At Davidson Street

UPDATE: The entire experience is finally readable. Also about three quarters down is our Chinese Drum piece - figured I'd let you guys get a feel of what we play exactly. Oh, and did I mention? It's in words.

Friday, 22 August 2008 - I was in school at 1255. Went to the BookMart to get (well, buy) my books. Right outside I saw Brian Cheng, Si Mynn & Lauren lazing about. We exchanged greetings, and I went into the BookMart. I started to get the books from my "upgraded" booklist, then I had this strange moment with the BookMart Lady on how my booklist is wrong. She gave me one of the untouched booklists and then started writing loads of stuff. She also said she needed to eat lunch or something like that (?). Then Julian Thean, his mum, Ian, Nigel & Denzel walked in. Ian is incredibly adorable. We talked about loads of things, sat down for awhile.

Right after, I helped my mum carry the books to the car. It wasn't as heavy as I assumed, really. Walked down the quiet, lonely (there really was no one about) path back over to the BookMart. I figured besides me, the three rock-climbers were there. Hung out with them for a little bit. Then they walked up the stairs, probably heading for CPAC. Si Mynn was carrying her violin, see. Then came one of my most loneliest days, ever. I walked over to the canteen and saw a few teachers sitting round a table, it didn't seem to interest me so I headed for Avenue. Walked up and down there for about 20 minutes. The place gets a lot of breeze - it was a hot day, even for Malaysia. Didn't see anyone around at all. For one of the only times in my life, I actually felt all alone. I'm a people person, see.

Then I walked to the edge of the field, right at those concrete benches. Sat on the one closest to the stairs leading up to the right-ish side of the North Hall. Lay down here staring at the sky for about 20 minutes. The breeze was awfully nice. Then I walked up to the Guard House and sat there for about 15 minutes. Saw Ms. Ellen, hopefully she'll be my math teacher next week, she's wicked awesome - she turned out to be both my Math and Biology teacher. Then I slowly walked back down to the benches at the field. I saw this car go right past me and it stopped opposite the lobby on the other side. The part above the field. Pryce came out of it. Followed him to the Bookmart. Gave the fella some tips to survive and come out of Year 9 in one piece. It's not too difficult.

Then Puan Aimi walked in. She called me and gave me a task. Collect 8 different sized shirts for the Chinese Drummers, for our performance that night, keep them safe and pass them to the members. Nothing too challenging. So I packed them into my rucksack, sat down for a few more minutes and I was on my way. By now, I've been to all the places that are usually filled with people, only to find it complete devoid of it. I went to the bleachers by the swimming pool, climbed all the way to the top, dumped my rucksack beside me and took out my mum's iTouch. Yes, I've actually started using it. Shocking. Watched a couple of videos and played a few dozen songs.

And suddenly something was rumbling inside my pants. Fortunately, it was Hao Zhi calling to say he was already here! Finally, a drummer! He ran down the stairs and sat with me for awhile. We blasted some songs, until we received a call from David. We had orders to check the hall, and so we did. We walked up the stairs and crossed the road. It was right there, Bryna was striding down the walkway from the carpark. We slowly opened one of the sidedoors and peeped in. We saw Datin and almost immediately Hao Zhi said her name and pulled out. I stayed a little longer. I actually stepped in. I looked to the left and I saw the orchestra! Me old lads.

We called David back, and were told to go directly back down to the drums right beside the bookmart. Off we went. We saw Syazana walking down the stairs at the side of the lobby and David was already there. We arranged the drums and took our positions. It was around this time when it started to rain. We practised for abit and then Najiha can strolling down. As we played, the rain grew heavier and more intense. Like our drums was part of some "Calling The Heavens To Rain Down Upon Us Ritual". Mr. Jimmy came soon and he had a plan for our opening, beginning and endings. Around here Siew May and Si Mynn walked past. I smiled gleefully and waved. I'm very easily distracted, try me.

Then Mr. Jimmy taught us one of the best last poses, I personally think we've yet to learn. From the front it looks like we formed a Lotus, with its petals all opened. Strangely, when only Bryna and I did it, Najiha says it forms a heart. They laughed, the meanies. Then Mr. Andrew walked beside us and placed a box of pizzas on it. I felt so incredibly grateful. Mr. Andrew, if you're reading this, "Thank you". Then after, what 10 minutes, Siew May and Si Mynn walked beside us with another smaller box of pizza. I wanted to say something or at least thank them, but I was rehearsing for that very night's performance and the teacher was in front. All I could do was look. But they didn't look back, so no thank you signs could be given. Thanks though, you two. I really appreciate all this.

