And tonight will go on forever. . .

Fiction

2010-12-28T21:24:00.001+10:00

Uhhh, so much for updating this daily! I have been a super busy panda.
Seeing as I'm so far behind on daily challenge posts, I'm not going to bother catching up all in one hit. I'll just keep going as if I never missed a day!

Day 04 - A song that makes you sad

I feel that So Far Away by Avenged Sevenfold would be fitting for this particular challenge, especially seeing as today is the one year anniversary of the passing of Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan.
This is definitely a song that I cannot listen to without being deeply saddened. It's a truly beautiful piece of music, with the strongest undertones of raw pain. My words certainly won't do it justice. . . just go listen to it.
May you rest in peace, Jimmy. I hope we meet again someday, perhaps in the next life.

The Heaviest Matter of the Universe

2010-12-20T21:25:00.000+10:00

Hyvää iltaa.
Today was quite productive, and finally sunny enough to give my horse a much needed bath. Now that the day's activities have settled, and night has landed, it's time to tackle day 3 of this song challenge.

Day 03 - A song that makes you happy

This often changes, but this week, Flying Whales by the French 'progressive death metal' band, Gojira, seems to be doing the trick.
This 7+ minute track is from the 2005 album, From Mars to Sirius.
This song begins with a 2 and a half minute intro of the chill flavour, before it kicks in with a catchy groove, lyrics not beginning until 3:05.
The lyrics speak of an almost desperate plight to find the whales within a flood of chaotic waters. The first verse is intriguing:
Waters of chaos
Have invaded all space
The flood on earth again
I have to find the whales
That once did guide us
To dry lands of life
I won't despair
I'll break this dark all around

The fairly unique subject matter combined with the song's progressive nature seems to be what prompts me to play it on repeat. An enjoyable listen, no doubt.

Huomenna tavataan!

Guns for Show, Knives for a Pro

2010-12-19T17:19:00.000+10:00

Good afternoon. The rain appears to have settled in for yet another day, so I do believe it's time to tackle day 2 of this blogging challenge.

Day 02 - Your least favorite song

Well, okay. . . compared to this, yesterday's challenge was a breeze. I'm not sure I actually have a least favourite song. If I don't like something, I simply don't listen to it. I'm not the kind of person who goes out of my way to find something I don't like. The answer to this question pretty much depends on context.
My least favourite song could be something that may have been written purely to sound good on the radio - not because the artist particularly likes whatever they've written (or had written for them, as the case may be).
My least favourite song could be a song that I actually enjoy, that is being covered by a sub-par band, and becomes painful to listen to, or even borderline offensive towards the original artist.
My least favourite song could be something that's been written with no imagination at all, full of cliche riffs and drum fills.
My least favourite song could even be a fabulously written song that drives me to think too deeply about things I don't wish to think about in any given situation, thus temporarily becoming something I don't want to be listening to.

etc. etc.

Huomenna tavataan!

Now the sound of music comes in silver pills. . .

2010-12-18T18:20:00.002+10:00

It's time to start blogging again.
In an attempt to keep my interest, I'm going to follow a series of blogging challenges.
Along with this, I'm thinking of trying out the 365 day photo challenge in the new year, but I will probably end up posting this on my Facebook.

The first challenge I'm going to attempt is a 30 day song challenge.
Here is the list of questions that I will answer over the next 30 days:

Day 01 - Your favorite song

Day 02 - Your least favorite song

Day 03 - A song that makes you happy

Day 04 - A song that makes you sad

Day 05 - A song that reminds you of someone

Day 06 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere

Day 07 - A song that reminds you of a certain event

Day 08 - A song that you know all the words to

Day 09 - A song that you can dance to

Day 10 - A song that makes you fall asleep

Day 11 - A song from your favorite band

Day 12 - A song from a band you hate

Day 13 - A song that is a guilty pleasure

Day 14 - A song that no one would expect you to love

Day 15 - A song that describes you

Day 16 - A song that you used to love but now hate

Day 17 - A song that you hear often on the radio

Day 18 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio

Day 19 - A song from your favorite album

Day 20 - A song that you listen to when you’re angry

Day 21 - A song that you listen to when you’re happy

Day 22 - A song that you listen to when you’re sad

Day 23 - A song that you want to play at your wedding

Day 24 - A song that you want to play at your funeral

Day 25 - A song that makes you laugh

Day 26 - A song that you can play on an instrument

Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play

Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty

Day 29 - A song from your childhood

Day 30 - Your favorite song at this time last year

So, here goes.

Day 01 - Your favorite song

This is actually a REALLY difficult question for me to answer, as it usually depends on my mood, and even then there are more than several songs I could pick.
However, I am going to select Seventy Times 7 by Brand New.
This song appears on the band's debut full-length album, Your Favorite Weapon, released in 2001.
I'm selecting this song for various reasons - when I don't know what on Earth to listen to, this song never fails to entertain; the dramatic changes in mood throughout the song; the fond memories of how ecstatic I was when, after having seen BN three times, I finally got to see it performed live; and just because the lyrics are so angsty while the tempo is so upbeat.

