Don't Get Lost In The Crowd

I know it's hard
When you feel like you're all alone
And there's no one left to turn to
I know it's hard
To watch people pass you by
Unsure of what to do

You say your friends don't care
If you disappear
But I always will be there to say

Don't get lost in the crowd
I'll always be around
To hold your hand
And to take you places you never seen
Don't get lost in the crowd
Be the one that's strong
And never give in
You create your own path
So don't get lost in the crowd

You may not have
The latest styles from the magazines
You may not have
That Prada or Gucci bag
But do you really need that?
Do the styles make the person
Or is it what's within?

Why are you so desperate
To blend in
When you were born to stand out?

Don't get lost in the crowd
I'll always be around
To hold your hand
And to take you places you never seen
Don't get lost in the crowd
Be the one that's strong
And never give in
You create your own path
So don't get lost in the crowd

Don't Want You Back

I always said you were more
Then just a pretty face
Now I know I was fooled
You were nothing but a disgrace
I guess I should have known
That I would be
Just another victim
Of your sexuality
Forgive my honesty but you've got to go
I don't want you back

Don't want you back
You're no good for me
I know that now
Forgive me when I say
I can't do this every night and every day
It's time for you to go
Don't want you back

I knew something was wrong
When you started hanging out with so-called friends
I guess you really had lost
All common sense
It took longer then I realized
The words you were saying
Were nothing but lies
And I can't do this anymore
Forgive my honesty but you've got to go
I don't want you back

Don't want you back
You're no good for me
I know that now
Forgive me when I say
I can't do this every night and every day
It's time for you to go
Don't want you back

Don't bother
Giving me a reason why
Let's just end this chapter
On you and I
You continue to change the rules
Now I don't know the game
You've change who you are
Just kept the same name
Forgive my honesty but you've got to go
I don't want you back

Don't want you back
You're no good for me
I know that now
Forgive me when I say
I can't do this every night and every day
It's time to go
Don't want you back
Don't want you back
You're no good for me
I know that now
Forgive me when I say
I can't do this every night and every day
It's time to go
Don't want you back

Time Is Money

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.

SON: “Daddy, may I ask you a question?”
DAD: “Yeah sure, what is it?”
SON: “Daddy, how much do you make an hour?”
DAD: “That’s none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?” He said angrily.
SON: “I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?”
DAD: “If you must know, I make Rs.100 an hour.”
SON: “Oh,” the little boy replied, with his head down.
SON: “Daddy, may I please borrow Rs.50?”

The father was furious, “If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room."  The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.

The man had calmed down, and started to think: Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that Rs.50 and he really didn’t ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy’s room and opened the door.” Are you asleep, son?” He asked.

“No daddy, I’m awake,” replied the boy.

“I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier” said the man. Here’s the Rs.50 you asked for.”

The little boy sat straight up, smiling. “Oh, thank you daddy!” He yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills.The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father. “Why do you want more money if you already have some?” the father grumbled.”Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do,” the little boy replied.

“Daddy, I have Rs.100 now. Can I buy an hour of your time?  Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you.”

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness.

A reminder to all of us working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts.

River Of Tears

As I sit here at my desk
A river of tears runs down my cheeks
I can't do anything right
Everything I say is wrong

Where did it go wrong?
Wasn't I good enough for you?
Did I turn into that girl
That I aspired not to turn into?

You make me feel
Like I'm not good enough
You are the reason I cry
Not because you yell at me
Because I feel like I fail
Every time I try

Every time I close my eyes
It's your face I see
It's blurry and unfocused
Because of my river of tears

Why do I even try
When I all I feel is pain?
What's happened between us
To make me feel this way?

A river of tears
Cry me a river
It's not that hard to do
But it's not something that I want to do

I want to go back
To what we were
Laughing, playing, having fun
Smiling 24/7

If there is a Heaven
Let me know of it soon
At least up there I know
That my river of tears will come to an end

St. Valentine's Day

Rose was beautiful.  Just like the flower.  Her long flowing auburn hair glistened in the sunlight and her large brown eyes captured her true innocence.

I first saw her at the book store on the corner of Clarence and Kipling Street, almost a year ago to the day.  She was stunning, her long, lean legs climbing high up her black skirt.  I stared intensely through my sunglasses at her.  She was perfection.

I made my move the following week, ‘accidently’ bumping into her while trying to flag down a taxi.  Apologizing the best I could, I offered to buy her a cup of coffee.  Hesitantly she agreed.

