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

Why I want to do Performing

Ok, I really need to get this off my chest, so I'll do it here.

 The most common things people say to me when I tell them that I want to be a Singer/Actor/Performer is either "You must be talented" or "Are you doing that because they're well paid?".
 To the first one, I normally say "I suppose so" or something along those lines, because I have no idea if I'm actually as talented as I'd like to think I am. That said, if I was that talented, I'd probably be semi famous right now. So probably not.
 To the second, no, I'm not doing it for the money. In fact, I always thought that being a performer would be one of the worst paid jobs.

 I wanted to be a performer in late 2010. I had finished performing in Hansel and Gretel, and I had loved rehearsing, going to Wardrobe for costume fittings, and then performing on stage for the audience. It was a rewarding experience. I learnt new skills, and I gave pleasure to the people watching, as I had helped bring the Opera to life along with my twenty or so friends in the Children's chorus. And when the Opera was over I decided I wanted to be a performer.

  Many people assume that the reason I'm doing it is because I like the attention. And I do like the attention. But the actual reason is because I enjoy bringing the Character/Story to life. There is nothing like reading a book, loving a character/characters and the plot and what not, and then seeing it become a great Movie, or a Musical. It is so thrilling.
 Also, you have to think about how to actually bring the character to life. Find out as much as you can about them. Wonder how you can copy that without making it look like you're acting but also without looking like you're just say lines.
 I like a challenge. If I didn't think that I was going to be challenged that much, then I probably would've just stayed with my original idea of being an author.

So no, I'm not doing for the money. I'm doing it because I enjoy bringing characters and stories to life.

From Sunday to Thursday

Morning everyone! :D How are you all this fine day? :3

First of all, I won't be writing down everything that happened, just want to tell you guys a few things that have happened/are happening. :3

 So on Sunday I went to the WA museum to look at the Remember Me: The Lost Diggers of Vignacourt exhibition. I didn't really want to go, but I went (I was glad about going in the end though).
 There were lots of old photos, all mainly of Australians, of before they went back to fighting. The photos were all from the "Lost Collection", and one could tell if a photo was from the collection because of the backdrop used in the photo.
 The photos were fascinating, but it was rather sad to look at them and realize that many of the people in the photos would die in battle and never come home. There were quotes from letters and diaries around too, my favourite of which was this one:

It's so sad... :'(

They also had a replica of the original backdrop, and I got to have a photo against it.  I had the choice of dressing as a nurse or a soldier, and being me, I went with the soldier. xD My dad even took the photo in sepia, so the photo looks slightly old fashioned!

 Yesterday I had my first Musicianship lesson for the year, and it was pretty good. The class was smaller than it used to be before I left, but it was the first day of term, so maybe not everyone had turned up. We did rhythms, and had to tap one rhythm on the floor with one had and the other with the other hand. It got pretty confusing pretty quickly!
 Before I went to my class though I went to the library to borrow some stuff (mainly books for school, but also the Kane Chronicles) and ended up with a free notebook, bubbles, and found out how the loaning system used to be. It was pretty complicated.
 So you filled in a form, and would be given four "tickets" - two green (for fiction books, I think) and two yellow (for non-fiction). And... I remember the rest, but I don't know how to explain it... and I call myself a writer XD

 And on Monday I sent in an application for a role in a movie called "Breath", which is going to be directed by Simon Baker, and it's based off the book written by Tim Winton. I haven't heard back yet, but hopefully I'll be shortlisted for an audition. I'll keep you all updated! Who knows, maybe Spinj will become a movie star! :P
 The funny thing is that I'm not interested in the fame side that much. I'm actually more excited about the experience that the would provide. I've been on set for a film for about four hours before, but I could be on site for the movie for a few months, depending on how main the role is. Also I'll make some new friends! I could do with some friends who have the same interests as me.

