Missed Double Take's Final 2009 concert
(excerpt from email to my friends) Just got back from KL. It was a horrific trip.

Rog had a concert at the Petronas Philharmonic Centre with Mia (Palencia). It was a sold-out concert, Rog was excited. I was excited. We flew to KL Sat night, Sara was feverish at the airport. So we gave her med. When we got to my brother's place that night, her fever shot up high! 39.1 degrees Celsius. Gave her more liquid med, sponged her down because she felt soooo feverish. Poor child was whimpering and was breathing very heavily. Then she started shaking.

I went nuts because I thought she was having a fit. But it turned out she was just shivering. Getting night chills. Her arms and legs, hands and feet were so cold but her forehead, her chest and her back were burning hot. /Sara and I didn't sleep the whole night...went to see the doctor the next morning. Doc said her tonsil infection.

...Come Monday, concert day. Rog got us a day-use room in a hotel nearby. We left the house at in the morning, headed straight to the centre where Rog and Mia had rehearsals, sound checks while Sara and I hung out at the dressing room. Sara was alright then, we continued the liquid med for her fever.... But when we went to the hotel at about 2pm, her fever shot up again. Very high.... Fever went down after the suppository...

In the evening, we went back to the centre. At 8pm, Rog stayed backstage while Sara and I went out for dinner. After that, we went up to the hall. We were walking into the concert hall to watch the show at about 9pm, warden tore our tickets when Sara started shivering again. Felt feverish. Tried to give her liquid med, she puked it all out. So I decided not go into hall, and to go backstage instead, to that dressing room we were in earlier that day.

But the security guards wouldn't let us in, even though I had the pass. They said once the show starts, noone can go in and out of the place. So I carried Sara around, finally found a place to sit at Burger King. Poor child crawled onto the couch and promptly fell asleep. At 10, she started burning up! Concert wouldn't end till 10:30pm but I realised I had to give Sara her supp immediately. So I rushed up back to the hall and asked the guards to let me in because "my daughter is very sick, please let me in to get the medicine".

You would think they'd do it without much bother but noooo. I had to BEG ... about ten people, repeat the whole, "my daughter is sick, i need to go in the room backstage where the bag with her medicine is in right now. Touch her forehead if you don't believe me, she was very sick. I HAVE to go in NOW. If you are worried about security, just send someone in with me, let me get her med and we'll come out right away" all ten times!

It's crazy. I was on the verge of tears because Sara was shivering and feverish all the same time and I was panicking.

Gawd.

In the end, after what seemed like a long, long time of negotiation, they finally agreed to let me in just to go get the med with a guard accompanying me. Made me promise to come out straight away.

We went in, I found the supp and I was trembling by then: partly because I was so upset that I had to beg for something like getting med for my sick kid, partly from being so worried about Sara and partly because I had to insert the supp into Sara for the first time in my life!

Sara got up just as I was going to put the supp in. Covered her butt and started to whine, "No, mommy, it's painful. Noooo."

I can't even describe how I felt right then, except that I was real close to tears. Then the guard came up to me and apologised, said he was just doing his job just now, told me not to worry, that I can stay there, take my time, but just make sure we are quiet because the management is strict about noise level, blah, blah, blah. He shut the door and left us alone. Managed to insert the supp into Sara, held her and rocked her while she whined some more.

Just then, Mia and R came bursting into the dressing room, all happy and exuberant because it was a great show. They saw sick Sara and froze. Ten minutes later, the kid is up and walking around, a little tired but looking so much better!

The supps are wonderful!...

(Update: Sara's fever is gone, she's tired a lot now but at least she's energetic. We missed a great concert.)

Waiting for daddy
I've had to change the dynamics of this blog because let's face it, I can't go to all the concerts with Roger anymore. Not when some of them end past midnight. So I can't write about being his roadie anymore, I'm more like the 2-yr-old's roadie.

Traveling with a guitar is easier than with a kid. A lot less luggage. A few times, we had to bring along the slow cooker and make Sara's meals in hotel rooms. Now that she can eat out with us, we've got a little more freedom but then again, she's fussy about her food.

