Records, rising signs and emergency room nightmares

Crap. So I suck at my "no horoscopes" new year's resolution.

I mean, I've "sort of" managed to keep it..."Sort of", in that I now no longer astrologically profile a man before I will accept a date (you know, figure out his moon, rising sign, mars/venus placements just to check he's not, like, psycho. Because astrologically profiling him is so "normal"...lol). 

In fact, I started seeing someone new recently and have yet to ascertain his rising sign. Yay me. Although, to be dead fair this probably has less to do with my self-constraint and more to do with the fact that in order to figure this stuff out you need a time of birth - a bit of information he won't offer up as he says horoscopes are, and I quote, "dumb". Got to love male diplomacy.

But I have had the odd relapse. Yes, I have become a bit of a closet horoscope reader. Not every day, not before breakfast, but sometimes. So it's gone from a total all-out-addiction to mild vice. That's a step in the right direction right? Besides, I totally blame Mystic Medusa. Best horoscopes ever...see, so totally not my fault that I've fallen slightly off the wagon? She shouldn't be so damned apt/funny/cool.

In other fabulous news, I have now recorded the next album! In Sydney, over seven days in January. It was so much fun - I got to play the piano, wurly, hammond organ, acoustic guitar, electric guitar and (most importantly) the glockenspeil. Chris, the guy I recorded with, was wonderful. He made the whole thing easy and fun. Can't wait to get to share some of the tracks. I've kept this record very....me.

And Sydney was loads of fun, I even went snorkling. Totally loved it - aside from a five hour trip to the emergency department in an effort to remove a piece of silicon earplug from my ear (no comments please) - that part was a bit nightmarish. But I'm assured that one day I was find it funny. Am waiting with bated breath.

Anyway, more news to come shortly.

Hope 2012 is treating you all FABULOUSLY.

xxxx

New Year, horoscopes, OCD and destiny

I am giving up horoscopes. That's my new year's resolution.

Now, this might not seem like a big sacrifice on the surface, but to those who know me, you will get that this is HUGE. And it has not been a decision I've come upon lightly. But here's the thing: I fear it is running my life. Honestly, I think I could possibly be medicated for a mild form of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) given the way in which I plan my life based upon a series of astrological transits and numerological bits and pieces. And I have to tell you, the cross-referencing between all of these different philosophic systems is exhausting. I mean, it wouldn't be that big of a problem if they all lined up, but they don't. Ever. Nope, just as I relax because I've finally entered a "happy" phase numerologically, I'll stupidly go and check out what my astrological outlook is and immediately send myself into a deep state of depression. Because here's the thing: the "challenging" aspects seem to last for months on end (all under the guise of personal growth of some sort) and the "happy" ones are of the blink-and-you'll-miss-them variety.

And so that's why I've given them up. Just for 2012. Stuff Saturn. Stuff Venus. Stuff the cardinal-cross-of-whatever that's supposed to create financial turmoil mid next year and stuff personal growth. I'm done.

For now.

So Happy New Year all - to a brilliant 2012: where we make our own destinies and anything can happen.

Pip xxx

Christmas cheer, sailing and a new album on its way...

So, I have written a new album: on a piano from 1890, with yellowed keys that have been rounded by the years of wear and tear. I remember this piano from my grandmother’s house in Africa. She used to keep a small jar of mints on the top of it and one time I stole one – that was the first and last time I stole anything ever, the guilt was so unbearable (hearts don’t count – joking). And now here it is in my garden flat in Australia, still in one piece, still tuneable (if a little imperfectly), the words “John Broadwood & Sons, London” still perfectly painted in gold. It hasn’t chipped off one bit.

And not only have I written a new album of songs, but I’m actually RECORDING said album in January. Which will be fab, fab, fab. I can’t wait.  Really excited to get back into the studio and even more excited to get them down before I write new ones and discard them (this happens all too often).

In other news I have been learning to sail which is a) breathtakingly beautiful when done at sunset and b) way more hard work than I anticipated. I love it, more than I ever could have expected. There is something about it that is completely addictive. And frankly, I think Perth has more boats than people so it’s the perfect place to learn.

Hmm, what else, someone told me a bit of trivia the other evening: apparently the term OK came from the Vietnam war – apparently it came from a board where they would notate how many men had been killed each day: zero killed = 0K (the ‘o’ being for zero and the ‘k’ being for killed). Thought that was kind of cool and interesting, not sure if it’s true…

And I can’t wait till Christmas. I want a real Christmas tree. And tinsel. And egg nog. And snow. Am thinking I’m in the wrong hemisphere…

My song ‘Just Five Minutes’ was a top 25 finalist in the Australian Song of the Year competition, that was kind of cool. Another one, ‘Lighthouse’, that will be on the new album was also shortlisted.

