Anyway, Monday we are at the studio doing some SERIOUS packing, as in packing the newsletters and sending them out. So the WHOLE day is spent doing that. Oh ya, not to forget, we had a discussion about my show, everyone was there to look at the structure and flow. JC said that he is very pleased with the production, and I am too. I cannot reveal the contents, but what I can reveal is that, its wicked good. :) Stay Tune to my new personal show that is forecasted to showcase in Oct. :) Good luck to me..

As for Tuesday, we went back for rehearsals and many things went wrong.. Zzz.. But well let it be over and done with.

Wednesday, we came early just to make sure that we can finish off the rehearsals and make the whole show smooth, and thanks god that we did it. We are pretty happy, the mood on wednesday is far better.. 

Thursday which is today, is our preview showcase to the Arena people. Dear came over, to take a look also. Everything went well for the rehearsal. But something fatal happened to me. I will always remember that I will not assume that someone had done my job, when it IS my job in the first place, and I shouldn't rely on that person to take care of it. So ya, it happened, and I regretted it so much, its not that person's fault, its just miscommunication and my fault to rely on someone else. A fatal mistake. JC also mentioned (scold) also, but its a good lesson learnt.

:) Okie, thats all..

Today.. I slept more, then practice on my FIRE EATING!! YUM YUM!! Kids, don't try it at home. :)

I pretty happy with the result, now is getting the staff and learn to twirl it. :)

What pissed me off is that, most of you guys know that I locked my IU unit of my bike, to prevent theft of my cashcard in it. Guess what, while we are watching movie at PS. Someone actually broke it. The IU unit has latch that allows the lock to be locked in, but they broke it and took the cash card away.

My father asked me to make a police report, which I can, since I got the top up receipts. which I will either tomorrow or later. And as for the thief, I wonder why they got to be so desperate to do that. I guess it must be some random people that like to steal cash cards from bikes. Because I believe bikers know the pain in the ass issue of using cash cards. But who knows.

Curse those "bitches"!!!

Monday to Friday: We at Arena did the full 60 min production blocking, which is very very fruitful. Though at the starting, things got abit tense, but thursday and friday, we are having lots of fun doing the rehearsals. Ning has a hard time memorising the bottle and the glass, (seriously its confusing) but its sure funny when seeing two of them perform. :)

As for the rest of the crew, it is far more relax than the 30 min ones, we have enough time to move the props to the right position and do minimal adjustment to make sure that they are good. And turn out is, the result is good, we have little hiccups, most of them are technical. So that explains why we ended up having fun on Thursday and Friday.

As for me, JC is producing a show for me, I moving into Mentalism/Escape artist side, which in my humble opinion, I love it. First, Mentalism has always been my favorite and now going to be and escape artist, it adding challenge to my career, which is the exciting part. I also got to learn fire eating, yum yum. LOL!! of course has to be careful with the fume, will get choked easily. Ning just had a bad experience.. Take care gal..

My opinion, its not an art that can be tried by anyone, I am being taught by JC who done fire acts during his early years. And its pretty tough, overcoming the fire, putting it into your mouth, etc. And we got to make our own fire stick, which I think makes everything more personal. 

Overall results, JC is happy with my work, and I am happy with my work too. We do have low key times, but they are given to restore our energy, and not because we are slacking. I certainly work hard to build up this career.

Oh ya, at night, I often went back to the CAC camp, which explains why I din blog. So sorry people..

Okie, But now I am at CAC Room, involved in a camp but won't be staying over cause got work. HAHA!!!

Okie la, Have fun guys and gals!!!

Tuesday, we went to the studio to have production meeting, but I went out early to get more stuffs. Which well, its not a good experience, as in the sales person is not that happy with me.. LOL!! I took very long there, and finally settling it.. Zzzz.. went back to the studio. (Earlier in the morning, I got stomach upset, then totally clear all my inside out) So studio side, we fixed some stuffs that we need the tools there, and I happy, because the problem is finally solved, we will see the result at Arena. 

So this 2 days is up and downs, but i suppose its good. Had dinner and we got a wild discussion, well, when time comes, I am the handy man.

So technically, Friday is my off day and i went off to settle my insurance thing, like FINALLY. Went down to MS to get some stuff, while checking on phones, SAMSUNG I900. Finally, I decided that I get that over iphone. Because the hyp up over iphone is too much and looking at the plans that was offered over in other countries, I believe that Singapore going to be similar, since only Singtel carries it. Also, I don't like things that are over marketed, like iphone, even ipod, it took me very long, like 2 years after it launch and even so, I got it with my aunt, which is cheaper.

So anyway, Saturday was a long long day, from 10 am to around 6pm. Ya, I went earlier abit to start cleaning the glasses, then finally we get our hands down on other illusions like Extreme burn, Full throttle. Well, Its interesting, as those things are new, but alot of tense moments during the rehearsals, I guess its just not used to it. But everything turned out well, I glad. I hope I dun get into the nerves of people as, this is all team work, together.. If unhappiness happens, its just not good, cause we be seeing each other for 16 months, and its not going to be easy.

