Music I've been missing - Dido, No Angel

I was flicking through my iPod the other day, considering making a playlist of women with powerful voices. Like Florence and the Machine. I didn't get much past her because I am in currently deeply love with the song The Dog Days Are Over.



I have heard this song a few times before but didn't take much notice until I heard it in the trailer to the Eat Pray Love film. I started to read the book by Elizabeth Gilbert but couldn't get into it. Maybe it's because I'm not in my 30s, married and wanting out, and looking for a higher being. The film, starring Julia Roberts, looks quite good, and not as boring as the book. I think The Dog Days Are Over as a backing song makes the film seem more exciting than it probably is. Undecided about seeing it.

Moving on.

I thought about what other women with powerful voices I may have on my iPod. I immediately flicked to D.

D for Dido.

Then I saw, with great disappointment, I didn't have her No Angel album loaded.

Dido was literally the music I've been missing. (Note to self - add No Angel to iPod.)

I love this album, and I think that I played it non stop in 2001, seriously. Sadly for me, Dido's an artist where I much prefer her first album to her subsequent ones.

Some say her music is bland and depressing. I'm a believer in giving things a go. At first I didn't really like No Angel. I thought it was a little boring. But after hearing it played at the department store I worked in, I grew to love it and bought a copy for myself.

Sometimes her music made me sad. She sung of the same yearning and betrayal I felt at times in 2001.

I adore this song. Here With Me. Australians, particularly Victorians, may know it from the WorkSafe ads.



Her green eyeshadow captivates me. I wish I could rock green eyeshadow like that. And also rock a long cardi like she does. She's stunning. I consider her as one of the most outwardly beautiful women in history.

Here With Me features in one of my all time favourite films Love Actually. I watch this movie over and over, never getting bored of it. I laugh, cry and recite lines as they're about to be spoken, all while drinking moscato and eating cheese in my pyjamas. I do that about four times a year. That's how much of a low-brow romantic sap I am.

You can view several of my favourite scenes edited and featuring Here With Me on YouTube. The bit when Dido plays is heartwrenching. As is the carols scene where Marc resolves to give up Juliet.

Other times Dido's music has made me feel uplifted. Though I'm not into dance music, the beats and vocals made me feel elated. This song in particular. Take My Hand.



In some points of the album version, I can hear sounds that remind me of whales under the sea. There's an amazing, soaring part towards the end of the song - amazing.

I have seen Dido live twice - once in 2001 at The Forum and once in 2004 at Rod Laver Arena (both Melbourne).

I rate The Forum gig 11/10 better than at Rod Laver. Musically they were both high quality, but there was something about being at the front at The Forum and seeing the musicians do their thing. Take My Hand was my absolute favourite song that she performed live. The energy and sound rushed through me.

I remember her female percussionist being inside a 'beat contraption', if you like, banging, tapping and tinkling on lots of different instruments to make beautiful sounds. I also recall never seeing a bead of sweat on Dido. I believe she sang solo the whole time. It was an astounding concert - an experience I have not forgotten.

My friend and I bought tshirts. She thought she lost hers in the taxi, but it had fallen out of her bag and she found it in the gutter in the morning. I still have mine. I don't (read: can't) wear it now. It was a once size fits all number - it was about a size four, and at that time I was about a size seven. It was such a struggle to wear! Not sure how I got it over my boobs come to think of it!

We made a weekend of that concert. Went shopping, stayed up late, slept on another friend's couch. I loved the concerts back in those days - the act of traveling from the country to Melbourne made it a real event. Now I sometimes go to concerts after work, and go to work the next day, so it's a bit of joy sandwiched between the routine, with a high dose of exhaustion!

Here is another of my mementos from the show. It's a Dido guitar pick.


I think it was thrown from the stage and fell near me, but I may be mistaken. It may have been handed to me by security. Either way, it was my first taste of souveniring from a concert. From that concert on, I tried to get near the front and get a setlist or guitar pick. I've succeeded on many occasions - I actually have Darren Hayes' water bottle!

Here is Dido's guitar pick next to Neil Finn's. I saw the roadie take it off his mic stand at the Crowded House concert at Rod Laver in 2005, and I asked for it.


Once again, this music I've been missing entry has taken many tangents, and mentioned artists beyond Dido. It's a lot of fun writing these and recalling the various experiences I've had and journeys I've taken because of the music I listen to.

Korbee Jones

So I see Daniel Jones from Savage Garden has a new band after years of behind the scenes music work.

The band is called Korbee Jones.

It's hard to get a feel of the sound (is that a contradiction??) based on one listen of the audio clips. I can hear auto-tune. One song sounds like that Fireflies song from earlier this year. While I know a new band can never replace the magic of Savage Garden, I hope to hear more from them to form a more educated opinion.

