Sunday, October 28, 2012
I just remembered that I have this blog. Terrible, I know. But hey, at least I'm writing something now. Hopefully I'll keep it going this time... but probably not. The reason I don't think I will keep this going over the next month is that next month is November. What does this have to do with me? NANOWRIMO!!!!
Basically it means that in November I will try to write a novel. Or 50'000 words, to be exact. A novel usually has more than that, but still I should be able to get a decent chunk of a novel down at least. But only if I write at least 1667 words per day, every day in November. So you see why I don't think I will be keeping up with this blog. I have an awesome story planned. Or at least I have parts of it planned...
Today there was a meeting for the north of the river Perth nanowrimos. A pre-nanowrimo meeting to meet other people from our region. There were also some people from south of the river there, because apparently their region is a little less active. Last year I only found out about nanowrimo 10 days into November from a friend. I still had a go, but didn't get all that far. I did about 20'000 words.
Meeting everyone was interesting. There are so many different people doing nanowrimo, and while a lot of them have similar interests I can't imagine such a diverse group of people getting together for anything else. Ages ranged from late teens right up into the 60s.
So, maybe I will keep this blog updated with how I'm doing with nanowrimo, and maybe I won't. Either way, I really want to reach that target of 50'000 this year!
Monday, January 31, 2011
And life goes on...
Earlier this month I spent many conversations with many different people talking about how fast the previous year passed by and how time just seems to fly. I guess time goes by while we live our mundane lives. But I think so long as you're having fun time may fly all it will!
A few weeks ago I went shopping. Now there's nothing too remarkable about that, I go shopping every once in a while, especially during the holidays or when I need to buy something in particular. This particular shopping trip I am writing about is just a normal shopping trip with little things that happened that made it memorable to me. :)
I was sortof looking for a satchel-like bag. My sister has a really nice black leather one, which she bought in Europe. I thought the design with the long strap looked practical and was amazed at how much stuff she could fit into a bag that really didn't look all that big. I was kind of hoping for a brown bag, because I thought it would be more versatile and casual. I had a look at all the shops which sold bags (I was at Joondalup Shopping Centre). I saw a couple that were nice but too expensive for me. I wasn't looking to spend much, because let's face it, I can't afford it. I came across a bunch of nice bags in Target. Not too expensive and actually with further savings on top of the already marked down prices. I wasn't quite sure yet, however and decided to keep looking. My search took me into K-Mart where I didn't find a bag I really liked within my price range. There was one bag which was quite cute, but alas it didn't pass the water bottle test. (Any casual bag of mine needs to have room for a 600mL water bottle in addition to my wallet.) I decided to have a look at the children's shoes and came across the perfect summer sandal for this season. Below a picture of them. I wasn't really looking for sandals, didn't really need them and yet they were unlike anything I already owned. I checked to see if they had them in brown (more casual :P) but they only had them in black. I should perhaps mention here that I have tiny feet and usually buy children's shoes which has it's advantages (usually cheaper) and disadvantages (generally less variety and lower heels). I tried the shoes on, took a photo which I sent to my sister for her opinion, took the shoes off, looked at them, took another photo, put them on again, took another photo and eventually sat down, staring at my sandal-clad feet. At this point an older lady who walked past told me: "They look lovely." Shortly afterwards my sister replied telling me they were awesome and I totally should buy them. So I took them to the cashier where to my surprise they were much cheaper than the marked price ($12 instead of $19). AWESOME! And I'm happy to report that I've been wearing them a lot lately and they go very well with many of my outfits! :D
After that great purchase I headed back to Target to have a second look at the bags there. On the way to where the bags were I passed some teenage girls who must have been talking about a guy because I overheard one of them say: "He's hot, but not, like, oh-my-god hot." Bless. I hear ya sister. :P
Once at the bags I put the ones I was interested in through the water bottle test and eventually bought a black satchel like bag. It has since become my favourite bag. It's not too big and yet fits everything I need for my every-day casual needs, although I'll need to go back to a bigger bag once uni starts, I think.
