You’d never believe it, but I made a stranger laugh yesterday. True story!
My day didn’t suck, so that was a good start. Flicking half-heartedly through Mx magazine on Platform 19 waiting for my metal steed back to Summer Hill, I listened to our over-enthusiastic train announcer over the loudspeaker. He sounds like he should be conducting a carnival ride. Even when he is just listing stations, what I’m actually hearing is him asking me to strap myself in and hold on tight!, with fairground music gently playing in the background. The first word of every sentence is elongated and sliding up the octave, and the whole spiel is over-enunciated and slightly amusing, considering he’s just talking about the express train to Bankstown. Anyway. I was about to tackle the Sudoku when he said something like “We hope you have a grrrrrrrreat evening, and THANKS for travelling with Cityrail!” Offhandedly, I replied “well, it’s not like we really have much choice” which, to my surprise, the woman next to me thought was very funny. Laugh out loud funny.
You know how sometimes you overhear people talking, and you hear something funny, but you just kind of grin to yourself? At this stage I can’t help but think, wow, she actually found that humorous enough to let her guard down and go with it. I mean, you just heard the scenario. We both know it wasn’t that funny. But you’ve just had a long day in the office, and our Inner West platform announcer makes the daily effort to make it all seem not so bad after all, and then there’s some weirdo standing next to you talking to herself, and sometimes that is enough distraction from the usual tedium to merit a guffaw. We chatted after that, for a moment, but I didn’t ask her name. I wish I had.
I have since made “Thanks for the Laugh!” stickers. I’m going to carry them around with me all the time just in case something like this happens again. It will help me feel less scared, and maybe even generate some more laughter.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Risotto
I love the look on Jeremy's face in the first photo.
All in all, a successful evening... we were left with cheeks sore from smiling and bellies full from eating.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Kitchen epiphany
Cooked dinner for Carla & Jez on Friday night – my first risotto. It mostly went ok, but the rice wasn’t quite cooked even after all the stock had been absorbed, so Ben had to give me a few helpful pointers. He also made some kick-arse garlic bread and we added a salad to boot. And the verdict? They both had seconds and even admitted to being full at the end of it. With Jeremy being quite a strapping young lad and Carla having earned an extra appetite since picking up a uterus hitchhiker, that was an achievement in itself. Win! They’ve got the pictures on their camera so you’ll have to wait for the photos.
I’ve very quickly learnt that recipes aren’t really my bag. I’m one of these people that skims through cookbooks and food websites, kind of scrunches their nose up at everything, and then proceeds to make it up. Cooking is very different to baking, and I grew up clinging to Mum’s metaphorical (and literal) apron waiting for my opportunity to sift flour or stir in the chocolate bits, so I’m ok with baking. And baking requires strict adhesion to recipe. One of the joys I’m discovering with cooking is that I can just make stuff up as I go along, and as long as I don’t do anything too ridiculous, it’ll probably work out. It doesn’t really matter too much how many carrots you put in or how much wine gets added (although I find ‘just a bit more’ to be a good rule), just trust your taste buds. It’s fun.
I also spent an hour cycling around Centennial Park with Carly on Saturday morning. What a fantastic way to start the day! Sunshine, puppies, the wind in your face. We managed four laps and probably could have managed another hour. We took it at leisurely pace, maintained a conversation the whole way around, and it was a lot easier than I remember it being. The only problem was, I was knocked out by a headache in the afternoon, even after taking pre-emptive painkillers. I think I am allergic to endorphins. It sucks. Actually it is because I get "exertion headaches", even though I didn’t feel like I was exerting myself all that much. Stupid exercise. This could pose a problem on the day of the event, but this 'exercise intolerance' feels like such a cop out that I am determined to ignore them. The doctor says 1 in 100 people or so get them but there’s nothing I can do about it that I’m not already doing, so, whatever. Anyway, the moral of the story is, I can cycle for an hour without wanting to die, so that is very exciting news. I think it was about 15km or something, so now I know I can get at least a 6th of the way to Wollongong.
I’ve very quickly learnt that recipes aren’t really my bag. I’m one of these people that skims through cookbooks and food websites, kind of scrunches their nose up at everything, and then proceeds to make it up. Cooking is very different to baking, and I grew up clinging to Mum’s metaphorical (and literal) apron waiting for my opportunity to sift flour or stir in the chocolate bits, so I’m ok with baking. And baking requires strict adhesion to recipe. One of the joys I’m discovering with cooking is that I can just make stuff up as I go along, and as long as I don’t do anything too ridiculous, it’ll probably work out. It doesn’t really matter too much how many carrots you put in or how much wine gets added (although I find ‘just a bit more’ to be a good rule), just trust your taste buds. It’s fun.
I also spent an hour cycling around Centennial Park with Carly on Saturday morning. What a fantastic way to start the day! Sunshine, puppies, the wind in your face. We managed four laps and probably could have managed another hour. We took it at leisurely pace, maintained a conversation the whole way around, and it was a lot easier than I remember it being. The only problem was, I was knocked out by a headache in the afternoon, even after taking pre-emptive painkillers. I think I am allergic to endorphins. It sucks. Actually it is because I get "exertion headaches", even though I didn’t feel like I was exerting myself all that much. Stupid exercise. This could pose a problem on the day of the event, but this 'exercise intolerance' feels like such a cop out that I am determined to ignore them. The doctor says 1 in 100 people or so get them but there’s nothing I can do about it that I’m not already doing, so, whatever. Anyway, the moral of the story is, I can cycle for an hour without wanting to die, so that is very exciting news. I think it was about 15km or something, so now I know I can get at least a 6th of the way to Wollongong.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Zoom zoom!
I drove a car yesterday, and I didn’t even hit any pedestrians or anything. So I did stall a couple of times, so what. And I may have gone over a traffic island with one wheel. But apart from that, I made some smooth gear changes, and went all the way to 4th gear without panicking, and manoeuvred through busy multi-laned traffic with success. Success, I tell you! The instructor was friendly and helpful, keeping up a constant stream of talk that was balanced nicely between reassuring instruction and casual conversation. It all came about as naturally as I was hoping, which is to say, it wasn’t a completely foreign concept or feeling. I had taken lessons previously, but that was, oh, maybe four years ago now, so it was nice to know I’d retained some of it.
Based on my first hour behind the driver’s seat in 2 years, the main things I need to overcome at this point are:
a) My general fear of speed.
b) Changing gears just before having to turn into corners and roundabouts.
c) The fact that I am concentrating so hard on the road that I have no idea of my surroundings (for example, I had no idea I was turning into my own street until the instructor told me to pull over)(in my defence, it was night time).
It doesn’t feel too weird, though. Like “hang on, I’m driving a car”. I was mildly anxious, but not stressed. It will be nice to have my next lesson in the day time.
