I'm not going to rant and rave about it (not here, anyway), but I will say that this will not be a "first-and-last-time" for Vans Warped Tour, for me!
This is a list of the bands that I saw, at least in part, yesterday. I didn't get to see all that I wanted to see but there were 71 bands (and that's just in Atlanta) that played over the 10-hour, 85 degree, 90% humidity day (it did rain late on and All Time Low had to relocate). Some are new discoveries that I love, too. In order:
Seven Story Fall
3oh!3
Underoath
TAT
The White Tie Affair
Forever the Sickest Kids
Bayside
Black Tide
Senses Fail
The Devil Wears Prada
Scary Kids Scaring Kids
Versa Emerge
Ocean Theory
All Time Low
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
all the small things...
I've been thinking about this blog for about two weeks now... Who thinks about writing a blog, I hear you ask? Me. I think about a lot of things. Often, unnecessarily. Often, without thinking about thinking. And, often, forgetting about them as soon as I've thought of them.
The idea for this blog came to me on the 14th July whilst walking through the two main parks in Boston city. I had already been thinking about how strange, and yet comforting, it is that so many things can remind me of people - seemingly random things. In fact, I'm fairly certain I've mentioned it before... Even now, my mind is thinking about writing this blog and how I seem to be formalising my grammatical style, whilst also reminscing about recent events; thinking about the fact that I will miss yet another concert by one of my favourite bands (the Cab are playing tomorrow night in Atlanta, for $10 no less); and getting more frustrated at the guy sitting next to me, who stinks like hell and is now playing an audio clip. Yes, I think about all those things at once, and still have space to analyse 'why?' and 'how?' and the reasoning etc etc you get the idea.
I digress...
All the small things. So, as I was walking over a footbridge over a pond in a park in Boston - a pond where you can pay someone to float you around in a swan-shaped boat for 10mins (please!) - there was a group of three teenage guys busking. Picture a Jonas Brothers-esque group - they sounded much the same but were all playing acoustic guitars, and not strumming in time (annoying). The song they were singing, as I recall it, was "All The Small Things" (of course, that may just be what I remember... I tend to 'hear' songs that remind me of places or people or events e.g. Yellowcard as I walked down Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, and The Academy Is as I drove past Barrington High in the Hills of LA)... I'm good at getting side-tracked... and this blog is quickly becoming the much longer, thought-out version of my hyperactive mind...
Let me quickly say what I need to say.
Tomorrow I begin to head home after four weeks of travelling North America. Many people have told me that I am brave and independent and even inspiring as I have travelled - I have met so many beautiful people. But, that is not how I see it. I do not see this trip about me (although, in all truth, I have learnt a lot about myself... or, at least, how others' see me). What has made this trip so memorable, so much fun and something I want to do again (soon!) is all the small things:
- iconic objects like red fire hydrants, yellow cabs, FedEx vans, fast food outlets...;
- people: the famous celebrities of Hollywood that I didn't meet; Jena and Noah in Ohio; everyone who was on the Cosmos tour with me (all 42 - plus John and France - of you); the 4 lovely ladies I met here in Atlanta that drove me to and from Warped and hung out with me; and the randoms on the streets, in the hotels and in the air;
- the sites - both the historic and the little places I found along the way;
- the weather, the flora and fauna... nature in general, including climate and geography;
- the things that I associate with people, places and events, both past and present.
... all the SMALL things!
And, yet again, I find it easier to quote the good boys of Fall Out Boy than say what I really think, word for word. So I leave you with these songs, which have been in my head of late:
Homesick At Spacecamp; and
Sending Postcards From a Place Crash (Wish You Were Here).
(They actually appear one-after-another on their album: Take This To Your Grave - my favourite FOB album.)
So, Sydney, I'll be seeing you and all your glory and wonderful people in approximately 2 days (or 3 days if you are where I am, currently... yay for time zones!)
After that, who knows, I may just return to the self I was a month ago, before all these small things happened in my life... I surely hope not...
xx bri
The idea for this blog came to me on the 14th July whilst walking through the two main parks in Boston city. I had already been thinking about how strange, and yet comforting, it is that so many things can remind me of people - seemingly random things. In fact, I'm fairly certain I've mentioned it before... Even now, my mind is thinking about writing this blog and how I seem to be formalising my grammatical style, whilst also reminscing about recent events; thinking about the fact that I will miss yet another concert by one of my favourite bands (the Cab are playing tomorrow night in Atlanta, for $10 no less); and getting more frustrated at the guy sitting next to me, who stinks like hell and is now playing an audio clip. Yes, I think about all those things at once, and still have space to analyse 'why?' and 'how?' and the reasoning etc etc you get the idea.