This is very exciting for me. While I am a fan of Darren Hayes' solo career, it's been hard to follow Daniel Jones' because he's been producing and songwriting for other people.

I still remember the day the Savage Garden split was announced - 5 October 2001. As I tweeted to Todd earlier today, 'I don't understand politics, but your emotions re Rudd can be likened to mine the time I heard Savage Garden had split up'.

Beige dinners

I have a term I refer to as a beige dinner.

Someone I know who is not adventurous with food eats many beige dinners. Battered fish, chips and lemon is the standard beige dinner. No vegetables, no 'exotic' foods. Just beige. Can't be that healthy for you.

Yesterday when I was at home, sore and I admit, a bit miserable, I had a beige dinner.

Crumbed lamb cutlets and potatoes in the pan. A delicious beige dinner that couldn't be that healthy for me, but damn, it tasted good. And it made me feel better. The doctor said I need to eat more. Probably not more beige dinners, though.

I used to be semi-vegetarian for four years. Age 13 - 17. By semi I mean Mum and Dad made me eat fish. I don't think there was any animal liberation thought behind my choice - I just read a cookbook that had beautiful photos of innovative vegetarian meals one time when I was in the school library instead of at physical education.

During my semi-vegetarianism period, I had lots of tofu, many vegie burgers and once had some of those tinned fauxsages (faux sausages). I discovered the following:
- firm tofu is better than soft tofu,
- vegie burgers are good but making no-meat-loaf with lentils and gated vegies is far more tasty, and
- fauxsages are horrendous. They look like fingers in a tin of formaldehyde, and taste about the same.

One day Mum was cooking lamb cutlets. They smelt good. I ate one. The world didn't end. And that was that. I stopped being semi-vegetarian and became a full on meat loving girl again. (There was a period when I moved to Melbourne where I really limited my meat intake to once a week and called myself a 'part time vegetarian' but now I'm a well balanced omnivore. I enjoy vegies a lot, eat them with almost every meal, and am quite happy to have meatless meals.)

I love lamb cutlets. I wish they weren't so overpriced. And I love potatoes cooked in the same pan as lamb chops. I love how the potatoes take on the flavour of the lamb fat. I put mixed herbs on my potatoes.




I felt guilty so I put half a packet of greens with my beige dinner. There was excessive shrinkage from cooking. So I've increased the size of the photo to compensate. Looks like more vegies were consumed.

And I only ate four of the five cutlets - I will eat one tomorrow for breakfast with my green smoothie. It's an alternative way of eating meat 'n' three veg.

Yesterday I cooked up a batch of bolognaise on the stove. It's quick and nutritious, and easy for me to do when I'm not feeling up to cooking because I'm sore. My bolognaise has pork mince and lots of vegies in it - a carrot, onion, eggplant, mushrooms, tinned tomatoes, preserved lemon and sweet potato.

I had it for dinner tonight, but in a non traditional way. It's bolognaise disguised as a beige dinner.

This is the pie crust filled with the bolognaise, topped with a few cheese pieces. I warmed the bolognaise on the stove before putting it in the pie.

I made my own pastry. It didn't take long, about 10 minutes. Making pastry is not hard. I rolled it out and I think it looks like America. I was never good at sculpture so you will notice it is not a perfect circle as the pie lid should be.

I cut some of the Eastern and Western states of America off and used it to patch up the pie lid.

Just out of the oven. Inspired by Sydney Shop Girl.

Here is what the cooked pie looks like inside. It was delicious.

A deceptive beige dinner.

One step aside from a man, one giant leap for women

I am incredibly proud to be Australian today.

Australia has a female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, after Kevin Rudd stood aside.

What a day for Australia and Australian women. We are a lucky country, with freedom incomparable to many parts of the world. But Julia Gillard's appointment as Prime Minister is great progression, for us and the rest of the world. It shows us as women, we can aspire to anything.

Though I do not profess to have knowledge in, or feign interest in politics, the events of today moved me greatly. I don't entirely understand what happened to cause Kevin Rudd's ouststing. I acknowledge that not all Australians agree with the way Julia Gillard was appointed Prime Minister - many call it execution, betrayal or divorce. It was interesting and exciting to watch the TV coverage and read the tweets of the rapidly unfolding events, even for a non politically savvy person like me.

It was particularly interesting to see what a role twitter played in the coverage. Journalists were tweeting observations and photos from the press gallery which them made it to media, and on one TV station, Mia Freedman was appointed 'Reporter of the Tweets', and tweeting herself. I saw a tweet from Yumi Stynes saying 'All the news coverage about the leadership spill is about tweets. Get over it! And get news the old fashioned way, schelppers!'

