That Happy Feeling

Heartland

In 2001 the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir commissioned Heartland, by Matthew Hindson, a young australian composer.   The piece was commissioned to be performed at a joint Australasian GLBTQI choral weekend, which had been given the title "Camp Music", a spinoff of music camps from High School, university etc. 

The programme notes from the score say it was written to evoke a "heartland" or a place to which you feel a great sense of attachment, as well, where you most feel safe and secure.  There are 4 separate pieces in the Suite.   The Introduction (Home), Section 1,  "Stand Up", Section 2,  "A Thing of Beauty", and Section 3, "Did You Miss Me". 

Section 1 was a set of original lyrics, Section 1, an invocation to Stand Up and Look at Me, from Sappho, Section 2, A Thing of Beauty, being an adaptation of verses by Keats, and also from the Book of Ruth, and , Section 3, Did You Miss Me, an adaptation of The Goblin Market, by Christina Rosetti, originally written in 1859, and also an adaptation of Life is Mostly Froth and Bubble, from Adam Lindsay Gordon, and an adaption from Shelley, being "Life May Change but it may fly not, Hope May Vanish, but can die not.   

Put these words together with an amazing score by the very talented Matthew Hindson, with two pianos, about 60 choristers, more changes in beats to the bar than you can poke a stick at, and for much part, a very hectic pace, and you've got some amazing music.  

Canberra Gay & Lesbian Lesbian Qwire, and Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir, performed the piece in a stunning concert in Canberra, the Australian Capital Territory, our Nation's Capital.   

After Heartland Melbourne Gay & Lesbian Chorus, Canberra Gay & Lesbian Qwire, and the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir, performed individual brackets,before joining en masse to pay homage to the ongoing struggle for acceptance and equality, by singing "freedom is Coming, a traditional South African song, and finishing with Over The Rainbow, by the legendary Judy Garland. 

It was a great concert and friendships were made, strengthened and renewed by choristers and Music Directors of three of Australia's premier community choirs. 

DeClutter Continues

I'm doing my best to declutter at home.  Getting rid of excess paper mainly, either shredding or putting it in folders to sort later.   Can actually start to see some empty space around the place so that's a good thing.   Tonight I found an envelope I'd been looking for, for a month.   It was close, handy even, I just wasn't sure where it was and hadn't made time to do a thorough search. 

Thank you Merlin Mann, Dave Slusher and the folks at Getting Things Done and Do It Now.   I'll drink the cool-aid, its just a little hard after our decades of saving stuff, just in case I need it.   It wasn't an obsession or anything, I just needed a system.  

Here's hoping. 

Another good moment in the life of this procrastinator is I made my first loan in Kiva yesterday and have acknowledgements etc, so that's great.   Now if I could shake this flu and asthma, but I think I'll have to wait for warmer weather for that. 

Life isn't all that bad.   Sure the slings and arrows occasionally cause some angst occasionally, but when think about people fighting for the right to be counted, be heard, be understood etc, such as the Iranians who don't believe in shonky elections, I realise just how lucky I am.   

We mock our own democratically elected State and Federal Governments here in New South Wales, and Australia, but we have the collective opportunity to throw them out of office if the need arises.   There are occasional clashes between groups of people from different geopolitical, religious or socio-economic backgrounds but generally we try to do the right thing, or clamour for the right thing to be done.   

Choir tomorrow, then Friday, and the weekend.   Hopefully it'll be dry.   

DeClutter Continues

I'm doing my best to declutter at home.  Getting rid of excess paper mainly, either shredding or putting it in folders to sort later.   Can actually start to see some empty space around the place so that's a good thing.   Tonight I found an envelope I'd been looking for, for a month.   It was close, handy even, I just wasn't sure where it was and hadn't made time to do a thorough search. 

Thank you Merlin Mann, Dave Slusher and the folks at Getting Things Done and Do It Now.   I'll drink the cool-aid, its just a little hard after our decades of saving stuff, just in case I need it.   It wasn't an obsession or anything, I just needed a system.  

Here's hoping. 

Another good moment in the life of this procrastinator is I made my first loan in Kiva yesterday and have acknowledgements etc, so that's great.   Now if I could shake this flu and asthma, but I think I'll have to wait for warmer weather for that. 

Life isn't all that bad.   Sure the slings and arrows occasionally cause some angst occasionally, but when think about people fighting for the right to be counted, be heard, be understood etc, such as the Iranians who don't believe in shonky elections, I realise just how lucky I am.   

We mock our own democratically elected State and Federal Governments here in New South Wales, and Australia, but we have the collective opportunity to throw them out of office if the need arises.   There are occasional clashes between groups of people from different geopolitical, religious or socio-economic backgrounds but generally we try to do the right thing, or clamour for the right thing to be done.   

Choir tomorrow, then Friday, and the weekend.   Hopefully it'll be dry.   

Warm Friends Make Up for Cool Weather

July marks the middle of winter, but if  you go by the solstice we're still about a week away.   Point is, its just starting to get cold here in Sydney.   Cold for us, probably extra mild if you're from the cooler climes of the northern hemisphere.   Yesterday was a good day to sleep in, potter, and write a few iTunes reviews for my favourite podcasts.   Today was choir rehearsal from 10am - 6pm and getting there by bus saw a 6 o'clock alarm.   Still once it started it was a great day.   Got lots done and its starting to sound pretty good.   We've got a concert in Canberra in two weeks, with Canberra choir so looking forward to that. 