I digress...
All the small things. So, as I was walking over a footbridge over a pond in a park in Boston - a pond where you can pay someone to float you around in a swan-shaped boat for 10mins (please!) - there was a group of three teenage guys busking. Picture a Jonas Brothers-esque group - they sounded much the same but were all playing acoustic guitars, and not strumming in time (annoying). The song they were singing, as I recall it, was "All The Small Things" (of course, that may just be what I remember... I tend to 'hear' songs that remind me of places or people or events e.g. Yellowcard as I walked down Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, and The Academy Is as I drove past Barrington High in the Hills of LA)... I'm good at getting side-tracked... and this blog is quickly becoming the much longer, thought-out version of my hyperactive mind...
Let me quickly say what I need to say.
Tomorrow I begin to head home after four weeks of travelling North America. Many people have told me that I am brave and independent and even inspiring as I have travelled - I have met so many beautiful people. But, that is not how I see it. I do not see this trip about me (although, in all truth, I have learnt a lot about myself... or, at least, how others' see me). What has made this trip so memorable, so much fun and something I want to do again (soon!) is all the small things:
- iconic objects like red fire hydrants, yellow cabs, FedEx vans, fast food outlets...;
- people: the famous celebrities of Hollywood that I didn't meet; Jena and Noah in Ohio; everyone who was on the Cosmos tour with me (all 42 - plus John and France - of you); the 4 lovely ladies I met here in Atlanta that drove me to and from Warped and hung out with me; and the randoms on the streets, in the hotels and in the air;
- the sites - both the historic and the little places I found along the way;
- the weather, the flora and fauna... nature in general, including climate and geography;
- the things that I associate with people, places and events, both past and present.
... all the SMALL things!
And, yet again, I find it easier to quote the good boys of Fall Out Boy than say what I really think, word for word. So I leave you with these songs, which have been in my head of late:
Homesick At Spacecamp; and
Sending Postcards From a Place Crash (Wish You Were Here).
(They actually appear one-after-another on their album: Take This To Your Grave - my favourite FOB album.)
So, Sydney, I'll be seeing you and all your glory and wonderful people in approximately 2 days (or 3 days if you are where I am, currently... yay for time zones!)
After that, who knows, I may just return to the self I was a month ago, before all these small things happened in my life... I surely hope not...
xx bri
Monday, July 20, 2009
Canada ay?
ay ay ay
i haven't heard anyone say that yet... maybe that's because i say it myself...
so, I am currently in Toronto, Canada's capital. I haven't been able to get much access to the Internet for extended periods (more than 20mins) so I haven't written any blogs since Boston. AND I still can't upload any photos - the lady at this Internet cafe doesn't know her computers very well, they are slow as hell, worse than the ones at the hotels. But I'm goin to use this time (and $3) to write a blog and attempt to upload maybe 15 more pics (woo...).
So Canada - let me catch you up.
First we went to Quebec. Quebec City is really a few cities - the old city is still walled (I think the only walled city in North America) and is so quaint with it's stone roads and little cafes. It oozes history. Oh, and it's French-speaking! I managed to learn a couple of phrases on the bus, but (like everywhere) unless you have a camera slung around your neck, are travelling in a tour group, look lost or ask heaps of questions of passers-by, they presumed I was local (which I love/prefer). Quebec holds a Summer Festival each year at this time - the tix cost $45 for 10 days. KISS was playing the night we were in Quebec! Do you think I even got close? Well, Nat and I climbed the wall, but we could still only hear it (it sounded good...). That was after the dinner outing and tour of Chateau de Fontenac.
After two nights in Quebec (the first being after a full days drive and involving Maccas and sleep), we travelled to Montreal - also French-speaking. I found a fruit market not far from out hotel and went grocery-crazy! My stomach is getting very confused... Montreal is a bit of a nothing city - there's a great couple of up-market suburbs (that are actually nicer than Bel Air in LA, I'd go so far to say), but our tour guide preferred to point out the cemetries... weirdo.
