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Monday, July 6th, 2009
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10:11 am - wierd ass epic dream
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Want to write this down before I forget it.
Mum and I are walking with her class of primary school kids to the library in Johnsonville. We are walking along a road with a board fence, and a nice clear flat view beyond. All of a sudden we look and realise we can see mushroom clouds off to our right. There are about 5 and they are varying distances from us. One is little more than a button mushroom way off on the horizon. If someone blew up the South Island, it might look like this. We stand still and mill around. No one is sure what they are, and no one wants to say what we all fear they could be.
Then, quite slowly, the cloud nearest us shimmers as if in a heat wave from the ground up. It starts to shred its top cloud into tatters around the edges. The air gets heavy and presses at us. Then I see a wall of fire roiling towards us.
I grab mum and we run (totally abandoning kids - I'm such a hero!) back the way we came. About to duck behind a building, when we see a stream. We leap into it, and as the fire approaches we duck under the surface. I manage to breathe some water, and am torn between drowning and being consumed in a nuclear firestorm. Then the air above the water clears, and we pop to the surface gasping.
We stumble home to our city apartment where I live with my family. Damage is not as bad as you'd think. In fact, there is none. When we get home I tell mum we'll have to walk up the 12 flights of stairs as the power must be out. But no, the lifts are going. We stumble in, and dad is quite unconcerned. I freak out, throwing questions at him. I turn the TV on, and there is no news. I grab my laptop but can't find reference to an explosion. God, no one is even twittering about this!! What the hell!? I go to the bathroom and press my face against the cool of the tiles. When I come back out, I ring the city council. They are confused by my questions.
Mum and I look at each other. We realise (because we are both geniuses in my dream!) we must have flipped into an alternate timestream where the explosion didn't happen. But everything is slightly off-kilter with this one. People are not quite the same. Dad is still reading the newspaper, completely unworried by his wife and daughter hysterically running around and babbling about explosions. How can we get back into our timestream?
Then I woke up, and am still quite wigged out and wanting to make sure I'm in my own world. Coffee needed!
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| Monday, June 15th, 2009
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1:38 pm - Singing and birthdays
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Another concert for my singing teacher's students this Sunday - I'm singing just one song, and it's quite short called 'the monk and his cat' by samuel barber as my Ganymed is not quite ready for performance. It's an awesome song tho. I wonder if I can find it for you.
Oh god I found it sung by Cheryl Studer! YOU GUYS SHE'S AWESOME LISTEN TO IT!!!
Worth pointing out I don't sound quite like this ;)
Also drinks on Friday? Who's with me! Let's do it! Meet at KAZU on Courtenay place at 5! I edit this as jazz don't start til 6. Kinda for my birthday as I figured not everyone would want to see musical theatre :)
Thanks so much for those who did come to musical theatre, I had a very awesome night :)
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| Friday, June 5th, 2009
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12:22 pm - wie im morgenglanze
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This has kinda become a singing blog I realise as I look back over previous entries. Also a slack blog. Do not expect things to change :)
My new song is awesome, it suits my voice well. Sometimes you just get songs like that where you don't have to work as hard to sound good! My teacher says it makes me sound like I'm another level* on from where I actually am - awesome!
(*level - there are no official 'levels' as such, its just where a bunch more things click into place and you can do them without thinking too much - leaving you more time to think about allll the other things that singing involves.)
Good things that my voice is doing - singing more consistently in tone between upper and lower range. Singing more clearly and with less breath.
Things I still need to work on - my tongue trying to get in the way and be a bother. My jaw tensing. More 'laugh' and also more 'puppy whimper'. Yes you can do those things together, it just messes your brain up ;D
Right, I'm going to go work on my German pronunciation. How many ways to say ch?? CHHHHH!
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| Sunday, May 31st, 2009
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5:59 pm - head = warm; torso = warm; knees =moderate; toes = frozen.
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I know heat rises, but the heat differential in my body is ridiculous!
I have just cooked some cupcakes in my new house. I love my new house. The cat loves it less. Well, he loves the house fine, he just hasn't quite managed to go outside properly yet. Sigh.