Then we started to get short on time. We needed to loads the drums and get on the bus by 1800. We were rushing to finish rehearsing our 3 pieces. When it was 1805, we ran to load the drums and stands. We had to run across the swimming pool, up the stairs and make a U-turn to get to the bus. Rinse, Dry, Repeat. We did this about 4 times running back and forth? Then we ran down again to grab our bags and dragged our limp bodies back to the bus. We got into the bus and apparently, there wasn't enough space for the drums in the storage area below that four drums (I think, maybe 3) were sitting with us on the bus. Then just when we about to get a place with two seats for ourselves, David said sit in our chinese drum positions. Hahahaha. We practised by singing and hitting our laps, bags & chairs. The bus at this time was driving out of school, then at the housing area it started reversing on the slope and we were going back to school. The bus stayed there for awhile then we were on our way. We just kept singing and moving to the beat. :)

Around this time, when the bus started moving again, we found out the entire bus was ours - with three other teachers and two funny bus driver dudes. We asked the teacher, "Are we the only people performing there?" with "Yup" as our reply. Then we asked, "[We're the] Only Cempakans there?". She answered, "Mhmm." Oh, dang. We were going down the road on the way to what we only knew as "The Davidson School", and it was smack in the city. Soon there was this major traffic jam. Then it rained.Heavily.

So basically for the next two and a half hours, we were stuck in the bus in the middle of nowhere (we couldn't see outside - the windows were frosty and covered in water) in a jam. About one quarter of the way through, Steven needed to pee; real bad. He kept walking up and down the bus, wailing like a baby. We found it entertaining - Sorry, buddy! Later on he went down and peed in a bush before the bus even moved a centimeter. After peeing, he was awfully happy, striding down the bus, smiling his face away. Hah. The jam was bumper-to-bumper and we weren't moving. We plugged in to our iPods, most of us. Hao Zhi was sleeping, Two Drummers were on their MP3s while two were gossiping and Bryna was on her DS. Hao Zhi was sleeping beside me and at one moment Syazana started playing with my mohawk, pushing it and gleefully smiling.

Later on, we figured that we won't have enough time to change at the school - it was already getting so very late. So the solution? Taking turns changing at the back of the bus. The girls were bossy. Hahaha. Whenever they changed, they shouted countless times, "Oi, LOOK IN FRONT!" Then we said back while looking in front, "Well, there isn't much to look at!" David turned behind a little and showed a face which in my mind said either "Eughhh" or "Are those reaaal?"Hahaha. Doubt he meant anything or even looked at them. He's not that kind.
He's obviously respectful of girls private changing spaces (even if they're in buses). I accidentally woke up Hao Zhi once. I was bored at one bit with everyone getting dormant, that i actually started to talk to him. Really, really. 'Twas fun.

We arrived soon at the school which was right beside a Monorail track. We had to carry the drums, we were running late (No, duh) and Datin was already waiting for us. We picked up our drums and made our way down. The school was huge. And I think the person who built the school really loves stairs. This is my experience of carrying the huge monster of a drum to the backstage of the hall. I climbed down a two flight of stairs (like one bunch before reaching a flat part of ground) and to my left was the hall. The hall is INCREDIBLY huge - it's more than three stories high and it could probably fit a helicopter or more in it. I walked past it and went down another two even longer flights of stairs. By now my leg's were going to give way, gravity just loves these drums. We had to make a U-turn and climb up 4 flights up stairs up. these one's were tall. like the ones in Cempaka that turn, but much higher. After that was the door to the backstage. We had to repeat this process about two more times? When we were done, we were panting and tossing our limp selves over the drums backstage.

