Spreading Chritsmas Spirit: Prep

Evening everyone! :D

 How are you? :3 Have you ad a good week? Looking forwards to the weekend? I am, as it means I get to do more circus training!

 As you may remember from my shower thoughts post, I want to re-introduce Christmas spirit into the world, and at the moment I'm doing a "prep" for it.
 My prep is basically sitting down and thinking about what could I do for the eight weeks (remember, I hope to start in November! :D) And then writing it as a plan.

 Here's my current plan for the challenge:

Week one: give compliments
Week two: make cookies and give them to neighbours
Week three: give someone some chocolate
Week four: (still blank - need something for here! :P)
Week five: give inspirational messages to strangers
Week six: make Christmas cards/decorations for friends/family/strangers
Week seven: give money to homeless
Week eight: help someone

So that's my current plan! I was thinking about making week four "take someone out for lunch/give them money for lunch". not sure yet, but hopefully I shall. It'll also depend on how much money I have...

 My dad has been made redundant for the second time this year, which sucks. :/ He has work for a while, but then he has to find a new job. I was thinking that maybe I should find a short job, and help support the family while dad finds a new job... but the only one I can think of that I could do is a LEGO Message Boards moderator, but I have to be 18 for that... any ideas from you guys? c:

 I have to go, got other stuff to do. See you all later,

Spinj xoxo

Music Monday

Good morning! :D How are you all? I'm currently enjoying the early morning sun whilst wrapped in a blanket. XD

 So, it's Music Monday again! I wasn't actually going to post anything for it, but I changed my week plan after hearing the new album that my parents won. So, you guys get a new favourite of mine to listen to! :D

 The song is by Kitty, Daisy and Lewis. They're a family band who's music is influenced by styles like Rock and Roll, Rockabilly, Swing, Hawaiian, blues, etc. I heard them for the first time in 2013, and I've enjoyed their music ever since.
 Their new album, "The Third", was released recently, and my parents won a copy of it along with tickets to see the band live. Unfortunately my brothers and I couldn't go too, but we got to listen to the album.
 The song for this music is "Whenever You See Me", which is the first song on the album. I love the feeling in the song and the tempo, and I can see some pretty awesome characters being formed in my minds eye just from thinking about the song...

 Another few good songs done by them are "Going up the Country", "Messing with my life", "Bitchin' in the Kitchen" and "It ain't your Business".

 Plus they record all their albums at home. How cool is that?!

Okay, I'd better go, I was supposed to have started school half an hour ago...

 Bye!
Spinj xoxo

Fringe World Show

Hallo Everyone!

 How are you this morning? Enjoying the rain? I sure am. :)

 Karaoke went well on Sunday! :D It was loads of fun, and to my surprise and relief no one sung a Frozen song. The majority of the kids who turned up were between 2-13, and then there's me, the 15 year old. :P I don't think many of their parent's liked me that much, purely because I was the oldest. At least, that's what I thought from the way they looked at me.
 I sung "Popular" from Wicked The Musical, and that was pretty fun! The tempo was faster than normal, which I found slightly distracting, but otherwise it was fine! At the end of the song someone said I should voice the next Disney Princess, and two other people told me I was awesome. :3

 Anyway, to the original reason I began to write this post...

 So I will assume that the majority of my readers will know about the Fringe World Show. If not, I highly recommend reading the Wikipedia Page on it. It'll give you an idea on what it's about. At least, what one of the Australian ones are like...

 So some of you may remember when I was telling you about Clown Vs Ninja, yes? Or was that on Facebook? I can't remember. Anyway, last year I did two circus shows called Clowns Vs Ninja. I got to be one of the Ninja and did a very short 'solo' act, which you can watch here on my YT channel. I also have got quite a few photos from it...

 Anyway, I have been alerted that we may be revising Clowns Vs Ninja for a kid's Fringe Show! My brother and I will be putting in our EOI forms next Thursday, and if there are enough people interested we will be going ahead with it! We need around 10-15 people for it to start, so I have my fingers crossed that it happens!
 If it does, we'll be having to do lots of circus training, along with "Ninja stealth workshop"s, prop manipulations, stunt fighting, and so on. It's going to be loads of fun! Plus it will be my first proper circus show to ever be in, and not to mention my first time to perform in the Fringe, which is pretty exciting! I can't wait!

