Friday, September 30, 2011

September's Something Different!

This month began with a horrible reaction to something I tried out... yep, I wanted to different and tried out a new shampoo and conditioner.  Well, it wasn't new on the market; just new to my hair.  Garnier Fructis isn't made of just fruit juices!  Nope, it's got lots of horrible chemicals in it and I'm allergic to them all.  I broke out in a rash and had to be put on steroids to get rid of it; I also returned the unused shampoo and conditioner (this also happened with Herbal Essence brand too with similar results but not as bad).


We had the beginning of River Fire here in Brisbane - which went off with a great fireworks display on the Brisbane River.  I didn't get to go, but I did get some photos off the television (I know that sounds lame, but really the crowds would have been horrendous in the city and angles they caught on the tv were great).
I gave Farmville the boot and took back a lot of my life... spare time and reading and writing time - time to catch up on my art as well.  It's been a long time since I did anything with my music too; and so my house has come back to life in the afternoons and I've been planning to work on my back yard again soon.
I came up to my 9th year living in this unit complex!  Wow... that's a long time to be in one place.  I've seen some big things happen here and weird stuff too.  However, this will be coming to an end soon as I've got plans to move in the coming new year after I've found myself a job.


On the weekend of my cousin, Kate, and Mum's birthdays I went into the city to have a look around.  But initially, I was invited to The Gathering at the Old Brisbane Museum.  However, I couldn't afford the tickets and it was too darn hot to get myself across town and back.  So, I sussed out the Southbank Markets instead.  It was great... I've never been there without a date or family in a long time.  I found a new place - to me - called Max Brenner's Chocolate Shop and waited in line for 20 minutes to get myself something nice and cool to drink and a nice, rich chocolately snack.  Then, I sat back for about an hour and watched the afternoon drift by... it was warm and balmy and just what a Saturday afternoon should be - unrushed.  Then, I was off to dinner at the Fox Hotel; which turned out to be anything but fun.  The entrees were nice and hot; but the main meals were cooked but freezing cold... not great service.  And to make it worse, they screwed up the bill!
Emily Jade's Mic in The Cage's studio at Triple M

Then, my favourite morning show on Triple M called it a day... 'The Cage'  closed up shop only last week; and it was sad and horrible.  I called in the Wednesday they told us and let them know that - as a Music Jury Member - we were being asked weird and strange things that I didn't want to answer, but if I didn't the page wouldn't turn.  I told them I felt as though I was betraying them or somebody else if they got the boot. The told me not to feel dreadful; and that I was only doing what was asked of me, and it was good that I didn't wish for them to leave.  On their last show, they had so many people call up in tears it was just the saddest thing around; I didn't eat breakfast, I just listened to the show until the very end.
I had a great day on Wednesday shopping.  I came under budget, met up with an old friend and fortunately scored well at Life Line by purchasing two pairs of shorts - of two different styles - for under $20!  How's that for fate!  
However, on Thursday, I fate turned on me and laughed evilly.  I was a little late for my shift at the Gallery - but that's the busses for ya - and I showed a lady where to go to get to the Logan City Council to register her dog.  She was so grateful about it.  Then, I began my shift and it poured rain.  At the end of it, I turned around to look for my umbrella to find it had taken a walk!  Some low life had nicked it!  I was not a happy customer!  We searched everywhere and it was not to be found.  And even when I returned home from the chemist later that afternoon, and I called in, it still hadn't come back.  Damn!  And Mum wasn't happy about it either.

Today?  Well, I went to Garden City and got my 6-monthly haircut.  You see, I don't get split ends all that much - being a redhead - and so I get my hair looked at twice a year.  Also because I wear my hair long, I tend to just wash it and condition it and then let it dry by itself; no hair-dryer in sight in this house.  I also dropped by one of my friend's houses on the way to Garden City as she had returned from the UK. Ruth and her two boys - Michael and Thomas - have been in England for 8 weeks and returned only late yesterday afternoon.  I walked past this morning, heard the boys playing and turned around to come back when she came out... we chatted and talked just before I left when she found out that her car's battery was dead flat.  It was then she decided right then to catch the bus with me up to Mt Gravatt to grab some food for the next few days.  We had a wander around Westfield Garden City for a bit (as I had to go to the bank and I looked into Robin's Kitchen for some wooden spoons too) and then we went our own ways at around 11am.  It was another hour and a half before I was back home to hang out with them all; but jetlag was really catching up with me quickly.  By around 2pm, I decided to go home as Ruth looked like she really needed a rest; and boys were getting grumpy too.  And speaking of tired, I've been struggling with a headache all afternoon; and it's just vanished on me at around 11pm at night (woah, that's a long time to work with one of those things!).  So, I better be going to sleep.  Until my next post, take care, keep warm and safe and remember, I'm always here.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Shoulda Stayed In Bed!

