Soundstation Festival

For the bank holiday weekend, the choices were A) Gay Pride or B) Soundstation Festival. I went to Gay pride last year and didn't enjoy it too much compared to some other similar themed events I've been to. It seemed more like Chav Pride than Gay Pride. My friend Tom (new Tom for those of you keeping track) had told me about Soundstation and I had only heard of one artist but after checking out who else was playing and liking some of the sounds I decided to go. Bri and her mom and aunt (who were visiting) and my friend Martyn and his mate Jason all ended up going as well. I went with Martyn and Jason, which meant there was a couple pub stops before we made it in to the festival.




Three pints of Guinness later. . .We found our way to the festival and the six of us met up with Tom and his sister briefly as they headed for the BLive tent- where all the DJs were playing and we stuck around to see what was happening on the main stage. So, I am not even going to bother listing these bands that played at the beginning of the day because they all sucked. They were all pop-alternative, claiming to be indie, teenie-bopper bands (including that Boy Kill Boy crap!). The festival was not marketed very well at all, I only heard about through Tom and the rest of our group heard about from me at the last minute. It was supposed to be this great eclectic mix of indie/alternative and DJs and I guess, eventually it was. After putting up with the crap bands in the main stage for a while I joined Tom and his sister in the BLive tent and Martyn, Jason and Bri eventually joined me. Bri's family wasn’t feeling it at all so they headed home early. As the day went on the music gradually got better. I made it back with Bri to the main stage for the Guillemots and ended up standing through Boy Kill Boy. . .then Martyn and Jason left after that performance.




Finally, the Guillemots came on and they were fabulous! I had only heard of them because of this festival. I looked them up when trying to decide whether to go or not and was intrigued by their website. I did a bit of research and bought their album and loved it so much I knew most of the words by the time I saw them live. They were energetic, unique, and melodic. The repertoire included organ/piano, stand up bass, percussion, various horn instruments and a typewriter. I would strongly recommend checking them out if you get a chance.




It got mighty cold as the evening grew dark and we headed back to the DJ tent to hear Mr. Scruff and warm up a bit. Another artist I did not know much about before I heard about this festival but bought an album of his soon after I did. He played the crowd wonderfully with some basic animation and conversation on the screen with the audience. As you all know, I am not and never was into raves, trance music and a lot of drum and bass, but you can't help be exposed to more of it here in the UK (it's much more popular here than it ever was in the States) and I have started to like the more melodic attempts at spinning something old into something new. Mr. Scruff does a good job of this, creating an eclectic funk, jazzy, electronic sound.




We left Mr. Scruff, reluctantly early so we could catch all of Graham Coxon, the one artist we all actually knew. He was the guitarist in Blur but has been flying solo for sometime now. He capped off the night nicely and with him and the other two performances mentioned made the 25GBP worth it. Graham Coxon is kind of on the smallish side and not your typical rocker, but he's got that dorkish cute quality that I like in some guys (with the added bonus of the thick rimmed glasses). His appearance gives way to a phenomenal guitar sound, good lyrics and a very entertaining performance. I guess he actually played his guitar with his teeth but I think I was in the port-a-loo when that happened.




So, it may have started off bad and they definitely need to do some work if Soundstation is to come back strong next year, but the later afternoon and night made it all worthwhile!

A visit home to Florida

So I just got a comment that I need to put up some new posts from "Anonymous," although I have a few guesses who that person might be. I know, I have slacked this month and I guess being busy isn't an excuse because I should be posting about it. So I'm going to get back up-to-date now before I head to Israel and Paris and have a lot more to post about!