My favourite lyrics from this particular song are as follows:

So, is that what you call a getaway?
Tell me what you got away with.
'Cause I've seen more spine in a jellyfish,
I've seen more guts in eleven-year-old kids.
Have another drink and drive yourself home,
I hope there's ice on all the roads.
And you can think of me when you forget your seatbelt,
and again when your head goes through the windshield.

It speaks for itself.

x

Make a list of your favourites, write it down, make it legible

2010-01-30T18:00:00.001+10:00

Today I was asked what my favourite moments were from the NIN shows I've attended. Cross posting here so I don't lose it.

Soundwave Festival, Brisbane 21/02/2009:
- The build of excitement in the lead up to NIN coming onstage, all while watching AIC play on the stage next to us.
- Watching Robin and Trent rock the keyboard/mod synth back and forth during the 999,999/Corona Radiata mash up, and then the powerful launch into 1,000,000.
- Escaping the deathly crush of the pit by crowd surfing over the 3 people in front of me, then making my way to the middle to rock the fuck out; later finding out that I was lucky to get out when I did, before it got worse and no one could get out.
- Reptile, The Big Come Down, Wish.
- Leaving sweaty, exhausted (after an all day summer festival) and highly satisfied. Standing up for the whole hour and a half train trip home, because the train was packed, but not caring because I was still walking on air.

Wave Goodbye, Singapore 10/08/2009:
- The group conversation with Jerome before meeting the band, nerves spiralling out of control. Making new friends with fellow M&Gers, some of which, I am still in regular contact with.
- Meeting the band, of course. My loss of basic motor skills by the time I reached Robin. Shaky autographs due to shaky paper.
- Learning the tru-fax behind what happened when JMJ shaved his head.
- The rush of blood to my head when they started the show by kicking out Somewhat Damaged - the one song I particularly wanted to see - running into the pit and leaving Mum in the dust.
- Completely losing myself to every beat and note. Soaking up every last second of what was remaining of Nine Inch Nails.
- Watching Robin's facial expressions as he sang his parts at the end of Reptile - unbelievable.
- Somewhat Damaged, The Day The World Went Away, Heresy, I'm Afraid of Americans.
- Emerging from the pit at the end, completely drenched, then proceeding to tip half a bottle of water on my head.
- Laughing at Mum as she fangirled over touching Ilan's hand (jokingly) on the walk back to the MRT.

Ad Victoriam

2010-01-30T17:35:00.000+10:00

Finally, after months of looking, we have sealed the deal on a new house. And while I am 150% over moving, I am looking forward to this being the beginning of a clean start to a new year.
I must also admit that I'm excited to move away from our current neighbours, and to be out of a renting situation which leaves one with limited freedom of design in the home.
In other words: I want to hang up my damned framed stuff!
I believe it's a 30 day settlement, so we should be moving in within days before the start of the new uni year. I'm also rather keen to get back to studying. While I really did need that year off just to clear my head, I'm starting to become increasingly restless. It's time to get my life back on track.
I swear to fuck, if this course isn't right for me, then I give up. Schooling life has been full of trials for me. But I've done well to even get into university, seeing as I never actually graduated high school. . . thanks to the hospital basically becoming my second home when I was 16. ^__^ Oi.

So hum, here's to a new house, a new degree, and hopefully some new friends.

26 Things: The end

2009-09-01T15:58:00.003+10:00

Couple:

[Taken at Lennox Head]

Slope:

Plate:

Going Places:

[Taken at Brisbane Airport]

Scrambled:

In the distance:

2009-09-01T15:51:00.002+10:00

Underneath:

[Taken at Fort Canning Park, Singapore]

Bright:

[Taken at Ion Mall, Singapore]

11pm:

[Taken on Orchard Rd, Singapore at 11pm]

Today:

[Taken at Lennox Head]

Everyday:

2009-09-01T15:45:00.002+10:00

Resemble:

Childhood memory:

[Taken in Singapore]

(No parking) In the water:

[Taken at Lennox Head]

Flower:

[Taken at Lennox Head]

Button:

2009-09-01T15:37:00.003+10:00

Heritage:

Glow:

[Taken at the Night Zoo in Singapore]

Clock:

Closed:

[Taken in Singapore]

Smile:

[ :) ]

2009-09-01T15:19:00.005+10:00

Back:

Plastic:

[Taken in Singapore]

Handle:

[Taken in Little India, Singapore]

In my fridge:

Looking back at me:

So impressed with all you do. . .

2009-08-13T16:02:00.006+10:00

We rocked up to the venue just a bit before 6, as we had to meet there by 6 for M&G. The whole line up/ticket collection situation was so disorganised. They finally came to collect us at about 6:30, and Ross (one of NIN's crew guys) organised us and told us to wait together for Jerome. Jerome finally came down and got all our names, to check us off the list, and we chatted with him for a while about where we were from and stuff, then he sent us up to wait by the steps at the back for JT to take us up inside to meet the band.