Another thing I found amusing, and slightly patronising, was that so much opinion about Julia Gillard is about her dress sense, hairstyle and colour (she had fabulous hair today!) and marital status. Call it a point of interest for women, and perhaps a 'human' part of her for them to grab onto, but would women be getting so interested in these aspects of her life if she was male?

I was on my way to the doctor, thinking I'd miss outgoing Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's speech. But I tuned into ABC radio and sat in the car listening to his emotional speech. I had tears in my eyes.

Considering he'd just been ousted by his own party, he spoke with such dignity, and from the heart. You can also view his speech at The Age.

He spoke of the achievements of the Labor Party in the time he was Prime Minister. When it came to talking about cancer treatment, organ donation and the stolen generation, he broke down. It was moving. The support from his family, particularly his wife Therese Rein, was strong

As Clem Bastow and many others tweeted, 'I am proud of the fact that Kevin Rudd is a human being'.

Despite the perceived failings of the Labor Party under Kevin Rudd's leadership, I believe he's shown great leadership in his exit speech. It was heartfelt, honest, huourous and apologetic at times. It would be pretty awful to be the leader of a country and turned on by your supposed allies in your party. I can't imagine how he couldn't take criticism personally in his role as Prime Minister.

The values that Kevin and Julia espoused today make me proud.

There were a few words in Julia Gillard's gorgeous strine-laden acceptance address that resonated with me. I believe these words are true resolve of great leadership and values:

'Can I say to the Australian people there will be some days I delight you; there may be some days I disappoint you.

On every day, I will be working my absolute hardest for you'.

Taxi driver abuse

The trip to Sydney was great. Aside from being sore, that is. Because of my no-blogging-about-work rule, I'm only going to say that I enjoyed meeting and spending time with my colleagues across the country. It was great to be (almost) altogether because our interaction is mostly on the phone or through email. I work with a great group of people, in my virtual team, and around me in Melbourne.

The thing that brought down the experience was catching a taxi on Monday night after an amazing dinner and a few wines. I've been debating writing about this experience, because it is just another shitty thing I've encountered. And then I wonder whether people will think that I am overreacting about things, or worse, making things up. I know I shouldn't worry what others think, but I don't want to make peoples' eyes glaze over by incessant talking about my skin and the shitty situations I encounter.

My colleagues saw me off to the taxi rank at about 9:30 pm. It was dark, and I was in an unknown suburb of Sydney. I'm confident catching public transport and taxis alone - I do it all the time in Melbourne. I always try to be aware and alert when alone at night.

I knocked on the window of the first taxi in the queue. His door was locked. He wound down the window. He was a man of African descent, with poor English. I asked him to take me to my hotel.

Instead of saying yes or no, he said 'what happened to your face?' (And, no, his tone of voice didn't indicate he was concerned for me, he was not welcoming to take me either.)

Tired from being up at 4:10 am, really sore, and not feeling at ease with this driver, I didn't answer, and walked to the next taxi in the queue. I didn't want to ride with this driver. I figured, if he put me that offside on first encounter, and I'm so tired, then things might get tense, or much worse, on the taxi ride.

The second driver didn't speak much English either. He asked me why I didn't go with the first driver. I told him I didn't feel comfortable with the first driver. I don't think he understood what I said.

He flashed his lights at the first driver, told me he's not taking me either.

Then he got out of his taxi, went to the window of the first driver and demanded to know why he wouldn't take me.

There was some sort of argument, I heard the first driver say he wanted to know why I looked the way I did.

The second driver came back to his taxi, pointed his finger to the first driver's taxi and told me I have to go with him.

I said 'no, I don't feel safe' and walked off. Unfortunately I didn't get either driver's taxi licence or car registration numbers.

I felt shaken, a little frightened and disoriented at that stage. My colleagues were no longer at the cafe we were at. I called my manager and she and my colleagues came back for me, and to see me off to a new taxi. I thank them greatly for this.

This next taxi driver was very nice. I told him what had happened earlier, and he told me I was a beautiful, smart girl and not to worry what others think about my appearance, even though it's difficult. It was a positive trip, at least.

As I've said before, sometimes I just want to get on with my day instead of being questioned about my appearance. It's such a hassle.

Music I've been missing - late 90s bands - Fuel and The Goo Goo Dolls

There's something about late 90s music that I love. Some songs I can listen to today in 2010, with fresh ears, with the feeling of the magic I get just hearing a song for the first time.

Like:
Tal Bachman's She's So High.
Anything Savage Garden (of course).
Natalie Imbruglia.
The Verve's Bitter Sweet Symphony.
Oasis.
Alanis Morissette.
Matchbox Twenty.
U2.
Silverchair.
Tonic.
Train's Drops of Jupiter.
The Wallflowers.

I think I'll have to do Music I've Been Missing entries on a number of the bands listed above.

Yesterday's flight home was eased by my iPod playlist, which had a couple of late 90s bands on it. Fuel and The Goo Goo Dolls.