I really should have turned off the alarm after 7:30am and buried myself under my duvet this morning; telling the day to go away and leave me alone.  Honestly.  If the rainclouds weren't a hint of what it was going to be like, the cold should've been.
I was ready on time - that was great - and I managed to check the mail and collect what was needed on the way to the bus stop; even better, taking my best and favourite umbrella with me (mainly because it doesn't leak).  Then, I arrived at the Logan Art Gallery for my morning shift and we had a workshop of teens and adults with an artist who did steampunk-like work.  It was great; until some undesirables came and I had to follow them around.  Then, it poured rain; and I was happy I had brought my umbrella with me. 
Jane and I ate, drank, read a little and chatted.  We called up people for tomorrow's workshop - and got through to most of them.  Some of them didn't answer and two of them had been disconnected (a pity, their kids would have had fun).  We checked the money and had to draw up a new ledger in the book (I'm not sure why they don't use a real ledger book for this, but they don't; it'd be easier for them).  Anyway, the artist finished up his workshop, purchased his items from our store and received his receipt from us and was on his way with the box that had been prepared in advance (fortunately for him, it had stopped raining long enough for him to pack his car and get into it before it rained again).
Then, 1:30pm came around and I packed up my knitting, book and other stuff, turned around and found my umbrella gone!  I asked where it was and nobody could recall me bringing it in except Jane; and she was sure I did saying it was blue and white with a hook handle (and she doesn't see me all that often with it).  This umbrella isn't tiny either, it's large, hard to miss and definitely not cheap.  Mum bought it for me down the coast and thought I'd like it; and I do!  I have never left it anywhere and I've hooked it over my arm if I ever think I might so I know I won't.  
Well, we searched the gallery high and low to see where it might be and it had just grown legs.  I was really pissed off - and rightly so - to find that somebody had come in and taken it from behind me (from behind the counter of all places!) thinking it might not belong to me and it was of the Gallery's.  However, it's mine... and I want it back!  
Now, I'm a bit clumsy, a little forgetful (that's why I have lists around the house and a day planner above the phone in the kitchen) and I may be one who doesn't remember absolutely everyone's birthday, but I hate it when I have remembered an item that have taken with me to bring home only to have it stolen from under my very nose at the place I have been volunteering at for over a decade.
And my bad day didn't end there.  When I was at the chemist, I found that my handbag charm I bought at the Logan Art Gallery only a year and half ago has fallen apart on me; and I missed the bus to go home, causing me to wait half an hour longer than I needed to.  
This afternoon - at around 3pm - I called the gallery and asked if my umbrella had shown up.  They said it hadn't unfortunately.  It looks like somebody really liked it and that's a terrible thing that something that I took to the gallery has been taken from where I thought was a safe place - right behind me, not a metre behind me leaning against the wall!
Tonight, when I called Mum, and I told her what happened to my umbrella she gave me from Bangalow, she was really mad - as angry as I was - about how people just walk off with things.  She asked me if I could have possibly left it on the bus; I said no - that I'm absolutely positive I didn't.  We're both livid about how little respect people have over other people's property.  I just wish people would leave other's property alone... if it's not yours people, don't touch it!  However, if you find something outside a building - for example, on a seat or a bench and you think it might be somebody's inside the building - don't think it's a free for all, take it inside!  Somebody who works there might have left it there by accident.  
I know I had my umbrella behind me as I remember putting it where my stuff normally is in the corner; however, it was gone when it was time for me to leave; and that's just cruddy.  Until my next post, take care, keep warm and safe and remember, I'm always here. 

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Fate and an Overcast Shopping Day

Today, I looked outside and found it was dreadfully overcast.  So, thinking it was going to rain, I dressed in jeans and warmer shirt and went out to do my fortnight grocery shop.  The bus was late; and I thought my whole day was going to be put off by that - and it was, but it was for a good reason.  It was fated for me to be late.
I dropping into Life Line - like I normally do - to look around.  I wasn't really looking for anything in particular; just seeing what was there.  I found three pairs of shorts.  One pair of short-shorts, a longer just-above-the-knew pair and a crew-pair; all of them were denim and only two of them were brand new.  So, I tried them all on; and out of the three, the two brand new ones fitted me!  So good!  I was so pleased!  The best part was that they cost under $20!  Very cool.
Woolworths was very expensive in one way, and yet cheap in others.  Their fruit and veggies were off the wall expensive and I found myself weighing my Eggplants before putting them into my basket, picking out only one bag of Mushrooms and picking up only a quarter of a Kent Pumpkin instead of half.  Yep, everything was almost too expensive for me to buy; so it was time for me to cut back on what I normally bought.  However, when I went into the first isle, I found the 'Whitackers' chocolate was $2.99 a block - not this chocolate is very delicious and is usually around $4.99 a block!  So, I bought five blocks; four for me and one for my Birthday Buddy on Bookcrossing.
K-Mart Plaza was the next place for me to go; and I walked there; as I normally do.  It's not far to go and I don't like catching a cab there as the flagfall is just dreadful (not unless I'm injured - like I did the last time I had to catch a cab there; how embarrassing... the driver almost said no).  Once there, I paid $10 off on a layby at Woodys' Music and then walked off to K-Mart where I looked a bit of make-up - but didn't buy anything - then made my way towards Coles.  However, on my way there, I ran across Mary Ross - and old friend of mine - who I hadn't seen in years!  She gave me big hug and asked if I had time for coffee - of course I did!  After she made her purchase at Millers, we walked to Venus' Cafe and had a coffee and caught up with everything and had a good chat and laugh about lots of things.  It was so good to catch up with her.  And seeing she had moved, she gave me her mobile number and I gave her mine to keep in touch.  She was so please I'm writing and on the internet too; and I did say I had left the Logan Writers' Guild but I did keep in touch with some of the members.  She offered me a lift home, however I said I had other shopping to do; so we went out separate ways to finish our shopping.
I wandered off to Coles and did my main lot of groceries.  It didn't take long and - strangely enough - I not only came in under budget, but I also found that I didn't have to get as much as I thought.  A lot of the items were pretty small, singular things or half the amount needed; so that was great!  I also bought homebrand items instead of named products to save a little more - it may have been only a few dollars in the end, but still I saved - and I did manage to get the organic shampoo and conditioner again too and still came in just over $100.  Not too shabby if you ask me.
The only thing that stuck in my neck was that the cab driver didn't help me with my bags when I got home.  She just sat in her car and waited for me to get them out myself - she had done this before and didn't bother helping me at all.  It's a service to help the customer with their groceries; as it saves them carrying them to their door, they don't have to do it, but it's nice if they do and they're remembered if they don't.  Well, until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.

Monday, September 26, 2011

I See Red!

