Monday, November 28th, 2005

I had the most relaxing weekend ever. I took my dog to the park, played some records, went rock climbing, caught up on some cleaning, it was great. Most of my days off consist of running around, seeing everyone I promised to see that week, and getting shit done. So needless to say it was nice to sleep in and relax for a change.

This week is going to be quite hectic however. I have to record yet another set for my CD. I have a friend coming to visit for the week so I'll have to entertain him. I have to pick up my new headphones. I'm playing a radio show on Saturday morning at 2:00am on CHRW 94.9FM. Then after I go home and have a nap, I'm going to Toronto for the rest of the weekend.

I prefer my life to be busy, otherwise I think I'd be really boring.

Climbing is my summer sport. Snowboarding season is just around the corner! YAY!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Personal Need #9 - Keeping busy

Because of the type of person I am, I need to be constantly occupied. Not only do I need to be occupied, I need to be doing something fun, interesting, even worthwhile. I get bored very easily doing things that require little to no physical activity like watching TV. I always need to be doing something hands on. I can do the occasional movie, but even then I get fidgety and am always moving around during the film.

Along with this I find I am only able to concentrate on one thing at a time. This is how Ray explains my condition:

"When Wendy Law is on the decks, you could be trying to call her name four or five times and you get no response. Then, out of the blue, four or five minutes later, once she's processed that she's heard something earlier, she'll be like 'What?'"

All the more reason to believe I've developed a condition called 'Adult ADD'....

Complete and utter concentration on the task at hand. Nothing else matters.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

I am a very baaaad girl. I dug one GINORMOUS hole over the weekend. I spent a good chunk of money on things I didn't really need....But wanted. I decided to treat myself since it's been the first time in months that I had extra money for myself. I also bought a couple of Christmas presents to take away from the guilty pleasure of pampering myself with stuff.

Since I went to the record shop on Saturday this time, I was able to find 6 deadly records to add to my collection. I also heard a great new jungle track that I picked up for Rooksys as an early Christmas present. I had to give it to him early since it was so fresh. It arrived at the store on Friday. Needless to say, he was psyched.

Things like this bring me joy. In fact....

This is my dog, she brings me joy as well...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Personal Need #8 - Having everyone shine along with me. Or trying my best at least.

Life, as I know it, is grand. Since you are reading this, life (I hope) is grand for you as well. I've developed a new perspective on life these past few years. I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back and food in my belly. Millions of people all over the world do not have these privileges. But yet so many people as privileged as I enjoy complaining and dwelling on trivial things that don't mean SQUAT! In my opinion we should all be overjoyed to be so well off. We take for granted the things we need, and at the same time appreciate the things we want. While others who have less only want what they need.

Everyone has their own reasons for feeling down. A lot of the time you can't even help but feel that way. Whenever I feel down, I put my situation into perspective and can usually get over it quite easily. So when other people are feeling down I do my best to help them put their sorrows aside and look at the bigger picture.

It is extremely rewarding for me to simply put a smile on someone's face.

I truly believe that a person's mood directly affects everyone else around them. So I try to avoid anything that makes me feel sad, or angry, or even stressed. Life is much more pleasant that way.

When I shine, everyone around me shines, and everyone around them...And so on....

:^)

Simon and I after mountainbiking. He likes to shine as well.

Saturday, November 19th, 2005 (early in the am)

I'm in Toronto right now. I'm here for a friends birthday...and record shopping. This time I will go Saturday, right when they open at noon, just to get first pick of the records. I'm hoping for a better selection this time. If not, I always have other record shops to try out.

I've been listening to my recording every chance I've gotten since I finished work. I've come to the conclusion that it's just not good enough. I really shouldn't be making any more copies of that set for anyone. I need to come up with something better. Something more solid.

Back to the drawing board.....yet again......

