Song a Day November:Show Me The Way

What ever happened to Peter Frampton? He was wonderful. He had a string of hits in the seventies and then all but disappeared. I know he's not dead. I know he's still playing music. I know that he should have been an absolute legend, but the fickle world of music seems to have taken him away from us, although, if you're really lucky, Gold FM or what every your classic rock station may be will play this little beauty or,"Baby, I Love Your Way."

I remember Peter Frampton from childhood. This song reminds me of summer down the beach as a child, with this blaring from the car radio.

It's still a great song. It's a pity he didn't really get out of the seventies in one piece like the Rolling Stones.

Song a Day November: Song Two

I've nearly done it. Yes, there have been days when I've had to double up because it's been busy and getting out the blog post has been a bit difficult - but it's been fun to look at the music in my life and write about it, even if it's only a few lines.

I love Blur - and I love this song. It's another song that reminds me of London and those happier, freer days when we used to go out clubbing. It reminds me of nights out in pubs when the world was just a little more innocent. And it reminds me of jalepeno poppers down at a pub after drama class.

And it's really hard to accept that this came out twenty years ago. Before all men wore product in their hair and shoulder pads had just disappeared and Barings Bank was still around and the world had a little hope left in it.

The great thing about this song. You don't have to know the words. You just have to remember.

WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!

Song a Day November: Skinny Love

Heard a cover of this on the way home. A good cover. Birdy's cover of the song (about the best cover she's done)

But I think this is better. Bon Iver is bloody good.

In the home straight now.

Song a Day November: Mexican Radio

Once again I'm in need of a happy song.

So here is a happy song for yesterday.

The Silver Thanksgiving Questions.

Oh, this should be fun.

Questions, as always, from Sunday Stealing.


How many Thanksgivings do you attend?

Um, I'm Australian. We don't have Thanksgiving here.

Where do you attend Thanksgiving(s)? 

Um, I'm Australian. We don't have Thanksgiving here.

What is your favorite dish? 

Um, I'm Australian. We don't have Thanksgiving here.

What is your least favorite dish at Thanksgiving?

Um, I'm Australian. We don't have Thanksgiving here. However, how can pumpkin be anything other than roasted and served with a roast dinner? Pumpkin pie - eww.

What, if any, are your Thanksgiving traditions? 

Um, I'm Australian. We don't have Thanksgiving here.

Name your FAV thing about Thanksgiving. 

No idea. Um, I'm Australian. We don't have Thanksgiving here.

Do you make anything for Thanksgiving? If yes, share what and why. 

Um, I'm Australian. We don't have Thanksgiving here.

Out of everything you eat at Thanksgiving, what can YOU cook the best?

Um, I'm Australian. We don't have Thanksgiving here. Don't Americans get everything out of cans anyway? That's cheating.

What do you drink with your Thanksgiving feast?

Um, I'm Australian. We don't have Thanksgiving here.

Has there ever been a feud during your Thanksgiving?

No. We don't have Thanksgiving. No Indians. No Turkey.

Do you have Appetizers before you Thanksgiving meal?

Um, I'm Australian. We don't have Thanksgiving here.

How many people attend your Thanksgiving(s)? If yes, who?

I have American friends and family who might come to my Thanksgiving if I was in America...

Have you ever missed a Thanksgiving?

Yes. Because I am Australian and I live in Australia. Just sounds like an excuse for a family fight.

What kind of pie/cake/dessert do you eat for dessert?

Ice cream. But I do that anyway, because I'm Australian. Nothing special about that.

Do you ever play games at Thanksgiving?

No. Because we don't have Thanksgiving.

Name 3 things you are Thankful for:

My friends. My sense of humour. The fact that I'm Australian and we don't have Thanksgiving.

Is there anyone who has normally attended Thanksgiving, that will not be there this year? Who?

No. Because being Australian, we don't have Thanksgiving.

Name the funniest person at your Thanksgiving this year and tell us more.

Nobody. No Thanksgiving, no funny people at the table.

Which person eats the MOST?

Nobody. No Thanksgiving. Nobody over to eat a large roast meal at the start of Summer. It's just another Thursday in November here.

Which person eats the LEAST?

Nobody. No Thanksgiving. Nobody over to eat. It's just another Thursday in November here.

Do any animals attend Thanksgiving dinner?

