it did not offer much resistance. But as it neared the boat, it suddenly panicked and took off towards the horizon, nearly stripping my small Abu 2500C reel of all its line!

A long and exciting fight ensued, with the fish diving, reel screaming, and me being dragged around the boat, forced to clamber over various chairs, rods and fat fishermen! LOL! It was all the more exciting as i was using my light rod (G-Loomis IMX 8-14lb), and it was one tough fight!

When the fish finally surfaced next to the boat, my jaw dropped at the size. I wanted to release it, but Mike said that the fish had most likely fought to its death and wouldn't survive, so he gaffed it.

I weighed it on my Boga scale - 15 pounds or 7+kg! This is my biggest queenfish yet, and a catch of a lifetime for me! WOOHOO!!!

I was sad to see such a magnificent fish have to die. But not to worry.. this great fish will not go to waste.. it is going to be our curry dinner tomorrow night =]

Here's more photos of the queenie..

15lb Queenfish caught on a small live prawn with a G-Loomis IMX CR722 8-14lb rod, Abu 2500C Nostalgia reel, 10lb Fireline.

Another angle where the fish looks smaller :P

Total catch of the day! (minus 2 smaller queenfish)

One last photo of the queenie at changi beach carpark.. WOOHOO!!!

~The Velvet Dream~

2007-02-06T01:18:00.000+08:00

www.thevelvetdream.blogspot.com

Hi guys. Shujun, Kat (her sister), & i have just opened a chic little shop selling hip ladies' clothes at Bugis Village!!!

We opened on Sunday 4th Feb 2007, & have been doing quite well so far! =]

Yup, we have many very nice clothes for all of you babes out there! So please, do drop by if you are free to support us! =]

ps- this is a lousy photo of the shop when i was still setting it up, it looks MUCH nicer now hehe :P

Location:
Bugis Village, Unit #ABFL/F2, situated on the first level, directly opposite Queen Street hawker centre. It's the 2nd unit from the entrance, which is beside Cheers convenience store.

Opening hours:
1pm-10pm Mon-Thu
11am-11pm Fri-Sun

See you there!!!

What do i spy with my little eye?

2007-02-01T00:18:00.000+08:00

Hur hur hur! >=]

Gold Mother-of-pearl stars on a gorgeous Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard.
This is just an initial layout, the stars haven't been inlaid yet. i specified some slight changes in the layout of the stars, but this is pretty close to what i have in mind. Beautiful!!!

For those of you who don't know, this is my custom guitar that is being hand-built for me by Jason Schroeder (www.schroederguitars.com) in California. It's been almost 2 years in the making, and is going to be completed really soon.

This is the current state of the guitar's body.

This is another guy's guitar, recently completed by Jason Schroeder. Just imagine this, without the hollow holes, with a fixed bridge, but with the star inlays, and the body in a more orange colour. :P KILLER!

Fishing on Ah Chai's boat, 28 Dec 06

2007-01-31T01:02:00.000+08:00

Oops.. forgot to post this before the new year party pics, but nevermind..
Went fishing on Ah Chai's boat with Gin Hin as well as Joshua and his G12 guys.. check it out!

Asaph and a nice 'Chow Xi'

Naresh and an Ah Seng!

Charlie and a yellow croaker!

Me & a baby shark! (released)

Gin Hin zzz

Fish On!!! Its a BIG one!!! Gin Hin hooked something BIG and couldn't handle the strength of the fish, so he passed the rod to me.

After a long and tiring fight... what do you see??

Ah Chai readies the gaff..

And there it is!!! WOOHOO!!!

Yeah!!! 18 pound Stingray!!! caught on 10lb Fireline, ABU 2500C reel and a 8-14lb GLoomis rod! WOOHOO!!!

We caught quite a lot of Ah Seng catfishes and had an Assam Ah Seng party at Jon's house that night. The next day, i threw a Curry Stingray party at my aunt's cafe. Yummy!!!

2007 New Year Countdown Party Pics!

2007-01-31T00:40:00.000+08:00

Sheesh, it's almost february and NOW THEN i'm posting this. I apologize for my long absence, its been a helluva busy month for me. Things are only looking to get busier as my family prepares to sell 'Fa Cai Yu Sheng' during the Chinese New Year season. Will be facing long queues of people and working like mad. Oh well.

Anyway, here are some photos from my church's countdown party on 31st Dec-1st Jan:

Me, Kemmy & Cany during soundcheck

RETRO Fenny!

Allen, Esther, Elias, Seth

Chinfen joins in

Guitarded Retards

Ben Seow looking very pleased with himself..

Introducing.. THE WHITE FALCON!!!

...

...?

i took this from the stage just before starting a song! :P

the band

Fishing off Changi on Ah Fong's boat

2006-12-20T21:48:00.001+08:00

Went offshore fishing today on Ah Fong's boat. After the maddeningly heavy rain the past few days, we thought our long-anticipated trip would be doomed. However, the skies cleared and we had beauitful weather the whole day! Thank God! Most of us even ended up sunburnt! :P

Sarah (birthday girl today) with the first fish of the day, a small grunter.

Darnie with a 1kg+ Grunter!

Nick with a 2kg 'Ah Seng' catfish! Meow! This one was released.

Yours truly with a 1kg+ Chermin (Diamond Trevally).
I lost a much bigger one which broke my cheapo rod when it dove under the boat, unstoppable, like an MRT train! >=[

Ah Fong, our boatman, unhooking my Chermin while Colin watches on.

???

Shu & Ben. Check out the beautiful weather!

L-R: Colin, Benster, Shu, Eunice, Darnie, Sarah.

Colin replaced by Nick. (nobody help us take photo lah :P)

We didn't catch much fish as the water conditions weren't very good after all that rain. BUT, we had a great time. We ended off with dinner at my place, with home-cooked fresh fish. YUMMY!
Hey, a bad day fishing is better than the best day at work ;)

Celebration team dinner photos!

2006-12-14T22:59:00.000+08:00

Just got back from our FCBC Youth Celebration team appreciation dinner at Bliss Garden, Expo Hall 1.

It was a treat from Ps Eugene to the worship leaders, band, vocalists and dancers who have been serving faithfully onstage in FCBC's Youth service.

Had a ball of a time. You guys are the best! =]

The whole gang!

Ps Eugene & Ps Julie at our table

New stuff for christmas

2006-12-14T22:50:00.000+08:00

Hi guys. sorry, been really busy with work and rehearsals for the upcoming new year countdown party.

But anyway, new stuff for christmas!!!

Christmas present from mum:

Nike Air Force One Premium in Baroque Brown/Black-Bone.
My first pair of Nikes in 3 years! Financial priority goes to guitars lah. heh. I've worn my old pair of Nike Dunk Highs to death!

Christmas present from self:

Gibson Les Paul Standard, 50's neck, in Iced Tea 'burst. Yummy. =]
Got this 2nd hand at a very very good price. ;)

My favourite guitar song of all eternity..

2006-11-24T00:52:00.000+08:00

The one and only Chet Atkins, live on television in 1954:

'Mr Sandman'

My main aim in life is to play this one song!!! Sighhhhh!!!

"Years from now, after I'm gone someone will listen to what I've done and know I was here. They may not know or care who I was, but they'll hear my guitars speaking for me."
- Chet Atkins - June 20, 1924 - June 30, 2001
http://misterguitar.com/

lefty or righty?

2006-11-16T01:32:00.000+08:00

Someone asked me if i'm left or right handed. i really don't know. read this and tell me if you do know.

i write left handed, can't write for nuts right handed
i hold my chopsticks with my left hand

BUT
i play guitar right handed.
eat with fork on left hand, spoon on right.
shoot a gun with right hand.
use a knife with right hand.
snap my fingers louder with right hand
throw a ball/grenade/anything with my right hand.
wipe my arse with right hand.
wear my watch on right hand.
cast a fishing rod with right hand BUT crank the reel with right hand.

so what the heck handed am i?! can someone tell me? i think i'm all messed up =X

Latest Latestest

2006-11-16T01:08:00.000+08:00

Ok gearheads, here is the latest latestest version of my guitar effects pedalboard. I think it's gonna stay this way for some time. :P

This is a MISSE pedalboard, kindly carpeted by my good guitar buddy Chris www.lollerskater.blogspot.com

This is my order of effects-
Guitar into:
Vox 848 wah, true bypass w/yellow Fasel inductor
NineVoltNirvana custom Dinosaur Fuzz
Phoenix Tonemaster booster (gain boost for ODs)
Xotic BB preamp (sweet med-gain OD)
Paul C TIMMY (transparent amplike OD)
Peterson Strobostomp tuner (bestest tuner on the planet)

Hughes & Kettner Tubeman MkII 3 channel preamp/speaker simulator, loaded w/a NOS JAN/Phillips 12AU7 tube
http://www.hughes-and-kettner.com/products.php?mode=prod&id=11

Xotic RC Booster (overall clean vol boost)
Empress Effects Tremolo w/tap tempo
Voodoo Lab Microvibe
Voodoo Lab Analog Chorus
Boss DD20 delay (usually connected to tap tempo pedal, not shown)

DD20 goes direct, in stereo into 2 DI boxes into PA system at church, or Tech21 Power Engine powered speaker cabinet at home.

Nice anots? >=]

Things i bought today..

2006-11-10T19:24:00.000+08:00

Westone UM-1 In-ear monitor earphones. I got these pro-quality in-ear monitors so that i can do away with the bulky 'mickey mouse' headphones provided by church when i play onstage. These are wayyy more discrete and comfortable, and sound amazing!!! I can't wait to use them onstage this sunday.

I've been wanting very badly to learn the amazing fingerstyle guitar playing of the late Chet Atkins. I have to start somewhere, right? :P

Brian Setzer's latest album.. just released this week! And i bought the first copy to hit our shores! My favourite indie music shop, Memphis Music at Excelsior Hotel, brought in just this one copy, and i bought it on the spot! woohoo! It wasn't cheap, but it's got really killer rockabilly songs in it!!!

Yeah! My favourite guitarist!

Can you FEEL it? Christmas is coming!!! Yeah!!!

2 words..

2006-11-02T02:30:00.000+08:00

Jaw Drop. >=O

Musicians, you have to watch this video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3msZADczws

Hiromi (jazz piano/synth) accompanied by Tony Grey (bass guitar) and Martin Valihora (drums)
DATE
17 Dec 2006 7.30pm
Mosaic festival
VENUE
Esplanade Concert Hall
TICKET PRICE (Exclude Booking Fee)
Standard - S$108, S$88, S$68, S$48

Anyone care to join me? Let me know..

haha, bored again.

