Bats!
Hi everyone,
Well, I’ve just got home after having a catch-up with a friend in Newtown, and as I was walking down the hill (thinking about what to write tonight!) there were bats everywhere! Everywhere! I don’t know if that’s normal for Sydney at this time of year or whether there’s some special bat convention going on, but it was quite a sight; dusk falling and bats flying around in droves.
Anyway, how are you all? Thanks so much for all your responses to my last post – it was really great to hear from you. I’m looking forward to hearing a lot more, and I’ll get back to you properly next time.
I think this one’s going to be a bit of a ramble – Rachel’s post got me thinking about music from my youth (most of which I’m quite embarrassed to admit to – think cheesy songs from the 80s!) and Uni days (Oasis, Blur, Pulp – not quite as big as the Beatles but you may have heard of them nonetheless!) and all my favourite one-hit-wonders. I actually have a long-running argument with Chris about a group that he insists are a one-hit wonder – remember A-Ha? Anyone? Now, here in Oz they had one massive hit (which was, of course, “Take On Me”), whereas in the UK they released several albums. So to me, they’re not a one-hit wonder at all! To be honest, I think Chris just wants to wind me up...
So here’s a mini one-hit wonder quiz for you (possibly more for my fellow-rogues as these really were one-hit-wonders!).
The years 1995/1996 produced some classics. Can you remember who sang:
• Return of the Mack
• Spaceman
• Wake up Boo
You may be wondering why I’ve selected these three out of all the possibilities out there. The first two are for my two flatmates from Uni - it’s funny how you can associate a song with a time in your life, or a person. Whenever I hear these songs (not often, it’s true!) I go straight back to our flat in Leeds (a Northern Town!) and see them jumping around getting ready to go out. I won’t tell you their names as there’s a chance they might be reading this and I really don’t think they’d want anyone to know!
As for the last one, I mention it because I had a bit of a revelation last week. I’m on a campaign to read all those classic books that most people read at high school and for some reason (different syllabus, perhaps?) I didn’t. Funnily enough, mine all seem to be American and I’m quite ashamed to have left it this long to read them. Anyway, I finally read To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. And there’s a character in it called Boo Radley. And as soon as I read it, I remembered the song “Wake up Boo” by (you guessed it!) The Boo Radleys! Light dawned! I knew where they’d got their name from! It was amazing! So there you go. And if you’re wondering what else is on my “must-read” list, I’ve also just finished One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (and watched the movie – can’t believe I haven’t seen it until now!). So next on the list is The Catcher In the Rye, and then I’ll have to see where else my education is lacking – ideas, anyone? I’m always open to suggestions!
And a final note; as I’ve been writing this, I’ve had a little voice in my head going “That’s not proper music!” Thanks, Dad! And the scary thing is, I’ve started saying that myself now – must be getting old.
I’ll leave you with that cheery thought – the blanket over my knees is slipping and I really need to put my slippers on ...
More later!
Rachel H
(Answers: Return of the Mack – Mark Morrison: Spaceman – Babylon Zoo: Wake up Boo – The Boo Radleys)
Oh, I almost forgot: Christmas tree!! We had a lot of fun putting it up, although I couldn’t get any decent photos because the boys wouldn’t sit still. They were very funny: Owen kept singing “Happy birthday, Christmas tree” and Daniel was running around going “Balls! Lights! Tree!” Anyway, after they’d calmed down I managed to bribe them with some cherries and snuck a picture – here it is.