Apparently, we weren't the only ones who were late. Even the emcees hadn't arrived yet. So we went on stage and just stood there. David then talked to Datin and apparently we had individual introductions. They were going to announce our name and we had to play our very own fanfares (like our own little 4 noted piece). We waited for the VIPs to arrive, and just as they were about to enter, we played the widely known drum-roll - Cempaka Beat style. Then right after, David signaled us to stop. He walked up to the rostrum and started introducing all of us individually, with himself first of course - he being our captain and the man behind the mike. It sort of went like David Kam, Syazana *dum dum tak tik - or something like that* and so forth. Then we began our performance, with a whole new opening.

For your reading pleasure, I'll type our our piece - with sections labeled out! I recommend you to sing it out load. For more enjoyment, sing it aloud with a friend. OR better yet dance and move about abit. Oh, and I mean it.

Note: Movements not included.

David: DUM drummmmmmmm
Bernard: DUM drummmmmmm
Syazana: DUM drummmmmmm
Najiha: DUM drummmmmmm
Bryna: DUM drummmmmmm
Steven: DUM drummmmmmm
Hao Zhi: DUM drummmmmmm

Taktak tak tak tak, tak tak tak tak, taktak tak tak tak, taktak tak tak tak | taktak tak tak tak, tik tak tik tak tik tak tik tak, tak tik tak tak tik tak tak tak | taktak tak tak tak, tik tak tik tak tik tak tik tak, tak tik tak tak tik tak tak tak | taktaktaktaktaktak, tik tak tik tak tik tak tik tak, tak tik tak tak tik tak tak tak | taktaktaktaktaktak, tik tak tik tak tik tak tik tak, tak tik tak tak tik tak tak tak.

Tak tak tik tak tak tak tik tak, tak tik tak tak tik tak tak tak | Tak tak tik tak tak tak tik tak, tak tik tak tak tik tak tak tak | Tak tak tik tak tak tak tik tak, tak tik tak tak tik tak tak tak | Tak tak tik tak tak tak tik tak, tak tik tak tak tik tak tak tak.

DUM dum tak dum tik dum tik dum tik dum tak dum | DUM dum tak dum tik dum tik dum tik dum tak dum | DUM dum tak dum tik dum tik dum tik dum tak dum | DUM dum tak dum tik dum tik dum tik dum tak dum.

DUMDUM tak dum tik dum tik dum tik dum tik dum, dum tak dum dum tak dum dum dum | DUMDUM tak dum tik dum tik dum tik dum tik dum, dum tak dum dum tak dum dum dum | DUMDUM tak dum tik dum tik dum tik dum tik dum, dum tak dum dum tak dum dum dum | DUMDUM tak dum tik dum tik dum tik dum tik dum, dum tak dum dum tak dum dum dum.

taktak taktak taktak taktak | TAKTAK TAKTAK TAKTAK TAKTAK.

taktak tak tak tak, taktak tak tak tak, tak tak tik tak, tak tak tik tak | tak tik tak tik tak, tak tik tak tak tik tak tak tak | taktak tak tak tak, tik tak tak tak tak, tik tak tak tak tak | tak tik tak tak tak tak tak tak.

dum dumdum dumdum dumdum dum, dumdum dumdum dumdumdumdumdum. X 5

taktak tak tak tak, tak taktak tak tak tak, tak tak dumdumdum X 6 (?)

dum dum dum tak, dum dum dum. X 8

dum dum dum dum.

dum tak tak dum dum, dum tak tak dum dum tak dum | dum tak tak dum dum, dum tak tak dum dum tak dum | dum tak tak dum dum, dum tak tak dum dum tak dum | dum tak tak dum dum, dum tak tak dum dum tak dum | tak tik tak tak tak tak tak tak tak tak | tak tik tak tak tak tak tak tak tak tak | tak tik tak tak tak tak tak tak tak tak | tak tik tak tak tak tak tak tak tak tak.

tak tak tak tak | dumdumdum dum dum dum, dumdumdum dum dum dum | tak tak tak tak tak tak tak tak.

dum dum tak dum, dum dum dum dum tak dum tik dum tak, dum dum dum dum dum dum dum, dum dum dum dum dum | dum dum tak dum, dum dum dum dum tak dum tik dum tak, dum dum dum dum dum, tak tak tak tak tak tak tak tak.

dum dum tak dum, dum dum dum dum dum dum, dum dum dum dum dum dum, dum dum dum dum dum, dum dum dum dum dum.