Oh, and I also went into a new shop called Typo . It's a stationary store of sorts. It's affiliated with cotton on. I think it's one of my favourite stors now. When I went into the Harbour Town location later on I bought a really pretty notebook (even though I really don't need any more notebooks, I'm a notebook whore). It has so many quirky, pretty, useful, useless items to brighten up one's day. :)
A few weeks ago I went shopping. Now there's nothing too remarkable about that, I go shopping every once in a while, especially during the holidays or when I need to buy something in particular. This particular shopping trip I am writing about is just a normal shopping trip with little things that happened that made it memorable to me. :)
I was sortof looking for a satchel-like bag. My sister has a really nice black leather one, which she bought in Europe. I thought the design with the long strap looked practical and was amazed at how much stuff she could fit into a bag that really didn't look all that big. I was kind of hoping for a brown bag, because I thought it would be more versatile and casual. I had a look at all the shops which sold bags (I was at Joondalup Shopping Centre). I saw a couple that were nice but too expensive for me. I wasn't looking to spend much, because let's face it, I can't afford it. I came across a bunch of nice bags in Target. Not too expensive and actually with further savings on top of the already marked down prices. I wasn't quite sure yet, however and decided to keep looking. My search took me into K-Mart where I didn't find a bag I really liked within my price range. There was one bag which was quite cute, but alas it didn't pass the water bottle test. (Any casual bag of mine needs to have room for a 600mL water bottle in addition to my wallet.) I decided to have a look at the children's shoes and came across the perfect summer sandal for this season. Below a picture of them. I wasn't really looking for sandals, didn't really need them and yet they were unlike anything I already owned. I checked to see if they had them in brown (more casual :P) but they only had them in black. I should perhaps mention here that I have tiny feet and usually buy children's shoes which has it's advantages (usually cheaper) and disadvantages (generally less variety and lower heels). I tried the shoes on, took a photo which I sent to my sister for her opinion, took the shoes off, looked at them, took another photo, put them on again, took another photo and eventually sat down, staring at my sandal-clad feet. At this point an older lady who walked past told me: "They look lovely." Shortly afterwards my sister replied telling me they were awesome and I totally should buy them. So I took them to the cashier where to my surprise they were much cheaper than the marked price ($12 instead of $19). AWESOME! And I'm happy to report that I've been wearing them a lot lately and they go very well with many of my outfits! :D
After that great purchase I headed back to Target to have a second look at the bags there. On the way to where the bags were I passed some teenage girls who must have been talking about a guy because I overheard one of them say: "He's hot, but not, like, oh-my-god hot." Bless. I hear ya sister. :P
Once at the bags I put the ones I was interested in through the water bottle test and eventually bought a black satchel like bag. It has since become my favourite bag. It's not too big and yet fits everything I need for my every-day casual needs, although I'll need to go back to a bigger bag once uni starts, I think.
Oh, and I also went into a new shop called Typo . It's a stationary store of sorts. It's affiliated with cotton on. I think it's one of my favourite stors now. When I went into the Harbour Town location later on I bought a really pretty notebook (even though I really don't need any more notebooks, I'm a notebook whore). It has so many quirky, pretty, useful, useless items to brighten up one's day. :)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The year that was 2010
What a year it's been! I was going to write this post way earlier, but my laptop died at some point back in December. Right now I'm tap-tap-tapping away on my I-phone. So, now to have a look at the year that was...
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Friendships: making new friends, renewing old friendships, deepening existing friendships... 2010 was definitely a good year as far as friendships were concerned! :D
• Finally getting my driver's license. My pursuit for a driver's license has lasted the better part of five years (on and off) and in 2010 I finally got there! The independence and potential for spontaneity and freedom (as well as the all-important air-con in summer) are truly a dream come true.
• Seeing the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra live in concert. What can I say, the were absolutely amazing! Swoon-worthy!
• Taking a year off my studies to concentrate on improving my viola playing... And actually improving a lot, despite not always being entirely disciplined with my practice. Being congratulated on how much I'd improved by various people was just the cherry on top of that particular cake. :)
• Having the whole family under one roof again after my sister spent 6 months in an internship in Switzerland. Sure, we all get on each other's nerves sometimes, but it is still nice to all be together.
• Getting a new viola! This instrument is fantastic. So responsive, it actually makes me sound like a real violist. It has the most beautiful tone. Here's to many hours of music making on my new viola. :)
• Making my viola teacher's new pet bird sing. What could be a more rewarding response after you put your all in the music and make every note special than a bird singing in response?
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Friendships: making new friends, renewing old friendships, deepening existing friendships... 2010 was definitely a good year as far as friendships were concerned! :D
• Finally getting my driver's license. My pursuit for a driver's license has lasted the better part of five years (on and off) and in 2010 I finally got there! The independence and potential for spontaneity and freedom (as well as the all-important air-con in summer) are truly a dream come true.
• Seeing the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra live in concert. What can I say, the were absolutely amazing! Swoon-worthy!