Vocabulary
dusk (n) the time just before night falls, when it’s starting to get dark
(in) droves (n. pl) a large group of animals moving from one place to another
ramble (vb/n) to talk or write in an unclear way, often for a long time
cheesy (adj) not in very good style or quality
one-hit wonder (n) a performer who has one successful recording but then no others
massive (adj) huge, enormous
to wind sb up (phr vb – informal) to annoy someone
to sneak (snuck – past s / pp; also “sneaked”) (vb) to go somewhere secretly, or to do something secretly
Comments
Hey up Rachel! It's a good ramble indeed and you've just got the old memories back of 'Return of the mack'. Haven't listened to it for so long though, but occasionally sing the lines return of the mack as I remember, between 1998-99, this was the favourite song of the Rj of our local FM radio and he used to play it more than often and without on listeners' requests most of the time. It's really good to see your cheeky angels. The small one looks like you. See you soon, Naheed
Hi dear Rachel Happy to hear from you again . Ohh my God , Owen is a big boy , now and Daniel is so cute and sweet ( touch the wood ) . I think he takes after you more than Owen . It 's too nice that your little one don't want to have all the tree 's brightening objects ( sorry I can't remember the right words ) in his hands . If my toddler were there it will be a disaster for your , tree . He loves to pull all the electrical instruments cables and specially computer is his lovely one .You know it may be so dangerous . Actually Vacuum cleaner and telephone set is his recently toys ! I will love to hear from Daniel characters more . I 'm wondering how much children are different . I mean my sons are completely different from each other . My first son was completely a quiet child when he was toddler and he could be busy with his toys but It seems no thing can entertain the younger brother . As you said there are some music the reminds us some special time in our life . For me there is a song that always remind my first roommate in UNI and other traditional local songs that remind me , my wedding ceremony . And there is a special deodorant that remind my first son pregnancy time ! Happy that you can organize your time to read books still with two kids . For me , as I work Six days in a week , I hardly remember to watch TV or being on line at home . I f you have any tips to save time for myself please tell me if it 's possible . Hugs and kisses for you and your lovely kids . Pary
Hi again Rachel! "Spaceman" was a hit over here as well. It reminds me when I was student at middle school. Anyway, you have a good taste of music. Your sons look a lot alike. Good day!!
Hi Rachel, Where has the time gone? You were with us in 2007, and I had an enchanting time reading your friendly, amiable and approachable blogs. Now here we are in 2009! First of all, I'd love welcoming your comeback here warmly and thank you for the updating of what you have been doing. Huge congratulation on the new arrival in your family,Owen. I bet they always keep you on your toes. Do they share similar characters, or do they take after you and Cris’ personality equally? About reading classic book, to be honest with you, I ‘ve tried hard to read some of classic books including ‘To Kill a Mockingbird, but I didn’t get on with it well. At the end I gave up the book and took it back to the library. I said to the librarian the books I had rented are so difficult to finish. She laughed and said some times she also struggles to read classic books. It give me a little relief but I feel a failure! Could you give us some magic tips how to tackle the monster classic books? Thank you and have a smashing day!
Hi Rachel! As you wrote, it´s interesting, how we can associate some song with a particular event in our live. Our brain stores all kind of data from various time and when needed, calls it out and let us remind of different events like what we were doing just at the moment when listening to some song. For instance, whenever I listen to the song from Enigma The sadness, it reminds me of sailing on a boat at the OrlÃk dam in the southern Bohemia 20 years ago! Another point I wanted to mention is the "one hit wonders". Some interpreters really perform just one hit and they thrive on it, but they don´t repeat such a success with another songs and their glory gradually wears out. Nevertheless, I wanted to point out to the fact, that many radio stations keep playing the same song of one music group repeatedly so that many listeners can suppose that they didn´t compose any other songs! It´s a pity. I don´t know if it is alike in other countries, this is only my experience from the czech radio stations. Tom
Hi Nice to read your text again
Hi Rachel! As you wrote, it´s interesting, how we can associate some song with a particular event in our live. Our brain stores all kind of data from various time and when needed, calls it out and let us remind of different events like what we were doing just at the moment when listening to some song. For instance, whenever I listen to the song from Enigma The sadness, it reminds me of sailing on a boat at the OrlÃk dam in the southern Bohemia 20 years ago! Another point I wanted to mention is the "one hit wonders". Some interpreters really perform just one hit and they thrive on it, but they don´t repeat such a success with another songs and their glory gradually wears out. Nevertheless, I wanted to point out to the fact, that many radio stations keep playing the same song of one music group repeatedly so that many listeners can suppose that they didn´t compose any other songs! It´s a pity. I don´t know if it is alike in other countries, this is only my experience from the czech radio stations. Tom
Rachel I wish you and your family a very good time for Christmas, I do envy all that sunshine you are having over there. We are getting very close to our shortest day of the year in these parts of the world.
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