But traveling with a guitar and a kid is definitely do-able. Next trip, Singapore and KL in October. (picture: Sara sitting on the amp, waiting for daddy to come around with the car. After gig at a Junior Chamber's dinner)

History In The Making

In less than an hour, an African American man will be sworn in as President of the United States of America. I didn't think I'd live to see this. Or at least I thought I'd be a lot older. Like when I'm in my 70s or so. It feels strange, unreal. No doubt, it's a wonderful thing though. This change.

I just wonder what is in store for my little girl. What kind of world will Sara grow up in? What about Malaysia? What kind of Malaysia will Sara grow up in?

Ah, the future. People always ask Roger, when are you going to teach her the guitar? He always answers, I'll let her learn in her own time. Wise man, that. With a father like that, Sara's probably going to make it alright.

(21-month-old Sara at home. See? She still looks a lot like daddy, right?)

2009 - Starting Out On A Good Note

...until I saw this blog. Until I saw how my last post was in August 2008. Yikes.

Sara turned a year old in March 2008 and after that, both of us tagged along to Roger's out-of-town trips more often. Sometimes, we make "special appearances" at his concerts. OK, OK, so we only did that twice. Once at Equatorial Hotel's Summer Jazz Series. Sara and I popped in to peek at the concert, waved to Roger and hurried off. Sara's not a big fan of second hand smoke.

Later that year, we dropped in on another Double Take concert at Equatorial. The Beatles gig. This time, we went in before the concert began. Sara walked around Flo Lounge, looked darn interested in the stage, was making her way there when her daddy stopped her, "This is not your stage - yet."

Touring with a toddler is quite interesting. It's not as bad as I thought it would be. Of course, we have to pack more stuff. Like diapers, baby clothes, slow cooker (we try to cook her food as much as we can. Versus buying ready-made food), her toys, her blankie, her Barney and Hi-5 DVDs. We usually max out AirAsia's baggage allowance.

Luckily for us, Sara's a pretty good traveller so we usually end up enjoying all the time we get to spend with each other during the tour. Back home, we don't see Roger for half the day because he has to go work at the studio. Someone has to bring home the bacon, he says. And God knows I LURVE bacon.

Now that Sara's almost two years old and she's sleeping better at night (read "I'm sleeping more at night"), I feel I can move mountains again. Heck! Look at Roger's website. We got it updated with New Year message on the FIFTH day of the brand new year. Isn't that impressive?!! I'm so darn proud of myself! I think last year, we only managed to get a new year message up ... several weeks later.

That's why I said 2009 started on a good note. The kid's sleeping well at night, her daddy is getting his well-deserved rest too, her mommy's not that blur anymore. In fact, right now, I'm already preparing for Chinese New Year: updating our angpow list, trying to figure out how much loot we have to give away this year. Sent off festive cards. Aaaah... the old me is back and I feel wonderful! So looking forward to the new year.

(picture shows Sara watching Roger's full dress rehearsal with re:mix at Esplanade Singapore in December 2008. Children under six years old aren't allowed in the concert halls during performances but the organiser was so kind to arrange for us to watch the rehearsal. It's been soooooo long since I last sat through one of Roger's performances. I forget what a brilliant guitarist he is.)

2V1G launched

So they've finally got around to launch this much-awaited album. Unlike the other albums that Roger has worked on before, this album was produced and mastered in KL and Hong Kong (away from Rog's recording studio in Kota Kinabalu) so we've not heard it since the recording.

A few days before the launch, Leslie (Loh, one of the two album's producers) sent a copy to Roger who was mighty pleased because he said this is a "virgin press" and is deemed to be most valuable because of its alleged superior sound quality. (I'm thinking, uh? Me no audiophiley)

Anyway, Roger's really happy with the album; he played it at home, in the car, in the office, at his in-law's...

When the album was launched on July 18, I thought they picked a very suitable location for it. Somewhere in Central Market, is where I'm told it was launched. Check out the backdrop at the press conference held to launch the album. Plus pwetty chandelier... Nice. See picture with everyone seated at table? From left to right: Leslie, Roger, Winnie, Regine & Chow Kam Leong.

This album shows Roger in a whole new light. Even to me. I mean, have you seen the promo shots they made for the album?! It's Roger dancing! I kid you not. Actually, it's all three artistes jumping around before the lens but the pictures are refreshing. To say the least.