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Personal Need #7 - Perfection

We all seek it. It's not that I'm high maintenance, or picky, or self-absorbed, or anything like that. It's not even that I seek it in every aspect of my life. I just look for it in myself. I have this weird, perhaps even obsessive-compulsive urge to make sure everything I do is done right. If I feel I can do a better job, I obviously didn't try hard enough in the first place. I usually get frustrated if after many tries I still do not get it right. But will stubbornly keep trying...

Say, surfing, for example. I spent the entire time we were out in the water getting pummeled by itty-bitty 5 foot waves. Even after everyone was finished, I kept going out, completely flustered, just so I could catch my first and only wave.

Go hard or go home. Hmmm, funny how this saying can be used in many different contexts and mean so many different things....

:^)

Friday, November 18th, 2005 - A day in the life of a DJ

I had a crazy day yesterday. It was a touch busier than usual since I had to get stuff done before I left for Toronto. So here we go:

9:00 - Wake-up
10:15 - Work (at TD Visa Customer Service - I'm not a superstar DJ...yet)
3:00 - Lunch. Went to Ray's place real quick to have him check out one of my needles. (it came apart sometime after my set at Spotlight Wednesday)
3:30 - Work
6:15 - Done Work
6:25 - PA Shop to ask how to fix my needle
7:00 - Breakdancing lessons (my ass is killing me today because of this)
9:00 - Gave everyone a ride home
10:00 - Went to Dr. J and Rooksys' place to record set
11:45 - Finally started recording

So now here's where it gets interesting.

1:05 - Finished recording (Yes, I managed to record exactly 79mins 30secs to fit on a CD)

So then came all the compressing, clipping and burning time. Since it was such a big file it took forever to do anything with it.

I finally left at around 3:30 am with one burnt copy of my set. I went over to Ray's place to give him that copy. (I was on a personal deadline to get him one by Thursday night) He burned himself a copy and we went over a couple mixes which made him oh-so proud. I finally went home and went to bed at around 5:00am. Just in time to get 4 hours of sleep and start all over again.

I'm trying to be a DJ so I have to work on DJ time right?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I mentioned something in the last entry about having poor judgement, and I came to this conclusion:

YES indeed, I have poor judgement. But only when it comes to certain things. I give everything and anyone the benefit of the doubt.

I guess you can say I like to taste every flavor in a sense...but it seems that even though I don't like certain flavors I give it time and a few more tries before I take a liking to it.

Then I guess you can also say that there are some flavors that you crave you like them so much, but they are just way too bad for you...

Thursday, November 17th, 2005

I had a great time playing last night. Too bad there was hardly anyone there to hear my set since it was so early in the evening. My next set is probably going to be December 7th according to our new rotation but I'll let you all know when I find out for sure.

One bummer however. I discovered a broken needle the next day when I took my needles out. Oh well, nothing a little crazy glue couldn't fix! :^)

This pic is of me-Havin' a hoot LIVE! No cares in the world!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In addition to Personal Need #1 (See Monday, November 7th), there's an element of appreciation I think I look for in everything I do. That's why I need to have people around all the time. If there's no one there to appreciate it, than what's the point. For example, I hardly even cook for myself because there wouldn't be anyone else around to enjoy what I've created. Even if the food tastes bad, I'd rather have someone around to spit it out in disgust and tell me that it tastes like crap than judge for myself. Is it because I really have a poor sense of judgment and am in need of confirmation? (That's just a whole new can of worms I'll have to open up some other time) Or am I just being pretentious?

As you all have probably gathered, I'm a very inquisitive person. I like to know. I need to know. Not about the gossipy he-said-she-said bullshit, but more about how people feel about me and what I do. You know what?!....

Personal Need #6 - Assurance
I've figured out exactly why I need people around me. Simply to make me feel better about myself and assure me that I'm an alright gal. I think everybody has this personal need to be assured and reassured...I hate to say this but especially women. It's in our nature.

"A women only needs 2 things in this world. Food and Compliments!"
-Chris Rock

So harsh, but yet, so true. Even I tend to fish for compliments 'the odd time'.