2006-11-01T01:35:00.000+08:00

Last day of MC lah. Tomolo starts work liaos! >=[

Anyway, my electric geetahs..

For those of you who think i have like 50 of them, i only have 6-1/2 oks! =P

Clockwise from top:
1. 2005 Gretsch 6120DSW - 'Dewey'
2. 2000 PRS Hollowbody I w/piezo - 'Arwen'
3. 1988 PRS Custom 24 Ten Top - 'Scarlett'
4. 2001 Van Zandt Strat - 'Lydia'
5. 1999 G&L ASAT Classic - 'Laura'
6. 2005 Edwards '76 replica Explorer - 'Goose'

6-1/2: And one more on the way, being custom built for me by
Jason Schroeder www.schroederguitars.com in California:

Which will turn out looking something like this guitar:

a dream come true..

2006-10-31T12:26:00.000+08:00

After lusting after one for years, my dream has finally come true..

Presenting the most beautiful guitar in my world:

2005 Gretsch 6120DSW.

DeArmond Dyna-Sonic single coil pickups. TWANGY! Bigsby B6 vibrato bridge. SEXY!

Lovely figured maple back

Steerhead headstock inlay.. Moo!

Cows & Cactus inlays!

Mildly flamed maple neck! And its chunky! I like!

I could just stare at her all day.... sigh..

'In tribute to the early Gretsch Nashville® models of the mid 1950's, we proudly introduce the G6120DSW. Features include 2.75" deep laminated maple body, dual DynaSonic™ single-coil pickups, polished Bigsby® vibrato tailpiece with 1956 handle, rosewood fingerboard with vintage "wide-block" position markers, Grover® Stay-Tite machine heads, "arrow" knobs, gold hardware and western maple stain finish. The G6120DSW has full western appointments including "G" brand on upper bout, western engraved fingerboard markers and steer head headstock inlay. ' www.gretschguitars.com

One of my greatest guitar heroes, Brian Setzer, and his Gretsches.

hey

2006-10-29T17:48:00.000+08:00

Nothing to do, take guitar photos lor.
Sorry ah, no mood to blog recently lah. But i'm recovering well lah. Back is fine. Left foot is still numb, however. Can limp around. Should be back at work next week as well as playing onstage at church. I promise to blog more soon.

Here's some gratituous guitar porn.

1988 PRS Custom 24 Ten Top & 1985 Mesa/Boogie Mark III

PRS Hollowbody I, PRS Custom 24 & Boogie

'Fender' group shot:
G&L ASAT Classic, Van Zandt Strat, & 1967 Fender Super Reverb amp.

OOh yeah. Guitar wonderland..

benster's back home

2006-10-12T10:25:00.000+08:00

hi guys, i was discharged on tuesday 10 oct. resting at home now and dont treally feel like typing much, so i'll just do this short and quick update:

-had my op on monday 2 oct , to repair/remove 2 damaged discs in my spine which were jutting into my spinal cord and causing great pain in my back and left leg.

-was recovering pretty ok in hospital, but my left leg was very numb and painful. went for another MRI scan on wed 5 oct

- scan revealed that there was a complication - a blood clot had formed in my spine around the nerves. i had to go for a second operation to remove the blood clot. was pretty upset.

-went for 2nd op on thu 5 oct. it was successful, but i came out in more pain than the first op.

-finally discharged on tue 10 oct

i'll be resting at home for at least a month, cant walk without a walking frame. my left leg is numb and painful, its nerves are unsteady and need time to recover.

Thank God i made it tru the operations and please pray for a speedy recovery.

A big thanks to all of my great friends who visited me and showered me with gifts in hospital. =)

about my op..

2006-10-02T00:28:00.000+08:00

Update:
I'm at the hospital ward now waiting for my operation. I brought my laptop, and managed to latch onto someone's wireless network. So, my ward is 5509 at Mt Elizabeth hospital. You guys can come visit me from wednesday onwards. Seeya!

I'm going to bed soon, waking up in the morning to go to the hospital for my operation. My operation's at 3pm. Will be at the hospital at 8am onwards.

Hmm.. friends asked if i was scared. No, i am not scared. It's in God's hands. I am not scared of having my back sliced open and my spine prodded and repaired.

What i am most afraid of is the little tube they are going to stick into my **** to make me pee when i am unable to walk to the toilet for the first day or two. Ouch!!!!! =(

Anyways.. i'll be bringing my laptop to the hospital to watch DVD's with. I hope they have wi-fi, so i can surf the net and update my blog. If not, i'll try to get a friend to post my ward number here in case anyone wants to visit me.

In case i don't manage to do that, you can just go to the Mt Elizabeth hospital reception and ask them where my ward is. My name is Oh Tingkui Benjamin. They'll be able to tell you my ward. Visiting hours are 8am-8pm. Please visit me only from wednesday onwards as i need the rest. Thanks!

I'll be ok. Seeya soon!

Benster

Paradise Live @ FCBC!

2006-10-01T19:42:00.000+08:00

The Paradise worship team from Paradise Community Church (Adelaide, Australia) came FCBC to play for our sunday service today, as part of our October miracle weekend. We had a great time, and many people came to know the Lord!

Paradise Community Church is a megachurch in Australia. It is considered the second largest church in Australia, with a weekly attendance of around 5,000. It is located in the suburb of Paradise, South Australia. Paradise Community Church is well known with its connection with Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian, who is featured on one of church's recent worship albums.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise_Community_Church

church website: http://www.paradise.asn.au/

Here's some photos:

Paradise during youth service

The bassist on the left supposedly looks like Ricky Martin.. lol

The guitarist in the middle supposedly looks like Jesus, and the super cool dude on the right looks like Lenny Kravitz! Way cool!

Check out the Afro and the aviator glasses!

Brad Pitt plays drums?

The guitarist on the left used a Boss GT6 with some external volume pedals and a Boss TU2 tuner. The one on the right used our church's POD XT Pro.

Me and Ollie Sebastian, the main worship leader of Paradise. Check out his cool 'gangsta' outfit! I really love his songwriting!
His brother is Guy Sebastian, winner of Australian Idol.

operation loh..

2006-09-29T00:56:00.000+08:00

UPDATE: Fri 29 Sept 06

The date of my operation has been set.. Monday 2nd Oct. I will be operated on by a very experienced orthopedic surgeon as well as a spine specialist. It'll be a 3-4 hour operation which will end on monday afternoon. Will probably be hospitalized till saturday. I'd like to request friends to visit me only from Wednesday onwards as i will be sedated and need the rest.

Will get someone to put up the ward number by then.

Thanks for all your prayers and concern.

For information on what i'm suffering from, read this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slipped_disc

My MRI scan results were out today. My specialist found out that i had 2 badly slipped discs in my spine, and the damaged discs were protruding into the nerves in my spinal cord, causing much pain.

I will need an operation to remove parts of the slipped discs, and that'll probably fix the problem. Will be hospitalized at Mt Elizabeth hospital for 4-5 days, followed by 1-3 months of rest.

My operation should be next week.. keep me in prayer.

California rest in peace!

2006-09-26T15:20:00.000+08:00

This music video makes me smile! It's a damn funny video for a damn nice song.

Can you spot the bands that RHCP is spoofing? Way cool!!!

Update on the Kway Teow situation

2006-09-25T22:08:00.000+08:00

Good News!!!

We got the Thomson Longhouse stall! YEAH!!!!

My mum gave me the good news just now. She even asked her pastor to pray for her yesterday.. heh.

She got the Kway Teow auntie to fry another sample for the Longhouse owner, and asked him to give her a chance to sell Kway Teow at Longhouse for a year. He actually had another stall in mind, but was impressed by her sincerity. I think he also knew that she would take care of her Kway Teow stall as well as she takes care of her chicken rice stall. So he told her that he'd let her sell Kway Teow there for as long as she can! YEAH!!!

So.. very soon, my family will be opening TWO Char Kway Teow stalls, one in Bedok, one in Thomson!

We will also sell Oyster Omelette, Fried Carrot Cake and maybe Satay as well! Yum!

Hopefully we'll do well, and we will be able to live more comfortably.

Thank God! Hallelujah! =]

On another note,

i'm still experiencing pain in my back and left leg. Will be going for an MRI scan on thursday to determine whether it is a slipped spinal disc. If it is, i will have to go for an operation on my spine. Which sounds scary. Yikes. Please pray for me.. thanks..

Ouch ouch. Benster's stuck at home.

2006-09-24T14:09:00.000+08:00

I've been having back pains on and off over the past year, partly due to carrying really heavy containers of fish while delivering them to my shop.

Last week, it got really bad and the pain spread to my entire left leg. On saturday morning, after another late-night fish buying trip, it got really unbearable. Couldn't even walk properly without limping. So my mum made a last-minute appointment with her friend, a well-known orthopedic specialist at Mt Elizabeth hospital.

After X-rays and an examination, the doc concluded that i may have a suspected splipped (spinal) disc. I was given a back injection to ease the pain, and a week of painkillers. Next thursday, if the pain continues, i will go going for an MRI scan to see what the X-rays can't see, and confirm the problem.

Ouch ouch. I'm currently stuck at home resting. Ouch ouch..

Killer tone!!!

2006-09-23T01:12:00.000+08:00

Check this out. This is one of the most KILLER rock guitar tones i have ever heard in my life.

It's a Komet Concorde. The Concorde is a single channel amp and does not have reverb, a master volume, an effects loop, foot switches, pull pots, transistors, chips or anything else that would degrade tone, harmonic complexity or touch sensitivity.
http://www.kometamps.com/concorde.html

Char Kway Teow, anyone?

2006-09-22T12:59:00.000+08:00

Hey guys! My family is going to open a Char Kway Teow stall soon!

My mum has signed the agreement to open a stall at S21 Coffeeshop at Bedok Central Blk 211. We'll be selling Char Kway Teow, Fried Carrot Cake, and Oyster Omelettes! Yum! I just got from going through the kitchen equipment of the stall.

How did this come about? A former employee of ours went to work at an apparently quite good Char Kway Teow stall for 2 years and recently resigned.

The S21 group, the landlord of our stall at Lavender, told my mum about a newly vacant stall at one of their good coffeeshops. Then my mum came up with his idea of hiring her former employee (Auntie Foo) to fry Kway Teow for her. So she agreed to rent from S21 and open her very own Char Kway Teow Stall!

