Flashback Friday - Jeff Buckley

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

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

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

Never.

*sigh*  

What a Friday Flashback this is for me.  

Flashback Friday - REM

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

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



I still love it.

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

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

Flashback Friday - Hunters & Collectors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I Also Love London...

The second time I visited London was totally different from my previous visit 4 years before. (I backpacked alone through out the UK and Ireland in the winter or 1996/1997) Our trip in 2000 was totally different, as my big sister, Kimbofo had moved there. Lyndon and I visited in June of that year and it is a trip we will never forget. When we returned from our two and a half weeks away we vowed to return. (Yippee!)

There is something about London I just love, and to steal a line from Wendy James, London's brilliant! It has so much history to the sprawling city and a lot of people hate London who visit. I can't figure out why. To live there would be a totally different story but to visit it is truly a brilliant city. Images that you only ever see on television or in books/magazines come alive.

Big Ben. Check. Houses of Parliment. Check. Tower Bridge. Check. Buckingham Palace. Check. Trafalgar Square. Check. St Paul's Cathedral. Check. Hyde Park. Check. The list goes on (and on and on.) If you can't walk to your choosen destination, chances are there is a tube station close by.

Can you tell I have (yet again) been scanning my year 2000 photos onto my Flickr account again? *heehee*

We'll be arriving in good old London town in a couple of months time now, to the day in fact. We'll be checking into our hotel, not that far from Kim's place and enjoying a pint or two that afternoon.

Can I just say again, because it's my blog and I can say what I want, I CAN'T WAIT!!! Cheers.

(And yeah, here is a photo of us from that year 2000 trip, in a 900 year old pub, enjoying a pint each...)

The One on the Right is Busy...

In the spirit of Christmas and today being Friday, here is a Flashback photo for you.

Can you guess which one is me? Yeah, the dark-headed Monet lookalike one. The one who looks sooooo excited and admittedly very cute (what happened?) I have a feeling this photo was taken before the final school concert of the year. I wasn't even three in this photo (it was taken in 1975), which means Kimbofo would've been in about grade Prep or 1. (My dad was a Headmaster at the local school that we both attended so the End-of-Year concert was a big thing for all of us. Mum included.)

I know that mum had painted the Santa picture behind Kimbofo and we had that plastic tree every Christmas until one year mum got sick of packing it up and piffed the whole thing (including most decorations) in the tip. I too hate 'un-decortaing' the tree because no one ever wants to do it. Oh yes, it's very exciting putting the thing up but pulling it down is a completely different story isn't it?

I have my parents arriving tomorrow afternoon for a two-odd week visit which we're all looking forward to. Especially Monet. That could be her in the above photo with the look on her face this morning, knowing there was only one more sleep to go before the arrival of her Grandma and Grandad. She's more excited about them visiting than Santa.

I am off grocery shopping this morning, hopefully to beat the crowds before the next few days, but I find my local 'Coles' not too busy at the best of times anyway so I should be right. I already have 'most' things bought, I really only need supplies. I'll be visiting 'Rusty's Fresh Produce Market' in the next day or so and then I'll be avoiding the supermarkets like the plague.

All presents have been bought now (I think) so I am feeling a little organised. Just need to do some final 'sprucing' before the folks arrive tomorrow and then I'll be sorted. I also have Lyndon's birthday to contend with before the weekend is out too. Busy, busy, busy...

How is your Christmas planning going along?

Talking on a Friday...

Have I told you lately how beautiful the weather has been lately, bar a few days earlier on in the week? Well to say that today is stunning is a little bit of an understatement...

We have Lyndon's parents coming up to visit tomorrow for a week. They're staying here one night and then staying at a lovely Resort up the road at Palm Cove for the remainder of the week. I'm looking forward to seeing them. It's been a while since we've had family visit. And its been a good bribery tool for getting Monet to behave. *heehee*

For the first time, since I don't know when, we visited Rusty's Fruit and Veggie Market in Cairns City, this morning and picked up some lovely fresh Tropical North Queensland pineapples, as I know Lyndon's mum (Marianne) loves them. And so do we. I'll be cutting one up after we take a dip in the pool.... (sorry to make you jealous, but hey!)

Speaking of Grandparents and considering it is Flashback Friday, I present a photo which contains my Grandparents (my dad's parents)....



