Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Recovering from two eye operations

I am recovering from two eye operations so if I don't write anything or take a while to get back to people straight away that's why as I am really tired and spending a lot of time sleeping.

Life is a bit shitty at the moment, not feeling very anything except pain and fatigue but I look forward to when I will be feeling a lot better.
x

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Finally in Vancouver!!!

We arrived a few days ago, glad to have survived the backroads of Manitobe (new nickname) and Saskatchewan as well as the snow and goodbyes of Calgary.What a marvellous and brightly coloured city! On the first evening we went out for a special birthday dinner at the Modern Club, had yummy Okonomi's and to True Confections for dessert eating Pumpkin Pie, Blueberry Cheesecake and Fresh Berry Pie. After that we needed a few days to hibernate and just rest after an 11 day trip across Canada to get here. I am excited and looking forward to getting out and getting to know the city and have so many coffee appointments with people I can't keep up.
I am meeting with some other musicians this week and do expect to be out gigging in the next few weeks, just little intimate shows to begin with, to go with the weather and testing the waters. More news soon!
em

Monday, October 16, 2006

Emaline is playing piano, scary :)

I got this electric piano just under a month ago and the songs have been pouring out of me like a fever and annoying the crap out of my partner, constant practise and refinement.

I am really excited as it's been over two years since I had a keyboard or piano of sorts because of all the traveling, moving about and I wasn't sure if I had any real skills on this instrument but it looks like there has been something hidden away in me and it's finally coming out.

I'm no Tori or Amy Seeley (nod to you Amy) but I am not too bad and I am confident I will be playing at least a song or two at the next bunch of shows.

I am going to do my best to get some demos of these new songs done on my 4 track and up on here before I head out to Vancouver in the next few weeks so you can hear what I have been up to, just don't ask me what key anything is in, I haven't the foggiest :)

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Joanna Newsom Last Night & Guitarist Wanted for Summer Tour

Are you obscenely talented on guitar and looking for a gig next summer?

Go here, read and listen; www.myspace.com/emalinesguitarsongs

Thanks!


Joanna Newsom last night!!!


I went to see Joanna Newsom perform at the Mod Club in Toronto last night with Sahra, Jason and Andreas and it was awesome.

She's a wonderful story teller and soooo cute, not to mention the amazing talent she has with the harp. I feel inspired.

The only thing thing I would say that could have been better was having the show at a different venue with more seating as it damn hurt to stand up for nearly 3 hours all squished up. Oh and the opening band were good too though I don't know their name, something weird. Will try and find out.

Monday, September 25, 2006

Winter Concerts!!!

I will be doing a bunch of intimate, stripped back shows as part of a winter concert series with a few different musicians on piano, strings and vocals between December and February.

I will be concentrating on my more quieter material, new piano compositions as well as a few more upbeat tunes to make sure you stay awake!

I will be joined by various different pianists and string players at different shows and you will also get to hear some of their music as an added bonus.

For now, here is a little bit about the series;

Coming this cold season:

"in the winter dark"

A series of very special winter concerts featuring Australian singer/songwriter/artist Emaline Delapaix and special guest artists/musicians.

www.sonicbids.com/inthewinterdark
and www.myspace.com/inthewinterdark for more information

Friday, September 22, 2006

Enough For Me featured on "The Bleeding Edge" Podcast 22nd September

Enough For Me is featured on "The Bleeding Edge" Podcast for 22nd September as well as a bunch of other awesome music.


If you have itunes, just click on this link to load it otherwise check out official site for "The Bleeding Edge" to find out more.

