A week ago, I finally completed Team Of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin (I remember her name, heh).

It was no easy journey, spanning a total of 2 years and probably 3 restarts. I’d have to admit, when I first got the book, I had such a vague interest in the topic. Strangely enough, something kept me on the book. For the lack of a better phrase, the book and I were fated.

Team of Rivals is a historical narrative of Abraham Lincoln’s life. As the title suggests, much of the analytical angle came from the fact that Lincoln surrounded himself with his fiercest political rivals. While on the surface this may just seem as an overly-enthused form of meritocracy, one would immediately have to throw that idea out once you come to read of the many backgrounds of these great men, as well as the circumstances leading up to the presidential election.

We know Lincoln as “Honest Abe” and the only poet-president, titles which more than expound his eligibility for president-ship. But a good look into the 1860 presidential nomination election will reveal the insurmountable odds against the humble and unaccomplished prairie lawyer. Despite an almost-fluke nomination and the eventual civil war crisis, Lincoln never waivered in the confidence of his own ability to sustain and lead a cabinet of intellectual and political giants. While his political and managerial geniuses were certainly evident throughout his presidency, I am most inspired by his personal mastery. His unfailing optimism and perfect grasp of his own abilities shielded him through the constant barrage of skeptism and doubt. Even when he had clearly proven himself, this absolute control of his intra-personality ensured he remain humble and patient with criticism from the green-eyed.

A special mention goes out to Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War of president Lincoln. Why? because I feel most connected to Stanton’s personality and the struggles he faced. The book always notes how much Stanton’s personality contrasted with Lincoln. While Lincoln was warm, sympathetic and jovial, Stanton was cool, calculative and stern. And as history has judged, they worked extremely well together. It is always difficult to play the bad cop. Always. The greatest anecdote depicting this would be the immediate aftermath of Lincoln’s assassination. While everyone was numbed by shock and disbelief, Stanton never allowed himself a moment of standstill, orchestrating officials and soldiers. Stanton was the personification of self-sacrifice, of selflessness. Even when he’s just lost his best friend and commander-in-chief, he never let himself indulge in his emotions.

This, in my opinion, is a good book. It’s more than just a history book. Its a study of character and its specimens are by any measure one of the best. If you can bear the really dry beginning and draggy description of life in 1860 Washington DC, the rest of the book is filled with brilliant twists and conflicts.

It does leave me with one regret though. I really should have done History.

Ohwell.

There is this strange emptiness.

Sense of lost? Or a really good purging.

Relieved. I feel mostly relieved.

There are varying degrees of insanity, with the highest being reserved for those who chose not to watch Patrick Watson. Yes, your reasons may be aplenty (80 bucks is crazy money for a recital studio gig), but missing it is really nutters.

So firstly, my deepest condolences to those of you just found out you’re a crazy person. Yea it’s proven medically, I think.

Patrick Watson’s a four man band with an almost orchestral sound, meaning to say they seem like their playing more instruments than God intended man to play at a given time. The kind of sounds that guitarist Simon Angell was getting out of his guitar was insanely enthralling while Robbie the drummer, is one of the most dramatic drummers I’ve seen. Beating the shit out of your percussion pieces is one thing, but to saw away at your cymbal for an effect, now that’s professional sacrifice.

You mean you've never put a toilet plunger head in a megaphone to sound like kermit? sheesh.

The band played a good amount of songs from both their albums starting with Fireweed and then a real hair-raiser, Beijing. It has a certain ethereal quality to it and while it sounds great on the album (which you would be even morecriminally mad not to have listened to), this song is meant to be heard live. Hearing it from the intimacy of the Esplanade recital studio, I immediately felt transported and transformed into a little wisp scuttering down the streets of downtown beijing, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of this huge, busy foreign land. Robbie was pure brilliance in this song with his array of pots and pans which to you may sound gimicky, but to all present it made perfect sense. Every utensil had a grander, fuller purpose that night.

In truth when he started Beijing, I was a little disappointed. I thought that the dynamism of that song should really be left for the middle of the concert. But oh boy am I glad that I got that wrong. The set-list flowed from one great performance to another. Patrick Watson’s talent, musicianship and energy just brought ceaseless surprises and made the whole night seem so magical. As I mentally plough through the songs that he so brilliantly brought to life, I can’t bring myself to choose a favourite. If you’ve been to concerts you will know that once or twice through the night, something clicks and in that moment, that song springs into your heart, capturing you with its magnificence. During this concert however, each song was so well thought out in delivery, so meticulously constructed that every single moment was a magical one. Be it Drifters in pitch black, or saw fiddling on wooden arms (yes, violin bow on saw. just watch the video), everything just made sense. He ended the set with Where the wild things are. I won’t say anymore cos I thik I’m coming across too strongly as some wide-eyed groupie. Instead, just watch the bloody video.