Walking down the street with her to my favorite coffee shop, I could smell the scent of her shampoo and her perfume colliding.  It was intoxicating.  If I wasn’t careful, I knew that she was the kind of woman I could fall hopelessly in love with.

Over coffee I got to know her more.  I learned that she was an only child of divorced parents and that she worked for a music label as a receptionist.  She was quirky in her musical tastes and loved old black and white movies.  As luck would have it, the local cinema was hosting an old movie marathon the following weekend. 

As soon as I mentioned it, her dark eyes lit up and it became official.  I had scored a first date with Rose.

For the next year, Rose and I dated.  We saw old movies, ate at some of the finest restaurants the city had to offer and took long walks through the park.  I had met her mother when she visited the city and had spoken with her father when he called to check in.  Both were very accommodating to their daughter’s new boyfriend.

But things didn’t seem to be going so well at the beginning of the next year.  In fact, Rose often cancelled dates, saying she was working late or that she had a headache.

As Valentine’s Day drew near, Rose became more distant, pulling away from me in public, refusing to hold my hand.  She wouldn’t even say she loved me anymore.  Instead she got really quiet whenever we were out, staring off into the distance, her eyes showing a hint of sadness.

Then came the phone call I was expecting.  She said she wanted to break up.  She was no longer happy with our relationship, that I was smothering her and felt that it was better to cut the ties now before I became even more invested in her.

I sat in silence, listening to her explanation, all the while wondering if there was another man.  I told her that it was alright but I warned her that I had already gotten her a Valentine’s gift that would be sent to her apartment on that day.  She sobbed into the phone, calling me sweet, before hanging up.

The morning of Valentine’s Day came.  I stood outside her apartment, a giant teddy bear in hand along with two dozen red roses and a large box of the most expensive chocolates.  It wasn’t original, but seeing as it was my first Valentine’s Day with a girlfriend, I decided to go with something I knew would work.

I knocked on the door, holding the bear up to my face so she couldn’t see who I was.

I heard the door open and a startled gasp. 

“Oh, my.  He really did go all out.  John.  John, come have a look at what my ex got me.”

I could feel my face turning red with rage.  There was someone else.  I peeked around the bear to see John McGavin from her work standing in the living area in a pair of boxer shorts, his bare and toned chest on display.

“Sign here,” I said gruffly, handing her the bear and pulling my cap down over my eyes. 

Rose took the form from my hand and signed with her usual flourish.  She seemed so touched by everything, smiling broadly as she took in the sights of the 24 long stemmed red roses and the box of chocolates. 

I snatched the form back from her and left the apartment. 

Standing in the hallway, I listened through the door.  I couldn’t hear all the conversation but I did hear the words “Sucker” and “Pathetic.” 

I could feel my blood boiling and I knew that I had to do something.

Boldly, I removed my cap and jacket, discarding them into the garbage shoot, before banging on her door.

She opened it, her eyes widening. 

“W-w-what are you doing here?” she asked, her lip trembling.

I forced a smile to face, hoping that she couldn’t see how infuriated I was.  “I just wanted to make sure you got my gifts,” I told her, pushing past her and strolling into the apartment.

John stood up, folding his arms across his chest.  I gave him a dismissive glance before turning back to Rose.

“Twenty-four roses for a single beautiful Rose,” I said, touching the velvet petals lightly.  “I’m glad to see that they’re all nice, decent roses.  None of those half-sprouted buds, which just look terrible.  These are all nicely in bloom.”

Rose gave me a tight smile, straining to understand what I was doing there. 

“So, this must be the new man.  Or is it the old man that you were seeing behind my back?” I asked, facing John.

Rose lowered her eyes.  “I didn’t mean to hurt you,” she said timidly.  “It just happened.”

“Nothing just happens, Rose,” I said, not taking my eyes off John.  “You either want it or you don’t.  Like now.”  I pulled a gun, complete with silencer, out of my pocket and shot John point-blank in the chest.

Blood poured from the gaping hole in his chest.  His hand clutched it, trying to prevent from bleeding out. 

I watched in satisfaction as he slumped to the floor, the crimson stream running down his body and staining the carpet. 

It took me a second to realize that Rose was screaming in terror.  I wrapped my hand around her mouth.  “Shut up,” I hissed, my lips brushing her ear.  “I have other plans for you.”

I dragged her by her hair, kicking and screaming, into the bedroom.  I felt her twist and pull, trying to get away, but she was no match for my strength.