Based on my first hour behind the driver’s seat in 2 years, the main things I need to overcome at this point are:
a) My general fear of speed.
b) Changing gears just before having to turn into corners and roundabouts.
c) The fact that I am concentrating so hard on the road that I have no idea of my surroundings (for example, I had no idea I was turning into my own street until the instructor told me to pull over)(in my defence, it was night time).
It doesn’t feel too weird, though. Like “hang on, I’m driving a car”. I was mildly anxious, but not stressed. It will be nice to have my next lesson in the day time.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
I'm visualising a fundraiser, and a huge slice of cake
So I didn’t write a blog yesterday. Did you miss me? Because I missed you.
My employer sent me to a “Tapping Into Your Full Potential” seminar yesterday which was quite enlightening. Mostly because it showed me how my ‘values’ and ‘priorities’ weren’t really aligned with each other and how most of the stuff that makes me hate my job are in the mysterious “circle out of my control”. We were taught visualisation techniques and told to let go of the things in that particular circle. So I’m visualising myself having a really fun time at work, everybody around me working really efficiently, and actually having a manager that I can depend on, and getting backpaid for the 7 weeks worth of higher duties work I haven’t been paid for. It doesn’t seem to be working. I told my colleague that if we don’t get an answer before the end of the week (which I was told we would), I’m striking. I think I’ll use the time to ride my bike a lot, write songs and ponder life. Or, maybe I'll just keep coming to work like a chump because I need to pay for stuff.
I am trying to organise the 'fundraising ball'. It's a bit of a left field interpretation of the idea, but it's so crazy it just might work. Getting the people I need to be involved, and finding a venue, though, is going to be an interesting endeavour. I don't want to jinx it by saying too much, but I'll let you know if I get it off the ground.
PS. I was meditating in our bedroom a couple of nights ago when the light bulb blew (with sparks and everything!) and my inner peace was seriously compromised. I almost levitated, although to be fair I don't think it was the same kind I'm supposed to aim for.
PPS. People keep thinking I'm pregnant. I'm not. It's just cake. But thanks for the boost to my self esteem.
My employer sent me to a “Tapping Into Your Full Potential” seminar yesterday which was quite enlightening. Mostly because it showed me how my ‘values’ and ‘priorities’ weren’t really aligned with each other and how most of the stuff that makes me hate my job are in the mysterious “circle out of my control”. We were taught visualisation techniques and told to let go of the things in that particular circle. So I’m visualising myself having a really fun time at work, everybody around me working really efficiently, and actually having a manager that I can depend on, and getting backpaid for the 7 weeks worth of higher duties work I haven’t been paid for. It doesn’t seem to be working. I told my colleague that if we don’t get an answer before the end of the week (which I was told we would), I’m striking. I think I’ll use the time to ride my bike a lot, write songs and ponder life. Or, maybe I'll just keep coming to work like a chump because I need to pay for stuff.
I am trying to organise the 'fundraising ball'. It's a bit of a left field interpretation of the idea, but it's so crazy it just might work. Getting the people I need to be involved, and finding a venue, though, is going to be an interesting endeavour. I don't want to jinx it by saying too much, but I'll let you know if I get it off the ground.
PS. I was meditating in our bedroom a couple of nights ago when the light bulb blew (with sparks and everything!) and my inner peace was seriously compromised. I almost levitated, although to be fair I don't think it was the same kind I'm supposed to aim for.
PPS. People keep thinking I'm pregnant. I'm not. It's just cake. But thanks for the boost to my self esteem.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Birds in the trees, toad in the hole
Ben told me I’m not allowed to lie in this blog post, so here’s what happened. We didn’t start at Manly the way we were supposed to. We caught a bus to Spit Bridge, wandered around trying to find the beginning of the trail, then walked the 10km to Manly. It was the perfect day for it – dappled sun through the trees, dogs frolicking in the shallows of every bay, a pack of babybels in our bag for any cheese emergencies. It took us something like 3.5 hours, including a coffee break at Clontarf and various pauses to take in the scenery. I can’t believe I’ve lived in Sydney for 10 years (on and off) and never done the Manly Scenic Walk. It really is quite stunning. We even spotted some new birds, both catching a glimpse and hearing the distinctive call of an Eastern Whipbird, and following a couple of charming little New Holland Honeyeaters.
We did not, however, follow the instructions. I didn’t start at North Head. At Manly, tired and relieved as the sun started to set, I wondered “What would Danny Wallace do?” I answered myself “He’d force himself to walk the extra 90 minute round trip to the Head and back, blisters and all, and make his long-suffering partner join him, and do it with way too much enthusiasm, in the dark”. Needless to say, I did not follow Danny’s imaginary lead. I know I’m supposed to go in one direction, with each walk taking up where the other left off, and I am already cheating. Is it so bad if I do the extra 45 minute trek to North Head later? I’m still going to pick up from The Spit next time... I’m still going to make it around the whole harbour... My eyes are wide with innocence and longing... Grant me absolution!
We made it home in reasonable time and Ben gave me a lesson in onion gravy while I attempted to make my first ‘Toad in the Hole’. How British of us! It’s basically sausages floating in batter, which I know sounds incredibly appealing, but just go with me on this:
It was nom-worthy. Since it was my first go, I used a recipe, but I think I can probably do it from memory now. Probably.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
This Song
So you might notice I'm looking a bit defeated in this video. That's mostly because I'd had 2 previous turns at trying to record it, including the big opening spiel, and it felt like there was glue inside my head. But I got there in the end.
And yes, I know I'm talking too quietly. But I'm not doing it over again. I'll work on it for next time, so in the meantime just put your headphones on and shut up.
I have to write a song for every month
Every month I’m 29
And Bart said each song must be based on or inspired by one of the challenges undertaken in that month, or a future or past one that has not yet been used
And I said ‘fine’
And I decided my song will be at this tempo
And my song will descend in the bridge
And my song is probably going to try and fit way too many words into every third line
And that song sounds awfully like this song
This song
This song
So this, this is the first song that I’m writing
But I’m not sure it’s any good
But that doesn’t matter, because this is a process that forces me to be creative, and not dismiss ideas or underestimate my own abilities
The way I should
And my song, it’s gonna tick all the boxes
And my song, it has a passionate bit in the middle
And my song, it moves from B to A to G to E and also an F sharp thrown in there just to make sure you’re paying attention
To this song
This song
This song
This song
This song
I present to you the first of my "songs about challenges": This Song.
And yes, I know I'm talking too quietly. But I'm not doing it over again. I'll work on it for next time, so in the meantime just put your headphones on and shut up.
I have to write a song for every month
Every month I’m 29
And Bart said each song must be based on or inspired by one of the challenges undertaken in that month, or a future or past one that has not yet been used
And I said ‘fine’
And I decided my song will be at this tempo
And my song will descend in the bridge
And my song is probably going to try and fit way too many words into every third line
And that song sounds awfully like this song
This song
This song
So this, this is the first song that I’m writing
But I’m not sure it’s any good
But that doesn’t matter, because this is a process that forces me to be creative, and not dismiss ideas or underestimate my own abilities
The way I should
And my song, it’s gonna tick all the boxes
And my song, it has a passionate bit in the middle
And my song, it moves from B to A to G to E and also an F sharp thrown in there just to make sure you’re paying attention
To this song
This song
This song
This song
This song
Friday, August 20, 2010
Pie chart... mmmm
Because I have nothing of substance to say today, I have decided to draw you a pie chart of my challenges according to what kind of time and/or effort is required of them.