I realised late 90s bands is the music I've been missing.

I bought Fuel's Sunburn album when I was about 18, young and impressionable (read - when anything that wasn't Savage Garden was a risk). I thought having the album would make me cool. Someone I knew who was cool had it. I found it difficult to listen to because it was heavy and thrashy and I couldn't hear the words over the heaviness and thrashiness. (I'm sure if I gave it a go today it may sound less heavy and thrashy).

Then I bought the Cold Live at the Chapel CD after hearing it played in the store I worked in, around 2000. I was a huge fan of the Cold Live at the Chapel series on TV. 'Cold' related to the Carlton Cold beer. Since 2000, it's been sponsored by a number of brands including Vodafone and Kia, so you may not know it as Cold Live at the Chapel. Its was a TV show featuring live recordings of bands, some Australian and some international, filmed at the Chapel off Chapel. Chapel off Chapel is a converted church in little Chapel Street, Prahan (Melbourne). It's beautifully ornate.

In 2006 I won tickets to see Bob Evans play there (for Vodafone Live at the Chapel). That was the best music weekend ever - Make Poverty History concert on Friday, Live at the Chapel on Saturday and U2 on Sunday! The Live at the Chapel show was amazing. It was the first time I'd seen Bob Evans live.We were given drinks and nibbles, sang along to the lyrics and got to meet the band afterward. I recorded a few songs on my dodgy camera. And took some photos too.

This one is dodgy and blurry, or arty, depending on which way you look at it.


Here is me meeting Bob Evans. I'm rarely (openly) self critical of my appearance in photos, but what's with my slouch!?! The stray hand is S's.


Anyhow, the Cold Live at the Chapel CD I bought in 2000 had acoustic songs by The Foo Fighters, Killing Heidi, Tonic Paul Kelly and Fuel, among others. It is an awesome CD and I listened to it a lot, back in the day.

It was through listening to this CD that I really appreciated Fuel. Because I was able to hear the singer's voice. Fuel's songs on the CD were Shimmer and Bittersweet.

Here is Bittersweet.



I could never really understand the (meaning and pronunciation of) lyrics, but I enjoyed the gruff voice.

While I cannot find a link to the Cold Live at the Chapel version of Shimmer, here is a VH1 Storytellers one which is similar.



I really like the verse:

'She dreams a champagne dream
Strawberry surprise, pink linen and white paper
Lavender and cream
Fields of butterfliess, reality escapes her
She says that love is for fools that fall behind
And I'm somewhere in between
I never really know
A killer from a savior
'Til I break at the bend'

It reminds me of the song My Favourite Things from The Sound of Music. Only sung by a straggly-haired, gravelly voiced rock and roll singer.

In my research for this blog entry, I have seen that the original singer Brett Scallions left Fuel in 2006 and has been replaced by a new singer, Toryn Green. Who knew? You Tube videos demonstrate the two singers sound very similar.

Next on my playlist was the Goo Goo Dolls' Slide and Black Balloon from their album Dizzy Up the Girl.

When I was about 16 I bought the City of Angels soundtrack for The Goo Goo Dolls' Iris and Alanis Morissette's song Uninvited. I thought the rest of the album (bar Sarah McLachlan's song) was boring. BORING! And dull. And then I think Alanis's song was available on her difficult second album, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie anyway.

I thought the movie was boring too. Nic Cage was a chronic mumbler. The redeeming feature of City of Angels was Meg Ryan's hair. Though my hair is short and curly, I wished it looked as great as Meg Ryan's:


I would listen to Iris on repeat. I was in love with the drama, melancholy and love within the song. And I was probably yearning for some unattainable boy, singing 'I'd give up forever to touch you' in my head and thinking of how my surname would look hyphenated with his.

Then I heard Slide. I was in love with this song too.



I liked this song even more than Iris. I bought Dizzy Up The Girl, maybe in 1999, but similarly to with the Fuel album, it was too heavy for my precious ears and closed mind! In recent years I've appreciated it more and think I overreacted to the supposed heaviness of the CD. It's not heavy at all. And contains another gravelly voiced rockstar which I like so much.

I have wondered whether Slide was about forbidden love, or someone's girlfriend having an abortion and considering the option/pressure to get married (in both situations). It's hard to tell - the lyrics aren't as blunt as the Ben Folds Five song Brick (another great late 90s song). I haven't googled the meaning the lyrics to Slide, because I am content making up my own meaning to the song, but please share your interpretations of the song lyrics.

This was a very convoluted blog entry to write, and I hope it doesn't read in a convoluted way, but in writing it, my memory has been jogged with other fantastic late 90s bands.

Justification

Sometimes I feel a great need to justify my situation. I shouldn't have to, though.

