Another Couch Choir offering 🙂
I pop up a few times in the little screens – think pink, flowers and unicorns…
Crying Sideways
I didn’t get out much last week.
When Saturday came around, I thought it might be a chance to enjoy a quiet coffee in my favourite cafe.
Seems like everyone else had the same idea…
This Sunday’s sermon mentioned something about “souls crying sideways” – when we don’t acknowledge pain and hurt, stuff it down inside, it tends to come out in other ways. That may be physical illness, mental instability, or maybe just crying copiously in public. Who knows? We all have our idiosyncrasies.
When I go out by myself for coffee (and cake 🙂 ) it tends to be a big deal for me, both because I generally have to spend a fair bit of my energy reserves to get there, and because I just enjoy the whole experience. I’m also not very good at suddenly changing plans.
Saturdays are very busy. My favourite cafe is very good, but I’ve come to realise that Saturday morning is not the best time for one person to be able to sit inside and enjoy a leisurely breakfast…
I had already had some problems with wobbly legs and shaky hands while walking down the street to get there, and the tables outside can be a bit wonky (there’s a bit of a hill). I had ordered a filter coffee, which I hadn’t realised didn’t come with milk. I couldn’t ask for milk easily because I couldn’t carry everything inside, although I did eventually get a small jug of milk. My cosy morning out was turning into a bit of an ordeal, which tipped over into chaos when I managed to tip the whole cup of coffee into my lap (shaky hands/small jug). Cue the crying!
I don’t identify myself exactly with the sideways crying scenario – I don’t think it was a case of stuffed emotions – more probably my energy levels just suddenly dipped into practically non-existent. The crying was definitely disproportionate to the event, though. Thankfully I can cry quietly 🙂 One of the other patrons did notice, and asked if I was OK. I took myself around the corner to calm down a bit, then went back to my table to try to finish the coffee that was left in the pot. It had, of course, been tidied away. 😆
My morning finished better than it started.
I got back in line to get a takeaway latte, which was given to me free, along with a lovely lemon slice. That kindness almost undid me (again) – none of it was the fault of the cafe, but they showed grace to the weeping twit in the shadows, when they would be well within their rights to ignore me.
I did some therapeutic shopping in the charity shop down the road, then spent some time in the library. No-one seemed to notice the huge coffee stains down my front, and they’d dried by then.
I haven’t got any deep philosophy to impart from all this, but I was reminded of an important truth while I was watching the last scene from the last season of House.
Time’s moving on…
Content
I’ve had a couple of low energy/fatiguey days lately, so I’ve mostly been in bed.
Thankfully I’ve also been in the process of changing the area by my bed so I can easily reach books, pens/pencils/paper etc when I need them. There’s still more to do (I do a bit, then run out of steam) but I should have a useable workspace soon.
It still feels a bit lazy, but I came to the conclusion that it was better to get some work done in bed rather than not getting anything done while waiting to feel better…
It’s not like I haven’t done any writing or drawing while sitting up in bed before – it’s just been quite uncomfortable. I finally got myself a little lap table with a tilting top, and a new “bedside table” (a trolley with drawers from Officeworks).
Today has been another catch up day – because of events the last few months, I’m behind in some classes and seminars.
I’m enjoying the content of the two sites I’m working on, and I am content with my new space and the new things I’m learning!
🙂
Singing With The Unicorn
Couch Choir is doing another video – there’s still time to contribute your voice!
I just finished uploading my “high ladies” part, and sent in a “low ladies” part earlier this afternoon…
Was I in fine voice, conquering all before me?
Well, in a word… no.
Not at all.
My voice is unreliable these days, and I don’t think my vocals will be prominent in the final mix 😆
I always enjoy contributing, but I know I’m one amongst many. This time I decided to have more fun with it all.
Behold – a glimpse of my duet with a friend
(a surprisingly quiet friend!)
Because what’s the point of having a unicorn onesie and a toy unicorn if you can’t use them in a collaborative music video?