Thanks for your support!


em

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

there are many things i love (written @ the calgary airport, Aug 06)

soy vanilla chai, airports, email, my monkey posing as a cat bag, digital photos, twinkling city sky lights, the blonde hairs on my arms, elastic bands, bare feet, sweet potato burritos, singing and making them feel something, my beaten up passport and it's many stamps, portable music, phoning home, london at 3am, grandmas cheesecake, australian summers, st moritz dressed in winter, teaching myself to forget, dogs running & smiling, flax & soy corn thins, making toffee after midnight over the stove, red wine with friends, the smell of the ocean, fresh flaky croissants from nice, the london 73 bus, her kindness, moondog parties, wild buffalo nights, postcards, sushi, damien's dress sense, venice in september, white peaches, cocktail onions, canolis from college st, the city when everyone's sleeping, fingers that tell a story, eating sweet pastries in zurich station, napping after dinner with a full belly, watching the sunrise in cornwall in december, paperbacks with well worn covers, richmond sunsets up on the hill, hari krishna melbourne lunches with tim and ambika, not speaking but understanding, hot chocolate on commercial drive, picnics in the dandenongs, curtains, swiss dark chocolate and most of all, socks with sandals... i'm sure there's more to come

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

on the eve of thirty years

on the eve of my thirty years i am here listening to paper doll over and over by lovely uk friends "hush the many" and waiting from my okonomi to arrive.

5 wishes i have on this eve of my thirtieth year;

1)to make a lovely, moving record by early next year called "peculiar places"

2)to make up with people that i have been estranged from

3)to have a lovely peaceful day tomorrow, eat delicious food &
smiles lots

4)get my bubbles back

5)be happy

Monday, September 11, 2006

What is up?

1)Touring in the summer was sweet and sometimes hard but in the end it was worth it and I learnt a lot.

2)New friends, old friends and some friends who weren't friends but now I know.

3)Growing up is hard but must be done.
I will be 30 in a few days, I am scared but glad, it is the year of the first album, I am finally ready.

4)Recording with Sahra soon, 3 songs for the new album, me on guitar, her on harp, violin and flute and others guesting, very excited.

5)Moving to BC in the next few months, again fear but excitement, and feeling that this is the right thing and there will be the right people for more music mayhem.

6)New songs!!! 5 of them, it's been so long, 4 on piano too, I am very pleased and working on finishing them now, one is called "Wanderlust"

7)A few lines from "Wanderlust"

I remember london with it's filth and exotic dreams,
moondog parties and living on sainsbury's baked beans

I remember stuttgart, that little boutique hotel with
cold cuts, boiled eggs and that nasty hard bread I despise
that obscenely large room with the stripper channel,
and laughing at the absurd with sara

I remember Venice, bus rides to who knows where,
writing postcards by the canal, the late september sunshine warming me,
lost in dark little lanes, arguing with daniela, silly,
then early morning kisses just out of town,
the quiet healing me

8)Spare a thought for those who lost loved ones in 9/11.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Quickie from Trail, BC

Hey folks, just checking in from Trail, BC.

We have had some fun shows over the past week;
Kimberley Arts Fest: there was a spa and washing machine in our apartments, plural! and we met the Dave Ward Trio, awesome guys.=, cool town. Creston; lovely show at the Snoring Sasquatch, Nelson show was awesome as per usual, thanks Gary & crew and loads of loveliness and oh the new DR Who was on TV after the show so I stayed up enjoying it with root beer and snacks. Nakusp; LOVED the Spank Me Man song, shown by all the Spank Me Man buttons I sold afterwards and now in Trail, lots of fun, friendly kids who said I sound like Hilary Duff?!? & lots of older folks, nice to see you gettin into the Spank Me Man song, clappin and toes tapping, blue rinse rocks!!!

Ok we have a really long drive tomorrow to Ashcroft so I should get off here. Di from Kris Demeanor & his Crack Band is asking me for help on how to use myspace, oh the amusement never ends....

Monday, August 14, 2006

my first meeting with a chipmunk

my first meeting with a chipmunk


at the edge of the sand
bathing on rocks
we watch each other carefully
curious and lonely for companionship

i speak softly to him
imitating, offering cherries
placing them on flat stones
sweet and accessible to his little hands

i hold my breath and finally he takes one
trusting and pleased
we share fruit in silence by the kootenay lake

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Update, Smiles & Rain

Oooh it's a lovely night here in Revelstoke.
Unfortunately due to bad weather our second show (first was last evening) was cancelled so we are holed up in the Minto Manor B & B in town all snuggled and warm.