And then, Roger sent out an email in June about 1 million words long - ok, so it was less than a million but it's longer than any of the past emails he's sent out to his mailing list! - announcing the album's release. For a man of a few words (Roger's not the chatty kind of person), that SHORE was a long, looooong email.

Definitely get a copy of this album if you're an audiophile. If you're a Roger Wang fan,... I say, how come you've not got a copy yet? Tell people about it.

New album launch and Jazz Fest
You just got to laugh. I'm updating Roger's website (finally) and it still says "Merry Christmas". Shrug. What can I say? I'd kick myself but then, I'd have a pain bottom and that's just going to delay this website-updating project, isn't it?

Just so you know, our new place is all done up and we've settled down. I tell people the place is 99.5% finished because, really, homes are work in progress, aren't they?

Now that everything's in place, I got to get back to work and let people know what The Man's been up to.

1/ Jazz Fest 2008
Roger has been busy with his recording studio as usual but he's also got a Jazz Fest coming up that's taking up his time too. It'll be on June 21st this year and it'll be a part of the Kota Kinabalu Arts Festival 2008. He's in the festival's organising committee; SPArKs, the Society of Performing Arts, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. After the success of the inaugural KK Jazz Fest last year, SPArKS decided to hold an Arts Festival (starting June 6 till 29) this year, combining a couple of music concerts with a ballet recital and a street theatre. (www.kkjazzfest.com)

2/ New album launch
A couple of days before the Jazz Fest, on June 19, Roger's new album with singing duo, Regine Tai and Winnie Ho, entitled "2V1G" (2 Voices, 1 Guitar) will be launched. The Chinese album is Malaysia's first pop/audiophile creation and is the brainchild of Leslie Loh. A self-confessed audiophile and music lover, he's combined the talents of these three musicians with some serious high-end audio equipment, renowned music producer and mastering engineer to produce this simple yet enchanting aural masterpiece. (http://2v1g.blogspot.com)

EXCUSES
Here's a real good excuse for (1) not updating my blog and (2) not updating Roger's website (I think it still has a 'Merry Christmas' greeting in it. Eeps) - We're in the midst of moving house. Yeah, yeah, we're finally moving away from the folks. Pros and cons, pros and cons. Life can't be perfect.

But we're super-excited about doing up our new place. It's in the midst of renovation now and we expect to move in by end of March. We certainly hope it'll be earlier.

So lots of time, energy and effort will be spent over the next few weeks on the new place and I don't expect to settle down until April.

Don't give up on us, OK? We're still here. Buried somewhere in between boxes and mess.

Christmas 2006 and 2007
How quickly time flies. First picture was taken Christmas Day last year, and the second picture was taken just yesterday. Nine-month-old Sara with mommy

No Pictures From 2007
Twenty more days to the end of the year.

I was checking out Roger's website. Noticed how there aren't any additions to the "Picture" page from 2007. (blush) We both laughed.

Our excuse - cameraman on super-extended maternity leave.

1st Malaysia Guitar Festival

OK, OK, so I didn't go. Blaming it on the kid. :) Roger performed on Dec 3 and 6, came back to the hotel only past midnight. So I'm pretty glad Sara and I didn't go. But I really miss watching Roger perform on stage. I think the man is a wonderful musician.

So what can I say about the festival? Uh.... not much. I wasn't there at all. I didn't even peep in. But we did have time to catch up with some friends. And I did get to meet John Goldie. Pictured here are (left to right) Kuah from The Guitar Store, Goldie and Roger.

Off again
So, Rog and I (plus Sara) will be going to KL again tomorrow. This time, we're going to the First Malaysia Guitar Festival (Dec 3-6). We have miraculously finished packing even before midnight! Yay us! Feeling uncharacteristically relaxed now, I'm online, the baby's sleeping and Rog is practising. It's been a long time since he could practise his guitar at home.

Hmm.... do you think we've forgotten something? Why the calm?....

Now, I'm worried. Let's see... We've got two large bags, one backpack, one diaper bag, one bagful of Rog's guitar accessories, one guitar case and one Christmas tree.

Don't ask.

I really hope I can come along to the festival this time. I've had to stay behind for the last few gigs and I really miss seeing Roger on stage. And I miss tagging along. But Sara's not old enough to stay up past 10pm, I suppose. Maybe we'll pop into a workshop or two... maybe. If the kid doesn't get cranky...