Something's coming

One of my fave songs from the new Waifs album

I have some fun stuff coming up in the next few weeks, which I'm a little bit excited about. 

This Thursday Luke and I are going to an Evening with The Waifs, the band's 25th anniversary show at Hamer Hall. They've been one of my favourite bands for years and they are fantastic live. I'm also (now-not-so) secretly pleased it's a sit down show because I've passed the stage where I want to stand up in a crowd for hours jockeying for a view of the band and being jostled by annoying people going back and forth to the bar.  This show will be far more civilised and we should be home by midnight. (Yep, I'm an old lady.)

On Friday Luke and I are going to the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. This will be my second time, but my first visit was many, many moons ago and I wasn't particularly interested in plants and stuff then. But now, I'm obsessed with flowers, I have a growing collection of indoor plants and I love visiting gardens.  I can't wait. I expect to be overcome by the beauty.

Then for Easter Mum is visiting for the first time in ages and we're heading off to the High Country for a night. We're staying in Merrijig, which is close to Mount Buller. Luke has been before, but I haven't and I'm looking to it. I love the High Country and autumn is a great time to go.  We're also going to Werribee Zoo while Mum's here and there will also be a Meeting of the Parents (I guess it had to happen one day). 

I am full of anticipation. 

Sing, stalagmite, short week

I made a stalagmite (OK, my freezer did)

I went to see The Waifs at the shabbily beautiful Forum Theatre last night. They were fabulous - the sisters' voices are gloriously powerful and Josh's guitar work is goosebump-inducing. I just love being part of a crowd all singing along with a live band. There was a lovely sing-a-long to Bridal Train last night. "All the girls arooouund Austraaaalia..."

I timed my (solo) arrival very well. I only had to hang around on my own for about 10 minutes before The Waifs came on stage. Not that I was really too bothered about being on my own in such a big crowd anyway.

It's Friday tomorrow already! Yay for public holidays (Monday was Labour Day in Victoria, to commemorate the successful campaign for an 8-hour work day).

Puzzle, Temptation, tickets

Hurrah! My jigsaw-in-a-suitcase was delivered to work this afternoon. Check it out. Can't wait to get started on it. ('It' being an illustration of NYC, complete with King Kong, Superman and Spiderman among the skyscrapers).  

I downloaded The Waifs' new CD Temptation last night. It's more mellow and bluesy than their recent albums. I like it. I'm looking forward to seeing them live next week.

I booked tickets to Next to Normal  today. Yay, i'm off the the theatre! Not for six weeks or so though.

Discovering new music...and my favourite tree

I had a boyfriend once who used to buy a CD and then only listen to the songs he already knew and liked (this was before iPods). I could never understand it, not because it's a waste of money, but because it's a wasted opportunity to have one of those moments that give you goosebumps.

Every time I hear a song I love, I think, "Wow, this is great - I have to hear their other stuff". Quite often I discover something wonderful. For example, years ago I saw Aussie folk/roots trio The Waifs perform Lighthouse at the ARIA Awards on TV and it was the beginning of a love affair. I bought the CD and then all their other CDs and listened to every single song. If I'd just listened to Lighthouse and London Still (their big radio hit) over and over, I never would have discovered all the other songs I love just as much. I've also seen them in two awesome live shows. They are one of my favourite bands. I still get goosebumps when I hear Lighthouse, too.

On the band Wagons

And this weekend I had another goosebumpy moment. Yesterday I spent most of the day sitting in the sun listening to free live music in the Alexandra Gardens. Many of the acts were unknown or little known to me, but I thought I'd check them out and I'm so glad I did. I absolutely loved Melbourne band Wagons, described by Rolling Stone as "powerful gothic country". Lead singer Henry Wagons has a fantastic deep voice reminiscent of Johnny Cash. If you love a bit of country like I do, check 'em out. I've got both their albums on my iPod now and can't wait to see them live again.

I also really liked Kristy London, The Verses, Rosie Burgess, Custom Kings. The Audreys, who I've seen live twice before, were great too.

The day ended with a fantastic fireworks display on the river, set against the beautiful backdrop of the city skyline, the Sky Wheel and a series of illuminated, inflatable sculptures (above).

Leafy

I was pleased today to see my favourite tree - a Golden Elm with a massive canopy that glows green when you stand under it on a sunny day - is starting to get its leaves back.