Adventures of a Beta Girl

I've always been a bit behind the eight-ball and as a result have often been left feeling as though I'm playing catch up. Finally I am realising that it is okay to live life at my own pace, especially considering I'm usually dancing to the beat of a different drum.

Midnight.

The clock just ticked over and I actually feel sick to the stomach. Is it okay not to feel excited about this day? Just for once?

I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now

This song doesn't even need an introduction. I don't need to explain why I love it or feel the urge to post it because I'm quite confident you agree it's a classic for all of your own reasons.

Get what you give

"Continuous effort - not strength, luck, money or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential." - Winston Churchill

Locked in a safe place; looking out the window

This place has its merits and if I am honest with myself at the moment it is right for me. I still can't help feeling as though I am wasting the best years of my life here.


Title Lyrics taken from Underworld - Jumbo

Wanted: Free return flight to California and complimentary Coachella pass!

So I woke up to some great news in the music world this morning, yes, word on the street is that At The Drive In have reformed. The other word on the street is that Refused have also reformed. Both acts are big names on the Coachella lineup which was also released overnight. Both acts also each released an album that has been hailed as one of the most influential of its time. I am a huge fan of these two records, but particularly of Relationship Of Command. Listening to it takes me back to a time when music reigned over my life. I am back in high school, back in my old bedroom on Walker St with the stereo I'd bought with my own money and was somehow allowed to play at a ridiculous volume for a sixteen year old still living at home. I went on to learn that in the real world, no one plays their music that loud, unless you want the cops on your doorstep.

When I first purchased Relationship Of Command, I didn't quite understand it. A few listens in however and it became one of the best purchases I had ever made of the plastic disc variety.

This particular song I am is my favourite off the album. The massive ending just blows me away every time I hear it.





And everyone knows the story about Refused's The Shape of Punk to Come, how they were scoffed at for releasing a title so conceited. Critics quickly ate their words. Refused are fucking dead? Apparently not! Bring it!

Oh and the Shins are playing Coachella too. Anyone want to place a wager on whether they'll be one of the headliners at Splendour? I hope so. Side show please!

Sunday chillouts

I think this is a pretty cool remix of one of my fave tracks from 2011. Perfect for Sunday chillouts. Except now I feel like an icy cold corona.



There's something about the reggae sound that makes me feel like attending a cruisy afternoon BBQ. Salmonella Dub have this effect on me.

To get you in the mood, check out: For the Love of It.

I'd never heard anything so beautiful as when I heard them all sing

You know when you're in the car on the open road and it's a pristine day so you can't help but hang your hand out the window, catching the breeze?

It's one of my favourite things.

It's that feeling of freedom, the smell of fresh cut grass and the wind in your face. Completely relaxed, yet totally elated.

I believe that if it were a sound, it would go a little bit like this:

Title lyrics taken from Wicked Beat Sound System - Church of Al Green

Boom! Shake, shake, shake the room!

At once, everything is clear.
Motivation, direction, perseverence. Without the F word, however, I go nowhere.

Focus.

From out of the blue, it's a whole new beginning. Nothing can stop me now.

Hottest 100! Votes are in!

Yes, I finally did it!

Drumroll, ploise:


Active Child - Hanging On

Boy and Bear - Feeding Line

Cold War Kids - Mine is Yours

Foster the People - Helena Beat

Matt Corby - Brother

M83 - Midnight City

Rufus - Paris Collides

ShockOne - Crucify Me

Skrillex - Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites

The Wombats - Jump Into the Fog


We have a little joke in our household and none of us are sure where it came from but when you wish to proclaim your love for a song that comes on you shout "Dubstep! Dubstep!" All of these songs are a huge dubstep for me. My initial shortlist was over eighty songs in length and I admit that I had a rather hard time making the inevitable cull (we all know I take the Hottest 100 a tad more seriously than I probably should!) however I am happy with my choices. I try to choose songs that I will find to be personally enduring, and I'm proud to say that I'm quite certain I will dubstep this fantastic little selection into the future and beyond.

Now for the Golden Ticket. Give it to me.

Stars leave the morning, sleep clouds my view

The band Doves are amazing. This is one of their best for sure. The opening strains are just so beautiful and tireless.





Title lyrics taken from Doves - The Cedar Room

The first time I've been Friday Fabulous this year!

Well, duh. Being that it's the first Friday of 2012. Whatever.

I'm not afraid, I just don't belong

I've always felt as though I have square peg syndrome. The difference now is that I've realised that this is what gives me an edge.

Find a hole that fits? To hell with that - anything fits, if you care to make it work for you.


Title lyrics taken from Pendulum - The Fountain

Because it's Thursday!

My last post chilled me out a little too much and that is not what I am after today. With a busy day ahead and feeling all charged for studying again, wanting to get back on track with my exercise regimen, being extremely motivated and excited to hunt a second job down, etc, etc, etc, etc, ... I need something to pump me up.

I think this will do :)

Zen Moment

I heard this song a few months back now, but it was a pretty great moment. I walked out of a yoga class during which I had made a huge breakthrough (finally managed to meditate during the Savassana and not just fall asleep) and this song was on the radio. It was so perfect for where I was right then, just a perfect piece of music actually.

Staying on track

Surround yourself with people and things that inspire you. Enjoy positive conversations with others and do not be afraid to take what you need from people's experiences and wisdom. It costs neither yourself nor the other person a cent.

Watch, listen, learn.
In the words of Phil Knight (famously of Nike, not Shihad):

Just do it!

Why 2011 was quietly awesome

2011 was definitely a mixed bag for me. There was a pivotal moment wherein after being unhappy for quite some time I made a seemingly snap decision to quit my life and move back to Bundaberg. Ultimately, it was the year that I finally found direction and learned a whole lot about myself (good, bad, and ugly). In a nutshell, a year of personal development. Perhaps a little too much navel gazing, yet my head is clearer for it.

My biggest breakthrough however, was overcoming my long-standing Arachnaphobia.

It is something that I have been working on for a few years now and it was amazing to at last have that break-through moment only quite recently, that moment when I realised that I am no longer phobic. I'll tell you that I am pretty darn chuffed with myself. And although it is something that was solely up to me to overcome, I couldn't have done it without the support of some key people in my life. Thank you.

It may not sound like a big deal but those close to me, or anyone who has or still lives with a phobia would understand why I count this as my biggest personal achievement yet.

It's true that I will always be afraid of spiders, but so are a lot of people.
I don't doubt that they may (well, will) still be an anxiety trigger for me, but I have a handle on it now.
I will never be entirely comfortable with our eight-legged friends, but I no longer let them call the shots.

I no longer see them when I close my eyes and I don't check tables and chairs before I take a seat.
Basically, it doesn't control my life anymore.

As I would say, "Go me!"
To beat something that has been a dark shadow for as long as I can remember is extremely liberating. If I did this, I can do anything. And I'll need this newfound strength and ability because that was just one yellow brick and I can tell you it's a long road.

Snobbery

A pet hate of mine: people saying "me" when they mean to say "my" when speaking in the context of ownership.

It niggles away like an "expresso" coffee. Ugh.