The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

Ok la, its not that emo as it sounds, the title is actually based on this book by Alan Stillitoe. It's a real good book, cos he describes those moments a runner goes through. Even though in motion, life somehow seems to freeze as you run. Everything falls into place. The past, present and thoughts of the future become amalgated, and still manages to make sense.

I ran City to Surf on Sunday (26/08), my second one. It was superb. Even though my timing was off by bloody 4 minutes as compared to last year, I enjoyed every soaking, knee crunching, muscle pulling moment. This was the first race that woke up late for. Woke up at 6.45, rushed through some crappy breakfast. Lucius drove over to St George Terrace. We picked up our race no. Forgot to mention that before we even left the house, it started raining. As we were waiting for the countdown to the race on St George Terrace, the rain kinda slowed down, but as soon as the race started, it poured. It was pretty automatic.

But I love running in the rain. The hills were killer as usual. I think there was about 30,000 runners. It was insane. As I was chugging my way up a hill, I heard a honk behind me. It was this dude dressed in a Batman costume pushing a pram shaped like the Batmobile and inside was his son dressed as Robin who had a small horn. Damn cool, despite the pram and his costume, Batman just ran up the hill like it was downhill.

It's the first break of the semester, though it does not feel like a break sadly cos I have an exam on the Friday of the break and an essay due on the Monday we return. Well suck it in I guess.

Last Friday was merdeka and the Consulate General organised a big ball that night. Not too bad la. Wine and champagne was free flow at our table oddly enough, so twas my first time getting intoxicated on Merdeka man. There were performances and what not including this Elvis impersonator who was not too bad I must say, but it was all about meeting different people. Pretty good time la overall, didnt really compensate for my absence at mambo but good enough I guess.

Less than 3 months to home, gotta up tt tempo man. Still don't know how to manage all the travelling in December, maybe I should just concentrate on managing my work load at the moment.

Of Dylan, travels and moving on

It's gonna be a short one. Sorry Miss Leong for the delay in posts.

Dylan was good, didn't play many old songs, lots of new stuff, much to the dismay of most of the crowd. But he ended with Like a Rolling Stone. Really the best for last, simply lovely. Band was awesome and of course that harmonica stole the show. Will write more bout the concert in http://www.mojofm.blogspot.com/

I need to travel, I keep thinking of Chiang Mai which is in the early stages of planning. I just wanna go camping again. Another place looming in my mind is India, for mid or end of next year. Just a month from south to north on the West Coast, starting in Kerala my grandparent's home, where I still have family members, family members who I ve only seen in pictures. It really looks like heaven. Windmills, paddy fields, my grandparent's schools which still insult the passing of time and of course the ancestral house, which my mother first visited as a 6 month old toddler and which my great grandmother maintained till her passing a few years ago. I have to see them all and meet my extended family.

Ok, so thats Dylan, and travels. Hmmm bout moving on.... touchy subject I guess. This year has definitely been a bloody eventful one (not all good as dictated by the laws) and I am only halfway past it. As usual that feeling of living a few lifetimes comes into play now and then. But yea, I guess things have gotta change. Sorry for being vague but I guess some of you must be used to that for now. 3 months eh? It will fly as a good friend just told me. Thinking of solidyfing the foundations of that backpacker's beach hut, the one that was suppose to be my mid life crisis plan, but now it seems like a pretty good option to avoid a mid life crisis, hmmmm.......

Dylan's Opening band, The Frames are bloody brilliant. They are from Ireland. Listen to 'God Bless Mom' for a taste.

3 Gigs in a Week

Yes, just a few hours ago, I ended my 3-Gigs-In-a-Week-Stint. It was good, am actually craving for more though, sigh.

Last tuesday, I went to see Lily Allen. Yes yes i know, not my kinda music,but I thought what the hell. Went with Andrew and Racheal. It was at Metros Freo. Opening act was pure crap, this rap duo called Macromantics, 2 women, a DJ and a Rapper. It was just weird, she was talking lots of crap (this from the little that I could gather). She looked like she was having an epileptic fit on stage. The Dj, DJ Amy was pretty cute though. Then Lily came on with her band which consisted of a 3 horn section, a bassist and an insane keyboardist that plays like Chris Martin. She was really down to earth. I dont really enjoy her music, but it was fun and feel good. Came out refreshed, twas something different, though I did wish we bought tickets for Kaiser Chiefs who were playing the same night. Oh yea, Lily covered Blondie's Heart of Glass, it was a nice slow accoustic version.

Last Friday, it was the Shins at Metro City. Went with the same gang plus a few more people. The opening act, Ruby Suns from NZ was just mind blowing. The keyboardist, guitarist and drummer kept taking turns playing each other's instruments. It was really an eye opener, made a mental note to buy their album when its get released in Feb. The Shins were just lovely, real classy guys, and I am not just talking bout their appearance. The music was beautiful though New Slang wasnt tt good live. For their encore, they came back and played Pink Floyd's Breathe. That just got me ecstatic. Freaking good show, regretted not buying the shirt.

Yest night, we went to see Ok Go. Not that big a fan, but I dig some of their music. Their opening band was Dirty Secrets, a Perth based band. Pretty good riffs, though the volume was really way up, you could see people sticking their fingers in their ears. But they rocked la, quite retro. They lowered the volume for OK Go. They came in with a bang. Through out the show, they attached a video cam to the lead singer's mic, and everynow and then, they'd project his face on screen, and they did it for all the band members at one point. They were a real interactive band, joking with the crowd and talking cock. They did covers from ELO and Violent Femmes. For their accoustic session, they actually got down from their stage and stood in the middle of the crowd while we sat around. It was like a hippie peace rally. Really nice.

Next gig is Bob Dylan on the 23rd Aug and probably Switchfoot end of the month, and a little birdy told me that The Killers are coming, hmmm. Must go for more!! Well twas a good week. Thanks heaps Andrew

Current gig record

Deep Purple
Sting
We Will Rock You (Queen tribute)
Eric Clapton
Eskimo Joe
Jason Mraz
Something for Kate
Lily Allen
The Shins
Ok Go

This of course does not include the house bands I normally frequent around Perth.
Need to keep saving more cash

Once again

Yup, uni starts in 8 hours time, the 2 second semester.

A few weeks back I was anxious to start uni, but now that I am here, I feel mixed, don't know why la. I keep telling myself the faster uni ends, the faster I go home. At the same time the faster uni flies by, the faster I say goodbye to friends. And as much as you keep telling yourself that you will keep in touch, you hardly do. Don't get me wrong, it does happen, but not as often as we want it too. I m a pretty lucky guy to still have strong bonds with my high school friends, I hope it happens with my uni friends after we ve parted. Every year I go to friend's graduation, followed by the sending off. Kinda feel like an old geezer, but hey I should be thankful I am still studying and working part time to make things easier. Just got off work 2 hours ago, and they were playing 2 hours of U2 non stop. That kinda put things in perspective. Listening to U2 helps me see the natural order of things. They sing songs for realists I guess, though I am sure I do not fall in that category.

Inwood is now full. Lester and Kynan moved in on Friday and we start a new Inwood Chapter. Should be a good sem with Inwood men. Last week was orientation and a few of us helped out as Student Helpers. Twas damn good, really had fun. Met heaps of new people. It honestly felt like my first year all over.

Well its 12.30, time to knock off, gotta start that cycle now especially when it comes to sleep, sigh, no more late mornings, or rather afternoons.