Have you looked in the mirror lately?

Being a Paramore fan, i really liked their latest album "Brand New Eyes" which have a picture of a wall filled with empty picture frame on the back cover, talk about creativity and perceptions, love it when they do that, but what strike me the most, the one thing that really make the back cover standout was not only the great idea, concept and beauty behind the album, the songs and photography, its the one picture frame in the middle with the mirror which Hayley looks into in the video "Playing God"

It really struck a chord in my mind, it got me thinking.

"Have I/You been looking into the mirror lately?"

Its not just about looking into the mirror and seeing that one look of us in the mirror, the mirror really reflect not just your looks, the mirror shows the soul, the body, the being and all that we are if we look closer. I don't know about you but everytime i look into the mirror, i don't just think about my tidy and cleanliness, i think a lot about myself and where i am, who i am, what i am doing. Guess the mirror is more than just a vanity affair huh?!

What do you think? I don't know about you but i just have something inside that waiting to burst out, its like i want to do something more in my life, i feel i can do so much more, can be so much better, it just wants to reveal all the potentials i have, wanting to achieve my dreams, have you ever have that ache? And then you feel so inspired, so comfortable, so happy, so relax, so enjoyable, so entertained, so amuse, you feel so great about yourself because its just your place of dreams, a place where you can do what you've always want to do. A place where you can be your true self and shining out bright. I always have than burning, that desire, that passion, those great dreams for me and others.

But then it all stops short once reality sets in, the mirror no longer becomes a place of joy but a place of despair and lost hope, you look into it and finally realize, its all just a dream, you've tried it all before, you've put in all the passion and everything just stops short, you look into the mirror once again and realize you've gain none of the dreams you've dream, never done anything you've said you would, never gone the distance even when you've tried.

So "mirror, mirror on the wall; whose that person on the wall?"

" You! A person who is able to reach its dreams and potential, I've seen everything in you, its beautiful and great, now go and live the dream"

An amateur songwriters confession

With a guitar in hand, a piece of paper on the floor, guitar pick on the ear, mp3 by the side, pen on the other hand, humming to tunes in my head, and a whole lot of thinking, wondering, writing, playing and the process goes full cycle everytime.

Not many will know but i do write songs but as far as i know, i am an amateur maybe even worse but not proven until my songs finally get sung out and recorded. I recently took up this hobby 3 years back when me and some friends formed a band and then since we've been brainstorming for some songs and eventually end up with me thinking a lot of lyrics but not tune. Sadly however the band slowly died off by itself with each band member having to fulfill some responsibilities in life, my heart sank not knowing whether i will ever achieve my first recorded album with a band and at that time it was crucial for my band mates to come up with the tune of the song so i can fill in with the lyrics but back then i have to say "It was not good at all" on my part.

However years passed and i took up the guitar, slowly picking up the chords, sound and music that can be played, opening my mind to the music world and out came a different me, a more alert and creative songwriter with the ability to come up with the basic tunes to bring out the bare essentials for the song HOWEVER! there are more hurdles to overcome.

One confession is that the tune somewhat would have a similarity due to lack of rhythmic creativity and chord knowledge, let it be alone mastering the guitar at a master level. But i never stop to amaze myself, coming out with a tune that actually can be sung. "0OH FINALLY"

Another confession would be that the songs written out must come by inspirations and not by own strength or creativity, a word triggers the purpose and passion, from there on things take flight, but its never a overnight process, it constantly requires changes and innovation to make the song sound good and favorable to the listeners ears.

One last confession i have to say as a amateur songwriter is that there will always be a load of stress and doubts. I quote "An amateur never truly fully understands or know half the time what he is doing, he just goes with the flow, one true character of an amateur" The doubt and stress comes from the uncertainty i have in myself on the songs I've written, i mean who am i with no knowledge of chords or rhythm or rhyme or musical creativity to come up with songs that people will like but at the end of the day the dream of having my first album and looking on at other bands and how they made it from scratch drives me on to complete my first album :)