Jas is driving back from a tourney in Napier. I've had the house to myself, so I've done some singing, and some brunching with parents, and some cupcake baking. Also bought some wood to light the fire - but it chews through wood like crazy!
Now I'm curled up watching Ugly Betty. Betty is really irritating. I'm sure she's gotten more so.
I have no shows on at the moment. It's good because I need to focus on my singing *a lot* if I want to do a competition later in the year. Currently learning 'Ganymed' by Schubert.
Beautiful song. If I could find it sung by Cheryl Studer, I would link. Instead, here is Kathleen Ferrier, who also sings it but with a bit more 'posh opera singer' sound (as I think of it). Still amazing!
German is difficult. Not to understand, but to say - so many different consonants! And singing through such chunky consonants is more difficult than speaking - sustaining breath pressure! Yikes!
Time to ice cupcakes :)
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| Tuesday, May 19th, 2009
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11:27 pm - my fav piece of music
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right now is Rachmaninov's Hungarian Rhapsody, played by Olga Kern. I forgot how much I love Rachmaninov, and how it always makes me wish I was a better pianist...
We are moving to Khandallah this weekend!!! SQUEEE!!!
I will have a room all to myself for my music and my books and it will be AMAZING. My piano will live there :) Maybe I will start piano lessons again. Singing will be much easier too. There is a little private lawny thing just outside my music room which sliding doors open on to. It is beautiful. I'm so excited!
(There is also a room for Jason's games stuff, just so you don't think I'm completely selfish!)
I'm totally bopping to Rachmaninov! whee!
I should go to bed now.
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| Sunday, May 17th, 2009
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2:43 pm - Awesome :)
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| Thursday, May 14th, 2009
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11:58 pm - fooling my brain into sleep.
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Although the way I kept writing Brian just then tells me my brian (hah!) is probably all ready for sleep and I should go and lie down.
Watched our 48 entry tonight - it was awesome. Wish that Giffy and Fraser could have been there to see how cool they looked on the big screen. Giffy looked ridiculously adorable - huge eyes, and so pretty! Fraser was totally believable as his character, a big ask in such a short film. (and can he take a punch! Wow!) Jon was also very cool as the film noir detective. Impressive sneer!
Aww I want to see it all again!
I'm so proud of our film, it really seems like an amazing all round effort. The finished product, even though it was the safety cut, seemed polished. And I love our story. Yep, I'm buzzing, I loved it :)
We were discussing in the car on the ride home that the shoot felt more relaxed than previous years (though that might just be us, I'm sure it was less relaxed for the people who were directing and manning cameras and lights etc. for the whole time!)
Also I managed to watch at least half of my performance! Woo! And I didn't flinch once at the sound of my own voice (such a step forward!)
Had a singing lesson yesterday which was awesome. Singing is a constant joy. Things like the 48 are also amazing, and OH PLEASE CAN'T I DO THINGS LIKE THAT ALL THE TIME?!? Imagine that! :)
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| Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
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12:34 am - I have a sleepy sleepnwlo wakjrazzzzzzzzzzz
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RIght so two weeks ago tonight I went along to the first rehearsal of a show that opened tonight. I have two songs, plus am part of an Andrews sisters combo for several songs, plus am part of the other chorus numbers of which there are several.
It's a 1940s wartime musical revue type show, and tonight went really well. I am pleased. I was actually feeling bummed at the end, but look: I learned a show in two weeks! I have not had singing lesson in that time, and I have spent about 1/20th of the time on the songs I solo on, as I would normally spend. SO it's kind of doing my head in at the same time as I'm proud of myself. I could sing better, I WILL sing better. But must pat self on back.
Also OMG I'm tired. So tired. Rehearsals pretty much every night for the last two weeks. Plus coming up to a choir concert full of difficult stuff on 9th of May, so when I'm not doing show I'm trying to learn that music. gah.
I really wish I had a bath tub, a long relaxing bath would rock. We plan to move closer to town ASAP and also have a bath. Just need to get a renter for this place. Have someone in mind, so fingers crossed.