Why? Dead animals lie on the table and get eaten at Thanksgiving? Yes?

If so, do they get Thanksgiving scraps?

See above.

Who carves the turkey?

What turkey? Turkey can come out dry too.

Have you ever had to make Thanksgiving all on YOUR OWN?

No. Because I've never had Thanksgiving because I'm Australian.

Do you get along with the people you have thanksgiving with?

See above.

Is your Thanksgiving formal, or do you just do whatever? 

Whatever. See, it's Australia and just another Thursday in November. Why would be get formal for such a day.

Song a Day November: Friday

Sorry, this has to be done.

Of course it has to be done.

Worst song in the world - well it is up there :)

Jeff Bridges did a pretty go version of it on The Newsroom too.

See, I bet that made your day.

Song a Day November: Blister in the Sun

I love when you have a favourite song and then you find out it's about something else entirely.

Having loved the Violent Femmes since high school and university. I can sing along to both their first album and "The Blind Leading the Naked" without thinking.

So just like when I found out, aged 35, that The Vapours "Turning Japanese" was about masturbation - I was equally as horrified (well maybe not horrified...) to find out that this song was about the same thing.

You think about it... let me go off... like a blister in the sun... let me go off... big hands I know you're the one...

What else is it going to be about?  Like , doh!.

I was also really really pleased to see that Stephen Colbert had Gano et al on his show and he went all fanboy.

I'd go all fangirl too... Gordon Gano is up there with the Pixies when it comes to a God-like status.

When I'm walking, I strut my stuff, then I'm so strung out... bah-bah - bah-bah...

They don't write songs like they used to.

Song a Day November: Take Me To The River

Yesterday's song is late again. Oops. Busy day yesterday, culminating in a mason's meeting.

Which is why this little ditty, penned in the seventies and covered in the early eighties by Talking Heads.

I never tire of this song.

Song a Day November: Escape

Song two:

Okay, walking to book group, playing Pokemon (as per usual when walking places) when crossing the coat hanger bridge I pass an old colleague.

Be still my barely beating ovaries.

Craig (Not his real name) is what you'd call thinking woman's crumpet. See, he's an engineer. A bit on the lanky side. Hyper-intelligent. Has this quite way about him. Huge blue eyes.

And while I was working with him, I always had just the tiniest crush on him. Just a little one. Being in my mid forties, thankfully you get to have a little crush on somebody  you don't act like a schoolgirl.

But yeah, for a middle aged engineer he really is quite fine.

So we pass each other on the Coat Hanger foot bridge across the Yarra. I get a "Hello" and a beaming smile. He gets the same off of me.

I skip all the way to book group.

Makes up for this morning when I watched as a smacked out junkie nearly did a swan-dive onto the train lines. Thankfully her slightly less smacked out friend pulled her back from the edge of the platform (after instructing him to go look after his friend... sheesh, junkies - one of the traps of inner city life)

Anyway, this if for Craig, my middle-aged, blue eyed, married father of a couple if kids and an engineer. This is for you

One can have a little fantasy, n'est-ce pas?

Song a Day November: Rapture

Two songs today, as I missed yesterday's song. I blame int on the weather. Melbourne, bless it, has these great springs where it will be 38 one day and 17 the next. It was glorious yesterday lunchtime - not it's raining again. Oh what fun.

Anyway, today's first song comes from my high school days. I love Blondie. I love their use of French. I love the jivey bits they put in their early stuff. It's so disco, you just want to shove on your roller skates and spray on jeans and go down the disco.

Blondie will always make me smile.

Song a Day November: Pickles from the Jar

I get this song. I get this song because it talks, in part, about regional accents.

Because I'm from Adelaide and I say "Fr-ah-nce"  - the Adelaide long A.

It's cute and catchy.

Enjoy.

The Getting to Know You Questions

Another late start after a weekend of good movies and a lot of relaxing. I have one more tute paper to complete and then I am eight subjects down on my Masters.

Questions, as always, from Sunday Stealing.


1. Would you prefer to be smart or happy, and why?

There is part of me that thinks you can't be too smart and happy as well - being smart sometimes means you don't get to be that happy because you overthink things. Still, I like being smart - and I'm fairly happy. I don't think you can answer this easily.

2. If you could choose one superpower, what would it be and why?

Flying - would save so much on public transport.

