IWSG #14 - Boring the shrinking masses

My biggest insecurity right now, is about having to post here and say "Hey, nothing's changed!" It's getting old, and I don't doubt my visitors here are becoming quickly bored by it. However, it is just my life at the moment. I have said it recently and I'll say it again - I'm motivated, in fact I'm slightly desperate to get going again. But I just haven't shoved myself over that line yet.

I am starting to take some time back for myself as I have long felt I should, and I believe I'm creeping ever closer towards being 'ready'. I'm getting closer to that point when I will jump on my laptop and instead of going straight to Facebook to check up on the kitty rescue business, I'll open a Scrivener file instead, and get writing. Or rather, editing.

I want nothing more than to get stuck into my editing!

In other fun news, I had a DVD & pizza night at a friend's place recently, and we started our 80's fest. We watched:

• The Breakfast Club
• Some Kind of Wonderful
• Pretty in Pink.

We're not sure which movies will be on the menu next time, but the plan is to have a DVD night at least once a month, and I can't wait for the next one.

Also, another friend and I are going to a screening of Serenity this Saturday, followed by a "Shindig" at the pub next door to the venue, where apparently games will be played and prizes may be won. Woot!

8-BIT CHRISTMAS (Cephalopod Coffeehouse book club)

As it's the last Friday of the month, it's time for a bunch of bloggers to post for the monthly Cephalopod Coffeehouse (a.k.a. "Friendly Gathering") hosted by The Armchair Squid. The idea behind this monthly hop is that each month, participants will post about their favourite book read in the last month.

I read three books during November, and I really enjoyed all of them. It was kind of hard to choose which one to review here, but I decided to review 8-BIT CHRISTMAS by Kevin Jakubowski.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC copy.

I put this on the "children's literature" shelf, even though it's narrated by an adult character looking back on his Nintento-crazed childhood. But if you were a child in the 80s, you'll probably appreciate this one.

Story:

Jake is 9 years old when the first glorious grey Nintendo Entertainment System hits the market. The richest and most spoiled kid in town gets a Nintendo and all the other kids are suddenly swarming onto his front lawn, looking for new ways to suck up to him so they can have a turn on his NES. He only lets 10 kids in at a time on weekends, so the stakes are high and the competition fierce. Kids even go so far as to surrender some of their best toys just so they can go down to the rich kid's basement and Nintendo-land.

All over town, kids begin plotting how to get their parents to give them Nintendos for Christmas. But when disaster strikes - starting with a kid's tantrum, and leading to a falling TV and ultimately a squashed dog - the town's parents are up in arms about the evils of Nintendo. The only NES in town is no longer available for weekend tournaments, and the kids are getting desperate. The parents even go so nuts they arrange for local stores to stop stocking NESes on their shelves. All the kids in Jake's class are now kissing their dreams of owning a NES of their own goodbye. But Jake isn't giving up on his dream. A stroke of inspiration gives him a new plan for how to save the town from being Nintendoless forever.

My thoughts:

I kind of LOVED this book. As a child of the '80s, but also as someone who can apparently appreciate Kevin Jakubowski's sense of humour, I was snorting with laughter at almost every turn of a page (or "turn", really, as I read this on Kindle). Also, I could relate to that whole "rich kid with a NES" thing, since we had a neighbour who had every game console known to man, while the rest of the kids in the street made do with our hand-me-down Atari.

Some parts of the book seemed a bit odd to me, for e.g. rather modern-sounding dialogue like "Dude!" which I'm not sure was authentic to the 80s. But what do I know, I was just a kid back then. Perhaps my memory is rusty. ;) I also found myself disappointed with the fact that Jake didn't get a NES for Christmas - even though he got something seriously awesome instead (and no, I don't mean the Lite Brite. haha). But yeah, all in all I thought this was a highly entertaining read, and I would recommend it to anyone who:

a) can relate to an obsessive love/fondness for Nintendo,

(I myself had a Super NES, which I bought with my own saved up pocket money at age 12, and it was still beautifully lumpy and grey)

b) loves the '80s, or

c) wants to enjoy a large number of laughs (it's the best medicine after all).

Also read in November:

☆Hard to Handle by Jessica Lemmon

☆The Almost Girl by Amalie Howard

(both courtesy of NetGalley. Thank you!)