My categories are:
1) Postcard not received. Self explanatory (you slack so-and-sos).
2) One off task. A slightly misleading title, as this doesn't necessarily mean that I can just do it in one go. The bike ride is a good example of this: the task itself, being a charity ride from Sydney to Wollongong, will only take a few hours. But I still had to register, do the fundraising, do enough training that I don't collapse in a heap before I've even made it to Cooks River... you get the gist.
3) Ongoing - small tasks. This means things like the meditation, the songwriting and the make-people-laugh-ing. Small, but somehow still big.
4) Ongoing - commitment to task. This means the task involves a dedicated length of time to complete, such as joining a choir or learning to breakdance. It's not something I can just knock out in a weekend, I have to make the effort to work at this over weeks or months...
5) Requires multiple weekends. Things like walking around Sydney Harbour will take a while, but I'm not restricted to a specific time frame as I would be if I was attending classes or something. The horseriding looks like it will take 3 weekends, for example.
6) Gradual process. Like learning to drive, or learning to cook.
7) HELP! The stuff that I couldn't fit in any of those other categories and can't figure out how to achieve (So basically, the fundraising ball).
I'm glad they're spread out like this, because it has been almost a full month since I started and while I'm definitely making progress, I can't say I've actually completed any one thing yet. The small ongoings will technically never have a completion date, I just have to continue them for the whole year. The large ongoings I'll have to space out. The one offs I just need to lock in dates for, and I've just got to chip away at everything else.
End of month summary (corresponding to challenges):
#1 - Brain. Stalling.
#2 - Not sure what to do about this one.
#3 - I am crap at making strangers laugh. But I'm working on it.
#4 - I am meditating (almost) every day with increasing success.
#5 - I have completed Song 1 of my 12 months worth of songs-about-challenges (to be posted over the weekend depending on severity of my headcold)
#6 - Did some basic research on gig opportunities in Bathurst (the area that Jason now lives with his family) AND saw them for the first time in about 8 years when they happened to be passing through Sydney.
#7 - Looked into local gospel choirs. Many don't take newcomers but one looked particularly good, and said they would be recruiting for a musical later in the year. BAM! That's 2 of Ros's suggested challenges in one hit. Just waiting for the callback...
#8 - Heather's postcard actually asked to volunteer at the school, but I have asked permission to take up the second challenge, which is to sing at a hospital. I would actually love to help a kinder reading group but the fact is I have a 9 to 5 office job which may not be so supportive of me taking a few hours off every week to read to five year olds. Heather has yet to respond...
#9 - I really am going to do the Manly to Spit walk this weekend.
#10 - My first driving lesson is next Wednesday.
#11 - We have negotiated the date for Tasmania and it currently looks like the first weekend in February 2011. We want it to be hot enough to jump into the lagoon. However we're on the lookout for cheap flights and we'll go when it is opportunistic for us to do so.
#12 - I am going back to my parents' home in September and plan to raid their photo collection then. Since they live in the country and there isn't much to do there, I thought that would be a great place to start scrapbooking.
#13 - I have cooked one mostly-successful meal so far, sans recipe. I'm also cooking dinner for Carla & Jeremy next Friday, but am undecided on what will be on the menu yet.
#14 - Have nervously applied for numerous game shows.
#15 - Haven't set aside a time for horseriding, but it is on the cards.
#16 - Have both registered and hit my minimum donation target for the Sydney to Gong bike ride. Wowee zowee!
#17 - I am trying to find out exactly who was at this mysterious dinner. I've contacted a couple of people I know were there. They were surprisingly accommodating. It's so crazy it might just work.
#18 - I asked Cassie if she would join me in my breakdancing adventures. She has ignored my requests...
#19 - Purchased 'The Heart is a Lonely Hunter' and am a couple of chapters into it. I like John Singer. He's a good guy.
#20 - Haven't even looked into local theatre groups... may end up taking the multi-media option due to time and energy restraints.
#21 - I'm trying to negotiate a film crew so my band can make a video clip. We've already written and storyboarded the whole thing, we just need someone to make it real...
#22 - Haven't thought too much about busking, except that I may need a licence for certain cities. And that I may need to learn a few Oasis songs.
#23 - #29 are empty boxes.
Ok, well for a short post this has become exceptionally long. Still, seeing it all written out like that makes me feel a little less like a loser. F*ck the what! (a joke only Bart will understand)
My categories are:1) Postcard not received. Self explanatory (you slack so-and-sos).
2) One off task. A slightly misleading title, as this doesn't necessarily mean that I can just do it in one go. The bike ride is a good example of this: the task itself, being a charity ride from Sydney to Wollongong, will only take a few hours. But I still had to register, do the fundraising, do enough training that I don't collapse in a heap before I've even made it to Cooks River... you get the gist.
3) Ongoing - small tasks. This means things like the meditation, the songwriting and the make-people-laugh-ing. Small, but somehow still big.
4) Ongoing - commitment to task. This means the task involves a dedicated length of time to complete, such as joining a choir or learning to breakdance. It's not something I can just knock out in a weekend, I have to make the effort to work at this over weeks or months...
5) Requires multiple weekends. Things like walking around Sydney Harbour will take a while, but I'm not restricted to a specific time frame as I would be if I was attending classes or something. The horseriding looks like it will take 3 weekends, for example.
6) Gradual process. Like learning to drive, or learning to cook.
7) HELP! The stuff that I couldn't fit in any of those other categories and can't figure out how to achieve (So basically, the fundraising ball).
I'm glad they're spread out like this, because it has been almost a full month since I started and while I'm definitely making progress, I can't say I've actually completed any one thing yet. The small ongoings will technically never have a completion date, I just have to continue them for the whole year. The large ongoings I'll have to space out. The one offs I just need to lock in dates for, and I've just got to chip away at everything else.
End of month summary (corresponding to challenges):
#1 - Brain. Stalling.
#2 - Not sure what to do about this one.
#3 - I am crap at making strangers laugh. But I'm working on it.
#4 - I am meditating (almost) every day with increasing success.
#5 - I have completed Song 1 of my 12 months worth of songs-about-challenges (to be posted over the weekend depending on severity of my headcold)
#6 - Did some basic research on gig opportunities in Bathurst (the area that Jason now lives with his family) AND saw them for the first time in about 8 years when they happened to be passing through Sydney.
#7 - Looked into local gospel choirs. Many don't take newcomers but one looked particularly good, and said they would be recruiting for a musical later in the year. BAM! That's 2 of Ros's suggested challenges in one hit. Just waiting for the callback...