:^)

Wednesday, November 16th, 2005

I found out that there is nothing wrong with my sound card. It was just sheer ignorance that prevented me from recording a decent sounding set. Even yesterday when I tried to record again, I had the levels up WAY too high. The sounds were all distorted and crackling.

So in a fit of frustration I tossed the CD out my car window. Oh well, I messed up a couple mixes anyways. Back to the drawing board. : )

Well at least we know now where the levels are too low and where they are too high. So hopefully my next recording session will be just right.....hopefully.

Tonight I get to play again. This time I'm starting the night out from 9:30-10:30. Which works out perfectly since most of my friends have stuff to do in the morning. I'm a little nervous since I actually have people coming out to see me tonight. I'm sure a few $2.25 drinks will solve that!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why is it that 'absence makes the heart grow fonder'? I find that absence does the complete opposite for me.

I find that the longer a person is absent, the less I think about them and the less I care to keep in touch. Is it because I live too much in the present that I don't have the time or energy to put towards people/things of the past? I find it way more beneficial to look towards the future rather than dwell on the past, but does this theory apply with people/relationships? As I said previously, people come into your life for different reasons. To help you learn, love, live and everything else. When that reason has been fulfilled is there a need to keep them around?

Me...personally?

I'd rather be cut than strung along for the ride...

Tuesday, November 15th, 2005 (early in the am)

Everything happens for a reason. People also come into your life for various reasons. It always seems like certain people come into your life at just the right moment, not always, but most of the time.

It's quite convenient to have met Dr. J (breaks dj) and Rooksys (jungle dj) at this point in time, right when I'm in need of some motivation.

As I'm sure you have all gathered, I'm trying to establish myself as a dj while I'm in London and have some connections in the industry. (I have no intention of serving 25 years to life here) I've been working on putting together a website (djwendylaw.com-which will hopefully be up and running before the end of the year) and was in need of an artist that would charge me little or nothing at all. Here's where Dr. J comes in. He's agreed to help me with my website in exchange for use of my computer. In pity for their lack of a sound system, I've also lent them my speakers. Since then, I've been practicing much more and with a larger selection of records. PLUS I have an artist to draw the graphics for my website. Besides their ongoing attempts to shoot down my self esteem with their teasing and witty comments, everything is working out great!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

In fact, everything has been working out these past few years. Usually for the better. I try to let things happen naturally, without any extra influence. I do what I feel is right, when I feel it is right and how I feel it is right. What was meant to be will happen regardless, so I find that meddling with fate is just a huge waste of time.

Personal Need #5 - Freedom and Independence
I need the freedom to do what makes me happy. When I was living with my parents, I had to live by their rules. I didn't have the freedom to live my life. I only had the freedom to live my life as they wanted me to. I don't like feeling as if I'm being governed by anyone. I was born in the year of the dog according to the Chinese Zodiac so in nature I am a stubborn person. What I think is right, will be right in my mind regardless of what people tell me. It's my inner drive to have complete independence.

So why do I have to have people around me all the time? Hmm...I wonder....

Sunday, November 13th, 2005

I haven't had internet for a few days because my computer was being used to record. I've been trying to put together a set that I can record onto a CD for close friends and also so that I can listen for areas of improvement in my playing. However this project of mine came to a halt when I discovered that I had made a huge recording faux-pas. Trying to record onto a laptop with a shitty sound card. There's another hole I'd have to dig. But really, what price can you put on playing and getting paid for it? Doesn't everybody want a job where they actually have fun? Which makes it quite clear....

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Personal Need #4 - Playing and getting paid for it
I have a great need to have fun with whatever I am doing in life. I don't have a huge need to get paid the big bucks. All I want is to enjoy my job and look forward to going to work every day. Is that too much to ask?