So, as you all know I went home for a bit suddenly because my grandmother passed away. Thanks to all of you who gave your kind words and condolences to me and my family. We were expecting it but it is still never easy and the loss of my Grandma Alena has had me thinking a lot about family, memories of her as a vibrant woman, mother and grandmother and the things that are most important in life. You'd think I would have no pictures from this trip, but after the tears and my grandmother's memorial we were able to enjoy each other's company and have some great laughs, as we always do in our family. First with my dad's side and it was so great to see all my uncles and aunt and grandpa and spend time with them. I also got to catch up a bit with two of my cousins, Kristan and Laura. After we left my Grandpa's I got to spend time with my mom's sisters, my other grandmother, cousins and my gorgeous niece Milena and nephew Gabriyel. I've missed them the most of all (and their brother Alek) because they are growing so fast and I am missing it! I got lots of time with them and in my last weekend was able to see Brian and Monica and Aleksander when they arrived and was fortunate enough to be able to help them move into their new house (oh what joy! :-)



The sunrise Wednesday morning.

And Thursday morning. . . My dad's birthday.

Gabe had his cereal every morning on my lap while we watched the sunrise and I had my coffee and took pictures. We (along with Dad) were always the first two up.

Chia! It's too early for all these pictures.

Gabe gets reacclimated to the ocean on an early morning walk.

We had a very fun birthday party with some great shrimp, crab, all the fixins and typical fun family times. Here's OB with Dad and Milena.

Ended the week in Gainesville where I finally got to see my youngest nephew Alek (here in his new back yard)and spend some time with my brother and sister-in-law while helping them with the chaos of moving into their new home.
Posted by Picasa

Baby Uma!

Just got a call from Julia from the hospital. Baby Uma was born last night and is happy, healthy and well, as is Mamma Julia. I got shivers of excitement to hear she is finally here! I wish I could be there to greet her, but at least by the time I see her she will be coming into the fun, playful age. Welcome to the world Uma!!!

The Crooked House

Just a couple pics of The Crooked House. We usually manage to stop in each time we have visitor's come through, although I didn't get a chance to take my parents for a pint of Old Rosie. We took Erin for a drink on her last night here and I remembered to bring my camera this time. The pub has been there forever, but used to be a house. They now have a (straight) restaurant built on the back. It's crooked because of the mining in the Black Country area. There are a few buildings like this that have sunk into the ground due to the mining underneath.

No, my camera is not crooked, that is the house.

Posted by Picasa

Easter trip to Aberystwyth

We had a long four day weekend for the Easter holiday, so we decided to take a little trip. Nikki and I were going to go to Newquay in Cornwall, but I decided we should stay around so I could meet Bri's friend Erin who is visiting this weekend and go out with them (we've postponed Newquay for early July). We all ended up out in Wolverhampton essentially doing the usual Saturday night. Sunday we dragged ourselves out around 1PM and headed to Wales for the afternoon. We drove to Aberystwyth, enjoying the beautiful views of Welsh countryside on the way. Spring was definitely in the air. There were tons of sheep and a lot of little lambs that looked no more than a couple weeks old grazing the farms as we drove along. The daffodils were in full bloom and the sun came out just as we were crossing the border into Wales. As Nikki said before the we saw the sign welcoming us to Wales, the landscape definitely looked Welsh. We quickly came into countryside with small mountains (or very large hills, if you like) and the trees and grasses began to change. We didn't make it to Aberystwyth until about 4PM, but we checked out the amusements, got some good walking in and enjoyed the sea air for the afternoon. I also won a Mini! Although, it's only about a foot long so I don't think it will be too easy to drive.

After Bri and I stuck our feet in the cold water, Nikki posed for the camera. I took my flops off to wade in and almost lost them in the rocky shore, they sunk down so quickly.

We had a little lunch and walked along the shore to head up for a better view.

In the center there is a cliff railway you can take to the top but we walked it- with Brianna and I both in flip flops...and her's were platforms.

Once we made it to the top Nikki and stopped for a little rest and this picture, that somehow came out black and white, but I think it works.

This was my embarrasing moment of the week. I leaned near the edge to take this picture and almost lost my balance. I reacted and said a little curse word, which a little boy standing near me repeated about three times and asked his dad what I was saying. I walked away hanging my head in shame.

Views of the seaside and surrounding town and countryside from the top....







After we came back down we got some ice cream and the girls took a little break. That's from left to right, Brianna, Erin (Brianna's friend who has been visiting) and Nikki.

