I'm too old for...Stereosonic

I knew I was too old for Stereosonic, but I LOVE Galantis and wanted to see Duke Dumont so went anyway.  As you do. I figured we'd be invisible so it would be okay.

We got on the train and the carriage when silent. All the young things, already off their chops, appeared to be paranoid we were cops. Fine with that. Expected.


I was surprised when they asked for ID. And then the eye bulge when he worked out the age and the ego deflating double take when he looked at me, implying 'What the hell are you doing here?'. Even that was anticipated.

I need to add, as an aside, I've never had a bag check where I've had to pull everything out of the bag, even tiny purses.

The issue for me, was the drinks. As I was not on the chemically enhancing gear, I wanted a drink. An actual real drink. Like an adult might drink. So I line up and look at a list of sugary liquids. You could not even buy a decent beer! And the only spirit was vodka, but NO TONIC! It was with Redbull or Lemonade. Nothing an adult would want to imbibe. And that's when it hit me. I'm WAY too old for Stereosonic....

Have you ever suddenly felt your age?

Linking with #WWU and don't forget to link your Xmas posts here

Guaranteed Pick Me Ups

Lately I've been going through the wringer butting heads with a teenager*, and just general life chaos, so as a result, to settle my mood, I've had a few songs on high rotation.

Smile - Galantis (the clip is lots of nudie people making out, so not suitable for work, so this is the audio only, but listen and you'll feel the bad vibe lift away)



The other song, which has a real downer of a clip (not suitable for work) and frankly probably depressing lyrics but I don't understand what he's saying - I think the Elton John-esque rising notes taps into some happy mood from my childhood, is Avicii's For a Better Day:



Until recently I'd been going to Dancing in the Dark on a Monday night, and the hour of crazy dancing gave me such a high, that I began to get an anticipatory high all day Monday. Alas, they're no more, so I'm trying to get myself to No Lights, No Lycra but that's yet to eventuate in this busy xmas season. I have to say, the hour of dancing to Galantis yesterday gave me an instant high, that brought me peace for awhile...and a big grin to match.

I'm trying to be a little mindful of all the good things in my world, and trying to treasure minutes of quiet (most days seem to involve racing from one thing to the next, and that's becoming physically exhausting).

What are your tips for keeping your head above water?

Linking with #MondayMusicMovesMe - G for Galantis!

*Needs to be said, a good teen, but a teen all the same....

Xmas gift guide for the hard to buy for

Kids are always the easiest to buy for, it's the adults in your life that can make Christmas shopping tricky, so here's a few ideas for those hard to please giftwise.

 

 

Not sponsored, but awhile ago I won a Bockers & Pony hamper, and it was one of the only hampers I've received where I liked everything in it - not any 'filler'. This was the Cheers hamper, but there are Christmas offerings, and many other great gift ideas. With the red & white ribbon, it would make the perfect festive surprise. So if you're really stuck, or looking for a hamper to send, I'd look at Bockers & Pony.


If money's no object, I'd consider the Fly'n'Dine with Sydney Seaplanes. A luxury gift that makes you feel like you've stepped into another life for a few hours.

Or for a gift that gives twice - head to the Little Shop for handmade gifts where the proceeds go to hospitals.

These little pendants make lovely gifts from Udderly Mine.

Look for the local gift markets in your area. There are a lot popping up in December - and when you buy local, your hard earned cash is going into the community. The Artisan Markets are popping up in Annandale on the 5th December, if you're after funky handmade gift ideas.

If you are really stumped, why not head to Daddy, I want a pony! and potter around the sensational gift shop in Leichhardt. There's bound to be something there to solve your dilemma.

Linking with #OpenSlather & #MummyMondays

Add you Christmas posts below, old or new, or make a suggestion for other great gifts in the comments.

An InLinkz Link-up

First of the Month Fiction - December

For newcomers, write a 100 word story exactly, or one less than 30 words, in the comment section - then link your blog.

Disappointment

They mumble a lot, and it can be noisy, the old man thought irritably. It can be confusing. New people turn up almost daily. They just can't keep staff. Otherwise, he liked it here, for the most part, he mused. It's clean, and it's sunny.

The young man pulled back the curtains. "Dad, it's me, Paul" He searched in vain for recognition, a flash in the eyes, that perhaps today his father remembered him for an instant. "Dad?" He stayed chatting cheerfully for awhile to the old man who stared through him.

He would return home yet again broken-hearted.

(This was a reject from Museum of Words - it's not fab but I kind of like it, so here it is)  Linking with #WWU and later #WeekendRewind
Your turn:

An InLinkz Link-up

Right now, I'm....

Busy, stressed, disorganised.

Not three words I'm comfortable with. I have too much to do, not enough time to do it. I'm not doing what I need to get done, nor what I want to do.

I want to write. I have stories in my head but no time to get them onto paper.

So advance warning, I'll be shutting up shop for a break, to write hopefully, from 16th December until the 1st of Feb. This is my Christmas present to myself. I will, however, continue with the Christmas link up every Friday, and First of the Month Fiction.

I hope to return with a new level of organisation and enthusiasm.

Now to get all this Christmas chaos sorted....

Linking with #IMustConfess

Jingle all the way...

Christmas is fast approaching, and the days and nights are filling up with all the festive activities...
I've just been alerted to a wonderful charity, that's easy to contribute to. If you have a spare bag, you fill it with female toiletries, and drop it to a local collection point before December 11. It's nationwide, so well worth a look: Share the Dignity

Don't forget to link your Christmas posts, old or new, below, and pop in to read a few of the others....

An InLinkz Link-up

Linking with#WorthCasing

Seriously...I'm kidding

I was deeply upset when I read the news from Paris, and then angry. Very angry that they picked on young people and families, all innocent of involvement in anything at all. The anger scares me a little. It's not fear, it's an aggressive emotion. I don't think it's a good reaction to this tragedy, but there it is regardless.

A while ago I read Ellen DeGeneres book, Seriously...I'm Kidding. It's a very funny, entertaining read that made me laugh out loud a lot, in very public places. It does, however, end on a serious(ish) note.  While describing her secret to happiness, among other things, she says "Contribute to the world. Help people. Help one person....Just help. Make an impact. Show someone you care...even if we try the teeniest tiniest bit we can make this world a much happier and healthier one. And if we try even harder, we can do some pretty spectacular things."


If the disaffected chose this path, instead of one of selfish destruction, image the different world we'd live in?

However, we can only manage ourselves, so we need to increase our contribution, or offer a contribution to a neighbour, friend, or stranger. We can make the world a better place, and let's face it, we really need to. If like me you are feeling anger, then channel that energy into something positive. If you can't change the world globally, just start with a neighbour. It's easy and if we all make life better for one person, then it's a movement on a grand scale of sorts.

Here's hoping we eventually see some pretty spectacular things.

Linking with the BookNook