I make lists.
I read books.
I like clothes, food, music, my fur babies, travel, and loads of other stuff too.
I may write about any or all of these things.
Social media has been filled with some strong rhetoric and images the last 24 hours. I've read things that I wish I hadn't read. I've seen things that I wish I didn't see. Living in Australia, I don't see all American news stories covered in the same way. But, I read American news daily. I believe that our news' sources can shape our thoughts about certain stories, so I try to read several different sources and points of view when stories of interest surface.
From what I've read and seen, I think the
death of Michael Brown could've been prevented by both Brown and Officer
Wilson. Brown acted aggressively towards
the officer. He definitely shouldn't have done that. When an officer
gives instruction, you do what he/she says, whether you agree or not.
And, you definitely don't act in a way that can be interpreted as
reaching for the officer's weapon. Did the officer over-react? I think there's argument that he did. I think six shots were unnecessary. But
it doesn't matter what I think. It was up to the grand jury. They made
a decision. If the citizens of Ferguson want to protest that decision,
that is their right, and I support it. However, I do not support
looting, vandalism, setting fires, or further violence. I know we don't
live in an ideal world, but I'd like to see us learn, grow, and evolve
when such incidents take place. I don't think further destruction helps
that cause.
Those are my thoughts, but I'd like to share the thoughts of someone else. I had the pleasure of working with Danny
for a few years. He is a hard-working, easy-going, father, husband,
and friend. He is a black man who grew up in Houston, Texas, the fourth
largest city in the USA. Danny posted these words on facebook a few hours after the Ferguson announcement. His words were thoughtful, heartfelt, and eloquent. They are worth sharing and thoughtfully reading. Read, and think. (But,
please, do not use my space as a place to disrespectfully debate).
From Danny: "Today, we as a culture are dealing with centuries of
negative mental programming and a culture of lack and inferiority that
we are just now beginning to shed. We need to work toward the ultimate
goal of unity and growth (spiritual,mental, and economic) if we ever
want to move past where we've been. We got close during the civil rights
movement, but were derailed by the efforts of those who hated us for no
plausible reason other than heritage.
We have to do better and
teach our children better if we want better. We cant loot liquor stores
in our community because of civil injustice. If we're not happy with
what's going on, we need to be effective not only.with our words, but
with our actions. I just can't deal with some of these images I see. It
makes it hard for those who can articulate the real problems to maintain
any credibility when it's a stark contrast to the actions some display.
Looting is not protesting. It's just that simple."
On the train, listening to my ipod which I regularly keep on shuffle so whatever plays next is a surprise. Today, it's serving up some good ones, so I've grabbed some lyrics to share:
1.
We were the kings and queens of promise
We were the victims of ourselves
Maybe the children of a lesser God
Between Heaven and Hell
30 Seconds to Mars "Kings and Queens" written by Jared Leto
13.
I know you'll look away while I'm crying
I know you'll wear that bow with a smile
Everything I gave you, it was wasted
Love further down, adore that denial
AFI "Heart Stops" written by Davey Havok and Jade Puget
14.
Something so familiar drawn from this blank page
Every line from my hand takes me back to what I can't erase
Bon Jovi "Pictures of You" written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, John M. Shanks
15.
This song is a work of lyrical genius, so you get the whole song. The song is a story that you need it in its entirety to truly feel the emotion of the story. Seriously. If you do not know this song, watch this video, and read these lyrics. So, so good.
And it starts
Sometime around midnight
Or at least that's when you lose yourself
For a minute or two
As you stand
Under the bar lights
And the band plays some song about forgetting yourself for a while
And the piano's this melancholy soundtrack to her smile
And that white dress she's wearing, you haven't seen her
For a while
But you know
That she's watching
She's laughing, she's turning
She's holding her tonic like a cross
The room suddenly spinning, she walks up and asks how you are
So you can smell her perfume
You can see her lying naked in your arms
And so there's a change
In your emotions
And all of these memories come rushing like feral waves to your mind
Of the curl of your bodies, like two perfect circles entwined
And you feel hopeless, and homeless, and lost in the haze of the wine
And she leaves
With someone you don't know
But she makes sure you saw her, she looks right at you and bolts
As she walks out the door
Your blood boiling, your stomach in ropes
And then your friends say "What is it? You look like you've seen a ghost."