We walked to the other side of the harbour to check out the ruins of this castle. It's been in ruins for a few hundred years, so it wasn't much to see, but a nice little park area.

They did manage to have a cannon for Nikki to pose on, though.

View from the grounds of the castle site.

Almost every town has WWII memorials in England, but I thought this one was particularly nice as it was a bit more unique from the regular ones.


The memorial from the front.
Posted by Picasa

Okay, so I jumped the gun a little. . .

So, those close friends of mine that got that email from me last week, you may want to chock it up to my typical rantings when I get in a mood and think I've made up my mind. . .and then change it again. Something about the impending birth of Uma and finding out the next child in my brother's clan is going to be a girl had made me a little homesick. I'm really missing you guys in the States, but I don't really miss the States (if you catch my drift). By the next day of sending out the email and getting the wonderful responses from you guys, I realized as much as I want to be back with you all, I can't give up on opportunities to experience as much as I can before it's time to come back to the western hemisphere and be a suedo-adult again. Hopefully, I should be able to take two months and have enough money to basically go wherever I want. How can anyone pass that up???




So then the next dilemma arises- where to go? I have been talking and thinking about this a lot. Those of you who know me well know about my passion for the continent of Africa and this strange obsession with lands I've never seen. I ended up kind of ruling it out because some of the countries I want to see just aren't safe for a single gal traveler like myself. Or, perhaps not that those countries are not "safe," but just that I am not savvy enough to do it on my own. So then, with my recently renewed fascination with Eastern philosophy, I started thinking Asia. India and Nepal, perhaps? But I could spend two months in India alone easy and I am not sure about Nepal's politics at the moment. So then it brings me to Southeast Asia- perhaps a tour of Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and some bits of Thailand I didn't see last time. There are just so many phenomenal places in this world, I just can't decide! Chats with friends here and a little forward Julia sent me has got me thinking about Africa again, though. There are plenty of amazing countries there that would be just as amazing as the ones I've dreamt of living in since I was little. Now, I have got Brianna on the scent and I am working on her to leave her job early and go with me. We even started thinking tonight we could both find short-term volunteer projects somewhere on the continent and relinquish that lingering desire to join the Peace Corps. Perhaps it's just The Constant Gardener on her brain.




Who knows folks??? I can say that regardless in the next year I will be home. Even if something crazy happens and I don't come back for good, I will visit! I think I am just a bit giddy and optimistic because I have a new crush, and I don't get those very often. But no worries, I'll settle down eventually somewhere, and I have strong reason to believe it will be with you all back home.

Calla plays for the small crowd

Went to Bar Academy last night to see Calla. They have about four albums out, but I only have and have listened to Televise, which I think was their third. I was impressed, but not entralled. I felt somewhat bad for the guys because it was in the Bar Academy, which is a small venue off the side of the Carling Academy in Birmingham. The stage is almost level with the crowd and I think most of the crowd (of which there was not many) were there to see the opening band because they knew them or they were a band member's grandmother or something. I was more interested in my new found music buddy who came along, ready and willing without knowing what music he was getting into. Think I have finally found a friend in England who will try out new music without being too over critical, but just snobbish enough. We managed to end the night after some bad, cheap lager, likely annoying each other with our favorite music and singing along to them. And yes, I was an hour late to work this morning after staying out late for a show on Sunday. But I have the flexi time. . .

My Social Scene is Broken

But at least I have managed to make a few good friends here and see some good music now and then. It seems my goal is not only taking advantage of traveling opportunities this year but also of good live music. I took Bri along with me last night to see Broken Social Scene, a band from Canada that I have been following for a few years since they released their first album You Forgot in People and they have now released a second, self-titled album. I teased her that it was our Valentine's date since we have both once again found ourselves single in the last month or so (although I refuse to believe in that Hallmark holiday- I secretly wish for admiring cards). What can I say, except best live performance I've seen in sometime. My only disappointment is that I did not get a hug from the primary male singer during his rounds (There's like ten of them in the band and they all do all sorts of stuff, hence the word primary and not lead.). If you have not heard of them- LISTEN! If they come to your town- SEE THEM! If you have any music taste at all- YOU WILL LOVE THEM!

