1

Whee, my turn!

Time has been flying by, too fast to be true. With the rushing of work in the middle few weeks of this term, all the performances and practices, it surprised me when I saw Benjamin posting the countdown to investiture. I even thought Ben made a mistake, haha. But there is no denying the time of the year is here again, where we have to say our goodbyes to the leaving batch.

Don't forget though, the ceremony is called Investiture, where we should welcome the new secondary one batch joining the main band!

So have fun tomorrow, don't emo! =)

2

Better post before Kinchun claims his turn.

Everytime I visit the perc blog I can't help but pause at the namelist (aka memory wall). Can't help it, time flies. Seniors come and go, and leave a part of their spirit behind for us. Can't help but to reflect on the past, the experiences, the fun times, the lessons.

Oh, the lessons.

Brian once talked about drumstick physics. According to Newton's 3rd law, for every action there is an equal and opposite action. "Action reaction" as we call it. And I believe I learnt that from band. Preparing so hard for a concert, and getting the audience's support back in return. We were featured in RInspire... twice!! It shows something.

Action reaction occurs during Investiture too. Sec 1s come in (action), Sec 4s go out (reaction). Some argue it's the other way round, but there's a reason why it's called Investiture and not Farewell. Either way, it's saddd. As Jerald said once, we cannot afford to get all worked up and emotional like last year.

I vouched to do the same, but it gets harder to do so as Investiture nears. It's so hard to take it, especially since we're going to lose the numbers, the talent and most importantly the bonds we've forged.

Yes, the numbers are dwindling. Before you know it...

...and then there were two.

3

3 years in the band, 3 more years to go!

sorry for this really really short post, but i've got loads of stuff to do, for example, i have to chase people for money before mrs tan lai lin come and chase me (uh oh...).

sigh, ive been so busy with other stuff like RD and everything in the world during band to practise for invest, and ripb's taking our drumset during our extra prac, i am so gonna impromptu.

ok can ask for a refund if u think this post's too short, but i gotta fly cya!

4

four... what can I make with four?

I'll think about it when I get back home.

But I can't leave this blogpost empty.

So for now, lets talk about random stuff.

----

Learnt some lessons: My piano teacher claimed that the plural form is "timpanis". I insisted it wasn't, she went to check the answer key, and voila, it says there "timpani". Lesson learnt: don't argue with the specialist.

Two years ago, I could NEVER in my life imagine Kinchun in long pants. Seriously. Lesson learnt: be more imaginative.

On a somewhat similar note, one to two years ago I could NEVER in my life imagine myself outgrowing Jerald. Not-so-seriously, lesson learnt: don't take steroids.

After Invest '06, I thought we'd never get to perform with them anymore. But we will. Lesson learnt: get RP to organize more RPMs so we can have more RPCs.

----

My favourite hobby is quoting. As such... we have this extract, posted right on Invest Night.
"I love seeing you and Ben's reactions when I start on weird stuff (sex-ed?)."
Dedicated to what Kenneth and Jerald were thinking...

Next, lemme quote 2006 Invest Countdown Post #2:
"First time there were so many percs coming for extra practice! I'm glad, but where was Ben -.- Ok, the people who came were namely, SiKai Yuchen Jerald Kinchun and Brian."
Ah, the irony! Looking back I feel so ashamed.

Next up, similarly with 4 days to go, we have 2006 Invest Countdown Post #4:
"anyway, snow caps is as retarded as aerodynamics. gg."
Ah, the irony!

Finally we move forth in time and grab a quote from SYF '07 Countdown Post #6:
"from tmr onwards it's gonna be hardcore rehearsal, let's do everyone proud. we only have that one chance, make good use of it."
I find that soooo applicable now. Perhaps to a lesser extent, but all the same, one last prac left.

----

We conclude with some funfacts: first, the fact that Jerald is spamming his MSN logins as I am typing.

Second, that it has been an eventful journey that I'll never forget. Oh wait Kinchun that's your line.

Thirdly, OI!!!! WHY THIS YEAR NO SECTION PHOTOS???

Lastly, thank you for reading this 4x4 post.

5

ben's getting horny.

i think im forseeing a very lonely blog in the future. anyway since ben's already doing the recollection of the past, i shall do the erm... spirit for the future!

ok, well, our section's gonna be very very small and if ken becomes a prefect, we are gonna be even smaller in quantity and quality. how is this spirited? i don't know! =) well, next year's gonna be like 06, which means crazy juggling of all the parts.

kenneth if u really become a prefect, get ready to pon prefect stuff for band! don't leave your ignatius in the lurch.

6

No homonyms for 6, thank you very much.

Our three largest events of the year:
SYF '07: 16/4
Putrajaya Wind Orchestra Finale: 24/6
Con Brio: 6/7

These events (and more) were summed up by Jerald: "the prometheum flame burnt bright, and then the ocean glew, then came music with spirit and vigour".

Through these years, we, along with our seniors and our juniors, have withstood turmoil, blood sweat and tears; joy, laughter and fun. As one. It's a treasure, valuable like no other, the times we had, the things we shared.

With merger comes inevitable separation. Though we may have broken up, the great seniors going in pursuit of higher dreams and hopes, we will never forget the good times, the memories and this whole exhilarating experience. We may have been separated, but our hearts will remain together. Forever.

We'll miss you. For a long time to come. It is only fortunate to be able to reunite with the perc concert coming up, and perhaps in RJCSB too.