I'm a redhead; a natural one at that and a lot of the time I don't think much about my colour.  I inherited my colouring from my family - who are a family of redheads.  My Mum, brother, Uncle, Aunt and niece all have red hair; so it's hard to shake that gene in us.  Our redheaded gene goes back to the times of the Vikings in the Irish Sea on the Isle of Mann and Northern Ireland and Northern Scotland area at around 1500's or so.  We were the Danes; so our Vikings traded silks and spices.
My particular hair colour came from my Grandpa.  He had the bright red hair and fair skin.  He also had a short temper; which I inherited as well.  But I found that when I went to school, having this colouring didn't play in my favour.  It drew the bullies to me like a target.  I was short, pale and had bright red hair and didn't have that many friends.  However, any other redhead out there also had the same problems I did.  Why this happened was beyond me; and it still occurs.
My self-portrait I painted this year - took 4 months.
There's many myths about redheads that make the rounds and they keep popping up around me like bad pennies; and I keep wondering why people believe them so much.  Like the one about us having bad tempers. Well, we do, but then anyone can if you push their buttons continually.  And the one about redheads 'being hot in bed'... whoever came up with this one just had to be a guy.  Stupid idiot.  I've come across this one many times and ended up walking away shaking my head.  Another one I've come across - which ruined my dating life for some time - was a movie trilogy that Alyson Hannigon was cast in.  It was the "American Pie" trilogy where she had a famous line:  "...one time at band camp..." and she'd say something really gross about that time or another.  Well, it didn't play in my favour especially seeing I do play the flute and no I've never been to band camp in my life as when I was younger, there was no such thing!  




In my 20's, I coloured my hair every shade of red or pink I could get my hands on.  I even coloured it Mulberry once; and I looked like a Goth; so much so that Mum didn't know who I was from the back.  It was so funny when she saw me getting something out of my car, she had to ask who I was then I turned around and she got the shock of her life.  I wasn't all that keen on the colour anyway; thank god I could wash it out.
As I've hit my thirties, I've found that people have complimented me on my hair colour.  My hair has changed a lot.  It's starting to lose that brightness it once had; and I've noticed it's turning a lovely blond colour.  I have been told it's going to turn a platinum blond colour; something people try to get all the time but fail as they end up with a brassy blond instead.  So, I'll be going from one colour which people pay dearly to get to another people pay dearly to get without touching a single colour bottle.  Personally, I think that's pretty cool!
Lately, though, I've found I've become allergic to a few hair products and have had to go organic.  Now, I don't know if it's my skin changing or the way these products have been changed to make them a certain way, but I don't like that I have to change the way I do things to make my life easier; especially if it's more expensive to do so.  I have been enjoying seeing my hair colour change - and strangely enough, I was the first one to notice before anyone else in my family did.
However, I have also noticed that people have been telling me that my hair colour is lovely.  One lady at Priceline a few weeks back now, was at the checkout in front of me and she turned and said that my hair was 'a lovely red colour; how wonder to see your red... and it's gorgeous and long too!  Such a pity it won't be around much longer.' I said that I was from a redheaded family; and our gene goes back quite a few centuries back to Ireland and to the Vikings.  She was amazed to hear that there were redheaded families around still and didn't know the gene wasn't all that repressed at all.  In some cases it is; but it depends which part of the world your family's ancestors come from; and mine are from the part of the world where they are the most dominant; how fortunate is that?
The funniest thing about being a redhead is that I'm never forgotten.  People from my past - like for example:  high school - have found me in a crowded shopping centre, or in the middle of the Queen Street Mall in Brisbane City to say hi and I have barely remembered them.  But they remember me all too well from then.  I guess it's the hair that give me away.  The thing is, compared to the time I went to school, it's so much different.  I had a hideous hair do at school whereas it's so much longer now.  I must still look the same - or a little like I did - when I attended school.  I'm not sure; but my brother gets the same thing from people too.
Well, what kinds of opinions do you have about redheads?  I have found a link you may be interested in about us - some of it may  be true, some may not be - and yet it's an interesting read.  Do you have any friends who are redheads?  If you do/did, what do you remember about them the best?  Until my next post, take care, keep warm and safe and remember, I'm always here.

Redheads Myths and Legends   

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Weird Old Weekend

I don't know what it was this weekend; but people were really strange.  I was busy around the house with washing up, laundry, rubbish and putting out the recycling.  And the neighbourhood seemed to take on a life of its own... which meant it sounded like normally did around the Full Moon.  People were coming and going at all hours of the day and night, fights were going on, people were screaming at each other all the time and my back neighbours had two massive screaming matches (one was last night during Dr Who; and the other was today while I was online; and I could hear it through the window here in the office - and they were inside their house.  Creepy!).  
However, I was trying to spend some good quality quiet time with Little Miss Stevie and get some of my fifth painting finished, two books read and some of scarf done.  This weekend has been very busy in the hobby arena; but that's good as a lot has happened in that part of my life.  The first ball of mini-marshmallow yard has almost been finished - and the scarf is looking good.  I spent all afternoon untangling the rest of stupid ball of yarn so I didn't waste it.  Then, yesterday I read 20 pages of 'Mists of Avalon' by Marion Zimmer Bradley.  However, I wanted to read it outside with Little Miss Stevie.  This didn't happen as the horrible Mickey Birds had other things in mind for my poor little budgie and began picking on her the moment I sat down and picked up my book!  Well!  I swung in to action  - literally - and grabbed a garden stake from one of my pots and took a good hard swing at them!  These birds nearly didn't see me coming as I lunged at them!  Little Miss Stevie was very good and stayed still; knowing she was safe when I was around.  However, the Mickey Birds tried their bullying again twice more before they realised not to do it again.  But I couldn't concentrate knowing they could come back and took my little bird inside... bummer... I want her to feel safe in her own backyard.  Maybe if I had her outside more and they saw she was more of a fixture there.  It could work.
Well, I've been meaning to play the piano more this weekend, but it didn't happen.  Darn!  But I did refill the glass of water in it - as it was getting low - and I checked on the mothballs; and they're going well.  
This weekend, I cooked for myself the whole time; as I didn't have the money to buy a pizza for the AFL game between the Hawks and Collingwood; which the Magpies won by 3 measly little points!  Oh well, there's always next year's Grand Final.  This was the Preliminary to see who was going into the Final... and it's fantastic the Hawks got this far.  Now, the Magpies play the Cats next Saturday afternoon... and I hope the Magpies win.
Well, it's time for me to take off.  It's heading towards midnight and tomorrow's the beginning of another working week.  The washing up has been done.  But tomorrow, I have some housework to get into.  There's the floors to wash, the vacuuming to do, bathroom and toilets to clean and the shopping list to write out as well.  This will all take a few hours, but it's stuff I hate doing... as I'd rather be reading or painting.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Classical To Rock

