Stuff and Stuff
I've got some transcript work again which is keeping me busy. Today was filled with the discovery of Heracleion. Next up a doco on the seven wonders of the ancient world. Woo!

Ahead of a busy weekend, we decided to head to South Bank for dinner at Ginga, our favourite! Then we had a stroll through the markets, and I ended up buying a big, floppy sun hat from this beautiful Serbian woman.

And I'll leave you with a song I can't stop playing. Some say it's very Kate Bush. Hans says it's Clannad-y. And I hear Fleetwood Mac. Whatever it is, I like it.

Next to the Noise
We're officially halfway through the album-writing challenge. I say "we", because it's a challenge for me too. A challenge not to go completely crazy.

That's not true. There is some stuff I really love coming through the wall, and I'm actually quite looking forward to seeing them work it out live.

If you're of the curious sort, you can hear some snippets here. My favourite at the moment is Day 12 Song 8 Version 4 because of its 80s-licious synth line.

If you really want to experience what I am, you can try cranking that up as loud as you can in one room, and then go into the next room and try do anything that requires any sort of concentration. Fun times.

Let's Hear it for the Boys
Due to that aforementioned lack of concentration, I have been watching a bit more television... at volume levels so low, I am becoming an expert in lip-reading... but more television than I might otherwise, nonetheless.

This is the reason I watched the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal from beginning to end the other night. I've mentioned before that my grandpa was and my dad is on the volunteer fire department. My brother was going to go for it as well before he lost half his hearing in the accident.

That said, I have such a heart for those out there putting their lives at risk to help try and save others. Not just them, but their families too. The people who give them a kiss as they leave the house, knowing the danger their loved one faces head on.

When we heard that Coles was donating their profits last Friday, we rearranged our grocery shopping day. We don't even usually go there, but it was great to stock up on pretty much everything we normally use knowing that the profit was going to the Red Cross. (Granted, my pantry overfloweth now, but we'll deal.) So anyway, I just read that they made $4,870,889. So great. Press release PDF.

Linky Links
♥ Spoon Sisters: I <3 that "Home is Where Your Mom Is" tea towel. (I think we're buying plane tickets to go "home" then this week. Yay!)

A Conversation
Him: Oh look, Flying High is on.
Me: Uh, no. It's Airplane!
Him: What was your sequel called?
Me: Airplane 2?
Him: Yeah, ours is called Flying High 2.

So I look it up. Sure enough, it has two names. Then I proceeding to rock myself and think of my happy place. It's times like this when the subtle differences between our countries make me think I'm losing my mind.

February Failure
So that self-imposed, nightly photo sorting challenge went by the wayside on Friday and didn't happen again yesterday. And today I don't feel like it anymore. But it was fun while it lasted.

Friday night, Wolfmother were just walking off the stage when we made it to the venue, so I'll never know. Judging by the sweaty mess of people leaving, I don't think I would have wanted to be in there anyway.

Last night we went to the CD launch of a friend, and it was so amazing. I don't really like watching music much anymore, but I'd even go back tonight for a second performance if they decided they wanted to do it all over again.

The other big news of the weekend is my new shoes. You can tell I've been here too long when I look at a pair of $35 flip-flops and think, "Hey, those are cheap!"

But they're called Swamisz. They're purple. They neither flip nor flop. And best of all, they haven't given me blisters... yet.

Shows and Secret Shows
We've got a gig at the Troubadour tonight, but then afterwards we (or at least I) will be sneaking over to the Wolfmotherlnot-really-secret-anymore show. I don't really care much about them (him?), but I'm just dying to get the scoop from our friends (and venue owners) on whether Andrew's a prima dona and that's why the other guys split.

I ♥ BioBags

We got this bin ages ago to resolve our stinky compost issue. At the time, Biome was offering the bin free with the purchase of all the bags or the other way around. That's they only way I can explain the pile of 210 bin liner bags.

The BioBags are made from corn and are completely compostable and biodegrade in a matter of weeks. They are also breathable, so the waste inside the bin dries out making it less stinky. And since the whole bag can go into the compost, there's no slimy container to wash out afterward.

My Mexican Valentine
I'm not really one to need a big Valentine's to-do. But we've been throwing around the idea of hitting our favourite (and, in my book, the ONLY proper...) Mexican Restaurant in Brisbane for Valentine's Day.

Then today, I came across this recipe for Mexican Chocolate Pots de Crème, and I think we have ourselves a Valentine's dessert. MMMM!

Bragging Rights
Rave's got a very complimentary review of my bearded soul man's show a couple weeks ago. And they are also right about ME being incredible. Can't wait to see them again!

February Photos
I got partway through one of the days that we were in Albany last year with my aunt & uncle and parents.