3. What is your biggest regret in life so far?

Not taking counselling during my first round of uni. I still would have got there - and I wasn't ready at the time, but I think that is a choice I would do over.

4. If you could marry a fictional character, who would it be and why?

Noah from "The Notebook" is pretty good. What a man.

5. If money and career were no object, where in the world would you choose to live?

Probably London, somewhere near Little Venice. Love it around there.

6. What’s the last book you read that you simply could not put down until you finished?

That would be a toss up between ML Steadman's "The Light Between Oceans" and Richard Flanagan's "The Narrow Road to the Deep South". Both are amazing.

7. What television show do you plan your day around in order to see it live?

Nothing really. That is why we have Netflix. Though I will watch Embarrassing Bodies if it's on.

8. What extracurricular activities or sports did you participate in when you were in high school?

None. I was terribly unsporty at school. And school was a half hour drive away and we always took the bus.

9. Of all your pet-peeves, which is the strangest?

I really dislike people who are not polite to wait staff. I have nearly lost friends over that one. I've been behind the counter of a store. Been there - hate when people are rude.

10. Is it better to beg forgiveness or ask permission?

Forgiveness. Who asks for permission anyway? Not me.

11. If you inherited or won a million dollars, what would you do with it?

Buy a house. Easy.

12. What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?

Far too many to mention. Do I have to pick one?

13. Which fictional character do you believe is the most like yourself?

There are times I feel like Yelena from Uncle Vanya. There are times I feel like Olive from Little Miss Sunshine. There are times I am Jo from Little Women. There are times I'm Bridget Jones. There are not many spinsters in their mid forties in literature or film.

14. Are you superstitious? If so, what are you most superstitious about?

Not really. But I don't walk under ladders and I do touch wood out of habit.

15. Do you believe it is vital to everyday life to know what is happening in the world around you?

To a point. I read a lot of independent media (The Guardian) and around a bit - just not Murdoch. Murdoch is propoganda.

16. What is the nicest thing anybody has said, or you believe they would say, about you?

You're the most intelligent person I know. This was said to me a few years ago. That made my year.

17. What are your life and career goals in 5, 10 and 15 years?

Finish my masters, walk the Camino de Compostella di Santiago, stay gainfully employed, write the great Australian novel and maybe buy a house and get married. The first three are two year goals.

18. Would you rather live in a large house in the suburbs, or a tiny apartment in the city with an excellent view?

Tiny apartment with a view. The though of living in the burbs with a large garden with a lawn to mow fills me with the utmost horror.

19. What are you three weaknesses?

Stubborn, perfectionist, over-achiever. I also get bored easily and I get destructive when I'm bored.

20. How would you describe yourself in three words?

Polite, caring, smart.

21. Which is more logical to follow—your heart or your head?

Follow your heart. It will never lead you astray.

22. Are you spiritual or religious in any way? If so, how?

I'm spiritual. I'm a freemason. But I'm not religious - though I love being in religious houses. I am firmly not a Christian, though I have mainly Judeo-Christian ethics.

23. If you could have any career possible, what would it be?

A writer or a lighthouse keeper.

24. Have you ever been arrested or contracted any diseases?

Never been arrested. Other than colds and fle, I had the mumps as a kid and Glandular Fever (I think it's called mononucleosis in the US) That's all. That will do. Just recovering from a small but annoying staph infection.

25. Which is better—a novel or a movie?

Novel. Always the novel.

Song a Day November: Zombie

We spent last week at school looking at copyright, copyleft and the joys of the intricacies of intellectual property, which is why I've thought to put this song up today.

After the court case around Robin Thicke and his Blurred Lines song being sued by the estate of Marvin Gaye I got to wondering just where to these blurrred lines stop.

This song came on the radio as I was driving home from dinner last night. A fun song. A great song.

But why hasn't Firsher Z sued him for ripping of his song. Have a listen to this - you ask me, it's the same song.

I think Billy Joel could get in on the act too for some bits that seem to have come straight from this:

This copyright stuff leaves my head in a spin. 

However, when Zomibe comes on the car radio, I end up singing one of the other two songs. Is this just a fluke or the way my brain is wired? Something to think about anyway.

Song a Day November: Mellow Yellow

So, I'm $100 lighter after a trip to the doctor and a visit to the chemist for antibiotics. Seems the weeping, crusty, sore, itchy eye is something real like a staph infection. Oh joy. A few days of the colourful capsules should do the trick. I'm looking forward to waking up without a crusty left eye.

