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....

Wednesday Arvo

(Two posts in one day?  Gee what's going on?)

I got my hair cut today at The Souk at The Shangri-la.  How posh.  I am going back to my 'new' hairdresser when the time comes.  He did a fabulous job and I am happy.  Don't think it will be looking like this tomorrow though... (Thank you for the photo shot Miss Monet!)

Lyndon had this afternoon off due to him working this evening, so after he and Monet picked me up from the hairdressers, we ventured into Abu Dhabi to visit the InterContinental Hotel.  

We had 'heard' there was a proper fish and chippery around those parts, but alas we didn't quite find it.  Instead we explored the marvellous hotel's environment.  It was rather beautiful with it's own marina.  And I am a sucker for a lovely marina.

Did you notice the 'typical UAE skyline?' in that above photo?  And just how green is that water?  That green is my favourite colour by far!

We sat down by the private beach and had a cool drink...

...and a bite to eat at the Beach Bar.  Some kind of Fish'n'Chips it had to be from the Bar Menu.

I felt we could have stayed there all day.

I could think of worse ways to spend a couple of spare hours in our new city.

Want A Slice?

As my home city of Melbourne sweats at 43 degrees today, we are experiencing some lovely winter days here in the UAE.  

Yesterday I sat in our little backyard flicking through cookbooks whilst I let Monet loose with the hose.  We can do that here.  Be free with a hose and use as much water as we like.  (It is not uncommon to water out one's carport for example.)  The villas here have their own desalination plant, so I am lead to believe, so yeah Monet, go for your life...

She cleaned her cubby, sorry, I mean her 'shed' (trying to be like her Poppy and his shed!) then proceeded to wash her trike...

(It is a pity the kids in Melbourne can't be doing that today, without being 'dobbed in' by a neighbour!)

As I flicked through the cookbooks I found a sudden urge to bake a Pavlova so inside I went and whipped up one.  

Now, I grew up with a mother who always insisted that she could not bake a Pav.  She always blamed her oven.  She has had a few ovens over the years and never once did I see her even attempt to make a Pav, so I know it had nothing to do with one's oven.  When I stayed at my parent's back in November I made them a Pavlova to indulge in, in her year old oven, and it turned out lovely.  I wanted to show her that her oven could bake one .  

So I have this thing about baking a Pavlova to test out your oven.  All I can say is my new oven works a treat....

(I used this recipe)

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...)

My Blonde Headed, Blue Eyed Girl.

We are living in a country where the site of a blonde headed, blue eyed child is not a common one.  Sure, there are plenty of westerners here with fairer haired children, but you can't be guaranteed you'll see them on an outing.  Most children you do see here are mostly Emirate children who are dark headed and dark eyed.  

When we go out, it is not uncommon for us to get smiles from the shop assistants, security guards, waiters, taxi drivers.  (Everyone bar the general public - there are a lot of rude people out there, let me tell you!)

Yesterday I ventured out to Abu Dhabi Mall with Monet and a friend down the road, Karen (whose husband works with Lyndon.)  As soon as we got in the taxi the driver greeted us with a smile so large it could have swallowed his whole face.  "Hello Baby" he said to Monet.  

As we wandered the Mall and went in and out shops we were usually greeted with smiles, due to us walking with Monet.  (This I know because I was alone at one stage for about 30 minutes - I wasn't greeted with big smiles.)  

At one particular shop the assistant patted Monet on the head (she's never impressed when this happens - and it happens a lot here - and I don't blame her!) and asked Monet "how old you are?  Your name?" She then produced a big pink teddy bear, fresh out of its plastic wrap, and gave it to Monet.  Shite.  Why doesn't this happen to me?  Admittedly Monet wasn't too impressed at first with being given a pink teddy for nothing (she's over the head petting act) but the bear grew on her and she ended up having a great day shopping with 'the ladies!'

In the taxi, the whole way home, Monet was chatting away per usual to Karen and I with the taxi driver in the front grinning away at her conversation.  (Monet's conversation was about her wanting to go to Karen's when we got home and me saying "no, not today - we've spent all day with Karen, she'll need a break".  But Monet got her way in the end and spent a good hour and 20 minutes at Karen's (about 5 doors down).  I don't know who was luckier - Monet or I?)

In other news I received a sad one from home.  My mother's nephew committed suicide in his parent's backyard.  I feel very sad for his parent's (my mother's brother) and their two daughters.  The son was a year older than I and it has been many years since I saw him, but it still has me wandering on how he got to that point.  So sad.  

Interview

This meme is doing the rounds in the blogosphere where you are interviewed by a fellow blogger if you choose to participate.  I shyly put my hands up on H&B's site, so she has taken the time to interview me.  

1 What started your blog, and who was your inspiration ?

 

I began my 'first' blog back in July 2004.  I had just about finished work and Monet was due in 6 weeks time.  (And yes, she arrived on her due date!)  As my only sibling was (and still is) living in London she suggested I start a blog and helped me do it.  I used one of her 'Typepad' blog space which she designed and emailed me on how to post etc., 

Kim had been blogging for a few years beforehand, it was one way to 'know' what she was doing on the other side of the world  so the idea was for me to regularly blog so she knew what I was up to.  As Lyndon and I lived a distance away from both our parents it was also a way for them to see what our new little family were up to.  Most posts were written about Monet (nothing much has changed!) so I saw it as a 'online' Monet diary.  (I have all those old posts saved onto disc somewhere.)  Nothing much has changed.  I still blog for the people we are separated from.

2 In your fictitious Gippsland HighSchool Yearbook of old, what would you have been voted "Most Likely" as, and how apt would this description be today ?