Here's two photos from one of the previous CvN shows:

Me performing in the first show.

Backstage prep a month before the show started. We were all trying on costumes that day and getting to know each other. That was also the day I decided to wear my green Ninjago t-shirt and met a fellow Ninjago fan...

 Well, I must run, we're meant to tidying the house today. I also might pop down to the library, cause I have some books to return, and I might do some busking... it's the right day for it! Well, maybe not if I get rained on...

 Stay safe, enjoy life and I'll see you all later!
Spinj xoxo

1014 Views

Hello guys!!

 My blog has now had over 1,000 views! :D This is a really exciting day for me.

 I just want to say thank you to all of you who read my blog, and that you are all really awesome! 

 Love y'all!
 Spinj xoxo

That Sunny Day

Morning peeps! :D

 Wow, I never realised my previous post would get so popular! It's got two more views than my Ninjago Monday one got! So, anyone joining the #SpreadingChristmasSpirit team? :P

 It's been pretty nice down here since yesterday weather wise. :P It was literally spring weather, despite the fact we're still technically in winter. That said though I'm not going to complain too much, I'm getting tired of having to put on a pair of stockings every time I decide to wear a skirt.

  Friday was kinda busy, I went into town to do busking and buy my friend a birthday present. She hadn't been talking to me for a while, but I still wanted to get her a present, so I went to my favourite Chocolate shop and bought her some chocolate.
 Once I gave her the card she took it with even saying "Thank You", read the card, then looked at me with a tablet in hand and said "Hey, I'll show you my Instagram". I was slightly taken aback, and not mention surprised since this was the first time in two months that she'd said more than "Hello" to me, but hey, at least we're back on talking terms. Anyway, Happy sixteenth Birthday, Lulah-Bell!

 Jujitsu's been going well, I'm getting ready for my next grading, which will be for the red-and-white belt. I've had a look at the grading sheet, and it's a lot more complicated than the brown-and-white. I have to do all my normal rolls and break-falls over obstacles. I can do the forward roll over an obstacle, but not any of the other rolls and falls.  Reflexes are a lot longer now too, and I have no clue how I'm going to get them all memorized. Sensei Darren suggested sleeping with the sheet under my pillow to let it all soak into my head, but I don't think I'll do that... :P
 I've also been having to help out a lot of the new people and the white belts, which has been pretty fun! I've been correcting their technique and giving them pointers. It's actually amazing, I never thought I'd be able to do that. XD I'm glad that Sensei Paul trusts me enough to let me look after them... :P

 I went to Circus yesterday, and that was... well, meh. Yes, it was Meh. We had an extra two teachers there because my boss decided she needed to hire a replacement teacher for the day because one of the usual ones couldn't turn up that day, and then hired another teacher just in case the first replacement teacher didn't turn up. So we had way too many teachers for how many students turned up, which was kinda stupid I think. That said though those two replacement teachers weren't much help, they kinda stood around without any idea on what to do.
 I'm now not getting my stilts until the end of this term, because my boss "forgot" that she was meant to be paying me with them instead of free classes. According to how much I'm meant to be getting paid, I actually should have got them at the end of Term 1. But I know that my boss doesn't like me that much, and that she's trying to keep me for as long as she can because she doesn't have to pay me the same rate as she has to pay the adult teachers. So once I get my stilts I'm going to quit teaching. And then I'm starting something new... dancing, I think.

 Anyway, I had better go, breakfast is ready and we're going to karaoke with some friends. Damn, I forgot, I'm also meant to be having a shower...
 Can't wait to go out and enjoy the sun. :3

 Love y'all,
 Spinj xoxo

Shower Thoughts...

Evening! :) How is everyone today? Going well?

