Friendship Fire starter: something that promotes friendship, encourages a catch up or strengthens a bond between two or more people.
Blondie…one way or another….she was going to get me…and get me good!
Homebake 2012…the first music festival of the summer season in Sydney and my friend Sarah and I were there for one reason only….to see the lady with platinum blonde hair and listen to her string of hits which dominated airwaves in the late 70′s , early 80′s.
As Sarah and I sat in a bar in Surry Hills, we could hear the festival in the distance..the drum and bass, the squeals of festival goers of carnival rides…But we had other plans…We only really wanted to see the main act, and Ms Harry did not come on stage till 9.45pm…so naturally we decided to drink our way to the concert in the park!!
Over cocktails the conversation centered around our fear that we were indeed too OLD for Homebake….Both of us had been to this festival for the first time in the late 90′s, and boy had times changed…Sarah had had to arrange a baby sitter for the day! We openly expressed fears at being OVER the festival HILL….
We both agreed, however, it was too late to turn back…we were headed in one direction…and that direction was HOMEBAKE 2012
Our fears were baseless….looking around at other patrons…we were actually on the younger side of old! It was refreshing…we ran into people who had been part of our earlier Homebake experiences…who reassured us it was cool to be part of the day, that Homebake was a ‘nostalgic festival’ of loyal followers…in short….the message we took on board was this-
‘ You are never to young or too old to enjoy a Homebake’
And who better than Ms Harry to reinforce this…At age 67, Blondie rocked and rolled with an effortless cool swagger….Sarah and I were caught up in a truly special moment as hit after hit filled the balmy night air….’ Heart of Glass’, ‘ One Wayr’ ‘ The Tide is High’…and my personal favourite ‘ Rapture’
So thank you Blondie, for reminding Sarah and I of our youth and the importance of setting aside time to do the things you love.
Above all thank you for reminding us both that once aquired, personal style, self belief and self confidence is never ages.
Friendship Fire starter: something that promotes friendship, encourages a catch up or strengthens a bond between two or more people.
Dedicated to my childhood friend, Cameron…a true global citizen xx
Canadian singer, K.D Lang released her album ‘ Ingénue’ in 1992.
In 2002, I found myself sleeping on the floor of a mouse infested bed-sit in Soho, London. My childhood friend Cameron, had thrown caution to the wind, and relocated to the UK.
He had arrived with a small back pack and big, big dreams. Coupled with unwavering self belief and determination, the world was his for the taking…London was just the beginning.
Yet something was missing and I identified this as being the music of K.D Lang…
So I brought this cd for my friend and all the stars aligned.
Fast forward to 2012.…and on the weekend I found myself in another charity shop. I find a divine black top, and hold onto my treasure as I walk to the back of the store…to the music section. More dust-covered cd’s that apparently nobody wants…..except me.
And there she is Ms Lang‘s ‘ Ingénue‘….waiting for me….
20 years after the albums first release
10 years after the music was the soundtrack to my childhood friends life changing move to London town….
Finally, in 2012,I am ready to listen
As I drive home from the shopping expedition, I play the cd…and am moved to tears
Beautiful music, songs of love, longing, desire and heart-break.
All the important stuff, the only things that matter
And I am hooked….addicted…the songs have been played on high rotation ever since….nothing else makes sense to me at the moment except K.D Lang and her lyrics
The song that has stolen my heart?
Still Thrives this Love
Why?
Because only recently have I come to realise that despite everything I have been through, the ups and downs, the speed bumps, wrong turns, flat tires and train wrecks….Love remains a constant in my life.
For many years I had denied loves importance, ignored it, feared it, banished it from the landscape of my life.
But it never truly left my side, it was always there…I just didn’t realise it
But as the saying goes, that was then…this is now
Still thrives this love
It propels me forward, and with each considered step I know I am heading in the right direction.
I sat in the audience at Indus Restaurant, Ubud, Bali….it was hot, humid and their was a general buzz of excitement in the air.
A crowd of 200 people had gathered for ‘ An Evening with Nick Cave’, part of the 2012 Ubud Writers and Reader’s Festival line up.
