Birthday celebrations with new friends, old friends, friends we just made and those I'm yet to meet

I celebrated my birthday last night. (My actual birthday is this coming Wednesday. And my legs have healed quite a bit, though still a little sore.) A group of good friends came out with me to Bopha Devi at the Docklands.

It was a fantastic night with lots of laughs. Some people didn't know each other, but they all got along.

I have made the best friends.

Some were old friends:

• Shawn from primary school - we reunited last year via Twitter after last seeing each other in 1992.
• Jo from Melbourne - I used to go to stay with her and her now husband in Melbourne since I was about 13.
• Steph who I used to work with in retail from 1999 - 2003 and we now both live in Melbourne.

And others were new friends:

• Cherie - Shawn's girlfriend, who, before we met, wrote a letter to the Northcote Trader's Association about the woman in the store who abused me - the kindness of strangers astounds me!
• Hayley - we met on Twitter because of our Rush discussion. We have since met Callan Mulvey together and both write for Ramp Up.
• Scott, Elvira and Phin - I met them through filming on Channel 31
• Trudie and her husband Dave - I worked with Trudie and now we belly dance, shop and see movies together.

I'd like to thank them for their friendship, for sharing good times with me, and for their lovely words in cards and gifts. Thank you.

Here are some photos from the night.

The view of the harbour.

Scott felt the need to hit me on the arse with a plastic drinks menu. I am disappointed he didn't use his hand. A plastic menu is so sterile (before it hit me on the arse).

Elvira warning the table about pissing her off.

Steph vicariously receives modeling lessons in her job.

Steph reminds the men of the world that she is a bride to be.
Men of the world are sad. But then rejoice that I am single.

Scott can no longer hide his disinterest for my unfunny jokes.

Trudie.

The arty shots:

Steph didn't believe that I had never seen a bong until this year.
*not an actual bong on the table.

Penis rolls!

Me with Cherie and Shawn.

Phin and I.

Hayley and I.

For the fashion conscious reader, my outfit was Wish coral floaty top, Kinki Gerlinki ruffle shorts, Chinatown diamante heels, Sussan longsleeved tee, Witchery bangle, Mimco headband and Target clutch. Necklaces were Tiffany and two beautiful gifts.

After Bopha Devi Hayley, Elvira, Phin and I probably spent two hours finding an exciting and accessible bar to party on at. It proved difficult. The Docklands were filled with private functions and drunken cruisegoers. It was also difficult finding a taxi. Queues were long, taxi drivers were disgustingly rude (one guy drove off when a friend was ready to get in) and people waiting for taxis were weird.

Once we did get a taxi, Elvira and I went to Crown Casino. Only one cocktail each.

We met three lovely new people in Lagerfield, chatted to them for a while, and then all headed off to the junkfood court. All class.

We convinced a bouncer to pose for a photo with us. We said we'd give him a cheeseburger. We never did.

I picked up a cheap and delicious date during the night.
Sadly, he didn't stay with me til morning.
Jerk.

This photo was actually upside down.

The line of the night was:

OMG...Elvira, you almost ended up in a WHEELCHAIR!! (Carly to Elvira as she crossed the road with oncoming traffic. In her wheelchair.)

Nothing like a $2.95 KFC molten cake and strangers singing happy birthday at Crown Casino's junkfood court at 2.30 am.

I did not eat all of this KFC. Honestly.

While in the queue at KFC, one of our new friends told many strangers that Elvira and I will be on Channel 31 this Monday night at 6.30 pm. He was so excited he had met two famous people, and now wants a spot on TV!

It was such fun.

Here are the beautiful cards and presents I received. I love them all :) Thank you - I feel very special, and each gift was so carefully chosen.

Tiger Tree necklace

Bling necklace

Matching bling bracelet

Coles Myer voucher and my favourite chocolate

The Princess Bride book

And today I received a surprise in the mail! The postman is starting to come on Sundays before Christmas!

A friend I've been speaking to online after briefly meeting earlier this year, because of our mutual love for Rush, posted me a U2 tour book. Thanks for thinking of me and being so generous, Alex :)

I also received a parcel from a friend I haven't met yet, but have been online friends with for about two years. We came into contact because we both love Trinny and Susannah. I can't wait to meet you, Kylie, thank you for sending me these lovely gifts!

We haven't met yet she knows me so well :) Simple wrapping with purple ribbon.

And beautiful gifts. Fabric bangles in lovely pastels.

A bird pendant by Kaboodle.

And a notebook - so very handy!

Something is on its way to you soon, Kylie :)

I feel very lucky and loved. To my new friends, old friends, friends we just made and those I'm yet to meet - thank you so much. ♥

U2 - Etihad Stadium, Melbourne

U2
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
3 December 2010

U2 are in Australia. They flew here on a private jet, and it took a crew of 250 to assemble their massive stage ensemble.