My mum got Auntie Foo to fry a packet of Kway Teow a few days back, and got the owner of Thomson Longhouse (where another of our chicken rice stalls is located) to try it. He said it was very good, and asked my mum if she wanted to take over one of the newly-vacated stalls at Longhouse as well! They are currently negotiating.. hehe.

So.. if all goes well.. my family will have 2 Char Kway Teow stalls soon! >=]

I think it's gonna be called Bugis Street Char Kway Teow.

Will keep you updated!

SLAYER at the Max Pavillion?!?!?!!

2006-09-18T16:04:00.000+08:00

OHMYGOSH!!
The legendary death metal band, SLAYER, is holding a concert at the Max Pavillion, which happens to be the same stage that my church rents from Singapore Expo for our church services! (!!!!!!!) >=[
http://www.sistic.com.sg/cms/events/index.html?content=421

I once had a classmate who listened to Slayer the whole day long, and he cut himself all over his arms with knives (!!!) he told me that the band name stands for Satan Laughs As You Eternally Rot (!?)

'The band's second full-length release, Hell Awaits, expanded on the darkness of Haunting the Chapel, hell and Satan were common song subjects. Musically it is the band's most progressive offering, containing only seven tracks, three of which clocked in at over six minutes. The intro to the album is a demonic-sounding voice repeating "Join us," reversed on tape to play backward, and ending with an ironic "Welcome back" before the title track proper begins. Many believed that the Christian idea of backmasking as a Satanic influence originated with this recording.'
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slayer

Fellow churchmates, let's pray for cleansing and for God's sovereignty over this.

A day out @ sentosa

2006-09-18T00:09:00.000+08:00

Thursday 14 Sept 06
It was Shu's day off, and we went to Sentosa to explore the island on bike. We explored most of the island and then ended up going to the Dolphin Lagoon and Underwater World, since she hadn't been to either of them before. It was quite a fun day! Here's some photos we took..

Wheeheeeeee!!!

The parrot was apparently mnore interested in the sky..

Peacocks were everywhere!

Some pics taken at the Dolphin Lagoon:

Underwater World:

BIG stingray! I miss Steve Irwin.. =(

Shu & the staff diver posing with a super cute leopard shark..

That's a HUGE grouper!

Shu & a shovelnose ray..

*muacks* Mr Grouper..

Even Benster couldn't resist.. =P

My tube amps..

2006-09-13T00:22:00.000+08:00

Just thought i'd show some photos of my vacuum tube-powered guitar amps..

L-R: 1967 Fender Super Reverb, 1990's Trace Elliot Velocette, 1985 Boogie Mark III.

My newest addition - a 1985 Mesa Engineering Boogie Mark III combo in great working condition, fully loaded with all the custom sonic options like Graphic EQ, effects loop and Simul-class switching. And it has the really cool looking and sought-after blonde tolex covering with brown grille.

It's one of THE classic rock guitar amps of all time. I can get a really great shimmering clean tone as well as complex, luscious and responsive overdrive and distortion sounds from the 3 channels. It can go from classic Fender clean to a crunchy punchy classic rock overdrive, to all-out crushing metal! I got it in a really worthwhile trade. One of my dream amps! Woohoo!!!

The back of my Boogie, showing the EL34 and 6L6 power tubes. The original speaker was replaced by a Celestion Vintage 30, one of my favourite speakers. The Simul-class switching allows me to switch between 15 watt Class A operation with 2 EL34's, or 75 watt Class AB operation with 2 EL34's and 2 6L6's. Fantastic versatility.

I'm damn happy with this amp. It's the most fun amp i've played in my life yet.. ;)

Queenie Morning!

2006-09-12T16:03:00.000+08:00

Man, i haven't fished or caught anything in ages!!!
Well, early this morning before work, i went fishing for a little while with my fishing kaki KL at our good old secret spot..

And caught this 5lb Queenfish (!!!) using a popper (!!!) BIG OR NOT??? >=]
After walking around and casting minnow lures for quite long, i noticed to splash in the sea about 30 metres out, and quickly changed to a surface popper to attract attention. Within 4 casts, it was whacked by this big queenie. The queenie gave a respectable fight, complete with sevral jumps and somersaults. This is my first queenie landed with a popper, and they aren't easy to catch on poppers! Woohoo!

After seeing me catch that beauty on a popper, KL switched to using a popper as well. After a while of casting, he screamed that a big queenie had just missed whacking his popper. He casted at the same spot several times to no avail. I switched to my trusty Darwin minnow, cast to the same spot, and it was immediately attacked! It wasn't the big queenie KL saw though, just a small one, but it gave an even stronger fight than the bigger one i caught earlier on. KL concluded that it was because the bigger fish had almost swallowed the popper and couldn't breathe properly during the fight. This smaller fish was body-hooked, and therefore could breathe freely during the fight.

Me and my 2lb Queenfish

The smaller 2lb queenie, caught on a Darwin Finch lure. Shown here with my Majorcraft Majorstick 6-10lb rod & Shimano Aero Stradic 1000 reel.

Both fish were landed, quickly photographed, revived in the water, and released to fight another day. =]

Sunday 3rd September

2006-09-04T00:12:00.000+08:00

FROWER POWER!!!

Shu passed me a couple of pin-on flowers today and made me wear one onstage at church service today! Arghh. I settled for a purple one, wore a purple T shirt, and slung a purple guitar strap..
So how do i look? Gay? Metro? Or just nuts? I dun care. i think it rocks. Hur hur hur. >=P

I passed the rest of the flowers to my band.. and here's a picture of those of us who were sporting enough to wear a flower!
L-R: Ben Seow, Phebe, Benster & Elias.

It was Elias' first time playing bass for service at Singapore Expo, and he did a mighty fine job. Way to go dude, i LOVE your outfit!!! =]

i'd like to join this church..

2006-08-30T23:37:00.000+08:00

Heh heh heh..

actually, it's some guitar amp nerd gathering. ;)

My Super Ex Girlfriend rocks!!!

2006-08-21T23:53:00.000+08:00

I caught the movie 'My Super Ex Girlfriend', starring Uma Thurman, today.

I had a super good laugh.. it's the most funny and entertaining show i've watched this year! The storyline is very witty and well written. See Uma Thurman at her crazy best. Haven't seen her this crazy since Kill Bill! Highly recommended. =]

Official site

Celebrating Darnie's Bday @ my place!

2006-08-15T00:20:00.000+08:00

After the fishing trip, we went home to bathe and then gathered at my house for dinner. It was actually supposed to be just a simple dinner among the anglers to eat some of the fishes we caught, but.. it was a suprise mini birthday party for Darnie! Eleta and Ah Teck showed up too! It was a great time of wining and dining and we had a singalong session on piano and guitar. I think our newfound friend Andy really enjoyed himself! Happy birthday Darnie!!!

Fishing on Darnie's Birthday!!!

2006-08-14T23:39:00.001+08:00

It was Darnie's birthday, and he wanted to go boat fishing, so i chartered a boat for him along with some good buddies and a new friend (Shu's colleague).

Darnie and Shu fishin'

Shu & the first fish of the trip! a big Gu Hood(Sooty Grunter), a very nice fish to eat when steamed.. yum!

And yet another fish! This time, a fiesty queenfish, which was hooked in the gills and bled all over the place..

I caught this whopper of an Ah Seng (Forktail Catfish).. 3kg! It was very strong and gave a heart-stopping 5-minute fight on my light tackle outfit. I mistook it for a much bigger fish of a different species! The catfish won my respect, and i released him to fight another day.

Colin and his first fish of the day, and the biggest fish he's caught so far, a 1kg Ah Seng, which was also released. The boatman caught 2 smaller ones, which were kept.

Shu is on a roll! Here she is with a beautiful young orange-spotted grouper. It was so cute, she decided to let him go, even though she loved eating groupers. :P
By the way, she was the champion angler of the trip - she caught 8 fish!

Colin and his Kaci (Spotted Sweetlips). Nice fish!

Birthday boy with his first fish of the day - a baby Green Emperor.. which was released.

Darnie and his 2nd and last fish of the day.. a beautiful Angoli (Golden Sea Bream)

Thats Shu's colleague Andy hanging out with the guys. We had a great time and made a new friend!

Catch of the day! (that's 1.5 litre bottle ok!)
It was a so-so trip fish-wise, but we had a great time! Hey, as they say, a bad day fishing is better than the best day at work! :P

Photos with friends

2006-08-14T23:28:00.000+08:00

Taken during and after the Planetshakers concerts..

Supper at East Coast Hawker

Benster and Phebe

Debbie and Benster

Elias and Henry Seeley's guitar

Benster and leftover briyani

Joshua Teo and the shirt.

Shu plays with Baby Taylor

Planetshakers guitar gear!

2006-08-14T23:14:00.000+08:00

This is for you gearheads!!!

Henry Seeley during soundcheck. He was playing some KILLER shred licks!

Henry's guitars and wireless rack.
The blue guitar is his #1 touring guitar, its a 70's reissue Fender Stratocaster, custom painted in sonic blue with custom graphics by his motorbike painter friend. It is stock except for a Seymour Duncan Hotrails bridge pickup.
The blonde guitar is his backup guitar, a Squier Affinity series Telecaster. It is a cheap China-made guitar, but it sounds great in Henry's hands. It is also stock except for a Hotrails bridge pickup.

closeup of the blue guitar.. custom graphics! what a cool guitar!

closeup of Henry's famous guitar strap. it's a plain old Ernie Ball strap with a vintage GM car seatbelt buckle stitched on. Too cool!

see!

i was fooled many times by this logo when i watched Planetshakers from afar and on videos. I thought all along that the guitar was a Fender USA 50's reissue, but it doesn't even say Fender, man! haha.. cool.

Henry Seeley's touring rig - POD XT Live with Ernie Ball Jr volume pedal. Simple and sweet.

custom-built dual guitar flightcase

Lead guitarist (and youth pastor) Kris Guigielmucci's setup: a 2003 PRS Custom 24 and a POD XT Pro set for just one sound. Thats it!

Sebastian modelling Mark's Fender Custom Shop Jazz Bass. What a killer looking and sounding bass!

Yours truly with Henry Seeley's famous guitar.

Planetshakers Ultraviolet Party at FCBC!!!

2006-08-14T22:54:00.000+08:00

PLANETSHAKERS!!!

The world-famous Australian christian rock band/worship team, the Planetshakers, held 2 evangelistic concerts at FCBC last weekend. i was part of the backstage crew, and also brought them out shopping on saturday afternoon. Here are the (many) pics!!!

