Out with the Old, In with the New

The Change.

Sometimes we feel the need for change, the need for something different or something new. At that particular micro second in time, what is it that makes us decide that there is a need for replacement, a change?

Sometimes when we reach a particular point in our lives, we are faced with one, if not numerous alternatives towards a certain approach.

Which one will we take? Which path will ultimately satisfy us fully?

Its interesting to see that when we see a need for change, we do it automatically, usually without complains. But what happens when we're forced to change? We detest and resent and we wish that things would stay the same.

Why is this so?

The only explanation I can confer to is simply because we as human beings are largely insecure. No matter who we are, be it a figurehead in society or just an average citizen, I believe that there is a certain sense of fear in changing.

It is a curious thought that people are fearful of change, but when they see a need and automatically initiates that change, that fear is no longer there.

Call it need recognition if you will, but when change is imminent we set off to accomplish the task of change; thus defining the need for change.

I believe that change, is the process in itself. So what is the action of change?

When we see something that is in need of change, when we see a certain weakness in a system or a strategy or more viciously, when we see someone in a different light as before, what do we do?

This feeling is curious and something which I would like to explore deeper and more in depth, but at a later period; partly due to the complexity of the subject and the way in which I would like to explore the subject matter.

More detail will be released in due timing.

Interesting.

Well, the pass couple of weeks were certainly involving to a huge extend; assignments galore. I hardly had time to think about things I would normally ponder over, which can be a good or a bad thing, depending on the circumstance.

However, this week saw the completion of a variety of projects and assignments which I (and for the part, various teammates) took on.

Amongst the lot, highlights were probably the (much anticipated) music video production which was required of us for the Storyboard Module.

Well, here it is, after weeks of preparation and (careful) planning, the final product,

"Best I Ever Had", Vertical Horizon. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7QqsoYNKFg)

I must say, though the production was not of top quality (due to time constrains during both editing as well as filming), the final product turned up substantially well.

Personal favorite: flashback scene towards the end of the video.

I'm sure all that planning and conceptualization during pre-production has certainly paid off and I'm especially happy and captivated with the entire concept of the video.

I guess this is the gist of producing the video, the satisfaction yield at the end of everything. When you see the production that you and your team have spent so much time working on, with blood (not really), sweat and tears (not really either) all put in, being shown on the big screen, that satisfaction and feeling is dare I say, an out of this world experience.

Yes, it could have been much much better but hey, there's always room for improvement.

Moving on to more festive insights.

The Chinese New Year must-have, Yusheng.

Well officially, Chinese New Year happened a couple of days back but due to the immerse workload, I had to forgo a majority of the proceedings as a result.

I've never actually been a fan of the festival, to be totally honest, until this year that is. I've never truly understood the significance of the festival nor abode strictly to its traditional beliefs.

But however, that insensitive side of me seem to cease of recent times.

I'm curious to know what the younger generation feel and perceive the new year as. Is it just another festival with an additional 2 days off from school? Or is it the time of the year where money comes in the form of red packets which results in an increased intake in pocket money allowance?

That aside, I'd like to think otherwise.

I feel that Chinese New Year (or any festival for that matter) isn't about red packets, tidbits or gambling while wearing red undergarments.

It is a time for the family; its like the creator's way of reserving time so that people can communicate and bond with their kin.

In our modern society, we are constantly on the go, and our minds turn from being primal to being materialistic as we view food from being a sustenance to a need in every consumer's mind.

Deterioration of the human mind perhaps? Will we still remember the humane side of our well being?

I guess this is where festivals such as Chinese New Year comes in. Whether if its to usher in the lunar new year, or to mark the start of a new chapter, I feel that the underlying purpose ultimately lies with spending time building relationships with the people around you, and appreciating them.

So think again, if you see the upcoming festive holidays as "time away from the office" or "days with no school". I'm sure its much more than just that.

I apologize for the short hiatus currently being put into motion but things should be very much on schedule now that major projects are out of the way.

Be sure to check back for updates and the lot.

Embrace change and stay sharp!

*The production as seen in this post solely belongs to the Drool Bits Production team and any unaccredited references and relevance made to the storyline and its characters will result in undesirable consequences.

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Song of the Post



Now playing: Radiohead - Just
via FoxyTunes

iDifferent

Time for a quick update (and yes, in case you were curious about the picture, I'll touch on that as well later on).