The skin on my legs is really sore. I haven't felt this sore in a while. But these past few days I have been in a lot of pain, to the point where I have been walking bandy-legged, have needed to elevate my legs when sitting, and needed help buckling my shoes because I can't bend down or lift my legs high enough to do so.

While my illness varies with severity and pain, to others it may seem constant. My face is always red. People don't see my body. Most people don't notice when I am in pain unless they know me very well. And if I looked the same last time they saw me, then I must be the same now. I guess it's like an invisible illness inside a very visible one.

There are a few people that I call on for help. I know they understand that my illness fluctuates, and I trust them seeing my at my worst. These people mean so much to me. They are like my family because my family aren't here in the same city as me. I rarely ask for help or special treatment when I am sore. Most of the time I just grin and bear the pain and do what every other able bodied person can do. Waiting in a queue when I can hardly stand up. Walking. Carrying heavy loads. Cooking and cleaning.

So when I do ask for help, or get offered help from people who don't know me too well, I am truly grateful. But to be questioned about receiving help, or being called a princess when I am too sore to do something that others can, is very hurtful.

Sunrise

Here are some pictures of the sunrise I saw from the plane on the way to Sydney.












I have not seen too many sunrises in my life. I do wake up early on most days, but I am never outside to see the sky.

I recall one morning, at a time I was going out with a boy, and he was outside having a smoke and called me with a sense of urgency. I was in the bathroom at the time, and I was annoyed that he had called me outside while he was smoking, because he knew I didn't like it when he smoked around me.

When I got outside he told me the sun was rising. We sat on the step and watched the sunrise together. That was possibly the most romantic thing we had ever done together.

Anyway, I digress.

Seeing the sunrise on Monday morning was beautiful. It made getting up at 4:10 am worth it.

I love the way the sky gradually changes colour. It's a pretty amazing thing. I feel like I should have taken more opportunities to watch the sunrise, but then maybe, because it happens so rarely, I may appreciate it more.

The pinks and yellows are my favourite. It looks like the sky is a piece of silk that has been dip dyed and hung out to dry.

Breakfasting, merino underwear, Toy Story 3, Matt Preston and a feat of minimal luggage

The weekends go by far too quickly.

Yesterday I had breakfast with the lovely Jen from Jentopia. Jen and I work for the same organisation, tweet, read each other's blogs, share mutual friends and live close by but had never met until yesterday. It was a great morning - we chatted like we had known each other for years. She is lovely! I can't wait to meet up again. I really enjoy this online turned offline blogging/social networking community.

I had belly dancing class. I contemplated why there are a lack of size 10 merino wool thermal underwear in Target. Readers, give me some tips on where I can get some AFFORDABLE thermals. They must be wool. My friend and I had something magic that we know as Shakeaway, counteracting the work we did at belly dance. I had an apple pie and custard shake. My friend had a chocolate hedgehog shake. I did some cleaning. It was a nice day with a few achievements.

Today I was lucky enough to go to the premiere of Toy Story 3 in 3D. We were 'Guests of Walt Disney'. I expected today would be the moment he'd wake from being cryogenically frozen. He didn't.



I have been asked to write a review for it. I went with three friends. We all loved it - there was a great mix of adult and child friendly jokes, and considering it was a 'threequel', there was a great plot (unlike Sex and the City).

We got lots of goodies at the premiere. It was fun. Here is a book, stickers and lolly, all Toy Story 3 themed.

My friend won a lucky seat prize. She got a yoyo, frisbee and this USB drive which she gave me. Thanks R!


I love how intricate the animation is, and how the toys take such elaborate actions. Young and old, you should see it.

I did a bit of celebrity spotting in the cinema. I have celebdar. My friends commented on my ability to spot them, even with the 3D glasses on. I saw three actual celebrities and their families (hence no photos). So they may not be Hollywood celebs, but they were familiar to me. I saw Iain 'Huey' Hewitsson He's a TV chef. I also saw Dave O'Neill. He's a Melbourne based radio presenter and comedian.

The most exciting celebrity was MasterChef Australia's Matt Preston. Matt Preston (and MasterChef) is everywhere at the moment. I watch MasterChef on the nights I am home. Sometimes I think about entering it next year. I want to spend a weekend doing a MasterChef challenge in my own kitchen. I really enjoyed Matt's columns in The Age, but I don't follow his News Limited columns.

For those wondering, this is what Matt Preston looks like.

He is known for his cravats. FYI: today he did not wear a cravat.

So I gave Matt a smile. I desperately wanted to give him my card and tell him how much I enjoy his work, but I didn't. I just smiled. I probably stared at him a bit too long though. So I put it down to karma when his child pointed out that I have a red face as I stood in the ATM queue.