Quick update, did some shows in Vancouver which were fun and caught up with some friends, one friend Jesse in particular I was especially glad and happy to see again. Really made my night. I hope to move to Vancouver later in the year so I am super excited that I might get to hang out with him a bit more, and perhaps record in his studio?

I spent Monday roaming around Vancouver, mainly on Commercial Drive buying far too much in the organic stores, greasy spoon breakfast and sushi for dinner. Also bought myself a Uke? Guitar and sat in the park for a while playing with the acrobats and merry makers as they went about their crazy day.

Stopped in Armstrong on Tues and played a show with fellow Australian musician Tessa Lee which was a lot of fun (slept in her funny blue van that night!) and then did 6 hours worth of shows the next day including a morning stint at the Kelowna Farmers Market (loads of fun) and Revelstoke Concert Series last night. It's so pretty here, even with the rain and we really appreciate the hospitality given to us by local sponsors Minto Manor and Nelles Ranch where we are staying.

I was feeling a little crazy over the past few days but think I have settled down again.

Tomorrow we head to Kimberley for a few days with a couple of shows at the Kimberely Arts Festival which we are looking forward to, as well as a nice night off tomorrow night checking out the town.

Have been a bit slack with the photo taking since Calgary but will have something up by the end of the weekend I am sure.

What else is new?
Tonight I learnt how to burp the alphabet, enough said....

ciao!

Monday, August 07, 2006

this isn't toronto - unfinished?

another writer in another cafe
sweet pastries, organic french drip coffee
vancouver august summer breeze
mangos, fat beats
an old friend, an old lover
interpretive paintings, a lending library
my new green uke guitar
swaying hanging plants, dying cell phone battery
but not caring, butterflies flap in my belly
middle aged men philosophizing over green tea
downtown bus in a blue glow, fading black palm ink
relaxed in kindness, the promise of new comforts
this isn't toronto

Monday, July 31, 2006

I love aeroplane jelly - untitled song?

i can't be expected to know
or smell it,
to sense the fever
with this calculated distance
stealing ice from your glass
just to be close to you

i won't pretend to understand
or carry these heavy stones
strapped across my back anymore
when it aches in all the wrong places

sugar high
crashing low
but still so many miles to go

when i am not allowed to speak
because my words chip away at your layers
jelly underneath
sweet and sticky
oozing between my joints

sugar high
crashing low
but still so many miles to go

so just let me speak...

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Write while I can

Hi all.

Hope you are doing well back in reality.

We have been on the road coming up two weeks on monday and having a fine time and seeing some beautiful and special places.

Since I last wrote we played a fundraiser for Women's Place in Kenora, and ice cream shop in Brandon, the Forget Summer Festival (where I accidentally got a little too stoned on Codein due to my injured back, but I managed to dance across the stage or something?, a fundraiser for Transition House in Regina, this show rocked!!!, I take it back, Regina doesn't really rhyme with vagina!, A median strip in Winnipeg as part of our to lunch concert series, house concert in Winnipeg (loads of fun!), Art Gallery in Saskatoon (lovely raspberry cheesecake to die for), bluechair cafe in Edmonton (cool folks and lovely to catch up with the lovely amy seeley and share a song), calgary farmers market during the day today and tea/wine bar in Banff this evening, sweet folks and rockin pizza and chocolate brownies! Phew, a lot eh?

We have two days off now, YAY!
We are going to the Calgary Folk Fest tomorrow to support dear friends Kris Demeanor & his Crack Band and oooh Dar Williams & Ani Difranco are playing too. Super awesomeness.

Well it's after 1am and we have to be on the road by 9am so until next time check out some of the tour shots so far at www.bugbitten.com/emalinedelapaix

:)

em

Monday, July 24, 2006

Review from Wawa show last week!

To see article and pictures check out this link; http://www.wawa-news.com/Newspages/07-19/Emaline.html

Emaline Delapaix and the "The Delistocracy" Play Rock Island

Emaline Delapaix and her band of merry players as they are known (aka The Delistocracy) enthralled the full house at Rock Island last night. A tough thing as the audience must have been torn between the beauty of sound, and the beauty of the sunset as seen from the "Great Room's" picture windows. Even Emaline herself remarked that this had to have been the most beautiful place they had ever played in!