Providence of Playlists
I'm sitting here adequately stressed out while putting together the finishing touches on my gigantic package of photocopies and documents to submit with my Stage Two Partner Visa application. I've had the MP3s on shuffle and couldn't ask for a better soundtrack of mellow and moving tunes to keep me going.

♥ "Wonderful" - Adam Ant
♥ "I'll Fly Away" - Gillian Welch & Allison Krauss
♥ "Mojo Pin" - Jeff Buckley
♥ "Fast Car" - Tracy Chapman
♥ "Crazy" - Seal

And then "Just a Friend" by Biz Markie came up and ripped me out of my happy bubble. Hmm, where'd that come from?

(Also my intense love for Adam Ant has been rekindled, and right now I'm kicking myself for bringing my Manners & Physique album to work.)

Trust Me
Okay, so if yesterday's post didn't convince you to love Pinback, I'll give it another shot. (Was I wrong about Family Force Five?) But first...

I woke up this beautiful, rainy morning with a song in my head. Actually just some doot-doot-doots. While not being COMPLETELY tone deaf, my efforts to sing the melody to Hans were mostly in vain.

That's when he introduced me to SongTapper.com. It is so freaking ridiculous. You go there and tap in the rhythm of the song you're thinking of, and it will spit back a list of potential songs. It has yet to miss for me. The song is always there.

So I tapped in the rhythm that was in my head, and about halfway down the list I spied Pinback. Of course that was the one. It's called "Loro". It's the last song on their myspace player. It was apparently also on the Elizabethtown soundtrack. (But I don't endorse that movie, because they LIED. That was SO NOT the Nashville airport.) And it's stuck in my head.

Immigration Station
And I came home yesterday to a large envelope from my lovely immigration officer. Lo and behold, it has been two years since I submitted my partner application and now it's time to Taylor-Dayne it up again. Another Australian police clearance, more statutory declarations, the ever-fun character assessment form, and evidence and documents based on my answers on the Statement of Partner Relationship... to be completed by September 2. Joy.

(Yeah, Tash, turns out a visit AFTER September is going to work out better! Hehe.)

Come with Me
Not long ago I was watching a program on ABC2 that finished before the hour, so they played music under a scroll of what was coming up. There was one song that caught my ear, and I knew I had to have the album.

The group is Idan Raichel Project. Some would call it "world music" (what kind of label is that anyway?), but they prefer to call is Israeli music.

The song that captured me was called "Mi'Ma'amakim" (Out of the Depths), and it is the first song on their myspace player. It just resolves itself so well. Gorgeous. But it is now the song called "Bo'ee" (Come with Me) that is my favourite. It's the second song on the music player, and while it starts out a bit slow, the rest is seared into my consciousness. I find myself humming at all hours of the day and night. I blame it on the octaval vocals at the end. (Want to make a brilliant song in my book? Throw in a vocal line an octave lower. Mmm... clinches it.)

Anyway, check out the documentary videos on their myspace. Maybe you'll find them inspirational too.

Sadly they aren't heading north enough in March.

Weekend Update
Miss Saigon was spectacular. I've had a bit of a theatre void in my life in recent years, so it more than made up for the gap. I think my only disappointment was the helicopter (which was the only scene I remember anyone telling me about) ended up being digital instead of being a massive set piece. So yeah, I knew it wasn't a happy tale, but dang... wasn't quite expecting the end.

The rest of the weekend has gone by in a bit of a blur. A bit of cleaning. A bit of grocery shopping. A bit of laundry. New neighbours have moved in across the street today; I'm anxious about whether to introduce us or just cohabitate on the street until they make a move.

Last night we had the first thunderstorm to speak of for the season. I love thunderstorms... and even more so because here you don't have to worry about an accompanying tornado.

* We are going to a preview of Stardust tomorrow night which opens on Thursday here.

Linky Links
♥ Pixel remix: the Ann-alog: I don't know where I came across this, but I need to put it here to check more later.
♥ Practical Polly: love this girl's creativity. (found via Web-goddess when she linked to the amazingly awesome Wonder Woman Sweater)

Gamer Widow
My husband has downloaded a one-week trial of the Lord of the Rings Online game. Yeah, I don't expect to see him much until next Sunday. (Though we have made a female elf profile for "Kathedral" should I feel compelled to give it a whirl.) :)

Inexplicable
I don't know. Kiwi rappers. Who knew? Saw this video this morning and can't get it out of my head.

And Just Like That, Things Change
♥ Forget that drought I mentioned. It's been raining nearly non-stop for the past three days. It's the perfect excuse to get some cute wellies. (Why, oh why can't we have real Target??)

♥ I had scallops for the first time last weekend. Maybe I don't hate all shellfish after all. Or maybe I just love things smothered in lemon grass. It remains to be seen.

