I write sins not tragedies

2007-08-13T20:39:00.000+08:00

I HAVE MOVED

please kindly update your links and avert your attention to:

http://ianortega.blogspot.com

much love.

2007-06-26T17:30:00.000+08:00

I will temporarily stop blogging until:

1. I get a new handphone
2. I revamp the blog template

Its more convenient to upload stuff from the handphone and henceforth, having more things to write about.

Stay tuned..

2007-06-04T02:31:00.000+08:00

Adelaide!!

Probably the best gig I've caught ever since coming back from toronto. 5 awesome bands back-to-back. it really ended my week and made my night. I was fortunate enough to get the best seats in the house and getting to meet several of the anberlin and copeland members upstairs. sorry guys... couldnt bring you all upstairs as well.

A big resurgence in wanting to play live again and to get my act (band) together and to start penning down stuff. now that my exams are over, i've got 3 weeks of time to do just that. its about *beep* time i start.

will blog less until i get myself a new phone. taking photos from my crappy phone last nite didnt do any justice at all.

yes guys, i will get a new phone soon.

thank you firefight, verticalrush, march12,
Copeland
,
Anberlin

2007-05-14T01:22:00.000+08:00

Before I go to bed

This is long overdue so...

*Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes and presents*

I couldnt ask for more.

2007-05-10T23:53:00.000+08:00

Salt and spice and everything nice

I've been having this bloody damn sore throat for a couple of days now and it doesnt seem to get any better with all the pill-popping. A friend of mine recommended cayenne pepper mixed with water. So got down to buy a little bottle which cost $4.50 damn bucks..... a starbucks latte would've been the better choice. Anyway, somehow it didnt work. ugh.......this sore throat doubles up as a headache. WTF

Might as well drag my stubborn ass to the doctor's office tomorrow..

2007-05-05T12:53:00.000+08:00

hello. is it me you're looking for?

2007-05-02T02:01:00.000+08:00

How do you know you're screwed

░░Bosco-Junior Ada░░© don't bore us, get to the chorus!
AM 01:57
yeah, i'm kinda done too...jus goin thru e stuff which are kinda blurry...

ian-ortega == stellastar* - the numbers are killing me softly
AM 01:58
like?

░░Bosco-Junior Ada░░© don't bore us, get to the chorus!
AM 01:59
like....wat's e diff between contribution and absorbtion method

ian-ortega == stellastar* - the numbers are killing me softly
AM 01:59
did we cover that...

░░Bosco-Junior Ada░░© don't bore us, get to the chorus!
AM 01:59
ah huh..

ian-ortega == stellastar* - the numbers are killing me softly
AM 01:59
shit.

░░Bosco-Junior Ada░░© don't bore us, get to the chorus!
AM 01:59
oopss..

ian-ortega == stellastar* - the numbers are killing me softly
AM 02:00
dont bluff......

2007-04-26T23:15:00.000+08:00

Hole up

I felt like I was given a much needed breather when the flu bug came to visit. I would call it bad timing since:

1. I've already planned my studying plan and no matter how much you want to mug, your body screams in protest
2. I have a gig this saturday and I'm very stoked about it. Will I still be able to wield my guitar? It will be funny if you saw a tissue box sitting on top of my amp wouldnt it?

So anyway, I hope I recover by tomorrow.

Get high!

I need a new phone
I'm not missing you

2007-04-18T21:03:00.000+08:00

"Bring your own bag" campaign gets mixed reactions

"We have been using plastic for so long... we're not used to it if we use the recycle bags," says one shopper.

Channel NewAsia's YourNews hotline also received similar feedback.

A Madam Lin said she is unhappy at being "forced" to buy a plastic bag for 10 cents, when she wanted to hand-carry her goods.

While a Mr Tan said charging 10 cents for each plastic bag is "unreasonable" and urged getting rid of the pricing scheme.

NOW SERIOUSLY....
can anyone save them?!

2007-04-17T23:13:00.001+08:00

Transit

Another visit to the blog post, another thought transcribed.

Girlfriend's been extremely busy mugging away for her finals next month. Quitting the part-time job soon as I'm getting peanuts. (you get monkeys dont ya?). Been busy rehearsing and getting our act together. I'm really stoked about our debut gig on the 28th later this month. Trying to at least set aside 2 to 3 hours worth of studying/reading time daily.