I was changing over the radio station this morning when I considered that without classical music being around first, we wouldn't have much in the way of rock'n'roll.  
A lot of the early rock musicians, when they were interviewed, were asked who their influences were and some said the classics.  However, without the teachings of the classical muses of Mozart, Beethoven and Bach what we know as rock music today wouldn't be the same.  These composers were the movers and shakers of their times; they were not liked much by the establishments and a lot of the times, the music they wrote was not played because it pushed the boundaries of 'what was wanted' by theses people who judged it to be right for public performances.  Mozart was one who could write brilliantly, but he was censored drastically by the people he worked for and yet he felt very much held back.  Beethoven had the talent, but he was completely deaf by the time he was recognised.  Bach's music - even today - was known a mathematical.  And yet, all of these composers had one thing common:  they moved the flutes, clarinets and other such instruments into a section of their own from the percussion section and called it Woodwind.  They gave these instruments their own solo parts and paired them up with harps, lutes and other instruments when nobody else would.  This was the beginning of the change in the music world; the way orchestras were organised as well.  However, as the centuries passed, and composers came and went, music became more daring, was written to be harder to play and to challenge the player of each instrument.
Rock'n'roll only came into play after the Jazz era of the 1920's when music got itself a life and a drumbeat of its very own.  It was after WWII and music had to have a new lease of life; and this is when it was started.  The Beatles, The Bee Gees, The Toys, Bill Haley and the Comets and many others came into the scene with their own style of music and teenagers ready to dance to it!  Dance halls opened up all over the world to accommodate for this new wave of music and plenty of parents and religious groups didn't like - calling it the Devil's Music.  However, it didn't stop there.  Music festivals started up; the most famous being Woodstock in 1969 where Jimi Hendrix played - along with many other bands - and thousands of hippies congregated.  Now music festivals take part all over the world on any given weekend with great bands up on a number of stages entertaining the masses.
So, from very humble and quiet beginnings, music started out with people conducting and putting pieces together (and even before that in the ages of knocking sticks together and tribal music) and it turned into something we know today; a very competitive world where there's so many varieties of music that each person can have their own taste, style and even enjoy playing it in their own way.  You can enjoy it on the internet, on an iPod, iTouch or on a cd or a vinyl; any way you enjoy music, it's out there.  Everything can be recorded in some way and loved and listened to.

Friday, September 23, 2011

The Cage's Last Show Ever!

This morning, I turned on the radio an hour and a half earlier than usual to listen to their final show.  The four announcers - Emily Jade, Marto, Sully and Ian Skippen - were all touched at how much their public loved them.  People were calling in between songs and news reports and traffic reports (when the latter got to be done) and telling them how much they meant to their fans.  I wanted to call in, but was worried I'd begin to cry on them (which a few callers did). 
This was a lovely and memory-filled final show of The Cage's to enjoy.  However, I barely touched my breakfast and didn't want it end.  They talked about The Cage Crusader - where they organised themselves (and most of Brisbane businesses and people) to help out a family or a group of people when they were at their lowest.  During the floods, they were there for everyone, boosting morale and keeping everyone laughing when everything looked at its worst.  They also helped out then when people really needed it.  I remember when a family lost everything at Clontarf in a house fire (they weren't away from the house for long; and came back to find it gone with all of their belongings) and The Cage asked people to dig deep and donate what they could to help them.  I had about fifteen books by my door that were ready to go to a charity; instead I got one of my friends to drop them off to the studio for me along with the green bag for them to use.  These people were wonderful, thoughtful and a brilliantly matched set to work together; even though they were from totally different worlds.  And that's how most great teams start out; and work.  It's a bit like the team on MASH; they were all totally different people from all walks of life; but they worked well together in the one place and it didn't go well when they were split up for any reason.


I remember a few months back, I won a tour inside the studios of the Triple M - and I could bring along - on person. I chose my Mum.  We went there (with ten other Music Jury Members) and had we had won a 'Living End' cd and met Bangers, Johnno and Jo (three of the daytime announcers of other shows).  We also got to tour the studios and had the privilege to be inside The Cage's studio where Emily Jade's pink-studded mic was sitting with her other pink-studded items were.  I thought to get some photos of the place; and Mum photographed me using them as well.  I felt very privileged to have been where you guys host the morning show and wished it never ended.  This is a tragic thing and I hoped to have found a great thing.  However it wasn't meant to be.
The Cage has a great feel and spontaneity that not many morning show teams do.  They reach a whole host of people from Y Gens, X Gens right through to the Baby Boomers.  The music which is played on Triple M is for everyone - not just one generation or another - and that's what's great.  And each program works well with each other - from The Cage in the mornings to Drive in the afternoons - there's a certain feel that's been put through with Triple M that can't be emulated by any other radio station; and this has taken 30 years to perfect.  Now, The Cage is gone, I hope the new morning show is just as good.  I will miss this show as it woke me up in the mornings and made me laugh with everyone on it.  These guys were quick-witted, loving, charming and caring; and it showed with how you respected each other over the air.  They also loved their fans and talked to us like we were one of you and we were part of the team - and that's what makes the show completely unique.  Not many announcers will do that.  Whatever they do in their lives now, I do with them the very best and do keep us up-to-date with your ventures; whatever they may be.  From one of your Music Jury Members to you guys on The Cage: Brisbane listeners will miss you Emily Jade, Sully and Ian Skippen.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