Me helping out during soundcheck

soundcheck on friday afternoon

Henry Seeley sprained his shoulder after falling onstage during soundcheck. here we are praying for him. Thomas is applying ice on his shoulder. Praise God, he was healed and rocked that night!

The audience was wild!

The Planetshakers doing what they do best.

Darnie and i during the concert

Joth ( Planetshakers keyboardist) and i

Henry Seeley and me!

Me with Henry Seeley's guitar! I had the honour of taking care of his guitar for 2 days. Woohoo!

Super Deal!!!

2006-07-21T21:29:00.000+08:00

I snagged this today!

An original 1967 Fender Super Reverb amplifier! Yes, its 39 years old!

I got it at an incredible price from an old studio. It had been in the studio's possesion since the 60's, and is in great shape for a 40-year old amp. What really surprised me is that the amp is in super fine working condition! Everything works fine! It even has the original 60's tubes!

A Blackface Super Reverb is considered one of the best all-time classic guitar amps ever made. They were made between 1963 to 1967. It is highly popular and sought-after. Stevie Ray Vaughan used to use one. John Mayer has one. In fact, many of my guitar heroes use one coz it sounds so good. A good working one is worth US$2500-3000 on the vintage market. I got mine for wayyy less than that. About third of that ;)

I dated the amp using this guide, and the serial number 'A205xx' shows it is a 1967.
http://www.tcguitar.com/articles/gagliano_pt5.html

Where was i in 1967 sia? Still swimming, i think..

Super Reverb AA763, AB763 (blackface)
A00100 to A00600 - 1963
A00600 to A06000 - 1964
A05900 to A13000 - 1965
A11000 to A20000 - 1966
A20000 to A27000 - 1967

more info on the amp here
http://www.ampwares.com/ffg/super_reverb_bf.html

The sound? I'm in tone heaven...

Guitar Hero Celebrity Deathmatch!

2006-07-16T10:31:00.000+08:00

Check this out!!! It's super cool!!!

PAUL GILBERT VS MARTY FRIEDMAN!!!

Here they are doing battle in the form of several guitar games! COOL! Paul is one of my all-time favourite guitar heroes! >=]

Guitar Pedalboard Update!

2006-07-04T18:49:00.000+08:00

Latest incarnation*-

click on picture to see bigger version

*the pedals which are circled in different colours are on loan ,and will be replaced with other pedals mentioned below.

Signal chain:

Guitar, into (in order)

Vox Clyde McCoy Custom Wah pedal (True Bypass & Fasel Inductor)
Keeley Compressor (coming soon - Red circle)
MI Audio Crunchbox Distortion
Xotic BB Preamp Overdrive
MI Audio Blues Pro Overdrive
Xotic RC Booster Clean Boost
Peterson Strobostomp Virtual Strobe Tuner

into a Voodoo Lab Tube Preamp w/Cabtone speaker simulator, controlled by 3-channel footswitch, bypassable with a custom made true-bypass loop pedal when i use the piezo acoustic pickup on my PRS Hollowbody guitar.

into:
modified Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster clean boost (yellow circle)
Voodoo Lab Micro Vibe
Voodoo Lab Analog Chorus
Moog muRF analog sequencer/filter/modulator, controlled by Moog exp. pedal
Boss DD-20 Giga Delay

mono input into Tech 21 Power Engine powered speaker cabinet (home) , or stereo outputs sent to 2 DI boxes direct to the PA system (at church).

Tap tempo for the muRF and DD20 will be controlled with a custom made horizontal MXR-sized tap tempo pedal with 2 tap switches and 2 inputs. (Green circle)

cables will be Japanese-made Canare GS-6 cables, customized to my specifications.

WOOHOO!!!! =]

LOL!!!!

2006-07-03T18:12:00.000+08:00

Watch this!!! Funny like mad!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGAQQlIH3k0

Barney the Benstersaur

2006-06-10T03:20:00.000+08:00

Hey.. just thought i'd show you the present that Kenny gave me for my birthday! Finally got around to taking a photo of it..

Think it looks familiar?

Hmm..

=P

Thanks Kenny, for such a cool, personalized present!

I'll try to show you guys the cool T Shirt that Kelly made me, the next time round..

guitar siao

2006-06-10T03:06:00.000+08:00

My guitar buddy Chris dropped by my place to jam this evening. He brought along his guitar and his effects pedal board. We had a ball of a time testing each other's guitars and effects pedals. Then we decided to goof around with his camera..

Uhhh.. so many things.. which one ah?

TONE - It's all in the hat, man..

Chris couldn't agree more. This is him and his lovely white Ernie Ball 'Luke' Steve Lukather signature model guitar.

Chris' white Lukey posing for a photo with some of Benster's guitars.

And..

THIS is my latest latest pedalboard setup!

My long-awaited moog muRF pedal has finally arrived, and so has my snazzy pro pedalcase! Woohoo!!!

For those of you who are into the techy details, here is my signal path:

Guitar - Crybaby Classic Fasel Wah - Boss FV50H - Fulltone Soul Bender Fuzz - MI Audio Crunchbox (borrowed from Chris) - Xotic RC Booster --> Voodoo Lab tube guitar preamp - onboard cabinet simulator --> Custom true bypass loop pedal (moog muRF) - Voodoo Lab Analog Chorus - Line6 DL4 Delay --> Tech 21 Power Engine or PA system.

The muRF (an analog sequencer which can also do a whole lot of other things like phase, trem, etc) is controlled by a Proel latching pedal for tap tempo, and a moog expression pedal for any of the other parameters.

pros bohs? =P

My rig as of today

2006-05-28T23:52:00.000+08:00

Debuted my new pedalboard at youth service today. Today for the first time in FCBC Youth service history, there were 2 electric guitarists: Me and Kenny. We had a great time man, and the band sounded much fuller. An additional electric guitarist really made a difference, especially during the songs which were written with 2 electric guitarists in mind, like Hillsong United's 'The Time Has Come'.

Anyway, i got this custom built pedalboard/flight case on long term loan from my old friend Leon, who wasn't using anymore. I find it long enough but not wide enough for my use.. it is ok for now but will not be wide enough when i get my remaining pedals. May have to customize one for myself. Sigh. =P

Sitting on top of the top half of the flight case is my Voodoo Lab guitar preamp, which is housed in a SKB 2U X-rack. Sitting on top of that is my 80's Arion Stereo Flanger, which i decided not to use today.

Pedalboard R-L: Dunlop Crybaby Classic Wah (on loan), Voodoo Lab preamp footswitch, Toadworks Death Rattle Overdrive, Boss FV50H volume pedal, Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster, Voodoo Lab Analog Chorus, Line6 DL4 Delay Modeller.

Heavy like siao man! And i mean it.. it's at least 25kg! =X

I just met superman..

2006-05-25T14:59:00.000+08:00

On Monday, i was packing chilli sauce at my chicken rice shop at Thomson Longhouse when i heard someone say 'Eh Ben!!!'

I looked up and saw this guy (!!!)
in full cycling gear, helmet and jersey and all, on a fully outfitted Kona road bike with speedometer/cycling computer and all!!!

Reverend Eugene Seow, head of Touch Community Services and Youthnet Pastor of FCBC! I almost dropped my packet of chilli sauce!

He said hi and told me that he just had lunch at Longhouse and didn't realise that i had a shop there. He had just cycled 7okm (!!!) around Singapore and was going to cycle for 20 more before going home. He told me it was his weekly training for his upcoming Singapore to Cherating (Malaysia) Fund raising cycling expedition.

He had just flown back a feday or 2 before from a week-long working trip to Shanghai, and had flown to Shanghai a few hours after attending Youth service and concluding his gruelling 3-day EJ288 leader's training camp at Malacca!!! And i was still feeling tired and recovering while packing my chilli sauce after attending JUST the training camp. Wah kao!!! can you call this guy superman or not?

Then, he said goodbye, see you at church, and cycled off. I stood there still holding my chilli sauce, mouth wide open.

WAHHH!!! I was SUPER impressed until wanna die lah.. He is 50 years old this year! And what am i doing? I'm less than half his age, growing fat and rotting!
I'm going to ask Chris (his son and fellow musician in the church youth band) whether i can join him for his cycling training!!! Time to dust the cobwebs off my trusty bike..

=]

I taught guitar at Hwa Chong today!

2006-05-17T00:48:00.000+08:00

No Kidding!
Yeah! This afternoon, Kenny and i taught a workshop titled 'An Introduction To The Electric Guitar' to a group of students at Hwa Chong Junior College. The workshop was the brainchild of Kenny and his girlfriend June, who teaches there. The purpose was to introduce students to the electric guitar and instill interest, and was attended by a group of 10 students. There were supposed to be more attendees, but they had to miss the workshop as they had an arts festival today. =P

We had a fun time teaching today. I gave a 1 hour plus (!) lecture on guitars, guitar equipment and gear, and also demonstrated rhythm guitar techniques. Kenny demonstrated lead guitar techniques for another hour. We showed video clips as well as played live demos for them. It was quite rewarding to see some non-guitarists as well as beginner guitarists showing a lot of interest in picking up the electric guitar seriously after our workshop. Kenny and i were paid handsomely by the school =) for our hard work, and are seriously considering doing this more often in the future, maybe at other schools as well. Yeah!

Kenny has uploaded our teaching material and clips here, for those of you who are interested.
http://esnips.com/web/guitarworkshop

Here are some of the powerpoint slides Kenny and i came up with:

I got this today..

2006-05-17T00:34:00.000+08:00

Yet another addition to my guitar effects wonderland..
May i present..
The Line6 DL-4 Delay Modeller. Yes.. It's GREEN!
http://line6.com/products/detail/31/
It's got 15 different delay models, a 14-second loop recorder, has stereo ins and outs, has 3 programmable banks, and best of all, TAP TEMPO! Woohoo!!

It sells for $465 new, i got it for $270, 2nd hand but in mint condition, in box, with adaptor! Yeah baby yeah! =]

John Mayer Trio - Cissy Strut

2006-05-15T00:34:00.000+08:00

Check it out. Nice stuff!

John Mayer Trio - Cissy Strut
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KDYqKA3r1Y

also, check out my bassist friend Mervyn, and his band Alter Ego, jamming the same song at a wedding gig:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bQbbMCbgEo

Mervyn, you guys are funky!!! =]

My new rig!!!

2006-05-10T01:48:00.000+08:00

Alrightey.. time to unveil my new rig. It's still under construction, with many new additions planned in the pipeline, but in the meantime..

Here it is.