I felt a fraud, an impostor….I was neither fan nor friend of Mr Cave….I had never understood the allure, listened to an albums, read a book or followed him in the press.
Yet I was in the audience, sat amongst die-hard groupies, being who worshipped at the altar of St Nick….middle age women blushing at the very thought of an evening in HIS presence, grown men proudly wearing ‘ Pussy Riot ‘ t-shirts.
My general assessment of the situation was that the entire audience was on heat…for Mr Nick Cave.
And then there was me…nevously I wrote in my travel diary the names of those I knew would sell a body organ to be in my place…It is to them that I dedicate this blog post:
Elena
Scott Gray
Philllippa
My cousin Andrew and his wife Emma
Then he appeared…the man in black…
He read from his book …captivating the room with his wit and charm
He answered questions , signed things books, postcards, pieces of paper
Then he left
What did I make of it all? What was all the fuss, the hype, the heavy breathing about?
I concluded three things
Nick Cave has lived the rock and roll lifestyle… IN STYLE since 1973… He has dared to pursue a lifestyle most would not have the courage nor faintest desire to…He has earnt the right to tell his story, it is a very colourful story ,worthy of an audience
Nick Cave the artist has stood the test of time…he has been writing, producing, performing and collaborating in music industry for nearly 40 years…He he has done so with conviction, passion and unrivalled self belief
Nick Cave idolises Johnny Cash, sites him as one of his personal heros…My heart softened upon hearing this, something I could relate too…and all at once I felt a new understanding and appreciation for this modern-day man in black.
So is Nick Cave Australia’s version of Mr Cash?…The attire- the formal black suit, the pride in his appearance suggest so….His craft- his ability to tell stories, beautiful stories through music to which people connect suggest so- His story- A man who has been to the brink and back ( many times over it would appear), who lust for life and love remains a constant, suggest so.
And prehaps after all, I was meant to be in the audience on that balmy night in Ubud…..it was me after all who would benefit most from meeting Nick….
For now my own journey of discovery can begin, a door has been opened, Nick Cave’s words and music have lured me in….I might just be beginning to understand….
Note- I insert this song clip as in Ubud, Cave referred to Johnny Cash covering his song ‘ The Mercy Seat’ as the ‘ Greatest Honour / Compliment’
Note-I have placed this blog post under the category ‘ Friendship Fire Starters- Music’, as it is my friends who inspired this post…..A Friendship Fire starter is a term I use to describe something that promotes friendship, encourages a catch up or strengthens a bond between two or more people….I think that sums up Mr Cave’s music nicely xx
R U OK?Day is a national day of action on the second Thursday of September (dedicated to inspiring all people of all backgrounds to regularly ask each other ‘Are you ok?’
By raising awareness about the importance of connection and providing resources throughout the year, the R U OK? Foundation aims to prevent isolation by empowering people to support each other through life’s ups and downs.
I could not be more passionate about a day such as R U Ok day….I know first hand how important, powerful and life changing those three words can be.
I am an advocate for uttering those three words….
More often than not, when I ask people this questions the response is,’ I am fine’.
That makes me happy and glad that I asked.
But every once in a while ,someone when asked, will say ‘ I am not fine’.
Then more than ever I feel happy and glad that I asked.
I am learning not to make assumptions about people’s feelings.
Asking questions is the only way to break down assumption.
Three words make this possible : ‘ R U Ok?’
R U Ok…three words that have the power to break down barriers for they provide individual with an opportunity to put a voice their inner thoughts and feeling and more than happy to listen.
R U Ok day… a day that reminds me of my commitment to continuing to ask these three words and to listen to all responses that come as a result.
Friendship Fire starter: something that promotes friendship, encourages a catch up or strengthens a bond between two or more people.
Listening, really listening to someone is hard work.
Communication that is clear and precise…..also hard, hard work.
To be a good listener you have to put aside your personal agenda, feelings and thoughts and tune into that of another.. It is a truly selfless act.
