I like to use Soundcloud to search for new music. I find there are often hidden jems you can find who have not yet gained a larger outside audience. While searching for music to inspire my friend's pen and paper game, I came across such a gem who goes by the name of 'Iiris'.
Iiris is from Estonia and has a unique voice. The best way to describe her is a Japanese pop singer crossed with Björk. Often a piano and electric sounds accomplies her. She is a impressive artist. I've not listened to pop music for quite a while, but I cannot help but like Iiris. I hope she gets far.
After not posting for a while, I thought it was time to clear the dust. I have quite a few blog ideas, so I'll try and update more regularly. It's more for my benefit than anyone elses' - I doubt anyone reads this anyway. Maybe Sticky'll check it now and then.
So what have I been up to? A heck of a lot of things has happened since my last post. I lost a friend, but in return I think they'll be happier. I've been looking after my mental health as much as possible because I do not want to swing into depression again. My friends have been fantastic in supporting me and we've cooked a lot together, taking in turns so no one is burdening the other and food is more varied because of it! I've needed sometime alone and perhaps its ironic I use some of it to update this blog, but ah well, doesn't matter. I can be hypocritical if I want because I have a cold, therefore I win. - Flu logic.
In other news I've been playing a lot of Magic The Gathering and I'm hoping to quickly build a blue Merfolk deck for a Tribal game. I signed up to NaNoWriMo in a desperate bid to motivate me to start a novel I needed to write for my degree anyway. So far I have 1190 words so only 48,810 more to go! I've been back and forth with illness of both a physical and mental nature, the physical this time obscenely worse which makes me desperate to try and at least do my part in keeping both natures in check. I've been cooking a lot when I can; stirfrys, pasta bakes, cakes, cookies, panna cotta, trifle, etc. It's been good fun and I know I'm healthier for it. I've been reading only a little, but mostly titles such as 'The Last Don' by Mario Puzo and on the other side, a book on contemporary Japanese religion. On my desk is the doctrine of Tenrikyo, and an interesting book called 'Some Spirits Heal, Others Only Dance' which I'm curious about. I will probably try to make more of an effort today now the house is notably quieter. I've been drawing now and then too, but unfortunately I've lost my memory cards so I cannot share anything. It's probably been a deflater for blog posts too, as I would love to show what I've been cooking but can't. Alas! I've also been making a game in RPG Maker VX Ace, and am wanting to learn the art of Blender when I have access to a faster laptop.
I've also found it helpful to use a nifty website called Getyedone which has helped me organise things I need to and motivate me to do more - especially things I especially don't want to do. If there any D&D'ers around or rpg gamers around you'll immediately understand the website. You sign up and make a 'character sheet' which can be a multitude of races and classes, and you start as level 1. To level up you gain exp for doing tasks of your own choosing. You choose to give yourself an amount of exp according to the difficulty of the task. It's nice to be competitive with friends and try to have the highest level while also gaining points in the type of tasks you've been doing - so, as I've been trying a lot of new recipes recently, I've gained a fair amount of points in 'cookery'. You can look at other player's character sheets and check out what skills they've gained points in, etc. It's interesting. I recommend readers to give it a go, especially if they're students. (Essay motivation!)
I feel my blog is too melachony right now, so here's my attempt to fill it with a bit of colour in this post. I begin with Kashiwa Daisuke, one of my favourite composers. He's imaginative and extremely clever with a range of sounds and different genres. It's always a pleasure to listen to his works, so I highly recommend readers to have a look into his albums.
First painting after quite a few years!
First or second best so far. I enjoy painting trees.
I've also given a go at painting, and have a new painting project on the go which has been enjoyable and relaxing to work at.
Wasn't bad for a first try!
Done a bit of baking too. This was the first rainbow cake I ever made, with the help of a couple of great friends. Note to self, grapefruit are not suitable for baking.
And this is salmon with rice and onions. This was so good. I found out later soy sauce contains gluten, woops. But this was a good meal. I enjoy boiling rice now. I have to eat gluten for 6 weeks in order to find if I am truly intolerant, so looks like I may as well enjoy soy sauce now for a while!