• Taking a year off my studies to concentrate on improving my viola playing... And actually improving a lot, despite not always being entirely disciplined with my practice. Being congratulated on how much I'd improved by various people was just the cherry on top of that particular cake. :)
• Having the whole family under one roof again after my sister spent 6 months in an internship in Switzerland. Sure, we all get on each other's nerves sometimes, but it is still nice to all be together.
• Getting a new viola! This instrument is fantastic. So responsive, it actually makes me sound like a real violist. It has the most beautiful tone. Here's to many hours of music making on my new viola. :)
• Making my viola teacher's new pet bird sing. What could be a more rewarding response after you put your all in the music and make every note special than a bird singing in response?
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Why are musicians so hot?
Recently I got to know a cellist who looked quite hot when he played the cello. Away from his instrument he wasn't that amazing. Not bad looking, but certainly not hot. And once he opened his mouth to talk, well, the illusion was completely shattered.
This is not the first time that I've met someone who looks way hotter when they're playing an instrument. Why is this? They don't even have to especially amazing at their instrument, just capable enough to do the job they're there to do. Weird.
This is not the first time that I've met someone who looks way hotter when they're playing an instrument. Why is this? They don't even have to especially amazing at their instrument, just capable enough to do the job they're there to do. Weird.
Deja Vu
Deja vu is a strange thing. Recently in a violin lesson I was giving my student shuddered and said: “Woah, déjà vu.” I was mildly impressed that a thirteen year old was familiar with the concept of déjà vu and then thought no more of it.
And then last Saturday I had my own most recent case of déjà vu. It was the closing night of Into the Woods, a musical I’ve been playing in. I was sitting in the green room with some other members of the cast and crew, some of whom were signing programs which were lying on the table. At the end of the last show every member of the cast and crew gets a program that other people can sign if they want to. Mine was signed by a couple of nice people. Anyway, I was sitting there, feeling sorry for myself due to lack of sleep and having had a full day, when it suddenly occurred to me that I had dreamed this a few weeks ago. I’d dreamed it after I knew that I was going to be playing in Into the Woods, but before we’d had any rehearsals for it, so I’d just assumed that it was a random dream, because I had no idea what the venue looked like. Anyway, as I was sitting there I remembered the dream. Well, not the whole dream but at least part of it. In the dream I walked through the green room, down the ramp into the makeup area, up the stairs past the black curtains into the backstage area and up the ladder to the orchestra area. I’ve heard that déjà vu is a feeling you get when you think you’ve experienced something before, but really it’s just your brain “remembering” something that you haven’t really experienced before. However, I distinctly remember this dream because I remember thinking how ridiculous it was that I’d dream about the orchestra being up a ladder. I mean, when does that ever happen in real life? It’s such a dream thing! Although as it turns out, it did actually happen. This is not the first time I’ve had dreams that later turned out to come true. Mostly it’s just banal stuff. But I wonder if other people have dreams like that too, and if this is proper déjà vu, or something else altogether...
And then last Saturday I had my own most recent case of déjà vu. It was the closing night of Into the Woods, a musical I’ve been playing in. I was sitting in the green room with some other members of the cast and crew, some of whom were signing programs which were lying on the table. At the end of the last show every member of the cast and crew gets a program that other people can sign if they want to. Mine was signed by a couple of nice people. Anyway, I was sitting there, feeling sorry for myself due to lack of sleep and having had a full day, when it suddenly occurred to me that I had dreamed this a few weeks ago. I’d dreamed it after I knew that I was going to be playing in Into the Woods, but before we’d had any rehearsals for it, so I’d just assumed that it was a random dream, because I had no idea what the venue looked like. Anyway, as I was sitting there I remembered the dream. Well, not the whole dream but at least part of it. In the dream I walked through the green room, down the ramp into the makeup area, up the stairs past the black curtains into the backstage area and up the ladder to the orchestra area. I’ve heard that déjà vu is a feeling you get when you think you’ve experienced something before, but really it’s just your brain “remembering” something that you haven’t really experienced before. However, I distinctly remember this dream because I remember thinking how ridiculous it was that I’d dream about the orchestra being up a ladder. I mean, when does that ever happen in real life? It’s such a dream thing! Although as it turns out, it did actually happen. This is not the first time I’ve had dreams that later turned out to come true. Mostly it’s just banal stuff. But I wonder if other people have dreams like that too, and if this is proper déjà vu, or something else altogether...
Saturday, February 20, 2010
My new favourite street style blog.
Let me begin by saying that I love street style blogs. I don't always look at many especially at times like these when our internet is slow because we've reached our limit but I like to look at some of them for inspiration and to admire the awesome fashion sense displayed by people around the world.