These five women who were playing their second concert together on this Canadian tour played well together, but also allowed their individual talents to shine. A wonderful pianist, a rocking guitarist, a viola player who wrung such sweet notes, and a drummer who kept fingers or toes tapping. And above all a singer imprisoned in a chair (due to a slight back injury) who struggled to sit still as she sang so eloquently.

It is quite difficult to peg down exactly what kind of music these talented women play. The audience was treated to a blend of traditional folk tunes to some comtemporary rock (well sorta). The best song, and the one that received the most applause was one that dealt with the issues of placing your resume online in the search for employment. Emaline related to us via music, the variety of jobs she was offered in London, England during a recent job search; a "spanking" position with no other strings attached, or perhaps as a topless limousine attendant (you can work as many hours as you like!). Every song had someone in the audience tapping fingers or toes.

But all joking aside, these ladies have lots of talent, and was remarked that it would be nice to see them perform again towards the end of their tour, as their talents and onstage rapport will meld them into a simply outstanding group.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

First 3 Shows For Summer Tour

I am way too tired to write a lot about the first 3 shows of the summer tour but it's been a lot fun so far; people are really digging the spank me man song, we slept in a yurt and we've even managed to do laundry this week which I think is pretty bloody amazing in itself. Beats last years record of 3 weeks!

So far we have played shows in Temagami (scenery to die for), Wawa (lovely exfoliating sand!) and Thunder Bay (jello shots with Toronto band Maps of the night Sky).

We now have the dodgy video camera I got off ebay working as well taking photos at shows so I will have this trip well documented.

Ok I am very tired and my back is hurting.

I feel very old and approaching 30 fast.

Come and see me perform in your town while you can, before I am old and grey and need depends.

Oh dear.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

11 Performances in 9 Days

1)Billy Bragg is a communist the man yelled from the audience
2)We escaped the Blue Mountain Storm safely and in one piece
3)TV is fun and scary and I looked like a big dork on the show
4)Nope, nothing is changed I still hate the sound in pubs
5)I still love playing in housing co-ops, and dutch exhange boys are cute
6)Are there any vegetables in Oakville ON?
7)You're a DJ and you will promote me on your show? which show? Oh you can't remember the name of it? How stupid do you think I am?
8)South River? South of what? It doesn't matter, you still rock!
9)Weird, Weirder but nice

Friday, June 23, 2006

First Shows with the Delistocracy!!!

Hey there

Finally I have a little bit of time to write about the first shows on the tour with the Delistocracy are going.

After a very quiet start for the first show things have really started to pick up and wow what a wide range of audiences we have been having and lots of fun too.

The first show was very quiet and the second we were nearly blown off the stage at the Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood, but we survived and people seemed to enjoy it. Then we played at Artwherk Pride on Mon 19th. You may remember I had some of my pieces displayed there last year. It was loads of fun and nice to see the Artwherk boys again.

Tuesday was a hometown show for Aurora with a bunch of her buddies and her mum coming out to support us. Sound was a bit dodgy but we made it through and had a lot of fun and Aurora's mum brought us a bunch of groceries which was nice for the long journey to Ottawa the next day.

Wed we played the Terra Firm Housing Community in Ottawa which has been my fave show this week. Really fun people and they helped us with killer backing vocals on Down This Road! My dear friend Benoit filmed the night so I am hoping I can get that up on the web at some point. We hope that we made the first house concert at Terra Firma a memorable night and that they will continue to have such concerts in the future and we would love to come back again.

Last night, played at quirky little cafe in Oakville where we had loads of fun and the audience were really friendly and accomodating. Thanks to John for setting that up at such late notice.

We have a few more shows this weekend including FRWY Cafe tonight in Hamilton, Toronto Roots Fest tomorrow 2:30pm and Renees Cafe in South River in the evening and a very special open air house concert at the Mount Nemo Lookout B & B in Burlington on Sun with some delicious food and wonderful music. We hope to see some of you out there. It's gonna be a lot of fun!