Well, every day on top of my mind is, Focus, Focus and Focus. Ya, I remember every details of the routine, (of what i need to do) and stay focus until everyone let down. Ok, I been in cheerleading so I know the important factor of focus, whats the point of doing the routine when 1 person not focusing, it will just be wasting other's time. So since I went through that background, I understand the importance level of TEAM WORK. Stay focus, do your job, and everything will be smooth sail. It just take 1 move to spoil the routine and there is no way to recover, thats how serious magic is, no worry JC got stressed up.

Okie, 10 am again today, and we just finish off good and well!! On THE BALL PEOPLE!! Ultimate Magic is on your way. LETS ROCK!

Wednesday was a long day, well, technically speaking, its because of the touring around. We had a short day at the arena with all the repairs and the replacement, which took us quite long, before we move out to get individual things. 

My job is to look for a spring for a prop, took me a while but manage to get the spring made. :) cool, and also finally got an hook for our prediction chest. The interesting part is that the spring maker told me to come back on the next day which is yesterday, but just when i reach home, they called me and said its done. Zzzz.. 

Anyway, we met JC after that at tamp to get our outfit for the show. Looking around, we found a cool jacket for the show, but no pants yet. Sad to say, G2000 at Tampiness is abit screwed up. We got them to help us gather the pieces of pants that we wanted, and they never highlight that there is not enough pants around singapore, YA size 29 pants are run out in the WHOLE singapore's g2000. Zzz.. All of us is quite pissed, but we got our own pants for the show. So temporary, we are using our pants loh.

So here comes the showcase, we started by going down at 10, (while I go to collect the spring, I made a lot of u turn because of some stupid scenario which i wont mention), then started to rehearsal with lighting, took quite a while, and our first rehearsal is quite bad. Because its the first time we doing it with side curtain and certainly new things to look upon. But then, very soon, we got the hitch of it and everything went well, lighting, everything is good. We did our last rehearsal at 6 plus and it was great. So we break and slack for quite some time, chit chatting and eat. :)

As for the show, no major hiccup, esp for 1 small one that doesn't affect the whole presentation. Cold sweat but thanks god it pass by smoothly. :) But a sad thing to say is, the spring prop, broke, well, we pull too hard and break, JC and me is laughing like wth, nothing much we can do because the prop is pretty unique. While we go source for solution, we have to think of a getaway method, the method is not going to be a perm method as its quite dangerous. :)

Okie now, today is an off day and we are all happy. :) I really happy that the first show case went well.

Ning and Full Throttle

Ning and JC with the props

Cool huh.. By the time this end, everything cleared up, its already 7 plus, but its ok, today is an off day given by JC. :) But I still din manage to get the stuffs. Zzz.. Have to get them.

Ning look pretty tired throughout the rehearsals, hope she is fine..

So today's rehearsal is very fruitful, basically, we got 2 up coming performance to showcase to some "clients" which I feel, is crucial to our future shows, of course not only me feel the importance, but my boss too. So we decided on the things that we are showcasing, and start to rehearse on the parts.

Its pretty fun, and interesting, as I am now part of the team to make the illusion look nice, no more just a back stage crew, on and off, we have jokes and it makes everything fun, no stress or tense, but of course, during the timing, we be serious of it.

Now comes the interesting part, cause throughout the afternoon, i was joking and making fun, then there is a steel hollow rod that we had for a certain prop, and i played with it, and said "finger penetration" (means i poke my finger into the hole) then showing Ning, after that I wanted to take out, but it stuck, it totally stuck because i cannot even twist out. Ning was laughing as she thought I am joking, then I become nervous about it, and she knows its real, but she laugh even harder, the rest of the crew also. So the result, they ask me to cool down and let the blood relax, and good enough, the rod came out, Ning is still laughing and said that she thought I am joking around, I went Zzzz..

Think about it, on a live show this happen and we invite a audience up to check, then they say, okie, where is the steel rod? and I said, here it is, on my hand, use it to check the prop. Its one hell of a joke man.

Everything ends around 4, whereby we packed until 4 plus out, went to starbucks to eat and relax, chat abit also. Talked about the progress and the plans, and I will say that I am pretty happy with my job, and JC gave me a promise that if I continue working great, I will deserve a raise in future, after this contract and if we got another deal ahead. Because if this show is successful, we are looking forward to strike deeper into the market and make it even bigger.

I glad that I working up to his expectations, even Ning is happy for me. Seriously, I very happy today. Went off after that to find present for my Mei's birthday and I surprised her with my appearing act through the door of Fish Market Bistro.

Yesterday as of the time now, is a great day to remember, not just for me, but also for Magic Babe Ning and the rest. :) Its a 1 time shot thing for Ning to escape a deadly bed of spike while chained, handcuffed, etc. I am pretty nervous for her because she struggled very long for some part, but in the end, everything went well, she succeed in escaping in 90s and we are so happy!!!

