five things | cover versions

I'm pretty sure it was one of my sisters that suggested a series of 'five things' posts - books, songs, foods... the possibilities are endless really.

Being pretty bad a narrowing down lists of things (& forget about picking favourites most of the time) I figured that if gave myself more specific parameters, then it might be easier to actually choose. So, since my playlist on YouTube features quite a few covers, this seemed like a good place to start...

These are in no particular order & I'm going to admit right off that I'm not always familiar with the original versions, I've just come across the covers & enjoyed them...

~ Paradise (Peponi) - The Piano Guys
This is one of my favourite Piano Guys songs & one on the list that I do know (& like) the original version of, but I think I prefer the cover - there's just something really special about this version...

~ Wrecking Ball - Sarah Blackwood, Jenni & Emily
This is one of the songs where I don't know the original, but I love the vocals in this version, so I'm quite happy just listening to the cover.

~ Sara Bareilles - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Sara is one of my favourite artists & I know & like the song, although it's not something I listen to a lot. I really enjoy her version - although I basically love most of the things she performs...

~ Radioactive - Lindsey Stirling & Pentatonix
Totally unfamiliar with the original of this song, but love the violin/cello + vocals in this version.

~ Somebody That I Used to Know - Walk off the Earth
Again - don't know the original song very well (I have heard it though) - but love this cover. I really like their version of 'Trouble' too.

I could add several more songs here, but I'm going to make myself stick to just five...

a few thoughts...

...about travelling.
Kind of a random scattering of things that have been kicking around in my brain about travelling & my trip - I've been having a lot of trouble writing this post & I think it's to do with the idea that I should have something profound, or at least really eloquent to say. You know - life-changing epiphanies, witty observations, secret things/places I discovered....silly, I know, but still, the thought is there. So I think the only thing to do is just go for it...

~ I travelled by myself - no companion, no tour group, just me - & I'm glad I did. There were definitely moments when I wished for a companion or two, someone to eat dinner with, or photograph in the nice light, or watch my stuff when I had to use the restroom, but for the most part it was good. I was quite pleased with my ability to find my way around & not dither too much when trying to decide things.

~ Since I got home a number of people have asked about how safe I felt travelling by myself, but to tell you the truth it's not something I really though about. Not that I'm a risk taker or anything, but maybe because I'm not. So I wasn't out after dark, or wandering around dangerous places, or getting drunk - I was sensible & aware of my surroundings, but not worried.

~ People were very patient with my lack of language-other-than-english skills & lots of people spoke at least a little English, so it wasn't too difficult to communicate most of the time. I did (attempt to) say hello, please & thank you in the appropriate language, although I wouldn't claim very good pronunciation. Of course, being fluent in French, German, Polish & Czech would have made things easier, but I don't think the lack had a negative effect.

~ & a few practical things: you have to pay to use public toilets most places (at least in the countries I went too) & the price varies, generally once you are in a museum/gallery they will be free (because you've already paid to get in); be careful buying water - sparkling is very common & if it's been bouncing around in your bag for a while...; having a calico bag/shopping bag is very useful, even just for extra water or your jacket; having a phone with google maps or the equivalent is very useful.

I think that's it for now - this post already contains way more words than usual - I might come up with more later of course, but I'm just going to be happy with this & hit the publish button :)

this, that & the next thing...

Just for fun, a few random facts about me:

1. I have lots of siblings - an older brother & sister, three younger brothers & two younger sisters
2. I love being up in the early morning - but not getting out of bed early
3. I love books & reading
4. When I was little, apparently I used to demand not one, but several bedtime stories every night (sorry Mum!)
5. I love learning new skills
6. I don't have sugar in either tea or coffee
7. There are four girls & four boys in my family
8. When my parents were naming me, Dad was determined that my name would end in 'ie'
9. I always do my best to spell people's names properly, because other people usually spell mine wrong.
10. I have European heritage - Polish, Latvian, Czech, German
11. I love baked goods, especially with lemon. Or chocolate. Or coffee. Or almond. Or fruit...
12. I love coffee, but it has to be real coffee, not instant
13. I love tea too, and drink way more of it than I do coffee
14. I'm currently reading Garment of Shadows, by Laurie R. King
15. I've just had my hair dyed a deep mahogany brown (not sure how well you can tell in the photo)
16. I've spent far to long trying to think of something interesting to write, so I'm going to stop now...

just a few random photos...

I was thinking that I should post some sort of grand 2011-year-that-was blog post. Or 2012-year-that-will-be. And who knows, that might still happen. But for tonight you get some photos from my archive - naturey macro shots that I had taken & processed at some point (this year) & never done anything with. Just a random selection that caught my eye as I was scrolling through my photo folders.

& why? you might ask. Well mostly because I couldn't quite work out what such a post would look like...favourite blog posts, images, creations? a list of things that have happened/I've done this year?...as I said it might still happen, but I figure there's no rule it has to be before the end of the year (if there is I'm breaking it. so there.)

Oops, that's a lot of words for a post that was going to be mostly photos, so I'll just be quiet now...

Hehe, I've been taking drop shots XD

Just a quick post about.......um, nothing really :)

Rather pleased with how this droplet photo turned out (I have played with the colours), so I thought I'd post it here too.

The last few days have been lovely & cool, unfortunately tomorrow is supposed to be the start of some more hot weather. Oh well, as long as it doesn't get as bad as last time, I'm sure we'll all survive.

Eh, enough prattling, time to go to bed.......night, night :)

I promise you I, I'll come back to you one day......

Totally random post, just faffing around waiting for midnight.

I took this photo today, a lettuce that's going to seed in our garden. The late afternoon light is really lovely & of course I was using the macro lens. I think I may have to stop tagging 'macro' on flickr & just tag 'not a macro' when/if that ever happens XD.

One of my goals for 2009 is to blog regularly, so you may see me a bit more often.

May 2009 be filled with love, light, laughter & all the good things :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!