My Blue Heaven

Compilations

“To me, making a tape is like writing a letter – there’s a lot of erasing and rethinking and starting again. A good compilation tape, like breaking up, is hard to do. You’ve got to kick off with a corker, to hold the attention..”

~ Excerpt from “High Fidelity” by Nick Hornby

Made myself a compilation cd today. Took me two days of culling down a huge song list, lots of chopping and changing, the installation of new software Exact Audio Copy & LAME (highly recommended software btw). And finally.. the completed track-listing is as follows:

1. “Ten Days” – Missy Higgins
2. “Don’t Ever” – Missy Higgins
3. “Bruised” – The Bens
4. “So Beautiful” (live) – Pete Murray
5. “Burn” – Usher
6. “Last Goodbye” – Jeff Buckley
7. “Seasick” – Something For Kate
8. “Let Down” – Radiohead
9. “I’m With You” – Avril Lavigne
10. “Nobody’s Home” – Avril Lavigne
11. “Lover, You Should Have Come Over” – Jamie Cullum (cover of Jeff Buckley original)
12. “Fever” – Starsailor
13. “Alcoholic” – Starsailor
14. “Miracle Drug” – U2
15. “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own” – U2
16. “Truth” – George
17. “Love Song” (live) – Amiel
18. “What’s Going On” (live) – Michael Franti & Katie Noonan

Ok, so I broke Rob’s golden rule of not putting the same artist on twice, and again by putting them one after the other. Ah well.. its for me, and nobody else. And I’m enjoying it muchly. 😛

In other news… I’m going to HoneyRoasted tonight. Should be fun fun fun. 😉

Current listening :: “Last Goodbye” – Jeff Buckley

Meh (Revisited)

Meh.

Bleh.

*sigh*

Just when you thought everything was ok….

But time has changed nothing at all
You’re still the only one that feels like home
I’ve tried cutting the ropes and
I let you go but you’re still the only one
That feels like home

Current listening :: “Ten Days” – Missy Higgins (*sigh*)

Music is the language of us all

Am really loving my latest CD purchases. I bought The Cat Empire’s “The Cat Empire” and Switchfoot’s “Beautiful Letdown” earlier this week – and I love em both! Quite different genres of music, but both very enjoyable. I’m going to see Switchfoot when they tour in March. Should be awesome. 🙂 I’m also really wanting to see The Cat Empire live (if/when they come up to Sydney again) – they sound like an AWESOME band to see live! You can tell they just love music, and that’s what they’re all about – with their complex and ever changing rhythms, awesome improv solos, and the boundless energy in their music.

I love variety in music – there is something awesome in every genre, something that touches the soul in every song. I know my musical tastes are pretty eclectic (I mean, who loves both Britney Spears AND Radiohead?!) – but really, I think I’m the lucky one, being able to discover and enjoy the range of different music. No need for elitism here. 😛

I’ve also borrowed Missy Higgins cd from my brother – I need to get familiar with her stuff (and a whole bunch of other bands I’ve not had the chance to listen to much) before Wave Aid on the 29th. I prefer going to gigs being at least a little bit familiar with the bands stuff. It’s more enjoyable that way. 🙂

Current listening :: “Ten Days” – Missy Higgins (I *like* this song.. just really touches me for some reason)

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Advice for a friend?

Recently received this from a friend. Appreciate any thoughts/advice anyone could give regarding this delicate matter.

“I would be most grateful for any advice anyone could give me on this matter of deep concern to me. For sometime now I’ve suspected that my girlfriend may be having an affair.

You know the sort of thing. Her mobile rings, I answer, someone hangs up. Recently she has started going out ‘with the girls’ a lot and when I ask which girls it’s always “Just some friends from work, you don’t know them”. I always used to keep an eye out for her taxi coming home but now she always walks up to the house although I can hear a car setting off as if she has just got out of one around the corner.

The other day I picked up her mobile, just to see what time it was, and she went mental, screaming at me that I should never touch her phone again and why was I checking up on her.

Anyway, I have never approached the subject with her. I kind of think deep down I don’t really want to know the truth.

But then last night she went out again and I decided that I would check up on her. I hid behind my car which I knew would give me a good view of the whole street so I could see which car she got out of on her return. It was whilst crouched behind my car that I noticed rust around my rear wheel arch.

Should I take it into a body repair shop, or should I buy some stuff from Supercheap and try to repair it myself?”

Gym junkie

In other news. I have succumbed to the dark side and joined the masses. I’ve become a lemming. Yep. I joined Fitness First at Carlingford (a gold membership, but I’m on a 2 month trial period at the moment – for only $20! Thanks to the powers of bargaining. :P) Mainly coz my current gym, Female Fit, is closing down soon.