And you walk
Under the streetlights
And you're too drunk to notice that everyone's staring at you
You don't care what you look like
The world is falling around you
You just have to see her
You just have to see her
You just have to see her
You just have to see her
You just have to see her
You know that she'll break you in two
The Airborne Toxic Event "Sometime Around Midnight" written by Mikel Jollet
I took the day off on Monday, watched a couple of movies, and snuggled with this guy.
Tuesday marked fifteen years since the collapse of Aggie bonfire and twelve lives were lost. A sad day for my university.
I was liking my hot pink lipstick, so I took a photo. I'm an idiot sometimes.
Picked up some books at the library. I've had The Rosie Project on reserve for months. It was finally ready for me, and it fits a category for the book challenge. Bonus.
A friend posted this; I had to save and share.
Instagram had a campaign to bring awareness to domestic violence. I saw this post by a girl I don't know and was really moved by it.
Me at The Screaming Jets - an Aussie rock show that I'm so glad I didn't miss (thanks to Kate).
I stumbled upon a blog (The Happy Type) who is new to hosting a weekly linkup. Well, I'm new to participating in a weekly linkup. (Actually, I've never participated until now.) If I'm going to jump in as a newbie, I might as well jump in with a newbie host. Check her out here.
My contribution to things that I'm "currently loving":
Mount Franklin Lightly Sparkling Water - For the last few months, I've done a pretty good job at eliminating cokes and other sodas and energy drinks. Because of this, I've been drinking lots and lots of water. I've discovered that if I drink sparkling water it actually makes me feel fuller. I don't know if it's the bubbles working magic or what, but it works for me. Plus, Mount Franklin has these Jennifer Hawkins (former Miss Universe) sponsored wrapped bottles of water, so they look pretty while I'm drinking them :)
I don't regularly watch morning news/entertainment shows. But, if I did, I'd watch the Today Show (Australian version). Karl Stefanovic is a well-known television presenter in Australia. Some love him, and some hate him. I've found him to be somewhat genuine and entertaining. I think he made news this week for a pretty awesome social experiment. Watch here:
Butch Walker is an insanely talented musician that I (not just currently) regularly love. He's got a new album coming out soon. He's touring with Ryan Adams and playing awesome places like Carnegie Hall. He's feeding his fans with new songs from the upcoming album. This is one of them. I love the guitar. I love the vocals. I love the lyrics. Three reasons why I love Mr. Butch Walker.
Spring is my favorite season, and it's Springtime in Sydney! The skies are blue, the flowers are blooming, and the weather has been pretty close to perfect. I love that I have citrus trees in my front and back yards. Here's a baby mandarin from my yard:
Monday was these girlies' first birthday. Sally & Dolly are one year old! We were told they are 75% Great Dane + 25% German Shepherd. Now, after a year of growth, I'm convinced they are 100% mutt. Love these sweet sisters.
Tuesday was Veteran's Day in America and Remembrance Day in Australia. These are pictures of my great-uncles who served in WWII.
People freaked about the trilogy that began with Fifty Shades of Grey; I couldn't finish the book. Actually, I just didn't care how it ended, so I quit it. Now, fans are freaking about the movie trailer. The BDSM doesn't bother me. I'm just not fond of neat-freak, self-absorbed, anal-retentive people, nor am I attracted to them. Let's just say I would NOT be interested in a guy if his closet looked like this.
I commute daily by train. This is a typical view for me: book in hand, Lavendar Bay and North Sydney in the distance.
It was time to put decorations out at the store. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... (Shameless plug: www.polajewellers.com)
Ivy loves laying on her daddy's clothes (and mine too). If you can't find her, she may be in the wardrobe or closet, in a clothes drawer, or in the laundry basket.
In bed, with a book and my three kitties: My kind of Saturday night party these days.
Yes, this week had several animal photos. I can't help it. They are such cute subjects that I take a lot of fur baby photos.
How was your week?
*okay, I wrote this Saturday night but didn't mean to publish until Sunday but hit publish on accident, so it published a day early. Thank goodness I don't have many people that actually pay attention to my blog. Ha!
A few years ago, I made this crazy attempt to list all the live music
shows I've seen. I tried to include only rock/pop acts (with a few
notable country crossover artists...even though that's not necessarily
"my thing"...but I am from TEXAS after all!).