Grabbing her robe’s cord I began binding her hands, wrapping it around the wrought iron bed head, making sure she was completely securing.

She was crying now.  My beautiful Rose had a tear stained face and was struggling to get air.  She was apologizing but I was no longer interested in anything she had to say.

“You told me that I was smothering you,” I said, bringing my face down to hers.  “You left me a week before Valentine’s Day.  That’s not good, is it Rose?”

She shook her head, pleading with me to release her.  “I’ll never leave your side,” she promised, wiggling her body on the bed so that her nightgown rose up her thigh.  “I’ll never leave.”

“You already have,” I told her, brushing a strand of her hair away from her face.  “You told me I was smothering you.  I guess that means I should.”

Before she could protest, I grabbed a pillow from her bed and placed it over her face.  Her muffled screams were music to my ears as she thrashed about on the bed, struggling to get air into her lungs. 

I watched with glee as she bucked beneath me, kicking wildly at the air, trying to break free.  I knew her lungs would be burning from lack of oxygen and that her screaming would be causing her throat to get sore.

The screams faded and soon her body was still.  I kept the pillow over her face for a little while longer, just to be sure.

When I removed it, she was dead.  Her eyes were wide, her mouth parted in a scream of terror.  But she was still beautiful.  My beautiful, sweet Rose.

I stood up, untying her wrists from the bed head.  I closed her eyes, kissed her forehead and wished her a very happy Valentine’s Day before producing a small pocket knife and cutting out her heart.

Oddly enough, after that, I never had another girlfriend tell me I was smothering them.  That’s probably because I’ve never had another girlfriend.  But I always look back at that Valentine’s Day with fond memories. 

The police were baffled by the murders.  I eventually was caught after a neighbor ratted me out.  But due to a technicality, I was walking free once more.

Curtis Stone's Lemon Risotto With Calamari, Toasted Garlic And Rocket

I love food.  Hi, my name is Rhiannon and I'm a food-aholic.

A couple of posts on this blog have been dedicated to recipes that I find, not only easy to make, but also incredibly tasty.  This one is no different.

Compliments of Australian celebrity chef, Curtis Stone, I present Lemon Risotto with Calamari, Toasted Garlic and Rocket.

Ingredients

• 3 cups water
• 2 cups Coles Brand Real Chicken Stock
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 medium brown onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
• 1 3/4 cups (350g) Coles Brand Arborio Rice
• 1/2 cup dry white wine (St Andrews Chardonnay)
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 300g cleaned calamari tubes, from the deli, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1/4 cup Coles Brand Australian Parmesan Cheese Shredded
• 50g rocket (about 2 loosely packed cups)
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Preparation method

In a small heavy-based saucepan, combine water and stock. Heat stock mixture over high heat until hot but not boiling. Cover and keep warm.

Heat a large heavy non-stick high-sided frying pan over medium heat. Add oil, then add the garlic and cook for 1 min, or until golden brown. Add onion and cook for about 1 min, or until softened. Add rice and stir for 1 min, or until well coated. Add the wine and stir constantly for 1 min, or until most of the wine has evaporated. Stir in the lemon zest.

Add 1 cup hot stock mixture to rice mixture and cook, stirring almost constantly and keeping the mixture at a steady simmer, until it is absorbed. Continue adding hot stock mixture, 1 cup at a time, stirring until each addition is almost completely absorbed before adding more, and cook for 18 mins, or until rice is al dente and creamy.

Stir in the calamari and cook, stirring, for 4 mins, or until opaque and tender. Remove pan from heat and stir in parsley and two-thirds of the parmesan. Stir in rocket and lemon juice. Season to taste with salt.

Divide risotto between four wide serving bowls. Garnish with remaining parmesan and freshly ground black pepper and serve.

This Is Life

I've been walked on.
I've been used
And I've been forgotten.
But that's just life.
I don't regret one moment of it
Because in these moments
I've learned a lot.
I've learned who I can trust
And who I can't.
I've learned the meaning of friendship.
I've been to Hell and back
More times then I care to remember
And because of that
I won't take anything I've got for granted.
This is life.
Live it one day at a time.
Because you never know 
How many days you've got left.

Rhiannon Irons' Top 13 Australian Horror Movies

G'Day.  Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Tonight I'm unleashing Australia on the horror world, showing you all just how tough we are Down Under.  Included on this list are creature features, slashers, supernatural styled thrillers and even a found-footage style movie.