My homemade pedalboard.
Clockwise top left-lower right:
Boss DM2 Analog Delay, Voodoo Lab Analog Chorus, Visual Sound Jekyll & Hyde Ultimate Overdrive, Fulltone Soul Bender Fuzz, Morley Bad Horsie Wah (borrowed fr Chris), Voodoo Lab preamp footswitch, Toadworks Death Rattle overdrive/boost.
My Voodoo Lab tube preamp, housed in a SKB 2U X-Rack, on top of my Tech 21 Power Engine powered speaker cabinet.

So, how does it all go together?

Here is my order of effects:

Guitar > Wah > Fulltone Soul Bender > Jekyll & Hyde > Death Rattle > Voodoo Lab Preamp input > built-in cabinet simulator > Voodoo Lab Analog Chorus > Boss DM2 Delay > Tech 21 Power Engine.

I plan on replacing the DM2 with a Line 6 Echo Park delay with tap tempo so that i can split the signal into stereo and run it direct to the PA system onstage at church.

Other planned additions:

MISSE professional pedalboard/case

MOOG MuRF pedal http://moogmusic.com/detail.php?main_product_id=111 (on order)

it's gonna cost a bomb and sound awesome.
HUR HUR HUR!!! =]

Check out the stall's new signboard menu!

2006-05-09T17:52:00.000+08:00

Nice Or Not?

The colours and configurations were specified by me.. Tomorrow, they'll be up at my parent's main branch - Bugis Street Chuen Chuen Chicken Rice at Longhouse Food Centre (Upp Thomson Rd, opp Thomson Community Centre). Nice anots?

This is the main one, but the picture here is a bit small.. click on it to see the bigger version.

This is the porridge and set meal section

Come try my chicken rice! you can come eat and visit me on mon-sat 9.30am-3pm and sundays 6pm-11.30pm.

Wah Biangz!!

2006-05-08T01:27:00.000+08:00

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!

check out this clip of a pretty Korean girl playing a cover of SRV's 'Little Wing' on guitar!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1OJc3Cg1c4

i must say she absolutely NAILS the tone and the vibe of the song!

ARGHHH!!! i NEED to practice more!!!! SIAO LIAO!!! i think i can retire and take up golf liao.

ANGUS SHAM!!! EAT YOUR HEART OUT!!!

Check this out..

2006-05-08T00:49:00.000+08:00

My new tone machine
http://voodoolab.com/preamp.htm

After being a little tired of the digital modelling sound of my Line 6 POD XT Live guitar effects, i recently bought a small used tube amp (you can see it a few posts down) at a very low price. I then fell in love with tube amplifier tone all over again, and wished i could use something which could give me real tube response and tone when i plug in direct to the PA system at church. The POD XT Live came close to tube tone, almost 80% there. But i was left yearning for just that bit more tone.

What is all this talk about tube amps, you might ask? click here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tube_Amp and you will be enlightened.

And so anyways... when i saw this baby being advertised, used, on the Luther Music classified ads (www.luthermusic.com), it was a no-brainer. The seller turned out to be an aquaintance of mine (who also bought it used), so i got it really really cheap.

It retails new at Swee Lee music for $1600. I got it for the ridiculous price of $550. Hur hur hur!!! And then, i sold my POD XT Live multi effects (which has served me faithfully for almost a year) to Ben Seow, my fellow church guitarist at a 'brudder brudder' price.

It is not as versatile and all-encompassing as the POD XT Live, but it has a warmer and richer tone, and it is a real tube pre-amplifier. As for effects, i have brought my stash of invididual effects pedals out of storage and have put them into action.

I just used my new rig to play for youth service at Singapore Expo hall 10, as well as for Jon & David's birthday concert at TCT auditorium. I must say i am hands down impressed by this nifty piece of gear! It really sounds and responds like a miked up guitar amp when plugged direct to the PA system! It sounds fantastic!!!

I know all this might be just pure gibberish to you, but who cares. Benster is a happy Benster =]

So much has happened..

2006-05-08T00:09:00.000+08:00

.. since my birthday. Haven't had time to blog since then! Been wayyy too busy.

Anyway, thanks so much for all of you who celebrated my birthday with me!

I was given the day off by my mum.. heh.
And so i started off my birthday at 6am in the morning, and went fishing with a bunch of fishing friends at my usual spot in the east. I then had lunch at my aunt's shop at beach road. Then, i met another group of friends at beach road and we proceeded to go fishing at Tuas till evening time. Didn't catch anything though, but they say that a bad day fishing is better than the best day at work! Heh.
After fishing, i immediately rushed down to TCT to have rehearsal with the church worship team for Sunday's service. And that was followed by a prata supper at Simpang Bedok with the music peeps. It was quite an enjoyable birthday. =]

i recieved:

- a 'Casting Crowns' cd from Jonathan Tay

- a purple T Shirt with 'Star' emblazoned on it, from Kelly Low

- a Barney the Dinosaur soft toy with a cardboard printout of Arwen, my guitar (!) from Kenny. (i really gotta show you this when i get my camera back, it totally rocks! haha)

- 2 boxes of strawberry Hello Panda biscuits (my FAVE!!!) from Camy and Janelle

- a Dan Brown novel from Darnie

- a Toadworks guitar effects pedal from Shu =)

Thanks so much guys! I love you! =]

Well, it's been a ridiculously busy week for me. I'm now into my 2nd month of working for my parents at their chicken rice shop at Longhouse food centre at Upp Thomson. This past month i have been working from 7am to 3-4pm from mon to sat, and 6pm-11.30pm on sundays. That doesn't include buying fish from Jurong Fishery Port late at night once a week.

I had been rehearsing with the band playing for David and Jonathan's birthday concert (as well as for youth service) this past week, and it's been a gruelling week of rehearsals. I just got back from the concert, and i must say the effort has paid off. It was an awesome concert. Will show you some pictures soon too. I hope i'll have the time to update my blog again very soon.

Till then, take care and God bless you!!!
-Benster

Y'all better listen up!!!

2006-04-27T01:33:00.000+08:00

it's my birthday today. happy birthday to me. =]

What i want for my birthday..

2006-04-20T17:30:00.000+08:00

This.

It's a Turner Signature strap by Moody Leather. It has 3 hand-cut stars on premium Italian leather with suede backing. It's not cheap. I want one so bad. Somebody please buy it for me. Please Please Please! =]

No, you can't get it in Singapore, you'll have to mail order it from them directly. Link: http://www.moodyleather.com/artist2.aspx

PS: My birthday is 27th April. *thick skin* =P

Purple?

2006-04-19T21:58:00.000+08:00

How about purple?
Jason Schroeder, the builder of my guitar, commented via email that the stars would look weird with the vintage orangey sunburst. A vintage colour like that just cries out for more classic inlays. And i kinda feel that way too. Yeah. So, how about purple? It's a more modern, funkier colour that goes well with the stars (i think it reminds me of the night sky). While i totally LOVE purple, i would like a guitar i can grow old with. Would a purple guitar with stars look just really gay when i am 35? It takes a strong man to carry off playing a purple guitar on stage. Hahaha.. Hmmmm... Decisions, decisions.. >=[

This is the starburst fingerboard grafted onto a purple PRS Singlecut, which is what my guitar will be roughly based on. It'll be a lighter shade of purple than this though.. something along the lines of..

This PRS Private Stock McCarty in a custom Purple Mist stain over a flamed maple top. It cost US$8000+. Ouch.
So how?

So what do you think?

2006-04-15T17:58:00.000+08:00

Decisions, decisions..
Ok.. Here is the latest vision of what my upcoming custom guitar by Jason Schroeder (http://www.schroederguitars.com) will look like. I've been waiting almost a year for this guitar, and it should be done pretty soon.

The guitar is currently still under construction and i can still choose the colour and the inlays on the fingerboard. After some cheapskate photo-editing of parts of several guitars, this is what i came up with:

The colour is an orangey sunburst inspired by a vintage 1959 Gibson Les Paul, and the fingerboard inlays are from the Gibson Starburst i mentioned earlier on. The finished product will look very very similar to this.. except that..

The headstock shape and body outline will be like this..

This will be the piece of quilted maple used for the top

And this is the piece of flamed Korina to be used for the back.

So..
Should i go for the star inlays..

Or the classic crown inlays*?
Please comment! Thank you!

*The guitar in this picture is a Heatley Tradition (www.heatleyguitars.com) and is used for descriptive purposes only.

If Darth Vader drove a car..

2006-04-12T19:57:00.000+08:00

It would look like this.

photos: www.autoblog.com

Allow me to present the Maybach Exelero. A one-off concept car built for German tire manufacturer Fulda. It's the most sinister looking car i have ever laid eyes on.

Engine: 6.0 litre V12, Twin Turbochargers

Horsepower: Over 700bHp.. (!!!)

Torque: 740ft-lbs

0-100km/h: 4.4 seconds

Max speed: Over 320km/h

Price: Don' even ask..

I want one. Oh yeah.

TELL THE ONE WAY!

2006-04-11T00:49:00.000+08:00

Check out this Kenny Goh oliginal lemix.. TELL THE ONE WAY!!!

click to download.. it ROCKS! http://sg.geocities.com/kennygohweizhi/telltheoneway.mp3

imagine if we 'choot stunt' and played it for youth service.. all sure tio stun!!! hahahaha =D

I like this amp.

2006-04-11T00:14:00.000+08:00

Meet the Velocette..

I found this cute little amp for sale*really* cheap 2nd hand.. its a Trace Elliot Velocette 15 watt tube amp. It has very good reviews here: http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data/Trace_Elliot/Velocette_1x10_Combo-1.html

I've been using Line 6 Digital amp modelling for the past year now, and i kinda miss having a real old-school tube-powered amp around to just plug in and wail with. This one is a small one, so it'll sound good cranked up at reasonable volumes.
It's GREEN! Yeah!!!

Retro sia!!! I'm going to the seller's place to test it out tomorrow.. *rubs hands in glee* >=]

Lainbow Powder!

2006-04-07T00:27:00.000+08:00

Lainbow Lockstar ah!!!
Look what Kenny did with my pic! Grooovy! Swingin' Sixties, Baby! >=]

Kenny, you da man!!!

My first Spotted Mackerel on lure!

2006-04-05T11:38:00.000+08:00

Good morning!
I caught my very first Spotted Mackerel on lure, early this morning before work! Woohoo!!!

Me and my Spotted Mack, which was caught on a 10 gram Technic GT Jack jig. I also caught a 3lb Queenfish today. Heh. Good day! =]

I tried reviving the mack, but it didn't make it. =( A good fish is never wasted, so i took it back to my family's cafe, and this is the result.. Spotted Mackerel Yu Sheng! Yum yum!!! >=]

Yo!