#8 - Heather's postcard actually asked to volunteer at the school, but I have asked permission to take up the second challenge, which is to sing at a hospital. I would actually love to help a kinder reading group but the fact is I have a 9 to 5 office job which may not be so supportive of me taking a few hours off every week to read to five year olds. Heather has yet to respond...
#9 - I really am going to do the Manly to Spit walk this weekend.
#10 - My first driving lesson is next Wednesday.
#11 - We have negotiated the date for Tasmania and it currently looks like the first weekend in February 2011. We want it to be hot enough to jump into the lagoon. However we're on the lookout for cheap flights and we'll go when it is opportunistic for us to do so.
#12 - I am going back to my parents' home in September and plan to raid their photo collection then. Since they live in the country and there isn't much to do there, I thought that would be a great place to start scrapbooking.
#13 - I have cooked one mostly-successful meal so far, sans recipe. I'm also cooking dinner for Carla & Jeremy next Friday, but am undecided on what will be on the menu yet.
#14 - Have nervously applied for numerous game shows.
#15 - Haven't set aside a time for horseriding, but it is on the cards.
#16 - Have both registered and hit my minimum donation target for the Sydney to Gong bike ride. Wowee zowee!
#17 - I am trying to find out exactly who was at this mysterious dinner. I've contacted a couple of people I know were there. They were surprisingly accommodating. It's so crazy it might just work.
#18 - I asked Cassie if she would join me in my breakdancing adventures. She has ignored my requests...
#19 - Purchased 'The Heart is a Lonely Hunter' and am a couple of chapters into it. I like John Singer. He's a good guy.
#20 - Haven't even looked into local theatre groups... may end up taking the multi-media option due to time and energy restraints.
#21 - I'm trying to negotiate a film crew so my band can make a video clip. We've already written and storyboarded the whole thing, we just need someone to make it real...
#22 - Haven't thought too much about busking, except that I may need a licence for certain cities. And that I may need to learn a few Oasis songs.
#23 - #29 are empty boxes.
Ok, well for a short post this has become exceptionally long. Still, seeing it all written out like that makes me feel a little less like a loser. F*ck the what! (a joke only Bart will understand)
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
My brainwaves are officially stimulated
Not much to report since yesterday, but liking getting into the habit of blogging each day, so, here I am anyway. Having come across some great meditation mp3s, I've started taking 10 minutes out of my day to meditate at work. The rooftop didn’t work out so well last time, so I’m confining myself to a dark empty room instead, and it’s nice. I’ve discovered these binaural sound recordings which are supposed to stimulate specific brainwaves or something, and they are timed at exactly 10 minutes. I’m an aural creature and this works for me. If I can concentrate on sound and let my external thoughts pass through, I’m halfway there. I think it was the most successful session I’ve had so far, which is surprising considering my surroundings, but my anxieties were actually lessened. It actually worked. Maybe there were other extenuating circumstances towards me feeling less like committing some heinous crime in my office today as well, but any small step forward is a good one. Note to self: plan your mp3s better so that Led Zeppelin doesn’t come on immediately after the soothing voice stops. I’m not sure meditation experts would recommend the opening riff of “Immigrant Song” as a particularly effective way of ending the session.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
I-Tube
22 postcards! This is getting exciting. I never actually thought I might receive them all... just a couple of the usual unreliable suspects lagging. Some of the latest additions include posting one of my songs on Youtube, joining a theatre group, and doing a mini-busking tour of Australia (must comprise of 2 capital cities and 2 country towns). That's a clever one. Must find out about busking laws. I actually already have a couple of songs on Youtube, but I'm going to use this one as an excuse to film a proper video clip. It's something I've been wanting to do for far too long.
Speaking of songs being posted on Youtube, I think I've written the first of my "songs about challenges" challenge. I just need to practice it a bit more, and then I'll put it on the interwebz. Bart's stipulations are quite detailed, and one of the instructions is to hastily record the song in some semi-professional capacity, so I am planning to put video versions up first (raw, like!) and record later to pretty them up a bit. As long as the song is written before the 22nd of each month, it's allowed. This first song (imaginatively titled "This Song") is a bit ridiculous actually, so we'll just have to see how it pans out.
Speaking of songs being posted on Youtube, I think I've written the first of my "songs about challenges" challenge. I just need to practice it a bit more, and then I'll put it on the interwebz. Bart's stipulations are quite detailed, and one of the instructions is to hastily record the song in some semi-professional capacity, so I am planning to put video versions up first (raw, like!) and record later to pretty them up a bit. As long as the song is written before the 22nd of each month, it's allowed. This first song (imaginatively titled "This Song") is a bit ridiculous actually, so we'll just have to see how it pans out.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Human
21 postcards in. I'm pleasantly surprised at who has come through with the goods. I often wonder what our postman must think.
Due to what has been a high-stress, high-emotion and high-activity week, we decided against doing the Manly walk today (which turned out to be a good move because there was some rain earlier too). Instead we slept in, treated ourselves to a big breakfast, and rented a Wii game that we are pretty appalling at so far. I'm starting to feel human again.
I went and bought a copy of "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter", apparently a modern classic, by Carson McCullers. I'm assuming this is the book Tim challenged me to read, as Cormac McCarthy didn't have one of the same name. There is something wonderful about a new book, particularly one that has been recommended to you. A fresh paperback, waiting to be devoured. At the moment I'm struggling to read "The Pillars of Hercules" by Paul Theroux - not because it isn't interesting or well-written, on the contrary, but I'm just not engaging so far. Travel books aren't really my usual bag. So it will be nice to have a crunchy novel to bite into again.
I'm pleased to say that we've done what feels like a lot of cycling the last 2 days, and it has been very rewarding. I'm becoming more familiar with Woodstock's movements and quirks, and feeling the bond grow between bike and owner. I'm still not confident of taking the journey to work - mostly due to a combination of a couple of steep points and peak hour traffic - but I"m considering maybe doing a partial ride (catching the train the remainder of the way).
I realised last night that somewhere this week, I stopped meditating. Whoops. I'm pretty sure the last time I did it was Tuesday. Must put together a game plan for making this one stick, because I think if I can get into a routine, this will be really good for me. My brain is unrelenting for most of the time, so being able to train it to eat a chill cake would be nice.
Ben is in the kitchen making cookies, so I think I'm going to go and write a song for Bart's challenge now. The idea for Song 1 has been floating about in my head the last few days and I think I can knock it out relatively quickly (she says, with naive overconfidence).
Due to what has been a high-stress, high-emotion and high-activity week, we decided against doing the Manly walk today (which turned out to be a good move because there was some rain earlier too). Instead we slept in, treated ourselves to a big breakfast, and rented a Wii game that we are pretty appalling at so far. I'm starting to feel human again.