For some reason I can't link in this blog, so I'll just type the web-address in brackets.
One that I've always really liked to look at is The Sartorialist (thesartorialist.blogspot.com). These are really fashionable people, from around he fashion capitals of the world wearing a mixture of pieces from vintage to designer. They all have their own individual style and all look incredibly put together and classy.
Recently Gala Darling (http://galadarling.com) published a post with a list of articles she has written for ChinaShop Magazine (www.chinashopmag.com). One of them is about street style blogs from around the world. I browsed through them and the one that really caught my eye was Dropsnap (www.dropsnap.jp). This is a street style blog from Japan featuring both men and women. I spent a long time yesterday looking at a lot of the pictures on the site. I love the variety of styles and the attention to detail. But the thing that I like most about this blog is that I can relate to it more than to the Sartorialist. The people on the Sartorialist are all very stylish but I always feel like I could never emulate their looks and if I tried it would not look right on me. I have my own style and while I certainly take inspiration from other people's looks and fashion in general I don't copy others' looks entirely. However just from looking at Dropsnap once I already got some ideas about putting together some items in my wardrobe that I usually don't put together (ie wearing a top that I usually wear with pants with a skirt, not a very dramatic change, I know, but still a big change). Maybe it's that my personal style is a lot more playful than that of the people on The Sartorialist, but I find Dropsnap a lot more relatable and got really excited looking at it. I even showed it to my brother in the hope that he would find some style inspiration. I think it certainly made him realise how limited his usual outfits are... :P
The February issue of Australian Cleo contained a great article on Australian Streetstyle Bloggers. I think it is so interesting to see what people in the city you live in are wearing. I'm always curious to see if I know anyone, or if I have seen any of the outfits on the Perth based blog when I was out and about. Here are the bloggers featured in Cleo:
Hayley Hughes is takes pictures for her blogs melbournstreetfashion.com and fashionhayley.com. I think she has a great eye for style.
Emma Bergmeier is Perth's resident streetstyle blogger. Her blog Dropstitch (www.dropstitch.com.au) features only the best of the best of Perth's fashiony people. I especially love the photos from Laneway. I'm so sad that I couldn't go. (Just plain couldn't afford it.)
Hailing from Sydney is Fernando Frisoni (www.fernandofrisoni.com). I love the pictures he takes. Such a great eye for fashion.
Paul-Simon Djite is another person who chronicles Sydney's street style in his blog kahlanswardrobe.blogspot.com. Both Fernando and Paul-Simon come across as really great people. I think Paul-Simon's revelation that he finds it a little intimidating to approach strangers and ask if he can take a picture of them, especially as the better they look the harder it is, but he adds that he doesn't let it daunt him because the feeling of getting that perfect shot overrides any nerves for him.
For some reason I can't link in this blog, so I'll just type the web-address in brackets.
One that I've always really liked to look at is The Sartorialist (thesartorialist.blogspot.com). These are really fashionable people, from around he fashion capitals of the world wearing a mixture of pieces from vintage to designer. They all have their own individual style and all look incredibly put together and classy.
Recently Gala Darling (http://galadarling.com) published a post with a list of articles she has written for ChinaShop Magazine (www.chinashopmag.com). One of them is about street style blogs from around the world. I browsed through them and the one that really caught my eye was Dropsnap (www.dropsnap.jp). This is a street style blog from Japan featuring both men and women. I spent a long time yesterday looking at a lot of the pictures on the site. I love the variety of styles and the attention to detail. But the thing that I like most about this blog is that I can relate to it more than to the Sartorialist. The people on the Sartorialist are all very stylish but I always feel like I could never emulate their looks and if I tried it would not look right on me. I have my own style and while I certainly take inspiration from other people's looks and fashion in general I don't copy others' looks entirely. However just from looking at Dropsnap once I already got some ideas about putting together some items in my wardrobe that I usually don't put together (ie wearing a top that I usually wear with pants with a skirt, not a very dramatic change, I know, but still a big change). Maybe it's that my personal style is a lot more playful than that of the people on The Sartorialist, but I find Dropsnap a lot more relatable and got really excited looking at it. I even showed it to my brother in the hope that he would find some style inspiration. I think it certainly made him realise how limited his usual outfits are... :P
The February issue of Australian Cleo contained a great article on Australian Streetstyle Bloggers. I think it is so interesting to see what people in the city you live in are wearing. I'm always curious to see if I know anyone, or if I have seen any of the outfits on the Perth based blog when I was out and about. Here are the bloggers featured in Cleo:
Hayley Hughes is takes pictures for her blogs melbournstreetfashion.com and fashionhayley.com. I think she has a great eye for style.