To be a good communicator who have to be in tune with your true self, your thoughts and feeling. You must also be ‘present’….your mind cannot be in the past or propelling into the future…it must be grounded in the here and now.
This blog post has been written so as to honour all the good listeners and communicator out there….You guys don’t get enough credit!
I am first to admit that I am new to truly listening to the voice of another….For so long I have lived in my head, listening to my own internal dialogue which drowned out the voice of others.
I was so consumed by my inner thoughts, that I could be in a room full of familiar faces, and actively engage in two conversation, one with party guests, the other with the internal chatter in my head.
Crucial to the art of listening to another person, is clear communication. Like the listening notion, I am just jumping on the good communication bandwagon!
I got frustrated on the weekend when, via email communication ( the worst of all mediums!) I felt I was not being listened to or understood. I let the person know, they took my point with a grain of salt…it was an unsatisfying exchange.
It caused me to reflect…In order to be truly heard, you must be able to clearly communicate your thoughts and feelings.
Easier said than done.
Often extreme feelings get in the way, how often have you blown of steam in the heat of an argument with a partner, lost your cool with your small child when they did something you did not approve of, given a friend the cold shoulder when they failed for the third time to show up for a coffee date?
For me, my communication skills have long been hindered by an inability to tune into my true voice. For as long as I can remember, I have not possessed the courage to express my true thoughts and feeling.
But with awareness comes change.
The email exchange on the weekend, and its unsatisfactory outcome, was more a true reflection of poor communication on my part. I was not clear in how I was truly feeling…I assumed the person would be able to read between the lines…And when they didn’t ‘ get it’ I expressed my disappointment and frustration.
It really bothered me! And after a bit of self reflection and the passing of time, I came to see this email exchange as a gift.
It highlighted the importance of honest communication, using words that truly reflect how you think and feel….Don’t waste words…Choose them wisely a ( again easier said than done)…and when possible, think before you speak, ask yourself ‘ Do these words reflect what I am thinking / feeling?’
Good listening and communication are skills…and we can learn them, improve on the skills we already have…it is possible with practice, patience and commitment.
So why not try it for yourself…Grab a friend, someone in your life who simply gets you….start up that conversation…chew the fat over a cup of tea or coffee…And take time to notice how it feels to converse and listen to one another.
Rewarding, satisfying, frustrating….All of the above? Room for improvement, for growth?? Any tips you can offer me on my journey towards better listening / communicating?
No times for regrets, such as if only I could have started that email exchange with a bit more honestly…Here’s to next time, and the time after that!!
Friendship Fire starter: something that promotes friendship, encourages a catch up or strengthens a bond between two or more people.
I have been writing a post about Daniel Johns in my head ever since my dinner date on Friday night with a childhood friend
As our conversation danced from family to children, school days, horror movies and a shared love of chocolate…we somehow got on the to topic of music festivals. My friend is a journalist and is writing a piece on the Australian music festival Homebake, which runs in Sydney each December.
Homebake is a favourite festival on mine, and when it was introduced to the dinner conversation it prompted discussion on all the wonderful bands we had been fortunate to see play live.
We both recalled fond memories…but I became stuck on one in particular….when a three-piece band from Newcastle debut their new material from what would go on to be the Australia’s album of the year in 2007, Silverchair’s ‘ Young Modern’
One day music festivals like Homebake require commitment….commitment to the 12 hour music schedule, commitment to drinking ( what ever your poison, the line for fluid is always miles long!!) commitment to queuing in general…for food and the ghastly port-a-loos!!
These festivals start early, 11am and by sun down… moods can swing either way…You either amp it up, or come crashing down….The thought of standing in a field with 20,000 other people for one more music act appears a task more taxing than climbing Everest.
2006 was one such year….Scorched by the summer sun….I was baked, dehydrated and thoughts of home were never far from my mind…But I had made a commitment to myself that I would stay for the final act…it was after all my all time favourite Australian rock group….the one, the only, Silverchair…
When did I fall for hard for the Newcastle trio?….It was in 2002 with the release of their 4th studio album, Diorama.
