Monday, April 30, 2012

'i challenge you..

... to a 28 day Higher Level Training, fitness, bootcamp *thing.*'
What? I don't understand ALL of the above.
'Training, Fitness, Bootcamp.. '
Non comprende'
And on top of that, have we actually met?
I know you're my best friend & all that jazz, but you should know by now that i am no gym junkie & i can definitely not run very far without feeling like I'm going to die.
Or get light headed & feel like I'm going to pass out.
Now that we've got that sorted..
Yes.
I'd love to do a 28 day bootcamp with you!
I actually can't believe i uttered that word 'Yes.'
UGHH!
So as you may or may not be aware, I'm not into the whole going to the gym thing.
I know i should be blah blahh blahhh!
I've always figured 'Well, im not obese.. so, i must be doing alright.'
Typical non-gym-fitness person, exhibit A: me.
So then my bestie texts me one night last week asking if i want to do some 28 day fitness challenge.
*Before i go on- i have a confession- i thought a 28 day challenge meant i would have to go EVERY single day for 28 days in a row.*
Yeah I'm sure that's normal... isn't it?!
And here's the other thing, in July, I'm hiking up a little place called Machu Picchu & if i actually plan on surviving the hike (which i am) i should *probably* start doing some sort of exercise to get my fitness level up.
Hence my 'Yes.'
28 days started last Saturday morning.
I SURVIVED MY FIRST DAY!
Pretty sure i was more stoked about actually surviving than i was about completing 10 tasks in 50mins.. that sounds good.. doesn't it?!
I can't even remember everything that we did. There were some weights, some jumping thing, push ups, running, those weight-ball thingys.. yeah.. I'm not really clued up on specifics or what anything is even called. And i definitely needed someone to show me how to do EVERYTHING!
All in all, it was pretty fun! I've never done anything like it before so its a personal challenge. Sweet.
Definitely still hurting today & we're going again tonight.
It will be interesting to see how long my jelly legs actually last until they cave under me.
Bring it on!
xox





Wednesday, April 11, 2012

small *BRIGHT* stories!

Well Hello there! Blog readers, are you ready for some short, sharp stories about my weekend adventures?
No?
Well i suggest stop reading this instant.

So it begins:
-Destination: Bright.
-Days: 4
-Attendees: i lost track
-To do: camp, explore, enjoy, relax, survive.
-Amenities: None.

*Bliss.*

*Everyone was arriving at random intervals during the day, so we decided to stay in town pottering around & exploring our new home. After starting off with a delicious breakfast of pesto toast, poached eggs, shredded beetroot & feta at a quaint little cafe called 'Coral Lee' (best.name.ever.) we began exploring. There was a huge market full of unpretentious country people, it was lovely. They sold everything from fleecey clothes, jams, chutneys, sheep skins, crepes to homemade soaps. There's something nice about wandering through a country market in the sunshine... except for the part where your annoying friend is trying to beat you up, push you into other people & try to make you fall over. Thankyou Captain Annoying!*

*Our campsite: was on a massive block of land. On one side was a pine forest. On the other side, was an old abandoned building. Oh yes, we definitely explored that! According to 'legend,' it was used for some crazy cult years ago. It was really quite strange. You walk into a big hall with bright blue carpet, a stage at the front & wood panel walls. There are two hallways running along the side each with multiple rooms coming off them. These smaller rooms have carpeted walls. I'm telling you, it was WEIRD. The rooms were maybe 3m x 3m, perhaps? The place had been trashed with the obligatory spray paint everywhere, broken windows & smashed walls. Strange. Very strange. I was hoping to find hidden treasure but all we found were some dead birds.*

*We set up our camp & started a bonfire. Super chilled, snacks, chats, toasting marshmallows, song writing, guitar playing & a full moon. Ahh, then there's that awkward moment when you are relaxing on a tarp, next to the bonfire, under the stars, sipping some American Honey whiskey, you roll over onto your stomach & the friend sitting next to you informs you that 'You have white, sticky marshmallow all over your bum.' Awesome. How did i try to fix it? By rubbing dirt into it. Fail!*

*Under the moonlight, we played 'Hide & Scare' in the forest. Everyone goes into the forest & then you have to hunt each other down & try to scare one another. The only problem with this is, it's dead quiet & you can hear someone creeping up on you from miles away. Except for that one time when i was walking along thinking i was being sneaky & my darling friend gave me the fright of my life. I screamed down the forest. 'ARGHHHH!' She got me good.*

*There is also a hedge maze near Bright. Usually, i am rubbish in a maze. Not this time! I think a highlight was finding the 2nd tower & waiting.. waiting..waiting for everyone else to find it 'Hey guys, what took you so long?!' We had a mini tower dance party & then moved on.*

*Possibly the biggest surprise of my weekend away was discovering that my friend has a fear of feathers. Oh the joy i got from this & will continue to get from this!*

*On the last afternoon we decided a trip up to Mt Hotham was in store. And boy was it amazing! Climbing the mountain along winding roads, it was getting colder & colder with each bend in the road. The views were spectacular! Mountains as far as the eye can see, hidden under a sea of clouds. Then, snow. It was actually snowing! The further up the mountain we got, the more snow there was. Looking out across the mountains, it looked like white frosting had been sprinkled everywhere, it was magical. We finally reached the top & it was absolutely freezing! But despite the icy'ness, it was so beautiful having snowflakes fall softly on our faces. Amazing. Beautiful. Mesmerising. Peaceful. We grabbed some snacks & hit up the pub. Overlooking the mountains, snow softly floating down from the sky, a guy playing guitar & singing us songs, it was the epitome of bliss.* 

*The mountains took away my breath :)*
xox

Monday, April 2, 2012

Wolfmother Vs The Cranberries Vs Lenny Kravitz.