Emma Bergmeier is Perth's resident streetstyle blogger. Her blog Dropstitch (www.dropstitch.com.au) features only the best of the best of Perth's fashiony people. I especially love the photos from Laneway. I'm so sad that I couldn't go. (Just plain couldn't afford it.)
Hailing from Sydney is Fernando Frisoni (www.fernandofrisoni.com). I love the pictures he takes. Such a great eye for fashion.
Paul-Simon Djite is another person who chronicles Sydney's street style in his blog kahlanswardrobe.blogspot.com. Both Fernando and Paul-Simon come across as really great people. I think Paul-Simon's revelation that he finds it a little intimidating to approach strangers and ask if he can take a picture of them, especially as the better they look the harder it is, but he adds that he doesn't let it daunt him because the feeling of getting that perfect shot overrides any nerves for him.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Songs for Radical Self Love Month
I've been listening to a couple of songs which encourage me to be the best I can and just live. My internet is slow at the moment, so I can't check if the lyrics I have are correct, and I don't really want to post them until I can make sure that they're absolutely right. So I will just tell you the name of the song, the name of the artist and why I like it. :)
But first a little picture.
I'm not sure where I got this picture from. I assume I found it when I google image searched something to do with music at some point. Now it lives on my hard drive. I think it's super cute. I would love a music outfit like that. Although I don't know where I'd wear it. Anyway, onwards with the music...
Maria by Blondie
This is one of my all-time favourite songs. I find the opening lyrics absolutely liberating and inspiring. They are:
She moves like she don't care,
Smooth as silk,cool as air.
Love, love, love it. Obviously the girl in question does care deeply about things, but she moves like she doesn't care about what other people think of her. Genius. That's how every girl wants to be I think. The rest of the song is catchy and talks about how awesome Maria is and how you wanna take her home and make her yours. At one point the lyrics are: "Don't you wanna break her?" which obviously isn't as uplifting, but I tend to just ignore that bit and instead loudly sing along with the next chorus... "Mariiiiiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaaaaa..." :D Incidentally I'm not really sure what the lyrics of the chorus are as it is one bit I never quite understand when I listen to it. PS: I have an ex boyfriend who used to call me Maria (it's my middle name). I loved the song before I met him, but it just made it extra special. :)
Rooftop by Sasha
Another oldie but a goodie. This one's from 2002 I think. I'd forgotten that his song existed when it came up on my mp3 player which was on shuffle. I'm not entire sure what it is I'm meant to shout from the rooftops. Possibly "Here I go". I don't think it matters when the song contains lines such as:
Doesn't matter what they
You do your own thing anyway.
and:
To spend a little ain't no crime,
Please yourself from time to time.
We all get caught out in the pouring rain
We get we the same doesn't matter, no, no.
and of course the two variants of the chorus:
Ain’t nothing better
Than a heartbeat over mind.
So shout it from the rooftop, here I go.
Beat it on the backdoor of your soul.
Walking on a tightrope, don’t you know
Takes you higher, takes you higher.
Dancing on the sidewalk, let it go.
Jumping on a fast train, nice and slow.
Surfing on the backbeat, no control.
Takes you higher, takes you higher.
It's just such an up-beat song. It reminds me to by myself and that it doesn't matter what other people think of what I do, "it's only someone's point of view." :P
PS: I was especially delighted to hear this song on my mp3 player because previously my mp3's shuffle mode seemed to have an unhealthy (and slightly depressing) obsession with playing Sasha's Lonely. You know, the song that goes: "I feel lonely, lone-, lone-, lone-, lone-, lone-ly, You're the one and only that makes me feel so blue. Definitely not Radical Self Love Month material that one.
Suddenly I See by KT Tunstall
This song is on a "Chickflick Soundtrack" compilation CD I got from one of my movie-obsessed (male) friends for my last birthday. It is full of awesome, inspirational, love or otherwise, fabulous, strong, delicious, funny, old, new songs. :D This song in particular I had heard before. Everybody has. However when it came up on my mp3 player I really started listening to the lyrics:
Her face is a map of the world, is a map of the world.
You can see she's a beautiful girl, she's a beautiful girl.
Everything around her is a silver pool of light
The people who surround her feel the benefit of it
It makes you calm
She holds you captivated in her palm.