Thursday, November 10th, 2005 (early in the am)

I didn't get to play tonight. It's going to be once a month for me. Starting next Wednesday from 9:30-10:30. I had a great time however this evening. Made it out to Funk night for the first time in three weeks. It inspired me to make some breaks remixes of Funk tracks. Make up my own set of Funky Breaks. The way I see fit. Funky and Breaky...at the same time. It'll work out perfectly. A fresh sound for all to hear. Can't wait to record. Which reminds me of a time...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not even a week after I got my decks. The date was around May seventh or so. I got home after a late session in the studio and walked up to a broken-in doorway....

First instinct: Run downstairs. Make sure babies weren't damaged, or worse, stolen! As soon as I found my turntables still in tact in their original position, I called Ray. I didn't panic until he mentioned something about the robbers potentially still being there.

Second instinct: Call police. Get them there as soon as possible to put your hard earned tax dollers to work. He got there in about 10 minutes or so. I, in the meantime, was frozen at the botton of the stairs.

Third instinct: Call someone and talk to them to make sure someone knows if you get hurt. So I talked to Ray, he was already in a cab on his way over.

I hear a sudden knock on the door. Terrified to answer it, I opened the door anyways in hopes it was the cop or Ray. It was the cop. I was relieved to know that YES in fact they did enforce other things other than parking and speeding violations. Then Ray came along, and of course, for a split second the cop thought Ray was the bad guy. Only a split second though because one look and the cop could tell he was a wuss. : )

Anyways, this brings me to my point.

Personal Need #3 - Sense of security.
As long as I have this sense of security, I feel like I can take on the world. Once it is gone, life is a struggle.....until I get over it that is.

Carpe Diem - as I used to say....but really in plain simple English....

SHIT HAPPENS...

Tuesday, November 8th, 2005

I went to the toy store yesterday. Also known as the PA Shop. I could've easily dropped ten grand. Again, could've, should've, would've, but can't. I'm trying to put the dirt back into the hole, not dig it deeper. However...

Speaking of digging, I played Ray's old needles into the ground so it was time for me to buy a new pair. I decided to get the Shure Turntablist Cartridges and man do they ever sound GREAT! I couldn't get enough of them last night, even without headphones.

You see, the reason I went to the shop in the first place was to bring back my headphones. They snapped literally a second before I started playing my first set at spotlight. Talk about bad Karma. I had to quickly tape them up with masking tape so the cord wouldn't rip. Playing without headphones my first breaks set out in public? NO WAY! Talk about a TrAiN/wReCk!

So luckily I was able to manage with broken headphones for my first breaks set out in public. Everyone seemed to enjoy my set. But they could've just been saying nice things because Mark kept telling everyone it was my 'Big Debut'. I couldn't have done that terribly though or else they wouldn't have had me back the next week.......right?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Personal needS would sugest more than one personal need. So here we go...

Personal Need #2 - Keeping everything light hearted.
Too many people in this world take themselves too seriously. I keep my serious side hidden until it is absolutely necessary for me to force it out. I have the distinct pleasure of being a complete ass 80% of the time. It keeps things interesting and adds a certain element of entertainment to this drama that is called my life.

Monday, November 7th, 2005

I drove to Toronto and back yesterday to pick up some fresh vinyl in hopes that I'll be able to play at Spotlight again this Wednesday. They have a breaks/jungle night every Wednesday night. I must say that I was quite disappointed with this trip. I listened to almost every breaks record they had in the store and only came up with 4 playable records. Not to mention that only one side of each of those records, in my opinion, would be considered playable. What was I thinking record shopping on a Sunday when everything had already been picked through on Thursday, Friday and Saturday? So however playable I think those records are, they had already been rejected by the majority of djs in the GTA. I should've listened to Ray when he told me not to buy records on a Sunday. Should've, could've, would've. BUT, it wouldn't have been in my nature not to be defiant.

Speaking of which.....

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was mentioning something about having personal needs in my previous entry. Well, I really should be calling them goals. But if these goals are not achieved, I would lead a very boring and unsastisfactory life. So in my mind, they're necessities. I'll get back to that in a bit.

