On the Bright Side

I have a whole lot of back-dated postings to do. I've been busy. Work's being exhausting and as such I've been living my philosophy; work hard, play harder which of course means I'm too busy to actually take time out and relax.

One of the things that I did do was attend a winter music festival - On the Bright Side. It had a relatively awesome line up - Tim and Jane, Warpaint, James Blake (his music is so soothing), Foster the People, The Grates, The Kills, The Hives, Pulp.  I particularly loved Foster the People (they were pretty amazing), no one performed as impressively as The Hives (I even got to touch Howlin' Pelle Almqvis chest!) and Pulp was extraordinary. 

The mud and dirt of it all, although this photo was at the start of the day so the ground wasn't that bad yet...

The Festival goers

Foster the People 

Modest Mouse

followed by THE HIVES

(has the cutest butt ever! and he couldn't help shaking it towards us!)

then there was...

 

The only thing I regret was not getting myself more organised and....
a) not getting a pair of gumboots - seeing as the whole ground was mud! thanks to all the downpour that happend prior to the festival - luckily on the actual day it didn't rain! 
b) not matching an outfit to my doc marten's hence couldn't wear it so my converse shoes got killed.
c) damn teens and their inconsiderate pushing and elbowing me in the ribs! not to mention all their PDA, seriously I am not there to watch them kiss! - pfft but hey all part of being at a music festival!


Of course the whole day and night couldn't end without heading to the moon to get some fries with aioli dip. Fantastic music, sqaushy mud, great company and all in my favourite season of autumn/winter.

Wicked!

Having epic weekends is something to look forward to after a long week at work. A few weekends ago, after waiting almost 5 months it was finally the day of the show - the broadway musical, Wicked - The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz! I went with my family and all I can say is I know why it's so POP-U-LAR!

The setting was detailed and amazing, the lighting was well done. The costumes, stunningly detailed and beautiful. The songs and music - so catchy!! and the plot? - well, although I'm not a big fan of the Wizard of Oz, I absolutely loved this. I thought it fitted very nicely to the whole Wizard of Oz. I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it, but I can say that Wicked is loosely based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel 'Wicked: The life and times of the Wicked Witch of the West' and it's about all the things that happened before Dorothy dropped. And of course, like most musicals there are lessons to be learnt, little morals and guidance.

The only thing I was a little disppointed about was that Bert Newton (who was to play the Wizard) was sick and his understudy, although pretty brilliant, was unable to fully capture the Wizard character. He did try and wasn't bad at it. As for the Glinda (Good Witch of the South) - Lucy Durack and Elphaba (Wicked Witch of the West) - Jemma Rix, they were both so amazing! such fantastic actresses!

If I had the chance to see it all again I would! I might even try finding all the songs, they just so catchy.

Architecture in Helsinki

Gigs on a Sunday night never made sense to me.

It's a tiring and trialing effort to convince yourself it's worth it and that you won't feel too bad the next day at work. This however doesn't work when you had a pretty full weekend, already lost sleep, and had a long seminar the day of the gig, which by the way started at 8am.

All I can say is I was a little apprehensive about going. However Architecture in Helsinki and the support band whom i cant remember who they were (but i rather liked their music and am contemplating buying it), were great performers.

The support band however looked like they were 15-16 year olds and the female drummer really did look young. I just couldn't help think about what they parents said about being in a band and making it etc. And that perhaps they maybe underaged to be at the Capitol. Other than those rather parental like thoughts their music was good, indie rock, and my ears didn't bleed. A little awkward and shy about speaking to the audience - I couldn't understand anything they said because they were mumbling.. Other than that it was good.

see aren't they soooo young??

Architecture in Helsinki didn't perform for as long as I thought they might, in fact they came on rather late almost at 10pm and finished an hour and a half later. However they were fantastic; lots of crowd interaction and actually got everyone dancing and tripping out to their electric and over synthesized music.

Despite my tired state I thoroughly enjoyed them and in a way a little disappointed my cousin made us stand upstairs of the Capitol rather than being at the front of the stage. At the same time I was glad I got a birdseye view as watching people trip out is rather hilarious! And I guess it was also good for my tired and delirious state not being in the middle of the crowds.

As for the after effects of a Sunday night gig and earlier than usual work times I'm rather exhausted and can't wait until after my Saturday overtime shift to sleep in before having to start all over again. Sigh.

U2 bonanza!

