That’s when the bunnies crossed the street
Sunday, 23 September, 2007
As you've probably gathered by now, we're back from Hong Kong (photos and travel diary forthcoming) and it feels like we haven't stopped. We got off the plane at around 11:30 on Friday morning and were picked up by Ben M. We unpacked but I was feeling very weird and couldn't do much more than that so I went to bed and slept for about four or five hours. That probably wasn't very sensible because it meant that I started making dinner way too late (didn't want to make dinner ... bother housework!) which meant we ate way too late. And then I lay there awake for some time when I should have been sleeping when we finally went to bed.
Saturday was full of rehearsals with Butterfly Sausage Pyramid. To quote the evening's program,
Butterfly Sausage Pyramid is a band that has, until tonight, existed only in the mind of Ben Beilharz. Having all been in the same room for the first time only this morning, who knows how good we will be by tonight. What we lack in playing-togetherness we make up for in determination. Determination to rock. Tonight the part of Butterfly is played by Jono, the part of Sausage is played by Roger, and the part of Pyramid by Ben. Steve is also on bass but still hasn't learnt how to play it.
(Surnames ommitted. I'm dying to fix Ben's punctuation but will refrain.)
FEVA were holding their annual fundraiser, the How Sweet the Sound concert (it's a fundraiser in the sense that the bands volunteer their time and talents [they don't get paid] and all proceeds from the $15 ticket price go towards supporting the ministry). Ben played for them last year and had been keen to get a band together but it didn't happen because the event clashed with the ECU Wollongong Supporters' Dinner. There was no such clash this year but we only had one day to rehearse, so we turned up at church at 9 am to meet the rest of the band and spent the day rehearsing. Ben was going to do five songs: one on acoustic guitar by himself, one with just him and the band (“I'm not a Song Writing Machine”), and three with him, the band and me doing backing vocals (“Night of the Intestines”, “Doink” [which is a fusion of two of Leigh's songs] and the theme song to Thundercats). I felt like such a groupie (not that I know what groupies feel like!): not only did I get to hang out with the band all day and listen to them rehearse, I even go to peform with them! And they're all such awesome musicians!!!
We had a break at about 11 am and drove to Marrickville Metro to buy toys that made noise (for Thundercats of course) and then had lunch in Petersham before returning for more rehearsals. Then it was off to Gladesville for the soundcheck, and we hung around there for the rest of the afternoon while the other bands had their soundcheck. We were provided with dinner at 6 pm and then at 6:30 the whole event started in earnest, with performances from Jo and Jon Argall, Lizz (whose pianist was in Orange for a 21st party but she did very well without him), Garage Hymnal (who were amazing), Colleen O'Connell, Upholster (a cover band), Dugald (Ben's old guitar teacher) and Lyndell and Sam, then us (and my goodness, it went quick! People told us we were great. The highlight for me was Jono's guitar solo), Guava (very funky) and Soulthirst. Afterwards we loaded everything back into the car and helped everyone pack up.
After that, Fish suggested driving to Tamworth. Ben asked me what I wanted to do and I felt awake enough for “coffee” so we went to Stanmore McDonald's and I had a chai tea. We got home at 3 am and woke up at 12:45 this afternoon. I wonder if this is how real rock stars live.
Blinks:
A way of funding writing in the future: pitch and idea and get people to support it.
Place where you can hire play equipment for parties, etc.
How to recalibrate the home button on your iPhone.
Unsolicited manuscripts accepted by Pan Macmillan with certain conditions.
Thought Balloon is a group blog in which the writers tackle a new theme every week? month? with one-page scripts. This URL is for their Phonogram ones.
How to sew a zipper on a knitted garment.
Issues organised by tale.
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Is Dugald, Dugald Mitchell? That’s a blast from the past for me. What’s the news with him? I haven’t seen him in years, probably since I left St Johns/Sylvania Anglican…
The very same! Fantastic performer too. He taught Ben guitar.
He seems to have more hair…and is the Sam in the pic Sam Merriment?
No idea, I’m afraid! He played very cool lead guitar.