dum dum tak dum tik dum tak, dum dum tak dum tik dum tik dum, tak tak tak tak tak tak tak tak, dum dum dum dum dum dum, dum dum dum dum dum.

dum dum dumdumdumdum, dum dum tak dum, dum dum dumdumdumdum, dum dum.

tik tik tik tak, tik tik tik tik tak, tik tik tik tik tak, dum dum dum.

dum dum dumdumdumdum, dum dum tak dum, dum dum dumdumdumdum, dum dum.

tik tik tik tak, tik tik tik tik tak, tik tik tik tik tak, tak tak tak tak dum, tak tak tak tak dum.

taktaktaktaktaktaktaktaktaktaktaktak, dum taktaktak dum tak dum dum dum dum dum *SA* | taktaktaktaktaktaktaktaktaktaktaktak, dum taktaktak dum tak dum dum dum dum dum *SA* | tak tak tak tak dum, tak tak tak tak dum, taktaktaktaktaktaktaktaktaktaktaktak, dum taktaktak dum tak dum dum dum dum dum, dum dum dum dum dum *SA*.

David: dum dum dum dumdumdumdum tak tak tak tak tak tak dum, dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum, dum dum dum dumdumdumdum tak tak tak tak tak tak dum, dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum.

dum dum dum dumdumdumdum tak tak tak tak tak tak dum, dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum | tak tak tak, dum dum dum tak tak tak, tak tak tak dum tak tak tak | tak tak tak, dum dum dum tak tak tak, tak tak tak dum tak tak tak | tak tak tak, dum dum dum tak tak tak, tak tak tak dum tak tak tak | dum dum dum dumdumdumdum tak tak tak tak tak tak dum, dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum.

dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum | dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum | dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum| dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum.

David: Solo.
Steven: Solo.

dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum, dumdum dumdum dumdum dumdum dumdum dumdum dumdum dumdum | dumdum dumdum dum dum dum, dumdum dumdum dum dum dum, dumdum dumdum dum dum dum, dumdum dumdum dum dum dum | dum dum, dum dum, dum dum, dum dum | taktaktaktak taktaktaktak, taktaktaktak..

dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum, DUM DUM DUM dum dum, DUM DUM DUM dum dum, DUM DUM DUM dum dum, DUM DUM DUM dum dum, dum tak tak dum tak dum *HO*.

DUM dumdumdum, DUM dumdumdum, DUM dumdumdum, DUM dumdumdum | dum taktak dum, dum taktak dum, dum taktak dum, dum taktak dum | dumdumdumdumdumdumdumdum, dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum.

dum dum dum dum dum dum, dum dum dum dum dum dum, dum dum dum, dum dum dum, dum dum tak tak dum dum, dum dum tak tak dum dum dum, dum dum tak tak dum dum dum, dum dum dum dum dum dum, dum tak tak dum dum dum | dum dum dum dum dum dum, dum dum dum dum dum dum, dum dum dum, dum dum dum, dum dum tak tak dum dum, dum dum tak tak dum dum dum, dum dum tak tak dum dum dum, dum dum dum dum dum dum, dum tak tak dum dum dum *SA*

*Cue last pose.

Trust me, it's not as hard as it looks. So, right after we bowed and brought the drums back-stage. The guy from the school who was sort of our caretaker was there. Using methods unknown, the guy manages to pop up anywhere at any given time. Freaky. So he told us we could eat. We waltz down the stairs and climbed up some more to the side of the hall. As we entered the hall, loads of faces turned and stared right at us. We gave our "Ohhellyeah" faces. We saw an ex-cempakan there even, though I didn't know her too well. They found us a table, but three people were sitting there. They asked them whether the table was taken as there were still spaces for all of us. They said they had friends coming in an almost indistinguishable chinese accent. So we stood there awkwardly for about 10 minutes while they rolled a table in and prepared it.

We sat down soon after and when we turned around, the table was empty. We looked in the front of the hall and saw the same people there. Go figure. We sat down and/or stood around the table for a good ten minutes (?) before student waiters ran about setting the table. We sat down and began arguing about how far we could reach across the table (no offence, 'jiha; hee) and our table manners. We waited for those snazzy looking orange juice that looked so good, only for them to serve us plates, cutlery and water. Datin walked over and thanked us for coming. Being manner-able we thanked her back for asking us to perform that night. Then the food came! But before we could even lift our forks/spoons, the guy came back. We all looked at him, he talked to David for abit then it hit us. They wanted us to do an encore.