So, I'm about to go out, sans makeup near my weeping, crusty, sore, itchy eye over to the other side of town for dinner and I needed a car trip song.

I have a memory from childhood, on a long car trip, somewhere, when this came on the radio.

It gets stuck in your head.

The song is older than me.

And it's still fun.

Song a Day November: Hello

I have to make a confession. I really, really, really don't like Adele. Seriously. If I don't have to hear another Adele song again I know I won't be missing much. There is lots of other better music out there that will not drive you insane.

It's not so much that she's god-awful - she isn't. I'll admit, she can sing, she has talent and she doesn't write a bad song. It's not like she's Delta Goodrem who's music is so beige it could be played in elevators for the next fifty years and nobody will notice.

Adele, bless her, I sort of feel sorry for her  - I mean she's still bleating on about her ex-boyfriend after all these years. You wonder if she needs counseling.

The other problem I have with Adele is that  she's been overplayed for year. I could happy go without ever hearing "Rolling in the Deep" again for the rest of my life. It's a bit like my aversion to INXS - which was played ad nauseum on a skiing trip when I was sixteen and I've disliked them ever since. It was enough to make your ears bleed.

So why have I chosen an Adele song for today's song of the day? 

I thought it was songs called "Hello". I hated Lionel Ritchie's song too - always thought that was dreadful.

Well, despite hating this song with a passion when Adele sings it, I've found this cover which makes it sort of palatable. It appears it takes 40 Marlboro a day and the odd shot of moonshine to make this work.

 And it's not too bad.

Far better than the caterwauling of that chic from London.

Song a Day November: All Apologies

Don't you just love it when a song gets into your head?

I've always loved Nirvana. They remind me of my time in London, getting drunk in pubs with my drama mates and a much simpler life. Then Kurt Cobain went and stuck a shot gun under his chin and pulled the trigger.

All Apologies is great which ever way it's done - I love acoustic versions more than anything.

But those last lines - they really get stuck in your head. A classic ear worm, I've had the words - "All in all is all we are" going around my head for the last 24 hours.

Oh, and I've sorted out the mondegreen in the coda too - I always thought it was, "Mary, Bear me", not "Married, Buried"...

You don't get much better than Nirvana. And to think, without the Pixies, they would never be here.

Song a Day November: The Bucket

A summer song for today. Love summer songs, as it feels like Summer is coming soon.

I never got into the band as much as many of my friends, but I think The Kings of Leon need a visit. And soon. Even if they appear to be hipsters.

Song a Day November: Dumb Ways to Die

I had a bit of an emotional kick yesterday.

See, I went to see Arrival at the cinema, before I was due to catch a plane back to Melbourne. The movie is great. Really great, but there was an early scene where you see the protagonist and her daughter in a montage of her life (and I can tell you this without spoiling anything about the movie) The daughter is a baby, then a toddler, then a child, then a teenager - then a sick teenager, then a dying teenager.

And it was the sights of this that left me feeling harpooned.

The feeling passed after a while, but still, I was left to acknowledge that I miss my niece, Lolly and the circumstances of her death leave me perplexed as to why she had to go in such a way.

Arrival is a great film. I want to see it again  - and I'm ready for the emotional sucker punch now. I would like to go back and see it again - I missed the last five minutes as I was busting for a pee - serves me right for getting a medium coke zero to drink rather than the small.

Then I got on the plane. One of the films available to watch was "Me, Earl and the Dying Girl". Again, another great film - but could I watch it. No. The film's about a girl who has leukaemia and how her friendship group deal with it. Again, an excellent film - which I think I saw before Loll passed away. Regardless, couldn't watch it yesterday. All a bit sensitive.

So this leaves with today's choice of song, which comes from a strange and treasured memory. My nieces and I sang this at the dinner table a few years back. My sister was horrified that we were singing about death. My mother looked at us as if we had two heads for singing and dancing (yes, you have to do the dance with the song) at the dinner table. But I remember singing and dancing along with both my nieces to this song and having a great laugh. That it's a song about being careful around train stations and level crossings makes it even stranger.

I think about dumb ways to die - and leukaemia is a really dumb, tragic, awful, horrid and horrific way to die.

But this silly little ditty, produced on a shoestring by a government agency to tell stupid people to play it sage near train lines will always hold good memories for me.