Kadialy rocks my soul

Finally made it to the MAC tonight. It's a center in Birmingham that has loads of various exhibitions, films and performances. One of those fabulous community type centers that only certain folks appreciate when they want to avoid the lastest trance crap at the local clubs and the latest shoot-em-up movie at the local cinema. I went to see Kadialy Kouyate tonight, a musician from Senegal which I had written in my book to go see for over a month now. I was very happy I did. I was mesmerized by his kora playing and was entranced by his singing. I would highly reccommend checking him out. I have his solo album seen on the link I bought that night, but hope to find his album with Fimber Bravo soon and start exploring this music more.

Reflections One Year On

On January 12 last year, I was flying into to Birmingham, with no clue as to what was about to hit me. Five days later, still no place to live officially, I was starting my new job working as a Social Worker for the Dudley Borough. I have been meaning to write some thoughts in the last week or so as to the course of my year here. But, I have found myself with a kidney infection over the weekend and motivation to do little else but make herbal tea, cut lemons for my ample supplements of water, and lay on the couch. Really, I think that is partly an excuse for my void of reflection.




The four remaining (two have since quit and flown the coup) "Americans" left here in Dudley got together for dinner to celebrate our anniversary of one year here in England. Techinally, Brianna has been here for 7 months, but she's an honorary one yearer. Stacy was feeling very reflective and I was feeling, yep, so another year has passed. Teri has little to reflect on besides her work experiences because she has been consumed by cases and court work. But, when I think about each of us individually, I think we have gone through some major experiences and changes. Some together but mostly individually because we are each so different and really the only thing that brought us together is that we were hired to come live and work in the Black Country, the area most disparaged by the rest of the UK. Of course, once we were brought toghether we found we had a lot more in common than just our country of origin and current job status; I especially have found a lot in common with Brianna and have found good friends in both Brianna and Stacy. It will be interesting to see when this is all over where we all end up (I can predict most of us will end up close to where we once were, but doing new and different things) and how well we stay connected after this experience.




As for my own experiences, I feel like I have had two living experiences here so far. My first six months in Amblecote, where I found a pub that brought me into their circle of friends immediately and helped curb some of that initial lonliness and homesickness. And now, my home in Sedgley with Brianna, where we have started going out in Wolverhampton and just now starting to explore Birmingham. I also feel like I do actually have friends now that I can go to if I need something; particularly Brianna but I have developed a handful of friends that I feel I have developed a true friendship with and feel supported by.




I don't think I have changed much over the year. There has been no epiphany from my experiences here that have led me to what my next course in life will be. But when I look back, it is funny to think of those first days when everything was so new and foreign. For instance, I remember the day I went to look at my flat, having been in the country for only about four days, taking a 15GBP taxi ride through Merry Hill and Amblecote (the area I was soon to live) with a taxi driver who I could understand nothing from but the fact that he was trying to hit on me. Now, I drive myself through Merry Hill and Amblecote going to work each day, praying that old Rusty doesn't break down and I have enough petrol to get me to payday next week- just like any other regular Black Country resident. I think as adaptable as I thought I was, I have become even more so in my year here. I also think in combination with that I have become more comfortable and confident, and although I am still the nice Lisa, I don't put up with the same crap that I often put up with before.




So, I have learned and changed a bit, but just enough and not too much that I would alienate myself from my true home with friends and family. This year, I plan to take better advantage of my situation and travel much more this year. Brianna and I have a mini-break planned in Tenerife for March, I have two of my best gal pals coming in April and I'm hoping to catch up with Efrat in Israel in June, among other trips in the works. After this year, I have contemplated still trying to do some work in Africa or just explore a bit more. But, I think when my contract is up next January, I will leave satisfied that I have done something extraordinary and will have just increased my thirst for travels yet to come. I probably will take a month or two once I leave the job to see a few more places before heading back. And then the question will be, where to head back to? Florida? Indy? Chicago? Any suggestions from the Peanut Gallery?