What a family hey? Left to right, my sister Kim, Mum, Granny, Me (!), Dad and Grandad.

It was 1982 and my father had taken long service leave. We were about to head on a 6 week road trip north to Coffs Harbour, which I have special memories of. I love the fashionable jumpers that Kim and I are wearing. In fact, I think Kim knitted her own (she has always been a talented knitter!) and she had only turned 13 a couple of months before this photo was taken.

My Grandparents in this photo had just celebrated their 50th wedding Anniversary. I remember we gave them a ceramic pot with 50 gold $1 coins which had only been released in Australia for a while. My Grandad lived for another 9 years and my Granny, another 16 years...

I have fond memories of not only that particular day, but of my Grandparents. They were proud Glaswegians and so very proud of their granddaughters. I think all Grandparents are especially proud of their grandchildren, don't you agree?

I think often of all my Grandparents, none of which are alive today, which is a pity because I would've loved for them to meet not only Lyndon but also Monet. Grandparents are special people and I know Monet always appreciates seeing hers, even if she is only 3, and I know our parents appreciate seeing her.

Enjoy your weekends!

A Beer, A Wedding and A Flashback

Last Sunday, the three of us went to a wedding.

I don't really know the bride and groom that well, just through Lyndon's work, where he works with the groom.

I wore this...

(Esprit Skirt and top bought at Myer), along with some sexy (!!?!!) black patterned tights, a black camisole and my Mary Jane shoes.

They got married in the tiny church in Kuranda, which claims to be a 'village in the rainforest'. It kinda is, bar the fact it is full of hippies, tourists and people out to make a quick Japanese buck. And it is pretty. And the church is gorgeous, bar very small, and very (very) hot inside.

We were lucky to get there before the bride. In typical Lyndon and Melody (and Monet) fashion, we were there half an hour early to discover the church empty.

So we went to the local pub and enjoyed a bevvie.

We returned with a couple of minutes to spare, to find the pews filled, the groom waiting and the bride getting out of the car! And to say that everyone looked at us was an understatement. Have you ever been to a wedding where the bride was actually on time? *heehee*

The reception was held back down at Cairns at one of the resorts and it was very lovely. The meal was delicious (buffet style) and the speeches were pretty good. The cake was cut, the couple danced their first dance and we left soon after.

In honour of it being 'Flashback Friday' and that I have talked about a wedding, I present to you one of my parents wedding snaps. I'm sure they won't mind me posting it here, I mean, I am amongst friends and I do love their wedding photos.

This was April 1968. (For any of you Melbourneits you may recognise the gates belonging to Williamstown Botanical Gardens.) I love the fact that they were married in the late '60s as I think the style they wore never really went out of fashion. I love my mothers dress and she looks pretty darn hot. And dad there looking all clean cut in his suit and bow tie.

They are still happily married 39 years later. With two daughters and one granddaughter. No son-in-laws yet, nor no other grandchildren on the horizon either!!

Have you been to any weddings lately?

To My Dear 3 Year Old,

Today, Monet, is your 3rd birthday. 3! Now, that's amazing. Just like you.

You never cease to amaze me in everything you do. Where do you learn this stuff? How did you learn to talk so very clearly and who taught you to use all those words? Was it I? Or daddy? I have seriously no idea.

We've had a fabulous year with you which has hopefully taught you about the good things in life. We live in an amazing part of the world and seen many lovely places which I hope you remember. You've been to the Daintree Rainforest a few times. Whenever we ask you what you want to do on a particular day, you sometimes say "We'll go to the Daintree". That's how come I know you like it there.

You've got an amazing memory so that's how come I know you'll remember the places we've taken you.

You are 9 times out of 10, wonderful in public. Impeccable in fact. People are always saying just how well behaved you are, but they don't know you in your home environment do they? *heehee*

If you could, you would spend all day in your nighty. All day. It is a struggle sometimes to get you dressed. Sometimes you're still lazing about in your nighty till 11am.

And if you could, you would spend all day on the swing across the road at the playground. You love the swing. Even at Playgroup you spend half of our time there on the swing. And everyone knows that we can be found at the swing. The past week we've been practising you using the 'big kids' swing, rather than the little kid swing with the belt. You are getting really good at using the slides and climbing the play equipment.

