Went to NDP `07 preview with eric today. i think the last time i went to NDP preview was in sec 4, with voodoo. quite a surprise back then, but what's done is done. it's the first time that NDP's held at the waterfront this year so i'd thot that it'd be worth watching. But...

The pre-parade segment was kinda hum-drum. The performers looked really tiny on the stage and the magnifications on-screen were not much better. If i couldnt really see from where i was sitting, i wonder what people at the ends of the gallery saw. the ripples on the bay maybe? and the hosts tried really hard to get the spirits up but then it wasnt going according to plan. maebe cos it's not the real thing or maebe it's just people like us. or just maebe it's a uniquely singaporean trait to be...inhibited. it's a public place after all and being typically asian, singaporeans are a pretty self-conscious lot dont you think?

The parade still needs a lot more work. The supporting contingents couldnt keep to the beat and the mark time looked really messy. Im not surprised since even the Air Force GOH contingent also had one person out of sync. Quoting eric, "bird-droppings!" surely the girl guides could march better than that.

And as a tribute to 40 years of gd ol' NS, there was a momentary glimpse into the operational prowess of each service of the armed forces, SPF and SCDF. 10 years ago (in P5 that is), i'd have been wowed beyond words. But having operated in one of those showcase pcs, i really cant say the same. or maebe 10 yrs is enough to feel jaded and sceptical / cynical. you choose.

Last but not least, the traditional mass display. truthfully i have never been a fan of mass displays but this yr's seems to be exceptionally corny. Especially so when you proclaim to be the elements of nature and when the beauty of water is exhorted beyond bearable limits. and it's well-known that we are a tiny island with no natural resources so how did we ever tap into the richness of nature? Exaggeration has got to have it's limits especially on National TV. other than the "cute starfish" (only so becos they are blur pri sch children and children will always be forgiven), a fiery number with prancing felines and fireslingers, and the sing-and-dance items by kit chan and taufik batisah (at least i thot it was him) the rest were lost on me.

I must say that the routine works of parachuting men and women, diving bombers, hovering choppers proved to be more of a visual spectacle than specially contrived war-of-the-worlds wannabes. The change in venue was refreshing, making good use of the soothing view of the bay hugging the CBD on the right and sheares bridge looming on the left. And more importantly it was much more cooling than at the national stadium. the water potential (no pun intended) was optimised, if not a bit overdone.
but generally i liked what i saw.

The fireworks display again never failed to seal the evening, this time even more spectacular than usual with the bright skyline of our CBD in the backdrop. Part of the fireworks were even seen going off on top of one of the skyscrapers. i wish that i could capture that particular space and time, every fleeting instant that didnt last and every pc of burning metal that eventually fizzled before hitting the ground. i wish that we can have fireworks every night. ST Eng shld invent 75mm and 30mm fireworks rds instead of higher firepower and lethality all the time.

A gd deal of effort must have been strained out of all involved but thankfully it's a month more till the actual day and the brains have that much more time to work on that which leaves much to be desired... hopefully the history of singapore will prove to be as gd as, if not better, than the previous years cos the ticket prices definitely increased. IF it were $18 each i'd have been able to get more ppl to go wouldnt i? hmm. no matter, im sure that i'll enjoy it. and i did try to share the love with other people. dont say that i didnt try.