I’m watching you, watch over me
And I got
The greatest view from here
The Greatest View, Diorama, 2003
Their music prior to this album had never captivated me….I regarded it is loud, angry teenage boy music….Kind of like my younger brother’s band ‘ Rigamortis’…only much more successful!!
Diorama signified a shift. Their music became melodic and layered. The lead singer, Daniel John’s voice, had softened, the anger was gone…the lyrics too had begun to diversify…the band had grown up.
Rolling Stones Magazine called Diorama ‘ One of the boldest musical statements ever made by an Australian Rock Band’
I loved them for it….and it was then and there I became a fan…not of the die-hard variety, I simply admired from afar the trio’s ability to re-invent themselves, to bring about change when really no one had asked for it. There old sound was what had made them a success…this change of direction was a huge risk, a big leap of faith… I was on board.
‘Cause what lies beneath the clouds
Is an altered perception and I’ll pay for sanity
But sanity don’t come cheap
Luv Your Life, Diorama, 2012
Homebake 2006 and Daniel John, Ben Gilles and Chris Joannau took to the stage at 9pm. The atmosphere was electric…Silverchair had not released new material or been together on stage for what seemed an eternity….it was here and now that they would debut their new sound.
5 years had passed since the release of Diorama…everyone in the crown waited in anticipation for a hint of the musical direction the band would take them during their 45 minute set.
And then the music started….and true to the Silverchair ethos, it was new, progressive and undeniably unique. John’s had never appeared so sure of himself, of his lyrics or the raw power of his voice.
Recalling that night 6 years ago, words fail me….but strong feelings emerge. The overall excitement of being caught up in a moment,witnessing something ground breaking and redefining.
On stage, were a band, who, yet again were prepared to take a huge risk, another musical shift. As they threw caution to the wind, the audience did too….20,000 people enjoying the dawn of something new.
I remember sounds…the saxophone, the piano, and John’s voice, strong, powerful and the surge of emotion that came over me when I heard ‘ Straight Lines’ for the first time….
I love Silverchair and am a huge fan of Daniel John’s.
I love what the band accomplished, for the musical landscape they provide their audience and their commitment to reinvention time and time again. Though the band may have called it a day in 2011…for me, the music plays on…
I admire Daniel John’s from afar….his musical sensibility, his raw talent and the suffering he has endured as a result of his art.
I admire his commitment to his craft, his dedication and risk taking….he is a modern day musical prodigy.
I admire John’s for his ability to overcome illness, his battles with depression and auto immune disease….His strength and resilience in the face of adversity resonates with me.
And lastly, I find him incredibly sexy, I think anyone who is passionate is sexy.
Daniel John of Newcastle New South Wales, patron saint of Australian Music Redefined.
And this blog post should now end…You cannot improve on perfection…mere words will fail to capture the beauty, the mystic of Mr Depp
In a week were the sun shone and winter appeared to have taken time off, further brightness was added by a face book post curtsey of my beautiful friend Rebecca.
Yes, I am a fan of Mr Depp…..have been ever since he appeared in Tim Burton’s ‘ Edward Sissorhands‘…I found him heartbreakingly beautiful in that film, and despite the fact that a hug would have inflicted fatal wounds, I wanted nothing more that to be wrapped up, scissors and all in his arms….
I have followed his career ever since….His numerous collaborations with Burton, most recently in Dark Shadows, and the film he most recently co-produced ‘ The Rum Diaries’…
I read recently that Depp’s career choice to continually play odd balls and outsiders is now too predictable, too safe, too familiar….He has perfected and made his fortune from these roles…Time for something new?
A romantic comedy or period piece?
Personally, I wouldn’t care if Mr Depp co-host National Geographic with David Attenborough and discussed the lifespan of the endangered micro sardine in Sardinia….I would tune it…It would be captivating viewing.
Yes Depp might have fashioned a long acting career around odd ball rolls, but when Scissorhands hit the movie screen’s in the 1990 this piece of cinema was a breath of fresh air….For one, it did not contain Julia Roberts, and secondly, it wasn’t reality based…it was a whimsical fairytale.
