Deepavali '24

Deepavali greetings, dear friends & blog readers. A Thursday holiday would usually entail a strong inertia to return to work the following day. Anyway, it's a good rest day for me, hope it's likewise to you if you are not doing your festive visits. I stayed indoors, managed to re-string a couple of guitars. Happy.

Goodbye, October... 

Pic: Floristique

Aidiladha 2024

A muted celebration this year as my uncle passed away two days prior. Hope everyone had a good day off work & started the week well.

Vela '24

PRS revised the S2 range this year equipping all guitars with American parts. The Vela was no exception. Instead of giving this instrument the American version of its default pickups, PRS decided to replace the neck pickup entirely hence the 2024 version features a Narrowfield humbucker.

So the pre-2024 version is rather collectible in this aspect as it used to feature an HS pickup configuration: DS-01 (bridge - retained + American-ized) / Type D singlecoil (replaced with the Narrowfield humbucker). We note the coil split function in the 2024 version only splits the bridge humbucker, the Narrowfield pickup remains as a humbucker throughout.

Pics: PRS

In labour we trust

Reminder to self - this country thrives on bleeding the workers here with taxes & rent. My respect to those who break sweat to fend for themselves.

Yngwie @ CT

Folks, if you have bought the ticket for this one, do note the change in performance venue. I'm of the opinion that an enjoyable Malmsteen show should be done outdoors considering how loud he likes his live sets to be.

Pic: SISTIC 

Raya

Swee Lee is having a Hari Raya promo till 14 April. Discounts as above.

Pic: SL  

Year of the Dragon 2024

To all Chinese blog readers, friends & relatives out there - wishing you a prosperous year of the dragon. It's a long weekend here, public holiday extends to Monday 12 February. Some public sectors will only resume work on 13 February as the first day of CNY falls on a Saturday which is a non-working day for the public officers. Have a good break, everyone!

2024

Feliz ano nuevo - may this year be better than the last. 

In this country, the new year means we are being screwed by price hikes (yet again). In a country where there are no natural resources, the people would be made to slave for the country. Instituting a rigid tax regime is definitely one way to do it. Living here is an expensive endeavour but the authorities here think we can see through tomorrow just because they issue handouts to the people. The people on the other hand, seem to be spellbound & embrace this charity facade. Remember my fellow citizens, all this political sleight of hand are good for now; it does NOT hold true for tomorrow (think of our kids, please).

I'm taking this opportunity to thank you for your December 2023 contributions (via QR code on the left shoulder of this page). I have apportioned some to the Cat Welfare Society as documented above. I am a regular donor to this organization in view of my personal love for cats. You have made it possible for me to continue my charitable efforts despite my zero income last month - deeply grateful for this. On that note, thanks for all your support. I will update my 2024 plans as we go along.