Ok then, I will write more in a few days, enjoy your weekend :)

em

ps)photos from first few shows can be viewed here

Friday, June 16, 2006

Let Me Hear Your Body Talk

I am waking up this morning with Olivia Newton John's most hilarious song "Physical".
Do you remember when that came out? The video is also a real laugh.

Anyway, we are going to be doing a bunch of fun covers on this tour including yes you guessed it "Physical" which is gonna be soooo fun, just gotta find some purple and pink sweat bands and leg warmers to top it off!!!

Oooh and I am excited to say there will also be a Tori Amos, Kate Bush and Ani Difranco song as well.

Tomorrow is our first gig together as a band so I am excited and nervous in equal amounts but happy to be playing again, and with some kickin new versions of the songs. Wait till you hear them. Silently Sweet is smoking and Melting Down is so fun.

I've also pulled out an old piano song and there is a new song, Balloon that I have been itching to play for ages. I also have a couple of other new songs that I want to try out in the next few weeks so I hope you like them.

I will write after the first couple of gigs at the end of the weekend!

Current Music: "Physical" by Olivia Newton John
Current Food: Raspberry Spelt Square from Little Stream Bakery

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

I Work Hard For The Money While Hitler Gives Speeches In The Square

Anjuli and I played at Ladyfest in Lansing on Sat.
Bit of a shame that everyone was at the "NAZI" rally in town.
Can you effin believe that? I couldn't stop thinking about that on stage
while we were playing and trying to smile on "down this road".

The idea that people use their civil liberties to give speeches on hate
and racism boggles my mind no end even though I know everyone has a right to their opinion and beliefs. Oh and just to top it off they are apparently a traveling group touring all over the US to promote their hatred, Oh Joy.

I feel like I have been a bit protected coming from Melbourne, but who knows maybe my next door neighbour in Richmond was a Nazi, you just never know.

Lansing is a weird place.

We ate at this Carribbean/Mexican restaurant with the most awful but hilarious karaoke on tv that you have ever witnessed with shiny yellow jumpsuits and all.
Anjuli was laughing so hard she nearly couldn't go inside. You see we peeked inside to see if it was safe first. It was right next to a hair diner. What the hell?!?

But it is so unfair. In Rochester MI they have the coolest stores including Trader Joe's and Whole Foods which is much better than the Toronto lame ass Whole Foods that pretends to be a healthy store but sells the same junk as a normal supermarket but jacks up the price.

Lynda and I stocked up and spent a blissful hour gaping at all the cool things.
You see, I recently went to the naturopath and it seems that I have a crappy dairy allergy of sorts so I have had to cut back my dairy, I am nearly vegan and there isn't much for me to eat here in Toronto. No good vegan cheeses here but at Trader Joe's!

I would like to be vegan or close to it anyway so I guess these are the first steps.

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Poem For Abandoned Cats

once I was cute and little
and you were enchanted by my blue eyes
my sweet darling face

every night after dinner
you would let me fall asleep on your lap
and I felt safe and warm
special and loved

I didn't know that one day you would change your mind
growing tired of me when I grew into an adult
losing that baby charm
the christmas gift you no longer wanted

I am afraid of what will happen to me
because you sent me away to this shelter
You told the lady at the desk
I don't fit into your busy life anymore

I feel so sad because I am not an old pair of shoes
or a broken tennis racket that no longer works
I still have those same eyes and sweet face
but now that I am six, I am not so little or youthful

is that why you don't want me anymore?

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Tired with open eyes

I just finished reading "Zoya's Story, a woman's struggle in Afghanistan" and now I can't sleep, that and my eyes are swollen from crying. Check out www.rawa.org for more info.

I feel like there isn't enough of me to help all the causes I would like to in the world. It's like I have to prioritise and I hate having to do that with such important things.

This week I am starting in a fostering program for homeless cats.
Looks like we will be getting a little boy and girl if all goes well and
I hope I can help them have a little happiness in their lives.

