Thursday 18 June 2009

It only gets better

Next month my baby sister (she is 9 years younger than me) is coming back to Australia to live after ten years in London.

I was told she would be moving to London before she even knew it was a possibility.

I visited a clairvoyant ten and half years ago and she told me that one of my sisters would be moving to London. I told her that there was no way any of my three sisters were in a position to do that. Within six weeks my youngest sister's husband was unexpectedly sent to London by the company he was working for. Two months later my sister and their babies joined him.

The clairvoyant also told me I would be moving to Britain as well and would be in a relationship with a businessman who was involved in football (soccer). I discounted everything she said as soon as she said it, but bizarrely the bits that I remember have all proved correct. I wish I had listened more closely though or recorded her reading.

Anyway, I was talking to my sister on Skype this morning and she was telling me their plans.

As usual, she was making me laugh out loud (it's a hazard in my family and so hard when you are trying to avoid laughter lines, I tell you).

She told me that she recently had an operation on her finger (an old basketball injury). Two days after the operation she went to a Jackson Browne concert (she had bought tickets months before). She had taken pain killers before she got there but during the concert they wore off and she was in a lot of pain. The tears started rolling down her face. Her husband was sitting on one side of her and a stranger on the other. Her husband just looked at her thinking she was getting a little over excited and the man next to her, leaned over, his eyes welling up and said, "Are you ok? That song gets me like that every time too. Did you know he wrote that song after his wife committed suicide?"

She finally had enough and walked out into the foyer. A security guard stopped her and said, "Are you ok? I've never seen anyone so affected by his music before". I think it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I am not sure if her good hand reached for the security guard, the closest Jackson Browne poster or her husband.......

She did say Jackson is still amazing. And that he looks no different than he did 20 years ago and he sounds exactly the same.

I imagine my sister will be pretty much the same too (apart from the finger). After 10 years away she looks no different and acts no different. However, she sure sounds a whole lot different. I feel like I'm talking to the Queen. She's gone 'all posh' on us. Give us a few months and we will have them all talking like proper, fair dinkum Aussies again.


Here is one of my favourite more up tempo (for him) Jackson Browne songs. He is rock's poet laureate. I have loved his music since I was 15 which is clearly a long, long time ago. Quality just gets better with age. In everything, right?

46 comments:

  1. I've never listened to his music. Thanks for the introduction!

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  2. I've never even heard him before!

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  3. I've been to a psychic before...how different is that from a clairvoyant? I want to go again because I don't remember everything...but at the same time it makes me a little nervous!

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  4. Will your sister live anywhere near you? I love hearing about your family. Please tell us how Des is doing sometime soon :)

    Awww, I haven't listened to Jackson Browne in ages. I can only imagine the scene a weeping woman would make at his concert!!!

    Yep, I'd have to agree, quality is better with age!!

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  5. I hesitate to write that "load out/stay" would be on my "if I was stranded on an island" list. People probably just think I'm sucking up to get to blog visitors or something (well maybe).

    the best part is the "stay a little bit longer" part. Good pick for your sister's return.

    But really I'm a fan of JB along with many others. Other favs of his, Lawyers In Love, The Pretender.

    Did you know he was on Obama's CD with "Looking East"?

    so which one is related to his wife's suicide?

    I liked the way you wove JB music in with your sister's story.

    Oh, one more thing, what's with the common thinking that Brit's speak more properly? Language is a live changing thing. They don't rule the world anymore.

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  6. its wonderful when your family comes back to its roots! We are so far away from all ours with so far no possibility of going back! :(

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  7. Wow. That's incredible about the clairvoyant. I went to see one once but she had a sign on her door saying 'Closed due to unforeseen circumstances...'

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  8. Ten years will do it! Oh well, don't hold her posh accent against her, will you? :) I'm sure in no time we'll wan tot blend right back in and not stick out like a sore finger quite as much! hahahahha. (Hee, I tell ya, sometime I kill myself! ?Ha.)

    So how do you keep looking so young with so much humour? I suppose you jsut never laugh at your own jokes? Hmmm.

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  9. How wonderful to have your sister back after all those years.

    I am also a Jackson Browne fan!

