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If you are like me, you will be someone who enjoys listening to music and like me, I listen to the radio and purchase CDs from the local music stores. The local music stores only carries CDs from major labels so that was all that I listen to until I found MySpace. In my initial experience, I had the impression that it was merely a place to meet new friends until I found the ‘MUSIC‘ on the top navigation bar and that’s where my own life changed.

This is when I found literally thousands of musicians who has their page on MySpace. There are some which are major artistes which we all heard of but the majority are unsigned musicians looking to expose their music and I am sure they are waiting for the day when their big break comes.

I find that the signed musicians’ Myspace pages are generally managed by their publicists and their whole PR department, things do get pretty commercial. Of course, there are some major label musicians who actually do read and reply but they are few and far-between. I don’t blame them with their schedule and celebrity status, it is the price of fame, I guess.

Independent Musicians are a different breed altogether, they write, perform and market their own music. Before I was exposed to independent musicians, I thought that they are not as talented but after listening to a handful, I must say that I am just blown away, they are really good and when I mean good, some can actually put some major artistes to shame. The only thing difference is that they have not been ‘discovered’ as yet. Independent musicians seems to be more passionate about their music because they are responsible for the whole music making process. They are more appreciative when you show your support for their work. When you write to them, they actually do write back. I’ve seen some who would ask for comments and make adjustment to their music. I like this level of engagement, it makes their music even more personal.

The next time you visit MySpace , do give a listen to the works of the independent musicians and give them their due praise.

Major labelled musicians afterall started off as independent musicians before they get discovered. So support the independent musicians, attend their concerts (if you can), buy their CDs and merchandise and show them your support. I am sure that when they get discovered, they will remember you.

I just read CNN and found this story entitled - Jealous girlfriend held in MySpace.com murder plot and this is definitely beyond words.

I have always thought that MySpace was just a place to make friends, granted that some close friendships may blossom but for the most parts, they would remain just as cyber-friends.

I always believe that when you love someone, there is always a level of trust to know that the someone you love would be faithful to you. It is sad to know that there is someone are pretty insecure enough to feel jealous just because her boyfriend added a girl to his Myspace friend list and to go to the extend to want to hire a hitman to kill her. What has that innocent girl done? I think this is getting way too out of hand. Afterall, it seems like common practise on Myspace to be on Myspace trains and to be added as many friends as possible, it is just all fun and nothing more.

Tomorrow, the IMF and World Bank meeting is coming to town. This is the first time that I know that we have such a big major conference coming to our little island state of Singapore. As with most Singaporean, I am actually glad that this is happening. It puts Singapore in the world map, finally.

I guess this would be a relatively problem-free week long conference for the 16,000 delegates because of the Singapore’s brand of Kiasu-ism, with its stepped up security and most notably the banning of outdoor protests. So much so that the protesters are staying out of Singapore and be protesting from afar in Batam Island, Indonesia. I guess this is good for the delegates but might been seen to control the influx of free speech. Those who wants to protest here needs to do it under police supervision indoors at the Suntec Convention Hall using Police-supplied placards and poles. I am not sure if any would take up that offer.

With 9/11 still close to our hearts, I guess the world is no longer the same as it was before. You can never be careful any longer. We see how all this pans out. For now, let’s just celebrate how far Singapore has grown.

Welcome to the IMF and World Bank Delegates to our island republic.

It seems like it was just yesterday when those planes hit the world trade center. Back in September 11 2001, I remember being on the computer on IRC as usual and having the television on and that was this headline which flashed on the screen which said that a plane crashed into the World Trade Center. Naturally, I did not think it was a commercial jet liner and thought it was just a small little plane. I turned to CNN and soon enough there were scary footages which did not seems real. Our security bubble has just burst.

It seems like de javu because a few days earlier I thought I’ve just watched a show about a hijacking of a commercial plane and how it almost crashed into a skyscaper but of course in the show the hero overcome the baddies and at the end of the day, nothing tragic happened. But now this is real life. Nothing is ever safe any more.

What is this world turning into ? Although I am properly thousands of miles away from the epicenter, my world didn’t seems the same anymore. There was a lot of stepped up security in and around where I live. There are spot checks and more security checks and more restriction of what I bring up the plane, cost of travel went up.

It is the world in fear. Sadly, I don’t see the threat and the fear subsizing any time soon. The world is already in a sorry state as it is with its natural diasters, we just do not need wars, cowardly terrorists attacks and all that murders going around in the world.

Let’s make peace not war. The world would be a better place if we could all just set aside our differences and work together. Let’s look past racial difference, language and social and financial barriers.

I never quite consider myself as a MySpace user since I’ve actually thought that it is for teenagers looking for friends. I’ve outgrowth that stage way too long ago.

This week was increasingly interesting as a MySpace Train site Da Friend Train went on sale. I thought that it was probably a nice idea to acquire it and see what all the fuss was MySpace about. That was when I started my first MySpace account .

One thing lead to another and I was off to my second MySpace related site and there Da Friend Stuff came about. All in the span of a few days.

During the time, I was exploring MySpace and for me the biggest draw was that I could get closer to the Musicians that I have grown to love. I find that although they are celebrities in their own right, they are still pretty much human beings like me. It is interested to get to know more about them. I believe MySpace bridges that gap with allows people from all races, social status and countries to communicate in a more personal level. Now I finally get MySpace and its concept.

Wow! What a Rush!

Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter was killed when the barb of the stingray penetrated his chest. This happened when he was filming his latest documentary off Port Douglas in Australia.

The Daily Telegraph carries his story.

Steve has been the icon of Australia and probably one of the best known export. We are definitely going to miss him deeply.