AC/DC ~
Aerosmith ~ AFI ~ Against Me ~ Airbourne ~ Air Supply ~ Alice Cooper ~ Alice
in Chains (w/new singer) ~ Alien Ant Farm ~ All American Rejects ~ Alter
Bridge ~ American Anthem ~ American Hi-Fi ~ American Pearl ~ Anberlin ~
Anthrax ~ Avenged Sevenfold ~ Avril Lavigne ~ Axe
The Calling ~ Camp
Freddy ~ Cheap Trick ~ Chelsea Smiles ~ Chlorine ~ Cher ~ Chevelle ~
Cinder Road ~ Cinderella ~ CKY ~ Clay Aiken ~ Cold ~ Collective Soul ~
Counting Crows ~ Cowboy Mouth ~ Crazytown ~ Creed ~ Crooked X ~ Crosby,
Stills, & Nash ~ The Cult ~ The Cure ~ Cyndi Lauper
Damn
Yankees ~ The Darkness ~ Dashboard Confessional ~ Daughtry ~ David Allan
Coe ~ David Lee Roth (solo) ~ Deadsy ~ Deep Purple ~ Def Leppard ~
Default ~ Deftones ~ Depeche Mode ~ Destiny's Child ~ Dexter Freebish ~ Dilana ~ Dio ~
Dirty Penny ~ Dokken ~ Dolly Parton ~ Don Dokken (solo) ~ The Donnas ~ The Doobie
Brothers ~ The Doors (w/Ian Astbury) ~ Dope ~ Downset ~ Drowning Pool ~
Duran Duran
Eagles ~ Eddie Money ~ EndeverafteR ~ Enrique
Iglesias ~ Enuff Z Nuff ~ Erasure ~ Eric Johnson ~ Eric Sardinas ~ Eve 6
~ The Exies
Fall Out Boy ~ The Faint ~ Faith No More ~ Faster Pussycat ~ The
Films ~ Finger Eleven ~ Firehouse ~ Flickerstick ~ Foo Fighters ~
Foreigner ~ Forever the Sickest Kids ~ The Fray ~ Fuel
Garbage ~
Garth Brooks ~ George Michael ~ George Strait ~ Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova ~
Girlschool ~ Godsmack ~ Goo Goo Dolls ~ Goudie ~ Great White ~ Green Day
~ Greg Allman ~ GWAR ~ Gwen Stefani ~ Guns N Roses
My girls and me at a music festival (and Camrin with the awesome photobomb!)
Hank III ~ Heart ~ Hed Pe ~ Hey Monday ~ H.I.M. ~ Hinder ~ Hole ~ Hoobastank ~ House of Lords
Ian Moore ~ Incubus ~ INXS (w/Micheal Hutchence and then later w/JD Fortune) ~ Iron Maiden
Jackopierce
~ Jackyl ~ Jane's Addiction ~ Jerry Cantrell (solo) ~ Jet ~ Jet Black Stare ~ Jetboy ~ Jimmy Barnes ~ Jimmy Eat
World ~ Joan Jett & the Blackhearts ~ John Corabi ~ John Mellencamp ~
JON BON JOVI (solo...radio station private show!) ~ Jonny Lang ~ John
Butler Trio ~ Josh Todd (solo) ~ Journey (w/Steve Augeri & Arnel
Pineda) ~ Judas Priest (w/Rob Halford & w/Ripper)
KC and the
Sunshine Band ~ Keith Urban ~ Kelly Clarkson ~ Kenny Loggins ~ Kid Rock ~
The Killers ~ Kings of Leon ~ Kings X ~ KISS ~ Kittie
LA Guns ~
Lacuna Coil ~ Lenny Kravitz ~ Lifehouse ~ Limp Bizkit ~ Linda Perry ~
Linkin Park ~ Lit ~ Live ~ The Living End ~ LL Cool J ~ Loverboy ~ Lyle Lovett ~ Lynch Mob ~ Lynyrd
Skynyrd
Marilyn Manson ~ Maroon 5 ~ Marshall Tucker Band ~
Matchbox 20 ~ MC Hammer ~ Meatloaf ~ Megadeth ~ Melissa Ethridge ~ Metal
Skool ~ Metallica ~ Methods of Mayhem ~ Michael Anthony (solo) ~
Michael Jackson ~ Midnight Circus ~ Mike Ness (solo) ~ Mike Tramp (solo)
~ The Misfits ~ Motley Crue ~ Muse ~ My Chemical Romance
One of my prized possessions ~ a pic of Nikki Sixx staring lovingly into my eyes...