I went to the U2 concert on 18th December 2010 (it's weird, because I can't believe it's almost half way through Jan!! WHERE DID TIME GO?? I swear we just celebrated New Years!), anyway here's a collection of the craziness.

50 000+ crowd doing the mexican wave was definately a sight to see, as well as the lights going out and all 50 000+ people taking their phones out and lighting up Subiaco Oval! I guess the other awesome thing was Bono bringing a girl on stage (her name was Emily) and serenading her, dancing with her and then giving her a kiss on the hand, not to mention grabbing someone's iphone and taking a photo of himself for them. This is of course, without even the need for explanation the stage presence and performance. It was amazing. The stage was massive, the songs executed to perfection and the way U2 just performed. I guess U2 wouldn't be U2 without all the messages about human rights and all. There were people that brought out candles (I'm assuming they are all from Amnesty International) as sort of a memorial for the prisoners in Burma who were taken without reason. It made me want to join Amnesty again. Their course is good, but whether it's effective is another different thing, after all it takes effort from everyone, but ONE person caring is a good start.

 

 

LUCKIEST GIRL EVER wouldn't you agree??

Making their final exits.

Unforunately because I had my grandma's birthday dinner, I missed out on Jay Z, but nonetheless I made it just before they came on. It was brilliant and I'm glad I went.

At the end of the night trying to leave, so many people!!

The VERY BEST of 2010..

What a year! I feel as though I went through 4 years in one year. In a way it was so long, in other ways it few by so quickly. I probably felt like there were some many years that made up 2010 mainly because so many changes occurred, so many beginnings so many endings, that the endings may have actually been beginnings and vice versa. It went like a blur.

January 

January saw me enjoy the height of my summer and probably my last every official summer holidays without even a hint of travel (just plans and talk, and something that didn't lift off due to friends being unable to travel/just not a good time for them/no travel buddy resulting in my parents saying a BIG FAT NO!). Apart from that..

I was no longer a Big Day Out virgin (which undoubtly I couldn't be bothered writing about!). It was a sold out crowd on the hottest day in January (and possible all of summer). It was tiring but it was fantastic.

January also saw me rediscover mum's vintage sunglasses, bought my first playsuit all done on Australia Day's housewarming party at Lulu's.

It was also the month that saw me take a trip to the zoo and took my Chiro for a spin.
Along with discovering the quirky burger place that is Novambar's Cafe (which would then become an obessession amongst my friends, fierce competition to achieve eating the impossible yummy burgers).

February

February was the start of my 6 day working week, learning important lessons about working as a real professional and discovering that I'm rather good with getting things done well ahead of the deadline. February was the start of many self-discoveries.

I also enjoyed winning a bet, which saw me dine at Lamont in East Perth with Orange.

March

End of March saw me take a quick and spontaneous escape from Perth and fly to Melbourne with S, where we went nuts with shopping, hit the bars, went to a wineray and ate our hearts out. The food critic in me went nuts on this trip. IT was just fantastic being able to eat at Vue De Monde.

And of course March was the month where there was that freak hail storm, where I drove through crazy rain that I couldn't even see where I was driving (worst decision of my life!). It was also the month where I received a flower from one of my patients.  It was also the month where Mum, brother and I watched Chicago the musical at Burswood.

April

April saw us spend the first week or so in Melbourne before returning to Perth where I spent shopping, eating and just having fun (this is of course in amongst working for a few weeks as a locum). It was also the time where I met and spended more time with someone who is now my bf. 

It was also the time that I went on a short road trip with JT and S to Lancelin. Rode my first Monster Truck, went sandboarding and spent a few hours along WA's beautiful coast. 

Above photos are from the beachside area between Lancelin and Moore River

Below are photos of Moore River.

 All this was taken on our 12 hours roadtrip to Lancelin.

Moore River, where the river meets the Indian Ocean. 

Has awesome views and places where you can canoe, kayake and of course swim.

May

20th of May to be exact was when bf and I officially became a couple. I can safely say that it has gotten better and of course like all relationships requires work, communication, compromise and lots of understanding. It was also the month of many golf sessions, from driving ranges to supagolf. Something that I must admit I've started to enjoy, even if I can't play to save my life!

On a personal note, my family celebrated my Mum's birthday in style by going to Grand Palace Restaurant at the Esplanade.