2006-04-04T01:36:00.000+08:00

Yo yo yo! Time for some updates!

Wassup my bruddahs and sistahs!!!

Guitar pin-up girls of the week!
Pumpkin and Goose onstage at the MAX Pavillion

SAGP!!!
This one's for Kenny (http://kennygoh.blogspot.com)
How many women are there in you?

Sunday 2nd April 2006

2006-04-04T01:18:00.000+08:00

FCBC Youth service at S'pore Expo Hall 10, 1.30pm
Charlie's last time playing for service
Charlie played bass today with my band, Fire. It was his last time playing for service before he enlists for 2 years of national service next saturday. Charlie grooved with all his might. =]

What's this doing in S'pore Expo hall 10?!

Benster and Charlie onstage during service

We'll miss serving with you, dude.. We will rock together again in time to come. You rock!!!

Saturday 1st April 2006

2006-04-04T00:46:00.000+08:00

Charlie's farewell BBQ

Charlie's G12 group and some friends celebrated his pre-enlistment with a BBQ at Joshua Teo's condo.

Dey.. where's the fire?

Angus (trying to) call down fire..

Force-feeding all kinds of disgusting things to Charlie..

LTA(NS) Joshua Teo and his sergeants put Charlie through a taste of what to expect during BMT.. Japa Jalan!!!

Camouflage parade!

Recruit Charlie!!! KNOCK IT DOWN UNDERSTAND?!!!
And after all that, we gathered round and prayed for the Lord's favour and protection upon our dear Charlie.

Wednesday 29 March 2006

2006-04-04T00:28:00.000+08:00

G12 Dinner with Ps Eugene & Ps Julie
Wanna know what G12 is? http://www.G12Asia.com

Tonight, my brothers from Ps William's G12 had dinner with Ps Eugene Seow (FCBC's Deputy Senior Pastor & Youthnet Pastor) and his wife Ps Julie. Ps Eugene & Julie have been visiting the 12 disciples of every one of their 12 network pastors over the past year, and tonight was our turn. It was not the scary ordeal some of us imagined. In fact, it was a relaxed, fun and enjoyable time of sharing and story-telling.

Dinner was at my family's cafe - Chuen Chuen Cafe at Keypoint Centre at Beach Road.

Ps Eugene and Julie loved the food and said they'd be back! =]

Chit chatting over dinner.. check out the special ice blended lime & sour plum drink i made for Ps Eugene!
Check out the decor of the cafe!
Our G12 praying for Ps Eugene & Ps Julie

Ps Eugene and me! I sat beside him during dinner, recommending dishes for him to try. Heh.

Every one of our 12 recieved a grandfatherly hug from our spiritual grandpa!

Sunday 26 March 06

2006-03-28T00:47:00.000+08:00

Morning: Sunday's Catch!
Here's my 4lb Queenfish caught on a 3/4 ounce silver Crippled Herring jig! Fantastic fight! Fish released to fight another day..

Afternoon: Youth Service at expo
Here's a shot of Eunice and the Star team onstage during youth service..

Night: Walking around East Coast with friends

Asher, Shu, Sara and Melvin at ECP..

Benster, Asher and Shu

Smilin' Saturday

2006-03-25T14:46:00.000+08:00

Catch of the day!!!
Kian and i went back to our secret place this morning. I missed 3 hits, but managed to subdue and land this 4lb Queenfish. This one is my biggest queenie so far, and it gave a long, determined fight -much stronger than one would expect from a fish this size. This fish definately earned my respect! It was released in good shape straight after this photo was taken. Woohoo! Queenfish season rocks!

Last night..
Chilled out to the relaxing sounds of live jazz at Blue Note, Boat Quay..

The band, led by the amazingly animated saxophonist Benson (far right)

Joshua Lau, Angus and Teck

Benster, Charlie and ShuJ

Jon, Josh and Angus. A big congratulations to Jon for making it to the SAF's Music & Drama Company! Go there and rock the house down, Jon!

Another day in the life of Benster

2006-03-24T19:54:00.000+08:00

Today!

Heh.. went back this morning before work with Kian again. I caught 5 queenies! All were released. Queenie season is here!

One of the queenies i caught this morning, a 2.5lb specimen. Good fight! Once again, it fell for a $1.60 Technic metal jig. I used my long-distance luring setup today: Majorcraft Triplecross 9.6 ft 8-20lb rod, Daiwa Caldia Kix 3000 reel, 14lb Fireline, Triumph 20lb Flourocarbon leader.

My dinner today.. yesterday's catch - breaded fried queenfish. YUM YUM!!!!

Last night..
I went for dinner and some shopping at Johor Bahru with Angus, Edward, Joshua Lau, Eleta and Shu. We shopped at City Square and Holiday Plaza, and had dinner at my favourite seafood stall at the Taman Sri Tepulau (Taman Gardens) Food Centre. Thanks for the great company guys!
2 handsome guys - Angus and Edward
Check out the size of the drinks!

Angus getting high on sugarcane..

Eleta surveys the menu.. Sorry, no photos of the yummy food, we were so hungry we gobbled everything up before anyone thought of photographing the food. haha.

Angus and Edward at the back of my van. As Singaporean vans are not allowed into Malaysia, we took a bus to and from JB from Woodlands. My van was parked at Woodlands while we were in JB.

Queenfish day!

2006-03-23T00:15:00.000+08:00

I went fishing with Kian EARLY this morning before work at our secret spot at marina, and i landed SIX queenfish! WOOHOO!! My all-time best!
My six queenfish ranged from 2lbs to 2.5lbs. Not very big, but super good fighters on light tackle! Very entertaining with lots of dashes and aerial somersaults!
Kian landed quite a few himself too! Too bad i didn't have the time to photograph the fishes properly, they were biting non-stop! =]
All but one of them were released safely. Unfortunately, one of them swallowed the lure deep inside, bled excessively and died. Nevertheless, a fish that dies on me is never wasted, so i brought it home for dinner.

2lb Queenfish caught by me on a Darwin Finch lure. Photo edited to protect the identity of the spot.
Another queenie caught by me, this time caught on a small metal jig.

Reviving a queenie in the water, allowing water to pass in and out of its gills. To maximize its chances of survival, we ensure that we revive the fish to full conciousness before we let it go.

Kian releasing one of his queenies

Fishing at Singapore River

2006-03-22T23:41:00.000+08:00

Last night: Fishing at Singapore River with Ivan.
Result? Nothing. Haha. We did manage to see this very nice cat, who belonged to one of the people working there. Also, i accidentaly cast my lure towards a group of girls, and my lure landed behind the backside of one of them! Argh!!! Thank God she wasn't hooked, or else i would have had a helluva time!
Haha. I apologized profusely and Ivan laughed profusely at me. =P

Meowster and the Fullerton hotel in the background..
Ivan fishing while the amazing Meowster keeps a lookout with his laser-beam eyes..

Simi Laser eyes? i also have! Purple ones somemore! Matches my purple crocs right? =P
=P

attack of the beanie

2006-03-21T02:18:00.000+08:00

Teck, Benster and Darnie backstage before youth service on Sunday

'sup my bruddah??

After an extremely satisfying meal at Billy Bombers..

Ps Cesar's daughter has a cd out!

2006-03-20T02:33:00.000+08:00

Eh check it out! Ps Cesar's daughter has a new spanish cd album out!
Linky: http://www.soulfire12.com/
I wanna buy!!!

G12 Conference 2006!

2006-03-19T01:21:00.000+08:00

Woo.. just got back from the International G12 Conference 2006 at FCBC, Singapore Expo Hall 10. It was an exciting and anointed 3 day conference (From 16-18 March), and i was extremely blessed by the testimonies, sermons and prayer sessions. I am dead tired, shall just post some photos and share more about the conference later on.
For more info on the G12 vision, visit http://G12asia.com

A mixed team of musicians from FCBC's Youthnet band had the privilege of playing for the saturday night worship session, and we had a rockin' time! The rest of the sessions were anchored by the FCBC Adult network fulltime band.

Wahh super tired.. playing for youth service later too! heh.. well.. i ain't complainin.. nothing beats rockin' for Jesus! >=]

Here's some of the few photos that were taken by Eleta..

The Youthnet team

Eunice doing her vocal solo on 'We Speak To Nations'
L-R: Benster, Darnie, Allen and Camy.

The FCBC fulltime band led by Ps Joe Kum

This was taken before last sunday's service, but i'll include it here anyway, heh. Darnie, Charlie, Benster, and Allen-who was trying on my new orange beanie. =P

I like this guitar!!!

2006-03-18T02:48:00.000+08:00

Here's my latest obsession!
http://www.gibson.com/products/montana/1998/ec20.html

It's the Gibson Starburst guitar, which is an acoustic guitar with 'starburst' inlays on its fingerboard.. i think it's BEAUTIFUL!!!
Check out the star clusters on the fingerboard and headstock.. SO NICE!!!!

I especially like this red one! It's a used 1997 model on sale at US$1250! Super good price! Grab it!!! Arghh!!! linky: http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/GearDetails.aspx?Item=855660

SEE! Marty Sampson from Hillsong plays one! It's been his main guitar for quite a few years now. I WANT ONE!!!!

Anyway, i'm thinking of having this inlay done on my upcoming custom guitar.. hur hur hur =]

FREE U2 Concert for you!

2006-03-10T05:44:00.000+08:00

Hey guys! If you're a huge U2 fan like me, it would do you good to check out this super cool video of U2's secret concert under the Brooklyn Bridge in 2004..

linky
http://www.videocodezone.com/videos/u/u2/mtv_jamming_448884.asx

Some cool guitar music clips

2006-03-07T23:39:00.000+08:00

Hey guys, check out this hour-long streaming video of Ledward Ka'apana, a master of Hawaiian slack key acoustic guitar playing. Beautiful music!

An hour of beautiful Hawaiian guitar music
Link: http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/kc_video_dyn.cfm?encoded=http://play.rbn.com/?url=kennedy/kennedyg2/g2demand/09232004_1800_MSN.rm&proto=rtsp&header_image=header_mil_video.gif

Also check out this shiok shiok video clip of this guy playing a ROCK version of Pachabel's Canon! This guy is DAMN good!
Canon in ROCK!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjA5faZF1A8&feature=Favorites&amp;page=1&t=t&f=b

A killer clip of a guy playing some fast blues licks on a really cool Gibson Firebird guitar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8eFgownK2w&search=guitar

vrooom vrooooom!!!