A-Z '13 - Zanzibar

During April a bunch of bloggers have been participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme this year has been an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today we are up to the VERY LAST LETTER of the alphabet (PHEW!), "Z", and the song I have chosen is:

Zanzibar - Hoodoo Gurus

Hoodoo Gurus are a great Aussie band whose heyday was probably in the 80s, though they've remained popular ever since and continue to tour (yep, they still exist). I saw them in April last year when they went on their DIG IT UP! tour in celebration of 30 years of music releases for the band. It was a great show made even better by support from Redd Kross, but anyway, moving on! "Zanzibar" is a track from the Gurus' fabulous 1984 album Stoneage Romeos, which they played in its entirely at last year's show, along with a selection of other tunes. Some of their better known songs are "Tojo", "My Girl" (such a cute video), "What's My Scene" and "Bittersweet".

Honourable mentions:

• Z-Man by Ammonia
• Zebra by John Butler Trio
• Ziah by the Red Tree

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Right, folks, that's it for now! But I will see you on or around May 3 for the A-Z Reflection of 2013. Until then, I think I'm gonna fall in a heap of not-posting-anything-at-all-no-way-no-how and enjoy a brief respite from the mad pace I've been keeping up in April. How 'bout you? :)

A-Z '13 - Under the Milky Way

Before I get to today's actual A-Z post, I want to mention that my previous post was my 444th! I like that number. I guess you could say I'm a fan of such harmonious-looking number sequences. Anyway, on with post #445! :)

During April a bunch of bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme this year is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today's letter is "U" (wow, we're up to U already?!), and the super-awesome song I'm featuring is:

Under the Milky Way - The Church

OR TRY THIS VERSION IF THE ABOVE DOESN'T WORK

This was on the only Church song I'd heard when I bought their album Starfish from a second-hand music store. Thing is, the Church are a bit legendary in Australia, though perhaps in a more "underground" way than a lot of our big names. Still, "Under the Milky Way" got this band some well-deserved recognition beyond the borders of this nation. While a lot of old-school Church fans might prefer earlier albums, Starfish is definitely one of my favourites in my collection. It did take me a while to realise it had more to offer than just this major single. But this sure is a good place to start. (Oh, and the acoustic version is stunning too)



Honourable mentions:

• Unforgiven Years by ShadowPlay
• Untitled and Undecided by Silverchair
• Under Water by lola demo
• Untitled by the Decline
• UFO by Sneaky Sound System
• Undecided by Masters Apprentices
• Unravelling by Escher
• U Cradled Me by Max Sharam (lyrics)
• U Missed the Point by Jac Stone (a contestant in this year's The Voice (Australia), as I just found out!)

A-Z '13 - Touch & That Ain't Bad

During April a bunch of bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme for 2013 is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today's letter is "T", and the songs I've chosen are:

Touch - Noiseworks


That Ain't Bad - Ratcat


I admit it - I don't know most of Noiseworks's songs. Recently, though, I rediscovered this absolute classic from the late 80s and fell in love (and not just 'cause of how hot Jon Stevens is in the clip!). It's one of those songs that gives me chills when I listen to it up really loud (which is how I listen to most of my music, actually!). With Ratcat, I have to admit I wasn't much of a fan back in the day, though I won their CD in a magazine comp at the age of 10. But since then I've paid them more attention and they've got some really great songs. This is probably my favourite, though there's a brilliant live mix (the Metro Choir mix) which features a crowd of teenaged girls screaming along with every word, almost drowning out the rest of the song (it's very awesome).

Honourable mentions:

• Tales From the Forest of Gnomes by Wolfmother
• Tear Ducts by Laura Imbruglia
• Teenager of the Year (Acoustic) by Lo-Tel (non-acoustic and less pretty version here)
• This Guy's in Love by the Reels
• This is the Sound and Tearing Me Up by Primary
• Three Dimensions by Something For Kate
• Through the Clover by Stonefield (formerly Iotah)
• Thunder by the Mavis's
• Thunderstruck by AC/DC
• Tongue like a Tether by Love Outside Andromeda
• Torn by Natalie Imbruglia
• Treasures by Felicity Groom
• Treaty by Yothu Yindi

A-Z '13 - Quasimodo's Dream

During April a bunch of bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme for 2013 is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today's letter is "Q", and it's a day of slim pickings in terms of songs to choose from. I still found a few goodies, though, and the song I'm featuring is:

Quasimodo's Dream - The Reels


In truth I only recently realised that this song is by the Reels (you and I can both learn more about the song here). I'm sure I did know at some point, but the passing years took the knowledge away from me. See, the version I know best is a cover by Kate Ceberano which appeared in her album Brave (I can't find a good version of that cover, but here is a really bad version). But we were talking about the Reels, right? Here I must confess that I'm fairly certain I only know two of their songs, this one and "This Guy's In Love". And yet they're pretty legendary in terms of Australian music, so I should totally know more about them! Never too late, I guess. ;)