Remember, down in Australia, we know what really scares you.
Rhiannon Elizabeth Irons

13)  SAW (2003)

It’s hard to believe that it was a decade ago that Jigsaw first uttered the chilling words, “I want to play a game.”  It’s even harder to believe that this film came out of the mind of two Australians.  Yes, that’s right.  SAW is an Australian film.  The sequels, not so much, but the original is.

A bunch of ‘games’ designed to make people appreciate life takes a deadly twist in this franchise, but it all began in a simple, grimy bathroom.  So now it’s time for me to say “Live or die; Make your choice.”


12)  THE CARS THAT ATE PARIS (1974)

The small town of Paris, Australia deliberately causes car accidents, then sells/salvages all valuables from the wrecks as a means of economy.  Doesn’t sound like much of a horror movie, but add in the fact that the survivors of the accidents are kept, given lobotomies and used for medical experiments, it becomes a chilling, if not slightly comical tale. 

If you can find this film, it’s worth the watch.  Humor and horror perfectly combined gives THE CARS THAT ATE PARIS the number 12 spot on this list.

11)  DAYBREAKERS (2009)

A few people are surprised that this is an Australian movie.  But with the likes of Claudia Karvan, Sam Neill, Vince Colosimo and Isabel Lucas heading up the cast which also included Willem Dafoe and Eathan Hawke, DAYBREAKERS has become a must see vampire movie. 

A plague of vampire bats suddenly causes the population to become vampires?  Sounds horrific.  The fact that it was filmed in my home state of Queensland just adds to the disturbing factor of this Aussie horror.

10)  SNOWTOWN (2011)

Also known as THE SNOWTOWN MURDERS in the US, SNOWTOWN is based on true events.  One of the most outstanding Australian horror movies, SNOWTOWN holds its own, delivering thrills and chills as well as genuine scares.

Rotten Tomatoes said “It’s a bleak and brutal endurance test, but for the viewers with the strength and patience to make it to the end, SNOWTOWN will prove an uncommonly powerful viewing experience.”  This I fully agree with.  If you haven’t seen it, do yourselves a favour.  Grab a copy today.

9)  BLACK WATER (2007)

There’s a reason why BLACK WATER continues to make my Top 13 lists; it’s because it’s a phenomenal piece of work, combining real life crocodile footage in with the actors to deliver not only scares, but also realism. 

Crocodile attacks a tourist boat and most of the film consists of people sitting in a tree, too scared to enter the water.  Their tour guide is dead and there’s a very hungry croc waiting for the next course.  Thrilling, chilling and very real, BLACK WATER is a reason why you never ever smile at an Australian crocodile.

8)  LONG WEEKEND (1978)

Shot in 1977 but first shown in 1978, LONG WEEKEND has also undergone the remake treatment in 2008.  What was supposed to be a nice weekend away turns into a nightmare when nature decides to fight back against a couple and their litterbug ways.

Want to know what the penalty is for littering in Australia?  Watch this film.  If the locals don’t kill you then the wildlife will.

7)  PATRICK (1978)

Two words: Psychokinetic powers.  Patrick is in a coma.  Three years earlier he murdered his mother and her lover by electrocution.  Using in psychokinetic powers, Patrick falls in love with a nurse at the hospital by communicating with an electric typewriter.  He controls the men in her life and also manages to defend himself again Matron Cassidy who has plotted to murder him.

Underrated, understated and often overlooked, PATRICK is one hell of an Australian movie that shows even if we’re not awake, us Aussies know how to fight back.

6)  NEEDLE (2010)

A vastly underrated movie, NEEDLE is an independent supernatural horror film starring Michael Dorman and John Jarratt.  If you’re into voodoo styled movies, then this Aussie horror is for you.  A box-like device is given to Dorman’s character, Ben, and on the same night he shows it to friends, the box is stolen.  One by one all of Ben’s friends die in mysterious ways.

NEEDLE will certainly have you sitting on the edge of your seat, trying to work out who exactly is behind the killings and whether or not a voodoo curse is really in effect. 

5)  RAZORBACK (1984)

A giant pig is terrorizing the outback in this Aussie horror from the 80’s.  Doesn’t really sound much like a horror film when I describe it like that, but RAZORBACK has been described as title Jaws on trotters.

This is no Pumbaa.  This wild boar means business as it rips through a community, killing anyone it can get its tusks on.  After his journalist girlfriend is killed, Carl goes out in search of her and discovers that the outback, and its wildlife and locals aren’t ones to be messed with.