Miss ya, Loll.

Song a Day November: Budapest

Today's song (the one posted earlier was for yesterday) comes from the fact that for some strange reason I've heard this repeatedly and randomly over the last few days. It was a question on "Who wants to be a Millionaire" the other night. It's come on the car radio a few times in the last week and finally, there was a busker singing it outside of Town Hall station as I made my way to the cinema.

By the way, Arrivals is excellent and I highly recommend it - however there are a couple of scenes that have cut me to the quick - but that's a personal thing (and I wouldn't recommend my sister see it) Great film.

Anyway, here's today's song.

The Ask, Ask, Ask Meme Part II

I'm trying to get this done early as I've got a lot to do today. Lots of learning to get done. joy.

Questions, as always, from Sunday Stealing.


26. Did you have an accident last year?

Other than a tripping incident which left my left butt cheek black with the mother of all bruises (and there's still a lump there from the resulting muscle damage) that's about it. I've been lucky.

27. Do you have any famous relatives?

No.

28. Did you ever had a kiss under the moonlight?

Many, many years ago.

29. Have you ever been jealous?

I try not to get jealous. A waste of energy really. If I do get jealous, it's normally over somebody else's dessert -  and it passes quickly.

30. How can you prove your love to someone?

Be kind to them and respect them. That's a start. I think it all starts from there.

31. What are you thinking right now?

What am I going to have for breakfast? I'm hungry.

32. Have you ever sacrificed something important to you for someone you love?

Earlier this year, my pride was injured greatly. But that is a story for another time. I kept my self respect under difficult circumstances.

33. Can you live without internet?

Short answer, no. But I'm thinking of doing the Camino de Compostella de Santiago in 2018 and the interwebs will be limited. Good to have a digital detox every now and then, but you also have to access your banking somehow...

34. Have you been so emotional that you can’t find words to explain how you feel?

Yes. I ended up screaming. That sort of explained it.

35. Did you ever badmouth someone?

I try not to. I don't have many good words to say about Donald Trump, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Dutton and most of the Australian Federal front bench.

36. What do you prefer, jeans or skirt?

Skirts. I only started wearing jeans when the slightly elastic denim came in.

37. Do you have trust issues?

Yes. hell, yes.

38. What's something that you made all on your own and are incredibly proud of?

The start of my online kid's book.

39. Who’s the person who first comes to your mind when someone mentions “love”?

Maow Maow. Does he count. Clive Owen comes a close second.

40. Who was the last person you hugged?

One of my mason friends

41. Do you believe in the phrase “If it’s meant to be, it will be”?

Yes. It's also like the saying, "You are always exactly where you need to be." It's so true.

42. Do people praise you for your looks?

No. I'm told I have nice hair and eyes. More known for being a good person.

43. Do you believe in destiny?

Of sorts, yes.

44. Have you ever thought “I already found my soulmate”?

This is a hard question. Yes and no - then again, I'm not with my soul mate, so probably not.

45. Do you like nicknames that are from your name?

I like being called Panda - that works. I don't like the other nickname that come from my name.

46. Could you ever be a vegan?

Maybe for a day. I don't really get veganism, but I do try to respect those who are vegans. I work with a lot of Indian consultants - you have to ask so many questions. I'm aware there is great vegan food out there. You just have to hunt it out - and want to hunt it out.

47. Do you currently have bruises on your body?

Only the remnants of Bruce the Bum Bruise. He came along six months ago and there is still some lingering fluid around the site.

48. What should you be doing right now?

Learning my lines from tomorrow night. I am nearly there.

49. I read in a magazine that shoulder pads are coming back. Are you happy to hear this or do you not find them to be very attractive?

Has Donald Trump sent everybody mad? Shoulder pads should be sent back to the place of flouro socks, bubble skirts and spiral perms. No I don't like shoulder pads. Ew.

50. Did you ever feel like you’re not good enough?

Very often, but I'm working on it.

Blog a Day November: The Show

Oops, I will make this up. Got a bit waylaid yesterday as I'm not at home.

This comes from watching Moneyball last night. You know how you see a song on a movie and it gets stuck in your head. Well the version performed by the teenage daughter character on this film stuck with me. It's perfect (and I'll put this after the clip of the original).

Love this song.

And the Moneyball version - which is quite perfect in it's own right.