At a time when odd ball was neither cool nor particularly profitable….there was Johnny, ghostly pale, scarred face, dressed in a tight leather suit with scissor for hands…
And I loved him for it…
Loose yourself for a minute in the most splendid of scenes from the Edward Scissorhands movie…the music, the passion of Edward to create things of beauty, the carefree abandon of Kim, Winona Ryders character….
Johnny Depp… very cool, very rich, very handsome….my all time favourite ‘outsider’
Do you share my love of Johnny Depp? If you do, what is you favourite movie, and why?
Friendship Fire starter: something that promotes friendship, encourages a catch up or strengthens a bond between two or more people.
Banana Cream Pie
When I was growing up I was fortunate enough to have not onebut two best friends.
When the Lee twins moved from country NSW to the South Coast, we hit it off, and as a result my childhood is awash of memories of the three of us at the beach, the park and the local roller skating rink. As teenagers we found casual work together in the local supermarket, embraced the Wollongong night life as young adults and when that no longer satisfied we went on numerous domestic and international holidays.
Today, as grown women we continue to catch up….to gossip, to reminisce….a chance for a briefly escape the busyness that has become our lives…we all have day jobs, one has a family of their own, we have households, gardens and pets to attend too…but we would not have it any other way!!
I recall all three of us shared a love of baking. It was common to find us in the Lee family kitchen, making mess from one end of the kitchen bench to the other…We loved to invent, to experiment…following recipes…well sometimes…It was a relaxed atmosphere, three creative spirits having a go!!
The twins and I
It is with fondness that I recall a dish the three of us perfected back in the early 1990’s…Banana Cream Pie.
The taste of my childhood, our collective childhoods…This recipe is best made in the company of others and then eaten soon after with the same crew.
Did we invent this recipe? It is hard to say…I don’t recall there EVER being a recipe book, and it was well before the era of the internet and Google.
Inspired by an my earlier post this week : Taste of Childhood, I have spent a great deal of time reminiscing about the foods that shaped by early years….Banana Cream Pie surfaced again and again.
So without further ado, let me commit to text, the recipe that will always be associated with good friends, good company and the unmistakable taste of summer.
Banana Cream Pie ( or the ‘I am such a lucky girl to have two best friends’ pie)
1 Packet of Arnotts Nice Biscuits ( any sweet plain biscuit will do)
75 g butter
2 ripe banana
2 passionfruit
300 ml Lite Thickened Cream
200g Passionfruit yogurt
Base: Smash biscuits into a crumb consistency. Melt butter. Mixed into biscuits crumb.
Place into pie dish. Press firmly with hands into base of dish. Place into refrigerator to set.
Pie filling: Mash bananas. Add passionfruit pulp. Add passionfruit yogurt and thickened cream. Stir all ingredients together.
When pie base has set (20 mins max waiting time) remove from fridge and pour filling into pie dish.
Place into freezer for up to 2 hours to set.
Serve frozen and with fresh fruit (if so desired)
Note : The does not have to be a Banana / Passionfruit cream pie…you could use any fruit that takes your fancy…Strawberries, Blueberries, Rasberries….The falvour combinations are endless.
Wednesday night tv got me thinking….What were the tastes of my childhood?
The show, Myf Warhurst’s new doco titled ‘ NICE’ celebrated just that… not the fantastic or the life changing…but the nice… things that had a presence in your life story, played a small role, and to this day continue to bring a smile.
In the short, the show was about simple foods that prompt childhood memories. The show focused largely around items sold in local milk bars and fish and chips shops, and the two food types that evoked the strongest memories were the chicko roll and deep fried dim sum.
