I remember as a 16 year-old, I got involved in putting together a school play for an end-of-year programme. It was my very first experience doing something like it. I still recall the title of the play - “Carry On MacBeth”. If you’re young enough (relatively speaking) to remember any of the “Carry On” series of movies back in the early 70’s, you will have guessed that we were staging a spoof of the great Shakespearean classic. Even though I had a small role in the production - I was tasked with creating the sound of thunder claps with the aid of an aluminium sheet for the opening scene of the three witches - I was involved in all the production meetings and costume making and rehearsals. And I tell you, it was a lot of work. More so for a bunch of 16 year-olds with erratic hormones. But we did a great job of it in the end. Especially the sound of thunder….so real.

Thirty plus years on, I am in the midst of preparations for Budak Pantai’s concert at the great Esplanade Concert Hall on 17 & 18 December. There’s been so much work that has gone into the preparations, just like when I did with “Carry On Macbeth”. I guess many people do not realise just how much effort goes into putting together a show such as this one. Like “Carry On Macbeth”, this Budak concert is a light hearted show, aptly titled “Happy Songs for a Great Recession”. And just like when I was a 16 year-old, I know for sure that there’s a lot of love that goes into preparing for this concert. Love for the audience whose faces Budak will be putting a smile on. I honestly think that people should just come and see for themselves the love that Budak will be putting out on stage on those two December nights. I know I will feel like 16 years all over again. Come experience the magic of Budak Pantai. I guarantee you will not regret it.

Joe

I had a meeting today at work and gave my team some challenges for next year. I admit the challenges are tough. But overcoming them would make our work life easier. And I am a great proponent of work-life balance. While I gave them some ideas and eagerly awaited to hear how they would tackle these challenges, I instead got reasons from my team about why my ideas wouldn’t work. It seemed that they were more interested in telling me why they thought the challenges I posed were beyond them, which disappointed me, of course. I mean, if everyone in the world just gives up when faced with challenges, would we have electricity today? Medicine? Airplanes? Computers? I hope my daughter never goes through life finding reasons to avoid taking on challenges because she is defeated before she even starts to try. Shouldn’t we all start to be more positive?

Joe

I’m now a Starbucks fan! I mean, Starbucks has some of the hippiest, coolest and most happening employees on this planet!!! Last weekend, Budak Pantai did a Starbucks music tour, going from store to store islandwide, promoting our new CD (titled “Nothing Also Happy”) as well as our concert on 17&18 December at the Esplanade Concert Hall (titled “Happy Songs for a Great Recession”).

I must admit I was a little apprehensive about the tour because we have not done anything like this before and I was afraid people would not take kindly to a vocal band going into a coffee joint with portable amplifiers and intruding into their space. But man, what a great experience it turned out to be. The lugging of the amplifiers from store to store over two and half days (26 hours) was laborious, to say the least, but it was more than made up for by the enthusiastic and often raucous reception we got from the baristas and staff of Starbucks….and I mean every store! Where do Starbucks find so many happy and motivated people??? I salute you, Starbucks and all the wonderful people at the 30+ stores we performed at.

To all the students who were studying at Starbucks - and that one guy who was about to propose marriage to his girlfriend - at the time we were performing, we’re sorry to have interrupted your activity. But we hope all of you will still support us and come for our concert on 17/18 December 2009 at the Esplanade Concert Hall. Or buy a CD at a Starbucks store near you.

Another green tea latte for me, please. Starbucks ROX!!

Joe

A disturbing incident happend to me today. I was taking the lift down to the ground floor of my office block when a (delivery) man carrying a coffee maker with both hands came running after the lift. So, I held the door for him to enter the lift before I stepped in. No thank you, no smile from him….nothing. Oh well, you cannot expect everyone to be courteous, I suppose. But when we got to the ground floor and the lift door opened, what happened next really got me all riled up. This time, a Caucasian man in the lift held the lift doors for the man with the coffee maker to step out first. This time, the man started thanking the Caucasian man profusely….nodding his head repeatedly. Sheeeeeesh! I’ve heard about the Pinkerton Syndrome, but this is pushing it a little too far.

Joe

After 2 years away, Budak Pantai return to the Esplanade Concert Hall for another rib-tickling, LOL, music comedy event. This year’s concert promises to be the best we have ever staged, if I may say so myself. We’re doing two nights - 17 & 18 December from 7:30pm and tickets are priced at $35 (not counting SISTIC charge of $3). Students and senior citizens (aged 60 and above) - hey dun laugh….we DO have senior fans too - pay just $25 (again, not counting the $3 SISTIC charge). We title the concert “Happy Songs for a Great Recession”. I guarantee you that this is one concert like no other. Come watch Budak Pantai this December and u will understand why appeal to people from 5 years to 70. I shall say no more….come hor!