Song a Day November: The Last Post

There are few tunes that cut me to the quick like this.

A bit of family history. My grandfather's brother, Harold, used to play the trumpet in a band in Victor Harbor before the war.

My grandfather was 18 at the conclusion of World War One, he tried to enlist, but was refused after a bout of pleurisy left him fifteen kilograms underweight.

However, his three older brothers, Keith, Roy and Harold went off to war. None of them bore arms - and to this day I'm not sure how this happened, but being of strong Methodist faith, they probably wanted to do their bit without baring arms.

Keith, a driver who ferried men from one side of what is now the Suez Canal to the other died of typhoid caught from swimming in poison water.

Roy came back with a two bar military medal on his chest, after being presented to the King of the time. Roy was a signalman, who kept the lines of communication open at battlefields such as Fromelles, Villers Brettoneaux and Bellecourt. A happy chap from all accounts, Roy also went on to manage a signal repeater station on the Nullabor Plains as was there to help get the communications up and running when Darwin was bombed in World War II.

The one that hasn't been referenced in the family that much, was Uncle Harold. Not that the family ever talked about their war service. It wasn't talked about. Ever. Harold went over at the start of World War I and was a bugler at Gallipoli.

He was only over there for about six months before he was sent back for something called Rheumatism. In all likelihood, this haberdasher from Victor Harbor was probably suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but he came back safe, if not a bit shaken - and went on to have a short and tragic life in some ways, but a happy life in others.

But every time I hear The Last Post, I think of my mother's Uncle Harold, the bugler. Who, in his early 20s, would play this morning and night, calling men to battle, presiding over the funerals of dead soldiers and all the other duties a bugler on the battlefields of Gallipoli would do. I try not to think of the horrors this simple man would have seen.

And I hope that nobody has to see these horrors again.

So today, I give you The Last Post.

Lest we forget.

Song a Day November: The Lunatics have Taken Over the Asylum

And in response to the events of yesterday.

Song a Day November - America

There's really only one song you can play today.

Good luck, America.

Song a Day November - Crickets Sing for Anamaria

I can't say that I always avoid reality television, but there are times you get suckered in.

The Voice is a show I generally leave, but sometimes, they present to you a gem.

Emma Pask is one of these gems.

Her album, Cosita Divina is wonderful - and I'm not really into jazz, but I do wonder how they hell she can sing so fast, so clearly and in tune.

She's just an amazing talent with a fantastic voice. On The Voice, she was mentored by Ricky Martin, who has asked her to sing on one of his albums.

I just love this song as it's fun and showcases her incredible voice. 

She's worth a listen.

Song a Day November - Stressed Out

Most work day mornings, around 10 am, I'll make my way downstairs to go see my favourite barista, Dimitri.

Dimitri is easy to love. A happy-go-lucky Greek, tennis-loving father of two, he runs the coffee cart downstairs between the hours of seven and eleven.He makes a decent cup of coffee and even manages to make the decaf I'm drinking at the moment palatable. No matter what state you're in, he remembers your order and is happy and smiley along with it. The normal conversation runs something like this.

"Morning, Dim."
"Morning, Sparkles. Your normal."
"Thanks, Dim. A wanker coffee it is."
"Nothing wrong with skinny decaf. With you in a minute, Sparkles. Where's the lad and River?"
"Meetings, Dim."
"You guys are always in meetings."
"That's what they pay us for."

He calls his favourite customers Sparkles. 

Then we will have a chat about what's going on in the world at large normally about any and all subjects at large. It also depends on who's with me - as my coffee posse, made up of my current work husband and River, a football loving ex-techie and fellow foodie. A couple of times a week, the coffee posse swarm on Dim. It's all a part of the ritual.

Dim has the radio going as well and he's noticed that I zone in on what ever is playing.

Well, this morning, as I made my way downstairs, still a bit grumpy because I had to shower at the gym this morning as the hot water was still out, somewhat lethargic after a weekend of revising my uni assignments, I made my way to Dim's coffee cart. I started swaying to the beat.

"Who sings this, Dim?"
"21 Pilots. You know them?
"No, but I know the song."

It appears I have more of a rock and alternative music taste than Dim. That's okay. We agree on Delta Goodrem and the fact she should be sued for crimes against humanity for her version of "I Believe in a Thing Called Love."