I am going to Sydney tomorrow for work. I am very proud to be taking such minimal luggage. All there is is an overnight bag, a small handbag, the shoes I'm wearing, and briefcase.

Are you proud too? Inside my overnight bag, there is only a pair of jeans for dinner tomorrow night, one full outfit for the next day, pyjamas, underwear, my (large and heavy) toilet bag, a tub of vaseline, my medications and a flat pair of shoes. Normally I'd take three times as much! I really hope I want to wear what I've chosen for Tuesday!

I have to wake up at 4:15 am, for a 5:20 am driver pick up, for a 7:00 am flight. While I am looking forward to going to Sydney, I'm not keen on the EARLY start. I am fretting that I will sleep through my alarm. So I have arranged a wake-up call from Telstra. Fingers crossed it works!

Tonight's dinner is fish and vegetables.

There is salmon and white fish, spinach, cherry tomatoes, spinach, capsicum, mushroom, lime juice and chilli. It was quick a one pot, knife, spoon and cutting board meal.

I am looking forward to Wednesday as I will be seeing the edit of the short film! I hear it looks great and we are all stars! Naturally.

Signing off now. Need to eat and rearrange my bedding. Then MasterChef and Heartbreak High.

I am not religious, but please say a prayer or look to the Rock Gods or something to ensure I wake up at 4:15 am. Sydney Shop Girl, if you are awake at that time (and from your blogs and comments on mine, I know you sometimes are) please send me a text!

The Basement Birds

Something exciting arrived in the mail today! And by registered post. Registered post items are always important. Often not exciting though.



It's my ticket to see The Basement Birds at the Forum in August.

Who are the Basement Birds, you ask?

They are an Australian supergroup of sorts. Josh Pyke. Kav Temperley from Eskimo Joe. Steve Parkin. And my favourite, Bob Evans (Kevin Mitchell from Jebediah).



They are beautifully melodic. A bit country, a bit pop, a bit barbershop quartet.



An album is out on 16 July. You can buy their EPs on iTunes.

And if you think the line up of the Basement Birds is good with the four boys, Julia Stone also features on their song Bus Stop. They also did a Like a Version cover on Triple J - performing The Presets' My People.

Back to the concert.

Apart from seeing the concert, my ticket entitles me to watch their soundcheck, a meet and greet and tshirt. I am so looking forward to it, but I only wish my good friend L (who is a huge Bob Evans/Jebediah fan) could come along too.

I love it when bands take care of their fans by making a special package available (at not too big a cost).

I suspect the Basement Birds are only going to be around when time permits, given the members' day jobs. So I'll savour them while I can.

You can view the details of their Australian tour here.

Music I've been missing - The Screaming Jets

I really enjoy doing these music I've been missing blog entries. The entries are getting me listening to a wider range of music and thinking about the impact certain music has had on me.

I am especially pleased that you enjoy the entries too (based on your comments). Thank you :) I particularly enjoyed the comment I received on the last music I've been missing, about Genevieve Maynard. Genevieve left a comment! How cool to receive a comment from the artist I've just written about. What a privilege.

This evening I've been doing a bit of tidying (hear that Dad!) and to get me moving and motivated I thought to put one one of the fastest, loudest CDs I own. The Screaming Jets - Hits and Pieces. I haven't listened them for a while, and tonight's (loud) play reminded me that they're the music I've been missing.

I don't profess to know all of their songs. I only own their greatest hits CD and DVD, and a CD single from 2000. But when I hear Dave Gleeson's voice in the fast paced songs, I get a rush of energy.

Maybe it's because I'm sometimes attracted to acute blokeyness (a cute blokeyness?). Or maybe it's the male bogan in me. I have a soft spot (excuse the pun) for Australian cock rock. Cold Chisel, Inxs etc.

I've enjoyed the Screaming Jets' music since Better was released in 1991. When I was nine years old. When I knew that cock meant rooster, and not penis. I saw the video of Better on Rage one day and liked it.



I've been to see the Screaming Jets live twice. The crowd was as scary as Placebo's. The first time my friend and I were in the front row at the Termo in Albury in 2000. I had my trusty Doc Martens on. She had thongs on. The crowd was drunk and mobile. And made up of mainly burly men twice our age. Her feet got pretty bloody. I didn't know if I was going to get out of there alive!

The second time I saw them at the Corner Hotel around 2004 with another friend. We thought it sensible to stand up the back. We felt like the youngest there by 20 years. I remember there were some guys who came to chat us up and all they did was look down our tops. I also remember moving my feet very quickly to the 'never never never never get anywhere' part of Better. They are awesome live, and I'd like to see them play again. They seem to tour frequently, but the next time they're in Melbourne I'm seeing The Temper Trap.

A few songs are close to my heart, but my favourite song of theirs is October Grey.