There are so many homeless animals, so many dumped by assholes who should be forced to pay for a license before they get a cute kitten that grows into a cat that then isn't cute enough so they dump them. There are so many pets in Toronto and North America looking for a home. Check out www.petfinder.com

Ok now I am tired and the rant is over.

Thursday, March 30, 2006

A Little Bit Of Country

I thought I got country music out of my system with Maureen McCormicks (aka Marcia Brady) "When You Get A Little Lonely" CD many years back and now I discover Christian Kane (aka Lindsey from Angel) has a band and it's good, oh dear....

Don't laugh, "When You Get A Little Lonely" was one of the only things that could get me out of bed and off to the crappy day job I had at Kmart all those years ago when I was just a teenager, yes I worked at Kmart!, we all gotta start somewhere.

I have a half finished country song sitting some place, only has a chorus and a bridge but it's pretty good, anyone wanna crack at it? LOL :P

Current Music: The House Rules by Kane
Current Obsession: myspace music

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

On Waking

wake up from hell
dragging loss of life
into the kitchen
feed the cat
brushing pound cakes and
naked breasts out of my head

turn on the computer
dream the email
spill yesterdays coffee refill
onto my socketts

looking like a cave woman
let the cat out
cover my face
bah! who cares

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Getting Out Where The People Are

Today I am very pleased with myself...

The tour is coming along nicely, my photography is coming out well, who would have known eh? And I started to write a new song, it's been sooooo long since I have been able to put music to words. I have been writing a lot of words, they have been pouring out but the music has been a bit of a struggle up until now.

I do however need to get out and do some stuff, meet some people, stir some trouble up or something. I am a semi hermit. A semi hermit that doesn't know that many people in this city. Anyone having a party or going out dancing?!? ;P

Current Mood: funky
Current Music: Disco!
Current Obsession: marmite on brown toast with nutritional yeast flakes, mmm

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Sleep When I'm Dead

So yes I am touring Canada again in the summer with most of the lovely new band that still doesn't have a name. There are a few dates booked so far, check them out on the gigs page on the site. Ideas for a band name are very welcome, I am stumped!

The Album:

Yes I know, it's taking far too long but these things happen, but I promise things are slowly moving onward. I am going to be recording a couple of tracks with friend and fellow musician Dean Wolfe at his home studio in the next few months and am going to be recording "Friday Morning Lullabies" with Sahra on harp sometime soon as well when we can get together. I am also looking for another studio to record a couple of the bigger, more demanding songs in Toronto and elsewhere.

Oooh and I would love to have Danny Michel work on a couple of tracks, playing, producing etc? Do you think I could afford him? And yeah I have a bit of a crush.
Bloody Canadian Men!

Current Food: Popcorn
Current Obsession: Danny Michel

Friday, March 17, 2006

New Band New Band New Band

So I have been lucky enough to find nearly everyone for the new band including the following talented musicians;

Anjuli Dawn - guitar/bouziuki/vocals
Monique Giroux - viola/violin
Aurora Bangarth - percussion/kit/marimba if we can find one for her :)
Sarah Nematallah & Liana Berube - sharing violin duties
Lindsay Kotowich-Downes - trumpet

I am meeting with some pianists and cellists over the next week so wish me luck.

Oooh this summer is going to be so much fun!

Current Music: Francoiz Breut
Current Obsession: Saskatchewan

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Untitled, Unfinished

Can you remember when you were truly happy?
underneath all of this two ing and fro ing to be
the best, the best at what?
I am hurting, longing for simplicity.

Current Music: UNE SAISON VOLÉE by Francoiz Breut
Current Obsession: Dreams but not by my making

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Everything, for a reason

What I am creating, it's important.
It's not something that can be done in days or even months.
To get it right one needs to have the correct ingredients, the right people, the right time, the longing and the need, wanting to do good, give and take.

It's something that the world needs in this time of darkness, fear and sadness.
It's all that I can give really, for now anyway.
I think I was put on this earth for this reason and want to help heal with others who feel the same, slowly they are starting to creep through the door but we are all so afraid of being hurt.

Time and faith eh?