Subway dinners are awesome especially this particular outlet I went to a couple of hours ago (I'm not trying to plug for them but those who love Subway sandwiches will get the deal). To top it off, they had this awesome promotion; buy ANY Subs and get a large meal totally FREE.

So yea, I ended up with one of my favorites, Cold Cut Trio, foot long, no pickles and green chili, sweet onion sauce WITH a large meal (3 chocolate chip cookies, 1 huge cup of coke) entirely on the house.

You can't say that isn't awesome.

Ended up feeling really (really) full and as often when you're feeling full, sleepy (pig much?).

The pass couple of days for me were somewhat enriching to a certain extend.

I've been doing an extensive research about Apple and Apple products. Partly because I'm really impressed with their range of products (with form as well as function) like the newly released iPhone 3G, iPod Nano Chrome and partly because Apple has a really unique marketing system, both in terms of sales as well as conceptualization. Allow me to elaborate.

Apple's sales and production ideas function on the basis of

If I have a phone as well as an MP3 player, why not merge them together?

as well as

I (the company) think the product is cool, you (the consumer) should too.

correct me if I'm wrong about the above observations but as a common consumer in the modern market, that is what Apple is trying to say to its customers.

This is however, not necessarily a bad thing.

In a recent conversation with my folks, we've talked about a myriad of issues, one of which revolving around the idea that teenagers (young adults) yearn to be different in whichever way they can.

Be it in terms of their dressing, hairstyles or even their attitudes, young people nowadays are really being over of the box huh?

as commented from one of my folks.

Yet I can't agree more. Being a member of the "young people" classification myself, I can't help but agree to that observation that the "people of tomorrow and the future" want to and more often, strive to be different.

I guess we prize individuality as an asset and rightly so, in my opinion. I've always believe that being a unique individual is something that no one, will and can ever take away.

And that recollection kinda linked me back to Apple.

The reason why they're doing so well in terms of worldwide sales (for their iPods, Macs, as well as the iPhones) would probably reason down to the simple fact; they approach their businesses differently.

Companies nowadays adopt the marketing concept as it is largely considered "safest" and that's what the consumers generally want, as claimed by marketers. Customizing products to suit its customers' needs and wants may sound really vital and smart in the modern competitive market. But is it what it seems?

With Apple, it is largely believed that they adopt a product concept, generally going along the lines of "Hey, if I think my product is good, it IS good". Simply put, the producers believe in their product.

These guys do not take the consumers' needs and wants into top priority but instead ask themselves stuff like "It would be pretty cool to have a device which you can communicate, listen to music, watch videos as well as surf the internet altogether in one wouldn't it?" and in doing so, conjuring up with fantastic and innovative products.

In a way, Apple is lucky to have received such a response, for it is a huge risk; what if the general consumer base rejects the way the company thinks?

Yet millions of people own Apple products worldwide and I'm pretty sure that a large number comes from the young adults and their ideas of "being different".

Sure, Apple is different from other companies, but it works for them and up till now, I'm trying to figure out why.

This coming from the fact that I have a Safari browser (an Apple program) running looking up facts of the iPhone and just a couple of hours ago, downloaded iTunes (another Apple program) to sought out my music.

And in case you're wondering, yes, I'm seriously contemplating a purchase for the newly released iPhone.

Why the appeal?

I'm afraid its a mixture of the right marketing tools as well as an excellent production process. Both the marketing process, the hype generated thrown into the blender with an already excellent technological marvel results in an exclusive result, something that will attract consumers en masses.

Being different isn't a bad thing and for that, I applaud you Mr Steve Jobs (CEO of Apple) for bringing the such innovative and revolutionary gadgets into the world of not only young adults, but also the world of human beings as a whole.

I know that the people of tomorrow, will carry not only the knowledge but also the gadgets of tomorrow.

And I, being one of them, have some serious considerations to make before my final decision.

This isn't just a trend, but also a statement. Not a fashion equivalent but a statement to being different and a statement of revolution.

Should I or shouldn't I? That is the question.

Alright, as I ponder over that little question, remember to check back for updates as well as the upcoming review and revisit on Hysteria's Call right here on metallic-stains.

As mentioned previously, articles might flow in slower during this period of time and thus I express my sincere apologies. But be sure to check back for updates and remember to share your thought via the comment option you see right after this post.

Cya'll later.