Going to see a film tonight entitled ‘The Future’. It’s about a couple who decide to spend a month living a completely free life and letting fate/serendipity lead them (at least that’s what I think it’s about, will be a grave disappointment if I’m wrong!). The key theme reminds me of that book ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being’. Loved that book – you know, the whole which-is-more-painful-weight-or-lightness question…anyway, I digress. It is at an outdoor cinema and there will be wine. So all fab.

Hope you all have a fantastic Christmas and New Year and will be back in the New Year!

Pippa xx

London-time, Coelho, Kamikaze Seagulls, Cupcakes and Untuned Pianos

It’s 2.42 am in London right now. I know that because I still haven’t changed the clock on my laptop to reflect that I’m now on the other side of the world. And in Australia, where I actually am, it is the first day of Spring. I’m currently housebound as I’ve misplaced my keys so cannot go out until I find them to lock-up. So that’s why I’m finally getting around to writing this blog – instead of sitting in the sunshine with coffee, a cupcake and that seemingly obligatory kamikaze seagull who doesn’t realise that if he touches my cupcake, he dies.

I’m reading a fab book at the moment called 11 minutes. I remember having a random conversation with someone on the tube shortly after I’d moved to London about that book, so it’s kind of cool to be taking up the recommendation (finally). I read another Coelho book last week, The Alchemist (yes, I’m the last person on the planet to read it – I’ve been busy), which I loved. Otherwise I’ve just been existing in my own world, writing songs on a bit of an untuned piano, avoiding the offending keys. I think I have almost written the new album now so hope to record it early next year.

In other news, Felicity Urquhart played Fade Away on her show ABC Saturday Night Country. How fab is Felicity? I saw her speak in Tamworth and she really is a lovely woman as well as extremely talented. And The Post ran an article on me.

So…back to searching for those damn keys…

xxx

Tamworth, mini-bars, calamari and boarding houses

June 25 2011 

Sitting in the lobby of the Best Western in Tamworth with a family sized pot of black coffee and a muffin (free – I’m seeing a ‘free cake’ pattern here that is unnerving me).

I have become remarkably adept at living out of a suitcase in the last month. My ‘fuq-I-have-to-wake-up-as-check-out-is-like-NOW-shower-hairwash-makeup time’ is now at a record 27 minutes. Of course I now have three hours to waste in the lobby drinking free coffee and cake, listening to old country songs and fighting with my tantrum-prone AirPort (if anyone knows WHY my Macbook AirPort has been giving me the silent treatment for the last week, please let me know).

I love Tamworth so far, and not because of the free coffee (please see my previous posts about the price of espresso in Santorini to get a full understanding of my glee). I arrived here in an aeroplane the size of a coke bottle and I swear I was the only person on it who didn’t know everyone else. I forgot how awesome small country towns could be. And last night I watched a couple of movies (one of which had that guy from Dexter in it, I think it was called ‘Slayers’), ordered room service of Calamari and drank all the sparkling wine in the mini bar.

Anyway, CMAA school starts today. At 1pm. Hence why I’m killing three hours in a lobby. Am really excited. Can’t wait to learn the harmonica and have a couple of weeks solely devoted to song-writing and music. Fab. Fab. Fab. Seriously, I feel like I’m going on my dream holiday. Lying on the beach with alcoholic milkshakes is only good for two days max.

Ciao xxx

June 25 2pm.

So I’m in my room. It’s based in a boarding school and the girl who usually has this room has left a quote pasted on the wall that I think is worth repeating because I totally agree:

“I believe in those dreams. I think every woman should watch shooting stars while drinking champagne; then be put on horse back and galloped down a deserted beach in the moonlight – at least once in her life…Clothes make the woman feel sexy and confident and sophisticated and stylish…then a men feel like treating them like princesses…” Collette Dinnigan.

Espresso, Coke, deteriorating wardrobes, alcoholic milkshakes and random marriage proposals

Friday June 10

I’m writing this in my hotel room, travel guitar strewn across the bed beside me (have been working on a new song) and an open can of coke in my hand. Am highly irritated as I have just painted my nails in the sun (how ‘holiday’ am I?) and then promptly messed them up trying to open said can. My fab travel friend (fab not only because she somehow managed to turn bronze within an hour of landing but because she also brought my favourite eyeliner with her) is up on the roof terrace tanning.