Honourable mentions:

• Questionnaire by Brash and Sassy
• Quick Go by the Government
• Quicksand by Miche Suite

A-Z '13 - Pressure Down & Put Yourself in My Place

During April a bunch of bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme for 2013 is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today's letter is "P" and I have selected two songs (as well as quite a looong list of honourable mentions!):

Pressure Down - John Farnham



Put Yourself in My Place - Kylie Minogue


I saw John Farnham as a little kid, at the long-gone Perth Entertainment Centre. My little brother kept falling asleep - mum had to wake him up for his favourite songs. Anyway, "Farnsy" as we call him (we have Farnsy, Barnsy and more recently, Nollsy. hehe) is a total Aussie legend, but mention of him usually reminds me that people often confuse my surname with his. I even got asked once if I was related to him. "Yeah, he's my uncle," I said, but it's not true. Anyway, "Pressure Down" was one of his greatest hits, and I still love it today. As for Kylie Minogue? Well, I can't say I'm a big fan of her music, but this song is actually one I really, truly love. It's the best song she ever did that I've heard, and I find the video clip quite mesmerising as well!

Honourable mentions:

• Paper Aeroplane by Angus & Julia Stone
• Peaches & Cream by the John Butler Trio
• Photograph by Something For Kate
• Physical by Olivia Newton-John
• Pick You Up by Powderfinger
• Please Leave by Jebediah
• Pleasure and Pain by Divinyls
• Post-Enebriated Anxiety by Grinspoon
• Pyschoactive Summer by Def FX
• Pulse by Front End Loader
• Punch in the Face by Frenzal Rhomb
• Purple Sneakers by You Am I
• Pyramid by Wolfmother

I'm Hearing Voices blogfest - part 3 (+ I'll Tumble 4 Ya blogfest)

Yep, I've doubled up and have two blogfests to answer to today! Skip to the bottom of this post if you want to see my entry for the I'll Tumble 4 Ya blogfest - and if you're interested in finding out who my 80s crushes were! hehehehe
But first, here is my piece of flash fiction (249 words in Scrivener), for the third and final I'm Hearing Voices installment. I'll say now that it's been a great blogfest, and I have read some awesome entries for the first 2 parts. Next I shall be reading your entries for the 3rd part, of course, but for now...here's mine (again from the point of view of my character Mason, whose first name is actually Anthony, but moving on...):

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          One thing I’ve learned since the world turned to crap is that laughter is the best medicine.

          Back in the days of TLC (when I truly believed love is all you need), I worked for the wrongest team in the history of wrong teams. I spouted all sorts of bullcrap and pissed people off (I rocked at it).

          Then, the Apocalypse, and I was suddenly eating all those words I used to spout. Sort of like how mobsters eat bullets, ya know? (Not necessarily by choice). Tender Loving Crap turned to wit-shattering terror. I even pissed my pants. But slowly the numbness descended, and I took to the streets, searching for sharp edges: Understanding. Acceptance. Direction.

          I just found anger

          And a new family (not in that order).

          These people started stalking me, out in the open—(My initial assessment? Morons). But they wanted me to see them.

          To…lead them.

          Cue righteous indignation (or entitled prickdom). ‘Cause Like I need MORE problems, right? But they stared at me with their big, scared eyes, and I caved.

          That was when anger washed out and laughter washed in. Yep, I started laughing. ‘Cause sometimes it’s all you can do. No time to fall down crying. So just laugh.

          It is good medicine. I’ll stand by that one till the day I die.

          But listen, that’s all I’ve got time for. We’re going grocery shopping. ‘Cause Misovic needs more batteries (and a sense of humour).

          Aw come on. That’s funny.

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And now, for the big reveal of my 80s crush(es):

(source)

This is no joke. While I did love the cartoon, my crush on the heroes in a half shell only got going for realz when the first feature film came out (incidentally, I still adore the soundtrack for that movie - I even own it on CD!). It was really cool when I was in year 5 and 6 to draw the TMNT characters. But I was never any good at it (I'm still inclined to believe because I can't draw guys for crap - not even turtle guys).

I'll also admit to a tiny little crush on Australian musical icon John Farnham in the Whispering Jack era (hey, sue me, I was 6 when it was released! hehehe):

(source)