Although it's made me somewhat of a dissapointment, my defiant nature is what's kept me going, kept life interesting for me. I mean, if everyone acted like robots and did what was expected of them all the time, how boring would life be? I just like to keep things ESPECIALLY interesting for myself and everyone around me. : )

There's no doubt in my mind that I am the black sheep in my family. I haven't accomplished anything that was expected of me from my parents. My brother on the other hand, still lives at home, is finished his degree and is now doing his masters in Pharmacology and Toxicology, and hopes to attend med school in the near future. The poster child. Always gets top grades in his classes. Man, he makes my parents proud. He makes me proud too. So my parents got their brag-worthy child. What would they do with another?

I try my best to live the way I see fit, in happiness and harmony. This brings me back to my personal needs. These are things I need in all aspects of my life.

Personal Need # 1 - Social Interaction
Most of my friends would say I am somewhat of a social butterfly. Fluttering around from group to group, hanging out with different people all the time. I consider it time occupation. While most people enjoy 'alone time', I on the other hand do not. I have the need to be surrounded by people most of the time. I enjoy having company around no matter what I'm doing.

I can't really explain why I feel the need to be around people so much. I just know that this is part of who I am. Perhaps there's a deeper meaning as to why I am this way but I haven't really had the time 'to myself' to figure it out...... : )

Friday, November 4th, 2005

I'm realizing I should've started this blog about 6 months ago. On April 28th, 2005 to be exact. The first day I touched a record. I'll try to keep this catch up brief and in point form as to not bore the snot out of you.

Like I mentioned above...April 28 - First time I touched/played a record
April 28 - When I decided to become a DJ
April 29 - Second time I played a record
April 30 - Third time I played a record
May 1 - You get the point
May 2 - When I purchased all the toys necessary to practice at home
May 3 - When I decided that I want to spin breaks
May ? - Learned how to make music using Pro tools and Cubase
May 14 - Hosted Pure Breaks party at Spotlight Nightclub
June ? - Played my first house set at Collosseum Nightclub
October 26 - Played my first breaks set at Spotlight Nightclub
November 2 - Played another breaks set at Spotlight Nightclub

So needless to say, everything has been moving very fast for me in regards to my djing career. I owe all of this to my good friend and mentor DJ Sugar Ray, the first person to believe in me. He has taken time out of his already busy schedule to teach me everything I know about djing, introduce me to anyone who's anyone in the industry as DJ Wendy Law, and teach me how to put my own beats together. He even organized the Pure Breaks party as well as my first set at Collosseum Nightclub. So needless to say, I dedicate this blog to him.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

I feel like I need to go back before these last 6 months to give you some more history as to how I became the person I am today. Please remember that this blog is written by me and with my point of view.

Along with my older brother Cedrin, I was part of the first generation in my family to be born here in Canada. My parents were born in Hong Kong and came to Canada with strong Chinese values. Like everything else, there are some unwritten rules to being a Chinese girl. These rules were especially hard to follow being born here in Canada. Here are the three main rules:

Rule #1: You must stay at home until you are married.
Rule #2: You must finish university before you start dating.
Rule #3: You must date/marry a Chinese man, make Chinese babies and live unhappily ever after.

So she's screwed you say? Hardly. Here's what really happened.

After I fai-...I mean dropped out of university I mov-...I mean got kicked out of my parents place. Two months later, my non-Chinese boyfriend Matt moved in with me. I had to tell my mom in one long breath that:
one-I had a boyfriend,
two-he moved in with me, and
three-we were sleeping in the same bed.
My poor mother cried for days. It took us moving into a house together, getting a dog together, many uncomfortable dinners, and about a year for my parents to finally warm up to Matt. Just in time for him to dump me and kick me out.

Tragic? Yes.
Am I over it? Most definately.

So here I am doing everything in my power to avoid moving home. Still haven't to this day. Don't plan on it anytime soon. You see, everyone has their own personal needs to keep their life in harmony and balance. I'm not talking about the basic needs like food, water and shelter. I'm talking about my personal needs in life.