I saw them in concert last night. It was their second Australian concert. You can read a review of their first Australian concert held on 1 December in Mebourne here.

For a band with so many hits prior to 2005, and not many since, U2's relevance is still maintained. Proof? By making a surprise guest appearance on Hamish and Andy's last radio broadcast before their Melbourne concert last night...

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...and recognising World Aids Day at the Sydney Opera House with Australian PM Julia Gillard on Tuesday night.

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Offstage, Bono is like Jesus. He can mix with all walks of life - Prime Ministers and cute larrikin radio hosts.

He also wears double leather really relatively well (as judged by me, from a far distance from the stage).

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Yet looks good damn fine in a suit.

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During the concert, I was thinking that Bono hasn't taken those glasses off since the 80s.

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He doesn't even let Obama see him without glasses.

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I had to Google what he looks like without sunglasses...and I found this:

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Woah! I didn't actually Google 'Bono without a bra'. Honest.

Here he is with visible eyes. And a shirt on. Phew.

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Apologies for my massive tangent. I've had a lot of coke (a cola) at the concert, and now I'm wide awake, mind a racing. I didn't mean to focus on Bono's appearance so much. (I expect this entry will be another one of those that attracts defensive comments from hardcore fans. To the hardcore fans: I am a fan too, just happen to see the funny side of things, and I am a bit cynical at times. I am not intending to hurt Bono's feelings. Ok.)

The point of this blog entry was to write about their Melbourne concert at Etihad Stadium on Friday 3 December 2010. And so I will. The following photos were all taken by me.

The stage was elaborate. They performed in a round, on multiple levels and bridges - it is the 360 tour afterall.

There was the claw:

And this massive pylon that pierced the top of the claw - it's purpose was to lower the massive and ever changing video screens. The Age states 'The claw itself stands 30.53 metres high (with the pylon, it's 51.8 metres)'.

Jay Z opened the show. Unlike Myf Warhurst who lightly stalked Jay Z and Beyonce earlier in the week, I don't see the appeal. Some fans went to the concert just to see him.

I never wanted to see him. So I left it as long as I could to go to the concert. I wrote the following on Facebook the other day: Ok so I am seeing U2 on Friday. I really don't want to see Jay Z support U2. I wondering if I can go tag-team with my ticket and a fan of Jay Z? They could see Jay Z, run out, give me my ticket, and I could see U2. Deal?

Following that status, friends who went to U2 on Wednesday warned me against him. And one friend advocated tag-teaming - she successfully did it at Duran Duran and Robbie Williams.

I felt like the most disinterested person in the stadium during Jay Z. I saw him do (sing isn't the right word?) about five songs, and three of those were covers. I was bored. What is he famous for?? I admit my interest was roused when he did Empire State of Mind.

When U2's concert commenced, the audience went wild. Larry Mullen Jnr. Adam Clayton. The Edge. And Bono.

U2 are the sort of superstars you'd expect to land on stage from a drop from their private jet. But like most other humans, they walked up the steps onto the stage.

I was pleased they played so many songs from my two favourite albums of theirs. Achtung Baby (Mysterious Ways, The End of the World, Light My Way and One) and All That You Can't Leave Behind (Beautiful Day, Stuck in a Moment - dedicated to Michael Hutchence, Elevation, Walk On - closed with You'll Never Walk Alone, and In a Little While).

The light show was spectacular.

The video screens went around the stage, at various heights through the show, allowing for viewing by all areas of the stadium.

They did their other greatest hits too - With Or Without You, Where the Streets Have No Name, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Vertigo, City of Blinding Lights, New Years Day, Pride and Sunday Bloody Sunday. But it was evident that they may never have songs as popular as these ones during their more recent songs, when the audience was less responsive.

These were my favourite light effects of the night, during City of Blinding Lights.

I thought this was pretty cool too - though I can't remember what song it was.

The concert, in true human rights crusading form, was a little bit preachy. Celebrating the release of Burmese Aung San Suu Kyi. Make Poverty (and AIDS) History. Sunday Bloody Sunday was brought into the post 9/11 world with images of women in hijabs and terrorism scenes from the Middle East.
The picture below shows the round lit up with Amnesty lights.

There was some nostalgic U2 thrown in - old video footage from before the time they took over the world. Footage from when Bono had long hair. There was a cool image of the Harmony Motel, which was featured in photos in the jacket of Joshua Tree album (facts about U2 geography here).

I felt that concert magic lacked in the seated area simply because Etihad Stadium is so huge. Perhaps if I'd been in the standing zones (impossible with my current sore skin) I'd have felt more of that concert rush I love so much. It wasn't that the audience around me weren't excited - there was singing, dancing and arm waving. But it's a different atmosphere compared to a smaller venue, even Rod Laver.

