a good weekend in july

Sometimes I have some really nice weekends. These days, they are usually prefaced with beautiful winter sunlight and a productive train ride into the city, meaning I'm completing some work, an email, or some study. Or it's a peaceful ride where I'm listening to some great music that makes me want to sing or dance, or smile uncontrollably.

Highlights from the weekend that just passed...

* Home-made improvised lunch courtesy of J (don't know how it was made but I think I know what went into it.... oregano, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, minced meat, onion, wholegrain bread, diced olives), followed by yummy ice cream (not home-made)

* Enjoying a post-lunch movie - Disney's Hercules. Good fun!

* Actually getting some study done!

* Being wowed by some professional couples at the Australian Salsa Open and also getting some dance time in between, not to mention bumping into some old friends from high school who were performing that night!

* Lazy Sunday morning in bed, followed by a nice brunch at Jet Caffe... smoked ham & cheese croissant with peppermint tea to accompany. Delish!

* Getting a little bit more study done :)

* Late lunch at The Watershed in Darling Harbour... a small share plate for two, plus nachos. We were stuffed by the end of it!

* Interesting conversations on dog and baby names :)

* Another post-lunch movie - Disney's Pocahontas, which was made a little funnier than usual thanks to the added sound effects of J!

I'm exhausted but what a fun couple of days. As usual. :)

jack johnson.

The first time I ever heard Jack Johnson was when the (pop-)world didn't know who he was. I think I was listening to Triple J, and there was a groovy song with odd lyrics. I listened to the end of the song, and discovered the title to be "The Horizon Has Been Defeated", by Jack Johnson. I thought it was the strangest song title at the time. Admittedly I still think it's strange, but now Jack Johnson is world famous.

In the last year or so I went through a phase where I thought all his songs sounded the same, and so I didn't really pay attention to any albums after the release of Curious George. I haven't listened to his music in a long time.. until today.

I was playing guitar during my lunch break (today is meant to be a day full of study.. I'm trying to make it work), and having exhausted a couple of Bic Runga, Colbie Caillat and Priscilla Ahn songs, I decided to search Jack Johnson. I couldn't remember how some of the melodies went, so I searched the songs on YouTube.. and then I ended up watching the music videos for Taylor and Upside Down, as well as The Horizon Has Been Defeated. I was reminded of how I first discovered Jack Johnson, and I wanted to write about it, hence this post. :)

take me home, country roads..

I have an album. It's called "John Denver's Greatest Hits". It was one of the few albums I listened to while growing up (some others included two Girlfriend albums).

I don't know what it is about the music, but this album really makes me feel so warm and beautifully happy from the inside. I feel as though I'm glowing with happiness and no amount of wide grinning can accurately reflect it.

The songs on this album are generally peaceful and soothing. The slight country twang in the background makes me think of golden pastures in the American outback, and there's a hint of homesickness in the songs, a wistfulness that brings out a reminiscent frame of mind in me.

Looks like I'll have to dig out my Simon & Garfunkel, and The Carpenters too..

This is one of the happiest, loving songs on the album in my opinion:

John Denver - For Baby (For Bobbie)

I'll walk in the rain by your side,
I'll cling to the warmth of your hand,
I'll do anything to keep you satisfied
I'll love you more than anybody can.

And the wind will whisper your name to me
little birds will sing along in time,
leaves will bow down when you walk by
and morning bells will chime.

I'll be there when you're feelin down
to kiss away the tears that you cry,
I'll share whith you all the happiness I've found
a reflection of the love in your eyes.

And I'll sing you the songs of the rainbow,
I'll whisper of the joy that is mine
and leaves will bow down when you walk by
and morning bells will chime.

I'll walk in the rain by your side,
I'll cling to the warmth of your tiny hand,
I'll do anything to help you understand
I love you more than anybody can.

And the wind will whisper your name to me
little birds will sing along in time,
leaves will bow down when you walk by
and morning bells will chime.