Commercial Break

2 weeks in Melbourne. 1 week in Sydney. I should be bored by now, or as somebody asked,"Are you in jail now?". The answer is a firm NO. I'm still having lots of fun, a bit too much fun at times, being very lazy most times. Hence, the lack of new posts in this blog. I continue to think about issues, about matters of the heart but not particularly willing to share them now.

I'm being very very lazy. As someone else said to me, "You're on holiday."
This blog is taking a long commercial break.

The Idea of North

DSC02923
Originally uploaded by cynth_18.

When I first heard of The Idea of North , it was through a friend of mine who sent me "Man In The Mirror". You know the Michael Jackson's song?

As we were sitting around the dinner table surfing around the net for a Friday night activity, we came across The Idea of North playing at The Basement in Sydney.

The Idea of North is an Australian acappela group, established in 1997. They were a bunch of ANU students having a good time and somehow got together to make a record under independent labels. On 2001, ABC Jazz picked them up and they haven't looked back since.

The performance I saw last night was one of a group that not only excel in vocal harmonies but also able to do great arrangements. Singing covers like Man in the Mirror, Mas Que Nada, Fragile, It's Alright with Me and originals such as Rachel and Singin Acappella, these talented singers dazzled the full house crowd.

The Idea of North is also very solid in audience communication. It is nice to see a mature group still having fun on stage and sharing that vibe with everyone. A one point, Nick the tenor sang a song about being rejected by an ugly woman -- that just rocked the house with laughter. For a moment, he really was that guy, and we believed him!

If ever they head out your way, try to see them. Not only that you will hear great musical talents, but also because you will definitely be entertained.

On Dulwich Hill

On Dulwich Hill
Originally uploaded by cynth_18.

Surprisingly, Sydney delivers a much more relaxed pace of living for me. I have fewer friends living in Sydney and therefore in most days, I spent much of my time alone, just chilling out, crusing the internet and watching the days go by. It is really fantastic to have this opportunity; a little break from a break.

I crashed in my friend's little unit in the suburb of Dulwich Hill. John Howard supposedly grew up in the exact same street. It's a really neat, traditional Australian suburbia of houses with white picket fences - an attempt to replicate the American dream maybe?

There is a park just behind the house where children can play in the warm afternoon sun. A small deli/cafe named Sideways sits in the corner of the next block. Mothers with prams walk around the streets and make their regular visits to the cafe. Neighbours greet each other as they pass each other.

Dulwich Hill seems like a dream-like reality of perfection. A picture perfect Australian suburbia.

The Espy_1

The Espy_1
Originally uploaded by cynth_18.

Kayin, Michael Robertson, Georgia and Sean post dinner @ Soul Mama. We're feeling really full...