'The Cage' Says Goodbye

This morning, I turned on the radio at around 8am and found out that my favourite morning radio show - 'The Cage' - was wrapping it all up this Friday morning.  I was stunned and saddened that the show was finishing up after six long years of fun, entertainment, music and support of the community.  And why was this happening?  Well, the management of Triple M Studios thought that the show had run its course and it was time to start a new one up.  Time to begin fresh.  
This morning, when Ian Skippen told us the news, their switchboard lit up like a Christmas Tree; and they were inundated with callers telling them how much they loved their show.  Some people had to pull over their cars because the news had been such a shock they burst into tears (one lady said) and another guy said he nearly crashed his truck and had to do the same and pull up.  Another person called in and said they loved listening to them when they were coming home from their night shift work early in the morning.  A lot of listeners are absolutely devastated by this news; and I hate it that my favourite show on the radio will no longer be here on Monday morning.
However, I find that the management didn't come about it on its own.  They asked the Music Jury Members to help.  A few weeks ago, they were asking us some questions about radio shows and if we were to design our own, what would go into it?  I didn't want to answer the questions and if I didn't answer them, the page wouldn't turn.  I tried to keep my answers as neutral as possible - and fair - and wondered why they were asking me similar questions each week.  And when I heard the news, I was stunned, but I felt like it was kind of my fault that I had answered those questions.  So, I called into 'The Cage' and let them know; and they weren't impressed either.  Ian Skippen said it was called "research" and I know they were all very hurt by what has happened.  I just wish they were not being split up this way.
'The Cage' morning show on Triple M has worked in so many different ways.  They've helped so many people when they've been down on their luck, they've supported community groups when they never asked for any, they have been there for everyone who has asked for them to assist them in anything; thus creating The Caped Crusader; which became a very popular segment when they said doing it.  All the people of Brisbane needed was an address of where they were going to be and a time; and not only did 'The Cage' show up, but so did half of Brisbane City.  It was amazing what these four people could do over the radio.  They had the Midas Touch in more ways than one; we will all miss that.
I have enjoyed six long years of their humour, music and love.  They've been making me think, listen and admire everything about them for this long; and I was hoping they'd be here for years to come, but it wasn't meant to be.  I guess it's true what they say about this age of being in a throw away society; we have become such a disposable generation, we don't know what we're throwing away until it's gone.  And seeing Triple M management is going to throw away such a great commodity, they won't know they've thrown it away until it's gone off the airwaves.  'The Cage' worked - and it worked well - and nobody in Brisbane City will ever forget that. 

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Public Annoyances

You know, I've had some time when I really want to tell off people on a bus, or in shopping centres because of how annoying they are; or their kids.  Well, it happened again last Saturday while traveling on a bus into the city.  I was traveling on the first bus and a man got on, bought a ticket and we found his phone was making a noise.  I thought it was his ring-tone - as he pulled it from his pocket - but he just held onto it for the whole ride to Garden City as it sang and whistled a Middle-Eastern song.  He had it up full blast and for the next twenty minutes, it's all we heard as the bus drove along; as the driver didn't have the radio on.
This kind of music is okay if you're from that part of the world and you're used to hearing it.  However, seeing I've been brought up in Australia and I don't hear it all that often, it's most annoying when people bring out their hi-tech equipment, switch on some strange music that nobody around them wants to hear and fail to realise that that's why the headphones came with the iphone or iTouch in the first place.
Now, I'm not innocent in this. I do own an MP3... something which carries music. My phone has a loud-speaker part to it; which I don't use in public; because I know it would annoy the crud out of anyone nearby.  So, why is it that others think it's funny - or better still - that we can't hear them when they have their music up loud?  I have asked people to use their headphones, that I don't wish to heard their music.  And they have said they wish to share their music; but they don't know that I hate rap, hip-hop and the Middle Eastern music; but if they accept - and assume - that I don't like it and plug in the headphones straight away, they won't be ruffling anyone's feathers.  
This doesn't mean they need to have those speakers up so loud we can hear the beat coming from their ears; and it causes irreparable damage to their hearing for the rest of their lives.  I just means to enjoy listening to their favourite songs at a level where they can hear another person walking beside them, cars driving around and know what's going on in the world around them.  I have had the MP3 player plugged into my ears, but it's not up so loud I can't hear a person next to me ask me a question.  It's amazing how many people assume I have music blasting into my eardrums when really I don't.  Yeah, my ears ring, but that's from years of nightclubbing in my younger years; not what I'm doing now.
Another thing that annoys the crud out of me is when you're sitting on a train - or a bus, but more likely a train as they have the carriages of people who do this - and you're reading.  The whole carriage you're on is reading something in some way, shape or form; be it a newspaper, magazine or a book, and a group of school kids get on, sit around you (as you're the only one sitting on your own - of course!) and begin gabbling on about whatever's going on at school/in magazines/at the movies.  This has happened to me while I traveling into the city to see a doctor and I asked them to move on to the next carriage.  They wouldn't; telling me that they just sat down.  I closed my book and told them off (after all, I did tell them to move politely and nicely the first time around).  But they still wouldn't move.  So, I said for them to observe what was going on around them; and they said that everyone was reading - and looked at all of the people as though we had some kind of problem - but they still didn't move.  The conductor came around to check tickets (this was before the Go Card came around) and I said I needed some help; and he said he knew so.  After he clipped my ticket and the girls' tickets, he ordered them, in a loud voice, to move; following them into the next car so they didn't return.
So, now, you know what ticks me off to no end on public transport.  What does it for you?  Why is it people don't seem to understand that a nice, quiet trip for some isn't a good place to interrupt it with their brand of music.  And on the other end of the scales, when people are trying to do something - like read or write on a train - why is it that others think it's okay to annoy the crud out of them enough to make them stop doing their work?  It's a type of bullying that goes on; when really all we need to do is turn to those people and ask them to stop bothering us; however when we do, they think it's funny and do more of it just to see how far they can push us.  Until my next post, take care, keep warm and safe and remember, I'm always here. 

