Independence Day (Pakistan)
2006-08-14 @ 11:12 p.m.

Had technical handling today in preparation for next week's shoot. I haven't touched a rifle in ages, and I've forgotten all the IA drills. I even stripped the rifle wrongly! Conducted test today for the operator platoon, and they're not much better than their specialist predecessors. That's quite annoying for us new CSOs, especially since our understudies are coming from this platoon. The gaps in their knowledge, while not always taught explicitly by us during the setting up drill or the connectivity exercise, can definitely be filled by a study of their manuals. I don't see why they can't read them if I could when I was a trainee! Have been downloading some new MP3s, and I actually have F.I.R.'s new album, thanks to Baidu. It's shocking how easily I got my hands on the complete album. Just goes to show how intellectual property rights aren't as respected in China as they are in places like the USA. I've got not a few Soler MP3s too, and the Eurasian duo have a refreshing sound, kind of like what F.I.R. was to Mandopop when they first came out. Not to mention the twins sing in Cantonese, English and Mandarin. Talk about mass market appeal...