Such a strong opener. Who doesn't want to be like that girl? I think the chorus:
Suddenly I see (Suddenly I see)
This is what I wanna be etc.
really says it all. The lyrics go on to describe this amazing girl. I love listening to this song as I'm walking home from the bus or on the way to uni and imagining that I am the girl that this song describes. It's such a boost. Of course I am beautiful. Everything around me is a siler pool of light and the people who surround me do feel the benefit of it. It makes me wanna be the best me I can be. Caring, beautiful in all possible ways, full of love for myself and others.
Honourable mentions:
There are worse things I could do from Grease
This is Rizzo's song from Grease. She is one of my favourite characters in the musical (although I kinda love them all...). I am very different from Rizzo. I tend to be overly cautious and not take chances and I am actually a lot like one of the girls she describes that she's not like, so I listen to this song to remind me to come out of my shell and live a little.
I'll be OK by McFly
This song is the on that first got me into listening to McFly I heard it on a flight from Europe back to Perth, via Singapore. The guys looked cute on the video clip, the melody is pretty and catchy and the message is very comforting when I'm having an off day. I listen to this song and I know that I will indeed be OK. :)
I Look Up by Shameem Taheri-Lee
With lyrics such as "I feel like I could have the universe for afternoon tea" (I paraphrased it here) and "My mama told me we were created to show love for one another" plus the opening lines of he chorus:
When I look up, look much higher,
When I look down I see the sky.
this song had to be on my Radical Self Love month playlist. Shameem Taheri-Lee recently graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and this song is from her debut album. I'll write more about her in a later blog entry. For now just know that she is awesome and go check out her website and Myspace page.
Here to Stay by Christina Aguilera
There's no doubt Christina Aguilera can sing, has bunches of talent and is absolutely gorgeous. Plus she shares a first name with me. :P So of course she's great. The lyrics for this song are so so perfect for Radical Self Love month! Another song that is also on my playlist for this month is Beautiful, also by Christina Aguiera, of course.
Some Disney Songs
No playlist of mine would be complete without at least one Disney song. Here are some that made it into my Radical Self Love playlist:
Circle of Life from the Lion King, When You Wish Upon a Star from Pinocchio, You'll Be In My Heart from Tarzan, I'll Make A Man Out Of You from Mulan (hey, it's the ultimate in motivational songs), Go the Distance from Hercules (ditto), A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes from Cinderella, Just Beyond the Riverbend from Pocahontas (to remind me to keep looking ahead), and occasionally Out There from the Hunchback of Notre Dame to remind me how lucky I am and how amazing this world we live in is and how easily it is to get complacent and stop being in awe of the things that seem everday and common and boring to us.
Take It Easy, Take It To The Limit and New Kid In Town by the Eagles
The Eagles have of course written many classic rock songs. These three made it onto my RSL playlist for their good advice. The first two are also quite optimistic while the third one is a little melancholy. Take it easy in particular makes me giggle with the opening line of:
Well, I'm a runnin' down the road tryin' to loosen my load
I got seven women on my mind;
Four that wanna own me,
Two that wanna stone me,
One says she's a friend of mine.
The reason this makes me giggle is that I suspect I just had a close escape from being one of the first two and have landed safely back in the saying I'm a friend of a guy who no doubt has me on my mind along with a couple of other women. :P
Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien by Edith Piaf
My mum used to sometimes sing it when I was little, so I knew the lyrics even before I knew what they meant, but I think this is a great song to live by.
Leb Deinen Traum from the Digimon Soundtrack
Don't laugh, this song is really inspirational. I've never heard the English version, but the German title literally means: Live your dream.
Take her to Sea Mr Murdoch from the Titanic Soundtrack
This one's an instrumental. It's very rousing and for me personally it brings back happy memories of playing it in an orchestra a few years ago. We played a Titanic medly and it contained all the major themes from the movie. It finished with a really cheesy version of My Heart will go On complete with drumkit. Such fun! :D
I Can Wait from the Hairspray Soundtrack
This song didn't end up making it into the movie but I absolutely love it. The message is to do all you can to achieve your dreams but that you can't rush fate.
It's My Life by Bon Jovi
Of course. This staple of mass singalongs in the clubs is also great to belt out in the bedroom or car or any place really... It's guaranteed to make you feel awesome.
Soak Up the Sun by Cheryl Crow
I'm gonna soak up the sun, I'm gonna tell everyone to lighten up...
It's Funny by Junia
It's funny, so funny, come on keep smiling honey, we wanna show that we got style!
Keep on Movin' by 5ive
Get on up when you're down...
Bitch by Meredith Brooks
Girls Just Wanna Hav Fun by Cindy Lauper
Life is What you Make it by Mishelle Branch
(You Just) Believe in You by Princessa
You just believe in you and after time you'll see you underestimate your capability...