:)


"in delight and in regret"

i can see out onto the street
from this shambles, pretty on the outside,
the snowflakes escaping into the apartment on beverly

but everyone is too busy to notice
the little ex patriate
filling up the day by spreading out the chores,
lonely fingers longing for a piano

big cities lose me
and I lost you
but I try not to dwell on mistakes,
we are both who we are, in delight and in regret

forget, forge ahead
i don't subscribe to this self pity

so let me loose
out into the wide open fields
smattered with canola
in the albertan air

let me go
i will close my eyes when you drive too fast
on the saskatchewan highways,
it won't hurt a bit
if it gets me where I need, to b.c

Current Music: animus & singing to the bones by the lovely wendy rule
Current Obsession: listening to demos people have sent me

Monday, February 20, 2006

Peculiar Thoughts

Wow, sitting still is really, really hard!

I have been conversing with many musicians about the supergroup I am putting together but I can't say anything yet until things are finalised but I can
promise you wonderful music, humour and talent beyond compare!

Last night I went crazy and baked lemon and almond cupcakes and chocolate chai cake, oh as well as mint lemonade. The homemaker in me went on a rampage and this morning I am paying the price after eating waaaay too much :)

I am currently reading the Poisonwood Bible and I am having the weirdest dreams including goats and boats and huge freeways and beaches??? I don't know what's going on.

Current Music: drive by bic runga & winter light by tim finn
Current Obsession: cooking desserts

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Mmm Lemonade....



Last night we had a right ol cooking fest making carrot & couscous pie as well as raspberry mint lemonade and mint lemon iced green tea which were delicious!!!

I got the recipe for the pie from a zine called ripe by jae and changed it around a little bit.

The lemonade/tea was inspired by some recipes I saw on you grow girl, an awesome gardening site for every day people with some really neat stuff on it.

As you can see there wasn't much of the raspberry mint lemonade left but not to worry, I have two other jars full in the fridge.



Raspberry mint lemonade (makes around 2 litres)

4 lemons
1 punnet pureed raspberries
handful of mint leaves
1/3 cup - 1/2 cup sweetener (I used maple syrup)
ice cubes (5-10)
water (add to taste)


Puree raspberries then place in saucepan on low heat on the stove and add sweetener cooking for 2-5 mins.
Juice lemons then add juice, a few bits of pulp, mint leaves, raspberries, sweetener and ice cubes to pitcher and stir.
Then to finish add cold water to pitcher until full or until it tastes good.'

Leave overnight if possible to allow flavours to soak and mingle, mmmm.

* Word of warning, don't overdo the drinking as I had about 4 glasses last night and have a bit of a tummy ache now but it was worth it!

Current Music: Danny Michel, perfect on repeat
Current Mood: lazy
Current Obsession: cooking, eating, making stuff

Thursday, February 02, 2006

What The Hell Is Wrong With Us?

The other night I went to see a documentary in Toronto called "The End of Suburbia" and it got my head spinning about the future of our planet.

What is going to happen when we run out of oil?
Reality now people! There will come a time when it will happen and that time will be soon if we keep using the resources we have as fast as we are today. We all know the real reason that George Dubbiyah sent troops to Iraq, so why aren't more people out there shit scared? I know I am.

So I ask myself;
are there enough people out there who care about the planet and our future to do something about this?

A recent vegetarian (just over 1.5 years) I have been slowly investigating how we really treat the planet and have been trying to change the way I live and do things so I don't take/use more than I need. Eventually I would like to be a sustainable individual, growing and making as much as I can and teaching what I know to others. I am re learning how to use books to write in, instead of the computer, learning how to make my own paper to make my own books, looking into natural therapies and re using, recycling as much as possible and so many other things.

Some questions for you;

How many things are using electricity in your house right now? Do you need more than one light on?
Do you know where your eggs come from and how the hens who lay them really live?
Do you really know what is going on in Iraq? I am the first to admit that I don't know as much as I would like but here are a few good places to start to educate yourself about what's going on around you;

peakoil.net
sleeping with the devil
newurbanism.org
alternet
downbound
freedocumentaries

Look out! I think something has switched on in my brain.