4)  CUT (2000)

A group of film students attempt to finish a horror movie that stopped production years earlier when the director was killed.  Unaware that every attempt to complete the picture coincided with the murders of those involved, the students return to the original location in an isolated part of the country.  When filming begins, so do the killings.

Kylie Minogue stars alongside one of my favourite Australian actors, Stephen Curry.  CUT combines both horror and humor with a thriller styled pace.  Best part:  Watching Australia’s pop princess having her tongue cut out.

3)  WOLF CREEK (2005)

After my rather successful review of WOLF CREEK, I don’t blame you all for thinking that it would be at number one.  Starring John Jarratt as outback killer, Mick Taylor, this film shows the dark side of the Australian outback. 

Based on a number of real life events, including the Ivan Milat backpacker murders and Peter Falconio’s disappearance, WOLF CREEK shows the world that in Australia no one can hear you scream. 

2)  THE TUNNEL (2011)

This film uses a documentary-style of horror as it shows us what’s really lurking in an underground network of abandoned railway tunnels that run underneath Sydney. 

I’m not one for found-footage style movies, but THE TUNNEL shows that they can be scary and deliver on goosebumps and chills running up and down your spine.  What’s in the darkness beneath the city of Sydney?  What kind of creature lurks in the tunnels?  Will they get out alive?  Watch THE TUNNEL and find out.

1)  THE LOVED ONES (2009)

Only recently released in the US, THE LOVED ONES hit a home run.  The character of Lola Stone makes Annie Wilkes from MISERY look like a teddy bear as she tortures Brent (Xavier Samuel) after he rejects her request to go to the formal.

This film has everything a horror fan could want.  Blood, guts and gore, suspense, and genuine terror as Lola and her father wreak havoc all the while playing Kasey Chambers’ Not Pretty Enough, which has gone from a number one smash hit in 2001 to being one of the creepiest songs around.  THE LOVED ONES is sure to leave you cowering behind a couch cushion as a warm sensation flows down your leg….

A Surprise From Rhiannon Irons

Ladies and gentlemen,

It's been a while since I've released a new short story so I wanted to bring you up to speed with what's happening, seeing as I have a surprise for the readers of The Final Curtain.

On Valentine's Day I'll be releasing a new short story that will kick off a 12 part series.  Each month, on a certain date, a new chapter in this story will be revealed, adding to the story on a whole.

What is it about?  I cannot say at this point.  You'll just have to wait until Valentine's Day to see.

Lots of love,

Rhiannon Elizabeth Irons

P.S.  Here's a hint for what I have in store.  Each date is a special date on the American calendar.

Not Worth The Drama

It's not worth the drama
I'm gonna leave it up to karma
Forget the tales of revenge
And the nights full of sin
I'm not the kind of girl that gives in
I don't mean to cause any trauma
But it's just not worth the drama

A night of lust go awry
Without you by my side
Nothing seems to be alright
And I cry
I fight so hard to keep you
There's nothing more I can do
I'm stuck on you like glue
And you know that it's true

Times are hard right now
And all I wonder is how
Is it possible to stay
When you've got me feeling this way

It's not worth the drama
I'm gonna leave it up to karma
Forget the tales of revenge
And the nights full of sin
I'm not the kind of girl that gives in
I don't mean to cause any trauma
But it's just not worth the drama

Lately we're fighting more
It's like we're battling in a war
And it shakes me to my core
That I didn't see this before
Things use to be alright
You standing by my side
Now all we do is fight
I'm starting to take fright

Times are hard right now
And all I wonder is how
Is it possible to stay
When you got me feeling this way

It's not worth the drama
I'm gonna leave it up to karma
Forget the tales of revenge
And the nights full of sin
I'm not the kind of girl that gives in
I don't mean to cause any trauma
But it's just not worth the drama

Roses Are Red

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Honey is sweet
But not as sweet as you

You say the sweetest words to me
You always do what you say
You hand me a single red rose
And tell me everything's okay
Roses are red
And every rose has its thorn
But a silver lining can be seen
As each new day is born

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Hold me close
Stick to me like glue

Holding me close
A simple gesture shows you care
Whether it be a single red rose or
Your hands playing with my hair
Sugar is sweet
This much is true
Whenever I see a red rose
I always think of you

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Nothing's fresher
Then the scent of morning dew

Roses are red
Violets are blue
I'll stay around
No matter what you do

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Honey is sweet
But not as sweet as you