2006-03-06T22:04:00.000+08:00

Hey. Are you learning driving? Do you like cars? Do you drive really really safely? CHECK THIS OUT!!!

http://www.steelcitysfinest.com/isuzu.htm

an awesome display of sheer madness, precision and guts!!! Wah kao, i tell you, my jaw was left hanging throughout the whole video, and just when you thought one stunt was spectacular, the next one is even more so.. until the end!

STEADY BOM PI PI AH!!!!!! >=]

i want an Isuzu Gemini. Badly.

Fire @ Youth Service, 5 March

2006-03-06T00:03:00.000+08:00

Played for youth service today with my band, Fire. We did a new song today, 'Open Up The Gates' by the Planet Shakers. It was a cool song, but the congregation wasn't very familiar with it so it didn't rock the house like the rest of the (more familiar) songs. Nevertheless, it was a great time of worshipping God.

The team onstage with Ps Khong

Ps Roland and Joshua Kwah leading worship in the foreground

Benster on electric guitar, Charlie on bass, Darnie on piano, Allen on acoustic guitar. Not in picture: Phebe on synth, Chris on drums.

Benster, Josh Kwah and Allen

Today was Pumpkin (My new Hamer guitar)'s first time onstage! She sounded excellent and many people said she looked cool. Heh..

Brad Paisley?

2006-03-04T15:09:00.000+08:00

Check this video out, it's a spoof of American Idol. i think it's quite funny lah, especially near the end.. maybe i'm growing old.. =P

By the way, this is Brad Paisley, he's really young, talented, and can be considered the John Mayer of country music. He can really rip it up when playing chicken picking solos on his telecaster guitar.

linky: http://www.videocodezone.com/videos/b/brad_paisley/celebrity-2.html

DISCLAIMER: i am not really into this kinda country music.. i just kinda dig the video. =P

New addition.. Pumpkin!

2006-02-28T16:47:00.000+08:00

Here's the latest addition to my guitar arsenal.. 'Pumpkin'!!!

2005 Hamer USA Newport in Vintage Orange finish, with Seymour Duncan Phatcat pickups and Bigsby tailpiece. Hand-bound with Ivoroid binding, Abalone shell inlays, Hand-carved solid Sitka Spruce top, 1-piece carved hollow Honduran Mahogany body, 24.75' scale 3-pc laminated Mahogany neck, 14' radius Indian Rosewood fingerboard.
It plays like butter and sounds FANTASTIC!!!

In case you're wondering, i got her 2nd hand in -fantastic- condition, and i traded one of my other guitars for her =P

You know what's the best thing about her? She's ORANGE!!! >=]

Lydia gets a makeover!

2006-02-28T16:00:00.000+08:00

I just did my 3rd makeover for Lydia, my beloved Van Zandt guitar. check it out..

2004: 'Vintage look' with original white pickguard

2005: 'Blues look' with brown celluloid pickguard - this was my attempt to make her look like John Mayer's guitar..

2006: New 'Modern Classic look' with new gold-anodized aluminium pickguard. Isn't she a beauty? =] Happy 2nd anniversary! =P

Good Morning Mr Sotong!

2006-02-27T13:40:00.000+08:00

Went squidding this morning with my friend Dave, and caught my first-ever local 'Che Bak' (Green-eyed reef squid) on lure! I had just casted my squid lure and was allowing it to sink while talking to Dave. Suddenly, something whacked my lure! It was a BIG squid and it gave a very strong fight!

The aftermath.. i went to my aunt's shop and made 'Yu Sheng' with the squid, which was still moving when it reached the shop. Heh. It was big enough to share with the staff of my aunt's shop and 3 fishing tackle shops! Super fresh sashimi!!! YUM YUM!!!
Dave caught 2 smaller ones and they were released.

Playing for 12 Feb Youth Service

2006-02-16T00:39:00.000+08:00

Played for Youth service with my band Fire today.
Joining us on bass was my old friend Lyndon, who was being put on evaluation by our pastors, and hopefully he'll be a permanent addition to our team. I must say he played very well! Not surprising (to me) as he is quite a seasoned bassist, having played for several gigging bands. He surprised the rest of my band and the pastors with his energetic stage antics and powerful bass playing. Lyndon, you rock! =]

Stage shot during altar call. Pastor Eugene Seow on the extreme left, worship leader Thomas Khoo in the middle, band on the right.

Benster, Lyndon, Darnie and Allen onstage.

Me bending some high notes on my red guitar, 'Renee'.

After service, we bumped into Candice, who just had an operation to repair a torn ligament in her left knee. She was in cheerful spirits and happily agreed to pose with us for this photo. Get well soon Candice!

L-R: Eunice, Benster, Candice, Darnie, Shu.

Heh.. after service, i felt like doing some fishing, so i went to Bedok Reservior to cast lures for a while in the evening. Haven't been there for some time, and the fishing has became quite bad since they opened up the place for fishing a few months ago. The rules for fishing are that only artificial lures are allowed, no baits.

The fish have fallen victim to 'tapao kings' who break the rules, use bait and bring back every fish they catch. Where i used to land and release at least 5 fish in an hour, i only had 2 hits and no hookups. Sigh. how i wish everyone practiced catch and release. The fish there aren't nice to eat anyway.

Check out my 'Curry Puff' hair.. Duh!

What day is it today?

2006-02-14T03:21:00.000+08:00

It's Valentine's Day!!!
Here's wishing a happy and love-filled Valentine's Day to all of ya!!! =]
Especially:
Dennis and Dellia, who just got married last December! And Dellia is pregnant ALREADY! woohoo!

Melvin Yeo and Xueling, who got engaged last December!

Angus and Camy!

Kenny and June!

Weilun and Jac!

Melvin Chia and Sara!

And.... finally..
ALL OF MY DEAR FRIENDS!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!! God Bless You!!! =D

Testing

2006-02-14T03:10:00.000+08:00

Edit: Video taken off for Valentine's day and replaced by something else.. lol

Can you see the video at the bottom of this screen?
i just figured out how to put a video here, heh.
does it look ok down there? or shall i put it somewhere else?
The video is really cool! I wish i could defy gravity like that..
hope you'll enjoy it, it's been one of my favourite songs for the past few months.

heck, i even learnt how to play it on acoustic guitar today. i'm really happy about that. Heh. =]

i haven't had the time to decipher the meaning of the lyrics of this song. can anyone help? =P

Stars - Switchfoot
Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Foreman

Maybe I've been the problem
Maybe I'm the one to blame
But even when I turn it off and blame myself
The outcome feels the same

I've been thinkin' maybe I've been partly cloudy
Maybe I'm the chance of rain
And maybe I'm overcast and maybe
All my luck's washed down the drain
I've been thinkin' 'bout everyone, everyone you look so lonely

Chorus:
But when I look at the stars,
When I look at the stars,
When I look at the stars
I see someone else
When I look at the stars, the stars
I feel like myself

Stars looking at our planet,
Watching entropy and pain
And maybe startin' to wonder
How the chaos in our lives could pass as sane

I've been thinkin' 'bout the meaning of resistance
Of a hope beyond our own
And suddenly the infinite and penitent
Began to look like home
I've been thinkin' 'bout everyone, everyone you look so empty

Everyone, everyone you feel so lonely
Everyone, ya everyone you feel so empty

PS: i'm still having problems with the stupid Blogger picture uploading interface, hence the incomplete previous post. Grrr.

Fishing on Ah Chun's boat

2006-02-07T23:43:00.000+08:00

STILL HAVING PROBLEMS uploading photos! GRRRR..

Tuesday 31 Jan 2006 - 3rd day of CNY

Went fishing on Ah Chun's boat today. Actually wanted to book Ah Fong's boat, but he was booked for the day, along with EVERY one of the 10 other boatmen which whom i had contacts. Ah Fong was kind enough to hook me up with his buddy Ah Chun, and we booked his boat for a fun day of fishing around Changi.

Captain: Uncle Ah Chun
Crew for the day:
1.Benster
2.Charlie Bird
3.Andrew
4.Sarah Wong
5.Shujun
6.Jac
7. Jiaxiang

Boat charter - $300
Bait - $50
Food+Drinks- $50
Total - $400 divided by 7
Per pax - $57+

Andrew on my bed at 6am.. he and Charlie stayed overnight at my place and played guitar till 4am.. LOL!

Andrew and Charlie goofin' around on the floating fish farm off Ubin where we bought our bait - live prawns.
Me applying sunblock!
Waitin' for bites
a shot of Ah Fong's boat (see my post on 24 Feb)

Sarah and Shu enjoying our 'cruise'
Sarah waits for bites
Total catch of the day!

Some CNY photos!

2006-02-06T01:16:00.000+08:00

29 Jan 2006 Visiting with my family

At my aunt's place with my cousins and nieces

My niece Stefanie and cousin Sharon.. with some mad guy in the background.. >=]

My cousins and my brother building a rocket out of sparkle sticks.. we built 3 rockets in total, 2 which actually flew!

Another family shot..

30 Jan 2006

Went to Daniel Goh's place for a party

Playing Risk with Shu, Yinghan, Melvin and Renny

The Mahjong gang - Jiaxiang, Dexter, Debbie, Jonathan (hiding) and Paul.

The gang preparing to attack the Yu Sheng..

Lo Hei ahhh!!!!

Chinese New Year Service!

2006-02-06T00:16:00.000+08:00

Sunday 29 Jan 2005 - 1st Day of CNY

We had youth service as usual despite it being the first day of Chinese New Year. The turnout was only 800 but we still had a power-packed service! I played bass with the Star team today as a replacement bassist.

It was a bit of a struggle for me to serve as a last-minute replacement bassist as i already had plans for a family lunch and visiting. However, i honoured God by faithfully serving and God honoured me in return. In spite of me missing out on most of my visiting that day, my relatives still gave my hongbaos to my mum and i collected a surprising sum of $400+, which is above average! Praise be to God!

Heh.. anyway, i love playing bass and it was a refreshing change for me. =]

Me playing Camy's G&L L2000 bass during soundcheck. Camy was kind enough to lend me her bass for today. It's a wonderful sounding bass and a joy to play! Thanks Camy!

Junhao playing drums during soundcheck. Today was his first time playing at expo. Way to go, bro!

Kenny, Ben Seow, Jess and Benster onstage during service.

Me rockin' out!

A shot of the full stage

Pastor Eugene Seow during sermon.. check out the CNY backdrops on the effects screens!

Me and my good friend Jiaxiang outside expo after service. Gong Xi Fa Cai!!!