Seems like everyone that I know is in a transitional stage in their own individual lives. Study-to-working life, army-to-back to school, single-to-married. Meet new people whilst old friends fade away with time. Everyone has their own things to plan out and the uncertainties it brings. But thats life.

I like change sometimes.

2007-04-14T01:49:00.001+08:00

raise the minimum wage please.

2007-04-06T02:30:00.000+08:00

This is what my childhood looked like:

I wonder what it's like now.

2007-04-03T23:37:00.000+08:00

Spread the love!

2007-03-15T23:04:00.000+08:00

3 in 4 S'poreans not satisfied with their bonuses: poll

SINGAPORE: More than three quarters of employees in Singapore – 77 percent – are not satisfied with their bonuses.
This is according to the survey results of recruitment consultant Robert Walters.

The percentage of staff unhappy with their bonuses in Singapore is slightly higher than the international figure of 72 percent.

Robert Walters said it polled close to 500 people around the world.

And in a bigger survey that included 1,300 professionals across the globe, three quarters of the respondents who were considering changing jobs said they would prefer to do so within three months.

In fact, close to 47 percent of them said they would prefer to start a looking for a new job within one month.

Robert Walters said the sample pool of professionals were from a variety of industries.

- Channel News Asia, Thursday 15th of March

NO SHIT

2007-03-03T19:57:00.000+08:00

a call to go beyond perception

another mid term has just ended and the effects of sleep deprivation and redbull+coffee overdose has taken its toll. nevertheless, i'm still hitting the dancefloor come wed night to unleash all fury.

i can finally take a breather... march term break is gonna be awesome.

thank you God.

"best of you"

2007-03-02T00:46:00.000+08:00

To the people in toronto, i miss you all. see you guys soon.

2007-02-27T18:43:00.000+08:00

how'd you like my freestyle?

2007-02-26T00:47:00.000+08:00

hello
Mid-terms begin this week and what better way to destress with:

i am thinking...

- you entered into my life
- school break coming soon... a chance to recoup and update that rig and wardrobe.

2007-02-09T14:02:00.000+08:00

Thanks Brian for the link....haha fun quiz.

2007-02-08T02:19:00.000+08:00

You be the judge?

Judge me not....shame on you

2007-01-25T00:34:00.000+08:00

Things look promising...sweet

2007-01-20T01:53:00.000+08:00

im an addict

it has replaced my evenings and weekends.....

2007-01-14T21:29:00.000+08:00

tech wiz

Cant wait!

2007-01-11T22:19:00.000+08:00

good times will roll

bikes and super-soakers... we ruled the neighbourhood back in the day

Getting through the first full week of 2007 has been tiring. my bio clock's screwed up and im only able to sleep at 5am isnt good. its worse when you have no hot milo when its been suddenly replaced my horlicks by my parents! my stomach's acting up and it doesnt help when you have parties and drinking nights just about everyday that began last week. but im not complaining. haha.

now onwards to another weekend ahead!

2007-01-01T22:09:00.000+08:00

hello 2007

happy new year folks! take out the pen and paper and start writing your resolutions! think back on 2006, and compile the good and bad things that have happened in your life. 2006 for me was a pretty alright year as I got to come back to singapore. ever since coming back in the later half of the year, got to know lots of people. made mistakes in life. found out mylimitations. loved my guitar even more. etc etc... needless to say, another journey worth looking back upon.

celebrations wise, it was low-key. the usual tradition of attending service in the evenings followed by heading home to countdown with my folks and close ones over another over-the-top dinner cum supper. then hurried down to checkers to meet up with the guys. blasting music whilst driving through town with chloe on the way to dan's place for another 1 of those parties with stories to share to last us through another year.

So raise your champagne flutes (or shooters...). embrace the new year. for some of you who had a *beep* up year, just f.i.a.m.o and drink up. (cause you know u want to)

here's to a great 2007 year.

2006-12-31T18:45:00.000+08:00

I pop one and bid farewell to 2006.

2006-12-29T21:44:00.000+08:00

tell a tale for me

the crew

bring on the good memories and burn the bad ones

fool me once...shame on you
fool me twice...shame on me

dumb dumb.....