 It's been a busy day down here! Doing school work, going to the library, running down to circus... Plus waiting for a friend to come and pick something up, but she was rude enough to not come at all, but I won't dwell on that for too long. :P

  Also finally got my book back from my friend. :P I'm currently feeling very protective of it, I got it for my birthday and then didn't see it for another six months. But it's back, and that's the main thing.

 Anyway, back to the main reason I'm making this post. I was having a shower the other day and kept thinking about something I saw on Facebook, which was something about putting blankets out for people who were homeless since it's been pretty cold in some of Australia this winter. For some reason that reminded me of something my family and I did last Christmas, where we gave a homeless person about $100+ (I forgotten how much it actually was XP).
 A few days later I started thinking about both of those things, because I was reminded by the fact that Christmas is only four months away and that I need to start preparing Christmas Carols to sing for busking. And it gave me an idea...

 You see, I feel that Christmas has lost it's spirit. Once, a long time ago, Christmas was about giving. Catching up with family. Connecting with people. These days, I feel that Christmas is just about how much companies can sell and how much people can buy. Everyone wants more and more. But that's not what Christmas is about.
 I think that I kind of realised this back in 2010, at Christmas time. I remember walking through the Mall on Christmas Eve, doing some last minute shopping, when we were surrounded by a group of thirty or so office workers. They gave us $350, and explained that every Christmas they get together, chip in some money and give it to someone who looks like they could do with a bit of cheer. And then they just kinda vanished back into the crowd, leaving my parents, brothers and I standing where we were, utterly surprised and shocked. I will never forget that day.

 So, this Christmas, I've decided that I want to re-introduce the Christmas Spirit. Once a week or more, starting in November, I'm going to do good deeds, whether it be helping someone carry their shopping, smiling at a person, giving compliments, etc. At the moment I'm putting money aside to give to some the week before Christmas.
 All my blog posts when I'm doing this will be called "Spreading Christmas Spirit: ______" So if you see one of them it'll be telling what I've done for that week to spread the spirit of Christmas. And feel free to join me in doing this. Whether you're a blogger, facebooker, youtuber, or user of any other type of social media, you can encourage others to do the same. :)

Official hashtags for the task will be: #SpreadingChristmasSpirit #SpreadingChristmasSpirit2015 

 It doesn't matter how big or small your deed is - you could give a homeless person blankets to stay warm, or hand out little cards to people with compliments written in them. 

 See you all soon, and have a great weekend!
Spinj xoxo

Youtube Video

Good evening! :D How are all you this fine, cold day? :P

So I meant to post this yesterday, but everything went out the window and I didn't end up doing it. XD And I would've done it earlier today, but I've been at WAAPA all day, and I only got back home a few hours ago. :P

 So my friend and I are not going to make a joint Youtube Channel, which is rather disappointing. However, we are going to make videos, and post them on my channel. We actually made a mini movie video thing, which was Leilani mucking around giving me directions. We edited it as best we could, we couldn't cut out her voice from the video, so that was disappointing, but we still made a cool video in the end.

 We'll be making more, and will (hopefully...) improve our editing skills in the process. XD We might be making another one soon, about a time travelling girl... ;P

Yeah, so I hoped you liked the video, if you did please like it and subscribe to my channel!
 Love ya guys, stay safe, and I'll be back soon with another post.
Spinj xoxo

Music Monday + Rant

 Hallo everyone! :3 How's school going? I'm using my lunch break to write this. It's been fun so far, started planning what I'll do for science (I have to record the weather and show it in a graph).

 So, it's Music Monday! I actually wasn't going to post anything, but I remembered a video that I quite like. It has some swearing in it, so it's probably not advisable to watch if you're under 13, but it's very good. I remembered it because I'm learning about more Chords in music, and I am always surprised at how unimaginative people are when making new songs. You'll see what I mean...

 Like, c'mon, why must [some] pop songs use the same chords?! 
 
 And I have another rant, inspired by my "Why I Want To Do Performing" post. And today seems a fitting day to do it.