Well, before everything went like that, we are at the studio, moving the Impalement cage to Clarke Quay. Note that the cage is twice my height. Reach to Clarke Quay, the freaking platform is damn high, Zzzz, Once everything is up, we do some tests and it goes well, JUST that the platform is shaking badly, really badly.

The worst part came when I have to climb up the freaking ladder (Not leather) to fix up some things, its okie when do it on the ground, but try it 2 metre about the ground and you are on top of a ladder, AHH!! But I finished my job anyway.

A long wait to 945 pm and everything goes on. Finished.

Personal Thoughts: During this first week of the work, I experienced long hrs working, (Not really that long as compared to the rest of the crew) and working on weekends. BUT!! Its an experience that I faced and looked into before, I will say, I certainly love this job, not just its a job that explore many different routes, but also the people in it, we love it for the passion also. Our boss is very encouraging, and he is a mentor and friend of mine, its great that he appreciate our efforts in this field, whilst I seem people din does what he does, like, those people feels that "I paid you for your job, you should do it" Ya true to a certain extend, but people will go for the extra mile if you appreciate their work.

I certainly hope people will realise that work is not just work, its about people to people. If you see their effort, and good will will return. :) This might be the first taste of what I am facing on, but I not regretting it, and hey, I did this kind of work before, nothing beats down larry. :)

I glad that the EXCOs came, though they waited until cannot take it, and left, but the thought counts. Thanks

Started work at 11, tried to fix something onto the teleport chamber but not very successful, then waited for JC to come over and explain each props to us.

After that, we have a dry run of how the whole show will go about, and very soon, it was 3.30 pm liao. Time really fly past. The rest of the day, I went down to Funan to shop for the rest of the stuffs, and reach home like 9 pm. LOL!! Friday is going to be a shiong day, but I so going to like it.

Oh ya, forget to mention, side track, my aunt's dogs were scratching my door the whole morning, cause no one is at home and they come up to find me. Zzz..

4th July

Today rocks!! Okie, the routine for today is nearly the same as yesterday, just that I tried to fix the door again, but once again, failed, so conclusion is, we need to make a small latch to make sure the door dun swing like mad. 

Then we started to rehearse on the moving of props, making sure everything is smooth and position. We worked out the ideal way to make sure that time is not wasted while the show is going on, and it went out well. Cool.

After practise, we went down to the studio to help with Magic Babe Ning, for her show tomorrow, The Impalement Cage. Take note that the GREAT ESCAPE will be held at the CLARKE QUAY Fountain at 9pm TOMORROW. Those that are interested to see her escape, do come down!!! Its not an illusion, its REAL ESCAPE under 90 sec.

So, My inital thought is that, "Well, sure got gadget about the escape de" But I am so wrong, the first practise we had, Ning din made it in time, oh gosh, if its the right thing, she going to be so injuried. By the way, she is chained, handcuffed and blindfolded. So I salute her guts man.

We packed down the Impalement Cage and so, it is ready to move out tomorrow. and Watch out us, building bit by bit up at the fountain. 

See you guys tomorrow!!

We went out to do a test run at the Night Safari, and thanks god that the weather is very good. No major hiccups but I realized that Night Safari is running under strict "customer service" thing, that the in-charge was kenna scolded because of me. I feel bad that I created the "trouble" but I can say I am no way rude, just that maybe I was talking too fast and being straight forward. Oh well.

Oh ya, forget to mention, we did the chamber test, and I saw the chamber, my comment will be, its super big, and heavy. Initially we got a hard time moving up the lorry and down the lorry, as this is the first time we moved such thing, but everything went well, no cracks, etc.

Near end of day, we went back to the studio to do some major packing to it, it was fun hanging around and joking about the late days of JC and Ning with the "ugly purple jacket" and believe it or not, I said "yaa, but you worn it", and she beat me for that. LOL!!

This is the day that we moved the chamber to the arena, and it is no joke, but its way better than the previous time, as we got the experience and its better, but the weight doesn't decrease of course, still damn heavy, (Have to salute the lorry uncle as he can light 1 side up himself and control down to the floor)

The major problem we had is the entrance into Arena, because we can only open 1 side of the door, (ya the manager is not in yet) we have to move slowly, really slowly, into it by the 1 door space, I felt like i back to magnum training, LOL!! The initial time we did it, the chamber nearly drop, but we manage to save it before it land the ground, I was like using my gut strength to hold at that position, the chamber was like at 70 degree for 5 sec, and I am almost dying, Phew..

So finally manage to moved in and get it onto the stage, then did some testing and such, moving from place to place, etc. :) We ended early, like 330pm, and the rest set off while I stayed back to make sure the curtains are done properly. 

Then I went down to Sim Lim to shop for our tools, not bad, long time since I went there, so I took a very long walk around trying to find the things we need. So now we are all up and ready to go. :)