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Busy as Hell Weekend

Busy weekends are usually fun weekends; and this one has had its high points and low points.  Today, though is the day of rest and relaxation - most definitely - after a Saturday of running around and acting like it's the last days for Christmas Shopping!
Yesterday, was my cousin Kate's birthday.  So, she invited all of us out to The Fox Hotel on Melbourne Street for a meal.  I thought to meet Mum and Dad in town because I had been invited to The Gathering at the old Brisbane Museum at Bowen Hills.  However, as the temperature climbed - and seeing as I couldn't afford the tickets to the event - I decided to hang about Southbank instead and peruse the markets.  And it was the best thing I could have done; seeing how hot it became that afternoon.
I arrived in at the Museum bus stop on the south side of the river at around 2:45pm and didn't rush as I walked around and under the Victoria Bridge; where they had fixed up the large spiral walkway which took you down and under the bridge so you can walk along the Brisbane River and along to Southbank Parklands.  I found there was a lot going on with the Brisbane Festival (this was another reason why I wanted to go into the city; as I never get to see any of this stuff normally).  Then, I found the markets - with buskers along the way, playing their best in the hot Spring heat of the afternoon while people walked past.  I found one lady who was playing a cello who played a piece which always makes me cry; the way she played it yesterday (which was totally different to how I've heard it in the past) still brought the tears to my eyes I was so familiar with that it did to me.  So, she did the right things with the notes she had been given.
The heat of the afternoon began to get to me about an hour after I arrived; so I looked around for something to drink and wandered past Max Brenner's Chocolate Shop; which was a massive place with the aroma of the stuff just wafted out onto the street of the marketplace and drew me in!  I walked into the lovely cool air-conditioning and I saw the long line and decided to find myself a bottle of water first then come back... and I did!  It was another 20 minutes before I was served, but I read a book while I waited; then had to have somebody explain the decadent chocolate-based and chocolate drinks and chocolate pizzas to me... talk about a chocoholic's heaven!  It was brilliant.  I bought a great iced dark chocolate drink and a cupcake called "chocolate mountain" (or something like that).  There's icing on the top where there were little blobs of chocolate that were crunchy!  The whole cupcake was warmed up and had milk chocolate drizzled over the plate!  OMG!  Talk about yummo!  I could barely finish it!




Well, I sat outside Max Brenner's Chocolate Shop in the shade of the tall trees as the balmy breezes of the afternoon blew gently by and people-watched.  I listened to the a guitarist play the most gorgeous riffs on an electric acoustic guitar; and he made it look so easy.  He played so well that his music caused people to stop and listen to him - to take in his work - and then as if waking from a dream, move on.  But more often then not, they returned and purchased a cd and took it home to chill to.  I didn't want to leave where I was for the rest of the day; but I had to.  I had to go as it was time to get walking to my dinner destination and it was time to keep moving before I went and took an afternoon nap - because it looked like a good time to do just that.






I gathered my gear together and picked up a little notebook at a very busy newagency and walked along where I had come along, took photos and made my way to the banks of the Brisbane River to sit down on the grass.  However, as I was about to, I almost scared the life out of a Water Dragon.  He was off to my left and I ended up slowing right down, putting down my bags and approaching him with Tai Chi slowness and photographing him well... can't say he enjoyed the experience though!  However, after I sat down on the grass, some really stupid Asian tourists (now, not all Asian tourists are dumb, just some of the odd ones are) came running up to him thinking he was tamed and he bolted onto the rocks... there was a cyclist next to me - who I was chatting to - who also saw them and we both thought they were dumb thinking they could just pat him; when really they couldn't.
Anyway, I took some lovely photos of the Brisbane City skyline at the right time of the day as the sun began to reflect off the buildings and the river.  I took the best photos with the right light; and they turned out really well.  Too soon, it was time for me to start back toward The Fox Hotel where I was going to meet up with my family for dinner for Mum and my cousin Kate's birthday dinner.  I walked through a park area where DJ was playing some very cool music and enjoyed her pumping out some tunes on vinyl.  I picked up a Brisbane Festival program - which covers the whole two weeks or so that the festival runs for - and then I wandered past a private function that B105 was putting on just for their staff in a closed-off area. 
Soon, I was down the way from the Southbank Train Station and taking photos of the mural on the wall when I heard sirens blaring close by.  On turning, I saw four fire engines go racing by - with a white fire station car following - and they stopped just next to the Performing Arts Complex where they were evacuating people.  The firies raced inside with hoses and everything they needed and did their job as I took a closer look and took photographs as well; then I smelled the smoke as the breeze picked up.  What is it about fires and emergencies that attract the public for a look into it all?  It's amazing we all just stand around and watch.  Well, I got some great photos of the Engines anyway before walking back up the road to The Fox and past it... then I realised I didn't want to be too tired for dinner.
Well, finding the reserved table was an absolute wild goose chase.  I was sent up four flights of stairs to the top floor before they realised I was sent to the wrong party, then they pointed me across the room to the tables... did they really think I was in my 20's?  Jeez, I really have to start looking my age before I do myself some horrible damage.  It's probably why I was so darn tired when I sat down at the table and was there an hour and half earlier than everyone else; and froze my butt off because the air-conditioning was on arctic ice!  Mum smsed me and told me they were on their way, I said to bring a jacket; that it was freezing.  Well, it wasn't the only thing that was freezing... we ordered our meals and the entrées came out on time; and they were nice and hot and delicious.  However, it took another hour and a half for the main meals to come out - and after everyone was ready to eat their napkins off the table - the meals turned out to be stone cold.  How dreadful is that?  They all complained about it and the Mater-de offered us a round of drinks on The Fox Hotel.  Well, I didn't think it was good enough; but we all ordered expensive drinks; then they screwed up the bill!  Jeez, they really weren't working all that great last night!  The only thing that made the night great was Kate's birthday cake; which she made.  It was all of her favourite things mixed into it with Maltesers; and everyone loved it!  The one slight problem with the cake was that it kept me up until around 1am with a massive sugar rush.  So, today, I'm half asleep and feeling like I've been out nightclubbing.  Oh well, I'll catch up with it all by just relaxing, reading and hanging out here at my folk's house to mind the dog, the fish and I brought Little Miss Stevie to help me in doing it.  Already, she's had a 'blonde-budgie' moment and bathed in her drinking water (which she's been doing more and more lately; silly bird!) and has been rather surprised to find a better-looking bath when I put in the chinese container in the cage was better to bathe in... and a lot more fun to jump into.
Well, I better go, I hope you enjoy the photos of Southbank Parkland, the Markets and my night out.  Until my next post, take care, keep warm and safe and remember, I'm always here.  