Lyrically, it's a bit of a love song. I love the opening 'It's been awhile, but I still remember the smile you've kept for me'. There's something about Dave Gleeson's voice in the song that makes me smile. I like that gruffness. And the guitar work reminds me a little of Dire Straits' Sultans of Swing.

I am not sure whether they're still making new music. Maybe I will explore if they are. But in any case, I'm quite content revisiting their greatest hits. It's on repeat as I type.

Sausage making

Last weekend was spent at my parents' house in the country. We had lots of great food. From earth to table. The food theme was not limited to my parents' house.

It was a very cold morning last Sunday. Mum said we were going to her and Dad's Italian friends' house to watch some sausage making. She had little faith in my stamina, thinking I'd get bored from all the outdoorsiness. At one point Dad asked whether I wanted something more glamourous. I surprised them both, and even myself - I had a great time. I put on my journalist and photographer hats and did some research in the name of Tune into Radio Carly. The hats were only metaphors. If I had worn a hat, I would have been much warmer! I think my enjoyment also came from wearing sensible shoes for the trip, too.

As Faux Fuschia says, vegetarians, look away now!

It was such an educational experience. It was like real life Food Safari! Aside from the sausages, so much produce is grown and made on these peoples' land. They provide vegies for the local markets. They make their own wines. I loved the self sufficiency of it all.

Mum and Dad's friends do an annual pig slaughter and sausage making fest on the Queen's Birthday Long Weekend. They have lots of their friends helping them out - they come from interstate for the event.

The pigs get slaughtered on Friday, the butchering is done on Saturday, sausage making is done on Sunday and clean up on Monday.

The sausages are made in a fully equipped shed.

This is a huge tray of pork mince for the sausages and salami. It is flavoured with chilli, salt and coriander. They mix the herbs and spices through it by hand.

The mince is cooked on the stove and taste tested to see whether more flavour needs to be added. Here's what I ate. Tasted good.

These are natural sausage skins, soaking in water, ready to be filled with mince. The skins are tied with string.

The mince is held in a big machine and someone winds a handle to feed the mince through a pipe. The sausage skin is attached to the end of the pipe.

Here is a salami being made.

The salami was THIS BIG!

These are sausages. They can be cooked and eaten straight away.

And these are salamis. They will be hung to dry.


I learned that the salt and chilli preserve the mince so the salami keeps fresh. The sausages are pricked to remove the air so they don't explode when cooking. I also learned that sausage making is a messy, cold job. I imagine being so self sufficient is tiring, but rewarding.

This is prosciutto being salted...

...and hung. Prosciutto is the Greek word for ham. You can find out more about it here.


This pot sits on a gas cooker. It's filled with stock for a cabbage soup.

This home built wood stove was lovely.


Here are some goats that their neighbour keeps.

The goats had recently given birth to eight kids. The kids were high up on the hill away from the humans.

The goats eat everything in sight. And they make a different sound to a sheep.

They had a cute dog that looked a bit like Toby.


It was a fantastic morning and I thank Mum and Dad's friends for letting me take photos and write about their tradition on my blog.

Call for young women with disabilities + chronic illnesses to talk about body image

I have been commissioned by DiVine to write a really exciting article on the body image of young women with disabilities and chronic illnesses.

This is an issue I feel strongly about, and I believe there is not much media coverage about it.

I plan to interview about six women and a member of the National Advisory Group on Body Image.

If you are a young woman with a disability or chronic illness and would like to participate in a written interview (or know someone who may), please leave a comment here with your email address or send me a message on Facebook by Saturday 19 June (Australian time). Some of your responses will be used in my article.

Thank you for helping me out!

EDIT: Thank you for your responses. I have sent you all an email and will let you know when the article is published. Comments are now closed. Please note, I won't be able to use every part of your response.

Audition

I had a little audition today, for Grit Media. It was more like an interview.

I think it went well. I went in being myself.

So happy to have had the opportunity to do it.

Jack Oldacres - Netherton's Syndrome

I read this article this morning. It's about a little boy with Netherton's Syndrome (the same variant of ichthyosis I have).

Jack Oldacres is 21 months old and lives in the UK. His parents, Daniel and Julie, are on a mission to educate people about Netherton's Syndrome, to get Jack the recognition he deserves. Isn't Jack beautiful?



It's one of the better news articles I've seen about ichthyosis. I am so pleased of the sensitivity shown in telling Jack's story.

There were two parts of this article that brought tears to my eyes:

Daniel, 32, says: “I want him to walk through town and people to think 'There’s Jack', not 'What’s wrong with that red baby?'”

“We went to Twycross Zoo and a coachload of school kids – teenagers who were old enough to know better – started shouting and pointing.

“They were more interested in Jack than the animals. We were stuck there for 40 minutes and by the end Julie was in floods of tears. It ruined our day.”