June

Trip to Sydney was taken in June. Just a short weekend trip with S. We were on top of the world during our Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, where it actually started to rain, it was amazing to watch the sunset and the lights of the Sydney city come on. We also went whale watching. Watch the soccer World Cup at the FIFA Fanfest at 4am in the morning. The atmosphere was electric so it kept the chill at bay (that and the weather was actually warmer than what the temperature was in Perth). Had a degustation at Aria. Ate fresh seafood at the Sydney Fish Markets. Met up with Al. Went to Bondi. Shopped. But because it was only 4 days, the trip flew by us. It was also the trip where I forgot my camera, so no photos except from the ones on the Bridge. I really should grab the photos of S.

Us on the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

the photos below are all from S's camera.  

 

Sydney at sunset

 

On the Sydney Ferries

 

Whales!

The Whales go sooo close to the boat, it was only like 5m away at times!

 

Sydney behind an angry cloud

 

With the massive seafood platter at Sydney Fish Markets

At the Fifa Fanfest before the game!

Apart from the trip, I got cultured by going to the state museum and watching/exploring the pompeii exhibit.  Which included a 3D animation at the beginning. Hence the funny huge glasses pictured below!

 

July

July saw me dress up as the other half of twaddledee (or was i twaddledum?) at M's 23rd Disney themed party. It also result in watching Mamma Mia at Burswood Theatre. Got cultured at the Art Gallery by seeing Patricia Piccinini's work. I also managed to bake greentea cupcakes. On top of all that, I attend On the Bright Side Festival where Angus and Julia Stone, The Strokes, Art vs. Science and many more performed. 

August

August, my family celebrated my Dad's birthday with an epic amounts of food/dishes at home. It was fabulous. I also participated in my first City to Surf event (and hopefully in 2011 I'll be doing more than just walking). Levis also invented the best pair of jeans, ones that actually fit me perfectly and make me feel HOT. The Curve I.d. is just brilliant (i'm serious!). I also started a fulltime job at this place which was really full on. However, it was just the stepping stone to a pot of luck that was just around the corner. The pot of luck is currently the job I'm at. But the place I was at for 5 weeks taught me so much.

September

Oh September brought more changes, the end of September saw me work at the current workplace I am at. It took me 9 months to get to where I want to be with so many obstacles placed in my path. Even now as I write this, whether I want to give this position a go with all my heart or pursue something I've wanted to achieve but haven't gotten it is something I really have to think about. Choice is never an easy thing. 

I also went to my first Vintage Charity sales at Mt. Hawthorn. It was an interesting event and I scored a few items of value (well I thought was rather good find). My appreciation for art took me to the Perth Fashion Festival in September, in particular to the Outskirts on William. There I saw interesting comtemporary artworks at PICA, creativity being unleashed in up and coming designers at Popsicle and of course my favourite, awesome photographic works, in particular by Amy Vinicombe. 

October

October saw my friends and I participate in raising awareness of cancer by Relaying for Life for the Cancer Council at UWA. It was also the month I started learning to sail and got my Barista license to make coffees. The end of October saw me take a short weekend away to Rottnest Island with a group of friends. A wine tour/Spring in the Valley took place in October, as did Jojo's engagement party and of course, the annual Royal Show. S also celebrated her birthday at Jackson's Restaurant, which much to my dismay didn't live up to its reputation. Perhaps, it was having a bad night.

 

November

November saw me turn a year older. I celebrated by aving a beach picnic on the actual day of my birthday, going to High Tea at The George the day after and having a buffet dinner at Hyatt with my family. It was also bf and my six month anniversay. We went to the C restaurant. I was spoilt rotten by everyone, I've never felt so much love. I saw how lucky I am to have such wonderful friends and family around me.  

December

The month of December brought my demons back. My dissatisfaction with where I am in life combined with the frustration of feeling like I'm stuck seemed to have taken hold of me. The festive season came by a bit too quickly, something of a shock in a way, but definately a welcome break. I didn't have time to review, reflect and meditate to prepare for the Christmas Season. There was the Bon Jovi and U2 concerts, as well as the epic Christmas dinner at JJ's and of course the family dinners.

Overall the year went by in a blur. There are so many things and places I've been too and have failed to mention. 

I've managed to achieve 3 and a half of my new years resolution made at the start of 2010. The half was for the use of my camera. I didn't do too badly with that one, but I was still using auto-mode. This year will be the same resolutions but with less whinging and more action being done.