Bits and pieces of bits and pieces

October is nearly over and I haven't written a blog for a while, in fact I haven't written any songs or much in the way of poetry either. I have been busy typing up song lyrics and adding guitar chords to an app on my iPad, as well as performing and crafting. I'm entertaining regularly at 2 nursing homes (both in Launceston!) and 2 seniors' groups, as well as craft stalls at Margate and Snug markets, and will have stalls at nursing home fairs in November and December (yes, one will be in Launceston). Doing a spot of MC work here and there as well as regular weekly & monthly gigs, so I am still happy and busy :) Hoping to read an original poem on ABC local radio tomorrow morning about 5:40 am, so tune in if you're n Hobart.
If you know af any groups that might like me to perform (for petrol money), check out my music on www.reverbnation.com/fionahutchison and send me a message. Oh, and I like gigs that pay as well! I can't do all the shows that people want, but love to get out and perform.

Itching, singing, the garden, crafts, hacking ...typical week!

Well, the hay fever season has hit me hard over the last couple of days with strong winds and the stench (to me anyway)of pollens/allergens in the air.    Had a nice chat with my friendly local pharmacist (is he OLD enough to be qualified???) on trying new anti-histamines, and will see how I fare.   My allergy problems have been around for many years and were quite severe in the past,  with complications preventing me from working and occasionally from singing, I am SO thankful that it is nowhere near as bad these days.

So, that's the itching part; now for the singing!  Still enjoying my weekly Saturday lunchtime performances at Brookfield Margate, and no, I don't get bored as my repertoire is around 350 songs and I vary them, although some standards get used each time.  I had another performance at Mum's nursing home last week, and will perform for a senior's group this Friday.  The ukelele is primed and ready to go :)  I'm also back at Southern Lights Hotel in a few weeks, as well as another nursing home show.

Jeff has built a raised garden bed in the backyard and filled it with all manner of dirt, compost, sheep manure and potting mix, ready for tomatoes in the next month.  I've transplanted all my strawberry plants to another raised bed in our front yard, and we built a frame over it on Sunday and covered it with bird netting (much to the disgust of the blackbirds).  The rhubarb I planted a few months ago is growing vigorously, the garlic is sprouting and we are still eating spinach while waiting for the broad beans to grow.  The rosemary and parsley is in constant use, and I've just about got to the end of last season's garlic.

I've booked 2 tables for the next few Snug Markets (space permitting) and intend to display a fair chunk of my crafts, including Christmas items.  I've just designed iPhone/iPod Touch/mobile/camera pouches, but have kept the first 2 for myself.  I'll make some more soon.   I've added quite a few embossed cards to my stock, mostly hand coloured with ink.  (gel & metallic and my favourites).


 My email account was hacked and it's the 1st breach of any of my online activities, which is not bad seeing as I've had that account for nearly 9 years.   So if any of my contacts have received a message supposedly from me regarding a link for performance enhancing products, it was NOT actually from me. (And it was NOT about musical performance)

All in all, life is still a wonderful adventure; sometimes it's hard going or a little scary, but well worth the ride.

Peace and love
Fiona

Life gives ME wings!!!!!

Raptors & Wildlife
I've had a few busy and productive days. 
I was MC at Open Mic 4th birthday where I also sang and played in a trio "Extra Groovy Feelin" and played guitar for a soloist.. The evening was a fundraiser for Raptor and Wildlife Refuge Of Tasmania run by Craig Webb, and we raised nearly $700 including calendar sales.  Craig invited me to a private tour of the refuge, and I toddled off down to Kettering on Monday and was able to present him with the money then.  He has an amazing project, and seeing several magnificent  eagles was a highlight.  A couple are nearly ready for release, but some need to stay at the refuge permanently as they would be unable to survive in the wild.  Take a look at his website www.raptorrefuge.com.au and offer any support you can.  Craig is currently building an education centre so that school groups can visit and learn about the human impact on raptors and other wildlife.  The refuge is NOT open for public tours, but membership allows you to attend open days.  The 2012 calendar is avaiulable for sale on the website.  Oh, there should be another story and some pics in the Kingborough Chronicle this week.  You can pick up copies in the Kingborough region or read it online at http://www.kingboroughchronicle.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60&Itemid=83
The article pre-open mic is on page 3 in the August 26th edition.

Music
As already mentioned, I performed and MCeed Friday night, and followed that up with lunchtime music on Saturday from 12pm -3pm at Brookfield Margate, then Sunday saw me performing more lunchtime music at Southern Lights Hotel in Kingston.  Had Monday night off from Groovy Feelin rehearsals and will miss next week as well, as I'll be in Launceston for a show at Aldersgate Village (Aged care).  That's after I do another lunchtime performance at Brookfield Margate THIS Saturday and take my crafts to Snug Market on Sunday.
Then the cycle continues with the Margate Wednesday Market, Brookfield lunchtime music Saturday etc.

I've got a date!!!!
Out for dinner tonight with my lovely husband Jeff and to see the 1st Kingston Comedy Bar show. Nice to have some time together!  I took today off from the Wednesday Market to give my back pain a chance to ease, which it has.  Chiropractor tomorrow, and I am so much better than I was 6 months ago.