Then we headed to Ottawa, where we could once again embrace the English language... almost. Ottawa is actually right on the border and you can cross a bridge and be back in the province of Quebec. However, Ottawa is a historic gemstone. I wandered through the streets after taking a tour of Parliment house (oh yeah, Ottawa is the capital... not Toronot, Toronto is the largest city... oops) and going up the Peace Tower, which has a great view of the CBD and out over the river and loches (is that how you spell it?). At 9.30pm I watched the laser show that plays ON Parliment House - got some great photos!
And yesterday we spent pretty well all day travelling. We had a cruise in the mid-morning on the St Lawrence River through the 1000 Island region (yes, where 1000 Island Dressing was invented) - there's actually something like 1600 islands, all natural except for one. We stopped for lunch in the cute little sea port town of Kingston. Then, last night, we headed up the CN Tower in Toronto for dinner in the revolving restaurant - great views of course! Actually, Nat and I have great views of the city from our hotel room (for once!). And today I wandered the streets after our morning tour. It's coming up 2.30pm so I'm heading out to lunch/dinner on Yonge St (the longest street in North America, and it starts in Toronto).
Oh, and Toronto is the sickest city I've visited. It combines the best parts of LA, NYC and a dash of Melbourne. Found the best street - Queen St - but have zero money... just enough for lunch/dinner today and maybe lunch tomorrow!
Love you all
xx
i haven't heard anyone say that yet... maybe that's because i say it myself...
so, I am currently in Toronto, Canada's capital. I haven't been able to get much access to the Internet for extended periods (more than 20mins) so I haven't written any blogs since Boston. AND I still can't upload any photos - the lady at this Internet cafe doesn't know her computers very well, they are slow as hell, worse than the ones at the hotels. But I'm goin to use this time (and $3) to write a blog and attempt to upload maybe 15 more pics (woo...).
So Canada - let me catch you up.
First we went to Quebec. Quebec City is really a few cities - the old city is still walled (I think the only walled city in North America) and is so quaint with it's stone roads and little cafes. It oozes history. Oh, and it's French-speaking! I managed to learn a couple of phrases on the bus, but (like everywhere) unless you have a camera slung around your neck, are travelling in a tour group, look lost or ask heaps of questions of passers-by, they presumed I was local (which I love/prefer). Quebec holds a Summer Festival each year at this time - the tix cost $45 for 10 days. KISS was playing the night we were in Quebec! Do you think I even got close? Well, Nat and I climbed the wall, but we could still only hear it (it sounded good...). That was after the dinner outing and tour of Chateau de Fontenac.
After two nights in Quebec (the first being after a full days drive and involving Maccas and sleep), we travelled to Montreal - also French-speaking. I found a fruit market not far from out hotel and went grocery-crazy! My stomach is getting very confused... Montreal is a bit of a nothing city - there's a great couple of up-market suburbs (that are actually nicer than Bel Air in LA, I'd go so far to say), but our tour guide preferred to point out the cemetries... weirdo.
Then we headed to Ottawa, where we could once again embrace the English language... almost. Ottawa is actually right on the border and you can cross a bridge and be back in the province of Quebec. However, Ottawa is a historic gemstone. I wandered through the streets after taking a tour of Parliment house (oh yeah, Ottawa is the capital... not Toronot, Toronto is the largest city... oops) and going up the Peace Tower, which has a great view of the CBD and out over the river and loches (is that how you spell it?). At 9.30pm I watched the laser show that plays ON Parliment House - got some great photos!
And yesterday we spent pretty well all day travelling. We had a cruise in the mid-morning on the St Lawrence River through the 1000 Island region (yes, where 1000 Island Dressing was invented) - there's actually something like 1600 islands, all natural except for one. We stopped for lunch in the cute little sea port town of Kingston. Then, last night, we headed up the CN Tower in Toronto for dinner in the revolving restaurant - great views of course! Actually, Nat and I have great views of the city from our hotel room (for once!). And today I wandered the streets after our morning tour. It's coming up 2.30pm so I'm heading out to lunch/dinner on Yonge St (the longest street in North America, and it starts in Toronto).
Oh, and Toronto is the sickest city I've visited. It combines the best parts of LA, NYC and a dash of Melbourne. Found the best street - Queen St - but have zero money... just enough for lunch/dinner today and maybe lunch tomorrow!
Love you all
xx
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Ok, blog is due! So much to catch you up on...