Stand up (for the Champions) by Right Said Fred and Ready For the Victory by Modern Talking
These two are just good for some hyping up of oneself. Stand up for me COS I AM THE CHAMPION and of course I'm totally ready for the victory in whatever form it may come...
These are just a few of the songs on my Radical Self Love Playlist. Of course I have many many more songs in my playlist and I also listen to a lot of classical music which is fabulous. I know this blog goes on forever, so congratulations if you made it to the end. :D Don't forget to make your own Radical Self Love Playlist if you haven't done so already.
But first a little picture.
I'm not sure where I got this picture from. I assume I found it when I google image searched something to do with music at some point. Now it lives on my hard drive. I think it's super cute. I would love a music outfit like that. Although I don't know where I'd wear it. Anyway, onwards with the music...
Maria by Blondie
This is one of my all-time favourite songs. I find the opening lyrics absolutely liberating and inspiring. They are:
She moves like she don't care,
Smooth as silk,cool as air.
Love, love, love it. Obviously the girl in question does care deeply about things, but she moves like she doesn't care about what other people think of her. Genius. That's how every girl wants to be I think. The rest of the song is catchy and talks about how awesome Maria is and how you wanna take her home and make her yours. At one point the lyrics are: "Don't you wanna break her?" which obviously isn't as uplifting, but I tend to just ignore that bit and instead loudly sing along with the next chorus... "Mariiiiiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaaaaa..." :D Incidentally I'm not really sure what the lyrics of the chorus are as it is one bit I never quite understand when I listen to it. PS: I have an ex boyfriend who used to call me Maria (it's my middle name). I loved the song before I met him, but it just made it extra special. :)
Rooftop by Sasha
Another oldie but a goodie. This one's from 2002 I think. I'd forgotten that his song existed when it came up on my mp3 player which was on shuffle. I'm not entire sure what it is I'm meant to shout from the rooftops. Possibly "Here I go". I don't think it matters when the song contains lines such as:
Doesn't matter what they
You do your own thing anyway.
and:
To spend a little ain't no crime,
Please yourself from time to time.
We all get caught out in the pouring rain
We get we the same doesn't matter, no, no.
and of course the two variants of the chorus:
Ain’t nothing better
Than a heartbeat over mind.
So shout it from the rooftop, here I go.
Beat it on the backdoor of your soul.
Walking on a tightrope, don’t you know
Takes you higher, takes you higher.
Dancing on the sidewalk, let it go.
Jumping on a fast train, nice and slow.
Surfing on the backbeat, no control.
Takes you higher, takes you higher.
It's just such an up-beat song. It reminds me to by myself and that it doesn't matter what other people think of what I do, "it's only someone's point of view." :P
PS: I was especially delighted to hear this song on my mp3 player because previously my mp3's shuffle mode seemed to have an unhealthy (and slightly depressing) obsession with playing Sasha's Lonely. You know, the song that goes: "I feel lonely, lone-, lone-, lone-, lone-, lone-ly, You're the one and only that makes me feel so blue. Definitely not Radical Self Love Month material that one.
Suddenly I See by KT Tunstall
This song is on a "Chickflick Soundtrack" compilation CD I got from one of my movie-obsessed (male) friends for my last birthday. It is full of awesome, inspirational, love or otherwise, fabulous, strong, delicious, funny, old, new songs. :D This song in particular I had heard before. Everybody has. However when it came up on my mp3 player I really started listening to the lyrics:
Her face is a map of the world, is a map of the world.
You can see she's a beautiful girl, she's a beautiful girl.
Everything around her is a silver pool of light
The people who surround her feel the benefit of it
It makes you calm
She holds you captivated in her palm.
Such a strong opener. Who doesn't want to be like that girl? I think the chorus:
Suddenly I see (Suddenly I see)
This is what I wanna be etc.
really says it all. The lyrics go on to describe this amazing girl. I love listening to this song as I'm walking home from the bus or on the way to uni and imagining that I am the girl that this song describes. It's such a boost. Of course I am beautiful. Everything around me is a siler pool of light and the people who surround me do feel the benefit of it. It makes me wanna be the best me I can be. Caring, beautiful in all possible ways, full of love for myself and others.
Honourable mentions:
There are worse things I could do from Grease
This is Rizzo's song from Grease. She is one of my favourite characters in the musical (although I kinda love them all...). I am very different from Rizzo. I tend to be overly cautious and not take chances and I am actually a lot like one of the girls she describes that she's not like, so I listen to this song to remind me to come out of my shell and live a little.
