Bedside Library

Woke up at 2:30am, had little emotional crisis, got up out of bed at 4am... and then I was here starting a draft of this post. Deciding between depressing movie (Norwegian Wood) or reading something in bed (probably a little more sensible), I went back to bed with a selection of what is currently set by my bedside:

UFOs: A Scientific Debate
by Thornton Page (editor), Carl Sagan (editor)

Image Link

The Good War 
by Studs Terkel

Charles Manson - Coming Down Fast
by Simon Wells

Image Link

Mail

I received a few really lovely things in the mail yesterday from all over the world. Feeling loved from Canada, Iceland and New Zealand. 

And yes - signed copy of the new Devin Townsend 'Casualties of Cool' album! It was my first ever 'pledge' item. I gave it a good listen to last night - it has a very intriguing sound - very different, but still very Devin. I look forward to further listens and definitely adding a few tracks to the wedding playlist (I've promised Ben that heavy Devy will not dominate the playlist too much)... maybe a little Ziltoid... (we dance to Ziltoid together in our loungeroom).

Winter sun.

The only time of year when I welcome a little sun (I'm still sitting in the shade though). My walk to the city library was beneficial for mind and body.

How I begin to wade the waters to new music genre territory.

During my young formative music discovery years, I had always been interested in the fringes of blues, jazz, and experimental, but wasn't really too sure how to approach it. I likened it to a sense of not being ready for certain aspects of the genres; complex rhythms, strong emphasis on sound, vast history and cultural significance, and the difficulties of knowing where to start.

I look for music fans that get so excited about their genre that they are excited to speak with you about it on a level deeper than most general music conversation. It is an approach that works well for me as I approach the doors of a new sound. I've been lucky in finding a few associations such as these in the past few years. 

One dear friend and future groovy sister helped me to become more familiar with the sounds I had a curiosity about; through dinner parties, gifts, CD lending, recommendations and open access to browse her (and my brothers) collection. I was able to 'weed out' sounds I wasn't really keen on - in effort to hone in on what I was really looking for. This search of mine led to the following that now rotate in stereo time and are a stepping stone to other alternative artists I hear from time to time on FM frequency radio. I find myself approaching the genres with a little more confidence having met and pursued that connection with an excited fan. 

Metalgigs.de - Der Konzert & Party Kalender für Deutschland

With my German dictionary in hand and google.de, I was able to navigate my way through to this German metal guide. I was looking for something just like this to aid in my European travel goal of attending a few local gigs to really experience (as best as I can while visiting) the German metal scene at it's finest. I am trying to find similar bars to Amplifier & The Bakery - but I just know that with a little research, I'll find some places that are well beyond what I could ever expect. With the thrill of travel, the jolt from disrupted habits, and extreme levels of stimuli; I am certain that will influence the effect on any experience that I have, but surely the German metal scene has far greater offerings than Perth. I am so excited to see what's out there. l have so many fantasies that are played out in tune with the heavy reverberating vibrations of the music. 

Weeknight Leftovers

So.. it's 6:30pm on a Tuesday evening. 
I am both with it, and completely out of what's going on at the moment.

Philosophically, I am thrilled to be experiencing this tumultuous time to really be 'living' life... but personally... I wish things would get to a more normal routine.

How long is a piece of string?

"You've betrayed your metal heritage."

A friend of mine said this to me last night as I sat there with my French cut and neat shoes at the end of a Fremantle pub quiz night.