I went and bought a copy of "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter", apparently a modern classic, by Carson McCullers. I'm assuming this is the book Tim challenged me to read, as Cormac McCarthy didn't have one of the same name. There is something wonderful about a new book, particularly one that has been recommended to you. A fresh paperback, waiting to be devoured. At the moment I'm struggling to read "The Pillars of Hercules" by Paul Theroux - not because it isn't interesting or well-written, on the contrary, but I'm just not engaging so far. Travel books aren't really my usual bag. So it will be nice to have a crunchy novel to bite into again.
I'm pleased to say that we've done what feels like a lot of cycling the last 2 days, and it has been very rewarding. I'm becoming more familiar with Woodstock's movements and quirks, and feeling the bond grow between bike and owner. I'm still not confident of taking the journey to work - mostly due to a combination of a couple of steep points and peak hour traffic - but I"m considering maybe doing a partial ride (catching the train the remainder of the way).
I realised last night that somewhere this week, I stopped meditating. Whoops. I'm pretty sure the last time I did it was Tuesday. Must put together a game plan for making this one stick, because I think if I can get into a routine, this will be really good for me. My brain is unrelenting for most of the time, so being able to train it to eat a chill cake would be nice.
Ben is in the kitchen making cookies, so I think I'm going to go and write a song for Bart's challenge now. The idea for Song 1 has been floating about in my head the last few days and I think I can knock it out relatively quickly (she says, with naive overconfidence).
Friday, August 13, 2010
You know what they say about Fridays...
Thank God for them. And also, I'm in love. Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doooooo.
Jaimi and I are having our first pow wow to put together our Amazing Race application on Monday. I can’t believe this opportunity has arisen in what is possibly both the best and worst possible time for it to happen. Fingers crossed we don’t have to start racing until after November 15th. That would be ideal... But anyway, the fine print says we’re bound by confidentiality to not talk about any of this stuff, including the audition process, once we’re accepted, so this may be my last post on the subject for a while.
The gig last night was good – funny how being in the worst mood ever (thanks for nothing, 131500.com.au) can be shifted by a half-decent sound guy and a stage with room for 5 people on it. I also won 2 free Twirl bars this week, so I have already had my chocolate fix this morning and am hoping to ride the endorphins all the way through to 5pm.
Nothing else really to report challenge-wise, except that I hope to get some sleep this weekend and be rejuvenated to rise to them again next week.
Jaimi and I are having our first pow wow to put together our Amazing Race application on Monday. I can’t believe this opportunity has arisen in what is possibly both the best and worst possible time for it to happen. Fingers crossed we don’t have to start racing until after November 15th. That would be ideal... But anyway, the fine print says we’re bound by confidentiality to not talk about any of this stuff, including the audition process, once we’re accepted, so this may be my last post on the subject for a while.
The gig last night was good – funny how being in the worst mood ever (thanks for nothing, 131500.com.au) can be shifted by a half-decent sound guy and a stage with room for 5 people on it. I also won 2 free Twirl bars this week, so I have already had my chocolate fix this morning and am hoping to ride the endorphins all the way through to 5pm.
Nothing else really to report challenge-wise, except that I hope to get some sleep this weekend and be rejuvenated to rise to them again next week.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Fact of the day
Most Sydneysiders probably already knew this, but I just learnt that Sydney Harbour is actually called Port Jackson. We just call it Sydney Harbour because we’re lazy, which is ironic because it has a whole extra syllable in it. How about that, eh?
As per Mel’s challenge, I am trying to grasp exactly how far it is from the North Head in Manly to Watsons Bay. It looks kind of like this:
As per Mel’s challenge, I am trying to grasp exactly how far it is from the North Head in Manly to Watsons Bay. It looks kind of like this:
(sorry I don't know how to make the picture bigger)
Since there is not one route that seems to go the whole length around, the best I can muster is that the whole thing is probably around 100kms, dependant on where you count Parramatta River as starting from. Mel’s original request states that I start at Watsons Bay and work my way around, but I think I might do it backwards and start from the furthest away point. As long as I resume my travels from the same place as I finished previously, it all still counts. I’ve never actually walked the Manly to Spit Bridge route and I know that it is stunning, so I’m keen to try it out. Watsons Bay is glorious as well – Ben and I spent the day after our wedding there scoffing ourselves stupid on seafood paella - so it will make a fine finish line. I’d like to find out what parts of the coastline are able to be navigated by bike, so that I can cycle as much as possible. I have already established that Manly to The Spit is not one of those parts. So! A leisurely Sunday walk will see the initiation of this particular challenge. I’m planning a ferry ride across, walk up to the North Head, walk back and have lunch, then the rest of the track round to the Bridge, bus home. Any takers?
Of course, I may just sleep all weekend instead. That seems incredibly appealing just now...
Oh and my band is playing at the Lansdowne on City Road tonight, in case anyone reads this at the last minute and is in the area. We're on at 8pm.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Charity begins at home?
A Fundraising Ball. For 500 people. 500. People. Ball. Katie G, are you crazy?
I am having multiple anxieties about this particular challenge. Not least of all, I hate balls. I was dragged kicking and screaming to my own debutante. Therefore I know very little about them. Also, 500 people is a seriously huge number. I know somebody who is involved in the operation of one of these for a charity. It’s a masquerade ball that has been running annually for 3 years now. She is part of a huge team inclusive of the 3 major organisers, plus a finance team, plus a bunch of sponsors.... and the most they’ve ever had in attendance is about 400 people. After advertising for a whole year... Yeeeah.
Perhaps this is somehow more viable in smaller towns, such as where both Katie and I grew up. If half the population of the town rallies together for a cause, there’s your 500 immediately. Maybe that’s the trick.
Consensus is, this is by far the most difficult and involving of the challenges, and perhaps the only way of making it happen is to join an already existing committee for such an event. Picking my cause was the easy part: Spina Bifida research. But strangely, googling it didn’t yield a large national organisation for it (not one with a working website, anyway), only state ones. And my state’s site doesn’t look like it has been updated much since 2008. That’s a bit depressing, considering it’s the second most common physical disability in Australia, after Cerebral Palsy. I even established that Spina Bifida Awareness Week is the first week in September, which is soon... but why have I never been aware of this awareness week before? Hmm. I contacted the group to see if there were any events I could get in on.
My third and less pressing anxiety is that I’ve been set three separate fundraising-based challenges, and that is kind of a drain on my well-meaning friends and colleagues. I did speak to Tracey the other week who said something like “mine was only supposed to be a small one!” (bless her) but nevertheless... people can only be so charitable.
The instructions do distinctly call for a ‘Ball’. I’m starting to wonder if a gig counts as a ball. According to Wikipedia, it just needs to be ‘formal dance’ with attendees wearing ‘evening attire’. Perhaps I can get around it that way – by shaking up the original idea of a stuffy old ball. I could hire an indie venue (if there are still any left open) and put on a gig.