Just as well, as I need all the help I can get to keep up with myself!!

Peace and love.

POEM: "Who I Am"

I promised some of my poems, and thought this would be a good start, as it wraps up my comments from my first blog about being different identities :)

.
"Who I Am"    

When anyone asks me who I am
I tell my life story as simply as I can.

I'm a woman, a daughter, a mother, a wife;
I'm a simple person living a simple life.

I laugh and smile, sometimes I cry
But I never let the chance of a good time go by!

I was and iron clothes, I cook and I clean.
My mind is full of thoughts when I'm awake or in dreams.

I've given and taken orders to get the job done
I've been seriously seriously, I've had heaps of fun!

I've known sadness and heartache, even despair;
It's a dark gloomy place; I hate being there.

I've been injured and ill, I've been fit and well.
I've felt like I'm in heaven; briefly visited hell.

I've been loved and liked, been hated and blamed.
I don't want to hate back; I won't play that game.

I've felt trapped and cornered, but I'm alive and free!
My favourite day is today, whenever it may be.

So now you feel you might know me from what I say
But I might be or do something DIFFERENT today!!

                                                                                        Fiona Hutchison   Aug. 2010

Gonna have f-f-fun today!!!

Most Wednesdays I head off with my craft to a little market in Margate, about 15-20 minutes south of Hobart.   While I don't always sell a lot there, it has become a social day with friends I have made at the market, and also a good networking day!  That's because it's held at Brookfield Margate, a venue where I perform regularly, and I  have almost been adopted into the Brookfield family.  I host the monthly open mic nights there, get asked to MC events as well as perform, and have been general "gadabout"at festivals and the like where I may conduct tours of the "Tudor Court Model Village", supervise the market, organise performers and sometimes even wait on tables!! (yes, I have my RSA certificate). 
I've been a guest speaker at a Rotary meeting there and recorded the commentary CD for the Village tours.  Helen Lindsay (the proprietor) has become a good friend, and I've been quite a regular on her Tuesday night radio show on Hobartfm.  I'm often in publicity photos or TV ads for the venue, and I'm sure some people think I work there full time :)    I have no problem with my name being associated with Brookfield Margate, and go to concerts there (occasionally being on the door) and also have meals there.  Sonia is the head  chef of a close-knit kitchen team and sometimes does me the honour of asking my opinion on the menu.  I am not a food expert or critic, but I have been eating food for most of my life, so feel I have some knowledge :)
Brookfield is a big shed, full of eclectic collectables, history and atmosphere.  If you like crisp stainless steel, glass & tile type of eateries, this venue may NOT be for you, but if you enjoy a variety of live music (often FREE) and good home-cooked style cuisine which often surprises with its originality, then get along to 1640 Channel Highway, Margate.  Oh, you might see me there!!!

Doesn't she have a proper job?

I gave a concert at Mum's nursing home a couple of weeks ago, and Mum (being like most mums) was telling another lady about the different places I sing, the crafts I make and the markets I sell at, which prompted the lady to ask "Doesn't she have a proper job? "

I find that amusing,as my lifestyle is one that I love, and  couldn't maintain without the love and support of my darling husband Jeff.

Even when I had a so-called "real" job during the day, I would be out performing evenings and weekends, marketing, or doing my bit in the community.  These days, Jeff has the "proper"job, and I still go out evenings and  weekends, marketing and doing my bit in the community!  I don't always receive monetary gain from my activities ( some of it DOES pay) but I am rewarded richly by being involved in others' lives, and truly blessed to have a wonderful husband to come along with me sometimes and help in many other ways.  I always smile when I drive into our street and see his car out the front, just knowing he will be waiting for me to tell him all about my adventure.

So if you see me out and about singing, or being an MC,
or  selling craft at a market, you are only seeing half of the team; Jeff is the "other half". 

Thank you darling.                                

To blog or not to blog!

It seems the time has come for me to start a regular blog. 
You may know me as Fiona Hutchison ( singer/songwriter/poet/MC/entertainer) ,
just as "Fiona", even 'Fi",as Fiona's f-f-fun crafts, or from my online name (for many years) of tassiesinger, or simply as "Jeff's wife", "Annette's mum"or "Gwen's daughter".

Why start blogging now?

I've never really blogged seriously before, but have posted frequently on my space, facebook and twitter.  I have 3 different pages/profiles on facebook, and admin another; they represent my different "personas".
 My life is neatly divided  and happily/messily intertwined being a wife, daughter, mother, performer, writer, craftworker & market stallholder.  Some people only know me in one role, and might be surprised at some of the other things I get up to; my adventures!

Life is an adventure!

I have had my fair share of rotten days (thankfully mainly in the past) but look forward to living each day as it comes, hopefully learning something different, meeting someone new, or simply enjoying all the good things life brings.
This is reflected in some of my poems, and I plan to share some in this blog.

Join me!!

Go on, you know you want to peek into my innermost being!!
Have a read and see what poems and thought I share, and what I've been doing and also what I am planning.  It won't be too personal,but might just make you smile for a moment or take time to think.

Peace & love, Fiona