Friday, September 16, 2011

Friday! At Last!

It's been one hell of a week and - going into the weekend - my fun isn't over yet.  This week started off with a clean house.
After a weekend of farewells to my brother - Gabe - his girlfriend - Kat - and his daughter - Riley - to Thailand, we all had the most tiring afternoon of travel.  The first thing was transporting Jay the dog and two fishies to Mum and Dad's house; dropping me off home along the way.  The fish weren't impressed with being stuck in something that looked like they were going to be cooked inside of; but they're now happily swimming around their tank at my parent's house.  Jay?  Well, she's happy anywhere she can get a pat, a feed and snooze in the sun.  That's dogs for ya!
For the rest of the weekend, I did laundry, cleaned up, washed up, vacuumed the house, dusted and threw out lots of stuff in to the bin.  There was a reason to do this and it's because I was expecting a friend over on the Monday afternoon to hang out and have lunch.  So, to be prepared, I cut up a lot of pumpkin, sweet potato and carrot and put all of that into bowls of water and stored it in the fridge for the next day.  However, my friend didn't arrive; and I didn't hear from them.  So, I made the soup for dinner... and it was very delicious!
I did call the next day and they said they had been really sick the day before; so much so they couldn't get to the phone, and didn't even think of calling.  I had been so concerned about them, and I let them know.  Well, we chatted for about two hours and I was glad they were feeling better.
By Tuesday, I was really tired and stuffed and was sleeping like a log when I wasn't reading 'The Mists of Avalon' or anything else; or working on my painting on my easel.  
Wednesday was a horrible day.  I hated Wednesday.  For half an hour, I lost my Go Card!  Just when I thought I may have to suspend it with Translink, I picked up some postcards I had dumped on the counter and there it was!  So, I grabbed my gear and rushed out of the house.  Well, because of this little set-back, I was late for every single thing:  the bus, shopping at Woolworths... you name it, I was half and hour late for it!  And I hated it.  By the time I left to walk to Logan Central Plaza, it was hotter than it normally was when I'd walk there... all because I was running half an hour later than usual.  By the time I had arrived at K-Mart, I thought that I couldn't change what had happened and stopped stressing about it.  But it didn't stop me from almost forgetting my Tegritol and for getting to get my iron/folate pills.  Damn!  At least I got the Tegritol; or I'd be up shit creek in a barbed wire canoe! 
Thursday was a day of laundry, washing up and cleaning up the house.  Most of the laundry was done, hung out and left there until around 4pm; as it was still warm and sunny outside.  I had eaten lunch for a second day in a row and have enjoyed making sure that the kitchen was cleaned up after dinner.  And because there wasn't anything on the television after 8:30pm that I was interested in, I turned it off completely and just sat there on the lounge for 10 minutes looking around and drinking tea in complete silence.  I didn't feel as though I needed to do anything or be anywhere; so I stood and went outside for a while and became bored very easily before coming back inside and getting into the washing up after I turned on the radio. Yep, last night turned into something very relaxing and enjoyable.  I didn't expect it, but it did.  
Today, I've gotten into more laundry with the bedsheets out on the line and the hand-washing.  It's a nice warm day here and so it should all dry (let's just hope this warm weather holds out for the whole of the school holidays, eh?).  But today, I'll be going out to the chiropractors; and just as well, I woke up this morning to a painfully pinched nerve in my left elbow.  I hope she can help me by pinching my bone back into place; as it's driving me nuts!  Otherwise, I've gotta go and pack my bag soon and get ready to go and catch the 1pm bus.
Tomorrow, I'll be out again by midday or so to attend 'The Gathering' music festival at Bowen Hills here in Brisbane.  I may not be able to afford it, but I'm sure I can find something else to do around the Old Brisbane Museum that'll be entertaining.  If not, well, there's always the exhibition at the GoMA I can have a look at! Well, until my next post, take care, keep warm and safe and remember I'm always here.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Mixed-up, Muddled-up Day

This morning, I was running around like a chook without a head looking for my Go Card.  This thing was hiding on me; and I knew it!  I was all ready to go out shopping, the money had been put across from one account to another, I had my shopping trolley packed, my handbag ready, my camera with extra batteries and my shoes on and breakfast was eaten; but the damned Go Card was hiding from me!  So, after ripping the house apart, I had to put it all back together again.  And it was then I found it... under some postcards I had picked up and dumped on the kitchen counter.  
But the muddled and mixed up day didn't end just there... nope, my screwed up day had just begun.  I couldn't do anything right; and I couldn't say anything right either.  Anything I did or said came out wrong and so, after I went to Woolworths, I decided to just stop talking to anyone and get my shopping over and with!  
I paid $10 off on my layby at Woodys'... that was good and fast.  I didn't have a conversation with anyone there.  I got to the chemist and grabbed my vitamins and then nearly forgot my Tegritol!  So, I went back and bought that!  I did my shopping at Coles, found my top-up shop turned into a bit of an expensive one (it happens to us all!).  But, then, I was pushing the trolley out to the carpark to wait for a cab when I realised I had left my blue, two-wheeled shopping trolley at the checkout!  Swearing all the way back there, I turned around and - dragging the Coles shopping trolley back with me - found my blue one sitting there waiting for me.  
Yep, my head wasn't screwed on right at all today... really I'm sure something else was going to go all cruddy and pear-shaped today; and you know, it did!  I caught my cab (which was the right one for once!) and then, once home, I didn't have the cash for it, so I had to muddle around inside to find the change (because the efpos machine didn't work in the cab!).  The only thing that did work was that I made a nice lunch and made the time to sit down and eat it before putting everything away!
Nope, not a good day, but I did manage to get Little Miss Stevie her seed and found some organic shampoo and conditioner that was under $20 a container.  Let's hope I'm not allergic to that now!  If I am, I'll just wash my hair in Baby Shampoo and be done with it all!  Until my next post, take care, keep warm and safe and remember, I'm always here.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Clean House, Full Moon