Apart from that, the salt mines beckon tomorrow, its almost time for the 6.00pm news and dinner, so I'll bid you all adieu.  To you, and you, and you and you and you. 

Have a great week folks. 

Beam Me Up

OK, so last week was pretty good at work.   We seemed to overcome most of the hurdles that were placed in our path, and managed to get to the weekend without upsetting anyone or causing any grief.   

Saturday afternoon was wet and windy so what better place t spend a couple of hours than a cineplex in the city, escaping to places far far away.   Star Trek was amazing.  I loved it.   I've read some mixed reviews and since seeing it yesterday have read a couple that were absolutely narky, but I have to say I enjoyed it. 

No spoilers here, but I'd recommend if you like to go to movies for some excitement, some great visual effects (and some not so great - bearing on unbelievable), if you like to gasp, cheer, shed a tear or two of joy, and come out beaming, then Star Trek is for you. 

Well done Paramount.  All the characters (human or alien were believable).   The beasties, well I said no spoilers. 

Afternoon shift this week, so a sleep in tomorrow. 

Lurgy Lurking

Today was a very ordinary day (workwise).   The stomach gymnastics meant that I couldn't concentrate because I was moving all day.   Unfortunately, not much constructive stuff done.   That changed after work, (doesn't it always).   Choir Committee meeting was productive, and fun.   Its fortunate that as a group seven or eight people can work so well together.   The commute was made all the more pleasurable because of some great podcast listening.    But its time to crash and hopefully tomorrow will be a mre productive (workwise) day. 

Things are good at the moment.  I don't know whether its because Mercury is in retrospect, or because there's the prospect of Star Wars on Friday night.   

Catch you later in the week. 

Home is What You Make It

It was a semi spur of the moment decision.   I thought I'd go along to the "Ideal Home Show" at the Sydney Convention Centre, for a quick look, and to see whether there was anything worth considering as far as home improvement, renovation, even appliances.   So did most of the Sunday Stroller Strollers.   Good grief.   Lots of stalls about air conditioning, spas, flooring, even a Play Station Stand, but I was incredibly underwhelmes ns dwlr aomwat flim flammed.  Ususlly the only shows of this type that I go to are Travel or Photography shows but I'm tempred to just stop going, if its going to be anything like today.   Still a beaut day to be outside.  Not too cold after yesterday's rain.   Even so, the seasons are changing and I think we'll get a short autumn and long winter.   I was tempted to call into the Apple Store on the way home but I didn't want to spend any money on software.   Tp,prrpw. after work, I might spend some time in a book store, and buy a couple of books.   

Have a great week folks. 

So That Was Easter

The Easter long weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday is drawing to a close and its back to work tomorrow.   2 short weeks in a row has got to be a good thing.   On Good Friday I braved the crowds and went out to the Royal Easter Show at the showgrounds at Homebush.   Think State Fair, when the country (or the bush) comes to town.    arrived at about 11am and it was already frantic and crowded, lots of families pushing strollers, all trying to see the same thing in exhibition halls and sheds that really aren't big enough for what they are designed for.   Still, it was a good time.   My favourites were the dogs, and the District Exhibits, where the various geographic agricultural regions of New South Wales and South East Queensland all vie to show off their best produce, wheat, wool etc, in a visually stimulating way.   My favourite was the South East Queensland display, but were all great.   It was well worth a visit.   Note to self, next year arrive earlier, basically at gates-open. 

Saturday was quiet.   I bought myself a fairly decent tripod for the camera, and will buy a head sometime this week.   Later it was time for a couple of drinks on Saturday afternoon, which wasn't particularly rowdy, thank heavens, and Sunday and today, I've been doing paperwork.   The rest has been good and I'm recharged, and there's even a half a bottle of Sauv Blanc in the fridge which is calling my name.   So I guess it'll help me sleep.   That and the slight rain on a tine roof. 

Drowsy

A great Saturday.   Genies volunteering at SAG and then a couple of beers, and dinner, and home fairly early.   No hanky pank tonight.   Watched a bit of David Attenborough's Planet earth and just about to hit the pillow.   Extended sleep tonight as "clocks fall back" for autumn, at 0300, which becomes 0200.   The immediate consequence of that is that my early morning rises for wll revert to a more total darkness.   My friend, Marco Polo, is getting ready for another of his amazing jaunts.   I think he's off Wednesday.   Have a great trip mate, take care, no Titanics or Mediterranean Mishaps.   Looking forward to the debrief later in the year.   

 

Love Is In The Air

Everywhere I look around.   Saturday afternoon's commitment ceremony was a wonderful experience, and a privilege to share with two people who love the socks of one another, and their family and friends.   Choir was privileged to be invited to share and give some musical oomph to the occasion and I believe we acquitted ourselves well.   It was also a great occasion to bond with some of the newer choir members who were singing with us for the first time.   

Sunday afternoon was a pub lunch with my oldest niece.   She's in her mid 20's and has just returned from the 21 month overseas thing that people do when they leave uni, before starting work.   She had some azaming experiences in the UK, France and Spain, and it salivated my travel urge somewhat.   

The week has been busy, and eventful in a number of ways, which I don't want to go into here.   Healthwise I'm fine, but some around me, at work and in other areas of my life aren't so lucky.   I suppose all I can do is be there and offer whatever practical and empathetical support I can.

The weekend beckons, and I'm again going tripod hunting.   Hope to catch one this weekend.