From LA I headed to Cleveland, Ohio. Originally I had chosen to come here for a couple of reasons - Warped Tour; it's geographically and chronologically in between LA and NYC (most flights to NYC go via Cleveland Inernational Airport); and I quite fancied meeting the wonderful Jena!
First day in Cleveland I visited the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame - Cleveland's main (and perhaps only) attraction. People like Arriel, Struan, Cedric and maybe Scott would have loved it, I think... After that I headed to Tower City Centre with the aim of buying a pair of Converse. I discovered you could buy Warped tickets "at the door" for only $40, considered going for the afternoon, then decided against it. Biggest mistake of my life! (Melodramatic?) Paramore played a surprise guest set at 5pm on main stage. Main stage is part of Tower City Centre. Only 5 blocks from my hotel. Death. I spent the afternoon and next day kickin myself. Still am... can you tell?
Next day: Jena and her friend Noah drove up from Alliance (about 90mins?) to meet me and spend the day. We went to the Great Lakes Science Centre, which is very much like Questacon in Canberra, then went to lunch at Olive Grove after they tortured me with Sweet Tea and Jena's GPS took us on a fun detour. I spent the night diligently doing apprenticeship work (20hrs? please).
Saturday I slept I don't know how long and got my Cons! Jena and Noah ventured back in the arvo and we saw Public Enemy, which was ruined slightly because I was analysing everything having just been to Universal Studios (because I never analyse anything...) Jena, Noah: we must do it again! I don't know when or where, but it WILL happen!
Sunday I headed to New York (via Newark, New Jersey Airport) to start my TOUR
Touring thus far:
First up: my roommate doesn't have dentures, doesn't snore and isn't a nudist - praise the Lord. She's a typical 28-year-old sheila from the Gong (aka Wollongong). Apart from a couple of teenage kids we are by far the youngest on tour.
I LOVE NEW YORK CITY!!! Favourite city. NEED to come back. Preferably in winter. Thankfully I'll be back for a couple of days at the end of the tour. Central Park is beautiful - I could spend every day there. Time Square is rockin' - I could spend every night there. You get the idea.
Now: Boston. We arrived yesterday. I restrained from buying 20cds and clothes at Hot Topic across the road (we're staying south of the city and opposite the largest mall in New England). Today we had a tour of the city and then I walked back through the city and their parks - the parks here are particularly beautiful (I think they make up for all the buildings with gorgeous parks). And now I'm back at the hotel, hogging the computer again...
Tomorrow we head to Quebec, Canadia... Canada...
Not sure when I'll be able to upload photos (not here) but I promise you'll love them - I've taken heaps (Sam, be proud).
sending my love,
bri
From LA I headed to Cleveland, Ohio. Originally I had chosen to come here for a couple of reasons - Warped Tour; it's geographically and chronologically in between LA and NYC (most flights to NYC go via Cleveland Inernational Airport); and I quite fancied meeting the wonderful Jena!
First day in Cleveland I visited the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame - Cleveland's main (and perhaps only) attraction. People like Arriel, Struan, Cedric and maybe Scott would have loved it, I think... After that I headed to Tower City Centre with the aim of buying a pair of Converse. I discovered you could buy Warped tickets "at the door" for only $40, considered going for the afternoon, then decided against it. Biggest mistake of my life! (Melodramatic?) Paramore played a surprise guest set at 5pm on main stage. Main stage is part of Tower City Centre. Only 5 blocks from my hotel. Death. I spent the afternoon and next day kickin myself. Still am... can you tell?
Next day: Jena and her friend Noah drove up from Alliance (about 90mins?) to meet me and spend the day. We went to the Great Lakes Science Centre, which is very much like Questacon in Canberra, then went to lunch at Olive Grove after they tortured me with Sweet Tea and Jena's GPS took us on a fun detour. I spent the night diligently doing apprenticeship work (20hrs? please).
Saturday I slept I don't know how long and got my Cons! Jena and Noah ventured back in the arvo and we saw Public Enemy, which was ruined slightly because I was analysing everything having just been to Universal Studios (because I never analyse anything...) Jena, Noah: we must do it again! I don't know when or where, but it WILL happen!
Sunday I headed to New York (via Newark, New Jersey Airport) to start my TOUR
Touring thus far:
First up: my roommate doesn't have dentures, doesn't snore and isn't a nudist - praise the Lord. She's a typical 28-year-old sheila from the Gong (aka Wollongong). Apart from a couple of teenage kids we are by far the youngest on tour.