Also it is coming up to winter. Have I mentioned I hate winter? Maybe it's because I spent years in the pacific islands as a child, but I HATE COLD SO MUCH ARGHGHG.
Best things about being in a show: the absolute love you have for the rest of the cast at the end of opening night :)
I am tired, emotional, happy, grouchy, cold.
Night!
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| Wednesday, April 8th, 2009
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9:16 am
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SO while auditioning for a show I got roped into doing another show which is on in two weeks. TWO WEEKS. It's my own fault, they tempted me with the chance to sing the Andrews sisters. But the middle line of the Andrews sisters. That's the most difficult line of all! EEP! Not to mention choir is rehearsing full on for our upcoming concert which is full of tricksy lines. It's times like this I really feel the lack of my piano :(
I am working from home today. I love that I can be working while snugged into a huge messy cardigan and trackpants. I have also managed to do some washing and vacuum. And it isn't 9.30 yet! Right better get on that whole 'work' part of 'work from home'.
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| Saturday, March 21st, 2009
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11:39 pm - I'm a slacker
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Actually I'm very busy, just slack at posting.
Play is going really well, all feedback has been good :) 3 shows to go!
Here is my new song that I'm starting at singing. Sung by lovely soprano Veronique Gens, Faure's Clair de lune.
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| Thursday, March 12th, 2009
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11:36 pm - opening night!
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Was awesome! We made some mistakes but it didn't matter because we covered well, and the audience loved us! Wheee!
I am pleased and happy and tired tired tired. 8 shows to go!
God there are a lot of photos of me looking awful all over the place for this play though...
zzz work tomorrow.
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| Sunday, March 1st, 2009
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10:56 pm - I find myself facebooking more often than blogging
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Its like lots of tiny little blogs :)
This weekend Giffy came to stay, which was loooovely! (of course!) I was a terrible host - showed her her room the first night then went to bed, then went out on the town without her on Saturday night! Fortunately, she is an independent lass who can take care of herself.
Play rehearsals continue well, 10 days to go.
HAVE YOU BOOKED A TICKET YET!? *ahem*
I did not get into the play I auditioned for the other week, but several of my friends have, and I am pleased about this. I have a musical audition next week, and my song is all sorted (and quite cool!) but the monologue I have to learn is...uh...well...what's the word I need... oh yes: nonexistent. Hehe. I should get on that this week! If only I actually had a monologue in my current role I would just use that.
So that's life at the moment. Singing lessons, choir, play rehearsals, commuting from Upper Hutt. Gah.
Hopefully my role goes part time in a couple of weeks (though it would be nice if they told me...) and I can do other work from home, and lots more singing!
HUGS www.iticket.co.nz search for Play on :D
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| Tuesday, February 10th, 2009
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10:35 pm - Book it! :D
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| Thursday, February 5th, 2009
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10:09 pm - wassuP!?
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Indeed, what IS up??
I am excited/busy/stressed/worried/busy/happy/gloomy/busy. But mostly busy.
I am loving the madrigals that we are doing in choir. And in preparation for my audition that I plan to do at the end of the year for music school, I will also be doing a singing comp towards the end of the year. THE TERROR.
Play rehearsals continue...good? well? I suppose? Yes? They are hilarious. But tiring. I was feeling terrible because some others have their scripts down. Then I thought, 'hang on, although it seems like you have been doing this for months now, you have had the script for TWO WEEKS. It is OK that you have not learned it, especially considering aforementioned BUSY.' And that being said, I'm pretty familiar with most of the lines, it's just the cues I need to get down.
Play opens on March the .. um 13th? The Friday anyway. Thursday is gala night, so I think that all tickets are already sorted for that.
But if you would like to come I will post details about it when I know them :) Come watch me act rilly rilly stooopid on stage.
I have floated the idea of 2 days a week with my current company. Will see how the big boss responds. I would LOVE IT. Means I can do other contract work, but if I don't have much on, don't need to panic. Also much more singing. And with a terrifying comp and audition to work towards, more singing = WIN.
