Tengah, books, guitars.....

Welp, I visited Tengah Air Base early this morning. I got a text message informing me there’s a briefing at camp about 2 weeks back. It’s been years since I reported back to camp and I know it’s just a matter of time before the Army catches up with me. All of my peers have completed their 13-year reservist cycle and I’m the lone ranger amongst all those guys who’d showed up. Time to make new acquaintances:)

I knew something was amiss when I saw folks in running attire reporting to camp. Just as I suspected, I’m supposed to be back for the “dreaded” IPPT test. I personally don’t mind the IPPT test as I would like to believe I’m in pretty good shape for a guy my age.

I told the guy in charge I would take the test if he can score me some running shoes and shorts but he looked at me as if I was crazy.

C’mon!!! The SAF pride themselves as the “thinking man” army and these guys can’t even use their initiative. On hindsight, I should’ve purchased a pair of running shoes and shorts from the camp supermart. I’ve yet to use a penny from our generous government’s token to NS men.

I went to the HQ and informed the “chief clerk” about what’d happened. She admitted they should’ve informed us it’s a IPPT test instead of a briefing. Hah!!! Finally someone who’s prepared to take responsibility for their actions. I’ve got to admit I was pretty impressed.

The bummer is I have to take my IPPT test before my next birthday, which is not too far away. I have no idea how to go about booking an IPPT test date and it’s a real drag. Why do I have to be combat fit??? I guess it’s a blessing to be healthy and in shape.

On my way home, I stopped by Campus Crusade. Kim Cheong, my best bud informed me about their year-end sale and gave me an additional 5% coupon. Thanks bud :D Almost everything’s on sale at 30% less and most Bibles are 50% off. Time to head to Hiap Huat House dudes!!! Sale ends Dec 2.

I browsed the aisle several times before spotting something that floats my boat. There’s so many Christian literature these days it’s mind boggling to know as to which is “kosher” if you get my drift. As it usually happens when one’s shopping, one book led to more to more books. I ended up with 8 books and 2 CDs. Not a bad haul for 2 hours of shopping.

I’m in books heaven. I’ve yet to start on the books that Chee Keen gave me a couple of weeks back and I’m looking forward to bury myself in them. One of the books I’d purchased today is “Grace Like A River”, an autobiography of Christopher Parkening. For the uninformed, please google Christopher Parkening and be educated.

I’m beginning to wish for more hours in a day or the ability to do without sleep. I’ve been pretty much swamped with work and that itself is a huge blessing. Where else would I find the dough to buy books and treat myself to the occasional gourmet ice-cream :P

I thank God NosNuma prototype # 1 is done and the owner’s pleased as punch with the guitar. I’ve been working on a couple of pretty high priced guitars recently. The pictured guitar above is my latest patient. It’s a Gibson J-185 custom shop model with quilted Maple back and sides. Check out the fancy rose inlays on the Gabon Ebony fingerboard. The owner claimed to have paid a 5-figure sum for the guitar. I personally am turned of by such ostentation but different strokes for different strokes.

It can get pretty stressful working on a big dollar instrument. There’re so many things to watch out for and stuff to think through before starting work. This explains my late reply to text messages or when I sounf impatient over the phone when you call. I’m in “sugery”so to speak and need to focus on the task or rather the guitar at hand. I’m glad and encouraged that my clients trust me with their most prized possession but such trust comes with a huge responsibility.

I’m ready for a break and it’s a good thing Uth camp’s around the corner. I’m excited about this camp as this will be my very 1st camp where I have a pretty important part.

That’s all folks…. Stay tuned for more in the days ahead :)