I LOVE NEW YORK CITY!!! Favourite city. NEED to come back. Preferably in winter. Thankfully I'll be back for a couple of days at the end of the tour. Central Park is beautiful - I could spend every day there. Time Square is rockin' - I could spend every night there. You get the idea.
Now: Boston. We arrived yesterday. I restrained from buying 20cds and clothes at Hot Topic across the road (we're staying south of the city and opposite the largest mall in New England). Today we had a tour of the city and then I walked back through the city and their parks - the parks here are particularly beautiful (I think they make up for all the buildings with gorgeous parks). And now I'm back at the hotel, hogging the computer again...
Tomorrow we head to Quebec, Canadia... Canada...
Not sure when I'll be able to upload photos (not here) but I promise you'll love them - I've taken heaps (Sam, be proud).
sending my love,
bri
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
I have to keep this quick - my 10 free mins is almost up and there's a Britsh guy waiting to use the computer...
ok ok so since last blog I have:
- gone to Universal Studios (see Facebook pics)
- walked down Melrose Ave - by far the best place in my opinion for funky shopping... if only i had money to freely splurge...
- walked from Santa Monica to Venice Beach - they're not so crazy there... rather, everyone everywhere in LA is a bit crazy
... oh oh Brit guy is only charging iPod. glory
so Universal Studios was great. i took the sunscreen this time and didn't get any MORE burnt - hurrah! the Mummy Ride was brief but really good - if i scream on a rollercoaster it's good. I got drenched on Jurassic Park despite my el-cheepo poncho. The Animal Actors show was too cute - probably the most talented actors in Hollywood right there. My sushi was yummy - and perhaps the only thing not deep fried that was available (sigh). The House of Horrors was by FAR the best haunted house I've been in - they employ actors to dress up as Chuckie, Frankenstien, ghosts, everything and i was lucky last in the queue so everyone ran after me. apparently i have an amazing scream - i had to hold onto the mother and daughter in front of me at one stage - apparently it was my scream that was scaring her kid the most... the Simpsons ride was, sadly, average, but it was fully visual - just a surround screen and a seat that moved; made me feel so sick though. the New Creature from the Black Lagoon was the new show they had running - rather, a musical. Belle, if you are reading this, I reckon you would have loved it... i'll have to re-caption some of the photos to try and explain... And Treminator2:3D was, sorry Ian, crapola. But they love the Govenator so hey.
Today Melrose, Venice, Santa Monica:
Melrose Ave is amazing. I want to come back here to spend all my hard-earnt money some day.. soon! You've probably heard of Ed Hardy, Victoria's Secret, American Apparel and Planet Funk. What about English Laundry, American Vintage, Wastage,... eugh so manyh i can't even remember! plus, i got a free bus rise there - americans are so lovely.
then i headed up to Santa Monica (found a RadioShack on the way so now i can charge things with Sam's borrowed Universal Adapter, which has a European end ?!) and walked down to Venice Beach past Hotel California (aka McDonalds Pharmacy). Then back up to 3rd St Promenade for dinner - i spolit myself cause i haven't been eating too too well (healthy, but stingy) with Seafood Ravioli and Mushroom Sauce. Also had my first Budweiser... it's ok. TED is better.
And tomorrow i head to Cleveland. You probably won't hear from me till i get to NYC.
xoxo...
(kidding Gossip Girl fans)
xx bri
p.s. feel free to message me on facebook - i check that the most)
ok ok so since last blog I have:
- gone to Universal Studios (see Facebook pics)
- walked down Melrose Ave - by far the best place in my opinion for funky shopping... if only i had money to freely splurge...
- walked from Santa Monica to Venice Beach - they're not so crazy there... rather, everyone everywhere in LA is a bit crazy
... oh oh Brit guy is only charging iPod. glory
so Universal Studios was great. i took the sunscreen this time and didn't get any MORE burnt - hurrah! the Mummy Ride was brief but really good - if i scream on a rollercoaster it's good. I got drenched on Jurassic Park despite my el-cheepo poncho. The Animal Actors show was too cute - probably the most talented actors in Hollywood right there. My sushi was yummy - and perhaps the only thing not deep fried that was available (sigh). The House of Horrors was by FAR the best haunted house I've been in - they employ actors to dress up as Chuckie, Frankenstien, ghosts, everything and i was lucky last in the queue so everyone ran after me. apparently i have an amazing scream - i had to hold onto the mother and daughter in front of me at one stage - apparently it was my scream that was scaring her kid the most... the Simpsons ride was, sadly, average, but it was fully visual - just a surround screen and a seat that moved; made me feel so sick though. the New Creature from the Black Lagoon was the new show they had running - rather, a musical. Belle, if you are reading this, I reckon you would have loved it... i'll have to re-caption some of the photos to try and explain... And Treminator2:3D was, sorry Ian, crapola. But they love the Govenator so hey.