And we agree on this song - though the chorus will get stuck in your head faster than the Muppet's singing Mah-Nah-Mah-Nah.

Enjoy.

Song a Day November: Red Right Hand

This came over the car sound system today and I got to thinking how much I love Nick Cave. I wasn't around in Australia in his hey day in the 90's, but I love his deep voice and meaningful lyrics. There are so many songs to choose from, but I've picked this, mainly as it's been used to promote South Australia and it's nice and gritty. His latest album is a bit of a revelation too, made after the death of his teenage son. It's stark and haunting and a joy to listen to.

And now that I've done the song for the day I would get on with cleaning the house, but as we have no hot water at the moment, things like mopping the floors can't be done. What a bummer. 

Also found a cover by the Arctic Monkeys, for which, as covers go, is not too bad at all.

The Ask Ask Ask meme

I'm on the last passes of my assignment, then I just have to press a few buttons and I'm eight subjects through of my Masters in Writing. I'm very pleased about this indeed. However it also means I have no excuse now not to clean my flat. Ah well.

Questions, as always have come through Sunday Stealing.


1. Who was the last person you texted? 

Blarney - to see if she and the family would be around later today.

2. When is your birthday?

Mid August, when it always has been.

3. Who do you want to be with right now?

It would be great if Maow Maow could be here - but I should see him this afternoon.

4. What sports do you play?

None, but I got to the gym a lot.

5. Who is the first person in your blogroll?

Somebody who hasn't written in two years. She's a very inspirational person, which is why I don't take it off the blogroll.

6. What is your favorite song at the moment?

I don't have a favourite song, but I am playing a lot of Elle King at the moment.This has always been up there as favourite on the album.

7. If you were stranded on an island, who do you wish to be with?

Somebody clever enough to get me off of the island quickly and in one piece.

 8. What do you feel right now?

Much better knowing my assignment is ready to be submitted.

 9. What chocolate is your favorite?

White chocolate. White chocolate with toasted coconut is even better.

 10. How many boyfriends/girlfriends did you have?

None of your business. Next.

 11. Why did you create a blog account?

Many years ago I was looking to run a marathon and I decided to blog the journey.

 12. Who is your favorite blogger?

I love The Plastic Mancunian. He's funny.

 13. Where do you want to be right now?

In Spain. I love Spain. Maybe in 2018. Ubud, Bali would be a good second.

 14. What do you want to be in the future?

I want to be a very successful writer.

 15. When was the last time you cried? Why?

I was watching something on telly the other night - I got the sniffles in some show.

 16. Are you happy?

I'm pretty content - nothing to complain about.

 17. Who do you miss?

Maow Maow. Always. And my friend Reindert in Boston.

 18. If you were given a chance, would you like to have a different life?

No. I'm okay with the one that I have.

 19. What was the best thing you were given?

As I'm not much into things, I'd say my intellect and sense of humour.

 20. Who was the last person who called you?

Some tele-marketer. They got told where to go pronto.

 21. What is your favorite dish?

Mum's roast lamb. it's great. Love any lamb.

 22. Who is your best friend?

Probably Blarney, but I have other best friends from various stages of my life who are still best friends.

 23. What is your biggest regret?

Not continuing running when I finally got over my back injury, But looking to get back to running 5 kms.

 24. Have you ever avoided your partner?

I don't have a partner.

 25. Who do you spend crazy moments with?

Depends on how crazyI want to get.

Song a Day November: I Believe in a Thing Called Love

An Open Letter to Alan Joyce, CEO of Qantas

Dear Mr Joyce,

I travel more than most people and your airline is my preferred way to travel. I like that your bags go for free and you get a cup of tea - especially as I tend to purchase my flights well in advance.

However, it has come to my attention, on one of my regular domestic trips that you've changed your muzak when you get on the plane.

Normally, you get some lovely easy listening music. The odd bit of Angus and Julia Stone. Some Crowded House. Nothing offensive in the slightest.

However, on a recent trip I was mortified to discover that your airline had chosen to to play a most unsuitable cover for my trip. A cover of a song that really should never have been made. It's a travesty that somebody has allowed Delta Goodrem to perform a cover of The Darkness's "I Believe In A Thing Called Love".

Seriously.

Really. Seriously.

Delta Goodrem sings The Darkness. I'd rather see Kim Kardashian play Lady Macbeth.

