Basket.

I thought I wouldn't have anything to put up here today, but it turned out that I now have a tale to rival the Norse epics of old.

What was supposed to be a routine journey down to attend a performance at Victoria Concert Hall turned into one comparable to that described in J R R Tolkien's famous fictitious novel, carried out in conditions reminiscent of the climatic last scenes of Matrix: Revolutions.

In other words, we nearly got lost and it wouldn't fucking stop raining.

Eventually though, we triumphed over the rain, flooded paths, senses of misdirection, soaked pants and postively aquatic shoes to reach our destination only slightly late.

The performance was a fine one, and I would have enjoyed it more had I been just that bit drier and if my shoes had not been soaked to their very lining. I swear the water I wrung out of my socks could have filled about half a cup. Where Tolkien's brave heroes battled Orcs, Uruk-Hai and the evil power of the ring, we fought the yearly Singapore monsoon, high winds that rendered our umbrellas useless and Old Father Time himself. Please, give me the first scenario anytime.

Ok, about the performance. It is good, certainly matching the Rafflesian bands that formed the staple of my musical experiences, despite a few bloopers now and then. But no matter, for they alternately surprised and tickled me, what with the uniquely fast rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber's famous Memory (a piece I thought I had heard enough times to never be nonplussed by, but was proven wrong), the encore medley of traditional Christmas tunes with matching hats for the band members and the final version of Stand By Me that again managed to surprise me despite the fact that, as with Memory, I had heard it umpteenth times before. The other offerings weren't bad as well, and throw in an extremely moving harp solo at the end and it was a great night for all present.

If only I didn't have to sit there with about an inch of water in each shoe. Sigh.