Today Melrose, Venice, Santa Monica:
Melrose Ave is amazing. I want to come back here to spend all my hard-earnt money some day.. soon! You've probably heard of Ed Hardy, Victoria's Secret, American Apparel and Planet Funk. What about English Laundry, American Vintage, Wastage,... eugh so manyh i can't even remember! plus, i got a free bus rise there - americans are so lovely.
then i headed up to Santa Monica (found a RadioShack on the way so now i can charge things with Sam's borrowed Universal Adapter, which has a European end ?!) and walked down to Venice Beach past Hotel California (aka McDonalds Pharmacy). Then back up to 3rd St Promenade for dinner - i spolit myself cause i haven't been eating too too well (healthy, but stingy) with Seafood Ravioli and Mushroom Sauce. Also had my first Budweiser... it's ok. TED is better.
And tomorrow i head to Cleveland. You probably won't hear from me till i get to NYC.
xoxo...
(kidding Gossip Girl fans)
xx bri
p.s. feel free to message me on facebook - i check that the most)
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Happy 4th July and LALALAND
Hello!
After arriving in the wee hours (6.30am) of Independence Day I have to say, landing in LA felt completely normal. I got to the hotel by 8.30 and passed out for a few hours. AS such, now no jet lag! (sorry, Dad, but I'm glad we're not alike in that)
Yesterday, the 4th July holidays, I wandered through Downtown. Not much was open but I managed to get me some Clinique at Macy's and groceries at Rite Aid, which is very similar to Priceline. I then headed back to the hotel for an hour before catching the Metro rail and bus out to Santa Monica for the celebrations. Transport here is pretty easy but I felt like I was the only white female in LA - the population is 60% spanish and most people don't speak Engliush as their first language. Downtown itself is made up of pretty much every nationality you can think of.
Santa Monica is beautiful, esp at night - the pier was all lit up and the beach had a candle-lit memorial. Catching the bus back took about 2hrs though!
Today I had my tour of LA - ended up being a private tour, which was good but meant that there weren't other people to bounce off and look sickeningly touristy with. (i'll upload photos when i can get on the computer for more than 10mins) Westwood and Hollywood are the happening places. Beverly Hills and Bel Air are clearly the places to live - pity about the price tags. Went to Highland & Hollywood Shopping Centre when on Hollywood Bld and Manns Chinese Theatre - they have some trendy shops, designer places, oh and Hot Topic! (it's a lot like Fat but with more music and heaps of Twilight an dHarry Potter stuff). Definately heading back to Melrose Ave for shopping - Ed Hardy, American Apparel and the trendy one-of-a-kind stores (reminds me of Greville St). I think I'll head back to 3rd st promenade in Santa Monica too.
Tomorrow is Universal Studios, then Tuesday I'll buy a day Metro pass and wander around.
I love LA, but I'm not convinced I could live here - unless I become very rich and preferably famous :P
I miss you all. Oh, and I';m already sunburnt!
More soon
xx bri
After arriving in the wee hours (6.30am) of Independence Day I have to say, landing in LA felt completely normal. I got to the hotel by 8.30 and passed out for a few hours. AS such, now no jet lag! (sorry, Dad, but I'm glad we're not alike in that)
Yesterday, the 4th July holidays, I wandered through Downtown. Not much was open but I managed to get me some Clinique at Macy's and groceries at Rite Aid, which is very similar to Priceline. I then headed back to the hotel for an hour before catching the Metro rail and bus out to Santa Monica for the celebrations. Transport here is pretty easy but I felt like I was the only white female in LA - the population is 60% spanish and most people don't speak Engliush as their first language. Downtown itself is made up of pretty much every nationality you can think of.
Santa Monica is beautiful, esp at night - the pier was all lit up and the beach had a candle-lit memorial. Catching the bus back took about 2hrs though!