Did I tell you we bought a new 42" TV? Also an xbox with Lips!!! So I am having two friends from my old work around on Saturday to play. I can also have others soon :) Who would want to trek out to my house to try it? We can squish into the lounge and have drinkies :) Or we could wait until my house is slightly more than shoebox sized and play it at the housewarming! *fingers crossed*
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| Monday, January 26th, 2009
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9:35 pm - Things busy things
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Oh boy I feel so busy!
I have extra work, I've been gymming most days, I have rehearsal three times a week, and this week choir starts again, so that's another night out! Also Jason's birthday party on this Friday :)
At some point I will stop to breathe!
Finally my scales have started to shift in the other direction. Not hugely, but thank god they've stopped going UP. It is VERY unmotivating to go to the gym four times a week and do really good workouts, to watch your food, and then to PUT ON WEIGHT. RAR! And you can go 'oh yes added muscle, water retention blah' but it doesn't help at all! I still feel very overweight (argh photos of me, why why why!) but I feel positive that I am doing something about it and that I will start to see a difference soon. Knowing that makes it easier to look in the mirror :)
Today at gym I did a 'fight-do' class which is like shadow boxing and kicking. It's fun and a good workout.
Today our office was so so warm. I can't wait until my office days are over...
Must go do some more work, then go to bed by 10.30. Today I slept in and was totally zoned out on the train. Quite unsure of where I was, and what I was doing.
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| Friday, January 23rd, 2009
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8:27 pm - woowawoow
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That is a noise I like to make. Wooowaaawoooow. Try it!
Next couple months will be busy with play - had first rehearsal the other night, and I think it went well. The other cast members were all pleased with me so yay :)
I have been gymming thrice this week, which considering it was a four day week, and one of the days I had to zoom out to Porirua, was pretty good! yay!
Play starts 12 March and I think will run 3 weeks thurs, fri, sat if it's like normal ones :) Just warning ya. It's pretty funny, especially if you've ever done any amateur theatre - about a group who are basically fucking up a play. Fun! Main problem is not laughing at other people's lines!
Oy I'm tired. I'm cooking spaghetti bolognese. Actually macaroni bolognese, cos I ran out of spaghetti.
Oh and I'm still going to audition for midsummer night's dream. A couple of clashes with other play, but still worth giving it a go - auditions good! :)
I have work to do this weekend. Sigh. See ya!
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| Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
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1:51 pm - Dreams
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Last night I had a series of very vivid yet unremarkable dreams. I can still remember most of them.
There was one that took place at my house, involving someone’s lost baby, who me and Seraph’s folly were taking care of until the large Greek family next door realised it was missing and we were able to return it to its thankful parents who, with all the extended family, were hunting in the cabbage bed next door for it. The Greek grandfather had long stork like legs and he used them to step over my fence to pick up the baby.
There were also many cats who sat outside my door and looked at me and then came in and made nuisances of themselves by getting underfoot while we were holding the baby.
Dream 2:
Jenni, Margie, Jarratt and I were meeting for lunch in Manners Street. We ordered our food, but then found out the owner of the café had forgotten to tell the people who cooked his food to make it, so it was running late. Since we knew we had some time to kill we decided to go shopping then meet back at the café. I went shopping for some hair product in the little shop in Duke’s Arcade. I found the perfect product – ‘book’ – for taming curly hair. There was another product in the same line called something like ‘battle’ or ‘bludge’ or something equally pointless and unrelated to haircare. Unfortunately ‘book’ cost $148! Appalled, I returned it to the shelf, began to apologise to the staff and hint that I would come back for it another day.
Morgue walked by, and I said hi. He was trying to get to the video store, and I told him he was going the wrong way. Foolish Morgue!
Then Jarratt and I got in our car (yes we owned a car together, even though we were both still happily with our respective partners) and decided to drive around the block so we wouldn’t get a parking ticket. Unfortunately the block was unexpectedly curvy, so when we took the next turn we ended up in a dead end street in Brooklyn somewhere.
Luckily I could use my googlemaps vision to pan out from the car and see where we were.