So I FINALLY went for a much needed session of exercise last night – first time in weeks! I’ve really been little miss piggy lately. I think I’ve even gained a kilo or 2 or 3. 🙁 Anyway, I tried a Body Pump class – my first pump class ever. And my body is feeling it today – t’was a good workout! I’m not as sore as after my dance classes, but definitely feeling something. 🙂 Gonna go back for more punishment tonight – wanna try their Body Balance class (my usual fave class).

Current listening :: “Miracle Drug” – U2

Gigging, surfing and ROTK

I’m going to Wave Aid! Yay! Got a much desired ticket through a friend who managed to secure Yellow Oval (I think that means the front section) tickets this morning. I’ve also got 4 tickets to see the free George gig on Opera House forecourt this Sunday evening. Anyone wanna come with me? Its free, but limited to 4000 and you have to get tickets from an American Express Foreign Exchange
Office in Wynyard, Circular Quay or Parramatta.

In other news. I went attempted surfing again on Saturday – for the 2nd time in my life! I went over to a mates place, whose flatmates own a number of shortboards – we took one out and attempted to surf. Hahah. My friend managed to get out on the 2nd attempt and caught one wave. Our first attempt failed miserably, with us paddling furiously in the same spot for about 10 mins (lesson learned: follow the other surfers out). However, my 2nd attempt to get out was rather short-lived, and ended rather abruptly when I tried to avoid an incoming surfer, and ended up with the point of my surfboard hitting me in the arm. Bye bye surfing. Hello ice pack. 🙁

Ah well. I had fun anyway. 🙂 I’d forgotten what an exercise in controlled fear it was to surf. Especially by yourself, on a crappy day with highly dangerous and strong currents (most of the beach was actually closed – the sand had been heavily washed out, and the surf was dumping on the shore) and on a type of board you’ve never used before. I think I should go for another lesson, before attempting the crazy again.

Finally, I bought the LOTR ROTK 4 disc dvd set yesterday!! Only $54.25 at EzyDvd store in Burwood too. Last one in the store. Woohoo!! Watched it last night, and it was SWEEEET! 😀 Also bought the latest Raymond E Feist – “Exiles Return”. On the last day of sales at Myer. Nice. 🙂 Oh and I watched Elektra too yesterday. Despite the plot holes, I quite liked. I like Jennifer Garner. I wanna be buff like her. 🙂

Hm I kinda like this Avril Lavigne song. Shame on me. 😛

Well I couldn’t tell you
Why she felt that way
She felt it every day
And I couldn’t help her
I just watched her make
The same mistakes again

She’s lost inside, lost inside..
Oh oh..
She’s lost inside, lost inside..
Oh oh..

Current listening :: “Nobody’s Home” – Avril Lavigne

Happy Birthdee To Mee!!

Yup. I’m now officially twenty-old! The big TWO SIX!! Gosh that sounds old. Eeek! I remember thinking about this age when I was in high school, thinking, “Yeh, 26, I’d definitely be married by then, thats so old!” Little did I know!

*sigh* So much has happened in my life in the past month. Things have definitely been very interesting, and I think I’ve changed a lot in this short period of time. I’ve experienced and done many new things, made a fair few new friends, and yeh, it’s just been a huge time of change. And I’m not regretting one bit. Even the painful times – it all contributes to where I am now. No idea what’s gonna happen in the future, but in keeping an open mind, and talking to and meeting different people, opportunities seem to be appearing out of nowhere. And I actually have some tentative plans and goals that are in the process of being made.. perhaps involving a career change (within IT still), and perhaps a temporary move overseas…. we’ll see what happens! All exciting stuff!

Was sitting on the train the other evening… with a smile on my face. Sounds kinda dumb.. but that means something to me. To be able to smile again. I am moving on, I’m happier, content… taking on the change and standing on my own two feet. Something I haven’t done in so long.

These are the days that I’ve been missing
Give me the taste give me the joy of summer wine
These are the days that bring new meaning
I feel the stillness of the sun and I feel fine

These are the days that I’ve been missing
Give me the taste give me the joy of summer wine
These are the days that bring new meaning
I feel the stillness of the sun and I feel fine

Current listening :: “These Are The Days” – Jamie Cullum

Another love song

It’s one thing to ask why we break up
Have you ever
Wondered why it is we fall in love
Can you tell me
Do you know what it is you’re looking for
What do we need
Can you tell me why I care
How is it that we hear
That voice that says I want you there

I’ve just read and made another love song
Just read and made another love song


Actually for the original version, substitute “stupid” with “f*cking”. I think it gives it a slightly edgier and more appropriately angsty feel.. but hey, I’ll stick with the censored version for the kiddies. 😛

In other news. I’m sick now. 🙁 I think as a result of my partying hard at Gas on Fri night. Ugh – this always happens to me. Its like a 50 – 50 chance that I’ll get sick after going clubbing these days. Meh. I’m getting old. 🙁

Sunday was pretty relaxing. Went for a swim at Lane Cove Aquatic – very nice. Did a good 700m in the 50 metre pool. Then relaaaxed in the spa, steam room and sauna. Love it! 🙂

Current listening :: “Love Song” – Amiel (Live version from “Music Live From The Panel Vol 4”. I also REALLY love Michael Franti & Katie Noonan’s cover of Marvin Gaye’s “Whats Going On” on this cd. Soooo good!)