 Some people think that being a musician is really easy. All you have to do is listen to some pop songs, sing them as best you can, and go onto the X Factor or something like that if you think you're good enough. And if you win? Instant fame and a career as a famous musician.
 However, most people don't seem to realise just how much hard work is put into becoming a musician. We spend hours each day, doing warm ups, practising repertoire, finding new songs to play. We spend years practising to become good enough to get work.

 Not only do we spend years perfecting our art, we also spend thousands of dollars on equipment, lessons, etc. We try to get the best coaches, he best instruments, the best equipment, and the best servicing groups as we'll have the best experiences learning, and then we'll have good equipment for life.
 One thing that especially bugs me is the way people react when you tell them how much it'll cost to get you to perform for them. I was hired to sing at a wedding at the beginning of the year, and when I told the lady how much it would be, I could literally hear all the excitement from her voice disappear in a flash when she said "oh, right". I'm not just singing a song. I have to practice the song that you requested, travel out to the location, find the equipment I need, etc.

 I've done unpaid work, but I intentionally volunteered each time to do it. The two shows I've been in recently were for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society, which is a not-for-profit group, and I knew that I wouldn't be getting paid, but it would give me experience which I need at the moment. But once I'm doing this professionally that will change.
 And the people telling me to go on talent shows. Yes, it's nice you think that I would go really well in it, and it's great that you'd vote for me if I went on, but first of all, why not just support me by paying me properly or giving my a few coins when I'm busking, and secondly, those talent shows aren't there for the musicians, they're there for themselves. So while it's nice, I think I'll pass.

 OK, rant over. Hope that gave you something to think about...

 I'd better get back to school. See ya, and stay safe,
Spinj

Omg it's cold....

 Argh, it's so cold. I think I'm going to start freezing. ;~; Well, actually, it's not that cold, its only 11 degrees outside, but I had a shower last night and I now have a cold neck. :P

 I've been pretty busy at the moment. I was sick for a few weeks, so I didn't get as much of my stuff down as I could have. I've been doing extra singing and music work to catch up on where I'm meant to be.

 I had a singing lesson on Friday, and it was loads of fun. I've started learning two new songs - one in English, the other in Italian. The Italian one has been a little hard to practice, because I can't speak Italian, but I'm working on it. xD
 My coach is also going to help me get a few more gigs, and she said that the next time that the WA Opera need kids for a show that she'll put my name down as a suggestion. Whoop!

 I haven't heard back anything yet about whether or not I've been shortlisted for an audition for "Breath", but I was talking to a friend who works in the filming industry and she said that there's a good chance I'll get cast in it, as I've got the right look for the film. So fingers crossed!

(^^ that picture is so freaking awesome!!!)

 Demon Road comes out soon, and I'm so excited! Derek Landy is such an awesome author, and he creates some really badass girl characters, so I have high expectations for this book. xD I've requested the book from my local library, and I'll be the first to get it when it comes in. :3 It's gonna be awesome. X3

 One of my friends and I might be starting a Youtube Channel, where we'll post up some cute and some crazy videos. It's because She wants to be a film director, and I want to be an actor, so we figured we should come together and make some stuff up ourselves. It's gonna be fun. And we're catching up on Tuesday, so I'll let you know what the plan is on Wednesday! ;)

 I'm having fun writing Guardian Angel at the moment! I'm at 30,000 words, and I'm feeling very proud of it so far. I made a cover (which is above ^^) which isn't too great, but it's also not the 'final' one. XD
 My friends are saying that I'm killing off too many characters in the story, but it's set in a revolution, so there are going to be casualties. And if you want too many deaths, go read the Game of Throne series by George Martin. XD
 Yeah, so, I'm hoping to get this book published, but first off I have to finish writing it and see if it's any good. So yeah, that's been going along nicely in it's own way, but I've ran out of notebooks again... ;~;

 Speaking off books, I lent "The Name of the Wind" to my friend at the beginning of the year. And now she's decided to stop talking to me. She had better give me back mah book or hell's gonna break loose. That book was a birthday present.

 Well, I had better sign off now, I got stuff to do... like getting that book back. Be good guys, and I'll see you soon.
 Spinj xoxo