7

whan an angsty post benni, oh wait all these posts are supposed to be angsty. hello? PSL will only take the last few pracs of dec hols who knows maybe its our break.

anyway, 1 week left before investiture!! the next few days are gonna be insane! so people, let's do it! oh wait, why am i talking to the batch XD.

oh well, why not for once instead of angsting let's radiate confidence woo hoo!!!

to percs'08 and beyond! ben and jerry + james are gonna have a busy year ahead!

8

Jerald left his pencil case in the band room one day. I 8 it up. I've apologized to you already Jerald, MSN me if you wish for me to write an 800 word essay regarding this. Not that I have a ton of free time to spend. Anyway last band prac I left my water bottle in the band room. Today I went in and was astonished to find it still there, not eaten up by Jerald.

Oh, and I finally remembered how to do marquees from looking at earlier posts. Now why didn't I think of that?

Now on to my main point. Lets do some math. This is the 5th (do correct me if I'm wrong) time I'm going out for a LAN trip! Yay this is so exciting! Except that the previous time it was really messed up with people wanting to play CS and all that. I sincerely hope it won't happen this time, and more importantly get to play other sections. LANning in my opinion is for fun, but also for section bonding.

Speaking about bonding, batch pracs are a great way to bring a batch together, through numerous arguments on what song to play, and in our case Investiture planning. Sadly, I find that almost all the time my Jerald isn't beside me laughing his head off (positive connotation). Why? RD work. And I do not question the demand of RD work; I understand that the sec 1s require attention as much as we do.

But this isn't about RD... it's about PSLs. One fine recess I went to the raja block foyer, and guess what? Surprise surprise, Jerald was enlisted. Jerald! Don't become a PSL! Of course it's very selfish of me, but don't forget: it's a LOT of pracs you're going to miss. And when Prometheum is in MAY, every prac counts. Not to mention the countless PSGMs (omg I actually remembered that), which if you remember in our year were held on Wednesdays (omg I actually remembered that), which causes even more conflict with band times. I won't stop you, just do the right thing. Anyway I think I'll fail in my conquest to kick you off from learning German, just like Brian did.

Next is the 6-for-$100 courses held by the carbon monoxide instructor. As pollutive as it was, it was very informative. Quote Jerald, "it was better than TKWO because they spoke Jap meaning that I didn't understand them half the time". Seriously speaking though, we were very fortunate to have a 1-on-2 lesson. Awkward, but it was GREATLY beneficial.

We got to learn the basic strokings, harmonic melodic natural minors (or rather, that was what Jerald learnt: I knew that already), Lonian Dorian Phrygian Lydian Mixolydian (which were the group names for band camp when I was P6), and 4 mallet holding. The instructor was like, reluctant on teaching 4 mallets to us at first, when he said that we both gave each other that "Oh how could he?" stare. Then Jerald requested that later, thanks Jerald.

Can't wait for Timpani course later. Jerald: "At least now we have some teaching materials!" Me: "Should've done note taking."

I guess that's all I have to say. Countdown posts aren't usually so packed with words or informative. And yes I did say I'd touch on emotacular stuff today, but I'm feeling happy as it is a Friday, and will thus leave it to next time. So till then, tchuss!

9

6 little ducks went out to play, fat ones (hmm), skinny ones, short (hehehe) ones too!

"I mentioned that we were the most close-knit section, and I think there's no doubt about that. Everything just works out when we enjoy playing with one another...Why did we get one stick for each person, not a pair? Besides the cost factor, it's significant because.. we ar- we were (argh!), and you are, a section."

"RIMB PERCS 2006 FOREVER. May the future generations preserve the prestige and reputation of the percussion section."

"It reminds me of the sectionals we had.It reminds me of the jokes we laughed about.It reminds me of the ego of you seniors.It reminds me of all the performances we had.It reminds me of lanning.how well we bonded.how well we played.how well we try to learn.how well our attendance is :)"

And then there were two.

10

Jerald! I'm doing even this time!

Lets weigh this year's Investiture.

Getting a bigger coat: +0.01
Knowing who gets what position: +0.1
Being mostly unprepared for Invest pieces: -1
Leadership power: -10
Section Dinner: +100
Sec 1s entering: +1000
Sec 4s leaving: -10000 (FOUR zeroes)
Kinchun leaving: -100000 (FIVE zeroes)

What's the total? Approximately the last two figures added up.

It won't change much even if you log₁₀ it.

I know, I know, the above looks like a stock market. I wish it was so: I'd invest (pun intended?) my money in the 6th item from the top.

Next episode, we'll reveal the true meaning of emocracy. But for now, tchao!

EDIT: Forgot the marquee. Or rather, forgot how to do the marquee. No comp studies this year.

When Brian suggested creating a section blog, I was thinking, oh great! A place to write all things perc, all the quotes. Not a place for me to emo, that never crossed my mind. Investiture date isn't even confirmed (as of my knowledge), yet Jerald and I are emoing left right centre. I'm refraining myself and trying really hard to save everything I have to say until Investiture comes near (you know, the x,(x-1),(x-2)... countdowns).

(Most of the) stuff that happened today. Point form for the win! (NDP = Nat Day Celebrations)

Keeping time during parade: NOT easy.
I think "Ichwan" sounds like "Yuchen"
Nice, old quote from Lucas: "Eins, Zwei... Four"
Crash Cymbals. Thanks Brian!!! =)
How To Fold a Flag: Lesson #1
Us wondering how many hours left till our performance
NDP... final performance with Sec 4s. *sighs*
!Why did we play Gershwin! for NDP!