Speaking of climbing, you love to climb. Pity it is the lounge suite you climb and whoever is sitting there had better watch out! You love organising your little chairs in a row and climbing from chair, to chair, to chair. Or climbing from your bed, over the bed rail, onto the chair, onto a little chair, to the floor. You'll be in your room and will be constantly doing that. Backwards and forwards.

You enjoy singing. You told me in the car that Madonna's song 'Sorry' was your favourite song. And you love 'Monsoon' by Robbie Williams. And I cannot forget 'Dirty Harry' by the Gorillaz. You sing quite well to these songs. But not as well as you can sing the Alphabet song (which I only sang to you once and you remembered it!) or 'I'm a Little Teapot'. You are beginning to like Justine Clarke's kiddies songs too. You've requested her CD because of the 'Watermelon' song which got stuck in your head. (And mine too for that matter!)

Dora the Explorer, you discovered this year. Auntie Sarah gave you a DVD of Dora for your 2nd birthday and you haven't looked back. Dora, Dora, Dora the Explorer. She has taught you numerous words in spanish and you can count to 7 in spanish, which I am amazed by. You were very excited to meet Dora at Dreamworld.

You love books. Any books, all books. I often find you in your room, sitting in your cubby, reading to yourself. Favourite books this year include 'Biscuit Bear', 'The Snail and The Whale', 'Lulu loves the Library', 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' and 'Hairy Maclary'. I've made myself a promise this coming year to buy you a good book, once a month. Books are wonderful and I know that you know this.

But most of all this year, you have discovered cooking. Mixing, baking, making a mess and licking the bowl. Both Grandma and Nanna know this because they've given you baking gear for your birthday. Sometimes you know I don't have the patience which I apologize for. You're just trying to help. Sorry my dear.

I see a lot of me in you, but most of the time you are so much like your father it makes me laugh.
You're a sweet, intelligent and good natured girl. Except when you get grumpy and boy, do you get grumpy! You get all cross and say "Don't say that", which daddy always replies "Don't say, Don't say that", which daddy and I always laugh at and then you get more cross and say "Not funny!! Don't laugh" and then we see a little smile which you try to hide.

Sometimes you'll come up to me and say "I love you" for no reason at all, followed by a hug. We give each other a hug everyday. And we practise words each day too. You love saying 'igloo', followed by 'bum burp' which always cracks us up. (Thanks to your Grandad for THAT word) You love toilet humour, you seriously do, which make your daddy and I laugh every time. Skiddies and Mr. Pong for example...

May your 3rd year be full of laughter, hugs and kisses and good times Monet. I love you very, very, very much. Thanks for being you, you beautiful little girl who amazes me.

Always,
Love Melody Mummy xxx

And because it is 'Falshback Friday', here is a photo of you, on the day you were born, 3 years ago today. *smile*

Flashback Friday

House & Baby suggested to me to start joining in with 'Flashback Friday', where each Friday you post a photo of a younger self, at any age and tell the story about the photo or memories around the time. There are a few bloggers doing this now and I thought I would join the fun, after visiting my parents house and was told to take some photos from a collection that once belonged to my Grandparents.

(Note to Kimbofo; there is a pile there waiting for you too!)

So here I present to you, biglittlesister's first Flashback Friday photo (circa late 1973/early 1974)....


This is baby me, maybe 9/10 months old, in the arms of my funky mother (how cool does she look?). Next to her is my Granny (my father's mother) gripping onto my sister's shoulders, all under the watchful eye of my Aunt Helen, who was married to my father's brother.

My mother would have been 28 in this photo. I couldn't imagine wearing a skirt 'that' short, even if I was 28. I'm not a fan of my legs - obviously I didn't inherit my legs from 'her' side of the family. Pity. My mum has good pins. (Even to now. - I wonder if she'll read this *grin*)

I remember my Granny always dressing like this. She was old school. Always had a nice dress suit on with jewellery and low heeled shoes with beige stockings. She was Scottish with a thick Glaswegian accent that she held onto, until she died in 1997. She had been living in Australia since 1954 (?) yet you would think with an accent like hers, she had stepped off the boat yesterday.

I know my Aunt Helen had her first child the year after I was born so I am wondering if she is looking at me and knowing she was pregnant? Hmmm...

So there you go, Flashback Friday first post by biglittlesister.

Will I dare do another one next Friday?