Fishing with Ah Fong off Changi

2006-02-06T00:01:00.000+08:00

Tuesday 24th Feb 2006

Went fishing on a nice, comfortable boat piloted by Ah Fong with my old friends Michael Mok and Ah Yong today. I have known the both of them for 12 years, since my secondary school days when i hung out with them at Sabre Tackle.
Michael is the custom rod builder at Sabre Tackle, and i have a couple of rods built by him.

Benster and the hat
Ah Yong and Mike fishing over a couple of beers.. in fact, a couple of six-packs of beers! Check out the beer belly =P

Me relaxing and waiting for bites with my trusty G-Loomis 8-14lb rod (custom built for me by Mike)and Abu Garcia 2500C Nostalgia reel.

Me and a 2kg Ang Chor (Golden Snapper) caught from a reef 100 feet deep.. what a good fight! Had the fish for dinner a few days later, steamed Hongkong style. Absolutely delicious! This was my biggest wild Ang Chor so far.

Total catch of the day from all of us.. i caught some of the small fishes as well as the big grouper at the top. Yum yum! Nice fishes to bring home for Chinese New Year!

Cre8ive Live at FCBC!

2006-02-03T00:45:00.000+08:00

Sunday 22nd Jan 2006

The Cre8ive worship team from Brisbane City Church played for FCBC's youth service at Singapore Expo hall 10. It was an awesome time!

A day out with the Cre8ive band!

2006-01-20T01:17:00.000+08:00

Today, i brought the Crea8ive band shopping!

We visited Swee Lee and Ranking Sports at Bras Basah, then Davis Guitar and Guitar 77 at Peninsula. Next, we had lunch at my aunt's shop at beach road. Then we went to Swee Lee's warehouse at Sims Drive, followed by Yamaha Music Plaza at Plaza Singapura. Then (!) we went to Sinamex and Guitar Gallery at Parklane. Phew!!! After that, i sent them back to their hotel to shower and rest. And after that, we met for dinner and drinks at Jazz @ Southbridge.

Lunch @ my aunt's cafe - Chuen Chuen Cafe at Keypoint Centre. They loved my aunt's Curry Chicken Noodles and said it was better than Katong Laksa! Heh!

L-R: Me, Jeremy (Sound Engineer), Brendan (Guitarist), Ben (Drummer), Bernie (Bassist/Producer).

Brendan trying out some pedals @ Swee Lee @ Sims Drive.
He ended up buying:

1. Visual Sound Route 66 Overdrive/Comp $250
2. Boss DD-20 Giga Delay + footswitch $320
3. Voodoo Labs Analog Chorus $380
4. Misc. Guitar accessories $30

All this stuff would've cost twice the price in Australia! Woohoo! I was so glad to help him find all this stuff =]

Brendan trying out a $5880 Yamaha LL36 acoustic guitar (Yamaha's finest) at Music Plaza. The Yamaha staff (and i) were blown away at his acoustic fingerstyle playing! =P..

Some facts about Brendan:

*Full name: Brendan El-Sham

*Dad is Lebanese, Mum is from Texas.

*23 this year, just got married last year!

*plays guitar insanely well!

*attended Hillsong College

*is a good friend of Hillsong guitarist Nigel Hendroff as well as the Hillsong United band. Woohoo!

Ben (Drummer), Brendan (Guitarist) and Bernie (Bass) jamming on lovely Taylor guitars at Sinamex. Boy can they all play!!!

By the way, Ben is a Yamaha Drum Artist and Endorsee in Australia. He's that good!

We walked past SMU and bumped into Darnie preparing to play violin with his orchestra group.. Heh. Too bad we couldn't stay to watch.

Ezra, Shu and I brought the band to dinner at Founder's Bak Kut Teh at Balestier. They loved it! Yum yum.

And after that, we went to Jazz @ Southbridge to unwind, relax and listen to the incredible jazz band. What a fantastic day! I really had a wonderful time with these guys. I am really proud to have made friends with them. Looking forward to their worship concert on Sunday!

Details-
Brisbane City Church Band-Cre8ive, Live at FCBC.

Venue: Max Pavillion, Singapore Expo Hall 10

Time: 1.30pm, 22 Jan 2006.

See you there!

Rock & Roll - PRICELESS!

2006-01-19T02:02:00.000+08:00

Check out this cool new Mastercard commercial!!!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5891085855028362139

Your first amp.. $200

Your first strap.. $30

Your first guitar.. $450

Rock & Roll.. PRICELESS!!!

I like it!!! >=]

A photo of (a thinner) me rockin' 3 years ago.. Man, do i miss that guitar!

Rehearsal with Cre8ive - Brisbane City Church Band

2006-01-18T01:43:00.000+08:00

Brisbane City Church's band, Cre8ive, is in town from 17 to 22 Jan for a seminar on worship music at Cornerstone Church on Sat 21 Jan.

They will be doing a live worship session at FCBC (my church)'s youth service this Sun, 22 Jan at Singapore Expo Hall 10 at 1.30pm. Our very own keyboardist Darnie was given the honour of playing keyboards with them for this session.

Here is their website: www.brisbanecitychurch.com

This evening, they rehearsed at TC auditorium for sunday's worship session. Most of our youth band folks dropped by to observe the rehearsal and get pointers.

The Rehearsal

Darnie tinkles the ivories.

The Choir

A shot of Brendan (the guitarist)'s cool pedalboard

The Youth band gang

The Cre8ive band, led by Pastor Dave Evans, rehearses.

After the rehearsal, we brought the hungry Cre8ive team to 85 Market at Bedok North for a mad supper.. we had Bak Chor Mee, BBQ Stingray, Oyster Omelette, Carrot Cake, BBQ Chicken Wings, Char Kway Teow, Satay and more!!! Yum yum.

Look at all that food!!!

Brendan the guitarist and me. He's only 22 years old, been playing guitar for 12 years, and he plays circles around me!!! No wonder i'm sweatin'! =P

The whole Cre8ive team with Darnie, Joshua Teo and i during supper.

I will be bringing the band shopping for music gear on thursday - gear here can be 50% cheaper than in Australia! Heh.

Looking forward to a rockin' time of praising God this sunday! Cheers!

Celebrating Fraser's ORD!

2006-01-18T01:24:00.000+08:00

Monday 16th January 2006

Today was Fraser's ORD! My good old friend has finally finished his 2-1/2 year National Service in the Civil Defence force. He is going on to study Audio Engineering at SAE in February, to persue his dream of becoming a professional sound engineer. Way to go, Frazzie!

Darnie, David and i met up with Fraser for dinner at Fish & Co at Wheelock Place to celebrate.

Dinner @ Fish&Co

We bumped into Joshua Lau after dinner, and went to Chomp Chomp at Serangoon Gardens for drinks and a long chat. It was a great day guys, thanks for the company!

Sunday Youth service

2006-01-09T00:46:00.000+08:00

Sunday, 08 January 2006.

I didn't play for service today. Woohoo, finally, a chance to participate as a member of the congregation! I attended service with Darnie. My band is taking a break for the month of January, and letting our other band, Star, take over. Today was their first time playing for service at the Singapore Expo. I took care of them and guided them during their rehearsal on thursday, and was also helping them to set up onstage today. Here's some photos i took, edited by Kenny.

Ben Seow (Ps Eugene's twin son and Chris' brother) on acoustic guitar and Kenny Goh on electric guitar, onstage during soundcheck.

Clockwise, starting from top left - Sebastian Teo on drums, Camy Boey on bass, Chin Fen on piano, and our adult service full-time worship leader/keyboardist Susan Choo praying for syntheziser player Esther Er before service.

A couple of shots of the stage. It was a wonderful time of praising and worshipping God!

Night ops..

2006-01-08T23:34:00.000+08:00

Friday, 06 January 2006.

Went fishing with Shu and my fishing kakis Kian Lim and Wilson to on friday night. It was a night time freshwater expedition to Kian Lim's secret spot. It was the best fishing trip of my life so far!!! Woohoo!!!

The trip was the christening ceremony of my new rod - a G.Loomis IMX CR722 8-14lb baitcasting blank with Fuji SIC guides, Fuji reel seat, premium cork grips and purple/pink binding. It was custom built according to my specifications by my good friend Michael Mok, who works as a custom rod builder at Sabre Tackle. I've been hanging out with Mike at Sabre since i was 13, and he taught me much about fishing.

G.Loomis IMX - considered one of the best American custom rods available.

Custom built for Benster, Dec '05, Michael Mok. My name on my rod.

Me with a 'small' Peacock Bass, my FIRST fish of 2006, and my first fish on my new rod! Yeehaw!!!

I caught this MONSTER of a Peacock Bass!!! This is the biggest Peacock Bass i have caught so far, and one of the biggest i have ever seen in Singapore. It attacked my Jackson Rogos lure very violently, and gave an unbelievably strong fight which lasted almost 5 minutes. Halfway through the fight, Kian Lim thought that it was a tarpon, a much stronger species of fish. When we finally landed the fish, he was surprised that it was a huge PB. It weighed in at 5lbs (!) on my Boga lip-grip/weighing scale. Super strong, and the fight of a lifetime! Woohoo!!! Just check out the look on my face!

Another shot of me and the monster.. just look at the size of that thing compared to me!
This was Shujun's first time fishing with lures, and Kian Lim guaranteed her a fish at his spot or we wouldn't go home. Heh. So here she is with her first-ever fish on lure, a black tilapia! She went on to catch a total of 4 tilapias that night. Way to go, girl!!! =]

A first for me!!! My first Belida (Clown Knifefish)!!! What a beautiful and strange-looking fish. I've kept baby ones (5cm) in my fishtank before, but this is a MONSTER! This one attacked my Jackson Rogos lure too, and weighed in at 4.5lbs.

Wilson caught his first Belida too! His was roughly the same size as mine but gave a much stronger fight than mine. Wonder why.

Here's the total catch for the night. All fish were released unharmed.

Benster - 5 Peacock Bass, 1 Belida, 8 Tilapias - 14 fish on lure!!! My best trip ever!
Shujun - 4 Tilapias
Kian Lim - 2 Peacock bass, a couple of Tilapias
Wilson - 1 Belida, a couple of Tilapias

I will be back!!!

With the exception of 1 PB, all the fish were caught with my Jackson Rogos lure, which also caught me my first Queenfish. What a wonderful lure! It has had a hard life, it lost one of its eyes after the battle with the Queenfish, and still managed to catch so much more fish! Check out the battle scars. I am retiring this lure as of tonight, to keep it safe for the memories - i cannot bear to lose this lure!