Knowing & Not Knowing.

A dear friend said to me today, 'V-A, you're addicted to drama'. Yes, the fact is true. I love drama. I'm addicted to drama. I AM drama! My life is often referred to as a soapie. So many eventful things happen and I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. Regardless of whether it's happy, sad, angry, blonde, silly or deep - it totally makes up the wonderful world of ME.

I love the fact of knowing, but at the same time, I love not knowing. Confusing huh? I love knowing the minute details of someone. I love doing the research to get context, get scope and pull out those random facts during interviews for them to go 'what the? where did you pull that from?' HA! i guess it's just my inner curiosity which shines through. Then, it goes and bites you in the arse. I was going to say 'you can never know too much', but I beg to differ. There are just SOME things which really should be kept to yourself. Honestly, don't broadcast it because you need to secure and reassure yourself of something. That should come from within.

Then the act of not knowing. I approach life with the utmost spontaneity and passion. I need to be constantly challenged and for that challenge to occur, not knowing what is around that next corner; leaving yourself unguarded and vulnerable for anything to come your way. Give it a try - if you don't like the taste of it, spit it out. At least you tried and you could have enjoyed it along the way :) If you didn't, it was just another lesson to add to your Life Studies 101 notebook. Live dangerously and your life will no doubt be mottled with stories.

My friend did a very insightful and humorous presentation in my Modernism & Postmodernism class today. She did a presentation on Barbie and how Barbie can support post-modernist theories. In short, it's true that Barbie is a chameleon. She can be anything you want her to be. What does she do? ADAPT! Key word boys and girls, ADAPT. Adapt to the situations around you, worldliness, recycling ideas and reverting to the past is a given - but remember that these past ideas are modified so as to be uniquely you in the society that you live in. So what is my point here? People change. Let go of the past or at least re-examine what has happened and maybe it's time to make a change.

Advice of the day: Go take a bath. It's VERY therapeutic. Then take a moment to reflect.
I think i'm getting addicted.

Stay smiling busybees,
V-A

Boys With Girlfriends!

You meet people for a reason. How many friends have come and gone? How many have actually stayed and remained true friends? probably a handful...if not even less.
I think I'm at a stage in life, at the ripe old age of 21, where I am enjoying life to its ultimate. So many interesting characters to bring insight to your life and for you to bring insight into theirs. You never know where life will take you.....it will change its course along with the wind. Sometimes, that course is nasty...at other times, it will be the best wave you've ever riden. Regardless, it will shape who you are and you will learn from those experiences.

It is the ability to feel which is so important to me. Being able to express it all and being open about it.

I got introduced to this song today by a dear friend, which i laughed so hard to:

Boys With Girlfriends - Meiko

When I first met you I knew you were the one
'Til you took me home and I met her
She had your boxers on
She was listening to your song
And I thought right then that you had everything
But I knew she was jealous from the start
Yeah I knew she was jealous from the start
'Cause I know better not to be friends with boys with girlfriends
I know better than that I know better
You play the victim and I'll be the bad guy
I know better than thatI know better

We started hanging around after nine
I could've sworn that I was yours
You looked at me and said, "It's a little too late for bed"
We went to the hotel and talked about everything

But I knew she was jealous from the start
Yeah I knew she was jealous from the start 'Cause
I know better not to be friends with boys with girlfriends
I know better than that I know better (Oh oh oh oh)(Oh oh)(Oh oh oh oh)(Oh oh)
You play the victim and I'll be the bad guy
I know better than thatI know better

What she did to us was tragic
And I have to do what's right
What we had was really magic
But I have to get what's mine
What's mine
I'll get what's mine and you'll get yours
'Cause I know better not to be friends with boys with girlfriends
I know better than that I know better
You play the victim and I'll be the bad guy
I know better than that
I know better I know better not to be friends with boys with girlfriends
I know better than that
I know better You play the victim and I'll be the bad guy
I know better than thatI know better that that
I know better not to be friends with boys with girlfriends Oh
I know better than that I know better .

Keep smiling y'all!
V-A

Andre Rieu dissertation

Once again, a whirlwind of events have successively occured causing a delay in blogging. I've had a predicament which I think i've come to terms with. For anyone who knows me at all, the two words 'Andre Rieu' sends a priceless expression across my face. Some call it a love-hate relationship. Some say I wish I was Andre. Trust me, if you're doing a concert to 20,000 people, you'd be happy too.When people found out I had personally bought the Andre Rieu Autobiography, they could not understand. Honestly, I admire the guy. I wanted to know how he did it. Can't say the book told me too much but hey... At what, 57, he sold over 20 million records worldwide, was able to staple the No. 1 spot (along with multiple other places within the top 10) on Australia's Top DVD charts for weeks on end and even rallied for the re-opening of ANAM (he really earned extra brownie points in my books for doing that! :D). He owns 2 Strads, ships around a Fazioli piano to every gig of his and even has his son Piere Rieu drop his job as a lawyer to be his production manager. Jealous yet?

Sure, people can bicker all they like at how 'crass' he has made classical music...I fall into that category. I guess 'crass' may not be the word of choice, but more so downgrade it for the masses. And you know what? There is nothing wrong with that. Except maybe the horrid wigs and fru-fru dresses which he has his orchestra wear. That's a little OTT. But hey! It works! The old men and ladies love it.

In my dealings with various artists, students, music lovers and of course musicians themselves of all ages, shapes and sizes, I really believe that Andre has opened up the doors of the forbidden and pedestaled classical music to the masses. Classical music is a dying artform and at least he is doing his bit to make sure people are appreciating it.
Through my collaborations with Thanh Bui over the last gig, I've found the niche of mixing the classical and pop genres can be tastefully done. I know, I know, you'd probably be telling me Chopin is tossing in his grave if he ever heard his Revolutionary Etude mashed up with One Republic's Apologise but we live in the 21st Century people! Be open!

After all, music brings joy. It brings people together. It breaks down the barriers of words and through sounds and rhythms, connects one another and sends you into oblivion...a suspended world of bliss. Music makes people feel and sparks emotions. For every song, I'm sure there will be a memory attached to it.

What I believe even more strongly is right in the famous quote by Maurice Ravel ..'one must not forget that it is sensitiveness and emotions which makes the music..'. I believe this with all of my heart and put my heart and soul into absolutely every piece I play. Whether it is a Mozart Sonata or Michael Jackson's Billie Jean, I bear all, making myself ultimately vulnerable for the audience to experience exactly what I experience.

I think I've come to a happy conclusion that what Andre is doing is completely fine. If not, I aspire to do something similar. In my own little way...but I will make sure that Classical music will remain alive.