Nashville Pussy ~ Neil Diamond ~ New American Shame ~ Nickelback ~ Night Ranger ~ Nine Inch Nails ~ No Doubt ~ Noiseworks ~ NSYNC
Oasis ~ The Offspring ~ Oleander ~ Orgy ~ Our Lady Peace
Panic
Channel ~ Pantera ~ Papa Roach ~ Pat Green ~ Pearl Jam
~ Pink ~ Placebo ~ POD ~ Podunk ~ Poison ~ The Poor ~ Power Station ~ Pretty Boy Floyd ~
Priestess ~ Prince ~ Public Enemy ~ Puddle of Mudd ~ Pushmonkey
Queensryche ~ Quiet Riot ~ The Quireboys
Ratt
(w/Stephen Pearcy & w/Jizzy Pearl) ~ REO Speedwagon ~ Revolution
Theory ~ Richie Sambora ~ Ricky Martin ~ Rob Zombie ~ Robert Earl Keen ~ Rolling Stones ~
The Romantics ~ Run DMC
Saliva ~ Sammy Hagar ~ Saving Abel ~
Scorpions ~ Screaming Jets ~ Scott Stapp (solo) ~ Sebastian Bach (solo) ~ Sevendust ~
Shinedown ~ Silvertide ~ Sixx AM ~ Skid Row (w/Sebastian & w/Johnny
Solinger) ~ Slash ~ Slaughter ~ Social Distortion ~ SR71 ~ Steel Panther ~ Steelheart ~ Stevie
Nicks ~ Sting ~ Stone Temple Pilots ~ Stone Rider ~ Stone Sour ~ The Strokes ~
Stryper ~ Styx (w/Dennis DeYoung & without) ~ Sugar Ray ~ Sum 41
Tantric
~ Taylor Swift ~ Ted Nugent ~ Tenacious D ~ Tesla ~ Theory of a Deadman
~ Third Eye Blind ~ Three Days Grace ~ Tiger Army ~ Toadies ~ Todd
Snider ~ Toilet Boys ~ Tommy Lee ~ Train ~ Trans Siberian Orchestra ~
Trapt ~ Tuff ~ Twisted Sister
U2 ~ Union Underground ~ Unwritten Law ~ The Used
Vallejo
~ Van Halen (w/David Lee Roth & w/Sammy Hagar) ~ Vanilla Ice ~
Vayden ~ Velvet Revolver ~ Vertical Horizon ~ Vince Neil (solo)
Warrant
(w/Jani Lane & w/Jamie St. James) ~ WASP ~ White Lion ~ White
Stripes ~ Whitesnake ~ Whitney Houston ~ The Wildhearts ~ Willie Nelson ~
Winger
Y&T
ZZ Top
311 ~ 3 Doors Down ~ 30 Seconds to Mars
I'm sure I'm forgetting some. I guess you could say that I like live music. Oh...the memories, but there's more to come...my life will always have live music! And, your valuable lesson for today is:
There are a lot of blogs out there who write a weekly round-up offering a re-cap of their week in one way or another. I'm not inventing the wheel. It is possible what I'm introducing is being done elsewhere. Each week, I plan to give you seven photos that will summarize things that happened to me, inspired me, interested me, entertained me, and more. I'm calling it Sunday's Seven Snapshots. Feel free to join in if you blog too.
I've joined a new book challenge. Read about it here. First book was this one I found at a secondhand bookstore. If you like thrillers, it's a good one. I'll definitely be reading more from this author.
This is Shelby. I knew her in high school but through the wacky world of Facebook, we've reconnected and developed a friendship we didn't share back then. Shelby is having brain surgery January 2015 and has begun a blog to take you on the journey with her. She is smart, brave, and funny. Read about it here.
Headline from this week's news regarding AC/DC's drummer, Phil Rudd.. Sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. Yes, yes, and yes. Apparently, if you mix in an alleged murder plot, you'll get yourself arrested.
Working hard, or hardly working. You be the judge.
Sydney is a fantastic, beautiful place to live, but the cost of living is ridiculously expensive. This exact bunch of grapes cost me $6.91.
This happened. It's been an inconsistent, insane season for my Aggies. I miss many games because they aren't televised her much, but I follow many games on twitter. Thanks to @AggieFootball, @aggiefblife, @TxAgs, @TAMUGameDay, sportswriter and long-time friend @BrentZwerneman, friend and fan @winohamster, and more for keeping me in the game with their twitter feeds.
This Sunday, my house took a long afternoon nap. This is a picture of Astro and me just before I got up to type this.