Current Music: danny michel & mia doi todd
Current Food: plum & walnut yogurt
Current Obsession: self education

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Read Me

Hey I am soooo tired this morning.
I have been staying up into the wee hours of the morning over the past week doing silly things.

Exciting news; I am a featured writer for online magazine Mosaic Minds this month.
They have included 2 of my poems and one prose including Lavish, In Truth, Poem For Australia so check em out.

Apart from that I have a few other features coming up for my photography/writing in the coming months. Also you can now buy a couple of pieces of my photography work in the store.

Today I am heading north to look after someones dog for the two days.
Will be a nice change of scenery and I hear it's a lovely apartment block.

First I must drag myself to the shower and eat something...

It's a hard life :)

Monday, January 30, 2006

Productive Week




I spent a very productive last week writing, submitting artwork/writing to magazines as well as making contacts with new musicians. Some of my photographs and writing will be featured in online magazines Mosaic Minds and Empowerment 4 Women in Feb/March so be sure to check them out.

I made my first handmade card on the weekend and will be making my first recycled paper this week to add to future cards. I am hoping to add my photography and poetry to handmade gifts. I am also going to be taking a bookbinding workshop in a few weeks so I can put together my poetry/artbook "Hope Grows" all by myself with my own hands. I am sure it will be a very satisfying feeling once completed.

As you can see, the lovely Pamela has added some stuff to my website and there will be loads more in the coming month including photography available in the store.

Today is a lazy day, after the busy weekend.

This week I am looking into getting myself a decent electric piano to work on some new and old songs as well as something to record everything with as a lot of my belongings are still in Australia. I have been very lazy with the guitar practise but on the weekend I did have a bit of a break through on an old song that myself and others have had trouble playing over the years and somehow it just clicked and now I know how to do it. Sounds a bit silly doesn't it, since I write the songs but I am not the greatest at playing them the best they can be, with the best technique without mistakes but I will get there.

Pulled out some old self portait & other photos I forgot I took last year and will be adding them to the site as well soon.

:)

Current Music: Manzanita by Mia Doi Todd
Current Food: GoLean Crunch with Almond Breeze
Current Obsession: making handmade cards, poetry & fresh pineapple

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Breath & Be Patient

I am learning something new.
"Patience" and how to believe in my ideas, and goals and not to settle for anything
less than what my songs and I deserve.

I learnt so much on the last tour...

What the piano can do for me and my songs.
Where my energies should be directed.
That things aren't always my fault.
That I miss having a band and cello and sisters in music.

So I leave behind that old skin; grumbling, appologising, fearing,
instead looking for other people to whom music is just as important as it is to me, to form partnerships and collaborations, to help each other, really help each other this time..and to help save the world with music.

Current Music: If I Sang It Pretty by treasa levasseur
Curren Mood: Open

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Farewell England

I don't expect I shall be returning to England any time in the near future.
I feel that I have had my time there and am looking for other challenges in places
more suited to my music. That's something I discovered on this last tour.
Of course there are a few exceptions, you know where you are...

No more smoky pubs, drunken men leering.
Onward to a brighter, more confident future.

Thanks to Amy, Emily and Teresa for hitting the road with me.
We have some fond memories, and photos to prove it, so I will get them up on the bugbitten site in the links page in the next few weeks.

I am taking a break from performing and working on my guitar playing and songwriting.
I am looking for a guitar teacher and pianist and other musicians to put together a band again as it's lonely being the singer/songwriter/instigator.

Sunday, January 01, 2006

10 Things That Tell You That Your Gig Is Really Going To Suck



10 Things That Tell You That Your Gig Is Really Going To Suck

1.There is a bad shirt contest
2.They are playing AC/DC and choir music before you start
3.The crowd is older than all of your bandmates put together
4.Before the show even starts the barman asks you to play "lively music"
5.The barman is wearing a skirt
6.The owner is pissed by the time you take the stage
7.The owner tells you he booked you without hearing your music
8.You have to explain the difference between original music and covers to an audience member.
9.There are pubic hairs in the shower of the room you are staying in
10.It's New Years Eve!