William Chong

Hope everyone’s been enjoying the fantastic NZ weather.

Other than random timewasters, I don’t think I’ll be putting anything up for a while – I’m doing some biggish, behind-the-scenes work on another website (nothing sinister at all!)

So in the meantime… here’s something for a laugh – Microsoft’s up-and-coming music making software:

I guess software designers don’t always make great lyricists!

Kiwi fans of the CBS’s Emmy award-winning show, The Amazing Race, will be pleased to know that New Zealand has been featured again in a leg of the race. In the recently-concluded Season 13, the 4th leg of the race saw remaining teams shuttle into Auckland and Te Puke.

In between shooting footage for the race, NZ-born host Phil Keoghan dropped into Burger Fuel for a spot of lunch:

Either they really really like BurgerFuel, or someone paid for a bit of product placement in Phil’s travel diaries.

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Comedic classical duo Igudesman and Joo have a novel method of tackling the massively-spaced chords in Rachmaninoff’s infamous Prelude in C-sharp minor (op.3, no.2).

It’s actually physically impossible for most pianists to play some of those chords in there: a quick look at the sheet music will blow you away…

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In penning their verses, the majority of songwriters and poets normally stay well away from words that have no obvious rhyme: orange, silver, and purple are prime examples. Also try rhyming the word “month”.

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I’ll let you keep thinking on those for a bit.

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While there are many perfectly acceptable ways to hold a verse or two together without the use of rhyme, it’s always been a tantalising challenge to try and do the seemingly impossible in wordplay. In his book “Words at Play“, MENSA International Journal puzzle columnist O.V. Michaelsen provides a few creative ways to rhyme some of these words:

• MONTH – rhymes perfectly with an obscure English word “grunth“. It’s an alternate spelling of the word “Granth“, the name of the sacred scriptures of the Sikh religion.
• ORANGE – “Blorenge” is the name of a 1,833-foot hill in Abergavenny, Wales.
• PURPLE – “Hirple” is a British word meaning “to limp”, while the word “curple” refers to the hindquarters and buttocks of a horse
• SILVER – “Chilver” is an old English word referring to either an ewe lamb or mutton

Of course, there are more challenging words like the above: try and think of a rhyme to go with the words ninth, pint, wolf, opus, marathon, dangerous, and discombobulate.

In the world of songwriting there’s a couple of brave folk who do give these words a decent go. The one that I can think of straight away is in the chorus of MIKA’s “Grace Kelly”, where the Lebanese-American singer exhorts:

“I can be brown, I can be blue
I can be violet sky
I can be hurtful, I can be purple
I can be anything you like
Gotta be green, gotta be mean
gotta be everything more
Why don’t you like me, why don’t you like me,
Why don’t you walk out the door?”

Granted, the rhyme works partly because he sings “hurtful” and “purple” in a high falsetto. And there’s also the fact that MIKA pronounces “hurtful” more like “hurh’ fle”… but it’s still a good effort.

Anyone know of any other songs where artists have given some of these “unrhymables” a good go?

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This is a funny one – “Take On Me”, the 1980′s classic by pop group A-ha gets a lyrics overhaul.

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Spotted at the Highland Park Countdown – breakfast cereal for creative inspiration…

(UPDATE: Seen on the NZ Herald’s Sideswipe column here.)

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The US Presidential Elections in a nutshell – probably created by a supporter of Barack Obama. Someone must have forgotten to bring in Sarah Palin!

(First appeared in 4chan. Youtube video is here.)

In 2007, one of my goals for the year was to attain my much-delayed ATCL recital diploma for the violin. I made a conscious choice to reduce my final-year university workload in order to practice (lots). This culminated in a November public concert performance prior to a 30-minute assessed recital.

Here are two of the pieces – I’m sure you can spot the many nervous mistakes peppered throughout the performance!

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Cesar Franck – Allegretto poco mosso from Sonata in A

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Fritz Kreisler – Praeludium and Allegro

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“A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy?” – Albert Einstein

MATAMATA, New Zealand – Team Philippi were crowned champions of the inaugural Shield Challenge during the 2008 Howick Baptist Church Family Camp. Held during 12–14th September at Totara Springs Christian Centre in Matamata, Philippi (Blue Team) edged out runners-up Galatia (Orange Team) by just 5 points after a weekend packed with powerful teaching, precious fellowship and lots of exciting activities and events.

The 2008 HBC camp saw over 100 people of all ages and backgrounds come together for a refreshing weekend building one another up in Christ. Pastor Craig Lloyd from Grace Bible Church in Brisbane, Australia crossed the ditch to share a 3-part series on God’s grace as evidenced in the life of Jacob (Gen 27-28). Members of HBC gained useful insights into this Old Testament character, learning lessons from his life still relevant today.

Outside of being invigorated by God’s Word, both kids and adults took part in the wide range of activities offered at Totara Springs. There was something for everyone, with activities including: go-carting, archery, rock-climbing, en-masse soccer and volleyball games, watching the All Blacks clinch the Bledisloe Cup, taking turns on the massive hydroslide and relaxing in the hot pools before bedtime! In addition, the team Shield Challenge gave HBC camp-goers the opportunity to show their “competitive” side, while still providing numerous opportunities to get to know one another better.

A highlight of the camp was “HBC’s Got Talent” – a variety show performance starring HBC members themselves, showcasing the wide range of talents and gifts in the church body. Notable acts included: Kelvin Lomberg’s rendition of Brooke Fraser’s “Hosanna” (with added finger percussion); a strongman challenge from youth pastoral intern Jono MacFarlane; comedy acts and parable re-enactments from the HBC kids; and our very own Psalm-singing duo, “Simon and Scarfunkel”!

Many thanks must go to the HBC camp organising committee: (Ray Scrivener, Geoffrey Downing, Simon Newbould & Calvyn Jonker), for making the event so memorable. Those that went were blessed to grow in the Lord and build each other up in Christian fellowship and unity.

(Some highlights from the most recent Howick Baptist church camp I went to – it was my first time at Totara Springs.)

Hope you’re all doing OK!

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Oh well. Maybe next time.

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