 I should probably go, as I have another 1,000+ words to write for Guardian Angel (for Camp Nanowrimo). I'm also planning on getting it published, so that I'll have a bit of an income when I'm at Uni.  Here's an excerpt:

Like it? :3
 Also, we have some friends coming over to our house soon, so I'd better go. XD Be good, stay safe, love you,
Spinj xoxo

Music Monday Again

Hello everyone! How are you since I saw you all yesterday? :P

 It's Music Monday. Again. Yeah, sure, I don't write that many Music Monday posts, but I only have so many favourites!! Plus I feel as if I have to do the whole Music Monday thing because I run a blog. Or maybe it's an excuse to go on the computer more. I really don't know any more xD
 But yeah, for me it goes: Music Monday, Tune Tuesday, Writing Wednesday, Throwback Thursday, Flashback Friday, and the the Wonderful Weekend (well, the weekend one isn't really one, and MMon and TTues are practically the same thing, as are TTurs and FFri. But whatever. Who cares? :P).

Anyway, I'll give you two songs for today. First is... The Salley Gardens!
 It's an Irish song, arranged by Benjamin Britten for an orchestra. I only learnt it recently, and sung it yesterday at my audition. Unfortunately I couldn't find a recording of it that I liked on youtube, so no video for this one! D:

 Next is... aw, can't pick - The Last Goodbye, sung by Billy Boyd. It's a very sad, but sweet and wistful, song from the last of the three Hobbit movies. It's definitely a song that get's right into the feels...

 Well, those are my two songs for today! I hope you liked them, and I might be back again on Wednesday... with writing tips xD

 Stay well my friends!
 Spinj xoxo

Scrambled Eggs for Spinj

Hewwo! :3

...

Okay, well, that was random, though I do say so myself. I had no idea on a title for my post, so... meh :P Anyway, how are you guys? Feeling well?

 Thing's have been... interesting, to say the least, around here! In a good way, of course! :P

 I had an audition today for the next Gilbert and Sullivan production, which is "Trial by Jury". I got a few compliments from the channel, which I thought was neat, and I didn't mess up the song like I thought I was going to.
 I also found out that there is another show of Pirates of Penzance which will be showing sometime in November-December this year, and I found the auditions for it! So I'll be auditioning for that as well... maybe I'll be lucky enough to get offered a principle role!

 The Winter Holidays have been pretty fun so far, and It's a pity that there's only one more week of them left! They've been pretty eventful though. I went to a pottery wheel class and made some bowls, which I'll be picking up in a few weeks time after they've been fired. We also did some painting at the Art Gallery, went ice skating (the ice skating was epic, because we got to go on TV!) and plus I've been catching up with friends. Also got rained on a lot (because I stupidly left any water proof clothing at home) and joined in with a Free Rights Marriage Equality rally. And I got rained on a lot at that too.

 I introduced one of my friends to the Skulduggery Pleasant series, and she's now decided that we should make a fan movie. xD The original plan was to make a movie about how Skul's wife and child were murdered and how Skul turned into a skeleton, but now we're wondering whether or not to do something with Darquesse in it or something from the earlier books. Main problem would be doing special effects and all that... but we're working on it. :3

 Also, I found out that Derek Landy is (again) writing a script for a Skulduggery Pleasant movie! An actual movie! I'm really excited about this! I reckon it'll be awesome... :3 I'll definitely be at the cinema to watch it when it comes out!

 Speaking of Scrambled eggs, I think it's my turn to make my dinner - omelette!

 Will see you all next time!
 Spinj xoxo

Little Bit Of Me Has Died Again...

Just finished reading "The Dying of The Light" yesterday. ;~; I literally sat staring at the book for five minutes after finishing it; I think I was in a bit of shock. xD

 It must showed on my face as well, because I was doing the dishes, and my Dad said to me that I had a look on my face like I was expecting to have the dishes jump up and attack me.

 I think a little bit of me has died after finishing off the series... now, I just need to wait for Demon Road to come out.