Someone (I have forgotten who, so forgive me) also suggested getting around the whole thing on semantics. Like getting a huge beach ball, writing “Fundraising” on it, and throwing it around at a festival. Points for effort, but somehow I’m not sure that idea will fly.
I’m workshopping it.
PS. In other news... just found out they are making 'The Amazing Race - Australia'. Amazing is an understatement. Ben is silently relieved to know that his Britishness makes him ineligible, but Jaimi has stepped up to the plate to be my partner. Seeing as our short-lived imaginary cooking show (called 'The 3-Second Rule') never made it to broadcast anywhere outside our kitchen, this may just be our shot at the so-called Big Time.
I am having multiple anxieties about this particular challenge. Not least of all, I hate balls. I was dragged kicking and screaming to my own debutante. Therefore I know very little about them. Also, 500 people is a seriously huge number. I know somebody who is involved in the operation of one of these for a charity. It’s a masquerade ball that has been running annually for 3 years now. She is part of a huge team inclusive of the 3 major organisers, plus a finance team, plus a bunch of sponsors.... and the most they’ve ever had in attendance is about 400 people. After advertising for a whole year... Yeeeah.
Perhaps this is somehow more viable in smaller towns, such as where both Katie and I grew up. If half the population of the town rallies together for a cause, there’s your 500 immediately. Maybe that’s the trick.
Consensus is, this is by far the most difficult and involving of the challenges, and perhaps the only way of making it happen is to join an already existing committee for such an event. Picking my cause was the easy part: Spina Bifida research. But strangely, googling it didn’t yield a large national organisation for it (not one with a working website, anyway), only state ones. And my state’s site doesn’t look like it has been updated much since 2008. That’s a bit depressing, considering it’s the second most common physical disability in Australia, after Cerebral Palsy. I even established that Spina Bifida Awareness Week is the first week in September, which is soon... but why have I never been aware of this awareness week before? Hmm. I contacted the group to see if there were any events I could get in on.
My third and less pressing anxiety is that I’ve been set three separate fundraising-based challenges, and that is kind of a drain on my well-meaning friends and colleagues. I did speak to Tracey the other week who said something like “mine was only supposed to be a small one!” (bless her) but nevertheless... people can only be so charitable.
The instructions do distinctly call for a ‘Ball’. I’m starting to wonder if a gig counts as a ball. According to Wikipedia, it just needs to be ‘formal dance’ with attendees wearing ‘evening attire’. Perhaps I can get around it that way – by shaking up the original idea of a stuffy old ball. I could hire an indie venue (if there are still any left open) and put on a gig.
Someone (I have forgotten who, so forgive me) also suggested getting around the whole thing on semantics. Like getting a huge beach ball, writing “Fundraising” on it, and throwing it around at a festival. Points for effort, but somehow I’m not sure that idea will fly.
I’m workshopping it.
PS. In other news... just found out they are making 'The Amazing Race - Australia'. Amazing is an understatement. Ben is silently relieved to know that his Britishness makes him ineligible, but Jaimi has stepped up to the plate to be my partner. Seeing as our short-lived imaginary cooking show (called 'The 3-Second Rule') never made it to broadcast anywhere outside our kitchen, this may just be our shot at the so-called Big Time.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Oreos
Swiftly on to less depressing things... We tried the Minute to Win It Oreo challenge, which is to move an Oreo from your forehead to your mouth using only your face muscles. I was quite cocky about this but soon realised it is far more difficult than it looks. I eventually learned to do it, but not before getting a lot of crumbs in eyes and hair and cleavage. They should put a warning on those things.
We interrupt this transmission for a rant
Confession: I'm miserable.
It's a dreary, rainy Tuesday. I did not want to get out of bed, but not in the "I'm cozy and don't want to move" way. More in the "if I drag myself into work today, my soul may just crumble" kind of way. I did it anyway, and trudged through the drizzle in my so-called water-resistant hoodie, clutching at a paper bag with a blueberry muffin in with my left hand, my right sock sliding shamefully and awkwardly into my boot. As usual, one of my team members is not in, leaving me to carry their load as well as my own. It's embarrassing. I think my soul crumbled somewhere around 9.53am.
What I needed this year was a stable, reliable job. I've been in my current place of employment for around 2 years now and you know what? I discovered I was good at it. I was enjoying it. The people are great. I felt confident about everything I was doing. I was relieved to be doing something that didn't absorb my out-of-work hours the way my old music industry ones used to. And now? I can't remember the last time I was so weighed down by this kind of sadness over a job. I hate feeling like this.
I was looking forward to getting a foot up in the company, hopefully making a bit more money (we certainly need it), and still having plenty of time to work on the wonders of self-enlightenment in my 30th year. We're planning a month-long trip back to the UK next year, after it's over, which I am already bristling with excitement about. I need to earn time off for my band, and for mini-trips (such as Kat's Tasmania challenge). I am now used to having a stable 9-5 job, something I'd never really had before. Having taken the "do what you love" route and finding it drains the passion rather than fuels it, I have never taken this situation for granted. I want it to stay the same. The last thing I want right now is a complication. I want to like my job again.
I've still not managed to make anybody laugh, but that's because all I want to do all the time is cry. Fortunately, I have the loveliest husband ever who just happens to work two blocks away, and is kind enough to trek through the rain to bring me Indian food on such occasions. Thank you, B-Dawg.
It's a dreary, rainy Tuesday. I did not want to get out of bed, but not in the "I'm cozy and don't want to move" way. More in the "if I drag myself into work today, my soul may just crumble" kind of way. I did it anyway, and trudged through the drizzle in my so-called water-resistant hoodie, clutching at a paper bag with a blueberry muffin in with my left hand, my right sock sliding shamefully and awkwardly into my boot. As usual, one of my team members is not in, leaving me to carry their load as well as my own. It's embarrassing. I think my soul crumbled somewhere around 9.53am.
What I needed this year was a stable, reliable job. I've been in my current place of employment for around 2 years now and you know what? I discovered I was good at it. I was enjoying it. The people are great. I felt confident about everything I was doing. I was relieved to be doing something that didn't absorb my out-of-work hours the way my old music industry ones used to. And now? I can't remember the last time I was so weighed down by this kind of sadness over a job. I hate feeling like this.
I was looking forward to getting a foot up in the company, hopefully making a bit more money (we certainly need it), and still having plenty of time to work on the wonders of self-enlightenment in my 30th year. We're planning a month-long trip back to the UK next year, after it's over, which I am already bristling with excitement about. I need to earn time off for my band, and for mini-trips (such as Kat's Tasmania challenge). I am now used to having a stable 9-5 job, something I'd never really had before. Having taken the "do what you love" route and finding it drains the passion rather than fuels it, I have never taken this situation for granted. I want it to stay the same. The last thing I want right now is a complication. I want to like my job again.
I've still not managed to make anybody laugh, but that's because all I want to do all the time is cry. Fortunately, I have the loveliest husband ever who just happens to work two blocks away, and is kind enough to trek through the rain to bring me Indian food on such occasions. Thank you, B-Dawg.