Okay, I have nothing against Delta Goodrem as a person, but I would happily live the rest of my life and be happy never having to hear her music again, so mundane, pedestrian and frankly dull that it is. But the fact that you play this dross on your planes before take off, makes me want to get up, get off the plane and sit on the wing until it's over.

This is a song which makes you want to go and get a crotch tattoo. Not jump out of an airplane.

Can you please take this version of the song off your airline playlist for the sanity of your paying customers.

With many thanks,

Pandora Behr, Frequent Flyer and woman of taste.

p.s. This is how the song should be played.

Not this crap:

Song a Day November: Serra Pelada

I like Philip Glass. He's my go to work music guy, the music that I can work to quite easily as there are repetitive melodies, strong beats, changeable tones and an array of different instruments to work through as you're trying to write boring corporate crap.

Koyaaniqatsi is the first film of the series, all booking bass voices and spindly tunes.

Then comes Powaqqatsi. So you think after all the lovely tunes and melodies of the first film you expect more of the same.

Wrong.

I'll admit to not having seen the "Qatsi" series of films (Though I've seen Baraka and Samsara, which are similar in theme and cinematography). However the juxtaposition of  the clip with the music is brutal.

Saying this, I love when this come on over the car sound system. I go from my normal sedate driver to this moving, steering wheel beating harpy. You just want to turn it up and dance.

And if you get time, hunt out on Youtube the kaleidoscope version of this film. It's freaky.

Song a Day November: Uptown Funk

I need a happy song today, as it is a happy day.

I feel happy.

Why?

Well, for the first time in years, I got on a treadmill and ran.

For the next few weeks I have our Cleo, my trainer, to myself as Jay, the woman I normally train with, has gone on holiday. Jay's a bit older than me, so Cleo tends to punish me when I'm by myself as cardio wise, I'm a bit fitter, though Jay is stronger than me, especially in the shoulders.

So today, as I was training on my own, At the end of the session I was asked, "Bike or rower". We often do a minute sprint on one of these implements of torture.

My response, " Can I run instead? A minute at 10.5 kms on the treadmill?"

Cleo agreed.

I forgot how much love to run. I don't care if it was only two minute intervals, it felt FANTASTIC.

So I need a happy song today - complete with a happy clip.

I don't care that this is one of the most over played songs about ever.  I don't care about the mondegreen contained in the chorus (Up down, fuck you up...)

It's just happy. Even better with this dance clip.

And tonight, I ran.

Song a Day November: America's Sweetheart

Most people who know me think that my music taste is stuck somewhere back in the eighties.

Well here is something that came out sometime in the last year or so and it comes from one of my favourite albums at the moment which was bought on spec off iTunes.

The singer is Elle King. All I can tell you about her is that she is American, aged in her mid-twenties, covered in tattoos and her father is the actor, Rob Schneider.

I love the album.

And I love this song. Her sound is distinctive but not derivative. I hope she's around for a while.

The album, Love Stuff, is the perfect car album.plenty to sing along to even though you never heard most of the tracks before.

Enjoy.

Song a Day November : Tusk

I've just looked at the stats for this blog - some 786 posts. I'm amazed that this has happened from what started as a blog to follow my progress to running a marathon.

This might become a blog for following my progress to walking the Camino de Compostella de Santiago some time in 2018, but we will see - this has yet to be fully worked out. Anyway, as I only have fourteen posts to get me to the 800 post mark, I may as well get on with blogging something meaning full  over the next few weeks - and I may as well write about something I love.

Music.

I'm currently writing the prototype of my online children's book for this term's uni work. This is due in on Monday and I'm nearly there. So this is a bit of a distraction from trying to make the 5000 word mark - I'm at 4500 words with a good bit of editing required.

I don't feel like editing. I have a cold. I don't like editing when I have a cold. I have better things to do like binge watch Outlander and rest.

Anyway, this song. Which was on in the car when I was coming home from breakfast this morning.

Like anything with a beat, it gets into you. Even this piece from "The Wolf of Wall Street" got into a lot of people.

It's all about the beat.

And I hear this song that's getting on to forty years old, and I watch Stevie Nicks with a cheerleaders baton and I wish for a simpler, less cynical more hopeful time. A time without a reliance on hair products and labels.

There is something about seventies music that does this to you.

So this is Tusk, by Fleetwood Mac.

Enjoy.