Friday, November 17, 2006

The first TEE

Yesterday i was at warren golf and country club for my golf proficiency certificate (PC) test. Before collecting my buggy and proceeding to the first tee, my coach had warned me that it will be a damn bad day especially for a begineer like me... Well... But i can't totally agree or ignore this saying... All i could say was things did not turn out that lamentable as i was expecting.
My coach and i proceeded to hole 1 shortly with a buggy. I took out my precious big great bertha driver and did a few practice swing before having my first tee off in life. Things did not appear that bad at first. Just as when the club face striked the ball, it actually flew very high!! That was actually a great achievement for me since i am still considered a beginner. But... instead of the ball reaching for the first hole, the ball curved and landed on the second hole. For now, i can only interprets this scenario by an analogy with having sex.... hahahaha... Its up to you on how you are going to interpret that, at least i got mine. Don't ask me anything please!!
In order to obtain a PC, the requirement is to play 3 holes but since i played rather fast and fairly 'excellent', 7 holes was a no big deal for me.. haha.. When we were on the buggy toward the 7th hole, we met these people who were walking with their golf bag. Maybe my coach was right to tell them that young people nowadays are lazy to walk. If you are given the option between walking 20km and driving for 20km, which one would you prefer? Maybe that was a little exaggerating but it has the same meaning i guess.
That was my coach performing his iron shot on hole 4 (par 3).
That was me on hole 18 (par 4)
And YES, finally i passed the PC test and is now officially qualified to play on any gold course that acknowledges the standards.


Sunday, November 12, 2006

The Beloved Sound of Pachelbel's Canon in D



This post is dedicated to Johann Pachelbel and his famous piece Canon. It is a baroque piece of music that has been interpreted by millions around the world, even found in modern pop songs. The music is often recognized but often not known by either it's name or composer. It is a pieces played almost at all western's weddings, especially in the USA.

The story of Johann Pachelbel has touched the life of many. The latter had lived since 1652 till he reached his death in 1706. Pachelbel, being one of the greatest organist-composers of his day, had his life tinged with tradegy and hardship. In 1983, his first first wife died with her baby son in a plague, which led to his flee from French invasion of stuttgart in 1692. He settled down in Nuremberg and his second marriage produced seven children, two of whom became musicians, one became an instrument maker and one a painter. His music is highly regarded and innovative in the way it links the pitches of the notes to meaning.

If you are currently getting married this weekend, and have 'Canon' as part of the deal, don't feel bad. Its like eating at McDonald's... everyone does it, and the food is fine, even though there might be better places to go. As i mentioned, it is a piece played at most weddings. Don't call me to attend your wedding with the absence of this piece of music.

Although this song is not a Christmas song, like so many other christmas songs, it was simply a beautiful piece of music that fit well with the special time of year around christmas, so it eventually became a Christmas song. Christmas is just a month ahead, so.... you should know what to do.

Personally, Pachelbel's Canon has a very special meaning for me. This piece of music has touches my soul and send shivers down my spine. It brings heavenly memories back into life. I listen to it when i am happy and also listen to it when i am sad. The first time i heard this song, tears appeared (call me crazy if u want). I feel deep down in my heart that one day, i would walked the aisle with this song. I had even planned that i will have this song played during my processional during my wedding (perhaps still a long way to go) even since i was a boy. This music touched my ear when i was still a little boy.

All i could say was this is the best music ever, because it is simply too amazing and beautiful!