Today I had my tour of LA - ended up being a private tour, which was good but meant that there weren't other people to bounce off and look sickeningly touristy with. (i'll upload photos when i can get on the computer for more than 10mins) Westwood and Hollywood are the happening places. Beverly Hills and Bel Air are clearly the places to live - pity about the price tags. Went to Highland & Hollywood Shopping Centre when on Hollywood Bld and Manns Chinese Theatre - they have some trendy shops, designer places, oh and Hot Topic! (it's a lot like Fat but with more music and heaps of Twilight an dHarry Potter stuff). Definately heading back to Melrose Ave for shopping - Ed Hardy, American Apparel and the trendy one-of-a-kind stores (reminds me of Greville St). I think I'll head back to 3rd st promenade in Santa Monica too.
Tomorrow is Universal Studios, then Tuesday I'll buy a day Metro pass and wander around.
I love LA, but I'm not convinced I could live here - unless I become very rich and preferably famous :P
I miss you all. Oh, and I';m already sunburnt!
More soon
xx bri
Friday, July 3, 2009
Come Fly With Me
Profound thought for today... well, i guess it was yesterday now (I pulled an all-nighter rather than get a couple hours sleep, when i doubt i would have been able to sleep anyway):
There are (undoubtably) more Gamers in their mid-20s (or older) than amateur singers. I should give more credit to my brother.
This isn't the direction I originally saw this going but, Ian, this blog goes out to you.
I'm heading to America today. It'll be my first time overseas, or really anywhere, by myself. How many times has my brother done that?
This is the first blog I've written in maybe 4/5 months. I was reading over my last blog yesterday and I realised that, yes, I still believe what I wrote, but I think I am in a better place now where I can grasp more the ups and downs. What I now know about myself is, I am not a risk-taker. I like the familiar. I like what I know, even if it isn't preferable. I get into habits easily, both good and bad. And I have a fear of rejection (apparently). I said it once before here and I think it still applies: I have a fear of the unknown, which can manifest in various forms (doesn't everyone?!). So, I guess I do have a fear of rejection, but (thankfully) I deal with rejections very well. Ian, Ian doesn't seem to have my fears...
He's bold - I'm a coward.
He takes risks (however stupid they may seem to me) - I do not.
He believes in himself - I do not.
Ian, right here right now I want to say this: I believe in you. (You will make a great gamer, once you score your dream job!)
And so, in 4.5hours my plane will be leaving the tar matt and then soaring over the Pacific Ocean - I'll effectively be leaving Australia behind for 4 weeks. The question is, can I also leave those fears and insecurities and disbeliefs behind as well? Maybe I can. But when I return in August will they infest me again or, like a virus, will they die without me to sustain them? And, is that what I want, or are they just a part of who I am - of what makes Bri, Bri? Do I want to, CAN I leave them behind, now or ever? I guess only time will tell...
There are (undoubtably) more Gamers in their mid-20s (or older) than amateur singers. I should give more credit to my brother.
This isn't the direction I originally saw this going but, Ian, this blog goes out to you.
I'm heading to America today. It'll be my first time overseas, or really anywhere, by myself. How many times has my brother done that?
This is the first blog I've written in maybe 4/5 months. I was reading over my last blog yesterday and I realised that, yes, I still believe what I wrote, but I think I am in a better place now where I can grasp more the ups and downs. What I now know about myself is, I am not a risk-taker. I like the familiar. I like what I know, even if it isn't preferable. I get into habits easily, both good and bad. And I have a fear of rejection (apparently). I said it once before here and I think it still applies: I have a fear of the unknown, which can manifest in various forms (doesn't everyone?!). So, I guess I do have a fear of rejection, but (thankfully) I deal with rejections very well. Ian, Ian doesn't seem to have my fears...
He's bold - I'm a coward.
He takes risks (however stupid they may seem to me) - I do not.
He believes in himself - I do not.
Ian, right here right now I want to say this: I believe in you. (You will make a great gamer, once you score your dream job!)
And so, in 4.5hours my plane will be leaving the tar matt and then soaring over the Pacific Ocean - I'll effectively be leaving Australia behind for 4 weeks. The question is, can I also leave those fears and insecurities and disbeliefs behind as well? Maybe I can. But when I return in August will they infest me again or, like a virus, will they die without me to sustain them? And, is that what I want, or are they just a part of who I am - of what makes Bri, Bri? Do I want to, CAN I leave them behind, now or ever? I guess only time will tell...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