I'll be OK by McFly
This song is the on that first got me into listening to McFly I heard it on a flight from Europe back to Perth, via Singapore. The guys looked cute on the video clip, the melody is pretty and catchy and the message is very comforting when I'm having an off day. I listen to this song and I know that I will indeed be OK. :)
I Look Up by Shameem Taheri-Lee
With lyrics such as "I feel like I could have the universe for afternoon tea" (I paraphrased it here) and "My mama told me we were created to show love for one another" plus the opening lines of he chorus:
When I look up, look much higher,
When I look down I see the sky.
this song had to be on my Radical Self Love month playlist. Shameem Taheri-Lee recently graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and this song is from her debut album. I'll write more about her in a later blog entry. For now just know that she is awesome and go check out her website and Myspace page.
Here to Stay by Christina Aguilera
There's no doubt Christina Aguilera can sing, has bunches of talent and is absolutely gorgeous. Plus she shares a first name with me. :P So of course she's great. The lyrics for this song are so so perfect for Radical Self Love month! Another song that is also on my playlist for this month is Beautiful, also by Christina Aguiera, of course.
Some Disney Songs
No playlist of mine would be complete without at least one Disney song. Here are some that made it into my Radical Self Love playlist:
Circle of Life from the Lion King, When You Wish Upon a Star from Pinocchio, You'll Be In My Heart from Tarzan, I'll Make A Man Out Of You from Mulan (hey, it's the ultimate in motivational songs), Go the Distance from Hercules (ditto), A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes from Cinderella, Just Beyond the Riverbend from Pocahontas (to remind me to keep looking ahead), and occasionally Out There from the Hunchback of Notre Dame to remind me how lucky I am and how amazing this world we live in is and how easily it is to get complacent and stop being in awe of the things that seem everday and common and boring to us.
Take It Easy, Take It To The Limit and New Kid In Town by the Eagles
The Eagles have of course written many classic rock songs. These three made it onto my RSL playlist for their good advice. The first two are also quite optimistic while the third one is a little melancholy. Take it easy in particular makes me giggle with the opening line of:
Well, I'm a runnin' down the road tryin' to loosen my load
I got seven women on my mind;
Four that wanna own me,
Two that wanna stone me,
One says she's a friend of mine.
The reason this makes me giggle is that I suspect I just had a close escape from being one of the first two and have landed safely back in the saying I'm a friend of a guy who no doubt has me on my mind along with a couple of other women. :P
Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien by Edith Piaf
My mum used to sometimes sing it when I was little, so I knew the lyrics even before I knew what they meant, but I think this is a great song to live by.
Leb Deinen Traum from the Digimon Soundtrack
Don't laugh, this song is really inspirational. I've never heard the English version, but the German title literally means: Live your dream.
Take her to Sea Mr Murdoch from the Titanic Soundtrack
This one's an instrumental. It's very rousing and for me personally it brings back happy memories of playing it in an orchestra a few years ago. We played a Titanic medly and it contained all the major themes from the movie. It finished with a really cheesy version of My Heart will go On complete with drumkit. Such fun! :D
I Can Wait from the Hairspray Soundtrack
This song didn't end up making it into the movie but I absolutely love it. The message is to do all you can to achieve your dreams but that you can't rush fate.
It's My Life by Bon Jovi
Of course. This staple of mass singalongs in the clubs is also great to belt out in the bedroom or car or any place really... It's guaranteed to make you feel awesome.
Soak Up the Sun by Cheryl Crow
I'm gonna soak up the sun, I'm gonna tell everyone to lighten up...
It's Funny by Junia
It's funny, so funny, come on keep smiling honey, we wanna show that we got style!
Keep on Movin' by 5ive
Get on up when you're down...
Bitch by Meredith Brooks
Girls Just Wanna Hav Fun by Cindy Lauper
Life is What you Make it by Mishelle Branch
(You Just) Believe in You by Princessa
You just believe in you and after time you'll see you underestimate your capability...
Stand up (for the Champions) by Right Said Fred and Ready For the Victory by Modern Talking
These two are just good for some hyping up of oneself. Stand up for me COS I AM THE CHAMPION and of course I'm totally ready for the victory in whatever form it may come...
These are just a few of the songs on my Radical Self Love Playlist. Of course I have many many more songs in my playlist and I also listen to a lot of classical music which is fabulous. I know this blog goes on forever, so congratulations if you made it to the end. :D Don't forget to make your own Radical Self Love Playlist if you haven't done so already.
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