Other than food and painting, I've been travelling. Recently I went to Cumbria and my boyfriend went on a course and saw Maddy Prior. She even gave us *both* a hug. That was a good adventure.
I enjoyed the wild beauty of Cumbria.
Great place for walks when it's sunny
I've also been writing strange things here and there. I'm currently working on a horror story with double meanings that has been quite fun. Also been reading a few books here and there. I'm on goodreads now, which has been encouraging me to read more than usual. A close friend of mine has 740 books on goodreads, so of course, being the competitive person I am, I have to beat her. I have a lot of catching up to do first though... I am currently concentrating on The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penny as my main read, and frankly, it's getting a little boring right now. Maybe I lack the concentration span needed for this kind of read.
I've always enjoyed sound and admired instruments, but until recently, I never felt fulfilled playing the guitar. I was always the drummer girl, or the ninja sneaking into the pianos in highschool and university. My dad taught me a few chords, and a therapist taught me how to play a short melody, but I was never really inspired. Then came a boy who was very interested in ukuleles, and suddenly, strings became interesting again. I could bring my guitar to university and use it to escape from stress and woes. Now I weave between four strings and six, and I find it fun. I want to learn more and get better.
While walking around in Bath, I happened to come across a man playing a familiar melody, and when he finished, I asked him two questions. Firstly, what was the melody he was playing? It was "Romance" by Vincente Gomez. More than six years ago, a lady working at a hospital to taught me a simplified version, and now I could learn how to play it properly. The man caught my smile, and explained it was quite a popular melody on classic guitar. Then I asked, if I could take a photo of him playing. He said sure.
But of course I forgot to bring the memory card for my camera. I no longer have the cable to connect my camera to the laptop. So he's stuck in a little black box. He did look similar to the man in the video though, so I'll just pretend it's him.
Living poetry continues to sweep the air around my ears and bring warmth. It's a comfort, a scarf round my neck that isn't too tight. Concentration is a little difficult, but it's okay, because pressure has loosened. Nothing right now has to be perfect. But perhaps that that is a stronger beauty. Is that a little too cliché? Forgive me. I was tired last night, and I'm tired again. But there is this undeniable peace that is coming, closer and closer.It
is like an aroma, you can't hold it. But it's there, and it's soft and
it's kind, and it's gentle. Muscles may be heavy, but restlessness has
been repelled by this aroma, and it's okay. I guess you have to accept
it first, and sometimes it's a littlebit strange, but it's certainly worth it.
I
can smile without guilt, smile without issuing a burden upon myself. I
don't have to fear nor worry nor load myself upon stress.
This
special incense can burn forever, but I will probably forget about it
sometimes. When I do, you'll notice, but, eventually I'll remember and
then it's okay.
I
am thinking and thinking about a past I don't recognise. A child
holding a glass rose. All the candles we used to burn together. The
little flames still flicker now as ghosts. It's different now, because
there is peace. And the warmth of a fire so alive steams inside and
keeps me strong. And when I hear those silky whispers float and spin
from each wall, it's okay.
I woke up late today. And while I sit on my bed and think "I will do lots of things to make this day it worth it", I find my concentration dwindling too quickly for any progress to become. On the laptop, I have the start of an essay I was meant to try and conquer a week ago. I also have a story that I've had several false starts and have struggled writing, despite liking the idea I had for it. And then comes the lectures and seminars, which I haven't really been attending. I think I'm so used to be tired, that even when I am awake, it feels like I am still half asleep.
Among many things, I've been listening to Brian Crain and his gentle piano music. He is a very good composer, if only perhaps a little too simple in some of his earlier work. It's nice to listen to in this kind of mood.
I've applied to volunteer at Action On Hearing Lost (RNID) yesterday, and funnily enough, they need a volunteer in Bath to work on Monday - the day I have off every week. If I think about it, it's quite a coincidence and luck that I know a little bit of Sign Language, and there have been occasional opportunities to learn at a church I sometimes attend. Things tend to work out better if I take advantage of these things, especially when they're right in front of me. I'll try to work harder from now on.