Here's the view from the steps (click to enlarge):

The group of VIP's waiting on the stairs:

So we go up, and they let us in in groups of 4. Mum and I were first in line for the second group. JT led us into this little room, and the band are all standing there in line, against the wall. It was TR, Robin, Ilan and then Justin. So we go through and shake hands, say hi, get stuff signed, have a bit of a chat and say thank you.
Trent is. . super friendly. He's really softly spoken and easy to talk to. I told him he could pick whichever ticket he liked to sign, and he went "How about both? You can sell the other one on eBay." So he signed both, lolz. And then I gave him a letter from a good friend and asked, "Can I ask you a favour. . ?" "Sure." "Do you mind signing this for the same friend?" *opens Broken with shaky hands* "Oh. . silver. ." "No problem! I have silver." *grabs silver from back pocket, puts black markers on chair and signs* Me: Thank you so much. It's really appreciated. TR: It's no problem!

Then I move on to Robin. By now I'm pretty sure I'm shaking visibly. . the dude is intimidating. Really tall. . . And he's quiet and shy. I'm also shy. So not many words were exchanged. It was kinda like . .
Robin: *holds out hand* Hi, I'm Robin.
Me: *shakes hand* Hi, I'm Casey.
Robin: Nice to meet you, Casey.
Me: You too. You can pick whichever one you want to sign. .
Robin: *signs ticket*
Me: Thank you so much. *moves on*

Ilan was really quiet and shy at first, too. . he shakes hands like a girl, lolz.
Mum and I were in Chinatown earlier in the day, and we'd seen some really nice chess sets, so I told him about them. You should have seen him light up! His shyness just disappeared. We told him where they were, and he said he'd have to check it out. And as I was talking to him, JMJ butted in "Was Chinatown open today?" Yes JMJ. It was.
So I moved on to him, and got him to pick a ticket, we were just chatting idly. . I don't even remember what about. But as I went to walk away, he goes, "Wait, were those actually your tickets?" "Yeah, they are." "Cool! Did you come from Adelaide?" "No. . Gold Coast. . Brisbane. Via Adelaide." . . I don't remember what he said then. Then we waited while Mel and Stu (some other donors. . from Brisbane) chatted to him, and he was talking about how Brisbane was where he shaved off his hair. And he said he walked into the dressing room, and the whole band was like ". . . What?" lulz.

Then it was photo time. I gave Brett my camera, and I moved to stand between Robin and Ilan, but Trent kinda ushered me to stand between him and Robin. Trent put his arm around me, and had his hand like. . on my hair, so it was kinda pulling down a bit, hah. Robin had his arm around me at the start, but he must have moved it just before the photo. I don't even remember. . it's kinda a blur, and I was still shaking like mad. . . Brett took two photos, because the flash was off for the first one.
The photo isn't great. . . but I don't really mind.

Then JT told us to wait just outside the door, while Mel and Stu got their photo. . . Stu got a postcard with one of the promo pics on it signed, and he commented that Trent was the same height as everyone on it, so. . lolz. . TR stood on a chair for their photo. It's hilarious!

So yeah, then JT ushered us all back out to the foyer type thing, and then lead us back outside.

I was still shaking, and Mum was like. . "You need a Red Bull." So I got a Red Bull, and we went and chilled at the top of the hill until just before they started. As soon as the opening notes of Somewhat Damaged rang out. . I just kinda glanced at Mum and went "See ya!" And I bolted into the crowd. The pit was REALLY tame. And quite loose, so I managed to make my way to 4 from the rail. I had a great view, and was comfortable there. Plenty of room to move, and it gave me a chance to write down the set list as songs were played. Excellent spot. So I stayed there. So much for "Oh, I'm gonna chill at the back and take it all in. ." Psssshhhh. I was right in front of Robin 8D I could see all those crazy moves and facial expressions. Ilan is a BEAST on the drums. Trent changed his shirt on stage twice, and one of them got thrown into the crowd. It WAS really hot though, not as hot as previous nights had been, so that was lucky. I came out of the pit at the end and dumped half a bottle of water on my head.

Setlist:

Somewhat Damaged
Terrible Lie
Heresy
March of the Pigs
Piggy (Trent in crowd)
Reptile
Closer
I'm Afraid of Americans
Burn
Gave Up
La Mer
The Fragile
The Frail/The Wretched
Non-Entity
Gone, Still
The Downward Spiral
Wish
Survivalism
Echoplex
The Day The World Went Away
The Hand That Feeds
Head Like a Hole
Hurt

Yeah, the set list is pretty much my entire wishlist minus Sin, Down In It, The Becoming and Just Like You Imagined. I could not have asked for more.

26 Things: August 2009

2009-08-02T19:28:00.002+10:00

Mum, my brother and I have decided to participate in a photo challenge this month.

26 Things: August 2009 is a challenge where one photo must be taken for each of 26 prompt words.

Photos will be posted here throughout the month.