Funny thing is, I don’t usually drink coke – like, fat coke. ‘Diet’ yes, ‘fat’ no. Can only put my new habit down to the fact that it would probably be cheaper to have a heroine addiction in Thira than an espresso addiction. No idea why it’s so expensive but it is, and I’ve already had three this morning with breakfast. Hence the coke.

We’ve found some fantastic little bars here, right on the cliff face – one of which is called Tropical bar and is the least pretentious of the lot with the best/most reasonably priced white wine and a very vocal/amusing American woman behind the bar. Ironically, despite their lack of pretence, I seriously think they have the best view.

We ventured out of Thira yesterday for the first time to Kamari and the other beach (always forget it’s name but it starts with a P and sounds a bit like the infamous Piraeus in Athens…). That was fab – seriously felt like a holiday destination with deck chairs, tourists and grass umbrellas everywhere. We caught a boat (so much more fun that I’d expect – kind of prefer small boats to ferries) and lay in the early evening sun drinking alcoholic milkshakes we’d created on a bespoke basis. Pistachio with white rum was brill, as was vanilla with Malibu.

Otherwise, having been here for a bit over a week I think I might be classed as a ‘local’ now. Doesn’t seem to matter where we go there’s someone waving or yelling ‘hello Pepa’ or ‘Aussie!’. It’s sweet really. Even had arguments with a few people now. Like when I arrived the beds in my hotel room where beyond bad – we’re talking springs poking out everywhere to the point where it was unfathomable that the thing still managed to look like a bed and not like a big spring ball. Anyway, one hissy fit and a few frustrated tears later a couple of new mattresses arrived. They are new and fantastic and I haven’t had a hissy fit since.

Hmmm, what else…went to a pilates class yesterday. In Greek. Which is fair enough really, since I’m in Greece. Anyway, was interesting but NOT FUN!

We’re heading out a little later and I have no idea what to wear – not because I’m a woman, but because I seriously have so little left in one piece.

I got my washing back from the laundry on the corner yesterday and they’d shrunk a couple more of my tops to the point of un-wear-ability. Seriously, I arrived here with a suitcase I couldn’t get up the stairs, a suitcase that illicited amused looks and comments about my gender from all who saw it as it was so overstuffed. And I am currently destined to leave ‘that hobo girl who wanders around in a towel and a hat’. Fab.

But it’s not all bad mattresses, deteriorating wardrobes and overpriced espresso. In fact, I suppose if I had to summarise Greece in three ways, so far it’d be: free cake, cocktails and random meaningless marriage proposals. So fun really.

Ciao xx

Dior, ashes, umbrella hats, boxed wine and bad moods.

1 June 2011

Am sitting by the pool in Paros. I’m tired and grumpy despite the beauty of the place. I’m not sure whether my mood is a result of the fact that I just paid five euros for a glass of wine that came out of a box or that I’m not allowed to flush loo roll here. Sorry, I know that makes me sound like the most hideous of spoilt tourists, but I don’t care. I don’t like it.

That said, we’re incredibly close to a little place called Noussa (not sure of the spelling) that’s charming and just a little bit stunning – last night, just after we arrived, we watched the sun set over the harbour and it was just so peaceful. I’ve been surprised by how empty this island is, but perhaps it’s the season. So yes, here I sit with my boxed wine in front of a beautiful bright blue pool and looking out onto a stunning view of the sea. I really have no right to be grumpy. But I’m a woman and an artist – surely being vaguely irrational and moody is my prerogative?

Mykonos was amazing. I really didn’t expect to like it as everyone kept referring to it as ‘the party island’ – I took this to mean ‘the island where people wander around continually sun burnt and drunk, in skirts that are way too short with bellies hanging out over them, screaming at the top of their lungs and vomiting in the streets’. But I was wrong. It was fantastic. Had the best pina coladas ever in Little Venice right on the water and even managed to find my Dior lipstick. Brilliant. And I could put loo paper in the loo there. Priceless.

So am working on my tan (actually I’m sitting in the shade, under a hat so big it has already been referred to as an ‘umbrella’ by a local well-meaning man), reading a bit, playing a lot of guitar and writing this blog. Next stop is Santorini and I’m there for two and a half weeks. I met someone in Mykonos who goes to Santorini every year to visit his partner’s ashes – they’re in a Cathedral set half in the mountain and half outside. He was a Pisces and his partner was an Aquarius and they lasted 35 years. There was something so touching about the way he spoke of it all. Anyway we’re supposed to be going to dinner on the 12th but I think I forgot his details in Mykonos (along with half my luggage).

I think it’s an eclipse tomorrow. There are three in a row coming. Hope it means brill things!!!

Ta-ta…

xxxx

The grumpy blogger