5:13 pm eyes...
eyes meet...across a peak commuter train
eyes connect...a rarity in Vancouver
eyes smile...followed by the mouth
eyes glance away...it's forbidden here
eyes move back to peek...that didn't just happen
eyes meet again...he's peeking back
eyes get closer...the train is crowding
eyes lock...smiles rise again
eyes close seductively...eye want you
eyes reveal hearts...eye love you
eyes open wider...his hand brushed mine
eyes smile again...hands brush again
eyes look pained...can't break the silence
eyes smile longingly...this is my stop
eyes say "don't go!"...eye step off the train
eyes say "bye"...eye look back as the doors close
eyes watch as the train departs...two folorn faces
eye miss you...are you still thinking of me too?
Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow....
YOU'RE ONLY A DAY AWAY!!!!
REEN DOG WORLD TOUR 2004 WOWS CROWDS IN SINGAPORE!
Singapore. She is known as a world-class act, with her own unique brand of rock 'n roll. The eagerly anticipated Reen Dog World Tour 2004 kicked off yesterday in Singapore.
Fans lined up for hours at Singapore Changi Airport just to catch a glimpse of the reclusive rocker as she slipped into the hub of Asia. Rumours abounded on local radio that she had been spotted travelling on Singapore's Public Transport System, unaccompanied by her usual entourage of security staff.
"I was just taking the bus home from working the night shift, and I saw her just sitting there, looking out the window at the world passing by. I couldn't believe my eyes," said one commuter.
At a later in-store appearance, Reen Dog browsed for souvenirs and mingled with speechless fans before heading back to her hotel room to prepare for last night's show.
Singapore stadium was packed well before the show start time of 7:30pm. The crowd roared for over two minutes as the lights went down and Reen Dog's band took to the stage. Opening with a long drum solo, Kirk Bretner showed the crowd why he had been hired, after the shock firing of former drummer, Brett Kirkner earlier this year.
Bass guitarist, Funk Jones, took to the stage followed closely by lead guitarist, Jack "Lix" Tyler with a driving solo, combining their effortless skill.
The loudest cheers were reserved for Reen Dog herself, who took to the stage in ripped jeans and a black and silver leather jacket (trademarked by her film clip for her world wide smash, "Blaze of Unforgiven"). Taking the crowd on a 2-hour rollercoaster ride through the hits and showcasing songs from her forthcoming album,
A Dog For All Seasons , the crowd could do naught but rock it and cry out for more.
"If this show is anything to go by, Reen is one of today's premier rock acts, bound to rock the world even more so in future. Look out England! Look out Canada! The Reen Dog invasion is imminent!" exclaimed Singapore's excitable celebrity rock guru, Sammi K. Singh.
Fans in Vancouver eagerly anticipate Reen Dog's first appearance in that city later this month. "I already bought the world tour t-shirt on the internet, so I could be ready for her arrival. She is my hero. I feel like I know her so well," said one excited fan. "I was into her music before she became a famous superstar. I have all her albums including a rare Cobden-only release of her early cover of 'We gotta get out of this place' on cassingle."
Reen plays several shows in London in the coming days.
Step 1
Well, here I am in Singapore, my first step in the journey to Canada and my much missed friend. I am using the resources of a friend's office to write this blog, I figure using work time to do personal things works for my in Melbourne, so why not here!!
Singapore weather controllers have been kind enough to drop their temperature to 28, just for me! So far, in terms of landing in a new country and using their public transport system, Singapore gets the big thumbs up. Yep, absolutely tops. Who could believe that a little Cobbers girl could make her way from Melbourne to a office somewhere in downtown Singapore all by herself? Or am I the only one surprised by the feat? Comfortable, clean, efficient, cheap, well sign posted public transport, what more could a Cobberite need to get around?
But then again, I am just at the beginning of my journey, who knows what tomorrow may bring - good things I hope.
On the verge
It's 6.50am, I shall be leaving for the airport soon. I cannot begin to describe the anticipation. My neighbours, I'm sure, can hear me rubbing my hands together in excitment at regular intervals. Indeed, I have to stop typing every now and then to indulge the need.
I'm on the verge of leaving this country (temporarily), this place where todays weather is tipped for 15 and rain (it's Spring here, let's not forget).
Only 4 more plane rides until I reach Canada, hmmm that hardly brings it closer.
Wish me luck as your wave me good-bye.
Why Travel?
