Friday Five: My Christmas Wish List

Yes, it is that time of year again when we are asked for our wishlists in the countdown to Christmas.  I am one of the lucky (or unlucky) ones who happen to have their birthday in December as well.  So this means that I have a ‘present famine’ for the whole year and then have to think of what I want for my birthday and Christmas.  For those other December or even January birthday people you know the drill, more often than not you will get a ‘combined’ birthday or Christmas present or one or the other….how unfair is this!!  So you would understand the pressure when making your wishlists to ensure you don’t miss out for the whole year!

At the moment my wishlist looks like this, although it tends to change on a weekly basis!

1.   Mix Master

I would love a new mix master. My old one is just not cutting it and is getting a workout from all these cupcakes. Of course my dream mix master is the way too expensive Kitchenaid one, but I would settle for a beautiful new coloured one just the same.

2.  Babushka Doll

 I have always loved babushka dolls and they seem to be around everywhere at the moment (great it you love them like me, not so great if you don’t…).  I would love a babushka doll to put on the shelf in my study.

 3.  Digital Camera

The screen on my digital camera broke, so I would love a new one! I am not fussy on what type or brand, just one with enough megapixels and at least 3x zoom!

4.  Pampering

Pampering is always a favourite.  Something nice to relax and get you in the Christmas mood.  Hmmm…how about a pedicure? I don’t think I could go wrong with a pedicure.

 5.  Puppy

 Ok this is the one total ‘wish’ I have on my wishlist. I would love to get a puppy for Christmas. How cool would that be! I blame my hairdresser for this. Her dogs have just had puppies and everytime I go there they wiggle their little puppy bodies at me and snuggle on my lap.  Although I don’t think my ragdoll cat Memphis would be too impressed if I really got a puppy for Christmas.

 So what’s on your wishlist for Christmas?

Trav – THE INTERVIEW!

So, one of the first bloggers I contacted to find out a little more about was TRAV.  He graciously answered my questions – even the jellybean one!  I thought it would be more fun to hear about his favourite things – sort of like when Oprah has her ‘favourite things’ TV episode… So here are my questions for TRAV!

bread & butter pudding by jules:stonesoup from flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stone-soup/2582782905/

If you ruled the world for one day what would you do? Melt down all the guns!

 

Favourite jellybean flavour? Black

Favourite book as a child? The Magic Pudding

Favourite dance move? Ha! With two left feet, that would be Watching!!!

 

Favourite book as an adult? Sooo Many!!! Probably The Lord Of the Rings

 

Favourite area to browse in the library? Gardening

 

List your top 3 hobbies. Fishing, Hiking, Playstation

 

Favourite food for the movies? Mixed lollies

 

Favourite character in a book or movie? (Why) Rincewind – He’s a wizard with problems. He makes me laugh (Terry Pratchett books)

 

Favourite ice-cream flavour (or mix-in)? Rum ‘n Raisin

 

Favourite fizzy drink? Sars

 

Favourite tv series? Stargate

 

Favourite Aussie landmark/vacation place? Tassie. Very beautiful. Good fishing too!

 

Favourite band/group? Transvision Vamp

 

Favourite sports star? Andre Agasi. A true gentleman and a hard worker for many charities’!

 

What do you like to do on your holidays? See new places – experience new cultures

 

What is your favourite Christmas memory? Family. And just being together. Mum, Dad, Brother Grandparents, Uncles Aunts, Cousins and Friends all together at once. Really looking forward to Christmas with my new little Boy.

Who is your hero or role model? My Mum and Dad. They are just fantastic and I love them.

Thanks to Trav for those answers – do you like any of the same books?  Who is your favourite character?

Did you know? (I didn’t!!!!)

There’s beef fat in fabric softener!

That’s outrageous I hear you say! Aha. It’s called tallow, so watch out all vegetarians.

Do you know something you think I don’t know? Please tell us all because there’s lots of stuff I know I don’t know.

Remasters from the undisputed masters

Isn’t it exciting?

All the Beatles recordings being remastered and released in Stereo and Mono!

If things have been quiet in the library of late, then this is why! All discerning listeners are out or online trying to sniff out the box sets released last week.

It’s been 22 years since EMI released the Fab Four’s catalogue on compact disc, and the advances in digital audio technology since should see fans in for a sonic treat!

All reports have been excellent so far. Have I heard them yet….?

I have heard the Mono Sgt Pepper and Revolver. But I can’t wait to get my ageing ears enveloped in the new stereo versions of the greatest canon in popular music history!

One problem…….All you need is cash!

The mono versions of Sgt Pepper’s and Revolver are as the Beatles and their production crew(mainly engineer Geoff Emerick and producer George Martin) wanted them to be heard. In 1966 “stereo” was still really a studio gimmick of sorts and the stereo mixes were “knocked out” rather hastily and weren’t even done with the Fab Four present!