Hello my LOVES!
You are all owed an apology... so here goes, I'm sorry.
I've been so tied up trying to figure out the silly new Timeline 'thing' on my Facebook page that i have been neglecting my blog.
Gah!
Ok, ok.. yes, that's just a lame excuse, there really isn't any reason other than I've had writers block!
Or maybe I've had too much to write about & don't know where to start?! Huh huh! Yeah, I'll go with that.
But! I've got a story for you.
Let's start at the very beginning.. a very good place to start
(Hmm, that line sounds VERY 'Sound of Music'esque' & a little bit 'Doe Rae Me')
Let's rewind to late last year. I'm casually driving home from a night out & am stopped at traffic lights.
I'm gazing around, off in my own little world & i spot a poster.
'F1 Rocks Lenny Kravitz Concert 2012'
My brain has a mini spasm as all of my synapses decide to join up & work (for once!)
'CRAP! LENNY KRAVITZ IS COMING TO MELBS!'
Must go. Whatever the cost. Must go!
The support act? Well, there were 2, which is quite odd, but hey I'm not complaining. 3 concerts for the price of one? Yes please!
Support Acts: Wolfmother & The Cranberries.
Now I'm going to be dead honest with you.. don't be offended if you like them, but..
Wolfmother = Wolfwhat? No thanks, not interested in the slightest.
The Cranberries however, yes. Just YES.
Got myself some tickets & then the long wait.
Why do tickets for concerts go on sale so far in advance?? Months & months in advance, thus driving me wildly insane playing the waiting game.
I guess the only reason it's good is because you can refresh your mind & listen to albums all over again so you have the right words to belt out when you are *finally* at the concert.
And belt out the words we did!
My sister & one of her besties joined myself & one of my besties for one of the most rocking, awesome concerts I've been to!
Now the last concert i went to with my sister was Justin Timberlake. We screamed our hearts out for him & he was freaking awesome!
(By now, you would all realise how lame i am, in general, so I'm not fussed if you judge me by my choice in music, go ahead!)
So now, we're at another concert together, mashed up against a barricade, under the stars at the Sidney Myer Music bowl.
*Bliss!
Wolfmother were up first. I think i was more distracted by the food i was eating to even notice they were on stage. Alright, i admit, that's a little harsh, they did put on a pretty good show & they can definitely wail when they want to, but they didn't really grab & hold onto my attention.
The Cranberries were up next.
Cool? Yes. They are the epitome of cool.
Dolores (vocals) has the most amazing voice! It pierces you~ i mean that in a good way! Her voice is totally amazing. I'm not quite sure how else to describe it? Me, stumped for words? Well, she must be good!

~Here's some background info.. i shared a bedroom with my sister when i was little. She's 12 years older than me. She always played The Cranberries & Lenny Kravitz music. (Thanks for the introduction by the way!) So being at this particular concert with my sister took me straight back to childhood. I was very reminiscent *aww.~












One of my all time favourite songs by The Cranberries is 'Linger.'
So damn good. So damn 90's!
We screamed our little lungs out to them while they belted out some tunes, it was awesome, would definitely see them again without a doubt.
Then, finally! It was time to rock out to Lenny Kravitz!
*screaaaaamms galore!
He is hot. Hot. Hot. HOT! Sizzling.
Ridiculous!
It had been 18years since he was last in Melbourne & it was definitely worth the wait (Yes, my sister saw him 18years ago & she said 'he is as good now as he was then!')
Rock god.
I was hanging out for 'American Woman' & i didn't have to wait long at all, it was the 2nd song!
My poor little lungs really got a work out!
From the start to the end of his set, screams.. screams.. & more screams, it was fantastic!
And so, so much fun!
Then, THEN.
He decides he's going to walk through the crowd.
He's getting closer & closer to us.. my heart was having palpitations by this stage..I'm not sure if that was from the excitement, from the screaming or the fact my sister was standing behind me crushing me against the barricade (it was hilarious!)
Lenny walked up to the crowd & was about 2metres away from us.
You know how at concerts or on TV you see those crazy girls SCREAMING, waving their arms & being embarrassing in general towards a musician?
Exhibit A: me, my sister & our 2 friends.
Unfortunately, Lenny, the poor darling, must've been blinded by our beauty, got disoriented & walked the other way.
He'll know better next time.
He put on such a great show that we were all considering going back the following day for concert #2.
(FYI, no we didn't. I'm not sure we would've coped with THAT 2 nights in a row. le sigh*)
Bottom line is, if you like him, go to his concert. If you don't like him, still go to his concert~ it's just fun!
Here's one for old times sake:
Only Lenny can get away with wearing a red jumpsuit, platforms & dreadlocks in his film clip for 'Are You Gonna Go My Way.'
Check. It. Out:
Until next time,
xox