Monday, August 9, 2010
I'm a fish, yo!
Carla and Jez and junior (very recently discovered to be pink flavoured) have decided I should learn to cook a meal for each day of the week without using a recipe. Kitchen anxiety is something Carla and I have shared over many years, but I think we’re getting better at it. I like this challenge.
I cooked salmon and fried rice last night, which I kind of already knew how to do, so I’m not sure if that’s cheating. But I didn’t use a recipe, and Ben ate all of it, so it must have been ok. Admittedly I did have to make 2 trips to the shops after realising we didn’t have certain ingredients, and in the end still didn’t have soy sauce, but I couldn’t be bothered going back a third time. So, I can definitely get better at this.
I forgot to take a photo of it, so instead here’s a picture I drew in Paint:
As tasty as it looks!
(ok, picture may not be entirely accurate. Fish was filleted and therefore did not have creepy head still attached and was certainly not speaking. And come to think of it, it was not nearly as phallic as that. Also, bed of rice looked a lot more like rice and less like kitty litter. Anyway.)
Planning to next tackle a vegetarian dish - we practice “Meat is Murder Thursday” (thank you Morrissey for the name) so as to make sure we have at least one meat-free day a week, plus we have loads of vegetarian friends so it would be nice to be able to cook for them too. To counter, there’s a lamb cutlet recipe on Masterchef I’m keen to take on. And if Heath’s challenge pans out, I’ll need to learn how to make lasagne too... but that’s another story for another time.
I cooked salmon and fried rice last night, which I kind of already knew how to do, so I’m not sure if that’s cheating. But I didn’t use a recipe, and Ben ate all of it, so it must have been ok. Admittedly I did have to make 2 trips to the shops after realising we didn’t have certain ingredients, and in the end still didn’t have soy sauce, but I couldn’t be bothered going back a third time. So, I can definitely get better at this.
I forgot to take a photo of it, so instead here’s a picture I drew in Paint:
As tasty as it looks!(ok, picture may not be entirely accurate. Fish was filleted and therefore did not have creepy head still attached and was certainly not speaking. And come to think of it, it was not nearly as phallic as that. Also, bed of rice looked a lot more like rice and less like kitty litter. Anyway.)
Planning to next tackle a vegetarian dish - we practice “Meat is Murder Thursday” (thank you Morrissey for the name) so as to make sure we have at least one meat-free day a week, plus we have loads of vegetarian friends so it would be nice to be able to cook for them too. To counter, there’s a lamb cutlet recipe on Masterchef I’m keen to take on. And if Heath’s challenge pans out, I’ll need to learn how to make lasagne too... but that’s another story for another time.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Sunday songwriting
A quiet Sunday. How unexpectedly lovely. I've done some chores, been reprimanded by my Wii Fit, watched some stupid videos on the internet, ate some spring rolls. Carly-le called and let me know she registered for the Sydney to Gong bike ride, so that's awesome. And I finished a song, which I've now sent to Jacob to listen to... it's harmony central in the world of Garageband. I spoke to Bart yesterday about the doubling up of certain tasks, but his postcard specifically mentioned that the song has to be about one of the challenges I'm doing. This was not one of those songs. I may have time to squeeze one in before dinner though. The actual process of writing a song isn't that difficult. It's writing one that doesn't suck that is the real struggle. The beauty of Bart's challenge is, the song doesn't necessarily even need to be 'good', in theory... it's just a method (although being 'good' would be a nice bonus). I'm aware I spend too much time overthinking my music. Being forced to write something once a month, without the pressure of it being for the band, is going to be very mind-opening for me. "Even G, C, and D can be beautiful if the vibe is right." Those 3 chords work for a reason, even if Matchbox 20 did ruin it for all of us for a while there.
I got 2 more postcards this week, so I currently have a total of 20 challenges. Receiving one from my old english teacher was amazing, as I wasn't actually sure I'd found her; and I can't say I wasn't relieved when another challenge arrived which was to merely read a certain book.... and it wasn't even Ulysses or War & Peace or anything painful like that (I tried to read Moby Dick once but must admit I was well and truly beaten by about page 30). A few more challenges like that one might be nice. If I am to complete a full 29 challenges in 52 weeks that means I have to average completion of one challenge every 1.7 weeks or so. And I'm already 2.5 weeks into this thing. Ah.
Next week is my very last week of crazy shit, and then I can concentrate on this a little more. Step 1: driving lessons. Oh yeah, and I'm cooking salmon tonight.
Friday, August 6, 2010
And now... you... see it!
Trying to get on a TV game show is a bit tricky. First of all, Australia doesn’t seem to have that many, and those we do have are mostly filmed in Melbourne. Whatever happened to “Its A Knockout”? Man I would have loved to be on that show. Running around in those stupid postman sumo suits, proudly representing my state... Remember “Vidiot”? I was totally amazing at that show when I was a young and impressionable teen. I would have won tonnes of VCRs and video games for sure, all because I knew how many windows appeared in the background of East 17’s “Been Around The World” video clip (it’s three, by the way. And yes, that was an actual question on the show). Let’s not even talk about “Now You See It”. Line AWESOME, Position SWEET. That really low-budget robot. Wow. Never mind.
I just signed up for “Who Wants to be a Millionaire – Hot Seat”! Damn straight it’s hot – even the mini-online audition was nerve wracking, and Eddie Maguire wasn’t even there. I think I answered 9 out of 10 questions correctly, although I couldn’t divulge as to how many of those were lucky guesses. Looks like I need to brush up on my geography. It looks like a truly terrifying program, but I’m kind of a little bit sort of smart some of the time, right? I guess I know a few things about stuff. Ben suggests a training montage. Stay tuned for that one.
I want to be on “Minute to Win It” so bad. It’s ridiculous. Some guy just won $250,000 on it too, because he practiced bouncing 2 ping pong balls off a table into 2 schooner glasses in one throw with one hand for three weeks. Riiiiiight. I’m not sure I’m ready to put in those kinds of training hours, but I feel pretty confident about getting an oreo from my forehead into my mouth just by moving the muscles in my face. I’ve not tried it, but seeing as it involves a chocolate biscuit, I’ll probably be fine.
I just signed up for “Who Wants to be a Millionaire – Hot Seat”! Damn straight it’s hot – even the mini-online audition was nerve wracking, and Eddie Maguire wasn’t even there. I think I answered 9 out of 10 questions correctly, although I couldn’t divulge as to how many of those were lucky guesses. Looks like I need to brush up on my geography. It looks like a truly terrifying program, but I’m kind of a little bit sort of smart some of the time, right? I guess I know a few things about stuff. Ben suggests a training montage. Stay tuned for that one.