The Mono mixes were the important ones! On hearing them there is the intended blend of all those sounds coming right at you without the extreme (although wonderful) stereo panning of the mixes we are more used to.

Geoff Emerick emphasises how much care went into these mono mixes in his book “ Here, There and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of the Beatles”. Available in the library of course!

They may be a fanatic’s choice, but these new remasters are glorious!

Peddling Gold Coast

All right, so you’ve lived here forever, or, maybe you’re new to the Gold Coast…

Why not hit some of the Gold Coast’s cycle tracks and take the time to  leisurely cruise the streets and check out our city?

You will be amazed at what you see from the bike that you miss when zipping around in the car or bus.

There are great parks all over the place – check out the Councils’ web page for maps of the “On road” and “Off road” cycle ways from Beenleigh to Coolangatta.

Why cycle?

• Good exercise – check out this cool site – you can put in various activities and see how many calories you burn at Fitness 2 live
• It’s good fun – cycle with a mate
• It’s good for the environment

You might also want to have a look at overview of  bikeways on the Gold Coast City Council website for a guide to cycling on the Gold Coast, safety tips, road rules, bike security and contacts to report damaged bike ways.

Check out what’s happening with Vibe and see where professional BMX rider Tim Wood will be hosting his Coastal Grind BMX Workshops and Jams.

Speaking of films…

A quick post!

I’ve just checked up on the details of the film adaptation of Tomorrow, When the War Began, and they’ve started filling out some details about the production, most importantly the cast! Is this old hat?

For fans of Neighbours, Caitlin Stasey who played Rachel Kinski will be playing Ellie.

Friday five: My top five movies to watch under the moonlight

This is a bit of a double-barrelled post. Firstly, I get to talk about movies I really want to see.  And secondly, I encourage you all to make a trip up to New Farm in Brisbane to check out the Moonlight Cinema this Summer!

If you’ve never been before, it is just what the name suggests. New Farm Park screens  five films a week - always either a new release or a cult classic – for anyone to come and watch under the stars. It costs (a little bit) less than going to the traditional cinema, and you can bring your own picnic! The program has been released for up until the end of Summer and you can view and book online. So get in quickly!

I’ve already planned the films I want to see:

5. New Moon

4. Avatar 

3. New York, I Love You

2. Fantastic Mr. Fox

1. Where the Wild Things Are

Hope to see you there!

The Interview Series…

NightRPStar

So I thought I would start chatting with my fellow bloggers to find out a bit more about their interests:  For example – haven’t you always wanted to know your local librarian’s favourite jelly bean flavour??? or what their favourite movie was??

Keep a look out! The interviews are coming soon!

Finders Keepers Market

Oo oo! The Finders Keepers Market is on this weekend in Brisbane.

If you haven’t heard of these fab markets you obviously don’t read FRANKIE. Finders Keepers is a Sydney-based market that is finally coming to the sunny state. There will be 55 stalls full of clothing, accessories, jewellery, lighting, textiles, homewares, stationery, magazines, toys and art – all lovingly and fabulously made. The FK Market is a showcase for local artists and designers. And did I mention the free music?

Local artists such as Erin-Louise, The Fox and the River, The Cardboard Kids, Kate Jacobson Mr. Rascal, Edge of Colour, JuliaWhy?, Lion Island and The Bell Divers. Oh and Pikelet.

The market is taking place in the beautiful Old Museum - corner Bowen Bridge Road & Gregory Terrace,  Fortitude Valley.

Sat. Oct 31st 12pm -9pm

Sun. Nov 1st 10am – 5pm

Closet Train: Brunswick Station – Fortitude Valley. Just walk toward the RNA Showgrounds.

See you there!

Classic books hit screens for Christmas

If you’ve nothing better to do, staring down the barrel of another six weeks until the end of term, you might like to start looking forward to the glut of movies that get released for the summer holidays. In amongst them are movies adapted from two classic books: A Christmas carol by Charles Dickens and Where the wild things are by Maurice Sendak.

I think A Christmas carol has been done to death – there have been so many TV, movie and pantomine productions of it – The Muppets did a version, and so did Blackadder - even Barbie has her little plastic heart warmed. Plus, this one’s got Jim Carrey as Scrooge and all three of the Ghosts of Christmas (you know, Past, Present and Future), and I’ve already seen the movie of Dr Seuss’ The Grinch who stole Christmas, so I figure that’s enough for me of Carrey going from an unmitigated grump to an all round nice bloke through the healing joy of Christmas.

Cynical? Maybe.

BUT I’m way, way, way excited about Where the wild things are. I love that book and the photos of the movie are amazing – they look exactly like Sendak’s illustrations. I’m just hoping that they’ve done as good a job with the plot and dialogue – I imagine there are a few challenges making a full length movie out of a picture book.

What does everyone else think – will you be seeing Max in his wolf suit, or Scrooge in his nightcap?