Following The Signposts
Time for another wander through YouTube!
I’ve been watching reaction videos lately – I enjoy seeing someone else falling in love with music I already know, and I also am introduced to music I’ve never come across before.
Watching random songs also means the recommendations can be…a bit different 🙂
Here’s an audition from The Voice South Africa – the song is the Click Song, sung in Xhosa, which I first heard sung by Miriam Makeba.
Next I had a look at a Kazakh singer called Dimash. I’ve seen a lot of reaction videos to him, and I know he’s known for having a very wide vocal range. I chose this song to share because of the added family sweetness 🙂
What next?
Maybe a bit of Georgian dancing?
(This is more of a mini documentary, and some dissent in the YouTube comments about the accuracy of some of the history)
Some Irish dancing to finish!
(also a bit of a mini documentary…)
Dance!
Sing!
…and wander down a different path sometimes – see what the signposts say.
Found, While Looking
We’re on the first day of another three day lockdown, with restrictions continuing for a few days after that.
Seems a good time to listen to good music 😀
Here’s a cover of one of my favourite U2 songs.
It’s a collaboration involving one of my favourite bands at the moment, and it shows a bit of what’s possible, via Zoom, when we can’t meet up in person.
Creativity and collaboration have had a few detours over the last year and more, but great (and fun!) things are still possible.
❤
Refresh (Again)
The last week has been a bit quiet – a period of adjusting, and reclaiming some routines.
Unfortunately, I’ve done something to my hip – not sure what, but it has involved creeping sideways occasionally and screeching when sitting down or standing up. It’s getting better, though – I walked a bit today, did some shopping and went out for a coffee… breathing out a prayer of thanks every time I could move painlessly!
Music always cheers me up, and sometimes reminds me of truth when I’m feeling unmoored.
Here’s some songs from an artist I like, reminding me where my hope comes from ❤
Now, the question is…
should I buy the album? 🤔
Back On The Couch
…or bed, since that’s where I recorded my bit for this. 🙂
Can’t see me in the little vignettes, but my voice is in there somewhere…
lots of fun!
❤
What’s The Issue?
The other day I treated myself to a magazine.
I remember getting the Big Issue when I lived in the U.K., and I’ve bought it from time to time here.
It’s an initiative started in London, which has spread out to other countries – as you can see, 25 years in Australia!
Vendors come from the homeless community, or are otherwise vulnerable or marginalised. They buy the magazines, then sell them for a profit, and the money earned can make a big difference. It’s a job, and a chance to get a step up by their own endeavour.
The magazine itself? It’s professionally written and printed – not a “pity” purchase, and well worth the price.
The vendor in our city sits outside the library. At the moment it’s cold, and sometimes wet – the wind whistles through the area and can make it feel colder still. It’s the best place to catch foot traffic here, though.
Most major cities, and some smaller ones, will have vendors somewhere on the street.
The magazine is published fortnightly, so there’s probably still time to pick up the celebration issue.
If not – do yourself a favour and get the next one.
It’s a good read!
Blueberries In The Rain
One of the bright things in my life at the moment is the opportunity to start my day with coffee and a muffin before diving into the challenges. It’s not an everyday thing, but on days like Tuesday when it’s cold and pouring, it makes things a bit sweeter.
Blueberry and lemon, with just a bit of syrupy density at the bottom…yum!
Another fun endeavour has been a minor overhaul of my wardrobe.
I’m not necessarily known for drab clothing, but recently I’ve been realising that some of my clothes have been sitting waiting for the “right” time to be worn. Recent events have reminded me that the right time is generally now…
When it’s cold and I want to be comfy, why not choose to be a unicorn?
It’s a onesie I bought a few weeks ago. The sudden freeze seemed like a good reason to test it.
Here’s the other end –
It has a tail and wings!
The rain’s gone, for now.
But I still have the unicorn option, whenever I feel like it…
😀