With only 2 more days before I begin my little expidition, I find myself asking, why travel? And why do I ask this question? Why travel, when you can walk to your local shops and see such interesting sights as a man walking along, smoking a pipe. Yep, that's what I said, a pipe. I mean, I've seen people smoking cigarettes in public, and less commonly joints, and even less commonly cigars, but never a pipe. He wasn't wearing slippers either. Or is it just legend that puts pipe smoking and slippers together? In fact, he was dressed rather more like he should have been smoking Winnie Blues.
I think I need to let Lonely Planet know. It certainly belongs in a tourist guide, "... and walking through the streets of suburban Melbourne, don't be surprised if you see people smoking pipes..."
All too late, for I was surprised!
the power of goodbye...
I just said goodbye to a close Vancouver friend who is moving to Calgary.
It's got me thinking about goodbyes and what they mean to me.
Goodbyes where I am the one leaving are generally not difficult. Coming to Canada was a relatively easy goodbye. It enabled me to leave a relatively short-term relationship that was stifling me, and all my friends were like, "Go for it. Yay for you".
There was a time when I said goodbye from Melbourne, when I was bound for Sydney to live for a time, all my belongings packed up in the back of the car. That was a tough goodbye. I remember crying for the first 3 hours of the trip to the state border. I remember the look on my friend's face as we drove off, both of us in tears. A sense of loss.
For some reason, the feeling I have today, saying goodbye to my friend as she leaves is strangely reminiscent of that day I left Melbourne for Sydney. I feel like my heart has been torn out. It would be selfish to beg someone to stay when the essence of their being is drawing them to another place. To another world.
I know how it feels to be in a place that you don't belong, to have another place calling you near. I had that feeling before I came to Canada. From the moment I had the first thought of traveling to Canada, I knew that it was where I was meant to be. At least for this period of time. I remember an overwhelming sense of making the right decision to go to Canada as I sat by the ocean in Australia. It was after-all, confirmed by a pod of whales that appeared in the ocean at the very moment of my Canadian inspiration. I think my friend has had a similar experience in confirmation.
We had lunch just now. I could think of nothing to say, except "Don't go." I tried my earnest to be happy, to not make it a big good-bye, but a "See you soon" moment. To make it a "Good for you. Yay for you. I am so happy that you are following your heart and your dreams." This is all true.
I know how it feels to be on the receiving end of a "Don't go." so there is no way I would say that.
The reality is that I am only here for a few more months and then I leave Vancouver too.
So now I am filled with self-analysis. Why do I have these moments of extreme clingyness? Does everyone experience these kinds of feelings? As someone who regularly says good-bye to others as I leave places, why do I have so much trouble letting others go from my world? How selfish of me to be okay with goodbyes on my terms, but feel so gutted with goodbyes on others terms?
Perhaps it's because many people come into my world, but so few are truly inspirational people. The friends in my inner sanctum are these kinds of people. The kind of people who give me far more than I could ever give them. The kind of people who cheer me on, when I go off on my crazy whims. The kind of people I can reveal deep and inner thoughts to without any reservation, as though I were just discussing the weather or what I'd like for dinner. The kind of people who make me a better person.
I am so lucky to have so many people in my world who I can call good friends.
I hate goodbyes. But it will be okay tomorrow. Or the next day. Certainly by the one after that.
I hope.
13 sleeps to go....
Emotional Baggage
Stealing time from work I sit here making my first blog. Not long to go for me before I set out on my "big adventure", hoping like hell it's not just a big flop.
I can't wait to get to Van to see my special little guy. Perhaps I am having a little buyers regret about the first half of my trip. Nah, I'll love that too. I just wish I had more time and money to stay longer in Canada.
Anxiety level is getting pretty high as I struggle to make sure I have everything finished off at work, as well as all of the things I need to organise for the trip. What I am talking about, my anxiety level is usually pretty high.
I bought new luggage for my trip. It has a zip all the way down the lining. I'm not sure why, this pocket isn't lined or anything. Perhaps it's where you are supposed to store your emotional baggage. I was hoping to leave mine in Melbourne. I must remember to keep that zip up tight while I'm packing.
15 sleeps to go...
What can you do to express the excitement, when there are only 15 sleeps to go?
15 sleeps until you're reunited with your nearest and dearest friend in the world.
When there are only 15 sleeps until you can show her the world that has made you so happy to be alive.
How do you make 15 sleeps go faster? I could go to sleep now at 6pm, but what if I woke up at 1am? Would that add an extra sleep to the count if I couldn't get back to sleep until 3am?
It would just prolong the wait.
I love Vancouver. I love Canada. I love my friend.
I will be so happy when I can combine all three!