And

Daniel admits with a grimace that he is even planning to joke about Jack’s condition to prepare him for other children’s cruel taunts.

“That way he’ll be able to say, my dad says worse than that, and carry on with what he’s doing,” he explains with stoney-faced resolution.

Jack's story resonated with me because of my own experiences.

It saddened me to read of the heartlessness of the teens taunting Jack at the zoo. How's that for cruelty - a little boy at the zoo, doing what he loves, and having a busload of teens take more interest in him than the animals. It would have been heartbreaking for his parents. Jack's Dad is right - they are old enough to know better.

As for toughening Jack up, preparing him for the teasing that may come - it breaks my heart that this is the reality of Jack's life. His parents are doing an amazing job in raising Jack, and I think he's going to grow up robust and compassionate.

But we shouldn't have to prepare for teasing or have our days ruined by stares, taunts and questions. I wish people could just accept diversity.

Jack's parents are doing amazing things in raising awareness about Netherton's Syndrome - they just took part in a charity walk, and held a party to raise funds for research.

I encourage you to read more about Jack and educate people you know about the impacts of making assumptions about others' appearances.

Jack's website
The Mirror article

Wise words from Faux Fuschia

The lovely, stylish blogger Faux Fuschia wrote the following on her blog today, after the sad passing of her grandmother.

'Life can be so difficult. Stay focused-Let's grab what happiness we can. With Both hands. Starting Now.
You've been told.'

I agree. Take every piece of happiness and all the opportunities you can.

Thanks for your assertion, FF. I believe in it strongly.

Music I've been missing - Genevieve Maynard

The thing I like about driving on a long trip is the chance to listen to music. I mean, really listen to it. I have music on so often, but much of the time I don't listen to it with care because I'm doing something else or there's not much time to listen to a whole album. My train trip to and from work is 10 minutes. By the time I've unfolded my headphones and cued the song I want to listen to, I'm one stop away from where I need to be.

Today on my trip back to Melbourne I set my iPod playlist to feature Australian music. I had some Bob Evans, Angus and Julia Stone, The Getaway Plan, Cold Chisel, Clare Bowditch, Darren Hayes, Bertie Blackman and Genevieve Maynard. I set my iPod to shuffle, excited about what song may come next, but as usual, hoping to hear a song I really adored.

Genevieve Maynard's Don't Come Morning came one somewhere before Wangaratta and it was then I knew, hers was the music I've been missing.

I've known Genevieve Maynard's music for about 10 years now. She used to play guitar, sing backing vocals and produce for a band called Stella One Eleven. I first heard Stella One Eleven on the Looking for Alibrandi soundtrack and then saw them play at the Termo Hotel in Albury in 2000. I saw them play live about four times in total.

Genevieve went solo (with a band) and I saw her play a few times in Albury and also in Melbourne at The Rob Roy, The Empress and The Cornish Arms. Sydney people - look out for when she plays next and go and see her - you will not be disappointed. I long for the day she plays in Melbourne again, but I may have to make the trip to Sydney to see her.

She has released five solo (with band) CDs so far, all excellent. Her CDs are hard to come by, but I'm sure if you visit this website, you can arrange to buy them. Her current album is The Hollow Way by Genevieve Maynard and The Tallboys.

You may have heard some of Genevieve's music featured on Neighbours and The Secret Life of Us.

I'm not much good at comparing musicians, but I believe her voice is incomparable to anything you would hear on mainststream radio today. I did read that some say she has the best voice in Australia. Her songs are lush - I love the clarity and depth of her voice. She sings with such warmth and kindness. She has a mix of guitar-heavy and acoustic songs. She sings with such honesty. When I listen to her music, I feel like I am taken away from the world for a while.

The songs I most love are Pillar of Salt, Crash and Burn, Steer Clear, Johnny Lee, Come By, The Albatross and the gorgeous version of The Angels' Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again?.

Here is a video clip of The Albatross by Genevieve Maynard and the Tallboys.



I found an interview that I really enjoyed - it's by Tim Dunlop on Crikey.

Genevieve Maynard interview part one
Genevieve Maynard interview part two

I was sad to read the struggles she has in getting her brilliant music heard by a wide audience. To think there is so much awful music infiltrating our world, and Genevieve, with an authentic sound, can't get radio airplay. She sings about this issue in a song called Earthbound, alluding to the quick recognition the Idol contestants receive. I'm really impressed she keeps on making her own music because she loves it. It's a true indication that sometimes you need to follow your heart and do what you love.

She also mentions the power of social networking. It's because of social networking she and I are in contact. Genevieve and I tweet each other on Twitter. She is a funny tweeter. It made my day when she wished me a happy birthday last year!

I was also very excited to be able to purchase her latest album directly from her. It makes me feel good knowing my money is going straight to one of my favourite artists ever.