There was a brilliant moment where Bono picked a girl from the 50 000 strong audience in In a Little While, and she was asked on stage. He held her hand, hugged her and sang to her. So exciting for her. But that brilliant moment was lost way back in the seating area - there was hardly footage of Bono and the girl on the screens (maybe for privacy reasons??) - instead the video footage was of astronauts. The vast space in the stadium meant the excitement that should have been shown for the girl onstage was lacking.

I also felt that some of the animation was amateur. I agree with the reviewer on The Vine:

OK, if the focus is meant to be on the Claw and it's state of the art video screen, why are so many of the images projected on it so...amateurish? A cartoon sequence between the first encore is particularly lame, looking like it was made in MS Paint, and any time words are randomly laid over the screen it conjures images of an early '90s "how to use your computer" CD-ROM. Alternatively, the flashbacks to the band having their photos taken at Joshua Tree during the Rattle n Hum era add - funnily enough - a much-missed human element to the night; so too the synchronised face arrangement during the aforementioned 'I'll Go Crazy...'. But otherwise it is, essentially, like someone's left a TV turned on to the community channel.

Despite my criticisms, I thought it was a great concert. I enjoyed it more than when I saw them in 2006. Last night I had a cheap ticket, so I didn't expect to be close to the stage. But my view was good - heightened by the 360 degree video screens and stage.

The stage was so huge and as mentioned, it took a crew of 250 to assemble. About six songs to the end, a heap of tradies came onto the ground, ready for the dismantle. Here are just a few:

There was so much to look at - it was a concert of epic proportions. (Much like the length of this blog entry.)

The band's stage presence constantly amazed me. They were full of energy, and don't show signs of retiring. Bono ran, air-punched and danced on sage. They put out a big sound for four men. Bono's voice and the guitar work were...classic. At times I was pinching myself, thinking 'wow, I'm actually seeing U2 play [insert classic song here]'.

They paint an iconic image lined up on stage waving the crowd goodbye.

And when Bono commands the crowd, the crowd obeys. Hands and phones in the air on command. Running to whatever part of the stage he's standing at (even when he's just posing like a rock star, and not looking at the fans). Onstage he's a different kind of Jesus. More of a rock God. But despite this super status, he and the band left the stage the same way they came on. Walking side by side, in unity, down the steps. Like regular humans do.

Here is the setlist:

1. Return Of The Stingray Guitar
2. Beautiful Day / Blackbird (snippet)
3. New Year's Day
4. Get On Your Boots
5. Magnificent
6. Mysterious Ways
7. Elevation
8. Until The End Of The World
9. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Movin' On Up (snippet)
10. Stuck In A Moment
11. Pride (In The Name Of Love)
12. In A Little While
13. Miss Sarajevo
14. City Of Blinding Lights
15. Vertigo / Rockaway Beach (snippet)
16. Funky Town (snippet) / Crazy Tonight / Relax (snippet) / Two Tribes (snippet)
17. Sunday Bloody Sunday
18. Scarlet
19. Walk On / You'll Never Walk Alone (snippet)
Encore(s):
20. One / I'll Stand By You (snippet)
21. Amazing Grace (snippet) / Where The Streets Have No Name
22. Ultra Violet (Light My Way)
23. With Or Without You
24. Moment of Surrender

(setlist source)

ABC online's Ramp Up launch + International Day of People with Disability

It is quite fitting on this International Day of People with Disability that my own chronic illness has somewhat disabled me. I am writing this from under the covers (even if you imagine really hard, it's not a sexy situation I am in). I am sore, finding it hard and very painful to walk, a little bit miserable, and unable to go to work. The chemist gave me a doctor's certificate, and suggested home-based treatments. I am now on a second dose of antibiotics and nauseating pain killers. If I am not better by Sunday I will take myself to the emergency ward for a consult with the dermatologist, to receive IV antibiotics rather than a hospital stay. And I'm concerned that I'll be too unwell to go to my own birthday party tomorrow night. It sucks.

I had a shower at my friend's house this morning. As I mentioned, I never look my best first thing in the morning, so to have kisses blown to me and smiles from her beautiful one year old daughter made me feel good about myself. There's nothing like the unconditional love from a baby to cheer you up when you're feeling your worst.

Something else that's put a smile on my face today, and made me very proud is the launch of the ABC's disability portal, Ramp Up.

Ramp Up is a website dedicated to news, opinion, broadcasts and discussion about disability.

My introductory article has been published.

You can read it here.

My online friend Todd has also written an article which I recommend reading. And check out my real-life friend Pauline's article too.

I've not had a lot to do with International Day of People with Disability until very recently. I never thought it applied to me. But it does, and even if I didn't have a chronic illness, it should apply to me. This day is very important to raise awareness about disabilities and chronic illnesses, and to celebrate ability.