 

*chuckle chuckle*  

Gee, I am such a totally different person than that girl who went to High School back in the '80s.  

I remembered that when I was in Year 12 I was very (very) keen on living in Melbourne, rocking to INXS at any available opportunity and doing art work.  I would have therefore been voted "Most likely to be city living, INXS groupie (HA!), selling own art work at St.Kilda Esplanade Market".  

I would have never, ever imagined being where I am now - married with one child, not working (well working, but not working working - you know what I mean), living comfortably in Abu Dhabi in the middle east, with the world at our doorstep, owning a property in FNQ etc., etc.,  

Funny where life's highway takes us.  I have no regrets.  I am definitely not that girl I knew in 1985-1990.  I have my mid twenties to thank for that.  

3 Monet LuLu - very French and very different.  Naming babies is tough.  Everybody has an opinion, whether asked or not.  Any memorable reactions ?

I am *still* in love and in awe of my daughter's name.  Truly.  I have always received positive comments towards her name (well, to my face anyway).  

 I have had some people who said "Mon-ette" when trying to pronounce her name, but I say, "no, it is Mon-nay, as in the artist, Claude Mon-nay".  There are a lot of people out there who have never heard of Claude Monet, let me tell you.  

Then I have people who say"Oh that is the most lovely name I have heard.  Is she named after the artist Claude Monet?"  Of course she is.  Yes.  I studied Monet in High School and at University and I have always adored his art work.  So the name means a lot to me.  Lyndon came up with the Lulu, which I see is now becoming a popular first name.  We got in early.

If Monet ends up having any siblings, it is a tough name to beat!

4 You enjoy a good roast'n'bake and can obviously cook.  But tell us about the time you really stuffed it up... your WORST ever kitchen nightmare ?

 

There has been a few, no more than a few, ask my biggest critic Lyndon.  I can't pinpoint a certain time/place/meal but there has been meals when even I have said, I can't eat this - its revolting and Lyndon looks at me and says with his eyes, Phew!  The last time I made homemade gnocchi I felt physically ill.  That wasn't so long ago either.  Even the thought of it now makes my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth.  I'd be kicked off MasterChef straight away if I served that up to the judges.  

Because my cooking is usually pretty tasty (the guys at Lyndon's old work place in FNQ used to be jealous of the dinner he had eaten the night before!),  expectations are high around here, let me tell you. 

I can usually cook a tasty meal if I am organised - if I have all needed ingredients and time, the most important factor.  I can't 'just whip something up' as it will be rather bland or boring or something I wouldn't make again.  We don't 'do' leftovers here or if we do, it is on the rare occasion.   

5 Due to serious unspecified world events, all future travel is now banned.  Everyone is allowed to choose their final 'life' destination and will be transported there for free ( once there however, you will need to make your own way ).  Where shall we drop you ?

London.  No doubt about that.  I *heart* London and have been there a few times now.  There is something about London I find welcoming.  It is one of those cities that changes but then it feels like nothing changes.  I know part of me kind of belongs there - not that I have ever lived there and if I did my point of view on the city might change.  I find it a city that accepts you, no matter what.  It is a great city to base yourself in - a stepping stone to Europe and all its wonder and a (relatively) short flight over the pond to the US.  

I am planning a week holiday (hello Premier Inn) in London in the months to come.  When it warms up a bit.  How lucky am I?

If you'd like to be interviewed by me, pop your hand up and watch for an email in your inbox....

So Hot Right Now.

Not the weather.  It isn't hot here.  Bit chilly in fact in the mornings and late afternoons.  But this isn't supposed to be a post about the weather.  It is about what is 'so hot' to (me right) now.

IKEA is.  I *heart* IKEA.  Close to three years without being living anywhere near an IKEA, I am wondering how I ever survived without it.  

Do you love my new IKEA 'lounge' cushions?

Not the greatest of photos to show the colour.  This I know.

I love the new place mats I purchased too.

I think I loved the price even better.  (About $3AUD each)

I am loving the tiny cans of Coke you can buy here.  150ml.  Just enough for a cola hit.  I can never get through a 'normal sized' can without feeling bloated.  I can't help but smile when I see the teeny cans in my fridge.    

Spinney's (supermarket) donuts.  Shite they are tasty donuts.  And I don't usually 'do' donuts after working in a bakery for many years (and a week stint at Donut King - but that is another story!)  How could I not like these donuts.  Look at how pretty this one is.

I am very much enjoying my first cup of tea for the day.  A brew of  Twining's Earl Grey.  Sets my day off nicely.

And finally my iPod has had a new lease on life.  Ever since Lyndon got the bargain Denon Amplifier for the TV with brilliant speakers (same time I got the fridge, remember?), I have gone back to listening to more music than ever.  

These are the things I am finding so hot right now.  How about you?  What's hot in your household right now?

My Favourite Toy of 2008.

Yes, my favourite toy (for Monet).  Not sure if Monet would agree but if one can sit and play for hours on end with a particular toy, then hey, it is my favourite toy.  It was a toss up of course - there were a couple of beauties I purchased throughout the course of last year which Monet would use constantly and in peace.  

Runner-Up prize would be 'Melissa & Doug's Lace and Trace'.  Many an hour spent on the couch (and planes!) with Monet using the thread to sew around shapes.  

First prize I award to these...

PopBead People.  Not exactly plane friendly (too many little bits to drop and lose) but never the less, hours of fun, endless possibilities and still getting a good workout after having for over two months.  I got a packet each for the nieces as part of their Christmas presents and as far as I know, they liked them a lot.  

Any other worthy contenders out there that you know of worth me looking into?