Rolling With It...

...I (literally) feel like a ball these days.

Even though I am close to being 32 weeks pregnant, the baby I am carrying is the size of one who might be 35 weeks.  No wonder I feel exhausted.  I have been having good days and some pretty shitty ones too, where I have major cases of the can't-be's, but I get on with it.  I have no choice.  I try not to complain.  I roll with it.

My body aches something terrible during the night, even though I am sleeping with a gazillion pillows around my body.  I don't feel 'normal' (as one can in this situation) until my morning shower.  I am 10 kilos heavier than usual and my body knows it.  

Lyndon and Monet are trying their best to help out which I thank them for.  

We've slowly been purchasing things needed when #2 makes an appearance (hopefully sooner, rather than later) such as a change table, nappies, clothes etc., but finding a cot we like is proving to be a little more difficult than what we thought.  I'm telling you, there are some rather horrible cots out there in the stores of Abu Dhabi.  *shudder*  (And I am sure half of them would not pass Australian safety standards.)  The one we did have our eye on in a particular store, we were told they don't have a supplier for it.  Figure that one out.  (And we're not fans of buying demo stock due to a few bad experiences in the past.)  But we will find one.  We've still got a bit of time up our sleeves.  

In the meantime, I have to roll with it, Little By Little. (With thanks to Oasis.) 

Enjoy the video - I love this song - starring the talented actor Robert Carlyle...

Flashback Friday - Jeff Buckley

Now, this bloke could sing.  Not only could the exquisite Jeff Buckley belt out a tune, he could belt it out live on stage...  (Please watch as you will certainly know what I mean after watching!)

I own the above concert on DVD and no matter how many times I watch it, it *still* sends shivers up my spine.

I was so very (very) fortunate to see Jeff Buckley play live in early 1996, at Melbourne's Palais Theater. (Sometimes it is my claim to fame, considering that he died a year later.) If you happen to know the Theater, and have ever been in the upper half of it, you would know that they are not normal chairs. The front half (which I was like 3 rows back from) are more like comfortable lounge chairs. Blissful, especially at a Jeff Buckley concert. I think I spent half the concert (and it wasn't only me!) who had their eyes shut. Jeff was mesmerising with his singing. I will never forget.

Never.

*sigh*  

What a Friday Flashback this is for me.  

Flashback Friday - REM

The year of 1991 introduced me to the beauty of REM. I had known them years before in High School where the song 'Orange Crush' was taped off the Top 40 and replayed numerous times on a blank tape. 'Losing My Religion' really hit REM up towards the top and I loved that song. A lot.

However my main memory of REM was having the privilege of seeing them live at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in the summer of 1994/95. I had brilliant seats towards the front and enjoyed every moment of Michael Stipe's singing and dancing. Of course that summer, my favourite (REM) song was the following, 'What's the frequency Kenneth?'...



I still love it.

Not long after band members came and went and I still enjoy a few of their songs, but nothing like that summer of '94/95...

Excuse me whilst I go and re-listen to all those classic REM tunes....

Flashback Friday - Hunters & Collectors

...or The Hunna's as they were affectionately known.  I loved H&C in the early to mid-90's and still do mind you.  The iPod has had a good dose of the band over the last day and I have even had Monet bopping around too!

For your enjoyment, I present to you their 1986 classic, 'Say Goodbye'.  

Oh the memories!  The album, Human Frailty was a definite favourite.

The Hunna's always remind me of my University years.  I saw them a few times - the most memorable time was in 1992 at St. Kilda's Palais Theatre.  

I had lined up early on the Monday morning to buy the tickets from where we used to buy concert tickets, on Collins Street in Melbourne City.  I think I was like third in line - a great effort on my behalf.  Now can you imagine how excited one was when I had the tickets in  my hot little hand.  Center tickets, three rows from the front.

The concert was fantastic.  They were a terrific band to see live.  Especially up close.  

For five years, beginning in the late 1990's Lyndon and I lived in Mark Seymour's (main songwriter, singer) suburb, our beloved East St. Kilda.  Used to 'always' see Mark at our local Coles or down in St. Kilda.  I used to always get a bit thrilled to see him, after all, I was a H&C's fan!

Even though the Melbourne band have long gone, their songs are still classics.  There are more classic songs rather than the two main ones they are known for, being 'Holy Grail' (Welcome to the AFL Grand Final) and 'Throw Your Arms Around Me'.... 

(I have decided to do a post like this on Fridays - hence Flashback Friday - on music from my past.  My sister does a similar thing on a Thursday.  Join me if you like.  I'd love to read and watch songs from your past...)

For Monet...

Monet is seriously in love with the following song, by French trio 'Le Tone'. The song is called 'Paris Delhi'... Keep an ear out for the lyrics "Bollywood, Delhiwood...Spicy food, very good"...

I know it is probably not everyone's cup of tea but it seriously makes me smile, especially when Little Miss attempts to sing it.

(Thanks to Nanna and Poppy for having the CD in their car when driving to Melbourne a few weeks back when Lyndon was around.)

Baby Don't Cry

...I still miss him.



Here is one of my favourite INXS tunes and filmclips for your enjoyment. Baby Don't Cry.  (But sometimes it feels better when you do!)

How Much Do I Love This Song?

The answer? A lot.



Not bad for a 16 year old girl from Melbourne eh?

(Gabriella Cilmi - Sweet About Me)

It Was 10 Years Ago Today...

It is 10 years ago since Michael Hutchence was found dead in his Sydney Hotel Room. I remember the day well, if anything, a little too well.

I grew up with INXS and I (un)officially called them my band. I saw them too many times to mention but in the last couple of years before Michael's death I had kind of gone off them. (I instead became obsessed by Britpop - especially Blur and I do still *swoon* for Damon Albarn...sigh...)

My mother initially rang me to tell me she had heard about Michael on the radio. I remember bursting out crying and to say that I enjoyed my work Christmas function that night is a big joke. On the day of his funeral I organised for my lunch hour to be taken when the service began so I could video tape it and mourn him in my own time. Gee, what a fun girl I can be sometimes!

I could not believe it and sometimes I still can't. There was something about the charismatic man who was a real 'rock star' (in my humble opinion) He charmed his way into women's hearts around the world and sang with soul.

INXS were never the same after his death and never will be. As much as I don't mind JD Fortune, he ain't no Michael Hutchence.

So on this 10th anniversary of Michael's death, I will raise my glass to him this evening and remember my INXS youth, where my bedroom walls were covered, ceiling to floor in INXS pictures and my favourite piece of clothing was an INXS t-shirt.

*sigh*

Dirty Harry

In our household at the moment, our favourite tune is a song by Gorillaz called 'Dirty Harry'. The three of us love it, besides the fact its been around for a while, we play it like it is a brand new hit. Well, it is in our house anyway.

Monet is always requesting to listen to 'Dirty Harry' on the iPod and in the car. And I'm not complaining. Monet sings along, she knows the main words quite well but not when the rapper begins. Give her time. And boy, can Monet dance a jig to this song. Simply gorgeous I'm telling you.

Our friend gave us a lend of the live Gorillaz concert DVD a while back which I loved. Simply fabulous and very entertaining. Not that long ago it was actually on tv here (ABC2) and was shown on a Sunday morning so I got Monet to sit there and watch it with me. And she LOVED it. She watched and danced and sang. Gorillaz rocks in this household.

I found on YouTube the actual live performance of Dirty Harry from that DVD. I love the kids dancing in it...so does Monet.

Watch and enjoy. And turn up the volume!!