Now, it wasn't like we didn't want to perform again. It's just they wanted another piece, which we didn't have at the moment - it was just that. Now, we begun to make up silly excuses because clearly, we did not want to disappoint. First we said if we played right after eating we'd hurl. He recommended we play now and eat later. I forgot the rest. But eventually (this meaning after 30 seconds), we drank some water, picked up our sticks and went down and up the stairs again. But before we went backstage, we went to the toilet. We had to climb up more stairs and through this closed door. The place was really dark, and the corridors narrow. You could hear the monorail whooshing on by. It was shadowy. I scared the crap out of Syazana. Hehehehe. Then we did our business and waited for each other outside. Then the dude appeared again. Right across from us. And he asked us what we were doing here all alone at night. It was freaky. We said "Uhhh, toilet *point*". We were cleared.

Backstage, we discussed a little more on what exactly we were going to do. We changed the opening and last pose sections to our newly created ones earlier that day. We went on stage and looked right down on our drums. By now the emcees had already arrived. The lady one started talking for a bit, before introducing all of us yet again. We played our little fanfares as she did. Then we played yet again with all the changes added. For obvious reasons, I won't type it all out again, if you don't mind. We bowed and carried the drums back. We walked down and up those dreadful stairs AGAIN, before sitting down at the table set in the middle of the hall. We began to eat food as the emcees and guests started doing their speeches. Now, not to be perasan or anything, but I really think these people love us or something. There was this dude with a video camera that kept following us and filming us. Also, I swear I heard the emcee mention "Cempaka Beat" and point and gleaming at us more than a couple of times. Dang.

Then right after I finished my second plate, everyone started standing up and walking out the side doors. It was already over. Talk about fast. While everyone was walking out, we just sat there and stuffed our face with more food. Datin walked over and thanked us. I had the most awkward moment with her, and if she's reading this right now (which I doubt) I really hope you understood what I meant that day. It's nothing bad, just misconception-al. So then we had to carry the drums again back to the bus. We left our food and walked down and up the stairs again to the drums. This time it was much slower and a little less stressing. I taught Vanessa and Bryna how to lift and carry the drums to their shoulders! Though, I think they need to work out a little more. I mean that in the best way, ever possible. Then suddenly, Najiha ran up to us and said someone wanted an INTERVIEW! Gosh, an encore and an interview in one night? Ohhellyeah.

We walked up the camera guy again and he asked a few questions. Then as Najiha was busy staring at the lens, we (the other drummers) slowly crept backwards to the stage. Basically, we ditched her. Nyehehehe. So then we managed to get all the drums back on the bus. Najiha I don't think will ever forgive us. So we got back on the bus, laughed and taunted each other as we lugged the drums up the stairs all the way to the bus, which was incredibly nicely parked so far away. We got on and sat down.

So began one of the most fun moments (and loud too) I've ever had in my entire life. Probably top ten, probably top five. Heck, top three.When the song "Apologise" came on, we started to sing. Then shout. Then as more hiphop and modern music started playing, we started dancing and jumping and singing in the bus. It was like a mobile rave. Words can't explain how amazing that was. It was fun. We also did this huge long wave through the course of the bus. And danced up and down. The bus was rocking all the way back to Cheras (literally).

Back at Cheras, we unloaded the drums to the guardhouse. No, we weren't going to go all the way down to the avenue that late at night. School was dark, real dark. Darker than usual. Then just as I was carrying my first drum. Cramps. Syazana started panicking. I started joking and saying meaningless "Ow's" and "Argh's" and telling little kids (Najiha's little brother and sister who are both incredibly cute) to stay in school and don't be a sissy like Bernard and get cramps at 2300 in the middle of school. Yes, lame. But it was late at night, and it's late right now so this all's probably gonna sound very wonky. Sorry, I wanted to get this up and readable as soon as possible. It's been pressurizing. So well I reached home at 2345 and got rid of the cramps. We had Steven, a waterpolo player, on the team so no worries. And that's my story. With the cramps and all, I can say just one thing (and no, it's not THE END).

What a darn fine way to end a truly spectacular experience.