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  10. She probably hasn't really "gone all posh". Many Americans love English accents, but they can't tell the difference between posh and cockney (witness Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins).

    Yes, Love JB - and you've been a fan for a whole six years, or is it seven now?

    Clairvoyants? Don't believe a word of it. All bunkum ... and yet... :)

    Oh and yes, quality is everything - always!

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  11. You'll lick her back into shape quick smart Lilly. Can't have your sister foresaking the great Ozzie accent!

    What a twosome after ten years absence!

    June also in Oz

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  12. Wow 10 years since you've seen her in person! I thought me not seeing my family for 4 and a half was long! I will be seeing them in a few weeks time and unlike you, I bet they will tell me I've changed. And I have lost the Indian accent and picked up the Aussie one :) If I could pick it up in a couple of years, your sis being Aussie should have no problems going back! :P

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  13. Oh...and by the way, that was a funny story!!! :)

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  14. @ Court - same thing I believe.

    @ Vicky - yes she will because in a few months I am also going to be moving. Des is doing ok, he has his ups and downs but he has been able to go out. Thanks for asking by the way.

    @ Lisleman - I much prefer his two most popular albums. Here Come those tears again - was written by he and his mother in law. That is in my top 3 but too sad. He had a son Ethan with her and has another son in Australia. As for accents - oh I do like any accents to be honest. It just seems strange when my nieces have this very British accent. All Aussies have similar accents whereas in the UK they are all entirely different which is bizarre given the country is so small.

    @ Mike - he he - now I also know a Scottish one too if you are interested lol!!

    @ Jammie - her husband is the only one who sounds the same. I think the kids may keep theirs though. Sunblock is the answer to lifes age questions and photoshop clearly.

    @ Sarah - I could have guessed that!

    @ CJW666 - oh its 7 years (shame I cant really say that given I have a daughter who is no longer a teenager - I did start young though...lol). Its a funnt thing about accents and Britain really - I would like to find out more. One village is different from another. I think the Aussie accent came from cockneys - wherever most of the convicts came from I am guessing - I need to research this more actually.

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  15. Psych Babbler - oh no I have seen her quite often while I was living in the UK. But the kids are all growing up fast - I look at their Facebooks and wonder how its possible they now look so different. As for you - does that mean your going home for a visit or your parents are coming out? Four and a half years - it is going to be so exciting!!!!

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  16. Thanks for introducing me to his music, Lilly. That was lovely.

    I'm so happy your sister is rejoining you. I've always wanted a sister. Sigh...

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  17. That's awesome your baby sister is coming back to be close to you again. I love being around my family. Enjoy and I know you are excited about the fun times to come.

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  18. So great that your sister will be back home...your dad must be excited too. The only thing I remember about Jackson Browne was that Daryl Hannah went out with him before she started seeing JFK.

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  19. The Load out/Stay is my favorite, too... had family in a band, and we (less musical part of the family) were the roadies...they never failed to thank us with their own version of this song, which they did REALLY well...

    those were the days, my friend...

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  20. oh!! and having your sister move home after 10 years...that is wonderful!!!

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  21. Okay, Lils, Are you sure this is a good idea??? She may take your Dad's attention away from you like my sister does!!! ;) LOLOL!!!

    p.s. I left you an award on my Blog cuz you deserve it.

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  22. Spooky stuff at the psychic's!!! I had that happen to me too when I got my cards read - it all totally and utterly panned out exactly as she said - I don't do tarot cards anymore because they are too accurate! Sounds like you'll have a lot of fun when your sis comes back! How lovely! :)

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  23. That is going to be strange for the kids because I guess its their home over there now and all they have known or at least remember. It would be hard to leave friends too but if it was me I would jump at the chance. Do you think I could hide in their suitcases. I fancy a long summer as opposed a few bright London days a year.

    Jackson Browne wrote so many hits that most people who weren't listening to music in the 70s and 80s wouldnt even know about. He came from a great song writing era. True poets they indeed are. My favourite would have to be the one he wrote when 16 but I cant remember the name, everywhere I think its called. He wrote it when he was 16. As for your sister, it is going to be lots of laughs isnt it? Um do you sleep as this post was posted at 2am...