Unluckily, googlemaps seemed to be on the blink, because everytime I zoomed back in, I ended up in the wrong place. At one point somewhere in England. I was starting to get worried because we were going to be late, also if I didn’t know where we were, how could I watch the American President being sworn in? The world started to feel all fluid and melty, and I woke up.
There was MUCH MORE boring detail in all of these dreams, be glad I spared you.
Notes to the folk in my dreams:
Jenni and Margie – next time, don’t let Jarratt and I drive off without checking the map.
Jarratt – next time, I think I should drive our car.
Morgue – I hope you got the videos back on time.
Seraphs_folly – Thanks for minding the baby with me!
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| Tuesday, January 20th, 2009
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8:18 pm - Jason's birthday party - come one, come all!
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Was on Sunday! But we were in Napier :)
He is having a party combined with another of his friends at Southern Cross bar on Friday the 30th of January! Do please come along as he is a poor inviter :) It starts any time after 8. And if you come along you get to catch up with me!!! Muahahah! I appropriate other people's birthday events!!
I am going to be in a play! At PLT. More news when I know it - it's on in March at some point. First rehearsal on Thursday. I actually got it after someone else pulled out, so it was a bit of a surprise, but a good one :)
Today I got up early, made Jason's lunch, ate breakfast. I also went to the gym after work and my quads are soooo sore. I *also* did work on the train on my lappy. It worked well.
Now I go to sit down with a nice glass of wine, watch the new episode of House and then go to bed!
current mood:  happily tired
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| Monday, January 5th, 2009
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9:14 pm - I not neglect you bloggy
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Back at work today! It was fine. I am looking forward to not being in an office every day oh yes.
Also Jas and I looked at a house in Johnsonville with the most enormous section ever. We hope our house sells soon!
I auditioned for a couple of plays and did not get into them, but the feedback was all positive so I am glad I did it. More coming up soon!
Ummm. I want to read the Dark Tower series - does anyone have them all?
Uhhhh....I am watching Alien vs Predator. Back I go :)
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| Saturday, December 27th, 2008
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8:14 pm - looking forward
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Oh dear I am a slack blogger. Everytime I sit down at the computer I think "argh I should be:
a) working
b) singing
c) staring aimlessly at facebook"
Sometimes I try to do all 3 of those at the same time. DIFFICULT.
My lounge is overtaken by boys playing bloodbowl, so I have my headphones on the laptop and am youtubing much Pavarotti and Cecilia Bartoli. Oh for next year when I have a house big enough and separate enough that I can sing without annoying Jason or the neighbours... *wants it*
2008 eh? Pretty good year. One of those years though when I sort of felt I should be doing *MOAR*.
But I think that is probably more a factor of my own brain's remembring than anything I did or didn't do.
I have done much more singing this year, and I hope to do even more next year. I do love my singing. After my last concert Jas said to me "you sounded like an actual singer!". I told my teacher this and she remembered the first time her partner at the time said something very similar to her. So 2009 = SINGING. I am so happy that I have improved so that I can actually hear and feel it :)
Also next year should bring me closer to my goal of working from home. I have my current contract, plus a few things on the back burner (which is why I keep sitting down and going "AH I SHOULD BE WORKING OMG"). By March, when my current full time contract finishes, I hope to be able to just do various projects from home. Giving me more time to sing! And do my own thing :) whee! Also should be able to go part time, given that contractor's rates rock. Seriously. It's just the lack of sick leave and annual leave that sucks.
So really I did well last year. Quit my job with nothing on the horizon, and now have definite contract stuff :) *pats self on back*
Went to England and Paris! *whee!*
Was in Oliver! *hoopla!*
Sang with a choir! *running out of exclamations!*
Probably many other things that escape me. Next year I will be 29 - almost 30, which is cool! I must do lots and lots of exciting things.
Next year what should I do more of? See my friends, sing, act... actually anything I want to do that initially makes me go "oh no, I couldn't possibly do that". That should cover it.
Hope you are all having a lovely and safe holiday time :)
current music: Nessun Dorma - Pavarotti
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