2006-12-28T14:03:00.000+08:00

merry events

the crew

napkin man and his stand-in sidekick, mr prep

we say good riddance to dirrrty laundry

2006-12-26T02:34:00.000+08:00

Merry Christmas

Dear Jesus,

Happy Birthday!

Love,
Ian

2006-12-16T18:51:00.000+08:00

couch potato

i have 2 words for you ian benedict d. ortega. you fat. unfit lazy bum to be precise. got the weekend off to re-energize. i have never felt so shack in such a long time that its no longer funny (note.. cynical).

looking forward to opening up a few drinks and potato chips and renting some dvds once reservist is over. pigging out is not a sin.

ok the comfort of my bed now awaits me.

2006-12-10T18:26:00.000+08:00

I'm learning again

Finally got back from church youth camp @ sarimbun. its been years since i last went there and coming back was none other than refreshing. I guess i was looking for a right opportunity (or excuse...) to be able to refocus and to get back on track. getting arrowed to play for several worship sessions and to co-lead a group of youngsters wasn't the sole reason. i didnt drag my feet out of bed the first morning. a few of my close friends dropped by and actually seeing them singing and praising was very encouraging. the testimonies coming from the youths, apart from something that happened on the last night, awesome is the word i can best describe the whole 4 day experience.

Will be going away for about 2 weeks early tomorrow morning . See you guys soon.

I'm thinking
joseph was right...

2006-12-05T16:12:00.000+08:00

Ganbate!

heartbeat..

napkin man was right.....

Reservist games
Ian Ortega suffered a blow by the SAF. Dejected and left to bleed, Ian Ortega will try to come up with a killer blow to disable his arch nemesis.

2006-12-04T17:43:00.000+08:00

something new again

changed the blog template yet again. i probably change it as..oh nevermind. i've been told my blog's emo. a bit or very? this calls for some quantum changes.

anyway, exams are finally over! 1 word...buang

hopefully i'll be able to enjoy my december break without having to go for reservist next week. those assholes...

2006-10-29T20:07:00.000+08:00

My spectacles cracked today....shit.

Its crunch time next week and my assignment and report deadlines are due and my fate and that of my group hangs in the balance. I can say that my assignments ought to be better in content but you do get those dry spells where you just cant get any creative flow out of you...like this past week. Maybe I'm just tired and drained but its only been slightly less than a month since classes started. Maybe something's missing....

Taking over the world with...

'50s Fender Strat Relic with custom work and fitted with Noiseless pickups

Time to order Eric Clapton tickets. I cant wait for his performance in january.

2006-10-28T13:18:00.000+08:00

Free flow

Power 98 Jam nominee

2006-10-23T15:23:00.000+08:00

Later that day....

What was I thinking?

Cigarettes and papercuts

I am now gonna become a mugger. I need to earn my stripes.

2006-10-22T12:12:00.000+08:00

Do you hear what I hear

When one's heart isnt sure of something you cant do anything but hope for a change of heart. But its more important to have what you already have than to risk losing it all.

Call it bad timing..

2006-10-21T05:07:00.000+08:00

Damage control

Time for a new blog skin! Figured out what was causing the pop-up window prompting a password so I decided to change everything altogether. Looks quite spiffy in my humble opinion.

Anyway, it sucks when a friend of yours gets drunk and then....pukes right next to you over supper....and getting your favourite pair of asics shoes caught in the blast! To make matters worse, getting stopped at a road-block and spotted with your shoes off and having to explain to Mr Officer why you're not wearing any shoes whilst driving and having to reason that your shoes are dirty. Apparently, taking the breath test without shoes isnt an accurate test. Does that even make any sense?!

Weekend's here and I'll hopefully be able to catch up on some rest. Its 5am and I still cant sleep. Blame the Chivas if you may. More assignments are due and I'm running low on my allowance. The guitar pedal bug is here to stay...

Thoughts: Time is needed and I'm willing to give it. I'll be patient.

Ok time to have those long showers you all know me for.

2006-10-13T02:06:00.000+08:00

Aftermath

9 champagne glasses...
cigarettes to calm the nerves...
a 5 minute gig
another one of those parties

If you asked me if I could do it all over again....my answer is yes.

2006-10-05T14:47:00.000+08:00

Back to school

Its been 4 days since school started and it seems alright so far. Project meetings and reports are the day's order and I got arrowed to take charge of one. I have to say that being back home doesnt seem so bad afterall but if I was given a choice to head back to Toronto, well...guess you know where I'll lean on. Its probably still too fresh a reality but maybe give me another month, my preference might change.

