My Blue Heaven

London Calling

Ok, some of you may already know that I have been contemplating the idea of going to London to work for a year (or more). This idea has been something that’s been consistently pushed on me by my mum for the last few years, but I never even entertained the thought up until a few weeks ago. I guess, given the stage of life I’ve suddenly found myself in – single, looking for change and a new life, nothing holding me down anymore – this idea suddenly sounded rather appealing… and had been growing in it’s appeal over the last few weeks.

But I think it was yesterday that I finally made the decision, that something clicked within me and I finally decided: Yes! I am 100% decided on going to London within the next 4 – 5 months! 😀 I think the clincher was when I bought myself a new business suit (dusty pale pink with pinstripes!) yesterday in preparation for interviews and new jobs over there. Hehe. Such a girly way to decide. 😛 Also whilst in the shop, talking to the shop keeper and a work colleague about my plans to go to London helped solidify this plan in my mind.

So, now that I’ve decided, there’s lots to do in preparation and not much time! As typically anal me, I wrote up a To Do list (I love making To Do lists for some reason!) for things I need prepare before leaving (I’m sure I’ll be adding to this list as time goes by):

• Figure out career goals (Fri 4th Feb)
• Complete resume draft (Tues 15th Feb)
• Complete final resume (Fri 25th Feb)
• Send out resume/start job hunt (Mon 28th Feb)
• Organise british passport renewal (Fri 11 Feb)
• Contact relos/cousins/friends in London and start getting word around / build relationships
• Organise accomodation with cousins
• Book flight to London via stopover at HK
• Research London climate, living conditions, culture etc etc
• Read “7 Habits Of Highly Effective People”
• Try and save $$$

And then there will be things I need to purchase before going over (as I hear things are pretty expensive over in the UK!!):

• Laptop
• iPod mini
• More business attire
• More cool/cold/wet weather clothing
• Cool weather casual & business shoes and boots

Ack! I know this goal kinda contradicts with the save money goal.. meh.. oh well! But how exciting is all this! In the words of Big Kev: I’m excited! 😀 (Though a part of me is scared as, wondering what the heck I’m getting myself into!!!)

Current listening :: “The Sound Of White” – Missy Higgins (I saw her for free last nite at Darling Harbour aqua shell! It was an awesome gig… she played a great set for over an hour.. most of her album plus 2 new songs! And did I mention it was free? 😛 There’s just something about outdoor gigs at sunset… *sigh*)

Wave Aid

So its all over. The Wave Aid Tsunami Relief Concert held at the SCG on Saturday, 29th Jan 2005 WENT OFF!! 😀 I had an abso-friggin-lutely AWESOME time!! Its been a while since I’ve attended an outdoor music festival concert. The last one I went to was Livid 2002. Heck, its been a while since I’ve been to any gig!

Highlights for me:

• Powderfinger – they were awesome! I always love seeing them play live. Pity they didn’t play more Internationalist stuff.. and I was really hoping they’d play DAF.. but ah well.
• The Finn Brothers – how awesome are they! They played all their classics, the whole crowd singing along. They even played a classic not their own “Better Be Home Soon” by Hunters & Collectors. Very cool. I’m soo kicking myself for missing out of “Don’t Dream Its Over” though… coz I just had to pick that time to go get some food. Argh!! Stupid Kazzart!! 🙁
• Missy Higgins – was good to finally see her live. I like her stuff. 🙂 Her brother is pretty awesome on piano too! Had some nice jazz improv going there. What a musical family.
• John Butler Trio – How good was the drum/congos solo!!! Bloody awesome. Very talented muso’s these guys.. from 12 string guitars to double basses to congos. Nice!
• Watching many a young hopeful jump the barriers in an attempt to get into the Yellow Oval section… and then getting chased, tackled and brought to heel by the security guards. What a crack up!!
• The camera/video guys entertaining us in between sets by roaming through the crowd, providing witty commentary on the screen that playfully poked fun at certain unfortunate individuals. Hehehe.
• Watching a nearby guy get busted by the cops for smoking pot. We could smell it all around us, and he and his mate reeked of it. They were so ripped. Hahah.
• Watching Peter Garret (Midnight Oil) work that thang on stage. Hahaha. He’s a crack up…. sooo animated on stage. Gotta love his dancing and stage antics. 🙂

So there you have it. My highlights for the day. And what a looong and sweltering hot day it was. 2pm to 11pm. I managed to get slightly sunburnt on the face and arms, inspite of my application and reapplication of 30+ sunscreen. (Silly me didn’t bring a hat. :\) Maybe it got washed off by the sweat dripping down.

*sigh* I just had such a good time. Despite getting sore feet, legs and lower back and just generally feeling absolutely exhausted! The atmosphere, with 47000 people there, was just awesome! And it was great being in the yellow oval.. the front section! Very very cool. Fond memories of moshing along to Powderfinger and Midnight Oil… ahhh…. good times. 😀

I was also.. er… amazed.. at the number of girls who flashed for the video camera… their.. erm.. assets.. displayed on big screen for 47000 people to perv at. But the funniest thing were the guys who decided to join in on the flashing action. Hahahah. Proudly displaying their.. er… asset… totally topless, their jeans around their knees, being propped up above the crowd for all to see. There’s a pic of one example in my gallery. Haha.

Here’s a piccy of the Oils finishing their set with a bang, to a very very appreciative audience. What a day! 🙂 For more pics, clicky here. Note: None of these pics were taken by me!

Current listening :: “Passenger” – Powderfinger

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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