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  24. Love the clip of JB.

    I have an award for you. You can pick it up here.

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  25. Wow. That's up-tempo? lol What's his other stuff like, then? lol

    Just kidding. It really is quite a nice song!

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  26. hey, i really enjoyed the video, thanks for including it on your post. ill be honest and admit that im not familiar with Jackson Browne until ive watched the video. Yup, i do know that Stay song, and i love it. im sure it's gonna be an awesome reunion when your sis finally gets home:)

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  27. Why would you want to avoid laugh lines? avoid the frown lines, the discontent, the bad temper lines, by all m, but laugh lines will see that you have the sweetest face in the nursing home when you're 96.

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  28. @ River - that is so true - great comment, the laughing we can all do more of!!! Thanks for the reminder.

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  29. I used to love Jackson Browne but then there were those "wife beater" allegations ans I lost interest. Sometimes the most talented among us are those most tormented. I am sure he is over all that now!!!

    try a green smoothie I think you will like it!!!

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  30. I've always love Jackson Browne, but I also stopped listening to him after I learned he was abusive to one of my favorite actresses, Daryl Hannah.

    I went to a clairvoyant once, many years ago, and he was right! Great post, Lilly.

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  31. Lilly,

    How wonderful that your sister is returning to Australia ! And how true it is that accents change when you've lived elsewhere for a decently long time. You are worried about these folks speaking like the Queen, but its still English. I have nephews and nieces in the US , who speak, my language Marathi with an American accent. :-) Gets a bit complicated at times.

    (And then we have some folks right here in Mumbai, who talk as if they are actually in the B. Palace or Ascot. ...)

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  32. Thanks for visiting my blog and for your very lovely words about my French Trip...!

    So, did you go to England, too? That wasn't clear to me. I love when these "see-ers" see or get things that you absolutely believe cannot happen....!

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  33. How great you'll be closer to your sister again! And I'm sure your Dad is happy too.

    I was a big Jackson Browne fan but somehow his music got moved to the back shelf. I'll dust if off and play him again. Thanks for the reminder with your great story!

    xo

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  34. I have not heard of Jackson Browne but of course know Stay a little bit longer. It was rather a nice surprise to hear it. Is it his song?

    Will check him out. Enjoyed the video. Thank you.

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  35. Lilly you KNOW what a great fan I am of Jackson and when I saw him in concert earlier this year I am even a bigger fan if that is possible. You had better not miss him next time he comes out the Australia!

    How lovely to have your sister home after 10 years. I didn't realise you came from a large family.....5 of you...3 sisters and 1 brother???

    When you said in one of your comments above you will be moving...are you staying in Canberra?

    Keep warm my dear friend.
    Hugs
    Peggy

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  36. Jackson Browne is great! And how wonderful that your sister is going to be closer to you.

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  37. Wow, three sisters!! That must have been quite a household when you were all growing up!

    How lovely you'll be able to see your sister more often now.

    Loved the Jackson Browne story. I too loooooooooove him ... saw him in Sydney some years ago and it was wonderful. Sigh.

    Cheers.

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  38. Oh I loved the Pretender album of his, his best ever but you have to be in a deep and meaningful mood to listen to it. Good news about your baby sister.

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  39. Classic song Lilly, I thoroughly enjoyed swaying along to this, thanks for the memory, took me right back to those fabulous seventies. Do you know who that gorgeous lady was who sang so beautifully? How cool was her hair, we don't see much hair like that nowadays, since straight hair is all the rage. Ooh, I wish I could play a piano like he does.

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  40. Oh, and great news about your sister coming home, woohoo! I love my big sister, I have always been her number one fan and she has always been the greatest sister in the world to me.

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  41. @ Rowe - I think the lady is Heather someone but will find out. Yes the hair is quite interesting and sort of what happened in the 70s although I cant quite remember. I never ever had a perm in my life. I have always had fairly straight hair so waiting until I became part of the blue rinse set to get a curly look. Do you play piano, its never too late to start anyway. I learnt but do not play like that either.

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  42. Here's to laughter and happy reunions.

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