Site to Peruse Later
Mainstream Isn't So Bad... Is It?. Mostly you should go there for this post and listen to the songs. "Bathe in the River" was playing almost every morning while we were eating breakfast at the hotel on our honeymoon in New Zealand, so it has a special meaning for me. But it's an amazing song aside from that.

Cork'd
Today I joined a place called Cork'd. It's a place where you can review wines you've tasted... even keep track of the ones you have on hand. I keep my labels in a book, but this is a nice little place to keep notes and see what others think. This is me. (Plus the site is really pretty.)

I'm home alone today. The boys have gone to play the bro-in-law's new Wii.

All the cool kids went to see Gotye last night. Sadly, we're not cool. I hope it was awesome.

With or Without Rhythm
The cover band is back. I almost missed them, as I haven't heard them practice in weeks. I don't know if they are practicing elsewhere or not, but they don't seem quite as shocking. Except, that is, for their rendition of "With or Without You" that just ended. (That song is everywhere this week.) Just a little suggestion for their drummer... if you're not necessarily THAT good to begin with, don't torture yourself by trying to play it double-time. (I swear the song was over in 45 seconds.)

In Other News
We had a half-day of work yesterday. Seeing as it is the end of the Australian financial year this weekend, the "boss" took us out for an amazing lunch (I didn't even eat supper, I ate so much) and told us to go home. We almost went to see Transformers, but I was too tired and afraid I'd fall asleep. I think we'll be going tomorrow, if we can get out of a family thing. I'm just excited for the theme song -- I'm so proud of those guys.

No Good Reasons
We were getting breakfast this morning, and Thirsty Merc's "20 Good Reasons" came on... because I just can't escape that song these days. (Song more overplayed -- "20 Good Reasons" or the Silverchair comeback single? Talk amongst yourselves.)

Anyway, Hans demonstrated how you can sing "With or Without You" overtop of it... which I argue can be done with half the pop ballads released since then. But to me it's a combination of Train (who I've hated ever since they decided they could start using "chicken" in their lyrics), the "WOWY" aspect of U2, and somehow the opening line of the song made me think of "Letter B"-- though after watching the youtube of it, it doesn't seem to be the way I remembered.

Play Along
On the train, we somehow got talking about the Mrs. Potter movie. This led us to the question of how many movies we could name that had human/cartoon interaction. This is what we've come up with so far, but if you can think of any others, please leave a comment.

1. Mrs. Potter
2. Mary Poppins (me)
3. Pete's Dragon (H)
4. Bedknobs & Broomsticks (H)
5. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (H)
6. The Incredible Mr. Limpet (me)
7. Cool World (H)
8. Space Jam (me)
   UPDATE
9. Anchors Aweigh (Barry)
10. Alice in Wonderland (Barry)
11. Little Shop of Horrors(Barry)
12. Loony Tunes: Back in Action (Barry)

There was also an Australian film that came out last year that we were going to count, but neither of us could remember the name. I just remember I fell asleep to it on two flights to/from New Zealand.

EZYdvd Update
Further to yesterday's post which ended with mention of a refund, as of this morning, the money isn't actually in our account.

We Are All Just Prisoners Here
This afternoon I realized how spoiled I am living with a musician whose efforts actually qualify as MUSIC. There is a cover band rehearsing across the street, and I keep thinking it can't get worse... and then it does. Oh God, they're playing "Hotel California" right now -- if only the microphone on here could pick it up... you just wouldn't believe it.

Totally Geeky Voiceover
Eeee... well I just did my voiceover. Turns out that it's for a company called Battlefield Sports, and it is going to be used in a game. Wheee! I got to say six or seven phrases like "No Ammunition", "Reload", "Dead Already", "Casualty", and "Mission Complete". The lady told me my character is a young American fighter. Hehe. I love it.

Anyway... show tonight. I'm tired already. Could be a busy weekend as well. We're going to the Gold Coast on Sunday for the Australian Outback Spectacular. I'm expecting it to be like Pirates... except we get a free hat with our ridiculously-priced admission. Review forthcoming.

Two commands. Watch this. Love them.

I [Have] An Everlasting Love
Am I a bad wife if a little tiny part of me wants to skip the show on Thursday because HOWARD JONES is going to be in town? Oh my gosh. Legendary.

And speaking of favourites from the past, PM freaking DAWN is playing in Sydney on the 1st. There's no way I could ever get there, but I'm still excited.

Pays to Be American
The audio engineer we work with asked me today if I might be available this week to record a voiceover. His client has an American accent she normally uses, but that person lives a bit far away for such a little job. So I might get paid to read six lines in my native accent. Now I'm concerned I won't sound authentic, since my new year's resolution was to embrace the Australian accent and vernacular this year.

Linky Links
www.washyourhands.tv - 92% of guys said they washed. 34% were lying.