Chiko Roll-is an Australian savoury snack, inspired by the chinese egg roll and spring roll. It was designed to be easily eaten on the move without a plate or cutlery. The Chiko roll consists of beef, celery, cabbage, barley, corn, onion, green beans, and spices in a tube of egg, flour and dough which is then deep-fried ( Wikipedia)
Chicko Roll (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Deep Fried Dim Sum- a Chinese- inspired meat dumpling-style snack food popular in Australia. The dish normally consists of a large ball of pork or other meat, cabbage and flavourings, encased in a wrapper similar to that of a traditional dumpling. Usually deep fried ( Wikipedia)
The show explored the phenomena that despite both foods playing an important role in Australia’s culinary history, they are often overlooked…You won’t find these food types in fine dining establishments, they are cheap to make and cheap to buy…in other words, they aren’t cool.
Myf’s show gave both the humble chiko roll and dim sum is rightful recognition…She celebrated both, interviewing top chefs and food critics, who spoke ever so highly of both foods as being both ingenious and tasty. Her guests gushed as they recalled scrapping together loose change as children, walking to their local fish and chip shop, and indulging in a bag of deep fried goodness.
It prompted me to act…All the joy surrounding the deep friend foods was contagious….Having never tried a deep friend dim sum, with lashing of soy sauce and a sprinkling of salt, the following evening I indulged in a serving of four.
Whilst it was not the taste of my childhood, I grinned from ear to ear from the moment I took my first bite….The crunchy, salty goodness…the calories…the soft pork centre….soy sauce oozing down my chin
The show got me thinking, the taste of my childhood? The first of many things that came to mind…
Tinned Beetroot Sandwiches
My first year at Primary School. I was 5 years old and allowed to order my lunch from the canteen once a week. Don’t ask me how this came about, but somewhere along the line I developed a taste for tinned beetroot sandwiched, on white bread with butter.
I remember one of the canteen ladies explaining to me that they had to make my sandwich as close as possible to the lunch bell ringing, as the tinned beetroot would soak through the white bread, if they made it too early.
And I loved the canteen lady for it, I NEVER ate a tinned beetroot sandwich that was soggy from beetroot juice.
I do however remember feeling of embarrassment associated with this food type…Perhaps that is an Australian quality ever-present when something is deemed’ daggy’!! I would eat my sandwich quickly, careful not to get any of the content on my face or school uniform…. I did not want to be known as the girl who ate tinned beetroot sandwiches….on our playground only peanut butter and vegemite sandwiches were tolerated.
I don’t know when I stopped eating tinned beetroot sandwiches…the indigestion I got from eating at such fast pace probably began to outweigh the joy I felt on eating the crimson red centred sandwiches..
But to feel like a kid again, perhaps I should have forgone the dim sum meal, cracked open a tin of beets, and put them between two slice of bread!
What is the taste of your childhood?
I’d love to hear which food evokes memories of your childhood…..The good, the bad, the ugly…heaven forbid…. the embarrassing
On Sunday the 17th of June, my friend Kate and I attended a dance class at the Sydney Dance Company : ‘ Hip Hop for Beginners’
‘ Do something that scares you’, was a remark made over Friday night drinks
Dance does not scare me…it challenges me…challenges me to let go, be in the moment, be present, in the here and now…
Sunday came around, and Kate and I entered studio 4, ready to get our crump on.
I took to the warm up routine with ease, stretches similar to those of a yoga class…but as dance steps, arm movements…and music were slowly introduced…I realised that
‘ Remedial Hip Hop’ would have suited me better!!
As the class progressed, I tried to loosen up, not to indulge in thoughts that were ever-present ‘ I can’t , I can’t’ ….’ You look foolish’ …’ Everyone else has their groove on EXCEPT you’
It was an inner battle, that presented itself on the dance floor….misplaced footing, restricted movement…the more I tried, the worse it got….
YET….IT…WAS…FUN
If I was the kind of person to take it on face value alone…FUN would be the ONE thing I took from the class.
The joy of movement, of sharing an experience with a great friend, carefree laughter, shared frustration
But I took much away much more than that… ….Insight….that I too often restrict my experience, listening to an inner mantra of ‘ I can’t’
Looking back on my Sunday…when I stepped outside my comfort zone, I remember with a smile a fleeting moment as I stared into the mirror of the dance studio, let all thoughts evaporate and permitted myself the luxury of dancing like no one was watching for 5 seconds….