I'm more talented and have an uglier singing face than John Mayer

Just when you think things cannot POSSI-BLOODILY get better, well they really really do. The encore was pure joy. He came on with his signature “angler fish” contraption, a portable-amp so thingy which he wears like a bagpack and has lights sticking out and drooping down, like an angler fish. He then takes it around the studio and plays an acoustic Man under the Sea. Robbie and the saw came along too! haha.

too cool for school.

They than start an improv session with lyric suggestions from the crowd. It was just ridiculous and fun, plus it allowed the band show their talent and understanding. Patrick was like a baton-less conductor, resorting instead to a cock of a brow, or a swish of his hand. And following his cue, the band swished and waltz gracefully through the melody changes, even diving into a guitar solo VS vocals banter. Finally, the concert ended in a sombre mood as Patrick delivered a touching tribute to his friend, fellow singer Lhasa de Sela.

2 geniuses and an SMU student

>

It was 80 bucks well spent I tell you. In fact, I would have paid that just for the encore. Heck, this concert will haunt me till the day i get to Canada and watch patrick again. Till then.

Guys, lets all stay safe and have fun.

That’s all I pray for.

Here’s a tribute to a big part of my life.

Hiphopopotpmus VS. Rhymenocerous – Flight of the Conchords
Probably up there for funniest shit EVAH. The show is incredibly entertaining too. Its a pity I won’t have time in the near future to finish it.

Oxford Comma – Vampire Weekend
Everyone loves vampire weekend. nuff said.

Rise – The Frames
Glen Hansard is probably the most beautiful Irish brute out there. Some songs take your breath away, and in that spirit of lethalness, Rise is a weapon of mass destruction.

Girl I Wanna Lay You Down - Jack Johnson and Zach Gill
I’m a sucker for tacky dirty lyrics. Any song with a peanut butter analogy deserves your precious attention. Got the album, Some Live Songs, at a gramophone sales for about 8 bucks.

Womanizer – Britney Spears
This is the shitz for 08. And although i don’t approve of anything britney does with her life, this has got to be the one thing she did right this year.

You & I – Ingrid Michaelson

Did I mention how incredibly hooked to blatant lyrics of the great deed I am? Ingrid adds sugar, spice and everything nice to make this track pure sweetness.

5 Years time – Noah and the Whale
I really really love this band. I’m so glad I bought the album. It’s also worth it to check out the video for shape of my heart, although i have to admit few will share my enthusiasm for it. Go El Corazon!! hahaha.

Ok so there you have it. Where The Light Is also deserves a mention. Havn’t been blogging much but maybe with a new rad army lifestyle will kickstart a revival. Alas, it’s too soon to say. MERRY CHRISTMAS/CHANUKAH/FESTIVE SEASON PEOPLE!

Hey hey its been awhile. Life’s been great so here’s a few little trinkets i found to make yours great too.

This performance by Feist is freaking beautiful. You know you’ve done good when you’re asked to do a song on Sesame street.

And to not seem contrived at all, that took some kickass-awesomeness.

And who said the french weren’t crazy? Packed with awesome scenery, sheer audacity and a generous dose of skill, what’s not to love? Heck, any football video with ACDC music is worth mentioning.

Till next time.

Its the weekend before the big handover. The official “thanks for everything”, the big kick in the arse telling us to start mugging. I could continue but I’ll leave the rest till Monday.

Musicfest 08 was way queer in terms of results. And for 12 bucks, they could have done something about stage decor, a little bare don’t you think? But other than that, it was a pretty good show. Good job S34 dancers, Hello Panda, Enigmanic, Paper Pavement. Runner-ups FTW! That was hugely ironic haha.

Been amusing myself with transformer episodes on youtube. But those are not the real gem. This is freaking hillarious.

Jackie the carebear: “That’s why we should not play with any birds RIGHT NOW! (frownie face and dramatic pause) Especially if they look sick, GOT IT!?!
Kids: “YES!”

I’m eighteen. I’m an A level taking student. I’m stepping down in 2 weeks. I’m part of the team. I’m their son. I’m saved because He died and rose again.

Sometimes I tend to forget. But most of the time, I’m finding bliss in ignorance.

ibelongtoflamini.jpg

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