For the past three years I've had greater involvement in International Day of People with Disability. I coordinate events for it in my workplace. I've spoken at some of these events in 2008 and 2009. This week I have coordinated and assisted with two events at work - giving the opportunity to young staff and friends to share their stories about their disabilities. Hearing their stories - some struggles but mostly triumphs - moves me to tears.

In her editorial welcome on Ramp Up, Stella Young writes 'In a lot of ways, International Day still doesn't mean a great deal to me. It's just a day. I'm proud of who I am every day, and I know dozens of other disabled people who feel exactly the same way.'

I feel a bit the same. But this year International Day of People with Disability feels more special for me because I am now a contributor to Ramp Up, in the company of many other talented writers.

I am going to rest up now, under the covers. Read the newspaper and sleep. And hope that my infection heals soon.

The rainy days ain't so bad when you're the king

I am really sore. On my legs. Like hospital sore. I went home from work early, sick. My manager asked if there is anything she could to to help me. 'Stand for me', I suggested. So, so sore. It's thumping and stinging and burning all at once. I've also had to postpone a catch up dinner with a friend tonight so I can have a salt and oil bath and rest up. I want and need to be well for U2 and my birthday party on the weekend.

My shower needs replacing. I may be without a shower for two weeks. It is a medical need that I have a shower at least twice a day. A bath in the morning doesn't cut it. If I don't have a shower there is a risk of infection. Plus I don't wake up looking like you usually see me on this blog and in person.

I literally have to put my face on. I have to wash off the old skin to make way for the new. On a bad day, I wake up looking a like Freddy Kruger. On a good day, I wake up dry, scaly and scrunchy-eyed/faced. I don't let many people see me before my shower in the morning - I have to really love and trust them. So it's imperative I have a shower to start the day. Fortunately I have a very good friend nearby who is kindly letting me use her shower as much as I need to while mine is out of order. I hate to be a burden though. I think the thought of the shower situation is stressing me out and making my skin sore. Ironically, this sore skin on my legs requires a bath.

Glum, glum, glum.

On the upside, and there is always an upside...

The shower and tiles have been pulled out today. It's actually not as bad as I imagined.

I really love the outfit I wore today, despite how sore I am. This humidity is making my hair nicely curled too.

The photo was taken in the chemist when I picked up my cream (Vaseline) and some much needed Panadol. The girls in my chemist always make me laugh no matter how sore I am. There is three kilos of Vaseline in this box. I lather myself in it. It's not as sexy as it sounds. But come hither, boys...

I wrote an article on surviving the party season. It was published on DiVine. You can read it here. I think it's one of my more fun pieces.

I'll be featured on 3CR radio tomorrow talking about dating.

Tomorrow the ABC's Ramp Up website is launched. It will feature one of my articles. To see my writing in print on the ABC will be one of my proudest moments. Like their (previous?) slogan 'it's your ABC', a small part of it is now my ABC.

I got a standing room ticket to the Kings of Leon concert for March 2011 too. Hurrah!

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And Rush is on tonight. These boys will be nice to look at.

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As Kings of Leon sing, 'the rainy days ain't so bad when you're the king'. Today is a rainy day for me, literally (it's been raining sideways in Melbourne!) and metaphorically. But there continues to be good things happening which outshine the bad.

Music I've been missing - MGMT, Time to Pretend

Sometimes I am best reminded of the music I've been missing when I am in that sleepy state in the morning. My radio alarm is blaring, and certain songs sort of incorporate themselves into my dreams, even though they're playing in real life. I don't know how to explain it - maybe real time dreaming? It is a weird state to be in.

The most recent song that incorporated itself into my dream was on this past weekend's sleep in when I heard MGMT's Time to Pretend. Of course, many songs went by - I slept through some, and was awake through others (usually the god-awful Rhianna, even worse Black Eyed Peas, Bruno Mars and rap/hip hop crap I hate so much), but it was only MGMT that caused my real time dream.



In my dream I was telling someone how much I love this song. I remember in 2008 when I first heard Time to Pretend - once on the radio and then in stores, and in the movie 21. I loved it, and felt like I'd discovered a great band. Time to Pretend came in at #18 on Australia's Triple J Hottest 100 countdown for 2008. The song is also 493 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. I knew I was onto a good thing!

MGMT's subsequent singles, Kids and Electric Feel got more radio attention, but these songs didn't win my heart like Time to Pretend.

The meaning of the song may come from a place of drug use. But it's funny:

We wrote Time to Pretend our senior year of college, and the music was inspired by a praying mantis we had in our house. She laid eggs and it died, and we laid the egg case on this kinda model pirate ship on the mantle piece, and the eggs hatched and all these baby praying mantises were climbing up the rigging of the ship, and it was pretty crazy...uhm so the music was inspired by our praying mantis that liked to dance to the Clash {laugh} and the lyrics are just about us imagining being rock stars....and yeah, fantasy rock star life.