Anyway for the record, life is good here. School work is occupying my time plus my music (or craft) has never been on a such a high. It's quite flattering when I get requests/invited to jam sessions or persuaded to form a band of my own. Baybeats 2007 perhaps? Haha

Back to assignments now.... it's only been 4 days

I-tuned to: Everything is alright by Motion City Soundtrack
Thoughts: Progress report: half the day has gone by and im still cigarette free....

2006-09-28T14:24:00.000+08:00

Shout out!...represent!

To my friends like David, Hazel and Jess and every young guy/gal who have started their own respective businesses and who dared to venture into a world of uncertainty and beyond, I salute you.

While most of us average people (myself incl) are more concerned with other things ie. shopping, tests etc and would be very relunctant to step out of our comfort bubble (we're just ass wimps), you people are of a different breed. It takes a certain calibre and boldness to do something like this so to the average person, (note: ass wimps), STOP thinking you're someone with bragging rights to boot.

Respect.

2006-09-26T00:12:00.000+08:00

Saved by the 4th bell

I got lucky.. I'm free!

Reminisce

Napkin man and me took Toronto by storm

Something's wrong with me...am I homesick? Dont you just hate it when you grow so attached to a place? I am emo-spasing

2006-09-25T01:23:00.000+08:00

Hangman's noose

Today's the day I'm gonna get charged...... I wonder what my fate will be come 1500hrs later today

2006-09-21T01:05:00.001+08:00

You're way off

Met this prick of a guy who insisted that I call him Paulo. Now seriously, although it sounds shallow for what I'm about to say but ...Paulo Ong?? Come on...it just does connect. It's like having a white dude named Boon Tat Smith.

2006-09-18T00:46:00.000+08:00

To buy is to gain

That heading is to quote a certain trendy female friend whom I've had coffee with. It sounds shallow and superficial but I've succumb to making a "To Buy List"...But mind you, these are stuff that'll last me for a while and not something that after a few washes, gets chucked in the corner of my closet.

Anyway, I've gotten a plane in SIM and classes begin next month. Of course I would still love to be in Toronto but ya know, you cant always have everything in life.

80GB worth! And its got longer battery life and colored screen..nice

Will it be worth saving a chunk of mullah for this baby?

I need a new phone and this one seems to be new replacement

Need to invest on a pair that doesnt disfigure after a few tries

2006-09-06T16:37:00.000+08:00

Another day under the sun

It's about time I headed to sentosa ever since I came back. Took time off work to just laze. Never felt so good.

chill part 1

chill part 2

2006-08-20T17:05:00.000+08:00

Vox on ...rock on

Thoughts: Why wait for someone in order to make something happen. Why bother

2006-08-18T01:28:00.001+08:00

Eh...

I miss Toronto.... is that probably the reason that's bugging me daily?

2006-08-17T01:22:00.000+08:00

Bitten by the G.A.S bug

Another addition to my growing arsenal. Humble in its own right.

2006-08-14T17:06:00.000+08:00

A special shout out!

Snapshots over the weekend from my sucky camera.....

Congratulations to Esmond and Suanne on tying the knot.

Esmond is assmond

2006-08-12T01:54:00.000+08:00

Cause breaking up is hard to do..

Click here for revenge

A little remedy perhaps?

2006-08-10T16:30:00.000+08:00

Hello blondie

the retardo posed.

Streaked my hair blond about a week ago. The error has just unveiled itself.

Back from Manila. What a time it was. Good....great!

2006-08-01T11:51:00.000+08:00

The rain has its reign on me

Didnt realize its typhoon season over here in Manila. So much for a beach excursion to the east coast. Food more or less makes up for it and having pandisal bread and sago caramel beancurd for morning breakfast is enough to make me stay at home. And guys, I bought stuff from DFS but im not sure if you all will like it though. Ok its my turn to hit the pinata (the donkey/horse you ruthlessly smack with a stick/mallot that explodes sweets). WTF at this time of the day?.. Oh yes, its not mango season here so to those people i said i'll bring back some, settle for a banana you can get at cold storage or something ok? More updates later.

2006-07-22T23:44:00.000+08:00

Something gross....