Good times

Got tired of moping about at home, so I went out to Podium at Gas last night – some free asian dance party. You’d think I’d be over these by now. Heh. But I had a great time! Danced for a good solid 4 – 5 hours… met some great dancers… and left with a smile on my face! 🙂 I think what makes a big difference to my clubbing experience.. is when you are with, or meet people, who are in it for the dancing.. and can actually dance WELL. Not just sway and bop from side to side like your typical asian bling-bling girl/guy.

So yeh, t’was fun. 🙂 I needed to get out, let go and just enjoy being a single gal (that’s one good thing… don’t have to worry about boyfriends when/if I go clubbing now… not that I’d want to pick up – I still avoid the whole meat market thing – yeuch!) But true to form.. I spent most of the night dancing up on the stage. Hee. I’m such an exhibitionist. 😛

Anyway, just got back from watching “Raise Your Voice” today (by myself… again :P). Been waiting for this one to come out.. I’m kinda a closet Hilary Duff fan. Hehe. How teeny bopperish. Ah well, I enjoyed it, even though I could be all critical about many aspects of the movie.. I won’t coz that would just spoil it for me.

Dance Workshop DVD… finally!

Ooh ooh, and I finally got my International Dancers Workshop II DVD!!! They took video of all the routines during the dancers workshop I attended back in Oct 2004. But they had problems with Teresa’s classes in Sydney.. arghhh… so they’re gonna put them on a vol 2 probably. Grrr. Ah well, at least I get to see some of the routines I did again. Yay! Gonna go watch it now!

Note: There’s another workshop coming up in first weekend of March! I’m definitely going again, doing the 2 day unlimited. If anyone is interested in coming to any of the classes, you can actually get tickets through me – I’ll be helping them sell tickets this time. Stay tuned for more info about this later. 🙂

Current listening :: “Vertigo” – U2 (bought the latest U2 cd “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb”.. and am loving it! I love the single Vertigo.. just makes me wanna mosh!)

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Meh

Let down and hanging around
Crushed like a bug in the ground

Meh.

Bleh.

*sigh*

(Don’t mind me.)

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Happy 2005

Caught the annual NYE fireworks on Sydney Harbour last night. For some reaon, I never get sick of watching this magnificent and awesome show. I love fireworks, and it still fills me with a childish glee to behold such splendor. 🙂 I still remember the moment, standing at Milsons Point, almost under the harbour bridge… as the clock ticked to midnight and the bridge exploded in an awesome display of light. *sigh* I love it.

And so it is 2005 now. What a year this has been. And I’m not sure I mean that in a good way. Honestly, this year has gone from bad to worse as the months passed by. And now I’m standing here at the beginning of a new year, having absolutely no idea what lies ahead for me.. feeling like I’m at one of the lowest points in my life. I think 2005 will definitely be a year of self-discovery. All my life I have floated along, just doing what was expected, doing the “right” thing, following the crowd… you know – getting the good HSC mark, going to uni for the standard 3 year degree, coming out and getting a job, having a boyfriend with whom you have a outlook to marry, being involved at church, leading at the youth group. Well.. I’m no longer leading at the youth group now and no longer have the boyfriend. So.. thats 2 down.

I just don’t want to follow the crowd anymore. Doing the standard thing, worrying about whether my actions have the approval of others, but not really truly believing in what I’m doing. Hm.. meh.. I dunno what thats supposed to mean.

Anyways. Sorry this post has turned into a ranting morbidly depressive post. Here’s to a Happy New Year. Hope its better than the last one eh. I leave you with this magnificent photo.

Disclaimer: Many thanks to Andrew Newton for the amazing NYE photography. PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THESE PHOTOS AS THEY DO NOT BELONG TO ME AND I HAVE ASKED HIM PERMISSION TO USE THEM. And I also blame my bodies hormonal cycle for this post. (Reads: I’m currently “surfing the crimson wave”).

Current listening :: “Let Down” – Radiohead (“Let down and hanging around.. crushed like a bug in the ground…” Hehe.. nice song. :P)