I want to be on “Minute to Win It” so bad. It’s ridiculous. Some guy just won $250,000 on it too, because he practiced bouncing 2 ping pong balls off a table into 2 schooner glasses in one throw with one hand for three weeks. Riiiiiight. I’m not sure I’m ready to put in those kinds of training hours, but I feel pretty confident about getting an oreo from my forehead into my mouth just by moving the muscles in my face. I’ve not tried it, but seeing as it involves a chocolate biscuit, I’ll probably be fine.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Still struggling to make people laugh...
It is hard to approach strangers, even if you are already dealing with them (such as a sales person) in an attempt to make them laugh. Especially without having them think you're coming onto them. My second week is almost up and I am lagging behind at what is so far proving to be one of the more deceptively difficult challenges. My first realisation is that due to the high stress situation of my work for the past couple of weeks, happiness has not been a regular state of mind during the times I would usually utilise, such as being in transit, or during lunch. I can barely muster a half-hearted grin at such moments, let alone make someone else laugh. Then I eventually get home to my safe little Summer Hill hidey-hole and want to bunker down for the evening with Ben, who does not count as a stranger and therefore whose laughter, while extremely valuable to me, does not qualify for this challenge. So that has been my first obstacle.
I’ve been reading up a little bit on the psychology of laughter, and why humans do it. It hasn’t helped me think of any new ways of approaching the situation so far, but it is still quite interesting. I’m starting to think I will need to take more dramatic steps in order to achieve this goal, and that means overcoming the fear of not being laughed at (or being laughed at for the wrong reasons, but I’m kind of ok with that notion). Pirate custard is the new big thing in soviet Russia because of all the amoebas. People are damned stoic these days. Many years ago, I fell off my razor scooter in a fairly spectacular fashion, and nobody even blinked. I actually stood up and with loud exasperation announced “Oh come on. I bet that looked hilarious” but apart from one woman glancing in my direction for the briefest of seconds, the masses continued along Broadway as if Australia’s Funniest Home Video Show never existed. I know people think that shit is funny, otherwise the show wouldn’t have been on TV for so long. Anyway my point is, it is hard to get the attention of a stranger.
I’m thinking of taking some weirdness cues from Rich Fulcher. He has a new book called ‘Tiny Acts of Rebellion’ and while most of its contents appear to be ridonkulous, there must be something in there worth inciting a giggle in Sydney’s average joe.
I am, however, getting slightly better at meditating – bath time for the win. Submerge, breathe in, body rises, breathe out, body sinks. It’s brilliant.
PS. As per Rich’s advice I have slipped a totally random incredible statement into this blog, just to make sure you’re paying attention. “If you can spot it, you will get a free turkey go-f*ck-yourself sandwich.”
I’ve been reading up a little bit on the psychology of laughter, and why humans do it. It hasn’t helped me think of any new ways of approaching the situation so far, but it is still quite interesting. I’m starting to think I will need to take more dramatic steps in order to achieve this goal, and that means overcoming the fear of not being laughed at (or being laughed at for the wrong reasons, but I’m kind of ok with that notion). Pirate custard is the new big thing in soviet Russia because of all the amoebas. People are damned stoic these days. Many years ago, I fell off my razor scooter in a fairly spectacular fashion, and nobody even blinked. I actually stood up and with loud exasperation announced “Oh come on. I bet that looked hilarious” but apart from one woman glancing in my direction for the briefest of seconds, the masses continued along Broadway as if Australia’s Funniest Home Video Show never existed. I know people think that shit is funny, otherwise the show wouldn’t have been on TV for so long. Anyway my point is, it is hard to get the attention of a stranger.
I’m thinking of taking some weirdness cues from Rich Fulcher. He has a new book called ‘Tiny Acts of Rebellion’ and while most of its contents appear to be ridonkulous, there must be something in there worth inciting a giggle in Sydney’s average joe.
I am, however, getting slightly better at meditating – bath time for the win. Submerge, breathe in, body rises, breathe out, body sinks. It’s brilliant.
PS. As per Rich’s advice I have slipped a totally random incredible statement into this blog, just to make sure you’re paying attention. “If you can spot it, you will get a free turkey go-f*ck-yourself sandwich.”
Monday, August 2, 2010
General update
Busy busy busy. Liv Tyler's character in Empire Records once said "my dad always said that there's 24 usable hours in every day", but she didn't spend 7.5 of them trying not to punch the Marketing Director in the face for his incessant tuneless whistling as he walks through an open plan office. This really affects my productivity in more ways than one.
Meditation is not so far helping me deal with such every day stresses, but that's probably because I'm still not in the swing of it. I need to commit to a dedicated time and space to do this, but the routine bothers me. I'm fumbling my way through it, some days more successfully than others. The bath seems to be a good place for me. I'm trying to find some good websites and maybe download some mp3s, but it has been too insane to properly spend any time on this yet. Jaimi also said she'd lend me some meditation material from when she was taking classes, so that will help too.
We've had visitors for the past 9 days and I'm going to see Jonsi tonight (from Sigur Ros! Much excitement), and nothing is really going to calm down until after the 13th, so I might as well just keep fumbling until then.
I've almost hit my target for the Sydney to Gong bike ride donations, which was $250 (the minimum required to be able to enter). So I upped the target to $400. After pay day I'll give everyone a little reminder about it... I'm feeling a lot less scared about it now but I wish it would stop raining and being so dark so I can get some practice on the new bike. There are maps available on the website so I can even check out the early sections of the route.
I have also done research on the break dancing, horse riding, licence-getting, gospel choir-ing, and TV game show-ing, but nothing solid is locked in yet. There are only so many weekends in a year and I need to plan mine pretty tightly.
The day is slipping away. Having all these visitors is excellent fun, but it's not helping me conquer my challenges right now. Gotta find time to write some songs before the 22nd too... oh boy.
Meditation is not so far helping me deal with such every day stresses, but that's probably because I'm still not in the swing of it. I need to commit to a dedicated time and space to do this, but the routine bothers me. I'm fumbling my way through it, some days more successfully than others. The bath seems to be a good place for me. I'm trying to find some good websites and maybe download some mp3s, but it has been too insane to properly spend any time on this yet. Jaimi also said she'd lend me some meditation material from when she was taking classes, so that will help too.
We've had visitors for the past 9 days and I'm going to see Jonsi tonight (from Sigur Ros! Much excitement), and nothing is really going to calm down until after the 13th, so I might as well just keep fumbling until then.
I've almost hit my target for the Sydney to Gong bike ride donations, which was $250 (the minimum required to be able to enter). So I upped the target to $400. After pay day I'll give everyone a little reminder about it... I'm feeling a lot less scared about it now but I wish it would stop raining and being so dark so I can get some practice on the new bike. There are maps available on the website so I can even check out the early sections of the route.
I have also done research on the break dancing, horse riding, licence-getting, gospel choir-ing, and TV game show-ing, but nothing solid is locked in yet. There are only so many weekends in a year and I need to plan mine pretty tightly.
The day is slipping away. Having all these visitors is excellent fun, but it's not helping me conquer my challenges right now. Gotta find time to write some songs before the 22nd too... oh boy.
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