I had my toe nail removed today after 2.5 months of just plain stubborness. 10 injections and numerous strips of gauze later, taking a bath has become somewhat of a challenge.

2006-07-15T11:10:00.000+08:00

To do list:

1. Want to save $$ for diving trip next month. Need a partner. Any takers?
2. Settle uni stuff. bah.
2. Stop splurging on guitar pedals....

Anyway, baybeats has already started! Gonna hafta drag my tired body to esplanade.

2006-07-13T18:27:00.000+08:00

Diet Coke X Mentos collaboration

Next post: crazy japanese pranks.

2006-07-03T22:54:00.002+08:00

Recap

In need of hours of sleep. Constant battle with fatigue with the help of red bull (gives you wings...) to get through another day of work. World cup is drawing to a close real soon....how fast its past.

Now seriously....we wouldnt want this to happen to anybody be it accidental or *gasp* intentional...

but what followed was a sure baby-fit on cristiano ronaldo's part. now some of you (mostly girls) agree that ronaldo was in the right...he's an arrogant s.o.b who will await his fate once he steps on england soil. you all obviously watch the world cup for a different reason...bah

i cant say anything to this...brasil didnt play just as good. sorry gabriela dear, i would've loved them to go through too.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

better luck next time. any south american team has my support

FAT FAT FAT!!

the dive that broke the aussies' hearts. im not an aussie fan but I felt bad for them to lose in this fashion. azzurris are known divers

2006-06-30T10:29:00.000+08:00

At work and recovering from the Martell VSOP event party last night...will update this weekend. Hungry and in need of sleep.

2006-06-16T22:45:00.000+08:00

I'm dead tired and I've only been working for 2 days straight. I wonder how I am gonna keep this up.

2006-06-09T22:29:00.000+08:00

Band to watch

World Cup kickoff starts in 1.5 hours. Enjoy while you still can guys. Bring out the beers!

2006-06-07T23:55:00.000+08:00

Knackered. It's been only 3 days and I'm already so tired. I wonder how I'll survive another work day once the world cup kick starts. Chain of events that have happened.... I met the devil on 06/06/06 in the form of a palm reader. Talent scouted today... Had a much-needed haircut.

When you know its really time to stop whatever you're doing

2006-06-05T21:54:00.000+08:00

First day

Doing what you love.....and getting paid at the same time? Could not ask for more.

2006-06-03T14:37:00.000+08:00

Yes! I managed to land myself 2 part time jobs in a span of an hour (aside from the many hours contemplating and sitting on my ass). Next week will bring me to help out at my friend's music store with the business planning, aiding fellow musicians etc.. then the following week I will be starting work at Club21 till end of July. 6-day work week that'll hopefully not prevent me from catching the French Open and World Cup games. So for those people whom I made plans to the beach... sorry in advance. *shrug*

Spending an evening catching up with a friend of mine the other night over dinner and drinks brought us to a common agreement over things relating to affairs happening here. Guess for the both of us, being overseas for a period of time did bring about a change in outlook towards certain things. Are we all 2-dimensional, directionless, too caught up with striving for money? Are we just following the normal life routine where any attempts to break away is normally frowned upon or tagged "are you crazy?". If you think taking a break from work or studies is a no-no in our society, you obviously havent been out of this sunny island. Isn't there more to life?

Live it.

Furthermore, being away and coming back for most overseas students, does bring a sense of dislocation. Some feel their social circle has shrunk or some feel alienated but if you ask me, its so good to be back and sticking to the friends that you will miss the most when you leave again.

2006-06-01T13:16:00.000+08:00

Down memory lane

If NDP rehearsals were like this...

2006-05-30T14:06:00.000+08:00

ALAS I've finally took the time and made myself a new blog along with a new template and all that jazz. grew tired of the old one so i saw this one. its a very nice template if you ask me (and if you dont like it, do not read on and close your browser). Anyway, its been 2 weeks since I came back and its been fun so far but i've got to start cracking on looking for a part-time job so friends out there, if you have any leads/connections, please hook me up if you can. I've got a pretty long summer holiday so earning a few extra bucks ought to keep my head above water and out of cash trouble... (im not a rich brat you see). My toe is still bleeding so heading to the beach with a margarita in hand will only have to wait. Ebay is fucked and those ebay scammers will be fucked. Peeved but lesson learned.