Ever had one of those days where everything appeared okay; but really it wasn't?  Yesterday was one of those days.  I had tidied up the house, washed up, put out the rubbish and pretty much made sure I had the place ready for anyone to drop by.  However, I just wasn't in the mood for people.  I had a niggling headache that had begun the moment I finished breakfast and was pushing me to use painkillers by noon.  Mum had called for the first time in over a day; and I snapped at her and didn't mean to (sorry Mum, really it was the headache causing me to be short-tempered) and I felt like I was walking around in circles for half the day wondering what the hell I was doing with myself.  Was I upstairs... no I was going downstairs... that's right!
Yesterday was no ordinary day either.  It was a full moon.  Yep, that's what put me out of whack!  I find that the moon phases spin me right out; especially when that full moon comes around and makes me stay awake all night.  But you see, I can't turn on the light because... well, here's how it goes:  I'll be wide awake while the lights are out, but once I switch on the reading lamp, my eyes go all blurry and weird and my brain tells me it's tired and wants to go to bed.  I turn out the light and I'm wide awake again, laying there waiting for sleep to show; when Morpheus has been and gone.  So, no, I didn't get much sleep last night, however, I did wake today feeling better than I did yesterday.  I think it may be been the pumpkin soup I made from the lovely Kent Pumpkin, Sweet Potato and carrots.  It's a recipe I invented some years ago when I had a raging cold in the middle of winter and it's never failed me to send a cold (or the feeling of a cold coming on) packing!  Here's the recipe:

Pumpkin, Sweet Potato & Carrot Soup with Garlic

Cut up enough Pumpkin, sweet potato and carrot into small pieces with a large clove of garlic (optional) and put the carrots and sweet potato into a large pot with olive oil to cook off with the garlic.  Add pumpkin once they are soft.  Then, once the pumpkin has cooked off, add a cup of water, pepper, paprika and parsley and stir.  Keep on low until it's all very soft and mooshy.  Then, pull out the masher and slowly mash all the ingredients until it looks mixed.  Then plug in the hand beater and - with a towel around the handle (as it will splatter) slowly go through it on the first setting until you've reached the consistency you like (chunky or smooth).  Serve with sour cream and parsley on top and crusty garlic bread.

I made this soup down the coast once and it brought everyone out of their caravans and tents to watch on.  I made it for Mum and Dad and they loved it so much I gave them the recipe.  Well, it's a nice sunny day outside, might see what it has left to offer.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Busy Week Mixer

Whoever said that weekends are for relaxing lied.  I've had a busy last end of the week and am going to be busy for the next few days until Thursday!  Let's start at the beginning shall we?
On Thursday, I went out to my volunteer work at the Logan Art Gallery and did my morning shift with one of the ladies (it was supposed to be Tammy; but she didn't show, oh well, at least I wasn't alone).  I forgot my reading glasses, so I had my 'Good Reading' Magazine going to waste; not to mention the book I brought with me 'The Mists of Avalon'.  I just had to knit all morning. While we were there, Lesley had a workshop going for toddlers; by the end of it the kiddies needed a nap as well as the parents. 
On Friday, I went to a knitting Master Class there (this is where an artist comes in and conducts a workshop).  It started out as a nice, coolish kinda day, and by the end, it freezing cold and pouring rain!  But we did get some great work done.  I was going to phone my folks and get them to pick me up; but one of the ladies - who had just signed on to be a volunteer - offered me a lift home instead as it was on her way home.  It was so nice of her.  


Yesterday, Mum, Dad and I went out to see off Gabe, Kat and Riley to Thailand.  Peta (Riley's Mum), Lesley (Kat's Mum) and Uncle Iain were there too. While there, I Wild Released three books for Bookcrossing - and one at Toombul Shopping Centre as well - and Riley and I chatted about books and reading; and what books we have read and what we're reading now.  Also, she showed me a really old copy of a 3-in-1 Carolyn Keene book which reminded me of one that I owned and told her she could have when she returned from Thailand.  Riley was stoked about it!  Then, Peta and the rest of us got talking about old things that our Grandparents are leaving us and all that kind of thing; all the hand-downs that we all inherit from our mothers and Grandmothers.  Well, we drank coffee and ate Subway subs for lunch - all overpriced, of course, as we were at the Brisbane International Airport!  And once they were gone, and we all went our respective ways, Mum, Dad and I went to pick up Jay and Riley's fish to mind at their place.  So, that took another hour or so to do.  Once Jay was settled in the car, then I was and the fish were, we took off (and after saying goodbye to the next door neighbour too) and I was driven home.  I walked to my place, and felt so very tired!  I couldn't be bother cooking last night, so cracked opened a can of soup and made toast and that was it.... 
Today, I've gotten in and wiped up, cooked breakfast (after buying the paper) and then jumped online to see what was what... nothing much really.  I slept so deeply last night once I got comfortable that I didn't move at all.  I was up by around 7:30am and really want to... with a chilly morning and all.  Today, I've got a few things to do that will keep the house up to scratch.  There's laundry to put away, the bed to make, the bathroom and toilets to clean, the floors to sweep and the lounge room and dining room to tidy up.  Basic stuff really; to get my house ready for this week... oh, yeah, and I have to get my shopping list done too.  Until my next post, take care, keep warm and safe and remember, I'm always here.